Chapter 267: Transaction

Zhou Rui was surprised to hear this statement coming from the Fatty’s mouth.

The Fatty’s family was part of the Alliance. Though not in the top tier, they were still at the edge of the second tier, so they should have seen geniuses.

Most civilians think of geniuses as people propped up by major families.

Real geniuses don’t expose their identities. Those from major families were very well protected.

Once a genius from a big family is exposed, they usually end up dead. This had been the case for many years.

After all, what kind of impact would your genius have on other families? “Don’t doubt me. Yang Bo can now create four-star potions.” The Fat Boss looked at Zhou Rui, immediately understanding her doubts.

Then, he explained in detail how Yang Bo had the gift of alchemy.

After hearing this, Zhou Rui became even more skeptical. “Are you sure you’re not lying?”

The Fat Boss pulled out his purchase history from the Black Market and said with disdain, “Your Bounty Hunter Guild is supposed to be an international organization, yet you lack common knowledge.”

“If Yang Bo’s talent were any worse, I wouldn’t even bother sharing this with you. I’m only afraid his talent is too great for me to handle alone.”

“I won’t tell anyone in my family about Yang Bo. With the way our family operates, they’re bound to fail sooner or later.”

“Do you really think a noble like me, even without much family support, could get close to Yang Bo so easily?” the Fat Boss added.

Zhou Rui felt somewhat convinced but still skeptical. “Did he really succeed on his first try?”

“During his first attempt, the first few potions failed, but the later ones were all successes. Look, here are my latest purchases. Unfortunately, the formulas I bought are too common.” The Fat Boss flipped through more of his recent Black Market records.

Zhou Rui couldn’t help but feel envious. “You’re really lucky. I’ve never met someone like that.”

Looking very pleased, the Fat Boss replied, “That’s just luck. Not only am I lucky, but Yang Bo is lucky too.”

“I heard that Yang Bo was the one who found the Longevity Energy Stone.” Zhou Rui smiled as she looked at the Fat Boss.

Surprised, the Fat Boss asked, “Even the President told you about that?”

Zhou Rui smirked. “The President’s family patriarch used the Longevity Energy Stone, the one I mentioned earlier.”

The Fat Boss figured Zhou Rui was probably from the same family as the President, maybe even a sibling. There was no way she was just some mistress.

As someone from a major family, the Fat Boss knew that even if someone had a mistress, she would never be involved in such serious matters.

Only family bloodline mattered. Non-bloodline members had no right to be involved.

Even married women only managed everyday assets. They wouldn’t be part of handling the core secrets.

After all, if today’s alliance of interests meant giving his daughter to you, what if she one day betrayed your family with the core secrets she learned? “Still, we need further verification. Does Yang Bo have any other talents? Could it be a rare superpower?” Zhou Rui took a sip of water, deciding to verify things later.

The Fat Boss grinned and nodded. “Yang Bo was overwhelmed by fear on Green Demon Planet. At the time, he was on a warship heading there. Later, he somehow ended up stranded on the planet.”

“Then he dug himself a cave, lived on grass roots for a long time. Although he said little about it, I feel it mimicked the effects of secret techniques to awaken superpowers.”

“After his return, his strength reached the upper limit of his level.”

“This mission seems to have triggered something in him, and now his power has fully awakened. His awakened power is so strong. Let me show you the video.” The Fat Boss pulled out a tablet containing private storage meant for confidential information.

Zhou Rui had heard of this event and said, “It seems the Grey Ash Organization colluded with pirates to attack your fleet on Green Demon Planet. Fortunately, they leaked information, and the Alliance sent their main warship for rescue while the original fleet hid.”

“Two of the top pirate groups were completely wiped out. The Grey Ash Organization was exposed. Ninety-nine percent of its members in the Alliance were caught, and they’ve been classified as a terrorist group. Any resistance during their capture resulted in death.”

“They’re even offering bounties to assassinate the remaining members who escaped.”

As Zhou Rui spoke, she opened her mouth wide in shock at the video showing Yang Bo throwing light orbs.

“The walls in that lab aren’t ordinary. Look at how much they broke.” The Fat Boss explained as Zhou Rui watched.

The Fat Boss couldn’t help but feel proud, as discovering such a genius had been beyond his wildest dreams.

“This superpower is extremely rare, and it looks like he might also have Mind Control-related abilities?” Zhou Rui asked with surprise while watching Yang Bo in the video.

“Probably. His control over the light orbs is really strong.”

“Unfortunately, our family has no records of this ability. That’s why I’m willing to share this secret with you. Yang Bo’s superpower needs to be nurtured for my sake.”

“This isn’t just my concern; it’s our concern. If Yang Bo progresses smoothly, he can definitely become an A-level Genetic Evolver. With his Light-based Superpower, reaching A+ in the future isn’t impossible.”

“I know our family too well. It’s highly unlikely they have any relevant records, and I can’t find the necessary resources through them.” The Fat Boss’s voice was filled with distrust toward his family.

Zhou Rui wasn’t surprised by the Fatty’s mentality. In many families, those who were not valued lived worse off than commoners.

Those disregarded by their families often lived like puppets, worse off than dogs compared to the precious children.

Outwardly, they might seem impressive, but within their families, they led difficult lives.

If lucky enough to raise an outstanding heir, their situation might improve. If not, they would forever be like farmed pigs.

Moreover, the Fatty’s family dealt in shady business. If things went wrong for them, they’d certainly end up as scapegoats.

“Don’t worry about that. The President values Yang Bo’s talent. But even so, no one expected him to be this gifted. I don’t think Yang Bo needs to join a sect.” Zhou Rui began considering other options.

“Joining a sect isn’t a bad idea. With Yang Bo’s talent, he’s only going to improve. If someone takes notice, there will be problems.” The Fat Boss had a different opinion.

