CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 255: EXAGGERATED CONTRACT, CYBER ALCHEMY

"If you encounter any issues during martial arts training, feel free to ask me. If you lack anything, just let me know boldly. As long as it doesn’t violate company principles, I’ll do my best," said Shen Shuo.

Meng Chuan is quite sharp; he understands immediately without needing much explanation.

With a promising new talent in the faction, Shen Shuo was in a good mood and made this promise.

Meng Chuan is skilled at seizing opportunities, but asking for resources outright wouldn’t be appropriate.

Also, with his recent success, it’s most cost-effective to request support from the company once he advances further in martial arts.

However...

He had a small favor to ask of the company right now...

Meng Chuan thought for a moment, then said with a smile:

"President Shen is generous, so I won’t beat around the bush. I’m currently researching a cultivation technique related to blood practice, preferably a hard skill. I wonder if the company has such a technique?"

Han Hai may not be as advanced as Northern United University in martial arts.

But for such slightly "unorthodox" things, it might actually have something available.

Shen Shuo frowned, thought for a while, and then shook his head helplessly.

"I don’t think I’ve heard of that... I’ll talk to the group researching ancient martial arts, ask them to look out for it, and inform you if there’s any news."

"Thank you, President Shen," Meng Chuan replied.

Right now, the academy and company are jointly helping him search for blood cultivation techniques.

Meng Chuan couldn’t believe that, in such a big country, not a single book exists?

This is the invisible benefit of being a [National Champion]; if he were a nobody, who would bother with his affairs?

Afterward, the master and disciple went to visit Han Hai’s [Potion Production Workshop].

Over a thousand potion furnaces roared and operated simultaneously, mechanical arms moved up and down controlling the fire, creating a scene that was quite mind-blowing.

Technology influences not just everyday life, but also various aspects of martial arts.

In ancient times, where could one witness the awe-inspiring sight of "a thousand furnaces in operation?"

However, in Meng Chuan’s mind, the proper steps of potion making should involve a white-bearded Daoist controlling the fire with a palm fan in one hand and adding herbs with the other, using True Qi to govern the process and slowly refine the concoction...

Through Shen Shuo’s explanation, Meng Chuan learned a more disheartening fact.

The potions he occasionally consumed before were actually the leftovers produced by these potion furnaces...

The steam containing slight remnants of medicinal power from the furnace is expelled through the upper cooling device.

Then, through chemical methods, it’s purified and refined into leftover "potion liquid."

Finally packed into test tubes, it becomes the so-called "martial arts potion," Meng Chuan was thoroughly convinced.

"President Shen, is our Enlightenment series supplement also made this way?"

"No, there are different grades of leftovers."

Meng Chuan was speechless; they were just high-end leftovers.

Luo Guanyun explained with a smile:

"Now you understand why master wouldn’t let you consume those potions earlier? They contain too many chemical residues, and we aren’t tight on money.

But this can be seen as benefiting the public. In the past, martial artists from poor backgrounds couldn’t even touch the medicine dregs; now at least ordinary martial artists can drink proper potions, which is not bad..."

Meng Chuan nodded in understanding.

Though he pursues the ultimate in martial arts, he also understands the notion of "let them eat cake."

In Great Chu, tens of millions of grassroots martial artists mostly hope to change their destiny through martial arts.

Being able to advance to the realm of martial arts family is a great fortune, naturally not caring if there are chemical additives as long as it’s cheap enough to afford.

...

In the Han Hai board office.

Led by an assistant, Meng Chuan walked in, where [Shen Gong Yue·Roaming the Skies Unrestricted] was waiting on the boss chair.

Seeing Meng Chuan enter, he smiled and said:

"Xiaomeng is here? Have a seat. The contract is right here, take a look."

Meng Chuan took it and carefully examined the so-called [Dawn Sailing] pre-contract.

He couldn’t benefit from it yet, as it would take effect after becoming a martial arts family.

"Thank you, Senior Shen Gong, thank you, company!"

