Chapter 482: Meetings.
Hao Ren finished refining the sword with elemental capabilities and he came back to his mansion. The young man used the teleportation formation, and quickly came to the Crescent Moon Palace. He made his way to Xiao Mei, but he found that Han Lingshi was inside the palace as well. He raised his brow and changed the course of his walk.
He came to the all too familiar study and asked, "Hmm, Lingshi, when did you decide to return home?"
Han Lingshi was looking at some scrolls and she said, "I came over, because Xiao Mei had issued a notice that Crescent Moon Empire is going to launch an advancement spree. She wanted me to be here to see it through."
Hao Ren tilted his head and Hao Mei said, "We are swapping to spiritual computers and finally be done with the papers."
Hao Ren nodded in realization as he asked, "Why are you so happy Big Sister? Aren't you living here long enough to turn obsolete that paper is supreme?"
Hao Mei glared at him and asked, "Did you come back looking for a kick to your butt?"
Hao Ren shook his head and said, "Well, let me show you something."
A halo appeared behind him, and then Hao Mei said, "I have seen this one already, are you flexing with me?"
She revealed her own halo before Hao Ren and the young man smiled as he said, "You underestimate my genius so much that it is painful to watch you lose face later."
He revealed his second halo and the two ladies were shocked, they could see the faint patterns that were glimmering on the bigger Halo. Hao Ren said, "I am close to the breakthrough but will not rush it so quickly. I came back because I want to look at some options to tackle the enemy."
Then he told the ladies about the situation with the Demon Moon Empire. The concept of a shadow empire scared the two ladies, Hao Mei said, "We spent a few decades running from the Hao family, but now, we are facing an entire empire that has been living in the shadows, imagine how strong and patient they would be to work under the nose of such giants. It won't be easy for us to settle these guys."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "This is why I want to use Ye Yue, it has been quiet sometime since we have handle action. Tracking and hunting needs to be done in a manner where the signature we leave is smaller."
Han Lingshi nodded and said, "I agree, the enemy will sooner or later realize that something is happening and with the two of you working together, I am sure it won't be that hard to get away in case something goes south. Also, I have something to discuss with you."
Hao Ren looked at her and asked, "Yes, what is it Lingshi?"
Han Lingshi looked at him seriously and asked, "What do you think about giving Xiao Mei a cultivation body?"
Hao Ren replied, "It has been something that I have been thinking about as well. These days, I have managed to comprehend a lot of things what it comes to refining artifacts, but I need to learn a lot more before I can refine a puppet body for her. This body would be upgradeable with a high quality compact processing unit inside it."
Hao Mei looked at the two of them and asked, "Are you not worried that Xiao Mei might exceed the levels of strength?"
Hao Ren shook his head and replied, "Even if Xiao Mei evolves into a high level being and gain sentience, one thing about her would never change and that is at the core, she is our most reliable partner."
Hao Mei nodded after some thought and asked, "Well, having her outside will definitely elevate the status of the nation and the advancement that we seek."
Hao Ren shrugged and replied, "That's natural. Xiao Mei is a prodigy when it comes to handle things and accumulate knowledge."
Han Lingshi nodded and replied, "Her research about the human body is ground breaking. If not for the fact that many things here are being solved by the pills, she would have started a surgery hospital."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "Well, we can still open that, giving out smart prosthetics that allow people to resume the normal function and spiritual connectivity through the prosthetic, that would be awesome."
Han Lingshi said, "Tell that to Xiao Mei, for now I just wanted to know what you were thinking about the issue of the body, that's all."
Hao Ren waved his hand and replied, "Well, since you are here, I will go back to handle the advancement day, which is tomorrow."
The young man stood up and yawned stretching his arms and said, "I am going back, see you tomorrow. I have a few people running errands for me, I cannot stop refining artifacts, I still have to improve my designs."
He wanted to master his techniques to the higher level as well, and they thought he wasn't competitive. Hao Ren left the study room, before he headed inside Xiao Mei's lab and discussed the art of forging with her, and after the discussion he acquired a new perceptive towards how to refine objects and left the lab.
Xiao Mei looked at his receding back and contacted Han Lingshi, "Madam, what is going on with boss?"
The two women began to talk with each other, while, Hao Ren moved to the Iron Mountain City. He stayed cooped up inside his forging room before he picked up the hammer and began refining another artifact.
Xiao Yu stood outside the forging room, but she didn't go inside the room. For some odd reason, she was the most docile of the people that Hao Ren had hypnotized. This girl would cultivate while standing by to serve Hao Ren daily as if it was a heavenly commandment.
The young man stayed inside the room for a few days, before he finally decided to come out. According to his instructions, Ye Yue should be arriving soon, and he wanted to meet her, before he could take any other action. As he came outside the Forging room, Xiao Yu woke up from her cultivation and bowed in greeting.
Hao Ren asked, "What is going on?"
Xiao Yu replied, "Lord, over the past five days, Lady Samaira has sent two servants, one in morning and the other in evening to meet with you. However, since you were in seclusion, I didn't dare to disturb you."
Hao Ren nodded and looking at her, he said, "Someone would be coming by with the name Ye Yue, she is probably the most beautiful lady you have seen in the world, after my wife and then eldest sister. She is my little sister, you should take care of her, I will go out and handle Samaira, let's see what this old lady has to say for herself."
Xiao Yu was shocked to hear this and then she saw Hao Ren leaving through the door quickly.
...
Hao Ren came to the council and he noticed that almost all the people were looking at him as if he was a revered god. Just as the young man passed by the Nirvana Hammer, the artifact shivered a little and cause a minimalist ripple in the void, as if acknowledging his presence. The young man replied, "I am going to meet the elders and seek some knowledge, don't worry."
The ripple was retracted and the hammer went as still as it was earlier, akin to a relic frozen in time. On the top floor, even Samaira and Yao sensed the faint ripple in the void, and they figured that Hao Ren was here to meet them.
Samaira, defying what Yao thought of her relation with Hao Ren, stood up from her chair and after a few minutes, Hao Ren came outside the door. Samaira pulled the door open for him as she asked, "Have you been refining in seclusion?"
Hao Ren nodded, and replied, "Gained a lot, I can now refine rank three high spirit weapons. However, it is still shallow compared to the rest of the grandmasters out their."
At this moment, he heard a calm voice, "You are young and it is obvious to desire success, but what you need to understand is that you ought to calm down and take small steps."
The young man nodded and asked, "Director, why did you summon me here?"
Samaira looked at Yao who replied, "We need your opinion about how we shall govern this city."
Hao Ren raised his brow and asked, "Are you for real? What have I even done to deserve this recognition?"
Samaira replied, "You gained acknowledgement of the Saint, what else? None of the people would make a move if you support us."
Hao Ren thought for a bit and said, "Fine, what will I get for supporting you?"
The two elders were taken aback, and Hao Ren asked, "Did you think it was a charity where I would support you get rich while I stay clean of the wealth?"
Samaira almost cussed him before Yao nodded and asked, "How much do you want?"