CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237: LEADING THE RHYTHM IS FUN

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

"Thanks for the invitation.

"Based on the intelligence, we can discover that in the Secret Realm, the mage who purifies the Strange Creatures is only one Male Mage; the Female Mage does not act. From this, we can boldly speculate that the Female Mage and the Male Mage very likely shoulder different responsibilities.

"Unlike the Female Mage, apart from fighting and Healing, the Male Mage can also purify Strange Creatures and cast Forbidden Techniques. It is evident that the Male Mage is to some extent superior to the Female Mage.

"So, why is it that every time there is a battle in the Secret Realm, there is only one Male Mage plus several Female Mages? The determination of Magicians to kill Strange Creatures is unwavering, even at the cost of sacrificing themselves. If sending multiple Male Mages was possible, the World Tree would have no reason not to do so.

"In conclusion, we can arrive at a conclusion: while the Secret Realm only allows Transcendents to enter or exit, there are other limitations—the entry and exit of Magicians are highly restricted. It’s even very likely that only one Male Mage is allowed to enter.

"Moreover, it’s quite possible that there are other mechanisms in place which make Male Mages more fearless of sacrifice than Female Mages. It could be faith, or perhaps they possess abilities like ’Resurrection’ or ’Reincarnation.’

"Why then is the number of Female Mages increasing with each battle in the Secret Realm? I believe this is also related to the Secret Realm.

"According to the intelligence, the strength and number of Secret Realm monsters are also progressively increasing. There are two possibilities: either the Magicians are purifying the Secret Realm in a ’weakest to strongest’ order, or, when the Magicians purify one Secret Realm, the other Realms also react, causing the monster strength to rise.

"The Secret Realms appear simultaneously; there must be some unnatural connection that science cannot observe.

"As the Secret Realm strengthens, it also signifies that the ’entrance’ is expanding. Although the ’entrance’ may expand, it’s very likely that only one Male Mage can still pass through, but the number of entering Female Mages is increasing.

"Judging from the Magicians’ battle style, they are likely accustomed to this brutal combat, and the emotions between them are quite indifferent. Death is routine for them, so they will not stop because of the death of companions but continue relentlessly on the path to purify the Secret Realm.

"The aforementioned is all."

After finishing writing, Ren Suo went to practice his Cultivation. When he came back three hours later, he found that he had already received 212 likes—this question had garnered over ten thousand clicks very quickly because it disclosed a lot of information about Magicians, and many Researchers were involved in the discussion.

He was no longer a level 1 Researcher but had been promoted to level 2 through multiple correct answers to Transcendent questions, and had become an ’industry authority’ with many Researchers seriously reviewing his answers.

Many Researchers also publicly refuted Ren Suo’s answers, accusing him of drawing the target after shooting the arrow—forcibly fitting facts into logic. However, Ren Suo reviewed them and found that currently, no other answer was more reliable than his. Most, like his, simply offered various justifications for the Magicians’ actions.

And with that, Ren Suo had essentially won.

What he needed to do was not to simply accumulate Research Points but to find a way to guide the attitude of the Researchers, presenting an answer that seemed ’logical yet surreal’ to encourage them to make more speculations in an attempt to refute his—

Perhaps someone would completely perfect the logic behind the actions of the Magicians, and it didn’t matter if that person wasn’t Ren Suo, for he was here to fill in the last gap for the Magicians.

Now, if there is no evidence to overturn the claims about the Magicians, then most Researchers would not doubt the authenticity of the World Tree but would try to present more speculations to prove its existence.

In short, Ren Suo led the pace on the internal network.

Leading the pace is really fun... Ren Suo thought to himself.

However, the Mysterious Country learning that four Female Mages had appeared in the Secret Realm meant that the Magicians had already cleared the fourth stage.

Progress is a bit fast, Ren Suo noted the time; it had only been four days since he ate durian chicken... since his trip to Fragrance City.

Does that mean the Magicians were advancing non-stop through the stages?

Ren Suo didn’t know the interval between the stages (he himself would stop to practice Cultivation for a day or two after clearing a stage), and when encountering real Earthlings, Ren Suo also had the Magicians secretly ask them, "What day is it today?"

Then the reply came: "It is now the year (BEEP) (BEEP) month (BEEP) day."

All the key numbers being censored is really something...

’Ren Naiser’ hasn’t released a video yet; it seems it will only be after the Magicians have completely purified all Secret Realms.

There are still a few days until August; might as well spend them firmly practicing Cultivation!

That’s what Ren Suo thought, but life is unpredictable; you never know if the next second will bring chocolate or shit—

After having lunch at the Dong Chengling Family, Ren Suo stayed to wash the dishes in the kitchen (it was Gu Yueyan’s turn in the evening). When he finished washing up, he saw Dong Chengling sitting in the living room waiting.

"Ren Suo, wait a moment," Dong Chengling called out to him. "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yes, I am."

"How about we go watch a movie then?"

Ren Suo looked at her sternly, momentarily taken aback. "Can Second Stage Cultivators catch a fever, too? Do you want me to help you with Healing?"

The always-cultivating-or-teaching Dong Chengling actually wanted to watch a movie; apart from illness, Ren Suo couldn’t think of any other reason.

"I’m serious," Dong Chengling said calmly. "I want to watch ’Demon-Slaying Blade.’"

