Biochemical Martial Arts: Supreme Heavenly Venerate

The Federation President asked Li Xianglong without hesitation: "What is the artificial sky that Lin Rui mentioned? Does your Security Bureau have any relevant intelligence?"

Li Xianglong first shot a peculiar glance at the President, then replied: "The Security Bureau suspected as early as three months ago that the Longevity Association is creating an artificial sky. In almost every intelligence brief we've sent to the Presidential Office, this matter has been mentioned."

With telekinesis, he manipulated some relevant intelligence, packaging it and transmitting it over.

Li Xianglong: "Additionally, we recently observed significant population disappearances in the lower zones of major base cities, leading us to deduce that their resurrection technology likely originates from the artificial sky."

The Federation President's expression became grim: "I've seen all the intelligence briefs, and there was never any mention of this!"

Li Xianglong smirked faintly, his eyes tinged with sarcasm: "Then clearly there is a problem within your Presidential Office. All those briefs we provided are verifiable."

Li Xianglong: "Alternatively, they may have been intercepted. Their side has a quasi-immortal who is the chairman of 'Detley Communications Company.' He controls 37% of the Federation's quantum communication servers and is also the primary service provider for Capital."

Sending another message, Li Xianglong tried to soothe: "Actually, it's not a significant issue. Even if you had found out earlier about the artificial sky, there wasn't much you could do. Until today, the Longevity Association wouldn't have even cared about the Federation. The only thing they feared was the Abyss."

The Federation President furrowed his brows, understanding Li Xianglong's point.

If not for today's victory, the Earth Federation would have no qualifications to sit at the table.

Even if the artificial sky issue were exposed, it would only fall into the hands of the Abyss, and neither humanity nor the Federation would gain any benefit.

After this victory, the Federation finally has a chance to reclaim the resources rightfully theirs from the other side's grasp.

"Artificial sky?" The quasi-immortal seated in the fourth position seemed confused: "I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Seems like your sincerity in negotiations is rather lacking."

Lin Tianchen sneered audibly, rubbing the pair of unadorned sabers in his hands in reality, his tone laced with killing intent: "If this is your attitude, then there's nothing to discuss."

Lin Rui responded without restraint: "We demand all technical documentation and control rights related to the artificial sky. Otherwise, there's no room for negotiation."

The artificial sky forms the foundation of the Longevity Association's existence.

Unable to topple the Longevity Association for now, Lin Rui aimed to destroy its cornerstone.

He raised the terminal bracelet in his hand: "I guarantee that in no more than an hour, the five Abysses will receive all intelligence related to the artificial sky."

The artificial sky was indeed a treasure; Lin Rui's first thought upon confirming its existence through various intelligence sources was not to destroy it but to ponder how to usurp control over it.

Demigod + artificial sky equals what? That would essentially equal a transcendent god. Lin Rui practically salivated at the thought.

However, if he couldn't have it, then there was no reason to let it exist.

Across the table, the six immortals of the Longevity Association furrowed their brows and exchanged glances.

The Longevity Association Master, seated at the head, fixed Lin Rui with an icy, blade-sharp gaze.

Though this was merely a virtual conference room, everyone present could feel the boundless killing intent of this immortal-level powerhouse.

Only after a moment did he withdraw his gaze.

He noticed that Xie Xingyun, Lin Tianchen, and Li Xianglong were glaring coldly in return, even Mihailovich staying perfectly aligned with their stance.

The top-tier experts of the Earth Federation were evidently far more united than those in the Longevity Association.

The Longevity Association Master spoke with an expressionless face: "We can share the artificial sky technology with the Federation. I can also grant you six Tier-One permissions for the sky..."

Before he could finish, Lin Rui interjected forcefully: "Not just for us six, but for all Federation-appointed members and quasi-members. Furthermore, let's cut the word games—our permissions must be equal to yours! The Longevity Association must also guarantee that the resurrection of members will no longer rely on sacrificing illegal immigrants."

He then lifted his chin, his voice resolute: "Moreover, the highest authority over the artificial sky must be under Federation control!"

The Longevity Association Master's glare intensified as he scrutinized Lin Rui.

He wondered if this young man could possibly be the 'Lord of Purity.'

Polluted deeply by the Great Sun Venerable, Lin Rui's identity was enigmatic enough to warrant further speculation.

Just a year and a half ago, Lin Rui was killed, only to be resurrected under circumstances still unclear.

The only certainty was that the Great Sun Venerable had yet to revive, and the Seventh Generation Sect Leader remained trapped in desperate straits.

The Longevity Association Master pondered whether granting high authority over the artificial sky to Lin Rui could lead to bringing a demigod into their inner circle.

After a brief chuckle, he dismissed the notion.

This youth might indeed be the 'Lord of Purity,' a demigod. But at merely the Seventh Realm, he was still far from being a true god.

Especially in conceptualizing martial intent— among those immortal-level figures, none had condensed and refined their martial intent in less than a century, some taking several centuries.

And the deep-tier permissions of the artificial sky rested entirely in his hands, far beyond the reach of the Federation or Lin Rui.

