Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the question mark and sent another message: "It means exactly what it says. I can take a look at your leg. If you trust me, give it a try."

After sending it, he saw a bright red exclamation mark.

Bai Xiaoyu rubbed his forehead. This person was very sensitive about not being able to stand due to his leg condition. Now, with such a sudden message, based on their knowledge of the original owner's strength, they might think he was mocking or provoking them?

Bai Xiaoyu put this aside for now. He carried Xiaodian (Little One) and led Dahai (Big Black Egg) towards the military base inside the Herb Base.

Along the way, he kept observing Dahai, unable to resist touching him.

Dahai nudged Bai Xiaoyu and continued following him.

Lou Hao walked on the other side of Bai Xiaoyu. His emotions had not yet calmed down; those were the soldiers of the Sixteenth Legion. He had previously applied to join the Sixteenth Legion but was unsuccessful. Back then, he didn't understand the sinister intentions of the Huang family. Now, he suspected they had intercepted his application.

Now that he could finally interact closely with the soldiers of the Sixteenth Legion, he felt an inexplicable heaviness in his heart.

Lou Hao: "Boss, should we let them rest first after settling them into the military base?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "They do need rest, but some injuries are better treated sooner rather than later. Otherwise, they won't be able to rest properly with these wounds."

The newly arrived soldiers were stunned by the construction of this small base.

Before coming here, they had no expectations, as not everyone would be willing to accept a group of injured soldiers. Even though their strength had diminished, their past abilities were still sufficient to ensure the safety of the Herb Base.

If they had biomechanical limbs, they could perform their duties more reliably. Given their current state—missing limbs—the owner of the base had already been kind enough not to send them away.

Now, they saw a familiar yet unfamiliar, unexpected small base.

Inside, there was a mech training field, a combat arena, a mental strength training room, a physical fitness room, a medical room, a cafeteria, and more. It was clear that this was recently built, only partially completed.

Even with just part of it finished, it was evident how much effort had been put into it.

What moved them even more was that the layout was similar to their previous legion. It felt like they had returned to the place where they had lived for years, filled with memories.

Bai Xiaoyu had considered the soldiers' emotional sensitivity during their transition from active duty due to injuries. To help them integrate better, he asked Su Ran for a rough layout of the Sixteenth Legion's living and training areas.

Seeing the facilities and comfortable accommodations, their initial unease faded, and the soldiers' faces showed expressions of both tears and smiles. Some even hugged each other, and as they hugged, they began teasing their teammates, leading many to make plans to spar in the combat arena.

When Bai Xiaoyu arrived and saw the soldiers regaining their vitality, he smiled slightly. Dahai also perked up, bouncing a few times, no longer as dejected as before.

Bai Xiaoyu's arrival made everyone stand up straight, saluting with their chests out. The leader, somewhat nervously, spoke, "Hello, sir. Is there something you need?"

Bai Xiaoyu tried to keep his tone gentle, "You don't have to be so formal. From today onwards, this place will be managed by you. You can treat it like the Sixteenth Legion. Don't call me sir; call me boss, just like Ling Ying and Chen Kai."

The leader, Cui Zhanpeng, hearing the names of his former comrades, showed a hint of joy. Seeing all the preparations Bai Xiaoyu had made, he was filled with gratitude, "Understood, boss."

Bai Xiaoyu smiled, "They'll be back soon. You can catch up. They know this place well, so you can exchange ideas. By the way, line up according to your injuries, and I'll check you one by one."

Cui Zhanpeng was delighted, "I'll arrange it right away."

Not long after Cui Zhanpeng left, Ling Ying and Chen Kai arrived, bringing a batch of potions, including repair potions, cultivation liquids, nourishing potions, and bone-washing potions.

These were prepared by Bai Xiaoyu based on Ling Ying and Chen Kai's conditions for the wounded soldiers.

Cui Zhanpeng worked quickly, and within five minutes, all the soldiers stood orderly in front of Bai Xiaoyu. Compared to their initial meeting, their moods had improved significantly, and their gazes toward Bai Xiaoyu held new meaning.

Cui Zhanpeng and his old comrades greeted each other with punches on the shoulder.

Cui Zhanpeng stumbled, shocked at how Ling Ying and Chen Kai remained unmoved by his punch.

He and Ling Ying had similar physiques, and Ling Ying's injuries were no less severe than his own. How could Ling Ying feel stronger than during his peak?

More importantly, Ling Ying's overall condition was excellent, completely different from someone recovering from severe injuries and years of combat.

