The Assembly Begins, Showcasing the Dragon Cub's Power!

It turned out that the Courtyard Secret Realm was a unique environment saturated with Death Divine Power.

It was somewhat similar to the widely known massive Necromancy Secret Realm, the Spirit World Secret Realm, but its nature was entirely different—

The Spirit World Secret Realm's environment had formed naturally from the gathering of countless Necromancy Type Pet Beasts, while the Courtyard Secret Realm had been born from the influence of an unknown Divine Beast's Death Divine Power.

Using cultivation terms as an analogy, the former was an ordinary spiritual land, while the latter was a blessed grotto-heaven.

The Spirit-Guarding Dog seemed to have developed a Regional Form after being contaminated by divine power. It was a form exclusive to this Secret Realm.

In other regions, without the most crucial environmental factor, even if a Howl Dog was exceptionally loyal and had high Intimacy with its owner, it could not transform into a Spirit-Guarding Dog after death.

Having figured this out, Jiang Xing relaxed.

The ownership rights to this Necromancy Secret Realm had already fallen into his hands.

Through screening, he could eliminate Beast Tamers with ulterior motives and help those who genuinely loved Pet Beasts and had formed bonds with their Howl Dogs reclaim their companions.

It would not be difficult to achieve that.

Little Qilin was a Psychic Type Mythical Pet Beast. Although its strength was only Pseudo-Legendary, it could easily distinguish sincerity from lies and sense the thoughts of others.

With it around, identifying Beast Tamers with malicious intentions would be easy.

"Come to think of it, have I monopolized a type of Rare Pet Beast?"

Jiang Xing laughed helplessly.

When the timeline had first changed, he had been so desperately short on money that he could not even afford to raise Yuyu. Back then, he had considered monopolizing a resource-type Pet Beast to make a fortune...

After Dr. Xu's guidance, he had learned how to openly fleece research funding and no longer lacked money.

Those thoughts had naturally faded away, and he had focused entirely on research.

Yet he had never expected that picking up a Secret Realm by the roadside would somehow result in him monopolizing a Necromancy Pet Beast.

Sure enough, Senior Sister Su had been right. Even researchers could not possibly give up exploring Secret Realms.

Of course, monopolizing it was only meant to control the source and prevent people with ulterior motives from abusing resurrection.

Jiang Xing had no intention of profiting from it—making money off the Emotion between Beast Tamers and their Pet Beasts, feeding off their grief, was truly rather despicable.

Moreover, the divine power within the Necromancy Secret Realm could not be infinite. Once it was depleted, it would become an ordinary Secret Realm...

Jiang Xing even planned to invest resources himself to "nurture" the Secret Realm, increasing its reserves of Death Divine Power so that its unique environment could last longer.

This was practically pure charity.

"But I don't necessarily have to work for love—"

"A Land of Death that can revive Howl Dogs as Spirit-Guarding Dogs might also affect other Pet Beasts."

"Based on this Necromancy Secret Realm, I can establish a research project on [Necromancy Regional Forms for Specific Pet Beasts] and apply to the state for funding."

"I can use public funds to maintain a graveyard, analyze the power of death, research new Pet Beasts, and help others recover their companions... killing several birds with one stone."

Jiang Xing had come up with another research direction.

Including Intimacy, Beauty Condition, and the Rainbow Dragon Cub's subsequent evolutionary forms,

there were at least four research projects waiting for him.

Thinking about his future research schedule, Jiang Xing finally understood why Dr. Xu had so many assistants and students, yet he had only met Senior Li and Senior Sister Su. The other seniors seemed to have vanished without a trace.

A single idea could branch into so many projects. A researcher's life was far too fulfilling!

After thoroughly researching the Necromancy Secret Realm, Jiang Xing also spoke with the Spirit-Guarding Dog.

After all, it was the owner of this Secret Realm. This was its home.

If it disagreed, Jiang Xing would be disappointed, but he would not force it to offer the place up.

At most, he would study the factors that made up the deathly environment, attempt to extract some of its power, and replicate it outside.

Fortunately, after lying down and thinking for a while, the Spirit-Guarding Dog agreed to his plan—

It was merely a guard dog, not a mad dog. Naturally, it could understand the difference between guests and invaders.

Besides, it had been a Howl Dog in life. It understood the thoughts of its kind and was willing to help them return to their owners' sides and protect them for a long time.

