Chapter 94

September 7th, 10:00 AM.

Life Evolution Bureau, Xia Country.

"Everyone," Director Zhou looked at the other four deputy directors and placed a red-headed document with a red seal on the table. "After the highest authorities have decided, the second batch of cultivation list has been fully determined."

Deputy Directors Fang Hong, Zhang Tongfang, Liang Qian, and Wang Shuqi immediately saw the list on the red-headed document.

At the top of the list was Xu Jingming. The second name was Fang Yu.

"All preparations have been confirmed," Director Zhou instructed. "Once everything is verified, we can invite Xu Jingming, Fang Yu, and Zhao Fan. Among the previous batch, only Liu Hai underwent the second cultivation, with a cultivation level equivalent to Xu Jingming."

The four deputy directors all nodded.

"Speed up and act quickly. Ensure that everything is ready by 2 PM today," Director Zhou instructed.

...

Noon.

After lunch, Xu Jingming and Li Miaomiao sat in the living room, eating fruit and chatting while watching a program on the screen.

"Senior Brother," Xu Jingming answered a video call, and Fang Xinglong appeared on the screen.

"Jingming, I am entrusted by the White Bear Group to invite you to join their newly formed White Bear Team," Fang Xinglong said with a smile. "You don't need to consider my thoughts; I'm just passing on the message."

"White Bear Group?" Xu Jingming was surprised. "Such a large group is forming a team?"

At its peak, the Tiger Shark Group was still behind the White Bear Group.

The White Bear Group is a state-owned large group, the world's leading battery manufacturer. Nowadays, all cars and many electrical appliances use 'batteries,' and battery technology is a core technology. Although the White Bear Group is the world's largest, it still faces competition from other countries.

The White Bear Group also has its own cars and even manufactures aircraft.

"The state-owned group is a bit slow," Fang Xinglong said with a smile. "But once they decide to enter the virtual world, their determination is strong. They are inviting you to be the captain of the team! The annual fixed salary is 100 million, and you get 50% of the team's bonus. As for live streaming rewards, they all go to you personally. The requirements and restrictions on you are also very low."

"I haven't thought about disbanding the Pearwood Team yet," Xu Jingming said.

"Alright, I'll send you the detailed conditions. If you have any thoughts, contact me," Fang Xinglong said with a smile. "But I also have a suggestion. The virtual world has only been open for over a month, and all countries are guiding their citizens in martial arts and combat... This is far from just a game. Don't easily bind yourself to any side. Even if you sign a contract, don't sign one with too many restrictions."

Xu Jingming nodded.

"Speaking of which, you leaving my martial arts gym is like a dragon returning to the sea, truly soaring to new heights," Fang Xinglong said with a smile. "Alright, I won't chat more. Keep it up."

After the call ended, Li Miaomiao, who was nearby, said a bit sourly, "Today, you have so many calls, one after another inviting you. But not a single one for me."

"They are just foolish, not inviting Sister Miaomiao. How could I possibly go without you?" Xu Jingming said with a smile.

Suddenly, another call came in.

Xu Jingming answered it.

"Heng, what's up?" Xu Jingming asked.

"A friend asked me to help," Heng Fang said, trying to suppress a laugh. "I'm just passing on the message. If you want to scold someone, don't scold me."

"Get to the point," Xu Jingming urged.

"It's about... that Cheng Zihao, who you really don't like, inviting you to be the captain of the White Dragon Team," Heng Fang said. "The salary..."

"Tell him to get lost!" Xu Jingming said.

"I knew you'd be angry. Anyway, I've passed on the message," Heng Fang said with a laugh. "By the way, Captain, you won't leave our Pearwood Team, right? And you won't kick out the old team members?"

Xu Jingming glanced at him and hung up the call.

Li Miaomiao, who was nearby, said in disbelief, "Cheng Zihao really has a thick face, to still have the nerve to invite you?"

...

In the office.

"Boss, Xu Jingming refused," Zhou Feng said.

"Hmm." Cheng Zihao, sitting at his desk, didn't even look up. "What did he say exactly? Did he make any conditions?"

"He just said three words: 'Get lost!'" Zhou Feng said.

Cheng Zihao's anger flared instantly, his face twisting, but he forced himself to control it, smiling calmly. "What a narrow-minded person. Since he refused, that's it. It was just a try anyway, and it didn't cost anything."

"Of course, Boss, your magnanimity is far beyond Xu Jingming's. He's just a martial artist," Zhou Feng flattered.

"Alright, you can go," Cheng Zihao said.

Zhou Feng quietly left, carefully closing the office door behind him.

Once alone in the office, Cheng Zihao's calm facade completely crumbled.

"What the hell?" Cheng Zihao threw the documents and pen in his hand, cursing. "I gave him face, inviting him politely. And he treats me like this? When the Tiger Shark Group was still mine, who would dare to treat me like this? Truly, a tiger in the plains is bullied by dogs!"

"I will endure!"

"To run a company, I must endure what others cannot," Cheng Zihao gritted his teeth. This was the first time in so many years that he had seriously run a company, dedicating almost all his time to it.

******

In the afternoon, Xu Jingming was practicing the Heavenly Python Evolution Technique in the courtyard.

Suddenly, he saw a large aircraft appear in the sky, descending toward his residence.

"What's going on?" Xu Jingming stopped his practice and looked up.

"What is it?"

Li Miaomiao, who was in the living room, also came out, standing in the courtyard and looking up at the sky.

A nearly triangular large aircraft slowly descended, with the Xia Country flag on it. It hovered above the villa, enveloped in a glow that also covered Xu Jingming's home. The neighbors couldn't see what was happening inside the glow.

The aircraft's door opened, and a metal staircase was lowered, leading directly to Xu Jingming's large courtyard.

Three figures descended the staircase, led by an elderly man.

"Zhou..." Xu Jingming looked at the elderly man surnamed Zhou, his eyes wide in surprise. Although he rarely saw this man on TV now, over thirty years ago, before Xu Jingming was even born, this elderly man was already one of the country's leaders.

"Xu Jingming, hello, I am Zhou Yuyang," the elderly man extended his hand.

Xu Jingming, feeling honored, immediately extended both hands to shake. "Hello, Mr. Zhou."

"I currently serve as the Director of the Xia Country Life Evolution Bureau," Director Zhou smiled. "The Life Evolution Bureau is responsible for the life evolution of Xia Country's citizens. The virtual world also falls under the jurisdiction of the Life Evolution Bureau."

Xu Jingming was surprised.

The Life Evolution Bureau, he had never heard of it! But its authority was astonishing. The significance of life evolution to humanity is evident, and in Xia Country, it is managed by the Life Evolution Bureau.

"Please follow me on the aircraft to Binhai," Director Zhou said. "We can discuss the details on the way."

"Alright."

Xu Jingming nodded, turning to look at Li Miaomiao nearby. "Miaomiao, I'm going to Binhai."

"Li Miaomiao, hello," Director Zhou smiled. "I'll take your boyfriend for a couple of days."

"Director Zhou, hello, it's fine, you can take him," Li Miaomiao said, a bit nervous. She never thought she would meet this elderly man in her lifetime.

Xu Jingming immediately followed Director Zhou, escorted by two guards, and climbed the metal staircase.

The staircase was retracted, and they entered the aircraft.

Inside the aircraft, Director Zhou pointed to a seat. "Sit."

Xu Jingming obediently sat down.

"This invitation is because of the national cultivation plan," Director Zhou explained as he sat down. "You are at the highest cultivation level of the national plan. At this highest level, there are only you and Liu Hai."