Chapter 71: Teacher Xiaolu Knows A Bit Too Much
“The fastest would still take 7-8 months from now. The cultivation of Weeping Ancient Willow and Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid will proceed almost simultaneously, but cultivating Space Element Spirit Plants is a bit more difficult.”
Professor Luo Wan pondered for a moment before giving the answer.
This timeframe isn’t short, but to mature the seedlings of Weeping Ancient Willow and Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid within this period is already quite challenging for Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute; it requires them to go all out.
“I suggest that for the foreseeable future, Y Bureau’s relevant resources be tilted toward Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute.”
The square-faced committee member frowned tightly. Clearly, he wasn’t very satisfied with the timeframe given by Professor Luo Wan, but he also offered a solution and his stance.
“Whether it’s Weeping Ancient Willow or Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid, cultivating these two Spirit Plant Seedlings is the top priority for the Research Institute in the next stage, and it holds great significance for elevating the overall level of Spirit Planters in the Interstellar Alliance.”
“Agreed. Does anyone have any objections?”
The old man sitting right in the middle of the round table made the final decision with one strike.
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
The voices in the meeting room were highly unified.
Relying on Ge Bai to even scam funding? No, it should be securing resource support.
Pretty good.
Professor Luo Wan was even happier.
“Thank you to the leaders of Y Bureau for your support. Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute will work even harder.”
“Alright, let’s set this matter aside for now and continue discussing the Grotto-Heaven Sovereign.”
The old man in the center spoke up, ending the topic.
Indeed, even the highly potential wild Spirit Plants and excellent Spirit Planters are currently only at Mortal Spirit Realm.
To occupy several minutes of attention from these top big shots of the Interstellar Alliance at the Y Bureau committee meeting was already quite remarkable.
“By the way, I suggest that when attempting to contact the Grotto-Heaven Sovereign, bring this girl Ge Bai along as well.”
“From the materials provided by Professor Luo Wan, although it’s unclear whether teleporting Ge Bai away from Plum Garden was random or deliberate, not only did the trial not harm Ge Bai, it even allowed her to take Spirit Plants from the Secret Realm Space. At the very least, it shows that the Grotto-Heaven Sovereign harbors no malice toward Ge Bai.”
The square-faced committee member spoke up.
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
“This matter can be considered. I remember Professor Luo Wan has already submitted the application; Ge Bai is now a trainee member of Y Bureau, right?”
“Yes.”
Professor Luo Wan quickly replied.
“Grant her access to the official member material library and prioritize approval for her resource applications.”
The old man in the center didn’t forget to instruct Professor Luo Wan, “Encourage her to pass the Plum Garden trial quickly.”
“Alright, alright. On behalf of Ge Bai, thank you, Director Yan.”
Hearing this, Professor Luo Wan chuckled and agreed.
——
After the competition organizers of the City Level Arena Competition received feedback from Jinggang City Spirit Plant Research Institute, they quickly updated the relevant information.
Jinggang City Arena Competition Preliminary leaderboard, 128th place, occupation: Spirit Planter, name: Ge Bai, registered Pet Beasts: Weeping Ancient Willow (Mortal Spirit Realm Level 5), Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid (Mortal Spirit Realm Level 8).
“Look, it’s up. The race name of the suspected Space Pet Beast is Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid.”
“Mortal Spirit Realm Level 8? I thought it would at least be Transcendence Realm Level 1.”
“Jinggang City Spirit Plant Research Institute also issued a notice; detailed information will be released at midnight tonight.”
“Waiting for midnight!”
“By the way, is Ge Bai still scheduled to compete in today’s arena competition?”
……
A group of people were staring intently at the relevant information without blinking.
As soon as Ge Bai reached the grandstand area, a little girl who had been waiting at the passageway rushed out.
“H-Hello, Player Ge Bai. Could I please ask you to sign something for me?”
The little girl stopped three to five steps in front of Ge Bai, head lowered shyly as she asked.
Ge Bai was dumbfounded; this was the first time she’d encountered something like this, and she didn’t know what to say.
The little girl was wearing a water-blue Lolita uniform with a white crossbody bag on her back. She looked young, probably just a junior high student.
While Ge Bai was sizing her up, something moved at the zipper of her backpack. The zipper was pushed open, and a section of silver thread grass poked out from the bag.
This is a contracted Spirit Plant, so she should be the same age as me, also a third-year junior high student.
Seeing Ge Bai hadn’t responded for a long time, the little girl’s face flushed even redder. She bit her lip but persisted in explaining.
“It’s like this: I just watched your match, and you were really amazing.”
The blushing little girl’s speech was a bit stammered.
The silver thread grass in her bag also vigorously jumped out, climbing along the folds of her clothes to her wrist, wrapping around it affectionately again and again.
