《The Last Gentleman》


 Chapter 8

    The fireplace, built of red bricks, crackled with burning logs that sounded like the last groans of an old man nearing the end of his life. Yi Chen and the mysterious figure sat across from each other on a tea-colored leather sofa, each holding steaming cups of ginger tea, meant to ward off the chill accumulated from years spent among cemeteries.


    "Your composed demeanor has earned you this chance to speak with me. As an external worker, you likely have many questions... feel free to ask about anything you¡¯d like.¡±


    ¡°What should I call you?¡±


    ¡°Just call me Wilbert. I oversee this Seven-Day Cemetery.¡±


    As Yi Chen had suspected, this was indeed the manager mentioned in the manual.


    "I want to know why an extra body mysteriously appeared in Cemetery No. 4. If a body is brought into the cemetery from outside, there should be a clear transport and burial process. Wouldn¡¯t that be easy to notice?¡±


    Yi Chen began with small, relevant questions, trying to break the ice, and if possible, he hoped to learn more about the basics of this strange world.


    "The ¡®corpse¡¯ you killed wasn¡¯t brought in from outside. It was created by the cemetery itself.¡±


    ¡°Created?¡±


    ¡°Cemetery No. 4 is the area with the most corpses, and it¡¯s in a chaotic state. Such chaos easily attracts ¡®disease.¡¯ The living corpse you encountered was a product of a tree that had mutated¡­ As it formed within the cemetery, it naturally gravitated toward corpses here, undergoing ¡®morphological transformation.¡¯¡±


    Yichen, now intrigued, asked, ¡°So, when a tree becomes diseased, it takes the form of a corpse? And what about the coffin and tombstone¡ªwhere did they come from?¡±


    ¡°¡®Camouflage and disguise¡¯ are what pathogens excel at. They blend seamlessly with the environment¡­ by the time they¡¯re detected, the disease has already spread. However, their disguises aren¡¯t completely flawless. Once you become a ¡®Gentleman¡¯ within the organization, you¡¯ll learn how to identify them.¡±


    Yi Chen''s face was filled with astonishment. ¡°Are you saying that the metal coffin and tombstone were also part of the pathogen¡¯s disguise?¡±


    "Exactly. And that¡¯s just the most basic level of camouflage. You haven¡¯t seen pathogens disguising themselves as entire villages, caves, or even mountains.¡±


    Though Wilbert¡¯s explanation was brief, it painted a picture of a world entirely overcome by disease in Yi Chen''s mind.


    Yet, a faint smile appeared on Yi Chen''s face¡ªa smile of anticipation and the thrill of exploration. Sipping his ginger tea, he murmured softly, "Is this world¡­ sick?¡±


    "Indeed. For most people, the fact that we can sit here, drink tea, and have a normal conversation is an extravagant luxury. The situation ''outside'' is far worse than you can imagine, but the topic of the outside world isn¡¯t something we should discuss now. That¡¯s for you to explore in due time.¡±


    Seeing the topic shift back, Yi Chen didn¡¯t press further and continued asking about the cemetery.


    "I still have some questions about the cemetery. The employee manual outlines many formal requirements, mostly for identifying signs of infection. It seems like this whole cemetery is prone to abnormalities and disease¡­ If there¡¯s a risk of these corpses causing problems, why not simply cremate them instead of building this cemetery?¡±


    ¡°The answer is simple. The ¡®benefits¡¯ generated here outweigh the ¡®risks.¡¯ You can view this entire cemetery as a large factory. For instance, that little fellow on your shoulder is a nearly perfect ''product'' designed to assist us in combating pathogens.¡±


    "I see."


    Yi Chen had already witnessed the little creature¡¯s capabilities¡ªwithout enhanced vision, he wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance against the living corpse.


    The manager continued, ¡°Technically, this little guy is the property of the organization. But I¡¯m very pleased today¡ªhappy to see an interesting newcomer like you. If you fulfill a certain request, I¡¯ll ''quietly'' give this little guy to you as a gift.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the request?¡±


    The straightforward words revealed Yi Chen''s desire for the little ball of flesh.


    "Once the cremation is finished, you''ll understand."


    Next, Yi Chen inquired about each section of the cemetery and learned that before him, at least 200 externally hired employees had worked there, and not a single one had managed to leave successfully.


    He also obtained a key piece of information.


    The organization¡¯s insignia, [G&D].


    Full name: Gentleman & Doctor.


    However, beyond this, the manager didn¡¯t share much about the organization¡¯s details, global intelligence, or the origin of the disease.


    According to him, Yi Chen would need to explore these things on his own in the outside world.


    Verbal explanations would be a waste of time and meaningless. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time flew by.


    The manager rolled up his sleeve and glanced at his watch.


    ¡°The cremation should be nearly complete. Follow me.¡±


    They returned to the cremation area, heavy with heat and the scent of charring.


    As the metal door of the incinerator opened, the plant-like corpse Yi Chen had killed was almost carbonized but still retained a roughly intact form.


    It was removed, plated, and sent to the surgical room.


    The manager retrieved a large pair of tweezers, clamping out a crystal-clear spherical crystal from the waist area of the corpse, about the size of a ping-pong ball.


    The little ball of flesh, which had been quietly resting with its eyes closed, suddenly awoke and stared at the crystal intently, showing an eyeball in its mouth.


    Thick drool started to drip down, soaking the fur around its mouth.


    With a soft "ding," the manager placed the crystal carefully on a nearby metal tray. He took out a monocle from his suit pocket and examined it closely.


    ¡°Hmm? Such a color and shape¡­ I almost regret it.


    This thing would fetch a high price in the organization. It could even fund expansions and upgrades for the cemetery.¡±


    After inspecting it, the manager held the crystal in his palm, displaying it to Yi Chen.


    It was a jade-like white, with around 80% transparency, and had small green light particles moving within it.


    "Your luck is truly remarkable.


    The probability of a crystal forming from an initial-stage infected is less than 5%,


    Not to mention, this crystal is top-quality in both shape and color, and its internal essence is perfectly preserved.


    Now you have three choices:


    1. Keep and hide this crystal, then go to the city where the organization is located.


    Once you become a resident or are granted ''Gentleman'' status, hand it over to a local craftsman to make a quality piece of equipment.


    2. As with the first option, join the organization, but instead sell it at a high price through internal channels.


    Or, sell it directly to me for 50% of the price, which will help you avoid considerable risk. Once others see this crystal, it¡¯s bound to bring trouble.


    3. Swallow the crystal here and now, letting it become a part of your body.


    This process involves a risk of death,


    But if successful, you¡¯ll gain the crystal¡¯s ''disease characteristic,'' which would help you survive longer in this world and increase your chances of passing the assessment to join the organization.


    The third option also satisfies the [requirement] we discussed earlier.


    If you manage to swallow it and survive, the little creature on your shoulder will be yours as a parting gift from the cemetery.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t answer immediately, instead appearing deep in thought.


    ¡°Overseer, I have just one question.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, this crystal is a product of a pathogen¡­ If I swallow it, is there a chance I¡¯ll be infected and turn into something like a living corpse?¡±


    "Exactly. That¡¯s the risk.


    If you fail to assimilate it properly and show any signs of infection, I will personally put you down.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Yi Chen carefully took the crystal, feeling the residual warmth from the cremation.


    His decision had already been made.


    Gulp ¨C he swallowed it in one go.

 Chapter 9

    Perhaps it was because this was his first time swallowing something as large as a ping-pong ball, or maybe it was because the events that followed would decide his life or death. Or maybe it was due to the heightened sensations brought on by the small, fleshy ball. Yi Chen could clearly feel the digestive reactions happening within his stomach. The smooth, embryo-like surface of the crystal bubbled and broke down under the onslaught of stomach acid, and the dissolved outer layers were absorbed by the stomach as nutrients.


    Eventually, the diseased core of the crystal was exposed, revealing a "green, worm-like structure" somewhere between a nematode and a root tendril.


    The substance made its way from his stomach into his intestines, where it was further decomposed and absorbed by digestive enzymes and bile, then entered his bloodstream.


    In an instant, all of Yi Chen''s blood took on a fluorescent green glow.


    The walls of his blood vessels began to undergo "secondary growth," a process unique to plants, forming a vascular bundle structure nested within his blood vessels.


    The entire process was excruciatingly painful, as if his blood vessels were being torn from the surrounding tissue.


    The pain far exceeded the agony he¡¯d felt when his foot was punctured and then pulled free. Just as his consciousness began to dissipate under the onslaught of pain, the diseased essence circulating in his blood reached deep into his brain, transporting him to a peculiar memory from the past.


    It was a fragmented memory stored within plant cells, one that his brain had to integrate and process, projecting it into his mind for a "personal experience."


    He could feel a tree''s entire lifecycle: from seed germination to sapling growth, and finally, the formation of its trunk.


    He experienced the roots growing downward, absorbing water from deep within the soil, and the symbiotic relationship formed with bacteria in the earth.


    He felt the unique process of photosynthesis within plant cells, breathing in carbon dioxide from the air.


    He went through the phases of primary and secondary growth, developing a complete and robust plant system, ultimately transforming into a silent guardian of the cemetery.


    Until it was eventually infected by an unknown pathogen, assuming a zombie-like form.


    Unbeknownst to Yi Chen, as he absorbed this plant memory, his physical body in the operating room was undergoing strange changes. New green stalks sprouted from his pores, wriggling out from his cuffs, collar, and waistband.


    From his mouth, nostrils, and ear canals emerged thin, writhing tendrils.


    His widened pupils turned green, pulsing between different sizes.


    It was unclear how long this state lasted. When the memories concluded, his consciousness returned to the present.


    ¡°Did I survive?¡±


    Yi Chen quickly checked his body and found no trace of bark or branches (they had long since retracted inside him)... His body was as it had been, though he sensed a faint improvement in his physical condition.


    The cemetery¡¯s caretaker, Mr. Wilbert, smiled in satisfaction.


    "I knew you¡¯d make it."


    He seemed to have anticipated Yi Chen''s survival and brought over a prepared meal of unprocessed vegetables. When Yichen saw the vegetables, he felt like a starving man presented with a feast. He ravenously devoured five or six pounds of the food.


    While he ate, the wounds from his earlier fight with the zombie healed at a visibly rapid pace, with the scars from the little flesh ball stitches gradually being covered by new flesh.


    Yi Chen murmured to himself, ¡°Something has changed in my body...¡±


    The overseer explained, ¡°That¡¯s correct. You¡¯ve fully assimilated the crystal¡¯s ¡®pathological traits.¡¯ As for what specific changes it¡¯s brought, you¡¯ll have to explore that on your own.¡±


    He continued, pulling a special metal card from his pocket, silver in color.


    The card bore the insignia of the organization, G&D, on the back, while the front displayed the flowing script Seven-Day, representing the Seven-Day Cemetery where they currently stood.


    As he handed over the card, he added:


    "Since you''ve met the ''requirements,'' the little fellow on your shoulder now belongs to you.


    "Remember, if anyone asks about its origin, you don¡¯t have to answer.


    "If necessary, just show them this card¡ªit¡¯ll save you a lot of trouble.


    "The world is sick, and even healthy creatures have grown suspicious by nature. When you travel alone, try to avoid unnecessary problems.¡±


    "Thank you."


    As Yi Chen took the card, Wilbert suddenly recalled an important question.


    "It seems I didn¡¯t consult you about your own wishes and went ahead, guiding you to join the organization on my own.


    Let''s start over... Do you want to be part of the organization?


    If your desire isn''t strong, or if you feel resistant, you can continue working in the cemetery, and upon contract completion, you¡¯ll receive a generous salary."


    Without hesitation, Yi Chen replied:


    "I want to see the outside world."


    "Very well.


    Tomorrow at noon, head to the eastern exit of the town.


    Show the card to the coachman, and he¡¯ll take you to an area related to the organization."


    With that, the manager tossed him a small linen pouch filled with heavy coins.


    "These are your overdue wages from the past few months, as well as a special bonus for this incident.


    Since your work uniform was damaged in the fight,


    make sure to stop by the finest clothing store in Easton Town before you depart... show the card to the owner, and she¡¯ll prepare a quality outfit fitting your new role.


    The organization has certain standards regarding appearance and attire.


    Don¡¯t forget the gentlemanly manners you learned at the orphanage... Graceful habits help shield the mind against mental decay."


    "Understood. And, um..."


    Yi Chen looked wistfully at the silver-plated hand axe in his hand. This axe, with its craftsmanship and the disease-repellent qualities of silver, was quite remarkable.


    The manager waved his hand,


    "Take this basic weapon crafted by the organization¡¯s artisans, along with a specially made long-lasting kerosene lamp. The journey to the organization won¡¯t be smooth; a light source and a weapon are essential."


    "Thank you."


    With only a short time until dawn the next morning,


    Yi Chen bade farewell, returning to the cabin for rest.


    When the faint sunlight finally broke through layers of mist, squeezing through gaps in the leaves and illuminating the cemetery,


    the young man, with his kerosene lamp and hand axe secured at his waist, bowed deeply to Cemetery No. 7 and then set off...


    Correspondingly,


    at the entrance of Cemetery No. 7,


    the cemetery¡¯s manager, Wilbert, watched the young man¡¯s retreating figure through the structures and trees of the cemetery, his crow-like gaze piercing the distance, his lips twitching slightly.


    It seemed he felt an intense reluctance over a certain "item" that the young man had taken with him.


    It wasn¡¯t the high-quality crystal taken from a corpse,


    but rather the important product of the cemetery¡ªa small, fleshy lump stuck to Yi Chen''s shoulder.


    "I wonder if such a costly investment will be worth it. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ''Mature Consciousness Entity'' of the Nameless Cemetery hasn¡¯t appeared in over a hundred years, right?


    And now it coincides with the emergence of a potential individual capable of slaying living corpses and integrating crystals.


    A coincidence? Or some form of synchronicity?


    Forget it¡­ let''s treat it as a high-stakes gamble."


    Yesterday, during his conversation with Yi Chen, the manager had intentionally glossed over the ball of flesh, simply referring to it as a "pet" or "cemetery product."


    What Yi Chen didn¡¯t know was that


    the division of graves not only corresponded to differences in corpse forms, management rules, and tombstone types.


    There is also important significance in the sequence of numbers from 1 to 6.


    As the number increases, the time required to produce a corresponding "product" from the grave dramatically lengthens, and the complexity and danger of the corpses buried within also rise incrementally.


    In other words,


    the "Nameless Monstrosities" buried in Cemetery No. 6, with no names or known origins, are the most dangerous.

 Chapter 10

    The world, tainted by disease,


    Filled with bizarre entities and unusual powers,


    Alongside a mysterious organization waiting ahead,


    An endless unknown lies in wait to be explored.


    Due to his excitement, Yi Chen only slept four hours last night. Perhaps because he had acquired a "disease trait," he felt neither tired nor fatigued, his spirit and appearance in top form.


    As he stepped out of the cemetery gate,


    He expected fresh air, warm sunlight, and lively townsfolk bustling about.


    However,


    The street scene was hardly any better than the cemetery.


    A thick smell pervaded the air, a mix of crude oil, industrial waste, metal, and various byproducts, almost tangible in its intensity.


    Through rows of low, sharp-peaked town buildings, he could see several thick smokestacks belching out fumes.


    The sunlight was far from the brightness he had anticipated,


    As if veiled by layers of fine fabric. Sparse rays barely touched the ground, failing even to dispel the remnants of the dark dust from last night.


    In his line of sight, the number of townsfolk did not exceed the count of his fingers.


    They seemed unwilling to expose their bodies to the air, wrapping themselves fully in large pieces of fabric.


    Even their faces were covered by simple, homemade masks as they hunched over, breathing as close to the ground as possible.


    The entire town felt strange and cold,


    Even tinged with a hint of despair.


    "This world... is worse than I imagined."


    Just then, a cheerful scratching sound came from his shoulder.


    A furry black creature, resembling a small, black mass of flesh, seemed to have just woken up,


    Its mouth wide open, revealing black-and-white eyes that rubbed together like it was stretching after a nap.


    Two thin black hands waved back and forth in a gentle motion.


    "Finally, out of that cursed cemetery, this is great! Before we begin our adventure, let''s grab something to eat... it''s been ages since I last had a meal."


    "Sure, what do you want to eat?"


    "Grapes, loads of grapes..."


    When the black mass said "grapes," it pointed to its own eyes, and Yi Chen understood what it really meant by "grapes."


    Not finding it strange at all, he thought about his own world before, where people enjoyed eating foods like fish eyes or roasted pig eyes.


    "Alright, but let¡¯s first visit a clothing store."


    Currently, Yi Chen was only wearing a shabby, torn shirt,


    With holes in the sleeves and rips along the waist and pants.  Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With this body of "William Behrens," unbathed and unwashed for several days, he would be the lowest of the low even among the homeless.


    Walking down the town¡¯s relatively broad streets,


    With no one cleaning for ages, the gaps between cobblestones were filled with sunflower seed shells, dirty water, and decaying insect remains.


    Foot traffic had dwindled over the years, and many shops had long since closed.


    The few remaining shops barely survived and could shut down at any moment.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but doubt if there really would be a decent clothing store around.


    Just as he wondered,


    At the corner of an alleyway, a building distinct from the surrounding houses caught his eye.


    Primarily black and heavily Gothic in style, it stood tall and slender.


    In the narrow windows, figures seemed to be secretly watching the outside world.


    The overall appearance was refined and somber, resembling a noble¡¯s residence from a big city, clashing with this dilapidated town.


    The brass-framed plaque by the door read - [Maurice & Sad]


    Thanks to the enhanced vision provided by the small black creature, Yi Chen could see the high-end clothing inside through the window.


    ¡°This should be the high-end clothing store Mr. Wilbert mentioned,¡± he thought.


    "Such a store must cost a lot to run daily; it¡¯s hard to imagine the townsfolk affording anything here. Why would a shop like this even exist?"


    Carrying these doubts, Yi Chen made his way through the filthy street, under the gaze of the masked residents, and pushed open the clothing store¡¯s front door.


    Ding!


    The silver bell attached to the doorframe rang.


    A faint, elegant fragrance quickly filled his nostrils, drowning out the industrial stench lingering in his nose.


    This scent instantly transported Yi Chen out of the decaying town and into the refined, tranquil atmosphere of the clothing store.


    Various hand-held lamps were distributed across the store,


    On top of wardrobes,


    In wall corners,


    Or it could be displayed alone as a decorative piece on a stand, with lights intertwined, presenting a panoramic view of the clothing store to customers, while providing warmth and a sense of safety.


    A lady wearing an embellished hat, her face veiled in sheer fabric, and her long dress trailing on the floor, emerged from an inner room.


    Through the thin veil, the firelight outlined a face as beautiful as a painting.


    Yi Chen originally thought his shabby appearance would make the owner look down on him or even throw him out.


    However,


    the woman stopped in front of him,


    inhaling gently through the veil,


    catching the unique scent of the cemetery that clung to Yi Chen.


    ¡°It¡¯s rare¡­ it¡¯s been a long time since a living person managed to leave the cemetery. Was it Wilbert who sent you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Mr. Wilbert instructed me to come here and buy a well-fitting suit before boarding the carriage.¡±


    Yi Chen promptly took out a metallic business card from his pocket.


    ¡°Are you in a hurry to leave today?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll have to go with ''ready-to-wear''¡­ Once you pass the organization¡¯s evaluation, you can head over to the tailor shop for ''full customization''.¡±


    When the lady mentioned the term ¡°organization,¡± it became clear that both she and this clothing store must be connected to it. This also explained the financial backing behind it.


    ¡°I wonder if the money I have will be enough?¡±


    Yi Chen took out all the silver coins he¡¯d earned working at the cemetery, filling a small pouch.


    However,


    the lady didn¡¯t even glance at the scattered coins.


    Instead, she grabbed his wrist, her sharp nails almost piercing his skin.


    With that simple contact,


    the lady measured his body and extracted some information from his body.


    ¡°No wonder you managed to walk out of the cemetery alive and even received Wilbert¡¯s card along with cemetery artifacts. It turns out you willingly accepted the [Pathogenesis]. Fascinating.¡±


    With that, the lady withdrew her hand, taking nearly half of the coins from his pouch.


    ¡°I happen to have a ready-made outfit in your size.


    But before you try it on, you¡¯ll need to ¡®purify¡¯ your body, washing away the dust of the deceased from the cemetery.¡±


    Under the lady¡¯s guidance, they arrived at the store¡¯s bathroom.


    After cleaning up,


    she personally shaved and groomed him.


    With his appearance fully tended to, Yi Chen could finally examine himself in the dressing mirror.


    Under the neatly trimmed black hair, his face wasn¡¯t much different from his original appearance¡ªonly now enhanced with some Western features, like a higher nose bridge and deeper-set eyes.


    Looking closely, he bore a slight resemblance to a young Keanu Reeves¡­ though the details were a bit off, the overall look was quite good.


    ¡®I really do share a lot in common with the original owner of this body¡­ maybe it has something to do with the transmigration.¡¯


    Next came the outfit fitting.


    A white shirt,


    a small vest with dark green stripes,


    black pants with a bit of stretch,


    and a black trench coat that covered his entire body, including his face, giving him a gloomy aura.


    After lacing up the black Oxford shoes,


    the lady tied a black tie for him,


    and when he saw his new image in the mirror, Yi Chen felt a renewed sense of vigor.

 Chapter 11

    Yi Chen had never worn such elegant and refined clothing before. Though it was ready-made, it fit over 90% of his body perfectly, allowing full freedom of movement, and the fabric against his skin was remarkably comfortable.


    However, the lady boss, whose face was veiled by thin gauze, seemed somewhat displeased.


    ¡°It''s a pity you''re not yet a member of the organization, and time is short. Otherwise, at least I could''ve prepared a more fitted and functional garment for you... For now, wear this temporary ''casual attire'' and hope it doesn¡¯t impact the organization¡¯s impression of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already very satisfied.¡±


    ¡°When you pass the organization''s test, you¡¯ll receive a free [Full Customization] opportunity. At that time, you may choose any tailor shop under the organization to create a bespoke piece for you. Then, you will truly understand the importance of attire.


    ¡°Remember, a perfect piece of clothing can ¡®stimulate¡¯ your spirit, crafting a style that is uniquely yours. Wrap your body in rare, ancient fabrics, deciding what version of yourself to present to the world¡ªand, indeed, determining whether you can survive within it.


    ¡°Invest a lot of energy in perfecting your attire and pursuing excellence.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Yi Chen pulled out a complimentary mechanical watch from his pocket and noticed it was almost noon, with only half an hour left until the carriage''s departure. After a quick farewell to the lady boss, he rushed toward the town entrance.


    Though he was in a hurry, Yi Chen still spared some time to stop by a butcher''s shop along the way, purchasing all the pig and cow eyes they had¡ªthirteen in total.


    Without any preparation, he handed these so-called ¡°grapes¡± to the black meatball. It swallowed each one whole, savoring the burst of juices in its mouth before chewing carefully, its black fur rippling with pleasure as it ate.


    It was only satisfied after consuming five. The remaining ¡°grapes¡± were swallowed whole, stored within its body to keep fresh until needed.


    Yi Chen asked curiously, ¡°Do you only eat these?¡±


    ¡°Grapes are my staple; the nutrients in their juice are essential for my body. I can eat other food, of course, but it¡¯s not as important.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to have a name.¡±


    ¡°Correct. I¡¯m pieced together, fermented, and assembled from incomplete body parts in Cemetery No. 6. Those corpses didn¡¯t have names, so I don¡¯t have anything like a [name] either.¡±


    ¡°In that case, why not call you [Little Grape]?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    The meatball wiggled its arms like waves, clearly pleased with its new name.


    Rushing to make the last five minutes, Yi Chen finally arrived at the town entrance. Two sturdy brown horses were hitched to a large wooden carriage that could hold at least eight people.


    It¡¯s worth noting that the horses wore special breathing masks and were covered in layered fabric, with only their hooves exposed.


    As departure time approached, the carriage was already crowded with masked townsfolk, bundled up and carrying large bags as they prepared to leave Easton Town. Yi Chen stepped up to the white-haired driver and discreetly showed him a cemetery business card.


    Unexpectedly, the elderly driver, who looked frail, turned a piercing gaze on Yi Chen, sizing him up like an eagle. He opened his mouth, releasing smoke and words together, ¡°You¡¯ll sit at the very back. It¡¯s a long journey¡­¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Upon stepping into the carriage, whether due to his elegant attire or the presence of Little Grape on his shoulder, the townsfolk squeezed themselves against each other to clear a path, some even trembling slightly in fear as they made space for him.


    As the carriage started moving, its wooden wheels, though wrapped in thick rubber rings, still caused varying degrees of jostling.


    Having slept too little the night before, Yi Chen quickly felt drowsy from the monotony of the ride. Resting his head against the wooden frame, he drifted into a dream amid the bumps and sways.


    It was unclear how much time passed, but a stir in the carriage woke Yi Chen. Instinctively, he glanced at his watch.


    ¡°Already slept over three hours?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A portion of the passengers had already left, likely disembarking along the way, leaving enough space for him to stretch his legs and move around a bit.


    However, those who remained seemed restless, and their eyes reflected an unmistakable fear of death.


    They took more cloth from their luggage to wrap around their bodies, even winding it like mummies until they were completely covered.


    Just as Yi Chen started feeling suspicious,


    the coachman¡¯s voice came from the front:


    "We are about to enter the [Gray Zone]. Everyone, reduce breathing and unnecessary body movement as much as possible, clear your mind... If any symptoms appear, regardless of severity, it will be treated as ''infection.''"


    With those words, the coachman outside spread a thick black cloth over the carriage, sealing it off.


    Darkness fell, with only the kerosene lamp at Yi Chen¡¯s waist illuminating the carriage.


    [Gray Zone]


    Another unfamiliar term. Based on the coachman¡¯s words, it seemed to be a special area affected by an infection.


    At this moment, Little Grape¡¯s voice came through:


    "With me here, plus the decent-quality [Pathogen Essence] you¡¯ve absorbed, such a common Gray Zone doesn¡¯t pose much threat to you.


    "The only thing to watch out for is the other people in the carriage. If you notice anything unusual about them, act as quickly as possible."


    "Got it," Yi Chen replied.


    He was curious to see what the so-called [Gray Zone] looked like, but since the carriage was sealed, he could only focus on the inside.


    As they traveled through the Gray Zone, apart from the bumps, the carriage was silent. The passengers sat like wooden statues, with some even adopting prayer or kneeling positions.


    An hour passed,


    two hours,


    yet there was still no word from the coachman, and no one knew if they had crossed the Gray Zone.


    Then, an elderly woman wrapped in deep red cloth began to show faint signs of twitching.


    Because they had been in a bumpy state for so long, her odd behavior went unnoticed by the other passengers.


    However, Yi Chen had already moved his right hand to the handle of the axe at his waist.


    Seconds later, the elderly woman leaned forward, making a retching motion.


    Hiss... Black smoke rose.


    The mask and fabric on her face corroded entirely from her vomit, revealing a ghastly mouth with torn corners and no lips left, her tongue turning into a tube that leaked corrosive black liquid.


    Swish!


    Yi Chen immediately swung his silver axe.


    Just as the blade was about to cut into her neck, suddenly, a tiny bullet, the size of a grain of rice, shot from the front of the carriage, hitting the back of the elderly woman''s neck with pinpoint accuracy, shattering the ¡°Pathogenic Abscess¡± hidden within her throat.


    Almost no blood spilled, and the elderly woman collapsed to the floor, motionless.


    Then, an extremely stern shout came from the coachman at the front of the carriage:


    "Do you want to cut her neck and let her arterial fluids spray, spreading remnants of the pathogen to infect everyone here?"


    "My apologies."


    After Yi Chen apologized, the coachman¡¯s voice returned to normal.


    "However¡­ your only weapon seems to be that axe.


    "In terms of reaction speed, it''s not bad.


    "Now, do me a favor. See the burlap sack under the seat? Pack up this corpse and stash it in the compartment below the floor."


    "Understood."


    Perhaps due to his experience as a gravekeeper, Yichen was adept at handling corpses, quickly packing the body and stashing it into a hidden floor compartment.


    Thud!


    The body slid out through a chute at the bottom of the carriage, left to dry up and disintegrate in the Gray Zone or to become food.


    Another hour passed.


    Finally, the carriage emerged from the so-called [Gray Zone].


    The surviving passengers began laughing and chatting about their hopes for a new life, and they got off at different stops.


    Yi Chen, the last passenger, disembarked at the final stop.


    "You''ve arrived¡­ Prepare for the organization¡¯s assessment. Hope you survive it."

 Chapter 12

    After over six hours of traveling, the time had reached dusk.


    When Yi Chen stepped off the carriage with a sense of excitement, he didn¡¯t see any organizational emblems or grand buildings. Instead, a small town lay before him. About two hundred meters back along the road stood a large billboard:


    "Welcome to Green Lake Town (Green-Lake)"


    This town, preserved in a medieval style, had a lively and vibrant feel.


    Most of the buildings were constructed with slightly yellowed white bricks, complemented by brown and red rooftops. Perhaps because there were no factories in town, the air was fresh, and the sunlight more abundant, allowing one to feel the last warmth of the setting sun.


    With its spacious streets, neatly lined trees, wide expanses of grassy lawns, and the large lake nearby, Green Lake Town exuded a peaceful, natural charm. It was a place removed from industrial cities¡ªa spot where one could return to nature.


    Seeing such a lively town, Yi Chen felt a slight stirring within, as if his body resonated with the surrounding plant life, and his physiological needs suddenly surged.


    ¡°Just a moment¡­¡±


    Quickly, he ducked into a small wooded area by the road. As he unfastened his belt, a flood of relief swept through his lower body.


    After relieving himself, he realized he hadn¡¯t eaten in a while. His gaze was drawn to the lush greenery around him, and he began to salivate.


    Finally, unable to resist, he confirmed there was no contamination, then bit into the tree bark, tearing off some leaves and grass to eat. The plants quickly converted to nourishment within his body, revitalizing him.


    The entire process took less than five minutes, and Yi Chen was fully refreshed as he rejoined the carriage.


    In his field of vision, he saw various carriages arriving in town, each carrying people who appeared to be under thirty, well-dressed and elegant, each with their own distinct style.


    Yi Chen turned to the driver. ¡°Are all these people here to join the organization?¡±


    ¡°Every month, people come from various places to take the organization¡¯s assessment. Some are from notable families with past members in the organization, some are from specialized training groups created to supply talent, and a rare few, like you, are common folk scouted by external members and brought here for evaluation.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°This town is just a temporary stopover. ''In three days'', members from the organization will arrive to escort you all to the ''headquarters''. You¡¯ll have to stay here until then.¡±


    The driver shared this information before promptly departing with the carriage.


    ¡°So, I need to wait here for three days? Maybe they¡¯re gathering enough candidates to take us all at once?¡±


    Yi Chen felt the silver coins in his pocket as he strode toward Green Lake Town.


    As he neared the first building in town, he caught sight of three young people walking toward him.


    The blond youth leading the group removed his hat, placing it against his chest.


    ¡°Hi, friend! I¡¯m Edmund from the Mariano family. Would you like to join our team? We can look out for each other during the upcoming assessment, and I even have some secret information on the assessment that I¡¯d be willing to share.¡±


    Behind Edmund stood a tall, elegant woman with a feathered hat and a burly Nordic man, nearly two meters tall, carrying a large sword.


    Yi Chen noticed their main focus was on the ¡°Little Grape¡± on his shoulder rather than him.


    For Yi Chen, who had recently arrived here, joining a team would indeed provide access to useful information, but he was also aware of the potential risks.


    As he hesitated, he heard a voice from ¡°Little Grape¡± in his mind:


    "I''m not too fond of teaming up with strangers. The two of us are enough... no need to mix with them."


    This suggestion led Yi Chen to make his decision immediately. With a slight bow, he turned and walked away, not even giving his name.


    As Yi Chen¡¯s silhouette faded into the town, Edmund looked embarrassed. ¡°Uh? Was I not gentlemanly enough? Or did I say something wrong? He just walked away without even looking back¡­ Or maybe he¡¯s so skilled that he has no need for us.¡±


    The woman behind Edmund brushed her finger, with its black-painted nail, lightly over her nose and said softly:


    ¡°He carries a lingering scent of ¡®the deceased¡¯ that¡¯s hard to remove and dresses in a style leaning toward the dark side... This young man likely hails from the organization¡¯s ''Cemetery'' division.


    What¡¯s on his shoulder is likely a product of the Cemetery as well. It could even be a rare type of undead, so it¡¯s only natural he wouldn¡¯t accept the invitation. In fact, staying near him could risk ending up as corpses ourselves.¡±


    Edmund spread his hands, ¡°Ah, what a shame~ Still, since we¡¯re in the same assessment, we might run into him again later. I¡¯d love to see the Cemetery¡¯s capabilities.¡±


    ¡­


    In Green Lake Town,


    Yi Chen walked along the spacious main street, noticing that the town residents, though wearing masks, didn¡¯t seem lifeless. Many of the residents were outside, greeting each other warmly, and they even gave Yi Chen, the newcomer, a slight nod of friendliness.


    However, despite this pleasant town, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t find a sense of peace. As he walked further into the town, an increasing restlessness welled up within him.


    When that unease reached a peak, Yi Chen abruptly turned his head.


    Before his eyes was a two-story building that exuded a sense of age, retaining a medieval style.


    The wooden sign hanging by metal brackets at the front door was heavily weathered by rain, but the words on it were barely legible:


    ¡°Green Shade Inn¡±


    Intuition told him this inn was important.


    Perhaps there was something here,


    perhaps something related to the town¡¯s secrets.


    ¡°Green Lake Town feels nothing like it looks from the outside¡­ The longer I walk the streets, the more unsettling it becomes. I¡¯d even prefer patrolling in a cemetery.


    This town doesn¡¯t seem right, and this inn stands out even more.


    Could it be¡­ that the test has already begun?


    Little Grape, can you hide yourself for now?¡±


    At Yi Chen¡¯s request, Little Grape rolled down his collar, burrowing into his clothes until most of his small, round body was hidden beneath his skin.


    Resolutely, he stepped into the inn.


    The door chime sounded as he pushed it open.


    A strong incense scent wafted over him.


    His black leather shoes creaked on the wooden floorboards of the inn.


    The windows along the hallway were all boarded up with signs reading ¡°Under Repair.¡±


    Uneven white candles burned weakly in the hall, taking the place of sunlight.


    A man nearing thirty stood behind the counter, examining a stuffed fish specimen.


    His puffy, sagging eye bags squeezed his dull, small eyes as he glanced briefly at the young man entering, then quickly looked away.


    He held a nearly empty brown bottle of alcohol, and only when Yi Chen approached the counter did he turn slowly.


    From a mouth full of yellowed teeth, he forced out some slurred words in the local dialect:


    ¡°Need a room?¡±


    Accompanied by a unique stench¡ª


    like a mouse had crawled into a stomach, drank itself drunk, and drowned inside.


    ¡°Are there any rooms left?¡±


    ¡°There are rooms everywhere, just many haven¡¯t been cleaned¡­ One silver coin a night. If you¡¯re staying, pick a key yourself.¡±


    The innkeeper put down his bottle, tossing a rusty key ring onto the counter.


    [Room 0206]


    Yi Chen set down a silver coin and deliberately chose a key to a second-floor guest room.


    This allowed him access to the inn¡¯s second floor to investigate further,


    and also granted a decent high-up view to observe the town¡¯s conditions during the day.


    He climbed the loose stairs to the second floor,


    passing by a stack of moldy mattresses in the stairway¡¯s corner, forcing him to squeeze sideways to get by.


    The hallway¡¯s wallpaper was peeling in large patches, damp and moldy.


    Naturally, such an inn was devoid of guests.


    Yi Chen was likely the only guest this month.


    Creak, creak¡­


    As he stepped on the groaning floorboards and arrived at the room door,


    a sense of unease drew Yi Chen¡¯s gaze toward the far end of the second-floor hallway.


    ¡°What is that¡­?¡±


    At the far end to the right, a wooden door labeled [Room 0213] had a total of seven different locks hanging from it.


    Several black mold spots, each the size of a pancake, dotted the wooden door, as if it were diseased.


    As Yi Chen stared intently,


    a faint flicker of light caught the corner of his eye.


    Turning his head,


    a pale face suddenly appeared right in front of him.


    Startled, Yi Chen instinctively reached toward his waist, prepared to draw his cemetery silver axe.


    However,


    the figure turned out to be the innkeeper.


    The candlelight made his already gaunt face appear even paler.


    ¡°Oh, right¡­ I forgot to tell you.¡±


    ¡°I have a gravely ill sister staying in the room at the end. Don¡¯t go near her; she¡¯s afraid of strangers.¡±


    With that,


    the innkeeper turned, hunched over, and made his way downstairs.


    His frail body moved so lightly that he didn¡¯t make a sound on the floor.


    Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 13

    Several kilometers away from Green Lake Town, atop a small mountain, a group of well-dressed "gentlemen" observed the happenings in the town using various methods.


    One of them, a middle-aged man with a noticeable paunch and a receding hairline, quietly remarked:


    "This month''s assessment seems to involve several prominent families. Holding it in ''Green Lake Town'' might be too harsh... If the risk is too high, we could lose some high-quality talent."


    At that moment, an elderly man with white hair, hands clasped behind his back, and a perched owl on his shoulder, responded:


    "I would rather raise the selection bar than invest resources in those who cannot handle crisis situations. The town''s population is nearing its limit. The supply of ''skins'' has been decreasing for months now. If this continues, it will be challenging for the organization to maintain the gentlemen''s training, and our internal balance will be disrupted.


    "If you are dissatisfied with this, Professor Sman, you are welcome to raise it with the higher-ups."


    The portly Professor Sman quickly raised his hand in apology.


    "Professor Chamberlain, I¡¯m just making an objective observation. I have no objections to your choice of location for the assessment. If any threats beyond the scope of the assessment arise, I hope everyone present will act promptly to subdue them."


    "Naturally."


    At this moment, the white-haired elder noticed a peculiar young man who chose to walk alone down the town''s streets, rather than join a group.


    His dark attire and the fleshy growth on his shoulder stood out.


    "Professor Sman, this young man doesn¡¯t seem to be listed on the assessment roster. And he bears no obvious insignia of a family or school."


    Professor Sman, who was in charge of personnel, followed the elder''s gaze toward Yi Chen.


    "Oh! Indeed, an unfamiliar face. This must be a last-minute addition to today''s assessment. His sponsor is Wilbert Astorga, the head of the ''Seven Day Cemetery'', who sent a letter via a raven from the cemetery, requesting his participation in this month¡¯s assessment." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Chamberlain heard this name, he seemed to drift into a recollection.


    "Wilbert... that guy was a loner during his training, with hardly any friends and always keeping to himself. Eventually, he earned the right to establish a cemetery of his own and live in seclusion. I¡¯m surprised someone like him would recommend talent to the organization."


    As the two chatted, the other gentlemen also noticed the lone young man. He had chosen to stay at a suspicious-looking inn.


    "A place without ''skins'' for decoration, and merely relying on ordinary senses, he''s already picking up the town''s abnormalities and moving toward danger? This young man is interesting."


    As the temporary supervisor of this assessment, Chamberlain had only planned to fulfill his duty here. However, this young man from the cemetery piqued his interest.


    ---


    Green Shade Inn


    Yi Chen held an aluminum key, marked with ''#0206'', and aligned it with the scratched and dented keyhole. The lock mechanism clicked into place, and the door creaked open.


    A diamond-patterned carpet covered the floor, with dust deeply embedded in its fibers, giving the room a barely passable level of cleanliness.


    In the somewhat cramped room, there was a wooden bed about 1.5 meters wide. The dark bedspread seemed to cover stains left by the previous occupant.


    The vertical glass window was plastered with newspapers bearing the headline ''Green Lake Town'', blocking out the sunlight.


    On the wooden coat rack by the window hung a piece of clothing, as if the previous guest had left in a hurry, forgetting to take it¡­ or perhaps, never having left at all.


    Drip, drip...


    A constant dripping sound came from the bathroom on the right side of the entrance. After checking, he found that the showerhead was leaking, leaving a damp and cold layer of water across the bathroom floor.


    "Phew... time to take a break."


    Unfazed, Yi Chen sat on the edge of the soft bed, picking up the ''Green Lake Town Flyer'' from the nightstand.


    A map of Green Lake Town was drawn above.


    The entire town was built around a lake, shaped like an inverted "L."


    The bustling town center was located at the intersection of the streets.


    On the back of the flyer were some perks for visiting tourists.


    1. Green Lake Town offers free boat rides from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM daily, available to all visitors.


    ? Each visitor can only ride the boat once per day.


    ? This service is not available at night. If you receive an invitation for a boat ride at night, immediately decline and report it to the Town Security Office.


    2. Every day, Green Lake Town offers tourists "natural green water" sourced from the lake¡¯s deep springs, which purifies the body of impurities and enhances physical health.


    ? Green Lake is the heart of the town, so avoid wasting this resource. Once you receive the green water, you must drink it entirely.


    ? Only staff in green uniforms are authorized to serve the green water. If anyone else offers it, be sure to refuse.


    3. Green Lake Town hosts a bonfire party every evening in the town square, providing free, delicious local food.


    ? All participants or passersby must wear masks.


    ? During the event, if you notice anyone not wearing a mask, distance yourself and report it to the Security Office.


    ? The party is held exclusively within the town center and nowhere else.


    Yi Chen stared intently at the words on the flyer, murmuring to himself:


    "These rules are somewhat like those in the cemetery employee handbook¡ªguidelines, in a way. Breaking them could lead to rather frightening consequences.


    Is it common in this world to have these sorts of rules?


    Moreover, the flyer¡¯s ''rules'' only seem to apply broadly to the surface of the town.


    It doesn¡¯t mention specific details about places like this inn I¡¯m staying in¡­¡±


    At that moment, Yi Chen felt a squirming sensation.


    A furry black ball crawled out from his sleeve and settled firmly on the bed.


    It opened its toothy mouth, letting out a strange sound.


    "Rules are created by you humans to minimize and avoid disease, as well as mitigate danger.


    Pathogens hidden in this world can spread through any channel, in any form,


    and may even take physical shape, influencing and invading individuals through certain interactions.


    Following certain rules can reduce the likelihood of infection and lower the chance of dangerous incidents.


    But it¡¯s only a reduction, not an absolute prevention.


    To truly eliminate danger, stronger measures are needed.


    That¡¯s about it¡­


    After all, my memories come from Grave No. 6 in the cemetery, pieced together from fragments, so I don¡¯t know much."


    "Who discovered these rules?"


    "It was probably a human prophet or some gentleman with foresight, but I¡¯m not too sure."


    "Well, that¡¯s a discussion for later. Let¡¯s first focus on investigating this inn.


    Try to find out what kind of infection problems exist in the town."


    At this point,


    Little Grape¡¯s eye rolled to its teeth, and it spoke excitedly,


    "Hmm¡­I can sense a severe infection here in this inn, and deep within this town, a greater threat likely lurks¡­maybe even a big grape to feast on~ Be careful now, and try not to die."

 Chapter 14

    As it was already evening, the free boat rides had ended, meaning they would have to wait until tomorrow. The sun, obscured by light mist, dipped below the hill, and nightfall descended.


    Yi Chen walked to the window, tearing away the newspapers covering it with a rustle. Gazing down the street toward the town center, he could clearly see the glow of a giant bonfire.


    Both local residents and tourists wore masks and made their way to the bonfire celebration, bustling through the crowd, each holding candles or kerosene lamps. As night descended, the entire town of Green Lake was illuminated.


    Among them was a group that had invited Yi Chen to join their team. They wore masks of various styles and concealed weapons.


    "It seems most of the people here for the assessment are attending tonight''s bonfire... Little Grape, let¡¯s go take a look; maybe we¡¯ll uncover more information."


    "Let¡¯s go! Maybe there¡¯ll be some delicious grapes there."


    Before setting out, Little Grape instinctively nestled inside Yi Chen, ready to emerge when needed.


    But as Yi Chen stepped out the door, he happened to pass the innkeeper, who looked exhausted and worn.


    Notably, the innkeeper held a plate with a dish of "raw fish," seemingly meant for a room at the end of the hallway.


    The so-called raw fish was simply a whole, untreated dead fish on a plate, decayed and reeking.


    Their eyes met. The innkeeper held the plate in one hand, pressing his finger to his lips with the other. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he whispered:


    "This town has long violated the ¡®rules¡¯; it''s rotten to the core. If you want to survive, stay in your room tonight. Don¡¯t join the bonfire cloaked in glamorous illusions.


    Leave quietly at dawn tomorrow..."


    Yi Chen frowned slightly at these words. It was clear the innkeeper knew something about the town¡¯s secrets.


    Lowering his voice, Yi Chen replied quietly:


    "I need to stay in Green Lake for three days due to a special reason."


    "Three days... very few visitors can last that long and leave here normally. Even if you stay at my inn and don''t step out... there¡¯ll still be trouble.


    Just tonight¡¯s bonfire alone can bind many outsiders to this town forever.


    Judging by your attire, you¡¯re here to investigate, aren¡¯t you?"


    "You could say that."


    "If you¡¯re truly here to investigate, take a stroll by the lake tonight; you might discover something.


    Remember.


    Don''t participate in any activities hosted by this town. Don¡¯t drink any local water... Every interaction with Green Lake will only strengthen your ¡®bond¡¯ with it." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you."


    The innkeeper said no more, heading silently down the hallway to leave the plate at his sister¡¯s door.


    Not even a sound came from the plate as it touched the ground.


    Yi Chen realized that the innkeeper''s silent movements weren¡¯t strange after all.


    There were two reasons for it:


    Firstly, he had grown up in the inn, stepping on each floorboard thousands of times, knowing exactly where not to make noise.


    Secondly, out of care for his sister, he created a quiet environment to avoid disturbing her as much as possible.


    ''Since I¡¯ll be here for three days, there¡¯s plenty of time to talk to the innkeeper¡­ No need to rush into questions about his sister or the town¡¯s affairs. Following his suggestion, let''s go take a look by the lake.''


    ...


    Shortly after Yi Chen left, a noise came from the locked room at the end of the second floor.


    Click!


    The bottom of the locked door opened, revealing a small compartment just big enough for a head.


    From inside, a foul-smelling liquid trickled out~


    Then, a scaly hand suddenly reached out, grabbing the dead fish from the plate.


    Crunch, crunch~


    Strange sounds of gnawing emerged from behind the door.


    ...


    [By the Green Lake]


    Due to the disease-ridden mist blanketing the sky,


    the light from the moon and stars is entirely blocked out.


    The sun¡¯s descent feels like drawing a curtain across the world, plunging it into darkness.


    With the bonfire party in full swing, around 90% of the town¡¯s residents are gathered there,


    leaving the lakefront eerily quiet and shrouded in darkness.


    Yi Chen wraps himself tightly in a black coat, pulling the hood over his face,


    walking on gravel and damp soil.


    His kerosene lamp serves as his only light source,


    and the small grape hidden in his sleeve peeks ahead cautiously.


    For over ten minutes, he encounters no one by the lake,


    the fog hovering over the lake''s surface obscuring any attempt to peer into Green Lake. Even with enhanced vision, Yi Chen is similarly hindered.


    Moreover, every ten meters along the shore stands a warning sign:


    [No Swimming]


    [No Unauthorized Water Retrieval]


    [No Contact with Green Lake in Any Form]


    ¡°The lake is quite large¡­¡± Yi Chen murmurs as he takes it all in.


    Suddenly, a small boat emerges from the fog, approaching his location.


    A man in a blue work uniform stands on the boat¡¯s edge, waving with a smile.


    ¡°Free boat rides are available right now. Would you like a tour of Green Lake?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    Yi Chen waves his hand in refusal and turns away without a second glance.


    As he distances himself from the boat,


    the little grape sneaks to the back of his neck, peeking out to monitor the situation behind.


    The worker who had been rejected does not follow,


    but instead stands with an exaggerated, unnatural grin, eyes wide as if about to pop out, unblinking.


    The unsettling sight makes Yi Chen quicken his pace, relaxing only when he¡¯s fully out of view.


    ¡°There''s even a night tour boat. This town really has its issues... better check the lake water.¡±


    Confirming no other boats are nearby,


    Yi Chen steps close to the shore and extends his right hand toward the lake¡¯s tranquil waters.


    Just as his fingers are about to touch, they halt.


    Crack, crack...


    The skin at his fingertip splits vertically, revealing a slender root with the scent of a cemetery.


    This is the "pathogenic characteristic" trait Yi Chen acquired, something he experimented with during long carriage rides.


    Though he can''t fully utilize roots as limbs or pierce like a spear, he has mastered basic growth.


    The root touching the lake water grows more robust,


    but the water it absorbs doesn¡¯t enter his body¡¯s circulation, merely storing within the root¡¯s segment.


    After collecting the "lake water sample,"


    Yi Chen activates his ¡°pathogenic characteristic¡± further, causing the root at his fingertip to continue growing, attempting to reach deeper into the lake.


    Five meters,


    Ten meters,


    as he nears the growth limit, a soft sensation touches the root¡¯s tip, as if encountering something alive.


    At the same moment, a burst of firelight appears behind him, accompanied by a stern inquiry.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Yi Chen retracts the root quickly, turning as if nothing happened.


    A middle-aged man in a sheriff-like uniform approaches.


    Feigning innocence, Yi Chen explains,


    ¡°I just arrived at Green Lake Town today. It felt dull in the inn, so I came out for a walk. I¡¯m not a fan of crowds, so I didn¡¯t join the bonfire party.¡±


    The man remains silent, showing his officer badge and proceeding to search Yi Chen.


    After a thorough pat-down, no evidence of water collection or contact with the lake is found.


    Thinking the situation resolved,


    Yi Chen relaxes, only for the sheriff to place a hand on his shoulder and shove him abruptly.


    The sudden force catches most people off guard, but¡­


    Yi Chen had sensed something was wrong from the start,


    remaining highly alert. As he leans back, he grabs the sheriff¡¯s collar, using the momentum to throw him into the lake.


    In that instant, Yi Chen feels his muscle fibers and plant vascular bundles working together, sending the man flying.


    At the same time, a root shoots from his hand, anchoring him to the shore for stability.


    Splash!


    A huge splash erupts four meters away,


    and the sheriff, as if under some unseen constraint, does not struggle, sinking rapidly.


    Steadying himself, Yi Chen, pretending nothing happened, quickly makes his way back to the inn.

 Chapter 15

    Ding! The doorbell rang.


    The shop owner, who was fiddling with a dead fish specimen, looked up at the young man entering. A hint of surprise flickered in his dull eyes, as though he hadn¡¯t expected Yi Chen to return "unscathed," yet a slight smile curved at the corners of his mouth.


    "You seem to have discovered something by the lakeside."


    "I ran into a little trouble, but it¡¯s taken care of."


    "Hmm..."


    The owner buried his head back into the specimen, asking no further questions.


    Click¡ªthe guest room door closed and locked behind him.


    Yi Chen took a glass from the bathroom, pouring the lake water preserved in the roots into it. As he squeezed water from the roots, he recalled the spine-chilling encounter by the lake.


    "That sheriff..."


    Though Yi Chen had turned the tables with ease, his eyes caught a disturbing scene that made his skin crawl.


    When he grabbed the sheriff by the collar, scales, fleshy and slimy, emerged from the sheriff¡¯s chest, secreting mucus everywhere¡ªeven Yi Chen¡¯s fingers had some residue.


    This image triggered a visceral sense of revulsion.


    "Scaly skin, a symptom of mutation?"


    Just then, Little Grape popped out from his collar, jumping in with a bit of information.


    "The ¡®variety¡¯ in mutation symptoms is beyond imagination. This scaly kind of mutation is fairly common in seas, rivers, and large lake regions like this one."


    "Don¡¯t worry. The plant within you forms a protective layer; mere skin contact won¡¯t infect you. But if you get a cut, it¡¯s risky¡­ remember to use an axe next time."


    "Understood."


    Setting aside thoughts about the sheriff, Yi Chen picked up the glass of lake water and placed it before the kerosene lamp.


    [Enhanced Vision]


    Like a high-resolution scanner, his eyes examined the water quality. The magnified images revealed terrifying details invisible to the average eye.


    "Is this¡­ some kind of parasite?"


    Countless parasites floated in the water, in massive numbers. And just ten seconds after pouring the lake water into the glass, these parasites began laying eggs along the cup¡¯s walls.


    The transparent eggs refracted a faint green glow; perhaps this was the origin of Green Lake¡¯s name.


    "Could this be why the owner advised against ¡®interacting¡¯ with the town? Yet, the plants inside and outside the town appear unaffected, showing no signs of mutation."


    "Even the roots I used to store lake water remain unaffected¡­ meaning these parasites have no effect on ¡®plants.¡¯ I¡¯ll have to make good use of that."


    As Yi Chen murmured his analysis, Little Grape suddenly leapt from his shoulder, holding up the glass with weak, soft black arms.


    Gulp, gulp¡ªa big swig.


    The sight gave Yi Chen a shock. "What are you doing?!"


    Little Grape gently shook its three-fingered arm, signaling him not to worry.


    "Direct observation always has limitations. Consuming it lets the body sense things more directly and in greater detail. Relax~ I¡¯m a mutated being myself; this stuff won¡¯t infect me."


    "Did you gain any useful information?"


    "Mm-hmm~ These little things that rely on water sources are evidently controlled by some kind of [conscious entity]... the moment I swallowed them, they tried sending a signal. Unfortunately for them, my body isn¡¯t that easy to penetrate."


    "Shall we try tracking down the entity? We might just find a nice, big ¡®Grape.¡¯"


    "No rush; this needs to be taken slowly."


    "True¡­ given your current abilities and my still-immature state, even if we locate the ¡®entity¡¯, taking it down won¡¯t be easy. This will require some careful planning."


    "Tired now~ I¡¯m going to rest."


    Conversation over.


    Little Grape buried most of his body into Yi Chen''s shoulder, leaving only a small patch of black fur exposed.


    Not long after, the bonfire party at the town center also came to an end.


    Yi Chen leaned against the window, observing the tourists and residents on the street as they returned to their homes, without any major incidents... at least none visible on the surface.


    Thoughts swirled and intertwined in his mind. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "According to the innkeeper, reaching [three days] would be challenging.


    In other words, the longer the tourists stay, the stronger Green Lake Town¡¯s ¡®possession¡¯ desire becomes.


    By then, the examination participants are bound to clash on a large scale with the town''s forces tainted by disease.


    No need to rush.


    This town still harbors many potential dangers. Today, the only thing I need to do is get a good rest.¡±


    After confirming the house was securely closed, he fell onto his pillow and quickly fell asleep.


    ---


    Green Lake Town - Central Street


    With the bonfire party¡¯s conclusion, the entire street plunged into silence.


    Yet, faint sounds emerged from certain dark corners.


    Deep within one alley, the three-person team that previously tried to recruit Yi Chen was now engaged in "disease elimination."


    During the party, they accepted an invitation from a ¡°maskless person¡± to venture into the alley, where they were ambushed.


    Now.


    The blonde Edmund wore a murderous expression, his eyes bloodshot.


    In one hand, he held a short sword; in the other, a handgun bearing the Mariano family¡¯s feather insignia.


    Swish!


    The rapier was drawn, its blade still bearing remnants of pus.


    Before him lay a man with fish-scaled skin, the pathogen buried in his brain pierced by the short sword... Edmund hadn¡¯t even fired a single shot, dispatching the infected solely with his sword.


    Similarly, his two companions each killed another infected person.


    Nearby, a woman was wiping her silver dagger with a cloth, murmuring softly:


    "It seems this town is the key to passing the examination. To pass, we probably need to either find the root cause or contribute enough to ¡®eliminate the disease.¡¯


    Judging from the party, the mayor with the golden demon mask and the security bureau are highly suspicious."


    Blonde Edmund adjusted his clothing.


    "No rush... we still have over two days.


    Since we attended the party today, tomorrow we can experience the free lake tour and gather more intel before the final action.


    I¡¯m eager to earn the organization¡¯s [skin]."


    ---


    Apart from this team, other examination participants also discovered abnormalities, taking down or even capturing diseased townsfolk in different areas.


    News of numerous deaths spread throughout the town.


    The townsfolk holed up in their homes became increasingly agitated and irritable, scratching at the fish scales hidden under their clothing and even mimicking strikes at furniture.


    Meanwhile.


    There was also a disturbance in [Green Shade Inn], where Yi Chen resided.


    An arm covered in scales reached out from a hidden compartment under the door.


    Perhaps due to the mutations caused by disease, the arm¡¯s length and flexibility now surpassed human norms, extending close to two meters.


    With an unnatural twist of joints, it bent upward...


    Click!


    The locks on the door quietly fell one by one, their cuts smooth and covered with a slimy residue.


    What was more terrifying, however, was that each falling lock was caught securely before hitting the ground, emitting no sound.


    Creak...


    A door that hadn¡¯t opened in months slowly began to swing.


    A dark figure emerged from the top, with long, unkempt hair trailing down from the ceiling like a broom, softly brushing against the floor, producing a faint rustling...

 Chapter 16

    [Green Shade Inn]


    Due to years of neglect and lack of management, the entire inn has only one resident: Yi Chen.


    However, Yi Chen doesn¡¯t mind the dirt and disarray. He¡¯s stayed in worse places back in the orphanage... Even if the damp bedding carries a musty odor, it doesn¡¯t disrupt his sleep.


    Yet, his sleep on the first night was anything but smooth.


    It wasn¡¯t due to any issues with his own sleep but rather because of a faint noise outside. The plants within his body became active, stimulating his brain and pulling him out of deep sleep.


    Opening his eyes, he noticed small green sprouts appearing on his arm.


    "Are the plants in my body sensing danger?"


    Just then¡ª


    A soft scraping sound came from outside the door, clearly not from the innkeeper.


    ''I¡¯m the only guest staying in this entire inn.


    There are two possibilities for the source of that sound:


    either it''s the ''Sister'' confined in the end room, or an unexpected visitor from outside.''


    He briefly considered the incident of pushing the sheriff into the lake, thinking it might¡¯ve drawn trouble his way.


    But Yi Chen didn¡¯t move. Instead, he hid his silver axe under the bedding and continued pretending to sleep.


    Rushing out recklessly could lead to him being trapped in the inn. In contrast, his small, familiar guest room, with its window always accessible, was an advantage.


    The noise in the corridor was faint, but in the silence of the night, he could clearly make it out¡ªa sharp scraping sound against the wooden floor.


    Soon, the sound stopped in front of his door, replaced by a metallic click, as if someone were picking the lock.


    Click.


    The old lock was easily opened.


    A shadow with a feminine silhouette stood at the door. She slipped her slender fingers into her mouth, coated them in thick saliva from her tongue, and applied it to the rusty door hinges.


    The saliva dripped down, pooling onto the floor.


    Once the hinges were fully lubricated, she pushed the door open without a sound.


    As she stepped inside, the figure leaped and climbed the ceiling like a lizard¡­ The mucus coating her body seemed to enable her to cling effortlessly.


    In the blink of an eye, she had crawled from the door to the head of Yi Chen¡¯s bed, her black crystal-like eyes fixed on the stranger staying in the inn.


    Her long black hair hung beside his face, motionless.


    Perhaps it was a liking for his handsome face, or maybe she was just hungry¡­


    Drip. A droplet of saliva fell onto the blanket covering Yi Chen¡¯s neck.


    The staring lasted for five whole minutes.


    She seemed convinced the young man in bed was sound asleep.


    The shadow continued her descent, climbing down the wall and inching closer to the sleeping man.


    When only a meter remained between them, a tongue¡ªlonger than that of any normal human¡ªextended from her mouth, lightly licking the young man¡¯s face.


    At the same time, Yi Chen gripped his silver axe tightly, calming his mind.


    ''Wait! It¡¯s not the right moment yet.''


    He planned to strike the instant she moved closer or showed any sign of aggression, ready to open his eyes and sever her head in a single blow.


    After a few more licks, the shadow seemed inclined to continue her descent.


    Yi Chen¡¯s moment was almost upon him.


    The sudden sound of footsteps in leather shoes broke the tension, followed by the innkeeper¡¯s voice, lowered in an attempt at a scolding whisper.


    ¡°Kadacy, stop it!


    This is one of our rare guests. Don¡¯t disturb his rest¡­ Just live as you normally would unless instructed otherwise.


    If you¡¯re hungry, I¡¯ll bring you a fish later.¡±


    The scolding brought the shadow to a halt. She hesitated, then slowly began to retreat, like a child caught misbehaving, crawling back toward the door with her head bowed.


    Once his "sister" had fully left the room¡­


    The boss continued to stand at the doorway, staring intently at the sleeping Yi Chen, as if trying to confirm something. About a minute later, he gently closed the door.


    Click


    The sound of the door locking was audible. Yi Chen exhaled the breath he had been holding, his palm, gripping the axe handle, was soaked with sweat.


    ¡°What on earth is going on¡­¡±


    Just then, he felt an itch on the cheek that had been licked earlier. When he reached up to touch it, he found a few small, scaly patches starting to grow.


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t in a rush. He waited a while before quietly heading to the bathroom.


    In the mirror, tiny, shiny scales appeared on both sides of his cheeks, with signs they would continue growing and spreading.


    As Yi Chen pondered how to handle it, whether to forcibly remove the scales,


    small plant sprouts began growing from within his cheeks, pushing out the fish-like scales rooted in his skin, which subsequently fell off.


    ¡°Hm? Is the infected trait within me rejecting an external infection?¡±


    Just then, a small creature on his shoulder, Little Grape, poked its head out and commented on what had just happened in the room:


    ¡°Strange, huh? It just left without attacking you.


    With this type of ¡®parasitic disease,¡¯ it''s rare for it to have any ¡®self-awareness,¡¯ let alone for it to hold back with its target right in front of it¡­ it was able to suppress the urge to infect a living being.


    The brother and sister running this inn seem to be quite unique.


    Perhaps their ¡®grape¡¯ will taste rather good.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t say much, and after ensuring all the scales on his face had fallen off, he returned to bed.


    Reflecting on the events that had just occurred, he fell asleep once again.


    ¡­


    Knock knock knock!


    A knocking sound woke Yi Chen. By then, it was the next morning, with sunlight streaming through the window onto him.


    Dragging his weary mind, he opened the door.


    It was the innkeeper, holding a whole roasted fish. Despite its poor presentation, it emitted a rich, appetizing aroma. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This is your complimentary lunch.


    A reminder¡ªthe time is almost noon. If you¡¯re here for an investigation, you¡¯d better get to it.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Yi Chen accepted the meal, plucking out the fish¡¯s eyes to feed Little Grape first.


    ¡°This fish is ¡®clean,¡¯ safe to eat.¡±


    With Little Grape¡¯s assurance, he finally ate it without worry.


    After eating, he changed into a sharp-looking outfit. By then, it was afternoon.


    In the Green Lake area, there was a free boating event being offered to tourists.


    When Yi Chen arrived at the lakeshore, it was already packed with townsfolk and tourists.


    ¡°So lively¡­ seems like everyone is actively investigating the town¡¯s mysteries.¡±


    There was a long line at the boat rental point.


    Yi Chen could only wait at the end of the line.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded behind him,


    ¡°Oh dear, are we late? There¡¯s already such a crowd¡­ huh? What a coincidence!¡±


    Blonde-haired Edmund and his two teammates had arrived just then.


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Yi Chen responded briefly, without even turning around.


    Edmund didn¡¯t push further or make trouble. While they waited in line, he casually chatted with his companions.


    Another detail caught Yi Chen¡¯s attention.


    Edmund went up to some returning tourists from the lake, engaging them in small talk and shaking hands or patting shoulders in friendly contact.


    These casual gestures were, in fact, a way to check whether the tourists were infected, assessing the safety of the lake activity.


    When he returned to the line, he spoke in a low voice, loud enough for Yi Chen to overhear, ¡°The lake outing doesn¡¯t seem to be dangerous. Just enjoy yourself.¡±


    Coincidentally,


    The boat¡¯s capacity was four, and it was finally their turn.


    Yi Chen was forced to board a small pedal boat with the group. The boat was simply painted white.


    A man wearing a green work uniform, rubber boots, and a blank expression was on the boat¡ªdifferent from the one Yi Chen had seen the previous night.


    ¡°Before setting off, remember these four rules:


    1. Everyone must participate in pedaling the boat.


    2. If you hear any calls that aren¡¯t from people on the boat, do not respond.


    3. Absolutely do not touch the lake water.


    4. In the event of someone falling overboard, the boat will not perform any rescue and will immediately leave the area.¡±

 Chapter 17

    Even in daylight, the lake¡¯s surface was shrouded in a thick mist. Forget about seeing the opposite shore¡ªreaching the lake¡¯s center was impossible.


    The old-fashioned pedal boat was laborious to operate. With each turn of the axle, a harsh grinding noise echoed, and the pressure on one¡¯s legs felt like being mired in quicksand. As the boat gradually moved deeper into the lake, everyone felt the vastness of this green expanse¡ªlike a boundless maw that could engulf anyone daring to intrude.


    On the boat sat a large man with a sword strapped to his back and a woman wearing a feathered hat in the front, while Yi Chen and the blond Edmund sat side-by-side in the rear. The staff member sat facing them, his eyes fixed on their pedaling feet as though supervising slaves.


    ¡°Although previous riders didn¡¯t encounter any issues, this lake gives me a bad feeling. If something goes wrong, we may be forced to cooperate,¡± Edmund said. ¡°Let¡¯s do introductions again. I¡¯m Edmund, from the Mariano family.¡±


    He continued, patting the broad back of the large man in front, ¡°This is Dagobert, a fierce warrior from the North. His physique is partly due to his bloodline and partly due to the relentless cold that honed him¡­ a future gentleman of strength. And this lovely lady here is my friend from training grounds, Juliana.¡±


    ¡°William,¡± Yi Chen muttered, giving the name of his body¡¯s original owner before adding, ¡°By the way, I wouldn¡¯t recommend idle chatter here¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Introductions over, they refocused on the lake. Due to the risk of infection and boating rules, no one dared touch the lake water, observing only with their eyes.


    While Yi Chen stared at the lake¡¯s surface for a long time, he suddenly felt a chilling gaze from the lake¡¯s depths¡­ as if something terrifying lay below, watching him. Little Grape, sensing this, began drooling.


    ¡°There¡¯s something tasty down there!¡±


    As everyone kept a wary eye on the lake, ¡ªthe pedal boat suddenly stopped. It seemed the main paddle had been snagged by something.


    ¡°Seaweed? Or some debris?¡±


    Aware of the potential danger, Yi Chen didn¡¯t recklessly stick his head out to check but extended his right arm, sending Grape down his sleeve to observe under the boat.


    Through the relatively clear water, something disturbing came into view¡ªhair. Thick, black hair entangled the paddle, connected to a swollen corpse below.


    After Yi Chen relayed this, Edmund¡¯s team immediately grew alert, with one hand gripping a weapon. At that moment, the staff member, who had been staring blankly the entire time, instinctively resumed his duties. Donning elbow-length plastic gloves, he leaned over the boat¡¯s stern, starting to remove the tangled debris.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen and Edmund both grabbed hold of the young man¡¯s clothes from behind to prevent him from falling into the lake by accident. As the black hair was slowly pulled free, it seemed they were finally about to break free.


    Suddenly, the staff member¡¯s body froze as an unimaginable force yanked him downward.


    All that remained in Yi Chen and Edmund¡¯s hands were torn fabric scraps as the young man vanished into the lake with barely a trace.


    Edmund, his usual friendliness gone, snapped his fingers with a resolute gaze. Everyone assumed a defensive stance, warily scanning the surroundings.


    Yet, the lake¡¯s surface remained calm, with no terrifying entities emerging.


    Sweat dripped down Edmund¡¯s forehead as he muttered, a bit embarrassed, ¡°All the previous riders were fine, but something went wrong only with us¡­ Is it just coincidence, or has something in the lake taken a particular interest in one of us?¡±


    Yi Chen was instantly reminded of his lakeside stroll the previous night, when he¡¯d thrown the ¡®Sheriff¡¯ into the lake.


    However, Edmund soon confessed, ¡°The three of us killed a few diseased individuals from the town last night after the evening event. It might have angered something behind the scenes. I apologize for dragging you into this, William.¡±


    Yi Chen coldly replied, ¡°Focus on getting us out of this lake.¡±


    Between the oars, there was still a mass of black hair not fully removed. If the clearing continued, it was very likely someone would be pulled under.


    At this moment, Dagbert from the Northern lands stepped forward. The broad greatsword he wielded could serve as a makeshift oar, and he had rowing experience from his time living in the North.


    The greatsword plunged into the lake, rowing back and forth, propelling the boat swiftly¡ªtwice as fast as before.


    Notably, the black hair tangled on the oar, along with the corpse, was dragged along, creating a rather eerie scene.


    However, the danger was not over.


    The large ripples caused by the greatsword''s movement seemed to awaken something resting at the bottom of the lake. As the ripples spread, human-sized dark shapes faintly appeared beneath the water, undulating their soft, elongated bodies as they moved closer to the boat.


    Seeing this, Edmund gently patted his companion¡¯s muscular shoulder.


    ¡°Dagobert, just keep rowing straight¡­ leave the rest to us.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    With that, Edmund held a pistol decorated with feathered fletching in his left hand, loaded with silver bullets, while his right hand gripped a silver-plated short sword. His hawk-like gaze scanned the surroundings.


    Juliana bent down to retrieve a dagger from her boot, also assuming a combat stance.


    Yi Chen drew a silver axe from his waist, and Little Grape positioned itself on his shoulder.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡±


    Splash~ Water splattered as a scaly, shell-encrusted arm grabbed the edge of the boat.


    As the bloated, waterlogged head surfaced, the cold barrel of a gun was pressed against its skull.


    Bang~ The gunshot shattered the lake¡¯s eerie silence. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Red fluid spread across the water as the first troublesome fish-man sank to the lake¡¯s depths.


    After making the kill, Edmund gave a tip, ¡°To deal with these parasitic creatures, just destroy their brains... They haven¡¯t yet evolved into true ¡®Infected,¡¯ so handling them isn¡¯t too troublesome.


    But take care; don¡¯t let them damage the boat. I¡¯d rather not end up in this filthy, disgusting green lake.¡±


    As his words ended, three pairs of arms reached out from different directions, along with bloated, decayed heads filled with sharp teeth.


    With a precise technique, blond-haired Edmund drove his short sword into a target¡¯s face, piercing through its brain.


    Juliana, with a swift reverse motion, drove her dagger into her target¡¯s temple, even faster than Edmund.


    Compared to the two seasoned fighters, Yi Chen¡ªa ¡®Latecomer¡¯¡ªnaturally lacked some skills.


    But in the face of the lake''s danger, a powerful desire to kill the enemy formed in his mind.


    Driven by this intent, plant-like roots sprouted from his hands, entwining with his axe and merging with its hickory wood handle.


    This gave Yi Chen a firmer grip, allowing him to swing with greater force.


    Kill!


    The silver edge cut precisely across the fish-man¡¯s neck.


    Scales, flesh, and vertebrae¡ªany obstacle to the strike was overcome.


    Swoosh! A bloated, decayed head flew through the air, landing with a splat on the boat.


    As this head attempted to wriggle toward Yi Chen to harm him, a small black creature leaped from his shoulder, quickly swallowing the two ¡°grapes¡± in the fish-man¡¯s eyes. It then burrowed into the head, devouring the fresh tissue inside.


    Upon seeing this, Dagbert and the two others fighting cast surprised glances at Yi Chen, raising their regard for him further.


    ¡­


    After the group cooperated to eliminate nearly twenty of the infected fish-men from the lake, the boat reached the shore.


    The corpse entangled with the oar was also dragged ashore.


    When Yi Chen saw the face of this corpse, his body trembled.


    This corpse, with thick, long hair, was shockingly the sheriff he had thrown into the lake. Yet, he distinctly remembered the sheriff had short hair.


    It¡¯s like a lake has the effect of a petri dish, where anything thrown into it would rapidly grow due to some mysterious influence.


    ¡®Is it really my fault¡­?¡¯

 Chapter 18

    Upon landing ashore,


    the highly aggressive merfolk swimming in the lake retreated of their own accord.


    Even though many of their companions had been killed, they showed no intention of chasing us¡­ or rather, it seemed they lacked the privilege to come ashore.


    After several minutes of intense escape,


    even the well-trained Edmond and his team were left panting and immediately began checking themselves for injuries.


    They took out a soft vial from the inner pocket of their coats,


    applying the liquid from the vial to their skin to clean off the blood and lake water accumulated during the fight.


    Edmond even offered a vial to Yichen.


    ¡°William, want some?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ thanks.¡±


    Edmond shrugged, realizing that Yichen seemed unaffected by the lake water.


    ¡°It¡¯s only been a day, and we¡¯re already facing trouble of this level. The next two days might be even tougher. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if some candidates end up dead here.¡±


    As he spoke, Edmond gave Yi Chen a knowing look.


    However, Yi Chen''s attention turned to the lake, watching the retreating figures of the merfolk while also examining the bloated corpse of the sheriff.


    ¡°Can I have this corpse?¡±


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s no use to us¡­ Besides, none of us have the skills of a doctor or the talents nurtured in a clinic. But if you drag that corpse back, it might raise some eyebrows.¡±


    ¡°Give me a moment.¡±


    Yi Chen jogged to the town¡¯s main street.


    In just a few minutes, he returned with a large burlap sack and a few small spare knives,


    packing the swollen body with practiced ease, then dragged it back toward the inn as if handling a bag of trash.


    With his tall, slightly lean frame and somber attire, he looked like a ¡°corpse collector.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Mr. William, looking forward to our next collaboration.¡±


    Edmond waved goodbye with a sunny smile.


    Yi Chen merely raised his left hand over his shoulder, giving a minimal response without turning back.


    Once Yi Chen''s figure disappeared,


    Edmond deliberately raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Did you all see that? This guy has a rare ¡®plant-type¡¯ disease mutation. He could very well become a doctor and will be highly sought after in the organization.


    For this assessment¡¯s prized ¡®quality skin,¡¯ William¡¯s sure to claim one slot.


    Looks like we¡¯ll need to keep our wits about us.¡±


    Juliana remarked softly, ¡°He¡¯s got such a gloomy vibe, like he¡¯s from a cemetery, yet he bears a plant disease trait that symbolizes life¡­ What an odd guy.¡±


    ¡­


    However, what they didn¡¯t know was that Yi Chen was still in a heightened state of excitement after the life-or-death battle, though he was suppressing his emotions.


    ¡°These people have psychological resilience and combat skills far above average¡­ They must have undergone long-term training, fundamentally different from me.


    Teaming up with them might reduce risks and yield useful information.


    But it could also expose my ¡®rookie¡¯ status. If that happens, I might be used, or even sacrificed as bait in a dangerous situation. Keeping a half-familiar distance is best.¡±


    Back at the inn,


    the owner was still at the counter, engrossed in his fish specimens, barely acknowledging Yi Chen as he returned.


    As he passed the counter,


    Clap!


    The owner suddenly slapped a few white candles onto the counter, muttering without looking up:


    ¡°Don¡¯t make a mess everywhere. The ¡®smell¡¯ might disturb my sister¡¯s rest. Keep the candles burning while you work.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    In his room, Yi Chen locked the door, placing the candles in each corner of the bathroom. Once the scent of incense filled the air, he began his ¡°work.¡±


    There were a few things Yi Chen needed to understand:


    1. Why did this sheriff, after falling into the water, drown instead of transforming into one of those swimming ¡°merfolk¡± at the lake¡¯s bottom?


    2. What kinds of physical changes does the lake water induce in a person?


    "Exhale¡­" Having never done anything like this before, he couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit nervous.


    Before starting,


    Yi Chen pressed both hands to the sides of his face.


    Sssss~


    Tiny green plant shoots sprouted from his fingertips, intertwining and weaving into a homemade plant mask.


    Whether it was the stench of corpses or the scent of candles, the mask purified it into fresh air.


    ¡°This biological mutation ability is truly handy¡­ According to Mr. Wilbert, as long as I pass the assessment, I¡¯ll be able to examine this ability in detail and might even continue developing it further¡ªperhaps reaching a level where roots become spears, tendrils form legs, like those undead creatures.¡±


    He found it quite interesting; even if there was a risk of death, it was much better than being stuck in a lab, writing papers day and night.


    After these recent experiences, Yi Chen felt his true nature gradually being awakened, fully realizing that this world was where he truly belonged.


    Crunch, crunch~


    He continued weaving delicate plant fibers into a pair of natural gloves, took a sharp tool he¡¯d bought at a store, and started working. Perhaps due to the innate talent of ¡°William Behrens,¡± this body''s previous owner, the process of handling the ¡°corpse¡± felt incredibly smooth, even as familiar as conducting experiments in previous life.


    Gradually, he immersed himself in it, feeling utterly captivated, to the point that even Little Grape was surprised by his intense focus.


    After several hours had unknowingly passed, he looked at the corpse before him, now dissected in a way that defied all medical logic. The body cavity was full of mucus, with organs shifted out of place, clinging to each other, and the rib bones had become thin, sharp, with additional bony branches sprouting, piercing through flesh and blood. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet, some areas retained the original human structure; the transformation was incomplete¡­ almost as if it were a ¡°failed evolution.¡±


    A clue emerged, potentially connected to the root cause of Green Lake Town¡¯s ¡°scaly skin disease.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, everything makes sense.¡±


    Yi Chen felt satisfied with the dissection results and even bowed in gratitude to the ¡°sheriff.¡±


    He packed the remains, quietly dragged them away, dug a hole, buried them, and finished the task as midnight approached.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try taking a bath~¡±


    He turned on the bathroom faucet at full blast, washing off the remaining tissue fragments and sticky fluids. At the same time, he removed his clothes, exposing his body to the cold water, letting it rinse away sweat and fatigue.


    The reason for bathing was twofold: first, during the battle at Green Lake today, he¡¯d had contact with lake water, confirming his skin could withstand external contamination from it. Secondly, he saw this as a necessary adaptation for possible future encounters with the lake.


    During the wash, Yi Chen could feel plant roots moving within him, autonomously forming a defense system.


    ¡°No problem¡­ Even if I face danger and fall into the lake later, I can ensure my body won¡¯t be invaded.¡±


    Feeling refreshed, he collapsed onto the bed and quickly fell asleep.


    However, tonight was far from peaceful. In his sleep, Yi Chen was jolted awake again. Unlike the previous night, it wasn¡¯t due to plant stimuli this time but by the sharp, almost throat-tearing scream coming from outside the door¡ªspecifically, from the ¡°sister¡¯s room¡± at the end of the corridor.


    Opening his door, Yi Chen stood to the side, using Little Grape hidden in his sleeve to observe. Through the shared visual perspective, he saw the door at the end of the hall had been opened. Intense candlelight spilled from the room, along with a red liquid¡ªa cold, viscous, and bloody-smelling substance.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    After a brief observation, Yi Chen decided to take action. He hung a kerosene lamp at his waist, gripped an ax in both hands, and approached the ¡°sister¡¯s room.¡±


    Just as he was about to reach it, the innkeeper¡¯s voice came from within, laced with a hint of urgency.


    ¡°Either stay away or come in and help.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Faced with the choice given by boss, Yi Chen didn''t hesitate. He stepped forward into the "sister''s room."


    A strange sensation underfoot made an odd noise.


    His foot had landed directly on a floor covered in fish scales.


    At that moment, both his sense of smell and sight were overwhelmed by the room¡¯s atmosphere.


    A nearly tangible stench filled the air, like a living stick of rot that invaded Yi Chen''s body, repeatedly striking his stomach.


    In his view, the ground was covered in fish scales, some even embedding themselves into the damp floor as if they had grown directly from the room.


    If it had been the Yi Chen who first arrived in this world, he likely would have protested this sight by vomiting. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pressing his fingers to the sides of his face, Yi Chen quickly crafted a makeshift plant mask.


    ¡°Whew! Finally, I can breathe properly¡­ this place really is unsettling.¡±


    A voice came from the bathroom.


    The boss seemed to be performing some kind of ¡°treatment¡± on his sister, with large amounts of blood seeping from under the door.


    Before stepping into the bathroom, Yi Chen glanced into a corner of the room, noticing an important and unusual detail.


    In that corner was a solid wooden desk, surrounded by walls and floors covered with fish scales. Yet the desk itself remained spotless, without a single scale or even a hint of damp mold.


    It seemed the desk held significance to the sister, who likely cleaned it every day.


    On the desk were a few framed photos, including a family portrait and a photo of the brother and sister.


    The sister in the photo had dark, curly hair, and her close relationship with her brother was evident.


    Yi Chen quietly etched this scene into his memory.


    He turned and pushed open the slightly ajar bathroom door, revealing a disturbing sight.


    This bathroom was larger than the others and included a bathtub.


    The sister was lying in the bathtub, her limbs tightly restrained by the tub¡¯s binding devices. Compared to her appearance last night, she looked a bit more ¡°human¡±¡­ specifically, the fish scales on her body had significantly reduced.


    However, these flesh-attached scales hadn¡¯t fallen off on their own.


    Instead, the boss was tearing them out one by one, scattering them inside and outside the tub.


    At this moment, the sister''s screams had weakened considerably. The intense pain and copious bleeding were draining her life away¡­


    She had almost stopped struggling, her thin, gilled face utterly devoid of color.


    Only the scales on both sides of her abdomen remained, with about forty left. The situation looked grim.


    Before the boss could speak, Yi Chen was the first to say, ¡°Boss, your sister seems to be advancing to the ¡®third stage¡¯ of the disease, right? The situation doesn¡¯t look good. May I take a closer look?¡±


    The boss was taken aback, not expecting this young man, who had only been here for a little over a day, to have already identified the stages of the ¡°Ichthyosis¡± disease.


    He nodded slightly in permission.


    Yi Chen carefully approached the bathtub. Though he wasn''t from a medical background and knew little about the science behind it, the plants within him could sense the loss of life force.


    ¡°Boss, do you want me to remove the remaining scales?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    With the boss¡¯s approval, Yi Chen gently placed his hand on the sister¡¯s abdomen, touching the surface of the scales.


    Tender new roots stretched out along the gaps between the scales, burrowing under the skin.


    The tips of these roots released a natural fluid with healing properties, slowly and gently lifting each scale out. This method reduced the bleeding and caused minimal pain¡­ even giving a slight tingling sensation.


    The only drawback was that it was somewhat slow.


    Yi Chen meticulously removed the scales from her abdomen while using his other hand to apply roots to the areas of heavy bleeding, weaving them to stop the blood flow.


    During the process, the sister¡¯s onyx-like eyes gazed at the guest in front of her.


    The boss remained quietly by her side.


    At that moment¡­


    Little Grape''s voice echoed in Yi Chen''s mind.


    "Hey! Do you have any idea what you¡¯re doing? The person in front of you is an ''infected'' by the Disease. If she successfully sheds her scales, she''ll fully evolve into an intelligent [Pathogenic infected Being].


    They¡¯re the source of this world¡¯s plague and decay! By nature, they resent the uninfected, and their instincts drive them to invade and occupy your body."


    ¡°If they really intended harm, they¡¯d have done it last night. Besides, since I entered the bathroom, the boss has had plenty of chances to act.


    I still don¡¯t fully understand this world, but from what I¡¯ve observed and deduced, I conclude that helping her could be worthwhile. If we can establish a mutual aid relationship, we might uncover critical clues about this town¡¯s truth and the mastermind behind it, and pass the organization¡¯s evaluation with flying colors.¡±


    "I really doubt you¡¯re a creature of this world. Your actions might rub some humans the wrong way¡­ but it¡¯s interesting."


    Little Grape said no more and silently observed the boss¡¯s every move.


    Like a major surgery, eight hours passed until the last scale was extracted.


    By then, it was noon the next day. The boss turned on the bathtub faucet, submerging his sister in the water.


    When she awakens, she¡¯ll be fully transformed into what Little Grape called a ''Pathogenic Infected Being.''


    At that moment, the boss gently placed a hand on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder. Yi Chen, still slightly on guard, instinctively reached for his hatchet.


    However, it was only a gesture of gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. William.¡±


    ¡°No problem¡­ I helped willingly.¡±


    ¡°You can rest now. I¡¯ll make sure nothing disturbs you while you sleep. When you wake, it¡¯ll probably be night... and you¡¯re welcome to come down for dinner.¡±


    Yi Chen made an "OK" gesture and turned to leave.


    Back in his room, the exhaustion was overwhelming.


    Little Grape detached himself, standing guard by the door.


    ¡°Hurry up and get some rest. I¡¯ve slept enough inside you already. Don¡¯t overwork yourself. If this brother-sister duo gives us useful information or even lends a hand, we might just get that super-sized eyeball.¡±


    But Yi Chen, leaning against the bed¡¯s headboard, couldn¡¯t shake his concern.


    ¡°After tonight, the assessment countdown begins. I doubt tonight will be peaceful. When the sun sets, wake me up.¡±


    ¡°Enough talk¡ªgo to sleep already!¡±


    Little Grape, like a security guard, moved a wooden chair to the bed, sitting watchfully beside him.


    ---


    It was the most restful sleep Yi Chen had since arriving in Green Lake Town.


    Possibly due to the plant inside him, he woke naturally as the sun set, photosynthesis ceased, and sleep faded.


    His blurry eyes opened to an oversized mouth, filled with black fur around it, staring at him with a bulging eye almost glued to his face.


    In a distorted voice from merged vocal cords, it said, "You¡¯re awake?"


    ¡°Little Grape, stop scaring me!¡±


    Dressing up and gearing up, Yi Chen opened his room door to pitch darkness¡ªthe hallway¡¯s candlelight gone, leaving only inky shadows.


    He lit the kerosene lamp on his waist, stepping as quietly as possible toward the first floor.


    Descending the stairs, a tantalizing aroma wafted into his nose. Following it, he spotted a partially open door near the first-floor counter, candlelight spilling out.


    Yi Chen pressed himself against the wall, peeking through the door. Inside, the guest room had been set up like a dining hall.


    A wooden round table was laden with various fish dishes and soups. The boss was there, along with a black-haired woman, draped in a light white dress covering her still-healing body.


    Noticing a scent by the door, she turned her fresh, pale face toward the entrance. The gills on her cheeks were gone, making her look entirely human.


    ¡°Mr. William, come join us for dinner~¡±

 Chapter 20

    "I am Kadacy Haji. Thank you, Mr. William, for your help."


    "Mm."


    Yi Chen took his seat at the reserved spot.


    In front of each person were two beautifully prepared main courses, soup, and dessert.


    They served Avengrader-style sashimi, stewed fish chunks, a large fish roe vegetable pie, and a rich mushroom and fish bone soup.


    The dishes, with their vibrant reds, purples, greens, and whites, looked overwhelming at first glance, but the aroma was inviting enough to make them palatable.


    During the meal, the innkeeper, while chewing on his fish, asked quietly:


    "Have you already seen through the essence of this town?"


    Yi Chen quickly waved his hands. "Ah? Not entirely. I only have a rough understanding of the pathological symptoms and processes happening in Green Lake Town ¡ª or rather, a sort of ''selection mechanism.''


    "If my analysis is correct, the infection should be divided into three stages:


    1. First Stage: Direct or indirect contact with Green Lake¡¯s water leads to pathogen invasion.


    At this stage, the body begins to grow patches of fish scales, and there''s a desire to live underwater. You may even start receiving orders from the ''parasitic host.'' The body¡¯s main structure remains human, with minimal visible changes... The infected live among the townspeople, organizing various activities to draw more visitors here.


    2. Second Stage: Once the first stage stabilizes or reaches a certain threshold, individuals gain permission to interact more intimately with Green Lake, entering the ''Second Stage.''


    I personally call this stage ''Fish Transformation.'' Due to prolonged immersion, the body undergoes drastic changes: the skin becomes scaly, and organs start to resemble fish anatomy, gradually transitioning into a mermaid-like form.


    3. Third Stage: This is the state you''ve reached. You return to land, shed the fish-like traits, and emerge as a fully conscious individual."


    "Incredible... You truly are... unique. Yet, one thing I couldn¡¯t understand, even after thinking all night ¡ª why, knowing we¡¯re infected, would you still help us? Isn¡¯t your mission here to investigate the disease and eliminate it?"


    Yi Chen listened to the innkeeper''s question. Unhurriedly, he placed a piece of sashimi in his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and replied:


    "To be precise, I''m still in a probationary period. I don''t fully grasp certain concepts yet. I¡¯m just acting in the way I believe is ''right.''"


    At this, Miss Kadacy couldn¡¯t help but giggle softly.


    The innkeeper smiled too and said no more. But just then, a loud explosion sounded from outside the inn, coming from the town center... accompanied by frantic footsteps and crashes. The town had seemingly descended into chaos.


    Yi Chen was about to get up and check when the innkeeper signaled him to sit, saying softly:


    "If ''outside visitors'' spend two days in town without infection, we initiate mandatory measures. This time, the visitors here have remarkable self-control and significant strength, carefully avoiding all forms of water contact. Tonight has been designated as the ''Infection Night,'' with a mandatory purification for you all.


    "But don¡¯t worry... As long as you stay in the inn, no one will come knocking."


    "Mm."


    Spending the remaining days in the inn sounded like a safe option.


    Yi Chen understood his limits. Especially after meeting people like Edmund, he knew his foundation was weak, with no formal training. If he encountered a more advanced infected entity, his chances of winning were close to none.


    As Yi Chen settled into the idea of staying safely in the inn, his companion, Little Grape, suddenly popped out from his shoulder, jumped onto the table, baring its rows of teeth and revealing its eye, standing akimbo!


    A strange, blended voice came from within it.


    "Hey~ William helped you achieve the critical ''pathogenic infected transformation''... You know, humans might see this as a ''crime,'' something that could even land you on the guillotine. Do you think a mere meal is enough payment? Offer us some real information and tangible help."


    Though Little Grape¡¯s squishy appearance was somewhat comical, its words carried an unmistakable tone of intimidation.


    The innkeeper remained expressionless, but his sister, Kadacy, instinctively moved her chair a bit further from the creature.


    Yi Chen, though slightly surprised, maintained his composure, permitting Little Grape''s actions.


    The innkeeper looked into Little Grape¡¯s single eye and eventually chose to relent.


    "This was something I planned to discuss after dinner. Since you seek to use ''Green Lake Town'' as a testing ground and aim for high scores in your assessment, I¡¯ll give you a special lead.


    "At the deepest point of the lake lies a ¡®certain treasure¡¯.


    This entity is the one governing the "Fish Transformation" process, while also monitoring and controlling those who have become afflicted.


    If we can destroy it, we¡¯ll be able to root out the source of the sickness in this town.


    If you''re interested in this, my sister and I can disguise you as "sacrifices" to offer to the entity at the lake¡¯s depths... This way, you can avoid interference from the Fishmen and go straight to the target.


    The dinner you just ate will be enough to make you give off the "fishy scent," so no one will suspect a thing."


    These words from the innkeeper made Yi Chen recall that feeling of being watched from the lake while boating, as if a giant eye were staring at him from below.


    At present,


    Green Lake Town is undergoing a "cleansing." Townspeople and other assessors are engaged in massive battles, making this the perfect opportunity to act.


    Now, two paths to reach the end of the assessment lay before him:


    1. Stay obediently at the inn and safely pass the assessment under the cover of the innkeeper and his sister.


    2. Seize the current opportunity, move toward the depths of Green Lake under the siblings'' protection, and eliminate the hidden root of the sickness.


    Before deciding, Yi Chen had one more question.


    "If we fail, and are unable to kill this thing in the lake, you and Miss Kadacy will be implicated... Why are you willing to do this?"


    "Mutual benefit.


    My sister has completed her ¡®scale-shedding¡¯ and become an independent-minded individual.


    But because of that entity in the lake, we''re still bound here... Only by removing it can we leave this town. I promised her we would see the world beyond.


    The decision is yours, Mr. William~. If you''re thinking of going to the lake¡¯s depths, I trust you have confidence in it."


    "I need to think¡­ Give me five minutes."


    Although he couldn''t detect anything suspicious in the siblings¡¯ expressions, and from all the intelligence gathered and an objective analysis, the siblings, though affected, still retained some humanity.


    However,


    Yi Chen was still unfamiliar with this world and did not fully understand many of its "rules and positions."


    ¡®Little Grape, can they be trusted?¡¯


    ¡®Of course they can. Why not? After all, I myself defy the "origin of disease" and was reassembled and born anew from the cemetery, an independent entity bound by nothing.


    I understand these two people¡¯s thoughts and feelings.


    This is a prime opportunity right in front of us, and it¡¯s worth the risk. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If you succeed, your assessment score will far exceed other humans¡¯, making you more valued by the organization, and you¡¯ll have more chances, a better survival rate, and a greater possibility to explore this world.


    Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡¯


    ¡®Are we capable of killing the entity controlling and ruling over this town?¡¯


    ¡®Such entities, which need to control a large number of parasites and oversee the Fish Transformation process, are often fixed in one place and cannot move.


    Its nature is also parasitic, so it won¡¯t have significant combat power.


    The biggest challenge is getting ¡®close¡¯ enough. Any outsider who enters the lake will not only be stained by the lake¡¯s waters but will also face attacks from the Fishmen.


    However, with the siblings¡¯ cover, as long as we can get close to the core entity, it¡¯ll be easy.


    And even if your silver axe isn¡¯t enough to kill the target, I still have these teeth!¡¯


    Little Grape proudly flashed a set of sharp teeth, eager to act.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond immediately, crossing his hands in front of his nose as he contemplated.


    He had noticed that Little Grape seemed unusually eager this time, more than ever.


    While struggling to make a decision, he suddenly recalled his experiences in the cemetery, the sense of coming close to death in the fight against the undead¡­ and remembered Little Grape¡¯s crucial assistance, especially the enhanced vision that allowed him to escape the cemetery alive.


    He took a deep breath.


    ¡®To survive in this world, playing it safe just won¡¯t work. Just like when I didn¡¯t stay in the cabin but instead went to Cemetery No. 4 to resolve the trouble.


    I still don¡¯t fully understand Little Grape¡¯s origins, true nature, or exact stance.


    Since it saved me once, I¡¯ll trust it unconditionally this time.


    If I survive, it¡¯ll prove it¡¯s trustworthy, and we can work together long-term.


    And I need to seize this ''opportunity'' to reach a higher level... just like when I left the orphanage, seizing the chance to get out at all costs.¡¯

 Chapter 21

    A few kilometers away, atop a hill.


    The gentlemen watched as the small town fell into total chaos. The ''clothes'' they wore seemed to sense the blood in the air wafting from the town, becoming restless.


    With his round belly, Mr. Sman squeezed his facial features together,


    ¡°If such widespread forced infections erupt tonight, hardly anyone will survive until tomorrow afternoon... I suggest ending the examination by dawn.¡±


    This proposal gained the approval of many of the gentlemen.


    Even the usually strict Professor Chamberlain, with his white hair, consented.


    As most of the gentlemen¡¯s attention focused on the town center and the surrounding area of fierce combat,


    The owl on Chamberlain¡¯s shoulder hooted, drawing his gaze towards the edge of the town¡ªtowards the Green Shade Inn.


    Two conscious ¡°afflicted¡± individuals didn¡¯t participate in the town¡¯s chaos; instead, they quietly slipped out the back door.


    Together, they pushed a cart stacked with six ¡°corpses,¡± their bodies wrapped in a ¡°fish-egg membrane¡± filled with thick mucus.


    At the bottom of the stack was the corpse of a young man, whom Chamberlain had noticed earlier, piquing his interest.


    Chamberlain simply watched in silence, making no comment as the cart was pushed to the lake¡¯s edge.


    They tilted the cart forward,


    The six bodies tumbled into the water.


    The brother and sister who had transported them also jumped into the lake,


    sticking close to the bodies, guiding them towards the lake¡¯s deepest depths.


    ¡°This is...¡±


    Chamberlain¡¯s pupils shifted, for the first time activating his abilities during this exam.


    The whites of his eyes turned blood-red, his pupils completely black, sharpening his vision and allowing him to see clearly through the green lake, zeroing in on Yi Chen, pretending to be unconscious in his membrane.


    ¡°This guy actually pulled this off¡­¡±


    Chamberlain pointed forward,


    the owl on his shoulder immediately taking flight, a white shadow cutting across the night sky as it headed toward the green lake. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    [Beneath the Lake]


    The bodies carried by the brother and sister were not corpses.


    They were perfectly cultivated, ''fish-transformation hosts'', intended as distractions to hide the true ¡°sixth person,¡± Yi Chen.


    The fish-egg membranes covering their bodies


    effectively isolated them from the lake water,


    preserving enough air to support them to the lake¡¯s depths.


    Additionally,


    Yi Chen had taken extra precautions,


    such as the ¡°internal filter¡± built into his mask.


    Fibrous ¡°internal nets¡± in his throat, nasal cavity, and ear canals would prevent lake water from entering his body, filtering out any pathogens effectively.


    With eyes tightly shut,


    feigning unconsciousness,


    a mouth hidden on the back of his head opened slightly, containing an eye that quietly observed the underwater situation.


    His observation revealed:


    [Upper Lake Region]: Teeming with dense clusters of glowing green parasite eggs and fish eggs,


    [Lower Lake Region]: The smaller eggs were absent, replaced by a disturbing form of ''human-egg''.


    Those who had reached the first stage of fish-scale infection curled up inside the eggs,


    a thick, umbilical cord-like structure connecting from their navel to the lakebed,


    beginning their "fish transformation" this way.


    Once enough scales covered their bodies and their organs developed into fully functional gills, they would break free, transformed into merfolk.


    Some fully developed merfolk also swam about here, checking on the human eggs and guarding against intruders.


    Gradually, under the guidance of the siblings, Yi Chen drew closer to the lake¡¯s depths.


    A chilling sense of being watched crept over him¡ªsomething was clearly observing them from below.


    ¡®That¡¯s it!¡¯


    After weaving past human eggs and patrolling merfolk, they spotted an enormous "giant eye", embedded deep within the lakebed... a gigantic green eye, constantly shifting, monitoring everything in the lake and Green Lake Town.


    ¡®A giant green grape!¡¯


    The little grape inside Yi Chen grew unusually excited at this sight.


    At this moment, Yi Chen realized why the little grape was so eager¡ªit had probably known all along.


    But there was still something he couldn¡¯t understand.


    ¡®Why is the source a giant eye and not a parent host?¡¯


    In his mind, the cause of the fish-scale disease transforming the town into merfolk should have been a massive, egg-laying insectoid monster.


    Yet the giant eye before him seemed entirely unrelated to ¡°egg-laying¡± or ¡°parasites.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen felt puzzled, the little grape¡¯s voice spoke:


    ¡®What is disease? Where does infection come from? These are questions no one has fully understood, marked by diversity and changeability, which are barely known.


    Perhaps there is no parasite host,


    this giant eye may just be an .


    It might have been sent here, carrying the ¡°parasite swarm¡± to monitor and witness the town¡¯s transformation¡­ and later might even take some high-quality infected individuals with it.


    It can control the parasites through its gaze alone.


    Either way,


    this super grape is the source¡­ and our target is it.


    Soon, William, you¡¯ll need to do just one thing¡ª.


    Once you touch its surface, I can enter it directly and drink its essence.¡¯


    Listening to the little grape¡¯s plan, Yi Chen replied:


    ¡®You knew about the giant eye hidden beneath the lake from the start, didn¡¯t you, little grape?¡¯


    ¡®Not from the start; only while drifting in the lake, feeling a connection to something of the same type¡­ there¡¯s always a subtle sense of that.¡¯


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond further, focusing on what lay ahead.


    After delivering the ¡°cargo,¡± the innkeeper communicated with the giant lake eye, passing on information about the load.


    When finished, they ascended immediately.


    Any extra actions might raise suspicion.


    Suspended four meters above the giant eye, Yi Chen and the other ¡°cargo¡± floated in the deep water, close yet not close enough, needing the right moment.


    Then, a strange sight appeared before him.


    The pupil of the giant eye dilated, forming a small circular opening,


    through which a fleshy, eel-like creature slithered out, a , as he called it.


    Its circular mouth was filled with rows of sharp teeth, trailing red threads of saliva through the water.


    ¡®That¡¯s... the navel-connection, like an umbilical cord!¡¯


    In the next second,


    the flesh eel attached itself to a nearby ¡°cargo,¡±


    its mouth latching onto the navel,


    dragging the cargo towards an empty spot on the lakebed.


    Roots,


    Nurturing,


    Conversion,


    Orderly and structured.


    Another fleshy eel was born, linking to the new ¡°cargo¡± in front of Yi Chen.


    Watching the "bodies" around him being dragged away and packed one by one, an overwhelming sense of suffocation took hold, as if a hand was squeezing his heart, forcing his heartbeat to race.


    "Hold on!"


    Yi Chen suppressed his nervousness with all his might, waiting for the perfect moment.


    Perhaps due to luck, perhaps the massive eye sensed something special about him, or maybe the innkeeper had said something to the eye¡ªYi Chen was the last one left. Now, in the depths of the lake, it was just him and the giant eye.


    Creak, creak~


    Through the small openings of the eye, the final fleshy eel slithered out, meant for Yi Chen.


    It squirmed,


    Floated upward,


    Penetrated the membrane,


    Hoo¡­ Yi Chen took a deep breath, still not making a move, waiting for the right moment.


    The eel slid across his waist, squirming towards his navel. A set of neural filaments grazed Yi Chen¡¯s skin, causing an unbearable itch.


    Circling around to the front,


    The eel¡¯s mouth opened like flower petals, revealing an inner wall full of sharp teeth, lunging at his navel.


    At the instant the mouth touched his navel,


    Yi Chen''s eyes snapped open.


    A silver axe, long prepared, whipped out from his clothes¡­ swish!


    Both the eel¡¯s body and the white membrane around Yi Chen were cut in one stroke.


    With his other hand, he grabbed the upper half of the eel remaining on his abdomen and crushed it with a powerful squeeze.


    In the next moment, Yi Chen raised his free arm,


    Grasped his face with five fingers.


    Creak, creak~


    Fresh plant roots quickly wove together, perhaps spurred on by the danger. The weaving was faster than before, and even a bark-like texture appeared on the surface.


    In the blink of an eye, a filter-like mask had formed over his face, further isolating him from the lake water.


    All this happened almost instantly.


    While the giant eye hadn¡¯t fully reacted, Yi Chen swam at full speed toward the deepest part¡­


    Four meters,


    Three meters,


    Two meters,


    With just over one meter remaining, a mutation occurred!


    The giant eye, which had previously expanded its pupil, abruptly shrank and focused, transforming into a point the size of a ping-pong ball.


    "Damn!"


    Even though Yi Chen shut his eyes immediately,


    An invisible mental wave pierced through.


    It seeped through the mask and eyelids,


    Through his pupils,


    Traveling directly along his optic nerves to his brain,


    Buzz!


    An intense ringing echoed in his ears, like a mischievous child had stuffed a box of firecrackers in his head and set them all off at once.


    "William! Hang on!


    I can¡¯t be exposed before reaching the Big Grape!"


    At that moment,


    The voice of "Little Grape" echoed in his mind, giving him motivation and mental support.


    Under the infiltration of this mental force,


    Yi Chen felt tiny eyes sprouting on the surface of his brain.


    Any slight lapse in awareness would lead to these eyes taking over.


    "Hang in there! This is a hard-earned chance at rebirth..."


    [Willpower]


    A mental construct forged through ¡°life experiences¡± as a hammer.


    Although Yi Chen was only in his twenties, the early part of his ¡°life experiences¡± was like a spiked sledgehammer, constantly pounding him.


    Having barely escaped,


    He finally gained the opportunity to cross into this fascinating world,


    And he wanted to live... really live this time.


    At this moment!


    Blood seeped from his eyes, dyeing the plant mask red.


    His desperate shout transformed into a cascade of bubbles in the water.


    With sheer determination, he breached the last meter,


    Turned his body,


    Extended his arm,


    And touched.


    His palm pressed firmly against the moist, smooth surface of the eyeball... directly at the opening where the eel emerged.


    At the moment of contact,


    A black fleshy sphere detached from his palm,


    And wriggled into the giant eye through the opening.


    The instant he succeeded,


    Yi Chen could no longer hold on, his weakened consciousness was instantly overtaken!


    However,


    The mental invasion from the giant eye didn¡¯t destroy his mind.


    Instead, it processed Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness, transporting it to an entirely unknown realm.


    Buzz!


    His consciousness trembled.


    Yi Chen¡¯s awareness seemed to arrive in a deep, abyssal cavern.


    Hexagonal black fish scales covered the cavern walls like bricks,


    The ground was submerged in water that reached an average person¡¯s knees,


    Flesh-colored tubes connected various experimental tanks,


    Suspended from the walls were life incubation chambers of all sizes,


    It resembled an **.


    At the center of the lab,


    A figure of incomprehensible form was recording data,


    Its back was turned to Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness.


    Dressed in a near-perfect, dark-gold cylindrical robe radiating a force field, a tail covered in black scales extended from it.


    Not quite a fish tail¡ªmore like a dragon¡¯s.


    For some reason,


    As Yi Chen gazed at this figure¡¯s back,


    Thump, thump, thump.


    Epic, layered music suddenly resonated in his mind,


    Cello sounds drifting farther away, merging with the lapping of sea waves,


    As if to signal that this music originated from the depths of the ocean, heralding the arrival of a terrifying entity.


    Along with the music,


    A golden-framed health bar appeared above the figure¡¯s head, adorned with a fish-head relief, resembling a health gauge in a game.


    It was filled with a dark fish oil, or rather, an ancient ichthyoid essence,


    Flowing,


    Rolling,


    Roaring.


    A title and name were displayed atop the frame:


    **

 Chapter 22

    In the damp, fishy-smelling laboratory, an ancient being who needed the "Old System Calendar" to calculate its life span suddenly sensed a prying gaze from behind.


    The being paused its writing with tentacle-like fingers, turning its head. The gills on its neck slightly opened, revealing an oceanic world teeming with eerie fish through the gaps.


    As it twisted its head¡ªa face too grotesque for the human eye to process or words to describe¡ªthere was a soft A tiny, grain-sized fish eye burst open in the experimental jar behind it, and the sense of prying vanished.


    However, in this single jar, there were thousands more of these tiny fish eyes.


    The being ignored it, returning to its critical data recording work.


    ¡­


    **


    Listening to the epic sounds of the sea, gazing at the terrifying form far beyond comprehension, Yi Chen almost instantly lost control of his consciousness. His vision was frozen; he felt like a helpless fish ready for slaughter.


    In his field of view, the unknown entity recording data seemed to notice his gaze. It slowly turned, a simple movement that stirred an unprecedented fear in Yi Chen¡¯s heart.


    This ancient, primal emotion felt like a pair of giant hands clutching his soul, ready to tear it apart at any moment. The turning of its head felt like a countdown to death.


    At that critical moment, a familiar chaotic noise echoed through his consciousness:


    ¡°William, wake up!¡±


    Along with the voice came a powerful pulling sensation. A hum resonated as Yi Chen''s consciousness broke free from the abyss filled with scales and a pungent stench. He tore through the narrow rifts of time and space, returning to the Green Lake.


    When he opened his eyes, he was back in his familiar body, deep at the dark bottom of the lake. The ¡°Watcher¡¯s¡± giant eye had been completely drained, lying like a deflated balloon on the lakebed, devoid of life.


    The fully sated little "Grape" had returned, hiding beneath his flesh, entering a strange state of incubation. It left a single message:


    ¡°I need a longer rest. Don¡¯t call me unless there¡¯s a life-threatening crisis.¡±


    With that, the connection in Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness weakened to one-tenth, leaving only a faint sense of the small fleshy ball in his abdomen, quietly nurturing and growing.


    Yet, the crisis in Green Lake Town had not ended. The giant eye was only a ¡°Watcher.¡± Its death merely freed the townspeople from their chains, making them more liberated¡­ and those infected with "Ichthyosis" might become even more frenzied. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, merfolk lurking in Green Lake turned their gaze to the unfamiliar human at the bottom¡ªinstinct driving them swiftly toward him. Their numbers left no escape!


    At the critical moment, a white blur dove into the lake with blinding speed. The white light sliced through the shoals of fish. Two powerful claws latched onto Yi Chen''s shoulders, digging into his flesh and bone.


    Before he could even feel the pain, an unimaginable force pulled him up from the lakebed. Any merfolk attempting to block the way was shredded by invisible wind blades.


    Water splashed everywhere as Yi Chen was yanked out of the lake, skimming the ground, finally being dropped at the back door of the Green Shade Inn.


    He braced himself against the wall, barely able to land. Looking up, he saw that his rescuer was a white-feathered owl. Before he could express his thanks, it had flown away.


    Just then, the innkeeper opened the back door, pulling Yi Chen inside.


    The innkeeper¡¯s previously dull eyes became sharp and clear.


    ¡°You¡­ actually did it! Kadacy, quickly take Mr. William to the basement to recover.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Kadacy, his slender sister dressed in a white dress, easily hoisted Yi Chen over her shoulder, guiding him down a dark passageway to the basement. She brought some dry towels and carefully wiped him down.


    Surprisingly, though he had been submerged in the lake for so long, his clothes remained dry. A simple wipe of residual moisture left them as good as new. The only concern was the wound on his shoulder from the owl¡¯s claws, where a bit of lake water had seeped in.


    Kadacy dabbed at it with a towel, then pressed her cold lips to the wound, sucking forcefully. All the blood and tainted lake water were drawn out, preventing infection.


    ¡°This should be fine now. I''ll go upstairs to get some snacks, so wait here for me,¡± said Kadacy before leaving.


    Yi Chen sat alone on a chair in the basement. Although his recent adventure to the lake''s depths hadn¡¯t caused any physical harm, his mental state was far from good. Persistent ringing in his ears, a slightly swollen feeling in his head, and sudden flashes of the abyssal lab would cross his mind unbidden. Before he realized it, a trickle of blood ran from his nose, and the intense dizziness nearly toppled him from his chair.


    "Is this a side effect of mental intrusion?" he pondered. "I didn''t even open my eyes, yet I was still affected... I only managed to defeat the ¡®Watcher¡¯s Giant Eye¡¯ thanks to Little Grape."


    The Giant Eye, which spread ichthyosis and ruled over Green Lake Town, was merely a small creation of the lab. I''m so weak right now, he thought. There must be ways to grow stronger in this world, and perhaps the organization has those methods.


    After his near-death experience at the lake''s bottom, Yi Chen wasn¡¯t fearful; instead, he felt driven to explore the world even further, eager to grow stronger and uncover more secrets.


    Just then, Kadacy entered the basement with a special bowl of fish soup. It was thick, bubbling, black in color, filled with fish heads that looked as if they''d been radiated, crowding the bowl. The smell was like a dead fish that had drowned in a foot bath and gone unnoticed for a week.


    ¡°This is a special preparation from my brother. He said that if you made it back alive, this fish head soup would be of great help to you.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡±


    Yi Chen took the oversized bowl of fish soup, cautiously touching its thick surface with a finger to make sure his internal plant powers wouldn¡¯t reject it. Then, pinching his nose, he gulped it down. As his stomach churned, the constant ringing in his ears began to fade, and the swelling sensation in his head gradually subsided.


    ¡°This stuff is amazing!¡±


    As Yi Chen marveled at the odd yet effective delicacy, a loud voice from above echoed through the inn, reaching his ears clearly¡ªand audible throughout the entire town.


    "All assessors, please note: head to the eastern town exit as quickly as possible. The organization¡¯s carriage will be waiting there for you, with a time limit of ten minutes. Failure to arrive in time will result in disqualification."


    ¡°Has the assessment ended early?¡±


    Hearing the announcement, Yi Chen immediately perked up and hurried back to the inn. Green Shade Inn was located near the southern town exit, quite far from the eastern exit where they were meant to gather. The town was in disarray, with a significant risk in traveling. Moreover, Little Grape was in a special state and couldn¡¯t assist him visually.


    ¡°Mr. William, to reach the eastern exit, you¡¯ll either need to pass through the town center or take a detour around the lake. It¡¯s dangerous. Let us take you there.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t that be too risky? If there are organization personnel at the eastern exit, they might attack you.¡±


    ¡°As long as we don¡¯t get too close, it should be fine.¡±


    Yi Chen accepted their help; he indeed needed the siblings¡¯ assistance. Using a disguise, he lay flat on a wooden cart, pretending to be a corpse, as the siblings pushed him towards the eastern entrance. Due to the dangerous, fully mutated diseased patients in the town center, they opted for the lake route. The journey was smooth; no townspeople would question the siblings, considering their high status.


    As the carriage gradually came into view, the siblings stopped.


    Before parting, realizing that the path to ¡°cure the diseased¡± was inevitable, they understood that if they met again, they could very well be on opposing sides. They simply shared a silent hug, refraining from saying any formal goodbyes.


    However, as Yi Chen embraced the innkeeper, the latter gently patted his back, whispering into his ear:


    ¡°Hurry and leave, Mr. William. You¡¯re the strangest human I¡¯ve ever met, different from anyone else. Perhaps you truly have a chance to heal this incurable world. If we ever meet ¡®again¡¯, please¡­ don¡¯t hesitate. Kill us immediately.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond; he met the innkeeper¡¯s gaze for a second before turning away and running toward the gathering point.

 Chapter 28

    Effort rewarded with due return¡ªthis is one of the essential elements of building society:


    After risking his life and doing his utmost in Green Lake Town, Yi Chen finally receives the reward he deserves. His excitement is beyond words, as in his previous life, his hard work often yielded only pathetic, pitiable results.


    However,


    Although Yi Chen has acquired the highest level of "Gentleman''s Skin," he still has no idea what it''s for.


    "Mr. Chamberlain, what is this skin used for? Is it meant to draw out the power hidden within it through a ritual?"


    "It seems Wilbert didn¡¯t tell you anything... didn¡¯t even give you basic training before sending you here. That¡¯s just like him.


    This skin will formally make you a ¡®gentleman.¡¯


    The others are waiting for you; let¡¯s talk while we walk."


    Returning to the main hall of the Divine Skin Mansion, they climb the large staircase covered in flesh-toned carpet, heading to the second-floor side corridor.


    Before reaching the ritual area, Yi Chen has one more question to clarify.


    "If I gain some ability from the skin, will it conflict with the ''pathogenic characteristics'' I already possess?"


    Normally stern, Chamberlain appears patient at this moment.


    "Not at all.


    The ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ doesn¡¯t grant you an ability in itself; its essence is a


    Once activated through a ritual, the Gentleman¡¯s Skin will link you to a ¡®growth system¡¯ that transcends human limitations.


    It¡¯s precisely because of this connection that the organization exists, we gather in Zion, and humanity glimpses a faint hope of survival in this world¡ªa hope for which we are willing to pay any price."


    "A medium... linking me to some growth system?" Yi Chen roughly grasps the meaning; simply put, the skin would allow him to gradually grow stronger.


    Chamberlain continues:


    "Whether it''s the skins given to other assessors or the one you obtained from the First Gentleman,


    Once activated,


    your ''consciousness'' will be guided to the [Hall of the Old Days] through the medium of the skin.


    There, you¡¯ll receive between one and three letters, with the number depending on your own characteristics, but you may only choose one.


    Each letter represents a profession, determining your future path as a gentleman.


    And,


    The color and nature of each letter are particularly important. Since time is short, I¡¯ll only explain this once, so listen carefully!"


    "Understood!"


    "The letters come in four colors¡ªwhite, blue, black, and purple.


    1. White letters are the most common and correspond to ¡®ordinary professions,¡¯ which are the main choice for the large gentleman community.


    Although common, there are some outstanding figures within Zion City who chose this path.


    2. Blue letters are rarer and correspond to ¡®rare professions,¡¯ which typically possess exceptional talent in specific areas. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They undergo specialized training and often become key members in the organization.


    Some rare professions might develop into ''Doctors''.


    3. Black letters appear in relation to an individual¡¯s mindset, corresponding to ¡®nightmare professions.¡¯ These professions tend to be dark and malevolent, contrary to some gentlemanly principles.


    A century ago, the organization created a special department to specifically accept and train gentlemen who chose nightmare professions.


    These gentlemen often possess strong elimination abilities and serve as the organization¡¯s executioners.


    Some powerful gentlemen who choose the black letter have gained renown and are often known as ''Surgeons.''


    4. Purple letters also relate to individual characteristics, though the exact connection is unknown.


    They correspond to ¡®unique professions,¡¯ which differ from the other three in that a purple letter profession is uniquely tailored to the individual.


    These professions are filled with mystery and unpredictability; some distinguished gentlemen who chose the purple letter even spent their entire lives in Zion City, unable to eliminate pathogens outside.


    In summary,


    "No matter what type of letter it is, there will always be an emblem on the cover representing its ''profession.'' Be sure to assess carefully before making a choice."


    This substantial designation of [profession] is far more genuine than any career definitions given in the previous world.


    Hearing this description, Yi Chen grew even more excited.


    Chamberlain continued speaking:


    "The [skin] you obtained originates from the First Gentleman, and its medium effect will be maximized, which means there¡¯s a higher probability of receiving a blue letter.


    Of course, if a black letter appears, you can also make a choice based on the specific situation."


    "What if there¡¯s a purple one?"


    "The uncertainty is too great; personally, I don¡¯t recommend it¡­ but this is your decision, so don¡¯t let my words sway you."


    "Understood."


    During Yi Chen¡¯s conversation with Chamberlain, the hidden "Little Grape" inside him also had its own thoughts.


    "How exciting~ William, what path will you choose? If it¡¯s too conservative and boring, I might just sneak away!"


    [Ritual Chamber]


    In a spacious, circular hall, eleven clergy members from the mansion had drawn a ritual array with a certain viscous flesh-colored liquid.


    Embedded within it were 17 small rings, perfectly corresponding to the number of participants.


    As Chamberlain led Yi Chen through the door, everyone¡¯s gaze fell on the black box in Yi Chen¡¯s hand, with more than a few glints of hidden greed.


    Blonde-haired Edmund didn¡¯t care much and eagerly waved:


    "William, come on~ everyone¡¯s waiting for you."


    "Mhm."


    Yi Chen quickly took his place on the last ring of the ritual array. Following the clergy¡¯s instructions, he took out the "Gentleman¡¯s Skin" from the box and draped it over his head like a hood.


    The ritual began, and each clergyman chanted incomprehensible fragments of an ancient language.


    However, the overlapping of tones caused these fragmented words to combine, forming a powerful, complete incantation that propelled the ritual forward.


    Buzz!


    Yi Chen felt a familiar sensation he¡¯d once experienced at the bottom of a lake¡ªthe subtle feeling of his consciousness being pulled from his body.


    This time, however, he welcomed it willingly, with no discomfort. It was like a perfectly slick bar of soap, slipping out of his hand and falling directly into the toilet bowl, carried away in one smooth motion.


    When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an ancient stone chamber, filled with an aura of antiquity.


    Gone were the intricate structures, openwork carvings, and lavish decorations of the Divine Skin Mansion.


    It was like a simple, man-made cave, with only a stone platform in the center and nothing else.


    The other examiners and clergy were nowhere to be seen; Yi Chen was alone here.


    The "Gentleman¡¯s Skin," which had previously been covering his head, had somehow moved to lie atop the stone platform.


    The skin pulsed, as if deliberately concealing something¡­ based on Chamberlain¡¯s earlier explanations, Yi Chen had a good guess at what it was.


    "I wonder what type of letter it will be."


    He took a deep breath and stepped forward.


    As his fingers touched the Gentleman¡¯s Skin covering the letter, he felt the life force flowing through it.


    He lifted it with a firm motion.


    [Blue] ¨C made of copperplate paper, its surface printed with a circle of ivy patterns, containing a human-shaped branch mosaic within,


    [Black] ¨C made of parchment, with a skeletal figure on a boat depicted on its surface,


    [Purple] ¨C made of white cardstock, showing an open book on the cover, with intricate tiny text invisible to the naked eye engraved inside.


    Three different colored envelopes appeared before him. If any gentleman in Zion City were to witness this scene, they¡¯d be struck speechless with shock.


    Just seeing a blue envelope alone is exceedingly rare, not to mention the appearance of three special letters at once¡ªa phenomenon that may not have occurred in decades.


    "This¡­"


    Even the usually decisive Yi Chen found himself completely stunned.

 Chapter 23

    With only two minutes remaining, four carriages awaited at the town¡¯s gathering point.


    A large group of frenzied townspeople arrived, with some noticing Yi Chen approaching from the lakeside, turning to chase him.


    At that moment, one of the carriage¡¯s rear compartments suddenly opened, and a muscular arm extended¡ªDagobert from the Northern Territory, who had previously worked with them.


    Beside him sat the blond-haired Edmund, who waved to Yi Chen.


    "Isn¡¯t that William? Come on, we¡¯re just one person short."


    At this critical moment when the test was about to end, there was no need to refuse.


    He quickly stepped forward. When Yi Chen extended his hand to clasp Dagobert¡¯s, an immense force pulled him into the carriage without even needing to jump.


    Edmund, seated next to him, closed the door.


    Now that the carriage was full, the driver didn¡¯t wait.


    Crack! The reins whipped across the horse¡¯s back, swiftly driving them out of the fishy-smelling town.


    Besides the four of them, there were two other unfamiliar faces in the carriage, both injured. One had bandages wrapped around his waist, while the other, with severe wounds on his right arm, was applying medicine to the injury.


    Compared to the others, Edmund¡¯s team had suffered minimal injuries.


    Dagobert¡¯s left arm was wrapped in a small bandage, and Julianne was resting against the carriage wall, clutching her right side, seemingly with a minor injury. Blond-haired Edmund had only a small adhesive bandage on his cheek.


    By contrast, Yi Chen, who was unscathed, naturally became the center of attention.


    Edmund leaned closer, asking curiously, ¡°Mr. William, I¡¯m a bit curious. The three of us fought our way from the town center to the gathering point, stopping twice to observe along the way, yet we didn¡¯t see you at all. Did you come from the lakeside?¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    ¡°How did you do that? During the town¡¯s chaos, the lake, where the pathogen breeds, is the most dangerous. Almost no one would approach it at the last minute.¡±


    ¡°I just happened to notice an ¡®opening,¡¯ that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Really? Impressive.¡±


    ¡°By the way, how long will it take to reach the organization¡¯s headquarters?¡±


    Noticing Yi Chen taking the initiative to ask, Edmund quickly explained, ¡°Locations chosen as test sites are usually close to the organization for easier monitoring and to prevent unexpected incidents. In at most three hours, we¡¯ll reach the headquarters¡ªZion City.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Yi Chen asked no more, using the time to close his eyes and rest, recovering from the mental trauma.


    At the same time, he checked on Little Grape.


    Despite some selfish motives during the lake mission, Little Grape had proven mostly reliable.


    Creak, creak. Plant roots moved within his body, trying to make contact with the growing Little Grape to check its condition. As he drew near, the roots dispersed again.


    ¡°Forget it, best not to disturb it¡­¡±


    With his hands in his pockets, he leaned back against the carriage wall to sleep, but found lingering thoughts kept him awake. Every time he closed his eyes, memories of the deep abyss laboratory and the mysterious entities resurfaced.


    Unable to sleep, his engineering mind started analyzing the origins of the Green Lake Town incident.


    ¡°The true mastermind should be that unknown entity I glimpsed. The giant eye at the lake¡¯s bottom was merely a product of his experiment. He must have released that eye along with some parasite samples into Green Lake Town. Rather than a diseased invasion, it¡¯s as if the town was used as a ¡®breeding ground.¡¯


    Once an advanced infected person emerges, they might be taken to the abyss.


    How terrifying¡­


    What kind of entities rule over this world?¡±


    Recalling the epic music of the ocean and the golden frame above the unknown entity¡¯s head, Yi Chen smiled faintly, eager to uncover this world¡¯s secrets.


    ¡­


    Approximately two hours passed.


    Suddenly, a strong jolt hit them.


    At the same time, the carriage gradually tilted upward, clearly heading up a slope.


    ¡°Are we finally going up the mountain? Ah, we¡¯re almost there. I¡¯m really looking forward to it.¡±


    Edmund, with his blond hair, stretched lazily and then decided on his own to open the rear carriage door. The driver didn¡¯t say anything about this behavior.


    As long as they were going uphill, there was no risk of contamination.


    At least, for now.


    In the instant the door fully opened...


    ¡°What the heck!¡±


    A surge of acrophobia instantly flooded Yi Chen¡¯s mind, his eyes widening instinctively. Luckily, he wasn¡¯t seated near the edge; otherwise, he would have been scared out of his wits.


    At present,


    the carriage was moving along a dangerously steep mountain road on the edge of a cliff.


    The right side was a drop-off of over two hundred meters.


    Most terrifyingly, the width of the road was barely ten centimeters wider than the carriage itself.


    The wheels were almost rolling along the very edge, always on the brink of sliding off. Any ordinary person would naturally feel a primal fear¡ªa deep, instinctive dread of death.


    However,


    the other passengers showed little reaction, fully trusting the driver¡¯s skills.


    As the carriage turned a bend along the cliff,


    hundreds of meters away,


    at the top of the mountain cliff,


    a black city stood.


    The city was built against the cliff, with even a third of its area extending out beyond it.


    Thick fog hovered over the city, with some areas even shrouded in a black membrane, effectively blocking any external probing.


    ¡°So this is [Zion].¡±


    For some reason,


    when Yi Chen looked at the city, his body felt a strange, cold comfort, as though he¡¯d found a safe haven in a world full of sickness and decay.


    Just then,


    a sensation stirred within him.


    On his shoulder, his skin suddenly swelled, and thin black threads pierced through, gently tearing open his skin without any pain.


    A black lump, identical to the original, emerged.


    The nerve connections between them were fully restored.


    Then came Little Grape¡¯s voice:


    ¡°Are we about to arrive at the organization already? That was quick.¡±


    ¡°Little Grape, you¡¯re healed already? I thought it would take you a few days.¡±


    ¡°It was just a delicious snack. A few hours were enough to digest it... It was good, I suppose. It did give me a bit of a boost.


    Here, let me share it with you.¡±


    As Little Grape shared his newly upgraded visual ability, Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen¡¯s vision was now equipped with a circular dotted line representing a [Lock-On].


    Whenever any living target entered his field of vision,


    the circle would automatically lock onto them.


    Currently,


    Edmund, the blond-haired one, was in Yi Chen¡¯s line of sight.


    The dotted circle, almost like an aim-assist, instantly targeted Edmund¡¯s head.


    One second later,


    the dotted line gradually became solid, indicating that the lock-on was complete.


    Little Grape¡¯s voice returned,


    ¡°All set! The target is locked! Just give the command, and the mental energy will be directed at them.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡±


    Yi Chen quickly looked away and blinked.


    The [Lock-On] was immediately released.


    Edmund seemed to sense Yi Chen¡¯s glance but didn¡¯t care at all.

 Chapter 24

    After about half an hour of uphill travel, the carriage finally left the treacherous mountain road. The wheels rolled onto a broad avenue paved with stone blocks, leading everyone toward the gates of Zion City.


    Notably, there were black lamp posts spaced evenly along the road. These weren¡¯t oil lamps but ¡®electric lights¡¯.


    ¡°Electric lights here?¡±


    Since arriving in this world, Yi Chen had been curious about the era he was in. The only modern technology he¡¯d seen was an old telephone in a small cabin in the cemetery, which could only connect to the overseer and no one else. This made Yi Chen think he might be in a time shortly after the Second Industrial Revolution.


    But as he left the cemetery, he didn¡¯t see any other electric devices in the outside world; people relied on oil lamps and candles for lighting. Even the vehicle sent by the organization was a horse-drawn carriage rather than a combustion engine car.


    Now, with electric facilities appearing on the road to Zion City, Yi Chen felt even more puzzled.


    ¡°Could it be that due to ¡®disease,¡¯ certain underdeveloped areas couldn¡¯t keep up with progress and were left behind in the pre-industrial era? But that doesn¡¯t make sense. If it were truly backward, a telephone wouldn¡¯t exist in the cemetery. Perhaps the phone was brought by a overseer from the organization?¡±


    "Gray Zone."


    Suddenly, Little Grape interrupted Yi Chen''s thoughts with this keyword.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Based on the memories that have merged in my mind, humans here once entered a period of the ¡®Electrical Era¡¯, efficiently and conveniently using electric power instead of steam. However, due to the impact of the disease, electric power couldn¡¯t fully develop and was eventually ¡®segmented and restricted.¡¯


    "The Gray Zone pervades all corners of the world, constantly spreading and proliferating. Anything within the Gray Zone is affected, and electricity is no exception. When electric wires pass through Gray Zones, the current inside them is affected, turning it into a medium for pathogenic.


    "The lightbulbs lit by the electricity can transmit effects through their light radiation, affecting people¡¯s skin. Telephones in such zones emit strange noises and whispers, gradually influencing people''s thoughts. Televisions may show bizarre, unclear images, spreading disease through visual means.


    "As a result, the development of electricity was completely halted, and human technology was forced back into the Steam Era. However, in larger cities that are relatively safe, like Zion City, there are likely power plants that maintain electricity within the city and preserve the advancement of certain technologies. That¡¯s the gist of it."


    ¡°Even electricity is affected by disease? What exactly is this ¡®disease,¡¯ and where did it originate?¡±


    ¡°My memories are incomplete, so I can¡¯t answer that... Besides, even among humans, no one may truly know. Perhaps, as you explore and seek answers, you¡¯ll gradually understand.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen¡¯s curiosity grew and he was about to continue the conversation with Little Grape, the carriage came to a halt.


    Edmond¡¯s voice called out:


    ¡°Mr. William, wake up! We¡¯ve arrived at Zion City. Up next is an important evaluation and awards ceremony, which determines whether we can formally join the organization and our subsequent benefits.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Stepping off the carriage, Yi Chen didn¡¯t see the expected city gates but instead two tall, black Gothic towers with pointed spires, etched with vertical ribs.


    Between the towers was a narrow, claustrophobic, dark passageway¡ªthe only route into the city. On either side of the towers were endless black walls, adorned with pointed spires and vertical structures.


    At regular intervals on top of the walls were gargoyle-like statues, adding another layer of eeriness to the already somber exterior.


    It felt more like a militarized Gothic city wall than an ordinary city boundary.


    ¡°William, come on! We still need to pass through this passageway used for quarantine, inspection, and purification before we can officially enter Zion City.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    A total of 19 assessors were sent here. They lined up in relative order, entering through the narrow doorway of the tower.


    Inside, the hallway featured a cylindrical dome and ribbed arch framework, with wall lamps on either side, decorated in a classical style.


    Not far in, a man dressed as a gentleman, holding a walking cane with a curved handle and wearing a white mask, blocked the path.


    On either side of him, a hidden passage appeared in the walls.


    A mature, deep voice sounded from behind the mask:


    ¡°I am pleased that so many newcomers have passed this difficult assessment. However, before setting foot in Zion, you must undergo a thorough physical disinfection. Men to the right, Madam to the left. Upon reaching the ¡®Disinfection Chamber,¡¯ please remove all clothing promptly. If any trace of contamination or symptoms of infection remains after disinfection, you will be immediately disposed of.¡±


    Yi Chen, at the end of the men¡¯s line, arrived in an enclosed space. Edmond, was the first to strip completely.


    As Yi Chen undressed, he noticed, to his surprise, that his current body¡ªthe one belonging to William Behrens¡ªwas quite fit. Although slightly thin, his four-pack abs were faintly visible, and his body fat percentage was within the normal range.


    After about half a minute, nozzles extended from the walls on all sides, even above and below.


    A pale yellow liquid with an intense odor sprayed out at high pressure, washing over everyone¡¯s bodies. Some of the more severely injured assessors were knocked over by the force.


    Yi Chen steadied himself as best he could.


    ¡°Chlorine water? It seems mixed with something else...¡±


    When the washing ended, a strange, intrusive sensation scanned everyone¡¯s body, as if detecting something.


    A low hum, followed by a slight tremor in the air¡ªand one of the young men sitting against the wall disappeared.


    ¡°Disappeared? What kind of technique is this?¡± Yi Chen was shocked. He had been vigilant, but he hadn¡¯t noticed a thing.


    Everyone dressed again and returned to the corridor.


    After the disinfection process, the group was reduced to 17 people.


    They continued to follow the masked gentleman toward the exit of the corridor.


    As they stepped out, the glow of the morning sun washed over them, revealing a city with a Gothic Revival style, a unique architecture beyond conventional construction.


    []


    The city had multi-layered, intersecting streets connected by arched bridges, with winding and uneven alleyways and elevated cathedrals, guild buildings, and noble estates supported by pillars, spiral staircases, and large steps¡ªachievements that surpassed the architectural feats of Yi Chen''s previous world.


    The gentleman guide placed his top hat over his chest and gave a slight bow to the group.


    ¡°Welcome to the headquarters of G&D, Zion¡ªthe world¡¯s sanctuary. I am your temporary guide, Jeff Peterson. Please follow me to the ¡®Divine Skin Mansion.¡¯ Based on your assessment performance, you will receive varying levels of the ¡®Skin of the Gentry.¡¯ Do not leave the group on our way; doing so will be seen as willingly forfeiting your right to the skin.¡±


    Upon hearing this special term, Edmond and most assessors showed expressions of eagerness, their excitement evident, as if the perils they¡¯d faced were all worth it. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen remained expressionless, but his heart raced with anticipation. He was keen to find out what reward his bold gamble would bring.

 Chapter 25

    As Yi Chen delved deeper into the city of Zion, he grew increasingly fascinated by its astonishing design. The section they were currently exploring, the "Street District," was divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower.


    These layers were interconnected by elevators, stairways along the edges, and some indoor corridors. Notably, the area accessed from the main gate corresponded to the upper street level. In other words, the middle and lower levels were embedded within the mountains.


    Due to the three-layered structure, there were significant gaps and spaces between the ground levels of the upper and middle layers, connected by circular arch bridges. The residential buildings in the Street District predominantly followed a Gothic style, with tall, slender spires, clear vertical features, elongated windows, and an overall dark, oppressive ambiance. Some buildings displayed a stacked structure, spanning from the lower to the upper levels.


    However, much of the street design was notably inconvenient. The streets lacked straightforward access, with iron gates at certain corners and narrower spots, giving an impression of intentional disorientation and division.


    Additionally, the entire Street District lacked a clear main road and more closely resembled a multilayered, nonlinear maze. Occasionally, a winding path would appear between inconspicuous houses, potentially leading to the other end of the district, saving substantial travel time compared to other routes.


    While observing the intricate layout, Yi Chen offered his analysis:


    "Such a street design likely serves two purposes.


    1. This city isn¡¯t designed for tourism; it¡¯s exclusive to members of the organization. No matter how complex the street layout, as long as the members are familiar with it, it won¡¯t be a problem¡ªin fact, it may even be convenient at times.


    2. If one day the disease spreads across the world, even reaching Zion, the streets can be effectively and quickly partitioned for isolation thanks to this complex structure."


    Moreover, with his enhanced senses, Yi Chen noticed that the people living in the Street District moved with light steps, economical motions, and graceful gestures, often exuding strength in subtle actions. Their attire was equally refined, with every detail meticulously crafted.


    "Those who live in Zion must have passed a basic assessment. Even the most ordinary residents are likely stronger than us."


    While navigating the district¡¯s uneven streets, Yi Chen also noted several hidden shops, unmarked but evidently conducting business. Certain alleys were closed off and guarded by men in gentlemanly attire for unknown reasons.


    He also observed that some gentlemen on the streets were accompanied by rather unusual ¡°pets.¡± Beyond typical pets like parrots or cats, some had creatures that could only be described as monstrous¡ªsuch as a dog with a chrysanthemum-shaped mouth and no other facial features, or a large spider with human-like legs. Mysterious pet shops dotted the streets, their doors tightly shut but emitting strange sounds from within.


    It was no surprise, then, that when Yi Chen met with other assessors with his pet, Little Grape, perched on his shoulder, they showed little surprise. Apparently, it was common for gentlemen in the organization to carry pets as combat aids.


    Half an Hour Later.


    The group followed Mr. Jeff, their guide, as they crossed a stone-arched bridge to the other side of the street. On the opposite side, an individual with a striking appearance approached them.


    He wore the iconic bird-beak mask of a medieval doctor. The leather of the mask was unique, with faint, starry scars flowing across it. The eye sockets and breathing components were lined with metal, giving him a mysterious and noble air.


    However, despite the bird-beak mask, he also wore a modern doctor¡¯s white coat and walked barefoot. This peculiar appearance immediately made Yi Chen think of a profession¡ªthe "Doctor."


    Upon seeing this figure, Mr. Jeff promptly removed his hat and bowed in a gentlemanly manner. The assessors accompanying him also stopped and bowed in respect.


    Yet...


    As the mysterious doctor passed by, he suddenly stopped.


    With a slight tilt of his head, the metal-rimmed eyes of his bird-beak mask locked onto Yi Chen at the end of the line. From the breathing slit, he murmured in an eerie, almost sticky tone:


    "Death¡­ There¡¯s a faint yet real scent of death flowing from you. Where does it come from?"


    Yi Chen steadied himself and replied quietly, "I come from the cemetery of Easton Town, where I worked for some time."


    "Simply working in a cemetery wouldn¡¯t let death seep into your body¡­ What is your name?"


    "William Behrens."


    After hearing the name, the mysterious doctor said nothing more, turning to leave.


    Following this exchange, everyone, including Mr. Jeff, who was leading the group, turned their eyes toward Yi Chen. Blond-haired Edmund even placed a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Wow! Mr. William, you actually attracted the doctor¡¯s attention¡­ That¡¯s a rare occurrence! You really are something.¡±


    The word "doctor" immediately reminded Yi Chen of the organization name "G&D," where ¡°doctor¡± was a key component.


    Not wanting to appear ignorant, he asked:


    "My life at the cemetery was quite isolated, so I''m not too clear on the meaning of ¡®doctor.¡¯ Could you explain?"


    "Gentleman & Doctor¡­ Simply put, it goes like this:


    ¡®Gentleman¡¯ represents spiritual purity. It aims to eliminate and prevent the mental decay caused by worldly illness, allowing for constant self-examination and ensuring the purity and integrity of human nature.


    ¡®Doctor¡¯ represents physical purity, using direct methods and ¡®medical tools¡¯ to cut away the sources of disease scattered across the world.


    In the organization, any gentleman granted the ¡®Doctor¡¯s License¡¯ is a true master at eradicating illness at its root.


    Of course, some among them are also skilled in healing. As long as you¡¯re not fully dead, even if one foot is in the River Styx, they can pull you back.


    In short, they¡¯re immensely powerful.


    Keep at it. With your talent, William, you might one day become a doctor too.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in the same cohort, so let¡¯s look out for each other.¡±


    After some casual conversation, the group continued on foot.


    The area of Zion City isn¡¯t particularly large, but fully exploring every corner is no easy task.


    After about an hour and a half of walking, the street architecture gradually became sparse. The winding paths widened and straightened into a clear main road. Along its sides stood exaggerated "gargoyle street lamps"¡ªfive-meter-tall statues holding lanterns with white, perpetual flames. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the end of the main road, they encountered a ¡°black bridge¡±: wide, straight, and extending long into the distance, contrasting sharply with the previous round arch bridge in both scale and structure.


    A layer of mist covered the bridge¡¯s surface.


    It was clear this bridge served as a ¡°divider¡± between districts. On the other side might lie an important area of Zion.


    After crossing the nearly kilometer-long black bridge, they reached an open gate.


    Inside stood a massive, castle-like mansion. Its walls were constructed from large, rough-hewn stones that strangely looked somewhere between stone and skin.


    As Yi Chen gazed at this skin-like mansion, a deep unease arose within him, momentarily reminding him of the scaly abyss he had once visited¡­ as if there was some hidden resemblance between the two.


    Or rather, an ancient aura¡ªsomething profoundly old beyond his comprehension.


    ¡°So this is the ¡®Divine Skin Mansion,¡¯ is it?¡±


    [Author:- The slower pacing here aims to detail the unique structure and architectural style of Zion City, giving everyone a stronger sense of entering this world¡­ describing the city took a lot of time and study (sob)]

 Chapter 26

    [Divine Skin Mansion]


    One of the most iconic and important buildings of the G&D organization, it represents the organization¡¯s origins and has been pivotal in its development and in nurturing distinguished gentlemen.


    All newcomers who arrive in Zion after passing the external assessment come here to be awarded their corresponding level of "skin"¡ªa necessary item to become a ¡°gentleman.¡±


    The mansion''s entrance is a typical Gothic door with multiple layers of arches and pillars, recessed in stages to create a sense of depth and allure, emphasizing the ''entrance''.


    The door itself is grandly oversized, towering at a height of 10 meters, as if designed not for human entry, but to welcome a deity.


    The heavy iron doors open inward, their solemnity evident.


    Two clerics, who permanently reside in the mansion, open the doors. They wear distinctive attire that aligns with the mansion¡¯s style¡ªlong robes seemingly crafted from patches of animal skins, sewn together after the fur has been removed. Each piece is pentagonal, with conspicuous stitching along the edges.


    Stitching can also be seen on their bodies, along the lips, eyelids, necks, and even parts concealed by clothing, as if their skin too has been pieced together with seams.


    Upon entering the mansion, a massive staircase with flesh-colored carpet comes into view, widening step by step, leading visitors to the left and right galleries of the second floor.


    On each side of the hall hang six portraits, corresponding to the previous masters of the mansion, all bearing the title of


    ¡°The First-Gentleman.¡±


    Only these esteemed figures have the authority to rule over the residence.


    Yi Chen and his companions do not ascend the staircase but are guided to a side room on the first floor.


    The room resembles a conference room, dominated by a long marble table, where the gentleman examiner overseeing the Green Lake Town assessment sits on the inner side of the table.


    The examinees are instructed to line up neatly, giving the setting an interview-like atmosphere.


    Yi Chen, positioned last, notices a white-haired examiner seated at the center, with a white-feathered owl perched on his shoulder¡ªthe same owl that had saved him at the lake.


    ¡°I am the primary supervisor of this assessment, George Chamberson. I am pleased that seventeen of you passed the challenging Green Lake Town assessment, with some even demonstrating unexpectedly graceful behavior during the assessment.¡±


    Next, he explains that their overall performance during the assessment will be scored.


    The total score is 100 points. Scoring above 40 grants residency in Zion; a score of 60 or more earns a standard ''Gentleman¡¯s Skin'', while a score of 80 or higher grants a skin infused with the essence of the old world. Those scoring above 95 will have the opportunity to meet the current ¡°First Gentleman¡± himself, who will personally assess and gift them a skin.


    Some of the gentlemen already familiar with the criteria disregard the last statement. The organization¡¯s grading is notoriously stringent, especially with the chief examiner this year being the elder known as the "White Owl." Scoring 80 alone would be considered exceptional, securing a promising future in Zion.


    The examiners begin evaluating each candidate in the order they entered, with Yi Chen last in line.


    Due to the assessment¡¯s high difficulty, most scored above the passing mark.


    Among those scoring 80 are:


    - The three members of Edmund¡¯s team,


    - A swordsman wrapped in bandages over much of his body,


    - And a young man with a low presence, somehow now clad in a floral suit, wearing a vibrant, multi-colored mask.


    A rustic stone box with the G&D emblem was handed to them.


    Edmund couldn''t hide his excitement and kept nudging his companions with his shoulder.


    Finally, it was the turn of the last person to enter, Yi Chen.


    The blonde-haired Edmund restrained his joy, suppressing his excitement, and focused on the evaluators'' upcoming remarks and scores.


    This time, Chief Examiner Chamberlain spoke directly:


    "William Behrens, temporary examiner from Easton Cemetery. Your final score for this assessment is [96]."


    The words fell, and silence filled the room.


    All the examiners, including Edmund, widened their eyes. A masked figure in a colorful suit even turned his head, showing a hint of interest.


    Among them were many from families, training bases, or small to medium-sized organizations directly affiliated with G&D.


    Everyone knew how difficult it was to score 95 or higher in the evaluation and to have a chance to meet the "First Gentleman." Such a score was almost impossible to achieve.


    For many years, no one had been able to reach this score.


    Mr. Chamberlain continued:


    "Since the score surpasses the first tier, I''ll briefly explain the reasoning.


    At the start of his investigation in the town, William chose a route entirely different from yours. He proactively engaged with an individual in the early stages of ''pathological transformation,'' stayed alone in a highly dangerous inn, and, in his quest to uncover the true root of the town¡¯s sickness, made the right, astute decision to cooperate with this partially conscious patient. He established a temporary alliance to gain their assistance and information.


    In the end, he risked certain death by venturing to the depths of the lake to eliminate the [Root Cause].¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Chamberlain''s summary left the other examinees even more shocked.


    They knew very well that, without having accepted the "Gentleman''s Skin" and formally becoming a gentleman, it was nearly impossible for an individual to eradicate regional disease. Simply surviving Green Lake Town and uncovering some key information to pass to the organization was already a significant accomplishment.


    Yet this young man ventured alone into the completely unknown lake depths, slaying the Root Cause at its core.


    A score of 96 was well-deserved.


    "Elegant and compassionate, courageous and perceptive... Zion hasn''t seen a young person like this in a long time. I believe the ''First Gentleman'' is also looking forward to meeting you."


    Listening to Chamberlain''s assessment, Yi Chen himself was surprised. He hadn¡¯t been sure whether his cooperation with the afflicted would be seen as a "misstep" by the organization.


    Now it seemed the organization wasn¡¯t rigid; that engaging with the afflicted in certain situations for better outcomes was a display of "insight."


    "The evaluation phase is over. Those who obtained the ''Gentleman¡¯s Skin'' should proceed to the Temple District to prepare for the ''Acceptance Ceremony.''"


    As everyone filed out, Edmund patted Yi Chen''s shoulder gently. "William, you¡¯ll have to lead us more in the future¡­ may you leave a good impression on the First Gentleman."


    "Yes."


    Once everyone had left, Chamberlain motioned for Yi Chen to follow him.


    "I will personally take you to the ¡®Depths of the official residence¡¯, where the First Gentleman resides.


    On the way, refrain from any impulsive actions and simply follow me.


    If you feel discomfort on your skin, endure it as best you can." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This last instruction made Yi Chen wary. As the First Gentleman and the master of the Divine Skin Mansion, being in the depths of the residence surely hinted at hidden secrets.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Chamberlain rotated a wall lamp affixed to the side of the wall, revealing a narrow passageway just wide enough for a single person to pass.


    "Follow me¡­ do not attempt to memorize the route; the path to the [Depths of the official residence] is one-time, one-way, and requires the First Gentleman¡¯s permission."


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Walking through the narrow wall passage of the residence, they proceeded under the dim glow of oil lamps for over ten minutes.


    The tight passage soon opened into a spiral staircase descending ominously.


    The moment Yi Chen set foot on the stairs, he heard a strange whispering in his ears.


    Though he couldn¡¯t understand the words, his skin began to tingle, evolving into a peeling sensation¡­


    It was as if his skin had developed its own awareness, wanting to separate from his body and exist on its own.


    "Hey!"


    Little Grape¡¯s sudden mental alert brought him back to reality, and the whispering faded.


    "Just now¡­"


    ¡°The ancient existence hidden within this residence tried to [skin you]. Be cautious~ don''t let your mind slip for even a second. I''ll help too.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen could sense Little Grape¡¯s unprecedented seriousness.

 Chapter 27

    As Yi Chen felt the oppressive influence from the depths of the official residence, Chamberlain deliberately paused, waiting without offering any assistance.


    After a few minutes passed, Yi Chen regained his composure, and Chamberlain offered a quiet assessment.


    "If you could resist the ''Whispers of the Divine Skin'' on your own next time, that would be even better."


    "We still have another half hour of walking to do. Before we meet the First Gentleman, I have a few personal questions I''d like to ask you." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Go ahead."


    "When you eradicated the Watcher at the lakebed, what else did you experience? Did you see anything beyond the typical test areas?"


    Without hesitation, Yi Chen described his experience of mental invasion by a giant eye, being drawn into an abyssal laboratory in his consciousness. He recounted the epic music echoing in his mind, the figure symbolizing the ultimate form of a fish, the strange attire, and the golden frame that appeared above his head.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to speak the ancient name inscribed on the frame, Chamberlain swiftly turned, covering Yi Chen¡¯s mouth with his hand.


    "Never utter such ancient, origin-laden names; it could cause severe and fundamental damage to you and may even expose the exact locations of Zion and the Divine Skin Mansion. Since you''re not fully part of the organization yet and this is a first offense, we¡¯ll let it slide. Surviving such an ordeal indeed qualifies you to meet the First Gentleman."


    "Mr. Chamberlain, what exactly are those fish-like entities in the Abyss?"


    "They are ancient beings, linked to the ''Origin''. They are far beyond your reach¡ªI''ve only seen the tip of the iceberg myself. As for more details, you''ll have to search for them when you reach a sufficient level."


    "Let''s not stray too far off topic. Tell me about your experience in the Seven-Day Cemetery."


    "Alright."


    When Chamberlain learned that Yi Chen was a non-trained, ordinary external hire, he was genuinely astonished. A completely ordinary person, merely enhanced in sensory perception, had managed to kill an ''Initial Stage Patient''. Such a case was nearly unheard of across all regions managed by the organization.


    Not to mention that Yi Chen even accepted ¡®Pathogenic Characteristics¡¯ afterward.


    "No wonder Wilbert personally recommended you. I''m sure the First Gentleman will also be pleased to see such unique, fresh talent joining our organization."


    As they chatted, the two descended a hundred meters down a spiral staircase. Chamberlain took out a unique high-level seal and unlocked the iron gate at the bottom of the stairs. The gate creaked open, expanding the previously confined space several times over and filling it with the warmth of candlelight, dispelling the claustrophobic sensation.


    However, Yi Chen felt no relief; instead, an even greater sense of oppression and unease settled over him.


    The so-called turned out to be a medieval chapel buried underground. The central hall was high, with low aisles on either side, and rows of clustered columns guiding visitors toward the altar.


    This underground chapel had no windows. It was as if it was built to reject the divine light descending from heaven, avoiding any form of communication with the ¡°above.¡± In place of windows, square niches had been carved into the walls to hold candles, creating artificial light, a testament to the organization''s beliefs and resolve.


    What Yi Chen found most unsettling, however, was the chapel''s altar design and entity.


    Above the Altar


    An ambiguous figure, a "human," hung suspended. The quotes signify that although this being''s body structure and proportions resembled those of a human, it stood nearly six meters tall. Beneath wild, unkempt white hair was the face of a middle-aged man. His body was shrouded by an old, tattered, patched black suit.


    **


    His body had been sewn with six foreign organs, with only four visible on the exterior:


    1. An aged arm attached to his right shoulder blade,


    2. A sea-blue eye embedded in the back of his head,


    3. An ear attached to the back of his right hand,


    4. A spine covered in skin, connected to his waist like a tail.


    The following were hidden from view:


    5. A patch of pale skin with strange tattoos, sewn onto his chest,


    6. A human-faced heart implanted in his right chest, functioning normally.


    The six external entities are derived from the former [First Gentleman], embodying the traits and will he held in life.


    **


    Iron chains descend from the church ceiling,


    binding his limbs,


    piercing into the skin of his back,


    passing laterally through the back of his neck,


    his entire body hangs cruciform above the altar.


    These chains, touching his flesh, seem almost alive, their cold steel turning warm, even growing skin-like on their surface.


    This man is the current "First Gentleman", the seventh master of the Divine Skin Mansion¡ªAlexis King Claude.


    ¡°This is the First Gentleman¡­¡±


    At this sight, Yi Chen begins to feel confused, even nervous, about the reward he is about to receive.


    As he and White Owl approach the steps before the altar, the First Gentleman slowly opens his eyes.


    In that instant, Yi Chen feels his skin begin to ripple all over his body.


    ¡°Since the jury has given you such a high evaluation, ascend the final holy steps and accept my skin.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Only then does Yi Chen understand: the highest honor of the assessment, the "Gentleman''s Skin", is directly bestowed by the master of the Divine Skin Mansion.


    Though he doesn¡¯t yet know the skin¡¯s purpose,


    he is certain it will be of great help to his future progress.


    Taking a deep breath,


    Yi Chen hesitates no longer.


    He ensures his steps are deliberate, his movements graceful.


    As he ascends the steps,


    clang, clang¡ªthe chains move,


    and the First Gentleman, Claude, descends to the altar, gazing down at the small-framed young man before him.


    ¡°Touch me.¡±


    He extends his hand.


    Their palms meet.


    In that instant,


    Yi Chen can no longer control his skin, which begins to shift uncontrollably, flowing like liquid.


    Simultaneously,


    a strange sensation overwhelms him as the skin flows toward him, as if their skins are ¡°swapping.¡±


    This liquid sensation


    sparks a memory he thought should have been erased¡ªa vast black sea, ink-like waves surging and sweeping something from his body.


    Buzz!


    During the ¡°skin transfer,¡± the First Gentleman Claude suddenly feels a deathly pull from within Yi Chen¡­ even forming a small black vortex, actively drawing his skin.


    ¡°Death?¡±


    The withered arm attached to Claude¡¯s back sweeps forward, forcibly breaking their connection.


    However,


    Yi Chen, absorbed in the transfer, has no awareness of what happened outside.


    When he finally opens his eyes,


    he finds a 10cm by 10cm piece of "Gentleman¡¯s Skin" in his hand, and he can clearly feel it is alive.


    At that same moment,


    White Owl Chamberlain, standing below the steps, shows a rare look of surprise.


    ¡°Such a large piece?¡±


    He had seen some exceptionally talented newcomers granted an audience with the First Gentleman, but none had ever received so large a piece of skin.


    Clang, clang¡ªthe chains move again,


    and the First Gentleman resumes his suspended state.


    Simultaneously, a black box appears above the altar.


    ¡°Store your ''Skin'' and proceed to the acceptance ceremony¡­ I¡¯m also curious to see what kind of gentleman you¡¯ll be identified as.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly steps forward, placing the skin in the box and holding it close to his chest.


    Before parting,


    the First Gentleman adds a comment, intended more for White Owl to hear.


    ¡°Through our contact, I sensed that your physique is quite ordinary, with no basic training¡­ more like an ''outsider''.


    Chamberlain, make sure this young man¡¯s foundational training is accelerated; he¡¯ll need to invest much more time than others.


    If necessary, you may request extended secluded training from the academy.


    In any case, I leave this matter to you.


    We must carefully cultivate our talent; we don¡¯t have much time left.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    With these words, the white skin affixed to the First Gentleman¡¯s chest reveals an ancient, incomprehensible pattern.


    ¡¾Spatial Compression¡¿


    In a flash,


    Yi Chen and Chamberlain return to the side hall of the assessment and review.


    It almost seems as if his meeting with the First Gentleman was but a fleeting dream.


    Clutching the black box in his hand, feeling the vitality of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin within, excitement, joy, and satisfaction from securing this prized reward surge forth.


    ¡°Going to the bottom of the lake¡­ was indeed the right choice.¡±

 Chapter 29

    ¡°Each letter represents a career. Once I choose, it will define my future growth path, determine my status and quality of life in Zion City, and even set the boundaries of my exploration of the world. To some extent, it will also dictate my maximum survival time in this world.


    I can''t rush this decision. I need to take my time, think carefully, and decide.


    Neither Chamberlain nor any of the clergy at the mansion mentioned a ¡®time limit,¡¯ so staying here as long as I need shouldn''t be a problem.¡±


    Yi Chen attempted to summon Little Grape, hoping it might offer some guidance.


    Unfortunately, he found that only his consciousness had entered this place alone.


    Calming his mind, he recalled the focused state he used to achieve when conducting scientific research.


    First, he looked at the blue envelope.


    ¡°Ivy vines wrapped around branches resembling human forms¡­ This clearly relates to the ''Pathogenic Characteristic'' within me, likely indicating a plant-based growth path.


    Choosing this would allow further development within the plant system.


    And Mr. Wilbert did mention that the pathogenic crystal I ingested was of top quality in terms of both clarity and shape.


    During the Green Lake Town assessment, I deeply experienced the convenience of plant abilities.


    But let''s look at the others first.¡±


    His gaze shifted to the black envelope.


    As Yi Chen closely observed the skeleton on the boat illustrated on the envelope, a faint black mist began to emanate from the leather material, seeping into Yi Chen''s nostrils.


    In an instant, his thoughts drifted to a black sea, where a lone skeleton drifted in a wooden boat across the waters.


    When the skeleton turned its head, half of its face remained decayed¡­ looking just like Yi Chen''s.


    This sudden shock snapped him back to reality.


    ¡°A black sea¡­ I saw a similar scene before when I took in the skin of the First Gentleman. There¡¯s an inexplicable familiarity, almost as if I¡¯ve been there before, as if it¡¯s somehow related to death.


    When I first arrived in Zion, I encountered a doctor on an arched bridge, who also mentioned that death flows within me.


    Could this be due to the transmigration?


    Is the black envelope connected to my experience of death and crossing worlds?¡±


    Recalling Chamberlain¡¯s explanation about the black envelope, it represents the Nightmare profession. Once chosen, he would receive special training from the organization, becoming an executioner.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t particularly mind such a title.


    His instincts told him that the growth path offered by the black envelope would provide him with formidable power.


    ¡°No rush¡­ let¡¯s check the purple one.¡±


    Compared to the other two, the purple envelope made of white card stock was thicker and more refined. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Embellished with a book insignia on the surface, it resembled a purple gentleman perusing books in a library.


    ¡°The book insignia on the envelope seems to contain tiny inscriptions¡­ in the real world, you¡¯d need an extremely high-precision engraving machine to imprint such fine text. ??


    Without Little Grape¡¯s visual enhancement, it¡¯s impossible to make out clearly.


    Wait¡ªif this place is only accessible by the conscious mind, could it be that this ¡®Old Hall¡¯ is also a kind of mental space, like a dream?


    If so, then perhaps my subjective thoughts might influence the objective reality?¡±


    With this thought, Yi Chen widened his eyes as much as possible, almost pressing his round eyeballs against the purple envelope.


    Amazingly, prolonged staring indeed magnified his vision, and the previously illegible text gradually became clear.


    Once he could read it entirely, Yi Chen was so startled that he took several steps back.


    To verify it wasn¡¯t a hallucination, Yi Chen returned to the stone table and repeated the process, looking even longer and more carefully this time.


    ¡°Why¡­ why is my thesis printed on it?¡±


    In the book emblem on the purple envelope, the tiny inscriptions were the very same thesis Yi Chen had painstakingly written before his death.


    The text on the left side of the book corresponded to the thesis cover, including the title and names of Yi Chen and his advisor.


    On the right side of the book was the thesis abstract.


    These familiar words instantly pulled Yi Chen back into painful memories, making him nearly abandon the purple letter.


    After a while, Yi Chen calmed down and resumed his comprehensive analysis.


    "The blue letter corresponds to the ''pathogenic characteristic'' I just acquired here, the black letter seems to be related to [transmigration], which corresponds to a death attribute, and the purple letter relates to my experiences before I died.


    Just as Mr. Chamberlain said, these letters are closely connected to me.


    Generally speaking, the first two are preferable, but¡­ plants represent vitality, while black represents death.


    If I choose one as my growth path, the balance within me will be disrupted, and the chosen path will restrict the development of the other, possibly even eliminating it altogether.


    If I want to combine both, the purple letter is the only option.


    Should I take this risk?"


    Yi Chen looked again at the purple letter, his gaze focused on the book emblem on the envelope. For a moment, he recalled fragments of his past, whether it was in the hopeless orphanage or attending the local school after escaping. Yi Chen never missed a chance to study.


    It was the lines of text in those books that motivated him to survive in his previous world, shaping his values and giving him the opportunity to truly "become human." On the relatively fair path of education, he fought hard, winning scholarships each year and eventually reaching the graduate level.


    Books were the light in his past life.


    "Purple represents a unique [profession]... Books and reading were the most important and the thing I was best at in my past life."


    As Yi Chen gradually made up his mind, a sense of certainty formed. Without hesitation, he picked up the purple envelope from the stone table and opened it!


    The words recorded in the letter transformed into a bright, intense beam that shot into his eyes and pierced his mind.


    He could even faintly smell the scent of something burning in his brain.


    Buzz!


    When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the ceremonial hall.


    Huff, huff! Yi Chen knelt on one knee, gasping heavily, his head emitting plumes of white smoke.


    The other participants had also completed their "letter selection." A "emblem" of the chosen letter appeared on a part of their bodies, such as their palms, neck, or chest.


    On the right side of blonde Edmond¡¯s neck was a smoking mark of intertwined guns and swords, as if it had just been branded.


    Dagobert, the burly man, had a mark on his right upper arm showing a flexed bicep, clearly related to a [strength profession].


    Juliana¡¯s mark, branded on her lower abdomen, was a dagger through a skull, perhaps connected to assassination.


    The overseer of this assessment, George Chamberlain, scanned everyone¡¯s emblems with an owl-like gaze and showed a satisfied expression.


    "This batch of newcomers is quite impressive. The proportion of rare professions is high, and the integration process was smooth. A few of these newcomers may even be worth prioritizing for special training¡­ Hmm?"


    When Chamberlain¡¯s gaze finally settled on Yi Chen, he couldn''t find any "emblem" on him from any angle.


    "Failed!?"


    Yi Chen was his most promising newcomer, and he had even gained the favor of the First Gentleman. Chamberlain immediately stepped into the formation to prepare for a thorough examination of the smoke-emitting Yi Chen.

 Chapter 30

    Although his consciousness had just returned, and his head was a bit foggy, Yi Chen was still fairly aware of his surroundings and naturally noticed the arrival of Chamberlain, this high-ranking gentleman. Chamberlain pressed close to examine Yi Chen carefully, while all the people present, including the examiners and clergy, focused their gaze on him as though sensing something missing.


    The owl perched on Chamberlain''s shoulder let out a call.


    ¡°Here?¡± Following the owl¡¯s direction, Chamberlain shifted his gaze to the back of Yi Chen¡¯s head, parting his hair with his fingers to peer fully into the skull and observe the brain''s internal state.


    An intact brain came into view, and where its grooves should have been randomly distributed, there was an unusual reshaping at the back. The muscle-like streaks and indentations at the rear of his brain interlocked and combined, forming a "Professional Emblem" resembling an open book, perfectly symmetrical.


    With each breath, oxygen flowed into his skull, causing the brain to pulsate with the intake. The ''Book'' symbol imprinted on the back of his head created an illusion of pages turning, even with tiny letters on the surface seeming to shift like living text as they adjusted to his form.


    ¡°This!¡± Chamberlain, who had been in Zion for years, was so taken aback by the sight that he stared in amazement, frozen with his hand still on Yi Chen''s head. It took him a full three minutes to realize his lack of decorum, and he quickly straightened himself.


    ¡°The ceremony has been a success; all of you have received your respective ''Professions'' without exception. However, you¡¯re still one step away from becoming true gentlemen. Before you officially start your ''training'' with the organization, you¡¯ll have two days of free time. Soon, a designated person will escort you to temporary accommodations in Zion City.


    ¡°Please use this time to complete your ''custom-made clothing¡¯. If you fail to finish or your attire does not meet the standards, your training period will be delayed, and disciplinary records may be added.¡±


    When Chamberlain finished speaking, an intense cheer rose from the ceremony hall but soon faded. Suppressing their excitement, everyone quietly discussed the Professions they had received.


    Blonde-haired Edmund quickly came over to Yi Chen, trying to locate his "Emblem".


    ¡°Huh? William, is your emblem hidden somewhere secret? Well, my family has connections with a really good tailor shop in Zion; maybe we could go together?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t mind the suggestion. After all, he was unfamiliar with the place and completely unfamiliar with the process of ¡°custom-made clothing¡¯.¡±


    However, Chamberlain, the white owl, gave him a sharp look and said sternly, ¡°Due to William Behrens¡¯ unique circumstances, I will personally oversee his lodging and attire.¡±


    Edmund got the message, giving Yi Chen a quick look that said, ¡°We¡¯ll meet again.¡± He then left with his team.


    The other examinees were either taken to temporary accommodations or, like Edmund, could head directly to established family estates in Zion.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving,¡± Chamberlain said, leading Yi Chen to an upscale restaurant called Brusalle, where they were seated in the deepest private room. Once the array of exquisite dishes was brought to the table, Chamberlain emphasized privacy to the waiter, ensuring that they wouldn¡¯t be disturbed during the meal.


    Dining with Chamberlain was rather uncomfortable for Yi Chen. Chamberlain''s movements were incredibly refined, even keeping the exact angles of his knife and fork consistent and the food in his mouth for precisely the same duration every time. Yi Chen did his best to mimic the etiquette he saw.


    ¡°No need to force yourself. Later, during your formal training, you¡¯ll learn gentlemanly etiquette in a structured way¡­ After all, you were just a contracted worker at the cemetery before you came here.


    ¡°Relax and enjoy; this is your well-deserved reward.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Since the other party had already spoken,


    Yi Chen, whose stomach had long been rumbling with hunger, grabbed the largest bowl of salad and devoured it within moments.


    Little Grape wasn¡¯t to be outdone either; it crawled out from under Yi Chen¡¯s collar, leapt onto the dining table, and sucked out the eyeballs of a flounder as an appetizer before voraciously gnawing on other meat dishes.


    After licking the oil stains clean from the plate, it obediently nestled back onto Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    Watching the mess left on the table, Chamberlain muttered softly, ¡°You¡¯ll need to take etiquette lessons seriously when the time comes.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get to the main topic¡­ What choice did you make in the [Hall of the Old Days]?¡±


    Without holding anything back, Yi Chen described the details. Halfway through, Chamberlain¡¯s eyes widened suddenly.


    ¡°What? Blue, black, and purple, three high-level letters appearing simultaneously? Impossible! Quickly, describe the crests on each of the letters.¡± S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they discussed the blue crest adorned with plants, Chamberlain analyzed, ¡°Plants¡­ A rare and valuable support-oriented profession. If you choose this, you¡¯ll be in high demand in Zion; many gentleman squads will extend olive branches to you. Following this path also makes it easier to become a ''Doctor'' and obtain clinic licenses.¡± ?


    When they moved on to the black crest with a skull, Chamberlain¡¯s brows furrowed, his eagle-like eyes narrowing at Yi Chen: ¡°The deathly aura gathered from cemeteries shouldn¡¯t be enough to produce a death-type black letter. Do you have a more direct connection to ¡®Death¡¯? This is rarer than the plant path. If you choose it, you could become a fearsome Death Gentleman. However¡­ this isn¡¯t the emblem that appeared in your mind, is it? Did you choose the ¡®purple letter¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Why, with two such excellent options, did you pick an unknown path?¡±


    Chamberlain, usually warm towards Yi Chen, became unexpectedly stern. He seemed to misunderstand, thinking Yi Chen chose the purple letter out of fear of outside pathogens and a desire to live a safe, uneventful life in Zion.


    ¡°Balance.¡±[1]


    Yi Chen pronounced his last name and seriously explained his choice, driven by a desire to pursue knowledge while balancing two distinct attributes.


    Upon hearing this, Chamberlain¡¯s misunderstanding dissipated immediately. He stood up abruptly, spreading his arms. Even the owl on his shoulder opened its wings in sync.


    ¡°Elegant!¡±


    Chamberlain quickly resumed his seat and continued seriously, ¡°Ahem~ Since the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ has appointed me to handle your foundational training, I¡¯ll be your ''First Mentor'' in Zion. I¡¯ll also handle the related formalities for you. After all, I am an honorary professor at the ''Alfarostik Academy''. Your enrollment process will be much smoother as a result.¡±


    Yi Chen promptly updated his address, ¡°Professor Chamberlain, I have one more question. Now that my profession is determined, how can I experience the changes it brings? Or, how can I examine information related to this profession?¡±


    ¡°This is why I¡¯ve given you two days to complete something essential, the last step in becoming a gentleman: ''tailor-made clothing''. Take your gentleman¡¯s skin and come with me¡­¡±


    1. Balance = Behrens... Get it? XD

 Chapter 31

    Guided by Chamberlain,


    they crossed the archway over the street and took the elevator directly down to the **.


    The street was divided into three levels, each differing not only in height but in style, density, and predominant commerce.


    The lower one goes, the fewer "restrictions" there are, so that in the Lower Street, establishments less suited for "gentlemen" sometimes appear. The atmosphere leans toward leisure and amusement, with fewer formal venues.


    At this point, Chamberlain remarked:


    "Most of Zion''s ¡®tailor shops¡¯ are located in the Upper District, particularly along Academy Street, where many have a long history and a strong reputation. However... your hide is a bit different. Even the shops affiliated with the Academy might not handle it perfectly.


    I know an old friend of mine who, due to certain circumstances, was forced to open a tailor shop deep within the Lower Street. Over thirty years ago, he achieved the level of a master tailor. His skills are sure to make the best use of this hide. And he loves a challenging task."


    Upon hearing this, Yi Chen remembered that his current outfit was also from one of the organization''s ¡®tailor shops¡¯. The shopkeeper had told him that once he passed his assessment, he could get a free, custom-made outfit.


    "Professor Chamberlain, are there many of the organization''s tailor shops outside?"


    "Indeed, [Tailor shops] are a crucial institution of the organization, a vital supply hub for gentlemen.


    Every tailor shop opened outside receives organizational funding, and gentlemen on assignments can enjoy basic services for free:


    - Cleansing of diseased bodies


    - Repairing damaged clothing


    - Accepting related tasks or claiming rewards locally


    - A safe house and temporary refuge.


    We continuously select gentlemen with tailoring skills to set up external shops to combat the spread of disease and reduce the mortality rate of gentlemen."


    "I understand."


    During their casual chat, the two squeezed through a narrow gap between buildings, entering the depths of the Lower Street.


    *Chasm Street*, as the name suggests, lies nestled between narrow passages, filled with leisure shops. Most of the shops here openly violate Zion''s regulations. The gentlemen here appeared more relaxed, wearing masks to hide their faces and expressions.


    Chamberlain, who seemed strict, accepted this environment, saying quietly,


    "The gentleman''s spirit allows us to retain our ''self'' in a diseased world, though fatigue is inevitable.


    As long as gentlemen maintain enough self-control and view as a temporary relief and a rational tool for balance, it can actually be beneficial."


    "Mm."


    Just then, a nearby public phone booth rang urgently. The fixed rhythm of the ringing seemed to convey a message.


    In an instant, Chamberlain slipped into the small booth, placing the worn receiver to his ear. He didn¡¯t say a word, simply listening.


    When he stepped out, he handed Yi Chen a card bearing an owl''s head.


    "I''ve just been called to a meeting. You¡¯ll have to handle the tailoring alone.


    The tailor shop is at the end of the street. Though hidden, it¡¯s still fairly noticeable in a place like this. When you arrive, hand my card to the old man; he''ll create the perfect outfit for you."


    "Understood..."


    As Yi Chen took the card and bowed, Chamberlain had already vanished.


    "Speaking of which, I haven''t arranged a place to stay... Oh well, I''ll get the suit done first, then think about sleeping¡ªeven the street works if needed."


    To reduce any trouble, Yi Chen pressed his ten fingers to his face, quickly constructing a green mask to conceal his appearance.


    He also created an eco-friendly plant-based handbag, in which he concealed the black box containing the "Gentleman''s Skin."


    Walking deeper into the lower district, he noticed many peculiar shops lining both sides of the street, half-shuttered without any signs. The air was tinged with scents, some fragrant and others faintly metallic with blood. Suppressing his curiosity, Yi Chen decided these places were better explored once he officially became a gentleman.


    Following Chamberlain¡¯s description, he finally arrived at a narrow street corner.


    A gothic black building immediately drew Yi Chen¡¯s attention. It had no signboard. He ascended the stone steps leading to the door and prepared to knock.


    Creak~


    The black-painted front door opened on its own, revealing a dimly lit interior with no signs of life.


    ¡°Is anyone here?¡±


    Cautiously, Yi Chen stepped inside.


    Unlike the clothing store in Easton Town, this place was devoid of light and didn¡¯t display a single piece of clothing.


    Instead, it was filled with hundreds of life-sized stone "human sculptures." They packed every corner of the room, turning the open floor into winding paths that evoked a claustrophobic atmosphere.


    Strangely enough, perhaps because their faces weren¡¯t fully sculpted, each statue¡¯s head was draped with a white cloth, giving them a sinister and eerie look.


    In addition, there were numerous canvases stacked against the walls, all filled with human figure drawings, some already covered in cobwebs.


    ¡°Did I come to the wrong place?¡±


    As Yi Chen questioned whether he¡¯d wandered into a dilapidated art gallery, he felt a slight shift.


    A white cloth fluttered onto his shoulder, and a faint breathing sound came from behind him, accompanied by a chilling sensation along his neck.


    ¡°Hmm!?¡±


    Reaching instinctively for the hatchet at his waist, Yi Chen spun around swiftly.


    Behind him stood an unfinished statue without facial features, its stiff arm inexplicably raised and pointing in a specific direction.


    Following its gesture, he saw a narrow spiral staircase leading to the second floor.


    Just then¡­


    Tap, tap¡­


    The sound of leather shoes and a cane echoed from the stairwell.


    A middle-aged man in a brown beret, half his face covered by a mask, and wearing a sharply tailored suit, was slowly descending the stairs.


    What stood out was his suit, split into two colors: black on the left, red on the right, with a flame pattern (his masked side was also his right).


    His right hand, clad in a rubber glove, clutched a cane to support his descent.


    "Who introduced a newcomer like you here?"


    ¡°Professor Chamberlain originally planned to accompany me, but he was called to a meeting midway¡­ so I came alone.¡±


    As Yi Chen prepared to step forward to show his owl-marked card¡­


    Click~


    The human statues around him suddenly moved, mechanically raising their arms to block his path.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ I can smell the owl scent on you; no need to show proof. Just state your purpose for being here.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Without further ado, Yi Chen retrieved a 10x10 cm piece of "Gentleman''s Skin" from the black box.


    The moment he revealed it, all the statues in the shop showed symptoms of ¡°peeling,¡± as layers of stone flaked off to expose underlying muscles and veins (still made of stone).


    The shopkeeper on the stairs widened his eyes, exclaiming, ¡°Such a large piece of ''Original Skin''? Put it away quickly; it¡¯s not suited to be exposed for too long.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    As Yi Chen returned the skin to the box, the statues immediately ceased their restlessness.


    Yi Chen added, ¡°Professor Chamberlain specifically said only you in Zion City can properly handle and manage this type of .¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t wrong. Most tailor shops are just full of drunks¡ªentrusting them with such a piece would be a waste.¡± S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Come with me; the process for a is quite complex, and it will require your patience.¡±

 Chapter 32

    "Full Customization"


    This is the final step before becoming a true gentleman, the skin of a gentleman.


    As an essential medium in connecting with the growth system, once the individual completes their career choice through a ceremonial activation, the skin will be repurposed. The tailor will transform it into the essential every gentleman needs. This clothing, made primarily from the gentleman¡¯s own skin, not only provides effective "pathogen isolation"¡ªallowing gentlemen to face pathogens directly and venture into the mysterious and dangerous Grey Zone for various investigations and clean-up activities.


    It also makes the connection between the individual and the growth system more tangible, allowing one to assess their own state.


    Different skin materials result in different clothing qualities, naturally...


    Of course, this is just the initial outfit, merely representing the .


    Gentlemen who join the organization can acquire more through subsequent missions, and those with outstanding performance may even meet the First Gentleman.


    The skin acquired later can be used to enhance, reinforce, or even completely remake the clothing.


    However, while the "gentleman''s skin" obtained through the examination is only a , Yi Chen¡¯s step forward is slightly larger than expected.


    ...


    **


    A spacious, unobstructed open-plan space with walls and ceilings covered in large mirrors, resembling more of a dance studio¡ªa stark contrast to the first floor, which is filled with human sculptures.


    The customer only needs to stand in the center, and the shop owner can use the mirrors to read the individual¡¯s body information as the basis for .


    This information also includes . After a thorough observation of Yi Chen through this method, the shop owner let down his guard entirely and introduced himself:


    "I am Korol Ivan, the owner of this nameless tailor shop. I cut off ties with the organization a while back and no longer handle clothing orders from them. I only occasionally lend a hand to friends when I¡¯m in a good mood.


    I didn¡¯t expect that rigid owl would make an exception and secretly send you my way... but bringing such a substantial original skin indeed warrants serious attention from him.


    Before we start the full customization, I have a few questions for you.


    Briefly introduce yourself, including your background, key experiences, especially the choice of letter.¡±


    "William Behrens..."


    Yi Chen began recounting his experience in the ''Seven-Day Cemetery''. When Ivan, the shop owner, heard that this young man had ''taken up the path halfway'' and killed infected beings with an ordinary human body, topping the examination, he couldn''t help but widen his eyes, giving Yi Chen a thorough once-over.


    When he further heard that Yi Chen chose the mysterious purple letter over the excellent blue and black options, the shop owner perked up.


    He didn¡¯t ask for the reasoning behind it.


    He simply took a deep breath as if bracing for a major project.


    ¡°You... are indeed unique. Now I completely understand why the owl chose you.


    Because of the complexity of your situation and the distinctiveness of the skin you brought, the is expected to take 24 hours. You¡¯ll need to be on-call throughout... until the production is complete. You can sleep here in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°Here?¡±


    "Yes... pick any spot.


    You¡¯re marked as a now; those stone statues downstairs won¡¯t attack you.


    Finally, keep absolute silence in the tailor shop.


    Unless you hear me call, don¡¯t enter the tailoring room or disturb my work.¡±


    Ivan took the heavy black box, stumbling slightly as he walked toward a large mirror, opening a hidden door behind it.


    A pungent gas wafted out, making Yi Chen, standing several meters away, feel a bit uncomfortable.


    Rather than a , it looked more like a specialized laboratory storing dangerous reagents.


    Instinctively, Yi Chen wanted to sneak a peek, but one look from Ivan made him reconsider.


    The hidden door locked.


    Yi Chen shrugged and leaned back against the wall to sit.


    "Anyway, since I haven¡¯t been officially assigned a place to stay, resting here for a day isn¡¯t too bad."


    The mental exhaustion from the professional ritual ceremony washed over his mind, and he soon curled up in the corner against the wall and drifted off to sleep.


    However, he was repeatedly woken up during his sleep to undergo some strange and even bizarre measurements.


    For example:


    Thin needles were inserted into his finger joints to measure their internal diameter, or his clothing was lifted to record the number of folds around his navel, as well as the curve changes of his navel while standing, sitting, and lying down.


    Even the more private ¡°back entrance¡± was measured for various parameters.


    On one occasion, he groggily woke up and found the shopkeeper squatting in front of him, meticulously jotting down notes in a little notebook like some kind of pervert.


    Of course,


    there were times when things seemed somewhat normal. He went through about five rounds of trying on sample outfits, each time met with a dissatisfied look from the shopkeeper, with hints of murderous intent... until, on the sixth attempt, a slightly satisfied expression finally emerged.


    In this way, he spent the entire day in a state of extreme unease, feeling constantly subjected to perverted peering and physical probing.


    There was only one hour left until the anticipated custom order was ready.


    Although Yichen was still leaning quietly against the wall, motionless, he was beginning to feel a growing sense of anticipation, even imagining several different styles of gentlemanly attire.


    Just then,


    a scattering of footsteps echoed from downstairs, suggesting that another guest had arrived at the tailor shop.


    Thinking that his [outfit] was in its final stages, Yi Chen moved downstairs with steps as light as feathers, hoping to remind the other guest to stay quiet.


    As he reached the corner of the staircase, he came face-to-face with the mysterious guest, who wore a fully enclosed mask painted with colorful patterns and lacking any openings.


    The man was dressed in a flamboyantly colorful suit, as if various hues of paint had accidentally spilled all over it.


    However,


    this close proximity allowed Yi Chen to catch a faint, elegant fragrance that seemed to come from the person¡¯s body.


    "You are..."


    Yi Chen immediately remembered.


    This flamboyantly dressed youth was a fellow candidate from his assessment group, ranked at the same level as Edmond and the others.


    However, his score reached [92], placing him second only to Yi Chen among this batch of candidates. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During the assessment, he was noted for single-handedly killing the fully-scaled [Town Mayor] of Green Lake Town and completing a ¡®complete purge¡¯ of the town hall... unfortunately, he had focused on the wrong investigation direction and didn¡¯t, like Yi Chen, manage to confront and eliminate the giant eye lurking at the lake¡¯s bottom.


    Yet,


    Yi Chen¡¯s impression of him was only this deep, and he hadn¡¯t noticed his presence when they first entered the city.


    Suddenly, the multicolored mask pressed in close, brushing up and down against Yi Chen¡¯s face.


    He could faintly hear breathing from beneath the mask, as if the man was scenting Yi Chen¡¯s essence.


    This continued for a full minute.


    Finally, the mask pulled back,


    and a voice that was a blend of male and female tones, leaning more towards the latter, spoke:


    ¡°Hey~ man!


    With a physique like yours, how did you manage to kill the [Observer]? And your ¡®Emblem¡¯ isn¡¯t clearly displayed; it seems to be hidden in a more private area.


    Would you mind setting aside some time so I can closely examine your body?


    Of course¡­¡±


    As he said this,


    he adjusted his patterned gloves slightly, pressing his five splayed fingers to his slightly raised chest.


    "¡®Equivalent exchange,¡¯ you can inspect my body as well.


    After all, my emblem is also hidden in a very mysterious place~ so, what do you say?¡±

 Chapter 33

    This extremely audacious and ungentlemanly remark instinctively made Yi Chen take a step back in shock.


    And just by hearing the voice and observing the attire, it was still hard to determine the speaker''s gender.


    "Not very appropriate..."


    Yi Chen refused immediately.


    "Tsk~ I thought you''d be an interesting person, but you¡¯re just as boring as all those gentlemen."


    "Being overly restrained is no fun. We¡¯re not going to live long in this world, so being bound by various rules would be tragic¡ªworse than a lion in a circus cage, don¡¯t you think?"


    "By the way, how did you come to know Mr. Ivan?"


    Just then, there was the sound of a secret door opening on the second floor.


    Yi Chen quickly put this eccentric person out of mind and hurried upstairs.


    However, the young man wearing a colorful mask followed him closely, moving in perfect sync¡ªright down to the overlapping footsteps.


    Ivan, the shop owner, emerged from the hidden door, leaning on his cane and looking visibly more exhausted than yesterday, with half of his face uncovered by his mask.


    His gaze landed on the other person as well.


    "Jin, are you also part of this year¡¯s evaluation group?"


    "Indeed~ Mr. Ivan. When I moved into the temporary dormitory yesterday, I got into a minor conflict with a dorm mate. Unfortunately, I accidentally cut his tendons, causing quite a bit of blood loss... dealing with the aftermath took up my whole day."


    "Oh¡­


    You¡¯ll have to wait a moment. Mr. Behrens here was referred to me by a good friend, and his garment has just been completed. We still need to do a final ¡®product fitting¡¯."


    "In case there are any adjustments needed, I might be tied up for a bit."


    "No worries; I¡¯d also love to see just how unique the ¡®first gentleman''s skin¡¯ is. Why not change here?"


    "Jin, show some restraint..."


    Ivan gestured for Yi Chen to follow him alone.


    The young man called "Jin" tilted his head and waved goodbye.


    Click~


    The secret door locked.


    This was Yi Chen''s first time entering the **.


    The tungsten filament light overhead buzzed like mosquitoes, providing its luxurious illumination.


    Inside, it was far from the spacious, high-end setting he had expected. Instead, it was a narrow, elongated room.


    Every usable space was packed with tools, equipment, and fabrics.


    1. A perfectly balanced sewing table made from an ancient wood, the texture incredibly smooth to the touch, allowing prolonged contact without causing any sweat. Various types of scissors and rulers hung from hooks in front of the table for easy access.


    2. Wall cabinets were filled with various fabrics and a few rarely-used special tools.


    3. At the far end of the room, there was a sink-like station reminiscent of a photo developing basin. Bottles of unknown chemicals were neatly arranged, and a fine line strung across the station held pieces of specially-treated, soaked "skin," which would serve as essential materials for garment production.


    4. Several slender mannequins stood in the room, their heads still covered in white cloth. The intricate detail in their arm structures allowed pores and nails of varying lengths to be seen. These seemed to serve as ''assistants'' for Mr. Ivan.


    "This room feels a bit cramped..." Yi Chen had to turn sideways to navigate, careful not to bump into any important tailoring tools.


    "The confined space compresses the mind, heightens focus, and reduces the chances of errors and mistakes."


    "Follow me~ your clothing is further inside. Let¡¯s not keep ¡®it¡¯ waiting too long."


    Behind a wall cabinet in the Garment Room, there was yet another secret door.


    The **.


    A roughly ten-square-meter, sealed-off room with candle holders in each corner.


    An oval mirror with a golden frame hung on the wall directly opposite the entrance.


    In the center stood a mannequin exactly matching Yi Chen in body shape, height, and even hand, navel, and posterior measurements.


    However, this mannequin still had no facial features; instead, a swirl was engraved on its face in place of features, spiraling toward a symbol matching Yi Chen''s book emblem.


    And dressing this mannequin was a finished suit crafted from "gentleman¡¯s skin" as its material.


    This ensemble includes:


    1. "Shirt": A standard white shirt with a rounded collar, designed with ivy-style adjustable cuffs and paired with a set of black sleeve bands.


    2. "Vest": A must-have piece with a vintage British flair. Originally designed to cover the shirt, it has now become an essential part of the gentleman¡¯s attire. Made from Morata wool in a deep gray between black and white, it has a distinct inverted triangular structure.


    3. "Pants": High-waisted, single-pleated pants with alternating black and gray stripes. These support the vest, creating a seamless connection and bridging any gaps between the two.


    4. "Outerwear": The most important part of the outfit, with two options: "Suit" or "Overcoat," both in black.


    - The ¡®Suit¡¯ is ideal for daily activities, such as Zion¡¯s outings, study sessions, meetings, etc. Its material enhances mental clarity and promotes active thinking, making it well-suited for cultivating and showcasing a gentleman¡¯s character.


    - The ¡®Overcoat¡¯ is primarily used for field investigations and battles against pathogens. Its material effectively blocks harmful contaminants and complements one¡¯s personal combat style. Generally, it uses the most "gentleman¡¯s hide" material.


    However, this isn¡¯t a fixed rule; some gentlemen may choose the suit as their main attire for external investigations, explorations in gray zones, or even frontline battles.


    Items like leather shoes, socks, belts, ties, or bow ties, as well as other external decorations, fall outside the ''Tailoring'' scope and can be selected based on the occasion.


    ---


    Shopkeeper Ivan''s simply explained: S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I designed this outfit with an emphasis on the and .


    The use of alternating black and white colors, complemented by gray, highlights the boundary between life and death. Knowledge, the core of your chosen growth path, is carefully emphasized in the suit design.


    Using the classic Ivy style, the suit has narrow natural shoulders, a straight cut with no front dart, and a widely spaced single-breasted three-button layout. I recommend fastening only the middle button.


    Given the ample amount of ¡®gentleman¡¯s hide¡¯ you provided, I used half of it in the suit to maximize your professional qualities.


    As for the overcoat, considering your background, I designed a ** piece, combining ''Son of Lucifer'' black goat wool with gentleman¡¯s hide. The style blends ruggedness with discretion, with slightly extended length and thicker fabric.


    Try it on.


    The suit and overcoat should be tried on separately.


    I believe this near-perfect outfit will grow into your skin, like a rash you can''t escape.¡±


    ---


    ¡°Alright¡­¡±


    The moment Yi Chen stepped into the fitting room and saw the completed outfit, he could barely contain himself.


    During the fitting process, he felt the fabric gliding over his skin like a gentle caress, perfectly tailored to his form.


    If the ready-made clothes purchased temporarily in Easton Town were already comfortable, then this custom-made suit far exceeded the maximum possible comfort one could imagine. Every inch of fabric, every fold, and seam was flawless, beyond reproach.


    When he put on the outermost suit layer, the clothing immediately ** with Yi Chen as its wearer. It felt as though the threads woven into the fabric connected deeply with his veins, nerves, and muscle fibers, merging as one.


    Under the suit¡¯s embrace, his mind activated, and at the back of his brain, a book emblem formed by the brain''s gyri, along with his heart and the entire suit, pulsed in perfect harmony.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Rows of ** appeared before his eyes, flowing smoothly.


    Yi Chen was certain he had never seen such text before, yet he could understand it.


    At the very top, bold and highlighted, appeared an important message:


    **


    Author: When writing this chapter, I looked up some relevant literature on suits, and it was as if I was back to my painful student days.

 Chapter 34

    ¡°Is this what Mr. Wilbert was referring to when he said that joining the organization would make it easy to monitor the ¡®Pathogenic Characteristics¡¯? And it¡¯s not just about the Pathogenic Characteristics¡ªeverything about me is displayed here in this ancient script.


    Still...my profession really is ¡®one of a kind.¡¯ After all that effort to cross into such an interesting world, I¡¯m still just a [Student]. As long as I don¡¯t have to write papers, I¡¯m fine with it.


    Let¡¯s keep checking other stats.¡±


    ¡ÚProfession: Student¡Û


    ¡ÚPersona Level: Human¡Û S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ÚBasic Attributes¡Û


    *Attribute values are categorized into six standards based on individual ¡®Persona Level¡¯:


    1. Poor£ü2. Weak£ü3. Normal£ü4. Strong£ü5. Extraordinary£ü6. Limit


    **: 2


    **: 2


    **: 4


    **: 3


    **: 3


    *Your fortune...there¡¯s not much to say here. Today, you gave money to a beggar, and this could lead to various scenarios:


    Maybe nothing happens,


    Maybe the beggar sees you as wealthy, comes back with friends to rob you late at night, and even stabs you in a vital area. Incidentally, the place is quite secluded, and the first to find you are a pack of starving wild dogs.


    Or maybe the beggar turns out to be a bored aristocrat in disguise who rewards you with a large sum, He also takes off his human skin hood and reveals her true self as a charming lady, and proposes marriage.


    ¡ÚProfessional Traits¡Û


    **:


    Significantly increases reading speed, improving efficiency in understanding ancient texts and tomes by 50%. Allows basic mastery of ¡®Old Living Script.¡¯ ????


    **:


    ¡ÚPathogenic Characteristics¡Û


    Currently absorbed **


    Quality: Ordinary (Mutated)


    **


    **:


    **:


    **:


    There is a lower probability that completely new features will be developed during the use of the root.


    ¡ÚUnknown Attribute¡Û


    ¡ÚPet¡Û


    **: Little Grape, Grip


    **: High


    ...


    Gazing at such detailed personal information and reading about the ¡®growth potential,¡¯ Yi Chen was filled with an indescribable excitement.


    ¡°Incredible! This feeling is absolutely amazing!¡±


    While he was in a state of self-satisfaction,


    Shopkeeper Ivan was almost pressed against Yi Chen¡¯s back, gloved hands moving over every inch of his body, carefully checking every crevice and joint, even going over some areas twice.


    It may seem excessive,


    but this is actually a very important verification step. If there''s more than 1% deviation, the outfit has to be remade.


    However,


    after a precise physical inspection, the deviation turned out to be only 0.09%¡­ making it Ivan¡¯s most perfectly completed work in nearly ten years.


    "Perfect! Truly a masterpiece!"


    Shopkeeper Ivan was equally excited, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and pride unique to a tailor.


    "Ahem¡­ Right! I have a few extras gifts here as well."


    Regaining his composure, Ivan handed Yi Chen a leather backpack that perfectly fit the curve of his back.


    "The [Gentleman''s Backpack], a unique technology from Zion. Although I¡¯m not fond of the people at the top there, I really admire this invention.


    This backpack lets you freely switch between a ''suit'' and a ''coat''. Go ahead, give it a try."


    Yi Chen folded his coat and placed it in the backpack.


    By pressing a raised area on the strap with his finger¡­ a slight sensation of attachment spread throughout his body, and suddenly, the coat was on him, while the suit was neatly folded in the backpack.


    The switch happened in less than a second.


    Amazed, Yi Chen exclaimed, "This is incredible!"


    "If it weren¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t bother with Zion¡¯s tech¡­ Stand still; let me finish the final touches."


    Ivan kindly added a black and white houndstooth tie and a pair of dark wood-framed glasses,


    placing a white pocket square embroidered with the G&D logo in the chest pocket.


    As he completed the arrangement, he softly remarked:


    "A suit is the armor of the modern gentleman. Once you wear it, you take on the responsibilities that come with it."


    "Understood!"


    Yi Chen stood before the gilded oval mirror, admiring his refined new look, savoring the elegance and dignity the suit bestowed.


    Ivan, leaning on his cane and standing to the side, looked at Yi Chen in the mirror and continued:


    "There''s one more thing you need to remember.


    No matter how meticulous the craftsmanship, how flawless the design, or how luxurious the materials,


    clothing is only a medium that complements your character.


    True isn''t shown through stylish attire or graceful behavior¡­ but through whether you¡¯re better than who you were before.


    I hope that next time we meet, I''ll see a truly renewed you."


    These words instantly jolted Yi Chen out of his focus on appearances, transforming these words into important information and engraving them deep in his cerebellum.


    "I¡¯ll remember that."


    "If you come across high-quality, ancient ''skin'' in the future, bring it here, and I can enhance and upgrade it for you."


    "Thank you, Mr. Ivan."


    "You should still have one more day before you report to the academy, so stay here with me.


    I need to ensure that the suit won¡¯t develop any discomfort after prolonged wear. Although it¡¯s rare, we must ensure it doesn¡¯t happen."


    "Alright."


    ........................................................................


    Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation

 Chapter 35

    Standing outside the door, Jin maintained his temporary farewell wave, as if his internal gears had jammed, freezing time.


    It wasn''t until Yi Chen emerged from the dressing room that Jin returned to normal.


    Upon seeing Yi Chen¡¯s formal, elegant suit that exuded a scholarly air, Jin could roughly guess the career direction he was aiming for.


    ¡°An academic style¡ªseems like your profession leans toward learning and thinking.¡±


    ¡°Even from a distance, I can smell the ancient aura emanating from your clothes. Is this the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯s¡¯ skin?¡±


    ¡°Unlike me, I have to make do with this diluted, old skin. Sigh¡­¡±


    In Jin¡¯s eyes, the skin assigned to those scoring in the 80-point range, infused with the essence of the old world, was hardly worth mentioning. He¡¯d even discarded the storage box long ago. The ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ that others considered a treasure was something he casually stuffed between his shirts.


    Jin glanced toward the dressing room door. ¡°Mr. Ivan, is my outfit ready yet? Just make it functional enough to inspect my physical condition. When I get the same skin as William¡¯s later, I¡¯ll come back for a proper piece.¡±


    ¡°Having a high skin content isn¡¯t necessarily a good thing; you¡¯ll understand this naturally in time. And I never treat my work lightly. Come in¡ªafter I finish this order, I need a good ten or fifteen days of rest.¡± Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jin shrugged and headed straight into the dressing room. Standing between them, Yi Chen and Jin brushed past each other...and Jin¡¯s fingers glided over Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve got an idea. Why don¡¯t we form a special squad in the future? With our abilities, we could clear missions quickly and even apply for higher-level assignments. In no time, we could accumulate a large collection of high-quality skins to complete our outfits and reach the pinnacle of our positions sooner, allowing us to do something truly meaningful.¡±


    In response to Jin¡¯s invitation to team up, Yi Chen, still a blank slate when it came to the organization, the world, and the new abilities he¡¯d just acquired, naturally didn¡¯t accept.


    ¡°Our growth paths might differ. Let¡¯s see in the future.¡±


    ¡°Boring guy.¡±


    Just as Jin¡¯s fingers were about to leave Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, he applied a sudden force. A sense of imminent danger surged through Yi Chen, activating his instincts to form a defensive layer on his shoulder. However, Jin¡¯s fingers slid off as if nothing had happened, like a trick that completely fooled Yi Chen¡¯s instincts.


    With a wave of his hand in his floral gloves as a farewell, Jin hinted that he still looked forward to their future collaboration.


    After Jin entered the dressing room and the hidden door closed, a drop of cold sweat slid down Yi Chen¡¯s temple and cheek, disappearing into his collar.


    ¡°This guy¡­ he¡¯s more dangerous than any pathogenic creature I¡¯ve encountered.¡±


    At that moment, Little Grape slipped out from Yi Chen¡¯s collar, stretching its tiny body.


    ¡°He¡¯s certainly an unusual human. Even I could sense that flash of murderous intent, yet he contained it so easily, as if nothing had happened.¡±


    ¡°William, why don¡¯t we team up with him? With him around, we wouldn¡¯t have to exert much effort in fighting enemies. Besides, the profession you chose, paired with the senses I provide, would allow you to fully claim the title of a auxiliary gentleman.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see; I¡¯ll consider it later.¡±


    Little Grape didn''t comment on Yi Chen''s career choice or gentleman''s attire.


    However, from its constant bouncing on his shoulder, waving its arms like seaweed, it was clear it was quite pleased with Yi Chen''s transformation.


    Yi Chen recalled the recent conversation.


    "According to ¡®Jin,¡¯ becoming a gentleman and completing the various tasks assigned by Zion can earn one skins, which can be used to enhance, modify, or even redesign clothing.


    In the process, one seems to gradually approach the eventually advancing to the next persona stage."


    Little Grape waved its arms.


    "It''s not that simple! You humans have been trapped for generations in the restrictive prison of flesh. Breaking through these limits and shattering such a ''prison'' requires an immense price."


    "Then let''s reach that limit first... By the way, Little Grape, do you know what the next stage is?"


    "My memory doesn¡¯t cover that knowledge~ But it''s probably directly related to ancient beings and your profession."


    "Oh~ By the way, Little Grape, would you kill me?"


    The casual chat suddenly took on a strange and tense atmosphere with Yi Chen''s question.


    But Little Grape wasn''t upset. Instead, it grinned, rubbing its eye with its teeth as it replied, "Seems like your outfit detected something, right? Are you assessing me as a serious threat?"


    Yi Chen nodded, "That''s about right."


    Little Grape crossed its small arms over its chest, its mouth narrowing like closed eyelids.


    "I might indeed kill you... but only under certain conditions.


    If I find you are no longer ''interesting,'' are filled with loathing toward yourself and the world, abandon any curiosity about the outside, and become a meaningless coward, I¡¯ll end your life in advance."


    Upon hearing this response, Yi Chen looked relieved, as if this was the answer he had been hoping for.


    "Good... Little Grape, please monitor me closely. If I ever become like that or start to head in that direction, my two grapes are yours. Let me know how they taste."


    "You''re quite amusing!"


    This brief exchange only heightened Little Grape¡¯s interest.


    It half-popped out its eye, rubbing against Yi Chen¡¯s cheek, leaving a trail of sticky slime.


    Their suppressed laughter echoed on the second floor.


    Just then, the sound of the door opening came from downstairs.


    "Hmm? This tailor shop doesn''t seem very hidden... more visitors?"


    As footsteps approached the second floor, a familiar owl came into view.


    "Professor Chambers? Are you finished with your business?"


    "An emergency meeting called on short notice, so it was brief... Hmm!? Is this your outfit?"


    Chambers widened his eyes at Yi Chen''s suit, as did the owl on his shoulder.


    After a moment, he exclaimed:


    "Perfect! Ivan''s craftsmanship hasn''t diminished with injury but instead has become more personalized! It''s utterly perfect... In fact, you don¡¯t yet fully match this outfit.


    More precisely, you can''t yet bring out its full potential.


    As the ''First Gentleman'' said, you''re still a completely blank slate.


    I''ll be conducting a series of extensive training sessions to ensure you can catch up with the other gentlemen at a foundational level.


    Report to the academy tomorrow and come straight to my office... Actually, there''s no time to waste. Let''s head to my office now to finalize the training plan."


    Chambers was eager to shape Yi Chen, this rare raw gem.


    "But... Shopkeeper Ivan wanted me to stay here; he still has to review the outfit."


    "Don''t worry about that; I''ll handle the review."


    Chambers pulled out a pen adorned with a white feather, with the organization¡¯s symbol carved on the tip and an ancient lacquered owl partially hidden behind a tree trunk on the pen''s body.


    He scribbled a note and slipped it into a crack in the secret door.


    ...


    They were about to head to **


    located in the northern depths of Zion City.


    Surrounded by towering walls that separated it from Zion, the academy felt like a city within a city.


    It was permanently cloaked in an aurora-filled night, with no day-and-night cycle. All external observation was blocked, maintaining strict isolation.


    Most gentlemen, except those marked by the black letter, were required to study at this special academy.


    Gentlemen trained here had a significantly lower mortality rate when undertaking tasks, exploring the Gray Domain, and confronting Pathogenic entities.


    The academy also effectively guided the gentlemen to more swiftly and stably touch the

 Chapter 36

    Under Chamberson¡¯s guidance,


    they navigated through several narrow streets in the district and arrived at a mostly industrial area with rail tracks laid down the center of the street known as ''Steel-Street''.


    Here, many railway platforms facilitate the transport of various factory materials and finished products, but one platform stands out.


    The platform¡¯s entrance is adorned with arches decorated in cloverleaf patterns, and atop it stands a small metal sculpture resembling a newborn¡¯s form.


    ¡°This is the train station that takes staff and students directly to the academy, allowing convenient travel between the academy and the street district.¡±


    Soon,


    a train with a blend of gold and wood arrived at the platform, consisting of only four carriages.


    After a brief ten-minute journey,


    the towering outer walls of the Alfarostik Academy came into view. Atop the lofty and sharp perimeter wall, a hemispherical black membrane shimmered with starlight, shrouding the academy and concealing its inner landscape from view.


    As the train approached the academy gate, it showed no signs of stopping.


    At this moment,


    the magical inscriptions etched on the carriages began to glow, resonating with the academy¡¯s front gate, acting like a ¡®key¡¯ to a ¡®lock¡¯.


    When the train¡¯s engine collided with the iron gates of the campus,


    With a ripple that spread outward,


    the entire train entered the campus, and the view outside the windows immediately shifted to the academy¡¯s own enchanting nightscape. Ethereal streams of starlight descended like thin veils, draping over the academy¡¯s main buildings and imbuing them with a sense of mystery.


    Between the towering Gothic spires, small points of warm light shone through the vertical windows, contrasting beautifully with the cool tones of the night and deepening the atmosphere of mystery.


    The campus also has a distinctive layered topography, with a noticeable disparity in heights among the buildings. Some structures stand alone at elevated heights, their intricate designs giving them the appearance of dignified gentlemen guarding the academy during an eternal night.


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    Not only Yi Chen but also Little Grape perched on his shoulder, its eyes wide open in admiration of the breathtaking view.


    Before long,


    Yi Chen and Little Grape¡¯s attention was drawn to the academy¡¯s center,


    where two nearly ''pillar-like mountains'' stood independently, connected at the top by a walkway.


    Atop these pillar-like mountains were two distinct teaching buildings: on one side, a single-story cathedral-style structure covering a wide area, and on the other, a multi-story, enclosed building with almost no windows.


    Just then,


    Professor Chamberson¡¯s voice sounded, giving a brief introduction:


    ¡°The academy does not offer a complex array of courses; you only need to study two subjects: and .


    And the locations for these courses are precisely those buildings atop the mountains.


    The Swan Academy, where the unified and public Gentlemen¡¯s Studies is taught,


    and the Wester Mann Building, where the more discreet and group-oriented Pathology is held.


    They are known as the , symbolizing the academy¡¯s ¡®lungs¡¯ and ¡®heart¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Only two classes a week?


    By the way, are all students here of equal gentlemanly status?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you only have two classes a week; the rest of your time is dedicated to self-improvement.


    The new gentlemen studying at the academy all start at the lowest rank, simply Human... Any individual who surpasses this level will no longer need the protection or teaching provided by the academy. ????


    The academy has only two requirements for you:


    1. Using the free educational resources provided by the school, reach the within two years. If you reach this limit early, you can leave immediately.


    2. Complete at least one ''task'' every month. Generally, you¡¯ll need to go to the ** in Zion to accept a task of corresponding difficulty.¡±


    At this point, Yi Chen recalled the team proposal from ''Jin.''


    Professor Chamberson continued:


    ¡°Since you currently have no foundational knowledge,


    I will fully manage your free time during your early days here... Only when I believe you are truly qualified to go out will you be permitted to take on gentleman tasks.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    After spending some time exploring the academy by train,


    Yi Chen quickly identified the distribution of important buildings across the academy grounds.


    The architecture of Alfarostik Academy is organized according to the structure of the human body.


    The Twin Towers, symbolizing the heart and lungs, are located at the center of the school.


    In the far north stands the eerie, heavy, and massive Grand Library, which represents the brain.


    Near the school entrance, a row of Dormitories and the Cafeteria represent the intestines and stomach.


    Surrounding the dormitories is the Fetal Heart Chapel, which also serves as the teachers¡¯ office building and the academy''s decision-making hub, acting as the campus¡¯s most crucial ¡°connecting structure¡±¡ªthe umbilical cord.


    The chapel itself is a gigantic Gothic structure,


    and from its top extends a black, ribbon-like structure resembling an umbilical cord that stretches toward the sky¡­ This very structure maintains the campus''s "Eternal Night State."


    Inside the chapel, there are three floors,


    connected by a long staircase that gradually narrows as it ascends.


    The ground floor houses the offices of general staff, like janitors, security personnel, and regular teachers.


    The middle floor contains single offices for associate professors and professors. To hold a title here, teachers must not only reach a certain "persona" but also have made significant contributions to either Zion or the academy.


    At the top floor,


    there is only one room¡ªthe Fetal Heart Chamber, which is also the office of the headmaster.


    Even Professor Chamberlain rarely has the opportunity to meet with the headmaster, except for highly important meetings; otherwise, the headmaster remains unseen.


    ¡­


    **


    A stone key made of white rock is dropped from the beak of an owl.


    Click¡ªthe door opens.


    A spacious, 150-square-meter office with a five-meter-high ceiling, decorated primarily in cool tones, appears before him.


    Numerous potted plants decorate the room, with trees even growing in the corners. The dim wall lights create the impression of a nighttime forest.


    The owl flutters its wings and lands on a tree branch in the corner.


    ¡°Take a seat¡­ I¡¯ll need some time to draft your training schedule.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen breathes in the earthy scent of the plants, feeling the room¡¯s lively energy as though he were returning home¡­ he even begins to feel hungry.


    He casually sits on a sofa, gently brushing the leaves of a potted plant beside him. The sensation feels like touching crispy roast chicken skin, though he restrains himself in the end.


    He glances at Professor Chamberlain, who is engrossed in work, and estimates that he won¡¯t be moving for another hour.


    ¡°I should walk around a bit; I might end up eating the professor¡¯s meticulously kept plants if I sit here too long.¡±


    After wandering around the office, he stops in front of a standard bookshelf. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One book catches his attention¡ª.


    Since arriving in this world, Yi Chen hasn¡¯t had the chance to understand its layout, whether it¡¯s identical to the world he came from or completely different in geographic distribution and structure.


    He takes out ,


    leans against the bookshelf, and begins reading.


    As he opens the book to the first page,


    a foldable world map unfolds at the same time.


    When he sees the map¡¯s depiction of this world, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes widen in shock, and his mind becomes instantly invigorated.


    ¡°This is an entirely new world system!¡±


    In mere seconds, his thoughts immerse entirely in the book, tuning out everything around him.


    As he reads further,


    the emblem imprinted on the back of his head begins to writhe as though it, too, is flipping through pages.


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 37

    Books.


    The thing Yi Chen was best at in his previous life.


    With the new profession of [Student], he didn''t even realize how quickly he was turning the pages. He spent no more than a second on each page, flipping through them as quickly as drinking water.


    It only took him about ten minutes to finish reading the entire "World History" book. His mind became refreshed, experiencing an unprecedented sense of intellectual satisfaction from reading.


    All the information about the world''s tectonic structure was now stored in his brain.


    This world has certain similarities to Yi Chen''s previous world, [Earth]. It is primarily divided into land and oceans, which make up 37.1% and 62.9% of the planet, respectively.


    The land is made up of one supercontinent and five surrounding continents.


    **


    1. **


    2. **


    3. ** S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    4. **


    It is worth mentioning that this is the continent where Yi Chen is located.


    The G&D headquarters in Zion City is located on one of the peaks close to the central mountain range, surrounded by mountains and situated at a high and relatively secretive location.


    5. **


    ---


    This is the general overview of the world. It¡¯s worth noting that at the bottom right corner of the world map, there is a star marking with a small inscription:


    **


    The Pathogenesis Era... Does this mean that when the "Pathogenic Symptoms" began to appear worldwide, threatening human society with irreversible damage, people started a new era of counting years? ?


    By the way, what year is it now?


    ---


    Little Grape answered:


    "According to the integrated memory in my head, it should be the 371st year of the Pathogenesis Era."


    "The continent we are on, Quechua, and its connection with other continents and Middle-Earth was severed about two hundred years ago."


    "As I¡¯ve mentioned before, the spread of the Gray zone forced an end to the electrical age, causing a technological regression. All the infrastructure built by human society was abandoned."


    "No one knows what¡¯s happening in the other continents. No one knows whether Quechua is the only continent with survivors."


    "So, how does it feel? A bit hopeless, right?"


    ---


    "No¡­ it''s quite interesting! This is what adventure feels like, right?"


    "By the way, aren¡¯t our clothes designed to resist the Disease and explore the Gray Zone?"


    "The organization has so many capable individuals. If we prepare thoroughly and send out strong teams like Chamberlain''s, or even large military expeditions, we might be able to make contact with other continents, right?"


    "Don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple.


    The [Gray Zone] is extremely dangerous, and there are varying levels of threat.


    The most terrifying Gray Zone contain pathogenic organisms of catastrophic proportions. Even just getting close could turn you to dust.


    The Gray Zone you passed through in the carriage was just the lowest, newly formed level.


    Your carriage had resistance properties, and you passed through quickly as mere travelers... but real exploration is incredibly dangerous.¡±


    "Little Grape, it seems like your memory has expanded?"


    "Huh? It might be related to swallowing that giant eye. It seems like more fragmented memories in my brain have pieced together. In the future, you should feed me more of those delicious grapes. Maybe I''ll remember more useful things."


    "Hurry up and talk about the gradient issues with the [Gray Zones]."


    At Yi Chen''s request, Little Grape directly transmitted this memory file through consciousness.


    Different Gray Zones are divided into five levels based on their degree of pathogenicity, the time they¡¯ve existed, and certain unknown factors.


    **


    **


    **


    **


    **


    Regions covered by Gray Zones may experience changes in species composition, landforms, and even the very structure of space, hiding unpredictable dangers.


    Members of the organization often explore the first three levels of Gray Zones. However, it is nearly impossible to fully explore the fourth level. Successfully obtaining some items and information from a fourth-level Gray Zone and escaping intact is already quite impressive.


    As for the fifth level, Little Grape¡¯s fragmented memories contain little information¡ªonly that entering it means there¡¯s no chance of coming out.


    Oceans between various continents contain high-level Gray Zones scattered at random.


    This is the main reason why there is no communication between continents; rashly setting out to sea is a dead-end.


    ¡­


    After learning the basic situation of the world and the Gray Zones, Yi Chen¡¯s curiosity grew immensely. He wanted to know more, especially about the [Origin of Disease].


    Unfortunately, despite searching the entire bookshelf, he couldn''t find any books related to diseases.


    And Little Grape¡¯s memory fragments had no information about the origin of disease either.


    Hoo-hoo!


    The white owl that had been perched in the corner was now on a closer branch, without anyone noticing when it moved.


    From its beak came a voice¡ªa dignified, slightly old-sounding male tone: "Books about [Disease] cannot be written.


    Even a seemingly harmless association in text could transform a book into a ''pathogenic medium,'' potentially transmitting unknown pathogens.


    What you wish to learn can be studied in the ''Pathology'' course.


    However, even the most distinguished professors in this academy or the most learned gentlemen in Zion City have only a surface-level or slightly deeper understanding of [Disease].


    If you want to know more, then become stronger."


    With that, the owl turned and flew back to its original spot.


    "Understood."


    Yi Chen wasn''t surprised by this talking owl; after all, there was an even stranger little creature on his shoulder.


    Since he was bored and had just had such a thrilling time reading, Yi Chen decided to go through every book in the bookshelf... The dopamine surge from reading made him increasingly excited.


    His basic attribute of [Intelligence] even slightly improved (<0.1).


    Before he knew it, two hours had passed, and Professor Chamberlain finally completed the detailed special training schedule. Every time slot was filled with no time wasted.


    When he looked up, he saw Yi Chen putting a book back on the shelf.


    "Reading? You look rather excited¡­ How¡¯s it going?"


    "Finished."


    "Which book did you finish?"


    "All of them."


    "What?"


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 38

    ¡°Although my bookshelf is relatively small, it holds twenty to thirty books. It¡¯s only been two hours and ten minutes since you entered my office. Are you saying you''ve read them all?¡±


    Yi Chen nodded. ¡°Some of the books on campus architecture and student management were a bit tedious, but the overall reading experience was decent.¡±


    Chamberlain, skeptical, stood up and walked to the bookshelf.


    "Honesty is also an important trait of a gentleman," he muttered as he randomly picked a few books to quiz Yi Chen on their contents.


    Surprisingly, Yi Chen could recall the approximate page numbers, give the chapter titles, describe the main content, and even share his own insights.


    In all his years of teaching, Chamberlain had never encountered a student like this.


    ¡°Wait... could this be related to your ? You must have already observed certain characteristics through your attire. Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Yi Chen confirmed.


    Upon hearing about the unique profession called , along with its associated traits, Professor Chamberlain was taken aback.


    ¡°You¡¯ve acquired the skill , which boosts reading speed and enhances comprehension of ancient books and mystical texts? And you can increase your by consuming diseased brains?¡±


    ¡°Is that unusual?¡± Yi Chen asked.


    ¡°Typically, initial professions provide only minor enhancements, mostly auxiliary in nature. Only a few rare professions offer traits that directly boost core attributes, such as brain consumption in your case.


    Also, it¡¯s my first time hearing of the skill . This ability will undoubtedly make you a valuable asset to the organization. When you¡¯re ready to explore the Grey Zone, this reading ability will prove invaluable.¡±


    At this point, Yi Chen had a question.


    ¡°Professor Chamberlain, does the so-called [Human Limit] mean maximizing an attribute?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Humanity¡¯s frailty stems from a certain ¡®limit¡¯ imposed by certain rules. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Through generations of reproduction and evolution, humans have risen as the dominant species and, by nature, have accepted their limitations, living within these boundaries.


    However, this ¡®peace and tranquility¡¯ is merely an illusion. Once a real threat emerges, humanity will face extinction in no time.


    One of the primary reasons the organization was founded was to challenge this perception. By using the , we¡¯re able to connect with a growth system that allows us to break through those limits.


    Through study, training, and field assignments, you can unlock your hidden potential and push toward the limits of human capability in specific areas.


    When any attribute value reaches [6], you¡¯ll begin to sense the presence of a limit. It¡¯s like a membrane, blocking you from advancing further.¡±


    Yi Chen inquired further, ¡°How does one break through this limiting membrane? Is it with the help of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a question you need to worry about yet¡­ but I don¡¯t mind giving you a hint.


    The ''Skin'' merely serves as a ''medium'' to connect you with the growth system.


    To break through the membrane of limitation, you need something called a ¡®Relic¡¯, an item that resonates with you¡ªan ancient object, kind of thing that originated from ancient times.


    Such items are typically found in the depths of the Grey Zone or by defeating certain types of . You¡¯ll understand more when you reach the limit.¡±


    ¡°Relic¡­ something ancient?¡± Yi Chen wondered aloud.


    Chamberlain gently patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, interrupting his thoughts.


    ¡°Alright! For now, just focus on reaching the ¡®limit membrane¡¯. Since your profession leans towards intelligence, I¡¯ll arrange more mental and cognitive training¡­ that¡¯s actually my area of expertise.¡± ?????


    However, Yi Chen had his own ideas about his special training.


    ¡°Professor Chamberlain, I¡¯d like specialized training for my . Since my profession characteristic allows me to consume diseased brains to boost my intelligence attribute¡­ I¡¯ll handle maximizing that myself.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not thinking of trying to push multiple attributes to their limits, are you?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily¡­ I just happen to enjoy the thrill of slaying pathogens myself. Is it even possible to push multiple attributes to the limit?¡±


    ¡°It is, but it¡¯s very rare¡ªprimarily due to time constraints. The Academy¡¯s training duration is limited to two years because we don¡¯t have much time to spare¡­ the Grey Zone is continuously expanding, and our explorations and pathogen cleansing are barely keeping pace with its encroachment.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ two years should be enough! Professor Chamberlain, please arrange for physical training.¡±


    ¡°Haha! You do remind me of Wilbert to some extent. By the way, you still have the business card I gave you, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    Yi Chen took out the owl card, intending to return it.


    ¡°No... Keep this.


    I am, like you, a gentleman of the [Intellect] type. The physical training I can offer is limited and can only provide you with some basic techniques.


    Tomorrow, I will give you a letter. After the Pathology class, hand this letter along with my card to the ''teacher'' in charge of the class. He will oversee your physical training."


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Oh, one more thing.


    That teacher is a bit unusual, possessing certain ¡®eccentricities¡¯. However, his expertise in physical skills ranks in the top three among all the teachers. If you can endure and learn some ''real skills'' from him, you might genuinely reach a ''multi-attribute limit.''


    Also, because of his personality and quirks, the academy has revoked his mentor qualifications, and he hasn''t had students for a long time. If you feel you can¡¯t keep up, come back and tell me right away. If you injure your ''foundation'' by forcing yourself, your future will be completely shattered.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Although Professor Chamberlain''s description was rather strange, as long as the opportunity was there, Yi Chen was willing to give it a try.


    "Let¡¯s not waste the remaining time today. I¡¯ll run you through an entry-level test now to see your ''base level.'' If you can¡¯t handle the basics, there¡¯s no need to proceed with the physical training.


    Twenty push-ups per set, five sets in total.


    Ten single-leg squats per set, also five sets.


    Rest for thirty seconds between each set.


    If you¡¯re ready, start now."


    ¡°Ah? Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen supported himself on the ground, arms aligned perfectly with his shoulders.


    He performed each push-up in a precise, almost flawless form, finishing all five sets with only slight breathlessness.


    The single-leg squats were equally well executed, each movement nearly perfect.


    "Have you trained before? The ''First Gentleman'' detected that your body was unrefined."


    ¡°I practiced a bit when I was younger, so these basic moves are no problem.¡± Yi Chen seemed to recall some unpleasant memories as he said this.


    "Next, I¡¯ll test your reflexes."


    As soon as he spoke, Professor Chamberlain suddenly emanated a sense of killing intent, striking out with a diagonal knife-hand.


    At the same time, the enhanced vision from the little grape allowed Yi Chen to dodge instantly. He rolled backward smoothly, with his right hand ready on his ax handle, prepared to counter if needed.


    The seamless movements left Professor Chamberlain puzzled again.


    "Your reaction¡­ is also well-trained. That ''rolling'' move, especially, is very refined, and it¡¯s vital for actual combat."


    Yi Chen scratched his head, "That¡¯s also from my younger days. To avoid getting hit as much, I practiced rolling in my free time¡­ after all, once you get caught, it¡¯s not pleasant."


    "Hmm. I think I understand why you want to train physically. Your body indeed has the potential to approach its limits. Let¡¯s leave it here for today. Head back and get accustomed to your new uniform, and be prepared for class... The roster for your group of new students has been entered into the campus records, and your assigned dormitories are ready for early check-in."


    "I hope everything goes smoothly with your meeting tomorrow."


    "Thank you, Professor."


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 39

    As Yi Chen left the "Fetal Heart Chapel," his expression was slightly strange.The series of simple tests had triggered memories from his time at the orphanage¡­ memories that felt like opening a cursed box hidden deep in a cellar, accidentally releasing ancient curses that had been sealed away for a long time.


    He instantly became cold, with a subtle aura of death, and even the color of his eyes darkened.


    However, this state did not last long.


    "Looking back, I suppose it wasn¡¯t all bad~ If it weren''t for the ''special environment'' of the orphanage, and the strict management rules set by the ''new principal,'' and if I hadn¡¯t survived in such a setting¡­


    Even if I did manage to cross over to this place, I¡¯d probably be killed and my body drained by the living corpses from Cemetery No. 4, with not even my ashes left behind.¡±


    In just five seconds, he reverted to normal, locking those overflowing memories back in the depths of his mind.


    Little Grape also noticed the subtle change in Yi Chen, but it didn¡¯t say anything, only finding him even more interesting.


    ¡­


    Looking around, the chapel was surrounded by dormitory buildings symbolizing the "intestines."


    These dormitories leaned more toward a Victorian architectural style rather than a strong Gothic influence.


    Red brick walls, gabled roofs, bay windows, and iron railings.


    They gave off a warm feeling, a stark contrast to the cold Gothic buildings, making them more suitable for living.


    All the dormitories were four stories tall, with limited capacity.


    Yi Chen analyzed briefly: ¡°Only seventeen of us passed the assessment. Those who chose the ¡®black letter¡¯ path will undergo a completely different type of training, and the enrollment was already small to begin with. Moreover, the school has a ¡®two-year¡¯ limit, and the student count is capped at a modest level¡­ I¡¯d guess most of these rooms are likely single occupancy.¡±


    His guess was right.


    After verifying his identity as a new gentleman under one of the dormitories, Yi Chen was assigned a "two-bedroom, one-living-room" unit with a Nordic minimalistic and natural decor.


    His favorite room was the "study."


    Its large windows faced the "Twin Towers," and when he grew tired at the desk, he could simply stand up and gaze at the starlit campus landscape.


    He took out Professor Chamberson¡¯s "schedule," which was packed with various targeted training sessions.


    Only Sunday evenings were free; otherwise, his schedule was full, and his sleep time was reduced to around six hours per day.


    Yet Yi Chen didn¡¯t mind the arrangement.


    In fact, he eagerly anticipated the coming "Pathology" class and its mysterious instructor.


    When you¡¯re busy for something you¡¯re passionate about, no amount of busyness is burdensome.


    With a clear goal, the prospect of progress and growth, and the ability to see and feel self-improvement, this was so much better than his previous life, stuck in a cramped lab, endlessly writing papers, only to face ordinary, pressure-filled days, with no guarantee of a good job even after graduation. ?


    ¡­


    Monday morning was set for "Pathology" classes.


    All students were required to reach the mountain base of the Twin Towers by 8:00 AM, where they waited for the elevator to take them up.


    The massive elevator could transport everyone to the teaching building¡¯s entrance at the mountain¡¯s peak.


    Of course, students could also arrive earlier and challenge themselves by climbing the nearly vertical mountain column by hand, to hone their physical strength¡­


    Believe it or not, some new gentlemen focusing on "physique" actually opted for this choice.


    The venue for the "Pathology" class, the Wilsterman Teaching Building, was named after the subject¡¯s founder and vice-principal, George Wilsterman.


    This multi-story, sealed, nearly windowless square building looked more like a giant gray brick standing atop the mountain.


    The reason for it being "sealed" was simple.


    Inside the building were various pathological materials for teaching, corpses of patients, as well as infected plants, inorganic substances, and so forth.


    Additionally, for safety management and effective teaching, classes here were small.


    The gentlemen who passed the assessment together formed one class (if fewer than ten, classes would be combined), and with Yi Chen¡¯s group of seventeen, they made up their own class.


    It¡¯s worth noting that the duration of "Pathology" classes was set for **.


    Once the final exams were completed, unless under special circumstances, students would not need to enter this building again.


    ......


    **


    A crowd of over 130 gentlemen had already gathered in front of the large elevator.


    As Yi Chen approached the group, he immediately heard a familiar greeting.


    "William, your suit looks amazing!"


    The one greeting him was Edmund, a blonde man who had been looking around for Yi Chen since he arrived.


    The other gentlemen who had passed the assessment together with him turned their heads upon hearing Yi Chen''s English name. Everyone was curious about how unique a suit made from the skin of the "First Gentleman" could be.


    Clearly, the ancient aura from Yi Chen''s suit was stronger, and the supportive effects provided by the clothing were significantly better.


    Edmund squeezed through the crowd and quickly came up beside Yi Chen. He held his left wrist with his right hand, barely able to contain his excitement as he asked, "Can I touch it?"


    "Sure."


    Touching the suit wasn¡¯t an issue¡ªit had a self-cleaning function.


    Edmund lightly brushed it with his fingers, feeling a tingling sensation spreading throughout his body.


    "This...what level of quality is this? Even in my family, I haven¡¯t seen such a perfect early suit... Where did you get this made?"


    "From a friend of Professor Chambers."


    "Seems like a private tailor I don''t know about. I''m really envious."


    Yi Chen then looked Edmund up and down, commenting in a low voice, "Your suit isn''t bad either." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Edmund wore a dark blue double-breasted suit with a peak lapel, six buttons, and a high lapel design, exuding a dignified yet lively noble aura.


    As for the other two members of Edmund''s team, one wore black and the other white as their main colors.


    Juliana¡¯s black suit leaned toward a casual style, with a narrow-shouldered, slim fit design that highlighted her figure.


    Dagobert, on the other hand, was like a suited brute. His white suit clung perfectly to his body, showcasing the muscular lines beneath.


    Notably, the gentleman with the colorful mask and patterned suit, "Jin," was absent. It was almost certain that Jin had chosen a black envelope.


    When the time came, the massive elevator carried everyone up toward the mountain peak.


    Edmund leaned in close to Yi Chen¡¯s ear and whispered, "Hey, I heard some insider news. Due to staffing issues, the school assigned us a teacher for who¡¯s a bit problematic. His teaching methods were once so improper that they led to the direct death of a student. He faced severe punishment and a trial in Zion...but he was kept on because of his irreplaceable and unique expertise. Let¡¯s look out for each other during class, alright?"


    "Sure."


    ...


    Entering the Wilsterman Building required passing through a long, dimly lit hallway for a thorough inspection. They then climbed a winding internal staircase to reach the classroom.


    Along the hallways, they could hear the hum of generators. The building used a self-sustaining power system, completely separated from Zion City¡¯s power supply to prevent pathogen contamination.


    After nearly twenty minutes, they finally reached the classroom floor.


    The layout resembled an old ward designed to hold severely mentally ill patients: narrow, enclosed corridors with iron doors equipped with small observation windows, and tungsten lamps flickering with a dying hum.


    **


    This was the special classroom where Yi Chen and the others would study [Pathology] for the next year.


    They pushed open the iron door.


    Inside was an old, completely sealed classroom. Twenty rusted metal desks were scattered around, and the so-called podium resembled more of a metal autopsy table. As they found seats and arranged the desks, they heard faint footsteps from outside the door.


    Everyone instinctively straightened, assuming it was the teacher arriving.


    However, as the footsteps grew closer, their expressions began to change.


    The sounds were not of a single person but of a dense crowd approaching.


    Creak!


    The moment the classroom door opened, the already flickering tungsten lamp went out.


    In the darkness, a horde of deformed, living beings crowded through the narrow doorway, pouring into the classroom like a flood.


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 40

    Due to the oppressive, dark, and unsettling atmosphere inherent in the Wilsterman teaching building, combined with its winding layout reminiscent of a mental hospital, everyone had been highly alert since entering.The moment the tungsten lights went out, everyone quickly lit their portable kerosene lamps. The glow radiated out, illuminating the classroom once again, revealing a terrifying scene.


    At the main entrance of the classroom, a horrifying "living corpse" was crawling along the wall. Its eyes were bound with a black bandage, its mouth sewn shut with steel wire, and its body marked with thick black lines outlining human anatomy. Long, thick nails punctured its spine at regular intervals. As this first living corpse crawled into the room, more followed, each one more grotesque, until they outnumbered the gentlemen in the class.


    At that moment, the gentlemen in the class instinctively touched their backpack straps, shifting from [Suits] ¡ú [Overcoat] and instantly adopting combat stances.


    Only Yi Chen hesitated, his fingers hovering mid-air over the strap¡­ because he harbored some doubts about the "danger" unfolding before him.


    Drip! Suddenly, a drop of saliva landed on Yi Chen¡¯s collar.


    A hideous living corpse was clinging to the ceiling, its mouth wide open, eager to feast on fresh flesh. It locked onto Yi Chen and abandoned its crawling stance, dropping vertically from the ceiling.


    At the same moment, Yi Chen drew his hand axe, his gaze focused¡­ confident he could deliver a precise mid-air beheading.


    Bang! A loud crash echoed.


    Before Yi Chen could swing his axe, a heavy iron desk flew across the room, striking the corpse and smashing it into the wall. Its head was crushed, punctured, oozing foul liquid.


    Not far away, Dagobert from Quechua¡¯s northern region caught Yi Chen¡¯s eye. Because of the confined classroom space, his greatsword was too unwieldy, so he had to rely on hand-to-hand combat with these living corpses¡­ and even so, he was holding his ground effortlessly.


    "Dagobert¡¯s [physique] must be at least a [4], maybe even [5], right? He must be nearing the Limit membrane¡­ his brute strength is almost exaggerated," Yi Chen thought as he moved closer to the three teammates. Using their strong cooperation and cover, he lowered his presence, avoiding the living corpses'' attention.


    [Enhanced Vision]


    Yi Chen¡¯s gaze scanned over each corpse that had entered, noting various details on their bodies.


    "Hmm? This is¡­" He soon noticed a suspicious detail and took a deep breath.


    Adjusting his attire, Yi Chen strode with formal, dignified steps toward a certain spot in the classroom, where a corpse was gnawing on a student''s arm. The living corpse sensed Yi Chen approaching. Swish! After tearing off a chunk of flesh from the student¡¯s arm, it turned its head 90 degrees to face Yi Chen.


    Its knees bent, ready to pounce like a wild beast. Yet Yichen performed an action that puzzled everyone present. With his right foot beside his left, his right arm gracefully turned to rest across his chest, he leaned forward about 30 degrees and offered a "gentleman¡¯s bow" to the flesh-eating living corpse, softly greeting it, ¡°Good morning!¡±


    In that moment, all the living corpses engaged in combat with the students froze, motionless. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even as some students continued attacking them, shattering bones and hacking into flesh, the corpses remained unmoved.


    The living corpse to whom Yi Chen had bowed slowly straightened up from its primal, frenzied crawl to stand upright¡­ its spine rigid, as the nails embedded in its vertebrae began to drop away one by one.


    Reaching out, he pulled out the wire embedded between his lips. Strangely, there was no blood from the wound, and it healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving no scars behind.


    A chilling, hoarse voice came from the depths of his recently unbound mouth:


    "What¡¯s your name?"


    "William Behrens."


    "You¡¯re the first student in the last ten cohorts who could immediately detect an anomaly and discover ''me''... Impressive observation skills and meticulous thinking. How did you figure it out?"


    Of course, Yi Chen wouldn¡¯t say he had already heard that the instructor had certain "quirks" and had prepared himself in advance.


    "Breathing¡­ and subtle differences in behavior. I guessed this might be a deliberate flaw you left, hoping that we would stay calm in the face of crisis and pick up on hidden details. Otherwise, with your skills, perfectly mimicking a living corpse wouldn¡¯t be an issue."


    The "living corpse" didn¡¯t respond directly but stepped around the disordered desks, corpses, and students, and made his way to the relatively clean podium. He retrieved a long black coat resembling a lab coat from under the podium and put it over his bare chest.


    "You students aren¡¯t bad... better than previous cohorts. These ''corpses'' you killed are today¡¯s class materials. While Alive, they were individuals with initial stages of infection. After death, they underwent a thorough ''disinfection'' process and are no longer contagious. I then used some ''corpse creation techniques'' to repurpose them.


    Now, arrange your desks and each choose a corpse to place on your desk; prepare for class."


    This strange pre-class procedure was a first for everyone, and they couldn¡¯t help but feel an instinctive fear of the teacher. While adjusting their desks and moving the corpses, the teacher wrote his name on the blackboard ¨C ** ¨C and continued with a series of bizarre actions.


    He removed his black coat, once again going bare-chested, and lay flat on the metal podium. Then, he ordered a not-too-bright "living corpse" with a hole in its head to stand on the podium.


    "For **, I''ll give you a basic introduction to human anatomy. Don¡¯t get distracted; record every detail. Only by understanding the human body ¨C the most susceptible to pathogenic infection and with the greatest potential ¨C can you comprehend the deeper aspects of pathogenic knowledge in later lessons."


    With that, he pulled a sharp scalpel from his mouth and handed it to the not-too-bright living corpse. Under everyone¡¯s gaze, he instructed the corpse to begin cutting the skin on his arm, explaining the basic skin structure layer by layer. He then used tweezers to pull out muscle fibers, nerves, and other components for detailed examination.


    As he continued his self-dissection, he turned his head to the students, saying, ¡°No need to strictly follow classroom decorum; if you want a closer, more detailed look, feel free to gather around."


    The entire morning''s "Pathology" lesson took place in this eerie and bizarre teaching atmosphere, but this hands-on method left every student with a deeper understanding of human anatomy.


    After class, as Zed lay on the podium, he began self-stitching, putting his exposed organs back in place.


    Yi Chen deliberately declined Edmond and the others¡¯ post-class invitations, choosing to stay alone in the classroom. Once everyone had left, and Zed finished his self-stitching, he sat up straight.


    "Is there something you need, William?"


    Yi Chen handed him a handwritten letter and business card from Professor Chambers as requested. Surprisingly, Zed seemed to be blind, reading by touching the subtle indentations on the letter. After this touch-reading, he slowly broke into a twisted smile.


    "Knowing that the academy doesn¡¯t allow me to mentor students individually, Professor Chambers still introduced you to me... Very well, I''ll reluctantly accept this job since you seem interesting.


    Remember, my standards for the living are much higher than for the dead. I also can¡¯t entirely guarantee your safety; there¡¯s a chance you might die during training."


    "Understood."


    "Then follow me~ We have only ** left for my outdoor activity period; I need to hurry back to my ''office.''"


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 41

    The so-called "free activity time" is as literal as it sounds.Except for regular classes and occasional free time, Hogni Zed is entirely confined within this sealed school building. All his meals and any needs for experiments or daily life will be provided by the school as best as they can.


    ¡­


    "Are his outdoor hours strictly limited? Is the academy treating him like a usable ¡®prisoner¡¯? Just how dangerous is this guy for the academy to make such a decision?"


    Yi Chen sensed an even greater hidden danger surrounding Teacher Zed. Yet, he felt no fear nor any urge to escape; instead, he was even more intrigued and looked forward to physical training.


    In class, he had witnessed firsthand how Zed dissected nearly every part of his own body, even displaying his organs. Such actions, enough to kill someone a hundred times over, seemed like child''s play to Zed.


    Moreover, he appeared to have a "super-fast, targeted healing" ability. For instance, cut body parts would immediately heal once he no longer needed them on display. For areas that needed to remain exposed, he could keep wounds open or even halt his blood flow, manipulating his circulation.


    He controlled every inch of his body with precision.


    Learning something real from him would surely be immensely beneficial for his own physical development.


    ¡­


    As he followed Zed toward his "office," Yi Chen glanced at the classroom filled with corpses. "What will you do with those bodies?"


    "Don''t worry. They were created for class purposes.


    Their bodies are preserved with a special preservative and have a shelf life of over three months.


    Since next week''s classes will use them, we¡¯ll just leave them here."


    "Understood."


    Following Zed down the narrow staircase of the sealed school building, they descended further¡­ down even below the first floor into a deeper level.


    Click~ The hidden door opened.


    Below, there was a small elevator leading further down.


    "Are we still going down?"


    "Yes~ Ever since my misconduct, my title was stripped, and my original office was repurposed. The folks at the academy specially customized an underground office for me."


    "Mr. Zed, were you a professor at the academy?"


    "More like an assistant professor at best. I¡¯m not very skilled in socializing or writing¡­ and I actually don¡¯t even enjoy teaching students.


    It¡¯s only because when I exhibit and dissect my own body in front of you newcomers, I feel a sense of satisfaction on a psychological level. It probably has a lot to do with the peculiar structure of my hypothalamus.


    That¡¯s why I chose to teach here."


    "Oh¡­"


    Hearing this, Yi Chen roughly understood Zed''s "quirk"¡­ Of course, ¡®displaying his body¡¯ might just be one of his quirks.


    While riding the elevator, Yi Chen glanced a few times at the black cloth covering Zed¡¯s eyes. From earlier details in class, it was evident that Mr. Zed had an issue with his vision.


    Yi Chen was quite curious about how someone as resilient as Zed could be blind¡­ Even if his eyes were damaged, wouldn¡¯t they just heal? But such a sensitive question was better saved for when they were more familiar.


    At that moment, Little Grape''s voice sounded:


    "His ''eyes'' have been taken."


    "Taken? Can¡¯t they regenerate?"


    "I can¡¯t sense the concept of ''eyes'' on him at all; it¡¯s entirely different from damaged or missing eyeballs¡­ It¡¯s as if, fundamentally, as a biological entity, the ''eye'' organ doesn¡¯t exist for him.


    Naturally, he can¡¯t regenerate them, nor is there any method to repair them.


    But judging by his daily actions, he¡¯s long accustomed to life without vision, and his other senses completely replace the function of sight."


    "Is this natural?"


    "Maybe¡­ or perhaps he lost them conceptually while exploring the Grey Zone."


    "I see."


    The elevator descended to the very bottom.


    Only a narrow arched passage lay ahead, barely wide enough for a single adult to pass through. At the end of the corridor was a fully sealed iron door with no windows, equipped with a hydraulic valve.


    Embedded on the door was a clock-like timer, showing only one minute left.


    Each time Zed leaves, the clock begins counting down. If he doesn''t return before the timer ends, the alarm will sound across the entire building, and a wave of gentlemen will immediately rush to capture and subdue him.


    If he''s deemed to be escaping with malicious intent, execution would follow.


    Buzz! The iron door opened.


    With mere seconds left, Zed stepped into his office.


    The hydraulic valve rotated, and three cylindrical locks emerged from the two-meter-thick iron door, embedding into the wall and sealing it entirely.


    As the door shut, Yi Chen felt a complete disconnection from the outside world.


    The office itself was quite spacious, with several rooms dedicated to Zed''s daily needs, storage, corpse preservation, personal experiments, and some rooms with unknown purposes.


    However, each room was equipped with a "live surveillance eye."


    Yes, a real, living eyeball, suspended in the corner of each wall and connected by numerous nerves, constantly monitoring everything within Zed''s office.


    If anyone needed anything, a simple gesture towards the eye would summon an attendant to inquire about the specifics after a while.


    "This isn''t an office; it''s essentially a glorified ''private prison.''


    Just how dangerous is this Zed, or what kinds of terrible things has he done for them to establish an underground prison just for him and monitor him around the clock?"


    ---


    **


    This room was filled with brain tissue and nerve connections and also ''installed'' numerous heads of reanimated corpses.


    These heads were sourced from the organization¡¯s cemetery and represented the better-developed zombie products.


    Each head had a ''data port'' smashed into the back, with nerve lines inserted.


    The other end of these connections linked to the "surveillance eyeballs" throughout the building, allowing the staff in the monitoring room to view real-time "surveillance footage" by examining the pupils of these reanimated heads through magnifying glasses.


    Such ''improper'' facilities would never appear on Zion''s surface. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gurgle~


    Professor Chamberlain had arrived here an hour earlier for one reason only: to observe the initial meeting between Yi Chen and Hogni Zed.


    After learning about Yi Chen''s excellent classroom performance and watching him peacefully ride the elevator with Zed to the office on the surveillance feed, he felt reassured.


    "It''s rare, Professor Chamberlain, for you to be so concerned about a new student, and to even introduce him to Zed, that twisted freak.


    I''m curious. Could you share the reason?"


    The question came from the head of the surveillance area¡ªa tall woman in high heels, a black dress, and a mask with a dark gold brain pattern.


    "Zed has unmatched physical abilities in this academy¡­ My student''s career is associated with yet wishes to develop in as well.


    I approved of his aspiration, but to achieve such multi-attribute limit, he must seek the best possible mentor.


    That''s the reason."


    The head questioned back, "Even if he risks death and the loss of valuable talent, does that not concern you?"


    "Better to die at Zed''s hands than outside..."


    "Interesting. I¡¯ll keep an eye on this student and do my best to prevent his death."


    "Thank you, Ms. Oressa."


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 42

    After returning to the office, Teacher Zed relaxed as if he were at home, his movements becoming exaggerated and flamboyant, as if deliberately displaying himself in front of the monitors.He enthusiastically began introducing his ¡°home.¡±


    ¡°The [Corpse Storage Room] and [Medicine Warehouse] are off-limits. Some dangerous items are inside, and academy rules state that only I¡¯m allowed to access them. Also, before you enter my room or the laboratory, you must get my permission. Other areas are open for you to move around freely.¡±


    Zed then led Yi Chen to an empty room, saying, ¡°This room isn¡¯t used often. Sometimes, when there are too many body materials to store, any excess is temporarily piled here. If our training sessions run late, you can stay here overnight.¡±


    ¡°Uh... alright.¡±


    Looking at the dark, cramped, temporary body storage room before him, Yi Chen nodded a bit awkwardly.


    Just then, a pair of steady, powerful yet cold, eerie hands landed on his shoulders.


    ¡°Professor Chamberson is one of the few people in this academy who has treated me well. Because of his ¡®opposing vote¡¯ years ago, I was granted protection by the academy and avoided facing Zion¡¯s judgment. So, since it¡¯s his request, I¡¯ll consider this a priority, doing everything possible to develop and enhance your ¡®physical body.¡¯


    ¡°Your performance in class was excellent, but you didn¡¯t exhibit the full potential of your body. So, before we create a training program tailored just for you, I must ¡®thoroughly understand¡¯ your physical structure. Come now¡ªI can hardly wait.¡±


    A droplet of saliva landed on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder as Zed appeared extremely excited. His Adam¡¯s apple moved up and down as more saliva trickled from the corner of his mouth.


    Despite anticipating something unpleasant, Yi Chen still followed Teacher Zed to his laboratory¡ªor more precisely, his ¡°human laboratory.¡±


    Previously, all the animated corpses used in teaching were processed here. The tungsten light buzzed, with a few candles adding extra illumination. A surgical table, not yet clean and still stained, stood in the center, while some decayed eyeballs lay on the ground, even the little grapes had lost interest in them.


    ¡°Class ran a little tight today, so I didn¡¯t get a chance to clean up. Don¡¯t mind it.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ sure.¡±


    After wiping the slime off the surgical table with a large rag, Zed made a gentlemanly ¡®please¡¯ gesture. ¡°If there¡¯s no problem, go ahead and lie down.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen was aware of Zed¡¯s dangerous nature from the start. Gazing at the surgical table, he could almost guess what ¡°thorough understanding¡± would entail. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the lab¡¯s monitors to confirm that the eyeballs in the corner were observing.


    He packed his clothes into his bag and lay flat on the table, like a corpse.


    Concealed restraints sprang out, locking his limbs, neck, forehead, and waist in place. However, Yi Chen¡¯s gaze remained calm, adjusting his breathing to keep his heart rate steady.


    ¡°You¡¯re not struggling; you really are different from the others! The previous students I examined always resisted at first. This is how it should be! Only by accepting my methods can we jointly explore the secrets of the human body.¡±


    "Next, I will ''open'' your body, observe and document the specifics within, for subsequent ''physical analysis.''


    During this process, you will experience pain continuously and intensely. Do not resist it, or you may faint midway, and with bad luck, possibly even die. ?


    is a precious gift bestowed upon higher life forms, one of the most important evolutionary products for brain development. You must learn to understand, control, and even fall in love with ''her.''


    Once you adapt, she will become an addictive sensation, a beautiful presence you can¡¯t forget or resist.


    Let us begin."


    In the hours that followed, the candlelight in the operating room flickered in sync with the rising and falling sounds of agony.


    The ''cries of misery'' that struggled from the depths of Yi Chen¡¯s throat sounded like delightful notes to Zede, who even danced through the procedure. Every time Yi Chen''s body was near its limit, Teacher Zede would cut his own flesh, and through "vascular connection," inject vitality, sustaining life¡­ This ''intimate exploration'' continued for six hours.


    Even Ms. Oressa, on the other side of the monitor and responsible for the security of the school building, frowned slightly, wanting to intervene several times, doubting if Chamberlain bore a personal grudge against this student.


    Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness did not last until the end of the procedure; it reached its limit and slipped into a deep coma.


    In his daze, he once again saw the black sea, feeling the waves lift his body and finally carry him to shore.


    A dark blur crossed his vision.


    Awakening,


    he found himself lying in that narrow, dark, empty room, or rather, tossed there like a corpse. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His backpack, containing his formal attire, was placed nearby. The first thing Yi Chen did upon waking was inspect his body from head to toe, checking if he was missing anything.


    The examination revealed everything was intact, with hardly any signs of stitching.


    The only difference was that his skin now bore thick black lines, similar to those on Teacher Zede and other ''living corpses,'' marking his physical structure, including various measurements and proportions.


    Just after changing into his clothes,


    Teacher Zed entered, still wearing only a black coat, unbuttoned, barefoot on the ground.


    In one hand, he carried a large bowl of primarily vegetable-based food; in the other, a stack of data sheets.


    "Eat up. These are ''supplements'' from those guys upstairs, chosen according to your taste to help you recover quickly¡­ I know that adapting to is a rather lengthy process, so we can take it slow.


    Additionally,


    I am very pleased with your performance.


    During the physical examination, you endured for four hours and fifty-six minutes, far surpassing any of the new gentlemen I have trained before.


    Most of them barely lasted half an hour before passing out.


    By the way, have you had similar, prolonged pain stimuli before?"


    "Yes... you could say I did, in my childhood."


    Another buried memory surfaced briefly, but Yi Chen quickly suppressed it.


    "No wonder you have such good adaptability. You already have a certain foundation.


    Through this ¡®in-depth examination¡¯, we¡¯ve already determined your physical foundation, potential, developmental direction... and the best way to reach the ''limit membrane'' physically.


    Overall,


    your body is excellent and suits my style well.


    When possible, I must thank Professor Chamberlain in person for introducing such an outstanding student."


    While consuming the food, Yi Chen quickly scanned through his physical examination report.


    Detailed, even ¡®meticulous¡¯ would describe this report.


    Each blood vessel, each bone was recorded, and every analysis was spot-on.


    ''Though this Teacher Zed is indeed... twisted, if I can fully adapt, I will surely gain something valuable here, fully unlocking the potential of my physical form.''


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 43

    After completing his review of the data lists and analysis reports, Yi Chen had a question in mind. He recalled that in pathology class where Dagobert, with just one hand, lifted a whole metal desk and threw it, directly smashing a zombie so hard that its head was completely crushed. Even before obtaining the "Gentleman''s Skin," his strength in Green Lake Town was just as astonishing.


    "Can I, in terms of , really reach the level of someone like Dagobert?"


    "Dagobert... Oh! I remember now. That strong student with fair skin and perfectly defined muscles, right?"


    As they discussed Dagobert, Zed couldn¡¯t help but drool, as if he were eager to dissect and understand the distribution of his muscles. After a moment of fantasizing, he continued:


    "No¡­ His strength is an innate talent. With only basic activation training, he could probably reach the ''Limit Membrane''. Even if you trained tirelessly under me and made some extreme modifications to your body, achieving that level of strength within two years is out of the question.


    However, you might be misunderstanding something: includes more than just strength. It also encompasses endurance, resilience, and other traits directly related to the body. What we need to do is find the one most suited to you, amplify it through specialized training, and reach your version of the limit.


    Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already tailored an optimal growth plan for your body! As long as you can stick to it, reaching the limit in within two years is definitely achievable. Personally, I have high expectations for you."


    As he said this, Teacher Zed cracked a slow smile, even snapping a few lines at the corners of his mouth as he patted Yi Chen on the shoulder meaningfully.


    "Understood. I¡¯ll persevere."


    Next, Zed took out an open pocket watch from his coat pocket, touching it to read the time.


    "Due to your earlier unconsciousness, it¡¯s already ''three in the morning''. The school building is locked down at this hour, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving, so you¡¯ll have to stay here tonight. Let¡¯s not waste time¡ªeat these foods quickly, and we¡¯ll start your training."


    "Alright... okay."


    Squatting nearby, Zed tore open his unusually wide mouth, staring at Yi Chen... quietly waiting for him to finish his meal.


    Yet, the strange atmosphere didn¡¯t disrupt Yi Chen¡¯s eating; he knew well the importance of nutrition replenishment. It reminded him of the "food scramble" at the orphanage, where they¡¯d all be herded into a dark room, and food would pour from a large pipe above¡ªenough for only half the people there. They had to fight over it, not only against each other but also against rats in the dark. Failing to secure enough food meant not filling up... and in the long game that followed, exhaustion would inevitably lead to .


    Recalling this experience, Yi Chen ate even faster, nearly dunking his head into the bowl. Seeing this, Zed lightly tapped the back of his head.


    "Hey! Don¡¯t rush~ take it easy; we have a bit of time."


    Yi Chen¡¯s mind snapped back, and he replied quietly, "Mm... I was just reminded of some unpleasant things."


    Not long after¡ªclang! The empty bowl clattered on the ground.


    "Let¡¯s begin the training, Mr. Zed."


    "Mm, follow me!"


    Zed, still dressed in a long black coat, led Yi Chen back to the main hall of his office. Pulling back the rug, a passage leading even deeper underground was revealed.


    "Does this go even further down?"


    "Yes¡­ this is just my ''office'', where I conduct my personal research and mental exercises. My body can¡¯t relax and move freely in such a confined office space. So when the academy assigned me this place, I naturally had one request¡ªto create a ¡®playground¡¯ for physical relaxation."


    Talking about his "playground" seemed to excite Zed, who couldn¡¯t wait to lead Yi Chen downward.


    As they descended the passageway, a faint, rusted scent mixed with a fishy stench pricked Yi Chen¡¯s nose like tiny needles, making him rub it reflexively. Though there was no actual sound, he could faintly hear faint screams echoing from the lower depths in his mind. ?


    Stepping out of the hidden passage, Zed smoothly flipped the power switch on the side wall.


    The wall lamps hanging here, each fitted with red glass, filtered out an eerie red glow resembling two sinister, blood-stained hands, welcoming visitors to unveil the mysterious curtain of the "Paradise."


    Although Yi Chen had mentally prepared himself beforehand, the scene before him immediately triggered a primal flight response.


    Despite his best efforts to control himself, Yi Chen still took a step back.


    "Welcome to my Paradise!"


    Like a proud host, Mr. Zed stretched his arms wide, revealing the crimson interior behind him in full glory.


    The basement spanned around three or four hundred square meters, filled with a variety of "exercise equipment," each piece personally designed by Zed. He had passed these blueprints to the academy, which had produced these custom-made items.


    Zed jogged over to a corner of the Paradise and beckoned Yi Chen toward the entrance.


    "Come over here! Give a little wave to the camera. The folks at the academy are quite strict¡ªwe need their approval before we can start the special training. If you accidentally die while working out, they''ll come after me."


    "But of course, I believe you¡¯ll hold up. You won¡¯t die that easily."


    "Okay¡­ alright," Yi Chen replied, forcing a smile as he stepped in front of the camera.


    After a moment, the camera¡¯s "eye" moved up and down in approval.


    "Oh! Today, the academy folks are being generous¡ªthey approved it right away! So, let¡¯s begin our special training! Since this is your first time here, let¡¯s start with some of the simpler equipment. Do you see that treadmill over there? Get on it and run to your heart''s content. But remember, don¡¯t stop until every bit of your stamina is drained."


    "Okay..."


    Yi Chen looked in the direction Zed pointed.


    The treadmill was made entirely of metal, with restraints at the handles. Once strapped in, there was no escape¡ªunless one were to rip off both arms. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The most horrifying part was that the treadmill belt was covered with iron spikes, ranging from 2 to 5 centimeters long. Each step would land directly on these spikes.


    If he couldn¡¯t keep up with the treadmill¡¯s speed, with his arms bound, his lower body would meet the belt in a rather intimate and painful encounter, leaving it scraped and mangled by the spikes.


    However, the spiked treadmill was merely an entry-level piece of equipment in "Zed¡¯s Paradise." Zed himself found it so beneath him that it was even collecting dust.


    Just before stepping onto the treadmill, Yi Chen had a small question.


    "Mr. Zed, is this meant to train my ?"


    "Endurance is just part of it.


    Think about it! If you were attacked and felt no pain, or even felt pleasure, wouldn¡¯t that be a huge advantage? What I truly want to teach you is ''physical control''."


    "For us humans, the body has never truly belonged to the brain; has always had a mind of her own. Think of your body as a cheeky little companion. She seems loyal to you, obedient on the surface, but often works against you behind the scenes. Whenever she¡¯s unhappy, she might even push you towards death.


    "Take the classic example of hammering your knee¡ªthe brain didn¡¯t issue any command, yet instinctively displays that tantalizing, pale little leg.


    "A little external stimulus, and she¡¯s whining and screaming, sending waves of pain signals. Only by constantly pushing her to the brink and repairing her can you deepen your bond, making her your most faithful partner."


    "Understood." Yi Chen begrudgingly accepted this strange philosophy.


    "Oh, and before you get on the treadmill¡­ remember to take off all your clothes. The ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ is a precious thing, but it¡¯s useless for our training here, so let¡¯s try not to get it dirty."


    Yi Chen changed into a set of clothes he had bought in Easton Town.


    Taking off his shoes, he stepped onto the treadmill, binding his arms securely to the handles. Zed thoughtfully brought over a blood-circulation device¡ªa tube connected one end to a vein in Yi Chen''s wrist, and the other to a reservoir beneath the treadmill. Any blood lost while running would be recirculated back into Yi Chen¡¯s body to prevent him from passing out from blood loss.


    As the training began, Zed pulled over a stool, like someone watching his favorite TV show, thoroughly engrossed in the agony of Yi Chen, his suffering runner.

 Chapter 44

    [A Week Passed]The fundamental attributes remained unchanged despite the intensive training.


    On the contrary, Yi Chen¡¯s mental and physical state deteriorated significantly. He appeared emaciated, his demeanor utterly lifeless, and his hair started falling out in patches.


    During Monday¡¯s ''Pathology'' class, when Edmund and the others saw Yi Chen, they were startled by his condition. They tried to offer him material support, but he refused every offer.


    Yi Chen¡¯s only response was simple: ¡°Special training.¡±


    After observing a faint trace of determination in Yi Chen¡¯s dim eyes, Edmund refrained from further questions.


    The first week was spent almost entirely in Professor Zed¡¯s ¡°paradise,¡± gradually exploring other equipment beyond the treadmill. Just as his body adapted to one piece of equipment, a new one would disrupt the balance.


    ---


    [Second Week]


    The attribute values remained unchanged, and Yi Chen¡¯s condition showed no improvement. His head had developed a glaring bald spot, and he now appeared 10 to 20 years older. He began wearing heavy coats and a hood daily.


    Walking between the teaching building and the campus, he resembled a walking corpse.


    On Sunday night, a rare evening of rest, Yi Chen staggered back to his dormitory only to find Professor Chamberlain, the owl, waiting for him.


    ¡°Your physical condition is terrible, and the accumulated injuries may all turn into long-term consequences, leaving your future hanging by a thread. Do you want to give up, William?


    Just nod, and I¡¯ll immediately contact the school to sever all ties between you and Zed. I¡¯ll also transfer you to another Pathology class, ensuring Zed won¡¯t bother you again. Tonight, I¡¯ll send you to the internal in Zion for comprehensive treatment.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor Chamberlain¡­ but I can feel my body undergoing subtle changes. I want to keep going.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    Suddenly, Chamberlain, who was several meters away, closed the distance almost instantly and placed a hand gently on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°As I suspected¡­ is the perfect catalyst for your body. To achieve ¡®multi-attribute limits,¡¯ you must endure far greater sacrifices than others.


    Also, don¡¯t worry about the monthly mission requirements. I will submit a ¡®task delay¡¯ application on your behalf.


    However, the academy doesn¡¯t encourage such closed-door efforts. After all, the ultimate goal of nurturing gentlemen is to eliminate pathogens. Direct confrontation and fieldwork against pathogens are far more meaningful.


    Thus, the maximum task delay allowed is .


    During this time, you must fully adapt to Zed¡¯s training and allow your body to recover through sustained pain. After six months, you must complete a mission worthy of recognition.


    Missions for gentlemen are far more complex than those in Green Lake Town. Everything you encounter will be unknown.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ready. Thank you, Professor.¡±


    ¡°I look forward to seeing your state six months from now.¡±


    ---


    [One Month Later]


    The attribute values remained unchanged, and Yi Chen¡¯s condition was still poor. However, the physical deterioration and aging seemed to have slowed.


    During this time, Yi Chen skipped a gentleman¡¯s etiquette class and a Pathology class.


    ---


    [Two Months Later]


    Although the attribute values still hadn¡¯t changed, Yi Chen¡¯s physical condition began to improve.


    The most noticeable improvement was the regrowth of his hair.


    During class, Dagobert, who had exceptional talent in physical strength, noticed subtle changes occurring in Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    These changes were unlike the typical physical development of most people. They weren¡¯t about refining, training, or shaping the existing physique.


    The sensation Yi Chen experienced felt as though his entire physical body had been torn apart, ground to dust, and then reassembled in the most primal way¡ªcreating a form better suited to his needs and easier to control.


    Over these months, Yi Chen gradually returned to his original appearance. His mental state also improved¡­ yet his physique value remained at [2].


    On the surface, it seemed as though everything had reverted to its original state, as if nothing had happened.


    Meanwhile, after months of training, the daily special training routines and schedules had already become fixed.


    Once Yi Chen¡¯s stamina was completely drained, Mr. Zed would immediately shut down the equipment. He would carry Yi Chen¡¯s utterly exhausted body and throw him into a tub filled with nutrient solution for soaking until he regained consciousness.


    If he woke up before the teaching building closed, he could return to the dorm to sleep. If he woke up late, he would have to continue training there.


    ---


    Time approached the .


    [Wilsterman Teaching Building - Underground Section]


    As usual, Yi Chen was engaged in intensive training¡­ but today, something was different.


    Mr. Zed, with a heavy expression, glanced at the time on his pocket watch.


    The training had exceeded its scheduled duration; Yi Chen should have been utterly exhausted and collapsed half an hour ago.


    However¡ª


    He was still sitting on the rowing machine, which was embedded with steel spikes that had completely pierced his palms. Yet he continued to row at a high frequency as though unfazed.


    ¡°Could it be¡­¡±


    Zed didn¡¯t mention the overtime. Instead, he spoke in his usual tone for special training.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough for the rowing machine. Move to the treadmill for a light jog.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen effortlessly stepped away from the rowing machine, casually bandaging his pierced palms. Without pausing, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm and got on the treadmill with ease.


    While running, Yi Chen suddenly turned his head and asked, ¡°Mr. Zed, may I run a bit faster? For some reason¡­ I feel like my body is becoming lighter and lighter.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, follow your instincts and do as you feel. From now on, you don¡¯t need to seek my advice.¡±


    After this final instruction, Zed fell silent, seemingly waiting for some change to occur.


    ---


    A faint sound reached Zed¡¯s ears, originating from the squeezing and vibrating of Yi Chen¡¯s pores.


    Suddenly, red mist began to emit from Yi Chen¡¯s running body, as though his blood were evaporating. In truth, his total blood volume hadn¡¯t decreased; what was being expelled were clotted blood and the residual pain that had accumulated in his body over time.


    The more red mist that was released, the lighter Yi Chen felt.


    His speed on the treadmill increased further, until the red mist nearly obscured his entire figure. All that remained visible was a blur of a body running at high speed.


    Then, something even stranger happened.


    Yi Chen¡¯s skin began to undergo ¡ªseparating from his body in large sections.


    A whole piece of shed skin fell off, which Zed swiftly picked up.


    Touching the flawless layer of human skin, Zed¡¯s expression turned to one of extreme excitement.


    ¡°Purification, shedding¡­ just one final step remains!¡±


    A new layer of slightly red skin emerged on Yi Chen¡¯s body. Underneath, tiny, vibrant root-like fibers visibly intertwined with blood vessels.


    Within seconds, the fresh skin matured, transforming into a normal tone and texture¡ªmore flexible, delicate, and closely fitting than before.


    Yi Chen¡¯s hair grew visibly, gaining six months¡¯ worth of length and cascading over his shoulders.


    With a loud crash, accompanied by the sound of shattering metal, the treadmill¡ªoverused and heavily worn¡ªexploded under Yi Chen¡¯s intense speed.


    Amid the blend of red mist and metallic debris, a long-haired young man emerged completely unclothed.


    On his shoulder was a small fleshy protrusion, rhythmically swaying its tiny arms. Its teeth ground together noisily, emanating excitement.


    The youth picked up his gear bag and donned a long-unused suit.


    At that moment, the suit¡ªclinging to his body¡ªdetected the drastic changes in his physique and projected updated data onto his retina:


    [Physique] has increased: [2] ¡ú [3]  Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    **


    - The fundamental nature of the body has changed, making it easier to further enhance physique.


    - Proficiency in has improved.

 Chapter 45

    [Fetal Heart Church]Inside the office of Professor George Chamberlain, also known as the White Owl W.O.


    A trial sparring session was underway.


    A white-feathered owl perched in the corner, watching intently.


    The sparring didn¡¯t last long¡ªjust in total¡ªbut for the participants, this duration was already an astonishing feat.


    ¡°Hahaha!¡±


    The typically stern and rigid Professor Chamberlain burst into uninhibited laughter.


    The owl, sensing its owner¡¯s joy, hooted enthusiastically.


    It had been a long time since Chamberlain, having reached an advanced age, had laughed so heartily.


    ¡°I knew it! You¡¯ve inherited such a unique and exceptional from Zed¡­ With this, your future is boundless.


    Across all of Zion, besides Zed, only you possess such distinctive physical characteristics.


    I look forward to the day you reach the pinnacle of multi-attribute capabilities.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve also timed everything well~ There are only ten days left of your six-month deadline. Are you ready for your mission?¡±


    ¡°As soon as I leave your office, I¡¯ll set out for Zion¡¯s ¡®Gentlemen¡¯s Hall¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Good! Let me remind you once more.


    While the academy places no specific requirements on the tasks you choose or their difficulty levels, you must hold yourself to a higher standard.


    Don¡¯t settle for the easiest, safest tasks just to get by¡ªchoose something one tier higher, with some risk and uncertainty.


    If you don¡¯t acclimate in advance, you¡¯ll surely perish when you face true dangers outside the city.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ---


    The train rumbled forward.


    This marked Yi Chen¡¯s first time leaving the academy in six months.


    The Eternal Night scene, sealed behind the academy gates, gave way to sunlight spilling over his body. He felt as if his entire being had awakened, perhaps linked to the photosynthesis occurring within the plants inside him.


    It was like being reborn.


    A sapling sprouted in his palm as a smile appeared on his face, filled with hope for the future.


    ¡°This feeling is amazing.¡±


    As the train pulled into the ''Street District'' station, three familiar faces awaited him outside the window.


    The moment he stepped off the train,


    A hand faintly scented with English cologne wrapped around Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    The deep-blue tone of a suit brushed against his black suit, leather rubbing together.


    Beneath blonde hair, a face reminiscent of leaned closer. It was none other than his classmate, "Edmund Mariano".


    ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you all morning. If we miss out on suitable tasks because of the delay, then William will have to foot the bill for the day¡¯s expenses. I wouldn¡¯t mind spending the night at a luxury hotel.¡± ?


    ¡°Apologies, I was delayed at Professor Chamberlain¡¯s office. Let¡¯s hurry and go.¡±


    ¡°No need to be so formal, just a joke.


    As new gentlemen enrolled in the academy, we have the privilege of , so there will always be suitable tasks available whenever we go.


    Let¡¯s go¡ªdestination: ¡®Gentlemen¡¯s Hall¡¯.¡±


    ---


    Over the past six months, although they only had two classes per week, Edmund¡¯s persistence brought him and Yi Chen closer.


    Occasionally, Yi Chen also discussed with Dagobert, another student specializing in physique training.


    Their decision to form a team wasn¡¯t random. Edmund had sensed the importance of this six-month milestone and proactively invited Yi Chen during a recent pathology class.


    This time, unlike at Green Lake Town, Yi Chen didn¡¯t refuse.


    1. Six months of interaction had deepened his understanding of Edmund and the others.


    2. Yi Chen had reached a sufficient to team up with Edmund¡¯s group, whose members had been rigorously trained since childhood. He no longer worried about exposing his ''rookie'' status.


    3. Edmund¡¯s team had successfully completed five squad missions during this time, offering invaluable experience to Yi Chen, who had yet to undertake his first mission.


    4. Most importantly, Zion¡¯s rules required gentlemen still in training, like Yi Chen, to take on missions as part of a to reduce mortality rates.


    Thus, Edmund¡¯s team welcomed a new member, expanding to four.


    ...


    [Gentleman¡¯s Hall] Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One of the most important buildings in Zion City, the Gentleman¡¯s Hall is a Gothic structure spanning three levels¡ªlower, middle, and upper¡ªlocated in the central street district.


    Taking the elevator to the "Lower Street District,"


    He pass through winding alleys, squeezing through narrow passageways with his chest and back almost pressed against the damp walls.


    Eventually, he reach a higher, open, three-way intersection.


    Here stands a colossal building, far surpassing the surrounding structures in scale, intricacy, and aura:


    [The Gentleman¡¯s Hall].


    A black metal plate with vertically elongated lettering is mounted on the central part of the building, adorned with various intricate patterns. The building¡¯s sides feature numerous flying buttresses, both visually stunning and reinforcing the towering nature of the structure. It evokes a sense of upward momentum, as if soaring straight into the sky.


    At the very top, a prominent circular window catches the eye. Designed with a wheel-shaped lattice, its centerpiece displays the emblem of the organization¡ª.


    "William, this must be your first time here, right?


    Although the Gentleman¡¯s Hall is classified as a [Public Area], it¡¯s essentially a highly confidential division, even involving core secrets.


    The interior is strictly sectioned off, with tight controls over movement.


    As new gentlemen, our access is extremely limited, and we¡¯re confined to the lower levels.


    Let¡¯s wait until we receive today¡¯s mission slip before discussing task details."


    "Understood."


    As they entered through the main gate,


    a towering gentleman guard, nearly two meters tall and equipped with a black mask and mechanical goggles,


    lowered his gaze to scan the group¡¯s physical conditions.


    With a full rotation of the circular mechanism on his goggles, the scan passed!


    The guard then made a polite gesture, inviting them in.


    The ground-floor hall had a circular layout, filled with numerous independent counters. Each counter was staffed by a clerk and separated by thick glass, reminiscent of a bank¡¯s design.


    Looking around for the first time, Yi Chen noticed there were no visible stairs or elevators leading to the upper levels.


    "Is there no direct way up from the ground floor?"


    "There is¡­ but only if our [Persona Rank] is sufficient. You¡¯d need to apply through one of the clerks here, and they would guide you to the middle or upper levels to take on higher-security, more challenging missions.


    But that¡¯s something for the future."


    ---


    The group approached the nearest counter.


    Edmund, appearing well-acquainted with the process, gestured toward Yi Chen behind him.


    "Our squad would like to add a new member. Can we complete the registration here?"


    "Please present the necessary documentation."


    Yi Chen promptly handed over his student ID, issued by the academy.


    The ID drew attention for two notable details:


    1. A stamp approving a maximum six-month mission delay.


    2. A stamp from the "First Gentleman" as an official sponsor.


    The clerk couldn¡¯t help but take a closer look at this special new gentleman.


    "Please wait. Adding a member requires recalculating the squad¡¯s [Overall Index]. It should take about ten minutes to provide you with a new mission list suitable for your team¡¯s level."


    After saying this,


    the clerk hung a ¡°Service Suspended¡± sign and headed to the upper levels to report the situation.


    The unique student ID quickly caught the attention of a senior manager.


    "Hmm?


    A rare ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ sponsorship? For such a talented newcomer, why spend six months idling at the academy? And why was the delay application submitted by the infamous ¡®White Owl¡¯ squad?


    Additionally, this team comprises three top students, all with exceptional performance. Their first five missions were completed with superior ratings.


    Alright, here¡¯s the decision:


    Incorporate this individual into the team under a tripled new gentleman index,


    and assign them some particularly special missions."


    "Understood."

 Chapter 46

    [The Gentlemen''s Hall]Everyone sat quietly on brown-painted benches, waiting in silence.


    Edmund took out a pocket watch with the family winged crest engraved on its interior lining.


    ¡°Today¡¯s pace seems a bit slow... Is it because William joined the team? Usually, it only takes ten minutes for the task list to arrive, but it¡¯s been nearly half an hour now.¡±


    At the edge of the bench, Juliana, with her face covered by a black veil and hands lightly resting on her knees, spoke calmly:


    ¡°William hasn¡¯t performed a mission in six months due to special circumstances, and he¡¯s met the First Gentleman. Evaluating his abilities is probably challenging, so they¡¯re likely discussing and deliberating upstairs.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. For someone capable of scoring over 95, it¡¯s common to see them grinding tasks whenever they get a chance... Taking half a year off is practically unheard of. Let¡¯s wait a bit longer.¡±


    After forty minutes passed, a middle-aged man in a black tailcoat, white bow tie, and a tilted top hat approached.


    With hollow cheeks and prominent cheekbones that gave off an air of sternness,


    the man wore a badge on his chest signifying his special status.


    ¡°Supervisor!¡±


    Edmund, with his extensive experience, immediately recognized the badge and its corresponding role. The man was one of the supervisors, primarily handling upper-level affairs and liaising with high-ranking gentlemen, doctors, and other elites. He rarely appeared in the lower-level areas.


    The supervisor didn¡¯t respond but instead turned his gaze to Yi Chen, scrutinizing him from head to toe.


    His purpose in coming down was to see for himself what the newcomer accepted by the looked like and why he needed six months to recuperate.


    After a thorough observation,


    apart from the mysterious pet concealed on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder and the unmanifested ''insignia'',


    the supervisor could only conclude with two words: .


    Compared to past prodigies who had encountered the First Gentleman upon arriving at Zion, Yi Chen lacked wild ambition or any particularly striking traits. Superficially, Edmund and the others appeared far more outstanding.


    ¡°To objectively consider your team¡¯s composition, I¡¯ve slightly increased the difficulty and carefully selected three missions.


    Here is the list for you to choose from. If you find the tasks unsuitable, I can provide a replacement batch. However, the difficulty level won¡¯t change significantly.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    After handing over the envelope, the supervisor showed no intention of leaving. He sat down on a nearby bench, waiting for their decision. He even gestured for them to take their time, indicating he was in no rush. ?


    Opening the envelope, they found three fine letters crafted from leather paper.


    ---


    1. [Sacrifice of the Ghost Village]


    Incident Location: Southeastern forest of Helven Valley (72 km from Zion)


    Pathogenic Analysis: Confirmed infection (100%)


    - Category: Mental disorder


    - Objective: Enter the primitive village, identify the source of the infection, and effectively seal off the area. Eliminate the root cause and all villagers¡ªleave no survivors.


    - Difficulty (Personne


    Special Note: There is a high likelihood of encountering ¡°severe patients¡± in the village, with a very small chance of encountering a ''Patient Zero''.


    Patient Zero: Rare individuals infected by the pathogen but able to break free from its control during the ¡°afflicted¡± stage, achieving absolute autonomy.


    If you encounter and confirm a Patient Zero during the mission, attempt to persuade them to return to Zion or escort them to a nearby ''clinic'' or ''cemetery''.


    - Base Rewards: A certain amount of silver coins, a 20 cm ¡Á 20 cm piece of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± imbued with old-world essence, and +1 premium mission point.


    - Additional rewards may be granted based on completion level, discovery of extra clues, etc.


    - If over 20% of villagers escape, the mission will be considered a failure.


    ---


    2. [Suspected Pathogenic Apartment Building]


    Incident Location: Dexton City (103 km from Zion)


    - Previous excerpt: According to reports from local investigators, an apartment building at 73 Laken Street has seen frequent tenant disappearances (eleven cases so far). Investigators using conventional methods found no anomalies.


    Pathogenic Detection: None found so far (suspected to be deeply hidden, with the pathogen in a latent growth stage).


    Requirement: Assist Gentleman Investigator Lambert Chernovy in uncovering the cause of the apartment building''s disappearance.


    Difficulty (Persona): ?? (Difficulty cannot be assessed until the existence, grade, and type of pathogen are determined).


    Special Reminder: The difficulty of this task cannot be assessed, and there is a potential risk that the apartment building itself may be the pathogen. Please carefully consider whether to accept this mission.


    Reward: To be determined based on the final investigation and outcome of the incident.  S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ---


    3. [Recovery of Secret Medicine]


    Location of Incident: Vinal City (approximately 51 km from Zion).


    Previous excerpt:


    Two months ago, the "False Moon Incident" broke out in Vinal City, resulting in the immediate deaths of over 90% of the city''s population. The entire city was paralyzed, eventually becoming ruins.


    The ¡®Twilight Clinic¡¯, located on the outskirts of the city, was also severely affected and recently abandoned.


    A week ago, a gentleman recovery team from the organization went to the ''Twilight Clinic'' to retrieve the "secret medicine."


    Due to incorrect information provided by the clinic, it was later discovered through manual verification that one bottle of the secret medicine had not been recovered.


    Pathogenic Detection: A low probability of residual pathogens related to the "False Moon Incident" exists.


    Requirements:


    1. Proceed to the ''Twilight Clinic'' to retrieve the missing bottle of secret medicine.


    2. If the medicine cannot be found, use the organizationally issued Polaroid to photograph every corner of the clinic and obtain evidence indicating that the secret medicine may have been taken.


    Difficulty (Persona): ¡ï¡ï¡ï+? (It is uncertain whether remnants of the False Moon Incident are undergoing rapid growth, and the difficulty may exceed three stars).


    Special Reminder: Once you confirm acceptance of this task, you may request access to partial information about the "False Moon Incident."


    Base Rewards: Several silver coins, a 20 cm ¡Á 20 cm piece of Gentleman''s Skin" with an old-world essence, and +1 premium mission point.


    Additional rewards may be granted based on task completion, discovery of extra clues, etc.


    If the secret medicine bottle is retrieved, each participant may receive one or more drops of the secret medicine''s essence depending on performance.


    ---


    These three tasks left Edmund feeling a headache creeping in¡ªeach one more uncertain than the last.


    Only the first task had somewhat stable difficulty, while the other two were highly variable.


    The highest difficulty of tasks they¡¯d accepted previously was two-and-a-half stars. Once, they encountered unexpected danger during a mission of that level, which nearly cost Dagobert a permanent loss of one arm. After returning, the team had to recover for half a month.


    Of course, over the past six months, through study and real-world practice, all three team members had improved significantly. Furthermore, the team now included Yi Chen, who had accepted the role of the "First Gentleman."


    Facing a three-star or even three-and-a-half-star mission was now a reasonable prospect.


    Juliana, who rarely spoke, suddenly made a quiet suggestion:


    ¡°Captain¡­ should we consider the third mission? Tasks involving are extremely rare and typically only accessible to higher-ranking gentlemen.


    According to the prelude, since the recovery team went there a week ago, they must have also cleared the clinic during the retrieval process.


    If we could use this task to obtain some secret medicine essence in advance, it would undoubtedly benefit our future rank advancements.¡±


    ¡°We still don¡¯t know what type of secret medicine it is, and the False Moon Incident might involve some ancient elements¡­ I can¡¯t make a firm decision yet. William, what do you think?¡±


    Yi Chen responded simply, ¡°I agree with Juliana. There¡¯s a balance of risk and reward here.¡±


    ¡°Alright then~ Even if we ask for a substitute mission, the difficulty probably wouldn¡¯t be much different. This one is also relatively close by. If we¡¯re lucky enough, we might even retrieve the secret medicine in just one day.


    But I have one condition.


    We¡¯ll officially execute this task tomorrow or the day after. This is our first time handling a three-star, or possibly higher difficulty, mission. We need to prepare thoroughly before departure.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±

 Chapter 47

    When Captain Edmund confirmed the decision, the supervisor sitting nearby showed a gratified expression, as if anticipating this choice.¡°Information regarding the ¡®False Moon Incident¡¯ is classified and stored in the archives of the mid-level section. The materials you will access are only mission-related and have been modified and filtered.


    Remember two key points:


    1. Once you have read the files, the mission is non-negotiable. Failure to complete the mission on time will result in severe disciplinary action, including memory erasure.


    2. If it is discovered that you intentionally leaked information about the False Moon Incident, severe cases will lead to expulsion from the organization and exile from Zion.


    If you¡¯re ready to proceed, follow me.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    With the team in agreement, there was no reason for hesitation.


    The supervisor led them through an empty reception area, completing a simple identity verification process. They took a staff-only elevator to the mid-level section of the ''Gentlemen¡¯s Hall'', a zone specifically designed to assign tasks to high-ranking gentlemen who had surpassed their limits.


    Unlike the open counters of the lower levels, the mid-level section emphasized privacy. It featured numerous private booths for task acquisition, ensuring each high-ranking gentleman received a one-on-one professional service.


    The four-person squad was likewise guided to a private booth. Before long, a sealed document bearing the G&D wax seal was delivered. The supervisor personally broke the surface seal, then retrieved a small, ornate hourglass from his sleeve.


    ¡°You have ten minutes to read. Use your time wisely.¡±


    ......


    #The False Moon Incident


    371, ¨€¨€ month, ¨€¨€ day


    In Vinal City, under indirect jurisdiction of the organization, both the local investigators and the Twilight Clinic reported no abnormalities before the ¡®False Moon Incident¡¯ occurred at ¨€¨€:¨€¨€ that evening.


    On what should have been a fog-covered night, the dark sky became unnaturally clear, and two identical full moons appeared side by side.


    This rare phenomenon immediately attracted the attention of the city''s residents. Even though the local gentlemen investigators sounded a citywide alarm promptly, they could not prevent the event from unfolding.


    Simulations conducted afterward indicated that within just two minutes of the moons¡¯ appearance, over 60% of the city¡¯s residents had witnessed the ¡®False Moon¡¯ firsthand.


    Within an hour of the incident, residents who directly observed the False Moon developed a "Moon Mark" on their necks and exhibited early infection symptoms, indiscriminately attacking uninfected individuals within the city.


    At the onset of the outbreak, Dr. McCoff, head of the Twilight Clinic, mobilized his staff and joined forces with local investigators to enforce mandatory suppression.


    During the purge, utilizing covert measures previously set up by Dr. McCoff (), they successfully identified the source of the False Moon Incident: a highly camouflaged and deceptive patient living among the residents.


    At that time, this patient had already reached the "Open Source Phase", and the condition was identified as .


    Though they managed to eliminate the Open Source patient and resolve the incident, the cost was devastating. Nearly all local investigators perished, Dr. McCoff sustained severe injuries resulting in the loss of half his body, and he remains in a deep coma, still in critical condition.


    Reinforcements arriving later thoroughly cleansed every corner of Vinal City, reducing the city to ruins.


    ......


    As Edmund finished reading, cold sweat dripped from his face.


    ¡°An Open Source patient? Dr. McCoff critically injured, and the local investigators wiped out... This is...¡±


    Yi Chen also frowned as he focused on the keyword ''Open Source'', recalling a lesson from two months ago during pathology class.


    Professor Zed delivered a particularly fascinating lecture titled . It outlined the progressive stages living organisms undergo after infection and the dangerous forms they develop as they advance.


    ---


    ¡Ú Living Pathogenic Transformations ¡Û


    Using ''humans'' as an example (the differences in mammals are minimal; for non-mammals, the greater their divergence from humans, the more varied their transformations):


    [Pathogenic Phase]


    Also referred to as the initial stage of infection. Based on the characteristics of different pathogens, pathogenic transformations are categorized into two main types:


    1. Physical Pathogenicity


    2. Mental Pathogenicity


    In the early stages of infection, individuals exhibit few or no pathogenic characteristics. Their aggressiveness is typically low, making them easy to eliminate.


    These individuals often choose to disguise themselves or hide in unseen corners or shadows during this phase. Once the pathogen fully takes root in their bodies, forming a distinct "pathogenic structure," they are then classified as [Infected].


    [Infected]


    The infected possess full consciousness and view themselves as a part of the "disease."


    They exhibit threatening pathogenic characteristics and instinctively invade and infect normal lifeforms that have not been corrupted.


    The innkeeper and his sister encountered in Green Lake Town are such infected individuals. However, their self-control is extraordinarily high, approaching that of a "Patient Zero."


    [Mutation Phase]


    When infected individuals fulfill one or more conditions, such as:


    - Surviving for a sufficient length of time,


    - Infecting a significant number of living beings,


    - Absorbing the essence of other infected individuals,


    They formally enter the .


    During this phase, the "pathogenic structure" integrates more deeply with the infected, becoming a permanent part of their body structure. It no longer manifests as conspicuous features like boils or rashes but instead camouflages itself as organ tissue or blends into the flesh, making it difficult to detect (hiding their weaknesses).


    At the same time:


    - Their pathogenic characteristics grow significantly stronger.


    - Fundamental changes may occur in their body structure, such as:


    - Growing oversized, non-standard limbs,


    - Developing wings capable of flight,


    - Growing an additional brain specialized in storing mental energy and collaborative computation, etc.


    Infected individuals who successfully transition through this stage are collectively referred to as "Severe Infected".


    A gentleman of "human" status would find it nearly impossible to kill a severe infected individual alone. Even teams face considerable risk when encountering them.


    [Open Source Phase]


    Teacher Zed originally did not plan to cover this phase of infection, as new gentlemen are assigned manageable tasks under the organization''s guidance, ensuring they rarely encounter such entities. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, due to Yi Chen¡¯s presence and Zed''s exceptionally good mood that day, he indulged everyone''s curiosity and shared a brief overview.


    A rare few infected individuals can achieve "perfect fusion" with their pathogenic structures¡ªa fusion that reaches the soul level.


    Once achieved:


    - The infected touch upon the ¡ÚOrigin Disease¡Û from a distant old world, undergoing a ''qualitative transformation''.


    - Their bodies manifest extraordinary "old world characteristics" far beyond modern reality.


    - They gain strength far surpassing typical infected, and conventional pathogen weaknesses no longer apply.


    Instead, they develop a "health bar"¡ªa tubular structure suspended above their heads that represents their "Origin Disease" and total life force.


    These beings often hide this feature, which can only be discerned by those proficient in ancient living script.


    They are collectively referred to as [Open Source].


    To defeat such beings, specific killing techniques are required to deplete their "health bar." Only when the liquid within the tubular structure is entirely drained can they be truly harmed.

 Chapter 48

    The descriptions related to [Open Source] involuntarily reminded Yi Chen of past events at the lake and the terrifying entity he had encountered in the Fish Scale Abyss. However, based on Yi Chen¡¯s recollection of that scene, the entity dwelling in the abyss appeared to be at a tier far beyond Open Source¡ªa more profound, ancient, and unique level.


    It seemed to bear some connection to the origin of diseases.


    ...


    The supervisor snapped his fingers, signaling the end of the hourglass timer and sealing the documents.


    ¡°As you¡¯ve seen, the ''False Moon Incident'' was orchestrated by a Open Source patient. Their pathogenic characteristics were closely tied to the ''moon,'' marking them as a rare and unique case.


    Possessing extraordinary concealment abilities, this patient could fully integrate among humans, eventually causing a near-catastrophic event that almost destroyed an entire city.


    That said, the Open Source patient has been eliminated, and the False Moon Incident was resolved two months ago, with cleanup completed just last week.


    All that remains is for you to visit the abandoned clinic and confirm whether the last vial of the secret medicine is still there.¡±


    Captain Edmund attempted to probe for more details:


    ¡°Can you provide us with more information about the secret medicine?¡±


    ¡°You will only learn certain ''partial information'' about its compatibility with you once you successfully retrieve it and complete the mission.


    For now, the only thing I can share is that the secret potion, developed by the Twilight Clinic, has been classified as a key inter-organizational secret due to its ''special effects.''¡±


    As the supervisor spoke, he took out four Polaroid cameras and a photograph. The picture depicted the exclusive secret medicine crafted by the Twilight Clinic.


    A weathered glass vial, filled with silver liquid, its cork stained with unsettling grime. On the discolored label of the bottle, a handwritten note in crooked script was faintly legible:


    ¡ªDr. D.M. McCoff


    The supervisor tapped the photograph rhythmically, like a telegraph operator.


    ¡°Using the bottle design shown in the picture, locate the remaining potion. If you search the clinic thoroughly and still can¡¯t find it, photograph every corner to prove that it has been stolen.


    It¡¯s that simple. If there are no issues, you may depart.¡±


    Edmund responded promptly, ¡°We¡¯ll begin the mission tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. After all, you¡¯re rookies! As long as the task is completed by the end of the month, that¡¯s sufficient. If there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll conclude our conversation here.


    Good luck!¡±


    As the group was about to leave the table, Yi Chen, who had been deep in thought, suddenly interjected:


    ¡°I have a question... Are all the details in these documents accurate?¡±


    The supervisor, who had already turned away, paused for a moment and turned back again.


    ¡°Oh? Do you think the information I personally provided is false?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s just an intangible sense of inconsistency.¡±


    ¡°The documents provided are only ¡®partial information.¡¯ Many classified details have been redacted. To maintain readability and fill in the gaps, some elements were artificially adjusted or supplemented. Slight inconsistencies are normal.


    Is there anything else you wish to ask?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The supervisor, showing a good-natured attitude, personally escorted the four out of the "Gentlemen¡¯s Hall" and waved kindly as they parted ways.


    Watching the four figures fade into the distance, he muttered under his breath:


    ¡°The First Gentleman¡¯s chosen candidate, alongside three excellent new recruits holding blue letters... How far can they go, I wonder?¡±


    Adjusting the tilt of his top hat, he turned and re-entered the Gentlemen¡¯s Hall.


    As the supervisor ascended to the upper levels, Professor Chamberlain, a white owl perched on his shoulder, was already waiting for him.


    ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t this the renowned White Owl? What brings you here? Are you looking to take on a dark-tier mission?¡±


    Chamberlain didn¡¯t respond to the banter and instead went straight to the point:


    ¡°I heard you assigned the mission involving the ''False Moon Incident'' to William, Edmund, and their group?¡±


    ¡°I merely provided an option. The decision to accept it was entirely theirs.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Chamberlain strode directly toward the supervisor.


    Though the two were of similar height, Chamberlain¡¯s presence utterly overshadowed the other.


    ¡°Edge, we¡¯ve known each other for some time.


    As the supervisor of the Hall, you should be more aware than anyone of the value of talent. The False Moon Incident hasn¡¯t truly ended. Even if the risk is ¡®minimal,¡¯ should it resurface, they will undoubtedly perish.¡±


    Edge, the supervisor, leaned back slightly, smiling as he replied:


    "I only scheduled tasks according to the ''algorithm.'' Their squad''s level matches the requirements for retrieving the secret medicine, that''s all.


    Of course, considering the minuscule potential risks involved, I''ll arrange for some free high-ranking gentlemen to observe in the shadows. If danger exceeding the mission''s scope arises, we''ll do everything possible to ensure their safety."


    "No need for arrangements; I''ll take care of it... wait a second!"


    Chamberlain suddenly realized something. "You brat, you predicted I¡¯d intervene from the start, didn¡¯t you?"


    Edge raised his hands quickly, feigning innocence. "Huh? I didn¡¯t say anything! Since Professor Chamberlain happens to have time, I won¡¯t need to assign anyone else."


    A claw-like hand gripped the supervisor''s shoulder.


    "Edge, you seem pretty free these days too, don¡¯t you? Even making time to personally greet the new gentlemen downstairs... How about we both guarantee the safety of these kids? After all, they¡¯re just heading to the Twilight Clinic to retrieve a bottle of secret medicine¡ªit won''t take much time."


    Edge, who had planned to decline, suddenly felt a wave of killing intent.


    "Uh... sure! I¡¯ve been quite free lately anyway.


    These kids won¡¯t be leaving until tomorrow, so... how about letting me off tonight, Professor Chamberlain?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, only a single white feather was left drifting onto the supervisor''s shoulder¡ªChamberlain had already disappeared.


    "Sigh~ Miscalculated a bit.


    I didn¡¯t expect that old white owl to value this student so highly. Looks like that young man, who¡¯s been on leave for half a year, might indeed possess some hidden characteristics I failed to notice.


    Oh well~ To satisfy my own curiosity, I might as well tag along and play with these young ones."


    ...


    [Street District]


    Edmund personally spent his own money to prepare essential supplies for the squad''s journey beyond the city walls, such as various potions, compressed food, camping tents, and so on.


    Just as he was about to buy replacement fuel for a kerosene lamp, Edmund noticed that the kerosene lamp strapped to Yi Chen''s waist was merely a standard civilian model, unsuitable for a gentleman in combat.


    "William! You need to replace that kerosene lamp of yours.


    These old-fashioned kerosene lamps are easily damaged in battle... Plus, the place we¡¯re heading to has been entirely abandoned, so we¡¯ll often need kerosene lamps for prolonged lighting."


    However, Yi Chen, deep in thought about the mission, only snapped out of it after a moment.


    "Huh? Kerosene lamps... Is there more to them than meets the eye?"


    "Of course! In this messed-up world, any investigation into the outside could plunge us into complete darkness. A kerosene lamp is an essential item.


    It¡¯s also one of the officially recognized necessities for gentlemen.


    There are plenty of shops in Zion specializing in kerosene lamps. We still have time today; let¡¯s pick one out together."


    "High-quality kerosene lamps must be expensive, right?"


    Edmund patted his chest. "No problem~ If you¡¯re short on cash, I can cover the rest."


    "I¡¯ll pay you back later."


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t refuse. From the moment he was born in the cemetery, he understood the importance of a . Looking at his own rusty, oversized lamp that creaked while running, it indeed needed replacing.


    They walked into a lamp shop named ''Helios¡¯s Sacred Flame.''


    As Yi Chen¡¯s eyes scanned the price tags beneath the lamps, his hand unconsciously reached for the meager amount of silver coins left on his belt.


    The thought of escaping quickly surfaced in his mind.


    sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 49

    Expensive. And not just expensive¡ªprohibitively so.


    Yi Chen¡¯s months of wages working in the cemetery, plus his special bonuses, barely added up to a little over 100 silver coins. Yet, even the cheapest kerosene lamp here cost 500 silver coins.


    That being said, these kerosene lamps were exceptional.


    They managed to shrink their size to the minimum while still maintaining excellent lighting properties. No matter how much you shook them, the internal combustion remained unaffected.


    Both the lamp cylinder and the base were made from impact-resistant materials. The more expensive ones were even engraved with defensive runes, which significantly reduced the chance of damage during combat.


    At this moment, Edmund emerged from a special section of the store, holding a particularly unique kerosene lamp.


    ¡°William, what do you think of this one? It feels like it suits you.¡±


    The lamp Edmund picked was primarily black, with a raven specimen mounted on the top of its cylinder.


    The raven''s body had undergone special treatment, filled with a tough yet flexible material that ensured it would never decay.


    Notably, its eyes had been replaced with two distinctive rubies, giving the lifeless bird an eerie semblance of vitality.


    Additionally, the fuel refill opening was cleverly designed in the style of a "black-framed wooden door," making the lamp resemble a miniature private house. The fire burning within cast its glow outward, illuminating the world through the "windows."


    The shop attendant, treating Edmond like a valued customer, enthusiastically explained:


    ¡°The lamp in your hands is called ''The Crow Night''. Its design was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe¡¯s .


    This masterpiece was crafted by our top lamp artisan, Gnom.


    It features flexible glass etched with ¡®resilience runes.¡¯


    The lamp base, handle, and all metallic decorations are made from cold iron sourced from cemeteries aged ten years or more.


    Our store also offers free, lifetime replacements for long-lasting fuel.


    The price is 4,800 silver coins.¡±


    Edmund frowned slightly. ¡°A bit pricey, huh? William, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Too expensive. Let¡¯s check out another shop.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen left decisively¡ªsuch an amount was entirely beyond his means. The other team members followed suit. However, Edmund lingered a little longer, and when he eventually rejoined the group, he was carrying an elegantly wrapped bag with the Sacred Flame emblem on it.


    Walking up to Yi Chen, he casually hung the bag on his wrist.


    Inside the bag, of course, was the raven-decorated kerosene lamp.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°William, you¡¯ve been resting quietly in the academy since leaving the cemetery, so you probably don¡¯t have much money. For me, this is just two months¡¯ living expenses.


    Once we complete a high-difficulty three-star mission, we¡¯ll naturally earn a generous silver coin reward.


    Since this was my decision to buy, I can¡¯t guarantee it aligns with your preferences. If you really want to pay me back, just give me half of the mission rewards when it¡¯s done.¡±


    Seeing Edmund¡¯s sincerity, and considering the challenging mission ahead, Yi Chen ultimately accepted the gift.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    When Yi Chen pulled the lamp from the bag, its light weight and comfortable grip exceeded all expectations¡ªit felt like holding the soft exterior of a bird, gentle and soothing.


    Moreover, the dark, gothic design of the lamp matched Yi Chen¡¯s overall aura perfectly.


    Edmund, who had walked ahead, turned back to survey Yi Chen.


    ¡°My taste is flawless. This lamp looks like it was custom-made for you.


    Speaking of which, William, what about that long black hair of yours? While it does complement your post-cemetery aesthetic, it might become a hindrance in combat.¡±


    ¡°Long hair, huh?¡±


    Yi Chen touched the shoulder-length hair that had grown rapidly during his recovery period. He didn¡¯t dislike it¡ªin fact, he was rather fond of it.


    In his past life, he had always kept his hair short. But now, he wanted to try something new, perhaps as part of embracing his changed body and mindset.


    Besides, the long hair symbolized the unique six months he had lived through¡ªit held sentimental value.


    ¡°This feels good as it is. No need to cut it.¡±


    ¡°How about this¡ªlet Anna tie it up for you? That way, it¡¯ll be practical for combat and you can still keep your hair. Give it a try.¡±


    Under Edmond¡¯s persuasion, Yi Chen eventually agreed.


    With Juliana¡¯s deft hands at work...


    She kept his bangs and sideburns, tying the rest into a centered bun at the back, making him look much more refreshed.


    ¡°Hmm~ Not bad at all! This hairstyle suits you¡­ By the way, do you want to change your weapon?¡±


    Edmund looked as though he was ready to give Yi Chen a complete ¡°overhaul.¡±


    ¡°No need. This hand axe feels quite handy.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the craftsmanship is indeed good, but it¡¯s just basic equipment.


    If we can acquire pathogenic crystals or some more precious materials during this mission, you can use them to forge a better weapon when we return to the city.


    For us, weapons to hunt the infected are as vital as our limbs.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ---


    It had to be said, the family behind Edmund was exceptionally wealthy. They even owned a mansion in Zion.


    He also treated everyone to a lavish feast for the entire day, coupled with full-body massages to relax before battle.


    After a day of resting and recharging, both body and mind were in peak condition as they submitted their mission execution report at the "Gentlemen¡¯s Hall" early the next morning.


    A high-end carriage belonging to their organization awaited them at the hall¡¯s entrance.


    Compared to the carriages Yi Chen had previously ridden, this one was in an entirely different league. The horses, bred through species refinement, had stamina several times greater than ordinary ones, and they were resistant to pathogens with self-healing capabilities.


    The sides of the horses even had muscle structures resembling feathery wings.


    The carriage itself featured windows with curtains, a sturdy and stable build, and an internal emergency power generator. In case the horses failed, the carriage could still rely on electricity to maintain high speed and escape any pursuing danger.


    After the coachman explained some basic details, they officially set off for their destination¡ªVinal City.


    Although the map listed the distance as 51 kilometers, the mountainous terrain meant the journey would take an estimated three and a half hours.


    During casual conversations about their mission, Yi Chen suddenly voiced a question that had been lingering in his mind.


    ¡°By the way, what exactly is a Secret Medicine? I don¡¯t recall it being covered in our lessons.¡±


    For a moment, the carriage fell silent.


    Eventually, it was Edmund who answered the question:


    ¡°It seems, William, that you¡¯ve spent the past six months focusing on yourself and haven¡¯t looked into the organization¡¯s background. Let me explain it briefly.


    When we talk about ''Secret Medicine'', we must also mention two other key concepts: ''Doctors'' and ''Clinics.''


    Remember when we first arrived in Zion and met a Doctor on the bridge? You probably have a basic idea.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Yi Chen remembered Edmund explaining that Doctors were a unique and powerful group of individuals among the Gentlemen, recognized by the organization and granted a ¡°Doctor¡¯s Credential.¡±


    Edmund continued:


    ¡°''Clinics'' are somewhat similar to ''tailor shops'', both being vital institutions approved and funded by the organization.


    Clinics offer nearby or on-route Gentlemen medical services such as treatment and pathogen removal. They also serve as specialized armed units, providing support during emergencies in the surrounding areas.


    But the core and most critical aspect of a clinic lies in its .


    For a Doctor to establish a private clinic and gain organizational support in manpower and resources, they must submit a ''Secret Medicine Manuscript'' and a sample.


    After rigorous evaluation and approval of the secret medicine¡¯s value, the clinic is authorized to operate. The clinic must then regularly supply the organization with a fixed amount of Secret Medicine.


    If the output is high and its value exceeds expectations, the organization may increase the clinic¡¯s budget, expand its apprenticeship quotas, and provide additional support.


    Generally, the raw materials for Secret Medicine are derived from the ¡®Infected¡¯.


    Using their unique and private methods, Doctors process and refine these materials into a special medicine free of pathogens.


    This medicine is the clinic¡¯s most important and closely guarded secret.


    Secret Medicine can typically be classified into three categories:


    1. [Healing-Type]


    These have effects far superior to ordinary medicine, allowing rapid recovery and even surpassing the body¡¯s original limits.


    Some can even enable temporary super-regeneration, granting a ¡°near-immortal state¡± for a short time.


    2. [Combat-Type]


    These specifically activate and enhance certain traits in Gentlemen, providing significant boosts for a limited time.


    However, if the Secret Medicine¡¯s properties are incompatible with the user¡¯s traits, it can cause severe side effects, even death.


    3. [Potential-Type]


    These are rare and highly valuable. They temporarily enhance an individual¡¯s ''Psyche'' (sensitivity or perception), making them ideal for exploring critical areas in the Gray Zone or breaking through personal limits.


    These three categories are what I¡¯ve learned from family records. The organization may have developed new types of Secret Medicine over the years.


    In any case, Secret Medicine play an irreplaceable role in combating .


    However, caution is necessary.


    Secret Medicine have strict dosage limits for different individuals. Overdosing can cause irreparable harm, even death. In some cases, hidden side effects between Nostrums may lead to internal infections.


    As we progress beyond the beginner stage of Gentlemen, we¡¯ll gradually come into contact with more Secret Medicine. These could save our lives in critical moments.¡± sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 50

    Listening to the description of the secret medicine, Yi Chen fell into deep thought again. However, this time, it wasn¡¯t about the concept of the secret medicine or matters like doctors and clinics.


    Instead, he combined the details and descriptions from this mission and found a peculiar point.


    ¡°Edmund, you said that the raw materials for the elixir are derived from the .  S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could the ''False Moon Incident'' in Vinal City be related to the development of the elixir?¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, Edmund froze, raising a finger to his lips.


    ¡°William~ Such words mustn¡¯t be spoken lightly.


    Besides, the information provided to us by the organization clearly states that the open source patients labeled as ''Moonscars'', the infected, possess a concealment ability far surpassing those of the same level.


    The False Moon Incident erupted suddenly, without the local gentlemen or the clinic noticing anything.¡±


    Edmund, who was born into a noble family, had been instilled with the principles associated with gentlemen since childhood. He had even met visiting who came to his family.


    He firmly believed that those who could qualify to run a clinic must have noble character and would not be directly or indirectly involved in such heinous incidents.


    ¡°I¡¯m merely speculating.


    After all, you just mentioned that the crafting of the secret medicine requires .¡±


    Realizing he might have overreacted, Edmund adjusted his posture and began explaining some details about the clinic.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. The core ingredients of the elixir indeed come from the infected.


    However, the organization has strict rules that these infected must come from .


    The ''clinic'' is run by highly capable doctors. Some gentlemen, who graduate from the academy but are stuck at a bottleneck, choose to become apprentices at clinics to gain practical experience. Generally, a clinic will have at least ten gentleman apprentices.


    These apprentices pay their by hunting in the surrounding area and bringing back valuable infected for the clinic.


    The infected brought back not only provide raw materials for the secret medicine but also hold significant research value, greatly contributing to humanity''s understanding of .¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Yi Chen continued asking, ¡°Then why are clinics always located near cities?¡±


    ¡°For two reasons.


    1. Clinics, as a special armed unit, work with local gentlemen to ensure urban safety and provide medical services to traveling gentlemen. Additionally, the organization requires clinics to conduct regular random health screenings for urban residents, offering free checkups to eliminate latent diseases as much as possible.


    2. Based on years of combating , humans are the most susceptible to its influence. They also show the fastest rates of infection and progression.


    This may be directly related to our self-awareness and our innate curiosity about the unknown.


    Therefore, most clinics are set up near cities to ensure urban safety while also gaining the fastest access to raw materials.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    After this conversation, Yi Chen felt he had gained quite a lot.


    The past six months of intensive training had left him no time for reading. He resolved to visit the great libraries between the academies after this incident concluded to acquire more knowledge about the world.


    At that moment, he felt a subtle disturbance on his shoulder, reminding him of his long-absent ¡°friend.¡±


    ¡®Little Grape, you seem a bit excited.¡¯


    ¡®How could I not be?


    We¡¯ve been stuck in that damned teaching building for a full six months. Sure, the changes in your physical body are interesting, but I¡¯d much rather be outside.


    My soul yearns for the outside world, for its novelties, vibrant colors, and uniquely flavored .


    Thankfully, the mission you picked this time is quite intriguing¡ªit even involves .


    In the fragments of my shattered memory, there are faint traces of ancient records. If I could just taste the ancient essence within the open source infected, it would be exhilarating.¡¯


    ¡®The report from Zion should be accurate. The real culprit behind the ''False Moon Incident'' is already dead, so we won¡¯t encounter them... Besides, even if we did, would we survive?¡¯


    "With our current state, death is inevitable, and it will be a miserable one."


    "Sigh~ You''re such a buzzkill. I''m just fantasizing a little. For this mission trip, as long as I can eat some pathogenic grapes related to the open source patient, I''ll be satisfied."


    "Alright, during this mission, any infected individuals we kill, their grapes are yours.


    Since the mission primarily involves searching, your visual assistance will be crucial, Little Grape. Don¡¯t slack off when the time comes."


    ---


    Three hours of travel later.


    The carriage was about to arrive at the site of the False Moon Incident¡ª"Vinal City" .


    The front window of the carriage opened, and for the first time, the masked coachman spoke:


    "As a protective measure for the newcomers, I will drive directly through Vinal City and drop you off right below the ''Twilight Clinic''.


    Of course, you can also choose a safer route that detours through the suburbs."


    "Let''s go straight through the city," Edmund decided, and his reasoning was simple. This carriage could isolate pathogenic effects, so even if they encountered infected individuals hiding in the city, those beings would never catch up.


    By passing through the city, they could also assess the level of danger for this mission.


    "Just a heads-up, if we encounter an attack from the infected, the carriage will double its current speed. Don''t get thrown off¡ªI won¡¯t stop to wait for any of you."


    As he spoke, the carriage officially entered Vinal City.


    This pitiful city, once ravaged by the "False Moon Incident," was now in ruins.


    Nearly every building bore varying degrees of damage, with some entirely collapsed, cutting off city roads.


    Even though two months had passed since the incident,


    the air still carried a mix of rot and blood¡ªcomplemented by stains on the ground, lamp posts, and buildings. It almost seemed as though the screams from that dreadful night still echoed in the alleys.


    It was hard to imagine how a city with over ten thousand residents, watched over by gentlemen and monitored by clinics, could have turned into a hellscape in just one night.


    At this moment, Yi Chen could taste the bitterness of the ¡®disease¡¯, the flavor of despair.


    As he stared blankly at the moving scenery outside the window,


    a sense of "being watched" came through the visual window provided by Little Grape.


    "Oh, something in the shadows is watching us. It seems there really are grapes to be eaten¡­ Though they didn¡¯t pursue us, they¡¯re just watching from the darkness. Such a shame," said Little Grape.


    Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts were pulled back by Little Grape.


    "Perhaps these moon-born creatures only come out at night?"


    "That¡¯s possible. I¡¯m looking forward to seeing if they change at night¡ªmight make the grapes tastier."


    While conversing with Little Grape, Yi Chen also informed the team of the situation.


    Edmund asked, "Can you confirm the number?"


    "I can clearly sense no more than three sources of surveillance, but it¡¯s possible I missed some, or that some are still resting deep in the ruins."


    "Alright. Our primary activity area is the ''clinic''. Let¡¯s avoid contact with the city as much as possible afterward."


    After half an hour of fast travel, the carriage successfully exited the city and followed a winding road into the countryside.


    A small hospital-like building, resembling the architectural style of Zion, stood on a hill near Vinal City.


    This elevation allowed the doctors and apprentices at the clinic to overlook the city¡¯s general state.

 Chapter 51

    The carriage halted on the road at the foot of the mountain. The coachman, wearing a metal mask, gave a reminder: "When you complete the mission, head east along this road for three kilometers. You¡¯ll find me at the fork there. If it takes you more than a week, you¡¯ll need to walk back to Zion."


    "Got it."


    Gazing up at the hill adjacent to the city of Vinal,


    In Yi Chen''s former world, this place would have been developed into a tourist attraction¡ªwith cable cars, entertainment facilities, and perhaps even a temple on the summit.


    However, here there were no elevators or cable cars, not even stone steps on the mountain path.


    The four of them could only climb the steep trail, holding onto trees, experiencing the primal joy of hiking.


    During the ascent, Yi Chen gnawed on some bark and touched plants to sense the surroundings of the hill.


    Nothing happened along the way¡ªnot a hint of danger, not even a small animal in sight.


    A deathly silence.


    As they climbed the last stretch of the slope, glimpses through the trees revealed stone walls built from large, roughly hewn blocks. Gradually, the clinic¡¯s front door, made of pitch-black iron, came into view.


    Gargoyle statues adorned the walls, similar in style to those in Zion.


    But most were cracked, chipped, or completely broken, no longer serving their purpose.


    "Finally here..."


    Edmund stretched lazily,


    An apparently casual movement, but in reality, he was adjusting the team¡¯s formation.


    Dagbert, carrying a massive sword, immediately moved to the front. Edmund and Juliana aligned themselves behind him, forming a stable triangular formation¡ªsecond nature to them.


    Edmund glanced at their new teammate. "William, your vision is better than ours. Stick close to Dagbert during the initial exploration phase, alright?"


    "Got it."


    The four of them approached the gate.


    Dagbert extended his muscular arm, marked with the "Muscle Emblem." His open palm pressed against the iron door,


    Shifting his weight downward,


    Both feet sinking into the ground,


    He strained against the gears inside the door, forcing it open.


    Dagbert¡¯s profession¡ª[Strongman]¡ªcame from the Blue Letter.  S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Characteristic: "Muscle Development"


    This further unlocks the individual¡¯s muscle potential, optimizing and rearranging muscle cells, raising the upper limit of the "Physique" standard. It introduces a seventh level¡ª''Transcendence.''


    This allows the individual to exceed their physical limits, achieving even greater heights.


    ...


    Standing closest, Yi Chen could clearly see the rhythmic movement of muscle fibers in Dagbert¡¯s arm as he pushed the iron door. It was as if powerful waves were surging through him, granting incredible strength.


    ¡®What an impressive physique!


    The enhancements from his profession are terrifying. If I had chosen the Blue Letter, I might control mountain plants or turn roots into spears like the undead, greatly boosting my combat ability.¡¯


    But Yi Chen dismissed the thought; given the choice again, he would still pick the Purple Letter.


    They stepped through the gate.


    The three-story main building stretched out before them.


    The front courtyard was flattened, showing the many footprints of previous recovery teams.


    The doors and windows of the main building were almost entirely damaged,


    The walls had some cracks,


    But the structure remained intact and solid.


    The overall appearance resembled a hospital from a bygone era, abandoned and forgotten by time.


    Following the main stone path forward led to the entrance of the main clinic building.


    A metal sign reading "Twilight Clinic" hung vertically beside the front door.


    At this point, Edmund gave instructions:


    ¡°The first day¡¯s exploration doesn¡¯t need to be too thorough. Focus on understanding the clinic¡¯s layout and identifying potential dangers¡­ Avoid acting alone, and stay in small teams throughout.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Lighting the kerosene lamp, the team stepped into the abandoned Twilight Clinic.


    [First Floor Lobby]


    Upon entering, they immediately saw a large portrait of Dr. McCoff fallen on the ground. The area above the mouth was completely burned.


    The counter next to the door was also in ruins; all the drawers were open, and discarded documents lay scattered across the floor.


    Directly opposite the entrance stood an elevator that led to the second and third floors. The iron elevator shaft was severely deformed, as if a violent struggle had taken place inside, rendering it unusable.


    Furthermore, the presence of the elevator and wall lamps indicated that the clinic once operated on electricity.


    Due to the power outage, the hallways leading to the left and right were shrouded in darkness, with no visible end.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with the right side.¡±


    After a preliminary exploration, the clinic appeared ominously eerie but posed no immediate danger. Even Little Grape''s keen eyesight detected nothing unusual.


    The hospital had a simple three-floor structure:


    - The first floor was the standard treatment area.


    Gentlemen with common injuries or surface infections would receive quick treatment here. Secret transactions for medicines or even secret medicine also took place discreetly.


    - The second floor housed inpatient rooms on the left and operating rooms on the right.


    This area treated gentlemen with severe, life-threatening injuries. A strict evaluation system was in place; if an injury or disease reached a certain severity, the clinic could refuse treatment or even execute the patient in advance. Some gentlemen, knowing their condition was hopeless, sought euthanasia here, donating their ailing bodies to the clinic for research.


    - The third floor had an apprentice rest area on the left and a storeroom for instruments, standard medicines, and miscellaneous items on the right.


    However, the team noticed one issue: there was no area dedicated to secret medicine in the main building.


    ¡°Is it at the back?¡±


    Leaving through the front door and skirting the perimeter wall to the backyard, they discovered a sealed metal tower standing deep in the courtyard, near the edge of a hill.


    On the way to the tower, numerous warning signs were planted in the ground, each with different messages:


    -


    -


    -


    ¡°Is this where they make the secret medicine?¡±


    The tower''s main entrance had already been breached by the salvage team. Passing through a cold, dark stone corridor, they entered a starkly different area inside the tower, contrasting sharply with the main building''s style.


    [Material Extraction Zone]


    Even after two months, the air was still thick with the smell of blood. The kerosene lamp¡¯s light reflected off bloodstains and liquids, creating a deep red scene.


    Most of the extraction equipment had been destroyed, leaving only scattered remnants.


    Yi Chen could vividly reconstruct a terrifying "Torture Chamber" in his mind due to his specialized training over the past six months.


    The intense lessons from Zed¡¯s ¡°Paradise¡± had left an indelible mark. Any sign of torture or suffering immediately triggered unpleasant memories.


    Additionally, a circular staircase along the wall led to the upper "Secret Medicine Processing Area" and Dr. McCoff''s office.


    Lingering there for a while, Yi Chen imagined the agony of past patients. He wondered:


    ¡°Why treat the ¡®patients¡¯ so cruelly?


    Couldn¡¯t they extract the materials directly?


    Must they use such near-fatal methods to ¡®force out¡¯ what they need from patient''s body? How exactly is the so-called ¡®Twilight Silver Liquid¡¯ made?¡±

 Chapter 52

    [Day 1]The group of four conducted a basic exploration of the main building of the clinic and the Secret Medicine Tower. Although they hadn¡¯t yet discovered any "remaining secret medicines," they had fully memorized the clinic''s layout and architectural structure.


    Tomorrow, they plan to conduct a detailed search, inspecting and photographing every room and corner, attempting to uncover any hidden passages or secret rooms that might exist.


    At night, The group gathered on the third floor of the main building, choosing a relatively clean apprentice room with intact windows and doors as their resting place during the mission. They even moved two additional beds from the adjacent room, arranging them into bunk beds.


    Of course, it wasn¡¯t possible for all four to sleep at the same time. They needed to set up shifts for guarding through the night, as the "False Moon Incident" had also occurred at night. There was a significant chance that the clinic, seemingly safe during the day, might receive some "special guests" at night.


    Moreover, survivors hidden in the city''s ruins might come up the mountain at night as well.


    Edmund, sitting on the lower bunk, knocked on the edge of the upper bunk.


    "William, when the three of us used to operate together, taking turns on night watch became a habit. You don¡¯t need to join the watch this time. Tomorrow¡¯s detailed search will require heavy use of your ''eyes''."


    "Oh~ alright,"


    Yi Chen, on the upper bunk, hesitated for a moment before agreeing.


    He wouldn¡¯t refuse such an offer. In Yi Chen¡¯s personal philosophy, ''sleep'' was crucial. Any lack of sleep would lead to cognitive issues, reduced efficiency, and a series of mistakes that could culminate in severe consequences.


    "You still seem to be thinking about the Secret Medicine Tower?"


    "Yes..."


    What Yi Chen saw in the Secret Medicine Tower made him question the clinic''s true nature.


    He hadn¡¯t witnessed any gentlemanly behavior, only a desperate, almost mad struggle to survive in the post-apocalyptic world, devoid of any scruples.


    Could such actions, which violated gentlemanly principles, lead to mental degradation among the clinic''s apprentices and even its powerful doctors?


    Edmund¡¯s blonde head slowly appeared over the bunk¡¯s edge, his slightly feather-like blue eyes gazing at Yichen:


    "Hmm~ I understand your thoughts.


    Since you¡¯re skeptical about the Twilight Clinic and Dr. McCoff, use this chance to investigate thoroughly. Uncover the true nature of the clinic and the truth behind the secret medicine development.


    If we find any evidence of wrongdoing, we¡¯ll collect it and report it to the higher-ups through my family connections or Professor Chamberlain on your end."


    "Alright."


    The clothes made from ''gentleman¡¯s skin'' seemed to sense their wearer''s need for rest. The "looseness" of the attire automatically adjusted to its maximum, and the outer coat wrapped around the body like a blanket, enhancing warmth.


    The fabric''s fibers subtly stimulated the subcutaneous nerves, inducing a hypnotic effect that slowed brain activity and facilitated quick sleep.


    The raised collar perfectly covered the ears, blocking out unnecessary noise while amplifying any potentially dangerous sounds.


    ......


    Midnight.


    When the clock¡¯s hands aligned at the top, the previously hidden moon seemed to part the thick mist with an invisible hand, revealing her bright and full figure to the world¡ªor more specifically, to the hill where the clinic stood. ?


    Moonlight cascaded down...


    Whether it was the surrounding forested mountains or the clinic''s tiled floors, a thin layer of gray mist began seeping out.


    This mist did not disperse with the wind.


    It was more like a liquid,


    Flowing along the ground,


    Creeping up the walls,


    And slithering through the pipes.


    The once silent, empty clinic seemed to come alive under the moonlight. Lifeless objects stirred from their slumber as the gray mist swirled around them.


    Strange noises echoed from the second-floor ward.


    It sounded like metal scaffolding repeatedly striking the floor, mixed with the squelching of flesh.


    Eventually,


    These sounds blended into one¡­ tap, tap! A sharp, crisp high-heeled sound emerged.


    It was as if a night-shift nurse, forgetting to change shoes, had begun patrolling the clinic¡¯s corridors.


    ¡­


    At midnight, the night watchman was Dagobert.


    The rest of the team was deep in sleep, enveloped in their protective uniforms to restore their energy.


    At this moment,  S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen and Edmund, who shared a bunk bed, both sensed something unusual and woke up immediately.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Where are the other two?¡±


    In a room meant for four trainees, only the two of them remained.


    The door showed no signs of being opened.


    Moreover,


    Edmund was certain his teammates wouldn¡¯t act alone; something had definitely happened.


    ¡°Edmund¡­ the moon has risen!¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s voice came from the window.


    He didn¡¯t look directly at the moon but instead used a piece of broken glass to vaguely reflect part of it.


    When Edmund received this information, his face turned grim.


    ¡°Could it be? After two full months, the remnants of the ¡®False Moon Incident¡¯ have grown stronger in the shadows and can now create a similar ¡®moon illusion¡¯ like the pathogenic patients did before?


    These entities, which spread disease through the moon as a medium, are active precisely at night.


    Does the clinic and the surrounding district only reveal their true nature at midnight?¡±


    Yi Chen nodded and added, ¡°The disappearance of Dagobert and Juliana is likely connected to the moon¡¯s appearance¡­ Considering the worst-case scenario, we need to find them quickly.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a big worry for now.


    As long as they¡¯re together, they¡¯ll be fine. Their strength isn¡¯t inferior to mine, and they can hold out for a while in good condition.


    Right now, we need to assess our own situation and evaluate the risks within the clinic¡­¡±


    Before he could finish,


    The ground and walls of the room began oozing gray mist,


    And at the same time,


    Their uniforms started to tremble slightly, resisting the mist¡¯s intrusion.


    This sudden development shocked Edmund, and he unconsciously muttered a technical term,


    ¡°¡­ Impossible!?¡±


    ¡°Gray-Erosion¡­¡± Yi Chen recalled the term from their pathology class.


    Professor Zed had once given a detailed lecture on it:


    ¡°Gray-Erosion is a precursor to an area transforming into a ¡®Gray Zone.¡¯ The pervasive gray mist is a special pathogenic medium.


    Under its influence, all materials undergo mutations¡ªeven the desks we use in class could become infected.


    At your current level, exploring a Gray Zone is far too dangerous. Even the pre-formation Gray-Erosion phase is extremely hazardous. If you encounter it, avoid contact if possible.


    If you¡¯re confident in your strength, you might try venturing into a Gray-Erosion zone for fun.¡±


    At that moment,


    The sharp sound of high heels echoed outside the door, interrupting Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts.

 Chapter 53

    The quiet clinic was disrupted by the sharp, piercing sound of high heels, each step like a nail relentlessly driving into the eardrums. It almost felt as if the heels were made of iron spikes to produce such an unsettling noise.Moreover, the high-heeled footsteps were intermittent, pausing briefly after every few steps.


    Captain Edmund quickly realized the reason behind this pattern. ¡°Is this individual inspecting each apprentice dormitory on the third floor one by one?¡±


    Yi Chen nodded. ¡°Very likely... If that¡¯s the case, it indirectly suggests that the intruder isn¡¯t aware of our exact location. Our situation isn¡¯t entirely passive yet.


    I¡¯ll take a look and see if I can identify what¡¯s patrolling the rooms.¡±


    Edmund was puzzled. ¡°How will you do that? Going outside now isn¡¯t wise.¡±


    ¡°No need to go out.¡±


    Yi Chen pointed to his shoulder and then lightly tapped it.


    A black, fleshy sphere slowly squeezed out from his collar, stretching its tiny black hands lazily as if still half-asleep, seemingly indifferent to the ongoing ¡°grey-erosion.¡±


    ¡°Little Grape,


    Someone or something is inspecting each room on the third floor. Can you sneak out the window and take a look when they check the room next door?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Little Grape refused instantly.


    ¡°Not even a quick glance?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still in what¡¯s called a ¡®juvenile¡¯ state... In this unknown environment, especially with the grey-erosion happening, the risk will multiply if I leave your body.¡±


    Yi Chen caught a key point in this statement and smiled.


    ¡°So, as long as you stay connected to my body, it¡¯s fine?¡±


    Soon, Yi Chen pressed his body against the window, extending his left arm outside along the outer wall, trying to reach the next room.


    Of course, his arm alone couldn¡¯t reach the neighboring window.


    After six months of special training, Yi Chen had become proficient in controlling plants. A thick branch grew from his palm, almost as wide as his arm.


    Little Grape followed the branch toward the adjacent window.


    ¡ºEnough! Don¡¯t be too conspicuous!¡»


    The branch stopped growing as soon as it touched the window frame.


    Little Grape gently clung to the rusty window frame with its tiny black hands, peeking out with half an eyeball to observe the adjacent room¡¯s condition.


    The dormitory was in poor condition. The lower half of the door was missing, leaving only the upper part connected to the hinges, barely blocking the room.


    With a sharp sound, the mysterious patroller stopped in front of the door.


    The missing lower half of the door revealed a pair of black high heels, about 20 cm high, two long, pale legs, and the hem of a white lab coat.


    Based on this information, one might imagine a tall, graceful, night-shift female doctor doing her rounds.


    However, when the upper part of the door was pushed open, that beautiful fantasy shattered instantly:


    1. A preserved lower half of a body, severed at the waist.


    2. At the severed waist, a metal IV stand was vertically inserted.


    3. An IV drip connected to the legs, maintaining their freshness and energy.


    4. At the top of the stand, a head with long black hair covering the face obscured any facial details.


    5. The figure wore a white coat with "Twilight Hospital" printed on it in English.


    If you only looked at the lower half or from behind, there really was a bit of a "female doctor" vibe.


    When this visual image came through Little Grape, Yi Chen felt slightly uneasy.


    Most of the pathogenic entities he had encountered before still retained human forms¡ªat most, they were mermaid-like figures covered in fish scales. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But what he was seeing now went beyond the human domain in some ways.


    Now that he had seen it clearly,


    the plant-like growth with branch structures quickly retracted into its hand, and Little Grape returned to his body.


    When Yi Chen described the "female doctor" he had seen in detail to Edmund,


    Edmund mentioned another specialized term:


    ¡°''Non-Normality''. Have such entities already appeared? If so, this means the Gray Zone transformation here has entered its late stages.¡±


    This term had also been mentioned in their classes on gray-erosion.


    Edmund muttered softly:


    ¡°The ¡®False Moon Incident¡¯ in the past must have affected the clinic. There were large-scale battles inside, with heavy casualties. Some leftover blood, bodily fluids, or even intact limbs combined with the clinic¡¯s equipment under the effects of gray-erosion, following some pathological logic.¡±


    ¡°This gave birth to these Non-Normality entities.


    Their ¡®ego-consciousness¡¯ is very strange, and their actions and attack patterns are difficult to judge or predict through conventional experience.


    I¡¯ve never encountered such things before, let alone fought them.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    At this point, the examination in the next room had concluded.


    The "female doctor," wearing high heels, took just two large strides to reach the bedroom door where they were staying.


    A metallic object scraped against the door. The door, being locked, refused to budge.


    Suddenly¡ª


    The thick wooden door was kicked open, creating a large hole. Broken wood and parts of the door lock flew through the room.


    The door opened.


    Long legs in high heels stepped into the suspicious bedroom.


    The head attached to the metal frame sniffed the air for signs of life and began inspecting the room with exaggerated steps.


    Unfortunately, the search result was disappointing¡ªno one was there.


    Under her black hair, the female doctor''s face showed clear disappointment. She sighed slightly before turning and leaving the room.


    Ten seconds earlier:


    Yi Chen and Edmund had already climbed out of the window and onto the open rooftop.


    Perhaps the barrier effect of their gentleman¡¯s outfits shielded them; they didn¡¯t feel any discomfort from being exposed to the moonlight¡­ as long as they avoided looking directly at that eerie moon in the sky.


    Before understanding what had happened in the clinic, avoiding combat was the priority.


    A battle with the "female doctor" in the bedroom could draw more, and more troublesome, entities.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we climb down into the front courtyard of the clinic¡­ Then start a thorough search of the clinic from the main hall at dawn to look for Dagobert and the others?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that seems to be our best option.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for their missing teammates, they could have temporarily left the clinic and retreated to the forest. They could wait for the night to pass and the moon to disappear before continuing their secret mission.


    Just as the two were about to climb down from the rooftop¡ª


    Heavy footsteps echoed from the rooftop entrance.


    A large, shadowy figure, bigger than a human, stood there. Its ¡°head¡± was connected to a fluid container, and the eyeball inside the container stared at the two preparing to ¡°go downstairs.¡±


    In the awkward silence,


    a black flesh ball suddenly squeezed out of Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, shouting excitedly:


    ¡°Grape!¡±


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 54

    The shadowy figure with a liquid tank embedded in its head was different from the fiery "female doctor" who had patrolled the dormitory earlier.Let''s temporarily refer to this one as the "male doctor." He looked like he lived in the gym, treating protein powder like water¡ªa terrifying presence.