The contract included his benefits and obligations, and after reviewing, Meng Chuan was quite pleased.

There wasn’t any clause of company bullying, acceptable by him.

As initially mentioned by the Han Hai manager when they approached him in Taihang.

His relationship with Han Hai is cooperative rather than superior-subordinate.

Luo Guanyun, as Meng Chuan’s guardian, also reviewed alongside and nodded silently.

"Han Hai indeed sees Chuan’er as someone significant, not bad."

Besides social media platforms, endorsements for offline martial arts events, these basic ones.

They also required that if exploring demon nests yields something of societal interest, Han Hai has the priority purchase rights.

In addition, the most important was participation in the company’s large-scale demon nest exploration activities, where Meng Chuan needs to respond to the summons, Han Hai can initiate it once a year.

However, Meng Chuan has the autonomy to decide, if rejected more than three times consecutively, the contract will automatically terminate.

Overall, these were the basics; Luo Guanyun explained to his disciple what the summon rights were, Meng Chuan understood.

This is the fundamental obligation after joining both the company and academy factions.

Why only martial arts talents can choose to walk two paths simultaneously? The reason lies here.

One needs enough strength to fulfill dual obligations, and efficient time management skills to ensure one’s martial arts advancement isn’t hindered while bearing responsibilities.

In Great Chu’s martial arts realm, upon personal achievement in martial arts family, everyone needs to undertake respective responsibilities and obligations.

Whether choosing the academy faction or company faction, regular participation in demon nest exploration actions is also a social responsibility, Great Chu doesn’t support idlers.

Meng Chuan is confident it won’t affect his martial arts practice.

He needed to balance between school and company, but both systems have reasonable refusal mechanisms.

Martial Arts University, like the company, could gracefully decline summons, as long as not being negative in the long term.

Contract benefits were abundant, representing the true value of [Dawn Sailing].

[From the first year the contract takes effect, Han Hai must annually pay 10 million martial arts funds to Meng Chuan personally.]

[From the first year the contract takes effect, every three years, a Treasure Pill beneficial to martial arts practice will be issued.]

[Annual free usage rights within one million for all Han Hai products (forbidden from entering the market)]

[Occasional high-end new products free trials]

...

Various benefits, Meng Chuan finished reading, feeling "the boss is generous."

Add up the top few items, Han Hai has to spend nearly a hundred million on him every year.

Though the Great Pill is not as precious as the Little Creation Bone Pill, it is similarly assessed beyond monetary value as it is a rare martial arts resource that cannot be mass-produced.

Only Hanhai has its own production line, with a small yearly yield of Great Pills birthed under coincidental opportunities.

If it were a less-influential company, they’d rather offer more money than use Treasure Pills to win hearts.

Shen Gongyue’s smile grew brighter after seeing Meng Chuan sign.

"Xiaomeng, the company demands very little from you, and this you can surely see.

Both Shen Shuo and I hope you focus mainly on your cultivation and progress swiftly and far."

United University reckons Meng Chuan has potential akin to a Grandmaster, but after Shen Gongyue’s faction analyzed Meng Chuan’s development history, they unanimously believed:

Being a Martial Arts Grandmaster might just be the starting point for this young man...

Therefore, they boldly signed the costly ’Dawn Voyage’ contract amidst dissent.

If Meng Chuan truly gains prominence in the future, reaching the Celestial King Great Saint level.

Then a single word from him might easily recoup all early investments...

"Thank you so much, Senior Shen Gong."

Meng Chuan was at a loss for words; if it weren’t for his master beside him, he’d already bow deeply.

"Having wandered half a lifetime, only regret not encountering a wise lord. If you’re not abandoning, Meng is willing to take you as an adoptive father!"

...

After signing the contract and lunch.

Shen Shuo saw Meng Chuan and his master off to the airport.

Meng Chuan wished to visit his uncle and aunt before quickly returning to his regular martial arts training.

Arriving at Xianyang Airport, Luo Guanyun chuckled:

"We were received by a secretary upon arrival, but escorted personally by Shen Shuo upon return; that’s the prestige of a national champion."

