I Don't Agree to the Terms

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"Just wait a little longer. Once I've completely eliminated the hidden dangers within the Ghost Energy Seed, I can move on to the next step of the plan."

Whether it's virtual reality or digital life, the essence is not to escape reality but rather that it's not the right time to interfere with reality—it's too sensitive a matter right now.

His idea was to make his Jile Technology Company into a real giant, just like Xiao Yongsheng built Eternal Life Technology, continuously developing various fields and eventually monopolizing every industry within the Navia Empire—to actually control the Navia Empire.

The mechanical ascension constructed from virtual reality and digital life is essentially just part of the process.

As for Emperor Navia using force to solve problems, Gu Shanhai would actually prefer to see this scene.

Gu Shanhai did indeed dread the other's Ghost Energy abilities. If the opponent decided to go all out and revert the original Ghost Energy to the concept of death and give Gu Shanhai a blow, resurrecting himself would be quite difficult. However, that doesn't mean Gu Shanhai would be afraid. If everyone lived in peace, that was fine, but once they started fighting, it was going to be a fight to the death.

But it was unlikely that Emperor Navia would make a move. Even if he knew about Gu Shanhai's actions, it was more likely that he would deal with Gu Shanhai through various covert and overt schemes, because it was fun. After being bored for so many years, he had finally found some entertainment—why would he destroy it so easily?

"However, speaking of which, if the concept of death can be demoted to Ghost Energy in this world, can the concept of life follow suit?" Gu Shanhai, looking at the two Ghost Energy Seeds being refined, suddenly let his imagination run wild.

"From the data on paper, there shouldn't be any major problems."

"It's just that data on paper are always theoretical. To demote life, I would at least need to know how the concept of death turns into Ghost Energy before I can further my research."

"And besides life and death, would other concepts work, such as light, darkness, or the sky?"

Concepts are unique to the Navia Universe and the Cancer Universe; other worlds mostly rely on universal rules, laws, the great Tao, world parameters, and related circumstances.

It's due to the uniqueness of the world itself that it can be demoted into special energies.

However, this process of demotion is probably not that easy; otherwise, by now, Emperor Navia wouldn't be the only one who succeeded in demoting the concept of death into Ghost Energy. Instead, various strange energy systems would have emerged.

"Let's not think too far ahead. I could try demoting the concept of life these next few days. After all, I also have related Ghost Energy on hand."

Life and death, whilst perhaps opposites, are also symbiotic.

Like the five elements, they generate each other while also overcoming each other.

Theoretically, Gu Shanhai could leverage Ghost Energy to manipulate death, and with the related research data from the Cancer Universe, he could completely demote the concept of life into a special energy like Ghost Energy that he could control.

The analogy would be that he had mastered a secondary life law—of course, it's just an analogy, not the real thing.

If so, the birthrate of his Vermilion Bird would increase significantly.

Being able to inspect directly would naturally be better.

While calculating data, Gu Shanhai looked up and promptly rolled all the blueprints and drafts on the desk into his sleeve, and then picked up a book to read.

Three minutes later, there was a knock on the study door.

"Come in." Knowing that the butler was about to come in, Gu Shanhai had tidied up in advance.

"Sir, there's been an incident. Someone's targeting the stocks of Jile Technology," the butler said urgently, handing the report to Gu Shanhai.

Gu Shanhai looked over the report and indeed saw unusual fluctuations.

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Because Jile Technology was founded by Gu Shanhai himself and was not among the industries protected by the Royal Family, there was no interference as long as Gu Shanhai didn't violate any rules related to the Princes, no matter how much Jile Technology developed. Correspondingly, if any issues arose, he would have to resolve them on his own.

After the stock experienced abnormal fluctuations, Gu Shanhai did not immediately discuss a resolution. Instead, he opened up the Four Saints Beasts System, found the business trusteeship module, and opened the log to ask why the Four Saints Beasts System had not provided feedback.

[Fluctuation has been dealt with, executing a phishing-style counterattack]

[Preliminary investigation results: 10% likelihood of an unknown situation, 20% likelihood of being caused by a Prince, 20% likelihood of being caused by the Royal Family/Emperor Navia, 50% likelihood of a collaborative effort by technology companies]

The Four Saints Beasts System had already detected it but was planning to take advantage of the enemy's attack through financial maneuvers, not just to handle the situation but to set a trap for them, possibly making a killing in the process.

Finance is a thing that can make much more than just stealing money.

The Jile Technology that Gu Shanhai currently had on hand was in desperate need of money; the prerequisite for monopolizing a certain field was having enough funds and influence.

Gu Shanhai had the influence part covered, but capital was a bottomless pit—no matter how much came in, it was never enough.

"Don't worry, I've already arranged for someone to handle it," Gu Shanhai put down the report he was holding and spoke, since the Four Saints Beasts System was dealing with it, he naturally trusted it.

After all, it was his own creation. If others were using financial tactics, the Four Saints Beasts System would employ metaphysical methods combined with quantum computing calculations. With "Prophetic Divination" reading and customizing the script, how could they lose?

Unless it was Emperor Navia himself who was orchestrating things, which was unlikely, since Emperor Navia did not understand these things. So even if he wanted to take control, he wouldn't only fail to help, but would likely cause a hindrance. An amateur directing a professional is a major taboo.

If the opponent could really win, Gu Shanhai would accept defeat, as that would be based on actual capabilities and not just luck.

"Are you sure there is no need to seek help from the Royal Family?" The butler hesitated before finally making a suggestion.

He didn't understand much about finance, and as a butler, he was more involved in managing various household chores and external arrangements for Gu Shanhai.

Even so, this report was also briefly summarized by a professional, indicating that if the issue was not resolved, it could lead to significant problems for the entire Jile Technology Company.

"There's no need, for all we know, the Royal Family might be contributing to the trouble. Asking them for help would be like delivering oneself to them on a platter," Gu Shanhai said, unbothered by the possibility of this statement leaking. Even if the Royal Family heard about it, nothing would change; they wouldn't condemn or suppress Gu Shanhai over an unsubstantiated claim.

"Alright," the butler responded with resignation when he heard this. He had been somewhat puzzled as to why someone would dare attack the flourishing Jile Technology. After all, the virtual game "Life" alone had established a dominant position.

Now that he thought about it, if it was the Royal Family, it made sense; after all, Jile Technology was Gu Shanhai's private enterprise, not a royal enterprise given by the Royal Family, so they had no qualms about making a move.

"There's another matter. Prince Tulip wishes to invite you to a banquet three days from now, for his son's first birthday," the butler continued.

The title of "Prince" was prefixed with the name of the estate granted to them; Gu Shanhai's title was Prince Rose.

"His son's first birthday?" Gu Shanhai raised an eyebrow, aware that Prince Tulip was already seventy years old, and his eldest son was already fifty, yet his youngest son was just turning one. That was rather amusing.

"Yes."

"I'll consider it," Gu Shanhai replied without immediately accepting, as there was no point in going; he had always disliked such time-wasting social engagements.

"Prince Tulip has said there will be something of interest for you as a reciprocal gift at the banquet," the butler added.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shanhai's spirits lifted: "I might take a look. Prepare a gift for me."

If there was a benefit to be had, Gu Shanhai was not averse to visiting, but if Prince Tulip was just leading him on, then he wouldn't be blamed for being ruthless in response.