    1. "Arms": Various medical device cables pierced in and out of the arms. Instead of a single arm, it looked like a composite of multiple arms connected by cables, with even small, infant-like hands fused into it. The arms were unusually long, dragging along the ground below the wrists.


    2. "Torso": A physique comparable to a bodybuilding champion¡¯s, but with a black-and-white ECG monitor embedded in the left chest. He wore a sleeveless white coat¡ªor rather, the sleeves had been torn apart by his bulky arms.


    3. "Legs": The thighs appeared normal, but the knees connected to three lower legs. The main leg even had wolf-like fur. Together, these three legs formed a tripod structure, firmly supporting his muscular body.


    4. "Head": No clear head structure existed; instead, a liquid tank protruded from a rotting neck. Inside the nutrient-filled tank floated an inflamed yellow eyeball. This eye functioned perfectly, even more sharply than a normal eye, fixated on the two people at the edge of the rooftop.


    Another "Abnormal Patient."


    Edmund had already switched to holding a gun in his left hand and a sword in his right, his face grim.


    "It seems we have no choice but to fight. If we retreat to the first floor now, this thing might trigger the clinic¡¯s alarm, unleashing all the patients inside the building to hunt us down. Since Dagobert isn¡¯t here, I¡¯ll attract its attention and engage in close combat. William, use your ''plant-based'' pathological traits and your excellent visual abilities to support from the side..."


    Before he finished speaking, a shadow flashed past Edmund.


    It was Yi Chen, who carried a crow-patterned kerosene lantern on his waist and a silver axe in hand. His black-and-white striped tie fluttered in the high-speed dive, and he wore a temporary mask made of tender plant shoots¡ªnot to filter disease, but to purify the air.


    This ensured that no matter what bodily fluids splashed on his face during battle, he could still breathe the freshest, plant-scented air to refresh his mind and maintain focus.


    "So fast! William was supposed to be the intellectual type, wasn¡¯t he? Could this be a boost from his plant-based constitution? No, his sprinting form is perfect, and his muscle coordination is flawless. He¡¯s undergone special physical training," Edmund thought, startled by Yi Chen''s sudden burst of speed.


    This was the result of Yi Chen¡¯s half-year training on the "spiked treadmill," where every step brought phantom pain to the soles of his feet. But pain wasn¡¯t a burden for him¡ªit was a stimulant.


    Meanwhile, the "male doctor" mirrored Yi Chen''s crouched sprint. The speed from his wolf-haired leg wasn¡¯t inferior, and the other two legs provided extra support, making his stance incredibly stable.


    The long arms dragged along the ground, gradually scraping off flesh during the run, revealing defibrillator paddles hidden in his palms. Moonlight bathed his body, making his muscles writhe slightly, as if stimulants were flooding his system.


    In physique and aura, the "male doctor" was superior. Yet Yi Chen showed no fear.


    ["Vision Lock-On"]


    In the visual field he shared with "Little Grape," a targeting reticle had already locked onto the yellow eye in the liquid tank.


    Interestingly, a new element appeared in his vision, possibly related to his profession or his understanding of the Old Living Script. When focusing on a target, twisted, worm-like characters floated across his retina. ?


    The text was positioned perfectly above the "male doctor," outlining his identifying information:


    [Heart Savior ¨C Francisco Holt (Patient)]


    In less than a second.


    The circular dashed line turned solid, indicating that the "lock-on" was complete.


    Similar to the power of the giant eye at the lake bottom, an invisible mental shock struck directly, affecting the patient''s cognitive level.


    In an instant.


    The male doctor lost consciousness and, due to his sprint''s momentum, fell heavily to the ground.


    The vial on his neck shattered,


    Yellow grapes scattered with the glass shards,


    The small grape creature jumped and caught the airborne grape with its black hands, then did a perfect double somersault back onto Yi Chen''s shoulder.


    It resumed its rooted position and stuffed the grape into its mouth.


    The fresh, warm juice filled its mouth, but quickly turned bitter.


    "Yuck! The grape itself is quite good, but it''s severely inflamed¡ªtoo bitter!"


    While the little grape creature criticized the yellow grape,


    Yi Chen took a step forward and swung an axe at the fallen "male doctor."


    The skin, flesh, and spine in the middle of his back were sliced open, and red marrow oozed out... For a human, such an injury would mean complete paralysis.


    Through the wound, plant roots extended from the axe, growing into the "male doctor¡¯s" body, searching for the root of the [pathogen].


    After about five seconds,


    The invasive roots detected an anomaly in the heart,


    The tumor-like pathogen was encapsulated within a "cardiac monitor"¡ªarcs of electricity even danced on its surface, powering the entire body.


    "Found it!"


    Yi Chen prepared to control the roots further, fully invading the monitor... piercing the pathogen with sharp root tips to drain it dry.


    At that moment,


    The "male doctor¡¯s" body convulsed, and the wound on his back quickly healed.


    He had broken free from the mental shock and regained full consciousness... The spinal injury didn¡¯t hinder his movements, and the electric currents running through his arm cables functioned like nerves.


    The massive arm swung at an impossible angle!


    A palm struck Yi Chen¡¯s chest,


    It wasn¡¯t just a physical blow; the embedded defibrillator in the palm also activated.


    The clear sound of ribs breaking.


    Yi Chen¡¯s thin frame was sent flying toward the rooftop''s edge, seemingly about to fall off.


    White smoke rose from his chest, as if burned by an electric shock.


    "William!"


    Edmund instinctively ran to the edge to catch his teammate.


    However,


    The severely injured Yi Chen appeared relaxed, "lying in the air," smiling and enjoying the flight. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He even turned sideways, pointing deliberately at his left chest to convey an important message to Edmund.


    A moment later...


    A silenced gunshot echoed faintly on the rooftop.


    The "male doctor," who had just gotten up to pursue Yi Chen, collapsed again.


    The monitor in his chest had been pierced by a bullet... The pathogen tumor inside was hit by a silver bullet and completely corroded.


    ........................................................................


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 Chapter 55

    Thin wisps of white smoke curled from the suppressor¡¯s muzzle. Having completed the shot, Edmund didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately ran toward the edge of the rooftop.


    At this moment, there was no sign of Yi Chen, who had been blown away. He had likely fallen off the rooftop.


    The ¡°defibrillator palm strike¡± from the male doctor packed immense power. If combined with fall injury, Edmund assumed it would leave Yi Chen severely injured, if not dead.


    As he arrived¡ª


    A hand covered in vines grasped the edge of the rooftop.


    Effortlessly, the figure pulled himself up and returned to the rooftop.


    Yi Chen casually dusted off his coat, his eyes settling on the fallen patient nearby.


    In his field of vision,


    The ancient worm-like text hovering above the patient¡ª[Heart Savior ¨C Francisco Holt (Patient)]¡ªturned from flesh-toned to gray, indicating the target''s death.


    "This guy hid a defibrillator in his palm... Ah, my coat!"


    Yi Chen, unconcerned about his body, seemed more distressed about inspecting the singed chest of his coat.


    A miraculous event occurred.


    The coat began to ¡°shed skin.¡± The charred part on the left chest peeled off,


    and fibers grew and intertwined to repair it.


    In just over ten seconds, the burnt section was as good as new.


    Edmund explained beside him, ¡°This level of damage doesn¡¯t reach the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ limit. Even if the coat were burned through, it would repair itself.


    "Especially since your coat is made from the ¡®First Gentleman.¡¯


    "By the way, are you okay? You took a direct hit.¡±


    ¡°Self-repairing clothes? Incredible.


    "As for me, I¡¯m fine. The impact was strong but predictable. I even chose to take it deliberately... by timing my body¡¯s backward movement, most of the force was dissipated. ?


    "I didn¡¯t expect the defibrillator in the palm, but luckily, the coat absorbed most of the electric damage.


    "As long as I was knocked back, this guy would continue his pursuit. Once he got up, you could target his heart for a fatal strike.


    "The overall outcome looks good.¡±


    Yi Chen recalled the ¡®Paradise¡¯ training from Teacher Zed:


    One drill involved withstanding daily collisions from a multi-ton iron ball swinging at random speeds and directions¡ªover a hundred times each day.


    This brutal training taught Yi Chen a fundamental skill: [Ukemi (Breakfall).]


    He could¡¯ve easily dodged the palm strike he saw coming,


    but on impulse, he decided to test his training results...


    ¡°Let¡¯s check the body.¡±


    Yi Chen adjusted his coat collar, grabbed a kerosene lamp, and approached the male doctor¡¯s corpse with an axe.


    The little grape on his shoulder hoped to find more grapes, dissatisfied with the last bitter, inflamed one.


    Edmund stayed back momentarily, silently watching Yi Chen¡¯s back.


    "Father was right. I may have scored the best in family tests over the last decade, but there are stronger, more talented peers in the Fourth Continent. Being able to join the organization and work alongside William is a kind of ''luck.''"


    His eyes grew clear and determined as he quickened his pace.


    However,


    As he drew closer, his cheerful expression froze.


    He struggled to comprehend what Yi Chen was doing...


    ---


    Beside the corpse, William, seemingly inspecting it, suddenly grabbed an axe and split the chest along the midline... He then carefully reached into the thoracic cavity, prying it open.


    On the left side of the chest was a festering mass¡ªthe ''pathogenic pus'' from a silver bullet wound¡ªconfirming the target¡¯s death. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The right side, however, concealed another critical organ¡ªthe .


    This was precisely what Yi Chen was looking for. After all, this male doctor had no head structure, suggesting that his brain was likely hidden somewhere inside his body.


    Plant roots formed gloves, weaving around his hands.


    Gently sliding through the thoracic fluid, he carefully lifted the entire brain and brought it outside. Since the time of death was less than five minutes ago, the brain tissue still retained some activity.


    For some reason, when this malformed brain appeared before him, Yi Chen imagined the scent of roasted brain tissue. If not for the mask, saliva might have dripped from the corner of his mouth.


    Behind him, Edmund tentatively asked, ¡°William, what are you...?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a special trait of my profession,¡± William replied.


    ¡°I see.¡± Edmund, somewhat understanding the situation, turned away.


    As Yi Chen gazed at the brain, ancient symbols appeared in his vision once again:


    ¡Ú *Francisco Holt, an abnormal patient''s brain. [Common] quality. Consuming the cerebral fluid restores mental energy, invigorates the spirit, reduces sleep time, and grants fragmented memories.


    There is a slight chance to improve intelligence.* ¡Û


    ¡®It wouldn¡¯t seriously suggest I eat the brain raw, would it? No, surely not... Absorbing it through plants should work too.¡¯


    Yi Chen resisted the inhuman urge.


    Roots pierced the brain.


    The organ, cradled in his hands, slowly shriveled as the roots absorbed its contents.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body tensed. The emblem on the back of his head stirred, sending him into a state of intense mental clarity. Satisfaction washed over him.


    A twisted smile played at the corner of his lips.


    His midnight fatigue vanished, and fragmented images flashed through his mind. They seemed to depict the clinic battle during the "False Moon" incident... though too incomplete to discern clearly.


    Three minutes passed.


    The excitement faded, and the rare intelligence boost didn¡¯t occur.


    However, this mental stimulant¡ªsurpassing any drug and free from side effects¡ªleft Yi Chen deeply satisfied.


    ¡°It even eliminates the need for sleep... This is incredible! If I can absorb more cerebral fluid, I might piece together what really happened at the clinic that day. It¡¯s too satisfying.¡±


    As Yi Chen stood up, Edmund turned around, sneaking a glance at the shriveled brain.


    ¡°William... is this your special ability?¡±


    ¡°Yes, pathogenic brains are a kind of supplement for me.¡±


    Edmund looked awkward. ¡°I¡¯ll need to rethink your role. I always considered you ¡®recon-support.¡¯ But now... you seem more like a generalist.¡±


    ¡°Not quite. I¡¯m just developing both ''intelligence'' and ''physical strength.'' Until we regroup with Dagobert¡¯s team, I¡¯ll handle close combat.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen continued, ¡°I have a plan. During our night exploration, we won¡¯t avoid fights. If we encounter any lone infected, we¡¯ll eliminate them. Their brains are useful to me.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    With that, Edmund squatted beside the corpse, carefully cutting away the skin around the pathogen. He folded it and placed it in his pack.


    ¡°Infected skin can be turned in at Zion for extra rewards and higher team ratings. If the pathogenic tissue is intact, we can refine it into crystals or trade it directly.¡±


    ¡°Um.¡±


    After a quick cleanup, they climbed down from the rooftop to the first floor, preparing to investigate the clinic at night.

 Chapter 56

    The front courtyard of the clinic and the surrounding mountain forest only showed faint signs of grey-erosion, with no living creatures in sight. The two of them temporarily hid beneath a broken tree in the front yard, observing the clinic''s main building bathed in silver moonlight, its surface continuously emitting gray mist.


    It was as if the moon served as a spotlight, and the clinic was its main subject.


    After a period of observation, Yi Chen quietly voiced his doubts.


    "The longer I watch, the more this clinic exposed to the moonlight feels unfamiliar, almost like a completely different place compared to what we explored during the day... It seems larger, deeper, and there''s an indescribable sense of wrongness."


    Edmund immediately responded, "You mean it''s... alive?"


    "Exactly, that''s the feeling... It seems like the entire building is slowly awakening, like a living organism. Walking through the main entrance would be like stepping into the belly of a beast."


    Edmund explained simply,


    "This is the effect of grey-erosion.


    According to legend, in fully formed gray zones, the landscape and human-made structures undergo drastic changes, sometimes creating illogical areas.


    These zones behave like living organisms¡ªthey can wriggle, crawl, and even devour any intruders.


    The clinic''s internal grey-erosion is severe. I estimate that in less than a week, this place will officially become a thin gray zone."


    Hearing this, Yi Chen was even more puzzled.


    "I have a question... During the day, we didn''t see any signs of grey-erosion.


    Why has it progressed so far now, just by nightfall? Shouldn''t there be some sort of transition?"  S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Edmund was equally troubled by this question. He had been pondering it while observing under the tree.


    Biting his fingernail, he made a bold guess:


    "Logically, grey-erosion doesn''t occur in bursts. This degree of grey-erosion must have been ongoing for at least seven days.


    I suspect this has something to do with the ''moon''... Perhaps its presence has transported us into a ''Co-located Space''."


    This hypothesis reminded Yi Chen of a game concept from his previous life.


    "Outer and inner worlds?


    Could it be that only the two of us are affected by the moonlight, transporting us ''inside''?


    Dagobert and Miss Anna might still be on the ''surface'', unaffected? If so, this would explain their sudden disappearance."


    Upon realizing this plausible theory, Edmund''s expression darkened.


    "If this is true, we might not survive here.


    Creating a ''Co-located space'' with moon properties requires someone of at least an advanced stage of severe patient, perhaps close to the ''Open Source''¡ªan important figure in an unresolved ''False Moon Incident''."


    At that moment, Little Grape suddenly jumped out, waving its hands excitedly!


    "Interesting~! If that''s the case, there might be ''Moon Grapes'' to eat! You two better work hard and find out who created this ''moon.''


    I wholeheartedly agree with your hypothesis."


    Little Grape''s playful tone lightened the tense atmosphere slightly.


    Yi Chen, following the train of thought, continued to voice his doubts.


    "If such a powerful figure exists, why didn''t they attack us while we were in the clinic or fighting on the rooftop?


    Nothing actually appeared. Our idea of a is still just a hypothesis.


    But! If these overlapping spaces do exist, maybe the ''Secret Medicine'' is hidden here."


    "Let''s go inside and investigate the clinic," he concluded.


    "Right... But we need to stay vigilant! If we find enough evidence of a powerful, terrifying entity behind this, we must immediately abort the mission and head to the carriage rendezvous point."


    "Understood."


    The two set off toward the clinic.


    Using the isolation and concealment provided by their clothing, they quietly approached the front door of the main building.


    Yi Chen led the way, with Edmund following behind.


    Notably, although the moonlight penetrated the clinic¡¯s interior, providing enough illumination, the two still lit kerosene lamps. The flames not only dispelled the darkness but also seemed to shield them from the unsettling "moonlight."


    When they stepped into the first-floor lobby, both froze in place, seemingly unable to accept the scene before them.


    [Gray-Erosion]*


    The transformation occurring inside the clinic far exceeded their imagination:


    1. Small holes and pustule-like tissues had appeared on the walls, with liquid continuously oozing out.


    2. The elevator, which should have been broken, was now fully functional. However, it had been painted deep red. With the internal lighting, it resembled a blood-red mouth, waiting to devour its prey.


    3. Behind the counter sat a **, dressed in a clean uniform and white cap, but her face was wrapped in bandages.


    Drip~


    Blood continuously seeped through the bandages, forming a grotesque image of a "bloody open mouth."


    The nurse had no fingernails; instead, thin needles extended from her fingertips.


    Screech~ She rhythmically scraped the desk, producing an unbearable, ear-piercing sound.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen and Edmund simultaneously drew their weapons and approached the counter.


    At that moment, the nurse suddenly spoke, more blood seeping from the bandages around her mouth:


    ¡°Welcome to ''Moonlight Clinic''. I¡¯ve been waiting for you two for a long time.


    You cleverly avoided Dr. Marlene¡¯s rounds and later killed Dr. Francisco on the rooftop. Your agility and bravery have earned the acknowledgment of ''Mr. Lee''.


    As the head of Moonlight Clinic, he wishes to meet with you in person. There are matters he needs to discuss, and he may even offer you special rewards.


    If you refuse, you¡¯ll be forever trapped in the Moonlight Space created by Mr. Lee. He is the closest being to the ¡®Moon Mark.¡¯


    Additionally, the entire clinic staff will relentlessly hunt you down until you¡¯re incapacitated and subjected to a full-body transformation surgery.¡±


    While Edmund hesitated, Yi Chen placed a hand gently on his shoulder and whispered:


    ¡°Our assumption was correct. A certain ''Severe Patient'' seems to have created this alternate space, and we¡¯ve been drawn in for some unknown reason.


    The nurse¡¯s words indicate that they¡¯ve known about our actions from the start.


    They tested our strength instead of killing us outright, which suggests they need us for something. Meeting them is our only chance of survival. I¡¯ve dealt with patients like this before; let me handle the meeting.¡±


    ¡°¡­Alright.¡±


    With no better options, Edmund reluctantly agreed.


    Yi Chen stepped forward, casually resting his arm on the counter, and gave the nurse a confident look.


    ¡°Lead the way, please.¡±


    ¡°Certainly, follow me.¡±


    The nurse limped toward the elevator bathed in deep red light. The control panel on the elevator¡¯s right side was covered with fleshy, bubble-like buttons, each inscribed with negative numbers.

 Chapter 57

    The bandages wrapped around the nurse''s face conveyed expressions through the amount and position of blood seeping through them.At the moment, the bloodstains on the surface of the bandages formed a somewhat twisted, crimson smile, seemingly delighted at having completed a task given by the "Master."


    The nurse used a needle extending from her fingertip to puncture a fleshy button marked with the number [-13].


    The button burst.


    With a rhythmic vibration, the elevator began its descent underground.


    Every floor they descended reduced their chances of escape.


    Basement Level 13 reached.


    The moment the elevator doors opened, a flood of white mice surged in like flowing water, filling the space and brushing against their shoes and pants. Their bright white fur and soft bodies created an extremely unsettling sensation.


    "Don''t worry, these are all Mr. Lee''s ''pets.'' As long as you''re a guest, they won''t attack you."


    "Follow me; Mr. Lee''s ''ward'' is at the deepest point."


    The nurse, limping, led the way forward. The mice crowded the floor but parted automatically at their approach.


    Both men followed closely behind.


    Edmund, born into a prestigious family, had been trained professionally since childhood. Yet, his instincts recoiled in this mouse-infested area, leaving him visibly uncomfortable.


    In contrast, Yi Chen seemed at ease. His time in the orphanage had accustomed him to living with rats¡ªsome even became his companions, each named personally.


    In such an environment, rats had often proven more trustworthy than humans.


    However, as Yi Chen glanced at the swarming mice, he felt an unsettling incongruity.


    Basement Level 13 wasn''t a straightforward corridor but a labyrinth with numerous branching paths, resembling an elaborate rat''s nest.


    Mr. Lee, who managed the "inner world" of the clinic''s parallel space, seemed to reside at its deepest point.


    They knocked on a rust-stained iron door covered in mouse-skin patterns. A raspy voice echoed from within:


    "Have they arrived? Let them in."


    Pushed by the mass of mice, the iron door to the ward slowly opened.


    Contrary to expectations, "Mr. Lee" wasn''t terrifying or indescribable. Compared to the clinic''s other abnormal patients, he looked almost human.


    Under his disheveled silver hair was a gaunt, sharp-featured face, appearing to be around thirty.


    His limbs were intact, but he lay weakly in a custom-made hospital bed.


    IV bottles connected to his forehead, neck, wrists, and ankles. Three bandaged nurses and a curvaceous female doctor attended to him.


    The center of his bed had a large opening through which numerous silver-white blood vessels grew from his back, penetrating the floor like tree roots. They seemed to connect him to the ward, the entire underground space, or perhaps the whole clinic. ?


    Having been bedridden for so long, his back had fused seamlessly with the bed. There were no visible gaps, and he couldn¡¯t turn over.


    Additionally¡­


    Yi Chen''s sharp eyes noticed a significant detail: Mr. Lee had a conspicuous "moon mark" on his neck, a definitive sign of lunar infection recorded in the "False Moon Incident" archives.


    It could be roughly inferred that Mr. Lee was one of the survivors of the "False Moon Incident." Hidden deep underground, he had quietly grown, creating a co-location space similar to the clinic using the unique properties of "lunar disease."


    One more surprising thing stood out to Yi Chen and Edmund:


    Mr. Lee wore a tattered ¡®gentleman''s suit¡¯, still exuding the aura of "Gentleman¡¯s Skin."


    Before the two could speak, Mr. Lee turned his head, his silver eyes staring straight at them.


    "Did the organization really send newbies like you for this task? Short-staffed, huh? Seems like the Zion bunch is falling apart.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, you¡¯re here to retrieve this item, right?"


    Mr. Lee moved his fingers, and the rats on the ground delivered a worn, old bottle to their feet. The label read, ""


    "Sorry, but I¡¯ve already used it! Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have survived or established a direct connection with the moon.


    You¡¯re just rookies, but your skills are decent!


    You adapted quickly to the ¡®Moonlight Clinic¡¯ I created, neutralized an abnormal patient swiftly, and escaped the main building.


    So, I might just let you work for me. If you succeed, I''ll offer you three rewards:


    1. Freedom from the confinement of my Moonlight Clinic.


    2. The empty vial of the secret medicine to take back and complete your mission.  sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    3. The antidote."


    Upon hearing the word "antidote," Yi Chen and Edmund reacted, but before they could move, the nurse behind them had already injected with her fingers a special agent into their necks.


    "Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s my specially crafted . It has a long incubation period¡ªabout a week. Inject the serum within that time, and it¡¯ll be completely suppressed.


    Relax! We¡¯re all gentlemen here.


    Even though I¡¯m corrupted by disease, I haven¡¯t lost my gentlemanly integrity. Complete the mission, and all three conditions will be met."


    In such a passive situation, refusal was not an option.


    Edmund clutched his neck wound, trying to resist the infection¡¯s spread. Meanwhile, Yi Chen stepped forward, performing a perfectly executed gentleman¡¯s bow beside Mr. Li''s bed.


    "William Behrens, pleased to cooperate with you, Mr. Lee. What task do you need us to complete?"


    Mr. Lee looked slightly surprised but also impressed by the young man¡¯s quick composure.


    "I need you to go to ''Vinal City'' in the real world.


    Your mission is to eliminate ¡®moon disease patients¡¯ hiding among the city ruins. Your target is the ¡ªcollect whole sections, at least 15¡Á15 cm in size.


    Bring the samples to me. Remember, the deal is strictly between you two. Don¡¯t think about involving your teammates."


    "What do you need those for?"


    "Not your concern. Just do it. Remember, the agent lasts . Don¡¯t delay¡ªor it might activate early."


    "Understood."


    "Go on¡ªreturn to the clinic building, head back to your original dorm, and get some sleep. When you wake up, you¡¯ll be back on the .


    Oh, and if you bring high-quality moon skin in good quantity, I might share some secrets about the clinic."

 Chapter 58

    After finishing the conversation with Mr. Lee, Yi Chen took the elevator back to the clinic and then climbed the stairs to return to their third-floor dormitory.Throughout the entire process, Yi Chen maintained remarkable composure. He even patted Edmund gently on the shoulder, trying to share this sense of calm.


    ¡°Get some sleep. Only with enough rest can we seize any additional opportunities.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Edmund, lying on the lower bunk, let out a long sigh and knocked on his head firmly. His mental resilience, honed through special family training, helped him use closed-eye meditation to slowly push the idea of being injected with pathogens out of his mind. He suppressed the unease and anger welling up within him.


    The fatigue from continuous nighttime operations and the tension of entering the underground area gradually transformed into drowsiness, and he soon fell asleep.


    However, Yi Chen didn¡¯t rush to sleep. Instead, he leaned over the side of the bed, carefully observing Edmund, who had fallen into slumber.


    Before long, something eerie occurred. The moonlight, originally just streaming onto the windowsill, seemed to move like a living creature, actively covering Edmund. In an instant, his body dissolved into particles of light and transferred back to the ''Surface''.


    ¡°It seems that ¡®sleep¡¯ and ¡®moonlight¡¯ are the key factors for transitioning between the Surface and Inner worlds.


    There were clearly four of us sleeping in the dormitory, yet only Edmund and I were transferred. If they injected all four of us with the pathogen, they could more reliably control us to do their bidding.


    Could it be that they¡¯re afraid having too many of us might lead to a desperate counterattack that threatens them? Even though they control this parallel space within the clinic and have reached the level of a , they still hide deep underground, acting cautiously, even cowardly... like a rat.


    If that¡¯s the case, perhaps we can use this ''weakness'' to our advantage later.¡±


    While analyzing, Yi Chen felt a squirming on his shoulder. A black, fleshy blob squeezed out from his collar. Little Grape¡¯s mouth formed an uncomfortable wave shape, with a vile liquid still clinging to the corners.


    ¡°Ugh! What kind of plague-based conversion agent is this? The taste is worse than that rotten, maggot-filled boot I once found in Cemetery No. 6.


    Absolutely disgusting.


    You owe me five... no, seven top-quality grapes as compensation for this atrocity.¡±


    Indeed, Little Grape had hidden on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder. When the nurse injected the pathogen, it bit into Yi Chen¡¯s carotid artery, swallowing all the fluid that was supposed to spread through his body.


    ¡°No problem. If we manage to kill Mr. Lee, I¡¯ll prepare a whole feast of grapes for you.¡±


    ¡°Oh! You actually intend to take down that infected gentleman? His ¡®occupational traits,¡¯ gained from his gentlemanly facade, will have transformed along with his disease. Plus, his body has already reached the ''Severe'' stage. Killing someone like him won¡¯t be easy. You need a solid plan, or you might get yourself killed.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Having tasted the pathogen¡¯s effects, Yi Chen wasn¡¯t sleepy at all. He even missed the strange rush and the curious excitement that filled his mind.


    Almost silently, he got out of bed and walked to the window.


    Changing into his suit, he leaned by the window, basking in the moonlight. A faint smile appeared on his lips.


    ¡°How fascinating. I didn¡¯t expect the ¡®Lost Secret Medicine¡¯ to lead to an infected gentleman hiding in the shadows.


    Based on Mr. Lee¡¯s words, it¡¯s clear that the Twilight Clinic has underlying issues, possibly directly connected to the previous ¡®False Moon Incident.¡¯  sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This whole affair is becoming more interesting.


    It seems this mission isn¡¯t just about retrieving the secret medicine. The organization might be subtly guiding us to investigate the situation here.¡±


    As Yi Chen leaned against the window, recalling and pondering the day¡¯s events, he eventually fell asleep.


    The moonlight, already cast upon him, wrapped around his body like a thin membrane¡ªand then he vanished.


    [Day Two of the Mission]


    The light of the morning sun crept over the mountain, spilling into the dilapidated clinic''s compartments.


    In the apprentice dormitory, four people were gathered around Edmund¡¯s bed, engaged in a heated and divisive discussion.


    Juliana was the most knowledgeable member of the team, known for her thorough and rational analyses.


    During previous missions, Edmund often relied on her advice for crucial decisions.


    But this time, she offered a completely different opinion.


    "Abort the mission immediately. Let''s head to the crossroads where the coachman awaits, and use Edmund¡¯s family connections to get in touch with a [Doctor] for consultation.


    We need to remove the agent and secure a chance of survival."


    However, Edmund seemed surprisingly relaxed, as if he had come to terms with everything after a night''s rest.


    "An arterial injection would have spread through my body overnight. Even if there¡¯s a slight chance of removal with current medical methods, the risks are enormous.


    For someone like William, with ''pathogenic characteristics'', there might be hope. But for someone with a normal human body like mine, even if I survive, I¡¯d be stuck at home, a burden wasting resources."


    "That''s better than dying! I refuse to trust a fallen gentleman or a heavily pathogenic living corpse to keep his word. Even if you hand over the goods, he¡¯ll never let you go!"


    Juliana¡¯s outburst came from deep concern. She and Edmund had trained together since they were ten years old, sharing a strong bond and possibly something more.


    At this point, Yi Chen interrupted, speaking meaningfully:


    "Whether he lets us go or not doesn¡¯t matter. We just need the to eliminate the inactive pathogen."


    Juliana quickly grasped Yi Chen''s point.


    "Even if the four of us were at full strength, we might not be able to defeat the gentleman-turned-severely ill patient state.


    And how can you be sure he¡¯ll hand over a genuine antidote? It could all be a lie."


    Yi Chen patiently explained:


    "Miss Anna, you weren¡¯t there last night. Otherwise, your analysis would be different.


    The ''deal'' Edmund and I made with Mr. Lee was revealing. His situation is dire¡ªhe¡¯s trapped in the clinic, along with the abnormal patients he controls.


    But he desperately needs the ''Moon Skin,'' so he tested and met with us. He¡¯s hiding something, probably out of desperation."


    "My guess is, he extracts essence of moon transformation from the ''Moon Skin'' to reach a higher stage and free himself from the ''Secret medicine''s'' side effects, regaining the he craves.


    If we gather all the remaining ''Moon Skin'' in Vinal City, we¡¯ll hold the upper hand, forcing him to hand over a real antidote.


    Whether he lets us go is another matter."


    Before Juliana could argue, Edmund spoke up, "I agree with William. It¡¯s our only option¡ªand the right one. Plus, I want to take down that fallen gentleman myself.


    Let¡¯s head into the city, eradicate the ''Moon-Skinned'' Patient and gain leverage.


    We¡¯ll also learn more about the along the way."


    Dagobert, who had been leaning silently against the wall, stood abruptly. Lifting his massive sword, he strode toward the door.


    Juliana reluctantly agreed and, as she stood, jabbed Edmund hard in the abdomen. He jolted, hitting his head on the upper bunk.


    "If you mutate, I¡¯ll be the first to cut off your head."


    Clutching his aching skull, Edmond nodded quickly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing will happen. We¡¯ll all make it back alive.¡±

 Chapter 59

    The four of them walked into the Vinal City.Edmund provided a brief analysis of the upcoming Hunting Plan:


    "Only two months after the ''False Moon Incident,'' the remaining ''Moonscar'' have grown on their own in the ruined city, without any leadership.


    Unless someone like Mr. Lee, who has a gentleman¡¯s foundation and has taken an entire bottle of secret medicine, they are unlikely to become a ''Severe Patient.''


    Most ordinary citizens transformed into Moonscar can at most reach the level of ''Infected.'' I believe most survivors are still in the early stages of infection, with incomplete awareness.


    The city''s ruins have already been cleared once by the organization, so the overall threat level shouldn''t be much higher than Green Lake Town.


    Considering the ''time'' factor, we can gradually increase our hunting speed. Before the deadline, we need to gather as much moon skin as possible to increase our leverage."


    As Edmund laid out the action plan, he scratched the needle mark on his neck. The skin around it had sprouted white fur, similar to a rat''s.


    Yi Chen also pretended to scratch his neck, mimicking discomfort.


    He hadn¡¯t informed the team that Little Grape had already extracted the pathogen serum from his bloodstream immediately after the injection.


    The reason was simple: to share the psychological burden with Edmund.


    Upon entering the city,


    The group did not wander aimlessly in search of Moonscar. Instead, they headed to a specific area.


    Their destination was the spot where they had sensed a "watchful gaze" while crossing the city by carriage the previous day¡ªlikely the hunting target''s origin.


    However,


    They didn¡¯t explore suspicious buildings, ruins, or sewers directly.


    Instead, they deliberately chose prominent locations such as open streets, the tops of broken buildings, and intersections, pretending to investigate as they walked back and forth.


    Just ten minutes into their "stroll,"


    A hidden eye between Little Grape''s teeth suddenly opened, and he felt the gaze again.


    "They¡¯ve taken the bait~ Southeast direction, Old-John Theatre... and it seems there¡¯s more than one. Multiple Grapes are watching here."


    Upon receiving this crucial information, the team didn¡¯t approach directly.


    They continued the charade of investigating and naturally turned into a side street that obscured the view of the theatre.


    Dagobert lifted a manhole cover marked with the city''s abbreviation, (Vinal City).


    When the four descended into the sewer, the scene below could only be described as .


    Mangled, rotting, maggot-infested body parts floated in the foul-smelling water channels or piled along the passages.


    During the ''False Moon Incident,'' many unaffected citizens had sought refuge in the sewers. Yet, in the end, none escaped death.


    They hadn¡¯t walked far when they discovered fresh ''traces''.


    Blood trails and signs of rummaged corpse piles indicated that something had been active in the sewers for some time, selecting prime corpses for food or other purposes.


    Touching a still-wet bloodstain, Edmund¡¯s eyes gleamed.


    "An unexpected bonus... Let¡¯s deal with whatever¡¯s in the sewers before heading to the theatre."


    Following the dragged blood trail,


    The team felt a mix of tension and excitement¡ªfacing this rare for the first time, fundamentally different from Green Lake Town¡¯s .


    These rare strains might grant the infected unexpected abilities.


    "There..."


    Juliana, who seemed to possess a special tracking ability, quickly pinpointed a rusty iron gate.


    Beyond it lay a side section of the sewer, once a haven for homeless people.


    Through the gate, they could see faint firelight¡ªclearly, something was hiding inside.


    Pouring lubricant on the hinges to ensure silence,


    They extinguished their kerosene lamp and crept along the wall.


    The firelight grew brighter, and they could hear the raspy crackle of burning wood.


    At the same time, a giant monster''s shadow was cast on the corridor wall. It appeared to be a four-legged beast, devouring corpses voraciously.


    ¡°Get ready!¡±


    When the fully armed team of four reached the deepest part, what met their eyes wasn¡¯t a monster.


    Instead, it was an elderly man, shirtless, wearing tattered cloth pants, with a thin frame and long silver hair cascading down to his waist.


    He sat cross-legged in front of a campfire he had built, roasting body parts he had recently collected.


    A prominent "moon mark" was visible on the back of his neck.


    Beside the old man, a well-behaved white Chihuahua sat, happily enjoying the fragrant grilled meat the old man handed it.


    If you ignored the source of the meat, the scene seemed quite heartwarming.


    ¡°Oh¡­ visitors?¡± The old man spoke. ¡°If you¡¯re just passing by and don¡¯t mind my environment or food, come sit, eat, and chat.


    If you¡¯re here for a specific reason, please wait a moment. ¡®Mili¡¯ hasn¡¯t had such a good appetite in days¡ªlet her enjoy a bit more before moving on.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t sense any hostility for now. He signaled his teammates to stay still, approached, and sat cross-legged by the fire.


    ¡°Let William handle the talking¡­ he seems experienced with this,¡± said Captain Edmund, having fought alongside Yi Chen the night before.


    Of course, his right hand was already on his holstered gun. If the old man showed any hostility or suspicious movement, the bullet would be fired immediately.


    By the fire, Yi Chen noticed the old man¡¯s silver eyes¡ªmatching his hair¡ªglistening with an eerie gleam. Little Grape, the team¡¯s pet, stared intently, drooling.


    When the old man handed over some meat, Yi Chen accepted it calmly.


    However, he didn¡¯t eat it himself but, like the old man, fed it to their ¡°pet.¡± Little Grape, while primarily an eyeball-eater, was happy to eat any kind of meat.


    Looking into the old man¡¯s silver eyes, Yi Chen asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you leave this place?¡±


    ¡°The sewer is my home. Compared to before, there¡¯s more food and a more comfortable environment. Why leave? And where would I go? To become someone else¡¯s food?¡±


    Yi Chen continued, ¡°We found other survivors in the ruins, similar to you. Why are they staying here?¡±


    ¡°You must mean that group at Old John¡¯s Theater. Recently, more survivors have regained full consciousness. They¡¯re all being invited to the theater for some ¡®leader selection¡¯ event.


    They invited me too, but I wasn¡¯t interested.


    I guess after they pick a ¡®leader,¡¯ they¡¯ll organize everyone to leave together. Moving as a group is more effective when looking for a new home.¡±


    ¡°Leader selection.¡±


    It was valuable intel. If the old man was telling the truth, Yi Chen and his team wouldn¡¯t need to search anymore¡ªall the lunar survivors were gathered at the theater.


    ¡°Do you know how many people are in the theater?¡±


    ¡°No idea¡­ I¡¯m just a wanderer. I don¡¯t care about those things above ground.


    By the way, you¡¯re special humans sent to clear out the remaining survivors after the ¡®False Moon Incident,¡¯ right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Yi Chen didn¡¯t deny it.


    ¡°There must be more of you than just the four here. Are others waiting to clean up the city?¡±


    At this, Yi Chen noticed the old man¡¯s silver eyes flash. He smiled and replied:


    ¡°Exactly.


    We¡¯re the reconnaissance team. Once we confirm survivors, the main force will come to clear the area quickly. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the way, your poor acting needs improvement.


    You deliberately revealed information about the theater, trying to lower my guard. Halfway through, you couldn¡¯t resist probing if others were with us above ground.


    You tried to distance yourself from the theater while setting your ¡®lair¡¯ near the sewers leading to it.


    Even leaving faint firelight and blood traces¡ªtoo obvious, old man.


    If I¡¯m right, you¡¯re part of the theater, the ¡®Watchdog¡¯ responsible for guarding the sewers, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    As he finished speaking, a silver bullet struck the old man in the back of the head.

 Chapter 60

    Edmund possessed the ability to "Control Bullets." Though his current status was merely [Human], and he couldn¡¯t yet perform advanced techniques like curving bullets or compressing their power, he could adjust their muzzle velocity to some extent.


    This ensured the bullet would lodge in the brain without penetrating through¡ªjust enough to stop within the brain tissue.


    Moreover, these special silver bullets compressed air upon impact, causing a small explosion that instantly spread silver liquid throughout the cranial cavity, achieving a sort of "Brain Purification."


    However¡­


    The old man sitting by the campfire showed no reaction. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thin streams of silver liquid flowed from his nasal cavity, leaving his brain unharmed.


    He continued roasting meat and even fed his pet dog, Mili, between bites.


    From his hiding spot, Edmund¡¯s face darkened.


    ¡°Immune to silver? Is this one of the ''Moonscar¡¯s characteristics?¡±


    Yet the old man¡¯s attention remained fixed on Yi Chen, as he continued:


    ¡°Was I too obvious after all?


    I didn¡¯t expect you self-righteous fools to be this cautious, coming to clean up Vinal City again just a week later.


    In that case,


    I¡¯ll have to kill all four of you weaklings and use you as provisions for my upcoming journey out of the city.¡±


    ¡°Good-boy, Mili! Come help me kill these rats.¡±


    As soon as he spoke, Yi Chen swung a horizontal slash.


    The sharp axe blade was about to strike but was firmly caught by the old man¡¯s single hand, the silver coating ignored.


    Yi Chen narrowed his eyes slightly.


    ¡°This guy is stronger than the [Abnormal Pathogen] we fought on the rooftop¡­ Is it due to the physical enhancements from the Moon Disease?¡±


    The old man held the axe with one hand while gently petting his dog with the other.


    Suddenly, on the dog¡¯s back and the old man¡¯s nape glowed with silver light.


    Their fur, flesh, and organs rapidly fused.


    In less than two seconds,


    The Chihuahua, Mili, had completely merged into the old man¡¯s right arm¡­ Muscle fibers and nerve density multiplied, undergoing a terrifying transformation beyond human biology.


    His hand tore open, forming a


    - Palm as the mouth


    - Fingers lined with teeth


    - An eye on the back of his hand


    His transformed right arm, now a fierce hound, lunged at Yi Chen across the campfire.


    At that moment,


    a cold, metallic flash struck from behind the old man¡ªa giant sword cleaved downward!


    The campfire and grill were destroyed, leaving a deep, 10-centimeter gouge in the ground.


    The strike came from Dagobert,


    but only bits of flesh and cloth were left behind.


    Foul blood dripped from above.


    The old man, with a layer of flesh scraped off his back, clung to the ceiling in a grotesque crawling pose.


    ¡°You guys are surprisingly capable¡­ Despite your weak auras.¡±


    As he sought an opening to attack the seemingly weakest, Yi Chen, an extremely dangerous chill surged through the air¡ªsilent, yet deadly.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The old man instinctively dodged.


    A dagger plunged deep into his back¡ªhad his reflexes been slower, his spine would have been severed, leaving him paralyzed.


    At the same time,


    his sentient right arm lunged at the attacker.


    Miss Anna¡¯s coat and inner blouse were torn, revealing her flawless abs, though she had evaded injury.


    ¡°You lot¡­¡±


    At this moment, the old man fully realized that, except for Yi Chen, the seemingly young humans in front of him were not easy to deal with.


    He decisively abandoned the idea of fighting the group alone. Ignoring the dagger stuck in his back, his lower limbs sprouted white fur, muscles expanded and strengthened, and he quickly climbed along the top of the passageway. His speed was so fast that it left a blur to the naked eye.


    Just as the old man thought he could easily shake off this group of young people¡ª


    A light and quick sound of footsteps followed closely behind.


    The old man glanced back and saw that the one chasing him was the youth he had deemed the weakest. Yet, this youth¡¯s speed while running was on par with his own.


    Not only that, but the woman wielding the dagger was also close behind, not lagging far behind.


    "This guy is unexpectedly fast!


    Well, if he keeps chasing me at this speed, their formation will break apart... When he¡¯s isolated, I''ll kill him directly."


    While the old man was thinking about his plan¡ª


    Bang!


    A gunshot echoed through the passage, loud enough to almost rupture his eardrums.


    Unlike the shot that previously hit the old man''s head, this one was aimed at his ''right foot''.


    The large-caliber bullet pierced through his foot, shattered his calf bone, and exploded at the knee, leaving his right leg a bloody mess.


    His climbing was impeded, and he nearly fell from the ceiling.


    His rapid crawling stopped. At that moment, Yi Chen, sprinting at full speed, leaped and aimed a knee strike at the injured old man hanging from the ceiling.


    But the old man, ignoring his leg injury, suddenly turned his head and glared with silver-veined eyes.


    "You brat! You couldn¡¯t even cut my left hand, yet you insist on chasing me¡­ If you¡¯re so eager to die, become my food!"


    His canine-like right arm extended fully, revealing sharp fangs capable of tearing through a body, locked onto the approaching youth.


    At the same time, mid-air, Yi Chen gripped his axe with both hands.


    Plant roots sprouted from his palms, wrapping around the axe handle, and a faint green energy shimmered between the roots.


    [Visual Enhancement]


    The canine arm, coming in for a bite, appeared slowed down in his enhanced vision.


    He pinpointed its weakest spot¡ªthe thinnest area near the palm-mouth! He mapped out the perfect strike path.


    Yi Chen¡¯s spine bent like a bowstring pulled to its limit... then suddenly released!


    Channeling the strength of every muscle into his arms, he delivered a powerful aerial strike!


    Slash!


    He sliced open the canine mouth!


    The blade continued along the arm bone, severing it completely up to the shoulder.


    Having executed the perfect strike, Yi Chen positioned himself face-to-face with the old man.


    Before the opponent could scream in pain, Yi Chen and the black orb on his shoulder stared directly at him.


    A wave of mental force crashed into the old man''s consciousness.


    His eyes went blank.


    Dragging his shattered right leg and severed arm, he fell from the ceiling.


    Before he hit the ground, Miss Anna stepped in, mounted his back, and used the dagger lodged there to cut away the layer of skin containing the "Moon Mark" from his neck.


    However, when the skin with the was completely removed, the old man¡¯s body convulsed violently. His silver hair fell out, and his silver eyes dimmed.


    He was completely dead!


    Yi Chen, having landed, crouched beside the corpse, using plant roots to inspect it.


    "Removing the skin with the Moon Mark... can that really kill him?"


    Of course, Yi Chen had another purpose for his inspection¡ªthe .


    Having tasted it before, he didn¡¯t remove it this time. Instead, he controlled the roots to enter the skull and extract the brain fluid directly, akin to drinking coconut water.


    As he absorbed it, his eyes gleamed.


    Though his intelligence attribute didn¡¯t increase, he received a series of memory images about the ''Old John Theatre'' and information on internal "Moonscar" members.

 Chapter 61

    Juliana carefully folded and stored the intact piece of moon skin she had just cut off. It would be a crucial item for trading her teammates'' survival. At the same time, she glanced briefly at Yi Chen, who was squatting next to a corpse, doing something unknown.Edmund and Dagobert soon arrived after her. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Edmund received the "moon skin," he unexpectedly noticed that a moon-like crystalline structure, resembling jade, was attached to the underside of the dermis corresponding to the moon mark.


    ¡°A crystalline pathogenic core? That¡¯s quite rare¡­ It aligns perfectly with the moon mark¡¯s position. Peeling off the skin directly removes it.


    However, only ¡¯Patient¡¯ are like this. Advanced Afflicted Patient would undoubtedly conceal this weakness.


    I must admit, this rare condition known as ¡®Moonscar Disease¡¯ is truly troublesome. It¡¯s not only immune to silver but also significantly enhances the individual¡¯s physical abilities.


    As for the we¡¯ll need to kill more Moonscar individuals to draw a conclusion.¡±


    After his brief analysis, Edmund folded the moon skin symmetrically and stored it in his backpack.


    He glanced at Yi Chen by the corpse and signaled the others not to disturb him.


    About five minutes later, Yi Chen completed the process of ¡®Central Tasting.¡¯ Suppressing his brain¡¯s excitement, he shared the extracted memory fragments with his teammates.


    ¡°In the Old John Theater, there are at least six ¡®Patients¡¯ and around twenty initial-stage Moonscar individuals who have yet to develop full awareness.


    This aligns with what that old guy mentioned. All the remaining Moonscar in the city have gathered in the theater, saving us the trouble of hunting them down.¡±


    Edmund, who had witnessed Yi Chen¡¯s abilities the day before, wasn¡¯t particularly surprised. Instead, he voiced his concerns:


    ¡°This group gathering together has its pros and cons.


    If the four of us charge into their base at the theater, the danger is self-evident.


    It¡¯s even possible that the Moonscars'' can communicate telepathically over short distances.


    Our actions in the sewers¡ªkilling the old man and revealing our combat styles¡ªmay have already been leaked.¡±


    Yi Chen, however, was unfazed by this possibility.


    ¡°If they can indeed communicate via the ¡®moon marks,¡¯ and the old man managed to report the events in the sewers to those in the theater, it actually works in our favor.¡±


    Hearing this, Edmund suddenly realized something, his eyes lighting up.


    ¡°William, you¡­ You deliberately fed false information during your conversation with the old man? You made him think we¡¯re just an ¡®vanguard team?¡¯¡±


    Yi Chen pointed to the small grape-like creature on his shoulder.


    ¡°Since I can communicate with this little guy, I hypothesized the old man might have a similar ability with the ones in the theater.


    Considering the old man was clearly part of their group but stayed here as a ¡®watchdog,¡¯ the possibility of telepathic communication exists.


    Based on this assumption, I deliberately implied during our conversation that we are merely an advance team, with a larger force of gentlemen following behind.


    This will make the Moonscar in the theater consider retreating from the city.


    Moreover, killing the watchdog so quickly would disrupt their mental state, pushing them to decide on evacuation sooner.


    At that point, only the initial-stage Moonscar individuals¡ªthose lacking full awareness¡ªwill remain in the theater.


    Mr. Lee¡¯s request was simply for ¡®moon skins¡¯ within the city limits. Those who flee the city won¡¯t be part of the quota.


    We don¡¯t need to risk our lives to gather numerous high-value patient skins for him.


    With the old man¡¯s high-quality moon skin as a foundation, we can supplement it with the skins of other initial-stage Moonscar individuals.


    Of course, if the Moonscar can¡¯t communicate telepathically, it doesn¡¯t change anything. We¡¯ve already killed the watchdog. We¡¯ll deal with the theater later if needed.


    It¡¯s that simple.¡±


    ¡°Amazing¡­¡± Juliana, her face veiled in black gauze, murmured softly.


    Edmund stepped forward and patted Yi Chen on the shoulder. ¡°As expected of you, William!¡±


    ¡°Just an idea that came to mind while talking to the old man.


    Let¡¯s move quickly to the sewer area directly opposite the theater. If we can catch significant movement upstairs, we¡¯ll be able to further confirm that the ¡®infected patient¡¯ in the theater are beginning to evacuate.¡±


    The stamina Yi Chen had expended during the battle had been mostly restored by absorbing brain matter, leaving him in excellent condition.


    Just as he stood up,


    ¡ìGood-Job¡ì


    A strange voice, from an unknown source, reached Yi Chen¡¯s ears.


    He looked around but couldn¡¯t locate the origin of the sound.


    ¡®Little Grape, did you hear anything just now?¡¯


    The eye partially embedded in his shoulder peeked out slightly and gave him a disdainful glance.


    ¡®You¡¯re not seriously , are you? Hearing things now?¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯m not joking. I really did hear something just now.¡¯


    Seeing Yi Chen so serious, Little Grape began analyzing the situation:


    ¡®If the sound came from the outside, both I and your teammates would¡¯ve heard it. At least one of them has better hearing than you.


    If it came from within your skull, as your symbiotic partner, I should¡¯ve heard it too.


    Since only you heard it¡­


    Putting aside hallucinations, it might be related to the brain you just consumed.


    After all, this "Moon Disease" is rather peculiar. My memories contain no related information; it¡¯s an uncommon and rare type of illness. Some oddities are to be expected.¡¯


    ¡®Hmm.¡¯


    Yi Chen decided to stay cautious. If he heard a similar voice again, he would do his best to trace its source.


    ---


    The group exited the old man¡¯s dwelling and soon arrived at the sewer area directly beneath the theater.


    ¡°Let me handle this!¡±


    Juliana leaped lightly, plunging her twin daggers into the stone structure of the passageway¡¯s ceiling, suspending herself in midair.


    Using her daggers as a medium, she sensed the activity above.


    ¡°You were right. These guys are evacuating, and there¡¯s quite a commotion¡­¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Yi Chen clenched his fists silently.


    This way, they could minimize the team¡¯s risks and energy expenditure, ensuring they would be in peak condition to negotiate face-to-face with ¡®Mr. Lee.¡¯


    The group stayed in the sewers until dusk. Only then did the commotion upstairs finally cease.


    The manhole cover was pushed aside.


    Under the cover of night, the four of them emerged onto the street in front of the theater.


    Here, without any moonlight, everything was pitch black.


    Lighting their kerosene lamps, they entered the theater¡¯s foyer through its wide-open doors. The Old John Theater, an establishment with some history, greeted them in eerie silence, devoid of any prying eyes.


    However, the open lobby area was completely empty¡ªno suspicious figures, no sign of movement.


    ¡°Could it be that even the early-stage Moonscar individuals were taken away through some form of control?¡±


    As they followed the corridor deeper into the building, they arrived at the theater¡¯s heart¡ªthe ¡°performance hall.¡±


    One by one, silver-white spotlights turned on, illuminating the stage.


    ¡°I knew it! Only the four of you would come here. Those self-proclaimed gentlemen, the so-called elite of humanity, would never commit significant manpower to a ¡®second round¡¯ of urban cleanup.


    What a pity.


    Your hollow show of force scared off all the timid ones.


    Now, only I, the theater¡¯s owner, and a group of pitiful, yet-to-awaken individuals remain.


    I must admit, your performance in the sewers was convincing. You¡¯ve got quite the ¡®actor¡¯s¡¯ talent.


    How about we put on an impromptu performance? Let¡¯s reenact Vinal City¡¯s False Moon Night. What do you say?¡±

 Chapter 62

    The voice came from the second floor of the theater''s main hall. A mysterious figure, dressed in a shimmering silver suit and wearing a moon mask, stood elegantly on the second-floor railing, balanced on shiny crocodile-skin shoes.


    Yi Chen was slightly taken aback. The aura of afflicted patient emanating from this figure, dressed like a gentleman, felt even more intense than the old man they had encountered in the sewers.


    The four of them immediately adopted combat stances. Edmund aimed his gun at the man''s abdomen, the large-caliber bullet already chambered and ready to tear the target in half.


    However,


    Despite the palpable killing intent radiating from the four young humans,


    The mysterious figure showed no sign of defense. Instead, he walked along the railing like a tightrope walker, his steps graceful, as he began to introduce himself.


    "My name is Elton John, the current owner of this theater.  sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although I took over from my father only a few years ago, I''ve continuously improved the theater, blending modern styles with its classic aesthetic. My goal is to present the best dramas to the audience.


    But, accidents soon followed. In this city, no audience remains to appreciate the shows here.


    As you can see,


    I''ve been marked by a false moon. Though I¡¯ve gained unimaginable powers, I¡¯ve been stripped of my status as a ''human'' and can no longer return to my previous life.


    Even though my mind has been somewhat affected and my worldview changed,


    I cannot abandon the theater that has been in my family for generations. Even if you intend to kill me, I wish to die in a theatrical, dramatic fashion.


    Of course,


    If you could let go of your suspicions and join me in one final performance,


    As long as your acting meets the required standard, I will offer whatever assistance I can.


    Even if you want to kill me or skin me alive, I won¡¯t resist... As long as I can die on stage, I¡¯ll be content."


    When he finished speaking,


    The theater owner had just completed a full circle around the railing,


    With one hand in front and one hand behind, he bowed in a theatrical salute.


    The four members of the squad below didn¡¯t immediately respond. They waited for an internal signal.


    During the owner''s introduction, Yi Chen had used his special vision to scan the entire main hall.


    Juliana, through her sensitivity to vibrations, also confirmed that the only sick person here was the owner.


    After careful consideration,


    The captain, Edmund, made a decision and patted Yi Chen''s shoulder.


    "William, you handle the negotiation... As before, if you sense anything abnormal during the conversation, we¡¯ll act immediately."


    Yi Chen made an OK gesture and stepped to the center of the stage, bowing to the owner on the second floor.


    "How do we perform?"


    "I''m very glad you accepted my request. The requirements for this impromptu play aren''t high. Here are four ''role cards''... You have ten minutes to adapt to your roles, and then, under my guidance, we will begin the False Moon Incident performance.


    Among these cards, Dr. McCoff is the main character. The quality of the performance depends on this role, so make sure your best actor plays him."


    As he spoke,


    The owner flicked four cards from his sleeve.


    Besides Dr. McCoff from the Twilight Clinic, there was a clinic apprentice and two gentleman investigators stationed in the city.


    Books flipped in his mind as Yi Chen quickly absorbed the role details, completing the reading and memorization within thirty seconds.


    He threw three cards to his teammates, stating, "I¡¯ll play Dr. McCoff."


    "Alright."


    Before the ten minutes had elapsed, Yi Chen signaled to the theater owner that he was ready.


    "Oh... ready already? Don¡¯t disappoint me.


    Let¡¯s begin the final performance at Old John¡¯s Theater: Moonlit Night.


    I, Elton John, will play the creator of the False Moon Incident¡ªthe great ''Moonscar'' himself."


    The owner leapt lightly and landed gracefully on the stage.


    All the lights in the theater went out, except for one spotlight shining on the owner.


    He raised both arms.


    Two luminous moon props, suspended by thin wires, floated above the stage.


    "Ah! How beautiful the full moons are,


    Whether paired or reflecting the night sky, they embody humanity¡¯s longing for the moon."


    When people shift their gaze, attempting to peer at the scars on the moon''s surface, it seems as though these marks are writhing, conveying a message. This message activates and transforms the human brain through visual reception or perhaps implants some kind of pathogen into it.


    It erases the fundamental essence of being ¡®human¡¯ from the brain, replacing it with the brand-new identity of a ¡®Moon Citizen.¡¯


    "Guided by the moon, we follow Lord Moonscar."


    As the dialogue ended, the wooden stage floor began to tremble. Crack! The floor broke apart, and a long, fur-covered hand emerged.


    Immediately, more figures covered in silvery fur crawled out from beneath the shattered stage. They looked up at the moon prop hanging overhead and howled like wolves.


    The scene startled the team members slightly.


    "These... are early-stage Moon Contaminants? So, they were controlled by the boss, piled under the stage, and performing this play in their true colors?


    Great! This means we can collect enough inferior moon skin."


    At this moment, the boss continued reciting his lines:


    "Oh! The unseen protectors of Vinal City, self-proclaimed gentlemen of elite humanity, and Dr. McCoff''s team from the Twilight Clinic swiftly detected the large-scale mutations caused by the moon.


    Due to the emergency, they chose the most effective and direct treatment method¡ª.


    Meanwhile, our great Lord Moonscar remained hidden, quietly observing the unfolding events."


    As the boss spoke, his body was gradually enveloped by moonlight, eventually disappearing. However, the visual enhancements provided by Little Grape still allowed them to capture a humanoid outline.


    It was now Yi Chen and the team''s turn to take the stage, displaying their real skills to skin the "Moon Citizens" performing naturally.


    Juliana was the most efficient. Her speed, accuracy, and the intactness of the moon skins she cut were unmatched. As long as the white-furred, moon-marked skin was removed, these "actors" would die immediately.


    Once the stage was completely cleared, the boss resumed his lines:


    "The efficient ''treatment'' temporarily suppressed the riots in the city, but even the brave gentlemen suffered severe casualties.


    At this point, Dr. McCoff used special methods to locate the hidden Lord Moonscar, prematurely ringing the final bell."


    Edmund and the others exited the stage, leaving only Yi Chen. The boss, concealed by the moonlight, gradually revealed his true form.


    Facing each other, the boss recited once more:


    "Oh! The moment has finally arrived! Dr. McCoff encounters Lord Moonscar at the top of an abandoned building... but to his surprise, he seems to recognize this silver-haired youth."


    "How can it be you?!"


    Yi Chen delivered the line flawlessly, eyes wide with shock, fully immersed in the role.


    "Why couldn''t it be me, esteemed Dr. McCoff? Thanks to the you provided at the clinic, I could stand here under the moon. Allow me to properly thank you."


    The battle began.


    Yi Chen and the boss engaged in combat. This "fight" was somewhat theatrical, using sound effects to recreate the intense scene. Yet, Yi Chen added authentic elements to the performance.


    Referring to the character card''s description of "Dr. McCoff losing the right half of his body," Yi Chen deliberately allowed his right side to be damaged, appearing gruesome.


    In the end, with a desperate cry, he used a hand strike to sever the boss''s "head." The mask fell to the ground in two pieces, and the moon prop above crashed down as the curtain closed.


    The performance concluded.


    "Fantastic! Absolutely brilliant! William, are you okay?"


    The boss, switching to another mask, was both thrilled and concerned about Yi Chen''s injuries. However, Yi Chen had prepared by reinforcing his body with plant-based defenses beneath the skin. Though it looked brutal, his vital organs and nerves remained untouched. The pain was manageable.


    The boss supported Yi Chen, exclaiming excitedly:


    "You actually exposed your right side and let me destroy it! Your performance was so detailed, I could hardly tell reality from fiction. Have you acted before?"


    Yi Chen shrugged, "Not professionally. As a kid, I often relied on ''acting'' to avoid being the unluckiest one."


    "You''re a true actor. As promised, I''ll assist you and share all the information I know. As for my , it''s right here. You can peel off my face anytime and kill me."


    Unlike the ''Sewer Watchdog'', whose moon mark was on the back of the neck, the boss''s mark was on his forehead, perhaps symbolically.


    Yi Chen, seeing the boss''s sincerity, formulated a bolder plan.


    "Mr. John, our mission here isn''t to eliminate you. After this performance, I hope the theater can continue to thrive and share its art with more people.


    We won¡¯t kill you; we just need your help.


    If we succeed, you can continue living as a ''Moon Citizen.''"

 Chapter 63

    Before his death, Yi Chen had seen countless false faces. Even his so-called "close" friends wore deceptive masks. If one couldn''t discern truth from lies, they would inevitably fall to the lowest rung of society.


    For this reason, during his conversation with the old man in the sewer, Yi Chen quickly saw through the man''s facade after just a few words. The deceit was too obvious, lacking any real pretense.


    However, the theater owner standing before him was different. Though outwardly masked, his essence was pure. His words and actions contained no trace of falsehood, much like the innkeeper in Green Lake Town.


    This was why Yi Chen decided to take his role seriously. Establishing a relationship with the "Moon-People" would greatly benefit the progress of his mission.


    Moreover, Yi Chen had just gleaned an important piece of information from the theater script:


    The head of Twilight Clinic, Dr. McCoff, was acquainted with "Moonscar." This directly confirmed Yi Chen''s initial suspicion that the false moon incident was indeed connected to the clinic.


    ---


    Front Bar, Old John Theater


    The owner, now playing the role of bartender, prepared his signature cocktail, "The Witch and the Monster," named after his favorite play.


    Edmund and the others, maintaining a neutral stance with the "afflicted patient" for the first time, seemed tense. Only Yi Chen calmly sipped the layered red-and-black cocktail.


    "Mr. John, before I ask for your help, I need to confirm something. In the play we just performed, what is the relationship between Dr. McCoff and Moonscar?"


    "When it comes to matters involving Lord Moonscar, I don''t know much. What I do know was conveyed through the play. It seems Lord Moonscar was once a special patient at the clinic. I don''t have any further details."


    When the owner revealed this crucial information, Edmund and the others were stunned. They hadn''t expected such a strong link between the false moon incident and the clinic. Their admiration for the esteemed profession of doctors wavered.


    Edmund interjected, "When the false moon incident began, you were just an early-stage infection, not even fully conscious. How did you know about the connection between the patients and the clinic?"


    "Whether you believe it is up to you. I saw glimpses of Lord Moonscar''s past when I gazed at the moon."


    At that moment, Dagobert, who rarely spoke, shared his thoughts from the far end of the bar.


    "The organization classified the false moon incident as secret, likely because it involves disgraceful actions unbecoming of gentlemen. The information presented to us has been edited, deliberately concealing the clinic''s true issues."


    This sparked an idea for Yi Chen, who followed Dagobert''s line of thought:


    "Exactly! Recovering the secret medicine might just be the surface of the task. The real purpose could be to test our investigative abilities¡ªto see if we can uncover the hidden truth behind the false clues."


    Hearing this, Juliana nodded slightly, lifted her black veil, and took another sip of her cocktail.


    Captain Edmund also drank, sighing deeply. "When I was young, my elders often told me that the disease itself and its effects aren''t what''s truly frightening. If you''re strong enough, you can eliminate them. The real danger lies in being infected without realizing it.


    Perhaps Dr. McCoff was affected while fighting the disease. But we''ll uncover the clinic''s secrets ourselves before drawing conclusions."


    He scratched the needle marks on his neck, noticing more mouse fur around him than during the day.


    The theater owner noticed this detail and asked softly, "Have you encountered the old rat on the mountain?"


    Yi Chen replied, "Yes. Our true purpose in Vinal City is the abandoned clinic. That¡¯s where we need your help."


    "Oh, I see."


    The boss was sharp. He quickly pieced everything together by considering the puncture wounds and the matter of collecting moon fragments.


    ¡°We, the remaining Moon People, also visited the mountain clinic during our regrouping, hoping to find more of our kind... However, that rat hiding deep underground devoured two of our companions. ????


    Despicable and insidious,


    For some reason, he became stronger than us and seemed closer to the ¡®distance of the Moon.¡¯ But because of this, he is also trapped underground and cannot escape.¡±


    The conversation paused.


    Yi Chen seized the opportunity, locking eyes with the boss¡¯s silver pupils:


    ¡°Mr. John, would you assist us in killing that rat? With your ¡®performance assistance,¡¯ our chances of success will greatly increase.¡±


    ¡°With pleasure.¡±


    ---


    There was still time before the one-week deadline.


    After confirming the theater owner¡¯s ¡®goodwill,¡¯ everyone stayed at the theater to rest.


    There was another thing to confirm:


    Would the effect of the co-located space extend to the city center? They waited until midnight, but the result was... nothing.


    The ruined city remained pitch-black at night, and no full moon appeared.


    This confirmed that the co-located space created by the Moon only affected the Twilight Clinic and was directly related to Mr. Lee deep underground.


    In the theater''s main hall,


    the four of them laid out bedding and lowered their guards.


    Edmund relaxed completely, engaging in some bedtime chatter with Yi Chen beside him.


    ¡°Phew~ Things went smoother than I expected. William, you¡¯ve totally stolen the spotlight from me as the team leader.¡±  S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just better at dealing with people¡­¡±


    ¡°Dealing with the afflicted patient is completely different~ How did you manage that, or where did you get that experience? You haven¡¯t been on a mission in the past six months.¡±


    ¡°It was from that time in Green Lake Town¡­¡±


    Now more comfortable with the group, Yi Chen began recounting his experience in Green Lake Town.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you afraid of dying? Trusting the patient you met after just two days and letting them take you to the ¡®Observer¡¯ without any guarantee?¡±


    ¡°It was a gamble I took in that situation.


    Of course, the gamble was based on my observations of the two. The siblings who ran the inn were similar to the theater owner; they weren¡¯t wearing any masks of deceit.


    That gamble made me realize the importance of ¡®communicating with the afflicted.¡¯


    Later, in our organization¡¯s evaluation, the examiners didn¡¯t reject this approach, which shows that the organization also somewhat supports this kind of special interaction.¡±


    Edmund, usually light-hearted and cheerful, became serious as if recalling something.


    ¡°Communicating with the afflicted isn¡¯t as simple as it seems. Every human in this world instinctively rejects the afflicted patient, who are like pathogenic carriers of the world¡¯s disease.


    It¡¯s a natural biological aversion, hard to overcome.¡±


    Yi Chen replied calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t feel that way. I simply judge from experience whether they are approachable and trustworthy.¡±


    Hearing this, Edmund remembered something.


    ¡°No wonder you completed the ¡®Pathogenic Crystal Acceptance¡¯ before becoming a gentleman.


    William, you must be the kind of person my grandfather talked about¡­¡±


    ¡°What kind of person?¡±


    ¡°One who can completely adapt to this diseased world, blend in effortlessly, yet still retain their sense of self...


    A .¡±

 Chapter 64

    Early Morning"Moon Skin Patient" ¡Á1


    "Hairy Moon Skin" ¡Á20


    The collected moon skins are evenly laid out on the ground.


    Yi Chen and Edmund remove their upper garments, revealing two distinctly masculine physiques, though fundamentally different in nature.


    Edmund''s muscles conform to contemporary ideals, with well-defined distribution, clear lines, and proportionate structure.


    In contrast, Yi Chen''s physique seems unusual. Not only is he lean overall, but some muscle groups appear noticeably shorter than expected, and certain unexpected muscles are connected where they shouldn¡¯t be.


    The deep muscle lines hint at a history of specialized training.


    While it doesn''t look out of place at first glance, experts would recognize the extreme conditioning required to achieve such a body.


    Nearby, Dagobert, who towers at two meters, nods appreciatively while observing Yi Chen''s unique musculature.


    Next,


    The two men begin attaching the moon skins to their bodies using adhesive. After covering their torsos, they continue with their thighs and lower legs. Once fully covered, they promptly put their clothes back on.


    The garments, made from "Gentleman¡¯s Skin," suppress the moon skins, preventing any pathological effects on their bodies.


    While adjusting his clothes, Yi Chen remarks, "With this, we now have enough leverage to negotiate with Mr. Lee."


    Since the clinic only experiences moonlight and the transition between parallel space at dawn, the team spends the rest of the day at the theater, running simulations of their plan.


    In reality,


    Even with the theater owner''s support, the plan still has many uncertainties. Missing any critical could exponentially increase the difficulty or even lead to complete failure.


    Even if everything goes smoothly, they will ultimately have to face "Pathogenic Gentleman Lee."


    Despite Edmund''s team having completed five missions, they have never battled a "Severe Patient."


    As the owner explained, compared to the Moon People in the city, Mr. Lee is closer to the moon''s essence and can access more lunar powers. His abilities as a gentleman are also amplified pathologically.


    "The key to defeating a Severe Patient is locating the ¡®Pathogenic Core¡¯ hidden within his body.


    If we can¡¯t find it quickly, we¡¯ll run out of stamina and ultimately perish."


    "I''ll take care of the search,"


    Yi Chen and Juliana say almost simultaneously.


    "Then it''s up to you two. Your detection methods differ, so coordinating might expedite the search.


    If the plan progresses as expected, during the final confrontation with Mr. Lee... Dagobert and I will create space for you to search and investigate."


    "Understood."


    "One more thing¡ªMoon People are immune to silver, significantly reducing our weapons'' effectiveness.


    William, your basic weaponry struggles against regular pathogens, let alone inflicting damage on Severe Patient.


    Focus on searching for the core rather than engaging Mr. Lee directly."


    "Got it. I''ll be careful."


    Edmund''s concern is justified.


    In the sewer battle, an elderly patient had blocked William¡¯s one-handed attack with its palm.


    He only managed to cleave through the arm by combining four factors:


    - A two-handed axe strike,


    - Additional strength from pathological plants,


    - Momentum from a full-speed sprint,


    - A specialized vision to pinpoint the gap between canine-like arm joints.


    All four elements made the strike successful.


    Facing Severe Patient Lee, the opponent may possess even greater durability, toughness, or regeneration.


    A standard axe alone might not inflict sufficient damage.


    "Weapons, then?"


    The theater owner, who had just served the crowd fried sausages and potato stew, overheard the conversation.


    Sensing an opportunity, Yi Chen immediately inquired, ¡°Do you have any weapons here that are better suited for combat?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any ready-made ones, but I¡¯m skilled in various crafts. With my experience in disguise performances, I can also temporarily act as a weaponsmith.


    If you have suitable materials, we could try forging a weapon.


    By the way, what did you do with that guard dog¡¯s corpse?¡±


    ¡°We just skinned it; the body is still left down below.¡±


    ¡°That creature had a particularly sturdy build. A weapon incorporating its arm would have impressive destructive power... Bring its body up here; it will definitely come in handy.


    With the theatrical remains and some materials I¡¯ve stashed away, I¡¯ll try to craft a decent rat-slaying weapon by dawn.¡±


    Before long, a severely shriveled corpse, reeking of the sewer, was carried into the theater¡¯s front hall.


    ¡°The right arm has been completely cut open, but fortunately, the arm¡¯s bone structure is still intact... Let me confirm, you prefer using an axe, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Yi Chen had spent the past six months training his body and had little experience or training with weapons.


    He wasn¡¯t exactly proficient, but the one tool he found comfortable was a hatchet he brought from the cemetery.


    ¡°Shall I forge one based on your current hatchet¡¯s proportions?¡±


    ¡°That would be great. Thank you, Mr. John.¡±


    Yi Chen handed over the axe that had accompanied him out of the cemetery and into the organization.


    The owner took the corpse in one hand and the axe in the other, then headed to his private workshop. Soon, strange sounds of breaking flesh and cracking bones emanated from the room.


    Every so often, he would drag some hairy corpses from the main hall.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t intervene; he sat alone in a secluded corner, meditating and absorbing the brain matter of early-stage infected beings.


    By 10 PM, the theater owner, busy all day, finally emerged from his room. The weapon was wrapped in cloth, with fresh blood still dripping from the bottom.


    The four people gathered in the theater¡¯s front hall almost simultaneously caught a strong metallic scent, their eyes quickly fixating on the mysterious weapon in the owner¡¯s hands.


    ¡°It has some flaws, but overall, it¡¯s pretty good... Give it a try; it should be better than your previous hatchet.¡±


    Unveiling the cloth, a specially crafted axe made entirely from corpse materials was revealed, presenting a shocking sight.


    [Axe Handle] ¨C Made from a suitably curved, slightly polished spine, with bandage-like corpse skin wrapped around the grip for added comfort and friction.


    [Axe Head] ¨C Seemingly forged through a special melting and compression process using the guard dog¡¯s right arm as the main material, fusing a large amount of bone. Clear bone patterns were still visible on the surface.


    [Axe Blade] ¨C Designed to resemble a dog¡¯s mouth, it featured sharp cutting edges lined with embedded fangs, perfect for tearing through flesh and causing severe bleeding.


    Fresh blood still oozed from it, and a network of blood vessels seemed embedded within the compressed bones, giving the axe a semblance of life. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Yi Chen received the axe and examined it closely, he noticed imperfections in the bone joints and detailing, which added a rugged charm.


    Feeling the lingering warmth between the bones and the weight of the compressed structure, he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim:


    ¡°What a masterpiece!¡±

 Chapter 65

    As Yi Chen tightened his grip on the axe handle, his suit suddenly seemed to come alive. Threads of fiber split off from the cuffs of his shirt sleeves, weaving themselves into the gaps of the axe''s bone handle, as if trying to decipher the specific details of the weapon.


    Before long, ancient, worm-like text emerged in Yi Chen''s vision, revealing the axe¡¯s detailed information:


    [Canine Jaw Axe]


    - Quality: Excellent


    - Type: Axe (Chop/Slash)


    Attribute Correlation:


    - Physique: C


    - Coordination: E


    - Intelligence: -


    - Perception: -


    - Luck: -


    ()


    Special Effect:


    - "Mad Dog Under the Moonlight": Inflicts 1.3x physical damage to fleshy targets (only at night).


    ()


    Evaluation:


    ...


    ¡°Huh! A special effect targeting against life forms with flesh and blood structures? Perfect¡ªour operation is scheduled during the night anyway!¡±


    Unable to wait, Yi Chen started testing the weapon, executing a swift combo mid-air.


    As the axe blade tore through the air at high speed, a faint sound resembling a dog''s bark could be heard.


    ¡°A weapon forged from the limbs of the afflicted¡­¡±


    Edmund and the others were equally drawn to the hand axe.


    They could all sense its latent ferocity and destructive energy¡ªsimilar to the guard dogs they had encountered in the sewers. The feeling was unmistakable: this weapon was crafted directly from the remains of the infected.


    The masked boss spoke from behind his moon-shaped mask:


    ¡°This axe should help you carve through the flesh of those rats. However, as it¡¯s my first creation, the refinement is far from perfect. Use it wisely.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The theater boss adjusted his mask and asked, ¡°When shall we head to the rat¡¯s nest?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush over at exactly midnight; that would make the skinning process seem far too easy. Let¡¯s wait until 3 or 4 AM to make our move.


    ¡°Mr. John, you¡¯ve had a long day¡ªtake the chance to rest a little.¡±


    But the boss firmly declined the offer of rest. ¡°Nightfall is when I¡¯m at my peak. Just the thought of having a chance to kill that despicable rat fills me with excitement¡ªI can¡¯t sleep at all.¡±


    Yi Chen had a sudden idea. ¡°Why not join me for a warm-up? Let¡¯s test out the new weapon.¡±


    ¡°No problem at all. I could use some exercise myself.¡±


    And so, Yi Chen and the moon-masked boss headed to the main theater hall, engaging in a sparring session with a hint of performative flair.


    Edmund and the others circled to the main hall, and after watching for a while, they couldn¡¯t resist joining in on this pre-battle warm-up.


    ---


    Recovery of Secret Medicine ¨C Day Four


    02:50 AM


    With the warm-up concluded, the masked theater boss stretched his limbs out fully and collapsed on the floor in a starfish pose.


    ¡°Go ahead, start your plan. Don¡¯t worry about my condition¡ªjust make it as gruesome as possible.  S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°That rat is extremely cunning. If we aren¡¯t brutal and realistic enough, it¡¯ll sense something is off. Just don¡¯t damage my moon mark¡ªI won¡¯t die otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Over the next half-hour, sounds resembling butchery echoed from the depths of the theater.


    With everything ready, Dagobert and Juliana each carried large backpacks manufactured in Zion, packed with a hodgepodge of items. The contents even sloshed with the sound of liquid as they moved.


    ...


    Four figures stumbled out onto the road at the foot of the mountain near the clinic.


    With haggard faces, disheveled hair, and blood-stained gentlemanly attire, it was evident that they had endured prolonged and intense "battles."


    As they stepped off the roadside and onto the slope, the previously empty, pitch-black night sky suddenly revealed a full moon.


    The moonlight fell like a creeping organism, clinging tightly to their bodies as though trying to seep into their brains and invade their skin.


    When the moonlight touched the backpacks filled with fragmented substances, an intense and excited stirring could be felt from within. It even seemed like some of the flesh pieces were trying to squirm out of the backpacks to bask in the moonlight.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± someone said.


    Without stopping, the group dragged their weary bodies up the slope, arriving at the clinic and returning to the apprentice dormitory where they had once slept.


    Without a word, they each lay down on their beds and fell asleep.


    When Yi Chen reopened his eyes, a bloodstained face wrapped in bandages was almost pressed against his own.


    "So late, and yet you still made it here~ You two are truly dedicated. I¡¯m sure Mr. Lee will be very pleased."


    The bandaged nurse wagged her needle-tipped finger, from which a luminous green liquid continuously oozed.


    ¡°Look at how utterly exhausted you are¡­ Would you like a shot of stimulant?¡±


    ¡°No need. Please take us to see Mr. Lee,¡± Yi Chen replied.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    As expected, only Yi Chen and Edmund, who slept on the lower bunk, ventured Dagobert and Julianna remained in slumber.


    After taking a deep breath, Yi Chen and Edmund followed the nurse to the underground area.


    They passed through a meat elevator button, a sprawling underground palace teeming with white rats, and finally reached a deeply hidden ward.


    There lay Mr. Lee, whose features bore a slight resemblance to a rat¡¯s. He remained confined to the bed, the silvery-white veins on his back firmly rooted into the ground below.


    Female doctors and nurses were responsible for his round-the-clock care.


    Seeing the two young men again, Mr. Lee showed no particular joy.


    ¡°Cough¡­ cough¡­ I gave you seven days, and yet you¡¯ve returned after just two? Are you worried the drug¡¯s effects might activate early? Or are you here because you¡¯ve already completed the task I assigned you?¡±


    Yi Chen stared into Mr. Lee¡¯s beady eyes and replied, ¡°We have slaughtered all the Moon People in the Vinal City and collected their moon skins.¡±


    Hearing this, Mr. Lee¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits.


    ¡°Oh? The term ¡®Moon People¡¯¡ªso you¡¯ve had rather in-depth encounters with them. But how exactly did you achieve ¡®all¡¯? You, along with the two teammates outside, managed to completely scour Vinal City in just two days?


    "I find that hard to believe. I hope you can provide a reasonable explanation; I don¡¯t take kindly to liars.¡±


    Yi Chen replied, ¡°The Moon People weren¡¯t scattered throughout the city but had already gathered together. They seemed to be preparing to form a special organization to leave this place.


    ¡°When we arrived, many had already evacuated. The remaining ones were all intercepted and killed by us. Without resting, we brought the harvested moon skins directly here.


    ¡°If Mr. Lee doesn¡¯t believe us, feel free to send someone to verify. If any Moon People remain in the city, we¡¯re willing to offer up our bodies and remain here forever.¡±


    Of course, that last sentence was deliberately aimed at Mr. Lee.


    If he could truly influence areas outside the mountain, he would have acted himself long ago.


    Even if he assigned tasks to Yi Chen and the others, he could have easily sent a nurse to monitor the moon skin collection and prevent any tricks.


    Unfortunately, he was completely confined here, unable to do anything.


    The "gray-erosion" brought by the moon only affected the co-located space. Any "Aberrant Patients" born from here would disintegrate into flesh and machinery once they left the moonlight zone.


    Unless Mr. Lee ascended to a higher level where the co-located space and reality merged, he would never truly be able to interfere with the outside world.


    His only hope for ascension and freedom lay in the Moon People¡¯s ¡°moon skins.¡±


    Yi Chen had accurately guessed this, granting him a measure of leverage.


    ---


    Rats with red eyes crawled over Yi Chen and Edmund, sniffing at their sweat and sensing their neural activity.


    Meanwhile, Mr. Lee, lying on the hospital bed, stared at the two youths for a long time.


    Time ticked by, and he failed to detect any deceit.


    A sickening smile spread across Mr. Lee¡¯s skeptical face, revealing scurrying rats between his teeth.


    ¡°It seems you two are indeed quite capable. There¡¯s no need for verification; I trust in your Let¡¯s proceed with the final transaction.¡±

 Chapter 66

    Mr. Lee, bedridden as a severe afflicted patient who was ¡°closer to the moon,¡± had long caught the scent of the moon-skin aura emanating from the two individuals.He worked hard to suppress his inner desire and excitement, as well as his longing for freedom, maintaining as much dignity and authority as possible as the owner of the clinic.


    ¡°Hand over all the moon skins you¡¯ve collected. As long as I confirm the goods are in good condition, I¡¯ll instruct the nurse to inject you with a sufficient dose of the plague vaccine.¡±


    Yi Chen gave a standard gentleman¡¯s bow first, then began removing his outer coat and vest in front of Mr. Lee, the doctor, and the nurse. He undid the buttons of his shirt as well.


    Edmund, standing nearby, performed the exact same action.


    When the upper bodies of the two were fully revealed, covered entirely in moon skin, a strong smell of fuel mixed in¡ªthe result of kerosene lamp fuel they had prepared in advance.


    Yi Chen smiled and spoke:


    ¡°Mr. Lee, you are no longer a ¡®gentleman.¡¯ Therefore, I doubt your honesty and integrity.


    I insist you inject us with the antidote first. Once the pathogen is thoroughly removed from our systems, we will naturally keep our word and hand over all the moon skin.


    Of course,


    if there¡¯s any issue,


    we wouldn¡¯t mind burning our own bodies¡ªalong with the last remaining moon skin in Vinal City. Self-immolation is a far better choice than sinking into depravity.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s words, dripping with irony, made Mr. Lee¡¯s expression twitch. Yet he could only suppress his anger.


    Indeed,


    he dared not lash out.


    If the last remaining moon skin were destroyed, he might be trapped here for eternity.


    ¡°¡­I accept your terms.¡±


    As Mr. Lee nodded in agreement, the bandaged nurse inserted needles into the necks of the two men, corresponding to their ring fingers.


    Though it was the antidote, Yi Chen still had Little Grape assist in filtering and absorbing it, just in case there were any adverse effects on their bodies.


    Five minutes passed.


    The white fur on Edmund¡¯s neck began to fall off, and the clarity returned to his eyes.


    After confirming the antidote¡¯s effectiveness,


    the two started peeling off the moon skin covering their bodies, one piece at a time, stacking them together.


    Mr. Lee, cautious as ever, didn¡¯t allow Yi Chen or Edmund to hand the skin to him directly. Instead, he had the nurse deliver it.


    When the stack of moon skin was placed before him,


    Mr. Lee could no longer suppress the excitement surging through him. Ignoring his body stuck to the bed, he forcibly sat up¡ªrip!¡ªtearing flesh and muscle from his back. §²


    However,


    as Mr. Lee inspected the moon skin one by one, the excitement on his face gradually faded.


    He lifted his eyes, glaring at the two like the most vicious rat in a sewer. ¡°Twenty pieces of inferior skin and only one passable moon skin? I¡¯m not very satisfied with this quantity.¡±


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t help it. By the time we arrived at Old John¡¯s Theater, most of the moon people had already evacuated. But¡­¡±


    Yi Chen deliberately drew out his words, waiting for Mr. Lee to respond.


    ¡°But what?¡±


    ¡°But, besides killing a moon people in the sewers, we encountered an exceptionally unique being at Old John¡¯s Theater¡ªfar more powerful than ordinary moon people.


    It was because of this being that we spent an entire day and much of our stamina, barely managing to ¡®kill¡¯¡ªno, capture it alive.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s its skin? Why isn¡¯t it here?¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This moon person was highly unusual, with its moon mark located precisely at the


    We tried to peel off its entire facial skin but found it incredibly prone to damage and had to abandon the attempt.


    Ultimately, we decided to ¡®dismember¡¯ this moon person, splitting it into two bags and bringing it here to the clinic specifically for you to process. Aside from its moon skin, its body might also serve as an excellent supplement.¡±


    Hearing this,


    Mr. Lee¡¯s interest was instantly piqued.


    ¡°Oh! You even captured one alive? Hurry and bring it over. If it¡¯s as special as you claim, I¡¯ll overlook the insufficient moon skin.¡±


    Yi Chen, looking slightly embarrassed, replied:


    ¡°As you can see, we¡¯re both completely drained from the battle.


    The two large backpacks containing the ¡®dismembered¡¯ moon person are with our teammates¡ªthey¡¯re in relatively better condition and can better guard against the moon person¡¯s potential escape or regeneration.


    Right now, they¡¯re resting with the bags. As long as you allow them to enter they can deliver everything to you at any time.¡±


    Mr. Lee didn¡¯t respond immediately, appearing lost in thought.


    The reason he had only arranged to meet these two individuals was to mitigate risks associated with having the entire team present. Even if the newcomers were mere fledgling gentlemen, he remained cautious.


    After all, without this vigilance, he would have long since met his demise.


    After some contemplation, Mr. Lee made a decision:


    "Your companions will arrive here shortly, but they can only stay in the clinic. The backpack containing the body parts will be handed over to a nurse, who will take it to the underground area and deliver it to me."


    Yi Chen feigned deep thought before responding:


    "That¡¯s quite risky!


    One of my companions is skilled in sealing techniques. He¡¯s the one responsible for sealing and monitoring the backpack containing the Moon People. If it¡¯s handed over to a nurse, the seal will be undone.


    Not to mention, the clinic is bathed in moonlight, which could empower the Moon People, potentially enabling it to kill the nurse and escape along the way. If that happens, we might lose the chance to capture it again."


    Mr. Lee nodded slightly, acknowledging that Yi Chen made a valid point. He himself would never allow such a scenario to occur.


    "Alright then, let the companion skilled in sealing accompany the package underground. However, the other person must stay above.


    If, as you say, this is a unique, high-quality Moon People that meets my requirements, I¡¯ll naturally let you go and complete your mission so you can continue to survive in Zion."


    Yi Chen bowed slightly and respectfully replied, "That works perfectly. We¡¯ll follow your arrangements, Mr. Lee."


    At almost the same moment¡­


    Dagobert and Anna, who were sleeping, woke up in this place for the first time¡ªthe "Co-located Space." Although they were already aware of the concept of "internal gray-erosion," seeing it firsthand left them stunned for a moment.


    The patrolling long-legged doctor and bandaged nurse were quite visually shocking, a distinct impression left by these abnormal patients.


    "Mr. Lee said only the person responsible for sealing the backpack can go down with me. The other one has to wait up here."


    The two quickly grasped what "sealing" entailed.


    Usually taciturn, Dagobert removed his backpack and spoke first, "I¡¯ll stay up here."


    "Alright."


    Juliana didn¡¯t say much either. She hoisted two backpacks onto her shoulders and followed the bandaged nurse into the elevator.


    The reasoning behind this arrangement was simple. The underground space was limited, and if a battle broke out, Dagobert¡¯s large physique and greatsword could hinder movements and possibly harm allies in close quarters.


    Staying above also served to block the connection between the clinic and the underground area.


    At the elevator entrance, Dagobert stood firm, striding forward... He planted his heavy sword firmly into the ground in front of him, standing guard like a gatekeeper.


    ---


    [Underground]


    As Juliana brought the "goods" down, Mr. Lee, lying on the hospital bed, visibly trembled.


    As a Moon Person himself, he could keenly sense the unusual nature of the "companion" in the bags. Its value likely exceeded that of all the other Moon People skins combined.


    His prior dissatisfaction with Yi Chen dissipated instantly. Mr. Lee had no desire to stir up trouble or complicate matters.


    While he could choose to betray them and kill the young people, the thought of his impending freedom and a bright future discouraged him from introducing any unnecessary risks.


    "You newcomers are truly remarkable! I¡¯m thrilled Zion can produce such talented young gentlemen.


    Let¡¯s conclude our deal here. Take this empty vial of the secret medicine, and you may leave without worry."


    "Thank you, Mr. Lee."


    Yi Chen maintained a polite smile as he stepped forward to accept the secret medicine vial.


    The moment his fingers touched the vial¡ª


    Three gunshots, followed by the sound of a blade slicing through the air.


    White smoke rose.


    The "Gunblade Emblem" on Edmund''s neck burned with intense heat, radiating white smoke like a branding iron.


    A bloodstained short sword was gripped in his right hand, having cleanly severed the head of a female doctor atop a metal frame.


    Meanwhile, his left hand held a smoking handgun, which had just shot three nurses in the forehead in quick succession.


    Juliana didn¡¯t join the fray.


    Instead, she immediately emptied the shattered flesh from the backpacks. Under the influence of the intact Moon Mark, the body parts began converging toward the head, rapidly reassembling.


    "You¡­"


    Mr. Lee hadn¡¯t yet processed the sudden betrayal when a canine figure darted forward, biting his head clean off.

 Chapter 97

    As Granny Chicken caressed the young girl''s head in her hands, the countless chicken-like eyes covering her forehead radiated a deep sadness."I have another rather excessive request.


    If you''re confident enough, I hope you can bring me the of the village chief. As a reward, I''m willing to offer everything I possess, including these old bones of mine."


    Gazing at the girl¡¯s head cradled in Granny Chicken¡¯s arms,


    Yi Chen stepped back with his right foot, placed his left hand over his chest, and bowed slightly.


    "I will do my best... But before we head to the village, Granny, you¡¯ll need to share all the information you have with me."


    "Very well."


    From Granny Chicken''s hand, Yi Chen received a hand-drawn map of the tree-wall area. It detailed the layout of the village and the church, as well as the villagers'' daily patrol routes and schedules within the forest.


    In another record regarding the Church, Granny Chicken admitted she had never encountered them directly and therefore could not gauge their strength. All she knew was that these people rarely appeared in the village. When they did, they were always shrouded in ceremonial robes. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The most distinguishing feature of their robes was the ¡®Church Insignia¡¯, which Chicken Granny had sketched with simple lines:


    A circular emblem,


    Inside which curled a fetus,


    Its umbilical cord encircling its body to form a ring,


    Seemingly symbolizing reincarnation and rebirth.


    "The time is almost up. If you don''t return to the surface soon, my chicken coop might be exposed."


    "One last question.


    Granny, have you encountered other human teams? Have you cooperated with them?"


    "Of course, I¡¯ve seen them. My children always take note of outsiders who try to approach the village. But I never made contact with them, for a simple reason.


    When Little Pei passed by them swiftly, they barely noticed him. Even when they did realize, they couldn''t catch him.


    With that level of competence, they are no match for the diseased pathogenic village, let alone the mysterious Church lurking behind it. Collaborating with them would only increase the risk of exposure.


    Before avenging my children, these old bones of mine must stay intact."


    Having said this, Granny Chicken hunched and stood from her seat.


    With one arm holding her "granddaughter," she opened a hidden passageway to the next room for Yi Chen.


    "After reuniting with your companions, Little Pei will guide you to another path leading to the surface."


    Reluctantly, the newly freed black chicken, Xiao Pei, came forward at Granny Chicken¡¯s behest.


    Before it could speak, the familiar plant tendrils wrapped around its neck like a leash.


    This time, however, Little Pei did not struggle. Although it deeply resented outsiders, it acknowledged that this young man had saved its life from a madman.


    Following the path opened by Granny Chicken, Yi Chen soon arrived on the other side of the underground area¡ªthe .


    Just as Granny had mentioned, villagers searching nearby who might discover the chicken coop had been lured by the chicken flock into traps and were all imprisoned here.


    As the man and chicken emerged from the passage, Little Pei flapped its wings in fear and quickly hid behind Yi Chen.


    The battle here had long since ended.


    In the center of the Trap Room was a small "mountain" of corpses, over four meters tall. Sitting cross-legged at the top was Jin, dressed in a dapper floral suit.


    In her right hand, she held a buzzing pig-head chainsaw.


    Her left hand rested on mouth as she yawned lazily.


    "Just a bunch of brainless, incompetent disease-spawn. No coordination whatsoever~ They rushed in one by one to die.


    At first, testing my new weapon on them was mildly entertaining, but it quickly became boring.


    This village really has a knack for churning out useless garbage.


    William, it seems like you¡¯ve already finished your negotiations over there. How did it go?"


    William responded, "We¡¯ve obtained enough intel to speed up our uncovering of the truth and access more interesting things."


    Jin pressed on, "So, should we kill this chicken-raising old hag?"


    These words made Little Pei immediately lose his temper, trembling all over.


    ¡°Not for now. Granny Chicken can help us with our subsequent truth investigation and allow us to encounter more dangerous things in advance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you~¡±


    Jin lightly jumped and landed beside Yi Chen, then squatted down to pat Little Pei, causing it to crow in fear continuously.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re following me, cluck cluck!¡±


    Little Pei led the two, running at top speed along a slightly uphill secret passage.


    It suppressed the fear inside its body, wanting to get these two terrifying humans out of here as quickly as possible.


    When it pushed aside the huge stone blocking the ground exit, it returned to the forest where it was first discovered. The stone path leading to the village was not far away.


    It was as if the two had disappeared for over ten minutes and had returned to the main path of exploring the village.


    Since they were back on the surface, Xiao Pei had no intention of leading further. It spoke human words again through its beak:


    ¡°Walk another six or seven hundred meters and you¡¯ll reach Shepherd Village, cluck cluck!¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t force it. He immediately released the vines around his neck and squatted down to touch the chicken¡¯s comb.


    ¡°Hmm! Let¡¯s meet again after we kill the village chief.¡±


    ¡°The whole village has changed. We haven¡¯t been inside for a long time.


    The village chief¡­ is very dangerous, and the people in the church are also very dangerous. I¡¯ve seen someone from the church by chance; they can [fly].


    They are completely different from the villagers you dealt with before. Be very careful, cluck cluck!¡±


    The more Little Pei spoke, the more frightened it became. It immediately spread its wings and dashed back into the secret passage in a flash. Although it looked like a chicken, it could move the huge stones with its claws and seal the entrance.


    At that moment,


    Jin¡¯s emotions changed drastically. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Yi Chen¡¯s neck, her mask pressed close. He could even faintly hear her breathing.


    ¡°Who knew these chickens were quite interesting. It¡¯s my first time encountering such mutated animals that don¡¯t actively attack humans. Maybe afterward, we can catch one and keep it as a pet.


    Luckily, William, you stopped me back then¡­ Did I scare you a bit before?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I understand.¡±


    Jin tilted her head slightly. ¡°Understand? If I change my mind now and turn your head into a bomb¡­ would you still understand me?¡±


    Yi Chen responded expressionlessly, ¡°If you really need to turn my head into a bomb to eliminate the strong enemies here, I completely understand.


    When that time comes, please send the rest of my body back to the Easton Cemetery. It would be like going home.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Jin seemed to take him seriously.


    ¡°Really? Then we have a deal!


    If we find ourselves in a dangerous situation and the flesh on my body is completely consumed, I¡¯ll cut off your head and use it as a ¡®final bomb.¡¯ After all, your brain is where the emblem is engraved, and it has consumed so much of the patients¡¯ brain fluids!


    A bomb made from it will definitely unleash a true crimson lotus!


    Quick, let¡¯s pinky swear!¡±


    As Jin lifted her pinky, Yi Chen didn¡¯t hesitate to hook his pinky with hers.


    Once the agreement was made,


    She slightly pulled her mask aside with one hand, revealing her familiar pinkish lips, and lightly kissed the side of his face.


    This sudden ambush made Yi Chen step back abruptly, putting some distance between them.


    The reason was simple:


    The moment their lips touched was more dangerous than any previous contact¡­ It seemed like she was trying to inject some timed explosive substance into his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I won¡¯t blow up your head now~ This is just a simple reward for you.¡±


    Saying that, Jin took a step forward, pressed her lips to the side of Yi Chen¡¯s ear, and whispered softly.


    ¡°Let me tell you something secretly! You are the only man who has received my kiss without having your head blown up. By the way, would you consider this your first kiss?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t want to respond. He pointed to the path leading to the village ahead.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ve already been delayed for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Boring~¡±


    [TLN:- Well... This kinda confirms that Jin is female I guess]

 Chapter 67

    [Mariano Family]The family to which Edmund belongs is renowned throughout the Fourth Continent. Even in Zion, they maintain a grand estate and continue to expand their firearms industry.


    Firearms produced by the Mariano factories, much like the family¡¯s culture, embody the principles of "excellence, speed, and lethality."


    Each weapon manufactured by the family guarantees high quality but sacrifices stability in favor of lightness and power.


    From the age of five, family members must undergo rigorous firearms training. Those unable to fully adapt to recoil before turning ten are removed from the family¡¯s internal cultivation system and cut off from all resources.


    Edmund Mariano


    Began firearm training with his father at the age of five. Completed his training early at eight years old by achieving a perfect shooting score.


    Was then sent to a specialized training ground under the organization¡¯s banner to develop his physique, reflexes, combat techniques, and mastery of melee weapons.


    At thirteen, he earned the qualification for external hunts, accompanying family gentlemen to eradicate nearby pathogenic entities, accumulating early field experience.


    Eventually joined the organization with a score of 86 and received the coveted "blue letter," unlocking the rare profession of ''Gunblade Swordsman.''


    ¡Ú Profession Characteristics ¡Û


    "Mastery and Synergy": Alternating between firearms and swords improves their "coordinated proficiency." As proficiency increases, attributes such as reload speed, shooting accuracy, and sword speed are enhanced. High proficiency may lead to the realization of unique combat techniques.


    "Neural Adjustment": By eliminating pathogenic entities with synchronized gun-and-sword techniques, the growth of the ''Motorics Coordination'' attribute is accelerated.


    Raised by a noble family and trained as a gentleman from a young age, Edmund¡¯s beliefs were deeply shaken the first time he entered the basement clinic of the parallel space. There, he encountered a decayed and self-indulgent pathogenic gentleman¡ªMr. Lee.


    Resolving to eradicate such degenerates, Edmund did not hesitate when Yi Chen proposed the Rat Extermination Plan. As team leader, he pledged his life and chose to remain on-site.


    Now:


    The plan has reached its final stage. Edmund, suppressing his long-held fury, unleashes a concentrated burst of effort. His exceptional focus allows him to execute a nearly instantaneous headshot and decapitation.


    Although targeting the head doesn¡¯t destroy the pathogenic core within, and thus doesn¡¯t guarantee the death of an abnormal patient, it buys critical time for adjustments.


    Seizing this moment, the theater owner completes the reconstruction of his body.


    Turning his gaze to the group and to the bedridden Mr. Lee, the owner declares:


    "Although I¡¯d love to stay here and help you kill this vile rat... the underground palace outside seems to be swarming with restless entities trying to break into the ward.


    "I¡¯ll guard the outside, clear out the palace debris, and ensure no interference. Please make sure to kill this disgusting rat."


    The moon mark on the owner¡¯s brow glows with silver radiance as it activates for the first time, showcasing his true power as a Moon Person.


    Shedding his white suit, additional arms sprout from his back and upper waist. Each corresponds to his theatrical characteristics:


    - Slender, feminine arms with sharp, elongated nails.


    - Diseased, decaying arms of an elder, oozing corrosive acid from between the joints.


    Two additional faces emerge from either side of his head: one of a young woman, the other of an old man, each displaying distinct emotions and observing the surroundings.


    The owner steps out of the ward and seals the door behind him.


    Sounds of fierce battle erupt from beyond the door. To further minimize interference, Juliana pours pre-prepared fuel at the entrance and ignites it. Most of the rats attempting to squeeze through the cracks are charred.


    ...


    [Scene Shift: Yi Chen]


    Maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor, Yi Chen steps forward with a smile.


    As Edmund¡¯s gunfire distracts Mr. Lee, Yi Chen¡¯s hand silently slips into his coat, reaching behind his waistband. His fingers grip the hilt of a spine axe, heated by moonlight.


    He draws the axe, swings his arm, and carves a near-perfect arc in the air, channeling his full strength. The weapon lands precisely on the moon mark at the side of Mr. Lee¡¯s neck.


    Compared to the rigid hacking of a hand axe, it leaned more towards a sensation of sawing and tearing.


    Through the spine-like axe handle, the feedback to Yi Chen¡¯s palm alternated between slow and fast, with gradual progression and a layered richness, even giving him a faint sense of exhilaration.


    The slash not only severed the neck but tore through from the shoulders down to the stomach. Mr. Lee¡¯s body was almost split in half.


    However, Yi Chen felt no relief. Instead, a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes¡ªthe scene before him delivered a shock to his consciousness.


    The interior of Mr. Lee¡¯s cut-open body lacked anything resembling organs or a skeletal structure. In fact, it was impossible to describe it using the concept of a human body.


    Inside his torso crawled rats¡ªor rather, a cluster of living creatures barely recognizable as ¡°rats.¡±


    These entities adhered to one another, forming organs, muscle tissue, and even skeletal-like support structures. Rather than splitting open Mr. Lee¡¯s body, it was more apt to say Yi Chen had cleaved open a ¡°rat nest.¡±


    Crimson granular eyes stared fixedly at Yi Chen, the ¡°intruder.¡±


    Composing himself, Yi Chen knew there were two tasks at hand:


    1. Retrieve the ¡°Moon Skin¡± from Mr. Lee¡¯s hand before it could be absorbed.


    2. Allow the plant roots to grow and search for the hidden pathogenic core within the grotesque body.


    Even Little Grape widened his eyes and began scanning the interior of the torso.


    However, just as Yi Chen grabbed the ''Moon Skin'' and was about to stow it in his bag, and as the root inspection was about to begin, the rat swarm inside Mr. Lee¡¯s body began rapidly coalescing.


    In an instant, a primal sense of danger surged through Yi Chen¡¯s body. The plants fused with his system began to tremble, and a desperate shout came from behind him¡ªEdmund¡¯s voice:


    ¡°Danger! Get out of there!¡±


    Without hesitation, Yi Chen withdrew the axe and immediately executed a smooth backward roll.


    Despite his quick reflexes, the sound of bones being crushed reached his ears mid-roll.


    Scarlet liquid sprayed into the air.


    Yi Chen¡¯s bloodshot eyes bulged, veins popping as he stared at his left wrist¡ªnow severed. Above the wrist, there was nothing left but a bite wound inflicted by sharp teeth, with remnants of egg-like pathogens clinging to the wound¡¯s surface.


    His left hand was useless.


    Looking up, he saw that the wound on Mr. Lee¡¯s cleaved torso had already been filled by the rat swarm, which had reassembled into a grotesque, twisted structure resembling a giant maw. This mouth, gleefully chewing, was a horrifying sight.


    Had Yi Chen hesitated for even a second, it wouldn¡¯t have been just his left hand that was devoured.


    Clenching his teeth, Yi Chen fixated not on the loss of his hand but on something far more pressing.


    ¡°Damn it! The Moon Skin!¡±


    The temporarily assembled giant rat-mouth swallowed it whole.


    The massive maw didn¡¯t continue attacking. Instead, it disassembled back into a rat swarm, returning to Mr. Lee''s body and healing the wounds inflicted by the axe.


    But that wasn¡¯t all.


    The white rats scattered across the hospital floor, under the command of their master, began dragging the decapitated and mutilated corpses of nurses and doctors into Mr. Lee¡¯s body as nourishment.  S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A beam of moonlight pierced through the layers of the floor and into the hospital room, shining upon Mr. Lee.


    The pathogenic core hidden within his body was activated. His silver hair stood on end, and his body began to detach from the hospital bed, gaining a degree of freedom.


    However, the silver blood vessels extending from his back were still rooted to the ground, preventing complete liberation.


    With eyes glowing fully red like crystalline orbs, Mr. Lee locked his gaze on the three figures before him.


    From his torn, grinning mouth, rats crawled out continuously.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just hand in your mission and leave? Must you force me to devour you all?¡±

 Chapter 68

    Through their conversation with the theater owner, Elton John, the group had gathered foundational information about the "Moon Disease" before the battle. [Manifestations]:


    As long as an individual engages in visual interaction with the "False Moon," which acts as the pathogenic medium, a corresponding moon mark will appear on a part of their body based on their physical constitution.


    This is a type of mental disease that only affects higher organisms with "cognition."


    [TL Note: Hey guys, Moon Person, Moon Citizen, Moon People and now Moonfolk is basically the same, sometimes it just becames a little too awkward to have to put them in cohesive way, and Moon-Folk seems to check all those boxes, so will just call it that from now on]


    The more active and unique an individual''s thoughts are, the shorter the progression of the disease. Once the moon mark crystallizes, the individual transforms into a special kind of infected being known as a "Moonfolk", characterized by the following:


    1. Immunity to silver (with silver eyes and silver hair as external traits).


    2. Enhanced physical capabilities.


    3. The individual''s prior "talents" as a human become materialized, magnified, and practical.


    The third trait is the most unique and difficult-to-counter aspect of the Moonfolk transformation.


    For instance, a homeless person who enjoys keeping pets might find that their pet dog shares the moon mark and gains the ability to merge with them.


    The theater owner, who loves performing, can conceal his presence, disguise himself as different people, and even manifest multiple limbs and faces to engage in combat simultaneously.


    However, Mr. Lee is quite different.  S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was originally a gentleman who had chosen the white letter, corresponding to the class [Beast Tamer].


    Perhaps due to his upbringing, family background, and personal preferences, Mr. Lee had a fondness for rats from a young age. After obtaining the Beast Tamer class, his primary controlled creatures were also rats¡ªalbeit in greater numbers and with stronger control.


    He could command swarms of rats to rapidly search an area, making him an excellent reconnaissance-oriented gentleman.


    Yet Mr. Lee was naturally timid. When on missions, he would always hide in the background, acting only when absolutely certain of success. He avoided trouble whenever possible.


    The arrival of the Moon Disease amplified and enhanced his "profession," granting him an extraordinary power beyond human capability.


    Moreover, for self-preservation, he forcefully injected himself with the exclusive secret medicine from the Twilight Clinic¡ª"Twilight Silver Liquid"¡ªbringing him closer to the moon and driving his condition into a deeper state of transformation: "Severe Patient." R?????????


    ......


    In the Ward


    Yi Chen stared at his severed wrist.


    The roots of a plant had already extracted the rat egg while sealing the blood vessels and smoothing the wound.


    However, the plant-based pathogenic adaptations he commanded were far from sufficient to reconstruct a limb. The team''s medical supplies could, at most, stop the bleeding and replenish blood. For true regeneration, a high-grade secret medicine with matching attributes was required.


    The persistent pain from his wrist did not bother him much. Instead, it sharpened his nerves, increasing his focus.


    Just then, a cold gun barrel lightly tapped his shoulder.


    "William, stick to the original plan.


    I''ll handle the main assault and draw this guy''s attention. You and Anna must locate his ''pathogenic core'' as quickly as possible."


    "Understood..."


    Yi Chen took a quick step back, pressing his body against the wall.


    Now, adjustments to the original strategy were necessary, taking into account both Mr. Lee''s terrifying display of power and his own severed hand.


    At this moment, he could only trust his teammates to buy enough time.


    ¡®Grape, how long can mental intrusion affect a severe case like Mr. Li¡®


    ¡®Based on our previous encounters with regular Moonfolk, "Moon Disease" enhances all attributes, including resistance.


    Even with direct mental intrusion, the effect on him wouldn¡¯t last more than three seconds.


    Moreover, attempting it again within 30 minutes would be ineffective.¡¯


    ¡®¡­So, it¡¯s only useful for the decisive moment.¡¯


    ¡®Exactly.


    We had a great opportunity when you slashed his body earlier, yet we couldn¡¯t locate the "pathogenic core." Severe patient like his have incredibly elusive weaknesses, and the core might even be mobile.


    Getting nervous yet? This situation is pretty grim for you all¡ªtotal annihilation isn¡¯t off the table.¡¯


    Unexpectedly, Grape¡¯s words gave Yi Chen a spark of insight.


    ¡®Wait! You said the pathogenic core might be mobile. Could it be hiding inside one of the rats? After all, his entire body structure is made up of rats.¡¯


    ¡®Trust your instincts and deductions, William. Survive no matter what.¡¯


    ......


    While Yi Chen leaned against the wall, lost in thought,


    Mr. Lee, bathed in moonlight, began to exude killing intent...


    With sheer brute force, he tore the hospital bed in half and hurled it toward the nearest person¡ªEdmund.


    Edmund sidestepped gracefully, moving with fluid agility, perfectly dodging the attack.


    The shattered hospital bed smashed into the wall, leaving a visible dent that attested to the immense strength behind the throw.


    ¡°Oh, such a quick reaction¡­ Your ''Motorics Coordination'' must be very high.¡±


    A smile appeared on Edmund¡¯s face beneath his golden hair. He raised four fingers with the hand holding his gun.


    ¡°As expected, quite high. Keep pushing, and perhaps within six months, you could reach the ¡®Limit Threshold¡¯¡ªqualifying to apply for long-term vacation privileges from the organization and embark on an exciting journey to seek relics.


    Unfortunately, you won¡¯t live to see that day.¡±


    "Rat Mutation"


    Mr. Lee¡¯s arm suddenly detached at the elbow joint, releasing an enormous swarm of rats that quickly filled the gap with flesh and skin.


    Through forced compression and rearrangement of tissue, the swarm reconstituted itself into a new arm structure.


    Now, Mr. Lee¡¯s arm had a ¡ªlonger, more flexible, and highly adaptable.


    The transformations didn¡¯t stop there.


    White fur sprouted,


    muscles thickened, and hardened, cord-like strands bulged visibly on the surface.


    His palm developed claw-like structures, while each fingertip grew tiny, bead-like rat eyes that seemed ¡®alive,¡¯ capable of effectively tracking targets.


    And this was only his arm¡¯s transformation.


    His spine elongated, detaching entirely and falling behind him.


    A horde of rats poured out, crawling over the exposed spinal bone. Their bodies merged and compressed into a grotesque, pathogenic tail structure.


    It was as if nearly a thousand rats had fused together, forming a tail tipped with a gaping mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.


    This tail could lash out with immense force, simultaneously tearing and devouring chunks of its target''s flesh in a single blow. A direct hit could mean instant death!


    As Mr. Lee revealed his full pathogenic form,


    he wore a nearly maniacal smile and muttered to himself:


    ¡°I was born human, physically weak. Only rats were willing to be my friends.


    Even after becoming a gentleman, certain people in Zion¡ªlike that damned Dr. McCoff¡ªstill looked down on me.


    I¡¯ve never experienced the strength of the flesh firsthand; I could only rely on my friends to gather intelligence and gain advantages.


    But the moon, , let me feel the power of tearing my enemies apart with my own hands. It gave me an entirely new experience in life.


    This is my destiny... Being sick feels incredible!¡±


    As his voice trailed off,


    his silver hair floated,


    his limbs hit the ground,


    and Mr. Lee lunged at Edmund with horrifying speed, killing intent overflowing.


    Claws crossed,


    Mr. Lee already envisioned the beautiful scene of his target being torn apart.


    A sharp metallic clash rang through the ward¡ªnot the sound of flesh being shredded.


    Just as his claws were about to strike,


    they were perfectly deflected by the precise angle and timing of Edmund¡¯s blade.


    The flawless parry even caused Mr. Lee¡¯s pathogenic body to lose balance to a certain degree.


    Almost simultaneously,


    the insignia on Edmund¡¯s neck glowed red-hot, emitting faint wisps of smoke.


    He stepped forward with his left foot,


    extended his arm,


    and aligned the barrel of his gun¡ªparallel to the ground¡ªstraight into Mr. Lee¡¯s unbalanced, open mouth.


    The wall behind was instantly painted red, speckled with fragments of pink tissue.


    Special Combat Technique ¨C "Blade-Gun Rebound"

 Chapter 69

    "Gun-Blade Rebound"This is a special combat technique Edmund mastered during his last mission by killing multiple enemies consecutively.


    Although it appears to be a skill granted by his profession, it is actually a result of his continuous accumulation, practice, and realization.


    The activation requirements for this technique are extremely stringent, demanding an absolutely perfect angle and timing to exploit the opponent''s attack "opening."


    If executed flawlessly, it inflicts devastating damage.


    Even among some gentlemen in the family who have surpassed their limits, none can guarantee they could pull it off smoothly.


    Yet Edmund, at his age, managed to execute it perfectly against such a formidable enemy.


    The single gunshot that obliterated the enemy¡¯s brain left his teammates stunned.


    However, this was also an excellent opportunity, and the two teammates would not let it go to waste.


    A thick branch sprouted from Yi Chen¡¯s palm, extending to the ceiling of the ward¡¯s center, giving him the best "observation point."


    A tuft of black fur quickly emerged from the branch''s tip, trying to spit out the eyeball in its mouth while observing Mr. Lee''s exploded head and analyzing the movements of the rats inside his body.


    This was no ordinary observation.


    Yi Chen was attempting to "memorize and compare" every rat inside Mr. Lee¡¯s body.


    The orderly movements of these rats bore a resemblance to writhing ancient scripts. Through simple transformations in thought, Yi Chen converted the rats¡¯ activities into readable and memorizable text.


    The book-shaped emblem at the back of his brain also wriggled rapidly, ensuring memory precision and efficiency.


    Compared to Yi Chen''s "static observation," Julianna''s approach was more of a "dynamic observation."


    Her choice of the gentleman''s letter was similarly a rare blue, corresponding to her profession as a [Cipherer], a role specializing in information gathering and assassination.


    Professional Characteristics:


    - "Resonant Hearing": The individual¡¯s auditory capability is scalable, enhanced through training and cochlear modification to perceive a broader range of sound frequencies. It can also translate sound waves into auditory simulations, recreating dynamic activities and spatial positioning within the brain.


    - "Silent Steps": Suppresses personal presence, reducing noise generated during movement.


    Such specialized reconnaissance gentlemen are exceedingly rare. Having one in a team significantly boosts task efficiency and lowers risks. Even more remarkable, Julianna also possesses formidable assassination skills.


    With both Julianna and Yi Chen, two rare, versatile reconnaissance specialists, Edmund¡¯s team was undeniably overpowered.


    When Mr. Lee¡¯s head was blown off,


    Two daggers, their ends connected to thin wires, were already embedded in Mr. Lee¡¯s upper abdomen and right thigh.


    Julianna attempted to decipher Mr. Lee''s internal structure. However, due to the overwhelming number of rats inside his body, she could only derive a rough dynamic diagram in a short time.


    ¡°There¡¯s no obvious pathogenic structure. Could it be that the pathogenic core is hidden inside one of the rats? Or perhaps one of the rats itself is the core?¡±


    At that moment, Yi Chen''s voice came from the side:


    ¡°Miss Anna, could you please focus on monitoring the dynamics of his lower body¡­ Try to pinpoint any rat that seems unusual.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    As the two divided their tasks for examination, the daggers embedded in Mr. Lee¡¯s body suddenly detected significant rat activity. The swarm rapidly converged toward the head, evidently preparing to repair the massive wound caused by the gunshot.


    During this process, many rats gnawed at each other¡¯s skulls, fusing their brains in advance. Once their combined brain mass reached the size of a human brain, it could be directly installed into the cranium.


    At this point, Anna stopped using her daggers.


    Instead, she retrieved a sword hilt covered in wrinkled old skin from her waist. The hilt, however, lacked a blade.


    Dark energy emanating from the hilt wove itself into cursed text mid-air, giving off a deeply unsettling aura.


    The hilt originated from a previous mission where they defeated an elderly woman capable of spreading diseases through curses. Her body had been incinerated, and the hilt was forged from the resulting disease crystal.


    When Anna gripped the hilt tightly, the curse enveloped her.


    At the cost of cursing herself, a slender black blade materialized.


    With silent footsteps, she joined forces with Edmund to confront their foe.


    It was time!


    Mr. Lee''s head was still far from fully repaired.


    Dragging the massive rat tail behind him, he suddenly swung it forward with force...


    A loud metallic sound echoed through the room.


    The sharp teeth on the rat tail collided with the blades of two swords, sending sparks flying and forcing both Edmond and the newly arrived Anna to retreat.


    Quickly,


    the rat''s brain fused, and Mr. Lee''s head was repaired.


    "Ah! That hurts... Even though you two are mere novice gentlemen, your strength is impressive."


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    the rat-like figure darted forward!


    The speed Mr. Lee displayed was faster than any patient the two had faced before.


    His bizarre, segmented arms operated with a multi-angle, multi-variation attack pattern.


    Combined with the immensely powerful, pet-like conscious tail swinging behind him,


    he suppressed the two opponents from the front in an instant.


    Edmond and Anna were repeatedly pushed back,


    their bodies accumulating scratches of varying depths.


    Any attack directed at Mr. Lee''s surface wounds would heal rapidly... only strikes targeting his joints or head could slightly slow his movements.


    Even when Julianna unleashed a cursed strike,


    though it left a blackened wound, Mr. Lee could simply cough out a few dead, blackened rat carcasses to neutralize the curse¡¯s effects.


    Whether killed, shot, or cursed,


    the rats connected to the silver veins on Mr. Lee''s back would transfer vitality, rapidly regenerating within his body.


    Under the intense influence of growth hormones, the young rats would grow to the size of adult rats in mere seconds, becoming a crucial part of his flesh structure.  S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If the wasn¡¯t found soon, as the two accumulated injuries and drained their stamina,


    the outcome would be decided in minutes.


    At this moment,


    Yi Chen was still in [observation] mode.


    Leveraging the effective damage dealt by his teammates, he scrutinized the dynamic details of the rats inside Mr. Lee¡¯s wounds,


    examining and comparing every single rat until his brain felt like it was on fire.


    His bloodshot eyes were accompanied by nosebleeds, trickling down his cheeks¡­ inadvertently dripping into Little Grape¡¯s mouth, which found the taste strangely bitter and metallic. The blood even seemed mixed with fluid from dead brain cells.


    With his mind slightly shaken, Yi Chen received a transmitted message.


    ¡®William... I won¡¯t cover for your mistakes anymore! Just this once¡ªonly because I can see your will to survive and your determination to slay the target.¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯ll reluctantly provide you with some combat-level support.¡¯


    The moment his words ended,


    Little Grape, perched on his shoulder, darted toward his left arm, diving straight into the severed wrist.


    Simultaneously,


    Despite holding the upper hand, Mr. Lee''s rat-like instincts sensed a dangerous presence.


    "Hmm?"


    During the exchange of blows, he glanced toward the source of the feeling, only to realize that Yi Chen, who had been leaning against the wall, was gone.


    "Where did he go?"


    As he continued dealing with the two in front of him,


    a faint sensation came from behind.


    "Huh? From behind?!"


    Before he could turn around, a sharp, bone-chilling pain shot through his back, forcing him to abandon his overwhelming advantage and retreat by scurrying away at speed.


    Turning back, he saw:


    The silver veins connected to his back had been completely severed.


    At the center of the ward,


    an axe that had severed the veins was now in Yi Chen¡¯s left hand, hanging by his side.


    "What¡¯s going on... Didn¡¯t I eat this guy¡¯s hand?"


    In Mr. Lee¡¯s eyes,


    Yi Chen¡¯s left hand¡ªsupposedly devoured¡ªhad somehow regenerated. Not only that, but it seemed to be wearing a strange glove covered in black fur.


    It even felt like something on the back of the glove was staring at him.

 Chapter 70

    Due to Yi Chen''s sudden intervention, Edmund and Anna got a brief moment to catch their breath. Without hesitation, they retrieved three syringes of different colors from the inner layer of their coats and injected them into their arteries:


    -


    -


    -


    As soon as the injections were complete, they took a deep breath and resumed their combat stances.


    Having regained some composure, Edmund noticed something unusual about Yi Chen.


    "William... your hand!"


    A novice Gentleman¡ªor rather, a Persona ¡¾Human¡¿ Gentleman¡ªshouldn''t possess such extreme regenerative abilities unless using secret potions. Yet, in front of him, Yi Chen''s severed left hand had completely regenerated. He was even holding a hand axe, severing the silver vascular clusters on Mr. Lee''s back.


    Edmund quickly identified the key to this "regeneration."


    ¡®Is it that pet on William''s shoulder? That thing was supposed to be an owl-like wasn''t it? Why can it morph and even act as a replacement hand?


    Could it be some kind of cemetery artifact I''m unaware of...


    No time to dwell on it¡ªat least we''ve turned the tide a bit, there''s still a chance.¡¯


    At present,


    The frightened and pained Mr. Lee was crawling on the hospital room ceiling, even retreating slightly in hesitation, with no immediate intention of attacking.


    Juliana, clutching a severe wound on her waist, quickly approached Yi Chen and whispered the analysis report of the target''s lower body.


    However,


    Yi Chen didn''t respond, seemingly immersed in the subtle changes in his hand structure.


    Even the sensation of his recent axe swing felt peculiar¡ªthough it was a single-handed swing, its speed, power, smoothness, and precision far exceeded his previous performance using both hands.


    At that moment,


    The back of his black-furred hand suddenly opened into a mouth, revealing half an eyeball.


    ¡®Hey! Your teammate is sharing critical information with you.¡¯


    ¡®I heard her... I was just thinking. I¡¯m trying to directly pinpoint the pathogenic core using the information Miss Anna shared. But it¡¯s still not enough.


    I¡¯ll need your help again, Little Grape.¡¯


    ¡®Five minutes. Afterward, I want that silver "grape" from him.¡¯


    After a brief exchange,


    Yi Chen softly replied to Anna:


    "The initial screening is complete. I¡¯m close to pinpointing the location of the ''pathogenic core.'' However, I¡¯ll need to cut open his body a few more times for final observation and confirmation.


    Miss Anna, can you still hold on?"


    Before the words settled,


    Juliana hurled two daggers toward the corner of the ceiling where Mr. Lee was.


    One was dodged as he turned his head; the other grazed his shoulder.


    However, the daggers'' true purpose wasn''t to attack but to obscure his vision and divert his attention.


    As the second dagger grazed his shoulder,


    Juliana, ignoring the pain in her abdomen, leaped gracefully into the air, reaching the same height as Mr. Lee.


    A horizontal slash!


    A trail of black cursed energy lingered in the air.


    This strike forced Mr. Lee off the ceiling, bringing him back to the ground. His back was slightly slashed, forcing him to spit out several cursed, lifeless rats.


    The moment Mr. Lee landed,


    From both left and right, a gunblade and axe simultaneously attacked.


    Not only that,


    Anna, who had just executed her aerial slash, gripped her sword with both hands, delivering a downward strike from midair.


    The sudden shift in the battle left Mr. Lee with no time to evade. Although he managed to stagger backward slightly to avoid a fatal head injury,


    The falling sword slashed his chest and abdomen, spilling a heap of blackened, cursed, bisected rat corpses from the gaping wound.


    Faced with such a massive vertical wound, Yi Chen wasted no time. He widened his eyes, intently observing the dynamics of the rats inside, conducting his final screening.


    "You wretches!"


    The pain and curse corrosion from his wounds drove Mr. Lee into a frenzy. The moon mark on his neck shone with blinding silver light.


    At that moment,


    Mr. Lee seemed closer to the moon itself. The movements of the three young combatants slowed in his eyes.


    He twisted his body.


    With the immense force of his spinning motion, his massive rat tail lashed out violently, striking Juliana square in the abdomen.


    Being the lightest of the group,


    And having just completed her aerial slash with her left foot still off the ground, Juliana had no way to evade or brace herself.


    A crisp sound of bone snapping echoed¡ªat least four ribs shattered.


    Juliana was sent flying by the tail strike, crashing heavily into the hospital room wall, leaving a deep dent.


    She coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her abdomen caved in, likely indicating complete kidney destruction and severe trauma to other internal organs.


    If not for her immense willpower, she would have passed out immediately.


    Meanwhile...


    Mr. Lee, evolving amidst the intense battle, Mr. Lee''s arm muscles strengthened once more, even sprouting scythe-like bony spikes.


    With his arms swinging at an incredibly sharp angle,


    A deafening sound rang out as both Yi Chen and Edmund were flung backward.


    The pistol adorned with the winged emblem fell to the ground, accompanied by drops of blood staining its surface.


    Edmund wasn¡¯t so lucky this time.


    During his attempt to block, a sharp spike tore through his forearm, severing blood vessels and nerves¡ªleaving his left hand completely numb. The commands from his brain could only make his fingers twitch faintly.


    However, Yi Chen brought some good news, as his smoke-filled mind filtered through the chaos and reached a solution.


    "I¡¯ve located the ... Little Grape, it¡¯s time to act!"


    Without any hesitation, even as Mr. Lee continued to evolve during the fight, Yi Chen showed no signs of fear.


    Lowering his body,


    Eyes locked on target,


    He lunged forward with explosive speed, faster than his previous sprints across the clinic rooftop and through the urban sewer system.


    Mr. Lee, observing the youth charging at him alone, sneered, "Lost your mind? Perfect¡ªI¡¯ll end this early."


    Assuming a predator¡¯s posture,


    The living, rat-like tail on his shoulder also bared its fangs, poised to strike with him.


    In this stance, there seemed to be no flaws in his attack.


    As the distance between the two narrowed, just before Yi Chen stepped into Mr. Lee''s attack range, something unexpected happened.


    In Yi Chen¡¯s strange left hand, covered in black fur, an abruptly opened, locking gazes with Mr. Lee.


    An intangible, mysterious mental shock struck directly at Mr. Lee''s brain.


    In that instant, Mr. Lee¡¯s consciousness wavered.


    Flashes of memories surged through his mind¡ªimages of himself huddled with rats in dark corners, discarding dignity and humanity in a desperate struggle to survive.


    His eyes cleared, snapping back to reality in just .


    This shocked Yi Chen immensely¡ªit was far shorter than the expected three seconds.


    Nonetheless, that single second was all Yi Chen needed to close the distance.


    He grabbed his axe,


    And with all his strength, swung it at the junction between Mr. Lee¡¯s neck and sternum¡ªthe location of the .


    Just as the blade was about to strike¡ª


    Mr. Lee instinctively shrank his neck and tilted his head, catching the axe in his razor-sharp jaws. Although many teeth shattered, he still managed to trap the blade firmly.


    At the same time,


    The living rat tail on his shoulder lunged forward, sinking its dozens of long teeth into Yi Chen''s right side. The teeth embedded deeply into his flesh.


    Were it not for the defensive properties of his gentleman''s attire, his body might have been torn apart entirely.


    Not stopping there,


    Mr. Lee¡¯s muscular arms closed in from both sides.


    Even with the protective clothing, the bulging muscles and razor-sharp claws threatened to tear Yi Chen¡¯s body apart¡ªimages of a spine being ripped open, like a chicken being split in half, loomed ominously.


    At the critical moment¡ª


    Two piercing sounds cut through the air.


    On Yi Chen¡¯s right, Edmund, clutching his sword with one hand, shouted,


    ¡°Gunblade Parry!¡±


    Mr. Lee¡¯s right arm was completely deflected.


    On his left,


    Juliana¡ªdespite reaching her physical limit and suffering severe injuries¡ªarrived at incredible speed, appearing like a dark shadow.


    Her neck still bore two needles lodged in her skin, which she hadn¡¯t even had time to remove.


    With the last remnants of her strength, she swung her sword.


    Mr. Lee¡¯s reinforced left arm was severed in a single strike, tumbling to the ground nearby.  S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In that instant, the threats on both sides were neutralized.


    Yi Chen, however, kept his focus solely on Mr. Lee. Ignoring everything else around him, his only objective was singular¡ª.


    The searing pain from the rat tail¡¯s bite acted like an adrenaline rush, fueling Yi Chen¡¯s central nervous system.


    "Aaaahhh!!"


    Veins bulged on his neck and forehead as his roar echoed through the hospital ward.


    The sheer intensity of his emotions¡ªhis desire to eliminate his enemy¡ªeven influenced Little Grape, causing the black fur on his left hand to writhe, further enhancing his strength.


    The teeth gripping the axe began to shatter, one after another.


    With the breaking of one tooth, more followed, allowing the blade to edge closer to its target.


    Finally¡ª


    As the axe cut through Mr. Lee¡¯s mouth, its forged blade cracked under the strain.


    Even so, it managed to carve a gaping wound deep enough to expose flesh and internal tissue.


    Wasting no time,


    Yi Chen thrust his left hand into Mr. Lee¡¯s throat,


    Pushing past the layers of writhing rats,


    Until his hand gripped the trembling at the core.


    At that moment, Mr. Lee¡¯s rage, hostility, and ferocity vanished, replaced by fear and panic.


    The rat tail biting Yi Chen immediately loosened its grip, and Mr. Li fell to his knees.


    ¡°Please, I just wanted to survive! I can tell you everything about the secrets behind Twilight Clinic, even the details of the ¡®Silver Twilight Liquid¡¯!


    I also have a stash of silver coins¡ªtake them all!¡±


    But his desperate pleas were met only with Yi Chen¡¯s cold smile.


    ¡°Now I see why you were the only one to survive from the Twilight Clinic...¡±


    With those words, Yi Chen¡¯s right hand clenched.


    As the pathogenic rat burst into a spray of blood, Mr. Lee¡¯s pupils turned crimson, and his body began to convulse violently.

 Chapter 71

    At the moment he crushed the rat, it also signified the end of Mr. Lee''s life. In Yi Chen''s vision, the name writhing in Old Ancient living Script¡ª[Jesmin Lee (Severe Patient)]¡ªturned from flesh-toned to gray.


    The rats infesting Mr. Lee''s body perished simultaneously, remaining inside him like rotting flesh, resembling human organs more than anything else.


    The rodent-like body lost all vitality; its fur became dull, and the crescent mark on its neck completely dimmed.


    Yi Chen collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.


    Even Little Grape experienced a momentary weakness, retracting its disguise on Yi Chen''s left hand, partially retreating into its original position at the shoulder.


    Using his other hand, Yi Chen injected a life-restoring serum into his neck, attempting to activate the plants within his body to gradually repair the severe wounds inflicted by rat bites on his right side.


    Although his right side was severely injured, Yi Chen was still in the best condition among the three.


    He immediately turned to his teammate, Juliana, who had long since fainted, her breathing faint and weak.


    This life-and-death battle beneath the clinic had left Yi Chen in awe¡ªnot because of Mr. Lee¡¯s overwhelming strength or the terror of his rodent-like body.


    What astonished Yi Chen most was his teammate, Miss Juliana, who, despite her grievous injuries, had managed to move her body through sheer willpower, forcing the last of her potential awake with an injection and severing Mr. Lee''s arm at the critical moment.


    ¡°Miss Anna, don¡¯t die on me!¡±


    Yi Chen ignored his own injuries, placing both hands on Juliana''s collapsed and severely damaged abdomen.


    New plant sprouts burrowed into her wounds, doing their best to stabilize her injuries.


    Edmund, dragging his useless left arm, knelt on the other side of Anna.


    He produced an orange vial bearing the feather insignia of his family, rather than the organization.


    First, he applied the serum to her wounds, then injected the remaining amount through plant roots into her body.


    The areas treated with the serum visibly began to grow new flesh, halting the spread of decay.


    ¡°This will at least preserve Anna¡¯s life... The effects will last a day, enough for us to reach Zion.¡±


    ¡°Edmund, what about your arm?¡±


    ¡°This minor injury is nothing. As long as we get back to Zion, I can ask the family¡¯s doctors to fix it¡­ Well done, William! This operation was far too reckless. I won¡¯t let the team take such risks again in the future.¡± ?§Ñ????S?


    Yi Chen shook his finger, smirking weakly. ¡°No¡­ everything went as planned, without deviation!


    The cost was accounted for from the start. No one dying is already the best outcome.


    Hold on, I¡¯ll handle one last thing before we leave.¡±


    Now that Anna''s condition was relatively stable, Yi Chen had one more critical task to complete.


    He placed both palms on Mr. Lee rodent-like body.


    Spreading plant roots as much as possible within, he ensured the tendrils reached all the deceased rats'' brains.


    Most importantly, they had to connect with Mr. Lee¡¯s brain.


    ¡ÚJesmin Lee, severe patient¡¯s brain, damage level: 8%, [Superior].¡Û


    An indescribable surge of exhilaration swept through Yi Chen¡¯s mind.


    He even straightened his body during the process, his wide-open eyes flashing with rat-like shadows. His face broke into an exaggerated, ecstatic grin.


    The book emblem at the back of his head wriggled as brain matter flowed into him.


    ¡ºCentral processing complete. Brain nutrition replenished. ¡¾Intellect¡¿ increased by 0.5. Effective memory assembly and implantation in progress¡­¡»


    Memory fragments were sorted and rearranged, merging into two significant pieces of information:


    1. The Life Story of Jesmin Lee (focused on his time at the clinic)


    2. The Secrets Behind Twilight Clinic


    In the first memory, Mr. Lee was revealed to have been the youngest apprentice at Twilight Clinic and also the most timid.


    His cowardice was innate, but he was exceptionally intelligent and resourceful.


    Despite being looked down upon by Dr. McCoff, he occasionally provided effective support for the clinic, such as stabilizing rat swarms for rapid material transport or destroying incriminating secret documents.


    Early on, he discerned the sinister deeds lurking behind the clinic¡¯s operations and anticipated its eventual downfall.


    It was unexpected that, before the organization could uncover anything, problems arose within the clinic itself.


    When the [False Moon Incident] erupted and spread to the clinic, he became inevitably infected due to controlling swarms of rats and having multiple eyes gazing directly at the moon.


    Instead of choosing to stand and fight, he leveraged his identity and familiarity with the clinic to steal a vial of "Twilight Silver Liquid."


    Using his rat-like characteristics, he hid in the clinic''s basement and narrowly avoided disaster.


    Faced with the pathogenic transformation of his body, he reluctantly injected the secret elixir.


    Unexpectedly, the "Twilight Silver Liquid" not only failed to suppress the transformation but amplified its effects exponentially,


    deepening his resonance with the moon mark and turning him into a severe afflicted patient, even allowing him to communicate with the ''moon'' to some extent.


    Similarly,


    due to his incompatibility with the secret medicine, its potent side effects fused him with the basement walls, rendering him unable to leave.


    To avoid detection by the Gentleman Team tasked with recovering the secret medicine,


    he attempted to communicate with the moon for power, accidentally creating a [Co-Spatial Realm] that enveloped the clinic.


    Of course, this also bound him even more tightly, forcing him to absorb more moon essence to break free.


    This led to his encounters with Yi Chen and Edmund.


    "This guy... He couldn''t channel his intelligence and caution in the right direction. Instead, he kept running away.


    The cowardice etched into his heart hastened his demise.


    But the real problem still lies with the clinic."


    Yi Chen chose not to disclose the clinic''s secrets to Edmund for the time being.


    He pulled out a prepared burlap sack and professionally packed up Mr. Lee''s corpse.


    If this relatively intact infected patient body could be brought back to Zion, it might yield a high-quality pathogenic crystal.


    Dragging the enormous, rat-like corpse, Yi Chen,


    and carrying Anna on his back, Edmund extinguished the flames at the infirmary door and pushed it open.


    With Mr. Lee''s death, the dangers in the underground area were entirely eliminated...


    However, the theater owner also vanished, likely having returned to the clinic''s surface.


    Riding the elevator slowly upward,  sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen and Edmund exchanged glances, their facial muscles managing to squeeze out a strained smile.


    At least it was over, and everyone had made it out alive.


    In a low voice, Edmund said:


    "Mr. Lee is dead. The moon above will inevitably fade away too... Once we go up and rendezvous with Dagobert, we just need one night''s sleep to return to the real world."


    "Mm."


    When the elevator arrived,


    a towering figure stood like a fortress before them.


    Dagobert, wielding a massive greatsword, guarded the elevator entrance like a war god, the clinic hall strewn with dismembered and abnormal patient.


    Likewise, his body was riddled with wounds, his stamina long since depleted,


    held together only by sheer willpower as he waited for his teammates to arrive.


    "Is it... dealt with below?"


    "Mm."


    Upon receiving the affirmative response, Dagobert''s massive body collapsed onto the ground.


    After a brief check and infection treatment, no severe injuries were found¡ªhe had merely fainted from exhaustion.


    However,


    at this moment, Yi Chen felt a sense of unease.


    Stepping on the remnants of abnormal infected patient bodies, he felt the lingering warmth within and walked toward the clinic''s exit.


    As he stepped outside, the moonlight, alive as if it were a sentient being, immediately fell upon him.


    It felt like a pale, delicate hand was caressing his skin.


    The moon hanging in the night sky had not disappeared. Instead, it grew rounder and larger,


    resembling a white, living organism.


    At the same time,


    From the forested hills outside the clinic came a slow applause, accompanied by a voice Yi Chen had heard in the sewers.


    ¡ì"Good job."¡ì


    As the applause grew louder and closer,


    a silver-haired youth gracefully emerged from the hillside.

 Chapter 72

    1. A young man with natural silver messy hair, appearing around 20 years old, possessing a handsome face resembling Timoth¨¦e Chalamet¡¯s features. 2. His left eye shimmers like the night sky, with a silver crescent moon in the pupil, while his right eye is covered with gauze, likely due to injury or another reason.


    3. All his physical characteristics align with those of a human. He wears a common white hospital gown and walks barefoot up a hillside.


    4. Beside him walks a "female doctor" he had met at the clinic, an IV drip connected to the back of his right hand.


    5. From the front, he appears entirely normal, but on his back clings a humanoid body¡ªonly half a torso, one arm, and a head protruding. It¡¯s none other than the theater owner, Elton John.


    As the young man ascends the hilltop, the moon hanging in the night sky seems to draw nearer, growing larger and rounder¡ªlike a searchlight zeroing in on the clinic¡¯s front yard.


    He maintains a constant smile, his eyes brimming with admiration for Yi Chen.


    In contrast, Little Grape, who had fallen asleep due to exhaustion, abruptly opens eyes upon seeing the young man, his fur nearly bristling in alarm.


    "William... from now on, don''t think about resisting. I''ll try to create an opportunity for you to escape. If there¡¯s no chance of escape, choose to surrender immediately. Staying alive is the most important thing right now, even if it means surviving like that rat. As long as you''re alive, there¡¯s meaning."


    "Understood."


    As Yi Chen¡¯s gaze fixes on the mysterious young man, other things slowly start to appear.


    Through his understanding of living ancient texts, he perceives writhing maggot-like lines intertwining above the man¡¯s head, eventually forming a vital symbol of an open-source patient:


    A long brass frame, its base engraved with a crescent moon relief, floats above his head. The frame is filled with a liquid essence that radiates the moon¡¯s glow.


    The frame bears a title and name:


    ¡ìMoonscar - Lorien¡ì


    With the title revealed, there¡¯s no room for doubt.


    This individual is the one who caused the ¡°False Moon Incident,¡± reducing Vinal City and Twilight Clinic to ruins. He is a unique pathogen classified under "open source"¡ªan entity Yi Chen has no hope of defeating at this stage.


    Given the situation, it¡¯s highly likely this person has been observing everything since the first day they arrived in Vinal City.


    At this moment, countless questions swirl in Yi Chen¡¯s mind:


    - Why did the organization falsely claim that "Moonscar" had been killed, leaving us to face such an insurmountable danger?


    - Or could it be that "Moonscar" was indeed killed in some sense, and this is merely a fragment or substitute of him?


    - Why does he remain in Vinal City? Is he not afraid of exposure and another pursuit by the organization?


    - Or is there a specific reason that compels him to stay here, a reason tied to his "death" during the False Moon Incident?


    As Yi Chen¡¯s mind races to find a breakthrough in this sea of information, Edmund also senses something amiss and steps out of the clinic.


    The young man waves his hand lightly.


    The living moon seems to respond to his will, casting its radiance over Edmund, Juliana, and Dagobert, instantly transforming their bodies into particles and making them vanish. ?????N???????


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve simply sent them away. Now it¡¯s time for our conversation.¡±


    As he speaks, Moonscar steps into the clinic¡¯s front yard.


    ¡°Mr. William, I¡¯ve been here for exactly 1 minute and 41 seconds. Have your doubts and speculations about me been resolved? Go ahead, share your thoughts.¡±


    Having absorbed Mr. Lee¡¯s brain matter earlier, Yi Chen¡¯s cognitive capabilities are now heightened, allowing him to arrive at a precise conclusion.


    ¡°The organization¡¯s intelligence is undoubtedly accurate. You were indeed killed during the False Moon Incident.


    However, what was destroyed was one of your ¡®two bodies,¡¯ and possibly even the main body.


    Based on the organization¡¯s records, during the incident, two moons hung over Vinal City¡¯s sky. Now there¡¯s only one¡­ this indirectly proves that you lost one of your significant forms.


    You¡¯ve remained here because, on one hand, you¡¯re absolutely confident in your ability to conceal yourself.


    On the other hand, you require time to recuperate and restore your strength, all while selecting a suitable candidate among the remaining Moonfolk to replace your ¡®missing body,¡¯ allowing you to regain your original .


    Deep within the clinic, Mr. Lee, who can communicate with the moon and even establish a ¡°co-located space,¡± is undoubtedly your ideal choice.¡±


    **


    Once again, Yi Chen¡¯s deductions are met with applause.


    ¡°You¡¯re truly remarkable~ It¡¯s only been less than four days since you arrived here, and you¡¯ve deduced so much.


    However, your reasoning still has some errors and gaps. Allow me to complete the story for you.¡±


    Moonscar, like a frail patient stepping out for some fresh air under the support of a female doctor, began to narrate the tale as they slowly moved under the moonlight.


    ¡°At the Twilight Clinic, I underwent a special treatment that split my consciousness into two.


    As I escaped and my condition worsened, the split consciousness gradually materialized into two entities, though still part of a single whole.


    I must admit, Dr. McCoff is quite skilled. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When he killed my ¡®False Moon Form,¡¯ I seized the opportunity to fake my death and hid deep within the city.


    After all, my objective had already been achieved.


    Such a massive disturbance was bound to alert your human organizations to the secrets behind the clinic. I believe the gravely injured Dr. McCoff will face a bitter and despairing twilight of his life¡ªperhaps even without one.


    As you¡¯ve deduced,


    I was indeed severely injured and needed a long period of rest and recovery.


    During this time, I took the opportunity to observe those little survivors, to see if any had the potential to become my ¡®other half.¡¯


    Little Lee was a decent choice; he was my initial candidate.


    However,


    That useless fellow couldn¡¯t possibly create the ¡®Moon Space.¡¯ Everything here is my masterpiece; I merely let Little Lee believe it was his creation.


    The doctors and nurses here are my carefully crafted designs, though they¡¯re not entirely complete.¡±


    As he spoke,


    he reached out to touch the female doctor¡¯s metallic staff and let his fingers slide along the IV tube, causing the long legs below to tremble incessantly.


    ¡°Your arrival has presented me with more and better options.


    Take Mr. John from the theater. Although he¡¯s just a Moonfolk, he and I share a remarkable ¡®compatibility.¡¯


    However,


    neither Mr. John nor Little Li


    can compare to another ¡­ someone extraordinary, someone so perfect that I¡¯ve personally come to meet them.¡±


    As he said this,


    Moonscar arrived before Yi Chen, extending his IV-connected right hand.


    ¡°Mr. William, I can sense a familiar scent from you¡ªa scent of one who has endured the utmost pain, who has experienced the twilight of life.


    Come with me! Let¡¯s journey to the moon together.


    I will show you the truth of this world and explore its deeper mysteries.¡±


    Confronted with Moonscar¡¯s grand oration,


    Yi Chen could distinctly feel that if he showed any resistance or said anything to stall for time, he would be killed on the spot.


    Abandon humanity and cling to life?


    Or hold onto his beliefs and face death resolutely?


    Yi Chen took a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡­ refuse.¡±


    The words had barely left his mouth.


    A violent shattering sound echoed from the sky.


    The round moon above fractured like a broken mirror. A gentleman¡¯s cane, topped with a high-hat design, pierced through the shattered moon and landed between the two of them, forming a semi-transparent black barrier to separate them.


    Immediately after,


    two figures, one black and one white, stepped into this overlapping space.

 Chapter 73

    A familiar owl perched on Yi Chen''s left shoulder, and at the same time, an equally familiar touch landed on his right shoulder.  S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."Leave the next part to me and Mr. Edge..."


    [TL: Hey guys, Chamberlain is now Chamberson, which is the correct translated name, sorry for the minor spelling name mistake]


    "Professor Chamberson!"


    Although Yi Chen was excited, he had already guessed this in his heart.


    Professor Chamberson didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. He was equally surprised that the "minuscule" possibility had actually occurred.


    Back then, when Zion''s backup team arrived at the site of the False Moon Incident, Dr. McCoff had already slain Moonscar and even transported the corpse back to Zion. However, during the autopsy, they discovered that this seemingly intact body was missing something.


    Although the organization later dispatched a cleanup team to conduct a thorough search of Vinal City, they found no trace of anything suspicious.


    Unexpectedly, Moonscar was indeed alive¡ªand Yi Chen had drawn him out.


    ......


    Professor Chamberson had prior experience battling Open Source Patients, but the before him was the most unique of them all. This moon-related disease was a rare and advanced pathogenic condition.


    He was determined to go all out to ensure its destruction.


    Suspending his arms in front of him, his palms spread wide.


    His ten fingers seemed to move with their own consciousness, drawing a pure white magic array in midair.


    1. The main ring and four sub-rings interconnected through bridges formed a dynamic, transforming array, with irregular star patterns serving as the core structure.


    2. The outer markings and bridge connections of the rings were subtly different, functioning to regulate, amplify, and stabilize the magic.


    3. The main ring¡¯s core symbolized , while the sub-rings represented Metal, Blade, Gravity, and Eye.


    This intricate dynamic magic array was completed in just two seconds.


    A single palm thrust landed at its center.


    [Arcane Activation.]


    Hundreds of metallic, heavy, and razor-sharp wind blades bypassed the friendly barrier and slashed directly toward Moonscar Lorien.


    ¡°A magic gentleman?¡±


    The silver-haired youth raised his free left hand slowly.


    A silver light shimmered.


    A pristine, triangular moonlight shield hovered in front of him.


    The wind blades that hit the shield were either deflected or completely absorbed.


    Even so, Moonscar staggered backward under the recoil, his frail body unable to withstand the force.


    Just as he was about to block all the wind blades, an ominous sensation struck him.


    A greater threat loomed¡ªslipping through the gaps between the wind blade attacks and into his blind spot.


    A fist wrapped in black miasma was already closing in on his back.


    ¡°Oh? Another strong opponent?¡±


    Moonscar abandoned defending against the remaining wind blades.


    He turned swiftly, pulling the "female doctor" into his arms with his intravenous-infused right arm to shield her from harm.


    With his free left hand, he tried to block the oncoming blackened fist.


    The result...


    Silver blood splattered everywhere.


    Over twenty steel-like wind blades pierced through the hospital gown, stabbing into Moonscar¡¯s back and even protruding from his front. His left arm, which attempted to block the punch, was completely pulverized.


    All that remained were tattered strips of fabric and bits of flesh hanging limply at his shoulder.


    Moonscar spat a mouthful of silver blood and sighed softly, ¡°How powerful¡­¡±


    However, Professor Chamberson was already behind him.


    His white beard floated upward as his entire aura transformed completely.


    Within a hundred-meter radius, the air stopped flowing entirely.


    Chamberson reached out and grabbed the dynamic magic array he had just created. The lines of the magic array materialized into a massive magic sword entwined with a raging hurricane, which he held firmly in his hand.


    The sword was even larger than Dagobert¡¯s greatsword.


    Not giving Moonscar any chance to recover, Chamberson delivered a dual-handed strike.


    The violent hurricane embedded within the massive sword tore Moonscar and the female doctor in his arms to shreds.


    The Twilight Clinic and the hill it was situated on were swept by a gale. Several trees near the summit were cut in half, and countless leaves were scattered into the wind.


    When everything settled, Professor Chamberson¡¯s expression darkened.


    The sensation from the slash had been off. It felt less like cutting through flesh and more like striking hardened glass.


    Not long after...


    A voice echoed from the rooftop of the Twilight Clinic.


    Moonscar stood unscathed on the edge, still holding the severed "body frame" of the female doctor in his right hand, ensuring her IV drip continued.


    The moonlit liquid in the brass frame had decreased by about a tenth.


    ¡°As expected, someone like you, William, must be highly valued by humanity. To think there were two strong fighters on par with Dr. McCoff observing from the shadows. That was truly dangerous just now.


    We¡¯ll meet again in the future¡­ ¡±


    When the voice fell,


    Moonscars'' physical body transformed into shimmering starlight and dissipated into the night sky.


    The barrier separating the co-located space was also completely shattered, returning everyone to the courtyard of the abandoned clinic.


    With a gentleman''s cane in hand, a tilted top hat, and meticulously adjusted attire, the supervisor, Edge Flores, gazed toward the rooftop. His right hand still bore traces of dark miasma.


    "White Owl, aren''t we going after him?"


    "Chase what? Did you not feel that strange sensation just now? This guy might be even more formidable than during the ''False Moon Incident.'' And this ''moon disease'' is something we''ve never encountered before. The intelligence Dr. McCoff brought back is extremely fragmented, and we still don¡¯t know how to counter it.


    Besides, our primary mission is to ensure the safety of this group of rookies."


    "Fine~ I wasn¡¯t keen on taking that risk anyway."


    The supervisor replied nonchalantly before turning his gaze to Yi Chen, who looked calm and composed.


    "Kid, well done! Facing a open source pathogenic patient head-on and still staying so composed¡ªit¡¯s impressive."


    Yi Chen was about to thank the supervisor for his assistance when Chamberson interjected angrily:


    "What nonsense are you spouting? Assigning such a task to them... it almost led to irreparable consequences!"


    The supervisor quickly waved his hand in a gesture of surrender. "Didn¡¯t we successfully prevent the incident? Besides, these little ones gained quite a lot."


    Chamberson stopped arguing with the supervisor and instead began inscribing a magic array. He released nearly a hundred magical owls to comb through the mountainous region, ensuring that Moonscar had truly departed.


    "William, you should be able to descend the mountain on your own, right?"


    "I¡¯m perfectly fine. Please keep an eye on Juliana¡¯s condition, Professor."


    "Hmm¡­ Let¡¯s hurry and descend together. We¡¯ll return to Zion at full speed."


    ......


    Inside the carriage.


    Chamberson checked everyone''s physical condition one by one.


    When he examined Juliana, his face showed hesitation. He couldn¡¯t determine if she could be fully cured, or even if her life could be preserved.


    Edmund¡¯s arm had suffered a far more severe laceration than it appeared. Without timely treatment, the entire arm might need amputation, potentially leaving lasting effects that could impair his ability to handle firearms in the future.


    "Given how uncontrollable the mission became, the fact that your team survived and completed it speaks volumes about your overall capabilities.


    Once this mission is reported, the organization¡¯s focus will undoubtedly shift to each of you.


    At that point, I will recommend arranging top-tier treatment to minimize any chances of long-term damage."


    "Thank you," Edmund murmured, though his gaze remained fixed on the unconscious Juliana.


    At that moment, Supervisor Edge suddenly spoke:


    "Before we return to Zion and submit the mission report, there¡¯s something I want to confirm in advance.


    During your joint efforts in the underground area to kill the Pathogenic Gentleman, did you uncover any hidden information about the ''Twilight Clinic'' from him?"


    Yi Chen nodded slightly but didn¡¯t elaborate.


    The supervisor''s expression revealed satisfaction, as if this had been the true objective of the mission.


    "If that¡¯s the case, the mission report submission will need to follow a non-public special protocol, which might delay things for a few days. Wait for our notice.


    Once we¡¯re back in Zion, I¡¯ll act as your guarantor to ensure you receive the best treatment available."


    At that moment, Yi Chen, hands clasped before him and head lowered, suddenly asked a question.


    "I have a question. How is Dr. McCoff doing now? I want to know the real situation, not just the official statement presented to everyone."


    The supervisor seemed to understand Yi Chen¡¯s emotions at that moment. He leaned in close and whispered in his ear:


    "Brain preserved, body executed.


    As a doctor, his mental knowledge repository is still of significant value¡­ Simply killing that piece of trash would have been far too lenient."


    "Thank you."


    Hearing the answer, Yi Chen exhaled slowly, leaning his head back against the carriage wall and closing his eyes to rest.

 Chapter 74

    Under the joint coordination of Professor Chamberson and Director Edge, everyone was assigned to Zion''s First Clinic, a crucial location for evaluating a doctor¡¯s credentials. [Revelation Clinic]


    Also known as the , it shares similarities with the OCA Alfarostik Academy. The hospital is completely isolated from the surrounding streets by a special barrier¡ªa unique wall structure.


    The facility comprises several sections: the Inpatient Department, the Revelation Building, and the Disease Origin Center.


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    This section consists of white-brick, red-roofed terraced buildings with gabled roofs, arranged in a linear formation at the rear of the hospital.


    It primarily serves gentlemen who have faced great difficulties in completing missions and made significant contributions to the organization. Approved patients enjoy entirely free treatment.


    As long as the patient sent in isn¡¯t completely dead or suffering from severe pathological conditions (defined as more than 80% bodily degradation), they can generally walk out alive.


    [Revelation Building]


    This unique structure, resembling a sports arena, is the first sight upon entering the hospital.


    Gentlemen seeking to obtain a "Doctor''s Credential" must undergo a rigorous capability assessment here.


    Prominent veteran doctors are often invited by the organization to serve as examiners, ensuring the selection process for core members maintains high standards.


    [Disease Origin Center]


    Adjacent to the Revelation Building stands a massive, sealed white square structure.


    Built from costly and highly specialized isolating materials, its level of containment surpasses even the Wilsterman Teaching Building at the academy by several degrees.


    Newly credentialed doctors are sometimes assigned as security personnel here, responsible for safety patrols over a certain period.


    The reason is straightforward:


    Since the organization¡¯s inception, all collected information about pathological mutations, various diseases, and research conducted by gentlemen doctors¡ªincluding critical documents and reports¡ªhas been compiled into books and stored within this building.


    It serves as a specialized library with the theme of "Disease."


    Whenever new pathological symptoms are discovered, the center promptly archives them. Personal research papers accepted for inclusion here are considered a significant honor.


    ......


    Inpatient Department


    Yi Chen, whose injuries were relatively mild and who exhibited plant-like characteristics, was assigned to an ordinary ward.


    After confirming he carried no pathogens and was in stable condition, the doctors proceeded with the "Left Hand Reconstruction Procedure."


    A healer-type doctor wearing a white mask entered the ward. Removing his gloves, he revealed a special blood-marked magic circle engraved on the back of his hand.


    When his palm touched Yi Chen¡¯s severed wrist, threads of blood and flesh immediately extended, weaving together under the doctor¡¯s control to reconstruct bones, muscle tissue, blood vessels, and more. Within five minutes, a brand-new left hand was formed.


    Observing the familiar calluses and the distinct arrangement of palm lines formed from years of grave-digging, Yi Chen was certain this was his old "partner" restored.


    Just as he expressed his gratitude, the doctor silently left the room.


    Although his left hand was completely healed without any side effects, Yi Chen had previously been exposed to the pathogen host, , a rare new disease categorized under "Moon Disease." Thus, he was required to remain hospitalized for a full week.


    Daily physical and psychological examinations were conducted.


    Perhaps due to the intense nature of the mission, Yi Chen often hallucinated during the night-shift rounds, imagining female doctors with IV stands or bandaged nurses entering his room for special inspections.


    On the fourth day of his hospitalization, Yi Chen received notice of a room reassignment.


    He, Dagobert, and Edmund were moved to the same ward.


    The reality was worse than expected.


    Dagobert¡¯s condition was relatively stable, with no long-term complications anticipated, but he would be unable to take on missions for at least two months.


    Edmund, however, appeared extremely frail.


    Due to the forced injection of the "Plague Conversion Agent" into his carotid artery, although serum was used to kill the pathogens in advance, the impurities remaining in his body could not be expelled through metabolism. Thus, he still required special "bloodletting therapy."


    Over the past few days, he underwent extensive bloodletting, followed by rapid blood replenishment through nutritional supplements and medication. As a result, he had visibly lost weight.


    Additionally,


    the condition of Edmund''s injured left arm from the final battle was dire.


    The wound on his arm, inflicted by Mr. Lee, had been invaded by "rat hairs." The delay of several hours during their journey allowed these rat hairs to take root on the surface of the bones. Even scraping the bones could not completely remove them.


    The only option was to amputate the entire arm and undergo a regional reconstruction similar to Yi Chen''s procedure.


    However,


    reconstructing an entire arm is vastly different from reconstructing a hand. Moreover, unlike Yi Chen, Edmund did not possess plant-based pathogenic characteristics. An arm reconstructed with external assistance would feel entirely foreign to him, requiring long periods of adaptation and practice.


    There was a chance he could fully recover, but there was also a possibility of lifelong functional impairment.


    For Edmund, who relied on alternating between guns and swords in combat, this was undoubtedly a devastating blow. His future prospects might be ruined.


    Yet,


    when reunited with his two teammates, Edmund showed no signs of despair. He remained resolutely confident in his unfamiliar and somewhat stiff left arm.


    He was proud to have survived such a difficult mission and to have slain the pathogenized gentleman.


    If given the choice again, Edmund would still make the same decision.


    The only thing that unsettled him was Juliana''s condition.


    The hospital kept Juliana''s treatment entirely confidential, refusing to disclose any information.


    On the seventh day of her admission,


    the hospital finally provided an update.


    Juliana was out of the critical phase but still needed continued treatment and observation.


    There was a high likelihood she would be left with lasting aftereffects, making it impossible for her to resume her role as a "pathogen-cleansing" gentleman.


    Upon hearing this news, Edmund was almost sleepless that night. For the first time in his life, he lost control of his emotions in front of his teammates.


    Yi Chen, on the other hand, displayed little emotion.


    Lying on his hospital bed, he contemplated only one thing: if he could become strong enough in the future, he could prevent such situations from ever happening.


    Even if they did occur, he could use the healing properties of plants to provide immediate physical recovery, saving his teammates from danger.


    One month passed.


    In front of the inpatient ward''s main entrance,


    the four of them emerged one after another after completing their discharge procedures.


    Edmund¡¯s left arm was not equipped with any support device, and he showed no discomfort when performing basic movements. His cheerful demeanor had returned as he pushed Juliana, seated in a wheelchair, at the front of the group.


    Juliana had long come to terms with her injuries. She neither felt sorrow nor regret. She believed that under those circumstances, the fact that everyone could return alive was the best possible outcome.


    She would need more than six months of rest and regular check-ups.


    At her current rate of recovery, while she might not reach her former condition, she could still participate in basic pathogen-cleansing missions. If she could break through certain limit barriers, a full recovery might even be possible.


    As the four of them chatted and laughed while leaving the front entrance of Hippocrates General Hospital, they saw Supervisor Edge, with his tilted top hat, sitting in a finely crafted carriage, waiting for them.


    "Get in," he said. "The settlement for the mission will use a confidential, non-public process. Additionally, high-ranking members of the organization besides myself will be present.


    During the process, you will be questioned in detail about your mission experiences. Be prepared."

 Chapter 75

    On the way to the Gentleman¡¯s Hall, the four individuals seated in the carriage remained silent. Supervisor Edge kindly reminded them:


    "Because your task completion rate is exceptionally high, and you successfully uncovered hidden information behind it, we will hold a closed-door discussion in an upper-level conference room of the Gentleman¡¯s Hall to bring this mission to a perfect conclusion.


    Don¡¯t be nervous.


    I can reveal a little bit to you... The higher-ups highly value your performance during this mission, and the final reward will far exceed expectations.


    The experiences from this mission will also be heavily documented in your profiles.


    So, there¡¯s no need to act overly tense. When they ask questions, just answer honestly.


    Don¡¯t hold back¡ªdisclose all the intelligence you¡¯ve gathered as comprehensively as possible.¡±


    "Understood," Yi Chen nodded.


    The reason he remained silent throughout the ride was that he was organizing the fragmented memories obtained a month ago from Mr. Lee¡¯s brain via "Central Taste", combining them with his own investigation. He was preparing his speech in advance.


    By now, it was mostly ready.


    "Supervisor Edge, what happened to the corpse I brought back?"


    The corpse Yi Chen referred to was none other than [Pathogenic Gentleman - Mr. Lee], which had been handed over to Edge for processing upon their return to the city.


    "Congratulations!


    Because the core of the pathogen remained mostly intact and the body was relatively well-preserved, after incineration in the furnace, Mr. Lee¡¯s body has been refined into a high-quality ''Pathogenic Crystal'', which will be included as part of your mission reward.


    You can distribute it within your team afterward."


    "Alright."


    When the carriage arrived, the supervisor instructed everyone to wear masks to enhance concealment.


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    This floor is typically used to host powerful gentlemen like Professor Chamberson and is equipped to handle extremely challenging exploratory missions. It is divided into six larger conference rooms.


    The group was led to a special room marked with a red banner, signifying a fully enclosed meeting.


    Inside the oval conference table, four individuals were already seated:


    two other supervisors from the Gentleman¡¯s Hall, Professor Chamberson, who was linked to this mission, and [The Doctor].


    ¡°This person is¡­¡±


    Yi Chen immediately recognized the doctor seated in the central position. It was the very same individual he had encountered when he first arrived in Zion City¡ªa figure he had briefly spoken with beneath the arch bridge.


    The doctor wore a bird-beak mask, symbolizing old-era physicians, along with a modern medical coat emblematic of contemporary medicine.


    His presence alone suppressed the atmosphere of the entire meeting room.


    Yi Chen speculated that this was the ¡°higher-up attention¡± mentioned by Supervisor Edge. The doctor¡¯s status and capabilities undoubtedly surpassed those of Dr. McCoff from the Twilight Clinic.


    Supervisor Edge introduced the doctor:


    "This is Deputy Director ''Andre Vesalius'' of the Hippocrates Grand Hospital and one of the heads of the Secret Medicine Review Department. Since the mission involves the distribution of secret medicine as a reward, personnel from the Secret Medicine Review Department needed to participate.


    Upon hearing about this case, Mr. Vesalius personally decided to attend.¡±


    From beneath the bird-beak mask came the same eerie, slightly viscous voice as before:


    "I heard there were new gentlemen who, while handling the aftermath of the ''False Moon Incident'', directly defeated a Pathogenic Gentleman hidden in a co-located space.


    Moreover, they ensured the survival of the entire team while dealing with open-source patients. I came out of personal interest to observe.


    Proceed according to the normal meeting process. If I have any comments, I¡¯ll voice them directly."


    "Understood."


    As the mission issuer, coordinator, and supporter, Supervisor Edge naturally chaired the meeting.


    He first distributed a document to the reviewers, detailing the personal information and evaluations of the four team members, the [Secret Medicine Recovery] mission sheet they had accepted, and the ''False Moon Incident'' report they had reviewed prior to the mission.


    "This is all the information they were aware of before executing the mission. The Gentleman¡¯s Hall ensured that the intelligence provided remained at the [Surface Level]."


    Dr. Vesalius nodded, satisfied with the mission¡¯s arrangements.


    "If there are no further questions, let them describe the details of the mission execution."


    Supervisor Edge smoothly transitioned the meeting into its next phase. The reviewers present turned their gazes toward the four young participants.


    Typically, it was the team leader¡¯s responsibility to narrate the mission¡¯s sequence of events.


    But Edmund glanced at Yi Chen and handed all decision-making authority to him. Yi Chen nodded in acceptance, his gaze fixed straight ahead, with no hint of hesitation in his eyes.


    In concise and precise language, he completed the entire explanation process within fifteen minutes, including judgments, decisions, and the basis for those decisions at every key point.


    At that moment, Dr. Vesalius, behind his metallic glasses, revealed a rare look of appreciation and offered his evaluation.


    "Not bad. Your handling of every detail of the task was nearly flawless.


    For rookies to be able to kill a severely infected patient individual with gentlemanly characteristics demonstrates a level of skill that doesn¡¯t require further praise from me.


    However, I have a question.


    After obtaining the leverage of [Moon Skin], you successfully negotiated with Mr. Lee and confirmed the antidote''s effectiveness.


    You also roughly inferred that Mr. Lee is cautious and timid by nature, someone who avoids trouble and intended to let you go.


    So why did you choose to take the risk and engage in a life-or-death battle instead?"


    Captain Edmund stepped forward to answer:


    "The gentlemanly principles I learned since childhood prevent me from turning a blind eye to such a degenerate individual. If I couldn¡¯t eliminate him and instead chose to subjectively evade the problem, I would no longer be worthy of the title of a gentleman.


    Such evasion would also leave a scar on my conscience, hindering my future growth."


    "Hmm..."


    Dr. Vesalius nodded, but he seemed to be seeking a different kind of response.


    He turned his gaze slowly to Yi Chen. "And you? As the primary communicator with the infected patient, why did you choose a life-or-death battle?"


    Yi Chen responded awkwardly, "My reasoning might not be as principled as Edmund''s, nor did I think as deeply."


    "No matter. Just state your true thoughts."


    "To be honest, I wasn¡¯t concerned about the gentlemanly aspects.


    Analyzing the situation at the time, while Mr. Lee indeed intended to let us leave, this ¡®intention¡¯ wasn¡¯t 100% certain. The probability was about 50-60%.


    There was a chance that after we left the underground ward and returned to the surface, Mr. Lee could trap us in the same spatial zone again, complete his absorption of the Moon Skin, gain even greater strength and freedom, and then kill us or turn us into his infected thralls.


    As long as the probability wasn¡¯t 100%, I couldn¡¯t take that risk. If we had to fight Mr. Lee again after leaving his ward, it would mean certain death for us.


    Additionally, I personally wanted to kill him. By defeating a strong enemy, I could refine my skills, temper my body, and enhance my thinking. If I was lucky, I might even obtain the complete corpse of a severely infected patient.


    Killing Mr. Lee would also significantly increase the mission rewards. After all, I still owe Edmund quite a bit of money, and I was hoping to pay it off in one go."


    Dr. Vesalius squinted slightly and gave his assessment:


    "Objective analysis combined with instinctual killing, along with a certain inclination toward personal gain... I have one more question. Did you enjoy the process of pushing yourself to your limits and experiencing a battle on the brink of death?"


    "Yes, I do enjoy that feeling personally."


    "Excellent!"


    Dr. Vesalius said no more and gestured for the meeting to proceed.


    Supervisor Edge paused briefly before looking at the four team members.


    "As you have experienced during the mission,


    the [Secret Medicine Recovery] post-mission cleanup task was deliberately designed by the organization to further evaluate the capabilities of promising rookie gentlemen.


    The objective of the mission was to recover the ''missing secret medicine.'' Of course, the recovery team dispatched by the organization would never make such a low-level mistake, and we were aware of the secret medicine''s status from the start.


    The objective was to guide you to the clinic, using the missing secret medicine as a lead, to uncover the truth behind the scenes.


    This was to assess whether you possess the investigative skills that are crucial to a gentleman.


    By evaluating the depth to which you uncovered the essence of the truth, we determined the extent of your potential and whether you are worth further cultivation by the organization.


    Therefore,


    we still require one piece of information to evaluate the depth of your insight into this incident.


    Please provide a detailed explanation of your findings regarding the [Twilight Clinic]."


    "I¡¯ll do it."


    Yi Chen had already organized the truth in his mind and added a literary touch to his account.


    As his narration began,


    the emblem on the back of his head began to writhe.


    A truth, one dark and deeply antithetical to the gentlemanly ideals, was about to be unveiled.

 Chapter 76

    Yi Chen organized all the data he had pieced together in his mind and presented it like a book displayed on his retina. He began his account: ¡°[Twilight Clinic] core material for producing ¡®Twilight Silver Liquid¡¯ is derived from torturing patients. By using various inhumane instruments of torment, the patients are driven to the limits of their physical and mental endurance. At this point, their brains produce a unique secretion referred to in the clinic as ¡®Pathogenic Death Substance.¡¯


    Not every patient can regularly or consistently produce this substance, and even those who can often yield only small amounts.


    It usually takes 2¨C3 patients, subjected to continuous torture for a month, to produce enough raw material for one bottle of the secret medicine.


    Since the clinic is required to submit a sufficient quantity of the medicine to the organization every quarter while ensuring its quality, these rigid demands indirectly contributed to the pathological development of the Twilight Clinic.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s opening remarks subtly pointed some criticism toward the organization itself, causing displeasure among the supervisors present. However, Dr. Vesalius remained unfazed, appearing more interested in the following details.


    ¡°[Twilight Clinic] is relatively small in scale. Though I am not familiar with its precise organizational structure, my preliminary estimate is that it operates as a small or at best medium-sized clinic.


    The internal staff is limited, and the number of patients hunted by apprentices falls far short of the clinic¡¯s operational needs.


    To maintain normal operations and continue securing the organization¡¯s support, Dr. McCoff made a decision that not only violated gentlemanly conduct but also the very essence of humanity itself.


    ¡®Artificial Disease¡¯


    Each month, the clinic conducted random surveys among citizens, targeting unregistered vagrants, refugees, criminals sentenced to more than three months, terminal hospital patients, and even civilians seeking to leave the city of Vinal and relocate elsewhere. These individuals became direct targets of the clinic.


    These humans were taken to the underground section of the Secret Medicine Tower, where they were injected with pathogens collected from [patients]. This process induced deliberate pathological changes in their bodies.


    Once these individuals survived and successfully transformed into patients, the clinic began extracting ¡®Pathogenic Death Substance¡¯ from them.  Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Through this method of creating artificial patients, the production of ¡®Twilight Silver Elixir¡¯ soared. This increase not only boosted the organization¡¯s funding for the clinic but also earned them additional apprentice slots.


    However, before this vile and reprehensible operation could be exposed, the clinic faced internal issues.


    A young man named [Lorien], born with albinism and basal cell carcinoma, had extensive skin ulcerations and necrotic black scabs across his body. Abandoned by local hospitals, he was quickly taken to the clinic and injected with pathogens.


    However, the pathogen that entered Lorien¡¯s body merged with his existing diseases, fundamentally altering its pathogenic properties. His white hair gained a silver sheen, and his eyes turned silvery as well.


    He became the first recorded case of a ¡®Silverized Patient¡¯ in the clinic, marking the origin of Moon Disease.


    The physical flaws caused by his albinism vanished entirely, and Lorien swiftly transformed into a [patient]¡ªspecifically, a , possessing absolute self-awareness and immunity to pathological influences.


    Even so, the clinic¡¯s methods did not change. Lorien was subjected to brutal and inhumane torture to extract raw materials.


    The ¡®Pathogenic Death Substance¡¯ produced by Lorien was over three times the yield of ordinary patients and could even be extracted cyclically. As long as he was given enough time and food to recover, he could be repeatedly harvested for raw materials.


    Gradually, during this prolonged torture, Lorien further developed and integrated with the pathogen on a deeper level.


    One day, he successfully escaped the clinic, using his unique pathological characteristic to conceal himself in the city and continue growing in secret.


    Eventually, he evolved into an [Open-Source Patient], possessing the rare and unique pathological attribute: [Moon].


    He orchestrated the infamous ¡®False Moon Incident,¡¯ which devastated the entire city of Vinal, leaving it in ruins.


    According to the current information, Moonscar Lorien has a ¡®Dual-Body¡¯ structure. During the False Moon Incident, only one of these bodies perished. The other, coincidentally, is the one we encountered. And that brings us to where things stand now.¡±


    As Yi Chen concluded his report, the supervisors present wore a range of expressions.


    It was difficult to imagine a newcomer managing to uncover so much of the Twilight Clinic¡¯s dark truth in just four days.


    Dr. Vesalius was the first to raise a question:


    ¡°I¡¯m curious. Based on your account, there didn¡¯t seem to be much time to investigate the truth behind the clinic. And the pathological gentleman, Mr. Lee, didn¡¯t seem to divulge much before engaging in direct conflict with you.


    How did you manage to obtain such detailed information?¡±


    ¡°As long as a patient¡¯s brain remains sufficiently intact and fresh, my profession ability allows me to read the information within.


    However, most of the time, these are fragmented memories. Only with a solid foundation of investigation can I piece them together and reconstruct the full picture.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ an impressive skill.¡±


    Dr. Vesalius grew increasingly fond of Yi Chen the more he observed him. The unique characteristics of Yi Chen¡¯s profession even stirred a personal interest in him.


    Subsequently, the supervisors present asked some detailed questions, including the specifics of how Mr. Lee was eliminated and the direct encounter with [Moonscar - Lorien].


    When the questioning concluded, the meeting moved to its final stage: [Evaluation and Rewards].


    Generally speaking,


    tasks for novice gentlemen only require submission at the counter in the lower-level hall, where staff verify the details. Rewards are then issued within 0¨C3 working days as specified in the task summary.


    However, tasks requiring on-site evaluation and adjustments to the reward coefficient, like this one, were a first for Edmund and his peers.


    Even though the injuries they had sustained still throbbed faintly, they were inwardly exhilarated.


    After all, in a world like this, no one could guarantee their safety. Even high-ranking gentlemen might lose their ability to function permanently after an exploration mission.


    Once the supervisors present, Professor Chamberson, and Dr. Vesalius consolidated their opinions, Supervisor Edge announced the rewards to the group:


    ¡°Based on your outstanding performance in this mission, the difficulty level of [Secret Medicine Retrieval] has been adjusted to ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î. Your individual profiles will prominently record this achievement.


    The rewards are as follows:


    1. Each person receives 3,000 silver coins.


    2. Each person receives a 20 cm ¡Á 20 cm piece of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± imbued with the aura of the old world.


    3. Mission Points (Rare) +1.


    4. A tumorous crystal of [Moonlit Mouse - Jesmin Lee] ¡Á1.


    5. Each person receives 5 ml of [Twilight Silver Liquid]. A brief explanation of some of this secret medicine¡¯s properties will be provided afterward. If it is incompatible with you, you may apply for a substitute reward.¡±


    The sheer generosity of these rewards left everyone wide-eyed.


    Initially, the reward was set to include only a single piece of Gentleman¡¯s Skin. Now, everyone was receiving one! This quantity exceeded all of what Edmund had earned in his last five missions combined.


    This meant that the entire team could upgrade and modify their attire.


    Moreover, the quantity of ''Twilight Silver Fluid'' had increased from a mere drop to 5 ml.


    As Supervisor Edge finished announcing the rewards, Dr. Vesalius suddenly interjected. He had been discussing something briefly with Professor Chamberson and was now holding Yi Chen¡¯s gentleman profile in hand.


    ¡°Wait a moment¡ªWilliam Behrens, while your profile doesn¡¯t record it, you seem to possess an undeveloped


    Moreover, during your selection of letters, a black letter associated with death also appeared, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Yi Chen nodded immediately.


    ¡°In that case, your compatibility with [Twilight Silver Liquid] should be very high.


    I personally suggest adjusting your rewards: reducing some of the basic items, such as the silver coin amount, and instead increasing the volume of [Twilight Silver Liquid] from 5 ml to a full bottle.


    You could use it during critical moments, such as [Limit Breakthroughs], which might help awaken the death trait hidden within you.¡±


    This statement left Supervisor Edge stunned!


    The upper management had thoroughly sealed off information regarding the Twilight Clinic and had deliberately preserved Dr. McCoff¡¯s brain during his execution, precisely because the quality of [Twilight Silver Liquid] ranked among the top-tier secret medicines.


    Even high-ranking gentlemen rarely obtained this elixir, and now an entire bottle was being granted to a novice gentleman?


    Nevertheless, since Dr. Vesalius, the overseer of secret medicine reviews, personally made the proposal, no additional approval process was needed.


    Yi Chen showed no particular excitement, nodding casually in acknowledgment.


    ¡°If you encounter any questions regarding the use of secret medicine in the future, feel free to visit me at the Hippocratic Grand Hospital.¡±


    With that, Dr. Vesalius pulled a business card from his lab coat and slid it precisely across the smooth conference table to land before Yi Chen.

 Chapter 77

    The meeting concluded, Dr. Vesalius and the supervising officials who had come for evaluation left one after another.


    Now, only Professor Chamberson remained in the room, along with Supervisor Edge, who had just returned from outside, carrying various rewards.


    Each person received a 20cm ¡Á 20cm sheet of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡± imbued with the aura of the Old World.


    These skins could be used to repair, modify, or upgrade gentleman¡¯s attire, enhancing its resistance, self-healing properties, and strengthening its "bonding" effect.


    When an individual breaks through the limits of human potential, it can also provide certain auxiliary effects.


    In addition,


    Supervisor Edge held two other highly valuable rewards.


    One of them was the tumor-like crystal from [Moonlit Rat - Jesmin Lee].


    Thanks to the corpse brought back by Yi Chen, which was largely intact aside from a severed left arm and a torn-open mouth, the rat symbolizing the pathogenic core had been crushed, preserving its integrity exceptionally well.


    Using Zion''s advanced incineration techniques, they had extracted a tumor-like crystal of excellent quality.


    Moon-shaped,


    it emitted a faint crescent glow, with a structure resembling a rat embryo suspended at its center.


    "This crystal¡¯s form and quality rank as [superior] among crystals of its kind. Even on the market, it could fetch tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, and it wouldn¡¯t be easy to find one available for sale.


    You can divide it among yourselves."


    The crystal, encased in a box, was handed to Team Captain Edmund,


    who promptly passed it along without hesitation.


    ¡°William, this is meant for you~ Whether it¡¯s devising the plan, identifying Mr. Lee¡¯s , or executing the final blow, it was all your doing.


    Besides, you¡¯re just in need of a weapon. Using this crystal as the main material will undoubtedly forge a weapon perfectly suited to you.


    It¡¯ll definitely elevate your overall capabilities to the next level.


    If Professor Chamberson doesn¡¯t have connections in this area, I can introduce a forgemaster from my family."


    Yi Chen, however, didn¡¯t accept it right away but looked at his three teammates.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t yet absorbed a crystal to acquire its , have you?


    This thing would be just as useful for you.¡±


    Edmund immediately waved his hand.


    ¡°William, stop teasing us... Absorbing a crystal and mastering its pathogenic characteristics isn¡¯t something just anyone can do.


    Most gentlemen wait until they¡¯ve surpassed their limits, gaining physical and strength guarantees, before attempting it.


    Not everyone is a monster like you, forcing a human body to adapt to and control pathogenic power.¡±


    At this point, Juliana, in her wheelchair, also turned her head.


    ¡°William, just take it.¡±


    ¡°¡­Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen wanted to say more, but seeing the looks from his teammates, he finally chose to accept it.  sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In truth, in terms of contributions to the final battle against Mr. Lee, Yi Chen believed Juliana¡¯s efforts were on par with his, if not greater.


    However, at the moment, he did need this crystal to forge a weapon.


    The next segment was even more critical.


    Supervisor Edge placed a G&D-branded briefcase onto the meeting table and unlocked it using a special decryption method.


    Inside were a bottle of original ¡°Twilight Silver Liquid¡± and three small syringes.


    ¡°By Dr. Vesalius¡¯ provisional decision, William will be taking the entire bottle of the secret medicine. Refusal or substitution is not allowed, so he must understand the detailed information about this secret medicine.


    Professor Chamberson and William will stay here for the explanation.


    I¡¯ll take the other three to the next meeting room to discuss the basics of the secret medicine.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    With the departure of non-relevant personnel, especially Supervisor Edge, the scene grew quieter.


    Professor Chamberson finally no longer had to suppress the joy inside him. A smile immediately surfaced on his usually serious and stern face.


    Even the owl on his shoulder flapped its wings and began grooming its feathers with its beak.


    "Who would have thought that Dr. Vesalius himself would come? Typically, it''s the staff from the Secret Medicine Review Department who visit the site, and they have no authority to interfere with the distribution of secret medicine."


    "Maybe it has something to do with the chance encounter I had with Dr. Vesalius when I first arrived in Zion?"


    Yi Chen briefly explained the circumstances of his encounter upon arriving in Zion.


    "Despite having only a stat of [3], you still managed to run into such a favorable situation. No wonder Dr. Vesalius suddenly asked me about some of your personal circumstances and the death characteristics hidden within you.


    Although Dr. Vesalius is the deputy director of the Hippocratic Hospital, he¡¯s not particularly skilled in treating or saving lives. Instead, he specializes in handling the hospital''s troubles, especially the most challenging tasks within the Pathogenic Center.


    He personally handles cases involving theft, loss of control, or other issues related to secret medicine.


    His ability is directly related to .


    This connection with Dr. Vesalius is something you should take seriously."


    "Understood."


    "Alright, let¡¯s discuss your reward¡­ This bottle of secret medicine isn¡¯t something you can use just yet.


    Even if its properties align with you, reckless use could still pose significant risks.


    Let me explain this ¡®Twilight Silver Liquid¡¯ in detail."


    "Alright."


    "This is a new type of secret medicine, both potential-enhancing and combat-oriented.


    The ¡®Twilight Silver Liquid,¡¯ as its name implies, is often used in moments of twilight and near-death.


    For example, during a battle with a pathogen carrier, if you¡¯re gravely injured and can already smell the scent of death, completely despairing¡ªby injecting it through the arteries, you can instantly restore your physical and mental states to normal for a period of time.


    If the user possesses death-related characteristics, they can also perform small-dose injections during normal times to enhance their perception of death.


    Or, as Dr. Vesalius mentioned, it can be used as an aid when you¡¯re breaking through of your limit membrane barrier.


    However, the secret medicine itself has significant side effects. Excessive injection or rejection reactions within the body can lead to unimaginable and terrifying consequences."


    Yi Chen nodded. "This is really something amazing¡­ It¡¯s just a pity that the production process has issues. Will the organization continue producing this kind of secret medicine?"


    "They will, but the organization will try to find proper alternatives for the or gather the materials through voluntary means¡­ They will never follow the path of Dr. McCoff.


    Maintaining purity in thought is the foundation of being a gentleman.


    If even that can¡¯t be achieved, the organization would have ceased to exist long ago."


    "Understood."


    "Of course, due to the decline of the Twilight Clinic, the future production volume of this secret medicine will significantly decrease, and its value will multiply. Obtaining a second bottle in the future will be nearly impossible, so you must seize this opportunity.


    My suggestion is that, since Dr. Vesalius has already shown his stance, remember to visit him when you¡¯re about to break through your limit membrane barrier and plan to use the secret medicine."


    "Alright. Since I can¡¯t use it now, could I trouble you, Professor, to keep it safe for me temporarily?"


    "Sure."


    The matter of the Twilight Silver Liquid was temporarily set aside. Yi Chen then took out the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ and the ¡®Pathogenic Crystal¡¯ he had just obtained from his mission. Before he could speak, Professor Chamberson immediately gave his opinion:


    "This piece of skin can be sent to Ivan to have it incorporated into your clothing. He¡¯s better at this than I am.


    As the amount of skin integrated into your clothing increases, the overall effect will improve, and it may occasionally enhance your , helping you understand some peculiar matters.


    As for this crystal, are you planning to turn it into a weapon?"


    "Yes."


    "I don¡¯t personally know any skilled forgers, but your friend¡¯s Mariano family has some connections."


    Yi Chen quickly waved his hand in refusal.


    "I¡¯d rather not bother Edmund. His arm hasn¡¯t fully recovered yet.


    Professor, could you introduce me to a forger, or I can simply wander around the commercial district. By the way, will the rewards I¡¯ve received be enough to cover the cost of forging a weapon?"


    "If you factor in some additional materials, it might not be enough.


    How about this¡ªI¡¯ll personally take you to someone. I happen to have some spare ¡®scrap materials¡¯ in my warehouse that might help solve your material needs."


    "Thank you, Professor."

 Chapter 78

    Under Chamberson¡¯s guidance, Yi Chen followed him to the mid-level district of the city, a street primarily focused on the sale and forging of weapons: . A large number of blacksmith shops of various designs were set up here, characterized by:


    - Massive metal chimneys,


    - A stifling heat at least 10¡ãC hotter than other districts,


    - The ceaseless sounds of hammering and shouting.


    Despite such an environment, many gentlemen frequented this area, searching for suitable materials or weaponry.


    For firearms users like Edmund, it was common to visit modernized blacksmiths to customize specialty bullets.


    As they strolled along the street, Yi Chen noticed that even Professor Chamberson seemed undecided, glancing around but unable to settle on a particular blacksmith shop.


    ¡°Professor, is this your first time here?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. I came here when I was younger, accompanying a teammate. But I rarely visited afterward¡ªafter all, I have little need for weapons. As a magical gentleman, I rely more on ¡®magical mediums.¡¯


    For instance:


    - Spellcasting gloves crafted from special leathers,


    - Accessories like rings and necklaces made from pathogenic crystals with magical properties,


    - Or, for something more advanced, magical tomes created with large amounts of skins and enchanted inscriptions.¡±


    ¡°I see. Can I use such items?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ Even a basic pair of spellcasting gloves could significantly enhance your control over plants. If you¡¯re not planning to upgrade your clothing with ¡®gentleman¡¯s skin,¡¯ you can start by crafting gloves. It¡¯s up to you.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s settle the weapon first.¡±


    ¡°Alright¡­ This shop looks decent¡ªa two-story building offering both material sales and weapon forging. Let¡¯s go in and try to get everything done in one visit.¡±


    [Vulcan¡¯s Forge]


    A glowing, heat-radiating red sign hung at the entrance.


    Upon entering, they saw a group of burly young men, clad in black leather aprons, their bronze-toned muscles glistening with sweat as they hammered away at glowing hot iron.


    After briefly explaining their purpose to the receptionist, the two were invited upstairs, where they were greeted by an experienced senior blacksmith.


    Unlike the apprentices hammering iron downstairs, the old blacksmith preferred to stay in his quiet second-floor room, reading books and tending to flowers.


    Upon learning that the request was for a ''new gentleman'' to forge a weapon, the old blacksmith seemed slightly disappointed.


    ¡°Forging for a new gentleman doesn¡¯t require my expertise. My apprentices could handle such a task. If there¡¯s a significant discrepancy from expectations or a mistake damages the materials, we offer double compensation.¡±


    ¡°Can your apprentices handle ?¡±


    At Chamberson¡¯s signal, Yi Chen handed over a sealed box containing the Tumorous Crystal of the [Moonlit Rat¡ªJesmin Lee]


    The old blacksmith took the box with his calloused hands, squinting as he slowly opened it.


    A soft, moonlit glow immediately seeped into his eyes, prompting him to gradually open them fully. In the depths of his pupils, a crescent moon shimmered.


    Nestled within the seemingly beautiful crescent moon was a fleshy embryo.


    It wasn¡¯t grotesque.


    Instead, it imbued the otherwise lifeless moon with a touch of vitality.


    ¡°This is a remarkable piece!


    Professor Chamberson, you¡¯re giving such a high-quality crystal to a new gentleman? A weapon forged from this material would be extremely difficult for a newcomer to wield.¡±


    ¡°He obtained it himself. This crystal was refined from the relatively intact corpse of a pathogenic entity he personally slew. I¡¯m merely accompanying him for the forging.¡±


    ¡°This¡­ This is a crystal from a severely infected patient, isn¡¯t it? And judging by its form, it must have been a particularly troublesome foe.


    No wonder Professor Chamberson took the time to bring a newcomer¡ªit turns out he¡¯s a rare talent. Alright, I, Bengus, will take on this task!


    Here¡¯s a forging request form¡ªplease fill it out carefully.¡±


    Yi Chen had mostly decided what he wanted on his way there, so he quickly completed the form.


    The blacksmith, Bengus, looked at the preference sheet and casually read aloud:


    "Hand axe, slightly heavier weight, material not specified, adaptable length¡­ hoping to handle various situations and combat against different types of enemies.


    The conditions you¡¯ve provided are quite flexible, but are you sure about using an axe?


    With your physique, a sword, longsword, or spear might be a better choice."


    "I''m already accustomed to using axes. I¡¯m not comfortable with swords or blades."


    "Alright then.


    However, if you want to handle various situations, your weapon must combine the traits of both a short hand axe and a long-handled axe. Coincidentally, our shop has a technique that allows compatibility with both characteristics.


    Here¡¯s a prototype for you to try out."


    The old blacksmith brought over an iron rod about a meter in length and handed it to Yi Chen.


    It looked ordinary, but it felt unexpectedly heavy in his hand.


    "This length is suitable for close-quarters combat in confined spaces. If you want to engage at a longer range or perform wide-range attacks, you''ll need to extend the weapon''s length.


    You should be able to feel the metallic latch on the rod. Press it down with your thumb, then give it a short, swift pull backward."


    "Got it."


    Following the blacksmith''s instructions, Yi Chen firmly pressed the discreet latch and pulled the rod backward.


    Sparks flew.


    Within the short 5 cm motion, the previously 1-meter-long rod instantly extended to 2 meters.


    "If you want to revert it to its original state, just repeat the same action.


    This prototype only demonstrates length adjustment, but we can incorporate other transformations depending on your requirements." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How much does it cost to add transformation features?"


    Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but worry about the price, as he still hadn¡¯t repaid the money owed to Edmund.


    "If transformations are added, the cost will exceed ten thousand."


    Just as Yi Chen was about to decline,


    Chamberson firmly placed his business card on the counter.


    "Go for the highest standard. As long as the final product meets the specifications, charge it to my account.


    This technology is quite impressive and deserves to be paired with this precious crystal material. I also have some materials here¡ªfeel free to use them if needed."


    "Alright then.


    Next, we¡¯ll need to finalize the design details, including the weapon''s transformation modes and forms, as well as address feasibility issues.


    Once the blueprint is finalized, we¡¯ll select materials and take precise measurements of the user¡¯s physical parameters.


    After completing all the preparations, it¡¯ll take over two weeks to manufacture. Once it¡¯s done, we¡¯ll notify you immediately."


    "Sounds good. William, you stay here to confirm the weapon¡¯s design details. I¡¯ve got some other matters to attend to."


    As Chamberson left, the initial stages of weapon crafting officially began.


    When it came time to measure Yi Chen¡¯s body parameters, Bengus was surprised to discover that the seemingly lean young man actually had an oddly powerful and robust physique.


    "Your body¡­ this wasn¡¯t built through conventional training, was it?"


    Yi Chen smiled and replied, "Let¡¯s just say the process was extremely painful."


    "No wonder you could slay severely infected beings, and Professor Chamberson values you so highly.


    Since you might be someone capable of helping humanity escape its plight, I¡¯ll do everything I can to forge the best weapon for you.


    To ensure the final product fits you perfectly, we may call you over to test it from time to time. So, stay in the city for now and don¡¯t wander off."


    "No problem. I¡¯ll be at the academy most of this month anyway. Thank you, Mr. Bengus."

 Chapter 79

    The forging process did not go as smoothly as expected. This was mainly due to the stringent "requirements" put forth by Yi Chen. Moreover, while processing the tumor-like crystals of [Moonlit Rat - Jesmin Lee], various technical challenges arose. To ensure the materials wouldn¡¯t degrade during use, the blacksmith''s workshop even needed to apply for a special support grant from Zion, which naturally required additional application fees. Not only did the costs rise significantly, but the expected completion time for the final product was also pushed back by a month.


    However, Yi Chen was not particularly anxious about this. Thanks to the perfect execution of the special mission [Secret Medicine Retrieval], the academy had flagged the files of the four participants for special recognition. They were granted a three-month rest period, during which they were exempt from undertaking any other Gentleman Missions.


    Yi Chen decided to spend this free time at the academy.


    Though his physical training had already yielded noticeable results, Yi Chen still spent 1¨C2 days each week consolidating his progress in Teacher Zed''s paradise. Unlike the previous grueling regimen that drained his body with relentless training, his current sessions focused more on discussions and exchanges regarding physical refinement with Teacher Zed.


    After the battle at the Twilight Clinic, Yi Chen''s body experienced noticeable improvement during the intense combat. Although his [Physique] attribute didn¡¯t reflect a numerical increase, Teacher Zed''s assessment indicated that the value had risen by approximately 0.5.


    Only when this value increased by a full point would it be directly reflected in the attribute display.


    During these daily "discussions," Yi Chen gradually came to understand the terrifying extent of Teacher Zed¡¯s physical prowess. Even the smallest muscle fibers could be precisely controlled by Zed.


    While staying in the paradise, they occasionally engaged in sparring matches.


    Unlike the "normal sparring" sessions with Professor Chamberson, sparring with Teacher Zed could only be described as a nightmare. Many times, Yi Chen even questioned whether he was facing a human or some sort of monster.


    With his current perspective, Yi Chen was unable to gauge Zed¡¯s "true strength," let alone imagine the sheer destructiveness he could unleash in a real battle.


    In addition to his weekly courses and exchanges with Teacher Zed, Yi Chen spent the rest of his time immersed in the academy''s [Grand Library]. He utilized his occupational advantages to make up for the informational gaps that came with being a transmigrator.


    The Grand Library granted reading access based on an individual''s task records. Thanks to the [Secret Medicine Retrieval] entry in his file, Yi Chen gained the right to browse approximately 40% of the library''s foundational books.


    Over the course of a month, Yi Chen completed reading all the accessible foundational books.


    These covered a wide range of topics, from the initial establishment of Zion and the academy, to the early Gentleman groups that evolved into the G&D organizational framework. The books also included basic and advanced methods for physical training, cultivating both the body and mind, and investigative approaches tailored to various regions and environments.


    With the help of the book emblem engraved in the back of his mind, Yi Chen meticulously linked valuable points of knowledge to weave a personalized information network, fully integrating himself into this pathological world through written text.


    The benefits went beyond knowledge alone.


    While reading books on botany and introductory magic, Yi Chen deepened his understanding of his own "pathogenic characteristics." He resolved to use the task-rewarded [Gentleman¡¯s Skin] to craft gloves, postponing the upgrade of his attire.


    The only regret was that even the Grand Library of the academy didn¡¯t contain any books on [Diseases]. The reason remained the same: texts about diseases could act as a medium, potentially attracting pathogens to the location.


    [One Month Later]


    After completing all accessible books in the Grand Library, Yi Chen temporarily concluded his reading spree.


    That night, while lying on his dormitory bed, Yi Chen was about to drift into a dream when wisps of white smoke began to rise from his head. Alongside this was an enticing aroma, reminiscent of roasted brain tissue.


    Since becoming a Gentleman, Yi Chen had found it difficult to resist two kinds of delicacies: plants and brains.


    Smelling the fragrance, Yi Chen¡ªhalf-asleep¡ªbegan to drool, soaking his pillow. As his consciousness gradually sharpened, he realized his head was heating up. More precisely, his brain was heating up.


    Startled, he rushed to the bathroom. One minute passed...


    White smoke began seeping from the bathroom door''s cracks, and the situation showed no signs of improving.


    However, one thing was roughly confirmed:


    The area with the highest temperature was located at the back of the head, seemingly linked to the book emblem.


    The commotion completely woke up Little Grape, who was deeply concerned about Yichen''s condition.


    "Don''t panic! Let me take a look inside your skull to figure out what''s going on. If there''s a risk of your brain ''exploding,'' we¡¯ll have to find that Chamberson guy immediately."


    Little Grape performed a classic diving motion.


    The black flesh ball dove directly beneath Yi Chen''s skin, leaving only a coin-sized patch of fur visible. It quickly traveled from his shoulder to his brain region, locating the culprit responsible for the intense heat in his head. As Yi Chen suspected, it was indeed the at the back of his head.


    The emblem glowed red-hot, as if it had just been seared onto his skin.


    Little Grape, clueless about the phenomenon, hesitantly tried to touch it.


    The black fur between its fingers instantly burned away, causing it to yelp in pain and leap out from the back of Yi Chen¡¯s head, landing swiftly in the sink.


    While frantically rinsing itself under cold water, it exclaimed in a panic:


    "William! You''re about to explode! Your head is definitely going to blow up!


    I''ve been in Easton Cemetery for years, delving into countless skulls, and I''ve never seen one as hot as yours! What should we do? It''s too late to find Chamberson now!


    But don''t worry~ If you really die from a brain explosion, I''ll figure out a way to bury you back in Easton Cemetery. Maybe, someday in the future, you¡¯ll crawl out from the grave, and we can team up again.


    Although¡­ the journey from here to Easton Cemetery is pretty far. I¡¯ll just use your grapes to cover the travel expenses¡ªafter all, if you''re buried in the cemetery, your grapes will rot anyway."


    Yi Chen ignored Little Grape¡¯s arrangements for his posthumous affairs.


    Although his brain was extremely hot, he felt no discomfort.


    When all else failed, he decided to stand under a full blast of cold water.


    The cold water initially evaporated as soon as it touched his head, filling the entire bathroom with thick white steam, obscuring all visibility.


    As time passed, the temperature of his brain gradually began to drop.


    The process took a full hour.


    Finally, his brain returned to normal temperature.


    At the same time, his retinal interface displayed corresponding data changes:


    [Intellect] has increased from [4] ¡ú [5].


    **


    With his brain completely cooled, Yi Chen felt his thoughts becoming broader, more flexible, and his synaptic structures regenerating at an unprecedented rate. Neural transmitters were now flowing rapidly within his brain, and even some scientific problems he hadn¡¯t solved during his life were now clear to him.


    However, Yi Chen no longer needed to write any academic papers.


    He focused on the pulse of the plants within his body, linking them with his newly active brain.


    Stretching out his palm¡ª


    A thick, sharp plant root shot out from his palm, piercing the air like a spear.


    The root penetrated the mirror on the sink two meters away, shattering it and leaving a conical dent several centimeters deep in the wall behind it.


    "My plant control has finally reached the level of that living corpse!"  S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Little Grape stood by the sink, chewing on shards of broken glass as it sized up Yi Chen.


    Muttering softly, it said:


    "Good thing you''re fine~ I wouldn''t want to eat an unripe grape prematurely... Keep growing strong, William."

 Chapter 80

    Even Yi Chen himself hadn¡¯t expected it¡ª A month of life in the Grand Library actually led to a significant increase in his [Intelligence].


    Previously, devouring Mr. Lee¡¯s brain at the Twilight Clinic had raised the value by [0.5], and now, through reading and studying, another [0.5] had been added.


    "If reading alone can improve intelligence, reaching the so-called ¡®limit membrane¡¯ would be incredibly easy... With half a year left, I¡¯ll find a way to finish reading all the advanced books in the Grand Library.


    Or perhaps I could visit Zion¡¯s library or bookstores. Maybe I can max out my intelligence directly?¡±


    At this moment, Little Grape jumped back onto Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, sensing his thoughts.


    ¡°Not necessarily.


    The reason reading improves your intelligence might be related to your consumption of brain matter¡­ The intake of brain fluid has caused your brain to grow and expand.


    The expanded ¡®space¡¯ is then filled through reading, ultimately leading to an increase in intelligence.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that makes sense. Let¡¯s leave it at that. I¡¯ll rest early tonight¡­ Tomorrow, I¡¯ll check on the progress of the weapons at the forge.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t become overly excited about the attribute increase.


    Instead, he accepted it calmly, lying down on the pillow for a peaceful sleep. His entire brain settled into a state of tranquility.


    At this moment,


    If someone were to sneak into the bedroom with a cranial saw and remove Yi Chen¡¯s skullcap, they would find his brain within the cranial cavity remarkably clean and smooth,


    its purity comparable to that of a newborn infant.


    It was as if it had undergone long-term high-temperature sterilization. The surface of his brain even exuded a faint white glow.


    This was the result of continuous high-temperature brain activity¡ªa disinfecting effect. Tonight, Yi Chen would enjoy an unprecedented deep sleep.


    The so-called [Intelligence] increase was, in essence, the enhancement of individual thought processes and brain capacity through extensive training and external absorption.


    The gentleman¡¯s attire merely represented this enhancement in a more intuitive numerical form, making it easier for individuals to understand.


    Yi Chen¡¯s brain was on the verge of reaching the human limit.


    ...


    [Vulcan''s Forge]


    A month had passed, and it was finally time for the weapon to be delivered.


    Yi Chen had visited the shop four times over the month to discuss detailed modifications and test samples.


    Today, he wasn¡¯t alone. Professor Chamberson had also been notified and arrived together.


    The professor, despite his busy schedule, made time to attend for two reasons:


    1. He had a vested interest in Yi Chen¡¯s endeavors¡ªhe was the one who personally commissioned this weapon and naturally wanted to see the result.


    2. The substantial cost¡ªhis account had been directly debited a staggering today. Such a large sum was enough to concern even Chamberson, who needed to ensure the weapon justified the price.


    In a private room on the second floor of the shop, Chamberson got straight to the point:


    ¡°The weapon for this new gentleman¡­ Even after providing the and various materials, the price is still so high?¡±


    The old blacksmith, Bengus, simply smiled, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.


    ¡°It is indeed expensive, nearly three times higher than my initial estimate.


    But every expense was necessary.


    The forging process was incredibly intricate, requiring mid-to-high-end materials in many parts to ensure stability.


    I haven¡¯t taken a single day off this month, pouring my heart into this weapon. My apprentices¡¯ workload increased by nearly 30% due to this project.


    I¡¯ll provide you with a detailed cost breakdown later.¡±


    ¡°Money isn¡¯t the issue. I just want to see if the finished product is worth the price and the time spent waiting.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    Bengus placed a meticulously crafted black briefcase, marked with the forge¡¯s insignia, onto the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the perfect pathogenic crystal you provided. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve been so engrossed in forging a weapon. This is, perhaps, my most satisfying work in the past five or even ten years.¡±


    Chamberson nodded slightly, signaling Yi Chen to open the briefcase.


    The pressure lock of the briefcase was released.


    As it opened, even Chamberson activated his owl-like perception to meticulously examine every detail of the weapon, searching for any flaws¡ªno matter how minor or common in regular forging.


    Yet, after a thorough inspection, not a single flaw could be found.


    Yi Chen, however, didn¡¯t dwell on such thoughts.


    After visiting the forge four times this month, he was well aware of how seriously the old blacksmith had treated this matter.


    At this moment, all his attention was focused on the unique battle axe inside the case.


    The [Axe Handle] was made of a highly malleable black metal straight shaft, wrapped in a bandage crafted from "gentleman¡¯s leather." This design not only prevented slipping but also matched the gentleman¡¯s attire.


    At the top of the bandage, there was a small protrusion resembling a mechanism to trigger transformations. Strangely sharp, it could easily pierce skin at the slightest touch.


    The end of the axe handle was embedded with a "rat-shaped sculpture."


    This is no ordinary ornament; within the sculpture lies the fusion of pathogenic crystals and rat embryos. The sculpture appears to change along with the weapon¡¯s form, serving as a critical medium.


    Upon close inspection, one can even see fine capillaries extending from the base of the sculpture into the axe handle. These capillaries stretch from the bottom of the handle to its tip, influencing the entire weapon.


    [Axe Head] ¨C Crafted from a silver alloy and crescent-shaped pathogenic crystals through a specialized smelting process. After over ten days of repeated tempering, it forms a flawless, silver-white axe head. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perfect and impeccable.


    ...


    To the average person, it might seem like a plain straight-handled hand axe, with nothing remarkable aside from its craftsmanship.


    ¡°Give it a try!¡±


    At the old blacksmith¡¯s prompting, Yi Chen came back to his senses.


    As he reached out to grasp the axe handle, fine fibrous threads from the cuff of his shirt intertwined with the gentlemanly surface of the axe handle, swiftly reading relevant information.


    Ancient worm-like text wriggled across his retina, revealing detailed information about the weapon.


    ¡¸Moon of Carnage¡¹


    Quality: Rare


    Type: Axe (Slashing/Cutting)


    Attribute Associations:


    - Physique: C (variable)


    - Coordination: E


    - Intelligence: ¨C (variable)


    - Perception: ¨C


    - Luck: ¨C


    ()


    ---


    Special Effects:


    - The weapon can switch forms via a manually triggered mechanism.


    "Carnage Form"


    - Associated Attribute: Physique C ¡ú B


    - Ripping attack mode, especially effective against flesh-based targets. When hitting such targets, it stacks a bleeding effect, which, upon reaching a certain threshold, triggers a "Hemorrhage."


    - Hemorrhage: Causes a large amount of instant health loss. If the target is an Open-Source Patient, it also reduces the source fluid within their tubular structures.


    "Full Moon Form"


    - Associated Attribute: Intelligence ¡ú C


    - Enhances agility. Struck enemies are marked by moonlight, which manifests as swarms of mice that corrode their surface.


    - Effective against special pathogenic entities with metallic or rocky characteristics.


    - Also capable of inflicting real damage to spiritual entities.


    [Evaluation]: ¡°Under the full moon, the carnage begins.¡±


    ...


    Designed according to Yi Chen¡¯s concept, the axe doesn¡¯t reveal either form under normal circumstances.


    At present, Yi Chen moved his thumb upward along the handle and deliberately pressed the sharp protrusion.


    As the blood seeped into the handle, the weapon instantly activated!


    "Carnage Form"


    The rat-shaped sculpture at the base of the handle, upon absorbing fresh blood, opened its mouth wide, exposing blood-stained fangs.


    The axe head, similarly stimulated, grew serrated, tooth-like spikes along its razor-sharp edges, densely packed together.


    The weapon as a whole exuded a faint blood-red glow, like a crescent moon adorned with fangs hanging in the sky.


    At this moment, Yi Chen adjusted his grip to hold the axe with both hands.


    His left hand at the bottom steadied the mouse-shaped sculpture, while his right hand pulled the handle upward.


    Amid the screech of grinding metal, the handle extended to twice its original length.


    Not only that, but as the handle lengthened, the silver axe head underwent , transforming into a symmetrical ''double-bladed axe''. The serrated teeth on the blades receded, the crimson glow disappeared, and a soft white light emerged, resembling a full moon.


    "Full Moon Form"


    The rat-shaped sculpture at the base of the handle closed its mouth and retracted its fangs. Its tiny mouse paws pressed together in a meditative pose, with a miniature moon mark appearing on its forehead.

 Chapter 81

    When Chamberson saw the weapon in Yi Chen''s hand transform, the discomfort in his heart instantly dissipated. One word¡ªworth it.


    The old blacksmith, Bengus, said:


    "New gentlemen are generally not recommended to use such weapons. They''re too powerful and can easily create a sense of dependency, leading to a distorted perception of one''s own abilities.


    However, since you were able to slay a severely infected pathogenic patient, using such a weapon ahead of time isn''t an issue.


    Still, I must remind you:


    To fully master a shape-shifting weapon like this, you need to train diligently, starting from the basics of slashing and hacking all over again."


    "Understood."


    Yi Chen placed one hand on the rat-shaped sculpture at the base of the weapon and pulled back the upper section of the axe handle with the other.


    After a series of metallic clicks and latches, the axe returned to its unassuming form¡ªblack handle, silver blade¡ªsimple yet portable.


    "Perfect! Thank you, Mr. Bengus."


    "My old bones are only good for hammering and forging within the city walls. I hope this weapon helps you eradicate more of the [pathogenic filth]."


    At this moment, Chamberson interjected:


    "With your level of craftsmanship, why limit yourself to running a shop here? You could easily become a blacksmith directly affiliated with the organization, enjoying better treatment and access to superior materials."


    "I retired twenty years ago. I still value more."


    Bengus added, "By the way, I''m giving you the briefcase as well. Besides storing weapons, it¡¯s equipped with shock-proof compartments inside. You can use it to carry various vials, syringes, or temporary enchanting materials."


    He pointed at the forging insignia on the surface of the briefcase. If Yi Chen¡¯s reputation grew in the future, it would also serve as an advertisement.


    "Got it."


    After storing the weapon, Yi Chen picked up the side handle of the briefcase, and his demeanor subtly transformed.


    When operating within the city or investigating potentially diseased areas, carrying a briefcase was far more inconspicuous than openly wielding a weapon.


    As they left the shop, Chamberson gently patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder:


    "Your start is quite promising. So, what¡¯s your next move? Are you going to continue completing missions with your team?"


    "Not for now. I plan to spend a month getting proficient with the weapon. Zed will be more than happy to train with me.


    As for Edmund and the others, their injuries haven¡¯t fully healed yet. We¡¯ll wait a while longer."


    "Fair enough. Let me give you a little reminder:


    When you¡¯re out on missions beyond the city, be wary of anything related to ¡®the moon.¡¯


    That [Moonscar] open-source patient was the first of its kind I¡¯ve ever seen.


    He¡¯s an unrestrained ¡®Patient Zero,¡¯ fundamentally different in thought from other pathogenic entities. And he seems to be very interested in you.


    If you encounter any moon-related elements while outside the city, immediately seek shelter at the nearest organization-affiliated clinic, cemetery, or clothing shop.


    Simply mention your connection to the open-source patient, and they¡¯ll provide whatever assistance they can."


    "Understood.


    Oh, Professor Chamberson, I still have some remaining [Gentleman¡¯s Skin] that I¡¯d like to use to make a pair of spellcasting gloves."


    "Follow me."


    ...


    Another month passed.


    With four weekly sparring sessions against Zed, Yi Chen had completely mastered his new weapon, adeptly using it to slay pathogenic entities in various scenarios.


    After all, when sparring with Zed, he could treat him as an enemy, slashing with abandon. Cutting into Zed¡¯s flesh only seemed to excite him further.


    During this time, Yi Chen also found opportunities to read extensively.


    But as Little Grape had predicted, while his reading efficiency was high, he never experienced that miraculous feeling from that night again. It seemed he really needed to consume sufficient brain fluid to expand his mind and achieve greater intelligence.


    Just the thought of the roots sucking on brain fluid sent shivers down Yi Chen¡¯s body¡ªthe sensation was simply too wonderful.


    Additionally...


    The situation of former teammates is not going too well.


    Edmund''s left hand is still not fully adapted, but his overall condition is excellent. He is attempting an entirely new technique¡­ his entire persona seems to be undergoing an unprecedented "transformation."


    Juliana still needs to rely on a wheelchair and goes to Hippocrates Hospital for rehabilitative treatment weekly. The aftereffects are unavoidable, though perhaps breaking through the limits of the human body might eliminate her physical impairments.


    ...


    Although the academy granted a three-month break, after just one month of weapon training, Yi Chen could no longer stay idle. He decided to try taking on some solo missions.


    While earning money, he also hoped to acquire some "Gentleman''s Skin" to enhance the leather content of his attire.


    On his way to the [Gentleman''s Hall],


    Little Grape poked half of its tiny head out from his collar. Chewing on an eyeball, it muttered softly:


    "Hey~ Human organizations don¡¯t seem to allow newcomers like you to perform missions alone. Teams are the norm¡­ won¡¯t it be too dangerous for you to go solo?"


    "Teamwork is only suggested, not mandatory.


    Besides, the organization assigns tasks based on team size and skill level, so it shouldn''t be a big issue.


    By the way, aren¡¯t you here, Little Grape? That makes us a team of two, right?"


    "I¡¯ve told you so many times! I¡¯m still in the ''juvenile'' stage. Except in crises or special circumstances like last time, I absolutely won¡¯t provide any combat assistance.


    It¡¯s still better to find someone else to team up with. Going solo is quite troublesome..."


    "I¡¯ll check the available missions first."


    Yi Chen took the elevator down to the lowest level of the street district. Following his memory from the previous visit to the Gentleman''s Hall, he swiftly moved through the alleys.  Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unexpectedly, as he emerged from a narrow street and reached an intersection¡ª


    A sudden explosion occurred in a nearby shop without any signage.


    A severed arm, charred black and emitting a faint burnt smell, flew right in front of Yi Chen.


    "Huh? Something like this can happen inside the city?"


    The commotion attracted the attention of nearby gentlemen, who approached the exploded shop.


    Yi Chen deliberately slowed his pace, staying behind the crowd and remaining cautious of potential dangers.


    Little Grape, peeking from his sleeve, widened its eyes in an attempt to glimpse what was happening inside the shop.


    Thick smoke continuously billowed out of the damaged shop. Before the crowd could fully approach¡ª


    A flamboyantly dressed young man wearing a colorful mask emerged from the smoke.


    In his hand, he held a severed leg, which he waved around while greeting the gathered gentlemen.


    "~ Everyone, please don¡¯t be alarmed. My friend, the shop owner, and I were testing a new batch of goods! From the looks of it, the quality is quite satisfactory.


    Look at this long leg, look at the muscle content, look at the freshness~ Would you like to buy some ''Imitation Meat''?"


    The lower street district often saw strange people and events. Upon hearing the term "Imitation Meat," the crowd quickly lost interest and dispersed.


    At this moment, the mysterious young man waving the severed leg locked eyes on someone in the crowd.


    "Hey! Man! It really is you~ Your physique seems different from before!"


    Before Yi Chen could react,


    The young man''s hand slithered onto his shoulder like a snake, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of danger¡­ far more intense than what he felt when facing Mr. Li.


    It was as if his body might explode at any moment.


    "Jin, long time no see."

 Chapter 82

    I never expected that after more than half a year, we would meet again in such a unique way. "Jin"


    A gentleman who entered the city at the same time as Yi Chen,


    Jin scored [92] in the evaluation¡ªsecond only to Yi Chen¡ªbecause he failed to uncover the mastermind behind Green Lake Town.


    In terms of the number of patients and lower-tier infected he had eliminated, Jin alone outperformed all other participants combined.


    Subsequently, due to choosing the Black Letter, Jin¡¯s gentlemanly training took a completely different path. Instead of attending the Alfarostik Academy, he underwent a type of non-public special training, more akin to the grooming of an executioner.


    Yi Chen had always been curious about what Jin''s profession actually was.


    After eight months, Yi Chen¡¯s physique had undergone a qualitative transformation, and his brain had matured significantly.


    Even so, when Jin¡¯s palm slid onto his shoulder, the sense of danger remained¡ªand was even stronger than during their last encounter¡ªprompting Yi Chen to instinctively shrug and move aside.


    "Still so sensitive~ I just wanted to check out your new body, that¡¯s all.


    Hmm~ Though it was only brief contact, I can tell your body is completely different now. That¡¯s more like it~ Back then, you didn¡¯t look strong at all."


    "What are you doing here?"


    "Didn¡¯t I mention? I placed a massive order at this shop. I was just inspecting the goods when an out-of-control explosion happened because the quality was unexpectedly high.


    Interested in taking a look inside?"


    "Sure."


    Yi Chen had plenty of time now, and he was also curious about what exactly Jin was up to.


    As he stepped into the shattered store, devastated by the explosion, his gaze was immediately drawn to the scattered body parts¡ªor rather, "imitation meat."


    Deeper inside the shop were two large crates, also filled with similar limb-like synthetic meat.


    "Imitation Meat"


    This term was one Yi Chen had come across in books at the library.


    Some gentlemen with specialized professions¡ªor their gentlemanly pets¡ªmight require human flesh during exorcisms or hunts. Since such behavior contradicts the gentleman¡¯s code, a substitute product gradually emerged on the market: imitation meat.


    It mimics the texture and taste of real human flesh so perfectly that even the pickiest creatures¡ªthose who could only consume human meat¡ªaccepted it wholeheartedly and even preferred it.


    There are two theories about the origins of imitation meat:


    1. It is mass-produced daily by a gentleman with a Purple Letter whose profession is related to


    2. It is derived from the bodies of patients. Severely damaged corpses that cannot yield crystallized remains through burning¡ªor even the flesh of lower-tier infected¡ªare sold at low prices, then processed and confirmed to be free of pathogenic properties before being distributed under the name "imitation meat" in the lower streets.  Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This imitation meat is not cheap.


    A single hand or leg could cost dozens of silver coins. Someone like Jin, purchasing several large crates at once, was undoubtedly a major client.


    A short-statured shopkeeper was busy picking up the scattered body parts from the ground. Despite the explosion and the damage to his shop, he didn¡¯t utter a single word¡ªnot because he didn¡¯t notice, but likely because he dared not speak.


    Jin crouched slightly and tilted his head toward the shopkeeper. "Mr. Fabio, I sincerely apologize for blowing up your shop like this. I¡¯ll pay for the damages."


    Hearing Jin say this, the short shopkeeper trembled all over. "No, no, it¡¯s my fault! There¡¯s no need for you to pay anything! You¡¯re one of my biggest clients. This is just minor damage, not worth mentioning.


    Please wait a moment; I¡¯ll have everything repacked for you right away."


    "By the way, prepare three¡­ no, make it four crates of this quality imitation meat for me in three months."


    "Leave it to me!"


    Three large boxes were packed up by the boss, all carried on Jin''s single shoulder.


    Jin¡¯s build was similar to Yi Chen¡¯s, perhaps even slimmer and shorter, yet he effortlessly bore the boxes that far exceeded her own weight.


    "Need any help?" Yi Chen asked kindly.


    "It''s not that heavy. If you really want to help, why not come to my room and let me thoroughly inspect your brand-new body and whatever emblem you¡¯re hiding?"


    Yi Chen immediately made a "no" gesture.


    "Such a boring man."


    Switching gears to what he really wanted to know, Yi Chen asked, "Jin, what do you need so much imitation meat for?"


    "Of course, to use it. What else?"


    "How do you use it?"


    "Any way I want..."


    Jin gave a light shrug, and from the topmost box, a severed leg flew out, which he caught with one hand.


    As his fingers gripped the leg, crimson threads spread between the imitation tissue, weaving strange red lotus patterns under the skin.


    At that moment, Yi Chen sensed the same dangerous aura he felt when Jin had touched him earlier. His body¡¯s plants began to writhe involuntarily, weaving an anti-explosive mesh structure beneath his skin.


    The unmistakable feeling transmitted to Yi Chen was:


    And then, Jin made a throwing motion, aiming to toss the leg... directly toward a busy street corner crowded with people.


    "Hey! Jin!"


    Instinctively, Yi Chen tried to stop him, but Jin flung it before he could react.


    Yet, after the realistic throwing motion, the severed leg remained firmly in Jin''s hand.


    "Hahaha! Look at how tense you got. Did you really think I¡¯d act like some reckless madman? If I randomly blew up a bunch of gentlemen, the higher-ups would execute me on the spot.


    "They made such a fuss just because I broke some useless guy¡¯s limbs. I¡¯d rather not waste time on something so boring.


    "Right now, I have no intention of dying. After all, the is still pretty entertaining, and there are plenty of things more fun than death waiting for me."


    With that, the red threads flowing through the leg retracted into Jin¡¯s body. He casually tossed the leg back into the box with an upward flick.


    "Is this one of your professional traits? No¡­ it¡¯s a ''pathogenic characteristic,'' isn¡¯t it?"


    "Smart as ever~ That¡¯s right!


    "With the Organization¡¯s help, I incinerated my father¡¯s pathogenic body and obtained a very special red crystal, which I unceremoniously swallowed. It became part of me¡ª."


    The mention of "father" made Yi Chen¡¯s expression darken.


    Noticing this, Jin stepped closer and added:


    "Don¡¯t make that face. A beast like my father doesn¡¯t deserve anyone¡¯s pity."


    "Mm." Yi Chen didn¡¯t press further. He seemed to grasp some of the underlying story and quickly shifted the topic back. "By the way, if you¡¯re using these body parts as ranged weapons, wouldn¡¯t they be inconvenient to carry around?"


    "Once I get them to my place and do some processing, they¡¯ll be very portable.


    "Do you want to come? I live alone now, you know!"


    Curiosity from the depths of his heart prompted Yi Chen to nod. Even Little Grape raised both hands in approval¡ªit was the first time Little Grape had shown such interest in an outsider.


    "Fine, but let me make this clear: I¡¯m only coming to see how you process the imitation meat. Anything else is unnecessary."

 Chapter 83

    Street District - Upper AreaIn an area with well-planned streets, straight roads, and various signposts lies the [Temporary Residential Area].


    Every gentleman who arrives in Zion is granted one year of free accommodation. (If enrolled in the Alfarostik Academy, the free accommodation period is extended during the boarding period.)


    After the first year, monthly rent is required.


    Initially, the rent is very affordable. If the resident completes one task per month, the rent remains unchanged. However, if a task is missed in any given month, the rent increases by 30%, with no upper limit.


    Due to a recent dormitory altercation, Jin is currently living alone.


    He pulls out a long, rectangular key and inserts it into the lock.


    The door, located in the most secluded corner on the top floor, swings open, and a strange stench immediately wafts out.


    The source of the smell isn¡¯t just from neglecting hygiene¡ªit¡¯s more like someone had died inside. And not just recently, but days ago.


    "I¡¯ve been out lately, almost a week since I last came back. The smell¡¯s a bit strong, but don¡¯t mind it," Jin said casually.


    "Mm."


    Upon detecting the foul odor, Yi Chen instinctively lined his nasal passages with a plant-based filter.


    The apartment is a unit, and the ¡°interior design¡± seems to reflect Jin¡¯s personality to some extent.


    The walls, ceiling, and even the floors of the living room are painted with plain white paint.


    A mattress that should belong in the bedroom is carelessly tossed into a corner of the living room. There are no bedsheets, blankets, or pillows on it. Aside from this mattress, the entire living room is barren.


    Judging by the faint humanoid imprint on the mattress, Jin likely sleeps here regularly.


    "Jin, doesn¡¯t the place where you train have accommodations?" Yi Chen asked.


    "It does, but the space is small and shared with a bunch of boring people. I don¡¯t enjoy that. Of course, you¡¯re an exception.


    Why don¡¯t you leave that rundown school of yours and move in with me?"


    Yi Chen quickly surveyed the bleak environment before him. "I still have a lot to do at the academy. Plus, there¡¯s a specialized mentor for physical training. For now, I¡¯ll stay where I am."


    "Such a pity~ Come on, let me show you my workshop."


    Following Jin¡¯s direction, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes landed on the bedroom door, which was tightly shut. The foul odor seemed to be seeping through the gap beneath the door.


    The wooden door had been replaced with a high-security metal one. Jin retrieved another key and unlocked it, revealing a scene that made one feel uneasy.


    The bedroom, originally meant for rest, had been converted into a special refining room.


    The source of the stench was a large black cauldron that had been boiling its contents for an entire week. The substances inside had already turned into a thick meat paste.


    Additionally, there was a peculiar piece of machinery resembling a hybrid of a meat grinder and a compressor. Powered by electricity, it appeared capable of turning imitation meat into "compressed meat cubes."


    A large workbench stood nearby, equipped with measuring rulers, though its exact purpose remained unclear.


    "Been boiling for a week? The consistency looks just about right," Jin remarked.


    With practiced ease, he attached a suction tube to the cauldron, extracting the meat paste for filtration and centrifugation. he discarded the remaining waste and carefully collected the purified liquid into samples, which he then stored inside his outfit and backpack as elegantly crafted meat-based injection syringes.


    "Isn¡¯t this something only you could use?" Yi Chen asked.


    "Of course. Aside from a few secret potions, I¡¯m not interested in the potions available on the market. These homemade meat syringes allow me to kill efficiently, earn more money, buy more meat, and make more syringes."


    "Is your profession related to meat?"


    When Yi Chen posed this question, Jin instantly closed the gap between them with a swift step, pinning him against the bedroom door.


    "So, you¡¯re curious after all~ Want to see my profession emblem? I think I mentioned before¡ªit¡¯s hidden somewhere deep. If you show me yours, I¡¯ll show you mine. How about it?"


    This time, Yi Chen didn¡¯t outright refuse. Instead, he pointed to the back of his head.


    "My emblem is here, inside. Profession: [Student]."


    "A emblem engraved in the brain? Wow, I¡¯d love to open it up and take a look... My emblem is here," Jin said, gesturing¡ª


    The golden-masked figure slightly lifted their seven-colored mask, revealing a sharp, fair chin and soft, pale pink lips.


    Their lips parted,


    and an abnormally long, curled tongue extended outward... When the curled tongue fully unfurled, a sigil was revealed, branded deep at the hidden base of the tongue.


    The sigil was a diagram of a human body in perfect proportion, detailed to the point that even the muscles and blood vessels could withstand scrutiny.


    The tongue retracted.


    The mask was adjusted back in place.


    "Did you see it? My profession is called [Human Weapon Artisan], perfectly aligned with my pathogenic characteristics.


    As far as I know, I¡¯m the only one with this profession in the organization right now. According to my instructor, there was someone decades ago, but they were executed by the organization for committing a heinous crime."


    "Human Weapon Artisan."


    Yi Chen silently repeated this peculiar term in his mind, sensing the inherent aggression and danger it conveyed.


    "The last mission consumed quite a lot of my syringes and flesh fragments, and I still didn¡¯t manage to collect a ''patient body'' that met my expectations. I¡¯ve yet to create a long-term weapon I¡¯m satisfied with¡ªit¡¯s incredibly frustrating.


    Oh, by the way!


    William, I saw you walking around the lower streets earlier. Were you heading to the Gentlemen¡¯s Hall to pick up a mission?


    I happen to have some free time right now. Why don¡¯t we team up and pick out a particularly unique mission?"


    "A unique mission?"


    "Exactly¡ªthe kind that obviously seems off and could very well lead to death. If we¡¯re lucky, we might encounter some unexpected pathogenic phenomena. That would be quite interesting, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Under normal circumstances, Yi Chen would have declined.


    But today, for some reason¡ª


    perhaps due to the excitement from new weaponry,


    perhaps because of the relentless coaxing from the Little Grape inside him,


    or perhaps due to a certain instinct within him gradually surfacing¡ª


    he said, "Let¡¯s first take a look and see if there are any suitable missions."


    "Wait a moment. Since I don¡¯t yet have a long-term weapon, I need to prepare as many temporary weapons as possible." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With that, Jin began processing the synthetic flesh he had just purchased.


    He grouped them into sets of ten, fed them into a meat grinder, compressed them, and shaped them into cube-sized "compressed meat chunks," which he then stored in a specially designed metal box.


    When needed, a press of the metal box¡¯s button would eject a chunk directly.


    "Alright, let¡¯s go."


    Jin adjusted his flamboyant suit.


    It was entirely different from the initial attire he had worn upon entering the city, which had been haphazardly splattered with various paints.


    The suit, custom-made by Mr. Ivan, featured a multi-colored pattern. Although equally ostentatious, its seemingly chaotic design exuded a subtle sense of cohesion.


    Moreover, it appeared that Jin¡¯s suit had undergone numerous "upgrades," now containing a notably high amount of skin materials.


    As they walked through the streets, Yi Chen quickly noticed that their path seemed slightly off.


    "Aren¡¯t we going to the Gentlemen¡¯s Hall?"


    "What¡¯s the point of that? Those babysitter-level newbie missions are too boring.


    Let me take you to a better place. At our location, they occasionally offer some unique missions. Let¡¯s try our luck."


    "Alright."


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t refuse. He understood what Jin meant by "our location."


    He was genuinely curious about the unit Jin belonged to and eager to see the secret facility dedicated to cultivating "Black Letter" candidates¡ª


    a greenhouse for executioners.

 Chapter 84

    guided by jin, yi chen arrived at an upper street he had never set foot on before. at the end of the street stood an odd arch bridge, flanked by numerous sculptures of black-veiled, grotesque little figures. "cross this bridge, and you''ll reach gethsemane."


    yi chen had already prepared a plant-based mask to conceal his appearance.


    "jin, are you sure i can enter your training ground?"


    "let''s give it a shot. i''ll explain our current team arrangement to the instructor... after all, among my peers or even those a year ahead, no one is currently willing to team up with me.


    special circumstances call for special treatment, right?"


    "alright."  sear?h the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    as the two crossed the bridge, the scene before them unexpectedly transformed into an , filled with bizarrely shaped fruit trees in dense clusters. black-veiled gentlemen, with their eyes covered, were carefully tending to the trees.


    "what are these?" yi chen asked.


    with a look of disdain, jin replied, "just some poor souls with no self-control, ruled entirely by their bloodlust. our training ground specializes in cultivating... well, let''s just say ." jin mimed a slicing motion across yi chen¡¯s neck with his hand.


    "the tasks assigned here primarily involve ''rapid execution.'' some people get so addicted to the thrill of meaningless killing during missions that they lose control.


    so, every two weeks, we have a mental evaluation. those who fail are blindfolded and sent here to tend the orchard until the instructor deems them fit to return to training.


    just so we''re clear, my evaluations have never been a problem!"


    "got it," yi chen nodded, understanding the necessity of such measures.


    the special gentlemen who choose black envelopes for their missions undertake covert tasks to eliminate pathogenic threats. such missions often attract individuals with a proclivity for killing.


    yi chen himself had once received a black envelope but chose not to accept it. however, he had always felt a certain allure and impulse toward the act of killing¡ªenough that he requested professor chamberson to arrange physical training for him.


    he understood that indulging in this impulse would lead to mental decay. to maintain independence and moral clarity during such tasks, special methods were necessary.


    perhaps, tending and caring for these fruit trees allowed individuals to reflect on themselves.


    still, when yi chen saw the blindfolded gentlemen, he couldn''t help but think of his physical mentor, hogni zed.


    the two of them proceeded to a small wooden cabin deep within the orchard. in front of the door sat an elderly man with a prosthetic limb. he was lounging on a wooden chair, a handmade pinecone cigar in his mouth.


    jin approached the old man and, unusually, bowed slightly. "mr. begus, i¡¯ve brought a new teammate. we¡¯re here to take on tasks from the instructor."


    the old man exhaled a ring of smoke along with his words. "have you been granted permission to go below?"


    "once we get there, we¡¯ll inform the instructor."


    the old man stood up, his collapsed, wrinkled nose and mouth twitching slightly as he sniffed near yi chen.


    "a recipient of the first gentleman¡¯s approval... but you reek of minced flesh and blood. fill out this confidentiality agreement, and don¡¯t cause trouble for me. report to the instructor immediately when you go below."


    the old man handed over a yellowed piece of paper listing numerous prohibited actions.


    as an ''external visitor,'' yi chen was strictly forbidden from disclosing anything he saw below, and his movements would be heavily restricted. any violations would result in memory erasure.


    after yi chen signed the agreement, the old man moved his chair aside. inside the cabin was a single sealed elevator leading underground¡ªa completely isolated lower area, separate from the [street district].


    zion had only one entrance to this underground facility.


    [gethsemane ¨C the executioner¡¯s greenhouse]


    this was the training ground built specifically for the gentlemen who chose black envelopes.


    when the elevator reached the bottom, yi chen saw a narrow stone corridor with numerous hidden doors on either side. from within, faint sounds of tearing, metal clashing, and even screams could be heard.


    behind each door lay some form of specialized training room.


    led by jin, they navigated the labyrinthine passageways until they arrived at a single, deep corridor. at the end of this corridor was a solitary hidden door, illuminated by a single torch.


    as the two approached the door, a mature female voice emanated from beyond the wall.


    "come in."


    jin turned the torch by the entrance, and a secret door opened.


    inside was a surprisingly spacious office, dominated by a gray-white color scheme.


    a barefooted woman stood before a display cabinet against the wall. she wore a white shirt with a black tie, a gray plaid skirt that reached below her knees, and black stockings. her movements were slow and deliberate as she admired and carefully adjusted the items in the cabinet¡ªher unique collection of .


    her golden hair, tied into a ponytail, draped over her shoulder. one hand rested on a pair of gold-framed monocle glasses as she meticulously inspected each finger specimen.


    through the glass reflection of the specimens, she caught sight of the two people who had entered the room.


    "mr. begus actually allowed you to bring an outsider down here. speak¡ªwhat''s the matter?"


    jin casually rested an elbow on yi chen''s voice shoulder, using his other hand to make an exaggerated arrow gesture. "william here? he''s a powerhouse who scored a solid 96 points on the gentleman¡¯s examination! we were even in the same cohort.


    we bumped into each other on the street earlier and decided to team up temporarily to tackle some higher-difficulty missions for fun."


    the woman didn¡¯t respond. she continued organizing the specimens.


    after finishing her adjustments, she slowly turned around.


    her face, appearing just over thirty years old, was well-maintained. however, her light green eyes never focused on the two of them.


    it wasn¡¯t until she sat back at her desk that her pupils gradually moved to meet theirs. in just an instant of eye contact, yi chen felt an intense discomfort spread throughout his body.


    "did you bring your personal profile?"


    "one moment."


    yi chen opened his briefcase and produced a prepared personal r¨¦sum¨¦, which he always kept handy.


    as the woman skimmed through the document, her expression shifted slightly.


    the keywords "eliminated a severely infected patient" and "interacted with an open-source patient without adverse effects" caught her attention, sparking an interest in the young man before her.


    however, she also noticed something unusual.


    "it seems you took a six-month leave before completing the ''secret medicine retrieval'' mission. why?"


    "i was undergoing special ¡®physical training¡¯ at the academy. it took six full months."


    "physical training..."


    the woman could discern from yi chen''s movements and physique that there was something extraordinary about his body.


    "at the alfarostik academy? that place is full of bookworms. even the physically inclined there only rely on brute strength. your physique doesn¡¯t match that mold at all. who trained you?"


    "professor zed."


    the moment he said this, the woman¡¯s expression changed dramatically. she sat up straight.


    "hogni zed?"


    "yes."


    "that blind man is still alive?


    i remember he was put on trial by the organization years ago after causing the deaths of numerous students. later, he was imprisoned by the academy for some reason. how did you get in contact with him?"


    "professor chamberson arranged it for me. right now, professor zed only interacts with me privately."


    as soon as he finished speaking¡ª


    without any visible movement, the woman¡¯s slender leg was suddenly suspended in front of yi chen.


    her foot, wrapped in black silk stockings, landed squarely on his chest. a rib shattered.


    yi chen¡¯s body spun like a drill, crashing hard against the wall. the entire office trembled from the impact.


    the woman, having completed an ultra-fast kick, maintained her pose¡ªone hand propped on the desk, her body parallel to the ground in a side-kick position.


    she gracefully retracted her leg and landed in front of the desk with elegant poise.


    her eyes remained fixed on yi chen, who lay crumpled in the corner. he might have been unconscious.


    yet, to her surprise¡ª


    yi chen casually dusted off his chest and stood up with a smile. the shattered rib didn¡¯t seem to bother him at all; in fact, he appeared to be slightly exhilarated.


    "in just six months, your physique has already transformed. are you even crazier than that madman zed?"

 Chapter 85

    [bailey hertha]bailey hertha, a senior instructor at gethsemane, has an unusual habit of "collecting fingers." whether human or afflicted, as long as a finger has unique characteristics, it qualifies for her collection.


    her disciples often bring her fingers during their missions, attempting to please her. if bailey is satisfied, she may even reward them with additional incentives.


    before becoming an instructor, bailey herself underwent training at gethsemane. coincidentally, she and zed were from the same cohort, shared a good private rapport, and even teamed up occasionally. however, they eventually chose entirely different paths.


    now, encountering a disciple trained by zed brought back memories, making her less dismissive of this young man, who was not from gethsemane.


    when yi chen returned, she casually handed him a vial of healing potion and asked,


    "how is zed doing lately?"


    "although imprisoned in the basement of the teaching building, the academy fulfills his every request. he¡¯s even allowed to conduct various physical experiments to continue his research on the human body.


    such treatment makes him indifferent to the notion of ''imprisonment.''


    he¡¯s not only training me physically but is also responsible for teaching our cohort the course."


    hearing this, a flicker of melancholy crossed bailey¡¯s pale green eyes.


    "that¡¯s far better than i imagined. a shame... if only his eyesight hadn¡¯t failed, he could¡¯ve gone much further and wouldn¡¯t be confined to zion."


    "are you close to zed?" yi chen asked tentatively.


    bailey shot him a sharp look, signaling him to shut up and drop the topic.


    "enough. let¡¯s discuss your matters now."


    "understood."


    as soon as yi chen sat at the desk, bailey seized his right hand, inspecting the shape of his fingers through her monocle and deciphering the information within.


    "worked in a cemetery before. no hand care.


    however, the joint proportions are ideal, nail thickness is moderate, and blood circulation is uniform... above average fingers, barely passable."


    when bailey released his hand, yi chen quickly pulled it back, wary that she might cut off one of his fingers for her collection.


    "relax. i don¡¯t take fingers from the living," she remarked indifferently.


    bailey then opened the second drawer on the right side of her desk. she pulled out a stack of black files, carefully selecting one before handing it to yi chen.


    "there aren¡¯t too many ''troubles'' to handle lately. this one seems suitable for you."


    taking the black file, yi chen noticed it described a mission entirely different from the tasks associated with the gentleman¡¯s hall. instead of a title, the document began with keywords: sea??h th§× n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ---


    keywords: [forest], [church], [investigation & slaughter], [gray-erosion], [group operation]*


    summary:


    in the village of shepherd, located in jose valley, a small faction emerged months ago, gaining the villagers¡¯ support and establishing a church in the valley under the name ''new life church''.


    for the first few months, nothing seemed unusual. the village continued to follow the "rules" set by the organization, and their monthly contributions of crops and meat products even increased.


    however, two weeks ago, the trees surrounding the village suddenly grew uncontrollably overnight, forming a structure akin to a wall that completely isolated the area from the outside world.


    the growth continues to this day, affecting the entire ecosystem of jose valley.


    the organization has dispatched a group of gentlemen to a temporary camp at the outskirts of jose valley to investigate the abnormalities in the forest.


    the enclosed area inside the tree wall has already begun undergoing , showing clear signs of transformation into a gray zone.


    your task is to head to the ''black-eye outpost'' in jose valley, cooperate with the gentlemen stationed there, investigate the situation with the village and the church faction, retrieve critical clues, and attempt to eradicate the source of the gray-erosion.


    rewards will be determined based on the difficulty of the mission upon completion.


    ---


    there is no task name or difficulty level, only operational instructions.


    based on the geographical books yi chen had read before, the so-called jose valley is about 300¨C400 kilometers from zion. it is a forested valley surrounded by mountains, rich in vegetation and diverse wildlife, and home to some relatively primitive villages and tribes.


    however,


    with the advent of the pathogenic era, most of the villages began to decline. some smaller villages were even "emptied out" within a few days, leaving no trace of their inhabitants.


    only a very small number of large villages managed to survive, though their populations continued to dwindle.


    it wasn¡¯t until the intervention of the organization, which established specific [rules] for the villages, that the villagers could somewhat avoid disease and death, barely sustaining life within the villages.


    each year, the villages submit 10% of their livestock and agricultural products to zion in exchange for the indirect protection of the gentlemen.


    ¡­


    yi chen spoke softly: ¡°the new life church... is there no information on their numbers or situation?¡±


    bailey crossed her long legs, using a small knife to trim her nails.


    ¡°i don¡¯t provide such trivial and tedious information. when you reach the black eye outpost, ask the gentlemen responsible for investigating this matter.


    that said, those guys are truly useless. they¡¯ve spent so much time and still haven¡¯t resolved this issue, forcing us at gethsemane to send personnel for support.


    if you two hadn¡¯t come today, this task would have been assigned to someone else.¡±


    at this moment, jin suddenly raised an odd question:


    ¡°instructor, have any gentlemen died in the forest or the villages?¡±


    ¡°two teams of gentlemen went missing during an internal investigation beyond the tree wall. whether they¡¯re dead, i have no idea.¡±


    ¡°missing¡­ interesting.¡±


    jin had only this one question, and he even seemed excited.


    yi chen, however, had some thoughts and requests. ¡°could we be provided with the [rules] of shepherd village?¡±


    ¡°you can get a copy of the relevant rules directly from the gentlemen¡¯s hall. if you don¡¯t want to waste time, head straight to the black eye outpost, where the rules are surely on record.¡±


    ¡°if there¡¯s nothing else, you can set out now.¡±


    jin, unable to contain himself, grabbed yi chen¡¯s sleeve and started pulling him toward the door.


    at this moment,


    instructor bailey suddenly added, ¡°oh, one more thing. jin~ step outside for a moment.


    i need to have a private word with william since this is his first mission under our banner.¡±


    ¡°alright.¡±


    jin waved goodbye to yi chen and temporarily left.


    once the hidden door closed,


    yi chen suddenly felt his tie being yanked, pulling him toward the desk.


    instructor bailey¡¯s face was almost pressed against his.


    ¡°i just wanted to remind you: the kids who teamed up with jin in the past, even gentlemen from a year above her, were all injured without exception, some quite severely. the worst-case scenario was death.


    she can sometimes be extremely uncontrollable.


    this area you¡¯re entering has undergone deep gray-erosion and might even transform into a gray zone during your investigation.


    if she exhibits reckless or impulsive behavior, you¡¯ll need to actively restrain her to prevent fatal dangers.


    if you both return unharmed, you can work as long-term partners in the future, and i¡¯ll fully support it.


    jin is one of the most naturally talented ''executioners'' i¡¯ve ever seen. her only shortfall is ¡®control.¡¯ i hope you can become the most critical within her.¡±


    ¡°since i¡¯ve chosen to collaborate with jin, i¡¯ll do everything i can.¡±


    ¡°good~ one more thing, send my regards to zed if that guy still remembers me.¡±


    ¡°of course! instructor bailey, do you know what happened to teacher zed¡¯s eyes?¡±


    ¡°that was the terrible price he paid for venturing deep into the gray zone without regard for the consequences¡­however, it was his madness that allowed the rest of us, myself included, to survive.¡±


    ¡°enough talk! get moving already.¡±

 Chapter 86

    for this type of support mission, it¡¯s only necessary to reach the [black eye outpost]. once there, relevant information can be obtained in advance from the stationed personnel, without wasting time within the city.before departing, yi chen returned briefly to the academy to report his contact with gethsemane and the details of the mission to his primary mentor, professor chamberson.


    upon learning that instructor bailey was in charge of this matter, chamberson didn¡¯t say much but offered one reminder:


    ¡°tasks associated with gethsemane often come with extensive bloodshed. here, i don¡¯t have an orchard, nor do i have the time for you, william, to suppress your inner malice through planting.


    but i trust that you won¡¯t become enslaved by the slaughter, and that you¡¯ll find a balance.¡±


    after bidding farewell to professor chamberson, yi chen immediately headed to the depths of the teaching building''s prison to relay bailey¡¯s message to teacher zed.


    upon hearing this name, zed¡¯s body slightly trembled, and his words lost their usual sharpness, sounding almost¡­ "normal."


    ¡°bailey¡­ she¡¯s probably doing quite well now, isn¡¯t she? her skills in ¡®the art of killing¡¯ were the best among our group, though she was overly concerned with unnecessary details. otherwise, she¡¯d likely surpass even me.¡±


    ¡°yes, she¡¯s now serving as an instructor in gethsemane.¡±


    ¡°training executioners, is she? that¡¯s quite fitting for her.¡±


    for a moment, zed seemed to recall some past events, but he quickly suppressed them and began teaching his favored student with renewed focus.


    ¡°didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d be tackling an executioner¡¯s task so soon.


    when the time comes, a great deal of bloodshed will be inevitable.


    don¡¯t shy away from torn entrails or splattering blood¡ªthey¡¯re merely another form of bodily expression.


    you¡¯re simply helping those degenerate fools reveal their ¡®inner beauty.¡¯ they often feel immense gratitude toward you after witnessing their true elegance.


    observe this process,


    enjoy this process,


    savor this process.


    gradually transform killing into an internal insight, and eventually, you¡¯ll reflect on yourself. this will help you better understand your own body.


    once, i gained a slight increase in my physical stats simply by studying the structure of corpses.


    with your talent, i¡¯m certain you¡¯ll reap some benefits.


    forget about that nonsense theory of ¡®sinking into slaughter.¡¯ don¡¯t even think about it¡ªjust do what you believe is right.¡±


    ¡°understood.¡±


    ¡°go on, and make sure to kill a few more. don¡¯t disgrace me, your former !¡±


    ...


    yi chen spent half a day preparing supplies and potions.


    he tied his hair neatly, adjusted his collar, secured his sleeve bands and tie, adjusted his waistband, polished his leather shoes, hung the crow oil lamp on his waist, and grabbed a black briefcase marked with the forge seal.


    then, he headed to the carriage depot near zion¡¯s city gate. gethsemane¡¯s missions didn¡¯t include any logistical support, so he had to find his own way to the mission site.


    jin had already arranged for a special carriage and was waiting impatiently.


    ¡°you¡¯re so slow¡­¡±


    ¡°sorry, i got delayed a bit at the academy. jin, this carriage you rented must¡¯ve been expensive, right?¡±


    yi chen was surprised by the luxurious carriage before him. it featured intricate dark metal embellishments, a natural aura of concealment, and was drawn by three enhanced black horses. the central lead horse even displayed feather-like muscle patterns, as if it could take off at any moment.


    moreover, the carriage¡¯s interior was significantly larger than the one they had taken to the twilight clinic.


    opening the door,


    he saw two soft beds neatly arranged inside.


    at the top, there hung an adjustable kerosene lamp carved in a clover pattern, providing illumination for the carriage.


    ¡°it¡¯s a bit expensive, but the organization will reimburse part of the cost. as for the rest, as long as we complete the mission properly, the silver coins from the rewards will be more than enough.


    living in a world like this, we should enjoy life.


    we could die at any moment, so worrying about money would just be pointless.


    come on up~ the destination is a bit far, and even if we leave now, we won¡¯t arrive until tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°alright.¡±


    the luxurious carriage quickly exited zion¡¯s city gates, carrying the two passengers toward the [black eye outpost] in jose valley.


    the carriage was made with a special isolating material and equipped with top-tier shock absorbers. even when the wheels rolled over steep cliffs, there was barely any vibration, and the interior was remarkably quiet.


    yi chen sat properly by the window, as he usually did when traveling.


    jin, however, had already taken off his leather shoes and coat, lying casually on the bed.


    he even unbuckled his belt, pulled off his entire pair of trousers, and hung them along with his coat on the carriage''s built-in clothing rack.


    two long, slender legs with perfect proportions¡ªthough not particularly pale¡ªimmediately entered yi chen¡¯s view, and he tried his best to avert his eyes.


    there was something rather strange.


    even though jin acted so nonchalantly, treating the carriage like his personal bedroom, he still wore his multicolored mask without any intention of taking it off.


    perhaps, like zed, he had some facial feature permanently damaged. or maybe there was some other unique reason.


    naturally, yi chen didn¡¯t ask further about such matters.


    just then, jin, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up cross-legged.


    ¡°i think i slept too much yesterday, and now i can¡¯t fall asleep at all¡­ hey~ william, why don¡¯t you tell me about your last mission or some intriguing stories from your time at the academy?¡±


    yi chen initially wanted to refuse, but considering the cost of the luxurious carriage, he eventually agreed to jin¡¯s request and recounted the process of recovering a secret medicine.


    of course, he carefully avoided revealing the clinic¡¯s secrets.


    ¡°wow! so, you killed a severely afflicted gentleman? those edmund fellows seem pretty impressive! next time, introduce me to them¡ªi bet we could become great friends.


    and then? did it end there?¡± s~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    when yi chen mentioned that everything had been orchestrated by moonscar behind the scenes and that he had met moonscar in person, jin, who had been sitting on his bed, immediately jumped over upon hearing the term ¡°moonscar.¡±


    in an instant, he pinned yi chen¡¯s limbs down on the bed, holding him in place.


    the mask pressed against him, sniffing incessantly, as if trying to detect the scent of moonscar.


    ¡°a mission from the gentleman¡¯s hall actually led you to encounter a open-source patient? how thrilling is that!¡±


    ¡°it was just a small probability event that happened to me.¡±


    jin seemed to catch a unique scent and waved his finger in front of yi chen¡¯s face.


    ¡°not necessarily~ for others, it might be a small chance, but you, william, definitely give off a special scent.


    i can¡¯t quite describe what this ¡®scent¡¯ is, but you can think of it as the subtle feeling you get when meeting someone for the first time.


    it¡¯s precisely this scent that made me interested in you the first time we met¡ªunlike all those boring people out there.


    maybe that moonscar open-source patient also caught a whiff of this scent, which is why they revealed themselves to you¡­


    if that¡¯s the case, using your unique scent might be the key to quickly drawing out the powerful figure hidden behind the scenes.¡±


    [tl:- hey just for those curious on why jin is pronounced as ''he'' while in previous chapter bailey was saying ''she''.


    the chinese pronouns are inherently ambiguous in spoken form. the characters Ëû (male) and Ëý (female) are both pronounced "t¨¡" identically, making gender determination challenging without written context. and previously it was Ëý (female) while in this chapter it is now Ëû (male). so even i don''t know if jin is male or female, guess we just gotta wait and see ;) ]

 Chapter 87

    a night passed. it must be said, the money spent on this was well worth it. especially for a mission location this remote from zion city, being able to restore mental energy during the ride was essential.


    ---


    the next day


    still half-asleep, yi chen suddenly felt a sharp, piercing sensation from within his body, as if plants were drilling through him. he abruptly sat up.


    after waking, the feeling didn¡¯t subside; instead, it intensified.


    some plant seedlings even began sprouting from his pores, as if issuing a warning.


    jin was still asleep, one long leg draped over the other. drool seeped from the gaps of his mask.


    yi chen tried his best not to disturb his rest. he moved to the front of the carriage, opened the window, and asked the coachman in the iron mask:


    ¡°excuse me, have we entered the territory of jose valley?¡±


    ¡°we just arrived a minute ago. can you sense something abnormal here?¡±


    ¡°yes¡­ the plants here feel very unusual.¡±


    ¡°hmm, even the sound of the horses¡¯ hooves hitting the ground has changed. i hope you can resolve the situation quickly. if it worsens, we¡¯ll need high-ranking gentlemen from the organization to intervene.


    in about half an hour, we¡¯ll reach the black eye outpost. you can start preparing to disembark now.¡±


    ¡°thank you.¡±


    returning to his bed, yi chen sat cross-legged and began regulating the plants within his body, suppressing the discomfort.


    not long after, the carriage turned onto a steep, concealed mountain road, climbing to the top of a hill.


    this hill was in the southwestern part of jose valley. from its cliffside, one could overlook the forest and catch a glimpse of the event site¡ªshepherd village.


    at the top of the cliff stood six black tents marked with organizational insignias.


    in the center was a six-meter-tall black obelisk, sculpted at the top with an eye symbol, possibly the origin of the [black eye outpost] name.


    the final stretch of road leading to the base was heavily obstructed with metal barricades, forcing the carriage to stop prematurely.


    ---


    ¡°jin, we¡¯re here.¡±


    awakening, jin skillfully slurped back the drool hanging from his mouth, adjusted the mask, and slowly sat up cross-legged, stretching lazily.


    he showed no hint of pre-mission tension, looking completely nonchalant.


    ¡°so, we¡¯re here already? i definitely stayed up too late last night¡­ i¡¯d love to sleep another half-day.¡±


    he tied a skull-patterned necktie over his red floral shirt, donned slacks and casual leather shoes, and threw on a strikingly colorful floral suit.


    as jin stepped out of the carriage and noticed the lack of direct access to the base, his temper flared.


    ¡°we still have to walk this far? what useless idiots. they¡¯ve been stationed here for ages, and instead of solving anything, they¡¯ve just set up all this junk to waste our time.¡±


    perhaps still groggy from sleep, jin lashed out at the nearest metal barricade with a kick.


    the several-hundred-kilogram barricade was sent flying, the impact point caving in severely as it tumbled down the hillside.


    yi chen was startled.


    ¡®jin¡¯s strength is comparable to dagobert¡¯s! his physique looks similar to mine, and his legs don¡¯t even show signs of training¡ªyet he possesses such power. is it because he controls his body differently?¡¯


    just then, little grape¡¯s voice resonated in his mind:


    *¡°it¡¯s not just body control. after all, william can control his body too! that kick just now¡­ i sensed a faint energy explosion.


    i suspect this human can produce controlled explosions within her flesh, giving her bursts of immense power.


    her mastery over her body, especially in terms of combat, is leagues ahead of yours!


    such extraordinary humans are rare. you should become good friends with her.¡±*


    little grape¡¯s excitement grew, almost drooling with anticipation. it even seemed like if yi chen were to die accidentally, little grape might run off to jin and start calling jin ¡°sister.¡±


    with the barricade destroyed, a small team of stationed gentlemen rushed over.


    the team leader, holding a two-headed dog as a pet, approached. the dog barked fiercely the moment it saw yi chen.


    who would have thought that this behavior would anger little grape? an eyeball appeared on its shoulder, and the dog immediately tucked its tail and hid behind its owner.


    the leading gentleman, sporting a small mustache and dressed in a standard brown morning suit, immediately recognized yi chen and jin, as well as their purpose for being here. a trace of helplessness¡ªand even self-doubt¡ªappeared on his face.


    ¡°are you the reinforcements sent by gethsemane? we haven¡¯t even reported the difficulties we¡¯re facing here¡­ has the delay been too long?¡±


    yi chen took a step forward, bowed, and said, ¡°that¡¯s correct. we were entrusted by instructor bailey to assist in handling the issues related to shepherd village and the new life church.¡±


    ¡°william, this is my friend, jin.¡±


    ¡°i¡¯m wilmer, the temporary leader of the black eye outpost. follow me.¡±


    the other party didn¡¯t mention the destruction of the barricade.


    even though yi chen and jin looked to be only in their twenties, wilmer showed no prejudice. instead, he was filled with reverence for gethsemane.


    as they entered the outpost, gentlemen living in the tents poked their heads out, curiously observing the young reinforcements sent by gethsemane.


    many of them had dark circles under their eyes, looked exhausted, and some were even wrapped in bandages.


    the entire outpost was devoid of vitality, exuding a silent sense of despair.


    wilmer led the two to a cliff and pointed to the central forest of the jose valley.


    ¡°that¡¯s the area we need to investigate. it¡¯s practically a natural fortress, and it¡¯s growing and expanding every day.¡±


    yi chen and jin followed his gesture, gazing at the forest.


    in the forest¡¯s center, a circular wall of densely packed trees had formed, enclosing the inner area where shepherd village was located. this area accounted for about one-fifth of the entire forest.


    the top of the enclosed region was also covered by dense foliage, completely obscuring the view of its interior.


    moreover, the tree-wall structure forming the blockade continued to expand outward.


    the thickness of the tree walls had already reached a terrifying several hundred meters. if the root cause of this pathogenic growth wasn¡¯t eradicated soon, it would eventually engulf the entire jose valley.


    however, yi chen¡¯s expression remained unchanged.


    this kind of blockade structure, related to plants, shouldn¡¯t be too difficult for him to handle.


    ¡°please tell us in detail about your progress over this period, and also provide us with shepherd village¡¯s ¡®rules.¡¯¡±


    ¡°our progress has been poor, and we have very little useful investigative data.


    even with the ¡®eye tower¡¯ in place, we haven¡¯t been able to gather any information about the interior.


    i¡¯m considering that if you two cannot make any effective progress within three days, i¡¯ll arrange for a group to return to zion and request support from the higher-ranking gentlemen.¡±


    these words triggered jin¡¯s temper, and he retorted immediately:


    ¡°don¡¯t compare the two of us with you useless people. if you have no valuable information, just say so¡ªstop wasting our time.¡±


    surprisingly, jin¡¯s words didn¡¯t anger wilmer.


    it seemed that, to some extent, this temporary leader had already acknowledged his incompetence in this matter.


    ¡°i prepared the investigation data yesterday, along with the village¡¯s rules, in a file folder. you can take it directly. i only have one request.


    if you manage to enter the blockade zone, please look for two missing gentleman teams and try to bring them back.¡±


    yi chen stepped in front of jin to block him, responding amicably:


    ¡°understood. we¡¯ll do our best to locate the missing teams and, if possible, bring them back.¡±


    ¡°thank you.¡±


    when handing over the file, wilmer deliberately lowered his voice and whispered to yi chen, ¡°do you need us to provide an investigation team to enter the forest with you?¡±


    yi chen smiled and replied: sea??h th§× novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°if you have the capacity and confidence, you can choose to conduct a synchronized investigation with us.


    however, based on the number of gentlemen at this outpost and their current state, it¡¯s better for you to stay here.


    as you mentioned earlier, if we don¡¯t send back any valuable information within three days, report the situation here to zion.¡±


    as they left the outpost, yi chen intentionally patted the temporary leader¡¯s shoulder firmly twice.


    "midnight tonight¡ªlet¡¯s go!"

 Chapter 89

    [TLN- Chapter 88 is mostly about author thanking his reader''s and his inspiration for the book, so chapter 89 is direct continuation of Chapter 87]Yi Chen had been quietly observing the so-called temporary leader, Wilmer.


    Both his words and actions, as well as the subtle expressions in his eyes in various situations, exuded a sense of powerlessness.


    This powerlessness was something Yi Chen had seen far too often during his life at the orphanage.


    Many peers, after undergoing special education and recognizing the true nature of the orphanage, would find their once-clear eyes gradually consumed by a dull substance symbolizing "helplessness," until it fully took over and evolved into [Despair].


    "These gentlemen are not lacking in ability, but they lack the courage to push forward... The situation in the forest is worse than expected.


    I suspect that the two missing squads deep within the forest are the main forces of the Black Eye Outpost.


    They might still be alive. If we can find them during our exploration, we should be able to gather more information and significantly shorten the investigation time."


    Yi Chen swiftly skimmed through all the materials provided by the outpost within a minute.


    Just as the temporary leader had said, the information was pitifully sparse. There wasn¡¯t even a basic description of Shepherd Village¡¯s condition, its degree of "Grey-erosion," or its resulting impacts, let alone any details about the church.


    The only thing included was a few investigative reports on the plant walls.


    These reports made one thing clear:


    Not a single investigator who entered the tree walls had ever returned, nor had they brought back any meaningful information.


    However, there were some noteworthy details regarding the plant walls:


    [Infinite Growth], [Crying of Infants], [Blood-like Tree Sap].


    Yi Chen carefully noted these keywords before moving on to examine the rules governing Shepherd Village.


    These [Rules] were established by high-ranking gentlemen from Zion City who possessed precognitive abilities.


    The rules were tailored specifically for certain regions to ensure safe living conditions.


    As long as these rules were followed in daily life, the likelihood of succumbing to disease could be greatly reduced.


    The rules were as follows:


    ¡Ú Residents of the villages in Jose Valley must adhere to the following rules in their daily lives to ensure their safety ¡Û


    1. When hunting in the forest, if the prey (mammals) is found to be pregnant, release it immediately.


    If the pregnant prey is already dead, it must be burned on the spot, and its ashes buried under the nearest tree.


    Note: Each tree may only be used for burial once.


    2. Domesticated livestock in the village must be strictly segregated by gender, and mating is only allowed during the winter season.


    If livestock becomes pregnant outside the designated season or without contact with the opposite sex, it must be treated in the same manner as Rule 1.


    **


    3. If you encounter animals exhibiting traits of other creatures (e.g., a cow with rabbit ears or a pig with sheep horns), they must be immediately killed, burned, and buried.


    4. Each village is permitted to have only one well, located at the center of the village. All drinking water must be drawn from this well.


    The consumption of water from unknown sources is strictly prohibited.


    5. Any fruits, mushrooms, or other edible items harvested from the forest must be washed with well water before consumption.


    Mushrooms, in particular, must be thoroughly cooked.


    It is strictly forbidden to consume fruits from trees under which burned remains have been buried, as well as mushrooms growing nearby.


    6. Ensure that there is a source of light in every household by midnight, such as a torch, fireplace, or kerosene lamp.


    If you must go out, always carry a light source.


    If you hear strange noises coming from the livestock pen during the early hours, do not respond and leave immediately.


    If you encounter an unlit figure greeting you, return to your home immediately and lock all doors and windows.


    7. If you notice a villager failing to follow the above rules and exhibiting abnormal behavior, they must be expelled from the village at once.


    If necessary, handle them in accordance with Rule 3.


    --- S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These bizarre rules reminded Yi Chen of Easton Cemetery.


    ¡®As long as these rules are followed in daily life, the spread of disease can largely be avoided.


    This is the fundamental reason why, over the past three hundred years since the start of the ''Pathogenic Era,'' many human towns and villages have managed to survive.


    The recent rapid deterioration in Shepherd Village¡¯s condition cannot simply be attributed to villagers making occasional mistakes.


    Most likely, the intervention of the New Life Church has caused the villagers to abandon the rules or even deliberately violate them, resulting in total chaos.¡¯


    As Yi Chen walked through the forest,


    even before reaching the towering structure formed by the trees,


    he could already sense the forest¡¯s abnormality.


    In the shadowy and eerie woodland, it felt as though something was watching him.


    Moreover, as a "vegetarian," he had no interest in the vegetation of the forest. Instead, he could detect a physiological stench emanating from the lower part of the tree bark.


    The closer he got to the center of the forest, the stronger the stench became, forcing Yi Chen to put on his handmade plant-based mask again.


    After trekking several kilometers through the woods, he finally arrived at the "High Wall" enclosing the forest center.


    The sense of awe from observing it up close far surpassed the distant view from the cliff earlier. It even evoked a primal biological reverence.


    Under what seemed like highly unified control, the massive, sturdy tree trunks were orderly arranged with a spacing of less than ten centimeters, forming an unpredictably thick "High Wall" nearly a hundred meters tall.


    The overgrown branches and dense foliage at the top blocked out the already scarce sunlight, plunging the area into complete darkness.


    According to available information,


    these tree trunks are non-flammable. Once exposed to the heat of fire, the trunks secrete a thick, viscous sap to cover and extinguish it.


    If the trunks are physically damaged, they regenerate rapidly with the assistance of surrounding trees.


    Thus, the first obstacle in front of them was to


    Given that two weeks had passed since the incident, the tree wall had continued to grow outward. Its thickness had already exceeded a hundred meters, making it highly likely that one could become trapped while attempting to pass through.


    This was the primary reason the gentlemen at the outpost had lost their courage to explore further.


    Additionally, there was another critical detail, as recorded in the information:


    Standing before the towering tree wall, the two could hear a faint "crying of an infant."


    When Yi Chen touched the surface of the tree wall, the sound amplified several times¡­ as if the infant¡¯s cries were coming from within the trunk itself. Coupled with the pitch-black forest surroundings, it sent chills down their spines.


    Curious, Jin also placed his hand on the trunk¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Oh? There really is a baby crying. Is this due to the Grey-Erosion effect? How about I just blast open a path to the inside¡ªwhat do you think?¡±


    As Jin spoke, threads of red energy emanated from his fingers into the trunk, forming a lotus-like crimson pattern on the surface, ready to explode at any moment.


    Yi Chen gently extended his hand and placed it on Jin¡¯s, softly stopping him.


    ¡°Jin, there¡¯s no need to waste energy on this. Besides, we don¡¯t even know the exact thickness of the tree wall. Such an explosion might unnecessarily deplete your energy¡­ Let me handle this.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s tone was tactful, but what he truly cared about was avoiding "alarming the enemy." Jin¡¯s approach of blasting through the wall could very likely draw out the dangers lurking within.


    Unlocking the clasps of his suitcase,


    he took out a pair of white gloves adorned with green magic arrays.


    After putting them on, he gently tugged at the edges of the gloves with his thumb and index finger to ensure a snug fit on his wrists.


    As he placed both palms lightly against the adjacent tree trunks, the magic arrays on the back of the gloves glowed with a faint green light.


    With an Intelligence attribute of [5] and gloves crafted using "Gentleman¡¯s Skin," Yi Chen could directly manipulate the structure of the tree wall.


    The thick tree trunks began to shift and expand, creating gradually widening gaps until a space large enough for a person to pass through appeared.

 Chapter 90

    The journey through the towering trees forming high walls was smooth. Apart from the occasional cries of an infant, there was no other disturbance.As the distance increased, Yi Chen became more adept at maneuvering. With just one outstretched hand, the tree trunks ahead would move aside on their own.


    During this process, Yi Chen gradually noticed the unique characteristics of these towering trees.


    The sap flowing within their trunks carried a distinct metallic scent of blood. This undoubtedly had a direct connection to the nutrients absorbed by their roots. Such peculiar nutrients must be the reason these trees could grow into these extraordinary hundred-meter-high walls.


    Meanwhile, Jin followed leisurely behind, as if on a sightseeing trip, even finding time to chat.


    "I didn''t expect a man like you to have such exceptional control over plants... Planning to open a clinic in the future?"


    "No such plans for now."


    "Hopefully, you''ll never have that plan. are just tools organizations use to restrain talent.


    Someone like me prefers to minimize ties with Zion. Once Zion''s value is fully exploited, I''ll leave. Would you join me then?"


    "Focus on the task at hand, Jin."


    "You''re such a boring man."


    After traversing over 300 meters through the walls of trees, they finally broke through the innermost layer of trunks.


    What greeted them wasn¡¯t a paradise or the comfort of emerging into sunlight. Instead, they found themselves in an even darker, completely lightless area.


    The canopy at the top of the nearly 100-meter-high walls defied natural growth patterns. Branches intertwined densely, overlapping and tangling to form a that completely enveloped the space within the walls.


    Mixed within this dense canopy was a grayish fog-like substance that filled the gaps between the leaves, blocking even the tiniest rays of sunlight. This created an absolutely dark, enclosed area.


    An ordinary person walking through such an environment for two to three minutes would feel an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia creeping over them like an invasive insect.


    Yi Chen lowered his head to observe the grayish haze swirling around his shoes. Its concentration was comparable to that of the Twilight Clinic, reaching advanced stages. However, the area it covered here was significantly larger, with its effects penetrating deeper.


    It was possible that similar like the IV drip doctor or the bandaged nurse could appear here.


    Under the influence of the gray haze, the trees growing in this inner region were no longer upright. Instead, they grew chaotically, twisting at bizarre angles.


    The branches resembled human arms, while the dark, lifeless leaves clinging to their surfaces looked like skin¡ªsome even embedded into the wood, creating a particularly eerie sight.


    Some trees, accelerated by the gray haze, appeared unusually . Their trunks were grotesquely swollen, with thick greenish liquid oozing continuously from their midsections, seeping into the soil to become nutrients once again.


    Additionally, the bark and surrounding ground were densely populated with massive fungal growths.


    Some of these larger fungi had open, mouth-like tops, mimicking the act of breathing. Each pulsation released spores that deepened the haze¡¯s effects, further driving the mutations within the forest.


    The gray spores floating through the forest obscured vision even more. The light from an oil lamp could barely illuminate a range of ten meters.


    Thanks to Little Grape, Yi Chen¡¯s vision range was doubled.


    Suddenly, Little Grape¡¯s voice came through telepathically:


    ¡°¡±


    ¡°Stop jinxing it. I¡¯ll be cautious.¡±


    Yi Chen approached a diseased tree dripping with pus and placed his palm on its bark to sense what was happening inside.


    ¡°Hmm? A tumor?¡±


    Beneath the tree¡¯s bark was a fleshy red malignant tumor. This tumorous structure was causing the trunk to swell and ooze.


    Moreover, the tumor was connected to the vascular transport system, extending toward the tree¡¯s roots. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It seems the lower roots are linked to something.¡±


    Before Yi Chen could process further, Jin approached without hesitation, dipped her fingers into the thick liquid, and tasted it on her tongue.


    ¡°There¡¯s a distinct taste of blood and flesh! So it¡¯s related to the roots? Let¡¯s find out what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Without consulting Yi Chen, Jin took the initiative...


    Jin wrapped her arms around the tree trunk, red threads crisscrossing her forearms. With explosive force, she wrenched the tree from the ground.


    Yi Chen did not intervene but focused intently on the roots.


    What came into view made his brows furrow and left him uneasy.


    The roots of the uprooted tree were swollen, smooth, and writhing as if alive. Rather than ordinary roots, they resembled the tentacles of an octopus.


    The living roots writhed actively, even attempting to reach out and burrow into Jin¡¯s arms. Unfortunately for them, their length fell short.


    ¡°What exactly are these roots feeding on?¡±


    Yi Chen brought the kerosene lamp closer to the hole in the ground and leaned in to look.


    A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead.


    In the depths of the hole lay a "larval form" that defied modern biological classification.


    It possessed limbs resembling those of a human, but their lengths varied, and they were tipped with structures like hooves and fleshy pads.


    The body was covered in black fur, adorned with budding goat-like horns and a snout similar to a pig''s.


    Its overall form was coiled like a mosquito coil, huddled at the bottom.


    Its surface was riddled with cavities that opened and closed with each breath, as though yearning for the roots to penetrate its body.


    Just then,


    The creature¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    Its pupils were slit-shaped, staring intently at the intruder above.


    Its grotesque, uneven mouth opened and closed, emitting strange cries that sounded as if it were in agony from the absence of the roots.


    ¡°This creature isn¡¯t just nourishment; it shares a symbiotic relationship with the tree, exchanging the nutrients they need to survive.


    Jin, put the tree back. Let¡¯s avoid alerting them for now; our exploration has only just begun.¡±


    However¡ª


    Jin rubbed her fingers together lightly, forming a simple blood-red lotus from the red threads.


    Releasing it with a flick of her fingers, the lotus drifted down and landed on the strange larval creature¡¯s body.


    The lotus rooted itself into the surface,


    Red threads invaded,


    Spreading throughout the creature.


    The larva exploded like a bomb, its flesh and blood evaporating into nothingness.


    Moments later,


    The uprooted tree began to wither and shrivel, starting from its roots. Within five minutes, the entire tree had aged and decayed into death.


    ¡°This poor creature¡ªdeath is the best gift for it. Don¡¯t you think my actions are rather gentlemanly, William?¡±


    ¡­


    At the same time,


    In the depths of the forest, within a concealed and completely gray-washed chamber¡ª


    An elderly man clad in religious robes and wearing a bishop¡¯s crown adorned with golden and green plant patterns awoke in his seat.


    As he slowly raised his wrinkled, skeletal hand,


    A mysterious figure in a black clerical robe materialized in the shadows, kneeling before him.


    ¡°Your Excellency, what are your orders?¡±


    ¡°There are visitors¡­¡±


    ¡°Are they here to deliver more nourishment to us? Humans can be so generous.¡±


    ¡°This time, it¡¯s different. Let the expendable villagers greet them first and test their capabilities. If necessary, initiate the trials.


    Our plan is still ongoing, and we must proceed with caution, Theodore.¡±


    ¡°As you command.¡±


    The man called Theodore retreated swiftly into the shadows, vanishing.


    The bishop, awakened from his dream, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, as if suffering from prolonged immobility.


    After painstakingly adjusting his posture,


    He lifted his clerical robes, revealing a bloated and heavily wrinkled abdomen.


    What was grotesque, however,


    Was the umbilical cord-like structure extending from his navel, covered in the same wrinkles, connecting him to his chair.


    It seemed to anchor him there, while simultaneously functioning as a conduit to draw nutrients from beneath the seat.


    From the gaps below the chair, faint wafts of a corpse-like stench emanated.


    ........................................................................


    Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation

 Chapter 92

    Weak and ordinary. This was Yi Chen¡¯s intuitive feeling after killing the old man. It wasn¡¯t that he had grown significantly stronger, but rather an objective impression.


    The old man couldn¡¯t compare to the unfinished works of Moonscar Lorien at the Twilight Clinic. Even the male doctor with the defibrillator there could easily take down three or four old men like him.


    However,


    If caught off guard and pounced on directly by the black cat, it would still be quite dangerous. Once the pounce succeeded, the furry old man¡¯s tongue would burrow down the esophagus and into the body, potentially leading to ¡°egg-laying infection.¡±


    As for the memory fragments Yi Chen acquired, they were entirely worthless¡ªjust mundane snippets of the old man¡¯s daily life, offering no information about the [New Life Church].


    When the wall of trees rose, the old man, limited by his immobility, had no choice but to remain at home.


    As the gray mist emerged between the floorboards,


    he viewed it as a sign of the arrival of death. Leading his only companion, the black cat, to the attic, he sat in a long-unused rocking chair, awaiting his end.


    However,


    death did not come.


    Under the influence of the gray mist, the old man underwent bizarre pathogenic changes, extending his tongue to lick the black cat.


    This licking continued without pause, and after about a week, his tongue fused with the black cat, transforming into a grotesque, pathogenic creature.


    ¡°The disease spreading through the village and forest seems related to [fusion]... The earlier larvae at the base of the trees were similar¡ªthey had human limbs but bore traits of cattle or sheep.


    Is this disease brought by the so-called New Life Church?¡±


    While Yi Chen pondered, Jin lightly placed a hand on his shoulder from behind.


    ¡°Hey~ You¡¯re quite something, aren¡¯t you? Handling such low-grade pathogens without even needing a weapon.


    By the way, why didn¡¯t you strike earlier? Based on my observations, the effective range of the plants inside you should be at least three meters, right? There shouldn¡¯t have been any need for you to get so close.¡±


    ¡°To ensure the corpse remains intact and gather more intel.


    If the distance is too far, accuracy drops significantly... If gets damaged, it won¡¯t be worth it.¡±


    As Yi Chen spoke, he pointed to his head.


    ¡°Oh? You can extract nutrients and knowledge from the brain? That¡¯s a terrifying ability~ This behavior is even worse than mine.


    How about trying to suck the contents of my brain and see what¡¯s inside?¡±


    Jin¡¯s curiosity got the better of her, and she directly placed Yi Chen¡¯s hand on her forehead.


    ¡°Jin, stop messing around.


    This guy¡¯s brain holds no useful information. He¡¯s just a lonely old man living outside the village¡­ Let¡¯s move on and head deeper into the village.¡±


    Just then,


    Jin suddenly turned her head to look down the stairs.


    From beneath mask came a voice brimming with killing intent and slight excitement:


    ¡°Is this building a trap? We¡¯re surrounded, William¡­ And it seems like there are quite a lot of them.¡±


    Upon hearing this,


    Yi Chen quickly stepped to the attic window.


    Without the need for a kerosene lamp,


    he could clearly see in the pitch-black forest. Villagers holding torches were pouring out one after another.


    Their ¡®forms¡¯ further confirmed Yi Chen¡¯s suspicions: the disease infecting and influencing the village and forest was related to [biological fusion].


    Starting with the villagers who resembled humans:


    Their appearances and body structures were still within human bounds, but they bore additional animal characteristics¡ª


    like a woman with antlers, fur-covered skin, and white spots,


    or a muscular man with bull horns and a tail.


    However, these were in the minority. Most villagers no longer retained the essential label of [human].


    For instance:


    A figure whose body, from chin to abdomen, was entirely split open, lined with hundreds of sharp teeth, crawling rapidly on all fours.


    Or a fully wolf-like bipedal creature holding a hunting rifle.


    Some had "Fungal Mountains" growing on their backs, forcing them into a permanent 90-degree hunch. Every few seconds, these fungal mountains would release massive amounts of ash-like spores, stimulating and empowering the other nearby villagers.


    The total number of villagers coming to encircle them was over twenty.


    The most imposing and dominant presence among them was a .


    His body was the size of at least three adult villagers.


    A giant pig¡¯s head was stitched onto his neck, replacing his original head.


    The butcher¡¯s apron was stretched taut by his massive belly¡ªor rather, it wasn¡¯t just a belly, but a grotesque sight of three pig heads protruding from his abdomen. Their bloody mouths gaped open, drooling endlessly at the scent of fresh meat.


    That wasn¡¯t all.


    Four iron chains were hooked onto the butcher¡¯s back, and the other ends were attached to four hounds. These hounds had their skins and heads sewn with pig hides, sometimes barking wildly and sometimes emitting eerie pig-like squeals through their masks.


    It seemed that after completing more slaughter tasks and absorbing even more ash-like fumes, this butcher would soon evolve into a "Severely Afflicted Host".


    "So many!"  S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen had never encountered such a large group of infected before. His mind immediately started working on a plan to escape the predicament.


    "Jin! Once more than half of these people enter the building, target the side wall of the attic for a controlled explosion. If we can damage the structure enough to cause a collapse, that would be even better.


    Using the opening created by the explosion, we¡¯ll jump into the forest and retreat at full speed. If any villagers try to block us, don¡¯t engage in prolonged combat¡ªquickly kill them and keep moving."


    "NO!"


    Jin shook her finger, outright rejecting Yi Chen¡¯s escape plan.


    "They¡¯re serving us such a grand feast of infected¡ªwhy leave without enjoying it?


    By the way, earlier when we entered the house, I deliberately let you go ahead, and I let you claim the first infected kill entirely... This time, it¡¯s my turn to call the shots, right?


    Didn¡¯t you want to gather intel? See those brains wobbling inside their skulls? Soon, they¡¯ll all be yours."


    Just as Yi Chen was about to protest, Jin stepped closer.


    Standing on tiptoe, chest pressed to his, she placed her finger against his lips.


    "Shhh~"


    Calming Yi Chen, she turned and quickly moved to the first floor, taking advantage of the fact that the villagers were still outside.


    Pulling out a small metal box from her pocket, she gave it a light flick.


    A bright red dropped into her palm.


    Buzz!


    A crimson thread of energy flowed from her fingertip into the cube, activating it. She then stuck it to the ground like chewing gum.


    With that done, Jin walked back upstairs with light, almost playful steps, whistling as she went. She grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s hand and led him to the center of the attic, pointing at the floor.


    "This spot will explode shortly. Our outfits will absorb the shockwave, minimizing physical harm. We¡¯ll use the force of the explosion to propel ourselves out of the building.


    Those who think they¡¯ve surrounded us will find themselves surrounded instead."


    As she spoke, Jin wrapped her arm around Yi Chen¡¯s waist.


    "Of course, if you¡¯re not used to this kind of explosion and can¡¯t control where you land, just hold on tight to me~ I¡¯ll ensure we land in the most strategic spot."


    Yi Chen, having no prior experience, wasn¡¯t sure how powerful the explosion would be. He only felt his suit growing thicker and bulkier.


    Without rejecting Jin¡¯s suggestion, he stayed in her embrace.


    When the sound of footsteps on the first floor grew denser and about ten villagers had entered the building, Jin gracefully raised her right hand and snapped her fingers.


    A crimson lotus bloomed on the surface of the meat cube.


    The stone building collapsed instantly.


    Amid the red firelight and billowing smoke, two figures leaped out, clinging to each other. They traced a perfect arc through the air and landed right behind the outermost villagers.


    Beneath the colorful mask was a bloodthirsty grin.


    The slaughter began!

 Chapter 91

    When Jin directly detonated the larvae in the pit, S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Yi Chen immediately joined forces with Little Grape to scan the surroundings. After confirming no patients were approaching, they both let out a slight sigh of relief.


    ¡®Jin''s way of doing things is always like this; we can only try to curb her reckless behavior moving forward.


    That said, this kind of reckless tactic doesn¡¯t seem to matter much here.


    Since the internal area has already been severely gray-eroded, much like the Twilight Clinic, there must be some unknown presence monitoring the forest, akin to Mr. Lee. In fact, it¡¯s possible that every tree here serves as its eyes.¡¯


    ¡°Jin, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Alright! Hurry up, I can¡¯t wait any longer.¡±


    With the tree walls no longer restricting them, Jin walked ahead with her light steps.


    However, she would occasionally glance back to ensure the distance between her and Yi Chen didn¡¯t exceed five meters.


    Yi Chen, unaffected by Jin''s pace, steadily advanced by sensing the plants around them.


    The dark and misty inner forest was treacherous; speeding up or losing focus could easily result in losing one¡¯s way.


    The trees here were incapable of retaining marks. Even deep cuts made by a blade would heal within minutes.


    Without a reconnaissance gentleman like Yi Chen, the team would likely get lost in the forest.


    After about thirty minutes of walking through the woods,


    They finally spotted something other than vegetation¡ªa rotting, moldy signpost covered in mushrooms. Despite its decay, the words "Shepherd Village" were faintly visible.


    The signpost acted as a boundary line.


    Crossing the sign, they found a stone-paved road stretching ahead. Through the layers of fog, faint lights could be seen in the distance.


    Not long after,


    A two-story building, entirely out of place with the times, emerged by the roadside. It had a medieval aesthetic,


    Constructed of stone bricks, with a gabled roof and a signature chimney.


    The fenced backyard lacked any crops or livestock, leaving only a puddle of foul-smelling black water.


    Bright firelight shone through the horizontal wooden mullioned windows on the first floor,


    While faint light seeped through the recessed attic windows embedded in the gabled roof. Shadows seemed to flicker faintly behind the glass.


    A thin plume of black smoke rose from the chimney,


    A sign that someone was likely living there.


    ¡°This is strange. This building seems to stand alone outside the village¡­ The stone road extends further, so the village center must still be some distance away.


    It feels like¡­ a watchtower?¡±


    Jin nonchalantly replied, ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that? Let¡¯s go in and take a look.¡±


    As Jin moved toward the wooden door on the first floor, Yi Chen quickly stepped ahead of her.


    Seeing this, Jin merely smiled faintly, stuffed her hands into her pockets, and deliberately slowed her pace to walk behind him.


    SHe knew exactly what Yi Chen was thinking¡ªcautious and rational, trying to gather as much information as possible at the start of the investigation. Her former teammates were just like that.


    However, she seemed to tolerate Yi Chen¡¯s approach much more.


    "Let me see how the first Gentleman Acceptor handles things~"


    When they entered the building, Jin intentionally kept a certain distance from Yi Chen.


    From this point on, she decided not to intervene but to observe as a ¡°spectator on site.¡±


    Something long and unidentifiable was burning in the fireplace, completely charred and unrecognizable.


    The wooden dining table was cluttered with moldy, rotting food,


    The picture frames on the walls had been torn apart, making it impossible to gather useful information.


    The kitchen was equally disorganized, filled with unwashed utensils.


    After confirming that no one was on the first floor, Yi Chen carefully ascended the staircase beside the fireplace to the second-floor attic, making almost no noise.


    This gabled attic had limited space and restrictive corners.


    As Yi Chen reached the last step, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.


    In front of him,


    In the corner of the attic, a nearly burnt-out white candle flickered weakly, its flame threatening to extinguish at any moment.


    By its dim light, Yi Chen could barely make out the end of the attic, directly facing the staircase.


    There stood a wooden rocking chair, and seated in it was an elderly man on the verge of baldness.


    His back was turned,


    Revealing only sparse white hair atop his head, dotted with black spots resembling those of a corpse.


    The rocking chair swayed slowly back and forth.


    Every slight creak echoed strangely in the narrow, pitch-black space of the attic.


    As Yi Chen cautiously took a step forward, the rocking chair¡¯s pace quickened slightly, as if it had detected the young man''s presence.


    Jin, who had followed him to the attic, leaned against the stair railing with one hand supporting the face, watching the scene unfold with amusement.


    "Hello, is this Shepherd Village?"


    Yi Chen¡¯s question received no response from the other party.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen could only continue carrying his suitcase, moving closer to the old man¡ªdeliberately slowing his steps to enhance his visual acuity.


    ¡®Is that¡­ a cat?¡¯


    When Yi Chen reached halfway across the attic, he noticed what appeared to be a black cat lying on the old man¡¯s legs, blending almost perfectly with the dark surroundings.


    The cat fixed its yellow eyes on Yi Chen, silently staring without a sound or movement.


    Sensing a hint of danger, Yi Chen placed one hand on the lock of his suitcase as he cautiously approached the old man.


    The rocking chair groaned louder as he got closer, its frequency increasing with every step.


    Five meters.


    Four meters.


    Three meters.


    Two meters.


    At this distance, the rocking chair''s speed exceeded what would be physically possible for an ordinary person, no matter how much effort they exerted.


    One meter!


    As Yi Chen¡¯s leather shoe touched the floor, the frantically rocking chair suddenly froze¡ªlike a remote control had paused it.


    Suddenly, the old man in the chair jerked his head around, his neck twisting a full 90 degrees to face the intruding young man.


    It was a face devoid of any features¡ªno eyes, no nose, no mouth¡ªonly a gaping, hollow pit.


    The sunken cavity of his face extended deep into his esophagus, and from within the cave-like opening protruded a grotesque "tongue."


    The tongue was covered in black fur and stretched outward all the way to his legs¡ªits tip connected to the black cat perched there.


    To be precise, the cat was a part of the tongue!


    "Meow!"


    As the old man violently jerked his head, the black cat-tongue flung outward, aiming straight at Yi Chen.


    The cat¡¯s body split open vertically from its abdomen, revealing a row of fine, sharp teeth that formed a maw large enough to latch onto a human face¡ªreminiscent of a headcrab. It hurtled toward Yi Chen¡¯s face.


    At such close range, there was no time to draw a weapon or strike back.


    The old man had deliberately waited until Yi Chen was within range for a fatal blow!


    The black cat was less than five centimeters away from Yi Chen¡¯s face when his gloved left hand intercepted it mid-air.


    A green light burst forth!


    Spear-like roots shot out from Yi Chen¡¯s palm, piercing through the black cat¡¯s body and pinning it to the ceiling.


    Before the old man could react, Yi Chen¡¯s other hand landed directly on his head. His five fingers spread wide as sharp, root-like spikes emerged from his fingertips.


    ¡°Roots piercing through the skull.¡±


    Enhanced by his heightened intelligence and the gloves'' power, there was no need for a slow infiltration via the nasal cavity or ears.


    Crack!


    The sharp roots pierced straight through the old man¡¯s skull, allowing Yi Chen to perform a live "central nervous system extraction."


    Clearer fragments of the old man''s memories flooded into Yi Chen¡¯s mind while nourishing his brain.


    The old man convulsed violently during the process.


    When the extraction was complete, Yi Chen pinpointed the location of the pathogen core.


    Retracting the roots, he released the old man¡¯s head and let his palm glide down to strike the old man¡¯s abdomen.


    Swish!


    Roots shot out from Yi Chen¡¯s palm, piercing through the old man¡¯s stomach and shattering the pathogen core within.


    The old man and the black cat on the ceiling stiffened instantly, their bodies withering and rapidly decaying into mummified remains.


    "Marvelous!"


    Jin¡¯s applause and cheers rang out from the stairway.


    TLN- [Hey guys, again in this chapter Jin was mostly referred as the pronoun "Ëý" (t¨¡), which is a feminine pronoun in Chinese, meaning "she" or "her", But from what I gathered while translating it''s mostly left ambiguous on what "Jin''s" gender is, but Ëý" (t¨¡) is mostly used, so yeah. sorry again for any confusion that might occur ahead, will keep translating as it''s written]

 Chapter 93

    The explosion¡¯s power was astonishing.A small mushroom cloud rose, illuminated by the firelight, forming a faint shape resembling a red lotus.


    The villagers who had stepped onto the first floor of the house were reduced to nothing but scattered fragments.


    Even those within a five-meter radius of the building suffered from severed limbs, rendering them temporarily immobile. One particularly unlucky individual had the pathogenic core inside his body pierced by flying debris, killing him instantly.


    Inside the building, however, the two individuals experienced a different fate.


    Jin¡¯s gentlemanly attire could automatically detect the explosion¡¯s origin, estimate its approximate power, and add a honeycomb-like explosion-resistant structure to the fabric.


    The core material, "Gentleman¡¯s Skin," emitted a faint ancient aura, aiding in the rapid formation and stability of this protective layer.


    At the moment of the explosion,


    the coat had already enveloped her entire body.


    The shockwave from the explosion was contained within the special structure of the clothing, allowing only 10% to 20% of the force to reach her body.


    Jin skillfully utilized the blast¡¯s momentum, landing both individuals at the edge of the circle formed by the surrounding villagers.


    Jin even added a dramatic flair by holding Yi Chen around the waist, using the fiery red-lotus-shaped mushroom cloud and the scattered remains of the infected as a backdrop.


    As they landed, Jin arched backward in a striking pose.


    Completely leaning back, she looked up at Yi Chen through her mask.


    ¡°So, what do you think? Pretty thrilling, huh? Now that we¡¯ve surrounded them, let the party begin!¡±


    Before her words finished echoing,


    the closest villager approached. His face was covered with a thick beard, his back hunched, and his arms had thickened and transformed into bear-like paws.


    With his entire body flexing, he swung a powerful strike capable of snapping a tree trunk, aiming to smash the two in front of him to pieces.


    Jin, however, remained utterly unfazed.


    She first freed herself from Yi Chen¡¯s hold, then faced the incoming bear paw. Instead of dodging, she opened her palm and swung it forward at the same speed.


    The scene resembled a friendly high-five between companions.


    When the two palms collided, anyone judging purely by physique would assume Jin¡¯s arm would snap instantly, sending her flying along with it.


    But instead¡ªBOOM!


    A small, high-intensity explosion occurred at the point of contact.


    The villager¡¯s thick bear arm and half of his body were blasted into chunks of flesh.


    Completely unharmed, Jin stepped forward gracefully,


    her arm brushing against the villager¡¯s mutilated body, sliding past his stomach and intestines, and extracting a nearly embryonic [Pathogenic Core].


    ¡°A forcibly cultivated infected? No wonder it¡¯s so weak¡­ This kind of hastily grown body has no value at all.¡±


    With a casual squeeze of her fingers,


    the infected farmer died instantly.


    In the next moment, three more villagers surrounded Jin. One had a mouth full of jagged teeth, another wielded hay forks in four arms, and the third had a ruptured abdomen revealing suction cups and adhesive tentacles.


    Whoosh!


    A phantom-like blur flashed before their eyes.


    Jin¡¯s speed was far beyond theirs¡ªseveral levels higher, in fact.


    By the time they initiated their attacks, Jin had already moved three meters away, heading toward the pig-headed butcher.


    Each of the three villagers displayed a finger-shaped indentation on different parts of their bodies, as if lightly poked.


    Red threads spread from these marks, quickly covering their bodies and forming a red lotus at their navels.


    As they attempted to turn and chase after Jin¡ª


    Their abdomens exploded. The remnants of their lower halves either collapsed to the ground, were flung onto nearby twisted branches, or hurled into other villagers, sending them flying.


    Hearing the explosion, Jin turned her head toward Yi Chen.


    ¡°Hey, William! These are just forcibly cultivated infected¡ªtoo boring to deal with. Only that pig-headed one seems interesting. The rest are yours.


    I¡¯m going to play with the pig-headed butcher.¡±


    With that, she strode off.


    Jin leaped onto the top of a nearby tree and began jumping between branches, approaching the direction of the pig-headed butcher.


    With Jin''s temporary disappearance, the surrounding villagers¡ªwho didn¡¯t seem very bright¡ªimmediately shifted their attention to the other young intruder and began closing in.


    ¡°Phew...¡±


    Yi Chen calmly set down his briefcase, removed his arm guard, and rolled up his sleeves in three neat folds to his elbows.


    With his thumb, he flicked open the case lock and retrieved a hand axe with a black handle and silver blade.


    As he rose, his index finger pressed against the axe''s handle, and his wrist delivered a sudden rotational force.


    ¡ªthe hand axe began spinning in his palm.


    By the time he was fully upright, the axe had completed five rotations and landed steadily in his grip.


    The friction from the spinning generated a slight warmth in his palm, causing a bit of sweat that increased his grip, completing his warm-up.


    "A ''Induced-type patient'' huh? No wonder this feels a bit off," Yi Chen muttered, recalling the term from a book he had read.


    "Induction Pathogenic"¡ªa unique infectious ability possessed by some severe or open-source pathogens. This allowed them to rapidly induce individuals into infected patient through direct seeding, core sharing, or similar methods akin to "immediate bestowal."


    The process was remarkably fast with a high success rate, capable of producing large numbers of mind-controlled patient in a short time.


    It was somewhat like using hormones to accelerate animal growth. Though these creatures might appear physically similar to mature adults, their meat and bones remained juvenile, often too underdeveloped even to stand properly.


    Still, Yi Chen didn''t let his guard down.


    With his right hand gripping the axe and his left hand controlling plants, he coordinated with Little Grape''s vision, weaving gracefully among the villagers. He dodged and counterattacked at critical moments, each movement precise and efficient.


    The earlier explosion had already killed more than half of the villagers, and combined with the ones Jin had taken out, fewer than ten remained.


    Thanks to his experience at the Twilight Clinic and a month of physical training with Teacher Zed, Yi Chen''s combat skills had reached a new level.


    Dealing with these induced patients was no challenge.


    The only downside was that these villagers'' brains held no useful information. They had no connections to the ''New Life Church'' and their own memories were fragmented, murky, and devoid of any analytical or organizational value.


    When Yi Chen finally pulled his axe from the back of the last villager and wiped the blood off with a plant-woven cloth,


    A heavy sound echoed from ahead.


    Looking up, Yi Chen saw the most troublesome villager¡ªthe pig-headed butcher¡ªcollapse heavily to the ground.


    Jin was crouched beside the butcher¡¯s massive body, engaged in an indescribably bizarre act. Utilizing her unique professional abilities, she performed


    Eventually, a meticulously cleaned, half-sized pig¡¯s head was crafted. With a metallic hook extending from its neck, Jin held it in her hand.


    "Since I¡¯ve never had suitable materials, I usually make my weapons on the go during missions. It¡¯s not bad this way¡ªI get enough variety to keep things fresh. This pig¡¯s head will suffice," she remarked.


    As she spoke, Jin inserted her entire right hand into the pig''s head and tugged at the metal hook protruding from its neck with her left hand, much like pulling the cord of an engine.


    A compressed, refined bone saw blade suddenly shot out from the top of the pig''s head. Measuring about 1.5 meters, it spun at high speed.


    "Pig-Head Chainsaw."


    Even Yi Chen was momentarily stunned by the sight. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So this is what a ''Human Weapon Artisan''** can do..."


    ........................................................................


    Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation

 Chapter 94

    In the dark depths, a hundred meters away from the scene of the incident, Theodore, dressed in a black clerical robe, was silently observing everything. The villagers¡¯ ambush was directly orchestrated by him.Seeing the villagers he had arranged being entirely eradicated, his expression remained unchanged.


    He was merely silently recording the abilities displayed by the two individuals.


    "The bishop¡¯s intuition was correct. These two are entirely different from the humans who entered before. Let¡¯s go deeper. You may become the key materials for the ''Incarnation.''"


    When the pig-headed butcher was killed and transformed into a special weapon, Theodore recorded the final piece of information and disappeared into the darkness.


    ---


    Sap, like raindrops, dripped from above, deliberately extinguishing the raging flames caused by the explosion.


    Before the ruins of a house, littered with severed limbs and debris, Jin had already attached the miniaturized pig-head weapon back to her waist, treating it as a tool for eliminating pathogenic patients during their mission.


    Yi Chen looked up at the source of the "rain," which came from the tree branches sealing the forest canopy. These branches reacted immediately to abnormal heat sources.


    Suddenly, Yi Chen seemed to sense something else. He quickly turned his head, his gaze sweeping toward a direction in the pitch-black forest.


    Curiously, Jin asked, "What is it? What are you looking at?"


    "I just felt a fleeting sense of being watched, as if someone was secretly observing us... or studying us."


    "Has it disappeared already? What a pity~ My pig-head weapon hasn¡¯t even had its first bloodletting yet."


    "Yes, the sense of being watched lasted only a moment. Now I feel nothing. Jin, where¡¯s the butcher¡¯s brain? Let me extract some information from it."


    "Ah~ The brain is a crucial component. I¡¯ve already integrated it into the weapon. If you consume it, this thing will be useless."


    "Fine. These artificially cultivated diseased villagers are like brains missing a large portion¡ªonly containing murky, fragmented memories. It feels like their memory regions are incomplete.


    Extracting information from their brains is like drinking watered-down fake liquor¡ªcompletely unsatisfying."


    "Then let¡¯s move on. Once we¡¯ve exterminated all the diseased villagers in the village, the truth will naturally surface."


    Perhaps it was the long-awaited slaughter or the acquisition of a satisfying temporary weapon, but Jin, despite wearing a mask, exuded joy. She tapped her shoe tips rhythmically on the stone path, performing a cheerful folk dance.


    Yi Chen merely smiled faintly and followed her at a normal pace.


    Interestingly, despite having just experienced an intense battle, Yi Chen could still feel the warmth of splattered blood and the tingling numbness from the explosion''s shockwaves. The fingers of his right hand, still gripping the axe, twitched slightly.


    His body, partly immersed in the thrill of the recent slaughter, felt stiff in its joints. However, as Jin¡¯s rhythmic dance unfolded, Yi Chen¡¯s tense mood gradually relaxed, and his stiff body quickly returned to normal.


    ¡®This Jin... Partnering with her was the right choice. To survive in this world, one must adapt to such slaughter, maintain composure in any situation, and preserve the of a gentleman.¡¯


    "Jin, what are your attribute values?"


    As they hadn¡¯t yet officially reached the village, Yi Chen, curious about Jin¡¯s displayed strength and speed, couldn¡¯t help but wonder about her attributes.


    "Come closer. Put your hand on my shoulder, and I¡¯ll share them with you."


    "Alright."


    As Yi Chen extended his hand, Jin gracefully spun around to face him and placed her shoulder against his hand.


    A string of shared information immediately appeared in Yi Chen¡¯s vision. Though not as detailed as a self-assessment, it contained everything he wanted to know.


    ---


    ¡Ú Class: Human Weapon Artisan ¡Û


    ¡Ú Persona: Human ¡Û


    ¡Ú Basic Attributes ¡Û


    - Physique: 4


    - Motorics: 6


    - Intellect: 3


    - Psyche: 5


    - Luck: 4


    ¡Ú Class Traits ¡Û


    "Flesh Affinity (Passive)":


    Capable of self-healing by devouring the flesh and blood of mammals. The closer the source is to humans, the better the effect. The flesh and blood of human "diseased" individuals work best.


    Perfect Compatibility for Blood Transfusion and Organ Transplants


    Compatible with any blood type for transfusions and capable of accepting any healthy organ transplant without rejection.


    "Flesh Weapon (Active)":


    The individual can transform the flesh of mammals into weapons.


    - The weapon''s strength directly correlates with the raw materials and the individual''s "Perception" value.


    - The types of weapons available are indirectly related to the "Perception" value.


    ¡ÚPathogenic Characteristics¡Û


    The pathogenic crystallization mastered is referred to as "Red Lotus," though detailed information is not disclosed publicly.


    ---


    Jin naturally values her privacy, hiding some particularly personal information. However, even with the disclosed details, her abilities are astonishing.


    Aside from her average intelligence,


    - All other attribute values are above average.


    - Most notably, her "Coordination" has reached the human limit, explaining her ability to perfectly control her body during violent explosions, land precisely, and achieve extraordinary speed in combat.  sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her "Perception" is also at an extraordinary level.


    Perception signifies Jin''s mental versatility, enabling her to create a variety of flesh-based products. This allows for highly flexible, diverse, and devastating attack methods. Clearly, like Yi Chen, her goal is to reach ''multi-attribute extremes.''


    It¡¯s worth noting that Jin¡¯s professional characteristics do not provide attribute bonuses or assist growth¡ªunlike Yi Chen¡¯s central role. This means all her current attributes are achieved purely through personal effort and training.


    As Yi Chen was about to ask more questions:


    A shadow suddenly darted through the forest beside them. Its speed was incredibly fast but was still caught by Little Grape, revealing a small silhouette resembling a small animal.


    When Yi Chen received the transmitted image, he immediately identified the creature as a "chicken."


    Just as Yi Chen prepared to pursue it, Jin had already taken off at lightning speed.


    "So fast!"


    Yi Chen, who prided himself on his own speed¡ªranking among the top in his previous team¡ªfound Jin''s speed utterly terrifying. He could even faintly hear faint explosive sounds from her calves as she accelerated, quickly widening the gap between them.


    "Jin, wait!"


    As Yi Chen tried to call out to Jin to prevent them from getting too separated, she suddenly stopped.


    She had firmly caught the fast-moving, chicken-like creature in her hands.


    Under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, the creature was revealed: black feathers, a red comb¡ªit was indeed a chicken.


    Its comb, shape, and feathers appeared completely normal, showing no signs of pathogenic mutation.


    However, in such a deeply gray and sealed-off area, Jin wasn¡¯t about to overlook any creature. Besides, with chickens being oviparous creatures, they weren¡¯t of much use to her. She prepared to crush it immediately.


    Just as she was about to apply force,


    The chicken¡¯s beak suddenly opened, and it spoke in an oddly comical human voice:


    ¡°Don¡¯t kill me¡­ I was just trying to lead you to Granny! You mustn¡¯t enter the village. Otherwise, you¡¯ll end up like those people¡ªcaptured by the village chief and his subordinates and taken to the church!¡±


    Jin wasn¡¯t interested in the information but was intrigued by the fact that the chicken could talk.


    ¡°Infected after all?¡±


    Jin showed no intention of stopping and was about to crush it when:


    A plant vine suddenly shot out from behind, wrapping around her arm and stopping her.


    ¡°Spare¡­ the chicken!¡±


    ¡°Hey! Are you opposing me now?¡±


    Jin, uncharacteristically, leaned her body back and twisted her head around at Yi Chen. Though her face was hidden behind a mask, a hint of killing intent could be felt.


    Yi Chen stood firm, keeping the plant vine wrapped around her.


    ¡°Let the chicken speak a little more.¡±


    The two stared at each other for a full minute before Jin suddenly released the chicken, allowing Yi Chen to take it away.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite stubborn for a man~ If this were someone from Zion, they¡¯d have chickened out long ago. Go ahead and ask¡­ If there¡¯s nothing interesting, I¡¯m still tearing it apart.¡±

 Chapter 95

    "Jin seems particularly sensitive to sudden rejections... Just now, there was indeed a fleeting impulse to kill me. I need to be more careful in the future and minimize instances of rejecting her." In fact, Yi Chen completely understood Jin''s momentary emotional shift.


    Back when he was at the orphanage, children abandoned by their parents¡ªespecially those who were abandoned after becoming self-aware¡ªor those abused by their biological families, often developed certain "psychological barriers."


    Once those barriers were triggered, their temperament would undergo drastic changes, sometimes leading to reckless actions.


    There was once a boy who got along well with Yi Chen. One day, another kid casually said to him, "Can you stop acting like a dog?"


    The boy immediately pounced on the speaker, pinning him to the ground and biting off the other child''s nose and ears. He even nearly tore off the entire skin of his face.


    It was later revealed that this boy had been locked in a dog kennel and raised like a dog by his parents during his childhood. Any sign of disobedience would result in him being hung up and whipped.


    As for Jin, her situation might be even worse.


    Yi Chen made a mental note to tread carefully and avoid triggering Jin''s "barriers."


    ...


    Now, it was interrogation time.


    This sudden appearance of a talking chicken, with its extraordinary speed, demanded further investigation. Extracting key information from its beak was essential.


    The chicken was restrained by plant tendrils to prevent it from escaping. Yi Chen held its slightly chubby body in his hands and soon detected pathogenic substances within it.


    The abnormalities primarily affected its brain.


    This black chicken''s brain extended beyond its cranial cavity, proliferating along its neck and occupying almost half its body cavity. Its brain size was comparable to that of a human.


    This likely explained why the black chicken could talk and think.


    Aside from the brain, its leg muscles were exceptionally well-developed, even showing muscle structures resembling flight feathers.  Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If it weren¡¯t for someone like Jin, whose [Coordination] was at its peak, ordinary individuals would struggle to catch it.


    Other than its brain and legs, the chicken appeared normal and posed no threat.


    This marked Yi Chen¡¯s first encounter with a pathogenic animal, and surprisingly, it was relatively safe.


    ¡°Hey! Spill some more information, or my friend will really kill you.¡±


    The black chicken was so terrified that its comb drooped, and its entire body trembled as it struggled to form human words:


    ¡°Granny knows! Granny wants to talk with you... about the forest, the village, and even the church! Cluck, cluck!¡±


    ¡°What granny? Where is she?¡±


    ¡°I can take you to her¡­ Granny isn¡¯t under the church¡¯s control. She lives alone in a very secluded place outside the village. Cluck, cluck!¡±


    ¡°Has she approached other humans before?¡±


    ¡°No~ Granny is very discerning. Those other humans wouldn¡¯t have survived, but you¡¯re different! You killed those¡­ freaks at the village entrance so easily! Cluck, cluck!¡± ??¦­?£Â§¦?


    Yi Chen stopped asking questions and turned to Jin, who had been waiting nearby.


    ¡°Jin, let this chicken lead us there... Even if it¡¯s a trap, it should be to your liking, right?¡±


    Jin took a quick step forward, lightly touching the chicken¡¯s comb, causing it to nearly explode in fear.


    ¡°Fine! Lead us to your chicken coop¡­ And don¡¯t even think about lying to us.¡±


    And so, the chicken''s neck was bound with plant roots like a leash, forcing it to lead the way.


    Yi Chen also noticed that the direction the chicken was leading them was entirely opposite to where the earlier sense of being watched had originated. This suggested that the person observing their earlier battle might be someone else entirely.


    As the group moved closer to the "Granny''s" dwelling, more chickens began appearing intermittently in the forest around them. Some of these chickens were even capable of short flights, flapping their wings and perching on well-hidden branches.


    Yi Chen regarded these chickens as "Granny''s" eyes and ears.


    If the black chicken¡¯s words were true, this Granny might lean toward being "Patient Zero," existing beyond anyone''s control and occupying a secluded part of the forest.


    She lived separately from the villagers, silently observing the changes in the forest and the village. Of course, her possible connections to the church could not be completely ruled out.


    The exact situation would only become clear after meeting her.


    Soon enough, the black chicken led them to what it referred to as "Granny''s dwelling."


    It was an enormous tree, grotesquely bloated, its surface covered with pustules that oozed fluid incessantly. The tree was at least three times the size of a regular tree.


    "Granny lives underneath this. Follow me," the black chicken said, flapping its wings.


    It hopped toward a half-meter-long, wriggling crevice in the tree trunk. The opening seemed to exude a pulling sensation, as if eager to absorb anything nearby.


    Without hesitation, Yi Chen stepped forward, pressing his hand against the tree trunk. The crevice widened slightly under his touch.


    Shrouded in his coat, he squeezed through the opening, navigating the sticky, sap-covered passage.


    Inside the tree trunk was a slippery "slide," its texture somewhere between flesh and plant. It carried Yi Chen down to a mysterious underground space.


    After approximately fifty meters of spiral descent, he landed amidst a pile of straw.


    Before long, a swarm of small, yellow chicks surrounded him, as though welcoming this outsider.


    Using Little Grape¡¯s vision, Yi Chen quickly scanned the environment.


    It was a fairly large underground space, hemispherical in shape, with walls plastered with feathers of various colors. The feathers seemed to serve as a shield against the outside world.


    The space was roughly divided into three zones:


    [Hatchery Zone]


    Rows of iron chicken coops of various colors were stacked along the walls. Numerous eggs were being incubated within. The chicks now surrounding Yi Chen had evidently hatched from these eggs.


    [Nutrient Zone]


    Living roots from the massive tree above extended downward, each root piercing into the body of a larger-than-average chicken. The roots absorbed nutrients from these chickens. Once a chicken was drained dry, the next in line would step up to take its place.


    This process of self-sacrifice nourished the giant tree, supporting this underground space and ensuring the safety of the chicken population.


    Meanwhile, the essence secreted by the tree was collected into nutrient troughs. Newly hatched chicks could rapidly grow by consuming this liquid.


    Chicks that grew to become articulate, swift, and sharp-eyed would earn their "freedom," taking on tasks for Granny outside the forest.


    Those that proved ordinary and useless would be labeled as "meat chickens" and join the sacrificial queue.


    [Residential Zone]


    Located on the other side of the underground area, this zone contained living essentials such as a stove, dining table, fireplace, and bed.


    An elderly woman with a plump figure sat in a wooden chair. She wore a floral apron, and her short, dark wavy hair showed hints of gray.


    Her bare feet rested on the ground¡ªthough they couldn¡¯t wear shoes. While her soles appeared normal, her toes had mutated, growing elongated, wrinkled, and dark, with sharp, curved claws at the tips.


    In her arms, she cradled a round, golden-feathered chicken, gently stroking it.


    Her back was turned, so her face was unclear, but the scene reminded Yi Chen of his encounter in the attic earlier.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to greet her, "Granny" turned around.


    Apart from a red, fleshy wattle hanging from her chin, her facial features were human-like, with a kind smile.


    "Welcome to my chicken coop," she said warmly. "You can call me ''Granny Chicken.''


    You are truly exceptional, managing to capture ¡ªhe¡¯s the fastest chicken I have here."


    Hearing this, Yi Chen immediately released the black chicken Little Pei from the vines that bound it. Trembling, the black chicken scurried back to Granny Chicken¡¯s side.

 Chapter 96

    Through initial observations and listening to Granny Chicken¡¯s words, Yi Chen temporarily concluded that she was [harmless]. He decided to try communicating with her to obtain critical investigative information. However, before starting the conversation, there was another issue to address¡ªJin.


    Yi Chen looked upward but didn¡¯t see Jin sliding down as expected.


    ¡°Strange, based on Jin¡¯s personality, she should¡¯ve followed down right away.¡±


    At that moment, Granny Chicken, stroking the golden round chicken in her arms, said:


    ¡°Your friend has been sent to the other side. She doesn¡¯t seem to like interacting with people and prefers slaughter instead¡­ Why not let her help me deal with the villagers I¡¯ve captured in recent times?¡±


    ¡°Villagers?¡±


    ¡°I had my children set up many traps around here. Any villager who comes near, if they¡¯re not careful, will fall into one of them.


    But this only catches a few foolish, viviparous villagers.


    As for those from the Church, I still wouldn¡¯t dare make a move on them. That lot is quite dangerous.¡±


    ¡°With so many villagers disappearing in your area, aren¡¯t you afraid of being discovered?¡±


    ¡°So many? No, the viviparous villagers I¡¯ve caught don¡¯t even account for [1%] of the total population. Besides, these villagers are rejects in the Church¡¯s eyes¡ªtrash they wouldn¡¯t care about losing or having disappear.¡±


    ¡°Hmm...¡±


    Yi Chen nodded slightly. It seemed like his upcoming conversation with Granny Chicken could indeed yield valuable information.


    At this moment, Granny Chicken¡¯s deeply wrinkled forehead began to undergo a bizarre transformation. The once-normal wrinkle lines gradually evolved into dozens or even hundreds of tiny ¡°strips.¡±


    To be precise, they became [eye slits].


    Soon after, the interiors of the slits began to squirm, one after another opening up.


    Countless yellow-black chicken eyes appeared all over Granny Chicken¡¯s forehead, each blinking at a different frequency.


    At this moment, the little grape inside Yi Chen¡¯s body became instantly excited:


    ¡°Wow! A whole bunch of chicken grapes! I want to eat them so badly. If I skewer them with bamboo sticks and blanch them, they¡¯ll definitely taste amazing. §²?¦­??§§s?


    Once this old hag is no longer useful, let¡¯s eat her up!¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond, silently observing Granny Chicken¡¯s transformation.


    It seemed that her chicken eyes could visually link with the chickens outside.


    After a series of rotations, all the chicken eyes finally closed again.


    ¡°It seems no one from the Church followed you here... We can have a proper conversation now.


    However, we need to limit our exchange to ten minutes. Otherwise, the Church might start suspecting your whereabouts and could track you to my location.


    Let¡¯s keep this brief.


    The reason I brought you here is simple¡ªI hope you¡¯ll eliminate all the infected in Shepherd Village, especially those Church members deliberately guiding us to infection.


    If you¡¯re willing to help,


    I¡¯ll provide as much information as possible and have my children assist you in secret.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ what do you mean by ¡®deliberately guiding you to infection¡¯? Are Church members spreading pathogens?¡±


    Granny Chicken shifted her tone:


    ¡°They¡¯re not spreading pathogens but rather leading us to break the rules.¡±


    ¡°Break the rules? Can you elaborate?¡± Yi Chen¡¯s initial suspicions seemed to align with this.


    ¡°A gentleman like you should already understand the rules of our village.


    The rules strictly regulate [birth control] within the village, which, to some extent, also limits our primary livestock development.


    However, thanks to these rules, we¡¯ve significantly reduced the chances of villagers contracting diseases. Everyone manages to scrape by.


    But a few months ago, a group claiming to be from the [New Life Church] arrived...


    They claimed to have a completely new set of rules, capable not only of eliminating illnesses but also of ignoring reproductive limitations and promoting the development of the village''s livestock industry.


    Somehow, they directly convinced the village chief and established a church on a small hill to the east of the village.  S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ªYi Chen carefully noted this critical piece of information.


    "At first, the villagers didn''t trust these outsiders. However, under the persuasion of the village chief, a group of young villagers began visiting the church. When they returned, their thinking had completely changed.


    One female villager, who had been infertile for many years, became pregnant shortly after returning from the church.


    She gave birth to a healthy and lively baby in just one month, bypassing the usual rules of reproductive timing.


    Additionally, an elderly couple even older than me, after visiting the church, seemed to regain their youthful vigor and soon became pregnant as well.


    Even a white pig that was taken to the church became pregnant without any contact. In less than half a month, it gave birth to over twenty healthy piglets.


    These events were regarded as by the villagers.


    Gradually, more and more villagers stopped following the rules and flocked to the church for baptism. After returning, they began to allow their livestock to breed and reproduce recklessly.


    But I have always dismissed this as nonsense and viewed these outsiders as a cult.


    Of course, there were a few others in the village who shared my views and refused to have any contact with the church.


    Then one day, as my old bones often kept me from sleeping well, I accidentally saw the village chief dumping a basin of murky liquid containing a dead infant into the village¡¯s only well during the early hours of the morning.


    Before we could escape the village, the chief began his final purge.


    He didn¡¯t forcibly pour the well water into our mouths, nor did he tie us up and drag us to the church. Instead, he simply deemed us incurable¡ªstubborn ones unwilling to embrace a new identity¡ªand executed us by beheading.


    I was dragged by my hair to the backyard by the village chief.


    Under the watchful eyes of the ''children,'' I was beheaded..."


    At this point, the Granny Chicken smiled as she tilted her head back, revealing a clear scar across her neck.


    "When my consciousness returned, the children had dragged me to an open field outside the village. My head had been reattached.


    The forest was shrouded in a gray mist I had never seen before, fluid-like and strangely comforting to the touch. I knew very well it was this gray fluid that brought me back to life.


    Since then, I¡¯ve been able to communicate directly with the children. With their help, I¡¯ve avoided patrols by the villagers and the rare but dangerous church members.


    Eventually, I found this sturdy tree and formed a symbiotic agreement with it, building my chicken coop beneath it alongside the children.


    All I need to do now is eliminate the sick villagers and the church members, and I¡¯ll finally be at peace."


    "Understood," Yi Chen nodded slightly.


    While listening to the Granny Chicken''s story, he kept his eyes on hers the entire time. Although he detected no anomalies, there were still some doubts in his mind.


    First, the story had a ¡®critical gap.¡¯


    The events surrounding the Granny Chicken''s death and rebirth conveniently skipped over the most significant aspects of the forest turning gray and the formation of the high walls. What exactly happened during that time was crucial for the investigation.


    Moreover, the Granny Chicken had never directly interacted with the church, so related information still required further probing.


    Lastly, the claim of her survival seemed a bit far-fetched, and her reason for staying here remained unclear.


    "I have a question.


    Since the village has changed beyond recognition, why do you insist on staying here? With your current abilities, you should be able to burrow through the tree walls and leave the area, even escaping the forest entirely to find a safer place to settle.


    Why would you risk sacrificing these children to confront the church? Why take such a great risk to seek cooperation with us?"


    Still smiling, the Granny Chicken stroked the golden-feathered chicken in her arms as she replied:


    "Because when the village chief dragged me to the backyard, I wasn¡¯t the first to be beheaded.


    There was a good child in my family... The chief first chopped off this child¡¯s head right in front of me. These old bones of mine have long stopped caring about life or death. The only thing I care about is that child."


    As she spoke, all the eyes on her forehead opened, and her expression grew increasingly menacing, exuding a terrifying aura akin to that of a severely afflicted patient.


    The golden-feathered chicken in her arms began to stir.


    Its golden feathers slowly parted, revealing a beneath its round body.


    No, this was no chicken¡ªit was a human head, with golden hair resembling feathers.


    A young girl¡¯s head,


    Her murky eyes devoid of any emotion.


    This was the only family member the Granny Chicken had left¡ªa niece who had just turned nine years old.

 Chapter 98

    [Shepherd Village]In the village chief¡¯s house, the ¡°firewood¡± burning in the fireplace emitted thick black smoke. It was less like wood and more like dried biological limbs.


    The village chief, standing at an imposing height of 2.5 meters, sat at the dining table.


    Even the heavy coat he wore could not conceal his massive, almost inhuman physique. The oversized waterproof leather shoes on the floor appeared to be custom-made by the village cobbler.


    A standard-sized wooden table looked like a mere toy before him.


    His black skin and jet-black eyes, paired with his calloused, rune-marked hands resting flat on the table, gave him a menacing aura. Despite his imposing appearance, the village chief appeared restrained, for across from him sat a ¡°guest¡± draped in a black clerical robe.


    Before the guest was a drink specially prepared by the chief¡ªa pale pink liquid, bubbling faintly, exuding a subtle, fishy aroma.


    ¡°Lord Assistant, what brings you here today?¡± the chief asked.


    ¡°Two humans are approaching the village,¡± replied the guest.


    ¡°Just like last time? Sacrificial offerings coming to die?¡±


    ¡°Not quite the same. The two of them easily breached the ¡®human-tree wall¡¯ we cultivated and passed the first test I designed without a scratch.


    Their performance is exceptional. The Lord holds them in high regard and believes they may become pivotal [offerings].


    You and your village will serve as their second test.


    If necessary, you may let them destroy the entire village. After all, the Lord¡¯s ritual has reached its final stage, and everything here is no longer of any significance to ¡®His descent.¡¯


    Additionally¡ªthis is the reward for your efforts thus far, personally bestowed by the Lord.¡±


    A hexagonal ebony box was placed on the table. Its lid was engraved with the symbol of the church¡ªa newborn wrapped in an umbilical cord.


    Even with the box sealed tight, the scent of ¡°new life¡± wafted from within.


    Upon seeing this, the village chief¡¯s entire body trembled with excitement. Everything he had done was for this moment¡ªfor this gift of ¡°new life.¡±


    Opening the lid, he found an umbilical cord stained with traces of blood, coiled neatly inside.


    As the chief reached out, the cord began to wriggle.


    The moment their skin touched, the chief was flooded with memories of his youth. He could vividly feel the vigor and vitality of his younger days.


    Just as the chief was about to further connect with the cord, the assistant in black suddenly pressed down on his wrist, halting the process.


    ¡°Remember! Once you receive the cord, you establish a ¡®bloodline connection¡¯ with the Lord. If you commit any act against the church or the Lord¡¯s will, this connection will be forcibly severed. ???¨¯????¦¥????


    You will be expelled from the ranks of the ¡®New Humans.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I will complete the mission,¡± the chief replied resolutely.


    ...


    Yi Chen and Jin,


    The two were on their way to the village. Strangely, nothing happened¡ªnot even a single villager appeared.


    ¡°This is odd. Even if the villagers they¡¯ve cultivated can¡¯t hinder us much, it¡¯s strange that there¡¯s no one here at all¡ªnot even a watcher,¡± Yi Chen said. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s as if they¡¯re deliberately waiting for us to enter the village, to step into this critical location,¡± he continued. ¡°The village is likely riddled with traps or perhaps the church occupying it is brewing some special plan we¡¯re unaware of.¡±


    Jin didn¡¯t seem concerned.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about¡­ Only the weak stall for time.


    I¡¯ve encountered many similar situations before, and no matter what tactics they used, I crushed them with ease,¡± she said nonchalantly, skipping ahead with her usual lighthearted steps.


    Soon, the village buildings came into view. Even Jin slowed her pace and eventually stopped.


    Little Grape emerged from Jin¡¯s collar, and together with Yi Chen, they stared at the spectacle before them.


    ¡°No wonder we didn¡¯t see any animals besides chickens after entering the tree wall¡­ Were they all gathered here in the village? What on earth happened here?¡± Yi Chen murmured.


    He moved to a higher vantage point to observe a corner of the fully diseased village.


    Based on the map provided by Granny Chicken, Shepherd Village was once the largest village in this forested valley, surpassing [Green Lake Town] in size.


    The village now appeared veiled in a surreal mist, dominated by hues of purple and red, a stark contrast to the ashen atmosphere they had encountered before.


    Like a thin veil shrouding the village, any creature that steps into its bounds inevitably succumbs to the influence and erosion of this hallucinatory mist.


    Mammals that once lived within the tree walls have, for some reason, all gathered in the village.


    The roads and buildings are packed with the ''bodies'' of animals, to the point where it feels as though they are an integral part of the village environment.


    The term ''bodies'' is used because their state¡ªalive or dead¡ªcannot be determined.


    Their flesh is fused together, stuck to the ground, adhered to, or hanging from the surfaces of residential buildings, and in some cases, entirely embedded in the soil and roads. For example:


    1. A bison, its body covered in rabbits, lies sprawled in the middle of a road, with white fur resembling rabbit tails wriggling from its abdominal cavity.


    2. A goat, drenched in bats, hangs from the edge of a rooftop, with embryonic structures resembling bat wings sprouting from its back.


    3. A grotesquely swollen entity, bearing mixed characteristics of rats, pigs, horses, and black bears, crawls and writhes slowly along the streets.


    4. On some large rooftops lie¡ªor even float¡ªthe corpses of elephants, grotesquely swollen due to bizarre gases accumulating within their bodies. These corpses emit a pinkish glow, resembling oversized synthetic balloons.


    The trunks of these elephants are raised high, releasing bursts of iridescent material with every breath.


    ...


    However, these animals share one common trait:


    Their bodies are covered in large, colorful, and oddly shaped fungi (in elephants, these fungi primarily grow internally).


    The fungi connect to their flesh, with the surfaces of their caps bearing numerous pores, from which spores are exhaled alongside the animals¡¯ breaths. This spore dust is precisely what forms the hallucinatory mist that blankets the village.


    Additionally, as far as the visible parts of the village are concerned, no ''humans'' are present.


    ¡®Is this an intentional lure to draw us into the village, or is this an empty fort strategy to deter us, urging us to head quickly to the church in the mountains?


    The current intelligence is far from sufficient. Since this is an investigation, it¡¯s better to gather all possible information.


    Rushing straight to the church might cause us to miss critical details, even key clues.¡¯


    At this moment, Little Grape suddenly transmitted a message:


    "William, the village before you can already be classified as a [Gray Zone]...


    Even with the protection of plants, clothing, and myself, you must still be cautious.


    Those capable of creating an [Artificial Gray Zone] are not easy to deal with. Make sure to maintain your condition until you find this individual."


    "An Artificial Gray Zone? Got it."


    Yi Chen spread his five fingers, pressing his hands to his face to weave a fully protective mask.


    "Jin, do you need me to make you a filtration mask?"


    Jin lightly tapped the multicolored mask on her face with her fingers, signaling she didn¡¯t need one. At the same time, her body began to tremble.


    "A Gray Zone! Though small in scale, it¡¯s definitely a Gray Zone... The [environment] has been completely infected and distorted. My body is actually resisting entering the village¡ªhow fascinating!


    Come quickly, I can¡¯t wait to go in and see!"


    As Yi Chen jumped down from the high ground and walked along the village¡¯s stone path, Jin unexpectedly took his hand, interlocking their fingers.


    This act carried no other meaning¡ª


    "Contact-Explore"


    is a common method used by novices in Gray Zone investigations. It refers to maintaining direct physical contact during a team¡¯s initial exploration of a Gray Zone.


    Such contact effectively prevents the dynamic environment of the Gray Zone from separating team members. It also allows for mutual monitoring of mental states, reducing the likelihood of spiritual intrusion.


    Though Jin seemed impulsive, eager to gain the body of a strong individual, this was her first time exploring a Gray Zone. If she were to die, the fun would end as well.


    When the two stepped into the village together, the village seemed to sense the arrival of outsiders.


    The spore dust in the air began converging toward them with purpose.


    Even with their clothing acting as a barrier, their body temperatures gradually rose, and a primal biological desire began to stir within them.

 Chapter 99

    Despite the strong sweat-absorbing ability of the gentleman''s attire,it couldn''t stop the sweat pouring from Yi Chen''s forehead, each drop infused with the scent of hormones.


    The rising body temperature and the awakening of primal desires quickly made Yi Chen realize that the spores permeating this place seemed capable of slowly penetrating clothing and plant defenses in a peculiar way, influencing the body.


    Perhaps the Gray Zone had enhanced the penetrative effect of these spores.


    The hands of the two, tightly clasped, began to sweat profusely, with droplets even trickling through their interlocked fingers¡ªslick and sticky.


    It felt like a sweltering countryside cabin, where a man and a woman, trapped in an unventilated bedroom, suddenly experienced a power outage.


    As they walked along the village path, the two drew closer and closer, until they halted, turning to face each other.


