Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Good news finally reached the laboratory: the inhibitor had made a breakthrough!

"The xxenic acid in the male Zerg’s blood combines with the xxanol in mint…"

"A new substance, with a profound calming effect on the female Zerg’s Mental Sea…"

"The molecular structure of this substance is somewhat similar to the xxiene ketone found in pheromones. Perhaps they share a common underlying principle."

A flood of technical jargon left Lu Cian utterly bewildered. Though he didn't grasp the specifics, one crucial point registered: a substance in male Zerg blood, when combined with a certain alcohol in mint, could miraculously soothe a female Zerg’s Mental Sea.

Lu Cian’s brow furrowed again. "In that case, wouldn't we need an endless supply of male Zerg blood?"

Joseph smirked, saying nothing.

Lu Cian understood—this Zerg clearly had a solution but was deliberately holding back, teasing them.

Lu Cian played along. "Esteemed Researcher Joseph, please be merciful! Don't keep us in suspense!"

Joseph didn't quite understand why Lu Cian called him "Esteemed Researcher Joseph," but he recognized it as a respectful address and decided to drop the act.

"If we had to constantly draw blood from male Zerg, how would I be any different from those despicable Zerg who conduct live experiments?"

"When faced with a problem, one must rise to the challenge. Naturally, I’ve already developed a substitute."

Lu Cian was astonished. "A substitute? Joseph, you’re brilliant!"

Praised, and by a male Zerg no less, Joseph couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. If he had a tail, it would be wagging furiously right now.

Nair Inan interjected, "Enough jesting. Let's get to the point."

Lu Cian immediately sat up straight.

Joseph explained, "This substitute was developed based on the molecular structure of xxenic acid, refined through hundreds of experiments, step by step. It’s the synthetic compound most similar to the original substance."

"However, because it's artificially synthesized, it can't compare to the natural substance. Its effectiveness is less than one-tenth of the original."

Male Zerg are treasures to the Zerg race, possessing irreplaceable importance.

"One-tenth is more than sufficient. Based on this inhibitor formula, let's first produce two hundred doses for data collection," Nair Inan stated.

"I have a question," Lu Cian suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's gaze.

Nair Inan inquired, "Is there anything you need clarified?"

Lu Cian carefully chose his words. "I was just wondering, if the xxenic acid molecule can be synthesized, why not synthesize the xxiene ketone from pheromones?"

This was Joseph's domain, and he answered bluntly, "What’s so hard to understand? No Zerg has managed it all these years because it simply can't be synthesized."

"Why can't it be synthesized?"

Joseph rolled his eyes. "The molecular structure is unstable. Synthesized versions easily fall apart. The higher the grade, the harder it is. Otherwise, synthetic pheromones would have been sold across the entire Empire long ago, and we wouldn't even need to formulate inhibitors."

Lu Cian mused, "I see…" Though he still didn't quite grasp it.

Seeing Lu Cian had no further questions, Nair Inan resumed discussing the next steps for clinical trials with Joseph.

"Wait!"

Interrupted again, Joseph snapped, "Now what? Your Excellency, can't you just say everything at once?"

Lu Cian touched his nose. Could he admit he had nothing urgent, just a trivial thought that might or might not be worth mentioning?

But since he’d already stopped them, Lu Cian went ahead. "It's nothing major. I just thought—since this is a new drug developed by our Federation, wouldn't it be inappropriate to continue using the old inhibitor name from the Empire? Perhaps we should give it a new name…"

Lu Cian's voice trailed off, self-conscious. He wondered if it was too reckless to bring up such a minor point in such a serious moment.

The others were momentarily silent, until Nair Inan spoke. "Lu is right. It does need a new name."

Nair Inan knew Lu Cian felt a deep connection to the Federation and always preferred unique names distinct from the Empire's.

Since Lu Cian liked it, Nair Inan was happy to oblige.

Lu Cian suggested, "The Empire's drugs are named for 'inhibiting' the female Zerg's Mental Sea—that name isn't good. In my opinion…"

"'Calming' or 'soothing' would be more appropriate. What do you think?"

The other Zerg had no objections, nor did Joseph. A name was just a name; what mattered was the drug's efficacy.

Nair Inan declared, "Then let's call it the Calming Agent."

From that day forward, the Federation's new drug was officially named the Calming Agent.

Once the Calming Agent's formula was confirmed, Joseph began mass-producing it. Even Lu Cian's rather impractical suggestion sparked the idea of assembly line production.

The Calming Agent was incredibly precious—its formula was rare, its materials expensive, and its production method complex. Achieving assembly line production was something the Empire had failed to do despite years of research. For Joseph to pioneer this would be an immense challenge!

But Joseph thrived on high-difficulty challenges.

Having successfully developed the new Calming Agent formula, Joseph was brimming with confidence. Assembly line production? A piece of cake!

If the Empire's researchers couldn't do it, it was simply because they were incompetent!

