Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Unachievable Evolution of Wanmu Wolf?
「Beast Master Association.」
In the chairman’s office at the very top, two familiar figures sat opposite each other, the office filled with the fragrance of tea.
Vice President Liu savored a sip of the Spirit-Old Tea. His lips pursed slightly, his mouth immediately began to water, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, "No wonder Su Ping said my Snow Crest with Emerald couldn’t compare to this Spirit-Old Tea. It’s indeed true!"
Qin Erlong looked somewhat pained. "This is the only pot; there’s no more. It’s only because you brought that boy out that I’m even sharing this. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten a sniff."
Vice President Liu wasn’t angered by this. He simply closed his eyes and savored a few more sips.
Seeing his enjoyment, Qin Erlong finally asked, "Speaking of which, how has that young man been doing lately?"
Vice President Liu opened his eyes. "How else could he be? He’s a promising talent. After class that day, Xiao Sun and the others wanted to take him out to fool around, but he refused them. His character is commendable."
If Su Ping heard this at this moment, he would certainly curse Sun Chaoju outright for being an old rat.
Old Qin also smiled and nodded. "Indeed, he’s impressive. So young, yet so devoted to the Beast Cultivation career and even able to resist various temptations—very promising! My granddaughter’s painstaking efforts weren’t wasted."
However, when Vice President Liu didn’t react to his cheerful expression, Qin Erlong continued, "How is the evolution of the Wanmu Wolf coming along?"
Vice President Liu then adopted a serious expression. "It’s quite good. Unfortunately, the success rate isn’t high."
"Oh, why’s that? Even you can’t manage it?" Qin Erlong perked up with interest. Evidently, after Sun Chaoju lost the Wanmu Wolf evolution method to Su Ping in a bet, he had given another copy to his own teacher. The reasoning was simple: if it could be researched successfully, Sun Chaoju, as the discoverer of this evolutionary path, would naturally gain immense benefits and fame.
Vice President Liu shook his head. "It’s not that it’s impossible, but it’s difficult to explain. The Wanmu Wolf evolution extends and expands the Forest Wolf’s Wood Attribute even further! Moreover, unlike the Crown Wolf Emperor, which controls Wood Attribute forces, the Wanmu Wolf, while also capable of controlling Wood Attribute power, primarily focuses on absorbing the essence of wood into its own body. This characteristic is wonderfully similar to how trees and other woody plants function. Therefore, after Xiao Sun completes an evolution, the resulting Wanmu Wolves all adopt that particular form. To fully master this evolution, the Wanmu Wolf must pass through an extremely special and delicate stage, one that requires numerous attempts. Furthermore, the potential of this Evolutionary Body is currently unknown. And if this evolution fails at any point after entering the evolutionary phase, the mortality rate is one hundred percent..."
As Vice President Liu elaborated, Qin Erlong’s frown deepened. Finally, he glared at Liu Fuhai. "You didn’t tell Little Su about this beforehand? What were you thinking?"
Vice President Liu also glared. "What should I have said? That the evolution for Little Su is too difficult, that even I would need to prepare meticulously if I wanted to try? That he should just forget it? If I put it that way, wouldn’t the kid just get more fired up? You bastard! I haven’t settled the score with you for last time! Your own granddaughter went to do the cultivation, and you damn well didn’t explain it to me clearly! You had Miss Qin come over to call me to account, and I, at my age, had to put on a smiling face for your granddaughter? Now you want to pick a fight with me over this kid’s business too? Qin Erlong, don’t think I’m scared of you now just because you found yourself a fierce wife!"
Seeing Old Liu flare up, Qin Erlong immediately softened and chuckled. "It’s only because it’s you, Old Liu. If Zuo Guang came here and dared to talk to me like that, I’d show him what’s what."
Noticing Old Liu had fallen silent, Qin Erlong quickly picked up the teapot, poured him another cup, and changed the subject. "Speaking of which, how come Zuo Guang has been in the Imperial Capital for so long and still hasn’t returned? Is he playing lapdog for headquarters again?"
"Your words don’t have to be so harsh. Old Zuo isn’t having an easy time either. Jianghai Province hasn’t produced any significant achievements in a long time, so it’s understandable he feels he’s lost face at headquarters."
"Results? What counts as results? It’s only in recent years, after the Holy Dragon took charge and significantly increased supervision, that things have changed. Otherwise, how much of the top-to-bottom resource allocation actually reached the hands of Research Breeders? Zuo Guang used to turn a blind eye to it all. If it weren’t for some old ties, he would have been guilty of connivance and sheltering. But now, it’s alright. He knows when to step back, is ready to retire, and has handed most of the association’s major affairs over to you. But the Breeders with Talent from back then have all left for other regions. How many are still in Jianghai? It’d be a wonder if they could produce any results." Qin Erlong sounded extremely dismissive, apparently holding the actual president of the Jianghai Province Breeder Association in no regard whatsoever.
Vice President Liu, however, merely smiled and didn’t pursue the topic. Generally, while the Beast Master Association did wield the most local power, the Breeder Association had different functions, making extensive involvement often inappropriate.
After a pause, Old Liu changed the subject. "So, that’s why I’m hoping that young man might create a miracle, isn’t it? If he can successfully develop the Wanmu Wolf’s evolution, then, setting aside everything else, Jianghai Province should at least make a respectable showing at the year-end Breeder Contest, don’t you think? Even if it’s an Advanced Level evolution for the Forest Wolf, considering the difficulty, it might not win us first place if it can’t be widely adopted. But at least Jianghai Province wouldn’t be so utterly disgraced, right?"
Qin Erlong was about to scoff, but then his eyes suddenly lit up. "In that case, shouldn’t the Breeder Association also provide strong sponsorship and support for the resources Su Ping needs for his evolution experiments?"
Vice President Liu was taken aback and shot the old scoundrel a speechless glance. "No wonder you managed to pursue her back then; you really do have thick skin. But rest assured, Little Su asked for a Sun Crystal a few days ago. I reckon that’s what he mainly needs, and I’ve managed to allocate a few more these past few days."
"That’s more like it! But it’s not enough. I heard Little Su wanted to buy some equipment. As the president of the Breeder Association, one must vigorously support promising new Breeders, don’t hold back..."
Vice President Liu immediately stood up. "I knew your tea wasn’t offered for free! I’m leaving. If I stay any longer, you old fox will fleece me for sure!"
Qin Erlong didn’t try to stop him. Ultimately, however, neither of them held out much hope. Even Liu Fuhai, a man who was not only the Vice President of the Breeder Association but also a Breeder specializing in Advanced Level Wolf Pets, had stated the evolution was extremely difficult. Therefore, even if Su Ping could complete it, it certainly wouldn’t be achievable in a short period.
However, what neither of them could have imagined was that on this very ordinary day, the evolution of the Wanmu Wolf—the one they believed couldn’t be developed in a short time—had already begun.