A World Worth Protecting

What does that mean? Wang Baole was a little suspicious, sensing that something wasn’t right from Jin Duoming’s gaze. He was initially speaking normally but suddenly mentioned that they had a daughter. It wouldn’t have been much if it was just a recount, but when he mentioned it, the way he looked at Wang Baole implied that there was a more profound meaning behind it.

“Do you mean Little Sister Zhao? I am close to her, but this matter is a secret. You know, she has a peculiar family background, so it’s enough that you know that.” After thinking about it, Wang Baole suddenly cleared his throat and spoke.

When he spoke, Jin Duoming was shocked, looking somewhat incredulous. He hesitated for a while but decided to speak despite that.

“That… Baole, I’ve only met the daughter of the Governor once when I was young. I heard that since she was seven, she has been sent for training on the ancient greenish-bronze sword, and hasn’t returned until now… How did you know her?”

Wang Baole was shocked. What Jin Duoming said allowed him to heave a sigh of relief, realizing that he had been too sensitive just now. At the same time, he felt regrettable, for he thought previously that the Governor’s daughter was Zhao Yameng.

After all, they had the same last name, Zhao. Furthermore, Zhao Yameng had a similarly mysterious background. Even though he was now Primary Rank Three, he was still unable to find out about it. Right now, with regret, Wang Baole hurriedly avoided the question and began asking about the research facility for the Anti-Spirit Bomb.

An incredulous look remained on Jin Duoming’s face as he took another glance at Wang Baole. He appeared to have understood the situation and didn’t continue harping on it. However, deep inside his heart, not only was he gloating about his acting skills, but he also felt extremely delighted. He felt that he finally had the chance to take revenge for all the times Wang Baole had deployed the donkey to create trouble for him without reason. He had made up the story of the Governor’s daughter being sent to the ancient greenish-bronze sword.

Jin Duoming knew very well that the more he said, the more loopholes he would expose. Therefore, he stopped elaborating once he put his point across and began talking about his plans, as well as the details of the Anti-Spirit Bomb research facility. Wang Baole’s eyes lit up when he heard his description, and he realized the importance of the research facility to the new city.

It could be said that once the research facility had been built in the new city, the Federation would have to send more personnel to protect the area, as well as more research staff. This would significantly increase the value to the new city, and the protective covering would also be strengthened. In addition, the importance of the new city, and to a certain extent, the scope and development of Wang Baole’s authority, allowed Wang Baole to know why Jin Duoming was so passionate about it, even if it wasn’t laid out in an obvious manner by him.

After all, the internal affairs of the Trilunaris Corporation were complex, with many factions that each with their own leaders. Even though Jin Duoming had the rights to inheritance, he wasn’t the sole heir. It wasn’t known how the Trilunaris Corporation would eventually assess and choose a successor, but it was clearly related to one’s accomplishments and the power that one holds. Therefore, once Jin Duoming managed to build the all-important Anti-Spirit Bomb research facility in his region, it would be immensely advantageous to him.

It could be said that it was a win-win situation, and that alone made Wang Baole’s mind active with thoughts. Jin Duoming extended the invitation to Wang Baole to accompany him on a trip to the Martian City again, to view the research facility in the main city, as well as to pay a visit Zhao Pinfang.

However, there is still something strange about this. Theoretically, it would be enough for Jin Duoming to view the research facility and make the visit himself. Why is he repeatedly inviting me along? With that, Wang Baole grew suspicious, but when he noticed Jin Duoming’s appearance, he quickly found the reason.

It must be because I am the most handsome person in the entire Federation, and I have such a high status, which makes me an elite despite my young age. I am well known in the entire Federation and am so shockingly handsome that Jin Duoming felt that if he went with me, it would greatly increase his chances of succeeding. He is making me his wingman! Wang Baole touched his chin, full of himself as he patted Jin Duoming’s shoulder. His eyes conveyed a message of praise, as well as one that hinted that it was an exception, not the rule.

That gaze made Jin Duoming a little guilty, as thoughts darted about his head. After confirming that he hadn’t exposed a loophole, he smiled, but he was still nervous as a result of how Wang Baole was looking at him.

D*rn it. After this Wang Baole became the city lord, he seems to have become smarter than before and learned how to manipulate his authority. He couldn’t have realized the reason why I’m trying to ride on his fame and power, could he? He must not have realized that. The most he must have sensed is that I’m taking advantage of his power, but not which aspect of it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be carrying that expression.

