Lan Jue's eyes lit up. Yes!
According to her calculations, DreamNet's upgrade should be complete by now. The benefits of upgrading DreamNet were immense, there was no doubt about that.
After the upgrade, DreamNet could integrate Discipline with the mecha. Piloting the mecha was no different than an Adept piloting a mecha.
It was perfect for training, and more realistic than before.
The Wine Master smiled. "The mechas are still being ordered, but DreamNet has already sent in the data. It should be finished in ten days at most.
When that time comes, you can start training your Star Division in DreamNet. "
"Don't!
Star Division isn't mine. "
Lan Jue's voice was irritated. "Some of my students from the National Eastern University's ARC class will be coming. I'll order mechas for them.
When will DreamNet's new simulators be ready? "
The Wine Master nodded. "It's already here. I was going to arrange for them to be at my place, but since you've come to the National Eastern University's West Hill base, I'll have them delivered to you.
I've already spoken to the Gourmet, and he'll help you with the Division. The Pharmacist, you'll have to make the trip yourself.
Those from the Star Alliance are all your subordinates. As for how you use them, that's up to you. "
Lan Jue gave a slight nod. "You've prepared well enough!
It looks like you've been plotting against me for a long time. "
The Wine Master's eyebrows shot up. "Plotting is a skill.
I'll have everyone assembled before the Clairvoyant comes out of seclusion. Once we've seen him for the last time, your training can begin.
Oh.
Right.
So there's enough profit involved.
The thing we're using to lure them to Star Division is the purple vital crystals we got from the aliens. We call them vital crystals. "
Lan Jue's heart skipped a beat. "So you're saying the Keeper and Bookworm have done some research on them?"
The Wine Master nodded. "After being filtered by the Tear of Neptune, the vital energy within the crystals can be injected directly into the human body. There's a beneficial effect there.
This change could stimulate the activation and regeneration of human cells, thus achieving a transformation from the inside out.
In order to prolong a person's life.
We call this process Exuvium.
At present, there were preliminary research results.
You've seen the Bookworm's condition for yourself. The exuvium process was very successful on him, and can extend his life by at least fifty years.
However, there are still some problems with the exuvium technique. We need a lot of experiments to come up with a stable treatment method. "
"One of the more important questions is whether the Exuvium Technique, which uses the Life Crystal as the main body, has anything to do with the energy the human body possesses.
What would happen to Arcanists of different levels under the exuvium technique?
Could the exuvium technique be used on ordinary people?
Only by answering all these questions could he be sure.
However, there is a shortage of Vital Crystals for research. The one you brought back has basically been used up.
If he wanted to purify a pure Life Crystal that could be used for the Exuvium Technique, he would have to do it first.
We'll need a lot of raw stones, the purple crystals found in the alien bodies. "
Lan Jue immediately understood the Wine Master's intentions.
"And then you announced the current situation of the exuvium technique research?"
The Wine Master nodded. "Yes!
If the exuvium technique is successful, it'll be a boon to all of humanity.
But that's only if we have enough vital crystals.
That's why we've decided with the Eastern Alliance's parliament that the research will continue. If it's successful, the first batch of exuvium users will be distributed according to merit. "
Lan Jue looked at him with a deep, penetrating gaze. "Wine Master, you're such a wily old fox!"
The Wine Master's voice was calm. "This decision wasn't made by me alone. It was made by everyone. I'm not the only one who's wily."
Lan Jue sighed. "A promise like that, and it's enough to get so many people to throw their lives away!"
The Wine Master shook his head. "But this promise is real. A human's life is limited, even for Paragons. The only way to do that is if you continue to grow stronger, like your master.
Most Adepts can't reach that level. You only live once, and who doesn't want to live longer?
Exuvium technique can do that. Money is cheap in the face of life.
Fighting to protect the people is an honorable thing to do. The sacrifice is worth the reward.
The Eastern Alliance's parliament has already passed a bill. Until the exuvium technique doesn't satisfy enough people, it will only be used according to merit.
According to our current research, exuvium can extend a person's life by fifty to a hundred years.
And that's without knowing if exuvium technique can be reused. More research will require more vital crystals.
