Chapter 24: Undertaking Something Major (Extra Chapter for 1,000 Bookmarks)

The boy thought for a moment before speaking. “Here in Xinxiang, if you’re looking for ordinary information, the Blood Council can handle it. Zhong Kui brought you here, which means your requirements are higher and your enemies stronger. The most I can do is supply intelligence—I won’t step in personally.”

Ou Xiaolu nodded firmly. “I understand. At the same time, I’d like you to help me contact some mercenaries, ones like Zhong Kui.”

“That’s no problem,” the boy replied. “These days, they’re all out of magic, yet unwilling to turn to technology. If you can offer something that satisfies them, you can hire as many as you want.”

“Don’t underestimate this kid. He’s got some good stuff,” Zhong Kui chimed in from the side.

“I figured as much, seeing you at his side. But what you use is different from what those old guys use,” the boy shrugged.

“It’s the same,” Ou Xiaolu interjected. As the boy and Zhong Kui spoke, he had already slipped into a time-stop state, calculating his options. He had made up his mind to stir up something big.

As he spoke, Ou Xiaolu produced another vial of mysterious potion. “The previous potion, Zhong Kui said, would get him to act five times. This is four times that amount. See for yourself.”

The boy was visibly startled, quickly taking the potion and touching a drop to his tongue. “Pure spiritual energy—where did you get this? No, don’t tell me. How many people do you need?”

“I found something strange at the Shixi branch campus. I suspect the earth veins there have mutated. I need help—how should I put it? I feel there’s something there I need.”

“Can you describe the situation?”

Ou Xiaolu systematically explained his recent discoveries. The boy listened intently, then pondered. “That’s most likely a corrupted earth vein. Looks like it’s entered the blood-sacrifice phase. If it’s not dealt with, it could swallow the entire Shixi campus. This is a great opportunity. If we manage to destroy the earth vein, we can obtain a lot—count me in.”

“You’re a landowner in Xinxiang. Aren’t you concerned about me extracting the earth vein?” Ou Xiaolu asked curiously.

“Do you know why this land outside is so barren? I drew all the earth vein’s spiritual energy here. Most of it is chaotic in nature—it takes ages to refine, and usually nobody bothers. It’s such a waste. If I had the technology for things like pocket dimensions, I wouldn’t need to do this. The earth vein with intelligence you mentioned must have already organized its attributes, right? If possible, could you spare me a share?”

“I need all of it,” Ou Xiaolu replied resolutely. “It’s crucial for my growth.”

If the boy had been an ordinary Westerner, he would never have understood the meaning behind Ou Xiaolu’s words. But as a bat demon with over a hundred years of history, steeped in Eastern connections, he immediately caught Ou Xiaolu’s drift, guessing at things like earth vein transformation techniques.

The boy deliberated, then finally said, “I understand. I’ll make your requirements clear to them. How many people do you need?”

“Five in total,” Ou Xiaolu replied with certainty, “including myself.”

“No problem.” The boy calculated quickly. “Any other special requirements? If not, I’ll find people according to my usual methods.”

Ou Xiaolu couldn’t very well admit his plan was entirely improvised. He shook his head. “I don’t know much. I just suspect there might be a powerful spirit entity. Beyond that, I have no clue. It’s best to find people experienced with earth veins. Also, aren’t you the landowner here? If something happens at Shixi campus, can you keep things under control?”

“Absolutely,” the boy replied confidently. “Given enough time, I could even clear out everyone at Shixi campus.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Ou Xiaolu shook his head. “We’ll likely fight in the earth vein’s space.”

“All right, count me in. Zhong Kui, are you coming?” the boy said, turning to Zhong Kui.

“I took his potion yesterday. Even if you didn’t ask, I’d go. Of course, that potion counts as my share,” Zhong Kui replied, shrewd as ever.

“Fine, I’ll call two more people. Wait a moment,” the boy said, heading toward another door in the research lab.

With the boy gone, Ou Xiaolu found himself bored and began to survey the research institute. With a glance, he realized over eighty percent of the instruments were completely unfamiliar to him—the remaining twenty percent he’d only seen on television, never operated himself. Most importantly, even if Ou Xiaolu hadn’t been injured, successfully taken the college entrance exam, and dutifully attended university for four years, he still wouldn’t have used such equipment. In terms of wealth, he could perhaps catch up to the rich, but technologically, he was truly out of reach.

While Ou Xiaolu lamented the gap between himself and the wealthy, the boy returned, brimming with excitement. “All contacts are made. When do we strike?”

“When will they arrive?” Ou Xiaolu asked in surprise. How could it be so fast—barely a moment passed and the contacts were already made? Even flying here wouldn’t be so quick.

“One’s already here, the other will be in a moment,” the boy said proudly.

Ou Xiaolu was perplexed, but before he could ask, staff from the institute wheeled out a figure soaked in liquid from a nearby room.

Seeing Ou Xiaolu’s astonished expression, the boy declared with pride, “A clone I made—not bad, right?”

Ou Xiaolu was dumbfounded. “Technology has already reached this level?”

“Not quite,” the boy shot Ou Xiaolu a glance. “I wish it had. My own corpse is still around. If I could clone my body, I’d resurrect myself. But these clones only last three days—it’s hopeless, really.”

“You’re not saying the one who’s already here is this guy, are you?” Ou Xiaolu pointed to the clone.

“You guessed right. Don’t worry, clones only last three days, but they’re sufficient as vessels for divine descent.”

“Divine descent? Angelic manifestation?” Ou Xiaolu immediately thought of a Western religious legend.

“Uh…” the boy said, somewhat resigned. “You might be disappointed. Wait a moment. Disciple bows to the thirty-three heavens above. Disciple humbly invokes the three teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. I am the Divine Lord Erlang from Guanjiangkou.”

When the boy finished reciting, the clone’s brow split open, and a third eye appeared unexpectedly in the center of his forehead. Although the eye closed almost immediately, Ou Xiaolu noticed it. He asked, somewhat speechless, “So this is what you mean by inviting a deity?”

The boy did not reply. At that moment, the clone soaking in liquid finally opened his eyes and nodded to the boy.