Ling Ying gave him a mysterious smile, "You'll see soon."

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the soldiers and said, "Don't resist. I'll use my mental power to check your injuries."

The soldiers responded in unison, "Understood."

Bai Xiaoyu's examination went smoothly. These soldiers were well-trained and, despite their instinctive resistance to external mental power, managed to control themselves, showing strong discipline.

With over a thousand people, Bai Xiaoyu took less than half an hour, thanks to his powerful mental strength and the soldiers' cooperation.

Bai Xiaoyu quickly identified over thirty severely injured soldiers and focused on them. For the others, Ling Ying and Chen Kai distributed the potions. Each received two bottles of cultivation liquid to replenish energy and one bottle each of the other potions, totaling five bottles.

The soldiers stared at the potions in their hands, stunned.

Weren't these the most popular potions in the legion over the past few months? However, they were extremely limited, mostly given to those on the front lines. Even then, few had access to them. With so many people in the legion and so few potions, some had received only one bottle to save their lives.

Later, when they returned, the legion provided them with these potions to heal their wounds.

But since they couldn't return to the battlefield, more frontline comrades needed these potions, so they didn't take any.

Now, receiving five bottles at once, could this really be happening?

Bai Xiaoyu: "These potions can heal your bodies and treat your hidden injuries. Just a reminder, the bone-washing potion will be painful, so you must endure it. Start with the cultivation liquid to replenish energy; if needed, use two bottles. Then use the repair potion, followed by the bone-washing potion after half an hour, and finally the nourishing potion. You can start using them now, and I'll watch."

The soldiers, who had been following orders, hesitated. Cui Zhanpeng, holding the potions, looked at Bai Xiaoyu, his eyes slightly red, "We have many comrades still on the battlefield who need these potions more. Can we give these to them instead?"

Bai Xiaoyu sighed and pointed to the vast Herb Base under development, "This is a newly established Herb Base. The herbs for these potions will be grown here. Once the herbs are cultivated, millions of potions can be produced for them. Currently, the defense here is weak, and many potions haven't been publicly announced. In the future, these potions will gain fame, and if you can defend this place, you can continuously provide potions to your comrades. If you can't defend it... I don't know what kind of opponents you'll face. Do you think you're currently capable of defending this vast Herb Base?"

The soldiers paused, their eyes gradually becoming determined. They all drank the potions as instructed, their eyes red.

Bai Xiaoyu watched them with satisfaction. This was right; the body is the capital of revolution. The future safety of the Herb Base could now be entrusted to these young soldiers.

Lou Hao wiped his face, "Boss, give me some too. Count me in as one of the future defenders."

Bai Xiaoyu: "There's no portion prepared for you here. Go back and drink slowly by yourself."

The little one in his arms was also restless. Bai Xiaoyu helplessly took out the specially refined nutrient solution and added it to the baby carrier.

Da Hei Dan stood quietly beside Bai Xiaoyu, rubbing against him gently.

Bai Xiaoyu stroked its warm eggshell. Finally recovered, huh?

For the other thirty or so severely injured, he arranged medicinal baths.

After they came out, he observed them for a while and found that there were no major issues.

Now he had to rush back to deal with other matters. He left Ling Ying and Chen Kai, who had experience in this area, to watch over them, and he left with the two eggs.

Meanwhile, on Imperial Star.

In a lavishly decorated venue, glasses clinked as people mingled.

Some were dancing gracefully in the ballroom, while others were drinking and chatting in the hall.

In a prominent resting area, a pale-skinned young man sat in the corner, staring at his optical brain, his eyes emitting a faint coldness.

Several people surrounded him, all young and handsome, each occupying a sofa with their dance partners, chatting, drinking, and even feeding each other fruit mouth-to-mouth, looking quite merry.

At this moment, a man stood up and said to the one staring at the optical brain, "Bai Kan, why are you just looking at your optical brain? The Imperial Star's white rose, the dream lover of many in the Empire, is here as your dance partner today. You should take good care of her."

The man looking at the optical brain was indeed Bai Kan. Hearing this, he raised his head and looked at the speaker, "Bai Qi, if you like her, feel free to take her away and take care of her. Who doesn't know about your little affair?"

He then turned to look at the person next to him, who had an exquisite appearance and every gesture seemed to carry a unique charm, looking elegant and pleasing. Unfortunately, Bai Kan did not miss the quick flash of disdain in his eyes.