We're already ahead of the curve in this area. The Northern Alliance and Western Alliance have only just begun their research.
But we're all facing the same problem – a lack of vital crystals.
For humanity, the appearance of the aliens isn't a bad thing. "
Lan Jue's heart skipped a beat. She looked at the Wine Master with a different expression. "So with this research, even if the aliens don't come looking for trouble, we'll still have to fight them."
The Wine Master sighed. "Survival of the fittest, survival of the fittest. This isn't just the law of the jungle, it's the law of the universe.
Those that can survive in the end must be the most powerful race. I don't need to say too much, I'm sure you know this. "
Lan Jue nodded. "You're right. Survival of the fittest.
All we can do now is work hard to be the fittest.
Star Division's mission must be to acquire more vital crystals, yes? "
The Wine Master nodded. "Our biggest advantage is that Lyr is part of the Eastern Alliance.
The Tear of Neptune was once called a chicken rib.
That's why the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance don't have much in store.
Parliament has already passed a resolution that the Tear of Neptune cannot be sold as a strategic resource.
However, they've been a little slow. Before that, a few far-sighted financial groups bought some from Lyr.
Among them, the company that acquired the most was your good brother's Poseidon Group. "
"Ali?" Lan Jue asked, surprised.
The Wine Master shook his head. "But overall, we still have the most Tears in our stockpile. When we purify the crystals, we'll lose some of them.
You should know how important exuvium is to the Eastern Alliance. "
Lan Jue nodded. Of course he knew. Exuvium research was ahead of its time, and the Eastern Alliance had the capital to attract more talented people. It was also a huge boon to the Eastern Alliance.
It could reverse the Eastern Alliance's weak position among the three Major Leagues.
"The Northern Alliance is working with the Western Alliance. They want us to open the Tear of Neptune to foreign trade. Parliament is currently discussing it.
I suspect they'll be pressured to compromise, and open it to us with conditions.
Therefore, it is more important for us to obtain more Life Crystals.
We need to speed up our research. "
Lan Jue lifted her left hand, and Thor's contract flashed on her pinkie. A large purple crystal appeared on the table.
The Wine Master paused. "You …"
Lan Jue's voice was low. "On the way to find my father, I ran into a purple creature. It must have been an alien scout or something. I killed it, and got this from its head.
This must be the vital crystal you were talking about. It's similar to the one we brought back from Taihua. "
The Wine Master stared at the crystal in front of him in astonishment. He nodded his head. "Wonderful. With this, our research will speed up.
But it's extremely valuable, and we can't estimate it yet. What kind of compensation do you want? "
Lan Jue shook her head. "No need.
I'm a member of Skyfire Avenue. I just want the exuvium process to be used on the Clairvoyant. "
The Wine Master sighed. "It's not likely.
The Clairvoyant's problem isn't just vitality.
His body is like a funnel, and no amount of life force can sustain it.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have to go through with it.
I'll take this vital crystal. I can promise you that once the exuvium process is complete, you'll be given a few slots for you and your loved ones to use. "
"Alright." Lan Jue didn't hesitate.
The exuvium process's ability to extend one's lifespan was tempting to anyone, and he was no exception. Not to mention, he had a lot of people he needed to take care of.
Extending one's lifespan and strengthening one's vitality would not only allow one to live longer, but it would also allow one to age slower and maintain one's youth.
Zeus's four Maids had always been a knot in his heart. They were dead set on him, but he couldn't share his feelings with them.
If he could use the exuvium process to make up for the loss of their youth, Lan Jue would feel a lot better.
Some of the slots were important.
"I'll take the list with me. I'll go talk to the Pharmacist, and hopefully she'll agree to join Star Division." With the Wine Master's explanation and general direction, Lan Jue felt more assured.
No matter how rebellious the Adepts were, they wouldn't object to the exuvium process. With so much to gain, managing Star Division would be much easier.
His top priority now was to get the Division together, and then begin training as soon as possible.
Once the training began, he'd be able to get a handle on what his Adepts were capable of, and what they were good at.
He'd be able to map out Star Division's future.
It's the end of the month, and if you still have any votes, please give them to Skyfire.
(To be continued …)