Absolutely Not

After Wei Dadong and his team left, full of gratitude, Zhuge Feng, Yun asked, "Did he not know about your betting activities?"

Guo Changshi also chimed in, admonishing, "That's right, Little Han, I'm not trying to criticize you, but while making money is a good thing, aren't you going a bit too far?"

Li Yao, stay away from them! Honestly! Are we that close? Why are you all talking like that?! He thought for a moment and replied, "Do you think I'm making money? I'm using economic means to strike at hostile forces! Don't you even think about who lost money?"

Guo Changshi: "Me?"

Li Yao: "..."

Zhuge Feng, Yun: "..."

Li Yao asked, "Zhuge, do you know what this is called?"

Zhuge Feng, Yun stood up and left, saying, "You guys chat, I have something else to do."

Guo Changshi in the same way. "I also have some things to do!"

Watching them leave, Li Yao rolled his eyes. He did some calculations for himself—in the last challenge, he won 177.5 million in a single game, excluding his initial stake, and 6.8 million in total wins and losses.

Add to that the two wins today!

The score difference, excluding the initial stake, is 171.6 million won; the win-loss ratio, excluding the initial stake, is 43.4 million won.

total:

Three hundred and fifty-four million one hundred and twenty thousand!

Li Yao quickly finished the mental calculation, then slumped on the sofa, somewhat lost in thought.

Actually, it's not that many.

He previously made a net profit of nearly 100 million from a single transaction with the Wallfacers, but that was all from the transaction itself. Although he did make a profit, there were still considerable costs involved... the magic stones and various alchemical materials were all quite valuable.

But this time...

Isn't this just a case of getting something for nothing?

It turns out that once your abilities reach a certain limit, making money becomes as natural as drinking water or eating.

Just like Bill Gates, Zuckerberg, and others.

For ordinary people, geniuses are often seen as pampered and favored. There are always those who brainwash ordinary people with success stories about hard work and perseverance, as if with a little effort you could become like Zuckerberg.

The reality is that the destination you reach with all your might may not even be as high as someone else's Qidian.

This situation is very common in schools—you can always meet many hardworking students who, no matter what they do, can't get into the top ten of the class and can only hover in the middle.

But they may have exceptional talent in painting, crafts, or even cooking.

We need to face one point squarely—

Everyone has different talents, and your talent may not be more noble than mine.

As for Li Yao

He thought that besides being handsome and academically gifted, making money might also be an outstanding talent! Thinking about it that way, Boss Li is really awesome! Give myself a thumbs up! Li Yao snapped out of his reverie and composed himself. As for the money, he'd leave it in Master Han's account; there was another challenge in a couple of days, maybe he could make another killing! On the way back...

Li Yao opened his phone and texted his best friend. "It's Christmas here, but it's pretty boring. It's just that I made more than 350 million, which is not bad."

Lin Xiaowei wasn't online this time.

The gray profile picture looked particularly desolate.

He opened WeChat again and saw that the group he had created before the match was very lively, with many people regretting their decision—"How hateful! Why didn't I bet on 10-0!" Some were even asking if anyone wanted to form a team to go sightseeing on the rooftop.

The following group of broken voices are saying:

Let's go together!

certainly,

Some were bold enough to bet 10 to 0, while others cleverly split their bets, placing small bets on both sides. After offsetting their wins and losses, they still managed to make a profit thanks to the high odds.

They're currently discussing in the group chat where to go have fun.

Aside from their special abilities and positions of power, these people are just like ordinary people in some ways.

There are always people who elevate their objects of worship to a divine status.

They felt that those things were sacred and inviolable.

But think about it,

Does Liu Yifei stop picking her nose? Does Ma Yun stop taking a dump? Li Yao returned to his hotel room, just about to study magic, when he heard a knock on the door.

This time the knocking was softer and more polite, so it definitely wasn't Guo Dazhuazi—that guy has developed great upper body strength and hand size due to years of Weapon Refinement, so he always handles his teacup carefully, and although he's being very restrained with his knocking, it's still quite loud.

Li Yao opened the door and found that it was Chen Xi.

Upon seeing Li Yao, Chen Xi bowed slightly and said, "Hello, Mr. Han, I've come to thank you."

Li Yao was a little puzzled. "Thank you?"

Chen Xi smiled and said, "I heard it from Da Dong. Thank you for your help during the challenge."

Oh, this is something! Even though they're all acquaintances, Li Yao has to maintain his public image!

That's right!

So he said modestly, "It's only right!"

Otherwise, how could I have won 350 million? Chen Xi handed over another business card and said, "This is my contact information. If you need any help in the future, please be sure to contact me."

