Chapter 109

Chapter 109: The Killing Field

Two days later, Qin Mu and Li Xingtao met again in the virtual space.

"Chief Qin Mu, we've sold some of the relics we brought for a total of 48.9 billion Black Dragon coins. Some items, like the spirit weapons, we're holding onto for now unless we're in urgent need of funds. We've also finalized the trade company. Instead of registering a new one, we spent 1 billion Black Dragon coins to acquire an established but struggling company on Qiu Long Star. This company has all the necessary qualifications, which will save us a lot of time," Li Xingtao reported respectfully.

"Good, you handle these matters as you see fit," Qin Mu nodded. He trusted Li Xingtao and had delegated authority to him in these areas.

However, this reminded Qin Mu that he needed to find and assimilate individuals skilled in commerce and economics into the Swarm. The elite talents from Earth were trustworthy now, but time could change people. Faced with temptations, even the most loyal might falter over decades or centuries. Human nature was not something to be tested lightly.

This was why, even with absolute control over Earth, Qin Mu had used the bald crystal man from Ruin No. 9 to monitor the entire planet.

"After setting up the company, we immediately signed contracts with our prospective clients and received the first installment of payments. Some of the smaller items we brought, like the Black God Suits, have already been delivered. So far, we've received 183.6 billion Black Dragon coins in deposits and partial payments. However, about 30 billion of that is earmarked for purchasing cargo ships, industrial equipment, raw materials, and intelligence operations. The remaining 200 billion can be used for buying cultivation resources and slaves," Li Xingtao explained, pausing briefly before continuing.

"There's a potential risk with one of our clients who wants to purchase A-grade laser guns. Our intelligence team found that this client is from Qianfeng Star and has been in contact with several other arms dealers. They're looking to buy 1 million A9-grade laser weapons initially, with potential follow-up orders, including B-grade weapons. The total transaction could reach 5 trillion Black Dragon coins. Competing for such a large order carries significant risks."

This matter was beyond Li Xingtao's authority, and he didn't dare make a decision on his own.

"Five trillion Black Dragon coins?" Qin Mu frowned slightly. This was no small sum for Earth at this stage. With that amount, they could easily buy Earth itself.

But with great profit came great risk. Did Earth have the strength to compete with other Universe factions, especially arms dealers?

After a moment of consideration, Qin Mu's expression relaxed. While 5 trillion Black Dragon coins sounded like a lot, it was only 50 billion Ganwu coins—not even enough to buy the cheapest Universe-level slave. At most, this level of profit would attract the attention of factions with Universe-level experts.

With the resources at his disposal, Qin Mu could return to Earth and use the Bug Queen' Nest to hatch Universe-level Zerg warriors. In other words, if things went south, he could handle the fallout.

Moreover, such a transaction wouldn't be completed overnight. It would take time for any adversaries to act. The risk was manageable.

"Go ahead and proceed with confidence," Qin Mu said.

"Understood," Li Xingtao replied, visibly relieved. With Qin Mu's approval, he could move forward without hesitation.

"Also, regarding your request to investigate the Virtual Universe Company's departments specializing in monster cultivation and bloodline agents, we haven't found concrete information yet. The Virtual Universe is vast, but many intelligence sources are restricted by access levels. The information we've gathered so far is fragmented and unreliable. Our intelligence team is working on it, but it will take time and significant resources," Li Xingtao added.

"That's fine. For expenses under 10 billion Black Dragon coins, you have full authority. No need to consult me," Qin Mu said. It had only been two days, so it was natural that they hadn't found definitive answers yet.

After discussing the intelligence with Li Xingtao, Qin Mu decided to take Hong, Lei Shen, and Jia Yi out to purchase slaves and cultivation resources. While the Bug Queen's Nest could hatch Star-level and even Universe-level Zerg warriors, Qin Mu still wanted to buy some slaves. Zerg warriors, while powerful, couldn't be openly displayed. Slaves, on the other hand, were a different matter.

By purchasing slaves, Qin Mu could also use the Swarm to analyze their genes and mass-produce similar warriors. He had a variety of Zerg genes but lacked human genes. Otherwise, Qin Mu wouldn't need to buy slaves at all.

However, the current Nest was only at star level one, limiting it to hatching star-level Zerg warriors. More powerful warriors would require time to analyze and upgrade the nest.

