Chapter 46: The Third War Council and a New Journey
Before investigating the radio incident, Li Changsheng decided to convene a meeting with his avatars.
Inside the mysterious space, the avatars retained their usual postures and appearances. Li Changsheng was long accustomed to such sights. Clearing his throat, he began the meeting, “Let me update you all. I’ve established a base in the zombie world. It’s an apocalyptic realm—chaotic and lawless. So far, I haven’t discovered any surviving organizations on a national level.”
Li Xiao-T had intended to take a drag from his cigar, but paused mid-air, musing, “As they say, one man’s poison is another’s honey. For others, that world might be catastrophic, but for monsters like us, it’s the ideal place.”
“Exactly,” Li Changsheng nodded, glancing toward Li Xiao-T. “Any one of us who ended up in an orderly world would be closely monitored by national-level agencies. So if you ever find yourselves unable to get by in your own worlds, once the summoning magic issue is resolved, you can all come to mine.”
A smile appeared on Li Xiao-T’s mechanical mouth. “Then hurry up, main body. I want to let loose in my world.”
Li Changsheng arched an eyebrow. “Don’t be too reckless in any world. For us, each of these worlds is a resource—I don’t wish to abandon any.”
Li Xiao-T nodded in agreement.
“How’s the progress on magic?” A distant, spectral voice drifted from above—it was Li Xiao-Xu.
At his words, Li Changsheng felt a touch of embarrassment. He’d previously urged Li Xiao-Xu to hurry, but the latter had been preoccupied with recruiting followers and expanding territory. The magic potion and spellbook from Li Xiao-Xu had been left untouched.
Li Changsheng coughed, forcing himself to reply, “We’re about fifty percent there. Still a bit to go, but I believe there’ll be good progress soon.”
To maintain his dignity as the main body, he had to stretch the truth a little.
“Oh, is that so?” Li Xiao-Xu responded coolly.
Li Xiao-T grinned, flashing brilliant diamond teeth.
Li Xiao-G, who was sprawled across the table, lifted his head, propping it with one arm and remarked indifferently, “Fifty percent? Impossible. Biological evolution, given a medium and sufficient energy, is usually completed quickly.”
He scrutinized Li Changsheng, “You don’t look any different than before, main body. Don’t fool yourself.”
Li Xiao-Xu’s blue phantom seemed to manifest a middle finger.
Li Xiao-T adjusted his sunglasses, his mechanical face expressionless.
“Go back to sleep, Li Xiao-G. You talk too much!” Li Changsheng glared at him, then spread his hands, “I’m busy with business, but I’ll learn magic as soon as possible.”
“Oh, right. Li Xiao-G, what exactly did you mean by medium and energy?”
Li Xiao-G stretched, revealing fierce, blood-red muscle lines. “After numerous experiments, it turns out external factors can induce G-biological cells to mutate. The evolutionary medium controls the direction, and energy ensures the process completes smoothly.”
He raised his right hand, admiring the sharp claws. “Take me, for instance. In my G1 form, I didn’t have claws—just enhanced flesh and an extra large eye. That eye’s pretty good~”
His giant eye blinked.
Li Changsheng snorted.
Li Xiao-G stopped showing off and continued, “After becoming G1, Dr. William gave me a lot of beast genes. Their physical strength can’t match G1, but they share a common trait: their own weapons—teeth, claws. After absorbing lots of energy fluid, I developed my own claws.”
“So that’s how it works.” Li Changsheng nodded.
Li Xiao-G rested his chin on a claw, “It’s not just genes. That magic potion you have, main body, could act as an evolutionary medium. I believe magic will drive your G-cells wild! Don’t worry too much—G-creatures are tough...”
Li Changsheng curled his lip, “Tough or not, I don’t want to become like you guys. I want stability, and I aim to stay human-shaped.”
He glanced around at the group: mechanical organism, G-virus organism, void entity...
All his avatars were monsters...
How could he blend into human society like this!
Sensing Li Changsheng’s gaze, Li Xiao-T adjusted his sunglasses, Li Xiao-Xu drifted faster, Li Xiao-G flexed his muscles.
What’s so bad about being monsters...
Main body...
“At best, you’re only half-human now...” Li Xiao-G thought silently.
Suddenly, Li Changsheng asked, “By the way, Li Xiao-G, do you have any more energy fluid?”
“None left. Dr. William’s starting to fear me, controlling my evolution speed,” Li Xiao-G shrugged. “That Jockey corpse you gave me last time—I researched it. It works for G-creatures, but not much. If you don’t mind, you could roast it and eat it. The energy’s low, but better than nothing...”
“That used to be a human! I’m human too, you know!” Li Changsheng retorted, annoyed.
Afterwards, he looked at Li Xiao-T with a ‘get me something’ gaze, reminiscent of a vampire.
“The logistics department has plenty of energy batteries...”
Li Changsheng turned to Li Xiao-Xu.
“None.”
“Alright, I’ll look for something in my world,” Li Changsheng sighed. “Anything else? Speak up if there is.”
“The meeting’s running long—it’s affecting my sleep. Does that count?”
“Get lost.”
“None.”
“Oh.”
A spark flickered atop Li Xiao-T’s head, “The way we’re holding meetings isn’t very efficient. Shouldn’t we come up with a method for remote meetings?”
That way, we could chat and slack off at the same time...
Remote meetings?
Li Changsheng had considered this before.
Passing notes inside the space.
Uploading information at designated spots.
But after much thought, none of these felt right.
Such troublesome matters...
Better leave it to the avatars!
Li Changsheng gave Li Xiao-T a nod of approval, feigning thoughtfulness. “Good idea. I agree we need a remote meeting system. I’m assigning this task to you, Li Xiao-T—I believe in you.”
Li Xiao-G reacted faster than anyone, “Seconded!”
Li Xiao-Xu: “…Seconded.”
Li Xiao-T’s hand froze, cigar stalled. Suddenly, the cigar didn’t taste as good.
Li Changsheng added, “Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to bring more bullets into the space, just in case.”
“That’s it. Bye.”
“Bye!”
“Bye.”
The vast mysterious space was left with only Li Xiao-T in a state of confusion.
…
After the meeting, it was already past noon. Li Changsheng awoke in his bedroom, returned to the living room, and found Beth sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. He asked, “Beth, why are you here? Have you had lunch? Shall we eat together?”
“Huh? Boss,” Beth snapped out of her reverie, “not yet. I’m not hungry.”
Li Changsheng sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. “What’s wrong?”
Beth tugged at his clothes, worried, “Can you not investigate that military broadcast?”
Li Changsheng lifted Beth onto his lap and gently bit her delicate earlobe, “Don’t worry. You know my abilities.”
Beth’s ear tingled from his touch; she pinched him, “Just promise you’ll come back safe.”
Li Changsheng kissed her snow-white neck and murmured, “Of course.”
Her body flushed; she pushed his hand away, “Boss, Amy is still waiting downstairs.”
“Let her wait a little longer…”