CHAPTER 1012: ZHU ZHENG’S PLAN

Chapter 1012: Zhu Zheng’s Plan

The appearance of those three characters—"Yuan Kongye"—caused Zhang Yi's pupils to contract slightly.

He never expected that after such a long time, he would once again hear this familiar name.

The leader of the Bai Xue Jiao in Tianhai City.

The most dangerous enemy Zhang Yi had ever encountered in his life, and also the first Epsilon-level superhuman he had ever faced.

Although a long time had passed, the difficulty of that battle remained unforgettable to Zhang Yi.

Back then, they had to gather the combined strength of the entire Tianhai City, plus everyone from the Black Robe Investigation Team except for Bian Junwu.

In the end, they only managed to kill her with great difficulty by relying on the trigger Zhang Yi had secretly planted.

"So that's how it is, I understand now. So that's it, so that's it."

Zhang Yi murmured to himself, a look of reminiscence and emotion appearing in his eyes.

He remembered that Yuan Kongye had once given all of them Ice Souls.

The several major factions in Tianhai City, including Zhang Yi, had all used up the Ice Souls in their possession.

However, the Black Robe Investigation Team had kept one.

If nothing unexpected happened, it must have ended up in the Scientific Research Department of the Jiangnan Region headquarters.

"Did they manage to replicate the Ice Souls?"

Zhang Yi frowned.

If they could clone Yuan Kongye, that would undoubtedly be an extremely terrifying matter.

This would mean that Epsilon-level superhumans could be replicated on a large scale.

However, when Zhang Yi looked at Jingwei again, he dismissed this idea.

The cloning technology of 2051 still couldn't reach such a terrifying level.

Otherwise, Jingwei's strength wouldn't be so weak.

Probably only around 9300 points or so.

He stared at Jingwei and said calmly, "Tell me everything you know about the Yuan Kongye clone cells."

Jingwei held nothing back.

However, her knowledge of the entire scientific research project wasn't complete.

She only knew that sometime after Zhang Yi left the Jiangnan Region, Blizzard City suddenly began gathering talented superhumans from the Outer City in large numbers. 𝐑ÃŊ𝙤ＢЁš

Then, they began conducting large-scale adaptation experiments with the Ice Souls on them.

And this type of experiment had a high probability of failure.

In other words, the cloning technology actually had significant flaws, so the Ice Souls weren't perfect either.

But when she reached the end of her explanation, Jingwei's words made Zhang Yi become alert.

"The entire Night Crow Squad consists of superhumans who were the most successful in receiving the clone transplants."

"But we know that there exists one nearly perfect being who was created through complete cloning. And the purpose of our Night Crow Squad's existence is to help her achieve 【Flawlessness】."

"Her name is Zhuyu. It's said that she's a superhuman with no upper limit, capable of continuous growth. One day, all of us Night Crows will wither and die, becoming her nutrients."

"This is also the origin of my codename 【Jingwei】."

"Carrying stones to fill the sea, throwing ourselves into it without regard for our own safety, ultimately shaping a powerful divine entity!"

Zhang Yi's gaze grew colder and colder.

By the time she reached this point, he already understood everything that had happened during those five months.

No wonder Zhu Zheng's attitude toward him had suddenly become somewhat cold.

No wonder large numbers of Outer City refugees and numerous superhumans had begun appearing in Blizzard City.

That ethereal girl named Yuan Kongye had reappeared in this world in another form.

But this time, she didn't need to exhaust all her schemes to plunder others' origin energy.

She had obtained the support of the highest levels of the entire Jiangnan Region.

Zhu Zheng wanted to cultivate an Epsilon that would be completely under his control!

"So that's how it is, so that's it!"

Zhang Yi didn't make any judgment about this matter.

How Zhu Zheng cultivated his subordinates was his own business.

But he absolutely shouldn't have set his sights on Zhang Yi!

Zhang Yi grabbed Jingwei's chin with one hand, forcing her to look up at him.

Then he asked coldly, "What was Zhu Zheng's purpose in having you follow me?"

Jingwei replied, "First, to protect you. More precisely, to assist you. He thought you were too impulsive acting alone, and wanted me to help you when necessary."

This point wasn't problematic at all.

Regardless of whatever schemes Zhu Zheng might have, Zhang Yi was still one of the Jiangnan Region's most valuable combat assets.

He could shift his favor to Zhuyu, but he wouldn't abandon Zhang Yi either.

Zhang Yi snorted coldly, "And what else?"

Jingwei said, "To monitor you, especially to observe whether you have the capability to seize the Divine Source. When necessary, to prevent you from monopolizing the Divine Source."

"According to Commander Zhu's plan, he intends to give a portion of the Divine Source to that perfect clone for her use."

After hearing this, Zhang Yi slightly frowned.

He didn't feel particularly angry.

Isn't this how relationships between people should naturally be?

People can come together for common interests, and conflicts can arise due to conflicting interests.

Anyway, he hadn't held any particular expectations of Zhu Zheng from the beginning.

Naturally, he wouldn't feel betrayed and angry because of Zhu Zheng's self-interest.

Children talk about right and wrong, adults only weigh advantages and disadvantages.

To borrow a classic line from film and television:

If you shoot me but don't kill me, and I survive, we can still do business together—as long as the price is fair.

In Zhang Yi's eyes, Zhu Zheng was merely a collaborator, not someone he owed any loyalty to.

However, regarding Zhu Zheng sending Jingwei to monitor him... heh heh, he would definitely make good use of this issue when he returned.

At the very least, he would make Zhu Zheng pay dearly before considering the matter settled.

As for that perfect clone of Yuan Kongye, Zhuyu...

Zhang Yi thought about it.

If calculated by time, if he completed his Star Island journey and returned to the Jiangnan Region,

she would probably already be at Epsilon level, or close to Epsilon level by then.

"A clone isn't the original. As long as they don't share the same memories, they can't be considered the same person. She probably won't come seeking revenge against me."

"Besides, even if she does come looking for me then, I'm not afraid."

Zhang Yi had this confidence.

By the time he returned to the Jiangnan Region, he would definitely already be an Epsilon!

Zhu Zheng wasn't stupid either—he wouldn't allow the two of them to engage in a major battle.

Zhang Yi reached out, removed the communication device from her body, and threw it into his Dimensional Space.

Hua Hua's huge eyes had been fixed on her the entire time. "Master, why not let me eat her!"

"No, Zhu Zheng and I haven't completely torn face yet. Killing her offers me no benefit."

Zhang Yi refused outright.

"But carrying her around is a burden."

Hua Hua tilted its head to look at Zhang Yi. "Her target is the Divine Source. She might do something disadvantageous to you at a critical moment."

Zhang Yi shook his head and said calmly, "She won't."

Hua Hua's large eyeballs rolled, then it said with a smile, "You're right!"

"Let her properly witness the master's strength, then report back to that old fart Zhu Zheng! That should prevent him from overestimating his abilities and doing something stupid."

Author's Note