"You're asking for death!"
Liang Kai's expression darkened, his grip suddenly tightening.
Lu Yuan's eyes bulged, gradually losing consciousness from suffocation.
Buzz~!
At that moment, a complex tattoo on Lu Yuan's chest, hidden beneath his shirt, slowly emerged, flickering intermittently.
……
……
By the time Lu Yuan woke up, it was already past three in the afternoon. The messy rented room was long empty of that despicable couple.
"Damn bitch."
The once-full wardrobe now held only two or three of Lu Yuan's clothes, and all the cosmetics on the table were gone.
Clearly, Su Tiantian had taken her belongings with her.
Lu Yuan cursed under his breath, got up to take a shower in the bathroom, changed into fresh clothes, grabbed the contract he had tossed in the living room earlier, and hurried back to the company.
Starlight Group, a subsidiary enterprise of the Star Pavilion.
The Star Pavilion was one of the seven major Martial Artist organizations in the Chongming Base City. As the logistics arm of the Star Pavilion, Starlight Group was involved in various industries related to Martial Artists, including Martial Artist Potions, equipment, and even real estate and insurance.
In addition to being self-sufficient, Starlight Group also sold its products externally.
Two months ago, after leaving his previous job, Lu Yuan leveraged his pharmaceutical degree and striking appearance to become a potion sales representative in the Jing'an District branch of Starlight Group's Potion Sales Department.
"Xiao Lu, well done! I knew you could do it!"
After submitting the contract and just sitting back at his workstation, Zhao Mingcheng walked over, smiling as he patted Lu Yuan's shoulder.
"When I recruited you, I knew you had it in you! Look at this—quiet until now, but when you finally make a move, it’s a blockbuster. Two months without a single sale, and on the last day of the month, you land a ten-million-dollar deal!"
"Hah, I really have to thank you, Supervisor, for your help with this deal!"
Lu Yuan sneered, though the resentment he’d felt earlier had faded somewhat.
Liang Kai had slept with Su Tiantian, and he had slept with Liang Hongyun. There was a certain vengeful satisfaction in that.
"As your supervisor, it’s my duty to help you. Keep up the good work."
Zhao Mingcheng chuckled, then lowered his voice.
"Hold tight to Liang Hongyun’s coattails, and you’ll never have to worry about landing deals again. Make sure you seize this opportunity."
"Xiao Lu, with such a big deal signed, you’ll have to treat us all to a meal."
Li Wenxiu leaned over from the side, a smile on her face, though a hint of jealousy lurked deep in her eyes.
As a top salesperson in the department, she had been working for over two years but had rarely landed deals worth even a million, let alone ten million.
Those male Martial Artists were just too stingy!
"Sure, once next month’s salary comes in, I’ll treat everyone to a meal."
Lu Yuan nodded with a smile. In the workplace, social niceties still mattered.
As the workday neared its end, Zhao Mingcheng emerged from his office once again.
"Everyone."
He clapped his hands to get their attention, smiling as he spoke.
"You’ve all worked hard this month. The performance rankings are out, and our Sales Department Three has taken first place in Jing'an District with a total performance of 34.76 million!"
"Additionally, Lu Yuan, with his ten-million performance, has earned the title of Jing'an District’s top salesperson this month! According to this month’s reward and penalty system, aside from his commission, Lu Yuan will receive an extra reward—a bottle of our company’s latest Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion!"
After finishing his announcement, Zhao Mingcheng gave a dry laugh when no one applauded, then turned and headed back to his office.
"The latest Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion…"
"It’s priced at 660,000!"
"The key is it’s in severe shortage. Even if you have the money, you can’t buy it. I heard it’s already being resold on the black market for over a million per bottle!"
The office buzzed with discussion as everyone looked at Lu Yuan, their gazes filled with barely concealed envy and jealousy.
A ten-million-yuan potion contract, with a five-percent commission of five hundred thousand, plus the reward of this potion—Lu Yuan had just earned over a million in one go!
"Xiao Lu, give that Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion to me. I have a client offering eight hundred thousand!"
Li Wenxiu beside him leaned over again, speaking as if it were a serious matter.
"Our company's price is only six hundred and sixty thousand. You could still make an extra hundred and forty thousand!"
"No need to trouble you, Sister Xiu."
Lu Yuan replied calmly, inwardly sneering.
This potion was already being resold for over a million outside. Li Wenxiu's offer of eight hundred thousand meant she'd make two to three hundred thousand off him with a simple resale! Did she really think he was a fool?
"What trouble? We're all colleagues. Don't forget to give it to me when the potion arrives!"
"Actually, I don't plan to sell this potion."
To prevent Li Wenxiu from continuing to pester him, Lu Yuan simply stated outright.
"I plan to use it myself."
"Use it yourself!"
Li Wenxiu widened her eyes, looking at Lu Yuan with suspicion.
As the name implied, the Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion could strengthen and enhance a person's qi-blood.
Having ten times the qi-blood of an ordinary person, or one thousand points, was the prerequisite for Pulse Opening and the foundation for becoming a Martial Artist!
But achieving ten times the qi-blood was no easy feat. Among those Martial Artists who stood above the masses, aside from a few geniuses, how many hadn't relied on potions to get there?
However, these potions were extremely expensive. The path of the Martial Artist was for the wealthy, not something ordinary families could afford.
