150: Chapter 150 Buy one get one free? That's exactly what I want!

As the voice faded, the conference room fell silent, with only the sound of everyone's breathing remaining.

That pitch-black card, with starlight flowing across its surface, lay on the table.

Tie Moshan was like a deflated balloon. He looked down at the "Immortal Heavy Metal Mine" proposal he had just slammed onto the table, feeling like it was all just a joke.

They had laid out the entire sea of stars, and you're here trying to compare it with a couple of pieces of Ore?

Lang Qingyun also shut his mouth completely. He had just been feeling so generous a moment ago.

Giving a Thunder aircraft? The Lin family is sending you straight into outer space. How can you compete with that? Are you going to fight with your head?

The sheer scale of Modu University's capital is simply not something that regular military schools, reliant on government funding, can contend with.

Instructor Ying Wuhen was the calmest person in the room. She had known from the start that Shadow Academy had no chance. Now, she was just watching the show.

Teacher Sun from Imperial Capital University had the most complex expression. His bargaining chips were not inferior to Modu University's.

Ancient martial arts manuscripts, a master blacksmith, Authority from the Mystery Bureau, strategic-level disciplines—but with Teacher Lin Qinyin playing the "interstellar black card," she had directly shifted the dimension of competition from the "surface" to the "starry sky." The scale was simply different!

Chu Yao clenched her fists. She turned to look at Lieutenant Colonel Chu Feng beside her, her eyes filled with unwillingness.

Lieutenant Colonel Chu Feng made a wry face and spread his hands. What could he do? He was just a Lieutenant Colonel in the Southern Military Region.

In front of a super conglomerate like the Lin family that could monopolize interstellar routes, he didn't even count as a bargaining chip.

The Captain Rank he had previously applied for for Su Ming seemed as shabby as a small advertisement stuck on the side of the road.

"I've done my best," Lieutenant Colonel Chu Feng signaled with his eyes to Chu Yao.

Chu Yao closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A voice in her heart was shouting: No, I can't just give up like this. There must be another way!

Commander Qin Luo watched everything in silence. He understood the rules of Magic City better than most people present.

The fact that Star Dome Heavy Industries monopolized extraterrestrial routes was something even the Four Great Military Regions had to hold their noses and accept.

Without realizing it, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. An interstellar black card, unlimited credit, the right to explore extraterrestrial ruins... Such outrageous stakes were definitely not charity!

Once Su Ming accepted this card, it would be equivalent to binding himself to the Lin family's war chariot.

He would be used as the sharpest pathfinding blade, thrust into those life-or-death extraterrestrial ruins to seize high-dimensional resources for the Lin family. After the last drop of blood was squeezed out, not even his bones would be left.

But Commander Qin Luo couldn't speak up now. Blocking someone's future is like killing their parents; who would dare to stop such a thing?

Behind Su Ming, Shen Qingci lowered her eyes, biting her red lips tightly. Her long eyelashes drooped, hiding the fleeting sorrow and disappointment in her eyes.

This was the confidence of Magic City. A vast sea of stars laid out, endless resource credit.

What could Southern United Academy offer? A special admission spot? A few tattered books? Thirty percent of the spoils?

She took a deep breath. The two of them had made a promise to attend the "same school" before the exam. At the time, she thought it was just a joke, but after sharing life and death, those words had unknowingly taken root in her heart.

She had thought he was just a slightly special Body Cultivator Genius. Who knew that in just a few short days, this guy would be standing in a position where the top forces of the entire Federation were scrambling for him.

He... should go to a bigger stage. The moment this thought emerged, Shen Qingci felt as if her chest had been fiercely gripped by something.

She would never allow herself to become a stumbling block to Su Ming as he flew toward the stars and ascended to the throne of gods. She had her own pride too! She would definitely be able to catch up!

"Instructor Lin, the pie you've baked is truly large and round."

In the deathly silent conference room, a lazy voice suddenly rang out. Su Ming put down his teacup, leaned back against the chair, and crossed his legs.

Teacher Lin Qinyin was stunned. "I haven't even left the gates of Jiangcheng, and you're already sending me straight to outer space?"

He rubbed his chin. "If you take too big a step, it's easy to pull…" "Ahem…" Several people in the conference room choked at the same time.

Teacher Lin Qinyin's smile stiffened for half a second before returning to normal. "That's why I'm booking you in advance." "Once you leave Jiangcheng, this price… won't be the same as it is now."

Ten thousand alpacas ran through Su Ming's mind. Businessmen are always treacherous! Capitalists really aren't good for anything.

They talk better than they sing—something about a "blade to break the situation," something about "pioneering for the Human Race." Translated, doesn't it just mean: Kid, once you take my money, you have to go into those life-threatening ruins and act as a minesweeping dog and a pioneering ox for my Lin family!

Go work in outer space? What kind of international joke is that? I haven't even finished eating all the street food in Jiangcheng, and you want me to go to the Universe and work 996? Fight for the rise of the Human Race? Are you sick in the head?

He didn't have the leisure for that. Who is Su Ming? A Transmigration person! An outsider! If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up; he just wants to be a happy, low-profile slacker.

Modu University, out! What about Imperial Capital University? Su Ming glanced at the gold-embossed document out of the corner of his eye. Ancient martial arts manuscripts, a master blacksmith, Authority from the Mystery Bureau... It was indeed tempting.

But what kind of place is Imperial Capital University? The political center of the Federation. A freak like him, with zero Source Energy in his body and a Silicon-based Fusion life form, jumping around under the noses of those old foxes in the Imperial Capital? He'd probably be monitored like a protected species the moment he arrived, and within three months, he'd be dragged off to be sliced up and have his blood drawn.