Meng Chuan nodded knowingly.

This change in treatment is the most direct reflection of power.

The martial arts path ultimately speaks with fists.

"Let’s go, Grandmaster Wang said Lu Zhenshou is waiting for you at the government building, don’t keep the Celestial King waiting."

"Okay."

Meng Chuan felt his day was quite busy, leaving no time even to practice martial arts.

This must be the champion’s dilemma...

After becoming a champion, the matter’s at the martial arts hall equally surged, and Luo Guanyun left him at the government building.

Approaching closer, mixed feelings of nervousness and anticipation filled his heart.

Lu Zhenshou, a Celestial King level power, personally receiving him was undoubtedly a high recognition of his championship.

Inside the conference room, Lu Ang stood with hands clasped, gaze profound.

Upon Meng Chuan’s arrival, he slightly nodded:

"Indeed, the champion title is well-deserved. The martial arts path is long and requires continued effort."

He had just assumed the position as Zhenshou this year; Meng Chuan representing the Northern Lands in victory completed one of his political tasks, leaving Lu Ang quite satisfied.

"What was promised to you previously still stands; feel free to make requests."

Meng Chuan thought a while, tactfully asking if they could hold off...

He couldn’t discern Principal Yin’s attitude; if there’s hostility toward him, Celestial King Lu would be his best shield.

"It’s all fine; just inform me when you wish to use it."

This was the answer Meng Chuan awaited.

"Thank you, Lu Zhenshou!"

Lu Ang waved silently; it was merely a casual gesture for him.

Meng Chuan, this well-mannered child, wasn’t going to rashly ask for Divine Weapons or Divine Pills...

As he left, Secretary Wang patted his shoulder:

"Xiaomeng, regarding the National Martial Arts Talent Pool, you needn’t worry, next year’s nomination will certainly include you. Focus on practicing martial arts and become a martial arts family master soon."

"Understood."

Meng Chuan knew it was merely a nomination; to truly become part of the ’National Martial Arts Talent’, he would have to contend with others from across the nation.

"Secretary Wang, I won’t disturb you any longer; I take my leave."

Meng Chuan had to hurry back for a family meal, so didn’t continue chatting.

"Go ahead, keep up the effort."

Secretary Wang was quite pleased; this talent emerging from Yong’an also counted as one of his achievements.

...

Night.

At home in Huayun Prefecture.

Xue Na prepared a lavish seafood feast, and Meng Yongzhi brought out treasured wine, ready to drink heartily with Meng Chuan.

"Chuan’er, due to your championship, our family’s water, electricity, and property fees are all waived now; the property manager told me personally."

"Is that so?"

Meng Chuan picked a slice of the fish he used to despise ’brain-boosting hairtail.’

No matter how good the martial arts nutrition meals at the canteen were, they didn’t taste better than home-cooked meals.

Meng Yongzhi reflected emotionally:

"Yes, you must’ve missed the sight when you returned; banners saying ’Champion Cradle’ are hung outside our community...

They’re using you for publicity; this little benefit is warranted."

Upon hearing, Meng Chuan smiled slightly and continued eating.

Previously, Huayun Prefecture advertised with martial artists moving in; unexpectedly, now they’re banking on him.

He realized the enormous influence those four words ’national champion’ carried.

Xue Na was even more delighted, continually serving Meng Chuan dishes.

She didn’t understand martial arts matters, but the waiver on water, electricity, and property fees meant their family was uniquely privileged in the entire Huayun Prefecture!

After dinner, Meng Chuan returned to the attic to practice punches.

Master Luo was still busy at the martial arts hall, instructing him to come home later.

Currently, he was practicing the Five Essence Kidney Water Fist, consolidating the previously sneakily learned Ice Power.

"Having secured the national championship already, next is an all-out sprint to master martial arts, striving to advance before the Martial Extreme True Inheritance competition and surpass Motohiko!"

Starting one step ahead means staying ahead. Any accessible martial arts resources, Meng Chuan shall not miss.