In front of his dormitory, Locke received the forty-five Water Green Beech trees sent by wizards from Silver Plum Garden, causing even Wizard Daniel next door to look over with interest.

Wizard Daniel stood in the adjacent room in the castle corridor and asked curiously, "Locke, what do you need so many First Circle magical plants for? Are you making a large-scale ecosystem?"

Locke was stunned for a moment. The Forest Sanctuary indeed counted as a large-scale ecosystem experiment. "Secret, secret."

Seeing this, Wizard Daniel didn't continue pursuing the question.

Every formal wizard had some secrets. Pressing relentlessly would only damage their friendship and offend others.

After Locke used the Druid's Ring to receive the forty-five Water Green Beech trees, he spent three days slowly transplanting them all into his Forest Sanctuary.

These forty-five Water Green Beech trees would gradually integrate into the Forest Sanctuary over the next month, together with the fifty Water Green Beech trees previously transplanted into the Forest Sanctuary, becoming the most solid strength of the Forest Sanctuary.

Locke looked at the Water Green Beech trees before him, like pillars reaching straight into the clouds, and nodded slightly.

Water Green Beech was a furniture raw material favored by high Circle wizards. Furniture made from it could resist the magical pressure of high Circle wizards and could also be used to make workbenches for various trades.

This was an economic crop with extremely high value, widely used, and was pillar-grade material.

Therefore, the ninety-five Water Green Beech trees changed the characteristics of his forest, making his Forest Sanctuary become hard and strong, full of vitality.

Locke reviewed the information in the books. "A forest cannot only have plants, it also needs microorganisms. But if I introduce magical creatures... the Forest Sanctuary is where my core power lies. Introducing any magical creatures could potentially create huge vulnerabilities."

Locke began to think.

Imagine if he had a conflict with a wizard from the Conjuration School, and during battle with him, the opponent suddenly detected that many magical creatures lived inside the Forest Sanctuary within the Druid's Ring and used magic on these magical creatures, then the situation would become very interesting.

Moreover, some wizards from the Necromancy School were said to have the ability to interfere with specific magical creatures across space. The Necromancy School itself was unique in the bloodline studies field.

Besides this, animal corpses could also easily be used by wizards from the Divination School.

"The Forest Sanctuary is my core of power." Locke thought, "Rashly introducing magical creatures will only make my magical power full of vulnerabilities everywhere. Even the creator of the Forest Sanctuary, Wizard Lewis, didn't consider this problem."

"However, the problem isn't too big. If it were in the southeastern quadrant or the Land of Six Towers, I might have no solution. But in Cloud Marsh Wetland, there's too much information to query here."

"I'll go check the information to see if there's a solution."

Locke looked at his completely depleted savings and sighed slightly. Purchasing forty-five Water Green Beech trees cost him thirty magic crystal cards, and fully transplanting them into the Druid's Ring cost another eighty thousand magic stones.

This way, his current savings only had a pitiful two magic crystal cards.

And with just this little savings, he still had to deal with the four-person researcher group with Witch Mason and others.

After all, even though there were still four hundred thousand magic stones in project funding, much of the money had to be paid out first by them, then claimed back through reimbursement.

Because money and accounts had to be kept separate to monitor how wizards used project funds.

This meant he still needed some savings to handle the daily expenses of the four-person group.

This counted as working capital.

Additionally, some small expenses for Gregor and Williams also required him to pay. For example, he spent one thousand magic stones each month on each of them to help prepare advanced Weeping Blood Nightshade potions.

If they had to pay this money themselves... given that they currently worked as laboratory assistants at the Origin Academy earning fifteen hundred magic stones monthly in living subsidies, they absolutely couldn't afford this money.

And whether these two could quickly become formal wizards was strongly related to his graduation requirements.

"Need to earn money quickly. Hope September 1st comes soon. Still half a month to go." Locke was burning with anxiety waiting for money.

The key was he still didn't know what the specific sales of the Hydra series magical plants would be like on September 1st.

If the sales performance was poor, then for a long period afterward, he would really have to live frugally and seek new horizontal revenue streams to increase his income.

At this moment, Locke finally experienced the difficult problem facing countless formal wizards, where does funding come from!

A day later, Locke completed another mechanism pathway analysis for a bromeliad-type magical plant in the breeder public laboratory and shared the information on three bromeliad-type magical plants with Witch Mason and others.

Looking at everyone's excitement, Locke hesitated but still didn't mention his current funding shortage.

In any case, Witch Mason and others were used to using their own money first, then seeking reimbursement from him.