The truth entering the artificial sky would actually present an opportunity for the Longevity Association Master to seize the Pure Concept.

Though deeply coveted by the Great Sun Venerable, the 'Pure Concept' wasn't something even he dared to desire outright.

Yet, if Lin Rui's true spirit entered the artificial sky under his control, everything would change.

Lin Rui was merely the product of the battle between the Great Sun Venerable and the Lord of Purity, a chosen vessel for their resurrection—a pawn bearing others' conceptual achievements— trapped unknowingly in the web of fate.

Lin Rui's power wasn't enough to firmly grasp the Pure Concept.

"Very well!"

The Longevity Association Master's face turned stern: "Let's do this: The Longevity Association will grant equal permissions to the Federation's six highest authorities. As for the artificial sky's supreme authority, I propose it be held by the Federation President. We will also forgo using sacrificial methods for resurrection of members. But let me be clear, without the sacrificial process, the artificial sky's value significantly diminishes."

Internally, he sneered. These Divine Envoys and legislators among humans, could they resist the temptation of using the permissions they obtain?

Lin Rui couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did this man truly agree?

The Longevity Association was unlike any other entity; they had access to records from Lin Rui's childhood and knew he had been profoundly corrupted by the Great Sun Venerable.

Even if they deduced Lin Rui to be the new King Ming, Lin Rui still wouldn't be surprised.

This was effectively granting the mouse access to the grain silo.

Lin Rui spat twice, scoffing internally. He wasn't any mouse.

Still, what was happening here? Was Ge Xianshan's Knowledge Barrier in effect?

Fearing a retraction, Lin Rui kept his face unreadable and said, "Sounds acceptable. But your six positions within the Federation and the power you still wield make me uneasy."

The Longevity Association Master frowned again, deliberating: "I can resign, but not at this moment. The Imperial City Department has infiltrated at least ten thousand Demon Suppression Envoys across the Federation, constantly monitoring every internal development. If I resign now, it will leave a blatant clue and raise suspicion."

The Longevity Association Master turned to the Federation President: "Mr. President, you may assign trusted personnel to monitor me in my duties."

Li Xianglong immediately sensed something amiss, but just as he attempted to speak, the President said: "Your proposal warrants consideration."

Lin Tianchen and Xie Xingyun glanced at the President, their gazes heavy with implications.

Lin Tianchen let out a cold chuckle and said frostily: "You have yet to convince me or Mr. Lin. Frankly, the grudges I carry won't allow me to cease hostilities or stop the war with you."

"General Lin, although I am the Association's President, several others here are the Founders. Operationally, the Association is managed by an executive trio, and all actions against you were decided by them, not us."

The Longevity Association Master smirked faintly: "This is a private grudge between you and them that we founders shall not interfere with."

His eyes flashed with annoyance.

Their exposure came directly because Yi Duxing and his allies deliberately led Lin Tianchen to find them.

The Longevity Association Master wished to teach these people a sharp lesson while ensuring the Association's internal cohesion wasn't completely destroyed.

Scanning the group, his gaze locked tightly onto Lin Rui.

— This was the crucial variable, and the weightiest one.

He needed to mollify Lin Rui and lure his true spirit into the artificial sky.

After musing briefly, the Longevity Association Master stated decisively: "We founders are willing to compensate Mr. Lin with 10 billion federal coins and three defensive Ninth Realm Emperor Rank magic artifacts, in exchange for Mr. Lin signing a non-aggression agreement with us."

As long as Lin Rui abstained from assisting Lin Tianchen, Yi Duxing and his allies wouldn't suffer too catastrophic a defeat.

While Lin Tianchen had Li Xianglong and others backing him, Yi Duxing and Zang Shaochen were equally formidable senior Divine Envoys.

Lin Rui sneered immediately, thinking, "Do I look like someone who lacks money? 10 billion federal coins is an insult—does the amalgam of the Clear Concept and two Abyssal weapons only amount to this much?"

And three Ninth Realm Emperor Rank magic artifacts do nothing for him; through Luo Wangshu and East Asia's connections, he could obtain the materials to craft artifacts perfectly tailored to himself.

Seeing Lin Rui's indifference, the Longevity Association Master realized how difficult this young man was.

Smiling after a brief pause, he added: "We can further offer materials to construct a sky curtain base. I'll send you the inventory. This base could house up to 12 million 'Sky Curtain Spirits,' with the highest permissions delegated to you."

The materials listed were originally intended for the Ninth Base City, for expanding the Ninth Sky Curtain there.

But now that the Ninth Base City had completely fallen under Lin Rui and his allies' control, the Association found themselves unable to proceed, even with the materials in hand.

Thus, the Longevity Association Master decided it was better to use Lin Rui's hand to complete the task instead.

"Artificial sky materials?" Lin Rui glanced over the files sent by the Longevity Association Master, his expression quickly growing peculiar.

The Light God Sect still held historical archives from the Seventh Generation Sect Leader, detailing materials used to forge the 'Radiant Holy Altar.'

The overlap between the two material lists was astonishingly extensive; the main components were almost identical—