21: Chapter 21 The Azure Cloud Plan

"Perhaps it's just a coincidence."

He thought to himself.

Then he shook his head.

Setting these thoughts aside.

He began conversing with the other person.

A moment later.

Cai Jiguang leaned forward and said.

"Lu Chen, I'd like to formally invite you to join the Alliance's Qingyun Project."

"Even without having Awakened a Soul Skill, your talent alone qualifies you for a place in the Azure Cloud Register."

Lu Chen lowered his head in thought.

Then he spoke directly.

"May I ask what the benefits of joining the Qingyun Project are?"

Hearing this,

Cai Jiguang's smile broadened.

Upon hearing Lu Chen's blunt question,

not a trace of annoyance appeared on his face.

He even felt genuine appreciation for Lu Chen's ability to remain so calm at this moment.

For a cultivator,

aside from talent,

Heart-Nature is equally important.

Impulsiveness and recklessness are the greatest taboos in cultivation.

Without a steady heart,

it signals a dangerous path for any cultivator.

This young man's composure

indicated a steadfast and resolute perseverance.

"There are many benefits,"

Cai Jiguang said,

sliding a document across the table.

"This is the agreement. Take a look. If you have any further needs, tell me directly—I'll do my best to accommodate them."

Lu Chen opened the agreement.

He glanced over the terms listed.

His eyes widened in shock.

This was the second time he had been shocked today.

The first was by the astronomical 120 billion price tag of that Combat Technique.

The second was by the contents of this agreement.

The terms were so favorable they far exceeded his imagination.

The agreement's contents were roughly as follows.

One. Receive a cash subsidy of 600 million yuan.

Two. Be eligible for a villa in an A-Class Base City.

However, there was a prerequisite.

One must achieve the rank of E-Class Warrior within three months to qualify to apply.

Three. Receive 2 bottles of High Grade body tempering fluid.

Four. Enjoy a 50% discount on any purchase from the Alliance's internal trading platform.

Of course, this clause also had a prerequisite.

It is only valid if one Breaks Through to become an E-rank Tenth Layer Warrior within one year.

Five. May freely select one Combat Technique from the Alliance store.

The condition is to Break Through to become a Tenth Layer Warrior within one month.

Six. May freely choose one weapon from the Alliance store.

Valued under 200 million yuan.

...

Looking at the terms above,

Lu Chen was stunned for a long time.

600 million in cash?

His family's total assets,

combined, were less than 100 million...

A villa in an A-Class Base City?

This wasn't just about a villa.

It meant obtaining full residency rights in a place tens of billions of people dreamed of.

Currently,

there were several thousand Base Cities across the entire Wasteland,

divided into five levels: A, B, C, D, and E.

Aside from the specially designated E-rank fortresses,

the most numerous were the D-level Base Cities.

There were only 8 A-Class ones.

A-Class Base Cities were not only the pinnacle of human civilization,

representing the most advanced technological level,

and the highest achievements in cultivation.

In this Wasteland,

they were also the safest fortresses.

Their area was at least a hundred times that of a D-level Base City.

Their walls were unimaginably grand.

The truly powerful individuals of the human world resided there.

Ordinary people without connections

lacked even the qualification to enter an A-Class Base City,

let alone live in one.

Then there was the High Grade body tempering fluid.

Lu Chen had seen online that

some people said

taking it could increase an ordinary person's strength to 600 kilograms

and their speed to 20 meters per second.

As for the price?

A single bottle cost at least 100 million.

Yet now, two bottles were being offered to him for free.

Even if he didn't need them,

his parents could benefit.

They were both ordinary people.

This would be a life-changing opportunity for them.

As for his inability to Awaken a talent,

once he became a truly powerful individual,

he could then seek methods to resolve his Spiritual Vein issue.

Perhaps when his strength reached a certain level,

his current problems would cease to be problems.

"About this, Supervisor Cai, you said I can choose any Combat Technique... are you referring to basic ones? Or does that include formal Combat Techniques?"

Lu Chen asked.

Looking up at him,

his throat suddenly felt dry.

Seeing the eager expression on Lu Chen's face,

Cai Jiguang immediately smiled knowingly.

Thinking to himself,

Finally hit a nerve, didn't I, kid?

He said with a smile,

"Of course, that includes formal Combat Techniques."

"That's right. You could even choose the Combat Technique valued at 120 billion."

"But... you saw the prerequisite condition, didn't you?"

"Do you think you can meet the requirement stated?"

At this moment,

Lu Chen felt a strong impulse

to immediately reveal his current true cultivation level.

But in the end,

he restrained himself.

He certainly didn't mind being seen as a peerless Genius.

But if he exposed too much,

he might be viewed as a monster.

Leading by half a step is a Genius.

Leading by a whole step is a madman.

When faced with the unknown,

while people possess a desire to explore,

they are also filled with fear.

If he revealed too much,

what he might receive wouldn't be resources and applause,

but greed and covetousness.

Especially in this Wasteland where calamities descended,

with the entire world sinking into decline,

everyone was desperate to obtain powerful strength.

Even the most powerful individuals

hoped to advance further.

Who knew what kind of attention he would attract

if he exposed his true strength?

If they thought he possessed some treasure,

they would probably stop at nothing to seize it, right?