NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48: Symptom Spread
"...So that's how it is."
Old friends reunited, sitting down for tea and conversation, Li Aozi briefly recounted the events of the past years.
Including the internal turmoil within the Crystal Tower Civilization, his arduous ascent to prominence, the redemption of Baizhu Star, and the subsequent bloody battle against the Galaxy Eye Meat Grinder.
Of course, he didn't reveal anything about the Void.
Even though Lucite and Hobbs were his former good friends, with bonds forged in battle and study, he still didn't intend to let anyone know about the secrets of Starry Abyss and the issues with Xides.
In fact, besides him, only Merid and N4 were aware of these matters.
However, Li Aozi did not conceal his relationship with Azure Star, though he vaguely touched upon it. They didn't seem to mind, as people from interstellar civilization had a high level of acceptance when it came to population mobility and gaining policy benefits.
"You've really had it tough all these years, Leoz. In comparison, my life has been like in a cartoon or novel."
Lucite took a sip of tea. Although his aura was only at Zeta Rank (6), his presence matched those of sovereign rulers:
"Back then, I was kidnapped by the terrorist Canyue and banished to a two-dimensional space. When I woke up, to my surprise, I found peace all around, and I soon discovered the local natives in that realm. Guess what? Their civilization was still in the very primitive era of cold weapons. With my skills alone, I conquered this dimension in three months, then vigorously promoted production and construction. In less than 20 years, the locals had entered the computer age, and were preparing to advance into aerospace — you pulled me back."
"My experience is not too different. Only that my studies weren't that good, nor was my physique as strong as Lucite's."
Hobbs smiled, picking up a piece of dessert and said:
"I really had no choice but to become a Great Sage casually, relying on storytelling and preaching to sway the masses and unify the world. Ah, if only I had studied well in school. Over there, I couldn't even make a bottle of soda drink. Over these many years, despite living in luxury, I just wanted to drink a sip of carbonated beverage again."
"To talk about achievements, it has to be you, Leoz, who takes the spotlight." Lucite admired as he looked at Leoz. "With your porcelain skin, plus the strength of Iota Rank (9), having once been a ruler of a nation, and even being a great hero who resisted the Society and defeated Canyue, you truly are a future God Embracer."
"You're mistaken."
Hobbs shook his head:
"God Embracer? Lucite, we've been trapped in the two-dimensional world for forty or fifty years, no longer young — but Leoz here is only thirty-three."
"Thirty-three..."
Lucite looked at Leoz, his gaze finally becoming serious:
"Indeed, I was preconceived. To achieve such feats at just thirty-three, your life holds boundless potential."
What does thirty-three mean in the cosmos?
A journey might take anywhere from several decades to hundreds of years. In slightly backward places, thirty years might feel like completing a university education; further remote places would be even beyond discussion.
Yet at thirty-three, Leoz had already become a billionaire, an uncrowned emperor presiding over tens of billions of population, a flick of his wrist capable of decimating a planet, still a heroic figure of Layer Abyss.
He wasn't merely young anymore — he was a prodigy.
Not only that, look at his porcelain skin and bone structure, his armor fully embodying sharpness and poise, purely simplistic yet flawless, filled throughout with a sanctified and pure minimalist beauty.
Majestic, noble, luxurious.
From any angle, Leoz was second to none, a beauty capable of turning day to night and eclipsing the sun and moon.
— This was the kid who ranked last in school, deemed impossible to graduate.
Lucite felt emotional.
"Overpraised. What I've received is merely a result of catching opportunities — they say if you stand at the wind's edge, even a pig can fly."
Li Aozi spoke lightly:
"Rather than these, let's discuss more practical matters — you've seen the conditions I offered before. Whether it's salaries or resources, I, Leoz, can provide sufficiently."
"We're all brothers and classmates; I don't keep secrets: Now I truly need people very much, especially talents like you who have received higher education, possess strength, and have rich experience."
"Of course, dangers cannot be ignored. This journey is indeed perilous. The risks of submerging Wild Port, we knew in school — if careless, even bones might not remain, or worse, be devoured alive by the Society, leaving not a trace of molecule behind."
Li Aozi's demeanor was genuinely sincere, and the price he offered wasn't scant.
An annual salary of 120,000 Ammonium Gold, this kind of income stood among the highest in Layer Abyss, certainly far surpassing Zeta Rank.
Ammonium Gold almost had no inflation issues, and Li Aozi was willing to sign Redd Gold's 'Golden Contract' — a premium contract overseen personally by Soul of Plunder Redd Gold, once signed, abiding perpetually until its validity expires.
Moreover, fixed assets, policy discounts, tax-free benefits, child welfare — Li Aozi put forth the best standards of Baizhu Star.
Li Aozi didn't have many old friends, not everyone was like Dialan and Merid, who, due to their enduring lifespans, cared little about worldly offers.
To retain talents and partners, he naturally had to offer the appropriate conditions.
Unsurprisingly, both showed signs of being moved upon seeing the offer list.
"120,000 annually... That's enough to hire a fairly good quality Mercenary Corps."
"Hiring experts from Narrative Civilization costs around that number, can't do it, can't do it."
Both shook their heads, indicating it's too high.
"You don't have to feel it's much; it's what you deserve."
Li Aozi said:
"Though I'm ashamed, I, Leoz, have no remarkable abilities. Apart from some wealth and slight strength, I've long had few chances to socialize. If you both stay by my side, helping me solve difficulties is secondary; it's having companions by my side that means everything to me."
"You say it like you're one of those rich young masters from high school who buys friends." Hobbs teased.
"If you are in hardship, we'll stick together with you, even if it means preserving loss, let alone spending money."
After Lucite spoke, he shifted his tone:
"But... Honestly, I never had thoughts of submerging Starry Abyss, not due to fearing the path ahead — I have been away from my homeland and compatriots for too long. Back then, I was on a public scholarship, funded painstakingly by my country's people. Now the school is gone, I need to return and help my people and my country."
"I understand." Li Aozi nodded: "If you want to leave, I have a special plane here to send you back. The funds and documents, I'll have Dialan prepare them."
"Truly appreciate your trouble, Leoz." Lucite expressed gratitude, then took out from his pocket a thick notebook: "I don't know how to thank you... These are the blueprints of some inventions and creations I've worked on over the years; all copyrights and such belong to you."
Li Aozi took no courtesy, knowing Lucite's feelings, he accepted the gift candidly.
[You have gained 364 blueprints of original Alchemy Tools]
How many?
Even so, Li Aozi couldn't help but twitch his eye.
[364 original blueprints? This must be the reincarnation of the Alchemy King?]
"As for me, having little strength, honestly, I couldn't help you with much in the past, I don't think it's right to take your offered salary."
Hobbs shrugged, taking off the ring from his finger and handing it to Li Aozi:
"But, perhaps this thing could be of help to you."
"What is this?"
"Long story short, you can rest assured, it's nothing weird."
Hobbs said:
"In simple terms, residing within is the Speaker of the Mechanical World Society."