Of course, assembly line production was still a distant dream. The immediate priority was to produce the first batch of Calming Agents.

Because Lu Cian had received news from Nair Inan: their next phase of plans was finally about to begin.

"The Star Beasts are advancing fiercely. The war may soon reach its climax."

When Nair Inan approached Lu Cian with a grim expression, Lu Cian was genuinely startled by the chilling aura emanating from him.

Hearing Nair Inan's words, Lu Cian initially misunderstood, thinking the Empire was losing the war against the Star Beasts and on the verge of defeat!

This also shocked Lu Cian.

The Empire's misfortune would naturally be welcomed by the Federation, but despite their differences, the Federation and Empire were still kin.

Moreover, if the Empire truly fell, the Star Beasts would sweep southward. Though Star Beasts were massive and disliked densely populated planets, they could slowly clear out and claim vast territories.

In the long run, the Empire would be in peril.

If the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold. The Empire's demise might not be beneficial for the Federation either.

Without the Empire suppressing the northern Star Beast army, allowing the Star Beasts to ravage planets, could the Zerg race even survive in this universe?

No wonder Nair Inan looked so grim.

"Will the Empire fall?"

A silence hung in the air.

After a long pause, Nair Inan shook his head. "No."

This answer should have reassured Lu Cian, but Nair Inan's expression only deepened his sense of unease.

The Star Beasts were advancing ferociously, and the border would surely see countless military females perish.

The Empire cared little for the lives of its border military females. As a fellow female Zerg, Nair Inan mourned for those who would fall.

Sensing Nair Inan's sorrow, Lu Cian spoke. "The Insect Emperor probably won't go too far. After all, a defeat for the military females wouldn't benefit the Empire either."

Nair Inan remained silent, and Lu Cian felt how hollow his own comfort sounded.

To consolidate his imperial power, the Insect Emperor had eradicated many powerful clans.

In the past, those formidable clans had been the vanguard against the Star Beasts.

Now, without that sharp blade to tear open a path and deter the Star Beasts, they could only rely on the defensive shield to fight. Eventually, that shield would be pierced by the colossal beasts, leaving only their bodies to fight desperately.

The casualties would be heavy, but at least there would be no outright defeat—this was already the result of the military females giving their absolute all.

"Should we go to the battlefield?"

Though they might not be of much help—they might not even reach the northern front—Lu Cian still suggested it, seeing Nair Inan's troubled expression.

Nair Inan shook his head. "No, we have other matters to attend to."

Lu Cian was taken aback, then heard Nair Inan continue, "The Empire's situation will soon become chaotic. If we go now, our actions won’t draw the royal family’s attention."

Lu Cian finally understood Nair Inan’s intention.

"What do you need to do?"

Nair Inan looked at Lu Cian, his tone unprecedentedly serious. "I need you to do me a favor."

The person he liked was right in front of him, asking for help—who wouldn't be swept away?

Lu Cian blurted out immediately, "I’ll help! Of course I’ll help!" Even if it meant walking through fire, he’d do it!

This was his chance to prove his worth. If he backed down now, he’d be unworthy of the title!

"Among those male Zerg, is there anyone trustworthy?"

Lu Cian frowned.

Wasn’t Nair Inan asking *him* for help? Why bring up other male Zerg?

Lu Cian felt a pang of annoyance—not at Nair Inan, but at the thought of other male Zerg.

If the person he liked was in trouble, and instead of asking him for help, she inquired about other men, it would be strange if Lu Cian *didn't* feel annoyed.

Still, Lu Cian couldn't lie just to appease his own feelings.

"I can’t vouch for the others, but Ximeno is at least trustworthy."

Lu Cian wanted to ask what exactly Nair Inan needed help with, but before he could speak, Nair Inan suddenly gripped his shoulders.

"Cian, there’s something very important I need to ask of you!"

Startled by the sudden proximity of Nair Inan’s stunning face, Lu Cian was momentarily dazed. Only after being shaken slightly did he snap out of it and blurt out, "Tell me! Whatever it is, I’ll make sure it’s done!"

Lu Cian was promising more than he could deliver—he had no idea what he was promising, but love-struck recklessness made him bold.

"You’ll need to explain it clearly to him…"

At the first sentence, Lu Cian's face fell. Were Nair Inan and this guy *that* close? He was even considering the other’s feelings—what a gut punch.

Then Nair Inan explained that this time, they would infiltrate deep into Imperial territory, into its core star systems.

The Empire’s heartland had draconian security checks. Every Zerg, even male Zerg, had to pass identity verification.

Thus, among their traveling party, there had to be at least one with a confirmed identity.

Lu Cian hesitated. "Convincing Ximeno won’t be hard, but will he really listen to us? What if he gets cold feet after we leave the Federation and bails on us…"

Ximeno ditching them wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario. The real danger was if he not only escaped but also betrayed them—or worse, revealed the Federation's location.

That would truly be a case of "stealing a chicken only to lose the rice."