CHAPTER 64 - IT’S GOOD TO BE RICH

By placing the radioactive minerals into the Refinery, Han Wu successfully extracted 36,000 high-purity Radiation Stones. Estimating that this would be sufficient to produce six to eight more hyper-regenerative locusts if he managed their usage economically, he nonetheless decided to store them within a card for the time being, as he had no immediate need for them.

Han Wu followed the same procedure with the Gene Stones, sealing them into cards. He saw no immediate benefit in using them, especially considering their tendency to significantly shorten the operational lifespan of his units.

Considering the already brief lifespans of his locusts, using Gene Stones would be counterproductive and ultimately detrimental. Therefore, Han Wu resolved to wait until the activity surrounding the Divine River Ruins subsided before selling the Gene Stones, anticipating a potential return of no less than 100 million Divine Points.

While the divine realm fragments and Core Fragments were valuable and scarce resources, Han Wu was unable to utilize them in his current state. He would have to wait until he underwent the ascension to become a Demigod in the future before he could access their benefits.

Next, Han Wu focused his attention on the most valuable items present before him: the six Demigod corpses, the Rank 6 mutated beast Gemora, and the Rank 6 mutated locust with hyper-regeneration. A perfect utilization strategy immediately came to mind.

The body of a Demigod was a unique combination of Divine Essence and physical flesh. Han Wu realized he could extract the potent Divine Essence from these remains and utilize the flesh itself to directly increase his units’ ranks, effectively circumventing the standard limitation of needing a template.

The reason Qin Shuang sought the Demigod Dark Frogman’s corpse during their test in the Demonic Civilization was now clear to him. She had meticulously removed the flesh from the Dark Frogman’s corpse to reconstruct a new physical body for her Heroic Golden-Crown Thunder Sparrow, thereby facilitating its ascension to a Lord life form.

A question lingered in Han Wu’s mind regarding Qin Shuang’s achievement, as, after all, he was going to do something similar. However, the extraction and refinement of a Demigod’s flesh was an arduous process, demanding unwavering dedication. Only after six relentless realm months, devoid of rest, were the Divine Essence extracted and the corpses completely refined.

He successfully acquired eighteen portions of Divine Essence and four concentrated spheres of Divine Flesh Energy. Notably, these four balls of Flesh Energy could later function as Lord Templates which would facilitate the ascension of his Heroic life forms to become Lord life forms.

Once his thoughts had settled, Han Wu issued a summons for his Heroic life forms to appear before him. A full realm day elapsed before they all convened in his presence: Steely, Divine Hammer, Sarman, the Skeleton Lord, the Osteomancer, the Skeleton Reanimator, the three Blood Skeletons, and the five Locustmen.

The black dragon Alpheus was also present, observing the unfolding events. Due to the influence of the Divine Civilization’s system, Alpheus himself was also recognized as a Heroic life form.

It suddenly dawned on Han Wu that his military strength had surged to impressive levels. He now commanded a collection of Heroic life forms that surpassed those of regular Demigods in both quantity and quality, and even seasoned Demigods might struggle to defeat him. However, he possessed just four Divine Flesh Energy. How was he to distribute them?

Han Wu gazed upon the Heroic life forms who had stood by him through countless battles and trials. His eyes lingered on Steely, his very first Heroic life form, who had proven invaluable time and again; it was clear that Steely was deserving of one.

Han Wu’s thoughts turned to Divine Hammer, the first Heroic life form he had painstakingly nurtured on his own. Despite the limitations imposed by Hellforge, which had relegated Divine Hammer to the level of an average Heroic life form, his devotion was absolute, his faith even surpassing that of the ever-devoted locusts. As a gesture of gratitude for this steadfastness, Han Wu bestowed upon him a Divine Flesh Energy.

As he pondered the allocation of the third Divine Flesh Energy, Han Wu’s gaze fell upon the assembled skeletons. A note of doubt entered his thoughts, as he wasn’t sure if the skeletal race possessed the capacity to absorb and utilize this energy. Furthermore, he was conflicted over which individual should receive it, given that the Osteomancer, rather than the Skeleton Lord, had consistently demonstrated a more significant contribution.

It was the Osteomancer who had consistently taken down the strongest enemies in those major battles. However, the Skeleton Lord would undoubtedly prevent the Osteomancer’s progression to a Lord life form. Despite its diminutive stature, the Skeleton Lord harbored a fierce protectiveness of its superior position, unwilling to permit its subordinates to pose any threat to its authority.

Upon inquiring with the Skeleton Lord, Han Wu discovered that the skeletal race lacked the ability to absorb Divine Flesh Energy, thus resolving one of his concerns. His attention now turned to the remaining candidates—the minotaurs and the Locustmen. Given that the locusts were his core race, he resolved that one Divine Flesh Energy should undoubtedly be theirs.

Han Wu deliberated on whether to allocate the final Divine Flesh Energy to the minotaurs. Their performance in past conflicts had been consistently average, and their level of faith was not particularly noteworthy. However, to prevent any sense of ostracism and to maintain a level of fairness among his various races, Han Wu resolved to grant the final Divine Flesh Energy to Sarman.

Han Wu had distributed all four of the Divine Flesh Energy to Steely, Divine Hammer, Sarman, and the most powerful Locustman, a Third Class Dark Corrosion Archer whom he had named Dark Locust. This Dark Locust would become the first Lord life form among the locusts.

Demonstrating his commitment to impartiality, Han Wu, now aware of the skeletons’ inability to absorb Divine Flesh Energy, chose to compensate them with Divine Essence instead. The Osteomancer and the Skeleton Reanimator each received two portions of Divine Essence, while the Skeleton Lord was granted three.

The newly created Blood Skeletons, having not yet distinguished themselves through significant achievements, did not receive any. Instead, Han Wu provided them with appropriate equipment.

Alpheus, who had initially planned only to observe, inquired if he had anything to offer it as well. In truth, it harbored a secret envy towards the other Heroic life forms who had received gifts. Perceiving Alpheus’s underlying sentiment, Han Wu offered it a Divine Essence as a token of appreciation.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Alpheus took to the skies of the divine realm, circling with an almost comical joy, like a ridiculously huge kid. The value of the gift was secondary to the simple act of receiving it. Alpheus was more concerned with its reputation, hence its desire for a present akin to those given to the others.

Having received their rewards, the Heroic life forms dispersed to their respective places. Those who had received Divine Flesh Energy required time for its assimilation and the subsequent reconstruction of their physical forms, while those with Divine Essence sought secluded cultivation to absorb its energy.

Han Wu was certain that they would emerge significantly enhanced following their absorption and cultivation. His attention then turned to the ten remaining units of Divine Essence held in his hands, a sense of satisfaction warming him as he thought, It definitely feels good to be rich.

The Origin of Mutation’s voice cut through the silence with a mocking edge. “Dear vessel, you need to look at the bigger picture, formulate more long-term strategies, and elevate your understanding. Otherwise, you risk causing me considerable embarrassment should we encounter a Supergene Soldier from the Divine River Civilization in the future.”

Han Wu responded with an equally mocking tone, “Anything you say, boss.”

The Origin of Mutation continued, “I need eight Divine Essence; they are necessary for our genetic advancement. You may keep the remaining two units and refine them at your leisure.”

A look of disapproval crossed Han Wu’s face. “That is rather shameless of you,” he retorted. “I’m treating you like my boss, and you’re treating me like some walking ATM! I only have ten left, and you want eight? Seriously? Should I be grateful for the two measly Divine Essence you’re letting me keep?”

The Origin of Mutation asserted, “Oh, vessel, you just don’t get it—your worldview is so limited! We’re one now! So, when I upgrade, it’s like your body gets upgraded too, right?” Han Wu, however, stood firm, unwilling to succumb to this manipulation.

Seeking a compromise, the Origin of Mutation presented its offer. “Okay, how about this? Give me those eight Divine Essence, and I’ll make sure your locusts undergo a massive mutation. They won’t even be Common—they’ll hatch as powerful Elite locusts right off the bat! What do you say?”

Han Wu found himself drawn to the offer. His locusts had constantly been scorned and belittled, and the fact that they were invariably born as the lowest tier, Common life forms, had always been a source of quiet frustration.

Even when elevated to the Unique rank, his locusts’ overall statistics remained relatively weak. But what if they were born as Elite life forms? Their combat strength would skyrocket to a whole new level! Eight Divine Essence was a tiny price to pay for that kind of power.

With a fierce tone, Han Wu warned, “You better not try to trick me. Even I am terrified of what I’m capable of when I lose it!”

The Origin of Mutation responded with an amused chuckle. “Oh, vessel, you need to trust me more. We’re in the same body, remember? I’m you, and you’re me!”

Just like that, the Origin of Mutation snatched eight Divine Essence, leaving Han Wu with just two. Clinging to these final two units, Han Wu immediately consumed one. He was eager to begin the refining process as quickly as possible.