Li Yao took the business card and put it away. "Definitely."

Chen Xi nodded. "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer, goodbye."

After saying this, she bowed again and prepared to leave.

Li Yao called out to her, "By the way, where's the girl you were with?"

Chen Xi asked, somewhat puzzled, "She went out to play. Is there something you need from her?"

Li Yao: "I think that girl is really good at causing trouble, you'd better keep an eye on her."

Chen Xi smiled sweetly and said, "Actually, Xiaoxi is very sensible."

Li Yao: "..."

You must have some misunderstanding about Lin Xiaoxi!

never mind,

Anyway, that guy is incredibly lucky; even if there's an apocalypse or a massive flood, a raft could probably be carried to her.

Back in the room,

Li Yao opened his phone to study magical knowledge—he was still a bit short of being able to analyze third-circle spells and needed to study more about various aspects of the subject.

Winters in the north are dry and cold; the frigid, dry air outside feels like it could freeze your skull.

But Lin Xiaoxi was an anxious person, and since it was her first time in the capital, she was like a husky at the edge of a mud pit—she wouldn't be happy unless she jumped in and rolled in the mud.

So, she spent the last few days of the expo wandering around the capital city.

But to be honest,

There's really nothing fun here, except for some of the alleyways which are somewhat interesting.

Wandering through the various alleyways, she encountered many interesting people... Lin Xiaoxi was like a husky that had wandered into a pack of wolves; far from being afraid, she felt a joyful sense of belonging. So she wrapped herself in a thick down jacket, pulled her fur-trimmed hood tight, wore a large scarf around her neck, and kept her hands and feet completely covered...

Although bulky,

But it's so warm!

Only in this way can she happily bounce around in the northern weather~ When some old men or young people in the alley see such a lively and pretty girl, they often show a doting smile, as if they are seeing their own granddaughter.

That seems to be true.

Aside from being disliked by her family and Li Yao, Lin Xiaoxi seems to be easily liked by others.

Sudden,

Lin Xiaoxi stopped and looked in confusion at an alley.

The alleyway appeared somewhat dilapidated, with sparse vegetation and mottled walls. Passersby seemed to subconsciously avoid it... Yet, Lin Xiaoxi felt that something inside was attracting her! Something fishy was going on! Lin Xiaoxi's detective instincts kicked in immediately! After thinking for a moment, she went in anyway, but her hand was already out of her gloves, gripping her phone and fixed on the dial pad, where the very prominent number was—119!

Red lace gloves fluttered against the snow-white down jacket.

Lin Xiaoxi walked step by step into the depths of the alley.

Finally, she saw a dark-haired girl in a white dress next to a dilapidated garbage dump.

The little girl looked to be about ten years old, but she was too thin and frail, her face pale and emaciated as if she had come from some disaster area— Lin Xiaoxi frowned, realizing that something was not a simple matter! Who would wear so few clothes in such cold weather!

The little girl was only wearing a dirty white dress. The dress was very simple in design; it was more like a piece of white cloth with a few holes cut into it. Her exposed arms and face were red from the cold.

When the little girl saw Lin Xiaoxi coming, she immediately shrank back into the garbage heap in fear, hugging her knees and trembling.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaoxi took off her white down jacket and draped it over the little girl!

"Don't be afraid, this will keep you warm!"

The little girl looked at Lin Xiaoxi with a puzzled expression. Why was she being so kind to her? And...

It's so warm.

The white down jacket still carried the warmth of the older woman's body, so she quickly warmed up as well.

Lin Xiaoxi rubbed her arms.

Damn! It's so cold!

But she still leaned closer to the little girl and asked with a smile, "Little girl, where are you from? Where are your parents?"

The little girl thought for a moment with a puzzled look and said, "My parents sold me, and I don't know where my home is."

Yeah...

Lin Xiaoxi suddenly felt very sad.

What did this little girl do wrong to deserve all this? She reached out and grasped the small, frozen hands, saying, "Then come with me, okay?"

The little girl tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Sister, would you sell me?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Would you prick me with a needle and draw my blood?"

"Absolutely not!"

Really?

"Absolutely, absolutely true!!"

The little girl said timidly, "Shall we make a pinky promise? If we make a pinky promise, we can't go back on our word."

Lin Xiaoxi tilted her head back and took a deep breath, trying hard not to let the tears well up in her eyes. When she looked down again, her face was still beaming with a bright smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "Yes, absolutely! Absolutely! I won't go back on my word!"

