Chapter 400: The Heir
Chapter 400: The Heir
"Powerful Active Conscious Entities are the architects and participants of the World Ring. They can open rifts between two worlds, allowing defensive forces to enter the fusion zone and confront the opposing entities. Through this, various companies can retrieve relics from both worlds, and by studying them, they can advance their technology."
Meng Lei leaned forward and began to descend the metal staircase, saying, "Follow me."
Meng Shu carefully made her way down the other metal ladder, moving cautiously. After descending about three to four meters, her feet touched solid ground.
She realized that the space here was much larger than what she had seen from above. Suddenly, a series of lights flickered on, illuminating the tunnel below and extending into the distance.
She noticed an elevator in the area, and after Meng Lei approached it, he gestured for her to come inside.
Once she was in position, Meng Lei pulled up the safety gate and then signaled to the control panel, saying, "Open the safety gate first, and then pull the lever."
Meng Shu followed his instructions, sliding the safety gate into place and then attempting to pull the lever. However, she found it too difficult to move with one hand, so she used both hands to pull it all the way down. The elevator trembled and began to descend slowly, accompanied by a loud rumbling sound.
Meng Lei continued, "In the past, Li Ying could only be considered a subordinate to the government. When opening the door, they needed the support of the Grand Shun Government, and each time, there was a process of review and approval.
The relics brought back from the outside world, although studied by the company, were essentially owned by the Grand Shun Government. They were not truly ours.
However, if Li Ying can become stronger, it can freely enter and exit the fusion zone between the two worlds and deploy fighters to search for relics on our behalf. This will provide our company with greater prospects and development potential.
Only the mega-corporations and large companies possess such capabilities. We at Fusion Boundary must find a way to join their ranks, ensuring that we can protect ourselves during the upcoming world collision, instead of becoming sacrificial pawns to be discarded or pushed aside."
With the elevator lights illuminating both sides, Meng Shu saw shadows and light crisscrossing Meng Lei's face and body. She wasn't sure if she appeared the same way to him.
"This decision was made rather hastily, but it had to be done."
Just then, they passed under a light, and Meng Lei's voice echoed from the darkness.
"Meng Huang has completely trusted and leaned towards that existence. We can't let this continue. You, Xiao Shu, successfully resisted his attack, proving that you have the capability to be a worthy heir. To prevent him from having too much time to react, I immediately arranged this meeting.
In fact, a long time ago, I started planning to capture that existence. All the conditions were already in place, so it was possible to achieve this.
My initial plan was to first have Aunt Yu and the Swordsman Guards weaken the entity, and once it arrived here, we would use rituals and Li Ying's power to capture and absorb it.
However, plans are just plans. After making contact, I realized that the entity's position was much higher than I had anticipated, making the subsequent actions far more challenging.
To be honest, I abandoned this operation at that point. Allowing the Handling Bureau to intervene was a way to ensure the plan had a backup, preventing an unmanageable situation.
But what I didn't expect was..."
Meng Lei turned to Meng Shu, "That existence was actually eliminated by your classmate, completely without the need for anyone else's involvement. It's rare for Aunt Yu to praise someone, and your classmate is one of them. I heard you gave him all the medicinal resources provided by the company?"
"Yes."
Meng Lei nodded, "You did the right thing. Only with sufficient investment can you expect a return. Now that you are the heir, give him Meng Huang's share as well. Either don't invest at all, or invest wholeheartedly.
As I've said, force is the fundamental guarantee. Besides active conscious entities like Li Ying, fighters also require our goodwill and support."
Meng Shu remained silent for a moment before responding, "I understand, Grandfather."
Just then, the elevator reached the bottom with a loud clang, gently shaking as it settled on the ground.
Meng Lei pushed open the safety gate and walked towards the area illuminated by the industrial lamps. As Meng Shu stepped out, she noticed Li Ying standing in front of them, as if she had been waiting there all along.
The space below was vast, with intricate ritual patterns covering the floor. As they walked over it, various colors of fluorescence flickered, as if something was flowing beneath.
In the softly lit area ahead, they saw a flat, intricately carved metal cylinder with two spout-like openings on either side and a lid with a Jiao Tu ring handle on top.
Meng Lei explained, "Li Ying's body is stored in there, and mine is below it." He extended his hand, "Xiao Shu, come stand here."
Without hesitation, Meng Shu walked forward and stood in front of one of the spouts.
"Reach your hand out there," Meng Lei instructed from behind.
