I Arrived At Wizard World While Cultivating Immortality Chapter 658: Cooperation

Within the aged bookstore, an oil lamp cast a gentle glow.

Jie Ming was seated in his rocking chair, a newspaper held aloft.

His posture was utterly characteristic: a slight recline, legs casually crossed, the paper obscuring the majority of his visage.

The sound of the opening door prompted him to lower the publication, revealing an ordinary, unremarkable face that seemed to belong to someone under thirty.

His eyes surveyed Harding, then Dirk, before returning to Harding, his expression notably devoid of any particular feeling.

“Feel free to browse as you please,” he uttered, his voice neutral, neither warm nor cold.

He displayed no astonishment, no alarm, and no trace of curiosity.

It was as if he were merely observing two typical patrons entering his establishment.

Nevertheless, this very demeanor served only to solidify Harding’s existing suspicions.

After all, they had arrived in uniform. The lack of significant reaction from the proprietor suggested he had been anticipating their visit.

Harding bypassed the bookshelves entirely.

He approached the rocking chair and settled onto a stool positioned opposite Jie Ming.

Dirk remained standing near the entrance, his hands relaxed at his sides. While his stance appeared at ease, his gaze remained fixed intently on Jie Ming’s hands.

“We aren’t here to examine the books,” Harding stated directly.

Jie Ming regarded him silently.

“The enhanced genetic agents surfacing on the illicit market, you are responsible for their creation.”

Harding’s voice was even, as if he were merely articulating a firmly established truth.

Jie Ming’s countenance remained utterly impassive.

He offered neither confirmation nor denial.

With deliberate movements, he folded the newspaper, placed it upon the table, then leaned back into the rocking chair, clasping his hands over his abdomen, observing Harding with composed composure. “This action doesn’t contravene any statutes, does it?” he inquired.

Harding registered a slight surprise at this response, compelling him to scrutinize Jie Ming with renewed attention.

Bathed in the lamp’s warm, orange luminescence, Jie Ming’s demeanor seemed exceptionally relaxed, akin to a casual conversation with an old acquaintance.

A faint twitch played on Harding’s lips, leaving him uncertain whether to express amusement or displeasure.

“Typically, unauthorized experimentation with genetic modification is indeed unlawful,” he replied. “However, your circumstances are quite unique.”

“What renders them unique?”

“The distinction lies in the demonstrably higher success rate of the agents you’ve refined, and crucially, without any detrimental side effects.” Harding’s tone grew more serious. “Our association’s laboratory has conducted exhaustive analyses. Your modification methodologies are theoretically sound. While the exact means by which you achieved this remain elusive, the empirical outcomes are undeniable.”

Jie Ming acknowledged this with a nod, maintaining his silence.

Harding paused briefly, seemingly gathering his thoughts, before articulating the explicit objective of their visit.

“The Spirit Medium Association extends an offer of recruitment. A full-time engagement, accompanied by substantial remuneration. The association is prepared to resolve all your prior legal entanglements… irrespective of the jurisdiction that issued any warrants, we possess the capacity to expunge them.”

Jie Ming’s eyebrows arched subtly, suggesting a degree of consideration toward the proposed terms.

“Should recruitment not align with your desires,” Harding elaborated, “the association remains amenable to a collaborative arrangement. The precise structure can be subject to negotiation, but the fundamental principle is straightforward: the association will furnish the necessary resources and protective measures, in return for your proprietary technology and research findings.”

Jie Ming did not provide an immediate response.

He reclined further in the rocking chair, his gaze drifting from Harding’s face towards the unlit light fixture suspended from the ceiling.

A silence stretched for approximately five seconds before his attention resettled on Harding.

“My choice is cooperation,” he declared. “I require Strange materials—of varying classifications, whether intact specimens or mere fragments. Additionally, access to the association’s internal research archives is necessary… not the most sensitive information, primarily raw data pertaining to the characteristics of Strange entities that is not publicly available.”

Harding’s expression remained impassive, yet a subtle gleam of satisfaction surfaced in his eyes.

“Both materials and data can be supplied. In reciprocal exchange, you will undertake the modification and enhancement of genetic agents for the association’s benefit and provide assistance in resolving complex research challenges.”

“Agreed.”

Jie Ming’s prompt acceptance was so decisive that even Dirk experienced a moment of surprise.

Harding observed Jie Ming intently, as if assessing whether his agreement was genuine or merely a tactic.

However, Jie Ming’s gaze was unwavering, betraying no hesitation.

“Then it is settled.” Harding rose, retrieved a folded document from an inner pocket of his uniform, and placed it on the table adjacent to Jie Ming. “This represents the association’s standard cooperation agreement. You are welcome to propose modifications to its terms. Upon completion, entrust it to Dirk, who will ensure its transmission to our legal department.”

Jie Ming accepted the document, unfolded it, gave it a quick perusal, then refolded it and tucked it away.

“Three days,” he stated.

Harding offered a nod and turned towards the exit.

Dirk followed, casting a final glance back at Jie Ming as he reached the doorway.

Dirk had not anticipated such a frictionless resolution. It felt less like they had sought out Jie Ming and more as though Jie Ming had been anticipating their arrival.

The wooden door swung shut behind them.

The hinges let out a creak that lingered in the silent chamber for a few seconds before finally dissipating.

Jie Ming remained seated in his rocking chair, leaving the newspaper untouched. He shut his eyes for a moment, a subtle, smug curve gracing the corners of his lips. "My acting truly is impeccable." The cooperation itself had been anticipated by Jie Ming for quite some time; there was no true reason for smugness. He had already been privy to the movements of the two men, all foreseen through his All-Purpose Eye. Everything was perfectly in hand. Two months had elapsed since his arrival in this city. During this period, he had undertaken several tasks: investigating The Strange, acquiring necessary materials, refining the All-Purpose Eye, apprehending a Shadow Thief, and synthesizing a shadow Strange. However, an endeavor had commenced on his very first day here: the meticulous groundwork. The exchange of enhanced genetic agents with intermediaries on the black market was not a spontaneous decision but a carefully orchestrated plan. His objective was to attract the notice of significant powers, making the capable and resourceful individuals within this city aware of a researcher capable of improving the success rate of genetic agents. The precise percentage increase had been meticulously calculated. A figure too low would go unnoticed, while one too high would undoubtedly incite undue suspicion. A five percent increase struck the perfect balance between being 'worthy of attention' and 'acceptable.' He had initially presumed the Spirit Medium Association would make contact sooner. Yet, the emergence of those black-robed cultists had disrupted his intended timeline. The association, preoccupied with rooting out internal traitors, had set aside other matters. Nevertheless, the current timing was not unfavorable. He had successfully established a connection with a major power—indeed, the most formidable official force on this entire plane. From this day forward, the issue of supplying his research materials would no longer be a concern. The Spirit Medium Association boasted over a century of accumulated resources, an intelligence network that spanned the whole plane, and a systematic approach to collecting and classifying Strange entities. The fragments he had painstakingly gathered from the black market, along with those rare, complete Strange specimens, were merely stock items from the association's perspective. As a 'cooperating researcher' acknowledged by the Spirit Medium Association, provided he could deliver substantial results, his worries about material acquisition would cease. Jie Ming rose from the rocking chair, moved towards the bookshelf, and pushed open the door leading down to the basement. Silvery-white light spilled upwards from the depths, casting his elongated shadow across the floor. Now, his immediate task was to draft proposed modifications to the cooperation agreement. Additionally, he needed to compile a dossier of research achievements that would serve as proof of his 'worth for cooperation.'