Chapter 357: 【Simulated Life】 Grand Opening

Although Li Ang has already modified the Divine Tree and it no longer crudely extracts life energy as in the original, there is still some risk involved.

Therefore, the 【Simulated Life】 project will not be opened to tourists on a large scale during its early phase and requires a period of trial operation.

During this time, the artificial humans will carefully select tourists with genuine intent to experience it, ensuring the collection of the most complete data.

However, Li Ang cannot oversee this project for long, and since he still has the Sharingan he obtained from Obito, he can install it on the artificial humans—enough to simply control the Divine Tree.

"Madam, hello. The 【Simulated Life】 project is still in its early development stage, so there may be minor risks, but they will not threaten your life safety—please do not worry." The artificial human, dressed in park uniform, smiled patiently while explaining the precautions, "If you still feel uneasy, you may return to the ticketing area for a refund."

"Heh." Christine studied the strange plants nearby, a faint smile curling her lips, "I understand. Lead the way."

Seeing that the blonde wavy-haired woman showed no concern, the artificial human immediately turned and led her toward the Divine Tree.

Christine followed behind the artificial human, her face filled with curiosity.

The plant at a distance, its peak glowing crimson, had already caught her attention several days ago—but back then, she didn't know what it was for.

But within two days, Christine received word that the Morabiss Star resort had launched a new project.

At first, she paid it no mind—until two of her third-rank subordinates returned to their quarters one day with a dazed expression, drawing her attention.

After questioning them, Christine learned they had gone to experience the so-called new project.

Yet she didn't care about their talk of a "perfect world"—it was their condition that piqued her curiosity.

As a fourth-rank vampire, Christine's sensitivity to life energy far surpassed that of other races.

She keenly sensed that her two subordinates were behaving strangely, just like ordinary humans who had been drained of blood.

But after careful examination, Christine found no abnormalities.

Yet as a pillar of the Blood Secret Company, Christine was no fool—she quickly realized this must be connected to the new tourism project.

This was why she was here.

"Daniella really found herself a good patron this time."

As Christine was thinking this, the artificial human leading her stopped: "Madam, we have arrived."

At the sound, Christine snapped back to attention.

She looked up at the dense cluster of white cocoons above, her expression turning intrigued: "What do I need to do now?"

"You need not move—just let me handle it. Whatever happens next, please do not resist."

Seeing the blonde wavy-haired woman give a slight nod, the artificial human placed a hand on the thick trunk beside her.

The next instant, a vine shot forth, binding Christine into a white cocoon and hoisting her onto the branch.

Unlike the nearby gently swaying white cocoons, Christine's cocoon occasionally flashed with crimson-red energy.

A few minutes later, the white cocoon slowly descended, and the vampire stood once more upon the earth.

Recalling what had just occurred, Christine's eyes held a hint of lingering aftertaste.

"So that's how it is. Truly interesting."

Just now, she had swiftly lived through a perfect life.

If she were to score it, on a scale of ten, she would give that life an eight.

Of course, that wasn't the point—Christine now understood why her subordinates had felt strange after experiencing 【Simulated Life】.

The strange plant before her had been secretly siphoning visitors' life energy through that process—though the amount was minuscule, barely affecting the tourists at all.

Only because she experienced it firsthand could she detect this incredibly subtle operation.

"So what does this planet's Viceroy intend to do?"

Christine didn't believe this was the plant's autonomous behavior—the life energy absorption was undoubtedly tied to that interstellar giant reptile.

Yet after pondering for a while, she still couldn't fathom why a dragon would need life energy.

But soon, Christine suppressed her confusion, for she realized this was a good opportunity.

An opportunity to both advance her plans for the Qinglie series of functional beverages and to probe the Viceroy's background.

"Ha."

"Blame yourself for handing me this leverage."

A mocking thought flickered through Christine's mind.

Everything she planned to do next would be within the rules—even if the planet's Viceroy had powerful backers, they couldn't find fault.

Unless the backer was a seventh-rank stronger than her own Lord.

