Misfortune Struck Again and Again

For Zuo Denggao, his current options are not many.

If Zuo Teng and Zhang Xuezhou hadn't come to North Rehe, their collaboration with weak gene technology would have put them ahead of the competition, and Zuo Denggao would have inevitably suffered a crushing defeat ten years later.

Even if he inherited some of Zuo Jin's rights and insisted on developing in Western Capital City, engaging in internal Lineage disputes with Zuo Quan, he would inevitably end up empty-handed after a few years, which he could not accept.

As a member of a large Lineage, Zuo Denggao knew very well that if it weren't for recent events that had brought him closer to Zuo Teng, Zuo Teng would have made him leave with nothing after the agreement period ended.

By selling off and transferring the Zuo Household's assets through inheritance rights early on to start anew, he was able to pick up some scraps ahead of time.

The choice is not difficult.

"Zhang Xuezhou, if I bring in equipment, people, and funding, can I also share your blood catalyst?"

"No problem. I happen to need R32 catalyst right now, and you need R32 catalyst too. We have the relevant synthesis formula, so you can push forward the research to lay the foundation."

When Zuo Denggao asked Zhang Xuezhou with some trepidation, Zhang Xuezhou did not refuse at all.

He commissioned a batch of R32 catalysts from the Zhou Household, but Zhang Xuezhou didn't mind Sequence Holder with similar needs joined in, since these catalysts required considerable funds and resources.

"Zuo Denggao, when I collaborated with Zuo Teng..."

Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but mention the agreement he had with Zuo Teng, which made Zuo Denggao nod repeatedly.

One party provides the technology, and the other provides the manpower and resources; this is a fair arrangement.

Zuo Denggao decided to leave immediately. He didn't mind using the Zuo Household's resources. He would relocate the relevant research teams and equipment that Zuo Jin had once managed, even if some were damaged.

This relocation will definitely encounter obstacles, and there are some related procedures that need to be pushed forward. He also needs to face Zuo Quan head-on.

This will inevitably create some opportunities for Zuo Teng to curry favor.

Zuo Denggao calculated back and forth, feeling that he would inevitably end up looking disheveled and most likely have to sign a contract or write a guarantee.

Having received assurances from Zhang Xuezhou, he naturally wanted to solidify the matter by signing a legally binding contract.

Zhang Xuezhou readily agreed, feeling that Zuo Denggao was a truly honest person, completely unlike Zuo Teng, who was always talking big.

"Don't worry, we'll join hands and step into the Seventh Sequence together," Zhang Xuezhou said after signing and stamping the document.

"Then I wish us a very successful collaboration!"

Zuo Denggao had no interest in the Seventh Sequence; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to a godforsaken place like North Rehe to conduct scientific research that relied on past achievements.

He only hoped that he could reach the Fifth Sequence or Sixth Sequence in this lifetime, so that he could get the help of many old acquaintances from Lineage in Western Capital City and return.

"I feel like this contract doesn't involve me at all," Zuo Teng said, glancing at it.

"Hehe!"

"Hey-hey!"

Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Denggao let out cryptic laughter, which made Zuo Teng feel a little down. He felt like he had been ruthlessly ostracized and that he would inevitably be ripped off if he needed to use a catalyst in the future.

But this was all Zuo Teng could do; he was overwhelmed and lacked the resources of Zuo Denggao, and many things could not be delayed any longer.

Only after they pushed Zhang Xuezhou into the Third Sequence would Zhang Xuezhou seek out R33 catalyst technology information.

If Zhang Xuezhou's problem isn't resolved, this matter will likely remain in a vicious cycle, Zuo Teng also lacks the ability to seek out and establish a cooperative relationship with Qimeng Haige.

And then there are the R34 and R35 catalysts; just thinking about it makes Zuo Teng's liver ache.

If Zuo Teng doesn't want to gamble with the Zuo Household's weak gene technology, he needs to push Zhang Xuezhou sequence upwards.