As far as Li Wenxiu knew, Lu Yuan's current qi-blood was only around three to four hundred points. Even if he used one strengthening potion, it would at most increase his qi-blood by two hundred points, still leaving him far from becoming a Martial Artist.
If he couldn't become a Martial Artist or break through the one-thousand-point threshold, whether his qi-blood was a bit higher or lower made little difference—he'd still be an ordinary person in the end.
"Xiao Lu! Think carefully. That's eight hundred thousand yuan!"
"Sorry, Sister Xiu. I've already made up my mind."
"Tch, as if anyone can become a Martial Artist."
As if she had lost two to three hundred thousand yuan, Li Wenxiu snorted angrily, her tone tinged with mockery.
"Sister Xiu, maybe I can become a Martial Artist!"
Lu Yuan slightly raised his head, looking at Li Wenxiu with a half-smile.
"Stop daydreaming!"
Li Wenxiu sneered again, enunciating each word clearly.
"If you can become a Martial Artist, I'll let you sleep with me for free!"
"Then it's settled. When that day comes, I'll make sure to wear you out!"
"Wear me out? Do you even have what it takes? Tch, we'll talk about it when that day comes."
Li Wenxiu snorted coldly and ignored Lu Yuan, picking up the phone to contact a client.
Lu Yuan didn't say anything more either, packing up his things to leave work.
The next morning, as it was the monthly rest day at the beginning of the month, Lu Yuan was still asleep when a sudden knock sounded at the door.
The Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion he had applied for had arrived.
"So fast."
Looking at the syringe glowing with a piercing red light inside the safe, Lu Yuan was taken aback.
After picking up the instruction manual inside and reading it, he instantly understood.
Damn it!
An expiring potion!
No wonder it was delivered so quickly—it would expire in just twenty days.
Of course, potions were similar to food in this regard. The expiration date was merely the optimal usage period, not an indication that it would become ineffective afterward. However, using it past the date carried additional risks.
Although it was nearing expiration, it was still within the shelf life, so it was considered a normally usable potion.
"A potion worth a million yuan."
Looking at this syringe, Lu Yuan felt a surge of excitement.
There are only twenty days left until it expires, I must sell it quickly!
As for using it myself, that was just an excuse to brush off Li Wenxiu.
After being betrayed by Su Tiantian, Lu Yuan became increasingly aware that money is everything!
Buzz~!
The weather was too hot, so Lu Yuan was at home alone, shirtless. Suddenly, a complex black line pattern, the size of a bowl and resembling a maze, appeared on his chest.
"What's going on!"
Looking down, Lu Yuan widened his eyes in shock. He didn't remember getting a tattoo.
Just as he was puzzled, the pattern suddenly flashed, scanning the Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion on the table.
"This is!"
With just that scan, a flood of information instantly poured into Lu Yuan's mind—the formula, the refining process—everything about this potion.
"How could this be…"
A moment later, snapping back to reality, Lu Yuan was utterly astonished.
As the latest Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion from Star Glory Group, not counting equipment and materials, the research and development alone reportedly cost tens of billions. The formula and process were considered top-secret, the highest level of confidentiality.
Yet, with just a scan from the tattoo on his chest, he knew it all!
"Wait!"
Just as Lu Yuan was reeling from the shock, he suddenly realized something.
This formula seemed to have many flaws and shortcomings.
Moreover, he seemed capable of repairing and improving these flaws and shortcomings, thereby developing a brand-new, near-perfect Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion!
Realizing this, Lu Yuan felt another surge of excitement.
If the development of this enhancement potion cost tens of billions, what would his advanced version be worth?
Too excited to think further, Lu Yuan immediately attempted to make modifications.
"Can't go on."
A short while later, after repairing only about sixty percent of the flaws, he couldn't continue.
Lu Yuan discovered that the operation of this strange tattoo consumed his 'Mental Strength.'
After analyzing the potion and repairing some of the flaws, his 'Mental Strength' was completely depleted.
【0/96】
This number appeared in his mind, representing his remaining and total Mental Strength.
At the same time, information related to Mental Strength surfaced.
It was a form of energy derived from the mind, rarely used in daily life, but it served as the power source for the tattoo on his chest.
When Mental Strength reached a certain level, it could even give rise to higher forms of energy, usable in combat!
However, that was all for later. The key issue now was:
How to restore Mental Strength, repair the remaining flaws in the enhancement potion, and obtain the perfect-grade potion.
"Adrenaline?"
As a form of mental energy, the most basic way to restore it was through rest, but it was extremely slow—only one or two points per night.
Unless stimulated by adrenaline!
Due to compatibility issues, external injections were not possible; it had to be produced internally.
"What should I do?"
Lu Yuan frowned. Adrenaline was a hormone secreted by the body in response to intense stimuli.
Such as fear or pain!
Did he have to resort to self-harm to restore his Mental Strength?
Click!
Just as he was pondering, the sound of a door opening suddenly rang out.
Lu Yuan walked out of the bedroom and saw Su Tiantian closing the door as she entered.
"What are you doing here!"
"Don't think I came to get back together with you. Stop dreaming."
Su Tiantian snorted coldly and spoke directly.
"I heard you landed a big deal and got a Qi-Blood Strengthening Potion. Hand it over."
"Hand it over?"
Lu Yuan frowned, his expression darkening.
"What do you mean?"
"What else could I mean? Give me that enhancement potion!"
Su Tiantian stretched out her hand, looking completely justified.
“Consider it compensation for the three years of my youth you wasted!”