Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas
Ai Xiaolu was not expecting that smile, one that was so comfortable in his own skin. She was born in a financial empire, surrounded by money. Interpersonal relationships were formed only on the basis of money. And people like that, above all, longed for something trustworthy that was free of all deceit. To her, money was not the issue. The goal was.
“Aright, since you say that, let’s get right to it. As for me, I’ve taken a liking to you. That’s why I asked my family to do this in the first place. As for the rest, I’ll take care of it. As you said, even if we don’t get the buying permit in the end, we’re alright. If we really get it, of course we’ll be overjoyed. Such a thing is invaluable. If we can just get half the super gravity energy ore, it will be enough for the family to get some things done.” Ai Xiaolu said.
Wang Zheng laughed. “Oh, it’s my first time to be so favored. I’m honored. It’s settled then. KING Company’s share is mainly for experiments, so it’s modest, and sharing half will not be an issue. As for the buying permit issue, if we really go broke, I’ll do my best to protect it, so you don’t come off too badly.”
“Alright, it’s a deal.” Ai Xiaolu stretched out a hand, and Wang Zheng did likewise. Ai Xiaolu’s hand was soft and warm.
Ai Xiaolu reviewed all the information she had. The more she knew, the more she found Wang Zheng frightening. Whether his individual ability or his strange connections, Ai Xiaolu did not think that she would come off this deal any worse.
As for the family, money left there was money wasted. Each year, there were investments to be made to protect the worth of their fortune. There would be gains and losses. Although the experimental use super gravity ore was not much, but it was enough to get the elders at her family to agree. More importantly, countries wanted it for experiments as well. It was rumored that Arbiter had achieved good results, and this had made other nations even more frantic. Of course, the least anxious was Tita Star. They were taking their time to build, and not particularly driving the mining process. Under the pretext of protecting the resource, they were simply increasing the price. Once mined, the export was controlled. The ore was, after all, unique, and it was a seller’s market, where the strong countries came out next best. The other countries could only endure, dissatisfied. Most unlucky was Aslan. They had been slated for priority until they had offended Tita Star somehow and struck off the list, giving the lead to those like Arbiter and Manalasuo.
And… Wang Zheng. After spending half a year on Tita Star, what had happened in that period?
Ai Xiaolu definitely believed that there must be some connection. This was a guy full of secrets and opaque, but also with depths to plunge. Almost like a storybook character, where the more that was revealed, the more one grew to like the protagonist. But she had no intention of sharing this with others.
“Senior Xiaolu, if you keep staring at me like that, I’ll be embarrassed.” Wang Zheng rubbed his nose.
“Haha, I would never have known you were the shy type. That’s right, do you like Snow Li? She’s very fond of you, do you want me to help you two arrange something?” Ai Xiaolu teased.
Wang Zheng was exasperated. “Let things take their course. I’ve just fallen out of love, and I’m not back together yet. I just want to focus on training.”
“Flowers should be plucked before they wither. Snow Li is a hot customer. You don’t have to worry about the rest, I’ll send someone to arrange the terms with KING Company. We won’t be too picky about the details.”
“Since it’s Senior taking care of things, I’m naturally at ease.”
Those who had true business acumen invested in people, not programs. The right backing would see a thousand-fold return.
From a different perspective, how bad could someone that Snow Li liked, and Olivios took note of, be?
Even Pampas had taken an interest to Wang Zheng, and she was looking forward to how things would turn out. It was possible that Wang Zheng might pull a miracle and carve his own place in the top 5.
If that was the case, her investment return time would definitely shorten drastically.
Parting ways with Ai Xiaolu, Wang Zheng left a message for Xiao Fei and Marcus. This was definitely good news. The earlier they knew, the faster they would be relieved of the stress. The moment he finished relaying the news, Marcus immediately revived. He was quite excited. He was not as unemotional as Xiao Fei. He had to take care of the whole team, and this news would be a welcome relief that gave them peace of mind when working. Not everybody could endure so much. Besides, everybody had families, and he could not always leave them hanging.
Xiao Fei did not say much, but that was part of their dynamic. The 2 did not need niceties between them to communicate. They just had that special connection.
Although KING Company’s research did not need too much super gravity ore, but Wang Zheng still wanted to secure this aspect. He would ask Tita Star to export the other half. After all, the current state of Tita Star was the result of Wang Zheng and Mu Sen’s agreements. Sometimes the best way forward was suspense, but at others, the most straightforward methods were best.
But rules should not be too easily broken. KING Company could not be too outstanding in this matter, or they would find themselves pitted against the other nations. They must find a balance, and find a happy medium.