As long as those guests stayed outside the gate and did not enter the courtyard to disturb its master's peaceful rest, it would be fine.

Jiang Xing immersed himself in researching the Spirit-Guarding Dog and the Necromancy Secret Realm, losing track of time.

It was not until Li Lingyin reminded him that he remembered why he had come to Magic City—

The Magic City Evolution Assembly had begun.

Based on the schedule, the Evolution Assembly was divided into upper and lower halves.

During the first half, all participants would display their research results in an exhibition format.

Visitors could buy tickets to enter, wander around, observe, and interact with the exhibits.

After the visitors had finished touring, the second half would take the form of academic presentations, where participants would report their results and awards would be judged...

Therefore, every Magic City Evolution Assembly was as lively as a festival.

When the assembly officially began, countless visitors poured into the exhibition hall, shoulder to shoulder as they rushed toward their favorite booths.

Among them, the booth located in the center of the exhibition hall had gathered the most visitors. The line stretched far into the distance like a crooked game of Snake.

On the booth were two dazzling Rainbow Dragon Cubs, scattering rainbows as they flew!

"Ha..."

Jiang Xing looked at the many excited visitors, rubbed the dark circles beneath his eyes, and could not help yawning.

There was no distinction between day and night in the Necromancy Secret Realm. He had become so absorbed in his research that he had gone more than three days without sleep... Now that the excitement had faded, exhaustion came crashing down.

However, the Magic City Evolution Assembly's organizers had specially reserved the central booth for him, and so many visitors had come specifically for the Rainbow Dragon Cubs. If he simply fell asleep now, it would be somewhat rude.

He quickly came up with a solution.

"Let's battle!"

Facing the crowd of visitors, Jiang Xing patted his face and smiled.

"Everyone, Rainbow Dragon Cubs are not ornamental Pet Beasts. They are Combat Pet Beasts with genuine strength, capable of becoming the ace of any Beast Tamer!"

"The best way to display them is through a thrilling battle!"

"Any Beast Tamers with Transcendental Rank Pet Beasts, please raise your hands and join me for an exhibition match!"

"I will prove their power through actual combat!"

Beast Tamer battles were the mainstream of this world. Even people who were not Beast Tamers loved watching them.

The moment his words fell, the visitors responded enthusiastically. Countless arms shot into the air, and some children were even held up by their parents as they raised their hands, afraid Jiang Xing would not notice them.

Jiang Xing casually pointed and selected a young man.

The young man excitedly walked onto the booth and summoned his Pet Beast.

It was a pink little pig, but tiny thorns grew from its back, while four green vines extended outward and wrapped around its limbs.

Jiang Xing immediately recalled the relevant entry in the bestiary.

[Thorn Pig], a Grass Type Pet Beast. It could ram others with brute force or swing its thorn-covered vines for long-range attacks.

This Thorn Pig had been raised quite well. It appeared to be Mid-Transcendental and was not far from evolving.

When Li Lingyin saw it, excitement flashed in her eyes. She took a step forward, intending to go up, but Jiang Xing stopped her.

"I'll do it."

"But Teacher, you still haven't rested..."

"A battle will be just what I need to wake up." Jiang Xing looked toward the Rainbow Dragon Cub beside him.

"Besides, you two have been fighting these past few days. The Dragon Cub is already itching for a fight too, right?"

"Mu!" That's right, it's my turn now!

The Rainbow Dragon Cub gave a fierce cry, its eyes filled with fighting spirit.

After accompanying Jiang Xing in the Necromancy Secret Realm for days, it had nearly gone stir-crazy. This was the perfect chance to let off some steam!

Sensing its fighting spirit, Li Lingyin's Rainbow Dragon Cub was the first to back down, letting out a soft cry.

"Mu~" Boss, you go ahead.

Seeing this, Li Lingyin reluctantly stepped back and gave up the booth.

Jiang Xing stood to one side of the booth and looked at the young man in the distance.

"Since this is meant to showcase the Rainbow Dragon Cub's power, it will be an exhibition match. The Beast Tamers will not participate directly. You only need to stand behind your Pet Beast and give commands."

"No problem?"

The young man nodded to show that he understood.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the Rainbow Dragon Cub circled through the air before landing in front of Jiang Xing.

"Battle start!"