Chapter 412 - 78: Serum Effects (2)

In contrast, creating three vials of the biological serum had cost nearly two million Alliance Coins.

’If this were the complete version of the biological serum, the material utilization rate would be much higher, and the cost could be reduced by a significant margin.’

’But even so, it’s still more cost-effective than just taking Senior-Level Nutritional Potions.’

Lu Chao thought, then walked out of the pharmacy lab.

The third floor of the Superpower Bureau was bustling with people, and muffled thuds echoed from time to time.

Gao Hu, Chen Xiao, and the others were training in the practice area not far away. The five squads of Group Five rotated on duty, ensuring everyone had enough time to develop their Life Energy.

"Leader Lu."

"Hello, Leader."

Amidst the chorus of greetings, Lu Chao smiled and nodded in response.

He overheard some discussions about the Beast Tide, and many people looked at him with gazes full of awe and respect.

Aside from that.

TAP. TAP.

Footsteps approached, and Lu Chao sensed a wave of emotion directed at him.

Smugness, condescension, doubt...

Turning his head, he saw a figure approaching from the direction of the gravity room, dressed in a light brown martial arts uniform. The man was slightly heavyset and around thirty years old.

It was none other than Li Xiyuan, the newly promoted Exploration Level expert.

"Leader Lu."

The man offered a breezy greeting, his expression reserved as he shot Lu Chao a glance tinged with smugness.

Lu Chao gave a placid nod, watching as the man brushed past him and left in the elevator.

"Leader Li is leaving?"

"Tsk tsk, he’s probably off on another mission. I heard he recently captured a Superpower Level commander from the Gray Rock warlord organization alive. So impressive."

"Isn’t that the truth. Group Three is really in the spotlight these days. They’ve been cozying up to the Special Investigation Team, too, and even announced they’re going to personally capture that Black Thorn commander, Ink Green Rattan, and the other Rebels."

"Alright, that’s enough talk. Let’s worry about what missions might be left for us."

The hushed whispers from the corner reached his ears.

Lu Chao’s expression remained unchanged; none of this was a surprise.

There were four Wilderness Warlord factions outside Red Maple City. Besides [Iron Sand] and Black Thorn, there were also Gray Rock and the Ghost Army.

All of them had a solid foundation of power, with rumors of warlord leaders at the peak of the Exploration Level, or even at the Transcendence Level.

Li Xiyuan, after all, was now an Exploration Level expert, and with help from the Special Investigation Team, it wasn’t surprising that he could capture a warlord commander hiding within the city’s perimeter.

"That guy sure is riding high lately."

More footsteps approached from his side.

Lu Chao stood at the end of the corridor; he knew who was coming without even turning around.

Dressed in a white training uniform, Yao Jin had clearly just finished her practice. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her aura was slightly unsteady.

"Sister Yao."

Lu Chao stopped and fell into step beside her, offering a nod of greeting.

The two of them were undoubtedly closer than he was with Li Xiyuan, and both had been under a lot of pressure recently.

"Being at the Exploration Level really makes a difference. Looks like that guy is off to snatch another mission."

"Seriously, the two of us are going to have to step up our game."

She blinked, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

Lu Chao understood she was suggesting they team up. He smiled and didn’t refuse.

Then, during their small talk.

"Oh, right."

As if remembering something, Yao Jin looked him up and down and said with a smile, "About the Beast Tide, I heard that over at the committee, Special Commissioner Luo specifically spoke up, telling the Bureau to issue you some contribution rewards."

"Also, I’ve heard some rumors that the City Lord’s Mansion remembers the favor you did them..."

She said this half as a reminder, half in envy.

Lately, most of the Fourth Bureau’s high-contribution missions had been snatched up by Li Xiyuan’s Group Three. And yet, thanks to the surprise Beast Tide attack, Lu Chao was in a position to receive significant benefits that could speed up the development of his Life Energy.

This undoubtedly made her feel both impressed and envious.

Lu Chao naturally understood the meaning behind her words and offered a few words of comfort with a smile.

However.

"Special Commissioner Luo?"

He wasn’t surprised that the City Lord’s Mansion remembered the favor; after all, both Wei Cangming and Dong Xiao had reminded him.

