Chapter 200: High-End Business War, the Great Universe Server!

This special train would take about two days and one night to reach the outer ring of Central City.

After eating the nutrition meal personally made by Fish Senior Sister, Qin Shi returned to his private single suite.

The entire carriage was his "exclusive domain," with an independent living room and a walk-in closet.

Further ahead there was even a spacious panoramic viewing area, as well as a separately equipped tea room and wine-tasting room.

"Too decadent! Those within the system know how to enjoy life, they know how to enjoy!"

Qin Shi looked at the wood paneling, the retro brass decorations, every detail exquisite, enough to rival a top-tier hotel.

He took off his crisp student uniform, draped it over the chair, and silently watched the scenery outside the window.

As they moved farther from the Taian Urban Circle, the terrain gradually rose, and the special train lay like an iron long dragon coiled among the towering mountains, belching thick smoke, speeding forward.

"The undeveloped wilderness areas of Hengzhou are indeed too many. No wonder it's called 'New Star'; compared to the fully developed administrative regions like Haizhou and Imperial Capital, Hengzhou possesses more of nature's breath."

Qin Shi's thoughts diverged; for the Governor's Mansion, the Great Expansion was imperative.

If they could not seize more resources and transport more benefits, Hengzhou would always maintain the image of a backward borderland.

"Launch the Great Development Plan; from the barbaric primitive pollution zones, seek rich mineral deposits, continuously build resource points—only then is it beneficial for development."

Qin Shi drank the juice prepared by the refrigerator while feeling the gentle cool breeze blowing in from outside the window.

He rarely did not cultivate, allowing his spirit to relax, enjoying this moment of quiet.

When evening came, the dining bell rang, echoing softly in the carriage.

Qin Shi, who had been dozing with eyes closed, opened them; his full spirit made his eyes especially bright.

He exhaled, stretched lazily to extend his body, stood up, and pushed open the door.

"The provided menu is quite rich."

Qin Shi came to the private dining area, did not see Fish Senior Sister's figure, not knowing whether she continued to "occupy" the special train's kitchen, tinkering with her "Death Cuisine," or was resting.

He looked through the menu, simply ordered a braised oyster, a slow-stewed wild beef, and finally added a fruit ice cream as dessert.

He must enjoy the food before his taste buds were completely destroyed and poisoned by Fish Senior Sister.

While waiting for the chef to serve the dishes, Qin Shi closed his eyes to inspect the Stele Panel.

Previously beaten, he activated a new achievement.

【Overlapping Armor: Tempered a thousand times, immovable as a mountain. The flesh-and-blood body has limits, but the stacking of will and skill is enough to forge a barrier resisting all things. Every injury you suffer is an insight into the way of defense!】

【Trait: Your flesh will reduce the pain and trauma effect of blunt and piercing damage. When attacked, there is a two percent chance to trigger a rebound.】

【Advancement Route: Perform high-intensity defense training daily for thirty consecutive days, or sustain damage exceeding fifty percent of your own life in a single instance, to upgrade and unlock the corresponding skill.】

"This fits well; my combat mindset of getting stronger the more I'm beaten."

Qin Shi nodded slightly, indicating satisfaction.

He had already determined his future combat form: attack relying on normal attacks interspersed with normal attacks, defense relying on stacking to hold out.

With this perfect mode of offense and defense combined, he was enough to contend with experts of the Professional Realm.

"Hey, we meet again, Qin Classmate!"

When the first appetizer was served, Qin Shi suddenly heard a surprised voice,

he gave up the mouth-watering braised oyster, turned back, and saw Xia Hong and Xia Ying, the two siblings he had seen at the Hundred Strong Competition.

"What a coincidence."

Qin Shi simply exchanged greetings.

"Thanks to Qin Classmate, you helped eliminate Zhou Yuanchen, allowing me and my older sister to make it into the top three."

Xia Ying said with a bright laugh:

"Otherwise, neither of us would have a spot on this special train."

