Chapter 286: A Pawn Crosses the River
Several days later, after continuous takeoffs and landings of airships, Zhou Ming successfully returned to Qinghui Base.
The reason the journey had been so smooth was mainly because the turmoil caused by the Yang Family had not yet subsided; no one wished to appear at the center of attention again.
As for the truly top-tier forces, they naturally had no need to rely on Academician Lei Yuan to intervene in the top-secret plan.
A few forces that had Legendary Saints as their backing were themselves part of the top-secret plan. They had absolutely no need to worry about their interests being infringed upon.
Upon returning to the Underground Dark River Camp, Zhou Ming briefly received everyone, then summoned Su Ningfeng and Su Mei to assign detailed tasks.
The first matter was to briefly inform them of his current situation. After all, Su Mei, as the Camp General Manager (Female), needed to make preparations in advance for certain matters to avoid being at a loss should unexpected situations arise.
The second matter was to instruct Su Mei to fully relocate the camp into the Snake King Fortress built within the underground caverns, and to reopen the passage leading into the underground caverns.
Although Zhou Ming had already received a message from the Scorpion-Lion during his return journey, stating that the Duanmu Family was willing to step in and assist, Zhou Ming’s habit was never to put all his eggs in one basket. The preparations he himself needed to make still had to be done.
The third matter concerned Su Ningfeng’s research on the genes of snake-type Ferocious Beasts. He was required to compile the current research results and fully accelerate the progress.
After Zhou Ming finished giving instructions, Su Mei then reported in detail about Lu Tao.
“Have you found out which forces were involved?”
“So far, we have confirmed the Golden Flower Group and the Qi Family. The Han Family seems to have recently shown signs of cutting off cooperation. As for several other major forces within Qinghui Base, their attitudes remain unclear.”
“Based on the intelligence provided by you, my lord, their recent change in attitude toward us should be due to influence from major forces within the Alliance High Command.”
“They are merely pawns,” Zhou Ming said calmly. “The mastermind will be dealt with by the Duanmu Family. They will not stir up any major disturbances for now. Your main task is to secure one year of peace for the camp.”
“As for Lu Tao…”
Zhou Ming had not expected that Lu Tao would be able to rein in at the cliff’s edge in time. It seemed his family had exerted considerable influence on him.
“For now, let him continue serving as Minister of the Department of Internal Affairs.”
After some consideration, Zhou Ming did not intend to punish Lu Tao over this matter.
If someone who had proactively corrected his mistake were still punished, it would only push future offenders to walk a dark path without turning back.
Moreover, Lu Tao was capable and had managed the Department of Internal Affairs for several years. Replacing him now would only create unnecessary trouble.
After briefly handling the camp’s affairs, Zhou Ming returned to the Lake-center Small Building.
“My lord.”
Seeing Zhou Ming return, the Catgirl Aina (she/her) hurried forward to greet him.
“This is a Transcendent Equipment I purchased by chance outside. It can simply disguise you as an ordinary person. When you have time, you can take Tianqiong out to play with Su Mei or stroll around the camp.”
Zhou Ming had taken note of Aina’s conduct. When he encountered a piece of Transcendent Equipment capable of disguise in the Blood-colored Fortress, he had purchased it and given it to her.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Holding the pearl necklace-like Transcendent Equipment in her hand, Aina was overjoyed. Staying here for long periods had indeed been stifling.
“From now on, you only need to prepare the meals and deliver them to the second-floor laboratory.”
Watching Aina’s delighted expression, Zhou Ming gave a simple instruction before changing into his experimental attire and heading to the second floor.
At present, dark undercurrents were surging within the Alliance. All forces were contemplating the changes brought by Blue Star’s merger into Tamu World.
To stand firm in an era of impending chaos, only powerful strength was fundamental.
If he could successfully advance to Transcendent Master, he would barely transform from a chess piece into an observer of the board.
As long as core interests were not involved, he would then be able to advance or retreat freely.
Setting aside distracting thoughts, Zhou Ming picked up pen and paper to plan his arrangements.
The words “Meditation Method” appeared on the paper.
The first low-tier meditation method Zhou Ming had mastered was White Bone Contemplation.
Later, he had integrated the Moon Lake Meditation Method and the Abyssal Dragon Meditation Method, thereby creating his own Heart-Observing Moon-Gazing Diagram.
However, the level of this new meditation method had at most reached the peak of the low tier.
To fully transform it into a high-tier meditation method completely suited to himself, he still needed to continuously optimize and refine Heart-Observing Moon-Gazing Diagram.
Considering the current situation, Zhou Ming wrote down several meditation methods on the paper, including the Rune Mage Meditation Method he had obtained from a secret realm in Tamu World.
Combined with knowledge of the Snake Swarm Will, research on spiritual consciousness, and bloodline resonance, his current task was to thoroughly fuse all this knowledge, enabling the meditation method he cultivated to completely evolve into a high-tier meditation method fully aligned with his own path.
Afterward, Zhou Ming wrote the word “Bloodline” on the paper.
This was the field he had invested the most effort and time into researching.
He had studied the genetic structure map of the Ironthread Snake most deeply and also had other snake-type Ferocious Beasts as references.
He intended to use this as a foundation, incorporating the Catgirl’s bloodline transformation method and the Fusion Worm’s gene fusion mutation, thereby allowing the Ironthread Snake bloodline to undergo a bloodline leap.
He also needed to incorporate the erosive nature of Dragon Bloodline genes, leaving room for the future integration of other snake bloodlines.
Beyond that, he had to improve upon the research left behind by the Tower’s Master in the Secret Realm, merging his Will Rune into the bloodline transformation so that his own will would become the Bloodline Will.
This also involved refining the Snake Swarm Will. Fortunately, after obtaining the brain core of the Hunting Spider Queen (Female), that aspect became much simpler.
At the same time, the ritual altar required for fusing the Will Rune into the bloodline needed to be modified to suit his own condition, which also involved altering the ritual and rune structure.
Finally, Zhou Ming wrote the words “Class Advancement Ritual” on the paper.
Fortunately, with Academician Lei Yuan’s assistance and after obtaining materials for the Three Mainstream Profession Systems, he now had sufficient reference materials for constructing the class advancement ritual.
As Zhou Ming continuously recorded, sketched, and categorized on the paper, a concrete plan gradually formed in his mind. What he needed to do now was unify all this scattered knowledge.
While Zhou Ming prepared for his advancement to Transcendent Master, the Duanmu Family also began leveraging connections left behind by their ancestors to provide Zhou Ming protection through the Hunter Guild.
No matter what, they had to secure one year of peace.
The Duanmu Family’s actions aroused curiosity among more forces regarding Zhou Ming. No one had expected the two sides to share such deep ties.
This situation instantly angered certain masterminds, yet left them helpless.
Those who played underhanded schemes were ultimately bottom-tier existences among the major forces, hoping to profit from the Alliance’s upheaval.
When facing a behemoth like the Hunter Guild, they did not dare truly provoke it.
However, the Hunter Guild’s wholehearted effort was not solely for the Duanmu Family’s sake; they were also interested in Zhou Ming’s line of development.
When there were benefits to be gained, they naturally became more attentive.
As the upper echelons exerted their influence, certain movements within Qinghui Base were pressed down by an invisible hand.
And time quietly passed amidst these unseen changes.