"What exactly are you trying to say?" Vinina frowned.
"Don't you see? The Huaxia Military Security Department has been acting strangely these past two years. Elite warriors are emerging one after another. Don't you think they might have the ability to mass-produce powerful fighters?" Li Yao said.
Upon hearing this, even Vinina's heart skipped a beat!
A method to mass-produce experts—if such a method really existed, even Hong and Thor would be tempted.
If her family could obtain it, they could potentially become the number one family in the HR Alliance, not just one of the so-called twelve core families.
However, Vinina quickly regained her composure. Tang Qin and Jiang Fang were now planetary-level powerhouses.
With just her and Li Yao, trying to get involved would be like lighting a lantern in a toilet—seeking death.
As for finding allies?
To find someone capable of dealing with Tang Qin and Jiang Fang would mean the eventual spoils wouldn't even include a sip of soup for them.
The weak have no say in matters!
After all the scheming, they'd just be doing all the work for someone else to benefit.
"We can't touch them for now, but there are other ways. Have you forgotten that sickly Night Rain?" Li Yao said with a cruel look in his eyes, as if he saw through Vinina's hesitation.
Back when they visited Tang Qin and Jiang Fang's home, they noticed how much they cared for Night Rain—treating him like a real brother.
Night Rain was as important to them as Li Wei was to her. If they used Night Rain as leverage?
"Li Yao, you're insane," Vinina said.
Li Yao's plan was like snatching fire from the flames—pure madness.
"I'm not insane. As long as we obtain the method to breakthrough, you and I can become planetary-level. Then we won't fear them."
"Even if things get out of hand, for the sake of the bigger picture, neither Hong nor Thor would kill us."
"At most, they'd punish us and have us make amends."
Li Yao spoke with crazed determination.
In truth, he was more than ten years older than Vinina. He had survived the Great Nirvana Era.
And danger in that era didn't just come from monsters—it came from the people beside you.
They say, 'Only madness breeds survival.'
Moreover, he knew Vinina well. They were the same type of people. Her nickname "Scorpion" wasn't for nothing.
Hearing this, Vinina fell silent for a long time.
"Don't you want to see Wei'er again?" Li Yao pressed.
"You—!"
Vinina burst into rage. Li Yao was using her son to threaten her. She wanted to kill him on the spot.
"If you agree, I can arrange for your son to see you first," Li Yao quickly added as he saw her fury rise.
Hearing that, Vinina suddenly calmed down and, after a long silence, said, "I'll think about it."
"Good. I hope to hear your answer soon."
Li Yao's sinister face revealed a satisfied smile as he walked away.
He knew Vinina was tempted.
And of course, his real plan was far more complex than what he told her.
"Vinina, since you're heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Li Yao still couldn't understand why she divorced him all those years ago.
But since they were no longer married, they were no longer on the same path.
And if they weren't on the same path, there was no need for sentiment. She was now someone to be used—and sacrificed.
"For Wei'er to have a better future, just make a little sacrifice. Wei'er and I will never forget you."
With that thought, Li Yao's eyes briefly flashed with greed and malice as he watched Vinina's curvaceous silhouette.
"What a pity…"
Besides, Li Wei was his lifeblood. There was no way he'd actually hand him over to Vinina.
Once Li Yao was gone, a cold smile slowly appeared on Vinina's previously grim face.
"Li Yao, do you really think I'm stupid? Trying to use me as a pawn…"
Li Yao thought he understood Vinina, but Vinina also understood Li Yao. After all, they'd been married for years.
She knew exactly what kind of man he was.
There was no way he came to propose genuine cooperation—bringing up Li Wei was just a smokescreen.
She didn't believe a single word he said.
Of course, she did believe Tang Qin and Jiang Fang were hiding a huge secret—because they had already proven it with their actions.
She wanted that secret too—but not by becoming Li Yao's tool.
---
Meanwhile—
Night Rain submitted his video report and was soon awarded the High-Rank God of War medal, along with a consciousness helmet.
Tang Xiang and Fu Junyu also paid to replace their own consciousness helmets.
"These are your three bank cards. The materials came to a total of 400 billion. You can check the balance at the self-service ATM," said Ye Hua.
400 billion!
Night Rain and the others froze for a moment before accepting the cards.
They had estimated the monster materials, and there was no way they should have been worth that much—unless sold through the HR Alliance, without contribution points.
But Night Rain wanted the contribution points. They proved he had made a real contribution to this world.
With this transaction alone, Night Rain and his companions were elevated to Four-Star Citizens.
10,000 points = One-Star Citizen
100,000 points = Two-Star Citizen
1,000,000 points = Three-Star Citizen
10,000,000 points = Four-Star Citizen
Ten million contribution points was the equivalent of slaying monsters worth one trillion—around six or seven high lord-level monsters.
Alternatively, donating 1 trillion would also grant the privileges of a Four-Star Citizen.
Above that was Five-Star Citizen status, requiring 50 million contribution points—usually only achievable by planetary-level warriors.
"Brother Night, once you leave the War God Hall, our Commander Li would like to meet the three of you. Would that be alright?" Ye Hua asked.
It wasn't possible for someone like Night Rain to go unnoticed.
Naturally, the military wouldn't miss the chance to recruit such powerhouses.
"Alright," Night Rain nodded after some thought.
With their bank cards and medals in hand, the three checked the balance—over 130 billion was quietly resting in their accounts.
All three couldn't help but smile—who doesn't like money?
"Hm, I can finally afford the last three levels of the Ninefold Thunder Blade," Night Rain thought.
Manuals couldn't be purchased on someone else's behalf. For everything else, Tang Qin and Jiang Fang could help, but not this.
"And I can finally study Hong's 'World Ender' technique too."
After confirming their balances, the three eagerly returned to their seventh-floor room and immediately put on their consciousness helmets.
They were in the military's headquarters—it was safe. Causing trouble here meant having a death wish.
Besides, this was Night Rain's first public appearance. He hadn't made any enemies yet.
Unless… you counted Zhang Haobai…
Shua!
He appeared in a quiet room—spacious and over 50 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 5 meters tall.
It was divided into three sections: living, training, and recreation.
It had everything: bed, pool, desk, chairs, dining table—you name it.