During the Spring Festival, Liu Hui enjoyed spending time with his parents. They were happy that their son stayed with them, allowing them to savor the simple joy of family, something they never dared to imagine before. The sorrow, however, was that their son was only with the two old folks, lacking a female companion, and now he constantly pined for Liang Jingyue. Perhaps, Liu Hui thought, it was time he started thinking about his son’s future.

Putting aside the concerns of Liu Hui’s parents, the Spring Festival rushed by in a blink, and it was time to return to work.

On the first day back after the New Year, Liu Hui convened a meeting in the office, attended by all the top executives of Starry Sky Group.

“Director Zhao, please brief us on the clinical trials for the medication. Liu Hui is most concerned about the drug’s market launch date.”

“Boss, esteemed colleagues. Due to the Spring Festival break, there was a slight pause in the clinical trials. However, through our persistence, all participating patients received injections of our drug before the holiday commenced. As soon as the trial center personnel returned to work, they could immediately review the patients’ physical data, so we haven’t lost much time. I estimate the Phase II trials will conclude within three days, allowing us to transition immediately into Phase III. We should have the results from the Phase III trials within twenty-five to thirty days. Provided our medication encounters no issues, I am confident our drug can be officially launched one month from now,” said Zhao Yuanhua.

“Very well. Director Zhao has made the situation perfectly clear; the drug will launch in a month. In that case, I must ask: is production ready?” Liu Hui inquired.

Mei Peng quickly responded, “Our production department is fully prepared. The assembly lines have all been calibrated. If the raw materials arrive, we can begin manufacturing immediately.”

“Excellent. Director Mei’s production side is set. What about sales—are there any issues?” Liu Hui asked. Li Zhi replied, “Boss, before the holiday, we finalized the basic sales strategy and completed investigations into market segmentation and distributors. We have already made contact with several globally renowned pharmaceutical distributors. As soon as our drug’s official launch date is confirmed, we can immediately hold an auction for the distribution rights.”

“En, the critical links are all secured. It seems everything is in place. The most important task for Starry Sky Group right now is the drug launch. However, our corporate structure is not yet complete, so Director Jiang, your next priority is recruitment—staffing up our personnel reserves to lay a solid foundation for the upcoming sales launch.” Liu Hui stated.

“Boss, I have already planned for that. Besides placing orders with headhunting firms, tomorrow we will place recruitment advertisements in all major Hong Kong media outlets, while also accepting online resume submissions,” Jiang Lu stated.

“Since that is settled, the entire company will now focus its work around these two main objectives. I ask all directors to return and organize their respective departments’ tasks. Meeting adjourned.” Seeing things progressing smoothly, Liu Hui felt quite pleased.

Under the guidance of their departmental heads, Starry Sky Group was advancing healthily and steadily. Liu Hui arrived at the training grounds of the Security Company. He saw Wu Yuanjia addressing the security personnel below. Noticing Liu Hui’s arrival, Wu Yuanjia immediately rushed over.

“Boss, are you here to inspect our work?” Little Wu Yuanjia smiled.

“Heh heh, your work is excellent; I have no need to inspect it. I came this time because I have something to discuss with you. Go and fetch Captain Huang as well!” Liu Hui chuckled.

Wu Yuanjia quickly called for Huang Boli.

“Boss, what is it?” Wu Yuanjia asked.

“En, let’s go to your office,” Liu Hui suggested.

Wu Yuanjia quickly led Liu Hui and Huang Mouli to his office. He invited Liu Hui to sit on the office sofa and personally poured him a cup of tea.

“You two, sit down too.” Liu Hui felt uneasy seeing them both standing.

Once Wu Yuanjia and Huang Fengli were seated, Liu Hui smiled mysteriously and produced two syringes from his pocket, placing them on the table before them.

“Boss, are these…” Wu Yuanjia looked at the syringes and asked doubtfully.

“Heh heh, the contents of these syringes are the nutrient fluid you used previously. However, its efficacy is much stronger than the nutrient fluid you used before. The contents of the syringe on your left are ten times more potent than the previous fluid; the one on your right contains a substance a hundred times more potent,” Liu Hui explained.

