"Tai Monarch, your words are reasonable."
Zhang Hai replied with his head lowered.
The will and decisions of the Governor’s Mansion were almost entirely conveyed and executed by Tai Monarch.
Many times, it equated to the planet governor who disliked appearing in public.
"However, the Martial Arts Path has always advocated for competitiveness, with the pursuit of excellence and continuous transcendence as the goal."
Tai Monarch turned around, looking at Qin Shi, who consistently stood tall and composed.
"Mr. Qin, you are the champion of this year’s top hundred competition, and as the champion and role model, you indeed should set an example for the other contestants.
The Security Department has just procured a batch of military-grade ’Biological Armor’ from Santang Heavy Industry, which adopts the latest technology from the highest research institute, transplanting powerful beast cells.
Mr. Qin, do you have the confidence to take on the challenge?"
Qin Shi met Tai Monarch’s gaze and felt the profound consciousness fluctuations within, vast as the ocean, inducing a sense of immense awe.
"That is certainly my wish; I do not dare to ask for more."
He replied in ancient imperial diction.
Clearly, this active consciousness body, akin to a deity overlooking Central City, manipulating immense amounts of data and orchestrating everything, had a style that was rather rigid and serious, upright and righteous.
"Very well, Mr. Qin, you truly deserve to be the first among Heng Province’s top hundred! You possess both exceptional talents and a fiercely progressive fighting spirit!"
Tai Monarch nodded approvingly, a rare smile appearing on his stiff face.
He waved his large sleeve, and a thumb-sized "Emerald" leaped onto his palm.
Though only a small segment, it contained extremely rich energy factors.
Upon its display, it immediately attracted all gazes.
"If you succeed, this object will be your reward!"
Standing on the second floor, Ying Huang was slightly surprised:
"Is the Governor really willing to bring out the ’Divine Crystal’? Such generosity! It seems he genuinely wants to cultivate a successor for Nanhuang Daoist School!"
Old Li, the butler respectfully standing by the chair, said:
"This approach by Feng Wuya has long been anticipated by the family.
Heng Province’s New Star is a remote place, and even though it ranks first among the Four Alliances, development progress remains slow.
In my view, Feng Wuya doesn’t aim to cultivate Heng Province’s Scorching Sun but to create another He Lanchan.
He Lanchan’s sudden rise back then led Yazhou to a twenty-year boom period, producing a large number of talents..."
Ying Huang’s thin lips tightened before smiling:
"The new generation’s He Lanchan? Heng Province’s Scorching Sun? I think he resembles someone else more."
This first-sequence heir of the Ying family glanced at Qin Shi’s back.
As a descendant of one of Dongxia’s highest heroes, Ying Huang could access deep historical insights that most could not.
"Old Li, think about it. A prodigy comparable to He Lanchan, who rejects the clear path of the Four National Universities, where else could he go?
Only two options: within the system or... the Battle Group."
Listening to Ying Huang, Old Li’s expression tightened as if guessing the person the young master referred to.
"Interesting indeed. He Lanchan’s successor, Scorching Sun of the Star Cup, an assailant of the ancient celestial path.
If you add the Fourth Battle Group, who do you think he resembles more, Old Li?"
Ying Huang said with a smile.
Cold sweat poured from Old Li like rain.
The young master might maintain a spectator’s calm.
But he could never attain such tranquility.
"So you see, reconciliation is great."
Ying Huang clapped his hands, leaning back into his seat:
"Ten thousand Ying Lin’s can’t compare to half a Qin Shi."
"A Divine Crystal with purity exceeding fifty percent!"
Zhou Yuanchen’s throat moved, almost instinctively calculating its equivalent value.
"At least thirty billion! And priceless!"
Zhang Hai’s gaze was equally fervent.
Not to mention a supernova, even the Martial Arts Association can’t obtain this top-tier resource!
This item comes from the "Star God War" of the ancient empire period.
It’s said to be an energy object stripped from the "Extraordinary Body" of the Star God.