“I need to go out. You’re in charge here.” Zhou Rui decided she needed to return home for now.

“Do as you wish!” The Fat Boss knew Zhou Rui was going to consult her family.

Zhou Rui drove away in an Flying Car from the underground garage without saying where she was headed.

During dinner, Yang Bo arrived at the restaurant, surprised to find only the Fat Boss.

“Yang Bo, come on, let’s eat. Zhou Assistant has gone out for some business,” the Fat Boss called out as he explained.

Once Yang Bo sat down, the Fat Boss apologized, saying, “Yang Bo, I need to apologize.”

“Boss?” Yang Bo looked shocked.

“I told Zhou Assistant about your alchemy talent and your light-based superpower. Your talent is too great, and I’m afraid that my limited abilities will hold you back.”

“But I also don’t want you dragged into our family matters. The business my family runs is shady, and we have little future.”

“Zhou Assistant is probably related to the President of the Bounty Hunter Guild somehow—maybe a sibling. The Bounty Hunter Guild is international, and their resources surpass anything my family can offer.”

“Zhou Assistant’s family isn’t the strongest in the Guild, or she wouldn’t be working here in the Alliance, running an illegitimate operation.”

“This kind of family is actually better. They have a deep foundation but lack enough talent.”

“Top-ranked families in the Alliance have plenty of expert pharmacists and top-tier alchemists.”

“Even if you entered one of their families, your talent wouldn’t be fully used. Each family is like a series of factions, small groups with their own interests. A talent like yours could be suppressed or even sabotaged by top-tier alchemists.”

“A family’s resources in alchemy are limited. If they give you more, they have to give others less. If others get more, then you get less.”

“Do you understand what I mean?” The Fat Boss stared at Yang Bo.

“It’s like taking on tasks in a company?” Yang Bo was slightly shocked and asked.

Internally, he mused to himself: “How much money did the Fat Boss make from selling my information?”

Yang Bo didn’t mind. Their relationship was always based on mutual benefits. The Fat Boss had abandoned him before. If danger came, nothing was stopping him from abandoning the Fat Boss in return.

This was why he had created multiple identities to make his escape easier if anything went wrong eventually. “That’s right. The best missions always go to those with deeper connections.” The Fat Boss nodded vigorously.

“By the way, I traded your information for a set of energy suits. When we faced the attackers, my suit was too weak. I couldn’t fight back. We’ll likely face more danger in the future.”

“Zhou Rui has gone to report to her family. When she returns, show her your alchemy and light abilities. Also, make sure you get yourself a set of energy suits. Having one will make things a lot safer for you.”

“The Bounty Hunter Guild has lots of good stuff. They wouldn’t have such a huge business on this planet without some official connections. Try to get a laser gun or something.” The Fat Boss handed Yang Bo a large bottle of milk and kept speaking.

“I know the Boss only has my best interests in mind!” Yang Bo felt slightly more at ease. Since the Bounty Hunter Guild already knew part of his abilities, they’d definitely invest in his potential.

He would certainly get an energy suit. He could then use his metal-control ability to modify the battlesuit in his space.

This would bolster his apparent strength. What Yang Bo wanted was to find a way to openly use his abilities.

If the Fat Boss hadn’t revealed his superpower, Yang Bo would’ve done so himself when the opportunity arose. Whether it’s a family or guild, if things turned bad, he could still flee.

Everything was motivated by benefits. There was no sense of loyalty. If Zhou Rui’s family treated him well, he wouldn’t mind using another identity to save them later.

That’s how people are. The Fat Boss told him the truth, which meant he cared about Yang Bo’s opinion.

Of course, if he hadn’t shown any ability, the Fatty wouldn’t have cared enough to look at him twice.

Yang Bo had long accepted this reality. If you have no skill, no one will pay you any attention, not even those in your own family. How could you expect a stranger to care?

“When picking out a suit, take me with you. I’ll help you choose the best.” The Fat Boss chuckled.

Yang Bo nodded as he ate. “Of course, I’d want the Boss’s guidance. I don’t know much about energy suits.”

Seeing Yang Bo’s reaction, the Fat Boss relaxed. “Good thing Yang Bo has a simple mind.”

Yang Bo wasn’t simple, though. He had long prepared for this. Their relationship was purely business.

Meanwhile, Zhou Rui returned home and told her father about what had happened.

Heavy rain poured down on the farm, and all the livestock had been moved inside various buildings. Covers protected the crops.

The rain here was freshwater, unlike the seawater pulled inland by coastal tornadoes.

The local plants were already accustomed to this kind of climate, so they weren’t too affected.

“Is there really such a genius?” Zhou Rui’s father, a former high-ranking member of the Bounty Hunter Guild, though not quite an elder, was close to it.

He had heard about many geniuses, but someone like Yang Bo was still rare.

“I didn’t expect Yang Bo to have other talents. I thought his lock-picking ability was rare enough, but his alchemy and Light-based Superpower are even more impressive.” Zhou Rui nodded, stroking the fluffy white bird in her arms.

“Could it be due to eating grass roots on Green Demon Planet? What a pity we can’t access it anymore, or we could conduct some experiments,” her father mused.

“I think it depends on the individual. First, Yang Bo must’ve been mentally strained too much. The constant stress is similar to the hardship training in secret techniques. Imagine living in a dark cave with no end in sight.”

“Second, the grass roots probably had some other active ingredients.”

“Third, it’s probably linked to Yang Bo’s unique genes. The chances of replicating this success are too low,” Zhou Rui added her own opinion.

“Find a chance to verify it, and if it’s true, our family should invest heavily in him,” her father nodded. Superpowers were unpredictable. Some people gained them overnight, while others trained for decades and got nothing.