Choice

In a reception room at the military camp, Qin Mu sat down with representatives from the four major factions.

"Thank you all for your invitations. I'm deeply grateful. Your offers are all excellent, but I have one small personal request."

Facing the representatives of the four factions, Qin Mu remained poised and composed, showing no trace of stage fright.

After all, this situation had been part of Qin Mu's plan from the beginning.

"Go ahead. We'll do our best to accommodate you."

Zheng Xing, the military representative, spoke without hesitation.

The other parties also indicated that they had no objections.

"You should all have seen my background. My mother was a military researcher, and under her influence, I developed a deep interest in monsters, genes, and similar subjects from a young age."

Qin Mu paused there.

Of course, he was establishing a persona for himself. His home really did have plenty of books on those subjects, so who could tell whether he genuinely loved them or not?

"Perhaps because of that influence, when I entered the Wilderness Zone and fought monsters, I awakened Mental Power at a critical moment between life and death."

That was indeed true. Before awakening it, Qin Mu had truly been fighting monsters.

"Later, I accidentally discovered that I seemed able to communicate with monsters through Mental Power, and even control them."

"After studying it for some time, I found that this talent is closely related to my understanding of and research into monsters.

"So, I hope to receive some assistance in this area. Research into monsters, and even deeper Monster Gene Engineering, would be extremely helpful in improving my strength."

Hearing Qin Mu's request, the others exchanged glances. The representatives from the Limit Martial Arts School and Thunderbolt Martial Arts School both felt numb.

When it came to training martial artists, the two major martial arts schools were highly skilled, and they even possessed a certain inheritance for Mental Masters.

However, regarding monster research and Gene Engineering, they were not entirely without knowledge, but their studies were merely superficial.

Zheng Xing, the military representative, and the HR Alliance representative, however, both showed delight on their faces.

When it came to research on monsters, if the military claimed second place, no one would dare claim first!

Every year, the major military schools trained large numbers of research-oriented talents, and the vast majority of them entered the military's various research institutes.

To that end, the government and military invested enormous resources every year.

The cell repair potion Qin Mu had used was one of the military's research achievements.

Although the HR Alliance could not compare to the military, it had abundant funds. It had recruited a considerable number of top researchers, invested in many advanced laboratories, and produced impressive results.

The most famous among them were various Gene Potions, as well as all kinds of highly profitable pharmaceutical products.

Having finally found an opening, the HR Alliance representative hurriedly said,

"Qin Mu, your idea is excellent. I support you!

"Our HR Alliance has conducted in-depth research into all kinds of monsters. Especially in Gene Engineering, many well-known research institutions are funded by our HR Alliance.

"As long as you join the HR Alliance, I can apply for authorization on your behalf to grant you access to advanced knowledge, or even arrange for you to directly join major research institutions.

"However, because most of our advanced research institutions are located in the European base cities, you can come with me and settle in a European base city. We will offer you the very best conditions."

Only after the HR Alliance representative finished did Zheng Xing, the military representative, speak solemnly.

"When it comes to understanding monsters, our military is the most authoritative! Every year, the files compiled on all kinds of monsters are written by the military.

"Our research into monsters is comprehensive and in-depth. Universities in every major base city offer related majors, and the military itself has established a large number of scientific research units.

"Your mother was once an outstanding researcher at one such institute."

Zheng Xing paused there before continuing.

"After joining the military, you will hold the rank of colonel. You will have authorization in your own right and can participate in certain research projects.

"As your strength improves, your authorization will increase as well, and more research institutes will open their doors to you.

"You can study the relevant knowledge according to your own level."

After hesitating for a moment, Zheng Xing said,

"If you are truly interested, and if this can indeed help improve your strength, I suggest that you enroll directly in Jiangnan First Military School's specially recruited martial artist class under your status as a military colonel.

"During university, you can systematically study the relevant knowledge. The military will not assign you any tasks while you are in school.

"You can arrange your own time freely, but the military will also inspect and supervise the improvement of your strength.

"If your progress is too slow and you waste your talent, the military will forcibly send you into the army for training.

"After completing your studies, you can formally join the military."

Hearing Zheng Xing's words, Qin Mu's interest was immediately piqued.