Meng Shu tentatively raised her hand and placed it in front of her mouth. She felt a slight sting, as if something had bitten her. Instinctively, she withdrew her hand and examined it, noticing a tiny wound in her palm.
Meng Lei explained, "This is to allow her bodily tissues to exchange with your blood. From now on, within a certain range, you can always find her and have her serve you, as well as convey information and commands."
Meng Shu lowered her hand and turned to Meng Lei, asking, "Grandfather, I have a question."
"Ask," Meng Lei encouraged.
"Grandfather, you've always planned to strengthen the Active Conscious Entity. Aren't you afraid the Handling Bureau will find out?"
Meng Lei smiled and replied, "If we succeed in this endeavor, eliminating the opposing presence and allowing Li Ying to flourish, the Handling Bureau will have no choice but to remain silent. Although there may be some resentment, they will be more cautious when dealing with matters related to us.
However, if we fail, I will announce my retirement shortly afterward. I will let you, Little Shu, take over the company, thus giving them an explanation."
Meng Shu looked at him and said, "I've always wanted to ask, Grandfather, why did you choose me?"
Meng Lei responded, "Among the younger generation, you are calm and rational in your actions, willing to listen to others' opinions, and possess decisiveness during critical moments. Even when faced with difficulties, you dare to make resolute decisions.
These qualities are not unique to you; there is another, more significant reason. The Active Conscious Entity does not maintain close relationships with everyone. Even if you can command her, the outcome of your compatibility with her can vary greatly.
Among the many younger members, only you and Meng Huang were the most compatible with Li Ying.
Now, only you remain."
Meng Shu couldn't be sure if this was the truth, but she had to accept this answer. So, she asked another question, "Grandfather said that Li Ying is the foundation of the company's continuity, and no one in the company is irreplaceable. If that includes you, then it must also include me. So, who is the company... ultimately for?"
Meng Lei smiled and said, "Some things may be difficult for you to understand now, but you'll grasp them soon enough. As the company's heir, you are the one closest to the answer. Until then, just follow my instructions."
At that moment, in a building in the Crystal District, a capable woman with short, shoulder-length hair was smoking a cigarette, sitting with her legs casually crossed. She was communicating with a Boundary Token on the other side.
A voice from the Boundary Token said, "Sister Huan, the higher-ups are very dissatisfied with us. The loss of the important item during the Gong Clan's transportation has forced us to initiate Plan B. Now that Meng Huang is gone, and without his cooperation, Plan B cannot proceed. The higher-ups want us to provide an explanation."
Sister Huan replied, "What explanation? What does this have to do with us? Gong Zhan Yi failed to deliver the item himself, and Meng Huang's side failed as well, which is even more laughable. It's basically his own fault. We've always cooperated with him; we've done everything we could. This matter cannot be blamed on us."
The voice from the Boundary Token said, "But Sister Huan, arguing won't help. The plan's stagnation has led the higher-ups to question our action group's execution capabilities, and they are considering replacing us with another action group."
Sister Huan twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and smiled faintly. "Good. Whoever wants to take over can do so. I'd like to see who is more suitable than us at this point."
The voice on the other side paused, sounding a bit helpless. "But Sister Huan, this situation isn't ideal. The higher-ups' patience has its limits..."
Sister Huan said, "Say it straight."
The person on the Boundary Token immediately fell silent and spoke in a low voice, "Due to the lack of progress, the higher-ups have ordered us to carry out targeted eliminations based on Wu Qi's list of targets."
Sister Huan raised an eyebrow. "Wu Qi?"
"I know you dislike Wu Qi's suggestions, Sister Huan, but the plan is stalled, so the higher-ups have no choice but to try Wu Qi's proposal first."
Sister Huan stood up from the sofa and took a few steps inside the room. "Targets?"
The other side seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and immediately sent over a set of materials. Sister Huan's holographic screen displayed numerous people's information and data, including Chen Chuan's.
She paused for a moment when she saw Chen Chuan's information. "This handsome young man is the one who defeated Wei Wusheng?"
"Yes, Meng Huang's failure is related to this person. Wu Qi believes that among those who will hinder the company in the future, this person poses a significant threat and should be eliminated early on."
Sister Huan was unconvinced. "The future? I've never believed in such things. However, it doesn't matter," she said, walking to the window and looking out. Right in front of her, the massive Sky Wheel was slowly turning. "Since it's the company's arrangement, I'll take on this task."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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