「Shangjing Prefecture, Secret Inspection Bureau Headquarters.」

After returning from Beisha Country, Zhou Yuanjue had no follow-up missions, so he documented his insights on the birth of his Star Cells and their unique magnetic field structure. After publishing his findings on the Martial Arts University intranet, he resumed his cultivation.

By now, his heart was no longer home to a single, solitary Star Cell. Instead, nearly a third of the organ had undergone the fixed conversion, a rate of progress that Zhou Yuanjue considered quite good.

Once the transformation of his heart and other organs containing permanent and semi-permanent cells was complete, the rest of his body would follow at a blistering pace. If time permitted, six months of uninterrupted, secluded cultivation might be enough for him to complete his body’s transformation entirely.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one.

As the foreign affairs delegation returned from Beisha, the Starry Sky Country simultaneously launched its Apostle Plan, and a new mission fell to him.

「Zixiao Mountain, summit.」

In the courtyard, a group had gathered: Zhou Yuanjue, Lei Yi, and Chen Qingmu were present, along with Zhang Zhizhen and Ji Yunzhou, who had just returned from the Silan Region. Hong Miao and Ge Honglin, who were currently in the country without active missions, were also there.

Among them was a new face.

He possessed a tall frame, his eyes burning as brightly as torches.

Dong Wanming of the Holy Heart Sect.

During the Martial Dao exchange between the two countries, Dong Wanming had come close to breaking through that barrier in his fight against Chris. However, at the critical moment, his opponent had forcefully snuffed out his burgeoning insight, leaving him severely injured. More recently, the publication of Zhou Yuanjue’s Instinct Theory—specifically its methods for achieving a Saint Awakening breakthrough—had given him a major revelation.

With his previous experience, success came naturally, and he soon completed his breakthrough.

The other top-tier Martial Artists were still in deep, secluded cultivation, but they too were expected to show results soon.

Donghua’s ranks of Saint Awakening masters would only continue to grow.

"The Starry Sky Country struck back fast. This so-called Apostle Plan is rife with conspiracy. The moment it was announced, it completely overshadowed the news of our cooperation with Beisha Country, and now other nations are wavering again."

Chen Qingmu said, shaking his head.

"They’re planning to mass-produce these so-called ’Neo-Humans.’ ’Coexistence between humans and Celestial Beings’? Don’t make me laugh. I see it for what it is: finding suitable hosts for Celestial Demons. They’re trying to use this method to slowly corrupt the entire world."

Lei Yi sneered.

"We can’t afford to delay, either. The Foreign Affairs Bureau has concluded its visit to Beisha Country, so we need to officially launch our plans for Bosha Country as soon as possible. We’ve already made secret contact with Bosha’s Prime Minister, Modri. He personally expressed his willingness to receive our delegation, but the official proposal still needs to be approved by the National Assembly."

Chen Qingmu said slowly, then shot a glare at Zhou Yuanjue. "This time, you can’t be as reckless as you were in Beisha Country."

"I’m afraid this won’t be as smooth as we’d hope."

Just then, the Chief Commissioner suddenly spoke up.

"Our intelligence channels indicate that the Bosha National Assembly has shown some interest in the proposal for the Human Life Research Committee. However, they would want to take the leading role if any such multinational research institute is formed."

"They believe that Bosha Country’s research into life and individual power has led the world since ancient times."

The Chief Commissioner stated mildly.

"Tsk. That sounds just like Bosha. The superiority complex of those high-and-mighty Caste Nobles has made the entire nation arrogant and conceited."

Lei Yi snorted. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Bosha’s unofficial motto: ’Third best in the world.’"

Ji Yunzhou said with a laugh.

"It’s only natural for them to have such confidence. As one of the world’s few ancient civilizations, Bosha Country’s history of cultivation and its associated research is, in some ways, even more ancient than our own. Because of their religious heritage, the culture of cultivation is also more deeply ingrained there. In terms of individual power, the number of people they have at the Saint Awakening Level is likely more than two-thirds of our own number of Saint Awakening Level Martial Artists."

"The most powerful among them are the three Venerables who have inherited the names of the God Sanxiang from the Bosha Teaching. If we don’t show them something tangible, a mere theoretical framework won’t be enough to make them fall in line."

"Most importantly, Bosha Country has always adhered to a strict caste system. Only the nobility, the highest caste, possessed the right to practice their religion and perform rites. This means that from ancient times until now, the core of cultivation has effectively been controlled by Bosha’s high castes, who use it to constantly secure their own status. Even today, though the caste system has been officially abolished by law, this deep-seated malady remains entrenched in the country."

"That’s why the high castes, who control both the state and the paths to cultivation, want to take the lead in the Human Life Research Committee. It’s a way to preserve their status, rather than letting us achieve our grand ambition of spreading our Martial Dao across the world."

The Chief Commissioner said calmly.

Everyone nodded slightly. The situation in Bosha was extremely complex; its development was severely limited by its many historical legacies. Although Prime Minister Modri currently held the most actual power in the country, his low-caste origins meant his hands were often tied, preventing him from having the final say on everything.

On the other hand, these same historical legacies had also allowed various traditions and cultivation methods to be preserved and passed down with relative integrity. At times, the people of that nation were capable of performing unbelievably miraculous feats.

To put it in their terms, it was like they were using cheat codes.

"Now that you mention it, I’m even more interested to hear their response."

Zhou Yuanjue said slowly.

The others couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

"As far as we’re concerned, as long as they don’t actively join the Celestial Demon Faction, we can entertain other, similar demands. If we can’t even handle a country like Bosha, how can we possibly contend with the Starry Sky Country and the Celestial Organization?"

Chen Qingmu said with a smile.

"Hm?"

Just then, the Chief Commissioner made a sound, drawing everyone’s attention.

"We have news."

The Chief Commissioner said calmly. Thanks to his magnetic field, which could cover an incredibly vast area, he had received the latest news instantly.

"Oh?"

All eyes converged on the pale yellow, humanoid avatar the Chief Commissioner had manifested.

They were all curious to hear Bosha’s response.

"Heh. It seems that as part of our visit, we’ll first have to engage in a ’friendly exchange’ with Bosha Country."

The Chief Commissioner said to the group with a smile.