So, as long as no accidents occurred in these two weeks, his funding shortage problem could be resolved.

Speaking out now would only increase anxiety unnecessarily.

When Witch Mason turned around, she looked at Locke and noticed him sighing slightly. "Locke, the four of us have already pushed your project two-thirds of the way through. The situation is excellent all around, why are you still sighing?"

"Now should be a time to be happy."

Witch Freya also looked at Locke curiously.

Wizard Barrett glanced at Locke and suddenly changed the topic. "Yesterday I helped Locke complete the three-dimensional structure analysis of the cold ice magic mirror for the Tyrant Bromeliad magical plant. The results were astonishing. First, through the cold ice magic mirror, I confirmed that Locke has indeed discovered a completely new natural magical structure component, obtained through the method of breeding new magical plants."

"Second, the Tyrant Bromeliad's enormous size is also related to this natural magical structure component."

"Team Leader Locke, come look."

The four gathered around. After observation, Locke nodded and said, "I previously guessed that this special natural magical structure component makes the Tyrant Bromeliad enormous and very dangerous."

"Therefore, I named this natural magical structure component Type 2 Tyrant Element structure. Tyrant Element was originally only discovered in Tyrant Flowers and their related subspecies magical plants, but now, a new Tyrant Element has been found in Tyrant Bromeliads."

Locke said, "Worth mentioning is that breeders transplanting the Tyrant Element inside Tyrant Flowers have developed a series of tyrannized magical plants. And if this second Tyrant Element from inside Tyrant Bromeliads is combined with currently existing tyrannization magical plant technology, who knows what will happen."

Now all three were shocked.

Witch Mason, Witch Freya, and Wizard Barrett all looked at Locke with admiration.

They hadn't expected that Locke was just doing some basic research for Group Six, and in the process, could discover something that might change a current First Circle to Second Circle magical plant breeding technology.

Although it was just a possibility, this possibility let everyone see some kind of hope.

Just revolving around this tyrannization breeding technology, how many developments could the four of them make?!

Witch Freya raised a cup of Duck Head Green Tea to Locke and said, "A toast to our group's genius team leader, Locke Augustine."

Witch Mason and Barrett also exchanged glances and smiles, raising the teacups at hand and drinking them down.

The discovery and confirmation of this Type 2 structure Tyrant Element was absolutely the most valuable among the seven new natural magical structures Locke was currently analyzing.

The other six only had some basic research value, because although those six natural magical structure components were newly discovered, their functions had various natural magical structure components in the magical plant world that could replace them, so their functions couldn't be considered too special.

They were just analyzed and recorded out of the necessity of basic research. Very likely, for hundreds of years afterward, these materials could only stay in libraries and journals.

But this Type 2 Tyrant Element was different, because there was an entire tyrannization breeding technology chain and related market, so if Locke revealed his current discovery to the outside, he would likely immediately attract various covetous eyes.

Locke said, "Currently our project needs to analyze the mechanism pathways of a total of twenty-six bromeliad-type magical plants, plus seven natural magical structure components."

"But the discovery of Type 2 Tyrant Element allows us to postpone other work. I will also postpone the work of finding mechanism pathways for new bromeliad-type magical plants and focus our group's main energy on Type 2 Tyrant Element."

"Now we need to quickly confirm all data for Type 2 Tyrant Element. Mason, you do the functional analysis of Type 2 Tyrant Element's sunlight magic mirror. Barrett, you do the biological action pathway analysis of Type 2 Tyrant Element's electromagnetic magic mirror."

Locke looked at Witch Freya and said, "We two need to do more. Because Type 2 Tyrant Element involves commercial practical use, we need more data. We need to compare the differences in performance between the two Tyrant Elements in various aspects, plus the performance of the two Tyrant Elements in extreme environments, to find the advantages of our Type 2 Tyrant Element, if any."

"Then, we'll need to do more experiments, needing more breeder equipment." Locke frowned because he thought again of the funding shortage problem. "We may need to do complete industrial quality inspection. The equipment in this area is actually better equipped at Arthas and Frankfurt."

"May also need to use... Queen Cernunnos's Chessboard."

Witch Freya and others immediately swallowed hard, because Queen Cernunnos's Chessboard, abbreviated as Queen's Chessboard, was considered relatively expensive even among Third Circle magic tools, said to be worth over a hundred million.

That was breeder equipment that First Circle wizards weren't qualified to use. Among the six groups, only Second Circle wizards were qualified to use Queen Cernunnos's Chessboard.