Besides, even though that old dog Associate Professor Zhou Haisheng was dead, who knows how many Tongyuan Society moles were still hidden in the Imperial Capital?

Even more absurd was that "Source Energy-less Body Cultivator Course." Teacher Sun actually wanted him to teach? Teach my ass! Is this cheat-code stuff something you can teach others? Give every student a System? That's too ridiculous!

Imperial Capital University, out!

Su Ming tapped his fingers silently on the armrest. The East, West, and North—all their conditions had their merits. He coveted the aircraft, but the strength of Lang Qingyun's group was air combat and rapid assault, which had nothing to do with his path of pure physical crushing.

The Immortal Heavy Metal Mine was good stuff, but he'd heard that place was in a constant state of war. He hadn't even heard of the Divine Court Empire, and he absolutely could not be cannon fodder.

The stealth suit and the Abyss Darknet missions were indeed tempting, but how much of a chance of success would a bulldozer have disguised as a ninja?

His talent path required a large amount of actual combat and material supplies. The most suitable environment was a place with loose governance, many combat opportunities, and complex power struggles. Only then could he "make a fortune in silence."

And Southern United Academy was exactly that kind of place. With multiple forces running the school together, no one could cover the sky with one hand; this was the perfect breeding ground for development.

He could pick any combat mission he wanted and keep thirty percent of the spoils. This meant he could openly farm mass points without any worries.

Plus, he had a System; once things entered the System space, it was like a meat bun thrown at a dog! Never mind thirty percent—even if he swallowed all one hundred percent, who would have the ability to pry a single coin out of the Space Steward's mouth?

Su Ming's gaze swept over Chu Yao and Lieutenant Colonel Chu Feng calmly. This brother-sister pair did things reliably and didn't seem like bad people. Lieutenant Colonel Chu Feng must have worked hard to get him that military Rank and apply for merit points.

Chu Yao had protected him from the very beginning, even standing in front of him the first moment that Tier 5 old dog, Associate Professor Zhou Haisheng from the Imperial Capital, tried to cause trouble. This kind of relationship was more reassuring than any written contract.

Su Ming sensed Shen Qingci taking a half-step back. Most importantly—that Tier 8 Void Realm spider had had its leg severed by a spatial blade! Besides that old schemer, Factory Director Shen, who else in Jiangcheng had that kind of ability?

A big, powerful thigh that could easily kill a Tier 8 was right beside him; why would he go far away to be a dog for Magic City capital?

Southern United Academy. This was the optimal solution. What suits you is the best! Freedom, a sense of security, room for growth, and a top-tier backer—it had all four.

As for the school beauty, Shen Qingci… He naturally knew what this girl was thinking. Women, they just love to overthink.

Since he came to this world, it was this woman who gave him the opportunity to become stronger. In the exam hall, when facing Zhao Kuo and the Tier 6 Scorpion King, when didn't she stand in front of him? And that dark star battle armor worth tens of millions—she just gave it away. This girl didn't say anything with her mouth, but her actions were very honest.

Su Ming was greedy for money and cherished his life; he wouldn't be a sycophant, but he also couldn't be an ungrateful wretch. He remembered every favor that needed to be repaid. Moreover… if it were you meeting a beauty of this level, wouldn't you want to go up and take a bite? Besides, he was a man! It's already Chapter 150; his "little brother" should come out and show his face, right!

Thinking this through, Su Ming felt clear-headed. But with so many treasures, it was a bit of a pity! What should he do?

Suddenly, Su Ming sat up straight, his gaze shifting back and forth between Teacher Lin Qinyin and Chu Yao. A shocking idea popped into his mind.

"Instructor Lin." Su Ming spoke, his tone suddenly becoming extremely serious. "Your Modu University is the richest in the entire Federation, right?"

Teacher Lin Qinyin was stunned, then lifted her chin slightly and nodded proudly. "Naturally. To Magic City, money is just a string of numbers." A hint of triumph flashed in her eyes. Was he finally conquered by money?

Chu Yao closed her eyes. Tie Moshan breathed heavily. Lang Qingyun had already started silently packing up his documents. Teacher Sun from Imperial Capital University also looked unhappy. Everyone present felt that the outcome was already decided.

However, the King of Posers' thought process directly fried the CPUs of everyone present.

"Then can you… buy one get one free?"

Teacher Lin Qinyin frowned: "What do you mean? You want to bring a dog?" She thought Su Ming wanted to bring a battle pet. She had seen the video circulating online and knew this kid had a Tier 3 Two-headed Demon Hound. A dog, well, if he wanted to bring it, he could; it wasn't a big deal.

"Bring what dog?" Su Ming rolled his eyes. Everyone was confused.

Su Ming suddenly grabbed Shen Qingci's wrist from behind. Shen Qingci, caught completely off guard, was dragged by his strange strength onto the chair in front of him and forced to sit down.

Then he turned his head back, facing the stunned top instructors and military representatives, spread his hands, and wore an expression both sincere and innocent.

"I promised her before that I would go to the same school as her." "I am a person who—values integrity above all."

"Since Instructor Lin's financial resources are so abundant…" "Why don't you just buy Southern United Academy while you're at it?" "Or your Lin family could just dump an investment into Southern United Academy and link the interstellar black card to their account." "Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds!"

Dead silence. An even more desperate silence than before erupted in the conference room. All the instructors and military bigwigs looked at Su Ming as if they were looking at an extraterrestrial creature.

Let Magic City buy out Southern United Academy? Buy a top martial arts university? Do you think it's buying cabbage?! That is a top-tier institution co-founded by the four military powers, and the political network of interests behind it is more complex than sewer pipes. This, this, this… Is this something money can solve?! …! (Another chapter later)