Feeling her silver thread grass climb out of the bag and wrap around her wrist, the little girl then realized her hands were empty, and her face turned even redder.
After rummaging in the bag, she pulled out a notebook and pen, holding them in her hand. She wanted to hand them to Ge Bai but feared rejection, looking very conflicted.
“Ah, no problem.”
Ge Bai finally came back to her senses, took the paper and pen from the little girl, neatly wrote her name on it, and handed it back.
“Is this okay?”
The little girl didn’t take it, smiling shyly instead. She glanced up at Big Willow on Ge Bai’s shoulder, then pulled out a small block of light green ink paste from her bag.
“Um, could Big Willow also leave a willow leaf stamp for me? I really like Big Willow.”
Ge Bai grinned, glancing at the little girl’s white crossbody bag. She was really well-prepared; that little bag holds a lot—could it be a space item?
“Big Willow, is that okay?”
Ge Bai didn’t decide for Big Willow but turned her head to ask him directly.
“Liu Gu. No problem at all.” Big Willow, who had been curiously watching the little girl, agreed readily.
With that, Big Willow jumped onto Ge Bai’s hand. The little girl quickly opened the ink paste and held it forward. Ge Bai held Big Willow to the ink with one hand and unfolded the notebook with the other to make it convenient.
Big Willow raised a Willow Thread dense with leaves, lightly dipped it in the ink paste, and pressed it beside Ge Bai’s name.
Big Willow, signing for the first time, was actually quite excited too.
The little girl had a fully satisfied expression.
“Yay!”
“Ge Bai! Me too! I want to play with the stamp too.”
Qian Dai, perched on Ge Bai’s head, wasn’t having it anymore and started clamoring la la la. Even if she didn’t fully understand what was going on, she couldn’t stand Ge Bai and Big Willow doing something without her.
Sigh, forgot there’s this old man on top of my head who eyes Big Willow for everything.
Hearing Qian Dai’s clamoring, Ge Bai felt a bit troubled.
The little girl had only noticed Big Willow earlier and completely missed Qian Dai, who looked like a hair accessory on Ge Bai’s head. Only now, hearing Qian Dai’s voice, did she notice.
Before Ge Bai could speak, the little girl spoke up.
“Um, I’m really sorry if I’m asking too much. Could Thousand Generations Spring Sword Orchid also leave a mark? I promise to treasure it.”
“No problem!”
Ge Bai quickly agreed. She was just worrying about how to shamelessly ask to fulfill Qian Dai’s sudden demand.
Hearing the little girl say that, she breathed a sigh of relief, quickly put Big Willow back on her shoulder, then pulled Qian Dai down from her head and held her in front of the ink.
Qian Dai didn’t care about any of that; seeing she could stamp too, she was delighted.
One moment stretching out her leaves, the next shaking the little flowers on her flower arrow—she was still debating whether to stamp with the flower or the leaves, hesitating and pondering for a long time.
“Hurry up, Qian Dai.” Ge Bai couldn’t help but urge.
“Got it, got it!”
In the end, Qian Dai chose to touch the tip of an orchid leaf to the ink and pressed it above Big Willow’s mark.
This orchid’s little thoughts were really out in the open. Ge Bai watched helplessly, shaking her head in resignation—no way around it, just let it be.
She handed the notebook back to the little girl, who left happily.
Ge Bai was about to turn toward the grandstand area when, before she could take two steps, she saw Cai Jiao coming out with King Kong. She stopped, waving toward them.
“Cai Jiao, I was just about to look for you guys. My matches are done for today; are you heading back now too?”
“We figured you wouldn’t have a third match today, so we just came out.”
Xiao La Jiao strode over briskly; mini-state King Kong followed beside her, needing to trot every other step to keep up.
“Coming back to Heng Ran Martial Arts School with us? King Kong says there’s extra training tonight—how about setting up a sparring match for them?”
Before even reaching Ge Bai, Xiao La Jiao eagerly invited her for sparring at the martial arts school.
Ge Bai quickly waved her hands. “Not today. Just finished two matches; need to go back and review them. Big Willow and Qian Dai need some adjustment too.”
“Alright then.”
Xiao La Jiao didn’t insist; she never lacked opponents at the martial arts school, and Ge Bai wasn’t going anywhere. She’d be attending Jinggang No. 1 Middle School later, so there would always be chances for sparring.
The two parted ways at the venue doorway since they were heading different directions.
Standing between the Eagle Falcon “Eagle Di” stop and the bus station, Ge Bai hesitated, touched her mobile terminal—the 10 million in special funds that arrived last night gave her confidence.
Yeah, saving commute time for rest and training could count as expenses aiding Spirit Plant promotion—very reasonable.
