Chapter 109: Wu Yue Arrives at the Agricultural Academy

**Chapter 109: Wu Yue Arrives at the Agricultural Research Institute**

The Frostmoon Icicle materialized in Wu Yue’s hand, instantly shocking the ticket inspector with the sudden turn of events.

"Y-you’re a combatant?"

"You can’t kill me! I’m from Central Ci—"

Her hands clenched violently. The icicle rammed through both ears and pierced the skull, instantly freezing the blood that spurted out.

Locked in horror, the ticket inspector let out a dull thud as he collapsed to the ground, eyes staring lifelessly.

Wu Yue coolly glanced down. "I don’t care who you are. You aimed a gun at me—who else should I kill?"

"Ahh!"

A short scream escaped the young wife beside him, her husband quickly covering her mouth.

Meeting Wu Yue’s indifferent gaze, he babbled thanks. "Thank you, thank you."

The commotion soon caught the attention of the skyship guards, and the couple hurriedly explained what had happened.

After landing in Central City, Wu Yue left following routine questioning.

She checked her communicator—she was already half an hour late for her meeting with Zhu Gengyun.

....

Zhu Gengyun fidgeted nervously outside the Agricultural Research Institute. "What’s going on? Did she run into trouble *again*?"

His secretary interjected—"...Director, remember our last field expedition?"

Zhu Gengyun shuddered, recalling his previous jinx-mouth remarks—mentioning centipedes and scorpions only for them to appear. He clamped his mouth shut obediently.

The secretary nodded in satisfaction. "But Director, it’s been half an hour. Should we contact Yan Wei again?"

Just as Zhu Gengyun pulled out his communicator—

"Who’d have thought Old Zhu from the Agricultural Research Institute finally put in effort this time."

"Yeah, must’ve known Professor Yan was coming today."

"The Institute even rolled out a red carpet—I’ve worked here years and never got such treatment!"

"Exactly! Once I took a nasty fall at the entrance, and that cheapskate Zhu didn’t even add an extra mat!"

"That’s why I say—Professor Yan’s fame speaks for itself."

"I saw it too—even those two mutant beasts they keep are wearing festive red jackets! Are they gonna do a lion dance for Professor Yan later?"

"Of course they are!"

"Yes, yes—yes *nothing*!"

Zhu Gengyun snapped at them. "What do you know? Stop making things up!"

"What’s wrong, Old Zhu? Aren’t you here waiting for our esteemed Professor Yan Wei?"

"Exactly! Professor Yan is a rising star with a boundless future!"

"Even the first-tier Jiang conglomerate has invited him to lead crop research. His recent plant-grafting method has been certified to purify crop yields!"

"That's right! I believe that in the near future, Professor Yan will personally develop fully purified crops!"

Zhu Gengyun looked at them like they were clueless, his face full of suspicion.

"Which backwoods did you just crawl out of?"

"Old Zhu! What’s that supposed to mean?"

Zhu Gengyun smirked triumphantly. "You mean to tell me you still don’t know that Purified Crop seeds are already out?

Our Agri-Research Institute has already cultivated the first batch and is currently conducting the second phase of grafting research.

Soon, there will be even more purified crops!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Zhu Gengyun smirked, "How’s it impossible? Just check the Alliance Registry right now.

What’s going on, Old Zhang? Out of touch, huh? No one told you?

I oughta look into this—sounds like you’re not too popular at work. Getting bullied, maybe?

Didn’t think a guy your age would have it this rough.

Heh, gotta laugh at you."

Thrown off by Zhu’s confidence, the group shared looks before everyone turned to Yan Wei, who stood quietly at the back.

Yan Wei, the youngest botanist, was raised by the elite Yan family, known for their expertise across multiple fields of research.

Not only was he accomplished in botany, but he also had extensive knowledge in geology and mineral resources, making him a rising star in high demand with big corporate players.

Whenever a new mining site was contracted by a major conglomerate, they’d bend over backwards to get him involved.

