From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

"Okay, let Afu handle the purchasing as well."

The old butler nodded, indicating that such a trivial matter could be resolved with a phone call, and there was no need to trouble the young master.

That concludes the appetizers; now comes the main event of this trip, which will directly impact his future plans and achievements.

Leo's expression became serious, and his posture became more formal.

"Next is the third and most important thing. I want to borrow a prisoner from Arkham Asylum—Poison Ivy."

"..."

Batman's disapproving gaze turned into a resistant one, scrutinizing him with the eyes one would use to look at a criminal suspect.

After a long silence, he said coldly, "Poison Ivy is a very dangerous supervillain. No plant can be within 50 yards of her."

"I know, I also know she was an excellent botanist who created wondrous species that were half-animal, half-plant, even when she was just a human. Now, let me finish, Batman—"

The world I live in is facing a major ecological crisis. Most wild animals have become extinct, and the limited arable land has been used by large corporations to grow cash crops. People are forced to eat insects from 'protein farms' and genetically modified hydroponic vegetables. And that's not all; we also suffer from endless acid rain and environmental pollution, and ordinary people can't even guarantee safe drinking water.

I'm looking for Poison Ivy not for anything else, but simply to commission her to help develop an aquatic plant, like algae or duckweed, that can purify water. That's all.

Batman's attitude softened somewhat, but he remained skeptical.

Leo placed a box of screened chips directly on the table and said, "This contains data on water pollution in Night City and data on existing aquatic plants. After you've seen it, you'll know just how bad the situation is."

I know you may not care about environmental issues in another world, but I can offer compensation—technology in exchange for technology.

A new 2024 laptop appeared on the desktop, and the Microsoft logo on it instantly caught Batman's attention.

Leo generously pushed the laptop over: "I specifically found some antique computers from where we live. These things are still used in poor countries. Of course, 'antique' is relative to us; in fact, this is a computer manufactured in 2024. It comes with an operating system from that era, Windows 11."

When I was here last time, I saw that you also have a Microsoft branch here. You can think of it simply as—this is a product they won't release for another 14 years. I also have accompanying programming and office software. I'd trade these for a medium-sized research institute and $20 billion in dedicated funding. Pretty fair, right?

Batman didn't rush to answer; he picked up the computer and quickly checked the information.

The consistent operating system allowed him to quickly get started and rapidly assess the value of the computer.

With the operating system, advanced computer technology and components, as long as the manufacturing process can be deduced and a product line established, short-term profits of up to hundreds of billions of dollars can be achieved within one or two years.

Not to mention the accompanying software.

If technical and legal obstacles are successfully overcome, and long-term hegemony is achieved through monopolizing technical standards, the developer ecosystem, and cloud services, the potential value could reach trillions of dollars.

Most importantly, Wayne Group already has a complete industrial chain, making it highly feasible for him to operate it.

In terms of pure value, he got a huge bargain in this deal. If it were put to a board vote, it would be overwhelmingly in favor.

But... behind Poison Ivy is the Green of All Things, a mysterious supernatural power. He wasn't sure if linking a mysterious 'time traveler' with the equally mysterious 'Green of All Things' would trigger some terrible consequences.

Batman fell into a long silence, staring at the computer screen without saying a word.

Leo appeared calm on the surface, but in his mind he was communicating with pure white.

[Pure White, Batman, why are you staring blankly at the computer? Did you notice something? Are you sure you've cleaned up the mess?]

[Don't worry, everything has been pre-processed. The operating system and all software have been 'localized,' so there's absolutely no way to spot the flaws. He's probably brainstorming, suspecting you're trying to use the power of the Green of All Things for malicious purposes.]

[I'm speechless... Should we use our backup plan? Let's give them a shock with some Pure-2 wheat!]

"Take it. Batman will definitely be keeping a close eye on the research institute. Unless we can take Poison Ivy directly, we won't be able to hide it from him. But we've discussed it. We can cooperate with or utilize the magic side of the DC Universe, but we can't actually join them."

The magical system of this universe is essentially an energy lending system. All magic has a source; taking it is easy, but when they demand repayment, being controlled by them is the least of your worries.

Leo wholeheartedly agreed.

The magicians of this world are like "dancing in shackles": by deceiving the source, shifting the cost, and manipulating the rules, they can maintain a brief period of freedom on a tightrope. But this freedom, like the cigarette butt in Constantine's hand, will eventually burn his fingers when it burns out.

He possesses singularity space, a potentially dangerous power; let others bear the consequences...

Thinking of this, he took out his "trump card"—an exquisite transparent glass box lined with a clean white silk cloth.

There was a bundle of ripe, golden wheat on the cloth, and several glass test tubes filled with dark liquid next to it.

"Batman, have you ever heard of Alcohol-2 wheat?"

