Chapter 565 - 346: Upgrade Again

Chapter 565: Chapter 346: Upgrade Again

The clamor of the outside world was temporarily shut out from the quiet room of Villa 11 in District B.

Li Wen sat cross-legged, his fingertip gliding across the light screen.

He frowned, looking at the pathetic download counts for his three papers on the Lain Empire’s academic forum and the nearly stagnant growth of his scholar experience points.

This trickle of experience was just a drop in the bucket, far from enough to achieve his goal of rapidly accumulating experience to ascend to a higher scholar level.

"Distribution... it’s a problem of distribution," Li Wen muttered to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his deep eyes.

’The quality of the papers alone won’t be enough for them to stand out in this endless sea of research.’

’He needed a force with a much broader reach to stir this stagnant pool.’

’Leverage.’ Li Wen made his decision.

He currently held the title "God of Slaughter" and was ranked second overall in the Alka District.

He was the Lain Empire’s greatest pride and hope in the current Cosmic Peak Genius Battle.

That fame was a power in itself, one that couldn’t be ignored—enough to make the Empire’s high command flock to him.

He pulled up his contacts and found the number tagged "Carlisle Lain."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Li Wen sent the communication request.

...

Lain Empire, Star Domain Management Department.

Inside a lavishly decorated office exuding imperial authority.

"Useless! You can’t even handle a simple task like this! You have three hours to get me a loss report on the Star Dust Vein, accurate to three decimal places. If you don’t, you can piss off to the border Star Domains and start digging ore yourself!"

A middle-aged man in a magnificent robe emblazoned with the royal crest was roaring at his subordinate on the other end of the communication screen. Veins throbbed at his temples; he was clearly furious.

This man was none other than a member of the Lain Empire’s royal family, Carlisle Lain.

During the preliminary rounds of the Cosmic Peak Genius Battle, he had represented the Lain royal family, extending congratulations and goodwill to the promising Li Wen.

It had been an attempt to win over the peerless genius who had risen from within the Empire’s own borders.

Just as Carlisle, seething with rage, was about to continue his tirade...

...the custom-made royal communicator on his wrist suddenly began to vibrate—a soft, urgent buzz.

A name he had set as the highest priority flashed on the screen: Li Wen.

In an instant, it was as if a switch had been flipped.

The explosive rage on Carlisle’s face receded like a tide.

In its place was an incredibly enthusiastic, even fawning, smile.

His expression changed so quickly that the trembling subordinate on the other end of the screen wondered if he was hallucinating.

He disconnected the call with his subordinate without a second thought.

He took a deep breath, composed himself perfectly, and answered the call with the utmost reverence.

"Lord Li Wen! It is an absolute honor. How may I be of service?" Carlisle’s voice was gentle and warm, a complete transformation from his earlier fury.

The energy projected by the communicator coalesced into a clear, holographic image of Carlisle within the quiet room of Li Wen’s villa.

Li Wen regarded the royal calmly. He skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Lord Carlisle, I have a matter that requires the Empire’s assistance. I’ve published three academic papers on the Lain Empire’s academic forum.

I’m hoping the Empire can use its official channels to promote and publicize them as widely as possible."

’Promote... papers?’

The smile on Carlisle Lain’s face didn’t waver, but a flicker of confusion and bewilderment passed deep within his eyes.

’With the fearsome reputation the God of Slaughter, Li Wen, has carved out in the Cosmic Peak Genius Battle, and the terrifying potential he’s displayed, he’s destined to become one of the beings who stand at the very peak of the cosmos.’

’Why would someone like that suddenly care about promoting a few academic papers on a minor imperial academic forum?’

’The request was... unexpected. Trivial, even.’

But this trace of bewilderment did nothing to slow Carlisle’s reaction time.

He didn’t need to understand the reason why. Li Wen had asked. That was reason enough.

The royal immediately straightened his spine. He thumped his chest with his right hand, producing a dull THUMP, and nodded his head profusely.

"Absolutely no problem! Rest assured, Lord Li Wen! It’s a trivial matter—consider it done! It is the Lain Empire’s honor to be of service to you!

I’ll get on it right away. I guarantee your papers will receive top-tier exposure on every relevant platform in the Empire! Just wait for the good news!"

His guarantee was resolute, his posture utterly subservient, as if Li Wen had tasked him not with promoting papers, but with a mission critical to the Empire’s very survival.

"I appreciate it." Li Wen gave a slight nod, and the hologram dissipated.

The moment the communication ended, the effusive smile vanished from Carlisle Lain’s face as if it were a receding tide, replaced by the characteristic reserve and authority of a royal.

He instinctively began to order his subordinate:

"Someone! Go and inform the Department of Cul—"

He cut himself off mid-sentence.

"Wait!" Carlisle stopped the subordinate who was awaiting his command. His tone was unquestionable. "I will handle this matter personally. You are dismissed."

After dismissing his subordinate, Carlisle wasted no time.

He immediately used the royal family’s highest-clearance encrypted channel to contact the current Sovereign of the Lain Empire directly.

The current Sovereign of the Lain Empire was a Tier Four Star Lord.

In the virtual environment of the Imperial Capital’s palace, the Lain Sovereign sat upon his throne.

When Carlisle, with a mix of nervousness and excitement, reported Li Wen’s request to "promote his papers"...

...a hint of unconcealed astonishment appeared on the majestic face of the Sovereign, the man who held supreme authority within the Empire.

"Promote... papers?" the Sovereign mused, his voice tinged with confusion.