Pampas’ return this time was indeed for the competition. Of course, the competition itself did not hold much meaning. Given his standard, he no longer needed to prove anything in battle. But the clashes in this period had made him clearly realize that if he wanted to display his strength in the abyss, and shrug off the chains of fate, he needed his own runic mech.
He wanted to enter the Earth Grade as quickly as possible, but Pampas knew that he needed to bide his time. At present, he was not too confident, although he had to try regardless. Very few passed in 1 try. As long as one could eventually ascend, that would be fine. If he could obtain a runic mech, that would provide more chances for him, so it was a necessity.
Of course, others were in the same position. He felt that this competition had been arranged especially for the few of them. In this period, they had seen much as well. Whether in body or spirit, they had accrued considerable ability, and to test this accumulation through battle was not a bad way at all.
But after seeing Wang Zheng, Pampas knew that it would not be so easy. The Academy would not have set such a big stage just for the few of them. They were only part of the reason.
Wang Zheng and Olivios. Two newcomers, but already on the X leaderboards (Battle Power Rankings). They were definitely part of the reason too.
Elite Academy X and Milky Way Military College had a long history of cooperation, but rivalry existed between all schools. This was a high level matter. His level was still far from satisfactory, but Princess Aina’s participation had given new meaning. She, alone, represented both the stance of Aslan and Atlantis. Perhaps there was more to this, and the competition had been organized for her benefit.
Aslan led the Milky Way in terms of technological advancements. This was on the overall, but of course in terms of battle power, those like Arbiter and Manalasuo stood on the same level.
A soldier that did not want to become general was not a good soldier. But to become general, one needed a head for the larger picture and a sense for rule. An acute observation of the circumstances, in order to act.
Since Aina was coming, then the elite of both schools would definitely be attending. It was undoubtedly a good opportunity to make an impression.
Such thoughts were definitely not unique to Pampas. Therefore, battles which might have not been as intense might intensify because of these external reasons.
He had to prepare well also. To the higher-ups, this was a good time for a review.
Pampas had no curiosity towards people like Aina. They were far out of his reach. These were the elite who stood at the peak of humanity from the moment they were born. They were human, but lived different lives.
The corner of Pampas’ mouth raised in a quirk. His finger tips danced with light. His ability X was utterly unique. He would love to see who could stop him!
Every fighter had ambitions of being the best in the world.
Since things were about to get heated, he would take it on.
In the next few days, Wang Zheng and the rest found their days incomparably filled. Besides class, Wang Zheng still had to bring Zhang Shan and Oli to train. Wang Zheng had developed quite a comprehensive understanding of Oli’s Heavenly Overlord style, which incorporated the control of some Qi manipulation methods to be able to achieve its explosiveness. Of course, this was a secret, and Wang Zheng would not pry. But at his level, he more or less gleaned a little. He refined Oli’s fighting style to make her attacks even more on point.
She was not a brawler type, but an assassin type. It had taken some effort to cure her of her “brave” notions. Zhang Shan was making progress as well, although he still could not beat Oli. But it was a start. How far he could go would depend on himself.
Zhang Shan and Oli had finally been selected for the examination, and had gone to take it. Although Wang Zheng had taken the Xuan Grade exam, but it was still applicable, saving him some time. He had thought it strange. If every Huang Grade student was at that level, then the Elite Academy X would be a frightening place indeed.
Wang Zheng also found time to go to Butcher’s place. You could film a horror movie inside without having to get any external props.
But this time round, Wang Zheng met an old friend coincidentally. Butcher was surprised too. He had thought that Xie Yuxin was person from Aslan. Who would have known he was from Earth? But Xie Yuxin did not act one bit like an Earthling.
“That you two know each other is even better. The samples this time are promising. These insects have mutated and seem to possess some powers of mind control. Quite dangerous.”
A live Zerg was kept in the laboratory. This Zerg resembled a spider, but it had 12 claws. In the middle, a round brain was covered in wrinkles, and looked like a lump of meat. At first glance, it did not seem like it was capable of any strong physical attack, but when this Zerg raged, the meatball turned a blood-red color, and released a ear-splitting cry directly into the human brain, creating huge problems for fighters.
Only Xie Yuxin and Wang Zheng were not of the Vermillion Bird Region. Xie Yuxin was classified under special powers, and had their own education. They were slightly different. Since entering the academy, Xie Yuxin had been busier than Wang Zheng.
Others were busy watching the waves on the equipment. They had reached a curious observation. This insect actually had brainwaves that were close to humans’, but stronger in strength.
