Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Dad Coming Home Tomorrow?
Watching Old Sha’s agony, Su Ping was not the slightest bit inclined to compromise or accommodate; he was resolute in carrying out the training plan!
Not just for Old Sha. In the future, upon the creation of new Wanmu Wolves, after completing their Evolution, every single one of them would have to engage in strenuous mathematical operations and bodily recovery.
As the Breeder who had thoroughly perfected the Evolution method for the Wanmu Wolf, Su Ping had also identified the risks and harms of the woodification process in the past few days. Not to mention, after the Wanmu Wolf had completed its Evolution, it would gain a Skill called ’Mutation: Wood Body’. They could freely maintain both animal and plant forms.
Previously, when Old Sha maintained a plant state, the transmission of thought and reaction was quite stiff. If one were to give an example, it was somewhat like a patient in my previous life who initially showed symptoms of a cerebral infarction. Although this condition was completely reversed after the Evolution was completed, Su Ping still had to ensure that nothing could go wrong. Of course, cerebral infarctions might fundamentally differ from woodification, but physical activity and brain function would undoubtedly decrease the probability of woodification.
Even though these combinations and permutations of basic math problems were already very difficult for Old Sha, Su Ping showed no intention of easing the difficulty.
At this moment, Xiao Qing let out a soft howl.
Su Ping naturally understood what this little fellow meant. Compared to the others, my first Soul Contract Pet Beast seemed to lack presence. Old Sha is now the Wolf King of the Forest Wolf pack and a family member who has been with me for many years. The Paperman is the designated second Pet Beast, bound to the mysteries of the Secret Realm. On the other hand, even though Xiao Qing is a Poison Type Mutation, it’s precisely because of this reason that many of the normal Forest Wolf Cultivation techniques can’t be directly applied to her. Yet, my affection for Xiao Qing is no different. After all, in this world, a Soul Contract is an even more solid relationship and bond than blood relations. It’s just that, as for the corresponding training and Evolution research for Xiao Qing, not to mention making any progress, I haven’t even found the right direction.
"Don’t worry, you will become as strong as Old Sha in the future, or even stronger!"
"AWOO!"
Xiao Qing responded naively. In those green, shiny eyes was an absolute affirmation of trust in her master.
The day drew to a close, along with the training and Evolution. Finally, after Su Ping had spent the entire day busy, recording the specific evolutionary steps of the Wanmu Wolf in his notebook, he washed up and lay comfortably on his bed.
Despite the exhaustion from the hard work, Su Ping was not at all sleepy; instead, his brain was extremely excited. He had now reached the regular tenth Level and was on the verge of breaking through to the Elite Level, but Su Ping was in no mood for meditation. The experience of the day was too dreamlike. The long-anticipated Evolution has finally been completed.
In his excitement, Su Ping also felt a touch of loneliness. I really want to share this joy with someone right now. The first person Su Ping thought of was undoubtedly his unreliable father. He checked and, to his surprise, Su Anyong’s avatar was lit up, clearly indicating he was online.
[Su Ping: You there?]
This time, his father’s response was unexpectedly quick, catching Su Ping off guard.
[Su Anyong: ?]
[Su Anyong: Something happened at home?]
[Su Ping: ?]
[Su Ping: Do I seem as unreliable as you?]
[Su Anyong: ?]
[Su Anyong: Looks like it. Let’s get one thing straight first—if it’s over twenty million, you’re on your own.]
Su Ping couldn’t be bothered to play guessing games with Su Anyong. The best way to impress Dad is always to be direct.
[Su Ping: But something huge happened! You’ll never guess!]
...
After waiting for a while, his father didn’t ask any further questions. Instead, he remained silent, obviously waiting for Su Ping to speak.
Lying in bed, Su Ping could even imagine his father’s "I’ve already seen through you" expression, making him feel helpless. So, after waiting three minutes, Su Ping couldn’t hold it in anymore and sent Su Anyong a message:
[Su Ping: Old Sha Evolved!]
As expected, Su Anyong had been waiting for Su Ping’s message. The moment it appeared, he replied immediately. His reply was as succinct as ever:
[Su Anyong: ?]
[Su Ping: I Evolved Old Sha! Awesome, right?]
[Su Anyong: ?]
[Su Anyong: Is Old Sha okay?]
[Su Ping: ?]
[Su Ping: What do you mean? You don’t believe me?]
[Su Anyong: I believe you! Whatever my son says is true. So, Master Su Da, what is Old Sha’s Evolutionary Body? A Forest Wolf?]
[Su Ping: The Wanmu Wolf! A brand new species that no one has ever achieved through Evolution before. Your son perfected it! Awesome, right!?]
...
This time, Su Ping waited several more minutes, but no messages came through. Just as Su Ping was about to ask again, Su Anyong’s belated message finally arrived:
[Su Anyong: Son, I admit I was wrong this time, but I had no choice! Your Second Grandpa was really pressuring me...]
[Su Anyong: I had a feeling you were acting odd that day. Have you been under a lot of pressure recently? All that talk about our Jianghai Province facility being the biggest Forest Wolf breeding center in the Dragon Nation was just an excuse to get you to come home.]
[Su Anyong: It’s not necessary! No matter what, our family has some savings. If worse comes to worst, we can sell the Heart of Woods and get out of this business. We’d have enough for both of us to live worry-free for the rest of our lives.]
[Su Anyong: Of course, if you really do have some problem, this money can help me find you a good medical Beast Tamer, or even a Beast Tamer specializing in mental health. I’d go bankrupt if it meant getting you the treatment you need!]
[Su Anyong: I know you’re not too satisfied with your Beast Taming Talent, but Talent isn’t the only thing that influences a Beast Tamer’s future, right? Besides, Talents can change too, can’t they?]
[Su Anyong: So, don’t feel so much pressure! Really, if we can continue on this Breeder path, we will. If not, it’s not worth getting so worked up over.]
[Su Anyong: ^^]
And to think, in all these years, this is the first time I’ve felt what could be called fatherly warmth and concern from Dad. These words... if it were any other time, or if I really were sick, anyone reading them would acknowledge Su Anyong as a competent father.
Unfortunately, the more Su Ping read, the deeper the lines on his forehead became.
[Su Ping: I’m not sick! The Heart of Woods and the Wanmu Wolf are real!]
Silence ensued for another five minutes, nearly lulling Su Ping to sleep on his bed.
[Su Anyong: Good, good, as long as you’re not sick, that’s all that matters! If you’re not sick, I can thrash you with a clear conscience!]
[Su Anyong: The perfected Heart of Woods and this Wanmu Wolf, you say?]
[Su Anyong: You little brat, pulling my leg! Just wait till I get home tomorrow, I’ll show you how ’Bamboo Shoots Stir-fried with Pork’ is really made!]
Su Ping had no desire to explain any further, so he simply turned off his phone and decided to sleep.
But then he suddenly sat bolt upright, startled.
Dad’s coming home tomorrow?