Upon hearing Zhang Yong's words, Luo Xiu suddenly laughed. This is a classic case of finding a new path just when all hope seems lost.

He poured a beer and raised the glass to Zhang Yong.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Zhang Shizun."

"No trouble, no trouble at all. It's my honor to be able to help Doctor Luo, to do something for you," Zhang Yong replied.

"..."

For Luo Xiu, the simplest and most convenient way to obtain the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit was to win the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony and claim the title of Martial Champion. He was very confident in his own strength.

According to the rules of the ceremony, only young people between the ages of eighteen and thirty-eight could register to compete. In that age group, besides exceptional cases like Luo Xiu and Ye Ningxue, how many true masters could there be?

However, waiting for someone else to win, obtain the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit, and then trying to purchase or trade for it was not a guaranteed plan. The Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit was a peerless treasure that appeared only once a century; few who obtained it would be willing to part with it.

Therefore, winning the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony was the most reliable method.

Suddenly, Luo Xiu's phone rang. It was a call from Su Hongli.

"You all go ahead and eat. I need to take this call."

Luo Xiu then took his phone into the restroom.

"What is it?"

"Elder Gui from the Sun Family just contacted me," Su Hongli said. "He has news of Su Shenyun."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu's expression lit up. "Where is she?"

"I don't know the specifics yet; Elder Gui is still investigating. In five days, I'll be leaving for the Sakura Country to meet up with him. You should stay in the provincial capital. I heard you're participating in the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony."

She added, "Don't worry, I'll bring Su Shenyun home safely."

"I'm going too," Luo Xiu stated.

"But what about the competition?"

"There's still half a month before the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony begins," Luo Xiu replied.

"That's not enough time. A round trip to the Sakura Country will take half a month, conservatively," Su Hongli countered.

After a moment of thought, Luo Xiu said, "I'll figure something out. Remember to find me when you leave in five days. Don't try to go alone. Otherwise, even if you rescue Su Shenyun, you can forget about ever seeing me again."

"Alright then."

After ending the call, Luo Xiu fell into deep thought. Suddenly, an idea involving Lin Xiyue came to him. He walked out of the restroom.

"Lin Xiyue."

"Hmm?"

"I don't think you'll be able to return to Sea City."

"Why not?"

"Because you're going to participate in the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue, who was sipping juice, nearly choked.

"Are you insane? Why should I participate?"

Luo Xiu turned to Zhang Yong. "Zhang Shizun, could you do me a favor? Can you make Xiyue a main contestant for the Provincial Capital Martial Association? She's currently at the Qi Holding Stage."

At these words, Zhang Yong stared at Lin Xiyue in utter disbelief. Although he wasn't a martial artist, he knew a fair amount about them. For someone Lin Xiyue's age to have already reached the Qi Holding Stage made her a genius among geniuses. He truly hadn't expected the quiet and gentle-looking Lin Xiyue to be a Qi Holding Stage martial artist!

"That's possible, yes. With Miss Lin's strength, it's absolutely no problem. But what about you, Doctor Luo? Are you no longer participating?"

"I have other matters to attend to and might be away for a while," Luo Xiu explained. "Just register me as an alternate. I'll try to get back as soon as possible."

"Hey, Luo Xiu, can you stop making decisions for me?" Lin Xiyue protested. "I haven't even agreed, and you've already got it all planned out?"

Luo Xiu stood up, pulled her aside, and said gravely, "I have something else I must do. Right now, I can only rely on you."

Lin Xiyue grew nervous. "But I... I've never fought someone on a stage before. I'm worried..."

"Believe in yourself. You're already very strong. I'm not leaving for another five days, and I'll spend that time training you."

Lin Xiyue's face was a mask of misery. "What about my work in Sea City?"

"Delegate it to your secretary. Besides, Teacher Li and Li Zihan are both there. Just give them instructions."

His expression turned serious as he continued, "Besides, our goal is to get the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit. We need it to concoct the elixir that will cure your illness. So, this is your own battle to fight. You should contribute your own effort."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue fell silent.

After a moment, she nodded. "Then I'll give it a try. I'll do my best, but you have to come back quickly."

Luo Xiu reached out to pat her head, about to say "good girl," but she swatted his hand away.

She rolled her eyes at him and turned to walk away. "I'm still eating hotpot, so don't bother me."

And just like that, the matter was settled. Lin Xiyue would represent the Provincial Capital Martial Association as a main combatant in the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony. As for Luo Xiu, he was listed as an alternate.

「Late at night.」

In a secret underground base within Henghai Provincial City, an elderly man in a Chinese tunic suit stepped into an elevator, descending to the secret laboratory on the lowest level.

Upon seeing him, the lab personnel in their protective suits all bowed respectfully.

"Admiral Sir, you've arrived."

"Good evening, Admiral Sir."

"..."

The elder was none other than the Henghai Admiral, Chen Xuanbao.

Though past sixty, Chen Xuanbao showed few signs of aging. He was full of vigor and projected an innate authority that made others afraid to meet his gaze—a temperament ingrained in his very bones from years of holding a high position.

Chen Xuanbao walked into the laboratory, his gaze falling thoughtfully on a vertical, cylindrical glass tank before him. The tank was filled with a pale red liquid, inside which a woman was submerged. It was reminiscent of the old custom of preserving small animals in jars of liquor.

The naked woman was curled up at the bottom of the tank like a fetus in amniotic fluid. Her long hair fanned out in the liquid, as if time itself had frozen.

Breaking the silence, Chen Xuanbao asked, "How is the progress?"

A woman in a protective suit approached. "The first batch of the serum has been successfully tested. The Mutant Warriors are currently undergoing high-intensity training."

"Very good. I look forward to their performance in the Martial Heaven Great Ceremony," Chen Xuanbao nodded in satisfaction.

"Rest assured, Sir. Based on the power levels displayed by this batch of Mutant Warriors, the young participants in the ceremony are no match for them. The title of Martial Champion is as good as ours this time!"

Chen Xuanbao waved his hand. "I see. You have all worked hard. You may leave now."

"Yes, Sir."

After everyone had departed, only Chen Xuanbao and the woman floating in the tank remained in the vast laboratory. He stepped closer, quietly admiring her beauty as if she were the most perfect work of art in existence.

Gradually, he became lost in thought.

Luo Ying, Luo Ying, to think that you, a visitor from beyond the heavens, would end up in my hands. Rest assured, I won't let your power go to waste. I will make good use of your potent bloodline to forge the world's strongest army for my Holy Boi Religion!

As he muttered to himself, Luo Ying, who had seemed dead inside the tank, suddenly opened her eyes.

Her cold gaze, brimming with extreme resentment, fixed on Chen Xuanbao with an unnerving calm. That stare made the hair on his neck stand on end.

He let out two abrupt laughs and turned to leave.

"I won't keep you company today. You should get some rest."

He paused. "Then again, you're already dead. You don't need rest anymore."

"..."

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