"I've always been able to take life and death in stride."
"All my comrades died, the Empire was destroyed, and only I—a ghost who should have died long ago—remained to wander the world."
The girl gave a self-mocking smile. "What's the meaning of life? I don't know."
"To grow stronger and avenge the Zerg disaster?"
"But the Aeon of Propagation is already dead. What's there to avenge?"
Meng Yi spoke meaningfully. "Hatred isn't the meaning of being alive. Instead, it becomes the driving force that pushes you forward."
"If you wish, once you're strong enough, drag that 'Aeon of Propagation' out of the River of Time and kill It over and over again—a thousand times, ten thousand times—to vent your hatred. Crush Its Zerg one by one right in front of It. Deny the meaning of the Breeding Concept's existence at the most fundamental level, and torment It until Its Dao heart completely collapses."
"As long as you're strong enough, you can use your will to establish entirely new rules for the universe and create the perfect true world of your dreams."
"As long as you're strong enough, even reversing the timeline and bringing back those who fell during the Zerg disaster would be no difficult feat."
The girl's eyelids twitched violently as she listened.
It was obvious from the first sentence alone—You really are a Living Yama!
The last two sentences instantly captured all her attention.
"Resurrect the dead, start over, and have nothing but a beautiful world..."
Meng Yi continued, "Moreover, in 'Evolution Paradise,' you can visit many worlds and sample all kinds of delicious pastries."
"Gulp—"
The Silver-Haired Girl swallowed with difficulty.
Oh no, I'm tempted!
The effect of that final sentence was even more enticing to her than distant ideals—empty promises about the future.
"Yes, sir! I understand now. Thank you for guiding me out of my confusion!"
He had done his duty and left without claiming the credit.
Meng Yi waved his hand indifferently, indicating that this was merely a trivial matter not worth mentioning.
At most, he would see whether he had a chance to visit the "Imaginary Tree and Quantum Sea" in the future, capture the Aeon of Erudition, and use Him as a supercomputer. What ulterior motives could he possibly have?
If he became a little more ambitious, snapping off a few branches of the Imaginary Tree and scooping up several buckets of seawater from the Quantum Sea to bring home as "local specialties" wouldn't be excessive, right?
The two left the underground base and boarded an armed helicopter flying to Gentek Corporation. No fewer than twenty armed helicopters escorted them from all sides.
After the "Great Philosopher, Meng Yi" had enlightened—or conned—her, the girl's mental state had improved considerably.
"Sir, someone as cultured as you must have come from a wonderful world, right?"
"..."
Meng Yi shut down emotionally and gritted his teeth. "Wonderful. Of course it's wonderful."
"The people are simple and honest, warm and hospitable, and talents emerge in great numbers. It's known for the custom of 'Warhammer Grand Stage—if you have a trick, come show it.'"
Oh.
How did three positive phrases put together somehow sound so ominous?
The Silver-Haired Girl shrank her neck and gave an awkward smile, suddenly feeling that she had said something she shouldn't have.
"Sir, I'm not good with words. I never went to school and don't know much."
"If I've offended you in any way, I'll apologize in advance!"
Meng Yi shook his head indifferently. "I got used to it a long time ago. There's no need to worry about offending me."
"When I get the chance in the future, Green-skinned Fatty, Blue-haired Fluttering Bird, Blood-armored Madman, Purple Idiot, Dark Mara, The Great Devourer, the Greater Good, Retarded Get Some, Pantheon, Immortal Great Toad, Rule C'tan, Tyranids, Space Undead, Aeldari, False Emperor God-Emperor, T'au, Chaos Great Demon, Ork Race, Daemon Primarch, Mechanicus Cult, Space Aliens..."
"I'll turn every one of those ultimate scum who do nothing but cause trouble all day into specimens and see if they still dare to jump around!"
Wait! C'tan and Tyranids? Why aren't they closer to the front?!
Meng Yi's resentful muttering made the girl suck in a cold breath.
She finally understood what "the people are simple and honest, warm and hospitable, and talents emerge in great numbers" meant.
"Sir, to have survived until now and still be this 'normal'... You really have it tough."
