Chapter 1 Significant Changes

After deliberately revealing his item analysis talent, things changed significantly.

As the news spread like wildfire, the entire workshop soon knew about Zhou Jing's "talent."

In recent days, Zhou Jing could always feel the complex gazes of other artisans, no longer looking at him as a workaholic, but more like looking at an unattainable existence.

Many artisans also vaguely heard rumors that the workshop had decided to appoint Zhou Jing to a special position in the future, making him the workshop's only designated potion tester.

In the future, all the potions made by others would have to be tasted and measured by Zhou Jing, meaning that he was no longer just an artisan, but an "important research device" of the Imperial Workshop, superior to everyone else.

As long as he didn't lose this talent, this Bill would always have such a special status.

This was no longer a matter of envy and jealousy. The unattainable gap in talent made people lose even the will to catch up. It was as if Bill, who used to be a workaholic living next to them and making them itch with hatred, had suddenly become a story told by others.

Zhou Jing didn't pay too much attention to the thoughts of his workshop colleagues. After displaying his "talent," he submitted the Swordtail Eagle potion and took on another task of improving the Iscariot Blood potion, continuing to grind the indicators and get more recipes for free.

After a few days, Zhou Jing was once again approached by the higher-ups of the workshop, who said they would take him to see someone.

"Who wants to see me?"

Zhou Jing put down the herbs he was grinding, turned his head to look at the people, and asked curiously.

The workshop director squeezed out a smile: "The King wants to see you."

The King! Zhou Jing's eyes lit up.

His hard work had finally attracted the attention of the higher echelons of power.

But it turned out to be King Terra himself… He had not only caught a fish, but a big fish!

After using three Apostles, shuttling back and forth, and spending more than a year in the Otherworld, he had finally met the ruler of the country.

Contacting the core of power, finally stepping into a new level…

For a moment, many thoughts flashed through Zhou Jing's mind. He deliberately made a look of panic and honor, as if he were a commoner seeing the ruler of the country for the first time, and said nervously:

"What should I do when I see the King later?"

"Don't be afraid, just speak normally. The King just wants to know more about you."

The workshop's higher-ups took turns to comfort him. Seeing that Zhou Jing's mood had calmed down, they took him away.

The group walked out of the workshop and came to the main house of the Imperial Hunter's Residence. At this moment, there were a large number of guards stationed here, as well as many strong Iscariot Blood warriors standing guard, all of whom were guards of the royal city and royal family, without a single hunter.

On the training ground opposite the main house, many hunters were sitting, standing, or squatting, looking at this side from a distance, without any extra movements.

The two sides were separated by a street, not confrontation, but clearly defined.

Zhou Jing saw Jason's figure in the crowd on the training ground, then deliberately shifted his gaze, and followed the workshop executives into the main house without looking back, leaving only his back to the people outside.

There were already many people standing inside the house, many of whom were dressed as guards. Zhou Jing saw the person sitting at the head of the table at a glance, a middle-aged man with a dignified air, wearing a crown on his head.

"Is this the King?"

Zhou Jing's mind moved, and after a slight glance, his eyes subconsciously swept left and right, and found that beside the King, there were several close guards standing, all wearing the same steel armor, covered with royal crests, quite exquisite.

One of them was quite eye-catching. She was the only female among the guards, with long, lake-green curly hair tied behind her head. She was probably in her thirties or forties, with fair skin and a charming appearance. Her appearance seemed to be somewhat similar to the King's.

Before he came in, this female guard had been staring at a short man not far away, who was the Imperial Hunter Commander Clay, who was also present.

While he was observing, the workshop director next to him stepped forward quickly, saluted the King, and introduced:

"Your Majesty, this is Bill… Bill, this is the King of the Terra Empire, the glorious Tarn bloodline, His Majesty Becky Tarn!"

"Uh, hello, King?"

Zhou Jing pretended to be flustered, imitating the workshop director, and performed an awkward salute.

Seeing this, Becky smiled, stood up from his seat, stretched out his palm as a gesture of welcome, and said steadily:

"Don't be restrained, please sit down, Bill."

Servants came up to serve, and everyone took their seats.

There were no other courtiers present, but the workshop director still introduced several important figures to Zhou Jing, and everyone nodded to Zhou Jing in greeting.

Soon, the workshop director introduced the two people Zhou Jing had noticed earlier.

"...This is the Commander of the Imperial Hunters, Clay. He is one of the only two five-time enhanced people in the Empire."

Clay smiled and released goodwill towards Zhou Jing: "First time meeting, let's have more exchanges in the future."

We are old acquaintances... but that was with Jason's identity.

Now it's Bill's identity, and it's the first time we've met. Naturally, people can't recognize his true face after the Apostle's disguise.

Zhou Jing smiled secretly and greeted him pretentiously.