Among the four major factions, the military and the Limit Martial Arts School had been Qin Mu's first choices.

The Limit Martial Arts School was itself Earth's strongest faction. Its master, Hong, possessed strength unmatched across the globe and was practically invincible.

It also offered many internal benefits. For example, Luo Feng had later exchanged something from Hong for Mental Master Basics.

Not to mention that Luo Feng had also joined the Limit Martial Arts School. If Qin Mu joined as well, it would be easier to build a better relationship with Luo Feng.

The Thunderbolt Martial Arts School was not bad either. Its master, Thunder God, was so close to Hong that they might as well have worn the same pair of pants. Joining either side made little difference.

As for the HR Alliance, honestly, it had little appeal beyond money. And money alone was not exactly useless to Qin Mu, but it was hardly enticing either.

This was the era of martial artists, an era where strength reigned supreme.

The military was actually highly attractive to Qin Mu. Both his parents had belonged to the military, so joining it would be a natural fit.

When it came to monster research, genetic technology, and similar fields, the military was also unquestionably the strongest!

Moreover, the conditions offered by the military were indeed exceptionally generous.

The only thing Qin Mu worried about was freedom.

The military emphasized obedience to orders. Although it was relatively lenient toward martial artists, especially powerful ones,

as the Overlord of the Swarm, Qin Mu would definitely need to enter the Wilderness Zone frequently. And some secrets, such as the existence of the Mother Nest, could not be known by the military.

But what Qin Mu had not expected was that Zheng Xing would suggest that he attend university and enter a military school!

Military schools were managed much more loosely, and the specially recruited martial artist class was extremely free, with almost no restrictions.

He would simply have to formally join the military after graduating from the military school.

But was that really a problem? With a full four years, if Qin Mu still could not grow strong enough, he might as well slit his own throat.

Four years later, the Swarm would have already spread across the globe and broken out of the planet.

Not to mention that the Golden Horn Beast would launch a full-scale attack on humanity in far less than four years.

Zheng Xing was right. If he wanted to systematically study knowledge related to genes, where could be more suitable or more comprehensive than a school?

Thinking of this, Qin Mu rose directly to his feet and said to Zheng Xing,

"If that is the case, then it would be my honor to join the military. I'll trouble the military with the subsequent arrangements. I plan to first enter military school for systematic study, then join the army."

The stern-faced Zheng Xing also revealed a smile.

"Welcome aboard!"

Seeing that Qin Mu intended to join the military, Zhuge Tao of the Limit Martial Arts School hurriedly said,

"With your current strength, attending military school would be a complete waste of time!

"If you join our Limit Martial Arts School, after a little training, I can recommend you for the assessment for the world's number one training camp, the War God Reserve Camp!

"After entering the War God Reserve Camp, once you come out, you will at the very least be a War God-level powerhouse.

"Even if you fail the assessment, with your talent, entering the basic training camp will not be a problem.

"It gathers gifted geniuses from all over the world. There, you can receive the best training!"

Wang Heng, the director of the Thunderbolt Headquarters, stood up directly and urged him,

"That's right, attending military school would be a waste of time! A waste of your talent!

"You have to understand that these next few years are when your strength will improve the fastest. Going to military school would be completely counterproductive.

"If you want to study monsters, genes, and related knowledge, our Thunderbolt Martial Arts School also has some relevant research institutions. They may not be especially advanced, but they are more than sufficient for you to study.

"You can completely wait until your strength has improved and you have become a War God before considering those things!"

It was clear that Zhuge Tao and Wang Heng sincerely wanted what was best for him.

But Qin Mu still shook his head firmly.

A War God? In ten days at most, the Mother Nest would advance into a Level 2 Hive Mother. My strength could quickly rise to the Advanced General level, while my Mental Master level would directly reach intermediate War God!

"I have my own considerations. I'm truly sorry."

Zheng Xing, however, smiled and said,

"You need not worry about it affecting your progress in strength. You can also receive excellent training at Jiangnan First Military School. And if your strength reaches the level required to enter the War God Reserve Camp, our military can also allow you to join it.

"Our military has quotas every year for direct entry into the War God Reserve Camp!"

"Qin Mu, welcome aboard!"