The Arrogance of a Pawn, Gao Linzhi's Warning

The other party replied, "Of course."

"As long as thirty minutes have passed, the projection can be withdrawn at any time and awaited the next activation."

Zhang Mingzhen immediately understood. "You're planning to save this for the next Territory War, aren't you?"

"After all, how could a chamber of commerce like yours miss out on the profits of an entire city?"

"But how do you know the exact power of my projection? Don't try to outsmart me."

"You're too modest."

"We have long heard of your heroic feat of defending a city single-handedly."

"Since we are willing to do business with you, it's because we trust your capabilities."

"Whatever the outcome, we will bear it ourselves."

Chongxing felt that the other party was probably hiding some secrets, but he didn't care too much.

As long as they don't cause trouble for his Undersea Dragon Palace, it's none of his business which city they fight over.

"Transaction complete, I'm leaving."

"It was a pleasure working with you. I look forward to the next opportunity!" the Mysterious Man replied with a smile.

That old fox is definitely hiding something from him!

Zhang Mingzhen displeased and wished he could kick the other person to death, but he couldn't do that.

So he turned around and left.

Only after confirming that Chongxing had left did the Mysterious Man dare to take out the Shadow Replica Stone again.

His earlier statement that he couldn't demonstrate it wasn't just to save time—it was also to conceal some of the prop's secrets.

"Father, this deal was incredibly profitable."

"I never expected that Chongxing's strength would be able to unleash the highest level of projection power."

Changfeng gazed at the flowing golden patterns on the stone surface, his smile barely concealed.

When they obtained this stone, they not only knew its apparent use, but also learned that it originated from a unique Demon Race technique called "Shadow Demon"; it could not only replicate the player's combat attributes, but also determine the projection level through the replicated performance.

After the replica is completed, different colored patterns will appear on the stone surface, arranged from low to high in white, blue, purple, red, and gold.

Normally, the colors are mainly blue and purple; it is rare to see red.

They had only hoped that red patterns would appear, proving that the projection was powerful enough.

Unexpectedly, Chongxing's abilities were so extraordinary that he directly turned the patterns into gold!

It's important to know that once the patterns on the Shadow Replica Stone reach a golden color, the projection can surpass 80% of the original replicated attributes, unleashing its full power!

"This matter must be kept strictly secret! It should only be known to the two of us! Don't even tell your brother; he's naive, and if he accidentally reveals it to Chongxing, it could cause unforeseen complications."

The only Mysterious Man completely trusted was his eldest son; his abilities and words were trustworthy.

"Understood, Father."

Returning to the District 3 Chongxing, we once again headed to the vicinity of the Undersea Dragon Palace to clear out the monsters.

The gift packs previously given by the Starlight Merchant Guild included items like Double Experience Pill. Where did they get these supplies from?

He did find himself somewhat curious.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped into the area of the Undersea Dragon Palace, he felt a faint pulling force.

He had experienced a similar sense of attraction with Flower Spirit and Wildsea Candle Dragon, but he did not summon any other servants at this moment.

Whenever Flower Spirit logs on, he habitually sends her out to farm monsters in the wild. She's so far away that he shouldn't be able to sense her so clearly.

This is...

Feeling the subtle pulling force within his body, Zhang Mingzhen wanted to immediately trace its source, but the effects of the Double Experience Pill were still circulating, and it would be a waste to interrupt it at this moment.

He had no choice but to suppress his urge to explore, and instead focused on fighting monsters while waiting for the effects of the medicine to wear off naturally.

The effects of the medicine finally wore off, and without hesitation, he followed the inexplicable feeling and eventually arrived once again at the majestic gates of the Undersea Dragon Palace.

"Is this the city?" he wondered to himself. "I didn't have this strange feeling last time I came... What exactly is hidden deep within this Dragon Palace?"

He was about to inform the guards at the gate that he wished to see the city lord when the heavy palace gates slowly opened first.

City Lord Shius had already appeared behind the door, a knowing smile on his face, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Excellency, what a coincidence!" Shius greeted him warmly, his voice booming. "I was just about to send someone to find you, but I didn't expect you to come in person. We were just thinking the same thing!"

Zhang Mingzhen's gaze narrowed slightly. "It seems the city lord knows why I've come?"

"It's not convenient to discuss this in detail here."

Shius stepped aside to lead the way, lowering his voice mysteriously, "Please come with me, I have something... that you will surely be interested in."

"Please come this way, and I will reveal the answer to you shortly."

