Super Gene Hunting Ground

Yang Xiao found some free time and headed to the Genetic Evolution Research Institute near Dragon City.

However, the place was heavily guarded, and Yang Xiao could only stand far outside to watch, unable to enter.

Today, when Yang Xiao arrived, he happened to encounter the Genetic Research Institute disposing of some demon beasts inside that were deemed unworthy of research. Outside, dozens of people had gathered, all looking to find overlooked items, hoping to snag some valuable demon beasts discarded by the Genetic Research Institute to sell for profit.

Yang Xiao squeezed into the crowd and listened to their whispers.

”Wonder if there’ll be any good finds today?”

”I heard there’s a Fiery Flame Giant Python from an alien planet today.”

”That’s nothing; apparently there are two Ice Element pangolins. Normally, pangolins are of the Flame System, but these two turned out to be Ice Element, supposedly caught near a thousand-year ice mountain.”

”And there’s also a mermaid caught from the ocean, human head with a fish’s voice, very intriguing.”

...

The group was chattering away; these people were all pet traders, many familiar with some of the Genetic Research Institute’s staff, bribing them privately to gain intel on discarded demon beasts. They then intended to acquire these demon beasts cheaply, care for them briefly, and sell them for profit.

Yang Xiao’s previous purchase of Black Jinkang and Golden Lion King from the slave market was such a scenario.

Yang Xiao approached one middle-aged man and asked quietly,

”Hey, brother, I’ve heard there are two Divine Dragons inside the Genetic Research Institute, is that true?”

The middle-aged man glanced at Yang Xiao and replied indifferently:

”The Genetic Evolution Research Institute has at least ten dragon demon beasts from various planets. Which Divine Dragon are you referring to?”

Yang Xiao hesitated and whispered:

”It’s said to be two Divine Dragons from Earth. I have a client who particularly likes this type of demon beast and asked if I could see if there’s an opportunity to buy them. Brother, do you have any contacts?”

The middle-aged man sneered:

”Young friend, you’d better give up on such matters. Besides Divine Dragons, you can find someone to acquire other demon beasts. However, the Genetic Evolution Research Institute cherishes dragon demon beasts dearly and has never discarded any. Even if they die, their corpses aren’t casually discarded.”

Yang Xiao was startled, knowing he would gain nothing by asking further, so he did not pursue the Divine Dragon rumors any more, and after some casual chatter, he left.

Formulating a plan to rescue Long Xiang’s father and brother from the Genetic Evolution Research Institute had truly wracked Yang Xiao’s brains, leaving him at a loss.

”There’s no rushing this matter, perhaps I’ll set it aside first and focus on the upcoming Go tournament.”

Resolving to put this aside, Yang Xiao returned to the Royal Inn, and began to shut himself away, engaging in chess matches with Wanyan Hong and the Eldest Prince.

Wanyan Hong, as the director of the Flying Leopard Empire’s Chess Institute, in Yang Xiao’s view, has a Go level around the fifth rank, not yet able to reach the fourth rank.

As for Wanyan He, based on true skill, he wouldn’t have made it into the top three of the Flying Leopard Empire for this occasion.

Yet everyone knows the Eldest Prince, Wanyan He, is the future Emperor, so those who drew matches with him voluntarily conceded, or they deliberately lost to him during matches, thus granting Wanyan He a spot in the tournament.

Of course, Wanyan He understood the situation internally, knowing his skills were inadequate. He purely came to witness the level of Great Dragon Empire’s top Go Grandmaster.

Yang Xiao was playing Go with Wanyan Hong, as the Eldest Prince observed and said:

”Yang, did you know? The number one Grandmaster of Go in the Great Dragon Empire is a woman of unparalleled beauty, even Long Aotian once pursued her.”

”Oh? Given Long Aotian’s power, he should be able to win her over easily, right?”

”Haha, wrong. The top Go Grandmaster didn’t care about Long Aotian, directly rejecting him, which left Long Aotian very embarrassed.”

”It seems this number one Grandmaster is quite a unique person then.”

”Certainly, and aside from the number one Grandmaster, the Empire’s Chess Institute houses another highly skilled man, who is also from Earth. But now the Go Institute is led by the woman, and the man seldom makes appearances.”

Yang Xiao was taken aback and asked:

”Do you happen to know their names?”

”I don’t know. The people from Great Dragon Empire, including those from the Chess Institute, all respectfully call her Great Grandmaster. Few know her real name. Only the Emperor of Great Dragon and a very select few might know her real name.”

...

Three days later, all participants arrived at the Empire’s Chess Institute, but the much-anticipated beauty, the top Go Grandmaster, didn’t appear. Instead, Long Aotian and Long Jing presided over the tournament.

Standing in the crowd, Yang Xiao’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Long Jing.

It’s strange where life takes you, meeting Long Jing again at this Go tournament.

The procedures began with the preliminary match draw; each participant walked by the drawing stage to pick a numbered ball from the box.

There were red and green balls. Drawing a red number one meant a match against the person who drew the green number one ball; losers were directly eliminated, winners advanced to the next round.

Yang Xiao drew the red number 58; the staff verified Yang Xiao’s identity card and entry information, and registered his number 58.

Once everyone tested their draw, they entered the Empire Chess Institute’s competition area where a hundred Go tables were set up, ready for the participants to sit down and play.

Each Go table displayed a number card.

Yang Xiao drew the red number 58, so he found table number 58 and sat down.

Participants began to enter; Long Jing and Long Aotian led the Guard Team and go instructors to maintain order, supervise the matches, and manage various details.

Almost all participants had been seated, but the seat across from Yang Xiao remained empty.

Yang Xiao glanced at the empty seat, worrying internally:

”Could it be my opponent knows my prowess and voluntarily conceded? Such luck doesn’t exist, right? My Go reputation hasn’t spread that far, has it?”

While Yang Xiao was entertaining his thoughts, a tall, scholarly-looking middle-aged man walked to stand opposite Yang Xiao and bowed slightly:

”Had my young friend waiting.”

Yang Xiao looked up and nodded.

With a slight smile, the middle-aged man said:

”Let me introduce myself; I’m Long Hang, the Vice Director of the Empire Chess Institute. I drew the green number 58 ball.”

He placed the green number 58 ball on the Go table, next to Yang Xiao’s red number 58 ball.

Yang Xiao was surprised and said:

”Ah, it’s the Empire Chess Institute’s Vice Director, Long Hang, an honor. During our match, I hope you’ll go easy on me.”

Long Hang smiled lightly and sat down, saying softly:

”A game of Go is a battle. Young friend, would you voluntarily let me win?”

”No!”

”Haha, there you have it. Young friend, I’m older, so should I take black and start first? Consider it your way of respecting your elder.”

”Haha, how about that. You’re older, and I’m younger. You should be generous and let this junior go first. Besides, your skills are exceptional, surely you won’t mind letting me have the first move, right?”