Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Pharmacist

Unlike the original timeline, Hong and Lei Shen had entered the universe earlier with Qin Mu, learning about the hierarchy of bloodlines in the universe even before purchasing slaves. They were also aware that Qin Mu himself was researching bloodline evolution agents, which he had provided to Earth for sale. Thus, they understood the importance of bloodline better than most.

A top-tier bloodline could allow someone to reach the Domain Lord level without even cultivating. Just moments ago, Ming Yu had promised Hong an S-grade agent if he joined, while Lei Shen would receive a standard bloodline agent.

The process of cultivation for ordinary humans was akin to building a house. Bloodline was the foundation. A poor bloodline meant a weak foundation. Cultivating with a weak foundation was like constructing a skyscraper on unstable ground. As the building grew taller, the foundation would need constant reinforcement, making the process exponentially more difficult and costly compared to those with superior bloodlines.

Earth's human bloodline, classified as Ninth-tier, was a weak foundation. Consuming a bloodline evolution agent could instantly transform this weak foundation into a medium or even high-tier one. For any cultivator, this was an irresistible temptation.

"Do you know who developed the bloodline evolution agents?" Ming Yu asked, sensing their hesitation and deciding to push further.

"The Virtual Universe Company?" Qin Mu ventured.

"Correct! The Virtual Universe Company, the pinnacle of technological advancement in the human universe, is the creator of these agents," Ming Yu declared with pride.

As one of the five strongest human factions, the Virtual Universe Company had every right to be proud.

"These agents are extremely rare outside the company. Even if you could buy them, the price would be astronomical. But if you join us, as internal elites, you can receive them for free!"

Qin Mu sighed inwardly. The Virtual Universe Company's reputation as the leader in technology was well-deserved. Its virtual network alone, which allowed instantaneous access from anywhere in the universe—even the Dark Universe—was a marvel. The network could perfectly simulate domains and even laws, a feat beyond imagination.

This was one of the reasons Qin Mu had always wanted to join the Virtual Universe Company. The company offered far more than just the virtual network. Bloodline evolution agents were just one of its many products.

Seeing that the three were intrigued, Ming Yu smiled and asked, "Would you be willing to join the Virtual Universe Company?"

Though tempted, the trio knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. The more one received, the more would be expected in return.

After exchanging glances, Qin Mu asked, "Lord Ming Yu, if we join the Black Dragon Mountain Branch, how would the company arrange our training?"

"In the early stages, while your strength is still developing, the company will focus on nurturing you. This means strict management. You'll need to follow company orders, undergo training, and face life-and-death trials. However, as your strength grows, so will your privileges. At the Universe, Domain Lord, and Overlord levels, your authority will expand, and you'll only need to act during critical moments," Ming Yu explained.

"Moreover, in a few years, the new Genius Battle will be held, jointly organized by the Virtual Universe Company and the 1,008 universe nations. With your talent and the resources of the Black Dragon Mountain Branch, you have a strong chance of ranking within the top 1,000 and entering the company's core."

If Ming Yu could nurture a genius capable of ranking in the top 100—or even the top 10—of the tournament, his future resources would be secured.

"But during the training period, won't we have any freedom?" Hong asked.

Lei Shen also looked at Ming Yu.

"There are scheduled vacations," Ming Yu replied seriously. "But during the training period, the discipline is very strict. You must understand this. With the Virtual Universe network, you can still meet and chat with family and friends, so vacations aren't as significant."

Qin Mu, Hong, and Lei Shen all shook their heads. This level of restriction was unacceptable.

"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Ming Yu," Qin Mu said, "but my circumstances are unique. I cannot accept such strict training."

"To be honest, while my innate spirit amplitude is strong, I am actually a pharmacist. The bloodline evolution agents you mentioned are a major focus of my research."

Ming Yu was stunned.

"A pharmacist? You're researching agents? Who is your mentor?"

"I was about to tell you that comprehending both the Gold Domain and Fire Domain at the Star level is already a significant drain on your energy. If you focused on just one, you might have reached the fifth or even sixth level of domain comprehension, possibly touching the Laws!"

"Specialization is the key to going further! And you're dividing your attention with pharmacology? Human time and energy are limited. You're wasting your talent!"

