Martial Hall Master's Invitation

Can one achieve a breakthrough in battle even after their core is shattered?

Even the two young experts, Sun Jidao and Wu Cai, were somewhat bewildered.

It should be noted that even these outstanding young talents from the Heavenly Gate are only at the Mid Golden Core.

These two are at least ten years older than Hu Mang on average.

Moreover, as "experts in their research fields," they have enjoyed Heavenly Gate's "Five Virtues Subsidy," a special subsidy for young geniuses in a particular field.

Without the "Five Virtues Subsidy," it would take them at least another ten years to break through to the Mid Golden Core.

"No, it shouldn't be related to the shattered core."

Sun Jidao retrieved Hu Mang's various physical and spiritual data.

"Boss Hu's various stats had already reached the Golden Core standard before he formed his core. Then, with the various pills, tonics, and the breakthrough in his cultivation level brought about by the shattering of his core, there were no drastic changes in his numerical values; rather, it was a natural progression."

Sun Jidao pointed to the various data showing that the Hu Mang's steady rise had indeed surpassed the level of the Mid Golden Core.

Wu Cai also let out a breath; his back was damp with sweat.

I haven't done such a thrilling experiment in a long time.

"Even if it doesn't raise one's cultivation level, the groundbreaking nature of this research is unparalleled."

Sun Jidao's eyes lit up.

"Whether it's temporarily implanting a 'spiritual energy source' and then releasing it into the Golden Core, or breaking the Golden Core after it has been formed, Lao Wu, do you know what this means?"

"This means that all the aftereffects, foundational damage, and even terminal illnesses related to the Golden Core can now be treated with a second course of treatment."

"The Golden Core transformation technology will usher in a new breakthrough."

"Customized Golden Core Elixir services are expected to see another surge in prices."

"Research on drugs related to the Golden Core will see an explosive increase in results."

"Our top-tier papers are in the works."

Sun Jidao and Wu Cai a glance, their eyes burning even more intensely.

Those at the Golden Core Realm might be able to publish research papers at the "Nascent Soul level".

Sun Jidao lured Wu Cai to Java, this godforsaken place, for this very reason.

"It also means our boss is going to make a fortune."

Sun Jidao continued.

"It seems the time it will take the boss longer than expected to recoup the costs of the pilot project."

Hu Mang was naturally unaware of the thoughts of these two henchmen; he was currently digesting the results of his Mid Golden Core.

His expression held a hint of regret amidst his satisfaction.

The purity, smoothness, and precision of the Mid Golden Core cultivator's Law Power all exceeded his expectations.

After a while, the Hu Mang opened its eyes.

A delicate fragrance wafted over.

"What's this smell? It's a bit like the fragrance of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. So, after breaking down and forming so many pills, I've become a 'rare and precious herb' myself?"

Man-made heavenly materials and earthly treasures?

Hu Mang flew directly out of the Artificial Lightning Tribulation Tower. After landing, his assistant, Little Zhang, handed him the newly released data.

"An 83-fold increase in Law Power compared to the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Hu Mang didn't even look up.

Does this include my cultivation level increase Mid Golden Core?

"Include."

"So, does that mean I've broken through the limitations of perfect Core Formation?"

"No, boss."

Little Zhang opened the documents, pointing to the point in time when the Hu Mang had not yet broken through, and the various test data at that point in time.

Hu Mang only looked at the key data.

47 times.

"Just a little bit more."

"Tell me, what exactly is the difference between a perfect Core Formation and a high-quality Core Formation, besides the Innate Qi!"

Hu Mang pushed open the laboratory door and went straight to the point.

Sun Jidao paused for a moment, thought carefully, and said, "There is a theory that perfect core formation allows one to have a fortuitous opportunity to enter the Dao, professionally known as 'Innate Dao Opportunity,' which is why one has Innate Qi within their body."

Entering the Innate Dao Opportunity, is it the innate fortuitous opportunity to comprehend the Great Dao?

"However, because there is very little data on perfect Core Formation, especially the perfect Core Formation through the Five Virtues, which involves borrowing external forces, even if there is an opportunity to enter the Dao, it is very difficult to seize it. Therefore, the truth of this statement cannot be determined unless someone who has perfectly formed their Core without the help of external forces says it himself."

"I understand, I'll make a call and ask."

"..."

You actually know this kind of person!?

A moment later, Hu Mang hung up the phone expressionlessly.

"You're right, there is such a thing as Innate Dao Opportunity."

"So, boss, what did your friend learn during his journey to enlightenment?" Wu Cai asked eagerly.

"I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you!" Hu Mang rolled his eyes.

How could I tell such a secret as the Corpse Liberation Sword to a second person?

Sun Jidao coughed lightly, changing the subject, and said:

"Boss, we might be rich this time!"

"Really?"

Hu Mang immediately perked up and said.

Although Hu Mang wasn't a professional, he was still a behind-the-scenes financier, so he naturally knew that this kind of cutting-edge spiritual investment was the kind of money that would go down the drain.