As for sixth-rank…

Recalling the several dissimilar figures among her company's elite, the blonde wavy-haired woman's face instantly filled with reverence mixed with fear.

There had been no shortage of sixth-rank powerhouses who opposed the Blood Secret Company—but all without exception had become blood slaves to her Lord.

"Pity my Lord wouldn't care about such trivial matters—otherwise I wouldn't need to activate that hidden line."

After briefly composing herself, Christine sighed with regret.

But she quickly rallied—so long as she performed well, one day she would be granted the Lord's blood and ascend further.

Recalling the diluted Lord's blood she had drunk when breaking through to fourth-rank, Christine couldn't help licking her lips.

"I'd truly love to taste it again."

……

【Alchemical Kingdom】.

Li Ang didn't know his newly developed project had already drawn attention—after all, 【Simulated Life】 was still in trial operation, and promotional efforts hadn't even begun; the only ones experiencing it were tourists randomly present on Morabiss Star.

Yet according to feedback, 【Simulated Life】 held great potential.

Unfortunately, if it relied solely on siphoning tourists' life energy, the Divine Tree would take many years to bear fruit.

Fortunately, Li Ang wasn't in a hurry—this Divine Tree on Morabiss Star was merely an experiment and wouldn't hinder his planting elsewhere.

Nor need he worry about the chakra fruit from Morabiss Star going to waste—such precious things are always better in greater quantity.

Moreover, according to Li Ang's judgment, the next stage of the 【Stellar Shepherd】's advancement will certainly require planting more trees.

Of course, all that is for the future—he still has many other things to handle now.

For example, right now.

Looking at the young woman before him, her face respectful and her eyes filled with longing, Li Ang raised an eyebrow: "Madame Karina, have you decided?"

"Yes," Karina lowered her proud head. "I accept your terms."

After a period of deliberation, this Rank Four Alchemical Master from the Ranjiubu Society ultimately chose to submit.

The alchemy held by this dragon before her was simply too alluring.

Although the Ranjiubu Society also had many alchemists capable of similar feats, all such beings were Rank Five, even Rank Six masters.

Most importantly, the one before her was not even a craftsman-class practitioner.

"Truly terrifying talent."

Karina kept her head bowed, unable to suppress a sigh within her mind.

She dared not imagine what achievements this dragon might have attained had he begun as a craftsman-class practitioner.

Unfortunately, this alchemical master did not know about the talent "Console Player," or else she would not have made such a remark.

As Karina thought this, Li Ang placed a contract before her: "Sign it."

The contract's terms were not complex: besides outlining the young woman's duties within the Plant Union from now on, it also forbade her from teaching the Seven Kingdoms to anyone else, should she ever learn them.

Although Li Ang believed that without his instruction, Karina would almost certainly never learn them anyway.

Still, precautions must be taken—what if she were a prodigy?

After carefully reviewing the contract's contents, Karina signed her name.

As the contract slowly burned to ash, an inexplicable bond formed between the two.

"Then, Master Fang, I'll go familiarize myself with the duties."

Perhaps due to their shared status as alchemists, Karina chose to address Li Ang as "Master Fang."

Li Ang cared nothing for titles, so he merely nodded slightly: "Go speak with Danika—she'll guide you."

"Yes."

Karina responded, then followed the female servant android out of the laboratory.

Yet from the trembling of her fingers, it was clear she was suppressing the urge to dismantle the android.

After watching this Rank Four Alchemical Master vanish from view, Li Ang exhaled lightly.

"Now, development of the Qinglie series shouldn't require my attention."

As an alchemist specializing in potion synthesis, a simple functional beverage was hardly a challenge for Karina.

With this thought, Li Ang removed the Qinglie series from his task plan.

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared on the screen beside him.

It was Lu Ke.

His expression was frantic, his voice rapid and loud:

【Big trouble, Li Ang! The new project has been shut down!】

Hearing this, Li Ang's hands paused mid-motion, then his brow furrowed.

He looked at the cold-faced strangers behind Lu Ke on the screen and uttered two words:

"Wait for me."