“Ah!” Wu Yuanjia jumped up in excitement, nearly knocking the syringe to the floor. He whispered, “Boss, are you talking about the nutrient fluid that can enhance our abilities?”

“Heh heh, it seems you already figured that out. Indeed, I have actually invented an energy potion that can significantly boost a person’s strength—it is the very nutrient fluid you were using,” Liu Hui smiled.

“Boss, wait a moment—” Wu Yuanjia quickly stopped him. He signaled to Huang Mouli, who understood immediately. Huang Mouli retrieved an electronic detector from his person and began scanning the room back and forth. Meanwhile, Wu Yuanjia drew all the curtains shut and locked the main door.

Huang Boli scanned the area once, found nothing amiss, and returned, shaking his head at Wu Yuanjia. Wu Yuanjia breathed a sigh of relief and said to Liu Hui, “Boss, do you realize what a stir it would cause if what you just said reached the wrong ears? Something this heaven-defying must be kept absolutely secret from outsiders.”

“Heh heh, Director Wu’s vigilance is quite good; that was my oversight. But I assume everything is clear now?” Liu Hui asked.

“Boss, there are no listening devices here. We can talk now,” Huang Boli confirmed.

“The potions before you are the company’s latest invention. Ingesting them can greatly enhance individual strength. One dose is ten times more effective than what you used before, and the other is a hundred times more. The current limit of what the human body can safely endure is that hundred-times potion,” Liu Hui introduced.

“Boss, was Zhou Tengyun using this potion? No wonder his strength was so terrifying. What do you intend for us to do?” Wu Yuanjia asked.

Liu Hui reached into his pocket again and pulled out another hundred-times potion—this one was essentially undiluted Body Evolution Fluid. He placed these two undiluted Body Evolution Fluids in front of Wu Yuanjia and Huang Boli. He did not answer Wu Yuanjia’s question directly, stating instead, “These two hundred-times potions are for you. As for the ten-times potions, those are for the security personnel outside.”

Wu Yuanjia and Huang Boli stared at Liu Hui, holding their syringes in disbelief.

“Heh heh, don’t be nervous, the injection won’t hurt. But you cannot use them right now, because after using one, you will fall into a deep sleep for six to eight hours. Keep them safe and use them tonight,” Liu Hui said with a smile.

The two men carefully tucked the potions away. Liu Hui continued, “You will observe the security personnel outside. Those who prove loyal to our company and pass our rigorous vetting process may use this potion. Otherwise, they will only be eligible for the ten-times solution.” “Boss, I understand. I will vet them thoroughly. I will absolutely select only the most loyal individuals to use this substance,” Wu Yuanjia guaranteed.

“Boss, rest assured. With these potions of yours, I promise I can train the most powerful security team on this entire planet in terms of overall strength.” Even the usually composed Huang Fengli couldn’t help but speak with bold enthusiasm upon learning of his boss’s miraculous potions.

“Heh heh, I trust you both. Go ahead and do it, but remember the utmost secrecy,” Liu Hui said as he rose and left Wu Yuanjia’s office. Wu Yuanjia and Huang Boli quickly escorted him out.

“Oh, right, are you recruiting new security personnel soon?” Liu Hui asked.

“Yes, we are too short-staffed. We must bring in new people immediately,” Wu Yuanjia replied.

“Director Wu, remember, the standard for recruitment must be loyalty—the kind that won't betray. We don't need people who rely too heavily on their strength and refuse to follow orders,” Liu Hui instructed.

“I know. With that substance available, sheer strength will no longer be our primary selection criterion.”

Liu Hui left the training grounds and headed to the basement. Xiao Hei inside the basement showed no external signs of activity, but Liu Hui could sense its presence. Xiao Hei was no longer experiencing intense pain, but rather an itchiness that was becoming increasingly unbearable. Liu Hui retreated immediately after just one moment of sensing it.

Liu Hui glanced at the glowing egg, thinking it seemed slightly larger than when it first formed, but he couldn't be certain.

Liu Hui reflected on the three entities he had traded with. He still felt Zerg and Alexander were more reliable. The old man named Xiaoyaozi, who had lived for thousands of years, seemed far more cunning than the other two. The thought of that old man irritated Liu Hui, so he activated his Dimensional Trading Device and called up Xiaoyaozi.

