Chapter 83: My Goal Is to Build a Gundam

In May, the coastal city entered its rainy season. Every few days, a fine drizzle would fall without end, mingling with the sea breeze and making it feel even colder than in winter.

After a prolonged tug-of-war, Fenghua Holdings’ investment finally came through. During this period of adjustment, the relationship between Guo Lei and Tang Tian had “heated up rapidly”—they were practically inseparable, always seen together.

The two of them were an interesting pair. When it came to the details of Fenghua Holdings’ financing, their arguments were endless. But with the investment coming in, Tang Tian had started to involve herself more in the operations of Xiao Kaitian’s company. Whenever problems arose, the two would present a united front to the outside world.

The one who suffered most was Lin Xiang, the general manager of Qixi Media Consulting. With his education and experience, he understood nothing of what they talked about; all he could do was sit there and smile awkwardly. Over time, Guo Lei and Tang Tian had grown quite familiar with him and often treated him as a mere figurehead.

Yet, Xiao Kaitian clearly trusted him. Tang Tian would occasionally hint at something, but Guo Lei had no intention of “sidelining” Lin Xiang. At present, real power in the company was in her hands, but she treated Lin Xiang with great respect.

“Too soft-hearted,” was Tang Tian’s assessment of Guo Lei, but Guo Lei merely shrugged in response.

Part of the Future Century Project was a high-tech industrial park. The factory’s basic infrastructure was complete, but it had remained an empty shell. Now that Xiao Kaitian’s funds were in place, the first thing he intended to do was set the factory in motion.

What they were to produce happened to be props for the film Chen Jingming and Ling Xuan were about to shoot. Yet when Xiao Kaitian showed everyone part of the design blueprints, the room fell silent.

“Mr. Xiao,” Guo Lei, the group’s acknowledged leader, was the first to break the silence. “Leaving aside the difficulty of manufacturing these, once developed, such items could overturn the entire world’s conception of reality.”

On the blueprints were sketches of mechanical limbs that looked almost indistinguishable from those of real people, along with a multitude of other body parts.

“These are mainly for use as props in the film,” Xiao Kaitian replied with a smile. “For now, there are no plans to commercialize them. Otherwise, I’d be considering artificial internal organs as well.”

A collective gasp escaped the meeting attendees. Did Xiao Kaitian mean he could manufacture hearts, livers, spleens, stomachs, kidneys, and the like?

Sensing their confusion, Xiao Kaitian nodded. “Yes, in theory. But as you’ve pointed out, whether such things would be acceptable still needs to be discussed. Let’s make this the topic for the next Qixi Media Consulting session. Let’s not focus our energy on moral or ethical debates just yet. If, after discussion, the idea seems acceptable, we’ll move forward with preparations.”

“It’s mainly for the film. The future can wait,” Xiao Kaitian said, drawing out a red pack of Marlboros. He lit a cigarette, letting the smoke drift lazily through the air.

“Mr. Xiao, this…” As the financier, Fenghua Holdings was entitled to participate in the meeting. Tang Tian wore a wry smile. She had seen the proposal before the investment, and at the time she’d been “shocked.” Now, she was downright “stunned.” “I think we might as well just make robots—or mechs.”

Xiao Kaitian nodded. “We’ll get there in time. Such products, especially mechs, are highly sensitive. As for robots, programming a lifelike AI is a bit troublesome.”

Another gasp went around the table. Just a bit troublesome? Was Xiao Kaitian really planning to defy the laws of nature?

“My goal is to build a Gundam,” Xiao Kaitian said, half in jest. “But for now, let’s follow our current plan. As long as it’s not commercialized and only used as a film prop, the authorities shouldn’t have any objections.”

But no one thought he was truly joking. This guy might actually be able to build a Gundam!

Once the meeting ended, everyone went their separate ways. Tang Tian’s doubts vanished completely. Whether or not they would make a fortune, it was clear that the one billion invested by Fenghua Holdings would not be lost.

After handling company affairs, Xiao Kaitian returned home. Uncle Zhong had recently been sent over by Jiang Churan. Though he was somewhat muddle-headed, he was exceptionally skilled at taking care of people. For someone like Xiao Kaitian, who had spent years at the top, there was nothing to complain about.

What troubled Xiao Kaitian was that the company still wanted a capable general manager. So many tasks required his personal supervision; at this rate, who knew when he would ever achieve his next breakthrough.

Guo Lei had gained some experience, but she was already busy enough with Qixi Media Consulting. Running a large group like Qingtang Tianxia was beyond her abilities.

Jiang Churan would have been an excellent choice, but as she already held ten percent of the Xiao family’s shares, she couldn’t be brought over. It seemed true talent was indeed scarce.

Sitting in the living room, lost in thought for a while, Xiao Kaitian finally took out the three Qi-Replenishing Pills he had received from Su Lie. He wrapped them with his divine source, and immediately sensed the hidden power of the fourth dimension within.

He recalled what Ogihara Rin had once told him: in this world, martial artists couldn’t directly absorb items dropped from the “fourth dimension.” That’s why they sought alternative methods, using pills or potions to absorb the power. In Xiao Kaitian’s eyes, the effect was somewhat diminished, but better than nothing.

He knew that the key to advancing to the next dimension lay in the martial arts world, so for now, he had to strengthen his combat abilities as much as possible. No matter how orderly the martial world, power was one of the crucial factors.

The effect of the Qi-Replenishing Pills was much like the Potion of Strength he had taken before. The first pill increased his combat power by thirty; the next two together only added thirty-two. With that, he broke through to the peak of the Profound Realm.

Now, his combat power reached two hundred ninety-five. The breakthrough lit three more Divine Source Stars, for a total of nine, allowing him to activate certain advanced special skills.

He immediately operated the Divine Source Nine Revolutions technique, further strengthening the connection between his divine source and his true form. The link was now about as thick as a strand of hair. He tried to extract something from the divine source, but the channel was too narrow and the attempt failed.

When the Divine Source Nine Revolutions was complete, he stood and stretched, his joints crackling like popping beans. With a bit more effort to increase his combat power, he would soon be able to project his divine source outside his body, to attack at will.

Just as he finished his exercises, a faint snapping sound came from the small garden outside the villa, as though a single leaf had fallen and broken a twig.

Xiao Kaitian smiled faintly. What was meant to come would come. Straightening his suit, he walked to the door and opened it.

In the center of the small garden stood a figure clad in the gray robes of a monk from the island nation, a conical hat upon his head. Seeing Xiao Kaitian, the visitor pressed his palms together. “Mr. Xiao, it is an honor to meet you for the first time. I look forward to your guidance.”

“A first meeting?” Xiao Kaitian leaned against the door with a smile. “Shouldn’t you be saying, ‘Long time no see’?”