Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 628: The Birth of the Life Potion Series_1
"Dragon City Express, breaking news at nine o'clock today, a major traffic accident occurred on South Jade Street..."
The television broadcasted the latest news. A prominent figure in Dragon City had been killed by a heavy truck while out, and he wasn't the only casualty. Unfortunately, his entire family was in the car, so they were all wiped out instantly. This incident caused quite a sensation, and investigators would certainly look into it, but it had little to do with Wang Linchi.
As for those who ran errands for the dignitary, anyone involved with Wang Linchi's affairs had received a lesson, whether significant or minor. Not many were involved, primarily because this particular business wasn't the dignitary's own, but belonged to his son, who was also a student at Dragon City Academy. Consequently, no lives were lost. Naturally, there was no further commotion. With the powerful figure gone, those running errands for him would have undoubtedly dispersed.
Meanwhile, Wang Linchi's technology quickly gained prominence, drawing significant attention from many high-ranking individuals. The prospect of reversing aging by ten years was an extremely tempting one for them. More importantly, if technology could achieve a ten-year age reversal, could it eventually lead to twenty or thirty years? Even though they themselves found this idea somewhat far-fetched, it offered a glimmer of hope.
However, when the technology first emerged, everyone was intrigued, yet no one was truly willing to use it on themselves, fearing potential long-term side effects. It wasn't until three months later, when Wang Linchi submitted another complete experimental progress report, that things began to shift. He had successfully reversed the age of a fifty-year-old individual to forty and confirmed the absence of any adverse effects. This led many people... to continue observing. What's the rush now? they thought. It's not yet time to reap the benefits.
Wang Linchi's subsequent actions, however, took them by surprise. He prepared to collaborate with the New Energy Industrial Group to promote this special technology, known as the "Ten-year lifespan elixir." This development naturally struck a nerve with the Xing Country High Level, who intervened immediately to stop it. Their primary concern was that the product derived from this technology was extremely inexpensive, affordable even for ordinary people. Although its effects were most potent upon first use and diminished with subsequent applications, they questioned how such a valuable item could be allowed to circulate among the lower classes. It would be best if the Ten-year lifespan elixir circulated exclusively among the Xing Country High Level, with the middle and lower classes remaining completely unaware of its existence.
"Wang, I didn't expect your elixir to be so extraordinary," a man who appeared to be only in his thirties said, admiring himself in the mirror as he praised Wang Linchi. This was the Prime Minister of Xing Country, second only to the President, a position that naturally placed him above tens of thousands. He was actually sixty-five years old. However, due to his high position and excellent self-care, he looked to be around forty even before using the Ten-year lifespan elixir. Once he used it, he appeared to be in his thirties. His hair, which had begun to turn gray, had become black again.
"It's thanks to your excellent health, Prime Minister. Otherwise, an ordinary person wouldn't experience such remarkable results," Wang Linchi said with a beaming smile. He knew precisely why the Prime Minister of Xing Country was there; it was for two reasons. First, to verify the authenticity of the Ten-year lifespan elixir. The Prime Minister hadn't received the injection immediately upon arrival; he had previously arranged for others to test it while he observed. Only after confirming its safety did he proceed. The second reason was to ensure that the Ten-year lifespan elixir became the property of Xing Country, not to be sold as a commercial product by the New Energy Industrial Group. Something with such a profound impact could only be controlled by the Xing Country government, not a private corporation.
"You understand my purpose in coming here," the Prime Minister stated. "Regarding this decision, what are your thoughts?" He didn't immediately make a forceful demand but instead allowed Wang Linchi to state his terms first. As long as the price was reasonable, Xing Country was willing to pay. If they resorted to forcible seizure, there was a risk of the other party becoming uncooperative later. Someone capable of developing such a miraculous elixir shortly after entering Dragon City Academy was undoubtedly a talent. The approach should be one of recruitment and appeasement, not suppression.
"Of course, I trust Xing Country," Wang Linchi began with a sigh. "However, the investment has been substantial, and the funds have not yet been recouped. I still owe Dragon City Academy a large sum for the project. If I cannot repay it within the next three years, Prime Minister, you know what happens to people legally in debt."