After she and the little girl made a pinky promise,

She gently picked her up—she was clearly a tall and slender girl, but her weight was frighteningly light. Lin Xiaoxi held her in her arms as if she were holding a fragile piece of porcelain.

She wrapped the little girl tightly in a down jacket, then hailed a taxi and sped back to the hotel! Back in the room,

Lin Xiaoxi rushed into the room and exclaimed to Chen Xi, "Sister Chen Xi, look what I found!"

She held the little girl high in the air like she was presenting a treasure.

Chen Xi: "..."

Little girl. "..."

Chen Xi caught the child, but the little girl landed and then went behind Lin Xiaoxi, looking at Chen Xi timidly.

The hotel had the heating on full blast, so it wasn't too cold even after taking off her down jacket. Chen Xi looked at the little girl with surprise. She was a rather delicate girl with beautiful bone structure, but she was excessively thin, making her eyes appear unusually large.

It's a bit scary.

Chen Xi knelt down very gently, exuding an unusually gentle aura.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"AB9587, that's what they all call me."

Chen Xi's eyes suddenly sharpened, and then he noticed a tattoo on the little girl's arm—a barcode-shaped tattoo.

Her smile grew even gentler as she stroked the little girl, who soon fell into a sweet sleep.

Chen Xi carried the little girl to the bed, asked Lin Xiaoxi to take good care of her, and then went out to find Guo Changshi.

Guo Changshi is currently in charge of the expo.

After listening to Chen Xi's description, Guo Changshi immediately took it very seriously... He went to the little girl to check the situation, and when he saw the barcode on her, he took out his phone and quickly operated it - soon, he received feedback.

This is information from the Life Evolution Institute.

Although it's impossible to extract more detailed information, the general information can still be discerned through the simulator within the Artificer Association.

He quickly summoned all the association directors in the vicinity! Perhaps this is important research material for the Life Evolution Institute! Perhaps we can learn about the Life Evolution Institute's latest research projects from this little girl.

Li Yao was also called over because he might be involved in this challenge.

The group discussed animatedly, saying they wanted to do some tests on the little girl—although it was the Artificer Association, they weren't just people who played with metal and hammers; in today's society, their research covered many fields!

Not only Material Studies,

There are also biology, genetic engineering, and computer engineering.

The study of this little girl is also within the association's scope.

But Lin Xiaoxi wouldn't have it. "Who dares!"

She had already promised the little girl!

Many directors and cadres looked at Lin Xiaoxi with rather unfriendly expressions.

Li Yao was displeased.

What's wrong?! Who are you looking at?! My best friend Lin Xiaowei entrusted me with taking care of her family, and you're all making a scene like this! Li Yao tapped the table. "Aren't you ashamed?"

Everyone was immediately puzzled. Weren't we gathering intelligence for you?

Li Yao said, "That young girl has suffered so much, shouldn't she get her revenge now? As for whether she can figure out what the Life Evolution Institute is up to... that's not important."

He looked around at everyone and said firmly, "No matter what they do, I can beat them to a pulp."

Lin Xiaoxi was a little surprised. She secretly said to Chen Xi, "I didn't expect Han Guang to be so good."

Yeah?

Chen Xi looked at "Han Guang" with increasing suspicion—for some reason, she felt that this Han Guang was strangely familiar.

Li Yao kicked them all out, leaving only Zhuge Feng, Yun, Guo Changshi, Guo Changshi, and Chen Xi Lin Xiaoxi.

Lin Xiaoxi stood between the little girl and them, hands on her hips, and said, "What do you want to do?!"

Li Yao pressed the guy's head down and pushed it aside.

He looked at the little girl, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "You should be awake, right? Let's talk?"

The little girl was sleeping peacefully.

Li Yao laughed, "Really asleep? Then those uncles and grandpas from earlier will come back when we leave."

The little girl suddenly opened her eyes! Those excessively large eyes stared at Li Yao, their black and white clearly defined.

Li Yao laughed, "That's a good boy/girl. Can you tell us about it?"

The little girl looked at Lin Xiaoxi, then at Chen Xi —only after receiving the approval of the two girls did she begin to slowly recount her story.

She spoke slowly, and her sentences were halting.

It seems she doesn't talk often, to the point that she's almost forgotten what it feels like to speak.

After she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became very heavy. Li Yao's face was ashen, Guo Changshi clenched his fists, and Chen Xi and Lin Xiaoxi hugged the little girl with heartache, constantly comforting her—it's okay, it's okay!

Li Yao was naturally puzzled as well. How could she still be alive after experiencing such a thing?

But I quickly figured it out.

After the little girl finished speaking,

Li Yao and Guo Changshi left and went to the conference room.