As Zhang Mingzhen followed Shius into the magnificent main hall of the city lord's mansion, his gaze was immediately drawn to the small red figure in the hall.

It was a child who looked to be only five or six years old, with skin as white as snow.

A pair of azure eyes, like deep-sea gems, and the faint red scales on her cheeks, along with the silent resonance and invisible connection between them, like a rope, instantly made him realize the truth.

"They're actually new members of the Tide Clan..." He was shocked.

According to known tradition, the Holy Relic of this race must reach a 90% assimilation rate before they can potentially give birth to new life. Why has this individual appeared prematurely?

Is it due to the special environment of the Dragon Palace? His thoughts stirred slightly, and system information appeared:

[Lan Yue (Immature Form): Holy Maiden of the Tide Clan.]

She's the new Holy Maiden? That's an unexpected bonus.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Zhang Mingzhen's eyes, meaning that his process of accumulating "Spirit Core" could be accelerated.

"Very good," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, "As the Holy Maiden of the Tides, you should know the connection between us."

"The Jade Coral Conch belongs to me, and your people also serve me; it is your duty to continuously produce Spirit Core."

His words made the little girl, Lan Yue, instinctively shrink back. The natural constraints stemming from her racial affiliation prevented her from having any thoughts of resistance, leaving only deep fear.

"Wait a minute, Lord Brave!"

Shius quickly interjected, his tone earnest, "There's more to this than meets the eye. Lan Yue's early awakening is actually due to the influence of my Fish-Dragon Clan."

"Back then, I used the spiritual power of Holy Relic to complete my transformation, and a trace of tidal energy remained within me."

"The unique spiritual energy environment within the Dragon Palace unexpectedly accelerated her gestation process, which led to her premature birth."

"So?" Zhang Mingzhen turned to Shius, his tone indifferent.

Shius forced a smile and explained, "Because she awakened prematurely, Lan Yue is far from reaching a mature state. Normally, she wouldn't be able to condense her Spirit Core."

Zhang Mingzhen ignored Shius and fixed his gaze on Lan Yue again. "Is what he said true? You can't give me the Spirit Core right now?"

Lan Yue trembled slightly under his gaze; racial constraints made it impossible for her to deceive him. "I... I can do it."

"But... but that would require me to overdraw my life force."

"Our race can only naturally develop Spirit Core after reaching adulthood."

"As a saintess, although I can forcibly condense [the power/force], the price is the depletion of my own lifespan..."

Despite being grateful for Grandpa Shius's attempt to protect her, she couldn't lie to the ruler before her.

"It's alright," Zhang Mingzhen replied coldly and directly, "I need Spirit Core, the more the better. Let's get started as soon as possible."

To him, the Jade Coral Conch was a spoil of war won in a life-or-death struggle against the abyss monsters, and the Tide Clan was merely a tool for producing the resources he needed.

Sympathy and guilt were never among his considerations.

Gao Linzhi frowned slightly, then shook his head.

Indeed, power can corrupt the human heart.

Zhang Mingzhen initially possessed the basic moral compass and kindness of a normal urban human being.

Now, as his strength grows, he has become a figure of power, starting to resemble a ruthless and tyrannical ruler.

This is reality.

No piece can be manipulated in a predictable manner.

"Wait a minute! Hero, how about we make a deal?"

Seeing that Zhang Mingzhen remained unmoved, City Lord Shius hurriedly stepped forward, holding out a Liu Guang pearl in his hand. "This is another 'Dragon-Eye Spirit Pearl,' a treasure of my Fish-Dragon Clan. It will be of great use to you."

"I am willing to exchange this pearl, along with other rare treasures from the Dragon Palace, for ownership of the Jade Coral Conch. I humbly request your consideration!"

Lan Yue, who was standing to the side, also raised her small face, her bright blue eyes brimming with intense hope.

She would naturally yearn to avoid a fate that depletes her life force.

Zhang Mingzhen frowned slightly.

These two guys have a good plan, but Xi He had already said that the improvement of Life Level is something that ordinary treasures can't achieve;

The only path she knew was "Spirit Core," and besides, this was the easiest opportunity for him to succeed.

The price he would have to pay was merely the lives of some Azurewave Clan; he was not foolish.

"No need. If you want the Dragon-Eye Spirit Pearl back now, I can return it to you immediately. Our deal is off."

Even if he had to give up the upgrade now and could never set foot on the Mechanism Island again, he absolutely could not lose the Jade Coral Conch.

"Fine, fine... Since you insist on this, you've forced me to this point..."