After a significant delay, Xiaoyaozi connected. He appeared on the screen.

“Old man, why so slow? Are you intentionally avoiding me?” Liu Hui mocked.

“Heh heh, little friend, I was busy with something; why would I avoid seeing you?” Xiaoyaozi laughed.

“Old man, you deceived me last time. How do you plan to compensate me?” Liu Hui demanded.

“How could I have deceived you? Didn’t you receive the cultivation technique?” Xiaoyaozi remained unruffled and debated with Liu Hui.

“But you failed to mention that the prerequisite for cultivation is having a spiritual root. That is deception. Now you must compensate me,” Liu Hui argued obstinately.

“But I truly have nothing else to compensate you with besides the technique. I am really quite poor right now,” Xiaoyaozi began to feign poverty.

“Really nothing? I heard that you cultivators all possess protective magic treasures, didn't you? Trade me your protective treasure as compensation. If you do that, I can continue supplying you with top-grade jade stones in the future,” Liu Hui tempted Xiaoyaozi.

“Will you really supply top-grade jade stones?” Xiaoyaozi’s eyes lit up.

“If you give me your protective treasure as compensation, I can give you one hundred top-grade Attribute Crystals in return. But this time, you cannot deceive me again. I only want your protective treasure,” Liu Hui replied instantly.

Xiaoyaozi hesitated, stroked his beard, then gritted his teeth and said, “Deal.” He formed a hand seal, and a beam of red light flew from his body, hovering over his hand. Xiaoyaozi stroked the red light with reluctance; a drop of blood immediately materialized on it. With a flick of his wrist, the bead of blood vanished. Xiaoyaozi placed the beam of red light onto the Dimensional Trading Device. Liu Hui quickly retrieved one hundred Attribute Crystals and placed them on the device as well.

They both clicked to confirm the trade. The red light immediately moved into Liu Hui’s hand. Liu Hui examined the red light; it contained an extremely small, exquisitely crafted piece of armor, faintly etched with mysterious runes.

“Old man, how do I wear this magic treasure?” Liu Hui asked Xiaoyaozi.

Xiaoyaozi, who was carefully counting the Attribute Crystals, casually replied, “Drip your fresh blood onto the Scarlet Light Armor, and you can wear it.”

Liu Hui was overjoyed. The cultivation world’s standards were indeed high; items were bound to the owner's genetic signature, making them useless to others. Carefully, he took out a small knife and made a cut on his middle finger; blood immediately flowed out and dripped onto the armor.

As soon as the blood touched the armor, it emitted a blinding red glow. Within the light, the armor rapidly expanded, then disintegrated into small components that hovered before Liu Hui. Suddenly, the red light intensified before Liu Hui’s eyes, and all the armor components surged toward him, passing into his body.

Liu Hui cautiously sensed his form but noticed no difference in his body. He then asked, “Senior, how is this magic treasure used?”

Xiaoyaozi had finished counting the Attribute Crystals. He carefully placed them into his storage space and explained with a smile, “The Scarlet Light Armor is passive. It only defends automatically when you are attacked, preventing you from being harmed.”

“Senior, I should thank you, and I apologize for my previous impolite words,” Liu Hui said, having secured Xiaoyaozi’s protective treasure. He felt his previous tone toward the old man had been excessive.

“Cough, cough, no need to be so polite. Actually, the defensive capability of this Scarlet Light Armor is already quite weak,” Xiaoyaozi coughed to mask his words.

“Eh? It’s already very weak? Just how weak is it?” A sense of unease flashed through Liu Hui’s mind.

“This magic treasure can only ensure you won’t die instantly, but it cannot guarantee the integrity of your body,” Xiaoyaozi stated quietly.

“What? It can’t guarantee my body remains whole?” Liu Hui thought he must have misheard.

“Yes. This Scarlet Light Armor is actually damaged. Due to the scarcity of materials, I hadn’t managed to repair it yet, but you insisted on taking it from me. I had no choice but to satisfy your request,” Xiaoyaozi said with apparent helplessness.

“You—you old fraud! How did I fall for your trick again?” Liu Hui raised his still-bleeding middle finger toward Xiaoyaozi!

A tragic day; the creeping fish went to sea, leaving no words behind!