"You're back."
Dressed in a white lab coat with a graceful silhouette, Ruan Mei turned around from behind a row of massive cultivation tanks. Her face still wore that calm expression of slight detachment toward all things, but when her gaze fell upon Lu Jingming, a trace of an imperceptible ripple finally flickered within those beautiful eyes.
"I've brought what you asked for."
Lu Jingming didn't waste words. With a flick of his palm, a miniature spatial light sphere appeared, sealing Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing within it.
"Oh? Your efficiency is quite high."
A look of clear interest finally appeared in Ruan Mei's eyes. She stepped forward, took the light sphere, and scrutinized the two sleeping former deities inside as if she were admiring two rare pieces of art.
"Complete specimens of divine lifeforms, and a special case of high-level origin entanglement through a god-level Spirit Fusion... Not bad. These are very excellent experimental materials."
She nodded with satisfaction, her tone carrying the pure joy unique to a researcher.
"Since I am very satisfied with the completion of your commission..."
Ruan Mei carefully placed the light sphere into a specialized energy stabilization device. She then turned around and walked slowly toward Lu Jingming. On that face that was usually tinged with coldness, a fleeting, breathtakingly subtle smile actually surfaced.
"Then, it is only right to give you a sufficient... reward."
She stood lightly on her tiptoes, and those slender, dexterous hands—usually reserved for operating precision instruments—gently looped around Lu Jingming's neck.
A unique fragrance, a blend of floral notes and a faint medicinal scent, drifted into Lu Jingming's nose.
What followed next was, naturally, indescribable.
It was a private time for rewards belonging only to the two of them.
...
When Lu Jingming reappeared in the laboratory's lounge area feeling refreshed, Ruan Mei was busy in the open kitchen, wearing a simple apron.
Soon, several dishes with exquisite colors and aromas that would make anyone's mouth water were served on the dining table.
"Try them. These are recipes I've been researching recently, adjusted according to your taste."
Ruan Mei took off her apron and served Lu Jingming his rice. Her voice remained calm, yet it held a trace of imperceptible tenderness.
Just then, the laboratory's automatic door slid open with a hiss. Herta, dressed in her signature witch-like outfit, walked in with her arms crossed and a look of displeasure on her face.
"Ruan Mei, you're playing favorites again!"
Herta's gaze swept over the exquisite dishes on the table, and she let out a huff of dissatisfaction.
"I've known you for so many years, and I've never seen you cook for me. Why is it that as soon as this kid arrives, you personally go to the kitchen to make him a feast?"
It was well known that Ruan Mei was usually obsessed with her research and cared very little for culinary pleasures. Occasionally, she might whip up some excellent desserts in her spare time, but those were merely snacks. To have her specifically wash her hands and cook a full meal for someone was a privilege even her colleagues in the Genius Society, like Herta, had never enjoyed.
Ruan Mei glanced at her and said indifferently, "Because he can provide me with the most valuable experimental materials—something you cannot provide."
"You..."
Herta was momentarily speechless by the retort, but she couldn't argue. She walked over to Lu Jingming's side in a huff and grabbed his arm.
"Eat, eat, eat, all you do is eat. Once you're done, come with me quickly. My experiment is waiting for your help."
Lu Jingming was helplessly dragged away by Herta. He could only look back and cast an apologetic glance at Ruan Mei, who merely smiled and nodded to him.
...
Herta's laboratory was completely different from Ruan Mei's, which was filled with the breath of life. This place felt more like a combination of a space observatory and a futuristic weapons factory.
A massive holographic star map rotated slowly in the air. Various strangely shaped creations from unknown civilizations floated on anti-gravity bases. Countless screens flickered with complex physical formulas and energy models.
"Cut the nonsense, hurry up."
Herta pushed Lu Jingming onto a platform in the center of the lab and pointed to a blank area, her tone blunt.
"Use your 'Reality' authority to manifest some things from that 'Super God Universe.' I've been very interested in the differences between the underlying rules of different universes lately."
