Zheng Dong had no intention of dealing with Ye Qiao at this moment.
After all, it was broad daylight, and many people were watching. There was no need to invite trouble upon himself.
There would be plenty of opportunities to get rid of Ye Qiao later.
However, Zheng Dong did not intend to let Ye Qiao off the hook easily.
He had Youyou deal with the Fire Spirit.
The Fire Spirit never expected to be burned to death.
Ye Qiao was severely injured and fell unconscious, then was carried away by the two women.
This scene was also witnessed by two Master-level Beast Tamers who were secretly following Zheng Dong.
However, the two still did not show themselves, nor did they have any intention of intervening.
Afterward, Zheng Dong followed Bei Wen to her home.
Bei Wen's father, Bei Jingming, personally brewed a cup of tea for Zheng Dong.
"Zheng Dong, thank you for your help. However, the Ye family will likely never let you off the hook from now on!" Bei Jingming said.
"It's fine. We'll deal with whatever comes. They won't dare to do anything to me openly. I've joined the Relic Bureau, so I'm essentially working for the government," Zheng Dong said nonchalantly.
The Special Affairs Bureau required secrecy, but the identities of those in the Relic Bureau and the Breeding Bureau could be public.
This surprised Bei Jingming.
Not just anyone could join the Relic Bureau.
Bei Jingming looked at Zheng Dong, then at Bei Wen, and said:
"Uncle, can I ask you for a favor? You just heard that I'm about to go bankrupt and probably won't be able to take care of Bei Wen anymore. I'd trouble you, for the sake of your classmate, to help Bei Wen as much as possible and prevent Ye Qiao from bullying her!"
This statement instantly made the atmosphere much more oppressive.
Bei Wen looked at Bei Jingming with teary eyes. She had no idea that her family's situation was so dire.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone out to play with Zheng Dong and the others for a day.
"Dad, is it really true like Ye Qiao said, that you're going to jail?" Bei Wen asked worriedly.
Bei Jingming remained silent, and Bei Wen's mother wept and said:
"Bei Wen, you might have to rely on yourself from now on..."
The answer was self-evident. Not only Bei Jingming, but Bei Wen's mother might also be going to jail.
The company was jointly managed by Bei Jingming and Bei Wen's mother, and the villa they lived in was also under the company's name.
This meant that Bei Wen might very well become homeless.
Immediately after, Bei Jingming took out a black, pyramid-shaped crystal stone from the safe behind the bookshelf.
Zheng Dong couldn't recognize what it was. It looked very heavy. Although it was only the size of a soup bowl, Bei Jingming struggled to lift it with both hands.
"Zheng Dong, this was left by Bei Wen's grandfather, who disappeared. It's said to be worth as much as a Mythical-grade resource. I'm giving it to you as compensation for your help." Bei Jingming said.
Bei Wen's grandfather was a titled Legend, which was why Bei Jingming's company could continue to grow.
Unfortunately, Bei Jingming's own talent was rather poor, and he was only an ordinary Master-level Beast Tamer.
Therefore, after Bei Wen's grandfather disappeared, Bei Jingming's company was powerless against the Ye family's suppression.
By offering such a precious item, Bei Jingming clearly intended to entrust Bei Wen to Zheng Dong.
Just as Zheng Dong was about to refuse, Jing Jing's voice echoed in his mind.
"Master, absolutely do not refuse. This seems to be the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest. It will be of great help to me and allow me to evolve into a more perfect mechanical pet beast."
After Ye Qiao and the others left, Jing Jing had also changed its form and entered Bei Wen's house with Zheng Dong.
It stood behind Zheng Dong, staring at the black crystal stone with glowing eyes.
At the same time, it was analyzing the current situation for Zheng Dong.
"Master, even if you don't want it, Bei Wen's family won't be able to keep this Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest. It's very likely to fall into Ye Qiao's hands."
"Secondly, by accepting the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest, Master can also help Bei Wen's family overcome their difficulties."
"I hacked into Bei Jingming's company through the network and have found out that due to the Ye family's sabotage, investors have withdrawn their capital, and Bei Jingming's company's cash flow has been cut off. The bank has also kicked him while he's down and sued him."
"Not only that, but many of his business partners have stopped cooperating with him, many orders have gone down the drain, and suppliers are chasing him for money. He's in a desperate situation."
"However, as long as Master provides about 800 million in funds and helps him find a company with a strong background to invest in him, his company can be resurrected."
Zheng Dong was very surprised by Jing Jing's analysis.
As expected of a three-core mechanical pet beast with top-tier intelligence, it was able to figure out Bei Jingming's company situation so quickly.