Shius's face turned ashen. The sacred power of the Azurewave Clan flowed through his body, and he was, in essence, a branch of the Azurewave Clan, connected to Lan Yue by blood. How could he stand by and watch her sacrifice herself!

He was determined to fight this human to the death!

"No! Grandpa Shius!" The memories of the Azurewave Clan's heritage surfaced in Lan Yue's mind. She vaguely remembered that this human's strength was unfathomable, and he could even defeat demons far beyond the realm of reason!

"Lan Yue, step back!"

Seeing that Shius had switched from neutral to hostile, and a faint red aura emanating from his body, Zhang Mingzhen realized that he could now attack him.

"Shius (Level 100) Physique (Berserk Mode), Strength 6296... HP: 2 million..."

"Water Heal: Use water-based magic to restore your own health..."

Zhang Mingzhen couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Is the HP of a level 100 character really that huge?"

After entering Berserk mode, my physique is enhanced, and my health bar becomes incredibly thick. I wonder if I'll have two million health when I reach level 100.

Ignoring Lan Yue's attempts to stop him, Shius launched a magical attack on him.

As a member of the Fish-Dragon Clan, their skills are mostly water-based spells. Although the damage is not extremely high, they possess extremely strong healing abilities, making them seem like Priest class in another sense.

"Very well, I also think that Dragon-Eye Spirit Pearl suits my taste perfectly."

"Since you want to terminate the previous transaction, why not just take it over?"

Before the words were even finished, a series of heavy blows crashed down, followed by bursts of Spirit Strike and Ling Yue, unleashing critical damage!

Zhang Mingzhen was already adept at dealing with this type of Priest- type opponent; he only needed to interrupt their healing spells to take control of the situation.

He constantly disrupted Shius's healing abilities with Eagle Strike and Vine; once he restricted the opponent's movement, he could stop him from regenerating health.

Despite Shius's high defense, his health continued to drop under the relentless barrage of critical hits and combos!

With victory seemingly within her grasp, Lan Yue was frantic with worry—she absolutely could not accept that Grandpa Shius would die!

"Stop! Master, please spare Grandpa Shius! I am willing to endlessly gather Spirit Core for you, without uttering a single complaint! Please!"

Seeing that Zhang Mingzhen didn't respond to her pleas, Lan Yue hurriedly spoke again:

"I know a way to accelerate the Azurewave Clan's reproduction!"

"Oh?"

These words surprised Zhang Mingzhen somewhat.

And at this time...

Gao Linzhi was also tired of seeing it.

Wouldn't this be considered a petty person getting their way?

He immediately took action, Zhang Mingzhen's innate talent, "Yin Yang Messenger," began to darken slightly.

This is a sign of relegation.

Even after Gao Linzhi became powerful and gained partial access to the Skyfall Game System, he never abused his power or arbitrarily seized the power of others.

At least he has a bottom line.

Because he understands very well that, throughout history, people who seem to have no bottom line may have a good time for a while, but they will never have the last laugh.

Just like Sima Yi, his descendants bore the consequences of his own sins.

Zhang Mingzhen immediately noticed the change in his talent.

"Because of your forced interference with the order, your Yin Yang Messenger talent will be downgraded. After the downgrade, you will lose the double amplification effect."

He was immediately terrified.

Furthermore, Xi He never mentioned any other way to accelerate the gestation of life; she only said that once the assimilation rate reached 90%, the Jade Coral Conch would gestate on its own.

Faced with this two-pronged approach, he had no choice but to stop what he was doing. "What method? If you dare to deceive me, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it."

"I dare not... Lan Yue does know a way to rapidly increase the number of her people, but it requires external nourishment."

As she spoke, Lan Yue rushed to Shius's side to heal his wounds.

Shius dared not provoke him any further and silently began to recover his health.

As NPCs, they have no resurrection array to rely on, nor can they regenerate indefinitely like dungeon bosses. Once they die, they will completely disappear from this God's Domain.

"What do you need? It can't be some vague, unheard-of thing, can it?" Zhang Mingzhen warned coldly.

That's not the case.

"From the inherited memories, I learned of a demonic creature called the 'Crimson Blood Jiao,' whose heart's blood can activate our clan's Holy Relic and accelerate the gestation of life."

"Then why didn't Xi He tell me back then?"

Lan Yue understood that Xi He was the previous Holy Maiden and could guess her concerns.

"To be honest, although the blood of the Crimson Blood Jiao can activate the power of Holy Relic, it will also cause serious damage to the Holy Relic themselves and shorten their lifespan. For our race, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages."