CHAPTER 66: [67] ASSASSINATION!

Once they were alone, Ryan’s face softened . "That was impressive. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said your pill exhibited master-level qualities. I’ve been a Geneticist for over forty years, and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen someone produce perfect tier pills on their first successful refinement of a new pill formula.""Thank you, President Ryan, and also for letting me take the Grade II exam."

Ryan waved away the thanks with a slight smile. "You would have achieved this regardless of my involvement. Talent like yours finds a way to manifest. But actually, I asked you here because I have a request, more of a favor, really."

He paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "I come from a family with a long history in the alchemical arts. The Ryan family has produced Geneticists for seven generations, and we maintain certain traditions and competitions within our city. One such competition is approaching, a tournament of sorts for young Geneticists under the age of twenty."

Theon listened attentively, beginning to understand where this might be going.

Ryan continued. "Our family has specific rules about who can represent us in these competitions. They must be family members by blood or marriage, or they must be formally accepted as retainers with binding contracts. However, there’s also a provision that allows us to invite talented outsiders as ’guest representatives’ if we can offer them sufficient incentive to participate."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression growing more intense. "Theon, I would like you to represent the Ryan family in this competition. I believe you could bring great honor to our family name. Most importantly, you would be competing against some of the most talented young Geneticists from other prominent families across the region. It would be excellent experience for your own development."

"And what would be the incentive you mentioned?" Theon asked directly, not bothering to beat around the bush at all.

"Regardless of whether you win, or even fail to advance past the initial rounds, simply for agreeing to represent us, I would grant you access to soak in our family’s Thousand Year Old Mercurian Pool."

Theon’s eyes widened slightly. The Mercurian Pool was a legendary cultivation resource, that could enhance a cultivator’s physique and energy capacity. Soaking in such a pool for even a few hours could provide benefits equivalent to months of normal cultivation.

Access to such a resource was typically reserved for core family members of noble clans, and even they had to compete for limited time slots.

"How long would I be allowed to soak?" Theon asked.

"Twelve hours," Ryan replied immediately.

"For someone at your current cultivation level, the benefits would be immense. Your physique would at least double and your cultivation speed would increase by approximately thirty percent."

The risks seemed minimal. Even if he performed poorly in the competition, which seemed unlikely, he would still receive the Mercurian Pool access. And if he performed well, they could increase the rewards.

"What are the rules of this competition?" Theon asked. "What would I be expected to do?"

"The specifics vary each year, but generally it involves both theoretical challenges and practical refinement tasks, similar to the certification examinations but at a much higher difficulty level. There may also be speed refinement challenges, where competitors must produce pills as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality, or innovation challenges where they must create new variations on existing formulas."

Ryan paused, then added, "I should mention that some competitors may also try to sabotage rivals through various means. Of course such behavior is discouraged but realistically, they view it as part of testing a Geneticist’s composure. As long as it doesn’t cross certain lines, it is tolerated."

Theon frowned but slowly nodded,

"When would this competition take place?"

"In three weeks. It’s held at the Ryan family’s main estate, about a day’s journey from Galaxy City. The competition itself lasts three days. You would need to take a brief leave from the academy, but given your current standing and your new Grade II certification, I suspect the academy would grant permission without difficulty."

Three weeks would give him time to continue his own cultivation and also use the system to further enhance his alchemy knowledge.

Theon considered for another moment then accepted

Ryan’s face broke into a pleased smile. "Excellent! I’ll have the formal contracts drawn up and sent to you within a few days. They’ll outline the specific terms, including your rights and protections as a guest representative. And immediately after the competition concludes, regardless of the outcome, you’ll have your twelve hours in the Mercurian Pool."

They spoke for a few more minutes about the competition, then Ryan escorted him back down to the main floor. Most people had left by now, with only a few people remained, including Gordon and Clay who had waited to see if Theon needed anything.

Theon bid them farewell, promising to meet up with them next time to celebrate properly, then headed for the exit.

The late afternoon sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. It had been a long, eventful day, and Theon was looking forward to returning to his building at the academy to rest.

He was alone as he walked through the plaza outside the Geneticist Guild building, heading toward the public transport station where he could catch a ride back to Galaxy Reign Academy.

The plaza was relatively empty at this hour, with most people either at work or already heading home for dinner.

[Ding! Quest Completed]

[Reward: Grade 3 Peak Geneticist, De-Aging Pill x3]

[Accept reward? Y/N?]

Theon wa about to say yes when suddenly, every instinct in his body screamed danger.

His C-Rank God’s Eye ability, detected the rapid compression of energy in the air above him. Time seemed to slow as his enhanced perception kicked into overdrive, processing information at superhuman speed.

A massive fireball, three meters in diameter, was descending from the sky directly toward him. The temperature of the flames was extraordinary, hot enough that he could feel his skin beginning to burn even from dozens of meters away.

The sheer amount of primal energy compressed into that attack was so shocking even to Theon.

He didn’t expect anyone would actually dare to assassinate him just a few hundred meters away from the Geneticist Guild!

Theon’s two hearts began pumping furiously, flooding his body with blood and energy.