But the problem was, to carefully compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two Tyrant Elements also required using the Queen's Chessboard to deduce their respective strengths and weaknesses, and within the Queen's Chessboard, natural force could be used for force-level detection to thoroughly confirm the essence of the two Tyrant Elements.

Witch Mason reminded, "Locke, the Origin Academy absolutely won't let us First Circle wizards use the Queen's Chessboard."

Locke nodded slightly.

Indeed, this was a rule within the six groups. But in fact, if he had enough money, he could pay to borrow the Queen's Chessboard at commercial shop alliances.

In short, all problems still came down to money.

Locke said, "Using the Queen's Chessboard can better compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two Tyrant Elements and distinguish the differences between the two at the force level. But we can use ingenious experimental design, plus some other equipment, to achieve this goal as much as possible. Freya, let's design these experiments together."

"Everyone, are there any other issues?"

Witch Mason and others shook their heads slightly. Everyone enthusiastically got to work.

And Locke looked at his small group and nodded slightly. This current development satisfied him greatly, except for having no money.

'The existence of Tyrant Element can indeed add more glory to my project. Just don't know if it will be beyond Witch Yekaterina's expectations.' Locke thought, 'Last time, Witch Mason's suggestion, I considered for a long time, but couldn't think of how to optimize the current exploration process for the moment.'

'First find a way to get more money. With money, I can use more resources. Like now, even using the three magic mirrors makes me nervous.'

Currently, using a magic mirror once cost him at least twenty thousand magic stones or more, which would directly drain his savings.

However, he already had more money than ordinary researchers. Locke had even seen researchers who saved and scrimped to conserve research funds.

In short, everyone had it quite difficult.

Locke tidied up, preparing to go to the library in the afternoon according to Witch Yekaterina's arrangements to borrow the book list she recommended.

But unexpectedly, Locke encountered a person in the breeder's public laboratory that he hadn't previously anticipated.

When he turned around, he felt the surrounding air drop several degrees, while smelling the fresh fragrance of osmanthus. Looking up, he saw Witch Diana wearing wizard robes that looked like warrior clothing.

Witch Diana supported her waist with her left hand and waved at Locke with her right hand. "Long time no see, Locke Augustine."

Locke showed a strange expression.

Witch Diana smiled and said, "What's with that expression? Does seeing me here make you feel strange?"

Locke said, "Hello, Witch Diana. If I remember correctly, you seem to have joined Bonifacius's Advanced Origin Academy."

"This is Golden Crown Mountain's Origin Academy. Diana, are you here to spy on the competition?"

Witch Diana immediately widened her eyes, as if hearing something ridiculous. "Absolutely not. I disdain doing such things. I firmly believe that as long as you focus on doing your own work well, any enemy will be defeated by you."

"However, have you heard of joint training? You can understand that my Throne Wizard mentor has cooperation with your Throne Wizard mentor, so I was seconded here as one of the project leaders from my Throne Wizard mentor's side."

Obviously, after the initial surprise, Locke also thought of this point and nodded, "I see. As expected of you."

Joint training had several situations. One situation was the original mentor didn't want this wizard, but because this wizard occupied a quota, they could only make waste useful by tossing them elsewhere to exchange favors with other high Circle wizards.

Send one away, out of sight, out of mind.

But there was also the situation of better training students, or better forming project cooperation with a certain high Circle wizard to achieve unique joint advantages.

Wizards seconded in this situation were generally capable subordinates under that high Circle wizard.

Obviously, with Diana's abilities, she was clearly the second situation.

Locke said, "Welcome, my friend, Witch Diana."

Witch Diana showed a satisfied smile.

Since competing at the Cloud Marsh Cup last time, after Locke defeated Diana, the two had remembered each other.

The easiest way for geniuses to communicate was to fairly and squarely defeat the opponent in competition.

That would definitely make the opponent remember until the end of time, etched in bone and heart, until winning back again.

Locke asked, "However, I'm very curious what experiment you came to do?"

Witch Diana said, "Honestly, I don't know either. How could we young First Circle wizards clearly know the thoughts of the Throne adults?"

"Specific work still needs subsequent arrangements. On my mentor's side, I first helped her complete four months of stomatal gas element transpiration rate statistics for leaves of different types of First Circle magical plant trees."

"I completed a Tier 3 Origin Academy funding project at Bonifacius University."

Witch Diana was a wizard native to Cloud Marsh Wetland, so she was used to this kind of basic research and just casually mentioned, "I just arrived at your Golden Crown Mountain three days ago, then was assigned to your Group Three."

