"Alright, let's go with that plan."
Qingshui nodded slightly.
"I'll send a message to notify a few board members to come for a meeting... Hmm?"
Zhao Fangxu had just taken his phone out of his pocket when it coincidentally rang.
"Hello, Old Gao, what's up?"
Zhao Fangxu had barely answered the call and exchanged a few words before he suddenly looked up at Qingshui.
"Old Bi just diverted some of the people guarding Ma Xianhong. Also... Er Zhuang followed up on some suspicious leads discovered by Liu Zhenguo and found that Old Bi and the Yao Xing Society have extensive financial ties.
It's pretty much confirmed now that Old Bi is the traitor among the higher-ups."
Zhao Fangxu said, his voice heavy.
"Then... is it time to close the net?"
Qingshui looked at Zhao Fangxu.
"Xu Si is here, so let him lead the team. I'll also assign Xiao Zizai and the company's security team to him. I'll instruct him to make sure he gets the evidence."
Zhao Fangxu sighed helplessly, a hint of regret and confusion in his voice, then immediately called Xu Si.
After the call ended.
"Want one?"
Zhao Fatty pulled out a pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket.
"You smoke. I don't touch tobacco or alcohol."
Qingshui shook his head.
Zhao Fatty nodded, lit a cigarette for himself, and began puffing away.
"I don't understand."
Zhao Fangxu said, "Old Bi is an old subordinate of mine. He joined when Xu Xiang and I first started the company. Back then, he was about the same age as Zhang Chulan, in his early twenties.
I promoted him myself.
This kid has talent, a good head on his shoulders, he's daring and hardworking, and he made rapid progress. Twenty-odd years later, he's already Nadou Tong's top ace, with outstanding achievements. Besides the Two Heroes and those old guys, there aren't many Anomalous Humans in the whole country who can beat him. That's why, after consulting with the higher-ups, I promoted him to the Board of Directors.
Most of the older board members from our generation, like Xu Xiang, are gone because they suffered too many injuries when they were young. Only the youngest, Xiao Su, and I, Zhao Fangxu, who never fought on the front lines and risked my life, are left.
Xiao Fei, Bo Ren, Youlong, and Old Xu Si, those regional managers, are the successors I chose. Youlong is already way ahead.
He's quite high-ranking in the company now, and he's still young, in the prime of his life. There's certainly a chance for him to advance further in the future; his prospects are excellent.
I can't figure out why he'd get involved with those people. Having contact is one thing, but he shouldn't have implicated himself."
Zhao Fangxu's voice was full of regret.
Bi Youlong was a high-level company executive he had personally groomed, and he contributed significantly. He could even be considered one of Zhao Fangxu's potential successors.
From a young man to a Nadou Tong director today, twenty-odd years had passed. Even if it wasn't a father-son bond, their friendship was undeniably deep.
"What I can't understand even more is what kind of leverage those people have on him that would make him choose this path."
Zhao Fangxu flicked his cigarette ash, his face etched with worry.
"Chairman Zhao, do you still remember Chai Yan?"
Qingshui suddenly asked.
"I remember."
Zhao Fangxu turned around, recalling details related to Chai Yan, and soon remembered some things.
"You mean, Old Bi and Chai Yan... their consciousness and memories were altered?"
Zhao Fangxu's eyes widened, then he quickly realized.
"Is it the Yao Xing Society? Qu Tong? What kind of method is this? Could it be..."
"Yes, one of the Eight Unique Skills, Dual Hand. This woman is connected to Duanmu Ying. I suspect she's a modified human created by Duanmu Ying, a modified human seeking revenge and achieving certain goals. Ma Xianhong's mind was definitely altered by her.
If one's cultivation is not high enough, or their willpower isn't strong enough, or if they have flaws in their mind, Dual Hand should be able to control them."
Zhao Fangxu's expression immediately darkened.
Bi Youlong's strength was considerable. While he couldn't compare to the Two Heroes and those old monsters, he was certainly no less than Ten Elders-level experts like Feng Zhenghao and Chen Jinkui.
Chai Yan was half a step below them, but still superior to most Anomalous Humans in the Anomalous Human World.
If even experts like them were at risk of being controlled, what about others?
