Huo Zhijun was in her room, contacting her second brother. When the mechas had descended from the sky on Hong-ai Star, no one else recognized them, but she instantly knew by their markings that they were her second brother’s people coming to rescue her. His starship was surely stationed outside, keeping watch.
She hadn’t wanted to say much in front of others before, but now she didn’t have to hold back.
After a moment, Huo Junting’s holographic image appeared before her.
Initially, Huo Junting had planned to give his little sister a harsh scolding to make her understand just how dangerous her actions had been. But when the time came, he found he couldn’t bring himself to say anything too severe. In the end, he sighed in resignation and asked, “Do you realize your mistake?”
Huo Zhijun lowered her head, genuinely remorseful. “I know I was wrong, Second Brother. When we get back, I’ll definitely listen to you and the others.”
Her eyes reddened. She had been truly terrified. If she hadn’t met Luo Xingzhou and the others, she would have died on this show. Once dead, she’d know nothing, but her family would be left heartbroken.
Unlike other prominent families, her family had granted her a lot of freedom. Now she couldn’t let her recklessness continue to hurt those who loved her.
Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “Second Brother, it was Luo Xingzhou who saved me. You know that by now, right? I really want to repay him.”
Huo Junting gave her a look. “Did that really need saying? I sent people to protect and care for Luo Xingzhou’s mother as soon as I saw what happened that day. You’ve been around Luo Xingzhou for a while now; haven’t you guessed his background?”
At this, Huo Zhijun was momentarily pulled from her remorse. Remembering what the crew had mentioned about Luo Xingzhou’s connection to Grandmaster Luo, she blurted out, “Is Luo Xingzhou actually the grandson of Grandmaster Luo? But shouldn’t his surname be Wu?”
Huo Junting laughed. “How long has it been since you last paid attention to Zhongyang Star’s affairs? After Grandmaster Luo went missing, Wu Zhenqiu brought in his illegitimate son and mistress. Madam Luo Han divorced him and left with their son, who is now Luo Xingzhou. They disappeared until this live broadcast.”
“It’s actually true!” Huo Zhijun exclaimed in shock. She had little interest in mingling with the heirs of Zhongyang Star’s noble families and mostly stayed with her grandparents. Even though she wasn’t in Zhongyang Star, she still knew some of the family connections there. She was aware that Grandmaster Luo’s daughter had married into the Wu family and had a son, but she had no idea what he looked like.
She had never imagined that the grandson of Grandmaster Luo would participate in a show like this. After all, he was just an ordinary person, and neither Grandmaster Luo nor the Wu family would have let him enter such a dangerous program.
It turned out that so many unbelievable things had happened in Zhongyang Star while she wasn’t paying attention.
Huo Junting explained Luo Han and her son’s recent circumstances to Huo Zhijun, leaving her both shocked and furious. “Those people are despicable! I never thought Wu Zhenqiu could be such scum!”
Huo Junting chuckled. “I bet he regrets abandoning Luo Xingzhou now. But from what I can see, Luo Xingzhou is quite resolute; he probably wouldn’t want to return to the Wu family. Now, Wu Corporation is feeling the consequences, with its stock price plummeting. The more successful Luo Xingzhou becomes, the more the Wu family will regret it.”
“Will Aunt Luo be okay?” Huo Zhijun asked worriedly.
Huo Junting sighed, “There’s no way to fully cure this illness, but at least Luo Xingzhou isn’t short on star coins now. He can take good care of her.”
The siblings talked a bit longer, agreeing to meet up on a transfer star. Huo Zhijun would return to Zhongyang Star with Huo Junting, where the Huo family was waiting for her.
That night was destined to be anything but peaceful. People on the spaceship and citizens across the entire Interstellar Empire were shaken awake, joining intense discussions that went on through the night. Many factions were also watching closely, calculating how these events would affect their interests.
Wu Zhenqiu was similarly jolted awake. When he saw the overwhelming images of the Zerg appearing on the StarNet, he was startled. But after calming down, he realized that this might be the best opportunity fate could offer. When the new potion launch took place at dawn, the Wu family would undoubtedly make a stunning comeback, achieving results beyond his expectations.
Even without the Zerg’s appearance, the release of these potions would cause a sensation across the Empire, drawing immense interest. But suppressing that old fool, Grandmaster Luo, would still be difficult.
But now, with the Zergs, the Empire faced a crisis of potential invasion, and battle was likely imminent. With war on the horizon, what could be more sought-after than potions that could enhance one’s strength?
Without the Zergs, the new potions would still have been wildly popular. But with the Zergs, they would be fought over in a frenzy. Wu Zhenqiu could already envision the major powers lining up to offer him whatever he wanted, even the haughty nobles and royals needing to secure these precious potions from him.
Truly, the heavens favored the Wu family!