At this time, the workshop director looked at the previous female guard, coughed, and said, "This is the Captain of the Royal Guards, Eileen Tarn. She is the other five-time Iscariot Blood enhancer in the Empire."

Zhou Jing's eyes moved.

It was her.

These days, Zhou Jing had inquired about it. The other five-time enhancer in the Empire was called this name, and she was from the Tarn family… I just don't know if she's the King's older sister or younger sister.

Eileen nodded slightly to him without speaking.

Zhou Jing took the initiative to speak: "Hello, Captain Eileen."

"Mm." Eileen's tone was calm, and there was no expression on her charming face, quite aloof.

After getting a response, Zhou Jing quietly opened the panel and used Detection.

The next moment, Eileen's attributes were displayed on the panel.

[Attributes: Physique 80 (Tier 2 ax), Resistance 70, Perception 50, Spirit 22, Energy 15]

"The total attributes are higher than Clay's, but the total of Physique and Resistance is not as good as Clay's," Zhou Jing calculated simply.

The two strongest people in the entire Terra Empire are in this room.

I wonder who would win if they fought… I'll bet on Clay.

Zhou Jing also detected the King, and the result was not an ordinary person either. He had the level of initial enhancement.

After a brief introduction, Becky spoke:

"Bill, I've heard about your talent. When did you discover you had this ability?"

"A long time ago, when I was a child..."

Zhou Jing calmed down and began to talk about the rhetoric he had prepared.

This time, the King came to meet him in person, on the one hand to get to know talented people, and on the other hand to investigate. Most of the time, Becky asked, and Zhou Jing answered.

Fortunately, he didn't take the surname this time. It's okay to deal with others, but it's impossible to deal with the King.

The origin he made up for himself was that he was born in a village that has now been destroyed by alien beasts. The name of the village was a rumor that Jason had heard on the journey. Because the villagers died or scattered, it was difficult to verify his identity.

For the time being, no one present suspected anything. This kind of origin is not uncommon.

While the King was observing him, Zhou Jing was also observing the King. Becky was not the kind of person who was amiable. He was full of energy and majesty, but he would not make people feel oppressed. He was a very imposing person, making people involuntarily sit upright in front of him.

Although the other party was just the ruler of a primitive kingdom, Zhou Jing felt the so-called aura of a superior for the first time... He himself was just an ordinary person in the main world. Apart from watching the news of the heads of various countries on TV, he had never been in contact with such powerful figures in his life.

In addition, Zhou Jing was also observing whether there were any alien life forms among the people present, but unfortunately, he did not find that unique temperament. Either there was no one, or it was too well hidden.

After talking for more than ten minutes, Becky roughly understood Zhou Jing's "situation" and stopped asking questions. He changed the subject and encouraged him:

"Your talent is a gift from nature and has extraordinary significance. Don't waste your talent."

"I am always willing to serve the Empire," Zhou Jing said sensibly.

Becky nodded: "Well... Perhaps in a few days, the Empire will need you to participate in some important research. Before that, I hope you can focus on Iscariot Blood potions. If you need anything, just ask."

Is this hinting that I shouldn't make energy potions anymore? Zhou Jing's heart moved slightly.

Speaking of which, what is the important research that the King specifically mentioned? Could it be the "cutting-edge technology" that the workshop is rumored to be more confidential and more core?

"What kind of research?" Zhou Jing asked directly.

Becky pondered for a moment and said slowly:

"It's okay to tell you now. The Empire has been trying to research several new types of Iscariot Blood potions. One is a composite potion that integrates the enhancements of multiple alien beasts into one potion.

The second is a special Iscariot Blood potion that can inherit some of the special abilities of alien beasts, such as spitting fire, discharging electricity, and so on.

The third type is a mild Iscariot Blood potion. The current Iscariot Blood enhancement effect is very good, but it is too easy to cause death. Every year, a large number of painstakingly trained hunter apprentices die in vain. Perhaps we can try to weaken the effect of the potion and divide the improvement of one enhancement into multiple enhancements, so as to reduce the mortality rate and allow ordinary people to use it safely. In this way, although the hunters will become weaker, their numbers will increase unprecedentedly, and no one will die suddenly anymore. Maybe we don't have to be afraid of the threat of alien beasts in the future."

As he spoke, a look of emotion appeared on Becky's face, as if he was regretting those who died suddenly because of Iscariot Blood potions.

Hearing this, Clay couldn't help but sigh: "Yes, too many good young men endure loneliness and pain in order to become hunters, and work hard year after year, but in the end, they don't step onto the battlefield against alien beasts, and die in vain during the enhancement. Years of training and expectation can only be exchanged for sudden death. Every time I look at their corpses that can't close their eyes, I feel extremely sad."

Zhou Jing nodded silently.

