Chapter 69

The interior of the cottage, like its exterior, was neat and elegant, exuding a tranquil charm.

"This is a refined old man with a perverted side!" Sun Yan secretly thought.

Seeing the old man about to rewatch the short film, Sun Yan hurriedly said, "Old man, don't you have any other films? One viewing of this one is enough."

"Old man?"

The old man was taken aback and couldn't help but smile, seemingly finding the term of address quite novel. "Young friend, my surname is Mu, the Mu of 'double wood.' You can call me Grandpa Mu."

As he spoke, Old Mu proudly said, "This is the latest masterpiece by the best newcomer in the adult film industry. Look at this performer's figure, her chest, those thighs, and that sweet smile. You wouldn't get tired of watching it even after ten viewings. Young friend, you must learn to appreciate the essence of art!"

Seeing Old Mu's scholarly demeanor, Sun Yan sneered and said, "Best newcomer? There are tens of thousands of so-called best newcomers in the Odin Star Region every year. It's just a marketing gimmick. Short films aren't necessarily the best when they're the newest. Classics never go out of style."

As if his pride had been wounded, Old Mu almost jumped up, his kind demeanor replaced by a stern one. He puffed out his cheeks and glared, saying, "Classic? At your age, do you even know what a classic is?"

Sun Yan lifted his head, adopting an air of supreme confidence. He might not be an expert in other areas, but when it came to short films, he was undoubtedly well-versed and knowledgeable.

"In my view, the origins of erotic art can be traced back to the ancient Earth era, when a group of stunning performers emerged in the East, such as the gentle and pure yet formidable Kong Sister..."

Sun Yan had just started his eloquent speech when Old Mu interrupted, "Wait, young friend, who is this Kong Sister you mentioned? What are her works?"

The room fell into a silence. Sun Yan stared at Old Mu seriously, his gaze like that of a strict teacher looking at his most disappointing student.

Old Mu's face turned awkward, but he stubbornly said, "There have been so many performers throughout history; how could I possibly know them all?"

"Alright, there were many representative performers from that period, such as the industry goddess Maple, whose debut work is a classic, and the F-cup Angel of Inflation, Princess Bu, and so on..."

Sun Yan listed dozens of names, citing various sources without taking a breath. Then he sighed, "That era was truly a time of a hundred schools of thought. Compared to that, today's so-called best newcomers are like sparrows to phoenixes; they can't be mentioned in the same breath."

Beside him, Old Mu listened as if to a heavenly scripture, wide-eyed and speechless, completely at a loss. He only vaguely remembered a few of the performers' names, while the rest were completely unknown to him.

Seeing Old Mu's stunned expression, Sun Yan sneered, thinking, "At his age, he's just a beginner. Sigh, why should I take a beginner seriously?"

Sun Yan sighed again and said, "It's fine that you haven't heard of them. Let me mention one more person, Old Mu, someone you should remember. They say, 'If you don't know Mr. Lan, you might as well not watch a million films.' This artistic pioneer's works, you must have in your collection, right?"

"Mr. Lan? If you don't know Mr. Lan, you might as well not watch a million films?"

Old Mu was shocked and exclaimed, "Who is this woman? She's so domineering!"

Sun Yan shook his head and sighed, sweeping his sleeve and standing up. He said coolly, "Watching films without appreciating the classics, and only watching trash, what's the point? You can't talk about ice to a summer insect, Old Mu. Goodbye!"

As he spoke, Sun Yan was about to leave, feeling that Old Mu was a piece of rotten wood, not worth carving, and it would be best never to see him again.

"Wait, don't go, young friend. Little friend, you can't leave!"

Seeing Sun Yan turn to leave, Old Mu panicked, grabbing Sun Yan's sleeve and shouting, "Little friend, words are just words. You should at least show me one film so we can appreciate it together. Otherwise, talking about it is just empty boasting. What's the point?"

Sun Yan frowned slightly, looking down at Old Mu, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Alright, I'll make you convinced."

He took out a thumbnail-sized chip from his pocket, a special one made by his close friend Mu Tong. As a professional, Sun Yan always carried some "research materials" with him.

"These are a few of Maple Goddess's debut works. After you watch them, you'll understand what a classic is."

Old Mu took the chip half-doubtfully, inserted it into the player, and after just three minutes, he was trembling all over, his face flushed as if he had drunk a hundred pounds of strong liquor, swaying from side to side.

"There are such masterpieces in the world!" Old Mu exclaimed.

Immediately, Old Mu paused the player. Under Sun Yan's puzzled gaze, he stroked his beard and smiled, "To appreciate such classic art, of course, we need a good cup of tea. Little friend, please wait!"

A moment later, Old Mu brought out two cups of tea. The tea was a bright green, and at first glance, it seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist, making it impossible to see the bottom of the cup. A faint, elusive fragrance wafted out, refreshing the mind and broadening the thoughts.

Sun Yan asked curiously, "What kind of tea is this?"

Old Mu smiled, "This is Enlightenment Tea. To appreciate such a masterpiece, of course, we should drink this tea to further understand the essence of art."