"’Demon-Slaying Blade’?" Ren Suo took out his smartphone to search and said in surprise, "An action film with themes of Cultivators and Demons battling in the city? Wait, it’s produced in collaboration with Sky Capital Countermeasure General Bureau and claimed to be the ’first realistic fantasy 3D action blockbuster with the participation of Cultivators’? Filmed for less than two months and then rapidly released, dominating all the cinemas?"

Dong Chengling nodded. "Although I don’t like films and such entertainment, this movie is said to be based on the actual process of Cultivators suppressing Demons and possesses both entertainment and educational value."

Ren Suo thought for a moment and understood why the nation would promote this movie—although Demons are being quickly suppressed by the Tactical Bureau, there are still remnants. A movie gives the public some basic awareness and, at the same time, can promote patriotic sentiments, further elevating the Tactical Bureau’s position as ’protectors of the people.’

Other potential Cultivators and Awakeners will also see that the nation has established a complete training system and professional framework for Transcendents. Witnessing the strength of the nation’s Cultivators, they will naturally behave and accept the nation’s recruitment and training—even if they are reluctant, they must consider their family.

At present, the nation is actively nurturing Cultivators, but only insiders are aware of this news. The general public only knows that there are ten academies where one can ’cultivate.’ As for the national attitude towards Cultivators, most of them are in the dark.

And this movie could undoubtedly become the nation’s best promotional film.

Ren Suo continued to read the encyclopedia information and asked, "Just you and me?"

"Mhm." Dong Chengling nodded.

"I think so too," Ren Suo said, "since this film is rated R and not suitable for viewers under 18 years old, people like Gu Yueyan won’t be able to watch it."

*Demon-Slaying Blade* aspired to show realism; supposedly, it featured not only blood plasma but also corpses, intestines, and internal organs, making it an R-rated movie that minors could not watch.

Dong Chengling was slightly stunned, then nodded, "Yeah."

"Alright, when shall we go watch it tomorrow?"

Currently, Ren Suo only had a level 1 Bond with Dong Chengling, and he had no idea what was needed to reach level 2, but he believed that spending more time with her was never a mistake.

"In the afternoon."

"Then it’s a date."

Upon leaving Dong Chengling’s house, when Ren Suo reached the first floor of his dormitory building, he found Gu Yueyan leaning against the wall again.

This scene felt rather familiar... Ren Suo tried to just walk past her by focusing ahead, but Gu Yueyan still grabbed him.

"Ren Suo, wait."

"At the very least, I should count as your teacher," Ren Suo reluctantly looked at her. "You always call me by my name directly. I don’t really mind, but others might think it’s impolite."

"Do you want me to call you ’Big Brother Ren’ like Xiaoyu?" Gu Yueyan looked at him with disdain.

"Well, if possible..."

"Uncle, you just focus on your Cultivation and stop daydreaming," Gu Yueyan said.

Ren Suo waved his hand. "Just keep calling me by my name then; it’s better than ’Uncle’..."

"You remember that you owe me a Healing session, right?" Gu Yueyan asked.

Ren Suo thought for a moment and nodded, "Yeah, I remember."

Half a month ago, when he went with Gu Yueyan to Ailan Lake in Fragrance City, Ren Suo failed to rescue Gu Yueyan in time. He felt he hadn’t fulfilled his duties as a Guardian, so he told her he owed her one.

"I plan to go to the back mountain of the academy at night to train my awakened spells," Gu Yueyan said. "Because my spells are of the damage type, and I don’t yet have full control over them, I might hurt myself. Therefore, I would like you to be there as a safety net."

She paused. "I once trained by myself, and although I wasn’t injured, it did cut a bit of my hair..."

Ren Suo couldn’t help but chuckle. "To be hurt by your own awakened spells, you’re catching up to Xiaoyu in the embarrassment department... But sure, when?"

Thinking that he had yet to create a Bond with Gu Yueyan, and considering her rare damage Ability, Ren Suo naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

"How about tomorrow night!"

Ren Suo blinked, a bit hesitant. "Eh... Can we choose another time?"

"Hmm? I have to go home the day after tomorrow, and I won’t be back until next month," Gu Yueyan said. "Moreover, my Awakening is related to the sky’s color. Tomorrow night is a Full Moon, the perfect condition for Casting Spells. What, do you have plans tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow night... it’s not that I have plans."

"Then it’s settled! Remember, tomorrow at 8 PM on the back mountain. Nights in summer get dark late!"

Having said that, Gu Yueyan slipped away as if afraid Ren Suo would refuse.

At that moment, Ren Suo’s phone rang. It was Zhao Huo.

"Let’s hang out tomorrow. Chairman Xie is free too; let’s go for some beer and barbecue..."

"I’m not available, and hanging out with you guys is not very cost-effective."

Zhao Huo and the others, although their strength is decent, are not Awakeners and naturally don’t have any Bonds.

Zhao Huo, who had his call abruptly cut off, was slightly taken aback. He stroked his chin. "That guy is actually talking about cost-effectiveness! Compared to hanging out with us, the only thing more cost-effective is... hanging out with girls, right?!"

Ren Suo went back to the first floor of his dorm. He saw the Black Cat lying in a cool spot, basking in the sun, and crouched down to stroke the cat while pondering:

It feels a bit too coincidental...

————

"What are you laughing at, team leader?"

Facing the inquiry from a team member, Qiao Muyi put her phone back in her pocket and said with a smile,

"Nothing much, I just find leading the rhythm really amusing."