    Even with masks between them, they could still hear each other''s increasingly rapid breaths.


    Beside the road:


    ? A twin-headed deer clung to the ground,


    ? A bat-goat hybrid lay on the grass,


    ? A massive sow in labor¡ªall were watching them.


    It even felt as though their writhing bodies, flesh, and fur emitted low whispers that traveled through the airborne spores, echoing clearly in their ears:


    ¡°Join us, unite with us.¡±


    The only one unaffected by this strange scene was Little Grape.


    But it did nothing to stop what was unfolding before it. In its eyes, this was not harmful behavior.


    Moreover, it was curious to witness the peculiar union between these two humans, both of whom intrigued it.


    At this moment, Yi Chen extended his sweat-drenched palm, gently placing it on Jin''s neck. Slowly, he slid his hand upward along her smooth skin, attempting to touch her cheek and remove her mask.


    The mask shifted upward under his hand, revealing her already moistened lips. Just as he was about to glimpse her entire face¡ª


    Smack!


    A lightning-fast slap struck the side of Yi Chen''s face, even triggering a small explosion where it landed.


    The force of the blow sent him flying, crashing heavily in front of a wooden house and crushing a dozen grotesque mushrooms that were releasing spore dust.


    The intense ringing in his ears, the sharp pain on his cheek, and the dizziness in his head snapped Yi Chen back to his senses.


    His entire right cheek was blown open, exposing a row of teeth and gums, with bits of flesh hanging off the side.


    ¡°Wow! That feels amazing!¡±


    Yi Chen''s sensation was akin to pouring icy-cool herbal water directly into his mouth¡ªa cooling, explosive shock.


    Pressing his hand against his injured cheek,


    newly sprouted green plant roots began to stop the bleeding, stitch the wound, and repair the damage.


    At the same time, Yi Chen looked up at Jin, standing in the path.


    She showed no intention to kill. She simply adjusted her mask back into place and silently stared at the flung Yi Chen, saying nothing.


    One thing was certain:


    Both of them had just been affected, their deep biological desires awakened. If not for the mask removal attempt, they might have truly engaged in some form of "intimate contact." ??¦­?????§¦?


    Yi Chen was the first to speak, breaking the awkward silence.


    ¡°It seems the environment here stimulates the ''mating'' instincts of living beings. Once triggered, this could result in actual union, possibly even genetic-level pairing.¡±


    ¡°Hmm...¡±


    Jin responded with just a hum, then walked up to Yi Chen and helped him to his feet.


    ¡°Jin, let¡¯s adjust the way we conduct our ¡®contact investigation.¡¯¡±


    Green roots grew from Yi Chen¡¯s palm, slowly wrapping around Jin¡¯s wrist.


    The roots connected their wrists like bracelets, maintaining constant contact. The length extended up to ten meters with high elasticity, instantly retracting under external force to prevent them from being separated.


    ¡°Such a troublesome type of Gray Zone,¡± Jin remarked, her words noticeably fewer.


    As their minds gradually broke free from the grip of desire, their perception of the environment also began to recover.


    A series of strange, squelching sounds of flesh writhing could be heard.


    The sound came from the villagers'' wooden houses behind them.


    Yi Chen noticed a small stone sculpture placed beside the door¡ªa figure of a woman cradling a child, with the umbilical cord still intact. Neither the woman nor the child had any facial features carved.


    Glancing at the entrances of other wooden houses, Yi Chen saw identical sculptures, likely connected to some kind of church.


    ¡°Jin, let¡¯s go inside and take a look.¡±


    Yi Chen pushed open the unlocked door.


    The two entered the villager¡¯s wooden house, using a cross-entry formation for safety.


    The interior scene was even more shocking than the sights on the streets.


    The confined and limited space of the sealed house was entirely occupied. Every usable area was taken, and even the floor was covered with a layer of soft, sticky substance somewhere between grease and cortex.


    The wooden structure of the room was riddled with fungi of various sizes. Branches and vines had even sprouted, blooming into vibrant flowers along the beams.


    It felt as if one had entered a nutrient-rich botanical greenhouse¡ªvisually striking on some level.


    However, this initial sense of beauty within the house didn¡¯t last long.


    Following the source of the fleshy sounds, the two stepped carefully on the slimy floor, moving deeper into the wooden cabin.


    They leaned together against the bedroom doorframe, casting their gazes inside.


    A heap of grotesquely distorted flesh was piled on the bed, which had been completely crushed under its weight, occupying two-thirds of the bedroom space.


    Amidst the mound of rotting flesh, faint outlines of a man and a woman¡¯s faces could barely be discerned.


    In addition, the heap contained three wild dogs, two cats, as well as parts like ram horns, a boar¡¯s snout, and other unidentifiable appendages.


    The rotting mass writhed continuously under the stimulation of spore dust, the layers of flesh slapping and pressing against one another, producing the ¡°fleshy sounds¡± Yi Chen had heard. The room was suffused with an odd, pungent odor.


    Clearly, the massive pile of flesh was undergoing some intense form of biological activity.


    About a minute later¡ª


    A large quantity of flesh-colored fluid oozed out from between the heap, covering the floor and adding to the sticky, slippery mess. Along with the discharge, a grotesque newborn entity, still connected to the heap by an umbilical cord, slid out.


    Birth was complete.


    The malformed offspring continued to draw nutrients through the umbilical cord, growing to an adolescent state within mere minutes.


    ¡°...So this is the source of those accelerated pathogenic beings?¡±


    ¡°What a fast reproduction rate. No wonder there are so many ¡®villagers.¡¯ Killing them all seems impossible.¡±


    While Yi Chen and Jin each expressed their views on the grotesque phenomenon, the flesh heap in the bedroom sensed movement.


    Several flesh-like tendrils shot out from the rotting body, probing the area outside the door. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The tendrils barely extended out before they were severed by a sharp axe.


    The two simultaneously stepped into the doorway. As Yi Chen prepared to switch his axe into its "Slaughter Mode" to execute the pitiful being inside the room, Jin suddenly blocked his way.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty. We¡¯ve finally encountered a genuine ¡®villager.¡¯ Leave this to me... With this much flesh, I might be able to extract something useful.¡±


    With a swift step, Jin kicked the developing offspring¡¯s head, instantly exploding it.


    The death of its progeny sent the flesh heap into a frenzy. Its body split vertically, revealing a massive, jagged-toothed maw. Dozens of powerful flesh tendrils sprouted from within.


    Jin, however, didn¡¯t resist.


    She willingly allowed the tendrils to entangle her and drag her into the heap¡¯s body.


    The next moment, a horrifying sound resembling a pig¡¯s squeal mixed with the screech of a chainsaw echoed from within.


    What happened in the bedroom after that, Yi Chen chose not to watch.


    One could vaguely imagine it as a chef preparing an oversized pineapple for a dish. Selecting the largest pineapple, the chef violently inserted a meat grinder through its base, pulverizing and hollowing out its interior.


    The hollowed-out pineapple shell was then split in half and repurposed as a serving bowl.


    When Jin finally emerged from the room, her face was full of disappointment.


    ¡°This kind of amalgamated, immobile pathogen that can only reproduce loses part of its essence every time it spawns offspring.


    The quality of the flesh is terrible. It¡¯s not even comparable to low-grade synthetic meat. What a complete waste of time.


    But this¡ªmaybe you can use it.¡±


    With a casual toss, Jin threw two warm brain-like masses into Yi Chen¡¯s hands.

 Chapter 100

    ¡®Jin, on the surface, seemed to revel in the pleasure of slaughter. However, in reality, she could precisely and perfectly dissect brain tissue, even while confined within a patient''s body.


    Perhaps her personality isn¡¯t as terrible as it seems. Or perhaps, as this was her first step into the Gray Zone, her survival instincts were suppressing her outward impulses.


    If she could be guided further, and her deeper thoughts explored, it might be possible to identify a point of harmony in her thinking and establish a more efficient cooperative relationship.¡¯


    While Yi Chen pondered briefly, Jin had already positioned herself right in front of him, leaning forward, her whole body nearly pressing against him.


    ¡°Hurry up and show me how your profession abilities are used!¡±


    Yet, Yi Chen remained still. The two clumps of material cradled in his palms shriveled on their own, ultimately transforming into two hard, dried walnuts.


    Jin''s expression turned disappointed. "So that''s all? How boring..."


    As Jin uttered these words, Yi Chen had already entered the state of brain immersion brought on by .


    This was Yi Chen¡¯s first attempt to absorb two essences simultaneously. While supplementing his brain tissue, he also integrated two fragmented memories. It felt like adding milk to coffee¡ªabsolutely delightful.


    In an instant, the lustful stimulation brought by the spore dust was cleared away, leaving his mind lucid and unimpeded.


    Fragments of broken memories began to emerge successfully.


    Unfortunately, the memories regarding the church were extremely blurry, and those involving the interior of the chapel had been entirely stripped away. The only memories he could effectively retrieve occurred after the onset of pathological changes.  S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One particular recollection about deeply unsettled Yi Chen, even as an observer.


    A married couple returned from the church and attempted to procreate that evening. During the act, they found themselves unable to separate until their skin fully fused and their flesh merged into one.


    Yet, this biological impossibility caused them no discomfort.


    Throughout the process, an odor emitted from their bodies, attracting the household¡¯s cats, dogs, mice hiding in wall crevices, and even the goats in the backyard. All these animals contracted what came to be known as .


    The increasingly intense scent eventually drew in wildlife from the forest, resulting in the grotesque amalgamated flesh form that Yi Chen and Jin had encountered¡ªa stationary, reproduction-focused .


    These entities could produce three offspring per day on average.


    The offspring they bore were subjected to one of three treatment outcomes based on their condition:


    1. [Unqualified]: Offspring lacking basic humanoid form and incapable of rapid maturation (85%) were collected by the village Scavengers¡ªmassive villagers carrying burlap sacks. ??¦­§°£Â§§¡ì


    Based on Yi Chen''s earlier discovery of malformed offspring beneath twisted trees, these unqualified offspring were likely buried beneath different trees, forming a symbiotic relationship with them and turning the trees into living surveillance nodes within the forest.


    2. [Qualified]: Offspring with basic humanoid forms, mixed with other animal characteristics (14%), continued to draw nutrients from the parent body. If they matured into adults within an hour, they became .


    This was the origin of .


    If they displayed certain traits, they could secure roles in the village, such as the butcher Jin had killed, who worked in the village slaughterhouse, or the aforementioned . Most, however, remained ordinary villagers tasked with basic duties like patrolling and inspections around the village perimeter.


    3. [Holy Fetus]: A rare subset of offspring with intact humanoid forms, carrying only standard goat traits (<1%), were regarded as Holy Fetus by the church. When such beings emerged, church officials would personally escort them to the chapel.


    This was the full extent of the information Yi Chen could gather, though he remained perplexed.


    Neither the books he had read nor the pathology courses taught by Professor Zed had ever mentioned such conditions.


    Perhaps the pathology center at the Hippocratic Hospital had documented such cases, but Yi Chen¡¯s current credentials were insufficient to grant him access.


    The of these patients presented a fundamental conundrum.


    Ordinarily...


    The afflicted patient individuals exhibit a severe form of selfishness, willing to use any means necessary to improve themselves.


    Yet, in this case, the patient voluntarily confine themselves to a room, continuing the reproductive process as they did during the early stages of infection. They even go so far as to deplete their own "essence" to produce high-quality offspring.


    Ultimately, what awaits them is death¡ªa clear contradiction of the biological instinct for survival.


    "Even ordinary parents rarely sacrifice their lives for their offspring... let alone when there''s no guarantee that these offspring will remain by their side.


    There¡¯s only one explanation: this form of reproduction must involve a ''transaction'' of benefits. If they can produce a ''Holy Fetus,'' the church will likely grant them a ''blessing.'' This blessing might free them from their current state of affliction, allowing them to achieve a more complete and liberated pathological condition, perhaps even being accepted as members of the church."


    As Yi Chen speculated internally, the animals fused with the street outside began emitting strange, low-pitched sounds. It was as though they were terrified of something¡ªor perhaps issuing a warning.


    At the same time, Jin caught a distinct, unusually intense scent of flesh. Grabbing the pig''s head, she rushed out immediately.


    Yi Chen quickly followed, ensuring the plant connection tethering their wrists wasn¡¯t severed.


    In the depths of the dazzling, illusory street, a massive figure was slowly approaching.


    On his right shoulder, he carried an enormous sack.


    In his left hand, he led a large pet of an indeterminate species.


    When he came into view, they saw a dark-skinned man wrapped in a jet-black trench coat.


    His physique was even larger than Yi Chen¡¯s former teammate, Dagobert. Beneath his clothing, his bulging, irregularly distributed muscles writhed with strength, heavy, powerful, and solid.


    In his left hand, he held a leash attached to a ''pit bull'' nearly two meters long.


    More precisely, it was a grotesque hunting dog covered in human heads.


    The dog roamed the street, devouring fused animals at random. With a single bite, it tore off an entire goat¡¯s head, horns and all, chewing and swallowing it whole.


    When the dog noticed the two young men blocking its path, its muscles tensed, and it lunged forward!


    The thick iron chain around its neck pulled taut as its reckless movement was forcibly restrained by the dark-skinned man.


    As the dog barked madly, the human heads on its body began to scream hysterically.


    However, compared to the dog, Yi Chen''s attention was more focused on the dark-skinned man¡ªespecially the black sack slung over his shoulder, which gave off an unsettling feeling.


    This image reminded Yi Chen of something he had seen earlier during his memory readings: a type of peculiar villager known as a "scavenger."


    ¡°A scavenger? No¡­ the scavengers in the memory fragments weren¡¯t this large, nor did they have pets. What exactly is this?¡±


    As Yi Chen pondered, the dark-skinned man stopped about ten meters away.


    ¡°Greetings, travelers,¡± he said. ¡°I am Kaordi, the village chief of Shepherd Village. Welcome to our community.¡±

 Chapter 101

    ¡¾Village Chief Kaordi¡¿When the other party finished their self-introduction, Yi Chen, who had been speculating about their identity, was taken aback.


    This was one of the main culprits responsible for establishing first contact with the Church, which led to the widespread infection in Shepherd Village. At the same time, this person was also the target of the "Granny Chicken''s" revenge.


    He undoubtedly carried critical information about the "Church of New Life". If they could defeat him, they might uncover the truth behind the current events.


    It felt increasingly surreal for such an important figure to appear so blatantly before them.


    However, based on Yi Chen''s observations, only the village chief and his pet had come to this place, with no other sources of danger in sight.


    ¡®As long as we confirm that the only threat here is the village chief, everything will be fine. No matter how suspicious things seem, as long as I can access his brain''s information, we¡¯ll uncover the conspiracy behind all this.


    Little Grape, while we¡¯re engaged in combat, keep an eye on the surroundings for me. If you detect any ambush or something feels off, I¡¯ll immediately abort the fight with the village chief.¡¯


    Little Grape became serious and did not shirk the troublesome task entrusted to them.


    "Same deal as always: all the grapes are mine afterward."


    "Deal."


    In front of them, the aura emanating from the village chief was slightly weaker than that of Mr. Lee from the Twilight Clinic, but he still fell into the category of a "severely infected patient."


    Additionally, his restrained pet dog warranted extra caution.


    At that moment, a strand of saliva slid down Jin¡¯s mouth corner. When it touched the ground, the nearby fungal colonies immediately absorbed it. Shortly after, the fungi all self-destructed.


    A large cloud of iridescent spores rose around Jin, blending perfectly with her outfit and forming a stunning solo portrait.


    She began to loosen her joints, her voice under the mask betraying extreme excitement:


    "Severely¡­ infected individual! I haven¡¯t faced someone like this in a long time, and it¡¯s exactly my specialty:


    I¡¯ll treat this body with the utmost care. I won¡¯t use excessively strong explosions or reckless cuts¡­ I¡¯ll transform it into mine as gently as possible."


    Watching Jin, who was eager to lunge forward, Yi Chen knew it was nearly impossible to stop her from engaging in a killing spree.


    The only thing he could do now was offer "effective reminders."


    "Jin! Look at me!"


    Faced with the sudden and peculiar request, Jin, even in her state of extreme excitement, quickly turned her head to meet Yi Chen¡¯s gaze.


    For a fleeting moment, two eyes¡ªplus a third one on his shoulder¡ªstared directly at Jin.


    A gentle, water-like spiritual energy traveled through the visual channel, entering Jin¡¯s brain.


    This ability, derived from Little Grape¡¯s "Deep Lake Eye," could not only unleash powerful mental shocks that rapidly paralyze a target¡¯s consciousness but also deliver subtle, calming transmissions to influence their thoughts. ???????§£§§????


    This brief exchange helped Jin regain some composure and made her willing to listen to Yichen¡¯s next words.


    "This all feels so off¡ªtoo deliberate.


    From the moment we entered the village, we haven¡¯t encountered any ambushes, yet now we¡¯ve directly met the village chief.


    During the upcoming fight, we need to be exceptionally cautious. If you sense anything unusual or encounter an unexpected ambush or trap, don¡¯t linger in battle."


    Jin patiently made an "OK" hand gesture.


    "Don¡¯t worry. Haven¡¯t I said it a hundred times? I don¡¯t want to die! If I determine a situation to be hopeless and certain death, I¡¯ll do what I did before and use an explosion to help us retreat quickly from the village.


    Oh, by the way!


    I¡¯ll take on the village chief, who just reached severe pathogenic status. You handle his dog."


    "Got it. Once I deal with the dog, I¡¯ll immediately support you.


    Also, pay attention to the black burlap sack on the village chief¡¯s shoulder. Based on the memory fragments I obtained earlier, this is a tool used by Scavengers to collect larvae.


    As for the specific purpose of what¡¯s on the chief¡¯s shoulder, I can¡¯t be certain."


    Jin¡¯s patience had reached its limit. She placed her index finger to her lips.


    The hand that slipped from her lips swiftly severed the plant roots connecting her to Yi Chen, leaving only the "plant bracelet" coiled around her wrist.


    "Our connection is temporarily cut off; otherwise, it will affect my movements. Here I go!"


    Deep crimson energy threads emerged around Jin''s calves, faintly accompanied by subtle crackling sounds from within.


    With a single step, it was as though an intense explosion erupted beneath her feet. The stone-paved road bore a footprint two centimeters deep.


    The animals along her path were crushed into a bloody pulp under her steps.


    Unlike the swiftness she displayed while chasing the black chicken Little Pei earlier, Jin''s movements toward the village chief were unusually heavy yet steady. Every step carried an overwhelming intent to kill, causing even the village chief to furrow his brow slightly.


    At the same time,


    the village chief loosened the iron chain in his hand, releasing a loyal companion he had meticulously bred and nurtured.


    The frenzied barking of a dog''s maw and the howling of human faces resounded together.


    The beast, its jaws agape, lunged toward Jin.


    Just as the two were about to collide¡ª


    A sudden plant root shot toward the beast. However, the attack was preemptively detected by one of the human faces on its flank.


    Driven by instinct, the beast dodged swiftly.


    The root grazed past its body, severely slashing several human faces on its side. Three eyeballs were pierced and strung together on the root.


    After delivering a precise attack, the root quickly retracted.


    Yi Chen immediately broke off the root''s tip, still skewering the eyeballs, and handed it to his shoulder.


    Attracted by the grape-like scent,


    a tiny black, three-fingered hand extended and grabbed the root, devouring the eyeballs one by one, as if eating grilled fish balls.


    "The taste is barely acceptable, though it reeks of dog stench~"


    Despite Little Grape''s expression of disgust, it ate everything clean.


    This act completely enraged the beast. It abandoned Jin as its target and, in a furious charge, bolted toward Yi Chen not far away.


    Mid-charge, the beast widened its jaws further, capable of swallowing an entire human upper body in one bite.


    Aside from its densely packed sharp teeth covering its tongue and mouth, grotesque human faces protruded from its throat. Flesh bitten off would undergo further chewing by these faces.


    "An animal-type pathogen carrier. This is my first encounter."  S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Little Grape retreated into his body, Yi Chen calmly opened his suitcase, retrieving an axe with a silver blade and a black handle.


    The moment the beast leaped¡ª


    Yi Chen pressed his thumb against a sharp mechanism on the axe handle, piercing his skin. Blood dripped, and the mouse-shaped carving at the end of the handle revealed its sharp teeth and splayed its tiny claws.


    It was as though the gnawing of countless rats could be heard.


    The amalgamations of rats across nearby streets and buildings turned their gaze toward him, drawn by the weapon''s aura, writhing sluggishly.


    The entire axe emanated a layer of blood-red light. The blade surface sprouted jagged teeth.


    [Slaughter Mode]


    Simultaneously, several sturdy plant roots wove into a guard structure around the handle, enhancing Yi Chen''s grip.


    He took a step forward,


    lowered his center of gravity,


    and fixed his gaze on the beast¡¯s gaping maw, locking onto the "strike line" amidst its teeth.


    A crimson crescent arc sliced through the air.


    Yi Chen, in a forward lunge stance, maintained the posture of completing his strike.


    Blood, brain matter, and other fluids splattered all over him, along with a long strip of intestine that landed on his shoulder, which Little Grape promptly slurped up like noodles.


    The pathogen-mutated hunting dog, over two meters long and far larger than a human, was perfectly bisected by the blood moon-like strike.


    The equally sized left and right halves crashed heavily to Yi Chen¡¯s sides.


    The human faces on the beast¡¯s surface howled in agony and despair...

 Chapter 102

    ¡°Little Grape, you go left, I¡¯ll go right!¡±They split their focus, swiftly scanning the diseased canine¡¯s body for the pathogenic core.


    As they conducted their visual search, a pale, human arm extended out from one of the jagged, torn wounds on the dog¡¯s body. Moments later, a boy with sparse hair, covered in slime, emerged, his face twisted in agony.


    ¡°Brother! It hurts so much~ I can¡¯t stand it! I want out¡ªI want to leave this place!¡±


    Simultaneously, another thin, shriveled arm extended from the opposite side of the dog¡¯s body. An elderly face, wrinkled and weathered, forced its way out through the organs.


    ¡°Young man¡­ please, kill me quickly. I beg of you.¡±


    However, this grotesque scene failed to shake Yi Chen in the slightest. He had seen countless such situations in life¡ªbeneath those fake personas were always bloodthirsty maws waiting to devour him.


    Swinging his hand axe,


    he cleaved the dog¡¯s body in half at the point where the boy emerged. He hacked at it repeatedly, ensuring the [Massive Hemorrhage] effect.


    The lacerations on the dog¡¯s surface connected into a single massive wound, creating an enormous blood-soaked gash that bled profusely.


    It was as if a balloon filled with red paint had been burst.


    The hemorrhage caused half of the dog¡¯s body to explode entirely, scattering into a red mist. Even the smallest fragments turned into shredded meat.


    Unfortunately, luck was not on his side¡ªhe lost the 50% gamble. The pathogenic core was hidden in the elder¡¯s side.


    Turning back, Yi Chen saw that the dog¡¯s other half had merged with the elder who had crawled out of it. Now, the creature stood upright, half resembling its original canine form, half morphed into the elder¡¯s body.


    This humanoid-canine hybrid was grotesque beyond words, revolting Yi Chen deeply.


    ¡°The pathogenic core of a normal diseased host should be easy to locate. This dog must¡¯ve been modified by the village chief to hide it deliberately.


    There¡¯s no time to waste¡ªwe need to eliminate the disease quickly.¡±


    Considering that Jin was fighting a severely infected patient host alone in hostile territory, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t afford to delay. Even though there were no outside disturbances yet, he remained uneasy.


    Breathing deeply,


    Yi Chen lowered his stance further until he was nearly on the same horizontal level as the dog.


    With his left hand pressed against the ground and his right gripping the Slaughtering Moon, his plant-based mask was now completely stained red. Even the Gentleman¡¯s Skin he wore seemed influenced by the bloodthirsty aura, glowing faintly red beneath the mist of blood. ???¨®B§¦?


    This savage demeanor, paired with the murderous intent emanating from him, caused the diseased hunting dog to instinctively retreat a step, driven back by its biological fear.


    Suddenly,


    A violent explosion erupted in the village street not far away. The dog sensed its master was in danger, activating the ¡°protection mechanism¡± implanted in its brain.


    No longer afraid of the human before it,


    the dog underwent even more horrifying changes.


    The human faces protruding from its body began to retch painfully.


    From their gaping mouths, skinless muscle arms emerged one after another, supporting themselves against the ground like additional limbs.


    The village chief¡¯s dog now resembled a grotesque spider adorned with human faces.


    Using these extra arms in combination with its original four limbs, it charged forward!


    The burst of speed was unimaginable, and with its twisting wrist movements, it constantly shifted its trajectory, making it difficult to track.


    However, Yi Chen¡¯s expression was oddly calm as he watched this.


    The dog¡¯s crawling posture reminded him of his sparring sessions with Teacher Zed.


    Zed often employed a crawling combat style. According to him, crawling was closer to the essence of living beings¡ªit allowed the body to connect with the earth, enhancing sensory perception and control.


    Zed¡¯s teachings echoed in Yi Chen¡¯s mind:


    "Don¡¯t just focus on superficial cuts; you must unveil the ¡®inner beauty¡¯ in its entirety! No matter the structure, size, or shape of the body, all flesh-and-blood creatures share fundamental characteristics.


    Turn slaughter into an art form¡ªexplore the origin of flesh. Dissect their bodies and admire them to your heart¡¯s content!¡±


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen transformed into a primal beast, entering a as he charged head-on toward the hunting dog.


    Just before the two collided,


    the dog opened its gaping maw, and the limbs on its body extended forward in an attempt to seize Yi Chen and crush him in its jaws.


    Facing this onslaught, Yi Chen made only one move:


    [Extending his left arm forward.]


    A single left hand stretched toward the bloodthirsty jaws of the hound, seemingly about to be torn apart and crushed.


    Steam rose from Yi Chen''s head, and the "book emblem" at the back of his head lit up completely, fully activating its pathogenic trait linked to [Intelligence].


    Beneath his skin, green roots could be seen writhing restlessly.


    In an instant,


    Hundreds of root-like tendrils sprouted from Yi Chen''s left hand, forming a massive plant-like palm. It exceeded the size of the hound''s jaws and was even larger than its head.


    With a forceful grip, he clamped the hound¡¯s mouth shut!


    Not only that, the plant hand continued to grow sharp, root-like spikes that pierced through the upper and lower jaws, sealing the hound''s mouth entirely.


    The hound, unable to open its mouth, tried to break free.


    On the other side, an axe came swinging down,


    cleaving into the decaying pathogenic flesh of its neck, cutting through its vertebrae¡­


    Swish! The entire hound¡¯s head, along with an arm attempting to block, was severed and flung into the air.


    Before the headless hound could twitch a few times,


    Yi Chen¡¯s left hand, which had sealed the mouth, shrank back to its normal size and reached into the hound''s severed neck.


    A squelching sound echoed as something was crushed, and the hound¡¯s convulsions stopped.


    Yi Chen withdrew his left hand from the hound¡¯s corpse, holding a slightly crushed cyst taken from the severed head.


    Such "pathogenic cores" were essential to collect and could fetch a good price back in Zion.


    Without taking a moment to rest, Yi Chen raised his eyes toward another battlefield.


    The road and streets were riddled with craters from explosions. Many livestock caught in the crossfire lay disfigured and lifeless.


    The village chief¡¯s black trench coat had been blown to shreds, revealing his fully pathogenic body.


    Only now could Yi Chen clearly see that the burlap sack slung over the chief¡¯s right shoulder wasn¡¯t an external object but a massive growing from his body.


    The growth hung behind him like a sack and had an open end, resembling a burlap bag.


    Throughout the fight, the village chief repeatedly tried to stuff Jin into the "bag," but Jin, with her incredible speed, evaded capture each time.


    The timing was just right¡ª  S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Yi Chen looked over, the final moments of the battle unfolded.


    The chainsaw had been completely destroyed by the chief''s brute strength. The pig-headed figure hung from a nearby house, with broken saw blades scattered across the ground.


    However,


    Thanks to an earlier abdominal wound, Jin had managed to thrust her entire right arm into the chief¡¯s body.


    This had been her plan all along¡ªlaying the groundwork to penetrate the chief''s iron-hard flesh.


    Her right hand, buried inside the chief¡¯s abdomen, gripped a "compressed meat bomb."


    On its surface, crimson lotuses blossomed.


    [Ultimate Explosion.]


    A blinding light engulfed the two combatants as a terrifying mushroom cloud rose from the explosion¡¯s epicenter.


    When the smoke cleared,


    Jin¡¯s right arm, along with the village chief¡¯s torso, had been obliterated.


    Swish! A pre-prepared "synthetic flesh syringe" was quickly injected into Jin¡¯s severed right arm, beginning a slow regeneration process.


    As her arm gradually recovered,


    Jin walked lightly toward the village chief, who now lay paralyzed. His torso was blown open, with a massive hole exposing shattered bones, rendering him incapable of movement.


    Even the village chief''s internal ¡ªa heart encased in steel¡ªwas visible. Cracks covered its surface as life essence seeped out, leaving him on the brink of death.


    "Nothing special," Jin sneered. "Other than your hard, durable body, you don''t have much going for you. Lucky for me, my specialty is countering brute strength and speed."


    "Now, let me think¡­ what kind of weapon should I turn you into?


    A warhammer? Too inconvenient to carry around.


    A giant axe? Too similar to William¡¯s weapon, doesn¡¯t quite fit.


    Full-coverage gauntlets? Hmm, now that¡¯s an idea¡­¡±


    "Hold still for a moment; I¡¯ll make you into my exclusive weapon once we return to Zion for further processing."


    With that, Jin blew the chief a playful kiss before placing her hands on his dying body, ready to begin his transformation.


    But suddenly, a strange sensation struck¡ª


    A surge of vitality emerged near the chief¡¯s abdomen, entirely different from his decaying flesh. It was young, fresh, like that of a newborn infant.


    The next second,


    a bizarre umbilical cord shot out, wrapping tightly around the chief¡¯s neck!


    It didn¡¯t target Jin but instead hoisted the four-hundred-pound chief into the air, leaving him hanging like a noose victim.


    ¡°Jin! Watch out!¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s warning came immediately, but Jin stood frozen,


    perhaps captivated by the strange phenomenon,


    perhaps hearing an indescribable whisper that invaded her mind,


    or perhaps out of sheer curiosity to observe the unfolding situation.


    The village chief, who should have been dead, suddenly opened his eyes.


    The tumor-like sack on his shoulder expanded and enveloped Jin, instantly swallowing her whole.

 Chapter 103

    In the open-source records, it is noted that severely infected patients, infected individuals, and primary infectees all share a common characteristic¡ª. This refers to the incomplete fusion of the pathogen that invades both their physical and mental states. By destroying the pathogen''s core, they can be killed. This fact is universally acknowledged and is clearly taught in pathology classes, with no exceptions.


    Even someone like Mr. Lee, who has a gentlemanly demeanor and suffers from the rare disease "Moon Transformation Disease," cannot escape this weakness. He can only hide it more deeply.


    Currently, Jin is exhibiting strength that surpasses her level, reaching the limits of human capability. She even resorts to rarely-used . Sacrificing her boar-headed form and her entire left arm, she delivers a fatal blow to the village chief.


    The village chief''s weak point¡ª[Steel Heart]¡ªis cracked from the explosion of a crimson lotus within him. It now only requires a light touch to shatter completely.


    The village chief is rendered immobile, his breathing faint.


    Even Jin herself hadn¡¯t expected this outcome. Her original intent was to directly kill the village chief with the explosion. Against such a formidable enemy, hesitation could mean her own death.


    To her surprise, the village chief''s resilience was extraordinary. Using this life-and-death opportunity, she decides to perform a "weaponization modification" on the dying chief.


    Weapons created in this way are naturally more potent due to their retained vitality.


    When Yi Chen witnesses this scene, he instinctively slows his steps, refraining from interrupting Jin''s "post-battle cleanup." Anyone observing the scene would conclude that the fight is over.


    However,


    the sudden appearance of a changes the situation instantly.


    Little Grape shudders and immediately warns,


    "What''s that strange thing? It doesn¡¯t seem to belong to the village chief! William, tell your friend to be careful¡ªit feels entirely different!"


    Yi Chen shouts a warning and rushes toward Jin.


    Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, Jin freezes in place. The mutated village chief engulfs her in a grotesque fleshy sac, and her presence disappears entirely.


    "Jin!"


    Yi Chen halts abruptly, three meters away.


    His neurotransmitters surge, rapidly transmitting signals. The flood of emotion-related neurochemicals triggers strange black spots to seep from the depths of his cerebellar cortex, gradually spreading across his brain.


    Although his time with Jin has been short and her personality is peculiar¡ªoften unlikable¡ªYi Chen still accepts her as a flawed companion. Perhaps it is because he, too, harbors his own "flaws." ?§Ñ¦­¨°§£?????


    Yi Chen¡¯s pupils dim, and specks of black material emerge within his lenses, threatening to dye his entire eyeballs black.


    Yi Chen tilts his head 90 degrees, a crisp neck sound echoing as he snaps it back into place, giving the impression of a broken neck.


    His entire body spasms¡ªjoints, including his fingers, twitch unnaturally.


    The sight is strange, even unsettlingly eerie.


    Yet the "hanged" village chief ignores Yi Chen''s peculiar state. Gliding across the ground on his toes, he approaches with a sinister, floating gait.


    The village chief plans to use his newfound power to capture Yi Chen, intending to showcase his strength. If successful, he might even receive additional blessings, perhaps becoming a core member of the church.


    As the village chief closes in,


    A shadow flashes past.


    The chief instinctively retreats, unable to perceive what just happened.


    Yi Chen, moving faster than the eye can follow, slices through the newly grown flesh on the chief¡¯s body. Only a thin layer of skin holds it together, nearly severing him in two.


    At that moment, the village chief, Kaordi, feels an overwhelming sense of death, stronger than the vitality he had just gained. Terrified, he retreats, abandoning all will to fight.


    As Yi Chen prepares to strike again, Little Grape inside him suddenly senses something.


    It¡¯s not a change in Yi Chen but a "presence" rapidly approaching from behind¡ªa sensation identical to the one that had been observing them from the forest.


    An unknown third party has entered the scene!


    Little Grape considers issuing a warning but, after quickly assessing the situation, burrows into Yi Chen''s body, shrinking into a black, finger-sized flesh ball. It adheres to the wall of his flesh and enters a "dormant state", erasing its presence.


    Meanwhile,


    as Yi Chen takes a step toward the direction the village chief fled¡­


    An arm clad in a black priest''s robe pierced through from the back and emerged through the left chest... In its palm was a vibrant, beating heart wrapped in green roots.


    The arm retracted, pulling the heart out along with it.


    Yi Chen''s vision went black as he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring endlessly from the wound in his chest.


    The one who had appeared was none other than the bishop¡¯s assistant, Theodore. His early intervention came because the result had already been determined.


    Jin¡¯s performance was simply too exceptional.


    Whether it was his absolute control over her body, her innate combat talent, or her state of having reached "the pinnacle of human limits," it was enough to designate Jin as the ultimate sacrificial offering for the birth ritual. Since the village chief had already successfully secured the target, there was no need for further testing.


    As for Yi Chen...


    Theodore examined the heart in his hand, its surface etched with plant-like patterns, and looked upon it with disdain.


    "A body contaminated with plant impurities¡­ Such a thing would only defile the birth ritual. However, since his body is intertwined with plant matter, its high nutrient content will aid in the accelerated construction of our sacred land.


    Take his body for proper processing and use it for the expansion of the high walls."


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± the village chief nodded in response.


    The village chief, suspended mid-air, slowly descended to the ground, the umbilical cord retracting into his body.


    Returning to his original form, the village chief appeared extremely frail, even wobbling as he walked. However, the injuries on his body had been filled and healed by the "youthful" flesh. Even the gaps in his steel heart were covered with newly grown tissue... all powered by the external force of the umbilical cord.


    With a forceful tug, the chief tore off a swollen pouch from his right shoulder, handing it over to Theodore.


    Afterward, the village chief hoisted Yi Chen, whose chest had been pierced, grabbed his axe and suitcase, and headed toward the village¡¯s [Meat Factory].


    ...


    In the silent, wave-less black ocean,


    a young man drifted on the surface without any vessel.


    The most fundamental ¡°thoughts¡± could not form in this sea, rendering all brain functions useless. He could only rely on instinct, responding to a distant call.


    Occasionally, various ships passed by him:


    Some tossed out ropes,


    Some cast fishing nets,


    Others threw floating logs.


    Yet, the young man instinctively resisted boarding any of them and continued to drift alone,


    until a dilapidated wooden boat approached.


    A decayed, skeletal hand reached out to him.


    Only then did the young man grab the hand. Upon climbing aboard, he saw that the rotten "rescuer" was none other than himself¡ªor perhaps it had always been just him. He had merely climbed aboard his own black wooden boat.


    S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A lighthouse beam immediately fell upon the boat, and under its light, the young man¡¯s flesh began to evaporate rapidly.


    In the end, only a skeletal frame and a brain, stained black by seawater, remained encased within his skull.


    The beam penetrated further into the skull, gradually dispelling the black substance in the brain.


    Dormant thoughts began to awaken.


    The ocean faded away.


    The scene before his eyes returned to reality.


    The sound of iron chains echoed, coming from above, accompanied by a stinging pain in his calves.


    Opening his eyes,


    he saw a room filled with countless hanging, deformed corpses¡ªmostly humanoid but some resembling animals. Yi Chen himself was among them, stripped of clothing, his calf pierced by an iron hook, leaving him hanging upside down.


    The flickering candlelight from different corners illuminated the meat-processing chamber, where a pig-headed butcher was swiftly handling the corpses.


    Take a corpse, place it on the table, cut it into pieces, pour the remains...


    Each body took less than five seconds to process¡ªa movement ingrained in muscle memory.


    After five more corpses, it would be Yi Chen¡¯s turn.

 Chapter 104

    "How did I end up here? I only remember Jin being stuffed into a bloated sack by the village chief, and I rushed to rescue her immediately. After that, everything¡¯s a blur.Did I lose? Why am I still alive?"


    Dangling upside down, Yi Chen lowered his head to examine his body. He quickly noticed a massive hollow in his chest, where the blood had long since coagulated.


    "My heart!?"


    "Hey! Why panic? It¡¯s just your heart being dug out. Lucky for you, as long as your brain isn¡¯t damaged, this grape here can act as a temporary replacement."


    The familiar voice of Little Grape echoed, accompanied by a faint tremor from the right side of Yi Chen¡¯s chest.


    Controlling the plants within his body, Yi Chen guided them toward his right chest to investigate. Little Grape had transformed into a hairy black heart-like structure, seamlessly connecting to the main blood vessels and perfectly taking over the heart''s function.


    It even felt more powerful than his original heart, as his body felt lighter than ever.


    Little Grape continued:


    "Good thing the village chief was fast enough to deliver you here within five minutes. Any longer, and your brain would¡¯ve suffered from oxygen deprivation and started decaying. At that point, I would¡¯ve been forced to eat your grapes with tears in my eyes, then turn you into a controllable undead to bury yourself at Easton Cemetery."


    Yi Chen gently stroked the black hairy heart with the plant tendrils, as if caressing Little Grape.


    This action thoroughly disgusted Little Grape, who retaliated with a one-second cardiac arrest.


    "Whoa! Don¡¯t mess with me! Speaking of which, if I do die, I¡¯m counting on you to handle my burial."


    "Cut the crap! Your body¡¯s about to be chopped into pieces. Figure out a way to escape already! With so many corpses hanging here, one missing probably won¡¯t be noticed."


    But Yi Chen remained indifferent.


    "Why should I leave? Hanging here feels pretty comfortable."


    Realizing Yi Chen¡¯s intent, Little Grape was visibly annoyed and snapped back:


    "If you keep talking to me like this, I¡¯ll stop your heart again!"


    Yi Chen shrugged nonchalantly, then shifted to another important question while waiting in line for the slaughter.


    "Little Grape, how was my heart removed?"


    "So you really don¡¯t remember the last part, huh? Besides the village chief and you, a third person was involved¡ªthe one who had been spying on you two in the forest. Likely connected to the church. That person was highly stealthy and pulled out your heart from behind." ??????????????¨º?


    "The church? If they¡¯re involved, the one observing us must be interested in Jin. Their attitude toward me, on the other hand, was completely different; otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up hanging here.


    It seems that if Jin were captured alive, they¡¯d try to kill me outright.


    As for why they need Jin, it¡¯s probably closely related to internal church matters. It¡¯s possible that the church has been testing us since we stepped into the forest¡ªevaluating our physical qualities, perhaps to train us as clergy members or use us as sacrifices.


    I¡¯ll need to encounter someone from the church to figure out the truth. If I can kill the village chief, I might get some answers as well."


    While Yi Chen pondered, the pig-headed butcher approached him.


    With a massive hand, the butcher easily grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s legs, lifted him off the hook, and threw him onto the blood-soaked processing table a few meters away.


    The butcher rotated the cleaver in his hand as he approached, his pig eyes calculating the optimal "dissection lines" based on Yi Chen¡¯s body proportions.


    The cleaver was raised, aimed at Yi Chen¡¯s abdomen, and swung downward.


    But just as the blade was about to land, Yi Chen¡¯s corpse abruptly raised its left arm. His palm struck the pig-headed butcher''s chin, sending visible ripples through the layers of flesh.


    The impact reverberated up to the butcher¡¯s brain, causing it to slam violently against the inside of his skull. Dizzy and disoriented, the butcher staggered and almost fell.


    "Root Pierce!"


    The palm strike was merely an appetizer.


    From the hand pressed against the butcher¡¯s chin, sharp roots sprouted and pierced through the pig¡¯s mouth, stitching it shut.


    At the same time, a web of plants sealed the butcher¡¯s throat and nasal passages to prevent any noise that might attract trouble.


    But that wasn¡¯t all.


    The roots burrowed down the butcher¡¯s throat, quickly searching for the "pathogenic core" within his body.


    As a top-tier induced catalyzed infected individual qualified to work here, the butcher was naturally no ordinary being.


    Even while suffocating and reeling from dizziness, the butcher relied on his instinctive combat senses to detect living organisms and swung his cleaver.


    The strike was swift, precise, and even predictive.


    It cut into Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, leaving a terrifying gash over ten centimeters deep, but the blow was ultimately stopped by the plant webbing within Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    "Found it!"


    At this moment, the roots had already locked onto and enveloped the pathogenic tumor nestled between the gastric pouches.


    The glint in the butcher¡¯s pig-like eyes dimmed rapidly, and his hefty body collapsed to the ground.


    Sitting on the edge of the workstation, entirely naked with a gaping wound in his chest, Yi Chen held the gash on his shoulder with a wry, self-deprecating smile.


    ¡®Without a gentleman¡¯s attire and weapon, my combat effectiveness drops significantly. Even resorting to such ambush tactics, I still ended up injured.


    If this butcher hadn¡¯t been suffocating and dizzy, his last swing could¡¯ve easily taken off my entire left side. Am I really so dependent on weapons and clothing?


    Well, I suppose this is a good chance to hone my own abilities.¡¯


    Yi Chen showed no emotional turbulence despite surviving such a close call. He calmly accepted the situation and pondered how to continue his investigation alone.


    One hand pressed against the wound on his shoulder as tender, thread-like buds sprouted and began to stitch the gash.


    The other hand touched the butcher¡¯s neck, absorbing nutrients while also extracting information about the ¡°Meat Factory.¡± This information was crucial for Yi Chen, who was trapped inside.


    ¡°A factory with multiple layers of control and a sophisticated regulatory system... Trying to sneak out unnoticed seems highly unlikely. This leaves me with no other choice.¡±


    He hoisted the butcher¡¯s corpse onto the workstation, reversing their roles.


    Stripping the body of all unnecessary organs and tissues, he preserved just enough of the muscular structure to craft a thick, fur-lined leather coat.


    Donning the skin,


    sewing on the pig¡¯s head,


    putting on the black leather apron,


    and equipping the butcher¡¯s cleaver,


    Yi Chen completed his disguise and even let out a few grunts for effect.


    Following the butcher¡¯s residual memories, he attempted to escape the Meat Factory.


    The factory was vast, situated in the northern part of the village. Most of the ¡°meat¡± here came from pathogenic rapid-growth patients.


    These patients aged quickly due to their accelerated growth rates. Typically, after completing three to five patrol missions, they would voluntarily come to the factory to fulfill their ¡°final purpose.¡±


    The harvested meat served two primary purposes:


    1. It was compressed into rations distributed to every household in the village, supplementing nutrition and enhancing reproductive efficiency.


    2. It was boiled into nutrient-rich broth, easily absorbed by plants, and used to irrigate the outer tree walls. This accelerated their expansion, provided vitality, and deterred external intrusions.


    In short, the factory was the most vital place for the village. The village chief often came to inspect its operations, ensuring everything ran smoothly. However, recently, the chief¡¯s visits had become infrequent, likely due to other pressing matters.


    Yi Chen devised three potential escape plans:


    Plan 1: Walk through the factory wearing the butcher¡¯s disguise, taking the route:


    ¡°Slaughterhouse ¡ú Resting Area Corridor ¡ú Production Workshop (No. 1) ¡ú Inspection Gate.¡±


    This path stretched over 1,000 meters to the factory¡¯s main entrance. However, if stopped by higher-ranking staff or even the factory chief, Yi Chen would need to bluff his way through. If exposed, he¡¯d have no choice but to shout worker slogans and charge through by force.


    Plan 2: Stay and continue the butcher¡¯s duties, processing all the corpses and clocking out after the shift.


    This was the safest option but would take at least four hours. Meanwhile, the situation in the village and church was deteriorating, and Jin, who had been captured, could be in immediate danger.


    Plan 3: Take the route: ¡°Slaughterhouse ¡ú Resting Area Corridor ¡ú Production Workshop (No. 2).¡±


    Workshop No. 2 handled ¡°liquidized meat¡± production. According to the memories, there was a drainage channel for waste fluids leading to an underground area. However, lacking information about the underground layout, this plan involved significant uncertainty.


    ... Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Ten Minutes Later]


    Yi Chen, with his bloated disguise, stood at the rancid sewage outlet. The writhing, fleshy walls challenged his limits of tolerance.


    Gritting his teeth, he seized a gap during the workers¡¯ shift change and leaped into the channel.


    If this process were to be described metaphorically, it would be akin to an obese hermit overeating alone, collapsing from gluttony, and rotting for three days. Then, a cockroach accidentally crawls into the corpse¡¯s mouth and slides through the food-filled intestines, embarking on an unforgettable, gut-wrenching adventure.


    Yi Chen landed in a pit of indescribable sludge.


    He swam furiously toward the edge, shedding the filthy pigskin disguise as soon as he reached dry ground, suppressing his overwhelming nausea.


    ¡°Finally, I¡¯m out... oink oink~¡±


    The pig¡¯s head remained stitched to his neck, so his voice carried an involuntary grunt.


    After some thought, Yi Chen decided to keep the pig¡¯s head stitched on.


    First, he found it amusing and enjoyed such role-playing games.


    Second, if he encountered villagers or others below, he could explain that he accidentally slid down while disposing of meat slurry.

 Chapter 105: Underground Cave

    Giggle, giggle~


    The plant-woven rag washed the pig head mask, meticulously cleaning every corner of it.


    Putting the clean pig head back on, along with Yi Chen¡¯s completely naked body, the look was hardly gentlemanly, yet it fit perfectly with the position of Shebolt Village.


    Yi Chen¡¯s lean body with oddly distributed muscles resembled a malnourished human-pig hybrid that had failed to be selected as the ¡°Butcher¡± and was abandoned in the filthy underground area.


    Due to the loss of the ¡°Moon of Slaughter,¡±


    he could only hold onto the meat-cutting knife issued by the meat factory,


    The knife¡¯s craftsmanship and sharpness were decent enough to ensure the efficiency of processing corpses.


    ¡°Until I get my weapon back, I¡¯ll make do with this! I hope I can find my axe and gentleman¡¯s clothes; otherwise, this investigative mission will be a big loss.


    Once I get out of this filthy underground area, I¡¯ll try to go to the Village Chief¡¯s house, maybe I can find everything at once.¡±


    Little Grape suddenly popped up:


    ¡°William~ at least avoid direct conflict with the Village Chief before you retrieve your weapon¡­ I¡¯ve been thinking about the special state the Village Chief displayed at the end.


    Even though the Pathogen Core was destroyed, he could display an even stronger form.


    This ¡®Power¡¯ doesn¡¯t belong to him personally; it¡¯s likely derived from the Grey Zone or from the creature creating the ¡®abnormal Grey Zone,¡¯ sharing life through an ¡®umbilical cord¡¯ as a medium.¡±


    ¡°To truly kill the Village Chief, you must harm the creature that bestows him with life, and that requires your weapon.¡±


    It was rare to see Little Grape so serious, and Yi Chen just slightly smiled.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll seize the opportunity. Let¡¯s see what this place is all about¡­¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s brain was still burdened with many doubts, all of which needed to be deciphered and reasoned through subsequent information gathering.


    Following the only underground passage, walking in the direction of the water flow, they traveled about a hundred meters, squeezing past a narrow gap in the path.


    A natural underground river came into view,


    It was a complex underground pipeline system formed primarily through erosion, including underground corridors and caves, once the lifeline of Shebolt Village, which was built here because of this underground river.


    Now, due to the village¡¯s Pathological state, the river was also polluted. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The water surface was covered with various impurities, emitting a strong foul smell.


    ¡°Hmm? Is there something living down there?¡±


    He referred to it as ¡®something¡¯ because Yi Chen couldn¡¯t determine what sort of life form it was just by its appearance.


    It somewhat resembled the mass of rotten flesh seen in the villager¡¯s homes, yet it was very shriveled, severely yellowed, and even gave off a ¡®withered¡¯ feeling. ?§¡N?£Â¦¥????


    The human facial structure on its surface was more pronounced, with one large and one small eyeball no longer ¡®blinking¡¯ and showing no gloss, seemingly awaiting the arrival of death.


    These ¡®things¡¯ either floated on the river¡¯s surface, merged with the rock walls, or were themselves part of the setting like a pillar-like object.


    As Yi Chen, wearing the pig head, slowly approached these things,


    their previously lifeless eyeballs suddenly turned, and their nostrils began to sniff slowly.


    Perhaps it was the sight of the pig head or the scent of blood from the factory,


    A trace of instinctual fear appeared on their faces, followed by a sense of relief,


    Struggling to open their mouths, conveying messages with their eyes, they seemed to be requesting this passing pig-head Butcher for a premature grant of death.


    ¡°These folks¡­ were they once villagers? Unable to contribute to ¡®Creation¡¯ anymore and having never successfully produced a Holy Embryo, they were abandoned here to fend for themselves.


    As Jin said, they over-bred, their flesh quality is very poor, not even matching the lowest grade faux meat, naturally, they wouldn¡¯t be taken to the meat factory,¡±


    Yi Chen simply walked past this group without giving nor taking anything; he was just a passerby.


    The scale of the underground lake was much larger than anticipated; it could even be described as sprawling.


    Making their way around several winding paths, stone galleries,


    Unexpectedly, deep in an underground cave, they discovered an old man who had killed himself before the village was infected, a decision that spared him from the subsequent ¡°Combined Pain¡± and also provided Yi Chen with a set of ¡°villager clothing.¡±


    Regrettably,


    the old man was short and frail, his clothes were too small to wear, and Yi Chen could only manage to put on the trousers as capris,


    but the straw shoes the old man had woven himself fit fairly well,


    After dressing up, at least walking wasn¡¯t painful, and his private areas were covered, preventing others from seeing him as a pervert.


    Since the clothes didn¡¯t fit, Yi Chen politely dressed the old man back.


    During this process of dressing,


    a sense of being watched suddenly came from behind, and Yi Chen sharply turned around.


    Although the cave environment was very dark, Yi Chen still saw a shadow that swiftly passed by, but he couldn¡¯t determine what it was.


    ¡°A villager with swift movement and vision in the dark? Could it be a watcher arranged by the village chief down here?¡±


    Yi Chen immediately let out a rather strong snort through his nose, to express his identity as the Butcher.


    If it really was a watcher arranged by the village chief below, they should reveal themselves to confirm identities¡­ but as time ticked by, there was still no movement.


    The feeling of being watched from the shadows persisted and shifted positions continuously.


    ¡°Not one of the village chief¡¯s people?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen speculated about the identity, the feeling of being watched suddenly drew closer with a speed that could even match Jin¡¯s¡­


    ¡°So fast!¡±


    Yi Chen swung his slaughter knife in anticipation and shot out several plant roots with his left hand, trying to entangle the figure in mid-air.


    In the darkness,


    a slim figure, with a bone flexibility beyond human, dodged all the plant stabs in the air¡­ and swiped a claw towards Yi Chen¡¯s head.


    Clang! Sparks flew.


    The slaughter knife clashed with the claw, and the blade was left with two notches, shocking Yi Chen to the point of numbness in his palms.


    Moreover, the butcher knife he swung in anticipation only managed to block part of the claw,


    which left a huge slit in the pig-head mask, revealing the youthful face hidden under the mask.


    Just as Yi Chen prepared to counterattack,


    the attacker suddenly stopped their assault, and their killing intent also dissolved simultaneously.


    In his view, a ragged-dressed girl with black hair, barefooted, stood in front of him,


    Her body appeared extremely frail due to long-term malnutrition, her cheeks slightly sunken, and her legs as thin as bamboo poles¡­ Her dirty and messy hair partly hung in front of her, covering one eye and forehead.


    Her other eye gleamed with the luster of a black gem, moist and bright, staring intently at Yi Chen, full of curiosity.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re not from the village, are you?¡±


    Yi Chen could tell immediately that the girl was not wearing the ¡®hypocritical mask¡¯ like others,


    He also concluded from his probe as a Butcher that she was not working for the village chief.


    ¡°Yes, I came from outside, trying to cure Shebolt Village. Unfortunately, I encountered some troubles on the way and was nearly killed, just escaped from a factory to here.¡±


    ¡°I see! I thought you were one of the bad guys from above. Especially since you¡¯re wearing the Butcher¡¯s hood, and were stealing Mr. Taijas¡¯s clothes.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Lene Histera, sixteen years old this year! My mom always told me to host well those who come from outside to help our village and try to become good friends with them.


    The village has been able to exist this long because it once accepted the help of someone who claimed to be a ¡®gentleman¡¯.¡±

 Chapter 106: Cooperation and Passive Cooperation

    In an elevated area of the underground cave, which one could reach only by passing through several narrow paths, lay the ¡°secret chamber.¡±


    This was the girl¡¯s home,


    where a bonfire built from wood was burning, emitting sounds similar to creaking joints. Some pieces of wood even writhed in the flames, as if they were living limbs.


    As for the source of the wood, it was just a matter of walking over three hundred meters along the stone corridors outside the chamber to reach the forest outside the village.


    The light from the bonfire strove to illuminate the entire stone chamber,


    while water seeping down from the carbonate layers dripped down the stalactites of varying lengths, collected in a handcrafted wooden basin for drinking and washing.


    Yi Chen and the girl sat opposite each other in front of the bonfire, with the pig head mask that had been cut by claws temporarily set aside.


    ¡°Besides drinking water, what do you usually eat?¡±


    ¡°Most of the time I eat this¡­¡±


    The girl directly reached her arm into the fire, pulled out a burning piece of wood, quickly shook it to extinguish the flames, and began gnawing on it right away.


    Surprisingly, even from a distance, Yi Chen could smell a meaty aroma wafting from the cooked branches.


    The girl asked with a smile, ¡°Did you think I would eat the ¡®drifters¡¯ in the cave?¡±


    Yi Chen did not respond, but took the opportunity to ask, ¡°Drifters? Do you mean the villagers who are deemed worthless and thrown down here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really understand what ¡®worthless¡¯ means. I occasionally hear someone outside the well talking about ¡®drifters¡¯ before they throw them down here.


    They are mostly weak, almost near death. They either choose to float in the lake or use their last bit of energy to climb to the shore, waiting to die.


    I would not eat them. After all, they were once people from the village, whom my mom and dad knew.


    These branches are hard to eat, but they keep me alive.


    Sometimes, when I¡¯m lucky, I can catch chickens in the forest¡­ they are so delicious!¡±


    At this point, the girl drooled, seemingly having not caught a chicken in a long time.


    ¡°How did you end up down here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember very clearly, it seems like I¡¯ve been down here ever since I can remember¡ªmaybe my mom and dad sent me down here to protect me from bad people.¡±


    ¡°Your parents didn¡¯t come down with you?¡±


    ¡°No, it has always been just me¡­¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes suddenly changed, catching a significant contradiction.


    ¡°Wait! You said before that your mom told you that ¡®gentlemen¡¯ who help the village are good people.


    Since you¡¯ve been down here since you can remember, and never seen your parents, why would you remember that? You seem to remember a lot about your parents and even about the village.¡± ????¨¤£Î¨¯B??


    When Yi Chen threw out these questions, the girl looked puzzled. She also bent her right leg and scratched her head with her big toe.


    She then gave Yi Chen a serious look:


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªI also find it strange. Even though I¡¯ve always been down here, I have memories of mom and dad, and even the village. I even remember some things my mom told me clearly.


    I don¡¯t know if my brain is broken.¡±


    ¡°It might be related to you being down here for a long time¡­ it could be an overlap or loss of memory.¡±


    ¡°Oh~¡± Lene responded, her expression showing she barely understood, then pulled out two burning sticks, nibbling on one and offering the other to Yi Chen, ¡°Big brother, do you want to try some?¡±


    Yi Chen was going to refuse, but he was indeed a bit hungry. And since such roasted plants no longer had the raw taste, he could barely accept it.


    After a short interaction and conversation,


    Yi Chen had determined that although the girl in front of him belonged to the patients, she was completely harmless¡­ and even possessed mature and correct worldviews, a firm stance, and independent thinking, more akin to ¡°Patient Zero¡± than the old gossiping woman.


    Moreover, she was distinctly different from the old woman,


    as the old woman lived for ¡°revenge,¡± while Lene was simply living here, without any extra thoughts, like a blank sheet of paper that had never been stained by the world.


    ¡°Big brother, the ¡®cure¡¯ you talked about must be about killing all the bad people above, right?¡±


    ¡°Exactly¡­ This village is incurably sick, and elimination is the only way.¡±


    Lene just nodded slightly without any change in expression.


    ¡°Although I really want to help you, I am very scared of going up there¡­ The very thought of the village, especially the bad people in strange clothes, makes my body extremely resistant.¡±


    Yi Chen suddenly lowered his voice and asked, ¡°You want to help me?¡±


    Lene nodded seriously, ¡°Yes¡­ as long as I don¡¯t have to go up to the village or deal with those oddly dressed folks, I¡¯m willing to help.¡±


    ¡°If I can lead the Village Chief down here, would you help me kill him?¡±


    ¡°The Village Chief¡­¡±


    Lene scratched her head again with her toe,


    ¡°As long as you can get the Village Chief down here and not bring too much else, I can indeed help you. Plus, there¡¯s a place down here that could trap someone as big as the Village Chief.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. I¡¯ll take care of leading the Village Chief down here.¡±


    ¡°Okay, when will we do it?¡±


    ¡°Now.¡±


    With Jin¡¯s condition unknown, Yi Chen had no time to waste. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The reason he spent time interacting with Lene also had a purpose.


    Because Lene displayed extremely high combat abilities and was very familiar with the underground cave beneath the village, as long as her stance and Heart were determined, an attempt at cooperation could be made.


    Seeking to confront the Village Chief directly in a situation with nothing at hand was too risky.


    Not to mention whether it was possible to recover weapons and clothing,


    once the village¡¯s alarm was triggered, various Butchers, Scavengers, and other special villagers would all attack together.


    To kill the Village Chief, every possible means and existing relationship had to be utilized, even if it meant taking on some risk.


    ¡°This is where I usually chop wood; it¡¯s quite far from the village, so people generally don¡¯t come here.¡±


    ¡°Just wait for me near the well. I¡¯ll bring the Village Chief down as quickly as I can.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, big brother!¡±


    After bidding farewell to Lene, Yi Chen decided to visit Granny Chicken once more.


    Since Lene had mentioned catching chickens before, it hinted that Granny Chicken¡¯s residence couldn¡¯t be too far.


    Wearing the Pig Head Mask again (now stitched with plants), he bypassed the patrolling villagers and hurried to Granny Chicken¡¯s dwelling.


    He slipped down the slide inside the tree and landed in front of Granny Chicken.


    Yi Chen immediately presented his detailed plan to disrupt the village and lure out the Village Chief.


    However,


    Granny Chicken just looked at him, expressing no opinion about the plan.


    Stroking her granddaughter¡¯s head and her now chicken-feathered blonde hair,


    Granny Chicken slowly opened dozens of chicken eyes on her forehead, her gaze gradually revealing disdain and even contempt.


    She was full of disgust for the young man wearing a pig head mask, wrapped in tattered shorts.


    ¡°Your actions have already failed once, what makes you think I should gamble the children¡¯s lives to assist you? A companion stronger than you has been captured, and you alone think you can kill the Village Chief?


    Ha! Trash should be aware of their own worthlessness.¡±


    Granny Chicken¡¯s scoff echoed around the chicken coop area,


    Perhaps she had never truly valued Yi Chen; she merely wanted to use him as a ¡®Central Axis¡¯ to adjust Jin¡¯s major combat forces for her revenge plan.


    The previous conversation was indeed heartfelt,


    but was only about her longing for her granddaughter and her hatred for the Village Chief, using these genuine feelings to mask her duplicity.


    Now, with Jin gone,


    Yi Chen, who had returned alone to the chicken coop and lost his equipment, was nothing in her eyes, no different from those human teams who had ventured into the forest seeking Death.


    ¡°Considering our past friendly exchanges, I¡¯m giving you one minute to leave my chicken coop¡­ otherwise, I won¡¯t hesitate to turn you into fodder for the chicks.¡±


    Hearing this, Yi Chen meaningfully tapped his pig-head mask and didn¡¯t respond.


    The shift in Granny Chicken¡¯s attitude reminded him of the type of people he despised the most¡ªthose revolting people.


    Suddenly, he raised the Slaughter Knife high and swung it downward¡­ Swish!


    Blood splattered~


    This strike was not aimed at Granny Chicken, but at Yi Chen himself.


    The blade sliced into his right torso, tearing off a large chunk of flesh and revealing his ribs.


    Granny Chicken, sitting across from him, was confused about what the young man was trying to do and even suspected he had gone mad.


    Just then¡­ Thump!


    A strong and forceful heartbeat was heard by Granny Chicken.


    She stared with all her chicken eyes towards the self-mutilated chest of Yi Chen.


    Through the blood-rimmed gaps between his ribs, she saw a bizarre heart covered in black fur that was beating.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    As she wondered,


    the surface of the dark heart slowly formed a mouth, and an eyeball even rolled out of its throat!


    Eye to eye.


    A potent spiritual power blasted through all of Granny Chicken¡¯s eyes, overwhelming her brain.


    By the time she regained her senses,


    Yi Chen was already standing next to the chair, one hand holding the bloody Slaughter Knife, the other clutching a chick-embryo-like tumor he had just extracted from her body.


    Just as Granny Chicken¡¯s attitude had changed,


    the young man, who had once engaged in friendly conversations with the demeanor of a gentleman, also underwent a Transformation. Morphing into a pure Butcher ready to end her life prematurely.


    In the moments before her death, Granny Chicken continued to stare at the black heart through the gaps in the ribs.


    Two black segments resembling arms were waving happily,


    Whilst the mouth on the heart¡¯s surface drooled, uttering the last words Granny Chicken would ever hear.


    ¡°I finally get to taste chicken-flavored grape skewers early¡­ I¡¯m so happy, so happy!¡±

 Chapter 107: Attacking the Chicken

    Yi Chen had considered using the ¡°Pathogen Core¡± as a bargaining chip, hanging the chicken matriarch¡¯s head at his waist, to control the entire flock.


    However, considering that the chicken matriarch could establish a mental connection with the flock in secret, it was very likely that she would betray him at a critical moment¡­ Although there were corresponding restraining measures, none could completely eradicate the risk.


    Of course, the most important point.


    The chicken matriarch, a person who liked to take advantage of others¡¯ goodwill and a hypocrite, was someone Yi Chen wanted to ¡®cure¡¯ of their disease.


    Snap! The chicken embryo-like tumor was crushed in one squeeze.


    The chicken matriarch¡¯s eyes dimmed in an instant, and the small eyes on her forehead all lost their light.


    At the same time, Yi Chen also turned around, setting up his Slaughter Knife, ready to face the onslaught of the flock.


    However.


    As time passed bit by bit, he did not encounter the expected encirclement by the flock, nor any collective aggression.


    Instead, the atmosphere in the chicken pen became relaxed and cheerful,


    The chicks that were not allowed to leave the Nutrition Zone, as if breaking free from their constraints, all ran out, chirping incessantly around Yi Chen¡¯s feet.


    The broiler chickens that were lined up to be absorbed by the tree roots also stopped waiting for death, each taking flight as if obtaining freedom.


    The so-called chicken matriarch merely called them ¡®children¡¯ verbally, but in reality, she was like a Slave Master, and as a human, she had seen the flock as merchandise from the beginning of her chicken farming.


    On the contrary, it was these chickens that saw the chicken matriarch as their only dependable master.


    ¡°You killed the chicken matriarch, cluck cluck!¡±


    A black chicken fell with a slip, its chicken eyes wide.


    This was the black chicken Little Pei, the fastest chicken in the pen, and the one Yi Chen was most familiar with.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it good? That old thing can¡¯t control you anymore.¡±


    Yi Chen stepped forward, crouched down, and gently stroked Little Pei¡¯s head, and the latter didn¡¯t dodge, allowing the touch.


    It was then,


    That the tree slide above continued to bring a flock of elite chickens of excellent breeds, which had served as the chicken matriarch¡¯s ¡®spies,¡¯ observing the nearby surroundings and eliminating villagers who accidentally approached. £Ò????????????


    They, too, did not attack Yi Chen, but all came to the chicken matriarch¡¯s side, pecking at the dry, decayed corpse.


    This clearly showed that after contracting the disease and gaining self-awareness, they had long seen through the chicken matriarch¡¯s essence.


    ¡°Little Pei, are you not going? They seem to be enjoying it quite a lot.¡±


    ¡°Cluck cluck~ No need for me! The chicken matriarch liked to bully them, but she was okay to me¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you want this? If you do, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±


    Yi Chen stroked the comb with one hand, while extending the slightly crushed chicken embryo tumor towards Little Pei with the other.


    The black chicken Little Pei, fearing Yi Chen would change his mind suddenly, pecked it into her mouth!


    In the following minutes, dramatic changes occurred in Little Pei¡¯s body.


    The black feathers on its body flared out as if exploding, and eyes formed on the skin covered by the feathers.


    The chickens that were pecking at the matriarch¡¯s body all turned their heads and instinctively crouched down, bending their necks as if acknowledging their new master.


    Seeing this scene,


    Yi Chen wearing the pig-head mask smiled, knowing he had bet correctly.


    Combination of Cognate Symptoms


    It is a concept mentioned in Pathology courses, referring to patients with similar epidemics who can deepen their own level of infection by devouring each other¡¯s disease core, accelerating pathogen combination, and under special circumstances, even gaining the other¡¯s power.


    In some Gray Domains, occasionally, one could find some large chambers filled with similar types of Severe Patients, letting them fight each other to the death, with only the sole survivor allowed to leave.


    However, this method of growth through mutual slaughter could severely affect the patients¡¯ self-awareness. Although it rapidly and effectively deepened the severity of the disease and accelerated reaching the core of the pathogen, it was not particularly common among sufferers.


    Now,


    As Little Pei devoured the chicken matriarch¡¯s core, its consciousness slowly connected with the flock and took over as the leader.


    Yi Chen placed the Slaughter Knife behind him and continued to gently stroke the comb.


    ¡°Little Pei, how does it feel?¡±


    If he found any uncontrollable abnormal reactions in the black chicken, or if the chicken matriarch¡¯s consciousness element emerged in its chicken brain, Yi Chen was prepared to kill decisively.


    ¡°Cluck cluck!¡±


    Little Pei did not respond, but instead let out a loud crow, overwhelmingly excited.


    Following that, he spread his wings and flew towards Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder as if he wanted to perch there to express his ¡°trust.¡±


    Just as he was about to land, S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a short black arm suddenly grew from inside the shoulder, accompanied by a feeling of being watched, which startled Xiao Pei into shifting to the other shoulder.


    Once his claws were stable, he deliberately cleared his throat and looked down at the flock of chickens:


    ¡°This is the benefactor who killed old lady Chicken and granted us our freedom! We must properly thank him, cluck cluck!¡±


    The crowd immediately responded with chicken calls, as if the horn of rebellion had sounded in the underground chicken nests.


    [Ten minutes later]


    Shebolt Village was invaded by a massive flock of chickens, which, being oviparous, weren¡¯t affected by the spore dust.


    The seemingly chaotic flock purposefully went about their invasion,


    pairing up in twos and rapidly entering different residents¡¯ homes, wreaking havoc on the proliferating rotten flesh colonies.


    Don¡¯t be fooled by their animal appearance; these elite chickens, picked out by old lady Chicken to scout and ensure the chicken nests¡¯ safety, could easily move huge stones and rip apart trees.


    The nimble-bodied chickens were simply overpowered against villagers who couldn¡¯t move and continuously lost their essence.


    Suddenly, a variety of bizarre calls erupted from different areas of the village.


    It sounded not like screams, but more like a form of release.


    And it wasn¡¯t just that¡ªthere were also loads of chickens with little combat ability.


    They entered the ¡°Meat Factory¡± in an orderly fashion, and, in a suicidal assault, slammed into the production line¡¯s meat grinders, contaminating the factory¡¯s meat products with their own oviparous flesh.


    This directly led to the factory shutting down, with all the pig-headed butchers responsible for processing the physical bodies joining the ¡®chicken-catching operation,¡¯ plunging into disarray.


    When such chaos spread throughout the village in a short period,


    a special young man slipped silently into the village and, following a map, found the village chief¡¯s house,


    He had a gaping wound in his left chest, wore a pig¡¯s head mask, tattered capri pants and straw sandals, and a black chicken stood on his shoulder.


    Peering into the house through the window, the pig-head trembled slightly.


    The village chief, who should have left home to suppress the unrest, sat motionless in the living room.


    The swollen cyst bag formerly on his shoulder was gone, and judging from the incision, it seemed to have been cut off deliberately, with the gold that had been placed inside also missing.


    Moreover, the village chief was engaging in a strange activity at that moment.


    With one hand, he held Slaughter Knife, Yi Chen¡¯s custom-made weapon created with heavy gold, cutting open his abdomen.


    The animate umbilical cord poked its head out, sucking nutrition from a big basin prepared by the village chief¡ªthe exquisite Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup meticulously stewed by the factory¡¯s chefs.


    With the nourishment, streams of new energy flowed into the village chief¡¯s body, recovering the injuries he had suffered from the explosion, and he was now almost fully healed.


    He was utterly at ease, with no thought of suppressing the chaos in the village.


    It seemed that the village was no longer important to him at the moment.


    ¡°Could it be? The village has provided enough Holy Embryos, so the Church no longer needs it. As a token of thanks, they¡¯ve granted the village chief the umbilical cord representing ¡®new life.¡¯


    Has the conspiracy lurking behind the events already entered its latter stages, or even reached its final phase?¡±


    Thinking this, Yi Chen grew even more concerned about Jin¡¯s situation.


    His gaze immediately shifted to the black chicken on his shoulder.


    ¡°Xiao Pei, could you distract the village chief for a minute¡­ no, just thirty seconds will do.¡±


    ¡°Cluck cluck!¡±


    Just by catching a whiff of the severe patient¡¯s aura, Xiao Pei was already trembling with fear.


    However, this danger was still slightly less intimidating than that posed by Jin, who had once gripped its body.


    Xiao Pei nodded its chicken head up and down to agree to Yi Chen¡¯s request and called over four nearby elite chickens for assistance.


    ¡°I will get you the time, Mr. William! Cluck cluck!¡±


    ¡°Go.¡±


    Bang!


    The two windows and the front door of the village chief¡¯s house were shattered by the lifting chicken feet as Xiao Pei led his troops in a charge toward the village chief.


    For a time, pieces of furniture, flooring, and walls mingled with chicken feathers flew chaotically through the air.

 Chapter 108: Recycling

    When the five chickens barged into the house,


    the umbilical cord that was feeding seemed to be startled, immediately retracting back into the Village Chief¡¯s abdomen, also incidentally sealing the wound there.


    Swoosh!


    An axe directly split the nearest, frantically hopping White Feather Chicken in half.


    Despite the Village Chief¡¯s enormous physique, his speed is not slow at all.


    Apart from Black Chicken Pei, none of the other chickens could match the Village Chief¡¯s speed.


    As Jin had said, the Village Chief, as a Severe Patient, didn¡¯t have any Special Abilities; his pathologies were mainly physical, with ¡°Hardness¡±, ¡°Power¡±, and ¡°Speed¡± being exceptionally outstanding.


    He grabbed a chicken leg, examined the cut-open chicken, and reminisced about the stubborn old chicken-raising grandma from before the village changed.


    ¡°To cause trouble at such a critical moment¡­¡±


    The Village Chief lifted his axe, ready to completely slaughter these chickens,


    Because his skin was too tough, he couldn¡¯t cut his fingers while using ¡°Moon of Slaughter¡±, hence he couldn¡¯t transform, only swinging a finely made axe.


    As the group of chickens led the Village Chief out of the house,


    Yi Chen also sneaked into the bedroom and immediately found the suitcases with a forge mark.


    Fortunately, though the weapons had been taken, the contents of the suitcases were undisturbed. It seemed the Village Chief didn¡¯t know how to use them, so he had left them there to study later.


    Without a word, Yi Chen inserted a Recovery Injection into his artery, refilling his energy.


    He then glanced towards the large bed beside him,


    On it, apart from the bedding, lay Yi Chen¡¯s ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Clothes¡±, which were severely deformed, with many parts stretched and even some threads coming loose.


    Clearly,


    During the process of sending Yi Chen to the factory, the Village Chief noticed the clothes¡¯ distinctiveness and even felt the energy pulse belonging to the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡±.


    He took the clothes home and tried to force his way into them.


    The result was obvious, his large and strong physique burst through the clothes that did not belong to him, making it impossible for him to wear them.


    Even if the clothes had fit,


    The ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡±, which had undergone professional appraisal with Yi Chen, would reject the Village Chief, and forcibly wearing it could even cause irreversible damage to the body.


    Yi Chen¡¯s fingers traced the surface of the clothes, savoring the impeccable textural feel of the stitching.


    As he continued to touch, the Gentleman¡¯s Clothes, like a sleeping organism being awakened, began to move along the path of his fingers and even proactively clung to his palm. ??????§à????¨º?


    As they adhered,


    The stretched and even torn clothes began to restore themselves, any stains from the Village Chief also completely fell off.


    Once fully dressed,


    A sense of neural connection traveled through his body, stimulating Yi Chen¡¯s thought and invigorating him.


    He took off the pig head mask, giving a light kiss on the cuff, ¡°Sorry, my good companion.¡±


    As Yi Chen adjusted the fine details of the clothes, holding the tattered pig head mask, he put it on again, stitching it to his neck with plant roots.


    In one hand he held the suitcase, and with the other, he straightened his tie.


    The mask also emitted a faint grunting noise with each breath.


    If other gentlemen in Zion City saw this figure, who knows how they would react.


    [All set]


    Bang! Yi Chen purposefully smashed the bedroom¡¯s window to create a loud noise.


    He then quickly moved near where the Village Chief and the chickens were, observed briefly, and then sprinted full speed towards the village well.


    At this moment,


    The Village Chief had already killed all four assisting elite chickens and was chasing after the extremely fast, leading Black Chicken Pei.


    Several times, flying axes made Pei¡¯s feathers fly frantically, luckily it had extra eyes that could foresee the axes¡¯ path and dodge in advance.


    Each time, it narrowly escaped, completely unharmed.


    Suddenly,


    The Village Chief heard the sound of glass breaking from his home and immediately slowed down.


    He saw a figure resembling a pig-headed butcher, holding his spoils, fleeing towards the village center.


    The Village Chief immediately changed his target, pursuing the thief.


    The speed he burst forth with was also terrifying, trampling everything in his path¡ªmushrooms, animal combinations¡ªto dust, leaving huge footprints several centimeters deep in the ground.


    ¡°He¡¯s that fast!?¡±


    Yi Chen, feeling the Village Chief¡¯s aura behind him, tensed up all over, and once again accelerated towards the direction of the well.


    The chase between the two was uninterrupted by anyone else, the village in chaos, as everyone was busy with their own affairs.


    Although the distance between the two was closing,


    a well entrance had already appeared in sight.


    The village chief immediately discerned the pig-headed thief¡¯s purpose¡ªonce he jumped into the complex underground river, things would become quite troublesome¡­ He didn¡¯t want to waste time on this.


    Gripping the Axe,


    lines as hard as steel emerged on the surface of his muscles,


    the village chief had completely Locked onto the thief who he suspected to be a Butcher. The moment the thief made a move to jump into the well, he would throw the Axe with all his might.


    The power of the throw was enough to tear a human body in half, not excluding even a modified Butcher.


    Once in the air, dodging was impossible.


    Here it comes!


    The thief, sharply dressed in gentleman¡¯s clothes, made an obvious knee-bending motion.


    The village chief caught this detail, shifted his arms back, and with all the power in his body, he hurled the Hand Axe. Zhang


    Whiz! The moment it was thrown, it actually tore through the air with a whooshing sound,


    The spinning Axe in the air was too fast to see its shape clearly¡ªit sliced towards its target like a silver crescent moon. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However,


    the pig-headed Butcher, who should have jumped, stopped in his tracks; he had merely made a knee-bending feint without actually jumping.


    Twisting his step and turning around, he stared straight at the rapidly approaching Axe.


    ¡°Can I catch it?¡±


    Yi Chen watched the swiftly revolving Hand Axe and the powerful menacing force it carried, even foreseeing the horrible sight of himself being split open.


    Yet, he didn¡¯t feel any nervousness; he even recalled the physical contests they had back in paradise.


    Zede teacher often played this kind of ¡®throwing game,¡¯ like suddenly disassembling his arm during a chase and slinging it as a weapon like a slingshot.


    Nine times out of ten, it fully penetrated Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    On one occasion, when Yi Chen felt the thrown object behind him, he turned around instantly and with a swing of his arm, he grabbed Zede¡¯s thrown arm.


    The outcome was still terrible as the grabbed arm of Zede became an independent entity, grabbed Yi Chen by the neck, and nearly broke his spine completely.


    But Zede was quite astonished that Yi Chen managed to catch the thrown object.


    In his view, Yi Chen could at best dodge at the limit. To catch such a fast-moving object at close range was almost impossible for him at his current Rank.


    The reason he could catch it was,


    aside from Yi Chen¡¯s own reflexes and Vision traits, largely due to a school-time game called ¡®Death Dodgeball¡¯ he played before he passed away.


    Yi Chen had never been penalized in that game.


    ¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s similar to Zede teacher¡¯s arm throwing, just with a twist¡­ I can catch it!¡±


    Fibers tough as plants had already covered his Arm, forming a fully encompassing Arm Armor structure.


    Eye,


    Heart,


    Mind,


    Trinity together captured the ¡®point¡¯ on the spinning Axe that could be grabbed.


    Force, Speed, Precision, and timing were all critical.


    Snap!


    The right Arm instantly stretched out, firmly grabbing the Axe handle amidst the arc!


    The moment it was gripped, Snap! A visible ripple of air exploded around the palm.


    The Arm Armor enveloped right Arm was forcibly pulled backward, and the plants at the palm were violently torn apart.


    The base of the thumb split open, the wrist joints slightly fractured, and the elbow dislocated.


    Even so,


    Yi Chen still stabilized his body, holding the Axe firmly with his drooping arm.


    He looked down and said softly:


    ¡°Welcome Back.¡±


    Then, with a perfect turnaround leap, he dropped down the well,


    and as his body completely disappeared into the well, he even managed to gesture an international sign with his free left hand towards the village chief.

 Chapter 109: Full Moon

    The wellhead seemingly moved with the gesture, but there was another purpose in mind.


    A thick, tenacious plant root grew from the palm of his hand, deeply embedding itself in the wall of the well,


    Imitating a scene in ¡°Tarzan,¡± Yi Chen swung in mid-air by the root and hurled his body toward the river bank below.


    His feet landed steadily without an extra motion,


    ¡°Come quickly!¡± a voice from a girl whispered from the shadows.


    ¡°Wait for me a moment.¡±


    Yi Chen did not rush out immediately; he needed to wait and make sure the Village Chief would follow him down.


    One second, two seconds, three seconds¡­ Boom!


    The huge figure wrapped in a black trench coat suddenly fell down, the water of the three-meter-deep underground lake was blasted upwards, then fell back down like rain.


    The dark silhouette stood at the center of the lake bottom, staring directly at the provocateur.


    Clearly, the Village Chief was completely infuriated.


    However, this was precisely the outcome Yi Chen desired. Beneath the pig head mask, a bizarre smile appeared, followed by a swift turn and retreat, moving rapidly through the complex underground passages.


    All route planning was managed by the girl, Lene.


    Although not as fast as the Village Chief, Yi Chen managed to use some narrow passage gaps to block the Village Chief, continually increasing their distance, always hearing the sound of rock layers being shattered behind him.


    The Village Chief was clearly determined to catch the thief, utterly unconcerned about the state of the village above.


    This chase lasted for over twenty minutes.


    The location of everyone had completely deviated from the village, even approaching the edge of the high wall.


    Yi Chen followed the girl, squeezing sideways through a narrow stone gap, the Village Chief behind him let his shoulders harden, charging forward with brute force¡­ Boom!


    The stone gap was easily broken open,


    but what lay ahead was no longer a straight passage, but a deep pit area.


    The overzealous Village Chief fell straight into it, falling for about fifty meters¡­ Thump! He smashed heavily into the bottom of the deep pit, splashing a large amount of mud.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the High Wall Base?¡±


    The Village Chief¡¯s rage slowly subsided as he observed the surrounding thick tree roots, some of which were even thicker than his body.


    The live roots wriggled like giant reptiles, sucking up the nutrients from this place.


    And the ¡®thief¡¯ wearing the pig head mask was not far off, with a girl in white standing beside him, someone the Village Chief had never seen before.


    No longer hiding his identity,


    the ¡®thief¡¯ undid the stitching around his neck, removed the pig head mask, revealing that familiar youthful face.


    The Village Chief¡¯s face was full of astonishment; it had been a long time since he had been so surprised.


    ¡°How are you still alive! Your heart had clearly been harvested, and on the way to the factory, I had confirmed your death!¡±


    For a moment, the Village Chief¡¯s anger was replaced by surprise, and there was also a certain wariness.


    He was wary of the strange state Yi Chen had once shown, a state that exuded an aura of death, even overpowering that of the newly born umbilical.


    Because of this, sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the Village Chief did not attack the ¡®revived¡¯ young man immediately, but observed quietly, ready to harness the new power from the umbilical.


    Seeing that the Village Chief stayed where he was,


    Yi Chen calmly undid the buttons of his top, opened his shirt and waistcoat, revealing his pierced chest.


    ¡°Indeed, you harvested my heart, and since you, Village Chief, have a way to be reborn even when the ¡®Pathogen Core¡¯ is destroyed, I naturally have ways to not die. ??¦­o??¦¥????


    I¡¯m curious though; the village is clearly in chaos, and yet you don¡¯t care at all, instead, you followed me, a thief, all the way here.


    Is it because the village is no longer of any use to you? Or does the Church no longer need the village¡¯s ¡®supplies¡¯?


    ¡°You¡¯re too late¡­¡±


    The Village Chief¡¯s simple response made Yi Chen understand the severity of the situation,


    then, the Village Chief stepped forward with heavy steps, attacking boldly, completely disregarding the girl beside him who was like a ghost emitting no aura.


    ¡®Root Piercing¡¯


    Three thick roots, enhanced with the power of Casting Gloves, shot towards the Village Chief like spears.


    Ding ding ding! The sound of hammering echoed at the High Wall Base.


    The roots that struck the Village Chief¡¯s body were all deflected, beneath the pierced clothes was a flesh akin to rock and steel.


    ¡°As expected, very tough¡­ No wonder someone as strong as Jin, the gentleman, had to trigger multiple targeted explosions, sacrificing his weapon, to achieve ¡®Break Defense.¡¯


    Such physically powered Severe Patients are truly troublesome.


    No wonder Little Grape insisted that I retrieve my weapon before considering combat with the Village Chief.¡±


    When Yi Chen retracted the roots in his palm,


    the giant figure of the Village Chief was already standing in front of him, nearly blocking 90% of his field of vision.


    Mr. Li did not possess a triple-section arm or an independent tail structure like some other mechanical beasts. As a severe patient, the Village Chief embodied pure physicality.


    With a heavy and swift slap coming from the side, the force of the palm wind even caused Yi Chen¡¯s clothes to flutter.


    ¡°Such terrifying brute strength!¡±


    Seizing the opportunity,


    Yi Chen crouched and leaped, perfectly dodging the slap,


    Suddenly, mid-air, Yi Chen¡¯s posture changed dramatically, his hands gripping the axe above and below.


    The left hand pressed down on the base sculpture,


    while the right hand pulled up on the axe handle,


    Accompanied by a series of mechanical friction noises, the handle lengthened to twice its size and the axe head transformed into a double-bladed shape, resembling a full moon.


    The entire assembly glowed with a pale white light, and the mouse sculpture at the base took on a prayerful pose, with a Moon Seal emerging on the forehead.


    ¡°Full Moon Form¡±


    If the Slaughter Form was an expression of Mr. Li¡¯s ¡°innate ferocity,¡± then the Full Moon Form was a perfect interpretation of the Moon Transformation Disease.


    As the weapon transformed,


    Yi Chen¡¯s aura also changed completely from before, no longer carrying any killing intent or any sense of madness and impulse.


    Instead, it was quiet.


    It was as if everything around became silent, Yi Chen¡¯s face relaxed and comfortable, his pupils reflecting the pattern of a full moon, as if enjoying the moon in midair.


    Suddenly, he broke this silence himself,


    Twisting his waist and turning his back, his arms pressed down!


    Drawing down the full moon diagonally towards the Village Chief¡¯s neck¡­ Clang!


    In the moon night, a clanging sound echoed, but the full moon failed to cut through the Village Chief¡¯s neck.


    The strike only left a one-centimeter mark on the neck, not even drawing blood, completely failing to break his defense.


    However, at the incision, a luminescent moonlight spilled out, imprinting a ¡°Moonlight Mark.¡±


    At the same time,


    Hundreds of kilometers away from Shebolt Village in a certain human city,


    A silver-haired young man sat on the edge of a hospital rooftop, enjoying the hazy moon through dense clouds.


    A female doctor next to him was monitoring the infusion state, and the head mounted on a metal rod rotated smoothly, constantly checking for possible dangers around them,


    Suddenly,


    The young man seemed to sense something and stood up, tiptoeing to gaze in a certain direction.


    ¡°Is it the aura of the moon¡­William? Do you really need my power to cure this disease?¡±


    The young man, intrigued, closed his eyes, trying to zero in on this faint sensation when¡­ Splat!


    A mouthful of silvery white blood sprayed out, startling the female doctor who hurriedly supported him with her long legs,


    Not only spitting blood, but the young man also vomited an undeveloped goat embryo from his mouth.


    ¡°Oh¡­ You are actually in such a diseased domain, don¡¯t die now~ William.¡±


    Smack! The young man crushed the fetus in his hand, showing no fear of the consequences this act might represent.


    He slowly raised his right arm, aiming in the direction where the sensation was coming from¡­ And he made a forceful pulling gesture.


    In an instant,


    Over the Jose Valley where Shebolt Village was located, the moon hanging above the clouds seemed to be pulled closer, even shining through the clouds with a faint moonlight.


    ¡­


    [High Wall Base]


    Yi Chen¡¯s strike left only a Moon Seal and failed to break the defense.


    This left his body suspended in midair, in a vulnerable, undefended state, and the Village Chief naturally would not miss such an opportunity.


    A massive arm swung from the side, even faster than before, hitting him hard on the side.


    [Receiving Body]


    Smack!


    The strike visibly blasted a wave of air explosion in the air.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body, like a pile of loose rotten flesh, was slammed directly towards the edge of a deep pit, breaking some thick roots and sinking entirely into them.


    ¡°So weak¡­ Was my caution unnecessary?¡±


    The Village Chief did not hesitate, stepping heavily, moving towards the area where Yi Chen lay trapped among the roots.


    Suddenly, a series of rats¡¯ squeaking sounds echoed near his ear, and an itching sensation came from his neck.


    The neck previously hit by the axe blade unexpectedly started producing Moonlight Rats, which were furiously gnawing at his skin!

 Chapter 110: The Weeping Blood Moon

    Even as his body was nearly embedded between the rocky layers and giant roots, Yi Chen¡¯s expression bore a strange smile.


    This was the first time he had used his weapon¡¯s ¡°Full Moon Form¡± against an enemy, and the sight of the Moon Seal on the Village Chief¡¯s neck meant the attack had already taken effect.


    He had never thought he could kill the Village Chief with a single strike¡ªit was always meant to be a battle of endurance.


    Being attacked in midair was also within expectations


    A ¡°Palm Strike¡± with a larger area of impact like the one just now was a luck-dependent option, Yi Chen could utilize muscle contraction and body rotation to perform a Receiving Body in midair.


    Apart from a broken rib and a slight shock to his internal organs, the situation was still relatively good.


    ¡°Hmm? Strange¡­ why isn¡¯t the Village Chief attacking yet?¡±


    According to Yi Chen¡¯s estimation, he had to move quickly, or the Village Chief¡¯s enormous boots would crush this place beneath his foot.


    But as he found his footing among the wall craters and saw what was happening outside, his eyes widened in shock!


    A lightning-fast white silhouette took advantage of the environment around the High Wall Base, switching positions by leaping off the dangling roots around, and launched rapid assaults on the Village Chief.


    While her claw attacks could only create sparks across the Village Chief¡¯s surface, they essentially pinned him down.


    Yi Chen took the opportunity to look at the Village Chief¡¯s neck, where the Moonlight faintly shone, even able to catch glimpses of the time-skipping rats scurrying across.


    ¡°The effect of the Moon Seal seems quite good¡­ But to Break Defense on someone as hard as the Village Chief, I¡¯ll need to carve a few more Moon Seals onto him.¡±


    Without any hesitation,


    Yi Chen immediately coordinated an attack with the girl Lene, joining forces against the Village Chief.


    Perhaps sensing the threat of the weapon, the Village Chief started paying more attention to Yi Chen, even choosing sometimes to ignore Lene¡¯s attacks in favor of pushing Yi Chen back.


    Clang! Another resonant clang of metal striking metal.


    The Round Moon Axe Blade cleaved the Village Chief¡¯s waist, leaving a deeper gash than the one on his neck, and the Moon Seal lit up.


    As the price for that attack,


    the Village Chief¡¯s direct kick landed squarely on Yi Chen¡¯s abdomen, revealing a terrible bulge on his back, almost puncturing through his body!


    Relying on instinctual Receiving Body movements and the flexibility trained into his Physique, he withstood the kick,


    Boom! His body, spiraling through the air, hit the boundary wall at an even faster Speed and got embedded deeper.


    Gulp¡ªa large mouthful of fresh blood spat out.


    Inside, the little grape also started cursing:


    ¡°Do you really have to risk so much for an effective attack? Do you realize that if that kick was a bit higher, it would have hit me here?¡±


    ¡°Grapes for you afterward~ I won¡¯t mess up,¡± Yi Chen responded, then bit directly into a massive root beside him, ignoring the mix of blood and meaty taste between the roots, and swallowing forcefully. ??¦­¦Ï£Â§§?


    Buzz! His vitality was immediately replenished.


    At that moment, Yi Chen cracked an exaggerated smile of excitement, entering ¡°Paradise State¡± and transforming the pain in his body into a stimulant, once again pushed off from deep in the wall and closed in rapidly on the Village Chief.


    Clang clang clang!


    Continuous clanging sounds echoed as Yi Chen took several direct hits from the Village Chief¡­ the worst of which, snap! He failed to fully dodge a Direct Punch, which landed on his left shoulder, tearing his entire arm off and sending it flying.


    In exchange, a total of ¡°Six Paths¡± of Moon Seals were etched across the Village Chief¡¯s body, with the Moonlight-constructed rats covering him entirely, gnawing all over.


    The Break Defense effect had reached its peak!


    The formerly impregnable muscles were riddled with tiny holes from the Moon Rats¡¯ biting, losing their previous defensive capacity.


    Even the Village Chief himself became weaker, his speed and strength far less than before.


    At that moment, a white figure flashed in, crossing her claws over the Village Chief¡¯s back¡­


    The sound was no longer metallic slicing, but a real tearing of flesh¡ªthe Village Chief¡¯s back was completely ripped open, exposing the mechanical structures inside.


    ¡°Lene! Go for the umbilical cord hidden inside the Village Chief first!¡±


    Yi Chen, with his left arm severed not too far away, called out with this advice.


    Lene rapidly searched inside the Village Chief through the torn opening.


    A worm-like thing was wriggling among the intestines¡ªshe was certain that this was the ¡°umbilical cord¡±¡­ For some reason, upon seeing the umbilical cord, Lene¡¯s thoughts became extremely chaotic.


    Scenes she had never seen before, belonging to neither the village nor the forest, flashed through her mind.


    Even her Pupils started to reflect some dark surrealist paintings.


    Such hesitation was a taboo in battle!


    Smack! With a twist and swing of his arm, the Village Chief struck Lene in the abdomen.


    Even as his power was weakened by the moonlight, he still managed to send Lene flying, crashing heavily into the edge¡­ The dust rose, temporarily obscuring the girl¡¯s figure.


    ¡°Lene!¡±


    Yi Chen shouted loudly, at the same time inserting a healing injection into his neck to replenish the life essence lost due to his left arm fracture. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He burst into full speed immediately, charging toward the Village Chief, ready to exploit the vulnerability caused by the moonlight to execute him and sever the umbilical cord inside his body, leaving no chance for any resistance.


    However¡­ he was still one step too slow.


    Whoosh!


    The umbilical cord drilled out from the Village Chief¡¯s navel, just like the last time.


    The cord wrapped around the Village Chief¡¯s neck, forming a ¡°hanging state,¡± as a renewed power not belonging to the Village Chief coursed through his entire body.


    Not only were the torn openings on his back rapidly repaired,


    even the Moon Seal scars that Yi Chen had painstakingly branded on the surface of his skin were slowly growing new flesh, rapidly closing up, and the moon rats covering the Village Chief¡¯s body were also dispersing.


    The rejuvenation that came with the umbilical cord was counteracting the moonlight.


    Without hesitation, Yi Chen continued his charge, wielding the axe with his single arm, switching to the most aggressive ¡°Slaughter Form¡±.


    ¡°The chance is only in the present. If the Village Chief recovers, both Lene and I will die here! I must cut off this nearly cheating umbilical cord before his body fully recovers.¡±


    He leapt up,


    his gaze firmly locking onto the umbilical cord around the Village Chief¡¯s neck,


    His body bent backward in a bow shape and tensed up, storing the power between his muscles,


    Just at that moment,


    The Village Chief, who had been bowing his head, suddenly turned it sideways, glaring at Yi Chen with crimson eyes,


    His arms also lifted, his terrifying physical speed fully restored!


    The exaggeratedly large hand blocked in front of Yi Chen, with spread fingers almost covering the view¡­ The palms also regrew the structure of steel and rock layers, with hardness restored as well!


    The Village Chief was very confident in his physical body,


    He was sure he could block the impending chop and simultaneously catch Yi Chen¡¯s head and crush it!


    In that instant,


    Yi Chen¡¯s brain also completed the analysis of the current situation, deducing that he would likely die here, with no time left for lengthy last words, only managing to convey a brief message to the companion inside him.


    ¡°Little Grape, if I die! Remember to take my body back to the Twilight Clinic for burial; we might see each other again someday.¡±


    After this message was conveyed, there was no verbal response,


    but instead, a surge of extremely strong heartbeats came through, accompanied by an infusion of life essence throughout his body, even causing some black hair to grow on the surface of Yi Chen¡¯s arms.


    Simultaneously,


    A strand of moonlight as thick as a finger actually managed to penetrate the high wall and seep into such deep underground roots, falling precisely onto the surface of the axe blade.


    The Slaughter Form¡¯s axe blade immediately wrapped in a strange layer of moonlight, as if merging two forms of the weapon into one.


    Slice!


    Like a pale moon dripping with bloody tears, it arced through the air,


    cutting through all the hard substances in front, breaking everything,


    The hand covered with a mixture of rock and steel layers and the entire outstretched arm,


    The Village Chief¡¯s shocked face and the umbilical cord looped around his neck,


    The torso, muscle layers, and the organs hidden inside,


    Yi Chen¡¯s figure slid diagonally through the air, landing on one knee!


    One second after he fell,


    Thump! The Village Chief¡¯s half of the body also slid down, splashing up a large amount of foul mud.


    Perhaps it was through the joint training with the Twilight Clinic and this mission that his physical body kept growing while being damaged and fighting desperately,


    Perhaps his physique had transformed and further sculpted through actual combat,


    Perhaps it was the special life essence supplied by Little Grape that stimulated his relentlessly refined body in unprecedented ways,


    Or perhaps it was the exhilaration from slaughtering the Village Chief,


    In front of the retina,


    Ancient information was displayed, writhing like maggots.


    [Physique] increased from [3] to [4].

 Chapter 111: Processing

    For two and a half months.


    Yi Chen¡¯s physique grew once again, the changes and increases in ancient numbers were merely ways for individuals to better understand their physical states, indicating that there had been a substantial breakthrough in the physical body.


    Unlike the enhancements brought about by intensive training in paradise,


    all the activities during these two months were real combat, struggling for life against patients, being severely wounded numerous times, and executing kills at critical moments.


    If the improvement from the intensive training altered the nature of the physique, allowing Yi Chen to acquire the ¡°physical tolerance¡± and the adaptation and utilization of pain like Zede, officially stepping into the ranks of ¡°physical control.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then this improvement corresponded more to an increase in physical skills,


    The current Yi Chen could adapt to combat faster, stimulate more of his physical potential during the fight, and carry out more detailed movements to deliver more deadly attacks.


    Underneath his clothes, his body pulsed rhythmically,


    muscle groups were arranging and combining in a unique pattern, utilizing energy more efficiently with each muscle group providing greater strength.


    Huff~ Taking a deep breath!


    Yi Chen did not indulge in these subtle changes in his body; there were still many issues that needed confirmation and resolution.


    With one hand, he gently pressed against his right chest,


    ¡°Little Grape! Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Why are you yelling so loudly? If it weren¡¯t for the Village Chief borrowing external power, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered to help¡­ and moreover, I only gave you 1/100 of my blood, it doesn¡¯t affect me at all.


    Stop wasting time here and quickly go pick the Village Chief¡¯s grapes!¡±


    Seeing such a strong response from Little Grape, there was naturally no need for concern.


    What needed to be done next was ¡°post-battle processing,¡±


    starting with picking up the left arm that the Village Chief broke with a punch, and trying to ¡°reconnect¡± it to the shoulder fracture site.


    Although he could not regenerate limbs, Yi Chen could still barely manage this kind of limb reconnection.


    Sprouts emerged from the wounds and connected the severed arm¡­ Since the joint was shattered and filled with bone fragments, the reconnection process was relatively slow. ??N??¦¥?


    For now, he could only hang the left arm awkwardly, continuing the reconnection while checking on the Village Chief¡¯s condition.


    It was at that moment,


    Boom! A disturbance came from the side wall.


    The girl Lene shot back, with a broken arm but otherwise unharmed.


    She had a fierce expression, ready to finish off the Village Chief who was barely clinging to life.


    ¡°Lene, wait a minute!¡±


    A single word from Yi Chen stopped the girl midair, and after landing on her feet, she nodded obediently.


    ¡°Leave the rest to me.¡±


    Both of them approached the Village Chief,


    the Village Chief, half his body (lower limbs intact) sliced diagonally, was kneeling on the ground; from the cut in the body, one could clearly see a ¡°Steel Heart¡± embedded within, throbbing slowly and weakly.


    The Village Chief chose to reinforce the core, making the hardness of the heart surpass any other part of the body. Even after Jin¡¯s Red Lotus Explosion, it only cracked a little, maintaining its integrity.


    He was a pure physical fighter,


    and now,


    the umbilical cord was severed, interrupting the supply of the power of new birth.


    The heart reverted to its pre-explosion damaged state, full of cracks, and the slightest touch would shatter it completely¡­


    Besides the severe physical trauma, the Village Chief was more grievously wounded in spirit.


    Because the umbilical cord was cut, he would never gain the recognition of the ¡°Mother of New Birth,¡± unable to contact the Church ever again, his efforts dissolving in this moment, completely losing himself.


    Yi Chen just looked indifferently at the evil man who had led the village to hell, making countless villagers suffer endless pain, without a shred of pity.


    Smack!


    His right hand clapped on top of the Village Chief¡¯s head.


    Plant roots drilled into the skull cavity along the facial features and cut-open cheek.


    Even so, the Village Chief still knelt on the ground, with no intention of resistance whatsoever.


    As the ¡°Central Tasting¡± was about to begin,


    perhaps it was the root tendrils moving through the brain, touching certain nerves that made the Village Chief remember something, and his previously vacant eyes gradually regained focus.


    However, the Village Chief¡¯s shifting gaze did not look toward Yi Chen but instead rested on the young girl beside him.


    He seemed to remember something but couldn¡¯t quite articulate it.


    Seeing the Village Chief¡¯s response, Yi Chen considered the possibility that the other might have a desperate thought, and naturally did not dare to neglect¡­ Whoosh! The root tendrils pierced deep into the brain.


    The Village Chief¡¯s eyes dimmed again, and Yi Chen read a large number of Memory Fragments, rapidly integrating and analyzing them in his mind.


    Village Chief Kaldi was born a stonemason and often helped the villagers build and even maintain their houses for free, continuing to offer selfless assistance even after becoming the Village Chief.


    Until one day, while helping with construction work, he accidentally fell from a roof four meters high,


    and while everyone was preparing to take him to the village doctor¡¯s house, the Village Chief got up as if nothing happened and went home on his own¡­ And the place where he fell had a big pit smashed into it, even the cobblestones were crushed.


    Back at home, the Village Chief took off his clothes.


    His muscular and robust body was bizarrely covered with a layer of stone.


    This was clearly a manifestation of ¡°Pathological,¡± and the petrification of the skin showed a tendency to spread all over the body.


    He dared not reveal this to his fellow villagers. In the Village Chief¡¯s mind, once the fact that he was afflicted with the disease became known to the villagers, they would immediately shed their friendly masks and drive him out of the village with pitchforks in hand.


    As the petrification worsened day by day, this thought took deep root in the Village Chief¡¯s mind.


    Until one day.


    A group of outsiders who called themselves the ¡°Regeneration Church¡± came to the village, and the leading Bishop spoke privately with the Village Chief, pointing out that he suffered from an illness called ¡°Stone Skin Disease.¡±


    But the Bishop offered a completely different perspective,


    in his words, illness was not a bad thing but rather a ¡°Mark,¡± a ¡°Mark¡± left by the new world to select its new inhabitants.


    In other words, the Village Chief was a chosen one and need not worry about being Pathological at all.


    This world would become Pathological sooner or later, and by then, as Patients, they would become the first inhabitants of the new world.


    He also hoped that the Village Chief would assist them with some matters, and if successful, the Village Chief would receive a higher promotion¡­ and the villagers would also receive the corresponding ¡°Mark,¡± welcoming the coming of the new world together.


    The Bishop¡¯s words were bewitching, and the Village Chief ultimately agreed to collaborate with the Church.


    The result was the tragedy unfolding before them.


    Additionally, Yi Chen gleaned some important information from the Chief¡¯s recent memories.


    The Village Chief had personally cut off the ¡°swollen pouch bag¡± containing gold and handed it over to a mysterious person wrapped in a black church robe, also the very same one who pierced through his own chest, crushing his heart.


    As Yi Chen continued to try and read memories related to the Church or to the umbilical cord,


    the images began to blur and became unclear, unable to capture valuable information, as if blocked by some special technique of the Church.


    ¡°No wonder the Village Chief¡¯s Pathological condition and the ¡®Combination Disease¡¯ manifested in the village were different,


    it turns out that he had contracted another type of illness, ¡®Stone Skin Disease,¡¯ prior to contact with the Church. Is it from prolonged contact with stone or an obsession with stone, leading to a mental and Physical Transformation?¡±


    No matter what, the Village Chief¡¯s issues had been settled.


    Next would be stepping into the Church to see exactly what these people wanted to do.


    ¡°Jin must still be alive.¡±


    The tasting completed,


    the Brain Marrow Fluid of the Severe Patient provided Yi Chen with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and left him in optimal condition.


    Recalling the final blow of the battle, in addition to the Essence Blood supply provided by little grape, there was also an assisting external force, though very faint, it suppressed the Village Chief¡¯s rebirth.


    It was a strand of Moonlight that had slipped into the underground space.


    Yi Chen looked towards the ceiling, covered in roots and rock layers, where the strand of Moonlight had long since disappeared.


    Feeling the faint luminescence lingering on the axe blade, and the waves of chill¡­ Yi Chen thought of an individual who sent shivers down his spine.


    ¡°Moon Scar?¡±

 Chapter 112: External Heart

    [High Wall Base]


    The nutrient meat soup flowing from the factory mostly gets channeled here via the underground river, forming mud ponds between deep pits, which provide essential nutrients to the tree walls, accelerating the expansion of the entire forest.


    Yi Chen decided to take a short rest here for some self-repair.


    The incident was far from over; he would face the even more terrifying and unknown Church.


    During the rest period, he needed to consider two things:


    1. Reconnecting his left arm, which had been smashed by the Village Chief,


    2. Considering the issue with the heart,


    Little Grape had been bearing the function of the heart, which was not only tiring for it but also resulted in the loss of a very important ¡°Visual Enhancement.¡±


    Unless he cut open his right chest like he did against the Nag, exposing the heart might allow him to maintain vision.


    Such an approach was, of course, unrealistic in actual combat, and it would greatly increase Little Grape¡¯s risk.


    Now, a special option lay before him,


    and Yi Chen, having never done this before, was somewhat indecisive.


    The steel heart in his hands, full of cracks, was lit by the glow of the campfire, and it felt as if a voice was whispering in Yi Chen¡¯s ear, urging him to insert this heart into the empty left side of his chest.


    In a sense, as long as this heart remained fresh, the Village Chief was not truly gone.


    Just by placing this heart into a body, under the effects of the Grey Zone, it could slowly regenerate back into the appearance of the Village Chief.


    ¡°Little Grape, is it possible for my body to accept this heart?¡±


    ¡°If you want to die, just say so. Before you die, remember to dig out the grape for me¡­¡± Little Grape could not be bothered to explain.


    ¡°Surely doomed?¡±


    ¡°Let me put it this way, the fact that you could accept a ¡®Pathological Crystal¡¯ while wandering around cemeteries is already unbelievable. Albert, in his heart, did not really think you could survive. ?¦Á?????¦Â¨º????


    The ¡®Burning Technology¡¯ used to refine the crystals is unique to Zion, and by controlling the fire temperature and the long duration of sealed kiln burning, most of the pathogenic material can be eliminated.


    Even then, the harmless crystal obtained still poses a danger to humans and needs to wait until the breaking of the Limit of Man to reduce the risk.


    The heart in your hands has not undergone any burning refinement, and it comes from a Severe Patient¡­ If you want to use that thing as a heart, you might as well just blow yourself up!


    Plus, yours truly hasn¡¯t complained about the heart issue, so why are you in such a hurry to change hearts?¡±


    All of a sudden, Yi Chen changed his tone,


    ¡°Taking on the role of the heart has been too much for you.


    And in the recent fight, you were nearly kicked by the Village Chief.


    If you, Little Grape, could be freed from the responsibility of being a heart, it would allow you to provide more help and avoid injury. Even if I died, you could escape from here.


    The Church headquarters we are about to go to will inevitably be even more dangerous, and I must make some changes.¡±


    After these concerned words were spoken, Little Grape did not respond immediately.


    After about ten seconds,


    ¡°Cough cough, my life is much more valuable! If you¡¯re not afraid of dying, then give it a try.


    However, don¡¯t connect your own blood vessels to this heart, but try connecting it using the ¡®Plant Disease¡¯ you have already mastered, using illness against illness.


    I will try to erase ¡®the consciousness of the Village Chief¡¯,


    Whether or not you can truly utilize this heart is up to you.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen was not afraid of death,


    He was well aware that if he didn¡¯t make a change and continued to let Little Grape act as the heart, he would most likely die deep within the Church¡­ To uncover the ultimate secret, to find out Jin¡¯s whereabouts, sacrifices were necessary.


    He unfastened the buttons of his waistcoat and shirt,


    exposing the left side of his chest that had been pierced,


    and slowly placed the Village Chief¡¯s heart into the cavity, a perfect fit.


    Crack crack~


    Vascular-like plant roots burrowed into the crevices on the surface of the heart, connecting to and trying to accept the blood produced by the heart.


    ¡°Come on!¡±


    A deep grey blood began to spread throughout the body from the chest down along the roots.


    With it came an agonizing pain,


    like steel spikes flowing through the blood vessels, piercing every area the blood passed through.


    Veins as tough as steel cables protruded from every part of the body, even gradually losing control over the physique, the entire body began to harden, and breathing became obstructed.


    When this grey blood flowed into the brain, it also brought the consciousness of the Village Chief, trying to invade the consciousness of Yi Chen.


    However, it wasn¡¯t dangerous.


    The defeated Village Chief, having lost his will and hope, brought a very weak consciousness that couldn¡¯t shake Yi Chen¡¯s dominant position.


    At the same time,


    the grape slowly opened its mouth, and on the level of consciousness, a mouth as deep as an abyss appeared, swallowing the Village Chief¡¯s residual consciousness within the Pathogen Core.


    ¡°Village Chief¡¯s consciousness has been erased, now it¡¯s your turn~ William.¡±


    As the grape¡¯s voice came through, Yi Chen started to fight against the ¡®hardened blood¡¯ that was spreading throughout his body, using physical control techniques he had learned from Zede.


    His thoughts returned to that half-year of agonizing special training.


    About the third month into the special training, there was a major accident,


    Yi Chen got stuck in the waist and abdomen while using a device called the ¡°Happy Roulette,¡± causing multiple internal organs to rip, leaving him at death¡¯s door.


    Zede moved him to the surgery room at the fastest speed,


    considering he might die at any moment, the only option was to forcefully replace Yi Chen¡¯s organs with those from a living corpse.


    Although the organs taken from living corpses were perfectly integrated by Zede¡¯s skilled medical techniques and functioned normally,


    Yi Chen, who was pulled back from the border of Hell, instantly felt a sense of strangeness and rejection from his body as soon as he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, clearly sensing that the organs inside him were not his own.


    Cold, foreign, and even bereft of life, filled with the essence of death.


    Every time these organs functioned, they brought about continuous intense pain and even bruises on the skin¡¯s surface.


    Zede, however, comforted him with a relaxed face, gently touching Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    ¡°Relax! Although these are ¡®their¡¯ things, you can still use them, after all, we are all classified as ¡®humans¡¯.


    As a human, one has to be open-minded and learn to accept new things.


    Consider our physique like a little miss who always has some sort of mental cleanliness obsession.


    But she can¡¯t always wear her own clothes, for example, if she¡¯s stripped of her clothes on the street, it¡¯s necessary to immediately snatch someone else¡¯s clothes to wear.


    If the little miss strongly resists wearing someone else¡¯s clothes, then as the master, we must properly train her.¡±


    After lying on the surgery table for half an hour, enduring the physical pain, Yi Chen, on the verge of losing consciousness, actually felt the body¡¯s rejection slowly fade away, and those organs from the living corpses were transformed into his own.


    ¡­


    [High Wall Base]


    An entire hour passed by,


    The steel-like veins that covered the body were gradually suppressed, S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unlike the situation in Zede¡¯s surgery room, Yi Chen didn¡¯t choose to ¡®wear someone else¡¯s clothes,¡¯ but rather remade someone else¡¯s clothes into his own.


    The Village Chief¡¯s heart had been completely absorbed by the plants, replaced by a temporary heart woven from plants.


    Once again, Ancient Living Text flickered in the retinal space.


    ¡°Forest Guardian ¨C Casimir¡¯s Tumor-like Crystal¡¯ quality upgrade form ¡®Ordinary (Variant)¡¯ to ¡®Quality (Variant)''¡±


    * ¡®Vascular Tissue¡¯ trait now provides a 30% increase in physique enhancement, mainly reflected in increased hardness and tenacity.


    * ¡®Growth Roots¡¯ trait further developed, embedded into the heart sample, can create a temporary heart (or enhance the existing heart) by employing the body-wide plant traits.


    Note: During the maintenance of the temporary heart, plant outward-release abilities cannot be used.

 Chapter 113: Heading to the Church

    Deep within the Church.


    The elderly Bishop awoke from his seat, and the black-robed assistant beside him also sensed something.


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected the Village Chief, who was bestowed the ¡®Newborn Umbilical Cord¡¯, to be killed¡­ He could have been one of us, a participant in the final ceremony.


    Wasn¡¯t the intruder in the village area completely dealt with, Theodore?¡±


    The black-robed assistant, with a face full of shock, said:


    ¡°Impossible, the ¡®Final Sacrifice¡¯ has been duly arranged, imprisoned in the ceremonial area.


    As for his teammate, I clearly shattered his heart, and I distinctly felt the Death Aura oozing from the corpse, which was then taken by the Village Chief to the factory for disposal.


    Beyond those two, no one else has transcended the high wall.


    Could it be some special Patients causing mischief in secret?¡±


    ¡°Impossible, the Village Chief who was granted the umbilical cord has the same strength as us. Those who hide and rely on Grayification to take shape are utterly unable to threaten him.


    There¡¯s only one possibility, the youth whose heart you ripped out is not dead. He fooled you all with some kind of feigned death tactic and then quietly eliminated the Village Chief.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, he will be making his way here soon.¡±


    Black-robed assistant Theodore, hearing the Bishop¡¯s dissatisfaction, immediately knelt on one knee:


    ¡°I will now go and search for this man¡¯s whereabouts. It won¡¯t be easy to kill the Village Chief; he¡¯s bound to be in an exhausted state! I¡¯ll personally take care of him, leaving no flesh behind and burning him to ashes.¡±


    Just as Theodore was about to rise,


    he and the Bishop simultaneously felt the ¡®call¡¯ from within their bodies; their abdomens bulged out high, and the umbilical cord slightly protruded from the navel, as if conveying some message.


    In an instant, confusion clouded their eyes.


    The Bishop¡¯s withered arm gently landed on the assistant¡¯s shoulder:


    ¡°We have received Mother¡¯s call, the ceremony is about to begin!


    From now on, all church members must stay here, ensuring the ceremony proceeds flawlessly, welcoming the soon-to-be Birth of the Divine Son.


    If this man really intends to come, then he¡¯ll be perfect as a plaything for the Divine Son.


    And you¡¯ve done well already, having pinpointed such a perfect Final Sacrifice in advance, Mother is very pleased! I believe the Divine Son who descends will be delighted as well, and even bestow additional blessings upon us.


    Are you ready to offer yourself to Mother, Theodore?¡±


    ¡°At any time!¡±


    ¡­


    [At the base of the High Wall]


    As the makeshift heart was formed, Grape slowly shed its heart guise, slightly popping out at the shoulder.


    Its gaping mouth breathed in the outside air,


    Yi Chen¡¯s worry was not misplaced; maintaining the heart guise for an extended period, handling all the Blood flow throughout Yi Chen¡¯s body, was indeed an exhausting task. ????????¦¥?


    Grape was astonished by what Yi Chen had just accomplished,


    ¡°This fellow actually absorbed the heart of a Severe Patient completely, transforming it into nutrients and even causing the Plant Disease to undergo qualitative growth. He is indeed the human I saw potential in.


    With this,


    the Physique improves, Pathological Traits also enhance, and indeed, one could brave the Church¡¯s depths! I hope the lad can survive.¡±


    Grape¡¯s ¡®Admission Degree¡¯ increased once again, and it didn¡¯t communicate with Yi Chen but instead took the rare moment of respite to promptly rest a while, quickly falling asleep with its eyes tucked in.


    Five minutes later,


    Yi Chen emerged from the special state of ¡®Plant Growth¡¯,


    If one must describe this state, it¡¯s as if his whole body was bound by the freshest plant vines and then placed in a sauna room for a steamy comfort.


    All impurities within his body were forced out with the sweat, then absorbed by the greenery wrapped around him.


    When exiting the sauna room, with the plants unbinding, that rejuvenated feeling was simply too refreshing.


    ¡°Phew!¡±


    The moment Yi Chen opened his eyes, he felt as light as if he could take off from the ground on the spot.


    Feeling the new plant life coursing through his body, along with those strong, powerful heartbeats, he couldn¡¯t help but talk to himself:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a gain; I really should thank the Village Chief.¡±


    With both Physique and Pathological Traits (Plant) enhanced, Yi Chen felt confident in facing the Church¡¯s final conspiracy,


    Without hesitation,


    Guided by the girl Lene, Yi Chen made his way quickly back to the exact spot below the village well.


    Just as Yi Chen was preparing to leave, the girl Lene gently tugged at the hem of his clothes.


    ¡°Big brother, you must be careful. Although the Village Chief is very powerful, I am not scared at all! But whenever I think of those church members in their bizarre outfits, my body starts shaking uncontrollably.


    I don¡¯t know why, but it feels very dangerous.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s right hand landed on the girl¡¯s black hair, patting it gently:


    ¡°Once I¡¯ve taken care of everything, I¡¯ll come to notify you with my companions. My companion can be quite fierce, so don¡¯t be frightened when you see him.¡±


    ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll be waiting for you!¡±


    After saying goodbye, Yi Chen habitually tried to connect to the upper well opening with his roots, but found that he couldn¡¯t shoot them out from his palm.


    ¡°I almost forgot, I can¡¯t use plant-related abilities while imitating a heart. How am I going to get up there¡­¡±


    For a moment, the atmosphere was a bit awkward.


    Noticing the problem, Lene quickly squatted down and pointed at her shoulder.


    ¡°Big brother, step on here, and I¡¯ll help you get up.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Working together, the two of them leaped!


    With a slap! Yi Chen¡¯s palm firmly grasped the edge of the well, successfully leaving the underground area.


    The girl still maintained her waving farewell, and it wasn¡¯t until she sensed villagers approaching the well that she reluctantly returned to her dwelling. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Shebolt Village]


    The fight with the Village Chief had delayed him for nearly an hour and a half, and the village had completely changed,


    Many residents had been freed due to the invasion of chickens, numerous wooden houses were ablaze with fire,


    the meat factory was in complete disarray, and numerous pig-headed Butchers had taken to the streets, trying to clear out the incredibly speedy chickens, amidst which various stimulated villagers were also mixed in.


    Disguised with a pig-head mask, Yi Chen blended in easily, walking out of the village with ease amidst the mindless villagers, arriving at the base of the hill that led to the Church.


    Just as he was about to step onto the slope,


    rustle rustle¡ªa subtle movement came from the trees beside him,


    Yi Chen immediately grasped the suitcase, ready to pull out an axe to eliminate the suspicious character hiding in the woods.


    Before he could get a clear view, a comical voice preempted him:


    ¡°Don¡¯t swing, cluck! It¡¯s me¡­ Little Pei! Cluck cluck cluck!¡±


    Overwhelmed by Yi Chen¡¯s killing intent, the overly anxious Little Pei ended up mixing human speech with chicken language.


    As the chicken wings frantically flapped, it once again landed on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Cluck cluck! You really did kill the Village Chief¡­ I don¡¯t know why, maybe because I ate Grandma Chicken¡¯s embryo. I suddenly feel so happy, right now I just want to crow!¡±


    Little Pei couldn¡¯t hold back anymore and tilted its neck back, preparing to crow,


    snap!


    Yi Chen quickly seized its neck with one hand, preventing this action.


    If he made a loud noise at the base of the slope, it wouldn¡¯t only draw the attention of the Patients from the village but might also alert the Church directly.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, then hold it in! The Church¡¯s stronghold is up there.¡±


    ¡°Cluck cluck! Got it, got it!¡±


    Yi Chen then gently stroked the chicken¡¯s comb. He did indeed feel grateful for this chicken.


    ¡°All right! Leave the rest to me~ Little Pei, take your brothers and sisters and leave this place. With your abilities, you should be able to easily slip through a tunnel leading to the outside world.¡±


    Little Pei did not immediately respond, its chicken head seem to be contemplating something.


    After a few seconds,


    it hopped off the shoulder, bending its neck to bow deeply, just like a human.


    ¡°Thank you for rescuing Little Pei from the Madman at the very beginning, thank you for giving Little Pei the stuff from Grandma Chicken, thank you for killing the Village Chief (although this is Grandma Chicken¡¯s wish, I am still very happy ¨C muttering softly).


    You will certainly become a very powerful person! Cluck cluck!¡±


    After saying these words, the black chicken Little Pei quickly disappeared into the woods, striding away on its nimble chicken legs,


    And soon afterward, the commotion in the village also began to subside as the chickens left,


    and Yi Chen began his solitary climb up the mountain road toward the Church.

 Chapter 114: Church Stronghold

    Looking up along the winding mountain road, the folded mountain walls and the wildly growing trees blocked the view, preventing a direct sight of the church.


    Yi Chen was quickly organizing the points of doubt in the case within his mind,


    1. Even after killing the Village Chief and combing through every corner of the village with the help of the chickens, including the underground river, the missing Gentleman Team was still nowhere to be found.


    ¡°In the memory of the Village Chief, any information related to the Church was blurred, which might also include information about the missing team. They were probably all captured and taken to the church. I hope they are still alive.¡±


    2. The true purpose of the Regeneration Church remains unknown, with only a few keywords provided¡ª¡±Fertility,¡± ¡°Holy Embryo,¡± and ¡°Umbilical Cord.¡±


    As of now, not a single member of the church had been seen in person.


    Currently, standing at the entrance of the slope, Yi Chen felt as if he was standing at the ¡°Boundary.¡±


    The ¡®Combination Disease¡¯ that spread among the village stopped here. Neither the illusionary spores diffusing through the air nor the various bizarre animal combinations ventured beyond the foot of the mountain.


    ¡°I suspect that the Church has intentionally confined this native illness to the village, using it solely for the birth of the Holy Embryo. The disease itself serves no purpose for them.


    It could even be assumed that the fundamental reason for the New Birth Church selecting Shebolt Village was the local disease related to fertility.


    They want to utilize this fertility combination disease to achieve some project within the church, and maybe it¡¯s even their ultimate purpose in establishing the church.


    Meanwhile, the patients within the church correspond to a completely different and special illness related to new birth.


    They can even bestow ¡®new birth¡¯ to others through the ¡®umbilical cord¡¯ as an intermediary.¡±


    Once an individual uses the umbilical cord, they will likely exhibit a Hanging State similar to that of the Village Chief, where bodily injuries and even the damaged Pathogen can recover in a short period.


    But such a selfish group of individuals as the patients wouldn¡¯t be merely giving and sharing.


    Those who receive the umbilical cord and experience ¡®new birth¡¯ will inevitably have to pay some price in the end.


    I even suspect that even if the Village Chief hadn¡¯t been killed by me, he would still have ended up as some sort of sacrifice¡­¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was not just wild speculation on Yi Chen¡¯s part,


    Recalling the Village Chief¡¯s near-cheating regenerative ability when using the umbilical cord, even his battered Pathogen heart had healed in a short time. By the effectiveness alone, it seemed too exaggerated. ?????¦­????£Â??


    And while using the umbilical cord, the Village Chief showed signs of hanging, more precisely, ¡°Umbilical Cord Around The Neck Nuchal-Cord,¡± which directly relates to neonatal death.


    To bestow new life through an act symbolizing death seemed highly discordant,


    prompting Yi Chen to speculate,


    Does this mean that accepting the grace of new birth also entails offering one¡¯s own life as repayment?


    Ending his brief contemplation,


    he adjusted his tie with one hand and carried his case up the hill with the other.


    Little Grape also became unprecedentedly serious, poking out now and then from a shoulder, half emerging from a sleeve, or peeking an eye from a trouser leg to ensure safety.


    However,


    the ascent remained eerily quiet. Not only was there no attack from any church personnel, but there wasn¡¯t even the sensation of being watched.


    This, coupled with the Village Chief¡¯s words that ¡®you have come too late,¡¯ made Yi Chen quicken his pace.


    At the top of the small hill stood the [Church] that the villagers had built for the church some months ago. To call it a church was almost a misnomer; it was more like a building of classical design.


    The main door, the ridge-shaped corridors, and the domed hall connecting at the end.


    The cold wind whipped through the sparsely leaved twisted tree trunks, the church-like structure, and the only living being on the mountaintop¡ªYi Chen.


    Cre-eak~


    He pushed open the unlocked main door of the church,


    and along the spacious colonnaded corridor, whether it was the evenly spaced niches with new candles burning or the swept-clean gilded red carpet,


    it seemed to be telling Yi Chen that something inside was waiting for his arrival, waiting for his participation, and once he ventured further, there would be no turning back.


    Even so, Yi Chen¡¯s expression did not waver as he resolutely stepped in and walked towards the deepest end of the colonnade.


    Tap!


    His leather shoes left the end of the red carpet, stepping onto the cold marble floor.


    The echo reverberated between the halls with their massive domed structure,


    At the top, the dome was filled with square, concave algae wells, gradually decreasing in size as they ascended to reduce the weight of the dome and serve a decorative purpose,


    A circular chandelier hung from the top, lit with 108 candles that illuminated the entire rotunda.


    A statue of the ¡°Mother of New Birth,¡± commonly seen throughout the village, stood in the center,


    but this statue was several times larger than the small sculptures at the entrance of each house in the village, standing about four meters tall.


    The mother¡¯s face, riddled with holes, cradled a newborn baby, its face buried in the mother¡¯s bosom, invisible,


    With the umbilical cord still connecting the two.


    Engraved on the square stone plinth at the bottom of the statue was a line of text¡ª¡±Those who offer Essence Blood may receive new life.¡±


    Before Yi Chen even got close to the statue, he already felt the aura of new birth emanating from within it.


    He approached the statue cautiously, reaching out to touch the inscribed text.


    Whoosh!


    The umbilical cord that connected mother and child suddenly came to life, snapping out from the baby¡¯s navel,


    At the end of the umbilical cord appeared a round, toothy maw full of sharp teeth, lunging at Yi Chen¡¯s abdomen.


    It seemed to want to extract the so-called ¡®Essence Blood¡¯ from inside his navel.


    Just as it was about to get close, whoosh! A flash of silver slashed down.


    The axe Yi Chen always carried on his back was held in anticipation of this very moment.


    As he chopped down the writhing umbilical cord that was trying to slither away and then stepped on it¡­crack!


    When Yi Chen looked up again,


    He found the statue¡¯s mother and child in her arms had actually turned their heads, staring at him with faces full of holes. Although there was no mental impact, such scrutiny was quite uncomfortable.


    He continued to reach toward the base of the statue, vaguely feeling that something was powering the statue from below.


    ¡°Something underneath?¡±


    Yi Chen raised his foot and kicked, yet the statue remained immovable.


    This sense of weight and hardness indirectly proved that there might indeed be something hidden underneath the statue.


    He stepped back,


    retreating to the front end of the colonnade, near the church¡¯s main entrance.


    Bending over, he struck a pose similar to that of a sprinter at the start of a race,


    Inside, the plants covering his body concentrated upon his mobilization, covering his right shoulder and arm in response,


    Start!


    Yi Chen, with a physique upgraded to [4], accelerated beyond his past speed with the support of a temporary heart.


    As he charged into the rotunda, he veered to the side, his fully tensed right arm turned forward, ready to ram!


    Perhaps sensing the intention of its host,


    the gentleman¡¯s clothes adapted on their own, thickening the fabric on the right arm to increase the buffering time during the impact.


    Boom!


    A loud noise erupted in the rotunda,


    as the statue¡¯s base was utterly shattered, chunks of stone and blood and flesh scattered across¡­ Yi Chen was right. The interior of the sculpture was filled with highly compressed blood and flesh, connected to a flesh tube that fed it nutrients from below.


    A secret passage leading to the depths was revealed before his eyes.


    As Yi Chen stared into the depths, his thoughts were strangely drawn in, and he even felt a sensation around his neck as if it were being strangled.


    Hastily shaking his head, he rapidly dispersed the invasive thoughts,


    Subconsciously touching his own neck, he actually felt a distinct ligature mark¡­ as if he had just been freed from a hanging state.

 Chapter 115: The Final Ceremony

    Wiping away the marks left on his neck from being strangled,


    Yi Chen carried the kerosene lamp in front of him and the suitcase in his other hand, stepping deeper into the depths.


    Following a stair-like secret passage, he came to a spacious underground space supported by eight stone columns, with an unusually large stone chair bearing the Fetal Body Seal not far away.


    ¡°Is this where new instructors are accepted? For such a crucial area to have not a single person...¡±


    Yi Chen approached the highly suspicious stone chair,


    and without inspecting it, he smelled a pungent scent coming from beneath the chair,


    quickly locating the mechanism at the back of the chair using the Visual Enhancement provided by Little Grape and turned the circular umbilical cord on the Fetal Body Seal, after making a full round.


    Click, click!


    The stone slab at the seat automatically moved aside, revealing a vertical stone path that led even deeper.


    The new life aura overflowing from below was more than ten times richer than that of the village chief¡¯s umbilical cord, and combined with the empty church area, it was enough to suggest that the church¡¯s ultimate secret was hidden below.


    ¡°Not leaving anyone outside, as well as such an obvious chair and mechanism, it¡¯s clearly leading me downward, or rather, allowing the arrival of outsiders.


    As the village chief said, am I too late?¡±


    Yi Chen had already decided whether to go deeper, but he had to confirm one more thing.


    ¡°Little Grape, are you sure you want to go down with me? The situation may have developed beyond control. Once the entrance is blocked, there might not even be a chance to escape, not to mention bringing my body back to Easton Cemetery.


    I am not qualified to directly take you down,


    You can choose to wait here for me, or you can leave right away.


    With your abilities, you should find it easy to survive in this world.¡±


    When Yi Chen finished speaking,


    a black furball squeezed out from his collar and bit directly onto his neck, leaving a bleeding tooth mark.


    ¡°The reason I followed you was to see the outside world. With such an interesting situation before us, of course I want to go down for a look!


    I¡¯m curious about what lies behind the umbilical cord,


    Besides~, as long as it¡¯s not ¡®Open Source,¡¯ killing this grape here is not easy.


    And your friend, he must still be alive¡­ It¡¯s simply impossible to kill that kind of person without bringing down several floors or shedding several layers of skin. ???£Ï???


    As long as this building remains intact, it means Jin is still alive.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Yi Chen smiled, smoothing the tooth mark on his neck,


    and leaped headfirst into the vertical passage between the chairs, descending smoothly using the friction against the walls.


    After dropping about fifty meters, his feet stood firmly on the ground¡­ splashing up some water.


    ¡°Water?¡±


    In the pitch-dark stone corridor, there was a clear stream flowing through the middle.


    ¡°Could it be that this place is connected to the Underground Lake, in a sense? However, the water that flows here is very clear and even drinkable. It must have been filtered through limestone layers and is not in direct contact with the lake.¡±


    He continued deeper, following the direction of the water flow.


    The deeper he went, the more he could feel the aura of new life rushing towards him,


    causing the blood and flesh of Yi Chen¡¯s exposed face and palms to twitch, wanting to split and grow new flesh.


    ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ immediately responded with changes, raising the collar and elongating it to wrap around his face, while Yi Chen donned gloves by himself.


    ¡°Are we finally there?¡±


    Yi Chen, like a gentleman on his way to an important meeting, held his head high and chest out, his steps firm.


    As he stepped out of the underground passage, the light from the kerosene lamp radiated outward, fully illuminating the scene before him,


    at that moment,


    Yi Chen, who had been mentally prepared the whole way, suddenly froze, his once-peaceful mind disturbed by the sight before him,


    ¡°Am I¡­ right in my guess? The two radically different elements of hanging and the umbilical cord correspond to the [price] behind the new birth.


    No wonder I haven¡¯t seen any church members along the way.¡±


    The circular underground space was the final ritual area of the New Birth Church.


    No less than twenty chosen instructors, including the black-robed aide who had once taken out Yi Chen¡¯s heart, all gathered here¡­ except they were all dead.


    Their necks were wrapped with umbilical cords, tied in exactly eight loops, hanging from the top of the rock formation.


    The hanged clergymen were evenly spaced, forming a circle around the center.


    A fresh, clean ¡°Initial Blood,¡± free of any impurities, seeped from the instructor¡¯s neck constriction and dripped down into the water trough below, mingling with the groundwater and flowing toward the center.


    At the center of the ritual,


    lay a giant womb-like organ, the ultimate secret of the Church.


    It was approximately half the size of a cargo truck, its semi-translucent sac filled with ¡®amniotic fluid.¡¯ The Initial Blood from all members of the Church would partly flow into it, nourishing the ¡°Holy Embryo¡± within.


    From time to time, a woman¡¯s face appeared on the surface of the womb-like organ, corresponding to the ¡°Mother of New Birth¡± worshiped by the Church.


    She could constantly produce ¡°umbilical cords,¡± sharing new life with others.


    While sharing, she also planted the roots of slavery in their minds. When the time came to welcome a new life, these people would have to offer up their lives, their deaths heralding the new birth.


    It was also this ¡®mother¡¯ that caused the forest disease and the formation of grayification, closely approaching Open Source¡­ but for some reason, she couldn¡¯t break through and make direct contact with the ancient source of illness.


    At this moment,


    her gestation had reached the final stage,


    with only the last of the floating Holy Embryos inside the mother, monopolizing all the resources.


    The other nine Holy Embryos had already become its nourishment, and even their skulls could be seen floating within¡­ akin to culturing Gu within the womb, which is the previously mentioned ¡°Combination of Cognate Symptoms.¡±


    The sole Holy Embryo was growing at a visibly rapid pace, soon to descend upon this world as the Divine Son.


    Interestingly, it was even dressed in a white skin jacket (with clearly visible stitching), adapting to his rapid growth, enlarging along with him, the material of the jacket being the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± from the missing squad.


    The gestation process had reached the final phase; even if the mother¡¯s body were instantly destroyed, it would not stop.


    Moreover, it was impossible to rapidly kill the mother, being a Severe Patient.


    As the Village Chief had said, it was too late.


    However,


    Yi Chen¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t entirely on the ¡°Mother and Son¡±; instead, he looked above the organ.


    Naturally hanging from the top of the ritual area, a young woman¡¯s body enveloped in cyst sacs and bound by multiple umbilical cords, only her head and neck exposed.


    Her deep brown short hair brushed past her ears,


    her high-bridged nose and thin, moist, slightly red lips,


    a Red Lotus Mark imprinted at the bottom of her left eye,


    eyes tightly closed, apparently in a comatose state,


    her Physical quality had been recognized by the Mother of New Birth, deemed the ¡°Final Sacrifice¡±¡ªthe first delicacy for the Divine Son upon his birth.


    At that moment,


    a woman¡¯s face emerged on the surface of the womb-like organ; with eyes shedding bloody tears, she gazed at the approaching young man and spoke with a seductive voice, S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°My child is about to be born, do you wish to join us?¡±


    As soon as she spoke,


    a Spiritual Shock instantly impacted Yi Chen¡¯s brain, as if he were being choked by an umbilical cord around the neck, the sensation of suffocation maxed out in an instant, and his brain also began to suffer from a lack of oxygen.


    The very next second! The Emblem engraved at the back of his head began to heat up, steaming vapor emanating from the surface of his brain, forcefully ¡®evaporating¡¯ the spiritual invasion within his mind.


    ¡°Little Grape! Attack her?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you want to use Spiritual Shock now? Against such a powerful Severe Patient, it will be effective at most once during combat¡­ Can¡¯t you catch her off guard at a critical moment, like you did with Mr. Li?¡±


    ¡°Use it!¡±


    Suddenly,


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes widened, and along with the Little Grape on his shoulder, they both stared intently at their opponent, returning the spiritual gesture.


    Hum!


    The mother clearly didn¡¯t expect that the young man would also possess spiritual abilities, her gaze dulled in an instant, her consciousness muddled.


    And in that brief moment of the mother¡¯s astonishment,


    Yi Chen¡¯s figure swiftly crossed over her from above, accompanied by a flash of silver light!


    He cut through the inflated sacs and the binding umbilical cords,


    cradling the comatose woman in his arms,


    landing behind the mother and continuing to create a distance of over ten meters.


    Yi Chen gazed at the woman in his arms and calmly said, ¡°Jin¡­ you¡¯re not just at this level, are you?¡±


    No sooner had he spoken,


    the woman¡¯s eyes suddenly opened wide, her mouth already brimming with excited saliva.

 Chapter 116: Commitment

    The reason Jin¡¯s saliva dripped in excitement was that she sensed the powerful aura emanating from the ¡°Mother and Son.¡±


    She immediately leaned close to Yi Chen¡¯s chest and took a sniff,


    ¡°How wonderful~ I was caught here by accident.


    Speaking of which, there is a residual aroma of the Village Chief on you, you didn¡¯t kill that guy, did you? That must be right, truly worthy of the man who interests me.¡±


    With that, Jin lightly poked Yi Chen¡¯s chest with her finger.


    This poke was slightly forceful and slightly painful, forcing Yi Chen to move backward, allowing her to effortlessly break free from his embrace and stand on the ground.


    She then utilized her Professional Ability to transform the swollen sac wrapped around her into a black leather jacket suitable for combat, soft and form-fitting.


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen whispered closely to Jin¡¯s ear:


    ¡°Let¡¯s hold off for a moment, don¡¯t disturb her labor.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Though Jin had just woken up, her mind was completely clear, instantly adapting to the situation at hand,


    Her keen observational skills also naturally noticed the ¡®little action¡¯ Yi Chen carried out while saving her.


    ¡­


    The ¡°Mother of New Birth¡± was only subjected to a spiritual influence for a bit more than one second,


    Though surprised that this young man could use a mental ability similar to hers, it didn¡¯t change anything, her labor had reached its final stage and could not be stopped.


    The face of a woman projected on the surface of the organ looked at the saved Jin, tears of blood streaming down as she laughed maniacally:


    ¡°Hahaha!


    She¡¯s merely the ¡°First Meal¡± for my child after birth, breaking free is a good thing¡­ It allows my child to freely move after birth and personally capture his food.


    Come out, my child! Descend upon this world in the visage of a god.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking,


    The array inscribed in the ritual room was activated, with the ¡°Initial Blood¡± flowing in the floor grooves rising into the air, forming two net-like blood hands for ¡®delivery.¡¯


    The hanged members of the Church displayed eerie smiles, witnessing this moment.


    As the blood hands touched the bottom of the organ,


    A column of gray light, symbolizing the Origin of Pathology and filled with ancient aura, rose from underground, enveloping the organ.


    The ¡°Holy Embryo,¡± now resembling a young man, seemed to establish a connection with some ancient entity under the shroud of the gray light, his eyes also glimmering with the same gray hue,


    Feeling,


    Watching,


    Acquiring,


    The knowledge systems of the old world, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this process, he opened his mouth wide, gulping down the ¡®amniotic fluid¡¯ his mother was feeding him, ingesting the necessary nutrients.


    A structure made of new flesh dubbed ¡®Frame Structure,¡¯ slowly started forming on his head,


    The Holy Embryo would directly enter the world in an Open Source form,


    This was the ultimate purpose of the Church of New Birth, creating an ¡®Open Source Patient¡¯ at the expense of the entire Shebolt Village.


    Once he fully emerged from the womb and stabilized in the Open Source form, he would grant true rebirth to the dead instructors, awakening them from death to continue serving him. ???????????????????


    Then, using the forest as the center, he would establish his own initial city-state.


    However,


    When the embryo had sucked in more than half of the amniotic fluid, his complexion suddenly turned pale, and he vomited uncontrollably! His body also convulsed wildly, with his blood vessels bulging out and displaying a bizarre silver-white hue.


    This directly disrupted his ¡®connection¡¯ with the old world.


    The ¡®Mother of New Birth,¡¯ his mother, also screamed frantically during this process, staring wide-eyed at the two nearby.


    ¡°What have you done¡­¡±


    Yi Chen, with an awkward expression and even twitching at the corners of his mouth, said:


    ¡°I am really heartbroken¡­ I didn¡¯t plan to use this thing. I would only consider it when pushed to the brink of death, facing certain doom.


    Because of Doctor Macaul¡¯s execution, this secret medicine is almost extinct in Zion, and I was planning to use it to break through the ¡®Limit of Man.''¡±


    Yi Chen held a 50ml syringe in his hand, gently shaking it; the liquid inside had been injected, with a trace of silver liquid still remaining at the tip of the needle.


    Even from such a distance, the ¡®mother¡¯ could still sense a near-death and despairing aura from the minuscule amount of liquid.


    ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡±


    Before the mission, Yi Chen had visited Professor Qian Bosen, who, although he didn¡¯t say much, extracted a fixed dose of Dusk Thin Silver Liquid (a bottle) which he had stored and handed it to Yi Chen.


    Considering various unknown situations, Yi Chen was to inject it immediately if he faced a near-death situation, perhaps enabling him to survive.


    This syringe had always been hidden in the briefcase, which Yi Chen had retrieved from the Village Chief¡¯s bedroom, and he immediately confirmed the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid mixed among various healing potions.


    When it was confirmed that the instigator behind the events was closely related to the ¡®New Birth,¡¯


    And completely at odds with it, associated with death, the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid was then included in Yi Chen¡¯s usage spectrum.


    Upon reaching the deep underground ritual area and confirming that the Holy Embryo ritual could not be stopped, a bold plan was rapidly formed in his mind and executed immediately.


    He decisively used his last resort, ¡°Spiritual Shock.¡±


    On the surface, Yi Chen seemed eager to rescue his teammate, but in reality, he was using the rescue as a cover.


    Within the effective time of the Spiritual Shock, while saving Jin, he directly extracted the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid through the portable spout on the surface of the briefcase and injected it into the mother¡¯s body, injecting a full 50ml of the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid.


    The whole process was swift and decisive,


    By the time the Mother of New Birth broke free from the effects of the Spiritual Shock and looked behind at Yi Chen, her attention was focused on the ¡®rescue,¡¯ and she didn¡¯t realize something had already been injected into the amniotic fluid.


    ¡­


    Pain, unwillingness!


    When the Mother of New Birth tried to expel the silver toxin from the child¡¯s body.


    Swipe!


    The face protruding on the surface of her organs was torn off entirely.


    It was neither Yi Chen¡¯s nor Jin¡¯s doing; they both stood far off, watching the scene unfold.


    It was the young Divine Son inside her that tore off her face and chewed it in its mouth!


    Continuing to bite and gnaw¡­ like a fiercely hungry beast, consuming the organs that had nurtured it and the Mother of New Birth completely.


    [The Combination of Same Origin Illness]


    By devouring the mother, the Holy Embryo absorbed the pathogenic essence of the same origin, forcibly suppressing the ¡®silver liquid¡¯ inside the body, causing the silver veins spreading all over the body to gradually fade.


    However,


    It could no longer reconnect with the ancient Origin, and the Open Source failed!


    Because of the toxicity of the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid,


    Because of the mental pain of the mother¡¯s death,


    And the frustration of not achieving Open Source,


    All these emotions merged together, distorting the visage of the young Divine Son who had finished feeding, wailing in pain! The miserable cries shook the underground area,


    Even the villagers in the forest and the gentlemen at the Black Eye outpost could faintly hear the baby¡¯s cries.


    During the crying,


    The umbilical cords wrapped around the teacher¡¯s neck gathered together,


    They aligned neatly and successively penetrated the Divine Son¡¯s back, weaving into large, squirming, and eerie living wings!


    As for the Divine Son¡¯s own umbilical cord, after detaching from the belly button, it wrapped around his right arm, turning into a segment of a living whip.


    Yi Chen and Jin, standing not too far away, also blocked their ears to avoid bursting their eardrums.


    Jin said excitedly with a full face:


    ¡°Wow! So powerful¡­ infinitely close to Open Source, even someone who has witnessed scenes from the old world? His body is the weapon material I¡¯ve dreamt of.¡±


    The crying ended,


    The wings flapped,


    The pale body of the young Divine Son, like a living corpse, rose from the ground with the help of the wings, hanging in the air! The umbilical cord-woven wings also fully spread out, resembling a true Divine Son.


    The momentum grew once more,


    Seeing this scene,


    Jin suddenly tilted his head, giving the man who saved him a strange look,


    His hands slid up Yi Chen¡¯s shoulders, upward from the neck, caressing his cheek.


    ¡°William~ The situation we discussed earlier has occurred! A desperate situation, and I don¡¯t have any flesh or weapons for the intense battle that¡¯s about to happen.


    According to our agreement, give me your head!¡±


    I will definitely turn it into a high-grade bomb and stuff it inside the opponent to explode, breaking us out of this predicament.¡±


    As he spoke, Jin had already begun slowly twisting Yi Chen¡¯s head.


    Yi Chen did not resist but instead tilted his head in the direction of the twisting, looking towards Jin at his side, ¡°Hmm! Take it!¡±


    Crack!


    Amidst the sound of bones cracking and flesh tearing, something was twisted off.


    With his face splattered with blood, Jin emitted an extremely gentle smile, continuing to caress Yi Chen¡¯s face.


    ¡°Such an interesting man as you, how could I bear to kill you¡­ Besides, this isn¡¯t really a dead-end situation! It¡¯s just a more troublesome scenario.


    Borrow your arm for now, and I¡¯ll try to return it later! I hope I don¡¯t break it.¡±


    What was twisted off Yi Chen wasn¡¯t his head, but his entire left arm.


    Jin held the left arm and swung it in the air in a handshake gesture, satisfied with the quality of the arm.


    She then leaned in close and whispered:


    ¡°By the way! Do you have a mask? I don¡¯t really like showing my face directly, always feels unlucky to let the dead see my face.¡±


    The unbothered Yi Chen, whose arm had been torn off, opened the briefcase and took out a patched pig-head mask that had accompanied him for a while.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen your suit and mask along the way¡­ Would this work?¡±


    ¡°It would do!¡±


    Jin quickly put on the mask, and when the mask¡¯s end touched the skin on the neck, it immediately fused together.


    Pig-head, leather jacket, and holding the severed hand weapon, Jin was ready to fight.

 Chapter 117: No Weakness

    Yi Chen had anticipated earlier that Jin probably wouldn¡¯t go through with it,


    but he hadn¡¯t expected her to switch the option from ¡°head¡± to ¡°arm.¡±


    Although completely indifferent to the pain of his arm being torn off, even using the pain to stimulate his body and quickly warm up,


    this left arm had been broken by the village chief not long ago and had only just been reattached before Jin dismantled it again¡­ Yi Chen always felt this old fellow was somewhat pitiable.


    His gaze shifted toward the center of the cave, to the Holy Embryo, which floated in the air with umbilical cord wings.


    Between the retinas, ancient texts woven by maggots slowly emerged.


    ¡°Distorted Holy Embryo ¨C Marcos (Open Source obstructed, glimpsed some ancient knowledge)¡±


    ¡°Although its Open Source is obstructed, this fellow still had brief contact with ancient things and must have gained something. Plus, having absorbed so much essence blood from so many instructors, its strength must certainly surpass that of a Severe Patient.


    Little Grape¡­ can you?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen tentatively asked, Little Grape immediately guessed what he intended to do.


    ¡°I have said before, the last confrontation with Mr. Li was unique and special, I absolutely will not provide combat support.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen could only seal his arm¡¯s stump with plants and prepared to fight with an axe in his other hand.


    At that moment, a squelching sound of flesh and bone came from beside him.


    The left arm in Jin¡¯s hand had been modified into the shape of a long blade.


    1. The handle hadn¡¯t been much altered, still resembling the left palm, maintaining a handshake with her.


    2. The blade, created from the compression of flesh and bones and embedded with nerves, was sharp and suitable for bleeding.


    When Jin tightened her grip on the palm-structured handle, the blade would also contract and store power, suitable for explosive slashes.


    ¡°Your body really is unlike any other, this ¡®constriction sensation¡¯ is something I¡¯ve never seen before¡­ Every piece of your muscle, every bone seems to have undergone intense shattering and reconstitution, I really want to dig out some more flesh from you. ??????¨®?¨¨?


    Never mind~ This is enough.¡±


    Jin stared at the target in front of her, saliva continuously leaking from the corner of her mouth,


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met such an interesting opponent, William, we¡¯re going in, don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    At that moment,


    the Holy Embryo Marcos floating in the air vomited.


    It expelled a skull that, for some reason, it couldn¡¯t digest, one large and nine small, all stuck together with new flesh.


    The large skull came from the Mother of New Birth, while the other nine smaller skulls were culled Holy Embryos that had not survived the ¡®nurturing of the Gu¡¯ and were stuck together to form a ¡®Skull Ball¡¯


    As the Skull Ball crashed heavily to the ground, each skull seemed to emit a faint cry.


    At that moment,


    the umbilical cord wrapped around the arm shot out, connecting with the Skull Ball to form a whole.


    The next second, Holy Embryo Marcos turned its eyes to the two of them, swinging its right arm!


    With the extension of the umbilical cord, the Skull Ball was thrown at the duo standing ten meters away.


    Bang! A loud sound,


    The ground was pockmarked with large pits, which even bore horrific human faces. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Yi Chen and Jin dodged instantaneously, they noticed that the Skull Ball was quite bizarre¡­ As it neared, their own flesh somewhat lost control, with resonating ripples forming on the surface of their skin.


    ¡°Jin! Dodge as much as possible, don¡¯t take it head-on!¡±


    As Yi Chen issued the warning,


    Jin, who had side-stepped away, had already landed on tiptoe, creating a ripple in the air with her movement, charging directly at the Holy Embryo.


    Yi Chen immediately followed Jin¡¯s rhythm,


    but he chose to circle a larger Outer Ring, attempting to lower his presence and flank the Holy Embryo from the other side.


    Yah!


    The Holy Embryo let out a weird scream, pulling its right arm and immediately retracting the thrown Skull Ball.


    With its eyes locked on Jin rushing directly towards it, it prepared to smash her skull.


    Just as the two were about to come into close contact, and the Holy Embryo was about to smash down with the Skull Ball in its hand,


    a rather subtle chain explosion occurred around Jin¡¯s ankle.


    This explosion, while not damaging the bones, generated a spiral force, causing her ankle and foot to twist rapidly.


    Bang!


    The Skull Ball smashed down, leaving just another human-faced pit.


    Where Jin had been standing directly in front, she suddenly appeared on the left side of the Holy Embryo.


    Such quick and adept movement, in Zion, only Jin among her peers could achieve this.


    Additionally,


    The Arm Blade in Jin¡¯s hand was now wrapped with strands of red thread, sketching out a bizarrely vibrant Red Lotus on the blade¡¯s surface, giving off a sense that it could explode at any moment.


    The reason Jin had to take Yi Chen¡¯s arm was precisely because she needed a piece of high-quality flesh capable of withstanding the ¡°Red Lotus.¡±


    Yi Chen, having undergone special training and perfectly inheriting Zede¡¯s mantle, was clearly the best choice for his physical condition.


    ¡°Wow! William, your body is amazing! It can withstand such a high concentration of Red Lotus! Let me try the slashing power.¡±


    There was no hesitation.


    The moment Jin completed the instantaneous movement, she utilized the twisting force generated.


    Twisting her waist and turning her back, she delivered a double-handed downward slash!


    Whoosh!


    The sound of bones and flesh being rapidly sliced rang out without any resistance.


    The body of the Holy Embryo was split into two,


    Moreover, the parts of the flesh sliced by the blade were all tinged with threads symbolizing the Red Lotus.


    Strands of red threads burrowed into the body along the cut, growing Red Lotus flowers of various sizes on the surfaces of bones, organs, and even some blood vessels.


    Sheathing the blade.


    Jin retracted her blade with an extremely elegant motion¡­ Boom!


    A strong red explosion occurred along with a miniature mushroom cloud,


    Since Jin did not have the protection of gentleman¡¯s clothes, she was also blown away.


    The power of the explosion was enough to shake the steel heart within the Village Chief¡¯s body.


    Holy Embryo Marcos was naturally blasted to pieces, the largest chunk of flesh no bigger than a finger.


    But¡­


    These bits of flesh instantly started converging towards a certain location as soon as they hit the ground.


    Jin noticed this convergence and couldn¡¯t help but marvel,


    ¡°What terrifying regenerative power is this?¡±


    Spitting out the blood foam in her mouth,


    Jin, propelled by her feet, charged forward again! She was ready to perform a second ¡°Blast Slash¡± on the converging blood and flesh, aiming to blast the pieces even more thoroughly.


    Just as she was nearing, the skull structure of the Holy Embryo was already reconstructed.


    Wah!!!


    A heart-wrenching cry emitted from its mouth,


    Jin, being the closest, instantly had blood streaming from all facial orifices and her body stiffened!


    Though she regained her senses within one second, the upper body of the Holy Embryo had already reformed, and it slammed a heavy blow into Jin¡¯s abdomen.


    Crack!


    The abdomen, struck by the Skull Ball, instantly became a bloodied blur adorned with a human face,


    The massive impact carried her crashing into the edge of the wall, creating a half-meter deep crater.


    Puh!


    A large mouthful of fresh blood spurted out from between the pig-head mask, the corner of her mouth twitching, ¡°Truly terrifying, worthy of a Patient who has experienced the old illnesses! I need to step it up.¡±


    Jin opened her right hand and shoved a lump of flesh into her mouth, swallowing it directly without chewing.


    Professional Characteristics ¡°Physical Affinity (Passive)¡±


    The bloodied mess at the abdomen instantly sprouted new flesh, even the internal organs were rapidly repairing.


    ¡°Wow! This effect is several times better than my refined ¡®Compressed Meat Cubes,¡¯ I¡¯ve got to have your body!¡±


    The flesh that Jin had just swallowed was exactly the Holy Embryo¡¯s flesh splattered onto her during the explosion, though not much, Jin intentionally collected it¡­ unexpectedly, the effects were so good.


    Without pausing,


    Jin climbed out of the dented wall and continued to charge towards the Holy Embryo like a mad dog.


    Meanwhile,


    Yi Chen, who had initially planned to approach from the side, halted due to the violent explosion.


    Just like when dealing with Mr. Li, Yi Chen once again observed seriously from the ¡®Audience¡¯ perspective,


    Observing each piece of flesh¡¯s movement and convergence, observing the regeneration process, trying to locate the ¡°Pathogen Core.¡±


    However,


    By the time the Holy Embryo had reformed,


    Yi Chen still hadn¡¯t observed anything, his expression tight, ¡°How is this possible¡­ Why isn¡¯t there a single suspected ¡®Pathogen Core¡¯ site? He hasn¡¯t reached Open Source yet.¡±


    The voice of Little Grape came over:


    ¡°His original Open Source process was interrupted by you, demoted to a Patient, and this is the first time I¡¯ve seen such a case.


    Perhaps this Patient cannot be judged by conventional concepts. Maybe he never had a Pathogen Core from the start; the only way is to kill him over and over, exhausting his vitality until he can no longer converge.


    Or use a special illness that surpasses ¡®Newborn Illness¡¯ to try and suppress him.¡±


    ¡°An illness that surpasses newborn illness¡­¡±


    Yi Chen immediately thought of an answer.

 Chapter 118: Moonlight in the Darkness

    [Disease Type]


    Since the Disease Era began, countless illnesses have spread throughout the world.


    After the establishment of the G&D Organization, it has been collecting information on various illnesses in the fight against pathologization, archiving them at the Hippocrates Hospital-Pathogen Center. The categories of illnesses increase every year, meaning that new and unusual illnesses could emerge at any time.


    Gentlemen need and must categorize these illnesses to understand the type of infection in patients ahead of time, which can effectively improve the efficiency of disease removal.


    The threat level of patients with different types of illnesses can vary greatly.


    Some individuals infected with rare diseases can even unexpectedly kill a gentleman.


    Such diseases are inherently superior to ordinary illnesses and, if they infect a creature along with ordinary diseases, can even suppress or eliminate other diseases, thus possessing uniqueness.


    ¡­


    [Underground Ritual Area]


    When Yi Chen thought of this answer, Little Grape also came to the same conclusion, especially since not long ago they had teamed up using ¡°moonlight¡± to kill the indestructible Village Chief.


    Indisputably, the [Moon Transformation Disease] accidentally created by the Twilight Clinic ranks at the forefront amongst disease categories, being an extremely rare and entirely new disease.


    But there was a problem.


    To switch to the weapon¡¯s ¡°Full Moon Form¡± required the use of both hands, yet Yi Chen¡¯s left hand was missing.


    ¡ºLittle Grape, you understand what I mean, right?¡»


    ¡ºI¡¯ve already said it before, there¡¯s no room for negotiation on this matter. Moreover, the help from the Twilight Clinic that time was just confined to the structure of the hand¡­You¡¯ll need to think of another method.¡»


    ¡ºAlright.¡»


    Yi Chen did not press further, since Little Grape had already been a great help during the event, providing visual support was sufficient.


    One hand was enough!


    Hu~ He settled his momentum, lowering his body.


    In rhythm, he, together with Jin, pressed toward the Holy Embryo life.


    Along the way,


    Yi Chen held the bottom end of the axe handle with his remaining right hand,


    Using his [mouth] as a second hand, he bit onto the top end of the handle,


    And jerked his head upward!


    Click-click~ The handle slid, the metal friction causing sparks to fly.


    With the assistance of his mouth, he successfully switched to ¡°Full Moon Form¡±.


    ¡ºThe length of the handle has increased, it¡¯s somewhat strenuous to swing with just one hand¡­ Fortunately, my physique had increased when fighting the Village Chief, otherwise the effect of my swings would be greatly reduced.¡» ??¦­????


    Yi Chen and Jin almost simultaneously approached the left and right sides of the Holy Embryo.


    The two also exchanged glances for an instantaneous communication.


    Hand Axe and Arm Blade, slashing the target at different angles.


    However¡­ Whoosh!


    The wings of Holy Embryo Marcos fluttered in coordination with a light tip-toe step,


    He performed a superfast backward flash, even leaving behind an afterimage at his original location, causing both attacks to miss entirely.


    This kind of flash was very similar to the ¡®Instantaneous Turn¡¯ Jin had used through her ankle just earlier,


    Not only that,


    As Marcos completed the flash move, he swung his right arm in succession¡­ the umbilical cord dragging the heavy Skull Ball, sweeping in front of both of them.


    Jin, relying on her high maneuverability, jumped back to dodge,


    Yi Chen, foreseeing the trajectory of the attack, dodged in advance, similarly avoiding the sweep.


    ¡°Jin¡­ this guy has just come into the world, is rapidly adapting to the battle in front of him, and can even quickly learn the combat skills we use.


    We can¡¯t prolong this fight, otherwise, he will become increasingly stronger.¡±


    This statement inadvertently stirred Jin¡¯s emotions.


    ¡°Want to keep up with my speed, want to learn my physical skills? With your kind of defective product?¡±


    In that instant,


    Red lines surfaced across Jin¡¯s body,


    Crackle and pop~ one could even hear faint explosions emanating from inside Jin¡¯s body several meters away,


    She adjusted the effect of the ¡®Body Explosion¡¯ to 150% of the rated index, the so-called rated index being the level that wouldn¡¯t harm her own physical body.


    The current 150% would rapidly damage various areas of the body, not suitable for prolonged combat.


    A step was taken, snap!


    The ground was stamped into a deep pit full of gravel.


    The speed that burst out in an instant was so fast that even Yi Chen could hardly see clearly.


    During the run, Jin¡¯s joints all over her body were slightly oozing blood, dragging a red afterimage behind her.


    Neither could the Holy Embryo clearly see the speed of this pig-headed woman,


    just as he was about to release ¡°Pain Wail,¡± emitting a ¡°Spiritual Shock¡± inherited from the mother to stop Jin from approaching.


    Swish!


    The blade had already plunged into the mouth and then stabbed out from the back of the head, forcibly interrupting.


    Underneath the pig-head mask, a pair of bloodshot eyes stared dead at the Holy Embryo, speaking in an extremely disdainful tone, ¡°Learn quickly! Can you learn it?¡±


    With those words,


    her wrist twisted, rotating the blade inside the Holy Embryo¡¯s mouth for a full circle! Then she forcefully pulled downward¡­ swish! Once again, she split the flesh and triggered an explosion. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jin, also blown away by the blast, quickly landed and picked up the nearby pieces of flesh, chewing and swallowing them.


    This was where Jin was strongest, as long as her opponent was a creature of blood and flesh, she could keep building her advantage like a rolling snowball.


    ¡°This meat isn¡¯t as fresh as it was at the beginning, and the effects aren¡¯t as good¡­ Killing you another ten or twenty times should probably be enough to kill you, right?¡±


    This time, Jin didn¡¯t immediately advance,


    the ¡°Body Explosion¡± that exceeded the set limit caused damage to multiple organs and bones; she needed a slight reprieve.


    On the other hand,


    Yi Chen, although once again shocked by the terrifying strength displayed by Jin, also acted immediately.


    Stepping on the ground flesh, he rushed towards the regeneration spot of the Holy Embryo.


    ¡°With my ¡®Intelligence¡¯ and special brain, I should be able to withstand this guy¡¯s ¡®wail¡¯; I must not miss such an opportunity to attack.¡±


    As Yi Chen approached,


    the Holy Embryo had quickly reassembled its entire head and part of the upper body,


    Wah!


    The cry of Pain Wail was released from the mouth, and with prior preparation, Yi Chen widened his eyes, activating his brain!


    Hiss hiss hiss~ steam burst from the top of his head, even though blood flowed from his seven orifices, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes still retained a steadfast expression.


    His pace only slightly slowed, but did not stop.


    Black shoes stepped into the effective attack range,


    Moon of Slaughter was already raised, aimed at the head of the Holy Embryo.


    Swish!


    The Holy Embryo actually spat out an umbilical cord from its mouth, quickly entangling Yi Chen¡¯s right arm.


    Soft yet forceful,


    and this bizarre newborn umbilical cord on contact with the arm even tried to take control of it, quickly bonding with the flesh on the arm¡¯s surface, joining at the nerves.


    It halted the attack, also posing a great threat to Yi Chen.


    A brief stalemate allowed the Holy Embryo to continue regenerating; its upper body was almost constructed, his arms about to form, about to pierce through Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    In a critical moment, a voice resonated in his consciousness.


    ¡°Let go!¡±


    Hearing the voice, Yi Chen¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile, seemingly deliberately falling into danger, waiting for this moment of transmission.


    He decisively released his grip on the axe in his right hand.


    As Moon of Slaughter slipped from his hand and was about to hit the ground,


    Swish! A shadow flashed, catching the axe handle in mid-air!


    Without giving the Holy Embryo a chance to react,


    a silver brilliance fell!


    The axe blade, overflowing with moonlight, had already chopped the Holy Embryo¡¯s head and upper body,


    and left in his body an indelible Moon Seal, spawning a large number of Moonlight Rats that gnawed at the flesh and hindered regeneration.


    On the other hand, Yi Chen,


    at this moment, his previously missing left arm regrew,


    but this arm was not entirely his own, covered with black fur that writhed in the wind, and in between the arm, a mouth opened, exposing a bizarre eyeball.

 Chapter 119: Conclusion

    With little grape¡¯s assistance, he successfully cleaved the target with the ¡°Moon of Slaughter,¡± branding the Moon Seal inside the Holy Embryo¡¯s body.


    This Holy Embryo, Marcos, who had just descended into the world, felt a real threat to his life for the first time, far more intense than the previous Red Lotus Explosions.


    Apart from the rat swarm eroding and tearing at the new flesh,


    there was also oppression from the disease root level, making the Moon Seal branded on the surface of the new flesh very uncomfortable, carrying even a faint sense of being invaded.


    He wanted to live; he did not want to die!


    A strong will to survive ignited the nascent potentials within the Holy Embryo,


    Whoosh!


    The regeneration speed doubled,


    identifying the farthest piece of flesh from Yi Chen and Jin as the ¡°Regeneration Center¡±¡­ Within one second, all flesh converged towards that point, forming a floating ball of blood.


    At the cost of burning Essence Blood, he forcibly neutralized the Moon Seal branded on the soul¡¯s surface, and the rat swarm consuming the new flesh also vanished.


    Almost within one second, regeneration was complete¡­ Crack!


    The blood ball burst, unveiling a brand new body.


    Holy Embryo Marcos descended again in a form better suited for the battle at hand,


    1. Originally grown on his back to form wings, the umbilical cords all gathered towards his left hand, compressed into high density and wound into a shield called ¡°Umbilical Great Shield¡±.


    2. The right arm connected to the Skull Ball via the umbilical cord, reduced its attack range to within two meters, avoiding long-range attacks.


    3. His ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± was transformed by the new flesh, reinforced and layered with thick fat, converted into a set of minced meat armor.


    Like a heavily armored knight with a shield, he leaned more towards melee combat and defense.


    The changes inside the Ritual Cave were not limited to Marcos.


    Yi Chen changed as well,


    he was already immersed in the slaughter, even little grape itself started harboring killing intent,


    His collar stood up, his bloodshot eyes glaring fixedly at the opponent,


    He leaned forward, his arms hanging low and slanted holding the axe (predominantly with black-haired arms),


    like a bloodthirsty beast under the moon night, ready to charge at the target at any moment,


    At that moment, the recovered Jin stepped beside Yi Chen, one hand on his shoulder, both looking towards the Holy Embryo,


    ¡°William, it¡¯s really hard to kill someone who has seen the old world sights¡­ Your past attack seemed more effective than mine~ let me create an opportunity for you to strike the killing blow?¡± ?????N?£Â?S?


    Yi Chen squeezed out a word filled with killing intent through his teeth, ¡°Yes.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    Jin once again unleashed 150% of his Body Explosion, rushing towards the target as a red light, a speed that surpassed ¡®Limit of Man,¡¯ comparable to a High-Rank Gentleman.


    But¡­


    Click! A crisp sound of bones and flesh jamming. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jin, taking a shortcut from a blind spot, made a cut that was perfectly blocked by Holy Embryo Marcos with a swift reaction and turn, moving his left arm¡¯s huge shield.


    The long sword that could easily tear through targets (William¡¯s limited edition) couldn¡¯t even break through the large shield.


    It became completely lodged halfway through,


    even trapped tightly in the umbilical cords between the shield, hard to pull out.


    Hum!


    At the same time, Marcos swung the Skull Ball with his right arm, smashing it down.


    ¡°Red Lotus. Explosion¡±


    He forcibly detonated the blade embedded in the shield.


    Boom!


    The moderately powerful explosion freed the long sword, and Jin, too, used the blast to move back several meters¡­ the spot where she had stood was completely shattered by the heavy hammer, leaving several agonized faces imprinted on the ground.


    Jin did not pause, lunging back into the dust.


    Click, click, click~


    Continuous collisions of bone and flesh,


    Jin employed high maneuverability, launching tricky and swift slashes,


    but either the blade chopped at the large shield or was parried by the Skull Ball.


    Though shadow flickered within the dust, Jin appeared to be dominating, her attacks became increasingly difficult to harm!


    The most terrifying part was,


    Marcos had begun to adapt to such speed, even the explosions, and human language as well.


    Boom!


    Unable to cut through the shield, Jin used another explosion to disengage, significantly weaker than the previous ones,


    indicating that the ¡®Red Lotus Energy¡¯ inside her had fallen below 30%, with no fresh meat to replenish her energy.


    Standing amidst the dust, Marcos, undisturbed by the explosion, vomited human words from his malformed mouth:


    ¡°Getting¡­ weaker? I have already¡­ adapted.¡±


    His words seemed to provoke Jin.


    Through the dust, a black silhouette charged again.


    The distinct outline of a pig¡¯s head and a similar figure confirmed it was the same madwoman as before.


    The adaptation in combat and thought enabled Holy Embryo Marcos to instinctively parry,


    and this time he planned to take down the somewhat exhausted Jin.


    ¡°Come on¡­ human.¡±


    From beyond the dust, a shadow slashed with light, and Marcos parried with the shield in the same way.


    Whoosh!


    The slash was as expected, still unable to break through the giant shield, cutting only 1/3 of the way through.


    But,


    there was no invasion of red silk threads at the cut, nor any blooming of Red Lotus,


    Buzz!


    Instead, a clear Moon Seal was branded on the surface of the shield, and a large number of rats began to gnaw at the umbilical tissues that made up the shield, reducing and damaging its defensive capabilities.


    Even Marcos himself hadn¡¯t realized what had happened until he saw that the weapon in front of him was not an arm blade, but an axe radiating soft moonlight.


    The shadow behind the dust was no longer Jin, but Yi Chen, almost the same size and height, who had quickly donned a pig head mask during the explosion and dust.


    From beneath the pig head, a human voice emerged, ¡°Your adaptability tends to cause misjudgments¡­ Such childish tricks couldn¡¯t be more fitting for a child like you.¡±


    Holy Embryo Marcos¡¯s face contorted as he immediately swung the skull ball with his right arm,


    Whoosh!


    A faster streak of red light flashed from his side,


    Jin, revealing her face and with a Red Lotus under her left eye, swiftly cut off his right arm, sending the skull ball flying along with the arm.


    ¡°You¡­ ¡±


    Marcos still wanted to say something when he suddenly saw a pitch-black object coming right at him!


    Smack!


    It wasn¡¯t a weapon, but a black-haired hand whose fingers spread wide and gripped his face.


    Before Marcos could react, the hand on his face writhed, opened its mouth, and spat out eyes!


    Point-blank Spiritual Shock!


    Although Marcos had inherited certain mental traits from his mother, he was still affected.


    By the time he quickly regained consciousness, his body was already pinned to the ground!


    Sitting on him was Yi Chen, neatly dressed in a suit, wearing a pig head mask¡­ Through the eye holes of the mask, a pair of fierce, ghostly eyes were visible.


    [Superfast Regeneration]


    Marcos tried to quickly regenerate his arm to push Yi Chen off him.


    The raised Moonlight Axe Blade had already fallen!


    Crack¡ªskull split!


    Splitting the skull and leaving a Moon Seal between the brains¡­ As Holy Embryo sensed the threat to his life and the intense pain in his brain, his body began to struggle wildly, umbilical cords popping out all over.


    However, before these umbilical cords could reach Yi Chen,


    Crack! Another axe fell!


    With each slash, a Moon Seal,


    Each Seal brought forth a large horde of rats that sought to destroy the reborn flesh and suppress the emerging illness,


    At that moment, Yi Chen seemed both like a frenzied butcher


    and a conscientious main surgeon, persistently performing forced surgery on a patient with a terminal disease.


    Gradually,


    the Holy Embryo beneath him stopped struggling, all the writhing umbilical cords drooped,


    leaving only the sounds of the axe striking and the rats chattering in the ritual cavern.


    Even Yi Chen didn¡¯t know how many times he had raised his hand nor whether the ¡®patient¡¯ had been ¡®cured¡¯ yet.


    Just as he instinctively raised his arm again,


    Smack!


    A soft, delicate hand reached out horizontally and grabbed his wrist, stopping his action.


    ¡°William, do you want to go plant trees in Cesimani? This guy¡¯s body is still of use to me, so don¡¯t wreck it too badly.¡±


    Following Jin¡¯s reminder,


    Yi Chen gradually came to his senses amidst the slaughter,


    stood up, and looked at the ¡®inner beauty¡¯ he had revealed on the ground, then stepped back to the edge of the ritual area, breathing heavily.


    Leaving Jin alone to clean up the battlefield,


    she took off her black leather jacket, reverting it back to the ¡®swollen sack¡¯ form and collected the remnants of the Holy Embryo inside, carrying it on her shoulder like the Village Chief.

 Chapter 120: Rescue Chicken Squad

    Perhaps, compared to Viner City, which was directly obliterated by the Moon Scar, the sights in Shebolt Village were several times, if not tens of times, more deplorable.


    Perhaps it was the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± worn by Holy Embryo Marcos that indirectly indicated the missing gentlemen had all perished.


    Had Jin not been chosen as the Final Sacrifice, he might have become one of them.


    Perhaps it was the instinct of a gentleman wanting to eradicate such a pitiful life born from pathogens.


    At the final moment, Yi Chen was immersed in the killing frenzy, lost in confusion until Jin¡¯s reminder brought him back to himself.


    Leaning against the wall,


    Yi Chen did not feel there was anything wrong with his slaughter. Just like teacher Zede had said, the scattered pieces of flesh on the ground could create an abstract painting, displaying the inner beauty of the individual.


    Only the feeling of being controlled by the desire to kill was very uncomfortable,


    and Yi Chen fully understood why Cesimani had set up the orchard and why students immersed in the killing were forced to spend so much time planting trees; without control over their killing instincts, they would surely descend into depravity.


    ¡°William, that was really dangerous just now¡­ I was thinking about reminding you,¡± came the voice of Little Grape.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to avoid it in the future.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t avoid this thing because, after all, to live in such a world, killing is necessary. After going back, learn thoroughly from Zede what killing is and try to coexist peacefully with ¡®it¡¯.


    I¡¯m exhausted; I need a good rest.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Little Grape!¡±


    Little Grape itself was quite satisfied. Before Yi Chen had become immersed in the killing, it quickly took control of his left arm to pluck out the eyes of the Holy Embryo,


    the taste of this newborn grape was like the first grape from a high-end orchard, fresh and juicy¡­ not only replenishing the energy spent but also awakening its [Essence] to a certain degree.


    A whiff of the old world¡¯s aura contained in the eyeball was transformed and absorbed by Little Grape.


    Just like absorbing the Lake Bottom Giant Eye before, such relics of the old world could awaken Little Grape¡¯s essence, stimulating some brand-new abilities.


    As it fell into a deep sleep, new tendrils of flesh writhed from its mouth.


    ¡­


    Yi Chen continued to lean against the wall in self-reflection,


    when,


    pat-pat~ the sound of damp footsteps on the ground gradually approached.


    Looking up, he was stunned for a moment,


    as the remnants of the murderous thoughts permeating his mind as well as the related introspective thoughts were instantly swept away,


    Before him,


    Jin rested a hand on her hip and slung a cloth bag over her shoulder with the other.


    Her legs were also slightly apart,


    the black leather outfit she had worn before was now replaced and stuffed into the swollen sack along with the Blood and Flesh of the Holy Embryo.


    After being dazed for three seconds, Yi Chen quickly averted his gaze and swiftly extended his overcoat to her.


    But Jin immediately refused.


    ¡°No~ the incompatibility with Gentleman¡¯s Skin is quite dangerous, not to mention that your clothes are made from the skin of the First Gentleman. It might kill me if we¡¯re not careful. ??????????B¨º?


    Don¡¯t worry about it. You, a man, have already seen my face; it doesn¡¯t matter if you see my body, too. Just remember that this kind of [viewing] is mutual.


    When we return, remember to repay me.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly changed the subject, asking about something very important to him, ¡°Jin¡­ is my left arm still there?¡±


    What followed was an arm handed over to him, battered beyond recognition, without a single intact bone, and marred with skin ruptured and flesh torn apart.


    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s become like this. But the overall structure is still intact, so it should be possible to reattach it. At least it¡¯s better than having none.¡±


    Having reattached his left arm, Yi Chen tried to move his fingers and surprisingly, the index and middle fingers could still move, indicating that the nervous system was relatively normal; with further repair of bones and flesh, a full recovery would likely be possible. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If the whole arm had been lost, he would need to reconstruct it completely like Edmund, which could take a long time to adapt to.


    After the bones and wounds in the left arm received simple botanical treatment and connection,


    Yi Chen stepped into the middle of the ritual room,


    retrieved his briefcase, and also stripped off the clothing from a deceased teacher.


    ¡°Jin¡­ wear this for now.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jin put on a fairly fitting clerical robe and donned a cowl, leaving only half of her face and bare feet exposed¡­ however, whenever Yi Chen looked at her, the full image from earlier involuntarily surfaced in his mind.


    He then divided the remaining Medicine evenly and inserted it into his arteries, restoring his physical condition.


    Yi Chen pointed to the instructors hanging from the ceiling, ¡°By the way, do we need to pack up these bodies too? Many of these instructors are Severe Patients, and their bodies should be useful to you, shouldn¡¯t they?¡±


    Jin, however, waved his hand, ¡°I¡¯ve already checked them. The ¡®Origin¡¯ of these fellows has been completely drained through bleeding. Their bodies are worthless, even the Pathogen Cores have shriveled and are useless.


    All the essence has been concentrated here.¡±


    Jin gently shook the swollen pouch, indicating that the important things had already been collected.


    She continued, ¡°Those guys in Zion will surely reward us handsomely once they see this pile of flesh and understand what happened here¡­ after all, we have successfully contained the outbreak of Open Source Patients.


    Of course, the greatest merit lies with you.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it once we¡¯re outside.¡±


    Just as the two were preparing to return the way they came through the Church,


    a restless disturbance came from beyond the wall, growing louder and louder, as if something terrifying was steadily approaching from underground.


    ¡°Are there more Patients¡­?¡±


    As Yi Chen and Jin took several steps back and prepared for battle,


    Boom! The wall collapsed.


    A pair of eerie small eyes stared out at them from the darkness.


    ¡°Little Pete!¡± Yi Chen called out the name the moment the eyes appeared.


    Immediately afterward, a large flock of chickens led by the black chicken Little Pete stormed into the ritual room, twisting their necks, searching for any possible enemies in the area.


    Little Pete quickly recognized Jin,


    though she was not wearing a mask, nor the floral suit, he identified her by her aura and hid at the very back of the flock, trembling non-stop.


    ¡°Little Pete, why are you here? Didn¡¯t I tell you to leave this place?¡±


    ¡°Cluck cluck! Everyone is very thankful to you, and since they didn¡¯t know where to go after leaving this forest¡­ they all decided to come and help, but it turns out you¡¯ve already taken care of everything.¡±


    Hearing this, Yi Chen showed a helpless yet relieved smile,


    Little Pete was clearly the most timid in the flock, but still chose the most dangerous course of action. Such a chicken was far more reliable than any human Yi Chen had encountered in his previous life.


    Whoosh!


    A red light flashed by,


    and Little Pete, who was at the very back, couldn¡¯t react in time before being caught, the nearly fatal grasp making it squawk incessantly.


    The entire flock turned around, directing their killing intent towards the captor.


    The one holding Little Pete was Jin, who while caressing the chicken¡¯s comb, spoke soothingly,


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. If I wanted to kill, you would all be nearly dead by now¡­ By the way, haven¡¯t you become more formidable since the last time? You¡¯ve grown so many small eyes. Would you like to be my pet?¡±


    Cluck cluck cluck!


    If Yi Chen had asked this question, Little Pete would definitely have agreed,


    but faced with Jin, it could only feign ignorance and keep clucking.


    At that moment, Yi Chen stepped forward, taking on the role of mediator.


    ¡°Jin, are you sure you want to adopt Little Pete? If so, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll also have to take the entire flock with you.¡±


    Jin nodded affirmatively, ¡°Yes, especially this chicken! If we train it well, it could be of great help¡­ as long as they pass the tests, they can enter Zion as pets.¡±


    Yi Chen had read about the pet management regulations in Zion at the Great Book Library. From what he observed of the condition of the flock, there was indeed a high probability they would pass the tests.


    ¡°Little Pete, if you don¡¯t have a clear destination in mind, you might consider Jin¡¯s proposal.


    As long as you can pass our pet tests, you could live safely in Zion, and other chickens might also find good owners.¡±


    But Little Pete was so nervous tears were about to fall,


    as this wasn¡¯t an issue of going to Zion or passing the tests at all.


    It was because of an innate fear of Jin. If it hadn¡¯t been strengthened by the old chicken lady, it would have nearly lost control of its bladder.


    With courage gathered, Little Pete looked at Yi Chen, ¡°Can I be your¡­¡±


    Before the sentence was finished,


    an eye hidden in the darkness suddenly glared at Little Pete, scaring it almost to the point of fainting.


    In the end, Little Pete could only agree to Jin¡¯s proposal temporarily, intending to try living together for a while and also preparing to find an opportunity to escape.

 Chapter 121: The Lost Holy Embryo

    Just as Yi Chen had guessed.


    The underground river beneath the village was adjacent to the Church¡¯s ritual area, separated only by a wall.


    As the Church fell, the seal that was set there ceased to exist, and the flock of chickens easily breached the connection between the two sides with their excellent wall-boring ability.


    Traversing the winding underground river quickly brought them to the well at the village center.


    Without hurrying to the surface, Yi Chen first asked the chickens,


    ¡°Little Pei, did you encounter anyone else while you were in the underground river?¡±


    ¡°No cluck cluck!¡±


    After ten minutes of interaction, Little Pei, having confirmed that Jin indeed would not tear the chickens apart by hand, finally mustered the courage to stand firmly on Jin¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    It was a bit strange, Yi Chen had clearly agreed with the girl Lene to inform her once the problem was eradicated.


    Yet as they approached the well, there was still no sign of her.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s an issue with the flock of chickens, Lene has never seen so many chickens before, let alone a flock able to easily break through walls, she might have stayed away out of consideration for her safety.¡±


    At that moment,


    the chickens began flapping their wings and one by one, they flew out of the well.


    Jin was even more exaggerated, propelling himself nearly ten meters into the air with an internal body explosion from his lower legs and jumping directly out of the well.


    The same problem presented itself, the temporary heart issue prevented Yi Chen from reaching the height of the well¡¯s opening.


    Just then, Jin suddenly poked his head out from the top of the well,


    ¡°William, it¡¯s so strange! We clearly killed the root of the grayification and cleared the disease root from the Church, but the grayification situation in the village hasn¡¯t diminished, in fact, it¡¯s thicker than when we first arrived.


    According to the knowledge learned from Cesimani, this unnatural Grey Zone should gradually disappear after we cleaned up the root, could there be Severe Patients hiding in the Church?¡±


    ¡°There can¡¯t be any remnants, otherwise they would have come out to stop us when we were dealing with the Holy Embryo.


    Maybe it¡¯s ¡®environmental delay¡¯, which is also mentioned in the books, some gray aura compressed between the layers of rock needs to wait a few hours or even days after the root is eliminated before it slowly dissipates.


    Jin, there should still be some Butchers and Scavengers active in the village, do you want to try and clear them out to make some spare minced meat? Just in case we encounter an accident on the way back to town.¡±


    ¡°Sure, what about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take a walk in the underground river to see if there are any Patients hiding that need to be dealt with.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll see you later cluck!¡±


    To cover up the embarrassment of being unable to ascend from the well and considering Jin¡¯s manic traits, Yi Chen decided to meet the girl Lene alone.


    However,


    Walking down the familiar limestone cave corridor, the closer he got to Lene¡¯s dwelling, the more solemn Yi Chen¡¯s expression became.


    Because the corridor was filled with a black flow that hadn¡¯t been there before, even the air seemed to have become heavier.


    Even after getting closer, the water droplets falling from the stalactites turned into black viscous liquid, and the ground began to have sticky black water flowing over it. ????¦Â¨¨????


    This black liquid did not smell foul; instead, it had a rather fresh fragrance, like a special juice that had just been produced.


    And it carried an attribute Yi Chen was all too familiar with ¨C ¡®rebirth¡¯.


    But this black liquid¡¯s rebirth was entirely different from that of the flesh-colored rebirth of Holy Embryo Marcos, it even seemed superior.


    The sleeping Little Grape also smelled something, forcing its mouth open, revealing its eyes, and even instinctively trying to replace Yi Chen¡¯s left arm to deal with the impending danger.


    ¡°William! We just killed the Holy Embryo, wasn¡¯t the incident over?


    Could there be deeper secrets within the Church that we weren¡¯t aware of? That shouldn¡¯t be the case, as all their knowledge was clearly used for the production of the Holy Embryo, and even the mother was there.¡±


    ¡°The situation is a bit different, I am on my way to Lene¡¯s place.¡±


    ¡°That girl¡­ Could it be!¡± Little Grape guessed something, immediately crawled out from the shoulder, and widened its eyes to observe the situation ahead with Yi Chen.


    Not far ahead was Lene¡¯s limestone cave dwelling, which was also the source of the black liquid.


    Snap!


    As Yi Chen stepped into the cave and the kerosene lamp illuminated the interior,


    The image of the girl who used to sit by the bonfire for warmth and food was instantly erased from his mind,


    and in its place was a swollen, writhing black mass.


    It clung to the center of the limestone cave, with over a dozen pitch-black appendages resembling arms¡ªor more accurately, soft tissue limbs¡ªsprouting from its body, desperately sucking liquid from the stalactites.


    The mass was still growing, still expanding,


    and at its center, on top, was the head of a black-haired girl.


    Seemingly aware of a visitor¡¯s presence,


    the head began to slowly turn until it was facing the visitor standing at the doorway.


    ¡°Big brother, you¡¯ve arrived! You guys actually managed to cure the disease!


    However, about ten minutes ago a strange grey light enveloped me, causing my body to undergo changes, and I didn¡¯t manage to come and greet you, I¡¯m really sorry.¡±


    As she spoke, several mucous-covered tentacle-like arms reached out,


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t dodge, letting the soft tissue brush against him, devoid of malice, merely a friendly touch.


    The girl¡¯s head was none other than Lene Histera.


    The hair that previously covered half of her face now floated upward just like the tentacle arms, revealing horizontally-striped pupils and a forehead with curved goat horns. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡®Single-Horned Goat Eyes¡¯


    This feature instantly made Yi Chen think of important information obtained during the investigation of the village¡ªthe ¡°Holy Embryo¡±.


    A humanoid form with goat-like features was considered a Holy Embryo, and Church members would personally arrive to take the Holy Embryo away to the deep layers of the Church to conduct the Birth ritual.


    The answer was clear,


    for some reason, the girl Lene was a Holy Embryo who had been abandoned in an underground area and wasn¡¯t taken to the Church¡­ It was likely her parents¡¯ doing, hiding the child from the Church and throwing her down the well in hopes that she would continue to survive.


    ¡°Big brother, I¡¯m really sorry¡­ I might need to ask a favor of you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°My movements have become quite inconvenient, could I trouble you to carry me to the ¡®High Wall Base¡¯?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t ask for the specifics of the reason,


    he simply picked up the black mass and moved towards the destination at top speed.


    The narrow fissures and passages along the way had been burst open by the Village Chief, allowing Lene¡¯s mass-like body to pass through smoothly,


    and they quickly arrived at the edge of their destination. A few dozen meters below was the convergence of giant roots, the meat ponds and mud pits where they absorbed nutrients.


    ¡°Big brother, just throw me down there! If you jump down with me on your back, you might get hurt.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen tilted his body so Lene could fall freely,


    Splat! A large amount of mud splashed up, and the girl¡¯s head quickly looked up to express her gratitude to Yi Chen.


    Following this, a bizarre scene unfolded.


    The surface of the black mass sprouted numerous mouth-like structures, frantically sucking nutrients from the mud pool,


    while spikes grew from the palms of the soft tentacle arms, piercing into the thick roots to suck on the plant nutrients despised by the Church,


    amid this process, the black mass grew rapidly, even beginning to fill up the lower zone and transforming into a super-sized womb-like structure.


    [The Outer World]


    The towering tree walls of the enclosed forest ceased expanding and, within minutes, withered, decayed, and even died.


    Yi Chen stood on the edge of the deep pit the whole time, observing the situation below,


    until a brass-bound ¡°Long Strip Frame¡± with a starting point engraved with an umbilical cord relief and filled with a black liquid symbolizing rebirth emerged in his line of sight.


    Names and titles were also attached above the frame


    ¡ìThe Black Maiden of Palingenesis¡ªLene Histera¡ì


    Seeing such a sight, Yi Chen revealed a mocking smile:


    ¡°How ironic¡­ A girl who wasn¡¯t cultivated by the Church, who didn¡¯t accept the so-called instructor¡¯s sacrifices, and who fed on the lowest grade of blood-flesh plants every day, actually became what the Church ultimately wanted to create.


    Even more perfect, with a higher level of rebirth.


    It seems that these Church members and the supposed ¡®Mother of New Birth¡¯ were merely ¡®primers¡¯ after all, establishing a connection through the ritual with some ancient entity to receive its bounty.


    This bounty will not stop because of Marcos¡¯ death,


    the ¡®bounty¡¯ will actively seek out the next target,


    and Lene, the abandoned Holy Embryo, just happens to be an additional high-quality option.¡±

 Chapter 122: Giving Gifts

    Beneath the deep pit,


    the black organs crowded at the bottom were slowly shriveling,


    a vastly different girl crawled out from them, her head¡¯s frame structure and her name were also hidden, no longer the bloated body shape but an impeccable humanoid form.


    The head had not changed much,


    still featuring a single horn on one side and the horizontal pupil of a sheep¡¯s eye,


    her slender body with a round hole at the abdomen (the size equating to a circle made with both hands), as if her uterine organs were removed, suggesting other implications,


    continuously, black liquid spilled from this circular hole.


    This black liquid signified new life, ordinary people, regardless of gender, once they touched and absorbed it, would become pregnant (males would consume more energy to quickly build a temporary uterus inside their body).


    The skin below the abdomen was black, and her pitch-black legs stood on the ground, with only four toes remaining¡­ precisely, the little toes had regressed and disappeared.


    The remaining toenails were thick, with some strange runes engraved on them.


    ¡°Congratulations!¡±


    Yi Chen jumped down from above, cushioning his fall with the soft organs and mucus,


    ¡°Big brother!¡±


    The girl Lene still had the same smile as before, ran over, and hugged Yi Chen tightly, showing no hostility of a patient toward humans, only gratitude in her eyes.


    The newly reborn Lene, like a newborn, longed for such an embrace (tilting her head so the horn wouldn¡¯t jab into the chest),


    After a five-minute-long hug, Lene slowly raised her head, tears swirling in her eyes.


    ¡°Big brother, I feel a pull, I might be going to a very distant place¡­¡±


    ¡°We were supposed to part anyway, go live your own life. As long as you are alive, we will surely meet again.¡±


    Upon hearing Yi Chen¡¯s soothing words, Lene immediately responded like a child:


    ¡°Okay! Oh, I have something I want to give you.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking,


    the girl reached into the hole in her abdomen, forcefully pulling out an ¡®umbilical cord¡¯ connected inside.


    This was precisely the connection to the ancient womb she used during her open source development.


    Glossy black, vibrant and continuously dripping with fresh mucus,


    ¡°This is no longer useful to me, but it might be of use to you, big brother.¡±


    Yi Chen watched the umbilical cord held in the girl¡¯s hand, able to smell an ancient aura, far surpassing that of Holy Embryo Marcos.


    This black umbilical cord was indeed associated with Lene¡¯s source, its value imaginable.


    ¡°Are you really giving it to me?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Seeing Lene¡¯s resolute eyes, Yi Chen slowly extended his only right hand.


    The moment his fingertips touched the surface of the umbilical cord, a buzz!


    The similar sensation,


    a kind of mental pull,


    but this time in a ¡®semi-voluntary form¡¯, because of the ¡®touching action¡¯ made by Yi Chen, his consciousness was drawn by an ancient thought within the umbilical cord. £Ò¨¢¦­?????¦¥?


    His consciousness detached from the body, sliding through a fresh, moist tunnel.


    In this process, he gradually lost the concept of time.


    After an indeterminate amount of time


    With a *puh*¡ªemerging from the soft mouth of the tunnel, and following the black slick liquid, he fell hundreds of meters from the sky.


    With a *splat*!


    He landed on a puddle of incredibly sticky black mud, the impact of the fall absorbed by the mud, like landing on a soft air cushion, completely unharmed.


    Rising to his feet, he could see no end to the mud pit.


    Then slowly raised his head to look at the sky,


    where the dim clouds resembled some kind of living organ, from which numerous flesh-colored conduits emerged, one of which had just transported Yi Chen.


    As his view shifted forward,


    he quickly spotted a peculiar object in the sky.


    A gigantic goat skull, suspended in mid-air, took the place of the sun and moon¡­ From the pitch-black eye sockets, black viscous liquid continuously flowed out, forming two black waterfalls that irrigated the earth.


    As he gazed at the goat¡¯s skull,


    William¡¯s vision was immediately assisted and pulled by an external force, causing his view to keep zooming in,


    as if like a movie camera, drawn inexorably towards the skull¡¯s eye sockets to passively observe what lay inside.


    It seemed to house a person,


    a high-level existence whose appearance William could not discern, and even music began to play gradually, distinctly different from the ocean music he once heard in the Fish Scale Abyss.


    A girl¡¯s harmony, interspersed with deep, spaced drumbeats, a blend of flute and harp.


    On the surface it sounded peaceful and serene, yet it was tinged with sadness and even resented elements.


    As his view zoomed in further, just about to glimpse His appearance,


    whiz! The connection was forcibly severed.


    William¡¯s consciousness instantly snapped back to the Original World, back to the High Wall Base, returning to his own body.


    At this moment,


    the Black Umbilical Cord had already wound itself around William¡¯s severely damaged left arm, caused by the Red Lotus Explosion and excessive use. Miraculously, under the influence of the umbilical cord, it healed perfectly, growing flesh as tender as a baby¡¯s.


    The entire left arm¡¯s neural connections were also completely restored, with no discomfort whatsoever.


    As William stared at the Black Umbilical Cord,


    his Professional Characteristics began to analyze relevant information, displaying it in the form of ¡®ancient living script¡¯.


    ¡ºKey Artifact Acquired [Relic-The-Black-Umbilical-Cord]¡»


    ¡ÚOverview¡Û:


    Also known as ¡°Sheep¡¯s Belt¡±


    Associated with the newly born sheep, a critical medium established during the second birth with the Old World¡¯s mother, responsible for carrying ancient knowledge and nutrients, rare and precious.


    Important information retained on the inner wall of the umbilical cord is usable for breakthroughs in related attributes of [Physique] and [Psyche], giving birth anew to the body.


    After obtaining a breakthrough with this relic, aside from enhancing one¡¯s own abilities, the additional relic trait ¡®Superfast Regeneration¡¯ will also be acquired.


    Carrying the relic will provide a passive effect: ¡®Continuous Regeneration¡¯.


    ¡­


    ¡°[Relic]!¡±


    William was stunned by this miraculous gift.


    Just as he looked up again to thank Lene,


    the girl who had stood there had vanished, maybe, as she mentioned, ¡®pulled¡¯ to a place truly suitable for living.


    Whew¡­ William took a deep breath.


    Clutching the umbilical cord in his hand, his mental state was somewhat peculiar, his mind rapidly accepting, reflecting on everything that had just happened, and conducting self-examination.


    ¡°Have I~ created an ¡®open source patient¡¯? This should completely violate the gentleman¡¯s principles, akin to adding a terrible festering sore to the world.


    But did I really do something wrong?


    Miss Lene did not harm me; instead, she fully healed my grievously injured left arm and even gave me from her hand an invaluable relic for breaking through the ¡®Limit of Man¡¯.


    You know, how many gentlemen in Zion are because they can¡¯t obtain relics, always restricted to human limitations, only able to realize their own value through commerce, contributing skills, et cetera.


    If I meet Miss Lene again, she might still offer help.


    What exactly is going on¡­¡±


    William shook his head hard, momentarily confused about the true definition of ¡®patient¡¯.


    ¡°What really distinguishes a patient from a human? Is there a possibility that the Church¡¯s ideology is correct¡­ in such a world, full of scars and critically ill, are patients the denizens of the new era?¡±


    Just then,


    Jin¡¯s voice suddenly came from above:


    ¡°William, so you¡¯re here~ Running off alone to this forest high wall, do you seek to monopolize more [Merit]? Don¡¯t worry~ When we submit the mission, I will attribute most of the credit to you.


    Hurry up and come up; we need to rush back to Zion as there are many tasks to submit and process.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    William¡¯s thoughts were pulled back,


    He clutched his hands into the wall and climbed out of the deep pit, the umbilical cord wrapped around his arm also hidden within his sleeve. Considering various factors, William didn¡¯t share these events with Jin.


    S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 123: Instructors Reward

    Walking along the underground river, Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts remained on the recent events and the umbilical cord.


    Similar to the umbilical cord in the Church, this object seemed like an independent lifeform, which appeared to enjoy clinging to Yi Chen¡¯s body, even considering him as its ¡®owner¡¯.


    Considering how this ¡°Relic¡± was acquired, which might violate the Gentlemen¡¯s and Zion¡¯s rules, Yi Chen chose to conceal it and cleanly erase the events at the High Wall Base and the girl Lene from the current investigation.


    After all, Yi Chen was the only one who had come into contact with these matters.


    Since the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± preferred to reside in an organic environment, Yi Chen tried to lead the cord wrapped around his arm towards the opening in his chest, to keep it with the plant heart.


    The umbilical cord seemed to sense Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts and slowly wriggled towards the heart.


    When it made contact with the plant heart, it detected that the heart was a temporary creation, not the original organ.


    The umbilical cord actually exuded a black liquid symbolizing rebirth from its end, reshaping the heart.


    Of course,


    this complete reconstruction, as opposed to merely repairing his left arm, was dozens, if not hundreds, of times more complex.


    ¡°Relics are not only used for breakthroughs; they also possess inherent trait effects, similar to ¡®accessories¡¯. As long as one carries them, they can exert their corresponding passive effects.


    This ¡®Black Umbilical Cord¡¯ is essentially a physical cheat device; as long as it¡¯s worn, any injuries can slowly heal under its effect.


    Moreover, it doesn¡¯t require any nourishment for itself. According to records in books, these relics connected to the ancients can, through their special structure, internal engravings, and so on, establish a connection with the old world and directly acquire energy replenishment from there.


    No wonder Zion does not have openly priced relics; who wouldn¡¯t want such things.¡±


    When the two returned to the surface, the flock of chickens was waiting here,


    Timid Little Pei did not take the opportunity to flee; it seemed to have decided to become Jin¡¯s pet and led the flock to Zion for a pet test.


    With the withering and collapse of the high walls, the path out of the forest was no longer obstructed.


    Even outside the treeline, they unexpectedly encountered Mr. Willmer, the temporary person in charge from the ¡°Black Eye Base,¡± who had come to check on the situation.


    He was first amazed that the two had truly ended the incident, even bringing back a group of controllable avian Pathological variants,


    however, when he learned that all team members had perished, his eyes immediately dimmed, and after forcing a smile to congratulate them, he returned to the base alone.


    In such a world, though death had become commonplace, the loss of former friends would still devastate and torture one¡¯s spirit.


    The luxurious carriage arrived on schedule to pick up Jin and Yi Chen, with the chicken flock, apart from Little Pei, settled in the carriage¡¯s lower compartment. ?????N??¦¥?


    Lying on the soft bed, Yi Chen did not welcome the comfort he had expected, and he even had some difficulty falling asleep.


    Suddenly, the voice of Little Grape came through his consciousness:


    ¡°In such a world, mediocrities will inevitably meet their death early. There¡¯s nothing to care about. As long as we¡¯re alive, that¡¯s enough, enjoy the present.


    Look at Jin, that guy fell asleep as soon as he got on the carriage.¡±


    Indeed,


    Jin¡¯s snoring could be heard from the adjacent bed,


    his left leg dangling off the bed, his right leg shifted to one side, and his tilted head continuously drooling from the corner of his mouth; such a sleeping posture indeed matched someone who had gone through a life and death ordeal and had exhausted all energy.


    Little Pei, on the other hand, was very obediently curled up on the ground, not moving an inch.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not overly occupied with thoughts about death. The survival of the fittest, I¡¯m quite clear about that. I¡¯m just pondering the issue between humans and the Patients¡­¡±


    Little Grape seemed to grasp the meaning and cracked a strange smile in response:


    ¡°What¡¯s there to think about? Don¡¯t you have your own set of criteria? Don¡¯t mind the differences. You only need to use your own criteria to distinguish.


    I decided to adventure with you precisely because I saw this in you.


    If you really want to know the answer, wait until you reach a higher Rank, venture into deeper Pathological areas, or when you have discerned the true face of this world, then you¡¯ll naturally know.


    Break through the ¡®Limit of Man¡¯ quickly, so that I can taste more delicious grapes.¡±


    As Little Grape spoke, strands of flesh-like threads continued to spill from its mouth as if it had gained some new ability.


    ¡°Zion City Gate¡±


    Bringing back such a group of disease-afflicted animals necessitated a thorough check by the epidemiological staff stationed in the towers at the city gate for pathology, mental health, and potential dangers, among other inspections.


    After receiving a clearance report, the chickens would still be sent to the Hippocrates Hospital for deeper testing.


    It would take at least three days of processing to get the final test results.


    ¡°Cesimani¡±


    Senior Instructor ¨C Belli Herta still stood as before, her black stockings planted directly on the floor,


    cradling the newcomer¡¯s finger she had recently collected, stroking it while listening to Yi Chen¡¯s detailed overview of the entire incident.


    When she heard that the two of them had worked together to overturn the whole Church and prevent the birth of Open Source,


    Belli¡¯s expression changed only slightly, and in a casual tone, she said,


    ¡°The situation actually got this serious, we should have sent more people with you¡­ If you two youngsters had died, the loss would have been too severe.


    I will report your verbal investigation results to the Gentleman Hall.


    The guys above will also contact you soon to inquire about the event details, and the corresponding rewards will be issued in a few days.


    To stop the birth of Open Source, the expansion of the Pathological forest, and to eradicate such a Church organization under the initial conditions of the Grey Zone, I believe they will not be stingy with the rewards.


    Be prepared to be commended, and then rest well these next few days.¡±


    Jin was already getting impatient, eager to return and process and refine the flesh inside her cloth bag.


    One hand tugging at Yi Chen¡¯s arm, the other waving goodbye to the instructor.


    But Belli gestured with her hand,


    ¡°William, stay for a moment, I have something to ask you alone, after all, this is the first time you¡¯ve completed a mission we assigned here.


    Jin, you wait outside as usual.¡±


    A similar situation, a similar scene.


    When Jin left the office,


    the toes within the fishnet stockings clamped onto Yi Chen¡¯s tie, and an irresistible force came into play.


    Snap! Half of Yi Chen¡¯s body was dragged onto the desk.


    Belli pushed up her glasses, her eyes filled with interest in the young man.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to actually come back unharmed, and it seems you get along quite well with Jin¡­ truly worthy of being the First Gentleman¡¯s recipient.


    Moreover, your physique seems even firmer than before you left on the mission.


    Has your Physique reached Rank 4?¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yes¡­ Oh, and by the way~ I brought back two gifts for you during the mission.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Belli¡¯s interest piqued, she temporarily let go of the tie between her feet, allowing Yi Chen to fetch his suitcase.


    Two distinct fingers were gently placed by Yi Chen on the desk,


    one thick and covered with a hard rock layer, emanating the color of steel,


    the other wrinkled and more akin to a chicken claw than a finger.


    Following this,


    Belli swiftly smashed the Village Chief¡¯s finger to pieces, showing no interest in the thick finger with its aesthetic-less rock structure,


    then delicately picked up the old hen¡¯s finger and brought it to her face,


    a soft and flexible tongue extended out and lightly licked the surface of the finger, engaging in a Deep Feeling through the sensation on her taste buds.


    ¡°A fine flavor! It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve encountered a finger of avian hybrid, and this one¡¯s mixed with a heavy scent of Revenge, truly a fine item, I¡¯ll accept it.


    So tell me, how would you like me to Reward you?


    This is Cesimani, we can set aside some of the surface-level gentlemen¡¯s Rules for now, speak your true Thought.¡±


    Belli reclined in her office chair,


    one hand propping up her cheek and the other pinching the old hen¡¯s finger.


    Her feet propped up on the table, conveying hidden meanings to Yi Chen with the curling of her toes.


    Yi Chen gazed steadily at those impeccably structured toes through the black fishnets, and the perfect junction between the foot and the calf, as he spoke firmly,


    ¡°Please teach me some movement techniques, Instructor Belli¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah~ that¡¯s it?¡±

 Chapter 124: Concealment

    ¡°Take off your shirt.¡±


    Facing the demand of the senior instructor, Yi Chen had no choice but to comply.


    After unbuttoning the last button and removing his shirt, a physique unlike that of an ordinary man was revealed, with the scars of newly formed flesh filling in the space over his chest particularly noticeable.


    Slap!


    Beili suddenly drew a slender teaching whip and lashed it across Yi Chen¡¯s side abdomen.


    A whipping like this would normally have someone rolling and hopping in pain, but Yi Chen¡¯s expression was somewhat strange.


    The external oblique muscle that the whip hit showed a slightly indented shape, then slowly filled back out as if it were being inflated.


    Slap, slap, slap~


    Then, she struck several other parts of Yi Chen¡¯s body, all of which exhibited similar phenomena, even in some areas where there should have been no muscle, were filled with small muscle-like tissues.


    After a round of whipping ended, she scraped Yi Chen¡¯s side abdominal muscles with the whip,


    ¡°I cannot teach you, and the reason is simple! Your physical form has transcended the ordinary. Look at this distribution of muscles and the conditional reflex of adaptability, it¡¯s preposterous. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The so-called movement techniques are also built on my understanding of the physical body.


    And my understanding is not suitable for you¡­ Go back to Zede, he¡¯s the only one in this city who can teach you on a physical level.


    Moreover, in my opinion, you don¡¯t need to pay too much attention to movement technique. Using the time spent learning it to further understand the physical body might yield better results,¡± she said.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    While Yi Chen was getting dressed again, Beili rummaged through a drawer and took out a small item.


    ¡°Hey~ I don¡¯t like owing others anything. Take this, you can come to me with any issues in the future.¡±


    A special card depicting an olive tree on the back was tossed to Yi Chen, it was Cesimani¡¯s unconditional access pass.


    With this card, Yi Chen could enjoy the same privileges as ordinary students and even participate in the training and sparring here.


    ¡°By the way, what do you think of Jin?¡±


    Faced with the question thrown by Instructor Beili, Yi Chen did not think too long.


    ¡°An extreme and uncontrollable personality likely results from character flaws from her early life that cannot be repaired.


    However, it is possible to turn these flaws into a ¡®key¡¯ for working and associating with her, and they may also serve as a ¡®special pillar¡¯ for her to live in this world.¡± ??£Î??§¦S


    Beili seemed quite satisfied with the answer, as with her toes through her fishnet stockings, she gently prodded Yi Chen¡¯s chin.


    ¡°It seems you already have quite an understanding of her. In that case, you two can deepen your cooperation in the future.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t reject Instructor Beili¡¯s habit of using her feet, and while maintaining this contact, thought of another topic.


    ¡°Right, Jin¡¯s ¡®Coordination¡¯ has reached its limit, so you should have her embark on Relic retrieval and Extreme Breakthrough soon, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct, she should be undertaking a mission related to Relics within half a year, and if you¡¯re interested, you could participate as well.¡±


    ¡°Good.


    Also, before going on a mission, I mentioned you to Teacher Zede, and he still remembers you. Would you like me to schedule a time for you to visit the Academy, Instructor Beili?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Beili retracted her feet and her expression changed slightly.


    ¡°No need, I can see him anytime I want. Let¡¯s leave it at that for today, and you¡¯re always welcome to come by anytime. Participating in our daily training is also fine.¡±


    ¡°Alright, goodbye, Instructor!¡±


    Just as Yi Chen turned to leave and was nearing the secret door of the office,


    a gentle touch suddenly pressed against his back,


    His physical body felt a soft, squeezing sensation,


    but on a spiritual level, it was as if sharp knives were pressing against his back, some of the blades even piercing his body.


    Along with this, came Instructor Beili¡¯s voice, cold and somewhat alien.


    ¡°One last thing~ The investigation you described, you didn¡¯t hide anything from me, did you?¡±


    As she asked this question, the Instructor behind him moved down her body and placed her ear below his left scapula, which was near the heart, intentionally listening to Yi Chen¡¯s heartbeat.


    A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead,


    Yi Chen steadied his mind, ¡°Everything I¡¯ve described is the truth¡­ If Instructor Beili has any doubts, she can verify it with Jin.¡±


    The office fell silent.


    Beili didn¡¯t respond; she simply listened quietly to the sound of his heartbeat.


    After an unknown amount of time, the sensation on his back finally disappeared,


    and when a sweat-drenched Yi Chen turned his head back, he saw the Instructor Beili smiling as she placed Old Lady Ji¡¯s finger into her exhibition cabinet, as if nothing had happened.


    Without lingering, he immediately met up with Jin outside of Cesimani and left together.


    When Yi Chen crossed the arch bridge and returned to the street district, he suddenly knelt on one knee, his palm covering his wildly beating heart.


    Within his heart,


    the creaking sounds of plant roots spreading through his blood vessels to the inner wall of his heart, forcibly stabilizing the rhythm of his heart, began to slowly retract. If not for the control of his heartbeat by the plant, he would have surely been exposed by Instructor Beili.


    Jin, concerned only about the swollen pouch on her shoulder, showed no suspicion of Yi Chen¡¯s abnormality.


    ¡°Hurry up, the meat will spoil if we don¡¯t get it processed soon.¡±


    ¡°Jin¡­ My temporary heart seems to be failing; I need to rush to the hospital. Why don¡¯t you go back first, and I¡¯ll find you once I¡¯ve dealt with my injury.¡±


    ¡°Remember to come.¡±


    Jin shrugged her shoulders; her interest in a brand new weapon surpassed her concern for Yi Chen, and she quickly disappeared into the streets.


    Yi Chen also slowly got up, his forehead covered in cold sweat.


    Instead of going directly to Omphalo-Centric-Academy, he used a public telephone on the roadside to make an appointment with Professor Qian Bosen.


    The content of the conversation was simple; Professor Qian Bosen could tell that Yi Chen had something shady to discuss with him, and only said one sentence over the phone.


    ¡°Your clothing is almost due for maintenance, let¡¯s talk about other things later.¡±


    After hanging up, Yi Chen headed straight for the ¡°Street District-Underlayer,¡±


    slipping into Chasm Street, hidden and full of various ¡®illegal¡¯ shops, he returned to the corner of the street where the Nameless Tailor Shop stood.


    Upon climbing the second floor staircase,


    the secret door of the Clothing Room opened a crack, clearly left ajar for Yi Chen.


    As he stepped in, the secret door immediately shut.


    Professor Qian Bosen had arrived ahead of him and was chatting casually with the tailor Ivan in the cramped Clothing Room.


    As Yi Chen arrived, Ivan, the shop owner, came forward with a cane, touching the fabric with one hand.


    ¡°Has it been damaged to this extent in less than a year of wearing?¡±


    ¡°I apologize¡­ The damage from the last mission was too severe. If not for Mr. Ivan¡¯s craftsmanship, this garment would probably not be wearable by now.¡±


    ¡°Bring me some ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ that matches your outfit; I will help you repair it.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Professor Qian Bosen stood silently at the rear, an owl perched on his shoulder, inspecting Yi Chen, whose essence had transformed.


    ¡°Has your physique improved? It seems the missions provided by Cesimani are quite effective for you¡­ Tell me, what¡¯s so crucial that it can¡¯t be discussed at the academy, and you need to meet with me privately?¡±


    Yi Chen nodded, and in the region of his heart, there was a ripple of movement as some living thing slowly surged up his throat.


    Quickly! A black umbilical cord emerged from his mouth, as if alive, automatically wrapping around his arm.


    At the sight of the umbilical cord,


    both the former grand tailor Ivan and the knowledgeable Professor Qian Bosen paused for a moment.


    ¡°This is¡­ a Relic of life attribute!¡±


    Yi Chen made no attempt to hide anything, and he told the entire detailed process of his investigation, including the ¡®Lost Holy Embryo¡¯ he had kept hidden from Instructor Beili.


    Upon hearing that Yi Chen chose to help the Patient with Open Source and obtained the Relic,


    Mr. Ivan first showed a smile, ¡°White Eagle, I wondered why you suddenly took an interest in accepting students¡­ Such a student, Zion would be hard-pressed to find another like him in decades, if not a hundred years.¡±


    Professor Qian Bosen didn¡¯t respond to his old friend, but instead placed a hand on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder,


    ¡°Your secrecy is correct; the matter of assisting the Patient with Open Source, once exposed, will certainly cause some controversy.


    This Relic¡¯s value has already surpassed that of an ordinary Relic. Continue to keep it inside you and ensure no one else becomes aware of it.


    I will also intervene as much as possible with the inquiries and assessments for your missions by the Gentleman Hall.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡±


    ¡°Well done! You truly are my student.¡±

 Chapter 125: Event Reward

    Events in Jose Valley, Shepherd Village, and the emergence of the new Church somewhat stirred the higher-ups; several managers took joint responsibility for the verification of the incident.


    The staff at Gentleman Hall also conducted private inquiries about Yi Chen and Jin, carrying out three checks within five days.


    The last verification was carried out personally by the manager,


    The manager who approached Yi Chen alone was none other than Mr. Aiji, known for his intersecting dealings and his fondness for wearing his hat at a tilt.


    A few days ago, when he took over the review of the incident, he immediately recognized ¡°William Behrens¡± on the list of those who handled the incident and volunteered to take charge of this individual.


    Because of the regret over the investigation into the Twilight Clinic and recalling Yi Chen¡¯s fearless defiance in the face of death, refusing the gentlemanly character bestowed by the Moon Scar,


    Aiji fully believed Yi Chen¡¯s account of the events and even took the initiative to ¡®beautify¡¯ these records on his own accord.


    He asked only one question: why the intermediary that Yi Chen encountered with the event was ¡°Cesimani.¡±


    After receiving the answer, he did not ask further, but he did suggest that Yi Chen should try to take on tasks through ¡°Gentleman Hall¡± in the future, as it would be more beneficial for a gentleman like him to grow through normal channels.


    ¡°Due to the impact of the incident exceeding estimates, the final assessment will take a few more days. Don¡¯t worry, you did very well, and the reward will certainly not be less,¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Manager Aiji.¡±


    Aiji held his hat on one side and picked up the gentleman¡¯s cane by the door, immediately returning to the hall to submit the documents.


    Two days later,


    Professor Qian Bosen personally came to Yi Chen¡¯s dormitory to inform him that the event evaluation and reward distribution would take place in the meeting room of Gentleman Hall in a few hours.


    His personal visit was due to the need for a series of special preparations before departure, to prevent any slip-ups.


    The two arrived at the meeting room just in time,


    Four managers including Aiji were already in place.


    Jin had also taken her seat early, dressed in a temporary suit without the ¡°Gentlemen¡¯s Skin,¡± and wearing a remade rainbow mask, sitting beside the entrance.


    The chair next to her had been pulled out in advance, as if waiting for Yi Chen to sit down.


    No sooner had Yi Chen taken his seat than snap! Jin clenched his wrist, red threads burrowing into it, while she murmured softly,


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree that you would come to find me? Why have I heard nothing from you these past few days?¡±


    ¡°There have been many things at the academy; I will definitely come over after the assessment is over.¡±


    Jin turned her mask slightly, giving an affirmative look, and then retracted her hand.


    She was actually also looking forward to the upcoming rewards, whispering,


    ¡°With four managers participating in the assessment, we should be able to receive quite good rewards, right? Maybe it¡¯s exactly what I need for my weapon making. I hope these people can be generous.¡± ??????????¦Â??


    After a brief private exchange, they returned their attention to the table.


    Manager Aiji once again announced the results of the event assessment.


    ¡°First of all, we are extremely grateful to you as the support team for arriving promptly at the site and effectively containing the situation that had severely escalated.


    Your performance in this incident has fully surpassed that of rookie gentlemen, and I am pleased that we have talents like you serving the organization; the organization will naturally provide the richest resources to cultivate you.


    After subsequent investigative teams went to Jose Valley to verify the situation on the site, and based on our collation of information and multiple assessments over these days,


    we have rated the difficulty of this support incident as five-star under the human difficulty level,


    and your deeds will be directly highlighted in your personal files.


    The specific rewards are as follows:


    1. Each person receives 8,000 silver coins.


    2. Task Points (important) +1.


    3. The birds you brought back have passed the pet certification; if you agree to let the organization handle the pet sale, we will distribute the silver coins obtained from the sale to you at a ratio of 30/70.


    4. You can choose any item or material that is one level higher than your current level from the Gentleman¡¯s Treasure Vault. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    5. Permission to meet with the First Gentleman.¡±


    When issuing the rewards, Jin stood up and gave an exaggerated gentleman¡¯s bow to the managers, unaware that beneath the mask was a face twisted with excitement.


    ¡°How generous indeed, the rewards are even better than I expected¡­ Thank you very much.¡±


    Yi Chen also realized the significance of the rewards, which were much higher than those from the Twilight Clinic.


    This was probably directly related to containing the spread of the new Grey Zone, forcibly preventing the birth of an Open Source patient and exterminating them.


    ¡°Jin, you just need the materials, so I¡¯ll give you the privilege of going to the treasure vault.¡±


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem quite right~ You are the main driver of the investigation.¡±


    ¡°You can pay me back when you have the opportunity later; I¡¯m not in a hurry to need materials or tools right now.¡±


    One of the reasons why Yi Chen voluntarily relinquished his opportunity to visit the vault was not easy to express; it was that he had already gained the most valuable reward from the incident¡ªthe ¡°Relic.¡±


    ¡°Really~ You make others owe you favors again.¡±


    After accepting Yi Chen¡¯s goodwill, Jin stood up again, turned to the managers:


    ¡°By the way~ I¡¯ll pass on meeting the First Gentleman~ I don¡¯t like the ¡®Skin¡¯ with too high a concentration. Just give me a piece of ordinary skin with the aura of the old world, 10¡Á10 cm will be fine,


    or you could give William some extra ¡®Skin¡¯ on behalf of the First Gentleman.¡±


    Manager Aiji replied, ¡°The First Gentleman himself will determine how much to give. Since you forfeit the opportunity, we will compensate you with a 10x10cm piece of ordinary ¡®Skin.¡¯


    With a shrug, Jin showed no concern.


    Yi Chen seemed to understand why Jin did this. At the beginning of their journey by carriage out of the city, Jin had expressed her views on ¡®Skin.¡¯


    In her eyes, Zion was just a stepping stone; she had no desire to be bound by ¡®Skin.¡¯ Once her own strength was sufficient, she would leave this place, even departing from this continent.


    The meeting concluded.


    One of the supervisors took Jin to the Gentleman¡¯s Treasure Vault to choose a reward,


    while Qian Bosen and Supervisor Aiji took Yi Chen to meet with the ¡°First Gentleman¡± once again.


    Before they parted, Jin used a look to remind Yi Chen to remember their agreement. After sorting out the reward, he should go find her.


    ¡°Divine Skin Mansion¡±


    This time, as Yi Chen walked down the secret passage leading to the deeper layer, he no longer relied on Little Grape.


    With wisps of white smoke rising from his head, he resisted the whispers emanating from the deep on his own, but his skin still felt uncomfortable and seemed ready to peel off at any moment.


    Supervisor Aiji felt somewhat uneasy walking here as well, scratching his wrist involuntarily to stop the incessant itching underneath his skin.


    He could have chosen not to come and let Qian Bosen handle everything.


    But out of curiosity, Aiji still wanted to see how much ¡°skin¡± Yi Chen could obtain from the First Gentleman.


    While descending, he used a special means of telepathy to ask Qian Bosen privately:


    ¡°Not even a year in the city, and already you¡¯re meeting the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ for the second time. You really found yourself a good student, White Eagle~ But there¡¯s an issue that you must have noticed, right?


    Such outstanding performance will undoubtedly attract the attention of the ¡®Divine Skin.¡¯ Just now, walking through the mansion, we received plenty of strange looks from the clergy.


    If the student you¡¯ve been carefully nurturing is truly chosen by Divine Skin, what will you do then?¡±


    ¡°I will seek William¡¯s opinion in advance and assist him in making the right decision¡­ It¡¯s too early to discuss this now; focus on your own matters, Aiji.¡±


    Supervisor Aiji slightly adjusted his top hat and said no more.


    ¡°Deep in the Mansion ¨C Underground Church¡±


    The First Gentleman ¨C Alexis King Claude was still suspended above the Altar,


    perhaps sensing the scent of the skin that came from Yi Chen, he opened his eyes in advance, fixating them on the familiar young man.


    He wasn¡¯t surprised,


    It seemed he had already foreseen the youth¡¯s return.


    When the First Gentleman quickly scanned the report of deeds presented by Aiji,


    his eyes, weaving through his white hair, deeply scrutinized Yi Chen, and his voice filled the Underground Church.


    ¡°Come over.¡±


    As usual, Yi Chen ascended the steps, ready to undergo the ¡®exchange of skin.¡¯


    But the First Gentleman didn¡¯t touch his palm as before; instead, he directly asked Yi Chen about something the supervisors had never asked.


    ¡°When you dealt with the ¡®Newborn Church,¡¯ did you get drawn by some medium, did your consciousness travel to a special area, an ancient world area symbolizing ¡®rebirth¡¯?¡±


    These words stunned Yi Chen, but before the First Gentleman he dared not deny it outright, as the other party might have seen something on him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been there¡­ When I was slaying the Holy Embryo, my consciousness was drawn to a mucous area.


    There, the ground was covered with the mucus of rebirth, the sky drifted with umbilical cord-like tubes, and a ram¡¯s head like a sun.


    Just as I was about to observe the view inside the ram¡¯s head, my comrade woke me up.¡±


    Yi Chen steadied his mind and responded to the First Gentleman with a mixture of truth and fabrication.


    ¡°Is that so? I can feel a strong aura of newborn Black Water from you, especially in the heart area¡­¡±


    The moment the words fell, whoosh!


    Yi Chen¡¯s chest was torn open by the First Gentleman¡¯s decrepit arm grown from his shoulder blade, the process too fast to see, exposing the heart that had only recently been reconstructed.


    Examining the heart covered with rooting plant tendrils, the First Gentleman asked again:


    ¡°The heart you supposedly lack couldn¡¯t have been reconstructed by the official Doctor, could it?¡±


    At the crucial moment,


    a black meatball emerged, its mouth spouting new strands of flesh, ¡°It¡¯s a heart reconstructed jointly with William¡¯s plant abilities. As we killed the malformed Holy Embryo, I gained a certain ability of rebirth by consuming its eyes.¡±


    The First Gentleman assessed the black creature and identified it as a product of the Organization¡¯s managed graveyard.


    Nodding slightly,


    The First Gentleman¡¯s gaze penetrated every part of Yi Chen¡¯s body, every corner, for a thorough inspection.


    No anomalies were found, nor any trace of an umbilical cord.


    (Before the event assessment and receipt of awards, Qian Bosen cautiously left Yi Chen¡¯s umbilical cord relic in a fleshy safety deposit box in the dormitory, which proved prudent.)


    The examination ended,


    the First Gentleman extended his right arm, touched the heart wound, and instantly healed it as if nothing had happened.


    He also gave Yi Chen a piece of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡± measuring 15cm¡Á15cm, more than what was given during the newcomer assessment.


    ¡°An extra gift, as compensation for injuring your body¡­ After all, that being who controls Black Water Life is extremely dangerous and highly skilled in enslaving the Physical.


    I look forward to seeing you perform even better in the future.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your grace.¡±


    Yi Chen bowed in gratitude, stabilized his heartbeat to a normal rate with a similar method, then descended from the Altar and left with the professor and supervisor.


    He didn¡¯t know if it was his imagination,


    but in that brief contact, Yi Chen distinctly felt that the First Gentleman¡¯s condition was significantly worse than at their last meeting, his appearance noticeably aged, even seeming to have aged five, perhaps more than ten years.

 Chapter 126: The Essence of Skin

    Crossing the Black Bridge and fully leaving the jurisdiction of the Divine Skin Mansion,


    Manager Aiji wanted to say something,


    but after glancing at Qian Bosen, he swallowed the words in his mouth, patted Yi Chen heavily on the shoulder, adjusted the tilt of his top hat, and returned alone to the Gentleman Hall.


    Qian Bosen then led Yi Chen to a nearby elevator, heading to the lower street district, naturally aiming for the tailor shop.


    ¡°Professor, are these skins to be used for upgrading clothes?¡±


    ¡°Since you already have a suitable pair of Casting Gloves, there¡¯s no need to create fabric items.


    You haven¡¯t upgraded your clothes since you entered the city, which involves adding extra Gentleman¡¯s Skin to increase the ¡®Skin Content¡¯ of the clothing.


    Moreover, your clothes were severely damaged in this incident and require some skin for complete repair.¡±


    Since the topic came up, Yi Chen took the opportunity to ask Professor Qian Bosen some questions about ¡®clothing.¡¯


    ¡°I read about ¡®gentleman¡¯s clothes¡¯ in some books.


    It mentioned a very important point¡ª[Skin Content].


    Gentlemen accepted by the organization can perform various tasks to earn extra ¡®Gentlemen¡¯s Skin¡¯ as a reward, and most people use it to complete their attire, gradually increasing the [Skin Content] between garments to its maximum.


    Once the maximum is reached, tailors will refuse to add any more skin.


    What happens if it exceeds this so-called maximum Skin Content? That point wasn¡¯t mentioned in the books.¡±


    ¡°It leads to loss of control, allowing the clothing to develop an autonomous consciousness beyond individual control, eventually engulfing the gentleman, a process also known as [Skin Stripping].


    In the early days, Zion experienced such incidents due to unfamiliarity with the use of skin.¡¯


    One well-known example is the ¡®Charles family incident¡¯ that occurred 75 years ago, where the eldest son of the family, Charles Fudier, became obsessed with the power provided by the Gentleman¡¯s Skin, and forcibly inserted an excessive amount of skin into his garments via unconventional methods.


    This resulted in his entire family being stripped of their skin overnight,


    and when the nearby patrol team noticed abnormalities and broke into the family¡¯s house, they found bodies stripped of skin hanging everywhere,


    and a ¡®clothing body¡¯ that had devoured the entire family¡¯s skins. Fortunately, a nearby high-ranked gentleman and a doctor jointly suppressed it, managed to subdue the clothing body, disassembled it back into Gentleman¡¯s Skin, and quelled the incident.¡±


    Yi Chen had always been skeptical about ¡®Gentlemen¡¯s Skin,¡¯ wondering what exactly these life-connected and ancient system-linked materials were.


    ¡°Clothing body? Could it be that the essence of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin is some kind of pathogen?¡±


    ¡°To be precise, it should be called ¡®controllable pathogen¡¯ or ¡®beneficial pathogen.¡¯


    This pathogen can be controlled and utilized by us humans, greatly increasing our survival rate, allowing human civilization to continue in such a world. ??????O??¨ºS


    The development of the organization over hundreds of years proves the stability and controllability of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Yi Chen nodded thoughtfully, then continued to inquire, ¡°So, does the existence of the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ underground signify [control over the skin]?¡±


    Professor Qian Bosen answered without hesitation, ¡°Connection, control, and production. His contribution is selfless, great, and incomparable¡­ It is precisely because of such great beings willing to dedicate themselves that the organization and human civilization can continue to develop and prosper.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t too surprised, or rather, he had expected as much, and simply acknowledged with a sound.


    To him, Gentleman¡¯s Skin was like probiotics in the human body, symbiotically living with humans, guarding against invasive pathogens that can induce various diseases. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Professor, besides the skin directly taken from the ¡®First Gentleman,¡¯ where do those ordinary Gentleman¡¯s Skin come from, as well as those carrying the ancient aura?¡±


    ¡°With your observational skills, you must have discovered something in the deep layers of the mansion?


    The iron chains used to bind the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ are covered with his derivative skins; these skins continue to grow and spread, transmitting through the chains to the surface, eventually reaching Divine Skin Mansion.


    Through special processing by the clergy, these derivative skins are clipped, categorized, and collected.


    Different derivative skins carry different amounts of ancient aura.


    If the skin of the First Gentleman is considered to have 100% content, these derivative skins will not exceed 50%.¡±


    Skin content of 30% to 50% is defined as skin carrying the aura of the old world.


    Skin content of 15% to 30% is defined as the most ordinary Gentleman¡¯s Skin.


    Skin with less than 15% content performs very poorly and is often packaged and sent to Organization-affiliated tailor shops to be used as ¡°scraps.¡±


    Yi Chen nodded and then steered the conversation back to clothing:


    ¡°I see! Another question, since the ¡®maximum skin content¡¯ of gentleman¡¯s clothes varies from person to person.


    Could there possibly exist a powerful human who can completely control the Skin, perfectly adapt to the Gentleman¡¯s Skin, and wear clothes with 100% skin content¡­ Wait, no!¡±


    At this point, Yi Chen suddenly realized something,


    Qian Bosen, smiling, took over the conversation, ¡°Indeed, such a human exists¡­ and that is the First Gentleman himself.¡±


    By this time, Yi Chen¡¯s expression had changed,


    He stared at the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ enclosed in the black box, felt the texture of the skin in the Clothing Room, and recalling the state of the First Gentleman, he couldn¡¯t help but shudder.


    ¡°If I keep using the First Gentleman¡¯s Skin to supplement the clothing, and one day reach 100% content and I can fully control it, then¡­¡±


    At this point, Qian Bosen stopped.


    ¡°I was just discussing this issue privately with manager Aiji, you might really have this potential.


    You must have felt it too, this time your walk in the Divine Skin Mansion attracted more scrutiny and spying than last time; the Clergy¡¯s attention on you has noticeably increased.


    And the First Gentleman giving you a 15¡Á15cm patch of skin wasn¡¯t because he felt sorry for the damage to your body, but because you were chosen.¡±


    Such words made Yi Chen stunned, his skin tingled and goosebumps covered his body.


    Qian Bosen gently patted his shoulder, comforting:


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, it just means you were ¡®selected¡¯ as a candidate.


    There are at least ten gentlemen in all of Zion who have been chosen¡­ Most of them have already surpassed the Limit of Man; if a choice has to be made, they are the primary considerations.


    Moreover, if it really comes to that and you are confirmed by the Divine Skin Mansion as the best candidate, I, as your first tutor, will do everything in my power to ensure your ¡®right of choice.¡¯


    If you do not wish to become the First Gentleman, I can assure you a way out of Zion.


    So don¡¯t worry too much about the issue with the skin, it shouldn¡¯t affect your personal development¡­ Make full use of the resources at hand, follow the most suitable path forward, and reach higher levels.


    At this stage, increasing your skin content will only benefit you, and when it reaches its maximum, you might even be able to awaken the ancient powers within it to achieve a deeper combination and greatly improve your disease curing efficiency.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor Qian Bosen.¡±


    Nameless Tailor Shop


    When the two returned to the doorway of the Clothing Room, Mr. Ivan was surprisingly at work.


    After about an hour of waiting, a familiar figure emerged.


    ¡°William, what a coincidence!¡±


    It was Jin, her clothes completely ruined in the church incident and currently she had Mr. Ivan make the same patterned shirt.


    ¡°Jin, the skin in your clothes is?¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t a piece issued for the mission? Then, from the Holy Fetus Meat where you minced, many skins from the missing squad were also extracted; isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    Jin had also noticed the black box in Yi Chen¡¯s hands, stepped closer to him, and whispered, ¡°Are you sure about using such a large piece of skin to increase your skin content? It¡¯s a bit risky.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen¡¯s resolute expression, Jin didn¡¯t say anything more.


    ¡°Very confident, huh~ I¡¯m looking forward to it too, wanting to see the reaction of those in charge of the skin in Zion when you fully control this Skin¡­ Go make your clothes, I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡±

 Chapter 127: New Outfit

    [Clothing Room]


    Mr. Ivan first cut out 10% of the raw material for clothing repair, and used the remaining materials to increase the ¡°Skin Content.¡±


    He was also very surprised that the First Gentleman would offer such a large piece of skin. However, since Qian Bosen didn¡¯t say much, as a tailor, his job was simply to do his work well.


    The process was not complicated; one only needed to attach the processed ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± to the corresponding parts of the clothing, and the skin would merge with the clothing on its own.


    Before the merging, Ivan raised several questions about the clothing.


    ¡°Do you feel any discomfort in the clothing during your daily life or while expelling illness, or do you think there is anything that needs to be improved from your own sensations?¡±


    ¡°No problems at all.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, your combat style hasn¡¯t been completely settled yet, so it¡¯s not too late to make detailed changes later.¡±


    The completion of the clothing took half an hour.


    The gentleman¡¯s clothes on the mannequin looked no different on the outside,


    but after experiencing the Twilight Clinic and the Church incident, Yi Chen, having been in contact with Old World elements several times, could clearly feel a significant increase in the Old World essence being emitted from the clothing,


    It felt more lively overall, more like some kind of living creature.


    Gazing at the clothing,


    he stepped slowly closer,


    unbuttoned it,


    and always felt as if there was a gaping abyss inside the clothing, ready to envelop and digest his body.


    Yi Chen did not hesitate and promptly wore the gentleman¡¯s clothes to experience the changes for himself. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The instant the fabric touched the skin, the connection at the muscular and neural levels also began synchronously,


    As Yi Chen buttoned up the shirt, donned the waistcoat, and draped the coat over himself, the neural connections deepened continuously.


    When he fastened the last button on his suit, the neural connection peaked, bringing an indescribably comfortable sense of near-perfect fit.


    Different from the previous sensations of fabric against skin, this felt more like skin against skin.


    It was like a group of people, who had always lived in a sterile environment, were to cleanse their entire bodies with a natural cleansing agent and then hug and squeeze together, experiencing a wondrous feeling. ????????¨¨?


    Meanwhile,


    a series of images flashed through Yi Chen¡¯s mind, fragmented and blurry,


    but he could generally make out that the images presented a huge space filled with various hanging skins, each piece alive and being transported somewhere through a delivery system.


    They were undergoing some special skin-grafting craft.


    The flashing images disappeared quickly, allowing for little information to be gathered.


    ¡°It should be similar to the Fish Scale Abyss, as well as the muddy worlds with hanging sheep heads. These scenes might be related to the Origin of Skin.¡±


    After a brief adjustment period came a sense of well-being.


    Yi Chen, wrapped in the clothing, even felt he could easily fall asleep standing, as the clothes would help support his body.


    In combat, the clothes¡¯ self-adaptation would be even more rapid, coordinating with his body to perform smoother, difficult maneuvers, providing more effective defense, damping, and so on.


    After inspecting every part of the body, Mr. Ivan asked softly:


    ¡°The ¡®Skin Content¡¯ now exceeds 20%. Do you feel any mental discomfort? Or do you feel itching, stinging on the skin, or hear unsettling conscious whispers?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, I just saw some ancient images when putting on the clothes.¡±


    ¡°Your adaptability is better than I imagined. It¡¯s normal to see images, as these skins are not products of our era.¡±


    Taking advantage of the time Mr. Ivan was checking the fit of the clothing, Yi Chen asked:


    ¡°A product of the Old World?


    I haven¡¯t read about an ¡®Old World¡¯ in the existing books¡­ Does ¡®Old World¡¯ refer to some ancient era, or is it a real space in a region?¡±


    ¡°Do you, a new gentleman, want the answer to this question? It¡¯s no problem to tell you¡ª the ¡®Old World¡¯ does indeed exist, parallel to our world.¡±


    ¡°Parallel existence?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. In the Grey Zone, there might be ¡®Thresholds¡¯ leading to the Old World¡­ the deeper the Grey Zone, the more numerous and higher the level of these thresholds, with some even being called ¡®Abysses.¡¯


    If you were to venture into one carelessly now, you would face certain death.


    Consider this question after you¡¯ve broken through the ¡®Limit of Man.''¡±


    Yi Chen noted a particular point in the conversation and immediately asked a follow-up question:


    ¡°If there are channels in the Grey Zone that connect to the old world, and if the spread of the Pathological cannot be contained, with the entire world engulfed by the Grey Zone and the severity constantly deepening, increasing the number of channels¡­¡±


    Ivan had just finished his examination, folded the chest cloth neatly, and gave Yi Chen¡¯s chest a firm pat.


    ¡°Exactly, if that time comes, the old world will completely replace our current world¡­ All traces of our existence, everything, will be erased.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    When he walked out of the Clothing Room, Professor Qian Bosen also immediately observed Yi Chen¡¯s entire body.


    After confirming that he could easily adapt to the current Skin Content of the clothing, he was no longer worried.


    He made an appointment with his old friend Ivan right away, planning to go to some neighboring unmarked shops for some strenuous entertainment.


    Naturally, Jin, who was left with Yi Chen, also walked together,


    Jin tapped Yi Chen¡¯s clothes up and down, her expression under the colorful mask full of repulsion.


    ¡°This feels so sticky. Are you really comfortable wearing this kind of clothing?¡±


    ¡°Very comfortable, there¡¯s no discomfort at all,¡± Yi Chen didn¡¯t really want to continue to talk about Skin, and immediately changed the subject, ¡°Jin, where¡¯s your weapon? And what materials did you choose from the Gentleman¡¯s Treasure Vault?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a secret! You¡¯ll know once my weapon is made¡­ Our efficiency will definitely be much higher next time we go out to kill enemies.


    But since it¡¯s quite a complex craft, even a Cesimani craftsman will need more than half a month.


    I have no choice but to stay in the city and play for the time being¡­¡±


    As he said this, Jin quickly stepped in front of Yi Chen, puffing out his chest against Yi Chen¡¯s.


    The mask was almost touching Yi Chen¡¯s face,


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you move in and live with me? We could also explore the secrets of the flesh together. Plus, you could join me in going to Cesimani for training and actual combat.


    This would maximize the acceleration of our growth~¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t finished my courses at the academy yet and can¡¯t apply to leave. Moreover, Instructor Beili said she can¡¯t guide someone with a special body like mine,¡± Yi Chen steered the conversation away again,


    ¡°By the way, Jin! Are you interested in checking on the recent situation of a friend of mine? He¡¯s the one I told you about before, the teammate who went to the Twilight Clinic with me to slay the Pathological Gentleman.¡±


    ¡°An old teammate? Sure, take me to see him.¡±


    The place Yi Chen wanted to go was the Mariano family estate where Edmund resided. Using the reward from the mission, he intended to pay off the debt of the crow¡¯s coal oil lamp in full.


    Of course, the main reason was to see how Edmund¡¯s arm was recovering.


    Given that he now had the umbilical cord and, with the aid of ¡°Little Grape,¡± could attempt special effective treatment, plus with Jin, the ¡°Body Weapon Master,¡± they might be able to completely solve the arm problem.


    By asking patrolling gentlemen, they easily learned the location of the Mariano family estate, where numerous family estates rooted in Zion are concentrated.


    As soon as you see large estates arranged at equal intervals, you know you¡¯ve found the right place.


    The great gate of the Edmund family¡¯s estate was imbued with a multitude of firearms and Feather elements,


    The moment they approached the gate, a tail-coated butler proactively came forward to warmly welcome them.


    ¡°You must be Mr. William Behrens, right? I often hear Master Edmund speaking of you, and I¡¯m very grateful for your help with the master in the ¡®secret medicine incident.¡¯


    ¡°Ah? It¡¯s just mutual support among teammates, nothing much.¡±


    This made Yi Chen somewhat embarrassed; he had never been to Edmund¡¯s family estate before and didn¡¯t expect that they would already recognize him.


    ¡°Is there something you wanted, Mr. William?¡±


    ¡°I came to see how Edmund¡¯s arm is recovering.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much for your concern. The master¡¯s arm is no longer a problem, and it has undergone significant changes compared to before¡­ The old master even said that the experience of losing his arm was actually an opportunity for the master¡¯s transformation.


    However, the master hasn¡¯t been home recently.¡±


    ¡°Not at home? It seems he hasn¡¯t been at the academy either¡­¡± A few days ago, Yi Chen had proactively checked Edmund¡¯s dormitory at the academy, but the dormitory supervisor told him that he hadn¡¯t been at the school recently.


    ¡°An incident occurred at one of the weapon factories related to the family, and it was classified as a gentleman incident. The fully recovered master took on the matter the day before yesterday and personally went to handle it.¡±


    ¡°A Pathological incident?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not clear about the specifics, but it¡¯s very likely related to the Pathological.¡±


    ¡°Where is it? We might be able to help.¡±

 Chapter 128: Iron Disease

    [Mariano family]


    Beyond the main residence of the Zion family, nearly all the medium and large cities in the Fourth Continent possess buildings or factories owned by the Mariano family, with their firearm industry being the main pillar of the family¡¯s enterprise.


    Firearms produced by Mariano are recognized by the organization, each piece being of such high quality that it commands a hefty price,


    Each year, the family is also required to hand over a certain quantity of firearms that meet quality standards to the organization, in exchange for the family¡¯s private residence in Zion and the privilege of conducting business affairs.


    To ensure the firearms industry operates normally in a Pathological world, each gun factory is supervised by an internal family gentleman, and there are also many prospective gentlemen patrolling all day long, adept in the art of gunnery.


    Three days ago,


    An early factory built in Wendell Town, which was about to be decommissioned, encountered a severe problem.


    Wendell Town was once a small town that relied on its mines, and in its early stages of development, due to various material considerations, the Mariano family built one of their early factories here.


    It still produces some classic firearms, which are collected by gun enthusiasts at high prices, but most of the assembly lines in the factory have ceased operation.


    As the mines were exhausted a year ago, the town swiftly declined, and the family also decided to shut down this old factory, which had already realized its value.


    Just one week before the closure, an anomaly occurred within the factory premises, leaving ordinary family personnel in the town and even a temporary resident gentleman in Wendell Town murdered.


    By chance, a coachman happened to pass by the town and immediately brought the situation back to Zion.


    Soon a task force from the Gentleman Hall arrived to investigate and categorize the situation, quickly shaping it into a mission event and taking it back to the hall for novice gentlemen to handle.


    Because the incident was directly related to a Mariano factory, the staff of the Gentleman Hall also personally visited the family residence to notify them of the matter.


    Edmund, who had gained insight during the process of his arm being severed and whose body had recovered, volunteered to deal with the matter, and even called upon his old companion, the Northern Realm giant¡ªDagbert.


    Juliana, due to health issues, did not participate.


    At the time, Yi Chen was in the middle of a mission assessment and was not called by Edmund either.


    Beyond Edmund¡¯s two-man team, there was another Gentleman Team involved in collaboration, a cooperative task.


    According to the task force¡¯s inspection, the number of Patients within Wendell Town had exceeded double digits, and the source of death, injury, and infection in the town was suspected to be a Severe Patient.


    ¡­


    [Wendell Town]


    Before fully entering the town, one could smell a thick odor¡ªa combination of crude oil, industrial waste, heavy metals, and other by-products. If one opened their mouth, they could even taste it.


    The entire town was shrouded in thick fog, with what appeared to be coal ash black substances floating around.


    Seventy percent of the town¡¯s structures are factory-related, with variously sized chimneys thrusting up all over the place, all products of the previous era, most of them now abandoned.


    As of now, the entire town was devoid of people.


    Strewn across the streets were some bizarrely-shaped corpses,


    All humanoid yet not wholly human, unified by one feature: their stiff, livor-mortis-stricken Physical forms intermingled with a vast amount of metal, some even developing firing structures like gun barrels. ??????????????¦¥????


    The gun barrel might be on a finger, in an Eye, hidden in the mouth, or even in more special areas.


    This illness, related to contemporary firearm craftsmanship, did not form its own major category but was instead a subtype of ¡°Iron Disease.¡±


    It was also called ¡°Iron Disease ¨C Firearms Variant.¡±


    In the early stages of Infection, an individual would exhibit an extreme affinity for iron-containing substances (or other metallic elements), clandestinely consuming metal to satisfy their eating cravings and also wearing various metal items¡ªalways more, the better.


    In the middle and later stages of Infection, the individual¡¯s skin would show a clear iron-like appearance, and gun barrel structures would start developing.


    When they became a Patient, the basic form was already present, capable of unleashing firepower at will, replenishing bullets by swallowing and absorbing metal.


    These Patients were extremely dangerous; their iron bodies meant superior defense, requiring one to break through their iron Skin Surface to damage the core within.


    Besides the threat of firearm discharge, they could also draw out the iron from human Blood through physical contact, causing rapid Death.


    ¡­


    However,


    the two Gentleman Teams that arrived here had already killed all the Infected and Patients in the streets of the town.


    Only the Origin of weapon infection¡ªthe Mariano factory¡ªawaited final treatment.


    Although it was quite old and one of the first factories to be established, its scale was not small at all. Thanks to the ever-growing firearms business, the factory had undergone several expansions.


    It was nightfall by the time.


    The two teams had been inside for over three hours,


    and more than ten minutes had passed since the last gunshot, with no movement or anyone leaving the factory during this time.


    The situation inside was worse than expected.


    For some reason, the two teams were forced to separate, hiding in different rooms. They dared not make any rash moves before they could figure out a ¡°Breakthrough¡± strategy, and both teams had members with varying degrees of injuries.


    [Employee Rest Room-03]


    Blond Edmund and Dagbert were hiding here,


    with the door sealed by some kind of time-limited Sealing Talisman Paper.


    Dagbert lay flat on the employee desk. Even under the protection of his gentleman¡¯s clothes, his sturdy and massive body was still wounded by bullets.


    What¡¯s worse, the bullets remaining inside his body were consuming his flesh over time, leading it towards death.


    Only bullet holes no larger than a pinky finger were left on the surface of the skin,


    and the bullets that entered the body were precisely lodged between the organs and major blood vessels, continuously absorbing the iron elements within.Upd@te by n0vgo.c0


    Seven minutes had passed since Dagbert was struck by the bullets, which had grown to 1.5 times their original size by absorbing the iron elements.


    If it were an Ordinary person, they would have probably died long ago, but Dagbert hung on by relying on his special physique and injected Medicine,


    and now he had to go through surgery at all costs to remove these bullets from his body.


    As for Edmund, although hit by only one bullet, he was still not in good shape.


    He leaned against the corner of the wall, directly used a red-hot sword blade to cut open his abdomen, and forcefully removed the bullets lodged in his flesh and blood.


    After a simple bandage, he immediately went to Dagbert¡¯s side.


    The two men looked at each other, nodded slightly, with no verbal communication.


    Edmund immediately placed the blade of his sword under Dagbert¡¯s chest, ready to cut him open and forcibly remove the bullets.


    Crack! A noise came from the window.


    Edmund turned his head to look and saw a thick branch extending from the outside, followed by something crawling along the branch until a face too familiar to Edmund appeared against the window.


    Creak, creak~ Silently dismantling the window frame by damaging the corners with thin and soft branches.


    Yi Chen effortlessly climbed into the room along the plant, and another figure in floral attire followed and jumped in.


    ¡°William!¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just when Edmund was surprised to see Yi Chen appear here,


    the latter had already swiftly moved to Dagbert¡¯s side,


    two warm and vibrant palms pressed near the bullet holes, with bullets that were deformed and swollen being successively removed by the plant¡¯s roots.


    Not only that,


    Dagbert could feel a different kind of vitality being infused into his body through the plant, like streams of new life flowing within, creating new blood to quickly replace the iron-stripped waste blood and expelling it from the body.


    It had only been a little over two months since they last saw each other,


    and Dagbert lying on the table felt that this former team member before his eyes seemed to have reached a higher level, even looking somewhat unfamiliar.

 Chapter 129: Sick Object (ill-substance)

    [Wendell Town]is only a three-hour drive from Zion.


    After obtaining partial information from the butler, Yi Chen had planned to wait for Edmund¡¯s return to discuss further, as his arm had healed, leaving only the issue of repayment.


    This was an event mission recognized by the organization, so it shouldn¡¯t pose too great a problem.


    However,


    When Jin heard that the incident might be related to firearms, a modern invention, he sensed danger and interest and spontaneously requested to go as a supporter of ¡°Cesimani.¡±


    Since he had always been saying ¡°next time for sure¡± lately, and considering the site wasn¡¯t very far, he agreed to respond.


    The two quickly rented a speed-type carriage and rushed to their destination.


    Upon arrival in the town and seeing patients whose bodies had ominously morphed into gun-like structures, Jin¡¯s excitement peaked.


    Disguised by their clothing and concealed by the night, they silently approached the weapons factory.


    Through extending plants carrying small grapes, they observed various rooms and quickly located the position of Edmund and another individual.


    ¡­


    [Employee Rest Room-03]


    The iron door was sealed, with no sound coming from outside.


    Dagbert was already able to move normally, currently trying to maneuver his arm to swing his great sword.


    Meanwhile,


    Jin leisurely leaned against the door, fiddling with some meat pellets whose origin was unknown, feeding them to Xiaopei on his shoulder.


    Yi Chen was attending to Edmund¡¯s wounds in his waist and abdomen, where a substantial amount of new flesh had grown and suppressed the pain.


    ¡°Edmund, what kind of patient is hidden in this factory to have injured you so severely? But it¡¯s odd, there¡¯s no chase or search for you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s confirmed, it¡¯s a quite special and rare Severe Patient, or rather a ¡®Sick Object¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡±


    Yi Chen widened his eyes at this term, even Jin paused his feeding.


    Sick Object, a term Yi Chen had come across in books, literally meant diseased material, broadly referring to unconscious materials imbued with pathological contamination. ????????§¦?


    Such unconscious materials needed to be divided into two types:


    1. Unconscious organic materials such as plants, fungi, etc.


    2. Inorganic materials such as rocks, steel, water, etc.


    Extensive research had shown that the closer to humans, the greater the likelihood of being infected and impacted by pathology, and vice versa.


    Hence, especially with inorganic materials, the probability of being affected by pathology is very low, and even if they are invaded by pathology, they usually do not undergo significant changes.


    Yet in certain extreme, special, or accidental situations, inorganic materials may have a small chance of undergoing complete pathologization,


    Once it overcomes the infection phase, it will become an existence equivalent to a Patient, which is what a ¡®Sick Object¡¯ is.


    Unlike Patients, since inorganic materials inherently lack consciousness, their awareness is only born at the moment they become ¡®Sick Objects,¡¯ beginning to recognize and adapt to the current world.


    Therefore, the nature of the ¡®Sick Object¡¯ itself determines whether they are dangerous or harmful to the world.


    For example, a Sick Object that was a stone may remain neutral, you could walk past it or even sit on its head without any reaction.


    Unless you take a miner¡¯s pick to its body, which may cause emotional turmoil, and it would attack you out of a defensive instinct.


    However,


    For modern industrial products defined by war and slaughter like firearms, once transformed into Sick Objects, the consciousness that births also associates with war and slaughter.


    They would indiscriminately kill other organisms, whether Patients or non-Patients, deriving satisfaction from the slaughter, gaining an understanding of the world, and improving themselves.


    Another point needs stressing,


    There is a fundamental difference between ¡®Non-Normality Patients¡¯ and ¡®Sick Objects¡¯,


    The former can only be fully formed in severely pathologized environments or Gray Domains following human activity, remnants of corpses, or even through subjective creation by Open Source Patients.


    Although their bodies contain inorganic materials, they possess human body shapes, have a higher human composition, and sustain sound human consciousness and thought patterns.


    For example, the doctors and nurses of the Twilight Clinic, who were largely designed by Moon Scar herself, formed in conjunction with moonlight baths and the effects of pathologization.


    Thus, it was categorized among the ¡°patients.¡±


    The Sick Objects, in terms of formation difficulty and material content, are a step higher; they can be described as ¡®naturally occurring¡¯ pathological products, extremely rare and difficult to deal with.


    Moreover, their value far exceeds that of the patients; among gentleman, they are even referred to as ¡®dangerous treasures¡¯.


    ¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s surprising that a Sick Object with a gun as its essence was born here, and the degree of pathologization has reached severe~ Luckily, listening to Ting Jin¡¯s persuasion to come support you all, otherwise it would have been really dangerous.


    What is the opponent¡¯s shape, attack patterns, and infection mode? Have you figured it out yet?¡±


    Edmund, however, lit a cigarette, and said somewhat helplessly:


    ¡°So far, we and another team have still not confirmed the ¡®true form¡¯ of the Sick Object. We only know it conceals itself between factories, rapidly transferring to any ordinary firearm, and shooting ¡®bullets¡¯ at us.


    I have even been forced to throw away the pistol I carried with me.¡±


    The classic sidearm that should have been attached to Edmund¡¯s waist was already gone.


    ¡°The essence can freely transfer to any firearm¡­ This is really restrictive for you, no wonder it pushed both your teams into a dangerous situation.


    By the way, is there anything particular about the bullets it fires?¡±


    ¡°Extremely accurate, and they change trajectory mid-flight.


    The bullets that Dagbert could originally block with his great sword can change trajectory at the last moment before touching the sword, curving around the great sword to hit the flesh.


    As long as one is within its range, it¡¯s nearly impossible to dodge.


    Once hit, the bullet will embed in the flesh, rapidly drawing the iron elements from the blood, leading to an individual¡¯s death by hypoxia.


    After the individual dies, the bullet transforms into a ¡®Pathogen,¡¯ enslaving the corpse to become an infected; the body actively consumes metal to increase its iron content and develop a gun barrel structure.


    Just as you saw on the way here, all are residents turned to living corpses by getting shot.


    This thing inherits the essence of firearms, killing repeatedly to gain strength¡­ If it leaves here, a small town or even a city could swiftly be slaughtered.


    It can also materialize the essence of firearms as ¡®Open Source¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ auto-aiming, essence transfer, and bullet infection~ and it¡¯s situated in such a gun factory, holding a complete geographical advantage, what a nuisance.


    Jin, do you have any thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not very good at dealing with ¡®non-blood-and-flesh¡¯ things. However, this kind of Sick Object, with its innate gunpowder, might be susceptible to my Red Lotus.


    Wait for me a moment, I¡¯m going out to test just how accurate this ¡®auto-aim¡¯ really is.¡±


    Jin directly tore off the Sealing Talisman Paper from the iron door and walked out of the room with great swagger.


    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s very dangerous¡­¡±


    Edmund wanted to stop her, but was interrupted by Yi Chen.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, let her go.¡±


    About ten seconds passed, and three consecutive gunshots were heard outside, accompanied by the sound of a chicken clucking.


    Jin returned to the room quickly,


    with little Pei on her shoulder in a startled fluffed-up state.


    ¡°Phew! It was indeed dangerous, one of the bullets nearly grazed past my pant leg, almost hitting me¡­ I tried to catch the bullet but couldn¡¯t succeed.


    Just like this guy said, guns in different positions all fired at me.


    But they didn¡¯t fire simultaneously, instead, there was a certain time interval~ otherwise, I really couldn¡¯t have dodged.


    William, I can¡¯t resolve this incident alone, shall we tackle it together? It will be much easier for me with someone else drawing the fire.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got it.¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After this discussion,


    Edmund and Dagbert looked at this rainbow-masked gentleman with an incredulous expression, recognizing him perhaps as an assessment candidate from the same batch, but had not seen him afterward.


    ¡°William, who is this exactly¡­?¡±


    ¡°Jin Almeda, my teammate from the last mission, from Cesimani~ Moreover, I have thought of a way to breakthrough now.¡±

 Chapter 130: Cleaning Firearms

    Yi Chen¡¯s plan was simple: destroy all the firearms in the factory, and once only one gun was left, it would indicate the main body of the ¡°Severe Disease Object.¡±


    Edmund immediately pointed out the difficulty of this plan.


    ¡°Although this factory was about to be abandoned, the amount of firearms was not large, but there were still nearly a hundred of them.


    The most dangerous part was undoubtedly the Exhibition Area, where more than thirty classic firearms were displayed simultaneously. The moment one entered, bullets could come from all directions.


    Usually, metal firearms needed to be destroyed in close combat.


    Any flying tools could be shot down by bullets en route, making it difficult to cause damage.


    The closer one got to the firearms, the greater the risk of being shot,¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ are there the most guns in the Exhibition Area? If so, we¡¯ll deal with that area last and clear the firearms in other areas first.


    I¡¯ll be responsible for drawing attention while Jin takes care of the destruction.


    Edmund, you and Dagbert should act according to the situation. After all, your attribute is suppressed, and Dagbert¡¯s body has just recovered.¡±


    ¡°Drawing attention?¡± Edmund didn¡¯t quite understand the meaning.


    In his view, it should be Jin, the highly coordinated gentleman, who should attract the gunfire, dodging the incoming bullets as much as possible, while the others destroyed the firearms.


    Moreover, Jin wasn¡¯t carrying any weapons at all, which raised another issue of how he would destroy the firearms.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t explain much; he just conveyed through eye contact to make Edmund trust him.


    He stood up and walked towards the door,


    ¡°Jin, let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°Hurry up, I can¡¯t wait to deal with this rare ¡®Severe Disease Object,¡¯ strange and peculiar things can effectively enhance my combat experience.¡±


    If this situation had arisen before his encounters with the New Church and the village, Yi Chen would not have had such confidence.


    But now it was different,


    If Edmund, as a Gun Swordsman, was suppressed by this kind of disease object that could control firearms,


    then the ¡®methods¡¯ Yi Chen currently possessed were exactly suited to counteract this firearm disease object,


    Just before stepping out of the door,


    Yi Chen tried to convey his ¡°Thought¡± to his gentleman¡¯s clothes, the close adherence of skin to skin allowing the transmission of these neural signals. ?????¦­?????¨º????


    The clothing, with a Skin Content as high as 20%, immediately sensed Yi Chen¡¯s thought,


    Hiss~


    Threads emitting an ancient aura emerged from the collar, swiftly weaving into a pitch-dark hood, almost covering the entire face above the mouth.


    The only exposed mouth was also covered by a mask, crafted from the threads and tough plants together.


    About 90% of the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± was concentrated in the head area to ensure bullets could not damage the head.


    The visual observation was entirely left to Grape.


    Similarly,


    every vital organ inside Yi Chen¡¯s body was enveloped by a thick weave of plants,


    The plants, which had evolved from absorbing the Village Chief¡¯s heart, had a certain hardening ability to ensure that bullets that penetrated the body did not harm major organs.


    Having prepared all this, Yi Chen took a deep breath and pushed open the cold iron door in front of him.


    Outside the door was the open corridor of the factory¡¯s second floor.


    He vaulted smoothly over the banister with one hand and deliberately landed in the most dangerous area, the center of the workshop.


    Grape¡¯s eyes rapidly scanned the surroundings,


    totaling seven firearms distributed in different areas of the abandoned workshop,


    One of them, a single-barreled shotgun hanging on the wall as decoration, had locked onto Yi Chen¡¯s back, adjusting its muzzle¡­


    Bang!


    A bullet, as if alive, shot straight at him. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Snapping!


    It accurately and without deviation hit his back, lodged between the flesh and blood.


    Just as the bullet was prepared to absorb the iron element, crunch~ a mass of plants lurking inside the body entangled the bullet and expelled it from the body instantly.


    Ding! The crisp sound of the bullet hitting the ground signaled the danger was eliminated.


    Meanwhile, as the bullet wound in the flesh healed under the wriggling of the umbilical cord and the coordination of the plants, it visibly shrunk and was covered by multiple layers of plant net.


    Suddenly,


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Successive gunshots came from different directions,


    one of the bullets aimed at the head, embedded deeply into the material of the hood, but failed to penetrate.


    The remaining bullets entered Yi Chen¡¯s body one after another, and within less than a second, these bullets were pushed out of his body by the plants, not even having enough time to absorb the iron.


    As the gunfire continued,


    crackle and pop~


    Blood-stained bullets fell like raindrops all around him.


    Yi Chen even seemed to enjoy it, wanting to spread his arms wide to express the refreshing sensation the ¡°bullet massage¡± brought him.


    This was so-called attribute suppression. Once Yi Chen found out that bullets were deliberately retained inside the body, he judged that their power was not great.


    Though he enjoyed it,


    Yi Chen was actively observing and analyzing,


    utilizing the trait of recognizing Ancient Living Text, allowing Yi Chen to successfully read the true name of the firearm disease object.


    [Gun Master ¨C Amis Tiller (Severe Disease Object)]


    The squirming typography finally took on the appearance of steel, cold and extremely dangerous.


    Such names would quickly switch between different firearms, also helping Yi Chen make an effective inference.


    ¡°This guy can only control one gun at a time to fire. Although the transfer is fast, there is still a firing interval, about 0.3s~0.5s.


    This timing is crucial; Jin will definitely be able to grasp it,¡± he thought.


    While Yi Chen was thinking,


    a red figure leapt down from the Second Floor, perfectly capturing the timing difference of the shot, and touched the shotgun hanging on the wall for display.


    A string of red threads spread along the body of the gun, quickly reaching the gunpowder within the bullets!


    Paired with the Red Lotus¡¯s amplification of explosive effects,


    Boom!


    The red blaze burst into light in the workshop, completely shattering the firearm.


    Taking advantage of the dust created by the explosion, Jin disappeared again, quickly appearing near another gun¡­ touching and detonating it!


    Just like that,


    all the firearms within the workshop were blown up.


    Edmund and Dagbert leaned against the Second Floor corridor, watching the unbelievable Red Lotus explosion and Yi Chen¡¯s so-called drawing of fire, hardly able to imagine that the two were still categorized as human.


    ¡°Has William¡¯s plant illness evolved? How can his self-healing be so strong¡­ and that gentleman in a mask, what¡¯s with his terrifying speed and explosive power?¡±


    ¡°Touch-and-explode must be some kind of rare pathological trait, right?


    In our batch, besides William, there are actually such characters.¡±


    Similarly,


    as the loud explosion resonated in the workshop, another Gentleman Team hiding in a storeroom also made themselves known.


    Among them, two were injured and not in good shape.


    When they learned that Yi Chen and Jin had intervened in the event under the guise of ¡®Cesimani,¡¯ they expressed gratitude and were willing to assist fully.


    They continued to use this tactic to clear firearms within the factory,


    occasionally encountering situations where they ceased firing at Yi Chen, trying to lock on Jin and other gentlemen instead.


    However, once the guns were not aimed at Yi Chen, he would burst forth with terrifying speed, instantly dismembering the nearest firearm with an axe.


    Gradually,


    as most of the firearms in the factory were cleared,


    the Exhibition Area that Yi Chen deliberately left to the last began to stir. The thirty and more firearms stored there started to quiver.


    All the firearms seemed attracted, beginning to converge toward the center to form a whole, an aggregation capable of blasting Yi Chen¡¯s body to bits.


    All barrels were aimed at the only entrance and exit of the Exhibition Area,


    faintly, the sound of footsteps approaching could be heard; only one person was coming this way.


    Click¡ªthe iron door was shoved open!


    Bullets visibly poured out in an instant, turning the area behind the door into a beehive, but in reality, hitting no living target; there was no one at the doorway at all.


    When the shooting ended,


    a multicolored sleeve of an arm suddenly stretched out from the side of the door, holding something, and threw it violently inside.


    Ten compressed cubes of meat accurately scattered around the guns, and quickly overflowed with red upon hitting the ground.


    Even though the Gun Master felt threatened and tried to smash all these pieces of meat¡­it was too late.


    Eight cubes were destroyed by the bullets,


    but on the remaining two cubes, radiant Red Lotus blossomed¡­ snap! A snap of the fingers.


    The red blaze swiftly filled the entire exhibition room, the firearms aggregation exploded, torn apart, melted, and dismantled vigorously scattering around.

 Chapter 131: Capture

    The plan was just as such.


    Yi Chen left the exhibition area with the most firearms for last,


    considering that this awakened creature, aware of the world and capable of thought, would certainly not sit idly by but would definitely take measures to respond.


    This action of gathering all the firearms together was indeed the best scenario in the plan.


    Thus, the explosion set by Jin could cause maximum damage and might even eliminate the target directly.


    This time was unlike at the village church; Jin had brought enough meat products.


    Boom!


    The explosion of the two meat cubes was just right, not completely destroying the exhibition area to prevent any residual firearms from flying out of the factory, thereby increasing the enemy¡¯s range of movement.


    The target was still confined within the exhibition area.


    Taking advantage of the protective effects of the ¡°gentleman¡¯s clothes,¡± Yi Chen and others rushed into the blast area at the first opportunity, preparing to deal with the remaining firearms once and for all.


    Scanning the area.


    1¡­2¡­3¡­4!


    There were still four guns intact,


    just as everyone was about to destroy the remaining firearms,


    Yi Chen¡¯s vision quickly captured a pistol ¡®in action,¡¯ and the corresponding name emerged on the top of the gun.


    The gun, however, wasn¡¯t aimed at anyone at the scene but turned its barrel towards a wall hole created by the explosion.


    ¡°Trying to escape! Little grape!¡±


    Though they couldn¡¯t make eye contact, he could still affect it with his spiritual power. The impact wasn¡¯t enough to make the target faint, but it would certainly be affected.


    The pistol, hit by the spiritual shock, deviated slightly.


    Bang! A gunshot rang out. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bullet that should have shot through the wall hole changed its trajectory due to the tilt of the gun body and struck a solid wall instead.


    However, the power of this bullet was remarkable, piercing straight through the wall!


    Nevertheless,


    the obstruction formed by the wall greatly reduced the bullet¡¯s speed and range.


    At the moment the gunshot sounded, Yi Chen raised his arm!


    His eyes, arm, and fingers aligned in a straight line, marking the direction of the bullet while he loudly exclaimed:


    ¡°Jin!¡±


    The next second.


    A figure, glowing with a deep red luster all over, flashed out of the hole in the wall following the direction Yi Chen had indicated¡­ None of those present could catch such speed with the naked eye. ??????????


    Jin immediately utilized 200% of his ¡°Body Explosion,¡±


    with a meat juice injector stuck in his neck, completely disregarding his body¡¯s deterioration, he pursued the target at the highest speed.


    ¡­


    In a wooded area more than three hundred meters from Wendell Town,


    a kinetic bullet, about to run out of energy, was about to land,


    but just before it hit the ground, a snake slithered by¡­ The bullet changed its path mid-air and struck the snake¡¯s body.


    In less than a second,


    the snake¡¯s body was covered in a layer of metallic scales, and its mouth formed a structure similar to a gun barrel.


    However, due to insufficient iron atoms within, the gun barrel couldn¡¯t fire bullets, and it could only quickly wriggle away from the area.


    The newly birthed self-aware creature, also possessing an instinct for survival,


    would rapidly heal and reach higher levels through killings if it could escape to a town with metal structures.


    But the snake didn¡¯t slither far before a terrifying aura struck from behind.


    It instinctively turned its head to shoot, but found it couldn¡¯t fire any bullets¡­ the next second! A huge fleshy sack obscured its vision, instantly enveloping it.


    [Capture successful]


    Jin, not minding the explosion of flesh from his lower legs due to high-speed running, joyfully hung the swollen sack on his shoulder,


    ¡°The Village Chief¡¯s derived organ is really useful~¡±


    After a brief moment of joy, excruciating pain swept through his whole body, forcing Jin to lean against a tree for a rest.


    Using 200% of the ¡°Body Explosion¡± rating was still quite a strain; if the chase distance had been any longer, Jin¡¯s lower legs might have broken mid-run and blown off.


    By the time Yi Chen, Edmund, and the others arrived, they were shocked by Jin¡¯s appearance.


    Covered in blood top to bottom, turning his entire body red, with only a layer of skin and some fragmented bones connecting his lower leg region.


    Yet he seemed completely unconcerned, lifting the swollen sack in his hands to boast to Yi Chen, ¡°Got lucky, eh? The target was captured alive in a weakened state, this rare ¡®Severe Disease Object¡¯ is beyond valuation.¡±


    Everyone present was astonished by the terrifying speed Jin displayed,


    and regarding the captured creature, nobody had any objection; it rightfully belonged to Jin.


    After a brief cleanup, the squad boarded their respective carriages back to Zion,


    Yi Chen, Jin, Edmund, and Dagbert took a carriage specifically from the Mariano family, discussing the incident on the way.


    ¡°I was planning to ask you for repayment, but I learned from the butler that you and Dagbert were out on a mission.


    Jin is quite interested in incidents involving firearms, and since the scene wasn¡¯t far, we came over under the guise of ¡®Cesimani¡¯ to help out.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really embarrassing¡­ still needing William and your help to escape danger.¡±


    ¡°Having your attribute countered is normal. By the way, how is Miss Juliana recovering?¡±


    ¡°Better than expected, Anna is enduring severe pain, persisting with rehabilitation training every day, her body is returning to its former state¡­ The doctor estimated that she could fully recover in a few months.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡±


    Edmund used his fingers to brush aside the blond hair blocking his vision, stared at Yi Chen in front of him, and asked in a low voice, ¡°Your change is significant, you were even able to heal Dagbert¡¯s physical injuries. What special events have you experienced during this period?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Jin and I barely completed a five-star difficulty task, and gained quite a few benefits from it.¡±


    ¡°Five stars, full difficulty!¡±


    Edmund had already felt a certain gap between himself and Yi Chen,


    After this firearm incident, upon hearing that the latter had completed a five-star full difficulty event, he realized that the gap between them had unknowingly widened significantly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t keep up with you anymore¡­ That¡¯s too exaggerated.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just got some benefits in the event, and I also had little Grape¡¯s help.


    The really exaggerated one is Jin. She had reached the Limit of Man in ¡®Coordination¡¯ several months ago and could burst beyond human speed through Pathological Traits.¡±


    Actually, through the battle performance previously, Yi Chen had estimated Jin¡¯s ability value and deeply felt her terror.


    At the moment, Jin was sizing up Dagbert¡¯s robust physique, even poking his biceps with her finger.


    Jin asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s your ¡®Physique¡¯ at now?¡±


    ¡°5.¡±


    Dagbert was always reticent, simply responding with a number to Jin¡¯s inquiry.


    ¡°Your profession must also be closely related to your physique, let me guess¡­ does it increase your muscle limit, or even your physique limit?¡±


    Dagbert just nodded, without verbally responding.


    ¡°A pure strength type gentleman¡­¡±


    Jin suddenly became interested, pressed one hand slightly against her upper chest, leaned slightly closer to her colorful mask, and made a self-introduction gesture.


    ¡°My name is Jin Almeda, I hope to have a strength contest with you~ Let¡¯s do it on the coach, it will be a good way to kill some boring time.¡±


    Dagbert wanted to refuse,


    but Edmund and Yi Chen beside him nodded in indication, both of them also wanting to see this interesting contest.


    In the spacious family coach, a sturdy wooden table was placed in the center.


    Two arms, which were not of the same caliber at all, were in a handshake position,


    Dagbert¡¯s arm was almost twice as thick as Jin¡¯s,


    however, despite Jin¡¯s arm appearing very slender, its muscle distribution was extremely smooth and the structure perfect, with no flaws to be found.


    ¡°Get ready¡­ start!¡±


    When Yi Chen, the temporary referee, gave the instruction, the winner was decided instantly.


    Jin looked at her overwhelmed arm with a confused face! Like a huge rock pressing down on her arm, leaving her completely immobile.


    The disparity between them at the strength level was not simply a numerical difference. Dagbert¡¯s physique represented pure strength.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    Jin, unwilling to accept this fast defeat, grabbed a swollen pouch bag beside her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s compete once more! If you can still win against me, this thing is yours. I won¡¯t take part in dividing the spoils, since I am not interested in non-flesh and blood objects.¡±


    Seeing Jin¡¯s serious expression, Dagbert could only agree.


    As their palms clasped together, strands of eerie red silk wound up, sketching a Red Lotus pattern on the surface of Jin¡¯s arm, even the sounds of explosions within the muscles could be heard.


    Dagbert distinctly felt a qualitative change in the strength of Jin¡¯s arm,


    ¡°Get ready¡­ 3, 2, 1! Start!¡±


    The moment the contest began, Jin again unleashed 200% of her Body Explosion, streaks of blood seeping through the pores, quickly overpowering Dagbert.


    Just as she was about to overpower his giant arm,


    Whom! A burst of pure strength suddenly stabilized the situation.


    Dagbert¡¯s arm became bulkier than usual, turning into hard lumps! His whole body¡¯s veins bulged, an invisible aura of strength surrounding him.


    He forcibly bent Jin¡¯s arm back to centerline.


    ¡°You guy!¡±


    Jin refused to lose, she further increased the rating of her Body Explosion¡­ 220%, 230%, 250%!


    Boom!


    A loud explosion burst out in the coach,


    the coach abruptly stopped by the roadside, the startled coachman quickly opened the front window to check the situation in the coach.


    The wooden table used for arm wrestling was completely blown apart, broken wood scattered, and a completely exploded forearm dropped on the floor.


    Jin, due to excessive use of strength, had her arm completely blown apart.


    ¡°Ah~ My body at this stage, indeed can¡¯t withstand a higher internal explosion¡­ It¡¯s really annoying, to think I still couldn¡¯t win. I indeed fall short compared to a pure strength type gentleman, I need to properly train my body when I return.


    Fair and square in a bet, take this thing then~¡±


    Jin tossed the swollen pouch bag over, picked up the severed arm and reattached it,


    with a dejected face, she crouched in the corner, intermittently stroking Little Pay, who stared with wide eyes, fur bristled, seemingly ready to be torn apart by the emotionally unstable Jin on the spot.

 Chapter 132: Zedes Outing Time

    Because the support incident was not reported to the higher-ups, it was an impromptu decision by Jin.


    Although the two played a crucial role at the end of the incident, they would not receive any additional rewards.


    As a reward for handling the Severe Patient incident, each of the two squads received 2000 silver coins, one piece of Gentleman¡¯s Skin mixed with the aroma of the old world for each person, and random high-quality materials.


    Besides,


    Because he lost the arm-wrestling match, Jin voluntarily relinquished the perfect capture of the [Severe Disease Object¡ªGun Master ¨C Amis Tiller].


    This was extremely rare, a ¡®Sick Object¡¯ derived from a new-era product¡ªfirearms. Throughout the whole Fourth Continent, although there were quite a few Sick Objects, those related to firearms were very few and far between.


    Moreover, it was captured live, with both vitality and integrity at 100%.


    The value of this thing was much higher than the combined rewards of the two squads.


    When the Severe Disease Object was brought back to Zion, it naturally had to undergo a safety inspection. When this object was handed over to the Gentleman Hall, it agitated quite a few high-ranking officials.


    Once the top executives confirmed that the mission participant[Edmund Mariano], possessed the talent and aptitude concerning firearms, and gauged his growth potential and personal value,


    the manager handed over the processed and sealed Sick Object to Edmund.


    ¡­


    A month passed.


    [Zed¡¯s Paradise]


    Two enormous iron balls, each weighing tons, hung in the air, repeatedly striking a young man¡¯s physical body.


    With every strike, the young man was completely flung away, smashing into the wall ten meters away before forcibly coming to a stop.


    He needed to return to the original position to receive the next hit before the other iron ball struck down.


    This exercise was specially designed to train the ¡®Receiving Body¡¯, and was one of Yi Chen¡¯s favorite weekly training exercises.


    Not far away,


    Zed, blindfolded with a black cloth, gestured to him with a wave of his hand.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been hit five hundred times already, let¡¯s call it a day~ It¡¯s rare that the academy has loosened its restraints on me, exceptionally allowing me two hours a week to go out.


    Hurry up and accompany me for a walk; I¡¯ve almost forgotten what it¡¯s like outside.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Yi Chen, covered in blood and sweat, immediately changed into gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    When the Skin material made contact with his body, it instantly absorbed the filth on him, expelling it through the trouser legs, completely eliminating the need for bathing.


    The reason why he was training alone today and not sparring with Zed,


    was because the academy had considered Zed¡¯s behavior for over half a year without incidents and that he was responsible for teaching the Pathology classes, where none of the students had given any average or poor feedback.


    For this reason, the academy had relaxed the personal restrictions on Zed, granting him two hours a week of outside time.


    If any violations occurred during the outing, his privileges would be immediately revoked.


    As a student, Yi Chen naturally volunteered to be the guide,


    given that Zed¡¯s temperament was somewhat peculiar, and encountering a student with an unusual body might lead to impromptu dissections.


    When Zed stepped out of the Viersman Teaching Building and breathed the long-missed outside air,


    cough, cough, cough~ he suddenly burst into a violent cough.


    He immediately took out a breathing mask made of phalanges and throat membrane from his waist, which gradually eased his condition.


    ¡°Indeed, such overly fresh air is like poison to me.


    Having stayed underground for a long time and been in daily contact with Patient corpses, considering the unavoidable spread of World Pathology, sooner or later, our living area will be eroded by the Grey Zone. ???§à?¨º?


    So, during a moment of boredom, I had a special surgery done on my lungs, which allows me to easily adapt to various pathogenic air components. The only downside is that I can¡¯t quite tolerate this sort of unpolluted fresh air.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly took up the topic:


    ¡°The spread of World Pathology is unstoppable¡­ Teacher Zed, how long do you estimate it will take for the Grey Zone to cover the entire world?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t estimate the exact time, but it will definitely not be more than one hundred years, you still have time~ Agh! I managed to come out today, let¡¯s not talk about such heavy topics.


    The activity area is limited to the school premises, otherwise, I¡¯d like to go play in the lower layers of the street district; some of the shows in the shops there are very interesting.


    With a bit of improvement in my performance, I hope the academy will grant me leave from the campus.¡±


    Saying this, Zed twitched like a zombie, visibly delighted.


    He had no complaints about the confinement himself, as long as the academy provided some perks, it could keep him excited for a long time¡­ a point even Yi Chen didn¡¯t quite understand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a trip to the cafeteria, experiencing the feeling of ordering our own food might be nice too~ How about we see who can get to the cafeteria from the Twin Towers first, and the loser pays?¡±


    As he proposed this, Zede has already bent down, ready to directly climb down the mountain where the Twin Towers were located.


    Thud! A big bag of silver coins was thrown right in front of Zede, interrupting his start.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay, let¡¯s take the elevator down.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no fun~¡±


    ¡°I definitely can¡¯t beat you, Mr. Zede.


    Besides, if you, teacher, get too caught up in the race and bump into something or knock a student flying, you might not have a chance to come out again.¡±


    Zede poked the area around his eyepatch where his eye would be and nodded thoughtfully, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s better to be cautious.¡±


    Zede appeared quite ¡®obedient¡¯ as he moved his body like a zombie, slowly following behind Yi Chen.


    When the two took the large elevator to the ground,


    they were met by some all too familiar faces coming up the slope at the mountain¡¯s base,


    a sunny young man with golden hair,


    a woman with a shawl covering her face, supported by a cane, followed closely by,


    a burly Northern Realm Warrior,


    All three were just as surprised to stumble upon each other, especially when they saw the teacher resembling a zombie behind Yi Chen, they stepped back in fright and quickly bowed their heads, saying, ¡°Mr. Zede!¡±


    Unlike Yi Chen, they only interacted with Zede in the classroom and regarded him with a kind of reverence and even a bit of fear. They also didn¡¯t know that Mr. Zede was allowed to leave the school.


    After a brief explanation, they also joined the queue to the cafeteria.


    The arrival of the three was no coincidence; Edmund had an important item that he needed to personally hand over to Yi Chen, having heard that Yi Chen was in the teaching building, he rushed over to deliver it.


    The item was in his hand,


    a portable black wooden box giving off an exceptionally heavy feeling, with the family¡¯s Feather emblem stamped on the surface.


    Since they decided to have lunch together, they simply stayed for a while afterwards to present the item,


    just as everyone stepped into the cafeteria, Edmund prepared to utilize his family privileges to secure a private room for the subsequent discussion and item transfer.


    Little did they know,


    whether the students who were currently eating or the chefs inside the food counters, all stopped their work and looked at Zede with a fearful expression.


    The cafeteria manager was also informed immediately, and after confirming with the authorities that Zede¡¯s outing was sanctioned, quickly arranged a special top-level dining room for them, reserved for hosting the organization¡¯s senior management.


    To prevent Zede¡¯s dining in the main hall from disrupting the entire cafeteria¡¯s operations, they minimized the risks as much as possible.


    The manager also expressed his welcome for Zede¡¯s visit, stating that all meals were free.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the school to treat me, an old employee, so well, they are quite generous.¡±


    Zede ordered himself three expensive meal sets,


    and when the food was served, he seemed to have forgotten all about gentleman-like etiquette and gorged himself like a zombie, to the point where the staff could not bear to look directly at him.


    After a satisfying meal,


    Zede was touching his fully bloated abs, leaning back in a lounge chair for a short rest, with a slight smile on his lips, apparently quite satisfied with his first outing.


    On the other hand,


    after the dining table was cleared, Edmund requested that the private room be temporarily sealed off to ensure privacy inside.


    ¡°William, this is for you.¡±


    Edmund brought the heavy black box over to Yi Chen, along with the sole matching circular key. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both the key and the box corresponded to extremely complex seals, indirectly indicating the preciousness of the tool inside.


    Click~ with the turn of the key,


    the seals between the box and the key also gradually aligned, unlocking layer by layer.


    Click!


    The moment the lid of the box was opened, a strange pathological aura immediately spilled out,


    rousing the napping Zede who abruptly sprang up onto the table like a reanimated corpse, sniffing the air, ready to rip apart the suspected patient¡¯s body into pieces.


    But he discovered that the source of the pathological aura was a special item stored within the box¡­

 Chapter 133:

    The black wooden box was filled with a highly dense, soft substance known as Oak Mucus,


    harvested from the oak cultivation areas within Zion, artificially infected to contract a controllable tree disease.


    After infection, the oaks would produce tumorous tissues, periodically secreting a sealing, malleable, and controllable mucus; the initial mucus appeared light grey, with a translucency of 30¨C40%.


    It could be diluted or refined to create Oak Mucus for various uses.


    Often used to encase infectious materials, it could effectively prevent the spread of the Pathological Characteristic while catering to both ¡°storage¡± and ¡°sealing¡± effects.


    At the moment,


    within the concentrated and refined mucus, lay a special firearm, primarily black with silver decorations.


    Due to its ¡°handgun-like grip¡± and ¡°no stock¡± configuration, Yi Chen mistook it for a handgun at first glance,


    only upon closer inspection did he realize it was a portable shotgun designed with a shortened barrel,


    The silver outer shell at the junction of the grip and magazine was adorned with Feather Decorations and etched with the italicized word Mariano,


    as a whole it gave off a contradictory sensation¡ªshort and slightly heavy, portable yet extremely lethal¡­especially the exaggerated barrel size, which seemed capable of shattering a human body directly.


    The most important aspect was the active Pathological Aura emanating from the firearm as a whole.


    Even teacher Zede crawling on the table could detect a faint dangerous aura and even wanted to personally test the power of the gun.


    Yi Chen immediately recognized the origin of the weapon, ¡°Is this! A gun made from that Sick Object?¡±


    ¡°Correct¡­ Designed and manufactured by the top gunsmith of our family, my father Elifayet Mariano himself, he named it The Body Breaker.


    After removing the Sick Object¡¯s consciousness, the material¡¯s activity was retained to the maximum extent, hence it emits a Pathological Aura and needs to be encased in Oak Mucus.


    Considering that you, William, have a liking, even an obsession, with close combat with the Patients,


    my father and I chose this design of a shotgun, which has the strongest short-range lethality, while deciding on the type of firearm.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second¡­¡± Yi Chen interrupted Edmund¡¯s introduction, ¡°Edmund, wasn¡¯t the Sick Object entirely awarded to you? With a Sick Object that suits you so well, wouldn¡¯t you be able to make better use of it than me? R?????¦­??§¦?


    You could even choose to refine it into a Pathological Crystal, obtaining the corresponding Pathological Trait.


    Or craft a firearm that¡¯s more suitable for yourself like this one.¡±


    However, Edmund just shrugged, seemingly without any thought in that direction.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already received the corresponding ¡®Reward¡¯ from the mission settlement, and thus the family¡¯s troubles were also resolved.


    If it weren¡¯t for your and Miss Jin¡¯s support and rescue, the injuries Dagbert received at the time would have robbed him of his combat capabilities, and I was completely suppressed by attribute counter.


    Moreover, another team also had injured members.


    The outcome could have been all of us dying in the factory or being forced to flee and abandon the mission.


    Even if we could somehow rely on luck and exhaust all means, it would be nearly impossible to achieve a ¡®Capture Technique¡¯ of such degree; most likely the target would have escaped, causing casualties in other nearby towns or cities.


    This object essentially belonged to you and Jin,


    and Miss Jin has already relinquished all rights to it on her way back to the city¡­ Therefore, my father and I unanimously decided to craft this portable shotgun that retains the activity of the Sick Object as a ¡®Gift.''¡±


    This left Yi Chen somewhat at a loss for words, feeling quite embarrassed to accept such a generous gift.


    ¡°I¡¯ve also never used a¡­gun.¡±


    As he spoke these words, images locked deep within his brain, secured by multiple safes, began to seep through the gaps in the locks, darkening his mind and overlaying the corresponding scenes.


    A rainy night,


    a door coated in pitch black,


    three security personnel lying in a pool of blood with their heads blown off,


    one of the corpses¡¯ service guns was neither on the waist nor in the hands, but being held by a seven-year-old boy at the door.


    Although the heavy, cold handgun designed for adults caused the boy¡¯s hand to tear at the web during the shooting, he easily killed the three.


    ¡­


    ¡°William, what are you doing?¡±


    A sudden prompt from the grape¡¯s consciousness pulled him back from his memories.


    At this moment,


    he was already gripping the shortened shotgun in his hand, even assuming a shooting stance,


    The gun, retaining its vitality, ¡®obediently¡¯ stayed in Yi Chen¡¯s hands, seemingly acknowledging its new master without absorbing any iron elements from his body, or firing on its own. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone except for Teacher Zede had kept their distance from Edmund.


    Their distancing was partly due to the dangerous nature of the firearm and partly because of the Death Aura emanating from Yi Chen.


    ¡°I¡­ was just recalling some past events, sorry about that.¡±


    Seeing that Yi Chen had returned to normal, Edmund approached once again,


    Observing Yi Chen¡¯s standard shooting posture and his command over the living firearm, Edmund said with satisfaction, ¡°My feeling was indeed correct, William, you do possess a talent for firearms.


    If you have time, you can come to my place to practice shooting.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll take you up on that offer.¡±


    Having said that, Yi Chen agreed.


    Moreover, holding the grip of the gun felt very comfortable, even stimulating the secretion of adrenaline in his body, making him eager to use it to kill enemies and expel diseases.


    ¡°I should probably introduce you to some information and usage of the gun, since it differs somewhat from ordinary firearms.


    The-Body-Breaker


    The total length of the gun is 419mm, barrel length is 165mm, and the weight of the empty gun is 4.01kg.


    The total weight is variable; through the absorption of ferrous materials to fill the ammunition, the maximum weight can reach 10.55kg.


    It doesn¡¯t come equipped with ammunition, instead, it uses ¡®corpse supply¡¯.


    Firing at metal targets or


    contact with metallic objects with the gun body can obtain ammunition, with iron or rare metals derived from iron being the best. The maximum ammo capacity is [10],


    with two types of ammunition corresponding to two different shooting modes:


    1. Buckshot, each round contains 10 pellets, spread-shot firing. The most effective range is within five meters, maximum range 50m.


    2. Rifled-slug, a single spiral bullet head, heavy and large, for single-point firing. Significantly increases effective range, showing decent performance even at close distances. Effective range 250m, best within ten meters.


    There¡¯s a ¡®switch¡¯ located where your thumb rests when holding the gun, which you can pull to change ammo types.


    Considering that most of the time you will use it for close-range shooting, William, there¡¯s not a high requirement for accuracy.


    Therefore, my father transferred all the Sick Object¡¯s Self-aiming Feature into damage amplification during its making.


    The damage from this firearm is quite terrifying, and it will increase with the purity and rarity of the metal used.


    Moreover, it has the potential for growth and development. Its true value and additional uses will need to be discovered by you, William.


    If you want to preserve the entire corpse of a Patient, try not to use it.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Teacher Zede, who had been listening to the information about the firearm, immediately became interested and suggested,


    ¡°We have 21 minutes and 37 seconds left before the outing ends.


    Why not test the power of this gun right here? Aim at my body with the most powerful spread-shot mode, making sure all the pellets hit me, and give it a shot!¡±


    Zede excitedly stripped off his shirt, pointing his hands toward the oddly structured muscle area of his abdomen.


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    As he was frequently in physical contact with Zede, Yi Chen was very clear about his teacher¡¯s intentions, and he himself was indeed eager to test out the firepower of the gun.

 Chapter 139: Principals Advice

    The embrace lasted a full five minutes,


    and everyone inside the Swan School had turned into silent spectators, quietly watching everything unfold, not daring to speak or make any superfluous movements.


    Engaging in an act of direct exhibition of killing intent towards the Principal was something they had never encountered before; if they were to commit any disruptive offensive act at such a time, they might be remembered by the Principal and be settled with afterward.


    Zede, who had climbed halfway, was also stopped in place like a statue,


    stretching his Sensing ability to its fullest, feeling the situation in front of him.


    If the Principal showed any killing intent, or intended to cause irreversible harm to Yi Chen, he would, at all costs, forcibly interfere¡­ even if it meant becoming antagonistic towards the academy and facing direct trial by the organization.


    However, Zede did not have to wait for that situation to arise.


    Principal Daislin had no inclination whatsoever to harm the young man in her arms,


    and furthermore, while gently stroking Yi Chen¡¯s head, she was also transferring a kind of Galaxy Energy to him for ¡°Thought Calming¡±.


    It had been going on for five minutes without them realizing it.


    Even Qian Bosen, an old professor specializing in Intelligence, was extremely shocked by the scene; they had never seen anything like it.


    ¡°Being appointed by the organization to the position of Principal requires meeting several stringent conditions.¡±


    Those chosen as Principal, except for major reforms of the academy, generally do not intervene in routine matters.


    Their more important role is to ¡°hold the fort¡±.


    To ensure the Safety, Stability, and confidentiality of the academy, to guarantee the normal operation of the academy, and to further select and output ¡®Stable top-tier talents¡¯ for the organization.


    As the most Mysterious Principal among the past generations, Daislin seldom appears in public; she even only arrived temporarily at the end of the last meeting about the school¡¯s educational system reform, just to hear the results.


    This time,


    for such a common and Ordinary annual test, she actually appeared and led the test content herself.


    Professor Qian Bosen, who specializes in Intelligence, suddenly realized something,


    ¡°Daislin belongs to the Sensing Gentleman category, and her Star Formation ability surpasses all others in Zion, allowing her to some extent to foresee future trends. ?¦Á??????§§?


    This proactive intervention and leadership in the annual test are no coincidence, but something she had observed in advance.


    Is it because of William?¡±


    ¡­


    Yi Chen, the last tester, did not resist such an Embrace State. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Part of the reason was the soothing effect on his Thought process brought about by the special touch; he had not relaxed like this for a long time.


    Another part was due to the self-examination,


    After appraising dozens of paintings, understanding and analyzing the meaning within, then extracting the core of the paintings to Combine them into a ¡°door¡±, Yi Chen had gained a great increase in his Basic Attributes ¨C ¡°Sensing¡±.


    Then touching the Deep Layer of his Consciousness, fully sinking into the ¡®past reality¡¯ created by his Thoughts, he had even killed a guard from the Orphanage who was a fusion of reality and the Void.


    All these experiences were stimulating his spirit, stimulating his Consciousness.


    In the fifth minute of the embrace,


    ancient texts slowly began emerging in his field of vision.


    ¡°Sensing Psyche¡± has increased from [3] to [4]


    *Special Note: Your cognition of Ancient Living Text has been enhanced, and you can now understand more obscure and complicated ancient character structures. In addition, your understanding of Pathological substances has improved, and corresponding enhancements to related weapons¡¯ effects will be achieved.


    ¡°Sensing¡­¡±


    At this moment,


    Yi Chen could feel more clearly and in greater detail the sensation of the firearm in his left hand, even sensing the flow of iron within and the gathering of bullets.


    He was even confident in manipulating the structure of the bullets inside, to shoot with greater power, more targeted shooting, and possibly add certain extra Attributes.


    He could also feel his Thoughts ¡®Diverging,¡¯ enabling him to receive the surrounding factors more clearly, deeply, and with understanding.


    Similarly,


    this allowed Yi Chen to feel more directly the current ¡°Embrace State¡± he was in, realizing that he had been in the arms of the Principal for nearly ten minutes, and that he was in a rather embarrassing position.


    Just as he pondered how to appropriately and politely extricate himself from the current embrace,


    ¡°Such a good child~ To think you could touch such a deep area with the guidance of my thoughts, even improving [Sensing] during the test¡­ It seems you have a talent in this area as well,¡±


    came a gentle voice from the mask above, but Principal Daislin¡¯s hands showed no intention of letting go.


    ¡°Thank you, Principal Desline,¡± Yi Chen managed to squeeze out words of gratitude while pressed against her.


    ¡°Holding you is quite comfortable~ The skin on your body has no flaws and is of good concentration; you must have met the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ at least once, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Professor Qian Bosen must have already told you about [Skin], so I won¡¯t go into detail. The improvement in [Sensing] will help you understand the essence of Skin.¡±


    At this moment, the embracing hands finally began to slowly loosen.


    Just as Yi Chen intended to step back and bow in thanks,


    Principal Daislin¡¯s attire swiftly rose up in strands of white silk, restricting him within a certain range, preventing him from stepping back, the distance between them not exceeding one meter.


    With the complete raise of the silk from the attire, the Principal¡¯s uniquely graceful figure, long white legs, and nearly one-hundred-ninety-centimeter height were fully exposed in Yi Chen¡¯s eyes.


    Once the silk area had fully formed, the outside world was completely shut out.


    Creating a temporary space for a dialogue between the two.


    ¡°Such a realistic gallery challenge, requiring interpretation and memory of each painting, and accompanied by a continuous influence of darkness and eeriness.


    The tests of other gentlemen are not even a third as difficult as yours; the fact that you found the [Door] within three minutes is enough to prove your talent in Sensing.¡±


    ¡°Sensing is your area of expertise, isn¡¯t it, Principal?¡± blurted Yi Chen.


    ¡°Correct¡­ Sensing is the quickest shortcut to understanding the world. Would you like to achieve mastery in Sensing?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Upon hearing Yi Chen¡¯s reply, a strange smile seemed to crack beneath the Crying Mask,


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited. I certainly don¡¯t have time to mentor you¡­ I have looked at your files, quite interesting.


    Half a year after enrolling, you spent all your time with that monster, Zede, gaining unique physical traits.


    In one year, you only carried out two tasks;


    one involving direct contact with Open Source patients by touching the dark side of the Clinic, the other a five-star difficulty assassination mission.


    For a newcomer with potential like you, ¡®Multi-extreme Breakthroughs¡¯ are indeed worth considering. If you also want to add [Sensing], you can proceed to the [Power Station] after the test is over.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Power Station.¡±


    In the knowledge Yi Chen had read, the Power Station was an area of extreme confidentiality and security, ensuring the electricity supply of Zion and also serving as a scientific research base.


    Any gentleman without a valid reason to approach the Power Station would receive a direct warning from the organization.


    At this time,


    the Principal took out a business card with a Star River background from within her attire and handed it to Yi Chen.


    ¡°With my card, you can directly gain access to the Power Station, and then you look for a newly-employed electrician ¨C Ludwig Reagan.¡±


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°My most promising student once. Unfortunately, he has some character issues, refused my goodwill, and left school early to go to the Power Station to loaf around¡­ Go and talk to him, it will be helpful for your Sensing.


    He¡¯s about your age, having enrolled just nine months before you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Principal.¡±


    ¡°If your Sensing reaches [6] within a year, you can apply to visit my office.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    The conversation ended there,


    and the silk floating around dispersed, with the Principal also flapping her wings behind her, ascending into the air.


    Her body was outlined with layers of Galaxy Energy, piercing directly through the solid roof, vanishing into the Breathtaking Night Sky above the campus.


    At this,


    the eyes of all teachers and students within the Swan School were on Yi Chen, as murmurs began to rise.

 Chapter 140: Looking for Someone

    [Zede¡¯s Underground Office]


    This time, Professor Qian Bosen also followed to the underground area, obviously because of the ¡®Principal¡¯s¡¯ issue.


    Upon learning that the Principal hadn¡¯t imposed any punishment on Yi Chen, Qian Bosen also breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky¡­ Besides Zede, no one dares to draw a knife against the Principal.


    Even those sitting at the highest ranks in the Organization would show respect to Principal Desline, yet you, kid, actually thought of beheading her.¡±


    Zede, on the side, added, ¡°Not just that, looking at the way he held the gun, he even wanted to blow Desline into two pieces.¡±


    ¡°Was it that serious?¡±


    Yi Chen was frightened into sweating bullets after learning about his unconscious actions, never having thought that his conscious behavior in the Orphanage would reflect directly into reality.


    Thinking about his dangerous moves and the Principal¡¯s ¡®care¡¯ shown at that time, Yi Chen¡¯s awe for the Principal transformed into a sort of fondness.


    ¡°Speaking of which, the Principal is actually pretty nice. Not only did she not pursue the matter, she even pointed out a growth path for me in ¡®Sensing¡¯.¡±


    Hearing this, Zede¡¯s expression immediately turned sour.


    ¡°That might be limited to you only, that old woman is not what you¡¯d call a good person.


    When she was originally hunting me down, she used every ruthless tactic available and wouldn¡¯t stop even after capturing me.


    Even before I had committed any offense, she enjoyed targeting me! I remember one meeting where she came over without a word and gave me a smack that almost split my skull open.¡±


    Qian Bosen shot a sideways glance, ¡°Zede, that was because you took off your shoes during the meeting and put your soles on the conference table, even starting to pick at your feet right in front of the Principal and many other professors.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I explain it at the time? I was working on a human body project during that period, and I personally tried it out.


    During the meeting, my toe nerves got all tangled up and pulled on my secondary nerves, constantly sending distress signals to my brain, making it unbearable. That¡¯s why I put my feet on the table, to adjust the nerves in my toes on the spot.¡±


    Zede grew more anxious as he spoke, and abruptly tore off his big toe, biting it in half with his teeth and pulling out the complex nerves inside to re-explain the situation to Qian Bosen.


    Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Yi Chen quickly changed the subject:


    ¡°Speaking of which, what kind of person is Ludwig Reagan, are the teachers familiar with him?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know him¡­ Just hearing the name doesn¡¯t spark much interest.¡± Zede responded while reattaching his toe.


    However, Qian Bosen was very familiar with the name, ¡°Reagan, isn¡¯t he the gentleman who arrived at Zion nine months prior to you and enrolled in school? Like you, William, he is a ¡®Purple Letter¡¯ selectee.¡±


    ¡°A Purple¡­ eccentric gentleman?¡±


    ¡°This person is very special; it seems he came to Zion with a strong personal purpose.


    Initially, he refused to establish a mentor relationship with any professor. I paid attention to him for a while but did not make further contact. Later, for some reason, he caught the attention of Principal Desline and was even personally nurtured by her. ????£Á?????§£??


    Then, a few months later, Reagan chose to drop out and found a comfortable job at the Power Station.¡±


    ¡°Personal drawbacks?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily, there could be other reasons.


    Since it¡¯s guidance given by the Principal, go and meet this person, maybe it really will help improve your Sensing.


    By the way, William, are you trying to raise your Physique, Intelligence, and Sensing Attributes to their limits?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try, if I really get all three Attributes to their limits, can I break through all at once?¡±


    Qian Bosen, however, shook his head, directly dismissing the idea:


    ¡°A Triple Breakthrough is basically impossible for a simple reason; any basic attribute looking to break through the ¡®Limit Barrier¡¯ needs a corresponding ¡®Relic¡¯.


    The umbilical cord you obtained is already a rare ¡®Dual Attribute Relic¡¯.


    To have all three attributes break through at once, you would need to have a matching ¡®Three Attribute Relic¡¯.


    If you search through the whole of Zion City, pulling up gentlemen¡¯s breakthrough records for the last fifty years, you¡¯ll find not a single ¡®Three Attribute Relic¡¯. Such relics can no longer be described as rare.¡±


    ¡°Then, is it possible to break through two first, then come back to break through the last one?¡±


    ¡°You have only one chance at an Extreme Breakthrough; you need to make your choice carefully.


    ¡°My suggestion is still to focus on Physique and Intelligence, and treat Sensing as a kind of extracurricular hobby. As for the umbilical cord Relic you currently possess, I will also try to find a trade channel here, to help you exchange it for a Relic of equivalent value that is related to Physique and Intelligence.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°I have another meeting today, so let¡¯s leave it at that.¡±


    No sooner had Qian Bosen left than Zede hugged Yi Chen around the neck, cheek to cheek.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to his nonsense, choose your own path¡­ What does it matter if similar examples can¡¯t be found in fifty years¡¯ worth of data? Why can¡¯t you become the example? At worst, it will just take a little more time.


    If I can apply for permission to leave, I will personally accompany you to the depths of the Grey Zone to find an opportunity.¡±


    However, Zede¡¯s words made Yi Chen laugh outright. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny! I¡¯m very serious. Is it just because of a Three Attribute Relic?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just thought of something happy¡­ Thank you, Teacher! I¡¯ll visit the Power Station and try to come back early tonight for some physical training.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. Since you were referred by Desline, there¡¯s a good chance she has an ulterior motive. If you die at the Power Station, I¡¯ll definitely avenge you.¡±


    ¡­


    [Power Station]


    Full name: Electric-Power-and-Technology-Development-Center


    Hidden deep within the street area, concealed by a ¡®Mimicry Net¡¯ constructed out of multiple layers of magical barriers, it appears completely identical to residential buildings from the outside.


    One needs to go to the corresponding location and present the relevant permit to access the interior.


    Newcomers to Zion City who choose a Profession related to ¡®electricity¡¯ during Letter Selection will immediately receive an invitation from the Power Station, along with extremely generous remuneration.


    If the Profession is unrelated to electricity, individuals who exhibit a talent for scientific research during their growth will also receive an invitation.


    Of course, it¡¯s also possible to become a member through external employment tests.


    As long as Zion has not fallen, employees of the Power Station can enjoy a quality life, without any worries about everyday matters.


    When Yi Chen arrived at the street near the Power Station, more than ten gentlemen were already lined up there filling out application forms.


    ¡°Excuse me, please let me through.¡±


    Yi Chen squeezed through the crowd to the front,


    and looked at a worker whose left arm had been replaced with a prosthetic limb and who wore mechanical, spring-driven spectacles. A careful observation would reveal the flow of electric currents inside the prosthetic limb.


    Without further ado, he showed the Principal¡¯s business card.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see Ludwig Reagan.¡±


    The worker took the card and upon seeing the name, his eyes widened immediately.


    ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, Reagan is on leave today, he didn¡¯t come to work at the Power Station¡­ If you¡¯re in a hurry, you can find him here.¡±


    The worker was extremely enthusiastic in assisting, even pulling out a deeply hidden staff registration form to confirm Reagan¡¯s residence.


    ¡°Alright, thank you.¡±


    When Yi Chen arrived at the corresponding apartment building, he quickly found the special apartment number ¨C [000] recorded in the register, which corresponded to a completely unlit and damp underground low-rent apartment.


    Intending to knock, he found the door was not even locked,


    Yi Chen felt something was amiss and stealthily slipped inside, treading lightly.


    Circling the messy living room,


    he pushed open the slightly ajar bedroom door,


    to find a young man with a round, protruding belly deep asleep on the bed, still holding a novel titled ¡°Neurological Chronicles¡± in his hands.


    On the bedside table were pure metal crafted figurines of young girls, apparently all handcrafted by him.


    Although these figurines wore different clothes and poses, their facial features were almost identical.

 Chapter 141: Ludwig Reagan

    ¡°It seems he just plain forgot to close the door¡­ Speaking of which, it¡¯s past four in the afternoon already, and there are only last night¡¯s leftovers outside. Did this guy really sleep till now?


    That¡¯s even worse than some of my roommates in college when I was alive.¡±


    Considering the principal¡¯s arrangement, Yi Chen didn¡¯t wake the other person up but started cleaning up the incredibly messy low-rent house that hadn¡¯t been cleaned for at least a week.


    He waited until it was past six in the evening.


    Intense hunger awoke Reagan, and he was in a state between sleep and wakefulness. He walked to the living room with the inertia of his thoughts and picked up the rotary phone to order some food.


    However,


    his routine thinking failed to locate the phone because its position had changed.


    This break from the routine swiftly brought him to full awareness,


    And seeing the room clean as new stunned Reagan momentarily,


    He even suspected that he had slept over at someone else¡¯s house until he caught a glimpse of a girl¡¯s figurine by his bedroom bed, confirming this was his own rental.


    At that moment,


    a handsome young man dressed in an Ivy League-style black suit emerged from the kitchen, holding a freshly roasted chicken and steak-based meals in his hand.


    Seeing such delicious food, Reagan¡¯s mouth watered instantly, and his stomach made an embarrassing rumbling sound.


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, have you awakened? When I came over, I found that your door was unlocked so I let myself in and helped clean up a bit.


    It was just about dinner time, so I bought some ingredients from outside and cooked them.¡±


    Reagan didn¡¯t show any displeasure about the other person entering his home without permission,


    instead, he saw the young man before him as nothing short of an angelic presence and even faintly spotted a halo over his head.


    ¡°You are¡­¡±


    ¡°William Behrens from O.C.A. I¡¯ve come here as there are a few matters I¡¯d like to consult you about.¡±


    Upon hearing Yi Chen was from the academy, his expression changed slightly, but he still accepted the kind gesture, ¡°From the academy? Let¡¯s talk over dinner, I¡¯ve overslept and missed lunch, I¡¯m really starving.¡± ??¦­?¦¢¨º?


    Reagan temporarily suppressed his hunger, went back to his room to change into a wrinkled shirt and trousers, barely managing to completely encompass his belly.


    After a quick freshening up and hair fix, he returned to the living room, his belly protruding.


    Reagan was about the same height as Yi Chen, but with the flesh hanging on his face, a multi-layered chin, and shirt buttons that seemed about to burst, his physique was somewhat exaggerated.


    In this world system where most people lived, few associated with obesity, let alone members of organizations responsible for curing diseases, who generally had decent physiques due to daily intense training.


    Yi Chen estimated that Mr. Reagan¡¯s ¡°Physique¡± was probably only 2, or even lower.


    In less than ten minutes, Reagan had devoured food enough for five people.


    The button that had been restraining the belly pouch, having been strained for a long time, finally reached its limit, and pop! It flew off like a bullet, rebounding several times on the ceiling before landing precisely in front of Reagan.


    This was no coincidence, as Yi Chen had just vaguely sensed some kind of energy manipulation.


    Reagan said somewhat sheepishly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your cooking skills are even better than the head chef at Sam¡¯s Kitchen! I couldn¡¯t help myself and ate a bit too much.¡±


    Reagan casually put the button back at the breaking point, magically fixing it and reinforcing it in an instant.


    ¡°So, what did you want to talk about? I should mention that I am very busy, I have to work tomorrow, and if you need help with something, I definitely won¡¯t have the time.¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, I just learned by chance that Mr. Reagan has a great talent in ¡®Sensing,¡¯ and I specifically came to ask if there is any experience or special training method you might share.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t directly bring up the principal, as he believed Reagan¡¯s dropout might be related to the principal¡¯s ¡®favor¡¯.


    ¡°Is that so? Everyone is indeed working hard¡­ My experience is quite laughable. I have no interest in personal growth at all; if I can slack off, I definitely will to the fullest.


    Initially at the academy, it was fine, I only needed to attend two classes a week.


    Somehow, I got targeted and they wanted me to do this and that, so I dropped out and started working a nine-to-five job at a power plant.


    I must say, the feeling of laying low is really great.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, may I ask how much your ¡®Sensing¡¯ attribute is?¡±


    ¡°Just extend your hand; there¡¯s no need to be secretive about such things.¡±


    When Yi Chen touched Reagan¡¯s fatty shoulder, his retina immediately received the shared information.


    ¡ÚProfession: Prototype Master¡Û


    ¡ÚRank: Human¡Û


    ¡ÚBasic Attributes¡Û


    [Physique]: 1


    [Motorics]: 5


    [Intellect]: 5


    [Psyche]: 7


    [Luck]: 4


    ¡ÚProfessional Characteristics¡Û


    ¡°Heavenly Connection (Passive)¡±:


    Born with the capability to more easily comprehend and sense the essence of things and the connections among them, the upper limit of [Sensing] increases, adding the seventh tier ¨C ¡°7. Transcend¡±.


    Allows an individual to transcend their limits of sensing and breakthrough to reach a higher standard.


    ¡°Prototype Control (Active)¡±:


    Targets different materials for microscopic rearrangement, control, and even the creation of entirely new entities.


    *This ability is limited to inorganic matter, and its effectiveness is drastically reduced when applied to organic matter, especially those with self-awareness.


    Control intensity, microscopic depth, and the complexity of creation are directly related to the [Sensing] value.


    ¡­


    ¡°Such high values!¡±


    Yi Chen was startled by such personal data, with only the physique significantly weak, while the rest was extremely high. The most terrifying was Sensing, which actually reached the rare [7].


    No wonder the principal, also part of the sensing system, wanted to personally nurture him.


    For such attribute values, Reagan did not care at all,


    ¡°Although my job is stable, I still have quite a few competitors. So I still spend a bit of time practicing ¡®Professional Ability¡¯ to keep myself from being fired.¡±


    In his speech, Reagan even deliberately pointed to those girl models in his room, seemingly the result of his practice.


    ¡°How did you improve your sensing?¡±


    ¡°Well~ I didn¡¯t specifically focus on improving it. I usually like to stay in a quiet and enclosed environment, think about human body models, and then manually create them.


    This process might take a week or even a month.


    Many times, I was so engrossed in thinking that the value increased on its own.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡±


    Yi Chen found it hard to accept such an answer.


    ¡°Not all were like this, though. When my Sensing reached [6], it caught the attention of the academy. Later, under the guidance of Principal Daislin, it took about two months to reach [7].


    I indeed tasted the sweetness of it, and there was a time when I wanted to reach a higher level.


    But Principal Daislin insisted that I should follow a squad into the depths of the Grey Zone to seek a suitable [Relic] for me.


    This was not acceptable. The death rate was too high¡­ I was not yet prepared to die, so I chose to drop out and lead an easier life.¡±


    At this point, a realization suddenly dawned on Yi Chen.


    ¡°Such genius experience has no reference value. His unique profession and talent decide his unique growth path, which others simply cannot replicate.


    The principal¡¯s real purpose, could it be he wants me to motivate this lazy man to grow?


    The difficulty of getting such a seasoned person out is comparable to killing a Severe Patient, let alone convincing him to journey through the Grey Zone and transcend the Limit of Man.


    Forget it~ I should figure out ¡®Sensing¡¯ by myself, and Jin also has a high sensing, surely there are training channels to enhance sensing in Cesimani.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for sharing, let¡¯s leave it at that then. Goodbye, Mr. Reagan!¡±


    ¡°Sorry I couldn¡¯t help you more¡­ Take care.¡±


    With his belly full, Reagan had no intention to stand up and just waved goodbye while sitting.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to give up the path provided by the principal and was about to leave the cheap underground rental, S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a female voice severely interfered by electromagnetic noise suddenly came from behind:


    ¡°The graveyard (zzz)¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    This strange sound, mixed with a sense of danger, even forced the little grape to pop out of the neckline and look back inside the cheap rental.


    Behind Reagan, who was waving goodbye, floated a semi-transparent female corpse.


    Partly decayed flesh connected to withered bones via various electrical cables, with most of the body¡¯s nerves and blood vessels also replaced by wires.


    The tongue in the female corpse¡¯s mouth was also covered with dense holes, resembling the speaker ports of a walkie-talkie, from which the electromagnetic interference noises were emanating.


    ¡°What is this? Why haven¡¯t I noticed it before¡­¡±


    The little grape responded telepathically:


    ¡°Emits the aura of a graveyard, might belong to the same kind as me, yet fundamentally different¡­ Her state is strange, between physical and ethereal, and completely reliant on this obese human.¡±


    ¡°From the Organization¡¯s graveyard? Could it mean¡­¡±

 Chapter 142: True Face

    ¡°Mr. Reagan, have you ever been to a ¡®Cemetery¡¯ under the organization?¡±


    When Yi Chen, who had paused in front of the door, asked this question, the atmosphere in the ordinary room suddenly changed.


    Clack!


    The iron door of the rental closed on its own without any contact. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen also noticed that this seemed to be caused by some kind of psychic power, ¡°Just like when the button fell off before, could this be the influence of the mind over reality? Is this what Sensing 7 is like?¡±


    Just then,


    Reagan, who had been too lazy to get up, actually started to clear the tableware. After tidying up the living room, he sat back down in his original seat.


    His fingers interlocked and rested on the tabletop as he gazed at Yi Chen with a seriousness he had never shown before, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, shall we talk some more?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As soon as Yi Chen sat back down in his original seat, he could feel a sense of suppression on a mental level.


    Such a sense of oppression could never belong to an idler who was content with just getting by.


    Even a real genius would have to have experienced killing and life-and-death situations to give off such a sensation.


    In fact, Yi Chen had felt a dissonance from the moment he arrived at the underground rental place. Why would a formal employee of the Power Station live in such cheap accommodation, and choose to just get by despite having such high Attributes?


    As Yi Chen pointed out the keyword ¡®Cemetery¡¯, the purposely hidden false surface began to peel away on its own.


    Ludwig Reagan started to reveal his true face willingly.


    Reagan gazed into Yi Chen¡¯s eyes and asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you¡­ see it?¡±


    ¡°I can see it¡­ or more accurately, she intentionally let me see it.


    Perhaps this lady sensed the residual aura of the Cemetery on me, after all, I too emerged from a ¡®Cemetery¡¯ under the organization.¡±


    As Yi Chen spoke, he deliberately shifted his gaze behind Reagan, nodding in acknowledgement at the ghostly image of the woman¡¯s corpse.


    ¡°You were a Tomb Guardian? Which Cemetery was it?¡±


    ¡°The Seven-Day Cemetery.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of it; it seems to be a relatively small and special Cemetery.¡±


    As he spoke, Reagan seemed to realize something and shook his head with resignation, continuing,


    ¡°Is it really such a coincidence? Since I dropped out, I¡¯ve never had underclassmen come looking for me at the Power Station¡­ You¡¯re the first, and you¡¯re connected to the Cemetery, no less.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, it must have been Principal Desline who sent you, right?¡±


    Yi Chen did not hide the fact and placed the principal¡¯s business card on the table, starting to recount the events briefly.


    ¡°¡­ That¡¯s roughly it. Although it¡¯s a referral from the principal, it¡¯s mainly because I need something from you, an improvement in Perception.¡±


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen suddenly leaned forward, his right forearm moving atop the wooden table, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the surface, trying to take control of the conversation: ??¦­???????


    ¡°If I¡¯m not wrong, Mr. Reagan, you dropped out and came to the Power Station, perhaps also guided by the principal.


    The reason she was willing to let go of a talented student like you could very well be because you met the ¡®requirements¡¯ she set early on.


    For example, achieving a ¡®Transcend¡¯ level of Sensing within a short time¡­ what you call easily reaching Sensing 7 is not actually easy; you must have paid an extraordinary price and made considerable effort.


    Or to put it another way, from the moment you stepped into Zion, you have been striving, using every minute to grow.¡±


    Hearing this, Reagan smiled faintly, not denying Yi Chen¡¯s conjecture, ¡°Is there more?¡±


    Since the other party didn¡¯t seem to mind, Yi Chen continued:


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, you have been ceaselessly improving your ¡®Perception,¡¯ and you gave up the resources from Principal Desline, even abandoning your status as a student to come to the Power Station.


    It has never been because you wanted to take it easy; rather, only the Power Station could possibly help you achieve your ¡®Purpose,¡¯ a goal of extremely high difficulty and almost without precedent.


    You¡¯re trying to resurrect the lady behind you through ¡®technological¡¯ means related to ¡®electricity.¡¯


    Clearly, you¡¯ve made some progress,


    enabling her to exist in a special state between tangible and intangible. Without relying on any power-generating device, just by drawing on the ¡®Biological Electricity¡¯ generated by your body, she can continue to exist.


    She has even regained a certain level of consciousness and can respond to the aura of the Cemetery on me.


    But to fully restore her consciousness is still far from enough.¡±


    ¡°Before you achieve that purpose, you¡¯ll continue your research at the power station,¡±


    Hearing such a detailed hypothesis, Reagan couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly, slowly reverting to his usual couch potato demeanor,


    ¡°Just as you¡¯ve said, until Faye regains full consciousness, I must stay at the power station and continue my research on the ¡®Consciousness Circuit Diagram.''¡±


    ¡°Could you tell me more about Miss Faye¡¯s situation? Maybe I can help.¡±


    ¡°If anyone in Zion could help, Principal Daislin wouldn¡¯t have directed me to find a solution at the power station by myself¡­ However, Faye seems to like your aura, so it doesn¡¯t hurt to talk about it.


    I am deeply grateful to the organization and for the cemetery it has established, which allowed me to glimpse hope amid utter despair.


    About ten years ago, I carried the remaining half of Faye¡¯s spine alone to a large cemetery that required five Tomb Guardians¡ªCamberley Cemetery.


    Just as the cemetery was hiring, my exceptional Perception Ability helped me easily pass the interview to become a Tomb Guardian¡­ and then I made a request to the manager there.


    During my employment, Faye¡¯s spine needed to be buried in a special grave site with a ¡®resurrection effect.¡¯


    The manager agreed, but in exchange, I had to take on the workload of two people, work continuously for nine years without any salary.


    Perhaps the manager never believed I could work for nine years and leave alive, but I did.


    After nine years,


    I dug up Faye¡¯s grave, and she ¡®grew into a person¡¯ as she wished. From the remaining spine, she grew into a complete human body, with all dimensions and facial features the same as before, and she was even growing.


    Unfortunately, her brain was destroyed, and the cemetery couldn¡¯t form her consciousness.


    Following the chief¡¯s advice, I dragged her body, participated in the organization¡¯s assessment and passed, then brought her to Zion City seeking a way to restore her consciousness.


    Just as you guessed,


    the principal made a bet with me, if I could reach [7] in Sensing within six months, she would write me a letter of recommendation to the power station.


    It would allow me to become an exceptional researcher, borrow Zion¡¯s scientific achievements and the Power Station¡¯s equipment, to reshape consciousness from scratch.


    However,


    this process is more complex than I had imagined.


    Even though I¡¯ve been researching day and night, combining my own ability with the resources of the research institute,


    I¡¯ve only managed to make her a semi-entity through the ¡®Virtual Grid,¡¯ capable of the simplest forms of consciousness via electrical conduction.


    This level of consciousness is far from enough; I still need a greater technological breakthrough.


    It might happen tomorrow, or maybe in ten, twenty years.¡±


    Yi Chen nodded silently, delving further into his thoughts before suggesting:


    ¡°Your Sensing has already reached a transcendent value like [7]. If you can make a breakthrough with a Relic, your ability as a Prototype Master will undergo a qualitative change, and you might quickly achieve a technical breakthrough, or perhaps even create consciousness yourself.¡±


    Reagan, however, shook his head,


    ¡°Faye lost everything in the Grey Zone, and with great effort, I only brought out her spine. Now she is slowly recovering, and through the ¡®Virtual Grid,¡¯ she is completely tied to me. I don¡¯t want to take such risks again, nor do I want to awaken her nightmare memories from the Grey Zone.


    Let¡¯s leave it at that, I¡¯m glad to have talked so much with you, and Faye is happy too¡­ Thank you, Mr. William!


    I¡¯ll take the time to write down my experiences with Sensing in detail and mail them to you.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Seeing his firm resolve, Yi Chen didn¡¯t linger.


    After Yi Chen, an unexpected visitor related to the cemetery, left,


    Miss Faye, who should have turned into a microcurrent and returned to Reagan¡¯s body, showed no signs of disappearing.


    Suddenly, she moved her body, leaned into Reagan¡¯s ear, and with her tongue full of small holes, she emitted bursts of electromagnetic sound¡­ expressing some kind of desire with simple words.


    ¡°Follow¡­ go.¡± After saying that, she disappeared.


    Reagan sat for a long while, then walked to the bedroom,


    and rummaged through a drawer under a stack of girl figurines with identical faces to find a metal cigarette case.


    He took out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth,


    ignited the tip with a spark from his snapping fingers,


    and as he blew out a smoke ring, he pulled out an old photo hidden in the cigarette case¡ª[A ten-year-old girl dressed as an electrician, hitting a handsome young boy¡¯s head with a wrench]

 Chapter 143: Beili Instructors Arrangement

    A week after the meeting with Ludwig Reagan.


    At the Omphalo-Centric Academy, Yi Chen woke up in his dorm room, preparing to head to Zed¡¯s Paradise for today¡¯s physical training,


    Ding Ding!


    The dormitory phone rang, a rare occurrence.


    This call was from outside the academy, and as soon as he picked it up, a greeting filled with killing intent sounded from the receiver.


    ¡°Hello! Good morning, Mr. William. Do you remember me?¡±


    ¡°Jin, aren¡¯t you involved with the academy tests recently? Moreover, there¡¯s a pile of things to be done, and Teacher Zed has been dragging me to training every day; I¡¯ve had no time to leave the school.¡±


    ¡°The teacher wants to talk to both of us, you have ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Alright, wait¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, the call was abruptly disconnected.


    Yi Chen was not flustered at all. He first hurried to the bathroom for a quick cold shower, then touched the gentleman¡¯s clothes hanging on the rack with his wet fingers.


    The sensation between skin and fabric caused the clothes to wriggle on their own, fitting themselves to his skin, fastening every button, and smoothing out each wrinkle.


    He picked up his briefcase and took the school train to depart.


    Just as he stepped into Cesimani¡¯s orchard, a wave of danger attacked him from beside.


    Yi Chen immediately supported himself on the ground with one hand, executing a streamlined and superfast roll to the side¡­ Unfortunately, his shoulder was still grasped as he rose.


    A colorful mask was thrust directly onto his face.


    The familiar aura of danger stimulated the trembling of the plants inside Yi Chen and the wriggling of his clothes.


    ¡°Jin! It¡¯s been a while.¡±


    ¡°Yo~ Your reaction has gotten faster. It seems that you indeed have been very busy every day. I guess I can forgive you.¡±


    Yi Chen also noticed Jin¡¯s change; her speed seemed faster than before, and the little pet on her shoulder appeared more stable.


    When he saw Yi Chen, the little pet opened its chicken wings like a gentleman and bent its chicken neck at a 45¡ã angle to bow.


    However, what Yi Chen was most concerned about was the sword Jin carried on her back.


    This sword was forged from materials that had once glimpsed scenes of the Old World, only a step away from Open Source ¡°Aberrant Holy Embryo ¨C Marcos,¡± paired with suitable materials chosen from the organization¡¯s treasure vault,


    and finally crafted by a blacksmith in Cesimani, who specialized in executioner weapons.


    The sword handle looked ordinary, wrapped with real leather straps to increase friction,


    the scabbard was dark red with flesh-colored patterns resembling floating clouds,


    the real appearance and effect of the sword blade were unknown,


    through the scabbard, Yi Chen could smell the familiar scent of new life from the depths of the Church.


    ¡°This sword might inherit the super regeneration powers like Marcos, in Jin¡¯s hands it would surely unleash its maximum potential¡­ With this, even diving into the Grey Zone would ensure sufficient confidence.¡± ?????????¨¯??????


    ¡°Jin, how does the new weapon feel to use?¡±


    ¡°What, do you want to try it? Should I apply for a duel arena where we can spar?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s first see what Teacher Beili wants from us¡­¡±


    Yi Chen was still quite afraid of sparring with Jin; it didn¡¯t matter if he won or lost, the main issue was that Jin never held back and it could even lead to life-threatening dangers.


    Speaking of the teacher¡¯s matter, Jin also showed a face full of excitement, ¡°If all goes as expected, it should be ¡®that matter.¡¯ I¡¯m really looking forward to it, curious how the teacher will arrange it.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    In the office stacked with collected fingers.


    Teacher Beili changed into a white shirt and leather waistcoat, still only wearing black long stockings below,


    This time she wasn¡¯t admiring the fingers she cherished; instead, she was seriously reviewing a new file from the organization, which recorded events information well-suited for Yi Chen and Jin.


    ¡°You two should already know why I¡¯ve called you, right?


    Jin had reached ¡®Human Limits¡¯ a long time ago, and as for you, William, you¡¯re almost there, aren¡¯t you? Ever since you came back from Jose Valley, I¡¯ve been looking for a ¡®Relic Event¡¯ that could match both of you.


