53: Departure

Originally, they had planned to thoroughly review Student Xu Yan's research findings once he sent them, point out his problems, and sternly admonish him, making him conduct his research diligently and avoid resorting to dishonest methods out of impatience.

However, Xu Yan's message seemed only to inform them; there were no papers or attachments. Moreover, their calls to him went unanswered or were busy.

This situation made their suspicion that Xu Yan might have 'gone astray' grow even stronger.

After contacting each other and probing, they found that the other party had the same situation and suspicions, which further confirmed that there was an issue with Xu Yan's words. Then, they eagerly rushed into the secret realm where Xu Yan was located.

However, they were blocked at Xu Yan's door by Zhu Yan, Wuxiang, and a large number of red and blue Wind Flame Lions and Wind Flame Lion Kings. No matter how much they pleaded, they couldn't break through the spirit beasts' 'defense line'.

With their strength, dealing with these spirit beasts, none higher than Commander Rank, should have been easy. However, with everything unclear, they were unwilling to resort to force.

The most important reason for their hesitation was the several blue Wind Flame Lion Kings before them, whose auras were harmonious and whose presence was majestic.

Looking at the blue lions, which showed no signs of discord, no indications of greatly reduced lifespan or overdrawn potential, and certainly didn't seem to have used any dishonest methods, an emotion named 'anticipation and hope' gradually rose in their hearts.

Perhaps Xu Yan hadn't lied and hadn't used those dishonest methods.

He truly had, within two months, by observing the Wind Flame Lion King that evolved during the Breeder assessment and studying that senior's paper, successfully researched the evolutionary conditions for a new form of the Wind Flame Lion King.

Their previous conjectures were merely the narrow misunderstandings of mediocre people, of frogs at the bottom of a well, towards true geniuses.

Bah, I've always believed in Xu Yan from beginning to end. It's all this guy next to me's problem. Only a short-sighted person would doubt such a genius.

Similar thoughts appeared in both their minds simultaneously. Then, their eyes met, conveying the same meaning, and they glared fiercely at each other before looking away.

As the two waited anxiously, Xu Yan finally caught up on his sleep, escaped the seal of his blanket, and got up to find something to eat.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw a pile of large red and blue rumps, and the two anxiously waiting people blocked not far from his door by them.

Seeing Xu Yan open the door, their eyes lit up. They pushed aside the spirit beasts surrounding them and quickly ran towards Xu Yan.

The spirit beasts, who had been guarding the door unyieldingly, no longer obstructed them after seeing Xu Yan, allowing the two to push them aside.

Upon reaching Xu Yan, the two immediately questioned him about his research.

With their reminder, Xu Yan finally remembered that he had just finished writing the papers, and the tension he had been holding finally released. He had only sent a message to inform them that he had completed the research. After that, he couldn't resist the overwhelming sleepiness and immediately fell asleep, completely forgetting to send his general findings for them to review.

Scratching his head a bit apologetically, Xu Yan didn't make excuses and directly said:

"Sorry, I was really too tired after finishing the two papers. My mind was a bit hazy when I sent the message, and I completely forgot about it.

Please, both of you, come in and sit. I'll send you both the two papers right away, and I'd appreciate it if you could help me correct them."

As soon as his words fell, the two immediately caught the key point in Xu Yan's statement.

"Two papers?"

Facing their question, Xu Yan nodded, then recounted his two previous experiments to them.

Then, the atmosphere in the room fell silent.

After a long while, Zheng Hui finally spoke with some difficulty, asking, "You mean, in two months, you successfully understood the basic logic of that paper and applied it to a new form?

Then, while researching the new form of the Wind Flame Lion King, you felt that the Wind Flame Lion as a spirit beast had a somewhat small audience?

So, while researching, you also incidentally developed a method to reduce the conditions for incomplete evolution and make up for previous deficiencies later on?

While writing the paper, you also proposed a hypothesis about the incomplete evolution of the original form of the Wind Flame Lion King?"

Facing Zheng Hui's triple barrage of questions, Xu Yan nodded. His sixteen-year-old innocent face looked obedient, but in Zheng Hui's eyes, it seemed utterly unreasonable.

Muttering, "This isn't cultivation studies," Zheng Hui completely fell into a state of self-isolation.

Meanwhile, Feng Jie, upon hearing Zheng Hui pinpoint the key issues, was first startled, then a surge of ecstasy welled up in his heart.

He glanced disdainfully at Zheng Hui, who seemed to have suffered a major blow, then, with a brilliant smile and the gentlest possible tone, he said to Student Xu Yan, "Student Xu Yan, let's look at the papers first. Don't mind that old fellow. I know people in this field, and I can ask them to help take a look."

Upon hearing Feng Jie's words, which sounded like he wanted to take all the credit, Zheng Hui, who had been somewhat self-isolated by the blow, instantly perked up, regaining his fighting spirit, and began to argue with Feng Jie.

Ultimately, before their argument escalated into a full-blown fight involving summoning their spirit beasts, they adhered to their initial agreement.

Both parties would jointly verify Xu Yan's two papers, promptly pointing out any deficiencies and offering guidance. At the same time, regarding Xu Yan, the author of the papers, both parties should work together to protect his various rights from infringement.

After personally watching Xu Yan complete the operation on the computer and send his two papers to both their inboxes, they once again left in a hurry.

Before leaving, they didn't forget to add, "This secret realm will be permanently open to you for free from now on. You can choose whether to stay in the secret realm or go straight home. The only thing is, remember to keep your phone on so we can contact you when needed."

Watching their departing figures, Xu Yan pondered for a moment and realized that he hadn't been home in nearly two months. He felt a bit homesick and missed his old father.

Moreover, it had already been two months since he passed the General Rank Cultivator assessment, and external attention should have diminished significantly. It was time for him to go back and see.

After packing his luggage and bidding farewell to the lion pride, he left the secret realm where he had stayed for nearly two months, under the reluctant gaze of the lion pride, and embarked on his journey home.