Chapter 342: Chapter 338: The Modern-Day Boya and Ziqi—Profound Immortal and Prophet

Japan, Tokyo.

On the northern side of the Tama Region, Musashino Plateau.

Because it appeared repeatedly in the “Man’yōshū” and Medieval Literature, this is quite a famous area in the Tokyo region.

“Leave tomorrow’s matters for tomorrow.”

Ma Ran looked expressionlessly at the group of middle-aged and elderly people in front of him: “Today, we are here to discuss the benefits allocation of the ’Genetic Potion’.”

Sugawara Koichi, Kubo Kazuki, Kuroda Naoki, Takanashi Yodou, Kawamoto Takeshi…

Dozens of representatives from prestigious families listened attentively, not daring to show any disrespect.

The reputation of “Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan” precedes him, and those who dared to act recklessly in front of him knew well what consequences awaited them.

Originally, for such a major business deal, the patriarch would have definitely appeared.

But the problem is, the Profound Immortal Team is now powerful, and “Zhao Guanlan” is brutal and ruthless, obliterating families at will, leaving no room for negotiation.

The higher one’s position and status, the more they treasure their lives.

Even those upper-rank individuals wanting to cooperate with the “Profound Immortal” don’t dare to come in person; they only send trusted aides to meet with the leaders of the Profound Immortal Team.

Even so, before the family representatives set off, the patriarchs repeatedly instructed and emphasized the importance of etiquette, respect toward the “Profound Immortal,” and the absolute necessity not to lose face, no matter the grievances suffered.

Zhao Guanlan is intolerant of any grievances—this point has become a consensus among Japan’s upper echelons.

Anyone who dares to displease him, he will make sure their entire family meets a violent end.

This is not a joke!

After the alliance assassination attempt at The University of Tokyo, even the Japanese side’s top leaders had to offer hundreds of scapegoats to quell the wrath of the Profound Immortal.

This behavior could be called a compromise, or appeasement; what the Controller Group on this island is truly thinking, very few can guess.

However, irrespective of this, their forbearance will inevitably explode at some future point, which is a certainty.

Most people cannot determine when this eruption will occur, but Ma Ran has already foreseen it.

He was aware of those scheming plots against “Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan,” but rather than defuse them, he fueled them, using the “Enchantment” ability to drive certain influential individuals to propose even more evil, darker, and cunning tactical plans.

Such maneuvers were all aimed at rounding up and eliminating those on the opposing side, enabling “Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan” to truly control all authority on this island, becoming its sole Overlord!

Feeling the respectful attitude from everyone present, Ma Ran nodded in satisfaction and tapped the table.

Zhou Yu immediately stepped forward and spoke: “Lord Profound Immortal and the Prophet from the Other Shore are bosom friends, akin to close family and friends who transcend age differences, truly comparable to the friendship of Boya and Ziqi of the 21st century. Hence… Lord Profound Immortal has special channels to obtain some ’Genetic Optimization Adjustment’ potions.”

Boya and Ziqi, the high mountains and flowing water, the broken zither and snapped strings.

The noble families of Japan are generally fond of studying ancient Chinese culture. Everyone present was quite familiar with such historical references, and they could even sing a few lines with the “Dahe Local Style”: “Ziqi, Ziqi, our friendship is worth its weight in gold. Even across the ends of the earth, there are no words sufficient. When this tune ends, it shall not be played again. This precious zither shall die for you.”

But how noble and pristine the Prophet Ma Ran really is, and what a figure Zhao Guanlan is, everyone was quite aware.

Knowing full well that “Blazing Rock Funeralist” Zhou Yu was trying to glorify his leader, everyone still wore looks of approval, with flattering words flowing unceasingly.

“Alright, there’s no need for more flowery words.”

Ogata Shitou suddenly spoke: “As everyone knows, the ’Genetic Adjustment Potion,’ each bottle is custom-made. Different individuals require their personal data input for specific potion modulation; there is no fixed generic model here.”

“Collaborate with the Profound Immortal Team and have the descendants of your family join the team, and through the algorithm of the ’Talent Acquisition Plan,’ you can obtain varying numbers of ’Genetic Potion Modulation’ quotas.”

“Increase lifespan, enhance talent.”

“The effects of the Genetic Potion, I believe everyone is aware.”

“Have the most outstanding members of your family join the Profound Immortal Team. The more members you develop, the more quotas you can achieve.”

“All specific details are in these materials.”

“Everyone, take a good look and make your decision!”

Exchanging a non-existent quota for outstanding Extraordinary talent…

This act of getting something for nothing is truly in the style of Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan.

Both Ogata Shitou and Zhou Yu understood that the so-called “quota” simply does not exist now.

In reality, there is not even one!

This is a pyramid scheme!

Using empty promises to extract benefits.

Across the Other Shore, in China, this is also known as a “Ponzi scheme.”

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

The representatives of the prestigious families present kept their expressions unchanged as they flipped through their materials, yet internally they felt silently bitter, as if they had swallowed bitter herbs, their tongues tasting nothing but bitterness.

Even without Ogata Shitou and Zhou Yu knowing more, they all were savvy characters, how could they not understand that these so-called “Talent Acquisition Plan” algorithms were just a scam?

Inadequately rigorous algorithms were filled with subjective and idealistic factors.

In the end, who gets the “quota” and who cannot even round up a single one, isn’t it all up to the Profound Immortal Team to decide?

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Ma Ran knew this group of people had guessed his real intentions.

That’s right!

That’s exactly what he thought!

In essence, this commercial negotiation was indeed getting something for nothing—a pyramid scheme.

Later, he would indeed hand out some benefits, but those who would receive benefits were designated from the start.