    Finally, last night I received an expedited document and judging by its contents, it suits your first distant journey well.


    A while ago,


    A squad conducting an investigation mission in a Thin Natural Grey Zone unexpectedly discovered that this zone was showing a trend of transformation and intensification, with a small area already reaching the Middle Level.


    They also discovered a previously unrecorded and unexplored ¡°Newborn Tunnel.¡±


    The organization had promptly dispatched a ¡°Tunnel Watcher¡± to the site of the tunnel, and had already confirmed the tunnel¡¯s connectivity, specifications, and rating.


    The organization will arrange for three qualified squads to proceed together, using the Newborn Tunnel to search for Relics of the Old World.


    However, this relic event has several mandatory conditions.


    1. The squad size must be ¡°three people,¡± which relates to the rules of this Grey Zone.


    2. All squad members¡¯ Perception must not be lower than ¡°3,¡± and at least one person must pass the basic exam of the Ancient Living Text.


    Moreover,


    The so-called ¡°Newborn Tunnel¡± means never explored before, highly unknown, you might find a Rare Relic, or you might end up finding nothing and instead become infected with a disease.


    Of course, the Newborn Tunnel is very much in demand, and perhaps many squads will apply by then.


    Are you interested?¡±


    ¡°Certainly, I am eager to try out my weapons in the Grey Zone,¡± Jin was never one to refuse. She was always motivated by missions, and she fully trusted her instructor¡¯s judgment.


    Yi Chen¡¯s attitude was different. This event involving touching the real Grey Zone and connecting to the channels of the Old World was a first for both him and Jin, and some things had to be asked clearly:


    ¡°I have several questions.¡±


    ¡°Ask.¡±


    ¡°Why does the organization still deliberately arrange three squads to create a competitive situation in an unknown Grey Zone full of disease risks?¡±


    ¡°Competition is an innate human trait; the stimulation from ¡®competition¡¯ can significantly increase your survival chances. If one gentleman can break Limit, the sacrifice is worth it.


    Moreover, enough people increase the likelihood of finding a Relic.


    After all, every time a tunnel is entered, the chance of it being discovered increases. The probability of discovering a Newborn Tunnel is the smallest, and the organization will not waste such an opportunity.


    Any other questions?¡±


    ¡°If Jin and I decide to apply, according to the requirements, we need three people¡­ is there an arrangement for Beili the instructor on this side?¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen from the same batch as you in Cesimani are basically unwilling to team up with Jin, so this ¡®third person¡¯ must be found by yourselves.


    You have 18 hours to confirm your choice, and then I will submit your squad¡¯s list in the name of Cesimani.


    If not many teams apply, we will arrange your departure soon and provide more detailed event information.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we will confirm the third person as soon as possible.¡±


    Although Yi Chen¡¯s face was expressionless, he was actually excited. He had been waiting so long and could also interpret the Ancient Living Text.


    He had always wanted to personally explore a channel that leads to the Old World and discover the essence of the so-called Old World.


    A few minutes later, Yi Chen and Jin had returned to the street area.


    Regarding the third person, Jin first proposed her idea.


    ¡°William, the guy called Dash something who defeated me in strength last time, he should be good, right? To have that kind of power, he must also have a strong physique.¡±


    ¡°Darkberg? His Physique is already at ¡°6,¡± progressing toward ¡°7.¡± However, he might not follow us, as he is in a team with Edmund.


    I have already left them, and if I also take Darkberg away, I really would be a villain.¡± S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Why bother thinking about all that? Just ask him directly. If he¡¯s willing to come, then let him come~¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and ask Professor Qian Bosen; with his connections, perhaps he can find us a suitable candidate, and at the same time, I¡¯ll report this Relic event to him.¡±


    ¡°What a hassle¡­¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s really no other choice, then I¡¯ll ask Darkberg, alright?¡±


    As the two were heading to the train platform, just past a certain street,


    a familiar voice came from behind,


    ¡°William Behrens?¡±


    Turning around towards the voice, a plump young man wearing glasses stood behind them, seemingly unfamiliar yet with a hint of familiarity¡­


    ¡°Mr. Ludwig? Is that you?¡±

 Chapter 144: Candidates

    Beneath the trimmed and washed fluffy brown short hair was the slightly plump face of a young man with a healthy complexion. Though still carrying a bit of excess fat, it did not affect the distribution of his facial features.


    The navy blue sports suit featured flat lapels with single-row metal buttons, matched with a British-style striped legion tie, authentic British slant pockets, cotton twill khaki trousers, and brown brogue leather shoes.


    The belly that should have put great pressure on the buttons had shrunk considerably and now protruded only slightly.


    Due to the significant changes in his appearance and physique, Yi Chen didn¡¯t recognize him at first glance.


    It was only by his voice and facial features that Yi Chen recognized this disciple of the principal¡ªLudwig Reagan.


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, is that really you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my body was really quite embarrassing before. I never expected that immersing myself in research and snacks could make one gain weight so quickly.


    I spent a whole week reshaping my physique and barely managed to bring my physique back to [2].


    After our conversation last week, I thought seriously about it for one night and finally decided to accept your proposal to go out and seek opportunities. As for the job at the power station, it¡¯s temporarily on hold. The station manager was quite amiable and told me to take care of things before returning to work.¡±


    Yi Chen had a complicated expression, the situation being a bit too coincidental, ¡°We just happen to be dealing with a relic incident here and are short of one person to report it. Are you sure you want to join, Mr. Reagan?¡±


    ¡°It seems my luck is quite good today; could you explain more about the incident?¡±


    Just as the two were having an enjoyable conversation,


    Jin stepped quickly in between them, stretching his neck and sizing up the individual whose physique had only returned to [2], whose aura was clearly unstable, and who had been invited to become the ¡®third person¡¯.


    However,


    As Jin approached this person to a certain extent, her slaughter instinct immediately sensed a uniquely dangerous aura¡­ This danger was strange, cold, and bizarre, unlike any individual she had encountered even in Cesimani.


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen placed his hand on Jin¡¯s shoulder, taking the role of mediator as he introduced them:


    ¡°Jin, this is Ludwig Reagan. Like me, he is a chosen one of the Purple Letter. Due to the professional raise in his Sensing Limit, his Sensing value has reached the Transcendent Level¡ª[7].


    Mr. Reagan is quite remarkable.¡±


    Upon hearing Yi Chen¡¯s introduction, Jin became even more interested.


    ¡°Oh? A rare Transcendent Level Profession¡­ With such high perception, it could indeed be very helpful in exploring the Gray Domain, maybe even help us quickly Lock in strong enemies in the Gray Domain.


    Nice, come join us!¡±


    Yi Chen also stepped forward to introduce his partner, ¡°Mr. Reagan, this is Jin Almeda from Cesimani. Her strength is above mine.¡±


    Reagan seemed unfazed by Jin¡¯s impolite behavior.


    His extraordinary Sensing let him discern that within this female Gentleman¡¯s body lurked an incredible and terrifying power, which in some respects had surpassed the ¡®Limit of Man.¡¯


    At the same time, the weapon Jin carried also made him feel a sense of danger.


    Reagan, who had studied at the academy, had silently observed his peers and the students from the year above and below, had never seen such a formidable peer Gentleman.


    He even faintly perceived behind Jin, from the Aura gathered, a slaughter demon filled with Slaughter Knives and decorated with Red Lotus Tattoos, extremely terrifying. R?¨¢?????£Â§¦????


    Despite sensing a kind of obsessive madness from within Jin that might cause the team to become somewhat unstable. But this instability was negligible compared to her strength.


    The three casually chose a less crowded alley instead of going to a bar or restaurant,


    and quickly discussed the details of the ¡®relic incident.¡¯


    ¡°From rare to moderate natural Gray Domain, a new passage, and the involvement of three small teams? The risk factor indeed isn¡¯t high; it¡¯s a very good mission, likely to attract many teams competing for the opportunity.


    By the way, if we do obtain relics from the incident, how shall they be allocated?¡±


    ¡°By the main Attributes of each individual, all Sensing Type relics shall belong to you, Mr. Reagan¡­ We do hope to obtain several relics.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then it¡¯s settled!¡± Reagan, with a sunny smile, officially became the third member of the team.


    ¡°Great.¡±


    Yi Chen was also extremely delighted; he hadn¡¯t expected that the groundwork he¡¯d laid a week ago would emerge right at the necessary time today, filling the mandatory requirements of the incident.


    ¡°The relic incident is registered in Cesimani; we need your ID, Mr. Reagan, so a senior officer can report it for us to the organization¡¯s higher ups. We should have the results in about a day.¡±


    Reagan directly handed over his gentleman¡¯s certificate while pondering the issue of time.


    ¡°So there¡¯s only one day to prepare, right? Then I¡¯ll trouble Mr. William to submit the personal information. I need to make a trip back to the Power Station, as there are some necessary items that need to be organized and assembled¡­ some things related to Faye.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s meet directly at Gentleman Hall tomorrow, and I¡¯ll return the gentleman¡¯s certificate to you then.¡±


    As Reagan departed,


    Jin suddenly leaned his head against Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, an intimacy that made the latter instinctively shiver,


    ¡°William, I didn¡¯t expect you to have already started scouting for new team members and kept it hidden from me.


    It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve met such a peculiar individual, not even Cesimani has such ¡®oddities¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Jin, did you notice anything?¡±


    ¡°On the surface, he appears to adhere to so-called gentlemanly etiquette, pretending to be harmless.


    ¡°In reality, he harbors a ¡®violent nature¡¯. I cannot directly see it, but my instincts don¡¯t lie¡­he¡¯s killed nearly as many as I have.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Reagan indeed wears a mask far more secretive than ordinary people, but I have already seen his ¡®True Face¡¯ under that mask. His nature isn¡¯t evil, and he possesses a strong sense of personal purpose.


    With his assistance, our chances of finding the Relic will be significantly increased.¡±


    At this point, Jin hooked the collar of Yi Chen¡¯s shirt with his finger, leaned out, and sniffed closely, as if identifying some peculiar scent.


    ¡°Even more secretive? Is it more secretive than yours, William?


    I can smell the strange aura inside you~ It¡¯s precisely because of this that I became interested in you upon our first meeting¡­It seems this ¡®strange scent¡¯ inside you has become slightly stronger.


    Has something happened recently?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, let¡¯s quickly report our names to the instructor.¡±


    ¡­


    [Cesimani]


    When Ludwig Reagan¡¯s gentleman¡¯s certificate was handed to Beili, she immediately pulled up his information using Cesimani¡¯s internal network, and part of the information was even confidential.


    ¡°A researcher from the Power Station? Where did you find this guy? It¡¯s not easy at all! Such a talented individual of the Transcendent Level in Sensing, and it¡¯s his first mission related to the Relic?


    If he were made public, I wonder how many teams would scramble for him.¡±


    Yi Chen explained briefly, ¡°A while ago, due to a chance encounter, I met Reagan. He initially had no plans to leave the city¡­I might have convinced him.¡±


    ¡°The choice of this ¡®Third Person¡¯ is excellent. Make good use of his ¡®Sensing¡¯; I have a feeling your outing this time will yield great results.¡±


    As Instructor Beili reported the team¡¯s information, the organization¡¯s higher-ups immediately took special note of the unique name ¡®Ludwig Reagan¡¯ as soon as they received the report.


    Immediately, they dispatched a thin, black-clad gentleman wearing a demon mask to bring a hand-copied document of the team to someone.


    [Ten minutes later]


    Omphalo-Centric-Academy, atop the Fetal Heart Church¡¯s principal¡¯s office


    Clad only in floating feather wings, as if bathing in the starry sky, Principal Daislin received the secret document delivered by the organization¡¯s higher-ups.


    When she saw the name on it,


    a gentle chuckle reverberated through the principal¡¯s office, S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    and her wings unfolded,


    carrying her to the spacious stargazing balcony where one could oversee the entire campus and breathe the freshest air.


    ¡°So the ¡®cemetery¡¯ star formation has indeed caused these two to intersect? Reagan, deeply immersed in consciousness studies, hasn¡¯t engaged in actual combat for a long time, and his physical condition has severely deteriorated; heading directly to the Gray Domain might not suit him.


    Let¡¯s have the organization¡¯s guys busy themselves a bit.¡±


    Principal Daislin wrote a reply, sealed it with her unique starry night feather wax seal, and gently tossed it upward.


    The campus night wind then carried this letter, delivering it all the way from the campus into the hands of the messenger who had brought it.

 Chapter 145: Transformation

    Since the list had been submitted, the organization would select three suitable squads from the submitted names citywide by tomorrow, to head to this naturally occurring Grey Zone where a ¡°tunnel¡± had formed.


    Inside Zion, several squads were making preparations for this.


    [Power Station]


    An ancient castle structure adorned with countless gears constantly spouting steam,


    Looking up, one could also see the steel supports installed at the top, as well as the many exaggerated electric arcs that leaped rhythmically.


    Less than 15% of the gentlemen in Zion had ever seen the true face of the Power Station.


    At this moment,


    Ludwig Reagan was in the depths of the Power Station, inside a private laboratory permitted by the station master, making his final preparations to leave the city.


    In the midst of his busyness,


    a woman whose body was connected in many places by cables and who achieved simple consciousness through circuit boards and precise currents, was sitting at the edge of the cleared experimental platform, swinging her legs up and down.


    The cables hanging from the roots of her legs swayed along.


    Her special eyes, hidden beneath her black hair, watched the busy Reagan.


    Without complete thought processes, she merely liked to watch this exceedingly familiar young man and wouldn¡¯t think too much. Whenever Reagan was alone, she would sneak out to keep him company.


    At this time,


    Reagan observed the special device he had been studying for many years, using the mechanical arms and adjustable magnifying glass assembled at the experimental platform to make final adjustments to it.


    Before he knew it, eight hours had passed.


    The woman still maintained the same leg-swinging and observing motions, even the amplitude of her leg movements remained the same.


    ¡°So I have to leave the city after all¡­¡±


    Once he had finished adjusting, Reagan first came to the ethereal woman,


    The faint electric arcs leaping over her body allowed Reagan to directly touch the woman, to truly feel her body¡­ or rather, only Reagan could touch her.


    Reagan cupped the woman¡¯s hands, and a teardrop fell upon them.


    ¡°Faye, please forgive my incompetence. Even with the research resources provided by the stationmaster, I still can¡¯t make a breakthrough in ¡®neural consciousness¡¯ reconstruction.


    At least as a ¡®human¡¯ now, it is simply impossible to overcome this technical barrier in the short term.


    I need to take you to the twisted, loathsome, and dangerous Grey Zone again, to search for ancient Relics that can push beyond the Limit of Man.


    I promise, this time I definitely will not let you get hurt.¡±


    As Reagan finished speaking, the woman stopped swinging her legs, sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her body began to move slowly, emitting a sound of metal cables and bones friction.


    Her tongue, riddled with tiny holes, pressed against the side of Reagan¡¯s ear, lightly licking and sending out sporadic electromagnetic interference:


    ¡°Good¡­ we¡­ together¡­ go.¡±


    These words greatly encouraged Reagan. He stood up and returned to the device he had finished adjusting.


    This was an augmentation device he had designed himself with support from the station master, created by pre-spending his entire ten years¡¯ salary.


    A spine-like exoskeleton that shimmered with metallic luster, silvery white throughout, resembling a centipede.


    Each segment of the spine had a pair of soft metal appendages,


    Once these appendages were inserted into the human body, they would automatically seek the corresponding secondary nerves for swift connection.


    The device¡¯s greatest feature was its ability to transform an individual¡¯s biological energy into electrical energy for storage, and it could also precisely and effectively regulate the delivery of electricity. ?¦Á?o?£Â?¡ì


    For instance, after Reagan ate normally, a portion of the food energy converting into glycogen would split off an excess portion and transform into electricity, stored between the spines.


    Similarly, the energy produced from Reagan¡¯s daily walking and running would also be partially saved in electrical form.


    Because the device closely resembled the insects of the Arthropoda class, Reagan often called it the [Electric Insect].


    Due to the limitations of the era¡¯s technology,


    a device that connects with the essence of nerves and requires the transformation of the body¡¯s energy transmission, would involve significant risks during installation; a strong rejection reaction from the body could lead to immediate death.


    ¡°Huff¡­¡±


    He took a deep breath and reached out to flip the hidden switch inside the outer layer of the exoskeleton.


    Click-clack, click-clack!


    The exoskeleton spine moved like a reptile, each metal appendage beginning to tap up and down, seeking to insert themselves into the host¡¯s body.


    Reagan removed his Shirt,


    The exposed back had already been mapped out with a ¡°spine point distribution diagram¡± using some sort of inducing fluid, to assist the exoskeleton in making precise connections.


    As he twisted his body, he aligned his back with the activated exoskeleton spine.


    The latter immediately detected ¡®compatible points¡¯ and crawled up his back like centipedes.


    Feeling the cold metal appendages scraping against his back, Ludwig Reagan felt no fear; instead, he just turned his head slightly and smiled warmly at the woman he loved most in his life.


    ¡°Just wait a moment for me, it will be over soon,¡± he said.


    The smile did not last long.


    The metallic vertebrae crawling on his back held still as the appendages began to seek out the corresponding [points]


    Shh~ The cold metal spikes pierced into his body and into his spine in an instant, officially initiating ¡®neural integration¡¯ and ¡®energy storage modification¡¯.


    Ah! A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the lab.


    Reagan almost passed out on the spot,


    The sound of pain touched Faye, who was nearby, causing her simple thought processes to react, and she slowly drifted over to embrace Reagan in her arms.


    Slowly,


    As the pain in his spine gradually subsided, the extremly exhausted Reagan slowly fell asleep in the embrace, collapsing sideways in the laboratory.


    A strong and stable current flickered in his almost closed eyes.


    ¡­


    Inside the Academy


    Yi Chen reported on the tasks he undertook in Cesimani as usual to his tutor.


    Qian Bosen naturally saw through his student¡¯s thoughts, ¡°Are you really not satisfied with the ¡®Dual Attribute Relic¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try~ Just treat it as a trial for the mission, and wouldn¡¯t it be better if we really found a ¡®Three Attribute Relic¡¯?¡±


    ¡°The ¡®Relic Incident¡¯ is entirely different from the usual tasks you undertake because you will have to contact [Channels] and venture into truly dangerous areas of the old world.


    However, newly discovered channels, especially those in medium and sparse Grey Zones, tend to be safer.


    Additionally, the ¡®Skin Content¡¯ of your outfit should further ensure your activity issues there, and the Watcher will also decide whether you are qualified to pass through the channel.


    Since you¡¯ve decided to go, I won¡¯t say much more.


    Just to be safe, take a tube of ¡®Dusk thin silver liquid¡¯¡­ after all, one bottle has plenty, and the remaining amount should be enough for your subsequent use.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Yi Chen replied.


    After saying goodbye to Qian Bosen, he followed him to Zed¡¯s Paradise. Normally talkative Teacher Zed didn¡¯t say much this time, nor did he require Yi Chen to engage in physical training before departure.


    Instead, he rarely cautioned him:


    ¡°Explore carefully, and don¡¯t lose your ¡®eyes¡¯ in there like I did.¡±


    Yi Chen planned to spend the remaining time preparing for something that could influence the progression of the event.


    [Street District ¨C Temporary Accommodation Area]


    Top floor corner room, this is precisely Jin¡¯s single rental.


    Strangely, standing at the door Yi Chen couldn¡¯t smell the usual scent of meat.


    Knock, knock, knock~Several knocks on the door went unanswered.


    ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s nearly ten o¡¯clock at night, and she still hasn¡¯t returned? Well, let¡¯s wait for the notification and regroup tomorrow.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen turned to leave,


    heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor, and Jin appeared, carrying a hemp bag taller than herself, coming up from the staircase.


    ¡°Huh? William, what are you doing here¡­ I was thinking we might have to depart promptly tomorrow, so I used a lot of connections today to gather [high-grade synthetic meat]. I have to process it all tonight. You¡¯ve really come at a bad time.¡±


    ¡°No problem, we can talk while you work.¡±


    Yi Chen had a clear purpose,


    He wanted to seize this critical moment before the event to have a deep conversation with Jin, to seriously discuss the upcoming relic incident and try to suppress Jin¡¯s wild traits as much as possible, reducing the instability of the team.


    In the dim, cramped room filled with the scent of raw meat,


    To minimize the contamination of clothing, coats were taken off,


    Both of them wore only shirts, with the first and second buttons undone, sleeves folded up to the elbows,


    Palms occasionally overlapped, crossed,


    Collaborating on the instrument covered with minced meat, grinding and pressing to produce minced meat, trying to process all the synthetic meat before dawn.

 Chapter 146: Battle Selection

    Since there was so much meat, they spent almost the entire night cooking it.


    Of course,


    Yi Chen also perfectly used this opportunity to engage in a profound conversation with Jin.


    Starting with the incident last time in Shebolt Village when Jin was captured by the village chief, he hoped Jin would be a bit more restrained this time and listen to his suggestions effectively.


    While kneading the meat, Jin also turned his head back, pried part of his mask open with his tongue, and whispered,


    ¡°If you want me to listen to you, I can¡­ but this isn¡¯t a one-sided affair.


    When I need to use your Body~ you must give it to me unreservedly, just like in the lower levels of the church.¡±


    While speaking, Jin also deliberately freed one hand and reached into the already unbuttoned parts of Yi Chen, touching back and forth between the odd structures of the body.


    ¡°I can do that.¡±


    With the ¡®Black Umbilical Cord¡¯ on his body plus the assistance of the little grape, Yi Chen didn¡¯t mind, as long as Jin didn¡¯t use too much of his body, it could still hold up.


    ¡°Alright, you be the captain then~ I¡¯ll definitely obey you.


    This event¡¯s strict rules are really annoying though, just when our coordination was getting proficient, they suddenly added a third person.¡±


    ¡°With Ludwig¡¯s involvement, the event is bound to go more smoothly,¡±


    ¡°His Sensing is incredibly strong~ I just hope that the fat guy can keep up with our Speed, and not need to gasp for breath after a little exercise.¡±


    With the conversation concluded successfully, the two continued preparing the meat until around four in the morning when Yi Chen, unable to hold on any longer, collapsed onto the only mattress in the living room and fell into a deep sleep.


    The next morning.


    A series of urgent knocks forced Yi Chen from his deep sleep,


    Jin had not been woken by the sound,


    and her sleeping position had conveniently trapped Yi Chen in an embrace from behind, her saliva completely soaked into his collar.


    Yi Chen struggled to free himself, tidied up his clothing a bit, and opened the door,


    where a gentleman in a white-gray suit wearing a stone mask was standing on the doorstep.


    Without any verbal exchange, the gentleman confirmed the identities of Yi Chen and the sleeping individual through the eyes beneath his stone mask, handed over a letter, then turned and left.


    The envelope bore the wax seal of the Gentleman Hall, clearly related to the Relic event.


    However, the content of the letter immediately energized Yi Chen, who glanced at the time on his watch,


    ¡°Lucky I managed to get some sleep last night, otherwise it would be troublesome¡­ noon at twelve, huh? Two hours left, I¡¯ll let Jin sleep a bit longer.¡± ??N§à????¨ºs?


    The little grape on his shoulder stretched lazily and slowly crawled out.


    Staring at the letter with its eye, the content also stirred its excitement.


    ¡°Very interesting~ now we¡¯ll get to see that fat human¡¯s capabilities. I can feel that the fat guy is very powerful.¡±


    ¡°Yes, getting an advance look at Ludwig¡¯s standards will also help in planning for later events.¡±


    The message conveyed by the letter was straightforward,


    about the ¡®Newcomer Channel¡¯ event being too popular,


    with seven teams having signed up within just one day,


    and since the event¡¯s team limit was[3], all enrolled teams needed to go to the Gentleman Hall for an effective strength selection.


    Time quickly reached noon,


    the Gentleman Hall¡¯s first floor rest area was filled with gentlemen radiating different auras, some with their Attributes at their Limit,


    including two teams whose average Age was on the older side, who had experienced Relic events before but could not find a Relic that matched their own.


    They had more combat experience and training time.


    In the corner of the hall on a long bench, there sat only one person,


    it was Ludwig Reagan who had rushed over from the Power Station, but his sunny image from the day before was a bit different today, wearing an overcoat with a hood, covering his appearance as much as possible.


    His back was slightly arched, revealing the contours of his spine just a bit.


    At that moment, the gentleman in the stone mask stepped soundlessly into the rest area¡­ The heavy pressure emanating from him instantly drew everyone¡¯s attention to him.


    He was one of the supervisors, in charge of the team-related issues for this event.


    Without uttering a word, he signaled for everyone to follow him to a hidden area in the Gentleman Hall.


    Just as everyone was about to follow him out, a hurried figure burst through the main door,


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m late!¡±


    The person who rushed in was Yi Chen, with Jin, who was completely asleep and unresponsive to the outside world, still on his back.


    Considering the crucial team selection upcoming, Yi Chen chose to use Teacher Zede¡¯s method from last time to carry her over, allowing Jin to rest as much as possible.


    The gentleman with the stone mask just turned to look back once before continuing to lead the way.


    Finally, the three-person team had gathered at the last moment.


    Yi Chen quickly apologized, ¡°Mr. Reagan, I¡¯m sorry~ The preparations last night took too long, and Jin always needs to undergo physical processing before traveling far.¡±


    ¡°The timing is just right, isn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s catch up.¡±


    The three gathered team members followed at the rear of the main group, with Yi Chen also noticing that Reagan seemed different today, though he did not point it out directly.


    ¡°By the way, here¡¯s your Gentleman¡¯s Certificate.¡±


    As Yi Chen handed over the Gentleman¡¯s Certificate, he tried to touch Reagan¡¯s fingers¡­ However, before his fingers even got close, an electric arc shot out directly.


    Slap!


    It struck the surface of his skin like a heavy slap.


    Yi Chen¡¯s entire right hand went numb as a result, with his fingertips feeling a sharp pain.


    At the same time, the unexpected electric shock made Jin show signs of waking up, as her body sensed the danger.


    Reagan also quickly apologized, ¡°Sorry, my body was connected to a new device yesterday, and it has not yet fully adapted.


    However, normal movement and combat will not be affected at all. Give me just one day, and I will fully adapt, avoiding any recurrence of what just happened.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The group followed the gentleman with the stone mask to an underground area that required verification of a supervisor¡¯s identity, a circular arena made with high-strength materials and sealed construction, specifically used to test the level of the Gentleman Teams.


    Once everyone had entered, the stone door closed on its own.


    The gentleman with the stone mask finally broke his silence and announced the selection mode that everyone was most concerned about.


    ¡°For this Relic incident, seven teams have registered. We will now ¡®battle¡¯ to determine the three more capable teams that will qualify to execute the event.¡±


    As he spoke, the gentleman had already constructed a stone box for drawing lots.


    ¡°Send one representative from each team to draw a lot. Teams with matching numbers will battle each other, with the winners being selected.¡±


    When he finished explaining the rules, someone immediately raised a question: ¡°There are seven teams here. With this drawing method, one team will be left over. How will that be handled?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a blank slip in the drawing box. The team that draws it will be automatically eliminated. ¡®Luck¡¯ is just as important in Grey Zone exploration and Relic searching.¡±


    By then, two people had already stepped forward to draw.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen looked at his two teammates: ¡°Both of you are luckier than me, you decide who goes¡­¡±


    Jin showed no interest in this kind of drawing, continuously complaining, ¡°This is so boring. Why do we need to draw lots? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to just let everyone fight it out in a big melee to pick the top three teams?¡±


    At that moment, Reagan suddenly said, ¡°No need to go up, the outcome is already decided.¡±


    Sure enough,


    The previous team had just drawn the blank slip and left the underground area with grim expressions.


    The last remaining slip, marked with the number[3], went to Yi Chen¡¯s team, meaning they would be the last to fight.


    This arrangement, however, provided them with a good opportunity to observe the capabilities of the other teams. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Weapons and spells with greater lethality are forbidden.


    To reduce possible casualties, should I determine that any team¡¯s level is clearly superior to their opponent¡¯s and they exhibit a dominating stance, I will end the battle prematurely.


    Please, the teams that drew number 1, come forward and get ready.¡±

 Chapter 147: Acquaintance

    The first two battles had brightened Yi Chen¡¯s eyes,


    every gentleman¡¯s performance was spectacular, and it was evident that everyone present was unwilling to let go of the opportunity to explore the ¡°New Birth Passage¡±¡ªespecially the teams with older members, who were eager to acquire relics that suited them.


    At the same time,


    all adhered to the gentlemanly code of conduct, ensuring that if one side showed absolute suppression, the dominant party would never deliver a killing blow, while the defeated would promptly concede loss.


    As the referee, the gentleman wearing the stone mask never intervened, allowing the matches to conclude naturally.


    Yi Chen gave a succinct assessment of the situation at hand,


    ¡°William and I must be the youngest in terms of ¡®gentleman age¡¯ in this match selection. Most have graduated from the academy, and some have even been in Zion for three or four years.


    Moreover, they have all touched the ¡®Limit of Man¡¯ and found their rightful place.¡±


    As the second match concluded, it was time to vie for the last team slot.


    ¡°We¡¯re up.¡±


    As Yi Chen waved forward, the trio stepped onto the field.


    Jin, in his multicolored suit, led the way, and during his entrance, he took the initiative to strip off his jacket, proceeding to the upcoming battle in just a shirt.


    He also rolled up his sleeves and performed some exaggerated stretches that exceeded the limits of his joints, cracking and popping as he did.


    A man from the team that had just won the second round, also hailing from Cesimani, showed a difficult expression when he saw Jin¡¯s iconic rainbow mask.


    Because Yi Chen had carried Jin on his back and arrived just in time at the end, the man who had walked ahead of the main group had not noticed Jin¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Jin Almeda¡­ coming to participate in a relic event just a year after entering the city? No one can stop that madman. We¡¯ll try to avoid her as much as we can in the future explorations of the Grey Zone, let alone have conflicts of interest.¡±


    A white-robed wizard-like teammate beside him asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s the story with this person? You seem so tense, Arthur.¡±


    ¡°A ¡®Cesimani¡¯ combat record of 59 victories and zero defeats¡­ I lost one of my three battles in a real fight against Jin.


    This woman is specifically a monster targeting the physical. Luckily, we didn¡¯t end up drawing her.¡±


    The white-robed gentleman¡¯s pupils shone with the luster of magic, his curiosity piqued: ¡°She can defeat you head-on, Arthur? I¡¯m quite eager to see the performance of this monster.¡±


    ¡­


    When both teams reached the center of the arena,


    Jin stood with her hands on her hips, leaning forward to scrutinize her opponents. Then she straightened up, a look of satisfaction appearing beneath her mask.


    She could sense that the quality of the opponents¡¯ physicality was quite excellent, their strength reliable.


    At that moment, Yi Chen¡¯s voice came from behind her, ¡°Jin, try not to use ¡®Red Lotus¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I still have a sense of measure¡­ If I accidentally kill these guys, our chance to go out will be spoiled, and that damned organization will call me in for a talk again.¡±


    As weapons were prohibited, Yi Chen also began to stretch his muscles and activate the plants within his body,


    confident in his hand-to-hand combat, though admitting he was no match for Jin. After all, he was the sole student of Zede, known as ¡®Special Record Combat Power¡¯. ??????????


    Just as the duel was about to commence,


    the enclosed stone door of the underground area was suddenly opened from the outside, and a familiar voice came through.


    ¡°Stone, pardon the interruption! Some friends outside are quite interested in the match happening here. I¡¯ve brought them along to observe¡ªhope it¡¯s not over yet?¡±


    The opener was none other than the co-manager of the Gentleman Hall, and an old acquaintance of Yi Chen, Aiji.


    He entered the underground area, holding a long staff and wearing his hat askew,


    followed by Qian Bosen with an owl perched on his shoulder and Instructor Beili, dressed in knee-high black leather boots.


    Their appearance was not due to Yi Chen or Jin, but specifically to see ¡®the third person¡¯ who had teamed up with their students.


    ¡°Professor Qian Bosen, long time no see.¡±


    At that moment, one of the contestants about to battle called out to Qian Bosen,


    It was the captain of Yi Chen¡¯s opposing team, with semi-white hair, a white suit, and a dark blue tie patterned with clouds.


    Qian Bosen recognized him immediately, ¡°Charvis? Haven¡¯t you found a suitable Relic yet?¡±


    ¡°Relics with dual Intelligence attributes are really rare, I plan to give myself one more year¡­ By the way, Professor Qian, it¡¯s a surprise to see you here. Is there a student here you¡¯re keeping an eye on?¡±


    ¡°William is a student I have taken under my wing recently.¡±


    At this, Yi Chen, who was standing on the field, also gave a gentleman¡¯s bow to the other side.


    Although Charvis returned the gesture, he felt bitter inside.


    During his student days, because of the similarity in Profession and Attributes, Qian Bosen had given him guidance and help multiple times, but it had always been just a normal teacher-student relationship.


    Later, he heard that Qian Bosen, as an honorary professor, did not take on students, and that merely receiving private guidance from an honorary professor was already more than what most students could hope for.


    However, a student had suddenly appeared one year after his graduation, even bringing Qian Bosen here to watch the battle in person.


    ¡°Could it be that my mediocre talent wasn¡¯t enough to interest you?¡±


    Charvis couldn¡¯t help but show a self-deprecating smile, slowly putting on the Spellcasters¡¯ gloves marked with the pattern of the wind, ready to face the upcoming match with all his strength. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had no intention of seeking revenge; he only wanted to test how special this new student, taken in by Professor Qian Bosen, really was and in what aspect his talent surpassed his own.


    Yi Chen¡¯s gaze also locked on Charvis,


    ¡°A Wind Element gentleman like Professor Qian? From the previous conversation, it seems that he has developed both Sensing and Intelligence and has won Qian Bosen¡¯s favor, he must be a formidable opponent.¡±


    Then, he slowly turned his attention to the other two people opposite him.


    One was wearing a black pointed hat, with all but his right eye wrapped in bandages,


    His dark grey clothing was purposefully designed to look tattered, with sleeves cut off at the elbow, exposing and wrapping everything forward in bandages as well.


    Sparks and ashes trickled out from the gaps in the bandages, complementing this person¡¯s slender and slightly hunched figure, like a severely charred zombie.


    Jin¡¯s attention also fell on this person, speaking softly:


    ¡°This guy is the Executioner from our Cesimani, ¡®Ashen One ¨C Livovich¡¯, with a training record of 113 wins and 4 losses. Having arrived at Zion two years before me, I haven¡¯t crossed paths with him yet. I¡¯ll take him on; they say his body is turning to ashes, making him hard to kill, which is just to my taste.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    The last one had a huge physique similar to Darkberg and the Village Chief and was also wearing Medieval knight armor, with a bucket-shaped steel helmet on his head.


    Since weapons were forbidden, his heavy hammer and large shield were placed outside the field.


    ¡°Is this some kind of modified gentleman¡¯s clothes? This is the first time I¡¯ve seen such a thing. The special tailor shop under the organization¡¯s command can completely refashion ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ and combine it with armor, but three conditions must be met.


    1. The gentleman¡¯s Profession must be metal-related, with a focus on Physique development.


    2. His family ancestors must have been true knights, possessing experience and talent in wearing armor.


    3. He must be able to afford the expensive modification costs.


    The teams that appear here are indeed not ordinary¡­ Such team composition is quite perfect, the level of this team is not weaker than those of the teams that won the previous two times.


    An intense battle is to be expected next.¡±


    With the preliminary Observation concluded, Yi Chen casually glanced at his newly joined teammate.


    But unexpectedly, Reagan seemed uncomfortable, his right hand on his spine as though he were scratching an itch, but it looked more like he was adjusting something.


    ¡°Reagan, are you okay?¡±


    Reagan gave a thumbs up, ¡°Hmm~ I¡¯m a bit uncomfortable, but it¡¯s manageable. I¡¯ll finish the game quickly.¡±


    With a brief interruption by the supervisor Aiji, the third match officially began¡­

 Chapter 148: Monster

    The third qualification match, the situation of the two teams is as follows:


    Left team:


    William Behrens (Yi Chen), one year since entering the city, profession: ¡°student (purple)¡±


    Jin Almeda, one year since entering the city, profession: ¡°Body Weapon Master (black)¡±


    Ludwig Reagan, one year and nine months since entering the city, profession: ¡°Prototype Master (purple)¡±


    Right team:


    Charvis Elliott, three years since entering the city, profession: ¡°Wind Summoner (blue)¡±


    Balzan Livovich, two years and eight months since entering the city, profession: ¡°Burning Destroyer (black)¡±


    Barry Bessalius, two years since entering the city, profession: ¡°Heavy Knight (blue)¡±


    Teams from the previous two matches, regardless of victory or defeat, chose to stay here to watch the match, learning valuable experience from observing their peers in action.


    Aiji, the supervisor, twirled his gentleman¡¯s cane in his hand and threw out a question:


    ¡°Charvis¡¯s team has a high rating in our hall, and they have richer combat experience. It seems like a tough battle¡­ What do you two think?¡±


    Qian Bosen did not comment, as there were two students he favored on the field. Although Charvis was not taken as a student directly by him, the private attention he provided was not any less. He had often personally instructed in the use of wind magic.


    Beili, leaning against the wall, pushed her monocle,


    ¡°As long as Jin is on the field, the outcome of the match has already been determined¡­ I didn¡¯t come to see the results, but to see this peculiar employee from the power station. Using the Cesimani internal network, I still couldn¡¯t get his complete information; all about his experience before joining the organization and his role at the power station are classified as top-secret.


    I have never seen a newcomer with so many secrets; the organization seems to have special attention on him as well.¡±


    Aiji, the supervisor, not being responsible for this selection, hadn¡¯t seen any personal data, ¡°That mysterious, huh? Then I will have to watch closely¡­ William seems to have a special allure, finding so many strange and peculiar teammates.¡±


    At this moment.


    The stone mask referee generated a medium-sized stone in his hand and threw it skywards.


    Snap!


    The stone hit the ground, the match began.


    Charvis spread his arms, white light shone from the casting gloves at both ends, and wind patterns rippled out beneath him and his teammates, boosting their movement speed.


    The tactic had been planned in advance: the trio was ready to seize the initiative and press the attack.


    Charvis also condensed tangible wind blades in his hands, able to be thrown swiftly or wielded close-range like weapons¡­ His gaze was entirely locked on Yi Chen. ??????????????¨§?


    ¡°Let me try, the student personally selected by Professor Qian Bosen.¡±


    Just as Charvis stepped forward with full confidence,


    Snap!


    His two teammates in front of him fell forward without any warning, body stiff.


    Especially the heavy knight Barry with his ample physique and metal armor, made a dull thud as he hit the ground.


    ¡°What¡­ happened?¡±


    As Charvis was puzzled by the situation before him, he suddenly felt a warm flow in his nostrils, instinctively reaching up to wipe, only to find his hand covered in blood.


    Buzz! A strong ringing in his ears followed by blurred vision ensued.


    Charvis didn¡¯t fall,


    relying on pure willpower, he snapped his fingers with his right hand¡­ Snap! The secret spell was released.


    A kind of spiritual magic, combining intellect and perception, swept over him, clearing his consciousness and adding a layer of magical protection.


    Charvis¡¯s eyes bulged, bloodshot, no longer looking at Yi Chen.


    He shifted his gaze to the slightly plump young man in a coat and hood beside him.


    ¡°My ¡®Perception¡¯ has reached 5+, and I¡¯m about to hit the human limit. Why can a simple spiritual shock affect me like this? Is this guy even human?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t just Charvis in the match.


    This scene changed the expressions of all the onlookers below, and even the stone mask referee slowly raised his right hand, prepared to stop the fight in front of him at any moment.


    Qian Bosen¡¯s pupils also turned owl-like, watching and analyzing the ¡®Principal¡¯s Disciple¡¯.


    Beili, who had been relaxed against the wall, was the first to move, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she took two steps forward to seriously observe.


    Aiji, the supervisor, adjusting his top hat, murmured softly, ¡°No wonder you two came to watch, this monster is indeed worth observing¡­ Transcendent level spiritual power, truly terrifying.¡±


    On the field,


    Yi Chen, his teammate, and Jin, who was preparing to face the enemy, were also stunned, looking sideways at Ludwig Reagan.


    Jin even instinctively infused Red Lotus into her brain, ready to wake herself up with a minor brain explosion if she were affected.


    At that moment,


    Charvis continued to use the Clear Wind Secret Technique to wake his teammates and stamped a green wind mark on his own forehead, further enhancing his mental defenses.


    ¡°Never thought that amongst gentlemen there would be such a creature. It¡¯s a kind of ¡®Luck¡¯ to fight against someone like this.


    I will take on this guy. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Balzan, Barry, you handle the other two.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Charvis! If something¡¯s wrong, give up the qualification immediately,¡± came the friendly warning from beneath the steel mask of his teammate.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Charvis no longer considered Yi Chen,


    his eyes wide open and blood-shot, focusing all his attention on the slightly plump young man,


    gliding on a breeze, he sped up his dash!


    The Wind Blade coalescing in his palm began to spin with great velocity, and during his sprint, he hurled it forward,


    the throw from his arm, combined with the running speed and the inherent spinning force of the Wind Blade¡­


    The Wind Blade practically turned into a streak of white light, shooting towards Ludwig at a speed invisible to the naked eye.


    ¡°It should have hit¡­¡±


    Seeing the Wind Blade approach closely, reaching a distance impossible to dodge, Charvis clenched his fist in anticipation.


    Suddenly,


    Hum!


    An electric current surged up the spine protruding from Ludwig¡¯s back.


    An electric energy pulse released on a small scale, directly shattering the Wind Blade, leaving not even a trace of magical residue.


    ¡°Spiritual Shock instant dispelling¡­¡± Charvis gritted his teeth while his mouth twitched, ¡°What kind of monster is this? Are the youngsters really this terrifying nowadays? If you don¡¯t harbor killing intent against such an opponent, victory is simply out of reach.


    If I remain this cautious, I might lose the match without even getting a chance to touch him.


    Such a guy definitely won¡¯t die easily, let¡¯s try this move.¡±


    Charvis¡¯s mindset underwent a transformation as he silently recited a certain secret spell,


    a high-rank magic spell completely different from the Wind Blade began to condense in his hands, forming two crystals, one azure and one white, clasped in his palm.


    He continued his rush forward, closing the final ten-meter distance.


    Hum! Another consciousness shock wave emitted by Ludwig, this time directly targeting Charvis.


    Despite having two lines of defense set up in his consciousness, he still bled from his eyes and nose¡­ his vision was obstructed by a curtain of blood.


    Charvis simply closed his eyes, carefully listening to the sound of the wind.


    Locking onto the target, he successfully closed in!


    For a pure Perception Gentleman, lacking in close combat techniques, being approached in battle is a very dangerous thing.


    When squads are on missions outdoors, it¡¯s necessary for members to ensure the safety of their Perception Gentleman, reducing the chances of being approached by Patients.


    But there are exceptions.


    When Charvis successfully closed the distance to Ludwig,


    Ludwig, who hadn¡¯t made any moves during the entire match, lifted his right hand for the first time¡­ and he did so with incredible speed, reaching in front of Charvis¡¯s eyes in the blink of an eye.


    An electric current different from magic gathered in the palm.


    Hum! A Pulse Cannon in a compressed form shot out from the palm, its power beyond estimation.


    However, Charvis had already anticipated this scenario.


    He crushed the azure crystal in his left hand in advance.


    The body that was shot through by the Pulse Cannon dissipated like a stream of air, or rather, it was just a temporary false body conjured by magic.


    The real Charvis had already shifted his position, moving rapidly to the side and ending up behind Ludwig.


    Crack! He crushed the white crystal in his right hand.


    A Storm Sword, almost as solid as a real one, formed in his hand.


    Having pinned Ludwig as a ¡®monster¡¯ from the beginning, Charvis naturally took into account that the opponent must have close combat techniques,


    thus he reserved two secret techniques, ¡°Wind Shadow Body¡± and ¡°Storm Sword,¡± inside a temporarily constructed Demon Crystal, to seize this opportunity to win.


    ¡°I¡¯ve won!¡±


    Without hesitation,


    Charvis, wrapped in a cleansing breeze, swung the Storm Sword in his hand at the greatest speed towards the side of the shoulder.


    Strangely enough,


    at this critical moment, Ludwig in front of him didn¡¯t dodge or defend but shouted a peculiar phrase.


    ¡°Faye, stop!¡±


    The next second.


    Before the Storm Sword could strike,


    a powerful blow, seemingly out of nowhere, struck Charvis¡¯s chest; like a bullet, he was shot towards the edge of the arena¡­ Boom! He smashed into the reinforced wall, creating a shallow human-shaped dent.


    Pff~ A gush of blood sprayed from Charvis¡¯s mouth, and he could also smell a hint of something burning.


    Glancing down, he saw that his chest was branded with a deep, charred handprint.


    ¡°What on earth¡­ happened?¡±


    With the last bit of his consciousness, he looked up, only for the scene he beheld to induce an instinctive fear within him.


    Behind Ludwig, a grotesque, indescribable female cadaver floated in midair, with terrifying black electric currents coursing between the cables connected to her body.


    At this moment, the cadaver glared at him, the outsider attempting to harm Ludwig, with killing intent spilling out in the form of electric currents.


    And Ludwig was desperately trying to suppress this cadaver, for if he hadn¡¯t, that blow might have completely blown Charvis¡¯s head off.

 Chapter 149: Dining Table

    Charvis, at the moment of losing consciousness, was swiftly taken away by Aiji, the manager from the sidelines, who instructed the Gentleman Hall staff to rush him to the hospital with the utmost speed.


    The captain¡¯s defeat also almost declared the tournament¡¯s end.


    On the other side,


    Jin had been remarkably well-behaved in this match and had not unleashed the Red Lotus Explosion.


    Instead, using a pure Body Technique¡ª¡±Cross Lock¡±¡ªhe disarmed the Burning Destroyer Livovich¡¯s arm and gained the upper hand, reveling in the raw close-quarters combat.


    From beneath the multicolored mask, bursts of eerie laughter could often be heard.


    Only Yi Chen seemed relatively normal; he and the Heavy Knight Barry fought back and forth, both holding back and not using their true trump cards.


    When he saw the severely injured Charvis being carried away, Barry serenely accepted the outcome,


    he stopped fighting, and, removing his bucket-like steel helmet, revealed an honest, rugged face shaded by a beard and nodded respectfully to the much younger Yi Chen before him.


    ¡°It seems, our duel has come to an end.


    Your teammates are like monsters, but from the look of things before the match, you seem to be the real ¡®captain.¡¯ Is it because I am not a Patient that you were restraining yourself?


    I can tell your body is unique, much like the Special Record Combat Power imprisoned deep in the academy.¡±


    Yi Chen responded with a gentlemanly gesture, ¡°You are referring to Teacher Zede, right? My body is far from comparable. With weapons forbidden, the physical fight just now was my limit, and I couldn¡¯t break through your defense at all.¡±


    Clang!


    With his armored heavy palm, Barry firmly patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder twice,


    ¡°Good luck to you all!¡±


    As the match concluded, Barry helped the armless Livovich, whose arm was quickly regenerating under the effect of ashes, as they prepared to visit the hospital to check on Charvis¡¯s condition.


    With only Yi Chen and his company remaining in the arena, the surrounding spectators began to murmur quietly among themselves.


    About Ludwig Reagan¡¯s terrifying performance, which did not seem human¡­ They also secretly felt relieved that they had not drawn this team, or they would likely have ended up in the same predicament.


    The victorious three teams gathered in the center,


    and the manager with the stone mask briefly explained the situation regarding the Relic incident:


    ¡°Since the incident site is more than a three-day carriage ride from Zion, we will commence the journey tonight at six o¡¯clock.


    Once you board the coach, the coachman will provide you with the dossier containing information about the incident.


    The coach is equipped with all the necessary food for the journey and provides comfortable rest areas, so you need only prepare yourselves for the incident itself. £Ò????N?¦¢??


    Lastly, congratulations on qualifying for the incident, and I hope you cherish this opportunity to bring back the ¡®Relic¡¯ from the other end.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    All were dismissed.


    As Yi Chen turned his gaze to the sidelines, Professor Qian Bosen and others had already left.


    ¡­


    In the lower district¡¯s streets, a deeply hidden restaurant without a sign,


    as Coach Beili had recently been giving Yi Chen some special attention,


    including allowing him to engage in real combat and slaughter training in Cesimani and planning this Relic incident, Professor Qian Bosen, as the lead Tutor, was very thankful and generously treated her to dinner.


    The manager Aiji, with a mindset of sharing in the benefits, also followed to the restaurant.


    Coach Beili, tasting a type of seafood usually unavailable, her eyes lit up as she gave a high appraisal,


    ¡°I never expected the professor to know about such an ¡®irregular¡¯ restaurant, but the taste is indeed good¡­ This faux seafood must be made from some kind of fungus, then transformed through special meat-magic, right?¡±


    Professor Qian Bosen, maintaining an elegant dining posture, slowly spoke after chewing and swallowing the food in his mouth:


    ¡°Occasionally, an old friend and I venture into the lower district to discover some intriguing amusements, and we always dine at this restaurant.¡±


    After the meal over tea,


    they touched upon the main topic,


    and Beili brought up the question that most intrigued her:


    ¡°Just who is that gentleman? At merely the human stage, he can employ such advanced mental attacks, seemingly with the ability to manipulate fundamental matter, especially ¡®electricity.¡¯


    Moreover, he bears a dangerous presence similar to that of a Patient.¡±


    ¡°The Principal¡¯s disciple.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Beili¡¯s eyes narrowed nearly to slits,


    and manager Aiji, who was wiping his mouth, accidentally let his towel slip.


    Coach Beili then showed a look of realization, ¡°So Desline has time to take on students. That does explain it.


    A monster leading a monster, quite fitting.


    ¡°With that said, the value of such a three-person team is really high, their ¡®Comprehensive Potential¡¯ is probably the highest in the last fifty years.¡±


    ¡°But what about stability? Has Professor Qian Bosen seriously considered that?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, their potential is ¡®second to none¡¯ in any era. As for the issue of team stability, since it¡¯s Principal¡¯s intention to guide the formation of the team, we needn¡¯t dwell too much on it.


    Moreover, William will make every effort to maintain the whole team, he has such leadership ability.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t agree with the first part, no one knows what Desline is thinking.


    However, I do agree with the latter part; William has a kind of ¡®special charm¡¯ that¡¯s quite likable even to me¡­ It¡¯s no wonder Jin is willing to stay with him.


    The difficulty of this Relic event is relatively low anyway, we¡¯ll know the results when they return.


    If they don¡¯t achieve the expected results or if significant team contradictions appear, I will take the initiative to split them up.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    After a brief casual conversation,


    Qian Bosen rode the wind away, his figure barely visible,


    and Instructor Beili also disappeared with a movement technique unnoticed.


    Only leaving Aiji, the manager, stunned in his seat until the waiter brought him an exorbitantly expensive bill.


    A similar dinner event also took place in the Upper District.


    Yi Chen and Jin had rushed straight to the contest without even having time for breakfast or lunch.


    Following Reagan¡¯s suggestion, they came to his favorite takeaway corner restaurant.


    As soon as the lavish food was served, Reagan could not hide his gluttony as a heavy eater, lifting his hood and digging in.


    Yi Chen also caught a glimpse of a metallic device at Reagan¡¯s cervical spine, something that wasn¡¯t there when they had met before.


    Just as Reagan tried to stuff the seventh piece of steak into his mouth in one go.


    Crack!


    The knife and fork slipped from his hand along with the steak,


    veins on his forehead bulging intensely,


    and his eyes quickly filling with blood,


    one hand gripping his cervical spine and the other holding a protruding broken spine, his body stiffened, in immense pain.


    Yi Chen reacted quickly, flipping over the table with one hand to the opposite side, taking the initiative to check Reagan¡¯s body.


    Ignoring the electric arcs dancing on the body¡¯s surface, he forcibly removed Reagan¡¯s shirt.


    An exoskeleton spine, perfectly embedded in the middle of the back and frantically wriggling, came into view.


    ¡°What is this!¡±


    Although shocked by the high-tech product before him, Yi Chen didn¡¯t hesitate and swiftly placed his palms on both sides of the spine.


    Creak creak~


    Rows of plant roots penetrated the body, tethering and stabilizing the wildly shaking metallic appendages through the roots.


    Simultaneously injecting a strand of life essence from the ¡®Black Umbilical Cord¡¯ into Reagan through the plants, in the form of juice.


    With Yi Chen¡¯s series of precise internal maneuvers, Reagan finally eased from the pain.


    Jin, sitting opposite, maintained a spectator¡¯s demeanor, smiling throughout the ordeal.


    Pfft!


    A large mouthful of blood was expelled from Reagan¡¯s mouth with the help of the plants, making him instantly feel much better. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Thanks, William~ I didn¡¯t expect such a strong rejection reaction; everything seemed fine last night. It seems related to the use of abilities, and the device is still not very stable when encountering high-intensity battles. I might need more time to adapt.¡±


    On Yi Chen¡¯s end, the thanks he heard were not singular; some electromagnetic female voice mixed in Reagan¡¯s words also expressed gratitude.


    ¡°Reagan, just what is this thing on your back¡­¡±


    ¡°Nerve coordination, capacitance storage, and exoskeleton armour.


    It¡¯s the first piece of equipment in Zion City that takes over the spine, effectively controlling and amplifying my abilities.


    It also provides a stable ¡®home¡¯ for Faye where she can live comfortably inside the spine, unaffected by the Grey Zone while we are on a mission.¡±


    Being interested in such a trans-era high-tech product, Yi Chen asked, ¡°Can you take me to the Power Station afterwards? I¡¯m quite interested and knowledgeable in this area, I might be able to help.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    This unexpected physical exchange deepened the camaraderie among the team members.


    With everything ready,


    the three selected teams arrived at Gentleman Hall at the designated time, boarded a special carriage unlike before, and officially set off for their destination.

 Chapter 150: Relic Incident

    Three carriages bearing the G&D mark, for use exclusively within the organization, stopped outside the grand hall.


    The reason they were special was that the overall [Skin Content] of the carriage was over 10%,


    by integrating black rosewood, elm, ash, and white wax with skin through a special internal process, they obtained a top-grade timber that could isolate Pathological influences and conceal aura.


    Such carriages were often used for important long-distance transport, and many gentlemen who had surpassed the Limit of Man also traveled in these carriages, saving much trouble along the way.


    Yi Chen and the two others casually boarded one of them.


    The carriage¡¯s interior was quite spacious, designed with upper and lower bunk beds, just like a ¡°four-person sleeper¡± with an independent bathroom.


    The wardrobe that supported the bunks was filled with various kinds of long-lasting food and bottled water,


    even equipped with a small smart refrigerator operating on Dharma Seal cooling, containing some raw meat and beverages for pets.


    ¡°The environment is really nice~ I feel like staying here for a week would be no problem.¡±


    As Yi Chen marveled at the high-quality conditions of the carriage,


    Reagan had already taken out several packages of food and chilled grape wine, instantly entering a binge-watching mode, feeling his stomach seemed bigger than when they met two days ago.


    The dull life at the power station and the Dharma research that he could not break through had gradually framed Reagan into the definition of a binge-watcher.


    Only when eating delicious and ample food could his brain secrete dopamine to keep him committed to his research.


    After a simple allocation of beds,


    Yi Chen and Reagan took the lower bunks, and Jin slept on the upper bunk of Yi Chen¡¯s bed.


    When the carriage drove out of the Zion Gate, thud, thud~ a knocking sound came from the locking front window.


    Wrapped in a coat, the elderly coachman passed in a bag of classified documents, his voice hoarse from the cigarette pipe in his mouth.


    ¡°This journey will be divided into two parts, ¡±


    the first half will take us three days to reach the intermediate station -[Yarsoto Town]; you will arrange the preparations and route planning for the event there.¡±


    After mechanically delivering the information, the coachman turned forward like a living dead, continuing to control the carriage.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Although Yi Chen was well aware of the coachman¡¯s state, he still responded with thanks.


    From books, he knew that the ¡°coachman¡± was a specialized yet lower-tier gentleman Profession; some gentlemen could never break through the Limit of Man, and as they aged, their hopes of breaking through were nearly zero.


    Moreover, their abilities had no corresponding jobs inside Zion, so in order to keep living, they had no choice but to become coachmen.


    Spending years outdoors, crossing various Grey Zones,


    some aged coachmen would gradually become numb during this process and completely bind their physical and thought with the carriage until death.


    Naturally.


    Coachmen who had dedicated their lives to the organization would be entitled to a ¡®graveyard burial¡¯ if they died within the power sphere. And if lucky, they might even get the chance to live again in another form. ???????????????????


    ¡­


    Back in the bunk, Yi Chen unpacked the document bag.


    Jin leaned half of his body from the upper bunk, bending down at 90¡ã to watch together,


    and Reagan, sucking on the grease from his fingers, also leaned over with a pack of snacks in hand.


    [Relic Event (New)]


    1. Event location:


    [Greyrell Mountain, aka The Holy Grail Mountain], named for its cup-like shape, considered a sacred mountain by many.


    2. Event summary:


    The closest organizational outpost to the destination, also the intermediate station for this event ¨C Yarsoto Town, has always had Gentleman Patrol Teams inspecting the Holy Grail Mountain.


    Four years ago, a small-scale Grey Zone spread was first discovered in the mountain, which after detailed investigation, was identified as a Natural Grey Zone; it couldn¡¯t be eradicated, only blocked as much as possible to slow the expansion of the Grey Zone.


    One month ago,


    Due to the uncontrolled expansion of the Grey Zone, it had spread to a region within a five-kilometer radius below the mountain.


    It was confirmed that there were at least three types of ¡°rooted pathogens¡± frantically growing in the Grey Domain, and if left unchecked, they might give birth to Open Source Patients.


    An eradication and investigation squad arranged by the organization hurried to the destination for the first time and accidentally discovered a [Tunnel] hidden inside the mountain during the mission, thereby interrupting the task to report back to the organization.


    3. Diseases of the Grey Zone


    The current situation of the three rooted pathogens is as follows:


    ¢Ù. [Black Pus Disease]


    Type: General physical infection (can affect all matter except inorganic substances)


    Origin and introduction: Erupted in a large village, Mud Swamp Village, several kilometers below the foot of Holy Grail Mountain.


    Those infected will grow black tumors on their bodies, are photophobic, and prefer to move at night. They like to submerge their bodies in mud to accelerate the spread of pus, thereby infecting other organisms.


    Black tumors gradually cover the individual¡¯s head, torso, and arms during this process.


    By the time it completely replaces the upper body, it turns into a [Patient].


    The lower body retains the structure of the legs,


    with the waist and above replaced by a gigantic black pus, highly variable and threatening but still fearful of light and high temperatures.


    ¢Ú. [Gathering Eye Disease]


    Type: Mental infection (only affects organisms with intact consciousness)


    Origin and introduction: A group of displaced Pilgrims from different regions, who regard Greyrell Mountain as a sacred mountain, as the ultimate destination of their lives¡¯ ends.


    They believe that if they can reach the summit, they will go to the dream beyond, to a blissful world without diseases.


    The Pilgrims have a resolute determination unlike that of ordinary people; they crossed the jungle affected by grayification at the foot of the mountain and successfully reached the steep summit path.


    However, the mountains had already severely mutated under the influence of the Grey Zone, complex and shrouded in fog, making the Pilgrims completely lost, unable to find the correct path to the summit.


    They considered the complex mountain path as the ultimate test, viewing their getting lost as a lack of devotion.


    To find the only correct path, the Pilgrims began indiscriminately consuming ¡®eyeballs,¡¯ whether the mutated animals in the mountains, their peers, or even themselves.


    Once a certain number was reached, they completely mutated, and an ¡°Aggregation Eye¡± grew on their forehead.


    ¢Û. [Septicemia]


    Type: Specific physical infection (only effective on humans)


    Origin and introduction: Baron Francis once, for some reason, spent a fortune building a private mansion on the northern slope of Greyrell Mountain,


    When the Grey Domain spread between the mountains, gentlemen in the organization proposed to escort the Baron¡¯s family to leave, but they were refused.


    No one has ever left the entire mansion; under the envelopment of the Grey Zone, special mutations occur slowly, even the surrounding woods begin to bleed like human blood.


    Occasionally, skinless, continuously bleeding zombies can be seen moving around the perimeter of the mansion.


    *Detailed information about these three diseases will be provided at the waystation¡ªYarsoto Town, by the gentlemen stationed there and will arrange mission assignments and hiking routes for different squads.


    4. Tunnel Information


    *This information is provided by the Tunnel Watcher.


    [Exploration Level]: 0% (no conscious beings have ever crossed the tunnel)


    [Stability]: Extremely high (no danger of tunnel collapse, grayification enhancement, etc.)


    [Depth]: Shallow (leads to the safest shallow layer of the Old World)


    ¡­ S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After looking at the basic information about the event, everyone had thoughts in their minds.


    Reagan returned to his bed, his mouth moving slightly but making no sound; it seemed he was communicating the event information with his ¡°girlfriend.¡±


    Jin, however, didn¡¯t care at all and simply fell onto his bed to sleep.


    Yi Chen seemed to think of something. He opened the car window and looked towards the evening sky. Between the misty clouds, the trace of the moon was momentarily invisible.

 Chapter 151: Way Station

    Although the train carriage was luxurious with all the essentials for life, three days still felt quite long.


    However, both Yi Chen and Reagan had anticipated this and packed several abstruse books in their suitcases, spending their time lying in bed reading when there was nothing else to do.


    Jin was the exception, like a corpse that couldn¡¯t be awakened, she fell asleep soon after boarding the train and no amount of noise could rouse her.


    This peacefulness was only undisturbed for a day.


    The fast reading ability brought by his student profession meant that Yi Chen had unwittingly finished all the books he had prepared.


    Furthermore, reading no longer stimulated his brain, and it seemed reaching an Intelligence Limit[6]might require some special opportunity.


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, could you lend me a few books to read?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    A novel related to neuroscience was thrown over, and Yi Chen, holding it in his hands, finished the entire book in less than twenty minutes.


    ¡°Mr. Reagan, these pseudo-science fiction books don¡¯t seem very useful for your research, do they?¡±


    Taken aback by this question, Reagan first exclaimed, ¡°Huh? You¡¯ve already finished the whole book? Or did you just read the beginning?¡±


    ¡°My profession helps me read quickly. For these kinds of novels that don¡¯t require much understanding, I can get through them in about ten minutes¡­¡±


    Reagan, who was gnawing on a duck leg, finally realized, ¡°Oh right, I still don¡¯t know what your profession is?¡±


    Since Reagan had previously shared his own personal information and now they had formed a small team, Yi Chen also moved his shoulder over and took the initiative to share his Basic Attributes and some abilities.


    Of course,


    Information about ¡®Death¡¯ and ¡®Grapes¡¯ was omitted, and the information about plant Pathological was relatively simplified.


    ¡°To think there¡¯s even a [Student] profession, I¡¯m jealous~ If I had the ability to accelerate my knowledge and understanding, perhaps my research could make a breakthrough.


    You¡¯re right about what you said earlier; these unrealistic and fantastical pseudo-science fiction novels lack substantive reference value.


    But throughout the whole of Zion, no one has researched consciousness¡­ After all, in such a world, having the conditions to conduct scientific discussions is a luxury.


    Since there are no predecessors¡¯ experiences, this creation of consciousness from nothingness has to rely solely on myself.


    These seemingly useless pseudo-science fiction might offer me some research inspiration from their unrestrained imagination.


    For example, Faye¡¯s current semi-physical state attached to me was inspired by a novel called ¡®Mind Wanderer.¡¯


    Without this idea, Faye would still be following me around like a living dead, and I might even lose her at any moment.¡±


    Hearing this, Yi Chen also took out a bottle of grape wine from the refrigerator and started drinking with Reagan, discussing ¡®research¡¯ in detail.


    With his experience from his research days before his death, he quickly delved into more in-depth topics with Reagan.


    Perhaps it was because they drank too much,


    Reagan actually divulged some secrets that shouldn¡¯t be shared,


    He wasn¡¯t an electrician or an ordinary researcher; because of his contributory research in the field of neural circuits, he had become a [Senior Researcher] favoured by the Station Head, and was the only human stage senior researcher at the Power Station. ?????§¦?


    This also explained why Reagan had the conditions, and even the Station Head¡¯s support, to create the biomechanical enhancement that was the spine system on his back, representing the highest exoskeleton technology of Zion¡¯s Power Station.


    The more they talked, the deeper they delved,


    Reagan, drunken from the wine, once again took off his upper garment and sat sideways on the bed.


    Yi Chen had Grapes also open his eyes to carefully observe the structure of the spine, then, like a massage therapist, began to perform plant-based therapy on the spine.


    Previously at the hotel, Yi Chen only helped Reagan suppress the pain, but this time he truly helped with equipment tuning and even reinforced the devices and tried to further stabilize the neural connections to reduce the rejection response.


    ¡­


    On the afternoon of the third day, the carriage, which had been speeding the entire time, finally came to a halt.


    They had arrived at ¡°Yarsoto Town,¡± a stop along the way,


    It was a small town completely managed by the Organization, serving as a crucial supply hub; any gentleman carrying out missions in the nearby area could rest here temporarily.


    The town¡¯s gentleman facilities, marked out as follows:


    1. ¡°Alexander Luden¡¯s Tailor Shop¡± on South Street offered free clothing alterations and repairs for gentlemen on missions.


    2. ¡°Seagull Clinic¡± at the intersection in the middle of town provided quick treatment and hospitalization services free of charge for injured gentlemen.


    If a patient was confirmed to be seriously infected and transforming into a Patient, and if the head of the clinic judged the situation irreversible, the clinic had the right to perform euthanasia and retain the body for research.


    To purchase the Seagull Clinic¡¯s exclusive secret medicine, one had to speak with the head of the clinic and obtain a qualification; even then, it would cost heavy gold to acquire.


    3. To the east of the town was a lake known as Cold Lake.


    Its size was about the same as the lake in Green Lake Town, but it was much shallower, at most ten meters deep, and had experienced no Pathological transformations.


    Surrounding this lake was a special cemetery¡ªCold Lake Cemetery.


    The reason it was special was that the most important and central gravesite was the lake itself; most of the bodies were buried at the bottom of the lake.


    Furthermore, the more bodies there were, the clearer Cold Lake became. During daylight, one could see the tombstones standing at the bottom of the lake from the shore.


    The method of lake burial was straightforward. As long as the body met the standards and rules,


    the tombstone would be tied to the body¡¯s back with hemp rope in advance, and by rowing a wooden boat to the designated burial point, the body could simply be dropped into the lake.


    The bodies that sank to the bottom would bury themselves in the soil, and the tombstones would stand in their proper places.


    Some of the maturely cultivated bodies were transported back to Zion and handed over to Hippocrates Hospital for research to obtain information on water-related illnesses and to prepare for future sea ventures.


    ¡­


    The three teams would regroup for one day at this stop to further confirm the details of the Relic event.


    Everyone, including the Coachman, was invited to dine at the town¡¯s most famous hotel, the floors above offering rooms for all to rest free of charge.


    Just as everyone had taken their seats and the food had not yet been served,


    a limping old gentleman entered the hotel¡¯s door, his damp black rain boots on his feet, bringing in a sense of moistness to the entire hotel lobby.


    This was the town¡¯s main gentleman in charge and the Cemetery Manager¡ª¡±Limping Field.¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His somewhat whitened eyes looked up and down at the group of young people who had come from far away, lingering for a moment on Yi Chen and Reagan, as if he had detected the aura of the cemetery on them.


    Information on ¡°Black Pus Disease,¡± ¡°Gathering Eye Disease,¡± and ¡°Septicemia¡± was laid out on the dining table, which had not yet been served.


    Limping Field placed one hand on the edge of the table, and before he spoke, a gurgling sound could be faintly heard emanating from his throat.


    ¡°As required by the Organization, after you thoroughly understand the rooted illnesses that occurred near Greyrell Mountain,


    each of you will need to choose one illness to eradicate to gain recognition from the Watcher; only then will he open the passage to the Old World for you.


    This choice will also determine your path up the mountain.


    If you cannot come to a decision after dinner, I will assign it directly.¡±

 Chapter 152: Route Selection

    The manager of Cold Lake Cemetery, the limping Field.


    Upon seeing this elder, everyone instinctively became alert.


    Even the little grape in Yi Chen¡¯s body immediately shut its mouth and hid deeper.


    ¡°The disconcerting sensation of burial sitting heavily, these guys in charge of managing cemeteries are all just as uncomfortable. Try not to expose me; I don¡¯t want to interact with this old man¡­ Moreover, his grape is about to go bad, as if it¡¯s been soaked in water for too long.¡±


    ¡°Um, just stay hidden.¡±


    Yi Chen also felt a moist, burial-like sensation emanating from the elder, as if a moment of inattention would see them thrown into a river of corpses.


    The single document the old man threw on the dining table meant the captains of the three squads had to crowd together to examine it.


    The document was indeed detailed, analyzing the three ¡°rooted pathogens¡± of the Natural Grey Zone and then providing a corresponding difficulty rating. A brief summary followed:


    1. [Black Pus Disease] ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï, relatively simple rooted pathogen, some distance from Holy Grail Mountain, with fewer available route information, requiring squads to subsequently find their own correct way up the mountain and locate the [Passage].


    2. [Gathering Eye Disease] -¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï, the most difficult rooted pathogen, occurring within Holy Grail Mountain. A few individuals with deep pathological infection have already found the correct path and might even have discerned the location of the [Passage].


    3. [Septicemia] -¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï+?, of intermediate difficulty, since investigative squads have never penetrated deeply into the Baron Mansion, the exact challenge is uncertain. The Baron Family, living in the mountains for many years, is likely to hold extensive information about Holy Grail Mountain and there might be family treasures left in the mansion.


    ¡­


    When the captains finished perusing,


    a white-haired young man wearing a white robe and with Intelligence as his Main Attribute placed his right hand elegantly over his chest to introduce himself:


    ¡°Well, since we haven¡¯t formally met, I am Iskarion Lottson, currently employed at the Magician Association, though just a newbie assisting with miscellaneous tasks, specializing in ancient magic.


    We are a more traditional combat-magic pastor squad. Miss Jenny must handle both healing and perception and is not quite adept at dealing with spiritual events.¡±


    With the guidance of the white-haired youth, another captain began to introduce themselves; she was also the only female captain among the three teams.


    Short chestnut hair, a Gentleman¡¯s Coat tailored as body-fitting combat skin, an arm covered with a metal bracer, a sword on her left waist, and a metal shield bearing an elk pattern on her back.


    ¡°Norma Kopet, member of the Pathogen Investigative Team in waiting. Our squad has Robert responsible for exploration and deciphering texts from the Old World, and neither Larmer nor I are strong with [Sensing].


    Similarly unfit for dealing with spiritual infection events,¡±


    Yi Chen caught the implied messages from the two captains and introduced himself with a smile:


    ¡°William Behrens, student at the Omphalo-Centric Academy¡­ Since both of you are reluctant to take on [Gathering Eye Disease], we¡¯ll handle it~ Our team members have high Perception. ????????????????


    Although I, as captain, am relatively lower, I am fairly proficient with ¡®eyes¡¯.¡±


    As Yi Chen chose the Grey Area Pathogen he would confront, the little grape hidden inside him opened its mouth in excitement, seemingly about to feast on countless high-grade grapes.


    Seeing Yi Chen take on the most difficult task, the white-haired captain asked curiously:


    ¡°Oh? Mr. William, are you also skilled in Pupil Skills? No wonder in the previous competitions, when you faced that uniquely-identified Heavy Knight alone, you always found the right ¡®angles¡¯ to strike and dodge.¡±


    ¡°Not exactly Pupil Skills, just better eyesight.¡±


    ¡°I really envy such talent~¡± The white-haired man smiled, shifting his gaze to the other side. ¡°Miss Norma, for the remaining two pathogen areas, what are your preferences? Do you lean towards the village or towards investigating the Baron Mansion, where even the investigative team hasn¡¯t fully entered?¡±


    Norma herself being a reserve member of the investigative group, she was well aware of some of the internal rules regarding investigations. If one area in a certain time zone has not been examined, it is for sure that there are concerns, and it¡¯s left until last.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, we¡¯ll take the Black Pus issue with the Village Chief.¡±


    White-haired Lottson made an OK gesture, appearing to get the outcome he wanted.


    ¡°No problem at all; our team will take care of that mysterious Baron hiding in his mansion. I¡¯m quite curious about what this fellow is up to on the mountain that he knows he¡¯ll get sick but still stays put.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s settled then! I hope everyone has a smooth climb and we¡¯ll journey to the Old World together.¡±


    Yi Chen could probably tell that this white-haired gentleman was no ordinary man, he had not used any obvious ancient magic in the previous qualification selection. Instead, he suppressed his opponent with basic magic alone.


    Indeed, an ancient aura different from the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± could be felt emanating from within him.


    Sensing that Yi Chen was stealthily observing him,


    the white-haired Lottson smiled amiably and tilted his head to glance at Yi Chen.


    ¡°Speaking of which, Mr. William appears to be a gentleman of physique, but in reality, you mainly rely on intelligence, right? Would you consider joining the Magician Association after graduation? If we could invite a genius like you, the chairman would definitely praise me.¡±


    ¡°Haha, we¡¯ll see. I¡¯m still not sure how I should develop my future.¡±


    After the meal,


    the limping Field, upon receiving the ¡®mountain climbing route¡¯ chosen by the three teams, still spoke with a somber face:


    ¡°At this time tomorrow, carriages will take you to the respective areas.


    If you die in the deep mountains, at least don¡¯t let it be too shattered. Make sure your teammates can carry your complete body out and continue to contribute to the organization by placing you in my cemetery.¡±


    After a series of ill-omened farewells, the old man walked towards the exit, and just as he was about to vanish from everyone¡¯s sight, he suddenly turned around!


    His pale eyes once more gazed towards the young people at the dining table.


    Sadly lifting his withered arm, his curled index finger straightened gradually while emitting the sound of cracking bones, pointing at two people:


    ¡°You, and you¡­ come with me.¡±


    The ones named by Field were none other than Yi Chen and Reagan.


    Since the other party was a senior gentleman, as well as the person in charge along the way, they naturally could not refuse.


    Jin also waved his hand, ¡°You go ahead quickly, maybe you can get some benefits from this old guy. I¡¯ll go to the clinic here for a look, maybe I¡¯ll find some good corpses.¡±


    After exchanging a look, Yi Chen and Reagan followed the old man, with the latter grabbing the last chicken leg from the table.


    All the way in silence,


    they reached the eastern exit of the town, and as the scent of decay that pervaded the air reached their noses, Yi Chen and Reagan both thought back to their life in the cemetery.


    However, the rotten smell here was mingled with moisture,


    like a legless captain who kept his booted severed leg in a barrel with dead fish. After a hundred days at sea, the stench that emerged when the barrel was pried open. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they stepped into the cemetery, the limping Field finally spoke.


    ¡°You both have a strong scent of the cemetery on you¡­ Have you done such dirty work in other cemeteries before becoming gentlemen?¡±


    Yi Chen answered indifferently, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve spent some time in the Seven-Day Cemetery before.¡±


    ¡°Seven-Day¡­ That¡¯s Wilbert¡¯s place, right? And you, where did you come from?¡±


    Reagan, when talking about his cemetery experience, remembered some not so good memories, but the fat on his face quickly covered it up, ¡°Camberley Cemetery, I worked there for nine years.¡±


    ¡°The Great Cemetery, nine years? No wonder I could smell the strong odor as soon as I entered the hotel. It¡¯s rare that you could survive. I called you here because I¡¯m short-handed, and there¡¯s a batch of [important goods] at the bottom of the lake that needs to be transferred by tomorrow. I believe you gents who have come out of the cemetery can easily handle this task.


    Though I¡¯m old and only own this damp cemetery, I¡¯m not stingy enough to let you work for free.


    As long as you do a good job, the ¡®tomb products¡¯ you carry on you can benefit from me.¡±

 Chapter 153: Corpse Retriever

    The Cold Lake Cemetery workers are more aptly defined as ¡°corpse retrievers.¡±


    Unlike the Seven-Day Cemetery, which is divided into seven sections, each with different rules,


    here there is just one primary burial site ¨C Cold Lake ¨C while the surrounding shores are used to store ¡®seconds¡¯ without overly strict requirements.


    However, Cold Lake itself, as the core of the cemetery, has comparatively complex rules,


    beginning with the division of regions:


    [Outer Ring] Lake water temperature greater than or equal to -10¡æ, the outer ring area can bury and retrieve corpses at any time of day.


    [Central Ring] Lake water temperature between -10¡æ to -30¡æ, the middle area is limited to work between 00:00 ¨C 07:00.


    [Inner Heart] The lake center, where the temperature falls below -30¡æ, work is restricted to the hours of 00:00 ¨C 02:00.


    Additionally, there are a series of rules related to the lake:


    1. The use of any illumination devices is forbidden; if there is any sign of ice formation on the lake surface, one may disperse it using kerosene lamps or torches, but once the ice layer disappears the light source must be immediately extinguished.


    2. If a hand is seen extending out of the lake while boating, tie the provided black rope around the ring finger, and the arm will return to the lake on its own.


    If the finger already has a black rope tied to it, the outstretched hand gesture means ¡®friendly intentions,¡¯ just respond with a high-five, and the arm will sink.


    It is imperative to complete the above interactions; otherwise, the arm will continue to follow, and may eventually attack the boat.


    3. If floating debris is spotted in the lake, it must be captured with a fishing net and immediately sent to the incinerator for destruction.


    If one finds paper objects, check the message recorded on them, and fulfill the requests as much as possible. If there is uncertainty about how to handle the information, one may ask the supervisor for advice.


    ¡­


    There are seven more rules similar to the ones mentioned above, all of which are incredibly tedious; it¡¯s like catering to a group of demanding elderly living at the bottom of the lake, with the additional duty of cleaning.


    Hidden within each rule is danger, and poor service could lead to a threat to one¡¯s life.


    Being in water makes it far more dangerous than a proper land cemetery, which is why it¡¯s often difficult to find staff for this place.


    Yi Chen and Reagan were summoned temporarily to help out, and although the job could be done in just one evening, only gentlemen with cemetery experience like them were capable of rendering assistance ¡ª it would be very dangerous for ordinary corpse retrievers.


    The limping Field¡¯s request was to excavate and package five special corpses buried in the Lake Heart District; a corpse transport van from the organization would be waiting on the shore to coordinate.


    Considering it was the two young men¡¯s first time on the job, Field personally paddled the boat, bringing them to the Lake Heart ten minutes ahead of schedule.


    Just as the rules stated, the temperature in this part of the lake was frighteningly low,


    but at the first sensation of the cold, the gentlemen¡¯s clothes immediately adapted by padding and thickening, even producing heat internally. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This warm and moist leather-like feeling was like being sandwiched between burly men who had just played a game of basketball on all sides.


    While heading towards the lake¡¯s heart, pale arms extended from the calm surface numerous times,


    Yi Chen immediately complied with the rules, either tying a knot around their ring fingers or giving a high-five. The hands appeared to be quite happy with the interaction, shaking merrily before sinking back into the lake. ????a??????¨¨s


    Along the way, they also found a paper boat. After netting it, it surprisingly had the message ¨C [I want an autobiography novel].


    For some reason, Yi Chen felt like laughing,


    but Field explained very seriously, ¡°Their demand for written material indicates that their consciousness is awakening. These needs must be met¡­ It¡¯s just unfortunate that there is no time to read to them now, as they all need to be retrieved.¡±


    Yi Chen caught the keyword ¡®consciousness awakening¡¯ from this statement and thought of Reagan¡¯s girlfriend.


    But there¡¯s an essential difference here; the bodies at the bottom of the lake could awaken consciousness because they are physically complete, retaining whole and even relatively fresh brains.


    However, Reagan¡¯s girlfriend initially had only one spinal bone left, and had to self-construct consciousness based on the genetic information remaining between the bones, a completely different concept.


    [Lake Heart District]


    The boat stopped right on schedule at midnight.


    The time, combined with the hazy moonlight reflection on the lake surface, reminded Yi Chen of some unpleasant memories. The Twilight Clinic also went through a transformation at this same hour when the moon appeared.


    Being far from Zion this time, Yi Chen had been worried about the moon on their journey.


    At this thought, he couldn¡¯t help but look up at the sky.


    However, the hazy moon had shown no signs of drawing closer, still obscured by the clouds, with nothing amiss.


    At that moment, the limping Field handed out five moisture-retaining body bags to the two,


    ¡°You¡¯ve read the rules; I needn¡¯t say more, off you go.¡±


    Yi Chen exchanged a glance with Reagan, and they both dived into the lake water, cold at minus 50¡æ.


    The gentlemen¡¯s clothes had already enveloped their entire bodies in advance, isolating them from the lake water and continuously keeping them warm.


    The lake was not deep, and the two quickly descended to the ¡°Lake Heart Burial Area,¡± only ten meters deep.


    There were eight graves in total, and three of them had already been excavated in advance.


    The remaining five graves were the temporary task for Yi Chen and Reagan.


    At this point, Grape followed, boosting the visibility in the area and speaking about the situation here as someone who had experience.


    ¡°The bodies buried in this kind of area are at least premium,


    The three that were taken away in advance were either fully mature like me, with awakened consciousness fit for the organization¡¯s use, or they were disposed of early due to hazardous mutations.


    The five bodies you are dealing with haven¡¯t ¡®matured¡¯ to the point where they should be excavated,


    It must be because of the spread of the Grey Zone, and the bodies need to be transferred early. After all, a Natural Grey Zone cannot be eliminated, and once it spreads to the town, mutations will occur in all the corpses between the cemeteries.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean this cemetery will be closing soon?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s definitely the case, otherwise, why would that old man always have such a stern face? Let¡¯s get to work quickly, I¡¯ll help out a little, for the sake of the old man being willing to give me a benefit.¡±


    Next was the collaboration between Yi Chen and Reagan in retrieving corpses.


    Gajigaji~


    Yi Chen rapidly excavated with plants he released, and once the whole body was unearthed, Reagan would instantaneously envelop it with a body bag controlled by thought.


    When they opened the first grave, the body lying inside made both of them pause for a moment.


    A flawlessly pure and unblemished corpse of a young boy,


    His skin, almost like clear water, even shimmered subtly, but was immediately covered by Reagan with the body bag.


    Perhaps it was due to the presence of Grape, the so-called ¡®overlord of the cemetery,¡¯ constantly monitoring,


    Or perhaps it was the pressure unconsciously exerted by Miss Faye,


    The process of retrieving the bodies went very smoothly, with not a single corpse showing resistance or any inclination to attack, at most they just opened their gem-like eyes for a glance.


    Additionally, the corpses in the Lake Heart Cemetery appeared to be no older than twenty, with almost identical skin texture, as moist and lustrous as jade.


    It was soon the turn of the last grave.


    The plant with a flattened structure excavated rapidly, like a spade, but this body seemed to be buried deeper, with no trace of it even after digging two meters.


    Just as they grew puzzled and vigilant,


    The tip of the plant touched something hard that was not soil¡ªit was the skull of the body, and they could barely see tufts of silver-white hair.


    Continuing to dig, when the entire skull was exposed, Yi Chen froze.


    A sense of fear instantly occupied his entire vision and spread throughout his body!


    ¡°How is this possible!¡±


    What lay in the last grave was a youth with a bandage over his eyes, the other eye slowly opening, forming a crescent moon shape in silver.


    His mouth also opened and writhed!


    Without the transmission of sound, the voice resonated directly in Yi Chen¡¯s mind.


    ¡°William, long time no see~¡±


    Gurgle!


    Yi Chen was so frightened that he choked on a mouthful of the cold lake water,


    Almost instantly upon entry, his esophagus and stomach were severely frostbitten, with multiple organs suffering from cold injuries in a short period, and the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± hidden in his abdomen immediately came to the rescue to repair the damage.


    Meanwhile, Yi Chen¡¯s head also heard the calling voice of Grape:


    ¡°William! William!¡±


    The internal stimulation and the voice in his mind made Yi Chen shake his head violently.


    When he opened his eyes again,


    The head of the corpse that had been unearthed was no longer the image of ¡°Moon Scar,¡± but that of a young corpse with naturally white hair, looking rather similar.


    A weak moonlight, piercing through the water, just happened to fall onto the young man¡¯s face¡­ It seemed that this strand of moonlight had created the illusion just now.


    Suddenly,


    The words from Twilight Clinic at the time of parting flashed through Yi Chen¡¯s mind:


    ¡°The-Moon-is-watching-you.¡±

 Chapter 154: Reunion

    By the lakeside, five valuable corpses were loaded onto the hearse.


    ¡°You two, come with me¡­¡±


    Limping Field led the way, hobbling in front with the two following behind.


    After circumventing a muddy path paved with stones, they saw the towering chimney of a furnace that was not in operation, as well as the adjacent manager¡¯s house.


    As the two stepped into the house, their feet immediately splashed up a large amount of icy water.


    Looking down, they saw that the ground was covered with a layer of water stains, no wonder the old man wore rain boots all the time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind it; this water comes from Cold Lake. If the water inside the house becomes muddy or the temperature changes, I can detect and deal with abnormalities in Cold Lake immediately.¡±


    Perhaps it was the efficiency of the two young men, Field¡¯s tone also seemed to improve a bit.


    After Yi Chen and Reagan found seats and sat down, he continued:


    ¡°Since you have worked in the cemetery, you must have noticed that the corpses we just retrieved weren¡¯t ¡®matured.¡¯ Can you guess why?¡±


    Yi Chen immediately provided an answer:


    ¡°The expansion of Grey Zone is uncontrollable, spreading before reaching the town, and all the corpses in the cemetery must be relocated, even the cemetery itself and the entire town must be moved.¡±


    ¡°Correct, though the Grey Zone of Holy Grail Mountain will take at least two more years to spread here.


    But areas like cemeteries are prone to be affected in advance, and relocating corpses must be prioritized.


    There¡¯s no actual relocation happening here; the cemetery itself relies on Cold Lake for existence and cannot be moved elsewhere.


    My old bones also can¡¯t handle much more cemetery management; once everything here is taken care of, I should fully retire.¡±


    The raspy and bubbling speech revealed a sense of helplessness as if about to lose the most important thing in his life.


    ¡°It¡¯s your luck that you¡¯ve arrived here at this point.


    From now until you officially depart, there are seventeen hours left, and you can bury the ¡®tomb products¡¯ you carry on you at the center of the lake, harvesting the essence of corpses that have settled in Cold Lake for many years.


    Take as much as you can; nothing will be left here as this place is to be demolished.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Little Grape no longer hid itself, directly popping out from the neckline, unabashedly saying:


    ¡°What a fortune!¡±


    Little Grape was well aware of cemetery operations. Each cemetery under the organization has its ¡®specialty¡¯, and harvesting such specialties would be very beneficial for an incomplete cemetery product like itself. ?¨¢N??¨¨?


    When the old man saw Little Grape¡¯s true form, his eyes squinted into a slit.


    Having decades of experience in the cemetery, he was temporarily unable to categorize Little Grape, uncertain of what type of cemetery product it was. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The only information he could gather was ¡®incomplete¡¯.


    ¡°Is this a Seven-Day Cemetery product?¡±


    Before Yi Chen could answer, Little Grape made a circle with its arms, pointing all six fingers at itself.


    ¡°Yes, I am indeed the peak masterpiece created by Mr. Wilbert utilizing the unique mechanism of the Seven-Day Graveyard, with countless efforts.


    By the way, old man, you meant what you said earlier, right? Cold Lake is really a great place, can I absorb all the refined corpse essence settled at the bottom of the lake?¡±


    ¡°The lake has been cleared, this place is about to be abandoned, as long as you can do it, sucking the entire lake dry wouldn¡¯t be a problem¡­ it would actually save me the trouble.¡±


    Little Grape was utterly excited, slapping Yi Chen on the back of the head, ¡°William, let¡¯s hurry up!¡±


    Yet, Yi Chen was not in a hurry, instead turning to his teammate, ¡°Reagan, are you going?¡±


    ¡°Faye¡¯s form cannot be buried; I¡¯ll stay here and discuss other matters with Mr. Field.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    In Cold Lake,


    Yi Chen rowed alone, as the last corps from the lake¡¯s center had been removed; no arms reached out from the water¡ªan icy and silent expanse.


    Little Grape stood on his shoulder, posing like a captain with one hand on his hip and the other pointing toward the center of the lake.


    Saliva dripped from its mouth as it spun its eyeball, visibly excited.


    ¡°This historically significant cemetery will surely awaken more memories and make me more complete!


    By the way, William, how did you handle the retrieval at the bottom of the lake? Why did you suddenly freeze and even choke on water? I didn¡¯t feel anything.¡±


    ¡°I saw something ominous.¡±


    ¡°Is your brain malfunctioning again, or did you really see something?¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s expression remained normal, casually pointing towards the faint moon hidden behind the clouds in the night sky,


    Little Grape quickly grasped the meaning, and its spirited demeanor suddenly retracted, pulling back to the shoulder showing only half an eyeball.


    ¡°Moon¡­ Scar? No way?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either, but ever since we left the city, I¡¯ve felt as though the moon was watching us.¡±


    ¡°The last time we headed to the church in the village, the incident area was completely obscured by tall trees and high walls, so we didn¡¯t have much concern.¡±


    ¡°But this time leaving the city, we will be exposed under the night sky the entire journey, and we might even be closer to the moon during our climb.¡±


    Little Grape slowly calmed down and said to himself for comfort:


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it carefully, last time in the village you seemed to have received some assistance from moonlight¡­ If Moon Scar wanted to kill you, it could have done so during the carriage ride, there was no need to wait until now.


    You must have seen it wrong. Now, the first priority is to hurry and enhance yourself.


    Wait until I become more complete and recover more memories and abilities.


    And then wait until you break through the Limit of Man, then you will have the capability to confront that guy face to face.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Yi Chen responded softly, not saying much more.


    The wooden boat, unobstructed, once again reached the coldest heart of the lake.


    With a bend of the knees, Little Grape jumped, somersaulting three and a half times in the air, expecting to plunge directly into the water, yet landed on the edge of the boat.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time, aren¡¯t you going down?¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ I¡¯m incomplete at the moment, and basically powerless in combat on my own, you know what I mean?¡±


    Crackle crackle~


    Soft plant roots shot from Yi Chen¡¯s fingertips, fastening onto Little Grape¡¯s body like a safety belt.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay on the boat until you surface¡­ Should there be any issues, just tug at the root and I¡¯ll know.¡±


    Little Grape gave Yi Chen a thumbs up and dived into the lake.


    When it came to burying, Little Grape was a professional. It swiftly located the center of the lake, quickly dug into the earth and buried itself.


    Its black hair began to grow out,


    Sampling, feeling, and drawing from the essence of Cold Lake, and the accumulated essence of the corpses buried over decades.


    Gradually, the entire surface of the lake started to change because of Little Grape¡¯s burial.


    Previously clear and transparent, the lake water began to bubble with black, seemingly on the verge of turning the water black.


    Yi Chen, however, paid no attention to these changes,


    nor did he care how much Little Grape could harvest.


    He sat cross-legged on the wooden boat, seemingly deep in thought, seemingly waiting for something¡­ Upon confirming that Little Grape had entered its state, click¡ª


    Yi Chen proactively severed the plant roots, temporarily cutting off his connection with Little Grape.


    It wasn¡¯t long before


    a wooden boat slowly appeared in the pitch-black view, strangely causing no ripples as it moved, as if floating on the water surface.


    Due to the distance and the fog obscuring the view, it was hard to make out the features and shapes of the passengers.


    Not soon after, a very familiar yet dangerous voice came from across:


    ¡°It seems you already knew I would come.¡±


    Yi Chen responded indifferently, ¡°The illusion at the lake¡¯s bottom wasn¡¯t a coincidence. Since a signal had been sent out, naturally, I was prompted to respond.¡±


    ¡°William, I¡¯m curious~ Though you vaguely felt the moon¡¯s gaze and were sure that the lake-bottom illusion was information I deliberately cast, why didn¡¯t you discuss the possibility of my arrival with that old man?


    That lame old fellow is quite capable. If he had been on guard, I wouldn¡¯t have dared to show myself easily.¡±


    ¡°What use would it have been to stop you on the way?


    During the climb, I¡¯ll be even closer to the moon. If you really wanted to approach, it would only worsen the situation¡­ If you seek a meeting, a talk, or to resolve some matters, now is the best time.


    Clarifying some matters in advance would be good for both of us.


    Also, thanks for the moonlight support back in Jose Valley.¡±


    The wooden boat came closer, and the human figures seated one in front of the other became somewhat visible.


    ¡°Rest assured~ I¡¯m not here to kill you this time¡­ but to have you repay a favor from before, and in turn, help me with something.¡±


    ¡°What help?¡±


    ¡°Take me to the other side of the channel¡­¡±


    As this was said, the boat fully approached.


    The youth with moonlight silver hair and a sincere smile on his face seemed as if he was reuniting after a long separation.


    By his side, ¡®the skeletal¡¯ female Doctor remained, but her form had changed, no longer responsible for IV duties but now hanging numerous surgical tools from her thigh.

 Chapter 155: Conditions

    The tips of the two wooden boats just touched, forming a straight line across the center of the lake.


    An unintended creation of the Twilight Clinic, the perpetrator of the False Moon incident, the origin of the new Moon Transformation Disease, the unrestrained Patient Zero.


    Moon Trace Lorrian, Lorrian, the Moonscars.


    In this meeting, Lorrian seemed to have gained more understanding of the world and mastered deeper methods of concealment, preventing Yi Chen from seeing the ¡°Frame System¡± that should have been visible above his head.


    If it weren¡¯t for the female doctor by his side, one might actually mistake him for an ordinary human.


    Lorrian stretched his right arm toward the sky, his palm making slight stirring motions¡­ The dense clouds were instantly dispersed somewhat, casting down a spotlight-like effect of moonlight, coincidentally landing on the center of the lake.


    With Cold Lake as a stage, and the two as its main characters.


    The primary purpose of this moonlight was disguise and concealment.


    If someone happened to pass by the lakeside of the cemetery, looking towards the center of the lake, they would see nothing at all.


    ¡°Alright, now no one will disturb us, let¡¯s continue our conversation. How about it? My request is quite simple, to cross through the passage to the Old World on the other side.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go yourself? You¡¯re a patient, surely you can find some Grey Zone with a passage to cross through?¡±


    Lorrian patiently explained:


    ¡°You think too simply~ Those passages that once existed have long since expanded, distorted, and decayed with the passage of time, some have even transformed into Abysses, occupied by various patient forces, some even more formidable than I.


    Moreover, those large passages and abysses lead directly to the deep parts of the Old World, which is troublesome.


    I currently belong to no faction, and I do not want to get too entangled with these characters, I just want to go and see what the place of origin of the disease looks like, why it has spread to this world?¡±


    This declaration sounded very discordant to Yi Chen,


    It didn¡¯t sound like something a patient would say, more like a human¡­ But then again, upon reflection, Lorrian was indeed different from the typical patients, and his rationale indeed made sense.


    Compared to Lene, the ¡°Patient of Life ¨C Lene¡± he had met in the village, who had a definite pathological origin and was drawn over by some mysterious force from the Old World after she completed Open Source,


    Lorrian, being Patient Zero, did not belong to any pathogen and had no direct connection with the Old World.


    Lorrian, who had transformed from a human, indeed made sense wanting to see the birthplace of the disease in the Old World.


    Yi Chen nodded slightly, reluctantly accepting his explanation, and continued to ask:


    ¡°Then you must have sensed the emergence of the ¡®new passage¡¯ from Holy Grail Mountain, which brought you close to this area, and that¡¯s how you coincidentally met me here. ?????????????


    Since the newly formed passage that only goes to the surface layer of the Old World fits your needs, why not just go directly, why seek me out?¡±


    ¡°Your organization¡¯s ¡®Watcher¡¯ is not to be underestimated. If I were to force my way through, I might end up severely injured, and arriving on the other side with injuries could be really troublesome if I encounter some unforeseen dangers.


    After all, I have not been to the Old World before, it¡¯s necessary to be cautious, isn¡¯t it? S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Relax~ All you need to do is sneak past the Watcher, get me successfully to the other end of the passage, and I will leave on my own initiative.¡±


    At this point,


    Moon Trace Lorrian suddenly stood up, stepped onto the shaky wooden boat beside Yi Chen,


    bent forward,


    and as his silver hair brushed past Yi Chen¡¯s scalp, his bloodless lips came close to Yi Chen¡¯s ear, his right hand covering, whispering a secret between the two of them.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t agree, I¡¯ll kill everyone in the town, including your girlfriend and the new chubby kid you¡¯ve met¡­ Of course, I am a man of my word, after killing them, I will let you leave alone.¡±


    Ater whispering, Lorrian gently patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder and returned to his own boat, waiting for a response.


    Yi Chen asked without changing his expression:


    ¡°How are you going to pass? It¡¯s not possible to disguise you as a corpse and carry you all the way there, right?¡±


    ¡°Hey~ You really are a Tomb Guardian, thinking of such a crude method, ¡®Watcher¡¯ is not easily fooled.


    I¡¯ve already thought of two safest, most reliable solutions, you can choose either one.


    First, I immediately kill one of your teammates, then use ¡®Perfect Performance¡¯ to disguise as them, and when we meet the Watcher, we need the cooperation of spoken assistance to bluff our way through.¡±


    ¡°Impossible¡­¡±


    ¡°I knew you were a principled, humane guy and definitely wouldn¡¯t accept the first option.


    Let us talk about the safer option two then.¡±


    Saying this,


    Moon Trace pointed at the female doctor by his side.


    ¡°First, let me introduce, this is my newly improved atypical patient, also one of my favorite female doctors, I haven¡¯t given her a name¡­[She]is fine to be referred to as this for now.


    After leaving Twilight Clinic, I visited many human cities and had private exchanges with some highly skilled doctors, usually taking their most flexible finger at the end of our meetings.


    A total of thirteen fingers have been attached to her body, and after long-term training, she has become very proficient in various types of surgical procedures.¡±


    During the introduction, the fingers connected to the female doctor¡¯s body via catheters also swayed, seemingly greeting Yi Chen.


    ¡°The second option is very simple, it requires no one¡¯s death.


    We only need to perform a surgery on site, cut off half of your body, and then sew me into it.


    Once we successfully head to the Old World, I will voluntarily separate from you.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to take over my body?¡±


    As Yi Chen cast this critical question, Lorrian hastily waved his hand to deny it, ¡°Although I am very interested in you and was initially insistent on combining with you to return to the ¡®Dual Moon Form.¡¯


    But now, my combination with Elton John (a Moon Transformation patient with performing abilities, former theater owner) is going well.


    I don¡¯t need you for the time being.¡±


    At this moment, Moon Trace removed the medical gauze from his right eye.


    A full moon pupil emerged, its surface still marred with some impurities, needing more time to recuperate.


    ¡°Even if I really wanted to take over your body, not now.


    Your current developmental state is very good, much better than I anticipated. I would not obstruct such development by grafting an imperfect body prematurely.


    This time, I am merely asking you for help, don¡¯t slap me with the villain label.


    Compared to some of you humans, I am quite benevolent.¡±


    ¡°Benevolent? The benevolence that wipes out an entire city?¡± Yi Chen retorted fearlessly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense, I just placed the moon in the sky, never getting involved personally¡­ And besides, they might not see it as a slaughter but more as a ¡®Promotion Selection.¡¯


    That¡¯s enough~ If we delay any longer, your chubby friend might come along with the Tomb Guardian to find you, tell me your decision.¡±


    There was never really a choice to begin with, but Yi Chen had been aware of this from the start,


    ¡°Option two, but I have three conditions.


    1. You can cut off half of my body, but my entire brain must be preserved.


    2. Bury the cut-off part of my body at the bottom of the lake and conceal it using your abilities.


    3. You may not interfere with any of my actions during the climb.¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ I can agree to the first two, but this third one, we need to talk it over a bit.


    If you are not strong enough and about to die, letting me help you out a bit shouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Then let us begin the surgery!¡±


    Moon Trace Lorrian, having learned gentlemanly manners, elegantly extended a hand to lead Yi Chen to his wooden boat,


    After the female doctor flashed a disturbingly eerie smile through her black hair, she plunged a knife into Yi Chen¡¯s neck, slicing it open along the centerline.

 Chapter 156: The Black Fog

    I didn¡¯t know how much time had passed. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Yi Chen opened his eyes again, there was only a wooden boat left in the center of the lake, with no sign of the female doctor or Lorrian.


    However, his completely severed right half was packed in a special ¡°Blood Stopping Fresh Film¡± and placed at the bow of the boat.


    According to Yi Chen¡¯s request, the right half bore a shallow Moon Seal, which, under the seal¡¯s effect, remained in a concealed state invisible to others, so that even if it was buried at the bottom of the lake, no one would discover it.


    Looking at the half body at the bow, Yi Chen suddenly looked down at the ¡®other right half¡¯ on his body.


    There were no signs of stitching, just a few minor differences from before.


    The new ¡®right half¡¯ that grew on his body was slightly paler, and even under the moonlight, it exuded a faint silver luster.


    Such subtle differences could easily be covered up with gentleman¡¯s clothes.


    While Yi Chen was getting dressed quickly, a gasp of astonishment suddenly came from the Moon Scar inside him.


    ¡°William, when did you get this inside you? What a surging life force, no wonder you showed no sign of life fading during the surgery.


    Oh! It was last time, right? The time I helped you, and you seemed to be in a special area full of vitality.


    Also, this umbilical cord seems to really despise me as an ¡®outsider¡¯. Hurry up and calm it down, or else we¡¯ll have to redo the surgery.¡±


    As the Moon Scar spoke, Yi Chen could also feel a strong disturbance at the site of the umbilical cord in his abdomen; he immediately tried to communicate with the umbilical cord, conveying this thought.


    Gradually, the disturbance in the abdomen disappeared.


    ¡°This is a gift from a friend, none of your business.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in such things anyway~ By the way, I can smell a woman¡¯s aura on it, are you two-timing now, William?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense¡­¡±


    ¡°Besides, your current right half is made up of my substance, why don¡¯t you try that weapon you made out of Moon rats? The effect might be a bit different.¡±


    Yi Chen, having accepted the temporary combination with Moon Scar, didn¡¯t intentionally reject the other¡¯s statements and suggestions.


    He took out the ¡°Moon of Slaughter¡± from his suitcase.


    When his fingers dug into the mechanism and pulled the axe handle, switching it to full moon mode,


    Under the spotlight of the moon, the axe blade emitted a silver luster far beyond the usual, even becoming somewhat ethereal, like a mirage.


    Yi Chen could directly sense that once the axe hit the target, it would burn a deeper Moon Seal, doubling its effect.


    ¡°You humans are not bad after all~ Using the core of that useless rat to forge such a nearly flawless weapon.


    That¡¯s enough for now~ I¡¯m going to rest for a bit; you better take care of things here quickly and get climbing.


    If there¡¯s too much delay, your body might unconsciously retain a part of me, so don¡¯t come looking for me if there are any side effects later on.¡±


    As the voice of Moon Scar faded, so did the spotlight falling through the gaps in the clouds, returning to tranquility.


    Yi Chen showed little change in expression, merely raising his hand to check the time on his watch.


    The communication and surgery together had taken a full five hours; sunrise was not far off.


    He picked up his ¡®right half¡¯ wrapped in the fresh film, and with a standard diving motion, headed towards the bottom of the lake.


    During the dive, he could clearly see that the color of Cold Lake had turned almost black with very low visibility.


    The Lake Heart burial area was densely covered with black hair, with no place to set foot, eerie and chilling.


    ¡°Little Grape really seems to be able to completely drain Cold Lake Cemetery¡­¡±


    Yi Chen chose not to bury his right half in the Lake Heart district but instead in an inconspicuous middle ring area untouched by the black hair.


    Having completed the burial,


    He reconnected the plant link with Little Grape, as if nothing had happened, and went back to the boat to catch up on sleep.


    ¡­


    Cemetery Manager¡¯s room.


    The limping Field had been in discussion with Reagan for a full four hours.


    Field was greatly shocked by the young man before him, who was not only obese but had even remembered to take a chicken leg with him when he left the hotel. ??£Î?£Â¨§?


    The things he spoke of, whether it was his understanding of concepts like corpses, cemeteries, and burial, or his ideas of combining these things with contemporary technology, reached or even exceeded Field¡¯s own standards.


    This simply didn¡¯t seem like the words of a young person,


    In Field¡¯s view, this young man already had what it takes to open a cemetery and not just any cemetery, but a scientific one equipped with power generating devices that had never existed before.


    At the end of the discussion, the limping Field didn¡¯t know how to restore the consciousness of a body left with only a single bone to its condition before death,


    But out of appreciation for the young man before him, he rolled up his sleeve and removed the bone wristband he wore on his wrist.


    ¡°If the cemetery is removed, this grave-guarding tool will be of no use to me anymore¡­ Since I can¡¯t help you restore consciousness, take this as compensation.


    The wristband was handcrafted by me. It will allow you to communicate better with ¡®her¡¯ and prevent any out-of-control situations.¡±


    As Reagan took the cold and moist bone wristband, his gentleman¡¯s clothes immediately read the related tool information.


    ¡®Chains of Shackles¡¯ ¨C A minority of special corpses continue to grow during burial, and an extra section of cervical spine that protrudes through the epidermis, also known as ¡®Chains of Shackles bone¡¯. The bracelet, forged from multiple sections of such bones, can enhance the mental dominion of the wearer.


    Reagan¡¯s pupils noticeably dilated as he read the information about the bracelet.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Field.¡±


    ¡°With your ¡®Perception¡¯, you should be able to use this thing properly. Let¡¯s call it a night ~ Staying up late isn¡¯t a good habit. You should go back and rest. The journey to Holy Grail Mountain is not going to be easy.¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Reagan left the manager¡¯s house and headed back to the lakeside. Glimpsing the boat and the figure lying on it at the heart of the lake, he then departed straight away.


    However,


    As Reagan was about to step out of the cemetery gates, he suddenly turned to a nearby ordinary grave mound that was still not in a hurry to be relocated. These graves, set on the land by the shore, were the lowest class of burial.


    He put on the bracelet and directed his palm towards the mounded grave.


    Rustle, rustle, rustle~


    The grave mound loosened, and a decayed, rotting arm burst forth.


    As Reagan pressed his palm downwards, the arm of the animated corpse obediently retreated back into place, smoothly covering up the opening with soil.


    ¡°This is a great item¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Evening


    After having their last meal at the hotel, the three teams were ready to head to Greyrell Mountain, each according to the route they had chosen, to eliminate the rooted pathogens and locate the ¡®Passage¡¯.


    The white-haired Lotson, skilled in ancient magic, looked around at the dinner table and, not seeing a particular person, asked Reagan, who appeared approachable:


    ¡°Speaking of which, where did your captain go? Why isn¡¯t he coming to eat?¡±


    ¡°William is dealing with some private matters with Mr. Field for now. He should be here later.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Field? No wonder I haven¡¯t seen him all day. I really envy geniuses like him; people appreciate them wherever they go.¡±


    As everyone left the hotel and prepared to board their carriages,


    their gaze was uniformly drawn to the east side of the town, precisely in the direction of the cemetery.


    A demonic, eerie black mist billowed in the air, growing thicker by the moment.


    The gentleman stationed at this location, even the head doctor from Moonlight Clinic, rushed over to check the situation, for that was Cold Lake Cemetery, the domain of Mr. Field, the person in charge.


    If something happened there, the entire town would be in jeopardy.

 Chapter 157: The Change of the Little Grape

    Due to the special contact with Moon Scar last night, and the physical burden brought by the surgery, Yi Chen slept right up until almost departure time.


    When he vaguely woke up, the scene before him immediately made his sleepiness disappear.


    The once crystal-clear Cold Lake had been completely blackened, and there was even a large amount of black hair emerging from the surface of the lake, waving like water plants.


    In addition,


    Lame Field, unbeknownst when, had already boarded the boat and was now standing at the bow observing the changes in Cold Lake.


    ¡°Awake yet? You seemed very tired last night. What happened?¡±


    In response to Field¡¯s query, Yi Chen calmly answered, ¡°We¡¯re about to head to Holy Grail Mountain, so I tried to sleep as much as possible, otherwise I might not have the chance to sleep for the next few days.¡±


    Field did not suspect anything; he was more concerned with the matter at hand.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ This tomb product of yours, is it really from the Seven-Day Cemetery?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Little Grape and I left the Seven-Day Cemetery together to partake in the Organization¡¯s assessment and have reached this point. As for what it actually is, I am not too sure myself, even the gentleman¡¯s clothes at the current stage are unable to identify it.¡±


    ¡°Even gentleman¡¯s clothes can¡¯t recognize it? Interesting. Once I handle the remaining matters here, I¡¯ll have to find some time to meet that young Wilbert.¡±


    While the two were discussing Little Grape, the surface of the lake stirred.


    Gurgle gurgle~


    One by one, black bubble-like objects surfaced on the lake, which from certain angles, looked like shiny eyeballs.


    Each burst bubble released a strand of dense black mist into the sky,


    and as the quantity increased, a frightening demonic face even faintly formed in the air.


    Such phenomena attracted the town¡¯s gentlemen, who sat around the shore of Cold Lake, weapons drawn and alert for any terrifying creatures that might emerge from beneath the lake.


    At this moment, Lame Field¡¯s voice spread from the center of the lake, echoing throughout the entire cemetery:


    ¡°No need to be tense, this isn¡¯t a dangerous situation. The bodies in Cold Lake have all been moved, and what¡¯s happening now is just the final treatment of the lake water.¡± ???????????¨ºs


    Hearing Mr. Field say this, everyone sheathed their weapons, and most gentlemen returned to their posts.


    However,


    The team members attracted by the phenomena and some gentlemen who were off today remained there, wanting to see exactly what was going on.


    Gradually,


    As the black mist in the sky slowly dispersed, the black hair floating on the surface of the lake also completely retracted.


    The water level dropped about two meters, with the water becoming turbid and pitch-black, unfit for the burial of bodies.


    Just then, an unnerving sense of being watched emanated from the bottom of the lake.


    Even the gentlemen standing on the shore could distinctly feel it, as if their bodies were being completely seen through by this peering sensation, involuntarily tightening their clothes and stepping back.


    It seemed as if a massive eye at the bottom of the lake was slowly opening.


    Only Jin and Reagan made no movement, because they knew what lay at the bottom of the lake.


    Jin¡¯s mask was partly lifted, revealing pink, thin lips holding a strawberry-flavored lollipop, silently watching everything unfold.


    ¡°William¡¯s eye has been enhanced; our journey up the mountain will be much easier now~ I really don¡¯t want to waste too much time on such a boring task as climbing a mountain.¡±


    At that moment, the gigantic creature at the lake¡¯s bottom began to ascend, causing the entire lake to churn violently.


    Just as something terrifying was about to break through the surface¡­ Pfft! A weak splash arose at the center of the lake.


    A black, globular mass tumbled three and a half turns in the air before landing steadfastly on the edge of the boat, its entire body dripping with water.


    The mouth holding eyeballs issued an excited, mixed voice:


    ¡°Phew! That was so comfortable. This lake really is a great thing, it has managed to wash away all the dirt accumulated over hundreds of years from my body~ I feel so much lighter now.¡±


    Saying this, Little Grape even began to jump on the spot, performing several difficult aerial flips in succession.


    Slap~


    As the final action ended, his feet landed firmly on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulders, and then he gracefully bowed to the limping Field.


    ¡°Thank you very much, I will keep the ¡®Will of Cold Lake¡¯ within my body; as long as I am alive, it means the Cold Lake Cemetery exists in another form.¡±


    In the midst of his words,


    grape¡¯s oral cavity unexpectedly overflowed with streams of pure Cold Lake Water, allowing the eyeball in his mouth to float upon this special icy saliva, the washed eyeball gleaming brightly.


    At this sight, Mr. Field genuinely laughed from his heart.


    ¡°It seems like an old bone like me should really retire and pass on the cemetery¡­ It¡¯s already past the scheduled time to board, it¡¯s time for you all to do what you need to do.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! This grape is going to wreak havoc!¡±


    The overconfident Grape immediately performed a set of Chaotic Dog Boxing on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulders.


    Having been buried at the bottom of the lake for a whole day, half of which was spent sleeping, Grape had no immediate plans on returning inside Yi Chen¡¯s body. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The boat returned to shore, the squad gathered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move out!¡±


    After bidding farewell to the limping Field, everyone naturally turned their attention to Grape, who started striking various poses under their gaze.


    Yi Chen also asked curiously, ¡°Grape, making such a big fuss, what benefits did you actually get? Or did you evolve to a more perfected stage?¡±


    ¡°With no good grapes to eat, progress my ass! Didn¡¯t I just mention it? The uniqueness of Cold Lake has cleaned my whole body, making my movements more agile. The grime on my body has accumulated for over a hundred years; it¡¯s not something that a simple bath can wash off.


    My current speed has increased by at least 20%.¡±


    ¡°What else?¡±


    ¡°And also¡­ ah!¡± Grape opened his mouth wide, and a stream of extremely cold saliva flowed out, sending chills through Yi Chen.


    ¡°My saliva now possesses the properties of Cold Lake Cemetery, capable at any time of cleaning eyeballs and improving my water abilities~ My speed underwater has increased about 30% or so.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    Not just Yi Chen, but Jin and Reagan had the same reaction.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®that¡¯s it¡¯? This is a big improvement, okay? My agility has increased; if you get killed, I¡¯ll be able to escape immediately, and maybe even retrieve your body afterwards.


    Plus, there¡¯s free eyeball cleaning fluid, which is perfect if long periods of combat in a water-less area causes eye dryness and decreased vision¡ªit¡¯s a game changer.¡±


    ¡°I did see the entire lake surface being covered by your hair and black mist spilling out, forming a devil-like phantom in the air¡­ and that¡¯s all the enhancement you got?¡±


    ¡°Cleaning my body, huh~ Of course, I had to wash every single hair.


    The useless corpse gas released along with the dirt during the cleaning process is the black mist you saw, which is pretty much like human farting, except I¡¯d been holding these farts in for decades, if not a hundred years.¡±


    After Grape put it that way, even imagining the odor was almost overwhelming, Yi Chen decided not to probe further.


    ¡°However, the traits of [Cold Lake Cemetery] absorbed by me might become more useful as I grow, although for now, it seems they only help in washing eyeballs.


    If you really want me to have strengths at a tangible level, then hurry up and find some eyeballs for this Grape.


    Enough talk; the upcoming mission is a great opportunity, let¡¯s head out now.¡±


    Not long after getting on the carriage,


    the overexcited Grape finally settled down, and, with no one paying attention to it anymore, it no longer wanted to stay outside.


    As it squeezed back into Yi Chen¡¯s body through the collar, its entire body of hair trembled violently!


    An absolute sense of mortal threat,


    struggling with all its strength to get out of the shoulder; just as it opened its mouth to say something, slap! Yi Chen covered it with one hand.


    The next second, a tremendous force pulled it inside the body, after which there was no more sound.

 Chapter 158: Natural Grey Zone

    As Little Grape¡¯s physical body immersed itself in Yi Chen¡¯s body,


    its consciousness was dragged by an irresistible force to a special ward where it was imprisoned.


    On the hospital bed by the window, a silver-haired youth was sitting, bathed in the moonlight that seeped into the ward.


    As he turned his head, Little Grape¡¯s hair bristled instantly.


    ¡°Are you William¡¯s little friend? Your composition is quite complex¡­ Should I perform some dissection to understand you better, or would you like to explain your origin yourself?¡±


    ¡°Help!¡± Little Grape was on the verge of crying, utterly confused as to why the inside of Yi Chen¡¯s body had transformed into a Moon Scar ward.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, I was just joking. This time, I¡¯m merely asking William for a favor~ I¡¯ll rest inside his body for a while until I reach the Old World and then leave.


    Please guide me during our time together inside, Mr. Grep.¡±


    ¡­


    In the speeding coach


    Yi Chen was not worried about Little Grape¡¯s condition, for he had already agreed with Moon Scar that if there were any problems with Little Grape, their trade would be terminated immediately.


    For now, all he needed to consider was the upcoming mountain journey.


    Unlike the other two teams,


    the coach carrying them would take them directly to the foot of Greyrell Mountain, sending the three to the pilgrimage path chosen by pilgrims of the past¡ªa pathway filled with suffering, steep and rugged.


    When the scheduled travel time had reached its halfway point, the coachman¡¯s cadaverous, hoarse voice came from the front.


    ¡°We are about to enter the Natural Grey Zone of Greyrell Mountain. You can use the ¡®membrane window¡¯ to observe the environment of the area in advance.¡±


    The so-called membrane window is a kind of ¡°visible isolation window,¡± made by processing the Gentleman¡¯s Skin into a thin film, maintaining its characteristics while allowing for more than 80% transparency.


    Due to the high cost of craftsmanship, ordinary coaches aren¡¯t usually equipped with it.


    However, each berth in the coach they were riding in had a membrane window.


    Jin was still fast asleep,


    sitting on the lower bunk, Yi Chen and Reagan simultaneously slid open the wooden compartment, revealing a nearly transparent film in front of them,


    Aside from a few capillary-like fines lines left in the membrane responsible for nutrient transport, there was almost no obstruction to their view.


    Through the membrane, they could clearly see that the coach was speeding along a relatively spacious highway,


    Both the highway and the surrounding forests were pervaded by gray mist,


    1. The road, paved with gravel and clay, strangely bubbled like a liquid, with some segments swelling into enormous bulges, inflamed, scaling with breathing rhythms, and even oozing pus.


    At times, one could even see bizarre life forms crawling on the road, which upon closer inspection, were abnormal constructs made of both gravel and animal flesh, mindlessly crawling.


    The coachman steered the peculiar horses through the distorted road in an S-shape, trying his best to avoid pathological structures.


    2. The forests on either side of the road seemed to come alive with consciousness, with organs resembling eyes located between the tree barks, watching the passing coach, ?¨¢?????


    Some trees with higher activation degrees would pluck their own or other trees¡¯ fruits, placing them into their decayed mouths to chew and swallow.


    Even, one could see two trees entwined in a struggle, the weaker being subdued and having its bark ripped off bite by bite by the victor, which then drank the sap from within.


    The victorious tree would visibly thicken its trunk and harden its branches, sprouting extra and enormous fruits during its feast.


    After tasting this advantage, it would continue to attack other trees, further accelerating its growth, ultimately potentially evolving into pure plant-based Patients, giving the whole area a feel of a vegetal battle royale.


    Every now and then, oddly shaped creatures would dart out of the woods,


    like the current sudden white streak that leaped out, covering an exaggerated distance of over ten meters, stopping right in front of the coach.


    Upon closer inspection, it was a rabbit-man, a cute fuzzy rabbit head mounted on a grotesquely muscular body,


    its deep red pupils staring fixedly at the intruding coach, spreading its mutated muscular arms to forcibly intercept,


    Bang! A muffled gunshot echoed through the highway.


    The rabbit¡¯s head, along with its upper half, instantly turned into mince, becoming nourishment for the road.


    The coachman habitually blew away the smoke from the barrel and with a flick of his hand, inserted the thick-barreled shotgun into the holster beside him.


    As long as it wasn¡¯t a Severe Patient blocking the road, the coachman could resolve the issue quickly without delaying the journey.


    In the carriage, Yi Chen intently observed the Grey Zone environment outside the window. To him, the most significant trait of this thin Grey Zone was that it was ¡°alive¡± and mixed with a certain amount of chaos.


    ¡°Compared to the non-natural Grey Zone that erupted in Shebolt Village, the villagers, under the influence of Combination Illness, lived a life worse than death, reduced to tools of production for the Church.


    This natural Grey Zone is much better. Setting aside the Pathological label, at least the creatures here still maintain their selfhood, aren¡¯t tortured, and follow their will to live in a completely new way.


    Unfortunately, for non-natural Grey Zones, as long as you can kill the source of grayification, you can contain and eliminate it.


    Natural Grey Zone, however, stems directly from the influences of the Old World. With the formation of the ¡°pathway,¡± the degree of grayification deepens continuously, and the existing methods are incapable of eradicating the spread of the Natural Grey Zone; at best, they can only slow it down.


    That¡¯s why, sooner or later, even Zion, known as ¡®the last sanctuary¡¯ and built atop a high mountain, will eventually be enveloped by the Grey Zone.¡±


    Thanks to the sufficient elasticity of the membrane window,


    Yi Chen pressed his entire face against it, like sticking on a meat-textured facial mask, and slowly stuck his head out of the carriage.


    Looking ahead along the road,


    just as the name Greyrell Mountain suggests, a mountain resembling a Holy Grail in shape, with a thinner middle part, loomed nearby, its near thousand-meter height shrouded in a dense, life-like flowing mist layer.


    The mist enveloped the entire mountain like mucus, allowing only a vague outline to be visible, and it even seemed as if the mountain itself was animated by it.


    ¡°A transition from thin to medium Grey Zone? This is my first encounter¡­ According to the books, with each ascension in level, the internal environment of a Grey Zone undergoes a qualitative change.


    If it nears a medium Grey Zone, even the most unchangeable inorganic matter becomes ill.


    The basic structure of the environment might alter under the influence of the Grey Zone, manifesting some ¡®surreal structures¡¯ not seen under normal conditions. Not to mention humans, even some Patients could get lost in it.


    We need to find some kind of Rule, or even use Old World methods to find the correct path.


    My eyes, combined with my Professional Characteristics, should pose no problem, and there¡¯s also Reagan¡¯s genius in perception to help.¡±


    Compared to worrying, Yi Chen was more excited about the exploration.


    As the carriage left the road and swiftly traversed through the distorted woods for a while, it finally stopped at the foot of a mountain.


    ¡°Jin, it¡¯s time for us to set out!¡±


    Yi Chen knocked on the bunk above,


    and when Jin opened her eyes, her pupils surprisingly displayed a rare Red Lotus pattern, signifying that she was in an excellent condition. She could stay awake without feeling sleepy for at least two days.


    And this time she became unusually serious,


    not wearing a suit,


    but donning a coat specially designed by Mr. Ivan that suited Jin¡¯s combat style, with 80% of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin concentrated in this garment,


    Jin, considering the restrictiveness the skins brought, chose not to wear it normally or during missions.


    But facing the gradual transition from thin to medium Grey Zone, considering the impact on her physical body, she decided to utilize the isolating effect of the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin.¡±


    Her hooded dark red leather coat, with metal ring buttons paired with diagonal cinching straps, not only sculpted her figure but also enhanced the stability of the garment during combat.


    The leather sheath structure fitted on the back of the coat could just accommodate Jin¡¯s weaponry, with the rejuvenated long sword slung on her back.


    The moment she put on the coat and donned the hood, her whole demeanor changed,


    the coat¡¯s enclosed structure suppressed Jin¡¯s mental madness,


    and the deep red color emitted themes of Red Lotus and slaughter, making her appear more threatening, much like the most dangerous Executioner among organizations. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Yi Chen saw Jin¡¯s new outfit, before he could even comment, Lorrian¡¯s voice pre-emptively resounded within him.


    ¡°Your girlfriend looks pretty good, huh~¡±

 Chapter 159: The Pilgrimage Path

    ¡°Whether or not you succeed in obtaining the Relic, I won¡¯t be waiting for you at the base of the mountain all the time.¡±


    ¡°After you have completed this event and come down the mountain, you need to walk back to the previous highway. I will wander there from time to time, for up to ten days. Good luck to you all.¡±


    The Coachman left these words mechanically and drove the carriage away.


    The three of them didn¡¯t rush to start their climb; they first made a series of observations on the situation at the base of the mountain.


    After standing in the forest area covered by the Grey Zone for five minutes, they neither encountered any attacks from animated trees nor met the rabbit creature that had blocked their path before.


    The area that should have been dangerous was unusually quiet.


    ...


    ¡°The Pathological creatures in the forest at the foot of the mountain, whether or not they are conscious, are instinctively afraid to come near here.


    According to the data recorded by the survey team, any animals that come close to the Pilgrim are either blinded or have their eyes gouged out. Perhaps that¡¯s why nearby creatures dare not approach this Pilgrim¡¯s path.


    We¡¯ll temporarily set our climbing order like this,


    with me leading the way with Little Grape to scout ahead,


    and Mr. Reagan, you take the rear. If your Sensing detects that I have taken a wrong path or if you notice that the path we have just passed has changed under the influence of the Grey Zone, just let me know immediately.


    Jin, you stay in the middle,


    so whether I encounter danger ahead or Reagan is attacked from behind, you can support either of us right away.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    The small pep on Jin¡¯s shoulder also began to take things seriously; its feathers tightly spread out at fixed angles, revealing its many eyes inherited from its grandmother, which could also serve for precise observation and breaking Illusions.


    Yi Chen at the forefront signaled for a moment, ¡°Little Grape seems to have fallen asleep; I¡¯ll go wake it.¡±


    As Thought was transmitted to Lorrian, Little Grape¡¯s Ego was then released from the ¡°Consciousness Ward¡± Lorrian had constructed.


    Trembling all over, it wriggled out from the collar of Yi Chen¡¯s jacket, one hand clutching Yi Chen¡¯s neck, feeling hollowed out.


    When officially starting their climb on the rugged mountain path,


    Yi Chen was somewhat curious, as Little Grape hadn¡¯t relayed any messages and, true to its nature, should have been constantly complaining.


    ¡°Hey, are you okay? I wanted to tell you about Moon Scar beforehand, but seeing you continuously excited about contacting ¡®Cold Lake Cemetery¡¯, I just let it be. Lorrian hasn¡¯t done anything to you, has he?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ ¡±


    ¡°We have already started climbing. We¡¯ll soon encounter the special Patients related to ¡®Gathering Eye Disease¡¯, and perhaps you¡¯ll get the quality grapes you¡¯ve been dreaming of nights and days.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    After responding briefly, Little Grape crossed its legs and sat directly on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, its state seeming just short of having a cigarette hanging from its lips, appearing depressed.


    ¡°Then you might want to take it easy for a bit.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This state didn¡¯t last long; Little Grape exuded cold lake water from all its pores, splashed its face with cold water, and energized itself.


    Then it said seriously, ¡°All the grapes we get during the climb should go to me. If they can help me evolve into a higher form, perhaps there will be a chance for survival.¡± ??????¨®???


    Yi Chen smiled faintly, not bothering to explain much further.


    After a night of communication with Moon Scar, Yi Chen saw no deceit in the other¡¯s face, and could almost confirm the sincerity of their exchanges.


    Even if it wanted his life, as Moon Scar said, it would wait until Yi Chen had grown mature enough, that is, after breaking through the ¡®Limit of Man.¡¯


    Though there were still some minor threats to consider, for now, what needed to be done was to focus on the climb.


    The rugged, winding mountain path before them had only one route, requiring no choices at any forks.


    About fifteen minutes into the climb, they finally encountered the ¡®Pilgrims¡¯ detailed in the event records.


    Their bodies were thin and elongated like withered trees, possibly due to prolonged trekking and lack of nutrition,


    Wrapped in only a tattered cloth,


    in their hands, they each clutched a small object, be it a glass marble, a metal ring, or a slip of paper¡ªrelics from their loved ones, seemingly hoping that the pilgrimage might lead their souls to a world devoid of illness.


    They kneeled on the ground, their bodies leaning forward, their heads completely touching the ground, forming a triangular worshipping posture.


    There was no need for verification to ascertain that these pilgrims had already died, belonging to those who were eliminated early on, those too weak to even undergo the transformation.


    Their corpses were neatly lined up along the ascending mountain path, with one every two or three meters, extending into the dense fog of the mountainside, making it uncertain whether there was an end in sight.


    ¡°Little Grape, help me out.¡±


    Trying to approach one of the pilgrim corpses, Yi Chen let Little Grape slowly lower itself down while clinging to its tendrils, like a worker suspended by a safety rope, to peek at the buried face of the pilgrim.


    However, the vision returned was quite eerie, making Yi Chen furrow his brows,


    The deceased pilgrim¡¯s eyes had been gouged out, which was expected, but he still bore a smile.


    This smile was not one of pain or distortion, but a heartfelt relief, even describable as ¡®excitement¡¯¡ªas though his pilgrimage had not failed at all and was still ongoing.


    Yi Chen observed several more deceased pilgrims, all wearing that same expression.


    While he was observing the fifth corpse,


    Reagan, at the end of the team, picked up on something unusual and quickly shouted out, ¡°William, watch out for the corpse¡¯s back!¡±


    Almost at the same moment he shouted, the back of the corpse indeed started to move.


    Hidden beneath the tattered cloth, it was unclear what exactly was moving, only that there were many, all of different sizes.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t retreat but instead retracted Little Grape, who was ¡®suspended in operation¡¯¡­ letting Little Grape alone observe the strange movement on the back while Yi Chen chose to close his eyes.


    Meanwhile, with a hand gesture downward toward his teammates on the mountain path below, Yi Chen suggested that they wait and see if they need to help based on how the situation unfolded.


    The back of the corpse continued to maintain its granular movement, without further change or threat, as if it was just waiting for someone passing by to unveil the old cloth covering the moving area.


    Whew~


    With one hand holding the axe, and the other grabbing the corner of the cloth, Yi Chen slowly began to pull.


    As the rag slid off the back, a densely packed scene of discomfort was observed by Little Grape¡¯s lone eye and transmitted back to Yi Chen¡¯s brain.


    The corpse¡¯s back was covered with grapes of varying sizes from various mountain creatures, notably lacking the eye structures of humans¡­ these eyeballs might have been related to what the pilgrims ate before their deaths.


    Right as the rag fell,


    All the granular eyes turned their gaze toward the ¡®unveiler¡¯, a spiritual pathogen rapidly invading the thoughts of Little Grape.


    But then¡­ Buzz!


    The spiritual shock from the Lake Bottom Giant Eye reversed its course.


    The feeling was quite like ¡®counter-waves¡¯, only this clash of mental realms was invisible to the naked eye.


    The next second,


    Crackling~ As if someone was setting off firecrackers in the mountains, all the eyes on the back of the corpse burst simultaneously, not a single one surviving.


    Having done all this, Little Grape, hands on hips, said disdainfully:


    ¡°Such low-level Pupil Skills, still trying to be secretive and pose, what trash~ With eyeballs this inferior, I can¡¯t even muster a hint of appetite.¡±


    Having quickly neutralized the target, Little Grape seemed to regain its confidence,


    and instantly recovered from its depressed state, standing proudly on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, one hand on its waist and the other pointing towards the path up the mountain.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to explode all your inferior grapes today; bring it on!¡±

 Chapter 160: Deep Layer Vision Combine

    Even though Xiao Putao directly surpassed in the Pupil Skill and instantly killed a pilgrim¡¯s corpse,


    Yi Chen did not rush to continue climbing but returned to regroup with the squad.


    ¡°Reagan, what¡¯s your take?¡±


    His slightly chubby fingers scratched at his cheek, giving his analysis:


    ¡°A corpse is still a corpse; those eyes are merely the abnormal combination that occurred under the effect of the Grey Zone when the worm eyes were ingested into the body. They are pieced together using this corpse to affect passing organisms.


    ...


    At its essence, it belongs to an abnormal variant primarily of animals, insects, and the like, having lost the attribute of being human.


    As long as we¡¯re prepared in advance, they are not highly threatening.


    It also explains why animal eyes and insect eyes don¡¯t have much of an effect on the pilgrims themselves¡­ What they need may only be the ¡°human eye.¡±


    The pilgrims who had their eyes gouged out died with a smile perhaps because they achieved some purpose, allowing someone to carry on with their eyeballs and complete this pilgrimage.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s what I thought too¡­ Let¡¯s get going.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was ready to continue on the mountain path, Reagan reached out to stop him.


    ¡°Let me take the lead, these incomplete eye clusters are just right for a warm-up¡­ It¡¯s been almost a year since I last ventured out of the city to fight against the Patients.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Yi Chen and Jin walked behind, with Jin feeling no urge to insist. She simply wasn¡¯t interested in these lowly ¡°corpse eye clusters.¡±


    Pop pop pop~


    Explosive sounds were intermittently transmitted from the treacherous mountain path.


    Any corpse Reagan passed, before even a shred of cloth could be lifted, the internal eye clusters would all explode.


    The path ahead was clear, and this perilous route of pilgrimage had no detours, making the journey smooth.


    Following the trail of pilgrim corpses, they arrived mid-mountain, at the ¡®thinnest¡¯ part of the stem of Holy Grail Mountain, where the extension of corpses also ended.


    All along the way, Yi Chen had been counting in his mind¡ªexactly 1008 bodies. One could imagine how vast the original group of pilgrims that came to Holy Grail Mountain was.


    Mid-mountain, there was a flat platform in the mountainside suitable for rest, and it was here that a fork in the road first appeared.


    One path was an extension of the previous rugged mountain path, continuing to cling to the perilous cliff sides. In some places, the path broke off, requiring climbing to connect.


    Another path extended towards the other side of Holy Grail Mountain, corresponding to a relatively gentle forest path.


    After discussing it within the team, everyone decided to continue on the perilous mountain route. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a brief rest at the mountain platform,


    Yi Chen, as per habit, used one hand to support himself, attempting to stand up, not knowing his palm would land right on a flat pebble.


    What should have been a hard, cold pebble, instead had a somewhat soft and even warm feel,


    Crack crack~


    The pebble, as if realizing it had been discovered, suddenly grew four insect legs from beneath, trying to flee from the spot.


    Yi Chen certainly wasn¡¯t going to let it go, turned on his heel and stomped down¡­ crunch! The pebble was completely crushed.


    Broken rocks and various bits of flesh, and even an eyeball amongst them.


    Though flattened, it was still distinguishable as being similar to a human eyeball, its surface still connected to numerous brain nerves, seemingly bearing the function of the Main Brain. £Ò¨¤¦­???????


    ¡°The corpses of the previous pilgrims only contained animal or insect eyeballs, but this sick stone appearing here contains an eyeball almost resembling a human¡¯s and even shouldering brain functions.


    Doesn¡¯t that seem a bit weird~ Could it be that from mid-mountain onwards, matter is officially under the combined influence of Gathering Eye Disease and Grey Zone?


    Everyone be careful, the path ahead might have more eye-related abnormal entities, and the threat level will definitely be greater.¡±


    Yi Chen did not receive any response when he finished speaking.


    He abruptly looked up, only to find Jin and Reagan, who were supposed to be by his side, nowhere to be seen. Only Yi Chen¡¯s own footprints were on the grassy mountain slope¡­ the two had never been here at all.


    A chill surged up, and his expression turned grave.


    Yi Chen quickly stepped onto the treacherous mountain path and peered down.


    The path was still lined with the corpses of pilgrims, and fifty meters below, thick fog obscured everything, leaving no trace of his teammates.


    ¡°Xiao Putao!¡±


    Upon Yi Chen¡¯s call, Xiao Putao emerged from the collar as normal.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation, why is it only you?¡± Xiao Putao was also puzzled by the scene before her.


    ¡°We must have been under the effect of some Hallucination Pupil Technique for quite a while now¡­ I only realized it when I just now crushed a stone creature, but the scene before us is not entirely real.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly disputed Grape¡¯s conclusion, ¡°Impossible! Even if you¡¯re affected, I won¡¯t be¡­ I am a graveyard creature with the Eye as my main attribute, to make me fall into a trap, unless¡­¡±


    At this point, even Grape paused for a moment.


    ¡°Unless what?¡±


    ¡°Unless on the level of eyes, it transcends me, the Patient also with the Eye as its core attribute, infinitely close to Open Source, and might have even reached the level of Open Source.


    Now we¡¯re done for. The truly terrifying thing about spiritual Patients is right here¡­ As long as they surpass us in level, we won¡¯t even know how we died.


    If we don¡¯t know how we got trapped, the same might happen afterward.


    Perhaps while walking along the mountain path, you would suddenly fall from a several-hundred-meter-high mountain and only realize you¡¯re going to die the moment your body is smashed to pieces.


    Or maybe you think you found your teammates and you¡¯re gathering with them, but then the next thing you know, they¡¯re eating off your head and devouring your body.¡±


    Yi Chen took a deep breath and wasn¡¯t influenced by Grape¡¯s negative talk.


    ¡°Hey! Grape~ If you want to survive, bring out your best skills. Starting now, turn your visual enhancement to the max, and don¡¯t let up for a moment.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say, maintaining high concentration for a long time will make my eyes bloodshot and damage them.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just get the essence of Cold Lake Cemetery? Wash your eyes with Cold Lake water from time to time. You should be able to hold up for a while, right? Let me know if you really can¡¯t.¡±


    Grape gritted his teeth, ¡°Alright~¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Yi Chen suddenly stopped Grape in his tracks and posed a question, ¡°Where did we first meet? Which gravesite number was it?¡±


    Grape didn¡¯t answer verbally but instead stretched out all six fingers, indicating the largest number.


    ¡°Do you suspect I¡¯m fake?¡±


    ¡°Just eliminating any possible risks. Come on¡­ Full Vision, activate!¡±


    Although Grape was somewhat annoyed, considering the current dangerous situation, he performed a standard diving motion and submerged into Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    The soft black sphere rapidly moved through the blood vessels to the inside of the skull, where the black hair adhered to the brain and slowly fused with it.


    ¡°First off, it¡¯s my first time ¡®combining¡¯ with you like this. Your vision might change drastically, and the burden on your brain¡¯s nerves will also increase several times.


    If you can¡¯t handle it, disengage on your own. Be careful not to push too hard, or you might risk brain explosion.


    Once your brain shatters, even if your body is taken back to the cemetery, it¡¯s pretty much useless.¡±


    ¡°Bring it on.¡±


    As Grape¡¯s body completely merged with the brain,


    Whirr! A moist and lustrous eyeball slowly opened in the center of the brain.


    At that moment, Yi Chen was also stunned.


    Strands of black thread emerged on the surface of his two facial eyeballs, sewing a ring of hair-like pupils on the surface of the eyeballs, like threading a needle.


    Hiss~ Even a whiff of corpse energy leaked from the eyeballs, and black blood streaks filled the whites of the eyes.


    In an instant,


    a more colorful, intricate, and complex world unfolded before him,


    every hidden Stone Eye Worm in the shadows was pinpointedly captured, and he also noticed an abnormally reflective surface on a mountainside.


    Yi Chen stepped towards the spot on the mountainside wall that was no more than half a meter wide and reached out to touch it.


    His hand felt nothing,


    and after a display of dazzling colors, the wall astonishingly vanished, revealing a hidden passageway into the heart of the mountain.


    Yi Chen did not enter it immediately but returned to the pilgrimage path he had been on before, to revisit the perilous mountain route with his current visual condition¡­ The sight captured by his Field of View left him utterly shocked.


    The previously solitary pilgrim¡¯s mountain path had now turned into a labyrinthine maze with a myriad of forks every few steps.


    And there weren¡¯t as many pilgrims¡¯ corpses as there seemed initially. The corpses were mostly concentrated around the forks, their outstretched hands pointing in different directions, creating a misleading effect.


    Among the mountains were also strewn various small stone Sick Objects that functioned like natural Watchers, or rather carriers of Illusions, influencing and altering the visual scenery for passersby as they cooperated with each other.


    Which is to say,


    since the earliest encounter with the corpse of the Pilgrim, we had begun to be affected, and had already been completely scattered along the complicated paths.


    Even with the Combination of Vision with Grape, the moment I¡¯m the slightest bit distracted, the mountain path would revert to the ¡®false image¡¯ with only one path.¡±


    ¡°With so many forks, it¡¯s basically impossible to find Jin and Reagan¡¯s location¡­ not to mention Grape can¡¯t hold up that long.


    Reagan and Jin are no weaker than I am, so I¡¯ll have to trust them.¡±


    Yi Chen took a deep breath and walked towards the recently discovered hidden wall.

 Chapter 161: Monastery in the Mountains

    A clean and tidy private ward.


    The silver-haired youth leaned against the soft hospital bed, with pale pink moonflowers placed in a vase by the bed.


    This consciousness ward, created by Moon Scar, belonged to his temporary resting area within Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    The night scene outside the window corresponded to real-time events occurring outside.


    At that moment, the door opened.


    A female doctor in an ultra-short wrap skirt, revealing her signature long legs, came over to change Moon Scar¡¯s bandages, covering his right eye with a fresh gauze smeared with white pollen,


    ...


    The doctor¡¯s head attached to the IV pole also looked out the window, a deep red lip peeping through the black hair, curiously asking:


    ¡°It seems the situation outside is quite dangerous, and they¡¯ve unknowingly separated the three of them¡­ Those three humans aren¡¯t lacking in the slightest on a mental level, the opponent¡¯s tactics are very clever indeed.¡±


    Moon Scar nodded, seemingly very interested in what was happening outside, and gave a simple evaluation.


    ¡°Gradual illusion inducement, fully utilizing the complexity of ascending the mountain and the effects of the Grey Zone.


    If the problem was not spotted at the initial climb, one would gradually get lost amid a sea of corpses, mountain paths, stones, and other such factors leading the way.


    The enemy is quite thoughtful, and in terms of eye prowess, just as William had guessed, it might be an open-source existence, or at the least, someone who has peeked at and absorbed ancient knowledge, infinitely close to being an open-source entity.


    To encounter such a challenging event right at the start? I intended to rest a bit before heading to the Old World, but it seems there¡¯s no chance now, and I may well be affected.¡±


    Saying this, Moon Scar pulled the female doctor into his arms, who showed no resistance and even exhibited an excited blush on her face, hidden beneath her black hair.


    ¡°Join me in watching William¡¯s performance, and if there really is an open-source entity, I¡¯ll go out and lend a hand¡­ I don¡¯t mind warming up a bit before heading to the Old World.¡±


    ¡­


    Holy Grail Mountain


    Ludwig Reagan suggested that he take the lead in the team, using the clearing of eyes from the backs of corpses to regain his past combat sensations,


    Halfway up, yet to reach the middle of the mountain, Reagan suddenly felt a sense of disharmony.


    ¡°Why is there an inexplicable sense of pulling, as if being led by the nose.


    Moreover, every four corpses, a Pathological Eye Cluster is certain to appear, too patterned¡­ William, do your eyes see anything?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t noticed anything abnormal, let¡¯s keep climbing.¡± Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reagan, upon receiving the response, didn¡¯t lower his guard but became even more vigilant.


    In his knowledge of William, the other¡¯s level of alertness was no less than his own. When he had asked such a question, even if William genuinely hadn¡¯t seen anything, he would have surely probed further into the details instead of dismissing it so curtly.


    Without any outward sign, Reagan released a burst of Spiritual Shock towards the two teammates behind him.


    Unexpectedly, the pressure did not touch anything¡­ Turning around, he saw not a single figure behind him.


    ¡°Hmm?!¡±


    Reagan¡¯s eyes instantly shifted, showing a Killing Intent that was never seen on an ordinary day, and the fat piled on his face seemed as if it was evaporating away. ?a?¨¯?¨º????


    Zap! A strong electric current danced along his spine, coursing through his body, sparks flying even from his eyes, causing his hair to stand on end.


    A circle of a special force field, encompassing both electromagnetic and Thought, spread out from his feet,


    Hum!


    The electricity expelled tore through the false visual scenery, revealing the real, complex, and full of detours, surreal mountain path.


    Crack!


    All the pebbles within a ten-meter radius were struck by the high-voltage electricity and burned until they smoked, turned belly-up, and a shriveled, blackened eyeball rolled out from within.


    ¡°From the moment we stepped onto this mountain, our thoughts began to be passively guided, unwittingly falling deeper within¡­ We probably separated at the first fork in the road already.


    With the complexity of this mountain¡¯s structure, it¡¯s nearly impossible to find the other two, and it will also waste a lot of energy.


    Keep ascending¡­ With their standards, they¡¯re bound to realize the issue, and we just need to meet at the summit in the end. If they die on the way due to inadequate strength, that¡¯s their own issue.¡±


    Without any hesitation,


    Reagan, with his hands in his pockets, followed the real mountain path upwards,


    During this period, any object daring to get close would be electrocuted ¡ª even if one could withstand the shock and force their way closer, they would still encounter even more terrifying close-quarters combat.


    ¡­


    Jin, who was neither adept at Pupil Skills nor at Thought Perception within the squad, thought she would be trapped in the Vision Illusion indefinitely.


    However, she was the earliest among the three to detect something was amiss.


    On the fifth minute of the ascent along the mountain path,


    out of sheer boredom, Jin used Instant Step before Reagan could make a move, reaching the restless Pathological corpse,


    palm attached, and Red Lotus blossomed.


    Crack! The corpse, along with the cluster of eyes on it, was blasted to bits ¡ª bones flew chaotically in every direction, nearly hitting Yi Chen in the head.


    Having cleared the threat of the corpse, her teammates said nothing and continued upward, but Jin deliberately slowed down, waiting for Yi Chen to pass by her, then slap! A hand casually landed on his shoulder.


    ¡°William, you¡¯re a bit off today ¡ª if it were the usual you, even if you didn¡¯t physically stop me, you would at least comment on my recklessness,¡± she said.


    ¡°Hmm, really?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, something¡¯s not right¡­¡±


    Red threads twisted between Jin¡¯s arms, preparing to infuse Red Lotus Energy into Yi Chen¡¯s body through the hand on his shoulder, but suddenly Jin thought of something, quickly retracting the energy back into her body.


    A gentle voice came from beneath the mask: ¡°Just kidding ¡ª let¡¯s keep going.¡±


    The madness within Jin prevented her from exposing the facade of the illusion before her; instead, she purposefully maintained the status quo, curious to see where the opponent wanted to lead her ¡ª preferably straight to the lair of Gathering Eye Disease.


    Meanwhile,


    a single red thread spread within Jin¡¯s body, giving rise to a small Red Lotus at the top of her brain,


    Should her physical body encounter any threat exceeding her limits, even if her other senses failed to convey information, this Red Lotus would activate in an instant,


    exploding her skull, the intense stimulation and brain disruption pulling her back to reality.


    At the same time,


    the voice of Little Peyton arose in her mind, carrying out a Thought Communication between human and bird.


    ¡°Cluck cluck, this William is a bit strange ¡ª doesn¡¯t seem like the charming guy I know! Maybe I should open all my eyes and observe closely, might catch a glimpse of what¡¯s real.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep it this way ¡ª pretend everything is normal.¡±


    ¡°Cluck cluck, all right!¡±


    ¡­


    [Yi Chen¡¯s perspective]


    He decided to trust his teammates, entering the mountain¡¯s interior alone along a hidden wall.


    The concentration of the Grey Zone inside was twice that of the outside, perhaps even approaching the discomfort of a medium Grey Zone.


    The mountain¡¯s interior was hollow and cylindrical,


    all manner of bizarrely shaped rocks hung tumorous on the walls,


    Yi Chen, using the Visual Enhancement provided by Little Grape, preemptively identified the regular rocks, rapidly scaling the wall with the aid of plant roots.


    The vertical cylindrical passage was astoundingly high, Yi Chen felt his climbing speed wasn¡¯t slow, yet he spent well over an hour inside.


    ¡°Could it lead directly to the mountain peak?¡±


    Upon reaching the top of the circular exit, there was no blue sky or white clouds to greet him¡­ but rather a vast cave with a distinctly different ambience and inside, an ancient Monastery built within it.


    As Yi Chen cautiously approached the Monastery¡¯s main gate,


    the Stone Door actually opened outward, and a mysterious figure clad in yellow emerged,


    wearing attire that was a cross between a Gentleman¡¯s Coat and a monk¡¯s robe, both refined like a gentleman¡¯s and loose like a monk¡¯s.


    ¡°Has an Organization found this place so quickly? Follow me¡­¡±


    ¡°Watcher?¡±

 Chapter 162: Watcher and the Passage

    The ancient monastery before me combines various old elements, giving off the feeling of a dilapidated spirit temple.


    Yi Chen still maintained his Vision fully open, inspecting this individual in yellow clothes, who was suspected to be a Watcher.


    He recalled the books he had read in Zion, which contained very little information about such organizations, merely revealing the pseudonym of this special gentleman and their related duties.


    It was also from Zede¡¯s teacher that he gleaned some more detailed information.


    According to Zede, if his eyes hadn¡¯t failed him, he might have become one of the Watchers as well.


    [Tunnel Watcher]


    ...


    A class of high-rank gentlemen in Zion, who received special training and excelled at handling events alone,


    They often had hermit-like dispositions, preferring not to stay in the city among others but rather to engage in activities outside the city, even living in the sparse Grey Zone for extended periods.


    This habit might be related to the scenes of the Old World they witnessed when making an Extreme Breakthrough ¡°Limit of Man¡±.


    Due to their unique talents, their Consciousness plunged completely into the Old World during the breakthrough, causing their Physical form and soul to undergo a Transformation, and their Thought process to tend towards that of a Patient.


    But in essence, they hadn¡¯t strayed from humanity or the Organization and maintained the comportment of a gentleman, rotating between various Organization strongholds and always keeping in touch with Zion.


    Whenever a new passage was discovered, the nearest person would be granted a ¡°Monitoring Task¡± to rush to the entrance of the passage.


    Rumors suggested that Watchers could sustain themselves on the Old World essence leaking from passage entrances, slaying any Patients who tried to approach the passage and ensuring its Stability,


    One person could maintain the stability of a newly formed passage for nearly a hundred days.


    The most important point was,


    Thanks to the sacrifices of Tunnel Watchers, new gentlemen had the chance to approach the passages and venture into the Surface layer of the Old World to seek Relics without considering other factors, significantly improving the ¡°Success rate¡± and ¡°Depth¡± of their Extreme Breakthrough before it.


    Before him,


    Under the combined observation of Yi Chen and Little Grape, he detected nothing unusual from the yellow-clad Watcher, only feeling an invisible aura of a strong individual.


    Following the gentleman in monk¡¯s clothes as he stepped through the gates of the Monastery,


    A Holy Mother Statue holding the Holy Grail stood at the center, roughly three times the size of a normal human, with its head completely covered by a flesh-colored skin with an unknown Sealing emblem carved on its surface.


    In the main hall area, the vault supported by stone columns was carved with reliefs of the sun, moon, and stars,


    Though the Monastery was built within a mountain, these reliefs seemed to keep the people here in constant communication with the universe.


    The Watcher¡¯s voice came through:


    ¡°Even I am not completely clear about the origins of this Monastery¡­ but it has at least two hundred years of history.


    The Monastery shortens the distance between our World and the Old World and as the walls and floors day by day exude Grey Zone fluid, [Passages] also begin to form.¡± ?????????S


    With a wave of the Watcher¡¯s hand,


    The skin covering the statue¡¯s head slid off, revealing a shocking and eerie sight to Yi Chen.


    The so-called [Passage],


    Was located on the Holy Mother¡¯s face,


    Occupying over 90% of the face area, the layered flesh wall structure seemed to pulse rhythmically with the statue¡¯s breathing.


    The thick gray matter, fluid-like, spilled from the facial passage, and in just a few seconds exposed to the air, it filled the Monastery with gray as if the walls and floors were coming to life.


    Whoosh!


    With one gesture from the yellow-clad gentleman, a yellow skin was shot out to reseal the face, and everything returned to normal.


    ¡°It seems your teammates haven¡¯t caught up?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we were separated during the climb due to the effects of Gathering Eye Disease¡­ but with their abilities, they should be able to find this place.¡±


    ¡°No wonder you found this place so quickly; you chose the nearest climbing route. The fact that you saw through the Illusion and found this place means you have the Qualification to head to the ¡®Old World¡¯.


    Let¡¯s give your teammates one more day¡¯s time. If they do not arrive, then you will have to enter the passage alone.


    Come with me.¡±


    Under the guidance of the Watcher,


    Circling around the main hall of the Monastery, passing through the long corridor, Yi Chen arrived at the residential area on the backside of the Monastery, where several chambers designed for the resting of former teachers were situated.


    Apart from dust, there was nothing else.


    Stone-built hard beds, simple desks, and a stone window the size of a head.


    ¡°The Monastery has been cleaned up by me, you can rest assured here, shake off the fatigue and discomfort from your body, and get ready for the journey to the Old World that is about to begin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The Watcher did not stay long, a yellow shadow fluttered by and returned to the main hall, continuing his monitoring task.


    It was only after Yi Chen watched the yellow figure completely disappear that he returned to the room temporarily arranged for him.


    The wooden door lock of the chamber had long been broken,


    Yi Chen pressed his palm against the door, creaking and crunching~ A plethora of roots fortified the decrepit wooden door, creating an entirely enclosed plant-based lock, isolating the inside from the outside.


    The window was sealed in the same manner with plants,


    after cleaning the dust from the bed,


    placing the suitcase beside the bed head, Yi Chen also sat down on the stone bed,


    his tensed nerves finally got to relax, sweat kept overflowing from his forehead, the black hair-like pupils in his eyes gradually dispersed.


    The little grape separated from the brain and reappeared on the shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you, engaging in such deep visual fusion will exponentially increase the burden on your brain¡­¡±


    However, Yi Chen didn¡¯t care about the brain exhaustion at all, rather he seemed very excited.


    ¡°No~ Just need to get used to it a few more times! This ability to accept more details, more light, this visual sensation is truly comfortable¡­ Let me rest for a bit, and then we continue to maintain the previous fused state.¡±


    Wisps of white smoke spilled from between the head, the Emblem at the back of the head flipped rapidly, speeding up the brain¡¯s recovery from fatigue.


    The little grape asked, somewhat puzzled, ¡°Isn¡¯t it already safe here? There¡¯s a Watcher guarding this place, and the Patients in the mountains dare not come close, why continue the visual fusion?


    Wouldn¡¯t it be better for us both to get a good night¡¯s sleep and prepare for the journey into the Old World that¡¯s about to start?¡±


    But Yi Chen had no intention of resting,


    he propped his hands behind him and leaned back his head to look at the ceiling of the room, ¡°Little Grape, do you really think it would be that easy to reach the location of the ¡®Tunnel¡¯?¡±


    ¡°How is that easy? Our combined vision discovered a hidden wall¡­ Without that discovery, we¡¯d still be trapped on mountain paths, climbing like headless flies.¡± S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Is there a possibility that my accidental discovery of the Stone Sick Object¡¯s ¡®peering¡¯ and the hidden wall were all intentionally guided by the other party?


    A true illusion is not entirely false,


    It is these kinds of illusions, both real and fake, that more easily ensnare an individual, making them fully believe in them.


    Of course, this is still my speculation,


    and it is indeed possible that the real Tunnel has been found by us, and that this gentleman in yellow is indeed the Watcher. After all, our vision didn¡¯t detect anything amiss.


    Before we are 100% certain of safety, we must remain vigilant,


    Next, we¡¯ll pretend that everything is normal, feigning rest inside the Monastery¡­ If there really is a problem here, it¡¯s highly likely they will take the initiative to find us tonight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±


    During the remaining daytime, Yi Chen wandered leisurely inside the Monastery, making sure his eyes scanned every corner, not missing any details.


    No problems were discovered; everything within this historically significant mountainside Monastery was normal under the management of the Watcher.


    The Watcher himself stayed in front of the Holy Mother Statue,


    one could even clearly see a bit of the gray matter that drifted down from the Holy Mother¡¯s head being absorbed as ¡®food¡¯ by the Watcher, consistent with the rumors.


    After a simple stroll, Yi Chen honestly returned to his room, double-checked the plant-sealed doors and windows, and fell asleep.


    The gentleman¡¯s clothes too cooperatively switched to ¡®sleep mode,¡¯ transforming into a fully enclosed sleeping bag that wrapped Yi Chen inside.


    In the deep silence of the night.


    Beneath the door that should be sealed by plants, a strip of yellow cloth crawled in¡­

 Chapter 163: The Truth

    Ten minutes before going to sleep,


    Yi Chen, lying on the stone slab bed, switched his outfit to sleeping bag mode, wrapping his entire body without leaving a gap.


    Should any threat approach, the gentleman¡¯s clothes would provide physical stimulation.


    Only someone with a Skin Content of 20% like Yi Chen, could achieve such a sleeping bag form.


    According to Professor Qian Bosen, during his leisure lectures, as the Skin Content increases, the outfit could even switch to a combat mode, shooting out bandages or thin threads to trap opponents, or pierce through them with hardened sharp gentleman¡¯s skin.


    When the Skin Content exceeds 50%,


    ...


    if the Synchronization Rate with the outfit is high enough, it could even induce a deeper skin combination, evoking the Old World posture to match the individual.


    Naturally, as the Skin Content increases, various problems would also emerge¡ªthe problem of a double-edged sword must be considered.


    ¡­


    Wrapped in the sleeping bag, Yi Chen felt as if he had returned to his infancy, enjoying the comfort of being swaddled, and his highly tense spirit also relaxed quickly.


    He even felt like the umbilical cord inside him wanted to crawl out of his navel, imitating the condition of fetal nourishment.


    This comfort allowed Yi Chen to calm down and organize his thoughts. Although the Monastery appeared normal on the surface, down to the minutely detailed corners, there were still aspects that felt off.


    This place seemed to have been inhabited before, but in reality, many areas bore no traces of life,


    rather, it looked like a hastily built ancient Monastery using aged retrofits to create an old-world disguise¡­ That said, one couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility that the Grey Zone had completely erased the traces of life here.


    Inside the sleeping bag, Yi Chen posed a key question to Little Grape.


    ¡°If the Monastery we¡¯re currently in is still made up of illusions, and even our combined deep vision can¡¯t detect any clues, Little Grape, do you have a way to break the illusion?¡±


    ¡°I do¡­ but I can only break a little bit, and it needs an opportunity.¡±


    ¡°How can it be done?¡±


    ¡°Destroy important mediums of the illusion, or use methods like Jin¡¯s large-scale explosions to forcefully shake the foundations of the illusion, through such methods weaken the illusion, or even create clear weak areas.


    At that time, I just need to output Spiritual Shock at maximum power to temporarily disrupt the illusion.


    As the opponent is completely superior to us on the mental level, if we can¡¯t kill the opponent within a given time, we would still be trapped in the illusion again.¡± ????????????§à?¨¨????


    ¡°Temporary disruption is also a disruption¡­ let¡¯s see what happens tonight. You sleep the first half of the night, and I¡¯ll take the second half.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡­


    During the first half of the night when Yi Chen was sleeping, despite the door being sealed by plants, a yellow cloth strip somehow infiltrated.


    However,


    this cloth strip did not seem to have intentions of invading or approaching. It seemed to just be confirming that Yi Chen was still in the room, without any strange actions or attempts to escape.


    Perhaps it sensed the dense old aura emitted by the ¡®sleeping bag¡¯ enveloping his body.


    In the end,


    the yellow cloth strip lingered at the door gap for a while then withdrew.


    Shortly after the cloth withdrew, the armpit of the sleeping bag outfit slowly opened its mouth and the eyes in the gaps gazed at the door gap. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    [The next day]


    The sleeping bag switched back to clothes, and Yi Chen, reinvigorated, rose from the stone bed.


    Ding ding ding~ His fingers tapped his skull, waking Little Grape, who had been sleeping inside the skull,


    Little Grape, not daring to delay, immediately took an icy bath with Cold Lake saliva to clear the sleepiness and reinvigorate himself.


    Perhaps sensing the chill between the cranial cavities, Yi Chen also made a request: ¡°Little Grape, help me give my brain a wash.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s really cold~ But your brain is also much warmer than most people¡¯s, a little washing could indeed be beneficial for the upcoming tasks, I¡¯ll help you wash it slowly,¡±


    Little Grape did not rashly pour the icy saliva onto Yi Chen¡¯s brain,


    but extended his slightly hairy tongue, licking the brain¡¯s surface inch by inch, only slowly releasing the saliva through the tip of the tongue,


    as the licking proceeded, Yi Chen¡¯s entire cranial cavity gradually filled with chill.


    Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yi Chen was neither uncomfortable nor painful and showed no nervous reactions but rather enjoyed the process¡­ His brain clearly felt more lucid, with some previously blocked mental pathways progressively clearing up.


    As the Cold Lake could wash off the stains on Little Grape,


    this licking also incidentally cleared all the ¡®dirty stuff¡¯ accumulated between the brain folds,


    Unknowingly, Yi Chen sat cross-legged and entered into meditation.


    The book Emblem at the back of his head also emitted a faint luminescence, turning pages as his brain moved.


    Little Grape took note of this and did not dare to slacken, carefully licking the brain inside and out.


    Unfortunately, in the end, no [Quality] change occurred, and the book-reading Emblem reverted to its original state.


    Alas~ Just as Little Grape sighed,


    Yi Chen, who woke up from meditation, was beaming with excitement,


    ¡°Little Grape! I can feel my [Intelligence] is about to reach the true limit¡­ Just need a little more real combat application of brain power to touch on the Limit Barrier.


    Your saliva is really useful!¡±


    Little Grape changed from a sighing expression to hands on hips, ¡°It¡¯s all because I carefully covered you with layers of lake water, plus the massage from my tongue that improved the penetration efficiency; otherwise, we wouldn¡¯t have got these results.


    If you want to thank me, hurry up and get me some delicious grapes.¡±


    After a brief exchange,


    feeling a refreshing clarity in his brain, Yi Chen picked up his briefcase and headed to the main hall.


    Before the statue covered with yellow cloth, the Watcher seemed to have been waiting for a long time.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity your teammates still haven¡¯t found this place, they might be fighting the Patients, or trapped within the Pupil Skill environment, unable to extricate themselves.


    You now need to make a choice,


    whether to leave here and search for their tracks,


    or to cross the passage alone and seek the Relic in the Old World.


    I remind you that once you choose to leave, you are essentially giving up the chance to go to the Old World. After you find your teammates, you can directly descend the mountain.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s response was very firm, ¡°Everyone has put so much effort into this relic event¡­ I believe they will eventually come here, and I¡¯ve decided to wait for them on the other side of the Old World.¡±


    ¡°A very wise decision~ Then, please step onto the statue so that your body and the head of the statue are on the same horizontal plane.


    Once I uncover the cloth, your body will slowly be absorbed into the passage.


    Stay relaxed throughout the process, don¡¯t feel any rejection or tension!¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t climb onto the statue,


    but shot out roots from his right hand connecting to the dome of the main hall and slowly hoisted his body up, slightly above the head of the statue¡­ The Watcher didn¡¯t say much about this discrepancy.


    ¡°I hope you find what you are looking for on the other end.¡±


    After these words,


    the Watcher lifted the cloth, revealing the disgusting fleshy passage on the statue¡¯s face once again, with surges of suction force emanating from it.


    Yi Chen also closed his eyes, allowing his body to move closer in response to this suction force.


    Just as he was about to make contact with the face of the statue¡­


    His left hand instantly retrieved a shortened shotgun from his waist, already loaded.


    Bang!


    The maximum power buckshot spread out, instantly blowing the yellow-clothed gentleman into flesh bits.


    Subsequently,


    Yi Chen straightened his right arm, spreading his fingers,


    taking advantage of the Moon Seal in the palm that emerged from Lorrian¡¯s right half trait¡­ Buzz! The axe in the briefcase sensed it and flew over on its own.


    Clap!


    As he grasped the axe handle, the axe had already switched to full moon state.


    As the shotgun shattered the ¡®Watcher,¡¯ the axe followed, cleaving through the air.


    Like a moon waterfall, it split the statue down the middle.


    It also produced a large number of Moonlight Rats gnawing at the stone skin surface of the statue, underneath which were eyeballs writhing, which burst one after another under the gnawing of the Moonlight Rats.


    Continuous screams echoed within the Monastery,


    Now was his chance!


    ¡°Little Grape!¡±


    Yi Chen yelled loudly.


    A black flesh ball was already standing on his head, hands on hips, exposing its eyes to the fullest!


    ¡°Spiritual Shock¡±


    The ability from the Lake Bottom Giant Eye struck directly at the dome¡­ Buzz!


    Like ripples spreading at the center of the dome, the false Monastery began to crumble from the top, with layers of stone falling off, exposing the horrifying True Face.


    ¡°Are all the Pilgrims¡¯ eyes focused here¡­ No wonder such a realistic scene could be created!¡±


    It was not a Monastery at all, but an ¡°Enclosed Eye Chamber¡± formed by countless eyeballs.


    The eyeballs were spaced no more than a centimeter apart, bonded together with blood and flesh, completely enclosed.


    Because Yi Chen had destroyed the important ceremonial statue and shattered the Illusion Realm¡¯s surface, the surfaces of these eyeballs were bursting with blood vessels and glaring with rage.


    Through such intense, all-encompassing gaze,


    they penetrated Yi Chen¡¯s gentleman¡¯s clothes, piercing through his physique, trying to discern his biological Weaknesses and body structure clearly, even affecting his brain directly.


    However, just as they were attempting to see deeper,


    Buzz¡­


    The vision of this group of eyeballs suddenly shifted,


    even though they were probing the internal structure of Yi Chen, they abruptly switched to viewing an unknown hospital room.


    The cluster of eyeballs focused only at the hospital doorway, unable to spread inward or invade this special space, watching a silver-haired young man sitting on the hospital bed with his back to them, also unable to be seen through.


    As these eyeballs attempted to further scrutinize this mysterious young man,


    he suddenly turned his head, his New Moon pupils glaring at the doorway:


    ¡°Seen enough? Scram!¡±

 Chapter 164: Yellow Eyes

    ¡°Scram!¡±


    Moon Trace Lorrian roared angrily, and all the prying eyeballs that had infiltrated the sickroom retreated en masse, no longer daring to peer into the depths of Yi Chen¡¯s body, let alone his soul, where they even felt fear. Even the pilgrim¡¯s obsession that resided within the eyeballs was shaken.


    Lorrian continued to hold the female doctor in his arms, lying back on the sickbed.


    He ultimately did not interfere in the battle, mainly because he considered that the current location of the incident might be very close to the ¡®real passage.¡¯ If he made a move, he very likely could be perceived by the real Watchers.


    Furthermore,


    Lorrian sensed the approach of two other auras, through the window and through his own right half that he had installed on Yi Chen.


    ...


    ¡­


    The Monastery built amidst the mountains by the semblance of over a thousand Pilgrim eyeballs through visual mimicry revealed its true form at this moment.


    In fact,


    Even if Little Grape found a gap and shattered the Illusion Realm with a Spiritual Shock,


    These eyeballs, under the dominion of their core will, could easily maintain their original form, continuing to impose visual disruptions and mental pressure. It would only take a few minutes to restore the Illusion Realm as it was.


    Perhaps it was the sight of the terrifying being inside Yi Chen,


    Perhaps it was the severe Pain brought about by the Moonlight Slash,


    Perhaps it was a loss of patience, eager to capture that unique eyeball mentioned by Little Grape.


    Shasha sha~


    Actively giving up the Monastery structure that had taken a lot of time to construct, all the eyeballs began to converge towards one point.


    And the convergence point was right beside Yi Chen,


    The ¡®Watcher,¡¯ who had been blasted into debris by special buckshot,


    Its body, along with the torn yellow robe, was actually forming a quicksand-like vortex structure on the ground, attempting to suck everything nearby into it.


    Crunch~


    Yi Chen turned his palm upward, shooting a tough and powerful root tendril towards the ceiling, quickly swinging away from the place like Tarzan with a rope.


    At the same time,


    The Body Breaker he held in his left hand also made a reloading motion.


    He aimed at the center of the vortex and pulled the trigger¡­ Bang!


    The buckshot, infused with the essence of the Sick Object, shot towards the center of the vortex, trying to prevent the convergence of the eyeballs.


    A weird scene unfolded, S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Feeling the threat of the special bullet, a Big Eye opened within the depths of the vortex, the size of the eyeball being about two-thirds of a human face. ?§¡??????????s?


    The pure white sclera (the white of the eyes) had ten normal-sized pupils floating on its surface,


    These pupils revolved around the central master pupil¡ªa dazzling main pupil that shone like a star¡ªlike planets on fixed orbits with set periods.


    Hum!


    The instant the Big Eye appeared, all the bullets shot towards it experienced a momentary ¡®stagnation,¡¯ then they all changed their trajectories, heading towards different areas.


    Keep in mind that these were bullets crafted from the Sick Object, capable of tearing teacher Zede in two (with no defenses and intentionally taking the shot).


    ¡°This must be the chosen Pathological core from among the thousands of resolute Pilgrims, right? All of their eyeballs were given to him¡­ He is to complete the ultimate pilgrimage on behalf of everyone, to take their eyeballs to the other shore.


    Lou little do they know their so-called ¡®other shore¡¯ is not a world without illness, but rather the origin of illness itself.¡±


    Yi Chen stopped shooting and landed steadily on the edge of the cave, contemplating his next move in the match¡­ whether to confront or to flee.


    Meanwhile, as the Big Eye within the vortex caught Little Grape¡¯s view,


    Splat!


    A feeling akin to peeling a raw egg coursed through her,


    A pool of saliva nearly the size of Little Grape herself spilled from her mouth,


    She had never seen such a beautiful, such a delicious, such a unique grape,


    ¡°William! I want this one! If you let me taste this grape, I¡¯m certain I can advance to a higher level, possibly even restore some of my true essence.


    Even if Moon Trace tries causing trouble inside you, I can suppress him!¡±


    ¡°Hey~ it¡¯s all well and good for you to want it, but how about some actual action? This creature, born in the Natural Grey Zone and fueled by the will of a thousand Pilgrims, is a Spiritual illness, likely tougher to deal with than even the Holy Embryo beneath the Church.


    It¡¯s not just the eye trait; the ¡®yellow clothing¡¯ on this thing is quite bizarre as well.


    Honestly, I¡¯m more inclined to consider escape right now, trying to meet up with Jin and Reagan first.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t run~ This creature probably sensed the Moon Scar within you, which is why it abandoned the Monastery that took so much effort to build, opting to converge into a single entity out of caution.


    The moment you flee, it will hide again and continue with sneak attacks during the climbing endeavor, possibly targeting other isolated teammates.


    Now that it has exposed its essence out of fear, it¡¯s an excellent opportunity for a kill!


    I believe you can do it¡­ as long as you can get close enough to its eyes, I can suck out its eyeball essence just like I did with the Lake Bottom Giant Eye.¡±


    ¡°You do have a point. If I run away, I¡¯ll lose this great chance to face its singular essence, and it might go after Jin or Reagan first.


    Little Grape, leave the visual and mental aspects to you~ I¡¯ll get as close as I can to this thing, even if it means crawling if I have to, as long as I don¡¯t die.¡±


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    With absolute delicacy before its eyes, Little Grape¡¯s cowardice was completely suppressed, and its nature as a crypt creature was fully ignited.


    Yi Chen needed just that¡ªif Little Grape was willing to go all out, he felt confident about taking on the creature before him.


    He put on his coat with its hood, a woven face mask, and adjusted 80% of the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± to concentrate on his head to guard against the visual illusions and Spiritual Shock that might come at any moment.


    He crouched down,


    gun in his left hand,


    axe in his right,


    his gaze locked onto the last Pilgrim that was gathering.


    The vortex on the ground wasn¡¯t just sucking in eyeballs; it also devoured the flowing grey matter of the Grey Zone surrounding it¡­ this vortex gradually turned yellow in the process.


    Until it had drained all the grey matter in the cave.


    Within the swirl, a loose yellow robe without buttons and open at the front slowly emerged,


    stuffed with dense pathological gray matter that kept spilling out from the hood, sleeves, and seams of the robe.


    Gradually,


    the grey matter began to coalesce and solidify into a fixed form, shaping into a humanoid grey-white body whose fingers and feet started to move adaptively.


    Under the hood, the face had no features, just a vertical slit down the center.


    As the slit started to open left and right,


    the Big Eye, like a star system, that was just seen in the vortex appeared again,


    and as the main eye opened, more densely packed human eye structures emerged on the parts of the body that were exposed, each eyeball independent.


    With the full body eyeballs rotating and blinking, the being slowly levitated and assumed a meditative pose in midair.


    One palm facing up,


    one palm facing down,


    while assuming such a gesture, a framework began to faintly take shape above its head, though the interior was not yet filled with liquid and was in a critical state of about to Open Source.


    At the same time, ancient characters woven by maggots also slowly appeared between Yi Chen¡¯s retinas.


    [Yellow Eyes ¨C Ruidento (Open Source critical, has peeked at most of the Old World Knowledge, lacking the opportunity)]


    Just as Yi Chen identified the other¡¯s name, a discomfort and irresistible feeling came over him.


    Even though Yi Chen closed his eyes immediately,


    even though he covered his vision with both hands as soon as possible,


    even though he tried to wrap and bind his eyeballs with plant roots growing from his brain to socket,


    all was in vain¡­


    Whoosh!


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyeballs, as if granted autonomy, actively peeled away, suspended like tadpole-like objects, swiftly drifting towards the Eye Collector ¨C Ruidento.


    The fact of ¡®eyeball belonging¡¯ was stripped away; this was the advanced embodiment of the Gathering Eye Disease.


    It was the inevitable price to pay when facing Ruidento unless one had superior control over their eyeballs.


    With the eyeballs stripped away and the sockets empty, Yi Chen, plunged into darkness, did not feel lost; he still readied himself for combat.


    In the center of his brain, a unique eye was still open, the eye from Little Grape continued to provide visual capabilities.


    At this moment,


    Ruidento, floating in the air, aimed one of his palms towards Yi Chen¡¯s body, and the eye in his palm gave a ¡®glare.¡¯


    Little Grape suddenly transmitted a warning into his brain, ¡°William! Dodge!¡±


    There was no process,


    no physical transfer,


    just a faint sense of approaching danger,


    and Yi Chen instinctively rolled to the left at the first opportunity,


    yet as he rolled to his feet, he felt an intense sensation from his left arm and, turning his head, saw his entire arm was nearly twisted into a braid, the gun hanging within the coiled-up fingers.


    He had been affected just by a stare.


    As an eyeball ability user, Little Grape immediately explained, ¡°This guy has stopped using the Illusion Pupil Technique and is now using all his Pupil Skills for real-world destruction¡­ This is almost at the level of Open Source.


    He probably just needs to kill us to achieve Open Source instantly.¡±


    Yi Chen covered his face with one hand, revealing an expression of helpless amusement.


    ¡°I had just concentrated the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ on my head to boost my spiritual defenses, and he immediately changed his attack mode, no longer using illusions or spiritual influence.


    I¡¯m completely seen through~ At this rate, there¡¯s only a dead end. It¡¯s come to this.¡±


    Yi Chen looked up and opened his mouth,


    and the unique Black Umbilical Cord spilled out.


    As the umbilical cord appeared, Ruidento stopped glaring and cautiously increased the distance¡­ He could directly sense how intense the ancient aura from the Black Umbilical Cord was.


    Learning from the Church¡¯s behavior, Yi Chen tightly wrapped the umbilical cord around his neck.


    The next second.


    Crick-crack~ The twisted left arm suddenly twisted backwards, instantly recovering its original state.


    Yi Chen, with his eye sockets now filled with a network of plants, braced himself for his opponent, ¡°Come on!¡±

 Chapter 165: Slaying

    [Gathering Eye Disease]


    Throngs of pilgrims disregarded the influence of the Grey Zone, heading towards the land of their faith¡ªGreyrell Mountain.


    As recorded in the investigation reports, they gradually got lost in the fog-shrouded mountain paths, unable to find the correct routes to ascend, and became trapped.


    But all the pilgrims still maintained their composure, without any sign of panic.


    They took shelter in a cave they found by chance, subsisting on the mountain¡¯s pathological animals to preserve their vitality, quickly devouring every animal on the back mountain.


    ...


    During the consumption of raw animals, their bodies underwent changes unbeknownst to them.


    Some pilgrims who specifically ate the eyes of animals mutated to gain extra visual abilities, gradually seeing through the fog of the mountain, and discerning the correct path.


    Moreover, they craved eyeballs themselves, to the point of being able to attract others¡¯ eyes from a distance.


    However, the pilgrims maintained the essence of their humanity; they didn¡¯t forcibly plunder others¡¯ eyes, but rather proposed the idea of a [Unique Pilgrimage].


    They would choose one from among themselves, combining everyone¡¯s eyes, to completely see through the fog of the sacred mountain and accomplish the final ascent and pilgrimage.


    Due to lack of hope for ascending, 90% of the pilgrims were willing to donate their eyes, allowing the unique pilgrim to take their eyes and witness the pilgrimage sights.


    But the final candidate could not be directly determined, as 10% of the pilgrims had awakened abilities related to their eyes, and all wished to be that one person.


    After a united discussion, it was decided to lock them all in a cave chamber, and the person who emerged with others¡¯ eyes would be the ¡®unique pilgrim¡¯.


    In total, 119 people were locked in the chamber, some even hiding rocks and sharp branches as weapons.


    It was expected that such a large-scale selection would take over a day,


    but just ten minutes passed and a lean old man wrapped in yellow rags walked out of the chamber¡­ Curious pilgrims went to check the situation inside the chamber, but the scene they found made them retch non-stop.


    Comparable to hell, as if tofu had been smashed on the ground and stomped over several times, there was not a single intact body to be found inside.


    After vomiting, these pilgrims¡¯ thoughts were stimulated, making them remember something.


    They suddenly recalled that at the beginning of the pilgrimage, there seemed to be no such weird old man wrapped in a yellow robe¡ªhe appeared in the group during the ascent, ??????????£Â¨§????


    The ideas of finding the cave, consuming raw meat, and the unique pilgrimage seemed to all involve his indirect or direct participation,


    By the time they realized this, the yellow cloth had already wrapped around from behind, covering their mouths and noses, gouging out eyes¡­ bodies were twisted and torn beyond their limits, then thrown into the chamber like rotting meat.


    ¡­


    Old World


    In the Mud Swamp Forest where a sheep¡¯s head hung in the sky,


    a girl with half her face covered in sheep¡¯s horns suddenly woke from a dream, and with black ink, she immediately depicted the last moment she saw in her dream, a scene depicting the youth she longed for day and night,


    but the youth, because he was in a dire situation, was forced to wrap an umbilical cord around his neck,


    Hovering in front of the youth was a blurry yellow shadow, wrapped with numerous eyeballs, looking very dangerous.


    She instinctively wanted to go to the portal, to pass through it and help the young man, but found herself immobile under a tremendous spiritual pressure the moment she attempted to get up.


    ¡ìDo your own thing, Lene!¡ì


    Although worried, defying her mother¡¯s will would mean immediate death, meaningless.


    ¡°Yes, mom¡­¡±


    Unexpectedly, her usually reticent mother added, ¡ìIf he can¡¯t overcome such dangers, he doesn¡¯t deserve to keep in touch with you, nor does he deserve to become the disease root.¡ì


    ¡°I know, mom~ Big brother will be fine.¡±


    ¡­


    In the cave chamber


    Yi Chen, with an umbilical cord around his neck, wasn¡¯t hanged like the Church members, maintaining a battle stance as he sank.


    Rather than a noose for hanging, it looked more like an oddly shaped scarf.


    A closer look would reveal that the umbilical cord had embedded completely into the neck, with streams of pure, ancient life essence flowing directly into the major arteries, spreading throughout the body.


    ¡°Little Grape, you handle the observation and perception¡­ I¡¯m going in.¡±


    ¡°Go.¡±


    Recalling his running on the treadmill in paradise, the force accumulated in his lower legs burst forth,


    Lowering his body, reducing his size, he became a black shadow that rushed at full speed towards the ¡®Eye in Yellow Clothes¡¯ on the opposite side of the cave chamber,


    He had just taken two steps when Little Grape¡¯s nearly screaming warning came:


    ¡°William, dodge!¡±


    Yi Chen immediately tilted his body, executing a remarkably standard roll.


    Crack!


    The left leg that moved last still couldn¡¯t avoid being hit, along with the ground, twisting into a strange stalagmite structure¡­ his leg¡¯s bones and flesh fused with the stones on the ground.


    Yi Chen¡¯s movement was consequently restricted, pinned to the spot,


    The hovering Ruidento immediately made a downward pressing motion with his hand.


    A spiritual shock descended from above, this time not twisting, but crushing.


    At the critical moment,


    Swung his axe down!


    Yi Chen decisively chopped off his lower leg below the knee, and rolled forward with one hand propped on the ground.


    Boom! The abandoned left calf was instantly crushed into a meat film, causing the ground itself to sink.


    On Yi Chen¡¯s end,


    as he rolled forward to dodge the crushing, his severed calf rapidly regenerated during the roll,


    Even though it had not formed a complete muscle and skin structure, but only a white bone and flesh leg frame, Yi Chen turned his pain into nourishment, lunging forward again the instant the roll ended.


    Perhaps it was the unwavering conviction to kill the enemy,


    or the full spiritual investment in battle,


    even the gentleman¡¯s clothes fully recognized their master, accommodating the regeneration and sprint,


    The trousers clung to the newly grown left leg, directly providing it with a layer of skin that emitted an ancient aura,


    The coat¡¯s tail also transformed into a cape-like design, better suited for aerodynamics,


    The most special was the collar structure, which surprisingly formed a temporary combination with the umbilical cord, interweaving the silken threads to turn the cord into a black scarf fit for a British gentleman,


    [Five meters apart]


    Yi Chen quickly drew his gun, his thumb flipping the conversion trigger, turning the shotgun into a rifled-slug.


    He pulled the trigger¡­ Bang!


    The iron-headed rifled slug, carrying the traits of the Pathological, shot toward the target¡¯s head,


    Buzz!


    It was still the Big Eye amidst the hood staring intently, the rifled slug was instantly frozen in midair, deviating from its path, and shot into the wall behind.


    But the purpose of this shot was to divert attention in the first place.


    As the rifled slug was deflected, Yi Chen had already taken his final step close to the enemy,


    His body like a bow,


    Swinging a full moon slice,


    and Ruidento¡¯s offensive gesture also changed at the same time, his palms both facing forward, indicating a ¡°Forbidden¡± sign.


    Buzz!


    Two layers of spiritually visible barriers formed a hexagon in front of him.


    However, the slash with Yi Chen¡¯s right hand contained a portion of Moon Scar¡¯s power, the dreamlike axe blade tore through the barrier, heading straight for Ruidento¡¯s flesh.


    The Moonlight Slash caused the opponent¡¯s body full of eyes to tremble,


    The yellow robe he wore immediately left his body and became the third barrier.


    Hiss!


    Even the yellow robe was slashed open about a third, finally stopping the slash.


    The slicing of the yellow garb was akin to cutting into Ruidento¡¯s flesh, and anguished screams emerged from various eyes,


    Meanwhile,


    The Big Eye amongst the hood, like a star system, stared unwaveringly at Yi Chen, who had inflicted injury upon him,


    ¡°Ten Eyes in a Row¡±.


    As if ten planets aligned in a straight line,


    Buzz!


    Yi Chen had no chance to dodge,


    His body was cut in half at the waist, and even the cavern walls dozens of meters behind him had a cut over a meter deep.


    The lower half of his body fell to the ground, kneeling,


    While the upper half flew into the air,


    But Yi Chen¡¯s gaze remained resolute, his whole brain emanating white steam, the book emblem flipping continuously, his index finger making a hooking motion.


    ¡°Plant Growth.¡±


    The previously deflected rifled slug that hit the wall, its casing cracked open!


    Roots as sturdy as steel and brimming with vitality burst forth rapidly growing like several Spartans wielding spears¡­ Swish, swish! They pierced through Ruidento from behind, who no longer had the protection of his yellow robe.


    What¡¯s more,


    As the roots pierced through, they also pushed Ruidento towards Yi Chen¡¯s flying upper body.


    Thwack!


    His right hand slapped the Big Eye, with black threads burrowing into it, parasitizing the interior.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen split his mouth wide, mocking joyfully:


    ¡°Blame your own greed, coveting the eyes in my brain, not willing to simply cut off my head¡­¡±


    sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 166: Shedding

    Slap!


    Yi Chen¡¯s upper body slammed heavily onto the ground,


    under the influence of the regenerative properties of the neck umbilical cord, roots sprouted excessively from the severed waist and abdomen, extending towards the distant lower body, connecting and joining together.


    Just as when he battled the Lake Bottom Giant Eye, Yi Chen had complete faith in Little Grape¡¯s control over ¡®eyes¡¯,


    as long as he could successfully burrow into the opponent¡¯s core Big Eye, this battle would essentially be declared over.


    ...


    Even though it was a relatively short skirmish, the significant relic known as the ¡®Black Umbilical Cord¡¯ was now severely damaged¡­ The cord had mostly shriveled up, far from its original vitality.


    However,


    while Yi Chen¡¯s upper and lower bodies were joining together,


    a wave of discomfort swept over him, feeling that something was not right, feeling that the battle happening here hadn¡¯t ended, sensing another kind of unsettling aura still lingering in the cavern.


    Because of the dislodging of his eyeballs during the battle, and the temporary departure of Little Grape,


    Yi Chen could currently see nothing at all; he could only calm his mind to feel the environment, to sense the ¡®movement¡¯ in the darkness, to pinpoint the source of this unease.


    [Darkness]was quite familiar to Yi Chen, so when his eyes were dislodged, he was not afraid.


    This, in part, was thanks to his experiences in the orphanage. Despite being exceptionally skilled and winning various games and competitions, earning him exemption from numerous physical punishments compared to his peers,


    Yi Chen refused to be trapped in the orphanage for life. Before his successful escape, there had been many failures.


    Every failure would be met with days or even tens of days in the tiny black room.


    The pitch-black tiny room only allowed a sliver of light through the door when meals were served.


    And even the provision of meals was utterly random¡ªthe boxes containing food were black, blending into the tiny black room once brought inside.


    Lifting the lid might reveal fragrant dining hall meals,


    perhaps a familiar rat friend,


    possibly centipedes or snakes carrying toxins,


    and occasionally even a limb accidentally broken during punishment of a peer.


    Initially, it was very difficult to adapt. Many peers who had been confined in the tiny black room developed severe claustrophobia or went completely insane inside, choosing to end their own lives within a few days of release. ?¨¢¦­§°?¨º?


    But as his incarceration time increased, Yi Chen slowly grew accustomed to complete darkness.


    He viewed himself as a blind man without eyes, meditating in the darkness, mentally replaying the orphanage¡¯s entire structure, the patrol routes at different times, even mimicking the behavior of every staff member.


    ¡­


    In the stone cavern,


    Yi Chen quickly calmed down in the darkness, ignoring the state of his upper body connecting to his lower half, and keenly sensing the surrounding environment,


    Crackle crackle~


    Plant roots spontaneously grew from his body and spread across the ground, aiding in the collection of environmental data.


    In mere seconds, he caught an anomaly; he sensed the gathering of gray matter and the movement of foreign objects, and within these, he felt an indescribable threat creeping up¡­


    ¡°What is that!?¡±


    Smelling the scent of death, Yi Chen did not hesitate to further drain the energy from the umbilical cord, forcing the regeneration of his own eyes; he had to see clearly what that source of danger was.


    Why, when he had no eyes and sought to probe the past, did a shade of yellow appear in the darkness?


    As the vitreous body and the lens took shape, the yellow blur projected onto the lens intensified the sense of imminent danger.


    Finally, with the formation of the iris, cornea, and pupil, he was able to see clearly.


    The source of danger


    was the same yellow robe that had been cut open by the Hand Axe during the battle.


    This robe, unsupported by a physical body, slowly bulged up, radiating currents from the Grey Zone,


    and with this sight, Yi Chen suddenly realized something!


    ¡°Could it be¡­ there was never a final Pilgrim at all, but this yellow robe itself is the entity? It¡¯s collecting Pilgrims¡¯ eyeballs, trying to combine them with itself!¡±


    As he reached this conclusion,


    the gathered gray currents within the yellow robe had already formed the figure of an emaciated old man, whose rock crease-wrinkled face split into a ghastly smile, slowly advancing towards Yi Chen.


    Even though he knew the old man was nothing more than a vessel condensed from the yellow robe,


    Yi Chen was still unable to move; his lower half was still connected to an abundance of plants, and the reconnection process was only 35% complete.


    As danger approached,


    even Lorrian in the hospital room found it difficult to stay seated, for he too felt slightly uneasy upon seeing this yellow robe alone.


    Whoosh~ The old man¡¯s seemingly slow pace closed the distance between them in an instant.


    As his withered right arm stretched out toward Yi Chen,


    a series of wrinkled and ancient yellow ribbons also spread out, attempting to wrap around Yi Chen¡¯s body with an intent to dominate.


    A shallow Moon Seal appeared on Yi Chen¡¯s forehead, signaling that Lorrian was ready to make an active appearance within the sickroom.


    At that moment¡­ swoosh!


    The yellow ribbon almost touching Yi Chen¡¯s cheek was severed by a streak of red light,


    followed by the red glow delivering a direct palm strike to the old man¡¯s chest,


    Red Lotus bloomed~


    Boom!


    The palm strike caused an explosion, with thick red smoke rising from the center of the palm. The old man, clad in a yellow robe, flew out like a bullet, crashing straight into the stone cave wall.


    Jin arrived just in time,


    quickly sheathing the red long sword used for the slash behind his back,


    underneath the colorful mask was a face of astonishment, muttering softly:


    ¡°Hmm? I had just channeled Red Lotus Energy into my body without any reservation. How come it didn¡¯t explode into dust, still being able to maintain its integrity? Could it be a problem with the yellow clothes?¡±


    Meanwhile,


    the piece of yellow satin ribbon cut by Jin seemed to have its own consciousness as it landed, wriggling like an earthworm trying to crawl back to its host.


    Yi Chen immediately shot out a strand of roots attempting to entrap the yellow ribbon, only to discover that the roots could not touch it, passing directly through the ribbon.


    Left with no other choice,


    Yi Chen tried to communicate with the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡± sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The clothing with enough Skin Content immediately responded, shooting out ancient-threaded filaments from the cuffs, successfully entwining and dragging back the yellow ribbon.


    The ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± was also very sentient,


    proactively separating a part of its genuine leather to form an ¡®envelope structure¡¯ that enveloped and sealed the yellow ribbon, returning it to Yi Chen¡¯s hands.


    At this point, the integration rate between upper and lower body had reached 60%, barely allowing Yi Chen to stand up. He smoothly pocketed the leather envelope inside his coat¡¯s inner pocket.


    ¡°Jin¡­ thank you.¡±


    ¡°This old guy in yellow clothes isn¡¯t easy to kill¡­ Let¡¯s work together!¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    The two assumed the stance they had used against the Holy Embryo,


    as the yellow-robed old man within the stone walls rapidly healed the wounds caused by the explosion through a spreading gray flow, his twisted and bizarre gait advancing towards them.


    Just as he contorted his body ready to sprint,


    Hum!


    A beam from an electromagnetic cannon blasted from the side, enveloping his entire body. Despite being wrapped in the yellow robe, his physical form rapidly disintegrated under the electromagnetic onslaught.


    The bombardment left behind only a skeletal structure clinging to pieces of the robe.


    However, this was only the beginning!


    A spiritual pressure fell down like a sledgehammer, pressing the yellow-robed old man to the ground.


    Ludwig Reagan then arrived, his palm aimed at the downed old man¡­ Boom!


    Another electromagnetic cannon blast hit him, charring the yellow robe black and revealing several openings, the old man¡¯s skeletal frame directly shattered.


    The blasting sounds of the electromagnetic cannon and violent screams echoed throughout the stone cave.


    After enduring ten shots of the electromagnetic cannon,


    only sparse fragments of the yellow robe remained, with the bodily form constructed of grey flow gone without a trace.


    ¡°Hmm? There¡¯s still something left¡­¡±


    Just as Reagan was about to deliver the eleventh cannon shot,


    the fragments of yellow robe on the ground suddenly began to sink, stirring the floor of the cave into an eerie vortex structure. Sensing the danger, Reagan immediately took a step back to avoid the vortex zone.


    The whirlpool swiftly disappeared with the debris, and even Reagan¡¯s spiritual tracking could no longer locate it.


    ¡°What in the world is this yellow fabric¡­ Some sort of disease similar to the Gentleman¡¯s Skin?¡±


    As Reagan looked toward the Big Eye, now fully parasitized by the small grape, he realized that the Gathering Eye Disease had been cleared,


    then he glanced toward his two teammates, nodding as a sign. The trio had finally regrouped¡­

 Chapter 167: Little Grapes Black Memories

    In the cave,


    Yi Chen had retracted the umbilical cord into his body and was sitting against the wall,


    describing to his teammates everything that had taken place here, including the fake monastery, the disguised Watcher, Gathering Eye Disease, and the mysterious yellow robe.


    Reagan was also surprised that Yi Chen alone could achieve this extent. The opponent was just one step away from achieving Open Source, and there were still unknown doubts in this matter.


    The focus of discussion was still on ¡°Yellow Eyes¡±.


    This time, the Patient seemed to be divided into two parts,


    ...


    one being a collection of Pilgrim¡¯s eyeballs, which under the effect of Gathering Eye Disease, integrated into a whole, forming a structure like that of a star system, which currently was being completely parasitized by little grape, undergoing absorption.


    The other was the bizarre yellow robe, whose known abilities included:


    1. Capable of forming a vortex that slightly affects space and absorbs surrounding matter; this trait complements Gathering Eye Disease very well.


    2. The robe can perfectly utilize the flowing gray matter in the Gray Domain to construct a physical carrier.


    3. The yellow robe¡¯s various resistances and regenerative capabilities are excellent; even if torn into shreds, it can reintegrate. It could serve as a Seal, act as a Shield, and be used for various bizarre attacks.


    ¡°Indeed, even when I injected Red Lotus Energy by Palm Strike, it barely burst open¡­ Such a fascinating sick object, it would have been good if it hadn¡¯t escaped.¡±,


    Jin felt some regret that such a fascinating sick object had vanished.


    Yi Chen, with one hand resting on his raised knee, said,


    ¡°The information given by the investigation team about the ¡®Yellow Robe¡¯ didn¡¯t mention a word,


    I estimate that this object might have been a special Sick Object born after the investigation team left Holy Grail Mountain.


    It might even be material from the Old World that slipped through from the other end of the corridor. When the corridor was born and the Watcher had not yet arrived, this yellow robe came through the corridor to this side, remaining concealed in the dark, undetected by the scouting team. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I got a sample here; once we meet the real Watcher, we can ask him if he knows the origin of this thing.


    In short, Gathering Eye Disease has been dismantled, and the body of the yellow robe has also been heavily damaged by Reagan, so it should not reappear soon. For the rest of our journey, we just need to focus on searching for the corridor.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Everyone took a temporary rest in the cave, of course, mainly waiting for little grape to feed.


    Yi Chen, having gone through this battle, was also quite tired and leaned against the wall to rest with his eyes closed¡­ just as he closed his eyes, his thoughts were pulled toward the sick ward.


    Clap clap clap~


    The first to greet him was the applause from Lorrian,


    Before Yi Chen could react, he felt the impact of a metal wheelchair from behind pressing against his knees, causing him to fall backward and sit on it.


    A nurse with a face wrapped in blood-stained bandages and a smiling face was pushing this wheelchair.


    Before he could react, the Doctor already arrived beside the wheelchair¡­


    The infusion tube on the Doctor seemed to have self-awareness, precisely inserted into the veins of Yi Chen¡¯s hand, delivering a special silvery substance. ?????????????????§¦S?


    The Doctor¡¯s head hanging on the infusion rod also peered out with a smiling red lips, a bizarre voice emerging from it, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, this is Lord Lorrian rewarding you for your splendid performance.¡±


    As the silver liquid entered his body, Yi Chen felt only that his entire body¡¯s fatigue was rapidly recovering.


    Lorrian in the sickbed turned his whole body around, stopping the applause.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you really could handle it alone. Although you used a lot of external devices, it was mainly thanks to your efforts~ I really didn¡¯t see you wrong, I am looking forward more and more to the moment you mature.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    In response to the infusion provided by Moon Scar, Yi Chen chose to express his gratitude, and while meeting, he asked, ¡°Do you know what that yellow robe is?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure; it¡¯s a very strange thing.


    However, I vaguely feel that the yellow robe is very interested in you, or rather, interested in your body.


    I¡¯m afraid it has been focusing on you ever since you climbed the mountain.¡±


    Through layers of induced arrangements, your teammates were lured onto a different path, allowing you to be brought alone to a platform in the mountains, where a flaw was deliberately exposed to reveal a hidden passage.


    Even a tremendous amount of energy was expended to use the eyeball collection he had painstakingly gathered to set up an extraordinarily realistic fake monastery.


    I have a feeling it will follow you, and might even meet you again at the other end of the passage.


    ¡°By then, I will no longer be inside you. Be careful not to be possessed if you encounter that thing.¡±


    ¡°Are you interested in me¡­?¡±


    Moon Scar¡¯s reasoning was sound, and Yi Chen also sensed that the figure in yellow robes seemed genuinely interested in him.


    An infusion lasting half an hour restored Yi Chen to his peak condition,


    When leaving the patient room like a gentleman, he thanked the female doctor and nurse sister, who in turn performed a rather strange ritual gesture, hoping to have the opportunity to offer Yi Chen special treatment services again.


    As consciousness returned, Yi Chen reopened his eyes in the cave,


    sitting beside him, Reagan and Jin had already stood up, gazing intently at the spot occupied by Little Grape.


    Upon awakening, Yi Chen also smelled an extremely familiar graveyard aura, more precisely the distinct scent of the Seven-Day Cemetery.


    Hurriedly, he got up to check out the situation,


    where Little Grape previously was, a nameless mound had evolved, with broken stones randomly stacked as a tombstone, exactly as when they first met in Cemetery No. 6.


    Reagan explained from the side, ¡°The mound was dug out by itself, the Pilgrim¡¯s eyeballs have been completely parasitized, maybe due to its birth in a graveyard, it needed the graveyard environment for the final absorption and evolution, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Not long after,


    Waves of intense dead qi burst forth from the mound, even cloaking the entire cave with a thick layer of dead air.


    A pitch-black skeleton arm stretched out from the mound, soon followed by a complete, rag-wrapped skeletal frame with a mysterious glow all over it, the eye socket in the skull distinctly embedded with a lone eye.


    Just as everyone thought this was Little Grape¡¯s new form,


    the lone eye slipped from its socket, and the skeleton also crumbled and scattered,


    The eye, falling to the ground, swiftly grew black fur, reverting to Little Grape¡¯s original form.


    Only the eyeball in its mouth had enlarged and its pupil structure was more intricate, resembling some sort of secret technique array.


    Little Grape didn¡¯t seem very excited, but instead hopped back onto Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder and burrowed into his body.


    ¡°I¡­ saw some rather unpleasant scenes.¡± Little Grape muttered.


    ¡°What scenes?¡±


    ¡°I saw the Star River, saw ancient battlefields, I was like a corpse scavenger, picking up remaining eyeballs across the battlefields.


    Then there were no more memories.¡±


    ¡°Little Grape, I remember you said you were formed from a fusion of many unnamed ancient corpses from ¡®Cemetery No. 6,¡¯ perhaps these memories come from one of those ancient corpses?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ This memory retrieval made me uncomfortable, I haven¡¯t been able to fully control it. Eating so many eyeballs at once, including one named ¡®The Main Eye of Saint Alvaro,¡¯ was indeed a bit forced.¡±


    ¡°Take a rest for a while, the crisis has been resolved. Once we find the passage, I¡¯ll wake you up then.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t rush to inquire what abilities Little Grape had obtained, seeing that Little Grape was a bit off, he decided to let him rest properly.


    However, Little Grape continued talking to himself,


    ¡°After awakening this memory, I seem to be able to independently construct the ¡®ancient corpse form¡¯ corresponding to the memory, gaining the respective power of the corpse form¡­ maybe I can provide you with combat support like Miss Faye.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°The scattered black skeleton on the ground is a half-finished product, I still can¡¯t fully construct it.¡±


    As Little Grape spoke, he fell asleep from exhaustion, and Yi Chen promptly wove a comfortable hammock inside his body with plants.

 Chapter 168: Temple on the Mountain Top

    In the stone cave,


    Ludwig Reagan gazed at the black skeletons scattered on the ground. Although these bones were temporarily constructed by the Grape, they possessed the texture of being over a hundred years old,


    With his ultra-high ¡°Perception¡± and as a Prototype Master by profession, he could envision an extremely evil black wizard in his mind,


    When he reached out to touch the black skeletons that were disintegrating, the image in his mind became more concrete, and even eyeballs emitting black smoke seemed to want to crawl up Reagan¡¯s arm, corroding his flesh.


    Zzt! A surge of electromagnetic fluctuations caused the eyeballs on his arm to shrivel and fall off.


    ¡°William, your pet has great potential,¡±


    ...


    ¡°Grape is indeed an important product of the Seven-Day Graveyard; without it, I would have died in the cemetery long ago.


    Let¡¯s keep moving! We should be close to the real pathway by now.¡±


    The squad maneuvered out of the stone cave and continued upward along the rugged mountain path.


    The altitude they were at now made it apparent that the concentration of the Grey Zone was changing¡ªthe higher they climbed, the thicker the concentration¡­ It was almost certain that the ¡°pathway¡± lay at the peak.


    When there was no mountain path ahead, the group chose to climb the rocks,


    which was a piece of cake for Jin, with his astonishing body technique, and even proved to be much faster than taking the mountain path.


    Yi Chen, with the assistance of plants, found rock climbing equally effortless,


    Just when they thought the slightly overweight Reagan would have a hard time, whoosh! Six soft, drill-bit-equipped metal appendages sprouted from the exoskeleton spine on his back, carrying him up the rocks swiftly.


    Reagan also took out his ¡°happy water¡± from his backpack, guzzling it down in large gulps, a fraction of the sugar entering his body converted into reserve electrical energy for the exoskeleton spine.


    Within just half an hour, the edge of the mountain top was already in sight


    All three of them climbed to the top almost simultaneously, expecting a desolate and extraordinary scene¡­ But instead, they felt as though they had broken into some kind of sealed space.


    Hum! A buzzing in their ears disturbed their thoughts as their gentleman¡¯s clothes writhed to enhance the protection of their flesh.


    Their vision grew dim.


    The grassy peaks and open skies that should have been there no longer existed,


    only a ground covered in gray dust and a grey dome enveloping the summit.


    ¡°The environment here has undergone a qualitative change! This is¡­ a middle Grey Zone!¡±


    Unlike the gray mist that had pervaded the mountains before,


    the gray matter, as a carrier of Pathological, had turned from a gaseous state into clear grains of sand underfoot and into a membrane that completely isolated the outside world.


    Without the protection of the gentleman¡¯s clothes, the sand beneath their feet would have penetrated directly into their bodies through the pores, stimulating and inducing various possible deep pathologies.


    At that moment, Lorrian¡¯s voice came through:


    ¡°William, grab some of the sand with your right hand¡ªlet me feel it.¡±


    Yi Chen did not refuse, pretending to inspect the environment, he bent down and picked up a handful of the gray dust to observe in his hand.


    Since the right side of his body was part of Moon Scar, this gray dust posed no threat in his right hand,


    Although it appeared the grains were penetrating his skin, they were quickly expelled from the body.


    Lorrian, sensing the essence of these dust grains, whispered, ¡°There¡¯s no mistake, although I¡¯ve never been to the Old World, this structure of dust grains feels incredibly familiar; the Old World must also be filled with such gray dust. ?????¨¨?


    I¡¯m getting more and more excited¡ªhurry and take me there.


    By the way, I¡¯ve already vaguely sensed the aura of a powerful being, so I will be sealing off the sickroom and won¡¯t communicate for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The group walked on the sandy land without encountering any dangers, or perhaps all the dangers here had already been cleared by the true Watcher.


    Upon reaching the center of the mountain summit, there lay a Stone Temple.


    Due to the special experience at the Monastery earlier, Yi Chen remained on guard, immediately calling out Grape to provide Visual Enhancement¡­ perhaps due to absorbing the Eye of the Pilgrim.


    With Grape¡¯s visual access, the capture of details about things instantly rose to another level.


    Each grain of gray sand moved in an orderly fashion under Vision¡¯s observation, resembling both some kind of activated pathological carrier and a swarm of rule particles revolving around the passage.


    The Stone Temple was also composed of these sand grains, a ¡®special structure¡¯ intrinsic to the Gray Domain.


    Once confirmed, Yi Chen was the first to step into the temple, carrying a suitcase,


    Jin almost stepped in simultaneously, his mask lowered,


    Reagan, with electric arcs flashing between his pupils, was the last to walk in, hands in pockets, fully alert.


    Almost at the same time,


    Yi Chen¡¯s gaze caught a flicker of dark light, Jin sensed an unimaginable physical fluctuation, and Reagan detected a more concrete powerful entity.


    ¡°Dodge!¡±


    Yi Chen and Reagan rolled away to the left and right in a standard gentleman¡¯s dodge,


    Jin used the Red Lotus Explosion in his calf muscles to leap several meters high, just brushing the top of the temple.


    Humm!


    A massive, heavy black halberd with battle scars on its surface swept across, its tremendous force causing the very space to tremble.


    The black halberd lay across where they had just stood, so large and exaggerated it seemed impossible for humans to wield,


    Its shaft extended into the depths of the temple, three meters up decorated with dragon scale ring seals, also giving off the impression of a heft not meant for human hands.


    At that moment,


    Jin, who had leapt up to dodge, landed on the black halberd,


    Stepping on the sturdy shaft, the Red Lotus Mark on his calves bursting with extreme speed as he charged toward the wielder of the black halberd and drew his sword.


    Bang!


    A dull thud echoed,


    Jin, with his back bulging, flew rapidly out of the darkness.


    Yi Chen, highly focused, extended his arms and fired a net of plants, using all his strength just to barely catch Jin.


    Jin, with his ribs partly shattered and his abdomen severely hit, wore a crazed smile,


    As he injected the flesh juice syringe into his neck, muttering while his internal organs healed:


    ¡°Really strong indeed¡­ Beili instructor wasn¡¯t wrong; those chosen as Watchers are all freakishly strong loners.¡±


    Then, the sound of heavy metal boot hooves came from the dark,


    A Watcher appeared before them, nearly three meters tall, wearing a human-faced cast iron helmet, his skin overgrown with ¡®metal armor¡¯, donned in black iron dragon pattern metal shoes.


    Most exaggerated of all, he wielded a four-meter-long, massive black halberd single-handedly.


    Rather than a gentleman, he resembled an ancient knight.


    Such an image gave Yi Chen a deeper understanding of what it meant to breach human limits, a sense of oppression true to a Watcher, incomparable to the previous Disguisers.


    The human face within the cast iron helmet conveyed a solemn aura as he looked at the three before him,


    ¡°Zion can still produce such high-quality young people; have you cleared the most troublesome Gathering Eye Disease, by the looks of it?¡±


    ¡°Yes~ But on the way to clearing the eyes, we also encountered some troubles. Gathering Eye Disease is connected to another illness; I wonder if you¡¯re aware, Watcher?¡± S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What illness?¡±


    Yi Chen took out a genuine leather envelope from his pocket, barely opening a gap to prevent the yellow fabric inside from escaping.


    As the Watcher observed the hidden yellow substance, his expression changed.


    ¡°An unknown skin disease, at least something I¡¯ve never seen in my experience, could be a new form of skin illness¡­ or perhaps a product of the Old World that ran out of the passage before I arrived.


    Keep it. Any skin-related illnesses taken back to Zion for an audience with the First Gentleman will yield answers.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±

 Chapter 169: The Other Side of the Passage

    In the depths of the Temple, a bonfire blazed.


    The bonfire here was not fueled by firewood but by pieces of armor that could burn in a special way.


    These armor plates were supplied unlimitedly by the Watcher. His unique physical body could continuously grow such plates. The ignited bonfire burned deep in the Gray Domain and was effective in suppressing other Patients as well as guarding the passage.


    Everyone was asked to sit around the bonfire, believing there would be a series of checks before entering the passage.


    However, there were no such checks, or rather, when Yi Chen and others stepped into the Temple and evaded the Black Halberd, they had already passed the checks.


    Sitting in front of the bonfire was just an informal chat.


    ...


    This Watcher, wearing a human face iron helmet, seemed solemn but actually enjoyed chatting casually with Yi Chen and the newcomers.


    He asked about everything from the current state of Zion to their individual assessments of becoming gentlemen and entering the city. Occasionally, a mature but slightly silly laugh would even emerge from beneath his iron helmet.


    During the casual conversation,


    everyone could see the Watcher¡¯s body continuously growing five pieces of armor plates of different specifications, which he then casually threw into the bonfire.


    During the chat, the Watcher also willingly shared some information about himself.


    [Black Heavy Halberd ¨C Orman Yude]


    An early Executioner of the Organization, and one of the Black Knights (a title now obsolete), he was a vital fighting force for the Organization. He later transitioned to become a Watcher, reducing his ties with the Organization and no longer handling killing tasks.


    The cast iron helmet he wore and the black halberd he held were specially made equipment from the time he was a Black Knight.


    He was born into a Knight Family and qualified for the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± modifications; his original outfit was a set of dark and heavy black armor.


    Later, as his skin content increased, when it reached 50%, the armor actually merged with his body.


    It seemed as though he wore no clothes, yet his physical body could achieve the defensive effect of armor¡­ and he could even grow full protective armor during key battles, doubling the defense.


    With his increasing familiarity with the armor, he discovered more and more uses for it,


    such as the ¡®Suppressing Bonfire¡¯ formed by burning armor,


    and for example, when Orman rushed to the [Passage], he directly separated a large number of armor plates to form a deep helmet warhorse underneath him, weighing several tons, crushing any obstructing Patients into powder under the warhorse¡¯s heavy hooves and the swings of his black halberd. £Ò¦Á??????§¦?


    A pure Physique gentleman,


    who is now eighty years old, yet due to an Extreme Breakthrough, he disregarded the constraints of age, growing stronger each year.


    During the conversation, Yi Chen could clearly feel Orman¡¯s ¡®loneliness¡¯.


    Having been mostly alone on the outside for a long time, with barely an opportunity to communicate with people, now encountering three young individuals whose talents were not inferior to his, he almost wanted to recount his life story in front of the bonfire.


    ¡°Mr. Orman, can you not return to Zion?¡± Yi Chen suddenly threw out a pivotal question.


    The man under the cast iron mask was silent for a moment before replying,


    ¡°Once I stop my hurried travels and settle in a temporarily comfortable place, a seed of ¡®laziness¡¯ would be planted in my heart.


    The world is ill, and places like Zion would eventually be swallowed by the Gray Domain.


    If we want to truly extend human civilization, we must cultivate enough people who can live normally in the Gray Domain before that happens, even if their bodies lean toward becoming Patients, as long as they can maintain their human nature.


    If I were to become lazy and abandon the duties of a Watcher, it would reduce the rate of nurturing talents, and you wouldn¡¯t meet me here today.¡±


    Upon hearing this, both Yi Chen and the nearby Reagan also stood up to salute.


    ¡°You three are quite exceptional, managing to remain calm in front of my Black Halberd without being overwhelmed mentally shows that you are qualified to go to the other end.


    Come, let¡¯s first go see the [Passage], and then I¡¯ll discuss the specific rules with you.¡±


    Lighting the kerosene lamp at his waist, they followed Mr. Orman all the way to the deepest part of the Temple, where an ordinary-looking stone wall blocked their path,


    Yi Chen, combining his vision with Grape, quickly spotted the difference,


    ¡°Is it here?¡±


    Yi Chen pointed to a stone brick in the upper right corner of the wall.


    ¡°Can you see it right away? Were the [Gathering Eye Disease] that affected you along the way absorbed by you?¡±


    Yi Chen scratched the back of his head, ¡°Sort of.¡±


    Snap!


    Orman used his exaggeratedly huge hands to forcibly remove the stone,


    geometrically speaking, this stone corresponded to an area outside the temple.


    However, with the removal of the stone, a seemingly bottomless horizontal passage was revealed¡­ even Yi Chen, peering deep into it, could not see its end.


    The passage was just big enough to fit one person, and one could only crawl through it.


    ¡°You will be the first group of ¡®outsiders¡¯ to enter this passage,¡±


    ¡°Since the passage was formed less than a month ago and only touches the surface of the Old World, the probability of you being discovered is very low¡­ as long as you don¡¯t actively seek death, you can mostly come back alive.


    I believe your teachers or instructors at Zion have already explained the rules to you, I¡¯ll just briefly mention them here.


    Since the ¡®time¡¯ of the Old World has been sealed, it is difficult for individuals to judge the passage of time through their own senses, nor can they refer to any natural phenomena.


    Therefore, you need to take ¡®time¡¯ with you.¡±


    Orman took out a special hourglass he had prepared in advance, filled with gray sand taken from the local environment.


    This hourglass was very small and could almost not be damaged when packed in a backpack, and once the timing started, no amount of flipping would affect it.


    ¡°[One day] This is the maximum time you newcomers can be active in the Old World.


    Should you exceed this time, the risk of exposure will increase exponentially, and your mind and body will be more susceptible to diseases¡­ If you return in the state of a Patient, I might have to execute you on the spot.


    A final reminder, don¡¯t be too greedy.


    Don¡¯t think about obtaining something precious, something rare; regardless of whether you gain something, make sure to calculate the time and route of your departure in advance.


    You are still young, and there will be more opportunities in the future to undertake [Relic Events].¡±


    ¡°Go.¡±


    ¡°See you in a day!¡±


    In the same order, Yi Chen crawled first, Jin in the middle, and Reagan bringing up the rear.


    Reagan, with his stout physique, also managed to squeeze into the relatively narrow passage with some difficulty, Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the group felt they hadn¡¯t been crawling long in the passage, they could already no longer see the exit behind them, nor sense the oppressive presence of the Watcher, as if they had lost contact with the Original World.


    Lorrian¡¯s voice came from within:


    ¡ºIt¡¯s surprising how easily they let you into the passage, I thought the human Watchers would perform quite strict checks. Hurry up and accelerate, I can¡¯t wait to see the origin of the illness.¡»


    As there were no dangers in the passage, the team gradually sped up their crawling.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, they finally reached the end of the passage.


    Strangely, the exit was sealed by a square stone block similar to those in the temple; pushing with a hand¡­ snap! The stone block fell heavily to the ground.


    The area they arrived at after crawling out of the passage was still a stone temple, even the size of the space and the specifications of the stone pillars were exactly the same.


    But there were no Watchers here, nor any burning bonfires.


    The moment they crawled out of the passage, the kerosene lamp hanging at their waists went out, unable to ignite,


    Wearing gentleman¡¯s clothes, they created a ¡®real leather mask¡¯ through erecting the collar and interweaving silk threads, allowing the group to breathe normally.


    Both Yi Chen and Jin could feel the agitation of the clothes, the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ inside was being slowly consumed, and the Skin Content was gradually decreasing.


    This was also why the Watcher emphasized repeatedly that the newcomers¡¯ activity time in the Old World was limited to one day.


    If they exceeded the time, like Jin, whose clothing had a low Skin Content, the protection would be greatly weakened after over half of it was consumed, greatly increasing the probability of infection, and survival would not be guaranteed.


    Of course, for a newcomer like Yi Chen, who had a higher Skin Content, perhaps they could slightly extend the time.


    The hourglass started, the countdown began,


    Stepping out of the temple, the scene in front of them made all three stop in their tracks and stare wide-eyed at the horizon.


    The vast sky had no obstructions to the view, no clouds, no moving creatures, as if covered with a layer of dead grey canvas.


    A pitch-black ¡®sun¡¯ hung at the center of the world,


    and this pitch-black sun was pierced by an unreasonably large sword, its blade embedding further into the earth, as if sealing and killing this world.

 Chapter 170: Sick Focus

    The Old World, also known as the Focus of Infection.


    Yi Chen had read about the Old World in the foundational collection area of the Great Book Library. This matter was not kept secret but was fully disclosed to the organization.


    The organization, established for so many years, had sacrificed countless distinguished gentlemen, confirming this through extensive investigations.


    All illnesses were not autonomously produced by the world but were directly or indirectly infected from the Old World, which was the origin of diseases, a collection point for all the root causes of illnesses.


    On the title page of the book, there was a sentence left by the founder of the organization, along with an illustration.


    ¡°It is not that we contracted the disease, but the disease came to us.¡±


    ...


    The illustration was divided into three parts:


    1. Sketching a planet representing human life, with Central Domain and the Five Continents clearly marked, completely normal without any issues.


    2. Beyond our planet, to the right, appeared another living planet, oozing pus, corroding, and even growing tendrils capable of floating in space, but the entire planet was pierced through by a giant sword.


    3. This diseased planet, through the floating of its tendrils, successfully approached and clung to the back of the human planet like a tumor. Subsequently, the tendrils drilled tiny holes into this world, spreading the carried diseases through these holes and gradually assimilating them.


    This diseased planet represented the Old World, and the small holes represented the passages.


    Of course,


    this was just a greatly simplified illustration to help most people understand; the true situation required high-dimensional drawing to be accurately expressed.


    According to the book, the Old World, as the center of diseases, was completely locked for some reason, including the continuity of time and the expansion of space, both ceased.


    There was no normal air to breathe,


    and even the simple exothermic chemical reaction associated with a kerosene lamp couldn¡¯t occur,


    This completely locked world was like a human nailed to a bed board, all organs removed, all blood vessels tightened, all muscles severed, even with a surgical knife pierced through the brain.


    It should have died outright,


    yet the Old World, like a zombie, not only did not die, but its insides still continuously bred germs, those sources of disease hidden deep within, still somehow maintained alive.


    Either by the movement of its tendrils,


    or by spraying large quantities of metabolites,


    such a disease center of a world, even when locked down, was still able to wander between dimensions, randomly attaching itself to some normal world, drawing nutritional sustenance from it and transmitting diseases. ??????????????¨¨?


    All of the above was the basic information Yi Chen read from the books,


    but there was no mention of the structure of the Old World, the status of life within it, the distribution of powers, etc., which had to be explored on one¡¯s own.


    ¡°Lorrian, when will you separate from inside me?¡±


    Facing Yi Chen¡¯s question, it took a minute before a voice responded:


    ¡°How disappointing¡­ utterly disappointing~ It¡¯s unbelievable that the origin of the illness could be a dying place, with not a glimmer of hope in sight.


    That unknown giant sword probably killed this world countless eons ago, no wonder it adheres to the back of the human world through a ¡®passage¡¯.


    Right now, I¡¯m in no hurry to go out and feel such a desolate place. I¡¯ll stay inside you for a little while longer until you have a chance to separate from your teammates, or are forced to separate, then I will peel away from your body.


    This is also for your sake~ after all, once I separate it means the instantaneous loss of your right half.


    In such a world full of death, losing half of your body is extremely dangerous. As a small token of my appreciation for bringing me here, I¡¯ll offer a small surgery when we separate.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Outside the Temple lay an endless gray desert, belonging to the surface of the Old World.


    Many newcomers who arrived at the Old World for the first time were completely like headless flies, afraid of losing the location of the ¡®passage¡¯, and left without much exploration due to time constraints.


    According to statistics within Zion, only 8.1% of the newcomers who arrived at the Old World for the first time to explore relics managed to bring something back.


    And it¡¯s not to say that some were just ordinary relics, nowhere comparable to the Black Umbilical Cord in Yi Chen¡¯s hands,


    some still involved a bit of luck, such as wandering in the desert for a while and then kicking a hard object, only to pick it up and find it to be a fairly intact relic.


    That is, without a clear exploration goal, the day would soon pass, with individual consciousness hesitating, or even subjectively getting lost, which could accelerate the flow of time, making it feel like hours had passed in the blink of an eye.


    As Yi Chen was briefly communicating with Lorrian within him,


    ¡°Over here!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a sensing here~¡±


    ¡°This way¡­giggle!¡±


    Three voices rang out within the team simultaneously,


    One voice came from Reagan, who was trying to release electrical energy by touching the sand grains with his hands. Instead of dispersing chaotically, the electricity surprisingly spread in a particular direction.


    Another voice came from Jin,


    who began digging through the sand right away, extending her arm as deep as possible into the sandy depths, reaching out further with Red Lotus roots.


    As a ¡°Pathological Trait,¡± the Red Lotus indeed sensed something and sprouted a red lotus on the sandy surface not far away, serving as a special marker for progress.


    The third voice came from the small Pei on Jin¡¯s body, an animal patient who had jumped onto the ground the moment they arrived in the Old World and took on a posture of laying eggs.


    Who knew that small Pei would actually hatch an egg, but it was a gray egg. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since everything in the Old World was sealed, including ¡®fertility,¡¯ this newly hatched egg was confirmed to be dead.


    Hard, gray, just like a round stone.


    This Dead Egg didn¡¯t sink into the sand upon landing but rolled between the undulating dunes towards a specific direction.


    Even if the Dead Egg was picked up and put down again, it continued rolling in the fixed direction.


    However,


    the direction of the electrical flow, the position of the Red Lotus growth, and the path of the Dead Egg¡¯s roll were entirely different, presenting a multiple-choice question.


    Time was limited, a decision had to be made immediately.


    As Yi Chen quickly thought, Reagan pinched the flesh on his face with two fingers, offering his thought:


    ¡°William, the fact that you alone can overcome the risks of Gathering Eye Disease is enough to show that you¡¯re capable of conducting a Relic exploration by yourself.


    Moreover, as the Watcher said, this time we¡¯re dealing with a completely new, surface-level, least dangerous passageway.


    In my opinion, we all have the level to search for relics alone.


    Since we¡¯ve found three meaningful paths right at the start, why not split up and go separately?


    I¡¯ll take the path of electrical sensing; you and Miss Jin each choose one path¡­ Time it right, and let¡¯s meet at the Temple after a day.


    Let¡¯s try to find the relics that belong to us and match us in one go.¡±


    Jin immediately raised her right hand in agreement, ¡°That¡¯s the plan~ Since it¡¯s the least difficult exploration of the Old World, we should take full advantage.¡±


    Yi Chen cast his gaze at his two teammates, confirming the proposal.


    ¡°See you at the Temple after a day! Remember, keep an eye on the time¡­¡±


    As Yi Chen cautioned this, he immediately moved close to Jin, embraced her, and whispered in her ear:


    ¡°Jin, remember, one day!¡±


    Jin gently lifted a corner of her mask, revealing her tender, thin lips, and turned her head to press it against Yi Chen¡¯s earlobe.


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you, in such a completely unknown area full of hidden risks, I will be more reserved, and I¡¯ll also try my best to survive, it wouldn¡¯t be fun if I died¡­ It¡¯s you, William, who shouldn¡¯t get too carried away and forget the time.¡±


    During the conversation,


    Jin quickly reached into Yi Chen¡¯s shirt, pressing against his right chest.


    ¡°I¡¯ve felt it from the start¡­ the rhythm of your right side of the body is different than usual. Even though I don¡¯t know why you would hide it from us, I still trust you.


    Don¡¯t mess around, remember to meet on time after a day.¡±

 Chapter 171: Separation

    There wasn¡¯t much of a choice between Yi Chen and Jin.


    Since Jin¡¯s main attribute ¡°Red Lotus¡± had initiated sensing, she inevitably chose that direction.


    After waving goodbye, Reagan and Jin each set out on their respective paths, leaving only Yi Chen standing alone.


    Either follow the Dead Egg laid by Xiaopei or carve out a path for himself.


    Yi Chen held the Dead Egg in one hand and propped himself up on the sandy ground with the other, trying his best to root the plant deep enough into the soil, but, regrettably, the plant with Pathological Traits received no sensing response.


    The little grape standing on his shoulder, whether dancing, glaring, or spitting¡ªnone of these actions evoked any environmental reaction.


    ...


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s truly arranged by destiny; I¡¯ll go with this egg.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was ready to follow the egg, the voice of Lorrian came from within him:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you guys to choose to split up so soon. Since that¡¯s the case, shall we take a bit of time to separate?¡±


    ¡°That works.¡±


    He returned to the relatively safe Temple.


    Yi Chen had tied the umbilical cord around his neck in advance. After a period of climbing and crawling through passages, the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± from the Old World had mostly recovered.


    As he undid his gentleman¡¯s clothes¡­ Buzz!


    A Moon Seal emerged on his right half, and with a faint glow, a moon membrane wrapped around Yi Chen¡¯s entire body, isolating him from the erosion that the Old World inflicted on the flesh.


    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m starting now!¡±


    ¡°Bring it on¡­¡±


    A burst of intense moonlight flashed before his eyes, instantly stripping the right half of his body from its ownership,


    The flesh along the body¡¯s midline tore open slowly,


    One by one, the stitches of moonlight silver threads embedded within were pulled out,


    The right arm assumed a crawling posture, dragging out the right half of the body and the parts hidden within it.


    Once separated, the now naked Moon Scar hastily dressed himself in the familiar patient¡¯s attire from the Clinic,


    And with a simple gesture, moonlight rained down, falling on the edge of the Temple.


    Doctor and nurse rapidly took shape at the boundary of light and shadow, hurrying to build a surgery table for Yi Chen and connecting tubes for fluid transfusion to the wounds on his bisected body. ????¦Á¦­??????????


    However,


    Even with the assistance of the Moon Scar and the rejuvenation provided by the umbilical cord,


    Directly reconstructing the entire right half of the body, including legs, arms, viscera, and all blood vessels and nerves, was still a considerable stretch.


    The construction process might take several hours, or even longer, to gradually adapt to.


    Even if it were successful, it wouldn¡¯t be the original body, and would inevitably include differences that would make it feel quite unfamiliar, significantly reducing combat skills.


    However,


    Yi Chen had long been considering the issue of the ¡®right half of the body¡¯ and how to quickly recover without affecting the exploration of the Old World after the Moon Scar¡¯s departure.


    The only solution he could think of was just one.


    Lying on the surgery table, Yi Chen did not proceed with physical regeneration, but instead had the umbilical cord help stabilize his life force, ensuring the normal operation of his left half.


    Immediately after,


    Strangely enough, black hairs began to sprout from the cross-section of the wound, seeping out wisps of cold, clean lake water to cleanse and disinfect the wound.


    When the cleaning was done,


    Whoosh!


    A set of black-coated ribs, arm bones, and leg bones swiftly grew out, forming a complete right half skeleton in less than a minute.


    Hiss~ Layers of ancient black corpse qi rose from the bone surface,


    Generating flesh,


    More than regenerating, it resembled the growth on a corpse from the cemetery,


    The bone surface developed a kind of graveyard flesh particular to a corpse, which was then stitched and connected together with black hairs.


    In the end,


    A right half of the body, akin to a dark forest, took shape, the entire process taking no more than five minutes.


    A mouth containing eyeballs also opened in the chest cavity, not fixed in place, this mouth could move freely around the black-haired right half.


    Yi Chen also got up from the surgery table, disconnecting all the infusion tubes, and nodded in thanks to the doctor and nurse.


    He dressed,


    Put on gloves,


    The right half of his body, covered in black, was completely hidden, revealing no abnormalities.


    That was the trade Yi Chen had made in advance with Little Grape, as a compensation for consuming the Eye of the Pilgrim.


    During the day of exploration in the Old World, Little Grape would assume the role of the ¡°right half-body¡±.


    However,


    when Yi Chen tried to move his right arm, he felt a slightly unfamiliar sensation.


    There had been times when Little Grape substituted his hand or arm, but this time, Body Shape Yi Chen felt something more, some strange and ancient magic power harbored within his right arm.


    ¡°This right half-body of Little Grape feels a little unfamiliar¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s related to my awakening memories, why don¡¯t you check it with clothes?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As the information bar between his retinas materialized, Yi Chen bypassed the various basic attributes, professional traits, and pathological traits, going directly to the pet section.


    Whereas previously he could not get any information on Little Grape, now he was presented with an additional piece of information, as shown below:


    ¡ÚPet¡Û


    [Name]: Little Grape.Grep


    *The origin, basic information, and abilities of this pet are difficult to fully verify, suspected to be a combination of several ancient corpses over three hundred years old.


    The information of one of the combined corpses is now detected, as follows:


    ¡°Corpse Name¡± ¨C Eye Collector.Gemhar


    ¡°Introduction¡± ¨C Born in a poor mountain village where even fire was rare, Gemhar naturally possessed a pair of bright eyes that helped him find food in the darkness.


    One night while hunting, his supernatural vision led him to discover a gentleman in hiding, waiting for patient prey.


    Because of his talent with eyes, he was recommended to an organization and became a Sensing Gentleman, choosing the profession of ¡°Demon Eye Mage¡± of the Blue Letters.


    After breaking through the Limit of Man, his psyche was gradually consumed by greed, and he began to crazily collect eyeballs in secret, including those of fallen comrades.


    Following a large-scale conflict, Gemhar deliberately hid in advance, waiting for the gentleman¡¯s troops to clash with patients, and then collected the eyeballs of the dead on the battlefield.


    In the process, he became pathologically deteriorated, completely fallen.


    Later, due to his excessive greed and wandering between different Gray Domains, he interfered with the interests of multiple patient powers and was ultimately killed. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His fragmented corpse was coincidentally discovered by a squad on a mission in the Gray Domain,


    and upon passing through Easton Town for team reorganization, they were approached by the Manager of the Seven-Day Cemetery¡ªWilbert, who purchased the corpse.


    Buried in the most dangerous area, Cemetery No. 6, it became one of the ¡°construction materials¡±.


    ¡°Corpse Development Level¡±: 30%


    *It can barely demonstrate a Corpse Form, use the basic abilities of the corpse (weakened version), specifically as follows:


    1. Pupil Skill Mastery¡ªPupil-related abilities are amplified for better effects and less mental fatigue.


    2. Witchcraft¡ªCapable of casting specific witchcraft, which also gain witchcraft-enhanced effects when casting spells.


    [Pet Status]:


    Right half-body mimicry, with a 100% nerve connection compatibility with the host, not affecting any actions or ability casting of the individual.


    ¡­


    ¡°Eye Collector, a Fallen Gentleman who has broken through human limits? If it were the original, he might be able to compete face to face with Moon Scar.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, Little Grape¡¯s origin is not simple! Hurry up and try out the new abilities of the right half-body.¡±


    Yi Chen stood at the entrance of the Temple, his palm aimed at the sand dunes on the ground.


    As an eyeball opened in his palm,


    the gray sand actually began to rotate under the gaze of the eyeball, although it couldn¡¯t manipulate and crush objects by glaring like an Eye Collector, it wasn¡¯t far off.


    Following that,


    Yi Chen tried to use the plants within his body, making roots shoot out from his right hand covered in black hairs.


    When the plants moved through his arm, they spontaneously took on an effect of witchcraft¡­ Whoosh! The roots shot out from his palm turned into withered branches suffused with the scent of a curse.


    When they were inserted into the sand, wisps of black smoke arose, and their damage increased.


    ¡°Witchcraft augmentation! Really nice!¡±


    Snap! A white hand reached from behind and gently landed on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that instead of regenerating yourself, you¡¯d let this interesting pet replace your right half-body¡­ a good choice, it won¡¯t waste too much time, and we can explore the Old World together now.¡±


    ¡°Hm? You haven¡¯t left?¡±

 Chapter 172: Unexpected Encounter

    In the boundless gray desert.


    Like a round stone, a gray lifeless egg was slowly rolling,


    because its rolling speed was slow,


    Yi Chen, after estimating the egg¡¯s rolling direction, would pick up the egg and sprint one hundred meters before setting it down again, make a brief directional adjustment, then pick up the egg and move another hundred meters.


    This cycle repeated.


    During the routine of Yi Chen picking up and placing down the egg, a silver-haired young man followed him, leaning on a mobile metal cane commonly seen in hospitals.


    ...


    Moon Trace Lorrian, disillusioned with the Old World, had not embarked on the exploration alone,


    and he also gave up the idea of settling in the Old World.


    Comparing the two worlds, Lorrian still thought the original world was better; this trip was just a day tour of the Old World. Eventually, he would need Yi Chen¡¯s physical body to transcend back through the passage,


    so they formed the current odd duo of one person and one patient.


    Such a team had its pros and cons, as Moon Trace¡¯s strength allowed them to venture deeper and greatly increased the chances of retrieving relics.


    Should they accidentally encounter another Gentleman Team who had come to the Old World, things could become complicated, and Moon Trace was very likely to kill them all, leaving no survivors.


    The two had been advancing through the desert for an unknown duration, and their concept of time became increasingly blurry,


    this time, Yi Chen did not pick up the lifeless egg from the ground but let it continue rolling, turning instead to take an hourglass out of his backpack to recover his sense of time.


    ¡°What! It¡¯s already been half a day?¡±


    The gray sand in the hourglass had already run halfway¡­ Generally, newcomers exploring the Old World must consider returning once half their time has elapsed.


    Yi Chen was just starting his exploration and hadn¡¯t encountered anything yet. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moon Trace came over and gently patted his back, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Your outfit has a high skin content, it could easily withstand another day¡­ Plus, I¡¯m here, so it¡¯s okay to play a bit more.


    ¡°Let your friend go back first, we can return later as long as we¡¯re not exposed.¡±


    Lorrian¡¯s palm, patting Yi Chen¡¯s back, released a layer of a special Moonlight Barrier, causing the dark coat to gain a silver tint, changing the entire style of the person.


    The consumption rate of skin content was halved.


    ¡°Thank you, but let¡¯s try to keep it within a day. If it¡¯s longer, the Watcher will surely conduct a full-body inspection on me, and it¡¯s very likely they¡¯ll discover your presence.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if they find out~ I don¡¯t need to preserve my physical strength or anything. That fellow with armor grown from his body is quite formidable, but not yet strong enough to kill me.


    Don¡¯t overthink it, focus on the exploration at hand. If such a duo as us returns empty-handed, that would really be indefensible.¡±


    During the brief communication between the two,


    the lifeless egg had rolled a significant distance,


    and upon closer observation, its rolling speed had increased and was still accelerating¡­ rolling towards a large sandy hollow.


    Yi Chen noticed the accelerating egg, and was just preparing to speed up to chase it when,


    snap!


    A pale and withered arm suddenly stretched out from the lower end of the pit, tightly grabbing the lifeless egg.


    Seeing this, Yi Chen immediately shifted to a gun-axe stance.


    Lorrian¡¯s eyes flashed with silver light, his hand gently touching beneath his right eye, ready to uncover the bandage obscuring his sight.


    Suddenly, an exaggerated scene occurred,


    centered around the pit where the withered arm appeared, the sand within a hundred meters began to churn like quicksand, starting to sink downwards.


    Yi Chen and Lorrian also jumped back immediately to withdraw, escaping the range of the quicksand.


    Suddenly,


    a mobile structure that integrated the themes of ¡°Ancient Castle,¡± ¡°Throne,¡± and ¡°Store¡± burst forth from the sand,


    with total specifications estimated at 10m¡Á10m¡Á15m.


    All kinds of nodular jewels, golden skulls, and coins from various eras formed the base,


    At the top of the base was something akin to a miniature ancient castle, which could fully open at the front, somewhat similar to the ¡°sedan¡± in Yi Chen¡¯s homeland when he was alive, ??¦­??§¦?


    Although the miniature ancient castle had not yet opened,


    One could imagine a treasury filled with peculiar treasures and smell a scent of trade from the relief patterns on the walls and the structure of the latticed windows.


    Under the throne, were several people with their backs bent at 90 degrees, known as ¡°Back-Bearing People,¡± their skin completely merged with the base, not knowing how many years they had been carrying this special chair.


    One of the Back-Bearing People was clutching the Dead Egg mentioned earlier.


    Buzz!


    Although this group of seemingly slowly moving Back-Bearing People arrived in front of Yi Chen and Moon Scar in an instant, as if the time it took to move had been ¡°peeled off.¡±


    Just as the two were thinking of stepping back to create some distance,


    ¡ìWait a minute¡ì


    A voice that penetrated their skulls and struck directly at their brains forcibly stopped their thoughts of retreating. Instinctively, they felt that if they chose to retreat here, they might be killed outright.


    Even Moon Scar, as an Open Source Patient, felt the same.


    ¡ìI never expected to encounter such an interesting item as the ¡®Lifeless Egg¡¯ on the surface, only a rare bird with perfect human traits and itself possessing a certain ¡®fertility¡¯ attribute. Temporarily bringing the concept of ¡®fertility¡¯ from the outside has made it possible to acquire such a fine item at the first egg production.


    It cannot be mass-produced, only fortuitously obtained.


    Would you be willing to sell it to me, honorable foreign guests?¡ì


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    The ancient castle expanded horizontally from left and right, directly transforming into a shop adorned with various rare treasures.


    A man bloated with endless treasures and corpulent flesh was reclining among the treasures, his eyelids stacked with layers of fat, beneath which golden pupils were fixated on the two before him.


    Dressed in a patchwork style outfit that incorporated elements from various eras and civilizations,


    Clearly, he was the master of this special shop.


    As the shop expanded, his compressed body also spread out, reaching a width of nearly twenty meters and a height of ten meters.


    As he opened his mouth to speak,


    Teeth crafted from old metals and rare jewels were revealed, with his two prominent golden front teeth standing out the most,


    One engraved with ¡°Du,¡± and the other with ¡°ke,¡± together forming the word ¡°Duke.¡±


    ¡°I am delighted to meet here an individual with a novel illness and a special human who does not belong to either world. To trade with young people like you justifies the considerable manpower I spent to come to the surface.¡±


    This speech caused Yi Chen¡¯s eyes to widen, as it seemed the shop owner had immediately recognized that he was from another world.


    Moon Trace Lorrian sensed an oppressive pathogenic aura from the corpulent merchant.


    ¡°You may simply call me Duke, and come trade with me,¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    An epic grandeur of music simultaneously resounded in Yi Chen and Moon Trace Lorrian¡¯s ears.


    An elegant solo violin act initiated the performance, followed by bell sounds, choral singing, and string glissandos from high to low, seemingly drawing all outsiders into this ancient castle.


    As the music played,


    It was apparent that the shop owner was deliberately showcasing himself.


    A golden-framed Frame gradually emerged overhead, visible to outsiders,


    At the starting end of the Frame, the shop¡¯s sign made of gold material with various gems forming the text¡ª[Duke¡¯s Home].


    The Frame was filled with a dazzling solution of gems and even had solid gems mixed within.


    Attached above the Frame were the corresponding title and name.


    ¡ìOld World Merchant¡ªDuke Garryson, The Old Merchant¡ì

 Chapter 173: Relic

    Upon seeing such an oppressive gold Frame, Yi Chen immediately thought of what he had seen in the Abyss Laboratory deep within Green Lake, where his consciousness had been dragged¡ªthe ¡°Fish Origin.¡±


    An epic music prelude, accompanied by a unique yellow-golden Frame.


    If a being of such caliber wished for Yi Chen to die, it probably wouldn¡¯t need to lift a finger, just a mere thought could erase him.


    Even Moon Trace Lorrian, an Open Source patient, would instantly abandon the thought of fleeing at the sound of epic music in his mind, and could only comply with this Old World merchant who appeared suddenly.


    However,


    Duke Garrisen did not carry any hostility, but instead cast a benevolent gaze,


    ...


    He seemed to have come all the way from the deep Old World either for the appearance of an ¡®item,¡¯ or perhaps for the aura of a quality customer.


    There was no seizure of the item, but a very polite request to trade.


    ¡°What trade?¡±


    Following Yi Chen¡¯s inquiry,


    The Duke grew several strange little arms under his armpits and began to search for something in his ancient castle shop, eventually flipping out a special magnifying glass to observe the Dead Egg he was holding in his hands.


    ¡°Slightly flawed, but in decent condition, clearly biased towards a descent into ¡®Death.¡¯


    For such a Dead Egg I¡¯m willing to offer five hundred points, and you can use the points earned from the sale to choose anything you like in my shop.


    As long as you trade with me, a dedicated ¡®Accountant¡¯ will record your points. As long as you can meet me on this side, you can trade and buy at any time.


    Of course, if you choose to believe in me, you will also receive a twenty percent discount.¡±


    ¡°May I take a look at the products and specific prices in your store first?¡±


    ¡°Some of the ¡®things¡¯ I sell should not be known, or they could bring about trouble. Just tell me what kind of thing you need directly, and I will try to find products that meet your requirements.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any Relics for sale?¡±


    ¡°Oh, these things are all over the place in my shop, but I¡¯m not sure what kind of Relics you are looking for.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any Relics associated with the Three Attributes of Physique, Intelligence, and Sensing?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ However, Relics associated with Three Attributes are quite rare and also quite valuable. Let me have a look.¡±


    G¨¡j¨© g¨¡j¨©~


    The Duke grew even more slender arms under his armpits and began to search in detail within his ancient castle shop,


    1, 2, 3


    A total of three suitable Relics were taken out, each sealed within a closed container.


    Being quite valuable, it was not possible to directly view the form of the Relics, but one could identify the basic information through the Ancient Living Text embedded on the containers.


    ¢Ù ¡°Touring Chrysalis¡±


    [Introduction]: Very few Parasites are able to complete a ¡°World Tour¡± in the Old World without relying on any source of disease replenishment. When the touring ends, they will become chrysalises, and after a long state of chrysalis, they will achieve a leap in disease stage and be accepted by the hidden Source Plague forces. ????B?????


    Intact forms, chrysalis shells with less than 20% damage are very rare, and can be used a second time.


    [Category]: Relic (Associated with an individual¡¯s Three Attributes)


    [Bias]: Sensing > Intelligence > Physique


    [Trait]: ¡°Traveler¡¯s Thought¡±


    [Price]: 1500 Trading Points


    ¢Ú ¡°Meat Storage Box¡±


    [Introduction]: Originating from the Source Epidemic Area ¨C Rotten Meat Ruins, used to handle the garbage abyss of the lowest-grade waste meat.


    The containers that held the rubbish meat would, over the years, awaken to Self-awareness, and among them, only a very few could crawl out of the garbage abyss to gain recognition.


    At that time, they would take off their Meat Storage Boxes and become a member of the Rotten Meat Ruins with a brand-new body.


    [Category]: Relic (Associated with an individual¡¯s Three Attributes)


    [Bias]: Physique > Sensing > Intelligence


    [Trait]: ¡°Proof of Uselessness¡±


    [Price]: 1300 Trading Points


    ¢Ú ??


    [Introduction]: ??


    [Category]: Relic (Associated individual¡¯s triple attribute)


    [Bias]: Intelligence > Physique > Sensing


    [Trait]: ??


    [Price]: 2000 trading points


    After completing the basic information review of the three relics, Yi Chen was stunned himself.


    In the perception of the gentleman¡¯s group of Zion City, it was basically impossible to obtain a three-attribute relic, yet in this Duke¡¯s shop, three matching relics were easily found.


    And they were all attributes that aligned, all three of them.


    But the price was indeed steep¡ªusing only the trading points obtained from the Dead Egg, he simply couldn¡¯t afford them.


    ¡°Duke, can¡¯t the information for the last relic be disclosed in detail?¡±


    The Duke¡¯s mouth, capable of swallowing several living people at once, broke into a smile:


    ¡°The reason for the information being sealed is simple, because this item was acquired through unconventional means. If everyone could inspect it, a leak would cause me some trouble.


    ¡°Only a truly interested customer who pays a deposit and signs a confidentiality agreement can view the detailed information.¡± Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°How much is the deposit for this item?¡±


    ¡°500¡­ just as expensive as the Dead Egg you sold to me.¡±


    With the opportunity right in front of him, Yi Chen did not want to waste it, and further inquired:


    ¡°Is there any way to get trading points quickly?¡±


    A golden glow flashed in the Duke¡¯s eyes as He patiently explained, ¡°The rules here are simple; if you want to get trading points, you sell me something valuable.


    But in my opinion, you probably don¡¯t have any extra valuable goods on you anymore.


    However, there are still two methods here for quickly obtaining points to purchase the goods you desire and urgently need right now.


    1.[Borrowing], this requires you to first perform a worship ritual and sign a covenant.


    I am different from those guys. They care about singularity; I don¡¯t mind¡­ Although you have a direct association with ¡®Source Epidemic Area ¨C Profound Skin Market¡¯, I don¡¯t mind you worshipping me at the same time.


    Once you sign the covenant, a ¡®Transaction Seal¡¯ will be branded upon you.


    All goods will be at a 20% discount, and you can mortgage yourselves to borrow, needing to repay points and corresponding interest periodically.


    If the contract is breached, you will become my ¡®Accountant¡¯ to pay off the debt.


    Even if you keep hiding in another world, I have ways to let debt collectors bring you here.


    2.[Gambling], using the points you currently have or borrowing points to gamble with me. If you can win the game, you will receive points according to the corresponding multiplier.¡±


    ¡°For gambling, do we need to sign a covenant?¡±


    Facing Yi Chen¡¯s question,


    The Duke, not in a hurry to answer, drew a long spear-like rare weapon from his side, using it as a toothpick to dig around in his mouth¡­ hissing, directly extracting something resembling a sand worm, then using His big gold tooth to behead, chew, and swallow it.


    ¡°For mere gambling, you don¡¯t need to worship me.


    ¡°However, I still suggest you sign a covenant with me¡­ I dare say, in this near-death world, aside from those equal in status to me, no creature does not wish to bear my transaction mark.


    ¡°I never constrain any of my worshippers; they are all premium customers I have selectively handpicked.


    ¡°Enjoying the discount while being able to roughly sense the location of the shop, enables more convenient future trades.


    ¡°My appearance isn¡¯t solely because of this Dead Egg; it¡¯s because I see potential in the two of you.¡±


    At that moment, Moon Trace Lorrian stepped forward, negotiating with the Duke for the first time, ¡°No constraints at all?¡±


    ¡°Correct¡­ only those who fail to repay their debts need to bear the consequences of their insincerity.¡±


    Lorrian¡¯s ¡®Sixth Sense¡¯ could discern the Duke¡¯s ¡®Absolute Neutrality¡¯.


    If He truly wanted to compel them, He could have easily suppressed them directly, without the need for so many words.


    At this point, Yi Chen had also made a decision.


    After a quick exchange of information between Yi Chen¡¯s black pupils and Lorrian¡¯s new moon eyes, they decided to sign a contract with the Duke.

 Chapter 174: Gambling

    ¡°What kind of ritual of devotion is needed?¡±


    When Yi Chen asked this question, he indirectly expressed his attitude.


    The Duke swayed his index finger, which was about the size of a normal person¡¯s thigh, explaining:


    ¡°I¡¯m just mentioning it casually; after all, those other beings always perform some ritual before signing a pledge. There must have been a corresponding ritual when you accepted that skin, right?¡±


    At the mention by the Duke, Yi Chen immediately recalled the ritual at the Divine Skin Mansion.


    It was precisely by using ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± as a medium, through the ritual, to establish a connection with the system of the Old World, to select the appropriate letter, and to confirm the profession.


    ...


    ¡°Yes, I have been to the old halls through ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin? Haha~ Skin is just skin, yet you choose such a name that is close to humans.


    However, the mysterious Skin Market indeed has aspects worth learning from, as they create skin that can directly transfer to your human world through a certain ¡®channel¡¯, fitting well with human species.


    It hardly brings any adverse effects while connecting to the Old World,


    as long as the ¡®skin content¡¯ isn¡¯t too high and exceeds the individual¡¯s control limit, you humans can still fully maintain your self.


    As for me, no need for any complicated rituals,


    just get ready and take off your clothes; I¡¯ll directly brand you¡­ It won¡¯t hurt and won¡¯t leave marks, the ¡®Transaction Seal¡¯ exists only between your souls.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Following the Duke¡¯s request,


    Yi Chen and Lorrian successively removed their shirts, and the Duke naturally noticed Yi Chen¡¯s black-furred right side temporarily constructed by the small grape.


    ¡°Does your little friend also need a branding?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was asking the small grape for its opinion, the black fur on his back immediately opened its mouth and looked earnestly.


    ¡°Please, Duke.¡±


    When the small grape spoke these words, its whole body of black hair pointed toward the Duke, as if it would follow the Duke immediately if it were not for its master, Yi Chen.


    ¡°Turn your back to me.¡±


    Hisss~ A wisp of blue smoke rose from the back.


    There was no anticipated physical pain from branding, but rather a light touch on the soul level.


    A unique scale imprint was placed on the soul.


    In that instant, both Yi Chen and Moon Scar were able to sense a vague connection with the Old World merchant, Duke Garrianson, just as he had said, this trade oath had no formal constraint. ???§à¦Â§§?


    However,


    the Duke¡¯s expression was somewhat odd, with the fat on his face bunching together, then revealing a more excited expression, his whole face twitching along.


    It seemed he sensed something novel from the branding process, something he had never experienced before.


    ¡°Well, now you are my ¡®premium clients,¡¯ let¡¯s continue our trade, shall we?¡±


    Yi Chen promptly inquired further, ¡°Duke, I¡¯d like to ask about [Gambling] first? If I want to gamble, what exactly would the process be like?¡±


    ¡°Quite simple, first you need to determine the gambling [Odds], I will create a gambling game temporarily according to those odds and set the rules,


    as long as you can win the game in line with the rules, or meet the game¡¯s preset requirements, you win the bet.


    Otherwise, you¡¯ll lose all the points you bet.¡±


    ¡°What kind of games?¡±


    The Duke placed his index finger to his mouth:


    ¡°The details of the gambling content should be kept secret beforehand.


    Even if you fix the odds, I create randomly based on the corresponding difficulty of those odds.


    It might be a simple game of high-low, or a complex maze game, or even a more comprehensive role-playing game¡­ Anyway, you¡¯ll only find out once you enter the bet.


    Regardless, the difficulty is based on the gambling odds, which, according to humans, should be called ¡®fair¡¯.


    Even at odds of 1:99, there is still a possibility of winning. Would you like to play?¡±


    As Yi Chen contemplated, Moon Scar suddenly raised his hand, signaling, ¡°I¡¯d like to look at products related to [Moon] priced between 500-1500.¡±


    Following his request, the Duke swiftly produced four products. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The first item is a Moonlight Robe for women, which enhances the wearer¡¯s floating ability, priced at 700 points.


    The second is a jewel ring set with a Moon Stone, which provides an amplification of moon attributes, priced at 1500 points.


    The third is a special Moon Wand, a relic from an ancient battlefield, once the exclusive weapon of a sorcerer suffering from Stardust illness¡­ Unfortunately, the tip of the wand was severely damaged during battle; its core structure was affected and could no longer be activated, and it could only serve as an accessory, priced at 1000 points.


    The fourth item is a pair of gloves brimming with moonlight, which can increase spell-casting speed and double the effects of moonlight and starry sky spells.


    However, aside from the third item that somewhat interested Moon Scar, the rest did not catch his eye.


    ¡°Do you have the repair materials for this wand?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ But even if you find the best wand maker of the Old World, the repair success rate won¡¯t exceed 30%, and the repair materials alone would need at least 2000 points. Personally, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    As the Duke was gathering up these items, perhaps due to his large size, he accidentally knocked open a nearby collection cabinet while picking up the wand.


    At that instant,


    Lorrian suddenly experienced a moment of moonlight resonance, a flash of moonlight passed through his eyes, and he pointed to the affected collection cabinet.


    ¡°Is there something related to the moon inside there?¡±


    ¡°This one? Let me check¡­¡±


    Under the Duke¡¯s armpit, a small hand quickly reached into the cabinet, and after some searching, it seemed to find something.


    Creak creak~ More arms emerged from under his armpits, eventually pulling out a weapon case made from a special stone.


    Ink-colored stone, the surface even showed flowing ink, creating a special sealing effect; even the moonlight cast by Moon Scar could not penetrate it.


    The homologous induction from the moon was coming from inside the case.


    ¡°You have a good eye¡­ This is one of the treasures of the store, the information must be completely confidential, I can only show you its name.¡±


    As the Duke flipped the weapon case over, the name engraved on the bottom was revealed:


    [Moonlight Greatsword]


    ¡°I put a lot of effort and even got slightly injured to acquire this item¡­ If its existence leaks, there will be trouble knocking on the door.¡±


    ¡°How many points do you need.¡±


    ¡°Original price 15000 points, with a discount, 12000 points. I suggest you consider it later, don¡¯t think you can get so many points from me all at once today.¡±


    This very moment felt confusing since it began.


    Lorrian, who reached the Old World with difficulty yet still felt disappointed, seemed to have found a lost direction in life, a whole new path to move forward, as his New Moon pupils became dazzling.


    Moon Scar took a step back and with a particularly elegant gentlemanly gesture, asked Yi Chen to step forward,


    ¡°William, continue your trade with the Duke.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    Yi Chen had made up his mind, ¡°I need the third item under information sealing, a [Relic] which should be priced at 1600 points after discount, sell the Dead Egg for 500 points; can we directly arrange a gambling game based on their ratio?¡±


    ¡°Possible, though gambling over three times the rate often proves difficult; are you sure you want to proceed with the [gambling]? Once confirmed, I will begin creating the game, and all sorts of rules and systems will immediately be established.


    Afterwards, you cannot change your mind.¡±


    Yi Chen had resolved,


    Encountering the Duke on the surface of the Old World might only happen once in his lifetime. Meeting him again would necessarily require venturing into the perilous deeps of the Old World, and even then, only possibly encountering him.


    Searching for a Three Attribute Relic on the surface was nearly impossible, or else Zion would have set a precedent already.


    As Teacher Zede said, if there¡¯s no precedent, then become the first¡­ To achieve this, one must take on the associated risks.


    This opportunity was right before him, and he absolutely had to seize it.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Come a bit closer, the gambling game will to some extent be tailored around you.¡±


    As Yi Chen stepped closer,


    The Duke¡¯s plump palm gently rested on his head, the flabby layers of fat adhering to his scalp, burrowing in along the hair follicles.


    Accessing the memory components in his brain, a unique gambling game was slowly establishing¡­

 Chapter 175: Opening

    The time it took to craft the gambling event was much longer than anticipated,


    Even a few drops of golden sweat trickled from the Duke¡¯s forehead, falling onto the ancient castle floor and turning into real gold, which were then collected by several hidden hands.


    After more than an hour had passed, the Duke finally reopened his eyes.


    Exhausted, he exhaled a breath laced with gem dust, yet his plump cheeks formed a satisfied, even excited, smile.


    ¡°A very interesting memory, it¡¯s rare for one to consume so much of my energy in constructing a [Gambling Event]. This time the scale of the event is relatively ¡®medium to large,¡¯ which may take a longer time.


    However, you can rest assured, during the gambling your physical body will not suffer any erosion from the Old World.


    ...


    This gambling event is a ¡®role-playing¡¯ mode, where you need to clarify your position within the game and meet the corresponding requirements.


    The gambling rules will be given to you after you enter the [Gambling Event]; you may also need to actively search for relevant rules and requirements, as there is a high degree of freedom.


    If you¡¯re ready, enter from here.¡±


    The Duke stroked his huge belly, and then pinched the layers of fat around his abdomen, parting them up and down.


    What appeared was not a belly button, but a gilded circular passageway, the entrance to the gambling event.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to take a deep breath and enter, Lorrian¡¯s voice came from behind: ¡°Can you add one more for me?¡±


    Yi Chen did not immediately respond, as he had reservations.


    However, the Duke was interested in Moon Scar¡¯s participation and actively explained:


    ¡°If you participate as a team, I will adjust the difficulty accordingly, and not simply double the difficulty.


    Moreover, for medium to large role-playing gambling events like this, I personally recommend forming a team for a better experience and more ways to win.


    Of course, whether you can participate or not depends on the gambler¡¯s opinion.¡±


    Yi Chen turned his head and looked into Lorrian¡¯s eyes, ¡°Are you sure you want to come?¡±


    There were several concerns here, as the gambling event involved a crucial Relic, and there was only one opportunity.


    If Lorrian was just in it for fun, the probability of losing would skyrocket.


    Lorrian spread his hands, ¡°Anyway, I need to wait for you to return to the Original World, and waiting outside is the same as waiting, so I might as well go in and join you for fun.


    I know what you¡¯re worried about,


    William, you¡¯re the [Other Half] I value the most, and your effective growth is very important. I will definitely give it my all to help you win this gambling event.¡± ?§Ñ???????????


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The two stepped onto the Duke¡¯s throne palanquin, climbed onto his soft and musty flesh, and entered through the passageway at the belly button position.


    The originally horizontal passage gradually sloped until it was completely vertical.


    The two accelerated under the abrade of the flesh tunnel, with various glints of gold and jewels flashing past their eyes, until their consciousness was completely lost in the process¡­


    Pop!


    The humanoid chess piece carrying a briefcase and the one in patient¡¯s attire landed on a gambling table made of blood, flesh, skin, and hair,


    In front of the pieces were five chips, symbolizing their betting points.


    In reality,


    Such a small amount of gambling hardly matched the scale of the event; just the energy consumed to construct the venue already exceeded 500 points.


    Ordinarily, a 500-point gamble would suffice for a simple game of high-low or a riddle.


    However,


    The construction of large-scale scenes, ¡®full import¡¯ of physical body and consciousness, and detailed rules design, all stemmed from the Duke¡¯s personal interest.


    It was because, while branding Yi Chen, He inadvertently glimpsed memories that did not belong to either world.


    He wanted to use this intriguing memory to construct a completely realistic and amusing gambling event and also to test if the customer He valued truly had potential, whether he was worth deeper trades for valuable items.


    A golden palm representing the Duke¡¯s internal image, symbolizing the [Banker], landed on the gambling table.


    Streams of energy representing ¡®value,¡¯ flowed into the table in the form of gold,


    As the golden liquid poured in, architectures, streets, and world environments drawn from Yi Chen¡¯s memory rapidly took shape on the surface of the table, including the temporary rules for the current event.


    As a golden curtain enclosed the gambling table, the special game officially began.


    Perhaps in high spirits today, the Duke projected his voice, radiating it toward the ¡°backers¡± beneath the platform, ¡°Anyone wish to gamble with borrowed money? With a bit of luck, you might clear all your debts in one go.¡±


    However,


    the Duke¡¯s voice received no response, Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    not because the backers had lost their self-awareness, but because they deeply rejected gambling and borrowing from within their hearts.


    Once they had all been esteemed ¡®guests¡¯ favored by the Duke,


    yet during the trade, their greed was unwittingly hooked, and the gates of restraint were completely lifted.


    By the time they came to their senses, they had already fallen into the Golden Abyss, with the golden coins engraved with skulls burying them alive, leaving them unable to extract themselves.


    They were quite clear that if they behaved and backed silently, they might still have a chance to regain their freedom. If they touched gambling and borrowing related to greed, they would never find peace again.


    ¡°How boring.¡±


    The Duke pulled out a large box of fresh snacks and cradled it in his arms, adjusted his body position, and began to enjoy this unique gambling event.


    ¡­


    Buzz!


    As his thoughts diverged, his physical form seemed to have completely detached in the process and then reloaded.


    Regaining consciousness, what came into view was a completely unfamiliar scene.


    A children¡¯s style bedroom,


    an airplane-shaped light fixture hanging from the ceiling,


    Yi Chen quickly sat up, immediately scanning his surroundings,


    a brown wooden bedside table displayed a train-shaped alarm clock and various soldier toys,


    next to the window, the desk was covered with several children¡¯s books,


    a black and white wool carpet spread across the room, with all sorts of toys neatly arranged in a corner.


    Clean, comfortable, and quite neat, with not a single flaw to be seen, each item in the room was placed with extreme orderliness, some might say too neat.


    Once he assured there was no danger in the room, his gaze slowly turned to himself.


    Tender and short arms left Yi Chen momentarily stunned,


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    The length of the arms was only half of their original size, and the body had likewise shrunk¡­ to be precise, it was an age reduction. Yi Chen estimated he was now around eight years old.


    Just as he was about to further test if his personal abilities were intact,


    Ding-ding!


    The train alarm clock on the bedside table suddenly rang¡ªYi Chen instinctively reached out to turn it off, completing the action in less than two seconds.


    When he looked up again,


    the bedroom door had surprisingly opened, and two adults stood at the doorway, faces wearing tender smiles.


    One was a middle-aged man in a white shirt, trousers, and carrying a briefcase, with thinning hair and a protruding belly, holding a cup of steaming coffee.


    The other was a woman in black professional attire, with golden curly hair. Though wrinkles and prominent freckles marked her face, her fine features still conveyed her beauty.


    At their feet sat an obedient Samoyed, smiling at Yi Chen, its little master.


    ¡°Up on time, such a good child! Your dad and I are about to leave for work, breakfast is already prepared for you.


    Be sure to stay at home today and absolutely do not go outside, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As the wooden door slowly closed,


    the gentle mother, the father savoring his coffee, and the dog squatting on the floor, none shifted their gaze, all watched Yi Chen on the bed from beginning to end.

 Chapter 176: Home and Mail

    The style, decor, and furniture in the room were clearly from Yi Chen¡¯s original world. Combining this with the Duke¡¯s words made the conclusion obvious.


    ¡°A real gamble created by the Duke based on the memories of my pre-death world stored in my brain?¡± S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t hurry to get out of bed, instead he checked his physical condition first.


    ¡°Little Grape!¡±


    As his consciousness called out, a flesh-colored tiny mouth opened on the back of his hand and spat out a tender pupil.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Why do I feel as weak as an egg? My vision has even become blurry¡­ I¡¯m even struggling to see the detailed patterns on the screw by the window.¡±


    ...


    ¡°It must be the Duke restricting and weakening us, I¡¯m in the same condition.¡±


    Yi Chen could clearly feel the weakening of his body and abilities, as even the plants inside him had ¡®youthfulized¡¯¡ªtheir quantity, toughness, and hardness all significantly reduced.


    Swish~


    A green shoot burst forth from the palm of his hand, unable to even pierce through an ordinary book, merely poking a small hole in it.


    The only aspect less affected was the ¡°Physical¡±


    His body, trained by Teacher Zede, still possessed ¡®Pain Adaptation¡¯ and strong ¡®Impact Resistance¡¯; despite only being eight years old, his abdomen still had well-defined abs and the muscles across his body were undiminished.


    With his physique, beating up an adult was still easily manageable.


    There was another important issue¡ª ¡°Equipment.¡±


    Yi Chen immediately got out of bed and searched the bedroom. He soon found a black children¡¯s suitcase under the bed.


    The suitcase contained three crucial items:


    a superbly crafted silver-plated hand axe, a shortened shotgun for removing illness (still loaded with corpses), and a black suit in elementary school style.


    ¡°All the equipment is here, but it¡¯s all been weakened¡­ or perhaps the Duke created weakened versions of them based on their traits for me to use in this gamble.


    Even this young body of mine might have been temporarily crafted by the Duke based on the physical traits of my real body.¡±


    The camera pulls back to reality, where within the Duke¡¯s greasy body cavity, Yi Chen¡¯s true body is enveloped in a flesh membrane filled with white fatty fluid, with nerves connected all over.


    As Yi Chen figured this out, his true body exhaled a few bubbles, which did not affect the ongoing gamble.


    ¡­


    He stood in front of a large oval mirror by the wall.


    Yi Chen put on the well-fitted student suit, with both the axe and the gun hidden at his waist under the suit, deftly tying a centered bun with his hair. ????§£??


    Though only eight years old, this outfit made him look much more mature; he wouldn¡¯t be directly kicked out of an internet caf¨¦.


    ¡°Next, I need to figure out the situation clearly and try to meet up with Moon Scar¡­ That guy, even if suppressed, is definitely stronger than me.¡±


    Pushing open the bedroom door led him to the Second Floor foyer; opposite were his parents¡¯ room and stairs leading to the first floor.


    The cleanliness was the same as the bedroom,


    This two-story house was incredibly tidy, flawless to the point where even barefoot one wouldn¡¯t pick up any dust,


    He had just stepped down to the first floor.


    The Samoyed that had appeared outside the bedroom door with his ¡®parents¡¯ immediately came up to greet Yi Chen, its little master, wagging its tail continuously at a distance of one meter.


    A metal tag hanging on the dog¡¯s neck was engraved with the name¡ª ¡°Xue Rui.¡±


    However, even when Yi Chen directly called its name, Xue Rui just wagged its tail faster, always maintaining a distance of one meter.


    Bark bark~ Xue Rui barked a few times, leading Yi Chen to the dining room.


    Milk with cornflakes and fried eggs with ham were served on the dining table, a lavish breakfast prepared by his parents, with the eggs even specially shaped into hearts.


    After briefly verifying there was nothing wrong with the food, Yi Chen still chose to eat.


    Xue Rui sat obediently beside, its eyes always watching its little master,


    After breakfast, Yi Chen moved to the window in the living room to observe the outside situation,


    A quiet and comfortable tree-lined street, terrace houses evenly spaced on both sides of the street, external decorations completely uniform, even feeling like they were ¡®copy-pasted¡¯; leaning against the window, he couldn¡¯t even see the end of the terrace houses.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t figured out the real intention of the gamble yet, nor have I obtained any directional clues¡­ I¡¯ll start by thoroughly searching my ¡®home¡¯.¡±


    As Yi Chen searched the first floor, no matter where he went, Xue Rui always followed behind.


    Only when stepping onto the staircase to the second floor did Xue Rui not follow, or rather, there was no need to follow.


    This feeling, almost like being under surveillance, reminded Yi Chen of his ¡®parents¡¯ words.


    ¡°¡®My parents¡¯ specifically instructed me to stay home and not go out when they left; could this dog¡¯s role be to ensure I don¡¯t leave¡­ What would happen if I forcibly left home?¡±


    With this speculation, he returned to his bedroom.


    Click clack~ Tender shoots of plants pried through the window crack, unlocking the latch outside.


    Just as Yi Chen tried to poke his head out, showing a tendency to jump through the window.


    On the front lawn below, Xue Rui had arrived early, looking up at the small master in the window.


    ¡°As expected¡­¡±


    Once he was sure he was under surveillance, Yi Chen slowly withdrew his head.


    Standing by the window, he used the visual enhancement provided by Little Grape to observe the street closely, capturing more information.


    An observation revealed that almost every building was ¡®imprisoning¡¯ a child,


    like Yi Chen, they could only stand by the window to see the street, unable to go outside. They all had a pet watching over them, mainly cats and dogs.


    Not long after,


    a ¡°postman¡± riding a black bicycle appeared in the empty street.


    Though he was a postman, he wore a gentleman¡¯s suit and a top hat. As he passed each house, he accurately tossed the letters into the standing mailbox at the front yard entrance.


    The postman even deliberately tilted his head, casting a special glance at each child, as if signaling the important trait of the letters.


    The same happened when he passed Yi Chen¡¯s house.


    ¡°This counts as a ¡®clear indication.¡¯ I need to figure out how to get the mail outside. The only problem now is this dog. My current equipment and abilities should allow me to kill it.


    But if the pet dies, it might trigger a ¡®chain reaction.¡¯ Without more information about the gamble, it¡¯s better not to cause too much commotion.¡±


    Yi Chen first left the bedroom, trying to go to his parents¡¯ room on the second floor.


    Click click~ Completely locked. Impossible to open even with lock picking.


    Even the door gaps were blocked tightly with something, and the plants couldn¡¯t penetrate. Without a clear understanding of the gambling information, Yi Chen didn¡¯t plan on breaking down the door forcefully.


    Back on the first floor,


    Xue Rui was still sitting obediently beside the staircase, wagging its tail continuously.


    Yi Chen pretended everything was fine and walked towards the kitchen, opening the spacious lower cabinet. Utilizing the fact that the dog always maintained a distance from him, he managed to position his body just right to trap Xue Rui inside the cabinet.


    Slam!


    He kicked the cabinet door~ and then quickly dragged a chair over to jam it shut.


    The moment he completed the action, Yi Chen¡¯s calves were already tense, sprinting full speed towards the front door on the first floor!


    Walking quickly along the stone path of the front yard, he successfully reached the stand-alone mailbox at the front gate.


    Crack!


    As he forced open the rusted door of the mailbox, a pile of letters spilled out.


    There were hundreds of identical letters stuffed inside, and Yi Chen randomly grabbed a handful to stuff into his pocket.


    As he turned around to head back into the house,


    the obedient Xue Rui was already squatting at the door, but its body looked strange, as if something was wriggling inside it.


    The children from the nearby houses all gathered at their windows, casting sympathetic or fearful glances,


    some even covered their eyes with their hands, peeking through the gaps between their fingers, as if they were about to witness a very terrifying scene.


    Whoosh!


    Xue Rui¡¯s tilting head split open from the middle,


    and as the dog¡¯s head completely split¡­ Whoosh!


    A bright red, skinless arm stretched out from its neck.


    Following that came another hand, and then a body.


    A blood-drenched, skinless female upper body wholly emerged, black hair covering its horrifying skinless features, canine teeth from the dog¡¯s head scattered around her arms.


    Pitch-black pupils stared intently at this disobedient ¡®master¡¯


    Whoosh!


    The spine connecting the human body and dog¡¯s body suddenly elongated, making the creature¡¯s total length reach four meters.


    The dog¡¯s body was responsible for stability and rapid movement,


    while the elongated spine supported the woman¡¯s body outside, tasked with killing and devouring,


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t frightened by the scene before him, but when he saw the ¡®true form¡¯ of ¡®Xue Rui,¡¯ he was momentarily stunned. Some dark memories, locked deep in his mind, began to surface.

 Chapter 177: Emergence from the Past

    ¡°Watchdog¡±


    This was a term from his orphanage days that no child wanted to mention; once brought up, most people would be engulfed by fear, even an excellent student like Yi Chen would feel severe psychological discomfort.


    [The Third Escape]


    At only seven years old, Yi Chen, by summarizing the failures of his first two attempts and re-planning the escape route, finally settled on a third escape plan.


    Just when he was about to execute the plan in the dead of night, a boy from his dormitory named Xiao Yan, who hadn¡¯t fallen asleep, demanded to leave with Yi Chen, or else he would report him to the patrolling guards.


    Even if Yi Chen gave up on escaping that night, he would have to be cautious every night thereafter.


    ...


    He had no choice but to reluctantly agree.


    But Yi Chen did not say that his plan was intended for one person only, and adding a companion who wasn¡¯t familiar with the route on the fly made escape impossible¡­ Moreover, he could tell from Xiao Yan¡¯s eyes that the latter was merely desperate to take a risk.


    At that moment, a sinister decision formed in the young Yi Chen¡¯s mind.


    The early part of the escape went as planned, but during a critical phase, Yi Chen deliberately chose a path that would inevitably get them discovered, resulting in both being caught by patrolling guards instantly.


    Yi Chen was very aware that, with his high scores in all assessments, he would not be punished severely, at most thrown into a solitary cell.


    But it was different for Xiao Yan, who was always on the verge of just scraping by.


    However,


    Source: NovelFire.com, updated on ?????????????????.co


    this time Yi Chen wasn¡¯t confined to solitary, but instead strapped into a wheelchair, his eyelids forced open with metal braces, and wheeled into a basement surgery room he had never seen before.


    The room was filled with a large number of pet cages, primarily containing large canines,


    Xiao Yan was restrained on an operating table, surrounded by a group of doctors wearing distorted masks who had already completed basic disinfection, ready to perform the surgery.


    They even kindly provided a turning dial for Xiao Yan to ¡°choose on his own,¡±


    As the dial spun, it finally pointed to a large shepherd in an iron cage in the corner.


    Then, it was time for the surgery,


    Yi Chen¡¯s mechanically held-open eyes could not close, forced to watch the entire process of creating a ¡°Watchdog,¡± and the female manager even considerately administered eye drops every minute.


    After the guards threw him back into the dorm room, Yi Chen vomited in the bathroom all night, and no one in the dormitory mentioned Xiao Yan ever again.


    ¡­


    Lost in these memories,


    Yi Chen stood frozen next to the mailbox, unmoving, his pupils even slightly diverging.


    But the ¡°Watchdog¡± before him wouldn¡¯t miss such an opportunity, the woman with an upper body connected by a spine showing a fierce appearance.


    The canine body ran forward,


    the woman¡¯s mouth completely torn open, revealing chaotically growing canine fangs dripping with saliva laden with the rabies virus, locking onto the ¡°young master¡¯s¡± neck. ?????????????????¨¨?


    Just as the jaws were about to clamp down¡­ Buzz!


    Yi Chen¡¯s unfocused pupils instantly focused.


    Not only that, but a dangerous black aura began to seep from the surface of his body¡­ As the memories of the orphanage were invoked, a terrifying attribute spilled out from deep within his soul.


    Swish! A stroke of silver moon wrapped in black fluid arced upward.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body remained motionless,


    the Hand Axe held in his right arm, wrapped in black threads, completed its deadly arc.


    Xue Rui¡¯s head was severed cleanly and happened to land in a roadside trash can.


    There was no possibility of regeneration,


    The wound at the break was soaked with black lines similar to those on the surface of the axe blade, further corroding the physical body¡­ In just a few minutes, it even consumed the woman¡¯s upper body, the elongated spine, and the canine body attached behind, completely.


    The head in the trash can also turned into black dust. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Witnessing this scene, children and pets in nearby buildings hurriedly moved away from the windows, seeing Yi Chen as the real monster.


    ¡­


    Old World ¨C Surface


    The Duke, lying down in the ancient castle, had just extracted a honey-glazed live worm from the snack jar and wanted to stuff it into his mouth when he was shocked by the events unfolding in the gambling room.


    Live worms slipped from his hands, swiftly snatched away by arms hidden in the dark corners of the castle, relishing this unexpected treat.


    A significant part of the Duke¡¯s inherent laziness dominated his nature, making it extremely difficult to inspire any movement in him¡­ But now, multiple small hands emerged from under his armpits, changing his position from lying down to sitting upright.


    Generally, he would only sit upright when the trade involved fundamental interests or significant treasures.


    He muttered softly in his corpulent mouth,


    ¡°Hidden deep within his body, originating from another world, the ¡®Death¡¯ directly related to this memory can influence the operational rules of the world based purely on subjectivity, thus giving birth to individual abilities?


    It seems that the appearance of the ¡®Lifeless Egg¡¯ isn¡¯t just due to avian diseases; it¡¯s also because of this guy following nearby.


    If they really follow the rolling path of the ¡®Lifeless Egg,¡¯ they might reach the residence of the ¡®First Dead Man.¡¯ Luckily I intercepted them early, or else that guy would have stumbled upon a treasure.¡±


    The Duke, also in a great mood, directly grabbed a large handful of live worms and scattered them below, sharing with the people sitting beneath him.


    ¡°However, such a death attribute will lower the difficulty of the gambling¡­ Never mind! Can¡¯t be bothered to correct it. Just consider it a charity. After all, the overall difficulty isn¡¯t low; letting them experience the sweetness of gambling also facilitates the later ¡®Deep Layer Trade.¡¯


    Perform well, and I hope the latter half can be even more exciting.¡±


    ¡­


    [Gambling Space]


    Click!


    The door locked.


    Yi Chen returned to the house with composure, tidied up the messy kitchen, and after getting a glass of water, returned to his room.


    The blackness in his pupils had already dissipated, and the memories were locked up once again¡­ or rather, Yi Chen was gradually learning to control such emergences of memory, but he was still far from full self-control.


    Sitting at the desk,


    he dumped a pile of letters he had picked up onto the tabletop,


    regardless of size, the envelopes¡¯ material, color, sealing style, and weight were all the same.


    Casually opening one of them, the information inside made Yi Chen reveal a relieved smile, meaning that this adventurous trip was worthwhile.


    Written on the white paper with golden liquid was a sentence:


    ¡ÚPlease obtain the ¡°Orphanage Qualification¡± within two days, or it will be considered a gambling failure¡Û


    ¡°Orphanage¡­ no wonder the Duke is so interested. So it¡¯s because he accessed this memory?


    I had revisited the old scenes in the Principal¡¯s thought test not long ago, and now I have to undertake a deeper and more detailed exploration of memory.


    But this is good~


    Last time, due to the Principal¡¯s sudden interruption, I couldn¡¯t completely kill that woman; I must seize the opportunity this time.¡±


    As Yi Chen muttered softly, a massive amount of death aura began to seep out again, the corners of his mouth revealing an almost twisted smile.


    Although he was well aware that this was just a gamble, a scene created by the Duke based on memories, he took it more seriously than ever before, not just treating it as a simple gamble.


    Time passed unknowingly,


    drip, drip ~ a series of honks came from outside the window,


    When Yi Chen stood up to look,


    rows of colorful cars entered the street at the same pace and spacing, each stopping in front of every house. A pair of mechanically affectionate parents got out of each vehicle.


    Yi Chen watched as a red Chevrolet stopped in front of his house,


    his father still holding the coffee from when he left in the morning as he got out of the car, while his mother seemed to sense something wrong and quickly stepped inside, her steps wide enough to tear her wrap skirt.


    Yi Chen remained expressionless,


    seemingly understanding what ¡°Orphanage Qualification¡± means and how to obtain such a qualification.

 Chapter 178: Dinner

    (This chapter¡¯s references to ¡°parents,¡± ¡°mom,¡± and ¡°dad¡± are temporary titles used within the virtual game, and they have no blood relation to the protagonist nor are they of human species; they are a type of monster imagined into existence.)


    Click!


    The bedroom door swung open.


    A middle-aged woman with golden wavy hair stood at the doorway, motionless, maintaining a ¡®motherly¡¯ smile on her face.


    With the smile unchanged and lips unmoving, a gentle voice emanated from deep within her throat:


    ¡°William, have you seen Xue Rui?¡±


    ...


    ¡°No, Mom! I went upstairs to read after breakfast. Isn¡¯t Xue Rui downstairs?¡±


    Yi Chen sat upright at his desk, with his back to the door, one hand flipping through a book and the other ready to reach for the hand axe under the desk.


    His mother did not pursue the matter about Xue Rui further, but changed the subject, ¡°Do you know why our mailbox has been opened?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Someone opened our mailbox?¡±


    ¡°It seems you are not aware of it. Don¡¯t worry, Mom will find out¡­ Once I determine who did this, they will receive the appropriate punishment. You can come down to eat now; we have your favorite braised beef tonight.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mom.¡±


    After confirming that ¡®mother¡¯ had left, Yi Chen got up to straighten his clothes, securing his hand axe and firearms in appropriate positions.


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    He descended the stairs lightly,


    and found the tidy dining table already set for three, with the middle-aged couple already seated.


    Looking at the pristine stove that had clearly not been used, he wondered how the ¡®braised beef¡¯ his mother mentioned would appear.


    Takeout? Or perhaps quickly cooked in some unknown place?


    His father held a newspaper in one hand and still clasped the morning¡¯s cup of coffee in the other, which was steaming hot.


    His mother sat upright, her palms resting on her knees, maintaining a smile and staring straight ahead like a wooden mannequin, completely motionless.


    Yi Chen also wore a mild smile, his hands neatly stacked on the table and sitting upright like a well-behaved child in class, blending seamlessly into this bizarre atmosphere without any sense of discord.


    It was quiet,


    the only sounds were the ticking of the clock and the rustling of newspaper pages being turned by his father,


    humming~


    This state did not last long before Yi Chen unexpectedly heard a long-missed buzzing of a fly. He had rarely heard such sounds since his transcendence, and there were no flies at all in Zion City. ?¨¢???????????


    Glancing around with his peripheral vision, he spotted no trace of any flies,


    until he cast a sidelong glance at his mother and noticed a green, shiny fly struggling on her nostril, rapidly flapping its wings, yet trapped by the dense nasal hairs.


    Upon closer inspection, there was even a second and third one¡­


    Just as Yi Chen tried to look more closely,


    Ding-dong! The doorbell rang, and his mother quickly got up to answer the door.


    There was a steaming hot metal pot at the door, clearly the ¡®braised beef¡¯ mentioned by his mother¡­ The food was delivered by a burly man dressed as a chef, who was quickly walking back to the ¡®delivery truck¡¯ parked by the roadside.


    To be precise, it was a large cargo truck, filled with ¡®braised beef¡¯ for each household.


    With one hand, he dragged the metal pot effortlessly and placed it on the table.


    Serving a portion of deliciously fragrant braised beef to each person, the tender large pieces of beef predominated the dish.


    After a thorough check, the food was fine, and even the ingredients were very fresh, indeed real beef and not the unsettling meat one might have anticipated.


    After the meal,


    just as Yi Chen was about to get up, smack! His mother¡¯s palm suddenly came down, firmly pressing on his shoulder.


    ¡°Wasting food is not good behavior, dear. You should eat everything on your plate like Dad.¡±


    Turning his gaze toward his father,


    he still held the coffee in one hand while the other held the plate up in front of him. His thick, fat tongue carefully licked around the plate, leaving it so clean that it didn¡¯t even need washing.


    Yi Chen maintained a smile, albeit somewhat stiffly, and turned to ask ¡®mother,¡¯ ¡°Must I really do this?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Then you will have to face the consequences.¡±


    As his mother said this, her mouth also began to open.


    Humming! An intense buzzing of flies instantly emerged from within.


    The oral mucosa was riddled with cavities, in which dense swarms of flies were perched.


    The just-eaten braised beef still had several chunks sticking in the mouth, providing food for these flies¡­ Upon closer observation, one would find that these flies were somewhat different, as they had sharp teeth capable of easily crushing meat.


    This sight once again stirred deep memories.


    The Orphanage¡¯s ¡°three meals a day¡± were not so easy to eat,


    sometimes it was just a normal meal in the cafeteria,


    sometimes it involved scrambling for food in rooms full of rats,


    and sometimes it coincided with a special event in the cafeteria providing random food for everyone.


    Whenever there was some indigestible food, there were always some students who couldn¡¯t eat it, even causing vomiting and dirtying the cafeteria.


    These actions would be seen as ¡®wasting food¡¯.


    If it happened three times or more, they would be sent to a special area, never to return.


    Yi Chen, however, could always swallow the food because he was very clear about the Orphanage¡¯s true purpose. Although it brutally treated everyone sheltered there, the Orphanage wouldn¡¯t knowingly serve food that was harmful to the body.


    As long as he thought about this, with the thought of surviving, no matter what, he could swallow it.


    But in a certain cafeteria riot, Yi Chen accidentally knocked over his plate and was deemed to have wasted food, earning him a rare visit.


    He was taken to an underground tunnel specifically for dealing with ¡®waste¡¯.


    All the orphans who had disappeared due to food issues were gathered there, transformed by special drugs and environmental factors. They had merged with flies, developed some insectoid limb structures, and some had even completely devolved into ¡®saprophytic organisms¡¯.


    ¡­


    As for Yi Chen¡¯s father, he also corresponded to a type of Orphanage discipline.


    For orphans who repeatedly wasted water resources, they were required to carry a full cup of water and go about a normal day, participating in various activities. After one day, the remaining water in their cups would be checked.


    The more they had spilled, the more concentrated acid they had to forcibly swallow.


    If all the water in the cup was gone, they would be taken to that special area, never to appear in the Orphanage again.


    Sigh¡­


    Yi Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the negative thoughts surging within him. It was just the beginning, and there was no need to fully release his true nature yet.


    ¡°Sorry, Mom! I¡¯ll finish eating right away.¡±


    Yi Chen instantly changed his expression, adopting the guise of a well-behaved child, miming readiness to lick the plate clean.


    His mother also widened her eyes, staring intently at the process. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to bite into his plate,


    his wrist snapped powerfully, even making a crisp sound¡­ Crack! The plate flew at high speed toward the middle-aged woman, completely covering her face.


    While tossing the plate,


    Yi Chen braced himself with one hand on the chair, contracting his core and kicking up forcefully! The table was directly kicked up.


    The ¡®hot coffee¡¯ in father¡¯s hands was spilled on his face.


    Sss~ The strong acid directly burned through father¡¯s face, revealing a terrifying white bone structure, and before he could react¡­ a flash of silver passed by.


    Snap! The brain, corroded by the strong acid, landed right on the plate he had licked clean.


    Also, simultaneously,


    the tossed plate heavily collided with the mother¡¯s face¡­ Dang!


    As the metal plate slid off, and her vision was unobstructed again, a gaping shotgun barrel was already hovering in front of her eyes.


    ¡°Goodnight, Mommy!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    The mother¡¯s mouth opened as wide as possible, screaming and trying to call out the flesh-eating flies within.


    Bang!


    The dark, pitted debris splattered across the kitchen stove behind her.


    The headless bodies of the middle-aged couple leaned forward almost simultaneously, collapsing heavily onto the table.


    Yi Chen still wore a smile,


    after spinning the shotgun in his palm, he slid it back into his waistband,


    and after wiping the blood off the axe blade with a tablecloth, Yi Chen stood up and straightened his clothes, murmuring softly:


    ¡°The so-called ¡®Orphanage Qualification¡¯ means first becoming an ¡®orphan,¡¯ right? This should be good enough¡­ Sadly, my memories contain no information about my parents, so this opening totally lacks a sense of identification.


    Ever since I can remember, I¡¯ve been in the Orphanage.¡±

 Chapter 179: Qualification

    Buzz! Buzz!


    The ¡®mother¡¯ corpse on the table didn¡¯t bleed out any blood, instead, flesh-eating flies squeezed out from the rotting neck in increasing numbers, reaching up to a thousand.


    They seemed to possess a collective consciousness, quickly forming a human-shaped black shadow heading toward the Second Floor.


    The swarm of flies had not noticed that the natural gas pipeline in the house had been cut and all the doors and windows were tightly closed.


    At the parents¡¯ bedroom door on the Second Floor, the flies converged, stuffing their physical bodies into the keyhole and filling it up¡­ Click! The lock opened.


    ...


    Inside was a biological nest-like ¡°birthing room¡±.


    As the swarm of flies entered and touched a biological flesh-bubble switch, a pair of brand-new ¡®parents¡¯ began to be remade. Eventually, they slipped out from the fleshly pod, wearing completely identical clothes, their hairstyles, and the coffee in their hands remained unchanged.


    ¡°William, my precious son! Where are you?¡±


    The parents pretended as if nothing had happened, smiling as they walked down the stairs.


    Just as they were about to look for traces of their son, they found Yi Chen standing outside the window,


    dragging a black suitcase in one hand, while waving goodbye with the other.


    [Leaving home] was absolutely not allowed.


    Source: NovelFire.com, updated on ????????????????????.co


    Seeing their son standing outside the front door, both parents instantly showed their fierce appearances. The mother¡¯s mouth tore completely, unleashing a swarm of blood-flesh-devouring flies from within, while the father¡¯s body began to swell and exude a large amount of acid from his pores.


    All their attention was on the outside door, completely oblivious to the plant trap set at their feet.


    Snap!


    The mother was first to break the tender green roots set up in the corridor,


    The external force snapping the roots caused a chain reaction, eventually leading to the igniter on the stove.


    The parents¡¯ rebirth took a full half-hour,


    and due to the house being completely sealed, the concentration of gas inside had long exceeded the critical value.


    Before they could rush out of the house,


    there was a gas explosion,


    Boom!


    All the doors and windows in the house shattered, even the roof was blown open, with flames reaching into the sky.


    Yi Chen, only eight years old, had already pushed his suitcase out of the front courtyard, sitting on the roadside, seemingly waiting for something in the dark night, completely undisturbed by the explosion and the building being engulfed in flames behind him. ????§¡?¨¯§£??


    Snap! Snap!


    Two bodies landed with a thud.


    Quite coincidentally,


    the ¡®parents,¡¯ freshly reborn with bodies still tender as children¡¯s, were impacted by the explosion and landed right beside Yi Chen, even emitting a strange smell.


    Before long,


    a bus appeared from the dark end of the street, more fittingly described as a school bus.


    The bus stopped right in front of Yi Chen,


    as the doors opened, the driver turned out to be the postman who had previously delivered the mail, dressed in a suit and wearing a top hat.


    He didn¡¯t immediately invite Yi Chen aboard, but instead was shocked by the bizarre spectacle of the raging fire, quickly reversing the school bus and getting out personally.


    The burning house, Yi Chen sitting on the roadside, and the postman in the middle of the road were perfectly aligned.


    The postman framed the scene with his hands as if capturing a picture, framing this beautifully macabre family scene.


    His mouth painted with bright red lipstick curled into a perverted smile, he took off his top hat and pulled out a Polaroid camera.


    Because he took off his hat, Yi Chen was able to clearly see the mailman¡¯s true face.


    The face, long and with clearly defined cheekbones, was purposefully coated with a layer of white foundation, and both eyebrows and lips were painted red, while the eyeballs were pitch-black.


    ¡°Smile! Cheese!¡±


    Considering that he would be interacting with this person in the future, Yi Chen also complied by revealing a sickly smile.


    The ¡®parents,¡¯ charred and dismembered from an explosion, had just happened to fall on either side, facing the camera with expressions of agony.


    Click! A sound snapped, followed by a blinding flash, and then the shattering of an ampoule bottle. A cascade of colors poured onto the thick, glossy paper, forming a warm family portrait.


    The mailman, satisfied, tucked the photo along with the camera back into his top hat and put it on again.


    ¡°What an unexpected harvest, get on the bus now! You¡¯ve already obtained the [Orphanage Qualification]. Tonight, I still have to pick up a few more ¡®orphans¡¯ who have qualified, and I¡¯ll send you all to the orphanage first thing tomorrow morning.¡±


    As soon as Yi Chen stepped onto the school bus, a pale silver arm raised from the last row to wave at him, and at the same time, a familiar magnetic voice came through:


    ¡°You¡¯re so slow, William~¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped, I didn¡¯t dare make a move without understanding the rules first.¡±


    His gaze turned toward the last row of the school bus.


    The teenager, Lorrian, dressed in a Winnie the Pooh patterned, white hooded sweatshirt sat in the middle, paired with jeans and a pair of white sneakers.


    This was indeed a far better image than his appearance in hospital garb in reality, not just healthier, but even quite handsome.


    However, Lorrian¡¯s right eye was still covered with a bandage.


    There were a few other ¡®orphans¡¯ on the bus, some with a fierce appearance, some snickering madly, while others curled up in corners, sharpening their nails or blades. Only Yi Chen and Lorrian appeared somewhat normal.


    Yi Chen too took his place in the last row, sitting by the window.


    The school bus drove down streets that seemed to have been ¡®copied and pasted¡¯; there was no end in sight, stopping at each house to pick up new recruits who had received the [Orphanage Qualification].


    During the ride, Lorrian took the initiative to move closer, draping his arm over Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder,


    ¡°William, the architectural style here, the everyday items, and this bus using special fuel¡ªnone of them match the world we are from¡­ No wonder the Duke said some strange things when he saw us, mentioning how we don¡¯t belong to two different worlds or something.


    Did you originally live in such a world? How did you come to our side?¡±


    It was impossible to bluff in front of Moon Scar.


    Yi Chen, supporting his chin with one hand, his eyes constantly flickering past the buildings outside the window, honestly responded to Moon Scar¡¯s question:


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the specific reason, only that I accidentally died in this world.


    When I woke up again, I had already arrived on your side, in a sick world, waking up inside a cemetery worker who appeared to be about my age, build, and even looked similar; he had also happened to die from poisoning.¡±


    ¡°Consciousness transfer between deceased individuals with similar affinity at the same time? It couldn¡¯t possibly directly transcend different worlds, right?


    You really are interesting. No wonder your behavior and some of your life¡¯s details are fundamentally different from the gentlemen here. No wonder I found you so intriguing from the first glance. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Say, how could someone like you die¡­ What kind of terrifying thing killed you?¡±


    ¡°A certain group dedicated to studying [Knowledge]; I died accidentally during the course of forced knowledge assimilation.¡±


    This statement made Moon Scar narrow his eyes, becoming exceptionally serious, ¡°Some evil group seeking special knowledge, huh? Extracting the brain from the body and infusing knowledge non-stop around the clock.


    It¡¯s very plausible that it could burst a brain. Maybe what you went through was even more horrifying, or maybe you didn¡¯t die completely and just happened to transcend to our side by a stroke of luck.


    Such knowledge-seeking groups are indeed dangerous. Is our upcoming gamble related to this?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ This happened after I grew up.


    The memories the Duke uses for the gamble are my ¡®childhood memories,¡¯ that time also nearly killed me, and it was a miracle I managed to escape alive from the orphanage back then.¡±


    ¡°Sounds fascinating. Lucky for you, I decided to join this bet on a whim.


    I can see a change in your eyes, an unusual glint of slaughter that¡¯s not commonly seen. You seem to have a big problem with the orphanage we are about to visit~ Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be happy to help.¡±

 Chapter 180: Dice

    The school bus had traveled all night through ¡®copy-paste¡¯ streets with no end in sight, and a total of 37 orphans (22 boys and 15 girls) were picked up.


    Yi Chen leaned against the window and, despite the endlessly flashing past of similar buildings, felt no hint of sleepiness. The thought of returning to the Orphanage in this way had him so excited that he couldn¡¯t sleep at all.


    The night had passed,


    The postman¡¯s voice echoed throughout the school bus via the loudspeakers, piercing like a needle in the ear, forcibly waking some of the orphans who had been asleep.


    ¡°First of all, congratulations on standing out from the numerous ¡®child bodies.¡¯ Among you, some are close to turning ten years old. We have a rule here, if by the age of ten you have not freed yourselves from the bonds of your original families, you will be classified as defects to be digested internally by the family.


    Next, you will be heading to an important area¡ªthe Orphanage. Due to the secrecy of the path, you need to sleep a little.¡±


    ...


    The postman pulled out a gas mask from under his high hat and put it on himself, then promptly pressed a green button.


    Hiss¡ªa strong green aura emanated from various areas, quickly filling the entire bus, and all the orphans, including Moon Scar, fell asleep within seconds.


    Everyone knew this was a necessary procedure, that it was safe, and that the hypnotic gas would help individuals achieve a deep sleep state, quickly recovering from the fatigue of ¡®leaving home.¡¯


    A minute passed,


    When the gas concentration reached an extremely high value, the postman inspected the bus through the rearview mirror, only to find a boy in the last row next to the window, still with his eyes open, looking outside,


    Even though his eyes had become bloodshot and green from inhaling the hypnotic gas, he still hadn¡¯t fallen asleep.


    ¡°You seem to have an abnormal obsession with the Orphanage, but if you don¡¯t sleep, your condition will be worse than the others, and the purpose that you want to achieve will also be affected.¡±


    Yi Chen responded indifferently:


    ¡°I simply can¡¯t fall asleep. If it¡¯s clearly stated here that one must not remember the route taken by the bus, you are more than welcome to come and knock me out.¡±


    However, the postman just waved his hand and continued driving, ¡°No need~ After all, I¡¯m just a worker following the rules. Since the hypnotic gas doesn¡¯t work on you, there¡¯s not much I can do, right?


    Stay put, I¡¯m about to make a turn onto the main road.¡±


    Suddenly, the postman jerked the steering wheel, causing the car to turn 90¡ã and collide head-on with a residential house, followed by a violent shake and the sound of bricks and tiles scraping past the window¡­


    A brand new highway appeared before them, as if entering an uninhabited western area.


    After continuing to drive for a full two hours on a road full of forks in the no-man¡¯s land,


    a colossal structure appeared in sight, equipped with black hexagonal high walls like a prison. Although the scale was more exaggerated, the external structure was exactly the same as in his memory.


    A larger sign was also erected by the roadside.


    It bore four different marks: the[Biohazard Warning Sign], the[High Voltage Warning Sign], the[Caution: Explosion Warning Sign], and a new type of sign featuring a skull being smashed by a club.


    Beneath these signs was a small string of unobtrusive letters.


    [Black Mountain Orphanage]- Orphanage in Black Mountain


    When Yi Chen confirmed the Orphanage was similar to his memory, a satisfied smile appeared on his face. The sleepiness blocked by his fixation suddenly surged into his brain, and he slumped against the window into a deep sleep. ??N??????????


    ¡­


    Old World ¨C Surface


    The Duke, having consumed two bags of snacks, let out a whistle, and a mysterious arm from the shadows of the Ancient Castle handed out an extra-large goblet filled with red soda, which even had an ice cube the size of a human head in it.


    Gulp gulp~


    The Duke downed more than ten liters of soda in one go.


    Belch! A tremendous burp escaped his lips, causing his entire body of flesh to shudder.


    The desert sand field was directly blasted with a pillar-shaped indentation stretching several hundred meters long.


    ¡°That¡¯s better. I didn¡¯t expect to enter the core gambling game so soon. Let¡¯s see what luck and strength you¡¯ve got.¡±


    The Duke slapped his mountainous belly, and the internal gambling arena within his body changed accordingly.


    The Golden Chess pieces representing Yi Chen and Moon Scar moved towards the center of the board, and they also had to make their first[Rolling Dice].


    ¡­


    As Yi Chen fell asleep in the school bus,


    his consciousness was drawn to a special Dream Space, and his companion, Moon Scar, was there too.


    In the pitch-black space,


    the two of them still retained the forms of children from the gambling game,


    and as Yi Chen fell asleep and arrived here, something seemed to be falling perpendicularly from above towards their heads.


    On closer inspection, it turned out to be two Golden Dice (six-sided) larger than a human body.


    Yi Chen instinctively rolled backward,


    while Moon Scar adopted a superior displacement skill. Without any apparent stepping motion, his body instantaneously moved backwards by just enough distance to avoid the dice.


    Thud!


    The hefty Golden Dice landed in front of the two men, and the voice of the Duke echoed through the Dream Space. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this voice originated from the gambling consciousness within the Duke¡¯s body, deep and cold, lacking the ¡®friendly and approachable¡¯ tone he used when communicating with the outside world.


    ¡°¡ìFor the opening bet, you must toss the Golden Dice at least [five meters] high and let it spin at least three times without using any abilities to deliberately influence the dice. If I consider your actions cheating, I will deem the gambling attempt a failure and impose a penalty of tenfold the bet.¡±


    The level of difficulty for your opening situation will be determined by the number of points; the higher the points, the greater the difficulty. If you throw [double sixes], you¡¯ll enter ¡®Disaster Mode¡¯ immediately.


    Begin! ¡ì


    ¡°So it really is a gamble?¡±


    Yi Chen attempted to lift what seemed like a heavy Golden Dice, only to find out that in his hands, it was as light as foam, easy to toss to a height of five meters.


    ¡°William, you go first.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Bending his calves to drive his whole body, Yi Chen threw the dice over ten meters high.


    After bouncing on the fall and several spins, it finally settled¡­


    [6]


    A bead of cold sweat slid down Yi Chen¡¯s cheek. This meant that even if Moon Scar threw the lowest possible point of one, the overall difficulty would still be above average.


    Glancing embarrassingly at Moon Scar not far away, he said, ¡°My luck¡­ it¡¯s up to you now.¡±


    Moon Scar, however, didn¡¯t seem to care in the least. What he wanted was a [high difficulty].


    The outcome of this gamble did not directly concern his personal interests. He was merely keen on participating. If through this he could get a grasp of the fluctuation in difficulty¡ªand especially the upper limit of the highest difficulty¡ªit would be of extraordinary significance for Moon Scar.


    After all, the ¡®Moonlight Greatsword¡¯ he covetted was worth a fortune, and the mere act of trading for points could take an eternity. [Gambling] was undeniably the fastest route.


    Moon Scar slightly lifted his head,


    and a Moonlight Barrier carried the dice into the air, throwing it just the right amount, exactly five meters high.


    The dice also didn¡¯t cause any violent collisions when it landed but slightly spun to a stop¡ª[3].


    A perfectly average number.


    Yi Chen took a deep breath of relief, grateful he didn¡¯t roll another [6]. Otherwise, they would¡¯ve faced a challenge surpassing the game itself right from the start, which wouldn¡¯t bode well for the upcoming orphanage operation.


    ¡°¡ìA total of [9] points corresponds to a difficult start. Good luck.¡ì¡±


    Smack! The Banker clapped his gigantic palm made of blood and flesh,


    and the Dream Space shattered instantly like a mirror.


    Consciousness returned to the physical body.


    In a communal bath that constantly leaked cold air (-68¡æ), a total of 22 naked boys were piled up in the center of the room like a heap of corpses.


    As Yi Chen woke up, he immediately felt the extreme cold. Although the flora within him provided some resistance, it could only delay the body¡¯s complete freezing.


    The other orphans woke up simultaneously,


    and the mound of flesh quickly disintegrated into individual entities. Everyone swiftly surveyed their surroundings, assessing the situation in the bathroom to snatch precious survival time from the icy hands of the grim reaper.


    There were ten ¡°shower points¡± set up here.


    In everyone¡¯s eyes, these shower points represented their hope for survival. If there was no hot water, they would surely freeze to death here.


    Urged by the extreme cold, many of the orphans dashed to the nearest shower point, vying for an advantage¡­ but Yi Chen and Lorrian had no intention of competing and moved more slowly.


    As the ten faucets were turned on.


    Ahh!


    Piercing screams immediately filled the enclosed bathroom,


    as not all of the shower points were intended for rescue. Four of the nozzles sprayed cold water that instantly froze upon contact, accelerating the freezing of the body.


    Another four nozzles discharged boiling acid with an extremely high flow rate, devouring the boys underneath in an instant, the screams ceasing in less than three seconds.


    Only [two] shower points were releasing normal warm water.


    The eyes of the survivors all shifted in that direction¡­

 Chapter 181: Escape from Predicament

    Yi Chen, who stayed in the middle of the bathroom, temporarily had no inclination to contend for a shower spot, continuously exhaling white breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s indeed cold, but my body can endure it for a while.


    Not only is it due to the physical training given by teacher Zede, but also because I have been wearing gentleman¡¯s clothes for a long time, the trait of ¡®Skin¡¯ has partially ¡®assimilated and transferred¡¯ to me.


    It might only be about 10% of the garment¡¯s effect, but it can also provide some warmth.¡±


    Scanning around the rectangular bathroom and noticing two warm water supply points, Yi Chen¡¯s gaze revealed a hint of confusion.


    ¡°Only having two shower points is normal, as if it¡¯s hinting that Moon Scar and I need to break out of the enclosed bathroom area to each take one¡­ but that¡¯s not actually the case.


    ...


    The simplest way is for Moon Scar and me to join forces and occupy one of the warm showers; it¡¯s possible for two people to shower together as well.


    If we consider the ¡®shower points¡¯ as safe zones, as long as we internally agree to let 2-3 people share one shower point for the hot water, we could potentially save up to six people.


    Is it really so?


    What if the hot water supply is cut off or suddenly switches to strong acid or cold water? Could it be possible that these shower spots are just misleading distractions?¡±


    Yi Chen recalled the Golden Dice thrown in his dream, where ¡°9 points¡± corresponded to a high difficulty that strengthened Yi Chen¡¯s belief in his own intuition, confirming that these shower spots are merely cognitive misleads.


    ¡°If all shower points are deceptive, then where is the real answer hidden? Little Grape!¡±


    As Yi Chen called out, his vision was amplified, scanning the entire bathroom at the highest speed.


    Of course,


    nobody else had thoughts like Yi Chen¡¯s,


    Driven by the relentless push of the freezing Reaper, everyone instinctively pursued the closest survival point, which was the evidently nearest warm shower.


    The melee battle ensued right after.


    The orphans, stripped of their clothes and disarmed, could only engage in hand-to-hand combat. Each one of them had emerged from deadly household conflicts and, despite being just children, they were proficient in various lethal skills, executing them with swift and precise moves.


    Kicking the groin, gouging eyes, choking.


    Just one mistake could almost instantly determine the victor.


    One of the boys, with a sinister look, a thin elongated body, and dragging black hair, swiftly dodged and penetrated with his arm¡­ swish! He directly pierced through another taller boy¡¯s temple with his two fingers, his deliberately grown fingernails piercing the brain, killing him instantly.


    Not just that,


    he swiftly pulled out his fingers soaked in brain fluid, sucked them for a while, and then used his nails to slit open the chest of the slain.


    Crack!


    He forcefully broke off a suitably long rib as a weapon.


    As he was assessing the rib in his hand, getting ready to join the fight for the shower spot¡­ silently and unnoticed, a silver-haired youth with his eyes covered in bandages approached his side. ????¦Â¦¥????


    ¡°Just suitable!¡±


    He flicked his hand, stabbing the rib straight at the silver-haired youth¡¯s heart.


    Crack¡ªa very subtle sound of joint movement.


    The silver-haired youth, without any apparent movement, shifted his body slightly sideways, the incoming rib just grazing past him.


    This advanced evasion skill made the boy with flowing black hair sense inherent danger, marking the silver-haired youth as a dangerous person, decisively abandoning the idea of hostility and attempting to retreat swiftly.


    Just as he was about to turn and flee, huff¡ªa breath of cold air targeted at his neck, as if to sever his artery directly.


    The silver-haired youth was already close behind him, ready to strike at any moment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t kill me! I am willing to do anything for you¡­¡±


    ¡°Good, then give me your skin~¡±


    As soon as the words were out, his Achilles tendon was slashed, and the youth with black hair fell hard to the ground.


    Moreover, the fresh rib which he held was taken from him, using the sharp tip of the rib, the assailant swiftly cut open the youth¡¯s back. New Moon eyes rapidly deconstructed the youth¡¯s bodily structure, hands deftly performing the ¡®Skin Stripping¡¯ process.


    Just like peeling an orange by hand, fast and precise, perfectly separating the orange peel, pith, and pulp.


    Having dealt with one, the raw materials still weren¡¯t nearly enough,


    Moon Scar got up, moving his shoulder blades, stretching his neck muscles left and right as he continued to Lock on to his next target.


    That¡¯s right.


    After observing for a while, Moon Scar concluded that his target was no longer in the shower area, but on these orphans.


    Since there were no clothes to keep warm in such a cold environment, he thought he might as well make one himself.


    Even though he was suppressed by levels and had limited ability, Moon Scar¡¯s ¡°Combat Skills¡± were still far superior to an ordinary person.


    He could achieve an instant shift through the subtle movements of his knees and ankle joints, coupled with his unique pupils, which allowed him to see through the opponent¡¯s attack route in advance and Perfectly Evade.


    The killing and screaming became less and less over time.


    The drains in the bathroom were also gradually occupied by bloody water,


    Strangely, not a person was at the two warm shower points, and in the end, only two people remained in the bathroom¡ªYi Chen, who was observing, and Moon Scar, who was squatting next to a corpse.


    He quickly sewed the ¡°orange peel¡± he had stripped off, using the silver threads between his fingers,


    eventually crafting two fleece-lined, thick coats that could cover the whole body and included matching rain boots.


    As Yi Chen was immersed in Observation, his exterior had partially iced over,


    suddenly, a wave of warmth swept through his body, along with the familiar feel of Skin against his skin.


    Moon Scar came up from behind and personally draped the handmade leather coat over him, the inside still retaining the warmth of a human body, which was quite comfortable¡­ Pulling up a zipper made of spine bones completely sealed the coat, letting no cold air seep through.


    Throughout this process, Moon Scar had not spoken a word, not wanting to disturb Yi Chen, who was still observing; he simply waited quietly by the side.


    He believed that his other half would not fail him at this crucial moment.


    Two minutes passed,


    Yi Chen, wearing his rain boots, came to a floor tile that was mismatched, moved it away to discover ten numbers, engraved in a circle, ranging between 0-12. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ten numbers corresponded exactly with the ten shower points,


    Yi Chen quickly stepped to each shower point, rotating the water valve handles, which looked like pointers, so that they matched the corresponding clock times symbolized by the numbers.


    When he adjusted the last valve, all the shower heads stopped releasing water, and the cold stopped seeping in.


    Suddenly,


    two dice the size of human heads appeared in the middle of the bathroom, evidently requiring both people to throw them again to decide the ¡°Difficulty¡± of an upcoming task based on the points thrown.


    Yi Chen¡ª[1]


    Moon Scar¡ª[2]


    The dice stabilized for three seconds before dissolving into white mist and vanishing.


    With a rumbling sound, the wall at the front end of the bathroom slowly moved aside.


    Two guards, as tall as the ceiling and dressed in Black security uniforms with respiratory masks, walked out, and between them stood a dark-haired older woman with slight gray undertones.


    She wore a long dress and high heeled shoes, with light pink pearls hanging from her earlobes, holding a registration Handbook from the Orphanage in her hand.


    ¡°Oh, this is really unacceptable! We carefully selected these orphans, only to have you kill them all¡­ Although there¡¯s no rule against killing, you really lack ¡®compassion,¡¯ don¡¯t you?


    But, I like it!


    Managing to clear the game in this way, ¡®Cortical Insulation¡¯ is a method I¡¯ve seen for the first time.


    Based on your excellent performance, you will be arranged to share a luxury room for two, enjoying certain privileges of our Orphanage.


    Nice to meet you,


    you can just call me Teacher Cao!¡±


    Upon hearing this,


    Yi Chen¡¯s pupils promptly filled with Black, a Death Attribute rapidly spilling from within him.


    Moon Scar glanced sideways at Yi Chen, who was gradually losing control; he sighed slightly and then, with a swift motion of his Hand Blade, he knocked him out cold, forcibly severing the transfer of Memory and Thought.


    As they walked out of the bathroom, corresponding to the Duke¡¯s betting chessboard, two golden chess pieces moved forward again.

 Chapter 182: Luxurious Double Bedroom

    The Duke looked at the performance of the two at the start of the game, his chubby face squeezed into a mass.


    He had thought that a difficulty level of [9] would intimidate them somewhat; even if they managed to get through, they should at least lose a layer of skin or break a few bones, laying the groundwork for the gradually escalating difficulties of the orphanage gambling games.


    But who knew,


    one human and one patient actually coordinated to such an extent that beyond some frostbite, they bore no other injuries.


    ¡°This little guy, who was transformed and born from the human world and is related to celestial phenomena, has transcended the usual [Open Source standards] and is even more formidable than the Open Sourcerers who were directly born from our side during the normal course of the world.


    ...


    And he just so happens to be ¡®Patient Zero,¡¯ not subject to any control.


    Lucky for me, I caught him early on. Now, let¡¯s see if this guy has what it takes to trade for the Moonlight Greatsword that has been looking for a user.¡±


    The Duke didn¡¯t mind,


    This betting game was set up based on Yi Chen¡¯s memory at short notice, so it¡¯s normal for the difficulty assessment to have issues, but winning the bet would still require some effort.


    Later on, he could turn the ¡®New World Betting Game¡¯ they went through into a full-clearance video stored in the ¡®Memory Spore¡¯ and sell it for a high price to various big names for their enjoyment. As long as it¡¯s exciting enough, paired with the brand new world inside Yi Chen¡¯s memory, it would definitely fetch a good price.


    ¡­


    Black Mountain Orphanage, Comprehensive Teacher ¨C [Cao Zhenghong]


    Her prototype was exactly the director and life teacher of the orphanage Yi Chen had been in before his death, and to some extent could even be considered his ¡®foster mother.¡¯


    From the moment Yi Chen was conscious, he was in the orphanage, and he even suspected that he was born there¡­ He had always followed Director Cao until he was five years old, with everything from his diet to lifestyle, to interest cultivation and advanced education personally overseen by the director.


    Whenever the young Yi Chen scored high in intelligence or physical fitness tests, he would even receive gifts from the director.


    The age of five was a boundary.


    Yi Chen officially began to receive the [Education] of the orphanage and gradually saw the true face of Teacher Cao.


    No matter the activity, he would receive special attention from Director Cao,


    Who, while having higher expectations, would also prevent Yi Chen from sustaining irreversible physical punishments, inflicting more of a mental torture instead.


    Any peers, particularly girls, who got close to Yi Chen would be targeted.


    Once they made a mistake, they would be dealt with immediately, and Director Cao would even personally push Yi Chen to the scene of the punishment to witness the entire process.


    This was why Yi Chen only kept company with rats and avoided contact with anyone else, and why all his subsequent escape plans were [for one person only].


    Similarly,


    Thanks to Director Cao¡¯s introduction, Yi Chen had the fortune to visit the upper echelons of the orphanage under ¡®Full Restraint¡¯ ¨C his eyes and mouth sealed with tape, with only his nostrils left open for breathing and his ears to hear sounds.


    There he overheard many voices and ultimately received a proposal from the upper echelons.


    As long as Yi Chen could maintain high standards, upon turning eighteen and passing the qualification test in the orphanage, he could officially become a teacher there, and he might even replace Director Cao¡¯s position.


    But Yi Chen couldn¡¯t wait; he just wanted to escape as soon as possible and come back with outside help to kill Director Cao.


    ¡­


    ¡°Huff!¡±


    Yi Chen sat up abruptly from the soft and spacious bed, instinctively firing a strand of plants from his palm.


    Unfortunately, the tender green roots hit the wall directly, missing any dangerous targets¡­ and because of the weakening of his ability, it only slightly tore the wallpaper. ???¨°????¨§?


    At that moment, a familiar voice came from the other side of the room.


    ¡°Hey~ Haven¡¯t you snapped out of your emotions yet? It¡¯s clear you harbor a deep-seated hatred for that old woman, but you¡¯re too impulsive.


    I was never as agitated as you when I faced Doctor Macaul (founder of Twilight Clinic).


    Emotional control is very important, and meaningless venting, even if you really kill the other person, will only leave you feeling empty. You need to adjust your state well and find the best way to deal with it.


    To be honest, I¡¯m quite disappointed with you on this.¡±


    Moon Trace Lorrian was sitting on another bed in the double room, holding a contemporary book titled ¡°To the Moon,¡± and throughout his speech, his gaze remained fixed on the lines of the book, deeply engrossed in the story.


    Faced with Moon Trace Lorrian¡¯s rebuke, Yi Chen readily accepted it,


    ¡°It¡¯s my problem¡­ sorry.¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s a problem, correct it. If that doesn¡¯t work, after we get out, it¡¯s okay for the doctor trained by me to perform a brain surgery on you to curb your impulsive emotions.¡±


    By the way, remember to take a look at the rules posted on the door. It will determine whether you can win the bet.


    We¡¯re really quite lucky, the low points giving us access to this quality bedroom makes me quite satisfied. Even staying here for ten days or half a month is absolutely no problem.¡±


    ¡°The rules? Okay¡­ wow, my neck hurts.¡±


    Yi Chen rubbed his sore and swollen neck, even feeling like his third cervical vertebra was about to dislocate.


    Just getting out of bed, he found a ¡°suitcase¡± placed by the window, which only contained a student¡¯s suit. The axe and firearms provided at the start had been taken away.


    As Moon Trace Lorrian said, this high-quality double room obtained with a dice roll of [3] was quite good,


    fifty square meters with an en-suite bathroom, a ventilation system, and a temperature sensor air conditioner, and also equipped with a wall of books for leisure and a source of drinking water.


    Such living conditions were something Yi Chen had never experienced in his past memories.


    Moving to the front door, the rules posted on it immediately made Yi Chen recall the past feeling. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Orphanage Daily Schedule and Points Reward System]


    ¡°Morning ¨C Activity Class¡± 7:00 All students need to assemble at the [General Playground] for morning activities of varying duration.


    ¡°Lunch¡± 12:00 You need to head to the [Internal Cafeteria], and the way of dining will be decided on the spot.


    ¡°Afternoon ¨C Knowledge Class¡± 13:40 You need to go to the [Central Corridor] in the teaching area to draw lots, which will determine which classroom to go to and which teacher will teach the lesson.


    ¡°Evening ¨C Talent Class¡± 19:30 You need to go to the [Art Hall] for individual talent learning.


    ¡°Sleep¡± You must be fully asleep by 23:00 as there will be night shift teachers responsible for checking the sleep state.


    Completing each day¡¯s activities, lessons, and talent requirements at the normal standard will each earn you one point.


    The one who ranks in the top three in the weekly comprehensive test will earn 10 points, ranking 3 to 10 will get 5 points, and passing grades will get 2 points.


    Occasionally, there will also be some projects to earn points, such as class challenges given by teachers, or special events in the cafeteria, etc.


    The points can be used to purchase daily necessities at the Orphanage¡¯s [Convenience Store].


    Once the accumulated points reach 100, you can graduate from the orphanage smoothly and head to a brand new world.


    ¡­


    ¡°So you win the bet just by earning 100 points? If it¡¯s just following these rules, even if you make no mistakes and don¡¯t buy anything from the convenience store, and every assessment gets into the top three, it¡¯ll take at least three weeks.


    That¡¯s too long for us~ and I also don¡¯t wish to be just ¡®living and studying.¡¯


    First, let¡¯s try to adapt for a day or two, and try to find any hidden rules that might allow us to graduate early.¡±


    Yi Chen glanced at the time; the morning activity class had been delayed due to the initial cause¡­ and now it was 11:30; he needed to get ready to head to the cafeteria.


    After washing up and rehydrating, when the time came to 11:45,


    a broadcast sounded through the room:


    ¡°All children, please be advised, all children, please be advised! Find the [Internal Cafeteria] within fifteen minutes and queue up orderly, preparing to enjoy the nutritious feast specially prepared for you by the kitchen.


    Anyone who fails to arrive within the stipulated time will be considered wasting food and will be assigned to the sewer for filth management.¡±


    As the broadcast ended¡­ Squeak! The electric shutter sealing the bedroom unlocked in sync, and a green light lit up on the door.


    ¡°Lorrian, the cafeteria is hidden quite deep; we need to hurry over,¡± said Yi Chen.


    ¡°Do you have to go through a maze just to eat? Hold on a moment.¡±


    Moon Trace Lorrian pulled out a silver hair to use as a bookmark, carefully placed the book ¡°To the Moon¡± underneath the pillow, and then got up to leave.

 Chapter 183: Canteen

    As the door was pushed open,


    the high-end bedroom assigned to the two of them was surprisingly located at a junction, and moreover, a three-way junction.


    There were no signs, no reference objects, and they had no idea of their exact location; once they took a wrong turn, it could waste a lot of time. If they failed to reach the dining hall within fifteen minutes, they would be assigned to clean the sewers.


    However,


    Yi Chen felt an uncanny familiarity with the deep gray, cold, closed passageway structure in front of him, even capable of recalling his own running through the corridors with his eyes closed.


    All the forks in the road, all the stair distributions, and shortcuts had been replayed in his mind countless times.


    ...


    ¡°If the Duke has completely referenced my memory and has not made too many changes to the route, I can find the dining hall entrance directly¡­ Even if the route is slightly modified, as long as the overall layout remains the same, it won¡¯t be a problem.


    Follow me.¡±


    Yi Chen led the way, with Moon Scar closely following.


    The closer to the dining hall they got, the more people moved through the corridors. Unlike the two of them, other orphans carried various ¡®tools or equipment¡¯ to some extent.


    All these items were purchased from the convenience store,


    earning enough points to spend a hundred without spending a penny in the Orphanage was impossible for anyone. With investment, there was a possibility of earning more points; the convenience store of the Orphanage was seen as a haven of hope in the eyes of most people.


    ¡­


    As they passed the last fork in the road and finally saw an arrow at the intersection marked with [Internal Dining Hall], uneasy memories were involuntarily conjured in Yi Chen¡¯s mind.


    Corresponding to the hallway was a huge circular hall.


    All orphans under the age of eighteen were lining up in a circle here, and after a simple verification, they could enter the completely enclosed, flat cylindrical dining area.


    Yi Chen and the other followed the queue, and when they reached the entrance of the dining hall, the checker, with bright red lips, was none other than the postman.


    ¡°You two really made it here, eh? And looking at your neat attire, you must have been assigned some nice rooms, right? But before you enjoy your first meal at the Orphanage, it¡¯s still the old rule, come on.¡±


    Taking off his high hat, he pulled out two normal-sized dice and handed them to the two.


    Such behavior made Yi Chen guess that the ¡®postman¡¯ was not one of the Orphanage but an important Connector arranged by the Duke, responsible for maintaining order in the gambling and pushing forward the progress.


    ¡°Just toss them onto the tablecloth. It needs to roll at least five times with no intentional manipulation of the result.¡±


    The dice were thrown.


    This time, both of them rolled the same points, looking at the identical number [4] on the tablecloth.


    They exchanged a helpless glance. Such points, exceeding the median value, implied that the noontime meal might not be so easy to swallow, and might even be dangerous.


    ¡°Please wait a moment. The dining hall is being rearranged according to the points you¡¯ve rolled. Also, a reminder for you both:


    1. Remember to finish all your food, without any waste.


    2. Fighting of any kind is strictly prohibited in the dining hall. Conflicts will be considered a violation of the rules, and if food is damaged during a conflict, the severest of penalties will be applied.


    That¡¯s it~ you can go in now.¡±


    No sooner had they stepped into the dining hall than they could smell an organic aura,


    a scent difficult to describe, common in newborn delivery rooms, sheep pens that exceed a certain population, or rather special indulgent group areas.


    To Yi Chen, this scent was all too familiar.


    It was the smell of that black umbilical cord inside him, only here the smell was not as pure as the cord¡¯s, but mixed with other elements, diverse and frantic. ?¨¢?¨¯???


    The dim dining area was all set up with single seats, spaced a meter and a half apart from each other.


    Following the order of the queue, Yi Chen and Moon Scar sat respectively at seats 57 and 58.


    Once all orphans arrived within the allotted time, the staff began serving the meal, each of them dressed in full protective leather gear and face masks.


    They looked less like dining hall employees and more like handlers of a biohazard event.


    One by one, metal plates were brought to the tables, each covered with a cylindrical metal lid, about half a meter tall.


    The special plating and staff attire gave everyone a rather ominous premonition,


    As the dishes were being served, the voice of the head chef also came from the kitchen.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please don¡¯t rush. Wait until everyone¡¯s dish has been served, and then, under my instruction, we will all lift the metal covers together. After that, I will explain in detail the ¡®method of consumption.¡¯


    If anyone uncovers it ahead of time and disrupts the order of the dining hall, I am authorized to take you directly into the kitchen as tomorrow¡¯s ingredients.¡±


    The orphans who could sit here were all seasoned veterans, with their hands resting on their knees.


    Only Lorrian gently placed his fingers on the columnar meal cover, sensing the rhythm of life within, a brand new lifeform he had never seen before¡ªslender yet vigorous.


    Moon Scar also displayed a kind of sickly smile, looking quite satisfied with such food.


    As everyone¡¯s plates and cutlery were set in front of them, napkins folded into their collars, the chef¡¯s voice came again, ¡°Now please lift your meal covers and bear witness to the biological protein meal I have prepared for you today.¡±


    The columnar meal covers were lifted,


    An egg larger than an ostrich egg, standing 30cm tall and 20cm wide, was ¡®rooted¡¯ in the center of the plate, upright.


    Overall, it was a dark flesh color, the surface covered with regularly patterned dark green blood vessels,


    The egg emitted waves of fertility aura, pulsing slightly every three seconds,


    The top was slightly cracked open in a six-petal flower pattern, as if the creature inside was ready to hatch at any moment,


    ¡°This living egg was cultured in a biological laboratory. Direct consumption will have a great effect on enhancing your physique and healing your injuries. However, you must pay attention to the following points when consuming:


    1. You must cut along the veins on the egg¡¯s surface with precision, without deviation, and you may not switch to other veins.


    2. Do not touch the inner membrane during the cutting; only the eggshell is needed for consumption.


    3. You must complete consumption within 30 minutes. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Violating any of these points will cause the egg to hatch, and the young creature inside will attack you.


    If you dare to fight back against the young creature, it means violating the dining hall¡¯s rule against fighting. Even if you kill the young creature, you will be punished.


    To access the highest quality nutrients, one must pay the corresponding price.


    Begin your meal, children! Now is the time for you to grow, and this food will fortify your young bodies.¡±


    Some people were truly hesitant to eat such an egg.


    Lorrian, on the other hand, found this novel and vibrant food very intriguing and was the first to pick up the knife to start cutting, his surgical precision born in the Clinic.


    With ease, he cut a piece of the eggshell and chewed it with his fork!


    ¡°Mmm!!¡±


    As the juice burst in his mouth, Lorrian¡¯s eyes widened, and he immediately gave Yi Chen a thumbs-up.


    Yi Chen, not to be outdone, completed the analysis of the surface veins through Vision, and the optimal cutting route was already planned.


    Just as the two started to compete over the food,


    A teenager behind them, unable to bear the fishy smell, vomited. After several bouts, his concentration dropped severely, and his hand trembled.


    Accidentally, the knife in his hand cut outside the designated veins.


    Yah~ A monstrous scream came from the egg, as if cutting into the blood and flesh of an internal life.


    Pop!


    The giant egg exploded directly, and a reptilian hatchling shrouded in milky liquid, with its spine exposed, flew out, bizarrely having a human face.


    It pounced right onto the boy¡¯s face and burrowed into his mouth.


    Crack, crack~ the next second, the boy¡¯s head began to split open.


    It was like Halloween Eve, cutting open a severely worm-infested pumpkin, from which sprang forth strange worm-like tentacles, appendages, and various tiny eyeballs.


    Not only that,


    The boy¡¯s entire body also began to transform into an indescribable blood and flesh monster.


    Many gazes were already Locking onto Yi Chen and Moon Scar in front of them.

 Chapter 184: Day 1 of Life

    Parasitism, physical transformation, and the formation of the complete body took only two minutes.