Xia Hong, as the older sister, said nothing, her big eyes staring fixedly at Qin Shi, as if he were more tempting than the braised oyster on the table.

"Cough cough, Older Sister, restrain yourself, don't be such a simp."

Xia Ying noticed Xia Hong's behavior, coughed softly, and reminded her in a low voice.

"Qin Classmate... you've become stronger again."

Xia Hong was completely oblivious; compared to last time, Qin Shi seemed to have undergone a tremendous earth-shaking change.

Giving her a completely different impact sensation!

"Closed-door cultivation for one month, slight improvement."

Qin Shi said modestly.

His attention was entirely on that plate of braised oysters; the milky-white oyster meat wrapped in golden thick sauce, the aroma of butter-fried minced garlic and dry white wine lingering at the tip of his nose—if it weren't impolite to eat while talking to others, he would already have picked up his knife and fork.

"Older Sister, Qin Classmate is the champion of the Hundred Strong Competition. In this trial, fighting against Hengzhou's geniuses, his Qi Life Force being stimulated, taking another big step, breaking through his original numbers, is very normal."

Xia Ying said with a hehe laugh.

"What do you know."

Xia Hong raised her hand to knock her brother's head, then sat opposite Qin Shi, elbow on the table, palm supporting her chin, observing with curious eyes:

"Qin Classmate, it's not just a simple increase in your Qi Life Force, right?"

This girl's perception is so sharp?

Qin Shi's heart thumped.

Usually speaking, an increase in Qi Life Force often brings a comprehensive enhancement of physical quality, making it easy to detect clues.

But if it were other aspects, such as the transformation of the Mortal Body or the tempering of Tendons and Bones, it would be extremely difficult to notice.

"Xia Classmate, what kind of change do you think I have?"

Qin Shi temporarily set aside his eagerness to enjoy the braised oysters.

"Breath."

Xia Hong leaned forward, bringing her head closer, making Xia Ying's mouth corner twitch.

This distance, this posture—it's getting a bit ambiguous!

I'm still right here!

"Qin Classmate's breath is heavier and more solid than last time. In perception, it's like a towering mountain peak rising from the ground, full of pressure. But more delicate, more penetrating, and yet there's a violent and destructive force held back but not released."

Xia Hong said seriously:

"And your body shows a more perfect rhythm, as if every part of your body is incomparably coordinated."

Qin Shi was slightly surprised, and couldn't help but admire Xia Hong's sharpness; even Lao Liang might not see things so finely.

"This is the talent of the Gu Clan. We have an innate affinity for all things in nature."

Xia Hong proudly raised her chin, as if saying "praise me quickly."

"Impressive."

Qin Shi said concisely.

"Speaking of which, I still need to thank Qin Classmate for letting me obtain a high-level inheritance."

After Xia Ying finished ordering, she also joined the chat.

Afterwards, the two exchanged their understanding and key points of the Mo Shan Breathing Method.

Qin Shi did not hold back, explaining the rhythm and cadence of the breathing method, as well as the guiding routes in detail, causing Xia Ying's eyes to light up, wishing she could grab pen and paper to start recording.

"Qin Classmate, your understanding is too deep! I haven't even thought of many places!"

Xia Ying said excitedly, a genius's cultivation speed is faster than ordinary people, nothing strange about that.

But insight and comprehension in the martial arts cannot easily be accumulated into foundation.

"Just my shallow view. The advantage of the Mo Shan Breathing Method lies in enhancing and increasing bone density and muscle density; in the Ancient Era, it should have been called a Body Tempering Technique. But you cannot blindly follow the original method, for that would cause flesh vitality to become abnormal, equivalent to remaking yourself into a vessel for a Great Demon."

Qin Shi reminded again.

He also saw that Xia Ying belonged to the Gu Clan, whose perception was outstanding, and could be immune to some mental influences.

If it were Zhou Ning, he would by no means recommend cultivating the Mo Shan Breathing Method.

"Xiao Qin Shidi."

The few were chatting happily when Fish Senior Sister pushed a food cart over leisurely; seeing that plate of braised oysters, she lightly furrowed her brows and said:

"Why eat something with such extremely low nutritional value? Very unfavorable to Little Junior Brother's development; come, I specially prepared a Loving Bento for you."

Qin Shi sighed, gazing at the untouched braised oysters with lingering eyes, and reluctantly gave them to Xia Ying opposite.

Then he began to devour the Loving Bento that Fish Senior Sister had poured her culinary talent into, its ingredients close to lethal.

"Gasp!"

Xia Hong and Xia Ying simultaneously sucked in a breath of cold air.

Though unclear what that sticky, sesame-paste-like unknown substance tasted like, as Gu Clan members with sharp perception, both saw the two big characters "terrifying" filling their vision.

"No wonder Nanhuang Dojo is the pillar of the Old Martial Arts school! Actually using such inhumane methods to train and cultivate disciples?"

Xia Hong admired inwardly; that unknown object in the aluminum box was simply like a large dose of poison, giving the feeling that eating it would cause instant death.

"Qin Classmate truly lives up to being the Last True Disciple of Nanhuang Dojo, the future Successor. This kind of Nutrition Meal, you can eat it with relish!"

Xia Ying was also moved; if it were him, he'd rather cultivate slowly than swallow it down.

Wolfing down Fish Senior Sister's custom-made Loving Bento like wind sweeping away clouds, Qin Shi silently operated the Ru Shen Ti, trying to dissolve that "toxicity" as quickly as possible, lest his seven orifices emit smoke later.

"Xiao Qin Shidi, rest assured; as long as I'm here, I'll never let you go hungry."

Fish Weiwei's eyes sparkled with little stars; if Qin Shi had a favorability system, he should be able to see "+1" symbols constantly popping up above Fish Senior Sister's head.

"You two are Xiao Qin's friends, right? Have you eaten? Want me to prepare some for you too..."

Xia Hong and Xia Ying shook their heads repeatedly, indicating they couldn't accept such kindness.

This Nanhuang Dojo Senior Sister looked like a poison path master at a glance; the food she made, they didn't dare touch.

The next day, the Special Train stopped at a small town along the way for several minutes, seemingly to resupply.

Qin Shi had just finished his cultivation lessons; with his Qi Life Force incredibly close to the Hundred Point Threshold, he no longer needed to do inefficient training like Standing Post or fist practice.

With the four Great Limits opened, the Breathing Method moved the muscles, tempered the bones, stretched the body, and the Meditation Method harmonized the spirit, nurtured the mind, and guaranteed vitality.

The only thing needing attention was the Five Great Secret Treasures of the Universe Furnace Secret Canon; the Lung Secret Vault's Taihuang Soldiers.

One must often alternate breathing, swallowing Qi like a whale, to increase progress.

Fortunately, Nanhuang Dojo's resources were complete; previously they had collected quite a bit of Exotic Qi for Qin Shi to develop the secret treasures and speed up cultivation.

He took out a Jade Snuff Bottle, pulled the stopper, and sniffed lightly twice:

"This time it's tobacco flavor, very strong, and a bit pungent."

Inside were four types of Exotic Qi, said to be collected "Moonlight Qi," "Molten Flame Qi," "Thick Miasma Qi," and "Wood Essence Qi."

This time Qin Shi inhaled Molten Flame Qi, with a smoked and scorched feeling, going straight into the lungs.

He was about to slowly circulate and refine it when the wall-mounted phone in the compartment suddenly rang.

"Qin Classmate, someone in the first-class carriage has submitted a meeting appointment for you; may I ask if you have time?"

"Appointment?"

Qin Shi was surprised; he didn't expect even meeting him required an appointment?

It seemed that after becoming the Top of the Hundred Strong Competition, his identity treatment was indeed different.

"Can I know who the appointment is from?"

Qin Shi asked.

"A Representative from Original Energy Company; her surname is An."