Especially those who weren't Anomalous Humans but held high positions...
"So, back then, Chai Yan attacked you under Qu Tong's manipulation because she wanted to recruit you as well?"
"Exactly. Otherwise, why would I be so targeted against them?"
Zhao Fangxu was silent for a few seconds, then tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and stomped it out.
"Professor Zhuo, I need to report this matter to the highest authorities. We must mobilize all forces to apprehend Qu Tong. Such dangerous methods cannot be allowed to exist."
No one would want the Dual Hand, with its ability to modify people's souls and alter their consciousness, to continue existing.
Not even powerful figures like the Old Heavenly Master, or those in power protected by many experts around them.
Even if you yourself are strong, and the people around you are strong enough to protect you, what about everyone else?
There aren't that many experts in this world, nor is there a single expert who can protect everyone.
Qu Tong's ability will make all experts and powerful individuals wary, and they will spare no effort to eliminate it at any cost.
"Do you need help?"
"No need. I know you're very powerful and have many methods, perhaps not much less capable than the Old Heavenly Master. But your identity is different after all. If you were to handle this, what would be the point of Nadou Tong?
You don't know, but the last time you whimsically went to Biyou Village and the higher-ups found out, I, Old Zhao, got quite a scolding from them.
But don't worry, the company still has some hidden strengths. For a country as big as ours, our trump cards are beyond your imagination."
Zhao Fangxu shook his head, declining.
"Alright then, I'll go back and rest. For the upcoming Board of Directors meeting and such, just send me the results. I have one small request: if there's a chance, bring back the Divine Tree from Nason Island for me to study. If you can't bring it back, at least cut off a branch or a root."
"Understood."
Zhao Fangxu waved his hand and turned to leave.
...
...
Current Fortune Value: 87.66%.
Marvel Universe.
Qingshui yawned, changed out of his pajamas, and went to the lab.
In the center of the lab, a brand new battlesuit lay quietly on a mechanical platform.
"Sir, Electrolight Mark III was assembled according to the predetermined procedure at 4:43:51 AM today. The total number of nanobots in the current battlesuit is..."
Watos recited a series of numbers.
Qingshui rubbed his eyes, looking at the Electrolight Mark III battlesuit before him, appearing quite pleased.
The overall design of this battlesuit was not significantly different from the previous two, but technologically, it represented a generational leap.
Tony Stark had developed nanotechnology to a very advanced degree.
He might have held back a few tricks, but he did share the core technology as agreed.
After thoroughly understanding it, Qingshui immediately began to build the Electrolight Mark III.
Perhaps due to some additional technological accumulation on his end, the nanotechnology Stark developed was considerably more powerful than Qingshui had imagined.
He modified the molecular fabrication technology and integrated it into the new system. Through molecular-level processing, it could create units as small as several hundred nanometers, with diameters less than one percent of the smallest visible to the naked eye. Each unit had a built-in miniature drive and nanoprocessor, controlled via microwave resonance signals.
The computational power of a single unit wasn't very high, but when multiple nanobots combined, they could assemble into various forms like liquid metal, including computers. With some portable accessories, it could basically meet all needs.
Because processing was done at the molecular level, let alone metals with the hardness of Gold-Titanium Alloy, even Vibranium, as long as it had a basic physical structure, could theoretically be processed.
However, the processing difficulty would be higher, and the speed would be very slow. Qingshui only added a small amount of the newly acquired Vibranium.
This portion weighed less than a hundred grams in total.
With a light touch of his palm, the Electrolight Mark III battlesuit flowed like a tide over Qingshui's body, equipping him in the blink of an eye.
With a thought, the battlesuit rippled and inverted outward again, retracting beneath his clothes and disappearing.
"It's a bit heavy, but with the Arc Reactor driving it, it doesn't affect normal movement."
Qingshui moved his body around, then opened the panel.
Puppet Name: Electrolight Mark III
Comprehensive Parameters:
Height: Variable (0.3-2.2 meters)
Weight: 184.55 kg
Material: Gold-Titanium Alloy Nanobots, Hydrogen-filled Palladium Metal...