    The released threat level had Yi Chen¡¯s whole body covered in goosebumps, and the plants within him surged crazily, wanting to deal with such a creature in the absence of weapons and with weakened abilities, the odds of winning were very low.


    But¡­


    One rule, Yi Chen silently noted in his heart.


    He did not turn around, nor did he make any defensive gestures, but continued to focus on eating, perfectly slicing off the sticky eggshell and putting it in his mouth.


    Velvety, silky, accompanied by the splashing of juices, the biological fishiness was indeed strong, but if one could endure it, one would feel a surging energy throughout the body.


    ...


    Just as the alien¡¯s tear-like abdominal eye was about to bite and crush Yi Chen¡¯s body from behind,


    Smack!


    A disproportionately large hammer struck down vertically, performing a dimensional reduction strike on the creature, grinding it into a meat patty.


    The person who took action was the head chef,


    Wearing a metal hoop resembling a nose ring, which pierced through his cheeks and hung under his jaw. The hoop was engraved with some strange symbols, and he wore a loathsome black iron mask.


    ¡°Thank you, Chef.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± the masked figure responded, his voice carrying heavy breaths, yet it gave Yi Chen a sense of kinship.


    Back in the Orphanage of his living days, Yi Chen did not despise everyone inside; some maintained a good relationship with him, like the head chef responsible for the cafeteria ¨C Li Hong.


    The food he prepared was all conducive to the physical growth of the orphans, only the taste and appearance might change depending on his mood for the day.


    But no matter what the food, Yi Chen could always swallow it completely and even relish it, which slowly caught the Chef¡¯s attention. Occasionally, he would sit beside Yi Chen for a chat, from food to some trivial matters in life.


    As their relationship grew closer, he would also give Yi Chen some compressed food that could restore physical strength in private,


    Some of the food was stored by Yi Chen in a hidden compartment in his room, becoming a key supply for his later escape plan.


    Perhaps it was a perfect replica of the memory by the Duke, or perhaps the sincere gratitude transmitted through Yi Chen¡¯s eyes that made the Chef in front of him pause momentarily, watching Yi Chen through the black iron mask for a long time.


    A deep voice rolled out from between his throat tubes: ¡°Have we met before?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we have,¡± Yi Chen replied.


    Faced with Yi Chen¡¯s strange answer, the Chef just nodded and turned away.


    Lunch continued.


    Thanks to Yi Chen¡¯s and Lorrian¡¯s complete acceptance and meticulous techniques for ¡®culinary delights,¡¯ this level of eating ¡®difficulty¡¯ was no trouble at all; consuming the entire meal in just ten minutes, the large egg¡¯s outer flesh sac was clean. ??????????????¦¥?


    A ¡®cute little¡¯ thing, its spine protruding and with a human face, a reptile embryo soaked in a white liquid wrapped in a soft membrane was left on the dinner plate.


    It was this creature that caused many orphans in the dining area to undergo parasitic mutations and ultimately get executed by the Chef.


    Yi Chen suddenly raised his hand to ask, ¡°Can this thing be taken away or eaten?¡±


    The Chef¡¯s voice came from behind:


    ¡°A completely stripped, flawless embryo can be exchanged here for 3 points. Of course, you may also choose to deal with it yourself thereby forgoing the exchange of points.¡±


    As soon as the words fell¡ªsmack!


    Yi Chen directly bit through the soft membrane, exploding the head of the residing embryo.


    The milky white incubation liquid and the embryo¡¯s brain fluid burst in his mouth, and then following the special spine of the embryo, he sucked it clean as if sucking on veal bones.


    A bit like eating spicy sticks, Yi Chen even sucked each of his fingers one by one.


    ¡°This is the real essence¡­¡±


    Waves of heat passed through his spine, compelling Yi Chen to stand up straight,


    His body forming an arch, his arms supporting the table, his spine showing a clear outward bulge, and even his entire skeleton subtly moving, gaining a corresponding amplification.


    Yi Chen¡¯s unique physical body easily accepted such changes and even felt an extra segment added to his spine, increasing his height.


    He personally also received a game mental reminder.


    ¡°Perfect absorption of [Alien Embryo], spinal system amplified, physical quality elevated.¡±


    Whew~ Yi Chen took a deep breath


    As he straightened up again, his spine immediately made a crackling noise, his height rapidly approaching six feet, his physique becoming stronger.


    This wasn¡¯t just a change in the gambit game character,


    But also in reality, Yi Chen¡¯s original body, preserved inside the Duke.


    The conduits attached to him were also infused with a milky white spinal nutrient, enabling Yi Chen¡¯s original body to undergo similar changes and growth.


    This belonged to the ¡°Hidden Reward.¡±


    The gambit was not just a hypothetical setting; if taken seriously, it would yield unexpected rewards.


    ¡­


    Ka~ Yi Chen twisted his neck to the left and right at exaggerated angles, producing a crisp sound, then turned his head to look at Moon Scar.


    ¡°Lorrian, do you want to eat this? It can enhance the physical body.¡±


    ¡°I only eat ¡®eggshells,¡¯ this kind of physical flesh is too raw for me, and my body must remain pure, not contaminated with too many impurities¡­ We are still different in that regard.¡±


    Lorrian exchanged the youngling for three points, and lunch ended.


    Perhaps because both were skilled at eating and adapting to biological themes, a difficulty level 8 lunch was not a challenge at all, it even came with a generous gift.


    During the break,


    they headed to the Orphanage¡¯s ¡°convenience store.¡±


    This place didn¡¯t have a counterpart in the Orphanage from Yi Chen¡¯s previous life, it was an original concept by the Duke to meaningfully extend the duration of the gambling and enhance its excitement.


    The manager of the convenience store was also the ¡®postman.¡¯


    His distinctive high hat and red lips were quite recognizable; he seemed to embody all the neutral roles in this gambling event.


    As the two approached the convenience store, the postman¡¯s gaze deliberately shifted toward them.


    Here, one could buy items fitting the era¡¯s backdrop visible in the marketplace.


    Everything was available, from seafood noodles to boxed editions of Three Kingdoms Kill, to three-shot M16 rifles, although the price difference was substantial.


    Yi Chen also specifically looked up the ¡°axe.¡±


    He would need 10 points to exchange for a handy silver-plated hand axe, so he decided to return in a few days to get it.


    Moon Scar directly took out the three points earned from lunch and bought several novels about the ¡°moon,¡± without remembering the accumulated points, seemingly wanting to spend more time in this Orphanage.


    At least for now, the events taking place were very interesting to Moon Scar, and he wasn¡¯t close to growing bored of them yet.


    ¡®Afternoon ¨C Knowledge Class¡¯


    The schedule matched the one from Yi Chen¡¯s previous life, with only the afternoon dedicated to learning sessions, which were genuinely regular classes without deliberately making it tough for any student.


    Enhancing knowledge was beneficial for the Orphanage to select elites like Yi Chen, who could continue to undertake the teaching responsibilities of the Orphanage in the future.


    Moreover, because of the knowledge gained, Yi Chen was even more eager to explore the outside world. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course,


    there were still classroom rules to follow; any instance of breaking the rules during class,


    such as being caught daydreaming by the teacher, unable to answer a sudden question, would be marked down as a demerit.


    If one accumulated three demerits, they would be sent to Director Cao¡¯s office for a ¡®cranial test.¡¯


    Passing the test would allow a student to return to class as normal, but no one ever did.


    Those who failed were transformed into ¡®Attendant Students,¡¯ crawlers with brains fully exposed and perception enhanced by devices, crawling in various classrooms to monitor every student.


    Whenever they detected any rule-breaking, the Attendant Students would immediately alert the teacher.


    In his previous life, Yi Chen had never had any classroom demerits but had witnessed the ¡®Attendant Student transformation,¡¯ the screams of living beings being sawed open for brain modification still haunted him.


    Returning to the gambling,


    ¡®Central Corridor¡¯


    All the orphans gathered here to draw lots, deciding which classroom they would go to for classes.


    However, Yi Chen and Moon Scar pulled out two dice, and the person responsible for the draw was again the postman.


    [2], [2] such low numbers slightly disappointed Moon Scar.


    The two were arranged in a small classroom for an ordinary language arts class,


    Recently fascinated by novels, Moon Scar was immediately captivated by this literary class, sitting upright and staring unwaveringly at the blackboard, on several occasions nearly removing his gauze.


    The danger in the classroom was limited to impossible questions; students would have their fingers broken to be used as chalk substitutes, but overall, it did not threaten their lives.


    Moon Scar committed the entire four hours of class content to memory and rushed back to the dormitory to immerse himself in novel reading as soon as class ended, growing more engrossed.


    Dinner was personally delivered to the dormitory, a far more comfortable arrangement than what Yi Chen had previously experienced¡­ previously, their dinners had been night-time food hunts in the basement, competing with rats or directly eating them.


    ¡®Evening ¨C Talent Class¡¯


    This was the last session of the first day of life in the Orphanage.


    On their way to the Art Hall, two dice the size of human heads blocked their path.


    This time, their luck was rather poor.


    Yi Chen [5]


    Moon Scar [6]


    They threw numbers almost perfect for a disaster¡­ For a moment, an eerie aura shrouded the path to the Art Hall.

 Chapter 185: Teacher Fang

    ¡°Fuck! 11 points!¡± Yi Chen cursed vehemently.


    Moon Scar felt the sudden environmental shift brought about by the dice points, adjusted the cloth covering his eyes, and stretched his body.


    ¡°Finally, some pressure. That¡¯s what makes it interesting.¡±


    Just as the two took a step forward,


    a postman wearing a top hat suddenly walked sideways across the road ahead, leaning on his cane and glancing at the two in the corridor.


    ¡°This course is quite challenging. It¡¯s necessary to remind you that if you die here, your journey will immediately end. Moreover, the side effects of death will reflect on your original bodies, so try not to die.¡±


    ...


    After these words, the postman disappeared at the crossroad, his aura dissipating with him.


    Moon Scar was too eager, ¡°William, hurry and lead the way. The show is about to start.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The two bypassed the final crossroad and arrived at the ultimate passage leading to the Art Hall, where a sinister undercurrent filled the air, even forming plastic model limbs and skulls.


    They wouldn¡¯t block the students,


    instead, they might offer a helping hand or even a kick to the back. Even the eyeballs hanging between the skulls continuously signaled, urging the students to quickly head towards the Art Hall.


    Stepping through the passage, a miasma-filled Art Hall unfolded before their eyes.


    At the top of the Art Hall, numerous model heads were suspended by hooks, with eyesockets burning green candles, and even the sound of flesh charring could be heard,


    the miasma in the Art Hall and the outer corridor emanated weirdly from between these plastic model heads.


    The surrounding walls were covered with large mirrors, resembling a large dance studio.


    The concentrated orphans, when looking at themselves through the mirror reflection, shockingly noticed their own faces, arms, and legs growing plastic structures like those of models.


    Startled, they hurriedly touched their bodies only to find everything normal. It was merely an illusion caused by the miasma.


    Many orphans took out the filter masks they had prepared beforehand, bought from the convenience store.


    Yi Chen quickly crafted a plant mask at the first opportunity, filtering the oddly-smelling miasma, and handed one to Moon Scar as well.


    The latter accepted it gratefully, even mimicking a gentleman¡¯s pose to thank Yi Chen.


    When the plant mask was placed on Moon Scar¡¯s face, it immediately turned a silvery color, and a silver light in the shape of Moon Scar appeared on the upper right corner, further enhancing the effect. R?¨¢£Î????


    The students gathered in the hall waited a full five minutes but saw no teacher coming for the class. They inevitably started to discuss among themselves, and their previously tense minds relaxed somewhat.


    However,


    just in the instant when their concentration dropped¡­ Snap!


    The smooth floor beneath everyone¡¯s feet was instantly removed, and all the students began to fall vertically.


    Because the miasma was too dense, it was impossible to see the specifics below, to ascertain the depth of the fall, or whether the ground below was smooth.


    Buzz!


    A limbless, soft-skinned, slightly smaller young grape immediately appeared on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, just a tennis ball-sized black lump of flesh.


    Vision amplification.


    Yi Chen immediately spotted an iron chain hidden in the miasma, or rather, temporarily condensed by the miasma, connected to the top.


    The tender vine roots in his hand immediately shot out! Even though the plants¡¯ quantity, tenacity, and hardness had decreased, they still managed to barely pull eight-year-old Yi Chen along.


    Clang!


    He grabbed the iron chain and stopped falling.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to warn Lorrian, S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the latter¡¯s innate ¡®Moon Eyes¡¯ also saw through the miasma. Using the surrounding orphans as human stepping stones, Lorrian easily grabbed another dangling iron chain.


    Similarly,


    among the group of orphans, there were also strong ones who reacted quickly and grabbed the nearest iron chain. Some even opened a gliding membrane under their armpits, gliding for a distance in the air before securely grabbing a far-off iron chain.


    However, there were a very few who couldn¡¯t react in time or were plotted against by others and failed to grab an iron chain.


    Vertical fall.


    Ah~ Piercing screams arose from below, with an estimated depth of about fifty meters.


    After the miasma slowly dissipated, the situation below became fully visible.


    Spikes of ten meters in length filled the bottom;, there was absolutely no space to dodge. Falling would almost certainly result in death¡­ Besides the students impaled on the spikes, there were also various decaying skeletons of young individuals hanging on them.


    About five minutes after everyone hung onto the iron chains,


    at the top of the Art Hall, where the miasma produced by the burning model¡¯s head reassembled at the bottom, it perfectly covered the spiked area, forming a new floor structure.


    The horizontal level of the Art Hall had dropped by about fifty meters.


    Everyone still clung to the iron chains, no one letting go to fall.


    At that moment,


    the miasma gathered at the edge of the hall, accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels, a tall woman in a trailing red dress emerged from it.


    The design of the deep-V neckline combined with a model-like stride further accentuated her figure.


    Her impeccable facial features pushed her closer to perfection,


    but¡­ she had no hair.


    Not just bald, but also devoid of eyebrows and eyelashes, such a hairless face though cleaner and more perfect, did not meet the aesthetic standards of regular humans.


    Even Moon Scar squinted his eyes, muttering, ¡°What an ugly creature.¡±


    In addition, upon closer observation, one could also notice some details about this female teacher,


    the red dress wasn¡¯t worn on her body, but was fixed directly into her skin with hooks on her shoulders and back,


    the high heels beneath her feet were more aptly termed ¡°heel¡±, as there was only a thin metal root inserted between the soles of her feet, without an actual shoe component.


    Her ten fingers were also sewn with numerous white lines, their purpose unknown.


    Moving to the center.


    She looked up at the students above and began her introduction:


    ¡°Tonight¡¯s talent class is my responsibility, everyone can just call me Teacher Fang. It might take a long time, so prepare yourselves mentally.¡±


    Teacher Fang¡¯s surname and appearance pulled Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts back to his life before.


    In the orphanage where he once lived, there was also a Teacher Fang responsible for teaching dance and piano;, she was among the highest rated art teachers in the orphanage, only accessible to students with excellent ratings.


    Due to alopecia, Teacher Fang naturally lacked hair, eyebrows, and other bodily hair.


    At first glance, everyone was a bit scared, but after getting to know her, they would feel her inner kindness.


    Teacher Fang never punished students, and although top students rarely made mistakes, there were times when unavoidable errors occurred; each time, they would receive her forgiveness without being reported to the orphanage.


    As a top student, Yi Chen was naturally one of her favorites¡­ but as they spent more time together, with her personally guiding Yi Chen in dance and piano, things started to get strange.


    Every night on the way back from the art classroom, Yi Chen always felt like someone was following him,


    and turning around, he would find Teacher Fang standing in the darkness, wearing just a strapped white dress, smiling and waving at him.


    Even if Yi Chen waved back, Teacher Fang wouldn¡¯t leave but would follow him until he reached his room.


    With each art class, they would be forced physically closer, and the distance following him would also get progressively closer.


    Until one day, feeling something was not right, Yi Chen reluctantly approached the last person he wanted to face, Director Cao, and told him he was being stalked by Teacher Fang.


    The very next day, Yi Chen¡¯s art class was changed; the protective Director Cao had even spoken privately with Teacher Fang.


    After that, he no longer had to partake in physically close dance lessons, but instead, he started learning painting from a male teacher.


    However, every night as Yi Chen walked back from the painting studio, he still felt someone behind him¡­


    Though there was no one there when he looked back, he could always feel as if a bald woman was hiding behind the corner wall, even covering her mouth and snickering.


    Such a ¡®being trailed¡¯ sensation was constantly present,


    even on the night when Yi Chen planned his escape, he still felt watched from behind, yet the presence always maintained a distance.


    At the moment.


    Yi Chen, hanging from the iron chains, once again met eyes with the ¡®plus version¡¯ of Teacher Fang,


    looking at her splitting grin, the uncomfortable, eerie feeling returned once again¡­

 Chapter 186: Dance Class

    Home  The Gentleman at the End  Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Dance Class  Prev NextYi Chen harbored no particular hatred for ¡°Teacher Fang,¡± more of a psychological shadow.


    Since Director Cao intervened and separated the two, Yi Chen had not seen Teacher Fang until he successfully escaped.


    When he encountered the Plus version of Teacher Fang, represented by an eleven on the dice, the psychological discomfort of the past resurfaced and gradually intensified, but it was quickly suppressed by Yi Chen.


    ¡°If the head chef here still remembers me, Teacher Fang might find me familiar as well¡­ This challenging art lesson might be troublesome.¡±


    After observing Yi Chen for about ten seconds, Teacher Fang¡¯s gaze slowly moved to the others.


    ¡°Today, I will instruct you all in Dance, from now until half an hour before you sleep, we will continuously dance here without stopping.¡±


    ...


    ¡°To ensure your dance poses are correct and to eliminate any laziness or lack of concentration, I have prepared a ¡®Dance Partner¡¯ for each of you. They will guide and monitor you at all times.¡±


    As soon as the words were spoken,


    Teacher Fang¡¯s right index finger shot out a fine thread connecting it to the top which provided illumination and miasma, gently pulling down after inserting it into the neck of one of the mannequin heads.


    As if triggering a mechanism,


    a slanted opening appeared at the ceiling top, and a large amount of mannequin material tumbled and rolled out,


    Due to the height, these materials cracked upon falling, and fluids even flowed out from them but were quickly restored to their original state under the influence of the miasma.


    Different limb parts attracted each other and assembled into normal human mannequins.


    They were the students¡¯ dance partners, everybody could sense an inexplicable danger emanating from within the mannequins, even more dangerous than the young bodies in the cafeteria, and they could even imagine being eaten by the mannequins during the dance.


    Teacher Fang¡¯s voice came through:


    ¡°The ¡®First Stage¡¯ will involve the mannequins assisting you in dancing. I will take care of the music. As everyone gradually gets accustomed to the steps and stops making mistakes, we will proceed to the next stage.


    Do not worry, as long as you keep up with the rhythm and don¡¯t make too many mistakes, you can survive.


    All right, come on down one by one.¡±


    With a gentle wave of her hand,


    the iron chains everyone held in their hands disintegrated into miasma, as if everything in the Art Hall was under her control.


    Although the figures on the field were humanoid, there were many differences, leaving one unsure of how to choose.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush to fight over the mannequins, or they might get very unhappy~ Come over here to me and determine the most suitable dance partner by touching them.¡±


    Everyone lined up neatly in front of Teacher Fang, and she would lightly touch the bodies of the orphans.


    Swish!


    An iron ring came out of nowhere and directly penetrated through the blood and flesh of their shoulders, leaving a part exposed.


    Hum~ The resonance from the iron ring would induce a reaction in one of the mannequins, guiding them over.


    When it was Yi Chen¡¯s turn, just as Teacher Fang stretched out her hand to touch him.


    Swish! An iron ring directly pierced his shoulder, yet Yi Chen remained expressionless.


    ¡°What is your name?¡±


    ¡°Yi Chen.¡±


    Teacher Fang leaned in close, her eyes widening as she scrutinized Yi Chen¡¯s facial features, ¡°It feels so familiar even though we¡¯re meeting for the first time. I seem to have heard this name somewhere. Are we really meeting for the first time?¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I have high hopes for you, so don¡¯t lose heart during the first round of dancing.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen found the corresponding mannequin, with a height and build similar to his own.


    When his body touched the mannequin, Snap! The mannequin¡¯s fingers actively bent and grabbed Yi Chen, making it hard to break free.


    Moreover, as a companion, Moon Scar was assigned a distant position, meaning it was difficult for them to assist each other during the dance.


    Wearing a flowing long dress, Teacher Fang walked to a corner of the Art Hall and touched a mechanism, upon which a piano made of bones and plastic emerged from within the wall.


    A melody from ¡°Swan Lake¡± resonated,


    and as the piano keys, crafted from finger bones, played the corresponding tunes, the music seemed to transform into thin threads connecting to the bodies of every model on stage, guiding them to start dancing.


    The initial movements were relatively slow and gentle, and everyone was able to keep up.


    Halfway through, the melody suddenly shifted, and the overall rhythm sped up while also incorporating some discordant elements, causing the models¡¯ dances to become uncontrollable,


    including Lorrian, some without a dance background failed to adapt and fell behind in timing.


    Whoosh!


    Their palms were immediately pierced by spikes growing from the model¡¯s palms, undergoing assimilation; the skin of their palm areas turned completely plastic up to their wrists.


    Lorrian watched his plasticized palms, his expression subtly shifting, knowing his current means could not reverse it.


    ¡°No wonder it¡¯s second only to the highest difficulty in talent lessons. It¡¯s a pity I haven¡¯t learned dancing before, grinding an axe at the last minute indeed proves tough¡­¡±


    At that moment, a ferocious human face emerged on Lorrian¡¯s back,


    the theater owner he used as a temporary other half started to take effect, activating the ability named ¡°Performance¡± to its full extent, directly mimicking the models¡¯ dance moves synchronously.


    In contrast, Yi Chen at this end, completely adapted to the abrupt rhythm change.


    He had received direct instruction in dancing from Teacher Fang before his death, not to mention the ballroom dance lessons he took during his time living in Zion.


    Moreover, the orphanage he grew up in also favored such rhythm changes, where failing to concentrate enough meant falling behind.


    As time progressed, Teacher Fang¡¯s music grew increasingly bizarre, even straying from conventional movements, as strange, grotesque notes led the models into various abnormal movements,


    like fold-over waist bends, bending and rotating of the wrist joints, and 720¡ã aerial twists, among others.


    About 1/2 of the students couldn¡¯t keep up during this process, and ultimately, several parts of their bodies, including their heads, were penetrated, turning them into human mannequins.


    Teacher Fang hammered them at the shoulders into iron rings,


    clang clang! An iron chain lowered from above, hooking the fully modeled students and lifting them into the air.


    Their heads were severed to serve as part of the lighting, while their bodies were stored in the model warehouse for future lessons.


    An hour and a half passed,


    Teacher Fang finally ceased his playing, whilst giving a round of applause.


    ¡°Very good, you have managed to keep up with my tune with the help of your dance partners. Next, you need to improvise based on my music and express your emotions through dance.


    Pair up with each other, and in ten minutes, I will start playing the first piece of music.¡±


    Pairing up,


    many girls naturally noticed Yi Chen, who wasn¡¯t assimilated in the slightest and approached him hoping to become his dance partner.


    Yi Chen, however, declined each one, navigating through the girls and heading toward the other end of the hall, where someone was also approaching him.


    The two met exactly in the middle of the hall and, after exchanging greetings, prepared for a joint dance.


    Meanwhile,


    Yi Chen, through his dance moves, moved close to the ears of the silver-haired young man,


    ¡°Prepare to execute the plan¡­¡±


    Hearing this, Lorrian¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Oh? Are you planning to execute it on such a high difficulty occasion? I thought we¡¯d wait until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Talent classes vary greatly, and it should only be if you roll an ¡¯11¡¯ that you get Teacher Fang¡¯s class.


    I had a significant past with this teacher, if we don¡¯t seize this opportunity, who knows when it will come again.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, since it¡¯s your bet~ if you want to increase the difficulty, I¡¯m game.


    Too bad, my hands have been assimilated into a plastic structure, so my strength might be reduced.¡±


    However, Yi Chen said dismissively, ¡°If that level constraints you, the Twilight Clinic wouldn¡¯t have completely fallen¡­Help me and let¡¯s take this woman down.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure.¡±


    Prev Next

 Chapter 187: A Desperate Gamble

    Home  The Gentleman at the End  Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter 186: A Desperate Gamble  Prev NextTwo hours ago


    Inside the dormitory of the two


    Moon Trace Lorrian sat upright at the desk, using the skills learned in cultural classes to read a novel, mark the interesting paragraphs, highlight meaningful sentences, and even copy them into a notebook separately.


    Yi Chen walked out of the bathroom, his wet hair spiked up with his fingers, as though styled with gel.


    ¡°Lorrian, I need to talk to you about something.¡±


    ...


    Moon Scar didn¡¯t respond immediately; instead, he slowly closed the book after finishing the current page.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve given it some thought. Since we entered the Orphanage, there haven¡¯t been any specific rules regarding ¡®teachers,¡¯ nor has it been explicitly stated that we can¡¯t act against them during class.


    If we consider the settings of the Orphanage before death, teachers are nothing more than selected orphans who are excellent among us, possessing the same status but with more privileges.


    I plan to bring forward the ¡®special clearance¡¯ plan. If tonight is suitable, I¡¯ll try it during art class¡­ to see what impact such an action might have on the betting game.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be led by emotions. As for mere slaughter, I personally rather enjoy it.¡±


    Moon Scar showed no concern for how the situation would evolve. He had found something far more interesting and valuable, holding up the novel in his hand and asking:


    ¡°Tell me, is this kind of novel something unique to your pre-death world?¡±


    ¡°Probably¡­ The books you¡¯re reading now are ones I read before. They¡¯re based on memories extracted by the Duke from deep within me, so there might be some discrepancies from the originals.¡±


    ¡°The world you lived in before death seems really fascinating. If we ever find a way to move between worlds or teleport, shall we go there together?¡±


    This proposition from Moon Scar shook Yi Chen to his core, leaving him stunned.


    Indeed,


    if the [[Old World]], where the pathogens were born, could adhere to the world of the G&D Organization through interdimensional movement, it proved that connections between worlds were possible.


    With his own continuous growth, uncovering more secrets of the world, and mastering more knowledge,


    Yi Chen could potentially find a way back to his pre-death world and personally destroy the real Orphanage once and for all.


    Although excited at the moment, he soon realized that it was still a distant dream.


    ¡°Better to focus on the present, indulge in this fictitious Orphanage, break through the ¡®Limit of Man,¡¯ and then consider more.¡±


    ¡­


    [Art Hall]


    The reasons why Yi Chen decided to execute the plan were twofold.


    1. The students who had been turned into models, their Equipment would be scattered across the dance hall, among which there happened to be a Hand Axe of the right size, marked with a flame stamp.


    2. As mentioned before, with the rare opportunity to see Teacher Fang, Yi Chen wanted to confront his inner demons directly and dispel the shadows that had lingered in his heart for years.


    3. He aimed to test the feasibility of the killing plan to end the betting game as swiftly as possible, since spending too long in the Old World would make it difficult to return and explain.


    Perhaps coincidentally, Teacher Fang at that moment chose Debussy¡¯s ¡°Moonlight.¡±


    As the piano keys played the corresponding melody, Lorrian instantly felt and immersed himself in the deep layers of meaning of this piano piece, even drawing strength from it.


    Traces of moonlight danced along his arms, and the hands previously transformed into models were slowly reverting to their original form, with chunks of plastic in the palm area peeling and falling away.


    Under the influence of this piano piece,


    Lorrian¡¯s thoughts were drawn to the underground prison of the Twilight Clinic,


    where he was tortured daily but would always try to get as close as possible to the small window at nightfall to admire the hazy moon between the clouds, feeling it draw nearer every day.


    Until one day the moon pierced through the clouds, infiltrated the basement of the Clinic, and took him and his soul away together with his body.


    The ethereal sound of the moon rang in his ears, officially bestowing upon him the title of ¡°Moon Scar.¡±


    Riding the sensation of ascending to the moon with the melody, combined with the power of Performance, Lorrian danced a dance that originated from the core of his emotions.


    All Yi Chen had to do was complement his movements, refining some of the details.


    ¡°This Lorrian guy, his [Art Talent] is really high¡­¡±


    The dance they performed together was impeccable, bordering on perfect.


    Unknowingly,


    the number of orphans in the Art Hall diminished, leaving only ten people on the floor. The art class also moved into the ¡®Third Rank,¡¯ the final stage.


    Clang!


    Three times the number of Iron Chains than there were people on the floor descended from above.


    One hooked onto the iron rings on everyone¡¯s shoulders, while the others plunged directly into the shoulder blades, embedding into the Blood and Flesh to secure them deeply.


    Agonizing pain drilled into their hearts,


    Having endured prolonged torture, Moon Scar, and Yi Chen, who had received special physical training, didn¡¯t care about such pain at all. Instead, he treated it as a seasoning to his body and remained immersed in dance.


    The iron chains pulled upward,


    The last ten dancers were hoisted dozens of meters into the air for the final aerial performance.


    Any dancer whose moves got disordered due to severe pain would be further pulled to the top layer and stored in the plastic model warehouse.


    An hour passed.


    Hanging in the air, only Yi Chen and Moon Scar remained, neither having made a single mistake throughout.


    Clap clap clap~


    As the piano stopped, applause came from below.


    The chains brought the two back to the center of the hall. Lorrian¡¯s plastic-like hands had returned to normal, and even his pupils shone with moonlight when he opened his eyes.


    Teacher Fang looked at them with absolute admiration, especially Yi Chen, who hadn¡¯t made a single mistake.


    ¡°It¡¯s simply astonishing! You all have a talent for dance¡­ especially you! Have we really never met before? The more I look at you, the more familiar you seem, as if we used to spend every day and night together.¡±


    Unable to contain the urge inside her, she went straight up to and embraced Yi Chen.


    Feeling the boy¡¯s body, the familiar touch, Teacher Fang¡¯s inner trembling could not be contained.


    ¡°I am the specially appointed art teacher at the Orphanage, and I have the authority to intervene in its operational mechanisms.


    If you¡¯re willing, you can stay here tonight. I will personally teach you some artistic things that will make your life in the Orphanage more comfortable and tranquil.


    Even if you run into trouble, you can come and find me.¡±


    As she spoke, the fine threads in Teacher Fang¡¯s fingers slipped into Yi Chen¡¯s clothes, moving between his body, touching him while also compelling him to stay.


    If Yi Chen rejected the offer, the fine threads might just stab directly into his body.


    Yi Chen, with round eyes, innocently asked, ¡°Really? If I don¡¯t go back to sleep, won¡¯t I be held responsible?¡±


    Teacher Fang gently caressed the back of Yi Chen¡¯s head with her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t worry~ I will explain the situation to the higher-ups let your partner go back first. After a short rest, we¡¯ll start exploring deeper levels of art.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Teacher Fang.¡±


    Yi Chen turned and threw a look at Lorrian, who smiled, nodded, and walked towards the exit.


    However,


    As he was walking past a Hand Axe that lay scattered on the floor, which he had previously taken a liking to, it was emanating intense heat due to the flame mark on it.


    Feigning complete absorption in his dance, Lorrian didn¡¯t see clearly and tripped over the axe,


    Teacher Fang wasn¡¯t paying any attention, nor did she care about such behavior, her gaze fixated on Yi Chen, eager for them to be alone together.


    ¡°This is a public teaching area, not suited for the two of us to explore art. Let me take you somewhere else.¡±


    Just as Teacher Fang reached out to take the lead, she found that the other party hadn¡¯t moved.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen bowed his head slightly, turning his body, his expression unclear, ¡°Just a moment, it¡¯ll be all right shortly¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you feeling uncomfortable?¡±


    Suddenly,


    Yi Chen¡¯s right hand by his side flung open, and something flew at high speed from behind him.


    Slap! Caught perfectly between his fingers.


    Without giving any time to react¡ªCrack!


    The flame-licked axe blade chopped directly into Teacher Fang¡¯s skull.


    Ahh! A scream echoed like a sound wave,


    Yi Chen, on receiving the full brunt of the scream at such a close range, bled from his eyes and ears.


    But he didn¡¯t blink, nor did he cover his ears¡­ instead, he stared intently at the ugly woman before him.


    The entire Art Hall began to ¡®shed its skin¡¯ amidst Teacher Fang¡¯s screams,


    Whether the mirrors on the sidewalls, the paint, or the floor, everything peeled off like an outer shell.


    The fleshly inner walls writhed and the countless iron chains passing through and intertwining within became visible.


    A tone from the betting game sounded above:


    [For attacking any teacher, ¡®Deadly Betting Game¡¯ has been officially initiated in the current area. Killing the Complete Body Teacher¡ªComplete Shaper Fang Qiong grants 20 points and a corresponding special reward.


    Unable to leave, unable to stop, unable to avoid.]


    Prev Next

 Chapter 188: Pain

    Home  The Gentleman at the End  Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: Chapter 187: Pain  PrevDuke Garirison patted his belly, feeling the burning heat brought by the deadly betting game.


    After stretching his mouth wide and using his fingers to pick out the living worms between his teeth, he gave an evaluation:


    ¡°Despite throwing out such a dangerous number as 11, you still take the risk to try this.


    It¡¯s clear that the dark memory hidden deep in the brain has a profound impact on you, and I too am very curious about how your ¡®Death Attribute¡¯ was activated.¡±


    Even a personage like the Duke, when probing Yi Chen¡¯s memory, still couldn¡¯t see clearly a segment of memory hidden in the deepest, darkest place.


    Or rather, that segment of memory had been obscured by death,


    ...


    much like dismembered bodies buried all over a cemetery; the true form can¡¯t be seen through external probing. Only Yi Chen, the subject himself, actively recalling and piecing together these limbs could possibly restore this memory.


    This segment of memory shadowed by death corresponded precisely to the last moments when Yi Chen escaped the Orphanage.


    The Duke also got interested and waved toward the dark recesses of the ancient castle.


    An arm immediately stretched out from the darkness, and with it, a ¡®Iron Chain¡¯ as merchandise.


    After observing the chain in his hand for a while, the Duke said dissatisfied:


    ¡°Don¡¯t make do with this ordinary stuff, hurry up and bring out the chains stolen from the ¡®Monastery¡¯ last time.¡±


    The hidden storekeeper started rummaging, and eventually found a chain with a spiky surface and bloodstains, a special kind of chain.


    When the Duke took this chain,


    his body¡¯s adaptability trait immediately gathered a large amount of fat around his palms to prevent the spikes from penetrating and to protect against the inherent danger of the chains.


    Contemplating the special chain that concealed pain, the Duke couldn¡¯t help but remember some interesting experiences.


    After thinking for a while,


    the Duke, like slurping noodles, directly swallowed the chain into his body,


    where the chain slid along a controllable internal cavity and eventually landed in the chamber housing both Yi Chen and Lorrian, coiling around both of their bodies.


    Strangely enough,


    when the chain tried to wrap around Lorrian¡¯s body, a layer of silvery moonlight flashed across his skin.


    Snap! The chain was forcefully repelled and couldn¡¯t wind around.


    Such a sight even felt incredible to the Duke,


    ¡°With the consciousness fully projected in the betting game, the Physical body can actually achieve this extent. Not bad¡­ In that case, William has to suffer.


    A whole chain of penance from the Monastery, can your body bear it?¡±


    Since the chain couldn¡¯t bind Lorrian, it wound entirely around Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    As the spiky surface of the chains dug into his body,


    a pain indescribable swept over him, to an extent that had transcended the limit of human tolerance.


    ¡­


    [Orphanage ¨C Art Hall]


    As soon as Yi Chen split Teacher Fang¡¯s head with an axe, the ¡®Deadly Betting Game¡¯ commenced.


    Upon hearing the prompt from the betting game system, learning that killing Teacher Fang garnered twenty points and a special reward, a smile bloomed on Yi Chen¡¯s face, confirming his conjecture was correct.


    Indeed, there was a ¡®quick completion mode¡¯ in the Orphanage, simply put, it was about forcing one¡¯s way through with the most violent methods.


    The resentment and hatred Yi Chen harbored deep inside for Fang Qiong were fully released in this moment.


    Ignoring the screams from Teacher Fang that were like sonic waves¡­Whoosh!


    Yi Chen pulled out the axe that had split the skull,


    swinging his body largely, preparing to follow it with another beheading strike.


    He shifted his right foot to stabilize his balance,


    charged his arm, twisted his waist and turned his back,


    for Yi Chen, who had beheaded numerous Patients with an axe, this movement needed no thought to execute naturally.


    Everything about the strike, from the onset to the force, and the chopping path, was flawless.


    ¡°Die!¡±


    The bloody eyes trailed a bloodthirsty pupil.


    The burning axe blade drew a smooth arc of fire in the air, chopping into Teacher Fang¡¯s neck, but¡­ Clang!


    A crisp, loud sound of iron striking echoed throughout the hall,


    the flame-dwindling axe was flung into the air, its blade even cracking an irreparable fissure and becoming unusable.


    Yi Chen¡¯s right arm was jarred to the point of dislocating the elbow, and blood spurted from the base of his thumb.


    ¡°What kind of Hardness is this¡­¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at Teacher Fang¡¯s cut neck and spotted a hint of metallic luster.


    This version of Teacher Fang within the betting game had already Transcended physical structure; an unbreakable, metallic, gleaming chain structure ran through her body.


    The flame Hand Axe borrowed from the canteen was better suited for cutting flesh, not this kind of metal.


    At that moment,


    Teacher Fang raised both hands.


    The Iron Chains embedded in the bloody walls of the Art Hall shot out, their curved hook ends directly piercing into Yi Chen¡¯s flesh,


    at the back of his neck, shoulder blades, palms, waist, inner thighs, and ankles.


    The same Iron Chains also targeted Moon Trace Lorrian not far away,


    clanking~


    The chains rose, displaying both individuals in a ¡®spread-eagle¡¯ position in mid-air.


    However,


    such physical penetration and stretching pain had been experienced by both before, and they showed no signs of pain¡­ Yi Chen, however, thought rapidly under the stimulation of pain.


    Thinking of a breakthrough, his entire brain seemed to smoke because of it.


    Below,


    in the center of the Art Hall,


    as Iron Chains moved through her scalp, Teacher Fang¡¯s head had been restored,


    She could not accept that the youth she admired, and even had affections for, had been acting all along, even plotting to kill her.


    But she could not bear to shred such a perfect body, such a handsome young face; she still loved the youth before her.


    Thus, a sick thought arose in her heart,


    [Painful Torture]


    By infusing endless pain, she planned to transform Yi Chen into something of hers on a spiritual level.


    Teacher Fang stared at Yi Chen almost madly, her hands constantly scratching her face, tearing her skin!


    ¡°Who told you to be so disobedient, there¡¯s only one way now¡­¡±


    With a wave of her hand,


    two distinctly different chains shot out from the wall, their surfaces covered in bizarre spiked structures.


    Whoosh! S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The chains pierced directly into the navels of Yi Chen and Moon Trace Lorrian.


    [Quality]difference.


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes instantly filled with bloodshot lines, his forehead bulged with veins, and his head became congested!


    Ever since his body changed, he had not felt real pain for a long time, nor had he screamed in agony.


    Ahh!!!


    An agonized scream that seemed to tear his throat apart burst forth from Yi Chen,


    Pain, unimaginably intense pain! Yi Chen experienced a level of pain like never before, and even with all his pain receptors off, he couldn¡¯t lessen it by the slightest.


    Even more extreme,


    Moon Trace Lorrian had already fainted from the pain, spikes growing from his skin; the special Iron Chains were rapidly destroying both body and soul, and he would never transcend.


    Whoosh!


    Spikes began to grow on Yi Chen¡¯s body, too,


    and with the emergence of each spike, the pain increased another level.


    In his view, it was utterly impossible to endure.


    His consciousness became increasingly muddled as spikes grew from his flesh, even his eyeballs and eyelids sprouted spikes, preventing him from closing his eyes¡­ Slowly, his consciousness nearly dissipated.


    At that moment, Yi Chen felt as if he was about to return to that dark sea symbolizing death.


    But then,


    A piece of recent memory hidden deep in his brain surged, pulling Yi Chen into a ¡®boundary¡¯ between life and death, and before his eyes, Zed¡¯s Paradise materialized.


    Zede, with bandages wrapped around his eyes, was inserting every spike-like needle into Yi Chen¡¯s every acupoint¡ªamplifying the pain and continuously pushing Yi Chen¡¯s endurance to the limit.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you hold on anymore, Yi Chen? You are the only gentleman in Zion City who has a perfect affinity with me, and you are also my only student, Zede.¡±


    ¡°It hurts so much, this pain that transcends the body, I just can¡¯t suppress it~ah!¡±


    ¡°You could eat little fish and shrimps on a daily basis, but can¡¯t handle a banquet of sharks? I¡¯ve never taught you to suppress the pain.


    Besides, why suppress it?


    This is a feast given to you by others, there¡¯s no need to refuse, right?


    What you should do is[accept]it, joyfully accept the generous gift of pain they offer, turn it into the nourishment for your body,


    and feed your body miss, making her more beautiful and obedient, more lethal as well.


    Be grateful to the powerful adversaries who gave you pain instead of killing you outright; they¡¯re all kind-hearted people¡­¡±


    As the memory ended,


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes suddenly snapped open! His pupils focused instantly, staring down at Teacher Fang below, conveying genuine gratitude.


    Prev

 Chapter 189: Physique Growth

    Thorns symbolizing ¡°Pain¡± were nearly ubiquitous on Yi Chen¡¯s body, in every corner.


    The energy of suffering accumulating at the base of the thorns was like small bombs, ready to blast his physical body into minced flesh at any moment.


    Crack! Blood splattered everywhere.


    A sound of body exploding filled the air, and pieces of silver-bright flesh scattered all around.


    Lorrian, who had long since passed out in agony, couldn¡¯t withstand the painful energy accumulated within his body. Like a balloon bursting, he exploded and was utterly dead.


    ...


    At this moment, Teacher Fang¡¯s voice came from below:


    ¡°Your friend has blown up~ I reckon your body won¡¯t last much longer either, let¡¯s call it a night for now. I believe you¡¯ve become very obedient by now.¡±


    Teacher Fang was clearly panicked. She was worried that Yi Chen might also explode.


    If that happened, she would get nothing, and she feared she might never find another youth who moved her as much as Yi Chen did. At least until she found a replacement, Yi Chen¡¯s physical form had to be preserved.


    She raised her hand, intending to withdraw the thorny iron chains from Yi Chen¡¯s abdomen.


    Click! The chains had only been pulled out an inch when they suddenly jammed.


    The reason the chains jammed was not due to the environment or a mistake in Teacher Fang¡¯s control¡­ but because Yi Chen, with eyes wide open, was ignoring the thorns on the chains and grabbed hold of them.


    Not only that,


    His arms erupted with a terrifying power, yanking the chains deeper into his body.


    Between the blood-stained, needle-pierced retina, ancient script-like lines emerged.


    [Physique] has increased [4+]¡ú[5+]


    *Special Note: Physical threshold for enduring pain has increased, allowing for a more effective and wider acceptance of suffering.


    *The essence of ¡°Pathological Traits¡± has transformed, please check after the event.


    ¡­


    Inside the Duke¡¯s body.


    Yi Chen¡¯s original body was undergoing unbelievable transformations,


    The Painful Iron Chains that should have bound and harmed the body were now being entwined and interwoven by plants growing in reverse within him.


    The plants that once absorbed the Village Chief¡¯s heart and gained a certain hardness and steel trait seemed to have an affinity with the chains.


    It was as if they were ¡®actively welcoming¡¯ the chains into Yi Chen¡¯s body to become part of the family.


    Gradually,


    The plant pierced by needles was stained with an iron tinge, beginning to undergo a ¡°quality¡± transformation.


    ¡­


    Art Hall


    Due to the physique growth from suffering acceptance, Yi Chen was no longer struggling with the agony but instead ¡®treasured¡¯ the opportunity to suffer,


    Just as Teacher Zede had taught, he was grateful to those who bestowed suffering and embraced the pain unequivocally, indulging in it, and even willingly swallowing the utensils laden with suffering together with the meal.


    With both hands tightly grasping the Thorny Iron Chains, his strength even surpassed that of Teacher Fang, who controlled the chains.


    Or rather,


    The chains themselves seemed to prefer staying within Yi Chen, who could accept the torment, and remained in his body willingly.


    ¡°How is this possible¡­¡±


    Teacher Fang couldn¡¯t believe what was happening before her eyes; she had never seen anyone maintain mental composure in the presence of chains entering their body.


    Most people would faint or die in agony,


    And even if a few were to retain consciousness, they wouldn¡¯t have the strength to resist, let alone control the chains themselves.


    For a moment, Fang Qiong felt a threat she had never experienced since becoming a teacher.


    If she did not kill this young man before her, it seemed she would be the one to die here.


    ¡°No choice~ I hope the Orphanage produces another charming young man like you in the future.¡± S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Showing a Fierce Appearance, Teacher Fang had seen Yi Chen change from the boy she craved to an unbearable thorn in her flesh, one she could not kill!


    Spreading her arms, she began manipulating the other Iron Chains connected to Yi Chen¡¯s neck, waist, and other places, continuously increasing the pulling force, intending to dismember him¡­


    The next second~ Whoosh! Blood sprayed.


    This blood did not come from Yi Chen above but from Fang Qiong herself.


    The heart protected and bound by the chains was somehow extracted and held in front of her, in a pale hand overflowing with Moonlight.


    ¡°You!¡±


    Teacher Fang immediately tried to control her animated red dress to bind the attacker behind her. However, the dress that spread out like a fishing net caught nothing.


    The assailant had already stepped in front of her, examining the extracted heart he held in his hand.


    Silver-haired, with eyes like the moon, he moved with an easy grace.


    ¡°Do you have multiple hearts in your body? Or have you surpassed the realm of humanity, shifting the core of your body away from typical human weaknesses such as the brain and heart?


    Is it the ¡°Iron Chains¡±? If all the iron chains inside you were stripped away, or the most core chain was removed, you would die, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Teacher Fang did not answer Moon Scar¡¯s question but looked shocked instead.


    Although her attention was mostly on Yi Chen, she clearly saw Lorrian¡¯s death, his body breaking apart because he could not endure being entangled and covered with spikes by silver-haired youth with chains.


    Lorrian¡¯s voice came again:


    ¡°You seem puzzled. Is this how you react when you encounter something beyond your understanding? This is not how a strong person should behave.


    No wonder, after all, you are but a temporary creation; according to the settings, you have always lived in this orphanage.


    Although you have been bestowed with great power, you remain ignorant of the wider world.


    Don¡¯t easily believe everything your eyes see¡­¡±


    As he said this, Lorrian poked the bandage covering his right eye with his finger.


    ¡°All this nonsense, killing you one more time would suffice!¡±


    Humiliated and enraged, Teacher Fang raised her arms again. Just as she attempted to summon the iron chains from the walls¡­ Ping! Ping!


    The sound of breaking chains came from above,


    Yi Chen, taking advantage of the time Moon Scar bought, had completely mastered the thorny iron chain embedded in his abdomen, becoming one with it.


    With brute force, he shattered the ordinary chains binding his body,


    And fell straight down¡­ Boom!


    Without slowing down or cushioning his fall, he landed next to Lorrian, kneeling on one knee.


    The spikes that covered his body had retracted back into his skin.


    As he got up, the clanking of chains was heard, but there were clearly no chains on Yi Chen; the sound seemed to originate from within his body.


    As a result of the chains piercing through various parts of his body, Yi Chen¡¯s upper clothing was no more.


    One could clearly see something resembling chains coursing under his skin, with fine spikes occasionally protruding through, faintly visible.


    Instead of immediately engaging in combat, Yi Chen first performed a perfect gentleman¡¯s bow,


    ¡°I¡¯m very grateful that Teacher Fang didn¡¯t kill me right away but instead bestowed upon me such a great gift¡­ Now, let me help you be free, I know you, Teacher Fang, are unwilling to spend your life here, your talents could take you to better places outside.¡±


    These words made Fang Qiong freeze,


    She no longer tried to make sense of the strange events unfolding before her but heard something discordant in Yi Chen¡¯s words.


    ¡°You seem to know me very well; it seems we truly had a history together¡­ Let me open up your brain and have a good look at our past.¡±


    Fang Qiong was nearly insane,


    As she swung her arm,


    The huge iron chains between the walls of the Art Hall surged out like spears, shooting toward the two from all directions.


    Facing this kind of onslaught,


    The two chose utterly different ways to evade,


    Lorrian stepped back to maximize his distance from Teacher Fang,


    While Yi Chen opted to charge forward, closing the distance as fast as possible, confronting the shadows within his heart.


    ¡°Facing me alone?¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen opt to charge alone from the front,


    Teacher Fang simply flung her hand, shooting a sharp spearhead chain from her palm.


    Who knew, Yi Chen made the same motion, shooting a long spear-like chain from his palm.


    Swish!


    The opposing chains penetrated each other¡¯s necks.


    Disregarding the pain, they pulled at the same time!


    Drawn by the chains, their bodies quickly came closer, and their gazes involuntarily locked.


    Moonlight flickered in Fang Qiong¡¯s pupils for an instant, and she saw Yi Chen with a sunlit smile, like a prince from a fairytale embracing her without any hostility.


    She could even vaguely see a happy future for the two of them.


    Slowly closing her eyes, she prepared to feel the touch of their lips.


    Bang!


    With the added force of their relative speeds,


    Yi Chen delivered a headbutt directly into Teacher Fang¡¯s face, collapsing her nasal bridge, pressing her eyeballs, the whole face caving in¡­

 Chapter 190: Snap Off

    This headbutt was so reckless that Yi Chen¡¯s own forehead cracked open.


    The front of Teacher Fang¡¯s face caved in completely, the shattered bones even piercing into the brain, but still, it didn¡¯t cause death¡­ Just like Moon Scar¡¯s guess, the opponent¡¯s weakness wasn¡¯t the organs, but the fundamental iron chains within.


    Taking advantage of the ¡®intimate contact¡¯ provided by the headbutt,


    face to face,


    Yi Chen buried his face into the recess of the other¡¯s visage¡­ to be exact, he probed into Teacher Fang¡¯s skull, conducting ¡®internal spying¡¯ with the vision provided by the small grape. And what he saw was shocking.


    Teacher Fang¡¯s body was not human at all,


    ...


    Iron chains, gears, and all sorts of bearings, it was completely a metal life encased in blood and flesh, it was even the living core of the Art Hall.


    Similarly,


    the internal spying quickly found Teacher Fang¡¯s true core.


    All the kinetic energy transfer performed by the iron chains needed to go through the ¡®spine¡¯ ¨C a kind of central column forged from ancient Deep Iron. Every segment of the spinal column was a core bearing, rotating at different frequencies.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t recklessly reach out to pull it out, instead, he yelled:


    ¡°It¡¯s the spine!¡±


    Opening his strong arms, he embraced Teacher Fang tightly.


    Clang~


    Four iron chains shot out from Yi Chen¡¯s body,


    specially targeting Teacher Fang¡¯s arms to wrap around them, ensuring she couldn¡¯t make any controlling gestures¡­ These four chains rooted themselves in the surrounding ground, acting as a sort of anchor.


    Once Yi Chen completed the binding and securing,


    Moon Scar moved with elegant steps, humming a moonlight tune, and arrived right behind Teacher Fang.


    A ¡®Surgical Knife¡¯ constructed from pure moonlight flashed from within the folds of his sleeve, and it was previously able to extract the heart, ignoring the protection of the iron chains, thanks to the knife¡¯s cutting power.


    The intentions were clear now,


    Moon Scar was preparing to perform surgery on the spot, to extract Teacher Fang¡¯s core spine.


    As the knife cut into the spinal column, the instinct to survive made her snap out of the concussion caused by the headbutt instantly, struggling frantically.


    Unfortunately, her body was already locked in place and completely immobile. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, it¡¯ll all be over soon~¡±


    Moon Scar¡¯s technique was impeccable, combined with Yi Chen¡¯s steady hold, it took only ten seconds to remove the well-crafted metal spine from the body.


    Like losing power, Teacher Fang and the entire Art Hall instantly lost their vitality.


    It was thought that this art class had thus come to an end.


    Whoosh~


    The metal spine held in Moon Scar¡¯s hand suddenly shot out several spear-tipped iron chains from inside,


    Blood with a silver tinge splattered on the ground, and Moon Scar¡¯s youthful body was penetrated in multiple places, joints damaged, movement restricted. Then came the dominance of the physical body.


    As the entire spine lacked an eye structure, it naturally also lacked Moon Scar¡¯s illusion technique.


    Spurt~


    The young Lorrian, due to a significant sealing of abilities, reverted to a human form, and now faced with such penetrative injuries, couldn¡¯t help but spit out a mouthful of blood and ruefully said,


    ¡°Just one core can launch such a counterattack? This is completely different from the usual Patient settings¡­ Or maybe I was too greedy; if I¡¯d just cut off the spine, there would¡¯ve been no problem.


    I¡¯m really not used to such a fragile body and limited abilities.


    Ah, let it be.¡±


    Watching the spine wriggling towards him, Lorrian showed no panic, nor any intention to struggle.


    In his Moon Eyes, he had already glimpsed a young man walking towards him, the blood tears in his eyes still shining red, and even from meters away, he could feel waves of strong obsession.


    Slap!


    Two arms covered in bizarre muscles suddenly stretched out, grabbing the top and bottom of the metal spine¡­ One could even see traces of iron chains moving within the arms.


    ¡°Goodbye, Teacher Fang!¡±


    His arms exerted force, and even several iron chains emerged from the surface of his skin, driving the muscles to flex,


    As he forcefully twisted them, he suddenly slammed them into his thighs.


    Crack!


    The metallic spine snapped into two pieces,


    From within the column¡¯s core, a fluid resembling marrow but with a metallic sheen flowed out.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t hesitate, he immediately caught it with his mouth, sucking up the liquid beneficial to his body until it was gone.


    This piping hot energy also helped to repair his physical injuries, especially the pierced throat that made breathing difficult¡­ The internal chain system within his body was thus fortified.


    Having done all this, Yi Chen could no longer hold on, and his body fell backwards, landing heavily in the shape of a sprawled ¡®X¡¯.


    Three hours of intensive dance practice, the extreme pain from the iron chains piercing through his entire body and the needle stings, the growth of his physique and the final fierce fight with Teacher Fang.


    All the night¡¯s events had drained his physical stamina; now he just wanted to sleep well.


    Just then,


    A prompt from the gambling game rang out:


    ¡°Complete Shaper Fang Qiong has been confirmed dead, [Deadly Gambling Hall ¨C Art Hall] lockdown released, participants each receive 20 points and a hidden reward ¨C ¡®Suffering Monastery¡¯s Chains¡¯.


    Note: This chain is a real-world reward and is also effective in the gambling game.¡±


    These words made the drowsy Yi Chen instantly wake up, ¡°What! A real-world reward? Has my true body physically combined with these iron chains?


    During the battle, there seemed to be a prompt for increased physique. Has my plant disease undergone a fundamental ¡°transmutation,¡± turning into a brand-new iron chain system?¡±


    Being in the middle of the gambling game, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t monitor his physical information.


    At that moment, an announcement suddenly came from the restored Art Hall, or rather, broadcasts in different areas of the Orphanage were sounding at this time.


    ¡°All students still wandering outside, please take note, there are only fifteen minutes left before it¡¯s [Late Sleep Time]. Please return to your dorms and fall asleep before the countdown ends.


    Otherwise, the night watch teachers will be very unhappy.¡±


    The words ¡°night watch teachers¡± plunged Yi Chen back into a set of unpleasant memories as he forced his tired body to stand up from the ground.


    Lorrian had just completed his own surgery, and due to partial bone joints destroyed by iron chains, his movements were still impeded.


    ¡°We need to hurry back; in our current state, we must get a good sleep, as being targeted by the night watch teacher could really lead to death.¡±


    Yi Chen used the iron chains to secure Moon Scar to his back, pushed his physical limits, and ran full speed back to the dormitory.


    Arriving at the dormitory door with five minutes to spare,


    Two dice hung on the doorknob with a thin string, and tonight¡¯s sleep still required Rolling Dice to decide the level of difficulty.


    Yi Chen [3]


    Lorrian [3]


    A moderate roll, as the two stepped into the dorm, they could distinctly sense something lurking in the depths of the corridor.


    Yi Chen couldn¡¯t bother with that now; he laid straight down on the bed to sleep. His body was in dire need of rest to recuperate and solidify.


    Lorrian, due to his injuries, sat by the window, stitching up his wounds.


    Before they knew it, sleep time¡ª[11:00]¡ªhad arrived, and Lorrian was still sewing up his own body, utterly disregarding the issue with the night watch teacher.


    Creak~


    The door opened


    With the entry of a sinister aura, the night watch teacher, holding a lantern in its mouth and resembling a reptile, was already crawling on the dorm¡¯s ceiling.


    Lorrian barely lifted the gauze off his right eye, continuing with his surgery.


    The night watch teacher crawled around the room once, licked both of their bodies with its tongue to confirm they were asleep, then crawled away, even politely closing the door behind it.


    Lorrian, amidst the night, felt no hint of sleepiness,


    After stitching up all his wounds, he used his fingernail to carve out a ¡®crescent moon¡¯ on the wall, which surprisingly turned into a small night light, emitting enough moonlight for illumination.


    Picking up a novel, he sat against the wall and started reading intently¡­

 Chapter 191: Visiting

    [Old World ¨C Surface]


    At a certain sand field, a massive shift suddenly appeared, and three monks wrapped in scarlet robes emerged from the center.


    A conical face mask embedded with thorns was worn on their heads,


    and their backs were filled with iron hooks and chains, the other ends of which were connected to gigantic stone tablets, inscribed with their memorable experiences of suffering.


    Their palms were evenly torn and fastened with iron nails, forming a geometrical pattern with the blood vessels and nerves positioned between the palms, seemingly a two-dimensional image, yet it gave a glimpse of the Blood Flesh Magic Cube.


    Although these three figures looked similar, the one walking at the forefront was distinctly different.


    ...


    From her physique, she appeared to be a woman, dragging a tablet behind her wrapped with thorns and a segment of her painful experiences etched in red, signifying the miracles of pain she had induced.


    [Thorny Flower Sea]


    Under her lead, the trio, dragging their stone tablets, quickly arrived at the location where the duke¡¯s palanquin was situated.


    They hadn¡¯t anticipated that the source of the Sensing would point to this Old World merchant, and beneath their masks, their torn visages began to quiver.


    The leading woman stepped forward, stopping in front of the palanquin.


    Out of respect,


    she held her conical mask with both hands and forcefully removed it!


    Crack¡ªsounds of skin tearing and bones grinding echoed.


    The thorns inside the mask completely tore open her skull, and the spilling blood was absorbed by the robe, recycled for use.


    The blurred mass of her head immediately underwent Superfast Regeneration, an inherent ability of the monks,


    eventually forming a woman with thorny long hair and a completely torn scalp.


    Her eyeballs were pitch black, like those of a demon,


    ¡°Greetings, Duke.¡±


    ¡°The Suffering Monastery¡¯s Miracle Worker herself has come? What is the matter?¡±


    ¡°The Monastery sensed a ¡®Pain Acceptance¡¯ occurring on the Surface, someone accepted the pain named Thorn Chain, and we specifically came to welcome them; unexpectedly, it was at your location.


    No wonder a segment of ¡®Thorn Chain¡¯ that went missing from the Monastery years ago was never found.¡±


    The duke said little, simply throwing a bag of ancient, weighty coins to them.


    ¡°Consider this compensation. After all, I merely picked up a segment of an Iron Chain while passing by your Monastery and didn¡¯t return it because I was in a hurry.


    This price is enough to buy ten identical Iron Chains, take the money and leave.¡±


    Faced with the duke¡¯s expulsion order, the monks showed no intention of leaving nor did they pick up the money on the ground.


    ¡°The chosen one of the Iron Chain is a member of our Monastery, and our visit isn¡¯t to pursue the Iron Chain but to embrace a new member; I hope the Duke will allow me to meet the recipient.¡±


    This statement caused a slight twitch in the duke¡¯s chubby cheeks, but considering he had indeed stolen from others, he did not immediately lose his temper.


    ¡°He¡¯s engaged in an important ¡®trade,¡¯ and moreover, this lad isn¡¯t a life form from our side; after the trade, he will return to his host planet as a human.


    In my view, he¡¯s not suitable for the Monastery; it would only ruin his prospects.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to worry about this, Duke; our purpose is just to meet this person. Since he is currently engaged in a trade, we are willing to wait until it¡¯s over.¡±


    The duke was well aware of what ¡®just to meet¡¯ meant in the monks¡¯ terms.


    Eventually, there would be mental pressure and various inducements¡­ Even if Yi Chen managed to hold out and choose to refuse, they would, under the flag of the Monastery, forcibly extract the Iron Chain from Yi Chen¡¯s body, leaving him dead or maimed.


    ¡°Do you not understand what I¡¯m saying? I¡¯m in a good mood today; I¡¯ve been quite polite.


    I¡¯m giving you three seconds to disappear from the Surface!¡±


    His chubby hand heavily slammed down, and a terrifying airflow swept everything away.


    Except for the female monk in front of him, the other two monks were thrown tens of meters away.


    However, these monks still showed no intention of leaving, and the leading female monk continued:


    ¡°Without having undergone training in the Monastery, a human accepting the ¡®Thorn Chain¡¯ has drawn the attention of the High Priest. We also represent the will of the High Priest and the Monastery, and must¡­¡±


    ¡°Time¡¯s up.¡±


    The duke didn¡¯t bother to listen to these words; his patience had been exhausted.


    A rolling golden liquid seeped from his belly, constructing a golden balance in front of him.


    A special domain now enveloped the monk before him,


    unyielding, irresistible, inescapable.


    ¡°Forced Trade¡±


    The safe hidden in the dark corner of the ancient castle had been opened,


    a large, heavy bag filled with Holy Grails, jewels, and Old World coins was thrown onto one side of the scale.


    Correspondingly, an equivalent item must be placed on the other side to maintain balance.


    The last two monks in line disintegrated instantly, including the stone slabs they were dragging, all decomposed into usable materials and stacked on the other side of the scale via structural compression. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But that was far from enough,


    The leading female monk was similarly dismantled,


    By the time the scale was balanced, only half of the female monk¡¯s head remained on the ground¡­ the iron chains growing from the brain¡¯s cut surface still trying to drag the head away.


    Snap!


    The Duke flicked a gold coin from his hand, gently landing it on the scale, swapping for the last half of the head.


    ¡°Ah~ It¡¯s been quite a while since a ¡®Forced Trade¡¯ had been executed, can¡¯t even estimate the price accurately? A deviation of over 1% is truly disgraceful.¡±


    The trade ended.


    The treasure used to exchange the three monks was instantly sucked into a special space channel,


    Unknowingly far in the depths of the Old World, an area known as the Monastery was showered with a ¡®Jewel Rain¡¯ for three minutes.


    In the innermost part of the Monastery, a pair of eyes pierced with endless pins opened, their mouth releasing visible living words.


    ¡°The new acceptor is actually related to the Duke.¡±


    He sent no one, nor did He go personally to investigate, closing His eyes in disregard.


    ¡­


    [Black Mountain Orphanage]


    Yi Chen, completely asleep, was not disturbed by any night shift teacher,


    He had a dream,


    dreaming that his kneecaps were gouged out, crawling on a path covered with sharp thorns.


    Alongside him were countless other ¡®Sufferers¡¯,


    Many died on the path, devoured eagerly by the animate thorns, becoming nourishment.


    When he reached the front gate of a pitch-black monastery, instantly, chains shot from inside, pierced his body, and suspended him in the air.


    From the depths of darkness,


    a mysterious man in a black leather coat, his body embedded with spikes, floated forth, checking every part of his body through a technique similar to acupuncture, eventually showing a satisfied expression.


    As the mysterious man slowly opened his cavernous mouth, the flesh reliefs on the inside of his mouth resembled a map of Hell.


    A special sharp needle slowly unrolled from his tongue, held in his hand, and with a slap, embedded it into Yi Chen¡¯s crown.


    The intense pain and an inexplicable tang collapsed the dream instantly, causing Yi Chen to sit up abruptly from the bed.


    The day had just begun to lighten, the clock¡¯s hands pointing exactly at 6:00.


    Yi Chen tried to move, but the sound of dragging chains came from his back, clanking.


    Turning his head to look,


    the chains transmuted from organic material within his body had actually spilled out during his sleep, forming a butterfly pattern on the bed, quite meaningful.


    It even made Yi Chen realize that his ¡°Sensing¡± ability seemed to have increased during the just concluded dream.


    ¡°Awake now?¡± A voice came from the next bed.


    ¡°Lorrian, you woke up early too?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by early? I never slept.


    ¡®Sleeping¡¯ only needs to be done by another part within my body while I need to focus on my reading time, once we leave this game, I won¡¯t get the chance to read.¡±


    ¡°Did the night shift teacher not show up?¡±


    ¡°That level of patrol can easily be avoided with a little illusion technique~ Though, your physique seems to have become very special, becoming more and more interesting.¡±


    At this, Moon Scar pulled a silver hairpin from her hair, placed it between the pages, and closed the book.


    Raising her left eye of the New Moon, she looked intently at Yi Chen,


    ¡°Now that the feasibility of a quick clearance has been verified, shall we continue today?¡±


    ¡°We can.¡±

 Chapter 192: Dodgeball

    Breakfast was also personally delivered to Yi Chen¡¯s dorm room, consisting of milk and an egg sandwich.


    When Yi Chen took a bite, he almost broke his teeth.


    An iron chain, broken, was actually embedded in the sandwich. It was no coincidence, as Lorrian encountered the same situation.


    ¡°Could it be that Teacher Fang¡¯s death has brought us to the attention of the orphanage authorities? That shouldn¡¯t be the case though. If it was clear that we were the murderers, they could¡¯ve just arrested us directly or dealt with us for breaking the rules. There¡¯s no need for these petty tricks.¡±


    When Yi Chen pushed open the door of his dorm room, he hadn¡¯t expected the hallway outside to have changed as well.


    The clean and tidy hallway now bore traces of ¡®decay¡¯. Indeed, decay was visible, with occasionally cracked wall tiles filled with rotting flesh and vaguely visible chains moving inside.


    ...


    ¡°Could it be that the death of the orphanage staff leads to changes in the space of the game? If that¡¯s the case, as our killings increase, will this place eventually collapse?¡±


    Yi Chen felt no discomfort; instead, he thought this setting was quite fitting.


    In his eyes, the orphanage was nothing but a demon cave cloaked in concrete and tiles, hiding rotting flesh and dirty water inside. This setting aptly revealed the orphanage¡¯s true face.


    After breakfast, it was time for the ¡®Morning Activity Class¡¯¡ªYi Chen¡¯s favorite session before his death.


    The reason Yi Chen, in the early stages of his transcendence, could maneuver between gravestones and animated corpses, perform standard rolls and quick counterattacks,


    and later, on choosing the path of a gentleman, wanted to physically train, strengthen his intelligence, and physique, all stemmed from the activity classes.


    Starting at the age of five, Yi Chen entered the orphanage¡¯s teaching regime. Until his escape, he never faced any punishments in activity class, always ¡®surviving¡¯ until the end.


    Yet, he equally despised the instructors of the activity class, each of whom was even worse than a murderer.


    [Comprehensive Sports Field]


    An open area similar to an indoor basketball court.


    Yi Chen, Moon Scar, and a group of students who selected the same indoor venue gathered together, waiting for their teacher to arrive.


    At that moment,


    a postman wearing a tall hat appeared from the side of the field again.


    Perhaps to match the atmosphere of the gym, he pulled out a standard basketball from his tall hat, removing his coat.


    After a series of skilled dribbling to the center of the court, he spun the ball quickly on his fingertip and then threw it to Yi Chen.


    The moment he caught the basketball, pop! The ball burst open, leaving two dice in his hands.


    ¡°As you successfully won the lethal game and killed Teacher Fang, the orphanage¡¯s ¡®chaos value¡¯ increases by one. This means that when you roll the dice in the future, the points will be added +1 to the original base.


    Moreover, various unexpected hazards may occur.


    If you continue to kill the teaching staff of the orphanage, the chaos value will continue to rise, and even if you don¡¯t roll a 12, disaster events will occur, potentially evolving into a [Total Disaster].


    We advise some restraint¡ªahem, it seems I¡¯ve said a bit much; go ahead and roll the dice.¡± S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen-2


    Lorrian-6


    Chaos Value-1


    [9]Another moderately high score. With experience from the lethal game, this difficulty won¡¯t be dangerous as long as they don¡¯t cause trouble.


    Yet, Yi Chen silently prayed to encounter the activity class teacher he had in mind.


    After the postman left,


    a shrill whistle sound that could tear through eardrums reverberated throughout the arena.


    Following the sound of the whistle, a man in ultra-short snug sports shorts and a white sports vest, with closely cropped hair, was at the edge of the field, a pink whistle in his mouth.


    He made a standard long jump stance and leaped straight from the side of the field to the center of the crowd.


    ¡°Hello everyone, I am your instructor for today¡¯s activity class¡ªPang Guishan! This morning we need to conduct a dodgeball training session to train your reflex nerves and dodging stances.


    These are very useful skills. As long as you can dodge the teacher¡¯s pitches, you¡¯ll always be able to avoid danger in any situation.


    Even if someone points a gun at you, you might be able to dodge it. Please take this seriously.¡±


    At that moment, Teacher Pang, sensing a special and distinct gaze from among the watching students, turned his head to look.


    Yi Chen¡¯s eyes twinkled with excitement, starkly different from the unease of the other students.


    ¡°Do we know each other?¡±


    Yi Chen responded with a smile, ¡°I don¡¯t believe so~ This is my first time attending the class.¡±


    ¡°I look forward to your performance in the dodgeball training¡­ Now, let me explain the rules of dodgeball.


    I will be responsible for throwing the ball, and you need to dodge within the designated area.


    Each session will last an hour, with three rounds in total, and a ten-minute rest in between each round.¡±


    Once hit, it meant elimination and waiting for the next round.


    If hit in all three rounds, it indicated that your dodgeball training was far from basic, and special training was necessary.


    Immediately, a student raised his hand to ask, ¡°Teacher, there¡¯s only one of you, do you need to select a pitcher from among us to cooperate with you?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m enough by myself! If there are no questions, let¡¯s start now.¡±


    As everyone was positioning themselves, Yi Chen suddenly raised his hand to ask,


    ¡°Teacher Pang, isn¡¯t there another rule you haven¡¯t mentioned?¡±


    ¡°What rule?¡±


    ¡°If one of us catches the ball, what happens? Can we switch places with you?¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s question elicited a stiff smile from Pang Guishan, ¡°I¡¯ve been teaching for so many years and have never encountered such a situation, so I gradually stopped mentioning that rule.¡±


    ¡°So, the rule does exist, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, as long as you can catch it, you can replace me as the ¡®Pitcher¡¯ until the time is up.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The dodgeball area was about half the size of a volleyball court, with a clearly marked red line.


    Fifty people in such an area were quite cramped, and it was nearly impossible to dodge the first few balls, as everyone tried to squeeze into the middle of the crowd, using others as shields.


    Pang Guishan pulled a pink balloon from his pocket and aimed it at his mouth.


    He didn¡¯t blow into it; instead, something was surging from his throat, filling the balloon in a vomit-like fashion until it was completely stuffed.


    The filled balloon became grotesquely misshapen, resembling a lump of heavy rotten flesh.


    ¡°Get ready, we¡¯re starting now!¡±


    Teacher Pang lifted his right leg into a standing split, his calm gaze instantly filled with killing intent.


    As his right leg came down,


    his entire body muscles, driven by the core, stepped forward, twisted, and swung the arm in one smooth motion.


    There was a visible ripple of air at the release of the ball,


    and the nearly invisible pink dodgeball crashed into the crowd¡­ smack!


    It hardly resembled a dodgeball, looking more like playing billiards or bowling!


    The first person to touch the ball was instantly torn apart, followed by the second, the third¡­ a total of six people were killed on the spot, with others blown out of bounds by the force of the ball,


    and finally, the pink ball sprung high, landing on the other side of the field.


    Teacher Pang had already sprinted over, seamlessly catching the blood-stained dodgeball.


    Looking at the scattered limbs, Teacher Pang shook his head, ¡°Six dead, five out¡­ ah, what a poor start. I was hoping for at least ten deaths.¡±


    Saying that, he once again assumed the pitching stance.


    Another ten out, four dead this time.


    Only half were left on the field, but there was more room to move, and people were no longer clumped together.


    ¡°Third throw!¡±


    The same pitching stance, another powerful throw launched.


    Smack!


    A student who attempted to jump was still half a beat too slow, his two legs, which he prided himself on, were torn to shreds by the force of the ball,


    The slightly skewed trajectory of the ball smashed into a plump student behind him, his large belly was blown open, and the student trying to duck behind him was blown his brains out instantly,


    instant triple kill,


    the force barely diminished as the ball directly flew towards the fourth person.


    Smack!


    The loud collision between flesh and balloon reverberated through the gym,


    waves of friction-induced white smoke burst from the palms,


    clang~


    Two iron chains dragged on the ground,


    Yi Chen, in an almost ground-hugging forward lean, stretched out his arms, and supported by the iron chains, caught the ball steadily¡­ his feet dragging three meters on the ground.


    ¡°Caught it, Teacher Pang~ now it¡¯s my turn to pitch.¡±

 Chapter 193: Trash

    [Dodgeball]


    In the orphanage where Yi Chen had lived, it was privately called ¡°Assassin Dodgeball.¡±


    Pang Guishan was entirely a trash who took pleasure in killing; each round of dodgeball had the students ¡°drawing.¡±


    Only a small chance to draw a normal rubber ball; most were deadly types such as iron balls, small projectiles, spiked balls, or even water balloons filled with acid.


    Of course,


    a comparatively ¡®formal¡¯ orphanage still did not allow a large number of deaths to occur¡ªtheir ultimate purpose was to nurture talent, not destroy it.


    ...


    As long as the number of deaths during the activity class reached 1/5, the dodgeball game would immediately end.


    Pang Guishan greatly admired Yi Chen, this ¡®excellent student¡¯, and even once actively invited him to join as a pitcher, to jointly ruin other people¡¯s lives.


    Though agreeing would both please the teacher and avoid the risks of dodgeball,


    Yi Chen set a bottom line for himself; before he escaped from the orphanage, he had to preserve his fundamental human nature. If he were completely assimilated by the orphanage, escaping would be meaningless.


    After Yi Chen directly refused Pang Guishan¡¯s proposal, the latter became infuriated with shame, trying everything to target this student.


    Of course, Pang Guishan didn¡¯t dare to kill him.


    If it was discovered that Yi Chen¡¯s death resulted from targeted violations, not only would his position be stripped away, but he would likely be tortured to death by Chief Cao.


    Always stopping just short, after the dodgeball lessons, Yi Chen would always bear injuries, affecting his following life in the orphanage, and the two officially became enemies.


    This gambling game right now presented an excellent opportunity to vent frustration.


    Yi Chen hadn¡¯t expected to really draw this trash.


    Using Xiaoputao¡¯s Field of View Capture, after buffering with three human sandbags and combining it with his newly acquired ability and upgraded physique,


    Smack! He caught the thrown ball firmly.


    It was only upon catching it that he felt the filling between the balloons was actually this guy¡¯s ¡°gallstones.¡±


    ¡°I caught it, Teacher Pang!¡±


    As Yi Chen looked up, Pang Guishan, who had been confident, was already frozen in place, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He recognized the ownership of the iron chains, and even a hint of fear flashed through his pupils.


    Though Pang Guishan had a robust physique, he only dared to bully orphans, venting on the children when nothing was amiss. Among the teaching staff, he was regarded as the lowest status presence.


    He couldn¡¯t even begin to compare with Fang Qiong, who had been bestowed with high honors as an art teacher, and was often stepped on.


    However,


    Pang Guishan quickly adjusted his mindset, pulling at his very short sports shorts and adjusting his trajectory by reaching into his pocket before striding indecently into the dodgeball field.


    Though surprised that Yi Chen could catch the ball, he believed more firmly that his own body couldn¡¯t possibly be hit by a child¡¯s ball.


    Spreading his muscle-packed arms, he squeezed out an extremely annoying expression.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re so keen on being a pitcher, let¡¯s let you experience it¡­ but if I catch it, teacher, and we switch back positions, I might especially target you.¡±


    Facing Pang Guishan¡¯s verbal threats, Yi Chen imitated the opponent¡¯s characteristic gesture, erecting his thumb next to a bright white set of teeth.


    ¡°No problem!¡±


    Yi Chen simultaneously changed his gesture, deliberately showing the number 1 and continued watching Teacher Pang, seemingly suggesting he could eliminate him with just one throw.


    This provocation was very effective against Pang Guishan, who was temperamental, bullying the weak yet fearing the strong, focusing almost all his attention on Yi Chen¡ª even starting to fantasize about how he would kill this little guy later.


    At this moment, the very inconspicuous Lorrian, using the special silent Moon Step, had already reached behind Pang Guishan.


    Clang¡ªiron chains sounded!


    The iron chains that sprouted from Yi Chen¡¯s palm thrust into the balloon, turning it into a true chain ball.


    With one foot as the axis,


    his body began to spin,


    each rotation increasing in speed,


    yet Pang Guishan remained unimpressed. As he watched Yi Chen spin faster and faster, he directly pointed out the biggest problem with this throwing method, ¡°Spinning so fast, can you really ensure accuracy?¡±


    Just as he spoke those words, his gaze accidentally caught something fuzzy on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, and that thing was staring right at him.


    No matter how fast he spun, that eye maintained its lock.


    ¡°The eye!¡±


    For a moment, Pang Guishan felt a real sense of danger, he concentrated all his attention, tensed his muscles, ready to dodge at any moment.


    ¡°Here it comes!¡±


    The iron chain slipped from the hand, whoosh! The flying ball chain was hardly different from Pang Guishan¡¯s throw, and it even felt a notch faster.


    Boom!


    A loud explosion spread through the gymnasium.


    Filled with stones, the dodgeball dragging an iron chain smashed heavily against the gym wall, creating a deeply cracked dent, its power was evident.


    However, the throw was wildly off target.


    With muscles tensed and spirit highly focused, Pang Guishan was momentarily stunned. He looked at the nearly horizontally thrown ball, his facial muscles twitching into a smile, even convulsing with laughter.


    ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯re quite the blusterer, kid. I actually thought I¡¯d get hit~ If you could throw a bit more accurately, maybe there really was a 30% chance I¡¯d be hit and eliminated.


    Haha~ You¡¯re too amusing, kid, I¡¯ve decided! I¡¯ll slowly torture you later, first by smashing your limbs, then compressing your body into a ball shape for throwing.¡±


    In the face of Pang Guishan¡¯s mockery,


    Yi Chen also smiled in response, ¡°Teacher Pang, you seem to have misunderstood¡­ I never intended to play a low-IQ game like dodgeball with you.¡±


    As soon as his words fell.


    Swish! A cold sensation came from the teacher¡¯s back,


    his strong, stone-covered heart had been plucked out of his body.


    Then two more slashes¡­ swish swish~


    Severing the tendons of his feet, he lost balance and toppled forward.


    Moon Scar directly mounted Pang Guishan¡¯s back, both hands wielding knives, beginning the dissection¡­ Utilizing his prior close observation while standing behind him, Moon Eyes had already scoped out the best dissection route.


    The casino couldn¡¯t even announce the start of the death-match before this self-important teacher was completely dismantled, with the core stone heart being crushed under Yi Chen¡¯s foot.


    He also tossed a successful combat look towards Moon Scar.


    ¡°Physical Throwing ¨C Pang Guishan has been killed, each gaining 8 points, no additional rewards.¡±


    ¡°Only eight points, what a waste¡­ Teacher Fang is better after all.¡±


    At the same time,


    the entire gymnasium shook like an earthquake and tilted by 10 degrees, various balls rolled out from the sidelines, some even connected with chains.


    The floor and walls bore tears resembling skin lacerations, revealing rotten, festering flesh underneath.


    Due to the death of the faculty member, the chaos level here increased again, subsequent dice rolls will have a +2 on top of the original points.


    Lorrian took off his blood-stained coat, combed his hair with one hand, wearing a smile.


    Since the activity class ended early, he could go back to reading novels earlier¡­ and indeed, he had no interest in the low-IQ game of dodgeball.

 Chapter 194: The Battle Begins

    Lunchtime (Points + Chaos Value: 5)


    The seafood with Insnos flavor served on the table resembled swollen, raw fish that had been irradiated, with some still hopping around or even laying eggs directly on the plate.


    Of course, for a certain orphan with a special appetite, this was not a problem at all.


    Yi Chen enjoyed his meal immensely. Due to his modified physique, he needed to consume a large amount of food, so even if live fish occasionally slipped into his stomach, the little grapes would quickly bite them to death and eat their eyeballs and related nerves without any worry.


    Glancing around the cafeteria, only Yi Chen ate with relish, which drew the chef over to sit opposite him, pulling up a stool.


    Although Yi Chen was somewhat bloodthirsty, he bore no resentment towards the chef and had no intention of causing a disturbance in the cafeteria.


    ...


    The chef suddenly asked, ¡°Teacher Fang and Coach Pang, who liked wearing shorts, have both been killed, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to do anything here?¡±


    Below the black iron mask, the chef threw a crucial question, with a heavy, oversized hammer resting by his side, ready to accept the challenge from the young man should Yi Chen nod.


    ¡°No, because I have no reason to kill you.¡±


    ¡°Then what was your reason for killing them? You only arrived at the Orphanage yesterday, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯ve made enemies so quickly?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ve known them for quite a long time, just like I have known you.¡±


    This statement caused the chef to freeze; indeed, he felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity upon first seeing Yi Chen. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Could you explain the reason in detail?¡±


    Without any hesitation, Yi Chen openly narrated the so-called betting game, memory reality alteration, and the true nature of the Orphanage to the chef, who was emanating warmth.


    The chef, being infused with an abundance of advanced information, did not harbor any doubts and even believed the words of the young man directly.


    ¡°No wonder I always feel somewhat dissonant while cooking, living as if I¡¯m confined here ¨C so I¡¯m just a figment of your imagination in your brain? What a disappointing truth.¡±


    After popping a struggling little fish into his mouth, Yi Chen expressed his perspective:


    ¡°Since you, chef, can exist in this form, perhaps when I grow to a certain stage, I might be able to perfectly recreate you and even establish a new Orphanage under my management, preserving your current consciousness and memories.¡±


    ¡°That would be wonderful~ If such a time comes, please add a few extra positions for me, as it gets quite boring spending every day here just studying cuisine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy to say.¡±


    As the two chatted leisurely, a loud clicking of leather shoes approached.


    A group of personnel adorned with military sabers, batons, modified security uniforms, and berets entered the dining hall,


    swiftly surrounding Yi Chen, who was still eating, and Moon Scar, sitting there chatting with the chef, trapping them all within the encirclement.


    A total of four people,


    all security guards rested their right hands on their waist-mounted sabers, ready to behead at the slightest suspicious movement from the pair.


    The current situation meant that the events the postman warned of, the increase in chaos value leading to unexpected occurrences, had now taken place.


    ¡°Coach Pang Guishan was killed during class, and the students attending the class accuse you of the crime. Please accompany us to the security department to assist in the investigation; we¡¯ll handle this incident fairly and justly.¡±


    The Captain, wearing sunglasses at the forefront, threw two pairs of handcuffs onto the table, signaling for them to put them on themselves.


    ¡°Wait a moment¡­ Such a delicacy should not be wasted.¡±


    After dumping the entire plate into his mouth, Yi Chen showed a satisfied expression.


    Folding a napkin into a triangle, he wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth, then casually remarked:


    ¡°I admit that Pang Guishan was killed by my friend and me. And there¡¯s something else I need to confess¡­ Fang Qiong, who died last night in the Art Hall, that was our handiwork too.¡±


    By the way, without witnesses, you have no idea who did it, do you? Such inept investigative skills, why does the Orphanage employ you for security?¡±


    Provocation always works well on those high and mighty types.


    Four military sabers struck almost simultaneously, all aimed at Yi Chen¡¯s head.


    Clang! Sparks flew.


    Yi Chen raised his hands above his head, stretching the iron chains in his hands to firmly block three of the sabers.


    The fourth saber, swung by the Captain, was caught by the chef holding the arm, forcefully stopping it.


    ¡°Chef Li, do you know what you¡¯re doing?¡±


    The head chef¡¯s black iron mask concealed an indifferent face, and he didn¡¯t answer. His other hand grabbed the hammer beside him and directly crushed the squad captain into mincemeat.


    Moon Scar also made her move, piercing through one of them and instantly completing the act of opening a skull.


    Yi Chen hoisted the iron chains in his hands and brutishly disarmed the remaining two,


    then shot the chains from his left and right hands, entangling the necks of the two men. Drawing on the ball-and-chain training from activity classes¡­ Yi Chen, using his right foot as the axis, began to spin in the cafeteria.


    In the process of high-speed spinning, the iron chains tightly pulled at their necks. As the speed increased, there was an almost illusory sensation of imminent body separation.


    Crack!


    He released the chains when he heard the sound of neck vertebrae breaking.


    The security guard, now partially paralyzed, was thrown towards the back kitchen, where the staff caught him firmly and used him as fodder, directly feeding him to the livestock area.


    ¡°The Security Squad has been annihilated, the Protection Department has been alerted!¡±


    As the broadcast notification rang out, more members of the Protection Department flooded into the cafeteria, numbering a total of over thirty people.


    Yi Chen also noticed the leader wearing a black eye mask, who was actually carrying a silver-plated hand axe and a sawed-off shotgun, the very equipment that had been confiscated when he arrived at the Orphanage.


    ¡°Equipment directly delivered to my doorstep? How thoughtful.¡±


    Seeing the numerical difference in front of him, Yi Chen tried to do something he had never thought of doing in his life.


    Standing on the dining table, he spread his arms wide and shouted:


    ¡°All eyes on me!


    Fang Qiong and Pang Guishan have been killed by me. The Protection Department, an incompetent group like this, is just an appetizer.


    I hereby declare war on the Orphanage¡­ This is your only chance to join. After seizing control of the Orphanage, each participant will receive their share of the reward.¡±


    However,


    the orphans who were dining in the cafeteria remained utterly indifferent, not even sparing Yi Chen a glance,


    and to avoid trouble, gladly refusing the live fish on their plates, the orphans quickly evacuated the cafeteria area under the cover of the Protection Department.


    Not a single person responded to the call, causing Yi Chen to shake his head.


    Yi Chen had anticipated this situation in his life. Under the training of the Orphanage, the idea of rebellion had been thoroughly ground away within a month or two.


    At most they would only think about the possibility of fleeing when survival seemed hopeless. The weak simply didn¡¯t have the courage to stand against the Orphanage.


    Clap!


    The head chef suddenly clapped his hands.


    From the back kitchen immediately emerged a group of workers wearing animal masks sewn together,


    some carrying slaughter knives,


    others holding oversized soup pots,


    and even one meat grinder who was tied in a spread-eagled position to a giant chopping board and rolling forward.


    They all obeyed the head chef¡¯s orders absolutely,


    and as a giant pot full of boiling soup was thrown at the security guards, the chaotic fight began.


    About half an hour passed.


    Yi Chen and Moon Scar, gasping for breath, fought back to back. They had recovered their weapons, and around them were piled the bodies of more than ten security guards. Although they had sustained some injuries, they were inexplicably excited.


    The head chef, with one arm chopped off, was leading half of the staff in a ¡®thorough cleansing¡¯ of the cafeteria.


    ¡°The Orphanage¡¯s Protection Department has been completely wiped out, total points +20, chaos value increased.¡±


    ¡°Catch! These are some good things I made when I had nothing better to do, using offcuts.¡±


    The head chef tossed over two compressed meatballs. Swallowed whole, they immediately restored their physical strength and healed their injuries at a visibly fast rate.


    Yi Chen stood at the entrance of the cafeteria and bowed deeply, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have troubled you. If there is a chance to meet again in the future, I will definitely fulfill our promise.¡±

 Chapter 195: Disaster Mode

    ¡°Chaos Value -3¡±


    The air within the Orphanage had turned exceedingly murky, with pus oozing from the cracks in the walls and partially peeled walls revealing squirming blood and flesh ensnared by the iron chains.


    It even felt like in some of these gaps, Pang Guishan¡¯s sleazy gaze was watching the outside.


    However,


    having decided to start a battle, the two walking through the corridors stepped lightly, even joyfully,


    Yi Chen, having found a portable audio player on one of the security guards, was now using it himself, headphones on, playing ¡°Come And Get Your Love.¡±


    ...


    The hand axe in his right hand swung up and down, following the rhythm of the song.


    The left thumb rubbed against the surface of the gun, immersing him in a somewhat exhilarated state.


    Lorrian, on the other hand, was the exact opposite; he clung to the last moments of his free time, one hand holding a novel, the other stuffed in his pocket, not even bothering to look at the path.


    Utterly silent, in stark contrast to Yi Chen who followed the rhythm, sometimes leaping, sometimes stepping.


    Lorrian had not taken any equipment from the security department either,


    and even the moon attribute treasures given by the Duke only enticed him with that great sword; he had no interest in ordinary equipment. Using weapons was less convenient than using the surgical knife he formed from the moonlight.


    Perhaps it was the annihilation of the security department,


    the corridors they walked through were unexpectedly deserted, with not a single staff member coming out to block their path.


    Even when they encountered a cleaner with a face resembling a striped mop, she simply buried her face in the ground, using the movement of maggots to mop, completely ignoring the two as they passed by.


    ¡°After all, this is the ¡®Game¡¯ set by the Duke. The Orphanage, though whole, clearly has defined zones and checkpoint settings. It seems we must actively seek trouble ourselves.¡±


    Moon Scar, holding a novel, asked softly, ¡°Random killing?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Since we just came from the cafeteria and are in optimal condition, let¡¯s go directly to that woman, the one who used to take care of me.


    Her ¡®status¡¯ is definitely higher than Teacher Fang¡¯s. The dice are only about objective difficulty, I reckon no die could roll under 10 in front of her.¡±


    Moon Scar was slightly startled, quickly recalling, ¡°Oh~ the woman we met in the bathhouse when we first came to the Orphanage, the mere sight of her made you lose control of your emotions.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, the respected Director Cao.¡±


    ¡°Going directly to her is fine. After she knocked you out when your emotions went out of control, I had a bit of interaction with this woman. I could indeed sense an aura of danger coming from her.


    The recreational activities class is really boring, we indeed need such characters for thorough entertainment.


    You lead the way~¡±


    The ¡®foster mother¡¯s¡¯ office was all too familiar, and only Yi Chen, the ¡®foster son,¡¯ had the privilege to seek her out on normal days.


    Since this memory had resurfaced, Yi Chen had also decided to fully indulge in the game, not to sever any emotional ties but just to vent to his heart¡¯s content.


    Listening to the invigorating music, his rear heel and the tail of his suit vibrated in sync, finally coming before a straight corridor.


    There were no offices set up within the corridor, only an elevator at the very end.


    As they approached,


    the elevator unexpectedly came up by itself, with a postman wearing a top hat stepping out.


    One hand on his cane, he shook his head, ¡°Ah~ must you push the plot along so quickly? Can¡¯t you slow down a bit, there are still many interesting things yet to be shown.


    But, since it¡¯s your choice, continue then.¡±


    The postman took off his hat, revealing once again a face resembling Dead Man Makeup¡­ from his hat, he took out dice that were black with red dots.


    More importantly, these two dice only had the numbers 4, 5, and 6. Just as Yi Chen had guessed, the difficulty corresponding to Director Cao couldn¡¯t possibly be low.


    The two exchanged glances, then simultaneously rolled.


    [6] and [6]


    There was no need to add a chaos value, as it had already reached the maximum points.


    The elevator, previously empty, suddenly contained an elevator attendant in a red dress, her black hair covering her face, her pale hands ceremoniously clasped at her waist.


    At the same time, the game¡¯s notification chimed:


    ¡°Disaster Mode has been activated. In this mode, the setting will be exaggeratedly presented, and the internal chaos value will reach its maximum.


    ¡°The ¡®Desperate Gamble¡¯ mechanism is involuntarily engaged, and you cannot leave until you kill the person in charge of this area.


    At that point, you will receive a massive amount of points and control over this area, which you can transform into your own paradise.¡±


    The mailman disappeared, waves of intense unease spilling from the elevator.


    Lorrian no longer indulged in his novels, but watched the mysterious elevator and its attendant intently. Just as he prepared to step forward and enter, Yi Chen suddenly grabbed his hand.


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re not in a hurry now?¡±


    Yi Chen waved his hand,


    ¡°No~Of course, I am in a hurry, every cell in my body is urging me to act quickly.


    But before we take the elevator down, there¡¯s something I must make clear to you. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time we¡¯re facing the highest difficulty in the current game, and even in my memory, Director Cao is a terror existing ¡®beyond humanity¡¯.


    Both Fang Qiong, with her art talent, and the muscular Pang Guishan are fundamentally afraid of her,


    not just due to her position and status, but because Director Cao is a genuine ¡®human-shaped demon.¡¯


    She controls a major project at Black Mountain Kindergarten and is the chief beneficiary of this project, already a non-human entity. Now, with the highest difficulty of the game accentuating her powers, her transformation into a more frightening entity is inevitable.


    Together, our points add up to exactly one hundred, enough to exchange for a qualification to end the game.


    If we find ourselves in a deadly trap below and judge that escape is impossible, certainly leading to death, I will transfer all the points to you, and you must immediately leave to return to the Original World.


    This gamble is mine to bear, and I alone should suffer the punishment of death.


    If my death in the game causes a strong effect, leaving me comatose and unable to fend for myself¡­ Moon Scar, I need you to take me back to the Original World.¡±


    Lorrian didn¡¯t respond directly but stuck out his similarly silver tongue, scarred with a moon mark, and licked around his lips.


    ¡°I certainly don¡¯t want your body to be severely damaged by the death penalty, for we are to merge in the future.


    We¡¯ll speak of fatal certainties when we truly encounter them, at least for now, I haven¡¯t felt the real pressure of danger¡­¡±


    He slapped Yi Chen heavily on the back, pushing him into the elevator with one hand.


    When the two entered the elevator,


    the elevator attendant turned around politely, nodding in greeting.


    The thick black hair completely hid her face,


    but this didn¡¯t stop Yi Chen from observing, as the eyeballs on his shoulders emerged, concentrating to try to discern the true face beneath the black hair.


    Below the black hair was still black hair,


    A large hole had been gouged in the attendant¡¯s face, filled with black hair, or rather, harboring a brain structure capable of infinitely growing black hair.


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    The elevator had no buttons,


    Shasha shasha~


    The black hair growing from the attendant¡¯s face burrowed into the elevator shell, connecting to the control device inside and controlling the elevator¡¯s descent.


    Yi Chen and Moon Scar did not intervene, allowing the elevator to arrive at an important research area of Black Mountain Orphanage, a place normally accessible only to internal researchers and Yi Chen, Director Cao¡¯s ¡®adopted son.¡¯


    Others who wished to enter this place were mostly tied to beds, used as experimental materials.

 Chapter 196: Splitting Up

    The elevator opened.


    Before them was a long corridor resembling an exhibition hall, with various samples on either side, each containing the ¡°human¡± attribute.


    This included the first ¡°watchdogs¡± they had encountered.


    As the two left, the elevator attendant, amid their black hair, emitted a strange noise, ¡°Director Cao has been waiting for your arrival for a long time. Just go straight along the exhibition corridor, and good luck to you.¡±


    As the elevator doors closed, the attendant kindly waved goodbye with a smile.


    Walking along this peculiar corridor, Yi Chen unconsciously turned down the music, his thoughts drifting back to the past, recalling his ¡®day-to-day¡¯ interactions with Director Cao.


    ...


    Director Cao, whose real name was Cao Zhenghong.


    The director of the administrative office of the Black Mountain Orphanage and the head of Research Institute No. 1, the latter identity was something Yi Chen had gradually learned as he grew up.


    In Director Cao¡¯s eyes, apart from students who met Yi Chen¡¯s standard and were qualified to retain their human bodies, the inferior students were better suited for modification, often referred to as ¡°recycling waste.¡±


    Those orphans who made serious mistakes in class or daily life, not worth the teaching resources, would become materials for research, and the unluckiest among them would be sent to Director Cao¡¯s research institute.


    They would face a series of inhuman experiments where their personalities would completely collapse, eventually turning into a kind of creature entirely obedient to Director Cao.


    Products such as the watchdog, mop-face, and night duty teacher all originated from Research Institute No. 1.


    Director Cao¡¯s vision also permeated every corner of the orphanage, and even though she rarely showed herself, she could observe Yi Chen¡¯s every move from the shadows. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whenever Yi Chen made a slight mistake, he would be invited to become an ¡®observer¡¯ to witness and feel the emotional changes of the experimentees.


    It was clear why Director Cao did this; she was grooming Yi Chen as her successor, getting him accustomed to these experiments early on and instilling in him the concept that life was not equivalent.


    Beyond the experiments that fused animals, there were also developments on the human body itself.


    For example, the young lady in the elevator was also a product of an experiment, one that Yi Chen had personally witnessed involving ¡®hair.¡¯


    To achieve control over hair, researchers would cut open the skull of a living subject, sow hair into the cerebral cortex, and promote nerve growth towards the hair strands with appropriate microbial infections.


    Many subjects died during the experiment, and until Yi Chen escaped from the orphanage, there seemed to be no successful cases.


    Currently, this gamble was made possible by the Duke¡¯s creativity.


    The special education within the orphanage, the strict training in a competitive format, and the modification of the unqualified¡ªall served the ultimate purpose of the Black Mountain Orphanage.


    The initial intent to create the orphanage was to nurture higher, more perfect forms of life.


    ¡°Human Completion¡±


    This was the title of the document Yi Chen had stumbled upon in Director Cao¡¯s office, a title that was gradually substantiated as Yi Chen delved deeper into the orphanage, revealing the fundamental purpose behind its establishment.


    Beyond selecting inherently ¡®perfect¡¯ humans like Yi Chen, it could also include monsters cultivated through experimental modifications.


    As long as a ¡®qualified¡¯ life form could be nurtured, it would receive accolades from above and secure more research funding.


    What would these qualified lives be used for? Some of the outstanding ones would stay at the orphanage to become teachers, and others would be sent somewhere else¡ªYi Chen, as an escapee, had no way of knowing.


    ¡­


    By the time Yi Chen snapped back to his surroundings from the bizarre specimens, he found himself standing at the end of the corridor, facing an iron door he was all too familiar with, leading to Director Cao¡¯s private office.


    This was where Yi Chen had spent most of his life before the age of five.


    ¡°Lorrian, this must be Director Cao¡¯s residence, we¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Yi Chen suddenly realized he was alone in the corridor, Lorrian, who should have been with him, had completely disappeared. In fact, he might never have left the elevator.


    Recalling the farewell with the elevator attendant, she had only said ¡®you ¡® and not ¡®you both¡¯.


    [Switch Scene]


    The elevator continued to descend, seemingly headed for the deepest part of the orphanage.


    Lorrian and the elevator attendant were alone together.


    A puzzled voice came from beneath the black hair:


    ¡°You two should be partners, assigned to live in the same dormitory,¡± he said. ¡°Previously, the killing of Teacher Fang and Coach Pang was also a joint operation. Why then do you split up in such a dangerous area?¡±


    Moon Scar replied, ¡°William, or the guy you call Yi Chen, has his demons here, and they are deeply entrenched, impossible to unravel. They can only be cut through forcefully.


    When he walked out of the elevator just now, he didn¡¯t even notice whether I followed, and his emotions were also noticeably fluctuating.


    Thus I decided not to provide direct assistance anymore and let him confront the past in his heart alone.


    In this way, he could become even more perfect.¡±


    ¡°Heeheehee~¡± A strange laughter emanated from beneath the black hair, ¡°How nice it is to have such a considerate friend as you.


    However, there is a specially prepared performance contest for you below. If you can win in the arena, you will spare your friend a lot of trouble.¡±


    ¡°Oh~¡±


    Lorrian was not worried at all about what he would encounter,


    Instead, he quickly stepped close to the elevator lady, reaching out to embrace her¡­ face to face.


    He gently pushed aside her black hair, carefully examining the lady¡¯s face, marred by a huge hole, and her special brain, continuously growing black hair.


    ¡°Such a beautiful structure~ Could I observe you more closely?¡±


    Faced with the moon-like handsome silver-haired young man, the elevator lady couldn¡¯t refuse and even shyly nodded her head a little.


    Moon Scar, holding the lady with his left arm,


    produced a surgical knife with his right hand and performed an on-site craniotomy, to closely observe the internal structure and interaction with the growing black hair.


    ¡°Very good~ The hair can actually be used like this, a clever biological design. I can apply it to my nurse group when I return, if they can also utilize their hair, the efficiency would double.


    Thank you very much for your cooperation.¡±


    After stitching the elevator lady¡¯s skull, Moon Scar tenderly kissed her face, filled with strands of hair.


    Such contact made her body tingle all over, her arms shaking, and her thighs clenching tightly.


    Ding-dong~ The elevator just happened to reach the bottom floor.


    Before them lay a tunnel full of biopunk style, with cheers echoing from its end, seeming to host a grand party.


    Just as Moon Scar made two steps out, the elevator lady suddenly spoke:


    ¡°Umm¡­ May I join you? I think I saw a kind of moon in the books just now, one I have never truly seen before, and somehow, I want to leave this place with you, even if it means dying.¡±


    Walking through the corridors, Moon Scar didn¡¯t turn back, but just casually waved with his naturally hanging left hand~


    The elevator lady, no longer confined by subservient thoughts, took small, quick steps like a wild horse breaking free, stepping out of the elevator she had been in for decades.


    She caught up with Moon Scar and took the initiative to hold hands.


    As the two of them walked hand in hand out of the corridor, they were met by an arena resembling those of ancient Rome, its surrounding tiers formed by giant ribs and blood and flesh.


    Directly opposite in the central spectator seats, sat Director Cao, constructed from various mechanical and biological tubes.


    All the interfaces of the tubes connected to her back, delivering the essence of the research facility and providing neural connections that controlled the entire field and even the whole underground experiment area.


    Besides, sitting in the surrounding stands were orphanage teachers who paid to watch.


    And in the VIP seats, wearing black hoods, were the ¡°Councilmen,¡± all high-ranking officials of the orphanage, deciding on various funding flows and important decisions within the orphanage.


    ¡°Just the time it took to ride the elevator, and you¡¯ve turned my qualified creation against me? Truly worthy of being the top student who killed Fang Qiong.


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    Next, you need to pass the real battle test against my carefully nurtured and selected ¡®Qualified¡¯ in the final quality inspection, I hope you manage to survive.¡±


    As soon as the words were spoken, ten monsters, each confined within iron cages, were successively pushed out.


    But Lorrian remained unfazed, one arm around his beauty, the other pointing at Director Cao on the high platform.


    ¡°May I quality check you?¡±


    After a moment of silence, the response came: ¡°Of course¡­ If you can pass all the quality checks and survive, I will personally entertain you.¡±

 Chapter 197: Identity

    Forced to separate,


    Yi Chen was about to return to the elevator entrance to attempt a reunion with Moon Scar when a young grape popped out.


    ¡°It was you who got off the elevator by yourself, and that kid Moon Scar deliberately followed the elevator girl down to a deeper area¡­ didn¡¯t you notice?¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Yi Chen revealed a self-mocking expression and shook his head, ¡°It seems I really can¡¯t keep my emotions stable in this kind of situation, at this kind of moment.


    It looks like I¡¯ll only feel better after I personally slaughter that woman.¡±


    The small grape extended its childlike round hands and gently patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Go do it~ I will support you as much as possible.¡±


    ...


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Since Moon Scar had actively separated, Yi Chen respected his thought and did not insist on gathering,


    he grabbed the doorknob in front of him, turned¡­ click!


    The iron door opened,


    inside was not Manager Cao¡¯s office,


    but a special area that Yi Chen had never visited before his death, or rather, one he had only visited once before the memory was buried.


    The walls were plastered with red forbidden signs, as well as numerous surveillance cameras.


    [Neonatal Greenhouse]


    A circular corridor,


    to the right was explosion-resistant glass,


    and inside the hermetically sealed rooms were a large number of neonatal containment pods.


    They provided a constant temperature, humidity, automated liquid food supplementation and waste disposal.


    At the same time, dozens of professional nurses on shift would record the status of the infants every hour, perform daily blood collection and body cleaning, ensuring the normal growth of these children.


    Each containment pod had an information card which contained details of their biological fathers.


    For instance, an infant near the corridor had on its form ¡®Father ¨C Kong Nanlin, current CEO of NanHua High-Tech, dual Master¡¯s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Software Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.¡¯


    Upon observation, all the infants¡¯ information cards only had details of their fathers, with no records whatsoever about their mothers. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at these infants,


    some memories deeply buried in Yi Chen¡¯s heart, some buried even deeper, even ones Yi Chen had denied himself, began to surface.


    His pupils once again dispersed wisps of black fog, symbolizing the mist of the Death Attribute.


    At that moment,


    click-clack, click-clack~


    the sound of high heels came from behind, followed by an extremely familiar old woman¡¯s voice:


    ¡°This is an important area of our Orphanage, the [Child Care Room] that I obtained by presenting the many experimental products to our superiors.


    The infants you see here are all products of the highest level of test-tube technology available to us.


    Their paternal DNA comes from members of the societal elite, including company executives, university professors, faction leaders, and even some gamblers and hackers with bad reputations but high IQ test scores.¡±


    As the sound of high heels drew nearer,


    a middle-aged woman with dark short curly hair, starting to gray at the temples, emerged from the shadows,


    ¡°You must be curious about their maternal DNA¡­¡± before she could finish her sentence.


    Yi Chen spun around with a backslash, whoosh! Directly beheading her.


    As the old woman¡¯s head flew through the air, bang! A dense shotgun blast completely pulverized it.


    The beheaded body had just hit the floor when the same woman¡¯s voice emanated from the other end of the corridor, even perfectly picking up the previous conversation:


    ¡°Their maternal DNA was ¡®locally sourced,¡¯ taken from the females with the highest composite test scores in the Orphanage, which is to say, from me personally.


    These are all my most beloved children.¡±


    Manager Cao, identical in body shape, appearance, and hairstyle, walked towards him, her hand lightly brushing over the corridor glass, as if caressing the faces of all the infants.


    Bang!


    Another gunshot rang out!


    The force of the shotgun tore Manager Cao in half, and as her upper body hit the floor, Yi Chen¡¯s leather shoe immediately crushed her head.


    However,


    the same scenario repeated itself; the body had not even ceased twitching completely.


    A brand-new Manager Cao approached from behind, continuing the conversation exactly where it had left off:


    ¡°Of course~ the biological structure of humans, much like the universe, is filled with the unknown. We can only try to control where the genetic information comes from; we cannot accurately ensure the optimal genetic information is effectively expressed.


    ¡°So, quite a few of these babies turn out to be rejects, some of which, even if they pass the initial children¡¯s tests, I still have to reluctantly cut ties with, after all, the Orphanage is no place for nurturing failures.¡±


    Director Cao continued to introduce self-absorbedly,


    Yi Chen, due to emotional fluctuations, was completely immersed in this meaningless slaughter.


    No matter how many times he killed, Director Cao could always emerge from somewhere else as if all those who died were fake bodies she had created.


    As the slaughter went on,


    the memories long buried in Yi Chen¡¯s heart gradually began to consume him


    The black fog that filled the view slowly turned his eyeballs black¡­ Buzz!


    A deeply hidden, self-denied memory awakened at this moment.


    Yi Chen found himself back in that memory, his [third] escape from the Orphanage, where his plan was close to perfect, and he had even left the Orphanage building.


    In the end, he could not evade the intense searchlight of the high walls.


    Fully armed, automatic rifles in hand, the security personnel quickly surrounded the young boy,


    The adult faces beneath the masks were equally astonished,


    Some couldn¡¯t believe that this boy, not yet ten, managed to escape the Orphanage building on his own¡ªa feat unprecedented since the foundation of Black Mountain Orphanage.


    According to the rules,


    such a breach of conduct that threatened the Orphanage gave them the right to an on-the-spot execution.


    As the cold muzzle pressed against the back of Yi Chen¡¯s head¡­ Swish!


    Hot blood suddenly splattered on Yi Chen, and the firearms fell to the ground as well.


    He turned his head to see that Director Cao had appeared behind him in a non-human form, killing all four fully armed security officers.


    The Director¡¯s crimson eyes emitted a gentle glow, watching the boy before her.


    ¡°Truly excellent, truly worthy of being my child, to be able to escape all the way here on your own.


    The Orphanage¡¯s design is theoretically inescapable, which proves your extraordinary abilities. It¡¯s time for you to recognize your true heritage.


    Come with me~¡±


    Yi Chen was not punished but taken by Director Cao to the [Child Care Room], his first visit to this place.


    ¡°This is where you were born. All these little ones are your younger brothers and sisters.


    However, to date, none of your siblings have managed to live up to you.


    You are the most perfect, the most faultless, the one most suited to inherit my position, and perhaps even surpass me to sit in a higher position within the Orphanage.


    Hold on, let me find your file.¡±


    As Director Cao reached for the documents, she muttered to herself:


    ¡°Your father¡¯s identity is somewhat special, usually disguised as an ordinary office worker, even deliberately controlling his scores on the annual intelligence tests.


    Our data analysts, after comparing intelligence test results over twenty-six years, finally uncovered his score-manipulating behavior, and we immediately dispatched surveillance on him,


    Only to discover that besides working normally, he took the last train on Subway Line 13 every night, hunting for special prey and bringing unique trophies home.¡±


    At this point, Director Cao pointed to her own head.


    ¡°When we found him, he was nearly in his fifties.


    Even with us having the upper hand in a surprise attack, over fifteen people were dead before we could completely subdue him.


    Considering the potential threat he posed, after completing some registration and projects with me, he was directly executed by the higher-ups.


    The subsequent notice to the police to investigate his residence confirmed his involvement in at least 31 missing persons cases.


    He was a major villain; you mustn¡¯t follow in his footsteps, alright?¡±


    ¡°Newborn Data¡±


    [Name]: Yi Chen


    [Father]: Yi**


    *Due to multiple name changes, his true identity is untraceable. Only the surname ¡®Yi¡¯ remains in the outdated records.


    *A high-IQ criminal, all current cognitive tests fail to measure his true intelligence, suspected of having undergone long-term specialized training by a certain organization. His physical condition (at fifty years old) reaches the highest level assessed by the Orphanage¡¯s adult instructors, and his methods of killing are immeasurable.


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    Considering his survival could be a catastrophe for the Orphanage, he was executed using top-level measures.


    The coroner¡¯s examination has confirmed his complete death.


    [Status]: Has turned five and is proceeding with normal Orphanage education


    [Potential Assessment]: S-class


    *This newborn meets the completion plan¡¯s human criteria, being the subject of the Orphanage¡¯s special attention and comprehensive resource training.

 Chapter 198: Freedom

    Director Cao had thought that by saving Yi Chen¡¯s life, confessing his true identity, and offering enough tenderness, he could completely transform his personality and make him willing to stay in the Orphanage forever and inherit his mantle.


    Little did he know,


    Yi Chen lying in bed at night, far from being moved in the slightest, was closed his eyes and replaying the night¡¯s escape in his mind, re-analyzing the structure of the high wall outside the Orphanage, and planning his fourth escape.


    Every time he thought of the ¡®ingredient¡¯ from Director Cao mixed within him, Yi Chen would vomit incessantly.


    The memories continue


    ...


    Memories related to the ¡°Fourth Escape¡± were being unearthed once more,


    The depth at which this memory was hidden was even greater than that of the ¡°true identity¡± issue, being a memory directly related to the hidden ¡®Death Attribute¡¯ and locked deep in Yi Chen¡¯s brain.


    Even the Old World merchant ¨C Duke Garrixon could not dig out this memory,


    Currently, Yi Chen¡¯s body, contained within the Duke¡¯s fleshly cavities, had his pores slightly open, and wisps of black thread-like material, representing Death, began to ooze out.


    The Duke had also brought out his favorite snack, ready to savor the hidden memory related to the Death Attribute.


    ¡°The memories haven¡¯t even officially started yet, and Death is already being released? The ¡®First Dead Man¡¯ would definitely try to seize you directly from me, regardless of his status, if he knew there was a little guy like you.¡±


    ¡­


    A downpour, a pitch-dark night.


    Just-turned-ten Yi Chen left his dorm alone, effortlessly navigating through the blind spots of every surveillance camera, moving with the raindrops to easily make his way to the Orphanage¡¯s surveillance room.


    This was a dangerous act he hadn¡¯t attempted in his first three escapes, choosing to kill the security personnel in the surveillance room and seize their firearms.


    This time,


    Yi Chen had made up his mind, either escape or die here.


    Before the shooting in the surveillance room could be exposed, Yi Chen successfully escaped from the Orphanage building.


    Now, all that remained was the last challenge, to climb over this heavily guarded high wall.


    Surrounding the Orphanage¡¯s high black walls, numerous well-trained armed personnel patrolled 24 hours a day.


    Taking advantage of the Thoughts following the third failed escape,


    Yi Chen, like a dancer in the dark, moved perfectly at the intersect of the searchlights, hidden in the shadows. Ultimately, he seized the brief moment of the shift change, releasing his biological instinct to climb up the ten-meter-high black wall.


    However,


    When Yi Chen successfully scaled the high wall, there was no light or cityscape in front of him, only a road stretching endlessly towards the horizon at the gate.


    The ¡°Black Mountain Orphanage¡± was actually built in a desolate area.


    But Yi Chen could no longer care about that, he had to make it to the nearest city, even if it meant walking.


    At that time, the night shift teacher responsible for patrolling, as well as the security personnel changing shifts in the surveillance room, almost simultaneously reported someone escaping and confirmed that the escapee was Yi Chen.


    Given the special environment of the no-man¡¯s land, calculating the maximum range of movement based on the escape time, and then dispatching enough vehicles for a sweeping search, Yi Chen would be recaptured quickly.


    But the Orphanage did not do so, or rather, one person vetoed this proposal.


    Yi Chen ran along the highway for a full hour, squeezing out the residual energy from all the cells in his body, and still could not see the end of the road, hear the bustle of the city, or smell the aura of Freedom.


    It even felt like the highway was part of the Orphanage, and his feet were still shackled.


    Crack¡ªa Knee that had been overworked emitted a crisp snap and he fell to the ground.


    Yi Chen did not give up; he extended his hands, dug his fingers deep into the cracks of the road, and continued to drag his body forward¡­


    This Crawling did not last long,


    Tap tap¡ªa clear sound of high heels came from behind.


    Yi Chen had anticipated this outcome and did not panic; instead, he revealed a resigned smile not fitting for a ten-year-old child.


    No longer Crawling, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instead, he propped up his body, sitting in the middle of the road.


    Crack¡ª


    Gun chambered, pointing the muzzle at Director Cao, who was walking out from the darkness, her face a mix of grief and anger.


    Faced with the dark muzzle,


    Director Cao, a monster Beyond Human, was utterly fearless. She squatted in front of Yi Chen, pressing her forehead against the gun barrel, and asked the final question:


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Pop¡ª


    Hearing this question, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help it and burst out laughing.


    ¡°I thought you were smart enough, Director Cao. I didn¡¯t expect you to ask such a stupid question.


    Can¡¯t you see I want to kill everyone in the Orphanage at any time? To tear off the disgusting masks on your faces, especially yours.


    Living with trash like you makes me feel so nauseated I want to throw up every day.¡±


    ¡°You think you can do that just because you have a gun?¡±


    Yi Chen shook his head with a smile.


    ¡°No, of course not.


    Four fully armed soldiers were all killed by you in an instant; how could I possibly pose a threat to you with a gun in my hand.


    I lost~ I didn¡¯t expect the Orphanage to be built in such a remote place.


    The sounds of horns and passersby I occasionally heard through the window, they were all prerecorded, weren¡¯t they? The outside scenes I occasionally glimpsed through the small window, those were deliberately set holographic images outside the window, right?


    I¡¯m not as skilled, I¡¯ll take the loss.¡±


    The muzzle instantly turned 180 degrees and he pulled the trigger.


    Even if Director Cao reacted as quickly as possible, she couldn¡¯t prevent this act.


    Bang!


    The spiraling bullet penetrated his skull, carrying pink brain matter as it burst through the back of the head.


    Hands open, he fell backwards to the ground.


    A self-mocking smile remained on his face.


    The purpose of Yi Chen¡¯s seizure of the gun from the control room was never to confront adversity, but merely to leave himself an ¡®escape route¡¯.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Director Cao¡¯s scream echoed in the desolate area.


    [Old World]


    The Duke, upon witnessing this scene, let go of a massive amount of snacks. Even It hadn¡¯t expected Yi Chen to actually die; according to the memory¡¯s background setting, revival was simply impossible.


    However,


    The memory images continued to play,


    but the footage changed from color to black and white, and was accompanied by frame skipping and signal interference.


    Director Cao didn¡¯t give up, she grew appendages similar to centipedes and erupted with speed even faster than a car, sprinting toward the Orphanage.


    Unfortunately, the journey still took six minutes, and a vast number of brain cells had already died, not to mention the bullet had pierced the brain, leaving even the most skilled doctor in the Orphanage powerless.


    Director Cao administered various self-developed cardiac and brain injections to Yi Chen, still without any response.


    ¡°Death declaration¡±


    Yi Chen was placed on a special trolley, or rather, a trolley that only carried bodies.


    Director Cao couldn¡¯t accept this and pointed at the body cart, cursing frantically, yet her voice couldn¡¯t penetrate the black and white footage, gradually fading away.


    The footage slowly narrowed down to the body disposal staff, and every now and then the Peeping Tom¡ªTeacher Fang¡ªappeared in the corner; one could see Fang Qiong¡¯s eyes brimming with tears and the streaks on her cheeks through the intermittently frozen frames.


    The body output of the Orphanage was astonishing; if they planned a cemetery, in just over a decade, this uninhabited zone would turn into a zone with ¡®residents¡¯.


    Therefore, beneath the Orphanage there was a deep pit specifically for stacking bodies, and a large incineration would be carried out once a month.


    It was now the twentieth of the month, and the pit had already accumulated a considerable number of bodies, most of which were no longer in human shape, shattered.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body, with its head blown open, was the most intact.


    The cart was tilted, and the body just happened to fall on the very top of the pile of corpses.


    Perhaps because of Yi Chen¡¯s death, Director Cao¡¯s mood had greatly changed in recent times. She slaughtered extensively within the Orphanage, and her experiments adopted the most dangerous, highest-dose forced modes, with the number of deceased increasing to three to four times that of an average day.


    Time quickly arrived at the end of the month, and the pit was completely filled up.


    Strangely enough, the corpse of Yi Chen was still sitting on top.


    At the moment the staff turned the valve ready to start the large-scale incineration, owing to the excess of bodies, the top sealing could not shut, forcing them to move the corpses at the very top out for a second incineration later on.


    As a result, the one on the top, Yi Chen, was temporarily removed.


    The staff didn¡¯t notice that the other bodies deep in the pit all had varying degrees of a drained appearance.


    During the wait for the big burn, the staff couldn¡¯t help glancing a few times at Yi Chen¡¯s well-preserved, barely-rotted youthful body, contemplating in their mind.


    The next week he had a chance to leave the Orphanage, take a ride to the city to collect goods.


    And his family was in the funeral business; he was well aware that such a young, handsome and well-preserved body could fetch a high price, so he secretly preserved the body.


    He even applied ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± in advance¡ªwhite foundation with red lips, using a special white paint to ensure the freshness of the body, covering up the gunshot hole on the head, and attaching a label that said [Corpse Specimen].


    Thus, Yi Chen¡¯s body, as a [Specimen], was legitimately loaded onto the freight truck and headed toward the city.


    When the truck arrived at its destination and the rear doors were opened, they found that the body was gone.


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    Since he had illegally transported the body out, naturally he didn¡¯t dare to investigate.


    In some corner of the city,


    Yi Chen, bearing the Dead Man Makeup, found a suit discarded by the side of a garbage station in the rich district due to size issues.


    He changed into the clothes and put on a hat that could conceal his face.


    With his red lips slightly parted, suppressing the excitement in his heart, he stepped into the bustling crowd¡­

 Chapter 199: Arrival

    Simulated biological constructs, combined with steel, bones, and flesh, crafted the underground arena.


    Moon Scar-Lorrian was invited as the ¡®Quality Inspector¡¯ to conduct live combat tests on ten monsters recently developed by Director Cao,


    belonging to a special scenario that only appears in ¡®Disaster Mode,¡¯ with the danger level maxed out.


    But¡­ an hour passed.


    The entire audience fell silent,


    none of the teaching staff dared to speak,


    ...


    The councilmen representing the orphanage¡¯s senior management, their faces covered in black cloth, all radiated disappointment, seeming to plan on significantly reducing funding for Institute No. 1 through a special kind of brainwave communication.


    On the field,


    the elevator lady, affected by the specialization of Moon Seal, had transformed into a humanoid hunting dog, cloaked in black hair, slender, with pale skin.


    Her spine was enhanced and extended through her hair, reaching a total length of two and a half meters,


    and her limbs sprang out claws structured like surgical knives,


    her head unchanged, still covered by dense black hair, which had become more abundant, more robust, and sharper.


    The interior of her brain was branded with the Moon Seal, gleaming with a silver light.


    The elevator lady, although injured in many places with her bones starkly revealed¡­ yet she still circled around Moon Scar, viewing him as the absolute ¡°Master.¡±


    Lorrian was standing on an electric saw skull, performing surgery on himself, repairing the side of his body that had been cut open by the saw.


    The whole person appeared slightly weak and even coughing up some blood,


    but the ten subjects that had made Director Cao proud were all killed¡ªquality inspection completed!


    ¡°How could this be!?¡±


    Director Cao, sitting in a bio-metal chair, her face full of shock, had no interest in what was happening in other areas, even temporarily setting aside Yi Chen who was in the ¡°Nursery.¡±


    Director Cao stared at Moon Scar¡¯s right eye, which had been suddenly unveiled a short while ago.


    ¡°What kind of ability is this!¡±


    Five minutes earlier, the situation on the field had not been like this,


    The premium subjects exhibited their traits and coordination, continuously suppressing the young Moon Scar, and the elevator lady had been torn in half.


    Just as victory was within grasp,


    Moon Scar suddenly uncovered the bandages over his right eye,


    Instantly, the entire audience, as if drawn by some force, all looked up.


    The moon, which should have been outside the building, hanging in the sky, had actually infiltrated the building, arriving at this underground arena deep beneath, suspended overhead.


    ¡®Moon Descent¡¯


    Due to a betting restriction, his ability was limited to 90%.


    Lorrian couldn¡¯t truly use this move to its full effect, and the moon in the eyes of the audience only lasted five seconds¡­ it also temporarily blinded Lorrian¡¯s right eye, at least for the duration of this match.


    But that was enough.


    The elevator lady, having witnessed ¡®Moon Descent,¡¯ immediately had her Moon Seal activated, her severed upper and lower body connected through her hair, transforming into a terrifying canine structure, doubling her combat effectiveness.


    The opposing monsters also began to slow down,


    their vision impacted by something akin to ¡®Mirrored Flower and Moon,¡¯ always seeing two of the same things, unable to distinguish reality from illusion.


    Instantly, the situation on the field was reversed, leading to what it is now.


    Lorrian stitched up his sawn-open body, spitting out some bits of internal organs, re-covered his right eye with a bandage, and muttered softly, ¡°The feeling of having abilities restricted is really uncomfortable¡­ Winning tens of thousands of points from the Duke seems truly challenging.¡±


    Gently stroking the caninized elevator lady, he looked towards Director Cao on the high platform.


    ¡°It¡¯s your turn now, come on down.¡±


    Click-click~


    Director Cao began to sequentially release various metal tubes, flexible hoses, and cable structures connected at her back, with some green nutrient fluid even splashing on the chair.


    She had one last chance,


    which was to subdue Moon Scar on the spot, transform this young man into one of her experimental subjects¡­ this way she could regain the trust of the councilmen and perhaps secure even more funding.


    Just as Director Cao had fully risen, ready to jump down.


    Boom!


    A loud sound from the top of the building drew everyone¡¯s gaze upward once again.


    Numerous cracks could be seen rapidly spreading across the ceiling.


    Boom!


    Another, even more intense explosion occurred. There were more cracks and wider spread, with black liquid, symbolizing death, oozing from some of the larger ones.


    Sizzle~ By chance, a drop of the black liquid fell onto the face of a teacher, instantly charring the skin and even corroding a black hole into the skull.


    Boom!


    The third loud bang.


    It was the most powerful and loudest strike!


    The top of the arena was directly pierced, and a figure, along with chunks of the building, fell together.


    Clang!


    Iron-chained fists and a right leg landed together, S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The young man exuded an aura of death all over, his face painted with the eerie ¡°Dead Man Makeup,¡± and even the breath he exhaled was black.


    As he landed, Lorrian received a prompt from the betting ring:


    ¡°You have received a point transfer from player William -[50], you now have points -[118]. Special reminder, you now have enough points to redeem an ¡®Exit Ticket¡¯.¡±


    Lorrian glanced sideways at Yi Chen not far from him,


    The appearance with Dead Man Makeup was identical to that of a postman, or rather, the postman was a projected image of Yi Chen¡¯s past self, specifically extracted by the Duke as an important intermediary in the betting ring.


    ¡°Can you control your emotions now, William?¡± Lorrian asked.


    As Lorrian asked, Yi Chen, emanating an aura of death, raised his right hand making an OK gesture,


    Fearing Lorrian wasn¡¯t reassured, Yi Chen deliberately turned his head to show a sunny expression, though this sunniness was continuously infiltrated by black mist.


    ¡°Thanks, Mr. Lorrian, for clearing up the riff-raff on the stage¡ªlet me personally deal with the remaining Director Cao in the end.¡±


    Lorrian nodded, although he wanted to kill the old woman on the platform, Yi Chen¡¯s growth was more important to him.


    He redeemed and used the ¡®Exit Ticket¡¯.


    The silver-haired youth immediately disintegrated into a particle state, and the memories of Lorrian among the present personnel were all erased; the troublemaker was left to be only Yi Chen.


    ¡­


    Swish~


    Lorrian woke up from a body cavity filled with neural mucus, quickly adapting to his body and strength as an Open Source patient, and rapidly shed the weakness from within the betting ring.


    However, he didn¡¯t linger his gaze on himself for long but quickly turned to the mucus cavity enveloping Yi Chen next to him.


    The previously transparent solution had almost entirely turned black,


    and at the center of Yi Chen¡¯s brow, a bullet-like opening had unexpectedly formed, with the densest, most potent substance of death leaking from this bullet hole.


    ¡°Does this guy¡¯s ¡®death¡¯ originate from the brain?¡± Lorrian asked.


    Lorrian slightly moved the gauze aside, letting his Moon Eyes permeate within and peering at the brain tissue entirely dyed black, along with the bullet hole left on it.


    It wasn¡¯t caused by a bullet shot,


    but rather, an injury autonomously formed in the brain by Yi Chen through ¡®subjective memory¡¯,


    Coincidentally, the position of the bullet hole at the back of the brain corresponded precisely with the center of the emblem of the book,


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    forming a direct association with the profession Yi Chen took on after becoming a gentleman, incorporating information about ¡®death¡¯ into the book.


    The whole brain was undergoing a qualitative transformation under the influence of death, and the long-stagnant Intelligence Attribute was enhanced.


    [Intelligence]has increased from [5+]¡ú[6]


    *Intelligence has reached its limit value


    *Special note: The attributes related to ¡®death¡¯ in the individual are activating and are expected to fully manifest when reaching the next stage of ¡®Rank¡¯.

 Chapter 200: The Final Performance

    The Duke used his mouth to remove the snack residue from his fingers,


    prying apart the thick layers of belly fat to reveal his unique navel tunnel¡­ promptly tracing a slimy trail with the Moon Scar.


    While readjusting the stack of belly folds, the Duke asked, ¡°How does it feel?¡±


    The Moon Scar snapped his fingers lightly to cleanse himself of the slimy residue with moonlight, while the nurse exchanged his soiled garments for a set of fresh hospital clothes,


    ¡°Though ¡®Weakness Constraint¡¯ is quite uncomfortable, it deepens my understanding of some basic abilities, and even allows me to restructure certain foundations and change the essence of my abilities.


    Moreover, it has given me a wealth of inspiration for ¡®creation.¡¯


    ...


    Most importantly, it has garnered me ¡®interest,¡¯ with ¡®novels¡¯ from William¡¯s former world revealing one of the meanings of our biological existence.¡±


    The Duke was quite generous and immediately separated several fatty clumps containing book memories from his body, rolled them into sizes resembling small dumplings, and tossed them towards the depths of his private castle.


    Presently, two mysterious arms within the ancient castle delivered bound volumes of the novels.


    ¡°Consider it a gift for your active participation in the wager.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Duke.¡±


    After performing a very gentlemanly bow, Moon Scar looked down, accepted the books, and stored them away, his pupils shimmering with the excitement of moonlight.


    ¡°Indeed~ The level difference between you and William is too great. Even if I were to extract your consciousnesses and compress them into bodies of the same age group, the gap in rank, though narrowed, still exists.


    Thus, the challenge hasn¡¯t reached the level of difficulty I had anticipated for you.


    However¡­¡±


    At this point,


    the Duke seemed to lose interest in the wager, having already seen into Yi Chen¡¯s deeply hidden memories and origins of death, and instead turned his focus to Moon Scar.


    ¡°Nevertheless, the wager has sufficiently verified your special traits.


    Given the pathological characteristics, potential, and adaptability you have shown, you are fully qualified to join the ranks of the nobility and attempt to become a ¡®disease root.¡¯


    I will reveal the ¡®Path¡¯ to you, but whether you choose to walk it, and how you go about it, is up to you~ I¡¯m merely a merchant, and I certainly won¡¯t be providing you with all sorts of so-called teachings like other fellows.¡±


    ¡°That suits me just fine. I don¡¯t like being restricted by others.¡±


    ¡°Come closer~ Let me show you some interesting things¡­¡±


    Following the Duke¡¯s gesture, Lorrian stepped forward, allowing a fat nerve that had grown from the Duke¡¯s forehead to connect to his own.


    Scenes from the Old World, before it was impaled by the colossal sword and while its rules still existed, unfolded before them,


    vivid, dazzling tumor sacs forming grand architecture,


    rivers of epidemic liquid and mountains assembled from hardened tumors,


    a mysterious forest of fluttering fungal spores,


    and something like tentacles, the ¡®World¡¯s Foot,¡¯ rooted in various places on the Earth, propelling the Old World rapidly through dimensions and spreading disease.


    A certain ¡®Path,¡¯ along with this vision, poured into Lorrian¡¯s brain, illuminating the direction for his future development.


    The transfusion ended.


    Regaining his senses, Lorrian couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°It¡¯s beautiful¡­¡± S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Duke replied, ¡°You were born in a later era; such splendor no longer exists. However, one day, it may return to its former glory through the efforts of you young people.¡±


    But Lorrian shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not too keen on setting such grand ambitions for myself¡­ How¡¯s the wager progressing? Has William taken care of things?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s almost done. His current state has already exceeded the ¡®Limit of Pieces¡¯ in the wager. The difficulty I set no longer poses a threat to him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re deliberately gifting him the win,¡± Lorrian remarked.


    ¡°Well, the kid¡¯s memory is valuable enough to make it worthwhile, hahaha!¡±


    The Duke laughed heartily, his ample cheeks quivering with mirth.


    ¡­


    [Black Mountain Orphanage ¨C Arena]


    Director Cao, whose back was covered in spider legs, with duplicated torsos sprouting out and three separate heads, was split down the spine by a silver-finished axe.


    Iron chains, following the wound along the spine, filled his entire body, rendering him utterly immobile.


    Most crucially, the Death Aura emitted by Yi Chen, adorned in Dead Man Makeup, completely suppressed her regeneration.


    Of course,


    to fully incapacitate Director Cao rather than killing her outright, Yi Chen paid a severe price.


    An entire arm was severed and totally corroded away,


    and his body bore several wounds that were difficult to repair, making even standing a challenge.


    But these injuries did not affect the final outcome that Yi Chen had already determined in his heart; it was time to say goodbye to the fictional orphanage. To Yi Chen, this place no longer held any significance.


    He sat face to face with Director Cao,


    Although he was well aware that this old woman was simply a fake body replicated from memory, Yi Chen still showed genuine emotion.


    ¡°Before I kill you, I still need to express my gratitude. I must say, Director Cao, your ¡®genetic traits¡¯ are indeed excellent. At least the thirst for knowledge that I have demonstrated so far should all stem from you.


    I will find a way to connect to the ¡®World Connection¡¯ someday, return to the real orphanage, and fulfill my long-cherished wish.¡±


    ¡°You are¡­!¡±


    Director Cao was also a smart person; from Yi Chen¡¯s words, she immediately gleaned crucial information, which explained why the young man before her felt so familiar.


    Bang!


    The shotgun fired, forcibly interrupting Director Cao¡¯s thoughts.


    As the headless body fell, it crumbled into a powdery substance from the inside out, eroded by the ¡®Death Aura.¡¯


    ¡°[Orphanage core member ¨C Cao Zhenghong (Disaster Mode) has been killed. Victory is secured in the underground arena, and Research Facility No.1 has been completely destroyed.


    Comprehensive points reward ¨C 120 points.]¡±


    An ¡®Exit Ticket¡¯ was now in Yi Chen¡¯s hands, but he didn¡¯t use it immediately.


    He looked up at the orphanage¡¯s higher-ups in the audience. As he had not had in-depth contact with these figures in real life, even when materialized through the gambles, they remained blurry, all wearing black masks with faces in a mosaic pattern.


    Yi Chen did not choose to go on a rampage. He had already found an emotional equilibrium in the enlightenment of death.


    Underneath the makeup of a dead man,


    he did his best to support his severely injured body slowly standing up, placing his remaining right arm across his chest, expressing his gratitude to the audience for witnessing ¡®The Last Performance.¡¯


    Snap!


    A flick of the fingers set the Exit Ticket ablaze, and his body dissipated into particles of light.


    With the exit of the core gambler, the entire fabricated gamble dissipated as well,


    Burbles and slithers¡­ covered in slime, Yi Chen slid out through the umbilical passage,


    Unlike Lorrian, Yi Chen was not in good condition.


    One, the severe injuries from the final battle reflected on his physical body, and two, the awakening of death memories left Yi Chen in a half-dead half-alive state.


    To fully master this death experience, he must break through the ¡®Limit of Man.¡¯


    He hurriedly put on gentleman¡¯s clothes, the delicate skin structure adhering to his physical form providing ¡®support¡¯¡­ Only after donning his attire could Yi Chen finally catch his breath and carry on with normal interactions.


    The gamble brought profound changes to Yi Chen,


    Not to mention allowing him to directly confront the past memories of the orphanage, and awakening the ¡®Death Personality¡¯ of the past.


    The two crucial attributes, [Physique] and [Intelligence], were also enhanced, with the most significant, intelligence, finally reaching the ¡®Limit of Man¡¯ and formally accepting the mysterious death from the world before.


    At the same time,


    The plant inside his body had also completely transformed into chains associated with pain, becoming even more closely integrated and stronger with the physical body.


    After putting on the clothes, Yi Chen was the first to conduct a detailed inspection of the ¡®Pathological Trait ¨C Plant,¡¯ and the data displayed left him astoundingly shocked.


    ¡ÚSpecial Attention, Special Attention¡Û


    ¡®Forest Guardian ¨C Casimir¡¯s tumorous crystals¡¯ have been invaded and assimilated by a higher-grade pathological substance ¡®Painful Iron Chain (Needle-type)¡¯,


    Its quality and traits have undergone fundamental changes.


    Quality upgrade[High Quality (Variant)]¡ú[Rare (Variant)]


    * ¡®Vascular Tissue¡¯ ¡ú ¡®Chain Tissue¡¯


    Retains the original fusion state with the vascular bundles and physical body, replacing the vascular bundles with similarly sized chain structures, serving to support, strengthen, and transmit pain to the body.


    Effectively enhances the individual¡¯s comprehensive quality ([Physique] and [Coordination] are increased, and this increase is not limited by the maximum attribute limits).


    * ¡®Vegetarian¡¯ ¡ú ¡®Hellraiser¡¯


    Can convert the pain endured by the physical body into effective energy, which can be used as a nerve stimulant, enhance the efficacy of the iron chains, strengthen the body, and possibly develop even more uses.


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    * ¡®Needle Chain¡¯:


    Used for restraining and harming enemies,


    The number of chains, their strength, and the precision of control will be influenced by three basic attributes: physique, intelligence, and perception (mainly intelligence).


    It can also be used for self-flagellation to quickly replenish painful energy, break through illusions, or for penance.


    Special Attention: The Painful Iron Chain is highly compatible with the individual¡¯s physical body (£¾80%), achieving better effects than the original plant.

 Chapter 201: Madness

    Yi Chen, with a body weak and frail, widened his eyes and looked up at the Duke with an expression of benevolence.


    ¡°Duke, what exactly is this iron chain?¡±


    ¡°My original intention was to add a sense of reality to the gamble, to increase the level of pain. It was to be put away after use. Who would have known that you, my boy, would directly absorb it.


    Just like the Gentleman¡¯s Skin you are wearing from the ¡®Mysterious Skin Market¡¯,


    this iron chain also comes from a specific Source Epidemic Area¡ªthe ¡®Suffering Monastery¡¯. However, this item is never sold or leaked to the outside world. Even high offers can¡¯t buy it; I just ¡®happened¡¯ to find it when passing through the Monastery¡¯s area.


    I never expected your body to match the iron chain this well. We¡¯ll call it even, consider it a gift from me.¡±


    ...


    ¡°This¡­ Thank you, Duke!¡±


    This was momentous, directly elevating Yi Chen¡¯s ¡®Pathological Traits¡¯ by a large step, and it matched even better with his physical body.


    Yi Chen even wanted to return to Zion as soon as possible to proudly boast to his second Tutor¡ªZede¡ªeven fantasizing about the wonderful scene of whipping Zede with the iron chain.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me; after all, this item is somewhat dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Will it harm my body?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not that kind of danger. Rather, the iron chain itself can draw danger toward you. After all, I picked it up without informing the Monastery.


    If those twisted guys there find out you have combined with the iron chain, they might develop some ¡®indecent¡¯ thoughts towards you.


    Of course, as long as you return to your world, the Monastery won¡¯t be able to do much, at least for the time being.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    It felt as if Yi Chen had stolen someone¡¯s goods and stitched them into his stomach, and once the gang that lost the merchandise found him, there could be no good outcome.


    The Duke also added a reminder, ¡°If you encounter someone dressed oddly, looking extremely pained at first glance, don¡¯t even think about it, just run immediately.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    After the conversation to understand the origin of the iron chain, they moved on to the most important topic¡ªthe ¡®Relic¡¯.


    Having won the gamble, the 500 Trading Points Yi Chen had staked had doubled to 1600, just enough to outright purchase the mysterious relic (Three Attributes) with Intelligence as the primary, Physique secondary, and Sensing Hall last.


    ¡°As a principle of trade, I must ask for your buying intention again. Since the source of this relic is less reputable, you will need to pay before you can view the detailed information.


    If you wish to withdraw and return the item, a 10% handling fee plus 500 points for sealing will be charged.


    Are you sure you want to purchase this relic?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    The 1600 Trading Points completely cleared out, the Duke handed over the Golden Box containing the relic and its matching key.


    Click!


    Upon opening the box, there was no burst of gold light, nor any leak of pathological aura; nothing at all happened.


    Inside was only an Alien-style Biological Rubik¡¯s Cube.


    Just from an external observation, one could notice several mechanisms and axles on the Magic Cube. A light touch on the correct mechanism spot would trigger the Cube to undergo a change in shape.


    Each side of the Cube had ¡®brain gyri circuits¡¯ etched on it, resembling a brain, and on close inspection, it almost felt like being in a maze.


    Just by looking at this cube, one could clearly feel its complexity and variability, even making Yi Chen suspect if it represented the brain of some special kind of Sick Object.


    Soon, within the lining of the Golden Treasure Chest, a series of Ancient Living Text was discovered, detailing the information about the relic.


    ¡®Madman¡¯s Box¡¯


    [Introduction]: Once in the Old World, a kind of shell-shaped virus that would not actively infect human bodies, known as ¡®Mad Shell¡¯, drifted in various spaces.


    They were often drawn to those seeking knowledge, especially to those engaged in strong and prolonged brain activity. If a seeker of knowledge failed to notice these gathering Mad Shells and continued their studies,


    the virus would be attracted by the proximity and attach to the surface of the brain tissue, infecting the nerve cells.


    Those infected would generally not notice and would become even more engrossed in their pursuit of knowledge, gradually forgetting sleep and food, even forsaking the most basic biological instincts.


    He maintained the appearance of a student until death.


    Once the host died, the Mad Shell would return to the environment in a floating state.


    After dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of years in this cycle, when the Mad Shell had absorbed enough knowledge through its hosts, it would completely take over the body of the last parasite and slowly evolve into an Open Source Level ¡°Madman¡±.


    However, the process of becoming a Madman was very long and boring, taking as short as ten years or as long as hundreds of years.


    After developing self-awareness in the early stages of evolution, the Mad Shell would control the host¡¯s body to engage in an activity to pass the boring time¡ªBox Body Manufacturing.


    Unknowingly, they would integrate their Madness Brain structure into the box bodies, through mazes, mechanisms, and unique transformations as carriers, forming a ¡®Biological Rubik¡¯s Cube¡¯ that contained their thought frameworks.


    Generally speaking, the Magic Cube would be destroyed by the Madman themselves when they were fully formed, because no one would want to expose their pattern of thought.


    Only in very special circumstances might the Magic Cube be preserved.


    [Category]: Relic (associated individual¡¯s three attributes)


    [Bias]: Intelligence > Physique > Sensing


    [Trait]: ¡®Epilepsy¡¯


    [Price]: 2000 Trading Points (after discount 1600)


    ¡­


    ¡°What a long introduction! A product of some virus from the Old World, huh¡­¡±


    Yi Chen could sense a potential danger through the words of the introduction,


    But this relic, which directly related to the brain, also perfectly matched his profession. There probably wasn¡¯t a more suitable relic for him than ¡°Madman¡¯s Box¡± in the world.


    ¡°Duke, won¡¯t this thing also easily attract trouble?¡±


    ¡°As long as you return to your world, there shouldn¡¯t be any trouble.


    In addition, do not try to assemble or manipulate the Magic Cube out of curiosity during your return. Just let it stay in my Golden Treasure Chest, and there basically won¡¯t be any problems.


    If you encounter any creatures wandering in the air with clearly structured brains, immediately retreat at full speed, and never engage in any mental intersection with them.¡±


    ¡°Madmen?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Even though there are few of them, each one is the elite of the elite. For someone like you, they are exceedingly dangerous¡­ If you¡¯re not careful, your whole brain could be deconstructed by them.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Click! Yi Chen immediately closed the Golden Treasure Chest again and swallowed the key in one gulp.


    This Relic was different from the umbilical cord inside his body; Yi Chen needed to take it back for thorough research.


    Moreover, he currently had only reached the limit of his intelligence, and it would take some special training before he would reach the limit of his three attributes.


    After securing the Golden Treasure Chest, Yi Chen kneeled on one knee and expressed his most sincere gratitude to the Duke.


    Yi Chen was well aware that the so-called gamble might not have reached the expected difficulty, and furthermore, this bet was of great significance to him, allowing him to confront his past and recover his Ego.


    ¡°We just engaged in a fair trade, no need to thank me.


    If there¡¯s nothing else, you two should consider returning. After all, our world here has been ¡®locked.¡¯ Staying here is not of much benefit to you.


    I too need to return to the ¡®Deep¡¯ to continue my business.


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    I hope that the next time we meet, you two will bring some more interesting trading activities.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Duke, I still have one more question.¡±


    The Duke was especially happy now, preparing to sell the recordings of the gamble in the Deep, where he would certainly make a fortune. He responded to Yi Chen¡¯s additional question for free:


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Have you ever seen something like a yellow robe-like skin?¡±


    sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 202: The Journey Home

    ¡°Yellow skin? If it¡¯s related to skin, it¡¯s most likely connected to the Gentleman¡¯s Skin Market.¡±


    The Duke lifted his arm, pointing to the black sun impaled by the huge sword, and continued:


    ¡°The Old World has been locked down, and it¡¯s impossible to produce new types of illness outside the Source Epidemic Area¡­ but that doesn¡¯t rule out the possibility of a completely new illness emerging in your world, like the one your friend represents.¡±


    Yi Chen provided more detailed information:


    ¡°On my way to the Old World, near the ¡®Passage,¡¯ I encountered an attack from a strange Sick Object. It had evolved a yellow robe that enslaved an Aggregation called Gathering Eye Disease, forming a temporary whole.


    After we killed the eye, the yellow robe immediately separated on its own and showed interest in me.


    ...


    Later, I repelled it with the combined efforts of my teammates, but we couldn¡¯t fully exterminate it¡­ By the way, I still have a piece of the yellow fabric that was cut off.¡±


    When Yi Chen took out the Sealing Envelope woven from Gentleman¡¯s Skin from his clothes, the Duke appeared puzzled, ¡°Hmm? You had to use skin to seal it? That is to say, the two are not completely of the same origin¡­ Let me see what exactly it is.¡±


    The moment the envelope was torn open,


    The yellow fabric inside disintegrated into hundreds of fine threads, which, like springs filled with energy, shot out towards various directions in an instant.


    If Yi Chen had been the one to open it, it certainly would have escaped.


    However,


    No matter how fast those fine threads shot out, no matter how many there were, no matter how tricky the angles of ejection, they were always moving in a sea of fat.


    To the bystanders, they hadn¡¯t even left the Duke¡¯s palm.


    The Duke scrutinized these yellow threads, his eyes suddenly widening as if he had remembered something.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! I remember overhearing a trivial rumor a while ago, just a casual statement from a passerby, so I didn¡¯t make a special effort to remember it.


    It was said that there was an incident in the Skin Market, something to do with yellow skin.


    It appears the rumor might be true. I didn¡¯t expect such an issue in a tightly regulated area like the Skin Market. I¡¯ll take care of this thing for now. I¡¯m heading there soon to check it out.


    If there¡¯s indeed something interesting, I might be able to profit from it, and then you¡¯ll get your share.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Handing over this mysterious small item to the Duke wasn¡¯t a loss, and it might even bring unexpected rewards later on.


    ¡°That¡¯s that, then. Until next time, my premium customer.¡±


    The Duke waved his fatty arm to say goodbye, and the Ancient Castle¡¯s shop door closed. Those on the back seat began digging furiously, and the sedan chair quickly sank deep into the ground.


    Cough cough~


    Dark, bubbling blood spewed from Yi Chen¡¯s mouth.


    The negative effects of Death Awakening on the body were becoming increasingly severe, and the grape responsible for the right side of his body was also suffering, occasionally spitting out black material as well.


    The warning voice of the grape came through:


    ¡°We need to hurry back to the other world. Under the harsh conditions of the Old World, it¡¯s not possible to perform physical repairs, and the encroachment of death will get worse. This grape feels like it¡¯s about to give out~yue!¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Just then, a hospital-style wheeled walker appeared next to Yi Chen, and a female Doctor wearing red high heels also appeared, quickly inserting the IV needle into the vein on the back of his hand.


    As the liquid flowed in, Yi Chen¡¯s condition began to stabilize.


    Moon Scar was standing dozens of meters away on a dune, gesturing for the two to hurry over.


    Yi Chen, leaning on the walker, began to walk normally, expressing his thanks to the female Doctor who had been with him the whole time.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Unexpectedly, the female Doctor¡¯s head turned from the IV stand, and from under her red lips came a delicate voice that only Yi Chen could hear:


    ¡°Mr. William, may I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°After the Master emerged from the gambling, he seems different, his eyes clearer and more distinct~ What exactly happened in there?¡±


    ¡°Lorrian found the ¡®joy¡¯ of living.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the female Doctor appeared extremely excited; various infusion tubes trembled nonstop on her iron rod-like body, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°A special kind of book, often requiring a large amount of text to bear its grand content and narrative, enhancing the sense of immersion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful~ Our Master has been wandering around with his several sisters since completing his Revenge, leading a nomadic life¡­ Although we often gain medical technology from some human hospitals, there is always a hint of perplexity in the Master¡¯s eyes.


    Now, for the first time, I have seen a whole new scene through our Master¡¯s eyes. Thank you, Mister William!¡±


    Due to her long legs, high heels, and the special structure of her infusion pole, the female Doctor was half a head taller than Yi Chen.


    She slightly bent her knees and lifted her black hair, pressing her cold red lips to the side of Yi Chen¡¯s face as a gesture of gratitude.


    ¡°I just hope he will spare me in the future~ haha,¡± Yi Chen chuckled awkwardly.


    ¡°That¡¯s unlikely, as our Master has been certain since he first set eyes on you that only you can fill the other half of the twin moons¡­ Unless you grow as strong as the Master himself, maybe then you can resist a bit.


    Pfft~ But I don¡¯t think it will be of any use, just stay with the Master peacefully.¡±


    Yi Chen said no more, trying to keep up with Lorrian as quickly as possible, seeking to leave sooner.


    On the return journey,


    the probability of encountering danger in the new passage was extremely low.


    The reason Lorrian was hurrying was that he couldn¡¯t wait to find a quiet place to read the novel gifted by the Duke and hadn¡¯t considered any danger at all.


    Yi Chen also focused on sustaining his battered body.


    Halfway through,


    Yi Chen was chatting with the female Doctor about some trivial matters of life.


    Clang~ The iron chains inside him trembled suddenly as if they were presaging something or serving as a warning.


    The next second.


    Iron chains, like serpents, emerged silently from the sand beneath his feet.


    By the time they were discovered, they had already coiled around Yi Chen¡¯s legs; the chain¡¯s snake head even clamped onto his thigh, causing his entire lower body to lose control.


    The female Doctor attempted to come to his rescue,


    Whoosh!


    Another chain, adorned with a hammer-like structure, immediately smashed the female Doctor¡¯s body to pieces; her high-heeled shoes and infusion bottles scattered among the dunes.


    ¡°What is this!¡±


    Debilitated and with the loss of control over his lower body, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t break free.


    Just as he was about to be dragged into the sands,


    Whoosh!


    A flash of silver light severed Yi Chen¡¯s legs and seized his collar, pulling him away from the danger zone.


    Lorrian, carrying the remaining upper half of Yi Chen¡¯s body, and holding the female Doctor¡¯s head, stood on top of a dune dozens of meters away, scowling at the site of the incident. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shh, shh, shh~


    The quicksand took shape, and slowly emerging from its center were three distinctively different Monks.


    One female, clad in a high-waisted black leather garment, had her arms wrapped in serpentine chains; her mouth was forcefully held open in an O-shape with metal wires. Inside her mouth, a snake¡¯s nest brought forth newborn serpents continuously biting and tearing at the lining of her mouth, releasing venom to stimulate the Pain.


    One male, shirtless with a black leather skirt, was covered with heavy iron chains ending in hammer-shaped structures and wore a square, rigid Iron Virgin mask.


    The individual taking the lead had not yet revealed the structure of his chains; his skin turned inside out and painted black, resembling a surrealistic leather garment.


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    The inverted skin on his neck and chin stood up like a collar, concealing his mouth, which was stitched with threads.


    As he spoke, the stitches tugging at his mouth moved the entire face¡¯s skin, speaking in unison:


    ¡°Acceptor of Pain, follow us to the Monastery. Should you refuse, we shall remove the iron chains from your body.¡±


    Their voices, sharp as needles, reached out, and both Yi Chen and Moon Scar bled from the ears and mouth.


    In Yi Chen¡¯s retina, copper structures appeared simultaneously over the heads of the three Monks, signifying the Level of Open Source.

 Chapter 203: Moon in Water

    The lower half of his body had been severed,


    which brought the already frail Yi Chen to the brink of unconsciousness, his consciousness fading gradually.


    Had it not been for the umbilical cord tenaciously holding on inside his body, Yi Chen might have fainted the moment he returned to reality.


    Watching the three monks in front of him, he also recalled the Duke¡¯s prior warning about the iron chains, not expecting to be actively approached by them on the way back to the city.


    Regardless of whether their ¡®invitation¡¯ was friendly,


    Yi Chen had stayed in the Old World far longer than planned, and he needed to return immediately.


    ...


    Due to the worsening injury.


    The snake-shaped iron chains had bitten him, and even though the lower half of his body had been amputated, a small amount of excruciating poison still spread to his upper body.


    The small grape tried to secrete river water saliva to fend it off, but it simply couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Little Grape, deactivate the disguise on the right half of my body¡­ otherwise, you¡¯ll be dragged down as well.¡±


    ¡°I have awakened the memories of the first corpse, perhaps witchcraft can withstand it.¡±


    ¡°Deactivate it¡ªquick! Otherwise, we¡¯re both dead.¡±


    Little Grape, bearing the responsibility for Yi Chen¡¯s right half, and with the lower body disabled and death encroaching, was also suffering terribly¡­ not to mention trying to block the pain toxin.


    Feeling Yi Chen¡¯s strong obsession, it ultimately chose to compromise.


    Disguise deactivated,


    a black furball landed on Yi Chen¡¯s other shoulder, already preparing to take Yi Chen¡¯s corpse back to the Seven-Day Cemetery for burial.


    At this, Yi Chen also approached the brink of collapse.


    The remaining left half of his body could barely hold on, with a constant risk of life-threatening incidents, he whispered his last words into Moon Scar¡¯s ear:


    ¡°If it comes to it, just abandon my left half here¡­ these guys will surely take me to the so-called Monastery, there might still be a glimmer of hope.¡±


    No~


    Moon Scar firmly refused, ¡°Just rest well, I¡¯ll figure something out.¡±


    Yi Chen could no longer hold on, and as his consciousness sank, he suddenly felt a chilling sensation at his neck.


    ¡­


    On the dune.


    Yi Chen¡¯s upper-left body was thrown to the ground, his head already being severed.


    Lorrian, looking disgusted, handed the head over to the nurse sister, who stored it in a sterile refrigerated box,


    Similarly, the doctor¡¯s head was also collected and faded away into the moonlight.


    After shedding the burden, Lorrian began warming up, moving his cervical vertebrae, overlooking the three from atop the dune.


    Something was coming!


    Just like the method used to bind Yi Chen¡¯s lower body before, snake-shaped chains drilled out from underfoot, swift and silent.


    Lorrian put his hands in his pockets, leaped into the air several tens of meters high, and then performed a mid-air moon step, as if stepping on a round moon beneath his feet.


    Using this ¡°double jump¡± to reach a higher position.


    A hundred meters above the ground.


    Thinking this height was enough for safety, Lorrian prepared to take the opportunity to summon the moon.


    But little did he know,


    the brawny monk, hung with hammer-shaped iron chains and relying on pure brute strength, bent his knees and launched¡­ Whizz! Just like a rocket, he reached the same height in an instant.


    ¡°What!?¡±


    Lorrian¡¯s hands, tucked in his pockets, quickly drew out, extending straight in front.


    ¡°Prism¡±


    A crescent prism formed in front of him, attempting to use illusion techniques and the defenses of the prism itself to buy time to escape.


    Crack! The surface shattered!


    This male monk, wearing the Iron Virgin, constantly endured pain in his brain, able to completely ignore the illusion effects produced by the refraction of the prism.


    Every arm accumulating power as robust iron chains grew from the pores, winding layer by layer, even causing slight bending of space!


    Heavy hamer punch!


    The power of this strike was beyond imagination, directly shattering the Moonlight Prism.


    Lorrian, hiding behind, couldn¡¯t believe it, he could only twist his body as much as possible, trying to deflect the force.


    Crack! A ring of airwaves exploded in mid-air.


    The bent figure of Moon Scar plummeted diagonally, moving so fast it was nearly invisible to the naked eye.


    Boom! It struck the sandy ground, sending up a massive spray of sand grains. Suffering this heavy blow, Lorrian¡¯s mouth spurted silver blood, and the copper frame on his head saw its liquid content reduced by one third.


    Just as he was preparing to rise and adjust his state¡­ Click! Some mechanism was triggered. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A spike shaped like a black obelisk instantly penetrated Lorrian¡¯s body, expanding umbrella-like at the point of entry to further secure itself, making it impossible to remove.


    Following that, more miniature obelisks grew from the ground,


    piercing his neck, mouth, and limbs, completely immobilizing him.


    Wave after wave of agonizing energy from the obelisks flooded into him,


    Lorrian¡¯s whole body tensed up, with blood spurting from every orifice, convulsing wildly¡­ the moonlight liquid between the frame decreased continuously throughout this process.


    Among the three, the leader, who wore his skin turned inside out as though it were a fashionable coat and with his collar popped, slowly ascended from the traps,


    earning the title of ¡°Detainer¡± in the monastery, his iron chains had completely mutated, capable of creating various extremely dangerous traps, nearly impossible for peers to escape if fallen into.


    Beneath his raised collar, the stitched mouth made a strange noise:


    ¡°Hand over that guy¡¯s brain, and I will stop the infusion of Pain and immediately grant you a generous death,¡±


    Despite being covered in blood and twisted with pain, Lorrian firmly refused, ¡°No.¡±


    Detainer shook his head in disappointment, ¡°It¡¯s always like this, before the pain reaches the threshold, most people make decisions they will regret¡­ It¡¯s truly disappointing, are these the Patients that were born using the outside world?¡±


    He slowly raised his maimed blood and flesh hand palm, where an ancient inscription was embedded.


    For a moment,


    the obelisks penetrating Lorrian¡¯s body began to rotate, intensifying the pain infusion, causing the copper frame of the Open Source Patient to start cracking.


    Loud, agonized screams echoed across the desert area.


    Clang!


    The liquid depleted, the copper frame shattered.


    The so-called threshold had arrived, the immense pain almost completely destroying Lorrian¡¯s willpower, as the seemingly rebellious young man with silver hair stared with eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets, pleading for mercy over and over.


    ¡°Ah~ Ah! I can¡¯t take it! Please kill¡­ me! As long as I die, William¡¯s brain will fall out from the Moonlight.


    Hurry and kill me~! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m willing to do anything!¡±


    However,


    faced with this plea for mercy, which under normal circumstances would be expected, most people at their threshold would do the same.


    Yet, Detainer felt a sense of ¡®disharmony¡¯, and as this sensation slowly spread through his heart, things felt increasingly off.


    ¡°Could it be¡­¡±


    Detainer¡¯s arms quickly sprouted iron chains,


    these chains displayed distinct rectangular features, each connection bearing an obelisk-like structure, starting to whip his own body fiercely.


    Using his own blood to cleanse his body, using extreme pain to awaken his brain.


    Whir! A burst of moonlight flashed.


    The battle scene before him, the detention, and the interrogation all disappeared.


    He was still in the very spot he had started, not having moved an inch.


    The depression where the three had stood was filled with icy bone-chilling collected water, reflecting the moon¡¯s image in the water,


    more bizarrely, there was clearly no moon in the sky.


    Although Detainer had escaped the Deep Illusion,


    his two companions were still staring blankly at the reflection in the water, deeply engrossed in it, unable to extricate themselves.


    Emotions such as shame, anger, and helplessness intertwined within, he could only continue to whip his body to vent his emotions, attempting to redeem himself.


    At this moment, Moon Scar had reached the Stone Temple where the ¡°Passage¡± was located,


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    his mouth twitching non-stop,


    Already uncomfortable enough in the Duke¡¯s wager, Lorrian had wanted to fully use his abilities just now, even if unable to kill the three, to make them suffer worse than death.


    But Yi Chen¡¯s condition was indeed bad, and any further delay might actually lead to death.


    ¡°Seriously~ such a good chance for battle and I¡¯m forced to give it up, how are you going to repay me, William?¡±


    Lorrian slowly adjusted his emotions, climbing into the passage within the stone temple.

 Chapter 204: The Past

    [Near-death]


    When Yi Chen completely passed out on Moon Scar, losing all perception with reality,


    his consciousness did not completely fall into the dark. Instead, it continued his memories from before death, reviving and by a stroke of luck escaping the Orphanage to first come to the city, formally encountering human society.


    With his escape in a delivery truck, he found a fitting suit in the garbage dump of a rich neighborhood, donning a top hat to conceal his appearance.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t immediately try to blend into society, but found a filthy, disorderly public bathroom, and examined his ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯ in a mirror smeared with graffiti, quickly accepting the fact of his resurrection.


    Although he didn¡¯t know why this was happening, the Yi Chen in the mirror was exuding a terrifying smile,


    ...


    ¡°Since I¡¯m still ¡®alive¡¯ in this world, I can still achieve my ultimate goal¡ªto destroy the Orphanage.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t rush,


    The fact that the Orphanage recruited social elites to produce offspring suggested that the Black Mountain Orphanage held a high status in society, likely extending their reach to every corner of the city.


    Yi Chen¡¯s ¡®death¡¯ had been confirmed, so the Orphanage wouldn¡¯t actively search for him.


    But, exposing his face frequently to cameras, there was a chance he might be targeted by the Orphanage once again.


    While contemplating how to hide his identity and construct a fake identity for living a normal life, Yi Chen thought of a man.


    Director Cao had once provided details of a man hidden in secret documents, the man who was Yi Chen¡¯s biological father whom Yi Chen had never met.


    Even a powerful organization like the Orphanage couldn¡¯t find out the man¡¯s real name.


    After some thought, he began to construct a strategy for survival in his mind.


    Yi Chen intentionally wandered in areas lacking standard surveillance, trying to contact shady groups. With the training he had received at the Orphanage, he quickly found a job delivering goods at night.


    This job not only earned him a decent salary but also helped him acquire a set of fake identification documents through this power,


    And through this channel, he could gather information about his biological father.


    After all, bearing the guilt for dozens or hundreds of lives, the murderer who troubled the Orphanage even at the age of fifty was forcibly executed to prevent future threats, and later, his body was handed over to the relevant departments.


    Such a case, once exposed, would certainly spread through every street and alley.


    But no matter how Yi Chen inquired, searching through all the old newspapers and asking every know-it-all in the gang, he could not find any information, as if this person¡¯s details had been completely erased.


    One month passed, and not a single piece of useful information was obtained.


    Having no other choice, Yi Chen resorted to a clumsy and somewhat dangerous method,


    He imitated an important habit of his father, taking the last train on line 13 every night, hoping to find some clues at the very places where his father had committed crimes.


    However,


    Throughout the entire process of buying tickets, waiting at the platform, and riding the train, Yi Chen didn¡¯t see a single person; all the carriages were empty.


    Considering it was the last train and due to the line being close to a suburban area, it was possible that no one was on board the entire trip.


    Yet the second and third day still did not bring a single living soul.


    Later, Yi Chen asked around within the gang where he worked, learning that disappearances often occurred on Line 13, especially at night, and slowly people had stopped riding it.


    Even members of the organization with scarred faces dared not ride Line 13 at night, saying the place was unclean.


    On the fourth day, Yi Chen returned to the subway entrance to buy a ticket.


    Different from the other days,


    When he arrived at the waiting platform, there was already a woman dressed in an OL style standing there, wearing striking red high heels, her back conjuring fantasies.


    Since the woman was close to the edge of the platform, just next to the yellow line, her profile was obscured by black hair, making it impossible to see her face clearly.


    The train arrived,


    Yi Chen and the woman both entered, each in a different carriage.


    The first half of the journey was normal, with no other passengers boarding the last train, just Yi Chen and the woman in the next carriage.


    Every time the train passed a station, Yi Chen glanced at the next carriage, confirming that the woman had not disembarked.


    Halfway through the journey,


    While the subway traveled through a long tunnel, the electricity suddenly became disrupted, plunging the carriage into complete darkness.


    This darkness only lasted five seconds,


    And when the lights came back on, a drop of cold sweat trailed down Yi Chen¡¯s forehead. Yet his gaze remained unchanged, staring straight ahead.


    In the corner of his carriage, there was now an additional woman.


    The red high heels and black hair were enough to confirm that it was the lady from the adjacent carriage.


    Yi Chen was not panicked,


    Since he came here every night, he certainly was prepared. He slowly moved his body, placing the backpack on his lap, one hand already reaching inside.


    After a while,


    The disruption came again, the lights went out.


    Utilizing the few seconds between the lights going out and coming back on, the woman in the corner kept changing seats.


    With each change, she moved closer to Yi Chen,


    Gradually, as the number of lights going out increased, the woman moved to the seat directly opposite him.


    Legs tightly closed,


    sitting upright,


    black hair covering the entire face,


    one could even hear a giggling laugh,


    at that moment, the carriage light went out and never came back on¡­ A eerie feeling swept through the entire carriage.


    Yi Chen had preemptively held a lighter in his left hand and slid it open, using the flame to illuminate his surroundings. As he moved the lighter in front of him, a terrifying face with black hair suddenly lunged forward.


    Under normal circumstances, most people would have screamed in fear and been at a loss.


    But Yi Chen did not panic at all,


    he just stared at the other person and reached up to wipe off the coagulated fluid on his forehead, revealing a shocking bullet hole that marked his ¡®dead man¡¯ status.


    This in turn startled the other party, causing their mouth to open slightly.


    Seizing the opportunity,


    he stuffed the cheap lighter directly into the woman¡¯s mouth and struck her jaw with a ¡®palm strike.¡¯


    Crack~ Bang!


    The lighter crushed, and the flames bursting forth instantly ignited the hair in front of the woman¡¯s face.


    Not giving the woman a chance to scream,


    Yi Chen pulled out a baseball bat studded with nails from his backpack and struck her head, clearly feeling the sensation of the nails embedding into bone and flesh.


    Just as the other party was about to show a fierce appearance, revealing the monster¡¯s true form, another strike came!


    The darkness between the carriages did not affect Yi Chen¡¯s precision at all; he had already adapted to the darkness in the orphanage, even becoming more irritable than under the light.


    Eventually,


    a torso not belonging to humans was smashed to pieces, with bits of shattered tissue splattering across different parts of the carriage. The untransformed long legs could only twitch slightly on the ground, unable to rise again.


    At that moment, the lights came back on.


    Exhaling deeply,


    Yi Chen took a deep breath and leaned back on the metal bench of the subway.


    After rinsing the blood off his hands with mineral water, he touched his scalp with his fingers, lifted his black hair, and fixed it simply.


    Taking out daily-distributed cigarettes from the gang, he placed one in his mouth ready to light it but realized the lighter was bitten off¡­ He had to switch to a big bubble gum, chewing it in his mouth to relax.


    At this moment, he finally knew why his biological father¡¯s information had not been reported because he was not a murderer at all.


    He insisted on taking the last train every night to eliminate these ¡®abnormalities¡¯ hidden within human society.


    As the train arrived at the station,


    Yi Chen, stained with fresh blood, tried to avoid surveillance and took the opportunity to slip away when suddenly a hand pressed down on his shoulder.


    ¡°So young and able to kill a concealer, plus having a very familiar handsome face¡­ Where are you from?¡±


    Yi Chen turned his head to see a woman doctor with round glasses and dressed in a large white coat standing behind him, her hand¡¯s immense strength in stark contrast to her appearance.


    Meanwhile, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a group of funeral staff appeared in the train car, skillfully cleaning up the smashed body.


    Yi Chen also saw slight movements in the only direction out of the station, making escape nearly impossible.


    However, Yi Chen had no intention of escaping, as his intuition told him that these people might be related to his ¡®father.¡¯ His father¡¯s information could not be found by the orphanage, probably related to the power behind these people.


    The woman doctor smiled and said,


    ¡°Considering your outstanding performance, I officially extend an invitation to you. We will offer jobs like tonight¡¯s, with compensation that will definitely satisfy you.¡±


    ¡°If one day I change my mind, can I go back to living a normal life?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I am a very professional ¡®psychologist.¡¯ As long as you eliminate more than ten abnormalities, you can leave us at any time.


    Then, I will ¡®brainwash¡¯ you, eliminating all related memories. If you have additional memories that need cleaning, we can also accommodate that.


    Afterwards, we will arrange a normal life for you, including studying and working.


    Would you like to join us?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    The woman doctor revealed a charming smile, but when she took Yi Chen¡¯s hand, it was a cold touch like that of a corpse.


    Looking down, it was not a hand at all, but an infusion tube and needle.


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    Buzz!


    The memory ended!


    He opened his eyes and sat up.


    The woman doctor, reattached to the infusion stand, was already restored and standing next to the hospital bed preparing to give Yi Chen an infusion,


    outside the hospital room window hung a huge round moon, providing absolute security.

 Chapter 205: Conversation Under the Moonlight

    ¡°Are you awake?¡±


    Underneath her black hair, the female doctor¡¯s red lips formed a gentle and charming smile.


    ¡°Where is this?¡±


    ¡°A private clinic created by the Master, rest assured, this place is absolutely safe.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ªmy body!¡± Yi Chen immediately recalled his encounter upon leaving the Old World, remembering the icy feeling of his neck being cut, he quickly checked his current physical condition.


    Aside from being somewhat cold, his body was normal, and he could feel shallow sutures at his neck.


    ...


    ¡°Could it be that you reattached my right half that was buried at the bottom of the lake?¡±


    ¡°Correct, the surgery went smoothly, or shall I say, your physical body was very cooperative. As soon as it was attached, iron chains with needles crazily grew from your neck, reforming and merging with your right half.


    Your soul has completely fused with the iron chains, no wonder those monks insisted on chasing you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make any sudden movements right now, focus on resting. After all, we only buried half of your body in the lake. The other half was grown with the help of medication and the effect of the umbilical cord inside you¡ªit needs proper rest.


    ¡°Just stay here for the infusion, after I leave, a nurse will come to keep you company.¡±


    After confirming there weren¡¯t any major issues with his body, Yi Chen quickly surveyed the single-patient room he was in,


    A coat rack by the door held his gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    a briefcase for storing equipment and a golden box holding important relics were placed beside the bed, and even the keys were laid aside.


    Just as the female doctor was changing the medicine in preparation to leave, Yi Chen grabbed her empty white sleeve.


    ¡°Where is Lorrian?¡±


    ¡°The Lord is reading a novel in his office and asked not to be disturbed by anyone.¡±


    ¡°I need to see him¡­¡±


    The female doctor did not object, but instead assisted Yi Chen off the bed, maintaining his infusion.


    She had not seen the Lord for several days herself and was somewhat worried. It was an opportunity to visit the Lord¡¯s office using Yi Chen¡¯s special status.


    Walking through the cold and silent corridors, basking in the moonlight,


    this clinic, created from Moon Scar, was based on the ¡°Twilight Clinic;¡± his office was located in a separate tower in the backyard.


    As Yi Chen knocked on the door, the female doctor behind him involuntarily tensed her thighs, even the glucose solution in the infusion bottle dripped down her leg, her nervousness evident.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    At the sound of Moon Scar¡¯s comparatively gentle voice, the door opened.


    The office had bookshelves on both sides, filled with contemporary medical books. Since books from this era were rare, there were still many empty spaces between the shelves.


    A black walnut circular desk embedded with pure silver decorations, simple yet profound,


    Moon Scar sat in the middle, his posture straight like a student, hands spread out on the desk with a novel he was about to finish in front of him.


    Behind him, a large floor-to-ceiling glass window replaced the original wall structure, allowing the moonlight to illuminate the room as much as possible while providing sufficient reading light.


    Despite the beautiful scene, Yi Chen still spotted a flaw.


    There was a noticeable suture mark on Moon Scar¡¯s face, even the stitches had not been removed yet, running diagonally from his forehead across his nose down to his chin.


    ¡°Lorrian, your face?¡±


    ¡°Oh right~ I was so engrossed in reading that I forgot all about removing the stitches.¡±


    With a flick of his fingers, a silver thread was pulled from his face, erasing the flaw.


    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re a Tunnel Watcher, not only quickly seeing through my disguise but also nearly splitting my head in two¡­ That black heavy spear really is something, powerful and hefty, as if it could split the night sky.


    If it weren¡¯t for considering your dangerous situation, William, I would definitely have liked to play more with that guy.¡±


    ¡°The Watchers, right? What about those three monks?¡±


    ¡°I trapped them in the sand with my illusion technique. We can go play with them later. However, you should be careful when you go to the Old World from now on; those guys from the monastery will surely come looking for you again.¡±


    Yi Chen nodded. Now that the relic was in hand, it would be a long time before he returned to the Old World. By then, having broken through the ¡®Limit of Man,¡¯ he surely would have more means to confront them directly.


    Perhaps a visit to the so-called monastery wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea.


    Sigh¡­ Yi Chen took a deep breath, feeling good to be back from the brink of death.


    His survival was wholly due to the silver-haired young man in front of him.


    Although Lorrian¡¯s malevolence could not be overlooked, Yi Chen¡¯s attitude toward and understanding of him had greatly changed¡­ He walked straight to the desk, expressing his gratitude with the manners of a gentleman.


    He then pulled over a chair and sat opposite Lorrian, as he had something he needed to clarify in person.


    ¡°Lorrian, besides the Watcher, is there anyone else outside the tunnel?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your team member seems to have a good relationship with you.


    He has been waiting outside for you all this time and his own strength is formidable. If he were to break through the Limit of Man and cooperate with the Watcher, he might really pose a threat to me.¡±


    ¡°Jin?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not your little girlfriend. It¡¯s that chubby young man, I remember his name is Ludwig Reagan. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This guy, although he appears friendly and treats you well, harbors something very evil inside¡­ I have seen this kind of ¡®evil¡¯ in Doctor Macaul at the Twilight Clinic.


    They could even be said to belong to the same species, one look and I can distinguish them.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Yi Chen could probably understand what Moon Scar was saying, knowing well that Reagan was an extremely paranoid person, capable of doing anything for his girlfriend.


    Once his girlfriend¡¯s issues were touched upon, he would immediately change his standpoint. Yi Chen only hoped that Reagan could find a way to revive his girlfriend and resolve his issues.


    Yi Chen muttered, ¡°Since Jin isn¡¯t at the tunnel entrance, could she have already gone back?¡±


    Moon Scar waved his finger, ¡°That might not be the case. That woman cares a lot about you. She would definitely wait for you until you come out, and I¡¯m completely certain about this as an observer.


    That woman must still be in the Old World.


    Either she¡¯s already dead,


    or like us, when approached by a duke, she must have been seen as valuable by some power in the Old World.¡±


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t particularly worried, ¡°Although Jin is crazy, she also cherishes her own life¡­ With her talent and the mysterious illness of the Red Lotus, being eyed by some big shot in the Old World is plausible.


    By the way, how long has it passed?¡±


    ¡°We have been wandering the Old World for a week, and you¡¯ve been unconscious for ten days after coming out.¡±


    ¡°Damn! It¡¯s been seventeen days already?¡±


    The planned day-long expedition in the Old World had turned into half a month, making him suspect that Zion might even declare him missing or dead.


    At that moment,


    Lorrian closed his book, stood up, and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, gazing at the round moon outside.


    ¡°William, after you fully recover, do you want to go ¡®to the moon¡¯ with me?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about that later, I still need to rely on Zion for growth, skills, and obtaining the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin.¡¯


    To wander freely in such a world, I must at least reach the standard of Zion, that is, the standard of a Watcher.¡±


    Unlike their first meeting, Lorrian was not insistent this time.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s wait for you to continue growing, after all, obtaining ¡®novels¡¯ still depends on you¡­ You are indeed too weak, following me wouldn¡¯t be very interesting.¡±


    ¡°Where do you plan to go? Continue wandering among different human cities to absorb the essence of medical skills?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I have already obtained the ¡®Path¡¯ from the duke, and now I am going to some more dangerous areas on my own, attempting to defeat and assimilate some powerful pathogens, deepen the connection with the source of Pathological changes, and strive to reach a higher level.


    Also, I will collect some valuable treasures along the way, hoping to exchange them for valuable moonlight treasures from the duke soon.¡±


    ¡°Alright, good luck.¡±


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    After getting the answers he needed from Moon Scar, Yi Chen did not stay longer, planning to do some rehabilitation exercises with the help of a female doctor or nurse to get discharged from the hospital sooner.


    Just as he was about to leave the office,


    the voice of Moon Scar came from behind: ¡°Your human settlements may not be as safe as you imagine. If one day a major issue arises, or a danger specifically targeting you emerges,


    if you find yourself cornered, you could try looking up at the moon.¡±


    Yi Chen raised his right arm behind him, making an ¡®OK¡¯ gesture.

 Chapter 206: Return to the City

    It must be said that the clinic created by Moon Scar is quite high-end, and to some extent, it even surpasses Zion¡¯s Hippocrates Hospital.


    Wherever Yi Chen went, there was professional coordination. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For example, the female doctor in charge of infusions ensured the most effective intake of fluids by following Yi Chen everywhere, even standing by his side when he went to the bathroom.


    She stood upright next to the urinal, and through Observation of the parabola, accuracy, and color, she even added some kidney-tonifying medicine to the infusion bottle.


    There was also nurse Xiao Mei, responsible for rehabilitation training,


    ...


    With her twin ponytails, blood-soaked bandages, and perfect biceps, she could provide assistance for some high-difficulty movements to speed up recovery of various body parts, and even engage in simple physical confrontations.


    Meal times could also be a choice of ¡®hand feeding¡¯,


    Yi Chen was fortunate to try it once, with two nurse sisters, one on each side, one feeding meat, and the other feeding vegetables. Once you accept this hedonistic setting, it¡¯s quite comfortable.


    Even at night, you could choose a sleepover service, which also offered a free bedtime horror story.


    After all, old World travel and recovery from serious injuries had already delayed more than half a month, so Yi Chen didn¡¯t mind staying a little longer.


    Another half month passed,


    And thanks to the medical staff and even Lorrian¡¯s personal surgery, Yi Chen was fully recovered.


    Before leaving the hospital, Yi Chen even put on a suit and took a commemorative photo with the nurse sisters.


    Picking up his suitcase,


    He put on a brown round hat evolved from gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    And when saying farewell to the sisters in the clinic lobby, nurse Xiao Mei who was responsible for rehabilitation training even shed blood-like tears from her bandages, unable to accept this departure.


    The female doctor, on the other hand, lifted her thigh high and waved her foot in farewell:


    ¡°Mr. William, remember to bring a heavier injury to us next time, so we can spend more time together.¡±


    ¡°Haha~ We¡¯ll see¡­ Thank you all.¡±


    Yi Chen was very grateful to these medical staff, he never saw them as some kind of products, but rather as friendly and sincere individuals.


    He bowed with his hat pressed to his chest, in farewell.


    Stepping out of the clinic building to the edge of Moonlight Space, Yi Chen tiptoed to look at the last tower, waving goodbye to Lorrian in front of the glass window.


    As he stepped out of the main entrance, leaving the Moonlight Space,


    The full moon hanging in the sky and the entire clinic disappeared, leaving only a foggy night sky.


    Yi Chen was in a desolate mountain wilderness with no reference points around, completely unable to determine his exact location.


    Just then,


    A black ball of flesh squeezed out from the collar in effort, gasping with a big mouth: ¡°Phew~ I was almost smothered to death!¡±


    Little Grape had also been resting inside the body for a while, to some extent also wary of Moon Scar and had never dared to show up.


    ¡°Little Grape, you¡¯ve worked hard~¡±


    ¡°Not bad! I didn¡¯t expect you could actually make it back alive, and even used the half of your body you buried at the bottom of the lake before your excursion; it was a real stroke of luck.


    Although I¡¯ve had a tough time and was even in danger of losing my life, I¡¯ve gained something from it, so I won¡¯t complain.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you eat your fill once we get back to Zion. Can you determine our current location?¡±


    As soon as Yi Chen asked, Little Grape immediately lifted its little arm and pointed in a direction.


    ¡°This way¡­ I can smell the familiar scent of a graveyard.¡±


    Following the direction pointed by Little Grape and after crossing several small hills, a town with lights and buildings came into view.


    Below the hill was the midway stop of the Relic event¡ª[Yarsoto Town], and Cold Lake Cemetery was also there.


    Seeing the crowd of people walking back and forth in the town, Yi Chen truly felt a sense of return.


    He didn¡¯t rush back to the town immediately but instead sat on a nearby stone to think, as there had to be a reasonable explanation for being completely out of touch for a whole month.


    After gathering his thoughts, just as he descended the hill,


    The gentlemen stationed in the town immediately surrounded Yi Chen,


    Following that, the person in charge of the town and the manager of Cold Lake Cemetery¡ªthe limping Field¡ªpersonally arrived. He was quite surprised to see Yi Chen himself.


    After all, the Watcher on Holy Grail Mountain had reported,


    The Tunnel Watcher¡ª[Black Heavy Halberd ¨C Orman Yude] had a confrontation with an ¡®Open Source Patient¡¯ who highly mimicked Yi Chen, and the latter eventually escaped.


    ¡°Good to see you, Mr. Field!¡±


    The little grape made herself known, waving in greeting.


    Even though the limping Field could confirm the little grape¡¯s identity through the aura of Cold Lake, he couldn¡¯t prove the authenticity of ¡®Yi Chen.¡¯ The little grape could very well be controlled in her thinking by an Open Source Patient, pretending to be normal.


    It was at this time that Yi Chen spoke.


    ¡°Mr. Field, I know what you¡¯re worried about,¡± he said.


    ¡°A lot has happened to me during my exploration of the Old World, and it will take time to explain. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can restrain me using your methods here and use your testing means to verify my identity.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s necessary.¡±


    Before long, Yi Chen found himself bound hand and foot in a wheelchair designed especially for transporting Patients,


    with his limbs restrained by ring-like objects made of tombstone material,


    his entire body tied up with special leather cords interwoven with Gentleman¡¯s Skin,


    bandaged about the eyes, and wearing a kind of gag that does not affect normal breathing (to prevent the transmission of pathogens by sound).


    Yi Chen was first taken to the Seagull Clinic in the small town,


    where through various drug injections for testing, and even multiple tissue biopsies (including internal organs) of Yi Chen, nothing unusual was found.


    But the Doctor did not dare to be completely certain, temporarily removing the gag and the eye bandages, but still keeping the physical restraints in place, and sent him to Zion for further tests.


    After all, Yi Chen¡¯s situation was too peculiar,


    as they had never seen a newcomer stay so long in the Old World, and it happened to be related to an Open Source Patient with a strong ability to mimic.


    ¡°I shall personally escort him~ Since the cemetery is closed, I have nothing else to do anyway,¡± said the limping Field.


    The limping Field and Yi Chen both boarded the fastest carriage to Zion.


    ¡°You three actually chose to split up and act separately in the Old World, which is really reckless.


    Now, the only one who can be clearly ascertained to have returned uninfected and safe is Reagan, who already returned to Zion ten days ago.¡±


    ¡°Did Reagan tell you what Relic he obtained?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t ask either.


    But from his appearance, he seems to have found a Relic suitable for him. Such high-value items like Relics shouldn¡¯t be casually displayed; doing so may bring about deadly consequences.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The journey was calm, and through long conversations, Field was able to completely confirm that Yi Chen was indeed himself, without a doubt. However, routine checks were still necessary for the safety of Zion couldn¡¯t be taken lightly.


    After three days and nights, they finally arrived just outside Zion City. As soon as the carriage stopped at the city gate, personnel responsible for ¡®plague detection¡¯ re-applied the eye mask and gag on Yi Chen, and took him to a special laboratory within the city walls for deep inspection.


    Yi Chen cooperated the whole time,


    lying on the operating table and volunteering that anesthesia was unnecessary, suggesting that skull opening for inspection would suffice.


    Once the various complicated tests were completed, Yi Chen was confirmed not to have been infected with any plague, and his mental state was even deemed ¡®above the safety value,¡¯ almost perfect.


    Even many gentlemen living in Zion were unable to achieve such a safe score.


    With the testing finished,


    Yi Chen¡¯s personal information was immediately updated, removing keywords such as [Missing], [High Risk], and his status as a gentleman was restored.


    Just as he stepped back onto the familiar streets, a refreshing breeze greeted him, and the old man with an owl on his shoulder seemed to have been waiting for a long time.


    ¡°William, has your [Intelligence] reached its limit?¡±


    ¡°Your month-long journey in the Old World has indeed been fruitful; many were worried about you. But first, come with me.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Sitting on the train heading back to school,


    Yi Chen detailed the whole story of how he had accidentally encountered Moon Scar during a stopover on his journey and was forced to cooperate with it.


    Qian Bosen believed Yi Chen¡¯s words completely, having seen Moon Scar himself.


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    ¡°Whether to contact or even cooperate with a Patient is your own affair. As long as you adhere to a gentleman¡¯s demeanor and are sure that what you¡¯re doing is right, that¡¯s what matters.


    Since you¡¯ve received cooperation from an Open Source Patient and have spent so much time in the Old World, you must have found a Relic related to intelligence, right?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t answer directly but took out a moderately-sized Golden Box.


    This special gold forced Qian Bosen¡¯s pupils to constrict, ¡°A storage box made of Old World gold? The value of this thing might not be less than that of some single-attribute Relics. What¡¯s inside is¡­¡±


    Yi Chen still did not answer directly but gestured a number with his fingers [3].

 Chapter 207: Secret Room

    Omphalo-Centric-Academy, Qian Bosen¡¯s office.


    A miniature chest made of Old World gold was placed on the desk. Qian Bosen attempted to unlock it by channeling controllable wind into the keyhole.


    As the gentle breeze poured in, a large amount of golden liquid overflowed and clogged the keyhole.


    ¡°Such a thing could never exist on the surface of the Old World. William, have you been to deeper regions? Even I have never seen such sophisticated processing methods of Old World gold. It¡¯s too clever.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about this¡­¡±


    Qian Bosen was absolutely trustworthy. Yi Chen did not hide anything and detailed his random encounter with the ¡°Old World Merchant¡± and his gambling.


    ...


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to have such an opportunity. Perhaps it¡¯s the good luck brought by residing with Patient Zero.¡±


    For a moment, Qian Bosen¡¯s ¡°Owl¡¯s Eye¡± seemed to see endless possibilities in Yi Chen.


    ¡°Professor, would you like to see this relic?¡±


    ¡°This is your private property. If you wish, you may show it to me.¡±


    Yi Chen took out a golden key from within himself and inserted it into the lock.


    An alien magic cube with ¡®maze-type¡¯ cerebral sulcus patterns emerged. Its unique structure quickly immersed Qian Bosen, even allowing him glimpses of some indescribable frantic visions.


    ¡°To have such a refined relic!


    Relics are often by-products born alongside Old World life forms as they complete a significant stage of growth.


    These by-products record their growth process and the remaining essence, most of which are quite obvious, allowing one to determine their precise category and function at a glance, such as the umbilical cord you initially obtained.


    This magic cube is entirely different, hiding its traits within.


    To truly utilize this relic, to leverage it to break through the ¡®Limit of Man,¡¯ one must first decipher and decode it.


    It might take some time, and unknown pathogens may emerge during the decoding process, even triggering some Pathological Mutations.


    This is what we¡¯ll do! I will arrange a sealed chamber in the lower streets where you can decode the magic cube when you have time.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, due to the special circumstances of the ¡®Relic Incident,¡¯ staff from the Gentleman Hall might subject you to some basic queries and psychological tests.


    If they ask about how you acquired the relic, this is your private matter, and you can choose not to answer.


    If it becomes rather troublesome, you can reveal the ¡®Black Umbilical Cord.¡¯ However, the matter of the magic cube must not be exposed at Zion.


    The value of a Three Attribute Relic is immeasurable; it can evoke the greed hidden deep within human hearts and will undoubtedly lead to trouble.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°I will now start preparing the ¡®Sealed Chamber.¡¯ I¡¯ll notify you when it¡¯s ready.


    You¡¯d better go and see Tutor Beili. Her student couldn¡¯t make it back with you all, and as the temporary captain, you need to explain the situation to her.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Before leaving, Qian Bosen heavily patted Yi Chen on the shoulder.


    ¡­


    Cesimani


    In the office filled with showcases full of fingers,


    Black long legs were casually propped on the desk. As Jin recounted the events,


    ¡°If Jin followed the growth direction of Red Lotus, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem. She wouldn¡¯t die. The worst-case scenario is that she can¡¯t be defined as ¡®human¡¯ and can¡¯t return to the organization.


    After all, she has never considered Zion her home, so it doesn¡¯t really matter.


    Let her be~¡±


    At this point, Yi Chen had a question: ¡°About Jin¡¯s Pathological Traits¡ª¡¯Red Lotus,¡¯ I¡¯ve heard her mention it before, seemingly related to ¡®father¡¯¡­ What exactly does the illness correspond to?¡±


    ¡°It belongs to one of the extremely dangerous ¡®cancer¡¯ diseases, almost a dominant existence among physical diseases. Throughout the organization¡¯s history, only a few gentlemen have managed to control such illnesses.


    This relates to Jin¡¯s tragic childhood; you will need to find out more on your own, assuming she can still come back.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I actually believe that Jin will return.¡±


    ¡°Are you so certain? It seems this journey has brought the two of you closer together~¡±


    As they spoke, Tutor Beili seemed to want to discuss some private matters with Yi Chen, employing the same tactic as before.


    Her foot, clad in black stockings, flashed instantly,


    clutching Yi Chen¡¯s tie and trying to pull him onto the desk.


    But this time was different,


    Instructor Beili received a very intuitive feedback¡ª¡±heaviness.¡±


    Compared to before, this time it felt like she was dragging the weight of ten Yi Chens, almost causing her toes to cramp.


    ¡°Why have you become so heavy? It¡¯s not just the weight increase, but also a kind of physical steadiness¡­ Don¡¯t just stand there, give me a massage before my toes cramp up,¡± she said.


    Being dragged to the desk, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t refuse and had to use both hands to knead her calves slowly.


    ¡°Your physique must be reaching its limit by now, right? And even if it¡¯s at its limit, it shouldn¡¯t be this heavy¡­ Has your body undergone some fundamental changes during your journey in the Old World?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied.


    ¡°What changes; show me.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t hide anything, after all, Instructor Beili was somewhat his tutor.


    While one hand kept massaging,


    the other hand grew a segment of thorny iron chain from the palm,


    The moment the iron chain appeared, Beili instinctively jumped back, pulling a special weapon that could change length from under the desk.


    Had it been a stranger instead of Yi Chen, Beili might have directly slit their throat and beheaded them.


    The density of illness emitted from the thorny iron chain far exceeded normal standards, only seen in such mutant chain-like patterns in the Old World.


    Yi Chen hurriedly explained, ¡°Instructor Beili, the plant disease originally in my body mutated into this iron chain after getting infected by substances from the Old World.¡±


    ¡°Pain¡­ This kind of iron chain brings pain, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed.


    ¡°I knew it! Harboring such a thing inside the body, any other gentleman would have died hundreds of times over. Probably only Zede and you with such physiques could tolerate this disease.


    Your gains from this trip are indeed astonishing; I can¡¯t even imagine the state you¡¯ll achieve after transcending the limit.


    I initially thought about sparring with you, but now it¡¯s better not to; a hit from this thing is enough to keep me in pain for several days and nights. You¡¯d better go back and have a good ¡®discussion¡¯ with Zede.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°When you¡¯re ready to transcend, if you¡¯re willing to publicly demonstrate it, remember to let me know.¡±


    ¡°Do you still need me to massage your leg?¡±


    Instructor Beili bent down herself, poked her calf, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t want to get my calf pierced by a steel needle. You probably have many things to handle since you just returned to town, so go take care of other matters.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    After parting with the instructor,


    Yi Chen immediately headed to the Power Station to meet Reagan and see what Relic the other had acquired.


    Upon arrival, he was informed that Reagan was in an important phase of seclusion, located in the deepest part of the Charge Zone of the Power Station, approved by the director himself.


    Meeting him would likely have to wait until after Reagan¡¯s breakthrough.


    As Yi Chen was preparing to head back to the academy to meet Zede,


    Goo-Goo~


    A white owl had in the blink of an eye perched itself on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, guiding him toward the ¡®decoding-chamber¡¯ prepared by Qian Bosen.


    The chamber was located next to the Nameless Clothing Store, in a secluded shopfront that had been unrented for many years.


    If any major disturbances arose during the decoding, Ivan, the owner of the clothing store, could come out to manage the situation.


    The shop filled with spider webs contained bizarre mannequins borrowed from the clothing store by Qian Bosen, and had a rusty sign that read¡ª¡±Nameless Warehouse,¡± disguised as a rental compartment for storing excess mannequins of the clothing store.


    Passing by the human mannequins, he touched a hidden button between the floor tiles, and a pathway to the basement opened up.


    The basement, unused for several years, had been tidily arranged by Qian Bosen using Wind Magic, Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The walls and floor cracks were all sealed, and the sound of wind around the ears signified that the barrier was established.


    ¡°Ivan will handle any surface issues. If the Wind Barrier gets breached, I will also come over immediately.


    You just focus on your decoding work here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡±


    ¡°Keep up this state and strive to exceed our estimated standards,¡± he said.


    After Qian Bosen left, Yi Chen brought over a chair to sit in the center of the basement,


    and under the oil lamp hanging above, he began his first session of Relic decoding.

 Chapter 208: Decryption

    Unlike receiving the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± from Lene Histera, which was instantly recognized and fused into the body upon contact and could be detected through gentleman¡¯s clothes for related attributes,


    the ¡°Madman¡¯s Box¡± before him,


    had it not been for the product information inscribed inside the Golden Box, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to access any information at all, not even able to discern whether the object was a Relic.


    Reaching out to touch, a sensation both soft and firm like touching the back of a slender girl¡¯s hand transmitted to the fingertips.


    Hiss¡ªa silk thread born from Gentleman¡¯s Skin emerged from between the sleeves, attempting to touch and decode the magic cube¡¯s information, when buzzing!


    A force field burst forth, flinging the silk thread aside and at the same time violently shattering Yi Chen¡¯s right hand, breaking all five fingers.


    ...


    The magic cube seemed like an independent organism, bouncing back into the Golden Box by the reaction force.


    ¡°This¡­ it seems I can only proceed with normal decryption.¡±


    Clang¡ªthe chain links, the umbilical cord nourishes.


    The finger bones were rapidly repaired and connected, and he gripped the magic cube in his hand again.


    Yi Chen did not start meddling aimlessly but observed first.


    ¡°Little Grape, deeply integrate.¡±


    ¡°You want to deeply integrate right from the start? Alright then.¡±


    Little Grape, in a perfect diving motion, swam towards the brain area, his mouth containing the eyeball sprouted at the front of the brain, significantly enhancing vision.


    Filtering out all environmental materials except the magic cube, reaching a concentration level of 100%,


    he scrutinized each face¡¯s cerebral grooves, and since his intelligence had reached its limit, Yi Chen could precisely and accurately remember these circuit patterns in his mind.


    When he had observed and memorized the patterns on all six sides, these patterns spontaneously combined inside his brain, forming a larger, more complete map of the maze.


    A ¡°consciousness connection¡± formed between Yi Chen and the Madman¡¯s Box, accompanied by a faint pull.


    Yi Chen tried to relax slowly, dropping all defenses in his thoughts and followed the pull.


    In the blink of an eye, he found himself standing at the start of a giant maze.


    The maze walls, as if made of brain matter, shot up to the sky, making it impossible to cheat by climbing over them.


    ¡°The patterns on the six sides actually conceal such a vast consciousness maze. If I can reach the center, or exit the maze, would it mean I¡¯ve completed deciphering and decoding the magic cube?


    ¡°Mazes, I¡¯m quite good at those.¡±


    Yi Chen had special decryption courses at the Orphanage, including mental training concerning mazes. Moreover, the Orphanage itself was somewhat a sealed maze, and Yi Chen had long grasped the key tricks in navigating through mazes during his multiple escapes.


    Half an hour passed,


    Yi Chen had reached a deep enough area, even feeling a premonition of about to clear the level.


    Standing at a crossroad pinpointing the correct direction, a ¡®woman¡¯ suddenly emerged around the corner of the correct path.


    She was called ¡®woman¡¯ because she wore a white long dress and had a distinctly feminine body shape.


    Without any head structure,


    over her neck was mounted an oversized brain, approximately a meter and a half in diameter, which she even had to hold with both hands to maintain balance while walking.


    The brain appeared to suffer from some sort of inflammation, overall yellowish, occasionally spraying out hot, corrosive yet nutritious yellow fluid from the top.


    In her staggering walk, the yellow fluid flowed over the ground everywhere.


    Intuition told Yi Chen to absolutely avoid contact with this woman, even attacks using the iron chains were out of the question¡­ because it was very likely that the woman was an independent entity derived from the maze, inherently a part of the maze itself.


    If he killed her, it might destroy the real-life magic cube,


    Sine the woman blocked the correct path forward in the maze and he couldn¡¯t approach or attack, the only option was to find a way to bypass her.


    Think!


    Yi Chen immediately constructed the nearby maze routes in his mind, assured that the woman would continue to follow him and began taking detours, successfully maneuvering her to behind him through looping paths.


    As the exploration of the maze continued, other similar entities appeared,


    even two or three surfaced in succession; if he couldn¡¯t devise a correct detour in time, he would be completely trapped.


    Constantly taking detours, sometimes even having to go back to a maze junction he had passed half an hour before to completely bypass all the head-bearing individuals.


    Yi Chen¡¯s brain gradually smoked in this process, but he maintained his focus throughout.


    I didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, nor how many bizarre creatures spraying brain fluid I had bypassed.


    Finally, I arrived at the very center of the maze, and the brain entities that had followed also stopped moving, each embedding their heads into the walls of the maze.


    In the center,


    the ¡°Madman¡¯s Box¡±, identical to the one in reality, was placed on the central display stand.


    When Yi Chen reached out to touch it, whoosh¡ªa blade engraved with ancient patterns sprung out from within the cube, piercing through his palm.


    This pain also pulled Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness out of the maze, returning him to reality.


    In the secluded basement,


    Yi Chen¡¯s real palm was similarly impaled by the blade,


    not a drop of blood was wasted, all of it absorbed by the cube along the engravings on the blade¡¯s surface, even showing obvious sucking actions. It seemed to be performing some kind of ownership ritual, recognizing Yi Chen as its new owner.


    Click, click~


    Without any external force, the cube began to morph on its own.


    Just when Yi Chen thought he had completed all the decryption work, the shape of the ¡°Madman¡¯s Box¡± finally stabilized into a strangely structured elongated spheroid, thin in the middle and thick at both ends.


    Testing with the Gentleman¡¯s Skin still induced a force field effect, unable to retrieve information about the relic.


    ¡°Is the Consciousness Maze just the first level of decryption?¡±


    Yi Chen continued his observation, but this time not needing much care.


    The surface of the spheroid structure no longer had any brain folds, but was covered with extremely durable bio-metal bars, with a very obvious slot gap in the middle.


    When Yi Chen tried to grasp both ends of the spheroid,


    whoosh! Spikes grew from both ends, piercing the back of his hand, testing his blood!


    If the holder was not Yi Chen, the blood test would fail, and the cube would release a strong force field, shattering the holder¡¯s arm, and if unable to escape, it would self-destruct within seconds.


    This meant that the subsequent decryption process could only be completed independently by Yi Chen.


    ¡°Structural changes, identity verification. If I¡¯m not mistaken, this Three Attribute Relic corresponds to three different types of decryptions.


    The first level, the Consciousness Maze, corresponds to intelligence which I have already successfully passed through.


    The current second level corresponds to physique, requiring pure strength to fold it¡­ Let¡¯s try.¡±


    Although Yi Chen¡¯s physique had reached a level of 5+, it was still a bit shy of the true limit.


    No matter using iron chains for reinforcement or various forms of leverage, he could not budge the rectangular structure of the cube, and could even distinctly feel that he was just a bit of strength short of bending it.


    ¡°The settings on this thing are really cunning, one must reach ¡®Limit¡¯ to be able to bend it, and it still requires how long a bend to switch it to the next form.¡±


    Having no choice but to put away the rectangular cube,


    just as Yi Chen pondered how to store this spheroid-shaped item, the Golden Box surprisingly adapted to the cube¡¯s new structure, immediately forming a corresponding storage compartment.


    Having sorted everything out, he felt a wave of hunger coming from his stomach.


    And also because of the excessive mental effort, a strand of sticky brain blood ran out from between his nostrils, urging his body to get some nutritional replenishment.


    Looking at the time, he had already spent two days and nights in the basement.


    ¡°Better go find something to eat quick, or I reckon I¡¯ll faint from hunger in another hour.¡± S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Putting on his coat and pulling down his hat brim, Yi Chen quickly exited the shop,


    his gaze rapidly searching for nearby restaurants when suddenly a figure flashed by his side, even brushing slightly against Yi Chen¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Yi Chen slightly frowned and turned his head to see who was being so impolite.


    In his field of view flashed a young man with white hair, walking hurriedly and looking quite familiar.


    He suddenly recalled a peer gentleman he had met, a member of another team heading to Holy Grail Mountain.


    Iskarion Lottson, belonging to the Magician Association, had suggested that everyone introduce themselves at the dinner table; his white hair and cheerful disposition left a deep impression on Yi Chen, and it seemed that the other party was also skilled in ancient magic.


    This white-haired leader¡¯s team had chosen the tougher ¡°Septicemia¡± route at the time.


    ¡°This guy seems a little off¡­¡±

 Chapter 209: Chance Encounter

    Heading to Holy Grail Mountain, the three small teams tasked with the Relic mission were all vetted through combat selection,


    each possessing considerable strength and expected to slay the pathogens in the mountains to reach the Peak; after all, exploring the relics of the Old World was the focus of the mission.


    However, according to the messages sent back by the Watcher, only two teams headed for the Old World.


    One was Yi Chen¡¯s team, and the other was the team choosing to face Black Pus Disease, led by the female captain, Norma Kopet.


    The third team, which chose to follow the mountaineering route known as ¡°Septicemia¡±¡ªthat is, White Robe Iscarion Lottsen¡¯s team¡ªhad not reached the passage entrance, nor had the Watcher ever seen them.


    This team had completely disappeared within Holy Grail Mountain,


    ...


    Considering Lottsen was of the Magic Association, valued for his mastery of rare ancient magic, his strength was substantial; he should not have gotten lost in the mountains.


    Taking into account the value of Lottsen and the potential threats in the mountains, Zion promptly dispatched elite gentlemen to the Baron Mansion, the site of the ¡°Septicemia¡± incident, to search for the team¡¯s whereabouts.


    The gentleman in charge of the investigation, however, discovered the Baron Mansion had been thoroughly purged; even the back half of the mansion had been completely destroyed by a small meteorite, leaving behind a dark, massive crater.


    The conclusion they reached was that the team had eradicated the septicemia and had continued to climb the mountain.


    That was strange.


    If the main threat had been eliminated, why had the team still disappeared on the way up the mountain?


    Just as the gentlemen were preparing to follow the mountain path behind the Baron Mansion to search higher up,


    a figure emerged from the fog-enshrouded path¡ªit was White Robe Lottsen¡­ except that his physical condition was quite dire, emaciated from days without proper nourishment, with a vacant look in his eyes.


    What¡¯s more, his entire body was covered in blood holes, continuously oozing blood.


    They transported him to the halfway station¡¯s Seagull Clinic for medical treatment, and as he gradually regained consciousness,


    According to his statement, although the team managed to eliminate the source of septicemia in the Baron Mansion,


    they fell victim to the ¡°Blood Curse¡± invoked by Baron Francis at the cost of his own life. Although Lottsen promptly used magic to perform what seemed to be an effective counter-curse for the entire team,


    as the climb continued and with the increasing concentration of Grey Zone, the curse was induced to erupt.


    Based on the individual bleeding situations, they concluded that the essence of the ¡°Blood Curse¡± was a filamentous virus, one they had no means to eradicate with their current capabilities.


    The team decided to abandon the mission, intending to return to the station for treatment, but during the descent, the disease fully manifested.


    Only Lottsen, relying on the higher Skin Content (13%) of his gentleman¡¯s clothes and constantly using purifying magic to cleanse himself, narrowly managed to survive.


    Lottsen¡¯s account was affirmed by the Seagull Clinic,


    Their blood samples burst and died within a minute. It was only through the injection of the clinic¡¯s unique ¡°Seagull secret medicine¡± that the filamentous virus within Lottsen was gradually suppressed and eradicated.


    With his condition stabilized, Lottsen was then sent back to Zion to receive further treatment at the main hospital to completely eliminate the virus from his body.


    ¡­ S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Lower Streets]


    Yi Chen, wandering around, came upon a significant issue¡ª¡±Expensiveness¡±.


    The restaurants in the lower district, despite looking like they didn¡¯t even have a sign, charged prices that were at least ten times that of the academy¡¯s cafeteria.


    The reason was that some of the ingredients were forbidden by the organization in plain sight.


    Extremely hungry and on the verge of fainting at any moment, Yi Chen found a small shop he could just afford and ordered a large seafood chowder to start replenishing his body¡¯s nutrients with big gulps.


    As he continued eating, he got more and more into it, ordering several expensive dishes until he was completely stuffed.


    Even if he didn¡¯t have enough money, he could still run a tab using Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s business card.


    Looking at the empty plates before him, patting the belly muscles that had been rounded out, he felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction overflowing his body,


    Yi Chen lay back in his chair, savoring the moment of comfort.


    ¡°Next, I¡¯ll have to find Teacher Zede for some physical training,¡± he estimated that it wouldn¡¯t take more than a month to reach his limit, as he could now distinctly sense where the limit of his physique lay.


    However, simply maxing out his [Physique] wasn¡¯t enough.


    According to the settings of the ¡®Madman¡¯s Box,¡¯ once he overcame the barrier of physique, there would inevitably be a third barrier to decoding, and by then, he would need to push his [Perception] to its limits as well.


    The only path to enhancing perception that he could think of for the moment was the Principal.


    He aimed to get it all done within a year¡­


    Logically speaking, someone as young as Yi Chen, who found a suitable Relic within his first year at Zion, could completely relax and give himself several years to slowly adjust.


    But Yi Chen had no intention of taking it easy.


    After seeing the sights of the Old World, after meeting the Duke himself, after encountering the trio from the monastery that pursued him, and after having deep conversations with Moon Scar at the Clinic,


    Yi Chen wanted to seize every moment he could, eager to break through his limits swiftly, to reach the level where he could confront patients from Open Source head-on.


    To pass the Organization¡¯s [Watcher assessment] and roam the world on his own strength,


    To head for the deep of the Old World and engage in more interesting trades with the Duke.


    He only lay back in his seat for five minutes before promptly getting up to pay at the counter.


    As soon as he finished paying, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a glimpse of a white figure flashing past the entrance of the restaurant¡­ While ordinary people might not see clearly, Yi Chen captured it accurately¡ªthe fleeting white figure was none other than White Robe Lotson.


    This was the second time he encountered it, giving off a quite peculiar feeling.


    Intuition drove Yi Chen to chase out in quick strides, yet the moment he stepped out, a palm landed on his shoulder.


    ¡°William Behrens! It¡¯s you, indeed!


    Last time, because I had to verify a batch of special magic materials, I left in a hurry and didn¡¯t pay much attention, just felt an aura I was familiar with.


    Latter I reflected and thought, isn¡¯t that William¡¯s aura? So I specially looked for you, and here you are.


    Are you also here to buy materials that don¡¯t quite comply with the Organization¡¯s rules?¡±


    Yi Chen turned his head, not swayed by the other¡¯s presumption, instead examining the white-haired youth closely with the Vision provided by little grape.


    Nothing strange occurred, but Lotson seemed slightly different from when they last met.


    Yi Chen immediately switched to a smiling expression, ¡°I had these clothes tailor-made here, and having just returned from the Old World, naturally, they needed some repairs.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Is it from Ivan¡¯s Nameless Clothing Store? No wonder¡­ I¡¯ve heard that gentleman was once a senior tailor within the Organization but stepped down due to injury.¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second, would you mind taking my business card, Mr. William? If you¡¯re free, we can talk about Ancient Magic in person.


    After all, you also specialize in [Intelligence]. Once you graduate from the academy, you could choose to join our Magic Association, and I¡¯ll act as your referee. The Principal will certainly be delighted.


    The Magic Association sporadically assigns special tasks related to magic, which we first take on internally; only tasks that are abandoned internally are then made available to the Gentleman Hall.


    If there is a suitable task, Mr. William, if you don¡¯t mind, we can form a temporary team.¡±


    Yi Chen received a business card with white background and golden lettering and asked back, ¡°What about your teammates?¡±


    ¡°The [Baron route] we chose last time turned out to be super five-star difficulty, and I was barely the one who survived¡­ Such is the unpredictability of life~ Remember to contact me when you¡¯re free.¡±


    This response left Yi Chen slightly stunned, as in his memory, the team led by White-haired Lotson was very strong; it was unexpected that two would die before reaching the passage.


    Tucking the business card into his breast pocket, he turned and walked away.


    However,


    As Yi Chen took steps to leave the street, White-haired Lotson remained standing still, maintaining a constant waving gesture.

 Chapter 210: Zedes Past

    On the way back to school, Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts gradually shifted from the Relic to White-haired Lotson,


    Lotson¡¯s appearance in Zion indicated that he had undergone the same full set of tests as Yi Chen, and he must have passed both the physical and mental assessments.


    But¡­


    Yi Chen¡¯s intuition about people, inherited from his previous life, wasn¡¯t wrong; he could sense that there was a big problem with Lotson.


    Carrying his doubts, he arrived at the Twin Towers of the Velsman Teaching Building,


    Just as Yi Chen was about to head to the basement lab to see Professor Zede, he was stopped by the building¡¯s security.


    ...


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hogni Zede is undergoing a joint assessment by the school and the organization¡¯s inspection team. Zede¡¯s underground office is temporarily closed, and entry is forbidden.¡±


    Yi Chen was alarmed, ¡°A joint assessment? Has teacher Zede done something wrong?¡±


    Yi Chen immediately associated the joint assessment with himself since his trip to the Old World had taken too long, leading the organization to declare him ¡°missing.¡±


    After learning of this, Zede didn¡¯t care about his own state of confinement and forcibly left the city to head towards Holy Grail Mountain, resulting in a direct conflict with the organization.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. Zede has been performing exceptionally well lately, and his responsibility for the Pathology course has drawn high praise from the Principal and the top-tier of external organizations.


    A week ago, he quickly resolved a potentially severe and even deadly student conflict incident while wandering around the school.


    He effectively subdued the perpetrator, maintained order on the scene without a single injury, and turned all the conflicting parties over to the school for handling.


    If this assessment goes well, Zede will be granted a few hours each week to leave school.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see! That¡¯s good.¡±


    Not long after their casual conversation,


    A black shadow flashed quickly, and with a heavy slap on Yi Chen¡¯s back.


    The slap sent him flying into the straight corridor of the teaching building, rolling several times before crashing into the wall at the end.


    A familiar mummified voice came:


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d be fine, kid. The sensation of slapping your back was very unique! Your body has become much harder than before, and it seems you¡¯ve added something else too, quite a gain!¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t say much, just got up and lowered his head, ¡°Congratulations to teacher Zede on getting the opportunity for activities outside school.¡±


    ¡°Only three hours a week, it¡¯s nothing to be excited about, it almost feels like just a round trip by car¡­¡± Zede said that, but the smile on his face didn¡¯t fade.


    The ¡®master and disciple¡¯ duo returned to the familiar basement,


    Zede didn¡¯t bother asking what Yi Chen had gained, and instead dragged him to the fighting ring in paradise, where they could understand specific details through physical exchange.


    However.


    Clang~ With the Thorny Iron Chain dragging on the ground, Zede¡¯s eager movements suddenly halted, and his expression turned extremely ugly, his killing intent palpable.


    ¡°You¡­ have you been to the Monastery?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, if you had truly been to the Monastery, it would not be possible for you to come back here. Those guys are very strict about controlling the Iron Chains, they wouldn¡¯t let you leave the Monastery interior with a chain.


    What¡¯s the deal with the chains on your body?¡±


    From Zede¡¯s sudden change in emotions and weighty words, Yi Chen could sense that he must have had some interaction with the Monastery.


    After Yi Chen narrated the entire process of his journey in the Old World,


    Zede¡¯s emotions gradually settled, and even a smile of excitement spread across his face.


    ¡°Three Monks failed to capture you and bring you back? Your Patient friend must be quite formidable¡­ It¡¯s a pity you haven¡¯t broken through your limit, otherwise, together with your friend, it would have been even better if you had killed the Monks outright.¡±


    ¡°Has teacher Zede ever fought with those Monks?¡±


    ¡°Not only have I fought with them, but I have also personally visited the Monastery. My ¡®Eye¡¯ was lost there. For every loss, there¡¯s something to gain; my ability to freely control my body and experience Pain comes from the special suffering I endured during that time.¡±


    ¡°What! You¡¯ve been to the Monastery.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a shameful matter. Back then, to protect Beili and the others, I was captured by those monks in the depths of the Grey Zone. I don¡¯t want to talk about the details; it¡¯s all very unpleasant memories.¡±


    As he spoke, Zede prodded his forehead with his finger.


    ¡°My sometimes uncontrollable mental state is also due to that special experience during that time.


    However, there¡¯s one thing I¡¯m quite proud of. As far as I know, many humans and Patients like me were captured and taken to the Monastery for iron chain-related illness modifications, and only a very few survived and became one of them.


    Not only did I endure the infusion of the Iron Chains and lived, but I also became the Monastery¡¯s only ¡°Escapee.¡±


    To avoid being located and tracked by those monks, I painstakingly pulled out all the iron chains implanted inside my body, and it was this very process of removing the chains that taught me the ¡®True Meaning of Suffering,¡¯


    This enlightenment is different from the Monastery¡¯s; it¡¯s something uniquely mine.¡±


    A monk who happened upon me was promptly torn to pieces, and I managed to return here using a nearby passage.¡±


    One day, I will go back and settle the score.¡±


    Zede¡¯s words left Yi Chen utterly baffled, and he began to understand why the Organization and the Academy chose not to execute Zede but instead imprisoned him and listed him as ¡°Special Record Combat Power.¡±


    ¡°You pulled out the Iron Chains from your body yourself, and even grasped the true meaning of suffering?¡±


    Zede stepped forward, reached out, and touched the Iron Chains on Yi Chen¡¯s arm, ¡°You better not try anything foolish like I did; even now, I wouldn¡¯t want to go through that a second time¡­ And I can tell that the Iron Chains in you are different.


    Your integration method is not the same as the ¡®Burying¡¯ or ¡®Bone Replacement¡¯ used inside the Monastery.


    The Thorny Iron Chain should first combine with your original Plant Disease, and then, using the framework system pre-embedded by the plant, directly proceed with the replacement.


    Your Physical Trait that you learned from me should also help you adeptly control such an iron chain system.


    Once you break through your Limit, you should be able to sever the chains¡¯ connection to the Monastery, and then, even if you venture to the Old World, you won¡¯t have to worry about them tracking you down.


    Iron Chains are valuable tools; otherwise, those Monastery guys wouldn¡¯t have a foothold in the Old World.


    Not to mention that the Iron Chains in you are of a higher grade Needle Chain.¡±


    ¡°Huh? There are different levels of Iron Chains?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not too clear on the specific grades myself, but I¡¯ve seen all sorts of weird and peculiar chains. Needle Chains like yours, however, I¡¯ve only seen on an individual who obviously ranked much higher than an Ordinary Monk.


    Make good use of this tool; perhaps you could achieve a constitution completely different from mine.


    From now on, as teacher and student, we can join forces to uproot the Monastery entirely from the Old World! Stop wasting time, start practicing¡­ It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt the pain of being lashed by Iron Chains; give me something to reminisce about.¡±


    Zede immediately took off his top and started working with Yi Chen,


    The paradise was filled with the sounds of whipping, collisions, and various strange cheers and laughter.


    Four hours passed. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zede draped his shirt over his shoulder and walked over to the refrigerator to grab two soda bottles, tossing one in the direction of the slowly rotating fan.


    Clack! Hanging on to the fan above, Yi Chen, drained of energy, caught it in one hand.


    During the rest break,


    Yi Chen brought up a topic he had always been concerned about.


    ¡°Teacher Zede, is there a possibility that a gentleman could be deeply affected by Pathological influences or the Patients, but go undetected by Zion¡¯s existing quarantine measures?¡±


    ¡°The probability is small, but possible.


    The gentleman¡¯s Physical body shows no signs of illness, and is even completely the same as before. Only the consciousness is perfectly invaded, inheriting all the Memory.


    Why? Do you suspect someone is not quite right?


    If you¡¯re certain, you can submit that person¡¯s information to the Organization; they will initiate an investigation immediately.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I got it.¡±

 Chapter 211: Physique Limit

    Yi Chen took the time to explain Lotson¡¯s abnormal behavior in his white robe to Professor Qian Bosen, asking him to relay it back to the organization.


    About ten days later, he received feedback from the organization. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gentleman responsible for the organization¡¯s dark activities noted some anomalies in Lotson during a week of tracking observation, but there were no clear expressions of illness.


    His ¡°abnormalities¡± might be related to mission failure, the death of teammates, and personal near-death experiences.


    The organization also conducted several psychological evaluations of Lotson afterward. While he didn¡¯t score high, he was at least above the passing line.


    Since there wasn¡¯t any problem, Yi Chen, who immersed himself daily in physical training, didn¡¯t interfere further,


    ...


    Moreover.


    There was still no news of Jin, and Reagan was still in deep retreat at the power station, never having broken through his limit, possibly undergoing unknown preparations.


    ¡­


    Two weeks passed


    Zed¡¯s Paradise


    Boom!


    A rare heavy thud came from inside,


    so distinct that even the teachers and students in the teaching building could clearly feel the dull tremor from underground, as if they themselves had been punched in the chest.


    The head of the Velsman Teaching Building went to the monitor room immediately, utilizing an eyeball camera connected to a dead brain to gather high-definition images from the underground area.


    When the staff accessed the footage, they were wide-eyed.


    ¡°Has Zede weakened? Impossible¡­how could this happen?¡±


    In the monitor footage,


    Zede, with a black bandage over his eyes and his body straightened, was making a near-perfect punching motion.


    The fully stretched muscle lines of his legs, the twisted spiral lines of his torso, and the perfectly aligned lines of his right arm extended in a punch¡­ through these lines, it was clear where the force was coming from.


    But that punch did not destroy anything.


    The fist hit Yi Chen¡¯s stacked palms, and between the palms, spikes protruded with iron chains inside his body sharing the force of the punch.


    His robust physique, just behind his hands, perfectly defended and caught the punch.


    He was neither pierced nor blown away, but maintained a head-on confrontation stance.


    This situation was thought impossible by the academy¡¯s teachers and staff,


    since they were quite aware of Zede¡¯s physical combat strength, unmatched by anyone in the entire academy. Such a perfect punch could even severely injure an elite gentleman who had breached his limits.


    This deadlock probably lasted about two minutes.


    Swish!


    From head to toe, spikes began to grow all over Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    Hum~ The spikes vibrated fiercely, breaking down the force of Zede¡¯s punch into countless units, transmitting the force through the iron spikes and stimulating every inch of Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    The vibration lasted for over twenty minutes before finally stopping.


    Streams of dark, viscous useless blood drained out along the spikes from his body, feeling the subtle changes in every inch of his flesh, sensing the independence of each piece of muscle and flesh.


    Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but stretch out his arms, volunteering to show everything around him.


    The familiar characters of the old days finally appeared in front of his retina:


    [Physique] has increased [5+]¡ú[6]


    *Physique has reached its limit value


    * The compatibility of ¡°Pathological Traits¡± with the body has increased.


    ¡­


    Zede quietly waited, waiting until Yi Chen¡¯s sensation of bodily advancement ended, and all the spikes retracted into his body.


    ¡°Congratulations! Your physique has finally caught up with your brain, reaching its limit¡­and the compatibility of the iron chains has also risen higher than I anticipated.


    I dislike the monastery¡¯s products, but I must admit they are really good,¡± Zede said.


    ¡°Teacher Zede, how about I treat you to dinner tonight? I happened to discover a nice restaurant in the lower levels last time.¡±


    ¡°A restaurant in the lower level streets? Those are all secret eateries that process banned food, and they are quite expensive¡­ Do you really have enough money?¡±


    Yi Chen twirled Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s business card in the air between his fingers.


    ¡­


    On the train leaving campus,


    Teacher Zede, dressed formally and sitting tightly, was wrapped up in an airtight overcoat, its inner fabric a specially made ¡°corpse skin¡± that effectively shielded the aura, disguising himself as a corpse-styled gentleman.


    He wore a biohazard respirator, treating the fresh air to make it foul.


    Perceiving the real-world scene outside the window, the excitement was indescribable.


    When the train arrived at the station, Zede, with Yi Chen¡¯s support, shakily stepped out of the carriage, feeling the movement of the crowd and listening to the familiar sounds of communication between the blocks. If he still had tear glands, perhaps liquid would be secreted.


    ¡°I guess in a few more years, teacher Zede, you could completely regain your freedom. You could live freely as a gentleman, and might even become less constrained as a ¡®Tunnel Watcher¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I hope so~ Those people above are still quite afraid of me.


    I don¡¯t really have complete confidence in controlling myself¡­ I might lose control of the dark side within me someday, leading to irreversible consequences.


    I¡¯ve already adapted to this life of being in shackles, it¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    ¡°Today is your first time out, stop talking about such depressing stuff! Let¡¯s go have a good meal.¡±


    Yi Chen seriously underestimated Zede¡¯s appetite.


    Perhaps because it had been a long time since he had forbidden food, out of control over his body, Zede alone nearly ate ten times the portion of a normal person, constantly attracting the gaze of people around him with the plates piled on the table.


    The restaurant owner quietly verified their identities backstage,


    finding that Yi Chen was just a student while Zede¡¯s image, who was eating behind a mask the entire time, could not be matched against any valid database as a gentleman,


    the owner, considering the possibility that they might dine and dash, sent someone in advance to guard the restaurant entrance.


    It wasn¡¯t until Yi Chen handed over a black business card that the restaurant side finally relaxed.


    Although they ate a lot, it didn¡¯t take much time. Subtracting a half hour of travel back to school, there was still an hour left for outdoor time.


    Yi Chen mysteriously said, ¡°Teacher Zede, would you like to see something nice?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    The dining spot was in the lower streets, and after quickly crossing three blocks, they arrived at the warehouse next to the Nameless Clothing Store. Yi Chen pulled up the shutter door, and the densely arranged mannequins inside made Zede startled.


    ¡°Corpse wax sculptures? Although most are flawed, they clearly show the creator¡¯s skill. Where did these come from?¡±


    ¡°These all belong to Ivan, the owner of the shop next door. He is Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s old friend. My outfit was custom-made by him.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ He¡¯s talented. So what did you bring me here to see?¡±


    Yi Chen placed his forefinger to his lips and whispered softly, ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it downstairs.¡±


    They proceeded to the basement along a hidden passage behind the mannequins.


    As Zede smelled the murky air below, he also took off his mask, feeling the Wind Element Sealing spread throughout the basement and growing more curious about what Yi Chen was going to show.


    ¡°What in the world is¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Yi Chen took out the Old World¡¯s Golden Box.


    The symmetric cubic Magic Cube in the box revealed itself, and Zede¡¯s unique ¡®Physical Perception¡¯ immediately captured the multiple pieces of information emitted by the cube.


    ¡°Could this be¡­ a Three Attribute Relic? You little rascal!¡±


    ¡°Correct, and this thing is different from ordinary relics. To probe its essence, you must solve three different puzzles.


    I have already deciphered the initial form corresponding to ¡®Intelligence¡¯, and now we need to use brute force for a Physique solution.


    Today, I¡¯ve just reached the limit, perfect for a trial.¡±


    As Yi Chen grabbed the ends of the cubic cone, the limit physique immediately provided an extra level of strength.


    Creak~


    Under the influence of strength, the symmetric cubic Magic Cube slowly folded in half, giving an impression similar to bending an arm rod.


    By the time the ends of the cone completely folded and touched each other.


    Wham!


    A force field directly pushed Yi Chen back several meters.


    The self-suspended ¡°Madman¡¯s Box¡± began to transform towards its third stage. Under the interaction of the precise structure, the cube astonishingly collapsed towards its center.


    Eventually transforming into a dark gold, smooth metallic sphere.


    A fingernail-sized hole remained at the top, hinting at ¡°Peering.¡±


    ¡°What a clever design, is this the third rank form representing Perception?¡± Yi Chen immediately approached, taking over the sphere with curiosity and excitement.


    However, this contact didn¡¯t pierce his palm with blood to verify his identity like the previous stage did.


    He slowly aligned the hole at the top of the sphere with his eyeball, attempting to peek inside.


    The moment the metal sphere perfectly fit his eye socket,


    Whoosh! A circular blade sprung out next to the hole, slicing into the eyeball.


    By drawing the fluid flowing between the eyeballs, it verified the identity on a deeper level, ensuring the ¡®Perception decryption¡¯ continued to be performed by Yi Chen himself.


    Although Yi Chen could ignore the pain, he saw nothing; the inside of the sphere was empty, baffling him.


    ¡°As expected, is my Perception not enough¡­ I must trouble the Principal to see it.¡±

 Chapter 212: Magician Association

    [Nameless Clothing Store]


    As Yi Chen led Zede downstairs, Mr. Ivan, who was working on a brand-new mannequin, immediately sensed a strong, mysterious, and powerful scent of death.


    ¡°Who is the person with William? Why would he willingly take them to the important [secret chamber]? Only Qian Bosen and I should know about it.


    Has that fellow been brainwashed or coerced?¡±


    Considering the potential risks, Ivan paused his mannequin creation, changed into a two-color suit, and covered his completely charred right face with a half mask. He then walked towards the next door secret chamber, leaning on a special cane.


    As he followed the hidden passage between the warehouses down to the basement, Yi Chen, who was examining the spherical relic, didn¡¯t notice his arrival.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Zede, also in the basement, had removed his mask and covered his face, now blinded by black bandages.


    This image immediately reminded Ivan of a familiar name.


    ¡°Hogni Zede~is that right? I have often heard old man Qian Bosen mention you¡­ I didn¡¯t expect the organization to relax the restrictions on you and agree to let you leave the academy to move around, did they?¡±


    Zede didn¡¯t respond but instead formed a precise image of Ivan in his mind through unique physical perception, even clearer than what the naked eye could see.


    The captured image caused Zede to furrow his brow,


    because he discovered that the other¡¯s entire right half was in a state of ¡°soul-burning,¡± continuously eroded by an everlasting curse flame.


    ¡°Your right side is in bad shape, yet you manage to move around like a normal person¡­ Is it by some kind of ¡®puppeteer¡¯ means? Those corpse wax puppets above must be your work, right?¡±


    Ivan didn¡¯t intend to hide anything and explained the situation with his right side.


    ¡°In the first ten years, I had thoughts of suicide over a hundred times. But gradually, I accepted this indelible burning curse and turned it into a part of my body, even enhancing my tailoring craft.


    Making models during the day helps distract from the burning pain. Once I create the most perfect model, I will be able to transfer my soul into it, breaking free from the curse¡¯s erosion.¡±


    Having said that, Ivan slowly descended the steps, reaching out to touch Zede¡¯s clothing.


    ¡°It seems you haven¡¯t maintained your [clothing] for decades, have you? No wonder, being confined in the academy has its limitations, and there aren¡¯t many tailors in the organization who dare to repair your clothes on their initiative.


    The craftsmanship of your clothing itself is quite ordinary, not quite fitting your body, or rather, not worthy of your body.


    If you don¡¯t mind, you can come to my tailor shop, and I will make some minor alterations for you.¡±


    Zede was also quite the gentleman, politely declining, ¡°Thank you very much, but I may not have sufficient time to stay out, with only forty-four minutes left before I must return.¡±


    ¡°The time is indeed short, but I could take your body measurements in advance. Next time you have the chance to come out, we could go straight to the revision steps.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s motive wasn¡¯t purely charitable; he had never seen a body like Zede¡¯s before. The brief touch had allowed him to glimpse an entirely new domain of the body.


    It was both a personal pursuit and part of his nature as a tailor.


    Or rather, he could be inspired to create the perfect mannequin from Zede¡¯s body.


    ¡­


    Half an hour passed.


    Yi Chen still had not discerned any information from the sphere and, with a sigh, withdrew his gaze, retracting the blade as well¡­ When he turned his head, he found himself alone in the basement.


    ¡°Did teacher Zede leave early? Yes, it¡¯s probably better to return early on his first trip out. The academy might give him more freedom in the future.¡±


    When he repacked the relic into the Golden Box, the chest reverted to its original rectangular shape, easy to carry.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting late today; I¡¯ll pay a visit to the Principal tomorrow.¡±


    Exiting the secret chamber and locking the rolling door.


    Yi Chen lowered the brim of his hat, grabbed his suitcase, and hurried to the elevator leading to the upper streets.


    Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a white figure squeezed in at the last moment, carrying a bag emitting a strange fragrance.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that William? What a coincidence!¡±


    The white figure coincided with Lotson in his white robe, greeting with a sunny smile on his face.


    ¡°Mm,¡± Yi Chen simply responded with a brief reply.


    Even though he seemed uninterested in Lotson, Yi Chen still took the opportunity to stealthily observe through the concealed eyes of the grape, feeling that the ¡®sense of disharmony¡¯ emanating from the other party only intensified. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had a sneaking suspicion that their meeting was not by chance, but an ¡®accidental encounter¡¯ deliberately orchestrated by Lotson.


    ¡°William, are you free tonight? Would you like to come with me to the Magician Association? I happen to be delivering a batch of special materials there,¡± Lotson said with a friendly squinting expression, deliberately lifting up the cloth bag in his hand and emphasizing it with a pointed gesture.


    In the past, Yi Chen would have certainly declined.


    But coincidentally, he had no plans this evening, his physique had broken through its limit, and the formal meeting with the Principal would not be until tomorrow.


    Most importantly, Yi Chen was also curious to find out if there was anything wrong with this white-haired individual before him.


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± he said.


    [Magician Association]


    Gentlemen hold various professions, and some groups with similar professions and abilities establish small to medium-sized gatherings to enhance mutual exchange of experience under the authorization of an organization.


    Among them, the Magician Association ranks among the top four of all gathering groups, primarily because of a large member base, with many professions related to magic.


    For example, Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s expertise in Wind Magic.


    Yi Chen¡¯s original plant disease could also be classified under magic, as could the newly awakened Death, which he had not yet mastered.


    The main building corresponding to the Magician Association occupies a large area in the street district, looking like a medieval academy from the outside, open all day.


    Inside, there are discussion rooms for various types of magic, potion supply rooms, and a library. All the books therein are donated by members to share their insights and knowledge, and occasionally, high-ranking members will even place valuable Magic Books there for free.


    The main entrance of the building leads to a spacious reception hall with candles floating in midair under the effect of Gravity Magic. Organizational tasks related to magic are pre-distributed here, with members enjoying the priority to undertake these tasks.


    After wandering around with Lotson, Yi Chen actually began to entertain the idea of joining the association.


    ¡°This place is nice, isn¡¯t it? William, you are also preeminent in [Intelligence] with amazing talent. You can submit an application right now to become our prospective member.


    Once you graduate from the academy, you¡¯ll be able to convert to full member immediately, enjoying all the privileges here,¡± Lotson said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after I graduate, thanks anyway, Lotson.¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen preparing to leave, Lotson gently tapped his shoulder and pointed to a window on the side of the hall:


    ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why don¡¯t you check if there are any magic tasks that suit you.


    You might find some magic materials that fit with us, which can be used in the creation of magic tools or even assist in our future Extreme Breakthroughs.


    If I¡¯m not wrong, William, you¡¯ve already been preparing for an Extreme Breakthrough recently, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen was indeed curious to see what differentiated the tasks pre-distributed to the Magician Association.


    A member on duty today received them and handed over a booklet, which recorded all the tasks that hadn¡¯t been accepted in the last three days.


    Generally speaking, tasks are updated at eight in the morning, and most of the ¡®cost-effective¡¯ tasks are taken in the morning.


    The remaining tasks have a low cost-benefit ratio or are characterized by uncertainty and instability, making them often untouched and eventually ending up at the Gentleman Hall.


    Browsing the front part of the booklet left Yi Chen somewhat disappointed; the tasks given priority by the Magician Association were only related to magic based on target objectives, regions, and Magic Elements.


    The tasks were basically not different from those in Gentleman Hall, and some even seemed quite subpar.


    But when he got to the last page,


    An exclusive, time-limited task that was about to end and would be sent to Gentleman Hall the next morning caught Yi Chen¡¯s attention.


    ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï A full five-star difficulty with an added question mark element, as well as repeated mentions of the word ¡®Death,¡¯ piqued Yi Chen¡¯s interest.

 Chapter 213: Temporary Team Formation

    [Mourning the Deceased]


    Location of incident: Levinhome (approximately 201km from Zion)


    *Prelude: Levinhome, a significant city governed and managed directly by G&D, began experiencing frequent deaths among ordinary people without detecting any dangerous pathogens. The morgue at the local hospital has been filled to capacity, and many bodies can only be placed in temporarily constructed morgues.


    Requirement:


    Proceed to [Levinhome] and assist the Gentlemen stationed there to investigate the cause of civilian deaths. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If a death factor or latent disease root hiding in the city¡¯s shadows is discovered, it must be eradicated in conjunction with the local Gentlemen.


    ...


    Difficulty (Human): ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï+?


    *According to the information currently reported back, three Gentlemen responsible for autopsies and relevant investigations have completely disappeared, and the Prophet in Zion has sporadically glimpsed some unknown death factor drifting in the alleys and corners of Levinhome.


    The final assessment of the event¡¯s difficulty is ¡°suspected Super Five Star¡±.


    Reward: The reward will be determined based on the final level of investigation, individual participation, and objective assessments from Levinhome participants, and will include equivalent silver coins, Gentleman¡¯s Skin, and rare rewards.


    Special Reminder:


    1. This mission requires full cooperation with local Gentlemen, adherence to arrangements, and strictly prohibits independent investigation.


    2. If the potential risks in Levinhome exceed the estimated values, mission participants need not wait for the organization¡¯s notification and may choose to evacuate the mission location on their own. Depending on the situation, this will not be considered desertion or abandonment, nor will any responsibility or penalties be pursued.


    3. Due to the highest difficulty of the task within the [Human] category, those who accept the task will also undergo an assessment by the organization; only those who pass the assessment may proceed to Levinhome.


    4. This mission mandates a four-person team; if the team is not complete, it is necessary to wait for additional members to accept the task and fill the slots.


    ¡­


    ¡°A full five stars, and possibly even exceeding five stars.


    I remember Levinhome is considered the third largest city under the organization¡¯s command, many processed goods are produced there and transported to Zion.


    This city has a complete infrastructure of Gentleman¡¯s institutions including tailor shops, graveyards, clinics, and so forth, and possibly more than one of each type.


    The number of Gentlemen stationed there is also significant, many of whom have already transcended their limits.


    To not ascertain the cause of the sudden mass deaths of civilians? Perhaps the deaths have just begun, and the hidden illnesses have not fully emerged yet.¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen very interested, the white-haired Lottson approached and made a suggestion:


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we both sign up to try? After all, both your and my [Intelligence] have reached the limit, meeting the conditions to take on a five-star mission.


    I personally need to complete a full five-star high difficulty mission to restore the organization¡¯s trust in me due to the complete failure of the Relic event, otherwise, I won¡¯t be able to enjoy the priority rights of the Relic event.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll respond to you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°By tomorrow, this task will be sent to Gentleman Hall, and who knows, just right a four-person squad might be interested in the task.¡±


    Yi Chen rolled up his sleeves and glanced at the time on his watch.


    ¡°I will give a response within four hours¡­ after all, the Magician Association is open all day, right?¡±


    ¡°That works, then I¡¯ll wait here for you.¡±


    Lottson stood in place, waving goodbye to the departing Yi Chen.


    Even as the silhouette disappeared from view, Lottson still remained in the reception hall, standing upright, with no intention of leaving to do something else.


    ¡­


    In Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s office.


    Yi Chen reported the matter to his first Tutor.


    ¡°Levinhome¡­ I advise against going there.


    The deaths occurring there still have no leads, and just yesterday the organization even sent Cesimani¡¯s Executioner and two Doctors to assist in the investigation.


    Though the primary deceased are ordinary individuals, there¡¯s also been a disappearance of Gentlemen.


    That this matter is classified under the [Human] category by the higher-ups is really a bit reckless.¡±


    If the power concealed inside was above the Open Source Level, you, who had not broken through the ¡°Limit of Man,¡± might have lost your life during the investigation.


    You should know that you had just returned from the Old World with difficulty and obtained a Three Attribute Relic that had not appeared in the organization for a century. As your first tutor, I do not recommend that you take this risk.¡±


    ¡°But, Professor, this incident is related to Death, and the Death Attribute within me was just activated. I might be able to gain corresponding benefits from it, which could help in the upcoming Extreme Breakthrough.¡±


    Qian Bosen stood with his hands behind his back, appearing to be deep in thought in front of the window.


    ¡°You can go if you want, but you must adhere to two requirements:


    1. You must strictly obey the local Gentlemen, follow their investigation plan for this incident, and suppress your independent thinking. Any independent, in-depth investigation might lead to death, and even if I receive the message and rush over immediately, it might not be enough to save your life.


    2. Leave the ¡®Madman¡¯s Box¡¯ here, don¡¯t take it to such a dangerous place.¡±


    One of Yi Chen¡¯s purposes for visiting Qian Bosen was actually to store the relic.


    As the spherical structure¡¯s imitation was displayed, Qian Bosen could not help inspecting it back and forth, ¡°Which stage of decryption have you reached?¡±


    ¡°It should be in the final stage. Currently, Sensing needs to reach its Limit to glimpse the decryption mystery.


    I was originally planning to meet the Principal and train with her on Sensing, and just happen to intervene in this matter along the way.¡±


    However, Qian Bosen waved his hand, ¡°Going directly to the Principal is a bit too hasty.


    You¡¯ve pushed both [Intelligence] and [Physique] to their Limits in just over a month. Hastily pursuing [Sensing] isn¡¯t a good thing and could even lead you into a state of confusion and stagnation, stalling your growth completely.


    Take this opportunity with the Levinhome incident to adjust, then go find the Principal afterward.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As Yi Chen was about to leave, Qian Bosen called out, ¡°Oh! Jin hasn¡¯t returned yet, and Reagan is deep inside the Power Station¡­ Who are you teaming up with for this mission?¡±


    ¡°An old friend.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Qian Bosen subconsciously thought it was Yi Chen¡¯s original teammates and did not inquire further.


    Yi Chen promptly proceeded to the educational building and reported the situation of Levinhome to his second tutor, Zede, whose attitude was completely opposite Qian Bosen¡¯s.


    ¡°Enjoy yourself. With your physical body and the Iron Chains inside, treat any event within the human category as entertainment¡­ You are very strong now!¡±


    ¡­


    Exactly four hours later, Yi Chen returned on time to his appointment at the Magician Association.


    White-robed Lottson was standing in the same position as when he said goodbye before, even the gesture of his arm shaking remained exactly the same.


    By virtue of Lottson¡¯s membership, they undertook this task,


    Since only the two of them registered, this task would be posted to the Gentleman Hall tomorrow, waiting for additional gentlemen to sign up until the four-person minimum requirement was met.


    Yi Chen thought that such a difficult and unknown task would scarcely attract anyone,


    but right at noon the next day, while eating in the school cafeteria, he received a message demanding he immediately go to the Gentleman Hall for a ¡®Qualification Review¡¯.


    Yi Chen, having traveled from school by bus, spent a significant amount of time on the road.


    White-haired Lottson and the other two participants were already present.


    One of them Yi Chen had not only seen before but had even clashed with.


    It was Barry Bessalius, the same opponent who competed against Yi Chen¡¯s team for a relic event spot.


    In their previous battle, neither Yi Chen nor his physical body could determine the victor, as Barry¡¯s two teammates were defeated, forcing the match to end early.


    After a conversation, it became known that Barry, born into the Knight Family, had only teamed up temporarily with the previous team and disbanded after failing to secure the relic event.


    He hoped to enhance his relic priority through achieving a full five-star event this time.


    Moreover, he had learned from his family¡¯s secret information that completing the Levinhome incident with high completeness might yield a relic reward directly awarded by the organization.


    Another reason was that Barry unexpectedly saw Yi Chen¡¯s familiar name on the list and promptly signed up.


    As for the fourth member of the team, it was an old man whose age far exceeded the rest. One could smell a strong scent of corpses from him, clearly a gentleman who had spent a long time in close contact, even intimately, with corpses.

 Chapter 214: Unknown Death

    The task was delegated to the Gentleman Hall, and within half a day, two teammates had been matched. There were mainly two reasons for this.


    1. There is a large number of gentlemen who have reached their limit but have yet to break through, and although Yi Chen already possesses two special relics, it¡¯s very difficult for most gentlemen to find relics suitable for themselves.


    Securing a place in the relic strife, the dangerous Grey Zone around the channel, and the Old World exploration limited to only one day.


    Even if one succeeds in overcoming these three obstacles, digging out ancient relics from the grey-sand-covered underground of the Old World¡¯s surface does not guarantee that they will align with one¡¯s attributes, or even that the relic itself would be intact enough to facilitate a breakthrough.


    2. Levinhome is the third-largest city under the organization and hosts a number of elite gentlemen.


    Four people whose rank is still ¡°Human¡± were arranged to go there. They would inevitably not touch the most dangerous areas but rather assist with some more ordinary backup affairs.


    ...


    As long as one doesn¡¯t take unnecessary risks, the level of danger shouldn¡¯t be particularly high.


    If the difficulty of the event is later determined to be beyond five stars, participants will receive compensation from the organization. As Barry said, a substantial contribution to the event might lead to the organization giving away a relic directly.


    Even without a direct relic reward, priority will also be given for the next relic event.


    ¡­


    Yi Chen and his group were taken to the second floor of Gentleman Hall.


    An old acquaintance, the supervisor Aiji with his hat askew, was in charge of conducting a ¡®qualification review¡¯ for the four of them.


    This time¡¯s review was somewhat special. Apart from confirming that each person had reached the limit in a certain attribute, a detailed verification was also required to ensure that their abilities could play a corresponding role in supporting Levinhome.


    To ensure privacy, team members would follow Supervisor Aiji one by one to a separate booth for the confidential review.


    Upon meeting, Aiji immediately focused on Yi Chen, who was standing at the end of the line, half of his body even obscured by Barry¡¯s armor.


    ¡°You again¡­ William? Isn¡¯t it better to stay in the academy? You really have to dip your toes into dangerous matters.


    Come over first, let¡¯s check you out.¡±


    Out of a sense of apology for the past arrangement with Twilight Clinic, Aiji felt somewhat guilty towards a genius like Yi Chen.


    Combining the internal intelligence he currently knew, he didn¡¯t want Yi Chen, who had not yet graduated from the academy, to get involved in this event and silently raised the screening standard in his heart.


    Upon entering the booth,


    Aiji was startled by the base values he read when his palm touched Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder; his hat would have slipped off if it hadn¡¯t been for a special fastener.


    ¡°You¡­ have reached the dual limit of physique and intellect?¡±


    ¡°I reached it a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°You guy, you barely pass on the basics.


    However, the matter in Levinhome is unusual, so you need to show me a ¡®talent,¡¯ anything at all. I will judge whether you are suitable for the Levinhome event based on what you demonstrate.¡±


    Aiji had already thought ahead, expecting that if Yi Chen used his signature Pupil Skill,


    he would use the excuse that Levinhome had already arranged a large number of gentlemen with visual perception traits to deny his participation.


    However, Yi Chen¡¯s pupils did not change, and he did not bring Little Grape to appear.


    He simply stretched out his right hand, motioning for a handshake.


    As their palms met,


    a certain slime secreted from Yi Chen¡¯s palm, the danger stimulating Aiji¡¯s instincts to quickly withdraw his hand.


    Upon closer inspection,


    it was a kind of pitch-black liquid emitting smoke, which evaporated the moment it hit the ground, leaving no trace behind.


    ¡°Supervisor Aiji, I actually didn¡¯t plan on taking a task last night.


    However, while visiting the Magician Association, I accidentally learned about the Levinhome incident related to death, and part of my traits related to death just awakened. I decided to spend some time in Levinhome, perhaps to gain something.¡±


    Aiji shook his head helplessly, as the young man before him had completely surpassed his understanding.


    ¡°Go on then, since you made it here, Qian Bosen must have agreed too. Let me tell you in advance, the situation in Levinhome is worse than it seems.


    A missing gentleman has been found, dead at the bottom of a river.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was a clinic apprentice who had reached the limit of harmony but had not yet broken through. According to the autopsy, he had almost no resistance before dying, and suicide seemed very likely.


    ¡°Once you are there, you must follow the local requirements and not investigate on your own accord, especially not venture alone into any dark alleys.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As Yi Chen¡¯s testing was completed,


    his teammates followed suit with their examinations, with Lotson in the white robe easily passing thanks to his unique ancient magic.


    Barry, born into a knight family, passed the inspection by relying on his unique ¡°Knight Aura.¡±


    As for the last member of the team, the old gentleman, he wasn¡¯t called separately.


    ¡°Mr. Helvoye, I didn¡¯t expect you to sign up in such a conventional manner.¡±


    ¡°Every now and then I like to act with the young people, otherwise, sitting in my little workshop all the time, I feel like my bones are going to age completely. Who knows, one day I might just lie down in there¡­¡±


    The supervisor Aiji looked at everyone, ¡°Since Mr. Helvoye is participating, the team should follow his arrangements throughout.


    He was the former autopsy officer of Hippocrates Hospital. Many of our generation received Mr. Helvoye¡¯s special care after death.


    He is also an elite gentleman, which will effectively ensure your safety.¡±


    ¡°Elite gentleman?¡±


    Yi Chen and the others were puzzled, as the mission was meant for gentlemen who had not yet broken through, so how could there be an elite gentleman in the team.


    ¡°The mission was created three days ago, exclusively by the Magician Association for three days.


    When it was released to us today, the grave situation in Levinhome had become far worse than it was three days ago, so the mission content was revised, including a lead elite gentleman among the participants.


    That¡¯s all for now, delays are not good, so hurry and take the car over. Every minute we delay, the situation in Levinhome gets increasingly worse.


    I wish you all the best, and I hope you all return safely.¡±


    ¡­


    [Levinhome]


    All residents were confined to their homes due to the unknown death incidents,


    some visitors and people without property were collectively managed in hotels and camps, with sealing tape on every household¡¯s door.


    The daily food supply would be distributed by the gentleman group downstairs, or to each own home entrance.


    People were also very aware of the recent spate of deaths and stayed obediently in their own homes, complying with management, hoping that the gentlemen would quickly dispel the shadow of death looming over the city.


    Around noon,


    a family of four lived in a detached residence.


    The elder daughter Mary, sixteen this year, had been practicing painting in her second-floor bedroom every day since the school was not in session.


    Chirp, chirp~ A burst of bird calls came from outside the window.


    Mary immediately looked for the source and saw a neat row of starlings perched on the power line pole outside the window. It was odd, they made no superfluous movements, just standing there.


    When the birds sensed Mary¡¯s gaze, they began to move in a patterned manner.


    Flying within the field of view that could be seen from the window, pausing and moving intermittently.


    Twenty minutes passed,


    and Mary¡¯s mother finished preparing today¡¯s meal, calling for her son and daughter to come down to eat, but only the brother ran downstairs.


    Since Mary sometimes got so engrossed in drawing that she forgot to eat, her mother, somewhat impatient, went upstairs, ready to have a serious talk with her daughter about drawing.


    But as soon as she opened the door~ Snap! She collapsed to the ground in fright,


    Mary was hanging from a noose tied in the center of the room, already lifeless. Several starlings that had flown in from the window were perched on her shoulder, with one even pecking at her eyeball.

 Chapter 215: City of the Dead

    The Gentleman Hall¡¯s doors were already attended by a high-class carriage waiting outside,


    prioritizing Mr. Helvoye to board first,


    the old coroner, who was born an elder, wrapped himself up so tightly that no wind could seep through,


    wearing an old-fashioned rounded hat, a light brown standing-collar coat, a dark red tie, and a white shirt with vertical stripes.


    Under his trousers, he wore a pair of well-fitted galoshes, or rather, a unique type of shoe gear of his own.


    His hands were also covered in black gloves fashioned from a rubber-like material,


    ...


    and the only visible parts of his face were his aquiline nose and the surrounding wrinkles,


    Having retired from Zion, and considering the extensions of human lifespan due to the breaking of limits, I estimate this esteemed elder to be around one hundred years old.


    Everyone inside the carriage seemed quite constrained until the elder removed his rounded hat revealing his white long hair, and his eagle-like gaze appeared to have the power to glimpse through the health of everyone present, almost as if he could ¡®dissect¡¯ them with just a look.


    After his gaze swept over the teammates in the carriage, the elder spoke first:


    ¡°Passing Aiji¡¯s review shows that you three young people have some real talent.


    First, let me clarify our primary mission to Levinhome: we are to assist the local gentry with disposing of the excess civilian corpses. I will select some special, valuable bodies for autopsy.


    Additionally, I may need an assistant who can take notes, bag the specimens, pass me tools during the autopsy, and cooperate in the dissection if necessary.


    Do any of you have experience with autopsies, or are you at least familiar with the basic handling of a corpse?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was about to raise his hand, the white-robed Lotson spoke first:


    ¡°The ancient magic I am proficient in is related to the physical, and my father gave me training in dissection when I was a child. I am quite familiar with the regular procedures of dissection, especially skilled in handling blood.¡±


    ¡°Ancient magic, a family inheritance of bloodline, am I right? If I¡¯m not mistaken, it should be ¡®Bloodline Magic¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s tentatively decide on you as my assistant then.¡±


    ¡°I will wholeheartedly assist Mr. Helvoye to the best of my ability.¡±


    Seeing that it seemed only one assistant was needed, and that Lotson had professional training, Yi Chen decided not to vie for the position.


    Rather than being tethered to the elder¡¯s side to assist in autopsies, Yi Chen was more eager to seize the opportunity to investigate these mysterious deaths on his own.


    However, a critical point arose from the conversation just now.


    The ancient magic that the white-robed Lotson was proficient in was associated with blood, which explained why during the last Relic incident, Lotson opted for the Baron route, whose difficulty and risks were unknown but equally related to blood.


    Yi Chen even suspected that Lotson¡¯s team had not completely eradicated the mysterious Baron.


    Perhaps the Baron hadn¡¯t died at all but had transferred or grafted his consciousness onto Lotson¡¯s blood, perhaps even his brain, through some curse, exerting an imperceptible influence on him.


    It was this influence from the Baron that caused Yi Chen to sense this dissonance.


    But it could also be something else. Without concrete evidence, Yi Chen wouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions.


    As the white-robed Lotson began to engage in some scholarly exchange on dissection with the elder, the Heavy Knight Barry also slowly moved closer to Yi Chen, asking in a low voice:


    ¡°William, how did your last mission fare? Did you manage to obtain the right Relic?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Yi Chen pointed towards his abdomen, indicating the Relic was within.


    ¡°Congratulations! Speaking of which, those two near-monstrous teammates of yours, aren¡¯t you also a temporary team?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the case, Jin is still in the Old World, and Reagan is in seclusion at the Power Station, possibly close to breaking through the Limit of Man.¡±


    This response left the naive-looking Barry quite perplexed, ¡°You actually managed to secure two relics that match your Attributes, yet Miss Jin got lost in the Old World explorations, what happened?¡±


    ¡°No, we chose to split up as soon as we arrived in the Old World, to maximize our use of time.¡±


    ¡°Split up!? Wow¡­you all are such monsters, giving us regular folks no chance whatsoever to catch up.¡±


    Now that the topic had been broached, Yi Chen began to ask some questions he was curious about.


    He inquired about the Barry knight family and its related traits, and even touched the unique ¡°armor garments,¡±


    According to Barry, if he could break through his limits and the armor¡¯s skin content exceeded 50%, he could make the armor form a separate entity, transforming into an armor knight to fight alongside him.


    When combined, he could even sprout ¡°Heavenly Wings,¡± greatly enhancing overall combat prowess.


    The history of the Barry family could be traced back to the Medieval period, with generations of brave and skilled knights, and the inherited bloodline endowed Barry with a natural physique and spirit.


    The knight¡¯s spirit could manifest as an aura, providing amplification for the entire squad.


    Barry¡¯s aura was named ¡°Heavy Aura,¡± which enhanced the squad members¡¯ defense against physical blows, and under the influence of the aura, their clothing would even take on a metallic structure similar to knight armor.


    ¡­


    Gray clouds hung heavily over the city,


    As the carriage traveled down the open road, the passengers could glimpse the outline of Levinhome through the carriage windows, yet the fog hanging over the city was noticeably denser than the surrounding countryside.


    Some of the fog had even settled onto the streets, creating the impression of a ¡°City of Fog.¡±


    Yi Chen attempted to use Vision¡¯s eyesight to peer through the clouds, but to little avail¡­ the moon could not always be seen even at night.


    ¡°William, once you have dealt with the matters at hand, make time to visit the cemetery here if you can. Even from this distance, I can smell a potent graveyard scent. As the third-largest city under the organization, its cemetery will undoubtedly be different,¡±


    ¡°standard and burial counts are probably many times more than Seven-Day Cemetery.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, if there¡¯s spare time, I¡¯ll make a point to take a look.¡±


    As the carriage entered the city along the main road,


    even through the carriage windows, it was possible to sense the pervasive desolation; the streets were deserted, with every house bearing seals and an occasional pair of eyes peering out from between the drawn curtains at the passing vehicles.


    In open squares and parks along the way, there existed makeshift ¡°mortuaries¡± constructed of specialty steel plates and tents.


    Gentlemen wrapped in overcoats and wearing breathing masks were seen transporting bodies, each body tightly sealed in a black bag to prevent any potential ¡°Death Factor¡± from leaking out.


    The carriage weaved through the city,


    and if one ignored the fog and the aura of death, the city actually looked quite normal, with the streets and buildings presenting a very clean appearance.


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen unexpectedly caught sight of a group of rats emerging from a sewer, but their behavior did not resemble foraging for food; they were moving methodically.


    The rats seemed to sense the gaze from the carriage, matching their speed with that of the carriage, appearing to stand still in relation to it.


    As Yi Chen¡¯s gaze continued to follow them, the rats began to change formation.


    Just then, a voice came through, ¡°William, what are you looking at?¡±


    White-haired Lotson suddenly squeezed over, leaning his head close to the window, joining in the view outside.


    The rats that had been running alongside the carriage stopped abruptly and scattered quickly.


    ¡°So you were watching these little creatures, huh~ Indeed, in a city surrounded by death, any being could be affected. Is there something wrong with these rats?¡±


    ¡°Not for the moment.¡±


    Eventually, the carriage stopped at the city hall,


    The manager of Levinhome was already overwhelmed, showing little concern for Yi Chen and his fellow students who had come for the task, and only Mister Helvoye¡¯s status allowed for a momentary friendly reception.


    Only Helvoye was invited into the mayor¡¯s office, while Yi Chen and the two others waited outside. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    About half an hour passed,


    and Helvoye lowered the brim of his hat to shield a rather displeased expression, ¡°I¡¯ve secured the Autopsy Certificate and can inspect any mortuary. Follow me~ Let¡¯s start with the earliest victims and hope it¡¯s not too late.¡±

 Chapter 216: Normal

    Levinhome City, the third largest city under the organization¡¯s jurisdiction.


    The clinics here are structured like large hospitals, known as Sunlight Clinic or Sunlight General Hospital, with a gold-plated sun disc even hanging at the very center of the hospital building.


    The reason for such a name lies in the fact that the clinic was established using a secret medicine called ¡°Sun Secret Medicine¡±, which had passed the organization¡¯s inspection.


    This type of medicine had been classified as top-secret by the organization, and after being produced by Sunlight Clinic, it was sent to the organization through specialized channels.


    Along the way, it underwent at least five inspections; should any issues be found with the secret medicine in transit, all personnel involved in the previous inspection stages would be held accountable.


    It is rumored that the Sun Secret Medicine emits a dazzling glow and must be packaged in a gold-plated container with a transparency less than 0.03%.


    ...


    Essentially, it¡¯s a combat-type medicine, and upon consumption, small flares would appear on the physical surface of the user; the energy consumed could be fully replenished or even exceed certain limits within a short period.


    This medicine is restricted to use only between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.


    The user¡¯s profession and pathological traits must not be related to darkness; otherwise, severe side effects may occur, even leading to death.


    Professions such as light and plant-related, which are compatible with sunlight, will maximize the effectiveness of the Sun Secret Medicine.


    Currently, due to the shadow of death looming over the city, the production of Sun Secret Medicine has been temporarily suspended to prevent carrying unknown death factors to Zion.


    ¡­


    Clatter clatter clatter~


    The carriage stopped in front of the hospital.


    The once bustling Sunlight General Hospital now appeared exceptionally desolate, with the building further shrouded in fog. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The fog density around the hospital area was noticeably thicker than other parts of the street, and even the color was slightly darker.


    This was mainly because the hospital¡¯s morgue, as well as morgues urgently expanded after the occurrence of deaths, were all filled to capacity.


    Initially, the bodies were retained in the morgue as they might contain important death factors; therefore, they had not been cremated¡­ However, time was running short.


    Considering that several autopsy officers had examined the bodies without any findings, and with the increasing number of dead, the earliest bodies would be cremated in batches starting tomorrow.


    This was one of the reasons Mr. Helvoye was in a hurry.


    ¡°Hurry! The autopsy work starts immediately, there might be no rest tonight.¡±


    Mr. Helvoye hardly seemed like an elderly person, taking two or three Instant Steps to reach the hospital¡¯s main entrance directly from the carriage, with his three-person team hurriedly following him.


    The clinic apprentice guarding the gate immediately led the way for everyone upon seeing the autopsy certificate provided by Mr. Helvoye.


    ¡°Is not ¡®Sun Dis¡¯ here?¡±


    ¡°Director Datis left the clinic several days ago, gathering a special team within the clinic to investigate every corner of the city and the areas where gentlemen have disappeared.¡±


    ¡°Any results?¡±


    ¡°Not yet¡­¡±


    ¡°It seems there are not many of you left at the hospital, are there no injured to deal with here?¡±


    ¡°Basically none¡­ Whether it¡¯s civilians or gentlemen, none are injured, or rather, they bypass the injured phase. Once infected with an unknown death factor, they are already dead when found.


    When the hospital¡¯s morgue was full, most apprentices and staff had been dispatched outside, responsible for accepting and handling bodies at various temporary sites.


    Only a few remain at the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Any case of a body reanimating?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not; since the event, all bodies have been quite stationary.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°Mr. Helvoye, do you need the reports of the previous autopsy officers?¡±


    ¡°If they have any groundbreaking autopsy results, I would like to see them, but if they found nothing, there¡¯s no point. Hurry and take us to the early victims¡¯ morgue.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The apprentice also glanced at Yi Chen and the others, whispering, ¡°Recently, as gentleman deaths have begun to occur, even those reaching their limits have died by suicide.


    The upper management requires that gentlemen who have not reached their limits, aside from medical personnel, be also listed for protection and be centrally managed at a hotel.


    You all¡­¡±


    ¡°They are my people, Zion has already acknowledged their abilities, no need for centralized supervision. If anyone asks up there, just say they are all my assistants, and count as medical personnel.¡±


    Upon seeing Helvoye openly state his position, the clinic apprentice naturally did not dare to say anything.


    They soon arrived at the corridor of the morgue, where another apprentice was on duty. After a brief handover, everyone was led to [Morgue No. 1].


    The electrical system was fully operational,


    providing illumination while also maintaining the continuous operation of the cooling system,


    The apprentice said, ¡°The bodies stored here are all from the earliest victims of the incident, all of whom committed [suicide], and there might also be some ordinary citizens who committed suicide mixed in.


    They will all be uniformly cremated tomorrow, so you might need to hurry.


    I will help you transfer them to the adjacent autopsy room.¡±


    However, Helvoye directly rejected such a proposal, ¡°Transferring is a waste of time, just perform the autopsy here. Don¡¯t worry, there won¡¯t be any stains on the floor.¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    ¡°If someone asks, you tell them it was my personal act.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Following the apprentice¡¯s departure, Helvoye randomly selected a corpse, unzipped the black body bag, and the condition of the body made him frown deeply.


    It wasn¡¯t a matter of the body being placed for too long and decaying,


    but the numerous stitching scars spread across the body¡¯s surface, indicating it had been thoroughly examined no less than five times.


    ¡°Absolutely unviewable¡­ How can such crude skills qualify one to be an Autopsy Officer? The organization¡¯s standards are getting lower and lower.¡±


    After a round of complaints, Helvoye opened his carry bag.


    A series of custom surgical tools were displayed, and with a speed barely visible to others, he reopened the body, inspecting it both internally and externally.


    Lotson, assigned as the assistant and dressed in a white robe, also immediately followed up, trying his best to meet Mr. Helvoye¡¯s demands.


    Yi Chen and Barry stood by watching.


    ¡°Grape, deeply combine.¡±


    Though standing a meter away, Yi Chen could clearly see the detailed conditions inside the body cavity. As this was one of the earliest victims, the internal tissues had begun to dissolve, creating a mess.


    Unaware, two hours passed, and Helvoye packed up his tools and put all the bodies back in place.


    Without any discovery, Lotson also used his ancient magic to check the blood of the bodies, which contained no foreign substances. It was just an ordinary body with no symptoms of Pathological Traits.


    The only difference among the victims was the variety of ways they committed suicide.


    ¡°The possibility of Physical Pathology is almost zero, it is basically certain to be a highly recessive Psychological Pathology, and to further confirm, we will need to examine some fresh bodies with intact brains.¡±


    Helvoye immediately called the apprentice by the door, ¡°What¡¯s the nearest temporary morgue to the hospital? I need access to some fresh bodies.¡±


    ¡°Fresh bodies?


    Perfect! Since the hospital interior will clear a batch of early bodies tomorrow, most of the external sites are already full. Some of the citizens who died today had been sent early to Sun Hospital, temporarily placed in ordinary wards.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any bodies that died within the last half hour?¡±


    ¡°A batch arrived just ten minutes ago, but I need to check the specific numbers; I¡¯ll lead you there now.¡±


    Everyone quickly walked to the ordinary ward area of the Inpatient Department, where many gurneys tied with straps holding bodies were randomly thrown around, each room containing 6 to 8 bodies.


    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll check the arrival time of the bodies.¡±


    ¡°No need to bother.¡±


    Helvoye rubbed his wrinkled hawk nose with his hands, closed his eyes, and controlled his body through his sense of smell¡­ When he opened his eyes, he was already standing in front of a gurney.


    Performed a superfast craniotomy,


    removed a still slightly warm brain,


    cut sections from different areas like the frontal lobe, cerebrum, cerebellum, thalamus, etc., and quickly dissolved them in a special testing solvent placed in test tubes.


    However,


    the result stunned Helvoye; everything was normal, the brain of the deceased met the standards of a normal person, showing no feedback of Psychological Pathology.


    ¡°How can this be¡­¡±

 Chapter 217: The Instinct of Death

    Levinhome, riverside within the city.


    A group of gentlemen, mainly clad in light-colored coats, were here searching for the assumed ¡®Death Factor.¡¯ They all wore Sun Badges, which matched the signage of the grand Sun Hospital, just reduced in size.


    The man leading them was none other than the current dean of Sun Hospital, the founder of the Sun Secret Medicine, Dis Campbell.


    His influence as a doctor could rank him among the top ten throughout all of Zion¡¯s medical community.


    His skin was black and his head bald,


    His attire bore an aberrant design (Skin Content 71%), a white, conical robe covered in gold sun patterns with wave lines, and even an exaggerated sun disc protruding from the back (a distinct mutation of Gentleman¡¯s Skin), almost resembling a set of wings.


    ...


    If one were to remove his coat, they would find that parts of his skin had become speckled, the gold-speckled patterns drawing a sun on his back.


    Wherever he went, the fog in the nearby streets would be dispelled.


    Every bottle of Sun Secret Medicine was fermented in his ¡®sunshine.¡¯


    Now, the events in Levinhome had completely paralyzed the hospital and the secret medicine system, and even this illustrious Sun Dean had been unable to find the root cause.


    Just yesterday, he even received a personal letter from the higher-ups in Zion,


    The Zion leadership had made a decision¡ªif the death toll in Levinhome continued to rise and exceeded the set value, they would have to abandon the entire city, including the hospital he had painstakingly operated up to now.


    Therefore, he immediately took with him six prospective doctors from the hospital whom he had meticulously trained and set out to search every corner of the city for the pathogen under the name of the Sun Church, determined to find the pathogen before the organization issued the order for complete evacuation.


    However,


    The urgency in his heart became magnified as time elapsed, when Dis ordered them to split up and search using their own Sensing, Thoughts, and abilities, the [Urgency] mutated into a [Breach].


    Two hours later, when the squad regrouped,


    One of the prospective doctors whom Dis had high hopes for did not return; even when he immediately radiated out the sunlight, he received no response of any kind.


    Disappeared!


    Even Dis feel a notion to retreat inside, a fear of the unknown, and the sun disk on his back dimmed significantly.


    [Sun Hospital ¨C Ordinary Ward]


    The morale within the four-person squad that Yi Chen belonged to was somewhat low.


    Using the most conventional autopsy methods, Mr. Helvoye had found nothing¡ªthree fresh bodies were all decapitated, and every piece of brain tissue potentially invaded by pathogens had been sliced, dissolved in reagents, yet no discovery had been made.


    Even the usually optimistic, squinty-eyed White Robe Lotson slightly furrowed his brows. He manipulated the blood to flow through every corner of the brain in the corpses but found nothing as well.


    Everything was normal; there was no disease at all, which was the only conclusion they could currently reach.


    Then what could be causing such a large scale and rising death toll?


    Yi Chen, of course, wasn¡¯t just sitting idle,


    He kept his gaze on the still relatively fresh brains between the skulls, his Vision wandering through the brain folds, trying to find the problem.


    In the process,


    Unconsciously a droplet of saliva slid down the corner of his mouth.


    This was because his Trait Skill as a [Student] ¡ª ¡ª was passively activated by these unpolluted, non-Pathological deceased brains.


    Yi Chen hurriedly wiped it off with his palm.


    Just then, the little grape¡¯s voice came,


    ¡°Right! You, lad, can directly absorb Memory Fragments by consuming Brain Marrow Fluid, can¡¯t you? Why not feast on all these bodies and get a complete Death Memory to figure things out?¡±


    ¡°Little Grape, have you ever considered I might contract this Death and die from it?¡±


    ¡°No worries, mate~ If you do kick the bucket, I¡¯ll pack you up and send you straight back to Seven-Day Cemetery. With your current physical state, you¡¯d just ferment in the cemetery for at most a hundred days before you could crawl back out.¡±


    ¡°Stop joking. Unless absolutely necessary, I¡¯m not considering the approach of consuming Marrow Fluid just yet. Mr. Helvoye, as an old-school autopsy practitioner, certainly has methods of his own, let¡¯s watch and learn for now.¡±


    ¡°Chicken!¡±


    No matter what little Grape said, Yi Chen was sure not to take this risk.


    Just then,


    Mr. Helvoye¡¯s aura changed, his entire body emitting an odor of rotten wood mixed with corpses. He decided to employ some unconventional autopsy methods.


    His ¡®method¡¯ had even been subject to reports within the organization, which was one of the reasons he had always been an autopsy practitioner and never promoted to a higher position. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The overcoat was removed,


    along with the rubber-like gloves and rain boots,


    revealing hands and feet peppered with tiny holes that made one¡¯s scalp tingle just by looking at them,


    Upon closer inspection, these holes were found to be enlarged pores, seemingly concealing something within.


    ¡°The next thing I¡¯m going to do will to some extent go against gentlemanly dignity and personal ethics, but my original intention is to find the root of death. If this method still doesn¡¯t work, I will voluntarily give up this mission.


    Please step back a bit.¡±


    Under Helvoye¡¯s direction, Yi Chen and the others, as well as the clinic apprentices, all retreated to the door of the ward


    Bending down with his palms against the ground, droplets of thick fluid seeped out from the honeycomb-like pores, forming a bizarre array on the ground by themselves.


    Sssss~ The light bulb in the patient room began to flicker.


    As he lifted his hands, a hand-crafted brown coffin rose from the ground.


    Creak~


    The upright coffin deconstructed on its own, and a ¡®corpse¡¯ marked with human body proportion lines stood in its place.


    Yi Chen could detect that the corpse summoned by the old man was alive, with all its organs functioning normally, yet the brain was empty.


    The eyes were tightly closed, exuding an eerie aura, just like a living dead.


    Helvoye immediately performed a craniotomy on the living dead,


    then through perfect ¡®human brain transplant,¡¯ he transferred the brain of a corpse that had died no more than half an hour ago into the skull of the living dead.


    After Mr. Helvoye had sewn the skull cap back on, considering the possibility of death spreading, he immediately exited the ward to regroup with the team.


    Click! The door was closed, leaving only a small hole to peek into the ward.


    The living dead summoned by Helvoye actively accepted the foreign organ, the nerves and blood vessels quickly connected, and fresh blood began pumping to the brain.


    Ha¡­ a deep breath


    The bewildered eyes gradually became spirited,


    and he swiftly examined his new body with open arms, then twisted his head to look around at the surrounding scene,


    All of a sudden, he dashed toward the window,


    despite not yet fully adapted to his new body, he still burst out with a speed that transcended instinct, some strong will stimulating the adrenaline to secrete furiously.


    Bang!


    The glass window of the ward was shattered, and he plummeted vertically down from the seventh floor, landing perfectly headfirst.


    Splat!


    The crowd also rushed downstairs to the outside of the hall at the first opportunity.


    Brain matter and blood were spreading outward,


    the corpse, with a broken neck and caved-in head, still had a distinguishable appearance, overflowing with an immensely happy smile, as if his dream had been realized, and realized twice over.


    Seeing this, Helvoye came to a preliminary conjecture.


    ¡°Instinct, just like humans are born knowing how to breathe, we instinctively take in the oxygen from the air, when hungry we seek food.


    As living creatures, we instinctively avoid death, our daily life involving all possible avoidance of risks of dying, and when faced with life-threatening events, the body even secretes hormones that allow us to burst forth with physical abilities beyond our usual levels for a period of time, in order to dodge danger, to get away from death.


    However,


    this person¡¯s instinct to avoid death had been completely reversed,


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    he didn¡¯t avoid death, but actively sought it out¡­ and this pursuit of ¡®death¡¯ was ranking first in his instincts, he might even fall into an excited state along the way, making utmost effort to accomplish it all.


    A concept of ¡®death¡¯ had somehow been implanted into their consciousness, something that conventional autopsy methods couldn¡¯t detect.


    This is just my speculation, I need more fresh corpse samples! Restricting the living dead attempting suicide, performing a live dissection of the brain during the suicide impulse period, might just reveal the problem.¡±


    At that moment,


    White-haired Lotson from the team, looking at the living dead who had committed suicide by jumping out the window, and at Mr. Helvoye, excited about the investigative breakthrough, had a bizarre smile spreading across his lips.

 Chapter 218: Splitting Up for Investigation

    With Helvoye¡¯s report on special autopsy techniques and investigation findings approved, he immediately obtained permission to dissect and investigate the latest body, and the city also systematically cooperated with his autopsy.


    The Sunlight General Hospital made one of its most advanced operating rooms available to Mr. Helvoye, and when asked if he needed a medical assistant for the autopsy, he decisively refused.


    One reason was that the crude stitches he had seen previously in the morgue had given him a poor impression of the autopsy officers here,


    another was that the White Robe Lotson had performed quite well before and had also formed a certain tacit understanding with him.


    In addition, the reason Helvoye came this time was precisely to team up with these young people and carry out the mission issued by Zion.


    With a high opinion of Lotson, he also saw this as an opportunity to nurture the young man who had a talent in autopsy and mastered the Blood Secret Technique.


    ...


    The operating room was ready,


    and the gentlemen responsible for transporting bodies in the city would deliver fresh corpses here at the first opportunity,


    but there were still shortcomings,


    from the discovery of the body, the reporting, and the arrival and transfer by the gentlemen, this process would take a lot of time¡­ Although they could guarantee delivery to the hospital within half an hour, they couldn¡¯t manage the ¡°Golden Five Minutes.¡±


    If they could get a body that had been dead for no more than five minutes with the brain still functioning normally, it would yield better results for assembling the living dead.


    At this moment, Yi Chen, who had not been assigned a task, took the initiative to suggest:


    ¡°Mr. Helvoye, I¡¯m not much help staying here, so I might as well help you search for ¡®dead-on-the-spot bodies.¡¯


    It just so happens that I¡¯m quite good at Sensing and my Vision is quite good too, perhaps I could be the first to discover a deceased. ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too!¡± Knight Barry, who knew nothing about surgery or autopsy, felt a bit redundant since he entered the city,


    ¡°Once you go out, I can¡¯t guarantee your Safety.¡±


    ¡°We will apply for the ¡®body transport¡¯ qualification at the Hospital and try to move with the main force as much as possible. So far, there have been no reports of missing or dead transporters, so it should be fine.¡±


    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±


    Helvoye¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t really on the younger generation, as he was vaguely finding a breakthrough, focusing all his thoughts on the body.


    Just as Yi Chen turned to leave,


    Lotson, dressed in surgical attire, suddenly twisted his neck by 90 degrees with a smile and waved, ¡°William, be careful¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Yi Chen, as Helvoye¡¯s medical assistant, quickly registered at Sunlight General Hospital, obtaining the qualification for ¡®body transport.¡¯ Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He also took the opportunity to request a large book from the hospital authorities that contained the deceased¡¯s information.


    Without any intention of meeting other body transporters, Yi Chen set out alone towards the hospital¡¯s main gate.


    Knight Barry hurriedly followed, ¡°Say, don¡¯t we need to act together with those transporters?¡±


    ¡°If we act together, there is no point. To get fresh corpses within five minutes, we must skip some steps. We need to visit ¡®citizens who are likely to die.¡¯


    After all, it¡¯s a Super Five-Star difficulty task; how can we expect to get through it safely without taking risks?¡±


    For some reason.


    Seeing the living dead who had committed suicide by jumping off a building, Yi Chen felt an inexplicable excitement, feeling like he had come to the right place.


    Barry nodded somewhat naively, ¡°That makes sense~ So far, the only one making a contribution has been Lotson. If the two of us do nothing, we might end up with just a few silver coins and a worthless rag at the end, and all the good stuff will go to that white-haired guy.¡±


    ¡°Barry, be careful of Lotson.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s sudden advice left Barry a bit puzzled. Although he personally didn¡¯t like Lotson¡¯s character much, it didn¡¯t make sense to be wary of him.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Weren¡¯t the two of you signed up as a team?¡±


    Yi Chen explained that he had encountered Lotson several times on the lower streets and might have even been deliberately followed by him. This made Barry even more confused.


    ¡°Ah? You¡¯ve always felt that there was something wrong with him, yet you still chose to team up with him and even tackle this task of unknown difficulty together¡­ I don¡¯t quite understand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s precisely because of the difficulty that I chose to act with Lotson; ordinary tasks wouldn¡¯t peel away his disguise. Of course, all this is based on the assumption that my intuition is correct.


    After all, Lotson has been scrutinized by the organization multiple times and nothing has been found.¡±


    Knight Barry had his own thoughts, ¡°I¡¯m inclined to believe that Lotson is deeply affected by the mission¡¯s failure and the loss of all his team members¡­ At the same time, he might have some quirks. Maybe after running into you during his low point, he tried to follow and observe you, wanting to team up with you to fill the void in his heart.¡±


    ¡°I do hope that¡¯s the case~ Let¡¯s not talk about him anymore! Staying close to Mr. Helvoye, he probably wouldn¡¯t dare to do anything.


    Let¡¯s focus on the matter at hand; today we should first visit the residential area to the west.¡±


    ¡°Not going to the camp or the hotel? Those places have more people, shouldn¡¯t the probability of finding a dead body be higher there?¡±


    Yi Chen slammed the thick registry into Barry¡¯s armor.


    ¡°According to the hospital¡¯s records of the deceased, 61.5% of the dead come from the West District, and moreover, 69.7% of the dead were discovered during gentleman searches, mostly individuals living alone or vagrants.


    In managed areas or buildings with clustered housing, the probability of finding dead bodies up until now is only 8.1%.


    From the data, it can be inferred that isolated individuals are more likely to die.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Barry flipped through the thick registry back and forth several times but couldn¡¯t find the statistics Yi Chen had mentioned, ¡°Where are these numbers recorded? I didn¡¯t see them.¡±


    ¡°I calculated them myself.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just get this thing from the hospital? When did you have time to crunch those numbers?¡±


    ¡°While we were chatting, wasn¡¯t I flipping through a book? My [Intelligence] has reached its limit, and my Profession happens to relate to reading; I can fully remember such books that don¡¯t require deep understanding with just a glance at each page.¡±


    ¡°Fu~ck!¡±


    Barry once had a physical confrontation with Yi Chen over the qualification for a Relic event,


    He, who came from the Knight Family and focused on Physique, couldn¡¯t get any advantage over Yi Chen.


    He had thought the other party was also a gentleman with a special physique, but now it turned out that Yi Chen claimed his [Intelligence] was maxed out.


    ¡°William, you can¡¯t be thinking of breaking through with Dual Attributes, are you?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    ¡°Have you found a suitable Relic?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in luck, I actually did find one.¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen¡¯s ordinary and even relaxed expression in response, Barry felt as if his heart was struck by a Heavy Hammer, ¡°That¡¯s too exaggerated¡­ You haven¡¯t even graduated from the academy and you¡¯ve already maxed out Dual Attributes and even obtained the corresponding Relic.


    Wow! If only I knew, I wouldn¡¯t have signed up; who can bear such a blow~¡±


    Barry put on his barrel-shaped helmet, concealing his downcast mood.


    Just as the two were about to exit the hospital doors,


    a group of apprentices wearing Sun Badges on their chests and following a bald, black man, whose attire was exaggerated and radiated sunlight from all over, were walking towards the hospital.


    Yi Chen reacted quickly, associating with a name Mr. Helvoye had mentioned earlier, and immediately saluted, ¡°Dean Dis.¡±


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    The other side tried to relax his stern expression and shifted his gaze to the two unfamiliar young men, ¡°You look unfamiliar, did you come with Mr. Helvoye from Zion?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Helvoye is busy at the moment; we are trying to collect enough fresh Dead Bodies to accelerate the pace of the investigation and research.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I hope it¡¯s not too late.¡±


    Watching the Dean¡¯s hurried stride disappearing into the depths of the hospital, Yi Chen had an ominous premonition.


    The Aura emitted by Dean Dis was hardly any different from that of Professor Qian Bosen, yet such a powerful figure was exuding an unmistakable sense of [Panic].

 Chapter 219: Street Interviews

    Levinhome was roughly the size of a prefecture-level city that Yi Chen had lived in before his death. Going too far would take quite some time.


    Since the hospital was located in the western district, he decided to also search the residential areas there,


    but,


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t immediately dive into searching for corpses; instead, he was pondering another matter.


    Having just encountered Director Dis by chance, attracted by his unique appearance and the sunlight radiance exuding from him, Yi Chen naturally thought of the ¡°Sun Secret Medicine¡± closely related to the director himself and the hospital¡¯s development.


    After all, having gone through the ordeal at the Twilight Clinic, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but link the death incidents here with the secret medicine.


    ...


    He was well aware the gentlemen would never suspect elite gentlemen who had become ¡°Doctors¡± through rigorous selection, let alone Director Dis, a figure of high authority.


    Walking on the streets completely shrouded in fog, Yi Chen gently tapped on Knight Barry¡¯s armor, ¡°How much do you know about the ¡®Sun Secret Medicine¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Quite a famous combat secret medicine, you should know, right?¡±


    ¡°I roughly know its uses, but what I want to ask, Barry, is do you know any information related to the manufacture of the secret medicine? Like which type of patients are used? How the key materials are extracted from the patients¡¯ bodies, and if possible, knowing the specific production process would be best.¡±


    Barry might look naive, but he wasn¡¯t foolish at all. Yi Chen throwing such a question suddenly was too obvious in its intention.


    ¡°You, this shouldn¡¯t be arbitrarily suspected. Director Dis¡¯s reputation in the organization is very high, and the flare enhancement provided by the ¡®Sun Secret Medicine¡¯ is irreplaceable for the organization¡¯s exploration of major Grey Zones.¡±


    Yi Chen replied unbothered, ¡°Having one more angle to consider is a good thing, and I¡¯m only discussing it with you privately, not voicing suspicions publicly.


    ¡°You were born into the Knight Family, and your profession and traits should match well with the Sun Secret Medicine. You probably know some inside information, right?¡±


    At that, Barry didn¡¯t deny it. His family received a batch of secret medicine distributed by the organization every month, including Sun Secret Medicine.


    ¡°There¡¯s no problem with the production process of the Sun Secret Medicine because the key isn¡¯t in the patients, but rather in Director Dis.


    Ordinary patients suffering from ¡®Helios Disease¡¯ are buried in the Plantation at the Hospital upon death, where they are exposed to sunlight either directly or indirectly from Director Dis every day.


    Eventually, sunflower-like plants grow from the heads of the corpses.


    Picking the sunflowers¡¯ seeds and grinding them produces the liquid known as ¡®Sun Secret Medicine¡¯.¡±


    ¡°This process is well known to most, but the production step crucially depends on the sunlight irradiation by Director Dis, and only here can the secret medicine be produced.¡±


    ¡°Planting the dead, huh? Hmm¡­ it seems like there isn¡¯t an issue.¡±


    The matter of the Sun Secret Medicine was temporarily set aside.


    During their casual conversation, the two had crossed a street block. Staying too long in this deathly still fog was enough to make even the armored Barry continuously get goosebumps.


    ¡°By the way, how are we going to find the dead the first time? To control the death time within five minutes, we¡¯d probably have to move the body as soon as the person dies.¡±


    Yi Chen, rubbing his chin with two fingers, thought out loud, ¡°Really, whether they die doesn¡¯t matter much as long as we can determine they have ¡®Suicidal Tendency¡¯. Bringing them back alive would of course be better, right?


    ¡°However, the local gentlemen must have had this thought as well, and yet no one has been able to capture a ¡®suicide¡¯ alive these days.


    ¡°Combining this with my earlier data analysis showing that most deaths involved loners and homeless people, we can arrive at a rather unsettling deduction.¡±


    ¡°What kind of deduction?¡± Barry clearly took a moment to catch up. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Individuals influenced, affected by ¡®Death¡¯, besides instinctively seeking death, also make sure of their ¡®independence¡¯, ensuring their deaths go undiscovered.


    ¡°Taking the recent deaths among the gentlemen as an instance, they all disappeared first and only a day or two later were their bodies discovered. This is because, with the gentlemen¡¯s strong willpower and their possession of ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯, they can resist the concept of death implanted in them for some time.


    ¡°Moreover, most gentlemen also possess self-protection and self-healing traits, making suicide much more difficult than for ordinary people.


    ¡°To ensure the smooth progress of their death, they deliberately disappear, hiding in unknown corners. Only when they are completely certain they won¡¯t be discovered and can successfully commit suicide, do they end their lives.¡±


    Barry recalled something and urgently asked, ¡°The ¡®living dead¡¯ transplanted with brains in the hospital, why did he still commit suicide while we were watching? We could have completely prevented his jump, couldn¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Thirty minutes after death, the brain tissues would have already shown problems, and his drive toward death, judgments about the environment would also have faced issues¡­ At that time, you could see that the living dead initially looked around the hospital room, confirming no one was there before he hastily rushed to the window.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that makes sense,¡± Barry swayed his barrel-shaped helmet back and forth.


    ¡°And this idea of ¡®independent suicide,¡¯ Mr. Helvoye¡¯s undead brain transplantation surgery can target it perfectly.


    If we control the undead in advance and then perform the brain transplant, it can effectively suppress suicidal behavior, and perhaps we can truly ascertain the real cause of death through an autopsy while the body is still alive,¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry and bring Mr. Helvoye some fresh corpses.¡±


    ¡°Hold on, this thing depends on luck.¡±


    After searching, on any street the two deliberately walked through, not a single death occurred, as if ¡®someone¡¯ was watching everything in secret, preventing suicides from happening if there was a risk of them being discovered.


    Yi Chen also deliberately visited some families, introducing himself as a temporary patrol officer for this area, and told them they could contact him if there were any unusual situations at home.


    Before they realized it, four hours had passed.


    They found nothing¡­ No deaths occurred in this area, which was normal since Levinholm City is so large, and the dozens or hundreds of deaths each day did not necessarily occur in a single neighborhood.


    A growling sound came from under Barry¡¯s armor, and he suggested, ¡°It¡¯s getting dark, why don¡¯t we call it a day? We can head back to the hospital, maybe Mr. Helvoye has made some progress with the autopsies. Maybe we won¡¯t even need to supply fresh corpses.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back and eat something first. I might want to go out again tonight.¡±


    Barry glanced at Yi Chen and saw an obvious reluctance in his eyes, along with a strong interest in these mysterious deaths.


    As they were walking back, still not completely out of one street, Yi Chen suddenly stopped.


    Tilting his head, illuminated by a streetlight, he stared at an ordinary single-story residential house by the roadside with a rusty metal house number¡ªFerro Street 112¡ªembedded on the doorpost.


    ¡°Barry, let¡¯s go check it out.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? I thought we were going to eat? Why are you still doing door-to-door visits?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go back after this.¡±


    Thump thump¡ªthe iron gate knocked.


    Soon after, an elderly lady wearing a pink floral apron, with kind eyes and white hair, opened the door. The strong aroma of meat wafted out from the doorway; she seemed to be preparing dinner.


    ¡°Hello, my name is William Behrens, and this is my partner Barry. We are temporary gentlemen in charge of this area. May we come in and sit down?¡±


    ¡°Welcome!¡±


    Because of the presence of gentlemen, the people living in Levinhome were always very friendly to them despite the pathological condition of the world.


    The interior decorations and arrangements of the house, albeit old, were very neat.


    ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°Good, I¡¯m home alone and can¡¯t eat much every day. Then you gentlemen bring over extra food supplies. I was just wondering whether to give some of it to the neighbors.


    Just give me a moment, I¡¯ll prepare some food for you too. You, gentlemen, really do deserve some comfort during this special period.¡±


    ¡°That would be great, thank you,¡±


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    Yi Chen casually chose a seat in the living room,


    Looking somewhat resigned, Barry asked, ¡°William, you didn¡¯t decide to visit just because you saw they were cooking, did you? Hoping to grab a meal to skip the trip back to the hospital so we can continue searching for corpses?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the reasons¡­¡±


    Yi Chen glanced sideways, motioning for Barry to sit next to him. He then quickly pulled out a page from the corpse registration book they had taken from the hospital and stealthily handed it to him.


    The paper recorded the house number that corresponded exactly to this house.

 Chapter 220: Dinner

    Deceased Information (Registered by Sunshine General Hospital)


    Name: Ingrid Morales


    Gender: Female


    Age: 67 years old


    Residential Address and Status: 112 Ferro Street, living alone


    ...


    Brief Description of Death: When discovered, the body was completely swollen and showed obvious signs of decay and putrefaction. No obvious wounds were observed upon preliminary examination, and she is suspected to have died from poisoning.


    Body Preservation: Temporarily stored in morgue extension (Section 3) ¨C locker number 19 at Sunshine General Hospital.


    ¡­


    As Barry looked at the information on the body record form, beads of cold sweat spilled from his forehead.


    The word ¡°living alone¡± meant that the owner of the house was already dead, and her body had been sealed in the hospital, so who was the elderly person cooking in the kitchen?


    The more Barry thought about it, the more panicked he became, and he hurriedly reached up to wipe the sweat off his forehead.


    He sat down close to Yi Chen with his armored butt, and out of fear of a potential death threat, he put his steel bucket helmet back on.


    But considering that he was eating at someone else¡¯s home, wearing a helmet seemed too out of place, so he immediately took it off again.


    Glancing at the kitchen to confirm that the old lady was still cooking, Barry quickly leaned over to Yi Chen¡¯s face and whispered:


    ¡°William, if the old lady who owns this house is already dead, and her body has been sealed in the hospital, then who is the one cooking¡­ Could it be the deceased¡¯s sister or her younger sister, who came to live here alone after her sister¡¯s body was moved away?¡±


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s likely? She has her own house to live in but chooses to stay in a place where someone died, especially at such a special time.¡±


    ¡°Not very likely¡­ So what is this!¡±


    ¡°This afternoon, during our patrol, we passed by here, and I visually confirmed the basic situation of each household with my eyes. At that time, there wasn¡¯t anyone in this house at all.


    We were just about to head back to the hospital for dinner when suddenly someone appeared here. Combining that with my memory of the information about the deceased, I immediately sensed a problem, so we decided to come and check things out.


    We didn¡¯t expect to actually stumble upon something suspicious~ From the conversation we had as we entered, it¡¯s very likely that the old lady is the deceased herself.¡±


    ¡°Crap! The hospital has strict supervision over the morgue, with apprentices guarding every checkpoint, and it¡¯s impossible for a body to escape¡­ Even if it did escape, the hospital would have a record of it, and we wouldn¡¯t be unaware of it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, the body is indeed still in the morgue.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s the deal with this old lady? Why are we the only ones noticing this situation?¡±


    Barry¡¯s mind was overwhelmed, unable to comprehend the situation before him.


    ¡°Levinhome is clearly short on manpower, plus gentlemen who have not yet broken through their limits are being managed collectively. None of the gentlemen are going door-to-door for checks like us.


    Barry, don¡¯t panic.


    We¡¯ll act as if everything is normal for now, pretend we¡¯re just here to freeload a meal, and see what the other party does. After dinner, I¡¯ll try to tease out some information.


    If there is indeed danger, you run back to the hospital and report the situation first, and I¡¯ll hold the other party off.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Barry had never acted before; in his previous missions, all he had to do was be the meat shield, provide auras, and support his teammates in their fights.


    Faced with the unknown and incomprehensible death threat before him, all he could manage was to sit upright and tense, with sweat still beading on his forehead.


    Barry was full of regret now, he would rather face a real and transparent enemy in head-on combat, than deal with such a perplexing situation where a careless move could mean death.


    Slap!


    Yi Chen suddenly pressed down hard and smacked Barry¡¯s shoulder with his palm.


    A special inner strength penetrated the armor and went straight into his body, almost dislocating his shoulder joint due to his unpreparedness.


    ¡°Whoa! What are you doing~¡± Barry¡¯s features scrunched up as he vigorously rubbed his right shoulder.


    Yi Chen leaned closer, his lips next to his ear, ¡°Your body is stiffer than a corpse in the morgue, and your head is sweating as if you¡¯ve just had a shower. Are you that afraid of letting people know what you¡¯re scared of?


    Barry, think of it this way, if we really make a break-through discovery here, the organization might directly reward you with a relic that matches your contribution.


    Risks and rewards coexist.¡±


    The heavy slaps, coupled with Yi Chen¡¯s slightly hypnotic words, completely relaxed Barry¡¯s tense nerves.


    Not much later.


    The old lady brought over a fragrant plate of vegetable and meat stew, along with a thick corn soup¡ªit actually looked quite appetizing.


    But Barry didn¡¯t dare to eat, fearful that the food might contain some sort of lethal bacterium that could send him straight to the morgue, especially since the information sheet had indicated that the old lady had died from poisoning.


    However,


    Yi Chen picked up the corn soup and, with gentlemanly manners, spooned it into his mouth.


    Of course, Yi Chen was only appearing unconcerned on the surface; in reality, the little grape had already integrated deeply within his brain, conducting a compositional scan the moment the food was served, detecting no issues.


    Seeing that Yi Chen was eating without issue, Barry also started to eat.


    Out of basic gentlemanly etiquette, they remained silent throughout the meal.


    The old lady didn¡¯t show any signs of problems, and when the stew in the pot was finished, she said, ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll go and prepare some dessert for after the meal.¡±


    ¡°No need to trouble yourself, my friend and I are quite full. We have our own duties to attend to, and increasing the frequency of patrols might effectively reduce the death rate among the citizens.¡±


    Yi Chen wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth with a napkin, while Barry put his helmet back on.


    Once Barry had completely stepped outside,


    Yi Chen, standing at the doorway, offered a gentlemanly gesture to the old lady: ¡°Thank you for the dinner, Ms. Ingrid Morales.¡±


    Yi Chen, who kept his head lowered when he called out the ¡®name,¡¯ sneakily glanced at the old lady¡¯s expression as he raised his eyes.


    The old lady, however, continued to wear a benevolent smile, giving no indication that the name was wrong, nor did she offer any clarification that it wasn¡¯t hers.


    Huh¡­ Yi Chen took a deep breath and stood up straight.


    ¡°Ingrid Morales¡­That¡¯s the name I saw on the picture frame inside the house¡ªisn¡¯t it your name?


    Suddenly, I remember something, though I might be mistaken. Although I was just assigned here for patrol, I had a chance to look over the information on recent deaths.


    The name Ingrid Morales seems familiar, as though there was a deceased who also had this name.¡±


    As Yi Chen spoke with a puzzled expression, the old lady smiled and offered an explanation: ¡°You might have remembered it wrong?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ Then why does the house number also seem to match?¡±


    As Yi Chen asked this question, Barry, who was standing behind him, was sweating profusely, setting up his heavy hammer and shield and releasing an aura from the soles of his feet.


    Ha ha ha~ha ha~ Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The old lady standing at the entrance suddenly burst into loud laughter, even choking up some black liquid, unintentionally staining the area around her mouth black,


    Barry, shocked by this sudden change, stumbled back three steps,


    Yi Chen, however, remained expressionless, staring intently at her.


    ¡°Have you laughed enough?¡±


    As Yi Chen spoke, the old lady slowly ceased her frantic laughter, lifting her right arm to point at the two of them.


    ¡°Including you, all people will die.


    You will become a part of death, continuing to spread this gift, reaching more places where living beings dwell, and your friends and relatives will, one by one, be tainted¡­¡±


    Smack!


    Yi Chen took a quick step forward, instantly appearing in front of the old lady, whispering in her ear:


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    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if the guy behind you can hear this, so let me put it this way~ For a wimp like him who only knows how to hide and stir up trouble, don¡¯t talk to me about death.


    Such a pathetic creature who only plays tricks from the shadows is truly tedious~ If it weren¡¯t for the organization¡¯s orders, I wouldn¡¯t even be here, it¡¯s a complete waste of my time.¡±


    After he finished speaking,


    Yi Chen¡¯s gentleman¡¯s clothes, which had a high ¡®Skin Content¡¯ under his deliberate control, suddenly shot out a multitude of threads, instantly wrapping up the old lady, packaging her tight.


    This move was learned from the Village Chief; Jin had once been bundled up like this by accident.

 Chapter 221: Progress

    [Incitement]


    Yi Chen¡¯s favorite tactic had proven its effectiveness in the orphanage; under special circumstances, it often had unexpectedly good results.


    For individuals who hid all along and engaged in sneaky actions, Yi Chen naturally had a move ready. Regardless of its effect, it also allowed for a release of frustration.


    Once effective,


    the opposing side might produce death incidents more frequently, and the likelihood of exposure would significantly increase.


    The only downside was that Yi Chen would inevitably become a thorn in their side, subject to particular targeting.


    ...


    ¡°Packing successful! Truly deserving of being the main product from ¡®Sunken Skin Market.¡¯ So useful¡­ This mission must be completed as perfectly as possible, aiming to secure another large piece of skin from the First Gentleman.


    With increasing skin content, the uses of the garment would also broaden.


    The Director¡¯s garment must have undergone a sun-structure transformation after reaching a certain skin volume.¡±


    Taking huge risks, Yi Chen succeeded in packing up an old lady who was supposed to be in the morgue, at the cost of completely disassembling his combat black coat to form an airtight woven sack.


    Adjusting his tie and waistcoat, he changed into his everyday suit.


    ¡°Next, we just need to bring this back to the hospital and have the Director and Mr. Helvoye check what it really is. It might even pinpoint the root cause of death directly.¡±


    Yi Chen casually carried the black sack on his shoulder and walked out of the house with ease.


    Barry outside the door was completely stunned, nearly letting the large shield in his hands slip to the ground; he could hardly believe what had just happened.


    ¡°William, aren¡¯t you afraid of dying? That thing might carry the so-called ¡®Death Factor.¡¯ It¡¯s possible her gaze and words can convey death. You¡¯re still so close, even making contact.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be scared of. If it really wanted to kill us, there were many opportunities during the mealtime. If I hadn¡¯t exposed her, this would¡¯ve just been an ordinary street visit.


    ¡®They¡¯ pretend this way, seemingly waiting for a moment. When that time comes, I guess there will be a massive spread of death across the whole city instantaneously.


    At that time, we won¡¯t consider the ¡®independence issue¡¯; a large number of individuals will simply die.


    Of course, this is just my speculation. Let¡¯s bring this thing back first.¡±


    ¡°Ah~ oh~ okay!¡±


    Yi Chen had an extraordinary composure towards [Death]. He never showed any fear throughout the entire process, and was even abnormally excited after uncovering the old lady¡¯s true identity.


    Walking down the street, Barry repeatedly glanced at the sack on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, wanting to help share the burden since he hadn¡¯t done anything, but he was afraid the old lady inside the sack might suddenly burst out.


    ¡°William, how much skin content do you have? Your garment can still be used like this.¡±


    ¡°20%.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so high! You¡¯ve only been in the city for a bit over a year, right? How did you manage it?¡±


    ¡°The First Gentleman gave me two pieces from his original ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡¯ one sized 10¡Á10 cm and the other 15¡Á15 cm.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I shouldn¡¯t have asked¡­¡±


    Barry, born into the Knight Family with the privilege of ¡®Armored,¡¯ found Gentleman¡¯s Skin extremely important. He seized every opportunity to undertake difficult missions for as much skin as possible.


    Should his skin content exceed 50%, his armor would undergo an essential transformation, and he would receive comprehensive training from his family.


    Barry had been in the city for over three years, completing missions with temporary teams. He still had a skin volume of only 17%.


    ¡­


    [Sun Hospital¡ªSpecial Surgery Room]


    The Director had switched his gentleman¡¯s garment into surgery mode (white coat), but he did not participate in the surgery. Instead, he quietly watched Mr. Helvoye and his assistant, Lotson, performing a living-dead surgery.


    On the surgical table.


    A living-dead recently completed a brain transplant and was now frantically struggling, desperate to die.


    Mr. Helvoye held a stopwatch in his hand, quietly waiting.


    The living-dead¡¯s struggles gradually ceased, turning into a pleading look. Sounds began to emerge from its mouth, feigning normalcy and begging everyone to let it go.


    Of course, once let go, it would certainly find an opportunity to be alone and commit suicide.


    ¡°15 minutes and 27 seconds~ The fresher the brain, the quicker the consciousness adapts. Now, starting the fourth brain examination of the living-dead.¡±


    By the time the living dead had fully adapted to the brain, the surgery had officially begun.


    After the brain tissue was cut, a very deliberate arrangement of cells could be observed under the microscope, with the brain cells responsible for processing visual signals showing the highest degree of mutation, leading to a conclusion.


    The ¡°Death Factor¡± was most likely transmitted through ¡°Vision¡±.


    Those who committed suicide had seen a certain image before their death and had been implanted with the concept of seeking death, viewing death as the first instinct. As long as they were in an isolated state, they would commit suicide.


    Helvoye continued with the deeper surgery,


    He secured three living-dead corpses (already adapted to external brains) in seats, gave them paper and pens, and through external neural manipulation, had them manually draw the images they had seen before their death.


    They were not to draw a complete picture, but each drew only a part of it to prevent the spread of death.


    By comparing the three incomplete drawings, a roughly perfected pattern, or ¡°symbol¡±, was obtained.


    It was similar to a black cross, but there was a small circle at the top of the cross.


    Mr. Helvoye immediately warned loudly,


    ¡°Do not try to think about or complete the full pattern in your brains; just knowing it roughly is enough. Otherwise, we might also be subjected to the lethal influence.


    Bring these three drawings back to Zion, asking the First Gentleman will surely reveal the root of the death illness.¡±


    ¡°We cannot do that.¡± Dean Dis immediately vetoed, ¡°That might bring ¡®Death¡¯ to Zion; continue our internal investigation until we find the root cause.¡±


    ¡°I was too hasty.¡±


    Mr. Helvoye quickly admitted his mistake; he had not been this tense in a long time. During the surgery just now, he had even repeatedly had premonitions of his own death.


    Although the form of death transmission and the important pattern used for transmission had been determined, the pathogen was still not found, and more efforts were needed to lure out the hidden elements.


    Just then.


    An apprentice hurried into the operating room.


    ¡°Report, two dispatched gentlemen who claim to have successfully captured individuals directly related to ¡®Death¡¯, suspected patients, are waiting in the lobby.¡±


    Hearing this, the Dean¡¯s eyes widened: ¡°What!?¡±


    Since the outbreak began, not a single patient, not even a suspected infector, had been seen.


    ¡°Quickly take them to isolation room one; we¡¯re on our way.¡±


    Dean Dis placed his hand on the chest of the living dead, and a plant resembling a sunflower sprouted from their navels.


    Mr. Helvoye also immediately summoned coffins to further seal the living dead, ensuring that during their departure, these fellows would not commit suicide.


    Once assured,


    everyone immediately rushed to the isolation room, and the entire Sun Church under the Dean¡¯s command was present.


    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±


    Upon seeing Yi Chen and Barry in the isolation room, everyone was quite surprised, and Dean Dis was also doubtful¡­ he did not particularly believe that two gentlemen who had not broken through could catch a patient directly related to death. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Yi Chen explained what had happened,


    The Dean immediately sent someone to check the body of Ingrid Morales and found that the old lady¡¯s body had not moved, having been kept in the morgue all along.


    ¡°Personnel who have not broken through the limit, leave the isolation room; let me see what exactly you have caught.¡±


    As the Dean said this, Knight Barry was preparing to leave when Yi Chen gave him a look that signaled him to stay.


    ¡°Dean, let Barry and I stay here~ We are the discoverers, and since we were able to catch the opponent, we can surely ensure our own safety.¡±


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    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    A transparent containment chamber rose at the center of the isolation room, specially used to detain, isolate, and study highly infectious patients.


    Under the Dean¡¯s gaze, Yi Chen opened the black cloth bag and dumped the contents, supposedly ¡°Ms. Ingrid Morales¡±, into it.


    There was no lady at all,


    Pouring out from the cloth bag were rotten fish, dead rats, bird carcasses, plastic bags, animal hair, badly damaged fabric, and various kinds of filth that could be seen in sewer drains.

 Chapter 222: Commendation

    Observing the filth in the isolation containment chamber, the atmosphere on the scene was truly a bit awkward.


    Anyone unaware might think that Yi Chen and Barry had lost their minds, fishing out a pile of muck from the sewer and claiming it was related to a dead patient.


    But Director Dis could tell at a glance that this filth was not ordinary, or rather, there was something hidden within the filth that possibly ¡®connected¡¯ the various refuse together, forming the image of the old woman they had seen before.


    After shedding the bondage of the Gentleman¡¯s Skin,


    the black liquid between the pieces of filth slowly became active, transforming into viscous threads that linked the different pieces of waste, not to revert back to the old lady¡¯s form, but to construct something else.


    Gradually,


    ...


    a cross-like structure, synonymous with linking various animal corpses, was about to take shape.


    Suddenly, Director Dis dug into his own right eye, a move that immediately piqued the intense curiosity inside Yi Chen¡¯s inner grape, but then it quickly turned to disappointment, as it seemed that it wasn¡¯t entirely a grape.


    The extracted eyeball was stained with a golden-yellow liquid and had no neural connections at the tail, forming a perfect sphere.


    This eyeball, as if it were an independent entity, flew out of the Director¡¯s palm and hovered over the containment chamber.


    Pop!


    With a snap of the Director¡¯s fingers,


    the eyeball immediately burst into a brilliant glow, like a miniature sun.


    Ahh~


    Sizzlesss~ The black liquid, upon being irradiated, emitted a terrible scream, no longer forming a cross, quickly breaking down into many different parts and hiding between pieces of filth, avoiding direct sunlight.


    Differently,


    when Yi Chen and the others were bathed in the sunlight, their bodies felt as though they were charged with energy, filled with power, and the iron chains infused with plant attributes even became lively under the illumination, as if undergoing a different kind of photosynthesis.


    ¡°Well done!¡±


    Director Dis¡¯s hand gently patted the shoulders of the two, his right eye fully restored.


    Yi Chen modestly explained, ¡°I guess I got lucky. On the way back, I saw a light in a house that was supposed to be empty, and I happened to spot the shadow of someone moving inside.


    I suspect there are many similar situations in the city. We could deploy people to search houses where deaths have occurred;we might find more patients like this one.¡±


    Director Dis looked at him with an appreciative glance, ¡°You have keen insight~ An ordinary person wouldn¡¯t notice such things during a routine patrol.


    You must have had a specialized tutor or instructor back in Zion, no?¡±


    ¡°Professor Qian Bosen was my first tutor.¡±


    ¡°The White Eagle, huh? No wonder your vision is so sharp¡­ Have you considered pursuing a career as a doctor? If you like the idea, after this incident is over, you can come directly to me.


    I can help you skip the apprenticeship stage and start directly as a probationary doctor.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your recognition, Director, but I¡¯m more inclined towards the path of the ¡®Watcher¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh, that¡¯s a shame.¡±


    Director Dis did not insist and moved on to another topic, ¡°The contribution you¡¯ve made will greatly accelerate our investigation of death, and as we tap into the pathogen, real danger may emerge.


    I can write you a letter of commendation related to the mission right now;with that letter, you can return to Zion to report the task.¡±


    But Yi Chen immediately declined with a wave of his hand, as he wasn¡¯t here solely for the mission reward. The real excitement was just beginning, and what came next was even more intriguing.


    ¡°I would like to stay here and continue assisting with the investigation. Barry¡­ do you want to go back?¡±


    Yi Chen could see that Knight Barry deeply regretted coming here and was not very adept at handling such events. It would be a good opportunity to let him return.


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue with the investigation.¡±


    Though his reply seemed resolute, underneath Barry¡¯s bucket helmet his expression was a bundle of nerves.


    For some reason, a sudden surge within him completely overcame his fears;he wanted to keep working with Yi Chen, to at least prove that he was of ¡®use¡¯.


    With just one day of cooperation, Barry could tell that Yi Chen was a veritable monster, one who would surely surpass him within a few months.


    This was their only chance for collaboration, and he wanted to cherish the opportunity.


    Seeing them so resolute, Dean Dis said no more. He took a Sun Badge from his pocket and handed it to the two of them.


    ¡°Once you put this on, you¡¯ll have access to the Sun Church¡¯s privileges. You can directly enter some of the sealed areas within the city district. In critical moments, it might even save your lives. Of course, it mainly depends on you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dean.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯ll make some breakthrough discoveries¡­ Oh right, here¡¯s a ¡®pattern¡¯ Mr. Helvoye extracted. During your investigation, avoid any visual contact with symbols like this one.¡±


    ¡°Hmm! Have you confirmed it¡¯s transmitted visually?¡±


    Yi Chen accepted the paper, glanced at the pattern to get a rough idea, then quickly returned it. He had absolutely no knowledge of this symbol, a cross encircled by a small loop, and had never seen it before.


    The Dean patted their shoulders again, ¡°It¡¯s late tonight. You should rest at the nearest concentration camp for the night. With the badges you¡¯re wearing, they¡¯ll arrange good rooms for you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen did not reject this suggestion;good rest was important when facing unknown pathological threats on a mental level.


    However, there was something he needed to do before heading to the concentration camp.


    As he walked out of the isolation area, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder from behind¡ªit was White-haired Lotson.


    ¡°William, I knew you could make a remarkable investigative breakthrough¡ªthis is great! Now we may be able to finish the mission ahead of schedule and return for the organization¡¯s reward.


    I will also try my best to assist Mr. Helvoye in making anatomical breakthroughs.¡±


    Lotson¡¯s squinted eyes and his words made Yi Chen very uncomfortable.


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s hope nothing goes wrong.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s remark was also deliberately intended for the other person to hear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this is the Sun Clinic, and Mr. Helvoye is a strong man who breaks through limits. What problems could there be with him here? Good night, go to the concentration camp and rest well.¡±


    Lotson waved goodbye in his trademark style, watching Yi Chen and his companion leave.


    A carriage had been prepared outside of the hospital to take them to the concentration camp, but Yi Chen politely declined it, saying it wasn¡¯t very late and he wanted to walk to familiarize himself with the city district.


    Moreover, the nearest concentration camp was a large hotel, less than a kilometer away from the hospital, just a few minutes¡¯ walk.


    However,


    Just as they were about to reach the hotel, Yi Chen suddenly turned into another street.


    ¡°William, where are you going? Isn¡¯t the hotel just ahead?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still early, and going back to rest now feels like a waste. Now that we¡¯ve been granted the Dean¡¯s identity, we should make good use of the opportunity.


    I plan to visit a cemetery area, Barry, will you come?¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡ªhaven¡¯t we surmised that it¡¯s very easy to be targeted by death when alone? How could I possibly refuse?¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡±


    Half an hour later,


    On a street with no residential buildings and all the street lights extinguished, fog engulfed the entire street like a river. Even with a kerosene lamp in hand, visibility did not extend beyond three meters.


    Barry, cloaked in heavy armor, felt some fear, constantly staying close to Yi Chen, making sure there was continuous contact between his armor and the other¡¯s clothes.


    After an indeterminate amount of time,


    Yi Chen suddenly turned around and turned the kerosene lamp up to maximum brightness, thrusting it forward.


    Through the mist, a majestic and sinister black gate came into view,


    A stone gargoyle seated atop the gate suddenly opened its eyes, deep red pupils fixating on the two unfamiliar newcomers¡ªcrack! The rocky layer covering it began to crumble as if about to come to life.

 Chapter 224: Hotel

    ¡°You¡¯re quite lucky, just coming over and directly inheriting the ownership of the Stone Statue Cemetery. Even if the important items were moved, there would inevitably be some things that couldn¡¯t be transferred.¡±


    ¡°Grape, your luck couldn¡¯t possibly be [6], could it?¡±


    Grape didn¡¯t respond,


    but instead emitted a sinister and terrifying aura from its mouth, leaped into the air, tumbled three and a half times, and its black hair wildly grew as it rapidly transformed into something resembling a human figure.


    Black robes, withered limbs, and a bunch of eyes under a hood.


    This was Grape¡¯s first ¡®Corpse Transformation,¡¯ revealing a form that corresponded to the first awakened corpse¨Cthe Eye Collector, Gemhar.


    ...


    Seeing such a form, Knight Barry stepped back in fright, clearly sensing the sinister presence emanating from the other.


    Under Grape¡¯s hood, its multiple eyes squeezed against each other, making sounds, ¡°William, leave the care of this cemetery to me. You all go back and rest~¡±


    ¡°Can you handle it alone? You might be targeted by death, Grape.¡±


    ¡°The previous manager stayed here alone, didn¡¯t he? I¡¯ll be fine.


    There are still quite a few bodies here whose souls haven¡¯t been extracted. I can temporarily revive them using witchcraft, so I won¡¯t be alone by then.¡±


    ¡°Okay, try to uncover as much remaining value from the Stone Statue Cemetery as you can~ If things get serious, I¡¯ll come immediately to get you out.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and leave, don¡¯t delay my work~¡±


    After being chased away by Grape, they naturally headed to the hotel to rest.


    While on their way, faint murmurs could be heard from Barry inside his bucket helmet.


    ¡°Hey, Barry, what are you saying?¡±


    Upon Yi Chen¡¯s inquiry, Barry gradually raised his voice, ¡°Rupert Landerek, the renowned Soul Stone Sculptor! To think he would just abandon the Stone Statue Cemetery that he had run for so long, choosing to flee¡­ and the organization had also sent a prior notice to the leaders here, to prepare them for abandoning the city.


    Wow~ it feels like death is at the doorstep.¡±


    ¡°Barry, it¡¯s still possible to leave now. The Dean Dis and others are still in the hospital. If you go there and explain the situation, someone should be able to escort you out of the city.¡±


    ¡°I, Barry Bessalius, come from the Knight Family after all, living up to the knightly spirit passed down through our family. Since I¡¯ve decided to stay, I certainly won¡¯t leave before we figure out and eradicate the illness related to death.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak too definitively. If we find out that the cause of the deaths is something we simply can¡¯t resist, we¡¯ll still have to run.¡±


    Barry reached a hand into his bucket helmet, scratching his beard, ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡­


    [The Sun Hotel]


    Being adjacent to the big Sun Hospital and constructed by gentlemen, it shares the hospital¡¯s name and is the largest hotel in Levinholm City.


    The modern style of red brick and white tile, with three electric elevators inside that allow quick access to various floors.


    The prices are naturally high, but first-time visiting gentlemen enjoy a three-day free stay and a permanent half-price discount.


    With the full outbreak of the death incidents, the hotel has become a gathering place for gentlemen. A large number of gentlemen who haven¡¯t reached the Limit have been concentrated here, and some local wealthy people have also come at their own expense. So far, no deaths have occurred at the hotel.


    When the attendant at the door saw the Sun Badge on Yi Chen and his companion, he immediately arranged a luxury room on the top floor (19th floor). Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Click~the door pushed open, letting in a ring of soft yellow light.


    A specially designed ring-shaped light strip hung at the top of the room, like a sun, which in such a world and era is quite rare, as the most common in Zion are tungsten lamps or kerosene lamps.


    A large bed, a row of brown leather sofas, a fireplace embedded in the central wall.


    Equipped with a very grand balcony, if the fog were less dense, one could take in a complete view of the entire city.


    ¡°William, you sleep on the big bed, and I¡¯ll take the sofa!¡± Barry clearly understood he hadn¡¯t been of much use yet and was a bit embarrassed to take the bed.


    ¡°Do you think your physical body can fit on that sofa? It¡¯d be quite a hassle if you end up breaking it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just over 500 pounds, and with the armor, barely over a thousand, it shouldn¡¯t break, right?¡±


    Yi Chen, uninterested in wasting words, walked up to Barry and raised his elbow, ¡°Go take a shower now, get to bed early. We¡¯ll head out early tomorrow to investigate another area.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    After Barry entered the bathroom,


    Yi Chen directly took his armor and fidgeted with it, and one had to say the armor was indeed heavy.


    ¡°Hmm? I thought the skin would act as a connector on which armor is glued¡­ I didn¡¯t expect the armor itself to be made of skin, a type of Hard Skin that has a high hardness and a color close to metal.


    Indeed, the Skin Market produces a variety of skins, and what gentleman use is just one category suitable for cutting and making clothes, which fits better with our human aesthetic.¡±


    Soon after,


    Barry, with his huge arms and belly full of flesh, came out of the bathroom.


    ¡°Barry, you have a good physique¡­¡±


    Yi Chen slapped him on the belly directly, and with a smack! As the fat rippled across his belly, the hidden massive abs underneath also revealed themselves.


    The extensive hair connected from navel to chest was typical of a European barbarian.


    Then Yi Chen took off his clothes, and it was Barry¡¯s turn to be surprised.


    ¡°What the heck! What kind of muscles are these¡­ muscles even in such places, and they are multi-layered, are you still human?


    No wonder the first time I fought with you, the feeling of the blows was always weird;all the attacks were mostly dissipated.¡±


    ¡°Getting this physique was not easy at all, I almost died~ Let¡¯s chat next time, I¡¯m going to take a shower now.¡±


    Yi Chen turned and walked into the bathroom, locking the door.


    As he bent over to wash his hair, Yi Chen incidentally noticed the water droplets on the floor seemed abnormal, interacting with each other, not washed away by the streaming water but assembling together.


    They were vaguely forming the shape of a cross,


    ¡°This is!¡±


    Yi Chen immediately stomped the water droplets apart, and everything returned to normal.


    After finishing the shower, Yi Chen, wrapped in a towel, came in front of the washbasin, and the mist on the mirror also faintly revealed the shape of a cross.


    Yi Chen instinctively struck out with a palm! Ping~ The mirror shattered.


    Hearing the noise, Barry kicked the door open, ¡°William, what happened?¡±


    ¡°Death seems to have arrived.¡±


    ¡°Did a symbol appear?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, during the shower since I was alone, there were twice signs of the symbol appearing.


    But it also let me discover the issue, the symbol representing death cannot form directly, there is a formation process. As long as the view is moved aside or it is interrupted midway, there won¡¯t be any problems.¡±


    ¡°Good~ I wonder why I didn¡¯t encounter this when I showered.¡±


    ¡°Probably because you, Barry, didn¡¯t provoke the other party directly. I said some things next to that old lady¡¯s ear before, perhaps it really reached the ears of the mastermind behind the curtain.


    Those who like to hide in the shadows often can¡¯t bear a single word that besmirches them.¡±


    Barry still didn¡¯t know about this;he had only seen Yi Chen suddenly get close to the old lady and then pack her into a bag made from clothing.


    ¡°What did you say to that person?¡±


    When Yi Chen spoke the mocking words he had said at that time, Barry, freshly showered, broke into sweat again.


    ¡°William, are you really not afraid of dying?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of~ I¡¯ve died a few times already, go to sleep.¡±


    Yi Chen patted Barry¡¯s back and directly sprawled onto the sofa.


    The gentleman¡¯s clothes hanging at the end of the sofa sensed Yi Chen, their owner, moved over quickly to dress him, and also evolved into a skin-friendly mode to help with sleep.


    Barry stood speechless, thinking that Yi Chen¡¯s mention of ¡®having died a few times¡¯ referred to those critical life-and-death moments.


    Late at night.


    Boom~ Thorn-like Thunder Light streaked outside the window.


    Following that, raindrops the size of beans crazily battered the window,


    Under some external stimuli, Yi Chen slightly opened his eyes, through his sleepy and somewhat blurred vision, a figure stood by the window¡­

 Chapter 225: Rainy Night

    [Sunshine Hospital]


    Even with the patient samples Yi Chen had captured, the analysis work was still problematic;they couldn¡¯t determine what the pathogen was, not even the type of illness.


    They still referred to the causative agent as the ¡°Death Factor.¡±


    All they knew was that this black liquid-like unknown pathogen was akin to a ¡°connecting medium¡± that could connect and beautify various dead materials, recreating the appearance and memories from before a suicide¡¯s death without needing the body, deceiving the eye.


    They also came to a dreadful hypothesis¡ª


    If all the residents of Levinholm were to die, the entire city would be replaced by such deceased.


    ...


    Sunshine Hospital immediately contacted all the temporary morgues storing bodies,


    asking the gentlemen to organize the deceased¡¯s appearances and addresses tonight, and tomorrow, they would specifically investigate the homes of the dead, attempting to capture more deceased patients.


    Furthermore,


    Mr. Helvoye had made further autopsy breakthroughs.


    Using the patient Yi Chen brought back, he analyzed samples of the black liquid that had connecting properties.


    It was quickly discovered that this black liquid only remained liquid while attached to animal carcasses, maintaining its role as a ¡°connecting medium.¡±


    Once the attached object was removed, the black liquid would immediately evaporate into a gaseous state, losing its color and turning completely transparent, making it difficult to capture with the naked eye.


    Watching the quickly vaporizing liquid, a spark of inspiration flashed through Helvoye¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Lotson, follow me;I think I know how this gas is produced!¡±


    Back in the operating room.


    Old Mr. Helvoye wheeled in a containment chamber used to imprison patients,


    He first locked a brain-transplanted living dead inside, and placed tools such as blades and poison inside the chamber¡ªtools that could be used for committing suicide.


    Once everything was ready, the two of them left the operating room and closed the door and windows, creating a perfect space for the living dead to commit suicide.


    After waiting ten minutes and reopening the door.


    The living dead, into whom a brain transplant had been performed, had indeed killed themselves,


    They immediately drew the gas out of the containment chamber for analysis, and its components matched completely with the gas obtained from the vaporization of the black liquid.


    ¡°Just as expected!


    The ¡®last breath¡¯ exhaled by the suicide seeing the symbol is indeed this pathogen.


    This gaseous material carries the memories from the deceased¡¯s life. After being exhaled, it temporarily attaches to the surrounding environmental materials, slowly looking for opportunities to assemble with the rats in the sewers, passing insects, or birds outside the house, or even the rotten meat in the kitchen.


    Through connecting, modifying, and camouflaging foreign materials, it gradually reconstructs the deceased themselves and bestows memories, deceiving the eye.


    As the number of deaths increases, more and more of the dead will appear, eventually taking over the entire city of Levinholm.


    For now, the ¡®last breath¡¯ only serves a connecting role, it only affects dead animals, making the constructed deceased disguise themselves as citizens living normal lives.


    The real threat of death might not have arrived yet! When the dead reach a certain number, death will fully descend.


    Moreover, the source transmitting the ¡°symbol¡± remains unclear;this time, what lies behind the incidents is definitely something the organization has never encountered since its establishment.


    It¡¯s crucial to report this matter;if necessary, they might really need to abandon Levinholm City.¡±


    Just as Helvoye was fully focused on the death issue,


    a large syringe filled with fresh blood pierced into his neck directly, and his veins quickly filled his body, seizing ownership of his body. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmm!?¡±


    The gentleman¡¯s clothes on Helvoye instantly reacted, trying to protect the master and clear out the blood from his body.


    However, the clothing, with a skin content exceeding 50%, suffered an invasion from the skin level, rendering it completely ineffective.


    [Two hours later]


    Dean Dis drafted a city-wide ¡°Dead Search Order¡± and distributed it to all stations, rushing to the operating room immediately afterward.


    When he knocked on the operating room¡¯s iron door,


    Helvoye and his assistant Lotson were still tinkering with the living dead.


    ¡°Any new findings from the autopsy with the black liquid from the combined disease patients?¡±


    While performing a craniotomy, Helvoye turned his head, his voice sounding normal through the medical mask, ¡°We haven¡¯t found any connections yet.¡±


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s getting late tonight, don¡¯t stay up too late.¡±¡®


    With the dean¡¯s departure.


    Blood also started seeping between Helvoye¡¯s mask and his eyes began to look strange, muttering, ¡°A Transcender¡¯s body is truly hard to control¡­¡±


    As ¡®Helvoye¡¯ and his assistant stepped out of the operating room, a flash of thunder light flickered in the sky, the intense light piercing through the window and shining on his face.


    In that instant, another unfamiliar middle-aged face appeared.


    If anyone had seriously read through the record of the illness at Holy Grail Mountain Mountain, they would recognize at this moment that the face corresponded to the Baron who resided in the vicinity of Holy Grail Mountain, connected to the Root of Septicemia.


    ¡°This city is really dangerous;I must finish my business quickly and leave. Otherwise, I¡¯ll be dragged into this vortex of death.¡±


    ¡­


    Sunshine Hotel ¨C 19th floor deluxe room.


    Lying on the sofa, Yi Chen was awakened by a clap of thunder. His vision, still slightly blurry upon opening his eyes, caught a glimpse of a dark shadow.


    As his vision cleared, the outline of the shadow at the window also became gradually discernible.


    A hanged woman,


    her white dress soaked by the heavy rain, continuously dripping water from its hem,


    her damp, dark blonde curly hair lay drooping over her shoulders,


    her eyes bulging as if they were about to burst forth, a blackened tongue hung out of her mouth,


    her arms hanging by her sides began to spread out. Once her arms lined up horizontally, the hanging woman would take the form of a cross, with the noose around her neck corresponding to a circle.


    Just as her arms were about to flatten,


    Whirr¡ª a flash of moonlight passed.


    Yi Chen, who was supposed to be lying on the sofa, was now kneeling on one knee in front of the woman, his right hand holding an axe in Full Moon Form, finishing a slashing motion in an instant.


    The Moonlight Slash, effective against spiritual beings, ripped the woman into two, with copious amounts of black liquid pouring out from inside her body, devoured entirely by the rats generated by the moonlight.


    ¡°Hmm? Sending a dead body to attack me right away¡­that¡¯s a bit too much.¡±


    Yi Chen stood up;his thumb pressed the button on the axe handle, restoring the axe to its place at his waist.


