A World Worth Protecting

Little Missy waved her hand after saying that. The hallucination realm grew blurry instantly, and a wave of spirit energy surged outwards, shoving Wang Baole out of the realm.

As the hallucination realm resumed its peace and quiet, Little Missy, the ethereal beauty in Wang Baole’s eyes, hastily let loose a breath of relief. She patted her chest as her exquisite brow frowned. There was a troubled and frustrated expression on her face. She even stomped her foot.

Someone attacked him earlier? Why didn’t I sense that… and the sudden appearance of the Dark Fire, how would I know about that? This freak, hasn’t he got other things to do? Why is he asking me all these questions?

Luckily, the guy surnamed Zhao revealed quite a bit. Else, I’d have been exposed today… Little Missy was troubled, and her head throbbed. She was beginning to regret her past braggings and exaggerations.

That can’t be on me. Who would’ve thought that he would really be able to master the technique? Doesn’t that make him a freak?

Luckily, I’m smart and gave this freak an impossible task! I don’t believe he can really retrieve the Dark Artifact down there! At that thought, Little Missy’s heart was set at ease. But soon, it dropped again. She began to doubt herself. Every time she felt that something was impossible to accomplish, this guy would quickly prove her wrong and show her what a freak was truly capable of…

That can’t be possible… even though I don’t know if what’s lying below is indeed a Dark Artifact or not, but I can sense the terrifying aura that’s resting below… right, it should be fine. He can’t possibly succeed! Little Missy quickly comforted herself. She laughed. She must have slept for too long. Her head must be muddled. Else, why would she think that Wang Baole, at the Foundation Establishment realm, had any chance of getting his hands on what was obviously a rare treasure?

I’m trying to let him understand that he should do things slowly and play by the book. Right, that’s right. This is all for his own good! She grew pleased with herself at that thought. Without knowing it, she started humming a tune. Then, she started to feel weird. This was a tune that freak Wang Baole had hummed before. She was irked momentarily and changed to another tune…

While Little Missy remained pleased with her quick wit, Wang Baole, pushed out from the hallucination realm, was sitting inside the secret chamber. He went through what Little Missy had said. He began to see reason in her words. At the same time, he felt slightly incredulous.

She said the treasure underground was something she’d left behind in the past? That’s a bit too fantastical, isn’t it? Her bragging knows no bounds… Wang Baole’s first reaction was disbelief, but he soon began to doubt himself. He thought back to his interactions with Little Missy. He realized that she had never deceived or misled him, not once. As long as it was something she said, he would be able to get it done.

These repeated incidents led to Wang Baole’s self-doubt. He began to consider the possibility that Little Missy had really left the artifact behind.

If that’s really the case, there’s nothing wrong with me trying to get my hands on it. Perhaps this really is what it is. Little Missy has always been right. Her origins are a mystery. She might have been some really important figure who had come from the ancient green-bronze sword. Wang Baole grew excited at that thought. He remembered the Dark Servant that Little Missy had mentioned. He suddenly felt that the guy who had tried to sneak attack him hadn’t been that impressive or powerful.

I thought he must be someone impressive, but he turned out to be a servant. Wang Baole immediately felt a sense of superiority. He slapped his tummy happily. He increasingly felt that Little Missy had been a great help to him.

But the reason that I’m able to achieve what I’ve achieved is through my own blood, sweat, and tears! Wang Baole took a deep breath. He reminded himself not to be overcome by pride. He also shouldn’t shirk the responsibilities and burdens that came with his achievements and throw said responsibilities onto Little Missy. After all, he was a good man who was capable of shouldering his own burdens and taking responsibility for his own actions.

Since I’ve worked so hard, I’m not going to pretend that I wouldn’t have become what I have become today even if I didn’t have Little Missy. Wang Baole believed that his system of values and morality had always been positive and on the right path. At present, he was on cloud nine. He remembered what he learned about the Anti-Spirit Bomb theory at the research facility.

The collision of antimatter and matter…

Wang Baole thought for a bit. He decided he would try to create a collision and fusion between Spirit Qi and Dark Qi, and test for any changes that might result from it. However, regardless of the number of attempts, he didn’t earn any conclusive findings. The two energies counteracted the other naturally. As soon as they collided with each other, they vanished.

Wang Baole found that unfortunate and was at a loss. However, he still believed that his theory should be correct. The reason he didn’t achieve the results he expected was because of insufficient knowledge on his part. He was missing something.

Fine, let’s just set this matter aside. When the time is right and the conditions ripe, I can come back to this again. Wang Baole set aside his experimentation with matter and antimatter. He inspected the city’s array formation again. Finally, with his heart set at ease, he retreated into seclusion and began his study of Dharmic Armaments.

After his recent trip to the research facility, he had gained great knowledge and understanding regarding the Heavenly Evocation step in the cycle of creating Dharmic Armaments. He had intended to immediately retreat into seclusion and mull over his findings after he had returned. He had wanted to test out his understanding. This had unfortunately been delayed by the incident of the Art of Longevity. Now that everything had been resolved, despite not being able to capture the mastermind, Wang Baole clearly felt that he held the upper hand over the other. Little Missy had said so, that he was only a lowly servant.

