Fusion Warriors

"Yes, City Lord! We will obey Miss Ningguang's orders without question!"

Lu Wu lowered his head respectfully, his face filled with fervor and devotion.

After becoming one of the Golden Guard commanders, he had not only gained the immense power he had once dreamed of, but also a position worthy of respect.

He knew better than anyone that all this glory and achievement had come from Lu Jingming's grace.

Therefore, no matter what orders Lu Jingming gave, even if it meant charging into fire and water, he would carry them out without hesitation.

Lu Wu knew his own worth. He understood perfectly well that the reason he had stood out among so many people, gained the precious opportunity to fuse with the genes of high-level soul beasts, and become a Soul King-level commander was not because of exceptional talent, but solely because of his unwavering loyalty.

The other Golden Guard members understood this as well. After all, for Fusion Warriors, The Great Black Tower's advanced technology and abundant resources were what truly mattered. As for the candidates, anyone with loyalty had a chance.

"Mm. Once the Fusion Warrior technology receives another upgrade, I'll make you the first one to undergo the procedure." Lu Jingming rose slightly onto his toes and gently patted Lu Wu's shoulder, satisfaction showing in his eyes.

These Golden Guards were all capable subordinates he had personally cultivated, and he was deeply gratified by their performance.

Noticing Lu Jingming's movement, Lu Wu quietly bowed slightly, allowing him to reach his shoulder more easily.

Upon hearing Lu Jingming's promise, joy instantly bloomed across his face. His voice trembled with excitement as he said, "Thank you for your favor, City Lord! This subordinate will give his all and swear to protect Miss Ningguang with his life!"

The other Golden Guard members nearby cast envious looks at their commander, their gazes filled with longing.

At the same time, a spark of anticipation ignited in their hearts.

Once the commander completes the procedure, perhaps we'll get a chance to receive enhancements too.

Even if they could not receive the top-tier treatment their commander would, a lesser enhancement would still be something they desperately desired.

"Mm. The same goes for all of you. I have always been fair in rewards and punishments, and I have never been stingy with those who render meritorious service."

Lu Jingming swept his gaze over the other Golden Guard members, skillfully making grand promises.

He was not merely deceiving his subordinates with empty words. If Haiyuan City was to continue growing stronger, the current Golden Guard had to steadily increase their strength.

Moreover, The Great Black Tower's Simulated Universe project had already completed its initial foundational construction, and she had successfully created her own puppet.

With that, allocating part of her attention toward upgrading Fusion Warrior procedure technology would not be difficult.

"We swear to serve the City Lord unto death!"

In an instant, more than a hundred Golden Guards dropped to one knee in perfect unison and shouted fervently.

In their hearts, Lu Jingming was not merely the City Lord who had led them toward strength. He was a godlike existence.

It was Lu Jingming who had transformed them from ordinary people into powerful soul masters, granting them new lives and hope.

Ningguang watched the scene before her with great interest. In particular, seeing Lu Jingming deliberately put on a dignified and imposing air, looking every bit like a little adult, she found it immensely amusing. The corners of her lips curled into a faint, meaningful smile.

Keqing folded her arms across her chest, her eyes carrying both scrutiny and approval.

She carefully assessed these Golden Guards and silently judged them to be loyal, dependable, obedient, and highly disciplined—undoubtedly outstanding and exceptionally qualified subordinates.

In her view, even compared to Liyue's Millelith, these Golden Guards were not inferior in the slightest.

Lu Jingming stood in the open grounds and watched Ningguang and the others board Haiyuan City's only Soul Guidance Flying Warship—the Haiyuan.

At that moment, he held the fluffy pink-haired little fox in his arms and raised a hand to wave vigorously at Zhang Lexuan, Keqing, and the others.

The sea breeze gently brushed past, lifting his hair, yet it could not disperse the faint sorrow of parting in his heart.

Soon, the Haiyuan slowly rose into the sky and gradually accelerated, its massive hull swiftly vanishing into layer upon layer of clouds.

Lu Jingming stared in the direction where the Haiyuan had disappeared, and an inexpressible sense of loss welled up within him.

After all, Zhang Lexuan had been reluctant to part with him, and was he not just as attached to her?

At the thought that he would be unable to see Zhang Lexuan and Jing Liu for the entire coming year, Lu Jingming instantly lost all interest, his mood sinking.

"If you really can't bear to part with them, you can go after them. The Great Black Tower and I are here in Haiyuan City, so there's no problem at all." At some point, Chang Li had silently appeared behind Lu Jingming. Her voice was gentle and soothing, carrying a trace of teasing.

"I am a little reluctant, but it's fine. Isn't Sister Chang Li here with me? Hurry and comfort me, Sister~" Lu Jingming quickly turned toward Chang Li, his face immediately shifting into a mischievous grin.

"Alright!" Chang Li smiled faintly, then gracefully knelt down and lightly patted her long legs wrapped in black stockings.

Lu Jingming's eyes immediately lit up, and the sadness of parting seemed to be flung beyond the clouds in an instant.

With practiced ease, he immediately lay down on Chang Li's lap, looking utterly content.

"Yip yip!" Seeing this, the pink-haired little fox shot Lu Jingming a look of deep disdain. Then, it raised its soft, adorable paw and mercilessly planted it right on his face.

Lu Jingming did not mind in the slightest. Instead, he wrapped both arms around the little fox, buried his face in its fur, and took two deep sniffs, making the little fox struggle frantically in a thoroughly comical manner.

Chang Li quietly watched the warm scene of one person and one fox playing around, a gentle smile gradually appearing on her face as her eyes filled with affection.

"By the way, Sister Chang Li, how have things been going with the Sun Moon Empire lately?" After finally subduing the mischievous little fox, Lu Jingming suddenly seemed to remember something important. He hurriedly looked at Chang Li and asked with a serious expression.

The Great Black Tower was devoted to researching Soul Tools, and that research required a massive amount of Soul Guiding Metal as raw material.

However, within the Original Three Douluo Kingdoms, the reserves of Soul Guiding Metal were extremely scarce. Only the Sun Moon Empire possessed abundant production capable of meeting large-scale demand.

To provide The Great Black Tower with the finest resources and ensure her research progressed smoothly, Lu Jingming had always been actively seeking an opportunity to establish contact with the Sun Moon Empire.

He had learned that underground forces within the Sun Moon Empire had long been smuggling Soul Guiding Metal.

And the group he hoped to contact was one of the more influential underground forces among them.