Looking at the tall, handsome Eagle Falcons lined up neatly by the roadside, Ge Bai walked over with full confidence.
“Blue Star Welfare Institute, please. Thank you.”
“Alright. Welcome to ride the ‘Eagle Di’ platform’s professional Eagle Falcon. Please sit properly and fasten your seatbelt; we’re about to depart.”
Sitting on the Eagle Falcon with brown velvet black feathers, overlooking the ground scenery shrinking smaller as it gained altitude, Ge Bai zoned out a bit, a sense of unreality surging in her heart.
She twirled Big Willow’s Willow Threads and poked Qian Dai’s little flower bud before feeling a bit better.
Ge Bai knew things would only get better.
Returning to Blue Star Welfare Institute right at dinnertime, Ge Bai went straight to the cafeteria and took a little bean from Teacher Xiaolu, skillfully feeding him.
Seeing Ge Bai back, Teacher Xiaolu smiled warmly, eyes crinkling into crescents.
These past few days, Ge Bai had been leaving early and returning late; they hadn’t chatted in a long time.
“A few days ago, I got a call from your homeroom teacher saying you’re self-studying to prepare for Jinggang No. 1 Middle School’s special recruitment exam.”
Teacher Xiaolu sat beside Ge Bai, speaking softly.
Ge Bai raised an eyebrow, about to explain a couple things to reassure Teacher Xiaolu, when she continued.
“Your teacher said she fully supports your decision and told you to prepare well, but don’t forget the final exam on the 1st of next month.”
This surprised Ge Bai even more. In her memory, homeroom teacher Old Qian had scolded her harshly and forced her to change her preferences.
Ge Bai wasn’t clear on what happened at school, but hearing this from Teacher Xiaolu, it was good news anyway.
Actually, that day within less than half an hour, Teacher Xiaolu received two calls from Ge Bai’s school.
Both from Ge Bai’s homeroom teacher Old Qian, with a complete 180-degree attitude shift.
When she first got the initial call, she was indeed very worried, but since the outcome was good now, there was no need to mention it and worry Ge Bai.
This girl she’d watched grow up was always so stubbornly independent it hurt to see.
“By the way, Teacher Xiaolu, I got a scholarship from the Spirit Plant Research Institute. In a bit, I’ll figure out how to transfer some to the Welfare Institute’s account.”
The little bean was full, squirming left and right in Ge Bai’s arms with mouth closed, refusing another bite, just staring at Big Willow on Ge Bai’s shoulder and reaching for the Willow Threads.
Seeing this, Ge Bai put him in the rocker beside her, gave him a toy, and turned to look at Teacher Xiaolu seriously.
Teacher Xiaolu shook her head gently.
“The Welfare Institute’s annual funding is sufficient; taking care of the children isn’t an issue. Just take good care of yourself.”
Ge Bai knew Teacher Xiaolu would say that, but she was just informing her. When the chance came, she’d transfer it directly.
“I might move out in a while. It’ll be more convenient for Pet Beast training, going to the martial arts school, and the arena venue.”
Blue Star Welfare Institute was already in the suburbs; coming back from the martial arts school and arena meant crossing almost the entire Jinggang City—too time-consuming daily.
Plus, with so many little kids here, coming back every day to train at the back mountain wasn’t sustainable long-term.
Now with special funds, Ge Bai wanted to give Big Willow, Qian Dai, and Little Peach a better growth environment.
Teacher Xiaolu didn’t quite understand. “Where to? Planning to live on campus?”
Ge Bai shook her head.
“No, I’m planning to go the professional Beast Tamer route. Pet Beast training needs space, so I’ll probably rent a convenient training house.”
This was beyond Teacher Xiaolu’s understanding, but luckily she was always reasonable and very open-minded big sister.
“If you’ve decided, go for it. Is the rent money enough?” With that, Teacher Xiaolu stood to head back to her room.
Ge Bai quickly grabbed her, saying sincerely: “Enough! The Spirit Plant Research Institute’s scholarship is very generous.”
She pulled out her mobile terminal, showed the account balance, and handed it to Teacher Xiaolu.
Unexpectedly, seeing the account balance, Teacher Xiaolu wasn’t happy but looked grave. She stood directly, pulled Ge Bai out of the cafeteria to a quiet spot, and asked solemnly.
“The Spirit Plant Research Institute you mentioned—is it Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute? This bonus—does Professor Luo Wan know about this? Did he arrange it?”
Ge Bai didn’t answer the string of questions but asked puzzledly instead.
“How do you know Professor Luo Wan?”
In her impression, Teacher Xiaolu didn’t seem to have any connection with Professor Luo Wan.
Teacher Xiaolu shook her head without speaking, just gazing at Ge Bai, waiting for her answer.