A Glimpse of Talent: Chapter 214 A Big Business Deal That Could Change the World!

Batman, who was deep in thought, turned his gaze to the glass box and first noticed the bundle of wheat.

The grains are plump and golden in color, but other than that, there's nothing special about them.

The liquid in the test tube next to it was somewhat viscous and looked a bit like petroleum.

Judging from Leo's slightly cryptic tone, it's clear that in his mind, the wheat in this box is far more valuable than computer technology in 2024.

Batman didn't ask any questions; he gestured for Batman to speak first.

Leo didn't keep them in suspense, stating directly: "This is the kind of cash crop that occupies almost all arable land, leaving no land to grow food—Methanol-2 wheat. Let's just say it's 'oil' that grows from the ground."

It really is oil...

Even someone as composed as Batman couldn't help but twitch his brow upon hearing this.

The US government's favorite oilfield, the mere mention of which triggers a conditioned reflex to dispatch fighter jet squadrons to rush to the scene.

Or is it...renewable petroleum that grows from the ground?

This thing is a bit scary; it could trigger a world war.

He knew time travelers would definitely cause trouble...

Before he could think it through, Batman had already taken the box in his hand and was examining it closely.

Out of caution, he did not open the lid, but he still noticed something unusual in the wheat grains.

Among the few grains of wheat that had been broken due to improper transportation, he noticed a dark color that was different from the mold spots.

Leo read aloud as he looked at the materials he had prepared in advance:

"Alcohol-2 wheat was created accidentally in an experiment. Its appearance is not much different from ordinary wheat, but its extract, alcohol-2, can completely replace a series of fossil energy sources and their derivatives, including petroleum, diesel, and aviation fuel, after a series of formulations."

Its value is undeniable; it's a crop capable of changing the world. Thanks to this crop, its inventor, a biotechnology company, rapidly grew from a small one-office enterprise into one of Italy's leading conglomerates in just a few years. In the decades that followed, it became one of the world's most powerful multinational corporations.

However, there are pros and cons. Because all the land was planted with this wheat, farmers ran out of food, let alone city dwellers. Biotechnology companies, through their patented planting technology and monopoly on seeds, indirectly control the vast majority of the world's arable land.

He stopped reading here; these were enough to prove the value of this "commodity".

Batman shook the glass box, watching the liquid sway slowly, and suddenly said, "Since it's a monopoly, this wheat must have undergone gene editing to force farmers to keep buying new seeds. Is it self-degeneration, unable to reproduce naturally?"

“No, that’s not it,” Leo denied. “You’re talking about the methods used by modern large agricultural companies. Biotechnology companies do it even more thoroughly—they release new viruses into the biological cycle every year, killing all crops that aren’t the latest ones.”

Large corporations will stop at nothing to achieve a monopoly.

This heinous act allowed Batman to glimpse the tip of the iceberg of another world.

Combining this with Leo's previous request, Bat Iron understood exactly what he wanted: "You want Poison Ivy to unlock the genetic lock of this crop?"

"To be precise, it's not just about cracking..."

Leo gave a different answer.

"I hope to transfer the gene that produces alcohol-2 to other crops. You know, wheat is a high-yield crop, but it's not the highest-yielding. If we can develop alcohol-2 corn, alcohol-2 potatoes, or alcohol-2 sweet potatoes, we can free up some arable land for growing food."

If all else fails, alcohol-2 rice or alcohol-2 peanuts will do, but definitely not wheat. Biotechnology companies hold patents on it, and if you produce the same crop, they'll target you relentlessly.

“No, you don’t need to worry about that.” Batman shook his head slightly. “If you produce any kind of Alcohol-2 crop, this company you’re talking about will wipe you and everyone connected to you from the world, without a doubt.”

Leo's lips twitched; he knew he was telling the truth.

This crop, capable of shaking the dominance of biotechnology, will undoubtedly face relentless and all-out attacks.

“I know I’ll go to another big company and offer them support by delivering technical data in installments and providing unlimited licenses, so they can fight against biotechnology. What I need is time to develop so that my new little company can quickly gain a foothold in Night City.”

Batman stared intently at him, his deep gaze seemingly seeing right through him.

Do not,

It's not just as if...

"By starting a company with a public welfare and environmental protection focus using plants that can purify water, they can gain massive fame and cultivate a morally impeccable image. Secretly, they can use the 'alcohol-2' crop to seek protection and cooperation with large corporations, thereby enabling them to openly sell goods smuggled from Gotham."

In this way, you can make unparalleled profits through inter-realm trade, rapidly accumulate wealth, and then plot even more… Ha, your ambitions are quite grand.”

Batman had already seen through everything.

Leo hesitated for a moment, then quickly came to his senses—the "God of Wisdom," Batman, was no mere figurehead.

