25: Chapter 25 The 1 billion has already been transferred to you.

The next morning, Chen You stepped into the core area of the underground base once again.

The massive circular space was brightly lit, filled with the same cold sense of futuristic technology as always.

The four large characters for "Safety First" still hung in the most prominent position.

Although he had barely slept last night, circulating the first revolution of the Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art through his body for dozens of cycles.

At this moment, instead of feeling the slightest bit of fatigue, he felt refreshed, with a warm comfort permeating his entire body.

[Spiritual Sight was passively activated, and he could even clearly "see".]

Around his body, the thin spiritual energy particles were significantly more active than yesterday, slowly being drawn into his form.

In contrast, the experts across the conference table looked a bit more "down to earth."

Materials expert Qian Zhonghua had sunken eyes, bloodshot with strain.

Yet, his exhausted face overflowed with a near-frenzied excitement.

Biology expert Zhang Ping was the same; his hair was a mess like a bird's nest, his black-rimmed glasses were slightly askew, and he was deathly gripping a thick report.

Only tactical team leader Zhang Yunhai remained as cold and stoic as a mountain.

However, when he looked at Chen You, a hint of complexity unconsciously flickered in his eyes.

"Let's have a short meeting."

Director Li Guoan sat in the head seat, tapping his finger lightly on the table. His voice was steady, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Chen You, this is today's mission plan."

As soon as he finished speaking, data team leader Sun Feng stood up and pointed to the large screen behind him.

"Based on the review of your last mission process and the analysis of the 'Zhao City's Rebirth' scenario Campaign."

"We believe the quest 'The City Lord's Summons' has an extremely low probability of triggering combat, approximately 3.5%."

Sun Feng pushed up his glasses, his tone rigorous.

"Zhao City has returned to normal order. You holding the command tally to see the City Lord is part of the official process."

"Therefore, our recommendation is to continue following the main questline."

"Today's core objective is to reach Level 10 and unlock the Guild and Campaign (dungeon) systems."

Chen You nodded.

Level 10 was a very obvious milestone.

"The biology team has a new discovery."

Biology expert Zhang Ping stood up impatiently, his voice trembling slightly.

"After 48 consecutive hours of gene sequencing and substance analysis by our team, we found that the Giant Chicken and the Ghost Wolf..."

"Though one is avian and the other is mammalian, their underlying biological logic is highly similar!"

"The composition of trace elements in their bodies is almost identical!"

"This proves they likely originate from the same ecosystem!"

He paused, took a deep breath, and dropped a bombshell.

"More importantly! Besides the special proteins in the blood that can inhibit cancer cells..."

"We discovered that the flesh of these two creatures, after being cooked, has a significant strengthening effect on human functions!"

Upon hearing this, even Director Li Guoan's breathing hitched slightly.

"Specific data," he asked in a low voice.

"An adult male with a standard weight of 75 kilograms, after consuming approximately 136 grams of cooked meat."

"His muscle strength, cell activity, and nerve reaction speed will all reach a peak, with a comprehensive strengthening effect of about 20%!"

Zhang Ping waved his arms excitedly. "We conducted control experiments with top-tier S-rank special ops members, and the results were equally significant!"

"It's not yet certain if this strengthening is permanent, but..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present understood what this meant.

It wasn't treatment; it was enhancement!

It allowed an ordinary person to possess the physical fitness of a top athlete!

It allowed a top-tier special ops member to break through human physiological limits!

Chen You's heart skipped a beat as well.

20%?

If tactical team leader Zhang Yunhai had eaten this stuff before beating him up yesterday...

I suppose his hand would have broken even more cleanly?

He subconsciously glanced at Zhang Yunhai, who remained expressionless as if he hadn't heard.

"So," Zhang Ping looked at Chen You, his gaze burning as if he were looking at a walking mountain of gold.

"If possible, Comrade Chen You, the next time you encounter a new species, we don't need much."

"As long as you can bring back a complete carcass or some tissue samples, their value will be... immeasurable!"

Before everyone could fully recover from this news, materials expert Qian Zhonghua also "snapped" to his feet.

"And the materials! Director Li, that blade!"

He pointed at the projection of the vengeful spirit battle blade on the screen, speaking rapidly.

"We performed non-destructive testing and field tests on it last night and found that the lattice structure of its material is so perfect it doesn't look like a natural product—which we expected."

"But the most astonishing thing is that there is a unique microscopic energy field around it. This field has an extremely strong interference and absorption effect on electromagnetic waves!"

"Speak in plain English," Director Li Guoan frowned.

"It's a natural 'stealth' coating! And it's the nemesis of all current radar wavebands!" Qian Zhonghua slapped the table.

"If we can analyze the construction principles of this field, our individual exoskeleton armor and next-generation fighter skin technology could leap forward by at least fifty years!"

"This is more than an era ahead of the F-22's stealth coating!"

"I need samples!" Qian Zhonghua's gaze turned to Chen You, almost pleading.

"In the game world, any metal or ore, regardless of its value, bring it out! We need to do material comparisons!"

A dead silence fell over the meeting room.

Everyone was stunned by these two successive discoveries.

From cancer miracle drugs to human enhancement agents, and then to epoch-making military materials...

The "Source Realm," this iceberg had only revealed a negligible tip, yet it already displayed power sufficient to overturn the entire Blue Star civilization.

And the key to unlocking all of this was held by this young man who still looked a bit green.

"Ahem."

Director Li Guoan cleared his throat, pulling everyone's thoughts back to reality.

He looked at Chen You with a deep and solemn gaze.

"You are clear on today's mission objectives."

"First, reach Level 10. This is the top priority."

"Second, while ensuring your absolute safety, try to bring back new biological samples and special material samples."

He paused and said word for word, "Remember, I said 'absolute safety.' Money is not an issue.

"If necessary, you can buy every item in the shop and wipe Zhao City off the map."

"Your life is more important than that city, more important than all of us."

Chen You felt a warmth in his heart and nodded solemnly. "I understand, Director Li."

He was no longer the ordinary person who would be scared into an irregular heartbeat by ninety million.

He was now a pioneer of the huaxia civilization, a billionaire, and... the only Cultivator.

"Go on," Director Li Guoan waved his hand. "One billion has already been pre-deposited into your card."

"We will be here waiting for your return."

Chen You's pupils instinctively shook, but he didn't have any more exaggerated reactions.

One billion? Just a drop in the bucket!

...

[Welcome back to the Source Realm, Cultivator.]

Chen You opened his eyes once more.

Unlike the cold and quiet underground base in reality, a wave of bustling heat rushed toward him.

On the wide bluestone streets, crowds surged.

A three-meter-tall tauren with bulging muscles carried a giant axe past him, while Elf Archers with pointed ears nimbly weaved through the crowd.

There was even a freak with an octopus head waving tentacles while hawking something...

Various languages mixed together, forming a strange, noisy background.

This was Zhao City, no longer a lifeless ghost town, but an Adventurer city full of vitality and chaos.

Chen You took a deep breath; the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, the sour smell of cheap ale, and a faint scent of blood.

He looked down at himself.

Purely human form, still in that simple novice set.

He ignored the curious or disdainful glances from his surroundings and went straight to the quest panel.

[Quest: The City Lord's Summons]

[Description: You have purified the vengeful spirits of Zhao City. As the hero of this city, the City Lord wishes to summon you personally.]

[Please take the [Zhao City Command Tally] and head to the City Lord's Mansion.]

The City Lord's Mansion was located in the exact center of the city, a stone fortress more grand and imposing than any surrounding building.

Chen You identified the direction and set off toward that landmark building.