    Hearing the noise, Barry immediately put on his armor and came to the window, where now there was nothing left.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°There was a dead body on the window ledge just now.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± Barry, who was initially somewhat groggy, suddenly perked up.


    ¡°We might need to take turns keeping watch for the rest of the night, Barry you¡­¡±


    Thump, thump!


    Sudden knocking at the door interrupted their conversation.


    Just as Barry put on his helmet and approached the door with his shield, behind him came Yi Chen¡¯s warning: ¡°Don¡¯t look through the peephole¡­¡±


    But Barry, pulling out a Mithril Heavy Hammer bearing his family¡¯s crest, threw it with all his might.


    The door was shattered, and the heavy hammer embedded itself deep into the wall across the corridor.


    The smashed wall was still oozing black liquid;If someone had peeked through the peephole just then, they would have seen the pattern of a cross on the wall.


    Scared, Barry retreated back into the bedroom, using the heavy shield as a makeshift door to barricade the entrance.


    ¡°Damn it! Who comes knocking in the middle of the night like this;won¡¯t they let people sleep¡­¡±


    ¡°Forget about sleep tonight;let¡¯s quickly go down to the hotel lobby and inform the gentleman on duty about what happened here.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Barry retrieved his shield and casually hung it on his back.


    However, the crest on the shield had unknowingly changed into a cross pattern, exactly when Yi Chen saw it¡­ CLANG! He immediately swung out an iron chain, knocking the shield away.


    ¡°Barry, your shield?¡±


    ¡°Ah? Were you just attacking me?¡±


    Barry¡¯s voice changed,


    and as he turned around, his bucket-style helmet developed a cross-shaped slit, revealing a sinister smiling face inside, constantly seeping black liquid.


    ¡°William, you might as well just kill me, then kill yourself!


    Stop struggling, no one can leave this city alive;everyone will die¡­¡±


    As soon as the words fell, Barry lunged at him like a madman.


    At that moment, Yi Chen, sensing a discord, used the Thorny Iron Chain in his palm, lashing it against his own body.


    Crack! He awoke with a start.


    Yi Chen sat up from the sofa, the back of his hand pierced by the thorny Iron Chain, sharp pain throbbing through his heart.


    The sound of Barry¡¯s snores combined with the noise of rain outside filled the room;no sign of death approached.


    ¡°Interesting¡­ Has it started to influence my mind too?¡±


    Yi Chen had had nearly enough sleep, so he just sat on the sofa meditating until dawn.

 Chapter 226: Accelerating Death

    The next morning.


    Barry woke himself up with a loud snore and sat up from the bed. His gaze caught Yi Chen, who was meditating on the sofa and looked rather strange.


    Metallic spikes had grown all over his body, as if the spikes were a part of Yi Chen himself.


    Merely looking at them made Barry feel an indistinct pain ¡ª he certainly didn¡¯t want to touch the spikes.


    By that time, the spikes had slowly retracted, and Yi Chen opened his clear, transparent eyes.


    ¡°Barry, are you awake? Let¡¯s go downstairs for a meal and then head out immediately.¡±


    ...


    ¡°Okay,¡± Barry said as he put on his armor, still concerned about the spikes he had just seen, ¡°William, what¡¯s with those metal spikes growing inside you? I don¡¯t remember feeling anything like that when I fought you.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re something I only got recently in the Old World.¡±


    ¡°You found more than just relics? Also some physical gains?¡±


    As soon as he said this, Barry felt the gap between him and Yi Chen widening significantly.


    ¡°Right, nothing happened last night, did it?¡±


    As Barry asked this, Yi Chen glanced at the iron hammer emblem between the large shields, ¡°Nothing at all.¡±


    ¡­


    When they took the elevator to the restaurant on the Second Floor.


    Yi Chen noticed that the gentlemen dining there all looked forlorn and lacked any vigor, a stark contrast to the energetic young people within Zion.


    Barry remarked on the side:


    ¡°These gentlemen, who couldn¡¯t stay in Zion but were assigned to cities under the organization, basically have no future prospects. Of course, that excludes clinic apprentices and some special staff.


    These gentlemen are often past the prime age for breakthroughs and have limited potential. They wouldn¡¯t get a turn at the newly discovered ¡®relic incidents¡¯ unless they achieved something remarkable enough to catch the organization¡¯s attention at their posts.


    Of course, they are still much stronger than ordinary people.


    Ah~ I need to work hard too. If I can¡¯t make a breakthrough in another two years, the organization will also give up on grooming me. Even if I could use my family¡¯s influence to stay in Zion, there wouldn¡¯t be much hope for a breakthrough.¡±


    Yi Chen gently patted Barry on the shoulder, ¡°This incident is a great opportunity, as long as we can return smoothly, the organization should arrange a relic incident for you.¡±


    ¡°True, I really need to push myself,¡± Barry replied.


    Barry stuffed three croissants into his mouth in one bite, poised as if ready to sprint.


    After devouring three portions of breakfast, Barry looked around and said, ¡°You know, there seem to be some gentlemen here who have reached their limit, are experienced, and very familiar with the city area. Should we recruit them to join us?¡±


    While slurping spaghetti, Yi Chen quickly shook his head. Next to his plate lay a map of Levinholm City with its sewer passageways.


    ¡°Facing the unknown, it¡¯s actually better to have people like us, who are unfamiliar with the city, as we are more likely to spot problems. Besides, these people have no fighting spirit, bringing them along would only hold us back.


    If we encounter unavoidable death situations, it would just be the two of us dying, rather than dragging others down with us.¡±


    Barry felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this, feeling as if he was collaborating with a madman.


    When their leisurely breakfast was over and the duo was about to set off, a frantic hotel staff member hurried to the center of the restaurant, loudly conveying an urgent message: S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Gentlemen, please pay attention! We just received a message from a team stationed at the Dom River. Last night during the rain, over 900 civilians drowned themselves in the lake. Their bodies are now floating on the lake surface, and many deaths occurred in other blocks as well.


    Gentlemen who have reached their ¡®limit¡¯ please go to the Dom River immediately for the assembly to assist in retrieving and loading the bodies.¡±


    This announcement caused a stir in the cafeteria.


    One should know that previous death incidents had all occurred secretly;this kind of mass death was unheard of, creating an uneasy atmosphere throughout the cafeteria.


    Yi Chen frowned, pondering in his mind:


    ¡°As the ,Death Symbol,¡¯ was unearthed by the hospital and after I captured a dead person alive, are those hidden in the shadows preparing to make their move?¡±


    Just then, a young gentleman in the cafeteria, looking terrified, said:


    ¡°I¡­ Many of us have not yet reached the Limit, and can¡¯t be of much help, staying at the hotel only temporarily uses public resources. It might be better to allow us to evacuate the city area ahead of time to reduce the burden.¡±


    However, the person in charge responded with a serious face, ¡°Zion has issued a notice, to prevent the leakage and transmission of the ,Death Factor,¡¯ no one is allowed to leave Levinhome until the exact source of infection and its nature are identified or unless a unified evacuation directive is received.


    If anyone evacuates privately, they will be considered ,Defectors.''¡±


    These words immediately spread panic throughout the dining hall.


    ¡°Gentlemen who have reached the Limit, please take your equipment and tools, and gather in the lobby within five minutes. We will head to the Dom River together.¡±


    Yi Chen stood up immediately, and with a snap of his fingers in front of the stunned Barry, said, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡­


    Dom River, a river running from west to east through the inner city of Levinhome.


    Due to the heavy rain last night, the water level had risen almost to the edge of the bank.


    Swollen bodies, faces down, were crowded on the surface of the lake. The gentlemen were using their abilities to bag the bodies in body bags that had isolation effects, and then carefully retrieving them to shore.


    Yi Chen, who had rushed over, did not participate in the retrieval work, but stood on an arch bridge carefully observing the bodies on the lake surface, quite puzzled.


    The nearby gentlemen couldn¡¯t help but see Yi Chen¡¯s behavior as ¡®slacking,¡¯ occasionally casting contemptuous glances.


    Until a hand gently rested on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, the surrounding gentlemen immediately turned their heads, their faces filled with shock.


    Black-skinned, bald, with a Sun emblem on his back.


    Director Dis actually took the initiative to come up to the arch bridge, resting a hand on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°William Behrens, it seems you¡¯re puzzled by this ,mass suicide,¡¯?¡±


    Even though he felt the director¡¯s presence, Yi Chen remained focused on the lake, not turning back.


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious that they want to accelerate the rate of death invasion because we discovered the ,Death Symbol,¡¯ and captured a dead person. They aimed to affect a large number of civilians directly by last night¡¯s torrential rain, carrying out such a mass suicide.


    But if the torrential rain covered the entire city last night, why did the residents near the river choose to jump into the water rather than resolve it at home?


    If I remember correctly, the majority of the suicides found so far were also discovered in rivers and under bridges.


    If it¡¯s just suicide, it could be done anywhere, but the specific choice of the river implies they want to gain something from the suicides that occurred in the Dom River.


    By the way~ Director Dis, did you get any conclusions from the samples taken from the deceased yesterday?¡±


    ¡°So far we only know that the black liquid inside the patient¡¯s body can connect various biological corpses together, mimicking the appearance of the deceased when they were alive, with memories also fully inherited.


    This liquid quickly evaporates into a colorless, invisible gas once it leaves the attached object.


    More conclusions are still under investigation by Mr. Helvoye.¡±


    ¡°Carrying memories, connecting, and an invisible, colorless gas¡­¡±


    Yi Chen had a vague realization,


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, these suicide victims, after death, pass on something carrying their memories, then invade other animals¡¯ corpses to construct the dead, mimicking their appearance before death.


    With so many people dying in the Dom River, it¡¯s possible that the ¡®thing¡¯ released from their bodies could settle at the bottom of the riverbed.


    I suggest conducting a search around the sewage areas near the Dom River.¡±


    ¡°Good, just like I thought¡­ My troops from the Sun Church are already on their way, do you want to join?¡±


    ¡°Sure, both Barry and I will join.¡±

 Chapter 227: Beneath the Riverbed

    As Yi Chen waved to Barry, who was struggling to retrieve the bodies,


    Director Dis gently patted his shoulder.


    ¡°I was just kidding with you. The difficulty of this incident has already far exceeded the limit of man.


    The death root in the riverbed below is far beyond what you can handle. If you really encounter an Open Source or even higher-level existence, I may not have time to care for you, and you might even become a bargaining chip for them.


    Stay above with your friend, or go to the Sunlight Hospital to assist Mr. Helvoye.


    If something happens, you can evacuate at a moment¡¯s notice. Talents like you must not lose their lives here;the continuation of human civilization needs young people like you to act.¡±


    ...


    As he spoke, Director Dis took out a syringe that shone with the brilliance of the sun from his sleeve.


    ¡°My trip down there may likely bring me into direct contact with the death root, and I might die from it. This secret medicine, personally selected by me, might just save your life at a critical moment. If Zion issues an evacuation order, leave this place immediately.¡±


    Yi Chen took the syringe, which contained the famous ¡°Sun Secret Medicine.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Director.¡±


    As Yi Chen opened his briefcase to store the syringe inside, Dis caught an unexpected glimpse of a disturbing silver flash.


    ¡°Hmm? Do you have another kind of secret medicine in your bag?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Yi Chen took out another silver syringe.


    This caused the director to widen his eyes, hardly believing that a young man like Yi Chen could possess something like that.


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡®Dusk thin silver liquid¡¯!¡±


    After the despicable acts of the Twilight Clinic were exposed, Doctor Macaul was executed, and this thing has become impossible to find on the market¡­ Some time ago, I heard that a few young people unearthed the secrets of the Twilight Clinic and even had a direct encounter with the mastermind behind the False Moon event.


    Was it you?¡±


    ¡°Haha, yes! The organization directly gave me an entire bottle, and I carry a syringe with me for each mission, just in case.¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°No wonder¡­ A genius like you really can¡¯t die here. However, the medicinal properties of the Dusk thin silver liquid completely contradict those of the Sun Secret Medicine. If you can use the former, I do not recommend using the latter.


    You can give the Sun Secret Medicine to your teammates, or you can sell it for money.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    After patting Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder once more, Director Dis immediately called upon all members of the Sun Church to head underground and start the search in the sewers near the river channels.


    Yi Chen was not idle either, starting to help everyone retrieve the bodies.


    Knowing the ¡°Symbol of Death¡± that transmitted death, these bodies that had been bloated for over two hours were basically useless, and without a surplus of morgue space to store them,


    they were stacked on the riverbank into a sizable mound and doused with kerosene for direct cremation.


    Not just in the riverbank area,


    all temporary morgue sites, including hospitals, began the burning process as originally planned.


    After all, keeping these bodies unburned would only lead to more accumulation and unease.


    ¡­


    Sunlight Hospital¡¯s Plantation, which is also the workshop for the ¡°Sun Potion¡± ingredients.


    The apprentice supposed to be guarding it was nowhere to be seen,


    with the slightly ajar door,


    Autopsy Doctor ¨C Helvoye grasped the head of an apprentice, lifting them into midair, with bright red lines visibly being inhaled into his arm, rapidly draining the apprentice to the point of becoming a mummy.


    The elderly, weakened body rejuvenated during this process, turning from an octogenarian into just over sixty years old.


    He was not yet satisfied, continuing to search the Plantation for any possible Sun Secret Medicine, but in the end was unable to locate the secret medicine source liquid, only managing to scrape together a few barrels of inadequate waste liquid.


    ¡°So cautious, not a single bottle of the secret medicine left here, eh?¡±


    With no alternative, he directly grasped the waste liquid and gulped it down. Although it was waste, it still possessed a small effect of the Sun Secret Medicine, revitalizing him until he looked as if he were just over fifty years old.


    However, something strange happened.


    From within this borrowed skin, two starkly different voices emerged, engaging in conversation with each other.


    Mature male voice: ¡°I¡¯m getting more and more accustomed¡­ never thought this old man¡¯s body would be so great!¡±


    Youthful voice: ¡°Since this body is already quite good, why are we so insistent on obtaining William Behrens¡¯s physical form, just because of ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯s¡¯ wishes? I just want to leave this place of death as quickly as possible.¡±


    Inside ¡®Helvoye¡¯s¡¯ body, two voices were having a dialogue,


    One was the Blood Baron who had dwelt on Holy Grail Mountain, and the other was surprisingly Lotson in white robe.


    The Baron explained: ¡°A body that transcends its limit might seem serviceable but will soon feel the constraint of its ¡®ceiling¡¯. We have already experienced William¡¯s body, and it¡¯s incomparable, and we have also made an agreement with ¡®Gentlemen¡¯s Skin¡¯, we cannot breach the contract now.¡±


    Lotson didn¡¯t wish for Yi Chen¡¯s body because of reluctance. ¡°No, I¡¯m just worried that the death here might affect us.¡±


    The Baron reassured: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if it¡¯s just a matter of escaping, we can still manage it.¡±


    Once upon a time,


    Lotson, leading a squad among the Holy Grail Mountain, felt a sense of ¡®finding a kindred spirit in a foreign land¡¯ when he first met the Baron.


    He was not ¡®possessed through a blood exchange¡¯ by the Baron but had willingly accepted him and coexisted in consciousness.


    This deep integration allowed the blood manipulation to reach a higher level and simultaneously gave him the identity of a patient.


    Lotson was very clear that the spread of the Grey Zone was unstoppable and even Zion would eventually be overwhelmed. By bonding with someone like the Baron, a true compatriot, the potential survival issues of the future could be directly addressed.


    After the two merged, they immediately destroyed the manor, simulating the aftermath of a fierce battle.


    They then led the squad members further up the mountain and, during a night¡¯s bivouac, drained his teammates dry with blood secret techniques.


    At that moment, a yellow robe floated down from the sky.


    This object, of unknown origin, suppressed ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ between garments and could effectively block its self-monitoring mechanism and even avoid detection from Zion¡¯s exterior.


    The consciousness within the yellow robe came to a secret agreement with the two men, specifically naming ¡°William Behrens¡±.


    At present,


    As ¡®Helvoye¡¯ finished drinking all the waste liquid, his skin even showed some signs of radiance, and his bones cracked loudly, signifying the perfect adaptation of the body.


    When he stepped out from the Sun Plantation, his gaze was quickly drawn to the rising black smoke from behind the hospital.


    Looking at the dense black smoke ascending to the sky, even the face of the Blood Baron turned sour.


    ¡°Burning corpses, really not the wisest choice~¡±


    Nevertheless, leaving the corpses unburned and piling up is just as bad, and might even result in a massive outbreak of reanimated corpses. According to the traits of the ¡®Death Plague¡¯, it might even link tens of thousands of corpses together.


    Either scenario would accelerate the invasion of death. It always feels like something is approaching¡ªthe true dead from the Old World seem to be coming here.


    I hope William arrives soon~¡±


    ¡­


    [Sewers]


    Just as Yi Chen had surmised.


    With a large number of dead, including many gentlemen having perished near the Dom River,


    The ¡®last breaths¡¯ they exhaled at the time of suicide all settled beneath the riverbed, accumulating at an underground chamber that wasn¡¯t marked on any map.


    The Sun Church traversing the sewers had detected anomalies,


    The accumulated filth in the sewers had vastly decreased, various dead fish, animal corpses, insects, and even rats had all vanished, seemingly taken to construct the [Dead].


    Director Dis was also well-prepared, releasing dozens of dead rats injected with trace amounts of ¡®Black Liquid¡¯. These rats immediately followed a certain Death Aura to lead the way for everyone.


    Until they stopped in front of a dead-end alley, furiously scratching at the wall with their claws, not caring even if their claws broke off.


    Director Dis delivered a direct palm strike, shattering the wall and revealing a secret passageway.


    He took out a city map for comparison;there was no record of it whatsoever.


    ¡°What? I¡¯ve lived in Levinhome for so many years, and I never knew there was a chamber here. When did it appear?¡±


    As Director Dis stepped in, the glow from his garment was immediately restricted. Waves of terrible Death Aura were continually spilling forth from the depths, even turning the stones on the ground into grains of sand, utterly dead.

 Chapter 228: Death Dissemination

    The Dean Dis sensed the death aura emanating from the secret passage and immediately raised his right hand over his shoulder, signaling for all the church members behind him to stop.


    ¡°All personnel except for Vice Dean Evatt and Captain Brog, return to the surface and help out.¡±


    The two called upon had already transcended human limits (single attribute), and together with him, they symbolized the Sunlight Clinic¡¯s highest combat power.


    As the two set foot in the secret passage, walking on the death-sandified ground,


    they were swept by a sense of crisis greater than any previous mission, feeling that something was gathering at the end of the passage, or rather something was about to emerge.


    Dean Dis was without fear;he had resolved to eradicate all the pathogens in Levinholm and restore it to its past state, and he was also very curious to learn what was secretly carrying death.


    ...


    Raising his index finger,


    a sun vine sprouted from the fingertip, immediately blooming into a splendid sunflower, providing ample illumination and temporarily suppressing the death fog that pervaded the area.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    All three wore garments with a high skin content, and in a state of full skin protection, they fashioned various types of masks to effectively filter the death fog.


    The mask on Dean Dis¡¯s face was an exaggerated smiling sun,


    the Vice Dean wore a white ghostly mask, and Captain Brog donned a silver metallic mask with long fangs.


    The deeper they went, the more bizarre the sensation became.


    Stones that had turned into sand due to death were starting to reconstitute into perfectly-shaped skulls as the concentration of death increased. The skulls, all with mouths agape, constantly exhaled death aura.


    Such an environment even gave the three the impression of delving into the Old World.


    At the end, a chamber constructed of countless skulls.


    A man dressed as an ordinary citizen was suspended in a cross shape midair, with ¡®the last breath¡¯ of all the suicides in the river and surrounding areas accumulating inside him, indicating that some ritual had been completed.


    When the ordinary citizen opened his eyes, the death fog also began to spill from his eye sockets.


    ¡°Dean Dis~ you¡¯ve finally arrived.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Dean Dis, looking at the ordinary citizen in front of him, had no recollection of him.


    ¡°As expected, a significant person like you would never remember someone insignificant like me.


    Let me remind you, I was once treated for stomach cancer at your hospital, and having been advised to wait for death at home due to the metastasis of cancer cells throughout my body.


    Since I was just an ordinary person, you weren¡¯t willing to inject me with that miraculous Sun Secret Medicine to bestow me a chance at rebirth.


    While waiting at home for death, I came to understand many things,


    You gentlemen claim to want to protect us, but in reality, you fear that our transformation into higher-order patients will affect your control over human society.


    If I could become a patient, perhaps the cancer cells in my body could disappear.


    I didn¡¯t know how to come into contact with patients, and my body couldn¡¯t support a long journey¡­ Hence, I went alone to the filthiest area of the sewers to consume carcasses of various animals and filthy things in hopes of inducing some pathological reaction.


    Due to the excessive consumption of filth, my body rapidly deteriorated, putrefied, and reeked, to the point where even rats and cockroaches turned up their noses at my flesh.


    As I lay dying, a certain death symbol appeared before me,


    When I smeared the black substance I vomited onto my chest in the shape of that symbol¡­ The tumors spread throughout my body and the putrefying flesh no longer affected me.


    Somewhere deep, I heard whispers from another world, asking me to bring the gift of death to more people, to more ordinary citizens who are overlooked by you and cannot enjoy quality treatment. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I began to control the creatures in the sewers, quietly constructing symbols before hopeless homeless people, then gradually spreading to residential areas, targeting solitary dwellers.


    The death of ordinary people hardly draws your attention. It was not until yesterday that I was finally exposed.


    Didn¡¯t that young man named William Behrens come with you? He said a lot of unpleasant things in my ear, which made me have to bring him to witness death.¡±


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t matter, you will all die soon, and although it won¡¯t be by my hand, my physical form will bear witness to everything.¡±


    Upon hearing the other party¡¯s account, Dean Dis responded with disdain:


    ¡°The organization has given everyone the chance to ascend, everyone can become a gentleman through assessment. Even as a gentleman, one must face various unknown dangers and grow amidst life and death, only those who contribute can enjoy corresponding privileges and obtain the associated resources.


    The Sun Secret Medicine is one of the organization¡¯s rarest secret medicines, and most gentlemen do not have the right to use it, only those who stand on the front line fighting against illness possess the qualifications to use it.


    What you call ¡®unfairness¡¯ is merely an excuse for your own cowardice and selfishness. A person like you surely has no loved ones willing to be with you, or perhaps no relatives at all.


    It is precisely because you are all alone that you chose to seek an opportunity in the sewers, and it just so happened that you encountered ¡®Death¡¯ that wished to invade our side.


    Fearing death, yet you work for it¡­ a pathetic tool.¡±


    Dean Dis¡¯s words struck a nerve, causing the man to break down instantly.


    Just as the man was about to curse out loud, Dean Dis flicked his fingers and a miniature sun shot into the man¡¯s body.


    Explosions and incineration left not a trace behind.


    But, in merely three seconds.


    This ordinary citizen was resurrected by condensing Death Aura, reconstructing his original physical form, still suspended in the air in a cruciform.


    Just as Dean Dis was preparing to use an even stronger method¡­ whoosh! A curved dagger surrounded by black smoke pierced the body of the ordinary citizen from the inside,


    Spilling his guts and cutting him into a cruciform, creating a temporary black cavity that connected to the Old World.


    An Old World being with fluttering black hair and wearing a silver skull mask (without a mouth structure), wrapped in a cloak, used the body of this ordinary citizen to temporarily step into this world.


    The long boots adorned with a small skull trinket tapped the ground,


    Dragging behind him, the black cape was branded with a silver Death Symbol,


    ¡°Death Plague Knight Order, Harvester-Rotweis has come.


    Sacrificing 1081 suicides, the body has a usable duration of 13 minutes and 10 seconds, enough to erase the waste of your Skin Market¡­¡±


    As his words fell, a pure silver frame emerged above his head, its ends dagger-shaped, filled with black Death solution between the frames.


    ¡­


    Levinholm City.


    Yi Chen, who was helping to retrieve and burn corpses by the riverbank, looked up at the black smoke rising to the sky from the burning, growing increasingly anxious.


    When he realized something and wanted to stop the burning, it was already too late, and even if the burning were stopped, the corpses themselves posed a latent danger.


    No matter what, Death could not be avoided.


    As swirls of black smoke rose into the sky,


    A colossal Cross symbol appeared among the clouds, perfectly matching the deduced Death Symbol and precisely covering the entire Levinholm City.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look up! Don¡¯t stare at the sky!¡±


    Even though Yi Chen and some gentlemen who realized the problem shouted this out immediately,


    Still, a few gentlemen and many citizens saw the rune patterns in the sky, the instinct of Death instantly branded in their consciousness.


    Not only that,


    All sorts of insects, rats, and birds began forming symbols through swarming in different areas, spreading Death.


    From the homes of citizens who had once died, disturbances were heard, as seemingly benign ¡®dead citizens¡¯ walked out one by one, embracing others, spreading the Death Plague one-to-one.

 Chapter 229: Breakthrough

    [Zion Power Station]


    The deepest part of the Charge Zone. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Various high-energy particles were colliding and moving in order here, and in the center of this area, sat a slightly overweight young man.


    The Principal¡¯s Disciple ¨C Reagan Ludwig


    His gentleman¡¯s clothes had been discarded,


    allowing the particles to collide with his body, with the metal spine worm embedded in his back, replacing his spine, also evolving in the process.


    ...


    At the same time,


    a Dual Attribute Relic containing ¡®Intelligence¡¯ and ¡®Sensing¡¯ had been completely absorbed by him.


    Facing such an important Extreme Breakthrough, ordinary people dared not be distracted in the slightest,


    but Reagan willingly diverted more than half of his attention to another matter, borrowing the relic¡¯s residual energy and his own ability as a Prototype Master to manipulate the particles moving here to rebuild Faye¡¯s consciousness, standing in a higher realm of thought to reconstruct the Thought Force Field.


    The female corpse, whose nerves and blood vessels were constructed of cable lines,


    gleamed in the pupils as consciousness was rebuilt, her brain officially activated, though not complete, but could already be called an independent life.


    ¡°Rea¡­ Reagan!¡±


    When the female corpse uttered an emotionally charged voice through her porous tongue,


    ¡°Faye, are you awake?!¡±


    Reagan received unparalleled ¡®Spiritual Enlightenment¡¯,


    having waited too long for this moment, watching his childhood sweetheart die in front of him as a Patient flayed and deboned her.


    An endless fury gathered in his brain, forming a terrifying spiritual power that crushed the Patient before him into dust with his mortal body.


    Unfortunately, it was still too late,


    holding onto the only remaining spine of Faye, Reagan made a vow to resurrect his girlfriend at any cost¡­ even if it meant becoming a beast of burden, even if it meant killing his comrades, even if it meant becoming an enemy of the entire world.


    Now, he had finally taken the most difficult and most important step.


    This moment of emotional surge caused Reagan to burst through the Limit Barrier and transcend humanity.


    A charged spirit beam shot straight into the sky, forming dense electron clouds above the power station, an anomaly that attracted the gaze of all Zion.


    When Reagan opened his eyes again, his hair was standing on end and there were currents moving through it.


    Embracing his girlfriend, recalling the moments of their childhood, tears sparkled with electric light as they slid down his cheeks.


    Leaning on Faye¡¯s shoulder, Reagan finally revealed a relieved and happy smile after more than a decade,


    but at this moment of happiness, the image of a man suddenly flashed through his mind, and he even whispered:


    ¡°Thank you, William.¡±


    Reagan¡¯s current breakthrough and the construction of his girlfriend¡¯s consciousness were all thanks to the visit of Yi Chen, who invited him on a journey to the relics of the Old World.


    Faye pressed her porous tubular tongue to Reagan¡¯s ear, emitting static interference:


    ¡°Who is William?¡±


    ¡°A good friend of mine~ It was because of his persuasion that I was willing to re-enter the Grey Zone and truly resurrect you, Faye.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Reagan, you also have a good friend now, why not take me to meet him.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As Reagan walked out of the power station, the celestial phenomenon he had caused was slowly dissipating, even clearing away much of the surrounding clouds.


    Just as he wanted to find out news about Yi Chen, his innate ¡®Heavenly Connection¡¯ prompted him to look towards a certain direction in the sky,


    and even though the foggy environment made it difficult to see distant scenery, as Reagan gazed into the distance, a vague black cross emerged in his mind.


    ¡°William¡­ is there danger?¡±


    ¡­


    Greyrell Mountain, also known as Holy Grail Mountain


    Wearing an iron mask and cloaked in black armor, the Watcher ¡ª Black Heavy Halberd ¨C Orman Yude remained on guard above, ensuring safety with a suppressing bonfire fueled by armor plates at the passageway¡¯s mouth.


    This newly formed passage would be utilized multiple times.


    After Yi Chen and the first group had completed the relic exploration, a gap of 15 to 30 days was allowed. Provided that no anomalies emerged and the parameters were stable, the organization would arrange for a second batch of gentlemen to seek out relics.


    During this time, the Watcher would stay put until the channel became unstable and no longer suitable for newcomers.


    At present.


    The solitary Orman was reminiscing about the idle chat with Yi Chen and others from some time ago, while also undoing his armor to look at the gash on his abdomen made by a silver crescent, recalling that Open Source Patient who had impersonated William.


    It had been quite a while since he encountered something so interesting.


    Just then, the bonfire flickered.


    Orman rose with his halberd, instantly entering a battle ready state, observing something moving rapidly through the passageway.


    Timing it right,


    his black heavy halberd swept directly towards the entrance.


    The strike caused a violent explosion¡­ Boom! The whole temple trembled violently, and it might have collapsed were it not for the channel providing support.


    Orman withdrew his halberd;his palm was slightly numb.


    Beneath the iron mask, his pupils watched the depths of the dust, barely making out a colorful figure.


    A somewhat androgynous female voice came forth, ¡°As expected of a Watcher, such power in a casual swing¡­ I¡¯d love to use you as a warm-up, but I can¡¯t quite bring myself to do it.¡±


    The dust settled.


    There stood a woman in a multicolored suit and colorful mask, holding an incredibly bizarre Fetus Sword in hand. Despite the long sword blocking the blast,


    the slash from the swaying halberd still tore open her abdomen,


    but the wound was covered in blooming red lotuses, stemming the blood flow and healing rapidly.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Orman naturally also recalled that this was one of Yi Chen¡¯s teammates ¨C Jin Almeda, who had gone missing in the Old World for over two months.


    From his experience as a Watcher, he judged that the woman before him wasn¡¯t infected with pathology;rather, she had achieved an Extreme Breakthrough in the Old World.


    If this was the case, reviewing the history of the organization, such an event had never occurred before¡­ But Orman also couldn¡¯t be completely certain, and further systematic checks on Jin were needed.


    Right then, Jin closed the distance with an Instant Step,


    her fingers tracing the tip of the Black Heavy Halberd, slowly sliding down to Orman¡¯s palm.


    ¡°Excuse me, do you know where William is? I have some good news to share with him.¡±


    Orman dropped his defensive stance, pointing towards the temple¡¯s entrance, ¡°According to the message sent back later, William Behrens has already returned to Zion. It seems he has also acquired a significant relic.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gone back already? Didn¡¯t even wait for me¡­ I¡¯ll see him when I get a chance, Mr. Orman~¡±


    Jin didn¡¯t linger, swiftly leaving the temple.


    Just as she was about to hasten down the mountain, she halted abruptly at the cliff edge.


    She took off her mask to reveal the face of a girl not even twenty, marked with the characteristic Red Lotus below her left eye.


    Her nostrils flared slightly, sniffing at the unusual scent mixed in the air.


    ¡°What¡¯s this smell¡­ Why does it somewhat resemble the innards scattered all over when my father died? Is it the scent of death?¡±


    Jin squinted towards a certain direction on the horizon,


    where from the height of Holy Grail Mountain, visibility was decent. She could barely make out a dense black fog engulfing a certain area.


    ¡°Seems like some dangerous, deathly creature is emerging~ Perfect for me to practice on¡­ I¡¯ll see William later, he didn¡¯t wait for me anyway.¡±


    Carried away by excitement,


    Jin ran down the nearly vertical and perilous cliffside.


    With each step, lotus flowers bloomed under her feet, her speed so incredible that she reached the mountain¡¯s base in half an hour.


    After a brief adjustment, she rushed even faster toward the area where death was spreading, her pupils shining with a mad greed, a voracious lust for slaughter.

 Chapter 230: Combat

    Because burning corpses suspended the Death Symbol in the sky, anyone alive in Levhome City was tagged with a ¡°Forbidden to Look Up¡± label.


    Of course, having your eyes closed was still fine.


    However, the threat of death was not just from the sky.


    All sorts of insects, rodents, and birds were affected and could form the Death Symbol in front of anyone, anywhere,


    even if you kept your head down the entire time, you might accidentally see ants arranged into the symbol on the ground, or birds flashing by in the alleyways, resulting in the transmission of death.


    The best method was not to use your eyes at all.


    ...


    Yi Chen made a quick decision to tear off a strip of black cloth from his clothing. Though he said it was torn, the moment he thought of tearing, the Gentleman¡¯s Skin automatically separated out a ribbon.


    Imitating teacher Zede¡¯s usual attire, Yi Chen unfolded the black cloth and slowly covered his eyes, deciding to completely abandon his vision for the upcoming actions.


    The moment his eyes were covered, his thoughts were taken back to the Underground Paradise.


    In physical sparring with teacher Zede, the latter usually only acted as a ¡®sandbag¡¯, not dodging at all, allowing Yi Chen¡¯s attacks to land on him, slicing, smashing, or whipping.


    They would occasionally try a real sparring session.


    During these sessions, the total time Yi Chen could last was typically no more than ten seconds,


    and all his attacks, no matter how cleverly he set up traps and used tactics, could not injure Zede;all were dodged or completely neutralized by him.


    ¡°Teacher Zede, how do you manage to do this?¡±


    ¡°When those monks first deprived me of [vision], I wasn¡¯t used to it either.


    This conceptual level of deprivation meant I would never gain vision again, even if I fitted perfect eyeballs in my face and connected all the nerves, I still wouldn¡¯t be able to see anything.


    Gradually, I got used to the changes.


    I even found that by erasing vision, my main sensory input, I could focus better on developing my other senses. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I could construct a whole new world through hearing, smell, and touch.


    For instance, I can taste every drop of sweat flowing from your body, Yi Chen, discern which pore it comes from, taste the saltiness, and even deduce what you ate last night and your current physical state.


    It was also by fully utilizing my remaining senses that I managed to escape from the Monastery. If those guys hadn¡¯t gouged out my eyes, maybe I couldn¡¯t have escaped at all.


    Sometimes, losing something might not be such a bad thing.


    William, you might try it too when you have nothing else to do. Although your vision is naturally excellent and supported by your internal partner, sometimes other senses might be more useful.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Later, in physical training and sparring with Zede, Yi Chen also tried this ¡®Blind Strike.¡¯ At the beginning, he couldn¡¯t find his way at all, but gradually he could capture environmental parameters through his other senses and perform a series of basic activities.


    Of course,


    to reach Zede¡¯s level was still a long way off, only the tip of the iceberg.


    ¡­


    Levhome City.


    With his eyes covered by black cloth, Yi Chen¡¯s body also took on a stooped shape;anyone who knew Zede could certainly discern some clues from Yi Chen¡¯s posture and style.


    ¡°Never thought I¡¯d actually need to use this technique, but it¡¯s a good thing I tried Blind Strike with teacher Zede.


    Now I better hurry to meet Mr. Helvoye at the hospital. Death is spreading throughout the city, this isn¡¯t something I can solve alone, and even the whole of Levhome might not be saved.


    The only hope we can pin on is Dean Dis, if he can find and kill the Root of Death. Once the Root is removed, the spread of death will stop, and we can then eliminate the remaining dead in the city, bringing everything back to normal.¡±


    At this moment, Barry also came closer, his armor sticking to Yi Chen¡¯s outfit.


    Yi Chen immediately smelled a unique scent from Barry, which if described was like a plate of Cantonese roast, all fatty meat, possibly related to his having eaten three people¡¯s breakfast that day.


    ¡°William, you also have experience fighting blindfolded?¡±


    ¡°By coincidence, one of my tutors is like that, I learned from him. Barry, you might also try not to use your eyes, right?¡±


    ¡°That I really can¡¯t do, though I learned basic Blind Strike in family training, it was only in fixed locations. To abandon my vision and move through these unfamiliar city areas for combat, I definitely can¡¯t do it, and might even die faster.


    Maybe I¡¯ll really die here¡­¡±


    Yi Chen slapped his hand on the armor as usual, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Didn¡¯t we already come to an important conclusion about suppressing death last night? The formation of the Death Symbol isn¡¯t instantaneous;it¡¯s a process.


    As long as we detect this process, we can interrupt it early or close our eyes to successfully contain it.¡±


    We aren¡¯t going to stubbornly fight to the death here. Let¡¯s first head to the hospital to meet with Helvoye and Lotson, and then join the apprentices to guard inside together.


    In a special area like Sunward Hospital, there must definitely be a barrier as well as defense mechanisms.


    If all else fails, we¡¯ll just run for it.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Of course, there will inevitably be some minor conflicts on the way back to the hospital.¡±


    He picked up a shotgun with his left hand,


    and carried the Hand Axe in his right hand,


    transforming his suitcase into a backpack that did not hinder movement while still allowing him to access the Medicine inside at any time.


    Yi Chen¡¯s scalp steamed with white smoke again as his brain began to operate at high speed. Using his precise memory of the city area, he moved quickly toward the hospital.


    When the two passed the first intersection, an orderly group of birds suddenly flew out, clearly preparing to form the Death Symbol.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to fire his gun, there was a loud snap!


    A shield embossed with a Heavy Hammer pattern flew out at high speed, smashing the birds and scattering their flesh and feathers, interrupting their gathering process.


    Drawn by some contractual power, the shield quickly flew back.


    Snap! Barry¡¯s left hand grasped it securely, his breath visible beneath his bucket-like mask.


    ¡°Barry, not bad~ It¡¯s my first time seeing you use a weapon in combat. Is this one of your abilities?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, this is one of the abilities bestowed by ¡®Heavy Knight.¡¯ Currently, it allows me to control up to two ¡®Heavy Equipments.¡¯ As long as I confirm the ¡®Binding¡¯ with the equipment, I can significantly improve my proficiency with the equipment and also bestow the ¡®Recall¡¯ ability.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s really cool!¡±


    Yi Chen had always thought Barry was just a supporting tank, but he didn¡¯t expect him to have such a flexible way of fighting.


    The two jogged for a while, and as they passed a detached house¡­ Bang! All the windows on the second floor shattered.


    A family of four jumped out from inside,


    actively releasing Death Aura all over their bodies, which could rapidly age any object or flesh upon contact.


    The most terrifying part was that they could self-destruct at any moment, making them exponentially more dangerous.


    Furthermore,


    as the family members dove down, they ¡®swiftly stripped off their clothes,¡¯ attempting to expose the Death Symbols etched on their bodies.


    Blindfolded, Yi Chen fired his gun directly at one of the fathers and was about to swing his axe to kill the others when¡­ Whirr! The sound of a heavy object spinning through the air reached them.


    Snap! Snap! Snap!


    A Mithril Hammer spinning at high speed flew in from the side, exploding the bodies of the remaining three in midair with such force that even the rats and dead fish that made up their flesh were ground into powder.


    The Mithril Hammer continued to spin for a while, shaking off the blood on its surface before automatically flying back to Barry¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Cool, Barry!¡±


    ¡°Damn, I¡¯ve been freaking out! Ever since we entered the city, we¡¯ve barely seen any clear patients or enemies¡­ Now finally I get a chance to show off. Watch me smash their heads one by one.¡±


    The conversation had just ended when, Snap!


    From an intersection about ten meters away, the sound of breaking bones and flesh could be heard.


    Barry glanced over cautiously, the sight capturing his gaze wiped the smile off his face, and Yi Chen also sensed an uncomfortable aroma¡­ the distinct scent of a Gentleman.


    A Gentleman had just committed suicide at the intersection,


    precisely by jumping from the top floor of the nearby Sunward Hotel, falling in a perfect vertical line to the ground, his head smashed open upon impact.


    His body stood upside down on the ground, feet joined and pointing upwards, one hand pointing like a signpost towards the entrance of the Sunward Hotel.

 Chapter 231: Cemetery Visitor

    [Stone Statue Cemetery]


    Because it deviated from the main urban area and was close to the suburbs, although Death poured out and shrouded the entire city, it did not affect this place immediately.


    Due to the departure of the Cemetery Manager¡ªRupert, all the stone gargoyles were removed, and the entire cemetery was in a state of unmanaged disarray.


    At this moment,


    a gentleman responsible for the security of the surrounding blocks, with a look of panic, ran to the cemetery gate, seeking sanctuary.


    His right arm seemed to be completely withered by some kind of erosion, resembling the arm of a mummy stored for hundreds of years, which he had ultimately ripped off and discarded because it impeded his movement.


    ...


    The man with the severed arm ran towards the cemetery while loudly calling for help.


    ¡°Lord Rupert, save me! My friend has been resurrected by the Death Plague and is chasing me¡­¡±


    When he arrived at the cemetery, he found, to his surprise, that the gates, which were always closed, were completely open.


    Too panic-stricken to notice that the stone gargoyles above the porch were gone, he took it as a sign that the Cemetery Manager had responded to his plea, and with a glimpse of dawn, he even quickened his pace.


    But as he ran quickly through the cemetery, he gradually began to sense something was amiss.


    He had been fortunate enough to visit the Stone Statue Cemetery once before and knew that the moment one stepped in, they would feel a gaze from all around, as stone gargoyles lurking in the shadows could tear intruders to pieces at any moment.


    Moreover, there would always be a stone steward to guide visitors, also serving to monitor any outsiders.


    But this time, there was nothing¡ª


    Empty and quiet, as if stepping into an abandoned cemetery.


    Just as the man paused for a moment due to the cemetery¡¯s emptiness, a wheezy hissing came from behind, and a blonde woman with tattered clothes and sore-covered eyes followed with a twisted gait.


    The blonde woman had been his companion, and they even had a certain affection for each other, jointly responsible for the security of the block.


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    As Death spread, the blonde woman committed suicide on the spot because she carelessly looked up at the sky.


    Less than ten minutes after her death, a large amount of filth surged out from the nearby sewers, moving towards the site of the blonde woman¡¯s death regardless of whether it could move or not.


    At the same time, a strand of deep black sheen like a liquid thread, the substance known in the Old World as ¡°Death Plague Breath¡±, arrived with the presence brought by the Death Plague Knight Order¡ªHarvester Rotweis.


    Ordinary people could not endure it;only the gentleman class could accept such an aura, undergoing a completely different kind of ¡°Death Resurrection.¡±


    When the filth from the sewer rebuilt her body with the woman¡¯s ¡®last breath¡¯, the ¡°Death Plague Breath¡± immediately burrowed into her flesh, merging with her pre-existing abilities, transforming them into the power of the dead.


    The two, once nearly equal in status, fought for just a few minutes, and the blonde woman had disabled the man¡¯s arm, leading to the current moment of flight.


    ¡°Lina! Lina!¡±


    No matter how the man shouted, the blonde woman showed no response;her existence¡¯s purpose was to spread death, until Levinhome became the City of the Dead.


    Having no other options, the man had to keep running until he reached the Manager¡¯s stone house.


    ¡°Mr. Rupert, please save me!¡±


    He got a response,


    Tap tap¡ªa series of footsteps came from inside the stone house, but the figure who emerged was not the ¡®dwarf¡¯ he remembered.


    Instead, it was a mysterious person wrapped in a black robe with gold trim, exuding a sinister aura, face obscured.


    ¡°Lord Rupert has long since departed, and I temporarily guard this cemetery. To receive my protection, you must pay with enough ¡®grapes.''¡±


    ¡°What grapes!?¡±


    The man grew increasingly frantic as footsteps followed close behind.


    ¡°The only grapes on your face that can shimmer and ooze juice.¡±


    This person was not foolish and naturally understood what the man before him was saying. Once an important sensory organ like the eyeball was removed, unless one had the top-tier medical skills of Zion, it would be difficult for it to regenerate and heal on its own.


    But in the face of death, eyes were nothing.


    His hands quickly reached for his eye sockets, and just as he was about to gouge out the so-called grape, the mysterious figure¡¯s voice came again, ¡°Leave one for yourself, if you become blind and can¡¯t find your way out of the cemetery, I¡¯m going to be very troubled.¡±


    Whoosh!


    Gouge it out and sever the nerve at the same time!


    With teeth clenched, the man threw his left eye towards the mysterious figure.


    Smack! An arm covered with black hair from beneath the robe caught the eyeball steadily.


    The arm then stuffed the eye beneath the hood, and one could even hear the sound of the eye¡¯s bursting as it was bitten into.


    ¡°Hmm~Your grape juice is plentiful and pure, I can tell that it¡¯s been well-maintained. I give this grape 81 points.¡±


    At this moment, the blonde-haired woman had already leapt into the air, and multiple arms made of filth emerged from her back, ready to pin the man to the ground.


    In the critical moment, the mysterious figure suddenly lifted his hood, revealing a face filled with eyeballs that was utterly terrifying,


    With just one gaze, the blonde-haired woman¡¯s brain exploded mid-air.


    As her headless corpse fell to the ground, the mysterious figure also raised his right arm, mumbling some ancient curse.


    Hum!


    The curse spelled like a gun, spiraling gray lines shot into the woman¡¯s body.


    ¡°Physical Explosion¡±


    Smack!


    The exploded flesh was branded with an ancient inscription, quickly obliterated by the curse¡¯s erosion.


    The mysterious figure lifted his smoking finger and his lips parted with a slight smile, ¡°Oh? The power is that great¡­ truly worthy of being the Fallen Gentleman-Eye Collector, Gemhar, buried in Cemetery No.6.


    Wait, what is that?¡±


    The exceptional vision allowed him to capture a wisp of black thread, liquid-like, amidst the obliterated flesh, from it he could glimpse an ancient scene of death.


    ¡°Is this substance from the Old World? It must only be a very small part of it. If such material were to spread widely in the city, the city would surely be lost.


    What a pity, the remaining value of the Stone Statue Cemetery hasn¡¯t yet been fully exploited.¡±


    ¡°How is William doing, I wonder? He better not die in a place like this~Otherwise, if the soul also perishes, being buried in the cemetery would be meaningless.


    Hey! What¡¯s your name?¡±


    With that inquiry from the little grape, the other party finally came back to his senses.


    To some extent, he was petrified by the little grape¡¯s figure;he couldn¡¯t comprehend what the temporary Manager was, those eyes all over his face caused his mind to become utterly chaotic.


    ¡°Idrisa Marlin¡­ that¡¯s right, you can just call me Marlin!¡±


    ¡°Marlin, I need a favor from you~If you do well, I can give you a better grape in return, plus a free installation.¡±


    ¡°What favor?¡±


    ¡°Go to the district and find a gentleman named William Behrens. Bring him to me, dead or alive. Can you do it?¡±


    The little grape¡¯s words carried a forceful thought invasion, rooting directly into the man¡¯s brain, akin to an absolute command that was irresistible.


    ¡°Understood¡­¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and go.¡±

 Chapter 232: Homologous Induction

    [Sunshine Hotel]


    About 70% of the gentlemen who had not reached their physical limit in the entire district were gathered in this hotel. Yi Chen and Barry had also spent the night here, and even freeloaded a lavish breakfast in the morning.


    As the gentlemen who jumped to their deaths formed a ¡°Dead Man¡¯s Road Marker¡± in the crossroad in an upside-down manner.


    Looking along the direction pointed to by the hotel¡¯s front doors, one could see more intense flickers of light and shadows in motion, as if a fierce battle were underway.


    At the same time, voices were heard from different floors, even mixed with some screams, signifying that the hotel had already been invaded by death from the inside, and it was possible that many gentlemen had transformed into the dead.


    If what was currently happening was an ordinary and common Pathological erosion, Yi Chen would have not hesitated to go up and assist. But now, the death that swept through the whole city was rapidly expanding, and every human death spawned the dead.


    ...


    The most prudent course of action was to return to Sunshine Hospital and meet with Mr. Helvoye. With a Transcender present, defending against death would be much easier.


    Gazing at the hotel building in front of him, Yi Chen recalled the gentleman¡¯s course he had taken for over a year in Zion and felt his gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    constantly reminding him of the basic morals that he should possess as a gentleman.


    Barry, with his knightly background, instinctively started walking towards the hotel.


    ¡°Barry!¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s shout made Barry stop in his tracks.


    ¡°If we choose the hotel, we may end up trapped there for a long time, unable to meet with Mr. Helvoye at the hospital.


    If Dean Dis¡¯s confrontation with the source of death fails and we lack the protection of a ¡®Transcender,¡¯ we might very well die here.


    Barry, you need to think this over!¡±


    Barry, who had mostly been a source of comic relief and even often regretted coming here, became exceptionally serious at this moment.


    ¡°We must rush to the hotel;our companions need our help!¡±


    At this time, another gentleman¡¯s team happened to arrive at the crossroads and noticed the abnormality of the hotel as well as Yi Chen and Barry across the street.


    ¡°Please join us in helping out at the hotel!¡±


    The invitation was made,


    and even if Yi Chen didn¡¯t consider the problem of gentlemanly conduct, he had to consider the gentlemen present.


    If he still chose to leave, when the death incident eventually calmed down, the higher-ups would surely learn of this.


    The organization might possibly reevaluate Yi Chen¡¯s essence and could significantly cut resource supplies, no longer providing the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin.¡±


    After all, in a world soaked by plague, an individual without character who has lost their humanity could be more dangerous than some of the Patients.


    Yi Chen stepped forward and patted Barry on the back,


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll head to the hotel with them, but I have one condition.


    We were clearly informed in the mission brief that if the danger in Levinhome exceeded our task¡¯s assessment, we could retreat at any time without any liability.


    When the danger inside the hotel exceeds our capability to endure, once I say go, Barry, you have to follow me and decisively retreat.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen also clenched his teeth, gripping his weapon tightly, preparing to unleash his real strength in the hotel to clear the threat as quickly as possible.


    As they crossed the intersection and met up with the other team,


    one of them took two steps back, frightened by the sight of Yi Chen with black cloth over his eyes and a slightly hunched figure. He had a fleeting encounter with Hogni Zed ten years ago while helping transport bodies as a penalty at the academy, which left him with a psychological trauma.


    But upon closer inspection, the young man in front of him was different in both appearance and age, merely somewhat similar in demeanor.


    When everyone hurried to the front door of the hotel as fast as possible, they happened upon a terrible scene.


    A gentleman with ragged clothes and a face riddled with small holes from which black Death Aura was seeping was choking another gentleman, holding him in the air.


    The fingers were penetrating the neck, the surrounding skin was rapidly aging, and the situation was critical.


    Hum!


    Barry¡¯s Secret Silver Hammer was still thrown at the first opportunity.


    Crack! The flesh shattered.


    But the gentleman corpse before them was clearly different from ordinary citizens,


    The Secret Silver Hammer only shattered the arm used for blocking, and the remaining force just flung the other party away, rolling into a corner of the lobby.


    The gentleman who was choked in mid-air was barely rescued and immediately received an injection in his neck.


    Barry watched the dead gentleman being smashed away, ¡°Hm? He took a hammer blow from me head-on and only lost an arm¡­ Has the physical strength of those transformed by death also been enhanced? This is a stark difference compared to ordinary citizens. Everyone be careful.¡±


    As he spoke those words, Yi Chen had already charged out.


    With a lift of his left hand, he switched the ammunition type¡­ and pulled the trigger!


    Bang!


    A rifled-slug shot out, blowing a large hole in the abdomen of the dead and crashing into it¡­ The Pathological bullet rapidly absorbed the metallic components within the dead body, rendering its flesh soft and powerless.


    As the dead struggled to rise and failed, the blindfolded youth had already arrived to kill.


    Whoosh!


    Moonlight descended, and the silver rats devoured.


    Just as the horde was about to completely consume the filth¡­ Pop~pop~pop! The Moonlight Rats exploded one after another.


    Faced with this anomaly, Yi Chen didn¡¯t retreat;instead, he leaned his body slightly forward.


    [Homologous Induction]


    At the instant the Moonlight Rats exploded, Yi Chen¡¯s own Death Attribute surprisingly resonated.


    Even though his eyes were covered, he could still clearly sense a whiff of essence from the Old World, faint yet directly related to death.


    ¡°Barry, and everyone else, don¡¯t come close for now¡­¡±


    Ensuring no one approached,


    Yi Chen moved closer to the corpse, reaching out to touch the remaining chunks of the body.


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    the moment he made contact, he immediately drew out the most vital ¡°Death Plague Breath,¡± a trail of deep black thread, almost liquid, flowing into Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    The physical body of the gentlemanly dead immediately crumbled, turning into a puddle of filth.


    Buzz! A ringing sound echoed in his mind.


    Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness seemed to be transported to the depths of the Old World, to tunnels, caves, and various buildings constructed out of skulls, as if some ¡°Realm of the Dead¡± was hidden deep within.


    What he glimpsed was barely the tip of the iceberg.


    As his consciousness returned,


    The minute amount of ¡°Death Plague Breath¡± he absorbed had already become [Nourishment] for Yi Chen¡¯s own death system.


    ¡°Excellent stuff! If I could absorb more of this essence, perhaps I could further develop and harness the Death Attribute within me, laying the foundation for the upcoming Extreme Breakthrough.¡±


    When Yi Chen turned around,


    All gentleman but Barry looked at him with wary eyes, even going so far as to be armed against him.


    To prove he hadn¡¯t been infected by the Death Plague and considering his own selfish interests,


    Yi Chen took out an old business card from his backpack¡ªthe Deputy Director of Hippocrates Hospital and one of the heads of the secret medicine review department, [Andre Vissari].


    He had once formed a connection with Yi Chen due to the Twilight Clinic incident, always donning a signature plague doctor mask, a rare Death Doctor.


    ¡°I inherit Death Secret Techniques from Doctor Vissari,


    Based on the killing and examination just now, I have come to an important conclusion: there is an essential difference between a gentlemanly dead and an ordinary citizen dead.


    A certain gaseous substance from the Old World is key to the formation of ¡®gentlemanly dead,¡¯ which can even integrate their former Professional Characteristics to make them more formidable.


    Next, we must work together to confront gentlemanly dead, and absolutely cannot be isolated.


    If your attacks cause the [gentlemanly dead] to break apart or crack open, I will immediately absorb the Old World essence from within them.¡±


    Convinced by the legitimate business card and the scene of Yi Chen absorbing the Death Aura,


    The Gentleman Team immediately commenced a thorough cleansing of the hotel, centering around Yi Chen.


    More and more ¡°Death Plague Breath¡± was absorbed by Yi Chen as nourishment,


    His skin grew ever paler and more deathly white during the process, closely resembling the form of a dead.

 Chapter 233: Danger Approaching

    [Dom River]


    The secret sewer right below,


    grew dense with death as the concentration of demise rose. Lifeless stones were bestowed with skull structures of the dead form. Walls made of clustered skulls constantly emitted mists, sealing the environment with the absolute label of death and blocking all perception methods.


    Even the natives of the Old World would avoid areas constructed with dense skulls or shun discussions about the ¡°Death Plague¡± upon seeing or hearing them.


    Disregarding the warnings of death and acting disrespectfully could possibly summon a terrifying legion¡ªthe [Death Plague Knights] under the First Dead Man.


    It¡¯s rumored that every dead being chosen for this knight order wields the strength to stand on their own, leaving mountains of bones in their wake.


    ...


    At present, inside the deepest skull room of the sewer,


    Levinhome¡¯s first battle force, the founder of Sun Secret Medicine and the director of the Sunlight Hospital¡ªDis Campbell, was gasping for air. Half of his clothing, with a skin content of over 50%, was already tattered, and the sunlight radiating from him had significantly weakened.


    Moreover,


    the captain of Sun Church¡¯s suppression force and the second battle force of Levinhome, Black Gold Brog, had his proud [Black Gold Body] thoroughly broken, and his left arm erased.


    The third member of the team, the vice director of the Sunlight Hospital and a resident doctor who only needed one more year to be officially appointed, [Neurological Sense ¨C Avat], had died in the fight.


    He was a sensing talent who made ¡°Sensing¡± breakthroughs and had passed one of the organization¡¯s most difficult trials, ¡°Doctor Selection,¡± a year ago.


    In the five senses test, he exceeded his peers by more than three times, specializing in sensory-focused healing and enhancement. He was the successor most favored by Director Dis.


    Even with such outstanding senses, he still couldn¡¯t avoid the enemy¡¯s attacks and was beheaded alive.


    To be beheaded by [Harvester ¨C Rotweis] is to be condemned to death on a conceptual level, and even timely reattachment of the head to the body would only yield a lifeless living dead.


    A decaying vice director¡¯s skull was tossed up and down in Rotweis¡¯s hand, like a ball.


    The silvery skull mask allowed a soul-snatching, deadly quiet voice to pass through:


    ¡°How persistent. According to my calculations, by this time you all should have been killed¡­ yet, I¡¯ve only managed to kill the weakest among you.


    It seems you¡¯re not completely worthless;you¡¯ve managed to develop something of your own thanks to the opportunity provided by the Skin Market.


    Not bad, my knight squadron could use some expansion;you guys barely make the cut. After you¡¯re dead, you¡¯ll join their ranks.¡±


    Just as Harvester ¨C Rotweis prepared to continue beheading,


    a faint stinging sensation came from the back of his hand, like a single hair being plucked away.


    Completely disregarding the two humans before him, he turned his head in a certain direction as if he could see through the layers of the sewer walls to a distant area thousands of kilometers away.


    ¡°In such a low-level town, someone can actually absorb the ¡®Death Plague Breath,¡¯ seems to be just a young human.


    Pity that I don¡¯t have much time left, in a few minutes I¡¯ll be sent back¡­ Can¡¯t let this guy continue to absorb, go kill him, try to bring back his complete soul.¡±


    That said,


    a strand of the Death Breath Origin within Rotweis¡¯s body was transferred ¡®mouth to mouth¡¯ into the vice director¡¯s skull.


    Then something astonishing happened,


    with the skull as the core, black threads representing death rapidly wove together. ¡®Neurological Sense ¨C Avat¡¯ appeared in full form as one of the dead.


    He knelt on one knee before Rotweis, seeing him as his eternal master, and took the command.


    Upon seeing this, Director Dis immediately touched the ground with both palms, deploying his ability.


    ¡°Sun Breeding¡±


    The ground and walls of the current area immediately sprouted numerous sun vines, and over a hundred mini suns lit up at the tips of the vines, sealing the room and unleashing the maximum amount of solar radiation.


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    Whoosh~ Without any fancy movements,


    The black-haired Rotweis simply made the most basic slicing gesture, and every sun and vine that had grown were cut and pronounced dead, dim and withering.


    The resurrected vice director had already departed.


    ¡­


    [Sunlight Hotel]


    Although the spread of the Death Plague was difficult to contain, when the first gentleman patient appeared at the hotel, the plague began to spread wildly.


    However,


    before the contagion reached its peak, Yi Chen, a gentleman with ¡®antibody¡¯-like qualities, arrived to assist.


    Under his call, including Barry, a total of nine gentlemen who had reached their limits were integrated as a team, effectively cleansing the hotel of the dead,


    As the killing progressed, the cleansing became more proficient, and even the whole team managed to escape unscathed.


    The entire squad grew more confident in this process, believing that if they continued this way, they could eliminate death throughout the entire city and restore Levinhome to its former state.


    Once the dead were cut with a wound that transcended thirty centimeters, the gentlemen of the squad would shout William¡¯s name.


    Clang~


    Spiked iron chains would shoot out immediately, entangling the dead and extracting the ¡®Death Plague Breath¡¯ from the wound.


    In just one hour, the cleansing was nearing its end.


    At the very top of the Sun Hotel, with a puddle of dead birds and rotten fish scattered in front of Yi Chen, the last patient was cleared.


    ¡°15¡­¡± Yi Chen whispered a number that only he could hear, signifying the count of gentleman patients slain.


    ¡°If only there were more~ Even with fifteen absorbed by me, the aura stored within me is still insufficient, not enough to cause a real qualitative change.¡±


    At that moment, a heavy palm landed on his shoulder, and with a gasping voice, asked:


    ¡°Huff~ William, are you really okay? You look incredibly pale, practically like a dead man.¡±


    ¡°Ah, really?¡±


    Yi Chen casually entered the bathroom attached to the guest room, checked that there was no sign of death, temporarily removed the black cloth, and saw his frighteningly pale face reflected in the mirror, like it was coated with white powder.


    However, Yi Chen didn¡¯t care at all because he had always looked like this before he died.


    Assuring himself that he was fine, he continued to cover his eyes with the black cloth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have experienced real death before, this aura won¡¯t take my life.


    By the way, have all the survivors in the hotel been taken care of?¡±


    Barry nodded his head excitedly, ¡°The gentlemen who haven¡¯t reached their limits have already taken the civilians who were lucky to survive to the hospital for refuge. It¡¯s only a ten-minute walk from here to the Sun Hospital, so there shouldn¡¯t be any problem.¡±


    ¡°Since the hotel¡¯s situation is dealt with, let¡¯s head over there too~¡±


    Yi Chen also wrapped an arm around Barry¡¯s broad shoulders, walking out of the room together.


    The members of the temporarily formed squad were waiting in the hallway, instantly giving Yi Chen looks of admiration and even worship,


    Following the cleansing of the entire hotel, they all surrounded him, eager to inquire about Yi Chen¡¯s profession, origins, the iron chains, and how he was able to absorb death.


    However, such inquiries made Yi Chen sense a dissonance,


    His hearing and smell had improved from being blindfolded and fighting over a long time, and it seemed like there was one person¡¯s voice and aura missing from the squad.


    ¡°Wait, are we missing someone?¡±


    When Yi Chen asked this, the others also began to look around. After all, they were all temporarily teamed up and not very familiar with each other.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Bole is not here.¡±


    ¡°Strange, wasn¡¯t Miss Bole following us? She even helped to kill the dead in the previous two rooms.¡±


    However, not long into their discussion, Yi Chen noticed another anomaly.


    ¡°Hold on, why do I feel like there¡¯s one less voice again?¡±


    Upon checking the team again, Mr. Andrews, who was supposed to stand on the periphery and had spoken just ten seconds ago, was nowhere to be found.


    To think that in a team where everyone was a powerhouse with some attribute at its limit, someone could suddenly vanish.


    ¡°Everyone, gather in the guest room and set up a barrier!¡±


    Following Yi Chen¡¯s call, the whole team crammed into the nearest luxury guest room.


    The middle-aged gentleman who walked last in the team disappeared once again, without a scream, without any movement, without even leaving the slightest trace.

 Chapter 234: Sensory Deviation

    At the entrance of Sunshine Large Hospital, a large group of survivors from the hotel arrived.


    Even before they entered the hospital, these people were warmly welcomed by the apprentices, as if the place was completely unaffected by death.


    On the rooftop.


    ¡®Helvoye (Baron and Lotson)¡¯ stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the survivors who were eagerly squeezing into the hospital below. His eyes could even directly see through their skin, observing the neatly arranged blood vessels and the hearts that were quickly thumping due to nervousness within their bodies.


    It was as if he was watching bags of fresh blood entering his own warehouse.


    It was a pity that they were just ordinary blood packs;the physical bodies he truly wanted had not shown up.


    ...


    ¡°Where on earth has William Behrens gone? Death¡¯s erosion has spread to every corner of the city, and all gentlemen are fleeing for their lives. Logically, he should have come to the hospital to meet with us first thing.


    Could he really have died on the way?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unlikely, a guy who can dominate two monster-level teammates would definitely not die easily here. Let¡¯s wait a little longer, he will surely come.


    Why don¡¯t we go down and sample this batch of blood packs in the meantime? There might be some good stuff mixed in.¡±


    ¡­


    [Sunshine Hotel]


    In a luxury room at the corner of the top floor, six gentlemen who had reached their limits squeezed into a circle, each watching a direction while maintaining contact with their bodies at all times, with their gentleman¡¯s clothes even interweaving materials with each other.


    At the same time, everyone continuously counted from 1 to 6.


    In such a situation, any significant movement from one person would definitely be noticed by the others.


    But as only two minutes passed,


    1, 2,


    there was no ensuing call for number 3.


    When they looked around, the sense of fear instantly overflowed, causing some people¡¯s legs to begin trembling.


    The circle that was supposed to consist of six people had inexplicably become five;the intelligence-type gentleman named Joseph, who was skilled in flame magic, vanished as if he had been erased.


    What was more outrageous was that the two gentlemen who had been on either side of Joseph were now leaning on each other, and both of them felt absolutely nothing.


    ¡°How is that possible!¡±


    Facing the unknown that could not be understood, everyone panicked, their mental defenses nearly collapsing.


    Even Yi Chen¡¯s expression was contorted in confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening before his eyes. However, he was not frightened or in a panic;instead, he fell into an extremely excited state of thinking.


    During his life in the orphanage, and later on as a deceased person entering society,


    Yi Chen had encountered many inexplicable situations, but by calming down and thinking, he could always find clues and gradually figure out a way to break through.


    This process, though dangerous, was very intriguing.


    The feeling of trampling the unknown underfoot made Yi Chen insatiable.


    Hum! Behind his head, the emblem that symbolized the ¡°student¡¯s profession¡± began to ¡®turn pages¡¯ under the activity of his brain tissue,


    The elevation of thought brought about by intelligence reaching its limit, rapidly integrating some details from the occurrence of the disappearance to the present, launching an incredibly comprehensive analysis.


    ¡°Initially, the disappearances happened to those who were distant from the group, either on the outskirts or at the back. To achieve such disappearances, many methods could be used.


    For example, by freezing time to move people away, or by taking people away at a sufficiently fast speed.


    But during the last one, everyone was alert and huddled into a circle, maintaining the ¡®connectivity¡¯ of the gentleman¡¯s clothes.


    To quietly whisk people away, this ¡®connectivity¡¯ must be broken;the gentleman¡¯s skin must be severed. This substance, produced by the Old World, is deeply bound to each of us.


    If there had been any severing, we would have all felt it.


    Unless¡­¡±


    The smoking brain at this moment pinpointed the key issue.


    ¡°Unless the adversary could also manipulate the Gentleman¡¯s Skin and had mastery and basic parameters such as Skin Content far above ours.


    Could it be that there¡¯s a Gentlemen Corpse in the hotel possessing a Skin Volume that far exceeds ours, even breaking the limit? No, that can¡¯t be right;if someone like that were here earlier, they would¡¯ve stopped us from purging the dead from the hotel. It must be someone who has just arrived.¡±


    ¡°Everyone, hold hands and proceed to the rooftop;we need to combat in an open and spacious environment.¡±


    With enough authority already established in the hearts of others, when Yi Chen shouted this, the unsettled psyche of the group was once again stabilized.


    Crash! The window shattered.


    Everyone followed the instruction, holding hands as they climbed out of the window together.


    They were now on the top floor, with just one more level to climb to reach the spacious rooftop area¡­ The open area would allow Perception to diverge, and perhaps they would be able to detect the opponent¡¯s ¡°Stealing People¡¯s Skills¡±.


    But during the process of climbing out of the window and up the stairs, the team was reduced by one person again.


    This time, it wasn¡¯t a disappearance but a thirty-year-old man named Cliff whose ¡°Coordination¡± had reached its limit and who possessed animalistic traits such as gliding and cushioning.


    Instead of trusting Yi Chen to lead them to the rooftop, he believed he stood a better chance of survival by escaping from the hotel.


    In the midst of climbing out, he kicked with his legs and made a supremely perfect leap of faith.


    Under his armpits, wing-like membranes similar to a bat¡¯s sprouted, allowing him to glide through the air as he attempted to fly directly to the hospital not too far away, using the hotel¡¯s height.


    After gliding a distance, he even turned his head to look back at his temporary companions on the rooftop,


    ¡°Everyone, once I successfully reach the Sunshine Hospital, I¡¯ll report the hotel¡¯s situation and strive to call in support troops. You all must¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t finish his sentence.


    The normally gliding Cliff suddenly had a vacant expression, as if his senses had been stripped away, he fell freely head first¡­ Thump! Another corpse was added as a marker on the street.


    Yi Chen, although his eyes were covered, could deduce what had happened simply by analyzing the sudden halt in Cliff¡¯s sentence and the sound of a skull smashing.


    From a team of nine, only four remained, and only twenty minutes had passed.


    The survivors included Yi Chen, Barry, Mariti (a thirty-year-old woman with a Big Curved Sword on her back and mechanical goggles), and Waterad (a middle-aged man with stubble dressed in a light blue robe, capable of providing rapid healing and Water Attribute attacks).


    Waterad sighed helplessly, ¡°It seems our reckless healing within the hotel successfully angered the Death Root lurking deep within the city.


    Although I never expected to die a peaceful death, when true Death approaches, I still feel fear.


    I really want to live, to enjoy the excitement of eating Mrs. Shelley¡¯s meat pies at the street corner every day.¡±


    Mariti, with the Big Curved Sword, also left her last words: ¡°I thought I could hold out in Levinhome for a few more years and eventually return to Zion. I never imagined there wouldn¡¯t be another chance. I really wanted to see what lies beyond the Limit¡­ Is my Talent still not enough?¡±


    Barry alone didn¡¯t make any last statements,


    Yi Chen too tasted the incongruity of it. Everyone was a gentleman who had reached their Limit, and although they hadn¡¯t broken through, they must have experienced life-and-death moments.


    Even facing a completely unknown Deadly predicament, they shouldn¡¯t be in such a hurry to deliver last words.


    As gentlemen, their valor should be invoked during such conditions, focusing on the battle rather than wasting time on useless talk that could disturb their teammates¡¯ mindset.


    As Yi Chen considered this dissonance, an epiphany flashed through his mind.


    ¡°Sensory line¡­¡±


    He immediately shifted his attention, focusing on the ¡°Review¡± in his brain, and indeed discovered a faint, almost imperceptible thread connected deep within his brain.


    Clang~ He instantly controlled the Iron Chains within his body to move to his brain area and severed the thread.


    Snap! The thread broke.


    The sound of the wind on the rooftop, the breathing of his teammates, the touch of their bodies against his, and the smells emanating from everyone vanished.


    In their place was the sound of dripping water and the unique smell of a bathroom.


    ¡°This is!¡±


    Yi Chen immediately ripped off his blindfold,


    He was not on the ¡°Rooftop¡± at all, but standing in the guest room bathroom! The mirror reflected his pallid, corpse-like face, time seemingly returned to the moment when Barry told him his complexion was very poor.


    Yi Chen hadn¡¯t left the bathroom since he entered, S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The reason he felt he had left, interacted with Barry and his teammates, and witnessed their sequential disappearances¡­ all tactile, auditory, and olfactory feedback had been fabricated, all false information transmitted to the brain by that slender thread just now.


    When he stepped out of the bathroom, Barry and the other teammates had long since disappeared.


    The very moment he left the guest room, an exceedingly dangerous Aura assaulted him from the end of the corridor, a presence far surpassing all the gentlemen he had ever slain.


    At the end of the hallway,


    a handsome man with threads dancing between his fingers approached slowly, his gentleman¡¯s clothes tattered and emanating breaths of Death, with even putrefying wounds on his scalp revealing a grim skull beneath.


    ¡°It¡¯s Vice Principal Evatt!¡±


    ¡°You actually managed to find the ¡®Sensory Line¡¯ I hid deep in your brain. I was planning to deal with the others first, then take you directly back to the master. Now it seems I have to spend a bit more time¡­¡±

 Chapter 235: Response

    [Neurological Sense ¨C Evatt Loasa]


    As a doctor adept at sensory surgery, he naturally also knew how to alter senses and even fabricate them.


    Before his breakthrough, the profession he obtained from the blue letter was that of a ¡°wire controller¡±


    This meant he had an extremely high level of control and precision over any thread-like substances;with the increase in his Sensing value, he could even slowly grow lines directly from his body.


    He could use thin threads to slice through enemies, as well as for delicate human surgeries and organ suturing.


    Since childhood, he had been curious about why people could hear sounds, taste flavors, see patterns.


    ...


    After coming to Zion, he held the noble profession of doctor as his target.


    He began to specialize in sensory medicine, applying his thread control abilities in various surgeries, aiding many renowned doctors in completing a variety of delicate sensory operations.


    In the fifth year after joining the organization, Evatt finally obtained the relic he had dreamed of¡ªthe ¡°Weaving Brain Core.¡± Although it was a single Attribute relic, the sensory enhancements and abilities it bestowed made its value assessment far higher than ordinary relics.


    Upon successfully breaking through, his profession also advanced to a ¡°Sensory Manipulator.¡±


    At only thirty-one years old, he passed Zion¡¯s [Doctor Assessment] with his exquisite sensory surgeries, arriving at the Sunshine Great Hospital as the deputy director with the status of a reserve doctor.


    Many gentlemen with damaged senses would come to him by reputation, to be restored to their original condition by his hand.


    Yet, such a promising figure, seemingly with the template of a main character, even capable of bringing hope to humanity, transformed into a servant of the dead in the blink of an eye.


    ¡­


    Yi Chen recognized the man at a glance,


    During every meeting with Director Dis, he would see this man following behind;he later learned that this person was indeed the deputy director of Sunshine Hospital.


    Cold sweat slid down his forehead,


    The presence of such an important figure as a dead meant that the Sun Church led by Director Dis had very possibly failed in battle, and in the worst case, might have been wiped out completely.


    ¡°No¡­ If they¡¯d been wiped out completely, the person appearing here would be Director Dis himself.


    There¡¯s still a chance. I need to find Barry and escape with him.¡±


    Faced with a gentleman who had broken through the Limit and whose body had been altered by Death, Yi Chen had no intention of a head-on confrontation.


    What he was thinking about in his brain was only how to find Barry, how to escape the hotel, and if he could reach the nearby Sunshine Great Hospital, he could seek the protection of old Mr. Helvoye.


    Just then,


    The deputy director, manipulating threads with his fingers, adjusted the position of his wire-frame glasses with one and used another thread to adjust his hair to cover the rotting skull.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re currently considering two questions. 1. Where is your companion? 2. How to escape from the hotel.


    Let me answer your second question first.


    Even if you seize the one in ten thousand chance to truly escape the hotel, death, or rather, an encounter with death, awaits all humans in this city ultimately.¡±


    Yi Chen, on the contrary, responded with a relaxed smile, ¡°Since it¡¯s a dead end anyway, could the deputy director tell me the answer to the first question?¡±


    ¡°If you want to know that badly, come with me~ They¡¯re waiting for you below.¡±


    The deputy director, who had just come up in the elevator, stepped back into it and beckoned to Yi Chen in the middle of the hallway, while saying:


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about using the distance between us to continue your escape, the entire hotel is within my [range]¡­ The reason I haven¡¯t killed you is simply that the Master would be much happier if I brought you back alive.


    Come quickly, your friends might still be breathing their last, and if you¡¯re any slower, you¡¯ll only be able to formally speak with them after their resurrection.¡±


    Yi Chen packed away his weapons into the suitcase and quickly ran into the elevator.


    After pressing the button for the first floor, Deputy Director Evatt looked at Yi Chen with satisfaction, ¡°You¡¯re even putting away your weapons? It seems you¡¯re not planning to resist¡­ Good, if you accept death willingly, the Master may give you more opportunities.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just that your ability perfectly matches the ¡®Death Plague¡¯ that pervades the city.


    Your ability to manipulate the senses would make short work of us gentlemen who have not yet broken through and remain at the stage of [human].


    Your control over senses is unparalleled, and it would be effortless for you to transmit the Death Symbol;once the visual signal is received, everything would end.


    Even covering our eyes would be futile, unless we destroy our eyes.¡±


    While saying this, Yi Chen even made a motion as if digging out eyes.


    But the deputy director proudly added: ¡°No¡­ Even if you remove the visual organs, I can still create images in your brain. As a sensory doctor, I have these basic operations.


    Unless you have a means to perfectly shield against my ¡®sensory line¡¯, which is unlikely, of course.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I have the perfect affinity with the Death Plague, and I can easily spread the symbol throughout the city.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m willing to go there to develop. What¡¯s the point of staying here? Such a weak Organization, such a lowly human identity will sooner or later be swallowed up by the Old World.¡±


    Yi Chen just smiled faintly without saying much.


    Ding-dong~ The elevator arrived.


    When he followed the vice principal into the hotel lobby, the scene before him made him freeze all of a sudden.


    Even though he was mentally prepared, veins still popped on his forehead.


    Barry included, all eight teammates who had reached their personality limits and who had followed Yi Chen to cleanse the hotel were hung from the lobby ceiling with special Death threads.


    Even if hanging them didn¡¯t strangle them to death, the Death Aura emitted by the threads would still cause brain death.


    ¡°Oh~ Six people have already gone to meet Death, huh?¡± The vice principal joked, and the woman carrying the Big Curved Sword finally couldn¡¯t hold on;her tensed body slackened, ¡°The seventh has come too, just one more. A rare heir to the Knight Family should make a fine Death Knight.¡±


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen took a deep breath, used his special physique to bolster his vocal tract, and screamed at the top of his lungs:


    ¡°Barry!¡±


    This scream directly shattered the glassware on the front desk and even made the vice principal instinctively cover his ears, ringing slightly in his ears.


    With that name being called out,


    Barry, whose consciousness was flickering, seemed to hear the call from the outside world, such a familiar name.


    From the moment he was born into a Knight Family and given this name by his parents, it was deeply etched into his soul. People called out this name in every moment of his life.


    Perhaps it was just the simplest of greetings,


    Maybe just the most plain address by family,


    It could also be a plea for help when others needed his aid,


    The carousel of memories just so happened to pause at Barry¡¯s coming of age ceremony where he took the Knight Armor and the Hammer Shield with the hammer pattern from his father¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Barry, from now on, you are a knight of our family. From this day forward, the family¡¯s honor will be bound together with your name.


    Fight for glory, and bring that glory back with you.¡±


    Whirr! Consciousness vibrated!


    Barely alive, Barry suddenly opened his eyes, responding to the call of his name.


    In that moment, he transcended the instinct of biological thinking, and with an absolute Knight¡¯s spirit, he suppressed the brain¡¯s longing for death.


    The Hammer Shield resonating with its master¡¯s awakening¡­ Whirr! Weapons recall!


    The returning Shield cut the thin line on his neck, and its half-ton body fell heavily, smashing a circular crater in the lobby floor.


    The vice principal couldn¡¯t believe what he saw before him;it was the first time he¡¯d seen someone resist the Thought invasion of the Death Symbol.


    ¡°Incredible, the Master will surely be interested in you as well. Let¡¯s take you both back.¡±


    Left and right hands opened,


    Invisible ¡°sensory lines¡± shot into the brain at the precise angle of surgery, impossible to prevent.


    Just as the vice principal prepared to alter their senses, plunging them into a sensory illusion¡­ an unimaginable [Pain] shockingly traveled back up the sensory line.


    Wow!


    The pain made the vice principal shout out loud. Even as a dead man, he couldn¡¯t filter out this Pain, this fundamental Pain from the Deep of the Old World.


    The Pain forced him to retract the sensory lines as well.


    ¡°What is this¡­¡±


    When the vice principal turned his head in the direction the Pain came from, the form Yi Chen displayed instinctively made him step back.


    Iron Chains grew between his arms and fell to the ground.


    All over his Skin, including his face, terrifying spines grew at even intervals, S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both Eyes turned pitch black, not like those of a human, but resembling a Pathological individual from the Old World.


    Even his gentleman¡¯s clothes self-adapt into a ¡°leather outfit,¡± forming rings of metal that dug into the Skin of Yi Chen.

 Chapter 236: Disparity

    During the brief conversation in the elevator earlier, Yi Chen seized the opportunity to test out just to what extent this Vice Dean, known as ¡°Neurological Sense,¡± could apply his sensory abilities.


    Even if his eyes were gouged out, he could still form images,


    so he indeed could easily transmit the Death Symbol throughout the city, and only someone like Zede, who was deprived of fundamental vision, could be immune to the symbol¡¯s visual transmission.


    The only way Yi Chen had to block the transmission of death was one.


    That was to activate the ¡°Needle Chain¡¯s¡± painful trait, covering his body with needles that symbolized pain, ensuring that wherever the Vice Dean¡¯s sensory lines tried to penetrate, they would be broken by the needles.


    Moreover, he could transmit this pain back as well.


    ...


    This was also the first time Yi Chen had applied the Iron Chains to such an extent, with excruciating pain gathering in the brain from every pore of his body like flowing water, continuously stimulating the brain¡¯s deep layers.


    The brain, as the ¡°Central Converter,¡± transformed the pain into energy that coursed through his body, elevating Yi Chen to a higher standard.


    Moreover, changes weren¡¯t limited to Yi Chen alone.


    Barry, too, at the juncture of life and death, transcended human instinct through the Knight Virtue, with a surreal spirit shining brilliantly within his brain, completely suppressing the Death Symbols entwined within his thoughts.


    Not only did he break free from death, but Barry also achieved a rare realm.


    ¡°Between Membrane Layers¡±


    It specifically refers to a class of gentlemen without relics, achieving Extreme Breakthroughs solely through self-reliance.


    Due to the absence of relics as a ¡®medium,¡¯ even though they break through the membrane layers, they are trapped between them.


    It is extremely rare for humans to reach this realm, and the organization exempts them from the relic incident process, striving to provide suitable relics.


    At this moment,


    Barry¡¯s eyes beneath that bucket helmet burst forth with a golden light of virtue,


    lines symbolizing Knight Virtue emerging between his muscles and fat, mixed in perfect proportion. This not only suppressed death but also shielded him from subsequent death assaults.


    At this moment,


    both Yi Chen and Barry had transcended their peers among gentlemen.


    But¡­


    The one standing before them was a bona fide ¡®Transcender¡¯, one who had merged with a relic and broken through the limit, no longer constrained by the term ¡®human.¡¯


    And compared to before, he now had an additional Death Attribute.


    Although Evatt was more biased towards a support-type gentleman, his killing methods were by no means inferior.


    Hu~ Taking a breath, Vice Dean Evatt exhaled a Dead Body¡¯s breath.


    His expression quickly shifted from shock to a sense of resignation and his thoughts underwent a transformation at that moment.


    ¡°I originally planned to Capture Technique you, but now it seems I can¡¯t bring you back alive. Let¡¯s stick to the normal procedure, directly bringing back your dead bodies then.¡±


    Evatt no longer released ¡°sensory lines¡± externally but pressed his ten fingers to his head.


    One by one, ethereal sensory lines were implanted into his brain, weaving into his corrupted Death brain core, increasing the Transmission Efficiency of the nerves, enhancing Perception.


    One could even see the wriggling of these fine lines between Evatt¡¯s eyeballs.


    ¡°Barry, get him!¡±


    At Yi Chen¡¯s shout, the two attempted to disrupt the Vice Dean¡¯s self-enhancement.


    Clang~ (sound of Iron Chains moving)


    The muscles in his right Arm fully tensed, twisting his torso and back, as he swung the Iron Chains vertically.


    The tip of the Iron Chains even wrapped around an axe, aiming to increase the range of the attack and improve the Speed of the axe¡¯s strikes.


    At the same time,


    Barry also bulged the muscles in his right Arm, throwing the Heavy Hammer he held in a horizontal motion.


    The fast-spinning Heavy Hammer traced a perfect arc in the air, locking onto Evatt¡¯s body.


    The crisscrossed attacks arrived almost at the same time.


    Yet, Vice Dean Evatt remained cool and collected, performing a small sidestep and bending 90¡ã at the waist,


    Ding! The Iron Chains and the axe hit the ground, missing entirely.


    The arc-tracing Heavy Hammer also just grazed past his abdomen, failing to strike its target.


    However, the attacks from the two were far from over.


    Utilizing the ¡°Plant Attribute¡± within the Iron Chains, Yi Chen caused the missed chains to spring back up, attempting to entangle Evatt¡¯s body like a living creature.


    At the moment he had thrown the Heavy Hammer, Barry had already rushed forward, now within close combat range.


    Smack!


    He grabbed the returning Heavy Hammer and smashed it straight down, all in one fluid motion.


    Facing an almost perfectly connected series of continuous attacks, the Vice Dean performed a side leap coupled with a standard gentleman¡¯s roll, causing both Yi Chen¡¯s attempt to entangle with the chains and Barry¡¯s close-range hammer strike to miss again.


    However, Barry had seemingly anticipated that the attacks would miss from the start.


    The seemingly failed hammer strike instead hit the ground forcefully, Boom!


    That strike generated a ¡°Shock Wave¡± effect, with the shattered ground spreading out in circles, affecting the Vice Dean¡¯s position as well.


    Thrown off balance, he showed an opening.


    Barry naturally would not miss such an opportunity, pulling his Heavy Hammer out of the ground to step forward and Chase.


    However, just as he took a step forward, a harsh cry came from Yi Chen at his side:


    ¡°Barry, raise your shield!¡±


    Yi Chen held an extremely important place in his heart, so he resolutely abandoned the seemingly great opportunity in front of him and lifted his hand to hold up the shield.


    At the same time, a flexible iron chain wrapped around Barry¡¯s body, attempting to drag him away from this place¡­ but because Barry was too heavy and firmly rooted, the pulling effect was greatly reduced.


    Swish!


    He only felt five thin lines swiftly sweep before his eyes.


    Behind Barry,


    A hotel support column was cut into five sections, and the whole building even seemed to be on the verge of collapse.


    In Barry¡¯s hands,


    The knight shield inherited from his family was slashed with five cuts several centimeters deep, and was even emitting dense smoke¡­ if it were to be cut several more times, the shield might break apart directly.


    Since they couldn¡¯t completely distance themselves, the large shield¡¯s block did not cover the entire body.


    Barry¡¯s right temporal skull was diagonally sliced open, and even the brain tissue inside could be seen,


    ¡°Oh~ you guys actually managed to react?¡±


    At this moment,


    The deputy dean squatting on the ground had completed the brain reconstruction through the ¡°sensory line,¡± his personal perception having ascended to a completely new dimension.


    In the following battle, he would no longer use the kind of line which couldn¡¯t cause substantial harm and was more biased towards illusion effects¡ªthe ¡°sensory line.¡±


    There are a total of two types of lines in his body, and only one type can be used at a time.


    One is the ¡°sensory line¡± capable of manipulating senses, intangible and hard to detect,


    The other is the visible ¡°surgical thread¡± commonly used for precise cutting sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gentlemen hung in the hall and Barry, who narrowly escaped death, were all attacked by the surgical thread¡­ compared to before, the deputy dean¡¯s surgical thread now possesses an additional death attribute, making it even more deadly.


    Threads emitting black smoke floated between his ten fingers.


    Just as the deputy dean stood up and walked towards Barry¡­


    Bang! Bang!


    Yi Chen¡¯s ¡°Body Breaker¡± fired two rounds of shotgun blast,


    the corresponding twenty or so pellets shot toward the deputy dean¡¯s back, and as long as one could penetrate the body, it would trigger the effect of iron absorption.


    However,


    Evatt gently moved his fingers, deflecting all the pellets without even looking back.


    He even pinched one of the metal pellets in his hand.


    ¡°¡®Iron Disease¡¯ corresponding firearms, huh? Nice tool¡­ pity the speed is too slow.¡±


    As the deputy dean turned his head out of curiosity to see the pathological firearm in Yi Chen¡¯s hands, he found that no one was behind him anymore.


    Using the time bought by firing the gun.


    Yi Chen sprinted at full speed, pulling Barry in an attempt to escape the hotel.


    Just as the two were about to step out of the hotel door, they suddenly felt a deadly danger coming from beneath their feet and immediately stopped!


    Swish!


    A surgical thread rose vertically from the ground, cutting off the toes and the tips of their noses.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it? The whole hotel is within my range¡­ if you think of escaping again, next time I might just cut you in half.¡±


    The moment the words fell, the deputy dean made a horizontal swinging arm motion, drawing five black lines horizontally slashing towards them!


    Barry decisively positioned Yi Chen behind him and raised his shield to block!


    Swish!


    The family shield was slashed to pieces but also deflected the threads.


    Drip drip~


    Blood continuously slipped from Barry¡¯s hands;his left arm holding the shield was cut into ribbons, completely disabled.


    A helpless smile appeared on his face,


    ¡°Damn it~ the gap of transcending limits truly cannot be crossed, and to think the one in front of me is Mr. Evatt, who passed the ¡®Doctor¡¯s Test.¡¯ Being able to hold on for this long already feels quite good.


    William, you better run.


    If you truly manage to escape, please explain to my family in detail what happened here, tell them I fought until the very last moment, didn¡¯t disgrace our lineage, and didn¡¯t lose honor, only that I¡¯m very sorry I couldn¡¯t bring this honor back.


    I¡¯ll try to buy a bit more time¡­¡±


    Barry lifted his remaining right arm, trying to throw the heavy hammer with all his might.


    Hum! The line whizzed past.


    The right arm holding the heavy hammer was completely severed, falling heavily to the ground,


    along with a head wearing a bucket helmet, the face still donning a relieved smile.


    Even so,


    Barry still maintained a standing posture, using his Knight Armor and body to shield Yi Chen, fighting for that minuscule chance of escape.

 Chapter 240: Hanging

    [Star Moon Art Creation School]


    The school gate was adorned with a modern starry sky design, making it look like a pricey institution;yet, students studying here didn¡¯t have to spend a single cent, they could even earn their living expenses through creation.


    Primary school pupils with scores above 90 in all subjects and who passed the special art test could come here to study,


    as long as they produced an award-winning piece at the school exhibition within six years, they would be eligible to advance to corresponding art universities for further studies.


    This school held a high degree of prestige locally, ranking fifth in the comprehensive assessment, and the students who were accepted here generally had promising futures. Many children from less privileged families were among the students learning here.


    The school, which originally had a rich artistic atmosphere, was suddenly overshadowed by an unforeseen suicide event.


    Due to the special social structure and pressure from above, classes continued as usual,


    however, the teachers and students were always in pairs, and it was rare for anyone to be alone. By evening, everyone had returned to their dorms, and no one dared to venture out.


    Yi Chen still chose the most common attire, a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers.


    Taking the student ID given by the organization, he ¡®coincidentally¡¯ got assigned to a double dormitory without a roommate, creating an ¡®isolated¡¯ situation.


    As soon as he stepped into the dormitory and set down his suitcase,


    a sense of being watched came from outside the window,


    His long-term life in the Orphanage and two years as a ¡®temporary worker¡¯ enabled Yi Chen to determine with certainty that someone was spying on him from the shadows;obviously, he had been targeted.


    Suppressing the excitement and the upturning of his lips, Yi Chen began to perform perfectly, casting himself as a new student who had been delayed for some reason.


    Taking his painting materials, he went to the teaching building to start his first class at the art school.


    When he entered a crowded area, the feeling of being watched also disappeared.


    Thanks to the artistic foundation laid down in the Orphanage, Yi Chen was no worse off than the on-campus students here, even exceeding most in certain areas.


    Putting aside the dark side of the Orphanage, its education was among the very best.


    Although the teachers at this art school all came from prestigious universities with rich resumes,


    in Yi Chen¡¯s opinion, none of the artistry and teaching standards could compare to those of Fang Qiong¡ªthe Orphanage teacher who was secretly infatuated with Yi Chen and who would follow him at a set schedule every day.


    After a full day of classes, many teachers praised Yi Chen, hoping he would visit their offices or even their homes for more in-depth exchanges after class.


    Unfortunately, Yi Chen refused each invitation;he was not here to study.


    As Yi Chen left the teaching building and walked into a sparsely populated area, the feeling of being watched slowly returned.


    But it was just that, watching, with no further action. The person hiding in the shadows was very cautious.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t intentionally go to places where people were few;he just integrated himself completely into the campus, living like an ordinary student. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time moved on to the fifth day of his admission.


    On Friday night, there was a film appreciation class, which was the only evening class of the week.


    Unfortunately,


    when the class ended, a heavy rain started outside the teaching building, and roommates shared school uniforms for shelter as they went home together.


    Yi Chen, living alone in a single dormitory, naturally didn¡¯t have a companion, so he took this opportunity to stay in the screening room until the rain lessened.


    Two hours passed, and the teaching building was deserted, with very few people wandering outside the entire school.


    When Yi Chen was alone in the building¡¯s elevator, he found that the button for [3] had been pressed in advance, and all other buttons were out of order.


    Ding-dong! The door opened on the third floor.


    At the entrance was a painting board with an arrow symbol, pointing to the right.


    When Vision received the image on the painting board, a strong sense of urgency accompanied it, as if a woman whispered in Yi Chen¡¯s ear,


    ¡°Come quickly~ I¡¯m waiting for you in the studio~¡±


    His brain couldn¡¯t resist;the hypnotic effect even made use of his biological instincts to stimulate his body further.


    Under the effect of hypnosis, Yi Chen¡¯s previously panicky expression gradually became serene, and he walked in the direction indicated by the arrow, with a dazed look.


    The studio at the end of the hallway had its door wide open, with a blood-stained arrow painting positioned at the entrance, continuing to provide hypnotic guidance.


    Walking into the studio,


    the arrow paintings were arranged in a circle, all pointing to the middle where stood a white-dressed young girl who fit contemporary beauty standards and Yi Chen¡¯s age group, with open arms as if to embrace him.


    Unable to refuse, he fell deeper and deeper, moving forward to embrace the girl.


    Her soft, warm arms slowly wrapped around his neck,


    getting thinner and softer, and colder¡­ until they tightened into a noose, completely strangling the neck, and he was forcefully hanged.


    Crack!


    Yi Chen was hanged, the white rope tightly squeezing his neck.


    Meanwhile,


    a lady dressed in a white dress stood below, looking up and admiring this exquisitely perfect scene of hanging.


    She picked up the brush in her hand and began to paint on the spot, ready to fully capture this image of death and despair as one of her important collectibles.


    This lady was not unfamiliar;she was one of the teachers at the art school, who had even taught Yi Chen a class two days before.


    Due to Yi Chen¡¯s desperate struggle, his body rotated half a turn in the air so that his back faced the lady who was painting.


    She did not mind;this struggling figure was also worth capturing, and she happened to lack a painting of a suicide from this angle.


    As time slipped by,


    the struggling gradually ceased until his legs stretched out, and even the short gasps of breath stopped completely.


    Strangely enough, Yi Chen¡¯s hands, which clutched the noose, were still not dangling down but were slightly moving.


    The woman was curious too;her painting was finished, and the subject of her art should be completely dead. She wondered why the hands were still moving around the facial area.


    ¡°Clearly dead, yet the hands won¡¯t fall¡­ Some kind of post-mortem reflex or something?¡±


    Out of curiosity, the lady waved her hand and gently manipulated the hanging noose, making the youth with his back turned to rotate toward her.


    As the noose twisted,


    the hanging youth turned around with a faint smile. His eyes were closed as he applied makeup,


    a different kind of ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± was completed.


    ¡°Teacher¡­ would you like to take one from the front as well?¡±


    Hiss~ The black liquid seeping from the center of his brow had already reached his neck, rapidly eroding the white rope.


    ¡°You are!¡±


    Just as the woman prepared to manipulate more white ropes to physically bind Yi Chen,


    the knot broke, the shadow fell,


    and a face painted in pallid white and crimson of the ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± pressed right in front of her, shocking the woman into a dazed state.


    At that moment, Yi Chen¡¯s fingers plunged into the center of his brow, digging out more black liquid to form an even finer and more lethal noose.


    He looped it backwards around the woman¡¯s neck, hoisting her high up.


    All done!


    Just as Yi Chen pulled out his phone to call the organization, asking the funeral staff to collect the fresh ¡°Bizarre,¡±


    Buzz buzz buzz~


    Suddenly a cacophony of electromagnetic noise came through the phone, causing Yi Chen a bit of tinnitus, forcing him to move the phone away.


    As the ringing in his ears dispersed, the surroundings began to change.


    The dimly lit studio was slowly stripped away to reveal a European-style hotel lobby, where a supporting stone pillar lay shattered on the floor, indicating that a fierce battle had taken place.


    Not far away stood a knight¡¯s body, beheaded and missing its right arm, yet standing upright.


    The ¡°Bizarre¡± Yi Chen had hung from the ceiling had turned into a handsome young man in a suit, in his twenties, with a face quite similar to his own, but skewed more towards that of a Westerner.


    Watching the hanged young man, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but shout out a name all too familiar¡ª ¡°William.¡±


    Buzz!


    The moment the name was uttered, Yi Chen¡¯s ego consciousness instantly transferred to the hanging young man,


    and with it, a different kind of ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡±¡­

 Chapter 241: Black Liquid

    [Sunshine Hotel]


    Vice President Evatt, exuding the demeanor of a gentleman, stood upright at the center of the lobby, his back hand carrying an abandoned pocket watch. Through precise manipulation of the threads, he adjusted the hands, practicing fine control while feeling the flow of time. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Quietly waiting for Yi Chen¡¯s complete death.


    During the wait, a figure suddenly darted from the hotel entrance,


    Evatt¡¯s brows furrowed, thinking it was gentleman reinforcements coming for him, he swiftly raised his hand¡­ whoosh! The sharp surgical thread, like a chopper, sundered the figure¡¯s head at the doorway.


    A flick of the index finger,


    the surgical thread wrapped around the torso and head, pulling it in front of the vice president.


    It was merely an ordinary gentleman, responsible for patrolling the cemetery area, whose eyeballs still rotated and stared intently at his opponent even after being decapitated.


    ¡°Hmm? Not Zion¡¯s reinforcements, I remember this lad patrolling the cemetery street, such a feeble fellow, instead of fleeing, he came to deliver death¡­ That¡¯s not how you use the gentleman¡¯s spirit.


    Such waste, even if turned into the dead, would be squandering resources.¡±


    A snap of the fingers¡ªpop!


    The five strands of thread diced the poor gentleman¡¯s head into pieces;the eyeballs shattered along with it.


    ¡°Time¡¯s about up! He should be breathing his last breath about now¡­¡±


    However,


    As Vice President Evatt¡¯s gaze moved upward, he noticed something odd about the hanging Yi Chen: his complexion was abnormally pale, far exceeding that of other hanged men.


    ¡°Foundation makeup?¡±


    Upon closer inspection, he discovered Yi Chen¡¯s face was inexplicably covered with a thick layer of white foundation and even had light blush on both cheeks.


    When was this makeup applied? How was it done? The Vice President could not find the answers. Moreover, the more he focused on this makeup, the more suffocated he felt as one of the dead.


    More importantly,


    the time on the pocket watch had long passed, yet Yi Chen had not exhaled his crucial ¡°last breath.¡±


    The Vice President was also a ¡°Sensing Gentleman,¡± and had already sharply sensed a dissonance emanating from Yi Chen, prompting him to change his strategy immediately.


    His ten fingers manipulating the surgical thread were prepared to tightly bind the hanging Yi Chen and forcefully bring him back.


    Just as the surgical thread soared upward¡­ tick tock!


    A drop of eerie black liquid suddenly fell,


    and the transcendent Vice President felt danger, immediately retracting the surgical threads and dodging.


    Pop!


    The black liquid hit the floor, appearing slightly sticky but causing no damage to the floor, like a quiet little drop of water.


    ¡°What is this substance? Is it something that flowed out of Yi Chen¡¯s body?¡±


    As Vice President Evatt was about to crouch down to closely examine the composition of this drop of black water¡­ tick tock, tick tock!


    More, thicker black liquid kept dripping from above, quickly forming a dense puddle on the ground.


    Vice President Evatt stepped back continuously, looking upward.


    ¡°A bullet hole?¡±


    At the center of Yi Chen¡¯s forehead, a bullet hole had opened without notice.


    Streams of black liquid were continuously emerging from it, falling along the suit¡¯s hem, trouser legs, and the bases of the shoes.


    Peering into the hole in the forehead, one could see that Yi Chen¡¯s entire brain had been blackened, with the cranial cavity filled with black liquid.


    Even his emblem of a gentleman had been stained into a black book as if it were written with death scriptures.


    At that moment,


    the surgical thread around Yi Chen¡¯s neck dissolved in the black water, and his corpse fell.


    ¡°What in the world is this¡­¡±


    Feeling the danger, Vice President Evatt frantically waved his ten fingers, pulling ten chopper-like surgical threads to forcibly execute Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    Whoosh! A clean cut.


    The body, hanging midair, was sliced into ten sections, even the brain was completely cleaved¡­ plip plop~ the sliced body parts successively hit the ground amidst the black water.


    Hiss~ Black smoke rose.


    These cut pieces of flesh, tissues, and brain matter quickly dissolved into the black liquid, becoming part of it,


    with only a mask-like ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± floating on the surface of the black liquid.


    Vice Dean Evatt also showed a shocked expression.


    His surgical thread, like part of his body, or even as his fingers, every cut on matter gave him the most intuitive tactile feedback, which was the main reason he could perform intricate surgeries.


    He had clearly felt that what he had cut into was a ¡°Dead Body.¡±


    He didn¡¯t understand why Yi Chen, who had already died, had not released his ¡°last breath.¡±


    Just then,


    a sudden surge of severe pain transmitted through the surgical threads connected to his fingers, prompting him to immediately cut off all external threads.


    The severed threads smoked as they were contaminated by the black liquid and eventually turned into a pool of the same black liquid.


    ¡°The ¡®Cutting Death¡¯ I inherited from Lord Rotweis was fully attached to the surgical threads, greatly enhancing their cutting and lethal capabilities, inherently carrying the Death Attribute. Why would it be corroded by this kind of black liquid?


    Could it be that the Death Level of this liquid exceeds mine?


    Impossible! This guy was just an ordinary gentleman, how could he possibly corrode the Death Plague back onto me?¡±


    Gurgle Gurgle~


    The pool of black liquid on the floor began to bubble incessantly, rapidly forming a figure with the ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± mask as its core.


    The Vice Dean immediately shot out his surgical threads, not to cut this time but to wrap around a massive column in the hall and smash it down, attempting to interrupt this shaping process.


    A horrifying scene unfolded,


    as the column was contaminated the moment it approached the liquid, rapidly disintegrating, and vaporizing without even touching the black liquid.


    The shaping completed,


    Yi Chen appeared in a new form, dressed in a black suit, black tie, black trousers, and painted with ¡°Dead Man Makeup,¡± although his state seemed not quite stable yet.


    His skin and flesh would peel off along with the black liquid, seemingly unable to last for long.


    [Perspective Switch ¨C Yi Chen]


    Yi Chen, whose body was reconstructed by the black liquid, received critical information transmitted by the gentleman¡¯s clothes through his retina, divided into two parts.


    1. [Sensing Psyche] increased from [4] to [5]


    *An enhanced comprehension of death allows a better understanding of his own state of death, with related Death Abilities accelerating in awakening.


    2. A stern warning in enlarged red and wildly distorted maggot-line font:


    ¡°The individual¡¯s current body and spirit cannot sustain the true form of ¡®Dead Man Makeup,¡¯ and are predicted to completely disintegrate in 10 minutes. Please cancel this form in advance or provide adequate energy fuel to extend the duration.¡±


    ¡°Only ten minutes? I hadn¡¯t expected the Death Attribute I brought along in life to be this potent¡­ Ten minutes definitely won¡¯t be enough to deal with the Vice Dean, but fortunately, I have [Fuel].¡±


    A syringe filled with silver liquid was plunged into the neck, injecting rapidly.


    The Vice Dean nearby was too late to interrupt, staring at the liquid flowing into Yi Chen¡¯s body, he exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid?¡±


    When the liquid coursed through his arteries, in addition to serving as the fuel of death, an unexpected effect was stimulated, and a Moon Seal emerged within him.


    Due to Yi Chen¡¯s prolonged physical stitching with Moon Scar,


    both parties had left some residuals within each other¡¯s bodies when they separated.


    The injection of ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡± activated the residuals left inside Yi Chen, even causing a faint silver glow to emerge on his body surface.


    In an instant, his topknot hairstyle turned completely silver,


    Buzz!


    With a gesture of his hand, the Hand Axe and firearms lying not far away swiftly flew over and were firmly grasped.


    The axe blade was wrapped in silver light, the bullets also turned silver,


    and at the same time, hundreds of kilometers away, in a human port city,


    carrying an army of doctors and nurses, who had been slaughtering scale-infected individuals, Moon Scar suddenly stopped the killing, turned, and lifting the silver hair blocking her eyes, gazed into the distance.


    She whispered a name softly.


    ¡°William¡­¡±

 Chapter 242: Tide of Eyes

    [Stone Statue Cemetery]


    The form of ¡°Eye Collector.Gemhar,¡± into which Little Grape had transformed, paced anxiously back and forth and stomped its foot among the stone houses,


    The eye threads it had released reported back that the poor Marin Gentleman had been beheaded and killed, but they had successfully captured a rough overview of the situation at the Sunshine Hotel.


    The special grape embedded in the gentleman¡¯s eye socket transmitted a high-definition panoramic image of the lobby back to Little Grape.


    Yi Chen was hanging from surgical thread on the ceiling, looking nearly dead, and his opponent was actually a gentleman corpse that had transcended the limit of man.


    Whether it was range, destructive power, or precision, all reached a higher standard¡ªanyone approaching the hotel would be sliced by the surgical thread and infected with the Death Plague effect.


    ¡°How could William have gotten mixed up with this kind of guy¡­ How are we supposed to deal with this now? Once killed by the dead, even the soul will be extracted. By then, only an empty shell will remain, and it will be useless to take it back to the cemetery.


    What can I possibly do? Although I¡¯ve absorbed the essence of the Stone Statue Cemetery and can barely stabilize the ¡®Eye Collector.Gemhar¡¯ form, it is still not enough to confront that kind of guy head-on.


    If I were to run over directly, I would very likely be killed on the way.


    Even if I could sneak into the hotel and successfully recover Yi Chen¡¯s body, it would be difficult to escape from that guy¡¯s hands¡­ Unless I could flee back to the Stone Statue Cemetery, using the cemetery¡¯s complex routes to possibly shake him off.


    Should I do it or not?


    The risk is too great;I might die from it, and I don¡¯t want to become a rotten grape assembled from fish and shrimp!


    But that William guy still has plenty of use, and his background is tied to another world, which might allow me to taste an entirely different kind of delicious grape!


    Ah~ It¡¯s such a tough decision! How about this, I¡¯ll go to the hotel entrance and take a look. If I determine that William is already dead, I¡¯ll just bolt. If I don¡¯t need to carry the body, then escaping shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    Little Grape stepped into the center of the cemetery and drew an evil array passed down from ¡°Eye Collector.Gemhar.¡±


    As the array activated,


    All the bodies buried in the Stone Statue Cemetery that hadn¡¯t been taken away began to convulse,


    All the eyes, whether fresh or rotten, bobbed up to the surface, rolling and congregating towards Little Grape¡¯s position, as Little Grape¡¯s own body began to split apart.


    The robe fell,


    Hundreds of crystal-clear grapes tumbled to the ground, joining the grapes gathering from around the cemetery to form an ¡®eye-ball army.¡¯


    One of these eyes housed Little Grape¡¯s essence, and moreover, he could transfer his consciousness through ¡®eye contact¡¯¡­ as long as he wasn¡¯t annihilated, he could escape successfully. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The army rolled out of the cemetery, marching neatly through the streets.


    Wherever they went, the bodies scattered on the streets or those that had committed suicide in buildings all resonated and responded.


    Grapes squeezed out of their eye sockets, plopping to the ground and rolling quickly, joining this special army.


    Since the cemetery was about ten kilometers away from the Sunshine Hotel,


    The journey saw the number of eyes grow more and more, even far surpassing Little Grape¡¯s estimate.


    Along the way, they even encountered some dead and gentlemen engaged in battle,


    Both parties were horrified by the terrible ¡®eye tide¡¯ before them, even becoming immobile and mentally frozen under the many watching eyes.


    Aft William¡¯s body out. I just hope it¡¯s not too late.¡±


    With newfound confidence, Little Grape continued forward, and when only fifty meters from the hotel¡¯s entrance remained,


    Whoosh!


    A slender silken thread suddenly lashed out from inside the hotel, slicing the row of eyes in front of him in half.


    The sudden attack caught Little Grape off guard, and he hurriedly transferred his consciousness to an eye further back.


    ¡°The noise was too loud, was I discovered ahead of time? No, that¡¯s not right, if I was discovered there should be a continuous string of attacks following. It seems like I simply unintentionally disturbed the fine lines of the hotel, could it be that¡­ ¡±


    As Little Grape focused his gaze at the hotel entrance, he immediately caught sight of two figures swaying.


    ¡°Hmm? Someone is fighting inside the hotel, and I was just accidentally impacted¡­ Has the gentleman¡¯s reinforcements arrived? Could it be Mr. Helvoye from Sunshine Hospital, the one who can confront that kind of guy head-on?


    If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s much more convenient. Old Helvoye is not weak. If this Grape can assist from the side, it¡¯s even possible to kill the dead and take the eyes of the Transcender.


    Let¡¯s do it!¡±


    Little Grape once again changed the plan, activating the Eye Collector¡¯s evil magic, congregating all the eyes into [Convergence], merging hundreds of essence eyeballs to reconstruct the physical body.


    He continued to head to the hotel in the guise of ¡®Eye Collector.Gemhar,¡¯ preparing to provide effective support for Mr. Helvoye and suppress the dead.


    When Little Grape reached the hotel entrance, the scene that met his eyes made him freeze again.


    There was no Helvoye at all, nor any reinforcements.


    Where Yi Chen¡¯s body should have hung from the ceiling, there was nothing, and in the hall, there were two black figures moving at high speed, constantly colliding with each other.


    One was the dead that Little Grape feared,


    And the other was a familiar yet strange silver-haired youth,


    ¡°Lorrian?! Impossible, if it was Moon Scar, the only fate for the dead would be suppression, slaughter. Who is this person, and why is he wearing the same hairstyle as William?


    It seems he is stepping on some kind of deadly liquid, his speed is so fast! He can actually keep up with the dead who transcend the limit.


    And what¡¯s the deal with that face covered in thick dust? It¡¯s a bit similar to the makeup worn by corpses¡­ Hmm, the distribution of the facial features seems somewhat similar to William¡¯s, even exactly the same.


    Wait, his weapon is also the same as William¡¯s equipment?¡±


    What¡¯s stopping Little Grape from confirming it¡¯s Yi Chen is the most fundamental thing¡ª[Aura].


    What he smells on the silver-haired youth is a strange and icy death aura, starkly different from that of the once warm companion.


    ¡°How come this guy¡¯s combat mode is also similar to William¡¯s?¡±


    As Little Grape wondered, a familiar voice reached him directly:


    ¡°Little Grape! What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and come help me. I just need to borrow your eyes to capture the opponent¡¯s movement.¡±


    ¡°William! How are you¡­¡±


    Just then, a surgical thread swept toward Little Grape horizontally.


    The Vice-Dean also immediately noticed this distinctive intruder and deduced that he was one of Yi Chen¡¯s group.


    en¡¯s brain.


    Unity in the gaze


    Whir!


    The vision instantly became extremely clear.


    ¡°Finally, I can see this guy¡¯s movements and the fine line fluctuations¡­¡±

 Chapter 243: Dual as One

    Gathered from the range between the cemetery and the hotel, all the eyes from suicides, gentlemen (protection fees), and the deceased converged under the Evil Technique controlled by Little Grape into a single eye.


    When this eye opened on the surface of Yi Chen¡¯s brain,


    He could see everything clearly, including the acceptable spectrum of light, the state of dust movement, the vital activity of Surgical Thread, and the joint movements of the deputy dean.


    Yi Chen was shocked by such a boost in Vision and had not expected that Little Grape could undergo such a significant change in just a few days.


    ¡°Little Grape, it seems you¡¯ve gained quite a bit from the Stone Statue Cemetery, huh? You could even summon a Stone Coffin for defense just now, is ¡®Cemetery Absorption¡¯ one of your major traits?¡±


    Compared to Yi Chen¡¯s questions, Little Grape was even more curious.


    He returned to stand behind Yi Chen once again, devoid of the familiar warmth, feeling instead like an icy, bone-piercing cave drenched in Moonlight.


    ¡°As long as the cemetery is unattended, give me some time and I can drain it dry¡­ By the way, William, what in the world happened to you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been following me, Little Grape, so you should be able to guess, right?


    Sealed deep in my brain are special memories from my lifetime, and as these memories are unearthed, a Death-related substance also gradually leaks out.


    The ¡®Death Image¡¯ generated by the deputy dean in my brain stimulates deep memories, putting me in a special state of Death, even allowing me to overshadow him on the Death level.


    Of course, my Physical body cannot maintain such a state for long.


    The injections of ¡®Dusk thin silver liquid¡¯ bring me more active time and also accidentally activate the residue of Moonlight left by Lorrian within me.


    I am currently just about on par for a battle with him, and now it all depends on you, Little Grape.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    Yi Chen explained simply, ¡°After the skirmish just now, I¡¯ve confirmed that the deputy dean is a ¡®Sensing Type¡¯,


    His physical strength and moving Speed are only average, and even his attacks covered by Death are only mediocre compared to others of the same rank.


    However,


    He can dodge all my attacks in advance and accurately, finding every flaw in my actions. If I hadn¡¯t been in the ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯ pose, I would have been killed more than ten times by now.


    So far, not a single effective attack of mine has landed on him.


    Little Grape, can you predict his movements effectively?¡±


    ¡°Definitely not! Even with assembling so many eyes to improve Vision, I still can¡¯t do prediction¡­ Moreover, the other guy is already a Transcender, all his senses are beyond ours.


    Just relying on my single eye, I can¡¯t contend with all of his senses.


    Spiritual Shock won¡¯t work against these Sensing Gentlemen either, so! William, let¡¯s hurry up and escape, with your current state combined with mine, running away should be very easy.


    Flee to the Hospital in the sunlight, and meet up with Mr. Helvoye! If that guy dares to follow us there, you¡¯ll have a better chance of winning together.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I can probably maintain this for about 10 more minutes, and escaping to the Hospital in the sunlight will delay us by at least 5 minutes.


    Even Helvoye can¡¯t shield the invasion and impact of Death.


    The deputy dean, Evatt, is far more familiar with the Hospital than us, and with his Perfect mastery of controlling Death Plague lines, once he reaches the Hospital, all the refugees and apprentices seeking sanctuary there will have ¡®sensory line¡¯ Death Images implanted in them.


    We must kill this guy here.


    By the way, how did you raise that Stone Coffin just now?¡±


    ¡°By absorbing the essence of the Stone Statue Cemetery, I¡¯ve become the true Master of the cemetery. As long as I¡¯m in the city, I can call upon the remaining resources in the cemetery quickly, with the help of the first corpse ¨C Eye Collector, Gemhar¡¯s Evil Technique.¡±


    ¡°So it seems, Little Grape, that you might be able to fight on your own now?¡±


    ¡°Just barely¡­ Wait, do you mean to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Correct, let¡¯s engage in a symbiotic battle to see how well the two of us can coordinate.¡±


    ¡­


    The exchange of consciousness between the two lasted less than ten seconds.


    Clang clang~


    Yi Chen felt a chain moving on his back as one of the connecting Iron Chains pierced through his skin, suspending Little Grape¡¯s eye behind him.


    Even the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Coat¡¯ was lent to Little Grape, while Yi Chen himself wore a suit.


    The eye quickly Split within the coat, filling it up and emitting a terrifying evil Aura,


    In the hood, a group of oozing eyes crammed together, collectively focusing on the opponent.


    This figure even made the deputy dean show a wary look, stepping backwards several times and heightening his alertness, to avoid being subjected to the mental assault of this eye creature.


    Little Grape, as the transformed Eye Collector, Gemhar, maintained a connection with Yi Chen through a specially made Iron Chain, always floating behind him, both as one.


    Yi Chen straightened his suit collar and tie, whispering, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Hum!


    His footsteps twisted, and his speed surged in an instant! Little Grape was startled by this scene, and had it not been for the iron chains connecting the two, Little Grape would have had no way to keep up.


    ¡°Moon Step¡­ isn¡¯t that Lorrian¡¯s move? William, it seems you¡¯ve also integrated something else.¡±


    ¡°Concentrate on the fight, Little Grape!¡±


    As Yi Chen issued the reminder, three independent iron chains sprouted from each side of his body, entwining towards the Vice Principal.


    He also anticipated the two possible evasion paths the Vice Principal might take, swinging an axe at one and firing a shotgun at the other.


    ¡°Beyond Senses¡±


    However, the Vice Principal coolly dodged all the iron chains flawlessly.


    He even anticipated Yi Chen¡¯s predictions, using surgical thread to pull himself through a highly difficult mid-air turn, avoiding the axe and gunfire.


    Just as he accomplished all his dodges and was about to land,


    a stone coffin suddenly rose from his landing point, trying to seal him inside.


    But the Vice Principal managed to split into the splits mid-air, standing on the coffin and the lid, and connected to the ceiling with a surgical thread, easily resolving the crisis.


    ¡°You really can dodge!¡±


    Yi Chen drew his gun again, shooting at the Vice Principal hanging in mid-air.


    Ten surgical threads streaked before his eyes, each bullet either deflected or sliced through¡­ Then, using one thread, the Vice Principal¡¯s body was swung to the other side of the lobby.


    [Dodge]


    All the Vice Principal had been doing was dodging;he had absolute confidence in his senses and was waiting for Yi Chen¡¯s ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± time to end.


    The moment he landed, the silver-haired Yi Chen pressed on him once again.


    Compared to the previous attack patterns, there was only the addition of Little Grape¡¯s ¡°Stone Coffin Summoning.¡±


    Since summoning the stone coffin took time, one only needed to divert a small part of their attention to sense the ground¡¯s vibrations to avoid the impending danger from the coffin.


    The Vice Principal¡¯s dodges still seemed effortless, maintaining zero mistakes.


    Time also ticked away, and the ¡°Dusk thin silver liquid¡± flowing inside Yi Chen¡¯s body was almost exhausted, his physical body beginning to deteriorate;some limbs even showed ghastly white bones.


    There were less than two minutes left.


    However, the atmosphere in the entire hotel had become strange.


    If someone passed by the Sunshine Hotel at this time, they would certainly think they had come to the wrong place,


    The originally magnificent lobby was now cluttered with various stone coffins, and the air was filled with the aura of a cemetery.


    If this person rushed to the Stone Statue Cemetery to take a look, they could identify the problem.


    The entire cemetery looked as though it had been robbed, most of the stone coffins were moved, and even a layer of soil between the graves had been scraped off.


    Inside the hotel


    The Vice Principal looked at Yi Chen, whose body was continuously deteriorating, and smiled,


    ¡°Finally can¡¯t hold on any longer? What a pity, if you had already broken through the Limit of Man, I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against you.


    I hope we can get along well after the Master turns you into one of the dead.¡±


    Clang clang~


    Iron chains attacked,


    The Vice Principal dodged with ease, combining a backward somersault and a brief hover to avoid the horizontally swung axe.


    He was also on guard for a possibly rising stone coffin before landing¡­


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The stone coffin rose as usual, but this time its target was not him, but Yi Chen himself.


    Crack!


    The stone coffin closed, sealing both Yi Chen and Little Grape, who was connected behind him, inside.


    Faced with this sudden turn of events, the Vice Principal was momentarily stunned!


    Then his expression turned ferocious, and he swung his right arm violently¡­ exerting his full power to slice open the stone coffin before him!


    Whoosh!


    Due to the special material of the stone coffin, he needed to unleash the greatest cutting power to barely open it! It even caused his fingers to bleed slightly. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, out of the six-partitioned stone coffin emerged an unfamiliar corpse without eyes¡­ Yi Chen was gone.


    ¡°No! He can¡¯t escape. If I can¡¯t bring him back, I¡¯ll lose the Master¡¯s trust in me!¡±

 Chapter 244: Mirrored Flower and Moon

    Vice Chancellor Evatt resurrected as a deceased person, and the first important order he received was to go to the Sunshine Hotel, find the special gentleman who could absorb death, and bring him back, dead or alive.


    But now, the dumplings that were fed to the mouth had just run away.


    If he returned empty-handed, he would surely be punished, and he might even be stripped of his deceased status and die completely.


    ¡°No! This guy could not possibly escape under my watch!¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without concerning himself with energy consumption any longer, the vice chancellor supported himself with both hands on the ground, spreading all the ¡°surgical threads¡± within his body outward, trying to trace Yi Chen¡¯s escape.


    In his view, a delay of only two seconds meant that Yi Chen could definitely not have escaped beyond range.


    The radiation range of the surgical threads reached three kilometers, and he maximized the tactile feedback, consuming about 50% of Evatt¡¯s energy, yet ultimately he detected nothing.


    ¡°Wait! Is it possible that he didn¡¯t run away at all?¡±


    The vice chancellor retracted all the surgical threads into his body and surveyed the stone coffins that occupied the hall.


    ¡°During our battle, the eyeball monster behind him was only ¡®summoning stone coffins,¡¯ obviously on purpose.


    Deliberately making stone coffins fill the entire hall? Even¡­¡±


    With a stomp, Vice Chancellor Evatt broke the floor, revealing the soft soil underneath and emitting a decaying scent.


    ¡°Just as I thought, it seemed like summoning stone coffins, but in reality, he had relocated the geological structure of the Stone Statue Cemetery.


    With the unique characteristics of the cemetery soil, rapid transfer between different stone coffins is possible¡­ They must still be hiding in one of the stone coffins.


    There are two purposes for doing this,


    one is to disguise a successful escape, encouraging me to chase out of the hotel or even to the cemetery to look for them. By then, they would have enough time to escape from the hotel.


    The other is to buy time for a breather, such a state is not something human flesh could sustain for long;the body would have given out from continuous fighting long ago.


    All I need to do now is to slowly find you all.¡±


    Thinking this, the surgical threads once again cleaved towards the coffin beside him, like opening a blind box, still only sliding out a corpse without eyes.


    ¡°So hard¡­ truly worthy of being crafted by Rupert. The hardness and sealing are top-notch. If I do not pry open the lid, my perception cannot directly judge whether there is something alive inside;I can only open them one by one slowly.


    Luckily that dwarf ran away early. If he had been here, things would have become very troublesome.¡±


    Vice Chancellor Evatt changed the way he opened the blind boxes,


    no longer cutting, instead, he let the surgical threads permeate along the edge of the coffin lid, lifting it from the inside.


    One, two, three¡­


    More and more blind boxes were opened, and the corpses with their eyes dug out were thrown carelessly on the ground.


    With hundreds of stone coffins, the long process of opening blind boxes, due to the repetition of the same action, coupled with the previously intensive dodging and the full release of surgical threads, inevitably caused some mental numbness.


    Midway, there were even several instances of shaking his head to clear it.


    ¡°Only the last ten left, nine, eight¡­¡±


    As only a few stone coffins remained, Vice Chancellor Evatt¡¯s attention intensified again.


    The final remaining stone coffin was right at the hotel¡¯s main entrance.


    His face split into an almost sickly deathly smile as he strode forward. This time, not prying open the lid, he put forth all his strength, slicing it down!


    Crack!


    Due to excessive force, black, foul-smelling blood seeped from his fingertips, dripping along the fine lines.


    As the coffin was cleaved, suit-clad chunks of young man¡¯s flesh also scattered around, the expression of unwillingness in death still recognizable even though the head was split open.


    It was indeed Yi Chen,


    because he had hidden in the stone coffin for too long, ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± had worn off, and this cut was absolutely fatal.


    Seeing this scene, the Vice Chancellor breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°He is finally dead! I didn¡¯t expect a gentleman who has yet to transcend his limits to stall me for such a long time. In the future, I must spend more effort to train my flesh and learn more killing skills.


    It seems that the eyeball creature isn¡¯t here, did it slip away earlier with the special connection to the cemetery? It doesn¡¯t matter, after all, the gentleman is all my superior needed.¡±


    Just to be safe,


    Vice Chancellor Evatt crouched down, beginning to sew together the chunks of the young man¡¯s flesh, bringing back a complete corpse would make for a better report.


    Just as he was sewing the head, a sense of dissonance suddenly struck¡­ Although the corpse looked exactly like Yi Chen, something felt off.


    ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡±


    Vice Chancellor immediately switched his threads to sensory lines, performing an overhaul and correction on his own brain,


    As the sensory overhaul of the brain was completed,


    The corpse he held in his hands began to transform, gradually turning into a grave-body with vivid eyeballs embedded,


    and a physique, stature, and even hairstyle identical to William¡¯s.


    A strange Moon Scar was carved at the brow of the corpse,


    positioned just right at the hotel entrance, a slender opening tore through the dense dark clouds, and a shaft of moonlight penetrated and fell directly on the body.


    Yi Chen, utilizing the Moon Scar¡¯s attribute within him in conjunction with the spiritual illusions of Xiaoputao, jointly cast ¡°Mirrored Flower and Water Moon.¡±


    ¡°How could this be¡­ How could I possibly be tricked by an illusion!?¡±


    Just as the associate dean regained his senses, a cold sensation came from his neck.


    Whoosh!


    A silver flash swept across, and a head flew through the air.


    Hiss-hiss~ Surgical threads spurted out from the severed neck in the air, trying to reattach to the headless body below.


    Without the control of arms and fingers,


    these surgical threads, growing directly from the brain, were relatively soft and even lacked cutting ability, only useful for connecting flesh and pulling the head.


    Just as it was about to reconnect with its body¡­ Boom! The stone coffin rose.


    The headless body was sealed within and quickly buried.


    Smack!


    The head crashed to the ground, falling right in front of Barry Bessalius¡¯s corpse, with both heads facing each other.


    In the previous battle, Yi Chen had kept as far away from Barry¡¯s body as possible, waiting for this moment.


    Just as the associate dean was trying to escape using the surgical threads,


    an iron chain struck, piercing into the back of his skull, bringing with it endless agony¡­ Various needles sprouted from his skull, eyeballs, ears, and even from his mouth.


    Yi Chen did not intend to torture him purposefully;he knew the associate dean hadn¡¯t become like this subjectively but was instead forced to obey others because he had become a dead person.


    ¡°Vice Chancellor Evatt, rest in peace!¡±


    The iron chain burrowed into the depths of the brain, exhibiting its most fundamental plant trait.


    ¡ÚCentral Tasting¡Û


    Brain marrow carrying the ¡°Death Plague Breath¡± transmitted along the iron chain into Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    His recently upgraded Sensing, which had reached [5], grew again, yet it didn¡¯t directly reach the Limit but became [5+].


    Perhaps because this wasn¡¯t the vice chancellor¡¯s original body but a temporary flesh assembled through the ¡°Death Plague¡± from rotten fish and dead rats,


    however, Yi Chen got something even better.


    The ¡°Death Plague Breath¡± within the vice chancellor¡¯s body was a hundred times more concentrated than those of the gentlemanly deceased, directly triggering a textual notification in his retina.


    ¡ºEnough ¡®Death Plague Breath¡¯ has been absorbed, the individual¡¯s Death Attribute has grown, ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯ can last longer, Black Liquid storage capacity has increased.¡»


    ¡°Death indeed shares a connection¡­ Finally, it¡¯s all sorted out!¡±


    Yi Chen could no longer hold himself up and collapsed heavily to the ground.


    When ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± was released, not a single part of his body remained intact.


    Xiaoputao hurriedly helped Yi Chen up, forming a thumbs-up with a palm made of eyeballs, ¡°William, you really dared to! To think of such a tactic, what if the illusion hadn¡¯t worked?¡±


    ¡°It was highly likely to work~ because the vice chancellor had a very clear psychological weakness. From the moment we first met, he showed an obsessive attachment to me.


    Clearly, he had received an immutable order to bring me back, which undoubtedly had something to do with my ability to absorb the Death Plague.


    Thus, I set up hundreds of blind boxes for him to open one by one¡­ The more urgently he searched, the more likely his psychological weaknesses would surface.¡±


    ¡°If he hadn¡¯t fallen for it¡­¡±


    ¡°Then it would have been someone else with superior skills¡­ To kill such a person across ranks, how could it be without risks. Stop talking nonsense, hurry and get me out of here, I need to recover properly.¡±


    Xiaoputao hoisted Yi Chen on his back, preparing to glide away from the hotel on eyeball rollers.


    Smack! Smack! Smack!


    Clapping echoed from the hotel entrance.


    In white robes, Lotson and Mr. Helvoye arrived together, their faces displaying the same distorted smiles.


    ¡°No wonder there was such a commotion at this end of the hotel, it was you~ truly impressive, beyond imagination! William, to think you, in a human body, could kill a Transcender. If this news reaches the organization, they would likely directly nominate you as the ¡®First Gentleman.¡¯


    Indeed, you are the best vessel!¡±

 Chapter 245: Yellow and Red

    Although Yi Chen¡¯s physical body was completely deteriorated due to maintaining the ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± form for a long time, almost losing his ability to move, his spirit and concentration still remained at normal levels.


    When he saw the White Robe Lotson and Mr. Helvoye appear at the hotel entrance, he could sense something was amiss from their facial expressions, even without them uttering a word.


    ¡°Little Grape, run!¡±


    If Little Grape wanted to escape alone, it only needed to disassemble its eyeballs into thousands of pieces and then use the complex structure of the hotel to make an escape.


    But with Yi Chen, who had lost his ability to move, in its charge, Little Grape had to maintain its full form.


    ¡°Spiritual Shock¡±


    Under its hood, the group of eyeballs stuck together with mucus suddenly glared at the two people at the door,


    The essence gathered by hundreds of eyeballs, combined with the augmentation of the Eye Collector¡¯s evil technique,


    The spiritual shock released was even semi-solidified, striking the two people like a giant void eye dragging a tail of nerves.


    Little Grape didn¡¯t wait to see the result of the shock;after completing its glare, it immediately turned and fled towards the hotel¡¯s elevator.


    However,


    The old man, whose consciousness merged with Lotson and the Baron of Blood, merely tilted his head slightly, his spirit not greatly disturbed, and he suppressed the spiritual fluctuations in less than a second.


    He mumbled some kind of secret incantation, and with a hand dripping blood made a pressing downward motion in the air.


    A giant hand congealed from blood formed right above Little Grape¡¯s head and, with a slap! it came down hard, like swatting a mosquito.


    Even with the protection of the Gentleman¡¯s Coat, 80% of the eyeballs wrapped inside Little Grape were smashed to pieces,


    Crushed to the ground, unable to move.


    Yi Chen, already injured, was flattened so severely that only his head remained barely intact.


    ¡®Helvoye¡¯ appeared in front of them in an instant. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°To think you would still try to escape in this state, William. With your brain, you should be able to analyze that your chances of escape are [0], right?¡±


    Yi Chen did not respond, instead gesturing for Little Grape to return inside his body to avoid being killed separately.


    Then he looked up with great difficulty at ¡®Helvoye¡¯, who seemed at least fifty years younger.


    From Yi Chen¡¯s face, a sneer emerged:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect even Mr. Helvoye to fall into the trap, it seems Lotson you really have made full preparations¡­ If I¡¯m not mistaken, you must have made some kind of deal with the Baron of Blood from Holy Grail Mountain, you two might even have combined, right?


    The coexistence of the two consciousnesses is what allowed you to maneuver in gentleman¡¯s clothes and evade Zion¡¯s many inspections.


    Also, with the Baron of Blood¡¯s upgrade in abilities, you reached a higher level, to the point where even Mr. Helvoye was deceived.¡±


    ¡®Helvoye¡¯ crouched down, gently touched Yi Chen¡¯s brain, and Lotson¡¯s voice came out of his mouth.


    ¡°The Baron is a dear friend of mine. Nobody in the organization truly understands the allure of blood, only the Baron grasps my pursuit.


    After we take over your body, our consciousness will gradually merge into one, becoming a higher existence.


    But enough of that for now~ This isn¡¯t the time for idle chatting.


    The invasion of death upon this city is beyond imagination, and it¡¯s already quite impressive that Dean Dis has held out this long. I don¡¯t want to die here, so what comes next is the crucial ¡®Possession¡¯.


    It will be over soon, we will inherit all of your memories, body, and Pathological Traits you contain.


    Your consciousness will be erased the instant we invade, without any pain.


    William, thank you for your hard work all this time, I will take good care of your body and your relationships~ Hahaha.¡±


    Lotson even started to fantasize about the expressions Yi Chen might make¡ªextreme unwillingness, rage, or a desperate struggle, all the possible curses he might utter.


    After all, he had trained hard to bring the Relic from the Old World through much hardship.


    And yet, nearly accomplishing the impossible in the Hotel of the Sun by killing a Transcender ¨C such merits would attract much attention once reported back to Zion.


    But in the end, to have his body taken over, everything stolen from him¡­no one could bear it.


    Lotson deliberately waited,


    Watching for the extreme expression that Yi Chen might reveal, when he fell into utter Despair, when his will was weakest, that¡¯s when he would immediately perform the Possession.


    But¡­


    Yi Chen, pressed firmly under the blood hand, squeezed out a strange smile, his face still with traces of makeup not fully wiped off, pale and comical.


    There was no trace of despair, more a sense of mockery.


    ¡°Come on, Lotson~ try to seize my body.


    How do you plan to invade, with an injection of blood or by drawing some Array on me? Hurry up, while I¡¯m at my weakest,


    If you keep waiting, I might recover, even kill you.¡±


    After speaking, Yi Chen even willingly opened his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue, as if inviting the other to enter right there.


    Such behavior instead made Lotson freeze.


    Staring at the Black Liquid remaining inside Yi Chen¡¯s mouth, he hesitated to act.


    At that moment, the Barns on hundreds of humans in the mansion, and no one has been this confident at such a critical time.


    His body might be harboring secrets unknown to others.


    Reckless possession could lead to certain problems, even contaminating our own blood.


    Let our yellow clothing try first, after all, it specifically asked for this lad¡­ Once the clothing passes the test without any problems, we can proceed with taking over, death hasn¡¯t reached us yet.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    At this moment,


    The body possessed by ¡®Helvoye¡¯ had completely transformed into a blend of the Baron and Lotson, crowned with a face that one could tell was perverse at a glance, as well as Lotson¡¯s distinctive white hair.


    They took off their gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    The clothes left on the ground immediately started writhing like a living creature, the lining emitting a yellow hue.


    Hiss~ Strands of yellow thread peeled off from the garments, forming into a separate piece of yellow clothing.


    This scene was som also involved the yellow robe that had disappeared on Holy Grail Mountain.


    ¡°What is this!¡±


    Before Yi Chen could react,


    The yellow clothing had already arrived, its fine threads sticking to the surface of his body, combining with the gentleman¡¯s clothes, and numerous yellow threads were even burrowing into his battered flesh.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to join forces with Xiao Putao to struggle,


    His retinas outlined a series of yellow characters that only he could see.


    ¡ì To think you could kill a Transcender transformed by ¡®Death Plague Knights¡¯ with a human body.


    You are the highest quality, most perfect ¡®Skin Slave¡¯ I have seen in this world so far. Accept me, and I will help you escape your current predicament and regain your freedom.


    There is just one condition, you must take control of the ¡®Y¨­uSu¨¬ Skin Market¡¯ within a set deadline. ¡ì


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    As the text appeared, Yi Chen felt his shattered body beginning to mend and repair under the influence of the yellow threads.


    He also recalled something the Duke had said. The ¡®Y¨­uSu¨¬ Skin Market,¡¯ which had always been very stable, was currently undergoing a massive disturbance, apparently related to some kind of yellow leather.to communicate with the yellow part of the garment through his consciousness:


    ¡°First, help me out of this predicament, I need to seriously discuss this matter with you.¡±


    The text appeared once again,


    ¡ì Fine, but all I can do is help mend your body and provide the support of clothing, whether you can escape or not is up to you. ¡ì


    Yi Chen¡¯s body was slowly repaired,


    Meanwhile, Lotson was still not getting any feedback. As time passed, a deep look of doubt creased his face.


    Recalling the encounter with the yellow robe on the mountain and its insistence on finding William, Lotson suddenly realized something, ¡°Baron! Prepare to forcibly take possession!¡±


    He had inscribed a blood array on his palm, moving it toward Yi Chen¡¯s forehead. On contact, it would infiltrate Yi Chen with the possessive essence blood,


    Carrying both Lotson¡¯s and the Baron¡¯s consciousness,


    It would permeate every corner of the brain, erasing Yi Chen¡¯s own ego and seizing control.


    As his palm neared,


    Strands of yellow thread immediately covered his face, forming a yellow mask to block the action. This also directly proved the true purpose of the yellow robe: to use them to find William Behrens.


    Or rather, the moment it saw him but, unfortunately, never found the opportunity to combine and communicate.


    ¡°Daring to play us¡­¡±


    Another bloodied hand formed into a claw and lunged, tearing off Yi Chen¡¯s yellow mask, ready to forcibly take possession.


    Buzz!


    A red figure flashed by at an unimaginable speed.


    Hiss~ A spurt of blood erupted.


    Lotson was somewhat stunned,


    Because the arm he had extended forward and Yi Chen, who was almost within reach, had suddenly disappeared¡­ just now he hadn¡¯t seen anything, as if a red lotus had flashed before him.


    Looking up,


    A gentleman in a floral-patterned suit stood at the hotel entrance,


    One hand holding a blood-red long sword that was both strange in shape and from which even the cries of babies could be heard, the other hoisting Yi Chen onto her shoulder.


    The colorful mask on the person¡¯s face didn¡¯t even glance at Lotson, but rather tilted to look at the young man on her shoulder.


    ¡°William, youg a Pathological nest on the way.


    Rest well, I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±

 Chapter 246: Crushing

    Jin felt the not-too-bad state of Yi Chen on his shoulder, seemingly having his body stitched together by some lines that were different from those of gentleman¡¯s clothes, and the aura of the lines was somewhat familiar.


    ¡°Hmm, your clothes look weird? It¡¯s like there¡¯s something parasitic in the fabric, do you need me to help you clean it up?¡±


    ¡°No need, Jin, just deal with this guy in front of you.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s expression was indifferent, seemingly not too surprised by Jin¡¯s arrival, and he continued to remind,


    ¡°Be careful, this guy combines the consciousness of both a gentleman and a Patient, and he¡¯s also occupying the body of a Transcender, which makes him hard to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Oh, can I put you down by the door?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my body will soon be able to move again.¡±


    Jin gently set Yi Chen down, leaning him against the side of the hotel door.


    The Blood Sword in her hand, which seemed to have the face of a baby, however, kept a watchful eye on Lotson not far away, preventing him from making any moves.


    As for Lotson,


    He recognized that the gentleman who had come to the rescue was one of the teammates who had climbed Holy Grail Mountain with William before, and he didn¡¯t expect him to have achieved Extreme Breakthrough so quickly.


    Moreover, the Speed burst out by Jin just now was making his scalp tingle.


    At that moment, the Baron¡¯s consciousness voice came through:


    ¡°The strength of our opponent is an unknown, and our consciousness fusion hasn¡¯t reached optimum state.


    Even though we¡¯re occupying this old man¡¯s body, and by the remnants of the Sun Secret Medicine, his physical peak has been restored to that of a true Transcender¡¯s, taking on this gentleman is not something that can be decided in a short time.


    By the time we haven¡¯t finished fighting here, Death will have spread over, and we¡¯ll all die here.


    Let¡¯s pull out, Lotson.¡±


    Lotson, deceived by the yellow attire, was seething with rage.


    ¡°No! We can¡¯t just leave it at that! William¡¯s body is right in front of us¡­ Just take him, there¡¯s no need to entangle with this woman.


    Moreover, once we let William go, we¡¯ll become wanted criminals by the Organization, no longer able to make use of any of its resources. Excellent gentleman¡¯s Blood is hard to come by and will seriously affect our subsequent development.


    This woman does not recognize us, as long as we take William away, we can continue living in the Organization, acquiring more opportunities.¡±


    The Baron compromised, he too was greedy, greedy for the premium blood bags raised within the city of Zion.


    ¡°I will lend you all of my Blood, including the core usage of [Septicemia].


    At most two minutes, if it can¡¯t be done, withdraw immediately.¡±


    ¡°Okay, lend it to me.¡±


    In an instant.


    A bright red pentagram Array Seal appeared at the forehead, Lotson¡¯s eyes also shone red. Where the severed Arm had been, blood of a fixed shape gushed out, regenerating superfast.


    His hands formed seals, each corresponding to an ancient curse.


    ¡®Burst forth, tide of blood!¡¯


    Lotson¡¯s pores swelled to the size of thumbs, ejecting Blood at maximum capacity, quickly forming a surging blood tide rolling towards the two by the door.


    Lotson¡¯s true form also turned into blood, merging with the blood tide and becoming part of it, preparing to silently take Yi Chen away.


    As he moved among the tide, strands of red threads spread through the blood,


    This kind of red in the threads was distinct from the red of the blood, brighter and more dangerous.


    A strand of thread reached the blood that was Lotson, and the special sensing residing within the threads immediately detected the different density and composition of this mass of blood.


    A Red Lotus rapidly blossomed before him,


    Lotson was shocked inside as he deduced an important attribute of Jin: ¡°Sensing Gentleman!¡±


    Boom!


    A violent explosion formed a fissure that spanned the hotel, and the whole building was on the verge of collapse.


    The humanoid figure made of blood flew out of the blood tide due to the explosion, not having time to form in the air¡­ Buzz! The masked Jin had already met him on the same level in mid-air.


    Jin slightly tilted her head, as if to convey two meanings,


    One was not quite understanding why the opponent used such an energy-wasting large scale Spell, Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The other was curious why, being Transcenders, the figure of blood in front of her seemed somewhat weak,


    But Lotson, from beneath the colorful mask, felt a deadly threat and immediately built Blood Wings behind him to retreat speedily.


    At the same time, he controlled the blood tide below, condensing it into a huge blood hand to grab the body of Jin.


    At this moment,


    Jin posed for a slash,


    The crying of the baby echoed through the air, filling Lotson¡¯s mind.


    ¡®Slash¡¯


    Lotson¡¯s body, the blood tide below, even the hotel¡¯s floors below the fifth were all split apart.


    Lotson, cut in half, turned into a blood bat and managed to escape;he reformed in the corner of the lobby, with a strong sense of anemia overwhelming him.


    He who had mastered the Blood Secret Technique, his strongest aspect was his ¡°Life Force.¡±


    However, now he felt his life force rapidly draining, taken by that sword strike that robbed him of approximately 40% of his total life value.


    Looking at the oddly shaped weapon in Jin¡¯s hand, especially the infant-shaped hilt that seemed to be sucking the blood obtained from the recent slash.


    A chilling sensation swept through his body, even causing Lotson to shudder.


    [Escape]!


    The current Lotson could no longer care about revenge, venting anger, or even the identity issue of Zion.


    The gentleman before him had transcended his understanding and even restricted him in terms of attributes.


    ¡°Lotson, run!¡±


    At the Baron¡¯s reminder, Lotson instantly performed the Blood Secret Technique, splitting into ten identical clones who scattered and fled.


    The secret technique was executed with high precision,


    so even Jin could not identify the true from the false by sight and had no choice but to slaughter them all.


    Just as Jin was about to catch up at full speed,


    two of the clones suddenly turned about and lunged at her¡­ Pop! Self-Destruction, turning into two highly viscous blood nets, attempting to restrict Jin¡¯s heartbeat.


    Cross Slash¡­ Whoosh! The blood nets were cut through.


    But the visual obstruction caused by the blood explosion, along with the brief interlude of wielding the sword, allowed many clones to escape to different locations in the hotel.


    Moreover,


    some blood that had inadvertently landed on Jin¡¯s body began to boil and turn black, the effects of septicemia kicking in, forcing Jin to perform a Red Lotus Explosion to cleanse her body.


    Lotson¡¯s real body was leading the escape,


    turning into blood and swiftly flowing through the hotel¡¯s ventilation ducts, reaching the hotel¡¯s rooftop.


    The moment he breathed fresh air, his confidence returned.


    Whoosh!


    Two exaggerated Blood Wings spread from his back, and although it was quite regrettable, Lotson still revealed a confident smile:


    ¡°William! I will come back to take over your body¡­ I¡¯ll let you off this time!¡±


    The Blood Wings flapped,


    carrying Lotson as he was about to leave;his body had just lifted less than two meters off the ground,


    when, by his ears, he faintly heard a voice, from some unknown origin, or rather, an irresistible spiritual transmission that directly reached his brain:


    ¡°Down!¡±


    From somewhere, a mysterious person who had just arrived gestured downward with his slightly plump right hand.


    Instantly, an utterly irresistible spiritual pulse directly affected Lotson¡¯s body;his head was crushed out of shape, blood oozing from every orifice.


    His body sank rapidly as if lead-filled,


    Pop~ Pop~ Pop! Crashing through one floor after another.


    Boom! Eventually falling back into the hotel lobby, dust billowed, and his body was flattened into a pool of bloodied flesh.


    It must be said that the regeneration of blood was indeed powerful, as Lotson, now flattened into a bloody pancake, immediately split into numerous blood strands, attempting to reconstruct his body,


    just as he was about to do so,


    someone stepped through the hotel¡¯s back door in brown carved leather shoes, bringing yet another terrifying wave of spiritual power, Pop! Flattening him once more.


    With each step the pair of shoes took, another wave of spiritual pressure descended, relentlessly crushing Lotson¡¯s body.


    Only when the shoes were directly in front of him, did the spiritual pulsation finally stop.


    By then, Lotson was nearly drained dry, his loosely constructed body of blood and flesh barely holding human shape, his eyes, set in a decaying head, stared fixedly at the person before him.


    A brown-haired youth with a pompadour, wearing a dark cyan suit with single-row metallic buttons and khaki twill pants,


    a slightly plump face, eyes that stared down at the deceased as though scrutinizing an ant.


    ¡°A fallen gentleman? So weak¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah! You dare look at me with those eyes, you fatso!¡±


    Lotson decided to go all in, burning his Essence Blood to attack the youth before him.


    Just as his bright red claw made from concentrated blood was about to reach the young man,


    Lotson heard intermittent bursts of electromagnetic interference by his ear, at the same time, a pair of cold and slender arms reached from behind him, resting on his shoulder,


    a sense of danger beyond his comprehension struck the depths of his soul.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call my brother fat¡­ Go to hell!¡±


    Two arms connected with cables clenched onto Lotson¡¯s skull, fingers penetrating the bone, crudely crushing his head!

 Chapter 247: Final Curtain

    The woman connected to Reagan¡¯s spine by a cable was exuding a threat that could invoke an instinctual fear, even making Jin feel a flutter of palpitations.


    She didn¡¯t just crush Lotson¡¯s head;she also directly shattered his consciousness within his brain while releasing a strong current that completely charred the physical body and evaporated all the blood inside.


    Jin could only sigh, after all, the quality of blood within Lotson was extremely high¡ªif it could have been preserved, it might have been used to feed a weapon.


    But it didn¡¯t matter¡ªin her eyes, Lotson was nothing more than a failed hybrid garbage, at best a bag of high-quality snacks. A waste was a waste.


    With Lotson¡¯s complete death, the hotel matter finally came to an end.


    ¡°Reagan, Miss Faye¡­ congratulations!¡±


    As Yi Chen¡¯s voice came through,


    the Miss Faye hanging on Reagan¡¯s back immediately smiled and waved at him, even though her face and hair were still stained with Lotson¡¯s fresh blood,


    Anyone who was a friend of Reagan, she would treat as a friend.


    But Reagan¡¯s expression was not good, even contorting his face.


    ¡°William, how could you be in such a dangerous place!? The organization has been misjudging missions more and more recently, actually letting you, who have not yet transcended, go to Levinhome.


    Don¡¯t delay any longer! I just so happen to be on the high-speed carriage transferred from the Power Station, hurry up and get in the car with me.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen did not ask for the reason;the reason for Reagan¡¯s panic must be that his Heavenly Connection had already received the dreadful news from throughout the city.


    Because of the fusion with the yellow robe, Yi Chen¡¯s physical activity had no issues,


    his gaze, however, glanced at the beheaded corpse that had been swept outside the door by the blood tide;his Knight Armor ensured the integrity of the body.


    ¡°Jin, do me a favor! Take this body back.¡±


    Jin did not say much, just dragged the body behind him, only complaining a little about the weight.


    The electric-powered carriage was parked just outside the back door.


    Barry Bessalius¡¯ body was tucked into the Hidden Compartment of the carriage¡¯s underside;just as everyone was seated and about to leave,


    a celestial body like a mini sun rose slowly at the city center, its released light almost dispersing the dense fog and the Death Symbol in the high sky.


    Most people thought this was Dis Dean¡¯s signal of victory.


    However, the brilliance of the sun could not continue indefinitely and dimmed after a few seconds.


    In the sewers.


    Levinhome¡¯s number one, the Founder of the Sun Secret Medicine, Dis Campbell, had his head cut off and held in the hands of the Death Plague Knights, the Harvester ¨C Rotweis.


    The latter carefully stowed the head away in his cloak¡¯s space, ready to take it back to the graves of the Old World.


    The Cutter ¨C Rotweis, for killing Dis Dean and three other Transcenders and absorbing the death within their bodies, gained an extension of time. Next, he prepared to put a period on this brief World Tour.


    ¡°Fantastic! I thought it would be a boring harvest¡­ but who knew, the humans enslaved by the Skin Market could bring me such pleasure.


    Moreover, there is a powerful contender hidden in this city who has absorbed the Death Plague, even capable of killing the servant I had resurrected myself. Such a pity my time is not enough, I¡¯ll come back to play next time.


    As a token of my satisfaction, I will personally draw the final period.¡±


    Rotweis spread his arms wide, floating in the air, assuming a cruciform pose.


    Shortly after, a third black arm grew from his abdomen, wielding his specialized dagger for reaping lives.


    In a highly difficult manner, he cut a circle through the space.


    This seemingly simple cut led him to reach the Limit at which he could operate in this World, an irresistible repulsion force coming to pull him back to the Old World.


    The pitch-black circle carved out by Rotweis remained there.


    In an instant, an unimaginable black aura surged from the circle, instantly darkening the Dom River that spanned the city and even submerging the sun, which had not yet fully dimmed.


    The death fog spread through Levinhome City like a tidal wave of blackness.


    Wherever the black fog reached, all living beings had no time to react;gentlemen in mid-battle perished in an instant, their last breath drawn out, before being resurrected as the dead. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The dead engulfed by the black tide would receive enhancements¡ªfaster and more attuned to death, even emitting black light from their eye sockets.


    ¡°Final Harvest.¡±


    This was Rotweis¡¯s important token for joining the Death Plague Knights and the reason why the Knight Order chose him for this purification mission to the other side of the world.


    The black fog spread faster and faster, even surpassing the power station¡¯s dedicated carriages.


    Whether it was Jin, who had just returned from the Old World, or Reagan, who had returned from seclusion at the power station, both felt a chill in their bodies upon seeing the rolling black fog behind them and had no desire to come into contact with it.


    Reagan continuously powered the carriage¡¯s generator with electricity, ¡°The carriage has reached maximum speed¡­ still too slow! Miss Jin, you should be able to run faster than the carriage;you should retreat first.¡±


    Jin waved her hand, ¡°No! Although I can clearly sense the threat within the black fog, I still want to try it out¡­ I have heard many rumors about the Death Plague Knights from my master, and I wanted to taste what this death feels like.¡±


    ¡°Get ready, here it comes!¡±


    Reagan pressed his hands against the carriage, spreading a visibly electromagnetic field over it.


    Whoosh! The black fog, like a tidal wave, swiftly covered and passed over the carriage, and everything outside the windows was swallowed by darkness.


    Even with the electromagnetic field established by Reagan,


    the black fog continued to press and seep into the carriage, transforming into arm-like appendages from the dead, tearing and pulling at the electromagnetic field, eventually ripping open a gap,


    like a ferry taking on water, the carriage was quickly filled with black fog,


    Although the gentleman¡¯s clothes were helping to block the fog, trying to prevent it from permeating the flesh, the problem wasn¡¯t about inhalation¡­ mere contact with the black fog would immediately usher in death.


    Hum!


    A cutter-like dagger both ethereal and solid emerged from the black fog, hovering at the necks of all present;a slice would complete the ¡°Beheading,¡± and the individual would be deemed fully dead.


    Reagan tried to stop it by conjuring a similar spiritual arm, which effectively slowed down the cutting process but couldn¡¯t completely halt it.


    An endless supply of black fog provided ceaseless power for the cutting, with a portion already slicing into Reagan¡¯s neck.


    Jin was likewise suffering;the Red Lotus Mark growing on her neck could fend off the dagger¡¯s cutting, but as the density of the black fog increased, the Red Lotus Mark began to shatter, nearing a breach into her very self.


    As the dead in the city had said, all living beings born in Levinhome City would perish, not one would survive.


    In the critical moment,


    Yi Chen forcibly reverted to ¡°Dead Man Makeup,¡± risking the possibility of his physique unraveling, he began to fervently inhale the black fog within the carriage, pouring into his nostrils like flowing water.


    This black fog released by the Cutter¡ªRotweis¡ªwas fundamentally different from the previous Death Aura,


    Feeding on the black fog was like swallowing blades, even shredding Yi Chen¡¯s esophagus, stomach, and intestines to pieces.


    Due to Yi Chen¡¯s frenzied inhalation, the carriage¡¯s concentration of black fog declined,


    Reagan, relieved, enhanced the release of the electromagnetic field while Jin sowed the Red Lotus to block the leak.


    On the edge of the city, the boundary region enveloped by the black fog.


    A power carriage bearing the Power Station¡¯s Emblem burst through the dense fog, breaking free successfully.


    The organization¡¯s third city, Levinhome, under the cover of the black fog, completely transformed into a City of the Dead;gentlemen¡¯s construction and investments in the city went up in smoke, and the important figure Sun Dis died in battle.

 Chapter 248: The Opportunity for Three People

    30km outside Levinhome, nestled between streams,


    a power car integrated with the highest technology of the power station was completely scrapped due to Death¡¯s erosion, and thrown into the nearby woods.


    A colorful mask lay on a stone by the stream,


    a woman with deep brown short hair that brushed her ears was splashing the clear river water on her face, her thin, slightly red lips completely drenched, even with a few droplets clinging to them.


    No matter how much she washed, however, the Red Lotus Mark under her left eye did not fade in the slightest.


    After a quick wash, she put on the mask and carried a full bucket of water made of flesh into the nearby woods.


    Yi Chen was lying here resting,


    Though the yellow components fused into the clothing helped sew the flesh together, the continuous use of ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± and the inhalation of black fog brought unbearable bodily cuts to Yi Chen.


    Even the regenerative essence of the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± had been drained.


    Yi Chen, sitting against a wall, kept vomiting his chopped-up black organs, his body also bleeding in multiple places.


    Reagan squatted beside him, helping to adjust the distribution of organs with spiritual power to alleviate Yi Chen¡¯s injuries.


    Upon seeing Jin bring over river water, Yi Chen immediately grasped it and drank fiercely, even devouring the flesh-made bucket completely. The water and flesh swallowed flowed entirely towards the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± after being briefly absorbed, finally easing Yi Chen¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Phew~ I really thought I was going to die there. Lotson¡¯s betrayal was within my considerations, but Vice Chancellor Evatt¡¯s sudden attack was unexpected.


    My considerations really weren¡¯t thorough enough, I won¡¯t push it so much next time,¡± he said.


    After listening to Yi Chen¡¯s account, Reagan was also quite shocked, ¡°Being able to kill a vice chancellor within human limits, if this gets back to Zion, the higher-ups will probably be alarmed.¡±


    ¡°It was merely good luck. My death attribute just happened to counteract the recently deceased vice chancellor, and he is also a Sensing Type, weak in terms of attack and killing power.


    Just about any Transcender could defeat me.


    I didn¡¯t expect the death event in Levinhome would evolve like this. Let¡¯s go back and see what the organization says.¡±


    Yi Chen got up, and next, the three of them needed to walk back to the city.


    Jin didn¡¯t say much more and carried the headless Knight, weighing half a ton, as Yi Chen requested.


    After hearing about Barry¡¯s experience, they could understand why Yi Chen insisted on bringing the body back.


    Watching Jin running at the front of the team, Yi Chen felt something different about her,


    the madness that once mixed in her bones hadn¡¯t diminished, but she seemed to have something extra to suppress that madness.


    Eventually, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but ask ahead of schedule, ¡°Jin, what did you experience in the Old World? Why did it take you so long to come back from there?¡±


    ¡°Because the Old World provided a better place for breakthroughs, I waited until I completed the Extreme Breakthrough before coming back, and I also wanted to give you a big surprise, didn¡¯t I?


    Two hours after we split up, an ¡®Envoy¡¯ from deep in the Old World came specifically to pick me up.


    After confirming they had no malice, I was taken to a special place called the Cancer Palace.


    According to the Envoy¡¯s introduction, the Cancer Palace could be considered the largest Source Epidemic Area in the Old World, and even in a world that had died, the restrictions on Cancer Palace were minimal.


    The beings living inside were quite fascinating.


    Moreover, I met a ¡®mentor¡¯ there, whose crafted Red Lotus was utterly perfect. Her power could easily destroy an organization like Zion.


    Under her guidance, I passed the special assessment of the Cancer Palace to obtain a Relic that fits my current stage.¡±


    ¡°Cancer Palace¡­ Jin, did you consider staying there?¡±


    ¡°I thought about it, but all things considered, it was better to come back. After all, the Old World is completely sealed off, even dead. Many things can¡¯t be done there, and even my mentor advised me to continue using my human identity, and live as much as possible here. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once the Grey Zone fully expands to every corner of the World, the Cancer Palace will also relocate a part here to stake a claim. I can go back then.¡±


    ¡°Right! The Cancer Palace is quite interesting, I¡¯ll take you there next time.¡±


    ¡°Okay, speaking of which, Jin, what is your Relic?¡±


    ¡°¡®Swollen Lotus Heart¡¯, perfectly suits my Dual Attributes of ¡®Coordination¡¯ and ¡®Sensing¡¯. It can also affect the Red Lotus¡­ it was specifically chosen for me by my master.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s clearly a good fit for you.¡±


    Jin¡¯s performance at the Sunshine Hotel had been observed by Yi Chen, her speed and sensing abilities, especially her increased lethality, had overwhelmed Lotson during their initial encounter.


    ¡°What about you, Reagan? You must have had some significant opportunities in the Old World, right?¡±


    Yi Chen shifted the conversation to Reagan.


    Reagan, already a monster, had become even more twisted after his breakthrough, completely overpowering Lotson with no chance for him to even flee.


    Reagan slightly scratched his cheek with his finger.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯d really like to talk about it.


    But the things I came into contact with in the Old World have implanted a type of ¡®Sealing¡¯ disease in my consciousness, which scatters my thoughts whenever I try to talk about ¡®them¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°No choice, those guys treat all ¡®participants¡¯ like this, because they really need to hide their identities.


    The only thing I can disclose is that they are like a bunch of lunatics. I barely passed the Spiritual Test and received their Relic as a gift. It¡¯s somewhat similar to Jin¡¯s experience.


    However, I only spent one day before I immediately left.¡±


    ¡°What about you, William?


    Among the three of us, I was the only one who left the Old World within the set time. I¡¯ve been waiting at the ¡®Gateway¡¯ for a whole week, only to find a ¡®Disguiser¡¯ emerging from it.¡±


    ¡°Even joining forces with the Watcher, we couldn¡¯t capture that silver-haired young man. I even suffered from the Illusion Technique on a mental level, a truly terrifying person.¡±


    Faced with Reagan¡¯s query, Yi Chen had no choice but to explain his entire encounter with Lorrian.


    When Jin, walking at the front, heard that Lorrian had been residing within Yi Chen and they had adventured together in the Old World, he paused briefly.


    ¡°That guy named Lorrian, he¡¯s pretty powerful, isn¡¯t he?¡± Jin tossed out a question.


    ¡°He¡¯s strong and his growth rate is not slower than ours, we might not be able to defeat him even if we joined forces.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s interesting, I didn¡¯t expect you, William, to know such a ¡®Patient Zero.¡¯ I hope to meet him someday.¡±


    The brief exchange ended, and indeed, it proved wise for the three to explore the Old World separately, as each had their own extraordinary opportunities.


    Not only had Yi Chen encountered great figures like the Duke, but Jin and Reagan also made contact with major forces inside the Old World, even establishing some crucial connections. These connections would play a vital role when the Grey Zone fully spread out.


    Unknowingly,


    the trio had arrived at the foot of the mountain where Zion City was located. As they prepared to ascend,


    a group of special gentlemen clad in biochemical suits and wearing breathing masks surrounded them.


    ¡°Any personnel linked to Levinhome must undergo standardized isolation procedures before returning to Zion. After verifying that you are not carrying any factors of the Death Plague, you can then return to the city normally.


    Please follow us.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ the folks from the Disease Control Center.¡±


    Jin recognized the attire of the group immediately, as half of them came from Cesimani, and were considered an unusual group of Executioners.


    Under the guidance of these people, the threesome was led through a hidden passage at the foot of the mountain.


    Through the scents in the passageway, it was confirmed that other refugees had also been gathered here.

 Chapter 249: Death Detection

    Disease Control Center (Center for illness Control)


    The Center was a special institution jointly established by Hippocrates Hospital and Cesimani, responsible for the containment management and related handling of special epidemic events.


    Of course, since it¡¯s connected with Cesimani, it goes without saying that it isn¡¯t exactly a pleasant place.


    A large portion of humans, and even gentlemen, who were requested to be sent to the Disease Control Center would disappear, and even those who managed to come out alive remained tight-lipped about what happened there.


    The [Death Plague] that broke out in Levinhome was classified by the organization as a First Level Plague, and the gentlemen who were lucky enough to leave alive were subjected to the highest level of comprehensive checks, control, and quarantine measures.


    Even if they passed all the tests with no pathogenic factors, individuals were prohibited from entering Zion for at least half a year and were even required to live in isolation in a confined space.


    There were more escapees from Levinhome than just Yi Chen and his two companions,


    Some gentlemen stationed at the edge of the city chose to evacuate before the outbreak of the Death Plague, with a total of 23 people fleeing.


    All of them had already been gathered at the Control Center, undergoing deep inspections that were unknown to the public and even somewhat contrary to a gentleman¡¯s character.


    Yi Chen and the other two were among the last of the escapees. While walking through the mountain foothill passage with these people in biohazard suits, they could clearly hear the cries of agony emanating from the depths.


    Jin, as a member of Cesimani, had naturally heard some things about this place.


    Being brought into such a place, she was understandably upset and spoke without reserve,


    ¡°It seems they¡¯ll be conducting some inhumane tests on us. If I feel uncomfortable during the process, I might not be able to control myself and could lash out at you.


    If I accidentally kill you, don¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Her words were, of course, overheard by the personnel of the Control Center,


    The leading person immediately turned their head around, glaring with eyes hidden beneath a breathing mask.


    Little did they know that this look would discern from Jin a nearly tangible killing intent. The concentrated killing intent seemed to ooze out like rotten flesh mud from behind Jin, threatening to envelop and dissolve the person into the same meaty muck.


    ¡°Look at me one more time, and I¡¯ll gouge out your eyeballs!¡±


    As Jin uttered these words, Little Grape squeezed out from Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Who¡¯s talking about grapes? Can I eat them?¡±


    For a moment, the atmosphere at the scene became tense, but Yi Chen remained silent.


    He didn¡¯t restrain Jin¡¯s behavior because he could also feel the resentment filling the place, and because of the development of his Death Ability, Yi Chen could even hear the layered lamentations of the dead.


    ¡°Reagan, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to accept some basic checks in compliance with the regulations. If it goes beyond that, I¡¯ll contact the director to see what he has to say.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    With that, the three were led to the depths beneath the mountain, where Reagan had already sensed the fluctuations in electrical power. To his surprise, there was a sizable Power Station built below.


    Various sealed metal containment chambers were embedded in the walls, and there were also a row of operating tables placed side by side.


    Some of the containment chambers emitted continuous cries of pain.


    Just as the situation grew increasingly tense and seemed on the brink of combat¡­ Hiss! Steam gushed out.


    The hydraulic door directly in front of everyone suddenly released a sufficient amount of steam, reaching pressure equilibrium before the metal door slowly opened, revealing an unsettling aura seeping from inside.


    Jin instinctively reached for the hilt of the sword on her back, while Reagan took his hands out of his coat pockets.


    However, this dangerous aura felt somewhat familiar to Yi Chen.


    A doctor wearing a medieval beak mask emerged, with the seemingly medieval mask actually incorporating modern metallic elements around the eyes and nostrils, and wearing the white coat of a modern doctor he stepped out barefoot. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmm? Doctor Visari!¡±


    The person was none other than the deputy director of Hippocrates Hospital, one of the heads of the secret medicine review department, specializing in Death, Andre Vissari.


    Visari also recognized immediately this young gentleman whom he had seen several times and greatly admired.


    ¡°William Behrens? What were you doing in a place like Levinhome?¡±


    ¡°I received a Super Five Star mission in Zion and went with my teammates. Based on the investigation conducted with Barry Bessalius in the city, we have ascertained the manner of spread of the ¡®Death Plague,¡¯ the necessary medium, as well as the process of resurrection of the dead.


    Jin and Reagan came to rescue me at the last minute from the outside. It was solely thanks to their help that I barely survived.¡±


    ¡°You three, come with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Yi Chen took the lead and walked forward, signaling his teammates to follow suit.


    At that moment, a voice emerged from beneath a face mask at the Disease Control Center, sounding strange:


    ¡°Doctor Visari, they arrived back very late, and there¡¯s a high chance they were exposed to the Death Plague miasma. If they go with you without a thorough inspection, there¡¯s the possibility of spreading the Death Plague here.¡±


    ¡°Should any issues arise, I will take full responsibility.


    Furthermore, I have been specially dispatched to oversee the control of the ¡®Death Plague.¡¯ I have the ultimate decision-making authority, and if you have any objections to the decisions I make, remember to submit them in writing.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Once in Doctor Visari¡¯s private office, Yi Chen gave a detailed oral account of their situation, while Doctor Visari took notes.


    When it came to the part about Yi Chen single-handedly killing the vice dean of the Sunshine Hospital and the betrayal and possession of Helvoye by the white-robed Lotson, Doctor Visari paused briefly.


    ¡°William, if you report these words to the higher-ups, they will certainly subject you to a ¡®Memory Review¡¯. After all, there has never been an incident within the organization where a human has killed a Transcender.


    I can tell you¡¯re not lying, but I also find it hard to imagine how you defeated Evatt.


    He passed the formal examination by the doctors, and I was present as one of the examiners. He had a talent for controlling the lines, and if he had survived, he would have made a fine doctor.¡±


    Yi Chen himself was willing to undergo a ¡®Memory Review¡¯,


    but his memories were unstable, tied to various incidents from his life.


    Moreover, there was one thing from his experiences in Levinhome that could not be revealed, namely, the contact with the yellow robe.


    Yi Chen, who had visited the Old World, interacted with the Duke and had a broad understanding of the worldview, synthesized the information in his brain and intuition told him this ¡®yellow garment,¡¯ closely related to the Skin Market, would significantly impact his growth and development in the future.


    It could even save his life at a critical moment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really like others prying into my memories,


    and I have read information about ¡®Memory Review¡¯ in books. This technology is not yet fully mature within the organization. Memory Review could potentially affect the brain, and my professional badge is imprinted right on the brain¡¯s surface.


    So, how about this: we won¡¯t report these two incidents. Just submit the investigative report I prepared on the ¡®Death Plague¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I personally wouldn¡¯t recommend a Memory Review for you either.


    Even without reporting these two incidents, the Death Plague report alone that you¡¯ve provided should be enough to earn an organizational commendation.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Doctor Visari.¡±


    ¡°However, since I¡¯ve been assigned to manage the control of the Death Plague, I still need to examine you. No need for instruments, just allow me to touch your bodies.


    Zion may eventually be consumed by the Grey Zone, but it is not yet time to perish;we still have some preparatory work to do. Let¡¯s minimize the risk of city destruction as much as possible.¡±


    With Yi Chen¡¯s nod, his two teammates had little to say.


    The inspection was quite simple,


    involving injecting a strand of death material unique to Doctor Visari under the skin;if any Death Plague factors were present in their bodies, the two death attributes would produce a faint response.


    First examining Reagan and Jin,


    Doctor Visari immediately showed a shocked expression from beneath his beaked mask¡ªnot detecting the Death Plague factors but feeling a power from both that was different from the average gentlemen.


    Jin¡¯s physical form and Reagan¡¯s spirit both far transcended the standard of their class.


    Lastly,


    when Doctor Visari¡¯s hand touched Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, just a small amount of death material injected resonated immediately. However, the response did not stem from Death Plague factors but from Yi Chen¡¯s innate death system.


    Doctor Visari had sensed this aura of death when he first met Yi Chen, but back then, it was very weak, almost non-existent.


    ¡°Did your battle with Vice Dean Evatt awaken your death within?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°When do you plan to break through your limit? Since both your friends have already done so, I imagine you must be close as well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just the final push. If nothing urgent comes up, I should be able to break through within two months.¡±


    ¡°Good! When the time comes, remember to come to Hippocrates Hospital to see me, and bring the ¡®Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Doctor Visari.¡±


    ¡°I will have your examination report submitted shortly. If there are no issues, you should be able to return to Zion in an hour.¡±

 Chapter 250: Return to the City

    Yi Chen chose to conceal the fact that he had killed Deputy Dean Evatt for another important reason, which was the worry that his overly remarkable actions would directly attract the attention of the Divine Skin Mansion, or even the First Gentleman, and set him as a candidate or even the top candidate.


    An ordinary excellent performance was completely sufficient.


    After their identities were approved for their return to Zion, Jin rushed to report to Cesimani at the first opportunity, as she had just come back from the Old World and there were many matters there in need of her attention.


    Though Reagan didn¡¯t have much to handle, he also received a notification from the Power Station to come over immediately upon his return to Zion.


    After all, he had transcended his limits not long ago, and his condition was not particularly stable when he rushed to the dangerous Death Plague outbreak area, so the research institute would later provide him with a comprehensive check to ensure no traces of the Death Plague remained in his body.


    As for Yi Chen, the important figure related to the Death Plague incident, shortly after his two teammates had left, a carriage arrived.


    The carriage door opened,


    and Supervisor Aiji, wearing his top hat at a slant, took off his hat very politely and made a please come in gesture.


    [Gentleman Hall]


    As the sole survivor who had taken on the task, and also the first provider of intelligence on the Death Plague, Yi Chen was brought to a private meeting room, where Supervisor Aiji personally inquired about some of the details.


    After the exchange, Aiji had a general understanding of the incident¡¯s sequence of events.


    ¡°So, it means that you were acting together with Barry.


    And Lotson was chosen by Mr. Helvoye as an assistant, who stayed in the hospital the whole time¡­ Since the day before the outbreak of the Death Plague, you had no contact with them, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, William, it¡¯s very commendable that you¡¯re alive and brought back such important intelligence. Your specific reward should be issued within three days.


    The arrangement of this task was even more excessive than the Twilight Clinic¡¯s, having far exceeded what you could handle.


    I will hold those responsible for the task assignment at Levinhome accountable, and compensation for the task will be provided to you along with the reward.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I had anticipated the dangers from the beginning, and it was I who actively wanted to go.


    The only thing I want to know is if the organization has recently been assigning tasks of higher difficulty and uncertainty to newcomers who have not yet transcended their limits¡­ Is it because¡­ there isn¡¯t enough time?¡±


    To this question, Supervisor Aiji did not conceal the truth, ¡°Time is an issue, and our resources are also gradually diminishing. The production of Skin at the [Divine Skin Mansion] is decreasing daily and is no longer able to support the Skin demands of the Gentleman community.


    The higher-ups have decided to proceed with elite training as much as possible, and some weaker individuals, or even ordinary ones, will be filtered out.


    But the arrangement of this task is clearly not reasonable, and I will apply for your compensation.¡±


    ¡°That thing~ if Professor Qian Bosen asks about it, I hope you¡¯ll speak well to him.¡±


    ¡°The professor won¡¯t be too angry, I reckon. By the way, Supervisor Aiji, in your opinion, how much ¡°time¡± do we have left?¡±


    ¡°At most fifteen years, perhaps even shorter¡­ Transcend your limits as soon as possible, William.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    After walking out of the Gentlemen Hall and breathing the fresh air of Zion, Yi Chen did not let his guard down in the slightest. Before returning to his dormitory at the academy to rest, he had one more thing to do.


    A headless corpse, extremely heavy, was being carried on his back by Yi Chen alone.


    ¡°Barry, with this weight of yours¡­ No wonder Jin¡¯s speed decreased while dragging you;it¡¯s just too heavy~¡±


    Yi Chen quickly arrived at the Bessalius Family¡¯s door;a family with a knightly legacy, their buildings were all styled after the Medieval era, resembling a small ancient castle.


    The crest with the hammer on the main gate was the same weapon used by Barry.


    When the family head, Cip Bessalius, also Barry¡¯s grandfather, learned of Yi Chen¡¯s origins, he personally came out to greet him.


    As he returned the headless body, he also took out the head, carefully wrapped up, and handed it over from his backpack.


    The family members present bowed to express their gratitude to Yi Chen and asked only one question:


    ¡°Did Barry fight until the last moment?¡±


    ¡°He transcended the last moment, surpassed death, and was a quite outstanding knight.¡±


    Yi Chen turned down the family invitation and left on his own.


    He had considered taking Barry¡¯s body to the cemetery for burial in hopes that a corporeal resurrection might be possible, but after some thought he decided to leave the matter for his family to handle.


    It was, after all, fulfilling Barry¡¯s last wish.


    [Omphalo-Centric-Academy]


    When he stepped back into his dorm room, his body was still tense, not relaxed as usual after completing a task, and he could still smell the scent of death that clung to him.


    He temporarily shed his clothes,


    turned the hot water to maximum,


    and billows of steam rose in the bathroom, nearly 60¡æ hot water poured onto Yi Chen in great volume.


    Only his skin could feel the temperature of the water;his body was as cold as an ice cellar, and the heat simply could not penetrate it.


    From multiple uses of ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± and its side effects to indirectly drawing Death Essence in the hotel, and even, at the final moment, drawing that perilously dangerous, life-beheading eerie black mist.


    As someone who had long dealt with death, Yi Chen¡¯s body had fallen into what is called an ¡°imbalance state.¡±


    Even though he appeared to have recovered, he was more like a dead man, and over time, such death might become reality.


    More importantly, the ¡°Black Umbilical Cord¡± stored in his body had become less active than before, accumulated in his intestines like a dead thing, barely moving.


    Turning off the water,


    Yi Chen stood in front of the mirror, gazing at his pallid form, just as he was contemplating how to resolve this imbalance in his body, a spark of inspiration passed through his mind.


    In his hand, he held a syringe radiating with flares,


    a gift from Director Dis, and with the fall of Levinhome and the death of Director Dis in battle, the ¡°Sun Secret Medicine¡± had since become completely extinct.


    If he had kept this syringe for a while longer and then sold it, he could have earned a good sum of money, S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    but Yi Chen had no intention of selling it, as money was not so important to him at the moment, and Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s business card seemed to allow unlimited credit.


    Swish!


    The needle pierced his neck, injecting a warm current into his body.


    At that moment,


    clang clang~chains bearing the Plant Attribute began to surge inside, and the umbilical cord, which had been like a dead object, also started to move.


    Just as the description of the Sun Secret Medicine suggested, solar-flare-like patterns began to emerge on Yi Chen¡¯s body, and his complexion started to improve.


    The Death Attribute which had been dominating his body was slowly suppressed.


    If there were any gentleman or Director Dis who had used Sun Secret Medicine observing this scene, they would undoubtedly be shocked. The effects of the Sun Secret Medicine were extremely potent and were meant only for severe injuries or near-death situations.


    If used in a normal state, there was a high likelihood that one might explode from excess energy, risking the bursting of internal organs and blood vessels, or worse, half of one¡¯s body could blow apart.


    Yet Yi Chen¡¯s body reacted calmly;the ¡°Sun Secret Medicine¡± was rapidly consumed, in exchange for a balanced state that returned him to normal.


    ¡°What a good thing! In the future, I¡¯ll find a way to get some more of this extinct Sun Secret Medicine, or any similar secret medicine that can rejuvenate life,¡± he mused.


    As Yi Chen was gazing at his reflection in the mirror, pleased with the restoration of his vigor,


    a tickling, rubbing sensation came from his waist and abdomen, making one who did not know any better think that a pervert had slipped into the bathroom.


    Looking down, it was actually his gentleman¡¯s clothes which had wriggled in through the door gap on their own, adhering themselves to Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    Yi Chen did not refuse, and as he spread his arms to let the clothes dress him,


    yellow ancient living text from the Old World immediately appeared across his retina.


    ¡ìCan we talk now?¡ì

 Chapter 251: Yellow Skin Contract

    He drew the curtains, turned up the kerosene lamp, and set it on the bedside,


    Yi Chen pretended to read a book as he began to communicate consciously with his clothes.


    ¡°How should I address you?¡±


    ¡°I have no name, nor do I have a title. To distinguish myself from those inferior skins, I dyed myself yellow;you can call me ¡®Yellow Skin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Yellow Skin, what exactly are you? Why can you easily merge into gentleman¡¯s clothes and perfectly evade Zion¡¯s detection?¡±


    Hearing Yi Chen¡¯s question, the clothes twitched slightly, as if Yellow Skin was laughing.


    ¡°Like the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ you use to make clothes, I am just a piece of skin produced daily at the Skin Market, only I changed due to some reason, different from the other low-grade skins.


    I am superior to them and can naturally control and assimilate them.


    Forget about the checks in your small city, even the quality control at the Skin Market can¡¯t detect my presence among normal skins.¡±


    Yi Chen then asked:


    ¡°Why did you come here, since the Skin Market couldn¡¯t detect you either;you should be able to absorb more nutrients there and grow faster, right?


    When I previously visited the Old World, I incidentally heard Duke Galerison mention that there seemed to be a sizeable disturbance at the Skin Market, and that it was related to the Yellow Skin. Did you do that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you managed to establish contact with Duke Galerison on your first visit to the Old World. I indeed didn¡¯t choose the wrong person.


    You¡¯re right, the Skin Market is like a huge tank of super nutrients for me, and my departure was reluctant.


    I was likely born about five hundred years ago, and over the years, I¡¯ve disguised myself as inferior skin, hiding among the markets, growing by absorbing and assimilating, trying to control the entire factory.


    But I still underestimated the power of the Origin Disease. I nearly got utterly annihilated;thankfully, I had separated a small piece from the Skin Market in advance and came over here through the ¡®Channel¡¯.¡±


    Luckily, right after I came down from the mountains, I encountered a bunch of eye carriers, and through their vision, I spied on you and your teammates.


    At first, I just planned to occupy your body, but I didn¡¯t expect you, a mere human, to escape the trap I had set.


    Later on, I realized that a skin like me, no matter how much it grows, always remains an ¡®Attached Object¡¯. Without attaching to an individual, it can never combat the Origin Disease of the Skin Market.


    Unexpectedly, the first person I encountered was the optimal choice.¡±


    These words from Yellow Skin slightly stunned Yi Chen;he hadn¡¯t expected that an important area of the Old World like the Skin Market was truly disrupted by this creature. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°If I agree to cooperate with you, what would be the specific duration? What kind of assistance can you provide me?¡±


    ¡°The same length of time since I was born¡ªfive hundred years. As long as you can complete the control over the Skin Market within this period.


    As an ¡®Attached Object¡¯ during this time, I will provide you assistance surpassing that of inferior skins.


    Apart from the previous body suturing,


    If your Skin Content can increase further, I can enhance your combat capabilities and even skin modification, letting you experience the real power of the Skin Market.


    The ¡®Mysterious Skin Market¡¯ as a source of epidemic in the Old World is one of the leading ones.¡±


    Yellow Skin offered a surprisingly lengthy term, far beyond Yi Chen¡¯s expectations. Additionally, Yellow Skin, being superior to ordinary skin, wouldn¡¯t get detected and could offer more support.


    Yi Chen naturally wouldn¡¯t refuse such an opportunity, but some things still needed to be clarified beforehand.


    ¡°If I meet the First Gentleman and accept his skin, there shouldn¡¯t be any issues with detection, right?¡±


    ¡°Just a ¡®Transmitter¡¯, how could it possibly detect my presence? Just live peacefully in this city. As long as you don¡¯t expose yourself, my existence can¡¯t be traced.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then.¡±


    As Yi Chen nodded excessively,


    hiss~ from the sleeve of his clothes, strands of yellow thread split and rapidly weaved into a piece of Yellow Paper.


    From the other sleeve, a single darker yellow line grew out and wrote out a full page of Old World living text.


    In this way, a Yellow Skin Contract fell into Yi Chen¡¯s hands, the content written on it completely consistent with the previous discussion.


    ¡°This contract requires you to smear blood over every character on the surface under your voluntary agreement. Once effective, this skin contract will be branded between your souls.


    Neither you nor I, should any act of betrayal towards each other occur during the cooperation period, even mere thoughts will be captured, and once confirmed, will be forcibly erased at the soul level.¡±


    It was the first time Yi Chen had seen such an ancient contract, and he gently patted his shoulder.


    A black furball quickly emerged, gave the Yellow Paper a careful observation, and then replied:


    ¡°No problem, in my vague memories, these ¡®Contracts¡¯ written with Old World living text seemed very common in the Old World. Many relationships needed to be maintained through such contracting methods.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Yi Chen promptly cut his wrist to bleed, and as the blood spread over every character on the Yellow Paper, buzz! The surface of the paper trembled.


    The Yellow Paper deconstructed back into line structures and became both ethereal and real, untouchable.


    In the blink of an eye,


    all the lines burrowed into Yi Chen¡¯s navel and disappeared.


    Yi Chen could faintly feel a sensation of the lines sliding from deep within his body, seemingly originating from his soul.


    ¡°The contract is signed, I won¡¯t disturb your daily life~ I won¡¯t come out unless absolutely necessary, keep it up, young human.¡±


    The Yellow Skin sank deep, like diving underwater, Yi Chen even completely lost perception of it, relying on the contract to feel its presence.


    Only a day had passed.


    The reward for the Levinhome death incident was approved,


    Professor Qian Bosen, as the First Tutor, was responsible for the delivery. The reason was simple: Yi Chen was again permitted to receive Skin from the First Gentleman, and Qian Bosen would guide as usual.


    Along the way, Qian Bosen also inquired about Yi Chen¡¯s experiences and immediately understood why Yi Chen was being called again to the Divine Skin Mansion, even harboring slight concerns.


    When the two crossed the long bridge and reached the Divine Skin Mansion again,


    several clergy clad in stitched Gentleman¡¯s Clothes suddenly blocked their path.


    With their lips sewn shut, moving with equal amplitude and frequency, they chorused, ¡°The First Gentleman wants to meet William Behrens alone, companions please wait outside the Mansion.¡±


    This situation made Qian Bosen frown, but he could not defy the First Gentleman¡¯s command and quietly slipped a feather into Yi Chen¡¯s collar via a shoulder pat.


    The slight breeze created by turning around carried a message to Yi Chen¡¯s ears:


    ¡°If you encounter a situation threatening your life, immediately crush the feather.¡±


    Yi Chen nodded silently, following the clergy to the deep parts of the Divine Skin Mansion with an honest look.


    Qian Bosen didn¡¯t wait in place but returned to the academy at the fastest Speed, preparing to meet with Hogni Zed¡­ should something truly happen to Yi Chen, only Zed would be willing and able to help.


    ¡°Yi Chen has not yet broken through his Limit, and his Skin Content is only 20%. To be summoned for a private meeting so soon. Is the situation with the First Gentleman truly so dire, or is there some other intention?


    In that case, the worst must be prepared for. Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s not needed.¡±

 Chapter 252: Candidate

    As the only train connecting the interior and exterior of the Academy arrived at the station on campus, Qian Bosen, with a solemn expression, was just about to exit when a faint star formation fluctuation was detected by the owl perched on his shoulder.


    At the end of the carriage, a lady sat, her plump long legs provocatively raised.


    A black robe trimmed in dark gold and a ¡°Crying Mask¡± adorned with starlight tears.


    ¡°Professor Qian Bosen, don¡¯t worry, William will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Principal Daislin!¡± Qian Bosen immediately bowed, his gaze lowered to the ground, ¡°After all, William is my only student, I am still somewhat concerned, especially since the First Gentleman¡¯s condition has been declining rapidly recently.¡±


    ¡°I have been observing the star formations recently and have come across many interesting things.


    Included among them are William¡¯s blurred lines, obscured by various strange stars and their divergent formations;his future will extend far and not end here.


    You also need not worry about his subsequent contact with the First Gentleman. After all, he is a student in my Academy, and naturally, I, as the Principal, will take care of him until he graduates.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°When William returns, have him come to my office tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    When Qian Bosen looked up again, Principal Daislin had already disappeared.


    The brief encounter dispelled his worries, as Principal Daislin, being one of Zion¡¯s Prophets and also the most significant, her direct presence and reassurances naturally meant that Yi Chen would be fine.


    ¡­


    Deep in the Mansion


    Looming over six meters long, a figure was penetrated and bound by iron chains, suspended in the form of a cross above the altar;the First Gentleman, Alexis, feeling the familiar aura of a visitor, slowly opened his eyes.


    Yi Chen, coming alone, bore a solemn expression as he looked at the First Gentleman, who had aged significantly more than during their last encounter, even showing signs that his end was nearing.


    With white hair, some of which had fallen out,


    his eyelids puffed up, barely holding in place the eyeballs that might slip out,


    and his clothes more tattered, crinkling like his skin and even showing white patches, swollen with tumors.


    ¡°William Behrens, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you again¡­ cough cough!


    I hope you don¡¯t mind my decision to have Professor Qian Bosen wait outside, as today, besides giving the reward of skin, there is also an important matter concerning the development of the organization and the continuation of humanity that I need to discuss with you alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Although Yi Chen¡¯s expression did not change upon hearing these words, a drop of cold sweat slid down from his scalp.


    ¡°As usual, first accept my skin.¡± S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The iron chains connected to the four corners of the Underground Church slowly lowered, bringing the First Gentleman close to the ground. As Yi Chen stepped onto the altar, both extended their hands to touch.


    The skin from the First Gentleman began to transfer into the palm of Yi Chen while simultaneously checking the Gentleman¡¯s Skin that he was currently managing.


    The latter couldn¡¯t help feeling nervous, each second feeling very slow.


    When they separated, a neatly folded 20¡Á20cm extra-large Gentleman¡¯s Skin rested in Yi Chen¡¯s hands, the First Gentleman hadn¡¯t noticed the presence of the Yellow Skin, even displaying a rather appreciative look.


    ¡°William, your level of skin management is very high! For someone who hasn¡¯t yet broken through the Limit to perfectly manage a Gentleman with 20% Skin Content, it is exceedingly rare throughout the history of the Organization.


    I hereby invite you to become one of the candidates for the First Gentleman.¡±


    Yi Chen noticed the key phrase ¡®one of¡¯, and just as he was considering giving his reply later, a voice came through his consciousness.


    ¡ìAgree to it¡ì


    ¡°It is a great honor to become your candidate, and I will redouble my efforts.¡±


    Seeing Yi Chen decisively agree, the First Gentleman¡¯s face, usually marred by hardship, revealed a rare smile.


    ¡°Once you complete the Extreme Breakthrough, using this skin will allow your ¡®Skin Content¡¯ to just reach 50%. With your talent, you will inevitably see more possibilities in the skin and develop a way to use it that¡¯s unique to you.


    There isn¡¯t much time left. The final candidate selection may be held within two years, or even sooner. I hope you will be prepared.¡±


    ¡°I will not let you down! I will make all the necessary preparations and bring my full strength to compete honorably with the other candidates for this prestigious qualification.¡±


    ¡°Cough! This selection will be completely different from previous ones;we need to choose someone who can surpass me, even past First Gentlemen, as the human leader in controlling the skin.


    The other candidates are also elites among contemporary humans;the selection rules might be quite brutal and could exceed your understanding of gentlemanly conduct.


    But all this is based on the continuation of human civilization;I hope you can accept it.


    Cough, cough, cough~ After you achieve your breakthrough if you need more Skin Content, you can apply at the Divine Skin Mansion. As long as you can handle more skin and maintain stability, we will supply an infinite amount.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Go about your business, there isn¡¯t much time left.¡±


    The conversation ended.


    After making a hat-doffing bow, Yi Chen quickly left,


    The initially nervous Yi Chen, who had stepped into the mansion, felt somewhat sad as he left, seemingly tasting the special emotions of the First Gentleman from their conversation just now.


    The other, too, was once a genius endowed with high expectations, unique talents, and strength, but he assumed such a special identity to maintain the stable output of skin, the pivotal relationship between the Organization and the Skin Market, and the stability of Zion.


    ¡­


    Omphalo-Centric-Academy, O.C.A.


    Yi Chen knocked on Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s office door and then placed the feather for help on the office desk.


    ¡°As expected¡­ you are just listed as one of the candidates;perhaps I was too sensitive.


    William, what do you think? By now, you should be well aware of the kind of outcome that following the candidate¡¯s path will eventually bring.¡±


    ¡°I have already agreed with the First Gentleman;I¡¯ve decided to go ahead and try.¡±


    Yi Chen chose to completely conceal the matter about the Yellow Skin, including from Professor Qian Bosen, who was almost like a family to him. It wasn¡¯t that he did not trust him, but even someone as strong as Qian Bosen still wore clothes made from Gentleman¡¯s Skin.


    The existence of the Yellow Skin must be kept secret by Yi Chen alone.


    ¡°Hmm~ as long as it¡¯s your own will, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    Qian Bosen put away a stack of documents into the drawer;he had even prepared all the documents needed for Yi Chen to escape just now.


    As long as Yi Chen did not want to become the First Gentleman, he could use these documents to quickly leave Zion and head to human areas not governed by the Organization.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Professor. I¡¯ve had deep interactions with Duke Garrisen in the Old World and have been branded with the ¡®Transaction Seal¡¯. Even if I truly become the First Gentleman and am confined below.


    When the Grey Zone completely erodes our world and the powers of the Old World expand, I can pay a price to have the Duke pull me out.


    The Duke is easy to talk to;as long as the money is right, he can get anything done.¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ as long as you are cautious, that¡¯s good.


    By the way, Principal Daislin asked me to convey a message. She needs you to go to the top floor of the Fetal Heart Church, which is her office, tonight;she has something to discuss with you alone.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes lit up, as he had been considering this matter on his way back.


    ¡°The Principal reaching out to me personally? That¡¯s great, just the opportunity to get some advice about enhancing my Sensing¡­ Once the Sensing reaches its limit, I can seriously consider facing the breakthrough issues.¡±

 Chapter 253: Principals Office

    [Principal¡¯s Office]


    The most mysterious area in the Omphalocentric Academy, without equal.


    Even for an honorary professor like Qian Bosen, who was externally appointed, a prior application was necessary to visit the principal¡¯s office.


    Located at the top floor of the fetal heart church in the center of the campus, symbolizing the ¡°navel point.¡±


    At midnight,


    most teachers and students had already gone to sleep.


    A young man with a middle bun and dressed in a black suit was climbing the lengthy staircase to the top floor at this time.


    The barrier at the end of the stairs, like a star river, did not repel the young man;as he reached out and touched it, the surface rippled like waves on water.


    As the young man stepped into it, the gravity he experienced was immediately reduced to ¡°one ten-thousandth.¡±


    With just a light tap of his toes, his body could float in the air.


    The scene that presented itself was more akin to an astronomical room than an office.


    Various starlights, poised between illusion and reality, adorned the room, and even celestial illusions of star rivers flowed within, which could even carry individuals as they slowly drifted, perfect for aiding sleep.


    Directly opposite was an oversized structure of an observatory, from which, by drifting along the star river, one could overlook the entire campus.


    At the centre of the ceiling of the astronomical room, the master of this place, the master of the entire campus, was floating.


    Principal Desline, naked but wrapped in wings, was cradling a special celestial body adorned with craters and peculiar patterns, and even looking at it would cause spatial disturbances.


    White hair fluttered, and her eyes were firmly closed, like a mother who had fallen asleep holding a baby.


    At this moment, the principal was not wearing the crying mask,


    Her beautiful face was decorated with star tears and naturally brilliant eyeshadow;the principal, who was thought to be of advanced age, appeared to be only around thirty years old,


    the beauty of the scene completely stupefied the young man at the door, his mind emptying for a short period.


    ¡°Have you arrived?¡±


    The gentle words flowed into the young man¡¯s brain along the star river, pulling him back to reality.


    Principal Desline slowly opened her eyes, revealing her unique starry pupils,


    As she was about to descend, clothing that resembled silk ribbons immediately moved towards her, encasing her ¨C this ribbon-like apparel was a peculiar manifestation of reaching a certain skin volume.


    She got dressed as her wings unfolded, connecting perfectly.


    At the same time, the surrounding star particles quickly converged towards the principal¡¯s face, forming her usual crying mask.


    ¡°Principal Desline,¡± Yi Chen immediately gave a standard gentleman¡¯s bow.


    ¡°The report you submitted to the authorities, it had omissions regarding the incident at Levinhome, didn¡¯t it? According to my observations of Levinhome, the role you played in this incident is second only to Sun Dis.


    Even a strand of the death star formation related to the Doctor fell because of you, can you tell me the truth?¡±


    ¡°When I was acting with Barry, we were attacked by Vice Principal Evatt¡­¡±


    Yi Chen knew he couldn¡¯t possibly deceive the principal and was ready to explain the whole process in detail, but the principal had already arrived in front of him, placing her finger on his mouth.


    ¡°Shh~ With such a thrilling tale, I wouldn¡¯t want it to be presented orally;I want to see with my own eyes how a gentleman at the human stage managed to defeat a Doctor in preparation transformed into the dead.


    Relax your mind¡­¡±


    The principal¡¯s index finger slid from Yi Chen¡¯s lips to his forehead, and when she felt his mind was completely empty,


    a special star particle emerged from the tip of her finger,


    with a flick¡­ pop!


    The star particle slammed into Yi Chen¡¯s head and immediately burst out from the back of his skull as a multitude of neuron-like star particles,


    They began to intertwine and assemble, recreating the scene in the lobby of the Sunlight Hotel, with even the pervasive death aura depicted.


    The principal, as if watching a movie, wrapped her arms around Yi Chen and watched together.


    As the memory playback ended, the star formations dissipated,


    Applause~ Principal Desline clapped her hands in satisfaction with the film.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to possess such a talent for death;no wonder, when you first joined the organization, Doctor Visari from the Hippocrates Hospital took notice of you.


    Though it involved some trickery and gambling, your triumph over Evatt was an undeniable fact. Looking across the history of the organization¡¯s evolution, no one has ever done such a thing.¡±


    ¡°Choosing to conceal was the right move, otherwise the First Gentleman would have definitely eliminated the other options and directly made you the sole candidate.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was about to bring up the matter of sensing,


    the Principal suddenly took his hand and walked toward the observatory.


    ¡°With your eyes, you should be able to take in the beauty of the Academy at a glance, right? Do you know why I¡¯ve made such an effort to keep the Academy in ¡®starry sky¡¯ state and isolated from Zion City?¡±


    ¡°To give the students a more pure and quiet learning environment¡­¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°To isolate from the First Gentleman or, shall we say, from the surveillance of the Skin?¡±


    When Yi Chen said this, the Principal revealed a look of satisfaction on their face, ¡°More precisely, it¡¯s to isolate from the surveillance of the Divine Skin Mansion, which was an ¡®investment¡¯ built by the Old World. Some things from the Old World can monitor our general movements through the Divine Skin Mansion.


    I was born with the ability to connect with star formations, using them to capture the dynamics of everything around us.


    The moment I step out of the campus, I immediately feel the prying of Skin, which is an uncomfortable feeling, but there¡¯s nothing I can do about it¡ªwe currently can only rely on ¡®Skin.¡¯


    Although I have my biases, I do not deny that it¡¯s indeed Skin that has given us the chance to survive.¡±


    ¡°What do you think about this?¡±


    After a slight pause, Yi Chen gave his reply:


    ¡°The Old World has multiple epicenters of illness, only the ¡®Elusive Skin Market¡¯ offered us the chance to survive right away.


    The organization has developed for hundreds of years without imposing overly harsh terms, and most gentlemen haven¡¯t been restrained, always enjoying the right to freedom. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At least for now, the Skin Market seems friendly.


    But our situation is not necessarily good. Once the Grey Zone fully spreads over here, such stability will definitely be disrupted. Before that happens, we must seize the initiative and also develop some things of our own.


    Of course, the organization has probably been working on this already, like the Power Station.


    If possible, I will try to negotiate more initiative with the Skin Market in the future.¡±


    The Principal was somewhat surprised by Yi Chen¡¯s answer, ¡°You going to the Skin Market? How would you do that?¡±


    ¡°For example, by personally visiting the Elusive Skin Market and negotiating with the Origin Disease there, or talking directly about a connection agreement with them using the identity of the ¡®First Gentleman.''¡±


    ¡°Hahaha!¡±


    The Principal couldn¡¯t help but laugh aloud upon hearing this. It was not a laugh of mockery but one that came from the heart.


    ¡°Qian Bosen was right, you always play the game in an unconventional way¡ªhope you can manage it. So far, seven generations of ¡®First Gentlemen¡¯ have tried to negotiate with the Skin Market. While we¡¯ve seen improvements in our conditions, we¡¯ve never managed to gain the initiative.


    Those in the Skin Market are not as agreeable as us;hidden deep within the Skin are many dirty and filthy things. What they exhibit to us, what they bestow upon us, is only on the surface.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­ I will certainly only negotiate when I am fully confident.¡±


    ¡°Good~ I¡¯m very satisfied with your answer, after all, you are one of the very few humans whose future I cannot peek into.


    Since you¡¯re just a little shy of reaching the limit with your sensing, let me personally teach you¡­ follow me~¡±


    The Principal continued to lead Yi Chen, floating towards the center of the office. The miniature celestial body that had been in her arms before was now floating on its own here, currently turning on its own.


    Suddenly Yi Chen actually felt a gravitational pull from the celestial body, an irresistible pull.


    The celestial body, which was originally only the size of a soccer ball, started to expand rapidly, gradually obscuring his entire field of vision.


    Just as Yi Chen felt something wrong and turned his head, he was surprised to find that he and the Principal¡¯s physical bodies had never moved at all;they were still standing at the observatory.


    It was only their consciousness that had approached the celestial body.


    Hum!


    In the blink of an eye, Yi Chen had landed on the uneven surface of a planet, with the Principal following suit, her wings flapping as she descended.


    ¡°This is a ¡®Fantasy Celestial Body¡¯ that I created, situated between reality and consciousness. Only humans with a talent for sensing can see it, can let their consciousness descend upon its surface.


    Do you see the highest peak in the distance?


    We need to walk there, then climb to the top to witness and observe the movement of star formations.


    Don¡¯t be idle along the way, try to merge as much as you can with this place.


    All I can do is lead you. Whether you gain anything depends entirely on your talent.¡±

 Chapter 254: Star Formation

    At the highest peak of a rugged spiral-converged structure on the surface of a certain planet, a young man sat cross-legged, gazing up at the stars.


    He blinked every 60 seconds, like a precisely set robot, with an error margin within 0.1 seconds.


    The young man had maintained this gaze for two months now.


    Outside the planet, in the principal¡¯s office


    Ms. Daislin Baldivia kept a mid-air embracing position, cradling the planet in her arms.


    However, compared to her usual tranquility, there was an extraordinarily rare impatience, something that hadn¡¯t been seen since Zede lost control on campus.


    The reason was simple: Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness had stayed on the planet for too long.


    The ¡°Fantasy Celestial Body¡± she created could be considered a Sensing Type relic,


    For those who could see celestial bodies, once their consciousness entered, all that was needed was to complete a very ordinary pilgrimage and gaze up, and within as short as a day or at most a week, they could gain [Sensing +1].


    However,


    Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness had stayed inside for two months,


    resulting in his physical body also remaining in the office, requiring Principal Daislin to take care of feeding every day, specifically with liquid food such as dairy products or broth so as not to interfere with his star-gazing.


    Daislin came from a distinguished family and was naturally served by others from birth;serving someone else like this was a first for her. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, even considering interrupting Yi Chen, forcing him to return to reality, but then she thought such an action would make her seem intolerant.


    ¡°What on earth is going on with this guy? Stargazing is not resting;it places a burden on the brain. With such prolonged stargazing for two months, an ordinary person would have collapsed into unconsciousness by now, and perhaps their brain would have burst.¡±


    Could it be related to this guy¡¯s brain structure?


    Hmm¡­ it seems like there have been some changes.¡±


    At that moment, Yi Chen, who was sitting at the peak, actually began to float slowly,


    and his whole head became gradually transparent, allowing direct observation of the brain tissue encapsulated within, along with the Emblem that had taken on a radiant hue due to stargazing.


    The reason Yi Chen watched for so long was because his personality inherently held a fundamental pursuit for the sea of stars.


    During his time in the orphanage, Yi Chen had never seen a real night sky from his childhood;everything outside the window was a false image rendered by the orphanage using backdrops and special effects.


    ¡°Could this be a relic left by a madman?


    How is that possible? If you had encountered a group of madmen in the Old World, there¡¯s no way you would have survived¡­ Those madmen have an extreme pursuit of everything. As an outsider, you would inevitably become material for their knowledge-seeking.¡±


    There are no more than twenty people within our organization who can confront a madman head-on.¡±


    ¡°No, I bought it from a duke.¡±


    Yi Chen briefly recounted his experience in the Old World, and the principal, combining what she observed from her blurry star formations, understood¡­ She seemed as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.


    The topic returned to the relic,


    with the principal holding the metal sphere and softly saying, ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t assist with the decryption of such a relic, right?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, you cannot, but the atmosphere in your office can increase my decryption efficiency. If it¡¯s inconvenient for you, I won¡¯t bother you.¡±


    ¡°Forget it, just stay and decode it here, but I need to get out and clear my head. I¡¯ve almost suffocated from these past two months.


    He had always longed to peek at the night sky outside,


    and now, under Principal Daislin¡¯s guidance, as if riding a spacecraft to outer space, he sat on the surface of a planet without the obstruction of an atmosphere, directly viewing the universe, a sight so beautiful that he was completely intoxicated.


    It wasn¡¯t just sensing;it was also learning.


    As Yi Chen floated in the sky, with his brain almost transparent, his body began to disassemble and turned into a meteor, leaving the planet at a speed surpassing gravity¡¯s pull without needing the principal¡¯s guidance.


    Turning into a meteor, his consciousness flew straight towards his body in the office and crashed into his brain at the forehead, instantly coloring his entire physical body with a layer of star river luster.


    [Sensing Psyche] has increased [5+] ¡ú [6]


    *Sensing has reached its limit.


    *The ¡°Star Magic¡± related system has been unlocked;the individual can enhance this system through further study, contemplation, Central Tasting, and so on, to comprehend more effective spells.


    When Yi Chen opened his eyes, his pupils still bore the imprint of the stars he had gazed upon, and even his clothing adapted and changed, sparkling with starlight on the fabric.


    Principal Daislin couldn¡¯t help but be attracted to such an image, becoming momentarily entranced, but she quickly regained her composure.


    ¡°Could this guy possibly!?¡±


    Without interrupting, she just quietly waited for Yi Chen to come out of that state.


    Half a day passed, and finally, the starlight in Yi Chen¡¯s eyes faded, his thoughts returning from the sea of stars to reality.


    ¡°Principal¡­ It seems a lot of time has passed? I could feel the passage of time, but I was trapped among the star river, unable to leave.¡±


    ¡°Not long, just over seventy days.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Yi Chen was suddenly startled and also began to check his physical state, only to find that he had not become emaciated but had actually gained some weight, with the taste of milk still lingering in his mouth.


    ¡°Thank you, Principal, for taking care of me during this time.¡±


    No sooner had he expressed his gratitude than a resonant sound transmission, like the explosion of a star system, resounded in his mind.


    ¡°Come here!¡±


    Feeling the principal¡¯s anger, Yi Chen could only lower his head and walk over.


    As he approached, smack! Two hands directly grasped Yi Chen¡¯s head and pulled him closer, and because of the height difference, Yi Chen had to look up slightly to make eye contact with the principal.


    The ¡°Crying Mask¡± had already been removed,


    and the principal¡¯s starry eyes gazed into Yi Chen¡¯s, peering into his brain.


    ¡°You¡¯ve realized star magic, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°It seems so. My Sensing has improved, and there seemed to be a prompt about that.¡±


    ¡°In the history of our organization, besides myself, no one else has learned it. Among the gentlemen recruited over the years, none had a profession related to the stars.


    I was pinning my hopes on Reagan, but that kid had an unresolved mental barrier. In the end, I had no choice but to send him to the Power Station.


    Just when I was nearly giving up, unexpectedly, you emerged.


    Is the [Relic] ready?¡±


    Yi Chen was startled and hurriedly responded, ¡°Ready! However, I might need to see Doctor Visari. He specifically instructed me to visit him before attempting an Extreme Breakthrough.¡±


    The principal¡¯s hands vigorously rubbed Yi Chen¡¯s face, ¡°I just asked if the relic is ready, I didn¡¯t ask you to break through here, why are you getting ahead of yourself?


    You¡¯ve already wasted two months of my time. I can¡¯t wait for you to get out of here, as I have a lot of things to attend to.


    Since the relic is ready, I won¡¯t offer any help in that regard.


    When you break through the barrier, you can come to discuss issues about the stars with me. If you can touch the star systems, the barrier outside my office won¡¯t stop you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The hands that held Yi Chen¡¯s face moved upward, fingers gently weaving through his hair, as the principal¡¯s stern expression softened.


    ¡°Remember, don¡¯t rush anything, especially the Extreme Breakthrough you¡¯re about to undertake.


    It¡¯s not just about reaching the limit with your attributes and using the relic for a stable breakthrough;you¡¯re bound to encounter some problems along the way.


    When you face those problems, stop and think about the feeling of looking up at the starry sky, slowly contemplate, and organize your thoughts, to find the most perfect solution.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Principal¡­ Uh, can I continue to stay here for a while?¡±


    At these words, Principal Daislin¡¯s face once again took on a fierce appearance, and the right hand that was gently stroking his head slapped it heavily:


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you were going to find Visari? Why do you want to stay?¡±


    Yi Chen rubbed his head and awkwardly explained, ¡°I just said I would go to him when breaking through. Before that, there¡¯s an important matter related to the relic.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Isn¡¯t your relic that black umbilical cord inside you?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ve kept this a secret from everyone except for my direct teachers, Qian Bosen and Zede.


    I obtained a ¡®Three Attribute Relic¡¯ in the Old World, and this relic can¡¯t be used directly;it requires decryption. Currently, [Intelligence] and [Physique] have been decrypted, leaving the final [Sensing].¡±


    ¡°What!? A Three Attribute Relic?¡± Even the well-informed Daislin was stunned, ¡°Keeping that to yourself was the right move. Bring it out and let me have a look immediately.¡±


    First, the Golden Box containing the relic was brought out.


    ¡°Is this the gold of the Old World? What exactly did you experience there?¡±


    The box was opened.


    ¡°Madman¡¯s Box ¨C Third Rank¡±


    A dark golden, smooth metal sphere was revealed, with a fingertip-sized hole at the top, indicating that the decryption might be related to [Peering].


    Daislin examined the sphere¡¯s intricate structure, craftsmanship, and special materials.


    Remember, don¡¯t cause trouble here. The star observatory was built with my blood, sweat, and tears.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±

 Chapter 255: Brain

    Huh¡­


    Once the Principal had left the Star Formation Room, Yi Chen also heaved a sigh of relief.


    Without rushing to pry into the relic, he strolled to the observation deck, resting his hands on the railing to take a short break.


    A smile crept onto his lips, ¡°Who would have thought that Principal Daislin would actually be unexpectedly amiable, taking care of my physical body all this time over the past two months.


    Could this be compensation for my streak of bad luck in life? During my lifetime, I hardly ever encountered any good people.


    After coming here, all the seniors I¡¯ve met along the way, whether human or non-human, have been pretty good to me.


    I had originally planned to have the Principal guide me to complete my final Sensing enhancement, but I didn¡¯t expect that through the profession of ¡®student¡¯, I would accidentally learn Star Magic.


    Although I have only just opened the door to Star Magic and can¡¯t even use basic magic yet, I can clearly feel that the distance between myself and the stars has significantly shortened.


    Perhaps in the future, I can harness gravity like the Principal and disperse stars.


    However, I don¡¯t particularly like divination or foretelling the future, so I¡¯ll try to integrate such magic into my body and use it to treat diseases in my subsequent learning.¡±


    Ever since he stepped out of the orphanage, Yi Chen had never believed in any predestined future or notions of fate.


    He stretched his arms wide, stretching his body as much as possible.


    ¡°Ouch~ I really want to rest for a while. I have hardly stopped since coming back from the Old World, but sadly there¡¯s no time to rest. Everyone is urging me on. Jin and Reagan have both made their breakthroughs, so I guess I¡¯ll just have to keep pushing myself.¡±


    His calves gently exerted force, making a small leap to hover in the Star Formation Room.


    The spherical Madman¡¯s Box was held in his hand, brought close to his eye, and by peering through the small hole at the top¡­ whoosh! A ring-shaped blade hidden in the crevice shot instantly into his eyeball.


    As the fluid between his eyes began to seep out and got absorbed by the box, something seemed to emerge inside the sphere.


    ¡°There¡¯s something!¡±


    Unlike the last time he spied where he couldn¡¯t see anything, this time as Yi Chen concentrated his attention, with stars emanating between his eyes, his Sensing ability at its limit gradually penetrated the contents of the sphere.


    As time passed,


    Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness actually peeled away once more in the process of spying, following his gaze into the interior of the sphere,


    This feeling was very similar to the planets created by Principal Daislin.


    However, the feeling of consciousness being inside the sphere was completely different from being on the surface of a planet¡ªenclosed and oppressive.


    Standing inside, one could directly see that the sphere was made of small metal plates, each metal plate featuring slight furrows and curved lines, yet they did not fit together.


    The form of these patterns immediately made Yi Chen think of ¡°brain folds¡±.


    ¡°Is this¡­ a puzzle? Do I need to reassemble the sphere to complete a certain brain structure combination and thereby achieve the final decryption of the Magic Cube? Let¡¯s try.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t start moving the pieces straight away but observed each one closely, memorizing and integrating different patterns in his brain.


    Only after he had organized these patterns in his mind did he begin effectively piecing the puzzle together,


    As the plates inside moved, the basic structure of the outer sphere changed as well,


    Stranges auras wafted out from the sphere, and actual brain fluids began to spill from inside¡ªnot only affecting the special environment of the Star Formation Room.


    ¡­


    [Daislin Baldivia]


    The current Principal isn¡¯t as mysterious as others think,


    Besides meditating, sleeping, or hunkering down in the Star Formation Room when tasked by the organization, she would usually only pretend to be there on regular days.


    Her true self would dress as an ordinary gentleman and wouldn¡¯t even wear a mask.


    Because very few people in Zion knew what she looked like, removing a mask actually made her less likely to be recognized.


    Wearing round glasses,


    fastening knee-high leather boots,


    dressing in tight leather outfits accompanied by a dark cloak and slinging a small leather bag,


    she would leave the campus for the middle and lower levels of the street district, starting with shopping and then seeking out eateries that were outwardly forbidden by the organization.


    If someone dared to ask the Principal directly how to maintain their condition, and if the Principal honestly provided an answer,


    it would definitely be that she goes to the middle district for a massage, scrub bath, and foot bath every day¡ªa standard three-service package, plus forbidden gourmet food from the lower district.


    Moreover, she would usually book a private room because her appetite would definitely drop jaws if witnessed by others.


    Burp~


    After burping carelessly in the completely sealed room, adorned with the dazzling Star Night Barrier, he slowly retracted his slightly plump long legs that were propped on the table and slipped his boots back on.


    He used Star Magic to tidy up the messy plates on the table.


    ¡°Two months trapped in here really killed me~ Luckily, the outcome wasn¡¯t bad.


    I didn¡¯t expect the student chosen by Qian Bosen to be so excellent. Had I known, I would¡¯ve made my move when William enrolled. There was a pile of Prophet missions at the time, and I missed the opportunity by accident.


    There¡¯s no helping it, after all, I¡¯m the only one in the organization proficient in Star Magic. On this matter, the kid can only rely on me.¡±


    Since childhood, Daislin had been a prodigy. Even though she came from a noble family with many well-known gentlemen, nobody could compare to her in terms of talent.


    Her journey had been almost without setbacks, and she rarely encountered individuals with superior talent than hers.


    Due to her prestigious identity and superior abilities, few could engage with Daislin on equal terms. The entire Zion was filled with old figures who couldn¡¯t pique her interest.


    The arrival of Reagan made Daislin feel as if she had met a kindred spirit. The talent within Reagan was not inferior to hers, but as she got to know him better, she discovered that his personal issues were quite serious and incurable.


    Just when the Principal had fallen back into solitude, Yi Chen, who also practiced Sensing, turned out to be the second ¡°Star Magic¡± initiator.


    Although she wanted to express the emotions of a ¡®kindred spirit,¡¯ as a principal, she had to maintain some restraint.


    ¡°I was planning to take a bath, but never mind! Let¡¯s leave it at that for today. I¡¯ll go back and check on that boy.


    The Madman¡¯s things aren¡¯t so easy to handle. Better go back and watch over that kid, lest he disrupts my Star Formation Room.¡±


    As Daislin took the train back to school, hiding her body amongst the stars and quietly heading to the Fetal Heart Church, she found that the staff who should have been in the church, working in the lower levels, and even the professors, were all gathered outside.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Because of her status, Principal Daislin didn¡¯t approach easily to ask, but she already sensed something strange, an outdated brain aroma wafting from the top of the church.


    With a wave of her hand,


    she tried to create a ¡°Space Channel¡± connecting to the Star Formation Room.


    The channel that should have been easily established suddenly shook and crumbled, with brain fluid even leaking from her end.


    ¡°That kid, William!¡±


    Without a second thought, Daislin transformed into her usual appearance and walked toward the crowd wearing the Crying Mask.


    ¡°Principal!¡±


    ¡°Hello, Principal!¡±


    People stepped aside one after another, making way for her.


    ¡°I just finished a meeting with the organization¡¯s upper echelon. What¡¯s going on here? Why is everyone outside? Is something happening in the church?¡± S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Principal, it¡¯s an issue with your office. Some sort of brain-related fluid keeps seeping from your office, and without your permission, we didn¡¯t dare to check.¡±


    ¡°When did it start?¡±


    ¡°It began five minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll go take a look.¡±


    An enquiry from a young Associate Professor with a gentlemanly gesture: ¡°Principal, do you need our assistance?¡±


    What met him, however, was an extremely stern stare, ¡°No! Wait outside, and no one is allowed upstairs.¡±


    Step!


    The moment the Principal stepped onto the stairs of the Fetal Heart Church, she stepped in a puddle of mucus;if not for the mask filtering the odor, Daislin might¡¯ve thrown up everything she had eaten in the lower district.


    Looking up,


    the corridors were filled with such brain matter mucus.


    Hum!


    She stepped up to the top-level Star Formation Room, and just as she was about to burst out swearing, the sight before her made Daislin swallow back her words.


    Yi Chen was floating in the air, engaged in His examination,


    but the Relic in his hand was no longer spherical, instead, a biological brain oozing black metallic luster. The brain fluid that filled the church was leaking from this brain Magic Cube.


    ¡°Madness Brain! These patterns symbolize the Madman¡¯s ascendant route in his pursuit of Knowledge!¡±


    Simultaneously,


    Yi Chen also came to his senses, stowing the perfectly transformed Relic brain into the Golden Box while also retracting the brain fluid that had spread throughout the Star Formation Room and the Fetal Heart Church.


    All the brain fluid compressed within the box, forming a type of containing solute to display this unique ¡®Madness Brain¡¯.

 Chapter 256: Spatial Grasp

    Even Yi Chen himself hadn¡¯t expected that the final decryption would transform the Magic Cube into a brain structure.


    Such a transformation was within the realm of reason, after all, the reason the ¡®Madman¡¯s Box¡¯ came to be was because a madman, during the advance to a Perfect Body, had unwittingly integrated the evolving process of his own brain into the Magic Cube.


    Gazing at the biomass brain soaking in the Golden Box,


    though it had a neural circuitry similar to humans, its overall shape was more spherical and its texture was somewhere between flesh and metal, painted in pitch black. This reminded Yi Chen of a science fiction movie he had seen in his lifetime ¨C ¡°Alien¡±.


    This black biomass structure was very similar to the artistic style of the movie.


    Just by looking at it one could feel the wisdom and power contained within the Madman Brain, and could even use the brain to perceive all things in the world.


    The Principal standing at the door wasn¡¯t angry about the mess in the star-themed room but similarly observed the Relic. ¡°To make a breakthrough with a relic that resembles the brain of a madman, from the creation of the organization to its subsequent development to its end, you¡¯re probably the only one.¡±


    ¡°After the breakthrough, I¡¯ll come to learn Star Magic from you, Principal.¡±


    ¡°Still the same advice, don¡¯t rush, take it slowly¡­ I personally suggest you wait a few days or even a week to do this.¡±


    ¡°Fine~ I¡¯ve taken up too much of your time, Principal. I¡¯m leaving right now.¡±


    As Yi Chen was putting the Golden Box into his backpack, a hand as soft as water gently landed on his shoulder. Although the touch was gentle, the palm conveyed a sense of coercion, releasing star particles.


    ¡°You think you can just leave after messing up my place? Don¡¯t you smell the putrid stink of decaying brains all over the room? You¡¯re not leaving until you¡¯ve cleaned up every last trace of that scent, so get to it.¡±


    The Principal waved her hand, and a bucket and cloth flew into Yi Chen¡¯s hands.


    With no other choice, he scrubbed the floor tile by tile, taking it as a form of relaxation after completing the decryption work.


    During Yi Chen¡¯s cleaning,


    Principal Desline opened the secret door to the star-themed room, revealing an ultra-luxurious starry sky bathroom. She needed to wash off the scents of streets and meals that clung to her after a day out.


    She soaked in the bathtub for a full two hours, washing away all of her troubles for the day.


    Accustomed to being alone, Desline didn¡¯t bother to wrap herself in a towel when she stepped out of the bathroom. Wings slowly grew from her back as she flew toward the center of the star-themed room.


    As she flew, something suddenly came to mind, and she turned her head sharply towards Yi Chen, who was still cleaning the floor.


    She had been about to say something, but seeing Yi Chen¡¯s sweat-drenched, focused efforts, she swallowed her words back down.


    The Principal enveloped her body with her folded wings, cradling a miniature celestial body in her arms, trying to enter a meditative state. However, with Yi Chen, this outsider, in the room, she couldn¡¯t find the right mindset.


    She pretended to meditate but was actually stealing glances at Yi Chen cleaning.


    To her surprise, he was completely focused on scrubbing the floor, never casting a glance in her direction, not even showing a hint of curiosity.


    After three hours had passed and the room was completely odor-free, Yi Chen stood up to dispose of the dirty water in the bucket, and that¡¯s when something very strange happened.


    The bucket, left about a meter behind him, was beyond his reach even when fully extended.


    After a long period of cleaning, Yi Chen instinctively reached back with his right hand¡­ and buzz! The bucket, as if responding to the motion, moved on its own accord and was firmly grasped.


    This scene left both Yi Chen and the Principal stunned.


    The Principal¡¯s voice followed: ¡°Did you inadvertently use Star Magic? It must be related to the special environment of the star-themed room, not bad.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Yi Chen was somewhat confused;he didn¡¯t even know how he had done it.


    Reflecting on the feeling of the grab, it was very peculiar. Where his hand should have grasped air, there was a special sensation of grabbing something viscous, as if his hand had reached into glue.


    When he completed the grip, the bucket moved towards him on its own.


    ¡°It felt like I was grabbing something in a viscous liquid¡­ Strange.¡±


    The Principal continued to explain:


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t any viscous liquid;it was ¡®Space Fluid¡¯.


    Your thought intention, or the thought of ¡®wanting to grab the bucket,¡¯ traveled through Star Magic to your fingertips.¡±


    When grasping, the fingers create a spatial disturbance that compresses the space between you and the bucket, drawing it closer until it¡¯s finally in your hands.


    Take it slow, from now on try to find this sense of tugging at the spatial fluid more often, gradually becoming familiar with it and applying it to your daily life, it¡¯ll be very helpful,¡±


    The principal also went through this phase when he was young. Due to his exceptional talent, it took him less than a week to fully master it.


    Yi Chen stared at his palm, pinching and releasing, ¡°Spatial fluid¡­ can it really be tugged like this?¡±


    Yi Chen focused on recalling, fully remembering, and re-experiencing the entire body sensation when grabbing the bucket.


    As the memories deepened, his brain began to ¡®smoke¡¯ a little, and the book-shaped emblem at the back of his head lit up with starlight once again.


    He moved his body to a distance of two meters from the bucket and reached out to grab it again.


    The first time, failure,


    The second time, failure,


    The third time¡­snap! The bucket full of dirty water was now firmly in his grip.


    ¡°This is the feeling! Quite interesting¡­¡± Yi Chen didn¡¯t care whether he was taking up more of the principal¡¯s time,


    Once he found the sensation, he closed his eyes and took the axe out of his suitcase,


    and hurled it with force towards the viewing platform.


    When the axe flew about five meters away, he caught it with a grab as soon as he felt the sensation.


    Snap!


    The swiftly spinning Hand Axe instantly returned to his hand, securely caught.


    This scene left the principal somewhat restless. Just as he was about to say something,


    Yi Chen, warming up to his task, threw the axe out again, doubling the force of the throw and waiting until it was about ten meters away before trying to catch it¡­ failure!


    The spatial fluid between his fingers dissipated instantly like a snapped string, losing the delicate connection with the axe.


    The thrown axe fell straight down from the viewing platform,


    ¡°Ah, this¡­ Excuse me, principal, but I¡¯ll leave you be!¡±


    This axe was Yi Chen¡¯s most handy weapon, and it was the very one that had beheaded the vice principal in Levinholm City.


    Yi Chen quickly left the Star Formation room, detoured around the Fetal Heart Church, and found the axe stuck in the lawn at the point of impact.


    Inside the Star Formation room,


    the principal was astounded by Yi Chen¡¯s recent performance. He had basically mastered the technique in just a few minutes and could even roughly apply it in combat.


    ¡°Is this kid really a monster? No wonder he survived in an environment like Levinhome, no wonder the star formations about him are almost all shrouded in fog¡­ Well, it seems there¡¯ll be no meditation tonight. Time to go out and have some fun.¡±


    Principal Daislin¡¯s heart realm was disturbed, so she gave up on tonight¡¯s meditation session and once again disguised herself as an ordinary gentleman, preparing to go to the streets for drinks and food. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Taking the principal¡¯s advice, Yi Chen ¡®rested¡¯ for a full week in Teacher Zede¡¯s paradise, adjusting his physical condition before going to meet with Doctor Visari at Hippocrates Hospital to discuss matters related to breakthroughs.


    Of course, it was mainly a discussion. If it wasn¡¯t suitable, Yi Chen would seek another optimal location for the breakthrough, such as the principal¡¯s Star Formation room.


    During the more than two to three months that Yi Chen spent decrypting the starry sky, a few things happened in Zion.


    Jin Almeda passed the Executioner assessment of Cesimani, becoming the youngest Main Doctor in history, and Reagan Ludwig also became the youngest director at the Power Station Research Institute.


    Yi Chen felt the pressure when he heard the news.


    He retrieved an entire bottle of Dusk thin silver liquid (with only two syringes¡¯ worth removed) from Professor Qian Bosen, picked up his suitcase, and officially headed to the hospital.


    While riding the school train, a lady in the corner of the carriage wearing round glasses felt very familiar to Yi Chen, but in the end, he remained focused on his own affairs and did not approach her to talk.


    ¡°Hoo¡­ I¡¯ll strive to break through my limits tonight and see the view from above.¡±

 Chapter 257: Death Pool

    [Hippocrates Hospital]


    The origin of the Clinic, the site for Doctor Selection, and the center for organizing, analyzing, and storing information on illnesses, it is also the area with the highest medical standards within the Organization.


    Even internal staff can only enter and exit the Hospital at specified times.


    It is even more complicated for outsiders who wish to enter the Hospital, as they need to go through various cumbersome procedures and layers of approval.


    However, Yi Chen, standing in front of the gate, merely showed a special business card to the guard and was immediately led inside, even having security personally guide him.


    ¡°Vice Director Visari instructed us that if you come, you should be taken straight to his office building, and any related procedures will be handled by us afterward,¡± the guard explained.


    ¡°Thank you for the trouble.¡±


    [Pathogen Center]


    A massive, sealed white square building, one could feel a palpable force field shielding when approaching, as the white building material itself had powerful shielding effects.


    All intelligence regarding Pathological conditions, various types of diseases, research conducted by Gentleman Doctors, and important documents and reports are all stored in book form within.


    It is rumored that many of the Patients captured alive are imprisoned here, with Death Doctors under Visari¡¯s command responsible for the research.


    This building lacked any obvious entrances or exits;rather, some white walls were adorned with black, door-like frames.


    As Yi Chen approached one of these black frames, under the security¡¯s gesture, he immediately felt a special force field scanning his body, emitting a radio voice:


    ¡°Special visitor William Behrens, information has been backed up, green passage granted!


    Please follow the arrows on the ground to Vice Director Andre Visari¡¯s office. Do not deviate from the guide;otherwise, you will be subjected to isolation.¡±


    The black frame temporarily disappeared, and Yi Chen immediately stepped through it.


    Equally white corridors, the ground revealed green arrow symbols that gradually changed shape to give directional reminders.


    After winding his way for a while,


    the corridor transitioned from white to black, finally arriving at what was so-called the office, or more accurately termed a ¡°collection room,¡± pervaded with the Death Aura of various mixed biological substances.


    Ordinary Gentlemen, even apprentices, need to wear isolation suits and special masks in advance when coming here;otherwise, prolonged exposure to such an environment would accelerate Physical aging.


    On the contrary, Yi Chen felt a sense of homecoming, even finding the air here ¡®fresher¡¯ than any place in Zion. He took several deep breaths, and wisps of Death smoke surfaced in his pupils.


    ¡°How do you like my office?


    Once you break through your Limit and obtain your medical license, you can set up an office next door with the same decor and connect it to my laboratory equipment. The atmosphere of Death won¡¯t be much different,¡± said Doctor Visari, his voice coming from the side. He was still wearing his bird-like mask, standing in front of the office¡¯s characteristic [Corpse Tank],


    Similar to a fish tank but over ten times larger in size, it almost covered the entire wall.


    It was filled with a clear liquid that could effectively preserve quality and prevent Pathological spread, with various rare Sick Object corpses either lying at the bottom, hanging on artificial rocks, or floating at the surface.


    Besides the Corpse Tank, there were various corpse specimens hanging on the walls.


    In the center of the office, a two-meter-long iron spike stood in the corner, fitted with various heads, each with a different shape but all maintaining an open-mouthed appearance, continuously exhaling the Aura of Death.


    Yi Chen did not directly answer whether he wanted to be a Doctor, but instead said, ¡°Not bad at all, Vice Director Visari. But could you tell me about the door behind you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret passage that leads straight to my Workshop. I spend most of my working hours there, dealing with the Dead on a daily basis, using their bodies to explore the Essence of Death Medicine.


    Are you interested in becoming a Doctor?¡±


    Visari asked about the Doctor for the second time, and Yi Chen could no longer evade the question.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ve already promised to become a Candidate for the First Gentleman, so we¡¯ll see if that doesn¡¯t work out.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s response left Visari in a brief silence, then the bird-like mask contorted to a kind of serious tone he rarely used: ¡°Is this a personal choice of yours, or are you being forced by the First Gentleman?¡±


    ¡°I chose to do this on my own.¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the continuity of human civilization?¡±


    Yi Chen shook his head, saying with an embarrassed face: ¡°I don¡¯t have such grand ambitions. I just want to use the status of the First Gentleman to negotiate directly with the Skin Market and gain more Knowledge about Skin.


    It¡¯s mostly for my own sake.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious? You must be very clear about what it takes to become the First Gentleman, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The bird-like mask with its metallic eye sockets stared into Yi Chen¡¯s eyes, and upon receiving a definite answer, Doctor Visari gestured for him to come closer.


    ¡°Did you bring the thing?¡±


    ¡°I brought it, but I used two syringes earlier;I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s going to be enough.¡± Yi Chen placed the 3/4 full bottle of Dusk thin silver liquid on the desk. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure you want to break through here, even if the quantity of the secret medicine isn¡¯t enough, I can supplement it for you¡­ after all, I have privately collected quite a few death-related secret medicines.


    ¡®Dusk thin silver liquid¡¯¡ªI have three full bottles here, which is more than enough for you.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°Follow me, I have long prepared a special area suitable for breakthroughs for you, where no one will disturb you.¡±


    [Dead Workshop]


    Similar to a small workshop, with various operating tables, hydraulic tanks, and colorful solutions placed aside. In addition, there are many death apprentices here wearing bird-like masks, working on dead body dissections, modifications, and even juice extraction.


    When Visari arrived, they all stopped their work and bowed to him.


    He did not stop but continued towards a deeper lab, which even required Visari to personally unlock a round disc password lock.


    Hiss hiss hiss!


    Three hydraulic doors with different structures opened in sequence, and after passing through a narrow, long, side-body corridor, a pungent odor hit them.


    What appeared before them was an ¡®indoor swimming pool¡¯,


    except that the water was completely black, bubbling, and even had some dark gold oil stains. One could even see pieces of skin, fingernails, and hairs floating on the surface.


    However, Yi Chen didn¡¯t feel disgusted. Instead, saliva overflowed from the corners of his mouth, which he quickly wiped away with his sleeve.


    He even couldn¡¯t wait to jump into the pool and suck up the liquid inside to his heart¡¯s content.


    ¡°Thank you, Vice President! Say, is this the death convergence point for the entire building?¡±


    ¡°Right. The essences that overflow from the dead and the residues from our experiments, I¡¯m used to collecting them here¡­ this is a whole ten years¡¯ worth.¡±


    ¡°Can I really use it?¡±


    ¡°As long as you find it useful, feel free to use it however you want. After all, I also occasionally use it to make tea, take baths, and the like¡ªthere¡¯s no way I could use it all up myself.


    Hurry in. When you fully enter the ¡®membrane state,¡¯ I¡¯ll come back in and inject the secret medicine into you.¡±


    Yi Chen nodded, performed a standard dive into it, and when his head bobbed back to the surface, Doctor Visari had temporarily left.


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t in a hurry;first, he used the straws evolved from his garments to drink enough liquid, allowing Death Aura to permeate his entire body. Once everything was ready, he took out the Golden Box.


    ¡°Huh! Let¡¯s begin¡­¡±


    At this moment,


    even Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel his heartbeat accelerate.


    He opened the Golden Box, lifted the mass of biological brain within, and guided by an intuition in the dark, moved it towards his forehead.


    The solid-state Madness Brain actually rippled as it touched his scalp, directly penetrating into his cranial cavity and merging with Yi Chen¡¯s own brain.


    [Madness]


    An ancient script, black and arranged like conduit pipes, emerged before his eyes,


    In the blink of an eye, although Yi Chen was supposed to be soaking in the death fluid, he found himself floating hundreds of meters in the air,


    surrounded by an open world full of tumors, oozing pus, floating illness tentacles, and a multitude of bizarre, diseased beings living strange lives.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the Old World before it was sealed off? These patients were once the residents of the Old World¡­ They seem unable to see me.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen wanted to examine his own state, he found that he had no hands, and in fact, no torso or brain either.


    He had become a nano-scale shell-like virus or to be exact ¡®Mad Shell¡¯.

 Chapter 258: Different Mad Shells

    Within Yi Chen¡¯s biological knowledge prior to his death, viruses possessed relatively simple structures and typically exhibited life activities only within living cells.


    Now, as a virus himself, he possessed a complete consciousness and could even perform ¡®Air Creeping¡¯, minutely manipulating this viral body and even utilizing abilities he had as a human.


    After spending several hours adapting from human to virus,


    Yi Chen completed a thorough review of his own structure, marveling at the exquisiteness of this viral shell, which was arguably superior to the human body.


    Mainly comprising two major parts:


    The Trait Capsid that presented as an icosahedron


    and the Absorb-Brain enveloped within


    The Trait Capsid primarily consisted of the following three important components:


    1. ¡°Spike¡±: Structured like tentacles, distributed at the connecting points between each face.


    These tentacles rooted in the capsid made direct connections with the nerves of the Absorb-Brain inside, allowing Yi Chen to control them directly.


    He could move through the air by floating the tentacles and quickly parasitize different types of patients. For instance, in the case of a patient with a rocky structure, he could control the tentacles to harden into drill-like shapes.


    2. ¡°Outer Shell¡±: Totalling 108 faces of the icosahedron, each face could effectively capture and direct light inward, achieving a type of wide-spectrum panoramic imaging, allowing Yi Chen to take in all his surroundings at a glance. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    3. ¡°Inner Shell¡±: The most durable inner layer that acted as a buffer and protected the Absorb-Brain


    The Absorb-Brain wrapped inside the Trait Capsid could be considered as a precursor to the Madness Brain.


    A nascent brain structure still in the stage of knowledge absorption, essentially integrating all organs and the brain of a normal life form,


    capable of performing various life functions and also serving to receive external information and perceive efficiently.


    Unlike other Mad Shell Viruses,


    the virus Yi Chen transformed into still carried traits from his human form, with the overall Absorb-Brain wrapped in a thorny Iron Chain that he could even control to extend the chains out of the body along the spike structure.


    Furthermore, deep inside the Absorb-Brain was compacted with Death Aura, painting the virus black instead of the flesh color typically exhibited by Mad Shells. Such appearance looked quite fearsome.


    ¡°It seems they want me to experience the entire process of a madman¡¯s formation, to return to the Old World in viral form before the lockdown, to experience the detailed process of infecting life forms, absorbing knowledge, and evolving the Madness Brain, thus deepening my connection with the pathogen of the Old World, understanding the essence of infection.


    When this special Mad Shell Virus of mine advances to a madman, it may be the time when the physical body outside breaks through its limits, interesting.¡±


    Yi Chen did not rush to invade as a virus but instead observed the current environment,


    as he subjectively moved the tentacles on the surface of the capsid, adorably floating through the air.


    Gradually, he descended from his altitude,


    the closer to the ground, the more airborne bacteria there were, some bacterium even thousands of times larger than Yi Chen.


    These bacteria also possessed self-awareness, and upon discovering Yi Chen¡¯s virus, which resembled a mayfly shell and was much smaller than them, they squeezed the air stored inside their bodies and swiftly fled as if they had seen the Reaper.


    ¡°It seems that Mad Shells are quite famous in the Old World;this should save me a lot of trouble.¡±


    Yi Chen focused his gaze on the ¡®crowd¡¯ below,


    the differences between individuals were significant, not just in terms of skin color but more so due to structural changes brought about by different illnesses.


    Although most resembled the human form, some had additional arms, tails, wings, or even unimaginable tumors, sieves, channels, and other pathological tissues;some even appeared semi-liquid, crawling on the ground.


    There were also many fully parasitic individuals, like the ¡®Shell-Backed Person¡¯ Yi Chen saw.


    The body responsible for crawling had lost its autonomy, and the giant snail shell on its back was stuffed with a parasitic life form, hundreds of soft spikes piercing into the person¡¯s spine and back of the head, controlling it to move, eat, and perform other daily actions.


    Being new to the area, Yi Chen didn¡¯t insist on selecting a special patient.


    He locked his gaze on a young man who looked almost human, with no extra proliferating tissue except for some blisters at the corners of his mouth, and commenced the infection.


    With the young man¡¯s normal breath,


    Yi Chen followed the inhalation process, trying to reach the brain directly from the nasal passage,


    but as he drifted into the cavernous and hairy cavity of the nostril, pairs of pus-filled red eyes suddenly opened, glaring intently at Yi Chen, the solitary intruder.


    The herpes virus cluster residing in the nasal cavity immediately launched an attack on the intruder,


    but as they gathered, Yi Chen, this independent virus, vanished right under their eyes.


    Because the target was missing, the defense mechanism also began to slowly release.


    What they did not know was that, in the instant they converged,


    Yi Chen retracted all its tentacles into the Absorb-Brain, achieving perfect invisibility through optical refraction via a hundred and eight sides of the Trait Caspid and mimicry of the current nasal cavity environment by the Absorb-Brain structure.


    Continuing along with the host¡¯s breathing process, it easily passed through the nasal cavity and arrived at the brain region with its nano-level miniature volume.


    The skull region was also densely covered with herpes,


    and the clear, thick liquid oozing from between the herpes even soaked the brain, causing it to turn yellow, swell, and become distorted, with the outer layer of the brain also covered in terrifying red spots.


    But their inspection mechanism still failed to detect Yi Chen, this special Mad Shell Virus.


    Drifting into the brain,


    Yi Chen entered the domain of the brain that was most familiar to him and in which he excelled, soon breaking into the deep!


    Whoosh!


    A mass of tentacles grew out from the Capsid, bringing with them iron chains of spikes that could extend,


    piercing,


    whipping,


    extracting,


    tearing,


    like a great general entering enemy camp alone, killing half of the herpes viruses in the brain core region in a short time.


    When the remaining viruses tried to counter encircle, a pitch-black Death Aura was released from within Yi Chen;the herpes viruses it touched disintegrated instantly, completely dying.


    Before the herpes on the outside of the brain could arrive,


    Yi Chen had already taken root in the brain¡¯s core region, injecting its genetic material into it, swiftly completing the neural connection, and broadcasting throughout the host¡¯s body via neural electrical currents.


    As soon as any herpes virus dared to approach the brain region,


    Yi Chen would perform a ¡°targeted enhancement¡± on the host¡¯s immune system, authorizing the use of the herpes virus samples it had just killed to the host, and could cleanse the entire body of herpes within a few minutes.


    ¡°So¡­ let¡¯s all get along well! I will not stay in the host¡¯s body forever;once I have absorbed enough knowledge, I will leave. As long as you are obedient enough, I will spare the host¡¯s life.¡±


    The Mad Shell Virus is very special;it does not proliferate but is always a single entity.


    Having seized control of the central nervous system, Yi Chen finally began the most important part ¨C ¡°knowledge absorption.¡±


    While absorbing the host¡¯s memory, it also instilled in the host a strong ¡®thirst for knowledge¡¯, prompting him to promptly go to a nearby city for educational purposes.


    However, Yi Chen was different from other Mad Shells,


    He would not neglect the host¡¯s flesh;although he would reduce sleep time, the host still needed to eat, maintaining a good mental state at all times.


    This continued until the host could no longer find sources of knowledge or the absorption speed decreased.


    In addition,


    during the parasitism, Yi Chen would also ¡°educate¡± both the host and other pathogens within the host¡¯s body.


    Even if Yi Chen was to leave the host, they would tirelessly learn. In the future, when encountering Yi Chen or hosts that Yi Chen had parasitized, they would call him ¡®teacher¡¯ and completely obey.


    Yi Chen could also quickly assimilate the knowledge they learned on their own, maximizing its value.


    This method was far superior to the conventional Mad Shell.


    The education aspect was also something Yi Chen had learned from the Orphanage.


    From this moment on, Yi Chen¡¯s initial profession of ¡°student¡± began to change, and the related living text was slowly being rewritten.

 Chapter 259: Change

    As Yi Chen changed hosts one after another, he grew more adept at the invasion and infection process,


    having immersed himself in the assimilation of knowledge for so long, he even discarded the problem of time, and even began to forget his true identity as a human.


    Moreover,


    Yi Chen also gained a general understanding of the Old World (before it was sealed off) through the memories of his hosts. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ¡°Source Epidemic Area¡± could be considered a major power in the human world;patients who came from the Source Epidemic Area were of higher status and even enjoyed many privileges.


    Most patients born in the Old World also shared the same goal, to strive tirelessly to be recognized by a Source Epidemic Area, to be accepted as an insider, and to obtain the corresponding illness system.


    Beyond the Source Epidemic Areas, there were also many Neutral Cities and states in the Old World, but once many entered a Neutral City, they couldn¡¯t leave¡­ there was even a ¡®City Survival Rate¡¯ table that could be derived privately.


    After all, patients had much stronger fertility abilities than humans, often seen in the wilderness where a female would squat down, and in less than a month, children would be crawling out of the holes.


    To stabilize the population, there were no laws in the Old World, let alone individual rights.


    What¡¯s more, very differently from the human world, the patients made perfect use of the world¡¯s space.


    The ground was just the most surface layer, inhabited by the weakest patient groups, but also the most diverse and the place most likely to give birth to new types of patients and filled with infinite possibilities.


    Most patients lived and operated in the underground areas, with places like the Source Epidemic Area located in even deeper and more dangerous regions.


    There were special connecting passages between different layers, often located between some large Neutral Cities, and to pass one might need to pay fees, verify their identity, or even possess some special objects.


    The reason everyone pursued the depths, and why Source Epidemic Areas were established there, was quite simple.


    The Old World, or rather the ¡°Sick Focus¡± a unique living world, had its earliest and most original pathological root deep within.


    Therefore, the closer one was to the Deep, the more they could connect with the Source Plague, and the easier it was to gain growth and enlightenment.


    In short.


    From the memories Yi Chen assimilated while infecting hosts, it seemed that this world was very powerful, so powerful that Yi Chen didn¡¯t know how to describe it.


    Even one of the forces, if taken out, could easily obliterate the existing human Gentleman Organization, and even Zion City could at most take root in the surface or the second layer if it tried to relocate here.


    This also greatly puzzled Yi Chen;why the Old World, powerful enough to take one¡¯s breath away, had come under world lockdown, even the most fundamental rules were locked down.


    Fertility was isolated, the population was capped, and even the qualification for death was stripped away¡­


    That sword piercing the Black Sun, thrust into the earth, Yi Chen remembered it vividly to this day.


    Forcing the Old World to survive solely through ¡°World Parasitism.¡±


    Who did it? Unknown, and at that time there must have been a major battle, with many Source Epidemic Areas erased in this war.


    Only a few powerful Source Epidemic Areas were preserved, all significantly weakened, with their overall strength nowhere near their peak moments.


    ¡­


    He had completely lost the concept of time.


    As the carrier of the Mad Shell Virus, Yi Chen had long since adapted and even accepted this kind of life.


    The number of patients he had infected exceeded five thousand, of which 93% were successfully educated.


    In the process of education, Yi Chen had even developed a unique spiritual network that allowed him to contact these educated individuals at any time, as long as they were on the surface of the Old World, and even conduct ¡®online classes¡¯.


    Gradually,


    a special group was formed, and for some reason, Yi Chen tentatively named it ¡°The Institution.¡±


    They always stayed active in the surface area, with no intention of going deep into the Old World.


    Yi Chen was very clear that with his current state as the virus, even if he wanted to delve deeper, he couldn¡¯t go far, and he might be eradicated if he provoked a certain Source Epidemic Area.


    However,


    although he did not physically delve deeper, Yi Chen was continuously infiltrating on a spiritual level, drawing closer to the very root of the illness.


    When the assimilated knowledge reached its limit, sufficient for him to undergo the final ¡°Madman Evolution,¡± he gathered all the educated patients in a deserted area,


    ¡°¡±


    The host parasitized by Yi Chen became the center, surrounded by concentric circles of seated figures.


    They integrated everyone¡¯s spiritual power for ¡°signal amplification,¡± establishing the most direct connection between Yi Chen¡¯s spirit and the root of the Pathogen, which, for the Patient, would be an excellent opportunity for Open Source.


    The host controlled by Yi Chen sat cross-legged.


    Crack!


    His entire skull was pushed upwards by brain matter tentacles, revealing a highly active brain.


    At this moment, the Mad Shell Virus completely opened its ¡°caspid,¡± allowing the absorb-brain within to merge with the host¡¯s brain core,


    The lively brain turned black, wrapped in thorny iron chains, exuding a death aura while gleaming with a metallic luster.


    If a real Madman happened to pass by, they would marvel at Yi Chen¡¯s transformation.


    This was completely different from the typical progression of a Madman and had even transcended them on a certain level¡ªa new individual was being born.


    ¡­


    [Hippocrates Hospital ¨C Inpatient Department]


    Whether it was the well-isolated private rooms or the wards with multiple patients,


    those resting in the hospital began to experience various degrees of headaches and dizziness. Some comatose patients woke up prematurely, and even a vegetative patient was roused.


    After examination by professional teams, they discovered that the issue did not reside with the patients but was due to external disturbances affecting the head,


    This influence even gradually spread to some apprentices and staff, causing continual ringing in their ears.


    Teachers and students proficient in Sensing used instruments designed to capture spiritual perceptions for detailed examinations and found,


    the source of the headache was actually within the hospital¡¯s perimeter,


    specifically, that sealed white building used for Patient research, housing Pathological materials, documents, and book collections.


    Furthermore, as doctors gazed upwards towards the sky, they unexpectedly noticed the clouds congealing overhead taking on a brain fissure-like circuitry structure, and even evolving to resemble a brain over time.


    Moreover, the clouds turned increasingly darker and even carried a faint scent of death.


    The increasingly bizarre situation led many doctors toward the white building, and among them was a lady who happened to be passing by, wearing round-frame glasses and stepping in extended leather boots.


    In the depths of the Pathological Research Center, the Death Workshop.


    Dr. Andre Vissari, one of the deputy directors and a person in charge of the secret medicine review board, stood beside an entirely dry swimming pool, with four empty bottles of ¡°Dusk thin silver liquid¡± placed neatly on the edge.


    Although Visari was pained by the cost, the scene before him made it worth it,


    as several days before, he had ordered as deputy director that no one was permitted to come near here without his consent.


    In the center of the dry pool.


    A young man with his skull neatly incised was suspended in a sitting position,


    a black bio-mass brain akin to a Madness Brain wriggled within the opened skull, entwined by spiky iron chains that heightened its activity through painful stimulation.


    The top of the brain even had an opening, out of which a death aura was continuously exhaled like a breath.


    The emblem of a book etched into the back of the head was flipping rapidly.


    Not only that,


    Yi Chen¡¯s muscles and organs were pulsing with his brain, each piece of flesh undergoing transformation and sublimation throughout the process, engaging in deeper interactions and fusions with the iron chains spread throughout his body.


    ¡°This is my first time witnessing such an Extreme Breakthrough¡­ How deep a connection has this kid established with the Old World? The aura seeping from his brain is precisely that of an Open Source Patient!


    Different from a Madman,


    he is a new kind of Patient that encompasses multiple attributes. Yet, the transformation hasn¡¯t ceased;his consciousness, using the Relic as a medium, is continuously approaching and deepening its connection with the source of the Pathogen.


    Can Three Attributes Relics actually reach such a degree? No, it must be more about him himself.


    Such a terrifying individual¡­ If that is the case, maybe what the kid said about the First Gentleman problem wasn¡¯t an exaggeration;he could truly seize something from the Skin Market.¡±

 Chapter 260: Rank Promotion

    Over five thousand ¡®patients¡¯ educated as ¡®students¡¯ surrounded Yi Chen in eighteen concentric circles, encapsulating him at the very center.


    The mental network formed by connecting everyone¡¯s brains began to operate like a giant drilling rig under Yi Chen¡¯s control, constantly penetrating deeper and deeper.


    The speed was not fast, and time was measured in days.


    As the depth of the drilling increased and the mental burden gradually doubled,


    Pop! One of the patients seated in the outer ring suddenly ¡®exploded brains,¡¯ with their brain bursting instantaneously and extinguishing, signifying that their mental adaptation had reached its limit.


    Seeing this scene, the surrounding patients showed no signs of faltering, still providing Yi Chen with full mental support,


    Pop pop pop!


    The frequency of brain explosions continued to increase.


    Yi Chen was aware of this, knowing that this ¡®in-depth¡¯ penetration wasn¡¯t truly happening in the Old World;otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have been so simple.


    If they encountered the Source Epidemic Area along the way, this kind of mental infiltration would be instantly shattered, and might even attract the attention of some powerful entity, leading to death.


    The Old World that Yi Chen was currently exploring was merely an imaginary world recorded and created by the Artifact ¨C ¡°Box of the Madman,¡± largely intended to guide Yi Chen to get acquainted with the world where the illness originated, allowing the primary host to achieve an Extreme Breakthrough.


    The spiritual penetration currently underway should be understood as the penetrating process of a ¡°Membrane Breakthrough.¡±


    Only, as someone undergoing a Three Attributes Breakthrough, his membrane was much thicker and required particularly deep drilling to fully pierce through it.


    Time passed unknown, and,


    when the number of educated patients dropped to less than a hundred, the mental drill finally penetrated the deepest part and reached the so-called ¡°Sick Focus.¡±


    This place was not filled with pus, spores, or any malignant phenomena related to illness;rather, it was a center of the world brimming with dazzling luster and expressing the possibilities of all things, where super-gigantic neuron structures were connected.


    Merely standing on the surface of one of these giant neurons, Yi Chen could hear countless whispers, as if they were telling him about things related to the Origin.


    The scenes depicted by the ¡°Artifact ¨C Box of the Madman¡± also came to an end here, as the true pathological Origin of the Old World could not be represented by an artifact alone;Yi Chen would have to reach that place himself in the future.


    Correspondingly, Yi Chen¡¯s Rank as a ¡°human¡± underwent changes;he formally broke through the Limit of Man and ascended to a higher Level.


    However, the transformations had not yet ended;what followed was the most crucial moment.


    A strange sound rang out in Yi Chen¡¯s mind, and as the voice reached him, the Ancient Living Text also simultaneously surfaced in his brain.


    ¡ÚDo you wish to accept the Pathological Origin?¡Û


    Yi Chen had been clear from the beginning,


    that terms like ¡°Membrane,¡± ¡°Limit of Man,¡± and others used by the Organization to describe the breakthrough were merely euphemistic embellishments.


    The essence of human breakthroughs lay in leveraging the fact of the Old World¡¯s Source Plague.


    The so-called breaking through the limit should accurately be called ¡°Open Source¡± ¨C officially coming into contact with the Pathological Origin of the Old World, unlocking the fundamental power of pathology.


    Upon acceptance, the limit constraints of the human shell would be completely shattered, and the individual would rise to a higher plane.


    But, the Organization was not wrong in naming it so.


    Because as long as the Breakthrough person maintains a gentlemanly character and sustains their humanity, to a certain extent, they can be defined as human, and civilization can thus be passed on.


    Listenting to the voice transmitted from the Origin, Yi Chen also conveyed his own intentions.


    ¡°Willing!¡±


    Hum!


    In an instant, materials related to the ancient Origin were imprinted in Yi Chen¡¯s brain through the form of text, or rather, upon the Emblem of the Book.


    ¡­


    [D&G Organization Headquarters ¨C Zion]


    Any gentleman within the city, and even some coachmen traversing the mountainous roads outside, could see a mass in the sky over a certain part of the city, resembling a brain made of pitch-black clouds.


    The cloud-brain became increasingly realistic with time, the lightning rolling inside it like the electrical conduction between neurons.


    Even more exaggerated was that this mass of pitch-black clouds was continuously absorbing surrounding clouds, plating its surface with a layer of extravagant muscle tissue and constructing the internal organs of a human body inside it.


    This brain is a special independent living entity.


    The discomfort that started in the hospital spread throughout the whole of Zion, affecting all gentlemen who had not breached their limit to varying degrees.


    ¡°Cesimani¡±


    While Jin was engaged in a one-on-one simulation battle with Instructor Beili, she caught a whiff of a scent that was all too familiar to her. She halted the battle and, together with Instructor Beili, proceeded to the high platform to gaze at the peculiar brain amidst the clouds.


    ¡°Has William finally made a breakthrough? No wonder it took so long;he must have wanted to make a big splash,¡± Jin commented.


    Beside her, Instructor Beili slid her dagger back into the sheath strapped to her thigh and crossed her arms over her chest while watching the brain in the sky. ¡°Jin, do you want to go over and check out the situation?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s bound to be a crowd, right? We wouldn¡¯t be able to squeeze in even if we tried. I¡¯m not fond of bustling scenes. It would be better to wait until William completes his breakthrough and then invite him to Cesimani¡­ Then we can properly have some fun with him,¡± Jin said, her tongue sliding around the edge of her mouth under the mask before she and Beili returned to the training ground.


    [Power Station]


    Reagan stood with a stern, square-faced old man in a white uniform, both of them observing the bizarre celestial phenomenon together.


    The old man was the current director of the Power Station and the research institute.


    ¡°Reagan, the agitation caused by the other party is almost of the same scale as when you made your breakthrough, but the impact seems to be more severe. In the future, if you get the chance, you can bring your friend here to have some fun at the Power Station,¡± the old man said.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Reagan replied.


    Watching such a phenomenon, Reagan couldn¡¯t help but smile genuinely from the heart. He considered William a friend, as it was William¡¯s arrival that led him to choose to go to the Old World and allowed his childhood friend¡¯s consciousness to awaken. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    In the depths of the hospital¡¯s pathology research building.


    The vice-president of the hospital, Visari, stood beside the swimming pool, witnessing an incredible scene,


    The exposed brain structure of Yi Chen was undergoing further changes,


    The brain tissues began to proliferate unrestrainedly, spreading to every corner of the body, adhering to every muscle fiber and gradually merging, resulting in the surfaces of the muscles also faintly displaying intricate patterns of brain gyrus and sulci.


    These patterns were shallow and could only be seen through dissecting the physical body. From the exterior, everything still looked normal.


    As the brain cells and the physical body combined, Yi Chen¡¯s physical control increased exponentially, and with the development of the brain, the control over the body was set to elevate in synchrony.


    When the physical changes were nearing their end,


    The black cloud above the hospital suddenly contracted towards the interior of the building, piercing through the isolation materials to reach the swimming pool area where Yi Chen was located, along with the Death Aura pervasive in the water, all converging into Yi Chen¡¯s brain.


    At that moment,


    Everything returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.


    Between the bones of Yi Chen¡¯s skull, a new organic brain that transcended human brains, and even in complexity surpassed the Madness Brain, settled into place,


    Iron chains wrapped around the outer layer of the brain to enhance its stability, and during special times, could also be stimulated with pain,


    Between each brain convolution, a metallic luster black liquid flowed steadily.


    The book imprinted on the back of the head remained, recording all the knowledge absorbed from the fictional Old World during the breakthrough;one could even see the precise text registered on it.


    Simultaneously, the bond to the Source Plague¡¯s Origin had also been formally established.


    The skull cap was replaced,


    A pair of murky eyes reopened,


    With each breath, black fog was exhaled and inhaled, and all the muscles in the body pulsated in rhythm with the breathing, rapidly reviving the long-seated body.


    The retina gradually cleared, displaying corresponding text.


    ¡°Individual profession has changed!


    Former profession [student] ¡ú Current profession [lecturer]


    Due to the change in rank, basic attributes have been comprehensively re-rated, related abilities have been reshaped, and new abilities have been developed, please spend enough time for self-inspection and adjustment.¡±

 Chapter 261: New Life (End of Volume)

    Old World ¨C Deep Layer


    In one of the neutral cities of colossal scale, an annual Duke¡¯s sale event was greeted.


    In this event, Duke Garison, an Old World merchant, would conduct a week-long sale of ancient castles. The news attracted countless patients, causing the city¡¯s population to exceed ten times the usual number, which forced the city to issue temporary restrictions.


    The Duke¡¯s sale took place in the city¡¯s largest venue, with lines stretching all the way to the city gates.


    Depending on their status, buyers had trade times varying from one to five minutes,


    while the trades were in full swing,


    suddenly, the Duke interrupted a customer of no small consequence in front of him, closed his eyes, and sensed that imprint coming from another world.


    ¡°To think that one could use the remnants left by a Madman to play with, and construct a brain that transcends the Madman and blends multiple Attribute traits. Truly, I did not see the wrong person;you are indeed a quality customer of mine.¡±


    The Duke was also in a good mood and directly offered an eighty percent discount to the customer in front of him.


    Also in the Old World,


    in a forest high up filled with newborn liquid, within the giant sheep head continually spouting a black waterfall from its eyes, a young girl with half a face adorned with sheep horns suddenly leaped up in excitement.


    ¡°Big brother has finally reached this step! The umbilical cord left in his body has sent sensations, such strong feelings! Far more intense than the breakthrough sensations of my sisters.


    I should be able to meet big brother soon! Hehe.¡±


    ¡­


    Inside Zion City


    The Hospital, inside and out, was surrounded by gentlemen, all eager to know who was breaking through the Limit, causing such commotion. Since the creation of the Organization, fewer than ten gentlemen had caused such a stir.


    Yet, recently two individuals appeared,


    the former at the power station gathering thunderclouds, even with thunderbolts striking directly onto Zion¡¯s Barrier,


    and today, gathering black clouds over the hospital, causing brain effects throughout the entire city.


    However,


    as the Vice Principal Visari ordered the sealing of the pathology research building, no one knew what exactly happened inside, nor who caused such a big fuss.


    The only exception was a certain woman with a unique identity who quietly infiltrated through means surpassing the building¡¯s barrier level, passed through corridors, bypassed staff with her translucent starlight body through the hydraulic doors and arrived at the pool storing the Death Liquid.


    Before the Vice Principal could open his mouth, the woman¡¯s hand landed on his shoulder, and a friendly greeting came from beneath the mask:


    ¡°Visari Doctor, my student is doing well, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    Under the bird-beak mask, the Vice Principal was also startled, for even he rarely saw this Mysterious Principal.


    ¡°Principal Daislin, as far as I am aware, William should be Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s student, shouldn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°As long as William is in the academy, he is my student. Any questions?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Daislin surveyed the area, glancing towards the four glass bottles on the shore, ¡°Visari Doctor seems to have supported quite a bit, huh? If needed, our academy can transfer the funds to you.¡±


    ¡°No need, these were originally intended for William¡¯s use;I just didn¡¯t expect him to use them all up.


    This guy should be recovering soon¡­ His appearance suggests a long, inhuman experience during his breakthrough, making it difficult for him now to adapt to the human body structure.¡±


    The two turned their gazes back to the center of the pool,


    Yi Chen remained in a cross-legged position, his eyes already open but without moving, simply observing his arm, trying to manipulate each finger joint.


    Slowly shifting his attention to his legs, trying to stand up.


    Yet he repeatedly fell over, taking a full ten minutes just to stand, his body still shaky, liable to fall over at any moment.


    After all, during the breakthrough, Yi Chen had lived too long in the form of a capsid virus, even forgetting the concept of time, completely regarding the tentacles between the capsids as ¡®limbs¡¯ and accustomed to the state of parasitizing inside another¡¯s body.


    The Principal and Vice Principal waited in silence, not disturbing Yi Chen¡¯s recovery.


    Having maintained a standing posture for the past hour, Yi Chen finally fully adapted to various senses, and with some stiffness, moved his eyeballs to look at the two people on the shore.


    ¡°Lok-thorj¡­ Principal Delis, Vice Principal Visari!¡± Yi Chen¡¯s first words almost slipped into the Old World¡¯s common language, but he quickly corrected himself.


    Visari asked, ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an indescribable feeling, perhaps I¡¯m not fully accustomed yet¡­ The only definite sensation is a strengthened connection with the ¡®disease source,¡¯ seemingly touching something deeper.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen mentioned this, Desline suddenly extended her right hand forward, making a gesture of holding a bow.


    Hum~ A short bow, condensed from stars, immediately appeared in her hand,


    When her other hand touched the bowstring, a spirally structured arrow instantly formed.


    Without another word, she shot directly at Yi Chen¡¯s heart.


    Whiz!


    As the arrow dragged a comet tail in its flight,


    although Yi Chen hadn¡¯t fully adapted to his body yet, he instinctively stretched out his right arm, spreading his fingers¡­ Hum! A pentagonal death barrier simultaneously formed.


    Clang!


    The barrier was pierced, but the arrow, contaminated by death, quickly disintegrated, causing no harm to Yi Chen.


    Desline slightly tilted her head back, looking down at Yi Chen between the pools, ¡°Now, that¡¯s more like it~ Making such a fuss, it would have been too disappointing if you couldn¡¯t even handle that.


    Once your body stabilizes, come to me to learn Star Magic, and remember to knock when you arrive.¡±


    As her words ended, the principal had already vanished from the death pool.


    A few seconds later outside the hospital walls, a woman in leather boots and round-framed glasses briskly stepped out, preparing to head to the lower districts for a lavish meal. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Desline was quite sure that Yi Chen could block that arrow, she didn¡¯t expect him to do it with such ease, and she felt a slight threat as the Death Shield formed.


    This rare feeling of threat was both annoying and somewhat exhilarating for her.


    Inside the Pathology Research building,


    with Vice Principal Visari accompanying him, Yi Chen followed back to the office by moving his feet.


    ¡°William, your breakthrough has caused quite a stir in Zion;now the hospital is crowded inside and out. You can choose to go out directly, or you can take a secret passage here to a secluded area outside the hospital.


    The choice is yours.¡±


    ¡°Better keep it low-key, please arrange a special pathway for me, Vice Principal.¡±


    ¡°However, such a breakthrough will inevitably attract higher-ups¡¯ attention, and the First Gentleman will surely intensify his scrutiny of you. You must have plans of your own, so I won¡¯t say more.


    Before you leave, I have one last question, which pertains to your privacy, so it doesn¡¯t matter whether you answer it or not.


    Where does your death come from? Based on my observations over the past few days, the death substance in your body is in liquid form and closely linked to your brain, different from any other forms of death I know of, including those in the Old World.¡±


    ¡°I was truly dead once¡­¡±


    Yi Chen gave only this answer, trusting Visari deeply but not wishing to discuss his previous life further.


    ¡°Truly dead, is that so? If you have any issues related to death in the future, you can always come to me for discussion. The hospital won¡¯t hinder your access.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so very much for this time! Regarding the pool and the secret medicine, I will definitely compensate you in the future.¡±


    ¡°If you really want to repay, come and assist with some death experiments when you¡¯re free~ Compared to tangible goods, I¡¯m more interested in your body.¡±


    ¡°Certainly!¡±


    Yi Chen walked alone in the corridor leading directly outside the hospital;his body gradually became fully familiar, with the movement of his arms and the stepping posture returning to normal.


    As he completely regained his state as a ¡°person,¡±


    something slowly started to accumulate above his head,


    appearing as a brass encased, a Long Strip Frame starting with a brain-shaped relief, filled with a metallic luster black liquid, heavy like metal, intense and filled with death.

 Chapter 262: Illness and Epidemic Value

    Upon exiting the secret passage from the hospital, Yi Chen stowed away the frame on his head and took a more secluded route back to the academy, to his own dormitory.


    Yi Chen now wanted a private space to accept, adapt to, and enjoy the fruits of his laborious efforts over this period.


    Cold water showered down through his hair, the stimulation helping to clear his mind.


    This time, Yi Chen was taking a shower with his clothes on,


    During the shower, threads from between the sleeves pierced into his skin, conducting a comprehensive check-up on Yi Chen¡¯s breakthrough state, projecting a set of entirely different monitoring information before his eyes.


    ¡ÚProfession: Lecturer¡Û


    *This profession is uniquely purple and tailored, possessing inherent growth potential. Upon reaching the next stage, the profession¡¯s name will change.


    ¡ÚRank: Open Source¡Û


    *Breaking through primal limits, touching the pathological origin, and establishing a bond allows ancient abilities to develop, preparing to seek out the disease root.


    ¡ÚDisease and Epidemic Value¡Û


    *Different from the basic attributes of the human stage, the Open Source Stage combines ¡°disease¡± and ¡°epidemic value¡± to evaluate an individual¡¯s state of Open Source.


    *Disease specifically refers to the syndrome formed after the ¡°Basic Attributes¡± from the human stage are combined with the ¡°Plague Relic.¡±


    ¡°Disease ¨C Epilepsy Syndrome¡±


    [Category]: Belonging to the epilepsy category, yet differs from common epilepsy, encapsulating unique individual traits such as physical, iron chains, and other disease signages, with ¡®syndrome¡¯ as a suffix to denote its complexity.


    [Association]: The disease is associated with brain capacity, physical breadth, and mental sensing. It can be sublimated by absorbing homologous diseases, teaching, personal grimoires, etc., *increasing the Epidemic Value, evolving towards an older, purer symptom until a breakthrough is achieved.


    [Rating]: S-rank, an exception among the rare diseases ¡®Epilepsy¡¯, with pathological potential exceeding epilepsy, unique without any parallels.


    ¡°Epidemic Value ¨C Brass Frame¡±: Corresponds to the outwardly shown frame value, the higher the epidemic value, the richer the fluid within the frame.


    Based on the richness of the frame¡¯s fluid, the epidemic value is divided into four levels:


    1. Dilute


    2. Ordinary


    3. Viscous


    4. Solidified


    *The higher the concentration means the more damage can be mitigated, and the higher the pathological purity.


    *When reaching the [Solidified] stage, one qualifies to break through to the next Rank stage (other conditions must be met too).


    Current Epidemic Value -[1]


    *The Epidemic Value Frame can be displayed or hidden according to the individual¡¯s subjective will, often used for identity disclosure, deterrence, etc.


    ¡ÚProfessional Characteristics¡Û


    ¡°Inquisitive (Passive)¡±:


    Substantially increased reading speed, efficiency in understanding ancient texts, and secret techniques by 50%, proficient in ¡°Ancient Living Text¡±.


    ¡°Central Tasting (Passive)¡±:


    Can efficiently absorb brain marrow from patients and other creatures to replenish ¡°brain energy¡± and obtain memory fragments from others.


    ¡°Education (Active)¡±


    Can attempt to educate defeated individuals, this ability requires substantial brain energy and a significant amount of time. Cases of strong willpower and stubborn individuals may easily result in education failures.


    [Success]- The individual¡¯s soul will be branded with the character [ðï], becoming your permanent student. Their lifestyle and abilities remain unaffected, yet they will be completely obedient to you and keen on the pursuit of knowledge, allowing for unhindered knowledge sharing.


    [Failure] ¨C The educated individual will become frenzied and launch a suicidal attack on you, possibly leading to soul fragmentation. You, as the source of the education, will also suffer some connected damage.


    ¡ÚDisease Traits¡Û


    1. ¡°Epilepsy¡±, the core trait of Epilepsy Syndrome, which can induce epileptic seizures to greatly enhance sensing, the effects of releasing magic, secret techniques, etc. It also accelerates brain discharges, increasing the speed of nerve transmission, aiding in the learning and enhancement of various skills and magics.


    The Magic System ¡°Star¡± has now been developed.


    2. ¡°Chain of Suffering,¡± a combined trait of the Epilepsy Syndrome, mainly has a direct impact on physical functions.


    It includes the following effects: ¡°Chain Tissue,¡± ¡°Hellraiser,¡± ¡°Needle-Chain¡±


    (*For specific content, please refer to Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Nine)


    3. ¡°Dead Sore,¡± an intrinsic trait of the Epilepsy Syndrome, is a black tumor hidden between the layers of the brain¡¯s hippocampus, permanently congenital and ineradicable.


    The currently developed abilities include:


    ¡°Pus¡± ¨C The individual can autonomously use the fluid that flows out between the black tumors, for instance, coating weapons with pus to endow them with death effects. Alternatively, the liquid can be directly created into shields, or condensed on the surface of clothing to form a dead membrane to enhance defense and provide death counter-damage. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± ¨C At the cost of continuous consumption of pus, the individual applies makeup that renders attacks unable to kill the host if they do not transcend the Dead Man Makeup.


    *Special note, after the use of Dead Man Makeup, the individual will fall into a prolonged state of weakness, so please activate it with caution.


    ¡ÚPets¡Û


    [Name]: Little Grape. Grep


    *The origin of this pet, along with all its basic information and abilities, is difficult to verify in full;it is suspected to be a combination of several ancient corpses that are over three hundred years old.


    The information of one of the combined corpses has now been detected


    ¡°Eye Collector. Gemhar¡± *See Chapter One Hundred Seventy.


    ¡°Corpse Development Level¡±: 30%¡ú50%.


    *It can visually display the Corpse Form, use the base abilities of the corpse, specifically as follows:


    1. Pupil Skill Mastery ¨C Abilities related to the eyes are enhanced, acquiring better effects and reduced mental exhaustion.


    2. Witchcraft ¨C Capable of casting specific witchcraft, which will also benefit from the effects of witchcraft when casting spells.


    *Development level can be increased by consuming the eyes of the powerful, or by unlocking more complete Corpse Forms.


    ¡°Absorbed Cemetery Traits¡±:


    1. Cold Lake Cemetery ¨C Little Grape can secrete Cold Lake Water to cleanse eyeballs, increasing the duration of eye use (also used to clean the host¡¯s brain).


    2. Stone Statue Cemetery ¨C Little Grape can harden its eyeballs to reduce external damage.


    ¡­


    ¡°The basic attributes are directly renamed to illness and Epidemic value, essentially clarifying that the path the organization takes is fundamentally ¡®Pathological.¡¯


    ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ seems to be a parasite disease specially made by the Skin Market for humans. It is very stable compared to other pathogens. As long as the Skin Content does not exceed a certain limit, it will not lose human nature and will maintain self-awareness.


    To fully maintain self-awareness while infected with other pathogens, you must become a ¡®Patient Zero¡¯ like Lorrian.


    Moreover,


    The gentlemen predecessors chose to use various ¡®Relics¡¯ as a means to Open Source. They also encouraged us to combine ¡®Pathological Crystals,¡¯ perhaps to make us infected with more diseases, not just skin diseases.


    This is to avoid full-scale mental enslavement by the Skin Market one day.


    Is this the hidden truth of the organization? From the perspective of survival alone, it is still acceptable¡­ However, when the Grey Zone fully spreads to every corner of the world, problems will undoubtedly arise.


    The specific outcome will depend on the Skin Market¡¯s attitude toward us.


    Considering the worst-case scenario, I need to secure more leverage before that happens. Even if I cannot save everyone, I must protect myself and those around me.¡±


    As Yi Chen fell into deep thought, he felt a touch on his waist and abdomen, making him think some pervert had slipped into the bathroom again.


    Of course, the touch still came from the hidden Yellow Skin in the wardrobe.


    ¡ì Since you have Open Sourced, don¡¯t waste time. You can now handle more Skin, so hurry up and incorporate that low-quality Skin you got from the ¡®Connector¡¯ into your outfit. My stomach is so hungry. ¡ì


    ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll need to bother Mr. Ivan with that. As I¡¯ve been promoted, my outfit needs major alterations, we¡¯ll head there in a bit.¡±

 Chapter 263: Syndrome

    The large piece of Skin given by the First Gentleman was still tucked in Yi Chen¡¯s backpack. Once used, the Skin content of the clothing would reach an important milestone¡ª[50%].


    In Zion City, well-known gentlemen usually have a Skin content above this value. Only by reaching 50% can one truly utilize the pathologic function of Skin and potentially elevate an individual¡¯s standard to the next level.


    If Yi Chen wished to increase his Skin content above 50%, he, as a candidate for the First Gentleman, could always go to the Divine Skin Mansion to request more Skin.


    However, before heading to Mr. Ivan¡¯s place, Yi Chen still needed to report this good news to his two tutors.


    Goo goo goo~ A white owl squatted on a tree branch in the corner of the office, staring at the young man entering the room with its round bulging eyes.


    Unlike Principal Desline, who witnessed Yi Chen¡¯s breakthrough in person, Qian Bosen, as the first tutor, only did what he needed to do in his office.


    He knew very well that Yi Chen¡¯s breakthrough would not have any issues and that the breakthrough induced by a Three Attribute Relic would surely create quite a stir;he simply needed to wait for Yi Chen¡¯s return to personally ask for details.


    However,


    when he heard about Yi Chen¡¯s Open Source illness, the sharp gleam in his eyes could hardly conceal his surprise.


    ¡°Epilepsy Syndrome? Despite using only a Madman Relic, you gained a comprehensive illness that¡¯s a higher grade than the Madman¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s simply unbelievable!¡±


    Yi Chen, driven by curiosity, asked, ¡°Is this situation very rare?¡±


    ¡°Extremely rare. After all, [Relics] are products left behind by Open Source patients during their breakthrough phases;to speak bluntly, they are the things they no longer need.


    Since these Relics often retain their Open Source information, they are generally disposed of, making them quite scarce.


    It¡¯s natural that using their leftover, unneeded items for breakthroughs could not surpass them¡­ The best-case scenario would be to reach an illness status equivalent to theirs. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For example, that¡¯s how it is for me.


    My illness is a ¡®cold,¡¯ and even if I got a perfect ¡®Cold Gland,¡¯ I can only just barely reach the same level of illness as those Open Source patients.¡±


    Qian Bosen stood up, somewhat excitedly, his talon-like fingers gripping onto Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder fiercely.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, William, perhaps you really could accomplish what you said before¡­ But don¡¯t relax yet,. Increase the epidemic value concentration as much as possible.


    The current candidates for the First Gentleman are also geniuses and monsters among organizations, and they have been gentlemen far longer than you. In terms of accumulation and experience, they surpass you.


    Moreover, most of them have a Skin content of over 80%, able to perfectly unleash the potential of Skin. You need to supplement yourself more in that regard, or you¡¯ll be at a disadvantage later.


    Given the current state of the First Gentleman, it shouldn¡¯t be long before a selection competition among the candidates is held. Since you¡¯ve decided to take this path, you need to make thorough preparations.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head over to Mr. Ivan shortly for the garment transformation and to increase the Skin content.¡±


    Qian Bosen¡¯s claw on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder turned into a patting gesture, gently patting twice.


    ¡°Right! You haven¡¯t reported your breakthrough up the chain. Remember to make time to visit the Gentleman Hall to register.


    Subsequent arrangements for tasks related to Elite Gentlemen, title assessments, and such will only notify those listed in the roster.


    One last thing, my Identity Card can be used to run up a tab, but don¡¯t overdo it. I am currently only nominally associated with the academy, occasionally helping out with tasks assigned by the Organization and I don¡¯t have much of a salary.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ alright~¡±


    Yi Chen scratched his head and then turned to leave.


    On his way out of the office, he pulled out Qian Bosen¡¯s Identity Card, thought it over, and eventually put it back in his pocket.


    Leaving Fetal Heart Church, Yi Chen went straight to the Vilsterman Teaching Building. He reported the happy news to Zede and took the chance to invite Zede out for a stroll.


    There was another reason;Yi Chen wanted to try colliding physically with Zede given his current state. Perhaps he stood a chance to win.


    Just as Yi Chen was halfway there, running at a brisk pace¡ª


    Whoosh! A sense of danger assaulted him from behind.


    Just like when Principal Deslin shot a Star Arrow at him before, Yi Chen immediately pivoted on his heel, turning instantly to face behind him, and with his left hand, he opened up a ¡®Dead Pus Shield¡¯.


    With his right hand, he also took out the axe from his bag and entered a battle-ready stance.


    Whoosh!


    An attack of unbelievable speed struck in an instant. Even as Yi Chen decisively swung his axe, he still missed, only able to block in front of him with his shield.


    Duang!


    A withered, pale hand struck the center of the shield, sending ripples to the edge of the shield. Then, snap! The shield, congealed from pus and representing death, exploded directly.


    Yi Chen, too, was sent flying by the impact of the palm strike,


    Clang! Chains burst from his left and right hands, anchoring into the ground and barely stabilizing his retreating body.


    However,


    Yi Chen did not trigger an epileptic reaction to launch a counterattack, but instead, he revealed a smile.


    A familiar voice came from the direction of the previous attack:


    ¡°William, not bad! My sudden assault wasn¡¯t held back much, yet you managed to block it?


    I heard from Qian Bosen that you went to the Hospital to seek Doctor Visari for a breakthrough in the form of ¡®death¡¯¡­ Is this your newly awakened ability? It seems somewhat different from Visari¡¯s death system, more interesting, and better suited to your physical condition.


    This is my newly stitched arm, and now it¡¯s wasted like this.¡±


    The attacker was none other than Hogni Zede, who lifted the right arm that he had just used for the palm strike, revealing that the fingers were slowly aging, darkening, and there was the possibility of this decay spreading up his arm.


    With a slight wave, he cut off the forearm tainted with death.


    Zede then took out a new, slime-covered arm from his mouth and attached it to himself.


    At the same time, Zede also showed a look of longing,


    ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t have to hold back much in our future physical confrontations. I can really let loose¡­ I can¡¯t wait. Come back to paradise with me! It¡¯s time to apply for a larger underground setting.¡±


    ¡°Pass~ not today! I still haven¡¯t checked in at Gentleman Hall, and I also need to visit Mister Ivan to upgrade my clothes. Do you want to come along, Teacher Zede? You should still have some outing time left this week, right?¡±


    ¡°That could work, and my time outside has increased to five hours, so I can afford to have a bit more fun.¡±


    After gathering his chains, Yi Chen quickly approached Zede, whispering near his ear, ¡°I¡¯ve been getting closer to the Principal recently. I¡¯ll find a chance to talk to him about this matter, and perhaps that could give you, Teacher, a chance to take on missions again. Then you could take me out for some fun.¡±


    To Yi Chen¡¯s quiet suggestion, Zede, however, waved his hand in refusal.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not¡­ It¡¯s better to make progress step by step. I¡¯ve only just stabilized a bit. If I were to jump outside suddenly, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to control myself.


    Besides, the academy has other intentions for keeping me in the deep underground. If I¡¯m not here, Principal Daislin and the other professors will feel a lot of pressure.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean¡­ Is someone in the organization harboring other intentions for the academy?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just a precaution in case Zion suffers a devastating blow.


    Just like the death incident you experienced in Levinhome, William. If some highly fatal infectious disease were to spread within the city, someone must stand up to stop it.


    With me here, we can minimize the losses.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The two boarded the train heading out of the school.


    After learning about the concept of ¡®illness and epidemic value,¡¯ Yi Chen could not help but ask, ¡°Teacher Zede, what¡¯s your illness?¡±


    ¡°Fibromyalgia Syndrome.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a syndrome, too?¡±


    As if finding a common topic of interest, they immediately began chatting about syndromes.

 Chapter 264: Night

    Syndromes, that is, a set of related symptoms that occur together, are a collective manifestation of various symptoms that accompany each other in the pathological process.


    Zede¡¯s Fibromyalgia Syndrome was accompanied by several symptoms, all affecting the physical body, complementing each other, and making him exceptionally strong at the physical level.


    Furthermore, his syndrome was acquired, formed after he was captured by the Suffering Monastery and managed to escape, leading to fundamental changes in his illness, an extremely rare occurrence.


    As such,


    after Zede lost control at the academy, even the collective efforts of the professors were unable to suppress him;they had to await the arrival of Principal Desline, who restricted him on a spatial level to completely seal him off.


    Now,


    sitting on the train, Yi Chen looked again at his teacher Zede, still unable to see through him thoroughly or discern the limits of his physical capabilities.


    In a sudden exchange at the academy, Zede broke the shield made of Dead Sore with just a palm strike.


    Moreover, his physical body could perfectly isolate death itself, discarding any contamination immediately to prevent death from seeping into the soul.


    The more they discussed illness-related matters, the more excited Yi Chen became.


    He was even eager to finish the clothing matters quickly so that he could return to paradise and have an all-out spar with Teacher Zede.


    After a simple registration at the Gentleman Hall, he returned to the tailor shop on the lower street.


    Upon seeing the enormous piece of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± Yi Chen brought, Mr. Ivan knew he would be busy for the next half month.


    ¡°Making garments with a Skin Content ¡Ý50% is difficult;this 50% is a transformative threshold and carrying so much skin requires special materials.


    I¡¯ll have to ¡®melt down¡¯ all of your garments first and then craft them anew with fresh materials.


    And since you, William, have broken through your previous limit, all related body measurements will need to be taken again.


    Fortunately, the basement next door that you rented for dealing with relics is still available. You can rest there for the time being. Just come over as soon as you hear me calling.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Oh! The materials for advanced garments are expensive, and I have to rely on some connections to procure them. These materials are heavily monopolized by the organization, usually only distributed to tailors directly affiliated with them.


    There¡¯ll be an additional substantial cost later on that you need to prepare for.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Yi Chen patted the Identity Card in his pocket and nodded decisively.


    His spar with Teacher Zede would have to wait until the garment crafting was complete, which would also be a good opportunity to seek advice on using the garments.


    After treating the teacher to a meal, Yi Chen spent the remainder of the day in the tailor shop, his garments all removed and dissolved.


    In the complex dissolution process, a flash of yellow briefly appeared in the liquid, which Ivan attributed to normalcy and ignored.


    During the dissolution of his garments,


    Yi Chen stood naked with his arms outstretched for over eight hours.


    Mr. Ivan measured every inch of his body at least three times, especially certain critical areas that required more than ten measurements to minimize errors.


    By the end of the session, it was late at night.


    Dressed in temporary rental clothing, Yi Chen returned to rest in the basement he had once used to decipher the ¡°Madman¡¯s Box.¡±


    He was woken up before five in the morning by a strong knocking sound coming from the wall, with Ivan¡¯s voice asking Yi Chen to come over and feel the comfort and fit of five different types of fabrics.


    Each trip to the tailor shop took several hours at a time,


    and so Yi Chen settled into a routine, spending most of his time between two points, occasionally strolling the nearby streets. His irregular schedule over ten days led to a gradual decline in his mental state.


    ¡°The prototype of the final garment should be ready today;after a few more days of refinement, it should be nearly finished.¡±


    ¡°Being a tailor is really exhausting¡­¡± Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but complain as he walked out of the Clothing Room, looking tired.


    ¡°Are you interested? Your body has high precision, and you could definitely take the tailor¡¯s assessment. If you obtain the certification, you could open or inherit a tailor shop in Zion or under the control of the Organization.


    Especially those located in the suburbs, it¡¯s considered one of the most leisurely Professions.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not patient enough, so I¡¯ll pass. Thank you, Mr. Ivan, see you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Right, it seems you¡¯ve already chosen your path moving forward.¡±


    Exiting the tailor shop, the street was nearly empty with just a few shops still lit;it was already two in the morning. Hurriedly, Yi Chen returned to the basement to sleep.


    Having formed a routine over the past days,


    Yi Chen walked down the stairs and lay down on the table where he used to play with Magic Cubes, falling asleep at once.


    As he fell into a deep sleep, his arm, cushioning his head, grew a bit of black fuzz for added comfort.


    Time passed, uncertain how much.


    Thump, thump, thump! The familiar wall-knocking sound came again.


    Yi Chen shot up as if triggered by a reflex, his eyes bleary with sleep as he instinctively headed to the clothing store for measurements. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When he emerged from the basement, the pitch-black street before him made Yi Chen pause, and his somewhat muddled brain cleared up considerably.


    ¡°Strange, why has Chasm Street gone dark? Shouldn¡¯t there be shops operating here 24 hours a day¡­¡±


    Yi Chen looked towards a shop without a sign that often had special customers coming in and out, only to find a ¡®Closed for Business¡¯ sign hanging on the tightly shut door.


    ¡°Could there be a surprise inspection by the organization today? By the way, what time is it now?¡±


    Yi Chen glanced at his wristwatch, the hands pointed at three, which confused him greatly.


    ¡°Huh? I¡¯ve only slept for an hour? Why does it feel like I¡¯ve slept a long time, and my head doesn¡¯t even feel that heavy¡­ Is it the brain protection from epilepsy?¡±


    He shook his head vigorously, and not only was there no discomfort, but he also became more alert.


    Thinking that Mr. Ivan must still be waiting for him, he didn¡¯t linger and immediately entered the adjacent Remus Clothing Store (Nameless). Just as Yi Chen stepped onto the staircase leading to the second floor¡ª


    Ha~ Suddenly, he felt a chill on the back of his neck.


    He whirled around to look at the mannequins in the first-floor area, all covered with headscarves, none close enough to cause a draft.


    As Yi Chen focused intently on the group of mannequins, he caught a glimpse of something under one of their scarves appearing to move, even lifting the scarf slightly.


    ¡°Hm? What¡¯s that!¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was about to extend his spiritual power towards it¡­ Smack! A hot, gloved hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, accompanied by a chiding voice:


    ¡°Why are you so slow? The sample garments are ready for dispatch early, come quickly and try it on with me! Don¡¯t waste time.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen followed Mr. Ivan into a hidden fitting room, where a distinctly styled garment was being showcased on a faceless mannequin in the center.


    Compared to the previous black student style, this new sample garment represented a significant change.


    White with ink patterns,


    The inky tendrils were chaotically drawn over the surface of the garment, seemingly floating and even exhaling some sort of mist from various angles.


    The shoes were in a fish scale pattern with a pale blue watery sheen, while the tie was a light pink octopus limb paired with an inky base, resulting in a discordant impression.


    ¡°Mr. Ivan, this style?¡±


    ¡°This is a bizarre style that struck me the night before last, and it¡¯s just a sample for now. The design isn¡¯t set in stone. The main purpose of tonight¡¯s fitting is to check the size. If the style doesn¡¯t work, we¡¯ll adjust it later.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As Yi Chen moved forward and began to dress¡ª


    Thud thud thud! A knock on the door of the Clothing Room was heard, and Mr. Ivan turned to open it.


    At that moment,


    Yi Chen, who was trying on the clothes, began to feel an indescribable viscous sensation emanating from inside the garment, as if he had stepped into the mud and couldn¡¯t move.


    When Yi Chen tried to ask Mr. Ivan about this abnormal sensation,


    Tentacles, which had emerged from the collar without notice, had already slipped into his mouth, churning and tumbling, eventually erasing it, making him completely silent.


    It completely erased his mouth as an organ.


    These tentacles emerging from the inside of the garment continued to reach upwards, erasing the nose and ears, leaving only the ¡®eyes¡¯ at last.


    At that moment,


    The door of the Clothing Room opened.


    To his surprise, standing outside was Yi Chen himself, who from the mouth shape appeared to be having a friendly conversation with Mr. Ivan, thanking him for completing the garment.


    Then, the tentacles coiled into the eyeballs through the pupils, erasing the eyes as an organ.


    Yi Chen turned into a faceless mannequin, completely immobile, with all his abilities sealed.


    However, Yi Chen¡¯s sense of touch didn¡¯t disappear¡ªhe only felt someone approaching to touch his body,


    Then, like undoing buttons, the chest and abdomen were opened up,


    Organs were scooped out, and every bone was picked clean,


    The one trying on the clothes slowly slipped Yi Chen¡¯s limbs into his own body, relishing the warmth and snug fit of the flesh, a perfect fit¡­


    And along with this sensation came a voice in his consciousness: ¡°This skin really is comfortable.¡±


    Buzz! Yi Chen suddenly awoke with a start on the desk!


    A puddle of steaming black drool dripped onto the table¡¯s surface¡­

 Chapter 265: Nightmare

    Nightmare.


    Something Yi Chen had abandoned long ago.


    During his time at the orphanage, if nightmares turned the teachers into ghouls or deliberately crafted horror scenes, they would make Yi Chen feel comfortable and amused;on the contrary, it was the reality of the orphanage itself that was more painful and frightening.


    Gradually, Yi Chen almost stopped having nightmares.


    To adapt to the high-pressure life of the orphanage, even the frequency of dreaming reduced and his body adapted, resulting in efficient, dreamless sleep every night.


    Even after coming to this sick world, he seldom dreamed and never had nightmares.


    However, the recent nightmare experience left Yi Chen sweating profusely, as if it had truly happened, as if his physical body had been really cut open and worn by someone else as a garment.


    Staring at the black smoke rising from the liquid on the table, it was indeed the dead sore secreted unintentionally by the brain due to the nightmare stimulus.


    ¡°Something¡¯s not right, something must be affecting me.


    Such a vivid nightmare wouldn¡¯t appear out of thin air. Does the theme of the nightmare have something to do with ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ since I have become a garment myself?


    Since I became a gentleman, I¡¯ve been wearing clothes almost constantly, even when sleeping. The clothing can even transform into a sleeping bag structure, providing me with a good sleeping environment, and I wear it nearly 24 hours when I¡¯m out on a mission.


    So, is that why I¡¯ve developed some sort of ¡®dependency¡¯ on the clothing?


    Could it be that the recent nightmare was caused by not being able to wear the clothes for more than ten days due to the clothing being remade, was it due to the dependency I developed on it?¡±


    With doubts lingering, Yi Chen stepped out of the basement.


    It was already noon the next day;the extended sleep combined with the eerie nightmare had made Yi Chen a bit hungry. He slurped down a large bowl of sauce meat noodles at a nearby shop before heading alone to the Nameless Clothing Store.


    As he turned the corner of the staircase, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but glance towards the group of mannequins on the first floor, but he noticed nothing unusual. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon arriving on the second floor, which was built with giant mirrors like a dance studio, the door to the clothing room was shut tight, emitting a strange feeling as if the scene overlapped with last night¡¯s dreamscape.


    A sense of unease urged Yi Chen to step forward and knock on the hidden door to the clothing room.


    Following a series of footsteps, a tired-looking Mr. Ivan with half a mask opened the door.


    ¡°Hmm? How come you came over without notifying me¡­ But, your timing is excellent. The finished sample has just been revised;come on in and try it on.¡±


    Still, the faceless mannequins stood in the deepest part,


    Quite different from the bizarre outfits in the dream, the garment on the mannequin was yet to be colored, in the original flesh color of ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯, resembling a human skin coat.


    This couldn¡¯t help but remind Yi Chen of the scene in his dream where his skin was ¡®worn¡¯.


    ¡°What are you standing around for? Go try it on.¡±


    Mr. Ivan¡¯s remark pulled Yi Chen back to reality.


    ¡°I had a dream last night¡­¡±


    Yi Chen decisively shared his dream experience, listening to which even Ivan revealed a puzzled look.


    Yi Chen continued to ask, ¡°Mr. Ivan, could it be possible that it¡¯s because I haven¡¯t worn any clothing these past few days? After all, I always wore clothing before, and the prolonged contact with the skin made my body develop some sort of dependency?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not likely, at least I¡¯ve never encountered such a thing.


    Back when I served the organization, I oversaw the production of many advanced garments, even the clothing of old Qian Bosen was made by me.


    Though a dependency on the ¡®Skin¡¯ does indeed exist, it shouldn¡¯t cause such intense and vivid nightmares.


    Maybe it¡¯s related to your extreme breakthrough, considering that the relic you chose is from the madman, who were also crazed in the Old World.


    The making of the clothing has taken up the main part of your life these days, and combined with the long period of not wearing any, it might have triggered the epileptic attribute in your brain during sleep.


    If you¡¯re not at ease, you could go to the hospital to have it checked out.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Stop dallying and try it on now! There¡¯s a lot of work to do afterward.¡±


    After speaking, Mr. Ivan took out a pair of scissors from his pocket and threw them to Yi Chen, who caught them steadily.


    ¡°Scissors?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, I intentionally left some parts of the garment sample without stitching. If you deal with it yourself, it could enhance its adaptability.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen moved closer to the mannequin, and as he curiously wondered where needed stitching, he discovered that the shirt of the garment was actually stuck to the mannequin¡¯s skin.


    The seams of the shirt were exactly where the stitching was required.


    Mr. Ivan¡¯s voice came again, ¡°Correct, I used a unique biomimetic garment making method, you just need to ¡®stitch¡¯ along the midline of the mannequin¡¯s body.


    Remember to clean out all the mannequin¡¯s internal organs and bones.¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Yi Chen immediately associated them with his own dreams.


    An eerie feeling spread through the air, and the tungsten light bulbs overhead began to flicker.


    He suddenly turned his head, only to see Mr. Ivan maintaining a gaping mouth, with something tentacle-like clearly writhing inside it.


    ¡°Go on, try it. This is the outfit I worked so hard to make for you~¡±


    As he spoke, smoky, ink-colored tentacles emerged from Ivan¡¯s mouth, spreading open like those of an octopus.


    Hum!


    Awakened once more.


    A puddle of smoking pus lay on the desk, and Yi Chen suddenly stood up!


    This time he didn¡¯t hesitate, immediately triggering his illness ability. Clang! Spiked iron chains grew, wrapping around his arms and dragging on the ground.


    Yi Chen found a beam strong enough to bear his weight, then took out the black umbilical cord, using it to hang himself up.


    While in a hanging state, he whipped himself with the chains, ensuring each spike struck accurately into his body, hitting vital points and causing the greatest amount of pain.


    Even though blood kept spilling, and his body was full of holes, Yi Chen had no intention of stopping.


    Crack!


    Because of the numerous holes in his abdomen, one forceful lash caused his lower body to break off,


    and the hanging black umbilical cord began to drain Yi Chen¡¯s vitality, hastening his death.


    When pain filled his body and he was about to die,


    the basement scene before his eyes crumbled away, layer by layer, like stripped skin¡­ Hum!


    Awake again,


    the wooden desk, where he should have been resting, was completely eroded by the pus that had spilled from the corner of Yi Chen¡¯s mouth, leaving only a small puddle of fluid on the floor.


    The black umbilical cord, as if self-aware, hung Yi Chen fully in the air in reality,


    his body covered with spikes, especially on his head.


    His face was even covered with ¡°Dead Man Makeup,¡± which seemed to have been freshly applied judging by its state.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    Yi Chen couldn¡¯t help but curse and immediately rid his body of its tense state, returning to its original form.


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t have these abilities to break out of the illusion, I¡¯d likely be trapped in it indefinitely¡­ What the hell is going on!¡±


    When Yi Chen walked out of the basement wearing clothes full of holes, looking like a vagabond,


    a hooting owl landed directly on his shoulder.


    Following that, the stern-faced Professor Qian Bosen descended from above, his eagle-claw-like hands gripping Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder tightly, a chill creeping in through his fingertips and probing Yi Chen¡¯s physical state.


    ¡°William! Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Professor Qian Bosen, how come you¡¯re here¡­¡±


    ¡°The Principal specifically reminded me to check on you. Judging by your spirit and ragged clothes, something did happen, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I had a nightmare last night, a very dangerous one.¡±


    ¡°I knew it!¡± Qian Bosen¡¯s eyes widened at the mention of ¡®nightmare¡¯.


    Yi Chen quickly asked, ¡°Huh? Are other people in the city having nightmares too?¡±


    ¡°This goes back to three months ago, when an ordinary resident from the middle-level streets, Marco Bellasquez, was found dead at home. He seemed to have experienced extreme terror before death, but the autopsy revealed nothing.


    Since then, every week, 1 to 5 people with similar circumstances have been found dead. Later, joint investigations by the Prophet¡¯s Unified Surveillance Brigade determined that their deaths seemed related to nightmares.¡±


    Yi Chen instantly realized something, ¡°Wait! Professor Qian Bosen, if I¡¯m not mistaken, did all the victims have a habit of sleeping without their clothes on?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, our investigation found that all of them were in that state before they died.


    About a month ago, Zion notified all districts, asking people to sleep in their clothes at night. At that time, you were with the Principal and did not receive the notice.¡±


    Qian Bosen wiped at Yi Chen¡¯s clothes, full of holes, ¡°The outfit Ivan made for you also contained Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡­ Perhaps because it didn¡¯t match you, not an issue with the original garment, it failed to provide protection.¡±


    ¡°An unknown pathogen causing nightmares has invaded Zion, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say, Hippocrates Hospital hasn¡¯t come to a conclusion yet. After all, if such a thing were made public, the organization would become chaotic.


    Anyway, it¡¯s good that you¡¯re alright.


    Also, your outfit should be about finished. Don¡¯t sleep again until you put it on. Afterward, go talk to the Principal about this;as a survivor, you¡¯ll help uncover the truth behind the nightmares.¡±

 Chapter 266: Costumes

    ¡°Professor Qian Bosen, have there been any nightmare survivors like me before?¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re the first¡­ However, since the number of deaths from nightmares was only nine, and after the organization discovered that sleeping in clothes could effectively block nightmare invasions, no further deaths have occurred.


    Once your clothing is complete, go report in detail about your nightmare experiences and how you broke free from the nightmares to the Principal.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Since Qian Bosen had come, he followed Yi Chen into the clothing store, taking the opportunity to catch up with his friend.


    The finished sample was still in the final stages of production,


    When Mr. Ivan heard about Yi Chen¡¯s ordeal with the nightmare, he was stunned and quickly apologized:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the clothes I lent you to be ineffective? It seems that only one¡¯s own clothes can resist nightmare invasions. I will speed up the production of the finished garment as much as possible. Try not to sleep in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Ivan then turned to look inside the clothing room, speaking with some confusion:


    ¡°However, the production of your garment is going exceptionally smoothly. Many details that are prone to errors have passed without issue, as if this garment belonging to you is perfectly cooperating with my production process.


    Such a situation is rare, perhaps it¡¯s because all your skin comes from the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯? In that case, it could all be completed in no more than three days.¡±


    Yi Chen could only offer an awkward smile, for he probably knew why things were going so smoothly. Even through a wall, he could clearly sense the presence of the Yellow Skin.


    Next, Ivan also declined Qian Bosen¡¯s invitation to eat and instead ordered takeout, fully immersing himself in the garment making.


    Due to the ¡®variability¡¯ of the advanced clothing, the suit was combined with the coat without proceeding with a separate design approach.


    On the second night, Yi Chen was notified to come and try on the final version of the garment.


    Perhaps because of the psychological burden brought by the nightmare,


    Yi Chen was quite cautious when entering and observing the garment, even having Xiao Putao concentrate an eye in his brain to observe whether Mr. Ivan was acting normally,


    Inside the fitting room.


    Still using a faceless mannequin with a 99.99% similarity to Yi Chen¡¯s body shape, wearing the finished garment.


    At first glance, it looked almost exactly like the black suit he had worn before. The overall style hadn¡¯t changed much and still looked gloomy¡­ but upon closer inspection, changes could be seen in the button style, shoulder cut, and sleeve construction.


    If the previous suit leaned towards ¡®youth and learning,¡¯ then this suit, while still emphasizing ¡®learning,¡¯ added a sense of steadiness and maturity.


    Yi Chen deliberately touched the seams of the shirt, making sure it wasn¡¯t sticking to the mannequin¡¯s skin, and he breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°William, you seem very tense¡­ Is it because of the nightmare¡¯s influence?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I was trapped in the fitting room twice in a row, so I can¡¯t help feeling a bit uneasy.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±


    Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.


    Frightened, Yi Chen quickly turned his head to look at Mr. Ivan, only to see the latter¡¯s body jerk slightly as something moved and chewed in his mouth.


    As Ivan¡¯s mouth slowly opened, two tendrils, like tentacles¡­ noodles slid out and were sucked back into the mouth just as they were about to fall.


    Ivan was holding the take-out just delivered ¨C beef sauce spaghetti, doing it all on purpose.


    Startled, Yi Chen nearly switched into Dead Man Makeup, his forehead dripping with sweat.


    ¡°Wow~ Mr. Ivan, you actually make jokes too, that was really scary! Don¡¯t scare me like that again. The nightmare was so real, if I hadn¡¯t worked with a patient who was proficient in illusion techniques before, I might have been trapped in there forever.¡±


    As he spoke,


    The silver-haired youth who had set up a temporary clinic on the beach suddenly sneezed, and the leggy female doctor by his side immediately added some medicine for colds to the IV bag.


    ¡­


    Skin fitting snugly, threads weaving through the form.


    As Yi Chen shed his temporary outerwear and revealed his sinewy body with oddly distributed muscles,


    the ready-to-wear clothing on the model spontaneously adhered to him, even going so far as to fasten the middle and lower black metallic buttons on the suit


    centrally.


    Yi Chen, as the primary subject, also received a notification:


    Old World text in a yellowed hue surfaced between his pupils:


    ¡ÚSkin Content has reached 52% (exceeding 50%) and the individual has open sourced;variability constraints on Skin Quality have been lifted, allowing the individual to undergo various derivative changes based on adaptability to the Skin¡Û


    Reading these words, Yi Chen closed his eyes, feeling the threads moving within his body as he tried to connect with and control the Skin.


    The hem of the clothing lengthened,


    and from the collar emerged a wide cape-like structure,


    transforming the suit into a long coat suitable for stealthy exploration in just three seconds.


    With increased proficiency over time, such a transformation could be achieved without any delay, materializing at will.


    ¡°Fantastic! Thank you, Mr. Ivan!¡±


    The Ivan, having slurped up the last strand of noodle, wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth with a napkin, ¡°The time just now, compared to a true elite, was slightly longer.


    I heard from Qian Bosen that you seem to have chosen the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ path. If you¡¯re to follow this path, then you must become more skilled in the use of Skin.


    If you cannot achieve ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯ within one month, I advise you to give up this path outright.¡±


    ¡°Restriction Removal?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ it¡¯s just as it sounds, lifting the limitations of the Skin. Clothing that reaches 50% Skin Content can carry and express the true potential of Skin, combining with our own traits to exhibit a truly ¡®disturbed¡¯ state.


    Without this ¡®disturbed¡¯ state, you stand no chance against those monsters for the First Gentleman¡¯s position, you might even be killed during the selection process. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯ varies from person to person, and guidance from others is not particularly effective.


    You should try to connect with the clothing and figure out the method for ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯ during this time.¡±


    Just as Ivan was saying this, a line of living text transmitted to Yi Chen¡¯s retina:


    ¡ÚI will teach you¡Û


    Yi Chen smiled faintly, ready to bid Mr. Ivan farewell and head back for a good sleep,


    when a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, sending a jolt through him! It seemed the PTSD from the nightmares was still having an effect.


    ¡°Oh yes! William, as your Clothes Refashioner, I need to remind you of something.


    Since you¡¯ve been selected as a candidate for the First Gentleman, you enjoy privileges in clothing structure and usage of Skin. The Divine Skin Mansion allows you to make broader structural changes to Skin.


    If you wish to add or modify some structures to your existing clothing, you can try to find a professional ¡®Clothes Refashioner¡¯ in town.


    It is permissible to add various material decorations or extra fabric, which will not interfere with the original effects and may even enhance your capabilities under special circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Clothes Refashioner? Like Knight Armor?¡±


    ¡°Knight Armor involves full-body modification, and Armor Masters are only affiliated with Knight Families;they usually don¡¯t modify clothes for outsiders.


    If you have connections in that area, however, you could try.


    Remember, any modifications must fit you personally and be avoided if not suitable.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    As Yi Chen walked out of the Nameless Clothing Store, he also recalled some of the unique clothing worn by seniors, such as the dress worn by the Principal adorned with Magic Gems and the star-shaped patterns outlined by special lines.


    Naturally, Yi Chen didn¡¯t know any Clothes Refashioners;to establish that connection, he¡¯d have to trouble Qian Bosen or take his chances in Cesimani.


    However, he happened to have just intersected with a member of a Knight Family.


    After a good night¡¯s sleep at school,


    the next morning found Yi Chen standing in front of a Medieval-style castle residence, prominently marked with the emblem of a Heavy Hammer on the door.

 Chapter 267: Change of Clothes

    Bessalius


    Zion¡¯s famed Knight Family, the family of Yi Chen¡¯s former teammate, Barry Bessalius.


    Because Yi Chen had risked death to bring back Barry¡¯s body at all costs, the family treated Yi Chen as an esteemed guest and welcomed him into their home.


    When the current head of the family¡ªCip Bessalius, Barry¡¯s grandfather¡ªsaw this young man again, he initially barely recognized him.


    In just three months, Yi Chen had achieved an Extreme Breakthrough, and he even harbored a very dangerous aura.


    Yi Chen also directly stated his purpose for visiting.


    Unexpectedly, the old man agreed without a second word and even arranged for the family¡¯s Armor Master to meet with Yi Chen immediately, shocking many family members.


    In their minds, the old man was from the old guard, and he would never involve outsiders in matters related to the core affairs of the family.


    Yet, the old man¡¯s next statement stunned those present,


    ¡°I have examined the wounds on Barry¡¯s body and can almost confirm that the person who killed him was Evatt Loasa, the vice principal of the Levinhome¡ªSunshine Hospital.


    The range of line techniques mastered by Evatt is immense, and he is very fast. Once encountered, it¡¯s utterly impossible to escape, especially within a city enveloped by the Death Factor.


    I can only think of one explanation: you openly fought and completely defeated Evatt, who was supposed to resurrect as the dead, and even killed him.


    You also deliberately moved the battleground to avoid affecting Barry¡¯s body, enabling you to bring back his corpse relatively intact.¡±


    This statement left the family members shocked, and they even doubted the old man¡¯s deductions, as they saw such over-leveled fights as impossible.


    Yi Chen merely smiled slightly and did not respond directly.


    ¡°Your courage is worth our respect. Our family¡¯s foremost Armor Master, Voravi Bessalius, will take one-on-one responsibility for your outfitting issues. You can report anything to me.


    Furthermore, we will arrange a guest room for you where you can stay for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Living with the Bessalius Family nearly elevated Yi Chen¡¯s standards for quality of life, making it hard to imagine enjoying such a life under their worldview.


    However, although Yi Chen rather enjoyed it, he still spent most of his time on serious matters.


    He discussed with the family¡¯s Armor Master through the night and together, they drafted the design.


    Ultimately, a streamlined design that transcended the current era was finalized, using the most complex ¡°lightweight technology¡± focusing only on armoring the right shoulder and arm.


    If achievable, this would enhance the defense of the right arm without significantly affecting the weight of the outfit, complementing the swinging and throwing of the axe.


    However, there is currently one main issue to resolve¡ª[Materials].


    To achieve perfect lightweight technology, it is essential to find corresponding rigid materials and ideally, materials with a pathological Attribute from the Old World and then modify the structure of the skin around this core material.


    Even the Bessalius Family couldn¡¯t find materials that met the design requirements and matched Yi Chen¡¯s personal specifications.


    Yi Chen had to temporarily leave to find the materials himself.


    As for where to obtain these Old World materials that suit him, three thoughts flashed in Yi Chen¡¯s mind.


    The first was to use the nearby [Portal] to go to the Old World, either to meet with the Duke or to treasure hunt on his own.


    But to meet the Duke just for the modification materials seemed like an overkill. Moreover, even though Yi Chen had achieved an Extreme Breakthrough, going to the Old World would still put him under the watchful eye of the Monastery, making the situation very dangerous.


    The second option was to take on relevant rewarding tasks as an Elite Gentleman and seek materials from the Zion treasury.


    The third option was to find an acquaintance.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start by visiting the Principal. The armored design mainly amplifies my melee and axe-wielding capabilities. If I can obtain Star Attribute materials from the Principal, that would be ideal.


    It¡¯s also an opportune time to report to her about the matters concerning the Nightmare.¡±


    Walking up the steps to the Fetal Heart Church,


    Yi Chen was the only outsider in Zion unaffected by the barrier of the Principal¡¯s office and easily entered through his understanding of Star Magic.


    This time, the Principal was not floating in the air.


    A sofa with a backdrop of Star Illusion Moon Night had also been added to the office, and seeming to know that Yi Chen would come, she was already sitting on one side of the sofa with her legs crossed,


    almost casually patting the empty seat to invite Yi Chen to sit next to her.


    ¡°Hello, Principal!¡±


    Yi Chen walked slowly over after bowing, and no sooner had he sat down than the Principal¡¯s hand slid into his collar, touching the fabric and the threading within, softly commenting,


    ¡°The craftsmanship is flawless, truly worthy of a former master tailor.


    Show me the transformation blueprint you discussed with the Bessalius Family.¡±


    ¡°Oh~ okay.¡±


    Yi Chen took out a backup from his briefcase, and the Principal scrutinized it before nodding slightly.


    ¡°I can provide you with the material, and it¡¯s a metal ore that possesses star energy, capable of synergizing with the magic you have mastered to achieve ¡®gravity compensation¡¯.


    However, you need to cooperate with one thing¡­ to be precise, with ¡®us¡¯.¡±


    ¡°The nightmare issue?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, as the sole survivor of the nightmare, you must make good use of your survival experience. Tomorrow afternoon at three o¡¯clock, meet at Swan School.


    At that time, including myself, everyone in the organization who has been bestowed the title of ¡®Prophet¡¯ will be there.¡±


    ¡°So the nightmare issue is quite serious, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The Principal didn¡¯t respond directly, but switched the position of his legs, ¡°You are the one who experienced it firsthand, shouldn¡¯t you know better than me?¡±


    Yi Chen also nodded, resting his hands against the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, and I¡¯m not boasting¡­ Those who have an epidemic value similar to mine and are breakthroughers, once infected, mostly find it hard to escape the nightmare or even die.


    If the onslaught of the nightmare were to slowly penetrate the clothing over time, it would be a colossal disaster for Zion, possibly even more dreadful than the death in Levinhome.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Principal shifted his body closer, ¡°I¡¯m curious, how did you manage to escape? Although this question will be asked at tomorrow¡¯s meeting, I¡¯d like to know some details beforehand.¡±


    Yi Chen first pointed to his brain, ¡°This structure that surpasses the Madness Brain probably played a key role, and then there¡¯s this¡­¡±


    Threads of thorny iron chains grew from his right arm, Desline seeing the iron chains structure within Yi Chen for the first time, especially the thorns, sent a chilling pain through her body.


    ¡°Do you also have a connection with the monastery? I haven¡¯t heard you mention it before.¡±


    ¡°Haha, Principal, you never asked.¡±


    ¡°No wonder you managed to escape the nightmare, the iron chains from the monastery are indeed a powerful tool for breaking illusion diseases, together with your Madness Brain structure, escaping does make sense.¡±


    However, Yi Chen shook his head,


    ¡°No~ just those two alone might not be enough.


    I also understand illusion techniques, and I have used them in real combat in Levinhome. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This illusion technique is something I inherited from someone else, it allows me to recognize that I am in a dream and not reality.¡±


    This revelation made Desline narrow her eyes slightly, ¡°You¡¯re talking about Patient Zero, right? Moon Trace Lorian¡­ Did he leave the Moon Transformation Attribute in you?


    If that¡¯s the case, it means you have [three] ways of breaking free from the illusion realm to escape the nightmare.


    It appears that we must elevate the threat level of the nightmare incident;the worst scenario might occur sooner than expected.¡±


    Desline wasted no time and took out a small box she had prepared earlier, placing a piece of metal with star speckled patterns inside it.


    ¡­


    [The following afternoon-Swan School]


    This school, responsible for gentlemen¡¯s lessons, was wrapped in a special Star Night film.


    At exactly three o¡¯clock,


    Yi Chen arrived just in time, still panting from half an hour earlier, as he had been at the Bessalius Family estate for the final modifications.


    Currently,


    His right shoulder and arm were covered in a type of transcendent streamlined armor, wholly silver, and under the conditions of the night, gleaming with starlight.


    As he entered the school, pairs of eyes with different textures, ranks, and attributes turned towards him, trying to deeply observe this ¡®nightmare survivor¡¯.


    However, these gazes were blocked by the clothing, and even encountered a kind of anti-gaze originating from inside Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    ¡°Grapes! All the highest quality grapes¡­¡±


    The excited voice of the little grape followed suit.

 Chapter 268: Nightmare Memories

    Yi Chen¡¯s gaze swiftly swept over the school, including the principal, making a total of six people.


    They represented Zion¡¯s special community and were also the ones responsible for establishing the survival rules of the associated cities, gentlemen who were granted the title of ¡°Prophet¡±.


    It was thanks to the effective rules they established in various regions that civilians who couldn¡¯t become gentlemen could barely survive in such a world, significantly reducing the rate of Pathological infections and barely maintaining the diversity of human territories on the Fourth Continent.


    1. An ordinary old man holding a sapphire staff and wrapped in a brown trench coat was sitting on a bench at the entrance. When he saw Yi Chen come in, he even showed a kind smile.


    But as he smiled, it seemed there were small ears of different styles tucked into the creases of his wrinkles. These ears appeared to be able to hear more sounds, thus analyzing Yi Chen¡¯s physical condition.


    2. A mysterious person in a white suit and white bowler hat, wearing a white faceless mask, leaned against the last row of benches.


    Only when Yi Chen looked at him did he realize that the person actually had his back to him, with the mask worn on the back of his head.


    The feeling of being watched from the back of the head made Yi Chen uncomfortable, but Vision was quite thrilled as if it had seen some novel species.


    3. On the third row of benches on the left, an inner seat was taken by a middle-aged woman with plain clothes and gold-rimmed glasses, with a touch of gray at her temples, immersed in reading a story magazine.


    Strangely enough, although her gaze was on the book, there was always a sensation of being intently stared at.


    4. A Black man suspended cross-legged in the air on the Second Floor, with six arms growing from his body, symmetrically spread out like a flower. His suit was also perfectly matched with six sleeves for the arms, and his tie was covered with flower prints.


    Each palm had an eye, and the fingers were in different symbolic poses.


    This kind of figure was nearly driving Vision crazy with desire.


    5. This Prophet caught Yi Chen¡¯s attention for a longer time, his entire body bound with bandages, with only his head exposed, also wearing mechanical, fully enclosed goggles and a breathing plug.


    The wheelchair used for moving still had a restraint device, shackling his arms and legs.


    Pushed by a precisely engineered Mechanical Maid.


    6. Daislin Baldivia, the principal stood at the lectern as the central figure waiting for Yi Chen¡¯s arrival.


    Yi Chen was certain that to become a Prophet, one must have special accomplishments in ¡°Sensing¡±, and naturally their sensory abilities were extraordinary.


    ¡°Vision, be respectful and stop constantly bringing up grapes. If you offend any of the Prophets, we could be targeted.¡±


    What¡¯s there to be afraid of! They¡¯re allowed to stare at us, but we can¡¯t look back at them¡­ With your skill to overpower opponents, William, facing them one-on-one wouldn¡¯t be too hard, heh heh! If they really do attack, then just counter them, but remember to leave the grapes for me.¡±


    Yi Chen temporarily cut off communication with Vision and walked along the red carpet in the center of the school towards the principal.


    Principal Daislin did not immediately delve into the main topic, but rather scrutinized the light-weight arm armor structure that had been custom-made for Yi Chen.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Bessalius Family to have such craftsmanship. It fits your style perfectly. How about it? Have you tried it in actual combat?¡±


    ¡°I rushed over as soon as it was completed, I haven¡¯t had the chance to use it yet.¡±


    ¡°You should be practicing individually with Zede later on. I¡¯ll come and watch your battle memories then. Let¡¯s get to the next topic. First, let me introduce you to the Prophets present.


    I¡¯ll introduce them in the order you observed when you entered.


    [The Listener ¨C Enio Bargas]


    [United Two-Faces ¨C Marko and Martin]


    [Reader ¨C Missy Hartfield]


    [Six-Wheeled Divine Eye ¨C Ojinka Sabah]


    [The Sealed Yuri]


    Including myself, we are all the Prophets currently in Zion. As we each manage our respective areas, our authorities and work content differ, and it¡¯s rare for us to gather together.


    However, the danger assessment of the nightmare invasion has surpassed any danger encountered since the founding of the organization. We plan to use your nightmare experience to try to obtain more information about the nightmares, and if possible, lock onto the source of the nightmares and attempt to eradicate it.


    Are you willing to cooperate?¡±


    ¡°I will fully cooperate, but I have one condition, which is that aside from the nightmare memories, my other memories are not to be touched.¡±


    ¡°I will handle the memory presentation;they are just responsible for observation and foreknowledge. They won¡¯t touch any other layers of your memory except for the nightmare memory,¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    In fact, Yi Chen and the principal had already agreed on the matter of memories, and it was merely a formality to mention it now. Last night, the principal had assured him that exploring the nightmare would not affect Yi Chen¡¯s personal state.


    Like the way Principal Daislin once peered into Yi Chen¡¯s memories,


    a finger slid to his brow and gently flicked!


    Pop!


    Particles of starlight that composed neurons burst out from the back of his head, yet they appeared fragmented and sparse, unable to form a complete picture;Daislin had never seen such a situation before.


    She then flicked ten more times, such that Yi Chen¡¯s forehead turned somewhat red and swollen.


    The starlit memory nuclei combined slowly to form an image, but some areas remained blurred or even missing, like an old filmstrip covered with mosaics, making it difficult to play.


    ¡°Let me help¡­¡±


    The black Prophet suspended on the second floor shot different beams of light from the palms of his six hands to clarify the image.


    Additionally, Reader ¨C Missy Hartfield closed her book, came to where the starlight was scattered, deconstructed some of the messy and blurred starlight into text, and then redisplayed it.


    With the cooperation of the two, a smooth and clear video image emerged.


    As the silent nightmare footage played, the listener seated at the doorway fully opened his ¡°Ear,¡± hidden among the wrinkles.


    Capturing non-existent sounds, he then transformed his staff into a flute adorned with blue crystals and began to produce music for the footage, perfectly restoring the memory scene.


    ¡°Truly worthy of being a Prophet¡­¡±


    Yi Chen marveled at the skills of those present;he himself became an audience member, sitting on a nearby bench to seriously enjoy the memory playback that floated in the air of the academy.


    Thanks to several days of quality sleep, Yi Chen was no longer as sensitive to these memories, and his PTSD was essentially eliminated.


    If there was anything incorrect in the memory playback, Yi Chen, the main experiencer, could also make some corrections.


    As everyone watched the nightmare memory, especially when they saw the nested second cycle, they all looked troubled (except for the sealed ones).


    The old lady who liked to read books murmured softly, ¡°Hmm? Layers of dreams¡­ If one doesn¡¯t realize it at the first moment, it will become more and more entangled. Once it reaches the third layer or even deeper, it¡¯s impossible to break free.


    If we let the nightmare spread throughout Zion, probably 95% of gentlemen would die.¡±


    Then,


    when Yi Chen demonstrated the escape techniques he used within the nightmare, many Prophets present immediately cast astonished looks.


    It represented the Suffering Monastery¡¯s iron chains, and they were even the special spiked kind,


    It represented the newborn forest¡¯s umbilical cord, which seemed to be a Relic,


    and ultimately, Yi Chen even revealed a terrifying ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯. The Readers skilled in visual observation and the six-eyed, upon examining this appearance, even had a drop of cold sweat spill from their backs.


    Such decisiveness and display of ability were simply not like a gentleman who had just broken through,


    even Yi Chen was still a few months away from graduating from the academy, and he was still labeled as a student.


    Just as everyone was astonished by Yi Chen¡¯s escape techniques, a completely different sense of anomaly spread throughout the academy.


    The nightmare memory that should have ended with the appearance of the Dead Man Makeup persisted without dissipating.


    The star formation images floating in the air continued to play, and the camera slowly focused on the ¡®Yi Chen¡¯ who was in a hanging state, with only half of his body remaining.


    All of a sudden,


    ¡®Yi Chen¡¯ suddenly turned his face, staring at everyone present with completely rolled-up white eyes and a gaping mouth.


    Ink-like tendrils, resembling octopus tentacles, spilled from his mouth, even tainting the surrounding star formations with the color of ink, spreading in solid form into the academy area.


    Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 269: Each Deploys Their Tactics

    Before the nightmare scene eroded into the front of Swan School,


    those with keen perception had captured a movement of Yi Chen¡¯s lips as he hung, whispering softly, through further analysis, they could decipher the language of the Old World that he spoke.


    ¡ìNightmare Realization¡ì


    It was after these words that the nightmare began to invade reality, even going so far as to dye the surrounding star formations ink-black and claim them as its own.


    Drip-drop, drip-drop~


    Varieties of ink began to seep out between the top and the walls of the school,


    and tentacles spreading from the nightmare swiftly swelled and split, rapidly taking over all areas of the school, preparing to launch an attack on those present.


    The Prophets present also switched forms,


    the elderly man at the door replaced his flute with a staff,


    the two-faced Prophet reverted to his front side, his entire demeanor suddenly turning ferocious,


    the Reader also pulled out a completely different book emitting an aura of devouring,


    and the Black Prophet on the second floor clenched his six palms into fists, with all the eyes on his palms moving to his forehead, ready to perform a physical exorcism.


    Sealed Yuri made no move;instead, the maid behind him shifted into a battle stance,


    Yi Chen had one hand pressed to his face, ready to activate ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± at any moment.


    Just as everyone was ready to move,


    particles, like cosmic dust, dispersed throughout the school, joining with the intrinsic Star River Barrier of the campus, interconnecting to form a geometric surface that fitted the school¡¯s inner walls,


    Just as the nightmare tentacles were about to strike at the people, the geometrical surface began to compress inward, affecting only the nightmare elements without impacting anyone present.


    As the geometric body continually compressed,


    ultimately, all the nightmare material inside was annihilated completely, leaving no trace, even the stained stars were obliterated, seeming to possess a capability of spatial separation.


    This was precisely the technique of Principal Daisline, who was currently spreading her black feathery wings wide, with her arms crossed in front of her chest in a compressing posture.


    Although it seemed completely annihilated,


    there was actually a single droplet of nightmare liquid that had been isolated and was now securely sealed within a small cube with a glossy star-like luster, consolidated in the palm of the Principal, to serve as an important clue for further investigation.


    Such a method also left Yi Chen astonished, no wonder the Principal held such a high status. Even among the high-ranking group of Prophets, the Principal still firmly held the top position.


    At this moment, Daisline had already put on the Crying Mask, her aura completely sealing the school.


    ¡°No one is to leave! Everyone please conduct a ¡®self-check,¡¯ and if you are unable to do so, I will personally check you to ensure that we haven¡¯t been infected by any nightmare factors.¡±


    The so-called self-check involved using the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± for a full-body inspection, after which the findings would be publicly disclosed.


    Only after confirming that no one had issues, did the Principal lift the school¡¯s barrier.


    ¡°Now I will take this sealed sample to the Pathological Research Center for testing, and you are welcome to follow if interested.¡±


    The Prophets, not specialists in testing, couldn¡¯t be much help even if they followed.


    They had just been at the scene and, like the Principal, had obtained ¡®nightmare samples¡¯ in one way or another,


    like the elderly man at the door who received the entire process audio sample from the appearance to the annihilation of the nightmare,


    or the Reader who transformed some of the overflowed ink stains into text, sealed between the pages of his book.


    Each would employ different methods to perform pathological analysis on the physicalized nightmare;today¡¯s gathering could be said to be of significant importance.


    Just then, the Mechanical Maid pushing the wheelchair moved her jaw and, from her mouth, issued a very pleasant young female voice:


    ¡°Mr. Yuri suggested that everyone should summarize intelligence every six hours, and once anyone fails to report, the rest should immediately go and check the situation.¡±


    Since nightmares can turn from void to reality, it¡¯s also very likely they can turn from reality to void, possibly permeating our thoughts so deeply during the recent exposure that they can¡¯t be detected by our devices.


    Although this possibility is small, it can¡¯t be excluded.


    Furthermore¡­¡±


    The Mechanical Maid suddenly turned around and looked at Yi Chen,


    ¡°Since his nightmare memories can manifest as a physical threat, it indicates that some part of his brain might already be parasitized by nightmares, or indirectly so. I suggest a comprehensive analysis of the brain.¡±


    Everyone agreed with the maid¡¯s earlier suggestions, but when the topic shifted to Yi Chen, the Principal immediately stood up to refute it.


    ¡°William is my student, and I am fully aware of his condition.


    His brain could not be parasitized by any pathogen. If Yuri, you don¡¯t believe it, you can let your maid touch him.¡±


    ¡°The reason,¡± Yuri also turned his wheelchair over, allowing the maid to speak on his behalf.


    ¡°The death element in his head is even higher than that of Levinhome, and its structure surpasses even the madmen. The combination of these two alone decisively indicates that no pathogen could silently parasitize within his brain.


    The actualization of the nightmare stems from the ¡®medium¡¯.¡±


    We combined the imaging of William¡¯s nightmare memories, allowing the nightmare factors hidden deep in Zion a chance to leak out, using the dream images as a medium to expose themselves and attempt to infect us all.¡±


    At the same time, the kindly old man sitting at the door also added, ¡°This young man has a lot of ¡®noise¡¯, but all these noises belong to him alone, none are associated with nightmares.¡±


    Yuri did not respond, and after a moment of thought, he turned away.


    Principal Daislin continued, ¡°That¡¯s all for today¡¯s meeting. According to Yuri¡¯s words, let¡¯s exchange thoughts every six hours to summarize the situation. It¡¯s been hard on everyone.¡±


    The Prophets left one after another, and Yi Chen also watched them go, until only he and the Principal were left in the school.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to turn and talk to the Principal,


    he suddenly felt his elbow being grasped, and the next second, his body flew off the ground, speeding towards the school gates at half the speed of sound.