Taking a sip, the tea flowed down his throat, and instantly, Sun Yan felt a cool sensation spread throughout his body, as if he had been combed through, feeling refreshed and clear-minded, with his thoughts as clear as a mirror.

"Good tea, truly good tea!" Sun Yan praised repeatedly.

Although he knew nothing about tea, Sun Yan could tell that this cup of Enlightenment Tea was extremely valuable.

Old Mu smiled, "I'm glad you like it. I'm glad you like it. By the way, what's your surname, little friend?"

"My name is Sun Yan."

"Oh, Sun Yan, a good name, very extraordinary! I'll take the liberty of calling you Little Brother Sun."

"Thank you, thank you, Old Brother Mu, you're too kind."

Sipping the Enlightenment Tea and watching the short film, Old Mu and Sun Yan quickly became familiar with each other. In no time, they were calling each other brothers, as if they had known each other for a long time.

After watching one film, Old Mu was thoroughly convinced and sighed, "To hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening, I would be content! I've collected so many works, but none of them can match the few on this chip of yours! Truly, I've lived in vain!"

Patting Old Mu on the shoulder, Sun Yan comforted him, "It's okay, Old Brother Mu. There's plenty of time. I have many more in my collection. In the future, we can appreciate them together."

"Really?"

Old Mu was overjoyed, grabbing Sun Yan's wrist and insisting, "Little Brother Sun, you must keep your word. I'm serious."

"Ah, among like-minded people, we should exchange and improve together!" Sun Yan promised, patting his chest.

Old Mu laughed heartily, saying, "That's right, that's right. Most people keep their treasures to themselves. If everyone were like Little Brother Sun, I wouldn't have known what a classic is until today."

"Since Old Brother Mu likes it so much, consider this chip my gift to you."

Hearing this, Old Mu was overjoyed, "How can I accept such a gift? How can I accept such a gift?" However, he showed no intention of returning the chip.

After a few more words, Sun Yan's pocket communicator vibrated. He took out the "Imperial Wind Student Handbook," which also served as a communicator.

Looking at the screen, he saw a message from Mu Tong: "Come to the Science and Technology Institute quickly, 30 credits are secured!"

30 credits!

Sun Yan immediately stood up. What he needed most right now was credits.

"Old Brother Mu, I have something to do. I'll come back tonight and bring you a few more good works."

"Uh, leaving so soon? Little Brother Sun, you must come back tonight!" Old Mu urged repeatedly.

Sun Yan agreed repeatedly and dashed out the door.

Watching the young man run away, Old Mu smiled, "What an interesting kid!" He opened the computer on the table, entered a series of commands, and soon a page of information appeared on the screen.

"Ah, he lives on Crystal Street, number 4444?" Old Mu looked surprised, fell silent for a moment, took a sip of tea, closed the computer, and then immersed himself in the film again.

...

Leaving Old Mu's residence, Sun Yan rushed to the Science and Technology Institute, meeting Mu Tong in the square.

"30 credits, how do we get them? Mu Tong, tell me quickly," Sun Yan asked urgently.

Mu Tong said calmly, "Look at your anxious face, people might think you have a thing for men! Brother, calm down, there will be bread, and there will be credits."

"Damn, you're teasing me!" Sun Yan glared, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you," Mu Tong decided not to keep him in suspense.

After listening to Mu Tong's explanation, Sun Yan understood, but he was still somewhat skeptical.

"The Gene Serum Research Association? Just joining this association gives 30 credits?" Sun Yan was very doubtful. "Mu Tong, are you sure?"

Mu Tong rolled his eyes and said, "How could I be wrong? As a martial artist, don't you know the importance of gene serum?"

"Of course, I do."

In today's society, if there is any profession that can rival or even surpass martial artists in status, it is the Formulators.

Formulators, also known as gene serum researchers, are, as the name suggests, researchers who develop gene serums.

After the Earth Alliance joined the Humanoid Alliance and entered the interstellar age, they began to explore the field of gene serums, which greatly advanced human progress in various aspects.

Gene serums are divided into five categories: healing serums, nutritional serums, enhancement serums, transformation serums, and rare serums.

The uses of gene serums are extensive. Healing serums are widely used in medical treatments, and a 10ml bottle of H-grade healing serum can save a critically injured patient from the brink of death.

Nutritional serums can quickly replenish and store the energy needed by the human body, making them essential for space travel and exploration.

For martial artists, high-grade enhancement serums and transformation serums are highly sought after. Enhancement serums can solidify the foundation and greatly benefit internal energy cultivation, while high-grade transformation serums can improve certain physical defects.

Gene serums are graded from the lowest H-grade to the highest SSS-grade, with a total of 11 grades.

Most of the gene serums on the market are H-grade, and a bottle of G-grade gene serum costs over 100,000 credits. As for F-grade or E-grade gene serums, they are often priced but not available, making them hard to come by.

Therefore, formulators who research gene serums hold a very high status in society. The social status of a high-level formulator is even higher than that of a tenth-level martial master.