Cosmic-Level Demon God

"Old Zhou, you've certainly had it tough."

Qin Shi sighed, patting Zhou Yuanchen on the shoulder, and said:

"Given this, as a supernova who has fought their way through countless students, your weight is self-evident. A mere ten billion or so is far from enough. Think about it, the Education Department, the Martial Arts Association, and those major corporations, any major project scheduled, which isn't over hundreds of billions, even trillions?

If we keep passively accepting resource infusion, we are destined to have no future."

Zhou Yuanchen was thoughtful, Qin Shi's words opened his mind.

Why had he never considered this before?

No wonder Qin Shi was a gold-level client at the Entropy Sea Bank!

"Relying solely on personal struggle can't keep up with the compounding interest on debt! Old Zhou, you should also know that I don't get along with the Education Department, right? I think you should go back to Central City and apply for a special fund from the Education Department to personally defeat the supernova of the Tai'an Metropolitan Area, ensuring Central City's invincible position!"

Qin Shi's words were like a devil's temptation, each word reaching deep into Zhou Yuanchen's heart.

"Why hasn't the Education Department's investment in you been significant before? Because you have too many substitutes behind you. If they are not satisfied with you, they can replace you at any time with another genius.

But from now on, it will be different. You will be my 'archenemy'! Only Zhou Yuanchen can rival Qin Shi! You become the irreplaceable only choice, and the Education Department must invest heavily!"

Zhou Yuanchen's eyes widened as he listened, feeling like a rookie. His admiration for Qin Shi deepened even further.

"Brother Qin, you're right. However, with my mere seventeen billion combat strength, how can I fight against you?"

When the initial excitement in his heart faded, Zhou Yuanchen felt like he had been doused with cold water, hanging his head in dejection.

Before visiting the Nanhuang Daoist School, he had thought that the reason he lost to Qin Shi last time was because his account had been suddenly frozen, preventing him from fully utilizing his strength.

But now, seeing the dazzling gold-level client mark of the Entropy Sea Bank with his own eyes, Zhou Yuanchen completely lost his fighting spirit, knowing too well how terrifying the resources Qin Shi could mobilize if he wanted to.

"Don't be discouraged, Old Zhou. At least you have stepped into the specialized domain, truly a strong person on the Martial Arts Path."

Qin Shi comforted him and then said:

"We are all bros, don't worry. In the future, during interviews, if media reporters ask me to comment on young experts of Heng Province, I will lavishly praise you, saying your talent and aptitude are no less than mine and that you are my absolute rival!"

Zhou Yuanchen felt a slight warmth in his heart, secretly moved, thinking that Brother Qin was really thoughtful!

"If we join forces, draining Heng Province's funds won't be a problem at all."

Qin Shi waved his hand grandly, painting a picture of the future for Zhou Yuanchen.

"By then, Old Zhou, you and I can battle from the top 100 competition to the Star Cup, and then to the ancient heavenly road, making the Education Department and the Yong Family spend money till they go bankrupt!"

Zhou Yuanchen's eyes sparkled with excitement, feeling that Qin Shi was absolutely right.

In the past, even as a supernova, he had to bow his head and obediently listen to the leaders of the Education Department.

But if he became the only choice to counter the supernova of the Tai'an Region, the significance would be completely different.

"Brother Qin, how do you want to split it?"

Zhou Yuanchen was also quite perceptive.

"Split what, Old Zhou, we are so familiar with each other, it's a trivial matter, talking about money hurts emotions."

Qin Shi lightly waved his hand, increasingly understanding the true meaning of Lin Yunqing's words that mastering resources is very important.

Under the Star Sea, continually stepping towards the farther reaches of the Galaxy, Dongxia essentially has only three types of people: those who control resources, those who allocate resources, and those who produce resources.

Therefore, geniuses are not valuable because they are mere tools for consuming resources and can be endlessly created.

This is also why Zhou Yuanchen, as a supernova of Central City, does not have as high a status as imagined.

Qin Shi rejected that door leading to the higher world and refused the olive branch extended by the Four National Universities because he had figured it out.

No matter how far someone like him goes, no matter how high he stands, he can never escape the shackles of resources and will always be constrained by the system.

"Brother Qin, how can I accept this? You've put so much effort into helping me, I have to repay you somehow..."

Zhou Yuanchen looked at Qin Shi, seeing from his expression that he was not joking but very serious.

"Old Zhou, if you really want to repay me, just provide me with some information about Central City in the future."

Qin Shi's tone was calm, but it seemed to carry an unusual power:

"We can't forever be called 'geniuses'. Clearing our debts, doesn't just mean becoming Grandmasters. If one day you gain the power to allocate resources, you will find that the interest that once pressed you until you couldn't breathe will disappear with just a few quiet breaths."

Zhou Yuanchen's throat moved subconsciously, his hand clenching the tightly sealed energy liquid can.

"Can I do it?"

His voice was hoarse as he asked.

"We definitely can."

Qin Shi smiled.

...

...

An hour later, Zhou Yuanchen stepped out of the Nanhuang Daoist School.

Zhou Shu, who had been anxiously waiting outside, hurriedly came forward, seeing that the supernova of the Education Department was unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, he curiously asked:

"What did you and Qin Shi talk about, no conflicts, right?"

Zhou Yuanchen's face was cold, his eyes radiating a chilling glint:

"Confirmed one thing. I have stepped into the specialized domain, on the Martial Arts Path one step faster, is one line ahead. I will personally wash away the shame of this defeat!"

He is fired up!

Feeling the burgeoning fighting spirit of Zhou Yuanchen, Zhou Shu was overjoyed.

What he feared most was that Zhou Yuanchen would lose heart and confidence after this setback.

"Good, good, good! Little Zhou, once we return to Central City, I will help you apply for higher subsidies..."

"No need, I've already spoken with the Director. After thorough consideration, he agreed to establish a special fund to help solidify my strength in the Specialized Ninth Rank! With the great expansion imminent, I will defeat Qin Shi and restore the reputation of Central City!"

Zhou Yuanchen's words were firm and powerful. He turned back to glance at the sign of Nanhuang Daoist School, thinking:

"Brother Qin was right; only by becoming the one who allocates resources can one truly get ashore."

...

...

"Xiao Qin, what are you planning with helping Zhou Yuanchen?"

In the broad backyard with blue bricks, Old Zhang pushed the wheelchair out, having seen and heard all the previous conversations.

"I am about to go to Central City; it's not bad to have an 'informant' providing information. Old Zhou's character is alright. At the Copper Mountain Peak during the top 100 competition, he had just stepped into the specialized domain. If he wanted to kill, the opportunity was not small."

Qin Shi naturally moved behind the wheelchair, holding the handles, and said with a smile:

"Anyway, it's the Education Department's funds being drained. Let Old Zhou spend as much as he can; it also counts as consuming the enemy's resources."

Old Zhang smiled, seemingly seeing through Qin Shi's thoughts:

"You plan to establish a 'circle' centered around you. This idea is not bad. Under the Star Sea, even gods may not walk alone, let alone mortal beings. The Nine Marshals, each a great hero, overturned the Empire only by working together."

Qin Shi giggled, showing a shy expression. He had the idea but it was just a budding thought to take one step at a time.

"Don't worry about going to Central City, I will have Xiao Yu to protect you."

Old Zhang's eyelids drooped, and the intense summer heat had long passed. With autumn growing heavier day by day, the master of Nanhuang Daoist School seemed somewhat chilled.

Qin Shi stopped, walked to the side, bent down, and pulled up a warm blanket.

"Xiao Qin."

Old Zhang's withered hand slowly grasped Qin Shi.

"From now on, you are the heir to Nanhuang Daoist School."

There was a cold metallic object in Qin Shi's hand.

"According to the old rules, I should hold a banquet and announce it to the world, but I am too old to bother with such things. Let's keep it simple."

Old Zhang lowered his head, his deep, murky eyes watching Qin Shi's surprised expression, and said each word clearly and seriously:

"From now on, you are the Young Hall Master of Nanhuang, with the authority to wield weapons and act before reporting, just like me!

Heng Province and even Dongxia laws must give way to you!"