Constantly traveling outdoors, Yan Wei had sun-darkened skin, a tall and sturdy build, and a neatly trimmed half-inch buzzcut, radiating energy and confidence.

Yan Wei spoke up, "Director Zhu."

While Zhu had no patience for brown-nosers, he had a soft spot for Yan Wei.

Zhu beamed, "Xiao Yan, I heard you’ve made another breakthrough recently. Congratulations."

Yan Wei replied modestly, "Director Zhu, you flatter me. In truth, recently I and several senior colleagues were trapped in a natural disaster.

Communication signals were cut off, leaving us completely isolated from the outside world. We were only rescued today.

So regarding what you said about purified crops already being available—we were completely in the dark."

Zhu picked up on something odd. "Wait—you were also stuck in a natural disaster?"

Yan Wei nodded. "Yes."

The secretary suddenly yanked Zhu’s sleeve, whispering while covering his mouth, "Director, Yan Wei—that’s YW, isn’t it?"

Zhu lit up immediately. He studied Yan Wei closely, suddenly realizing it wasn’t impossible!

Zhu asked, "Have you been to the tropical rainforest in the northern outskirts of World City recently?"

Yan Wei thought for a moment. "Indeed, I was there over ten days ago."

It all adds up! Everything checks out!

Zhu Gengyun was so excited he could barely contain himself.

He stole a glance at the yes-men around Yan Wei and whispered,

"Tell me, kid, are you trying to keep this quiet, not tell these folks?"

We're family, you and me! I won't spill the beans!"

Yan Wei looked at Zhu Gengyun in confusion. "Director Zhu, what are you talking about?"

Zhu Gengyun gave him playful little punches to the chest. "Oh come on, stop pretending with me!"

Watching Zhu Gengyun wiggle around so playfully, even a velociraptor would freeze in shock at the sight.

Yan Wei swallowed his discomfort and tried again. "Actually, regarding the emergence of the Purified Crops you mentioned earlier, I'd really like to meet the colleague who discovered them."

Zhu Gengyun sighed. "Xiao Yan, Weier!

Look at you—if you keep playing dumb with me, I won't be happy anymore.

Discovering Purified Crops is something to be proud of! It should be shouted from the rooftops, celebrated by everyone!

If your family knew about such a huge discovery, they'd be bursting with pride! You really don't need to be so modest!"

Yan Wei: "..."

If his family found out he dared take false credit for discovering Purified Crops, his teacher would tan his hide with a cane.

Just then, someone called from outside the door:

"Director Zhu! There's a famous person named YW here looking for you!

She said you had an appointment at 10, but she got delayed. She wants to know if you're still available."

Zhu Gengyun stared at Yan Wei in shock. "Wait, what? Aren't you YW?"

Yan Wei: "...No."

Zhu Gengyun glared. "Then what's your game?! Look at you—you messed everything up!

Otherwise, I'd have been the first in the entire Agricultural Research Institute to meet YW!

Get outta my way!"

He shoved Yan Wei aside and bolted for the door.

Shoved aside, Yan Wei: "..."

He'd heard rumors in agricultural circles that Director Zhu wasn't quite right in the head.

Guess what? Turns out they weren't wrong at all!!

The people nearby, catching that Zhu was racing out to meet the discoverer of the Purified Crops,

started hemming and hawing, fishing for details.

"I don't believe a word of what Old Man Zhu said."

"Right, I don’t even want to go see."

"Right, even if I were *totally* dying to go see, I still wouldn’t say it."

"I’ll just keep bawling my eyes out and make a scene at the Agricultural Academy’s gate—let them figure it out."

Yan Wei said, "...Let's go."

As it happened, he also wanted to meet the legendary person who had supposedly discovered Purified Crops first.

That was a breakthrough the entire Agricultural Academy, the Yan family, countless researchers, and even the combined resources of the entire Alliance had never been able to achieve.

It’s so unfair—

Who the hell was it that made such a huge leap for humanity so effortlessly?