The award ceremony itself was actually pretty troublesome. From start to finish, it would take at least several days—it wasn't something where you just showed up, accepted the award, and called it done.
Jiang Xing didn't agree immediately. Instead, he arranged things with Chang Feng and scheduled the ceremony for one month later.
Five days was simply far too rushed. He had just perfected the evolution plan for the Honey Attendant, and had even lured Senior Su over to work as his assistant… he couldn't exactly abandon her in the research institute halfway through and run off by himself to enjoy the spotlight, could he?
Not to mention, who knew how many fans on social media were eagerly waiting for the evolution method of the Abyssal Water Phoenix Fledgling.
The last time Jiang Xing delayed things, it had been entirely due to circumstances beyond his control.
If he had a choice, he still preferred to keep his promises and satisfy the fans' anticipation as much as possible.
"No matter how you look at it, urgently holding the award ceremony within five days is way too rushed."
After hanging up the call, Jiang Xing couldn't help but complain.
Beside him, Su Muli had already entered her usual research mode.
She had changed out of her snow-white coat and into a clean white lab coat, with a light blue inner shirt underneath. Her long hair was simply tied into a high ponytail, with a loose strand falling across her forehead. In her hand was a cup of honey coffee so sweet it was almost cloying, making her look especially capable and efficient.
Hearing his complaint, she smiled faintly and said, "If they don't award you the researcher title soon, you're practically going to become an uncrowned doctorate-level scholar."
"Compared to the unprecedented situation of jumping directly from an ordinary scholar to a Beast Taming Doctorate, they'd definitely prefer for you to climb step by step instead… even if the pace is ridiculously fast, they'd still rather you at least go through the motions symbolically."
"Huh?"
Jiang Xing's eyes lit up.
Skipping ranks and breaking precedent really did sound awesome!
He immediately asked eagerly, "If I publicly announce another major research breakthrough right now and say I want to become a doctorate-level researcher, could I skip the process?"
Su Muli immediately understood the hidden implication behind his words. Her hand trembled slightly, and she nearly spilled her coffee.
No, wait.
Friendship, evolution, attributes, Beauty…
So many major breakthroughs appearing together was something that had only happened decades ago when Pet Beast studies had first begun developing as a field.
And after unveiling all those achievements, you were seriously saying you still had more unpublished breakthroughs hidden away?!
Could it be another entirely new attribute related to Beauty?
How are you this good at hiding things?!
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Xing awkwardly explained, "Senior Su, don't overthink it. I'm just curious. I'm not hiding that much stuff…"
Mm. Just a Berry Blender, Technical Machines, the Fairy attribute, the concept of Contest Appeal, a Friendship detector… only a tiny little bit.
Su Muli: "…"
Yeah right, as if I'd believe that nonsense!
Still, after being shocked so many times in a row, her resistance had risen considerably. She quickly calmed herself down, seriously thought about the question for a moment, and nodded.
"If you were to announce another new attribute, tomorrow morning you'd probably see the World Beast Taming Association holding a doctorate conferment ceremony for you…"
Jiang Xing's eyes gleamed brightly as he already began rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
At that moment, however, she added, "But I wouldn't recommend doing that."
"Why?"
Su Muli didn't beat around the bush. She reached beneath her collar and pulled out a pendant resting against her skin.
It was a deep-blue teardrop-shaped gemstone, its interior shimmering with an indescribable radiance that contained a mysterious power.
Holding the gemstone in her palm, Su Muli released an invisible force, causing the coffee inside the cup to float up and twist through the air.
Jiang Xing could sense that this wasn't the effect of spiritual power, but rather a pure power of water. Surprised, he asked, "What is that?"
"'The Blessing of a Mythical Pet Beast.'" Su Muli explained, "Earning the title of researcher is extremely difficult, and precisely because of that, every researcher has made outstanding contributions to the development of Pet Beast studies. They are treasures of the world."
"To reward them, and also to protect these important individuals…"
"The Beast Taming Association reached agreements with the legendary Pet Beasts."
"Every official researcher, after completing the conferment ceremony, may choose a Mythical Pet Beast and receive its blessing—"
"This kind of blessing can increase a researcher's affinity with a specific attribute and grant immunity to damage from that attribute."
"If worn by a Pet Beast of the corresponding attribute, it can also subtly improve their aptitude over time."
"And if a researcher suffers a fatal injury, the power sealed within the blessing will immediately activate, preserving their life and granting them a period of invincibility."
"During that time, the Mythical Pet Beast that granted the blessing will sense the activation of its power and rapidly rush over to rescue them… even if they're inside a Secret Realm."
A life-saving talisman bestowed by a sect ancestor upon a genius disciple?
Jiang Xing instantly understood.
Things had been relatively peaceful in recent years. All sorts of evil organizations had been crushed apart, and social stability had risen by several levels.
Especially within China. It wasn't quite to the point of "lost items remaining untouched on the road," but organized, premeditated major crimes had become extremely rare. Most incidents were impulsive crimes that never amounted to much.
But twenty or thirty years ago, because of historical remnants, certain criminal organizations had still been extremely rampant.
Some had even carried out attacks on research institutes and kidnappings of researchers.
On top of that, researchers themselves frequently traveled outside to explore Secret Realms, where all kinds of sudden dangers could occur…
Under those circumstances, implementing protective measures to prevent the accidental deaths of research personnel was perfectly normal.
And this kind of blessing could grant immunity to damage from a corresponding attribute… even if there was definitely an upper limit, it was still absurdly powerful.
If someone obtained blessings for all twenty-something attributes, wouldn't they become immune to every type of damage and achieve a saint-like body?
Jiang Xing was incredibly tempted and couldn't help asking, "If I directly become a doctorate-level researcher, would I still be able to receive this kind of blessing?"
"Of course. The rewards for doctorate-level researchers are naturally even better." Su Muli nodded before continuing, "But whether it's a researcher's blessing or a doctorate reward, the Beast Taming Association purchases them from Mythical Pet Beasts using its own resources."
"Depending on a researcher's achievements and importance, the resources offered by each country during these transactions will also vary."
"If the payment is too low, then the blessing from the Mythical Pet Beast may end up retaining only the life-saving effect."
"It wouldn't be like my 'Blessing of the Ocean-Calming Black Tortoise,' which also comes with a certain degree of water-attribute manipulation ability. It lets me help regulate the power inside water-type Pet Beasts while raising them…"
"But if it were you, you'd definitely receive the highest-tier version."
Jiang Xing completely understood what Senior Su meant.
A researcher's blessing could only be received once, and its quality was tied directly to the scholar's achievements and reputation.
For a top-tier talent like Jiang Xing, if he became a researcher, then even for the sake of fairness, the Beast Taming Association would push the allocated resources to the limit and give him the best possible reward.
But if he skipped the researcher conferment ceremony and directly became a Beast Taming Doctorate…
Then after already receiving an even greater reward, this compensatory-type blessing would naturally decrease greatly in importance.
At that point, obtaining the highest-tier blessing would become extremely difficult.
'What do I do? I want both the highest-level blessing and the one-time achievement…'
Jiang Xing felt deeply conflicted.
Looking at the blessing pendant hanging from Senior Su's neck, he couldn't help asking, "Can I borrow it for a moment and feel it out?"
"Sure." Su Muli straightforwardly removed it and handed it over.
The moment Jiang Xing touched the blessing pendant, he immediately felt a heavy yet gentle wave-like power of water brush across his body, cleansing both his mind and spirit.
Just as he couldn't help narrowing his eyes and immersing himself in the sensation—
Text suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[Ding, ding! You have discovered a Key Stone!]
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