Ming Yu was visibly upset. Such a prodigious talent, squandered on unrelated pursuits! While he could understand geniuses rejecting strict management—many were prideful and unwilling to submit to rigid control—Qin Mu's reason was rare.

What Ming Yu didn't know was that, as the Swarm's ruler, Qin Mu's consciousness could be divided. He could simultaneously research multiple techniques and bloodlines without issue. His rapid domain comprehension was a result of studying the Golden Horned Beast and Blaze Beast bloodlines. Without this, it would have taken much longer to grasp the domains.

In the original timeline, even Luo Feng, with his Golden Horned Beast body, only comprehended a domain after reaching the Universe level.

Facing Ming Yu's reprimand, Qin Mu remained silent. Under normal circumstances, Ming Yu's advice would be sound, but Qin Mu couldn't reveal his unique circumstances.

"Very well. If you insist," Ming Yu sighed, though he didn't give up. "If you wish to advance in pharmacology, you can join the Virtual Universe Company's Pharmacology Department! But I must warn you, joining isn't easy. You'll need to pass rigorous assessments."

As long as Qin Mu joined the Virtual Universe Company, Ming Yu's mission would be accomplished. His task was to recruit geniuses, regardless of their field.

Pharmacists were one such field. In the universe, besides mainstream warriors and spirit masters, there were puppeteers who controlled armies of puppets, beast tamers who fought alongside powerful creatures, and pharmacists who studied the universe's myriad substances.

These were professions that allowed the weak to challenge the strong. For example, taming a powerful beast could grant immense strength. However, these paths were narrow and fraught with challenges. Many who lacked talent in comprehending laws turned to these alternative routes.

Pharmacists were essentially universe researchers. They studied the universe's various substances, analyzed their properties, and conducted intricate experiments to create agents tailored to their needs. These agents could enhance bloodlines, aid in combat, or assist cultivation.

In battle, a pharmacist's "agent" could take the form of a flower, a tree, or even a blade—its effects unpredictable and often devastating. However, creating agents was incredibly complex. Even with a formula, replicating an agent was difficult, and some agents were impossible to recreate even by their creators.

In short, pharmacists were research-oriented warriors who crafted agents to manipulate the universe.

For Qin Mu, agents were not for combat but for bloodline research. In fact, he didn't believe in using agents for battle, as high-level warriors possessed immense vitality, making it difficult for agents to harm them. However, for studying bloodlines and enhancing genetic potential, the pharmacist profession was ideal.

"Could you recommend how I might join the Pharmacology Department?" Qin Mu asked respectfully.

"Very well. I'll recommend you. I don't understand pharmacology, but I have a friend who is a pharmacist. I'll have him test your proficiency. If you meet the standard, I'll arrange an assessment for you."

"However, even in the Pharmacology Department, there will be training, though it's more flexible. Alternatively, you could reconsider joining the Black Dragon Mountain Branch directly. I can offer you the best conditions, including a top-tier bloodline agent."

To better prepare for joining the Pharmacology Department, Qin Mu had done extensive research. Unlike warriors and spirit masters, pharmacists relied more on knowledge and innate talent. High-intensity training couldn't produce a pharmacist. Thus, while joining the Virtual Universe Company as a pharmacist offered more freedom, it still came with rigorous evaluations.

"Thank you, Lord Ming Yu. I still wish to join the Pharmacology Department," Qin Mu said firmly.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Qin Mu, Ming Yu turned to Hong and Lei Shen. "If you don't want strict management, you can join as external members. What I described earlier applies to internal members."

"Internal members enjoy many benefits but face strict management. External members have more freedom but fewer perks."

"For example, I am an external executive," Ming Yu explained. "As external members, you won't receive free agents, but you can purchase them. The first agent costs 100 million Ganwu coins, while the second costs 1 billion."

"The price for a bloodline evolution agent is 100 million Ganwu coins for the first purchase and 1 billion for the second," Ming Yu said. "These agents are rare and expensive outside the company. Additionally, the Virtual Universe Company strictly prohibits reselling agents. If you're caught doing so..."

"Death."

"These are some of the rules for becoming an external member. See if you can accept them," Ming Yu said, pointing to a screen that displayed the regulations.

*****

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