If it was truly the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest as Jing Jing said, he wanted it too.
After all, Mythical-grade resources were rare and hard to come by.
If he missed this opportunity, he might never get it again.
Zheng Dong had enough money.
But where could he find a company with a strong background to invest?
Fortunately, Jing Jing continued its analysis.
"Actually, Master can ask Principal Yu."
Zheng Dong was stunned for a moment.
He quickly realized that Principal Yu's daughter, who was Tu Qionglan's mother, was the richest person in Modu. To be the richest person in Modu, her background must be considerable.
"Then why don't I ask Sister Lan directly?"
"Master is so silly. How can you ask one woman to help another woman?"
Although he was looked down upon by Jing Jing, Zheng Dong felt that Jing Jing's words made sense.
Thus, Zheng Dong decided to give it a try.
He looked at the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest that Bei Jingming was holding and said:
"Uncle Bei, in principle, I shouldn't and cannot accept something so precious. However, it seems it can help my mechanical pet beast evolve, so I will shamelessly accept it."
"Of course, I won't take it for free. I can try my best to help you solve your current predicament. I don't think Bei Wen would want you to go to jail."
Seeing that Zheng Dong accepted it, Bei Jingming showed a satisfied smile. As long as Bei Wen was safe, he didn't care about himself.
As for Zheng Dong's offer to help him, he didn't pay much attention to it.
He had learned about Zheng Dong's family situation. How much money could he possibly have, a few million, or tens of millions? It would be a drop in the bucket for him.
Furthermore, even if the funding issue was resolved, under the Ye family's pressure, who would dare to cooperate with him?
"Zheng Dong, I'm very grateful for your kind intentions. You just need to help me take good care of Bei Wen. You can't help me with anything else!"
With that, Zheng Dong had no choice but to reveal his hand.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Bei. My mechanical pet beast has just collected some information about your company. You probably need about 1 billion to solve the cash flow problem."
"I can provide this money!"
"As for the future business operations of the company, I can help you contact a company with a strong background that is not afraid of the Ye family's threats to cooperate with you."
"All of this will be my compensation for taking this resource!"
This time, the entire Bei Wen family was stunned.
Bei Wen was the first to react. She excitedly grabbed Zheng Dong's arm and asked:
"Zheng Dong, can you really help my dad get out of this predicament?"
Zheng Dong nodded.
Bei Jingming took a deep breath. If his company could be resurrected, who would want to go to jail?
He was shocked. He didn't expect Zheng Dong, who was so young, to have so much money. This was all cash, not assets.
Although his assets were substantial, they could turn into liabilities at any moment.
Then, he asked Zheng Dong for more details.
Zheng Dong did not hesitate and transferred the money to Bei Jingming.
The value of the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest was far greater than that of the Mimic Crystal Stone, so it was not a loss for Zheng Dong.
Of course, the most crucial part was finding someone who dared to cooperate with Bei Jingming.
Afterward, Zheng Dong, having understood Bei Jingming's company's detailed situation and his intentions for cooperation, left Bei Wen's home.
On the way home, Zheng Dong called Principal Yu.
Principal Yu readily answered when he saw it was Zheng Dong calling. He still felt some guilt about the Bai Zhengchu incident.
Fortunately, he later learned that Zheng Dong was fine and had entered the Abyssal Ruins to cultivate, which relieved him.
"Zheng Dong, why are you calling me? Have you come out of the Abyssal Ruins?"
Zheng Dong chatted politely with Principal Yu for a while.
He expressed his gratitude upon learning that Principal Yu had allocated a new villa for him, which he could move into upon returning to Modu University.
Then, Zheng Dong got to the point and explained Bei Jingming's company situation in detail.
"Principal Yu, this company has excellent prospects, but it has been unfairly suppressed by the Ye family. Furthermore, the other party is my classmate's father's company. I want to find someone to help him..."
"A Ye family, a Bai family, these families really need to be properly managed!" Principal Yu said righteously.
He paused, then continued:
"I'll help you ask about this matter. My old face still carries some weight."
"Then I'll trouble you, sir!"
After hanging up the phone, Jing Jing, in autopilot mode, had already brought Zheng Dong back to his residential complex.
Upon returning home, Zheng Dong retreated into the relic space and slept for a while.
After all, after playing all day and then going to Bei Wen's house, Zheng Dong was a bit tired.
In the evening, Zheng Dong continued to assist Ling'er in its further异化 (yìhuà - mutation/evolution).
Ling'er had already absorbed two-thirds of the Ghost Sea Star Grass Heart.
With the effect of the Mutation Bead, Ling'er's mutation became faster and faster, eventually completing its second mutation, gaining the Water attribute.