Those who could obtain the “Genetic Optimization Adjustment Potion” from him were surely those who fought bravely to the death as Civilization Guardians in a past life.

Lack of responsibility, cowardly individuals?

Sorry, resources are limited, there’s no weight for them.

As for the traitors on the blacklist, there’s no need to say more. They are destined to die; the only difference is whether they die early or late, that’s all.

But…

Even if everyone saw through his true nature, what could they do?

The situation was overpowering.

With the reputation of “Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan,” wouldn’t it be worthwhile for some Extraordinary talents to come and pledge allegiance?

In just less than ten days, the Profound Immortal Team had already captured more than half of the island.

Under such circumstances, the Profound Immortal Team vaguely had the capital to contend with the Japanese side.

The so-called noble families and newly-risen Extraordinary groups were nothing but like clay chickens and pottery dogs in front of the Profound Immortal Team, not worth mentioning.

Sometimes, it didn’t even require Zhou Yu and Ogata Shitou, the “Profound Immortal Left and Right Arm,” to make a move; the entire Profound Immortal Team would just crush everything!

Unstoppable!

No one could stand in their way!

The forces standing against the interests of the Profound Immortal Team either had to abandon their assets, accumulations, and industries and flee directly, or raise the white flag and surrender.

Even more terrifying, after the previous “University of Tokyo Assassination Incident,” in the eyes of most residents of this island nation, this turmoil was seen as a joint reform by the [Yin Yang Master] and [Blazing Rock Funeralist] under the wise guidance of the [Profound Immortal], aiming to sweep away those filthy capitalists and provide the people with a better living environment.

Ordinary people began to gradually support the Profound Immortal Team.

Although not everyone did, this momentum already made many perceptive people feel uneasy.

After all, the Extraordinary Ones originate from ordinary people; they didn’t just pop out of nowhere.

Thus…

Faced with the tyrannical terms of the Profound Immortal Team, the major families and Extraordinary Ones had grievances they could not voice; they could only swallow their pain and express their willingness to cooperate.

Agreeing in words but not in hearts.

But it didn’t matter.

Even if they weren’t truly convinced, they dared not front while subverting, sending some incompetent weaklings to perfunctorily deal with the Profound Immortal Team.

They didn’t have that capability.

And they dared not!

A gentleman can be deceived with righteousness.

“Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan” was almost the antonym of a “gentleman.”

Even if the representatives of the major families felt bitter, they could only bite their teeth, forcing a smile while claiming that this plan was really damn good—a truly win-win cooperation plan.

“…”

Zhou Yu and Ogata Shitou exchanged a glance, understanding without words.

They were well aware that this was outright swindling, or one might call it outright plundering.

But…

The Profound Immortal Team was forever just!

To rescue six and a half million innocent victims from calamity, any dark actions, as long as they didn’t cross the line, could be forgiven!

After all, although the whole Profound Immortal Team was stained with blood from top to bottom, it did have a bottom line—no drugs, no vice.

Just these two points set them far apart from most extreme forces!

Thinking this way, it wasn’t so much as to whitewash their leader.

Every time Ogata Shitou thought about those “nightmares” from a while back, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye.

Poor Cangming Star and the painstaking enterprise two generations of Planet Leaders had built, likely all ruined by his depredations.

“Profound Immortal Zhao Guanlan,” perhaps upon leaving, drained that planet’s final essence…

A negotiation, efficiently concluded.

The representatives of the major noble families swiftly and quietly left, displaying humility and correct attitude from start to finish.

Ogata Shitou reflected on his recent experiences and couldn’t help sighing softly, “In the future, Cangming Star probably won’t produce another Sword Master, Demon, or Profound Immortal of such brilliance.”

Lying on a rattan chair, Ma Ran tilted his head, looked at him, and chuckled lightly, “Though I squeezed the last value out of Cangming Star back then, your thoughts may not be entirely accurate.”

Speaking to this point, his tone carried some depth: “Life always finds a way.”

Ogata Shitou quickly lowered his head, not panicking, “Sorry, dear leader, I spoke out of turn!”

After spending a long time together, he found that the “Profound Immortal” was highly tolerant of him and Zhou Yu. As long as they didn’t break the organization’s bottom line rules, any mistakes could be handled lightly, a clear stance of protection that the entire Profound Immortal Team understood thoroughly.

Everyone thought that Ogata Shitou and Zhou Yu were now “Five Cloud executives” of the Profound Immortal Team, hence their importance.

However, Ogata Shitou knew that wasn’t the case.

He suspected that maybe, he and Zhou Yu could become extremely powerful Extraordinary Ones in the future.

And [Profound Immortal] Zhao Guanlan received related information from [Prophet] Ma Ran.

Ogata Shitou had a well-aligned mindset.

Whether it was a potential investment or some other reason, at least this “special treatment” was undeniably real.

He and Zhou Yu, when facing the [Profound Immortal], didn’t need to act as obsequious as servants but must maintain reverence in their hearts.

The “Genetic Potion Pyramid Scheme Plan” has come to an end.

Ma Ran granted [Yin Yang Master] and [Blazing Rock Funeralist] a short holiday, allowing the two to rest and recuperate before the “Sea Demon Calamity,” ensuring they were in good shape.

But Ogata Shitou didn’t waste time, continuing to expand the territory and power scope of the Profound Immortal Team.

Nevertheless, the Profound Immortal Team’s domain still couldn’t cover and engulf Nagasaki.

That night, Ogata Shitou tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

In the midst of torment and frustration, the morning light of the next day cast upon his face.

The day the Sea Demon Calamity descended has finally arrived!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep