Chapter 17: The Breeder

Chapter 17: The Breeder

The seasoning for the small potatoes was simple; just a bit of salt added to their original form, but Cang Cheng quickly finished four of them.

Cang Cheng let Mù Xīng and Philip taste the remaining two potatoes.

Neither of them was eating food for the first time.

However, after many years, they once again experienced the texture of food; as soon as the small potatoes were swallowed, their mouths and taste buds signaled satisfaction and enjoyment.

The pleasure that food brings was something that nutrient fluids could never replace.

After cleaning up the utensils, Philip made two cups of tea with tea powder and placed them on the table.

Cang Cheng picked up the tea and took a sip, the mist softly blurring his face, making him look innocent and harmless.

Of course, that was only how he appeared.

Moments earlier in this laboratory, Cang Cheng had calmly cut off several people's hands.

With interstellar technology, if you had the money, you could regenerate severed hands and fingers; if you lacked funds, you could also install relatively cheaper mechanical prosthetics.

Losing a hand or a leg wasn’t considered a serious injury for people in the galaxy.

Cang Cheng’s act of cutting off their hands seemed cruel, but it wasn’t overly extreme.

However, whether the Scar Trio was left with any psychological trauma was not a concern for Cang Cheng.

Cang Cheng put down the cup and asked, "Are the costs of cultivating these potatoes high?"

Mù Xīng replied, "Unlike the cultivation methods used in the galaxy, which employ special instruments to neutralize negative energy, I inject gene fragments into the potato embryos. This enables the potatoes to acquire a gene that prevents them from accepting negative energy, thus preventing mutations.

These gene fragments mainly come from thorn plants, which are abundantly produced on Sunset Star. When calculated, the overall cost is quite low."

Cang Cheng continued, "Can this cultivation method be applied to other plants and animals as well?"

Mù Xīng answered truthfully, "Most plants should be suitable. For animals… I would need to conduct additional experiments."

"I see your skills."

Cang Cheng nodded his head. "Earlier, you said you wanted to make a deal with me, and I agree. I will provide you with funds, a laboratory, and autonomy in managing your work. You need to complete the research projects I assign you within the stipulated time. Afterwards, you can do as you please, and I won't interfere.

However, you must not endanger Luo Ri Star’s safety. That is the only requirement I have for you."

"However..." Cang Cheng's tone shifted, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, while his dark eyes remained unfathomable. "What is it that you want from me?"

Cang Cheng didn’t think Mu Xing approached him out of desperation. Even though he had witnessed some minor troubles Mu Xing faced today, Cang Cheng was confident that with Mu Xing's capabilities, dealing with Scar and his two companions wouldn’t be difficult—such as making mushrooms sprout all over their bodies.

Cang Cheng saw ambition in Mu Xing’s eyes, which he found quite satisfying. Ambition breeds desire, and those with desires are easier to control.

"I initially came to you, my lord, to secure a stable living environment for Mu Mu. Mu Mu deserves better than this. I also sought research funding."

Mu Xing pushed his glasses up.

He appeared perfectly calm, exuding the confidence of a researcher presenting his findings.

He seemed sure of himself, as if victory was already his, but in reality, his heart raced.

Mu Xing was taking a gamble on a future he thought would only come in fifty or even a hundred years.

"But after seeing your power today, I believe I can be bolder."

Mu Xing stood from his seat, walked to Cang Cheng’s side, and knelt on one knee.

He lowered his head, exposing his vulnerable neck to Cang Cheng. With a mere thought, Cang Cheng could end Mu Xing’s life.

"I seek vengeance. I want those who defamed me, destroyed my spiritual core, and cast me into the abyss to suffer a hundred or even a thousand times the pain I endured.

For this, I am willing to sacrifice everything.

My lord, I beg for your acceptance of my loyalty."

Cang Cheng did not respond immediately. He rested his hand on his temple as if deep in thought.

His lowered gaze cast a shadow beneath his long lashes, making his already deep eyes even more inscrutable.

Even without looking up, Mu Xing could feel Cang Cheng's gaze upon him.

Cold, arrogant, and with a hint of scrutiny.

"LuoRi is very poor and backward. I plan to develop it into a leisurely and comfortable planet, without any grand ambitions.

Even so, will you still follow me?"

Everything Cang Cheng said was true, without a single lie.

He really did just want to make LuoRi a comfortable nest and quietly focus on various research topics such as 'How to Maximize the Conversion of Magic into Spirit Runes,' 'Whether Alchemical Weapons Can Be Used on Canglan,' and 'The Compatibility of Potions and Canglan Star Region's Medicines.'

However, Mù Xīng felt that Cang Cheng's words carried a deeper meaning.

Just like the rumors about the supposedly useless and incompetent fifth prince, who turned out to be so deeply hidden and skilled in Spirit Runes, it was hard to imagine.

Mù Xīng thought deeply.

When Cang Cheng said he wanted to build up LuoRi, was he planning to establish it as another major planet in the Canglan Star Region?

Only if LuoRi became stronger than any other planet could Cang Cheng live the ideal life of leisure and comfort, free from anyone’s influence.

Mù Xīng understood.

"I wish to follow you, my lord."

Saying this, Mù Xīng took Cang Cheng's hand and kissed the back of his hand.

