Chapter 408: The Bigger the Waves, the More Valuable the Fish: Monarch Level Alien Race Essence Blood

What’s in it for me?

Chu Sheng immediately grabbed the brush again, intending to ask what was in it for him.

But before he could write, Luo Zhan had already read his mind.

"No need to write. I know what you want to ask."

He held up three fingers.

"First, if you agree, then..."

"Any intelligence you provide and any action you take that benefits the Human Race will be counted as military merit."

"Don’t underestimate the power of military honors within the Military Department and the official systems of the Great Xia."

"It’s both a Protective Talisman and a mark of privilege. With it, even if the Ten Great Clans want to make a move on you, they’ll have to think twice about whether they can withstand the wrath of the entire Military Department."

Luo Zhan lowered one finger and continued.

"Second, I will personally provide you with rewards. If you perform any meritorious service, I will also personally apply for national-level resource rewards on your behalf."

"Whether it’s the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures you need or special Cultivation grounds, as long as the Great Xia has it, I can help you fight to get it."

"Third..."

Luo Zhan paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn.

"If you can truly uncover the truth and even foil the Alien Race’s plot..."

"Then you... you will have the chance to become a hero of the Human Race, to be recorded in the annals of history."

"Of course, that might not mean much to you, a mosquito. But I believe your Master, that girl Gu Yuexi, can understand the weight of that word."

Having said all the abstract stuff, Luo Zhan finally brought out the real deal.

He took a Storage Ring from his pocket, placed it gently on the table, and pushed it in front of Chu Sheng.

"This is your reward in advance."

"Inside is a drop of Essence Blood from a Monarch Level Alien Race. I killed it and extracted the blood myself. It’s yours, whether you succeed or not."

A Monarch Level Alien Race?!

Chu Sheng’s heart leaped!

Monarch Level! That was equivalent to the Emperor Realm for the Human Race and Demon Beasts!

’A drop of Emperor Realm Essence Blood isn’t bad at all. More importantly, it’s the Essence Blood of an Alien Race... exactly what I need.’

Chu Sheng hesitated for a moment before flying directly over the ring, sweeping his Mental Power across it.

Just as he thought!

A drop of dark golden blood was suspended in the ring’s internal Space.

BUZZ—

This time, Chu Sheng didn’t hesitate. He took it and stored it directly in his Lifebound Space.

"Buzz, buzz! (I’ll take the mission!)"

Seeing this, Luo Zhan’s eyes lit up.

"Good!"

Luo Zhan slapped the table.

"Then it’s settled."

"The specific timing and plan of action are up to you."

"Be careful. And come back alive."

Chu Sheng nodded but said nothing more.

He gave Luo Zhan one last look, then his body flickered. Activating his Boundless Wings, he vanished from the tent.

...

After Chu Sheng left, a deathly silence returned to the tent.

Luo Zhan didn’t rest immediately, instead walking back to the desk.

He picked up the brush Chu Sheng had used and looked at the crooked, yet murderously intense, character for "Kill" on the paper.

He drew a heavy red circle around the character.

This time!

He was no longer satisfied with just playing Defense.

He had been on the defensive for decades.

This time, he wanted to strike back!

...

「Jing University, Women’s Dormitory.」

Space rippled slightly, and Chu Sheng’s figure materialized out of thin air.

He glanced toward the Cultivation Chamber.

Gu Yuexi was sitting cross-legged, still clearly in a deep state of Cultivation.

The Soul-Corroding Nail in her hand no longer pulsed with the same unsettling, cold light as before. It had grown much more subdued, as if it had merged as one with her aura.

’Looks like the Little Empress is making good progress with her refinement.’

Chu Sheng thought for a moment. ’Better not to disturb her. I’ll let the Little Empress focus on her Cultivation and won’t tell her about Luo Zhan’s mission yet.’

Inside the dorm, the screen of a tablet was still dimly lit.

Chu Sheng glanced over and saw it was displaying information about the "Divine Realm Secret Realm."

He tapped a random link, but there was little actual data. Instead, the page was flooded with discussions about the "Divine Son" slots.

And the tone of the discussion... was growing increasingly toxic.

"BREAKING! Is Gu Yuexi Part Alien Race? Experts Analyze the Source of Her Terrifying Talent!"

"That Bullshit Divine Mosquito Is Actually an Evil Outer Realm Fierce Beast!"

"For the Future of Humanity, Gu Yuexi Must Voluntarily Give Up Her Divine Son Slot!"

"Joint Statement from the Ten Great Clans: We Will Select the Perfect Leader to Guide the Human Race into the Divine Realm!"

A cold glint flashed in Chu Sheng’s compound eyes as he read the headlines.

’Heh, so they’re not done yet?’

’The Ten Great Clans, is it?’

’This Lord Mosquito will remember this.’

...

「Meanwhile.」

「Late at night, at the Great Xia Education Headquarters.」

As the highest institution in charge of the nation’s Martial Dao education and resource allocation, its lights were still burning bright.

Top floor, in the Deputy Director’s office.

The air was thick with smoke.

Li Daoyi sat behind a large desk, his brow furrowed. The cigarette in his hand had burned down to his fingertips, but he didn’t seem to notice.

As the second-in-command of the Education Headquarters and an Emperor Realm Powerhouse with real authority, he was typically known for being a swift and decisive man.

But at this moment, his face was etched with helplessness and exhaustion.

"What’s the situation?"

He stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray piled high with butts and looked up at the old man standing before him.

The man was his confidant, the commissioner in charge of coordinating the Divine Son slots.

The old man sighed and shook his head, his tone heavy.

"Director Li, the situation is not looking good."

"This time, the Ten Great Clans are surprisingly united in their opinion, and... they’re being very aggressive."

"They’ve been blunt: though Gu Yuexi has merit, her foundation is too shallow, and she has no major power backing her. A resource like the Divine Son slot, which concerns the fate of the nation, cannot be entrusted to an ’uncontrollable’ element."

"Their meaning is that they’re willing to compensate Gu Yuexi with any amount of resources, even give her the empty title of ’Honorary Divine Son.’"

"But the actual slot for entering the Secret Realm... that they won’t give up."

"They aren’t even willing to give Gu Yuexi the chance to compete for the slot."

Li Daoyi’s expression turned cold.

’I’ve already compromised, just trying to get Gu Yuexi a chance to compete. They won’t even grant that?’

’Those Ten Great Clans... It seems they’re dead set on claiming the slot for themselves.’

The old man gave a bitter smile.

"There’s nothing to be done."

"The stakes are too high this time. A chance at divinity... who wouldn’t covet that?"

"Besides, what they’re saying isn’t entirely without reason... From a strategic standpoint, the candidate chosen by the Ten Great Clans would indeed have more advantages than Gu Yuexi in terms of resources, guardians, and long-term support."

"Most importantly... I’m afraid we have no choice but to consider their opinion this time."

"They’ve not only leveraged their high-level connections within the Education Headquarters, but they’ve even gotten people from the Military Department to pressure us."

Li Daoyi fell silent.

In this world, talent and strength were important, but sometimes, background and influence decided everything.

After a long moment, he let out a heavy sigh.

"What compensation did they offer?"

The old man took a list from his coat and handed it over.

"It’s all on here."

Li Daoyi glanced at it, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Heh, quite a generous offer."

"Fine. So be it."

"Add a Celestial Tier Upper-Grade Spiritual Artifact to the list. I’ll provide it."

"Go and inform her. Remember, be on your best behavior. If the girl is dissatisfied in any way, focus on appeasing her."

The old man nodded and said no more.

"Yes, sir."