He simply admitted it directly: "That's right, that's exactly what you said. What do you think of its feasibility?"

Batman shook his head again: "You Easterners have a saying—'to seek help from a tiger for its skin.' Have you ever considered what the first thought that came to mind for the big company you chose was when they learned that you had a crop with the potential to change the course of the world?"

Leo nodded: "They're going to kill me and take the technology directly."

"Then what are you going to do?"

“I’ll deliver it directly without them having to fight over it,” Leo said, making a surprising statement. “I will first prepare a degraded version of the crop. Of course, degraded is relative; it’s best if it yields a little more than wheat.”

I will divide the technical data for this crop into three parts. I'll use the first part as a token of my commitment, and then send out one part every six months. I think that compared to risking being forced to destroy the data, obtaining such technology for free is worth a large company waiting a year for.

"Do you think you can establish yourself in just one year?" Batman's gaze grew even more profound.

Leo grinned: "Of course, I have this world as my backing, and a year is more than enough time for me to do a lot of things. At worst, I can use other technologies as protection money. As long as I can continuously provide huge profits that no one can resist, and they can't find anyone to replace me, then I am absolutely safe."

"Let's talk about the Alcohol-2 crop business, Batman!"

"You provide the laboratory and researchers, including Poison Ivy, to crack the genetic code and develop the genetic prototype of the alcohol-2 crop."

I am responsible for providing high-end scientific research equipment capable of gene editing and the technology for extracting the finished product, alcohol-2.

After this is done, the patent will be split in two: the patent for my world will belong to me, and the patent for your side will belong to you. This is a world-changing business opportunity. What do you say?

First Signs of Success: Chapter 215 The Deal is Made, the First Step Towards Success!

Unlike Leo, who was excited and spoke with a seductive tone, Batman remained silent, his gaze slowly shifting between the two "products" in front of him and Leo's face.

Influenced by him, Leo's restlessness was also suppressed by reason, and he began to worry that he might be too radical and have aroused Batman's sensitive nerves.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the luxurious living room.

The old butler, Afu, had become like a "wooden man," as if he had forgotten how to blink and breathe.

The silence froze the air.

Batman, clad in a black suit, absorbs light and heat like a black hole.

Leo slowly leaned back, his back sinking into the soft, fluffy sofa. His hands also left the table, resting seemingly casually on his lap.

But both of them, sitting opposite each other, knew that for Leo, who possessed subspace, this was a convenient posture to launch a counterattack at any time.

The negotiations reached a stalemate, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Finally, Batman spoke slowly, his voice low and threatening: "Perhaps I should lock you back in the isolation room and send you back to the other side of the world when the time comes. That way, you won't bring unpredictable risks and variables to this world."

Without a doubt, this is a threat.

Leo smiled smugly: "Batman, you've been to the East for spiritual training, so you should have heard the old saying—'Actions speak louder than words.' You chose to communicate verbally instead of taking action, which means you've already agreed to this deal in your heart."

See, I told you so! As long as I can continuously provide enormous profits that no one can resist, I'm safe.

Batman suddenly realized that Leo's face was strikingly similar to the Joker's—it made you want to punch him.

He had a premonition that this time traveler, who was transforming into an ambitious schemer, would one day become a major nuisance. Even more terrifying was that his 'superpowers' accelerated this process and granted him limitless possibilities…

"...You should be glad you're dealing with me, not one of those big companies or other people you're talking about, otherwise you'd be in big trouble."

Batman no longer deliberately uses that deep, threatening voice, and has reverted to Bruce Wayne's original voice.

Leo couldn't tell whether he had taken off his disguise or put it on, so he simply decided not to think about it too much.

“I agree with that. I know you have a ‘no killing’ principle, which is why I’m inclined to cooperate with you. Of course, Wayne Group itself has a complete industrial chain, involving oil, military industry, and technology, which is also an important reason.”

Here I want to kindly remind you that even if you are also part of the military-industrial complex, don't rashly release the Alcohol-2 crop. You alone cannot protect such a large amount of profit. Perhaps… you should assemble a team, find some righteous superheroes to cooperate with, and together protect this miraculous crop that can change the world order and the future of humanity.

Oh, by the way, I've volunteered to join as a support staff member.

Batman stared intently into his eyes, then changed the subject: "I'll take care of everything; you don't need to worry about it. I need some time to do my research. Is there anything else?"

Leo knew this was a way of getting rid of him; it seemed Batman was eager to get to work and study the two items he had brought.

This is a good sign, perfectly in line with his expectations.

Since that's the case, the little gift we prepared in advance can be given out now. We should also give Batman a boost to his powers, so that this partner doesn't accidentally die.

"This is a return gift for the 'extinct species gift package' you gave me last time."