"Mr. Oberdeen, there's no need for that right now. Time is tight, and the task is demanding. Have you prepared all the documents as instructed in the notification?" Drew responded.Francis nodded promptly. The Oberdeens had been awaiting this moment for too long, and they would not slack off.The review work began immediately. Since Eric did not understand these matters, he refrained from intervening.Francis and his son stood to the side, personally offering coffee and water. While handing coffee to Eric, Ivan furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "Mr. Lopez, have we met somewhere before?"He had a deep impression of Eric. After all, he had never encountered anyone as powerful as Eric before, and he was undoubtedly someone not to be trifled with. Now, upon taking a second glance at Derek in front of him, he felt that he resembled Eric.Eric chuckled. "This is my first visit here. I'm certain you've mistaken me for someone else."Ivan nodded. He was certain that Eric wouldn't be
The review team swiftly commenced organizing the data upon their return. By approximately 8:00 p.m., relevant information regarding the Oberdeens found its way onto Eric's desk.Upon receiving the materials, Eric declared, "Alright, you all go ahead and have dinner. Everyone must be famished. Let's wrap it up for now and reconvene at 9:00 a.m. sharp tomorrow.""Are you not joining us for dinner?" Jessica asked. "The Association has already arranged dinner for our group."Eric shook his head. "You go ahead. I'll take a moment to review the Oberdeens' information."Eric possessed limited knowledge about the Oberdeens, only aware of their background in the pharmaceutical industry. Notably, none of the major families associated with the Association had ties to this particular sector, making the Oberdeens' inclusion significant in bridging this gap.As Eric read, he noted that families like the Oberdeens had emerged relatively recently. In just about two decades, they had transitioned
Seemingly significant matters were actually trivial in the Association. For instance, two companies with identical qualifications might engage in fierce competition for a specific project. However, such conflicts could be resolved by assigning the project to one company initially and then alternating for subsequent projects within the Association. The primary purpose of the Association's existence was to safeguard the interests of its members. Otherwise, why bother establishing it?The prominent families in King City knew the benefits of joining the Association, so they eagerly sought membership.After Drew's briefing, Eric nodded and remarked, "Tomorrow, let's delve into the Oberdeen Group's finances once more. Regardless of the outcome, inform the Oberdeens that, with their current standing, they remain unqualified for Association membership unless they demonstrate their worth."Drew grasped the rationale behind scrutinizing the Oberdeens' finances and concurred. "Understood.
Sylvia's occasionally astonishing remarks always caught Eric off guard, but he found it rather enjoyable. The next morning, the investigation team set out once again for the Oberdeen Group to conduct a detailed examination of their finances.Drew didn't summon Francis and his son until the afternoon to inform them of the result.Although Francis wore a smile, he felt quite nervous inwardly. Generally, investigations evaluated a family's overall strength, not just their economic power. Francis had a bad feeling about it—the investigation had only been going on for two days, and the results were already out.And his intuition proved correct.Drew said, "Mr. Oberdeen, I'm sorry, but the Oberdeen Group has failed the investigation.""Why?" Francis was still quite confident in his family. Moreover, only the Oberdeen Group had been inspected, so how could they fail?Drew sighed and explained, "The Association has high hopes for the addition of new members, but unfortunately, the Ober
The rest of the team was well aware that Eric and the group had left with Francis. Even if they were silenced, with so many disappearing, the Association would never overlook it. If the Oberdeens couldn't provide an explanation by then, they would undoubtedly face elimination by the Association. Therefore, it made no sense for the Oberdeens to silence them.Francis led them to the outskirts of King City, leaving Drew puzzled."Mr. Oberdeen, where are we?" Drew asked.As a holistic physician, Eric had already detected a faint medicinal scent.Francis chuckled. "Mr. McClain, just step inside and see for yourself. You're in for a surprise."He intentionally maintained an air of mystery. This was a separate production factory recently established by the Oberdeens, heavily guarded and inaccessible to ordinary people.Inside the factory, everyone donned clean shoe covers, hairnets, and other germ-proof items, indicating the Oberdeens' high regard for hygiene.At that moment, Drew fina
Francis led the team on a tour of the entire factory, showcasing its exceptionally high standards and cutting-edge technology."We've implemented the most advanced production equipment globally to ensure ample production and supply," Francis declared proudly.The Oberdeens had poured a fortune into this factory, resulting in a remarkably high level of automation.Drew, acknowledging this, asked, "If the special medicine has already been produced, why aren't you pushing it to market?"Francis smiled knowingly. "Mr. McClain, it appears you grasp management but not the essence of business. Business endeavors to maximize profits!"We've yet to unveil this drug to the public. We're biding our time, waiting for the opportune moment when demand peaks. There'll be a nationwide surge in purchases at that juncture, and prices will soar."With strategic maneuvering, our company's market value is bound to skyrocket, perhaps even multiply several times over!"The infection rates in Salt City
Ultimately, it was all about money! And what the Oberdeens were doing didn't make sense. Medicine was also a commodity. The law of the market showed that demand came first, then the commodity followed. If there was no demand, what was the use of producing the commodity?The tour ended around 2:00 p.m.After revealing his trump card, Francis thought joining the Association wouldn't be a problem."After we return, we'll organize the data immediately and reply within three days. If you could provide us with market analysis data for this drug, that would be even better," Drew said.Francis smiled. "Certainly! I'll have someone send the data to you immediately."It was just market analysis data, so Francis would naturally provide it.Drew and the team were sent back to the Oberdeen Group, and they left after getting all the data they needed.Jessica was puzzled. "Why are they exposing the pharmaceutical factory to us? Aren't they afraid?""Although I don't understand pharmaceuticals
The Combat Department was aware of Eric and Sylvia's long-standing marriage without children, but they refrained from intervening due to Eric's profession as a holistic physician. Nonetheless, they hoped Eric would eventually have offspring, preferably a son, to carry on his legacy.Eric grinned broadly in confirmation. "She's at least a month pregnant now, and we're expecting a daughter!""That's wonderful! A daughter can be just as capable as Ruth," Pierce remarked enthusiastically."Big Boss, what about your own family? I've never seen your wife," Eric asked, naturally curious. Considering Pierce's age, Eric assumed he would have children in their s, yet he had never glimpsed any of Pierce's family members.Pierce waved off the question, stating, "I've dedicated my entire life to the Combat Department. I've had no time for romantic entanglements."Eric immediately grasped Pierce's sentiment. Pierce had devoted himself wholly to the Combat Department. While Ruth might be his pro
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung