Chapter 729: Alliance of the Elite

As a hardcore fan, Xia Qing thought that simply calling her idol “conscientious” was underselling the greatness of someone standing at the very top of the universe’s pyramid.

So what should you say instead?

Xia Qing could go on for an hour, showering her idol with the most beautiful words Blue Star had to offer—and never repeat herself once!

But there was no need to tell Yang Jin all that. Keeping a straight face, she simply asked about the batch of medicine, “Are all the medicines Third Brother prepared going out today? Does Captain Yang know who’s escorting them?”

This was a big deal. The security of these medicines was at stake—not to mention the safety of Section One of the North. Who knew if someone was lying in wait right now, ready to ambush and steal the shipment?

Yang Jin answered, “All of them are shipping out today. Hui One will send a helicopter to collect their share, and I’ll personally take the rest back to Hui Three Safe Zone and hand them to the base leader. The base will quickly distribute the medicine to the people already selected.”

After becoming her idol’s ally, Xia Qing was looped in on the main points of the partnership agreement with Hui One.

As Party A, Hui One’s military funded the construction of the P3 Lab in Territory Seven, assigned security to both the lab and Zhang San’s team, and handled all the research funding.

As Party B, Zhang San had to lead his own research team and, according to Hui One’s requirements, develop a set quantity of exclusive medicine each year.

Once the research succeeded, the patent belonged to Party B, but Party A held exclusive operating rights for two years, earning all the profits. Meanwhile, medicine developed in any leftover time would belong fully to Party B, though Party A got first dibs on certain quantities as negotiated.

Because of this agreement, the research big-shot Zhang San in Territory Seven had to juggle developing custom medicine for Hui One and squeezing in time for his own interests. No wonder he was always run ragged.

Xia Qing asked, “How does our base screen people to take the medicine? Is it by contribution?”

Yang Jin explained in detail, “People who need the medicine sign up voluntarily. After that, it’s ranked by a combination of their contributions and their injuries. Medicine gets distributed in order—there will be a public list soon. Six Azure Dragon Squad members made the first batch.”

Not a bad system. This way, the hard-earned medicine gets used where it counts. Xia Qing smiled. “With those six on the list and the ones you have, Azure Dragon should be able to treat fifteen members. That’ll boost our overall strength for sure.”

“Just six for now. Anyone else has to wait for the next round. I plan to use these nine Devastation Element Antidotes to trade for crucial supplies.” Yang Jin glanced at Xia Qing. “If you need anything urgently, I can handle the trade for you—with a ten percent broker fee.”

With a savvy captain like Yang Jin, it was no wonder Azure Dragon Squad was thriving. Xia Qing shook her head. “I’m good for now. If I ever need anything, I’ll trouble you then.”

Yang Jin grinned, “After subtracting one antidote, your cut of the first Cordyceps fungus payout comes to 0.2 credits. Trustworthy source says the price of CM92 heavy sniper ammo is about to go up because raw materials are getting scarce. You’re almost out. Want to trade for a new batch?”

Xia Qing was silent.

“When you go out these days, are you still wearing that snake-skin protective suit under your clothes? Must be boiling hot. Have you seen the new summer gear that Red One Research Institute just released on the news? I’ve got a connection—want me to get you two sets in a trade?”

Xia Qing stared at him.

……

……

She might need everything Yang Jin suggested, but she hadn’t even gotten her share of credits and it already felt like half was gone. Watching him grin, Xia Qing’s heart ached. Even his hedgehog hair was getting on her nerves.

At last, Yang Jin fished a thin gold necklace from his backpack and tried to barter again. “Can I trade this for one Yi Stone Protector? My old one broke during the last mission.”

Xia Qing’s Yi Stone Protectors were made from raw Yi Stone and refined with metal—sturdy as could be. If one broke during a mission, you could guess how dangerous that job had been.

Since Crippled Wolf loved gold necklaces, Xia Qing agreed instantly. She could always trade it to Crippled Wolf for more supplies—with a profit to boot.

Watching Xia Qing accept his carefully selected gift, Yang Jin felt like he was floating. His smile grew even brighter—which only made Xia Qing want to punch him more.

But he really did have a great smile. And he was a perfect partner for work or trade—definitely not someone she should deck.

When Yang Jin was ready to leave, the two of them made their usual detour to the lower slope, checking in on the Devastationweed plants growing in Spring Cave.

Under Xia Qing’s careful cultivation, not only did the Devastationweed produce twenty-four seeds, it also multiplied from two stalks to three. She’d managed to grow the third using a lateral bud from one of the originals.

Yang Jin shone his phone’s light over the Devastationweed, studying it closely. His already bright eyes lit up even more. “Another two roots from the side bud—that’s all you!”

Xia Qing put on her most serious look and said modestly, “Just a fluke. Even a blind cat catches a mouse sometimes.”

She had no modern greenhouse, no fancy equipment or conditions. Getting Devastationweed to multiply really was pure luck.

The reference Zhang San gave her never even mentioned Devastationweed growing side buds, let alone splitting them off.

It said people had tried propagating it like a succulent—by cutting off the head or using leaves—but it always melted away and died. So, the only method listed was by seed.

When she noticed her Devastationweed with seven leaves cut off growing a side bud—especially as it got bigger—Xia Qing discussed with Yang Jin and, risking a plant worth tens of thousands of credits, sliced off one of the two buds and tried propagating it.

Why’d Xia Qing go for it? She guessed Devastationweed’s side buds were linked to the explosion in local Devastation Snakes, but she didn’t have hard proof—so she didn’t bring it up to Yang Jin.

It helped that Yang Jin was such a good partner—he trusted Xia Qing with all the Devastationweed cultivation and never interfered. He even greenlit her side-bud experiment without hesitation.

Once she’d cut it off, Xia Qing checked that bud eight times a day, convinced it could liquefy any second. Only after a month did she finally spot a tiny root poking out—so small her level nine vision had to squint and she needed a flashlight to be sure.

What did that mean? It meant she’d pulled it off—Devastationweed was basically a mutant succulent!

After that win, Yang Jin changed his mind and suggested to Xia Qing, “Devastation Snakes are booming in the Northern Evolved Forest. Antivenom demand is going up. Let’s not sell any Devastationweed seeds—plant them all, see how many new stalks we get. Sound good?”

Great minds think alike—Xia Qing nodded. “Alright. I’ll expand the side cave where we’re keeping the Devastationweed and plant every seed here.”

Yang Jin didn’t have Xia Qing’s experience in farming or construction, so he was happy to leave it all up to her. “You know what you’re doing—I’ll let you handle the site and method. Do you have tools and support poles for the new digs, or should I send some supplies over?”

Xia Qing shook her head. “I’ve got both tools and the poles.”

After checking the Devastationweed, Yang Jin shared two new updates before heading out:

“Red Eleven’s case is about to wrap up—Li Si will probably lose his position as lord of Territory Nine. Feng Wen confessed a bunch of Tang Rui’s crimes and got released yesterday. She’s told everyone you’re as close as sisters. She might show up in the Safe Zone looking for you.”