But he hadn’t expected Special Commissioner Luo Xuan to take the initiative to help him out.

"Special Commissioner Luo has been grateful to us ever since that incident."

Yao Jin’s right arm hung at her side, her hand gripping an Alloy Longsword. She continued, "She also knows that with Li Xiyuan having broken through to the Exploration Level, it’s become difficult for the two of us to get missions."

"Apparently, she even wants to restart the inspection mission and has specifically requested that the two of us be in charge."

’Is that so.’

Lu Chao nodded thoughtfully.

’It seems the effort I put into fending off the encirclement by the Rebels and warlords wasn’t in vain. The favor from saving her is still paying off.’

"What did the higher-ups say?"

"They didn’t agree. Said they were worried about another ambush, so they won’t approve any more inspections until all the Rebels have been cleared out."

Yao Jin shrugged.

"But..." She suddenly smiled, glanced around, and lowered her voice. "I hear Ink Green Rattan is about to slip up."

"This mission has always been related to that original inspection. With Special Commissioner Luo speaking up for us, not even Li Xiyuan can stop us. The Special Investigation Team will have to cooperate too."

Their eyes met. Looking at her meaningful smile, Lu Chao understood.

’Special Commissioner Luo had secured them the right to participate in the mission, indirectly helping them break through the suppression Li Xiyuan’s authority had created.’

Thinking of this, he sighed with some emotion.

’It wasn’t just because of the favor.’

’It was... ’

’The conflict between the conservative and war-hawk factions... it seems it never really ended...’

With that thought, he didn’t ask any more questions.

After their chat ended, he left the Superpower Bureau building.

...

「That evening, at dusk.」

A black Sharp Light sedan drove slowly through the city streets.

Neon signs on the roadside shops and buildings flickered endlessly. Words like [Jianqiang Prosthetic Clinic], [Xinsheng Loan Company], and [Liberty Hair Salon] flashed between the buildings, doing everything possible to catch the eyes of passersby.

Lu Chao, sitting in the back seat, glanced casually at the scenery outside before looking away.

The driver was a suit-clad security guard from the Hunter Guild. In the passenger seat sat a pretty, black-haired girl in a suit and a pencil skirt.

"Assistant Xu, thank you for your trouble."

Lu Chao said softly. A silver briefcase was placed on the empty seat beside him.

After leaving the Superpower Bureau today, he had received a communication from You Qiulin and made a special trip to the Hunter Guild.

The man had found some mineral materials for purifying Magic Blood Crystals. While not as good as Purple Jade Ore, it still saved him some trouble.

"Not at all, Mr. Lu."

The young female assistant from the Hunter Guild, You Qiulin’s secretary Xu Yao, quickly shook her head. "It’s all thanks to your help back then that we were able to keep working at the Hunter Guild. We’re all endlessly grateful to you."

"Besides, Manager You has repeatedly instructed us to fulfill any request you have to the best of our abilities. The Storm Club isn’t too far from here anyway, so it’s on the way."

she said politely and respectfully.

Lu Chao gave a helpless smile at her words, but inwardly, he nodded in approval.

’After that incident, You Qiulin had also risen a level within the Hunter Guild, going from manager to director, and was now qualified to vote on missions involving Superpower Level consultants.’

’Even so, the man still remembered the favor from before. He had done his best to complete all the recent commissions Lu Chao had given him, never once delaying.’

As the thought passed, the scene outside the car window quietly changed.

A Martial Arts gym built with floor-to-ceiling windows was not far ahead. The [Storm Club] sign hung at the top of the building, exceptionally eye-catching.

Seeing this, the black sedan began to slow down, and Lu Chao prepared to get out of the car soon.

He had come here for no other reason than to visit his martial uncle, Ge Hongfeng, and also to ask Chen Xuanxing for advice on the secrets of projecting one’s Qi Flame, hoping to break through to that realm sooner.

Hmm?

And just then.

Lu Chao’s gaze sharpened as he looked toward the club’s entrance.

Rows of luxury cars, [Sharp Light] and [Sheng Yan], were parked nearby. Numerous club students and disciples were coming and going, most of them dressed in training uniforms of various colors.

However.

Right at the entrance.

A group of figures could be seen walking out, their expressions somewhat dejected and helpless.

"The Xu family?"