"You know, Herta, my power doesn't come from thin air."
Lu Jingming spread his hands, wearing a "you know the drill" expression.
"What do you want this time? God-slaying weapons? Or higher-level Divine Body technology? Maybe even a Dark Matter computer? I can get them all for you, but... it'll cost you."
"You guy..."
Hearing this, Herta couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her cute appearance combined with her current exasperation made her look particularly interesting. She obviously knew what Lu Jingming meant by "it'll cost you."
She sighed, somewhat helpless and resigned, as she muttered, "Honestly... even Ruan Mei got ahead of me. Me, the one who was summoned by you first, actually ended up falling behind..."
Though her voice was small, it fell clearly into Lu Jingming's ears.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingming was overjoyed. He had waited for these words for a very long time. Suppressing his inner elation, he put on a solemn face and said seriously, "Deal. Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Without further delay, he stood in the center of the platform and closed his eyes.
The Authority of Reality belonging to him was quietly activated, and a massive amount of reality power began to be consumed.
In the void, countless light particles converged out of thin air. Following the underlying data and logic in his memory regarding "God-Slaying Weapons" and "Dark Matter Computers," they began a reconstruction at the material level.
Amidst the flashing light, a halberd—the God-Slaying Halberd, possessing both a sense of high technology and lethal aesthetics in dark gold—along with a Dark Matter computer of immense complexity, with countless energy circuits flowing within it, slowly and truly appeared on the platform.
"Rule-based creations from an alien universe... the unknown knowledge contained within... simply wonderful."
Herta looked at the two creations, her purple eyes bursting with the unprecedented, fanatical light of a genius scientist. She almost couldn't resist pouncing on them immediately for disassembly and research.
To her, the actual power of these finished products wasn't important. What mattered were the underlying physical rules and technical logic they contained, which were completely different from this universe. That was the truly priceless treasure of knowledge that could excite her.
However, before she could move, a pair of strong arms picked her up by the waist.
"Eh? What are you doing? My research..." Herta exclaimed instinctively, struggling slightly.
"Research can wait, but my 'reward' must be redeemed now."
Lu Jingming had a successful, mischievous grin on his face as he carried the genius girl in his arms and strode toward Herta's private lounge.
With a thud, the door was closed.
Inside the room, the lighting was ambiguous.
Lu Jingming looked at Herta in his arms; though she was still complaining, her cheeks were flushed, and she had stopped struggling. His heart burned with anticipation.
He looked down, his gaze falling upon those perfectly lined, straight, and slender legs wrapped in exquisite black silk. The silky texture was enough to make one's mind sway just by looking.
"Truly exquisite..." He couldn't help but let out a heartfelt sigh.
As expected of a woman who almost became an Emanator of Beauty, whether it was her peerless face or her flawless figure, Lu Jingming found himself somewhat obsessed, almost unable to extricate himself.
A night of silence followed.
The next morning, soft morning light filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling porthole of the private lounge, casting a warm golden glow.
Lu Jingming rose from the massive bed—which was large enough for several people and so comfortable it could make one forget the passage of time—feeling completely refreshed.
He glanced beside him. Herta was still fast asleep. Her sleeping face, which usually carried a hint of pride, looked exceptionally tranquil now, even possessing a touch of childlike innocence. Her signature witch outfit was tossed aside, replaced by smooth silk covers that outlined the beautiful curves of her body.
Lu Jingming smiled. Without disturbing her, he quietly got up and dressed.
When he walked out of the room, the aroma of food was already drifting through the spacious living area.
Ruan Mei was standing at the island in the open kitchen. Wearing a simple apron, she was focused on plating a golden-brown fried egg onto an exquisite white porcelain plate. Beside her were several light and refreshing side dishes and freshly baked bread radiating a wheaty aroma.
Seeing Lu Jingming come out, she only looked up and gave him a faint glance. Her eyes were calm and waveless, as if she had no interest in what had happened last night, or perhaps as if she had long since understood it.