"That was an oversight on my part. I will have the finance department cover the project funds owed to the Academy," the Prime Minister replied, knowing this was merely the beginning.
"I require an independent laboratory and an annual project subsidy of no less than one billion," Wang Linchi stated without hesitation.
The Prime Minister smiled. "Student Wang is indeed ambitious. I agree to this." Young people are indeed young people; their requests always have such a limited scope. Then he asked, "However, I still want to know one thing: this Ten-year lifespan, can it be further developed? Lifespan is a concern for many high-ranking officials."
"You must be joking, Prime Minister," Wang Linchi said, causing the Prime Minister's heart to sink for a moment. But then Wang Linchi continued, "The Ten-year lifespan elixir is merely a preliminary product in the series. Subsequent products will not have such low efficacy."
"How certain are you?" the Prime Minister asked, genuinely surprised by this unexpected revelation.
"If the funding and necessary resources are provided, I can complete the initial advanced product within a month at most," Wang Linchi stated confidently. Such things were trivial for him.
"Is one billion enough?" the Prime Minister asked hurriedly. In Xing Country, one billion was a paltry sum, not even a ten-thousandth of what those 'protagonists' typically burned through.
"It's enough for me to complete the initial advanced product," Wang Linchi replied. "Once results are achieved, Prime Minister, you'll need to persuade the President to approve a larger budget." He implied that while the current amount was sufficient for now, it wouldn't be in the future. However, when he requested more money, he wouldn't do so with empty hands; he would present something that would satisfy everyone.
"If you can achieve it, I'll get the project approved even if I have to camp out on the President's desk to do it," the Prime Minister declared, pleased with Wang Linchi's response. If Wang Linchi had only asked for money without offering anything in return, the Prime Minister, though still willing to provide funds, would have felt differently; anyone would be uncomfortable in such a situation.
"However, I need to take the relevant technology with me. After all, this is a national treasure; it's not safe to leave it in your possession!" the Prime Minister said, his tone righteous.
"No problem, Prime Minister. Feel free to take it," Wang Linchi agreed readily.
Satisfied with Wang Linchi's attitude, the Prime Minister said, "I will have the laboratory you requested arranged as soon as possible. You should have news within three days at most." He didn't specify when the funds would be available because that was a minor issue, easily resolved with a single directive. The laboratory, on the other hand, was a different matter. Building a new one would take too long, so an existing one would have to be provided to Wang Linchi. This, however, involved people, and once people were involved, matters became complicated to resolve.
"Thank you for your help, Prime Minister," Wang Linchi responded.
"Alright then, Student Wang, you may continue with your work. I have urgent official matters to attend to, so please don't see me out," the Prime Minister said before departing. His objective had been achieved, and pleasantries had been exchanged with Wang Linchi. There was no longer any need for him to stay. He had to return with the technology and samples to report back. After all, many people were waiting. Although he was second only to one and superior to thousands, he faced considerable competition. With everyone's interests aligned on this rare occasion, he hoped to use this opportunity to gain some merit and advance his career further—perhaps even to the position of the next President.
After the Prime Minister left, Wang Linchi wasn't concerned about his materials being taken away. To him, this so-called Ten-year lifespan elixir wasn't entirely a good thing. At this stage, it was indeed beneficial, but it was merely a prerequisite. What it would ultimately become was for Wang Linchi to decide. He planned to use the entirety of Xing Country for corresponding experiments with the golden origin matter. Therefore, the first step was to ensure they could withstand the necessary intensity.
As for the technology being monopolized by the Xing Country High Level, that wasn't a major concern. Wang Linchi would make them willingly disseminate it to the lower levels—perhaps even more actively than he himself would.
"A loss may turn out to be a gain," Wang Linchi mused with a smile. Some things appear sweet, but beneath the sweetness lies a deadly poison. The Xing Country High Level were no saints; they were greedy and ruthless. Without such measures, how could they contend with organizations like the hidden world families or mysterious forces?
