Chatter 121

Chapter 121: Research Breakthrough

After carefully reviewing the conditions for becoming an external member of the Virtual Universe Company, both Hong and Lei Shen decided to join. Compared to internal members, external members enjoyed far more freedom. The only restriction was that they couldn't join other superpowers of the same caliber, such as the Huge Axe Dojo, which operated across multiple universe nations. However, organizations within the Ganwu Universe Nation were exempt from this rule.

"Lord Ming Yu, could I also join as an external member for now? I'd like to purchase a bloodline evolution agent to study," Qin Mu asked.

Ming Yu nodded. "That's fine. You can join as an external member first. If you pass the pharmacist assessment, you can transfer to the internal department later."

Such minor adjustments were within Ming Yu's authority. Geniuses like Qin Mu often received special treatment.

Five minutes later.

"Welcome to the Virtual Universe Company. You are now external members of the Black Dragon Mountain Branch, temporarily under my jurisdiction. Feel free to contact me via email if needed," Ming Yu said with a smile.

"Qin Mu, please wait a couple of days. The pharmacist I contacted hasn't responded yet. As you know, pharmacists often immerse themselves in research and ignore external distractions. Once he replies, I'll arrange for your assessment."

"Understood, Lord Ming Yu," Qin Mu, Hong, and Lei Shen replied with a slight bow.

Qin Mu had no objections to Ming Yu's arrangements. Since he had never demonstrated his pharmacological skills in the Virtual Universe, it was only natural for Ming Yu to verify his abilities. If Qin Mu's skills were subpar, it would reflect poorly on Ming Yu.

After leaving the Killing Field and returning to their residence, Lei Shen couldn't help but smile. "Being an external member is great! We have freedom and can purchase bloodline evolution agents and other treasures."

"Indeed," Hong agreed. "In critical moments, we can also leverage the Virtual Universe Company's influence. This should provide some protection for Earth's development. If Qin Mu can officially join the Pharmacology Department, it would be even better."

Joining the Virtual Universe Company, even as external members of the Black Dragon Mountain Branch, carried significant weight. Few organizations would dare provoke them.

"The funds for the bloodline evolution agents will be transferred by the Galactic Trade Company," Qin Mu said.

Earth had recently secured several large orders, so the funds were available. Since entering the universe, Earth, with the Yun Mo inheritance, had experienced rapid growth in wealth. However, the expenses were equally high. With the surge in orders, Earth had to purchase equipment, raw materials, cargo ships, and warships, among other necessities.

Despite having access to advanced technology and a large number of slaves, Earth still focused its resources on nurturing a few key individuals. Moreover, with the Swarm's presence, Qin Mu had loyal agents on Qiu Long Star and the transport fleet. On Earth, the No. 9 Ruins' Crystal Man monitored the entire planet, and Qin Mu's elite operatives were embedded in key positions across the government and military, ensuring that core power remained firmly in his hands.

"Now that we've joined the Virtual Universe Company's Black Dragon Mountain Branch as external members, once I pass the pharmacist assessment, I can provide some protection for Earth. This will allow us to sell more valuable items, increasing our revenue and ensuring ample resources for our cultivation."

With Ming Yu's help, Qin Mu had resolved the issue of joining the Pharmacology Department. Due to limited access, Earth's intelligence department had been unable to figure out how to join the Virtual Universe Company's agent production division. But for Ming Yu, it was a simple matter.

"Li Xingtao is handling the funds. Most of our money is in Black Dragon coins, which need to be converted to Ganwu coins. He'll transfer the funds to you. Once the order is placed, the agents should arrive at Cold Moon Star in three to five days. We can head there and wait."

The exchange rate between Black Dragon coins and Ganwu coins was 1,000:1, though the black market rate was higher. 300 million Ganwu coins equated to at least 300 billion Black Dragon coins, a significant sum for Earth. It would take some time to gather the funds.

However, once Qin Mu officially joined the Pharmacology Department, Earth could take bolder steps. Previously restricted items, such as B-grade weapons or Cloud-Vine saplings worth hundreds of billions, could now be sold.

Qin Mu was confident about joining the Pharmacology Department. After all, he had already independently developed a seventh-tier bloodline evolution agent. With the Virtual Universe Company's agent, he could potentially reach the sixth-tier in a short time. No matter how stringent the assessment, it wouldn't be insurmountable.

***

In a corner of the Killing Hall, an elderly green-skinned man sat with a cup of water. His wrinkled forehead and cloudy eyes occasionally scanned the surroundings. He was Man Luo, the head of the Black Dragon Mountain Island's Killing Field, a well-known figure.