Its effect is singular.
Its first use allows one to directly break the genetic shackles.
"Sister, what is that thing?"
Xia Ying, eager to help with the fight, asked in confusion.
He thought it would come to blows, but Tai Monarch intervened to mediate.
"A highly pure Divine Crystal."
Xia Hong, slightly more knowledgeable than her less cultured brother, explained:
"The Martial Arts Path involves transforming the mortal body, but human life levels are relatively low, even starting at a low point. As you enter specialized domains and progress further, you’re bound to encounter an unavoidable problem—imperfect genes in every aspect, forming solid barriers that hinder your advancement."
Xia Ying’s mouth opened wide in shock.
"Neither the New Martial Sect nor the Old Martial Sect can solve this. The human body is inherently imperfect, with defects that can be latent or manifest.
In the sixth millennium, there was a craze for gene editing, producing many aberrants and degenerates, eventually leading to an urgent halt and total ban.
But the Divine Crystal is the top research institution’s approved current external object that can optimize genes and break locks.
In simple terms, it can turn a ’genius’ into ’Scorching Sun’."
Xia Hong glanced sideways at her brother with a look of exasperation, wishing he read more instead of foolishly grinning at his mobile terminal.
Xia Ying was astonished, clicking his tongue in wonder:
"Isn’t this a huge boost for Brother Qin!"
"According to historical records, there’s actually a Martial Arts Path unaffected by genetic shackles."
Xia Hong looked at Qin Shi, facing Tai Monarch, with admiration in her eyes.
"That path is taken by those who follow the Seven Great Limits.
Their limit-breaking involves continually repairing genetic flaws, creating the Perfect Body."
Xia Ying wasn’t sure whether to feel regret or something else.
Such valuable top-grade resources apparently had no use for Brother Qin.
"Your brain should be in a museum for its stupidity!"
Xia Hong felt like raising her fist to fix her brother’s mind with force, like repairing a malfunctioning electronic product.
"Who can be a hundred percent certain of breaking the Seven Great Limits? With this Divine Crystal, Qin Shi’s chances of achieving perfection will increase, and he might touch the Celestial Barrier threshold."
Xia Ying’s simple mind ignited, hearing his sister’s words, excitedly exclaiming:
"Tai Monarch is generous! This ensures Brother Qin’s smooth path to winning the Star Cup’s youth group championship, stepping over Yu Li!"
[Ingredient type: Divine Crystal]
[Quality: Special Level]
[Edible parts: whole]
[Eating effect: Repair genetic defects, increase the chance of achieving Perfect Body, 50% faster cultivation speed, Star God affinity...]
With the activation of the achievement trait, information about the item rapidly surfaced in Qin Shi’s Sea of Consciousness.
In his eyes, that emerald-like thing emitted spots of golden glow, floating like delicate grains of sand. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⟡fire.net
The last time Qin Shi saw this quality was in He Lanchan’s Martial Arts Family Qi.
What does Star God affinity mean?
If I consume this Divine Crystal, will the slumbering Star God increase its favor towards me?
Several questions popped into his mind.
But they didn’t last long; an unprecedented, intense hunger immediately spread throughout his body.
"Not from [Overgrowth] achievement! It’s the Monument Panel..."
To his surprise, the slowly advancing progress bar began to surge wildly again.
The embryo, hatched, round-headed, pointy-eared, resembling a small fluffy ball, was growing!
It even performed rolling motions as if asking for food!
An instinct, or rather intuition, emerged—a sense that eating the Divine Crystal would allow breaking through that boundary, unlocking the next stage of the Monument Panel.
"It’s like raising electronic pets."
Qin Shi silently complained, suppressing the intense hunger from his core with a firm mind, then bowed slightly:
"Thank you, Tai Monarch!"
Just as the challenge was about to begin, Zhang Hai, also standing at the forefront, gritted his teeth and cupped his hands respectfully:
"Tai Monarch, as a student of Central City, I have the same eagerness to contribute to Heng Province. Please allow me to try!"