A longevity-enhancing substance.
Also called X.
Young Master Cao couldn't be bothered to come up with a fancy name.
So he simply dubbed it 'X-99'!
There's meaning behind it too.
X represents the unknown.
Nine is the largest yang number—yang longevity, yang lifespan, a play on words.
But it goes beyond that.
Nine also symbolizes limits, permanence, and nobility.
As for why it's 'X-99'?
Well, good things come in pairs.
(￢_￢) Meow!
Young Master Cao is someone who has "lived" two lifetimes—superstitious and fond of ceremonial flair.
That's the origin of the name.
Of course.
As for its effects, for ordinary people, it's incredibly beneficial.
After all, Young Master Cao had previously unboxed countless elixirs.
Forget specialized longevity pills—just take the 'Soul-Nourishing Pellet' used to treat his elder sister. Research and extraction from it alone yielded substances that enhance the human body.
And even if we disregard elixirs, take tea for example.
It has mild marrow-cleansing properties, purging bodily impurities and slightly extending lifespan.
Young Master Cao has too many treasures at his disposal—what's the issue if it took this long to develop something entirely new?
After research,
Cao Cheng deduced that this substance likely originates from some kind of mineral in the "cultivation world"—perhaps crystalline ore, marrow ore, gravel ore, or even saliva ore, as described in texts.
Any of these were possible.
Cao Cheng wasn't certain, but he could make an educated guess.
In short, this substance comes from rare minerals, leaving researchers astounded. Months of study revealed that this new element possesses unique quantum properties...
It interacts beneficially with mitochondria in human cells.
And what are mitochondria?
Think of them as the cell's power plants.
So with this new element, this new substance, the body's energy conversion efficiency skyrockets, while also releasing a novel "enzyme" that repairs damaged KFC chains.
In simpler terms,
consuming this makes you feel years younger, able to climb five flights of stairs without breaking a sweat.
If you could previously run five kilometers,
injecting this lets you breeze through ten.
That's the gist of it.
But that's not the only benefit.
Because 'X-99' doesn't just repair NBA chains—it also stimulates cell division mechanisms.
Normally,
the number of times a mortal's cells can divide is bound by the Hayflick limit.
Simply put, cell division has a cap—think of it as 40 times max.
Divide once every two years, and once you hit the limit, you're done.
However,
'X-99' stabilizes telomere length during cell division.
Meaning cells can divide indefinitely without restriction.
Thus, new cells continuously replace old ones, keeping bodily functions eternally vibrant and slowing aging to a crawl.
That's the power of 'X-99'.
Despite its origins in the cultivation world, science can actually explain it quite clearly.
However.
All this is just theory.
Division isn't entirely without cost—there's still some minor wear and tear.
In other words, immortality is off the table.
But extending lifespan? Absolutely.
Giving elderly scientists an extra decade or two? Not too difficult.
Pair it with healthy habits, and they’ll live even longer.
......
......
After Cao Cheng’s detailed explanation,
Old Mountain (his father-in-law) puffed on his cigarette, lost in thought.
Cao Cheng was baffled.
What was there to agonize over?
In fact, Old Mountain seemed displeased.
Why?
Young Master Cao couldn’t figure it out at first.
Until Old Mountain finally spoke: "This X-99 of yours cannot be made public, nor can it be commercialized."
"Why?" Cao Cheng frowned.
He’d planned to use this to break into the pharmaceutical market.
A longevity drug?
The world would go wild for it.
Plus, Young Master Cao also had a cancer treatment based on similar principles—locking down cancer cells like targeted therapy, attacking them until they self-destruct and are expelled.
These were breakthroughs for the people’s welfare!
And yet Old Mountain opposed commercialization?
This wasn’t like him.
Publicly, Old Mountain was always the compassionate leader, deeply concerned for farmers and the impoverished.
Even if it was partly an act, actions speak louder than intentions.
Over the years, Young Master Cao had seen firsthand that Old Mountain genuinely cared for the people.
A proper, upstanding official.
So why this demand?
Cao Cheng didn’t get it.
Old Mountain didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, "Figure it out yourself."
"??"
Cao Cheng nearly laughed in frustration.
Figure it out myself?
This thing is for making money and harvesting emotional energy.
Lots of money.
Massive amounts of emotional energy.
I don’t need to think—I just need to roll it out.
What can you even do about it?
Even if you were my actual father, Old Cao, I wouldn’t care.
For emotional energy, Cao Cheng would do anything.
"Fine, I’ll think about it later," Cao Cheng said dismissively.
But Old Mountain saw right through him.
