Chapter 30: Vision and Planning

"Hahahaha..."

As soon as Ge Xiaolun’s voice trailed off, the people present could no longer contain themselves, and they burst into laughter.

Lianfeng, who had been playing along, couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. Old Huang, Du Kao, and the others also found themselves unable to hold back.

"Ten school beauties, hahaha, Xiaolun... and your expression was just too funny!"

Leina, who had actually been in a bad mood just moments ago, could no longer restrain herself and laughed out loud. It wasn't just Ge Xiaolun's impulsive mention of ten school beauties that was amusing; it was the incredibly resolute expression on his face, as if he were making a solemn vow.

"It’s clear that you are indeed very determined," Old Huang said, shaking his head with a sigh and a smile. "Although ten in a year feels a bit excessive, and it feels a bit awkward... but never mind, an old man like me can’t really control that."

Though it was a joke, and though it was a performance, everyone knew that the sentiment behind his words was not entirely fake. At the very least, the young man’s intentions were clear: if he were to truly become a god, the only conflict he might have with the existing order would be in this regard.

But everyone present knew that this was a minor issue, and it had already been tacitly accepted. As for the many things far more important than this, since he hadn't raised any objections, it meant they were all open to negotiation. At least for now, it seemed that even if Ge Xiaolun were to become the main god of Daxia in the future, he would not be the kind of arbitrary, headstrong ruler who forces others to their knees.

"Hehe, Old Huang, if you’ll pardon my bluntness," Ge Xiaolun replied, shaking his head with a smile as he looked at him. "Perhaps one day, not only will you not feel awkward about such trivial matters, you might even think of me as quite pure-hearted."

"Huh?!" Everyone was stunned.

Old Huang was also a bit confused. "Xiaolun, are you serious?" If the boy hadn't been so articulate earlier, he would have suspected he had misheard or that the child had suddenly gone mad. How could the word "pure-hearted" be used in such a context?

"Perhaps one day you will see all of Daxia’s billions of people possessing super-genes," Ge Xiaolun said, looking at him with a faint smile. "By then, our existing order won't be able to contain their desires—desires far wilder than mine. By that time, I’m afraid you won't even give today’s topic a second glance."

Silence descended upon the room. Everyone looked at Ge Xiaolun with varying expressions.

Old Huang’s eyes were dazed. "Billions of people in Daxia all possessing super-genes?" What kind of scene would that be? He couldn't even begin to imagine it.

"Billions... I truly cannot imagine it, though I understand what you mean, Xiaolun," Old Huang said, sighing as he looked at him with deep emotion. "But let alone billions, if Daxia can survive the war and produce even a few thousand or ten thousand super-soldiers, I could die with no regrets."

He didn't criticize Ge Xiaolun for being overly ambitious, because he understood the boy was framing the issue from a different perspective to ease his concerns. Having a macro-level understanding of the Black Great Wall project, he knew that in the era Blue Planet was living in, resources were scarce and crises were everywhere; supporting the current Black Armor squad was already difficult. He didn't know if he would live to see even a few hundred, let alone thousands or billions. Still, it was always good for a young person to have grand aspirations.

Du Kao and Lianfeng exchanged glances. While they also felt Ge Xiaolun’s statement was a bit detached from reality, they certainly wouldn't dampen his spirits. After all, the boy just didn't yet understand the scarcity of Blue Planet’s genetic resources. Once he understood, he would be more measured in his words.

Leina, meanwhile, didn't say a word. She just watched Ge Xiaolun with a smile, thinking that she had finally caught a flaw in this guy. Even though he was perceptive and sharp-eyed, he was, at the end of the day, a native of Blue Planet—a newcomer who had only just awakened. How could this silly boy understand how precious super-genes and genetic resources were? He probably thought they could be conjured up by rubbing his hands together. Even in their Lieyang civilization, they only had a few hundred thousand standing first-generation super-soldiers, and perhaps a million in wartime. If they included ordinary Lieyang citizens without even a first-generation divine body, their total population was only about thirty million. Blue Planet? Billions? What a joke.

"In any case, I think this kind of thinking is something we'll have to do sooner or later," Ge Xiaolun said, seeing through their thoughts. He didn't offer much explanation, just a chuckle. Although the topic seemed too distant to others, to him, it wasn't far off at all. Even if he didn't obtain his "Hero Core" quickly in the future wars, exploring the future order of civilization from the perspective of the Power of the Galaxy was, sooner or later, his responsibility.

"That may be so... but it is a bit far from today’s agenda. Let’s get back to the point." Old Huang nodded at Ge Xiaolun and then turned to Du Kao. "Old Du, the work on the Black Great Wall will have to be executed by you..."

After much debate and lighthearted talk, everyone returned to the main purpose of the meeting. Ge Xiaolun didn't speak again, nor did he feel slighted by their skepticism. Being one step ahead made one a genius; ten steps ahead made one a madman. Being slightly ahead would serve as a foundation for the future. They wouldn't understand his vision, and he wouldn't consider them short-sighted.

Sitting comfortably in his seat, he watched as the plot returned to its designated path. What remained was the appointment of Du Kao to oversee the Black Great Wall, the formation of the Black Armor squad, and the naming of that squad as the "Xiong Bing Lian" (Super Soldier Company). These matters were settled in just a few words.

The meeting, which had begun at dawn, officially drew to a close.

"How about it, Xiaolun? Is there anything you're interested in? Like helping to organize the Black Armor squad?" As everyone walked out of the conference room, Du Kao looked at Ge Xiaolun with a warm tone.

The others looked on with interest. Without a doubt, beyond the main agenda, the most eye-catching thing today was this Power of the Galaxy, who could not hide his edge. Even though he had said some things that were detached from reality, they were dialectical discussions on the nature of civilization's order, and they could not mask the young man's extraordinary nature and unique insights. He even possessed a certain depth of character. The "wake-up call" he had delivered so plainly still left them feeling dazed. And he had achieved this with only a few days of contact with the superhuman circle.

They could no longer look at him as just a powerful super-soldier or a mere child.

"I agree. Xiaolun, if there’s anything you’re interested in, feel free to participate and learn as you go," Old Huang added kindly.

The others smiled knowingly. After today’s conversation, while Daxia hadn't officially declared Ge Xiaolun their main god, it was clear they were tentatively beginning to cultivate him in that direction. Whether he was a main god or something similar, it was much the same. Although his authorization was currently limited to diplomatic relations with the Angel civilization, that didn't prevent them from nurturing his ability to handle internal affairs on Blue Planet.

"Hmm... I’m not really interested in that," Ge Xiaolun replied, shaking his head. After a moment of thought, he added, "In the next few days, I plan to visit Beizhixing or Tianhe City."