"Your Group Three here seems to mainly do pathway analysis finding magical plants' inhibitory effects on the reproductive capacity of First Circle level and above magical creatures."

"So, I also don't know what I'm here to do. My senior brother just told me to come here to familiarize myself with the environment first. I thought that the only wizard I know here is you, so I came to find you."

Locke nodded slightly. People from Group Three rarely appeared in the public breeder laboratory. They seemed to all be in a special desert area around Golden Crown Mountain with an independent laboratory.

However, he hadn't expected that Group Three's main research content was actually studying how magical plants inhibit magical creatures' reproductive capacity.

Group Six's research content was how magical plants enhance magical creatures' reproductive capacity, while Group Three's research content was how magical plants inhibit magical creatures' reproductive capacity.

Moreover, according to Teacher Yekaterina's grouping habits, Group Three was obviously more important to Witch Yekaterina than Group Six.

Locke couldn't help but be curious what exactly the Third Circle level ten-person project that Witch Yekaterina had been working on for a hundred years was about.

From the project portions that Group Three and Group Six were responsible for, it was really impossible to tell what Witch Yekaterina was doing. The research directions were even opposite.

Initially, Locke also suspected whether Witch Yekaterina was breeding magical plants that could enhance certain magical creatures' reproductive capacity, but now it seemed it wasn't that simple.

Witch Diana asked Locke, "Do you have any plans this afternoon?"

Locke looked at Witch Diana strangely. "My mentor assigned me some book lists. I was just planning to go borrow them this afternoon."

Witch Diana nodded. "Then you're indeed very busy. However, can you spare an hour? I want to go with you to Joseph's Golem Shop to compete again. Last time at the Cloud Marsh Cup, seeing your nine-layer permanent defensive field made me very interested."

"But I thought hard for four and a half months and finally thought of a way to break through it."

Witch Diana challenged Locke, "What do you say? As two genius breeders from the Cloud Marsh Cup, want to have a match?"

Locke raised the corner of his mouth. Actually, halfway through listening, his heart was already itching.

Geniuses always attracted each other, competed with each other, and achieved each other through competition.

Precisely because of this, on the road pursuing truth, having fellow travelers was a pleasant thing.

With competition came progress.

Moreover, Locke was also curious what Witch Diana's so-called method to break through his nine permanent defensive fields was.

Although his permanent defensive field had already upgraded, taking the path of Myst's Power and Life Heavy Armor, not meaningless stacking of permanent defensive fields.

Honestly, previously, stacking nine permanent defensive fields might not have been much better than one permanent defensive field of Myst's Power.

Locke said, "Previously stacking nine permanent defensive fields on myself wasn't my own power alone, but I borrowed the magical pressure remaining inside the Hydra from nine Surayans."

"So, that was just a coincidence."

"However, if it's you challenging me, Diana, then I accept the challenge. However, the money to go to Joseph's Golem Shop..."

Witch Diana said, "No problem, I'll pay."

"That's as it should be."

The two left the public laboratory, then went to the Dragon Blood Gathering castle and found Joseph's Golem Shop on the first floor.

Witch Diana paid five thousand magic stones to rent a private room that could adequately contain the power of their mutual competition.

Moreover, Joseph's Golem Shop's testing private rooms had large numbers of medical-purpose golems, so wizards competing in power within could also quickly receive treatment.

Inside the testing private room.

Locke used the Five-Headed Hydra magical plant to casually stack five permanent defensive fields on himself, respectively Steam Bark, Life Force Field, Harvest Force Field, Oak Heavy Armor, and Oak Belt.

Because he currently knew two sets of combined permanent defensive fields, he could only accommodate slightly, disrupting the combinations, picking four magics from the two sets of combinations, and together with Steam Bark inscribed on Cloud Sea Fog Pine, forming a crude version of five stacked permanent defensive fields.

One more wouldn't work, because one more could form Myst's Power or form Life Heavy Armor.

Witch Diana looked at the Five-Headed Hydra magical plant on Locke's left hand. "Looks like you've also improved. Even without borrowing Surayan power, you can independently use this combination magic?"

"But in this state, you're not as amazing as when you had nine permanent defensive fields on one person at the Cloud Marsh Cup."

The next moment, two laurel leaf scimitars appeared in Witch Diana's hands. At the same time, her permanent defensive field Full Moon Boundary jumped out from her shadow like a full moon, constantly expanding and colliding with the five permanent defensive fields on Locke's body.