Although he didn't know if it was sincere, he still respected people with ideals.

Although the goal is still to plot benefits, it's not bad to use the Apostle's special advantages to do some good things that can change the world.

Becky did not continue to say anything. He turned his head to look at Eileen and said, "Choose two guards who are strong and reliable, follow Bill, and obey his orders in the future to protect his safety."

"Understood," Eileen nodded.

Zhou Jing blinked.

He has guards now?

This is the first time he has had such treatment.

As for whether it is surveillance, it is also possible... It may not be easy to avoid people if I want to meet Jason again.

But now Bill is on the right track, so he doesn't have to contact Jason frequently in the future.

At the end of the meeting, King Becky encouraged Zhou Jing a few more times before leaving with his guards.

"Bill, work hard in the future, and don't let the King down."

The workshop director patted Zhou Jing on the shoulder with a smile.

The other workshop executives also had smiles on their faces, quite enthusiastic.

They were also honored as recommenders for discovering talents like Bill.

After today, Bill has received the King's attention. As long as there are no mistakes in the future, he will definitely rise step by step. Naturally, they will not let this relationship cool down.

Zhou Jing thanked them perfunctorily and pondered Bill's next actions in his heart.

Joining the research of "core technology" is imperative.

Not only to learn these important knowledge, but also if he can really develop new Iscariot Blood potions, I don't know how big the impact will be. This is an achievement that can affect the entire Empire.

Maybe he doesn't even need to do his life goal. The information state particles will explode and turn into an eternal Apostle. This is another "clearance route."

As for the plan to separate the tribes, he still needs to find an opportunity to tell the royal family. At present, Zhou Jing has a good impression of the Empire and is more inclined to it psychologically.

However, it is not suitable to speak with Bill's identity. Perhaps after Bill has stabilized his current position and made research results, he can find a way to introduce Jason to the royal family and let Jason speak.

By the way, use the status of one Apostle to improve the status of another Apostle and help each other.

Just as Zhou Jing was thinking, Clay came up and greeted with a smile:

"Bill, we'll be counting on you in the future. I hope the hunters can use the new potions you develop."

"I'll try my best," Zhou Jing nodded: "By the way, do you have any plans for a six-time enhancement? If you have any results in the future, you can use it."

"I'm an old bone, so I won't continue to enhance," Clay shook his head with a smile, and suddenly asked curiously: "By the way, I heard that you have a good relationship with one of our hunters."

"Is it Jess? Yes, he and I are old acquaintances. When I first came to the royal capital, he helped me a lot."

Zhou Jing said with great seriousness.

"Jess often talks about you too, saying that you are a talent, and always remembers that you saved him back then."

No, I can be sure that I didn't say that…

Zhou Jing couldn't expose the other party's social mutual flattery, so he smiled.

"You can come and find him more in the future."

Clay patted Zhou Jing on the shoulder.

"I will," Zhou Jing changed the subject and asked curiously, "By the way, you and Eileen are both five-time enhancements, who is better?"

"It's hard to say. I'm better in strength and defense, and Eileen is stronger in speed and perception."

Clay didn't seem to want to compare.

"Alright, I'm in the garrison. If you encounter anything, just find me," he smiled at Zhou Jing, didn't say anything more, and said goodbye and left.

Zhou Jing looked at his leaving figure thoughtfully.

He found that when facing a "intellectual" like himself, Clay was not as bold as he was when treating hunters, but with politeness and formality.

"It seems that it is still the difference in identity. Although I am making Iscariot Blood potions, I can get the respect of the hunter group, but I still can't get the identity recognition of the hunter group like Jason and become one of 'our own'," Zhou Jing thought secretly.

……

After meeting the King, two royal guards accepted orders the next day and became his bodyguards and followers, following him wherever he went.

Zhou Jing got to know them and found that they both had the level of two-time enhancements, which was enough to show the royal family's attention.

However, he was still working in the Imperial Hunter Workshop and had not been called to join the research on "core technology" for the time being.

On the third day of getting two guards, an uninvited guest came to the workshop in person to see Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing walked into the workshop's reception room and saw a fat, strange man at a glance.

"You are?"

Zhou Jing asked curiously.

Hearing this, the fat man stood up unhurriedly, stretched out his big hand with gemstone rings towards Zhou Jing, and showed a rather friendly, greasy smile.

"Hello, I am Roman, the King's Privy Councilor."

You are Roman?!

Zhou Jing's spirit was shaken.

After wandering around the royal capital for so long, he finally saw this behind-the-scenes ambitious man!

He shook hands with him and subconsciously used the panel to detect the other party's attributes.

The next second, the panel showed the information.

[Attributes: Physique 24, Resistance 68, Perception 90, Spirit 96, Energy 108]

Zhou Jing: (°ー°〃)