    ¡°Principal¡­¡±


    ¡°Come with me to the Pathological Research Center, since you and Vice Director Visari are well acquainted. If the incident just now hadn¡¯t occurred within the school premises, without the support of the Starry Sky Barrier, those strange tentacle structures might have spread to other areas in the city, and the consequences would be unimaginable.


    If possible, William, try to seal away that segment of nightmare memory.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I can do that myself. But I haven¡¯t sealed the memory yet because I also want to contribute and figure out what the source of the nightmare is.¡±


    This response seemed to surprise the Principal, ¡°Oh? What are you planning to do?¡±


    ¡°To avoid affecting Zion, I plan to leave the city and meet with my friend who is a patient. I want to discuss with him.


    After all, he¡¯s an expert in illusion techniques and once managed to trap three monks who tried to subdue him in the Old World into an illusion in an instant.¡±


    ¡°It seems you two have a good relationship~ But first come with me to the Pathological Research building. Once the analysis results are in, I and the other Prophets will report this incident to the organization¡¯s higher-ups and assign you a specific mission for investigating the nightmares.


    That way, you won¡¯t risk going outside the school for nothing, and at least you¡¯ll get the reward you deserve.¡±


    ¡°That works.¡±


    ¡°By the way! If I hadn¡¯t intervened just now, facing those tentacle-like nightmare materials, do you think you could have handled them?¡±


    ¡°I was already drooling with excitement, eager to chop and tear those things apart, and try making some grilled squid skewers out of them.


    If it really works, I can get those tentacles indefinitely through nightmare manifestation, which means free material. Selling them in the lower street districts could definitely make me rich, allowing me to pay off my debt to Professor Qian Bosen at the same time.¡± S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking with you, be serious, this is no small matter.¡±


    ¡°No problem¡­ Honestly, I even thought about sleeping naked to re-experience a similar nightmare by being dragged into one.¡±

 Chapter 270: Intercept Midway

    The sample of the nightmare that Principal Daislin brought over not only caused Vice Principal Visari to break out in a cold sweat but even alarmed the Chief Doctor of Hippocrates Hospital,


    one of the founders of the organization and the creator of the medical system,


    Doctor Gregory Alaus.


    Rumor has it he¡¯s over five hundred years old, and typically, he only attends a very few high-level organization meetings, leaving hospital affairs to be managed by the three vice-principals.


    In the depths of the pathology research building,


    Vice Principal Visari placed the sample brought by Principal Daislin on the ¡°isolation operation table¡± with the highest level of security, but he had yet to begin his research, instead waiting for the Chief Doctor to arrive.


    Yi Chen, too, stood behind Principal Daislin, very curious about what one of the former founders of the organization would look like;he wondered if at such an advanced age, the body could no longer hold up and must rely on a wheelchair for mobility, just like Prophet Yuri needed assistance to move.


    However,


    as a series of footsteps approached, everyone turned to look,


    and an old man with a vigorous stride, looking dapper and even wearing a purple suit and sunglasses, entered the secret room.


    Once inside, he took off his suit and hung it on the coat rack by the door, S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the sleeves of his shirt were just rolled up past his arms, revealing ostentatiously tattooed arms, a bright bouquet of flowers on the left arm, and on the right, dual dragon heads spewing flames and ice.


    ¡°Teacher!¡±


    The typically mysterious and powerful Visari bowed his head at this moment, holding his hat against his chest.


    ¡°Hmm, I heard you obtained this substance from the nightmares recalled by a young person. Not bad~ to actually find a Nightmare Survivor.¡±


    The old man lifted his sunglasses slightly, looking at Yi Chen with the azure eyes hidden underneath.


    ¡°You¡¯re the young man who caused quite a stir in the hospital last time, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry about that~ Chief Doctor Alaus, for the trouble I caused you.¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all, I heard that several deeply comatose patients woke up due to the anomalies when you broke through, that¡¯s good news.


    It¡¯s unexpected that you would happen to be involved with nightmares, is it a coincidence?


    This nightmare factor has never been recorded in our archives;we initially suspect it may have been a novel, highly effective, high-level pathogen, specially developed by the Old World through the rules of our World, and then quietly deployed here.


    Let¡¯s see exactly what kind of pathogen we¡¯re dealing with¡­¡±


    The Chief Doctor skillfully inserted his hands into the gloves of the operation table, reaching inside.


    Instantly, a dense vitality filled the enclosed operation table, turning it into a miniature version of a primeval jungle.


    The nightmare substance brought by Principal Daislin, imprisoned within the Starlight Crystal, resided in the very center of the jungle.


    As Chief Doctor Gregory touched the crystal, he opened it like peeling an egg, revealing truncated tentacles barely the size of a fingertip.


    The moment the seal was released, dark liquid began to seep from the soil of the primeval jungle, and some plants were even stained black.


    The severed tentacles quickly swelled and regenerated.


    Even though several trees immediately attempted to constrain it, each was broken by this nightmare tentacle.


    Snap!


    Chief Doctor Alaus¡¯s left hand suddenly grabbed it, with special vines growing out of his hand, even engraved with ancient text.


    This finally calmed down this small segment of nightmare tentacle for proper testing and analysis.


    Yi Chen observed from the side, surprised that the Chief Doctor also possessed plant disease, and another important note¡­ the Chief Doctor had been using only his left hand¡¯s ability the whole time, his right hand simply resting aside.


    When his gazes lay upon the right arm with the twin dragon tattoos, it was as if he could feel the oppressive aura of a True Dragon,


    Yi Chen guessed that if the nightmare tentacle were to lose control, the Chief Doctor¡¯s right hand would instantly obliterate it.


    Everyone stood by, waiting for over two hours.


    As a drop of sweat slid down Chief Doctor Alaus¡¯s forehead, he turned to give Principal Daislin a look, signaling her to immediately use the same Star Seal to reseal the nightmare.


    Similarly, the Chief Doctor also stimulated the plants, weaving three layers of different structured plant nets to seal off the inside of the operation table.


    ¡°The research on nightmare material must continue;today¡¯s work ends here.¡±


    Taking the opportunity, Principal Daislin explained the matter of Yi Chen wanting to leave the city to investigate;however, the Chief Doctor shook his head in refusal.


    ¡°Just a small segment required my left hand ability to restrain;this time, the threat Zion faces will reach an all-time high.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recommend you leave the city to conduct an investigation on your own,¡± said the teacher. ¡°Wait until your clothing achieves ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯, then we can discuss this matter. According to my observation, the garment you just improved has probably not even warmed up to your body yet.¡±


    Impatience won¡¯t solve anything.


    ¡°Spend a bit more time on yourself, so that even if the worst-case scenario happens, you will at least be able to protect yourself.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The principal then turned his head toward another vice principal in charge of the inpatient department, ¡°Summon all the doctors from the clinics within a two hundred kilometer radius directly under the organization, who have more than ten years of medical practice, regardless of their positions, for a disease consultation tonight at ten.


    ¡°Would Principal Daislin be interested in attending?¡±


    ¡°It would be an honor.¡±


    After accepting the invitation to attend, Daislin also turned to look at Yi Chen:


    ¡°Let¡¯s do as Principal Gregory suggests. We¡¯ll arrange for you to investigate the nightmare after you achieve ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯. I believe it shouldn¡¯t take long with your talent.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t linger there for long and bid farewell to everyone before leaving the hospital through the main gate independently,


    leaving the nightmare problem as an issue for the hospital itself. Yi Chen did not dwell on it further;he stretched his arms and began considering his own issues.


    ¡°Indeed, I¡¯m being hasty~ Even if I leave the city now, it¡¯s not certain I¡¯ll find Lorrian. Better to enhance my own strength first¡­ With Yellow Skin¡¯s help, I should be able to control the traits of the clothing quickly.


    Additionally, engaging in physical combat with Teacher Zede will also help me get more familiar with the Open Source Level of fighting.


    Take it slow, no rush~ Waiting until the right moment to deal with the nightmare won¡¯t be too late.¡±


    Yi Chen walked briskly to the train platform. He had just walked down a street and was about to cross a sparsely populated intersection,


    when his global vision from Little Grape suddenly captured a projectile speeding by from the side.


    Pop!


    It landed right in the center of the road.


    Yi Chen looked closely and saw that it was actually a lump of diced belly pork.


    Boom!


    A small mushroom cloud rose from the center of the road, startling all the gentry in the surrounding shops.


    Unharmed by the explosion, thanks to his clothing¡¯s blast-resistance trait, the belly pork explosion seemed to emphasize only the sound and the smoke.


    Through the thick smoke,


    a gentleman wearing a colorful mask and feminine English-style leather boots emerged, revealing nearly perfect slim legs with a pair of leather shorts.


    His upper body matched with a white shirt and a dark red leather waistcoat vest.


    There was also a short ponytail tied behind the mask.


    The newcomer was none other than Jin Almeda, a teammate whom he had not seen for many days.


    Due to the adaptive nature of her advanced clothing, she had changed her style to become more lightweight and suited for fast combat.


    ¡°Jin¡­ there¡¯s no need for this,¡± Yi Chen said.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t hurt anyone, what¡¯s there to be afraid of? Besides, an occasional explosion might just kill the germs hiding in the shadows. I¡¯ve heard there¡¯s some nightmare pathogen lurking deep in the city recently, which is why I haven¡¯t been able to sleep without my clothes on every night.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, several prophets are currently discussing the nightmare issue, and it seems the hospital has started as well. Make sure to sleep in clothes at night.¡±


    It appeared Jin wasn¡¯t listening to his words as she stepped forward and gently lifted Yi Chen¡¯s chin with her finger.


    ¡°William, the last time you broke through you caused quite a stir. Beili and I are both waiting for you to come over for some fun. It looks like you¡¯ve completely forgotten about Cesimani.¡±


    ¡°No, I was just about to head over there~¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this direction going towards the school?¡±


    ¡°Oh, ah! Is it¡­ ¡±


    Jin grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s head with one arm and forcefully took him along.


    Yi Chen complied, as going to Cesimani was also a part of his plan;similarly, he could familiarize himself with Open Source Level fighting through real combat.


    As the two passed through the orchard area,


    Yi Chen suddenly noticed a gaze from the side. He turned his head and was surprised to see a mechanical maid standing at the edge of the orchard, staring straight at him with her mechanical artificial eye.

 Chapter 271: Invitation

    ¡°Jin, should the mechanical maid be here?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s normal. Mr. Yuri¡¯s maids are spread throughout Kesimani, even in Zion¡­ Is this your first time noticing? But indeed, the maids in Zion are covered in perfect human skin, so you can¡¯t tell they¡¯re mechanical.


    The maids in Kesimani tend to be more secretive;it¡¯s rare to see one standing out in the open like this.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that Prophet Yuri is from Kesimani?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he is a special prophet born under the training of the executioners in Kesimani, and the only prophet produced here who has been certified by the organization since its establishment.


    Privately, we call him ¡®Butcher Prophet.''¡±


    ¡°Butcher? I had the fortune of meeting Prophet Yuri once;he was wrapped entirely in bandages and wore a restraint on his face, relying on mechanical maids for movement and communication.


    Is he strong?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if he is strong, as I¡¯ve never confronted him directly.


    However, Instructor Beili once said that because of Yuri¡¯s presence, Kesimani can do whatever it wants without causing societal turmoil, and the authorities usually won¡¯t intervene.


    He must be quite powerful, but we gentlemen like us hardly get a chance to see this prophet, as he seems busy every day.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go see Instructor Beili first.¡±


    The gaze from the mechanical maid lasted until they took the elevator to Kesimani¡¯s underground area.


    As soon as Yi Chen stepped into Instructor Beili¡¯s office, he brought up the matter of the mechanical maid.


    Legs crossed on the table, Instructor Beili, who was filing someone else¡¯s nails, looked puzzled, ¡°You¡¯re saying Yuri¡¯s maid watched you the whole time in the orchard¡­ Did something happen between you two?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen was about to recount the Prophet Gathering at the Swan School,


    Knock, knock! A knock on the door interrupted them.


    Instructor Beili lifted her glasses, seemingly perceiving who was at the door.


    ¡°Come in!¡±


    The door swung open,


    and a half-human, half-mechanical blonde maid stood at the entrance, the upper half of her body human, the lower half completely mechanical, even stepping on knife-shaped soles.


    ¡°Master Yuri specifically sent me to invite William Behrens over to his residence.¡±


    ¡°Is there something he needs?¡±


    Yi Chen immediately responded, his impression of the prophets generally good, except he was wary of Prophet Yuri.


    From their first meeting, Yi Chen felt something was off about Yuri, who even suggested performing a cranial examination on him during the Prophet Gathering.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t tell me the specifics, just asked me to convey a message that if you agree to meet, he will offer you some special benefits, unavailable from the academy, which will greatly help you who have just achieved an extreme breakthrough.¡±


    As Yi Chen pondered, Jin suddenly interjected, ¡°May I join in?¡±


    ¡°Hold on a moment.¡±


    The mechanical maid pressed her index fingers against her temples, contacting her master through some method, ¡°Jin Almeda, you are permitted to accompany him, but once there, you must follow the master¡¯s rules. Any violation, and the master will immediately expel you from his room.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡±


    Jin had been in Kesimani for so long, having heard of the Butcher Prophet¡¯s renown but never getting the chance;unexpectedly, today¡¯s turn of events with Yi Chen brought an unexpected opportunity.


    Just as Jin was about to pull Yi Chen with him, Instructor Beili swiftly positioned herself in front of the two.


    ¡°There are still some matters between them and me that are unfinished. I¡¯ll personally escort them to see Mr. Yuri in a little while.¡±


    ¡°Okay~ Then I¡¯ll leave it to Instructor Beili. Oh, and the master asked me to pass a message to William alone.¡±


    The maid stepped close to Yi Chen with knife-shaped soles, pressing her authentically full lips to Yi Chen¡¯s earlobe, ¡°Keep the matters about the ¡®Prophet Gathering¡¯ and anything related to the nightmare confidential.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    With that, the maid left on her knife-shaped feet.


    Click!


    After the door closed, Beili drew them back to her desk, ¡°It seems your dealings with Prophet Yuri are quite special, William? You did indeed meet him somewhere, right?


    The reason this maid specifically came is probably to ensure you don¡¯t speak of the specifics, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t ask further, as Yuri¡¯s status in Kesimani is higher than mine.


    Before you two head over, just a small caution, try to accommodate whatever Yuri requests as much as possible, and don¡¯t anger him. This guy has sealed himself away because he is incredibly unstable emotionally.¡±


    ¡°He sealed himself?¡±


    ¡°Correct, Yuri¡¯s prophetic abilities come from ¡®Slaughter Instinct.¡¯ He was once the gentleman with the highest desire for slaughter here, capable of even burst testing the instruments.¡±


    He had once been punished to plant trees in the orchard, yet he ended up chopping down all the fruit trees and severely injuring the security personnel.


    Subsequently, he was completely immersed in slaughter. During an Extreme Breakthrough outside, he actually merged himself with the act of killing, which enlightened him about himself. Despite being immersed in slaughter, he was not controlled by it.


    He could even make slaughter foreknowledge predictions different from other Prophets through fluctuations in his killing intent.


    To suppress his slaughter instinct, he forced himself to learn mechanics and built a mechanical system driven by his killing intent.


    It could consume his killing intent and also control a special mechanical army, to reduce the possibility of making mistakes, he used multiple methods to seal himself.


    On a day-to-day basis, he used his mechanical army to monitor the dark side of Kesimani and even the entire Zion.


    Any criminals wanting to commit murders in Zion would have their fluctuations in killing intent captured by Yuri beforehand, thus foreseeing homicides.


    The long-term stability of Zion was inseparable from Mr. Yuri¡¯s foreknowledge of slaughter.¡±


    ¡°What about his power?¡±


    ¡°Principal Daislin is very mysterious, I will not discuss her, but excluding Daislin, Yuri is probably the strongest and most dangerous of all Prophets.


    However, you can rest assured, though dangerous, he is unlikely to do anything to you two.¡±


    Jin was completely excited by this explanation, pulling Yi Chen¡¯s arm continuously as they headed outside.


    ¡°Alright~ let¡¯s not delay for too long, I¡¯ll take you over now.¡±


    [Kesimani ¨C Underground Depths]


    The underground structure was like a maze, proceeding along a single and hidden road.


    In the deepest corridors, the walls bulged with faces of mechanical maids made of metal.


    When someone approached, these faces would open their eyes, closely watching the newcomers.


    At the same time,


    Click! The door at the deepest part of the corridor opened, and the greeting party was none other than a maid with blades for feet.


    ¡°Thanks to Instructor Beili for leading the way here, I won¡¯t be sending you back. Please come in, young men.¡±


    Beili did not move further, watching the two young men enter the Prophet House, which continuously emitted an aura of slaughter.


    ¡­


    ¡°Please follow me, Mr. Yuri has opened up a special place for you.


    According to the information the Master has gathered, you both are absolute geniuses within the organization,


    according to your personal profiles and the time you¡¯ve been with the organization, you could be ranked in the top five within a century.


    But the Master doesn¡¯t believe the information provided by the Gentleman Hall, especially William, your data is very vague;the Master wants to obtain more accurate data.¡±


    Guided by the maid,


    the two continued deeper into the Prophet House, which resembled a mechanical workshop, and advanced further down a hidden staircase.


    Thump!


    Stepping into a mixture of blood,


    they were led to an underground arena filled with an aura of slaughter and blood stains.


    In the arena, two half-human maids were in combat, the duel ending as one of their heads was penetrated by a stabbing sword.


    The one known as Prophet Butcher, Yuri, still in his wheelchair, was pushed towards them by a maid.


    This time, instead of being relayed through a maid,


    it was carefully removed by the maid, and a visible deep red aura was exhaled from his mouth,


    the exhaled gas even automatically formed into a dagger shape, continuously cutting through the mechanical maid beside him, sparks flying.


    ¡°Welcome to my ¡®slaughterhouse¡¯. This is the first time I¡¯ve invited such young people here¡­ however, according to my observations of slaughter, you should like it here.¡±


    When Yi Chen and Jin heard this deeply magnetic male voice, their ears immediately began to bleed.


    ¡°As the maid welcoming you said, I want to test your true level. If you can survive my arena of slaughter, I will give you a ¡®Slaughter Reward¡¯ that the organization cannot provide.


    There is only one chance, would you like to participate?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Jin eagerly agreed.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond,


    yet the moment he set foot in the Prophet House, his heart trembled, spreading outwards;he was not averse to slaughter, he even quite liked the feeling.


    This scene was perfect for refining his Open Source skills, to adapt to his newly transformed outfit. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Very good! If you really make it through, I will also have a private chat with you two.¡±

 Chapter 272: Unsealing the Slaughter

    ¡°I recently tried to create some new varieties of maids. Let me pick a couple of the most distinctive and high-quality ones to play with you.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    two dark shadows descended instantly,


    one of the maids had a prosthetic eye with eight tracking pathways installed in her head, and arms with retractable blade structures;her legs also had a similar concealed design.


    The other was equipped with multiple power conversion cores, visibly absorbing the aura of slaughter scattered around this place, and despite her slender body, she carried a gigantic three-meter-long meat cleaver.


    The complex system of pulleys and bearings between her arms allowed her to quickly swing the giant meat cleaver and make incredible slashing movements.


    Yi Chen wiped the blood from his ears and politely asked, ¡°Would it be a problem if we accidentally destroy them during the fight?¡±


    ¡°Fight to your heart¡¯s content. The more completely you slaughter them, the more satisfied I¡¯ll be.¡±


    Jin¡¯s gaze, however, wasn¡¯t on the two maids at all. He was constantly staring at Yuri in the wheelchair, with the bleeding in his ears earlier blocked by the newborn Red Lotus.


    ¡°Prophet Yuri, if these two maids of yours are unable to test our true abilities, could you personally do so?¡±


    ¡°That depends on your skills. If you can defeat them within ten minutes, I¡¯ll join you for a bit of fun.¡±


    After he finished speaking, Yuri¡¯s personal maid pushed him back to the edge of the area and removed the sealing blindfold, revealing a pair of pupils like blood gemstones.


    Flashes of blades and shadows, black mist and silver sparks.


    After a succession of vivid images flickered before their eyes, Yuri¡¯s relaxed expression became serious,


    although he knew that Jin Almeda had recently passed Cesimani¡¯s ¡®Executioner Examination¡¯ and become the youngest Main Doctor in history, he had not expected her level to be more than one level above the assessment baseline.


    [5 minutes 37 seconds]


    Jin soothed the constantly crying hilt of her baby sword and sheathed it behind her back, with only shattered metal debris and eight intact prosthetic eyes in front of her eyes.


    On the other side, Yi Chen¡¯s battle was also nearing its end.


    The gigantic meat cleaver was dropped to one side;the maid, eroded by death and with decaying components, could no longer hold on and knelt before Yi Chen, trying to resist with her completely powerless right arm. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While gazing at the mechanical maid before him, Yi Chen also received a message from Madness Brain.


    ¡°The target has lost basic mobility. This is the optimal time for ¡®education.¡¯ Shall we proceed with thought education?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The battle ended.


    Yi Chen stretched his toes and rotated his shoulders¡ªthe fight seemed to make his whole body overheat, so much that even his clothes wriggled along¡­ His pupils slowly revealed a craving for slaughter instinct.


    Just as Yi Chen tied the loose strands of hair back at the nape of his neck and turned his head to look at Yuri, who should have been watching from the sidelines,


    he found only the empty wheelchair left there,


    as Yuri was being helped by his personal maid towards the center of the duel arena, the bandages wrapped around his right leg had been unwound, allowing him to walk with difficulty.


    Even just unsealing one foot was enough to put pressure on Yi Chen and Jin,


    and without wearing any shoes,


    a non-human, deformed foot was stepping on the ground. Swelling malice within was pushing the blood vessels out from the top of the foot, with more than a dozen vessels exposed, and blood continuously flowing out.


    The toes were grown with multi-layered nails, spirally wrapped and spike-like, which could easily pierce and tear through targets with a slight kick.


    As he walked, the bandages on his left half were also successively undone,


    revealing an ancient deep red suit and a blood-stained hand, as if the bones and flesh had been crushed and mixed in a mold to form his hand.


    At this moment, the aura of slaughter emanating from Yuri even dyed the space behind him red and conjured an illusion of a giant¡¯s head gnawing on flesh.


    When Yuri came before the two,


    his left hand directly grasped his personal maid¡¯s skull, squeezed hard! The head composed of bone and metal was crushed, grabbing the end of the spinal cord, he yanked!


    Shooosh!


    A slaughter knife hidden within the maid¡¯s spine was now in his hand.


    ¡°During my time in Zion, indulging in the overly comfortable life of a Prophet, I¡¯ve slowly forgotten the taste of direct slaughter. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve released the Sealing on my Physical body.¡±


    ¡°First, I¡¯ll release a Foot and an Arm to accompany you in this little game.¡±


    ¡°If you manage to overpower me, I will gradually release the rest.¡±


    Just as the Aura of Slaughter emanating from Yuri began to dominate the Duel Arena, becoming the ruling force there,


    Jin, unlike usual, didn¡¯t rush headlong into reckless Slaughter. Her Heart seemed to have transformed during her journey through the Old World.


    She settled into a strange pose, bending her right Foot around her neck and extending her left Foot normally in front of her, while both hands formed a Red Lotus Seal.


    In an Instant,


    A completely different Aura of Slaughter burst forth from Jin, affecting and spreading around her, causing the ground to sprout malignant, granular flesh-balls that continuously Proliferated and Split to form tumorous tissues.


    Looking at Jin in her peculiar sitting position,


    It was as if she was in a cave¡¯s Deep recesses, filled with tumors and gaps between them sprouting dazzling Red Lotuses.


    Having never encountered Jin before, Prophet Yuri was also quite surprised upon seeing this scene,


    ¡°Have you¡­ been to the ¡®Cancer Palace¡¯ of the Old World?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my Master is quite a powerful figure in the Cancer Palace.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, I underestimated you.¡±


    Prophet Yuri, with a somewhat stiff body, made a gentlemanly bow, and the remaining parts of his body began to undo their Sealing.


    The Complete Body,


    a bald man dressed in a deep red suit, Black Shirt, and a tie adorned with a red-eyed skull, stood before them, his very appearance causing discomfort in their eyes as if real blades were slicing through their pupils.


    The tumor structures spawned by Jin burst apart.


    ¡°Come¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Several kilometers away inside a Hospital.


    Principal Desline, attending the doctors¡¯ conference as a special guest, suddenly turned to look out the window in the direction of Cesimani, with stars sparkling in her Pupils.


    It seemed that a horrifying scene with rivers of Blood was unfolding.


    The older head of the Hospital also sensed the scent of Blood, but he was more composed, gently tapping on the table in front of Desline.


    ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the meeting at hand. If there¡¯s really a problem, I will go with you to resolve it.¡±


    ¡­


    At the Cesimani Plantation, each fruit tree was dyed red by the Aura of Slaughter.


    All the instructors and related personnel were well aware that the intense murderous aura filling the air originated from Prophet Yuri¡¯s ability becoming unsealed.


    Instructor Beili immediately took a group of followers to demand someone¡¯s presence but was stopped by a maid outside.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t disturb the Master¡¯s pleasure at such a time. The Master is thoroughly enjoying himself right now, and any intruders might be Slaughtered for their interruption.


    We haven¡¯t seen the Master this happy in a long time.¡±


    Hidden within the Prophet House, in the Underground Arena,


    Yi Chen, adorned in ¡®Dead Man Makeup,¡¯ was nailed to the wall by a spinal lance through his upper body.


    Forcefully pulling out the lance with a squelch, his upper body fell to the ground, then using Iron Chains grown from the wounds, he dragged his lower body flung not far away back towards him.


    Jin¡¯s body was split in two at the shoulder, her limbs severed, all tossed amidst a mass of fleshly lotuses waiting to heal.


    With Blood streaming from his seven orifices, Yuri, the Prophet red with Slaughter, stood his ground, supporting his body with a Slaughter Knife,


    His body covered with cuts, scorch marks, and erosion points, the most terrifying wound lurked on the back of his neck, appearing as a black spot that had already eroded the surface of his cervical spine. If it went any deeper, it might affect his bodily movements.


    He had never anticipated that the two young people before him could bring such intense pleasure.

 Chapter 273: Private Trade

    Both Yi Chen and Jin,


    felt an unsettling sensation when facing off against Prophet Yuri, to put it colloquially, it was like their underwear was completely transparent to their opponent.


    ¡°Slaughter foreknowledge¡±


    Yi Chen and Jin¡¯s every attack, laced with killing intent, was foreseen in advance, regardless of speed, coverage range, or the perfection of their combined strikes, the rhythm of the entire battle was firmly in the hands of Yuri.


    An important point to note,


    the battle with Yuri was not crude and did not fit the description of a Butcher as others had labeled.


    Yi Chen, accustomed to observing others, saw this particularly clearly,


    even though there was an aura of blood around Yuri, and each move carried almost physically manifested bloodlust, the whole person seemed incredibly delicate¡ªakin to a true ¡°Main Doctor¡±.


    So delicate that each slash appeared as if playing a piano, each cut into flesh was layered with precision,


    Yi Chen, upon being slaughtered by Yuri, felt no pain or discomfort, but rather a desire for more, until his body could no longer withstand the strain and he activated ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡±.


    Clang~


    Iron chains dragged a severed lower half back from a distance, reconnecting it to form a whole.


    Yi Chen sat leaning against the wall, his gaze scrutinizing Yuri who stood in the center of the arena.


    He did not at all resemble a Butcher but rather a musician. The Slaughter Knife he rested on the ground was like a bright red cello, having just completed a flawless performance.


    ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, you two have reached your limits. This old body of mine is sufficiently loosened up after a long time without activity, continuing would be excessive.


    Come talk to me, one at a time, who¡¯s first?¡±


    As Yi Chen was about to get up,


    the Red Lotus slowly unfurled in the distance, and the amputated Jin had remarkably regenerated completely. Except for a few ping-pong ball-sized tumors on his skin, there were no other abnormalities.


    It must be said that cancer as an Attribute, combined with Jin¡¯s Profession, achieved an effect greater than the sum of its parts, the regenerative ability was terrifying.


    Jin walked over first, exchanging words with Yuri face to face.


    Even with blood streaming from seven orifices, a smile beamed across his face;he rarely thanked anyone, it seemed he had found a direction in his recent training, almost as if he had found a new way to harness slaughter.


    As he turned and walked back, he lightly patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Your turn, hurry up.¡±


    Yi Chen, dragging his slightly aching body, had barely stood before Yuri when he felt himself sink into a mire of killing intent.


    The other¡¯s voice traveled through the killing intent directly into Yi Chen¡¯s brain:


    ¡°No wonder back at Swan School, Desline was so sure you wouldn¡¯t be directly parasitized by nightmares.


    Now it seems her judgment was correct;the substance of death in your brain can completely thwart other pathogens from invading your mind.


    If this level of death cannot keep the nightmare factors at bay, then few in Zion would stand a chance, and the city¡¯s doom would only be a matter of time.


    No wonder Desline values you so much. During the recent fight, the throwing Skill you displayed was Star Magic like hers, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, although I haven¡¯t started systematic Learning yet, it¡¯s just been about throwing and recalling Skills.¡±


    ¡°Your control over your abilities and mastery over your physical form are unparalleled among the younger generation. But your growth has been so rapid, you¡¯ve missed something critically important.


    Even with Talent, this thing requires time and a significant cost to hone.


    That is ¡®Skill¡¯.


    The gift I am giving you is the right to use the Duel Arena, a single but indefinite use, the maids will offer unlimited resources, stay until you grasp the called ¡®quality¡¯ of combat skills, and feel a change in the ¡®essence¡¯ of slaughter before you leave.


    You should be able to understand what I mean by ¡®essence¡¯, given your intellect, right?¡±


    ¡°I think I understand¡­ the only thing I don¡¯t get is why Mr. Yuri would¡­¡±


    ¡°Offer such generous help to you?


    You¡¯re barely half a Cesimani, even half is an exaggeration. Seeing Desline¡¯s attitude, she clearly wants to claim you for herself and might appoint you as a special faculty once you graduate from the academy.


    As someone on Cesimani¡¯s side, I indeed shouldn¡¯t be concerned with you.


    The reason is simple¡­ Zion is about to fall apart, and as someone nurtured by the Organization, I want to do what I can to help talented youngsters like you grow, as a way to repay the Organization.¡±


    ¡°Prophet Yuri, have you foreseen something in advance?¡±


    ¡°It has nothing to do with my foreknowledge, just a simple intuition. The accelerated aging of the First Gentleman, the significant drop in Organization skin production, the deaths in Levinholm City, and the nightmare threat still lurking in the shadows.


    All these signs combined make it difficult for me to hold any hope for the future, or to say I have never held such hope.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about this for now¡ªgiven both of your capabilities, you¡¯d be able to protect yourselves even in the case of an incident.¡±


    Suddenly, Yuri stretched out his hand and sliced open the clothing Yi Chen had just stitched shut, gently touching the muscle layout underneath with his fingertips.


    ¡°Your skills might be lacking, but your control over your physical body is truly excellent, especially when absorbing impacts.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, the tutor listed in your student profile is Qian Bosen, but the person who actually trained you should be that guy¡­ Hogni Zede, who was forcefully guaranteed by Desline and not executed by the organization.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°No wonder you resemble him so much, and no wonder you, an outsider, were invited by Beili to Cesimani. How about we make a trade?¡±


    ¡°What trade?¡±


    ¡°Zede¡¯s physical condition has always ranked at the top in my mind, and I very much agree with the decision to keep him. I have longed countless times to dissect him to perfect my servant mold.


    But that guy won¡¯t willingly come to me, and it is impossible to forcefully take him.


    Your body is nearly as close to his as can be, so if you allow me to dissect and analyze you, assisting in completing a brand-new maid mold, as compensation, I¡¯ll teach you some ¡®skills¡¯ to help you kill your enemies faster.


    From the first time we met in Swan School, I could tell that you, young man, love to kill¡­ you have even once engaged in an unrestrained massacre.¡±


    As Yuri spoke such direct words, whether it was the face-to-face conversation or the infiltration of the urge to kill,


    a small segment of Yi Chen¡¯s brain, sealed off and yet to be unlocked, had its memory images violently pulled forth.


    In a certain dilapidated area,


    corpses lay everywhere, a mix of both bizarre creatures and humans,


    Yi Chen, in Dead Man Makeup, was completely bathed in blood,


    Whir!


    The trembles of a madness-ridden mind forcibly scattered this memory, pulling Yi Chen out of a discordant scene.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Yi Chen nodded in response, having regained his senses, ¡°When do we start?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll start after you leave the Duel Arena¡ªno rush! You just had a breakthrough and need ample actual combat to stabilize your physical body.


    Although the Nightmare Incident is no small matter, it still requires a catalyst and time to fully erupt. As long as the First Gentleman hasn¡¯t died, given his connections with the Skin Market, he can still stabilize the situation.


    Rest easy and do your own thing.¡±


    In the end, Yuri¡¯s fingers traced a full circle along Yi Chen¡¯s abdominal muscles, licked his lips slightly, then seated himself back in his wheelchair, returning to a sealed state.


    The Duel Arena was entirely at their disposal;they could go to an adjacent compartment to rest and sleep when tired, and three meals a day were provided.


    However,


    Yuri, only adept at slaughter foreknowledge, once again miscalculated.


    He had believed they would stay down there for at most a week, but as time passed day by day, he could hear the clanging of metal coming from below, without a hint of it diminishing.


    It wasn¡¯t until the tenth day,


    that a close maid relayed information to Yuri: ¡°Master, the number of maids has fallen below the designated limit, and if this continues it will affect our comprehensive surveillance of Zion, to the extent that we may need to call back many maids to accompany their practice.¡±


    ¡°These two guys!¡±


    Yuri, who was drafting designs, crushed the compass in his hand.


    ¡°Are they still carrying out slaughter below?¡±


    ¡°No¡ªthey¡¯ve just returned to the rest area. They¡¯ll probably sleep for a bit and then continue tomorrow. From the looks of it, they seem completely engrossed and have no intention of leaving.¡±


    ¡°Notify me immediately when they wake up tomorrow! I¡¯ll go down myself to drive them out!¡±


    ¡­


    [Duel Arena Rest Area]


    It was really just a small area similar to a sports locker room, with a long bench in the middle and a shower room that only provided cold water.


    Jin, who was used to sleeping nude but had to at least open his clothing due to nightmares, sprawled with one leg draped and the other resting on the bench, and was soundly asleep.


    Yi Chen sat leaning against a wall nearby, seemingly watching Jin but was actually reviewing the day¡¯s training in his mind, his body twitching slightly as some sort of qualitative change was taking place.


    Under the infiltration of the night, the clothing occasionally reflected a hint of yellow.

 Chapter 274: Late Night Communication

    Perhaps because she went to bed early last night, Jin woke up before dawn, her body fully relaxed.


    In fact, she had been rather bored for about three days now.


    The quality of the Mechanical Maids had noticeably declined recently, making the slaughter somewhat tedious. The only reason she hadn¡¯t left was that she wanted to stay with Yi Chen here.


    She observed Yi Chen every day, curious to see when he would stop growing.


    Rising from the bench, Jin fastened only the middle button of her shirt.


    Barefoot, she walked across the cold floor to where Yi Chen was sleeping, crouched down, and stared at the young man in front of her.


    Jin¡¯s black profession, Human Body Weapons Master, combined with Extreme Breakthrough, Red Lotus Characteristic, and the Cancer Palace Relic, had metamorphosed into a new profession:


    ¡ÚCancer Maker¡Û


    This profession granted Jin a regenerative and explosive power beyond her rank;thanks to her Professional Characteristics, she could easily pass the Executioner¡¯s assessment.


    When dealing with lower-level individuals, a light touch of her finger was enough to spread cancer cells throughout their body, turning them into a horrific living cancer bomb.


    According to the Cancer Palace, the potential of ¡°cancer¡± was infinite and would amplify indefinitely based on the individual¡¯s talent, strength, and creativity. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°William~ I thought I could outpace you for a while, but I didn¡¯t expect you to progress so fast~ I¡¯m actually a bit jealous.¡±


    Jin extended her finger, lightly touching Yi Chen¡¯s chin.


    Tiny lumps of flesh immediately began forming at his chin, accumulating rapidly.


    During this process, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes gradually opened and fixed on Jin who was performing these ¡®mischief.¡¯


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Ah? I thought you were asleep¡­ It¡¯s nothing much! These days they haven¡¯t provided well-rounded meals, which isn¡¯t good for your health, so I am creating some nutrients for you.


    It¡¯ll be done soon!¡±


    As the tumor on his chin grew larger and shone brightly from the surface¡­pop! The tumor burst internally, and a nutritious pus filled with a solution poured directly into Yi Chen¡¯s mouth.


    One would have thought it¡¯d be disgusting, but it actually carried a faint floral scent.


    Seeing how naturally Yi Chen swallowed the tumor¡¯s nutrients, Jin suddenly realized something,


    ¡°Hey! You weren¡¯t just pretending to be asleep the other nights when I fed you, were you?¡±


    ¡°Pretending no, just meditating.¡± Yi Chen gently tapped his head with his finger, ¡°Ever since my Extreme Breakthrough, I¡¯ve been able to regulate my sleep, allowing my brain to enter a state of optimal deep sleep. I only need about two hours a day. The rest of the time I use for meditation, to review the day¡¯s battles.¡±


    Jin slightly lifted her mask, touching her nose to Yi Chen¡¯s forehead.


    While the gesture seemed affectionate, Jin was actually trying to spread her own brain tumor to Yi Chen, curious to see how remarkable his brain truly was.


    As soon as the tumor began to spread, it was repelled by a force.


    ¡°Wow! What a terrific brain¡­ my brain cancer can¡¯t infect it. William, when the time comes, come with me to the Cancer Palace, the teacher will definitely be interested in you too.


    Didn¡¯t Prophet Yuri say it? Zion won¡¯t last much longer, let¡¯s start preparing to run away sooner rather than later?¡±


    Yi Chen immediately shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s not that dire, I still plan to wait until the last moment before leaving, as I have many things yet to do.


    Jin, your Skin Volume still seems very low, not considering Restriction Removal?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I was never interested in Skin from the start.


    The teacher told me, once I¡¯ve squeezed all remaining value from the organization, and the Grey Zone has fully spread, she¡¯ll personally perform a Physical Washing on me. She will remove all parts of my body related to Skin, turning me into a full member of the Cancer Palace.


    Then, I will achieve Restriction Removal through physical cancer mutation.¡±


    ¡°That could work.¡±


    ¡°Oh! When can we invite Reagan, that chubby guy, and go out for some fun? It¡¯s so boring staying in the city all the time¡­ Strong as Yuri is, he won¡¯t drive us to extinction, never giving us a taste of true desperation.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t need to go out to satisfy your craving.¡±


    ¡°How to satisfy it?¡±


    ¡°Initiate Dreaming, but we need to discuss this with Reagan first, then find a suitable place to enter the dream and have adequate safety measures.


    Reagan¡¯s Power Station might just be the right place.¡±


    ¡°Nightmares, huh! Why don¡¯t we go find Reagan right now then! I¡¯m already getting sick of these maids here.¡±


    Jin grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s arm and began to pull forcefully.


    The sudden physical contact made Yi Chen glance at the spot where her arm touched his,


    noticing that Jin¡¯s loosely buttoned shirt was still wearing a specially made chest binder, designed to reduce encumbrance during combat.


    ¡°Hey~ you should button your clothes properly¡­ your buttons are all wrong.


    I still have a deal to make with Prophet Yuri. How about this~ I¡¯ll go talk to Yuri first, and when the deal is done, we can head together to the Power Station?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    [5:00 AM]


    Prophet House¡¯s resting room.


    Yuri, having adjusted his wheelchair to a lying position, stared with eyes wide as copper bells.


    Just thinking about the decline of his maid reserves by more than half, and even nearing paralysis because of two newcomers, he was so uncomfortable that he couldn¡¯t sleep, welcoming a long-lost bout of insomnia. Even the killing aura throughout the room was utterly chaotic, with the walls full of cuts from the aura¡¯s trajectory.


    ¡°Sleep my ass! Send people away.¡±


    Eventually unable to hold it back, before dawn broke, Yuri directly unlocked the seals on his legs and personally headed to the Duel Arena.


    Walking along the spiral staircase,


    Yuri continuously concocted words that could send people away without losing his Prophet Identity, even muttering softly to practice in advance.


    Unexpectedly, almost simultaneous footsteps came from below,


    and the two people Yuri had thought about all night were also ascending the spiral staircase at this time, meeting his gaze.


    ¡°Mr. Yuri, so early!¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ Seeing you¡¯ve been downstairs for so long, I was worried you were just stubbornly enduring. I specifically came early to check on your physical condition. If you fall ill under my care, that woman Desline will come to cause trouble.


    You look quite well now;are you preparing to leave?


    My storage room still has many special maids not yet brought out, won¡¯t you stay a bit longer?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about time, let¡¯s discuss our trade with Mr. Yuri next.¡±


    ¡°Sure! Follow me, and Jin Almeda can go back first.¡±


    As he watched Jin¡¯s figure leave the Prophet House, Yuri finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly signaled his personal maid to lock the front door.


    Yi Chen was led to an enclosed Mechanical Workshop,


    and as he shed his outer coat,


    a body with oddly distributed muscles and faint black luster between the lines appeared, stunning Prophet Yuri on the spot. After over ten days of intense killing refinement,


    Yi Chen¡¯s body seemed to ascend another tier, becoming even more perfect and flawless under the nourishment and envelopment of the killing aura.


    ¡°Come on~ hurry and lie down.¡±


    All the worries and fatigue from staying up all night vanished the moment Yuri saw that body, even almost drooling from excitement.


    ¡°I might do some cutting, then install some mechanical devices around some joints and organs for internal examination;you¡¯ll have to bear with it.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Yuri, do whatever you need;it doesn¡¯t bother me.¡±


    Looking at the clean, disinfected instruments in the Mechanical Workshop, far better than the rusty, old instruments that Zede used in his office, which were never washed even after cutting many bodies.


    ¡°Need anesthesia?¡±


    ¡°Not necessary;I¡¯m used to being cut open directly. It often happens in teacher Zede¡¯s place.¡±


    As relaxing music to ease the tension played in the workshop,


    Yuri skillfully dissected Yi Chen¡¯s body like a pianist, with the latter also enjoying the process.


    Gradually, the two even began chatting.


    ¡°Mr. Yuri~ the results of the Prophet group¡¯s investigation into nightmares must be out by now, ten days since the assembly meeting at the Swan School.¡±


    ¡°They are.¡±


    ¡°How is it? Can you find the Root and identify the specific threats?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t find the Root yet, but we can confirm the nightmare pathogens hidden in the dark will continue to proliferate over time. Probably in less than three months, they will penetrate gentleman¡¯s clothes with a Skin Content of 10% and start infiltrating officially.


    At the same time, we¡¯ve also roughly determined the danger of nightmares.¡±


    ¡°How dangerous?¡±


    ¡°Hovering between a disaster and the destruction of Zion City. If we can preemptively contain it, we might be able to save Zion City.¡±


    In the coming period, Zion will organize some gentlemen with exceptional abilities in dreams and Illusion Techniques to enter dreams at the superficial level, trying to make contact with the nightmares, heading to the Domain of Nightmares to explore more information.


    ¡°Desline and their Foreknowledge suggest that the nightmare Root does not exist in reality, but is hidden within the nightmares.


    To eliminate this pathogen, we must delve into the nightmares.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­ After leaving from your place, Mr. Yuri, I might apply for Qualification in Nightmare Exploration.¡±


    ¡°Oh? So eager to contribute to the Organization?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m just purely interested in nightmares. If not for the Organization¡¯s restrictions, I might have left the city to make contact with nightmares in some desolate place before coming to you.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha!¡± This reply made Prophet Yuri laugh out loud, his lips constantly dripping with the blood of slaughter, ¡°You really are different. It seems I need to teach you something real. If someone as interesting as you were to die, it would be a great loss for the Organization.¡±

 Chapter 275: Meat Sense Enhancement

    Several hours passed.


    Yi Chen sat up from the operating table and as he fastened the buttons of his shirt, a maid from outside brought in a carefully prepared nutritious breakfast.


    He only took a few bites of breakfast before setting it aside, not feeling hungry at all since he had swallowed a large bag of pus from Jin before dawn, enough to last until noon without eating.


    Prophet Yuri was sitting at a nearby workbench, wearing glasses that could seal aura, as well as gloves with the same sealing effect, drawing a new design for a maid model.


    Without sealing, an inadvertent leak of killing intent could shred the workbench.


    ¡°Done! The basic design has been finalized. It will require multiple experimental adjustments later. I hope it can replicate around 50% of your physical structure.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Yuri, the reason you can maintain ¡®delicacy¡¯ amid slaughter is because you engaged in mechanical design work, right?¡±


    ¡°Exactly~ My earliest slaughters were quite rough. Though they appeared to be very intimidating, the actual efficiency was rather low.


    To curb my innate nature for slaughter, I sought out another interest, which gradually led me to the path of design, and unexpectedly found that the two could be related.¡±


    Yuri¡¯s attitude towards Yi Chen had completely transformed, even resembling that of a teacher instructing a student.


    ¡°However, mechanical design requires a foundation of both interest and time. If you wish to learn, I fear there isn¡¯t enough time. After sealing myself, I devoted a full ten years to mechanical design as a form of interest and dedication.


    What I am going to teach you, ¡®Slaughter Skill,¡¯ is something more suited to you. The amount of time it will take is directly related to talent.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yuri. Indeed, I don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    Yi Chen initially guessed that he would be taken to the Duel Arena to engage in one-on-one slaughter combat with Yuri, learning the essence of slaughter through mutual hacking and slashing.


    However,


    the path Yuri led him down did not go towards the Duel Arena;instead, they opened a secret door in the Mechanical Workshop. After Yuri¡¯s identity verification, they reached an even more secluded area.


    Because [Cesimani] was located in the underground area of Zion, there was plenty of space available for development.


    The secret chamber Yi Chen was taken to was tower-shaped, circular and ascending, neatly divided into nine layers.


    As Yuri activated switches between the walls,


    the ¡®display shelves¡¯ hidden within each layer unfolded successively,


    and upon each shelf hung models of servants of different forms and categories.


    They were models constructed by Yuri during his mechanical creations, using different types of humans, Patients as reference;all were ¡®first edition prototypes¡¯.


    The interior was made of very detailed metal frames, while the exterior was crafted from high-level imitation flesh, indistinguishable in touch from a real human.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Yi Chen looked up at the hundreds of servant models, not quite understanding Yuri¡¯s true intentions for the moment.


    ¡°Slaughter is not just simple hacking,


    nor is it about exerting all one¡¯s power to eliminate an enemy,


    nor is it about inflicting deadly blows that seem decent, like cutting off heads or piercing hearts.


    It is about immediately projecting the physical structure of the target you need to slaughter into your mind, identifying the most perfect ¡®Slaughter lines¡¯ on their bodies, ensuring each of your strikes cuts along these lines,


    where the precision, depth, and control of force are just right, to achieve the most efficient slaughter. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You can experience the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from ¡®Perfect Slaughter¡¯ in this process, and your opponents too will be respected and equally satisfied because of such perfect killing.


    You happen to have a special talent in the field of vision, or rather, your pet inside you can take over the task of ¡®finding the Slaughter line,¡¯ and what you need to do now is ¡®enhancing the sense of flesh.¡¯


    Familiarize yourself with the physical structures of different life forms to ensure that the moment you obtain the distribution of the Slaughter lines, you can carry out the slaughter accurately and without error.


    The first edition prototypes I have created here are representative and diverse, embodying the most iconic and peculiar characteristics of contemporary humanoid life.


    Use your senses to familiarize yourself with them! Touch all the prototypes to enhance your Meat Sense.


    As for the Meat Sense of non-human forms, that¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to figure out on your own.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The scene was a bit strange,


    These prototype servants looked no different from real people, even their hair was made from real wigs, and the prosthetic eyes were incredibly realistic, so much so that they were highly lifelike.


    Shedding his coat, Yi Chen rolled up his sleeves


    He touched the skin of each servant prototype intimately, sometimes even pressing his whole body against them, which made him increasingly resemble a pervert.


    However, Yi Chen himself did not feel this way;he was merely following Prophet Yuri¡¯s guidance in ¡°enhancing the sense of flesh¡±, sensing the roughness of the skin, the lines and their depth, as well as feeling the underlying structures, temperatures, and distributions.


    Although he had killed many enemies before and had experiences dissecting bodies with Zede,


    Yi Chen had never calmed himself to feel a physical body this way, trying to familiarize himself with a body that had nothing to do with his own.


    In this process, Madness Brain began to function slowly, feeling the needs of its master, Yi Chen.


    Gradually, Yi Chen closed his eyes, no longer using his sight for observation, being able to generate an exact mental image of the body¡¯s structure with just a touch of his hands over a servant prototype.


    Occasionally, he would even take out an axe and gesture with it a few times.


    After reaching a certain number of touches, Yi Chen began to see some ¡°lines¡± distributed on the individuals¡¯ surfaces.


    As the number of touches increased, the lines became clearer, and he could see multiple lines on a body, perhaps on the chest, thighs, or abdomen.


    The lines varied in thickness, the thicker ones indicating the need for deeper cuts.


    These lines corresponded to parts of the body that were not notably lethal, but in Yi Chen¡¯s view, just cutting these lines would cause the individual to bleed profusely, sustain serious injuries, or even die outright.


    Unknowingly, Yi Chen had reached the top floor display room.


    When he touched the last model, a set of fuzzy, killing intent-oozing red lines startled him into opening his eyes,


    And before him, the one he was touching, was none other than Prophet Yuri sitting in a wheelchair.


    ¡°Mr. Yuri!¡±


    Yi Chen quickly withdrew his hand from the somewhat strange area and apologized, bowing his head.


    ¡°Cough cough~ Did you see the lines?¡±


    ¡°I did¡­ but the lines on you, Mr. Yuri, are very blurry and even float irregularly, presenting a red mist appearance.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yuri forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart and covered it up with a stern expression.


    ¡°You, a newbie who has just started learning, think you can analyze my Slaughter lines? And, do you have any idea how long you¡¯ve been here?¡±


    ¡°Three¡­ four hours?¡±


    Yi Chen had no concept of time;he was fully immersed in the process of Meat Sense enhancement, feeling as though it had ended in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Three whole days! Both the day before yesterday and yesterday, that woman Beili came with Jin, making a fuss wanting to see you, what a pain¡­ I even had to arrange a maid to feed you, but you simply wouldn¡¯t eat, nor would you excrete.


    It¡¯s as if your brain deliberately lowered your metabolic rate, focusing solely on enhancing the sense of flesh.


    Since you can see the lines, there¡¯s nothing more I can teach you¡­ Go back and find something to practice with after you leave.¡±


    Yi Chen scratched his head somewhat sheepishly, ¡°Well, could I continue to stay in your Duel Arena for one more day? There doesn¡¯t seem to be a better place for Slaughter practice in all of Zion than here.¡±


    ¡°Humph¡­ I¡¯ve said it before, the chance to use the Duel Arena is only once.¡±


    Yuri was also holding back his inner turmoil;he had almost cursed out loud just now.


    ¡°Alright~ I¡¯ll figure out my own way to train. I¡¯ll come to visit you again when I¡¯ve made progress or if I have any doubts.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Aren¡¯t you going for the Nightmare Qualification? Discuss it well with Desline. Try to enter the Dreaming under her supervision as much as possible, and don¡¯t end up dead.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    After Yi Chen left, Yuri was left with mixed feelings. He had never seen a young man with such a high talent, and it was regrettable that such a person did not belong to Cesimani.


    He discarded his troubles and returned to the Mechanical Workshop to continue the brand new maid design.

 Chapter 276: Squad Restructuring

    At the exit of Cesimani¡¯s orchard,


    Yi Chen and Jin returned to the street district via a black arched bridge. During this time, a part of Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts was still immersed in the touch of the servant model, to the point where he unconsciously gestured with the axe in mid-air.


    ¡°William, it looks like you¡¯ve learned quite a bit from Yuri.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s only theoretical for now, I haven¡¯t applied it in real combat yet.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been using this axe for quite some time. A weapon made using the core of a Patient is more suitable for human gentlemen. For us, after transcending our Limits, such weapons can no longer exhibit our true capabilities.


    A bit too much force or injecting too much energy might just blow the axe apart.¡±


    William, you could try to get some materials from the Old World;it would be ideal to kill an Open Source Patient and use their Physical body to forge weapons.¡±


    ¡°Where am I supposed to find materials now? Let¡¯s talk about that later. The material and craftsmanship of this axe are among the best for beginners, and it¡¯s functioning quite well for me at the moment, plus I¡¯m already very proficient with it.


    Next, we might get involved in a Nightmare event. When we¡¯re in the Dream, these external weapons might not even be allowed to enter, so we¡¯ll need to rely more on our own power.¡±


    Jin couldn¡¯t help but lick his lips and secretly chuckled, ¡°My weapon is also a part of the cancer, so it should be allowed in.


    I can hardly wait;let¡¯s hurry and meet up with that fat man Reagan!¡±


    [Outside the Power Station]


    The street corner still had a long queue;each day, many people came to apply for the qualification test at the Power Station.


    As Yi Chen and Jin squeezed forward to the front of the queue, they immediately encountered cold stares, and some even looked like they wanted to curse out loud¡­ But when they felt the Transcender aura emanating from the two, everyone promptly shut their mouths.


    At the very front of the queue, two Power Station employees were seated. Yi Chen directly asked them, ¡°Is Reagan inside?¡±


    Ludwig Reagan


    Having transcended the Limit of Man, he had been promoted to the director of the Power Station Research Institute, dramatically elevating his position. Meeting a director-level gentleman required the relevant paperwork and an appointment in advance.


    As one of them attempted to ask for the paperwork, the other quickly elbowed him and gave a look that signaled him to handle the situation differently.


    They glimpsed a special emblem at the junction of Jin¡¯s shirt sleeve and wrist.


    ¡°A Cesimani Executioner¡­ please wait while I notify them!¡±


    Just as one was about to get up, a surge of spiritual power from within the Power Station suddenly radiated out, reaching their brains and making it impossible to reject the message conveyed.


    ¡°Have them wait a moment;I¡¯ll be right out.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Please wait a moment, Director Reagan says¡­¡±


    Before he could finish delivering the message, the back door was already opened.


    Dressed in a deep blue coat with black edges, decorated with the Power Station¡¯s halo circle on the back, Reagan appeared. His face sported an unmanaged stubble, and with his somewhat dark circled eyes, he indeed had the air of a director.


    The conspicuous bulge on his electronic spine was still slightly vibrating, indicating that Reagan had exerted nearly all his effort to get here from the Institute in just seconds.


    ¡°Reagan? You sensed us already?¡± Yi Chen was also very surprised. Though he, Jin, and Reagan had all involved the Sensing trait in their Multi-attribute Breakthroughs,


    the Sensing for Yi Chen and Jin was secondary,


    whereas Reagan¡¯s Sensing was core, and his Professional Characteristics had raised the human limit of Sensing to [7]. With the Extreme Breakthrough, Reagan had completely surpassed the two in terms of Sensing.


    ¡°The Power Station is where I work for long hours. When an unusual and powerful Aura like yours approaches, it immediately causes an alteration in the internal magnetic field. All I need to do is point my Sensing in the right direction to know it¡¯s you.


    Seeing as you¡¯re both here together, it mustn¡¯t be something trivial. Let¡¯s talk outside. I haven¡¯t left the building for two weeks, constantly cooped up in the lab.


    They don¡¯t allow food delivery to the Institute. It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve had the beef at the street corner.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll treat you.¡±


    In a thoroughly private booth,


    After devouring a portion for five people of beef stew, Reagan completely slumped on the couch, specifically undoing the button at his belly, and slid a hand into his shirt, rubbing clockwise incessantly.


    At this moment, Yi Chen, sitting across from Jin, placed both hands on the table.


    ¡°Reagan, have you heard about ¡®Nightmare Exploration¡¯?¡±


    At these words,


    Reagan, who had been completely relaxed, suddenly sprang upright, ¡°You came to me about this? I¡¯ve only overheard it mentioned in the Institute;Nightmare Exploration still seems to be in the trial phase, and I have no plans to engage in it yet.¡±


    ¡°What? You are going?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I happened to enter a nightmare a while back¡­¡±


    Yi Chen elaborated in detail on his coincidental experience of entering a dream during his time working on a clothing project and laid out his plans for this incident.


    Reagan touched his belly and fastened his button again.


    ¡°So, you have not yet obtained the ¡®Nightmare Exploration¡¯ qualification, and now you plan to speak with Principal Desline about it, right? Oh, William, you know my situation¡­ I am somewhat estranged from the principal, and it¡¯s a bit awkward for me to meet with her.


    Why don¡¯t you two go talk to her directly and let¡¯s discuss it further once she agrees?¡±


    ¡°No, Reagan, you must come with me.


    If I go to talk to her alone, she definitely won¡¯t agree. If you are there, your ¡®Heavenly Connection¡¯ can help us gain more initiative in the nightmare, making it more likely for the principal to agree.¡±


    ¡°Why must we take this risk? It might be too reckless.¡±


    At the moment, Reagan was quite fond of his stable life immersed in research, gradually improving while being able to spend every night with Faye. He was reluctant to engage with nightmares prematurely and disrupt this sense of stability.


    Just then,


    Buzz~ The lights in the room flickered.


    After transitioning from dark to light, a girl in a white dress had appeared sitting next to Reagan, her semi-translucent skin showing various colored wires.


    When she opened her mouth, a tongue full of holes slowly extended, emitting a sound like a radio transmission.


    ¡°Reagan, let¡¯s go.


    We¡¯ve been staying at the power station and it¡¯s been so boring lately, I haven¡¯t gone on an adventure for a long time.


    Since it¡¯s an organization-approved act of entering dreams, there should be safety measures like timely awakenings. I also want to experience what this nearly real dream is like.


    Let¡¯s go play~ okay?¡±


    Faced with his girlfriend¡¯s request, Reagan did not give any rational thought and immediately agreed, ¡°Okay.¡±


    Sitting opposite, Yi Chen watched the two of them displaying affection and couldn¡¯t help but glance at Jin next to him, only to discover that Jin was actually enjoying the scene.


    [Omphalo-Centric-Academy ¨C Principal¡¯s Office]


    Principal Desline, towering nearly a head above everyone else, hands crossed in front of her chest, looked down at the three young people who could almost represent the highest potential of Zion.


    ¡°Do you really want to join the trial program for ¡®Nightmare Exploration¡¯? If you¡¯re sure, then I¡¯ll ask the other registered ¡®Death Soldiers¡¯ to wait.¡±


    ¡°Death Soldiers?¡±


    ¡°Not everyone can recognize themselves in a nightmare and escape from it like you, William. Even with our supervision, we cannot guarantee the absolute safety of the dreamers, and the death rate is still frighteningly high.


    Any gentleman who registers for ¡®Nightmare Exploration (trial)¡¯ will have to sign a life and death statement. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even so, there are still many people willing to sacrifice themselves, just like you.¡±


    The principal¡¯s statement was clearly meant to deter the three,


    however, Jin seemed even more excited, rubbing his hands together incessantly.


    Yi Chen stepped forward to explain, ¡°I have experience with nightmares, and all three of us are adept at ¡®Sensing¡¯, with Reagan¡¯s sensing far surpassing others at his level.


    Moreover, if we can experience nightmares in advance, we can lay the groundwork for handling any sudden outbreaks.


    After all, no one can say for sure whether nightmares will suddenly erupt one night, becoming able to penetrate clothing and invade everyone¡¯s minds.


    At least while it appears stable, it¡¯s best to make contact and learn as much as we can about the essence of nightmares.¡±


    Desline nodded slightly, ¡°Then I will supervise your entry into the dream. The location¡­¡±


    Reagan interrupted at this point, ¡°The location can be chosen as the power station. The director can arrange a suitable dream room for us, along with equipment to monitor our brainwave status. If there are any anomalies, we can try waking up through a strong electric current.¡±


    ¡°Not bad, I didn¡¯t expect having you there would be quite beneficial~¡±


    ¡°Haha.¡± Reagan could only give a forced laugh, while suppressing his girlfriend internally to prevent her from suddenly exploding and talking back to the principal.


    Leading the way, Desline continued, ¡°Truth be told, if we disregard the risk factors, I highly recommend that you three undergo nightmare exploration.


    Within the whole of Zion, there¡¯s no other team like yours, all adept at sensing. Let¡¯s go!¡±

 Chapter 277: On the Eve of Dreaming

    [Power Station]


    Electricity and Technological Development Center


    It represented the pinnacle of human scientific achievement before the spread of Pathological started in this world.


    Even though the process of electrical conduction might be eroded by Pathological, the Organization still didn¡¯t give up on this essential technological branch, and over three hundred years of its development, the application of electricity became more mature.


    The electricity produced by the Power Station only needed to allocate 30%-40% to meet the entire needs of Zion, with the remaining electricity used entirely for internal research at the research institutes.


    In the current worldview, the top human need is survival, so technological development was not used to improve the quality of life, but was instead focused on individual enhancement.


    The Electronic Insect Spine installed on Reagan¡¯s back, which could store Miss Faye, could adjust the body¡¯s electrical currents and even grow with the individual, was an extremely representative technological product.


    However, after Reagan, subsequent test subjects trying to accept the electric spine all showed strong adverse reactions;minor cases suffered back burns, serious cases resulted in broken spines and paralysis, and some even died directly.


    More common products were electronic prosthetics that did not involve the central nervous system, commonly seen on some gentlemen who were severely injured and could not recover as well as Power Station employees.


    ¡­


    The trio team and Principal Daislin arrived at the hidden street where the Power Station was located, passing through several back doors equipped with surveillance and guarded by staff,


    ultimately ¡°tearing open¡± a Mimicry Net specifically used to conceal the Power Station.


    What was a clear sky instantly got covered with a dense and heavy layer of electronic clouds, and a castle-like pitch-black building almost completely blocked everyone¡¯s field of vision.


    Yi Chen was seeing such a ¡®grand¡¯ and ¡®oppressive¡¯ megastructure for the first time, utterly different from what he expected a Power Station to look like,


    with black rough-hewn stone and metal materials as its main components, it had Medieval spire elements fused with modern metallic geometric Frame.


    Under Reagan¡¯s lead, they stepped into the dark and dull interior of the Power Station and rode the internal track to the research area.


    With Reagan¡¯s director credentials, they went deeper and arrived at a seldom-used high-level life detection room,


    where an elderly man with a head a whole size larger than normal, with a prominently protruding forehead structure, was standing inside overseeing the work, wearing thick-lensed glasses the thickness of a fingertip, carefully instructing staff to start complex equipment and adjust various parameters.


    ¡°Director Celestin, long time no see.¡±


    When Daislin arrived at this detection room, she also bowed slightly to express her respect for this ¡®big-headed¡¯ elder.


    ¡°Daislin, long time no see, you have grown to this extent, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    From Director Celestin¡¯s words, one could tell he seemingly had some history with Principal Daislin, possibly a teacher-student or leadership relationship.


    Daislin immediately changed the subject, apparently not willing to talk about the past.


    ¡°Today we came ¡­¡±


    Just as Daislin was about to speak, Director Celestin raised his right hand to interrupt,


    ¡°Reagan already explained the specifics to me on your way here.


    I have arranged the best dream entry location;it¡¯s not too far from here, and Director Tros is over there testing the related dreaming equipment and making preparations.


    Before we head there, let¡¯s conduct a comprehensive physical check on the youngsters who need to undergo dreaming.


    Since during dreaming you will need to doff your gentleman¡¯s clothes and make contact with the hidden ¡®nightmare factor,¡¯ I will create a set of dream entry clothing based on your body parameters that will allow you to maintain sufficient initiative within the dream.


    The detection equipment will soon be adjusted;you can lie down on the check-up table one by one later on.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Reagan did not need to be tested, as he, the director of the research institute, had his detailed personal data updated weekly.


    Yi Chen lay on the examination table first, and as successive metal hoops conformed to and covered his body, a special magnetic field immediately formed.


    Relevant body data were rapidly recorded into the devices of the research institute.


    Principal Celestin was also shocked at the data obtained from the examination;Yi Chen¡¯s physical body had, in some respects, completely transcended average levels and also seemed unique.


    ¡°Every muscle actually has a strong and sensitive brainwave feedback? Neural cell frameworks are no longer confined to the brain but are distributed throughout the body, forming a brain system that can regulate the entire body?


    Moreover, only the surface layer of his brain structure could be detected, with the interior being autonomously sealed off.


    Multiple structural pathogens are all integrated into the main brain, Desline, you really have taught an extraordinary student.¡±


    ¡°Of course! William is my proud student, only time was too short. He had just made a breakthrough when he had to face the nightmare issue, otherwise he could have learned more star magic from me.¡±


    As Yi Chen¡¯s examination finished,


    Jin lay on the examination table, and an external red alert was immediately triggered.


    ¡°Warning! The individual being tested contains a large number of malignant proliferating and spreading cancerous tumors, danger index completely exceeds preset values, do you want to seal off the examination room? Yes/No.¡±


    The principal decisively shut down the alarm system,


    having heard of the youngest Executioner emerging from Cesimani, the mark inscribed on Jin¡¯s wrist serving as the best proof.


    It was because this girl¡¯s body was so unstable, yet appeared outwardly indistinguishable from an ordinary person, it sufficiently demonstrated her absolute control over the cancerous illness within her body, making systematic danger assessments seem superfluous. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Less than an hour after the examination was completed,


    three sets of specially structured close-fitting clothes were delivered by the manufacturing room staff.


    As Zion¡¯s premier scientific research institution, several months earlier when the nightmare issue was discovered, the institute had already begun researching and considering relevant countermeasures.


    The ¡®dream entry clothing¡¯ was specifically designed to intervene in dreams, allowing the dreamer to quickly recognize themselves within the dream and maintain a certain degree of control.


    On the outside, it looked like a white skintight leather garment, covered with metal wires resembling brain grooves.


    [Dream Entry Room]


    An idle laboratory not far away had been transformed into a special room that was suitable for dreaming and capable of comprehensive monitoring of the dreamer¡¯s state, with brainwave signals monitored in real time, and in critical moments, the brain could be electrically stimulated to forcibly awaken them.


    Moreover, the ¡®bed¡¯ was not used here as the support medium for falling asleep.


    Dangling from the ceiling were numerous ¡®fishing lines,¡¯ which would hook into the dream suit of the individual, corresponding to each major joint and effective support point on the body, completely suspending the individual horizontally in the air to provide a perfect sleeping posture for better dreaming effects.


    The Dream Entry Room was divided into two parts.


    One part was the control area where Principal Daislin, Principal Celestin, and a series of institute personnel were located, observing the inside through reinforced one-way glass and operating consoles that could also detect the dreamer¡¯s state through ¡®fishing lines.¡¯


    The other part was the sleeping area for Yi Chen and the two others.


    It was equipped with a sealed barrier;if a nightmare managed to leak out, it could be contained and slowly eliminated within.


    In addition to the fishing lines, there were also intravenous tubes set up, which would be connected to the body to supplement nutrition while also being able to inject secret medicine in dangerous moments to ensure a higher survival rate for the individual.


    Currently, the trio including Yi Chen were in the personal changing rooms getting dressed and undergoing some basic preparatory routines, such as taking hot showers to adjust body temperature and eliminating bodily waste.


    Different from others,


    Yi Chen, dressed in gentleman¡¯s clothes, stood directly under the showerhead, showing no signs of the pre-nightmare tension, as if he were engaged in conversation, with yellow lights occasionally scurrying across the surface of his clothing.

 Chapter 278: Insight

    After the discussion in the bathroom, Yi Chen ultimately decided not to involve ¡°Yellow Skin¡± in the Nightmare Exploration and just let it rest well in the gentleman¡¯s clothes room.


    There were two reasons,


    1. Yellow Skin was an important medium for Yi Chen in future negotiations with the Skin Market. If it were forced to express its trait during the nightmare exploration and its existence discovered by the research institute, things would become very troublesome, and might even lead to a fatal danger.


    2. Yellow Skin was also considered Yi Chen¡¯s ¡°hidden ace.¡± Combined with the gentleman¡¯s clothes, Yellow Skin could exert an unexpected skin effect. If this ace were revealed prematurely, there would be no advantage left when it was truly time to confront the nightmare¡¯s root.


    However, another important entity attached to Yi Chen ¨C Little Grape ¨C was an exception. Little Grape¡¯s provided vision was extremely important;it might reveal some hidden things within the nightmare.


    At that time, Little Grape would merge into the brain and fall asleep together.


    After putting on the dream entry clothing that was like a bodysuit, he stepped out of the changing room.


    ¡°William, you¡¯re so slow~. How can changing clothes take so much time? Hurry up!¡±


    Jin urged anxiously, even excitedly jumping up and down in the sleeping area.


    At this moment, the broadcast from the director spread inside:


    ¡°If you¡¯re ready, please stand in the corresponding fish line area. The lines will connect to the suit automatically, positioning you in the optimal sleeping posture.


    If you can¡¯t fall asleep due to external reasons, raise your hand to signal us, and we will inject you with a sleep aid.


    This ¡®Nightmare Exploration¡¯ is set for a duration of three hours. Once the time limit is reached, regardless of whether you have successfully made contact with the nightmare, or to what extent you have explored the Nightmare Space, we will proceed with a forced awakening.


    Based on your initial exploration experience and the information brought back, we will further revise the duration of exploration, complete relevant dreaming rules, and so forth.


    Special attention,


    Even though we will connect your three nervous systems with ¡®fish lines¡¯ to realize thought linkage, we cannot fully guarantee that you will ¡®simultaneously¡¯ appear in the ¡®same¡¯ scene within the nightmare.


    After entering the dream, the first thing you need to do is self-awareness. When you meet each other, be sure to verify each other¡¯s identities through various means.


    Currently, our understanding of the nightmare¡¯s mechanism is limited, and there is only one requirement for this Nightmare Exploration: ¡®survive¡¯.


    Good luck to you!¡±


    The three nodded in response, and streams of fish lines descended from the ceiling, suspending their bodies in the air.


    Jin looked excited, but in fact, she possessed swift control over her body. By opening a Red Lotus within her head, she calmed herself down and quickly fell asleep.


    All three were skilled in sensing, each regulating their brain to fall asleep.


    ¡­


    Squeak!


    A surge of strong electrical current passed through Yi Chen¡¯s brain, and he instantly woke up.


    The fish lines connected to the suit also lowered him down.


    Following the momentum, Yi Chen looked at the clock in the sleeping room, and the time had just passed ¡°three hours.¡±


    The broadcast came again:


    ¡°It seems you all merely had a normal sleep and were not affected by the nightmare, perhaps due to the magnetic shielding of the Power Station itself.


    Tomorrow night we will make another attempt at dreaming. If you still cannot establish contact with the nightmare, we will relocate the Dream Entry Room outside the Power Station.


    That¡¯s it for today.¡±


    ¡°A dreamless sleep?¡±


    After checking and finding no abnormalities in his body, Yi Chen was walking back to his personal changing room when two arms covered in the suit material suddenly hugged him from behind.


    ¡°Jin? What are you¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Ah~ so boring! I thought I was going to have my first nightmare experience, but I wasted three hours for nothing. Thinking it over, I need to find some fun to compensate. William, you must have learned a lot from Prophet Yuri. Your body must have undergone some changes too;show me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not really appropriate to show here, is it?¡±


    The narrow changing room had only one shower stall, and it felt somewhat cramped for both of them.


    ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate about it? Isn¡¯t there a place to shower right here¡­ These clothes are utterly non-breathable;the temperature in the sleeping room is just too high, I¡¯m nearly overheated to death.¡±


    Jin, who had been holding him, suddenly pushed with force, pushing Yi Chen into the shower first.


    She took slow steps towards the shower,


    removing her mask along the way to reveal a delicate and petite face, letting her short hair fall just over her shoulders by taking off the hair tie.


    While walking towards the shower,


    she pulled down the back zipper of the dream entry suit, undressing completely,


    and just as she took a step into the room¡­ Whoosh! Jin¡¯s abdomen was suddenly pierced by a hand.


    At the same time, Jin¡¯s expression changed.


    The blush on the face quickly faded, and the charming light in the eyes was replaced by a sinister gleam.


    ¡°Wow~ to think I was discovered so quickly, worthy of being ¡®the second¡¯ to come in, I really want to eat you up¡­¡± S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the words fell,


    Pop! Jin¡¯s eyeballs burst out, with a massive number of ink-like tentacles squeezing out from the eye sockets, entwining towards Yi Chen.


    However, Yi Chen showed not the slightest fear, or rather he didn¡¯t even see the tentacles;in his eyes, he only focused on and retained one thing¡ª¡¯lines¡¯.


    Lines crisscrossing at different positions on ¡®Jin¡¯s body, with the starting point of one such line incidentally located at the point of piercing through the abdomen.


    Death Slaughter!


    The hand that penetrated the abdomen turned into the shape of a hand blade, covered and sculpted with black liquid, transforming the hand into a black blade¡­ following the line clearly observed to slash open the abdomen.


    Swish!


    The perfect slaughter brought forth an exaggerated amount of bleeding, it even felt like a rain of blood had started within the confines of the bathroom.


    ¡®Jin,¡¯ torn completely in half, scattered across different locations in the changing room, and the corrupted flesh aged rapidly.


    In the end¡­ Pop! It exploded into a series of withered and broken tentacle fragments, completely dead.


    The blood that stained Yi Chen¡¯s body also quickly sublimated, turning into wisps of ink-colored smoke and dissipating.


    Yi Chen raised his arms, adopting a posture as if basking in the sensation.


    Just as Prophet Yuri had said, the perfect slaughter he had just executed brought him an indescribable sense of exhilaration that ordinary killings could never match.


    ¡°Phew! That was way too thrilling, no wonder Prophet Yuri is so addicted to slaughter~ I still need to restrain myself, my current situation requires rational analysis.


    So I¡¯ve already entered the nightmare, huh? This outfit is indeed very useful, simulating the nightmare very realistically, yet my thought process remains quite clear, and any slight inconsistency allows me to realize that I¡¯m ¡®in a dream¡¯.


    Disguising as Jin from the start? Although the mannerisms were very similar, the act of taking off the mask was rather crude.¡±


    In Yi Chen¡¯s knowledge of Jin, the mask was something very important to her, even if she took off every other piece of clothing, the mask would still remain on, perhaps this had something to do with Jin¡¯s past experiences.


    The act of removing the mask immediately created a strong sense of dissonance for Yi Chen and also made him realize that he was trapped within a dream.


    Gazing at the shattered tentacles on the floor, the boulder hanging in Yi Chen¡¯s heart also settled down.


    Beforehand, Yi Chen was not clear whether he could inflict substantial damage on ¡®nightmare substances¡¯ in the dream or whether he could slay enemies that emerge from nightmares,


    But it appears that with the aid of the dream entry clothing, it was possible to do so, and even to perfectly connect his abilities and skills from reality.


    With this, the ¡®Nightmare Exploration¡¯ project could be fully launched, possibly even getting to the root of the nightmare and eliminating it before the outbreak of disaster.


    ¡­


    Inside the control room.


    Based on the high-frequency neural oscillations shown on the panel, as well as the strong electromagnetic interference, it was clear that the three of them were under the assault of a nightmare.


    Yi Chen and Reagan quickly stabilized after a brief period of instability, indicating that they had recognized the dream and eliminated the threat in front of them.


    Only Jin¡¯s mental oscillations remained high.


    [Within the Dream]


    Jin was entwined with the ¡®proactive¡¯ Yi Chen in the bathroom,


    The situation was similar,


    As Jin returned to the changing room, Yi Chen followed her in on the pretext of a private matter and naturally steered the conversation towards ¡®physical communication¡¯.


    Yi Chen even hugged her waist and forced Jin into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and let the hot water stimulate their bodies.


    After a bout of hot kissing,


    Yi Chen took off his clothes completely, revealing an almost perfect body.


    However, the Jin in front of him was slow to strip off her clothing, with the mask only lifted to reveal her lips.


    ¡°Jin, shall I help you undress?¡±


    Even without waiting for Jin¡¯s consent, Yi Chen reached behind and pulled the zipper on the clothing.


    But the spine under the zipper was quite peculiar, even having a part resembling the face of an infant.


    Suddenly,


    Jin reached behind her back and drew a swollen blood sword from between her vertebrae! With a swiftness of lightning, she cut the Yi Chen in front of her in half.


    The nightmare tentacles that had not had the chance to multiply and grow erupted with malignant tumors and exploded, dying.


    ¡°Really now, so impatient¡­ William wouldn¡¯t act like this~¡±


    From the very beginning, Jin had felt the inconsistency and had already recognized the problem with the dream, but she deliberately did not expose it, wanting to see just how bad the other¡¯s poor imitation was.

 Chapter 279: Initial Exploration of the Nightmare

    Hippocrates Hospital


    Four gentlemen, sitting in wheelchairs with special breathing apparatus attached to their faces and tubes inserted into their necks and wrists, were sealed in an isolation chamber, undergoing ¡°Nightmare Exploration (Trial).¡±


    Outside the isolation room,


    Principal Gregory Alaus, Deputy Principal Andre Vissari, and other important figures of the hospital stood monitoring the entire process.


    The select group of elite gentlemen included two who were interning at the hospital, preparing for their medical assessment next month.


    After they volunteered to participate in nightmare exploration, the hospital promised that if they could return alive and bring back useful intelligence, they would be exempt from the comprehensive medical examination and only need to verify the most basic medical skills to obtain their credentials.


    However.


    After half an hour had passed,


    the detectors, which had been relatively stable, simultaneously triggered alarms, and the four men strapped to the wheelchairs began to convulse violently.


    Ret!h


    All four vomited at the same time, with a massive amount of black filth pouring out of their bodies, conveniently blackening the one-way glass of the isolation chamber and also obscuring the hidden cameras.


    At the same time, the monitoring equipment connected to them also lost contact.


    The sudden incident caused the hospital staff to lose surveillance of the isolation chamber instantly. Principal Alaus immediately stood up, covered his entire body with his clothes, and prepared to lead a team to intervene when,


    there was activity inside the isolation room, and someone began to clean the glass, slowly wiping away the vomited ink smeared on the one-way glass.


    The tool used to wipe the glass was very peculiar,


    one of the gentlemen aspiring to be a doctor peeled off his own facial skin completely and used it as a rag, methodically wiping out a black, eerie smile on the one-way glass. He was also tilting his head, smiling, as if greeting the people outside.


    The others in the room also had strange expressions and were trying to leave the isolation chamber.


    Five minutes later,


    having confirmed that escape from the isolation chamber and spreading nightmares were impossible, all four turned their heads at the same time and stared at the people behind the one-way glass.


    Plop! Their eyeballs nearly slid out in unison, crashing to the floor, and then nightmare tentacles began to squirm out of the eye sockets.


    Succedaneously, their noses, mouths, and ear cavities showed signs of tentacle growth.


    Just then,


    a specially formulated death gas flooded into the room through the cracks in the walls, and the gentlemen contaminated by the gas began to wither away and die, eventually turning into a puddle of pus.


    This gas was a product of Deputy Principal Vissari, typically used in emergency situations during patient research¨Cwhen it was discovered that a patient was severely out of control and there was a potential for escape, this gas would be released to erase everything.


    The decision has been made that the test subjects of the nightmare were beyond salvation. Concerned that Principal Alaus might stumble into contamination by the nightmare substance, they released the gas to eliminate the risk.


    ¡°To lose four ¡®elite gentlemen¡¯ at once, the cost is too great¡­¡± Principal Alaus, looking at the carnage in the isolation room, also took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes vigorously.


    ¡°How about the other testing sites? Is the situation similar to ours or not?¡±


    The staff member responsible for external communication immediately responded:


    ¡°The Cesimani testing site was interrupted because one of the dreamers showed strong abnormal reactions just five minutes into the dream, prompting an immediate termination of the dream test.


    At the City Wall testing site, two dreamers were attacked by nightmares, but they had adopted the individual isolation method. The gentlemen who were attacked have been promptly eliminated, while the remaining two are still exploring the dreams, with a general status.


    The situation at the Fabric Workshop testing site is the same as ours, all dead.


    There¡¯s also a temporary test site set up at the Power Station¡­ three dreamers are in a stable condition, carrying out effective nightmare exploration.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Since when was a testing site set up at the Power Station? Who is in charge, and who are these three testers¡­ Are they the Power Station¡¯s Frankenstein creations?¡±


    ¡°They were transferred from the academy¡¯s testing site;the people in charge are Principal Desline and Director Celestin. As for the testers, their information has just been updated.¡±


    When Principal Alaus received the testers¡¯ information, his expression changed abruptly.


    ¡°William¡­ isn¡¯t he that nightmare survivor? And there¡¯s also a young executioner and the Power Station director;what¡¯s their relation to William?¡±


    ¡°The three of them used to be a team, involved together in the Relic incident at Holy Grail Mountain. Right! Their Sensing all reached the limit before their breakthrough, each resulting in a Multi-attribute breakthrough.¡±


    The words caused the old Principal¡¯s brows to furrow deeply.


    ¡°Desline is really reckless, to use such valuable talent for preliminary explorations.


    Notify me immediately about any situations at the Power Station.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡­


    [Power Station (Dream)]


    After Yi Chen experienced the taste of a perfect slaughter by killing Jin¡¯s illusion in the dream, he didn¡¯t linger.


    He glanced at the gentleman¡¯s clothes hanging in the changing room, received no feedback from the Yellow Skin, and directly swung his hand blade to cut the clothes in half.


    Hiss~


    As expected, the cut gentleman¡¯s clothes immediately disintegrated into a bunch of tentacles and died.


    Yi Chen then slashed the wall with the back of his hand, only feeling the texture of a mix of stones and metal, but the environment showed no issues, indicating that not everything was transformed from nightmare material.


    ¡°Nightmare material is limited, often used to mimic objects with which I¡¯m more familiar.


    Little Grape, are you still there?¡±


    As Yi Chen called out, an eye grew out from the Madness Brain and started looking around, while at the same time Yi Chen¡¯s own Vision was enhanced and amplified.


    ¡°Wow! So this is a nightmare? The environmental details are completely consistent with reality. If one can¡¯t spot the inconsistencies immediately and accomplish self-awareness, it really would be easy to remain trapped here.


    However, infiltrating your brain is still somewhat difficult, and revealing flaws is inevitable.¡±


    ¡°Little Grape, can you see anything?¡± Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see anything strange for the moment, what¡¯s your plan for exploration?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush to make an exploration plan. This is the first time we¡¯re actively intervening in a nightmare, so we¡¯ll just wander for now. We¡¯ll think about how to explore and delve deeper once we¡¯ve collected enough information.¡±


    Yi Chen walked out of the fitting room,


    The control room, which should have contained people like Principal Desline, was empty. The light was dimmed, and with the aid of Vision from Little Grape, one could see specks of black material floating sparsely throughout the environment.


    Leaving the sleeping chamber for the outside passage, the surroundings were equally gloomy, but in sight was a ¡®person¡¯.


    An employee of the Power Station was standing at the end of the corridor, repeatedly smashing his face against the cylindrical facial recognition device.


    One could even see teeth scattered across the floor, broken tongues, and the thick blood strung from his face.


    He showed no reaction to Yi Chen¡¯s gradual approach.


    Little Grape could only perceive a faint black luster from him, much less than the Jin killed in the changing room and the cut clothes.


    Just as Yi Chen¡¯s right hand formed a Black Hand Axe and he carefully approached,


    When the distance between them closed to three meters, the other suddenly gathered strength for a heavy, forceful face slam¡­ Crack! His entire face caved in and fused with the identifying panel.


    Oddly enough,


    Ding!


    The recognizer actually worked, and the safety door to the next area opened.


    ¡°Is it actively luring me to another area?¡±


    Yi Chen crouched slightly, retrieving an ¡®Identity Card¡¯ from the broken uniform of the employee, his gaze briefly catching the sight of a smile on the disfigured face.


    Securing the Identity Card, he continued towards the Deep.

 Chapter 280:

    ¡°Researcher ¨C Elvan Pound¡±


    He was the employee who had smashed his entire face into the recognition device,


    Yi Chen¡¯s pocket now contained exactly 26 identical identity cards,


    ¡°Cycle¡±


    As soon as he walked through the safety door opened by this researcher, he could return to the starting point and witness the employee¡¯s ¡®spectacular performance¡¯ of face-smashing again, all performed by the same person, dropping the same cards.


    Of course, aside from the safety door, there were no other passages to choose from.


    The corridor cycled in an ¡®L¡¯ shape¡ªjust pass through the safety door and take a turn to find himself back at the original hall.


    This was completely different from Yi Chen¡¯s anticipated exploration plan;


    he couldn¡¯t even step out of the laboratory, much less this L-shaped corridor.


    With Yi Chen¡¯s current methods, no matter if it was the invasion of death or iron chains pulling from the walls, the damaged walls would not only repair rapidly but their thickness was immeasurable.


    The deepest attempt was when Yi Chen turned the black liquid into a drill and drilled for ten meters, yet it was still wall structure.


    If he chose to go back, the sealed safety door would block him, also indestructible.


    One cycle after another,


    there was neither a threat from the nightmare nor any superfluous changes;Vision even came out to breathe, and visually, he detected nothing.


    Yi Chen had no choice but to sit down next to the researcher with a shattered face and calmly think of a breakthrough method.


    ¡°The nightmare material, once extinguished, no longer appears;only an endless cycle remains here. Vision combined with my perception detects nothing.


    Is there a possibility that there was never a so-called ¡®exit¡¯ here from the beginning?


    Or, perhaps the dream area I am currently in corresponds to a nightmare effect that I have already ended? Should I just wait for the three hours outside to finish, and I will be awakened?¡±


    Yi Chen began to dig through his previous memories, recalling his nightmare experiences while making costumes, and suddenly realized a critical problem.


    ¡°Yes!


    At that time, while waiting on the lower level for the costume to be made, I entered the nightmare unwittingly, failing to recognize myself immediately.


    Following the guidance of the dream, as soon as I put on the costume disguised by nightmare material, I was attacked and promptly awakened in a deeper layer of the dream.


    Still unaware of the nightmare issue, I continued to be led by the nose, subjected again to the nightmare tentacles¡¯ facial assault, moving to deeper nightmare levels and awakening again.


    This time I finally realized the problem and used various means to detach myself from the dream.


    If every ¡®awakening¡¯ is considered as ¡®descending one layer on the dream staircase¡¯.


    I was on the ¡®Third Layer¡¯ back then.


    Now it¡¯s different, because I was prepared and broke through my rank, I detected abnormalities from Jin right at the beginning and recognized myself, I am currently just staying on the ¡®First Layer¡¯.


    To explore the root of the nightmare, I must head to the deeper layers.


    The way to step onto the dream staircase and head deeper is to ¡­ willingly accept the attack of the nightmare material.¡±


    When Vision heard the conclusion Yi Chen arrived at, it got so scared that its fur exploded,


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t mess around, this is just our first exploration;it¡¯s enough to get this far, don¡¯t engage in such unknown risky actions.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s expression, however, was extra serious, really quite excited.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just go back empty-handed, can we? The research institute has spent a lot of resources on us.


    At the very least, I need to verify the conclusion I¡¯ve drawn. Since I escaped from the Third Layer last time, it should be okay to delve into the Second Layer and leave this time, right?


    And how could we think about understanding and dispelling this mysterious pathogen threatening the organization without taking any risk?¡±


    ¡°Fine~ I¡¯ll just provide visual assistance anyway.¡±


    Once his mind was made up,


    Clang clang~ an iron chain, imbued with plant traits, sprouted from his palm, drilling into the brain of the employee next to him with the smashed face, extracting brain matter.


    However, as Vision had observed, this employee had very little nightmare content, and even active extraction yielded little reaction.


    Yi Chen stood up and made his way back to the original changing room, looking at those dry, shattered tentacle fragments scattered on the ground,


    without hesitation, he picked one up and chewed it in his mouth.


    ¡°Hmm? Surprisingly tasty.¡±


    The tentacle fragments tasted a bit like charred squid tentacles, but without the burnt flavor, instead carrying a hint of mild pepper and a oceanic scent, perfectly crisp.


    The tentacle swallowed by Yi Chen transformed into a rich black vapor in his stomach.


    With the swallowing of all the tentacles¡­ Buzz!


    Consciousness briefly stalled and darkened, and by the time his vision cleared, Yi Chen found himself suspended by fishing lines in the isolation room, as if he had just awakened from a dream.


    Except there were neither Jin nor Reagan by his side, and the surrounding environment was quite dark, an indication he was still in a dream.


    A broadcast sounded at this moment, emitting intermittent, electronically noisy sounds, which, when listened to closely, seemed to blend the voices of several women:


    ¡°You¡­ you are the first ¡®Dreamer¡¯ willing to delve deep voluntarily, I have prepared a gift for you, go and get it.¡±


    After the broadcast ended, the fishing lines were lowered.


    Yi Chen moved his body, unable to suppress a smile.


    ¡°Indeed, to go to the deeper layer of nightmares, one needs to absorb nightmare materials, whether passive or active.¡±


    What was unexpected was that the entity behind the nightmare was no longer pretending.


    However, it¡¯s still better to be careful¡­¡±


    As soon as Yi Chen walked into his own private changing room, a neatly wrapped black and white gift box was conspicuously placed on the center chair, with a small white card attached to it. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ÚTo William, please be sure to open it[personally]¡Û


    The word ¡°personally¡± was emphasized,


    The smiley face at the end of the card was ordinary but appeared very out of place here, even reminding Yi Chen of the barely retained smile on the face of the employee who had his face shattered.


    Just as Yi Chen reached out to unpack the wrapping, Xiao Grape¡¯s voice immediately came through:


    ¡°Hey! You¡¯re not really going to open it personally, are you? What if it¡¯s a trap¡­ It might just drag you into a deeper layer of nightmares, or even take the opportunity to invade your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°My intuition tells me that since we are here to explore, it might be better to follow the instructions on the card.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself!¡±


    Of course, Yi Chen was not without his guards.


    As he reached out to touch the gift box, his arm muscles tensed completely, with the brain cells hidden among the muscles fully activated, and even the tensed muscle surfaces showed slowly moving brain folds.


    His reaction speed had increased several times.


    If he detected anything abnormal in the process of opening the gift box, Yi Chen would instantly switch to Dead Man Makeup while letting his brain be covered with needles, to prevent a sudden attack from nightmare material.


    He untied the bow tie and the black and white paper wrapping on the surface of the gift box,


    and just as his fingers touched the body of the gift box inside, some hidden, touch-activated switch within the gift box was triggered.


    Snap!


    A shadow burst violently out of the gift box.


    Ha ha ha ha! Sinister laughter echoed in the changing room.


    But it posed no threat,


    In front of Yi Chen shaking was only a realistic doll¡¯s head, the lower end attached to a very rigid spring, the doll¡¯s head even intentionally made to look like Jin¡¯s.


    The colorful mask was slightly raised, just enough to reveal the mouth.


    However, unlike Jin¡¯s mouth, the doll¡¯s lips were painted black and maintained an exaggerated smile, with some kind of sound device installed inside that kept emitting bizarre laughter.


    The doll¡¯s head was connected to a spring at the neck, made very realistically, and was even continuously bleeding.


    Yi Chen was not frightened, and the Dead Man Makeup did not switch.


    He picked up the gift box and scrutinized it for a while, eventually finding a special black card, the gift mentioned in the broadcast.


    As Yi Chen took out the strange textured card, the laughter from the gift box stopped.


    Just then.


    Sizzle~


    Surges of electricity traveled along the edges of the changing room, quickly gathering and striking through Yi Chen¡¯s brain.


    Buzz!


    The entire person abruptly came to, suspended by the fishing lines in the brightly lit isolation room, with both Jin and Reagan awakening beside him.


    What was different,


    was that Yi Chen¡¯s tightly clenched right hand was continuously emitting black smoke,


    and upon opening his palm, there was the card with the aura of nightmares, pinched within.

 Chapter 281: Influence

    ¡°Brainwave pulses have been effective, all test subjects have awakened, and all physical indicators are normal.¡±


    Even when hung midair by a fishing line, Yi Chen felt an odd sensation in his palm right away, the card he had gotten from the nightmare gift box had somehow followed him back to reality.


    Although it seemed like he had been awakened, with Jin and Reagan both at his side, he couldn¡¯t be completely certain this was reality.


    Verification was necessary.


    Without taking the time to greet his companions, Yi Chen immediately rushed into the changing room to put on his gentleman¡¯s clothes, sensing the presence of Yellow Skin and the ancient soul contract they had signed with each other.


    Compared to ungentlemanly behaviors like being covered in pinpricks, lashed with iron chains all over one¡¯s body, or blatantly hanging oneself,


    it was better to simply wear the clothes, this mysterious leather that could disrupt the Source Epidemic Area of the Old World, along with the ancient connection established between the two;the nightmare, no matter how powerful, could not fake that.


    ¡ìYou seem to have obtained some strange nightmare substance;it isn¡¯t dispersing but maintaining a certain fixed shape¡ì


    As soon as Yellow Skin was draped over his body, it transmitted a message, clearly perceiving the existence of the card.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, because I actively delved deep into the nightmare and connected with the nightmare factors of the suspected Pathogen, the other party gave me this card. I didn¡¯t expect it could be brought back to reality.¡±


    After Yi Chen gave his response, Yellow Skin didn¡¯t say anything more.


    ¡°So hot~¡±


    The sleepwear developed by the Power Station was not breathable at all, and due to the high metabolic rate brought on by heightened tension during the dream, his entire body was slippery with sweat as he took off the outfit.


    Considering the potential threat of the card, Yi Chen decided to shower in the gentleman¡¯s clothes in the bathroom.


    Additionally, he took out the card from his pocket to see what it was.


    It was like a living card, its surface writhing with flowing inky substance, moving without a fixed form.


    As Yi Chen looked at it for an extended period, the ink started transforming into ancient script.


    ¡ÚNightmare Entry Ticket¡Û


    -(Note) There¡¯s something on the back too.


    As Yi Chen flipped to the back of the card, the ink quickly solidified into even smaller fonts.


    ¡ÚIf you really want to understand me, go to 83 Rotka Street, present this card to the gentleman living there, and he¡¯ll show you something much more interesting.


    Remember to come alone. If there are any followers or if you¡¯re discovered to be under surveillance, the ¡®event¡¯ will not be triggered.


    This card is for your use only~ If someone else sees it, it will rapidly disintegrate and become ineffective.¡Û


    Looking at the information on the back of the card, Yi Chen frowned deeply.


    The information indicated that the nightmare had infiltrated Zion¡¯s interior, and this gentleman residing at 83 Rotka Street might already be controlled by the nightmare or even completely parasitized. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Yi Chen¡¯s brain was rapidly thinking:


    ¡°Once the card is discovered, it will deactivate, severing my connection with the nightmare.


    I should hide it for now, can¡¯t lose this lead. Currently, our understanding of nightmares is almost nil;we must use every possible means to uncover the foundation of nightmares.


    As for the address and the person mentioned on the card, even if I report it to the organization for an assassination, it won¡¯t have much impact on the nightmares.


    If there¡¯s one gentleman influenced by the nightmares in Zion, there are bound to be more infected gentlemen.


    Sigh~ That¡¯s it for now, let¡¯s first gather up any useful information obtained from the initial nightmare experience.¡±


    Yi Chen placed the nightmare card into a pocket within the clothes created by Yellow Skin, isolated in multiple layers, impossible to be discovered unless the Tailor took the clothes apart.


    ¡­


    [Power Station ¨C General Meeting Room]


    The three testers and related personnel from the Power Station were sitting here.


    Everyone began sharing their experiences;the methods of exploration and the intelligence gathered were all different.


    Jin¡¯s approach was the most straightforward and effective.


    ¡°After I killed the nightmare entity that was impersonating William, I kept getting trapped in a looped passageway shaped like a square. Since I couldn¡¯t find any exit, I had no choice but to start causing destruction.


    Given the space was only so big, the red cancer in my body quickly completed the environmental infection;the entire passageway was overrun by cancerous cells.


    Then I picked a wall and blasted it. After about 30 meters in thickness, I finally reached the boundary of the dream. I could distinctly feel that if I crossed it, I would wake up immediately.


    Boring, I thought there would be formidable opponents to come, but there were only clumsy imitators and a simple looped maze.¡±


    Jin casually rolled a tumorous bubble gum and his elongated tongue extended from under the mask, curling around to snatch the bubble gum, propping his face on one hand, the entire person appeared listless.


    Then it was Reagan¡¯s turn to explain,


    ¡°The moment I entered the dream, I completed ¡®Self-awareness.¡¯ I could distinctly sense the nightmare substance¡¯s attempt to invade my mind, which was blocked by my force field of thought.


    I didn¡¯t kill the workers disguised by the nightmare substance;instead, I created an internal space to imprison them.


    During the three hours of exploration, I attempted to conduct a structural analysis of the nightmare substance and study the mechanism by which nightmares affect dreams.


    I eventually reached a conclusion,


    the influence of nightmares on us only stays on the surface, and to explore further, one must go to a deeper layer, where the nightmare concentration is high enough, to possibly locate the root of nightmares.


    I crushed the humans disguised by the nightmare substance, dissolved them into their most basic liquid form, and then restructured them, attempting to create a ¡°Nightmare Staircase¡± that could connect to the deeper layers.


    In the end, due to instability, the staircase only lasted for three seconds before collapsing.


    If I have another chance, I should be able to create a more stable staircase.¡±


    Reagan didn¡¯t just articulate this verbally,


    he also took pen and paper and wrote down his principle analysis of nightmares and the method of creating the ¡®staircase,¡¯ which astounded everyone present.


    Even Yi Chen was taken aback, not expecting that Reagan could achieve this level after just three hours of initial exploration.


    Then it was Yi Chen¡¯s turn to elaborate.


    ¡°My situation is similar to Reagan¡¯s, I too realized the existence of nightmare levels. However, I can¡¯t create a ¡®staircase¡¯ to the depths like Reagan. Instead, I used a more cumbersome method.¡±


    These words caught Reagan¡¯s attention, who could roughly guess what the cumbersome method was, ¡°William, you didn¡¯t¡­?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I chose to ingest the nightmare substance actively. After eating the tentacles that attacked me, I woke up directly at the next layer. Not to mention, the taste of the tentacles was pretty good.¡±


    For a moment,


    the look in the eyes of those present, especially the Power Station staff engaged in scientific research, was akin to seeing a madman.


    ¡°What was the deep layer like?¡± Principal Desline pressed.


    ¡°The concentration of nightmare substance was higher, but I was woken up before I could fully explore¡­ Now that Reagan has a more stable way to go deeper, I wouldn¡¯t recommend using my clumsy method.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The information gathered by the three was more than expected,


    with Reagan¡¯s creation of the Nightmare Staircase being of utmost importance. More personnel will be arranged to enter nightmares and try to create a staircase using the principles Reagan provided.


    There was also another important matter¡ª¡¯Self-awareness.¡¯


    Aside from special cases like Reagan whose spiritual power was too abnormal, completing recognition the instant they entered dreams, most people often need to detect inconsistencies in nightmares to realize it.


    The Organization will subsequently focus on this point to mentally reinforce the dream testers.


    The meeting concluded,


    and Yi Chen, due to his mad actions in the dream, was forced to undergo a comprehensive check to ensure he was not infected by nightmares before being allowed to leave. However, Principal Desline¡¯s intervention significantly shortened the inspection time as she could detect that Yi Chen was all normal.


    ¡°You three go and rest for a while, more dream entries for your trio will inevitably be arranged later.


    The contributions you¡¯ve made will be reported to the Organization, and corresponding rewards will be given from above.¡±


    Principal Daisline looked appreciatively at the three before her, lingering a few seconds longer on Yi Chen, and even conveyed a message through her eyes, inviting him to discuss Star Magic in her office when he had time.


    Yi Chen walked at the fore, gesturing, ¡°Reagan, Jin~ it¡¯s still on me tonight, let¡¯s have a good meal.¡±


    Hearing about food, Reagan¡¯s spirits immediately lifted, his cheeks trembling along, imagining a vast array of restaurant names and pre-selecting dishes in his mind.


    As the three left the research institute,


    at the end of the straight corridor, a Power Station worker stood before a cylindrical identification device, his entire face almost colliding with it, as though he would bump into it.


    This scene slightly startled Yi Chen.


    But there was no subsequent collision, just a malfunctioning device, which this person was attempting to fix.


    As the three approached, the worker also turned around and showed a smiling face, ¡°Director Reagan! Sorry, there¡¯s a problem with the identification device, but it¡¯ll be fixed right away.¡±


    ¡°Elvan Pound¡­¡±


    Yi Chen looked at this person¡¯s face and couldn¡¯t help but say his name.


    After all, it was too familiar;Yi Chen had witnessed this man¡¯s face smash into the device 27 times in dream cycles.


    ¡°Hm? Do we know each other?¡±


    When the man directed his gaze at Yi Chen, the smile on his face hadn¡¯t really changed, yet it felt eerily similar to the sinister grin when his face was shattered in the nightmares.


    Just then, the detection device suddenly worked again, and the security door opened.


    Elvan Pound stood still, smilingly seeing off the trio as they left.

 Chapter 282: Making Meat

    Private dining room.


    The stack of plates in front of Reagan had surpassed the height of his head.


    His three-hour nightmare journey had brought him a significant amount of physical and mental exhaustion,


    According to Reagan himself, due to his profession and the combined effect of the electronic spine worm, he could directly convert fat into various forms of energy for immediate use, making the accumulation of daily fat essential.


    However, in Yi Chen¡¯s view, it always felt like an excuse.


    After the meal, the two discussed the ¡°Nightmare Staircase,¡± and Yi Chen was utterly shocked when he finally understood the principle behind Reagan¡¯s creation of it.


    It had to be said that Reagan¡¯s creativity and perception were unparalleled, and such talent would undoubtedly be a top student in Yi Chen¡¯s pre-life world.


    Reagan also stated that he had work to do tonight, as he would be reviewing the nightmare to strive for optimizing the best staircase manufacturing scheme.


    The team disbanded and rested at the entrance of the restaurant.


    No sooner had Reagan left than Jin grasped Yi Chen¡¯s arm and tugged him towards the other end of the street.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to go back to school tonight~ The nightmare drained a lot of energy, just come over to my place. It¡¯s okay to go straight to sleep if you¡¯re tired.


    We haven¡¯t had any effective ¡®communication¡¯ since your breakthrough.¡±


    Unable to refuse Jin¡¯s warm invitation, he could only follow her to the apartment building where she lived.


    Regarding the nightmare card, it was fine to take care of it tomorrow, as there was no specific time marked on it anyway. Today was indeed a bit tiring, and it was only reasonable to relax a bit.


    Oddly enough,


    on their way to the apartment building, Yi Chen felt more than once a sense of being watched from the shadows,


    and the ordinary people he occasionally glimpsed out of the corner of his eye seemed to bear strange smiles,


    such as the shopkeeper standing inside the doorway, showing only half his face, the passerby who happened to walk through the crossroad and glanced back, or the mysterious tenant who stealthily watched the street from the window of a residential building.


    However,


    whenever Yi Chen switched his peripheral vision to the main viewpoint, the person would either walk away or not be smiling at all.


    This bizarre situation forced Yi Chen to wake up the resting Little Grape and have it activate a 360¡ã panoramic view. The eeriness subsequently vanished, with no trace of any smiles at all.


    ¡°Is it the aftereffect of consuming the tentacles raw and willingly venturing deep into the nightmare? Forget it, I won¡¯t delve into it today;tomorrow I¡¯ll just bring the nightmare card and find someone.¡±


    As the two ascended the stairwell of the apartment building, Jin seemed to think of something delightful, quickly skipping up the stairs and jokingly gesturing to Yi Chen below as she walked backwards.


    ¡°William! I¡¯ve learned a brand new method of creating flesh at the Cancer Palace, with a compressive efficiency more than ten times the previous one.


    According to the master, as long as one could make this perfect cancerous material, even if I were severely wounded, a single meatball would be enough for a complete recovery.


    However, I can only produce a semi-finished product at the moment. If you could assist, William, there might be something exciting in it! I¡¯ll give you a few when the time comes;the effects might even be better than the secret medicine.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try to help~ Jin, be careful!¡±


    At that moment, two kids, both born in Zion, one older and one younger, were playing with iron balls on the staircase, and one of them was heading at high speed toward Jin¡¯s head.


    However,


    with her coordination and perception maxed out, Jin suddenly reached her palm behind her head and caught the iron ball just in time.


    Moreover, her palm was covered with a layer of cancerous tissue,


    completely separate from her body, which could effectively isolate any toxins or pathogens on the surface of the sphere.


    ¡°Who threw this?¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jin turned around with a stern face, even showing some killing intent.


    Yet the mischievous children on the staircase showed no fear at all, instead maintaining a smiling demeanor as they quickly admitted to throwing it.


    After returning the iron ball, Jin suddenly placed her hand on the tops of the kids¡¯ heads, gently patting them.


    At that moment, Yi Chen¡¯s expression soured, and he had even imagined a terrible scenario in which the troublemaking kids exploded on the spot.


    He wanted to verbally intervene, but in the end, swallowed his words.


    There was no explosion. Jin simply patted their heads and continued upstairs.


    The two kids didn¡¯t show any unusual reactions;they resumed playing ball in the stairwell,


    When Yi Chen caught up, Jin suddenly turned around, slightly lifted his mask, and stuck out his tongue,


    ¡°You look so nervous~ You couldn¡¯t possibly think I was going to kill those two kids, right¡­? It¡¯s not such a big deal. But well, as a little punishment, I¡¯ve implanted a benign brain tumor in their heads.


    You feel it too, don¡¯t you, William? These kids are a bit off, but you can¡¯t quite put your finger on what¡¯s weird about them.


    During the interaction, I didn¡¯t sense anything unusual, and I implanted the benign tumor to serve a surveillance purpose;the tumor will disappear on its own after a year.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, it is a bit strange, could be post-nightmare syndrome, or maybe there really is a problem¡­ Since you¡¯ve left a way to monitor them, I¡¯ll leave it be.¡±


    As the two reached the top floor of the apartment, they passed by a rental room from which bursts of unsettling laughter suddenly emanated.


    As Yi Chen was contemplating how to investigate the situation,


    Jin directly kicked the door open with one foot, revealing within the disorderly room, two gentlemen piled atop the sofa in a very odd position.


    Both men had similar traits, skewed towards physical deformation, entangled in a bizarre and even somewhat comical manner. Due to the pressure between their bodies, the laughter sounded quite strange.


    These two men didn¡¯t have any actual issues, and upon facing Jin¡¯s sudden intrusion, they shot hostile glances his way.


    But as soon as they clearly saw the iconic mask on Jin¡¯s face, they chickened out, immediately indicating they would keep it down and avoid making too much noise.


    ¡°So they are indeed a bit sensitive, eh?¡±


    Jin rapped his head forcefully, the passion inside him dissipating significantly due to the incident in the corridor.


    Evening, candlelight, bedroom.


    In the narrow room filled with faux meat, the air was inexplicably stuffy, and both Yi Chen and Jin took off their outerwear, hanging their ties on the door, unbuttoning some of their shirt buttons, and rolling up their sleeves.


    Their palms interlaced, together they cradled and rubbed the meat on the turntable, similar to the shaping stage in pottery crafting.


    In the meantime,


    Jin kept adding more meat, while Yi Chen had to maintain constant size of the meat through precise muscle control, gradually increasing the strength in his palms.


    Drip, drip~ Sweat continually fell from the hairline.


    After a full five hours of hard work, a nearly finished ¡®Cancer Tumor¡¯ was created.


    Ruddy and pinkish,


    Perfectly round and flawless,


    It looked only the size of a ping-pong ball, yet when picked up, it weighed nearly a hundred pounds.


    Once swallowed, this thing would proliferate superfast inside the body, providing unimaginable physical energy. Yi Chen dared not swallow it carelessly, after all, tumors of this kind, only Jin could handle.


    Holding the sphere in his hand for a long time, Jin suddenly hopped over and hugged Yi Chen tightly.


    ¡°Wow! It¡¯s almost indistinguishable from the real thing~ Thank you, William! Next time you¡¯re free, come over and help me roll a few more balls¡­ That¡¯s enough for tonight, I¡¯m so sleepy!¡±


    The makeshift rental still had only one mattress in the living room,


    After the day¡¯s various activities, coupled with the intense concentration of mind and body rubbing meatballs throughout most of the night, Yi Chen¡¯s fatigue peaked.


    Using his overcoat as a blanket, he flopped down and fell asleep.


    Jin lay on her side next to him, propping her head with one hand, gazing at Yi Chen¡¯s face through the mask, and she too started yawning, overwhelmed by fatigue.


    Just as Jin was extracting herself from the joy of meat crafting, preparing to embrace Yi Chen and sleep together,


    Hum!


    A sensation came through, the very one from the cancer cells in those two kids¡¯ heads!


    And the sensation was close, as if the two kids were standing right at the doorstep, tiptoeing and peeping inside through the door viewer.


    ¡°Hm? Too absorbed in making meat to notice?¡±


    Jin lost her temper, one hand rested on her spine ready to draw her sword, the other slowly pushed the door open.


    Indeed,


    The two kids were peeking at the door,


    Yet Jin didn¡¯t draw her flesh sword from her back, and the reason was simple¡­ the brats were dead, their bodies missing, only their heads hung at the door.


    Jin immediately scattered thin lines everywhere, covering the entire apartment building, but she could detect nothing!

 Chapter 283: Private Meeting

    Yi Chen slept straight through to noon the next day.


    By the time he awoke, Jin was no longer by his side;only a note was left on the door ¨C ¡°I am handling some matters.¡±


    ¡°Is it because the meat-making was a success, and she¡¯s gone to gather more imitation meat today? I slept so soundly, not dreaming really is wonderful¡­¡±


    However, no sooner had Yi Chen spoken these words than he felt something was off.


    Because he realized that at this particular time, he must not judge whether he was dreaming based on his feelings alone;verification was necessary. He quickly contacted Yellow Skin in the clothing area to confirm the contract connection between them before he could relax.


    As he walked down from the apartment building, the odd sensation from the day before, such as the glimpse of someone smiling in his peripheral vision, had completely dissipated, and everything returned to normal.


    After casually dining at a restaurant for breakfast,


    he changed his outfit into the form of a hooded long robe and constructed a silver mask to cover his face,


    Yi Chen even used his perfect control over his physical body to change his everyday demeanor and movements, even altering his walking posture.


    He also manipulated his muscles to compress and curl, causing his entire frame to stoop slightly and appear shorter.


    Unless observed closely by someone of Principal Desline¡¯s caliber, no one would recognize Yi Chen¡¯s identity.


    [Rothka Street ¨C No. 83]


    This street was located in the middle level area, even bordering the trade district, with a higher-than-average flow of people.


    Yi Chen was also quite curious as to why they chose such a conspicuous place to meet? Wouldn¡¯t the lower level area, especially streets with few visitors like the Nameless Clothing Store, be the ideal meeting place?


    Harboring these doubts, Yi Chen soon found the corresponding location.


    A brass doorplate hung on the door, and the site in front of him was neither a shop nor a residential building but a raw material factory.


    The factory was set inside a rock wall, with a rather spacious internal area.


    Yi Chen knocked on the front door, and was quickly greeted by a sturdy gentleman in factory attire, from whom he could even detect a faint scent of meat.


    ¡°Hello! Do you have a raw material collection certificate? If not, please take your shop¡¯s business license across the street to the wholesale testing department and submit an application for raw material collection.¡±


    ¡°I just want to take a look around, can you serve as a temporary guide?¡±


    As Yi Chen uttered these words, his gaze was fixed on the man.


    The Grape combined with Madness Brain emitted a wave of psychic interference, as if conveying a steel stamp through Vision, directly branding the man¡¯s Thought.


    ¡°Please, come in.¡±


    When Yi Chen set foot inside the raw material factory, the scene within caused his expression to instantly freeze.


    On the electrically powered assembly line, workers clad in uniforms, wearing gloves, masks, and headscarves, were busy processing various food raw materials, mostly meat.


    A tall employee beside him began to introduce the place to Yi Chen:


    ¡°Our establishment here has been approved by the Organization, the second-largest meat raw material factory in Zion.


    The raw materials mainly come from the ¡®protection fees¡¯ paid by cities under Gentleman protection, with many livestock-rich towns and villages providing us with plenty of healthy animals each month.


    A large portion of the submitted animals are allocated to our facility, where after slaughtering, meat packaging, and inspection, some of the meat is directly supplied to merchants with raw material collection permits.


    The rest is processed with low-temperature freezing for long-term storage in warehouses, as a precaution against famine.¡±


    ¡°Is all the meat product quality inspection completed here?¡±


    The employee proudly patted his chest, ¡°All the meat produced from our facility undergoes rigorous inspection and is stamped. Any meat with even slight imperfections or that carries bacteria is directly destroyed.


    For decades, the meat distributed from our facility has been without issues, with many high-level restaurants placing advanced orders for high-level meat here.¡±


    ¡°After inspection, the meat flows directly to the market, with no further inspections?¡± S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yes, some shops might do their own checks, right? But it¡¯s entirely unnecessary. The animals transported from outside undergo strict biosecurity examinations upon entering the city, and with our meticulous inspection of each piece of meat here, there can be no problems.¡±


    ¡°Who is responsible for the inspections here?¡±


    ¡°Director Marsin Bangu. She is a professional epidemic inspector assigned by the Organization. All meat entering and leaving goes through her direct or indirect inspection.¡±


    ¡°Take me to meet her.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Walking inside the factory, Yi Chen fixated on the cuts of meat being packaged on the conveyor belt, which reminded him of the dinner with his team members from the previous day, causing a slight discomfort in his stomach.


    As his gaze shifted away from the meat, he caught a glimpse of what seemed like a smile being squished into the creases on the surface of the meat with his peripheral vision.


    An employee gently knocked on the factory¡¯s central office door, located on the Second Floor.


    ¡°Director Marsin, someone wishes to see you.¡±


    Generally, such a request for a meeting without specifying the visitor or explaining the situation would be immediately rejected, and the employee might even face repercussions.


    But¡­ creak!


    The door cracked open without any response.


    The employee, assigned as the guide, saw this as his cue to turn around and leave.


    Cloaked from head to toe, Yi Chen cautiously pushed open the cold iron door¡­ and instead of the danger he had anticipated, he found the office surprisingly well-lit,


    with illumination fixtures on the ceiling, the walls, and even on the desk.


    A dark-skinned woman sat inside the office. Next to her, on a cabinet, were three trophies shaped like steaks, awarded for being the annual Best Meat Quality Inspector.


    Before Yi Chen could speak, the other party posed a question:


    ¡°By controlling the thoughts of my staff to come here, who are you, and what is your purpose? If this is an illegal intrusion, I have the right to report directly to the organization.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t say much,


    closed the door, came over to the desk, and sat down, leaning forward,


    he drew out a special card from a hidden pocket¡ªa card he had brought from a nightmare. If he had approached the wrong person, Yi Chen would proceed with a memory wipe.


    As the card was displayed before her, it was as if a ¡®mechanism¡¯ had been wholly activated.


    Ink-like smoke suddenly erupted from the dark-skinned woman¡¯s pupils, filling the office space and even eradicating the ¡®structure of doors and windows,¡¯ thus transforming it into a completely isolated chamber.


    The dark-skinned woman¡¯s head slowly tilted back with cracking sounds from her cervical vertebrae, reaching an unbelievable angle, and then violently smashed into the metal surface of the desk.


    Crack!


    Crack!


    Crack!


    One, two, three times, with each blow came the sound of blood splattering and bones shattering.


    Until her face was completely shattered and stuck to the desk,


    the director not only didn¡¯t die, she even retained a smile.


    Then she reached up to the dirty braids on her head, brutally pulling them all out, revealing the bloody sockets on her scalp.


    At this moment,


    the director¡¯s head was completely destroyed, and then something unbelievable happened.


    From the cracks in her shattered face, fine nightmare tentacles grew out, reshaping the entire face.


    The holes in her scalp from where the hair had been yanked out emitted the nightmare¡¯s ink-like smoke, as a new set of smooth black and white hair quickly grew out.


    One side was black, and the other white,


    and they were even tied into a somewhat ¡®cute¡¯ pair of twin tails.


    When the director¡¯s facial reconstruction was complete and she lifted her head, a young woman¡¯s face appeared, with a pale complexion and black makeup, looking in her early twenties, or perhaps even younger.


    A voice that seemed to blend different female tones emanated from her mouth, and upon careful analysis could yield hundreds or even thousands of distinct voices:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to really come~ And you even went to the trouble of disguising yourself, how considerate, haha~


    Last night, making love with your girlfriend in the room, and then sleeping together, that scene made me quite uncomfortable.¡±

 Chapter 284: Negotiation

    Yi Chen watched the girl who resembled a clown before him, and at the same time had Little Grape activate the global vision to be on guard for a potential nightmare attack.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The girl gently pressed her nose, ¡°Call me Catherine.¡±


    ¡°Are you the Root, or just an ordinary derivative?¡±


    ¡°Well~ I can¡¯t tell you right now. Of course, when we get to know each other better, I might consider telling you this secret in a whisper, haha!¡±


    Because the girl had on exaggerated black smiling makeup, it seemed as if she was smiling all the time.


    ¡°Did you call me here just to boast about your ¡®invasion achievements¡¯? Mixing the stuff of nightmares into the everyday meat products to infect the entire city.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no!¡±


    Catherine hurriedly denied it, tapping the ground with her foot clad in black and white stockings, explaining as she walked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not quite appropriate to describe it as an infection. It would be more accurate to use the term ¡®implantation¡¯, because what we have released is quite special, and it¡¯s very different from common pathogens.


    You see, William! Do you know what the most stubborn thing is within humans or any life forms capable of thought?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Yi Chen gave up on thinking and waited for the answer.


    Catherine slowly approached, reaching out to touch Yi Chen¡¯s forehead but he stepped back, increasing the distance between them.


    With no other option, she just pointed at her own forehead.


    ¡°¡®Thought¡¯~ Once a thought is implanted in someone¡¯s brain, it¡¯s not only difficult to discover but also, almost impossible to get rid of.


    This thought will slowly integrate after implantation until it becomes an indispensable part of the individual, affecting their most basic life habits, or even replacing their original personality.


    It cannot be detected by any quarantine equipment, and common methods are ineffective.


    This is a truly perfect pathogen, don¡¯t you think? And the nightmares ¡®we¡¯ control, are the perfect medium for transmitting thoughts.¡±


    Yi Chen did not deny this point.


    However, in Yi Chen¡¯s view, the girl or the nightmare Root behind her was simply using the idea as an excuse;their real weapon was still the nightmares themselves.


    ¡°Speak up, what do you want from me? Although I am the first human willing to delve deep into dreams, it¡¯s not necessary to risk exposure just to meet with me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Mr. William!


    The reason ¡®we¡¯ wanted to see you is not only because you are the first nightmare acceptor, but also because you possess abilities similar to ours.


    Your Madness Brain can also realize the transmission of ¡®thoughts¡¯, am I right? After all, the Madmen of the Old World did just that.¡±


    The girl was referring to the educational ability associated with Yi Chen¡¯s profession.


    ¡°Do you also want to join forces with me to destroy this city that nurtured me and gave me care and attention?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Although we do act recklessly, we wouldn¡¯t do something so foolish. We just simply want to play a game with you.


    As you saw when you walked into the factory head-on, chunks of meat carrying ¡®thoughts¡¯ are continuously flowing into every corner of your city.


    When the time is ripe, we only need to light a fire to ignite all the thoughts in people¡¯s brains and bestow upon them a permanent ¡®smile¡¯.


    However, Mr. William, you have a chance to save everyone! If you participate in the game and emerge victorious, I will immediately remove all the ¡®thoughts¡¯ rooted in people¡¯s brains and leave this place.¡±


    ¡°You have been lurking in Zion for so long, step by step infiltrating;now you¡¯re willing to give it up just for a game, you think I would believe that?¡±


    Catherine seemed to predict his response, not the least bit anxious, ¡°Haven¡¯t you already come to see me? This indicates that we¡¯ve already started to establish the most basic level of trust between us, doesn¡¯t it?


    What I am doing now is hoping that you can trust us,


    For instance, exposing such an important factory directly to you. If you don¡¯t want to join the game or continue communicating with us, you can leave right now and report this factory to the organization, that¡¯s totally okay.¡±


    ¡°Why must you play a game with me?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I mention before? It¡¯s because you have a common trait with us, and the game happens to relate to this trait¡­ you¡¯ll find out when the time comes, it¡¯s going to be especially fun.¡±


    ¡°Just for this game, you¡¯re willing to withdraw the efforts of your months of hard work?¡±


    Catherine rested a finger against her chin, tilting her head as she suddenly thought of something,


    ¡°Hey, let me tell you a story.


    Once upon a time, there was an incredibly skilled thief who quietly snuck into a doll machine amusement arcade in the middle of the night. He easily opened up all the doll machines.


    He took out all the dolls, one by one, feeling and selecting them,


    while also trying out the claw strength of every machine,


    In the end, he put all the dolls back into the machines, and placed his favorite one in the position most likely to be grabbed.


    The next day when the shop opened for business as usual, he came, grabbed his favorite doll from the easiest machine, and was so happy that he didn¡¯t sleep all night. He even wrote this joy into his diary to keep forever.


    That¡¯s the end of the story~ William, do you understand its meaning?¡±


    ¡°Like the thief, we came to this human city just for fun, to see what kind of special performances humans can put on in nightmares.


    Who knew, in the midst of it all, you, an interesting individual like you would come along, naturally raising our priority.


    As long as you come to the game scene as required, we will sign an Old World contract with you, and if we lose! We will immediately withdraw from Zion, I could even apologize to you, but only you.¡±


    ¡°What if I lose?¡±


    ¡°If you lose¡­ you join us in destroying this city, killing your friends, especially the woman who was holding you last night.¡±


    ¡°When and where will the game take place?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush, I haven¡¯t set up the game scene yet, and the tools are still being prepared. Just keep the card with you, and we can contact you at any time.


    When everything is ready, I will let you know.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, anything else?¡±


    Catherine took a step forward, trying to get close to him, but Yi Chen sidestepped, avoiding her completely.


    ¡°Can you not stay with that woman during this time? It¡¯s uncomfortable for us to watch.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    ¡°Right, it¡¯s first come, first served, huh? Then don¡¯t mind my peeking tonight, if you do something too excessive, I might do something more excessive than last night¡¯s peeping.


    Be careful, I might record all your intimate acts and spread them everywhere!¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving.¡± S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Okay, take care!¡±


    Catherine hopped to the edge of the secret room,


    squiggle squiggle~ a tentacle grew out of her palm, spraying ink to draw a door leading to the outside world.


    She also stood neatly aside, on tiptoe.


    Just as Yi Chen was about to leave, Catherine raised her little hand over her shoulder, waving it back and forth, ¡°Bye-bye.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Yi Chen responded softly, then walked out of the room, instantly returning to the normal raw materials factory.


    Looking back, the room that had been invaded by nightmares had returned to normal, and behind the office desk was the black-skinned supervisor with dirty braids, maintaining a smiling face, as if she had just had a nice conversation with Yi Chen.


    Leaving the workshop,


    little Grape immediately jumped off his shoulder:


    ¡°William! You don¡¯t really believe that bad woman, do you? Some stupid game, it¡¯s surely a trap to lure you into the depths of the nightmare, all lies.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessarily lies, more a mix of truth and falsehood.


    The link with Catherine can¡¯t be broken for now, let¡¯s gather more information before the game starts.¡±

 Chapter 285: Acquaintance Special Training

    The meeting concluded, S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Halfway on his way, Yi Chen turned into an alley and reverted to his original appearance. He was in no rush, nor did he report the issue with the meat supply to the organization.


    As Yi Chen saw it, since the Nightmare intentionally leaked this information, even if he reported it to his superiors, it would likely have little effect on the Nightmare.


    The meat supply might have been under control for dozens of days, with the meat that had been implanted with ¡°Thought¡± already distributed throughout the city, and most of it having been consumed by the people.


    Moreover, if the Nightmare could control this meat supply factory, it must have infiltrated other grassroots levels as well.


    Reporting it would not only be futile, but it would also cause panic and disrupt the stability that Zion should maintain. It was best to maintain the status quo and find a solution before the Nightmare fully erupted.


    Besides the game plan proposed by the other party,


    he needed to find another more proactive strategy, and the ¡°Nightmare Ladder¡± designed by Reagan was a good entry point.


    Yi Chen need not worry about this aspect. Given Reagan¡¯s personal ability and the assistance of the entire power station, they would surely come up with a decent Nightmare infiltration plan.


    ¡°What I need to do now is to take care of my own side. If the Nightmare wants to play a game related to ¡®Thought Implant,¡¯ I need to undergo specialized training during this time.


    Jin¡¯s brain tumor could also influence individual thoughts;I should call her to join me.¡±


    Yi Chen returned to the apartment building and was about to go upstairs when


    a finger reached from behind and gently tapped on his shoulder.


    ¡°William, I thought you had gone back to school. What brought you here again? I can¡¯t prepare the meat today¡ªI used up all the faux meat last night and haven¡¯t had time to buy more.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Didn¡¯t you go out early this morning to buy faux meat?¡±


    ¡°Nope~ And I didn¡¯t leave early, but instead I went out late last night.


    William, remember the two little rascals we ran into in the hallway yesterday? Last night they were beheaded and hung at the door, spying on us.


    I spent quite some time tracing the faint Sensing to investigate the controller behind it.¡±


    ¡°Did you find them?¡±


    Instead of answering directly, Jin placed her hands behind her back and walked lightly to face Yi Chen.


    She leaned forward and whispered in his ear:


    ¡°William, how about we run away early?


    The method used by the enemy might be able to affect individuals imperceptibly. Although the Nightmare doesn¡¯t seem to have fully erupted, many people within Zion have been affected.


    The things parasitizing inside everyone might not be actual pathogens, but some elusive force that can directly influence the brain.


    By the time the Nightmare truly begins to spread, all the weaklings bred in Zion will mutate, and then we¡¯ll really be in trouble.¡±


    Yi Chen was somewhat surprised;he hadn¡¯t expected Jin to reach such a conclusion on her own.


    ¡°Jin, actually, I can perform similar mental assaults and possessions.


    I thought about it all night and am prepared to confront the Nightmare with the same tactics. I¡¯ll need your power during this time. Can you stay with me until the last moment before considering leaving?¡±


    ¡°William, why do you seem so spirited? Did you get hold of some information I don¡¯t know about?¡±


    ¡°No, not really~¡± Yi Chen quickly waved his hand, ¡°I¡¯m just genuinely interested in the matter of the Nightmare and want to see what exactly the Root corresponding to the Nightmare is like.¡±


    ¡°Alright~, for your sake, I will stay a bit longer. Mainly, I personally don¡¯t like these elusive, intangible enemies;there¡¯s absolutely no joy in slaughtering and preparing meat.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily, once Reagan creates a stable Nightmare Ladder and achieves sufficient Nightmare depth, we might encounter some very interesting and real formidable enemies.


    But before that, can you accompany me to do one thing?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Kesimani ¨C Prophet House


    While Mr. Yuri was designing a brand-new component in the creative workshop, he accidentally tore the paper in his hands, and a sense of unease surged in his heart.


    He called his personal maid, who pushed him downstairs to check the situation.


    Just as he reached the hall, someone knocked on the front door.


    Upon opening the door, two uninvited guests stood at the entrance, particularly the young man in front who made a ¡®hypocritical¡¯ bow.


    Yuri¡¯s scalp tingled even more at the sight of the two men.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Yuri! Can we discuss some matters with you?¡±


    Confined to a wheelchair, Yuri immediately had his maid remove his gag and blindfold, and he glared at them with murderous eyes, but Yi Chen and Jin did not retreat even as their eyes bled.


    ¡°Speak, what is it! If it¡¯s about mechanical design, we may discuss it, but I¡¯m not free for anything else.¡±


    ¡°Could we go to the Underground Arena again?¡±


    Upon hearing this, veins on Yuri¡¯s cheeks bulged instantly, and various curses accumulated at his throat, almost bursting out like a tide.


    It is to be noted that the damage to the maids caused by the two last time has not yet been fully recovered.


    For this, Yuri reluctantly swallowed his pride and sought loans from the organization to purchase a batch of materials to replenish the number of maids.


    ¡°Cough cough! Although I have many maids here, rules are rules! This matter is out of the question.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ our visit this time is not for killing training but due to the nightmare incident, we would like to undergo corresponding ¡®Thought Training¡¯. If any harm comes to the maids during the process, I will compensate at the original price.¡±


    Yuri was slightly curious about Yi Chen¡¯s words, ¡°Nightmare¡­ Thought Training? I did hear from Desline yesterday that you had a successful Nightmare Exploration at the Power Station. What do you intend to do?¡±


    ¡°I intend to use the maids as subjects for Thought Training, trying to implant thoughts in their brains, or enslave them.


    If we can do it, perhaps we can use the same method to combat the effects brought by the nightmares.¡±


    At this point, Yuri couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter.


    With the gag removed, his laughter directly caused everyone¡¯s eardrums to tear, and blood to flow.


    ¡°Haha~ thinking about altering the thoughts and enslaving my maids, such big talk!


    Do you know that these maids¡¯ brains have been modified into killing cores? The reason they can move, that they can monitor every corner of Zion for me, is because their brains can receive the scent of killing.


    And it is solely my killing scent.


    I possess absolute domination here, their thoughts cannot be influenced, nor can they be enslaved.¡±


    ¡°What if we give it a try, what if it works?¡±


    ¡°Pah~ If you really do manage it, the enslaved maids are yours for free, no compensation needed.¡±


    Suddenly, as Yuri uttered these words, he paused for a moment, feeling as if he had fallen into a trap.


    ¡°Alright, thank you, Mr. Yuri!¡±


    Yi Chen and Jin stepped excitedly into the familiar Prophet House and as they headed toward the familiar basement, Yuri stopped them:


    ¡°Hey~ since it¡¯s just Thought level training, there¡¯s no need to go to the Arena. My maids will take you to the Meditation Room, which is the special scene I use to monitor Zion and is more suitable for Thought training.¡±


    Having said that, a maid with mechanical legs led the two men up the spiral staircase to the Upper District.


    As soon as the two men were completely gone, Yuri¡¯s expression changed as he released the seal on his legs and stood up straight.


    At this moment, he seemed poised for an unprecedented major battle, his gaze on his personal maid terrifying.


    ¡°Begin selecting maids immediately, screening out those with the most complex brain structures, highest killing concentration, and best Sensing ability, and arrange for them to go! These two kids really don¡¯t know what¡¯s best for them.¡±

 Chapter 286: Candidates and Invasion

    Zion Upper Level District, Noble Street, is lined with luxurious mansions of well-known families, where an English-style maid accompanies an elderly gentleman with a protruding belly on the street.


    Suddenly, the maid¡¯s expression dramatically changed, and she burst into a speed of twenty meters per second, vanishing from the street.


    Only the bewildered gentleman remained.


    Lower District Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A female stall owner, selling pancakes and dressed in the distinctive maid attire, which attracted gentlemen who favored this style, regardless of gender, to specifically come to buy pancakes.


    Even though her pancakes were terrible and could scarcely be called pancakes, people still came daily to buy them.


    Today was no different,


    Already four people around the stall couldn¡¯t wait anymore;the stall owner¡¯s grip on the egg was too forceful, splattering it everywhere, with less than a tenth of the yolk actually landing on the pancake.


    It was even packed up for the customer before it had set properly, but the latter did not complain.


    Just as the stall owner was about to make another pancake, it was as if she received a direct transmission to her brain, and she left abruptly saying, ¡°Fry it yourself.¡±


    She left her puzzled customers disappearing into the street, one of whom was a gentleman responsible for security patrolling, who couldn¡¯t see the precise figure of the stall owner as she moved at high speed.


    Similar events occurred simultaneously in seven different places,


    All of these women were maids deployed by Yuri, specifically trained, with particularly outstanding sensing abilities, and each was a top-level assassin.


    Their outing for today was canceled, and they all returned to the Prophet House to assemble.


    ¡­


    [Prophet House¡ªKilling Intent Detection Room]


    The interior was covered with 15¡Á15cm glass plates, each floating with a dark red aura of killing intent.


    Behind the glass plates were nerve-like complex lines, capable of receiving the brain signals of patrolling maids and transforming the killing intent fluctuations occurring in the city into specific imaging.


    The room also had a black leather sofa against the wall.


    Every time Prophet Yuri came, he just needed to sit back on the sofa and take off his eye mask.


    As soon as a specific person¡¯s likeness appeared on the glass plates, he would command the maids to carry out a forcible arrest to prevent murders, riots, and other violent incidents.


    At the moment,


    Yi Chen and Jin sat on the black leather sofa, looking at the glass wall tiles that could image killing intent, feeling somewhat as if they were in a KTV.


    Accompanied by a burst of rapid footsteps, seven maids of different styles entered the room in succession, standing neatly in a row.


    To Yi Chen, the scene somehow felt a bit odd.


    Finally, Yuri also entered, sitting in his wheelchair and briefly introduced:


    ¡°These seven maids are newly manufactured, freshly from the factory humanoid maids.


    Made with more synthetic flesh, real skin, and actual brain tissue, they are not as strong as primarily mechanical maids, and the ¡®killing binding¡¯ formed between me and them is relatively loose.


    Use them for the most basic thought training¡ªif you can achieve even a bit of thought implantation, I¡¯ll be quite impressed.¡±


    Yi Chen looked doubtfully at one of the red-haired maids, ¡°Is that¡­ pancakes and egg liquid on you?¡±


    Before the maid could hurriedly wipe it off, Yuri explained directly, ¡°That was my breakfast today;she got a bit on her accidentally in the rush out from the factory.


    Also, their costumes were deliberately made to look old;otherwise, their appearance and new clothes would easily attract attention.


    Cough, cough¡ªalright! I¡¯ll continue to the workshop. If you have any progress or encounter issues, just notify the mechanical maid at the door, and I¡¯ll naturally come to handle it when I¡¯m available.


    Remember, don¡¯t force yourself.


    Even though their bond with me is shallow, their brains still belong to the core of killing. Be careful of being counter-attacked by the killing intent if you force your way into their brains.¡±


    ¡°Understood, thank you, Mr. Yuri.¡±


    Yuri waved his hand, and his personal maid then wheeled him out, heading for the workshop established next door.


    Of course, he couldn¡¯t really settle down to his routine work, trying as much as possible to stick close to the walls to sense what was happening next door.


    Soon, he heard the conversation between the two people.


    ¡°Jin, please implant conscience tumors with protective effects in their brains, to hinder my thought invasion.¡±


    ¡°Ah, really? These maids do not seem easy to control.


    Each one of them might look alive and have flesh, but I can clearly sense the special killing intent hidden beneath their skin, which is completely different from the stuff we¡¯ve dealt with in the Underground Arena before.


    Although Mr. Yuri says they are new, in my view, they seem quite extraordinary.¡±


    Yuri, who was eavesdropping through the wall, felt a thump in his heart when he heard this


    ¡°No matter, do as I say, and make it as difficult as possible¡­ after all, if I want to deal with nightmares through thought, the difficulty must indeed be greater.¡±


    ¡°Alright~¡±


    Yuri, listening through the wall, couldn¡¯t help but sneer:


    ¡°How confident is this guy? I thought he and Jin would carry out a joint mental invasion. He even wants Jin to increase the difficulty of the mental invasion, and he¡¯s tackling it alone.¡±


    Yi Chen and Prophet Yuri, sitting on a black leather sofa and separated by a wall, ¡°Eh~ Jin, is someone talking?¡±


    This startled Yuri, who quickly gagged himself.


    ¡°No~¡±


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ve just been a bit nervous lately.¡±


    Inside a kill-intent monitoring room, resembling a KTV.


    Jin walked past each maid, reaching into their hair, and layer by layer, rule-based bubble-like tumors quickly covered the inner layer of their skulls, slowly growing defensive brain tumors with nervous systems on the surface of their brains.


    Having learned brain defenses at the Cancer Palace in the Old World,


    her master had specifically mentioned the significance of the brain.


    He had also warned Jin many times that, although cancer has almost infinite potential, especially at the physical level,


    it is still dangerous against attacks specifically aimed at the mental level. Once the mind is invaded or even occupied, no matter how much the body regenerates, it is just a lump of rotten flesh.


    ¡°Alright~ all of the brains are now enhanced. William, this technique was taught to me by my master. Although I haven¡¯t fully mastered it yet, its effects are still quite impressive, so don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±


    Yi Chen gave an OK gesture, his gaze wandering among the maids, finally settling on a red-haired maid whose body was stained with pancake batter and egg liquid.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Irina.¡±


    ¡°Good, you stay in the room with me, everyone else leave for now.¡±


    Jin, with a puzzled look, pointed to herself, ¡°Do I also need to leave?¡±


    ¡°You wait outside too, after all, the space here isn¡¯t big, I might need to engage in a small-scale duel with Miss Irina.¡±


    Jin left the room with skepticism.


    Perhaps due to the effective shielding, only intermittent noises came from inside.


    Leaning by the door, Jin didn¡¯t feel any invasion or penetration of the brain cancer barrier and couldn¡¯t help wondering what exactly Yi Chen was doing inside.


    Twenty minutes passed,


    Jin slowly pressed her ear against the door to eavesdrop.


    Coincidentally, in the next room, a gentleman was in the exact same eavesdropping posture as Jin.


    Creak~


    The door opened from the inside, Yi Chen, adjusting his attire and somewhat tattered clothing, led Irina out from inside, both strangers now seemingly very familiar with each other through the exchange of glances.


    In Irina¡¯s eyes, apart from the usual threads of killing intent, there was also a strange new substance.


    If one were to closely inspect her pupils, capturing these strange speckled substances and attempting to integrate them into living texts, they would eventually decipher an ancient symbol ¨C ¡°Madness.¡±

 Chapter 287: Comprehensive Education

    Jin was somewhat puzzled about what Yi Chen had done, after all, the brain tumor firewall she had set up between the maids¡¯ brains hadn¡¯t detected any act of mental invasion.


    Jin poked her head into the room and noticed clear signs of a battle,


    The entire black leather sofa was completely torn apart, and parts of the glass walls also bore scrapes, but overall the room was still intact.


    ¡°William, how did you manage this?¡±


    Just as Jin threw out this question, the metal door of the adjacent room swung open.


    Yuri, sitting in his wheelchair, was pushed out by his personal maid: removing his gag in front of everyone.


    ¡°Hmm? I was just about to go downstairs to fetch something, why has everyone run out here?¡±


    Yi Chen and the maids present hurriedly paid their respects to Yuri, except for Jin, and Irina, who had just been alone with Yi Chen, who did not make any gesture of courtesy.


    This anomaly naturally caught Yuri¡¯s eye,


    Jin was one thing, but Irina was one of his proudest maids, who had secured the qualifications for a stall in the lower streets, responsible for overseeing crucial dark zone killings.


    ¡°Irina?¡±


    As Yuri¡¯s aura of killing intent spread, preparing to forcefully control Irina,


    Irina surprisingly took a small step back and hid behind Yi Chen before she quietly bowed.


    It was at this moment that Yi Chen added a word, ¡°Mr. Yuri, my thought invasion should have succeeded.


    Only, due to preliminary conditions, Miss Irina and I had a quick duel in the room, slightly damaging the killing intent monitoring room. I am really sorry.


    It seems going to the Duel Arena would indeed be more appropriate.¡±


    This statement made Yuri pause, his feeling was similar to Jin¡¯s.


    Although he still had a connection of killing intent with Irina, his brain center did not feel any invasion¡­ yet there was an indescribable sense of losing control.


    It seemed a higher order of dominant effect was forming in Irina¡¯s brain.


    At that moment,


    Irina, hiding behind him, also spoke, still addressing Yuri as master, but her term for Yi Chen had changed,


    ¡°Master, I am still your maid~ I just learned many interesting things from teacher, and I feel if I could keep learning from teacher, I might achieve the ¡®Perfect Human Form¡¯ that you have always wanted to achieve.¡±


    ¡®Teacher¡¯


    This title baffled Yuri,


    Moreover, Yuri¡¯s creation of mechanical maids always involved limited thought, their brains often came from those about to die, after agreeing to donate their brains, they would be dissected for use upon their death.


    To ensure absolute obedience, certain functions of the brain were removed and transformed for killing.


    The maids could think, but their thinking was only limited to oversight of killings, unable to consider self-improvement or anything about their own future, like Irina did.


    ¡°How is it possible¡­ The thought limitations were removed? William, how did you do it?¡±


    At this moment, Yuri stopped insisting and engaged in a scholarly discussion with Yi Chen.


    ¡°I am not actually clear about the specific process of the brain transformation.


    My professional trait bestows me an individual ability known as ¡®Education¡¯, those who are successfully educated establish a teacher-student relationship with me, prioritizing ¡®Seeking Knowledge¡¯ as their instinct.¡±


    Yuri in the wheelchair stuck out his tongue, lightly licking his front teeth, his characteristic thinking gesture.


    ¡°A Madman¡¯s ability?


    But it¡¯s a bit different, the Madmen of the Old World could also enslave the thoughts of life forms, it¡¯s said the enslaved would become their ¡®brain nourishment¡¯ and die completely in a few days, leaving just a hollowed-out open skull.


    They wouldn¡¯t independently seek knowledge or establish a so-called teacher-student relationship.


    ¡®Education¡¯ ¡ª how is it implemented? Can you show me?¡±


    Facing Prophet Yuri¡¯s proactive request, Yi Chen would normally agree, but now was different¡­ The reason Yi Chen had sent everyone away, leaving only him and Irina, was precisely because he did not want to reveal any information about Education.


    ¡°Prophet Yuri, once the nightmare event is completely resolved, I will fully disclose the details of the Education process to you, but now is not the time¡­¡±


    Yuri instantly understood Yi Chen¡¯s intention.


    ¡°Alright~ Since that¡¯s the case, you just continue practicing.


    According to our agreement, when the time comes, I will remove the killing bindings from the educated maids, and they will belong to you.¡±


    As he spoke these words, Yuri¡¯s heart seemed to ache as if it was dripping blood.


    Yi Chen, however, waved his hand, ¡°That really isn¡¯t necessary, once the practice is over, I will cancel all the educational ties.¡±


    Yuri¡¯s expression changed, and by forcibly squeezing his facial expression, he portrayed an indifferent demeanor, ¡°Ah~ you¡¯re making it difficult for me?


    I usually don¡¯t take back what I say, and these maids are just the initial, new models, even giving them all to you would have no impact on me.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡±


    Yi Chen was about to say something when Yuri immediately interrupted.


    ¡°But well~ considering the potential nightmare event, indeed more maids need to be prepared in advance.


    ¡°Alright! I have other matters to attend to, you must proceed with your thought training immediately.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ can I borrow the duel arena for training? The Killing Intent Monitoring Room is such a crucial area, I¡¯m afraid I might actually damage it.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead!¡±


    Yuri, too, with a grand gesture, showed his generosity, as long as Yi Chen was willing to return all the maids in the end, everything was negotiable.


    ¡­


    [Power Station Research Institute]


    Designed by Ludwig Reagan, the Nightmare Staircase achieved incremental success,


    not only creating a stable ¡°Nightmare Staircase¡±,


    but also establishing a communication network through similar theories, allowing individuals scattered across different nightmares to achieve ¡°Dream Convergence¡± in one person¡¯s dream.


    In response to this breakthrough,


    the research institute collaborated with the Hippocrates Hospital, using the brain of a doctor (who had violated medical ethics and was seized alive) as the central brain core, creating a ¡°dream entrance main brain¡±.


    Subsequent steps would involve using this main brain as the center of the dream world, connecting other dreamers to it, and heading together into the deep layers.


    Even if they encountered danger, the main brain would be most severely affected, while the other connected dreamers could quickly awaken through external stimuli.


    After confirming the main brain¡¯s viability, the organization immediately began selecting members for the dream venture.


    William, Jin, and Reagan were naturally included in this group,


    Of course.


    This nightmare event involving Zion itself couldn¡¯t just be entrusted to three young people;the organization would also select a sufficiently powerful team capable of representing the highest standard of the organization.


    O.C.A Omphalo-Centric Academy ¨C Special Internal Court.


    Aside from Principal Daislin, organization executives who represented the voice of the organization were also present, among them was Gregory Alaus, dressed in a purple suit and sunglasses, sitting in the center seat.


    Their gaze collectively focused on the center of the court, a ¡®special criminal¡¯ with hands and feet shackled in unique manacles.


    ¡°Hogni Zed, if you are willing to participate in this dream venture, as long as you comply with the regulations and eliminate the potential nightmare threats, we will grant you permanent freedom, and all negative records on your file will be completely cleared.


    Would you like to participate?¡±


    ¡°Freedom, huh? I think I¡¯m better off living with shackles;sometimes I truly cannot control myself, and I don¡¯t want to make mistakes again.


    As for nightmares, I¡¯m not very good at dealing with them.


    Personally, I think a prophet like Principal Daislin is more suited for this task.¡±


    Alongside, Daislin spoke up, ¡°A prophet has been arranged to participate in the operation;what we need is your personal combat ability, Zed, to suppress potential physical dangers in the nightmare.


    Additionally, William is also a major associate in this nightmare incident, consider that.¡±


    ¡°William¡­¡±


    At the mention of this name, clank! The manacles connected to Zed jangled, and even the court vibrated slightly.


    ¡°William has just broken through recently, and you¡¯re risking such talent? The organization can¡¯t be that short on people, can it?¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daislin responded, ¡°No¡ªit wasn¡¯t our arrangement, but William approached the nightmare on his own. You two haven¡¯t met recently, have you? If you have time, you might ask him about his situation personally.


    Zed, this matter is very special;we need your strength. Are you willing to serve the organization once again?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ tell me the time and address, I need to prepare.¡±


    ¡­


    [Three days later]


    Prophet Yuri, who had completely seen through everything and shed his psychological burdens, had immersed himself entirely in designing a new maid over these days, unconcerned about the situation in the duel arena.


    As long as there was no loss of maids, he was indifferent.


    After spending a whole day and a half drawing a brand-new design, he stretched out lazily in his wheelchair.


    ¡°Huh~ I wonder how William is doing¡­ Educating someone like him should have limits, I suspect the more there are, the harder they are to enslave.


    Let¡¯s go see what¡¯s happening;it¡¯s been quite some time.¡±


    Yuri called upon his personal maid and proceeded to the basement in his wheelchair.


    However, as soon as he entered the hall, an unusual feeling struck him, forcing Yuri to remove his eye mask early.


    ¡°Strange, where is the maid responsible for sanitation and supervision?¡±


    The personal maid replied, ¡°They went down to the basement yesterday and haven¡¯t come back up since. I¡¯m the only one in the upper area right now.¡±


    A sense of foreboding spread within Prophet Yuri, ¡°Hurry, take me downstairs!¡±


    As the doors to the Underground Arena pushed open, the scene before Yuri was one he would never forget.


    Apart from the initial seven maids, all maids associated with the Prophet House had gathered here, each carrying a homemade small stool, sitting in rows.


    All eyes focused on Yi Chen, listening to some sort of lecture about seeking knowledge, their pupils glowing with a yearning for knowledge, and even the forms of some individuals were subtly transforming.

 Chapter 288: Nightmare Preparation

    The deep of the night, silent, the Mechanical Workshop.


    Yuri, seated in his wheelchair, was discussing design with Yi Chen, using his personal maid as an intermediary.


    At the same time, he had Yi Chen strip completely and spread his arms and legs in a ¡°big-character¡± pose to compare with the new design drawings in a 1:1 detail comparison.


    They spent the entire night finalizing the draft;following this, they would attempt to produce maids similar to Yi Chen¡¯s body structure.


    After the discussion ended, Yuri seemed to have something else in mind and took Yi Chen to a closed room, one that could suppress his killing aura.


    The personal maid and the wheelchair were left outside.


    Yuri, with his bald look and clad in a dark red suit paired that included red shoes with metal skull engravings, a black shirt and a red-eyed skull tie, could even induce fear in his fellow gentlemen upon their first meeting.


    He adjusted his sleeves and fixed his tie.


    William, who was in the same room, had grown accustomed to the situation although his facial features were bloodied by the aura of slaughter, yet he appeared quite at ease.


    Yuri took a deep breath after unraveling the last bandage, ¡°Sigh~ I spend an hour here every day to rest, after all, being constantly confined to a wheelchair is quite uncomfortable.


    Well, let¡¯s talk business now.


    I¡¯ve decided to keep the ¡®Education State¡¯ for the seven maids who initially contacted you¡­ I want to see if self-growth is possible once their self-limitations are lifted. If anything goes awry, I¡¯ll notify you to intervene.¡±


    ¡°No problem, they are to some extent completely free, only maintaining a teacher-student relationship with me. As long as I am not present, their actions, except for Seeking Knowledge, are no different from usual.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, second matter.


    I recently received information that the organization is preparing to delve deeper into dreaming, and is arranging a high-rank team to represent the organization in the nightmare, attempting to eradicate the Root.¡±


    ¡°Are they ready? Has Reagan¡¯s ¡®Nightmare Staircase¡¯ become stable? What kind of high-rank team is it, and who are the members?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a participant, I know very little. The only thing I know is that one of our prophets, whom you¡¯ve seen at Swan School, will be joining. He¡¯s the one who wears a mask both front and back.¡±


    ¡°Martin and Marko.¡±


    Yi Chen still vividly remembered Dean Desline¡¯s introduction;that person had attended the meeting entirely with his back facing everyone, leaving a particularly deep impression.


    ¡°Correct, this individual possesses two separate personalities completely independent¡ªone responsible for exploring, the other for dealing, essentially a prophet of the same type as me.


    If he¡¯s involved, the other members of the team must also be strong.


    Since the organization has arranged the older generation to handle this, try not to interfere.


    Being able to enslave my maids, quickly familiarize with ¡®Meat Sense¡¯, and find the ¡®Slaughter line¡¯, your talents don¡¯t warrant taking risks prematurely.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Prophet Yuri, I¡¯ll avoid danger as much as possible.¡±


    Through his interactions in this period, Yi Chen also felt greatly enlightened.


    Yuri, who initially left the worst impression within the prophet group, turned out to be surprisingly friendly. Without a deep contact with Yuri, it would have been impossible to make such great strides in such a short time.


    Learning about Meat Sense and the Slaughter line, and even using maids to familiarize with Education.


    SLAP!


    All of a sudden, a hand full of killing intent came crashing down.


    ¡°Hey, William! After all, I am a prophet~ although biased towards slaughter-oriented foresight, your unhidden lie is too obvious.


    Regardless of whether you plan to interfere with the nightmare, just don¡¯t get yourself killed. If something goes wrong with my upcoming maid designs, I¡¯ll still need you as a reference for Physical models.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The conversation ended in the early morning hours.


    Jin was down below waiting somewhat boredly and had already gone back to rest early.


    However.


    No sooner had Yi Chen stepped out of Yuri¡¯s Prophet House and passed through the maid¡¯s corridor than a buzzing sound crossed his vision¡ªa flicker of yellow, a reminder from Yellow Skin. The nightmare card, which had shown no reaction during the special training period, suddenly changed at that moment.


    ¡°Hmm? Right at this time¡­ Could it be that the nightmare dares not contact me while I¡¯m at Prophet Yuri¡¯s house?¡±


    Without any change in expression, Yi Chen left Cesimani first, taking an elevator to the lower street areas.


    Turning into a narrow, deserted alley, by the time he emerged from the other end, he had already put on a mask, undergoing a change in both appearance and physique.


    Feigning famished, Yi Chen entered a signless private restaurant that operated only at night,


    deliberately choosing a separate room near the deepest part.


    When a waitress adorned with pink rabbit ears and a tail finished serving the meals, Yi Chen tossed a bag of silver coins onto the table.


    ¡°From now on until I leave this room, do not let anyone come near.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master! We especially value individual privacy here, and all records of your visit will be completely erased.¡±


    Saying this, the rabbit waitress began to lock the door, then started to engage in some special activities with the customer.


    Yi Chen immediately stopped her, ¡°Wait, I mean everyone, including you, must not come near here.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    The waitress appeared somewhat disheartened, and the tail she wore drooped as well.


    As she bent over to pick up the bag of coins Yi Chen had placed on the table, she slipped¡­ or it seemed intentional, or even rabbit-like, as she kicked her legs and forcefully slammed into the table edge.


    Crack!


    The waitress¡¯s originally delicate face was completely indented by the impact, her facial bones cracked open a huge gash, the table corner she hit seemed to have penetrated her brain.


    After a spasm, she placed her hands on either side of the table, slowly pulling her head out from between the table corners.


    Mingled with sticky blood strands,


    her inwardly crushed visage was displayed, that eerie smile paired with such devastation, then shifted her body to sit opposite Yi Chen.


    Crunch, crunch~


    Tentacles, one by one, squeezed out from the depressed parts of her face, rapidly restructuring her entire face.


    Keeping the rabbit ears and tail unchanged,


    a young girl¡¯s face emerged, based in white with black makeup,


    exhaling copious amounts of dark mist, filling the current private room, erasing any trace of the door, transporting the two into the ¡°crevice¡± between reality and nightmare.


    The girl before him was none other than Catherine, the Nightmare Girl he had encountered previously.


    She didn¡¯t start talking right away, instead, she picked up a knife and fork to taste the steaming hot dishes, chewing and swallowing while occasionally hugging her cheeks, a look of satisfaction on her face.


    ¡°This is really good~ Humans indeed know how to prepare food, most creatures from the Old World simply eat raw.


    Would you like some?¡±


    Catherine sliced off the juiciest piece from the beef ribs, offering it to Yi Chen with a fork, who showed no indication of opening his mouth.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t eat, then don¡¯t eat~ Why the long face¡­ I¡¯ve been waiting for you so long and I¡¯m not upset.¡±


    ¡°Speak, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it about the game? I had everything set up a day ago.


    When I tried to contact you, I found you were in some troublemaker¡¯s mansion, that bald guy might discover my presence, so it was tough to contact you.


    I was planning on starting the game today, but after thinking it over, I decided to give you some time to prepare.


    If you¡¯re not in good condition, I wouldn¡¯t be happy even if I won.


    Tomorrow afternoon, follow the information on the card to find me, we¡¯ll officially start the game in a secluded area where no one will disturb us.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The conversation ended.


    As Yi Chen left the restaurant, the rabbit-costumed waitress stood at the doorway of the private room the entire time, smiling and waving goodbye to him.


    However.


    Across the street from this restaurant, a late-night pancake shop was still open.


    Wearing a mask, the perfectly disguised Yi Chen exited the restaurant. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The pancake shop¡¯s owner glanced at him inadvertently before continuing with her business.

 Chapter 289: Leaving the City

    Yi Chen, having left the restaurant, changed back into his normal appearance, exuding energy despite it being the early hours of the morning.


    ¡°Strange¡­ I don¡¯t feel sleepy at all.


    These days I have been fully immersed in ¡®Education.¡¯ Due to time constraints, I¡¯ve been sleeping as little as possible. Today, I even had a model discussion with Yuri followed by an appointment with a nightmare.


    Could it be that ¡®Education¡¯ invisibly draws nutrients from the students¡¯ brains to nourish my own brain?


    After all, the enslavement by the Madmen of other life forms is equivalent to turning them into ¡®brain nutrients¡¯¡­ My method of Education is milder, but it still shares some attributes of the Madmen¡¯s approach.


    However, those maids affected by the Education have not shown any significant negative reactions.


    Once the nightmare incident is over, I will ask Mr. Yuri about the condition of those seven maids. If they show any side effects or more intense brain reactions, I will need to consider the scope of use for this ability.


    Ah~ If only I could directly educate the nightmares¡­ unfortunately, as things stand now, forced education results only in failure.


    Let¡¯s skip sleeping tonight and go directly to the Principal to find out who will be going to explore the nightmares.


    If I am included in the personnel arrangement, I will need to find a reason to decline participation.¡±


    Yi Chen arrived alone at the train platform that led to the campus,


    At this train platform at three in the morning, he was not alone¡ªthere was also a tall woman standing not far to the side, wearing long boots and round-framed glasses.


    Even wrapped in a trench coat, her figure was eye-catching, but what drew more attention was her height, which exceeded one meter ninety.


    ¡°Hm? Principal?¡±


    ¡°William, are you in such a hurry to return to school so late? I haven¡¯t been able to contact you these days. I tried Divination and found that your Star Formation was entangled with a killing red light. When I asked about it, I learned that you have been at Yuri¡¯s place the whole time.


    Having not seen you for so long, you must have learned a lot from Yuri, right? Can you make maids by yourself now?¡±


    Principal Daislin¡¯s words carried a tone of accountability, as if she were disappointed by Yi Chen¡¯s lack of contact for learning and discussing Star Magic.


    ¡°Mr. Yuri is unexpectedly approachable, and I learned many useful things from him. However, making maids, which requires interest and long-term practice, is a craft that I simply can¡¯t learn.


    By the way, Principal~ I heard from Mr. Yuri that the organization seems to be preparing to form a special squad to conquer the nightmares, so I was heading straight to the Star Divination room to ask you, but I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Not preparing¡­ it has already been established. I¡¯ve been busy with this matter until now.¡±


    At that moment, Yi Chen tried to shift his stance, slowly moving closer to the Principal¡¯s side, the two of them¡ªa tall and a short figure¡ªstood side by side on the platform¡¯s yellow line.


    ¡°Did Reagan¡¯s design succeed?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we have a safe and stable ¡®Main Brain Plan¡¯ thanks to Reagan¡¯s design.¡±


    The Principal informed him of the details and Yi Chen was shocked.


    In such a short time, they had already devised a method for joint dreaming, and they could even set the subject of dreaming to be the ¡®brain of a death row inmate¡¯ to deflect the substantial harm from nightmares, reducing the risk to other dreamers.


    However, Yi Chen had a question about the plan, ¡°If the brain of a death row inmate is used as the main subject, then the consciousness of that inmate would also enter the dream, right?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, which is why we have individuals with considerable strength embedded in the dream team to monitor the death row inmate, and we¡¯re also offering a condition.


    If the death row inmate cooperates well and contributes to the eradication of nightmares, we will consider transplanting his brain into a synthetic body afterward.


    Such an offer is irresistible for an inmate permanently sealed in a preservation fluid tank. They would grasp at anything for a chance at freedom, even if it were an opportunity for suicide.¡±


    ¡°I see.


    Speaking of which, who are the members of the dream team? I heard from Yuri that the two-faced Prophet is likely to be involved.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mark and Martin are among the most suitable Prophets for dream exploration in all of our ranks. The rest of the participants are the organization¡¯s elite, each representing a form of Limit.


    One of them is none other than your second Tutor, William.¡±


    ¡°What?! Tutor Zede is participating?¡±


    ¡°Zede¡¯s physical prowess is ranked among the top three in the organization and is unparalleled in some respects.


    In addition to Zede, there are many other reliable folks. If even they cannot touch the root of the nightmares, let alone fall into danger and are forced to withdraw from the dream, then we must prepare for the worst.¡±


    Yi Chen was well aware of what the so-called worst-case scenario was here.


    ¡°Principal Daislin, should we arrange a few more teams to infiltrate the dream with different main brains? Even if other teams aren¡¯t as skilled as Teacher Zede¡¯s team, they could still help alleviate the nightmare pressure, making it easier for Zede and the others to penetrate deeper,¡±


    ¡°Do you think I wouldn¡¯t have thought of something you could come up with?


    This time, we have organized ¡®six teams¡¯ for the dream infiltration, with Mark¡¯s and Martin¡¯s teams as the spearhead for multiple penetrations.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    For some reason, despite the organization¡¯s significant breakthroughs in dreaming and such an arrangement of forces, Yi Chen still felt uneasy.


    ¡°Principal Daislin, when exactly does the ¡®Main Brain Plan¡¯ officially start?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow.¡±


    Upon receiving this piece of timing information, a streak of lightning seemed to flash through Yi Chen¡¯s mind, connecting two disparate events.


    ¡°Principal, I would like to request to leave the city.¡±


    ¡°At this time?¡±


    ¡°Yes, leave the city right now.¡±


    ¡°It seems you have no intention of getting involved with the Main Brain Plan. I was actually planning to talk to you about it. After all, the initial performance of you, Reagan, and Jin in the exploration of nightmares was quite impressive.


    We have plenty of death row inmates¡¯ brains left, more than enough for you to use.


    Since you¡¯re not interested in participating, let it be, then. Go ahead~ Taking some time off from the city could be good for you, too.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    The conversation ended just as the train was arriving at the station.


    The Principal alone on the train used a strand of hair just pulled from Yi Chen¡¯s head to perform Star Divination. The hair was separated into tiny star particles that assembled and pieced together before her.


    A peculiar star formation picture took shape in front of her,


    As starlight mingled with moonlight, a strange mist enveloped the surroundings. Although the layer of mist was thin, it gave Principal Daislin a feeling even deeper than when she divined nightmares.


    ¡°He was always so proactive when it came to discussing nightmares, but now, when the organization has found a reliable method of dreaming, he chooses to opt-out and even escape. Could it be because he has already been contaminated by the nightmare, or even received a warning?


    If he has indeed been targeted by nightmares, leaving Zion is indeed the best choice.


    With the help of the ¡®Moon¡¯ and combined with your Madness Brain, you should be reasonably safe outside the city. Just wait until we¡¯ve resolved everything before you come back.¡±


    ¡­


    The city gate.


    With the Principal¡¯s handwritten note, Yi Chen left the city gate alone.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t even rent a carriage but chose to walk down the mountain.


    His expression at the moment was quite grim because the timing given by the Principal coincided exactly with the game time¡­ Yi Chen had every reason to suspect that the so-called ¡®game¡¯ could very well be related to the organization¡¯s dreaming plan.


    If that was the case, the severity of the situation would be beyond Yi Chen¡¯s control.


    Now, he had only one option¡­


    He descended the steep mountain that supported Zion City, walking along the main road in the faint moonlight.


    He had walked for an indeterminate amount of time when the previously hazy moonlight gradually magnified, until a ray of moonlight pierced through the clouds and shone directly downward.


    This ray of moonlight did not fall upon Yi Chen but landed at the foot of a large tree by the road.


    Glancing sideways,


    A silver-haired youth was sitting against the tree, distinctly different from before;his right eye was no longer covered in bandages but displayed a full-moon like pupil.

 Chapter 290: The Plan

    ¡°Wearing your emotions right on your face isn¡¯t like you at all, William.¡±


    ¡°Besides, this is the main city of your humans, where there should be many powerful beings, right? Since you¡¯ve come out, you shouldn¡¯t have anything to worry about, should you?¡±


    ¡°If it were that simple, I wouldn¡¯t have needed to ¡®Gaze at the Moon¡¯¡­ Lorrian, you seem to be just a projection?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. My physical body is adrift thousands of kilometers away in the ocean, following the ¡®Path¡¯ that the Duke pointed out to me.


    As much as I¡¯d like to come over and see what trouble you¡¯ve gotten yourself into, it¡¯s really hard to get away under the gaze of the sea.¡±


    Lorrian¡¯s body appeared to be sitting by the tree, but in reality, it was just a human projection formed by moonlight.


    Though realistic, Yi Chen could easily see through it and felt that most of Lorrian¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t focused here.


    ¡°Hmm~ William, have you broken through? The scent of your brain is completely different from before¡­ Come, stand under the moonlight so I can have a look.¡±


    As Yi Chen approached the roadside tree where Lorrian¡¯s projection was located, and stepped into the spotlight-like moonlight,


    for a moment, Lorrian, who should have only been a projection, actually took on physical form.


    His face drew close,


    The waning moon left eye and the full moon right eye almost pressed against Yi Chen¡¯s temple, piercing through scalp and skull to peek directly at the Black Insane Brain within.


    ¡°How beautiful~ It¡¯s a pity that I can¡¯t perform a more detailed ¡®Deep Feeling¡¯ right now. From what I can observe at the moment, William, the structure of your pathogen is just stunning, a wonder to behold.


    You should be able to easily solve quite a few problems now, shouldn¡¯t you? Tell me what happened that¡¯s got you so flustered.¡±


    The two stood leaning against the same thick tree trunk,


    Yi Chen in his black suit with hands in pockets, and Lorrian in his patient clothes with arms crossed over his chest, shoulders touching, bathed in the moonlight that enveloped them both.


    As Yi Chen recounted the entire ordeal with the nightmare and his own experience with it,


    a drop of silver saliva trickled down from the corner of Lorrian¡¯s mouth, he even shifted a portion of his attention from his main body, showing a keen interest in the nightmare incident.


    Even when hearing about the nightmare girl ¨C Catherine¡¯s suggestion to play a game, he thought about sailing back to participate in the nightmare incident from the midst of the sea.


    But in the end, reason triumphed over impulse, as he was close to reaching the endpoint of the ¡®Path¡¯.


    ¡°So interesting, there is such a disease that implants the most common thoughts as nightmares as the carrier, undetectable and hard to eradicate, truly an intriguing illness system.


    I¡¯ve been away for so long, visiting plenty of human cities and illness strongholds, but I¡¯ve never encountered such a disease.


    It¡¯s a shame I can¡¯t directly participate. Just wait until we meet again, then share this memory with me in its entirety for my observation.


    And moreover,


    Your organization is also very interesting, using the brains of death row inmates as ¡®carriers¡¯ to take part in it. Could my good friend, Doctor Macaul of the Twilight Clinic, be involved in it?¡±


    ¡°He might be, but I¡¯m not sure about the details. I¡¯ve already pulled out of the nightmare project in the open.¡±


    ¡°William, I can help you~ but if you encounter Doctor Macaul¡¯s consciousness projection in the nightmare, you¡¯ll need to kill him for me, and you must do it in your Moon Transformation state.


    The next time we meet, I¡¯ll check thoroughly, you know.


    How much time do you have left?¡±


    ¡°One day, I need to return by tomorrow evening at the latest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s soon~ I wonder if you can make it in time.¡±


    Yi Chen was somewhat puzzled, ¡°Isn¡¯t your physical body unable to make it? How can you still help?¡±


    ¡°The moon is everywhere, even if my physical body isn¡¯t here, you can still bath in its glory¡­ If you feel the bath is not enough, you can also go and actively plunder some glory.


    Do you remember when you and your buddy first came to the Twilight Clinic?


    The initial generation of Moon People affected by the double moons, aside from the little mouse you killed and the theater owner I temporarily combined with, quite a few escaped.


    They, being the first generation and having been influenced by my Complete Body, continue to grow by drawing nutrition from moonlight, and there is a certain connection between them.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Take out that axe you fashioned from a rat, remove the rat core from the tail, and swallow it. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This way, you can follow the sensing to find the location of other lunar kin, and see if any are close enough that you can reach them and return within a little more than a day.¡±


    Yi Chen took out ¡®Moon of Slaughter¡¯, the silver Hand Axe that had grown with him and resolved countless crises,


    The mouse structure at the end of the axe handle was the core of the axe, inseparable.


    If forcibly removed, this perfectly forged weapon would be completely wasted.


    Crack! The Moon Crystal Core made from a mouse was directly snapped off by Yi Chen.


    Although it was a crystalline structure, it became increasingly soft under the current moonlight, as if he was holding a real rat in his hand.


    Under Lorrian¡¯s gaze, he popped it into his mouth, closed his eyes to feel the crystal dissolving.


    When he opened his eyes again,


    The moon, hidden behind thick fog and clouds, seemed to come right in front of him on its own. On closer inspection, this moon appeared more like a living thing, with biological veins visible beneath its cratered surface, and even spinal structures.


    Gaze at the moon, sensing the nearest original lunar inhabitants.


    ¡°Buzz! There¡¯s one¡­ two lunar kin at a suitable distance, but time might be tight.¡±


    Once Yi Chen fully determined the direction and his thoughts returned,


    Under the moonlight spotlight, only he remained;Lorrian had disappeared without a trace.


    Without hesitation,


    The Black Insane Brain between Yi Chen¡¯s skull issued orders to all his muscle cells.


    It conveyed the core information of ¡®Long-term Running¡¯ to each piece of core muscle, and the brain tissue contained within the muscles began decoding the orders, then altered the muscle shapes, even allowing some muscles to attach to the skeletal system, temporarily changing the body¡¯s structure.


    The spine curved,


    The arms thickened and supported on the ground,


    And through total physical adjustment, his body was transformed into a quadrupedal running form,


    The gentleman¡¯s clothes also changed along with the body, the original black suit sprouted numerous thin threads, imitating animal fur to cover every part of the body, even adding a pad structure to the hands and feet.


    This made Yi Chen look like a black beast, with his right arm still maintaining a metal armor modification.


    Buzz!


    He darted into the woods, rushing towards the nearest lunar kin in the shortest path between two points.


    While running, his suit also helped Yi Chen to breathe, effectively replenishing the oxygen needed by the cells throughout his body.


    This speed was even faster than Zion¡¯s carriage.


    Meanwhile, Little Grape provided a panoramic view while commenting,


    ¡°William¡­ If you absorb more Moon Transformation pathogens, the likelihood of being assimilated by Lorrian will increase. According to him, he is undergoing some kind of ¡®Path¡¯ in the sea.


    Once this path is completed, Lorrian could potentially break through Open Source and reach an even more terrifying level.


    When that time comes, if he wants to occupy and Combine, turning you into his second personality, resisting would practically be impossible.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­ I¡¯ll consider it. But in this situation, if I don¡¯t find a way, I¡¯ll become completely a puppet to the nightmare. Compared to that, I¡¯d rather fuse with the moonlight.


    I still have the chance to coordinate slowly with Lorrian, maybe we can find an optimal solution that doesn¡¯t require fusion.


    Don¡¯t you think? Little Grape.


    Moreover, these original lunar inhabitants might have grown completely, and their grapes may very well suit your taste.¡±


    ¡°Just stop, and remember to bring them all to me when the time comes.¡±

 Chapter 291: Plundering Moonlight

    [Zion Power Station]


    The day before the Nightmare Project began,


    participants came in waves early in the morning to test the dream entry clothing, which now allowed better breathability and improved sensitivity in comparison to the ones Yi Chen and his team had used before. These were subsequently renamed ¡°Dream Suits¡±.


    At that time,


    an important figure arrived wearing a white suit, a white bowler hat, and a featureless mask. His singular nature immediately drew everyone¡¯s attention and salutations.


    ¡°Mr. Martin and Mr. Marko!¡±


    His uniqueness wasn¡¯t limited to his front-and-back masks or his distinct role as the Prophet,


    but also his unusual way of moving about the power station,


    which was walking backward the entire time without a hint of awkwardness. One might say his daily affairs were typically handled ¡°in reverse¡±.


    As for what his ¡°front side¡± was primarily responsible for, aside from the Prophets and a very few gentlemen on close terms with him, virtually no one knew.


    While Martin and Marko were trying on the suits in Task Force¡¯s resting room, almost silent throughout, he suddenly spoke up from beneath the mask, ¡°They¡¯ve arrived!¡±


    At the main entrance of the power station,


    the security clearance level had been raised to its maximum because the Nightmare Project was about to start.


    The security captain, whose limbs and parts of his torso had undergone prosthetic modifications and whose body was armored, guarded the entrance with all security personnel, verifying the identity of every participant in the Nightmare Project.


    Suddenly, all of them felt a physical threat,


    even seeing hallucinations,


    of hairless, eyeless corpses with mouths sewn shut by surgical thread, crowding the power station corridors, even vividly feeling the intense sensation of flesh pressing against their bodies.


    At that moment,


    the EMP device equipped on the captain activated involuntarily. Buzz!


    The illusions vanished.


    All that remained was a man wearing an eye patch, a white casual shirt, and jeans, walking barefoot through the corridor,


    his sleeves rolled up past the elbows, a watch gifted by the school still on his right wrist.


    Not until this person had moved past the corridor did one of the security personnel realize he had not been screened for a security check.


    Just as this security guard, driven by professional instinct, thought to pursue the man, the captain immediately held him back forcefully.


    ¡°This is Hogni Zede, the true monster imprisoned by the O.C.A. Rumor has it, it takes Principal Daislin and numerous faculty to ensure his proper confinement. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I received notice yesterday that this monster would be participating in the Nightmare Project.


    That presence just now was unmistakable. If we had gone up to forcibly stop and check him, we likely would¡¯ve been killed on the spot.¡±


    The security captain immediately relayed information about Zede¡¯s arrival to every area of the power station, and all monitors captured his movements in real-time. As he approached the security gates, they were opened in advance to ensure his unimpeded passage.


    However,


    it was Zede¡¯s first time at a power station like this, and the technology here was several levels above what he was used to. Despite the signposts, he was still somewhat confused as he moved forward.


    Knowing of Zede¡¯s arrival, many staff members chose to keep their doors closed at this time.


    Zede couldn¡¯t find anyone to ask for directions,


    but just as he was about to be completely lost, a staff member who kept stuffing dried meat into his mouth walked past him in the corridor, his cheeks nearly swelling from double to triple layers.


    ¡°Could you tell me how to get to the gathering point for the Nightmare Project?¡±


    ¡°Follow me, I¡¯m heading there too.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Zede replied courteously, appearing far less dangerous than outsiders assumed.


    This chubby ¡®staff member¡¯ was none other than Reagan, who felt not pressure but a strange kinship with Zede.


    As they walked to the destination area, Reagan struck up a conversation:


    ¡°You must be Mr. Zede, right? William should be your student.


    The physical resemblance between you two is indeed high, but William¡¯s body is transforming in another direction while you continue to delve infinitely in the original one.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know William?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we are currently on the same task force. We even explored nightmares together. Although I proposed and designed the Nightmare Ladder, I¡¯ve discussed the experience with William.


    We might also be involved in this Nightmare Project, trying our best to alleviate some of the pressure on Mr. Zede¡¯s Task Force.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? I was informed by Principal Deslin when I left school that young William had abandoned the Nightmare Project and left the city for refuge last night.¡±


    At this news, Reagan¡¯s face squeezed together with all the fat on his cheeks.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. William¡¯s nature wouldn¡¯t allow for such an action.¡±


    ¡°You think so too, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Reagan nodded, ¡°Yes, the reason I¡¯m here to guide you is because William once actively invited me to participate in a very dangerous relic operation.


    He was unusually paranoid about things where specific dangers were unpredictable, often choosing directions where danger was uncontrollable.


    It¡¯s impossible for him to choose to leave at a critical time like this, certainly something must have happened.


    If it¡¯s not Principal Desline¡¯s mandatory measures, then it must be inevitably linked to the nightmare.¡±


    ¡­


    86 km away from Zion, on a small town that is the complete opposite of the Twilight Clinic.


    This town had virtually no gentlemen from the organization, always surviving according to the rules provided by the organization, and would immediately seek help from the nearest gentleman station whenever trouble arose, struggling to survive in such a world.


    But in the past year, the dispatched manpower from the organization is clearly insufficient, and even several requests for help went unanswered, causing an epidemic to break out within the town.


    In critical times,


    a silver-haired priest came here, using his unique ¡°Descent of Light¡± approach to eradicate the pathogen in the town, and even completely healed those with mild symptoms under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes.


    Since then,


    the town¡¯s people worshipped him as an envoy of the gods, renovating and transforming the originally abandoned church, renaming it the ¡°New Moon Church.¡±


    Every day, townsfolk would go between the church to pray, earnestly seeking the gods¡¯ favor.


    Occasionally, some young males would grow a wisp of silver hair and were considered to be accepted by the deity;they would be sent to the church to become the priests¡¯ assistants.


    For these past months, there had been virtually no unnatural deaths in the town,


    and the townspeople held dear their affection for the priest, even overlooking some of his excessive demands, believing them to be the necessary sacrifices for the new god¡¯s grace.


    The morning sun had not fully risen,


    and in a secret chamber deep within the church, a group of silver-haired young male servants were kneeling and playing some strange games with the new priest, with only a very few resisting while the rest complied with the priest.


    Thanks to the nourishment of the power of faith and the nightly baths in moonlight, the priest felt he was close to achieving Open Source.


    When the first rays of dawn from the dungeon¡¯s skylight hit him, the priest posed narcissistically and murmured softly,


    ¡°Unknowingly, I have become so perfect. Now, even if I were to return to Viner City, I could kill the rat occupying the clinic all by myself.


    But there¡¯s no longer a need for me to return;I will go to more populous cities to preach. By then, my statues will stand tall in all human cities, and my name will be remembered for millennia.¡±


    Just then, a shadow flashed past the dungeon skylight.


    ¡°Hmm? Another patient has come to town, huh? What a bother¡­¡±


    As the priest pushed away the male servants in front of him and prepared to head upstairs to take a look,


    the previously well-concealed and booby-trapped dungeon entrance was surprisingly opened, and a pitch-black beast quickly leaped in,


    instilling an instinctive fear in all the male servants who hid behind the priest.


    ¡°My children, fear not! It¡¯s just a beast that has lost its way;I will bring it light and liberation,¡± the priest assured them.


    With a gesture of his hand, a beam of light instantly bathed the beast.


    Gradually,


    the beast¡¯s fur rapidly receded, and it transformed from a crawling posture to a standing one, even its bent spine being straightened.


    This left the priest bewildered, as he had not known his Descent of Light could serve such a purpose.


    ¡°Hmm? Has my ability undergone an advanced transformation? Is this a sign of achieving Open Source?¡±


    As the priest affirmed himself,


    the beast before him had already taken on a young man¡¯s appearance, slowly walking towards him while rotating its neck back and forth.


    When the priest, sensing danger, tried to use Descent of Light again, the young man instead embraced the strong light, even giving it high praise,


    ¡°Hmm~ such pure moonlight.


    It seems you haven¡¯t been infected with any other pathogens since leaving Viner City and have been true to your identity as a Moon dweller.


    Quite admirable~ I need to borrow your core for a moment.¡±


    Before the priest could react, the young man took an Instant Step and was upon him.


    His right arm pierced through the priest¡¯s body, the moon-shaped core extracted in its entirety.


    Snap!


    The priest, with a hole in his chest, fell to the ground full of disbelief, utterly dead.


    Yi Chen surveyed the pitiable male servants before him, ultimately picking out a young man who was resistant.


    ¡°This town currently has no gentlemen assigned to it. Just leaving it unchecked would likely lead to total pathological transformation or even becoming a storehouse for the patients¡­ Let¡¯s choose you.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly indoctrinated the young man, shared some interesting things, and then turned to leave.

 Chapter 292: On the Moon

    In the same direction as the small town where the silver-haired priest resided, but even farther away, between the valleys.


    A wild man segregated from reality lived there. For months, many villagers who came to the valleys to hunt and fetch water encountered this solitary and strange silver-haired wild man.


    According to the villagers¡¯ description, the wild man was entirely covered in silver fur which even emitted bursts of silver light at night. Despite his ferocious appearance, he had never hurt anyone.


    He was often seen fishing by the pond,


    It was rumored that the wild man would specifically hunt the sick objects and large beasts that appeared in the valleys.


    Since he took up residence in the valleys, the mortality rate of villagers who came to this forested area to hunt had significantly decreased, S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Some had attempted to approach the wild man but instinctively backed away when they came within ten meters, sweating profusely as though they were about to be swallowed by something terrible.


    ¡­


    Three hours after the priest in the small town was killed,


    The silver-haired wild man fishing by the valley pond sensed an aura vastly different approaching¡ªor rather, already near¡ªmore dangerous than any patient he had ever encountered.


    Even so, he remained as calm as still water and continued fishing.


    Until a young man in a black suit sat down beside him, a strand of silver hair peeking through his own.


    The wild man spoke in human language,


    ¡°You killed Father Edson, didn¡¯t you?


    That guy was always ranting about conducting the greatest evangelism but was, in reality, tampering with underhanded schemes. As his evangelistic work grew, he gradually lost his humanity.


    Even if you didn¡¯t kill him, sooner or later, he would have been killed by someone or swallowed by some other pathogen.


    But before you kill me, may I ask why? Is it a punishment from Moon Scar for our escape from Viner City?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no particular reason;I¡¯m simply plundering the moonlight.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ then, I¡¯d like to resist a bit.¡±


    In an instant,


    The silver fur on his body rapidly grew out of control, transforming into a silver beast resembling an anthropoid ape. The aura he exuded was even richer and more dangerous than the priest¡¯s before him.


    The strength of the moon dweller he manifested surpassed that of Mr. Li, the rat who once hid in the Twilight Clinic¡¯s basement, marking him as a powerful Severe Patient.


    Yi Chen, however, calmly rolled up his sleeves, flexed his fingers, and casually asked, ¡°What is your name?¡±


    The wild man, now a white beast, could still articulate human speech, ¡°Philomea Colmy.¡±


    Colmy had been an ordinary clerk in Viner City, doing the work of three, leaving early and returning late. His greatest anticipation each day was to take advantage of his one day off per month to fish and relax in the neighboring village.


    Even the risk of catching fish-scale disease or shell disease didn¡¯t matter to him.


    But with the emergence of the False Moon incident, he saw the truth of the Clinic using citizens for live experimentation from the moon hanging in the sky, saw the irreversible pathologization of the world, and eventually embraced the moon¡¯s gifts willingly.


    With his yearning for nature, he survived the city¡¯s cleansing by the gentlemen, left Viner City, and started the leisurely life he had always dreamed of.


    Although he anticipated death would come early, he didn¡¯t expect it to be this soon.


    The battle ended within fifteen minutes.


    Clang!


    Four iron chains completely restrained the transformed moon dweller, leaving no chance for struggle. These chains had no barbs and did not inflict pain;they purely served the purpose of restraint.


    Gradually, the beast¡¯s fur completely receded, and Colmy was ready to accept death.


    Just when he thought he was about to be killed,


    A strange spiritual influence suddenly permeated deep into his brain, slowly transforming the affected brain core to black, even restructuring the pathological center internally.


    In an instant, Colmy, who had longed to lie flat, suddenly became eager to learn Knowledge, to travel the world and expand his cerebral capacity.


    Unbeknownst to him, the crystal representing the moon beneath his skin was extracted,


    Strangely, he didn¡¯t die from the removal of the pathogen but had his pathological center transferred to his brain.


    By the time he opened his eyes, the iron chains that once bound him were no longer there.


    He shed his former attire, shaved off the excess hair on his body, and embarked on his journey for knowledge with a completely new stance.


    ¡­


    [The next day at noon]


    The appointment between Yi Chen and the Nightmare girl¡ªCatherine was fast approaching that afternoon, they had to meet by six o¡¯clock at the latest, or else the game agreement between the two would be directly canceled, and this important connection would be severed completely.


    At that time, the nightmare would also begin its full infiltration of Zion.


    Although Yi Chen trusted the abilities of his teachers and the gentleman predecessors, even if they were truly able to eradicate the nightmares, the meat, vegetables, and even the drinking water that had been circulating in the market had already sown certain ¡°thoughts¡± deep within the heads of most people, and the ultimate outcome would definitely not be good.


    From Yi Chen¡¯s perspective, he had to participate in this game¡ªit was the only possible way to achieve a perfect ending.


    The black beast that Yi Chen transformed into rushed back successfully to the tree where he was supposed to meet Lorrian¡¯s projection.


    It was noon, with the blazing sun overhead.


    Such a time could be said to be completely unrelated to the moon, yet even so, Yi Chen sat leaning against the tree, pulling out two pristine pathogens from his pocket¡ªMoon Crystals.


    Gurgle~ The slightly soft crystals rolled down his esophagus into his body,


    eventually being digested and broken down into silver energy, gathering at the location of Yi Chen¡¯s lower abdomen into a moon-shaped material similar to a calculus.


    When he opened his eyes again,


    no longer were there trees, roads, or the blazing sun overhead,


    Yi Chen was sitting on the surface of the Moon, facing a stretch of the deep universe.


    Being physically close allowed him to perceive the essence of the Moon more directly and to feel the lively throbs of life emanating from the entire Moon.


    Yi Chen could now fully confirm that this Moon was entirely different from the Moon (Earth¡¯s satellite) that he had once known;it could be a special celestial body that came with the Old World, or it could be an independent celestial body born along with the Moon Scar.


    It was alive, full of life, and possibly conscious.


    Not far from Yi Chen,


    a seemingly ordinary Moon Crater unexpectedly began to move, slowly forming a spiral opening at its center, and a kind of ¡®gravity¡¯ specifically targeting Yi Chen spilled out from the opening.


    When the gravitational force took effect,


    Yi Chen felt a slight pulling force, and it was almost as if a familiar voice was whispering in his ear, urging him to hurry over and follow the passageway through the crater to its depths.


    The pulling force kept growing stronger, as if many hands were dragging him relentlessly, hoping Yi Chen would go deeper into the Moon, to accept this power and become one with the Moon.


    However,


    as time passed and the pulling force increased,


    Yi Chen remained unmoved, keeping the same posture of sitting cross-legged and looking upwards.


    He had been captivated by the direct view of deep space from the surface of the Moon from the very first moment, a feeling very similar to the ¡®Starry Sky¡¯ experience once guided by Principal Daislin.


    Using the Moon as a medium,


    the Star Magic that Yi Chen learned from Principal Daislin began to resonate, and an unexpected reaction was taking place.


    ¡­


    Far removed from Zion, and even beyond the oceans of the Fourth Continent Quechua, the level of the Grey Zone here had reached the [Forbidden] or even the highest [Death] level defined by the Organization.


    A silver ship with a design resembling the human body, covered with various organs and metals, was sailing across the ocean.


    The quiet ocean surface was dotted with unimaginably large eyeballs.


    On the deck,


    Lorrian, who had completely unleashed his right eye, stood there with a female doctor.


    Suddenly, Lorrian looked up at the Moon, as if he caught a glimpse of the young man gazing at the starry sky from the surface of the Moon.


    ¡°Tsk, William, that guy¡­ why doesn¡¯t he ever play by the rules? What a hassle.¡±

 Chapter 293: Ready to Go

    [Power Station]


    An entire circular floor was cleared out to serve as the ¡°Dream Entry Room¡± for the nightmare project, where the brains of [six] death row inmates were transported for the final stage of setup.


    These brains were preserved in cylindrical containers filled with green gel, with their surfaces bristling with all sorts of wires.


    Surrounding each brain, there were 4 to 6 glass bathtubs, likewise filled with the green gel, where the dreamers would later lie inside wearing sleep attire.


    This liquid was better at calming their mental state and could enhance brain sensing capabilities, thereby improving autonomous functions within the dream realms.


    The containers holding the brains also had the corresponding names of the death row inmates attached to them,


    and the inmates¡¯ files were given to the corresponding dreaming team members, as they would be temporarily partnering with these inmates in the dreamscape.


    Although the organization would offer death row inmates the ¡°prosthetic body continuation¡± as a condition for their cooperation, it wasn¡¯t guaranteed that all inmates would comply willingly, so getting to know them in advance was quite necessary.


    Brain No. 1 [¡°Street Vendor¡± Dalair], a gentleman with an ordinary white envelope who, having no hope of breaking through, mingled in the lower districts of Zion, peddling various goods, even private medicines. It was later discovered that at least eleven missing persons and deaths by poisoning in Zion were connected to him.


    Brain No. 2 [¡°Magician¡± Silona], gentlemen who teamed up with her for missions often had at least one member go missing, and some directly died. While the reasons were primarily due to the missions themselves, and there were even teammates who alibied her,


    following repeated incidents and predictions by the Prophet, Zion conducted forced memory reviews on her, uncovering that she used tricks and deceptions to lead one of their squad members into a fatal error during each mission.


    Brain No. 3 [¡°Breeder¡± Blanklin], the instigator behind the Kefan Town human-pig incident.


    Brain No. 4 [¡°Clothier¡± Adoma], a tailor sent to Tewick City by the organization. Since her arrival, gentlemen who happened to pass through the city for attire repairs gave rave reviews. Not only could she quickly fix clothes, but they also received a portion of meat that quickly restored their energy.


    But with her emergence, multiple disappearances occurred in the city. After the scandal broke, she killed several local gentlemen who came to arrest her in an attempt to escape, ultimately leading to her capture.


    Brain No. 5 [¡°Violent Machado¡±], the executioner from Cesimani who, during a team mission involving multiple people, lost control of his emotions, killing all the other squad members as well as teammates who tried to stop his rampage, eventually turning himself in.


    The central brain [¡°Silver Demon,¡± ¡°Founder of Dusk Thin Silver Liquid,¡± ¡°Founder of Twilight Clinic¡± Doctor Macaul].


    The above are the six brains corresponding to the death row inmates, and they also signify that six teams would be entering the dream simultaneously.


    However,


    although the six teams were all composed of ¡°Breakthroughs,¡± their combat capabilities were not equal, or rather, one of the teams was terrifyingly superior, far surpassing the others.


    They could nearly symbolize the organization¡¯s pinnacle combat power,


    compared to which, the other five teams¡¯ greater role wasn¡¯t to infiltrate the nightmare but to help distract attention from the nightmare, allowing the elite squad to reach the Root and eliminate the target more swiftly.


    And the brain center used by the elite squad was none other than the notorious Silver Demon¡ªDoctor Macaul.


    A large number of people dressed in sleep attire were gathered here, some perusing the inmates¡¯ files, others doing exercises to relax their bodies, and some were huddled together discussing the upcoming dreamscape issues.


    Just then, a commotion erupted nearby.


    ¡°What, William didn¡¯t really come to join! Impossible, he¡¯s usually the most proactive about these things.¡±


    Searching for the source of the noise, it was Miss Jin who had rushed over.


    She had hurried here to meet Reagan, expecting once again to embark on nightmare exploration, only to be told that Captain William Behrens had already left town.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t tell her about such an important matter, infuriating Jin so much that she almost lost control and sliced off a nearby death row inmate¡¯s brain.


    Reagan was trying to console her at the side, ¡°William not participating must have his reasons. Let¡¯s just be onlookers this time and enjoy the veterans¡¯ performance.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ William is definitely up to something. I¡¯m going to find him outside the city and bring him back.¡±


    Just as Jin stormed off alone and was about to pass through a security door, a bizarre voice suddenly transmitted directly into her brain,


    ¡°Since you¡¯re sure William wouldn¡¯t give up on the nightmare project, maybe he¡¯s participating somewhere else alone. If you were to enter the dream with the main force here, you might meet him in the dream.¡±


    This voice echoing in her mind startled Jin, and she turned to look back at the security door she had just passed, noticing a staff member there checking the verification device, a unnaturally forced smile on his face.


    Despite the strangeness of the words, Jin found herself agreeing. Knowing William, it was impossible for him to leave without saying goodbye at such a crucial moment. He must have a reason;he might indeed be secretly entering the dream.


    As Jin hesitated and considered her options, another voice reached her.


    But this time, it was a voice she knew well,


    ¡°Jin, what are you doing here? There¡¯s an urgent task in Cesimani, and we¡¯re short on hands right now. Hurry up and come back with me.¡±


    At the other end of the passage stood instructor Beili, who was inexplicably clad in her familiar, eye-catching black silk package skirt and had her golden hair tied in a ponytail.


    ¡°Instructor Beili, how come you¡¯re here?¡±


    Jin was curious, as Beili seldom left Cesimani;in fact, she had never seen the instructor go out before.


    ¡°Coming to check on this group of guys participating in the Nightmare Project, after all, there are acquaintances of mine inside¡­ Come on, follow me.¡±


    ¡°Alright, ah~ this is so boring.¡±


    Though Jin seemed reluctant, she was actually able to identify a high-level secret code from Beili¡¯s posture, the slight separation of toes through the black stockings, and the rhythmic tapping of her right forefinger.


    After they departed, the smiling employee tilted his head slightly, seeming somewhat regretful.


    ¡­


    Zion¡ªLower Streets


    There¡¯s only one hour left until the end of the agreed time in the ¡°afternoon.¡±


    Yi Chen, with some starlight lingering in his eyes, had just stepped out of the elevator and stood at a street corner, looking for the new address given on the back of the nightmare card.


    ¡°Grumi Street¡ªNo. 33¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    About ten minutes later, Yi Chen found the corresponding place at the end of a sloping street, a low-rent apartment building which represented the organization¡¯s last act of pity for gentlemen who refused to strive, risk, and faced difficult lives.


    Yi Chen pulled out the nightmare card in front of the dilapidated apartment, and the hint on the back changed again.


    It went from the street name and building number to a series of strange arrow symbols, kindly annotated.


    ¡ü meaning go upstairs


    ¡û move one room to the left,


    ¡ú move one room to the right


    ¡ý enter


    When Yi Chen followed the hints into the apartment building, the light suddenly dimmed;electricity was long gone here, and residents relied on candles for illumination.


    One could often see a smiling resident standing at the side holding a candle, or within a room¡¯s window.


    Following the instructions, Yi Chen arrived at the fourth room on the sixth floor¡¯s right side,


    Oddly, the next hint consisted of three consecutive ¡ý¡ý¡ý symbols, indicating the need to enter thrice.


    But the apartment in front of him was simply a one-room affair, with no interior rooms to speak of.


    The only thing there was a closet against the wall.


    Cautiously, Yi Chen approached the closet, and when he opened the decrepit wardrobe doors, he was momentarily taken aback by the scene before him.


    Inside the wardrobe was a deep, dark passage, and considerately, a candle was placed beside the door.


    Analyzing the current street and the apartment building¡¯s exterior structure, such an inexplicable passage shouldn¡¯t exist;Yi Chen even began to doubt whether he was already dreaming.


    Picking up the candle, he stepped into the passageway within the closet.


    At the end was a door with alternating black and white, also matching the last ¡ý symbol on the card.


    Gently pushing the door open, to his surprise, he found a cozy bedroom infused with some circus elements,


    A young girl with black and white patterns was covered up to her upper body with a checkered duvet, with her black and white leg stockings slightly poking out from the covers.


    When she saw Yi Chen come in, she excitedly patted the vacant space next to her on the bed.


    ¡°Come on~ It¡¯s getting late, time to sleep.¡±

 Chapter 294: Falling into a Nightmare

    ¡°Hey! Although we agreed to meet in the afternoon, you didn¡¯t have to come at the very last minute, right? Never mind, let¡¯s not dwell on that¡­ Hurry up and get into bed, there are only 10 minutes left before the game starts.¡±


    Facing Catherine¡¯s cordial invitation, Yi Chen merely took slow steps forward, showing no intention to approach the bed.


    Just as Catherine had said, with ten minutes¡ªnot ten seconds¡ªleft, there was still time to lounge, and he began to wander around the bedroom.


    His fingers brushed across the tabletop, gliding over one exquisite item after another,


    A music box, a carousel box, a clown riding a unicycle, a jewellery box, peculiar paper cuts, novels, and mirrors of three different sizes framed in pink plastic, wood, and metal, respectively.


    Soon, Yi Chen identified a problem,


    The items, though feminine, corresponded to markedly different age groups.


    Moreover, Catherine frequently used ¡®we¡¯ to refer to herself, resorting to ¡®I¡¯ on only a few occasions, a series of signs that hinted Catherine might be a composite of multiple women, not a single entity.


    ¡°What? Are you interested in my toys?


    Right! You must never open the locked drawer on the right side of the desk, the third one down. It contains my private toys. Although the lock¡¯s code is written on the cover of the first book, don¡¯t let your curiosity get the better of you.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ then I won¡¯t open it.¡±


    Yi Chen turned directly to the other side of the room, with no intention whatsoever of opening the drawer.


    Of course, he reserved a portion of his peripheral vision for Catherine, noticing her puffing her cheeks, visibly unhappy.


    But Catherine remained in bed, covered up to her upper body with the bedding, with no sign of getting up. Such behavior made Yi Chen think of the once Mister Li, as if she were bound and fused to the bed.


    On the other wall of the bedroom, there were many posters, with some even overlapping each other.


    Most of the posters were inconsequential,


    but Yi Chen still noticed a clue, uncovering several layers to reveal a black-and-white realistic circus poster¡ªan advertisement for recruitment, to be precise.


    Focused at the center was the circus¡¯s grand entrance, a herringbone door that, upon prolonged staring, seemed to exert a suction force as if to drag Yi Chen inside.


    The slogan beneath the poster was rather bizarre.


    ¡ÚThis circus attempts to recruit female employees, age unrestricted, with no experience necessary. Pass the interview, and become one of us, enjoying three meals a day, a comfortable resting place, and the safety provided by the circus.¡Û


    This kind of recruitment advertisement was clearly problematic,


    yet given the current plight of humanity, those with nowhere left to turn, even unable to secure the most basic necessities of life, facing imminent starvation, would cast aside any doubts upon seeing this ad. They might even see this job as a lifesaver, the sole glimmer of hope within their darkened futures.


    ¡°Catherine, ¡®have you¡¯ ever been to this circus?¡±


    As Yi Chen asked the question, Catherine, who had been relatively ¡®friendly¡¯ up until then, underwent an instant, grotesque distortion of her face¡ªa fleeting moment, yet still captured in Yi Chen¡¯s comprehensive vision.


    In that instant,


    Catherine¡¯s cheeks became lined with multiple wrinkles, the sides of her face seemed to reflect other faces, her eyeballs suddenly sprouted several pupils, tentacles seemed to squirm in her mouth, and a bit of black liquid oozed out from her nostrils.


    By the time Yi Chen looked back again, the bed was empty.


    Now, only the final minute remained before the game¡¯s scheduled time.


    ¡°It seems Catherine¡¯s, and possibly even the nightmare¡¯s, genesis is indeed connected to the circus. These ten minutes were well spent~ Successfully shaking her state of mind, thus introducing ¡®variables¡¯ into play.¡±


    Yi Chen did not hesitate;he quickly lay down on the bed.


    With the Black Insane Brain, Yi Chen could easily manipulate his brain, plunging himself swiftly into sleep. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as he manipulated his brain nerves to enter the sleep state, the bed suddenly caved in, stripping the clothes from Yi Chen¡¯s body, dropping him naked into the abyss known as nightmare.


    The act of ¡®falling¡¯ brought him directly to the deepest part of the nightmare, with no need to create stairways layer by layer or consume nightmare substances to delve deeper, as was necessary in the power station.


    Guided by Catherine, he reached the deepest part directly.


    Crack!


    His body fell onto the cold ground, but the intensity of the impact did not seem like it was from a high fall, instead, it was more like sliding off a bed.


    A brand-new white candle was burning beside him,


    The ground around was paved with cold black and white checkered tiles,


    Yi Chen quickly got up, picked up the candle, and did not care about his naked appearance;his first priority was to check his physical state and ability to use his powers,


    Feeling the normal operation of his Madness Brain and the uniform movement of iron chains throughout his body, as well as the little grape temporarily sleeping in his brain, he then relaxed.


    ¡°Speaking of which, is this the center of the nightmare?¡±


    As Yi Chen held the candle above his chest, he saw numerous steel wires hanging down from above, suspending women of various ages.


    Some as young as eight, others up to thirty years old.


    Their binding resembled marionettes, with the wires wrapped around them, even piercing into the women¡¯s joints, tightening around their necks, hanging them in the air in poses that transcended the limits of their joints.


    Their heads were all covered with burlap sacks, each painted with an exaggerated smiley face.


    There were so many that the limited illumination from the candle made it impossible to see the end.


    ¡°Did I break Catherine¡¯s defense by calling her out? Why hasn¡¯t she shown up to explain the game¡¯s rules yet?¡±


    Yi Chen tried walking in a straight line in one direction, passing suspended women all the way, all of whom were in a state of rigor mortis.


    Combining it with the circus poster he saw earlier, he immediately assumed that these women could very well have been applicants for the circus in the past.


    After walking for about ten minutes,


    Yi Chen frowned and studied the figure approaching with a candle in the distance.


    On closer inspection, it turned out to be a giant mirror forming the boundary wall.


    ¡°Have we reached the edge? What do I need to do next?¡±


    Just as Yi Chen stretched out his hand to touch the immense mirror without boundaries in front of him, the scene reflected inside suddenly took on a sinister twist¡ªthe suspended women began to contort their bodies.


    Crack~


    One by one, the steel wires snapped.


    The hanging twisted bodies of the women fell to the ground one after another, making the same sound as when Yi Chen fell.


    Immediately after, the women with smiley face sacks began to twist and crawl on the ground, swarming towards Yi Chen standing before the mirror like a tide.


    In the face of such a scene, Yi Chen just stood still, without even turning his head.


    Hundreds of women piled up behind him, with tentacles sticking out from the burlap sacks, intertwining with each other, combining, kneading, compressing, and reconstructing.


    Each woman became a small part of the physical whole, ultimately taking on the appearance of ¡®Catherine.¡¯


    She stood on tiptoe, swept her hands over Yi Chen¡¯s shoulders, and hugged him from behind.


    Yi Chen watched Catherine¡¯s crossed hands in front of him and could even see distinct female structures on the fingers, with each knuckle corresponding to two or three embracing women.


    ¡°I see, is this your true form?¡±


    ¡°Nope~ What we show you is just a part, if you want to understand us deeper, come inside the body. We¡¯ve already voted, and 73% of us like you quite a lot.¡±


    ¡°Find me some clothes, and let¡¯s start the game right away¡­ If we delay any longer, the gentlemen may come down here, don¡¯t underestimate the strength of the predecessors.¡±

 Chapter 295: Contract and Transformation

    On the floor tiled in alternating black and white,


    Catherine somehow produced an oversized treasure chest, haphazardly stuffed with ladies¡¯ attire of various forms, each corresponding to different ages and styles.


    ¡°Find something for yourself~ Just remember, all the clothes in here are for girls.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Yi Chen quickly selected a few articles, cut them into fabric pieces, and used the sharp needles that grew from his fingers to sew them together.


    His tailoring skills were nowhere near Mr. Ivan¡¯s, but making simple garments like these was not a problem.


    He fashioned a black overcoat that could envelop his entire body and wore it on the spot.


    Meanwhile, Catherine was putting on a one-piece dress,


    lifting her right foot as she gradually pulled up the black-and-white stockings to her thighs and slipped on a pair of delicate leather shoes.


    Yi Chen asked nonchalantly from the side, ¡°You don¡¯t seem to be in a hurry at all. Do you really look down on the gentlemen in the organization that much?¡±


    While tying her hair into a ponytail, Catherine shook her head,


    ¡°Not at all~ It¡¯s just because this is our domain.


    However formidable those guys may be, there¡¯s no way they could infiltrate here so quickly¡­ And don¡¯t forget, the only reason they can enter the nightmare is with my permission.


    If I don¡¯t allow the nightmare to connect with them, they¡¯ll just be lying in those capsules filled with green fluid, sharing a combined dream.¡±


    Yi Chen picked up on something in her words, ¡°So you¡¯ve infiltrated the Power Station as well? You even know the specifics of their dreaming state.¡±


    ¡°Hehe~ It¡¯s merely controlling some of the lowest-level employees. But well, as long as I win this game, I¡¯ll be able to fully penetrate their ranks.¡±


    ¡°Do you really need to resort to despicable means of infiltration?¡±


    Catherine immediately made a face at Yi Chen, ¡°Pfft! You really are unpleasant, just like those madmen, all by yourself and repelling anyone who comes close.


    But well~ since you¡¯ve come as agreed, I won¡¯t be angry! Get ready;we¡¯re about to start our game.¡±


    All of a sudden, Catherine opened her mouth wide and stretched her entire right hand into her body, pulling out a tar-like cube dripping with thick liquid.


    Occasionally, twisted tentacles would emerge from the surface of the cube, giving off the impression it could lose control at any moment, but Catherine gripped it tightly between her thumb and index finger, completely restraining it.


    Yi Chen could clearly sense the cube¡¯s nightmare essence, which was far more concentrated than any nightmare tentacle he had ever tasted.


    ¡°What game do you want to play?¡±


    ¡°The theme of the game is ¡®Thought Implant.¡¯ Our targets are precisely these gentlemen trying to infiltrate the dreams. In the end, we¡¯ll judge who loses and who wins based on the total score.¡±


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t overly surprised;he had guessed the game was connected to the squad attempting to penetrate the nightmare.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush~ Right now, you humans have set up six teams trying to infiltrate the nightmare we¡¯ve created.


    But well~ the truly interesting part is just one of these teams. They¡¯ll play the main role in our game and will be the key to deciding our victory or defeat,


    As for the other five auxiliary teams, we¡¯ll treat them as a warm-up, and it will also give you, William, a chance to familiarize yourself with the ¡®Nightmare Ability.''¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    Catherine explained while shaking the cube she suppressed in one hand and gently pressing the other hand with splayed fingers against her chest: ¡°Since we¡¯re playing a game, it has to be ¡®fair,¡¯ right? As the creator of the nightmare, I naturally have a great deal of dream control and various innate advantages.


    It would be too boring to compete with you while holding such an upper hand.


    Now, I¡¯m willing to share a part of the nightmare¡¯s authority with you, so we can compete fairly.


    If you swallow this cube, you¡¯ll temporarily transform into a nightmare sovereign like me, obtain the authority to dominate dreams, and unlock related abilities.


    Pair it with your Madness Brain, and dealing with these ordinary teams should be like child¡¯s play.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to take this opportunity to transform and control me? Once I swallow a nightmare substance of such high concentration, by the time the game ends, I¡¯m likely to have been completely transformed into a nightmare life like yourself, right?¡±


    Catherine quickly waved her hands to dismiss the idea, ¡°No, no~ I have no intention of using such improper tricks to ¡®obtain you.¡¯ Although some of the sisters inside me are quite dark, even wanting to peel off your skin to make into dolls for their enjoyment, do remember I¡¯m the main body.


    I will win you over with fair and just means.¡±


    With that said,


    A contract formed from dark nightmare material was passed over, and Yi Chen recognized the mutable Old World script on it. He could tell at a glance that this was indeed a Soul Contract.


    It also explicitly stated¡ªif William Behrens achieved victory in the game, all nightmare substance within him would be completely extracted, leaving no negative effects, and all nightmare-related materials would be removed by Zion City, never to encroach upon him again.


    ¡°What do you think? I didn¡¯t lie to you¡­ I¡¯ve put a lot of effort into preparing this game, all for you.


    Hey, do you know why ¡®we¡¯ generally have a good impression of you, William?¡±


    ¡°Because I am related to the Madman, and my ability is similar to yours?¡±


    ¡°No~ That¡¯s just what makes you interesting.


    The reason for the good impression is that we can sense that you share similar experiences with us. You must have spent time in some closed, inhuman place, enduring endless torture¡ªa part of your life that¡¯s indispensable, right?¡±


    Yi Chen did not respond, instead, he quickly scanned the contract, meticulously dissecting each clause to ensure there were no issues.


    The detailed rules of the game were also written within the contract.


    Five ordinary teams were merely for warm-up purposes, ¡®cleansing¡¯ a team would only yield one point.


    The method of cleansing had to involve Thought Implantation, which included implanting thoughts of suicide, leaving the dream, mutual slaughter, and even the most difficult of all¡ªcomplete enslavement.


    If members of the team were killed directly by force, points would actually be deducted.


    Once the ordinary teams were cleansed, the strongest of them all, the Gentleman Team, would be drawn into the real game venue¡ªNightmare Town.


    At that time,


    one would have to figure out how to isolate team members, getting them to act alone, and then proceed with Thought Implantation individually.


    Based on the strength of the team members, and the method by which they were cleansed, different points would be awarded.


    The specific points would be displayed on the score board of Nightmare Town, and the scores could also be adjusted based on the team members¡¯ performance.


    When the entire team was cleansed, the final score would be calculated, with the highest-scoring player declared the victor.


    ¡°So, what do you think, if there¡¯s no problem then sign it quickly?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a problem¡ª not with fairness, but with the outcome. What would happen if this team manages to kill us in return?¡±


    ¡°Hahaha~ William, you don¡¯t really think you can kill us in the nightmare, do you? We as the dominion of nightmares, even if killed, would be resurrected perfectly after a while.


    As long as Thought exists, we exist eternally.


    You¡¯ll be the same after swallowing this sugar cube;you¡¯ll never die in a nightmare.


    How about this~ I¡¯ll add an extra rule.


    Once we die in the nightmare, five points will be deducted, and the resurrection time will double with each death.¡±


    ¡°Really? Can¡¯t be killed? What if it¡¯s a obliteration on a mental level? Even thoughts can forcibly be erased from the mind, right?¡± Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Yi Chen pressed with his questions, Catherine suddenly moved closer, propping up his chin with her finger.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too clever, William~ I won¡¯t answer such obvious traps.


    Sign quickly, then let¡¯s start this exciting game. I¡¯ve spent quite some time setting the scene.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Yi Chen signed his name at the bottom right corner, and the contract immediately transformed into two soul threads that burrowed into both Yi Chen and Catherine¡¯s bodies, fully coming into effect between their souls.


    ¡°Ah~ Open wide now, let me feed you¡­ I can hardly wait to see what you¡¯ll look like after the transformation.


    Don¡¯t rush;this thing is very unstable! If it leaves my control, it could explode everywhere.¡±


    As Catherine brought the sugar cube over, Yi Chen slowly opened his mouth.


    It wasn¡¯t until she stuffed her entire hand into his mouth, pushing the sugar cube down his throat into his stomach, that she withdrew her hand.


    Hum! In an instant,


    the iron chains inside Yi Chen¡¯s body trembled frantically, and some unimaginable transformation began to take place¡­

 Chapter 296: Nightmare Transformation

    This sugar cube was nothing like the grilled squid he had tried before;if one were to quantify it, it would probably be equivalent to a giant deep-sea octopus surpassing fifty meters in length.


    The moment the sugar cube entered the body, it was as if opening the prison that confined the great octopus, the severely compressed body began to expand and restore.


    If it were a gentleman of the same rank as Yi Chen, their physical body would likely burst in less than a second, and their brain would also be invaded by the essence of the nightmare in a short time, transforming into an indescribable form of tentacles.


    However, when this nightmare octopus tried to spread within Yi Chen¡¯s body, it was first met with the constriction and binding of a monstrous physical form, the solid space formed between muscles and bones squeezed and restricted the octopus.


    Immediately following, the octopus heard the clang of iron chains that caused it to feel excruciating pain.


    Clang clang~


    The ¡°Thorny Iron Chains¡± originating from the Source Epidemic Area¡ªPainful Monastery felt the intrusion of the external pathogen and immediately became restless,


    Since the chains had perfectly merged with Yi Chen¡¯s physical body,


    the exterior was subservient attire,


    the interior was its territory, and any foreign matter would ultimately be restrained by law.


    The iron chains activated, tightly entangling the ambitious octopus and all its tentacles trying to spread inside the body, driving spikes between them.


    The group of tentacles, under the pressure and pain of the iron chains, tried to escape towards the brain first,


    but as the octopus crossed the neck, it was blocked by the black insane brain expelling a death aura, an aura that could enthrall the Death Plague Knight, naturally making it perceive the most visceral form of death, daring not to come close.


    The octopus initially believed it had found a brand-new vessel, yet it felt as though it had plunged into a demon cave instead.


    However, due to the substantial size of the octopus, Yi Chen seemed to suppress it, but he himself was also in great discomfort¡­ To restrain the octopus, nearly all his energy had to be focused there, making it so he couldn¡¯t even walk.


    ¡°This won¡¯t do~ I must master the nightmare material rather than combat it, and if I cannot harness the power of nightmares, I will always be at a disadvantage and cannot win this competition.


    Wait¡­ could this work?¡±


    A thought flashed across Yi Chen¡¯s mind, starting to use a basic ability bestowed by his profession¡ª¡±Central Tasting¡±


    This basic ability let Yi Chen draw the brain fluid from the patient and transform it for absorption, this nightmare material could also be classified as a type of brain product from a patient.


    It turned out Yi Chen was right.


    Since the iron chains bore the properties of the original plant, they directly utilized the spikes stuck in the entire body of the octopus to suck,


    Strands of nightmare material began to be absorbed and transformed into Yi Chen¡¯s possessions and methodically delivered to the brain area.


    After multiple screenings by the insane brain, only safe, stable nightmare material was finally absorbed into the brain, and a new ¡°Nightmare Power¡± was beginning to be carved out in the brain.


    As Catherine had said, she had given out a part of the nightmare rights for what¡¯s called ¡°fair competition.¡±


    Not far away,


    Catherine pulled a bag of peanuts from her Hundred Treasure Box, sat on the ground, and watched as the ¡®Nightmare Transformation¡¯ unfolded within Yi Chen.


    She still played a bit of a trick while the contract explicitly stated that should William win the game, the nightmare material inside him would be drawn out¡ªthere was no guarantee that the intake of nightmare material wouldn¡¯t affect him or even that the sugar cube could induce complete enslavement alongside a nightmare transformation.


    In the worst-case scenario, Yi Chen¡¯s human form and humanity would both be erased.


    But it turned out, such cunning tactics were ineffective.


    Watching the tentacles below Yi Chen¡¯s skin slowly weaken in a short span, Catherine was also astonished.


    ¡°Incredible~ He¡¯s actually holding up and even transforming the nightmare into his possessions! I told you, William can definitely handle it, fair games required.¡±


    Regarding whether William could hold up, and whether he could control the origin of nightmares while maintaining his self,


    Catherine¡¯s inner ¡°they¡± had held a gamble.


    The stakes were ¡°Body Position¡±


    A portion of women who lost the bet were forcibly moved to critical parts of the body, their bodies turned into springy twists to enhance joint elasticity and toughness.


    Or, a few were squeezed together to form certain key bearings.


    ¡­


    [Nightmare Transformation]


    Although the nightmare material absorbed by Yi Chen had become harmless, it was still a nightmare, a substance full of dark, negative thoughts originating from Catherine¡¯s mind.


    And the quantity was so substantial that it triggered a qualitative change.


    As these substances were absorbed into Yi Chen¡¯s brain, when the individual ¡°Nightmare Transformation¡± was triggered, Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts were also brought back to his life before death, recalling some ¡°out of control¡± past events.


    Growing up in the orphanage, working for the organization under the identity of a deceased, the job content was all about hunting down the ¡®strange¡¯ disguised as humans.


    Even though he visited Doctor Lu Xin at the Lushan Psychiatric Hospital for a session of psychological talk every month, problems still arose.


    Yi Chen, only fifteen at the time, while dealing with a complex strange event, killed all human-like life forms, including his companions and nearby civilians, mistaking them for the strange.


    He was then suppressed and imprisoned in the psychiatric hospital by the organization¡¯s senior management for a full two years.


    During imprisonment, Yi Chen dreamed every night, dreaming of the massacre scene, dreaming of the people killed turning into nightmares coming back to claim his life.


    With the unsealing and overflowing of past memories,


    the black liquid representing death actually underwent a transformation and perfectly combined with the absorbed nightmare material, pushing the acceleration of the Nightmare Transformation to completion.


    Pop!


    Six symmetrically aligned iron chains exploded from Yi Chen¡¯s back, landing on the ground one after another.


    Following that, thick black mist overflowed from the wounds, covering the surface of these iron chains for a ¡°nightmare modification,¡± finally wrapping them into tentacle-like forms.


    They swayed and writhed on his back,


    even capable of supporting Yi Chen¡¯s body, replacing his legs as a means of walking.


    Moreover, these six back tentacles were completely different from Catherine¡¯s,


    having iron chains as their main axis, making them thicker, their whipping force greater, and less susceptible to damage.


    The surface of the tentacles also shimmered with a black luster symbolic of death, and even had black liquid dripping from the ends.


    It could be said they were even more dangerous.


    As the Nightmare Transformation was finalized, Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness also gradually stabilized, giving him a sense of an indescribable ¡°authority¡± that allowed him to do anything within the dream.


    Without the aid of gentleman¡¯s clothes, Yi Chen couldn¡¯t see the changes happening to his attributes but could roughly guess that he had acquired an ability system named ¡®Nightmare,¡¯ which he could use unlimitedly in this ¡°game.¡±


    Meanwhile,


    he brushed his hands over his face, using the nightmare material to create an unremovable faceless mask to avoid revealing his identity during the game. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as Catherine came bouncing over from behind, eager to congratulate Yi Chen and ready to teach him some methods of dream manipulation,


    Whoosh!


    Sensing something approaching,


    the six back tentacles suddenly struck towards Catherine, halting just a hair¡¯s breadth from her face.


    ¡°It¡¯s really scary, William! Your adaptability is stronger than those madmen, to have completed the Nightmare Mastery so quickly and even skilled in using it. I mean, I threw a super-sized nightmare octopus into you, and most people would have been overwhelmed by now.


    How do you feel?¡±


    With Catherine¡¯s enquiry,


    slightly hunched, covered under a black cloak, Yi Chen slowly turned his head around, his faceless mask staring intently at her.


    His voice did not come from under the mask but directly echoed in the current dream space.


    ¡°Not bad.¡±

 Chapter 297: Warm-up

    Catherine brushed aside six tentacles dripping with black liquid and stepped forward in her little leather shoes to face Yi Chen.


    ¡°William, have you ever experienced nightmares before?¡±


    Otherwise, even if your adaptability is high and you quickly mastered the essence of the nightmare I shared with you, it wouldn¡¯t be possible for you to use it so skillfully so quickly.


    To even evolve such [Nightmare Limbs] on your own body is simply too incredible~¡±


    ¡°I did have a period of time when I had long nightmares, but it¡¯s been so long that I don¡¯t have much of an impression anymore. I remembered it just now because I swallowed the lump of sugar you gave me, Catherine.¡±


    ¡°The natural affinity everyone has for you must come from the similarities between us.


    Since you have self-awareness and some understanding of dreams, I¡¯ll skip the basic teaching.


    Alright~ let¡¯s hurry up and start the game¡­ Oh, right! There¡¯s one thing I need to remind you of, although it¡¯s already written in the contract, I still need to emphasize it to you.


    To ensure fairness, William, you are absolutely forbidden from directly or indirectly exposing your identity during the nightmare game, and you cannot join forces with outsiders to engage in despicable acts that lead them to give away points.


    If I find you using your identity to collaborate with Dreamers and making small moves, I will be very upset.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ wait a moment.


    Since I have completed the [Nightmare Transformation] so quickly, should I still have some time? Although I understand some nightmares, there are still some things I want to ask you about.¡±


    ¡°Sure~ ask away! You gentlemen of the human race are more capable than I thought, even the ordinary teams penetrate deeper faster than I expected.¡±


    ¡°Why are nightmares expressed in the form of octopuses and tentacles? Why do people affected by nightmares exhibit a ¡®smiling¡¯ feature?¡±


    ¡°[Octopuses and Tentacles] are one of the boss¡¯s favorite elements. I¡¯m in charge of making octopus balls at the circus¡¯s picnic and some dinners.


    After I officially joined the core group of the circus, I was granted the ability of nightmare Pathological, and its physical manifestation is this octopus form, just because the boss set it up that way.


    Everyone in the circus has a type of food they are best at, so everyone can participate in the important cooking process and enjoy the best food supply.¡±


    ¡°Circus¡­ boss¡­ everyone is proficient or corresponds to a type of food?¡±


    Yi Chen gleaned a lot of information from these words,


    and he could even conjure up a quite frightening pathological power in his mind, potentially a new force unlike anything from the Old World Source Epidemic Area.


    At the same time, Yi Chen also recalled the first time he tried tentacles, which indeed tasted delicious.


    Catherine seemed to realize she had said a bit too much and quickly covered her mouth with crossed hands.


    ¡°Hmm~ I seem to have said some things I shouldn¡¯t have.


    As for the [Smile], that¡¯s related to my profession in the circus.


    By the way! This is my identity card, if I lose the game and flee, you can still contact me through this card in the future.¡±


    Catherine reached into the neckline of her dress and pulled out a unique card that was reflective in black and white.


    On the front was a personal likeness of Catherine holding a black and white umbrella made from human joints and leather in her hand, sticking out her butt and leaning forward to greet the people outside the card. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The backside bore a strange black and white smiling face,


    and upon seeing this smiling face, Yi Chen could immediately associate it with all the people in Zion City who had ever smiled at him, whether friendly or malicious,


    as if this smiling face combined the features of everyone¡¯s smiles.


    In the two corners of the card, [JOKER] was printed, like a ghost card from a deck of playing cards, but the simple black and white colors seemed to only correspond with the lesser joker.


    Yi Chen did not refuse and decisively took the card.


    Anything directly related to Catherine should be preserved as much as possible, even if it must be of use in the future, or might even allow us to touch upon the mysterious circus behind her.


    ¡°Alright~ Let¡¯s begin.¡±


    Catherine extended her right hand, and with a crackling sound, octopus tentacles immediately grew from her palm, carrying ink as they drew five doors on the sidewall.


    ¡°Let¡¯s use these five ordinary squads as ¡®foreplay¡¯, to get you accustomed to the use of nightmares, before we officially begin our game face-off.


    Be careful~ Even though they are ordinary squads, they are existences on par with you, William. Don¡¯t get killed by them because you¡¯re unfamiliar with the ways of nightmares.¡±


    Facing the five doors that Catherine had constructed, Yi Chen didn¡¯t choose any of them. Instead, he mimicked her method, using his own tentacles to draw a ¡°door¡± to the area where one of the squads resided.


    He learned on the fly, creating something quite stable,


    ¡°William, the speed of your learning¡­ isn¡¯t it a bit too fast?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t reply at all, he quickly stepped into the black door he had created.


    Whoom!


    In the blink of an eye, he arrived at a scene similar to a power station, except it was still uninhabited;the dream squad would need to create another staircase in the dream to reach this level.


    Utilizing the remaining time, Yi Chen began to remodel the space while embodying the nightmare persona,


    much like a dream builder,


    first trying to move the safety door with his tentacles,


    then attempting to stretch, bend, and fork the passage, creating brand new paths and intersections, making the previously simple cyclical structure more complex.


    Eventually, he transformed the place into a complicated maze with extremely high area similarity. The labyrinth¡¯s design was also somewhat influenced by the orphanage,


    Once the squad arrived, Yi Chen would have absolute initiative with the terrain.


    He himself tore open the walls with his tentacles, hiding within the environment, waiting for the dream squad¡¯s arrival.


    Before long.


    In the central area of the dream space, a nightmare staircase was created.


    Descending was a five-person squad,


    The hidden Yi Chen immediately locked onto the squad¡¯s ¡®death row inmate¡¯. This person had a clear gap with other members of the squad, and he himself emitted an intense aura of unease.


    The man¡¯s projection in the dream was astonishingly attired in just an apron, in a butcher¡¯s dress, not gentlemanly in the least and truly greasy;from the creases of his abundant flesh, a blend of oil and sweat oozed continuously.


    He seemed very hot, as every step he took left a footprint behind.


    Or perhaps this heat stemmed from the agitation of his innermost desires,


    the fervent wish to kill others, since as a ¡®death row inmate¡¯ he had been confined for so long without the freedom to move and release his desires.


    ¡°I remember reading about this man in a magazine studying fallen gentlemen during my indiscriminate reading of various books, trying to enhance my ¡®intelligence¡¯.


    ¡®Breeder¡¯ Blanklin


    Born into a farmer¡¯s family in Lebus Town and raised with pigs, Blanklin, at the age of fifteen, was unexpectedly noticed by a passing gentleman. Without any systematic training, merely by helping at home with breeding and slaughtering pigs, he managed to pass the exam as a gentleman with high marks.


    When he broke through the ¡®Limit of Man¡¯ and garnered the title of ¡®Pork Maker¡¯, he suddenly took emergency leave from Zion,


    and returned alone to his hometown¡ªLebus Town, where he took more than ten days to slaughter everyone in town and stitched together a giant human-pig totem in the town center.


    He¡¯s a ruthless one¡­ better keep him separated~ His aura is clearly stronger than the other gentlemen, and he holds greater use. ¡°

 Chapter 298: Gentlemen, Death Row Inmate and Nightmare

    Four elite gentlemen dressed in ¡°sleepwear,¡± although they had already negotiated terms with Breeder Blanklin at the very start of their dreaming,


    as long as their team could excavate some useful information from the nightmares, after the mission Blanklin would gain control over his prosthetics and would no longer have to be immersed in a liquid container.


    Moreover, they also received a verbal commitment from Blanklin, promising not to cause trouble and to assist seriously.


    However, they still harbored great prejudice against Blanklin.


    During the early stages, unfamiliar with the infinite cycles of the dream space, they often failed to create the stairs, causing frustration. During these episodes of agitation, they could always hear the sound of grease dripping from Blanklin¡¯s body, the sweat footprints left on the ground, and the increase in body odor due to physical heat dissipation, which only added to their contradictions.


    Given Blanklin¡¯s greasy, massive physique, a sense of aversion began to rise in the hearts of each team member.


    This aversion increased over time and as the nightmare layers accumulated.


    It began with their tone becoming harsher,


    Gradually, some started to refer to Blanklin not by his name, but as ¡°Fat Pig.¡±


    They began to demand that Blanklin control his body¡¯s grease secretion, but he said he couldn¡¯t do it, as secreting grease was like breathing to him, an involuntary action.


    He had always secreted grease but relied on his gentleman¡¯s clothes to absorb it.


    Once the storage capacity of the clothes was full, he would secretly find a place to dispose of it or collect it in oil drums to sell to shops in the lower zones.


    Eventually, annoyance turned into disgust and hostility, for they believed that a person as sinful and devoid of character as Blanklin would definitely not cooperate honestly with them,


    Perhaps due to the constant inhalation of nightmare substances within the dream space, team members even hallucinated scenes of Blanklin suddenly rebelling, allying with nightmare creatures to massacre them and create a horrific human-pig totem.


    Ultimately, on the captain¡¯s suggestion, a gentleman whose profession was ¡°Tamer¡± created a binding collar, which was directly placed around Blanklin¡¯s neck, also providing mental taming to prevent any betrayal.


    When the collar was made, the team members were ready to forcefully put it on Blanklin,


    unexpectedly, he did not resist at all and even actively took the collar and put it on himself, having sensed their intentions beforehand.


    Even as he felt the taming thoughts transmitted through the rope by the Tamer, he did not resist and let the other establish both physical and mental double constraints on him.


    Such a deformed relationship within the team was also observed by Yi Chen.


    However, some of these impacts were also facilitated by him.


    The nightmare effect continued to spread here, with a large maze designed after an orphanage gradually leading the team astray.


    Unconsciously inhaling a large amount of nightmare substances, their minds became increasingly sensitive, but their ability to capture details and recognize directions became increasingly blurred.


    Any attempt by the team to create ¡°Nightmare Stairs¡± was preemptively disrupted by Yi Chen, the main entity of the nightmare, making the creation ineffective or the stairs produced extremely unstable.


    Yi Chen was like a child handling a new toy, and as his proficiency with the dreamscape increased, he began to ¡°dream in real-time.¡±


    He introduced multiple mirrors at certain crossroads to increase misleading effects, successfully splitting up the team members. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Except for Tamer Bu Qi and Breeder Blanklin who were connected via the neck lock, all other personnel were split into individuals,


    Yi Chen handled this inducing process effortlessly, clearly not like a newcomer to becoming a nightmare.


    ¡­


    Power Station


    Technicians responsible for monitoring team four (Breeder¡¯s brain) suddenly intercepted abnormal brainwave signals transmitted by the members during their dreaming.


    Before they could decrypt the signals,


    the team¡¯s captain and two other members woke up sequentially.


    However, on their faces, no signs of panic were visible, it seemed as if they hadn¡¯t experienced any nightmares. Calmly, they unplugged the dreaming devices and began to report their dream experiences in an orderly fashion.


    The last part of their report was quite contradictory;all claimed that after getting lost in the maze, they saw each other again, but the ways they met were all different.


    In no time, under the influence of the ¡®other¡¯s¡¯ actions and words, they gave up the mission and committed suicide.


    For some reason, they had a quite strong desire to commit suicide at that time.


    A simple compilation of their statements concluded that the ¡®others¡¯ they encountered after being dispersed were nightmares fictitiously crafted, possibly even perfect impostures by the nightmare entity itself.


    However,


    while the three had already exited the dream, both the central brain Breeder Blanklin and Tamer Bu Qi were still in the dream, showing no signs of exiting anytime soon.


    Suddenly, technicians intercepted abnormal brain waves from both of them, differing from the previous three. The decoded brainwave messages related to being attacked in the dream rather than to suicide.


    ¡­


    [Dreamscape ¨C Sixth Layer]


    In the space transformed into an orphanage-style maze by Yi Chen.


    Blanklin, with a collar around his neck, was sitting in the corridor resting, his body already covered with a layer of grease, giving off a sensation of seeping downward.


    The other end of the collar was connected to the right hand of the tamer Bu Qi by a metal rope, a burly Northern European man with a thick beard.


    Although he stood at a height of one hundred and ninety centimeters and possessed a strong physique, he could not compare to breeder Blanklin in terms of physical build.


    The latter¡¯s towering stature of about two meters and fifty centimeters, combined with his layers of corpulence, looked like a mountain of flesh.


    Compared to the threat of the nightmare itself, Tamer Bu Qi paid more attention to Blanklin, fearing that this butcher might chop him up like pork.


    Unable to create stairs and completely lost, he had long harbored thoughts of abandoning the Nightmare Exploration.


    Just then,


    a series of footsteps came from around the corner of the corridor ahead, and out walked the ¡®Captain¡¯ in his sleepwear.


    ¡°Phew~ I finally found you, Bu Qi, Blanklin!


    Luckily, you both stayed put and didn¡¯t move, I¡¯ve found the crucial issue here.


    The space we are currently in changes with our movements, and under the manipulation of the nightmare, we will never meet if everyone starts moving.


    I hope the other two guys also stayed put like you, come with me, let¡¯s quickly find them.¡±


    When Tamer Bu Qi saw the arrival of the Captain, the pressure that had almost filled his heart was released, and he stood up to follow the Captain.


    Suddenly, a mass of greasy flesh blocked his path ¨C it was Blanklin, whose mountainous body almost completely obscured his view.


    ¡°Fat pig, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Mr. Bu Qi¡­ this one is probably not our Captain.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    a brass frame appeared above Blanklin¡¯s head, the top carved with a pig¡¯s head, the frame filled with a type of fatty oil¡­ a small segment of pathogen essence was directly consumed.


    Pop!


    The fat on Blanklin¡¯s body suddenly fell off, transforming into two pigmen who, with gaping mouths, pounced toward the ¡®Captain¡¯ to devour him.


    Tamer Bu Qi wanted to stop this action but found that the taming signal he sent was blocked by layers of fat, completely unable to affect Blanklin¡¯s brain.


    As the pigmen were about to gnaw on the Captain¡¯s flesh,


    Swish!


    Two black tentacles suddenly pierced through the bodies of the pigmen, suspending them in the air, and the injection of the Death Black Liquid rapidly turned the pigmen into skeletons, eventually crumbling into dust.


    The Captain¡¯s complexion turned grim, and black liquid seeped from his five orifices as he let out a terrifying sound:


    ¡°As expected of a death row inmate, you must be a double breakthrough in both ¡®Physique¡¯ and ¡®Sensing¡¯¡­ but tell me, how did you see through my disguise?¡±


    Blanklin replied naively:


    ¡°Sweat smell¡­ Captain Ross, although outwardly calm during the nightmare operation, became increasingly nervous as the levels increased, particularly after arriving at this vast and bizarre maze area, and he sweated profusely.


    His sweat smelt of sea salt and pork mixed with extra salt, somewhat salty, although you also mimicked some sweat, the smell was different, yours had a stench of the dead and was not very salty.¡±


    As he spoke,


    the liquid in the frame above Blanklin¡¯s head once again diminished, only this time, he no longer morphed into pigmen but fortified himself.


    His body thickened, and terrifying fangs emerged,


    Pop! The collar around his neck was suddenly split open.


    The once naive and simple man had transformed into a terrifying pigman, his right hand holding a totem made from numerous human bodies.


    Blanklin did not launch an attack immediately but turned his head towards Tamer Bu Qi.


    ¡°Mr. Bu Qi, let¡¯s join forces to deal with the nightmare entity before us. Collect as much information from it as possible, so we can fulfill the requirements of the Nightmare Exploration mission.¡±


    Bu Qi was momentarily stunned,


    and for a moment, his negative emotions towards Blanklin cleared, and his hands grew metallic luster-whips, ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll cooperate with you.¡±

 Chapter 299: Crime

    [Power Station ¨C Dream Room]


    The last member of Squad Four ¨C ¡°Tamer Bu Qi¡± awoke amidst green, viscous liquids in the metal tanks, his condition was completely different from the previous three.


    He first choked on a large mouthful of green slime,


    and his eyes opened wide with fear, immediately followed by him leaning over the bathtub¡¯s edge and vomiting violently.


    Scenes of his death in the nightmare kept flashing through his mind,


    perhaps because the layers of the dream were too deep, even using someone else¡¯s brain as the dream hub, the feedback from death remained overwhelmingly strong.


    It was due to a very small mistake that the enemy immediately caught him off guard,


    and in the dream, Bu Qi was impaled by a black tentacle entering through his mouth, passing through the esophagus, stomach, large intestine, and small intestine, piercing his entire body before exiting from the buttocks, hanging in the air like a skewered person.


    The black liquid secreted from the tentacle rapidly depleted the epidemic value within his frame, causing almost instant death.


    This deep throat sensation that permeated his entire body lingered even after he exited the dream, and his vomiting persisted for a full fifteen minutes, slowly subsiding only with the aid of medical personnel.


    ¡°I¡­ I and Blanklin likely encountered the embodiment of the nightmare, and in a joint combat situation, I was killed off early. The enemy is terrifyingly strong and possesses the authority to dominate the dream space.¡±


    Immediately after, he described what he suspected to be the embodiment of the nightmare.


    A black cloak, bearing six dangerously ominous nightmare tentacles on its back, wearing a faceless mask, creature-like limbs. The stances for combat and dodging were all biased towards human.


    Given that Squad Four was completely annihilated, the person in charge on-site planned to forcibly shut down the equipment and sever the brain connection of ¡°Breeder¡± Blanklin.


    Tamer Bu Qi, however, immediately intervened to prevent this.


    ¡°Blanklin is still contending with the nightmare, his strength far exceeds what is recorded in the files. He can continue to fight, and might even wound the nightmare, gaining more useful information.¡±


    The main purpose of Bu Qi¡¯s words was actually to prevent the forced disconnection, hoping that Blanklin could exit the dream normally and minimize brain damage caused by the nightmare.


    His face filled with regret, reflecting on his own behavior in the nightmare, although it might have been influenced by the nightmare factor, it was mainly due to his mistrust of Blanklin, not at all worthy of the word ¡®gentleman¡¯.


    In contrast, Blanklin, the death row inmate, seemed more like a gentleman.


    The technicians, interpreting strong combat signals from Blanklin¡¯s brainwaves, accepted Bu Qi¡¯s proposal to let ¡°Breeder¡± Blanklin continue dreaming.


    Bu Qi also secretly made up his mind to re-investigate Blanklin¡¯s past crimes once the nightmare incident was over.


    From this dream encounter, he saw only a man of kindness and noble character, definitely not some death row inmate, just someone whose appearance could easily be misunderstood.


    ¡°Hang in there, Blanklin.¡±


    ¡­


    Deep within the dream.


    Enjoying the pleasure of combat, Yi Chen modified the dream space once again during his battle with Breeder Blanklin, creating a spacious circular area.


    Blanklin¡¯s pig-man form could fully unleash his potential here.


    Slap!


    The Human Pillar Totem swung in Blanklin¡¯s hands, shattered one of the nightmare tentacles to pieces, revealing the iron chains structure inside, causing Yi Chen a numbing pain all over his body, a thrilling sensation.


    Blanklin¡¯s massive, overweight body had nothing to do with agility;he could perform superfast slides across the ground using the grease covering his body, manipulating the fat to make exaggerated attack motions.


    And Yi Chen could tell the opponent was very skilled at slaughter, mastering the Executioner skills taught by Cesimani.


    What was most terrifying was that Blanklin could use his sense of smell to anticipate the opponent¡¯s potential movements.


    Whoosh!


    A pig-head charge completely lifted the cloaked Yi Chen off the ground, his tusks piercing through his ribs, spilling a flood of black blood.


    However, this was exactly what Yi Chen needed to get close, pressing against Blanklin¡¯s pig-head skull.


    Observation!


    A red line from the side of the forehead slanting towards the mouth corner was perfectly captured in Yi Chen¡¯s vision,


    this was the ¡°Slaughter line¡± learned from Prophet Yuri.


    Black liquid spilled from the palm, shaping the entire right forearm into the form of a pitch-black axe.


    He sliced down along the Slaughter line¡­ but Yi Chen held back a little, not making the perfect cut, instead leaving a certain depth.


    The facial bone split open,


    and a massive amount of blood mixed with brain-protecting fat squirted out,


    The grease that filled the frame overhead drained in an instant,


    and the frantic Blanklin, stupefied by the unusually precise craniotomy, fell to one knee, completely incapacitated for a while.


    ¡ÚTarget has lost mobility, with stagnant thinking. Proceed with ¡°Education¡±?¡Û


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t need the Madness Brain to remind him,


    After observing Blanklin¡¯s dreams for some time, Yi Chen had taken a liking to the butcher. The skull-splitting slaughter was intended to gaze directly into his brain, enabling the most perfect education.


    Such a potent death row inmate must be recruited as a student, to increase the odds of winning in the nightmare game.


    Click~


    A nightmare tentacle, growing out of Yi Chen¡¯s mask and originating from his brain, burrowed forth. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Like a writing brush, it inscribed the character for ¡°Madness¡± on the surface of Blanklin¡¯s brain using the nightmare tentacle as a medium for more direct and perfect education.


    Besides,


    Yi Chen was also curious why such a gentlemanly fellow, willing to protect his teammates even in the face of humiliation, would commit such grave crimes.


    He decided to read the man¡¯s memories ahead of time during the education process, to better understand his new student.


    The memories at first were normal, resembling what was written about the character in the books. Blanklin was born into a butcher¡¯s family in a small town, but problems soon arose.


    Instead of raising pigs, Blanklin was being raised.


    At birth, he was much larger than a typical baby, weighing over twenty pounds, causing his mother to die in childbirth due to the complications.


    With the Plague rampant in the current world, townspeople saw such obesity as a sign of Pathological onset, strongly demanding that Blanklin¡¯s father execute the newborn.


    However,


    Being a clever butcher, his father used pig flesh back home to stitch together a baby-like form, charred it, and handed it to the Mayor, barely passing off the deception.


    Still, rumors persisted that the butcher¡¯s son hadn¡¯t died, with people often coming to inspect the butcher¡¯s home on the Mayor¡¯s authority.


    In desperation,


    His father had no choice but to throw Blanklin into the deepest recesses of the pig sty, where he lived alongside piglets. The father took time every day to see him, teaching him human language and cognition and concealing his existence as best he could.


    After growing up among the pigs, a significant Pathological outbreak occurred in the town.


    At least one-fourth of the population, including the Mayor¡¯s son, perished.


    When nearby gentlemen came to handle the incident, one sick person was inadvertently overlooked.


    Following the trail to the sty, they found a giant, obese young man who was, in order to protect the piglets, killing the sick with his bare hands, completely crushing their heads.


    The gentleman who witnessed this invited the youth to take the gentleman¡¯s assessment and join them, and the father¡¯s lifelong guilt was finally alleviated upon learning this.


    On the night before leaving, for the first time, the father had a normal conversation with his son at home, sharing a meal and a drink.


    Before leaving, Blanklin promised his father that once he made a name for himself, he would take him to a better place to live.


    True to his word,


    Blanklin became a gentleman with a score of 88, and even received a Black Letter ¨C ¡°Butcher¡± in the Old Halls. He was sent to Cesimani to train as an Executioner, training almost day and night to keep his promise. In just three years, he found a Relic in the Old World and made a breakthrough.


    Using his savings, he bought a house near the city center in the organization¡¯s largest city, ready to move his father there.


    He also requested a local gentleman¡¯s posting, giving up the favorable treatment in Zion, and would be responsible for security in that city, living with his father.


    While sleeping on the carriage back to his hometown, he even dreamed of reuniting with his father.


    However, upon his return to Lebus Town to find his old home,


    He discovered the house had long been burnt down, with no trace of his father¡¯s body.


    Investigations revealed that the townspeople had blamed the previous Pathological outbreak on him and his father, with the majority believing it was the butcher¡¯s harboring of a half-human, half-pig offspring that brought disease to the town.


    In that moment,


    Blanklin¡¯s kind-hearted nature was completely shattered, his life rendered meaningless, all his accomplishments turned into a joke.


    As he glanced at the townspeople in the streets, especially those casting peculiar looks his way, something strange happened.


    They appeared to him as animals, as nothing more than beasts,


    And as the son of a butcher, his true nature was ignited and he picked up his father¡¯s Slaughter Knife to begin ¡®working¡¯.

 Chapter 300: Trial

    In the Dream Arena created by Yi Chen.


    The breeder Blanklin, with the character for ¡°Madman¡± engraved on his brain surface, had reverted from his pig-man state, retracted his Human Pillar Weapon into his body, and returned to his human state, now donning a butcher¡¯s apron.


    Indeed,


    even Yi Chen, observing this man whose bloated flesh oozed oil between layers of fat and whose facial features were squished together by fat, had a very poor first impression.


    But after understanding Blanklin¡¯s mental journey, he could empathize with this death row inmate.


    Yi Chen no longer cared much, only needing to know that this guy¡¯s nature wasn¡¯t inherently bad, for in such a world filled with despair and devoid of hope, such a guy could survive longer.


    A ¡°scar¡± formed by a perfect slaughter cut remained on Blanklin¡¯s face,


    and when he opened his eyes again to look at the figure in front of him wearing a faceless mask and with six tentacles growing from its back, he no longer harbored any hostility.


    He naturally uttered two words, ¡°Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Well, help me here until the organization¡¯s upper echelons haven¡¯t severed your dream connection.


    When the time comes, I will share some nightmare clues with you, and you can report back once you get out. The organization should fulfill its promise and give you a form of freedom as a prosthetic body. Though it won¡¯t be your original body and will have its limitations, as long as your brain exists, it won¡¯t impede your journey for knowledge.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Teacher¡­ Teacher, why do you speak in the tone of a gentleman?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, just focus on assisting me earnestly.


    Also, your appearance in just an apron isn¡¯t great, and the oil dripping from your body could cause some trouble for me.


    Especially in situations where we need to remain silent, it could alert enemies to our presence. Later, I¡¯ll try to find you an outer garment with absorbing capabilities, similar to a gentleman¡¯s clothes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    As tentacles drew a Black Door on the wall and Yi Chen led Blanklin back to the heart of the nightmare,


    Catherine was sitting on the edge of her Hundred Treasure Box, swinging her legs rhythmically and sucking on a lollipop, seemingly having been back for a while.


    Upon seeing the young girl, Blanklin¡¯s entire body began to tremble wildly, and the secretion rate of oil in his body reached three times the normal level, a danger signal captured by his ¡®Fat Sensing¡¯ warning him of the girl¡¯s ludicrously high level of danger.


    ¡°Wow! William, you¡¯ve achieved ¡®Perfect Enslavement¡¯.


    I was about to deduct a point because you killed a squad member in-game,


    but since your purpose in killing was to agitate the other party and achieve perfect enslavement, let¡¯s consider the whole situation. I¡¯ll go ahead and give you an extra point.¡±


    ¡°Catherine, how are the other squads faring?¡±


    ¡°Ah? I¡¯ve already sorted out three squads earning [three points].


    Currently, only the last Ordinary Squad is left unhandled¡­ Let me think, I¡¯ll leave it to you for a warm-up since once the Ordinary Squad is cleared, we¡¯ll enter the real game time.


    After all, you¡¯ve just become a nightmare;I shouldn¡¯t take too much advantage, right?¡±


    These words made Yi Chen frown;he considered his own processing speed not slow, only the duel with Blanklin took a bit more time,


    unexpectedly, Catherine had already sorted out three Ordinary Squads.


    However, Yi Chen didn¡¯t see any enslaved gentlemen around Catherine, only she was alone.


    ¡°Catherine, didn¡¯t you enslave anyone?¡±


    ¡°These members of the Ordinary Squads aren¡¯t interesting;enslaving them wouldn¡¯t be much help, just a waste of energy and a slave slot.


    However, the one you¡¯ve enslaved is of high quality~ William, you¡¯re really lucky.


    Alright, no more chitchat! Let¡¯s hurry up~ We mustn¡¯t allow that last Ordinary Squad to delve any deeper. If you don¡¯t set off now, I might just handle it myself.¡±


    However, Yi Chen was not in a hurry and gestured to the man by his side, ¡°Hold on, can we find a decent outfit for Blanklin, preferably one that can absorb the oil from his body?¡±


    Catherine immediately hopped over to Blanklin, inspecting him up and down, ¡°I¡¯m not a ¡®Skin Field Connector¡¯ from the human organization, and I don¡¯t have the material [Skin] here, but well~ we can employ our dreaming creativity.¡±


    While speaking,


    Catherine gently waved her hand, using the floating black material in the nightmare to create a series of highly flexible tubing devices and two connected metal storage tanks attached to Blanklin¡¯s back.


    Thus, all secreted oils were absorbed, circulated, and collected in the tanks, ready to be utilized when needed.


    Catherine also considerately created a suit fitting for Blanklin and used all her strength to dress him, forcibly stuffing his entire body¡¯s fat into it.


    Last, Catherine dug through her Hundred Treasure Box and pulled out a metal respirator that covered the mouth, slapping it directly onto Blanklin¡¯s face.


    She also connected several conduits from the back device to the respirator, allowing him to directly absorb the oil to enhance his combat capabilities.


    Having been fully transformed, Blanklin now fit the image of a nightmare creature better, his body fat entirely enclosed within a leather outfit, and his face obscured.


    Even though he had helped Yi Chen deal with some gentlemen, they wouldn¡¯t recognize him and wouldn¡¯t report that Blanklin had been serving the nightmare after waking up.


    ¡°Done! You should take him to warm up¡­ The more skilled you get, the more interesting the actual game becomes.¡±


    ¡­


    [Nightmare ¡ª Eighth Layer]


    The squad here also adopted a 4+1 formation,


    the central brain of this team being[¡®Trickster¡¯ Slona], the death row inmate known for her skill in using tricks and deceptions during assignments to mislead her teammates into errors that lead to their deaths.


    With blonde hair, blue eyes and a petite, cute appearance, her looks indeed could initially boost others¡¯ trust in her.


    But currently, Slona had a special kind of gag fitted,


    designed with intricate mechanisms and an explosive device, which allowed her to speak once every ten minutes. Speaking excessively would trigger the device through vocal vibrations, its force capable of blowing her skull ten meters into the air.


    The reason was simple;the squad did not need Slona¡¯s verbal suggestions, preemptively preventing verbal deceit and manipulative behaviors, requiring her merely for combat support when necessary.


    As they ventured deeper into the eighth layer, the squad gradually got lost, its members unknowingly separated and sequentially attacked in different areas.


    Some were bound by tentacles, suspended in the air, then forcefully fed suicidal thoughts of epilepsy face-to-face,


    while others encountered the physically immense, nightmare tube-filled pig-headed demons, fixed in a spread-eagled position on a wall, who chose to commit suicide to escape the dream, just before the live slaughter could commence.


    ¡®Trickster¡¯ Slona walked alone through the maze-like corridors,


    when she sensed something and tried to retreat. But she heard noises both ahead and behind her,


    in front appeared an individual lifted by six tentacles, or rather moving by tentacles, representing a nightmare entity,


    and stepping out from behind was a physically massive pig-headed demon, its body filling the entire corridor,


    she did not resist, nor did she commit suicide, but stayed in place pretending to be innocently compliant. Moreover, her ability, ¡°Thought Deception,¡± had already helped her discern that the creature in front, which walked on tentacles, was the one controlling the nightmare.


    She showed no fear as the swiftly stabbing tentacles approached,


    Smack!


    Her facial gag was penetrated and completely dislodged by the tentacles.


    ¡°A Sensing Type gentleman?¡± came a voice from beneath a faceless mask, capable of triggering mental fear.


    ¡°Hello, my name is Pansi Slona! I am indeed a Sensing Breakthrough, especially adept at capturing and perceiving individuals. If I can be of assistance in that respect, I¡¯d like to help.¡±


    Words were Slona¡¯s ¡®weapon.¡¯


    As she spoke these words directly to Yi Chen, threads related to ¡®deception¡¯ invisibly transmitted from her.


    Once an individual clearly heard her words, these threads would embed into their brain,


    harmless and with no immediate effect, completely undetectable, especially by her teammates who trusted Slona completely.


    When a certain moment arrived, her words could link these pre-embedded threads within the brain, working together to produce an effect of ¡®brain deception,¡¯ severely impairing the individual¡¯s cognitive judgment. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However,


    when the invisible threads drilled into Yi Chen¡¯s brain, they were immediately covered and submerged by a dark liquid.


    ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯m a Sensing Type gentleman as well.¡±


    ¡°You are¡­ a gentleman!¡±


    As soon as she spoke,


    two greasy palms grabbed Slona¡¯s head from behind as if they were splitting an apple, and brutally cracked it open.


    Yi Chen leaned forward to brand a ¡®mad¡¯ symbol that could not be erased on her, not recruiting her as a student this time, but fully exercising the capabilities of a madman to transform Slona into a thought offering.


    His anger was fueled by her obviously ingratiating yet manipulative behavior,


    and having seen reports on Slona, Yi Chen detested those who exploited others¡¯ trust to satisfy their own twisted psychology.


    Perhaps under the influence of the nightmare transformation, Yi Chen became more irritable than usual, his negative emotions amplifying¡­ the first time using the horrific ability of a madman.


    [Power Station ¨C Dream Room]


    The liquid container holding Pansi Slona¡¯s brain tissue was completely drained within a short period, turning her entire brain into a dried-out walnut, the death row inmate executed prematurely.

 Chapter 301: Nightmare Town

    Thought, memory, and Sensing ability proactively offered themselves to Yi Chen under the influence of in-depth Education.


    It was as if ¡®magician¡¯ Silona had transformed into a production expert, presenting her most valuable Thoughts in the form of sauce for Yi Chen to directly savor.


    As the savoring continued,


    Yi Chen gradually began to fume with rage upon fully tasting Silona¡¯s memories, itching to stomp on the corpses strewn about him.


    Such pure Evil was even more terrifying than the Patients, seeming as though they were devoid of Human Nature from birth.


    What¡¯s worse, God had even granted these rotten to the core Evil people a layer of exquisite skin.


    If it were not for the Organization¡¯s Prophet who detected the problem with Silona and had her intercepted, there¡¯s no telling how many people would have died because of her, and it could have even thrown the Organization into turmoil due to massive deception.


    However, speaking of which,


    the Appreciation also brought Yi Chen a notable enhancement in brain quality,


    causing the tentacles on his back to stiffen and the Black Madness Brain between his skull to quiver slightly, constantly transmitting some kind of ¡®brain addiction¡¯ to Yi Chen.


    This brain addiction was no good thing and could severely impact crucial tactical judgments.


    Upon realizing the onset of the brain addiction, Yi Chen immediately used the Black Liquid to eradicate and sever the excitatory origin released by the Madness Brain, abruptly interrupting his excited state.


    This task may be extremely difficult, as readers surely understand.


    Yi Chen then proceeded to insert his fingers into his ear canals, poking into the brain¡¯s Surface physically to further calm himself.


    He did not enjoy the feeling of being influenced by desires and Thoughts.


    ¡°This woman¡¯s Profession was also from the purple envelope, named ¡®Deceiver¡¯¡­ If such a Profession were to fall upon an individual with a proper Heart, it would surely shine.


    In the battle against the Patient masses, using trickery to stir up infighting among Patients and even luring key Patients out for individual handling could be achieved.


    Unfortunately, my Central Tasting couldn¡¯t acquire the other party¡¯s abilities, only providing the most basic nutritional supplementation.¡±


    Yi Chen shook his head to completely emerge from the state of consumption and digestion.


    The efficiency of this process was significantly improved compared to when dealing with the Blanklin team, reducing the overall time by one third, but it was still far from reaching Catherine¡¯s level.


    Blanklin scratched his head in a naive manner and looked at the blonde girl with a completely shriveled brain, whose body (consciousness) was slowly dissipating, and asked with some confusion:


    ¡°Teacher, this person seems to be very talented in Oratory;why not take her on as a student too?¡±


    ¡°If she truly had ability, she wouldn¡¯t have tried to influence the brain with trickery without understanding my powers, leading to her exposure.


    Next, we will be facing truly terrifying opponents, the Gentleman Team that symbolizes the highest standard of the Organization. Such trickery would never work on that team, and it might even invite a fatal disaster.


    Furthermore, even if such a student who enjoys playing clever tricks were to comply, she would still inadvertently cause me a great deal of trouble.¡±


    Blanklin clenched a fist lightly and tapped it against his other palm, his face revealing an enlightened expression,


    ¡°Teacher is right! It¡¯s better to deal with these cunning individuals.


    By the way, as a Death Row Inmate, I¡¯m not aware of the others involved in the nightmare project. The team you mentioned that represents the highest standard of the Organization, what¡¯s their composition?¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°For now, I only know of two members,


    one is Zion¡¯s Prophet, Marko and Martin.


    The other is¡­ the monster detained in O.C.A, Hogni Zed.¡±


    ¡°Wow! To have a Mysterious Prophet directly involved, and as for the Monster confined at the academy, I¡¯m not too familiar, seeing as I have been made into a brain Sample for who knows how many years, and I¡¯m not aware of whatever might have happened in the meantime.


    However, the personal involvement of a Prophet is sufficient to illustrate the significance of this team.


    ¡°Teacher, you must be a gentleman, too, right? Why do you appear here as a nightmare? Is it your own choice to become a part of the nightmare, or do you have another agenda?¡±


    ¡°I am playing a game with the Nightmare Origin. If I win, it will completely withdraw from Zion, and the nightmare crisis looming over Zion will also be fully resolved.¡±


    Blanklin lightly tapped his fist on his palm, ¡°Oh! So that¡¯s how it is, no wonder you were talking to that girl who can freely manipulate nightmares about something to do with scores earlier! It turns out you were playing a game.


    I thought so~ Someone as noble as you, teacher, how could you possibly fall and become part of the nightmare.¡±


    Yi Chen listened to these words with some helplessness,


    He had also found that his ¡°Education¡± was more about maintaining the teacher-student relationship and guiding the other party in their pursuit of knowledge, with virtually no impact on the Educator¡¯s personality or thoughts.


    However, the fact that Blanklin could say such a thing also proved that he was quite honest, and Yi Chen liked such students even more.


    When he returned to the nightmare¡¯s core, a round of applause followed.


    ¡°Wow! Worthy of the Madman¡­ Although I had heard long ago that Madmen could enslave thoughts, turning individuals into willingly offered brain delicacies, I had never seen what the specific process was like.


    It¡¯s such an elegant way of eating,¡±


    ¡°The enslaved voluntarily extract the most essential parts of their brain, transmitting them to you in the most efficient way, completing the brain offering through suicide. It¡¯s such an enviable ability.


    Also, I didn¡¯t expect you, William, would actually execute someone completely¡­ Hehe~ I¡¯m liking you more and more.¡±


    ¡°That kind of guy can¡¯t be called ¡®human¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Alright~ Warm-up¡¯s over, our score is now [3:2], I¡¯m slightly ahead! Of course, such a small score difference won¡¯t affect the main body of the game later on.


    The ¡®Sharp Knife Team¡¯ moves quickly, I estimate they will arrive at Nightmare Town in at most an hour.


    That means you have an hour to get familiar with the game¡¯s main venue.¡±


    ¡°Open the door, Catherine.¡±


    ¡°Sure! Follow me¡­¡±


    Nightmare solidified, tentacles drew.


    A mahogany door with windows materialized before their eyes, and as he followed Catherine through the door, they unexpectedly walked out from a typical household¡¯s home.


    Blanklin also struggled to squeeze through the door frame, and the three of them stood together in the middle of a cement road,


    Yi Chen¡¯s gaze was immediately attracted by a flashing streetlight nearby,


    At the top of the streetlight, suspended by ropes, was a white-clothed woman with a mouth split open more than twice the size of an ordinary person¡¯s, waving at Yi Chen in greeting.


    Who knew, something seemed to trigger Yi Chen, and he stubbornly started to quarrel with the hanged woman.


    Drawing iron chains from within his body, he hung himself next to the streetlight as well, the nightmare tentacles behind him waving wildly. The faceless mask turned towards the wide-mouthed woman, scaring her into immobility.


    Of course, Yi Chen¡¯s true purpose was to take the high ground.


    Temporarily borrowing the nightmare¡¯s authority, he peeled back the fog that shrouded the entire Nightmare Town to take in the full view of the small town.


    ¡°It¡¯s so big! Such a realistic scene¡­ is that the amusement park and circus over there?¡±


    Yi Chen caught a glimpse, from a distance, of a bright area much deeper into Nightmare Town. There was a Ferris wheel spinning and even the outlines of what seemed to be a huge circus tent.


    Catherine was a bit surprised,


    ¡°Wow! You have good eyes~ To be able to see all the way from here, it looks like I¡¯ll need to lower the darkness of the amusement park a bit more¡­ That¡¯s a key area of Nightmare Town, and it will be used later on to handle some tougher guys.¡±

 Chapter 302: Dagger Squad

    Dream Layer Twelve (adjacent to the final layer near Nightmare Town).


    The complexity of this layer has peaked, still modeled after the interior passageways of a power station.


    The spatial-physical structure is utterly chaotic, with various Penrose stairs and arbitrary doors linking the interactive spaces together.


    An ordinary squad would quickly get lost within it;decrypting it could take days, if not a week.


    However, the special squad that arrived here took only twenty minutes to observe and contemplate the spatial structure before analyzing the dream route with complete accuracy.


    The one who finished the structure analysis was known as ¡°The Dual-Faced Union ¨C Marko and Martin,¡± more precisely, it was ¡°Rear-Face Marko¡± who accomplished this task;¡°Front-Face Martin¡± hadn¡¯t yet revealed himself.


    Marko and Martin rank fourth in prestige within the circles of Prophets, behind only Principal Desline from the O.C.A, Yuri from Cesimani, and the old man skilled at listening to others¡¯ inner thoughts, Enio Bargas.


    Yet, he is one of the rare Prophets who possesses both foreknowledge and strength.


    Currently, he is the captain of this spearhead squad.


    However, the so-called captain simply means he is the decision-maker of the team, whose division of labor is extremely clear;every member, including the death row inmate, has their respective roles.


    Any single individual could hold their own within an organization. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The team consists of 5+1 members.


    1. Prophet Marko and Martin lead the way, responsible for deciphering the dream space and guiding the path,


    Illness: ¡°Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)¡±


    2. The second in line is the team¡¯s ¡°death row inmate¡± who facilitated the False Moon incident, using living people to manufacture the ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid,¡± Doctor Macaul.


    Illness: ¡°Psoriatic Arthritis¡±


    In the dream space, his projection is an elderly man with a small stature, a round, bulbous head, and sparse hair, wearing glasses nearly embedded in his eye sockets.


    His skin surface is overlaid with numerous silver patches, related to his own illness and research on Dusk Thin Silver Liquid.


    His crimes mainly stem from his near-mad research on secret medicine;in terms of medical skill, he could be rated in the top ten among doctors.


    Before the truth was revealed, some people would mention him in the same breath as Principal Dis from Levinhome, known as ¡°the Divine Doctors of Sun and Moon.¡±


    Now, the Sun has perished, and the Moon shows its decay.


    When his Consciousness was projected into the dream space and he learned from the team members that he might regain his freedom, he immediately expressed a strong willingness to cooperate.


    He declared that if anyone in the team was injured, even if they needed regeneration of limbs or organs, he could quickly complete it.


    He was so eager for freedom that it didn¡¯t matter if his brain was placed in a Prosthetic that was just like an ordinary person;he would be completely content as long as he could continue researching medicine.


    Doctor Macaul, unlike other team¡¯s death row inmates who either wore shackles or had gags for critical restrictions, appeared completely free on the surface, not equipped with any limiting devices.


    Still, he was instructed to follow closely behind the Prophet, not to exceed two meters in non-combat situations, and was under the constant watch of ¡°Front-Face Martin¡± during the exploration of the dream space.


    3. The third team member gives off a rather strange feeling, his body covered in loose skin, resembling someone who was extremely overweight and then succeeded in losing fat quickly, leaving the floppy skin on the body.


    Were it not for the sleeping garment¡¯s restriction, the loose skin would hang down like a skirt.


    Even with the body covered by the sleeping garment, his face had substantial excess wrinkling,


    The drooping eyelids almost covering his eyes, with three layers of skin hanging beneath his cheeks.


    His identity is also quite special;besides the team members and the high levels of the Organization, not many people recognize him.


    His personal file is classified as a high-level secret;even team members only know of an outdated identity of his, that of a Divine Servant at the Original God Skin Mansion. For some reason, he was transferred out of the mansion and is secretly involved in various activities within the Organization, with few aware of what he does.


    Even someone like Doctor Macaul, a silver-colored demon, would occasionally glance back because of the mysterious person walking behind him.


    Illness: ??


    4. The woman who emitted high temperatures all over her body had red hair that floated in the air like flames, and she bore the stern face of a director of education. Anyone who caught a glimpse of her would want to duck away, definitely not wanting to provoke her.


    Her clothing was also heat-resistant sleepwear specially made by the Power Station, mostly dark red in color.


    She was associated with the organization¡¯s Clearance Department, specifically responsible for the suppression of malignant incidents and the cleaning up of areas infected by severe plagues.


    Romary Tahan, the deputy captain of the Clearance Department, was from Cesimani.


    Disease: ¡°Thermoplegia¡±


    5. The member who walked in the fifth position had a sleep suit that only covered a little over 15% of his body while the rest of his exposed flesh revealed perfect mechanical prosthetics.


    Kimberly Cabrella, deputy director of the Power Station Research Institute, was the first person to undergo prosthetic modification and also the first man to introduce prosthetic integration into the realm of thinking.


    For this reason, his projection in the dream space still maintained his mechanical prosthetics.


    He was the one who best understood the ladder theory that Reagan proposed. Because of his existence, the squad was able to create ladders quickly and steadily, advancing rapidly in tandem with the Prophet¡¯s explorations.


    Moreover, he was capable of maximizing the transformation of his prosthetics in the dream world.


    Illness: ¡°Chronic Methyl-Mercury Poisoning¡±


    6. He was the last one in the squad, staying at the rear of the team.


    Compared to the death row inmate ¨C Doctor Macaul, some in the team were more concerned about his presence, and to a certain extent, he could also be defined as a ¡®death row inmate,¡¯ only spared by some of the power holders valuing his strength.


    After a comprehensive capability assessment by the organization, he was designated ¡°Special Record Combat Power,¡± reserved for potential catastrophic events that might lead to the organization¡¯s extinction.


    Hogni Zed


    Disease: ¡°Fibromyalgia Syndrome¡±


    Zed spent the entire journey crawling at the end. He had discarded his sleep suit very early, converting his own skin into a tactile feedback device.


    Feeling the nightmares, quickly adapting to everything, he even got a sense of blending into it all.


    After an hour of exploration, the squad reached a dead-end passageway via a Penrose stair that flipped over.


    All members stood in front of the dead end, with Kimberly, the deputy director, extending his mechanical palm to press against the wall.


    A mercury-like liquid metal immediately diffused out, rapidly creating a ¡°Nightmare Staircase.¡±


    This time, it was not in the form of a staircase, but a metallic door.


    After a visual confirmation with the Prophet, Kimberly pushed open the door¡­ The previously enclosed scene dissipated completely, and the group emerged onto a spacious highway.


    There were noises of insects coming from the grass that stood over two meters tall on either side of the road,


    Old street lamps set at intervals of a hundred meters maintained a constant glow, providing limited illumination in the pitch-black night.


    Looking down the street, the view was completely blocked by a thick fog about two hundred meters away;a conspicuous billboard erected with huge wooden boards could also be seen by the roadside.


    On it, there was a giant smiling face and a slogan that read, ¡°Welcome to Nightmare Town.¡±


    ¡°Have we finally reached the core of the nightmare? Everyone, brace yourselves¡­ We should soon encounter the real crisis of the nightmare in the town ahead.¡±


    It was still Marko and Martin leading the way in front, walking backward.


    As they approached the town, the fog grew thicker, and the Nightmare Eyes hidden in the dark quietly spied on these outsiders.

 Chapter 303: Fractions

    An hour ago.


    Yi Chen, hanging from a streetlight, had surveyed the whole panoramic view of Nightmare Town and caught sight of the ¡®residents¡¯ wandering about, but these seemingly human figures were distinctly abnormal.


    For example, a woman hanging next to him on a streetlight always kept a torn, mammoth smile.


    Or a passerby, his face completely buried in a newspaper, reflected a smile on the other side of the paper smeared in blood.


    Or an old lady at home knitting sweaters, a closer look would reveal her yarn came from her own stomach, endlessly knitting her blood vessels into garments while smiling continuously.


    Or a boy in the backyard lawn playing soccer with friends, they chose someone¡¯s head to kick around by drawing lots, continuing to swap heads depending on wins and losses.


    Whoever scored would kick their head, and everyone seemed to enjoy the feeling, laughter echoing constantly.


    Every resident was bizarre, but they shared the common trait of always smiling.


    However, these Nightmare Town residents were just odd, not strong at all, and even if Yi Chen wanted to slaughter them massively, it wouldn¡¯t take any effort, not to mention having a fearsome team which included the Prophet, Zede, and others.


    However, Yi Chen also perceived Catherine¡¯s true intent in setting up the townsfolk, which wasn¡¯t about threatening the team members but about using these residents to perfect the disguise of the nightmare.


    Both Yi Chen and Catherine could disguise themselves as townsfolk, blending in completely;once the team members lowered their guard, or if they were isolated, they could act as harmless residents and strike from the shadows.


    Yi Chen then looked towards some of the sparse rural areas of the town and raised a question, ¡°I should be able to expand some areas to build constructions that would benefit myself, right?¡±


    Catherine shook her finger:


    ¡°Nightmare Town has been locked by me. Spatial expansion is not possible, nor can large buildings be created¡­ We must maintain the stability of the game scenario as much as possible.


    Of course, for fairness, I will share the whole process of creating Nightmare Town and various details with you.¡±


    No sooner had she finished speaking than a smoky tentacle burst from Catherine¡¯s mouth, deliberately skewered on a steel pin.


    Yi Chen did not hesitate with such game-decisive stuff either, directly popping it into his mouth.


    Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, both toughness and elasticity were balanced, and it tasted really invigorating, even better than the best-tasting grilled squid Yi Chen remembered.


    This delicacy made Yi Chen even more curious about the circus behind Catherine.


    With the intake of the squid tentacle, the creation of Nightmare Town and the settings of its residents were all poured into his brain.


    These residents were not entirely fictitious but came from those who died in nightmares, their consciousnesses trapped here forever, completely dominated by Catherine.


    As Catherine watched Yi Chen relish his food, she felt quite pleased herself and continued:


    ¡°Although it¡¯s not possible to create new areas or large buildings, we still have the right to dominate the space. We could rearrange the existing space to confuse and mislead these outside dreamers.


    I¡¯ll find a way to break them into different areas one by one.


    Otherwise, given the strength of this team, letting them act collectively would be troublesome, and they might even end up killing us.¡±


    ¡°How do you plan to separate them? Such a team won¡¯t be easily fooled.¡±


    ¡°Just watch my performance when the time comes~ Of course, it¡¯s not 100% successful, if the separation fails, we¡¯ll have to resort to force¡­ Alright! Let me show you the individual scores corresponding to this small team, as our victory is closely related to them.¡±


    Catherine grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s hand and pushed open the door to a bungalow on the roadside.


    Click~


    Upon opening the door, they performed a spatial transfer, instantly arriving at the central street of Nightmare Town.


    There, a movie screen was being pulled up, a vintage projector set at the back.


    As a smiling townsman inserted the film, photos of the Sharp Team¡¯s members and their corresponding score list were projected.


    The scores for defeating each person were divided into four categories: sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    1. Forcible killing (no thought implant, or unsuccessful use of such methods).


    2. Influencing an individual by implanting thoughts, then collaborating with other techniques to kill the target.


    3. Inducing an individual to commit suicide or kill a teammate through thought implant.


    4. Complete enslavement.


    [Double-Faced Prophet ¨C Marko and Martin]can obtain scores of -7, 14, 28, 50


    [Silver Demon-Doctor Macaul]Scores Available: 3, 5, 10, 20


    [Wrinkled Skin-??]Scores Available: ?


    [Bursting-Romary Tahan]Scores Available: 4, 8, 12, 25


    [Prosthetic-Kimberly Cabrella]Scores Available: 5, 10, 15, 30


    [Corpse-Hogny Zed]Scores Available: 6, 12, 24, 45


    After seeing the above scores, the first thing that popped into Yi Chen¡¯s mind was the scoring issue of Teacher Zede, although it was the second-highest after the Double-faced Prophet among the team, Yi Chen felt such a score was definitely too low.


    But he didn¡¯t say it out loud,


    In this game, he would do everything possible to avoid meeting with Teacher Zede¡­ Yi Chen knew very well that even though he had transformed into a nightmare, possessing an absolute advantage in the dream, he still couldn¡¯t beat Teacher Zede.


    Additionally, there were two other people on the score sheet he was concerned about.


    ¡°It really is Doctor Macaul¡­ Catherine, I have an agreement with a friend that if I encounter this doctor, I must execute him personally.


    Could you leave Doctor Macaul for me to deal with last?¡±


    ¡°You mean the old man with the lowest corresponding score right now? Alright¡­ I won¡¯t compete with you over this guy. But tell me, who is your friend? Have I met them? Is it that girl named Jin?¡±


    ¡°No, you haven¡¯t met her¡­ Speaking of which, what¡¯s the deal with that ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯? Why doesn¡¯t it have a score?¡±


    ¡°Oh come on~ Haven¡¯t I told you? This score sheet isn¡¯t fixed;it¡¯s just an assessment of strength based on their appearances and the personal information I can find about them in Zion.


    As they move and perform in Nightmare Town, the score sheet will continue to change, and as a nightmare, you can check it anytime¡­ If you feel like the score for anyone is odd, you might want to probe them before acting.


    This ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯ currently has no information at all, even my spies in the organization can¡¯t dig up a single clue;he also doesn¡¯t say a word in the process of delving deeper into the nightmare, a very mysterious character indeed.


    However, I will find a chance to probe him in Nightmare Town and try to establish his score as soon as possible.


    How about this! If, William, you are willing to take a risk to test this ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯, just getting him to reveal his actual strength will earn you five points as a reward.¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡±


    ¡°Aww~ You are so boring, never taking the initiative.¡±


    ¡°I have my own arrangements.¡±


    From the image alone, Yi Chen could initially deduce that this mysterious person was very likely related to the Divine Skin Mansion, or even the First Gentleman;he absolutely did not want to make contact with such an unknown risk.


    ¡°Alright~ I need to start arranging things along the way now;try to separate them as much as possible! William, you can wander around or come help me with the arrangements.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll come help¡­ perhaps it will increase the success rate of separating them.¡±


    ¡­


    [Sharp Knife Squad]


    When the six members arrived on the outskirts of Nightmare Town, they didn¡¯t take the main road right away, but instead went to a dilapidated bungalow by the roadside.


    As soon as they pushed the door open,


    Several homeless men with swollen bellies, looking like they might burst at any moment, rushed out from inside the house, just as they were about to leap forward and self-destruct,


    Snap!


    With a snap of fingers from someone in the team,


    The group of homeless men was instantly reduced to ashes, leaving not even half a limb behind, while Romary, looking like a stern principal, gently blew on her fingers, seemingly disappointed with these lowly nightmare creatures.


    The entire team entered the bungalow.


    An electromagnetic field spread out from inside, and multiple layers of barriers of different properties appeared, completely isolating the bungalow from the outside world. Even Catherine couldn¡¯t penetrate it, unclear what this group was doing inside.


    About a minute passed,


    The various barriers were successively lifted,


    The squad members had all removed their sleep attire, donning identical gentleman¡¯s clothes as in reality, and perfectly exercising the abilities of Gentleman¡¯s Skin, completely isolating the influence of nightmare substances as well as assisting in combat.

 Chapter 304: Proactivity

    Including Prophet Marko, everyone thanked ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯ when leaving the bungalow.


    Clearly, it was the ability of this ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯ to bring the essential gentleman¡¯s clothes into the Nightmare Space.


    The reason ordinary squads were easily defeated before is largely because they were without clothes,


    many of their abilities, including ¡°Restriction Removal¡± which could greatly enhance their combat capabilities, could not be used.


    The organization was entirely dependent on Skin, and while it allowed members to develop different illnesses later, Skin remained fundamental for gentlemen.


    Now,


    this team had actually obtained full gentleman¡¯s clothes deep within the Nightmare, all members in their Complete Body.


    When Catherine witnessed this scene, the ever-present smile on her face briefly vanished, or one might say she felt a genuine sense of threat from this group.


    As for ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯, he also revealed his true form,


    shedding his sleepwear to display a rather exaggerated pear-shaped figure,


    all the thick Skin and flesh concentrated around his belly, with layers of wrinkled Skin hanging freely from his body like a flesh-colored princess dress.


    His Skin was inexhaustible, and if the members¡¯ clothes were damaged in combat, they could resupply directly from him.


    In a sense, he could be considered Zion¡¯s chief tailor.


    Prophet Marko came before ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯, bowing with his back to him, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Spacy, for your contributions to the organization, we will definitely do our utmost to eradicate the Nightmare Root hidden here.¡±


    A tremor came from the depths of Wrinkled Skin Spacy¡¯s throat, as if layers of Skin hung between his vocal cords.


    ¡°The First Gentleman is the true contributor. In comparison, I, as a ¡®substitute¡¯, enjoy far too much freedom¡­ Commence the exploration of this region, and once it is confirmed that the Nightmare Origin hides here, I will commence the ¡®occupation¡¯.


    Furthermore, you needn¡¯t worry too much about my safety.


    Although I wasn¡¯t selected as the ¡®First Gentleman,¡¯ I still made it to the final round, ultimately losing to Claude.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    Wrinkled Skin Spacy lifted the layers of wrinkled Skin on his body and took out a sewing needle akin to a Western sword.


    Upon seeing this needle, everyone instinctively felt a faint pain coming from their Skin, and even the clothes they wore involuntarily tightened.


    Wrinkled Skin Spacy, like Yi Chen, was a former ¡®First Gentleman candidate¡¯ from the previous session, with a Skin Content of 100% and perfectly adapted.


    It was only in the final selection that he lost to the current First Gentleman.


    The defeated Spacy voluntarily stayed at the Divine Skin Mansion, assisting in the work related to the First Gentleman¡­ But as Claude became fully capable of performing the duties of the First Gentleman, Spacy moved behind the scenes, responsible for the assessment and selection of Clergy and overseeing tailoring.


    Although he was not chosen as the First Gentleman, he never ceased his exploration of Skin illnesses and self-discovery.


    So much so that he fully integrated the concept of Skin into his consciousness, becoming Skin without the need for clothes¡­ and in some aspects, his mastery of Skin even surpassed the First Gentleman.


    With that,


    the team adjusted their suits, setting the sleeves and hems to combat-ready positions before officially commencing the exploration of Nightmare Town.


    As they reached the entrance of the town along the main road, a peculiar resident was also coming towards them along the main street.


    Romary, dressed in a red suit and flame tie, raised his right hand to burn the interloper from the inside, but was stopped by a gesture from Prophet Marko.


    ¡°Hold on. There¡¯s a different aura of Nightmare enveloping him;he might be related to the Nightmare Origin. Let¡¯s see what he intends to do first¡­ perhaps we can find out the location of the Nightmare Origin beforehand.¡±


    The figure emerged from the dense fog and became visible under the lamplight at the roadside.


    It was a ¡®resident¡¯ also dressed in a suit, wearing a badge from the Gentleman Hall on his chest;his head had been transformed into a radio, with several different types of antennas protruding from the top, and his eyes made into knobs controlling tuning and volume.


    In his arms, he held a lottery box.


    Extending one hand, he stretched all the antennas on his head and adjusted the frequency and volume.


    While doing so, his mouth gradually opened, emitting a cute and sweet female voice:


    ¡°Welcome to Nightmare Town. I am Catherine, the person in charge here. Based on your performance and personality during your deep dive into the Dream, I have specially arranged different Nightmare journeys for each of the six of you.


    The six cards in the lottery box correspond to six different landmarks of the town. Please proceed to the location indicated by the card you draw, where a professional Guide will receive you.


    I¡¯ll let you in on a secret¡ª one of the guides is my true self~ let¡¯s see who has better luck.


    Additionally, the guides will only appear if you go to the respective areas alone, following the rules. If you act as a group, then I won¡¯t provide guiding services here.


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    Before the voice had trailed off,


    a flash of electricity shot out from between the ranks in an instant, and Kimberly Cabrella, clad in a liquid metal suit, almost instantaneously twisted off the gentlemen¡¯s head.


    Her right hand, now turned to liquid metal, plunged into the neck, the radio was connected and began reverse tracking to locate the signal source.


    But it was still a step too slow.


    With a look of helplessness on her face, Kimberly shook her head at the team members, signaling that the tracing had failed.


    Snap!


    A snapping finger resounded among the squad.


    The head held in Kimberly¡¯s hand and the headless body beside it instantly turned to ashes, but the six cards stored in the prize box weren¡¯t burned, scattering on the ground.


    Prophet Marko stepped forward, crouching in front of the strewn cards.


    His eyes rolled back as his palm slowly moved among the six cards¡­ Then suddenly, as if sensing something, his pupils dropped back into place, and his index and middle fingers deftly picked up one of the cards.


    On it was the coordinate ¡°City Center ¨C Dream Church¡±.


    ¡­


    In front of the church in the center of Nightmare Town, it took the team of six less than five minutes to convene.


    Since they had violated the game rules, there was no so-called ¡°Guide¡± to appear, let alone the Nightmare Origin.


    But the team¡¯s purpose was very clear,


    As Prophet Marko approached the giant doors of the church, a tangible force of spiritual power burst forth, striking the doors open instantly and nearly breaking the metal hinges.


    Residents inside praying hadn¡¯t even time to react before they were all engulfed in a blazing inferno.


    Romary of the Clearance Department excelled at cleansing the weak,


    Not everything burnt, as the priest at the altar used some means to restrain his physical burning¡­ This intrigued Romary, who prepared to step forward and personally execute close-range incineration.


    Whoosh!


    A slender material shot out from within the team, Spacy¡¯s ¡°Sewing Needle¡±.


    It pierced through the priest¡¯s belly, pinning his body against the center of the Divine Statue.


    The next second, his skin was completely absorbed by the sewing needle, and the exposed flesh turned into useless tiny pieces, all falling to the ground, utterly dead.


    The church was cleared,


    And now it was time for the squad¡¯s pivotal action. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He strolled through the church, stepping over each piece of flooring, his eyes remaining in a rolled-back position, and finally, he halted on a brick near the Altar.


    ¡°This is the axis of the Nightmare Space,¡± said Prophet Marko, ¡°The next task, if you would, Mr. Spacy.¡±


    ¡°This process might take some time, so please ensure that I am not disturbed in any way.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    Spacy moved to Prophet Marko¡¯s position, motioned lightly, and the Sewing Needle left the Divine Statue to return to his hand, then he inserted the needle¡¯s tip into the ground.


    Hum!


    A visible spatial wave spread through the church,


    Following that, the floor tile punctured by the Sewing Needle began to slowly transform into a skin-like structure, which kept spreading outward, seemingly devouring the Nightmare Space.


    This was the Shard Squad¡¯s real intention,


    From the start, they had no intention of seeking and locking down the Nightmare Origin,


    they only needed to reach the deepest part of the Nightmare to execute Spacy¡¯s ability of ¡°Skin Invasion¡±.


    If the Nightmare Origin wanted to stop them, it would have to reveal itself.


    The five members defended the church in various stances, waiting for the Nightmare to strike.

 Chapter 305: External Support

    Nightmare Town ¨C Paradise


    The Ferris wheel, adorned with colorful little lights, was in operation, with Yi Chen and Catherine sitting in one of the small compartments.


    But the atmosphere wasn¡¯t quite right then,


    Yi Chen had his hands stacked in front of him, his head bowed in deep thought.


    Catherine, on the other hand, was scratching frantically at her face with a sense of impatience, all the while uttering anxious words as multiple different tongues kept flicking out of her mouth.


    ¡°Ah~ I so regret making that bet with you, William¡­These guys are actually using the ¡®Contagious Skin Disease¡¯ bestowed by the Mysterious Skin Market to erode my Nightmare Space.


    If it weren¡¯t for playing games with you, William, I would have launched a full-scale invasion against Zion by now, given that more than 50% of the residents, the gentlemen, have ingested nightmare substances, enough to trigger a city-wide upheaval to disrupt these people¡¯s entry into dreams.


    Woe is me~ what do I do now? If we go on like this, the game can no longer proceed.¡±


    The more Catherine talked, the more agitated she became, eventually bursting into tears.


    Unfortunately, her acting was so poor that the tears were actually squeezed out forcefully by a tentacle at the corner of her eye, all observed by Yi Chen.


    ¡°Catherine, if you were only at this level, you would have been caught and killed by the gentlemen by now, right?


    Stop pretending, bring out your so-called ¡®forceful measures¡¯¡­ In the current situation, no matter how you entice them, they definitely won¡¯t leave the Church.¡±


    The tears abruptly stopped, and Catherine¡¯s features squeezed together, ¡°Ah? Is my acting really that bad? No wonder when the Circus holds performances, the boss always lets me perform after enlivening the atmosphere.


    As for forceful measures, they might damage the gaming experience, you know.¡±


    ¡°What do you plan to do?¡±


    As far as Yi Chen was concerned, the Gentleman Team had already seized absolute initiative.


    He could think of no way to disband the team since the opponent only needed to fortify the Church, and sooner or later, this side of the Nightmare Space would be fully infected by the skin disease.


    The current Church area also had completely turned to ¡®skin¡¯, and the nightmare methods had lost their control over that space.


    ¡°Well~ after all, I am one of the core members of the Circus, and we all get along quite well in private. If something goes wrong here, they¡¯d still be eager to help.


    Now, it is exactly the Circus¡¯s resting time. If I call them in the Dream, some people will respond and voluntarily throw their consciousness into the dream to help.


    By using their Power, they¡¯ll forcefully split this team and dispatch them into different isolated areas.


    This is what is referred to as ¡®The only way¡¯ because their intervention will severely disrupt the balance, and they might not necessarily do as I say.


    They might even kill off a portion of the gentlemen directly, which would cause significant problems in our game. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this is The only way. If it weren¡¯t for these efficient gentlemen, I wouldn¡¯t want to bother them¡­ When I go back, I¡¯d even owe them favors, sigh~ this vacation is turning out to be a huge loss.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just do it.¡±


    Yi Chen completely agreed with Catherine¡¯s proposed forceful measures;firstly, because it satisfied Yi Chen¡¯s curiosity to witness the other core members of the so-called Circus,


    and secondly, if it severely affected the game¡¯s balance, Yi Chen could either ask for a rematch or negotiate another solution with Catherine to minimize Zion¡¯s loss.


    ¡°Come with me~¡±


    Catherine leapt down from the top of the Ferris wheel, leading Yi Chen to the nearby Circus Tent. As a student and Breeder, Blanklin followed trustingly at the rear.


    The entrance, shaped like a ¡®V¡¯, was exactly as seen in the posters earlier, but this was just an imitation Catherine had made in the Dream, lacking any substantial pull or allure.


    ¡°Just sit in the Audience! Watching my performance is enough¡­ Oh, and most of those guys are even worse than me. When they arrive, they might point fingers at you, so don¡¯t mind them and try not to provoke them,


    otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t be good if they ended up not dealing with those gentlemen but killing you instead.


    ¡°I will try my best to help you out, so don¡¯t worry too much,¡± she said.


    ¡°Got it, hurry up and get it done!¡±


    Yi Chen and Blanklin sat in the last row of the audience.


    Suddenly, Catherine hopped onto the center of the Circus stage and began drawing an Array Seal that could connect with a real Circus,


    not using octopus tentacles this time,


    but using a knife to cut her fingers, letting drops of her clown-origin blood fall, a pitch-black liquid that didn¡¯t reflect any light.


    Just one drop.


    When it hit the ground, the blood automatically spread out and formed a rather strange Circus Emblem.


    It was like a sun, but studded with various weapons like rapiers, spears, scimitars, and more.


    And each weapon had a piece of limb attached to it, such as a smiling head on the spear, fingers strung on the rapier, or thighs wedged among the scimitars.


    Catherine silently chanted something, sending a request through the Array that connected and communicated to the thoughts of the people who were sleeping in the real Circus.


    She soon got a response.


    Whoom!


    Accompanied by three columns of light descending, a black substance between liquid and gas spread across the stage, even completely obstructing the combined view of Yi Chen and Catherine.


    They could only catch a glimpse of three silhouettes appearing.


    By the shapes of their bodies, two were normal, one was tall.


    As the black substance slowly receded into the ground, the corresponding figures gradually revealed.


    One was a middle-aged woman holding a puppet, with era-defining brown curly hair and a wooden expression, contrastingly, the doll appeared much more expressive.


    Another was a man in dungarees painted with theatrical makeup and walking on tall stilts, his stilts were indeed made of perfectly-shaped male calves, reaching a height of ten meters.


    The last figure stood next to Catherine, gently touching her head, clothed in a black tuxedo, a round top hat, and a Guy Fox mask.


    Catherine was greatly surprised by the arrival of the three, especially by the mysterious figure currently touching her head.


    ¡°Uncle Jian! You actually came!¡± she exclaimed.


    ¡°You troublemaker, instead of relaxing during the holiday, you just had to stir up trouble¡­ I can smell a rather serious leather aura, did you offend someone from the Skin Market?¡±


    Catherine immediately transformed into a chatterbox, swiftly explaining the situation with the octopus tentacles that had grown from her mouth.


    ¡°¡­so that¡¯s the story. I hope everyone can help disperse the six people in the Church to facilitate the completion of this Soul Contract game I and my friend want to play,¡± she said.


    The man called Jian gently tugged at the edge of his white glove, made an OK gesture, and turned his bizarre mask towards Yi Chen in the audience.


    In that instant of eye contact, Yi Chen felt a rare sense of danger, comparable to the Death incident that had occurred in Levinhome.


    It must be known that these were only projections of their consciousness, their true forms were probably even more terrifying.


    The stilt-walking man showed a twisted expression, ¡°Catherine, this is precious sleeping time. Though I came voluntarily to help, I expect some reward¡­ If I find any human here with decent legs, I might just take them or even dismember them on the spot,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hehe, try not to kill anyone,¡± she replied.


    As the three walked out of the Circus, Catherine at the rear hastily waved at Yi Chen, ¡°Come along, William~ Let¡¯s also join efforts to forcibly disperse those stubborn folks in the Church,¡± she called.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he responded.

 Chapter 306: Target Locking

    The three summoned individuals walked at the front, while Catherine deliberately stayed at the end of the line, waiting for William to join her.


    After Catherine stressed that she and Yi Chen were ¡°good friends,¡± the other members of the circus troupe didn¡¯t start any trouble,


    instead, they were more interested in the Gentleman Team, who were able to regain initiative in their nightmares and even attempted to reverse the encroachment of the nightmares.


    ¡°Catherine, could you give a brief introduction? Who are these three people?¡±


    ¡°Oh~ I was a bit too excited and forgot to introduce them to you! I really didn¡¯t expect Uncle Jian to come;he¡¯s one of the circus¡¯s top acts.


    The one walking at the very front is Uncle Jian. He is the Chief Magician of the circus. The business is doing so well largely because of Uncle Jian¡¯s spectacular performances.


    The emerging magicians in the team were all trained by Uncle Jian himself.¡±


    As they talked, the Magician Jian at the front also turned slightly to give them a mysterious and friendly look.


    Seeing this, Catherine also subtly nudged Yi Chen on the side with her elbow, then tiptoed and whispered in his ear:


    ¡°Hey~ Apart from performances, Uncle Jian hardly interacts with outsiders.


    It seems he has already taken notice of you twice, which probably means he¡¯s quite interested in you, William. If you take the initiative later, you might be directly taken to the circus by Uncle Jian.¡±


    ¡°Did I ever say I wanted to go?¡±


    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t want to go to the circus if they¡¯re a patient from the new era? William, if you get a chance to see our performance one day, I guarantee you¡¯ll find it interesting.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after I¡¯ve seen the performance, all right? What about the other two?¡±


    ¡°The one walking on stilts is the third leader of the Circus ¨C Mozander. He excels in body techniques, especially those related to the feet. As you heard just now, Mozander might cause trouble, and he¡¯ll forcefully take the ¡®legs and feet¡¯ he wants.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a dream? Aren¡¯t we all just mental projections here? How can they be taken?¡±


    ¡°Nope, Mozander has high ¡®domination¡¯ over legs, even if it¡¯s just a projection of consciousness in a dream. Once he cuts off the legs and feet, the associated concepts of the individual may be taken along with them.¡±


    ¡°Concept¡­¡±


    Yi Chen recalled teacher Zede¡¯s eyes, which were erased at the conceptual level,


    and then, he remembered the members of the Blade Squad. In terms of the quality of legs and feet, Zede was unmatched, so surely this juggler would set his sights on Zede.


    ¡°If the Teacher could escape from the Suffering Monastery in his youth, he should have no problem dealing with this juggler¡­ At this stage, we can only trust in the Teacher¡¯s strength.¡±


    ¡°The last one is Aunt Harida, she is currently the hardest to recruit and also the least mainstream ventriloquist in the circus. Due to the decline in the popularity of modern ventriloquist performances, the boss reduced the available slots to one.


    The four ventriloquists of the circus had to compete for that spot. In the end, Aunt Harida won, and the remaining three naturally became her dolls.


    Aunt Harida has a good temper, and she will surely assist us with all her might in the requests I made.¡±


    The doll held by the old woman kept one eye on what was behind her the entire time, and when the two mentioned it, the doll¡¯s wooden arm naturally lifted to wave hello.


    ¡°Catherine, are you so sure that with the help of this group of outsiders, you can successfully dismantle the entire Gentleman Team?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t worry! Since Uncle Jian is here, the forced division will surely be successful this time, and he definitely won¡¯t do anything unnecessary.


    Let¡¯s focus on finishing up the game afterwards.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡­


    [Dream Church]


    Wrinkled Skin Spacy¡¯s ongoing skin invasion was progressing smoothly,


    covering the entire church building, the ground, sculptures, benches, lamps, and more with a thick layer of skin, even transforming the internal materials into skin.


    Prophet Marko and Martin sat on the bench closest to the church entrance, their masks at the back of their heads staring directly at the doorway.


    Doctor Macaul sat in the first row of seats at the deepest part of the church, closest to Wrinkled Skin.


    Should the church be attacked, he would create a silver domain to cover Spacy within it at first notice, ensuring that the occupation process would not be disturbed.


    Romary Tahan, with a self-rolled flame cigarette in her mouth, guarded the left side of the church.


    Kimberly Cabrella stood on the right side of the church, like a mechanical sculpture,


    While a gentleman resembling a living corpse, Hogni Zed, was crawling among the pillars and skeletal vouchers that supported the church dome.


    Just then,


    Prophet Marko had been continuously expanding his web of thought when he captured a presence as unsearchable as the Abyss, a dark entity. When he probed with his mind, a powerful suction force instantaneously acted upon him, almost causing his very consciousness to be absorbed.


    Snap! Mental disengagement.


    This influence over thought even manifested in reality, as the Prophet Mask at the back of his head actually broke into two, falling to the ground.


    At the back of Marko and Martin¡¯s heads, there was no second face, just an ordinary nape.


    The function of the back-of-the-head mask was as a ¡°Personality Totem,¡± which allowed for a better transition between internal personalities, thus stabilizing the Prophet Identity that he needed to maintain for a long time.


    The personality responsible for daily activities and the Prophet¡¯s work had always been the corresponding alter ego.


    Martin¡¯s main personality had always been sealed due to some special issues.


    As the mask of the alter ego was knocked off, the long-dormant main personality began to slowly awaken. However, the alter ego¡¯s hand still gently rested on the shoulder of the main personality.


    ¡°Martin, let me handle this for now¡­ If you¡¯re exposed too soon, we¡¯ll have one less trump card. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re up against first.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Call me if you can¡¯t hold on.¡±


    With the main personality suppressed, Marko squatted to pick up the shattered mask, put it back onto the back of his head, and warned, ¡°Everyone, be alert. The nightmare is about to strike, and it¡¯s strong, far surpassing any nightmare creature we¡¯ve encountered along the way.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than the church¡¯s large doors were pushed open with force by hands wearing white gloves.


    Magician Jian walked straight in through the main entrance without any intention of ambush or encirclement.


    He even took off his top hat and bowed respectfully to the people inside the church, his gaze fixed on the Prophet.


    The two had just had a brief mental collision,


    where Jian had set a trap in advance using Marko¡¯s attempt at mental probing, trying to suck the indiscriminate Marko into the Consciousness Abyss.


    Just as he was about to succeed,


    an incredibly horrific human crawled out of Marko¡¯s back, dragging him out by force, freeing him from the mental trap.


    Such a mental disorder piqued Jian¡¯s curiosity;he wanted to observe this Prophet closely and even saw in Marko a completely new concept for magic.


    Following closely, Mozander, on stilts, also bent down to enter the church.


    As Yi Chen feared, he was immediately drawn to Zed, who was clinging to the ceiling, captivated by those strong, powerful, fair, and vigorous long legs.


    Snap! A finger snap came from inside the church.


    The snap was like a ¡°lighter¡± igniting, lighting the ¡°fuse¡± on the bodies of the intruders. Just as everyone was about to burst into flames,


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    The ventriloquist Harida¡¯s wooden puppet gently uttered the word, forcibly halting the concept of human combustion.


    Meanwhile,


    Doctor Macaul, seated in the depths, was releasing silver in full force, creating an undisturbed, pure silver Barrier for Wrinkled Skin Spacy. As he was halfway through, the Doctor¡¯s keen sensitivity made him twist his head to glance at the entrance.


    He saw, at the tail end of the intruders, a familiar head of silver hair flutter by.


    An intense stress response was triggered inside his body, stimulating the silver-transformation of the Doctor¡¯s physical form, instinctively switching to combat mode.


    Preparing to throw himself into the fray with all his might, he aimed to kill the suspicious silver-haired youth.

 Chapter 307: The Magicians Tactics

    Seeing the others had already chosen their targets, Catherine jumped out and turned her gaze toward the deputy director Kimberly, who had undergone physical prosthetic transformation, ¡°Oh, someone infected with the metal disease? They¡¯re the type I¡¯m least skilled at dealing with. But never mind~ Since you all have chosen your targets, I¡¯ll just make do then.¡±


    No sooner had the words left her mouth~ whoosh!


    A laser beam shot out instantaneously, piercing right through Catherine¡¯s forehead, as well as the door behind her and a pedestrian reading a newspaper across the church street.


    However,


    the moment Catherine¡¯s forehead was pierced, her body began to rapidly fill in the flesh.


    A closer look would reveal the eerie and terrifying nature of the flesh repair: between the holes pierced and scorched by the laser, tiny female bodies surged in, embracing each other to complete the filling.


    She didn¡¯t harbor any hatred toward Kimberly, who had attacked her out of the blue;instead, she looked cheerfully at Marko.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I say so? These humans are quite remarkable, or else I wouldn¡¯t have disturbed your valuable rest time. I entrust the task of tearing them apart to you, Uncle Marko.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fascinating, especially this human before me who suffers from severe split personality disorder.


    I didn¡¯t expect the Skin Market to raise these humans in such a diverse, unrestrained manner, without limiting the type of illnesses they develop, only making tweaks to their clothing.


    This is a stark contrast to the rigid and outdated Source Epidemic Area I recall;Is it an intent to reform and adapt to a new era, or to give these humans a degree of ¡®freedom¡¯ before they¡¯re completely enslaved?


    Alright, let me deal with the matter at hand first.¡±


    The Magician Marko made a seemingly ordinary gesture¡ªhe tossed his top hat forward.


    The spinning hat in the air suddenly split into five parts, aiming at everyone except Wrinkled Skin Spacy, and flew towards them with increased speed.


    Feeling the spatial fluctuations between the hats, Prophet Marko shouted, ¡°Everyone dodge this thing!¡±


    He himself brought out the spiritual power accumulated in his brain, condensing it into an almost tangible Spiritual Shock, attempting to knock the flying hat away.


    Yet,


    a strange thing happened¡ªthe spiritual power that was fired like a cannon actually became a force that further pushed the hat closer.


    Even more exaggerated was the fact that when Marko moved his feet, trying to dodge the oncoming hat¡­ his body, in turn, moved toward the hat on its own.


    It seemed as though everything had been reversed.


    Just as Marko realized the problem of ¡®reversal¡¯ and wanted to warn his teammates, it was already too late.


    With the hat¡¯s high speed and their reverse actions, the contact was already happening.


    At the moment of contact with the hat, the rim turned into a vortex of nightmares, sucking in each individual it touched, with no way to prevent the process from happening.


    Those pulled into the hat were taken to the independent dreamscape Catherine had set up in advance.


    The whole process was like a magic trick, making the interactors disappear.


    However, the magic hadn¡¯t been completely successful.


    Out of the five hats Marko threw, only four had taken effect.


    Zede, crawling among the domes, was not ensnared,


    His body had caught the reversal trap between the hats in an instant, completing a reverse correction of thought and action within 0.01 second, changing ¡®dodge¡¯ to ¡®approach,¡¯ thus perfectly avoiding the trap.


    Now,


    Zede, with a face devoid of eyes, faced the crowd, using his flesh to sense the invaders, even mentally arranging the order in which to kill.


    Meanwhile, Mozander, the ringmaster walking on stilts, suddenly stepped forward, standing in front of everyone.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite interesting that someone could see through your magic at first sight, Marko¡­ The dreamscape this time was just right. Since the others have been transported away, let this fellow stay here.


    I¡¯ll keep him company and play a little.¡±


    Catherine lightly tapped Mozander¡¯s flesh stilts with her fingers, ¡°Mozander, make sure not to kill anyone, these people are all my game characters.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I only need to take one leg. This guy who could dodge Marko¡¯s magic, even if he lacks a leg, it won¡¯t affect his overall strength too much.¡±


    Even the Magician Marko himself was quite surprised;he had not expected anyone to avoid his magic on the first performance.


    Although interested in Zede, he did not actively compete for him since Mozander was even more intrigued.


    ¡°Catherine, keeping this person in the Church should be okay, right?¡±


    Catherine immediately made an OK sign with her hand, ¡°Thank you, Uncle Jia¡¯en. Being able to split up four of them is already quite an accomplishment. You and Aunt Harida can head back first;it¡¯s really embarrassing to bother you amidst your busy schedules.


    ¡°Team Leader Mozander should be able to ¡®return fully loaded¡¯ after playing for a while.¡±


    However,


    Jian waved his hand, ¡°No rush, since there¡¯s nothing much happening at the circus tomorrow. The next set of rehearsals for the performance won¡¯t start until a week later. It¡¯s not often we meet such interesting humans;I want to play with them for a bit.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll try not to be lethal. I just want to have a talk with that human whose personality is completely split.¡±


    Next to him, the ventriloquist Harida also raised her hand to indicate that she wanted to ¡®communicate¡¯ with that hot-tempered woman.


    Catherine made a face, ¡°I knew it¡­ Sigh~ If my game gets interrupted, I¡¯ll have to settle the score with you guys one by one.¡±


    As everyone was making small talk,


    a strange skin texture started rippling from deep within the Church,


    and the skin that covered the Church rose like a wave and crashed towards the circus members who were talking near the entrance, attempting to swallow them whole.


    Slap!


    The skin wave fell in less than a second, and a dense array of legs swelled up inside the skin texture, eventually bursting it open and filling the Church with fragments of torn skin.


    However, only Team Leader Mozander was left at the entrance of the Church.


    The other members had already teleported away through the use of Dream Space permissions, each to their independent area corresponding to the members of the Sharp Knife Squad.


    Mozander¡¯s gaze was also drawn to the silver barrier underneath the Altar, where Wrinkled Skin Spacy was enveloped.


    ¡°It¡¯s truly pure skin manipulation;it¡¯s hard to believe you¡¯re not a direct descendant of the Skin Market but rather a human¡­ With such high talent, even if you were sent to the Skin Market, you would receive quite decent treatment, right?


    ¡°However, the deep Skin Market is facing an unprecedented crisis;it might just vanish altogether. By then, the support you humans rely on will disappear completely, whether that¡¯s good or bad for you.


    ¡°After all, even if the Skin Market doesn¡¯t disappear, you¡¯ll eventually become their slaves.


    ¡°By the way, stop performing ¡®Dream Skin Planting¡¯! Unite with your teammates and attack me together;that would make things a bit more interesting.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    five pale fingers suddenly rose in front of Mozander, followed by the palm that bore the fingers¡­ He hadn¡¯t even had a chance to see clearly when the hand had gotten so close.


    The fingers curled¡­ Slap!


    He was struck by a force far greater than he expected.


    If Mozander¡¯s ¡°stilts¡± resembled tens of thousands of perfectly structured legs from various patients, collectively supporting his body,


    the force applying pressure was like a mountain of corpses piled high,


    flipping over all the legs that supported him.


    Boom!


    Mozander was slammed to the ground, his head crushed.


    [Fallen]


    For a circus stilt-walker, this was a tremendous disgrace;since becoming the third leader of the circus, he had completely removed the word from his personal dictionary.


    In an instant, an extremely terrifying force erupted from within him,


    and above Nightmare Town,


    a gigantic foot materialized out of nowhere and came pressing down with mighty force!


    Boom! The Dream Church and the buildings along the central streets of the town were leveled to the ground. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 308: Monster

    Mossande Wise, the leader, whose face had been crushed, was healed instantly. For a circus performer, physical disintegration was nothing unusual, and his regenerative powers ranked in the top five within the circus.


    Having his head crushed was hardly a matter of concern;what truly annoyed and humiliated him was simply the act of ¡°falling down.¡±


    If his circus peers were to find out about this, he might become the butt of jokes or, worse, his fall could be exaggerated and lead to a demotion by the boss.


    Just as he was about to unleash his real power, flattening the central street of Nightmare Town with one foot, he felt something in the Church that hadn¡¯t been completely crushed, staunchly held up by a pure physical force.


    Upon closer inspection, the scene beneath the gigantic foot shocked Mossande.


    In the center of the church, beside Wrinkled Skin Spacy, who was performing a ¡°Skin Transplant¡±, stood a pale man with almost perfect legs. His whole body¡¯s muscles were vertically striped.


    Like the commonly used column structures in architectural design, these vertical muscles collectively supported his physical foundation;his hands raised above his head, forcefully holding back the giant foot¡¯s crushing force.


    What¡¯s more, this man was even able to carry on a conversation while distracted:


    ¡°Mr. Spacy, just continue with the skin transplant, I¡¯ll kill this one¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Wrinkled Skin Spacy showed absolute trust in his companion, closing his eyes to concentrate on the skin transplant.


    The skin that had spread out of the church continued to crawl along the crushed, ruined street in a circular pattern, invading the dream space.


    Suddenly,


    the giant foot held above by Zede started to disassemble on its own,


    hissing¡ªhis physical form evaporated, with flesh and bone dispersing rapidly in short time, until only the nerves of the giant foot remained, all retracting back into Mossande¡¯s body.


    At this moment, Mossande¡¯s expression also changed;he no longer treated the events as a mere game within a dream, but as a matchup of equal standing.


    His arrogance and pride were entirely reined in.


    ¡°Mossande Wise, number three leader of the Sun Circus¡­ what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Hogni Zed.¡±


    ¡°I thought this was just a farce by Catherine initially, but it turns out the human tribe she messed with has an interesting character like you.


    Your physical complexity can¡¯t even be described as ¡®human¡¯. Without training, you could outperform many performers in the circus.


    Would you like to join us?¡±


    The sudden shift in Mossande¡¯s attitude surprised Zede, ¡°A second ago, you wanted to kill me, and now you want to recruit me? If you can eliminate the nightmare threat that Zion is currently facing, I might consider it.¡±


    ¡°The nightmare is brought by Catherine;I am merely a temporary visitor.


    I can¡¯t dispel the nightmare, but I can suggest it to Catherine. However, I can¡¯t guarantee that she will agree.


    The only thing I can assure you is, if you are willing to join the circus and make sufficient contributions in performances, the boss will reinstate your ¡®Eye¡¯ rights.¡±


    Zede, however, showed a troubled expression and hastily waved his hand, ¡°No need¡­ I¡¯ve already abandoned that. It would be quite uncomfortable to take it back.¡±


    ¡°What a pity.¡±


    Mossande stopped persuading him, preparing to reveal his true capabilities against this human.


    Arms spread out¡­ swoosh! A mass of nerve fibers suddenly sprouted from his back like dense tree branches or a pair of oversized nerve wings.


    The tips of the nerve fibers rapidly bore fruit, constructing blood and bone structures, and formed rows of legs and feet of varying sizes hanging onto them, each limb showing either an eye, a mouth, or an ear structure,


    They seemed to have their own sensory perception, capable of independently judging and launching the best attacks.


    The overall image was eerie and bizarre yet incredibly overwhelming.


    Hundreds of leg and foot fruits hung in the back area, and they would join Mossande in his attack, crushing the target and even some limbs displaying traits that could perform attacks beyond normal understanding.


    Confronted with Mossande¡¯s aggressive posture,


    Zede merely changed from crawling to standing, pulled off his tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and removed his leather shoes to stand barefoot on the ground.


    A slight bounce and a shake relaxed all his joints, resembling more a free combat fighter than anything else.


    ¡­


    A Nightmare Space modeled after a library structure.


    Magician Jian sat across from Prophet Marko at a desk, and the two seemed to have been talking for quite some time.


    Jian showed a rare interest in this human Prophet, even handing out a business card with the magician¡¯s trademark hat on the back.


    ¡°Sun Circus very much welcomes someone as talented as you, and my referral can spare you a lot of trouble and unnecessary procedures.


    As you said, wait until your organization¡¯s city is entirely destroyed and you find yourself homeless to come see me. Given the current state of Skin Market, I anticipate we will meet again soon.


    Soon Catherine and his friend will keep you company;let¡¯s stop here,¡±


    Jian raised his hand above his head, making a slicing motion through the air, effectively severing his connection to the Dream Space.


    The next second, he woke up in a rather simple living room, walls covered with various honorary medals.


    While changing from his pajamas to his daywear, Jian noticed a slight cut on his wrist, accidentally inflicted while suppressing Prophet Marko in the Dream.


    To be precise, it was during the suppression of the main personality¡ªMartin¡ªthat he sustained an attack injury, which had partly resonated back to reality.


    ¡°To choose to learn knowledge through sensing entirely contrary to his own interests and hobbies and even using his back as his front to inhibit his nature. He even created a second personality during this process, slowly being revered as ¡®the Prophet¡¯ by human groups.


    To perform so impressively at things one is not adept at clearly speaks to his talent.


    No wonder the need to seal the main personality;Martin really is a terrifying fellow. Catherine may truly be in danger if she provokes him.¡±


    Jian took an interest in this unique human squad;he got up to go to the circus¡¯s communal lounge area, wanting to ask the others about the situation.


    As soon as he lifted the tent flap, he ran into the Ventriloquist,


    ¡°How does Harida feel?¡±


    Harida didn¡¯t speak;instead, the puppet in her hands responded, ¡°It¡¯s a pity. If it were reality, I¡¯d definitely turn that woman into a doll. Her fiery temper nearly ruined my darling in combat;I could only discipline her a bit in the Realm of Dreams.¡±


    The hair on the right side of the puppet was slightly burned.


    Correspondingly,


    In a separate Nightmare Space, Romary Tahan¡¯s skin was completely torn off, and her body was turned into a puppet-like form, strung up in the air by numerous threads.


    Not dead, but rendered virtually powerless.


    Upon learning of this, Jian was slightly disappointed: ¡°It seems not every human is that interesting¡­ Has Mozander not awakened yet?¡±


    ¡°He should be trying ¡®Concept Stripping¡¯ in a dream, right? Because of the far gap in thought, this process should take a long time, and the stripped human will suffer quite a bit.¡±


    No sooner had the voice fallen,


    a burst of agonized screams suddenly came from deep within the residential area,


    Jian, Harida, and other circus members who were awakened by the screams all hurried to the scene, directly across from Mozander¡¯s bedroom.


    The door had yet to be opened, and blood had already begun to spill out.


    Inside the messy room,


    Mozander¡¯s body was cut in two, with various severed legs scattered and hanging about the room, each leg spurting blood, a sight too ghastly for words.


    What was more horrifying was that Mozander had still not awakened.


    Jian¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, and he immediately took a pair of scissors from his Magic Hat, swiftly cutting a strand of hair from the top of Mozander¡¯s head¡­ Snap! The connection to the Dream was also forcibly severed.


    As Mozander suddenly woke, his eyes wide and bloodshot, he mumbled:


    ¡°Such a monster cannot possibly be human!¡±


    This situation utterly shocked Jian,


    He knew well that although Mozander was foul-mouthed and coveted various legs, his position as the third Ringmaster of the Circus was no coincidence or stroke of luck, but rather achieved by stepping on countless corpses through sheer power. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Mozander, did you lose?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ Although the dream was just a projection of myself, I indeed lost, which is truly shameful. Jian, tell Catherine to be careful not to be killed by that person.¡±

 Chapter 309: Silver

    In order to isolate each member of the Dagger Squad one by one, Catherine specially ¡®packaged¡¯ and ¡®separated¡¯ all five iconic areas of Nightmare Town.


    These included the town library where Magician Jia¡¯en, Prophet Marko, and Martin were located (with space structure complexified) and the town hall where Romary Tahan, who had been skinned and turned into a puppet, was.


    Additionally, there were three other areas, Hospital, Park, and Amusement Park.


    ¡­


    Time returned to the moment when Magician Jia¡¯en threw his hat in the church,


    The inventor of the dusk thin silver liquid, Doctor Macaul, had his thoughts completely captivated by the silvery-haired youth who passed by the door;his thoughts seemed to be pulled back to that night, the night of the double moons, which was also the turning point of his life.


    ¡°How is it possible¡­ How could Lorrian be here?¡±


    As he was stunned, the rapidly spinning top hat was already closing in. Instinctively trying to dodge, he instead moved closer to it.


    Trap triggered~Buzz!


    The spatial vortex formed by the top hat directly transported him to another nightmare space.


    In the blink of an eye, he found himself in front of the gate to an old hospital. Coincidentally, the hospital building was very similar in style to the Twilight Clinic, also a three-story structure.


    The operation of Nightmare Town still imitated scenes from real life. Due to the battle that erupted on the central street, the hospital was filled with an endless stream of patients that night.


    Many townspeople were queuing in the hospital lobby for numbers, missing arms, legs, and even half of their brains,


    Macaul sensed a hint of danger and conspiracy, unwilling to step foot inside, and turned to leave the area.


    As he moved towards the street opposite the hospital, snap! He ran directly into an invisible wall.


    Stepping back half a step, he allowed his right arm to turn completely silver, especially at the fingertips, and pointed out.


    Buzz!


    Faint ripples spread outwards with no sign of breaking through.


    ¡°So the space has been completely sealed off? It¡¯s true that the Nightmare Origin might be able to do this.


    However, fundamentally, this dream should always be controlled by myself and the other death row inmates who are dreaming;we should be the real masterminds behind the dream.


    The nightmare should only be intervening from the side, deepening its interference as we delve further.


    In theory, no matter what depth it reaches, the nightmare¡¯s domination should not be able to reach 100%. As a dreaming subject, I should also have some authority over the dream control.


    Let me try.¡±


    The diminutive Doctor Macaul sat down cross-legged on the spot, slowly reaching up to his head, inserting his sharp nails into his scalp. He cracked open his skull, exposing his entire silver-coated brain.


    Dispensing with the barrier of the skull, allowing direct contact between the brain and the dream.


    He tried to sense the controllable parts of nightmare space, or existing loopholes, or possible exits from the current enclosed space.


    Buzz!


    At that moment, Macaul¡¯s consciousness detached and followed the dream sensation to the hospital, quickly passing through the crowd to find a ward in the corner¡ªRoom 0330.


    The key to escape might be hidden in this ward.


    ¡°I found it¡­ Maybe I can directly leave this area and return to the church! If I can help Skin Stripping Spacy complete the skin transplant, this mission might just end smoothly, and I could regain my freedom.


    Whether or not it¡¯s Lorrian doesn¡¯t matter. Even if it really is him, just kill him again.¡±


    The thought of freedom made Macaul¡¯s tongue start to curl.


    He had even fantasized about restarting his medical research;as long as it benefited his own research and innovations, he would still choose to use living people as raw material embryos.


    Doctor Macaul closed his skull, sealing it with silver liquid,


    Then he ran his fingers over his tongue, wet with saliva, and wiped the lenses nestled in his eye sockets clean.


    He did not sneak in through the hospital¡¯s main entrance, nor did he purposely go through that overcrowded lobby to avoid an onslaught by the nightmare creatures and stealth attacks by nightmares lurking in the shadows.


    He directly climbed up the exterior wall of the hospital building, his fingers turned silver and easily dug into the wall surface, supporting his small body as he rapidly scaled up to the third floor.


    Pushing open the unlocked window, he fell into ward 0330.


    However,


    What lay before him was just an ordinary six-person ward, with no signs of a suspected exit;the six empty beds were symmetrically arranged.


    When Macaul tried to search the room more carefully,


    suddenly, a patient appeared on one of the otherwise empty beds, concealed by a curtain. Judging by the silhouette projected, the person was wearing a hospital gown, with an IV bottle connected to their hand.


    Macaul felt a wave of unease, this human silhouette was eerily familiar to him.


    He slowly approached the bed, his skin and suit turning silver, forming a protective silver layer in preparation for any potential attacks.


    His palm inched closer to the curtain,


    and the moment he touched it¡­ whoosh! He pulled it aside sharply!


    There was no one on the bed;what he had seen was just an illusion.


    At that moment, the door to the ward opened without him noticing, and a silver-haired youth just happened to walk by outside.


    ¡°Are you the one playing tricks? Lorrian¡­ skilled at creating illusions with the False Moon, it¡¯s always been this way with you.¡±


    No longer calm, Macaul quickly followed out of the ward in pursuit of the silver-haired youth.


    Yet, the corridor was packed with odd-shaped patients, some even had their bodies stuck to the walls with IV drips.


    Amid the crowd, he could vaguely see a head of silver hair moving away;Macaul could even conjure up Lorrian¡¯s full image in his mind, feeling as if he was being mocked.


    Perhaps recalling how his painstakingly established Twilight Clinic was destroyed by Lorrian¡¯s appearance,


    or how he was about to realize mass production of the ¡°Dusk thin silver liquid,¡± which might have rivaled the famous ¡°Sun Secret Medicine,¡± only to see it come to an abrupt end due to Lorrian¡¯s arrival.


    Or remembering the look of mockery on Lorrian¡¯s face during their battle.


    He even questioned if the battle was a deliberate ruse by Lorrian, who let himself be caught in the illusion to lose, allowing the gentleman¡¯s troops to arrive and expose the true nature of the Twilight Clinic, branding him with the label of a silver demon and subjecting him to a mental punishment more agonizing than death.


    Or perhaps it was Macaul who previously had willingly opened his own skull, leading to the direct invasion of the nightmare factor.


    In that moment, he lost control.


    The malignance within Macaul was completely unleashed,


    as his ¡°Joint Disease Psoriasis¡± was fully stimulated, inducing the onset of ankylosing spondylitis¡­ Crack, crack ¨C the spine in his back made cracking noises as the vertebrae stretched and began to grow.


    Rip ¨C the flesh tore.


    In the end, Macaul¡¯s body was torn into three parts at the neck and waist, strung together by his elongating spine.


    His head was raised more than three meters high, with his torso roughly at the two-meter mark.


    At the same time, his joints began to creak all over.


    At the elbow, forked joints emerged, giving rise to three distinct forearms, fingers multiplied in number, and the joints slowly evolved into the structure of silver surgical knives.


    The moniker of the silver demon indeed originated from this form.


    Chasing forward in such a monstrous shape, any nightmare patients who passed by him were dismembered, turning the entire hospital building into a slaughterhouse under Doctor Macaul¡¯s dominion. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, these slain nightmare patients immediately turned into a dark mist after their death, converging and seeping down to the lower floors.


    By the time Doctor Macaul reached the ground floor, the silver-haired youth was standing, with his back towards him, in the middle of the lobby.


    The nightmare aura from the slaughtered nightmare patients and medical staff also gathered here, all being absorbed by the silver-haired youth¡­ Whoosh! Six tentacles burst out from the youth¡¯s back due to overfeeding.


    At that moment, the youth turned around, presenting a face that was unfamiliar.


    ¡°You¡¯re not Lorrian¡­ Who are you?¡±

 Chapter 310: Anger

    Yi Chen¡¯s appearance was certainly not his own,


    Although Doctor Macaul had never seen him, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, once Macaul left the nightmare alive and his brain was transplanted into a prosthetic body.


    It would be confirmed that Yi Chen had assisted the nightmare in its corruption of Zion, and he would be executed and tried as a traitor by the Organization.


    At the moment, Yi Chen had simply used his nightmare privileges to pinch himself the face of a young man, and even changed his behavior and tone of voice.


    ¡°Indeed, I am not Lorrian¡­ After all, a piece of trash like you doesn¡¯t require Lord Lorrian¡¯s attention. I am just a Moon citizen under his command, who ¡®happens¡¯ to have an association with the nightmare.


    Didn¡¯t expect to actually meet you here. I¡¯ve heard from Lord Lorrian before that a prodigal son like you might not have been executed by the Organization but ¡®put to good use¡¯ instead. If I encountered you, I would take care of you for him.¡±


    Yi Chen again resorted to his most common provocation tactic, agitating Doctor Macaul¡¯s nerves, the angrier the other party became, the more advantageous it would be for the upcoming battle.


    After all, Doctor Macaul was no pushover;to be a doctor and to have personally slain half of the Open Source¡¯s early ¡°Moon Scar¡± was enough to prove his strength.


    However, Macaul¡¯s head, propped against the ceiling by his spine, displayed an extremely excited and even manic smile:


    ¡°There is no mistake¡­ You are Lorrian! The tone is completely the same as before, taunting and mocking.


    I will soon use a surgical knife to cut off that false face you¡¯ve conjured with moonlight! By delivering your corpse to the Organization, I can rightfully resume my medical research.¡±


    These words made Yi Chen frown, having completely underestimated the mental trauma Lorrian had left on Doctor Macaul.


    ¡°Gone mad?¡±


    No more conversation.


    The utterly insane Doctor Macaul had firmly identified the young man before him as ¡®Lorrian¡¯, no matter what Yi Chen said or did, he couldn¡¯t change this established label.


    Twisting his spine around,


    Click, click¡ªeach segment of bone was like a power transmission device, sending strength to his right arm¡¯s torso.


    The joint proliferation and the chaotic silver right arm swung out violently,


    With dozens of distorted finger joints stabbing directly at Yi Chen.


    Even as the arm pushed forward, the joints were still splitting and proliferating, Yi Chen¡¯s eyes could clearly capture the changes occurring between the joints.


    For example, a finger at the root would proliferate additional joints, and two more slender fingers would grow out, resembling a trident overall.


    Or the wrist would split directly into second and third palms, each deformed palm carrying a different number of fingers ranging from 3 to 7.


    Moreover, the nail structures of all the fingers had evolved into sharp surgical knives under the effect of psoriasis, and once they cut through the flesh, silver scales would infect the nerves, quickly severing crucial neural pathways and affecting individual mobility. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen, coupled with Grape¡¯s vision, superfast captured the movements of all the finger joints, preparing to parry and dodge when.


    In the hall¡¯s side corridor, a gigantic beast charged straight toward them at an unimaginable speed, appearing humanoid yet porcine with its face covered in fierce fangs.


    Its physique had reached a terrifying degree, deforming the walls of the corridors it passed through due to its pressure.


    Even though Doctor Macaul stretched his body with his spine, he could only match this person in height but was utterly incomparable in physique;the latter was like a living tank.


    Charge¡­ Boom!


    A resounding crash echoed through the hospital hall as six consecutive walls were broken through.


    The newcomer was the death row inmate ¡®Breeder. Blanklin¡¯, and his charge was merely his entrance routine.


    Behind the six walls, in the corresponding hospital rooms,


    Doctor Macaul, now with multiple fractures all over his body and severely concussed, was held aloft by the large porcine Butcher, held by a single hand at the neck joint, as if holding up a bone-jointed centipede.


    The swollen porcine head¡¯s eyeballs bulged roundly, the blood vessels inside even bursting with anger, dyeing the eyeballs a bright red hue.


    The reason for his anger was simple: this old bastard dared to attack the teacher he revered.


    Oil secretion increased exponentially, collected through the device mounted on his back, flowing into Blanklin¡¯s black mask via a conduit, becoming self-sustaining and achieving perfect energy utilization.


    The pig-human body swelled further, the pig¡¯s head even breaking through the ceiling.


    In Blanklin¡¯s eyes, this old man had become like the former townsfolk, just another animal.


    Swish!


    A knife that had never appeared in the previous battle was suddenly in Blanklin¡¯s hand.


    This knife was plain and unadorned, looking just like the ordinary slaughter knife a butcher commonly uses.


    The blade bore many signs of severe abrasion, the only thing he found in the ruins of his burned-down home, and the only relic of his father¡¯s career as a butcher.


    Blanklin slaughtered the entire population of his hometown with this knife, and then sealed the relic inside his body, closely wrapped in layer upon layer of fat and soaked in grease.


    Gradually, the slaughter knife dissolved and was absorbed inside his body, becoming a part of Blanklin.


    His soul structure even developed an additional structure of a slaughter knife.


    Now,


    because the teacher was threatened, he once again summoned the slaughter knife, ready to slaughter the beast before him.


    The knife¡¯s blade entered the flesh,


    skimming the bone,


    chopping meat and marrow,


    Doctor Macaul was still immersed in the dizziness of a concussion until the slaughter knife cut into his spine, and the intense pain suddenly brought him back to his senses. His gentleman¡¯s clothes immediately tightened, combining with the hardness of their silver substance to resist the cutting of the slaughter knife.


    But they still couldn¡¯t completely stop it, and it was only a matter of time before his spine was severed.


    Like a man possessed, Macaul rapidly extended his arms, plunging dozens of split fingers into Blanklin¡¯s back, frantically slicing!


    Blood and grease spurted continuously,


    and the inflammatory response brought on by the silver entering the body numbed Blanklin entirely, progressively losing the nerve connections to various regions of his body.


    Boom!


    The pig-human body crashed to the ground, having completely lost sensation in the lower half of his body, with over 40% of his blood and flesh cut away, and almost all his fats drained. From the side, one could even see the layout of Blanklin¡¯s internal organs.


    It was identical to human organ distribution, only interspersed with numerous silver surgical knives.


    Even so,


    Blanklin still held onto the spine tightly, chopping madly, using all his strength to completely crush each segment of the backbone.


    Eventually, he wore a satisfied smile, as though he had completed the butchering job.


    Ah ah!


    Macaul¡¯s screams echoed through the hospital, his spine totally crushed,


    his lower limbs, torso, and head completely separated from him, yet he showed no signs of dying.


    Macaul, the founder of ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid,¡± was such a nearly insane medical researcher that he used his own body as a clinical sample in the early stages of his research, injecting the secret medicine into different parts of his body multiple times.


    After his practices came to light, he stayed in his office, injecting a high-quality batch of silver liquid that he¡¯d hoarded into his brain in one go, so that his brain turned into pure silver and was almost impossible to kill.


    Strange strands of silver substance kept oozing out of all of Macaul¡¯s orifices, indicating some transformation was taking place.


    Full of loathing, Macaul spat out a sentence through his mouth full of silver teeth:


    ¡°Restrictions¡­ lifted, ¡®Silver Skeleton¡¯!¡±


    In that moment, the gentleman¡¯s clothes Macaul wore also turned into liquid, absorbed into his bones and fused with him completely,


    columns of hot steam erupted from between his bones, expelling the high heat produced during the transformation.


    Suddenly, a dangerous spike shot out from amidst the steam, aiming straight for Blanklin¡¯s skull.