Cang Cheng accepted Mù Xīng’s loyalty.

When Cang Cheng was still a forbidden spell mage, many had sworn their loyalty to him, so he felt no unease about this.

Mù Xīng signed a 50-year indenture.

During this period, Mù Xīng became the chief cultivator of LuoRi, primarily responsible for large-scale food production, with a monthly base salary of 12,000 star coins plus commissions.

Mù Xīng could freely hire personnel for his lab, even robots if he wanted.

Cang Cheng would provide Mù Xīng with various experimental equipment and funds.

As Simon had not yet left, Cang Cheng had Mù Xīng discuss the required instruments with Simon and butler Philip, and provided him with an initial fund of 2 million star coins.

With the future food supply secured, the corners of Cang Cheng's mouth remained upturned for quite some time."

He returned to the Central Mansion happily, drinking sweetened black tea, his eyes curved into half-moons.

However, Hilmeth seemed unusually quiet. His gaze inadvertently fell on Cang Cheng's hand but remained silent.

Hilmeth's voice remained calm: "Once you've rested, go to the study. Today, I’ll explain thermal weapons."

"Okay."

Cang Cheng sounded reluctant.

Resolving the food issue was a huge relief, and not having to spend much on imported food made it even better. Couldn’t he just relax and celebrate for a day?

For a moment, Cang Cheng considered slacking off.

But seeing Hilmeth’s expressionless face, he gave up the idea.

Forget it, Hilmeth is probably upset about not getting any good food.

I’ll just go along with it!

Then, Cang Cheng’s gaze landed on the tail between Hilmeth’s legs.

Sigh... It’s frustrating to see but not touch.

Wait, that’s it!

Apparently, some people in the holographic world have tails, maybe...

Cang Cheng suddenly smiled, his eyes crinkling.

*

Later, Cang Cheng continued learning about thermal weapons from Hilmeth. Perhaps because this system was completely different from the alchemy and weapon manufacturing on the Siaxi Continent, Cang Cheng was thoroughly confused.

What is atomic collision?

What is nuclear fusion?

What the heck is electromagnetic radiation?

Ah... His head was spinning.

Cang Cheng collapsed onto the table in a prone position, his head resting on it with a look of utter despair.

"This is high school knowledge. It seems the fifth prince didn’t study this well before," said Hilmeth truthfully, looking at the almost entirely wrong formulas Cang Cheng had written.

"When did I ever have the chance to learn this stuff..." Cang Cheng murmured.

As a forbidden spell mage, Cang Cheng naturally hadn’t learned these things, and as the former fifth prince, well... he had been bullied so much in school that he couldn’t concentrate on studying any of it.

He really hadn’t had the chance to learn.

Oh, all-powerful and great Gate of Truth! Could you help your student instantly memorize these damned, cryptic formulas?

Cang Cheng prayed inwardly.

In response, he heard a loud thud as a door closed.

The Gate of Truth refused.

Sigh...

Cang Cheng resigned himself.

He slammed the holographic screen closed. "I’m not studying anymore. There’s no way I can learn this in such a short time. I might as well create more Spirit Runes and earn some money."

To memorize these cryptic formulas, Cang Cheng hadn’t created any new Spirit Runes for two days, only ‘copying and pasting’ a few wind Spirit Runes to increase his inventory.

It was so tedious.

"Oh, right! Simon said he would contact the auction house today to auction my Spirit Runes. I should check it out!"

Having said that, Cang Cheng leaned toward Hilmeth, looking up at him.

"Approve of me going, Mo."

Cang Cheng’s eyes were a deep black, like black pearls—pure and without impurities.

His eyes always held a glimmer of starlight, and the beauty mark at the corner of his right eye added a touch of mysterious allure to his expression.

No matter how many times he faced such a look from Cang Cheng, Hilmeth would always be a bit slower to react.

Hilmeth sighed helplessly, feeling conflicted inside, but in the end, it just came out as two words: "Go ahead."

Cang Cheng's eyes instantly curved into a smile: "You're the best, Mo."

As he spoke, Cang Cheng sat down and attached the holographic network connector to his temple. In less than half a second, he was in the holographic world.

Back in the study, Hilmeth quietly watched the virtual image of Cang Cheng on the large screen, his tail tip drooping slightly.

Without Cang Cheng, he felt a bit bored.

*

As soon as Cang Cheng entered the Canglan World, he got straight to business. He first headed to the auction house, wanting to see where his Spirit Runes stood among today's auction items.

But just as he was about to enter the auction house, he saw a familiar, chubby figure adorned in gold and silver being thrown out by two robots.

Gade, the deputy chairman of the auction house, sneered, "You think a few B- and C-grade runes can be sold in our auction house? Dream on! The internal bulk price is 350,000; take it or leave it."

Simon stood up, his chubby finger pointing at Gade. "These are Spirit Runes made by ANKEN! Do you have any idea how popular ANKEN is right now? You're offering only 350,000 for them? You... you..."

"I don't care if it's ANKEN, BNKEN, if we can't agree on a price, get lost. Do you really think we value B-grade runes that much?"

With that, Gade turned and left, leaving Simon standing there, seething.

He panted heavily.

"He’s so dismissive."

He was absolutely furious!