I Don't Agree to the Terms

Chapter 841 446: A Gilded Shell with Rot Within, Part 2

"Alright, is there anything else, Director?" Gu Shanhai asked.

"It's just... forget it, take care of yourself. I have some other matters to attend to." Liu Fengxu originally wanted to offer some advice, but then thought whether Gu Shanhai would actually listen was a separate issue, so he dropped the idea and left on his own.

Gu Shanhai didn't feel much about this.

He didn't really care about these matters. Besides, he appeared to be studying the "Blood Returning Technique," but this was merely some incidental minor data; his real actions lay in perfecting his "Miaoyuan Method."

As it turned out, the machine intelligences of the Ascension Empire, after becoming real living beings, also counted as members of the Rebirth Lotus group, along with the support of the "Miaoyuan Method," further accelerated the speed at which Gu Shanhai's strength increased.

Given his current efficiency in growing stronger, he dared not call it cultivation; "expansion" instead seemed more appropriate.

Layered auto-pilot, multiplied experience.

This feeling of becoming stronger while lying back felt incredibly pleasant to Gu Shanhai.

'The "Miaoyuan Method" can still be further improved, but it requires sufficient data.'

Using the "Blood Returning Technique" as a model, Gu Shanhai had already derived a brand new Cultivation Technique called the "Heavenly Blood Technique," considered one of the many superior versions of the "Blood Returning Technique."

Indeed, the "Blood Returning Technique" has numerous superior versions, offering even more powerful effects, but with higher cultivation thresholds.

Yet the "Heavenly Blood Technique" he held was different; not only did it possess the low entry threshold and compulsory cultivation of the "Blood Returning Technique," but it also could extend life, enhance fertility, improve national physique and work efficiency, among other nation-benefiting abilities, and seamlessly translate the cultivation progress of the "Blood Returning Technique."

This Cultivation Technique would be unquestionably reliable for the Xuandao Alliance's senior management.

But then, that's the apparent effect. In reality, it has a hidden and irreparable side effect, namely negative amplification, slowly releasing one's various negative emotions, creating a process rather than a sudden change.

Various emotions such as anger, jealousy, and lust could emerge, significantly disrupting the original social order, and ultimately, leading to a decline in intelligence.

This won't be apparent in the short term; at least ten years of cultivation are needed to start showing signs, with substantial issues emerging around fifteen years.

More importantly, this side effect is hereditary. Once practiced, descendants, regardless of cultivating the "Blood Returning Technique" or its superior versions or even other Cultivation Techniques, would gradually transform into a variant of the "Heavenly Blood Technique," without cultivators noticing these problems.

So long as it spreads, it directly becomes a curse for future generations.

If someone were to steal the "Heavenly Blood Technique" and claim it as their achievement, Gu Shanhai would undoubtedly laugh.

Because this signifies the other party has very deep connections, and during testing, would definitely set some standards to ingratiate themselves.

Once verified and promoted nationwide, with everyone cultivating, then there'd be a real spectacle.

It's known that despite the Xuandao Alliance channels being partially controlled over the years, they're still quite spacious. As long as people cultivating the "Heavenly Blood Technique" rise to power, this pollution wouldn't just remain at the grassroots level but also circulate amongst the middle and upper classes, with marriage alliances being a very common method of forming alliances.

'If the "Heavenly Blood Technique" is successfully promoted, my "Miaoyuan Method" would also gather plenty more data.'

Adhering to a waste-avoiding mentality, the "Heavenly Blood Technique" could further assist Gu Shanhai in providing the necessary data, given the similarities between Cultivation Techniques here.

Otherwise, it's impossible he'd go to such lengths purely for the Ascension Empire.

Though the Ascension Empire is indeed at a disadvantage in the Xuandao Universe, it's not without a glimmer of victory.

The machine intelligences have acquired numerous Xuandao Techniques, and Xuandao Alliance couldn't stop them if they tried. Their original plan was universal cultivation, so even if advanced Xuandao Techniques aren't widespread, there'd still be widespread low-level ones. How else could they achieve a nation of soldiers?