Once we arrived here,

Guo Changshi then raised some questions. "Given the security level of the Life Evolution Institute, and given how important this little girl is, how could they possibly let her escape?"

The little girl must have some special abilities, but the ones she displayed weren't enough to allow her to escape the Life Evolution Institute 'Life Evolution Institute blockade, even though it was a temporary base set up by the institute for her participation in the expo in the capital! So, could there be some kind of conspiracy involved? Zhuge Feng, Yun added, "It's very possible that this little girl was rescued by some organization and deliberately placed under our noses?"

Li Yao shook his head.

You guys don't understand Lin Xiaoxi at all...

She only disrupted someone else's plans by delivering goods, but there was no question of anyone plotting against her.

Because schemes against Lin Xiaoxi often fail inexplicably.

So Li Yao said, "That's not the point. The point is, shouldn't we do something?"

Guo Changshi was somewhat surprised.

The usually irreverent "Han Guang" is actually taking this so seriously...

He had become somewhat accustomed to these things.

Many research institutes recruit volunteers to participate in experiments, and they may even inform participants in advance of any risks involved, providing substantial compensation and benefits. Therefore, even in risky human trials, it is often a matter of mutual consent.

Some overzealous research institutes don't follow this approach.

They directly kidnapped homeless people to use as their experimental subjects.

Or buy them directly from human traffickers.

It's said that human life is precious and priceless, but for some people and organizations, human life might be worth less than a blade of grass. Their value isn't even as much as a civilian's car!

In war-torn regions, in underdeveloped regions, in disaster-stricken regions...

People suffer a great deal of malice in order to survive.

This has almost become an unspoken rule.

That's why China erected barriers to keep many things out... Although China's stability and security are not yet perfect, even at midnight when you walk the streets, what you see is usually a bustling street scene rather than a shocking desolation.

Li Yao asked, "Did you submit your expression for the next challenge?"

Guo Changshi: Not yet.

Li Yao: "Let's make the arrangements."

"Watch Laozi beat them to a pulp!" Guo Changshi nodded.

He was naturally very happy that Han Guang was so motivated! He quickly left to gather information.

But soon, he received bad news— the Life Evolution Institute under the American Faction was completely silent, and the American Federation Department of Homeland Defense and Counterattack Security was also silent.

They seem to be preparing to give up on this challenge.

Guo Dazhaozi was almost going crazy. "We've already shown a bit too much power this time. We even removed your potion booth to hide our shortcomings. And now you're trying to cause trouble at this critical moment?"

The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind!

Don't you understand this principle? Li Yao disagreed.

A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind.

We also need to see what kind of wood it is and what kind of wind it is!

The silence of the Life Evolution Institute American Faction caused a huge uproar at the exhibition, and what happened there was quickly relayed to the headquarters of various organizations.

In today's world where information exchange is becoming increasingly rapid,

The Earth is getting smaller and smaller! Based on the results of this expo, supernatural organizations around the world have their own thoughts.

The rise of China and the retreat of the American Faction foreshadowed a brewing storm. During and after World War II, the American Federation, as an arms dealer, rose rapidly, though it was not yet a true hegemon. North Russia, which had also divided up German scientific achievements, was equally powerful. Unfortunately, they were later defeated for various reasons.

Thus, the American Federation has maintained its dominant position ever since! As a result, they have also been very powerful in the supernatural field, and have been aggressively plundering the confidential resources of organizations around the world.

This has made them increasingly powerful, to the point that they no longer take global organizations seriously.

But they didn't expect that China, right across from them, was also quietly rising—after all, with so many years of foundation and heritage, coupled with the older generation's perseverance and decisive determination to seize opportunities, China has risen with the tide! Now it has become a truly powerful force!

Including the extraordinary side! The difference is that the Chinese seem to be better at dealing with people and understand the principle of "governing with virtue rather than subduing with force".

Li Yao successfully defended his title as the champion.

The Artificer Association and the organizing committee contacted each participating organization to inquire whether they wished to submit a challenge application.

After the first two battles, the participating organizations all understood the terrifying combat power of the warriors armed by the Chinese works... They were both offensive and defensive, and their power was immense!

How can we even challenge them now? Let's just go to bed! They all wisely chose to give up their right to challenge, while the American Faction, for reasons unknown, also gave up their right to challenge.

This means that,

Li Yao has become the champion!

Next up are the awards ceremony and banquet, which will last for several days, but the relevant forces in the American Faction are already preparing to leave...

Third update, a three-in-one chapter! How long is it? How long is it? Do you like it? Hehe~ Hope you all enjoy reading, I'm going to sleep now...