Chapter 775: This Secret Realm Is Not Proper

The old farmer looked up at Zu'an in surprise. "Who is this?"

Jiang Luofu helped with the introduction. "This is Zu'an, my friend."

"Oh, so you're Eight Junior Sister's friend. Hello, hello," the old farmer said, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

From his reaction, it seemed he had never heard Zu'an's name before. Far from being offended, Zu'an felt even greater respect. Only someone completely dedicated to the welfare of the people would remain oblivious to external affairs and the intricate power struggles within the imperial court.

"A'Zu, this is my Seventh Senior Brother, Wang Shuyang," Jiang Luofu whispered a private warning to him. "He is a highly respected elder; please don't try to fool him with the same tricks you used on Yin Shi."

It turned out she was worried Zu'an might try his old tricks again, so she gave him a heads-up.

Zu'an chuckled wryly. "Is that really how you see me?"

At the same time, he responded to the old farmer, "So it's Senior Wang. I've long admired your reputation."

Wang Shuyang smiled faintly, clearly not overly impressed by such compliments. "Young friend, what exactly do you mean by 'hybrid rice,' which you just mentioned?"

Zu'an replied, "Elder Wang, you just mentioned that current rice varieties have two major problems: first, their yield per unit area has hit a ceiling, and second, their resistance to diseases is insufficient."

"Precisely. These issues have plagued me for years. No matter how I've selected seeds over the years, I've only managed minor improvements, with no qualitative breakthroughs."

Zu'an said, "Actually, solving this problem is both difficult and easy."

"Oh, what insights do you have, young friend?" Wang Shuyang asked politely, though he couldn't help but frown subtly as he observed Zu'an's age and clean fingernails. This young man clearly had no experience with farm labor; the faint calluses on his hand were clearly from years of wielding a sword. By all appearances, he didn't seem knowledgeable about agriculture.

"A'Zu!" Jiang Luofu also shot Zu'an a glare, evidently disbelieving that he knew anything about these matters.

Zu'an smiled and said, "Elder Wang, you've traveled extensively over the years, selecting seeds. Have you ever come across any wild rice in the wilderness?"

"Indeed, I have," Wang Shuyang replied, somewhat disappointed, expecting a profound theory. "But those wild rice grains are shriveled and completely unsuitable as food, nor can they be used as seeds."

"The disadvantage of wild rice is its shriveled grains, making it unfit for food. However, it possesses its own strengths: its wild growth gives it extreme vitality, strong resistance to various diseases, and greater tolerance to cold and heat compared to cultivated rice."

"Hmm..." Wang Shuyang's heart stirred. He felt a flash of insight, like lightning, but couldn't quite grasp it.

Zu'an continued, "The strengths of wild rice are precisely where cultivated rice is weak, and the weaknesses of wild rice are where cultivated rice excels. If we could crossbreed the two types of rice, wouldn't we be able to combine their advantages and compensate for their shortcomings?"

Two brilliant lights immediately burst forth in Wang Shuyang's eyes. He exclaimed excitedly, "Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Why didn't I think of this before? Why didn't I think of this before! Hahaha, the people of the world are saved, saved!"

Seeing her Seventh Senior Brother, who usually maintained a solemn expression, suddenly flailing his arms like a child in a fit of ecstatic madness, Jiang Luofu was startled. She quickly asked Zu'an, "What's wrong with him?"

Zu'an smiled slightly. "He's probably just excited."

Hybrid rice, it must be known, was the culmination of generations of exploratory research by countless scientists worldwide in Zu'an's previous life, achieving mastery only with Mr. Yuan Longping. Since Wang Shuyang had dedicated his entire life to agriculture and the people's livelihood, how could he not see its immense value?

Perhaps with someone else, Zu'an might have kept the knowledge to himself, considering how to profit from it. But after just a few minutes of interaction with Wang Shuyang, he understood that the man genuinely cared for the nation and its people. Entrusting hybrid rice to such an individual was truly the best thing for the common folk.

Besides, he only knew the concept; as for how to actually develop hybrid rice... well, if he were that capable, he wouldn't have spent his previous life exchanging insults with internet trolls on forums every day.

At this moment, Wang Shuyang finally snapped back to reality. He excitedly grasped Zu'an's hand. "Young friend Zu, no, Mr. Zu, please accept my three bows."

Zu'an was startled. "Senior, you mustn't, you mustn't."

Even Jiang Luofu, standing nearby, looked utterly bewildered. Had her senior brothers all taken the wrong medicine today? Why were they all bowing to Zu'an as if he were their master?

Yin Shi doing it was one thing; he was usually a bit eccentric.

But what about Seventh Senior Brother? He was always upright and would never engage in such casual antics like Yin Shi.

Wang Shuyang stated solemnly, "There's no 'mustn't' about it. I bow on behalf of the common people. Once your concept of hybrid rice succeeds, it will save billions of lives. Not just three bows, but three hundred, three thousand, thirty thousand... you would still be worthy of them."

Jiang Luofu was dumbfounded. She hadn't felt any profound impact when she heard Zu'an mention 'hybrid rice' earlier. She had no idea its significance was so immense.

After bowing, Wang Shuyang suddenly beckoned to her. "Eight Junior Sister, come and bow with me, to thank this great hero who will save billions of people."

Jiang Luofu: "???"

Seeing her in a daze, Wang Shuyang pulled her by the sleeve without explanation.

Jiang Luofu remembered how much this senior brother had looked after her when they were children, and she had always admired his character. Unwilling to refuse him, she pouted and bowed towards Zu'an.

Rage points from Jiang Luofu: 585858...

Zu'an broke into a sweat. He quickly moved to help Jiang Luofu up. "Sister, you don't have to do this."

Unfortunately, Jiang Luofu's temper had flared up. 'You won't let me bow? I'll bow anyway. Let's see how you apologize to me later.'

Sensing the resentment in her eyes, Zu'an felt a pang of panic. He quickly said, "Don't bow, don't bow! I'll bow back to you!"

As he spoke, he bowed to her in return.

At this moment, the scene attracted the attention of the 'farmers' in the nearby fields, who were actually Wang Shuyang's students. Watching the unfolding situation, they began to whisper among themselves:

"Hey, it looks like those two are performing a wedding ceremony?"

"Is Teacher Wang officiating?"

"Wait, isn't that Teacher Jiang? And who's that pretty boy performing the ceremony with her?"

Jiang Luofu's long legs were incredibly striking; anyone who saw them once would recognize her. The students quickly recognized Jiang Luofu, and their gazes toward Zu'an were filled with envy.

Teacher Jiang was beautiful, and her stunning legs, always adorned with different stockings, had long been imprinted in the minds of all the students. Coupled with her unique, aloof, and alluring demeanor that kept people at a distance, countless students dreamed of her at night...

Ordinarily, she showed no special favor to men, and there were no rumors of her being romantically involved with anyone, which kept everyone's spirits relatively balanced. But today, discovering their dream goddess performing a wedding ceremony with another man? How could their minds not explode?

Rage points from the students of the National Academy: 444444444...

Zu'an was startled. He instinctively looked back and saw a group of male students glaring at him, their eyes practically spitting fire.

Jiang Luofu also straightened up as if burned. She was equally mortified, completely unprepared for such a misunderstanding. But, to be fair, their posture just now truly did resemble a wedding ceremony.

Oh, what was she even thinking at that moment?

"Nonsense! Come and pay your respects to Mr. Zu!" Wang Shuyang had evidently overheard the gossip and glared fiercely at his disciples.

"Mr. Zu?" The students' reactions were identical to Yin Shi's disciples moments earlier.

"His knowledge is profound enough for him to be my own teacher! What grievance do you have in calling him 'Mister'? Quick, show your respects!" Wang Shuyang was usually quite rigid in character, and with his glare, his students dared not object. They could only bow unwillingly to Zu'an, one by one:

"Greetings, Mr. Zu!"

What is the most painful thing in the world? Of course, it's watching your dream goddess embrace another man right before your eyes.

And what's even more painful than that? Having to force a smile and respectfully bow to that man!

Rage points from the students: 666666666...

Seeing this series of rage points in the background, Zu'an felt a surge of satisfaction. It seemed that being beside a beautiful woman indeed boosted one's ability to draw aggro significantly.

Wang Shuyang frowned. Although he couldn't perceive specific rage points, he sensed that his disciples' emotions were amiss. Fearing they might offend Zu'an, he waved them away and then spoke to Zu'an with an apologetic expression: "It is my fault for not educating them properly. They don't yet understand your greatness."

Zu'an felt a little embarrassed. "Senior Wang, you're too kind. Just call me A'Zu. In my heart, it's pragmatists like you who deserve respect. I merely spout off theories."

Wang Shuyang shook his head. "There are many pragmatists in the world, but the higher one's level, the more bewildered people become. Many strive their entire lives only to achieve nothing useful. Conversely, if someone illuminates the correct path, it's far more valuable than countless pragmatists groping in the dark."

Zu'an looked somewhat abashed. "Hybrid rice isn't something I researched. I merely stumbled upon it in an ancient book by chance. Moreover, I only know the concept. How to actually crossbreed and select the most suitable varieties, I don't know. All of that will depend on your experience and experimentation."

"Mr. Zu, you can rest assured. If, with your guidance, I still cannot develop suitable hybrid rice, then my life will have been lived in vain," Wang Shuyang said with a hint of pride in his voice, clearly drawing confidence from his many years of dedication in the relevant field.

Zu'an secretly thought to himself, 'Reality will humble you later. On Earth in my previous life, countless scientists spent immense effort and time before hybrid rice was accidentally discovered. It probably won't be that simple for you alone.'

At this moment, Wang Shuyang laughed again. "Haha, Mr. Zu, despite your youth, you are humble and don't take credit for yourself. That's a truly rare quality. Eight Junior Sister, you really didn't misjudge him."

Jiang Luofu, standing nearby, looked speechless. 'Are you misunderstanding something?'

Wang Shuyang cupped his hands and said, "I must go and research how to crossbreed rice. I won't disturb you any further. I'll seek your guidance again when I have the chance, Mr. Zu."

After speaking, he left, overjoyed, holding a handful of rice seedlings. With each step, he covered dozens of feet.

Zu'an clicked his tongue in wonder. He had thought Wang Shuyang was just an ordinary old farmer, but he possessed such cultivation. As expected, the Headmaster's direct disciples were truly extraordinary.

Jiang Luofu continued to lead him further in. On the way, she finally couldn't hold back. "What in the world is going on? How do you know about 'hybrid rice'?"

Zu'an chuckled. "Didn't I just say? I stumbled upon it in an ancient book. The author seemed to be named Yuan."

Seeing that he sounded convincing, Jiang Luofu no longer doubted him. She couldn't help but sigh, "It seems ancient civilizations were truly advanced. I also found these stockings and dresses by chance in a secret realm. Later, I copied some of their styles. Seeing such beautiful clothes, I'm really curious about what kind of civilization that was."

Zu'an looked eager. "Can you describe the secret realm you saw back then? What sort of things were there?"

Jiang Luofu fell into thought. "That was a secret realm I accidentally entered years ago. I remember, besides these outfits, there were also some human-like models. They were so realistic, even the..."

Mid-sentence, her face suddenly flushed slightly, and she changed her words. "And there were also some strange things, resembling human skin."

"Human skin?" Zu'an was startled.

Jiang Luofu affirmed, "Yes. Those 'human skins' were odd. They seemed to have special holes. When you inflated them, they transformed into human figures and could even make strange sounds... It felt a bit like puppetry, but there wasn't the slightest spiritual energy fluctuation coming from them."

Zu'an's expression became strange. Why did it sound so much like an inflatable... something?

"Do you still have those 'human skins'?" Zu'an quickly asked.

He wanted to confirm if the items in her secret realm were from his own world, to see if this world had any connection to Earth in his previous life.

Jiang Luofu shook her head. "No, I don't. There were other people in the secret realm back then, and we accidentally burst those 'human skins' during a fight."

Zu'an: "..."

"Were there any other things?"

Jiang Luofu nodded. "We found a few 'flesh ganodermas' back then."

"'Flesh ganodermas'?" Zu'an paused, confused. What on earth was that? Did we have such things in my time?

Jiang Luofu affirmed, "Yes. They looked somewhat like ganoderma mushrooms, but their texture was very meaty, similar to human skin, yet not quite. I asked many people, but no one knew what material they were made of."

"Can you describe their general shape?" Zu'an's tone became even stranger.

"Oh, they were sort of cylindrical, roughly like this..." Jiang Luofu said, gesturing as she spoke.

As he listened to her description, the expression on Zu'an's face grew increasingly peculiar. This secret realm was starting to sound less and less proper.

Could she have stumbled into an adult store from his previous life? No wonder her clothes resembled those worn by teachers in certain Japanese videos...

Bah, those teachers were leagues beneath her.

Never mind. He absolutely must not let her know what those things actually were, fearing she wouldn't be able to handle the truth.

Zu'an had originally intended to inquire further about the secret realm, but at that moment, laughter echoed from nearby. "Haha, you lost again."

"Teacher, how could I possibly beat you?"

"It's fine, I'm just humiliating you for my own amusement."

"Teacher, is it too late for me to switch to another subject now?"

Hearing one of the voices sound familiar, they turned their heads. In a nearby pavilion, two men were playing a game of Go. The younger one, with delicate features and a somewhat effeminate appearance, was none other than Xie Xiu.

He was currently holding a Go piece, a troubled expression on his face, hesitant to make his move.

The middle-aged man opposite him looked much more relaxed. He wore a black and white checkered robe, and a few strands of grey were visible in his hair, yet overall, he didn't appear old at all.

With a lean face, wide sleeves, and a long robe that trailed on the ground, his entire demeanor was ethereal and graceful. He was clearly a handsome man in his youth.

Even now, he likely held great appeal for many women.

Zu'an stared at his robe trailing on the ground, thinking that such attire was only seen in old TV dramas. With a robe that long, wasn't he essentially sweeping the floor? How dirty must the hem be?

"This is my Fifth Senior Brother, Hei Baizi," Jiang Luofu quietly introduced to Zu'an. "Xie Xiu is his disciple."

Zu'an thought to himself that Xie Xiu had been secretive before, claiming the Xie clan had little influence in the capital and that for a mere son of a prefect to be directly admitted to the National Academy was already a great feat, let alone entering the back mountain upon arrival.

It seemed the Xie clan's background was not simple after all.

At that moment, Xie Xiu also saw them and instantly breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had found his saviors. "Teacher Jiang, A'Zu!"

Jiang Luofu nodded slightly to him, then stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Fifth Senior Brother."

"Oh, it's Eight Junior Sister," Hei Baizi said, glancing back at them. He responded casually, then his gaze fell upon Zu'an, and his eyes suddenly blazed with sharp light. "Are you Zu'an from the Eastern Palace, the one who invented Gomoku?"

Zu'an instinctively nodded. "It's just a small game, hardly worthy of mention."

Hei Baizi stroked the goatee on his chin and said earnestly, "How can you call this a 'small game'? To reinvent a new way to play Go, and greatly lower the entry barrier, absolutely requires the skill of a grandmaster of chess. For years, I've prided myself on being a Chess Sage, yet I never thought of inventing a new game myself. Your Gomoku appears simple, but its complete rules hide profound intricacies. I truly admire you."

Zu'an chuckled awkwardly. "You flatter me, you flatter me."

'Damn it, I only introduced Gomoku because I don't know how to play Go,' he thought. 'How could I possibly be arrogant in front of a true chess master?'

Hei Baizi seized his hand and pulled him to the seat. "Come, come, let's play a game. Xie Xiu, you useless fellow, move aside and watch how a true master plays."

Zu'an's heart tightened. Although he hadn't been on guard, the fact that the opponent could seize his hand so swiftly proved his timing and speed were top-notch. This man's cultivation must not be underestimated.

Hearing these words, Xie Xiu, far from being displeased, excitedly moved aside. "Brother Zu, please come and sit here quickly."

Finally, someone had come to rescue him from his misery. Although he wasn't proficient in cultivation, he had put great effort into niche skills like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting for the sake of wooing women. His chess skills, while not necessarily the best in Mingyue City, were certainly among the top five, or even top three.

Unfortunately, these days Hei Baizi had been dragging him into games. At first, he was delighted, thinking he could demonstrate his abilities to his teacher and earn his respect.

Who knew that even after giving him a few handicap stones, his opponent still easily routed him, leaving him utterly defeated.

Losing to the renowned Chess Sage was actually no big deal; it was completely expected.

But he couldn't stand the fact that his opponent kept making him play, tormenting him with different methods each time, to the point where he doubted his very existence. Now, just seeing a Go piece gave him a form of PTSD.

With someone finally here to rescue him from his suffering, how could he not be happy?

At this point, Hei Baizi glared fiercely at him:

"Show some respect! Your master treats him as an equal. Quickly, change how you address him. Call him 'Uncle'."

Xie Xiu: "???"