"Sit down."
Cao Cheng sighed but obeyed, taking another sip of tea.
"Old Mountain, it’s not that I’m disrespecting you, but commercial ventures aren’t your domain. If you wanted me to collaborate with national research institutes, I’d consider it. But banning commercialization? That... I can’t do."
No more beating around the bush.
Young Master Cao feared nothing, not even death.
Was Old Mountain going to kill him?
Old Mountain scowled. "I’m testing your awareness, and here you are throwing a tantrum?"
"..."
Cao Cheng caught on but still shook his head. "I’m not in politics—why do I need 'awareness'?"
Old Mountain pointed at him. "Some things cling to you whether you want them or not. By year’s end, you’ll be married. Like it or not, you’ll be connected. With your current mindset, I don’t trust Tang Xin to you."
Oh?
Now he’s threatening me?
But then,
Cao Cheng’s thoughts shifted, and suddenly, he understood.
The old man was right.
Some troubles can’t be avoided by hiding.
Before, Young Master Cao had relied on Old Mountain’s influence to sidestep problems.
The Tang family had shielded him many times.
Yet after marrying Tang Xin, his status would rise. Certain things would become unavoidable.
The higher you stand, the farther you piss.
Without caution, you might splash someone unintentionally and invite trouble.
Then,
it hit him.
He realized why Old Mountain opposed commercialization.
Just like that,
Cao Cheng fell silent for several minutes before meeting Old Mountain’s gaze again.
Old Mountain finally spoke, calm and measured: "Understood now?"
"Mostly," Cao Cheng admitted.
Old Mountain nodded. "Then you know why I say no commercialization—for now."
"How long?"
"That depends on the development of society. But even if commercialization isn’t allowed, it can still be used in specific cases—like for those veteran experts. Just give it to them as a health supplement. You won’t lose out."
Cao Cheng shook his head. "I don’t care about that. I have a lot of respect for those elders. If it helps them live longer, I won’t take a single cent."
Old Taishan scoffed. "So now you’ve developed principles?"
"This isn’t about principles. It’s about conscience. With them around, the country thrives. When the country thrives, my business thrives. When my business thrives, I make money. You could call it an investment." Cao Cheng wore a shamelessly mercenary grin.
Old Taishan gritted his teeth.
Even decent words sounded infuriating coming from this kid.
Another wave of irritation surged.
Then, Young Master Cao stood up. "I’ll bring some samples later for you and… my mother-in-law to try. A little youthfulness might give you more energy for… activities."
"Leaving already?"
Before Old Taishan could speak, the elegant older woman beside him chimed in, "Stay for dinner."
"Next time, Mom. I need to go back and work on some new developments. After all, Old Taishan just derailed my business plans. Gotta hustle now." He shot Old Taishan a pointed glare before turning away.
Understanding didn’t erase the frustration.
Why didn’t he say this earlier?
Wasted at least half a year of research.
So damn annoying.
Every time he dealt with Old Taishan, something went wrong.
Old Taishan chuckled darkly. "This brat has the nerve to give me attitude."
In all of the capital, only three people dared to show Old Taishan attitude. Young Master Cao was the third.
The first and second were the elegant older woman and her daughter.
Suddenly, Cao Cheng circled back, snatched the tea canister from Old Taishan’s desk, and strode off.
"Hey—!" Old Taishan jabbed a finger at his retreating figure.
The elegant woman gently pressed his hand down, amused. "Enough. You just vetoed his plans. Can’t you let him sulk a little? Why so domineering?"
"I’m domineering?" Old Taishan pointed at himself, then at Cao Cheng’s distant back. "Which one of us is really the tyrant here?"
He fumed. "That little bastard married my daughter, stole my precious girl, and I haven’t even settled the score with him! Now he dares to rob my tea? Who’s the bully here?"
"Alright, alright, he’s gone. Who are you yelling at? Besides, aren’t you going to use X99 yourself someday?"
"Uh—" Old Taishan’s retort died in his throat.
Fine.
He would use it.
Just no commercialization.
...
After leaving, Young Master Cao didn’t dwell on the matter.
Something else had struck him.
In his century-long dream, lasting until his death in 2099, nothing that extended lifespan ever hit the market.
Medical advancements improved average longevity, but it took a hundred years to achieve those incremental gains.
Gradual change was fine.
But introducing something like this overnight? That would cause chaos.
In a flash, Cao Cheng understood.
Decades from now, even single-soldier serums to enhance physical abilities would be developed.
How could lifespan extension not be possible?
It had been researched—just never commercialized.
The implications ran too deep.
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
