139: Chapter 139 Black Ghost, Where is Li Yu?

Soon, over twenty buses carrying the group of Senior Cultivators, department leaders, and reporters with their array of cameras swarmed toward Mingyue Gymnasium.

Such a lineup startled pedestrians and vehicles along the way, and even more so, the entire Traffic Management Department.

The traffic department was dispatched, with motorcycles clearing the way to safely escort the convoy to Mingyue Gymnasium.

When the buses stopped and the doors opened.

Director Wang was the first to rush off the bus. Without waiting for the others, he sprinted toward the gymnasium. He swore he hadn't run this fast even when chasing his first love back in the day.

"Wait for me!" Supervisor Song followed behind him, his stout body demonstrating surprisingly smooth maneuvers.

By the time Liu Zhanxing pushed open the window and landed with a handsome somersault, only to see the receding backs of the two, he questioned his profession for the first time.

"So... who exactly is the Beast Tamer? Why don't you guys become the Vice Generals instead?"

Vice General Liu frowned and asked with a serious expression.

...

Inside Mingyue Gymnasium.

On the vast sports field, the iron cages had all been removed. Thousands of tamed beasts lay scattered across the ground, as quiet as if a mute button had been pressed.

After days of being ravaged by the toxin, they were ninety percent dead. Forget attacking, they didn't even have the strength to whimper.

And at the center of the stadium.

A blackened figure in a filthy white lab coat was busy at a console. As he stirred a colorful potion, the colors gradually blended, finally forming a brownish-green hue.

"Try it," the blackened man spoke, his two rows of snowy white teeth flashing as a familiar voice emerged.

It was none other than Li Yu.

"Understood." Another shorter blackened figure took the potion and carefully carried it to a nearby Test Bench.

This was Zhou Ya.

The two had been in seclusion in the cultivation room for several days, trying thousands of combinations. Finally, from countless answers, they had found the one that was likely correct.

"Li Yu~~~"

"Father Li~~~"

Two shouts rang out from afar and quickly approached.

Li Yu looked back and saw Supervisor Song and Director Wang. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth.

The next second, the two rushed past Li Yu like a gust of wind.

Li Yu's smile gradually stiffened. He turned his head in confusion, watching the two people looking around everywhere.

"Where is he?"

"Li Yu, where are you?"

Supervisor Song turned back and asked, "Hey, Blackie, have you seen a Breeder about as tall and thin as you? Fair-skinned, looked a bit like a pretty boy."

Li Yu: "..."

At this moment, Li Yu regretted not bringing Chen Qing with him.

Her beatings were brutal and satisfying.

"Pfft—"

Zhou Ya covered her mouth, her bright eyes shimmering with laughter.

"Little Blackie, what are you laughing at?" Supervisor Song asked again.

Zhou Ya's smile stopped abruptly, her expression froze, and she looked at Supervisor Song in bewilderment.

Wait, what's wrong with your eyes?!

Li Yu burst into laughter, his voice hearty and full of teasing. Zhou Ya's cheeks puffed out in anger, making her want to pounce and bite him.

Sure enough.

Smiles don't disappear; they just transfer.

"You are..." Supervisor Song circled Li Yu, then wiped the "coal dust" off the name tag on his chest and looked, "Holy crap! You're Li Yu?!"

"It's me."

"Did you go to Africa to do your experiments? You're blackened like a piece of coal!"

"Good, good, good. As expected of the Breeder I value most. Having this kind of attitude is truly rare." Director Wang shook Li Yu's hand excitedly.

Li Yu's face darkened—wait, he was already covered in soot.

"What are you talking about? I haven't even left Ningyang City! This is all from being smoked during the experiments, do you understand? I was smoked! Smoked!"

Li Yu emphasized the important point three times, and the previous thought popped up again.

Chen Qing, where on earth are you! Without you here, everyone picks on me!

Supervisor Song and Director Wang laughed awkwardly.

They were just excited to hear that the Antidote was ready and made a joke to vent the suppressed emotions of the past few days.

At this time, dense footsteps and voices sounded from the entrance.

Li Yu asked, "Is everyone here?"

"Yes, hearing that you've developed an Antidote, they all came."

"...I'm going to change my look."

After saying that, Li Yu found a corner, summoned the Golden Scale Bubble Fish, and had it release some water to wash him from head to toe.

Zhou Ya wasn't as bold as him; she only washed her face and hands, but she also got rid of the 'Little Blackie' look.

By the time the two finished cleaning up and returned to the console, the Breeders and reporters had already arrived, surrounding them in layers.

"Alright, back to business," Director Wang asked nervously. "Have you really developed an Antidote?"

"Close enough, it's still being tested."

Li Yu pointed to the Test Bench not far away, where a potion was simulating detoxification.

"You mean, there's no result yet? It's not certain if it's the Antidote?" Director Wang's heart sank halfway.

Supervisor Song sensed trouble and looked at the surrounding Breeders. He saw that everyone's expressions were gradually turning sour—some were relieved, some were disdainful, and some were hostile.

"Hmph! How impressive. Claiming to have developed an Antidote before there are even results. Do you really think you're some kind of Breeding Master?" the Bald Old Man mocked.

With someone starting, the others were also unceremonious.

"Exactly. Who doesn't think they'll succeed before the test results are out?"

"The cunning nature of this blood toxin is unprecedented. How could a young man who's been in the industry for less than a year possibly do it?"

"What a waste of time!"

"If this continues, who knows how many more tamed beasts will die."

Everyone chimed in. They didn't point directly at Li Yu, but every word was directed at him.

Seeing these Breeders denying Li Yu, Zhou Ya immediately became anxious and shouted, "No! Li Yu is very capable! If he says it works, it... it will work!"

Her voice stuttered slightly, but her attitude in defending Li Yu was firm.

The Bald Old Man snorted coldly and said:

"Little girl, it's not your place to speak here!"

"We are racing against time right now. Every minute we delay, another tamed beast might die. Are you asking us to watch them die for the sake of an empty promise?"

"As a Breeder, how can you be so cruel?"

These words intimidated Zhou Ya into stammering. The courage she had managed to muster withered away instantly.

The Bald Old Man gave a disdainful scoff, looked at Director Wang, and said earnestly, "Director, you'd better make a decision quickly. Either wait for an ethereal answer with a high failure rate, or use my plan as soon as possible to bring the beasts back to life."

Director Wang looked thoughtful, his eyes hesitant. On one side was a result that might take who knows how long, and on the other was a plan that guaranteed survival but at a huge cost.

This dilemma made the media people excited, and they crowded around Director Wang, the Bald Old Man, and Li Yu to take photos and videos.

Just then.

"Ding!"

A crisp sound came from the Test Bench.

"It seems we don't need to struggle; the answer is out." Li Yu said with a faint smile, turning to walk towards the Test Bench. Suddenly, he paused and looked at Zhou Ya.

"Zhou Ya, go get the result and tell everyone loudly. Especially tell this hairless old man."

Zhou Ya swallowed nervously but didn't refuse. She nodded heavily and walked toward the Test Bench.

Everyone's eyes followed her movement.

Success or failure.

It all depended on this.