With that thought, Jin Duoming relaxed slightly, smiling modestly at Wang Baole. As they looked at each other, the duo decided to head to the main Martian City together.

As this matter had to be kept a secret, the two of them only notified Kong Dao and Lin Tianhao so that they would be mentally prepared. They didn’t inform Li Wan’er and departed immediately that afternoon.

Li Wan’er didn’t seem to notice Wang Baole’s departure. In the entire new city, other than Lin Tianhao and a portion of the cultivators from the four Dao Colleges, no one knew about it.

However, the donkey knew. The instant Wang Baole left, the donkey, which was hiding in the corner of a street, its body like a chameleon that blended completely with the surroundings, suddenly raised its head to look at the skies. It sneezed loudly and shook its tail vigorously, apparently very happy as it continued staring at a house not far ahead.

The donkey had arrived where it was after tracking the smell of food for the past few days. However, it felt a sense of danger here and didn’t take further action. Instead, it planned to wait for the right opportunity so that it could swiftly take a huge bite out of it before fleeing.

Right now, the donkey was staring at a blue-robed youth sitting with his legs crossed in the shed. Before him were three middle-aged cultivators kneeling expressionlessly and motionlessly.

Without looking at the three cultivators before him, the blue-robed youth narrowed his eyes slightly, his right index finger tapping on his knee, as if he were in deep thought. After a brief moment, he smiled.

That old Boat Spirit suffered serious injuries back then such that his main consciousness couldn’t be awakened, with only a portion of his consciousness capable of being revealed… It is said that it detected the scent of a Dark Child. Right now, in the new city, the one that fits best into its description is Wang Baole, the City Lord.

This is utterly absurd. The Dark Sect has long fallen. The battle back then was so destructive, and it’s impossible for a Dark Child to appear now! Only that old Boat Spirit would be so adamant that the Dark Sect has been released into the cosmos to control the reincarnation process and lure the spirits to rebuild its former glory!

However, speaking of it, the array formation of this city is interesting in that it can gather Dark Qi. This way, it’s still necessary to pay notice to Wang Baole’s status. However, testing that hypothesis would exhaust a lot of my energy. Furthermore, it is highly likely that Wang Baole isn’t the Dark Child, which would make direct testing too wasteful. As he sighed, the blue-robed youth thought about it. Suddenly, he revealed a smile, a cold one that carried a sinister meaning.

Regardless of whether he is the Dark Child, I want to carry out my plan. It won’t be too late to test it out even after he realizes it! From the bottom of his heart, the blue-robed youth didn’t believe that the Dark Child still existed in the universe. Therefore, he planned to carry out the first plan that he made after emerging from the catacombs, one that he made after studying the new city in detail.

That was… polluting the Great Baole Array Formation in Divine Armament New City, the one that could gather Dark Qi!

If it succeeded, he could make use of the Great Baole Array Formation and indirectly gain control over the Great Martian Array Formation. After all, those two were linked together, which allowed him to wield the greatest control over the Great Martian Array Formation in the boundaries of the new city. Furthermore, as others wouldn’t be able to detect it, it would have a miraculous effect when a crucial juncture was reached.

The first step to polluting the Great Baole Array Formation required tainting the cultivators in the new city. Once they were tainted, he could make use of the unique characteristic of the Great Martian Array Formation, which continuously absorbed the aura of the people in the new city to absorb the tainted aura off them. The more of it absorbed, the more successful it would be.

That was the only loophole he had found after observing the Great Baole Array Formation!

The fastest and best way to do it is to create a cultivation technique, and garner believers and followers from there. The blue-robed youth smiled slightly, looking at the three expressionless middle-aged cultivators before him.

The three cultivators were the source of pollution that he had carefully chosen over this period of time. They were also the first batch of people he was directly in control of. They had all come from different regions and had different backgrounds.

As he looked at them, the trio seemed to have realized it as they raised their heads. Their originally stiff facial muscles began to relax, and a look of passion burned in their eyes.

“Go, disseminate the cultivation technique that I have taught all of you using your status!”

“This cultivation technique is known as the Art of Longevity!” The blue-robed youth spoke calmly. The three passionate cultivators before him stood up, greeting him with cupped fists.

“Yes, State Preceptor!”