Chapter 117: Chapter 114: Something to Cherish

"Once the Silver Lotus Wood evolves and its physical condition improves, its master can prepare to form a contract with a second Soul Beast. Tianhe and Luo Chen should be just about ready for that."

Han Ning recalled his own experiences and said, "I’ll write up a digital file later, documenting all the knowledge I’ve gathered about Soul Beasts. I’ll pass it around for everyone to read."

"Good," Dean Wu said, then asked, "What type of Soul Beast would be the best choice for a second contract?"

"I’m not sure if insects would be a viable option. They might be susceptible to the Insect-men’s influence. Of course, I can’t say for sure. It’s possible that an insect under contract with a Beast Master would be immune to it."

"Aside from insects, the ideal choice would be a Soul Beast that can fly, scout the surroundings, help navigate difficult terrain, and has some capacity to protect its Beast Master."

"Something like... a large bird, a Swamp Guardian, an Earth Attribute beast, or even a tortoise if you can find one. The main thing is to avoid overlapping Attributes and functions with the first Soul Beast."

"If insects could resist the Insect-men’s influence, they would actually make for excellent second Soul Beasts. They can perform most of the functions I just listed," Han Ning answered.

From the corner, Lin Tianhe suddenly interjected:

"Speaking of which, for all the time we’ve been here, all we’ve run into are rats, snakes, toads, and insects. We haven’t seen a single real beast or bird."

"Perhaps our exploration range has been too limited. We might find something if we search a little further out." Dean Wu didn’t dwell on the topic. After finishing his notes, he moved on to the next point.

"I plan to establish several outposts within a five-kilometer radius of the academy. That way, if any creatures are spotted approaching, we can be notified immediately and respond quickly."

"Lady Lenna, I’ll assign a few of our brighter students to study the Insect Language with you. I’m entrusting you all with the task of gathering intelligence on the Insect-men. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything."

Being able to interact with the Insect-men face-to-face and having a living subject to study from would drastically reduce the time needed to learn the Insect Language.

"I will do my best." Lena bowed slightly.

"Additionally, we can’t halt our technological research. We have about sixty to seventy support and research personnel. I’ll do my best to lead them in developing new weapons as quickly as possible to protect our combatants."

"Finally... let’s discuss the worst-case scenario."

Dean Wu set down his pen, his voice taking on a heavy tone.

"If all our efforts prove insufficient to defeat the enemy, we’ll need a second shelter to preserve the spark of Life."

"Speaking of a shelter... I actually have a good place in mind," Han Ning said.

"Han Ning, are you talking about...?" Lü Xiuning and Lin Tianhe’s expressions flickered as they listened.

"The underground ant nest. The colony there isn’t hostile toward us. If we truly reach a point of desperation, our only option would be to retreat to the area near the nest and figure out our next move."

The underground ant nest was vast, more than enough to hold several hundred people. If it really came to that, they wouldn’t have the luxury of worrying about whether the ant colony would welcome them.

Dean Wu grunted in agreement. "Alright. For now, we’ll designate the area near the ant nest as the second shelter. If we find ourselves in a battle against an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, we’ll evacuate a group there ahead of schedule."

For the remainder of the meeting, they worked out the detailed personnel assignments for each task.

By the time the meeting ended, it was already eleven o’clock at night.

Han Ning had slept well earlier and wasn’t tired, but the others were physically and mentally exhausted after the long day. They all headed back to their dorms to rest.

He stepped out of the conference room and saw Lin Tianhe sitting on the steps by the door. A cigarette was pinched between his fingers as he stared blankly into the distant, black curtain of the night sky.

Xiaoyu stood silently in the open area before the entrance.

"Feeling indulgent, are we? I can’t believe you’re willing to spare a cigarette." Han Ning sat down next to his roommate and gestured for Yin Yi and Egg Pancake to go play with Xiaoyu.

"Hey, Han Ning... do you think it would’ve been better if I’d just died when we first got here? At least it would be better than living in constant fear, worrying that the Insect-men will suddenly show up at our door, or that some other natural disaster will destroy our dorms." Lin Tianhe looked dejected. He pulled a cigarette from the pack and offered it to Han Ning.

"You know I don’t smoke." Han Ning waved it away.

Han Ning felt a bit lost himself in the face of his roommate’s question.

"Well, as the old saying goes, a bitter life is better than a good death. Look at Lin Yu. He’s nothing like you right now. You know why?"

"It’s just because he has a girlfriend, right? And she was lucky enough to survive. Even though life is tough, he has his other half, so his life is still full of hope." Lin Tianhe scornfully flicked the ash from his cigarette. Then his expression soured.

"But our lives are so precarious right now. I’m in no mood to look for a girlfriend."

"It’s not about having a girlfriend. Just look at Xiaoyu over there. I used to think the same way you do. But watching Yin Yi and Egg Pancake grow up day by day, like my own kids... gradually, those thoughts of giving up just faded away."

Han Ning watched as Yin Yi and Xiaoyu playfully tied up Egg Pancake, who wore a miserable expression. He couldn’t help but smile.

"Besides Xiaoyu, you still have the teachers and students from the academy, right? And you have us, your two roommates. You’re not alone in this."

"Teacher Fang’s wife died in the accident when we crossed over, but isn’t he still living on, strong as ever, for everyone’s sake?"

"When you’re alive, you need something to hold on to. Right now, my reason for going on is to make Yin Yi and Egg Pancake stronger and to do whatever it takes to survive." Han Ning clapped Lin Tianhe’s shoulder encouragingly.

"I guess you’re right. I’ll go find a second Soul Beast and form a contract, too. Maybe then I’ll have a little more to look forward to." Lin Tianhe took a final drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke. He then stood up and gave a huge stretch.

"Enough wallowing. I’m going to bed. Tomorrow’s a new day."

"Go on."

After parting ways with Lin Tianhe, Han Ning didn’t return to his dorm. He called over Yin Yi and Egg Pancake and found a remote corner of the dormitory area.

There was a student on guard duty nearby, keeping watch for any invading Soul Beasts.

So as not to disturb anyone else, he simply offered to take over the student’s shift. That way, he and his two Soul Beasts were the only ones in the area.

When the meeting ended, Dean Wu had handed him a heavy bag.

He opened it to find it packed with Crystal Stones of all colors. The Insect Crystals from the powerful insects Yin Yi had helped kill were all inside.

’I only need eight more points of Elemental Affinity for her to evolve. I’ll use these Wood Attribute Crystal Stones to max out her Wood Element Affinity first.’