He set his emotions aside and began the process of understanding and testing out the Heavenly Evocation step in the refining of Dharmic Armaments.

Time passed slowly, and three days went by. The clean-up following the Art of Longevity fiasco continued. It was impossible to clean everything out within a single day. There were still a few areas scattered here and there, and a few stray cultivators not yet identified. They required the respective zones to continue with their investigations. They didn’t pose that great of a problem, however.

There was also the proposal for the mass migration of residents to the new city, which had been approved by the Federation and the Martian administration. Soon, batches of cruisers carrying the new population arrived in the new city.

They were mainly the residents from the main Martian city, though a portion of them had come from Earth. They had been able to amass such a huge population due to the strong promotional efforts by the Federation and the Martian administration. In addition, great perks and subsidies were also being given out. That had led to a smooth migration process.

As the batches of residents arrived, great numbers of low-ranking Federation officials also arrived. With the surge in population, the lower administrative levels were clearly understaffed even though the upper levels were sufficiently staffed. The combined efforts of the four Dao Colleges and the other political forces wouldn’t be enough to handle everything. The Federation and the Martian administration had to provide their people as well.

Li Xiu… was one of them. He didn’t seek his father’s help but had relied on his own strength and ability. He followed the newly migrated residents and arrived on Mars. The first thing he did when he arrived wasn’t to seek out his own sister or his brother-in-law in name, but went to find Wang Baole.

He had known Lin Tianhao previously. That was why after Lin Tianhao had reported the findings from the first round of the Art of Longevity incident at Wang Baole’s residence, he then opened the floor for Li Xiu’s entrance.

“City Lord, I’m still in the midst of tidying up the data on the practice of the Art of Longevity in the various city zones. I’ll be able to consolidate the detailed information in a few days and report them to you then. In addition… Li Xiu has arrived on Mars. He’s approached me and requested to see you.”

“Li Xiu?” There was a strange expression on Wang Baole’s face after he heard what Lin Tianhao said. He agreed to see Li Xiu. Li Xiu, having heard the news, immediately arrived at Wang Baole’s residence with great excitement and eagerness.

Upon seeing Wang Baole, Li Xiu quickened his steps. He cupped his fists in greeting and said loudly.

“Xiu’er greets his brother-in-law, the City Lord!”

Lin Tianhao was dazed. Wang Baole raised his eyebrow. He had a half-smile on his face as he studied Li Xiu. He said casually.

“Speak properly. Your brother-in-law isn’t the City Lord, he’s a mayor!”

Li Xiu didn’t seem the slightest bit embarrassed. He raised his head and thudded against his chest. There was a look of indignation on his face. He said quickly.

“Li Xiu only knows one brother-in-law in his heart, and that’s you, City Lord. Chen Mu, that rascal, I don’t approve of him at all. What’s up with him, anyway? He isn’t as good looking as my brother-in-law, he’s not as capable, and he’s not as slim. There’s his rank as well. He’s only a Primary Rank Four Noble at his age. He’s trashier than trash!

“Don’t worry, brother-in-law. I’ve come to Mars to station myself in his autonomous zone. I’m going to keep a close watch on that bastard. There’s no need for you to do anything. I’ll find a chance and get rid of him myself. This bastard should try looking into a mirror. He’s an absolute toad. How dare he try to fight my brother-in-law for my sister!”

Lin Tianhao seemed not to have reacted to Li Xiu’s words, but his eyes narrowed slightly. He could sense, slightly, the arrival of another threat after Liu Daobin’s arrival…

Wang Baole eyed Li Xiu. He felt extremely pleased. Even though he thought Li Xiu had many areas requiring further improvement, he wasn’t without his positive qualities. This honesty of his, for example, in speaking the truth, was quite a good trait.

“Mayor Chen is a Federation official as well. It’s not appropriate, you calling him a bastard. Don’t do it when you’re in public.” Wang Baole was clearly inwardly soothed, despite his stern words.

Li Xiu’s eyes flashed. He knew that he had done a good job with his flattery. He hastily voiced his agreement.

“Since you have such a grudge against Mayor Chen, as a City Lord, I’m not in a position to interfere. Even if something should happen, it’ll be seen as a domestic dispute. The most I can do is to mediate the situation.” Wang Baole gave Li Xiu a meaningful look, then picked his teacup up.

Li Xiu was a smart person. Else he wouldn’t have paid a visit to Wang Baole as soon as he had arrived on the planet. He immediately knew what Wang Baole was trying to say. He knew that Wang Baole had accepted his declarations. After musing carefully over Wang Baole’s words, he realized that Wang Baole was hinting that he still needed a guarantee.

“City Lord, brother-in-law, don’t worry! I’ll get this done quickly!” Li Xiu thudded his chest. He felt invigorated and excited. He had thought this through clearly before he had arrived. He was going to declare loyalty to Wang Baole. He was a much better option than Chen Mu.

After all, he only had one sister. That meant he could only trade her once. Compared to selling her to Chen Mu, he might as well choose Wang Baole. He and his father diverged in their views. The lunar incident had inspired an indescribable sense of awe and respect on Li Xiu’s part with regard to Wang Baole. The degree of this awe and respect had grown with the elevation of Wang Baole’s status and rank. It had reached the heights of adoration.