Chapter 131: The Beast Sea Brain-Machine Key

"Host detected; preparing to generate the Spirit Infusion Liquid formula. Estimated cost: 50,000 Force points and 50,000 Mental Power points. Proceed?"

"Proceed!"

Instantly, the values on the personal information panel scrolled wildly, each decreasing by 50,000. A red popup window appeared in the system, indicating the progress bar for the Spirit Infusion Liquid formula.

Zhang Chu did some quick mental calculations and realized it would take three more days. He immediately had his people send a message: "Tell Fan Tianlei that the item he requested has reached a critical stage. I still need 5,000 9-star Force Pills and 5,000 9-star Spirit Concentration Pills."

Upon hearing that the martial technique was nearing completion, it wasn't just the Martial Arts Administration Bureau that rushed over with 5,000 of each pill. The Armaments Department and the Martial Arts Research Institute each contributed another 2,000, totaling 7,000 Force Pills and 7,000 Spirit Concentration Pills—all of them 9-star.

Zhang Chu was absolutely thrilled. Fortunately, he now possessed the Passive Devour skill, allowing him to absorb the pills without having to swallow them physically.

Ding!

Three days later, just as Zhang Chu finished devouring the last hundred pills, the system’s voice echoed in his mind. Simultaneously, the red popup window appeared, showing the Spirit Infusion Liquid formula progress bar had reached 100%.

"Sister Xueying, tell Director Fan and the others that what they wanted is ready." Zhang Chu dialed Zhang Xueying’s number on his satellite phone.

Fan Tianlei and his companions happened to be right next to Zhang Xueying. Upon hearing the news, they were so excited they nearly died on the spot. "You kid really are a genius! Just wait, we’re coming over right now, and we’ve brought you a big gift!"

Soon after, an armored vehicle sped out from the Martial Arts Administration Bureau. Pedestrians on the road were terrified; this was Director Chen Tianxiang’s personal vehicle, yet it was careening through the streets as if fleeing for its life. The person behind the wheel was none other than Fan Tianlei.

...

At the Binhai safe house, Zhang Chu sat in a steaming hot spring, wearing nothing but swim trunks and sipping red wine. Beside the spring, a stunning woman in a swimsuit was kneading his muscles.

A flurry of chaotic footsteps approached.

"You certainly know how to enjoy yourself, kid." Seeing Zhang Chu relaxing with his eyes closed, looking like a veteran official studying a foreign language, Fan Tianlei teased, "It’s lucky the Armaments Department had business to attend to and Zhang Daoyi didn't come today, otherwise he surely would have torn you to pieces."

Zhang Chu jolted, looking around in a panic. In the distance, Zhang Xueying was hurrying toward them. He quickly dismissed the maid and wrapped himself in a bath towel. "Sister Xueying."

"Save your personal matters for later; let’s talk business first." Fan Tianlei grabbed Zhang Chu by the shoulder and ushered him into the safe house.

Luo Zhidong shot a glance at Zhang Xueying. "Xueying, you’ve been calling Xiaochu frequently these past few days. Did he mention anything about the patent rights for this new martial technique?"

"I forgot to ask." Zhang Xueying suddenly realized she had overlooked a major issue.

Creating a martial technique automatically grants patent rights. Many techniques are developed by practitioners in the Spirit Realm or even higher. Some are released for free, while others are licensed to the Martial Arts Administration or the Research Institute. The technique Zhang Chu developed could revolutionize the traditional training methods of martial artists that had existed for centuries. If he held the patent, Zhang Chu could easily become the wealthiest person on the Spirit Continent.

The licensing issue was the most critical point. Zhang Xueying and Luo Zhidong hurried to catch up. Fan Tianlei was a notorious smooth-talker at the Administration Bureau; if he tricked Zhang Chu into handing over the patent or giving it away for free, it would be a massive loss.

The four of them entered the office. Fan Tianlei couldn't wait any longer. "Kid, can you let us see the technique you’ve compiled?"

"Xiaochu," Luo Zhidong urged as well. They were desperate to see what kind of technique could allow for the unrestricted consumption of pills to boost one's cultivation.