He had seen such looks in the eyes of these people before, but usually, he would not bother. Now, after being provoked by Bai Xiaoyu's inexplicable message, Bai Kan's face darkened, "Qi Yun, get lost. Go as far as you can."

Qi Yun, as the president of the Imperial Royal Alchemists Association and the grandson of the only 3S mental strength alchemist in the Empire, had excellent natural talent. His mental strength reached 2S, almost reaching 3S, and could break through at any time. Currently, inheriting his grandfather's alchemy talent, he was already able to refine high-level S-grade potions at a young age.

Qi Yun, with his good looks and high talent, had never been treated like this before. His face changed, "Bai Kan, why do you always go crazy for no reason?"

Bai Kan sneered, "No reason? Do you think I'm Bai Xiaoyu, that fool? Your disdain is palpable. And yet, you still follow him around, sending gifts and whatnot. In the end, you secretly conspired with Bai Qi. When he was expelled from Imperial Star, wasn't it because of your instigation? How could he have the audacity to substitute inferior potions for the ones provided to the Sixteenth Legion by the Imperial Royal Family? Where did he get so many defective potions? Only you and Bai Qi's Huang family could do that. Everyone here knows it."

Bai Qi stood up, "Bai Kan, don't speak recklessly."

Bai Kan scoffed, "I'm not speaking recklessly. Everyone knows the truth. Look at Bai Qin, Bai Hai, and Bai You; they're all here. Has anyone refuted it?"

The few people cuddling with their dance partners shrugged, seemingly enjoying the show, watching the fire spread towards them, their expressions varied.

One remained silent, another chuckled, and another gave Bai Kan a thumbs-up.

Bai Qi gritted his teeth in anger. Each of them had backgrounds and power equal to his, unlike Bai Xiaoyu, who, without the favor of that person, could be easily manipulated.

He had intended to gather them for cooperation at this gathering, but now he had to endure. Especially Bai Kan, who supplied nearly thirty percent of the raw materials for mecha and various instruments in the Empire.

The Huang family recently developed a high-end alchemy refining instrument, requiring large quantities of materials. He couldn't afford to fall out with Bai Kan.

Bai Qi endured, "Bai Kan, we're brothers after all. Why bring up such things? Who here is truly innocent?"

Qi Yun also spoke, "We're here to gather, not to mention irrelevant people who spoil the mood."

Bai Kan sneered, staring at Qi Yun, making him feel uneasy.

Qi Yun couldn't help but touch his face, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Bai Kan: "I just find Bai Xiaoyu not only stupid but blind. How could someone like you be called the white rose of Imperial Star? How did he ever fall for you? If he had just looked in the mirror more often to improve his taste, he wouldn't have fallen for you."

Qi Yun's face immediately turned livid, recalling how Bai Xiaoyu pursued him. A pursuer more attractive than the pursued, constantly lingering around, diverting attention from him. It was humiliating.

Seeing his face turn green and black, Bai Kan finally vented his frustration and unblocked Bai Xiaoyu.

"What, do you want to mock me now?"

Bai Xiaoyu didn't expect him to unblock him after getting angry, "No, I just want to cooperate with you. You should know I have a master alchemist with me, right?"

Bai Kan: "So what? My legs have been seen by countless master alchemists. Didn't you know that?"

Bai Xiaoyu directly sent over the data, forwarding his test report, "You also know my constitution and mental strength have been seen by many master alchemists since childhood, now at D+. I might break through to C anytime soon. Want to give it a try?"

Bai Xiaoyu saw no reply for a long time and was about to exit the chat when another message came through.

Bai Kan: "What kind of cooperation do you want to discuss?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Biomechanical mecha materials."

Bai Kan: "You're getting bolder. These are supplies for the Imperial Royal Family. You want a piece of that pie too?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "In exchange for your legs standing freely. Is it worth it?"

Bai Kan: "Deal."

Bai Xiaoyu's lips curved slightly. In his impression, Bai Kan was sensitive and sharp-tongued, but as a successor groomed by the Lu family, he acted boldly and decisively.

He liked working with such people.

Moreover, Bai Kan was a businessman. With profit, there was cooperation. This cooperation was not limited to this single transaction but marked an excellent beginning.

The group of warriors who had just arrived needed not only biomechanical limbs but also, as a guard team, mechas, high-end energy cannons, energy guns, and various combat tools. He would equip them fully, creating a formidable force.

Additionally, Tao Limeng's research required various raw materials. Who could be a better supplier than Bai Kan?

As long as Bai Kan traded with him once and succeeded, he had ways to continue further transactions.

In short, he would first get him on board.