Immediately after, Ling'er completely absorbed the remaining Ghost Sea Star Grass Heart, not only increasing its growth level from Commander to Lord, but also acquiring a mid-tier skill, Ghost Sea Turbulence.
Zheng Dong also received a backlash, and his physical fitness improved again.
He now looked no different from a normal person, seemingly no longer affected by the power of the Azure Dragon bloodline.
However, as long as the Azure Dragon bloodline power was not completely cleared, Zheng Dong would not feel at ease.
He still needed to further mutate and improve Ling'er's growth level.
Next, Ling'er should obtain the Ice attribute.
The mutation from Water attribute to Ice attribute was relatively easy.
Unfortunately, Zheng Dong did not have many Ice-attribute resources.
He took out all his Ice-attribute resources, which were mostly level five or six resources, and continued to let Ling'er absorb them.
Ling'er would initially feel uncomfortable, but with the effect of the Mutation Bead, it would slowly adapt and undergo further mutation.
To make the effect more pronounced, Zheng Dong also summoned Xiao Qing to help.
Xiao Qing used skills like Ice Mist, Hail, and Freezing Rain to change the environment within the relic space, making the surroundings feel like an ice cave, chilling to the bone.
This, in turn, made Zheng Dong quite cold.
Xiao Qing immediately pounced playfully towards Zheng Dong.
"Master, let me hug you! I can absorb the cold air around your body!"
As Xiao Qing had been living with Zheng Dong in human society for this period, it had become more empathetic, and its every smile and gesture was naturally alluring.
Coupled with its near-perfect figure, it was unbearable for Zheng Dong.
Moreover, it had learned to dress and adorn itself from the internet, and its every move could captivate people.
Zheng Dong felt that he had contracted a vixen that could wreak havoc in the world, and quickly put Xiao Qing back into the beast-taming space.
This immediately drew a complaint from Xiao Qing.
The next day at noon, Zheng Dong received a call from Principal Yu.
Principal Yu's daughter, Yu Haiyao, was willing to give Bei Jingming a chance.
She planned to personally inspect Bei Jingming's company. If the inspection was satisfactory, she could cooperate with Bei Jingming, but the future development of the company would be led by her.
Although this demand was a bit excessive, it was better than the company going bankrupt.
So, Zheng Dong contacted Bei Jingming again and explained the situation.
Bei Jingming was very surprised. He hadn't expected Zheng Dong to find him a cooperation partner in just one day, and moreover, it was the richest person in Modu.
He had also heard about Yu Haiyao's reputation.
Given Yu Haiyao's status and background, she was completely unafraid of the Ye family's suppression.
Although he might lose control of the company in the future, he would at least still have shares and could participate in the company's development, which was much better than going bankrupt.
Therefore, Bei Jingming readily agreed.
As for receiving Yu Haiyao, Zheng Dong didn't need to worry about it.
Zheng Dong continued to stay at home, cultivating and assisting Ling'er in its further mutation.
Time passed, and it was Lunar New Year's Eve.
Early in the morning, Jing Jing excitedly shook Zheng Dong awake.
"Master, I've finished my research. It really is the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest. Do you know what this means?"
"If I can evolve using the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest, I can create a large number of insectoid machines. These insectoid machines can become the strongest mechanical warriors and will obey me completely, becoming the most powerful weapon in my hands!" Jing Jing said excitedly.
Zheng Dong had just woken up and his mind was still a bit slow to react.
In fact, he didn't know much about the Heart of the Starry Sky Mother Nest himself.
Fortunately, Jing Jing provided him with the relevant knowledge.
The Starry Sky Mother Nest was also a type of Starry Sky Giant Beast, capable of creating an endless stream of insectoids. These insectoids ate everything and could devour celestial bodies in space, synthesizing special energy crystals to supply the Starry Sky Mother Nest.
The Starry Sky Mother Nest relied on these energy crystals to continuously grow and evolve, creating even more powerful insectoids, and so on, having almost no natural enemies in space.
As for why Jing Jing knew so much.
Because with its top-tier intelligence, it could easily hack into most systems and collect information, which was not difficult for it.
Moreover, information about Starry Sky Giant Beasts was not top-secret; it was simply not understood by ordinary people and most lower to middle-level Beast Tamers.
Jing Jing was constantly collecting information on the network to create Forbidden Bombs and to continuously upgrade and improve itself.
Therefore, it had hacked into countless systems.
Unfortunately, it still had not obtained the specific data for creating Forbidden Bombs.
After understanding the situation, Zheng Dong also excitedly sat up from his bed.
"When do you want to evolve?"