After holding it in for a long while, she finally managed to say something that seemed to praise Meng Yi.
Meng Yi pushed up the frame of his plain, non-prescription glasses and casually asked, "What's your name? Surely you can't just be called AR-26710, right?"
"My name..."
"Firefly. A tiny, fragile glowing insect. When they gather together, their light at night can rival the stars in the sky, like a spark that could set the entire wilderness ablaze with hope."
Having decided on her name—or perhaps her "codename"—the girl casually changed her Player Panel nickname from AR-26710 to "Firefly."
"Understood." Meng Yi gave a slight nod, then closed his eyes to rest.
An apartment building near Gentek Corporation in Manhattan, America.
The armed helicopters landed on the rooftop. The accompanying super soldiers advanced with firearms, clearing the way, and Meng Yi and Firefly soon saw the captured Little A and Dana.
Black Light Virus Alex was pinned to the ground by four super soldiers. Whenever he showed the slightest resistance, they answered with fists and kicks, beating Little A nearly into depression.
"Chairman Bai!"
"We greet Chairman Bai!"
Meng Yi raised a hand halfway, stopping these pointless formalities. He glanced at Alex's Sister Dana, who was curled up and trembling in the corner, then walked to a spot a safe distance away from Black Light Virus Alex.
"Young man, I can tell from your extraordinary bone structure that you're no ordinary person. Would you be interested in working for me?"
At that, Alex spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with broken teeth. "Ptui! The head of an evil organization that researches viruses? Don't even think about making me submit!"
"What did you say?!"
"How dare you!"
"Kid, are you tired of living?!"
"Same here!"
The four Fat Hugging Men flew into a rage and prepared to "force a man into a lock, man on man."
"Oh?"
Meng Yi wasn't angry. He crouched down and said with interest, "Young man, you can't put it that way."
"Without our research, how would the you of today exist?"
"You should have noticed that you're no longer the 'you' you once were."
The hooded man's expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to retort, Meng Yi continued.
"But it doesn't matter. I still recognize your identity as a 'person.' How could humanity be such an inconvenient thing?"
"As long as your 'heart' still considers you a 'person,' no one can deny your species."
Alex's fierce gaze shifted slightly. He was no longer quite so furious or hateful.
"How about you hear my terms?"
"...Go on."
Meng Yi cleared his throat. "First, because of your actions, the Biohazard Crisis that occurred in Manhattan will not be pursued."
"Second, I guarantee the personal safety of you and your sister. No faction will target you."
"Third, Nine Insurances One Fund Thirteen Salaries, weekends off, statutory holidays, housing, a car, and a spouse provided. All expenses and travel fully reimbursed. At least three months of paid vacation every year. An annual salary of no less than ten million dollars, with every raise increasing your salary by at least ten percent."
Meng Yi crouched down, dismissed the four super soldiers, helped Alex up, and brushed the dust from his clothes.
"Young man, I know what you're worried about. I'm nothing like those cold-blooded researchers you know."
"Child, I promise you that I'll use biotechnology to raise humanity's upper limits and cure incurable diseases, not to create meaningless biological weapons. There won't be any more cruel and dangerous 'virus leaks' in the future."
Alex wavered. This guy was offering way too much!
"What proof do I have that you're not lying to me?!"
Meng Yi smiled. "Wait one minute and check your phone messages."
One minute later, Alex's phone indeed received a bank notification regarding a change in his account assets.
[Dear User ***, we have detected a large fund transfer. Our bank invites you to become a prestigious Platinum customer. Your balance is: $10,001,582.]
A six-digit password protected a four-digit fortune. The poor hooded man had never seen so much money in his life.
Alex nearly jumped for joy. He waved his fist and said, "Boss, I'm with you from now on!"
Meng Yi beamed and patted Alex's shoulder in a friendly manner, dispersing the "Psionic Power" he had used to subtly guide the novice Brother A.
Was nonhuman-level "affinity"—Mental Interference—just a joke?
A Brother A from the present couldn't withstand it. Once he evolved to his final stage, perhaps he could.
The martial world wasn't just about fighting and killing. More often, it was about human relationships and worldly wisdom!
Before you continue