Chapter 40: Secret Realm Protocol

Noon, after school let out.

Ke Lu and Su Rou had endured a morning under the curious gazes of countless classmates and endless greetings. They finally caught their breath at lunchtime.

As they walked along the school paths, hordes of students sprinted toward the cafeteria.

The midday sky was cloudless, the brilliant sun hanging high overhead, casting short, stubby shadows.

The two complemented each other perfectly, accentuating the students' vigorous and youthful figures as they raced.

Of course, despite their youthful energy, only students who had fought for cafeteria meals in high school truly understood how brutal the competition could be.

Even a single minute of extra class time could mean ten more minutes waiting in line.

Ke Lu and Su Rou walked hand-in-hand, pressed flat against the edge of the path, struggling against the tide of students.

"Thank goodness we don't have to fight for cafeteria food," Su Rou said, fanning her face with a small electric fan. "It's crowded and the food's awful."

The two had obtained commuter student status and rented an apartment off-campus, where they lived quite comfortably.

Though the rent was a bit pricey, Miss Su Rou certainly wasn't short on cash.

They had agreed to meet Shi Lei and the others for dinner that evening, so they would take care of lunch themselves.

Returning to their apartment,

The place wasn't luxurious, but it was impeccably clean, well-ventilated, and sunlit.

In the three-bedroom apartment, the floors gleamed with a polished sheen, and every item was neatly arranged in its proper place.

At home, Hysilens had transformed into the perfect butler, presenting a table laden with exquisite dishes, beautifully plated to stimulate the appetite.

Hysilens can actually cook? Ke Lu thought in surprise. Then she reconsidered. Well, cooking isn't exactly a rare skill. I can do it myself, after all.

After the trio shared lunch, Su Rou retreated to her room to rest. Ke Lu remained in the living room, listening to Hysilens' report.

She took the document Hysilens handed her, scanned it briefly, and raised an eyebrow. "Giving this to me? How generous of you."

Ke Lu's finger traced a striking passage in the document as she read aloud with amused interest:

"Pursuant to Resolution No. 147 of the Supreme Education Bureau of the Imperium, unanimously approved by the Secret Realm Management Committee, ownership and management rights to Secret Realm B-734, 'Lost Woods,' are hereby granted to Ms. Ke Lu free of charge."

"This resolution takes effect immediately upon issuance. All relevant ownership registration procedures will be completed within three business days."

She lifted her gaze, a hint of amusement in her voice. "This gift... is certainly unexpected."

"Is Imperator considering accepting this gift?" Hysilens asked softly, standing quietly by her side.

"Of course not," Ke Lu replied, casually closing the document and setting it aside. "Hysilens, do you know what it means to be the Lord of a Secret Realm?"

"Naturally, the sole ruler of the Secret Realm," Hysilens answered, bowing her head slightly.

"Precisely." Ke Lu tapped her finger lightly on the table, producing a crisp knock. "If one is already the Lord, why would they need someone else to 'bestow' anything? This document is nothing but a farce."

A faint, ambiguous smile curved her lips. "What I want is for them to willingly acknowledge—that this rightfully belongs to me."

Ke Lu's voice betrayed no hesitation, showing no special emotion despite facing an official document from the Education Bureau.

Hysilens's gaze toward Ke Lu was filled with approval.

"They're playing a clever game," Ke Lu said, bluntly exposing their scheme. "There's no precedent for a Great World Spirit becoming the Lord of a Secret Realm, and therefore no relevant laws or regulations."

"They're trying to pull a fast one, 'bestowing' this upon me and selling it as a favor."

"This trick might fool others, but it won't work on me."

Hysilens remained silent. A competent minister need not make decisions for the monarch, but only offer counsel when the ruler strays from the correct path.

Fortunately, she served under a remarkably wise ruler, and most of the time, all that was required was to listen.

Ke Lu tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, pondering aloud, "However, we can't let them return empty-handed. The resources of a Secret Realm deserve proper recognition."

She turned to Hysilens. "Revise the protocol."

"Write: 'The Lord of the Secret Realm, Ke Lu, in gratitude for the Imperium Education Bureau's years of stewardship, hereby gifts—'"

"'Three thousand kilograms each of the Lost Woods' signature products: Moon Splendor Stone and Star-Patterned Wood;'"

"'And three thousand Secret Realm-crafted Spirit Artifacts: Clear Wind Pendants and Flowing Cloud Hairpins.'"

She paused, her knuckles rapping crisply against the table.

"Furthermore, subject to compliance with the Secret Realm's laws, the Imperium Academy of Sciences is authorized to dispatch research teams into the Secret Realm. Their primary objective shall be to investigate the mechanisms governing the transformation between Instance Secret Realms and Exploration Secret Realms."

"All research findings must be shared with the Lord of the Secret Realm, Ke Lu, in real-time."

This was Ke Lu's carefully considered strategy.

Since becoming the Lord of the Secret Realm, Ke Lu had gained intimate knowledge of its workings. Yet one mystery persisted: the Time Law.

The "Lost Woods," originally an Instance Secret Realm destined for eternal cyclical repetition, began flowing forward in time after Ke Lu claimed it, transforming into an Exploration Secret Realm.

Ke Lu was indeed proud, but she wouldn't let pride blind her. Even as the God of the Secret Realm, she hadn't fully grasped the true essence of the Laws. The Secret Realm's Laws were merely the tip of the iceberg compared to the grander Laws of the universe, and the path ahead remained long and arduous.

The Imperium Academy of Sciences possessed both the accumulated insights of past masters regarding the Laws and state-of-the-art equipment, making their research efficiency far superior to her solitary contemplation.

More importantly, this type of Secret Realm transformation was unprecedented. She was ninety percent certain the Academy would accept her terms.

Furthermore, the Imperium Academy of Sciences housed countless brilliant minds, each backed by their own powerful Factions. The Academy itself was a formidable Faction. Establishing connections with the Imperium's top scholars through this arrangement would greatly benefit her in completing her System missions.