Zhang Chu handed out three identical copies of the already-printed "Spirit Infusion Liquid" formula. "You overestimate me. Compiling a full martial technique in a week is absurd, but this formula is just as effective."

The three of them scanned it quickly, their minds blown. Fan Tianlei, in particular, was stunned. His teacher was an alchemist at the Martial Arts Academy, so he had authority on pill formulas. The efficacy of the Spirit Infusion Liquid shattered his understanding of alchemy.

"Teacher Xiaochu, according to the regulations of the Martial Arts Administration, the patent for the 'Spirit Infusion Liquid' belongs to you. You have the right to transfer, publish, or license it," Zhang Xueying said, looking at Zhang Chu with a smile. The smile of this mature beauty was as sharp as a sword breaking through thousands of armors—lethal.

"If Sister Xueying wants it, then I’ll just give..."

"Old Luo, your Research Institute is being underhanded!"

"No, wait—Xueying, are you representing the Armaments Department or the Research Institute? Either way, you're being underhanded!" Fan Tianlei interrupted before Zhang Chu could finish.

He then launched into a sob story about how he had supported Zhang Chu, how the Bureau had provided pill resources, and boasted of the Bureau's power. Finally, Fan Tianlei made a sky-high offer: 10 billion to buy the patent.

Luo Zhidong immediately countered with 15 billion.

Zhang Chu was completely dumbfounded. *It's this lucrative?*

He realized that holding out for a better price might be even more fun. Before he could speak, Zhang Xueying received a call from Zhang Daoyi: "Xiaochu, you’re my future son-in-law; I won’t let you suffer. The Armaments Department is willing to pay 20 billion, and I will report directly to the higher-ups to get you a position as Deputy Director."

"Old Zhang, why is your Armaments Department horning in? If it’s a contest of wealth, our Bureau isn't afraid!" Fan Tianlei and Zhang Daoyi nearly started a fight over the phone.

Luo Zhidong took the opportunity to lean in and appeal to their bond: "We’re fellow disciples, why are you siding with outsiders?"

The three were arguing incessantly. Zhang Xueying looked at Zhang Chu with a resentful expression.

"That's enough..." Finally, unable to take it anymore, Zhang Chu made the call: "Each of you pays 10 billion for a 10-year license. That’s fair, right?"

Fair! It was more than fair! If this pill were mass-produced—take Binhai, for example, with a population of 3 million and 20,000 registered martial artists—it could generate 10 billion a year. This was practically a steal.

Zhang Daoyi, still on the phone, acted swiftly. Within a minute, a notification appeared on Zhang Chu's phone: "Respected Mr. Zhang Chu, your account has been credited with 10 billion. Current balance: 10.1 billion."

"Don't worry, Xiaochu, the Research Institute’s 10 billion will be in your account within three days," Luo Zhidong promised, patting his chest.

The three parties had secured the licensing for the Spirit Infusion Liquid, which meant they held the sales rights for all 999 cities and prefectures across the Spirit Continent. Most importantly, with this formula, ten years of training would yield the progress that previously took a hundred years. As human martial artists grew stronger, even if the Demon Suppression Tower were to shatter, they would have the strength to fight back.

With the licensing settled, Zhang Chu was free to leave the safe house. However, he still couldn't return to Xishayuan. Under Fan Tianlei’s firm insistence, Zhang Chu was temporarily housed in the guest quarters inside the Martial Arts Administration Bureau.

"Kid, you’ve hit the jackpot." Once inside the quarters, Fan Tianlei took a key card from his storage ring and handed it to Zhang Chu.

"What is this?" Zhang Chu examined the card repeatedly. It was indeed a key card, but this type of outdated junk had been phased out ten years ago. However, seeing the shock in Zhang Xueying’s eyes, Zhang Chu vaguely guessed that this card was no simple object. The Bureau never used trash to bluff people.

"This is the master key to the Brain-Machine Beast Sea."

"Congratulations, kid. You’ve just become the first internal test candidate for the Brain-Machine Beast Sea."