Chapter 49: Academician of the Research Institute
Chapter 49: Academician of the Research Institute
"Discipline Inspection Department of Haicheng University, Qin Zhe speaking."
Qin Zhe responded, lazily rising from the ground and sitting against the wall.
“Are you two here just to rest? Don’t be shy, come in and have a seat. I’ll leave shortly.”
Seeing Qin Zhe’s leisurely demeanor, Chen Yu’s expression darkened slightly. He turned to the woman and was about to speak when she suddenly exclaimed.
“Wow! Such an adorable puppy!”
The woman excitedly dashed past Chen Yu, scooping up the Cold Moon Divine Dog and clutching it to her chest.
Just as Qin Zhe had said earlier, after transforming into a puppy, the Cold Moon Divine Dog combined charm with cuteness, possessing a powerful allure over women, instantly captivating her.
Chen Yu was shocked and anxious to see the woman pick up the dog without hesitation.
To others, it looked like a small puppy.
But he knew this dog was a fully grown spirit beast of no low rank!
“Don’t worry, this is the Cold Moon Divine Dog I brought. It’s already tamed and won’t bite,” Qin Zhe said, reading Chen Yu’s thoughts.
“The Cold Moon Divine Dog? You keep one?” the woman’s eyes sparkled as she lovingly held the little treasure, chuckling.
“I’ve heard the Cold Moon Divine Dog is exceptionally handsome—a rare species from the Cold Moon Secret Realm. I didn’t expect the puppy form to be so cute. May I hold it for a bit? I hope you don’t mind?”
“Go ahead,” Qin Zhe nodded.
“But this isn’t the puppy’s true form, just a size transformation illusion.”
“It’s not a puppy? Still, it’s irresistibly adorable in this form!” The woman was thoroughly enchanted, holding the dog with delight.
“Let me introduce myself: I’m Shangguan Yan, eighteen years old this year, affiliated with the Research Institute.”
Qin Zhe’s mouth twitched but he said nothing.
Eighteen years old? You must be joking.
To be an academician, you’d at least have graduated, wouldn’t you?
Judging by your looks, you should be at least twenty-five or twenty-six!
Seeing Shangguan Yan not only chatting away but also revealing her identity, Chen Yu’s face darkened.
However, since Qin Zhe remained calm and showed no hostility, and the Cold Moon Divine Dog was obediently allowing itself to be played with, Chen Yu reluctantly took a seat nearby.
Chen Yu belonged to the Super Disaster Bureau. Hours earlier, he had received a message from Jian Xinli, learning that members of Haicheng University’s student council had entered the secret realm to hunt down infiltrating agents from the Eagle Nation.
Qin Zhe, seeing Chen Yu sit silently, also chose not to engage.
Shangguan Yan was a beauty, exuding a mature charm; chatting with her was at least somewhat entertaining.
What’s there to talk about with a man?
Chen Yu’s eyes kept glancing at the Cold Moon Divine Dog held against Shangguan Yan’s chest, causing Qin Zhe to privately smile.
Perhaps this is what they mean by “man is no match for dog”?
From Chen Yu’s protective attitude toward Shangguan Yan, it was clear he had feelings for her, though her carefree nature made her oblivious.
Ignoring Chen Yu, Qin Zhe sized up the young academician who had lied about her age and asked,
“Academician Shangguan, I came out from your camp but saw no signs of anyone else on the way. Have you seen any strangers nearby?”
“You mean Eagle Nation agents? No, none spotted,” Shangguan Yan replied, curling her long legs and placing the Cold Moon Divine Dog on her lap, gently stroking its head.
“Chen Yu and I came to survey the remains of the Lava Giant nearby and collect samples for analysis. We received a message from the camp earlier…”
Midway through her explanation, Shangguan Yan furrowed her brow in surprise.
“That’s strange! Your name is Qin Zhe? Then… were you the one who took down that big guy outside?”
Chen Yu reacted as well but only glanced at Qin Zhe twice before losing interest.
Qin Zhe smiled gently at the question.
“Yes, that was me. Any problem with that?”
“Of course there’s a problem!”
Shangguan Yan nodded emphatically, rummaging behind her for a small notebook.
“I wanted to talk to you about this before entering the secret realm, but the distance was too great. I had to come here first. It’s a rare opportunity—please describe your encounter with the giants in detail.”
She spoke seriously and added,
“This is important. We searched the scorched land for days after entering but found no other Lava Giants, nor the one mentioned in the report. It’s likely it has already returned to the Abyss…”
“Ahem!” Chen Yu coughed sharply, interrupting her.
“Academician Shangguan, this involves confidential information. Please don’t disclose too much to an ordinary student.”
“Ah!” Shangguan Yan slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake and smiling.
“Sorry, sorry. I got too excited at the thought of finding clues.”
Qin Zhe had already learned much about the Abyss from Liu Qingzhi and paid no mind to their words.
Hearing that another giant was missing and might have returned to the Abyss, Qin Zhe pondered briefly and cooperated by describing the events from the moment he encountered the Lava Giant.
Shangguan Yan listened attentively, occasionally jotting down notes.
When Qin Zhe finished, she held her notebook and fell into deep thought. Her delicate brows furrowed and relaxed as she seemed to analyze something in her mind.
Qin Zhe did not disturb her. Chen Yu remained silent as well, and the cave fell into a momentary stillness.
After an unknown amount of time, Shangguan Yan suddenly stood up with a “scrape.”
“Chen Yu! I have a bold hypothesis!”
“Let’s discuss it back at the camp,” Chen Yu said as he stood, signaling with a glance that others were present.
But Shangguan Yan disagreed, putting away her notebook excitedly.
“If my theory is correct, we need his cooperation to determine the exact path the giant took! Don’t think about the confidentiality agreement!”
She then grabbed Qin Zhe.
“As for the Abyss, I can’t reveal much. All I can tell you is that the Abyss is an undeveloped secret realm. The giant you encountered is a creature from the Abyss. Historically, the Abyss has appeared many times, but because it is perilous and its coordinates unstable, no one has successfully explored it. Each time the Abyss appears, some of its creatures mysteriously show up in other secret realms. Do you understand what I mean?”
Before Qin Zhe could respond, she continued,
“Setting aside how the Lava Giant came to the Cold Moon Secret Realm, let’s suppose that when you encountered the giant, it sensed the Abyss and was preparing to return?”
“Academician Shangguan, you mean… there’s a passage connecting the Abyss and the Cold Moon Secret Realm?” Chen Yu asked, his face shifting with suspicion.
Qin Zhe’s eyes also lit up. Recalling the initial encounter, the giant’s movement had a definite purpose, so this speculation was entirely plausible.
Seeing their reactions, Shangguan Yan’s face brightened as she analyzed,
“The Lava Giant’s movements weren’t random. It first attacked Qin Zhe, then didn’t pursue him further because he retreated! As for the other giant, they eventually confronted each other because Qin Zhe’s companion was unconscious, leaving him no choice but to fight.”
Just then, the Cold Moon Divine Dog, left aside, suddenly jumped up and barked wildly toward the cave’s entrance again.
(End of Chapter)