At that moment, Ming Yu approached him respectfully.

"Sir," Ming Yu said in a low voice.

"How did it go?" the elderly man asked, his cloudy eyes focusing on Ming Yu.

Ming Yu bowed slightly. "As you predicted, none of them wanted to join as internal members. They only joined as externals. However, Qin Mu surprised me. He's also a pharmacist and wants to join our Pharmacology Department!"

"A pharmacist? That's quite the twist!" The elderly man's expression turned peculiar, and his previously dull eyes sparkled with wisdom.

In front of this man, Ming Yu, a Two-Star Mercenary, was utterly respectful, his deference genuine.

"Very well. Discovering a special-tier elite was already a pleasant surprise. Now, he's also a pharmacist. I'll arrange his assessment to see if he truly has the talent," the elderly man said with a nod, his eyes returning to their cloudy state.

"Yes, sir," Ming Yu replied respectfully.

***

Earth

The Black Dragon spacecraft picked up the group and headed for Cold Moon Star.

"How bad were the losses from the pirate attack on our transport fleet?" Hong asked in the control room.

"The losses were significant. One cargo ship needs major repairs, and the others suffered varying degrees of damage. Several hundred personnel were killed or injured," Qin Mu replied.

"That bad?" Lei Shen frowned. He had heard about the pirate attack but had been too absorbed in his training to intervene.

"Yes, the pirates were strong. Their leader was a Star Level 9 spirit master, and they had over a dozen warships. However, apart from the leader and their flagship, the rest were eliminated. Overall, we didn't lose out," Qin Mu explained.

"If we suffer such heavy losses from a single attack, frequent assaults could be disastrous!" Hong said, his tone grim. Without overwhelming force to deter them, Earth's newfound wealth would attract many greedy eyes.

"That's why I need to join the Virtual Universe Company," Qin Mu said with a smile. While external membership might not deter all threats, official membership would. After all, this was the Virtual Universe Company!

"Indeed. It's up to you now," Hong said, smiling. With the backing of a major power, Earth's path in the universe would be much smoother.

Currently, Earth was only dabbling in universe trade, handling peripheral businesses. But with strong backing, its development could reach new heights. For example, Earth had already gathered the planet's top financial talents, including Luo Feng's younger brother, Luo Hua, to venture into the universe financial markets. In both Earth and the universe, strength and connections were essential for success.

***

Cold Moon Star

The Black Dragon spacecraft landed on the spaceport under construction. Defense platforms were being hastily erected, and B-grade laser cannons produced on Earth were being installed. Expensive detection systems were also being deployed across the planet. After the pirate attack, Earth was determined to transform Cold Moon Star into a formidable military base.

Three days later, a disc-shaped, deep-gray spacecraft bearing the Virtual Universe Company's emblem docked at the port. Three individuals in black combat suits stepped out, carrying a case.

"Identity confirmed. Proceeding with the handover."

"Qin Mu, Hong, Lei Shen, these are your bloodline evolution agents," a pale-skinned woman said coldly, opening the case to reveal three slender, glowing vials of colorful liquid. She snapped the case shut and handed it to Qin Mu.

After the handover, the three boarded their spacecraft and departed without a word.

Qin Mu, Hong, and Lei Shen each took an agent and retreated to their respective cultivation chambers.

Unlike Hong and Lei Shen, who immediately injected their agents, Qin Mu placed his agent into the Golden Horned Beast's core embedded in his chest, within the Cloud-Vine combat suit.

Inside his inner world, a massive metal continent spanned over 70 kilometers in length, width. A colossal Golden Horned Beast lay atop a pile of metals, surrounded by three smaller Blaze Beasts and five Star-level Nests. Around the Nests, countless Skyfire Crows and other beasts slumbered, creatures that could openly appear in the universe.

Qin Mu's figure appeared above the metal continent and flew into one of the Nests to study the agent's composition and effects.

Several days later, Qin Mu lay inside the Nest's first modulation chamber, slowly injecting the agent into his body. Tendril-like threads connected to him, monitoring every change within.

As the agent entered his body, it acted like a frenzied cancer, devouring his cells and unleashing excruciating pain. But Qin Mu ignored the agony, focusing instead on the changes in his cells and genes.

He had undergone similar transformations twice before, having used his own bloodline evolution agents. The Nest recorded every detail of the process.

"I see! I understand now!" Qin Mu's eyes gleamed with realization. His own seventh-tier agent had reached its limit, but with the Virtual Universe Company's agent, many previously unclear aspects became clear.

"Haha! I've got it!"

*****

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