"It's time to go out," Qin Mu thought. They had been staying in the hotel, with their consciousnesses immersed in the Virtual Universe. It was time to get moving.

In the Virtual Universe, Qin Mu contacted Hong, Lei Shen, and Jia Yi.

"We've received the funds. It's time to go shopping."

After receiving Qin Mu's message, Hong, Lei Shen, and Jia Yi quickly responded and logged off to gather in the real world.

As soon as they met in the hotel, Lei Shen excitedly said to Qin Mu, "Qin Mu, I found an amazing place in the Virtual Universe!"

"There's a place called the Killing Field where you can customize opponents based on your needs—strength, race, domain, everything. It's just too expensive."

On Earth, finding a worthy opponent was difficult for someone like Lei Shen. But in the Killing Field, he could fight anyone he wanted. The allure was irresistible.

Hong also nodded. He had visited the Killing Field, but the cost was steep. For someone at planetary level nine like him, a day in the Killing Field cost 1 million Black Dragon coins or 700 Ganwu coins.

They had some money, but it wasn't enough for prolonged stays in the Killing Field. A day or two, however, was manageable. So, for the past two days, they had been immersed in the Killing Field, constantly fighting.

"The Killing Field?" Qin Mu smiled. He had also visited it in the past two days.

It was an extravagant training ground where users could submit any request to the Virtual Universe system. The Killing Field was designed for warriors and spirit masters. You could face any opponent you wanted—one-on-one, group battles, even battles against domain lords. The Killing Field could accommodate it all.

As the Overlord, Qin Mu had a strong killing instinct, fueled by the collective consciousness of the Swarm. Violence and bloodlust were inherent to the Swarm. But Qin Mu's willpower was formidable, allowing him to control these impulses. He could also release his killing intent by fighting Zerg warriors hatched by the Swarm. Thus, he wasn't as obsessed with the Killing Field as others might be.

"It's indeed a great place. But have you noticed that besides choosing opponents, you can also set up a mirror match? You can create an opponent with the exact same physical attributes, spirit power, techniques, and weapons as you. The only difference is that this opponent has vast combat experience and is incredibly skilled. This is an excellent way to improve your skills."

Qin Mu praised the Killing Field. The Virtual Universe was like a cheat code for humanity. Just this combat function alone had undoubtedly nurtured countless powerful warriors.

"You can do that?!" Lei Shen was shocked. Over the past two days, he had been busy fighting preset opponents and monsters, never realizing this feature existed. Hearing Qin Mu's explanation, he was eager to try it out immediately.

Even Hong looked intrigued.

"Let's go buy our cultivation resources first. We can try the Killing Field when we get back. Since we've already opened accounts in the Virtual Universe, we can access it anytime, even from Earth," Qin Mu said with a laugh.

"But don't get too addicted to the Killing Field. It's just a simulation. While it's great for testing your skills, it can't replace the life-and-death experiences of real combat. Spending some time in the Killing Field is fine, but staying there long-term is a waste of time!"

"A waste of time?" Lei Shen was puzzled. Over the past two days, he felt his strength had improved significantly in the Killing Field. How could it be a waste?

"You know that the fastest way to evolve and improve is through life-and-death battles," Qin Mu explained.

"I understand that," Lei Shen said. Both he and Hong had risen to power during the Great Nirvana period, when they had faced countless life-and-death battles. That was when their strength had grown the fastest.

"But the Killing Field also involves life-and-death combat," Lei Shen argued.

"It's not the same. In real life-and-death situations, the body's every cell reacts instinctively, pushing you to your peak. In such a state, it's easier to achieve breakthroughs and evolve. But the Killing Field is just a simulation. It doesn't have the same effect. Otherwise, places like the Huge Axe Arena wouldn't exist in the universe."

The Giant Axe Arena was a place where every fight was a life-and-death struggle, ending only when one party died.

"I see," Lei Shen and Hong nodded. They understood this principle, but without guidance, it might have taken them much longer to realize it.

"In summary, the Killing Field is a great place to hone your skills and combat abilities, but it can't replace real life-and-death experiences. Just don't get too addicted," Qin Mu said with a smile.

Both Hong and Lei Shen were top-tier talents in cultivation. A little guidance was all they needed to grasp the concept.

"Let's go shopping! We have 200 billion Black Dragon coins to spend. You can all upgrade your weapons and cultivation resources!"

***

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