Putting aside other things, just look at the resume of this fellow Wu Cai. As a genius doctor, he started researching new drugs right after graduation, and it took him eight years to bring a new drug called Golden Core to market. This is already an extremely successful drug development.

Hu Mang had already prepared himself for the possibility that he might not be able to recoup his investment for eight to ten years.

At worst, I'll just treat it as a paid training session.

Is it really possible to recoup the investment so quickly?

When Sun Jidao explained the situation, Hu Mang immediately realized that his chance to make a fortune had arrived.

However, he quickly realized what was happening.

"Although it seems like there are many opportunities, we probably don't have many."

Putting aside other things, some of the large pharmaceutical companies in Heavenly Gate have pharmacists at the Nascent Soul level overseeing their operations.

Once we find a source of spiritual energy to replace the "Essence and Essence Flowers," then no matter what we fight for, we won't be able to win.

"Yes, that's right. If it were just about fame, Lao Wu and I could easily turn this data into a paper and publish it in a Heavenly Gate journal. We'd achieve fame and fortune, and the boss would benefit the public."

"..."

Thank you.

"So boss, if we want to gain a foothold in the market, we need to abandon the route of exclusive patents and independent drug development, and instead adopt patent sharing and joint development. We provide the ideas and patents, and others provide the talent and expertise."

Wu Cai, who has experience in this area, spoke fluently.

"Once a paper on this topic is published, it will, at the very least, trigger a new wave in the drug development industry."

"But in my view, we only have two opportunities: first, patented new drugs or Law Artifact artifacts in the 'spiritual energy source' direction; second, cooperation in the area of customized Golden Core Elixir services."

"In these two aspects, we have two unparalleled advantages."

"Firstly, with the data and information you provided, boss, we can make advance plans and use relevant patents and information to invest in the new drug R&D projects of large pharmaceutical companies."

"Don't forget, this is overseas. The 'experimental data' we can obtain isn't so easy to get in Heavenly Gate."

To put it bluntly, human lives are worthless overseas.

Upon hearing this, both Hu Mang and Sun Jidao nodded in agreement; it was the truth.

After all, even the Hu Mang itself became a test subject.

"The second area is cooperation in the field of customized Golden Core services, whether it's Golden Core Reshaping or Golden Core transformation, which may have even greater business opportunities than the former."

After all, new drugs still need to undergo various clinical tests, but there are already mature technologies for this kind of "customized Golden Core" and "modified Golden Core".

As long as Hu Mang pulls out the data on "Shattered Pill Reconstruction" and "Essence and Yuan Flowers," any sect in the relevant field will definitely take the bait.

Hu Mang's heart skipped a beat, and he took out a "black card." Was it Chengdan Spiritual Enterprise?

The three discussed the matter for another day and decided to split up and act separately.

One was in charge of "patents," and the other was in charge of "modification."

Wu Cai was responsible for integrating experimental data and registering patents.

Sun Jidao is in charge of "cultivator transformation". To persuade those new sects and listed spiritual enterprises, Hu Mang's Golden Core alone is not enough.

Following the same procedure, it would be possible to produce a batch of Golden Core.

This requires "test subjects".

Zheng Family Garden may not have much else, but it certainly has a lot of daredevils who are willing to risk their lives.

Coincidentally, Hu Mang claimed to be quite familiar with these desperate criminals.

Soon, under the secret arrangements of the Martial Hall Master, one after another desperate outlaws at least in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage received invitations and arrived at the basement of Zheng Family Garden.

As the iron gate to the basement opened, the invited fugitives stepped into the underground space of the experimental building one after another, as if entering the open throat of a giant beast.

The first person to walk in was a bald, burly man Basong.

A black eagle with outstretched wings is tattooed on the top of his head, its eyes facing his brow, slightly contorting with the twitching of his facial muscles, as if the eagle might swoop down from his scalp at any moment to peck at him.

He was shirtless, his bronze skin covered with crisscrossing scars—knife wounds, bites, burns, and some circular scars that looked as if they had been corroded by acidic liquid, their origins indistinguishable.

Around his neck hung a necklace made of wild animal teeth and human finger bones, which made a dull clattering sound with his steps.

His gaze was gloomy and fierce, like an old wolf that had been caged for too long. After entering the basement, he quickly scanned the entire space, confirming the location of every exit and every potential threat, before crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, waiting silently.

Following closely behind was a thin woman named Naimi. She looked to be in her early thirties, with dark skin and a wiry build. She wore a black, tight-fitting vest and tattered camouflage pants, and had two curved short knives at her waist, the handles of which had been polished to a shine.

Her hair was cut very short, almost touching her scalp. She had a brass ring hanging from her left ear, and a long scar on her right cheek that ran diagonally from the corner of her eye to her jaw.

There were several more relatively unfamiliar faces and figures.

Without exception, they all exuded a fierce and menacing aura.

Next up were familiar faces from Zheng Family Garden: Fatty Liu, Zhou Shenzhi, Xiao Wu...