Not wanting techniques to spread while ensuring everyone could cultivate and grow stronger — where is there such a win-win solution? Besides, these two demands are mutually contradictory.

It's as ridiculous as wanting young adults without wanting the elderly.

"Mr. Gu, there's an invitation for you." Qin Shang knocked on the open door of the lab, giving a polite reminder before walking in.

"Invitation? From whom?" Gu Shanhai looked puzzled; he didn't recall having any friends, let alone someone who'd send him an invitation.

"I'm not sure, I didn't open it. It was delivered straight to our security room and then passed to me." Qin Shang obviously knew it's inappropriate to snoop through others' personal matters.

Gu Shanhai opened it and found no names, only an invitation addressed to Gu Shanhai, along with the time and place.

"Wow, Qingxing Hotel, setting up a table there costs quite some money." Gu Shanhai glanced at it and chuckled, suspecting someone from the Experimental Fund No. 1 group arranged for a proxy to have a chat with him.

The reason it was a proxy is simple: otherwise, why wouldn't they dare write a name on the invitation?

It was because it wouldn't be proper to have it known, so they didn't write.

As for the reason someone with money didn't come, Gu Shanhai could guess it was because this Experimental Fund No. 1 was just a source of funding for them, not their entire focus, and possibly just a small fraction — not worthy enough for their presence.

Sending a proxy to talk to Gu Shanhai was already quite respectful.

"Who would spend so lavishly?" Qin Shang's eyes bulged; he was well aware of how expensive this hotel was, far beyond their ability to enter.

Just having a meal there, even at the lowest tier, would cost them three months' salary.

"No idea, no names given." Gu Shanhai casually tossed the invitation into the trash, completely uninterested.

"Keeping things so secretive without providing any real information — what if I go and end up getting my kidney removed?"

Gu Shanhai's reasoning was sound and entirely logical.

With nothing written, who knew what intentions someone had with the banquet?

If anyone harbored dissatisfaction, they could find him at the university, granted they could get in.

Those with backgrounds could act recklessly, but proxies dared not. If they couldn't provide legitimate reasons, they couldn't enter the university. Did they actually think everyone there was a group of weak researchers?

If a research hub had no security measures, wouldn't it be a joke, especially in a world with transcendent forces?

If security were absent, then outlaws could easily sneak in and steal various research, rendering Xuandao Alliance's management pointless.

So long as Gu Shanhai stayed within the university, those proxies wouldn't dare approach, even if they were underworld emperors.

"That's... truly unfortunate." Qin Shang looked at the invitation in the trash, slightly heartwrenched, thinking they ought to at least take advantage of it.

"What's to regret? You want to go? You can go yourself, I'm not stopping you; the invitation only had a name, not my photo." Gu Shanhai said dismissively.

Upon hearing this, Qin Shang's eyes lit up. This was a good suggestion; after all, the other party didn't know Gu Shanhai, so he could go in his place. If discovered, he could use the excuse that he attended on Gu Shanhai's behalf, since Gu Shanhai himself had said so.

But now might not be the best time to take it; perhaps later during cleanup.

"This... might not be right." Qin Shang pretended to be a bit hesitant.

Gu Shanhai glanced at him, obviously noticing Qin Shang's temptation and understanding his thoughts, but he didn't stop him; if someone wanted to court danger, he couldn't hold them back.

"What's wrong with it? Otherwise, it's just wasted. You should go." Gu Shanhai casually picked up the invitation from the trash and tossed it to Qin Shang.

This action reassured Qin Shang immensely.

"Thank you, Mr. Gu. Finally, I can trade this provincial ignorance for some worldly experience." Qin Shang bashfully accepted the invitation, feeling quite delighted, knowing he had Gu Shanhai as a backup. So even if he were discovered, he had Gu Shanhai to cover, making him very happy.

To this, Gu Shanhai could only respond with: as long as you're happy.