Without hesitation, Ye Gou handed the items over to Xu Que, his expression a mix of pride and enthusiasm.
As soon as Ye Gou completed the transaction, he immediately ascended to the fifth rank on the "Divine Weapon Rankings," earning a B-rank, water-attribute long sword that had once been held by the twelfth-ranked fighter.
"Boss, look at my reward!" Ye Gou shouted with a smug grin.
Xu Que merely nodded, offering a casual "Not bad," while his attention shifted to the Angel Soul Crystal within his inventory.
Upon activation of the "Eye of Detection," the information regarding the crystal was quickly updated.
**Name:** Torment Angel Soul Crystal (The Remnant Soul of Kuli)
**Quality:** Epic (Golden)
**Item Type:** Capable of absorbing a certain amount of spiritual energy and can be activated.
**Notes:** A relic of the benevolent angel Kuli, left behind millions of years ago. It allows communication with Kuli's remnant soul and grants access to secondary intelligence from other realms (Cooldown: 120 days).
"Indeed, it's exactly as I thought!" Xu Que felt a rush of both excitement and awe. The rumors surrounding the sealed information from a million years ago were true after all! He recalled how, five years from now in another world, this very soul would cause an uproar, and countless elite S-rank and A-rank warriors would perish in their attempt to destroy it.
Xu Que closed the item window, his face growing somber. "Let's go," he said, voice cool and firm. "The events here will be documented as per the previously filed B-level spatial data."
Though Ye Gou didn't fully understand Xu Que's cryptic words, his spirits remained high. "Got it!"
With that, Ye Gou rushed through the crack, eager to follow Xu Que's instructions.
...
After exiting the crack, Xu Que and Ye Gou quickly submitted their reports, with Ye Gou detailing the information as Xu Que had instructed. Once they left their temporary base camp, Xu Que spoke again. "Help me investigate three individuals."
Ye Gou gave him a puzzled look but nodded nonetheless. "Who are they?"
"Zhao Kunpeng, ranked fifty-fifth on the "Cultivation Leaderboard," currently active around Guangshi," Xu Que listed. "Xu Sihai, likely somewhere in the Liaoxi region. He's around thirty and specializes in deceit."
"Duàn Jiǔdé," Xu Que continued. "He looks similar to you, but a bit shorter. He's trustworthy, living around Jin Hai. If the timing's right, he might've just broken up with his girlfriend."
Upon hearing the details, Ye Gou nodded thoughtfully. "Boss, are you asking me to use my connections, or should I investigate quietly?"
Xu Que thought for a moment. "The first two can be investigated quietly, but quickly, without letting them catch on. As for Duàn Jiǔdé, it's best we act fast. He's someone you can rely on."
Although Xu Que planned to meet Duàn Jiǔdé in half a year's time during a challenge space encounter, he felt that some things were better experienced only once. Duàn Jiǔdé didn't deserve a second heartbreak, so Xu Que was determined to bring that meeting forward.
As for how they would meet, Xu Que had already devised a plan. And with the upcoming challenge space event, he would encounter Duàn Jiǔdé, newly emerged from obscurity.
Xu Que also remembered that Duàn Jiǔdé had once mentioned that, aside from personal relationships, it was his first experience in a challenge space that had truly catalyzed his rise. Since that was the case, Xu Que was determined to lend a hand—after all, they were brothers.
Once the details were settled, Ye Gou hurriedly mounted his flying sword and headed for Shangjing, while Xu Que quickly returned to Magic City.
The two had agreed that, once the dimensional crack event was over, Ye Gou would travel to the Prospect Building and assist Xu Que as a diplomat. In the meantime, Ye Gou would continue his systematic training and help Xu Que gather intelligence more swiftly.
...
During the week, only a few high-level dimensional cracks had appeared. The only four high-level cracks had already been sealed by the Zha Tian Corporation. Meanwhile, lower-level cracks remained dormant, posing no threat of otherworldly invasions.
A day later, Xu Que returned to the Prospect Building. As he walked in, the last batch of dimensional cracks for the month had just been activated.
After a smooth handover of tasks, Xu Que entered the room with a smile.
"Boss, welcome back!" The greeting echoed in the room.
"Xu General, welcome!" His employees followed suit, with Xu Que returning a nod and handing out several important pieces of equipment.
When Yue Shan saw the items Xu Que had provided, he was overjoyed. He was eager to climb the rankings, and these gifts would undoubtedly help him immensely.
As the others left, Xu Que approached Shen Mengchu.
"Good work," Xu Que said warmly, pulling her into a hug before planting a kiss on her lips.
"Alright, this is the company," Shen Mengchu gasped, slightly flustered.
Xu Que chuckled. "Here, take these and distribute them as soon as you can."
"These... are a lot!" Shen Mengchu exclaimed in surprise.
"Not bad. As long as we keep developing steadily, there'll be even more coming in the future," Xu Que replied casually. He wasn't exaggerating when he said that his territory now far exceeded the resources of a whole country. To put it plainly, the combined territories of all of Blue Star paled in comparison to the land under his control.
"By the way, there are still nine days until this month's dimensional crack explosion. Here's the data you requested." Shen Mengchu pulled out a stack of papers from beneath her desk and handed them to Xu Que.
Xu Que quickly flipped through the documents and then inquired, "How's the Chaisfield family deal going?"
"We've already held two rounds of negotiations. Following the revisions made by Liang Jie, tomorrow will be the final round. If things go well, they'll offer up seven B-rank territories, ten C-rank territories, and five hundred spirit stones."
Xu Que was taken aback. "That many? I was only expecting five B-rank territories... Liang Jin-yu really knows how to raise the stakes!"
"Oh, and tomorrow they'll also bring the blueprints and formulas. They need you to personally forge the required equipment," Shen Mengchu added.
"Alright, I'll get to work on the forging right away." Xu Que stood, ready to begin.
"Wait." Shen Mengchu rose from her seat. "The third-floor area isn't properly sectioned off yet, and some of the items... shouldn't we consider security measures?"
"You mean to take some employees and form a security team?" Xu Que asked, puzzled.
"Yes, considering the importance of my alchemy work, I think we should take extra precautions," Shen Mengchu said, a serious expression on her face.
"Alright, then pick a group of elites to protect you," Xu Que agreed with a nod.
"By the way, that person you asked about has regained some of his senses, and he wants to thank you in person."
Xu Que froze for a moment. He finally understood who Shen Mengchu was referring to.
"Alright, I'll stop by and see him on my way."
With a final kiss, Xu Que left the meeting room.
...
On the fifty-second floor of the Prospect Building, Xu Que didn't head straight for the isolation zone but made his way to Liang Jin-yu's office instead. After all, it had been a while, and it was time to "fix the pipes" and pay the water bill before leaving.
Upon entering, he found Liang Jin-yu on the phone, scolding Chai Xiaohao.
When Xu Que overheard Chai Xiaohao's plan to take on an A-level space, his eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined that Chai Xiaohao would be so bold this time around.
"Sis, I've got three teams, most of them B-rank elites. I guarantee it'll be fine!" Chai Xiaohao argued.
"No way! You have no idea how dangerous A-level spaces can be!" Liang Jin-yu scolded.
"Sis, our company is stronger now! With all these experts, we've got this!" Chai Xiaohao insisted.
Before he could continue, Liang Jin-yu handed the phone to Xu Que, saying, "Hold on a second. I've found a master who will explain to you just how dangerous A-level spaces really are."
Xu Que blinked, utterly confused. "What's going on? You want me to explain it?"