His ascension to the Fifth Sequence and Sixth Sequence was not simply a matter of his own efforts; he also needed to work hard to help Zhang Xuezhou reach the same sequence level.

Zuo Teng looked at Zuo Denggao, who was chuckling, and thought that once this guy had experienced the R32 catalyst, he definitely wouldn't be able to laugh anymore once he figured things out.

"Then I wish you a pleasant cooperation and that everything will be resolved as soon as possible!"

Zuo Teng didn't press the matter too much.

He cupped his hands in congratulations, then gestured for Zuo Denggao to return to Western Capital City as soon as possible to handle his business.

The two cousins arrived in the middle of the night and left again late at night.

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at the signed document, made an electronic version, and casually tossed it back into his study.

"I bet even my older sister never imagined that Zuo Denggao would one day cooperate with us, and that he would be more reliable than anyone else!"

To date, two individuals have collaborated with Zhang Xuezhou and others in a near-unanimous and fully committed manner.

One is Wang Li, who invested all his assets in Flying Entertainment Livestream and related companies; the other is Zuo Denggao, who poured all his wealth and resources into the North Rehe Research Institute.

As long as Zuo Denggao's sequence doesn't hit a bottleneck or regain its position in Western Capital City, Zuo Denggao will wholeheartedly promote the continuous research on catalysts.

Zhang Xuezhou thought about his rather strange Gene Sequence and felt that it was unlikely that his sequence progress would surpass that of Zuo Denggao and Zuo Teng, at least not before the Sixth Sequence.

As long as he follows Zuo Denggao and the others, Zhang Xuezhou will have everything he deserves, and he will even be urged to improve by Zuo Teng and Zuo Denggao.

"That's great! Zuo Teng actually did something decent; he managed to get resources through his words!"

Zhang Xuezhou promoted the sequence in order to conform to the standards of the Scarlet Alliance State, thereby securing a place on the Sequence Committee and making himself appear less out of place.

He rarely relied on his own strength to fight, and he was not as eager to improve his rank as Zuo Teng and others.

He was incredibly patient and able to control the pace when working with these two.

Aside from the first two days after he regained consciousness, Zhang Xuezhou felt that this was his biggest gain during this period.

"Your act of attracting heavenly lightning should also cause a backlash from my luck, making it difficult for me to take the initiative to influence others and gain benefits. I can only passively wait for others to come to me."

Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but estimate Zuo Quan's condition as well.

"Zhang Xuezhou, can your divine grace heal lightning wounds?"

Zhang Xuezhou played with the two jade stones he had obtained from the tomb of Emperor Luo Yan, pondering how to use them, when his communication device rang, and Zhou Tianhao's hurried voice came through.

"Divine grace isn't omnipotent," Zhang Xuezhou said. "And don't spread false information for me; it's impossible for me to treat Zuo Quan's injuries."

"It wasn't Zuo Quan, it was my dad who got struck by lightning. I went out this morning and found him completely charred, lying on the ground soaked in the rain all night!"

"Did your dad get struck by lightning?"

Zhang Xuezhou had initially thought Zhou Tianhao had invited him to treat Zuo Quan, but he hadn't expected that someone would be struck by lightning during last night's thunderstorm.

"Your dad is in good health, he should be fine, right?" Zhang Xuezhou asked doubtfully.

"My dad can be electrocuted without getting hurt, but he's not immune to lightning strikes. My aunt says only your divine grace can help!"

Where's your aunt?

"Ugh... Help... Help!"

Zhou Tianhao paused, and then Zhou Yueyan's retching voice came through the communicator.

"Could it be that Zhou Rihui also took something from Luo Yan's imperial tomb, which led to him being Curse Zuo Quanyun's magic?"

Zhang Xuezhou sighed, then stood up.

He glanced out the window at the still-drizzling rain and felt that the power brought by his technique was strange and difficult to defend against.

If you don't understand the relevant information and take precautions, you won't even know why you died.