In the middle of the night, he contacted Duan Cheng, who also saw the tremendous potential. The two could hardly resist celebrating immediately, trembling with excitement over the bright future ahead.
Originally, Wu Zhenqiu had been intent on finding Luo Han and her son, wanting to bring Luo Xingzhou back into the family. But now, he didn’t see the need. With the potions in his hands, how many sons could he not produce? He refused to believe he couldn’t father a son with greater talent than Luo Xingzhou. After all, wasn’t Luo Xingzhou his own flesh and blood?
Compared to the potions, Luo Xingzhou’s value vanished. Once the press conference was over, how many people on the StarNet would still use that old man’s reputation to criticize him?
So, while the entire interstellar society was fixated on the Zergs’ appearance on Hong-ai Star, Wu Zhenqiu and Pharmacist Duan Cheng jointly held a press conference. Initially, the turnout from various parties wasn’t high. The Zerg incident had exposed more of Wu Zhenqiu’s vile deeds, and although scandals were common among noble families, most kept them under wraps, maintaining an impeccable image on the surface. Few were willing to admit they shared Wu Zhenqiu’s character.
But Wu Zhenqiu and Duan Cheng were in no rush. That morning, they sent invitations to the major factions, along with samples of Duan’s formula and detailed instructions. They were confident that such a potion would be enough to sway them.
Of course, Wu Zhenqiu only sent out Formula No. 1. If anyone wanted access to Formulas No. 2 and No. 3, they would have to attend the Wu Corporation’s press conference.
That morning, when the main factions on Zhongyang Star received invitations from the Wu family, they initially dismissed them, ready to toss them aside. But the descriptions of the potions stopped them in their tracks. “Are these potions real? Did Duan Cheng actually develop them?”
“Better safe than sorry. Let’s test it and see.”
Finding C-level ability users and beastmen wasn’t difficult, even those on the verge of a breakthrough. Like the general population, ability users and beastmen occupied the pyramid’s top layers, with the number of lower ranks far outnumbering those of higher levels. Among them, S-level, above A-level, was extremely rare.
By that afternoon, these factions could no longer ignore the Zerg threat on Hong-ai Star. After testing Wu Zhenqiu’s Formula No. 1 on a group of ten, more than half successfully advanced in rank. This meant the promotion rate of Formula No. 1 was over 50%.
While they might not be short on C-level and B-level ability users and beastmen, what about A-level? If No. 3 Formula, as Wu claimed, could increase the chances of advancing from B-level to A-level by 10%, then each new A-level addition would add significant strength. And if Duan Cheng’s research progressed to eventually produce a Formula No. 4 for promotion to S-level, their power would grow even further.
Realizing this, those who had witnessed the successful trials felt their breaths quicken. Such potions were too valuable to miss.
“Quick, check when Wu Corporation’s press conference is.”
“Two in the afternoon.”
“Hurry, prepare the car. We need to get to the venue.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the press conference approached, few had arrived, but Wu Zhenqiu and Duan Cheng had already received news. The factions that received samples were gathering people to conduct tests, and many were now on their way to the venue. Sharing a knowing smile, the two lifted their glasses, celebrating in advance.
At the same time, news of the potions spread to others, such as the royal family, who, unsure of its validity, still ordered close monitoring of the Wu Corporation’s press conference. Feng Zhan, upon hearing the news, immediately doubted whether the potions were really Duan Cheng’s work. Others might not know Grandmaster Luo’s two apprentices well, but he certainly did.
Huo Junting had also heard the news and called Feng Zhan.
“You heard about the Wu Corporation too? Do you think it’s real?”
Feng Zhan responded confidently, “Duan Cheng doesn’t have that level of skill. The origin of these potions is highly suspicious.”
Huo Junting felt the same way. In his eyes, Duan Cheng was an ungrateful traitor and a despicable person. He still didn’t know if Grandmaster Luo’s disappearance had anything to do with Duan Cheng and Wu Zhenqiu, but releasing such a potion at this time had sinister intentions. Yet, he had to admit, if the effects of the potion were proven true, the situation would quickly favor Wu Zhenqiu and Duan Cheng. The longer this continued, the less people would remember their betrayal of Grandmaster Luo.
Feng Zhan looked at Huo Junting and said, “Go find Luo Xingzhou. He spent the most time with his grandfather—he might know something.”
Huo Junting agreed immediately. “Alright.” Then, he looked at Feng Zhan with concern. “You look even worse than before. Is it acting up again?”
“I’m fine.” Feng Zhan cut the communication without giving Huo Junting a chance to respond. Left with no other option, Huo Junting turned to contact the ship’s supervisor to allow him entry. He intended to speak to Luo Xingzhou personally.
That day, Luo Xingzhou and the other contestants slept in until nearly noon. After washing up and gathering together, they headed to the ship’s dining area for a meal.