The other end of the phone gave the answer.

Qin Shi raised an eyebrow, thought briefly, and said:

"Wait five minutes for me."

He put on that crisp student uniform, walked forward along the aisle, and arrived at the first-class carriage.

Sure enough, it was An Jingchu.

This Miss An, who had once served as the Talent Apartment Administrator, still wore the professional look of shoulder-length short hair, dressed in a black suit skirt that was both conservative and showed her curves.

"Long time no see, Qin Classmate. It seems my judgment was correct; you have indeed displayed talent and potential that surprises everyone!"

An Jingchu smiled gently.

"I was fortunate to gain the appreciation of several teachers and happened to perform well."

Qin Shi sat down, then immediately asked the attendant for a cup of black tea.

"How come Miss An is on this special train?"

An Jingchu likewise chose black tea, brushed aside the strands of hair hanging by her ear, and said in a gentle voice:

"Original Energy Company is established in Center City; I am in charge of an external project surveying mineral veins. I just finished mapping nearby, caught this special train, and with permission hitched a ride back to Center City to report for duty."

Qin Shi expressed neither agreement nor disagreement; instinct told him that behind every seemingly coincidental encounter lay a deliberate design.

He smiled:

"Looks like we have quite the fate."

An Jingchu held her teacup and took a light sip:

"The invitation I extended before remains unchanged; the terms will be even more generous. As an emerging enterprise, Original Energy Company urgently needs an outstanding spokesperson like Qin Classmate to serve as its image front."

This was within Qin Shi's expectations; he had investigated Original Energy Company, and it indeed had substantial strength.

Compared to the giant branch companies stationed in Hengzhou, such as United Pharmaceutical and the like, it was only slightly inferior.

"Sorry, Miss An. I cannot make that kind of decision. I am now a Supernova of the Taian Urban Circle; if you want to discuss commercial cooperation, you can contact Lin Yunqing, Miss Lin of Qiguang Heng University; she will handle it for me."

Qin Shi shook his head.

"Not commercial cooperation; unilateral sponsorship."

An Jingchu blinked, revealing a trace of charm.

"Starting a company isn't charity; one always wants something in return, right? Miss An, I am still a minor; selling myself would be illegal."

Qin Shi shrugged, joking.

He did not believe any nonsense about unconditional sponsorship or free help.

"If you must put it that way, it's probably that I hope Qin Classmate can see our sincerity."

An Jingchu said calmly:

"I think doing business often hinges on sincerity; when sincerity arrives, a deal closes in one talk; when sincerity hasn't arrived, even a high offer seems hollow."

Truly a formidable negotiation expert.

Qin Shi leaned back, no longer sitting so stiffly upright:

"Am I really worth your company investing this much 'sincerity'?"

An Jingchu nodded:

"Not hiding it from you, Qin Classmate's potential value, within our company's assessment system, almost breaks the tier and crushes Hengzhou's other geniuses. Even placed across Dongxia's various administrative regions, you are among the best."

Qin Shi remained calm as ever, not getting carried away by the flattery.

He got to the main topic:

"Then, what can your company give me?"

The corner of An Jingchu's mouth curled up slightly; getting the conversation to this step was no easy feat; this Qin Classmate was completely not the type to be led by others in chat style.

"We can apply for Great Universe Server test qualifications for Qin Classmate."

Qin Shi was somewhat surprised.

Original Energy Company could actually apply for Great Universe Server usage rights?

This is the "Foundation" that only those Super Consortiums, Superpowers possess!

"Then, the price?"

Qin Shi asked again.

"Hope that after Qin Classmate enters the Professional Domain, you will fight once on behalf of Original Energy Company."

An Jingchu did not evade, speaking directly:

"Original Energy Company has some business conflicts with United Pharmaceutical. According to Dongxia's general commercial law, we choose to use a rather simple method to resolve this commercial dispute."

Business war relies on fighting?

Qin Shi slandered inwardly.

Indeed simple and unadorned enough!

(Chapter End)