"Awake? Time for breakfast."
Her voice was as flat as ever, devoid of any discernible emotion.
Lu Jingming sat down at the dining table, but he couldn't help feeling a subtle sense of embarrassment. Even though he knew that with Ruan Mei's temperament, she wouldn't care about such things—perhaps even viewing them as a rational exchange of physiology and emotion—walking out of Herta's room right in front of her still made the seasoned City Lord feel a bit uneasy.
Not long after, Herta also came out, yawning. She had already changed back into her familiar witch attire. Her expression was as efficient and direct as ever, showing no trace of last night's intimacy.
She walked straight to the table, grabbed a piece of bread, and stuffed it into her mouth, speaking with a muffled voice, "Don't forget what you promised me. I want a copy of any future creations from that universe as well."
She showed no sign of embarrassment at all. Compared to those matters, she was clearly more concerned with new knowledge.
Among the three, it seemed only Lu Jingming appeared a bit out of place.
Amidst this strange yet somehow harmonious breakfast atmosphere, Lu Jingming suddenly froze as he was about to pick up his utensils. He slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of space toward the distant horizon.
At the same time, Herta let out a surprised "Oh?" as a playful expression appeared on her face.
"How bold. Are they just coming like this?" She looked at Lu Jingming, her purple eyes shimmering with the light of someone watching a good show.
Beside them, Ruan Mei gracefully put down her knife and fork, gently dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin. Her cold gaze was also directed toward the distance. Her voice was soft.
"Ignorance breeds blindness."
Lu Jingming smiled. He put down his utensils, wiped his hands with a napkin, and stood up.
"Take your time eating. I'm going to welcome a few guests who have come from afar." He placed a deliberate emphasis on the word "welcome."
Before his voice had even faded, his figure vanished from the spot like it had merged into light and shadow, as if he had never existed.
...
Several kilometers outside Sea Abyss City, high above the azure sky.
Four streaks of light, radiating powerful and divine auras, were approaching Sea Abyss City at extreme speeds.
Tang Hao flew at the very front, his burly frame tense, his face filled with gravity and fury. The information provided by Phantylia had poured oil onto the fire of his rage over the death of his granddaughter.
Ah Yin followed closely behind, her face pale, her eyes—usually as gentle as water—now filled with sorrow and anger. The fall of Tang Wutong had crossed her bottom line.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar were slightly behind. They glanced at each other, both seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. While Phantylia's words weren't entirely trustworthy, the information she revealed—especially regarding the Throne and the World Serpent—made them realize that the enemies they faced in the lower realm this time were far more complex and dangerous than they had anticipated.
Just as they were about to enter the outer defense perimeter of Sea Abyss City, the space in front of them distorted slightly without warning.
In the next moment, a figure appeared a hundred meters ahead of them as if stepping out of a painting, blocking their path.
The newcomer was dressed in simple black clothes, with white hair and red pupils. His face was handsome, wearing a gentle and appropriate smile, as if he weren't facing four aggressive deities but was waiting for friends at a banquet in his own garden.
"Good morning, everyone."
Lu Jingming's voice was flat and warm, yet it carried clearly into the ears of the four, causing their hearts to tighten instantly.
To have someone approach them at such a close distance without any prior detection... This feeling was identical to when they faced Phantylia earlier, or perhaps... even more unfathomable. Phantylia's appearance had at least been accompanied by spatial ripples, whereas the man before them seemed to have been generated out of thin air, completely violating their understanding of spatial laws.
The four stopped immediately, divine power circulating rapidly within their bodies as they assumed a wary posture.
"Are you the City Lord of Sea Abyss City, Lu Jingming?"
As the leader, Tang Hao took a step forward and asked in a deep voice. His voice was sonorous and husky, full of power. He could feel that within this seemingly harmless young man lay an abyss-like strength that made even his heart palpitate.
"Indeed, it is I."
Lu Jingming admitted with a smile. He spread his hands, his attitude as relaxed as if he were greeting a neighbor.
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