The last time he opened the chest, he obtained a tattered Angel's Feather and a Flower Fairy.
Though he had yet to discern the full potential of the Angel's Feather, the Flower Fairy had meticulously organized his divine kingdom and provided him with abundant resources, enabling him to establish a new company—undoubtedly a tremendous help.
Now, he yearned to unveil more treasures, eager to see what other marvels awaited him within the chests.
After exhausting his strength once again, the ninety pieces of the puzzle finally fit together, illuminating a radiant glow that signified the correct alignment of the symbols. The shimmering light wove all the fragments into a cohesive whole.
Zhao Lun pressed the final piece into place, and a dazzling flash ensued. As his vision gradually returned, he saw that the chest had opened. Before him were three brocade boxes, nearly identical to those he had encountered the first time.
"Whoosh!"
A tiny figure darted over—it was Aya, the Flower Fairy, her eyes wary as she glared at Zhao Lun and the chest. The commotion had been considerable, even rousing Aya from her rest in the flower house. Protective of her blossoms, Aya would never tolerate anyone damaging her garden.
"Bad Alan, don't destroy Aya's garden."
Relieved to find her flowers unharmed, the little creature exhaled a sigh of relief, issued a warning to Zhao Lun, and swiftly retreated to her flower house.
Zhao Lun paid her no mind, his focus fixed on the brocade boxes. He carefully selected one and snapped it open.
"Ah? Two eggs? Wait, could it be them?"
The information provided by his divine kingdom revealed the eggs' origins—Phoenix Eggs! A rare find of the gods, though only one of the two could hatch a phoenix, as the other had been compromised.
One egg gleamed like a vibrant ruby, brimming with life, while the other appeared dull and lifeless, resembling a stone. Zhao Lun delicately stowed them away before opening the middle box.
Inside was a translucent stone, akin to a diamond—nearly spherical, it was simultaneously a stone, metal, and gemstone. Light in hand, it exuded a soothing coolness, an enigmatic warmth that suggested profound mysteries within.
"A storage device? An intelligent system?"
The description was brief—it was a super optical brain, sealed and dormant. Its appearance betrayed none of its wonder, yet it was so remarkable that even the gods had cherished it. Though Zhao Lun lacked the power to break the seal now, he was confident that his growing divine kingdom would soon enable him to unleash its potential.
"I'll keep it for now; it can be unsealed later."
Despite the extraordinary nature of these treasures, they remained unusable for the moment. Zhao Lun, however, was in no rush, knowing that the divine kingdom's growth would soon unlock their power.
With anticipation, he opened the third and final brocade box.
Inside lay a single seed, round and crystalline like a gemstone, with a tiny sprout emerging from one side. Despite its jewel-like appearance, it was unmistakably a seed. Unable to identify it, Zhao Lun was about to stow it away when Aya darted out, snatched the seed, and retreated to her flower house.
"Aya, come out, or I'll lock you in the dark room."
Angered by the sudden theft, Zhao Lun resorted to a playful threat. This "dark room" was merely a small wooden box—a bluff he had no intention of following through on.
"Bad guy wants to steal Aya's treasure! Aya won't come out!"
"..." Who's stealing whose treasure here? For a moment, Zhao Lun felt like the villain bullying the weak.
"If you don't come out, I'll take your flowers away."
"Whoosh!" The little creature emerged, clutching the seed, pulled a face at him, and vanished into the flowers.
Shaking his head, Zhao Lun decided to let her keep it. Aya, the Flower Fairy, was adept at tending to plants, and this seed was destined for her care. In his divine kingdom, nothing could remain hidden from him, and he trusted the seed would be well-guarded.
"Aya, make sure to plant it well, or I'll take it back."
He left her to her devices, issuing a parting reminder, and stepped away.
As Zhao Lun departed, Aya cautiously peeked out, ensuring the coast was clear before emerging to celebrate her "victory." She then took the seed to a distant spot and planted it.
Back in the mortal realm, Zhao Lun immersed himself in new endeavors—crafting stories, recruiting talent, and overseeing the creation of a game based on his memories. The stories served as the backdrop, while the comics helped attract a broader audience. With each project, Zhao Lun learned and adapted.
Enhanced by the spring of magical water, his intellect facilitated the recall of vivid memories, aiding his storytelling and comic creation. Initially rough, his skills swiftly improved through practice, and he discovered efficient methods to streamline his work, leaving the finer details to his capable assistant, Monica, who never disappointed.
Maria became his fervent fan, eagerly following each update and even helping with the projects alongside Nicole and Angela.
In time, Maria, Angela, and Nicole acquired a newfound skill—drawing—though their work resembled doodles.
Hodar continued his trading ventures, supported by Zhao Lun's funding and rewarded with bonuses. His ventures had been profitable, earning Zhao Lun's satisfaction and a bonus of spring water as a reward.
Hodar had become a formidable combatant, capable of defeating a hundred unarmed soldiers with his fists. With a weapon, his prowess multiplied. His enhanced physique also heightened his perception, allowing him to maximize the potential of firearms and evade even a regiment's encirclement with ease.
In reality, both technique and ingenuity were crucial, and when combined, they unleashed extraordinary power.
Zhao Lun's vision, coupled with a team capable of realizing it, enabled him to achieve maximum profits with minimal investment.
The release of an innovative arcade fighting game, with a more expansive narrative than the original "King of Fighters," was underway. The game's story spanned different regions, introducing new characters and extending beyond Earth to extraterrestrial realms.
The game featured a progression system, starting from local stages to national levels, then global, and ultimately cosmic arenas.
Each installment introduced new characters and storylines, gradually building a rich and immersive universe.
At this juncture, various forms of entertainment, akin to technology, were on the brink of a revolution.
Zhao Lun's comic series, once launched, garnered widespread acclaim across different regions, paving the way for the fighting game's release plan.