Energy: Arc Reactor
Operation Method: Chakra Threads, Intelligent AI System
Puppet Rating: S-
Overall Evaluation: A nanotech intelligent puppet, wearable, a masterpiece with extremely excellent performance, almost a super puppet beyond the Puppetry system.
An S- rating!
A puppet that reached an S- rating without relying on extraordinary metals or being transformed into a Magic Tool.
"Perhaps after being transformed into a Magic Tool, Electrolight Mark III could become an S-rank puppet."
Qingshui felt that his main body should accelerate the pace of technological development. He had the time for it now.
He hadn't sped up before because he was worried about stifling growth.
But now, with new Puppet Masters led by Sasori already cultivated, and various related ideas and scientific thinking deeply spread under his promotion as the Kazekage candidate, positive development can be maintained even without his direct push.
There's no need to worry excessively about that now; he can simply teach what wasn't suitable to teach before.
In the current Sand Village, if he doesn't teach, no one can force him.
At that point, relying on the immense Chakra and abundant energy provided by his Perfect Demonization body, he can instantly create several Shadow Clones, greatly accelerating efficiency.
Imagine if Sand Village could field an army of Ninja World Iron Men, all equipped with Arc Reactors, where even his worst Puppets were S-rank nanite Puppets, and his main Puppets were S-rank nanite Puppets transformed into Magic Tools—what would Konoha even do then?!
After a brief test of the Electrolight Mark III's performance, Qingshui went to Hill to handle the accumulated matters of the past two days, then, right on schedule, arrived at Kamar-Taj.
Kamar-Taj was bustling at the moment.
Because the succession ceremony for the new Sorcerer Supreme was about to begin, magical factions from all over Earth were overjoyed and sincerely offered congratulations and attended the ceremony.
Yes, Qingshui was certain they were sincerely overjoyed.
"Oh my, Princess Igraine, the Ancient One used to often tell me about the beauty of Avalon when he was alive. It's a pity he never got to see the Sacred Family's gems or the Sun Temple's solar gold before he passed away..."
"Sorcerer Supreme, three hundred years ago, when the previous Sorcerer Supreme ascended, we seem to have presented the same gift."
Princess Igraine, the Ocean Princess of Avalon, dressed in a sky-blue gown, smiled politely.
"Ah? Is that so..."
"However, your gift is twice the size of the one from three hundred years ago..."
"Hey, hey, hey! How could my gift be twice as much as the Ancient One's? At most, it's 1.9 times. But for this little extra, I'll shamelessly accept it. You there, Strange, yes, escort Princess Igraine to the VIP section!"
Qingshui laughed heartily, beckoning, then continued smilingly toward his next target.
"Wong! I'll entertain Master Fanghe! Hahahaha... The Ancient One used to mention you often when he was alive, Master Fanghe..."
"Uh... Master Watt, I've never met the previous Sorcerer Supreme..."
"Hey, what's there to it? The Ancient One has long admired you, especially your... what was that magical specialty from your place again?"
"There are no specialties where I'm from, this Demon Ash..."
"Ten grams of Demon Ash? The quality... is decent. Wong, you continue to entertain Master Fanghe, I'll go greet the other guests."
Qingshui's face still held a smile as he walked towards each guest.
"Ah, the scholars of the Natural Order! The Ancient One, when he was alive, greatly admired those who uphold the Natural Order, especially your geometric crystals..."
"Master Wayne? I didn't expect even you to come. The Ancient One, before he passed away..."
Qingshui was beaming with joy.
People from the Mystic Realm weren't numerous on Earth, but when gathered, they still constituted a significant number.
The various magical materials might not be scarce either, but they were difficult to collect. Even relatively common magical materials had a certain value.
Not to mention, this time, the various factions didn't send small amounts, so Qingshui truly profited handsomely.
However, of course, he wasn't just receiving gifts. There were also corresponding return gifts. Everyone who came received a rechargeable Magic Tool crafted with Rune Magic, and Qingshui would also give a sermon during the ceremony, offering assistance to the attending mages.
By now, Qingshui's foundation in magic was quite profound because he had read through all the magical books in Kamar-Taj using the Time Stone. Even though some magic required the power of Dimensional Demon Gods to cast, and Qingshui hadn't delved into them, in terms of theory, he could already guide most mages.
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