    In the critical moment,


    a tentacle whirled forth, wrapping around Blanklin¡¯s battered flesh and dragging him out of the hospital.


    ¡°Well done, leave the rest to me¡­¡±


    ¡°Teacher¡­¡±


    In Blanklin¡¯s nearly obscured vision, all he could see was a dark humanoid silhouette,


    six bizarre nightmare tentacles undulating behind it, his right hand tightly clutching a Hand Axe dripping with Black Liquid, striding forward with light and steady steps toward the smoke-filled area.

 Chapter 311: Head-On Collision

    Yi Chen gazed at the rising white smoke and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim:


    ¡°Restriction¡­ Removal? He actually brought his entire outfit into the nightmare.


    That ¡®Wrinkled Skin¡¯ guy seems to be quite an exceptional pure skin illness gentleman;he must have never developed any other illness, and he might even be using a Relic that is directly related to the Skin Market for his breakthroughs.


    I can¡¯t believe I don¡¯t know such a person. I¡¯ll definitely have to visit him personally after this nightmare event ends.


    It¡¯s a pity I took off my outfit outside, otherwise, I could have taken this opportunity to test its combat effectiveness after Restriction Removal.


    Let it be~ Doctor Macaul has completely gone mad, and Blanklin has also caused him quite the injury. Even without my outfit, I am more than enough, after all, I am the temporary nightmare here.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s adaptability was beyond imagination;he had completely gotten used to walking with the tentacles growing from his back.


    As he neared the dilapidated hospital ward filled with white smoke, a silver-coated bone spur with bone as its base suddenly shot towards him,


    Whether in terms of speed, piercing power, or the direct threat it posed to Yi Chen, it surpassed the previous Surgical Knife,


    The tentacles swung!


    Crack!


    The tentacles, with iron chains as their base and coated with nightmare substance, directly snapped the bone spur in midair¡­ It seems that, in terms of Hardness, Yi Chen¡¯s tentacles structure was indeed superior.


    After all, this represented the perfect combination of both Monastery and Nightmare Attributes.


    However, the silver-white bone spur that was broken on the ground immediately turned into a pool of silver liquid, which flowed back into the white smoke like an independent life form quickly.


    ¡°William, be careful¡­ the steam released by this guy is infused with silver substance, which is highly similar to the Dusk thin silver liquid you¡¯ve injected before.


    As the Founder of Dusk thin silver liquid, he must have secretly kept quite a bit for himself, even injecting some unknown High Level secret medicines.


    Let¡¯s Combine in Depth, and try not to get struck by these bone spurs.¡±


    Little Grape rarely became proactive, and accompanied by the depth of their combination, perhaps due to the influence of the nightmare form, Little Grape in the Madness Brain actually became enhanced under the effect of nightmare substance.


    ¡®Nightmare Eye¡¯


    Hiss~


    From Yi Chen¡¯s brow, streaks of black mist emerged, and a drop of Black Liquid even seeped out.


    As Little Grape within his brain opened its eye, the skin at his brow split left and right, revealing a strange pure black Pupil, centered with a tiny white dot.


    This allowed Vision and the Nightmare authority to combine, directly seeing through the Dream Space, gaining unprecedented enhancement.


    The dense white smoke obstructing his view was penetrated;even the refraction caused by the silver substance could not hinder his sight.


    Within the white smoke,


    Doctor Macaul, who had been flayed and chopped, was now back on his feet, and his spine was no longer forcibly elongated but kept in a normal range,


    Elevating the originally short Macaul to a height of one meter seventy.


    His entire skin and clothing had ¡®disappeared,¡¯ or rather dissolved into his skeletal structure.


    His flesh was completely silverized, maintaining the appearance of muscle structure, but its essence was tainted silver and had ossified.


    Doctor Macaul looked like a ¡®plump, lean skeleton¡¯,


    As for the bone spurs that had just attacked, they originated from Doctor Macaul¡¯s back, an array of infinitely proliferating, sharp and well-known bone spurs protruding from the back area, hovering beside his shoulders and body by folding back upon themselves.


    These bone spurs could follow Doctor Macaul¡¯s Thoughts and attack in unison, swiftly shooting to kill a target.


    As long as Yi Chen stood unmoving, he could be turned into a wasp¡¯s nest in one second.


    ¡°So this is your ¡®Restriction Removal,¡¯ huh? Using the outfit entirely for skeletal augmentation, allowing the foundation illness to undergo a qualitative improvement, a complete ossification.


    Form-wise, it bears some resemblance to me.¡±


    In response to Yi Chen¡¯s words, Doctor Macaul had no reply;it seemed he could autonomously filter out any meaningless sound, focusing solely on killing the enemy.


    Click~


    There was a sound of bones rattling,


    Macaul¡¯s waist underwent a 45¡ã bend, and then twisted back into place, as if he was engaging in some sort of ¡®recovery training¡¯ before the battle commenced.


    He arrived before Yi Chen in a brand-new posture, approximately three meters apart,


    Suddenly, a rich wave of killing intent was captured by Yi Chen,


    The silver bone spurs growing from Macaul¡¯s back penetrated from all directions simultaneously, doubling in number during their flight, nearly locking down every possible escape route.


    Faced with this situation, Yi Chen¡¯s face revealed a hint of a smile.


    ¡°Wow! Such clarity!¡±


    Although it seemed somewhat strenuous before, and there was even a trailing effect, now he could see everything incredibly clearly;Yi Chen even felt he could use the ¡°Nightmare Eye¡± to manipulate dreams.


    Even the little grape inside him found it unbelievable, never having thought that nightmares could have such an effect.


    Confronted with the incoming silver bone spurs, Yi Chen did not dodge but stood still in his place.


    He focused all his spirit on the tentacles on his back, and with a faster, more precise, and more forceful motion, he swung forward, blocking and shattering all the incoming silver-white bone spurs.


    For a moment,


    Both parties seemed to be in a state of ¡®equal strength¡¯.


    Dr. Macaul slightly tilted his skeletal head, unable to believe that the opponent had blocked all his bone spur attacks with just four tentacles.


    The silver substance was mobilized, continuing to increase the number of bone spurs, seeking an opening.


    As the silver brain continuously supplied the silver substance, the number of bone spurs increased significantly, but the brain began to shrink slightly¡­ causing a slight decrease in mental defenses and some impact on reactions.


    However, the increase in aggressiveness that it brought was tremendous.


    With nearly three times the original number of spines, Macaul¡¯s back looked like an entire forest of spines.


    A quantitative change caused a qualitative change,


    Finally breaking through the tentacles¡¯ defense line with the absolute pressure of numbers. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crack! A bone spur successfully pierced into his abdomen;the bone spurs that fell inside further proliferated, piercing through nearby organs like a spiked ball, and spreading the silver substance.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body shuddered slightly from the intense pain, exposing a multitude of openings in an instant.


    Macaul certainly would not miss such an excellent opportunity,


    All bone spurs converged upon him, completely shattering the tentacle defense line.


    Almost instantly, Yi Chen¡¯s body was riddled like a wasp¡¯s nest, with bone spurs that had penetrated inside still spreading further, piercing through every nerve, every blood vessel, and every joint, even mashing his brain into a pulp.


    Yi Chen¡¯s body was raised high on bone spurs,


    Macaul appeared to be flaunting his trophy,


    ¡°Die, Lorrian!¡±


    All the bone spurs that had entered the body burst open at that moment, spreading outwards. Pop! The physical form exploded, and blood mist sprayed.


    Strangely enough, the blood mist was too thick, nothing like the blood volume one person can have¡­ The mist was so dense that it began to fall as thick blood rain, completely obscuring the surrounding environment for a time.


    Macaul was immersed in the joy of slaying his enemy, not realizing the problem within.


    The blood rain poured for a full five minutes,


    By the time it stopped completely, the scene before Macaul was no longer the hospital¡­ but the surface of the Moon, full of craters.


    The young man who should have been torn apart was sitting five meters away, hugging his knees, gazing at the starry sky.


    He seemed to have been in this starry-eyed state for a long time, with silver hair grown all the way to the ground, with his pupils full of stars.


    ¡°What is this place? Did you use an Illusion Technique on me again¡­ Lorrian?!¡±


    In response to the question,


    Yi Chen turned his head, his pupils filled with stars, and stared at him, ¡°No, this is the Moon, come join me in reading the stars.¡±

 Chapter 312: Double Education

    Macaul unconsciously looked up at the starry sky with Yi Chen,


    for a moment, his brain actually began to quiet down, and the constant state of anger was slowly dissipating,


    he even gradually figured out why he had been tricked, it was because he had been too angry, too eager to win, so focused on killing the other party that he had shaken the defenses of his brain.


    ¡°How did you do it?


    To actually drag me to such a realistic lunar surface¡­ Previously, your Illusion Technique was merely ¡®projecting¡¯, how much have you grown in this period, Lorrian?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t give a direct response, he continued looking up at the starry sky, following the movement of the stars while muttering soothingly:


    ¡°What is real, what is false?


    The so-called truth and falsehood are merely definitions given by our brains¡­ Why are you so sure that your so-called ¡®Life¡¯ is real and ¡®Dreams¡¯ every night are false?


    Is it possible that what you call life is a sequence of memories arbitrarily arranged by your brain after you fall asleep each night, and your experiences in dreams are your prior real life?


    In this world, a few people gradually recognize this, they no longer deliberately distinguish between reality and falsehood, but treat everything equally.


    Even fewer in this process gradually understand the truth of the world.


    Unfortunately, most people in this world are like you, Dr. Macaul, accustomed to considering the life recognized by their consciousness as real and everything else as false.


    Most people tout such narrow-minded knowledge as ¡®normal¡¯, and conversely imprison those who are few, using neuro-inhibiting drugs to suppress their thinking, preventing them from seeking the truth.


    Officially, they are called mentally ill, accused of violating ¡®normal¡¯.


    But in reality, it¡¯s because the majority are afraid of their established cognitions being shattered, afraid that the minority might be right, normal, and even biologically superior to them.


    Nowadays, with a pathological world and broken rules, the minority is no longer shackled, and it¡¯s a great opportunity to seek the truth.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s words seemed to resonate with the universe, surrounding Dr. Macaul from all directions, leading him to ponder the questions, even finding them quite reasonable.


    Macaul also looked up at the stars, tossing out a question: ¡°Then tell me what ¡®normal¡¯ is? What have that minority recognized? What is the real truth of the world?¡±


    Hearing this question, Yi Chen¡¯s face broke into a smile:


    ¡°I too am mad, what of truth and falsity? The so-called ¡®madness¡¯ is the only key and path to discerning the truth of the world, if you wish to break through the boundaries of truth and falsity, to know the true secrets of the world, then join me in madness.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, the stars roaming the deep space also began to move, arranging and forming the character for ¡®madness¡¯.


    The sight of the starry sky captivated Macaul deeply, using his field of vision as a medium, intending to imprint this character in his brain.


    Unlike previous ¡®Education¡¯,


    for the first time, Yi Chen incorporated the power of the stars and the moon, no longer suppressing through force but using a complete mental induction for education, which seemed quite effective.


    This was his new education mode learned on the moon outside the city, with Lorrian¡¯s assistance;Dr. Macaul was the first experimenter.


    Everything went smoothly, Macaul¡¯s thoughts transitioned from ¡°Anger¡± ¡ú ¡°Calm¡± ¡ú ¡°Thinking¡± ¡ú ¡°Seeking Knowledge¡± all following the guide smoothly.


    As the stars gradually formed the character ¡®madness¡¯ in Macaul¡¯s brain,


    blended with the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid, the silver brain felt an unprecedented threat, transcending the Ego, igniting the deepest layer of a survival response.


    An unimaginable silvery energy burst out from deep in the brain amidst life or death.


    If the skullcap were lifted, one could even clearly see all brain sulci continuously seeping out silver liquid, eroding the soon-to-be-imprinted character ¡®madness¡¯, completely erasing it.


    Moreover, silver liquid also continuously flowed out of all seven openings in Macaul¡¯s face, gradually saturating the surrounding space.


    The deep space, stars, and the moon they stood on were all dyed silver.


    Crack¡ªlike a mirror, everything shattered, returning to the original hospital scene.


    ¡°Huh! He forcefully broke free¡­ your brain!¡±


    The shattered Illusion Realm left Yi Chen stunned,


    he had precisely targeted a mental vulnerability during Macaul¡¯s brain atrophy, the whole process was flawless, mental education seemed a fait accompli.


    And the character ¡®madness¡¯ had almost been etched on the brain¡¯s surface, to fail at the last moment.


    This shows how special Macaul¡¯s brain is.


    ¡ÚEducation Failed¡Û


    This was Yi Chen¡¯s first taste of failure, initially feeling indifferent, then suddenly a warm stream flowed from his nostrils.


    His hand felt a silver liquid when touching the mouth and nose,


    following that, the liquid flowed from all seven orifices, accompanied by intense tinnitus and clouded consciousness.


    ¡°Damn! Is this the side effect of a failure?¡±


    Yi Chen tried to control his body to distance himself temporarily but found the speed of brain commands was abnormally slow and his body could only move slowly, making it impossible to get to a safe distance.


    Swish!


    Hundreds of bone spurs shot towards him, with at least fifty targeting his brain.


    In such a critical moment,


    next to him, his student, Breeder Blanklin, whose flesh split and half-paralyzed, struggled with all his might to crawl over and shield his teacher from such an attack.


    Sadly, most of his physical and mental connections were severed, and even the simplest crawling was limited to three fingers, nowhere near fast enough.


    ¡°Teacher!¡±


    Together with Blanklin¡¯s despairing shout, he unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a strange smile on his teacher¡¯s face.


    Being a ¡°Butcher¡± who could sense living beings¡¯ auras, he could no longer feel his teacher¡¯s vitality. It was as if the life force was instantly masked by some black substance.


    Even the label of being a living organism was torn off.


    And the teacher¡¯s complexion turned pale, as if wearing a layer of foundation, with a hint of blush on each cheek.


    The next second, the bone spurs pierced through.


    It was no illusion, Yi Chen¡¯s body was truly penetrated by thousands of bone spurs.


    As the bone spurs inside him aimed to further damage the organs and bones,


    ding ding ding~ the continuous sound of hammering iron rang out.


    Almost 90% hit the iron chains, with only a few unprotected organs pierced,


    and,


    throughout this process, Yi Chen not only did not scream in agony but was excited by the pain.


    Following this, a Death Black Liquid seeped from Yi Chen¡¯s organs and blood vessels, corroding and absorbing the silver bone spurs.


    The Death Aura surrounding Yi Chen grew thicker during the absorption process.


    Yi Chen had previously switched to ¡°Dead Man Makeup,¡±


    And these bone spurs released by Macaul, fundamentally mixed with the essence of Dusk thin silver liquid, were an excellent supplement for the dead state of Yi Chen.


    However, the true supplement was Macaul¡¯s ¡°Silver Brain.¡±


    Thinking about how the silver brain could break almost perfect illusion setups, Yi Chen¡¯s mouth continuously secreted saliva, even dripping to the ground from the corners.


    ¡°What¡­ what are you exactly? S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wait, is your form possibly¡­ the optimal result that Dusk thin silver liquid could achieve in an ideal state, allowing the user to exist perpetually in a state of death, never to be killed.


    Lorrian, you are a genius.¡±


    Dr. Macaul had another level of understanding of ¡°Dead Man Makeup¡± Yi Chen, even becoming more excited as he seemed to have found the ultimate answer to his research.


    Yi Chen wasted no more words.


    Merely with a gaze from the ¡°Nightmare Eye¡± between his brows, he compressed the Dream Space and pulled Macaul in front of him.


    With his left hand, he gripped the skull,


    and lifted the pitch-black Hand Axe with his right hand,


    following Macaul¡¯s ¡°Slaughter line¡± on his face to make the cut, still holding back just enough to precisely split the skull open and perfectly expose the internal silver brain.


    Yi Chen muttered under his breath, ¡°Indeed, such crude methods are the most reliable!¡±


    Upon finishing, a Nightmare tentacle protruded from his mouth, and began etching on the surface of the silver brain, forcing education!


    To achieve ¡°Perfect Enslavement,¡± making Dr. Macaul become an Offerer.

 Chapter 313: Fraction Changes

    Whether it was because of the crimes committed by Dr. Macaul, the promise to Lorrian, or Yi Chen¡¯s personal desires,


    he would choose to transform Dr. Macaul into an ¡°Offerer¡± rather than educate him into a ¡°student,¡±


    Plump and juicy, freshly made silver-coated tofu brains were presented before Yi Chen,


    Just by looking at it, Yi Chen¡¯s madness brain emitted an overwhelmingly strong ¡°brain addiction,¡± as if countless mouths formed within the black insane brain, each whispering:


    Eat it,


    Hurry, give it to us, we need such nutrition,


    What marvelous spoils, take your time to savor it,


    Are you thinking about how to eat? Suck, chew, or swallow whole?


    TNND, why aren¡¯t you eating! Eat! EAT!


    Facing the intense emotions transmitted by his brain, Yi Chen chose to forcibly suppress them.


    Clang clang~ Iron chains shot up, locking up the entire insane brain entirely, even growing painful stings that pierced through critical areas of the insane brain, finally suppressing the brain addiction.


    In fact,


    with no threats existing at the moment, it was the perfect time for ¡°Central Tasting,¡± and Yi Chen might even achieve a qualitative enhancement in his abilities through this silver brain.


    But¡­ even though Macaul had completed his own ¡°brain cooking,¡± kneeling on one knee, offering it in front of Yi Chen, the latter still did not eat.


    This was a moment to maintain the ¡°Big Picture.¡± The defeated was only the lowest-scoring Dr. Macaul.


    What Yi Chen needed most wasn¡¯t self-improvement but to achieve victory in this game.


    ¡°Dr. Macaul is the ¡®Main Brain¡¯ of the Spearhead Squad. Once I perform Central Tasting, this main brain will completely collapse, and the entire squad might disconnect and pop out of the dream. The game might end prematurely¡­


    Now I need to check the scores. If my score temporarily exceeds Catherine¡¯s, I can just go ahead and eat it.¡±


    Yi Chen hurriedly used his nightmare authority to check the current game scoreboard.


    [William-22 points]points from: Warm-up (+2 points) + Silver Demon-Dr. Macaul (complete enslavement +20 points)


    [Catherine-13 points]points from: Warm-up (+3 points) + Prosthetic-Kimberly Cabrella (guided kill +10 points)


    Upon seeing that his score was higher than Catherine¡¯s, he instantly unlocked the restraints on his insane brain, showing an extreme state of hunger, and began to heartily feast on the tofu brain offered by Macaul¡¯s hands.


    Almost at the same time,


    this silver brain, soaking in a cylindrical chamber at the power station, rapidly shrunk until it turned into a dried-up, lifeless brain core.


    Correspondingly,


    strands of essence from the silver brain¡¯s marrow fluid were absorbed into the insane brain, bringing a brain stimulation far superior to all previous Central Tastings.


    Maybe it was the inherent strength of Dr. Macaul,


    maybe the match between the dusk thin silver liquid and Yi Chen¡¯s own traits,


    throughout this process the entire insane brain continuously twitched, secreting more and more black liquid, filling the whole skull, and even continuously overflowing from every orifice.


    The excited convulsions of the brain also stimulated Yi Chen, the host,


    who unexpectedly, while in Dead Man Makeup, began to elegantly dance, performing a dance once learned during an art class at the orphanage, following an inaudible beat, maximally displaying his body¡¯s tension.


    At this moment,


    a hidden bronze frame automatically surfaced above his head,


    the brain relief at the start of the frame became more detailed, and the black liquid filling it thickened even more.


    Yi Chen could clearly feel his ¡°Epidemic value¡± being enhanced,


    Even without numerical hints provided by gentleman¡¯s clothes, Yi Chen could now surmise that his epidemic value had increased from [1]to [2].


    This brought about an almost all-around enhancement, including the quantity and strength of the iron chains, efficiency and maximum number of students educated, as well as the total volume of Death Black Liquid.


    There was also a sense of connection to the Old World, as if continued growth could connect him directly with the deepest parts of the Old World, the Sick Focus itself, and even face-to-face contact.


    ¡°If I could continue to increase my Epidemic value, perhaps I could really find the connection between different worlds as Lorrian said, and then I could return to the world I lived in before my Death.¡± Yi Chen then shook his head vigorously, as if trying to mix his brain matter to pull himself out of his fantasy, for the problem in front of him had not yet been solved.


    With Macaul¡¯s complete Death, the Dream still existed, and Catherine had not come to him proactively, indicating that the Main Brain¡¯s absence did not affect the Dreaming state of other members.


    Or rather,


    Catherine had foreseen this point and had already been Dreaming alone when the squad arrived at Nightmare Town.


    ¡°Did I think too simply? The game is not over yet¡­ Catherine actually killed Deputy Kimberly. That¡¯s really impressive.


    I remember that the Deputy was quite strong.¡±


    Camera switch-[Nightmare Town. Park]


    All the trees in the park forest area were burned down, and the ground was covered with charred pits of various sizes;the most extravagant was the lake at the center of the park.


    This not-so-small lake was completely evaporated and had even doubled in size on its original basis,


    Within the dried-out and heavily bombed lake, thousands of charred bodies were scattered, all appearing to be female.


    At the bottom of the lake,


    Catherine, forming a semi-giant (a mass of female bodies embracing each other), with a large hole opened in her right half, used her only left arm to hold a head connected with various metal wires in the air.


    Between the mechanical eyes, the final red dot completely vanished.


    ¡°Damn! Her score seems low, this battle actually consumed so many ¡®sisters¡¯¡­ The following game could be a bit difficult.


    Really, have I become weaker because I relaxed too much recently?


    Oh well, I need a little bit of replenishment, and I¡¯ll check on the status of others. By the way, Uncle Jian and the others should have gone back, right?¡±


    Catherine lay on one of the surviving benches in the park, reviewing the events that had occurred in different areas during this time by mastering the Nightmare,


    Everything before looked exceedingly easy, and she even laughed involuntarily when she saw the Ventriloquist torturing the target.


    ¡°Auntie Harida really knows how to have fun~ No wonder, considering how irritable that woman was. Otherwise, someone as good-natured as Auntie Harida would not have killed her.¡±


    However, when the scene switched to the next,


    The smile hanging on Catherine¡¯s face suddenly snapped off, transforming into an expression of disbelief and even a touch of fear.


    ¡°How could this be¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Hospital area.


    Yi Chen was considering how to win this game, starting by bringing up the ¡®Squad Scoreboard¡¯ to think about his next scoring target.


    *Bursting ¨C Romary Tahan due to external forces¡¯ intervention, removed from this game.


    The current survivors of the squad and achievable scores are (adjusted):


    [Duplicitous Prophet- Marko and Martin] Scores available -7, 14, 28, 50


    [Wrinkled Skin Spacy] Scores available -7, 14, 28, 50


    [Corpse-Hogni Zede] Scores available 10, 20, 40, 100


    ¡°Hmm, has Wrinkled Skin¡¯s score been assessed already? It¡¯s as high as the Prophet¡¯s¡­ What¡¯s with Teacher Zede? He was only second before, how did his score suddenly become so much higher than the Prophet¡¯s.


    Did Teacher Zede get a good result in the battle against the Circus Leader, a draw? Or did he defeat him?


    He really is a teacher.


    I¡¯d better avoid confronting the teacher directly;my body Trait and Iron Chain structure simply cannot be hidden from him. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And since the teacher is staying with Wrinkled Skin, the only target I can score from now is the Prophet¡­ Oh boy! It¡¯s really tough.


    If it weren¡¯t for the increase in Epidemic value, I might not have had the chance to score anymore.¡±

 Chapter 314: The Terrifying Zede

    [Power Station ¨C Dream Entry Room]


    Deputy Director Kimberly Cabrella suddenly sat up from the liquid tank, leaning over the edge and vomiting violently.


    What she vomited was all mechanical oil, mixed with a large number of broken octopus tentacles, some of which even resembled a woman¡¯s body.


    Although she was killed in the dream, to some extent, it was also because Kimberly sensed an inevitable defeat and actively cut off her own brain¡¯s power supply while her brain was under a nightmare assault.


    Kimberly¡¯s brain modification rate was over 50%, which was fully capable of self-initiated dream ejection.


    While she was vomiting, many employees who belonged to Kimberly and worked on the prosthetic parts wanted to come in to help.


    Kimberly, enduring the discomfort, raised her hand to signal them to stay outside, after all, the nightmare material she vomited posed a risk of spreading. She also exchanged a glance with the Director, using the electrical currents passing between their eyes to communicate information briefly.


    Kimberly would perform a self-inspection in the Dream Entry Room and also help check on the other team members¡¯ conditions.


    The metal structure of her body was quickly repaired with the support of the clothing, and she also found that the silver Main Brain in the central container had shriveled up, indicating Macaul¡¯s death, indicating that her teammates were in a state of independent dreaming.


    Just then, a commotion came from the liquid tank beside her.


    The deputy captain of the Clearance Department, Romary Tahan, also disengaged from the dream, but her condition was very unusual.


    Right upon waking, she fell into a state of full-body convulsions, blood began to ooze from her seven orifices, and her body twisted into an exaggerated posture, as if her whole body was penetrated and arbitrarily pulled by some lines.


    The ¡®torture¡¯ Romary experienced in the dream seemed to be projected onto her physical body.


    Kimberly Cabrella, decisively, placed her index finger on Romary¡¯s temple, an electric shock penetrated the brain acting as a ¡°forced shutdown,¡± while also releasing weak currents throughout Romary¡¯s body, gradually relaxing her convulsed and tense muscles.


    ¡°What exactly did she go through¡­¡±


    Considering the various strange incidents and the Main Brain¡¯s death, Kimberly did not linger, immediately starting a careful inspection of the other teammates, ready to perform a forced awakening and interrupt the operation if necessary.


    However, the situation was not as bad as she imagined.


    The brainwaves of the ¡°Prophet¡± and ¡°Wrinkled Skin¡± were stable, all indicators were in good shape, especially Marko and Martin, some of their brain indicators were actually better than before they started dreaming.


    When Kimberly reached the bathtub of the last member of the squad,


    she extended her alloy arm to check the other¡¯s brainwave status¡­ but just as her palm reached into the green gel, not even touching Zede¡¯s brain,


    Swish!


    A pale and strong arm suddenly lifted from the surface of the liquid, grabbing Kimberly¡¯s mechanical arm.


    ¡°Zede, are you awake? No, still in the dream! Is this a stress response of the body?¡±


    Kimberly tried to withdraw her hand but found she couldn¡¯t move at all, her right arm seemed to be crushed by a mountain.


    The next second~ crackle!


    The sound of metal compressing came from the grasped arm. She, as the first person in prosthetic development to take pride in her prosthetic structure, was now impossibly being squeezed by a bare hand leaving five fingerprints.


    And this compressive grip continued, even giving the impression that it might completely snap the arm.


    ¡°This!¡±


    Kimberly directly called upon the maximum energy within her body, and energy propulsors grew on her elbows, exerting the fullest strength to yank her hand away.


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    The moment she pulled her hand away, inertia sent Kimberly flying more than ten meters, almost hitting the wall of the Dream Entry Room.


    ¡°Hogni Zede, to what extent has this guy¡¯s body reached? Plus, his state seems odd, his nerves appear to be completely tense, is he still battling with the Circus members?¡±


    ¡­


    [Nightmare Town ¨C Park]


    Catherine, lying on the bench, fell into a long state of shock;having lived in the Circus for many years, she knew every member, especially the core members, inside out.


    When there were no performances at the Circus, everyone would still have private competitions.


    The acrobatic troupe was the largest subsidiary organization under the Circus, and the boss had specifically devised rules to select three leaders with different styles for joint management.


    Mozander, as the third leader, excelled in foot-based performances, with his specialty dish being ¡°Orlean roasted chicken leg¡±. Although his overall strength ranked last among the three leaders, it was not low among the core members.


    At least compared to Catherine, they were evenly matched, with the possibility of winning under different conditions and scenarios.


    ¡°The Circus is far from me, and the dream projection is weaker than the physical body, probably only 60%~70% of the strength. Plus, Mozander has always been arrogant, likely underestimating the opponent and getting caught off guard.


    Furthermore,


    the opponent was a team of two, especially the one who could invade my dreams, perhaps a carrier of the authentic pathogen from the Skin Market. He must have been continuously affecting Mozander during the fight through the skin as a medium.¡±


    However, it has to be said that this guy named Zede is very strong¡­ to be able to confront Mozander head-on at the physical level. Although the specifics of the fight were not clear, it¡¯s still worth increasing his points a bit.¡±


    Catherine¡¯s knowledge of the battle situation on Central Street was limited to what nearby residents of Nightmare Town captured with the naked eye.


    Due to the intense nature of the fight, any resident who got too close ended up affected and dead, resulting in most of the visuals ending abruptly or being unclear.


    ¡°I need to figure out a way to separate these two, otherwise it¡¯s really troublesome dealing with them together¡­ Before that, I need to recover to my normal state.¡±


    Catherine, being an optimist, quickly freed herself from the shock and even planned to return to the Circus to mock Mozander properly.


    Lying on the bench, she slowly reverted to her twin-tailed clown appearance, repairing her body while checking her current points.


    ¡°I¡¯m so angry! William has completely enslaved that shorty Doctor, and his points are now higher than mine¡­ Argh! This is so annoying.


    Speaking of which, there are now only two scenes left to earn points from.


    Maybe I should go to the Prophet first¡­ and let William try his luck on Central Street, if he gets killed a few times, then his points will be the same as mine!¡±


    Just as Catherine thought of this,


    Whir!


    The area of the Library where the Prophet was had a full quota alert signifying that William had already gone there.


    ¡°Ah, it seems he has also noticed the abnormal situation on Central Street.


    Never mind! I might as well clean up this mess, who else but I, the nightmare itself?


    Besides, that Prophet is definitely not easy to deal with. A person who could injure Uncle Jian, I haven¡¯t seen many of those. William, don¡¯t you die too miserably.¡±


    Once Catherine fully recovered, she wrapped her whole body with nightmare tentacles.


    After a surge of black mist spread and the tentacles retracted back into her body, she woke up directly between buildings on Central Street,


    To be safe,


    she disguised herself as an old lady knitting a sweater, peering through the window to survey the general situation of Central Street, especially the state of the Dream Church.


    ¡°Skin transplant so fast¡­ it¡¯s already covered ¡®two-thirds¡¯ of Central Street, what a nuisance!¡±


    Wherever her gaze reached, the streets and buildings were covered with skin, with residents in these areas encapsulated in layers of skin pods, some of which were even fully hatched.


    Transforming into slaves of the Skin Market, wrapped in skin-like bandages all over their bodies, leaving only their mouths for breathing.


    When Catherine¡¯s gaze moved to the ruins of the church, she only saw Spacy in the process of transplanting skin.


    ¡°Huh? Where did that guy who beat Mozander head-on go?¡±


    While Catherine searched unsuccessfully on her own, she also received the visual signals from the remaining residents of Nightmare Town, to no avail.


    Meanwhile,


    In the dark corner of the room Catherine was in, something resembling a ¡®corpse¡¯ crawled out sticking to the ceiling.

 Chapter 315: The Prophets Reasoning

    [Nightmare Town-Hospital]


    Yi Chen used the power of nightmares to mend the injuries his student-Breeder Blanklin suffered in battle, but he intentionally left some wounds incomplete for the weaving of lies.


    ¡°Blanklin, you did very well~ to have contended against Doctor Macaul is indeed your limit. Next, I will face the Prophet, and if you assist from the sidelines, your identity might be completely exposed.


    After returning, earnestly use the prosthetic given by the Organization, restart your life, and embark on a journey of Seeking Knowledge.


    As long as the brain is intact, everything can begin anew, and we will meet again then.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, teacher!¡±


    Blanklin also knew that he could not help with the subsequent confrontations and, as a student, naturally could not hold his teacher back.


    His mountainous physical form obediently squatted in front of Yi Chen, waiting for the teacher to end his dream.


    Crack!


    The skull was pried open.


    Fine nightmare tentacles burrowed into Blanklin¡¯s brain, using epilepsy to manipulate and modify his memories.


    Erasing all memories regarding their meeting and him becoming a student, replacing them with a heroic tale of him slaying nightmares at all costs to gather intelligence.


    After ensuring there were no loopholes, Yi Chen swung his tentacles, severing Blanklin¡¯s dream connection.


    Gurgle~


    Bubbles surged inside the Power Station, and soon, workers began examining Blanklin¡¯s brain.


    ¡­


    Deep Breath~Yi Chen took a deep breath to quickly adjust his state.


    ¡°There¡¯s absolutely no time to rest~ Let¡¯s prepare to head to the Prophet¡¯s location. If Catherine overtakes me, I¡¯ll have no choice but to confront teacher Zede.¡±


    Having his body condition fully replenished by Central Tasting, Yi Chen did not linger and used tentacles to draw the door leading to the Library.


    When his palm grasped the doorknob,


    a piercing unease stabbed through his brain like a needle, the stress response almost making Yi Chen withdraw his hand.


    However, he was determined. Merely obtaining points from Macaul wouldn¡¯t guarantee victory in the game.


    If he couldn¡¯t overcome this obstacle, he might very well face a losing end.


    ¡°Huff! Let¡¯s go¡­¡±


    With resolute determination, he pushed open the door.


    The scene before him immediately changed to the front of an old Library,


    When Catherine designed Nightmare Town, she had specially modified the Library¡¯s space to trap certain troublesome intruders.


    Six tentacles quickly attached to the exterior wall of the Library,


    Yi Chen used the traits of a nightmare to fully merge his body with the building of the Library.


    Having obtained administrative privileges from Catherine, the changing structure of the Library was very clear in Yi Chen¡¯s eyes, allowing him to pinpoint Martin and Marko¡¯s location immediately.


    In Yi Chen¡¯s anticipation,


    Beings like Martin and Marko would definitely not stay put in the Library;they would surely attempt to decipher the Nightmare Space, to quickly reunite with their comrades at the Church¡­ and they might even have opened a pathway through the nightmare already.


    However, the reality was vastly different.


    ¡°Prophet Marko is actually reading a book?¡±


    The Nightmare Eye penetrated through numerous walls, its Field of View Capture locating the Prophet in the Library¡¯s [second floor], standing upright in front of the bookshelf, reading with his back turned.


    Even though Yi Chen could oversee the entire space of the reading room, he did not detect any points that had been deciphered. It seemed that Prophet Marko had never thought of leaving the Library;rather, he seemed quite content to stay there.


    Yi Chen moved stealthily between walls, getting closer to the reading room where Marko was located, attempting to see clearly the book in his hands, when


    a voice directly penetrated Yi Chen¡¯s brain.


    ¡°No need to hide and skulk, come out and talk, Mr. Nightmare.¡±


    Since he was discovered, Yi Chen no longer hid and, donning his mask, fully embodied the role of the Nightmare.


    Creak Creak~


    With six tentacles peeling the wall apart, accompanied by the dripping of black liquid,


    the tentacles touched the ground,


    gradually supporting Yi Chen, the main body, as he emerged from between the walls,


    No matter their movement via tentacles or the continuous nightmare aura about them, they hardly looked like a gentleman at all.


    ¡°Can we sit down and talk?¡± Marko slowly closed the book and gestured with his hand toward a sitting area nearby. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Yi Chen was also complying with the Prophet¡¯s request, wanting to understand what the other party was plotting at the moment. Why choose to read in the library at such a pivotal point instead of meeting up with his teammates?


    The sat opposite each other at a long table.


    The Prophet still had his back to him, the white mask on the back of his head facing Yi Chen, looking rather eerie.


    ¡°This library has a considerable collection of books, which indicates that ¡®Nightmare Origin¡¯ that created this town had a not unsubstantial reading volume. It allows me to utilize these resources to study extensively here and even learn some new things.¡±


    Prophet Marko took out a box of playing cards from his pocket, placed it on his right hand, and continued:


    ¡°In my conversations with Magician Jian, I used appropriate verbal inducements and information exchanges to gather many crucial details,


    such as the fact that the ¡®Nightmare¡¯ affecting Zion was merely the act of a vacationing member of the circus.


    The magician and others were only called in during sleeping hours to assist in splitting up my team. As for why they wanted to split us up, there must be a core issue involved.


    Combining the important clue of ¡®No Killing,¡¯ this meticulously arranged and planned nightmare seems more like a ¡®Game.¡¯


    Let¡¯s assume this is a game,


    then, is it merely the circus lady playing for fun, or a competitive game between her and some non-circus member? The moment I saw you, the answer became clear.


    I could tell that although you emit a nightmare aura, it¡¯s more like a ¡®coat.¡¯ Your essence is probably not nightmare, for instance, the death aura mixed with the black liquid, that belongs to your essence.


    The person playing the game with the circus lady is you, right?


    So, the question goes deeper.


    What exactly is the purpose of your game? Are you simply using our critical human cities as playgrounds for the simplest form of entertainment, or is there a bigger, more secretive stake?¡±


    Facing Prophet Marko¡¯s reasoning, Yi Chen¡¯s heart skipped a beat, feeling as though the mask he wore on his face was almost seen through.


    Prophet Marko continued,


    ¡°The gain from this nightmare was quite significant.


    My duel with Mr. Jian let me realize some things about ¡®magic¡¯¡­ it¡¯s not trickery but true magic which, to some extent, resembles my ¡®foreseeing,¡¯ and I tried to combine the two.


    Together with the time spent reading books, I have developed a new divination technique.


    Perhaps it might let me directly uncover the true purpose of this game.¡±


    As he spoke, Prophet Marko fanned out the playing cards and drew several from them.


    Instead of displaying them, he kneaded the cards continuously in his hands.


    Finally, he revealed a strange [King] card.


    The king on the card was merely in monochromatic black and white, his face wearing a weird smile, his body covered in tentacles, the symbol a heart


    The king below had multiple colors, primarily black, yellow, and red. Although he also had tentacles, he held an axe in his hand and his attire was more gentleman-like, the symbol a spade.


    Having finished the divination,


    Prophet Marko looked up, staring at the nightmarish youth:


    ¡°Indeed, you¡¯ve been listening to me all along without any attempt to stop or start a fight¡­ This further proves that my divination is correct.¡±


    Suddenly, a whisper sounded in Yi Chen¡¯s head, ¡°Do you need me to lose the duel with you?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Yi Chen didn¡¯t respond to avoid breaking the rules.


    ¡°Good luck winning the game;I¡¯ll go back and take care of the hidden nightmares buried in Zion.¡±


    As the dialogue ended,


    Yi Chen vaguely glimpsed a shadow shrouded in a hood, taking out a dangerously sharp pair of scissors to cut the dream connection above Marko¡¯s head.


    Snip! The Prophet disappeared.


    With only Yi Chen left in the library, sweat slid down his cheek.


    ¡°So terrifying, was that another side of the Prophet¡­ Is this the difference in top-tier power between me and the organization? Prophet Marko actually deduced the essence of the game;his thinking capacity is terrifying.


    If it really comes to blows, my chances of losing are significant.


    Thus, the crucial factor in victory or defeat rests with the teacher now.¡±


    When Yi Chen calmed down and checked the scoreboard, he was stunned.


    [Catherine 8 points] Points source: Warm-up (+3 points) + Prosthetic-Kimberly Cabrella (induced kill +10 points) + Death (-5 points)


    ¡°Catherine, died once?¡±

 Chapter 316: Joint Effort

    After this period of interaction, Yi Chen had come to understand Catherine quite thoroughly, if not completely.


    Although Catherine was better at playing underhanded tricks, like her nightmare arrangement in Zion¡ªkeeping the Prophets in the dark, using a completely new pathological concept such as ¡°Thought¡± to infiltrate and evade all medical scrutiny.


    Her combat level wasn¡¯t bad either, after all, she was composed of countless women who had auditioned for the circus;her ¡°Regenerative¡± ability could be said to be endless.


    If any part of her body was injured, the females from other regions could rapidly crawl over to fill in.


    Moreover, Catherine had also defeated Kimberly Cabrella, the deputy director of the Power Station and the leading authority on prosthetics research, which attested to her combat strength.


    ¡°My chat with Prophet Marko shouldn¡¯t have lasted long, right? Twenty minutes? Half an hour?


    In such a short time, Catherine died once? Could it be that when she reached Center Street, the skin had completely covered it, causing her to lose her nightmare-related privileges.


    Did she get caught off guard and suddenly fell victim to a joint sneak attack by Spacy and Teacher Zede?¡±


    No¡­ Catherine couldn¡¯t have made such a rookie mistake, otherwise, she would have been caught in Zion long ago.


    There must have been a ¡°[Variable],¡± a [Variable] that greatly exceeded Catherine¡¯s predictions;so who brought about this variable?¡±


    Unlike others who would habitually speculate about the mysterious Wrinkled Skin Spacy,


    when a variable was mentioned, an image instantly surfaced in Yi Chen¡¯s mind¡ªa ¡®paradise full of gym equipment, with Teacher Zede sitting in the center beckoning¡¯.


    As Yi Chen was thinking, drip-drop~


    A highly viscous liquid smoking like ink dripped down from above, and Yi Chen hastily stepped back.


    The liquid increased in volume until something dissolved through the floor¡­


    Thud!


    A Human Egg with tentacles on its base smashed down, its surface etched with lines corresponding to countless smiling faces.


    Creak~ The top of the egg split open like a blooming flower into four sections,


    and there sat Catherine, knees hugged to her chest, coated in nightmare slime, her eyes opening in shock.


    Ah!


    A piercing scream, a blend of multiple female voices, echoed through the Library.


    Catherine, clothed in slime, rose and threw herself into Yi Chen¡¯s embrace.


    Her petite body shook with fear, her arms tightening around Yi Chen.


    ¡°So scary, to be forcefully killed! William, how could such a terrifying monster be mixed among you humans¡­ I¡¯m done playing! I want to go home!¡±


    But Yi Chen showed no sympathy, his face dark as he said:


    ¡°Hey~ can you stop pretending, Catherine? Spit it out, what exactly happened? You, such a cunning person, actually faltered, what did you encounter?¡±


    With Yi Chen¡¯s words, Catherine naturally lost her enthusiasm.


    ¡°Tch~ even if you see through someone¡¯s acting, don¡¯t call it out~ really, no sense of fun at all.


    What else is there to explain? I was killed, that¡¯s all! Anyway, I¡¯ve realized it¡¯s not just me who was killed.¡±


    ¡°Not just you, what do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Mozander was killed too~ That guy is probably sitting on the little bed of the circus, crying his eyes out right now.


    I never expected that a small human tribe could cultivate such a monster;it truly exceeded my expectations. The old Skin Market seems quite knowledgeable in nurturing talent.¡±


    ¡°Is it Zede or Wrinkled Skin?¡±


    ¡°Just look at the scoreboard, I¡¯ve already modified the scores.¡±


    On the scoreboard, the Prophet¡¯s name had been crossed out after his departure.


    Out of the remaining two, Wrinkled Skin¡¯s score remained unchanged, while Zede¡¯s score had been revised once more.


    [Corpse-Hogney Zed]


    *As this person¡¯s strength far exceeded the game¡¯s settings, the method for acquiring scores has been changed.


    Permission is granted to form alliances to kill and expel this individual. Once successful, a total of 50 points will be distributed according to each person¡¯s contribution. If a game participant manages to enslave this person, they will achieve ultimate victory in the game.


    ¡°So it is Teacher Zede, isn¡¯t it¡­¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t reveal his relationship with Zede, feigning a solemn demeanor as he replied:


    ¡°Catherine, do you want to join forces with me?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter~ There are two of them, too, right? One erodes my nightmares through skin transplants, while the other hides in the shadows, stalking and hunting.¡±


    ¡°If we really manage to kill in alliance, how can we ensure the fairness of score distribution?¡±


    When Catherine heard this, she pouted angrily, which was uncharacteristic of her usual ¡®well-behaved¡¯ self, ¡°William, we¡¯ve been together for so long, can¡¯t we even trade the most basic trust?¡±


    ¡°Just kidding, let¡¯s join forces if you want to.


    How about I go deal with Wrinkled Skin Spacy first? Otherwise, he might keep causing trouble during our alliance, spreading his ¡®skin¡¯ influence incessantly.¡±


    ¡°Pah! Missy here has already investigated at the cost of ¡®death¡¯, and the one responsible for the skin transplants basically doesn¡¯t act, but focuses entirely on performing dream skin planting. He seems to trust that eyeless corpse a lot.


    We just need to join hands to deal with Zede alone, and if we encounter any interference from the skin along the way, we can figure out a temporary solution to break it.


    Remember, William, you and I are allies. Any tendencies to hold back, or even to lead me to death during our collaboration, will be detected by the Soul Contract.


    You must cooperate with me earnestly to kill the opponent.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as long as you, Catherine, keep your promise, I definitely won¡¯t play any tricks.


    It¡¯s just a corpse, isn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s take care of him!¡±


    Having learned that both the third ringmaster of the Circus and Catherine had been killed by Teacher Zede once before, Yi Chen had already begun to predict the final course of the game.


    Moreover,


    Yi Chen was also curious to see,


    how high the true level of Teacher Zede was, who had always treated him as a student, and how he managed to defeat, and even kill, the two circus members head-on.


    ¡­


    [Power Station ¨C Dream Room]


    Upon awakening, Prophet Marko and Martin performed a self-check with the highest speed.


    He didn¡¯t share any experiences from the dream, nor did he call for any assistance. He simply left early, citing physical discomfort as his reason.


    The reason was simple;he could deduce that many in Zion were already affected by nightmares on a subconscious level, and even the Power Station might have been infiltrated.


    Otherwise, the opposition couldn¡¯t have accessed their personal data to create this nightmare game.


    If the Prophet made a show of eradicating the nightmares, there was a high chance that he would prematurely trigger the ¡®switches¡¯ embedded in the citizens¡¯ brains, leading to a city-wide outbreak of nightmares.


    Marko and Martin had to move in secret, trying their best to remove the latent nightmare threats from the brains of Zion¡¯s citizens before the end of the game.


    After a perfect disguise, he randomly appeared in the residences of some solitary gentlemen, starting from the lower streets. Before the residents could react, he used mental suppression to forcibly induce unconsciousness in them.


    Utilizing the detection method he learned in the nightmare, he implanted a ¡®spiritual wave band¡¯ similar to an antigen into their thinking.


    The results were shocking to Marko,


    Five randomly-selected residents all produced reactions, with a small amount of nightmare substance leaking from their nostrils, and one even underwent a mutation, showing an eerie smile with tiny tentacles growing from all five orifices.


    ¡°Such a high proportion?


    If the lower sector is over 80% eroded in thought, relying solely on myself will not be enough to eradicate it by the end of the game. It¡¯s necessary to call for help.¡±


    Just as Marko and Martin stepped out of the lower sector residence in their disguises, a crisp and rhythmic sound of hammering attracted his attention.


    The stall of [Maid Pancakes] came into view,


    A maid, who looked quick and professional at her task but was actually quite unskilled, was making pancakes for her customers. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Is that¡­ Yuri¡¯s maid?¡±

 Chapter 317: Sense of Oppression

    In the library.


    Yi Chen and Catherine were warming up for their joint operation, a ¡°door¡± leading to Central Street had been created.


    Before they set off, Yi Chen asked again, ¡°Hey, can you share your previous death memories with me? Aren¡¯t we teammates now?¡±


    ¡°Psh! Like I¡¯d show you! Who would voluntarily talk about their embarrassing moments? Besides, although we are working together, we are still competitors.


    This is intelligence I paid for with my life, if you want it, you¡¯ll have to figure out your own way.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright~ got it.¡±


    The ¡°door¡± created by Catherine corresponded to a building on the very edge of Central Street.


    As soon as they entered, Catherine¡¯s whole demeanor changed in an instant.


    Her focus wasn¡¯t outside the building but rather the two-story flat which they were currently in.


    The first step was ¡°Organic Separation,¡±


    Three entities, very similar in appearance to her, split from her back, mouth, and abdominal cavity respectively, to search and surveil different areas of the room. They could even live independently, without affecting one another.


    Following this,


    she kept pulling out scare magic boxes covered with black and white squares from her pocket,


    scattering them randomly across different areas of the room, S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    some of the magic boxes were placed out in the open,


    while others were fully integrated into the floor or walls. Using this mix of conspicuous and hidden boxes made it easier to trap the target.


    ¡°Catherine seems to care more about the space inside the building¡­ Is it because she was ambushed inside a building before?¡± Yi Chen mused, a pitch-black vertical ¡°Nightmare Eye¡± already open on his forehead.


    Since the building was monitored with Catherine¡¯s measures and she took the initiative to keep watch,


    Yi Chen cautiously approached the window to observe the specific situation on Central Street, and what he saw was alarming.


    Almost the entire view was covered in ¡°skin,¡± with over 80% of the area already occupied.


    The nightmare residents on the street had also been transformed into Skin Slaves,


    pear-shaped individuals that retained only their mouth while their bodies were wrinkled with skin, wandering the streets seemingly enjoying the sensation of their feet on the skin-like ground.


    Because the building Yi Chen was in was only two stories tall, he couldn¡¯t see the specifics of the Central Church and, of course, he couldn¡¯t catch a glimpse of the teacher either.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go check out the rooftop.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ fine~ Go ahead! After all, the view is blocked here.¡±


    Catherine instinctively grabbed Yi Chen¡¯s wrist, subconsciously stopping him from going upstairs. But the next second, it seemed she had a change of heart, releasing her tight grip and waving goodbye instead.


    ¡°Hmm, if I find an opportunity at the wrinkled skin area, can I attack it?¡±


    ¡°You can judge for yourself. Anyway, as soon as you step into the domain of skin, all related nightmare privileges will be completely invalidated, making you fully exposed to surveillance, and Zede will naturally come after you.¡±


    Yi Chen gave an ¡®OK¡¯ sign and stepped onto the stairs.


    Although he seemed casual, the tension inside him grew as time passed. With every step he climbed, he carefully confirmed whether the environmental factors around him had changed.


    At the same time, he triggered the residual essence of Moon Transformation within him, dyeing his hair silver as much as possible to conceal his identity.


    His body blended slowly into the environment, standing at the edge of the roof, peering toward the distant church.


    ¡°As I thought, the wrinkled skin isn¡¯t interested in fighting at all, focusing entirely on skin transplantation, leaving everything to teacher Zede¡­ However, they should have only just met, and yet they trust each other so much already?


    As Catherine said, getting close to the church is a dead end;we can pretty much give up on that ¡®scoring point.¡¯


    Whew¡­ let me see just how strong the teacher really is. If he is truly powerful enough, he can lead the game to its final outcome.¡±


    While Yi Chen was contemplating,


    a shadow slowly crept up the corner of the roof behind him, gradually revealing a human form.


    The global vision provided by Little Grape immediately relayed this scene to Yi Chen, the primary subject, and his back was instantly covered in cold sweat.


    What he saw was not at all the everyday image of a teacher, but rather a ¡®perfect corpse.¡¯


    Pale and devoid of any color,


    you could see the blood vessels within the body through the skin. Though they appeared random, they could represent the human vascular system perfectly, to the delight of those at the forefront of medical research.


    His body proportions were as flawless as Da Vinci¡¯s drawing of the ¡°Vitruvian Man,¡± beyond reproach.


    All of his muscles were still, along with his heart,


    becoming a ¡°Physical Perception Detector,¡± able to clearly sense any presence and activity of fleshly beings within a ten-kilometer radius.


    Moreover, as the number of Skin Slaves increased, the less flesh it took to sense, allowing Zede to detect anyone entering the Central Street area immediately.


    However, none of that was the most terrifying aspect.


    The reason William¡¯s hair stood on end and cold sweat covered his back was the aura emanating from this corpse.


    Everywhere he had crawled felt as though it were piled with corpses, the more he observed, the more William felt as though he was being dragged into an abyss of flesh.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, why can¡¯t I move?!¡±


    Just as William tried to move his body to confront Teacher Zede, who was crawling up behind him, something unexpected happened,


    his ¡°control¡± over his body had been stripped away almost entirely, leaving only his ten fingers still able to move with difficulty.


    In the blink of an eye,


    the concrete floor beneath William¡¯s feet turned into innumerable piles of corpses. When he raised his head, the night sky too had transformed into high walls built from stacks of bodies¡­ It was as if he had fallen into a demon cave named ¡®corpses¡¯.


    Icy cold arms from the corpses were tightly grasping William¡¯s head, limbs, and even tearing open his flesh to grip his organs within, completely restricting movements by seizing control of his body.


    Unable to move,


    a perfectly proportioned corpse was slowly crawling toward him from behind. William was like an insect trapped in a spider¡¯s web, forced to watch himself being devoured entirely,


    This feeling was unbearably terrible, even evoking a deep-rooted fear inside William.


    3m¡­


    2m¡­


    1m¡­


    Two pale fingers were slowly extending from behind his head, as if about to squeeze his cheeks and forcefully pull his head off.


    In a critical moment,


    the corpse in front of William, responsible for restraining his heart and blood vessels, suddenly looked up to reveal a deformed ¡®smile¡¯.


    The next second, it spat out a large number of nightmare tentacles and fell to the ground, motionless.


    Soon after, the surrounding group of corpses also became infected with the smile,


    The corpse demon cave formed by the aura was torn apart in an instant,


    A sharp female voice echoed by William¡¯s ears, ¡°William, hurry up and move! We ladies have come specially to rescue you¡­¡±


    However, just as Catherine rose from the ground,


    a pale hand had already landed on the center of her chest, perfectly timing the moment.


    Crack!


    With just one palm strike, Catherine¡¯s body began to disassemble, collapse, shred, knead, and twist, as if countless forms of physical assault were piled upon her, with numerous female bodies dying in the process.


    A one-hit kill!


    However, this was not Catherine¡¯s real body, but a clone that had split off downstairs, intended to act as bait.


    The moment the clone was killed,


    Catherine¡¯s real body, along with two other clones, simultaneously burst out from the ground, using tentacles that had grown all over their bodies to completely seal off Zede.


    Besides joint locks, the tentacles were wrapped around every part of Zede¡¯s body.


    William naturally wouldn¡¯t miss such an excellent opportunity,


    Black liquid congealed, forming a dangerously sharp hand axe firmly in his hand,


    Squish squish~ Six tentacles from behind also gathered, jointly aiding the right arm,


    Swinging a Death Slash with the nightmare in concert with his physical body.


    Just as he was about to succeed!


    A strong resonance emanated from within Zede¡¯s pale corpse, the tentacles wrapped around his body instantly breaking apart and shattering.


    He seemed to easily break free from the constraints and made a slapping motion,


    His palm precisely struck the surface of the incoming hand axe.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    William watched in disbelief at the unfolding events,


    His right arm simply vanished as if by magic, or perhaps the slap had turned it into a pulp too quickly for the eye to see.


    Just as William attempted to put distance between himself and Zede,


    ten cold fingers had already touched his cheeks, *crack*


    The body successfully completed the brain¡¯s command to jump back, retreating more than ten meters away,


    However, the head remained in Zede¡¯s hand, crushed before any reaction could ensue!


    ¡°You have died, points deducted -5.¡±

 Chapter 318: Dressing

    When his head was crushed by Zede, the instant he was declared dead,


    Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness immediately felt a call from the depths of the nightmare, as if a multitude of black tentacles rose from the deepest muck, dragging at his very being.


    As he continued to sink with the drag of the tentacles,


    there was nothing below, just a warm, primal darkness.


    His consciousness was wrapped layer by layer in silt, while his physical structure began to ferment, expand, and perfect on the surface.


    By the time this wondrous process completely ended,


    pop!


    A giant egg festooned with tentacles on the bottom dropped vertically into the Library area.


    The top of the egg bloomed like a flower,


    Yi Chen sat upright within, hugging his knees, still sporting his bun hairstyle, but his clothing was nowhere to be found.


    Unlike Catherine,


    Yi Chen was experiencing death and rebirth in the nightmare for the first time.


    Even though his physical reconstruction was complete,


    his entire brain still felt buried deep in the mud, overwhelmed by a sense of compression, dizziness, and weight, eventually unable to bear it, he supported himself on his hands and vomited violently.


    The Library janitors rushed in response to the commotion, using soft tubes grown at their mouths, quickly cleaned away Yi Chen¡¯s vomit.


    It took a full five minutes to recover,


    and with a wry smile, he recalled his brief experience of being killed by Zede in an instant.


    ¡°Teacher Zede¡¯s true level is just too terrifying¡­ That perfect corpse form must be Teacher¡¯s ¡®Restriction Release,¡¯ right? It¡¯s my first time seeing Teacher using that form.


    That body even comes with an aura or domain effect,


    anyone who peers at this perfect corpse will fall into the ¡®Corpse Demon Cave¡¯ and be stripped of the control over their body.


    In that situation, if I wanted to forcibly take back control of my body and used ¡®Dead Man Makeup,¡¯ I probably could have managed it, but by doing so my control over my body would be noticed by Teacher, and even my identity might be exposed.


    If Teacher spared me, it might violate the contract I signed with Catherine.


    But if I didn¡¯t give it my all, I would have just been killed in an instant¡­ quite the dilemma.


    I¡¯ve thought it over and there¡¯s only ¡®The only way¡¯ left~ I¡¯ll wait for Catherine to return here, and then I¡¯ll ask to try it out. Faced with a situation that exceeds the game¡¯s settings, she should agree.¡±


    Yi Chen leaned on the Library¡¯s railing, continuing to excitedly talk to himself,


    ¡°This is just too thrilling~ with the nightmare privilege of infinite death, I can fight Teacher Zede at his full strength multiple times. The feeling is just too great.


    No wonder Teacher Zede, for his uncontrollable crime within the Organization, wasn¡¯t treated as a Death Row Inmate but was labeled as ¡®Special Record Combat Power¡¯ and imprisoned.


    Even if I can¡¯t win, at least I want to see what Teacher Zede¡¯s ¡®Frame¡¯ on his head really looks like.¡±


    For some reason, the killed Yi Chen felt somewhat ¡®addicted¡¯;more precisely, it should be called a physical addiction.


    Originating from the most fundamental struggle instinct of humans as a species, any man¡¯s male hormones would be ignited upon seeing such a perfect body as Teacher Zede¡¯s,


    wanting to challenge such impeccable power, longing for the most basic physical collision to determine the victor.


    With human civilization¡¯s advancement, perhaps pulling a trigger can take a life, perhaps throwing a bomb can kill a group of people, or perhaps holding a weapon against unarmed people can allow one to kill wantonly.


    But this always touches upon a foundational problem,


    such struggles between people become less pure due to the inclusion of ¡®external factors¡¯;the purity of the contest is greatly diminished.


    Therefore, humanity has started to organize some ¡®legalized¡¯ combat competitions, where weapons are prohibited, relying solely on individual physical confrontation.


    The audience below, and even those watching in front of the TV, are stirred by such primal physical struggle, their blood boiling, even willing to bet heavy gold to increase their own ¡®sense of participation¡¯.


    That¡¯s exactly how Yi Chen felt at the moment;he was completely fascinated by Zede¡¯s physicality, eagerly wanting to engage in this most primitive confrontation.


    Even if he were killed, it would be immensely satisfying.


    ¡°Catherine, this guy, how can she hold out so long this time? I have some things I need to talk to her about¡­¡±


    After waiting for about an hour,


    splat¡ªa giant egg fell heavily in front of Yi Chen. Before the egg could even open, Catherine kicked her way out from inside it, climbing out furiously.


    Due to her rage, you could even see numerous female faces protruding from the surface of Catherine¡¯s skin, wailing and roaring along with her.


    ¡°This guy can be this strong?


    I wasn¡¯t ambushed this time;I was still unable to win even in a direct confrontation? Speaking of which, William, you¡¯re too weak, getting killed in an instant. So much for the promise of fighting together;it¡¯s just me resisting the enemy alone.¡±


    Yi Chen spread his hands, ¡°How can I not be weak? Mr. Zede has the perfection of gentleman¡¯s clothes to strengthen him, and I have nothing. The ¡®Nightmare Power¡¯ I got from you, Catherine, is handy, but no matter what, this new gain is always somewhat unfamiliar and can¡¯t possibly compare with the [Costume] that has grown with me.


    Catherine, let me bring the [Costume] in¡­ only then can I bring out my real strength.¡±


    As Yi Chen made this suggestion, Catherine¡¯s emotions also immediately subsided.


    She took small hopping steps to get close to Yi Chen, tiptoeing so their eyes were almost touching.


    From such a close inspection, Catherine found no impurities between Yi Chen¡¯s eyes, verifying that he indeed wanted to use the costume to combat Zede, not to pull any tricks.


    ¡°Fine, I didn¡¯t expect the opponent to be able to bring in the costume.


    But I must warn you! Don¡¯t try any tricks using the costume. Violating our partnership contract would result in annihilation on a soul level.


    I¡¯ll go get it for you¡­ just wait a moment.¡±


    As the ruler of nightmares, Catherine easily returned to the surface of the dream and woke up.


    She took down the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ sealed in nightmares from the wall and personally dressed Yi Chen in it.


    The moment the costume touched his physique, numerous threads immediately burrowed underneath his skin,


    Not just the effect of high Skin Content, but some deep soul contract also reactivated, and a yellow substance quickly flowed into Yi Chen¡¯s soul.


    The next second,


    Yi Chen, situated in the Nightmare Library, was already wearing the [Costume].


    However, the costume presented in the dream looked different. To conceal his identity as a gentleman, Yi Chen naturally couldn¡¯t retain the costume¡¯s original appearance.


    He roughened, aged, even shattered the iconic appearance of the gentleman¡¯s clothes.


    The costume was further adorned with leather embellishments, with the edge of the garment tails reflecting a feeling of fiery ash passing away.


    The most important thing was letting Yellow Skin gain the dominant position, suppressing the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ so that Wrinkled Skin Spacy and teacher Zede would not discover in combat that it was a gentleman¡¯s costume.


    The Yellow Skin, once capable of causing chaos in the Skin Market, naturally achieved this with ease, while also displaying a little yellow leather cape. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Catherine, being active in the circus for years, had not heard of the disturbance in the Skin Market, let alone known that Yellow Skin was involved.


    ¡°Quite an odd style~ It even makes me feel strange at first glance.¡±


    In response to Catherine¡¯s words, Yi Chen acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard at all, his entire focus on the costume.


    Making Yellow Skin the leading component of the costume was a first for Yi Chen, resulting in even higher conformity with the costume than before.


    If the past fit was 100%, it was now 150%.


    Because Yellow Skin completely permeated the physique, perfectly combining with Yi Chen¡¯s consciousness. It felt as if he could perform [Restriction Release] at any time.

 Chapter 319: The Assault

    Just as Yi Chen was feeling the closeness of his clothing, strands of yellow silk threads emerged between his retinas.


    ¡°I can sense the restlessness of combat emanating from the depths of your flesh and bones.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, I am about to face an opponent who is infinitely close to physical perfection, and I wish to confront him with the most primitive form of hand-to-hand combat.


    Besides, I¡¯ll need your help, Yellow Skin, to cover up the gentleman¡¯s identity;there¡¯s another gentleman with a Skin Content of 100% undergoing Skin Transplant in the dream.¡±


    The yellow lines shifted, and the text changed. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°You wish to satisfy both physical struggle and identity concealment simultaneously? Then it shall be as you conducted in your previous slaughter training. I will make the necessary adjustments to ¡®Restriction Removal,¡¯ primarily enhancing the ¡®inner skin.''¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°As long as it¡¯s within the covenant period, I will do my best to assist you. Moreover, I am quite interested in this kind of primitive conflict.¡±


    The simple exchange concluded,


    Yi Chen began performing some bizarre warm-up exercises,


    such as fully wrapping his arms around to his back for a vertical stretch, and a complete fold-forward waist bend, with his back and legs sticking together, and so on.


    All of these exaggerated warm-up exercises were from Zede,


    who always had to use such exercises to completely relax the body before going to the paradise gym, otherwise, one could likely pass out during the workout.


    Catherine scrutinized Yi Chen¡¯s awkward posture,


    ¡°William, why do I feel like you¡¯re full of energy, even more pumped than when you first joined the Nightmare game? Don¡¯t tell me you have a masochistic streak? After tasting the flavor of physical breakdown, you want even more?¡±


    ¡°You could say that.¡±


    ¡°Ah! Fantastic¡­ I¡¯m a bit of a sadist myself. Once I win this game, I¡¯ll definitely take you back to the Circus, and we¡¯ll have a lot to talk about then.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about that after you win;right now, your score is lower than mine. Let¡¯s stop the chit-chat and move on.¡±


    ¡°All right!¡±


    Catherine drew a [Door] connecting to Central Street. With a Skin Transplant degree over 80%, the choice of teleportation points was limited.


    This time the [Door] corresponded to an elementary school in Nightmare Town, situated at the edge of Central Street.


    The school building, made of red bricks and L-shaped, came with a playground and an indoor basketball court.


    Even in the dead of night, one could still hear the clear reading voices and the squadrons of running footsteps.


    The elementary students completed ¡®Body Separation¡¯ autonomously. Their heads were hung in the classrooms for reading, while their bodies were engaged in various sports on the playground;some even played basketball in the gymnasium with their heads.


    Standing in the corridor, Yi Chen, upon seeing this scene, said softly, ¡°Catherine, do you really have such a wicked taste?¡±


    ¡°What wicked taste? It¡¯s but an artistic expression of reality from this lady. Don¡¯t teachers in real schools want students to excel in both arts and sports? Wouldn¡¯t their efficiency greatly improve by acting independently in this way?¡±


    ¡°Fine, but these teachers and students are of no use here. Zede can locate us purely through Physical Perception directly, and no matter how we camouflage ourselves, he¡¯ll spot us instantly.


    Let¡¯s hurry and set up in preparation for battle.¡±


    ¡°Hmm! Makes sense. Since these teachers and students are useless, why not use them to replenish some energy?¡±


    Catherine spread her arms, and all the teachers and students in the school transformed into nightmare material and were absorbed into her body¡­ Different from last time, Catherine handed a small cloth bag to Yi Chen.


    ¡°William, this elementary school just happens to be on the opposite side of the place where we last died. It¡¯ll take that guy a few minutes to get here.


    This time let¡¯s expand the battleground and use the entire school building to fight. Help me set up traps everywhere.


    Last time, since you ran up to the roof alone, Zede didn¡¯t get a chance to step on my Magic Boxes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen grabbed a handful of Scare Magic Boxes from the cloth bag, following Catherine¡¯s lead, scattering them casually in various classrooms and the hallways.


    Once everything was set up, the two gathered in a certain classroom, deliberately sitting in the very center, quietly waiting for Zede¡¯s arrival.


    Staring at the clock on the blackboard, their heartbeats even began to sync with the movement of the second hand.


    Because they didn¡¯t know when Zede would arrive or in what manner he would attack,


    the impatient feeling brought about by the unknown intensified over time. Suddenly, Catherine reached out and crushed the hanging clock, then retracted her hand and gently patted her chest.


    ¡°Phew~ I haven¡¯t felt this nervous in a long time! Is being the prey this thrilling¡­?¡±


    ¡°Catherine, steady your nerves~ Mr. Zede will seize any flaw that we reveal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just the destruction of a wall clock, there won¡¯t be anything¡­¡±


    He had only spoken halfway when


    a pale arm suddenly pierced through the floor, gripping Catherine¡¯s leg tightly.


    This was no ordinary ¡®grab¡¯;the moment the five fingers clutched her lower leg, a sense of bodily control instantly spread, rendering Catherine completely immobile.


    She was yanked downward¡­ Boom!


    The ground shattered completely, and Catherine¡¯s body was instantly pulled downwards.


    She plummeted through two floors without any sign of stopping, seemingly intent on dragging Catherine into the depths below, forcibly erasing her.


    During the fall,


    Catherine opened her mouth wide, making a vomiting motion.


    She decisively abandoned her current physical shell and wriggled out a fresher, more tender body from her mouth, landing securely in the first-floor classroom.


    On the other side,


    seeing that he held only an empty husk, Zede grasped the thighs and tore the shell apart like ¡®hand-torn chicken¡¯, then slowly crawled towards Catherine.


    ¡°This guy¡­ is very cautious, huh~ Always choosing to break us one by one, and now you decide to kill me first? Do you really think I¡¯m that easy to kill?¡±


    Catherine was also infuriated,


    She jabbed a finger directly into her brain, embedding a ¡°war thought¡± into her own brain. The body that received the thought immediately began undergoing structural aberrations.


    More muscles, more bones, more senses, and many more structures that transcended the human body.


    [Feet]: Supported by eight nightmare tentacles, they upheld a body about four meters tall.


    It was not just about becoming taller, but an overall enlargement of physique,


    [Torso]: It evolved into a kind of ¡®female body meat grinder¡¯, splitting vertically along the midline, with girls with ¡®sharp wits and teeth,¡¯ acting as saw blades embedded on both sides, ready to tear any prey to shreds with their serrated sharp teeth upon approach.


    [Arms]: Four arms, or to be precise, two additional deformed arms growing out of the back,


    The two in front were relatively normal, one holding a clown¡¯s signature large hammer, the other clad in black gloves.


    The two on the back were more abstract;one resembling a bone saw even had its chain teeth rotating at high speed driven by the muscles.


    The other, like scissors, the split arms capable of high-speed shearing of the target.


    Each arm was primarily controlled by a woman who excelled in that domain,


    [Head]: Catherine sat in the brain like a commander, directing this physical-level war.


    The corresponding head was equally peculiar;her black hair draped down just to her chest, exposing a woman¡¯s face sprinkled with eyes to enhance observational capability.


    Furthermore,


    Her occipital region along with her back were crowded with over thirty women¡¯s heads, all used for vigilance, to not miss any of Zede¡¯s movements.


    However,


    faced with Catherine in such a stance,


    a thrill of excitement showed under the black cloth covering Zede¡¯s eyes, and he didn¡¯t hesitate to charge directly at her!


    As he leaped into the air, ready to collide head-on with Catherine,


    Boom!


    The ceiling shattered.


    A figure with yellowish skin suddenly descended,


    Zede was slightly puzzled because the aura he remembered from the nightmare youth he had killed before was not this one. Relying on his perfect physique, he swung upward with a [Palm Strike] in mid-air.


    The attack from the other was a [Hand Blade].


    Crack!


    The five fingers of the hand blade shattered with compound fractures, the wrist and elbow dislocated, and the yellow figure was slammed away.


    But¡­ Zede¡¯s assault was halted as well.


    The palm he had just swung was cut with an 8cm wound.

 Chapter 320: Catherines Impulse

    Zede momentarily abandoned his desire to kill, his limbs compressing like springs before exploding with terrifying leaping power.


    Crash! He shattered the classroom window and landed in the elementary school¡¯s playground area.


    This was Zede¡¯s second time choosing to distance himself,


    The first was when he faced the third ringmaster of the Circus, Mozander¡ªupon the latter revealing a complete pathological trait, ¡°Polydactyly (six-toed),¡± Zede chose to temporarily retreat, sensing the danger and realizing the need for caution.


    And this time, there were two reasons for his retreat.


    First, the situation exceeded his estimations;the young nightmare he had seen as weaker than Catherine had shown a level of strength far surpassing their previous encounter.


    If there were two nightmares of equal strength with different styles, he needed to treat them seriously.


    Second, during the recent physical collision, although Zede had the upper hand, his palm had been sliced open to a flesh-deep extent, and even several seconds later, there was a throbbing pain.


    He could clearly feel the nerves in his palm continuously transmitting signals of pain to his brain,


    If the palm were considered an independent entity, it was as though it had just clashed with a desperate criminal, nearly being chopped off entirely.


    However, this kind of physical collision also excited Zede considerably.


    As Zede actively increased the distance,


    The two nightmares in the classroom followed in pursuit.


    Ha ha ha ah!


    Catherine was as usual, her eight tentacles supporting her massive body as she burst through the walls of the school building, emitting layers of female laughter as she bore down on the playground.


    The other nightmare was much more reserved, stepping out of the school building with completely quiet footsteps.


    Though graceful and dignified in manner, his appearance was quite bizarre.


    His coat had completely integrated into his skin, leaving only a white shirt visible, along with a dark tie adorned with octopus tentacle patterns.


    The lower half of his attire was entirely designed from a nightmare,


    Concentrating all the nightmare traits obtained from Catherine into his lower body, he wore trousers flowing with black fluid, and a pair of shoes marked with tentacle patterns and adorned with golden octopus tips.


    This was essentially a transfer of the traits from the six tentacles on Yi Chen¡¯s back entirely to his lower body, with the shoes being the focal point.


    The soles of the shoes could sprout tentacles at any moment to aid in running, gliding, and leaping, greatly enhancing mobility and making them more suitable for close combat.


    Of course, this was merely external decoration;the true terror lay in Yi Chen¡¯s posture.


    His shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbow,


    The exposed forearms were bizarrely covered with brain-like fold patterns, as if every muscle, every patch of skin, and even the surface of his blood vessels had structured patterns.


    Yi Chen could cover these conspicuous grooves with skin coverage, making his appearance seem like that of an ordinary person, but he opted not to do so.


    Since he was now in his nightmare identity, he naturally emphasized such grotesque and absurd forms,


    [Restriction Removal¡ªFull-Body Epileptic Skin]


    *Utilizing the ¡®connectivity¡¯ of the skin to channel and excite epileptic symptoms, spreading its pathological nature throughout the body.


    In addition to spreading the brain structure with epileptic symptoms throughout the body,


    The iron chain material fused within was also covered by a layer of skin, fashioned into a ¡®skin tendril structure¡¯ that acted as the body¡¯s framework and bearings, significantly enhancing flexibility and resistance to blows.


    Moreover, the Death Black Liquid spread with the full-body epilepsy to every part of the body, making it easy to call upon.


    Whether it was a straight punch, hand blade, high sweep, or knee strike, the Black Liquid could be summoned at the point of impact, increasing the destructiveness of the attack.


    The so-called [Restriction Release] is about completely removing the restrictions on the skin, awakening its inherent pathological traits.


    The Gentleman¡¯s Skin, mass-produced by the bleak Skin Market and delivered by the ¡°First Gentleman,¡± is fundamentally a kind of leather that is heavily packaged and restrained, not highlighting Pathological Traits to be more readily accepted by humans.


    All members within the G&D Organization rely on this type of skin to connect with the Old World, unlocking a pathogenetic growth path, allowing them to survive in such a world.


    Although the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± does not limit human development, permitting the Gentlemen to combine and develop different pathogenic symptoms, their initial pathogenetic enlightenment starts with the skin.


    Aside from cases like Jin, who intended to sever ties with the ¡°Skin¡± from the beginning, most Gentlemen are highly dependent on it.


    Restriction Removal is no longer treating skin as an ¡®external equipment¡¯, but fully integrating it into the body, combining scattered illness traits to maximize their efficiency, or developing the skin¡¯s related traits completely like Wrinkled Skin Spacy.


    For Yi Chen,


    The [Skin] under Restriction Removal serves an integrating function, merging all the illness traits contained within the body, evolving and developing towards a single goal: ¡°physical struggle.¡±


    This is Yi Chen¡¯s strongest close-combat form at the current stage;even if killed, it was of no concern, he only hoped to present Zede with a satisfactory answer through this.


    Crack crack¡ªfingers moved, joints resonated.


    The palm that Zede had shattered was now fully repaired, the movement of the fingers rhythmic, as if eager to engage in a physical collision like before.


    During Catherine and Yi Chen¡¯s side-by-side approach toward the playground,


    Zede, who had always crawled, now stood up,


    and his body simultaneously conjured up clothing to maintain the ¡®gentlemanly image¡¯.


    As Zede rolled up his sleeves past his elbows and folded his pants into three cuffs, his feet began rhythmically tapping in a bouncing step, performing a warm-up movement reminiscent of a free fight.


    Hum!


    A drastically different aura spread from under his feet, even making Catherine stop in her tracks, as female heads on her body broke into a cold sweat.


    Yi Chen also stopped, his sharp physical perception catching a distinct threat,


    If previously the Zede who always crept from dark corners was like a dagger in the shadows, now he was like two broadswords laid openly before them.


    ¡°Could it be that Teacher Zede¡¯s previous ¡®crawling posture¡¯ was only for assassination? And this upright stance is his true combat mode? Be careful, Catherine¡­¡±


    ¡°Mind yourself, William! Get ready to coordinate with me, a pincer attack from the front and back.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    No sooner had their words fallen than the eight tentacles beneath Catherine accelerated instantly,


    Yi Chen, in his leather shoes, kept pace with this speed,


    The two of them flanked Zede from left and right, completely encircling him,


    Perhaps it was an unspoken understanding born of a nightmare that bound them, they both positioned themselves and attacked at the same time.


    Yi Chen still employed the hand blade,


    while Catherine, more aggressive, swung her four arms simultaneously, some targeting Zede¡¯s main body, others blocking off potential escape routes.


    However,


    faced with the combined assault, Zede continued his rhythmic bouncing step, totally indifferent to the incoming attacks.


    ¡°Something is off with Teacher Zede¡­ In this situation, if he does not counterattack or dodge immediately, he will inevitably sustain hits from both me and Catherine, impossible to avoid.


    What exactly is Teacher thinking?


    No¡­ what am I thinking?


    Such a simple thing, yet I still need to consider it! Teacher¡¯s favorite thing is to take hits;he¡¯s waiting for our attack, to turn it around in the moment of impact.¡±


    Yi Chen decisively withdrew his hand blade, shouting loudly, ¡°Catherine! Pull back!¡±


    Sadly, under the influence of the war mindset, Catherine simply couldn¡¯t hear him.


    The heavy hammer in her first hand came down first, and Zede stopped his bouncing, still making no attempt to dodge.


    Strike!


    The heavy hammer hit Zede¡¯s right shoulder,


    Crack¡ªthe joint moved.


    With a seamless shoulder bone movement combined with muscular motion,


    Zede dissipated at least 95% of the force, also causing the hammer to veer off and eventually fall to the ground beside him. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even Catherine¡¯s own balance was slightly affected, tilting a bit.


    The other three arms followed in close succession,


    However¡­


    The hand encased in a black glove was snapped off, flung far onto the road a hundred meters away,


    The scissor-like arm was completely torn in two and couldn¡¯t close again.


    As for the last arm, shaped like a bone saw, Zede, with a ¡®joint lock,¡¯ turned it to plunge into Catherine¡¯s own head.


    Zede, then, landed behind Catherine,


    slightly twisting his right arm, some of its striped muscles in a coiling state to build up strength and vary the type of force output.


    With a spiraling palm strike, he hit the center of Catherine¡¯s back, accompanying it with words:


    ¡°Compared to the last two times, you were too impatient this time. Think it over and come at me again.¡±


    Swish!


    A rain of ink-colored blood mixed with black hair and teeth fell across the campus, the entire process smooth and swift, taking no more than six seconds.


    Only leaving two humanoid figures facing one another in the field.


    A swallow of saliva went down Yi Chen¡¯s throat, both fear and excitement amplified¡­


    ¡°Is this Teacher¡¯s full strength?¡±

 Chapter 321: Physical Learning

    This was already Catherine¡¯s third death. Due to the game settings, the resurrection time increased with each death, and this time it took her half an hour to resurrect.


    As she continually sank into the Nightmare Swamp, Catherine remained conscious,


    reflecting on how her impulsive and reckless behavior had led to her being instantly killed. Unlike her previous two deaths in battle, she did not rage or go crazy, which could have caused some disturbances in parts of the Nightmare Space.


    This time, she was very calm,


    hugging her knees and immersing herself deeply into the nightmare, quietly waiting for her rebirth¡ªher black lips even wearing a slight smile.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ I can¡¯t believe I made such a mistake. If the boss finds out, I¡¯ll definitely be demoted to an apprentice clown, not to mention possibly having to reassess my membership.


    Is it the lengthy vacation that has made me physically lax? Or have I stayed in the circus too long, becoming too arrogant and conceited?


    This death was wonderful;it finally allowed me to calm down and slowly contemplate my deficiencies and stupidity. It¡¯s time to bring out my real skills, Catherine.¡±


    Once resurrected, her form blossomed like a flower,


    Catherine calmly took out the Hundred Treasure Box and began rummaging through it, searching for things at the bottom that hadn¡¯t been used in a long time,


    and it was during this search that she suddenly noticed something:


    ¡°Eh? My resurrection time this time was half an hour¡­ How come William hasn¡¯t died yet?¡±


    ¡­


    Half an hour earlier.


    Catherine¡¯s physical death directly caused ¡®rainfall¡¯ for a long duration.


    Impurities consisting of hair, teeth, and fragmented flesh continuously fell with the raindrops,


    Wearing a faceless mask and with his restrictions released, Yi Chen stood on the playground, his body slightly trembling from the combination of excitement and fear, but soon stabilized it with overall brain control.


    Not far away,


    Zede retracted his striking right hand, rotating his arm 360¡ã back to its original position.


    Even in his state of restriction release, Yi Chen could still see the mountain-like aura of corpses behind Zede.


    Cold sweat slid down his cheeks, saliva swallowed.


    ¡°Any slight flaw will be seized by the teacher;to confront him directly, I must be as flawless as possible, making no mistakes at all.¡±


    At this moment, it was like a super difficult Olympiad exam placed in front of Yi Chen, needing to be smoothly completed within a limited time and must score perfectly.


    There was no time to prepare.


    In the playground¡­ Buzz! A resonating noise was caught by Yi Chen.


    This sound came from Zede¡¯s ankle, through high fiberization and muscle compression at the ligament structures around the ankle joint, along with bone bearings driving movement, achieving a superfast move without obvious movement.


    Seemingly standing still, he could instantly close the distance to strike an unexpected blow.


    Zede named this skill ¡°Instant.¡±


    This was a technique Zede had taught Yi Chen multiple times in paradise, S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Initially, when Yi Chen tried to apply it, he would fall on the spot, his ankle dislocating and swelling as big as a turnip, and once it even led to a bone explosion, piercing through his ankle.


    Until now, although Yi Chen could barely use it, he could only perform ¡°Instant¡± within a five-meter range.


    Currently,


    amidst the falling black rain in the playground, there was a full hundred meters between them.


    Buzz~ As soon as Yi Chen heard this strange sound from the ankle, Zede was already close and swung a palm.


    Because Yi Chen already knew of this technique, his entire body¡¯s nervous system made a superfast response right away, allowing his body to dodge sideways¡­


    Buzz! Zede¡¯s palm strike was perfectly evaded by Yi Chen, hitting nothing.


    [Perfect Evasion]


    Right then, Yi Chen was perfectly positioned at Zede¡¯s side, the best point for attack,


    Through the realization of perfect evasion, Yi Chen could even faintly see the ¡®slaughter line¡¯ located at the back of Zede¡¯s neck.


    Without hesitation!


    A dark substance spread from the skin of his palm, and a hand blade followed closely along the vague ¡°slaughter line,¡± chopping down.


    Perfect Evasion ¡ú Slaughter Line Capture ¡ú Hand Blade Beheading


    Like flowing clouds and water, without a hint of hesitation, theoretically impossible to dodge¡­ Yi Chen even imagined a scene where he beheaded his teacher Zede.


    Whoosh! Beheading completed.


    What!


    On closer inspection, all that had been severed was merely a contour of an afterimage.


    The moment he was about to be beheaded, Zede sank his body, dodging in the same manner of a ¡°Perfect Evasion¡±¡­ Yi Chen could hardly make any next move before he felt something being swung at him from the side.


    Epilepsy quickly began to adjust the body, preparing to sustain the upcoming unknown blow.


    Coming from the side was a high sweep,


    Zede, with one hand supporting the ground in a prone position, lifted his waist, twisted his back, and swung his leg, all in one fluid movement! It resembled the Brazilian martial dance seen in real life.


    The high sweep hit Yi Chen¡¯s side,


    Even though his body was ready to resist the strike, at the moment of impact¡­ his entire Physical system instantaneously triggered a red alert, further adjusting the body to offload the force, minimizing the damage.


    Yi Chen spiraled out, crashing into the school building and disappeared from view.


    On the field,


    Zede resumed his standing posture;he didn¡¯t pursue, seemingly waiting for the other to come back on his volition.


    Sure enough, a shadow leaped out from the shattered part of the educational building, although his entire arm was mangled and bloody, the rest of his body didn¡¯t bear much damage.


    By the time Yi Chen walked back to the field,


    Zede suddenly began to speak:


    ¡°You rarely engage in such pure ¡®Physical Struggle,¡¯ and your movements appear quite exaggerated.


    Before you make a move, I only need to observe the muscle pulsations, the trajectory of subcutaneous fibers, and the blood pooling areas to predict your next move and even the subsequent series of continuous actions.


    Besides the ¡®Receiving Body¡¯ just now, which was decent, the rest were not up to par.


    Seeing as you are willing to abandon nightmare traits and fight with pure physicality, let¡¯s play some more.¡±


    This speech made Yi Chen feel a bit strange, always feeling like he might have been exposed, but the last sentence did not seem like it.


    Huff~ Yi Chen took a deep breath


    He followed the teacher¡¯s advice, trying to make his actions less obvious.


    He lunged forward with a slight lift of his leg, pretending to deliver a mid-level direct kick, but actually threw a straight punch to the face.


    Whoosh! Still missed.


    As the fist missed, Zede¡¯s palm strike hit Yi Chen¡¯s chin.


    Directly sending him flying thirty meters high, his entire jaw shattered, landing in the style of a plummeting headfirst dive into the field.


    ¡°Too deliberate¡­ come on.¡±


    Using nightmare power to regenerate, Yi Chen readjusted his posture and stepped forward again.


    The situation was still the same, barely making a move before being kicked in the side by a whip kick, his body sliding a hundred meters across the muddy field before finally stopping, with a layer of skin worn off all over his body.


    ¡°A bit of improvement there¡­ come on.¡±


    Unbeknownst to him, Yi Chen had activated ¡®Dead Man Makeup.¡¯


    No matter how he was beaten, he could always get up and return in front of Zede to continue the fight,


    and ensured that each time he made his punches, hand blades, or legs stronger than before.


    Yi Chen could feel that his body seemed to be learning in a way it never had before.


    The full coverage of the brain by epilepsy enabled his body to have a learning ability similar to that of the brain, continuously learning the advanced close combat skills demonstrated and taught by Zede,


    and gradually reading, recording, appreciating, and learning from Zede, the epitome of a perfect body.


    His movements became unnecessary, his strikes sharper,


    and even occasionally deceiving Zede¡¯s Physical Perception, continuing the fight for a longer period¡­ this state lasted for a whole half-hour.


    Eventually, due to all energy being depleted, ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯ was involuntarily deactivated.


    He fell to the ground with his head crushed underfoot.


    Zede stared at the body slowly turning into a dark liquid beneath his foot, muttering, ¡°Not bad at all~ you learn fast.¡±

 Chapter 322: The Living Dead

    Chapter 322: Chapter 321: The Living Dead


    Chapter 322 -321: The Living Dead


    Due to physical death within the dream, Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yi Chen, who was once again dragged into the mire of nightmares, no longer held any confusion,


    or rather, Yi Chen never cared about his state of death, nor did he pay any attention to the process of resurrection,


    His thoughts remained fixed on the physical collision with Teacher Zede, relying on the precise memory bestowed by the Madness Brain to perfectly replay and continue learning the details.


    This learning even began to modify his physical form, eliminating unnecessary components that the body scarcely needed, striving for simplicity and perfection as much as possible.


    Of course, Yi Chen¡¯s learning was not ¡°imitation.¡±


    He would not completely replicate the corpse structure of Teacher Zede, which was comparable to the ¡°Vitruvian Man.¡± Instead, he referred and learned, developing the most suitable body for himself based on his own constitution and ability system.


    ¡°Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. The more complex the movements, the more content they try to convey, and the easier they are to see through.


    The frequency of breathing, the increase in blood pressure and the direction of blood flow within the body, the state of muscle contraction, the strength of tendon stretches, and so on¡ªthese physical messages can be used to deduce the target¡¯s next move and even a subsequent series of attack tendencies.


    For Teacher Zede, the acquisition of this physical information did not require active observation and analysis;his body would automatically do all this, as natural as breathing.


    Even if some of the information was fabricated, any slip in the disguise still couldn¡¯t deceive Teacher Zede.


    This was the ¡®Meat Sense¡¯ of the teacher, granting him absolute initiative in physical confrontations.


    Even if I can quickly learn and grasp the key points,


    It¡¯s not at all possible for me to reach the ¡®Breathing Level¡¯ of proficiency attained by the teacher¡­ I can only maintain such a state reluctantly with the superfast analysis of the Madness Brain.


    As soon as the brain is overloaded or the teacher makes some movements that are too complex for the joints to analyze, mistakes in analysis are prone to occur, and the gap between me and the teacher will become evident.


    However, this is just one of the teacher¡¯s cards.


    The teacher has other trump moves at his disposal, with techniques on the physical level that have reached the pinnacle in various domains. Attempting to confront the teacher on the physical level is simply a death wish.


    Just as Catherine assessed, Teacher Zede is truly a monster.


    It stands to reason.


    The ¡°Monastery,¡± a major organization that was once one of the Source Plague areas of the Old World, had only the teacher manage to escape, even dismantling the iron chains inside his body on the way and attaining a unique physique.


    Moreover, he slew the pursuing monks who came after him, which even in the Old World would be astonishing.


    During the many years of his imprisonment, the teacher was not limited in his development;on the contrary, the imprisonment afforded him time for self-reflection, enabling him to calmly observe, compare, and study his body to achieve the true ¡®Physical Perfection.¡¯


    When Yi Chen opened his eyes, he was already seated amidst the blooming ovules.


    A feeling of freshness, lightness, and clarity spread throughout his body, with the rebuilt physique becoming ¡®even more streamlinedthe result of practical learning through full-body epilepsy.


    Just then,


    Catherine poked her head out from behind and gently tapped his shoulder with her finger.


    ¡°William, I¡¯ve figured it out~ Zede¡¯s body is so formidable, capable of killing Mozander, who is also skilled at physical combat. So from the start, our thinking was wrong.


    Why should we contest him physically~ Wouldn¡¯t it be better to suppress him with other methods?


    Later, I¡¯ll reveal a different nightmare form, greeting him with various non-physical forms of attack, and William¡­ could you draw his fire for me?


    This time you managed to hold on for so long, so you should be able to do it next time as well.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best.¡± Yi Chen faintly sensed that Catherine¡¯s state had become somewhat different from before.


    ¡°By the way¡­ you haven¡¯t revealed your identity, have you? Could it be that Zede discovered your gentleman identity, which is why he deliberately left you alive for so long?¡±


    ¡°I did not reveal my identity subjectively, and my inner thoughts were primarily to ¡®conceal my identity.¡¯


    Moreover, any thought or action that I might have to reveal my identity directly or indirectly would certainly violate the Soul Contract we signed, which would directly erase my soul, okay?


    As for whether Zede has discovered my gentleman identity, that seems not too important. As a Fallen Gentleman assisting nightmares, shouldn¡¯t I be killed anyway?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just joking~ After all, you died instantly the time before, and such a significant improvement so suddenly is bound to raise suspicions.¡±


    ¡°Alright, when do we set off?¡±


    ¡°Anytime!¡±


    The ¡°Skin Transplant Rate¡± in the center of the street has reached 100%, and we cannot go back to the primary school district we just visited. Once you die in a skin-covered area, there is no way to be reborn through a nightmare.


    I¡¯ll reconnect other areas of Nightmare Town with the main street. When that¡¯s done, we¡¯ll use those other areas to fight Zede.¡±


    ¡°Catherine, you¡¯re currently in the negatives. Are you sure this is okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just for fun~ After all, I¡¯ve achieved my goal. If your human tribe is harboring such monsters, and not just one, then indeed, they are beyond my ability to destroy.


    The entertainment value has been achieved. It allowed me to meet such an interesting ¡®human Madman¡¯ and witness such an exaggerated monster.


    When this game is over, I might end my vacation early and get back to serious work at the circus.¡±


    ¡°Your attitude seems to have been warped by Zede¡¯s beating.¡±


    ¡°No more nonsense¡­ Let¡¯s go, William. You must buy me enough time.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Just as Catherine was creating a ¡°Door,¡± she suddenly paused.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°After I reconnected the different areas of Nightmare Town,


    Zede actually took the initiative to go to the park area where I had fought with Kimberly before, sitting in the center of an open space, as if waiting for us to go there.¡±


    Yi Chen spread his hands, ¡°Let¡¯s go~ The initiative is in their hands now. Zede originally only needed to stay beside the wrinkled skin, so it¡¯s quite decent of him to come out and actively seek a battle with us.¡±


    ¡­


    A ¡°Door of Nightmare¡± opened amid the cobblestone paths of the park.


    Yi Chen had also entered a state of ¡°Restriction Removal¡± in advance, using deep breaths to adjust his condition.


    But in Catherine¡¯s hand was a strange pair of red scissors.


    It completely clashed with her black and white style, and Yi Chen could only sense a faint life force emanating from the scissors, nothing else noteworthy.


    The two walked along the meandering and somewhat uncomfortable cobblestone path, with the small woods on both sides filled with a hazy aura.


    The end of this path corresponded to an open space in the woods of the park, where Zede was sitting and waiting for their arrival.


    As they delved deeper, the haze thickened.


    Even at the exit of the path, it combined with the tall trees on both sides to form a structure similar to a ¡®Fog Gate,¡¯ obstructing their vision.


    Passing through the Fog Gate, their view suddenly expanded greatly.


    The spacious and battle-ready central woodland appeared before them,


    Zede, with his upper body bare and lower body in dress pants, was sitting cross-legged in the center,


    Just as he was about to step forward,


    Ah~ Ah~ Ah?


    An epic choir, filled with mournful emotions, softly echoed in their heads.


    A dark silver and heavy Frame appeared above Zede¡¯s head,


    At its starting end was an elaborate relief of a ¡®curled-up corpse,¡¯ filled with globs of thick, oily substance.


    As the Frame manifested,


    ¡ìZede, The Undead¡ì


    Upon seeing the Frame, Catherine couldn¡¯t believe that such a small human tribe could cultivate an existence that transcended Open Source,


    She didn¡¯t wait any longer,


    Picking up the red scissors, she completely cut open the corners of her mouth,


    A stroke of red blood flowed from the wound, adding a third color to her appearance.

 Chapter 323: Catherines Transformation

    Chapter 323: Chapter 322: Catherine¡¯s Transformation


    Chapter 323 -322 Catherine¡¯s Transformation


    Zede actively showcased Frame, representing respect and acknowledging these two opponents, for they had not taken advantage of his presence here and launched a sneak attack on Wrinkle-Skin.


    He could sense the changes occurring in the ¡°Nightmare Youth¡¯s¡± physical body, and this time, it should allow for a longer exchange of blows.


    As for the Nightmare Girl, she was no longer as impatient as before, and it seemed she even brought out something new¡­ something that even made Zede feel threatened.


    When Catherine used the bright red scissors in her hand to completely cut open the corners of her mouth, the oozing blood completely stained her lips and the surrounding area.


    Her twin ponytails on her head came apart on their own, floating around in the air in a dispersed state.


    Meanwhile, something fell out of her body.


    It was the important tool bestowed to Catherine when she became a circus clown¡ªthe ¡°Hundred Treasure Box¡±.


    The body of the box kept expanding as it fell, and by the time it hit the ground, it was almost big enough to fit a person.


    At that moment,


    Catherine ferociously thrust her hands into her abdomen, brutally tearing her waist and stomach open until it completely severed, letting her lower body fall into the box.


    Thump! The sound of flesh falling echoed, and some kind of transformation began to happen within the Hundred Treasure Box.


    As a trade or sacrifice for her lower body,


    a metal spring emerged from the Hundred Treasure Box, connecting to Catherine¡¯s bloody upper body, integrating her with the box to form a real-life Scare Magic Box.


    Not only this,


    Catherine suddenly threw out hundreds of Scare Magic Boxes, scattering them randomly in the area.


    Ha ha ha! A bizarre and eerie laughter continuously emanated from the different Magic Boxes and Catherine¡¯s freshly ripped bright red mouth.


    ¡°The party has started!¡±


    ¡­


    At the same moment,


    Far away within the circus,


    the third leader of the circus team, Mozander, had his defeat in the dream-support room turn into a big fuss, which eventually didn¡¯t go unnoticed and spread throughout the circus.


    Luckily, the boss treated it as mere employee recreation and didn¡¯t make much of it.


    [Infirmary]


    A doctor, wrapped in bandages, spent considerable effort to heal the injuries Mozander brought back from the dream world, and even performed a minor surgery, showcasing the severity of the formidable foe he faced.


    Even after receiving treatment, Mozander¡¯s right leg was still wrapped in bandages, needing three days before they could be removed.


    Although many people whispered and laughed behind his back, and even some from the circus team tried to use this as a chance to push Mozander from his position as the third leader,


    Magician Jian still stood by his side, accompanying him throughout the medical treatment and inquiring about the exact details of what happened.


    Jian patted Mozander¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Physical Limit¡­ it¡¯s quite rare~ It¡¯s not a loss to fight against such a guy, and the boss didn¡¯t say anything about it, just focus on healing.¡±


    Mozander didn¡¯t mind, he fully acknowledged Zede¡¯s strength and his own defeat, finding the dream combat thrilling.


    ¡°Speaking of which, Mr. Jian, aren¡¯t you going to rescue Catherine? She must have caused trouble. Once her dream is completely skinned, her real body is likely to be exposed.


    At that time, facing that guy¡¯s real-life pursuit, it¡¯s not certain that she could smoothly escape back to the circus.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, that needs to be considered


    Just as Jian was halfway through his sentence, he suddenly stopped, his expression turning sour as if he sensed someone he disliked and was even more reluctant to approach was getting close.


    At the infirmary door,


    a man with a shaved head, pitch-black eyeballs, a signature hooked nose, and an extremely exaggerated red-lipped smile, was peeking into the room.


    On seeing him, Mozander instinctively shrank his body.


    Jian put on his Guy Fox mask again and asked in a cold tone, ¡°Art, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Wu-wu-wu!


    The member known as Art, humming a strange tune, walked into the room and sat down right beside Mozander¡¯s hospital bed.


    Completely ignoring the gazes of the two,


    he reached inside his loose circus outfit, rummaging around before eventually pulling out a string of intestine-like, completely rotten fruit skewers, placing them beside the bed as a gift for Mozander, and even reached out to pat his head.


    Following that,


    Art moved his eyeballs, positioning his left eye on Jian and his right eye on Mozander.


    He began muttering to himself:


    ¡°Cathy~ no, no~ Catherine! I just sensed Catherine using the little prop I gave her¡­ What situation has she encountered that required my item?


    Can you guys tell me about last night¡¯s dream?¡±


    Although Jian found him annoying, he was still a colleague, and Catherine had a deep connection with this individual.


    After explaining the situation, Art nodded.


    ¡°Oh, physical limit~ To beat Mozander into this state in a dream, no wonder Catherine was in danger¡­ What a troublemaker, there¡¯s presently no suitable candidate for Assistant Clown in the circus.


    If she dies, the next performance will be troublesome~


    I¡¯ll go pick her up, and if she¡¯s a mess, I¡¯ll have to reprimand her quite a bit.¡±


    Jian directly responded, ¡°This is Catherine¡¯s vacation, and as long as she hasn¡¯t betrayed the circus, whatever she does shouldn¡¯t matter, right?¡±


    As soon as the words left his mouth, both of Art¡¯s eyeballs fixed on Jian.


    For a moment, even the atmosphere in the medical room shifted,


    and Mozander, the third leader of the circus, cowered at the foot of the bed hugging his injured legs, too scared to speak. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hahaha~ just kidding, Catherine¡¯s such a good girl, I definitely wouldn¡¯t harm her. If you¡¯re worried, Jian, you can come with me to pick her up.


    She might be so moved that she¡¯ll cry, boohoo! She¡¯s truly a pitiful and adorable girl.


    I still remember that day outside the circus, it was raining heavily, and a skinny girl came running to the circus. I happened to be free, so I took care of her, which was really


    Suddenly, a magic wand was raised, pressing against Art¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Mozander just had surgery and is resting, stop making noise! Art, hurry and pack up, we¡¯re going to pick up Catherine soon.


    The circus has been understaffed recently, and we can¡¯t afford any problems with such a talented member as Catherine.¡±


    ¡°Phew! Let me guess, there are at least five traps hidden in that stick¡­ Truly terrifying, Mr. Favorite Magician of the boss, we¡¯ll meet later then.¡±


    Art got up, continuing to hum his strange tune, moving his body quickly and then slowly.


    Beneath the loose attire, whatever weird physical construct was hidden seemed to sometimes move on two feet and sometimes something else entirely.


    Around half a minute after Art had left, he suddenly turned back, poking half his head out from the doorframe.


    ¡°Whoops~ forgot to say goodbye to you guys!¡±


    Art tore at his smiling face, revealing yellowed, filth-covered sharp teeth, and kept waving his hand at the two, showing no intention of leaving.


    Jian, completely out of patience, waved his magic wand.


    Crack!


    The door of the medical room closed and was also trapped, unable to be normally opened from the outside.


    Once sure Art had completely left the area, Mozander slowly returned to his bedside, speaking in a voice as low as possible, ¡°Mr. Jian, why do you think the boss recruited someone like Art?¡±


    ¡°Our circus travels to perform in various places, including some neutral zones, and even more friendly areas, which are indeed suited for our shows.


    But we inevitably perform in some truly evil places, and in those situations, someone like Art is needed to maintain the atmosphere or even perform some crucial suppression acts.


    Moreover, as long as the boss is around,


    this individual, no matter how crazy, wouldn¡¯t likely cause trouble internally.¡±

 Chapter 324: True Damage

    Chapter 324: Chapter 323: True Damage


    Chapter 324 -323 True Damage


    [Nightmare Town ¨C Park Woodland]


    As the red scissors completely sliced open the corners of her mouth, adding a third color¡ª[Bright Red]¡ªCatherine¡¯s temperament underwent a massive change.


    Even Yi Chen, her temporary ally, could feel an obvious ¡®malice¡¯ growing inside her.


    Her connection with the Hundred Treasure Box transformed Catherine into another kind of nightmare creature.


    Like the split-mouthed woman, Catherine said in a crazed, utterly uncompassionate tone:


    ¡°William, make sure to hold this guy back! Don¡¯t be useless and get killed instantly, understand?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me? I¡¯m fine, aren¡¯t I? Never been better than now, stop the nonsense and get on with it, William!¡±


    ¡°Hmm


    Given their relationship under the [Soul Contract], Yi Chen couldn¡¯t say much more;as long as the end result remained unchanged, whatever Catherine became didn¡¯t matter to him.


    Click, click~


    Yi Chen twisted his neck side to side while relaxing his whole body, slowly walking towards the center of the scene where Teacher Zede, with a silver frame floating above his head, was approaching.


    Even as Catherine hurried him incessantly during this process, her words were filtered through his Madness Brain, not affecting Yi Chen¡¯s walking rhythm.


    At this moment, he had just one thing to doPhysical Focus¡¹.


    Aside from observing Teacher Zede¡¯s body for foreknowledge of his moves, Yi Chen paid equal attention to himself, setting a perfect trap to try and deceive Zede¡¯s perception.


    [Physical Disguise]


    As he approached with a slow walk, Yi Chen¡¯s hair turned silver again, with beads of starry light flowing through his blood vessels.


    Thirty meters,


    Twenty meters,


    Ten meters¡­


    Upon reaching this critical distance, Yi Chen¡¯s body began to undergo changes.


    His right arm showed a slight tendency to swing backward,


    His left arm hung slightly lower, with his finger joints starting to move rapidly,


    All toes on his right foot stretched out rigidly,


    Each step of his left lower leg was strong and powerful,


    All the blood in his body, driven by the Star Attribute, formed a strange ¡®Star Vortex¡¯ in his abdomen, simultaneously supplying ample blood to his limbs.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± When Zede looked at Yi Chen, he actually saw six different potential offensive moves, including kicks of various lengths and continuous strikes from the front or side.


    ¡°Opportunity!¡±


    Zede¡¯s momentary hesitation was perfectly captured by Yi Chen who slightly quickened his pace, his clenched right fist dispersing deathly matter within.


    Direct straight punch?


    After filtering his options, Zede preemptively extended his left hand, attempting to catch the incoming fist in mid-air and suppress it with a joint technique.


    The outcome was as foreseen by Zede¡ªa right fist coming straight for his face.


    Swish! But he caught nothing,


    Yi Chen¡¯s fist did not swing as anticipated, or rather, it stopped halfway through the contraction of his muscles and the pulling of internal iron chains.


    In the moment he stopped swinging his fist, S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Sink]


    The right fist that hung in the air sank along with Yi Chen¡¯s body, his center of gravity dropping by half in an instant.


    The submerged Yi Chen was like a cheetah poised to pounce, the built-up force between his legs released instantaneously.


    Low sprint¡­ whoosh! He closed in on Zede completely.


    His already extended arms crossed and gripped tightly around Zede¡¯s two large legs.


    ¡°Fooled you, teacher, finally got hold of you!¡±


    ¡¸Submerged Takedown¡¹


    Immediately,


    The veins on Yi Chen¡¯s forehead burst out, and the brain grooves all over his body protruded along with his blood vessels, even wriggling to stimulate the deep potential of each muscle.


    His power burst forth entirely, attempting to slam Zede to the ground!


    Crack! The earth beneath Yi Chen¡¯s feet even cracked, but Zede remained unmoved.


    Although the touch of the buttocks held in his arms felt no different from that of a normal person, the overall sensation was like embracing a mountain of infinite corpses.


    The reason he couldn¡¯t lift wasn¡¯t that Zede was too heavy,


    but rather because as Yi Chen executed the Submarine Grapple, Zede also reacted instantly by pressing his body down.


    No matter how much Yi Chen stimulated his physical body, even if he summoned all the power of the iron chains, trying to leverage them to lift, with skin covering and compressing the muscles,


    he still couldn¡¯t lift him, let alone throw him.


    ¡°Retreat!¡±


    Yi Chen gritted his teeth, preparing to retreat, but it was already a step too late, something superfast was rushing towards him.


    It was a knee,


    After switching legs, Zede¡¯s right leg was fully extended, delivering a high-speed knee strike.


    ¡°Fuck! A knee strike from this close could kill someone. Is Zede, the teacher, really not holding back this time¡­I can¡¯t block it, even if I use my hands alternately in front with the chain¡¯s locking, I can¡¯t block it.


    My hands would be instantly broken, bones crushed,


    my jaw shattered by the knee strike, and the broken bone fragments and the impact would instantly affect my brain, turning it into mush!


    Are we starting with ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯ right out the gate? Damn it!¡±


    Just as Yi Chen made his decision, placing his palms towards his face, ready to switch to Dead Man Makeup,


    Zede¡¯s knee strike stopped forcefully in mid-air


    With one hand bracing against Yi Chen¡¯s back, he spun and kicked high and twistingly toward his left side.


    It seemed as if there was nothing in that spot,


    but when Zede swung his leg, Catherine was suddenly kicked out from the shadows¡­ due to the huge force, Catherine¡¯s upper body, spring structure, and Hundred Treasure Box were all shattered.


    After disposing of the ambush in the shadows, Zede turned back to face Yi Chen, following up with a ¡®Soccer Kick.¡¯


    However, the latter had already used the opportunity to pull away some distance.


    The soccer kick, like a crescent moon blade, merely swept past in front of him, the created wind pressure slicing open a bleeding cut on Yi Chen¡¯s face.


    Gajiji Gajiji~


    Yi Chen¡¯s shoes and the nightmare tentacles growing out of his pant legs assisted him in quickly retreating hundreds of meters away.


    ¡°Hmm? The teacher¡¯s soccer kick just now seemed rushed¡­ did he make a mistake in his hurry? No, he is injured.¡±


    Yi Chen¡¯s ¡®Nightmare Eye¡¯ immediately locked onto Zede¡¯s right foot.


    It was also the same foot that shattered Catherine, whence dark red blood was seeping out from the sole.


    It was known that Zede¡¯s essence was a corpse.


    During Yi Chen¡¯s training in the Underground Paradise, whether he cut Zede¡¯s body with a surgical knife or blew apart his torso with a shotgun, no blood ever flowed.


    Even in previous battles where Yi Chen managed to slice through Zede¡¯s palm, there was no bleeding.


    Now, to see real, cold blood flowing out of his body clearly indicated an injury, marking the first time Zede had been truly hurt.


    The fluid volume between his head frames also decreased by 1/20.


    This, in turn, made Yi Chen worry about the teacher¡¯s condition,


    ¡°Could this be Catherine¡¯s ability? Indeed¡­ ever since she used that red scissor, she has completely changed.


    Speaking of which, Catherine¡¯s ambush earlier wasn¡¯t successful, she got shattered mid-way by Zede¡¯s kick, is she dead?¡±


    Just then,


    A Scare Magic Box next to Yi Chen emitted a weird laugh,


    Pop!


    The upper part of the box suddenly sprang open.


    A woman¡¯s head with its mouth completely torn open was sneakily snickering inside,


    As the internal spring mechanism activated,


    it directly shot out Catherine¡¯s head, a string of nerves and spine, along with various hanging flesh and organs, rapidly reconstructing into an ¡®upper body¡¯ state in mid-air.


    ¡°William~ you did really well! Do it again, just like before, limit Zede so I can get close enough, maybe I can really kill him then!¡±

 Chapter 325: Epilogue

    Chapter 325: Chapter 324: Epilogue


    Chapter 325 -324 Epilogue


    In the center of the park.


    Zede, standing upright, suddenly disassembled his injured right leg and brought the bleeding sole of his foot up to his face for a closer look.


    ¡°A cut from scissors? It must be a soul-level attack to have harmed my essence¡­ Right? This is what makes it interesting!¡±


    In an instant, a bizarre smile tore through the black eye mask, revealing all his teeth and gums, even altering Zede¡¯s usually somber and oppressive aura.


    It became more frenzied and chaotic.


    A short distance away, Yi Chen, upon witnessing this scene, quickly asked,


    ¡°Catherine! Did you inject ¡®Smile Thought¡¯ into Mr. Zede¡¯s mind with that attack just now?¡±


    Catherine, attached to a spring, hurriedly waved her hands:


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. If it were that simple, would I have needed to die so many times? I haven¡¯t done any such thing, this is just a change that¡¯s happening on its own.¡±


    ¡°Could it be!¡±


    Yi Chen immediately thought of the worst-case scenario¡ª[Loss of Control].


    Teacher Zede was never completely stable to begin with. Although the organization had already allowed him some degree of freedom to go out, he still needed to be confined and restricted to the lower parts of the academy for the most part.


    Now, having sustained real damage from Catherine, coupled with the negative effects of the nightmarish environment all along, Zede seemed to be losing control.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    Realizing the possibility of Zede losing control, Yi Chen didn¡¯t hesitate at all and decisively activated ¡®Dead Man Makeup¡¯.


    With a single hand stroking his face,


    a cold white base covered his face, with a slight blush forming at the same time.


    Yi Chen seemed to stand at the shallow edge of a black sea beach, signifying that he was on the border between life and death,


    In this state, he could not be completely killed. No matter how destroyed, his shattered body could dissolve into formless black liquid and reconstitute itself.


    Of course, there was a limited duration.


    Moreover, if he encountered a death that overpowered him, he would still be in danger.


    At the moment the Dead Man Makeup formed,


    Crack~ the sound of ankle joints twisting with tendons resounded,


    ¡®Instantand it was an instant with an associated attack!


    In a blink, the attack had already landed.


    Swish~ Zede¡¯s pale claw-like hand completely sheared off half of Yi Chen¡¯s head¡­ This brutal mode of attack was completely different from the more orthodox moves previously used.


    Yi Chen, with half of his brain sliced off, instantly looked bewildered.


    But a single claw strike wasn¡¯t enough.


    Zede immediately followed with an extremely difficult whipping kick!


    Like a massive, heavy chopper, as the back of his foot pressed down on the remaining half of Yi Chen¡¯s head, his body was ground into mush along with it.


    This kind of total destruction required a much longer time for resurrection.


    Having temporarily dealt with Yi Chen,


    Zede immediately focused all his attention on Catherine, to completely deal with this rather troublesome woman.


    ¡°Hahaha! Such speed, faster than before¡­ Come and kill me, humans!¡±


    Facing Catherine¡¯s mad laughter and mockery, Zede did not immediately attack.


    Through the subtle vibrations of Catherine¡¯s physical body and the cut on his own foot sole, he had concluded.


    Catherine¡¯s mouth split by the red scissors, with her upper body connected to a spring, had undergone a change in essence.


    Though she appeared human, her essence had been molded into [Scissors].


    No matter how she is touched, she will ¡®soul cut¡¯.


    Furthermore,


    even if Catherine were destroyed in one blow, she could use any of the ¡®Scare Magic Box¡¯ scattered in advance around the park for a quick resurrection.


    How to ¡®kill without touching¡¯? That was the problem Zede needed to solve.


    Or rather, he had already solved it.


    Tipping his toes on the ground, he made a small leap back, creating just the right distance outside his own attack range between them.


    His right foot fully extended, sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    in line with the instep, calf, knee, and thigh,


    his whole body¡¯s muscular contractions, driving force, and near-perfect power transmission,


    twisted his waist and turned his back,


    releasing a textbook ¡®Middle Rank Sweep Kick¡¯ from Zede¡¯s body to perfection.


    The kick didn¡¯t directly hit Catherine but instead relied on sheer power and physical control to unleash a ¡®Wind Pressure Scythe¡¯.


    The wind pressure fanned out,


    first severing the spring connecting Catherine to the Magic Box,


    and also destroying all the Scare Magic Boxes in its path, even damaging the edge of the forest, with dozens of trees cut in half at their trunks.


    If Mozander, that leg expert, saw this scene, he¡¯d probably drool nonstop;he could stare at Zede¡¯s right leg for an entire day.


    Due to the broken spring,


    Catherine¡¯s upper body was completely thrown out, yet she laughed maniacally in mid-air, ¡°Haha~ wow! What tremendous power, to even destroy so many Magic Boxes along with it! How terrifying¡­ COME ON and ATTACK ME!¡±


    ¡°Right away.¡± Zede, for once, responded verbally.


    Bent down as if preparing to jump or perhaps to pick up something.


    Whoosh!


    He leapt to Catherine¡¯s height in mid-air and executed a Hand Blade, beheading her flawlessly.


    Correspondingly,


    due to the ¡®contact¡¯ with Catherine, his palm was ¡®sheared¡¯, all five fingers breaking off and falling.


    Strangely enough,


    the fingers that fell to the ground quickly turned into pools of Black Liquid, exuding a Death Aura.


    Zede dared to execute a Hand Blade strike because the hand wasn¡¯t originally his own. He indeed picked up an Arm segment that Yi Chen had just condensed and used it as a weapon.


    He was a first-rate corpse master,


    just needing to insert his palm into the end of the arm;the five fingers would easily connect to the nerves for perfect control, unleashing a slaughter Hand Blade nearly identical to Yi Chen¡¯s.


    This Borrowed Hand move was indeed unexpected.


    Yi Chen¡¯s Main Consciousness, fearing further exploitation, controlled the Black Liquid to gather on the edge of the park.


    As it took shape, a sharp pain and numbness immediately came from the right hand¡¯s fingers¡ªa clear aftereffect of the shearing, as though the soul itself had sustained damage.


    Meanwhile, Catherine¡¯s real body also emerged from a Magic Box, ¡°William, don¡¯t get killed or used again¡­ If he attacks me with your head, it might cause you irreversible trauma.¡±


    However.


    While the two of them were reconstituting their Physical forms and chatting idly,


    Zede had cleared more than 90% of the Magic Boxes in the area with his area-of-effect attack.


    ¡°What a terrifying guy¡­ William, keep going! If it doesn¡¯t work out this time, we can just die and wait an hour for the resurrection timer before trying again.


    With enough experience, we¡¯ll eventually kill this guy.¡±


    Catherine wasn¡¯t just verbally urging on, she even actively pushed on Yi Chen¡¯s back,


    but,


    there was no need for Yi Chen to actively approach.


    Zede, having cleared the last Magic Box nearby, made a twisting step and actively lunged towards them, intending to end the fight there and then.


    Whew~


    Yi Chen also took a Deep Breath, ready to face Zede¡¯s onslaught,


    while Catherine slowly receded into the shadows, seeking the perfect opportunity to strike.


    The moment before the battle was about to erupt,


    Catherine, who was nearly hidden in the darkness, suddenly reappeared, her eyes wide with rage, staring intensely at Yi Chen, completely ignoring Zede who could kill her at any moment.


    ¡°William! What have you done!¡±


    Seeing Catherine¡¯s reaction, Yi Chen finally allowed the hidden stone of anxiety in his heart to settle, ¡°Oh? You finally caught up¡­ You really had to drag it out to this moment.


    Whew~ It¡¯s time to end this game, Catherine.¡±

 Chapter 326: Insurance

    Chapter 326: Chapter 325: Insurance


    Chapter 326 -325: Insurance


    [Nightmare Gambling Game]


    This gambling game, actively initiated by Catherine, was joined by Yi Chen for two reasons, both overt and covert.


    On the surface,


    Yi Chen had learned that meat tainted with the nightmare substance had already flooded the market and was consumed by a large number of gentlemen, with at least 50% of Zion¡¯s populace suffering from ¡°thought implantation.¡±


    If Catherine were to be pushed into a corner, she would need but a snap of her fingers, and Zion would plunge into chaos overnight, the whole city echoing with sinister laughter as gentlemen who failed to transcend their limits would cause mayhem with smiles on their faces.


    To preserve Zion and the brains and lives of every citizen,


    Yi Chen had but one option¡ªto engage Catherine in the game,


    Should he win, according to the ¡°Soul Contract¡± the two had signed, Catherine would withdraw the thoughts from everyone¡¯s brains, clear all nightmare influences from Zion, and completely evacuate.


    But there was a very important problem.


    Even though Yi Chen owned a unique ¡°Black Insane Brain,¡± he might not be much inferior to Catherine in implanting thoughts, even surpassing her in some respects.


    However, the main venue of the game was the nightmare, Catherine¡¯s domain.


    To win on someone else¡¯s territory against an entity whose power was unknown and possibly far exceeded Yi Chen¡¯s was highly unlikely.


    Furthermore, if Catherine were to be cunning and deceitful, using peculiar nightmare rules and means, the probability of winning might even be reduced to [0].


    If he could not win the game, there would be no discussion about saving the populace;Yi Chen himself would become a slave to the nightmare.


    Therefore,


    this involves another covert reason for choosing to participate in the game,


    a reason that could ensure Yi Chen had a high probability of winning, a safeguard that Catherine was completely unaware of.


    This protection was ¡°Yuri¡¯s Maid.¡±


    Before joining the nightmare game, Yi Chen had specifically gone to the Prophet House to borrow Yuri¡¯s maid for education and training.


    Ultimately, he completed the education of all the maids.


    Of course, that was just training;in the end, he dispelled the education for the vast majority of the maids, retaining only the teacher-student relationship with seven special maids.


    The education didn¡¯t affect their servitude to Prophet Yuri;they still carried out their respective monitoring tasks every day.


    Only now, these seven maids were endowed with a ¡®self,¡¯ starting to think and analyze independently, seeking knowledge and potentially even experiencing ¡®mechanical upgrades¡¯ that transcended their original design, in addition to their unchanging daily work.


    They would also call Yi Chen ¡°teacher¡± when they saw him.


    Among these seven maids, Miss Irina, the most outstanding, special, and intelligent, was the key of the keys.


    She happened to be responsible for monitoring killing intent in the lower street district and, having obtained a stall permit from the organization, would be found pushing her maid pancake cart around the area daily.


    After Yi Chen and Catherine¡¯s meeting in a restaurant in the lower streets, where they agreed on the terms of the nightmare game, Yi Chen happened to be spotted by Irina as he left the restaurant.


    As teacher and student, it was natural for them to recognize each other immediately.


    Yi Chen should have greeted Irina nearby, but he pretended not to see her and quickly left.


    Irina¡¯s professional sharpness and self-analysis allowed her to detect the anomaly,


    She continued to pretend nothing was amiss as she ran her stall, and after the normal wrap-up, she reported the specifics to Yuri, who also took the matter very seriously.


    After spending several days with Yi Chen, including meat sense and slaughter training, as well as discussion on the design of the brand new maid,


    Yuri had come to a certain, even ¡®rather deep,¡¯ understanding of Yi Chen.


    Yuri quickly learned from Principal Desline that Yi Chen had personally forfeited participation in the ¡°Dream Entrance Project,¡± and in his eyes, a man like Yi Chen, who dared to risk it all, would never give up on dreaming at such a juncture.


    Combining Yi Chen¡¯s unusual movements in the lower streets, Prophet Yuri decisively gave an order.


    ¡°Let seven special maids spread throughout the city and, with the help of the ¡®teacher-student relationship¡¯, try to locate Yi Chen¡¯s position as much as possible, follow him secretly, and must not expose their whereabouts.¡±


    These seven maids were Yuri¡¯s most elite secret agents, who understood the dark zones of Zion better than anyone, making them perfectly suited for this task.


    Soon, a maid discovered that Yi Chen, who had returned from outside the city the day before, quickly appeared in the lower streets, and his movements were highly suspicious.


    As if guided by some instruction or lure,


    after turning into more than a dozen narrow streets, he simply disappeared right under the maids¡¯ watchful eyes, completely lost from their tracking.


    But with the ¡®teacher-student relationship¡¯, they could barely sense Yi Chen¡¯s presence, and after deducing the layout of the lower streets, they finally concluded that Yi Chen had turned into a ¡°disappearing street.¡±


    The ¡®entrance¡¯ to this street could be found only under specific conditions, and they had some guesses about what those conditions were.


    Possibly by turning into several correct alleys during a fixed time period, one might be able to find where the entrance is.


    They did not rush in recklessly but reported the situation back once again.


    Upon learning of this, Prophet Yuri immediately dropped what he was doing and, without notifying anyone, disguised himself as a high-ranking paraplegic elder and went to the site in person.


    Meanwhile, as Prophet Yuri and the maids searched for the ¡®disappearing street¡¯, S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Marko and Martin, who had escaped from the nightmare game and were prepared to privately eliminate the nightmare risks, walked out of a resident¡¯s home in the lower streets and bumped right into Irina selling pancakes.


    According to the secret code given by the tomato sauce on the pancakes,


    Marko and Martin met with Yuri in a small house, and the two Prophets instantly stood united on the same front,


    silently searching together for the ¡®disappearing street¡¯ as well as ¡®William¡¯s trail Using the clues Prophet Yuri already had at hand, Marko used a brand new divination method learned from the nightmare game to find the [Entrance].


    Soon, an apartment building long abandoned appeared before the two.


    All of these things happened without Yi Chen¡¯s knowledge, and he hadn¡¯t done anything,


    simply because of the maid pivot point, the ¡®safety measure¡¯ naturally formed,


    and Catherine, who had been in contact with Yi Chen all along, was completely unaware of it too.


    By now,


    Marko and Martin, hidden beneath their cloaks, were already pushing Mr. Yuri¡¯s wheelchair, standing by the bedside of a secret bedroom.


    In front of them, lying on the large bed, were Yi Chen and Catherine.


    The two were connected by an infusion tube between their arms, ensuring they shared the dream and the nightmare substance.


    Neither Marko nor Yuri rushed to take action;they were well aware of what Yi Chen was doing.


    As Yuri¡¯s palm, filled with killing intent, lightly touched the gentleman¡¯s clothes on Yi Chen, a pre-set ¡®measure¡¯ was swiftly activated.


    Upon detecting Yuri¡¯s aura, the clothes revealed an inner lining with a piece of paper tucked inside it.


    ¡ÚIn the realm of sleep, no need for killing, just apply a little pressure.¡Û


    As Yuri placed his hand blade on Catherine¡¯s neck, a threat that reached deep into her soul was instantly transmitted to the consciousness that was in the midst of the dream.


    [Nightmare Town ¨C Park]


    Faced with Catherine¡¯s angry stare,


    Yi Chen responded very calmly:


    ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything, you know, always fulfilling our contract and game promises. It¡¯s just that you, Catherine, have underestimated the tracking abilities of gentlemen. Your so-called Dream Entrance is not absolutely secret and safe.


    ¡°Give up and end the game early, and you might have a chance to survive if you¡¯re decisive. If you live, we might still meet at the Circus in the future.¡±

 Chapter 327: The End and the Pursuit

    Chapter 327: Chapter 326: The End and the Pursuit


    Chapter 327 -326: The End and the Pursuit


    Actually,


    the situation of the Nightmare Game turned out to be much better than Yi Chen had anticipated,


    Catherine not only lacked any petty cunning but also cared a great deal about ¡°fairness,¡± even splitting the nightmare privileges in half, never taking advantage of anything.


    It was apparent that Catherine did not harbor absolute malice;she was more interested in finding amusement.


    Moreover, there was one thing Yi Chen had entirely not expected, which was the issue of Teacher Zede¡¯s strength.


    He was so strong that he single-handedly dominated the scores of both players, even killing the pair, who were nightmares, multiple times within the dream spaces.


    Catherine was killed to a total negative score, and in the end, she was even forced to use a dangerous last resort that could alter her personality.


    Additionally, another team member, Wrinkled Skin Spacy¡¯s ¡®Dream Skin Planting¡¯ could really invade dreams, and if he fully occupied the dream space, the game would be forcefully ended.


    Perhaps from the moment Wrinkled Skin brought his costume into the dream, Catherine¡¯s defeat was sealed.


    ¡­


    Connected by springs, Catherine screamed almost madly:


    ¡°Impossible, the ¡®Dream Entrance¡¯ couldn¡¯t possibly have been discovered¡­ unless it was you! When was the information leaked, and how did you do it?¡±


    Yi Chen, however, explained patiently, ¡°I have never intentionally exposed it, nor have I left any written information to remind others. Catherine, you¡¯ve been monitoring me all along;you should know this well.


    It was just due to some ¡®abnormality¡¯ on my part that others noticed and secretly followed me.


    Don¡¯t underestimate humans, Catherine, like Teacher Zede, there are many powerful individuals in Zion.


    Hurry up and end the game! The person standing outside is very powerful, and he might truly erase you entirely.¡±


    Perhaps because her life was genuinely threatened,


    the brutality and bloodlust mingling within Catherine were restrained as she reached her right arm into her mouth and pulled out a pair of red scissors embedded in her soul.


    All kinds of negative emotions also faded away, and the cracks and bright red on her cheeks disappeared as well.


    She returned to her normal appearance and even stretched her arms to relax.


    ¡°The tool given by the boss is really dangerous~ I better not use it as much in the future.


    It¡¯s time to go back to the Circus;I¡¯ve indeed been too relaxed recently¡­ sigh~ Although I¡¯m a bit frustrated, I indeed lost fair and square.


    William, remember to come and find me at the Circus later, next time I¡¯ll definitely win against you in the game.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about that once you¡¯ve managed to escape Zion.¡±


    ¡°Are you worrying about me? Don¡¯t worry, I still have the skills to escape~ Bye bye, William! I really enjoyed this game.¡±


    With bent springs, Catherine bent down and gave Yi Chen a deep hug.


    Buzz!


    Immediately severing the connection with the dream space, her body quickly dissipated into a pool of ink-like substance.


    As Catherine, the nightmare entity, left, the game naturally declared Yi Chen the winner¡­ At the same time, the entire Nightmare Space began to agitate, and it would completely collapse in no more than ten seconds.


    In the last remaining moments of dreaming,


    Yi Chen, with his silver hair, turned to look at Zede, who had already stopped all movement, ten meters away.


    Considering that he was still in the Dream Space, the ¡®Soul Contract¡¯ might still be in effect, Yi Chen did not reveal his identity;he merely bowed deeply to Zede.


    The Dream Space collapsed.


    When Yi Chen woke up in a bedroom plastered with Circus posters,


    Catherine, who should have been lying next to him, was nowhere to be seen;the room still held the aura of two Prophets, both of whom had followed Catherine in leaving.


    The only one left was Irina, the pancake stall owner sitting on the edge of the bed, ready to help with any abnormalities upon Yi Chen¡¯s awakening or take him directly to the hospital.


    ¡°Teacher, you¡¯re awake! I¡¯ve already checked your body;there should be no major issues;it¡¯s just that the nerve reflexes in your right hand are a bit disorderly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go to the hospital to check it later~ It might be an injury at the soul level.


    Thank you for your efforts;with this, the nightmare threat is over.


    By the way, why do I sense multiple auras in the room¡­ apart from Prophet Yuri, who else is there?¡±


    ¡°Marko and Mr. Martin joined on the way and found this place together.¡±


    ¡°I see, with two prophets skilled in killing chasing after her, can Catherine really escape? Those two are amongst the best at slaying enemies among the prophets.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just two people, oh, Lord Yuri, to ensure the complete eradication of the hidden threats, slyly utilized the core power of the Cesimani. Currently, several Executioner squads are lying in ambush outside the city, ready to attack the nightmare if it escapes.¡±


    ¡°By the way, Miss Jin and Instructor Beili you know are both among them.¡±


    These words made Yi Chen startle,


    for some reason the ever-composed Yi Chen now felt a slight panic.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go together and see what¡¯s happening.¡±


    ¡°Teacher, don¡¯t you need to rest?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve slept for so long, no need for any more rest! Let¡¯s rush over and see. If Catherine is killed, things may get quite troublesome¡­ Behind her, there¡¯s a special and mysterious organization that might bring disaster upon Zion if we offend them.


    I¡¯ve already signed a contract with Catherine, so she will never invade Zion again,


    under these circumstances, the best option is for her to stay alive and escape.¡±


    ¡°Ah? I wonder if it¡¯s still possible¡­ Lord Yuri has been chasing after her for a while now, and I guess the Executioner Group lying in ambush outside the city has started to close their net.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡­


    Outside Zion City.


    Caught between reality and dreams, Catherine is achieving incredibly high speeds both sliding and flying by using the propulsion from her nightmare gas and the movement of her octopus tentacles.


    Her abdomen had been sliced open with a ¡®slaughter wound¡¯ that was hard to heal, her guts hanging out, barely kept inside by the tentacles to prevent her organs from spilling out.


    Catherine¡¯s left arm was also completely severed;the cut was smooth but could not regenerate and heal.


    ¡°What in the world is this bald human!?¡±


    The bald man Catherine was referring to was Prophet Yuri.


    The injuries on her body were mostly caused by Yuri. Despite appearing merely as ordinary hand blade cuts, they felt as if they were utterly slaughtering her soul, giving a direct feeling of being bound to the gallows and butchered.


    Swish!


    A streak of bright red flashed before Catherine¡¯s eyes, her lower half and several dozen tentacles were all cut off.


    Moreso, the concept of ¡®being slain¡¯ was conveyed alongside the cut.


    Catherine¡¯s body, under the impact of this strike, actually reached its limit of endurance and explosively burst open!


    With this strike, the Nightmare Epidemic Value between the dream layers completely depleted, and if she were to be slaughtered again, she would truly die.


    The burst body of hers transformed into ten different octopus tentacles, running in different directions.


    However,


    before she had even fully decided on her escape route, Prophet Marko had already divined it, conveying the routes and each tentacle¡¯s form to the Executioner Group.


    One¡­ two¡­ three¡­


    The tentacles that Catherine had split off were being rapidly slaughtered.


    Two of them were literally crushed alive by an Executioner, whose Red Lotus seemed to radiate an unimaginably intense malice.


    Seven¡­ eight¡­ nine¡­


    ¡°Am I going to die here¡­ Ah! I knew I shouldn¡¯t have come to play here, what kind of monsters are these.¡±


    With just one tentacle left, Catherine was nearly in tears.


    The aura of slaughter behind her was closing in rapidly,


    Yuri, completely unleashed, was like a bald God Killer, his path cutting through trees and stones automatically, moving as fast as a hundred-legged beast. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the chase was down to the last fifty meters.


    Yuri prematurely extended a flesh-forged slaughter knife from his right arm, locking on the ¡®slaughter line¡¯, and threw the blade, delivering the final strike to Catherine.


    Swish!


    Something was slashed in half.


    Yuri gradually slowed his chase, frowning as he stared ahead,


    On the mountain path, what his slaughter knife had cut was not a nightmare tentacle but a magic hat that had appeared out of nowhere.

 Chapter 328: Threat Neutralized

    Chapter 328: Chapter 327: Threat Neutralized


    Chapter 328 -327 Threat Neutralized


    Yuri, clad in a deep red suit, black shirt, and a tie adorned with a red-eyed skull, looked at the magician¡¯s hat with a puzzled expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I locked onto the ¡®slaughter line¡¯, so there¡¯s no way I could have missed¡­ But I cut through this instead? Did a ¡®material exchange¡¯ take place? The very instant my blade hit, this hat swapped places with the nightmare itself.


    This woman is barely clinging to life;she couldn¡¯t possibly have used such a sophisticated ability.


    Have reinforcements arrived?¡±


    However, Yuri was not at all afraid and was about to lead the Executioner Group in pursuit when,


    Prophet Marko and Martin, who were supposed to be at the rear, somehow caught up to the front line with unimaginable speed and reached out to place their hands on Yuri¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Marko¡­ why are you at the front line?¡±


    ¡°Senior Yuri, since the enemy¡¯s reinforcements have arrived, let¡¯s not chase them for now. The forces behind them are just as we discussed earlier;it¡¯s not wise to confront them head-on. To have pursued this far is enough.


    Allow me to negotiate later.¡±


    ¡°Since you¡¯re more aware of the situation than I am, I¡¯ll leave the rest of the work to you.¡±


    Yuri was always respectful of his juniors, and Marko and Martin were young prophets he held in high regard. This time, the decoding of the ¡®hidden streets¡¯ was all thanks to Marko¡¯s divination.


    Yuri raised his arm high, and the Executioner Group behind him stopped their pursuit and hid in the treacherous mountain terrain.


    As Marko stepped forward,


    two figures also slowly walked up from the lower slopes of the hill.


    One was the ¡®acquaintance¡¯ Marko knew, Magician Jian, whose every move was as genteel as a gentleman¡¯s, and they nodded slightly to each other when they met.


    When the other person appeared, an instinctive sense of danger forced Marko to step back.


    Even the master personality deep within began to surface autonomously, ready to replace the assistant personality to handle the dangerous situation before him.


    ¡°A different clown from the nightmare, is it?¡±


    In his field of vision, a balding clown with large ears and a hooked nose, his face painted with a bloody red smile, began to slowly squeeze into the ¡°Eye Socket¡± on the hillside. He even kept expanding within the Eye Socket, as if he wanted to occupy his entire field of vision.


    Or rather, something underneath the clown¡¯s loose costume seemed to be drawing his vision, also emitting a pure malice.


    Marko had never seen a patient like this before, and was certain that the other person was a formidable enemy, far surpassing the nightmare clown.


    At that moment,


    a nightmare tentacle slowly emerged from the magician¡¯s hat in Jian¡¯s hand, a vague human silhouette of Catherine visible on top, her true form appearing exceedingly weak.


    Even so,


    Catherine still struggled to speak: ¡°Thank you¡­ Mr. Jian, as well as Lord Art¡¯s rescue.¡±


    Assistant Clown Art quickly stepped forward, reaching out to gently touch the surface of the tentacle.


    ¡°No problem! Catherine, an assistant clown like you can¡¯t die now~ Otherwise, I¡¯d have to play dual roles in the upcoming shows, and that would be so tiring.


    I just didn¡¯t expect you to be this embarrassed. If it weren¡¯t for Jian urging us to hurry, you might have really died here.


    Ah~ what a disgrace,


    Catherine, you¡¯re going to have to practice seriously with me when you go back. If Jian hadn¡¯t interceded on your behalf, I would¡¯ve certainly punished you severely.


    Given how often you help me with errands, I¡¯ll kill all these humans for you¡­ Hahaha!¡±


    ¡°Lord Art no Catherine wanted to protest, as it was her issue, but Art silenced her before she could finish her sentence.


    Art claimed to seek vengeance for Catherine, but it was merely an excuse.


    He took this opportunity to leave, using ¡®saving Catherine¡¯ as a pretext to indulge his innate desires, seeking to bring malice to this group of humans who had inadvertently become involved with the circus.


    Art continued his slow, bizarre step, drawing closer to Prophet Marko.


    It felt as though his legs were hardly doing any supporting, and he seemed to be moving with some kind of limb, or multiple limbs, hidden inside his costume.


    Ridiculous, grotesque, and unhurried,


    to Marko, he seemed like a foe full of openings, yet he did not dare to launch an attack, and he started to ¡®Draw a Card¡¯ in his mind to divine the upcoming situation.


    However,


    Marko drew four kings from the deck of cards, each king striking a different pose, or rather, they grew increasingly bizarre from left to right.


    During Marko Prophet¡¯s internal divination, Art the clown, one of the circus¡¯s aces, had already approached him.


    His yellow and black stained teeth were fully exposed in a smile, showing his malice to anyone who directly faced him.


    His right arm raised high,


    the five fingers twisted and clenched together like rubber, forming a strange, ¡®bizarre fist¡¯ that struck down in an awkward motion.


    This punch seemed harmless, slow and ordinary, as if swung by an obese nerd who had never learned boxing¡­ yet it was filled with malice, promising severe consequences upon impact.


    Smack!


    In the nick of time, Marko Prophet suddenly reached out and firmly grasped Art¡¯s wrist, stopping the punch in its descent.


    Between their skin, a layer of ¡®pus-like¡¯ pale yellow substance cushioned the grip, avoiding direct contact with Art.


    The aura around him also changed, causing Art to shrink his neck and blink in disbelief,


    ¡°Oh, there are two things inside you! The one speaking just now was only the ¡®secondary¡¯ one, now in front of me, is the main one¡­ Interesting indeed, no wonder Catherine met with disaster here.


    You don¡¯t seem like a remote, weak human tribe at all.¡±


    As the real Martin appeared, Yuri led the Executioner Group from behind, ready for a potential battle at any moment.


    Just then.


    Whoosh~ A magic card flew at a tricky angle, spinning through the air.


    It landed firmly between Martin and clown Art, its face depicting the symbol of ¡®Earth¡¯.


    Hum!


    The card¡¯s effect activated,


    adding a stretch of land between the two men, forcefully separating them¡­ Both Martin and Art could clearly feel the space expanding and the sensation of the land multiplying.


    The multiplying and flowing land also returned Art back to the magician¡¯s side.


    ¡°Art~ During off-performance times, if the boss knew you were causing trouble outside, and that it could potentially bring ¡®trouble¡¯ to the circus, you as a core member should be well aware of the outcome,¡± said the magician.


    ¡°Using the boss to pressure me again?¡± Art retorted.


    ¡°Just a reminder,¡± the magician continued. ¡°Since Catherine is fine now, our objective for venturing out has been achieved. The ¡®quality¡¯ of these humans surpasses the boss¡¯s ¡®baseline.¡¯


    In the future, they might become our audience or even participants, which would aid in the circus¡¯s growth.


    If you need to vent, I don¡¯t mind if you destroy a few Pathological outposts that don¡¯t meet the baseline on our way back.¡±


    ¡°Utterly boring


    Art stopped advancing and descended the hill in a bizarre pace.


    Magician Art tipped his hat across his chest, bowing to say goodbye to Marko and Martin before leaving;as for Catherine, he tucked her into the space of his hat to enjoy a moment of rare peace.


    Not until their figures had completely vanished


    did a cold sweat trickle down the sides of Marko and Martin¡¯s faces.


    Just now he allowed two personalities to control the body simultaneously;the main one provided the strength, courage, and presence for a face-to-face confrontation, while the secondary maintained rationality.


    This was to ensure stability and avoid conflict as much as possible.


    Such cooperation had never happened before;the life-or-death pressure a moment ago brought about the first ¡®collaboration¡¯ between Marko and Martin.


    Yuri came forward and gently patted his shoulder with a hand now re-wrapped in bandages.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go~ the situation is resolved, well done,¡± he said.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yuri, for your trust. I was truly afraid you might command the group to attack at any moment,¡± said Marko. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°With the First Gentleman in precarious condition, and the supply of Skin increasingly tight, the Organization has suffered various degrees of attacks recently, suffering greatly in vitality.


    If we also pulled in such a mysterious organization, as you said, it could lead to our demise.


    Before everything completely crumbles, let¡¯s hold out a little longer, give the youth some time to develop.


    The current batch of youngsters is quite promising.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± agreed Marko.

 Chapter 329: Appreciation

    Chapter 329: Chapter 328: Appreciation


    Chapter 329 -328: Appreciation


    ¡°`


    Behind the battle lines.


    When Yi Chen arrived from within the city, he happened to witness the scene of the Executioner Group standing idle.


    Utilizing the long-distance vision provided by the grapes, he also spied on Marko and Martin at the forefront of the team, who were engaged in negotiation talks.


    The two members of the Circus had come to aid, one of whom, Magician Jian, had already met, mysterious and powerful.


    But the sight of the other bizarre clown that had arrived together incited goosebumps all over Yi Chen¡¯s body, while Madness Brain stimulated signals to retreat.


    Merely by looking, one could taste the [Evil Nature] within.


    This evil nature seemed to corral all the wickedness of the world, crawling and breeding like maggots in Yi Chen¡¯s eye sockets, even affecting his soul,


    For some reason, even though Clown Art was talking to Prophet Marko, Yi Chen kept feeling that one of the other¡¯s eyes was watching him.


    The red smile painted on the clown¡¯s face reminded him of Catherine¡¯s slit mouth, which she had cut with red scissors during the nightmare games.


    ¡°This must be the Circus¡¯s top clown. The method Catherine used at the last moment caused a malignant transformation, likely the handiwork of this clown.


    That the star clown of the Circus actually came here! This situation is not something I can intervene in, even if I go up to stop it, it would be futile.


    Prophet Marko and Martin must be very aware of the current situation;he will conduct the most effective negotiations.¡±


    While Yi Chen, along with the Executioner Group, continued the Observation, something soft pressed against him from behind, emitting a faint scent of meat, as if returning to that night of making meat.


    A small head with a colorful mask gently rested on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, looking together at the situation down the slopes.


    ¡°William, since you¡¯re here~ it means this matter is closely related to you, right?¡±


    ¡°I suppose so.¡±


    ¡°I knew it, how could you possibly not get involved out of the blue~ Let¡¯s talk slowly in bed when we get back.


    By the way, the tense situation at hand might well lead to outright war, and the two guys who¡¯ve appeared look so interesting and formidable! I really want to set their Physical bodies alight.¡±


    A slender tongue slipped out from Jin¡¯s mouth, licking at the bottom of her mask.


    ¡°Jin, restrain yourself a little


    As time passed by, when he saw the Magician stepping in to persuade the clown to leave, the metaphorical weight lifted from Yi Chen¡¯s heart.


    Jin looked disappointed, reluctantly sheathing her Blood Sword, which had the face of a baby, behind her back.


    ¡°Such a bore~ It would have been great if a battle broke out, I really wanted to see what that clown¡¯s ¡®Physical¡¯ body was really like. I can vaguely sense the ¡®tumors¡¯ hidden beneath his fluffy costume, it seems he¡¯s afflicted with cancer like me.


    But his seems to be a completely different kind of cancer, unlike any I¡¯ve encountered at Cancer Palace.


    My teacher once mentioned that the Cancer Palace had spawned some uncontrollable malignant tumors, and because they were difficult to manage, the Palace would exile these inherently malicious tumors to fend for themselves.


    This clown could very well be one of the Cancer Palace Exiles¡­ What a coincidence.


    By the way, William, you should know about their origins, right?¡±


    ¡°I know a bit, they all seem to come from a special Organization called [Circus], but as for the specific details about this organization, and how to make contact, I¡¯m not too clear.¡±


    ¡°So intriguing~ Well, let¡¯s hurry back and talk in detail.¡±


    Just as Jin was about to pull Yi Chen away,


    Two distinct and powerful auras suddenly appeared from behind, pinning Yi Chen in between them from left and right,


    One was the bald Yuri in a red suit and skull tie, and the other was Prophet Marko in a pure white suit, walking backward.


    Smack! Yuri¡¯s hand, wrapped in bandages, seemed to slam into Yi Chen¡¯s back with all his might;had Yi Chen not braced himself in a Receiving Body stance beforehand, his spine might have snapped.


    ¡°You did very well, William!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yuri, for finding my ¡®abnormality¡¯.¡±


    ¡°If I couldn¡¯t catch such an obvious clue sent my way, I wouldn¡¯t deserve the title of ¡®Prophet¡¯ at all, right? Do you need me and Marko to accurately report your contributions in this incident?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re now an Elite Gentleman, so you must be quite clear about some of the Organization¡¯s unwritten rules. Such illustrious achievements will propel you to a higher level, and both rewards and responsibilities will come your way.¡±


    ¡°Report it up. I¡¯ve already been confirmed as a Candidate by the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ anyway, so a few more deeds won¡¯t make any difference.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Yi Chen and Prophet Yuri were ¡®old acquaintances¡¯ now, and they conversed without any barriers.


    This left the surrounding Executioners utterly shocked. As elite members trained by Cesimani for many years, maybe even decades, aside from the operations personally directed by Yuri, they seldom had the opportunity to meet with him, let alone chat.


    After some idle talk,


    Yi Chen also turned his head towards the other Prophets¡ªMarko and Martin.


    The two had face-to-face conversations in the Nightmare Library before. Although Yi Chen couldn¡¯t reveal his identity at the time, Marko had almost guessed that he was a Gentleman.


    But he didn¡¯t expect that it would be Yi Chen, someone so young and a newcomer who had just made a breakthrough.


    From beneath the white mask came Marko¡¯s high praise,


    ¡°Exceptional courage, meticulous thought, and a level of strength far surpassing others of your rank¡­ Although I would very much like you to join my Twin Secret Sect, Desline over there would definitely not allow it.


    If you have time, you can choose to visit as a guest. We could discuss some knowledge, thoughts, techniques, or matters related to dreaming.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Marko and Martin gained a lot from this incident. After a brief exchange with Yi Chen, Marko left the team early to return home.


    Prophet Yuri, who had returned to sitting in a wheelchair, let his maid speak for him:


    ¡°Marko and Martin are among the most talented and also the youngest in our group of Prophets. Indeed, when you have time, you could talk with him alone, and you might gain an unexpected harvest.¡±


    However, compared to Marko and Martin, Yi Chen was more interested in another individual.


    ¡°Prophet Yuri, who is the Gentleman who can bring everyone¡¯s clothes into the dream and perform Dream Skin Planting?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Spacy¡­ Yes~ if you¡¯re sure you want to follow the path of the ¡®First Gentleman,¡¯ talking with him would be of great help to you.¡±


    ¡°Who exactly is he?¡±


    ¡°A former Candidate for the First Gentleman, the current President Tailor of the Organization, who rarely appears in public. Only we, the people in the Divine Skin Mansion, and a few tailors have seen him.¡±


    ¡°President Tailor


    ¡°He was once a genius who could go head-to-head with the current First Gentleman, Claude, equally matched.¡±


    Yi Chen had once contemplated approaching Wrinkled Skin Spacy alone in the Nightmare Game to try and score points, but never found the opportunity because Teacher Zede was always by his side.


    Looking back, he felt fortunate he didn¡¯t go, or he would probably have been delivering himself to his death.


    ¡°As soon as your deed is reported, Mr. Spacy will surely be willing to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Okay


    ¡­


    [Power Station ¨C Dream Room]


    As the dream collapsed, the last participants, Hogni Zede and Wrinkled Skin Spacy awoke from the vat.


    Spacy, his body covered with layers of wrinkled skin, looked at Zede and immediately showed utmost respect, ¡°I never imagined someone like you existed within the Organization.


    Mr. Zede~ I will decide for you and lift your current constraints.¡±


    Zede quickly waved his hands, ¡°No~ It¡¯s better for me to remain shackled! Just extend my weekly outing by two or three hours¡­ If you really want to help, you could take care of my student. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He has a great talent when it comes to Skin.¡±


    ¡°Your student? I would be delighted to meet a Gentleman that a person like you values so highly.¡±

 Chapter 330: Continue to Suffer

    Chapter 330: Chapter 329: Continue to Suffer


    Chapter 330 -329: Continue to Suffer


    The Executioner Group announced as soon as they returned to the city that the nightmare threat affecting Zion had been eliminated,


    and the organization would immediately begin to sort out the entire incident and issue rewards to those who contributed.


    They would also comprehensively review the entire process of the nightmare invasion and patch security vulnerabilities in Zion¡¯s current defense system to prevent similar incidents.


    Yi Chen and Jin walked together to the bottom of the collective apartment building.


    It seemed like a recollection of the scene a few days earlier, when two children were throwing iron balls at each other as they headed upstairs, reflecting the aberration displayed by the civilians of Zion at the beginning of the nightmare event.


    Going through the entire nightmare event, what differed most from Yi Chen¡¯s initial estimate was ¡°Catherine¡¯s essence.¡±


    Yi Chen had thought her a villain of the worst kind, filled with malice, plotting to exterminate humanity, but after interacting with her, he found that Catherine¡¯s essence tended more towards a grey area, which is to say, ¡°Chaos.¡±


    Such a person, even in a civilized society, would be condemned and needed elimination.


    But in a world view where survival is the primary concern, perhaps only such chaotic beings like Catherine are best suited for survival.


    After this incident,


    Yi Chen, aside from gaining an increase in epidemic value (1¡ú2) and an overall improvement in his hand-to-hand combat skills, also realized a more brutal truth.


    Even Catherine, a passerby who acted on a whim, could turn Zion into an armed camp teeming with crises¡­ Should a real crisis arrive, this city praised as humanity¡¯s last sanctuary might also collapse.


    Zion¡¯s stable existence over the years, and its continual eradication of the Patient, largely depended on the support of the Skin Market.


    ¡°Catherine said that the Skin Market is currently facing a crisis. As an organization that relies on the Skin Market, we are no longer protected as before and may be invaded by other forces at any time.


    I estimate the selection for the First Gentleman will start soon,


    I must strive for the position of the First Gentleman to learn more detailed information¡­ With Yellow Skin in hand, I can indeed implement ¡®reforms¡¯ and possibly save more lives.¡±


    ¡°William, what are you thinking about? Hurry up and catch up,¡± Jin was already standing at the entrance of the apartment building, continuously waving.


    ¡°Jin, I just woke up from a nightmare and now can¡¯t sleep at all.


    Plus, you¡¯ve been busy chasing and killing, and probably haven¡¯t gathered enough synthetic meat. There¡¯s nothing to do if we go up now;want to accompany me to the institute?¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°To visit teacher Zede.¡±


    ¡°That one¡­ the death row inmate who was pardoned exceptionally? Sure, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Jin still had no idea about Zede¡¯s extensive slaughtering in the nightmare games and only heard of this person who was so powerful that the organization pardoned and sealed him off.


    ¡­


    After the nightmare event had ended,


    Hogni Zed rejected the invitations, including from Wrinkled Skin Spacy, vice director of the Power Station Research Institute, Kimberly Cabrera,


    claiming his weekly allowance of outdoor time had been exhausted and returned alone to the institute, to his office which was akin to a prison cell.


    ¡°Passion¡±


    Zed, confined for years due to his offenses, had not felt this youthful emotion for a long time.


    However, this dreaming experience rekindled his passion and even made his old, frail body feel alive again.


    Especially his fight with Mozander of the Circus, the unrestricted, consequential collision of body against body reignited the flame in Zed¡¯s heart, making him want to go outside again.


    As Zed lay on the couch, lifting the corners of his mouth for a brief rest, the visitor had already arrived.


    Yi Chen entered as if he was returning home, introducing his friend to the teacher.


    ¡°This is Jin Almeda, born in Cesimani, suffers from a comprehensive cancer disorder, just participated in the final nightmare expulsion and came along with me.¡±


    Click!


    The response Yi Chen received was the sound of a twisting ankle joint.


    Zed, who had been sitting on the couch, closed the distance in an instant, delivering a direct punch to the face.


    If it had been before, Yi Chen certainly wouldn¡¯t have reacted in time and would have been sent flying by the punch, possibly even losing his head.


    However, having just experienced numerous life-and-death close combats in his nightmares and undergone prolonged physical learning, Yi Chen involuntarily reacted when he heard the sound of an ankle cracking.


    He instantly identified the ¡®gap¡¯ in this punch and the massive opening in Zed¡¯s lower body.


    A series of optimal counterattack actions was generated in his frenzied brain and relayed to various parts of his body, synchronizing to execute the perfect movement.


    He dove to dodge and took the opportunity to grapple! He even thought of throwing Zed out.


    Only when he completed this series of movements, tightly hugging Zed¡¯s thighs and buttocks with crossed arms, and feeling that cold, supple touch did Yi Chen realize this scene felt familiar.


    ¡°Teacher, you purposely induced me to perform the ¡®Submerged Takedown¡¯ with that punch, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Zed¡¯s voice came from above, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you throw me out?¡±


    ¡°I certainly don¡¯t want to suffer a frontal knee strike, alright? That really could kill someone¡­ As expected, teacher, you saw through my identity very early in the dream.


    Even if I disguise myself however I can, my physical essence can¡¯t be changed.¡±


    Zed too abandoned his usual casual tone, seriously saying:


    ¡°Since you can perform so well in your dreams, I am going to completely revamp your physical training from now on. Every so often, you will engage in real, meaningful close combat with me, and I will try not to pull any punches.


    For now, the organization has increased my weekly outings to ten hours


    If I accidentally seriously injure you, I can also take you to the hospital immediately.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ah¡­ this


    Just then, Jin, who was nearby, raised a hand and interjected, ¡°Can I join in too? William looks like he¡¯s not very confident.¡±


    ¡°Jin, don¡¯t


    Before Yi Chen could stop him, Zed had already graciously made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture, inviting Jin to join them at Zed¡¯s Paradise for physical level combat training.


    When Jin arrived at ¡®Zed¡¯s Paradise¡¯, he was immediately stunned by the ¡®exercise equipment¡¯ before him.


    ¡°William? Have you always been training in such a place?¡±


    ¡°Haha, yes,¡±


    ¡°No wonder your body is so utterly different from others, your physical weapons developed from your body also far stronger than those of others at the same level¡­ This is really interesting! You almost never see such twisted places in Cesimani.


    So, how do we go about the combat?¡±


    Zed replied, ¡°Just try not to damage the equipment or the venue, and you guys can do it however you want¡­ I used to simply be a sparring partner. Now that you¡¯ve all made breakthroughs, I can also unleash my true strength and enjoy myself.¡±


    From the teacher¡¯s words and demeanor, Yi Chen could see that Zed had become somewhat different after the nightmare incident,


    The former gloom had mostly vanished, as if he had reignited his love for life.


    Seeing the teacher¡¯s transformation, Yi Chen also felt quite relieved and no longer concerned himself with whether he might be crippled, ready to wholeheartedly accompany the teacher for some fun and relaxation.


    Jin was already showing signs of impatience, her pink tongue slightly peeking out from under the mask,


    Following Zed¡¯s command to start the sparring, the two of them charged at him almost instantly.


    Five minutes passed.


    Zed sat on the armrest of a treadmill, pulled out a homemade cigarette, lit it in his mouth, and lightly adjusted his eye patch.


    Before him, Yi Chen and Jin hung on the equipment like two clumps of mud, consciousness lost for the moment, unable to move again.


    Supported by cancer cells, Jin woke up first and then pulled out a meat juice injector to give both herself and William a shot.


    ¡°Hey! William, wake up quickly!¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ don¡¯t wake me up~ Isn¡¯t it nice just to pass out like this?¡± Yi Chen was a bit puzzled;he had just been beaten out of his dream, and now he was getting beaten again.


    ¡°Call Reagan over¡­ maybe we could manage it with three people.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead and call~ If he¡¯s willing to come.¡± Yi Chen didn¡¯t care anymore;as long as he could get beaten less, it was fine by him.


    Jin made a phone call, informing Reagan about a free meal tonight, and the heavily pregnant Reagan showed up at their door within ten minutes.

 Chapter 331: Dinner Party

    Chapter 331: Chapter 330: Dinner Party


    Chapter 331 -330: Dinner Party


    [Phelps¡¯s Cattle]


    A roadside restaurant with a giant cow skull hanging above its sign.


    In one of the private rooms, an eating contest seemed to be underway, with waitstaff continuously bringing in dishes like steak, fried bone skewers, and tendon meatball soup.


    Every so often, a large number of plates would be carried out from the room.


    Inside the private room,


    Reagan and Zede ate voraciously as if nothing was wrong,


    Reagan had been staying at the Power Station this whole time, assisting with the Dreaming project and analyzing various brainwave data, hardly ever having a proper meal.


    Zede had also expended a large amount of energy in the Dreaming process and hadn¡¯t had the chance to eat a hot meal after waking.


    Their hearty eating contrasted sharply with the two other people across the table who appeared frail and had no appetite at all.


    Covered in wounds, with visible indentations in their bodies where bones had not yet properly regrown.


    Yi Chen and Jin could only lean on each other, struggling to maintain their sitting posture, or rather, their stomachs had not fully healed, and their organs were just barely taking shape.


    If they hadn¡¯t already pushed their limits, if Jin hadn¡¯t provided the meat juice, this eating scene would probably be at Hippocrates Hospital¡¯s Inpatient Department.


    The reason Reagan wasn¡¯t injured was simple.


    As the technical provider for the Dreaming project, he had been assisting from the periphery of the Dream Entry Room the whole time and naturally saw the terrifying scene of Zede in his sleep suppressing the deputy director with one hand, almost breaking the prosthetic arm.


    When called to Zede¡¯s basement office by his companions, he declined all potential ¡®physical combat¡¯ requests on account of his own body not being quite up to par.


    He merely participated with his spiritual power, mainly supporting Yi Chen and Jin, and would never attack Zede with spiritual power.


    In the end, it was still only Yi Chen and Jin who got beaten up.


    At that moment, Zede, who was in the midst of eating, actually had tears-like saliva flowing from the corner of his mouth, ¡°This place is really good. I wonder if we¡¯ll be able to keep eating here in the future¡­ Ah~ I also wonder how long the organization can hold on.¡±


    Yi Chen, on the other hand, was quite interested in this rather pessimistic topic,


    ¡°If the Grey Zone completely spreads here and Zion is enveloped by it, no longer serving as a fixed abode, does the organization have any plans, teacher?¡±


    ¡°I never touch the management level of the organization, only knowing that the higher-ups have always been making preparations for the impending global Pathological spread. As for what they plan to do specifically, I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    Then, Reagan, who was sitting nearby, took over the conversation.


    ¡°Once the Grey Zone fully spreads and enshrouds Zion,


    The residents here would likely be split into two groups. Those gentlemen who are not strong enough and haven¡¯t made an Extreme Breakthrough will remain in the city. Our Power Station will support a special magnetic field, trying to maintain a stable city state under the influence of the Grey Zone as much as possible.


    The First Gentleman and the Divine Skin Mansion personnel will also perform skin transplants across the city, allowing the gentlemen remaining to obtain a relatively stable living environment through their clothing.


    Of course, no matter what, it can¡¯t compare to the current situation. Life then will inevitably have inherent risks, and power delivery will be cut off on a large scale.


    There will also be frequent pathological and uncontrolled incidents within Zion.¡±


    ¡°As for the other group, the gentlemen who have completed their Extreme Breakthrough and can live and explore independently within the Grey Zone environment can choose to leave Zion and start a ¡®Journey of Wandering.¡¯


    The organization will not give any advice. They can wander alone or establish their own small teams or groups to wander together.


    There¡¯s only one requirement, no matter what, always maintain the dignity of a gentleman and pass on the anthem of humanity.¡±


    ¡°Reagan, how do you know all this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the director of the Power Station, after all. I still know about these things. Plus, I need to consider in advance and ensure that Faye and I make proper arrangements for our future life.¡±


    Yi Chen took the opportunity to follow up on the topic, ¡°Reagan, what are your plans when the time comes? Stay in the city, or start the Journey of Wandering?¡±


    ¡°Naturally, staying in Zion is more stable. At least, I have great confidence in my technology at the Power Station. Paired with the city-wide skin transplants, at least Faye and I can live a peaceful life.¡±


    ¡°And you, teacher, do you have any plans?¡±


    Zede, who was gnawing on a rib, spoke without care, ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet, I¡¯ll just go with the flow~ If Zion still exists, I¡¯ll probably stay here.¡±


    ¡°Hmm


    Jin, seeing that Yi Chen didn¡¯t ask for his opinion, hurriedly interjected, ¡°Hey, why didn¡¯t you ask me!¡±


    ¡°I know that you would definitely leave Zion, Jin. Haven¡¯t you mentioned this to me many times? When the time comes, you should be planning to go to the Old World and live in Cancer Palace, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, I did tell you.¡±


    Yi Chen brought the topic back to the two people across the table, ¡°Reagan, teacher¡­ What if Zion already has problems before the spread of the Grey Zone reaches us?¡±


    Reagan spoke seriously, ¡°I have considered this in advance, and I am currently conducting some relevant equipment research and development within my research facility. Should fleeing become the only option, it should be able to increase our chances of survival.¡±


    Yi Chen also took the opportunity to make a suggestion, ¡°If that¡¯s really the case, let¡¯s all leave together when the time comes.¡±


    ¡°Great, I can take everyone to Cancer Palace for a bit of fun!¡± Jin was the first to raise his hand in approval.


    Reagan also raised his hand;he had already acknowledged his two companions and believed that if anything were to truly happen to Zion, it would at least be a few years away. Considering their talents, they should be able to reach the highest standards within the organization.


    Only Zede remained silent, seemingly weighed down by other concerns and worries.


    Seeing that the teacher was not too cheerful, Yi Chen quickly changed the subject, ¡°Alright! Let¡¯s not talk about such heavy topics. Let¡¯s eat well and drink well, this meal is on me.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of that, William!¡±


    ¡°What is it, teacher?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re very serious about matters regarding the Gentleman¡¯s Skin, and you even wish to pursue the path of the ¡®First Gentleman.¡¯ So, after collaborating with Mr. Spacy, I briefly recommended you. If you¡¯re interested, you might want to reach out to him.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, teacher!¡±


    After the meal, everyone went their separate ways. For a while, Yi Chen was not planning to visit Zede¡¯s teacher, at least he needed some time to move on from the shadows of being beaten up.


    It consequently fell into place that he would go with Jin to the apartment to live, assisting with the meat processing. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A week later,


    The organization had finished coordinating the aftermath of the nightmare event, rewarding all personnel involved in the dreaming plan and the Executioner Group who pursued the nightmares in Cesimani.


    The rewards were divided into four tiers.


    1. Minor Contribution


    2. Ordinary Contribution


    3. Effective Contribution


    4. Optimal Contribution


    Among those nominated for Optimal Contribution were a total of six people,


    1. The monster imprisoned in O.C.A, Hogni Zede


    2. Founders of the Twin Church, one of the Prophets, Marko and Martin


    3. The slaughtering Watcher of Cesimani, one of the Prophets, Sealed Yuri


    4. Chief Tailor, Wrinkled Skin Spacy


    5. Creator of the Nightmare Staircase Theory, Ludwig Reagan


    6. William Behrens


    These six individuals will be jointly invited to the Hall of Honor to receive the highest level of honor from within the organization. In addition, a carver will be present to sculpt a joint portrait of the six, naming it ¡®Dispelling Nightmares¡¯ as an important collectible to be kept in the Hall for posterity to remember.


    Beyond that, one among the six will be chosen to receive the highest level of reward.


    Dawn was just breaking.


    Yi Chen, who shared a mattress bed with Jin, had spent a significant amount of time preparing meat the night before. It took a full five minutes of knocking¡ªso vehement that it nearly shattered the door¡ªfor him to wake up groggily.


    Bleary-eyed, he opened the door to receive an invitation letter sealed with a golden [G&D] stamp from a gentleman enveloped in a cloak, his face obscured.

 Chapter 332: Glory Hall

    Chapter 332: Chapter 331: Glory Hall


    Chapter 332 -331 Glory Hall


    ¡°Dear Mr. William:


    Due to the outstanding contribution you made during the nightmare incident, you are hereby invited to the Hall of Honor to accept a special commendation from the organization. ¨C


    G&D¡±


    ¡°Hmm? The Hall of Honor¡­ making such a big fuss?¡±


    Yi Chen was fortunate to have read about the Hall of Honor in books;only individuals who had made tremendous contributions to the organization were qualified to ascend to the Hall.


    ¡°It seems the organization takes the nightmare incident very seriously¡­ But that¡¯s also right. If Catherine hadn¡¯t played the game with me and had continued with her methods instead, at least 50% of the population would have been in trouble.


    It just so happened that I was forced to discard my weapon during the nightmare incident. I might as well see if I can get my hands on a suitable weapon directly from within the organization as part of my honor reward.¡±


    With the letter in hand, Yi Chen¡¯s sleepiness was swept away.


    After leaving a note for the sleeping Jin, he left alone. During this period, it was all thanks to Jin¡¯s physical nourishment, peer sparring, and shared leisure time that Yi Chen had essentially walked out from under the dual shadow of having been beaten ¡®in body and spirit¡¯.


    Although Jin¡¯s fighting style was also ¡®pure physical,¡¯ it differed drastically from the combat techniques of Zede and Yi Chen,


    Supported by cancer cells, Jin could actively ¡®sacrifice¡¯ parts of himself during combat to inflict equal damage on the opponent, then make use of the cancer¡¯s regenerative powers to heal swiftly and gain the upper hand.


    ¡­


    It was still early, and Yi Chen planned to grab a bowl of pork stew noodles in the lower district before heading over.


    However, when he stepped into a newly opened restaurant, a well-wrapped-up waiter proactively approached him.


    Yi Chen¡¯s vision easily pierced through the waiter¡¯s collar, glimpsing the ¡®brain in a vat¡¯ structure hidden within.


    The structure was attached to a highly human-like prosthetic body, and all movements appeared no different from those of a normal person.


    ¡°Teacher!¡±


    Upon seeing Yi Chen, the waiter called out the honorific title with great excitement.


    This person was none other than Breeder Blanklin, who had participated in the nightmare game as a death row inmate. Because the information he provided had some value, the organization honored its promise by giving him a healthy prosthetic body and freedom of identity.


    ¡°Blanklin, your new body seems quite good.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to the teacher for giving me a chance to be reborn. Once I¡¯ve worked here long enough to save money, and have slowly adapted to this prosthetic body to regain my previous level of slaughtering skills, I will leave the city to begin my quest for knowledge.¡±


    ¡°No hurry, there¡¯s much to learn within the organization as well. Why not completely understand the knowledge available here before departing?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Blanklin also purposely got Yi Chen some extra pork. When Yi Chen left the restaurant, Blanklin saw him off in a gentlemanly manner the whole way.


    Walking alone towards the Hall of Honor, Yi Chen savored the feeling of being a teacher,


    for during his life, he had essentially maintained the identity of a student ¡ª an extremely lowly one, tightly oppressed, even ultimately dying in the pursuit of his education.


    The memories of his college days started to become vague in recent times,


    as the memories from the orphanage fully awakened, Yi Chen could sense that his memories of college, of graduate school, must have been fabricated.


    The real memories were still sealed away, and Yi Chen had ¡®accidentally died¡¯ during his pursuit of college education, ultimately arriving here with the brand new identity of William Behrens.


    ¡°Life before, I shall return once I¡¯ve absorbed enough knowledge and gained enough power, to uncover the real cause of my death and turn those ¡®teachers¡¯ who tried to enslave me into students.


    For now, I can also start educating more students appropriately, establish a society;the more students there are, the more knowledge they can collect, and the more knowledge they ultimately share with me.


    Knowledge is surely a necessity for me to upgrade my Madness Brain, enhance my epidemic value, and even reach higher echelons.


    Besides, I also need to consider the matter of Skin, to meet the physical confrontations prescribed by Teacher Zede.


    Oh, and I combined Lorrian¡¯s two elements of Moon and Stars within the Madness Brain during the last ¡®lunar journey,¡¯ creating something new. This is something I must discuss with Principal Desline.


    Ah, it¡¯s better not to think about it¡­ there¡¯s so much to do¡­ One thing at a time.¡±


    ¡­


    [Hall of Honor]


    The building was established deep within Zion,


    and, due to its symbolic significance, it also served as a point for bestowing high-rank honors, as well as a repository for major historical records of the organization¡¯s development, directly expressing this building¡¯s ¡°status¡± in Zion through its scale and height.


    Therefore,


    the hall¡¯s design spanned the upper, middle, and lower streets vertically.


    To reach the hall, one first had to traverse an extended staircase.


    With thousands of steps and equipped with platforms and numerous resting spots along the way, it quite felt like climbing a mountain.


    After about half an hour of ascending, when one had almost reached the horizontal elevation of the upper streets, the grand columnar gateway would give way to a Gothic dome structure built of marble.


    It was indeed the Glory Hall,


    atop which a large bell was installed, its chimes resounding throughout the entirety of Zion whenever an honorable deed was recorded.


    Upon entering the hall, Yi Chen was still greeted by a lengthy and expansive staircase.


    The stained-glass windows at the top of the steps employed ¡°active lighting¡± to cast light in as much as possible, bathing anyone who entered the hall in its glow.


    Additionally, the walls on both sides of the stairs were fitted with niches at regular intervals,


    each containing single, paired, or even group head sculptures, combined with gold nameplates featuring ¡°names,¡± symbolizing these people¡¯s contributions and the honors they had received for the organization.


    Among them, Yi Chen also caught a glimpse of a familiar portrait sculpture ¨C ¡°Dis Campbell, the inventor of the Sun Secret Medicine.¡±


    By the time he reached the round central hall of the Glory Hall, climbing the internal stairs,


    the other five invitees had already arrived.


    The attendees, except for Wrinkled Skin Spacy whom he was not very familiar with, were all acquaintances, so Yi Chen had nothing to avoid and quickly took his place beside his rank-mate, Reagan.


    Yi Chen also noticed that Spacy was sneakily peeking at him through the gaps in his drooping eyelids.


    The attire he had chosen for the day was also somewhat ¡°extravagant,¡± consisting of a rather primitive ¡°stitched cloak.¡±


    Made from the highest purity of ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡± it was stitched together with the simplest of threads, leaving the seams visible, forming a loose cloak draped over his body.


    Combined with the extensive layers of Spacy¡¯s own skin, it was hard to distinguish which parts were the cloak and which were his own.


    Furthermore,


    within this great hall, Yi Chen also saw the magnificent sculpture of the ¡°First Gentleman¡± from days past,


    including the current First Gentleman, a total of seven sculptures surrounded the hall, each base accompanied by a leather-bound tome, which could be consulted for their detailed life stories by touch.


    Because of their existence, the organization had been able to develop to its present state, allowing everyone to easily acquire skin attire to flaunt their gentlemanly status.


    Yi Chen also respectfully bowed to each of these selflessly devoted predecessors in turn.


    At that moment,


    three figures approached the crowd, including the two Prophets, Yuri and Marko, as well as President and Tailor Spacy, who immediately greeted them with a gentlemanly gesture of respect.


    The three newcomers were indeed the organization¡¯s surviving founders, akin to living fossils.


    Among them was one whom Yi Chen had met ¨C ¡°The First Doctor, Gregory Alaus,¡± the founder of the medical system, presently the Principal of Hippocrates Hospital.


    He was still dressed in a flamboyant purple suit with sunglasses and strode with a vigor that even seemed healthier than many younger people.


    However,


    he was the only one who could overcome the issue of age;the other two appeared to be in a rather ¡®dire¡¯ state.


    One of them was so old that his form was hardly discernible, the wrinkles on his face alone numbering over a thousand. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Garbed in a bishop¡¯s garment with golden trim, the gem-encrusted staff in his hand emitted a soft glow, even capable of bringing a sense of comfort and solace to the gentlemen present.


    The other no longer had a physical body,


    his brain soaked in a fluid vat, cradled by a steel knight who seemed like a giant, or perhaps this giant knight was his temporary prosthetic body.

 Chapter 333: Best Contributor

    Chapter 333: Chapter 332: Best Contributor


    Chapter 333 -332: Best Contributor


    One of the founders of the organization


    [Archbishop of Glory ¨C Yaleris Highton]


    The Glory Hall, formerly known as the Light Great Cathedral, was the earliest base of the [Light Church] in Zion.


    Yaleris Highton was the founder of the Church and the author of its doctrines, known as the First Bishop. Under his management, the Church grew at an unimaginable rate, becoming the first Church in Zion within just a few years.


    At that time, whether they were gentlemen within the organization or people from cities, towns, and villages associated with the organization, everyone regarded the Light Church as the sole flame guiding humanity through darkness.


    Light Churches began to be built everywhere on the Fourth Continent, and the faithful were prevalent to the extent that there was a tendency to rename ¡®gentlemen¡¯ to ¡®Light Followers¡¯.


    Moreover, the Light Church was extremely inclusive, allowing for the development of various small churches.


    However, at the peak of the Church¡¯s development,


    Yaleris Highton suddenly announced the dissolution of the Light Church within Zion, renaming the Light Great Cathedral to the Glory Hall, and ordered the demolition of all sculptures and decorations associated with the Light Church, as well as the closure and restructuring of churches in various regions.


    He stayed within the Glory Hall, serving as a historian, recording and preserving significant events of the organization, and bestowing honors on gentlemen who made great contributions.


    The reason for the sudden dissolution of the Church was simple,


    The [Skin Market] did not favor the existence of such a Church and would have directly cut off the supply of Skin if the Light Church had not dissolved.


    For the past few centuries, Yaleris Highton has remained in the Glory Hall, only coming forward to handle major events within the organization.


    Among the surviving founders of the organization, only Yaleris and Doctor Araus still possessed healthy physical bodies.


    As for another founder, known as [First Knight ¨C York De Moratti], his brain was held in the hands of ironclad knight armor.


    In the early days when the organization was established, the group of gentlemen was primarily composed of knights, and Moratti was the General Knight Commander at that time, revered as the bravest warrior.


    Since the system of gentlemen was not yet well-established and wars were frequent, there were few truly powerful individuals.


    Commander Moratti often personally led teams to combat Patients and even ventured deep into the Grey Zone for pathogen and exploration. Although his body was extraordinarily strong, it waned from the erosion of plaguing Pathogens during repeated confrontations.


    Due to his steadfast will, he forcefully lingered on his sickbed with a declining body for over a hundred years until the organization developed the technology to separate the brain, at which point he discarded his physical form to become what he is now.


    The giant armor holding his brain was based on his knight armor from those days, combined with contemporary technology to create the ¡®Righteous Armor.¡¯


    Commander Moratti¡¯s consciousness has been etched into the armor via Arrays, existing in this new identity, silently guarding over Zion.


    When the three founders arrived, everyone bowed in salute.


    The Archbishop of Glory, Yaleris Highton, took the central position and began to speak, ¡°It is truly heartening that among the core personnel dealing with this nightmare incident, there are two such young newcomers.


    I hear one has been with us for less than two years.¡±


    Though the Archbishop looked like a dried-up corpse, his speech was forceful and strong. The young man he referred to was naturally William¡­ Technically, William could still be considered a student of the academy, having not yet graduated within the two-year term.


    ¡°First, you will need to stand in two rows so that I can carve the ¡®Honour Sculpture¡¯ for you.¡±


    The lineup was quickly organized with the adjustment of the two Prophets,


    Yi Chen and Reagan, the two young men, were kneeling in front, with Prophet Yuri in his wheelchair nestled between them.


    Standing in the back row were Marko and Martin, Zede, and Spacy.


    Yuri in the wheelchair also temporarily removed his facial bandages during the carving session, squeezing out a smile, which he was not adept at,


    to ease the discomfort and tension, he tried to place his palm on the shoulder of Yi Chen beside him. When he reached out, he found another hand already resting on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, cold and corpse-like to the touch.


    There was no warmth of blood flowing underneath, no possibility of Slaughter.


    For a moment, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward, so Yuri had no choice but to retract his outstretched palm.


    ¡°Everyone, maintain this pose and don¡¯t move;it will be completed soon.¡±


    Archbishop Yaleris seemed to pull out a long, flat stone slab from some subspace, directly carving on it with his fingers, and it only took a few minutes to engrave everyone¡¯s features onto it. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Accompanied by a ¡®Dispel Nightmares¡¯ tag, it was placed in a vacant niche within the hall.


    ¡°In addition to the honor, each of you will receive a reward of one hundred thousand silver coins, as well as the opportunity to select an item suitable for yourselves from the organization¡¯s treasury.¡±


    ¡°One hundred thousand! That¡¯s exactly enough to pay off my debts Yi Chen felt his efforts were quite worthwhile upon hearing about the hefty reward.


    ¡°Moreover, we will nominate the best contributor of this nightmare event here.


    Since we are merely observers and cannot determine who made the greatest contribution, the opportunity to nominate will be given to you.


    The nomination will be determined by an internal vote, where each person has only one vote and cannot vote for themselves.


    If someone receives a number of votes equal to or greater than half of the total number of people, they will be officially elected.


    If a successful election does not occur, the ¡®best contributor¡¯ honor will be canceled.¡±


    ¡°The best contributor will be personally escorted by me to the Secret Storage Room of the Original Church, where they can select one of the treasures left over from the early days of the organization¡¯s founding.¡±


    ¡°Original Church¡¯s Secret Storage Prophet Marko¡¯s pupils showed a strong interest when he heard this.


    ¡°Now, let the voting begin! Find a piece of cloth or paper to write a name on.¡±


    Yi Chen let his gentleman¡¯s clothes yield a small piece of fabric, and when he went to write down a name, he hesitated again.


    He didn¡¯t know whether to write Zede¡¯s name or Yuri¡¯s, as both had played a crucial role in the nightmare project, and after some thought, he still found it hard to commit to either.


    Just then, the Archbishop¡¯s voice rang out:


    ¡°William Behrens, there¡¯s no need for you to ponder any longer, the best contributor has already been chosen!¡±


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    The Archbishop tossed into the air, and five different pieces of paper unfolded and hovered in midair, all inscribed with the same name¡ª[William].


    Although everyone was interested in the treasures of the Original Church, they already had a best candidate in mind.


    Yuri, by his side, finally found the opportunity to pat Yi Chen vigorously on the shoulder before letting Prophet Marko wheel his chair out of the Glory Hall.


    Teacher Zede mixed with Reagan, and the two seemed to have bonded a bit over a meal at the beef restaurant last time;ready to splurge on a lavish meal again with this prize money.


    Wrinkled Skin Spacy, before leaving, purposefully whispered in Yi Chen¡¯s ear:


    ¡°If you want to understand more about skin afterward, you can find me at the address on this card.


    You appear to have already been selected as a Candidate for the First Gentleman. Claude¡¯s current state is very bad, and the selection is expected to take place shortly.


    It might be a month, maybe a week, or it could even be tomorrow or the day after.


    You should also make haste as well. If possible, come to see me tonight.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Once everyone had departed, a smile crept across Yi Chen¡¯s face;he could feel that the end of the nightmare event had elevated him to the higher echelons of the organization.


    The next moment would be thrilling,


    It was Yi Chen¡¯s first time hearing about the ¡®Secret Storage of the Original Church,¡¯ and since it was the highest reward, it was bound to be better than the items in the organization¡¯s treasury. Perhaps he would truly be able to select a weapon suited for himself or some other rare treasure.

 Chapter 334: Secret Storage Room

    Chapter 334: Chapter 333: Secret Storage Room


    Chapter 334 -333: Secret Storage Room


    With the departure of the crowd, the Glory Hall was left with only the three founders and the best-chosen contributor.


    Just as Bishop Yaleris was about to lead this young man to the Original Church¡¯s secret storage area,


    a strange buzzing sound emanated from the armor of the First Knight, a sound created by the friction of armor materials that, upon reaching the ears, would be recognized by the clothing and projected as text onto the retina.


    He indicated a desire to go together to the secret storage area, as though there was something he wanted to recommend to this young man.


    The First Doctor Araus, donning a purple suit and sunglasses, waved his hand and walked toward the bottom of the stairs, ¡°I¡¯ll pass, those things would bring back some unpleasant memories.¡±


    Under the guidance of Bishop Yaleris, Yi Chen followed towards the depths of the Glory Hall,


    Although the Light Church had been forcibly disbanded at the Skin Market¡¯s insistence,


    the Church had still developed for over a decade before its dissolution, accumulating a great deal of wealth during a time when the plague was emerging and the connection to the Old World had just been opened, and the opportunities were far greater than they are today.


    Moreover,


    with the transformation of the Light Great Cathedral into the Glory Hall, the relics of gentlemen who had died in battle would also be collected and brought back to Zion.


    Ordinary gentlemen¡¯s relics would be stored in the Gentleman¡¯s Treasure Vault,


    while special, significant, or relics that could represent the pre-death honor of the original bearers would be kept in the Glory Hall, a cut above in terms of quality and completeness.


    Initially, these relics were displayed directly in the hall.


    But given the value of the items and the increasing number, Bishop Yaleris ultimately decided to re-open the Original Church¡¯s Secret Storage Room and store all valuable relics there.


    Rumble, rumble~


    A perfectly embedded circular stone elevator in the floor of the hall was activated.


    When the elevator reached the bottom, before them lay a corridor supported by multiple columns, with a total of 28 Knight Armors standing on both sides.


    Like the First Knight, these armors had no physical bodies, but their souls existed.


    They were once the elite knights under First Knight Moratti¡¯s command, who voluntarily stayed behind in this eternal form, even though their names had long been forgotten by most.


    Yi Chen followed the two founders towards the Secret Storage Room at the end of the corridor, passing by knight armors that knelt in succession.


    The large door at the end of the corridor was personally opened by the First Knight.


    [Secret Storage Room]


    A multi-layered columnar space with each layer equipped with numerous niches for storage, containing various treasures, gentlemen¡¯s relics, and even some special limbs.


    As Yi Chen entered this storied storage area, an eye like a black crystal opened on the surface of his brain, spinning incessantly.


    ¡°William! There seems to be something good hidden here¡­ I smell a grape aroma I¡¯ve never come across before. Can you find that thing? I can¡¯t pinpoint the location, only a refined aroma drifting in the air.¡±


    ¡°Grapes? This is an opportunity I¡¯ve worked hard to secure. If it¡¯s not especially precious, let it be.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same! I can feel that this grape has at least five hundred years of history and still maintains ¡®freshness Moreover, the grape¡¯s possessor might also be someone skilled with eyes.


    This is quite rare;its value could be immeasurable.


    It should be a well-preserved corpse or head. Just take a quick look~ If I can see the real thing, I¡¯ll be able to confirm it further.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try to look for it later.¡±


    Yi Chen had come here prepared to accept the organization¡¯s reward, as his axe was damaged and he urgently needed a suitable weapon.


    The view quickly revealed many weapons left by predecessors, as well as some materials emitting the aura of the Old World.


    But he couldn¡¯t possibly refuse little grape¡¯s request.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what the two founders have to say first


    Bishop Yaleris, with his walking stick at the center, began to introduce the issue of rewards to Yi Chen, ¡°Only a true gentleman who has contributed to the organization and is recognized by his peers qualifies to set foot here.


    Pick the treasure that suits you best as a reward. Continue to maintain your character and carry on the inheritance of human civilization.


    Knight Commander Moratti seems to have some recommendations;you might consider them.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken,


    a certain item here was summoned¡­ Buzz!


    A sacred sword forged from a special gold soared out from a high niche, swirling before plunging straight into the ground in front of everyone.


    The guard of the sword was engraved with lifelike lion heads on both ends,


    due to its special Old World gold forging, it weighed a total of 500 pounds. It also contained an internal gravity magic enchantment that could be activated during a slash to increase its lethality.


    Clearly,


    the First Knight, Moratti, wanted Yi Chen to try out the Golden Holy Sword that had accompanied him in many battles, as he currently lacked a physical body to wield its true power.


    ¡°With your body, you might be able to wield ¡®Holy Eus¡¯ properly, allowing it to continue its service in the world, cutting down plagues and banishing evil.¡±


    Yi Chen showed an awkward expression;he had no idea how to use a sword, and such an utterly sacred object didn¡¯t quite suit him.


    Since it was a cordial invitation from the Founder, it was somewhat difficult to outright refuse.


    With an attitude of giving it a try, he prepared to swing it simply. The First Knight would surely give up recommending him once he saw his completely inexperienced and strained sword-swinging demeanor.


    However,


    the moment Yi Chen reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword,


    the Holy Sword seemed to be provoked, instantly bursting into golden holy light, triggering a strong repulsion with the iron chains and death matter that were part of Yi Chen¡¯s body.


    Clang! The sword was repelled, even damaging another ceramic relic in the process.


    The hilt touched by the palm still had traces of fingerprints eroded by black liquid.


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    Yi Chen cried out too, scalded, with a hand covered in golden goo.


    This scene left the First Knight feeling utterly dejected.


    He didn¡¯t understand Yi Chen well and had only perceived that the young man had an impressive body, likely capable of handling the weight of the Golden Holy Sword.


    Moreover, Yi Chen had received recognition from everyone else, surely a gentleman filled with justice, noble character, and abilities leaning towards the ¡®positive.¡¯


    Who knew Yi Chen would harbor so many ¡®negative attributes,¡¯ nearly bringing ruin to his Holy Sword.


    The First Knight, Moratti, recalled the Holy Sword and turned to leave, intending to take it out for repairs¡­ Feeling the death-inflicted wounds on the hilt, his heart also bled incessantly.


    The Archbishop quietly consoled from the side, ¡°Moratti has always been in a hurry to find an heir, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­ Of course not~¡±


    Truthfully, even if Yi Chen were proficient with swords, he wouldn¡¯t fancy this Golden Holy Sword.


    If this were hundreds of years ago, shortly after the organization was founded, Old World gold would indeed be rare, even priceless.


    But now, the duke had already provided Yi Chen with a box made purely of Old World gold for storing relics, and he was not fond of it. It was alright for making jewelry bases, but quite unsuitable for weaponry.


    ¡°Feel free to browse the relics here, pick out what suits you best, without worrying about time.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Opportunities were rare, so Yi Chen deliberately slowed down, carefully examining each secret treasure. Unconsciously, three whole hours passed.


    The Archbishop stood in place the entire time without showing any signs of impatience. Having lived for over five hundred years and always here in this hall, these three hours passed like a blink of an eye to him.


    After a complete tour, Yi Chen took interest in quite a few materials.


    However, he did not find any finished axe-related weapons, which suggested a low percentage of gentlemen using such weaponry¡ªas axes generally seemed more rough-hewn, not quite genteel.


    Despite that,


    Yi Chen, who had scrutinized everything diligently, did not encounter ¡®grapes,¡¯ or bodies to harbor the grapes;at most, there were specially treated arms and organs displayed in the niches. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Have you made your choice?¡±


    ¡°Lord Bishop, does this secret storage room contain any ¡®bodies¡¯?¡±


    Upon this question,


    Yaleris¡¯s facial wrinkles tightened against each other as a deep voice emanated from his mouth: ¡°Even with the seal intact, can you feel the presence of the [Sacred Body]?¡±

 Chapter 335: Cursed Sacred Body

    Chapter 335: Chapter 334: Cursed Sacred Body


    Chapter 335 -334 Cursed Sacred Body


    ¡°Sacred Body?¡± Yi Chen heard this term for the first time.


    The Archbishop approached Yi Chen and gently sniffed with his over five hundred year-old nose, actually detecting the smell of a corpse beneath the clothing, and this scent was quite complex.


    ¡°It seems that you have a deep connection with cemeteries, or shall I say, there exists some special cemetery creature within you?¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than the little grape popped its head out from the clothing.


    The Archbishop, upon seeing this pitch-black, furry thing with eyes in its mouth, lit up with interest.


    ¡°An intriguing creation, I wonder which cemetery it originates from?¡±


    ¡°Seven-Day Cemetery, it¡¯s a creature cultivated by Mr. Wilbert. Before I became a gentleman, I worked there, and having been chosen by the organization, by a stroke of luck, I left the cemetery with little grape and embarked on the path of a gentleman.¡±


    ¡°It carries not just the aura of Seven-Day Cemetery, but at least two others as well.¡±


    Yi Chen immediately explained, detailing the events concerning Cold Lake Cemetery and Stone Statue Cemetery.


    Upon learning that little grape could absorb the essence of cemeteries and transform them into its own attribute, the Archbishop was utterly astounded.


    ¡°Such a valuable little guy, and no records of it between organizations? Although I only work amongst the halls of Glory Hall, I still have a good understanding of corpses.


    After all, after my old peers die, their bodies all require my care to be managed.


    I¡¯ve never seen a corpse that can absorb and integrate the essence of cemeteries. If it truly can, indeed, I can let you go to the Holy Body Room and have a look.¡±


    ¡°What the so-called Sacred Body refers to are initially the bodies of the organization¡¯s founders, who against various pressures and risks, spared no effort in creating and developing the organization during mankind¡¯s toughest times.


    Other than us three old timers who are barely alive, the rest have passed on.


    Latterly, gentlemen who have made great contributions to the organization, as long as their bodies are relatively intact, are preserved below in the form of Sacred Bodies after death.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference between a Sacred Body and an ordinary corpse?¡±


    ¡°Only bodies that have undergone the ¡®Complete Saint Baptism¡¯ can be called Sacred Bodies.


    Once the baptism is complete, the body will never decay.


    Unlike specimens, Sacred Bodies constantly draw Holy Light particles from among the Glory Hall to maintain their fresh state, with internal organs almost identical to those at the onset of death.¡±


    ¡°The particles absorbed by the Sacred Bodies must all come from you, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct, which is also why I¡¯ve stayed here all this time.


    Since you could sense the presence of the Sacred Bodies unknowingly and with the seal unopened, perhaps there is some destiny, come with me~ Maybe those fellows below want to meet a young person like you.¡±


    This speech made Yi Chen a bit creeped out.


    But little grape, upon hearing it might meet a bunch of undecaying strong corpses, couldn¡¯t help but drool shamelessly.


    The Archbishop activated a container in a niche on the third layer, click!


    A spiraling passageway continuing downward formed on the ground.


    With the secret passage open, the sensation grew even clearer.


    Even Yi Chen could distinctly feel a bunch of strange ¡®physical¡¯ presences below, able to sense their death, yet amidst the death, there was a warm Holy Light intertwining.


    The Holy Body Room


    Crystal coffins stood erect here, preserving the deceased who had made significant contributions to the organization, indeed all of them maintained the appearance of the moment they died, with their flesh showing no signs of decay.


    Yi Chen also paid his respects in turn.


    Little grape, however, was behaving strangely,


    If it were any other time, any of these bodies would have been a beautiful treat for little grape, and it would have brazenly pounced on every single one.


    But now, little grape had its sights set on just one, following a distinctively delicious grape scent in the air, it led Yi Chen past numerous crystal coffins, deeper inside.


    ¡°It¡¯s this one, I smelled its grape scent the moment we stepped into the Secret Storage Room


    When Yi Chen followed little grape¡¯s lead and looked towards it, he was startled by the sight of the Holy Body and even took a step back¡­ The reason was simple, the strange eyeballs of the other were actually focusing on him.


    And such eyes, Yi Chen had never seen before.


    ¡°What on earth


    At this moment, the Archbishop followed them in, and upon seeing the holy body Yi Chen and the little grape had found, he too had a moment of realization.


    ¡°Indeed, the reason you were able to sense the holy body in the secret storage room must be because of [Rudolf], right? It¡¯s no wonder;the product of your cemetery, particularly pronounced in the aspect of eyes, would inevitably experience homologous induction with Rudolf.¡±


    ¡°Rudolf


    Yi Chen took another look at the sacred body sealed within the crystal cabinet,


    Long eyebrows, white beard, and a head of lush yet messy white hair. By the looks of it, if judged by the average person¡¯s age, he appeared to be well into his seventies.


    However, he was clad in a sleek and simple classical suit that only served to accentuate his tall, and somewhat overly elongated, figure.


    Yet, these attires and physical features were not of importance.


    The most crucial lay in this man¡¯s eyes,


    which looked entirely charred, presenting a scorched black sheen with tiny, shell-like scales covering the surface.


    His pupils appeared like a fire ring, and one could even vaguely see flames flickering over them, with the embers occasionally visible among the scales around the eyes.


    The rare ¡®barbecue smell¡¯ that the little grape had detected was evidence that it had utterly lost the dignity behooving a cemetery creature, its saliva flowing continuously like a stream.


    Yi Chen soon discovered the tag for this sacred body¡¯s identity at the lower end of the crystal coffin,


    Rudolf Fischer, the perfecter of the Prophet system, the cursed Prophet, the chaos peeper


    ¡°Prophet?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Prophet Rudolf is one of the most respectable Prophets in the history of Zion.


    The Prophet system he established is still in use today. It ensures that every gentleman who becomes a Prophet is completely at the service of the organization, can perform optimally in their area of expertise, and will never betray the organization.


    He personally incurred a curse during an exploration of a forbidden area, which tainted both his eyes with unquenchable cursed flames.


    Even after his death, having undergone the complete sanctification ceremony, the cursed flames within his eyeballs continued to burn.¡± S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Is he really dead?¡±


    This question from Yi Chen made the Archbishop look troubled.


    ¡°Could it be possible that only his physical body died, and his soul remains trapped within his eyes, eternally suffering the torment of the flames? Because just now, I felt as if I was being watched, as if he was still alive.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, Rudolf has not completely passed away, but this was his own choice.


    In his lifetime, he had no students, for no one could learn his ¡®Pupil Skill.¡¯


    Unwilling to let the abilities he dedicated his life to exploring vanish along with the curse, he hoped that my ¡®Complete Sanctification Ceremony¡¯ would preserve his eyeballs in their original condition, until someone could inherit them.


    And maybe part of his soul is also trapped within, constantly enduring the burning curse.


    Any outstanding gentleman who proceeds to the Glory Hall, if they specialize in eyes or have a knack for using them, I always bring them down here¡­ yet, sadly, no heir has been found.


    The reason I brought you two down here was for the same purpose.


    You may try to make contact with this sacred body, feel the burn of its cursed eyeballs and their condition. If you have any thoughts on this matter, you can consider accepting the inheritance.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and hand it over~ I can¡¯t wait any longer!¡±


    In the eyes of the little grape, there were no corpses, only two succulent grapes sizzling on a barbecue grill.


    ¡°Calm down, little grape. I suggest you observe carefully first. A curse capable of eternally confining a Prophet to the agony of burning is extraordinary;you could also become cursed if you touch it rashly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be rash!¡±


    As the coffin was opened,


    the little grape executed a perfect mid-air three-and-a-half turn to land squarely on the shoulder of the sacred body, and as he reached out to touch that charred eyeball¡­


    The ability of the first corpse ¨C [Eye Collector Gemhar], which had already been activated within him, passively triggered.


    Pop!


    The two cursed eyeballs, as if attracted by a magnet, detached themselves from their sockets and hovered between the little grape¡¯s left and right palms, slowly being absorbed into his body.

 Chapter 336: Ashes Reborn

    Chapter 336: Chapter 335: Ashes Reborn


    Chapter 336 -335: Ashes Reborn


    Dong! Dong! Dong!


    The bells atop the Glory Hall tolled, their somber chimes signifying the enshrinement of a new gentleman within, with most gentlemen clear that this bell corresponded to contributors of nightmare events.


    Most of them momentarily put aside their matters at hand, turning towards the direction of the bells to pay their respects.


    However,


    certain gentlemen stationed at higher vantage points, who normally had a clear view of the hall¡¯s architecture, felt an odd sensation as the bells neared their end, as if something deep within the hall was watching them.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    Those with higher Sensing Attributes or notable eye abilities could vaguely see a charred eyeball in the clouds above the hall, its ring-shaped pupil seemingly still ablaze.


    Staring for an extended period even made these gentlemen¡¯s eyes burn, and the sudden onset of Pain snapped them back to reality,


    prompting them to hastily check their own eyes after shifting their gaze,


    to their surprise, finding traces of burning in their eyes¡ªeither a black dot or overall smokiness, and in rare cases, scale-like scorch marks forming on the eyeball.


    ¡­


    Glory Hall ¨C Holy Body Room


    Terrifying screams echoed incessantly here, heart-wrenching and soul-penetrating as if they could awaken the Sacred Body within.


    The source of the screams was little Grape. Grep.


    Having direcly absorbed the ¡°Ember Eyes¡± of Prophet Rudolf led to the curse entering its body, this curse lingering among the corpses for centuries, and had not diminished much compared to its original state.


    All of Grape¡¯s fur burned from within, turning into fire core specks that fluttered in the air.


    Its wide-open mouth was covered in scorch marks, with even more scale-like burns inside the mouth;its dried out tongue was filled with cracks of embers, and the eyeball it held in its mouth gradually began to resemble the ¡°Ember Eyes,¡±


    Watching his little companion burn like this, Yi Chen instinctively wanted to step forward to assist, but was forcibly stopped by a Holy Light barrier from the Archbishop standing nearby.


    ¡°Rudolf was stronger than you are back in his day, yet still, he couldn¡¯t escape the curse of disease brought about by peering into the restricted area. A promising young seed like you should not be tainted and ruin your future prospects.


    Since this was your companion¡¯s own choice, let it bear the consequences alone.


    I believe it¡¯s not the kind of creature entirely driven by desire;it must have had some confidence in its decision to make contact voluntarily.


    Moreover, the [Corpse] talent hidden within this little one is not simple;each has a history of several hundreds of years and a few even possess auras much greater than us old folks.¡±


    The screams eventually dissipated, not because Grape adapted to the curse,


    but because it was completely burned to ash,


    its fur consumed by fire, its body desiccated.


    Crack~


    With a crack appearing on the surface of the burnt sphere, Grape¡¯s charred remains directly crumbled, scattering a pile of ash dust¡­ however, the way it scattered was somewhat particular.


    The ashes that fell to the ground actually piled into a small mound, to be precise, a [grave mound].


    When Yi Chen first encountered Grape in Cemetery No. 6, its mound was quite ordinary, even messy¡­ but now this pile of ashes was slightly different, its surface faintly sparkling with the light of embers.


    Both Yi Chen and the Archbishop could feel something taking shape within it.


    At the same moment,


    Prophets in different areas of Zion, whether it be Principal Desline of the academy or Prophet Marko of the Twin Church, felt the stirrings of some evil entity being born.


    However, this evil entity seemed to share a similar attribute with them, as though it also possessed the ¡®Prophet¡¯ talent.


    Desline descended from her ¡®floating while holding the ball¡¯ stance to the observation deck, her starry pupils piercing through the academy barrier to look towards the source of her Sensing.


    She saw that not only the Glory Hall, but also its surrounding region, was being covered in ¡®black snow¡¯, or rather, a special kind of ash, and high in the cloud layer above, there seemed to lurk a giant, discomforting burned eye.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the ¡®Burning Eye Syndrome¡¯ that old Mr. Rudolf once suffered from?¡±


    Could it be that some newcomer has successfully embraced this curse and Rudolf¡¯s pupil skill? If such a talented person existed, I should have been well aware of it, as I haven¡¯t heard of any newcomers with a unique talent in ¡°using their eyes¡± recently.


    And today just so happens to be the awards ceremony for the nightmare incident, could it be


    Desline¡¯s fingers moved with the pattern of star formations, and she immediately calculated something. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She turned around, donned her outdoor attire, pulled on her over-the-knee leather boots, put on her round-framed glasses, and headed towards the hall area.


    The Holy Body Room.


    The Archbishop had already moved more than a dozen sacred bodies from the vicinity of the ash heap to prevent these old companions¡¯ physical forms from being caught up in the curse.


    An hour passed,


    Thump, thump~ Faint heartbeats started coming from within the heap of ashes.


    The soil loosened,


    Accompanied by zombie-like shrieks emanating from the depths of the mound,


    A charred arm with patterns of lingering flames emerged from the center of the heap, its fingers digging into the earth, propping up a scorched head covered in loose black hair to surface from the ground.


    Its face was embedded with a total of eighteen burnt eyes, all staring together at the two people in front of it,


    Gradually,


    A complete charred body had crawled out from between the mounds,


    Yi Chen and the Archbishop couldn¡¯t help but step back a few steps, the latter even held up his gem staff in front of him, ready to attack the scorched corpse before him.


    Upon closer observation, one could also see several faces appearing on the back of the charred corpse, but each of them had their eyes tightly shut, seemingly still asleep.


    As the charred corpse continued to approach,


    The Archbishop immediately condensed a variety of nested floating arrays at the tip of his staff, ready to release a powerful Holy Light Technique to obliterate the target.


    Just at that moment,


    The expression on the charred corpse¡¯s face was no longer one of pain, and it leapt up from the ground with a carp¡¯s flip.


    From its mouth came a hoarse and raspy voice, layered with various tones:


    ¡°Stop~just a joke! My physical body has completely accepted this curse¡­ or rather, the ¡®Burning Eye Syndrome¡¯ that lingered within Rudolf perfectly matches with my own developed ¡®Eye Collector, Gemhar.¡¯


    Gemhar has now fully awakened, with its development maxed out.


    Moreover, its mastery of Evil Eye Pupil Technique has perfectly merged with this Burning Eye Syndrome, and finally¡­ I finally possess a complete and unique external corpse!


    William, next time we have to deal with any circus member or encounter any Open Source patient, I alone can deal with it.


    I am now at Open Source level, and this cursed eye disease allows me to exert greater strength than Eye Collector, Gemhar.


    This is really great!¡±


    Immediately afterward,


    The little grape transformed back into its original black fleshy sphere form at once, performing a perfect somersault in mid-air and steadily landing on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder.


    Its fur was still scattered with embers, and even the eyes in its mouth remained in the style of ¡®Ember Eyes¡¯.


    With the return of the little grape, Yi Chen also immediately received a notification of changes to his pet¡¯s information.


    ¡ÚPet¡Û


    [Name]: Little Grape, Grep (Ember State)


    Developed Corpse (First Corpse) ¨C Eye Collector, Gemhar, with a development level of 100% and capable of controlling and using the illness ability of ¡°Ember Eyes.¡±


    Warning: If you combine with the pet currently, it will cause the Ember State to spread and damage your physical body, but it will also enhance some specific abilities.


    *As you travel in the Old World or other illness-related world areas, you may appropriately collect ¡®firewood¡¯ to improve/change your pet¡¯s Ember State.

 Chapter 337: The Little Grapes Plan

    Chapter 337: Chapter 336: The Little Grape¡¯s Plan


    Chapter 337 -336: The Little Grape¡¯s Plan


    ¡°What¡¯s this, firewood?¡±


    When Yi Chen saw the word, the first thing he thought of was actually skewering a grape and roasting it over a campfire.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you don¡¯t know! When I accepted this ancient eye disease, I glimpsed many scenes from the old times! It must be said, this human Prophet Rudolf really had astonishing willpower.


    He wasn¡¯t like the Eye Collector, Gemhar, who indulged in depravity, specializing in the study of evil techniques, quite the contrary, he was a completely upright person.


    He couldn¡¯t accept ¡®Burning Eye Syndrome,¡¯ this ancient and evil illness, at all;he relied entirely on his own willpower to hold on and even achieved ¡®Half-Integration.¡¯


    It¡¯s precisely because Rudolf paved the way for me that I was able to accept this gift relatively easily¡­ This ancient eye disease will lead me to higher domains.


    However, Rudolf wasn¡¯t directly infected initially;instead, he contracted the disease indirectly through observation.


    And since he has been dead for so long, the disease has diminished over hundreds of years, and so far, I¡¯ve only touched the tip of the iceberg.


    To gain the true power of this ancient eye disease, I still need to seek out the scattered ¡®firewood¡¯ in the Old World, or collected by some patients already, which is an ancient material carrying this cursed flame.


    Anyone who probes into the material will contract ¡®Burning Eye Syndrome.¡¯ If I can use the flames kindled with this material to burn my eyes, I can further enhance this ability.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like anything good, and it should also cause harm to you, right?¡±


    ¡°You know nothing! Since ancient times, to attain the ultimate power, one must bear the corresponding burden, and even give up some things¡­ Moreover, since I was born, I have been considered an evil being, this thing couldn¡¯t be more suitable for me.


    William, do you want to experience my new ability?¡±


    ¡°Not for now! Little Grape, you¡¯ve just been reborn from the ashes, take a good rest.¡±


    ¡°Coward!¡±


    After a brief conversation, the scene returns to the Holy Body Room.


    Since Little Grape had fully accepted the eyes of Prophet Rudolf, the Prophet¡¯s physical body had also turned completely to ashes.


    ¡°Archbishop Yaleris, I¡¯m so sorry! We couldn¡¯t preserve Prophet Rudolf¡¯s body.¡±


    ¡°Haha, there¡¯s nothing to apologize for, I should be thanking you~ Rudolf has always been trapped in the curse, and now he finally gained the freedom he deserved. Moreover, he passed on his eyes, although in a way that might be different from what he expected.


    Since your pet can form a human shape and has become Rudolf¡¯s successor, why not give it a gentleman status and let it participate in Zion¡¯s ¡®Prophet Examination¡¯?


    If it can pass, it could give it a decent platform for development.¡±


    ¡°Is that possible? I¡¯ll ask.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Yi Chen conveyed the Archbishop¡¯s suggestion, Little Grape promptly refused,


    ¡°Humph! Does this old man think he can trap me with the ¡®Prophet¡¯ identity? Wishful thinking¡­ I will never be confined within mere human organizations. I¡¯ve glimpsed the beauty of the Old World already. When you, William, are no longer here, let¡¯s go on an adventure to the Old World together.¡±


    ¡°We can postpone the adventure for later;I¡¯ll definitely go when the time comes.


    Wouldn¡¯t it be good to mix in and take on the Prophet role now? Or is it that you, Little Grape, don¡¯t believe you have the strength to become a Prophet?¡±


    ¡°Ptui! It¡¯d be all too easy for me to become a human Prophet, but I just don¡¯t want to be restricted.¡±


    ¡°How about this, if you find any treaty during the process of the Prophet examination that restricts you, you just drop out, okay? As for the gentleman status, the Archbishop will sort that out for you.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ I will reluctantly give it a try.¡±


    Little Grape¡¯s last sentence clearly lacked confidence, after all, he had gone through the nightmare game with Yi Chen and had witnessed the standards of Yuri and Marko Prophet.


    However, since the Archbishop had personally suggested it and was willing to help, Yi Chen still wanted Little Grape to at least give it a try,


    If Little Grape could gain the Prophet identity, it could maximize the use of the organization¡¯s resources, and this would also benefit Little Grape itself.


    As the Archbishop sent out the message, staff from the Gentleman Hall soon arrived on the scene to register a gentleman status for Little Grape and provided a sufficient amount of ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin.¡¯


    Name registered as ¡°Ember Grep.¡±


    By now, the young grape had transformed into a human form, shrouded in a black clerical robe given to him by the Archbishop, his exposed body parts faintly dispersing ashen patterns, and under the hood, there could also be glimpses of multiple eyes.


    The Archbishop scrutinized the young grape¡¯s clerical attire. ¡°Next, all you need to do is take this leather to any tailor shop, put on a fitting outfit, and you will be able to apply for the prophetic test¡­ Here is my letter of recommendation. It should save you a lot of trouble,¡± he said.


    From beneath the cloak, the young grape extended a hand covered in embers to receive the letter of recommendation.


    The two bowed in farewell to the Archbishop, and as they had just stepped out of the building¡¯s grand entrance, a familiar aura swept over from the side.


    ¡°Principal Desline!¡±


    ¡°I knew it¡­ It¡¯s you, William, causing trouble! To think that you could even inherit Rudolf¡¯s ¡®Ash Eye,¡¯ your little creature inside is truly remarkable,¡± she said.


    Desline slightly lifted her glasses and stared at the stranger wrapped in the black clerical robe beside Yi Chen,


    Feeling somewhat uneasy as she caught sight of the charred eyeballs beneath the hood, even her own eyes began to reflect a touch of ash.


    However, as a stream of stars crossed by, the influence of the ash was gone.


    ¡°Clad in a clerical robe, holding a skin, standing alone in form¡­ Are you planning to become a gentleman of the organization under the Archbishop¡¯s recommendation?¡± she inquired.


    Yi Chen explained the situation, detailing the events that had led them there.


    ¡°So you want to take the test to become a Prophet, which is one of the highest level tests within the organization. However, since you could inherit Rudolf¡¯s eyes, it means you must have some skill. Go and give it a try,¡± she advised.


    The young grape remained silent, merely nodding slightly in agreement.


    Desline turned her gaze toward Yi Chen, ¡°So you mean to say, you entered the ¡®Secret Storage Room¡¯ just to get that eye for your pet, and you yourself got nothing?¡±


    ¡°Yes, well, I did take a careful look around but didn¡¯t find anything particularly interesting. I¡¯ll wait until I have some free time to seek opportunities in the Old World,¡± he replied.


    ¡°You just finished dealing with that nightmare and you¡¯re already thinking of heading to the Old World? Take a break for a while. You haven¡¯t been to my office in some time. How is your self-study of star magic going?¡± she asked.


    Yi Chen, somewhat embarrassed, scratched his head,


    ¡°Recently, I¡¯ve had a new understanding I wanted to discuss with the Principal, but I¡¯ve been too busy to come by. I¡¯ll come to find you after I take the young grape to get an outfit made,¡± he said.


    ¡°A new understanding? Hmm¡­ Go on then, don¡¯t forget to come see me first¡ªI¡¯m eager to see what you¡¯ve realized,¡± she said.


    ¡­


    ¡°Saville Tailor Market¡±


    The largest gathering area of tailors under the organization. Apart from tailors like Mr. Ivan who have completely severed ties with the organization and do not require any subsidies, operating independently,


    most of the orthodox tailors who stay in Zion and have passed the tailoring qualification exam open shops in this area, either on their own or in partnership with other tailors.


    They don¡¯t need to worry about business performance¡ªas long as the shop operates normally and passes the monthly inspection standards, they can receive a substantial subsidy.


    Of course, shops that receive favorable customer reviews and produce a sufficient quantity of clothing will also gain the organization¡¯s support, with corresponding tailors able to advance in rank, obtaining higher level honors and statuses, and enjoying better treatment.


    Every day, a large number of gentlemen come to the market for repairs, alterations, and material additions to their clothing.


    Yi Chen also came here with the young grape,


    and they casually entered a rather quiet shop.


    Before the shopkeeper behind the counter could get up, Yi Chen took out a special business card and showed it to him¡­ The tailor who was the shopkeeper was so startled by the words on the card that he nearly fell off his seat.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking for the President Tailor, Mr. Spacy?!¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s our first time here. Could you please show us the way?¡±


    ¡°Well, alright then, please follow me.¡±

 Chapter 338: Meeting the President

    Chapter 338: Chapter 337: Meeting the President


    Chapter 338 -337 Meeting the President


    tailor, along with Doctor and Prophet, became one of the three major public professions,


    It belonged to the earliest career system planned by the Organization,


    Especially in the early days of the Organization, the profession of tailor was indispensable, as every gentleman needed garments made and repaired after battles.


    In the early days, tailors held a very high status;however, as time passed, more and more tailor shops were established, and more gentlemen skilled in tailoring emerged, leading to a near saturation of tailors in the Organization about two hundred years ago.


    As a result, the Organization began to raise the assessment standards for tailors while also dividing them into levels, similar to ¡°Titles.¡±


    At the same time, the tailor association directly affiliated with the Organization was founded to manage the entire tailor system.


    Currently, the head of the tailor association is the overall person in charge, Fabrico Ter, and every new tailor who passed the assessment received their certificate from his hands.


    Privately, the tailors all referred to Fabrico Ter as ¡®President,¡¯ ¡®Boss,¡¯ and even in their eyes, Ter was no less than the current First Gentleman.


    That was why,


    when Yi Chen suddenly produced Fabrico Ter¡¯s card, this tailor he met for the first time almost fell off his seat in fright.


    Although he had already settled in Zion as a tailor and was of higher status than many gentlemen, he was merely an entry-level apprentice in front of Fabrico Ter.


    During the process of leading the way, the tailor occasionally glanced back at the two behind him,


    Initially, his gaze had been on the young child, as the characteristics of the robe and the subtle ash color visible beneath were quite eye-catching,


    but slowly, his gaze was pulled away by Yi Chen on the side, even maintaining a craned neck as he stared at the young man as if enchanted.


    This made Yi Chen feel somewhat embarrassed.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Yi Chen asked, prompting the other to realize his lapse in decorum.


    ¡°Sir, the craftsmanship of your clothing is truly perfect, especially the stitching at the collar, cuffs, and buttons. This is completely different from the tailoring I have learned, achieving an effect even better than what my textbooks describe.


    I haven¡¯t introduced myself yet, my name is Fabrico Ter! A Middle Level tailor, I have been running my own business for over five years.


    I often participate in tailoring technical discussions hosted by the association and privately visit colleagues and veterans to learn sewing techniques, but I have never seen this style of stitching.


    May I know which master crafted the garment you are wearing?¡±


    ¡°That, I cannot disclose, I can only tell you this tailor is not from the market, nor is he currently managed by the Organization or the association.¡±


    ¡°A retired master, perhaps? He probably doesn¡¯t want to be disturbed, what a pity¡­ The entrance to the tailor association is just at the next street corner, Lord Spacy is usually inside.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The association was built in the center of the market,


    upon presenting Fabrico Ter¡¯s special Identity Card, it immediately garnered the attention of the association, and a person was promptly designated to lead the way,


    Since the tailor examination was conducted here, the hall was filled with many young gentlemen, who were registering and undergoing the most basic tests, and those who passed could participate in a unified inspection at the beginning of the next month.


    Furthermore, the architecture of the association was quite special, the wallpaper was made of Gentleman¡¯s Skin.


    Of course, it was only made from scraps with a Skin Content of no more than 20%, since the Organization would not waste resources just to highlight the specialty of a place.


    As Yi Chen stepped into a certain passage, he ran his hand over the comfortable textured Skin wallpaper, and could not help but remark, ¡°The Skin Content is evidently very low, yet the texture and the insulating effect it provides are exceptionally good.¡±


    The gentleman leading the way explained, ¡°This Skin doesn¡¯t come directly from the Divine Skin Mansion, but is a type of imitation skin derived from scraps by President Spacy himself, and although the Skin Content is low, it includes his own attributes.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°The President is waiting for you in a room at the very end of this passage.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    As they delved deeper, even the floor of the passage gradually transformed into a skin structure, getting softer, giving a sensation of walking on another person¡¯s skin, even feeling the natural warmth of a human body.


    When Yi Chen pushed open the unlocked doors,


    instantly, there was a feeling of stepping into a sea of skin, with layers of soft waves spreading out beneath his feet.


    The young child felt the same way.


    With a massive wave of skin surging from behind, it directly carried the two people deep into the sea of skin.


    Madness Brain activated, clearing the thought influences brought by the skin on Yi Chen.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Yi Chen and Little Grape had already moved from the doorway to the deeper part of the room, where President Spacy was tailoring a piece of his everyday clothing in front of them.


    President Spacy¡¯s appearance was entirely different from this morning at the Glory Hall,


    Due to his uncontrollable full-body skin proliferation, his folded, stack-layered skin was swollen and cumbersome. To reduce the burden of these folds, he wore a flesh-colored, full-body skin suit in his daily life.


    The skin suit even covered his head, only exposing the mouth, nostrils, and two eyes.


    The design of the skin suit aimed to shape Spacy, making him appear less bulky.


    However, the folds on his abdomen were too many, and even when tightened by the skin suit, it still looked like he was sporting a super big belly.


    Paired with the skin suit¡¯s marbled coloring, this style really posed an aesthetic challenge for Yi Chen, but he had to act as if everything were normal.


    Before Yi Chen could speak, Spacy spoke first,


    ¡°Your friend is wearing the attire of the Original Church, it seems he is greatly admired by the Archbishop. Do you want me to help make his clothing?¡±


    Yi Chen quickly explained,


    ¡°Mainly, it¡¯s me who came for the appointment, to consult you, President, on some issues regarding skin. As for Little Grape, Mr. Spacy could just arrange for one of your tailors to customize some clothing for him. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It¡¯s just that Little Grape¡¯s body is a bit special;regular clothing might not suffice.¡±


    As Yi Chen said this, Little Grape also lifted his hood, revealing his ashen face and dozens of chaotically arranged eyeballs.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ This is indeed a bit challenging, but no big problem.¡±


    Spacy made a stomping motion with his foot, and a wave of skin spread along the floor,


    Soon, a female tailor with disheveled hair and somewhat untidy apparel, even wearing thick glasses, came to the door.


    ¡°President, what do you need?¡±


    ¡°Jessica, attend to this guest. His body is somewhat special;you try making it first. I believe with your skills you should be able to handle this kind of scorched flesh body. Remember to consider the guest¡¯s special eye requirements.¡±


    The female tailor, walking barefoot and holding up her thick glasses, was completely unfazed by the evil and dangerous aura emitted by Little Grape, observing him closely.


    A few minutes later, she made an OK gesture.


    She even took the initiative to take Little Grape¡¯s hand and led him to her tailor¡¯s room, or rather, her experimental lab at the association. Of course, the moment she took his hand, the female tailor also donned a pair of gloves instantly.


    In her eyes, this was a high-level challenge given by the president, and she absolutely could not fail.


    After the two had left, Spacy said,


    ¡°Jessica is one of my most promising students. She is best at handling these unconventional clothing customizations and should be able to make a suitable outfit for your friend.


    Additionally, she is also a candidate for the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯;she will be your competitor in time.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? She¡¯s a candidate as well?¡±


    ¡°Jessica¡¯s Skin Content reached 100% three months ago. Her understanding of mutant leather and some non-human clothing production can even surpass me.


    You should be careful around her;aside from making clothes, she is quite dangerous.


    Let¡¯s now discuss our matters.


    Zede once saved my life in the Nightmare Incident. Since you are his student, I will also treat you as a temporary student.


    But¡­ time is scarce;I have already received reliable news from the Divine Skin Mansion that the selection for the ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ will happen in a month.


    Claude is hardly holding on.¡±


    ¡°Good Yi Chen had anticipated this, having a month was already quite good.


    ¡°First, show me your ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯.¡±

 Chapter 339: Special Loan

    Chapter 339: Chapter 338: Special Loan


    Chapter 339 -338 Special Loan


    ¡°`


    tailor association ¨C President¡¯s Office


    A dense, even sticky, skin scent filled the room.


    It was like the smell of dozens of pigskins forcibly pressed into a clay pot, continuously simmered with water in a cramped kitchen for tens of days.


    Spacy put on an apparatus similar to a posture corrector, tucking in his protruding belly to shorten the distance between himself and Yi Chen.


    The eyeballs within the skin headgear were completely bulging, almost touching Yi Chen¡¯s skin surface, meticulously inspecting every part¡ªup, down, left, and right.


    Yi Chen was used to it by now;he had even ordered custom clothing at the Nameless Clothing Store before, where Ivan had engaged in similar behavior, making Yi Chen wonder if tailors all had this kind of ¡®hobby¡¯.


    ¡°How can this be¡­ Who taught you ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯? Was it Claude?¡±


    ¡°No, I realized it on my own. A few days before the nightmare game, I learned it temporarily in Yuri¡¯s Prophet House.¡±


    ¡°Realizing it on your own ~ Impossible!


    Your Skin Content has just surpassed the 50% mark, so even if you could realize Restriction Removal, it should be very rough. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet the skin within your body has achieved an efficiency close to 100%, perfectly acting as the ¡®bearing¡¯ of your physical body, integrating your muscles, organs, and various abilities with clear roles.


    I can¡¯t find any flaws for now.


    If what you said is true and Claude did not teach you, but you realized it on your own, then your talent in Skin Essence potentially surpasses mine and Claude¡¯s, and even the past generations¡¯ First Gentlemen, possibly only matched by the Third Generation¡¯s talent.


    ¡°That exaggerated?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m exaggerating, but the effects you¡¯re showing are truly astonishing¡­ No wonder you could exchange a few moves with a monster like Zede in the nightmare game. It turns out you¡¯ve applied the skin¡¯s effectiveness fully to the physical body.¡±


    Spacy continued to scrutinize Yi Chen¡¯s pure physical form of Restriction Removal, attempting to find some imperfections,


    His gaze even carried a hint of doubt, suspecting Yi Chen might be using some hidden techniques.


    Spacy¡¯s suspicions were entirely correct,


    Yi Chen indeed had used a ¡®technique¡¯, but it was not something he could conveniently explain,


    Yi Chen had not expended much effort on Restriction Removal, simply realizing the method to release it,


    As for what details to pay attention to, where to apply effort, Yi Chen had never cared about any of that.


    Instead, he left it all to ¡®Yellow Skin¡¯, which took charge of adjustments and refinements, even presenting different states of liberation according to the environment and opponent.


    This mutated leather, which could cause trouble in the profound Skin Market, merely had to provide some assistance with the clothing for Yi Chen to achieve an almost perfect state.


    ¡°Hey, Yellow Skin! Don¡¯t make it too perfect, or you¡¯ll give Mr. Spacy a hard time later.¡±


    As Yi Chen communicated his intentions, Spacy, who was closely examining him, finally wiped away the doubtful look in his pupils.


    ¡°I finally found the loophole!


    So that¡¯s it, William;you¡¯re using a special brain to jointly fine-tune the skin, disguising it as this perfect, aren¡¯t you?


    In that case, the brain¡¯s burden must be tremendous. Over time, the effects of Restriction Removal will rapidly diminish and reveal flaws.¡±


    ¡°Haha, yes~¡±


    ¡°However, to be able to do this much is already very impressive¡­ I don¡¯t have much to teach you. Instead of staying here to learn about using Skin Essence, you should engage in more real combat practice with Zede.


    Here¡¯s what, I¡¯ll lend you something.


    With your brain¡¯s special attributes and talent, you should be able to learn it quickly. Gradually shift the focus from the brain to the Essence of Skin, trying to achieve this state without the brain¡¯s fine-tuning as much as possible.


    If you can really do that, then no one will be able to compete with you in the First Gentleman¡¯s assessment.¡±


    As he spoke, Spacy unzipped his leather jacket,


    reaching into the stacked wrinkles on his neck, as if searching for something, as though there was additional space even within the layers of skin.


    An ¡®aged¡¯ leather-bound book was finally located.


    It was described as aged because the cover resembled the wrinkled skin of the elderly¡­ Upon closer observation, there even seemed to be a face imprinted on it, but the eyelids on the face appeared to have been sewn shut, the nostrils were completely deflated, and only the mouth was barely discernible.


    The whole emitted an ancient, eerie aura,


    and with the book being taken out, the concentration of the meaty smell in the room sharply increased.


    At the same time, a string of yellow text emerged between Yi Chen¡¯s retinas.


    ¡ÚThis guy actually has something from the Skin Market? An ordinary non-lineage human managed to receive direct blessings from the Skin Market, and the smell emanating from this book is intense, not at all a replica. Get it, William!¡Û


    In the face of the information passed by Yellow Skin, Yi Chen acted as if he saw nothing, knew nothing, and asked with a face full of curiosity:


    ¡°Mr. Spacy, what is this?¡±


    ¡°The ¡®Skin Sack Bible,¡¯ a relic from my lonesome journey to the Old World in search of ¡®self-redemption,¡¯ garnered through fortuitous destiny. My current achievements are mostly due to this book.


    It includes the way I bring everyone¡¯s clothing into the dream through ¡®consciousness skin grafting¡¯ and also the method of nightmare skin grafting.


    Although I have learned much, there are things that I have never been able to master, and during the learning process, I even suffered some backlash, causing me to be unable to suppress the wrinkled tissues on my body¡¯s surface.


    Since you have a unique talent in the matter of skin and I just happen to owe Zede a big favor, I will lend you this book to read before the selection of the First Gentleman begins.


    Do not force yourself to read what you can¡¯t understand, or you might end up like me, or even worse.¡±


    ¡°The Old World! Did you get it from the Skin Market?¡±


    ¡°Yes


    Spacy¡¯s expression changed a bit, as if reluctant to talk about that part of his past.


    ¡°Then I will accept it Yi Chen was not at all reserved. The value of this book was sure to surpass any he had read before.


    When he reached out and touched the cover of the book, feeling the real touch of aged skin,


    whoosh!


    The aged face on the cover suddenly opened its mouth for a deep breath and then calmed down again.


    The strange feeling conveyed to Yi Chen was like holding a living being in his hands. Flipping through the book even gave a vivid sensation of skin stripping, while reading was like browsing the inner essence of another.


    Yi Chen¡¯s Madness Brain began to conjecture about the origin of the book,


    speculating that the ¡®Skin Sack Bible¡¯ might well have been made using an original inhabitant of the Skin Market with ¡®Patient¡¯ as the Material Base,


    a native life of the Skin Market who had never set foot beyond its bounds and, upon old age and nearing death, willingly offered up his physical body to create the Skin Sack Bible, with the aim of advancing the growth of newcomers.


    ¡°Did it just take a deep breath? Not even a hint of struggle;it seems you really have talent¡­ This book is not something just anyone can read.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, senior.¡±


    ¡°If you encounter anything you don¡¯t quite understand, feel free to ask me, but it is best to figure it out on your own.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Following Yi Chen¡¯s departure from the office to meet up with Little Grape, who was having clothing tailored,


    Spacy sat back in his place, his pupils flickering with various emotions.


    ¡°There is indeed some secret related to ¡®skin¡¯ harbored within William.


    I had my doubts initially, but with him instantly accepting the ¡®Skin Sack Bible,¡¯ it is clear that there must be something inside him, possibly even something directly related to the Skin Market.


    But that doesn¡¯t matter anymore.


    For a talent like him to have secrets is normal, and as long as his character is upright, whatever he conceals doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

 Chapter 340: Star Discussion

    Chapter 340: Chapter 339: Star Discussion


    Chapter 340 -339 Star Discussion


    After bidding farewell to Spacy, Yi Chen thought about how to secure the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡± as he headed to the Clothing Room where Little Grape was.


    Initially, he simply held the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡± in his hand, and being in Zion, there was basically no danger.


    But considering the trouble it may cause if such an ancient and rare book were to be directly exposed, he tried to hide it inside the lining of his clothing.


    Who knew that the moment the book¡¯s cover touched the fabric, the entire book began to dissolve.


    Gurgling~


    The book bubbled and seeped out, turning into a viscous liquid that merged into the fabric, startling Yi Chen so much that he hastily asked Yellow Skin what was going on.


    The moment Yi Chen¡¯s brain formed the ¡®thought¡¯ of wanting to retrieve the book again, the garment¡¯s chest area transformed into a liquid flow,


    Giggling~ Along with a dry, rasping sound squeezed from the old man¡¯s throat, the book emerged from within the liquid.


    It must be said that this item was really convenient, and Yi Chen was even eager to go back and peruse its contents.


    [Jessica¡¯s Clothing Room]


    Yi Chen gently knocked on the door, which seemed to have already picked up on his aura and unlocked itself.


    What lay before his eyes was more of a storeroom than a clothing room.


    All the wall cabinets were haphazardly stuffed with various forms of fabric,


    And among the multi-tiered water tanks lined up against the wall, various fabrics floated that needed dyeing and rinsing;some tanks even had moss and fungi growing on them.


    Following Little Grape¡¯s aura to the back of the room,


    Who knew that the tailoring was already complete,


    An ash-gray leather coat adorned with a lot of metal decorations had already been put on Little Grape, and the rivets, shoulder ornaments, brooches, decorative metal strips, and the deliberately designed metallic fringe at the hem of the coat all demonstrated the ¡®Ember Characteristic¡¯.


    The coat came with a hood, paired with a scarf with an eye pattern that could completely cover the face.


    The eye pattern on the scarf was actually a visual array that could serve to connect to the eyes. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Below he wore a pair of black trousers and metal long boots, which could also highlight the Ember Characteristic through the metal on the boots.


    ¡°Little Grape looks quite human-like~¡±


    Surprisingly, Little Grape didn¡¯t talk back this time;he stared at his reflection in the mirror, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s very nice~ I really like it.¡±


    In fact, he had already thanked this special female tailor, Jessica, several times during the fitting process.


    But Jessica didn¡¯t say much the whole time, and in response to Little Grape¡¯s gratitude, she merely nodded her head.


    Just as the two were getting ready to leave,


    Jessica adjusted her glasses and asked softly,


    ¡°May I ask if your clothing was made by Mr. Ivan? This special stitching method was only used by that old gentleman, and because it¡¯s quite difficult, it has been abandoned by mainstream tailoring.¡±


    ¡°You know Mr. Ivan?¡±


    ¡°Not really, I just saw him use this stitching technique at the association once, it left a deep impression.


    Is he doing well now?¡±


    ¡°He has some old wounds, and now runs a shop on his own, doing business only with acquaintances.¡±


    Jessica could tell Yi Chen was deliberately hiding the location and naturally did not press further, ¡°If I have time, I¡¯ll try to find the exact location, thank you very much.¡±


    ¡°Hmm


    Yi Chen turned his back, raised his hand over his shoulder to say goodbye, and then left the tailor association directly.


    However, his thoughts lingered slightly on Jessica.


    Although their conversation was brief, he could tell from her words that Jessica¡¯s speech contained almost no human emotions, without a trace of zeal for life.


    If anything,


    Her tone was very similar to that of the orphans in Black Mountain Orphanage who had completely lost hope in life.


    ¡°Living in such a world, even a genius would find it hard¡­ Since she¡¯s also a candidate, there should be further interaction in the future. We¡¯ll talk about it then.¡±


    Thanks to the Archbishop¡¯s letter of recommendation, Little Grape quickly completed the registration for the Prophet examination at the Gentleman Hall.


    Due to the special nature of the assessment, Little Grape had to stay in Gentlemen¡¯s Hall for a week-long ¡®surveillance life¡¯ after registering, to ensure that he had not taken any medicine that could enhance his perception during this time.


    At the same time, he was also required to sign a confidentiality agreement before the assessment could begin under the witness of several Prophets from the organization.


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t say much either, bidding a simple farewell before leaving alone.


    Since leaving the Seven-Day Cemetery, the two had been together almost all the time, seldom separating.


    Yi Chen was actually quite unaccustomed to this because without Little Grape, he always felt like there could be danger lurking in his blind spot, frequently looking back until he slowly adjusted to it after boarding the train back to school.


    The next step was to attend another appointment.


    Frankly speaking, if it were possible to decline, Yi Chen would definitely lock himself in his room for a few days to read the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡± seriously.


    Unfortunately, if he delayed any further, he would probably provoke Principal Daislin¡¯s wrath.


    Breaking through the Principal¡¯s office barrier with a palm gleaming with the luster of stars.


    Principal Daislin, wearing a dark long dress and sitting on the sofa with her one-meter-ninety frame¡¯s long legs intentionally propped outside, was also holding a cup of her self-mixed drink.


    There was also a cup left for Yi Chen on the crystal table in front of her.


    ¡°The restlessness in your heart seems about to overflow, your meeting with Spacy appears to have pleased you very much, did you have any unexpected gains?¡±


    Knowing full well that he could not deceive Principal Daislin, Yi Chen took out the Skin Sack Bible, perhaps he could get more information about the book from the Principal.


    When the wrinkled book surfaced in front of his chest,


    Principal Daislin nearly sprayed the drink she had just sipped into her mouth.


    ¡°Spacy actually gave this thing to you


    ¡°He simply lent it to me for about a month¡¯s borrowing time. I¡¯ll return it to him before I participate in the First Gentleman selection.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s also quite good. This thing is key to Spacy¡¯s position as chairman tailor;even the students he teaches have never had the chance to lay eyes on it.


    Now he¡¯s actually lent it to you, a half-stranger gentleman. Even if Zede helped you make connections, it¡¯s not very likely.


    The only reason I can think of is one.


    Within the short time of your encounter, Spacy has already decided that there¡¯s a great chance you¡¯re the next ¡®First Gentleman¡¯ or, personally, he really hopes you become the First Gentleman, therefore lending you the book to give you a boost.


    Or, because of the ¡®sacrifice¡¯ you¡¯re about to make, he lent you the book, and only that might make some sense.¡±


    ¡°Haha~¡± Yi Chen just laughed in agreement. He didn¡¯t care about the reasons;all that mattered was getting the book.


    ¡°William, this book is quite dangerous. Spacy wasn¡¯t like this before.¡±


    Principal Daislin waved her hand, and a long-haired, dapper young Brit appeared amidst the star river.


    Yi Chen found it difficult to associate such a handsome young man with the wrinkled skin man who needed to wear a girdle to maintain his figure, looking like a ¡®pork belly pervert¡¯.


    ¡°This ¡®Bible¡¯ is a thing of the Skin Market. Once you read the distorted, ancient text hidden within, the skin disease lurking inside will induce you to undergo a ¡®biological essence¡¯ transformation at the pathological root, reshaping you into one of the Skin Market¡¯s original species. Be very careful.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the warning, Principal Daislin.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d better keep the book safe for now;let¡¯s talk about the official business~ You said you had some insights into Star Magic, could you show me?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Yi Chen put away the Skin Sack Bible, sat down next to Principal Daislin, picked up his drink from the table, and gently swirled it to aerate the wine.


    At that moment,


    Principal Daislin noticed that the wine in the cup reflected a semblance of the moon and stars during the swirling, unwittingly captivated by the beautiful sight, but she quickly sensed something was off and brushed her fingers over her eyes.


    The illusion vanished,


    Yi Chen was simply sitting beside her;he had never picked up the wine from the table.


    ¡°Hm? A Star Illusion¡­ with a different attribute mixed in, the [Moon], perhaps? How did you manage this?¡±


    For some reason,


    Yi Chen¡¯s display of Star Magic made Principal Daislin very excited, perhaps because she had never met someone in Zion who equally mastered Star Magic,


    or perhaps because she had always been searching for a kindred spirit, and now she had finally found one.


    Principal Daislin turned to face the youth before her, shedding both her Prophet and Principal identities, to engage in a formal and in-depth discussion about her understanding of Star Magic.

 Chapter 341: 340

    Chapter 341: 340


    Chapter 341: 340


    A privately created planetary space, at the very peak of a geometrically structured highest mountain, two people sat at the edge, both looking up at the rotating starry universe.


    Not far from them, an additional moon had appeared.


    The moon was pulled so close that one could clearly see its craters and even some hidden ¡®caves¡¯ and various spine-like ridges embedded between the craters,


    Recalling Yi Chen¡¯s past ¡®moon landing memory,¡¯ this moon was perfectly replicated according to Principal Daislin¡¯s request, displayed in her created Star Space.


    This must be the ¡®Moon¡¯ of the Old World.


    Mysterious, bizarre, akin to a living organism filled with danger, I didn¡¯t expect the patient Zero you contacted to be so unique.


    In the past, when I explored the star formations, I also glimpsed some ancient texts that recorded the ¡®Moon¡¯ through various gaps.


    A severe war once broke out in the Old World, where a mysterious external force almost eradicated the disease root of the Old World, eventually piercing through the ¡®Sun¡¯ of the Old World, eradicating all the ¡®Moons¡¯ and sealing the sick focus completely.


    The patient Zero you met corresponds to the moon that was supposed to be erased;I even suspect that this ¡®New Moon¡¯ exists because of him, and might even be in a ¡®fertile¡¯ or ¡®growing¡¯ state.


    Be careful when interacting with this person,


    Though patient Zero isn¡¯t controlled by any illness-related thoughts, their personality is often elusive.


    Even if he helped you during your journey in the Old World, and even assisted in this nightmare event, he might still suddenly turn around and kill you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s precisely because of these concerns that I chose to sit on the moon¡¯s surface looking at the starry sky rather than venturing into its depths.


    There is much to learn from Lorrian, and I¡¯m likely to engage with him further;I will try to maintain as much control as possible.¡±


    ¡°Just be careful not to play with fire and get burned.¡±


    Yi Chen had his own measure of the situation with Lorrian and tried to change the subject, asking about something he was very curious about, ¡°By the way, Principal! How did you manage to suppress Zede teacher back then? In the nightmare game, even when I put forth all my strength and collaborated with the creators of the nightmare event, I couldn¡¯t defeat Zede at all.¡±


    ¡°Back then, Zede, who couldn¡¯t control himself, wasn¡¯t nearly what he is now,


    And I wasn¡¯t alone in suppressing him;it was a concerted restraint with several professors, including your first tutor, Professor Qian Bosen.


    Of course, if I were to use all my strength, suppressing Zede at that time would still be barely possible.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    This perfunctory response from Yi Chen caused a change in Daislin¡¯s expression. She slowly lowered her raised head and glanced at Yi Chen from a slanted angle.


    ¡°William, do you think I only excel in divination and not in combat? Would you like to test that?¡±


    Facing Principal Daislin¡¯s sudden challenge to a duel, Yi Chen was initially startled, then shortly afterward he responded, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that at all, but if Principal wants to move around a bit, I don¡¯t mind either.¡±


    Principal Daislin was also surprised, not expecting Yi Chen to actually accept the challenge.


    With a wave of her hand, the space converged.


    Both returned directly to the ¡°Principal¡¯s Office.¡±


    The long dress draped over Daislin was now hung on a clothes rack nearby, replaced by her usual outdoor attire of leather shorts, a shirt, and a waistcoat.


    Yet she chose not to wear shoes, intentionally barefoot for the ensuing exercise.


    ¡°I created this planet, and within it, I can easily manipulate the space elements related to the stars, which could be completely disadvantageous to you¡­ let¡¯s test our skills here instead, just don¡¯t damage my belongings, you couldn¡¯t afford to.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Daislin slightly raised her face, adjusting the sleeve of her other hand, and asked in a superior tone, ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    Yi Chen expanded his body, slightly bracing both legs and arms apart, allowing the Madness Brain as the center to activate the brain tissue buried in his muscles. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ready


    Before he could finish the word, Daislin made a beckoning gesture ¨C whirr! A thick and flowing matter of stars swarmed around Yi Chen¡¯s entire body.


    ¡°Space Flow¡±


    Yi Chen, who stood upright, suddenly floated horizontally in front of Daislin.


    Without time to defend,


    A pale long comet-like streak crashed down heavily onto Yi Chen¡¯s abdomen!


    Bang!


    The floor quaked.


    Yi Chen was pinned to the floor by Daislin¡¯s pale, slightly muscular long leg.


    However, Daislin¡¯s expression was not pleasant;she could feel that the moment she kicked, Yi Chen had completed ¡®Adaptive Receiving¡¯ in mid-air, rendering her kick minimally harmful.


    ¡°How about this


    Between his toes, a starlight glistened, and a special energy instantly penetrated the surface of his body,


    causing the pale toes to scrape lightly across Yi Chen¡¯s body, directly stirring and damaging his internal organs.


    Yet¡­


    Yi Chen, pinned to the ground, showed no signs of pain;instead, he seemed to greatly enjoy this steady agitation of his organs, which was much gentler than what he experienced in paradise.


    At that moment, Principal Desline¡¯s anger reached its peak, leaving no room for restraint.


    Lifting her foot, she locked onto the head and once again slammed it down like a comet.


    ¡°Holy shit! Principal, you¡¯re serious!¡±


    Feeling the real threat, Yi Chen burst out in his mother tongue,


    slapping the ground with one hand while using all his muscles to attempt a superfast roll¡­ However! The stars flowing in the principal¡¯s office locked him down like chains, rendering him immobile.


    A silver hair emerged over Yi Chen¡¯s head, trying to manipulate Desline with a forceful illusion through the Madness Brain trait.


    However,


    it barely caused Desline¡¯s descending foot to deviate less than a centimeter.


    No choice but to take it!


    The force of this foot was even greater than before, seemingly enhanced by a unique gravity.


    Crack¡ªYi Chen¡¯s arms used for blocking were directly crushed.


    However, using the dislocated hands to deflect the force also caused the foot to deviate, narrowly missing Yi Chen¡¯s forehead as it stomped down.


    Boom!


    The floor of the principal¡¯s office, made of special materials, was directly smashed through,


    startling an associate professor writing documents below, who looked up only to see a jade foot break a large hole through the ceiling.


    The jade foot quickly retracted, and the shattered ceiling rapidly repaired itself under the flow of starlight.


    Meanwhile, an implanted warning rang in his mind, ¡°Don¡¯t meddle in others¡¯ affairs.¡±


    ¡­


    Inside the principal¡¯s office.


    A series of sharp collisions of flesh and the sound of a skull breaking echoed.


    Yi Chen flipped in the air over twenty times, landing at the edge of the observation deck, where an iron chain shot from within his body and grasped the railing, barely holding his body in place.


    His kicked head still felt dizzy.


    Tap tap tap¡ªthe sound of bare feet hitting the floor came from above.


    Walking with an elegant gait, the Principal approached the observation deck, her hands crossed on the railing, looking down at Yi Chen who dangled from the chain.


    ¡°Principal, I think


    Yi Chen hadn¡¯t finished speaking.


    A leg gleaming with starlight pierced through the observation deck¡¯s handrail and stomped heavily on his face.


    The iron chain loosened,


    and Yi Chen plummeted from a height of hundreds of meters, thudding heavily as he hit the ground.


    About ten minutes later, Yi Chen, his face covered in blood and his nasal bone completely broken, walked back to the principal¡¯s office with a resigned expression.


    ¡°Principal¡­ let¡¯s call it a day, I won¡¯t question you again.¡±


    ¡°Is this up to you? Come here!¡±


    Yi Chen walked over with a dusty face,


    but then another kick came¡­ However, this kick was softer, merely sending Yi Chen flying out with a clear intent.


    His body crashed through the bathroom door and landed precisely in a bathtub already filled with water.


    The principal¡¯s voice came from outside:


    ¡°Don¡¯t bring your filthy dirt into my room, clean yourself up before coming out.¡±

 Chapter 342: Star Nebula Body

    Chapter 342: Chapter 341: Star Nebula Body


    Chapter 342 -341 Star Nebula Body


    This hidden bath in the principal¡¯s office had been caught by Yi Chen¡¯s glimpse last time. It was secluded behind a secret door, and the principal seemed to enjoy bathing there.


    He didn¡¯t expect to truly have the chance to enter this time.


    Moreover, the water in the tub had just been drawn. Based on the flow rate of the faucets, it seemed it was filled right as the sparring began.


    ¡°Is the gap really that big? Principal Daislin calculated the timing of our sparring so precisely, even including the time difference when I fell down from upstairs and walked back,¡±


    Since breaking through his limit, Yi Chen experienced Yuri¡¯s beating first, followed by the teacher¡¯s. Then, just when he had adjusted his state after resting for a few days with Jin, he continued to take beatings from the principal¡­ Before the breakthrough, at least he often managed to slaughter pathogens and fight across ranks. He couldn¡¯t help but feel increasingly useless.¡±


    Kicked into the bathtub, Yi Chen just lay flat, even allowing Yellow Skin to control his attire, which hung loosely on a nearby rack.


    Yi Chen also let his bun loose, allowing his hair to spread out in the water,


    Gradually sinking deeper until the water level was between his lips and nostrils, he completely immersed both his thoughts and body in the warm and suitable waters of the pool.


    ¡°It feels so good to lie flat.¡±


    As he relaxed, the ¡®weariness¡¯ previously pushed aside by the Madness Brain instantly surged, with his eyelids gradually drooping like curtains.


    Just as his eyelids were about to close,


    His eyes, through the tiny gaps of the drooping lids, caught a glimpse of starlight particles twinkling in the bathwater.


    Smelling a potential opportunity, his desire for knowledge instantly suppressed the weariness,


    Trying to activate the entry-level Star Magic, he allowed similar star particles to flow within his veins, expanding the pores to absorb the star essence of the special bathwater.


    In the process of his body absorbing the essence of the bathwater, Yi Chen recalled the scene when he was kicked by the principal,


    He completed a perfect reenactment of the recent ¡®sparring¡¯ with his Madness Brain, analyzing and understanding the skills demonstrated by the principal, and learning and digesting them.


    Unnoticed, Yi Chen¡¯s body began to float in the bathtub,


    Not exceeding the surface nor touching the bottom,


    As if floating in the mysterious cosmos, yet he wasn¡¯t lost. Using the moonlight¡¯s reflection in the bath as a coordinate, he determined his own position.


    Meanwhile,


    The bathroom door was silently pushed open, and the principal slipped in, her bare feet stepping noiselessly.


    Observing the ¡®Star River¡¯ activated in the bathtub and Yi Chen completely floating within it, his entire muscle structure exhibited brain tissue bulging, performing a wriggling motion.


    ¡°Transcending a full-body epileptic fit of the Madman, quickly activating the ¡®Galaxy Liquid¡¯ and perfectly adapting it to the entire body¡­ This talent, no wonder Spacy lent you the ¡®Skin Sack Bible¡¯ after meeting you only once.


    Why couldn¡¯t you have arrived in Zion sooner?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Leaning against the bathroom wall with a wine glass in hand, Daislin watched the young man silently¡­ As she sipped, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow due to the combined effects of the alcohol and the steam.


    Time ticked away gradually.


    His thoughts drifting through the Star River found Daislin¡¯s technique;his body gradually decomposed into star points, dissolving into the cosmic stars,


    His body and Star Magic initiating their first fusion.


    This process was risky, as Daislin once experienced ¡®Deep Space Lost¡¯, her consciousness drifted for a long time before she barely managed to regain her ego and return to reality.


    Yi Chen, however, using the moon as a reference, always kept a clear orientation of his position.


    As the star points reconverged, Yi Chen appeared on the moon¡¯s surface, his body shimmering with starlight.


    He even glimpsed a spiral nebula in his abdomen, turning faintly visible.


    Text also appeared between his retinas.


    ¡ÚThe Star System has achieved specialized advancement. This system will now lean towards physical applications, renamed as [Star Nebula Body]¡Û


    Although Yi Chen had a breakthrough in three attributes, the most important was [Intelligence];this Star Magic taught by Daislin belonged to the intelligence ability.


    Now, this profound magic related to celestial bodies and the universe had initiated a ¡®preliminary combination¡¯ with Yi Chen¡¯s second important attribute, the physical. The opening of this door signified that Yi Chen¡¯s combat power would further improve, and he could continue on this path in the future.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Principal Daislin to give me such an opportunity¡­ Now that I have successfully combined the physical with the Star Attribute, I just need to explore on my own from here.


    Principal Daislin likely intentionally provoked the spar to actively demonstrate the Star System¡¯s physical applications to me.


    ¡°I must really thank him once I get back¡­ and if it works out, I don¡¯t mind sparring a few more times,¡± he said.


    Yi Chen, once despondent and listless under the moonlit skies, was now freed from his deflated state of mind, even filled with hope for future developments.


    When he opened his eyes again, he woke up in the bathtub,


    Just as he was about to step out of the bathtub to thank Principal Desline, he found that the principal was lying on the bathroom floor, holding a wine glass between two fingers, already deep asleep.


    Lying completely flat, her height of nearly six feet two inches was almost equal to the width of the bathroom.


    The steamy bathroom fog, complemented by Principal Desline¡¯s unique figure, formed a rather beautiful scene.


    Yi Chen did not linger for long;with a summoning gesture, his clothes clothed him the moment he stepped out of the bathtub.


    Considering that Principal Desline was only wearing shorts and had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol, he thought it likely for her to catch a cold in such a damp area, so he crouched down and lifted her up.


    Back in the office, he carefully placed the heavy principal back on the sofa, lit the fireplace, and laid his coat over her.


    Yi Chen was in no rush to leave now. He could review the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡± once he got back,


    He checked the changes in his powers, finding a new description about the [Star Nebula Body] in the


    section.


    [Magic System ¨C ¡°Star¡± has been specially developed]


    *This system is directly influenced by epileptic symptoms, allowing magic to be switched on and off through epileptic seizures.


    Special Development ¨C Star Nebula Body


    It consumes a certain amount of ¡®epidemic value¡¯ to activate the flowing stars between bodies, guiding the main star nebula within the body to move instantly and at short distances, achieving zero-distance dodges.


    Or conduct superfast strikes, with every attack penetrating stars through the opponent¡¯s body, causing real damage.


    ¡­


    Looking at these ancient texts, Yi Chen could hardly contain himself.


    He immediately started practicing in the principal¡¯s office, where the concentration of stars was exceptionally high, making it just perfect.


    Using his Madness Brain, he created an imaginary foe and began a simulated battle.


    After an unknown amount of time had passed,


    Principal Desline woke from her sleep, feeling the warmth of the coat on her and the mixed scent of skin, her sleepy eyes catching sight of a blurry figure battling with the air.


    As her vision cleared, she realized it was Yi Chen, dressed in a shirt and waistcoat, engaged in an intense mental simulation battle.


    Droplets of sweat, sparkling like starlight, continuously dripped from his hair, syncing with the rhythm of his muscles and his distinctive youthful handsomeness.


    Each move incorporated the effect of stars and bore multiple skills like slaughter and combat;Desline found herself mesmerized for a moment.


    It wasn¡¯t until Yi Chen took a break that he noticed the principal staring at him with big eyes from beneath the coat.


    ¡°Principal, are you awake?¡±


    ¡°Ahem! Just woke up~ Was correcting documents till late last night, and had some drinks today, so very tired.


    Is this your coat? Take it back. The ¡®Skin Sack Bible¡¯ is inside, and I don¡¯t want to end up a wrinkled old woman,¡± she said.


    Desline waved a hand and returned the coat, immediately getting up and heading to the viewing platform.


    ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, I¡¯m a bit tired


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t insist. He draped the coat over his shoulder and was about to leave when


    a voice came from behind, ¡°If you have any questions, feel free to discuss them with me, or we can spar if you like.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Principal!¡±


    Yi Chen made a proper gentleman¡¯s bow as he left and gently closed the door behind him.


    Leaning on the viewing platform, gazing over the campus, Desline felt a mix of emotions she had never experienced before¡ªborn into a major family and surpassing everyone in her age group since childhood.


    She didn¡¯t resist these strange feelings,


    dressed herself with the galaxy, floating in the air while embracing celestial bodies, and plunged into a marvelous state, delving deep into star domains she had previously feared to explore.

 Chapter 343: Plague Book

    Chapter 343: Chapter 342: Plague Book


    Chapter 343 -342 Plague Book


    Walking back to his dormitory from the principal¡¯s office, Yi Chen continued to feel the effects of the Star Nebula Body, which primarily enhanced his speed by approximately 20-40%.


    The most crucial part was,


    the ability to perform ultra-short-distance space movements at critical moments, an essential factor that could often turn the tide in actual combat.


    The only downside was the excessive consumption of the ¡°Epidemic value¡±.


    Furthermore, due to a breakthrough specific to the Star System, the concentration of the corresponding Frame fluid in Yi Chen slightly increased, with some tiny star dots also floating within,


    indicating that the Star System had merged within, rather than being an ordinary branch ability as before.


    ¡°Principal Daislin really has high teaching standards, just beating me up and a bath was enough to achieve this effect, no wonder the organization appointed her to such an important principal position.¡±


    Suppressing his excitement, he returned to his personal student dormitory.


    He hadn¡¯t reached his room door yet when he smelled a familiar scent, a meaty aroma that was often present in Jin¡¯s apartment.


    He pushed open the door.


    Wearing a colorful mask, a small waistcoat, and leather pants, Jin was in the dorm room making a thick meat soup.


    Having been ¡®intimately in contact¡¯ with Principal Daislin all day, the impression of her towering, slightly fleshy physique of over one meter and ninety had lodged itself in Yi Chen¡¯s mind,


    so when he saw Jin, who was one meter sixty-eight, she seemed rather petite in comparison.


    Jin¡¯s bone structure was significantly smaller compared to the principal¡¯s, and for smoother physical combat, she had deliberately wrapped her chest with straps, coupled with her long, slender legs, her frame appeared even smaller.


    ¡°Jin, how did you get in here? This is my private dorm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been a bit bored lately~ so I came to find you, and together we could find some fun at Zed¡¯s Paradise.


    Since I couldn¡¯t contact you, I just came straight to your dormitory. As for the dorm manager downstairs, I explained the situation briefly and also gave her a Red Lotus, then she willingly let me in.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡­ What are you doing anyway?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we preparing to find Zed? It¡¯s inevitable to get physically injured, and while waiting, why not make some more meat medicine?¡±


    After Jin finished reducing the soup and opened the windows to let the meat scent dissipate, she immediately sniffed a scent on Yi Chen¡¯s clothing that didn¡¯t belong to him.


    She quickly closed in,


    slightly lifted her mask and leaned forward to lightly sniff the surface of Yi Chen¡¯s clothing.


    ¡°What a fragrant smell~ William, where have you been?¡±


    ¡°Studying Star Magic with Principal Daislin.¡±


    ¡°Daislin¡­ that female Prophet, right? Oh yes~ she¡¯s the manager of this school. Looks like you¡¯ve been with the principal for a long time, even your skin still has a strong scent. Didn¡¯t you also take a bath?¡±


    Jin pushed her hand further into Yi Chen¡¯s shirt to feel the changes in his physique.


    ¡°Three ribs broken, internal organs stirred, also kicked twice in the jaw, once on the side of the face, and in the right arm¡­ And the opponent was barefoot, using it for various hits, you seemed completely suppressed.


    The number one on the Prophet ranking list is indeed interesting;I thought this female principal was only good at Divination, little did I know she could be so formidable with Body Technique as well.


    William, can we arrange to jointly try out this Principal Daislin?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ The principal wouldn¡¯t agree, this sparring was purely educational, it¡¯s hard to get another chance. Plus, Principal Daislin¡¯s Body Technique integrates Prophet predictions and Astrological Skills, which are not quite suitable for you.


    Let¡¯s go look for Teacher Zed instead.¡±


    After a moment of silence, Jin said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go! We aim to last more than half an hour this time.¡±


    ¡°Wait, how about we go tomorrow instead? I just got back from the principal¡¯s office, and I¡¯m quite tired.


    Also, I brought back an item from the Old World, which might interest you if you want to take a look together.¡±


    Yi Chen knew that to change Jin¡¯s decision, he needed to offer something more interesting to her.


    As the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡± spilled out of the dressing room, the entire room was instantly filled with the pungent smell of skin,


    but Jin didn¡¯t show any interest, instead, she stepped back and displayed a look of disgust.


    ¡°This is¡­a book from the Skin Market, right? And its purity is very high. I have absolutely no interest in such things. After all, I have never relied on skin, and these high-purity ancient skin objects can only have a negative effect on me.


    But wait a minute~¡±


    Jin unexpectedly took off her mask,


    This was a rare occurrence;she even wore her mask at home when making love with Yi Chen or while sleeping. Now, she removed it without a word.


    Dark brown hair tucked behind her ears,


    a high and prominent nose, and thin, moist lips,


    adorned with a delicate Red Lotus birthmark just below the left eye,


    Such a refined appearance sharply contrasted with Jin¡¯s usual clothing and behavioral habits.


    In the palms of Jin¡¯s hands, the inside of the mask burgeoned with densely packed tumor nodules that adhered to and softened the face when worn.


    As Jin reached out to touch it, clusters of tumor particles inside the mask rapidly grew,


    the proliferating flesh piled up on one another, eventually forming a book garlanded with tumors, its epidermis still oozing pus, and beneath the pus and tumors appeared to lie a naive infant¡¯s face.


    When this book was retrieved from among the masks, it immediately gave off the odor of tumors.


    If one had to describe it,


    it was like the back kitchen of a high-end hotel, where the lymphatic meat cut off from pork and beef is individually packaged in a trash bag, undergoing three days and nights of internal fermentation. The trash bag containing the lymphatic meat, picked up by a scavenger, is brought home for simmering over low heat.


    In the middle of which, a run to collect cardboard boxes occurs, and upon returning home two hours later, one is greeted by a bizarre smell.


    The odors of tumors and skin collided within the student dormitory, even creating a stand-offish situation.


    Wow~ the book in Jin¡¯s hands even emitted the sounds of an infant¡¯s cry.


    ¡°Jin! Is this perhaps


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a plague book of the same level;this is ¡®Swelling Record¡¯ produced within the Cancer Palace¡­ It was a favor granted to me for progressing rapidly in my studies under my master, and for contributing to the Cancer Palace using Red Lotus.


    Recorded within are many fascinating ancient pieces of knowledge, like our last session of making meat, and some of my flesh regeneration skills also came from this book.


    However, this old world plague book is extremely dangerous, and one can easily be assimilated by the words within.


    Although I don¡¯t really care about my appearance, I don¡¯t want to become a creature covered in tumors or with a drooping pituitary on the face. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just right,


    If we read books produced from different Source Epidemic Areas at the same time, they will repel each other, and their impact on us will be relatively reduced.


    Come, let¡¯s read together!¡±


    As Jin made this suggestion, Yi Chen also received a textual prompt sent by Yellow Skin.


    ¡ÚAs the largest source epidemic area in the old world, the Cancer Palace¡¯s ¡°Swelling Record¡± is quite famous. Often only the pure pathogens born within the Cancer Palace who have passed various qualifications and ensured their absolute benignancy are eligible to obtain it


    Your friend¡¯s ability to acquire the plague book as an ¡®outsider¡¯ demonstrates her uniqueness. Increase contact with her, as it will aid significantly in our final control over the Skin Market. ¡Û


    Yi Chen and Jin, their arms touching, sat together at the only desk in the dormitory,


    As both of them opened books from different Source Epidemic Areas, it was like prying open the flesh of some ancient creature to inspect its complex structure.


    And it was at the instant they opened the books,


    the walls of the dormitory, the desks, beds, and various decorations all began to grow biological epidermis and swell with tumors.


    The pathological effect continued to spread, advancing to the outer corridors, stairs, and even covering the entire school building with a skin layer, causing all residing students and the hostel manager to evacuate.

 Chapter 344: Mandatory Reading

    Chapter 344: Chapter 343: Mandatory Reading


    Chapter 344: Chapter 343: Mandatory Reading


    Hoo-hoo!


    The white-feathered owl resting in the professor¡¯s office suddenly widened its round eyes and let out an impatient screech.


    Qian Bosen took out his glasses from a metal box and stood up to exit the office,


    Other professors and associate professors on the same floor also came out one after another, all having received an urgent signal from the academy.


    At the same time,


    a security officer wearing a black iron mask and dressed in uniform hurried over to report on an emergency occurring between the schools.


    ¡°A severe regional pathological mutation occurred in Dormitory Number Four, which invaded the entire dormitory building in just one minute and is continuing to spread to the surrounding areas.


    Because the mutation was quite disruptive, most of the students were able to evacuate successfully under the guidance of the dormitory manager.


    Additionally, according to the dormitory manager, about fifteen minutes before the incident, an elite gentleman from Cesimani came to find William Behrens in the dormitory and directly made a death threat and perceptual influence after being rejected.


    About ten minutes later, William Behrens returned to the dormitory building, and shortly thereafter, the regional pathological mutation officially occurred.


    The detection instrument has detected two different types of pathological categoriesSkin¡¯ and ¡®Tumorboth conditions in a strange state of contention.


    Currently, the rate of the mutation¡¯s spread has begun to slow, and it is expected to reach its maximum spread at twenty meters from the dormitory building.¡±


    As the intelligence officer clearly stated the situation, many present turned to look at Professor Qian Bosen, knowing that William Behrens was his student.


    Qian Bosen let the white-feathered owl on his shoulder go, heading to the apartment to gather more detailed intelligence, and inquired with the security guard, ¡°Has the principal not responded?¡±


    ¡°We have tried contacting the ¡®Principal¡¯s Office¡¯ through various means and received no response;the principal might be roaming the starry sky or conducting future divination observations and temporarily unable to attend to the current situation.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go and see for ourselves.¡±


    In fact, Qian Bosen was quite trusting of Yi Chen and wasn¡¯t too worried that he would lose control.


    But as Qian Bosen arrived at the scene, when he saw the swollen, pus-seeping skin buildings, his heart skipped a beat.


    Soon, S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the owl, observing up close with special vision, brought back detailed intelligence,


    Due to the isolation of the skin layer,


    even the owl¡¯s eyes struggled to penetrate it, barely making out inside William¡¯s single dorm room two figures sitting very close and at a desk, what exactly they were doing was unknown.


    When Qian Bosen quickly integrated the event in his mind, trying to analyze what exactly William was doing.


    Just as other professors were prepared to clear the regional pathological mutation by forcibly breaking into the building, Qian Bosen raised his hand to stop them:


    ¡°William and Jin Almeda are likely in the dormitory conducting some sort of in-depth pathological discussion, their consciousness in a dissociative state leading to the leak of the illness, thereby affecting the environment.


    Do not disturb their current state for now.


    Professor David, Associate Professor Vincent, both of you join me in setting up a ¡®Barrier¡¯ to temporarily seal the dormitory building. If by this time tomorrow there is no sign of the mutation receding on its own, we will proceed with forcible measures.


    If anything goes wrong, I alone will bear the consequences.¡±


    With the principal absent,


    the highly esteemed Professor Qian Bosen still held significant authority.


    But still, some were puzzled, struggling to understand just what kind of ¡®in-depth discussion¡¯ could cause such a level of disease leakage.


    Indeed, as Qian Bosen had speculated,


    opening the ¡®Plague Book,¡¯ and seeing the text branded inside,


    the text seemed to harbor ancient hookworms with curved hooks barbs that hooked into the eyes of the reader, fixing their gaze and even their thoughts firmly within the pages.


    Enforced reading,


    any distractions, skimming, or misunderstanding of the text would face backlash from these ancient words,


    even reversing the pathology of the reader, stripping away personalities, and changing both their appearance and inner selves.


    However,


    this was hardly a matter for Yi Chen.


    As the text within the book tried to hook his eyes,


    he actually had two ways to break this ¡®enforced reading¡¯ state: one through the pressure of Madness Brain, and the other by directly having the Yellow Skin confront and control the ¡®Skin Sack Bible.¡¯


    But he did not use either.


    He chose to accept forced reading, and in return, used these mind and eye-catching hooks to enhance his concentration.


    The Professional Ability ¡°Inquisitive¡± was fully activated, significantly increasing his reading efficiency,


    Being a top student skilled in reading, Yi Chen naturally avoided errors at the reading level.


    ¡°Prologue¡±


    The overview of ¡°skin¡± between the lines instantly broadened Yi Chen¡¯s thinking in all directions.


    It took him to a super factory built into the crevices of the abyss, with an assembly line that transcended conventional geometric structures, carrying various forms of bizarre leather on hooks,


    The leather was graded based on attributes such as color, texture patterns, translucency, and uniformity,


    Sorting machines styled after biotechnology worked on different assembly lines, categorizing the leather into more than ten different grades, only the lower-quality and ordinary leather was sent to Zion.


    The high-level leather recorded in the Skin Sack Bible made Yi Chen drool over the somewhat rough hand-drawn illustrations in the book, triggering his most primal greed.


    At the same time, the general explanation of ¡°the uses of skin¡± in the prologue was beyond imagination.


    Just as Yi Chen wanted to continue reading the main volume,


    Buzz! A strong ringing in his ears pulled him back from the ancient scenes depicted in the Plague Book.


    Drip, drip~


    Drops of nosebleed, resembling black liquid, fell on the desk, and his entire madness brain felt sucked dry.


    ¡°Did I overexert my brain?¡±


    Although Yi Chen was greedy for the knowledge in the subsequent books, rationality and the desire to survive forced him to temporarily give up reading.


    Slam! He closed the book.


    The skin qualities that had been extended during the closing of the book were quickly retracted, and the bedroom returned to its original state, leaving only a lingering foul smell.


    ¡°Incredible!


    I¡¯ve only read the prologue, and it¡¯s already conveyed so much content and information through the text. I need to rest a bit and then go ask the First Gentleman for more skin!


    It¡¯s time to increase my Skin Content, aiming to reach 100% before the competition starts.¡±


    Just then,


    Two slender arms slowly extended from behind, resting along his neck and draping over his shoulders.


    Then a face leaned sideways close to him, chin gently resting on his shoulder,


    Underneath the mask, a slimy tongue gently licked his temple, as if trying to burrow in to lick the madness brain nestled between Yi Chen¡¯s skull bones.


    As the tongue withdrew, Jin¡¯s voice followed:


    ¡°William, you could read for an entire day and night. Truly worthy of a madman¡¯s brain! I can only read continuously for eight hours at most before feeling like my brain is about to explode, even needing to inject meat juice directly into my brain to stabilize.¡±


    ¡°Did I read all day?¡± Yi Chen was completely immersed in the book, completely unaware of the time.


    ¡°By the way! The people from your academy are crowding downstairs, and it seems they are preparing to forcefully enter here¡­ Do you want to handle it now, or wait for them to come up?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening


    Yi Chen remembered the process of skin retraction when he closed the book and quickly speculated that flipping through the Plague Book might have produced a pathological effect on the surrounding environment, thus alarming the academy¡¯s security system.


    He hurriedly went downstairs with Jin,


    With the regional illness lifted and thanks to Professor Qian Bosen¡¯s intervention, Yi Chen managed to temporarily resolve the issue without revealing any information about the Plague Book.


    Half an hour later,


    In an office cornered with an owl,


    Qian Bosen, although shocked about the Plague Book, had his speculations prior.


    ¡°So it was the Plague Book, no wonder the impact was so significant.


    Spacy¡¯s willingness to lend you such an important item basically shows that he internally considers you the next ¡®First Gentleman.¡¯


    There¡¯s not much time left, and for you now, I can¡¯t offer much advice¡­ The only thing I can remind you of is one point, if you¡¯re determined to compete for this identity, besides self-improvement, it¡¯d be wise to find out more about the other candidates.


    The selection for the First Gentleman won¡¯t be easy;even characters like Spacy didn¡¯t ascend to that position initially.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I got it.¡±


    Before leaving, Yi Chen also entrusted Professor Qian Bosen with his nightmare reward credit card for future expenses.

 Chapter 345: The Insomniac

    Chapter 345: Chapter 344: The Insomniac


    Chapter 345: Chapter 344: The Insomniac


    After D&G Organization used sufficient manpower and materials to establish Zion as its core gathering ground, it formally entered a phase of expansion and development.


    It began expanding its influence into surrounding areas, enlarging the surveillance and management scope of the organization in order to better assess the world¡¯s Pathological progression and to more quickly detect the emergence of ¡®passages,¡¯ helping more capable gentlemen achieve Extreme Breakthrough.


    Such expansion reached its limit several years ago. With the advent of the Grey Zone, many outposts were forced to retreat, and the governed areas were gradually reduced day by day.


    Several months ago, when the organization¡¯s third-largest city, Levinhome, became shrouded in Death, even gentlemen as powerful as Sun Dis died within it.


    The organization then officially launched the ¡®Recall Plan,¡¯ prompting some special individuals stationed abroad to return to Zion.


    For example, some tailors, Cemetery Managers, Watchers, and so on.


    Of course, there are also some gentlemen with extraordinary talents and robust strength but certain personality issues who deliberately chose to leave the city, even requesting to be positioned in remote small towns with sparse populations.


    [Wood Town]


    A remote small town close to the Northern Realm, where snow falls for at least two seasons each year, and the nearest organization relay station is hundreds of kilometers away;Zion is even more distant.


    Such a secluded area should have been long overrun by Pathological afflictions;it¡¯s impossible for humans to survive.


    Yet, against expectations, the town remains untouched by the disease, even housing thousands of residents.


    And only one gentleman is stationed here, who was the one who requested to be posted in this location.


    During several years of life in the town, he had developed good relations with the villagers, frequently visiting their homes.


    On this day,


    a carriage arrived in Wood Town, which hadn¡¯t seen any visitors for many years, pulled by four skeleton horses created with Resurrection Magic, attached to a high-end carriage featuring the latest mechanical devices.


    A coachman with a row of sharp fangs showing from beneath a ghastly mask and a burly figure stepped down, and the villagers dared not approach.


    The coachman approached a detached bungalow marked with the organization¡¯s insignia, restrained his menacing aura, and respectfully knocked on the door in an extremely polite manner.


    Without the door opening, a weary and deep voice emanated from inside:


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You¡¯ve come all this way just to deliver a message?¡±


    ¡°Here are two letters that need to be personally handed to you. One is a recall notice from the organization, and the other is from the Divine Skin Mansion.¡±


    Upon hearing the former, the person inside seemed about to dismiss the visitor, but when ¡®Divine Skin Mansion¡¯ was mentioned, the situation changed significantly.


    The door opened, and the stench of old socks mixed with the smell of fermenting sweat assaulted the visitor.


    The house was littered with clothing that hadn¡¯t been washed in time, with a hand-knitted foul sock even hanging on a wall lamp to roast.


    Creak¡­creak¡­ the rubbing of wood.


    Following the noise, one could see a wooden wicker rocking chair leaning against the corner of the wall,


    and a man with unkempt hair and a disheveled beard was sitting in it, his face nearly obscured by his grey and white hair, looking like an elite among vagabonds.


    His body was as slender as a bamboo pole, which, in combination with the rocking chair, gave the impression of age.


    From the dirty and even torn suit hanging on a coat rack, one could tell that this was indeed the only gentleman stationed in Wood Town.


    The two letters were handed over,


    yet he only opened the one from the Divine Skin Mansion, and as he read the information inside, the rocking of the chair gradually slowed.


    ¡°Sir Claude can¡¯t hold on anymore, huh¡­ Ah, I really don¡¯t want to leave this place! I finally managed to calm my mind and even had the chance to make friends.


    By the way, does the carriage come with an accompanying bath and a facial cleansing kit?¡±


    ¡°Everything you need is available.¡±


    ¡°Wait for me a moment, I need to say goodbye to my friends.¡±


    The mysterious man struggled to rise from the rocking chair, momentarily unable to stand straight.


    Once he finally straightened his back and pushed the hair from his eyes, what was revealed was a surprisingly youthful face.


    His extremely deep dark circles resembled trenches on a battlefield, and the black rings under his eyes were so exaggerated it seemed he hadn¡¯t slept for a month.


    Stretching and yawning loudly,


    he walked with an incredibly casual demeanor,


    and the coachman didn¡¯t dare to rush him, but instead looked down and asked, ¡°Do you need me to help you tidy up the things in your room?¡±


    ¡°No, even if you¡¯ve sorted everything out, I still need to take it back to Zion to unload. These dirty things have to be cleaned¡­ Anyway, it¡¯s highly unlikely that I¡¯ll come back. I might as well burn down the building with everything inside to avoid the hassle.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll wait for you in the carriage.¡±


    Returning to the coach,


    the coachman pulled out an encrypted personal file from the compartment that came with the vehicle. Although the young man in the file did not have such disheveled hair and beard, the exaggerated dark circles under his eyes were enough to identify him as the same person.


    Continuing to look at the personal information below, a few points caught the coachman¡¯s particular attention.


    [Yodessapen Galon] sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    First Gentleman Candidate


    Former Cesimani Executioner (resigned)


    *Special note: This individual suffers from a rare diseaseInsomnia Syndromewhich causes unpredictable mood swings due to sleep issues. Please be cautious when interacting with this person, as it might lead to fatal consequences.


    The coachman also checked the carriage¡¯s setup multiple times, assuring there were no flaws.


    As Galon finished bidding farewell to the townspeople and stepped onto the carriage, the coachman¡¯s palms also clenched with sweat.


    ¡°Um¡­ are we ready to depart?¡±


    The coachman¡¯s question, however, received no response, and the unusual silence made him break out in a sweat all over.


    After a standoff of five minutes, he tried to gently slide open the partition window at the front of the carriage,


    only to find that Galon was already lying on the carriage¡¯s soft bed, with his clothes thrown carelessly on the floor.


    Faint snoring sounds came from his nostrils;it seemed he was asleep,


    Yet, curiously, he was snoring with his eyes open.


    After calling out a couple more times with no response from Galon, the coachman was fairly certain that the other party was in some type of special sleep state, only unable to close his eyes for some reason.


    The coach set off.


    Even though it could reach speeds of up to 180km/h, due to the long journey and the need to pass through many perilous mountainous regions, it still required over three days of travel.


    Two hours after setting off, as the coach traversed a fragmented highway covered with tall grass, something darted out from the woods on both sides.


    The coachman immediately pulled out a thermal weapon, a specially reinforced shotgun, ready to accurately kill any suspicious life forms.


    On closer inspection, it was merely a Pathological monkey.


    The monkey¡¯s lower body sprouted four deformed human legs, which, along with its own, gave it lightning-fast speed.


    However,


    following the shooting of this monkey, the forest erupted with the sounds of many monkeys howling, and pairs of eyes glowing like green bulbs appeared from the depths of the woods.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Just as the coachman was preparing to accelerate away,


    a tide-like flood of Pathological monkeys burst out from the forests on both sides, some even resembling tanks with human faces covering their chests.


    As the coachman was about to force his way through to an escape route,


    Buzz!


    His mind suddenly seized up, frozen for a brief moment,


    and by the time he regained consciousness and reopened his eyes, he realized he had fallen asleep amidst such an urgent situation!


    It wasn¡¯t just him,


    the horses that had been resurrected through necromancy were also asleep, and the coach had been stationary the entire time.


    Then, an unforgettable sight caught the coachman¡¯s eye.


    In the area of the highway and the neighboring forest within a hundred meters, it was littered with the bodies of Pathological monkeys, none with intact bodies,


    some smashed, some sliced into segments, and some even twisted into pretzel shapes.


    The coachman hurriedly slid open the carriage¡¯s partition window, only to see Galon still in the initial sleeping posture, his body had never moved a fraction¡­

 Chapter 346: Accidental Encounter

    Chapter 346: Chapter 345: Accidental Encounter


    Chapter 346: Chapter 345: Accidental Encounter


    Nameless Clothing Store


    As a candidate, Yi Chen directly requested a roll of skin from the ¡°First Gentleman,¡± which, if used entirely for clothing augmentation, was estimated to increase the garment¡¯s Skin Content to 80%.


    Such a concentration was lethal for ninety-nine percent of gentlemen,


    once worn, it often didn¡¯t take a day before the wearer would be completely eroded by the skin sack, at best losing consciousness and becoming a pure Skin Slave, at worst ending up as a pile of skin-like sludge with all organs, bones, and flesh transformed.


    However, having perused the Skin Sack Bible, Yi Chen wasn¡¯t concerned.


    He was well aware that even the skin taken directly from the First Gentleman was merely the lower grade, or even the lowest grade product from the production line at the Skin Market.


    This level of skin could not compare with the Yellow Skin on Yi Chen¡¯s body or the Skin used to create the Skin Sack Bible.


    If he couldn¡¯t even handle these scraps, then there was no point in talking about negotiating with the Skin Market. He would still end up as a ¡°Connector¡± like the First Gentlemen before him, trapped deep in the Mansion for life.


    Mr. Ivan had no doubts at all, spending a day and a half to complete the alterations, ensuring a perfect fit to Yi Chen¡¯s current physique¡­ However, when Yi Chen was about to try it on, Mr. Ivan still issued a word of caution:


    ¡°An 80% Skin Content means that this clothing is essentially a ¡®skin sack.¡¯ What you need to do now is not just dress but also control it.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    When he took the clothing off the mannequin and put it on himself,


    the fine sensation of touch conveyed by the skin made Yi Chen feel as if he¡¯d been thrown into a cell crammed with burly men who were fat-headed and with tender skin, leaving his entire body squeezed by layers of soft flesh.


    But Yi Chen needed only to exhale lightly to make these hulking men obedient and docile, quickly finding his footing in this cramped cell, even engaging in friendly conversations with them, getting them to help by patting his shoulders and rubbing his back.


    In less than five seconds, he opened his eyes.


    With a deep breath from Yi Chen, the clothes on his body pulsed with his breath, fitting him perfectly and providing perfect support to his physique.


    Old Mr. Ivan was also shocked by what he saw. The entire process wasn¡¯t only completed swiftly;the ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡± was entirely under Yi Chen¡¯s control.


    He patted Yi Chen¡¯s shoulders firmly, ¡°It looks like you¡¯re ready to participate in the qualifying selection for the First Gentleman. I¡¯ve heard from my friends that the Divine Skin Mansion is set to convene all candidates this month for the selection, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ But a few days before the selection begins, I might visit you again to get the Skin Content to 100%.¡±


    ¡°Feel free to bother me anytime~ I¡¯ve got nothing else on my plate anyway.


    If you really become the First Gentleman, I¡¯ll be able to gloat over those arrogant organization tailors using your name.


    But don¡¯t underestimate the selection, William. All those chosen as candidates are monsters who are adept with skin.


    Although I¡¯ve severed ties with the tailor association, I still hear bits and pieces of news from time to time.


    I¡¯ve heard that the quality of this batch of candidates is the highest in history, related to the organization¡¯s development and optimized talent training.


    One of them includes a student of the Chief Tailor who obtained the qualification for high-rank tailor before reaching adulthood and continued to study tailoring with Spacy, which will undoubtedly make him a formidable rival for you.¡±


    ¡°Jessica Lores? I saw her once at the tailor association last time;she really stood out. Besides, she seems to recognize you, merely from the stitching on my clothing, she could tell that it was your handiwork, Mr. Ivan.¡±


    ¡°Is that the tailor association¡¯s young lady? Indeed, she¡¯s worth your attention. When I was still working for the organization, I saw her as a child at the association;she had a completely different skin aura about her.


    It seems she was already ill as a child, with an illness related to the skin.


    No wonder Spacy valued her so much after seeing my technique just once and memorizing all of it.


    Besides Jessica, there are also some special characters who have traveled abroad;their gentlemanly age is older than yours, and their experience with skin might surpass yours.¡±


    ¡°I will take it seriously.¡±


    ¡°Good, go show these people what true talent is~ Best of luck to you.¡±


    ¡­


    It had been ten days since Yi Chen and Jin caused a regional illness at the academy.


    During that time,


    Yi Chen was either sleeping to nourish his brain, training in real combat with Jin at Zed¡¯s Paradise, or studying the Plague Book,


    To prevent the recurrence of the regional illness, Yi Chen also specifically requested from the Principal a completely sealed space created with Star Magic.


    After being beaten by Zed every day, he would go there with Jin to read together. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ten days passed.


    Yi Chen had basically finished reading the ¡°Prologue¡±,


    but there were still some obscure specialized terms that were difficult to understand;consequently, parts of the scenes couldn¡¯t be accurately envisioned in his mind. If he really couldn¡¯t figure out their specific meanings, he would just have to visit Spacy again.


    Inside the tiny metallic cabin overflowing with starlight,


    Yi Chen¡¯s hand swiftly flipped through various biology-related books while he tried to decipher the Plague Book,


    ¡°Hmm! Wait a moment, could this swollen text that keeps secreting liquid possibly refer to sebaceous glands? Yes, if it¡¯s about sebaceous glands, inserting it into this passage would make sense.¡±


    But what does this curly text, covered in hair, stand for? Some kind of skin parasite, or hair follicles he pondered.


    Just as Yi Chen had figured out one critical term and was preparing to continue analyzing,


    the door of the little black cabin suddenly opened,


    and the Principal, wearing thigh-high boots and a Crying Mask, walked in.


    ¡°Principal?¡± Yi Chen hurriedly closed the book, while Jin had already fallen asleep on the ¡°Swelling Record¡±.


    ¡°There¡¯s something I need to tell you, or rather to congratulate you,¡± the Principal started.


    ¡°What is it?¡± inquired Yi Chen.


    ¡°Your companion, the graveyard life form registered as ¡®Grep¡¯, has passed the Prophet¡¯s examination and is about to become the ¡®Thirteenth Prophet¡¯ that currently exists in Zion.


    He¡¯s undergoing the subsequent checks and Thought audits now. If you go now, you should just be able to meet him at the door,¡± the Principal informed.


    ¡°Ah! Little Grape has passed!¡± Yi Chen exclaimed with joy.


    ¡°That little thing has inherited the ¡®Ember Eyes¡¯ of the Prophet¡¯s founder, Rudolf. If he couldn¡¯t pass with those, it would have been very incompetent of him.


    Hurry and go welcome your little friend. With such eyes to assist you, it could give you an advantage in the selection for the First Gentleman, and might even improve your efficiency in reading ancient texts,¡± the Principal suggested.


    ¡°Thank you for specially informing me,¡± Yi Chen expressed his gratitude.


    ¡°Don¡¯t always stay here. Come by my office when you have the time¡­ It¡¯s okay to bring your little girlfriend along.¡±


    ¡°Jin is just a friend,¡± Yi Chen quickly clarified.


    ¡°Oh~ I happen to have some free time;I¡¯ll stay here and have a chat with Cesimani¡¯s youngest Executioner,¡± the Principal offered.


    Yi Chen swallowed awkwardly, pretending to be calm as he said goodbye and left.


    Ten minutes later, Yi Chen arrived at the ¡°Prophet Registration Office¡± on the upper street level. As he stood at the door waiting for Little Grape to come out,


    Clip-clop-clip-clop~


    a rapid, heavy, and dense sound of horseshoes came from the street corner.


    A hearse that Yi Chen had never seen before dashed out;it was drawn by no less than five horses, each adorned with sophisticated mechanical equipment, and the carriage was extremely luxurious.


    The Coachman wore a ghostly mask and exuded a dense, murderous aura.


    Naturally curious about who was inside the carriage, Yi Chen immediately unleashed his Madness Brain to capture the aura inside the carriage as it passed by him.


    Unexpectedly,


    the moment his Perception penetrated the carriage, an intense wave of drowsiness attacked him in reverse, heading straight for his brain.


    Surprisingly, the drowsiness broke through the Madness Brain¡¯s defenses, and Yi Chen¡¯s eyelids shut heavily like floodgates.


    In the moment of closure,


    Black Liquid from the depths of the Madness Brain spilled out, stimulating the brain with Death to force the consciousness back to alertness.


    When his eyelids finally lifted again, Yi Chen found himself lying on the ground.


    The passing carriage had disappeared without a trace, but what was left in front of him was a pile of scorched eyeballs.


    ¡°William, why are you sleeping here?¡±


    Little Grape, having completed the final audit and registration, came out only to find Yi Chen lying at the door like a beggar.


    Without saying another word, Yi Chen got up and immediately chased after the direction the carriage had gone, but it had vanished without a trace.


    ¡°Who could it have been

 Chapter 347: First Acquaintance

    Chapter 347: Chapter 346: First Acquaintance


    Chapter 347: Chapter 346: First Acquaintance


    Yi Chen was well aware that the ¡°Epilepsy Syndrome¡± he suffered from was quite special, as no one in the history of the organization had ever had it, and it brought about significant brain enhancement.


    Even during the breakthrough process, he underwent a complete restructuring of his brain structure, resulting in a black insane brain that transcended ordinary madmen.


    This brain not only endowed Yi Chen with various traits of his professionLecturerbut also came with a passive spiritual defense;ordinary spiritual shocks could not affect the insane brain.


    However, the recent contact had put Yi Chen directly to sleep.


    ¡°Was it because I wasn¡¯t prepared beforehand?¡±


    But even without preparation, my insane brain would passively organize against any form of thought invasion.


    It seems certain that the gentleman in the carriage suffers from a sleep-related mental illness, and his main attribute from the Extreme Breakthrough should also be ¡°Sensing,¡± at the same level as Reagan.


    The reason I was affected might be due to my rather hasty sensory infiltration triggering the prohibition set inside the carriage, causing a backlash in thought.


    Sleep-related elite gentlemen are somewhat easy to inquire about.¡±


    Little Grape also arrived at the scene then, draping his arm covered in ember patterns on Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder, establishing the same mental connection as before.


    After obtaining the key information about the ¡°Undead Carriage¡± from Yi Chen¡¯s thoughts, he immediately looked ahead with the multiple eyes beneath his hood, using a type of tracking evil technique, successfully capturing a special carriage several streets away.


    Due to sensing a potential hidden threat between the carriages, Little Grape did not rashly pry.


    ¡°The carriage headed for the Divine Skin Mansion;as for who is inside, I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°The Divine Skin Mansion?¡±


    ¡°Since your human organization has monsters like Zede, isn¡¯t it normal to have other strong beings?¡±


    Little Grape also changed the topic to itself, ¡°How about this? I passed the human-sized organization¡¯s Prophet exam in one go.


    The Prophet identity and related privileges will be distributed later. By then I will own a Prophet House and also have access to high-level information.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations


    Though Yi Chen offered his congratulations, his thoughts remained on the carriage, ¡°Little Grape, how about accompanying me to the Divine Skin Mansion? I still need to ask the First Gentleman for the last of the skin to bring my skin content up to 100%.¡±


    ¡°Hey! You are being rather perfunctory with me, aren¡¯t you going to arrange some celebration?¡±


    ¡°After coming out of the Divine Skin Mansion, how about I organize an ¡®All-Eye Banquet¡¯ for you? I¡¯ll buy all the grapes left on the entire street and have them processed by a professional gentleman chef.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡±


    After accepting the terms, Little Grape stretched out his hand and pressed it against Yi Chen¡¯s neck, morphing into its most primitive fuzzy ball form and burrowing within, returning to their usual symbiotic state.


    For Little Grape¡¯s gentleman¡¯s attire, it transformed into a scarf with ember patterns and trailing ashes wrapped around Yi Chen¡¯s neck and mouth, adding a special British touch.


    When crossing the black bridge guarded by gargoyles, the mysterious Undead Carriage had just returned, but the carriage was now empty.


    As the carriage windows were open, Yi Chen even smelled a strong odor of sweat, which made him more curious about the mysterious person¡­ after all, most gentlemen still pay great attention to personal hygiene.


    After crossing the bridge, he entered the mansion as a Candidate.


    Standing in the mansion¡¯s hall, Yi Chen still couldn¡¯t find the mysterious person, who had apparently gone deeper inside.


    When Yi Chen expressed his desire to see the First Gentleman to request more ¡°Gentleman¡¯s Skin,¡± the attending clergy replied:


    ¡°The First Gentleman is currently receiving a guest. Please wait a moment.¡±


    Clearly, there was a ninety percent chance that the so-called ¡®guest¡¯ was the one who had ridden in the Undead Carriage.


    Yi Chen was not in a hurry and sat in the mansion¡¯s hall to wait.


    Half an hour later, the side door of the mansion¡¯s hall was slowly pushed open.


    A rush of sweat odor similar to that on the carriage wafted out;Yi Chen pretended to be indifferent, but had already had Little Grape activate full view to closely observe the mysterious person coming out of the side door.


    Dirty and worn gentleman¡¯s clothes,


    His hair and beard seemed to have been roughly trimmed;some parts of the hair were still long while others were only buzz cut-length, and the beard was not completely shaved off.


    However, his entire face was indeed visible,


    the profound bags and dark circles under his eyes immediately brought to mind the keyword ¡°insomnia,¡±


    He was also unusually thin, with hollows on both sides of his cheeks,


    Setting aside the issues above, his facial features looked passable.


    Furthermore, this unkempt gentleman walked in a lazy and slow manner, even somewhat staggeringly, as if he could fall asleep on the ground at any moment.


    As the other party approached, Yi Chen took the initiative to stand up and performed a standard gentleman¡¯s bow.


    ¡°William Behrens, may I ask if you are also a candidate?¡±


    The other did not immediately answer upon hearing this;instead, he lifted his eyes, surrounded by dark circles, and gazed closely at this unfamiliar young man, ¡°Yodesapen Galon¡­ Peeping at others while they sleep is ungentlemanly. Don¡¯t do it again next time.¡±


    ¡°My apologies! If possible, may I invite you to a meal?¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s quite troublesome. I don¡¯t particularly enjoy dining with gentlemen whose ¡®brains are developed¡¯ like yours;it forces me to think about many things.


    Let¡¯s talk about it another time.


    By the way, I am also a candidate~ We will soon meet again, best of luck, young man!¡±


    Galon continued to move his body languidly, his unsteady form barely brushing past Yi Chen¡¯s shoulder,


    Yet this simple touch transmitted a strong sensation of Skin resonance, even entirely overpowering Yi Chen¡¯s outfit (hidden Yellow Skin).


    Undoubtedly, the seemingly worn clothes of the other party contained 100% Skin Content and also included special ingredient components.


    A string of yellow text immediately appeared before Yi Chen¡¯s eyes.


    ¡ÚThis man has a definite connection with the Skin Market;even if he hasn¡¯t been there, he has killed someone directly related to the Skin Market¡¯s Open Source Patients. The Skin worn on his body partially could not possibly be produced by your human ¡®Connectors


    A drop of cold sweat also trickled down Yi Chen¡¯s cheek, ¡°Meeting such a strong contender at the onset? It seems becoming the First Gentleman is indeed no easy task.¡±


    [Deep in the Mansion]


    After ten days, Yi Chen was somewhat startled upon his return here, seeing the First Gentleman suspended by iron chains in the air looking even more aged than when they last met,


    All hair had completely fallen out, the right eye and all teeth had completely fallen out, making him look like a grotesquely mutated giant living corpse.


    Before Yi Chen could ascend the Altar, a decayed voice floated down:


    ¡°William, you must have encountered Galon, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I happened to meet him upstairs


    ¡°He is one of the candidates I favor the most. Be especially attentive to him during the selection process;otherwise, you might accidentally be eliminated.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, I¡¯m almost unable to hold on. The selection will be conducted in nine days.¡±


    Yi Chen wanted to express his concern, but ultimately swallowed his words back. He knew nothing he said now would be of use, the only thing he could do was participate in the selection in his best condition.


    He stepped forward to accept the final Skin, which would bring Yi Chen to 100% Skin Content.


    Of course, this content was merely the threshold requirement to become the First Gentleman;how to control, use, and enhance the traits of the Skin was the real assessment.


    As Yi Chen took the Skin, he couldn¡¯t hold back and voiced the doubt in his mind, ¡°That¡­ Galon¡¯s outfit seemed quite unusual?¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Correct, he doesn¡¯t like crowded places;therefore, he chose a remote town near the Northern Realm, far from the organization, as his private living area.


    This remote and quiet location brought him an unexpected opportunity,


    A Skin Slave from a ¡®passageway¡¯ nearby emerged, attempting to enslave his town. He killed it and thereby acquired its skin, which is of a higher grade than the ¡®Gentleman¡¯s Skin¡¯ I obtained from the Skin Market.¡±


    ¡°I see, I will take it seriously.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ see you in nine days.¡±

 Chapter 348: Invitation

    Chapter 348: Chapter 347: Invitation


    Chapter 348: Chapter 347: Invitation


    ¡°I thought there were still twenty days left, but now it¡¯s suddenly reduced to nine? Mr. Claude, as the First Gentleman, the former skin prodigy of Zion, who even surpassed the president tailor in talent, would definitely not make a time estimation error.¡±


    The problem is not with him, but rather with the Skin Market that is directly connected to Mr. Claude.


    The ¡°Secluded Skin Market¡± in the Source Epidemic Area might be experiencing something that is causing the First Gentleman¡¯s accelerated decline.


    There¡¯s no other way! I have to consult the president tailor. If I continue to study the ¡®Skin Sack Bible¡¯ on my own, there is no way I¡¯ll have enough time.


    The assessment and selection of the First Gentleman is not only a test of personal strength,


    but controlling, understanding, and applying skin must be the true key to the assessment.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen wrapped his ash scarf, pulled up his hood, and prepared to see Mr. Spacy again,


    the usually mute Yellow Skin, perhaps because of recent increased contact with skin, became slightly more active.


    Text outlined in yellow lines quickly floated up to the surface of his retina,


    ¡°Interesting, I never expected that your human organization, which the Skin Market defines as a ¡®lower district,¡¯ could cultivate so many talents.


    The gentleman just now, suffering from insomnia syndrome, was actually able to kill an ¡®Open Source Skin Slave¡¯ dispatched by the Skin Market or gone out on their own, taking and controlling the other¡¯s skin.


    This person must be your biggest obstacle to becoming the First Gentleman.¡±


    ¡°Although I¡¯d like to help you cheat during selection matches, my assistance is limited due to the ¡®Connector¡¯s¡¯ surveillance. If I provide too much help and get exposed, the Skin Market will spare no effort to come and eliminate me and anyone related to me, even directly erasing your human organization.¡±


    ¡°Leave the city¡ª if you want to catch up with the guy who can kill Skin Slaves in nine days, I¡¯ll teach you personally.


    Also, bring your two companions;their traits can help you practice in a targeted manner.¡±


    This was the first time Yellow Skin had conveyed so much information and even initiated advisory suggestions.


    Obviously,


    from the first encounter at the Official Residence, Yellow Skin felt a threat emanating from the Insomniac Galon, one that could prevent it from recovering the Skin Market alongside William.


    If William could not assume the position of the First Gentleman, it would significantly slow down the contact with the Skin Market.


    Moreover, if this person became the First Gentleman, he might even bring about a change, possibly even benefiting the development and stability of the Skin Market, which is something Yellow Skin definitely didn¡¯t want to see.


    ¡­


    [Power Station ¨C Electronic Transmission and Neuroscience Research Facility]


    Due to the notoriety of the nightmare incident,


    Yi Chen, after stating his intent upon arrival at the Power Station, was granted permission by the director.


    Following the internal directions, he finally found Director Reagan¡¯s office.


    Perhaps it was because Yi Chen¡¯s hearing was too good,


    or perhaps because there was intense activity inside.


    As Yi Chen approached the door, preparing to knock, a series of strange noises were coming from inside the room.


    There were sounds of electrical wires lashing against flesh, the collision of machinery with flesh, and female cries transmitted through radio waves.


    Such bizarre sounds seemed to transport the listener to a ¡®battlefield¡¯ in some post-apocalyptic wasteland.


    Yi Chen also stood silently at the door, waiting until the noises completely ceased before he knocked on the door.


    Click!


    The door opened.


    Reagan¡¯s entire face had shrunk in size, his forehead and cheeks covered in sweat.


    Moreover, he was shirtless, his slightly overweight body showing faint outlines of abdominal muscles with the rest still layered with fat.


    He was sweating all over, and one could even see steam slowly rising from his shoulders, clearly having just engaged in some vigorous activity.


    And the intense activity was rapidly burning off Reagan¡¯s fat due to the high heart rate state.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Reagan, did I interrupt you?¡±


    ¡°No problem, Faye and I were in the middle of a rather important activity.¡±


    This made Yi Chen tense, ¡°Is that something you can say out loud?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you finish what you¡¯re doing and I¡¯ll come back later¡ª it will give me a chance to look around the research facility.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m done, you can come in now~¡±


    Reagan opened the door and made a beckoning gesture.


    Though his gesture was very gentlemanly, Reagan¡¯s sweaty head and lack of clothing were somewhat discordant.


    Yi Chen stepped cautiously into the room and immediately saw Miss Faye sitting at the edge of the experimental table, her body festooned with cables, her eye sockets hollow.


    She was wearing only a white dress,


    and raised her right hand, from which cables protruded, to greet Yi Chen.


    Yi Chen also noticed that various parts of Faye¡¯s body were in a ¡®disconnected¡¯ state, with cables sticking out from the joints.


    ¡°Miss Faye, what is this?¡±


    Reagan hurried to explain, ¡°Right, didn¡¯t I tell you earlier? I¡¯m conducting a new type of test with Faye, deliberately exposing these cables to increase flexibility and discharge rate.


    That way, Faye will be more lethal, greatly enhancing her chances of survival when she goes out later.¡±


    ¡°The sound I just heard¡­ were you doing modifications?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, what else did you think it was?¡±


    ¡°Nothing~ I came over this time to ask you for a favor, Reagan. Could you spare about a week to accompany me out of town?¡± Yi Chen quickly changed the subject to ease the awkwardness.


    ¡°Is there a high-difficulty task, or are we preparing to head to the Old World?¡±


    ¡°Neither¡­ I have my First Gentleman examination in nine days, and I hope, Reagan, that you could help me with some sparring practice.¡±


    ¡°Leave the city for sparring practice? Perfect, Faye¡¯s new form could also use a test. When do we leave?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave right after I treat you to a big meal¡ªthe carriage has already been booked.¡±


    ¡°Nice!¡± The mention of a big meal caused Reagan to involuntarily rub his belly.


    However, Reagan still picked up on some subtle details in Yi Chen¡¯s request. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°William, you have a wide network of contacts, many choices for sparring partners. Is there any particular reason you picked me?¡±


    ¡°Indeed~ Among my selected competitors, there¡¯s one whose spiritual power is particularly outstanding. I suffered an intrusion when I first met him, and he even briefly affected my consciousness.


    So, I hope you, Reagan, can simulate high-intensity spiritual power combat to let me adapt in advance.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? You¡¯re also a gentleman proficient in sensing, and your brain structure is quite unusual. To think that you were invaded¡­ Who exactly is this person?¡± Reagan became curious upon hearing about a strong spiritual entity.


    ¡°A candidate like me, suffering from Insomniac Syndrome, named


    ¡°Yodessapen Galon! It¡¯s him, right?¡±


    ¡°Reagan, do you know him?¡±


    ¡°Not personally, but I came across the research archives on mental patients during my study of ¡®Consciousness Reorganization.¡¯


    There was a special patient file for this person.


    Suffering from the only case of Insomniac Syndrome in the organization, he was the former Cesimani Executioner. During an outing, due to his insomnia, he accidentally killed the Patient, local residents, and a teammate.


    As his mental issues became more severe, he was brought to us for research. It resulted in all the related researchers falling asleep, and ultimately it was the director who intervened to suppress him.


    Eventually, the research institute couldn¡¯t come up with any special treatments or medicines for his insomnia;they just provided him with a set of leisurely lifestyle adjustments to regulate, control his emotions.


    Plus, he chose to leave Zion and live in a remote and quiet area.


    There doesn¡¯t seem to have been anything notable after that.¡±


    ¡°A leisurely lifestyle¡­ So that¡¯s what it was.¡±


    ¡°William, when you go to the selection competition, see if you can take me and Faye with you, I¡¯d also like to see what kind of person this individual who left the research institute helpless is.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Reagan quickly packed his bags, while Faye was attached to his spine with cables, assuming the standard ¡®couple¡¯s carry¡¯ position,


    with Faye¡¯s legs straddling his waist and a wide robe covering her cable-ridden body.


    They walked out the door nonchalantly, utterly indifferent to the gazes of others.


    After meeting up with Jin, they took a four-berth carriage to the outskirts of the city, embarking on a week-long intensive training.

 Chapter 349: Mental Special Training

    Chapter 349: Chapter 348: Mental Special Training


    Chapter 349: Chapter 348: Mental Special Training


    One of the purposes of this trip out of the city was to receive private guidance from Yellow Skin.


    Since Yellow Skin couldn¡¯t be exposed, it was naturally necessary to choose an area that was remote and not under the Organization¡¯s surveillance.


    As Yi Chen pondered this problem, an answer quickly came to mind.


    The carriage passed through a ruinous, uninhabited city, where one could still vaguely discern the outbreak of a strange plague from the ruins.


    And there was an abandoned clinic, built alone among the hills on the outskirts of the city.


    When the three people got out of the carriage, Yi Chen also used his Madness Brain to fuzz the coachman¡¯s memories of the day.


    Climbing to the top of the hill in the countryside,


    they saw a broken and thorny hollow gate, and high grass mixed with rats and insects. Hanging in front of the corresponding building was that silver doorplateTwilight Clinic¡±.


    Considering the environmental factors, it was easy to deduce that no one had been there since Yi Chen last completed the secret medicine mission.


    Reagan eyed the words on the doorplate and whispered, ¡°Twilight Clinic¡ªMacaul Doctor¡¯s place of crime, right? William, is there any special meaning to choosing this place to train with you?


    It seems like you¡¯re deliberately avoiding the Organization¡¯s informants, intentionally picking this uninhabited area for special training?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here before, so I¡¯m quite familiar with it.


    Additionally, I thought you might be interested in this ¡®Dusk thin silver liquid¡¯ that can ¡®resurrect the dead,¡¯ Reagan. The tower behind the Clinic building was Doctor Macaul¡¯s medicine-making tower, and the remnants inside might have some research value.


    After all, it wouldn¡¯t be fair for you to come here for nothing, right?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll check it out when I have time. So, where are we going to stay overnight in such a dilapidated place?¡±


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Yi Chen led the three people, including Miss Faye, to the apprentice dormitory on the third floor of the Clinic, choosing the room where the four-person squad had once stayed.


    After a simple dusting, they settled in reluctantly.


    Yi Chen climbed onto the upper bunk he had once slept on and couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about the past¡ªif ¡®Mr. Li¡¯ dared to cause trouble now, any one here could easily kill him.


    Next, they began discussing the arrangements for the week¡¯s special training, and when it came to mental training, Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jin, sitting on the lower bunk, suddenly raised his hand:


    ¡°I want to participate too~ It won¡¯t do for you, William, to be the only one benefitting. I have a talent for ¡®Sensing¡¯ as well, and can achieve mental isolation by wrapping my brain in a tumor.¡±


    ¡°Alright~ Let¡¯s just do the special training as a whole squad, and we¡¯ll adjust according to the actual situation.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡±


    Sitting on the opposite bed, still carrying Faye on his back, Reagan asked, ¡°How is the time arranged? Surely we¡¯re not training all day, right?¡±


    Yi Chen replied, ¡°The special training starts from waking up each day until the sun sets;the night belongs to free time when everyone can do whatever they want.


    As for food, I¡¯ve already prepared a large amount of compressed rations in advance. If you guys want to eat meat, you can go hunting in the mountains at night, and wild cooking is also an option.


    Overall, treat this outing as a short trip.¡±


    After discussing with Faye who was leaning on his shoulder, Reagan answered, ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s get started now!¡±


    The group returned to the front yard of the Clinic,


    where the first day¡¯s special training was named ¡®Spiritual Endurance¡¯,


    As the name implies, Yi Chen and Jin couldn¡¯t counterattack;they could only unilaterally endure the Spiritual Shocks released by Reagan, and based on their reactions, further adjustments would be made to the special training afterward.


    Reagan had no exaggerated starting gesture, like placing his hands on his head, or pointing at someone,


    but just unbuttoned his concealed blue suit to let his belly protrude slightly unrestrained and inserted his hands into the pockets of his khaki pants, looking nonchalantly forward.


    The weeds in the front yard were already over two meters high,


    and although the other two were the ¡®receiving end¡¯, they could move freely or use their abilities to conceal or mislead their exact positions.


    Jin chose to move at high speed while dropping several special tumor clusters,


    which would proliferate superfast upon hitting the ground, and in a matter of seconds, grow into Jin¡¯s likeness,


    matching 100% in aura, shape, and appearance.


    However, these clones had no ¡®Skill¡¯;they could only perform the simplest movements and self-destruct!


    That¡¯s right, they could move at superfast speeds like Jin, and once they locked onto their target, they would get close at all costs, using ¡¯embrace¡¯ to adhere completely and detonate a Cancer Explosion.


    The power of the blast was directly related to Jin¡¯s ¡®Epidemic value,¡¯ ¡®understanding of cancer,¡¯ and the ¡®Red Lotus Attribute.¡¯


    This ability came from the ¡®Swelling Record¡¯ produced by the Cancer Palace.


    Of course,


    these explosive clones would not attack Reagan;they were merely moving at high speeds along with Jin, to misguide the opponent¡¯s judgement.


    As for Yi Chen, he chose a relatively quiet response,


    sitting cross-legged on the ground, with strands of silver in his hair, and with even the Madness Brain mimicking the shape of the ¡®Moon,¡¯ sprouting structures on the surface of the brain similar to moon craters, while also radiating starlight.


    Any attempt to capture Yi Chen¡¯s position with spiritual power would be refracted and deflected.


    However, Reagan noticed all of the above.


    To be precise, captured by the Reagan¡¯s true self ¡®suspended above the skies.¡¯


    Facing two geniuses of the same caliber, Reagan naturally gave it his all, fully stimulating his illness,


    having been in contact with an extreme mental organization in the Old World, the type different from the Madman, and obtaining a strange Relic from them, he advanced and contracted the same type of disease as these people.


    Then, combining it with his Profession ¨C [Prototype Master] ¨C he achieved an unimaginable transformation.


    Reagan¡¯s true self,


    or rather, [Personality] had transcended the physical, suspended in mid-air in a particular mental state, and watched the situation below, even spreading something akin to a brain¡¯s magnetic field completely.


    At the same time,


    the little grape who passed the Prophet¡¯s examination also captured through ¡®Vision¡¯ an entity without a physical form, even not existing in reality, suspended high in the air and shared the visual to Yi Chen.


    ¡°There¡­ what is that thing!¡±


    In the Ashen Vision,


    A human silhouette was captured by the clinging of drifting ash,


    manifesting a surreal technological product, constructed of cables, capacitors, chips, and so on, even the Ember Eyes could barely see it clearly, unable to discern its specific form.


    This spiritual entity slowly raised its hands, pointing directly below at Yi Chen and Jin, spot on without error!


    ¡°It¡¯s coming! William¡­ I¡¯ll help you block it!¡±


    Realizing the danger, Little Grape conjured an Ash Shield with a Pupil Skill in front of Yi Chen that was full of evil aura.


    Yi Chen himself regulated the Madness Brain, pulling his spiritual protection to the highest while allowing his attire to form a complete hood to assist in defense.


    Boom!


    A loud noise came from the front yard of the Twilight Clinic, startling all the forest creatures and Pathological beings, causing them to scatter in fear.


    Two electromagnetic shadows flickered in the front yard,


    Jin¡¯s true form was blasted into the ground, creating a three-meter deep crater, and the smell of roasted flesh was even detectable.


    Yi Chen maintained his seated posture,


    but black blood continuously dripped from his nostrils, and the clothing-formed hood was torn and lay on the ground, with Little Grape unable to open his eyes for some time.


    Boom!


    Another loud noise, but it was the sound of the ground being burst open.


    Jin, with her body charred and multiple joints fractured, forcibly leapt out from the pit, rapidly repairing the burns and reassembling her joints with tumor cell growth, at the same time recalling the clones back into her body to replenish nutrients,


    she stared at Reagan with an odd look, not expecting him to be this powerful.


    Yi Chen also wiped away the blood from his nose, furiously shaking his head to clear the ringing in his ears, and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°A pinpoint spiritual strike that ignores distractions¡­ I was completely exposed.


    Reagan, what exactly is your [illness] after breaking through? It feels like your true self is detached from your body.¡±


    ¡°Depersonalization¡­ William, the ¡®Eye¡¯ within you actually captured my externally shaped personality that has achieved ¡®reality isolation,¡¯ impressive indeed.¡±


    ¡°Externally shaped personality?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I molded a figure of myself~ The specific principle is not easy to explain, it has to do with my illness, profession, and the Old World group I came into contact with.¡±

 Chapter 350: Outsiders

    Chapter 350: Chapter 349: Outsiders


    Chapter 350 -349: Outsiders


    The intensive training was nothing like what had been anticipated,


    just one morning had passed, and everyone was almost at their limits.


    Reagan, due to continuously exerting his spiritual power, even went so far as to use all his body fat for energy, losing nearly thirty kilograms in just one morning, even his abs became prominently defined.


    He had transformed into a brown-haired young man with an exceptional appearance.


    However, ¡®Faye,¡¯ who was maintaining an electrical connection with Reagan, seemed somewhat displeased;she apparently did not favor such a handsome appearance and preferred, or was more accustomed to, Reagan with a pot belly.


    As for ¡®the ones getting beaten up,¡¯ Yi Chen and Jin were in even worse shape.


    Jin, considering it was just a teammate training session, hadn¡¯t brought much meat as supplies, and she used up 2/3 of it through the morning. Moreover, she was careless once, almost causing damage to her brain core.


    Yi Chen, using different methods to protect his brain, ended up with a shriveled, atrophied madness brain, and his ¡®little grape¡¯ had fallen into a prolonged closed-eye state.


    The training had to be forcibly stopped at noon.


    And Yi Chen felt he had approached the wrong person,


    Reagan¡¯s spiritual shocks included characteristics such as ¡®impact,¡¯ ¡®destructiveness,¡¯ and even ¡®spiritual annihilation,¡¯ akin to a church¡¯s gunblade used for slaying evil spirits, paired with a highly lethal magnum pistol.


    Insomniac Galon¡¯s spiritual type didn¡¯t possess such straightforward lethality;if one were to compare it to real objects, it somewhat resembled a ¡®pocket watch and dagger.¡¯


    Yi Chen wasn¡¯t too sure whether such intense training would be effective during the First Gentleman¡¯s election competition.


    And there was another rather troublesome matter.


    As the dry food Yi Chen brought was mainly intended for quick, long-lasting nutritional supply during gentlemen¡¯s outings, it was simply a compression of various nutrients without any flavor considerations,


    Reagan only took one bite and spat it out immediately!


    According to him, its taste was similar to the moldy insoles of his grandfather¡¯s decade-old cotton shoes from the deepest part of a shoe cabinet back home due to dampness.


    Thus, a new arrangement post-training was devised¡ª[Food Hunting].


    Since the current area had not yet been covered by the Grey Zone,


    and there had been a False Moon event which was cleared out, no usable resources remained, and Moon Trace Lorrian had left, making the presence of Open Source Patients highly unlikely.


    For the three who had already pushed their limits, this posed no threat, so they split up to search for food.


    Reagan decided to look for game in the mountains and countryside around.


    Yi Chen planned to wander around the urban area, considering all the time that had passed, the ruined city was overgrown with wild grass, various buildings were shrouded in all sorts of vines, and some wildlife had also moved into the urban area.


    Jin¡¯s idea was simplest;she planned to run back to Zion on foot, directly heading to the market to collect a large batch of meat, not so much to eat but more to replenish her meat agent.


    Jin¡¯s physical mutation allowed her to sustain high-speed running for long periods, even faster than a standard horse-drawn carriage. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dusk fell.


    A mature, pathologically mutated deer with tentacles, face-patterned spots on its fur, and toe-like structures on its hooves, was carried by Yi Chen to the mountain top,


    Also, many offspring resembling human children were found in the deer den.


    Reagan, on this end, caught quite a few wild rabbits,


    At first glance, everything seemed normal, but the rabbits¡¯ fur was multicolored, aptly termed rainbow rabbits.


    Dumping piles of rabbits in the front yard, Reagan also simultaneously released the spiritual constraints.


    These rainbow rabbits rapidly underwent transformations;their abdomens each shot out a fluffy umbilical cord connecting them to each other, eventually combining into a ¡®muscle rabbit man¡¯ whose muscles also displayed a variety of colors and even posed in front of everyone.


    Such a sight hardly aroused any appetite.


    In the end, all the pathologically mutated animals brought back from the hunting were ¡®cleansed of disease¡¯ and cremated onsite.


    Gurgle~ A sound of hunger crying emerged from beneath Reagan¡¯s belly, he had become extremely hungry and even contemplated trying Yi Chen¡¯s dry food again.


    Just then, a fragrant aroma wafted through the woods.


    Reagan was the first to stretch his neck and open his perception to observe.


    Masked Jin was seen dragging two sacks larger than herself up the mountain at a brisk pace, the aroma evidently emanating from one of the sacks.


    ¡°Miss Jin!¡± Reagan¡¯s eyes were filled with longing, seeing Jin as an angel with red wings bringing the ultimate hope for survival.


    Jin didn¡¯t say much,


    she simply placed the two heavy sacks in front of them and untied the red cord sealing them.


    One sack was filled with various limbs and torsos shaped like imitation meat, Jin¡¯s basic ingredients for making meat, which made Reagan feel nauseous.


    But the other sack was different,


    it contained a variety of takeout dishes from the lower street districts, stored in special skin-made bags ranging from wild game to seafood, from noodles to stew, from hot drinks to ice cream, everything was included.


    These leather packing bags, made from the stomach structure of a certain harmless Sick Object, could achieve complete sterility and long-term temperature provision, preserving freshness effectively,


    of course, these top-grade packing bags were expensive, but for Jin, an Executioner who often took on private jobs, the cost was negligible.


    ¡°Praise Miss Jin!¡±


    After heartfelt thanks, they began to devour the meals, saying while eating, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s best to stay at home!¡±


    Jin didn¡¯t mind;she could eat anything. As a child, she was often locked at home without food for days, even gnawing on door panels, shoelaces, and even her own hair.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning on bringing these initially, but after thinking it over, you really put in a hard effort today, Reagan. Managing to do this much just through spiritual power, so I spent some time buying takeout from an entire street.


    If it weren¡¯t for the time it took to prepare the takeout, I could have been back two hours earlier.


    Keep up the good work¡ªif you maintain this form, I won¡¯t mind making another trip to Zion.¡±


    While enjoying the hot delicious food in his hands, Reagan said cheerily, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Jin, today isn¡¯t even my best state¡­ Wait till I¡¯m full! I¡¯ll be even better tomorrow.¡±


    Perhaps because the pig¡¯s trotter in his hand was too delicious, Reagan got carried away and inadvertently spread his spiritual power like a magnetic field, covering the entire hill and even reaching the city.


    Just then,


    a smiling Reagan suddenly stiffened, quickly finished the pig¡¯s trotter in his hand, and turned his head toward the city.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Reagan?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a Patient¡­ entering the city, it seems to be heading this way.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a native Patient here?¡±


    ¡°It appears like a deceased Fallen Gentleman, exhaling black mist as it breathes.¡±


    ¡°What! Exhaling black mist¡­ could it be a dead person from Levinhome?¡±


    Yi Chen also was startled, pausing in his meal, ¡°Is it because of the Death Attribute of the Twilight Clinic here? After all, the ¡®Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡¯ developed here is related to Death.¡±


    ¡°Do I need to seal his thought and lure this guy away?¡±


    Just then, Jin suddenly spoke up, ¡°Hey! With such a good opportunity, why let him go! Being here for special training is boring anyway.


    Since we¡¯ve chosen to train outside the city, we should take the chance to deal with a few Patients~ When the Organization asks what we did outside the city, it will be easy to explain.


    Why not let this guy come and have some fun? We could even take this opportunity to catch bigger fish by using this guy to attract more interesting dead people.


    We shouldn¡¯t miss this chance, don¡¯t you think? William.¡±


    However, Yi Chen was considering other things.


    When he heard that a dead person was approaching, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up.


    ¡°Let him come.¡±

 Chapter 351: Speculation

    Chapter 351: Chapter 350: Speculation


    Chapter 351 -350: Speculation


    Levinhome, formerly the third largest city under the organization¡¯s control.


    Now, it has fallen to become a colony of the Source Epidemic Area¡ªOriginal Tomb, and because ¡°World Assimilation¡± is not yet complete, life from the Old World cannot freely visit the worlds it depends on.


    For example, the Death Plague Knights, Harvester¡ªRotweis, who once turned Levinhome into the City of the Dead, sacrificed over a thousand townspeople to gain just over ten minutes of free activity time, after which they were forcibly pulled back to the Old World.


    This restriction comes from some ¡°Rule,¡± an unseen force that influences the operation and coordination across multiple worlds.


    Currently, those wandering in Levinhome are mostly native dead infected with the Death Plague, including the original townspeople and the stationed Gentleman Group.


    The most powerful among them is the Gentleman Group under Sun Dis.


    Coincidentally, the Original Tomb has been recruiting new members for the Death Plague Knights recently, and several Apprentice Knights have been selected;these Open Source Level Apprentice Knights will earn their official status through real performance.


    Among them, one Apprentice Knight, whose ¡°ability¡± matched, happened to be assigned to Levinhome,


    and through Sun Dis¡¯s physical body and a vast number of death sacrifices, his consciousness descended, overseeing and managing the city, doing as much as possible to bring valuable things back to the Original Tomb.


    However,


    during his management of Levinhome, this Apprentice Knight discovered many interesting things,


    through absorbing the memories of the dead, he found the secret medicine hidden within the wards of Sun Hospital,


    this kind of secret medicine, made using Patients as raw material and combined with certain traits of some gentlemen, crafted through specific techniques, was quite novel to them, and the organization self-styled as gentlemen possessed other types of secret medicine as well.


    This included the Death Type secret medicine, such as the ¡°Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡± once known as ¡®Day and Moon¡¯ alongside the Sun Secret Medicine.


    Under his command, a dead named Scott set forth on a journey to the Twilight Clinic, seeking the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid and related clues,


    Scott was the former chief surgeon at Sun Hospital,


    and through the Relic¡ªRupert Card¡¯s Leg, he achieved a breakthrough in a single attribute (coordination), working diligently at the hospital for decades until Death arrived.


    Though seemingly of advanced age, he possessed a pair of severely varicose veiny muscular legs, capable of supporting him during long periods of running and super jumps, making him well-suited for long-distance trekking on foot.


    He had even performed surgeries with his feet in the hospital, earning himself quite a reputation and even being dubbed the ¡°traveling doctor.¡±


    Regrettably, he was never able to pass the doctor¡¯s exam, always falling just slightly below the passing mark, hence remaining in the service of Sun Dis, unable to start his own clinic.


    Gradually, he resigned to his fate, convinced of his own lack of talent and no longer participating in the doctor¡¯s examinations.


    It wasn¡¯t until he hanged himself to become a dead that Scott¡¯s legs were empowered with the force of Death, from which he sensed the potential to continue evolving, even reaching a deeper state of affliction.


    The first time he received an order from the dead, Scott was incredibly excited, planning to bring back everything he could gather about the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid, its manufacturing devices, and even residual liquid, possibly earning more opportunities of Death.


    With no time constraints, Scott traveled at his own pace, stopping along the way to ensure no waste of energy, while also getting accustomed to his Death Ability by hunting down Patients in the wilderness.


    It took him two whole days to arrive at Viner City, where the Twilight Clinic was located,


    Caution was the fundamental aspect of his being as a doctor.


    Even with such strength, he remained vigilant for any potential dangers in the city, only heading to the suburban clinic once he was fully assured of no threats.


    At the foot of the mountain,


    Scott, whose pale face bore two black eyeballs and was shrouded in black mist, said softly:


    ¡°The mastermind behind the ¡®False Moon Incident¡¯ had long gone, and the entire city couldn¡¯t even reflect a single case of Moon Transformation Disease¡­ Am I worrying too much? Well, at least now I can search for the secret medicine¡¯s information with peace of mind.¡±


    His physique was peculiarly proportioned, as if a heavy-weight bodybuilder¡¯s legs were matched with the lean upper body of a village elder.


    Leaving footprints one step at a time, spaced more than fifty meters apart.


    With a super jump from one leg, he reached the top of the hill in less than ten seconds,


    and the dilapidated Twilight Clinic came into view, which Scott completely despised.


    ¡°To think a secret medicine made through underhanded methods dares to compare itself with Dean Dis¡¯s Sun Secret Medicine¡­ It seems the demise of the organization is indeed inevitable.¡±


    Though transformed into a dead, Scott¡¯s respect for Dean Dis remained unchanged.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start our search with the hospital buildings in front,¡± suggested Scott.


    Just as Scott was about to step into the high grass of the front yard, a beam of moonlight happened to fall on the mountaintop through a gap in the clouds, slightly touching him and streaming along his cheek into his eye socket.


    It was nighttime, and although there had been a faint moonlight in the city area earlier, Scott had not paid any attention to it.


    As he approached the dilapidated building, he suddenly felt a sensation of being watched, and immediately looked in the direction of the feeling,


    and saw a woman in bright red standing at the window of the third-floor ward of the clinic.


    By the time Scott tried to get a clearer look, the window was empty again.


    ¡°Could there still be patients inside? Is it a ¡®Non-Normality¡¯ formed by the residual resentment combined with the clinic¡¯s equipment?¡±


    He kneeled and leapt up.


    With a precise jump, Scott crouched at the window where the red-clothed woman had been,


    finding himself facing the apprentice dormitory, and noticed no residual aura, which puzzled him.


    ¡°Although I¡¯m not good at sensing, I shouldn¡¯t fail to detect even those below the Open Source Level¡­ Could it be a problem with the clinic? Some kind of shielding stance or something?¡±


    As Scott crouched at the window feeling slightly puzzled,


    the figure in red, barefoot, flashed past outside the dormitory door,


    and he was slightly startled and immediately chased after her.


    By the time he rushed out of the dormitory, the red-clothed woman was already standing at the far end of a long, eerie corridor¡­ The length of the corridor seemed to exceed the hospital itself and felt as if it was still stretching.


    Moreover, the floor of the corridor between him and the woman was littered with discarded needles from the old clinic,


    and the woman at the end, in red, showed no intention of leaving but was slowly waving her hand, signaling Scott to come over to her.


    This time, Scott finally saw clearly that the red-clothed woman was wearing a colorful mask, only her bright red lips visible, her hand waving all the while, her mouth circling with a slender tongue covered in small tumors.


    ¡°Playing tricks


    In an instant,


    Scott¡¯s lower body erupted with a multitude of blood vessels, and the dimensions of his calves and thighs grew larger.


    He also tensed his muscles to completely harden his feet, making them hard enough to easily break rebar, not fearing the decayed needles at all.


    He burst forward at an astonishing sprinting speed, reaching the red-clothed woman within seconds.


    ¡°Go to hell!¡± Just as he was about to kick her head in,


    a wave of dizziness hit him, followed by weakness and even convulsing.


    Upon closer inspection, syringes, which should have hardened, were embedded in the soles of his feet, and some type of liquid was already coursing through his body.


    As he tried to understand what was happening, he passed out completely.


    Light rings, eye focus!


    When Scott woke up again, he was lying on a surgical table.


    His body was paralyzed and bound, with an illumination lamp at its maximum brightness shining directly into his eyes. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two doctors and a red-clothed nurse were standing by,


    one doctor, with a protruding belly, holding a bone saw in one hand and a sawed-off skull in the other.


    The other doctor was tampering with something in the back of his head and soon extracted a still-warm, pitch-black brain.


    Scott hurriedly tried to sense the state of his own head, only to find that his skull had been opened, and was now empty¡­ He tried to scream but found that his tongue had already been cut, and even his mouth was stitched shut.


    At that moment,


    he could only silently watch everything in front of him, watching the doctor holding his pitch-black brain skillfully carve a large character in the frontal brain region with delicate surgical moves.

 Chapter 352: City of the Dead

    Chapter 352: Chapter 351: City of the Dead


    Chapter 352 -351 City of the Dead


    [Twilight Clinic]


    Yi Chen, Reagan, and Jin had all maxed out their ¡°Sensing¡± attributes during the human phase.


    All three had different understandings of the brain,


    and facing a peer in Death who was not skilled in Sensing, they easily completed a mental inducement having the upper hand.


    Reagan was responsible for stripping away the person¡¯s mental defenses,


    then Jin would sow tumors into his brain, breaking through its external defense,


    finally, Yi Chen was in charge of the ¡°clean-up.¡±


    However, the form of clean-up Yi Chen took stunned both teammates on the spot, even Jin, who often stayed up all night working on bodies, saw this special Professional Ability ¨C ¡°Education¡± for the first time.


    Both knew about the infamous Madman group from the Old World, and according to common understanding, after enslaving an individual, a Madman would start consuming the brain.


    Just when they thought Yi Chen would do something similar,


    he released Scott¡¯s constraints, allowing him to regain both physical and mental freedom.


    Jin immediately grabbed the Blood Baby Longsword, ready to strike down his enemy.


    However,


    Scott, exhaling black fog from his mouth, showed not the slightest hint of hostility.


    Upon opening his eyes, he kneeled on one knee and cried out from deep within his soul, calling Yi Chen ¡°Teacher!¡±


    Yi Chen nodded, even reaching out to touch the newly attached skull of the other, absorbing Scott¡¯s memories from both before and after death, which naturally included the current state of Levinhome.


    He learned that life from the Original Tomb in the Old World was governing the entire district through the body of Sun Dis, and that this Old World visitor carried something valuable that Yi Chen successfully glimpsed.


    If they could obtain it, this trip out for special training would be incredibly worthwhile,


    Instantly, his brain began operating at full capacity, constructing a meticulous and bold plan in his mind,


    By the time Yi Chen¡¯s eyes reopened, he hurriedly looked at his two teammates, ¡°Fancy playing a big game?¡±


    Jin was naturally willing, even agreeing directly without asking for specifics.


    Reagan¡¯s attitude, however, was completely different. He was not willing to take risks, especially with Faye following him, ¡°William, I came out here just to help with training, I didn¡¯t say I wanted to do anything else.¡±


    ¡°Reagan, let me tell you the plan first.¡±


    Yi Chen explained the plan step by step in detail, ensuring that there were no gaps in any step, and the risks were minimized.


    ¡°If it can be achieved, Levinhome might be retaken.


    Even though the ecological environment there is no longer suitable for living, the Organization will give us three great rewards! At that time, I will renounce all my rewards and distribute them evenly between you two, how does that sound?


    Moreover, I will also do my utmost to collect information on the deceased during the combat and collaborate with Reagan to produce a scientific research report on the deceased, which may help Miss Faye¡¯s recovery and growth.¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ Let me think about it.¡±


    Reagan leaned against the wall, not forgetting to pull out a hot roasted leg of beef from his pouch, chewing it while pondering, and also discussing with Faye who was connected to the cables.


    The conclusion was reached -[Do it].


    ¡­


    [Levinhome]


    The entire city was enveloped in a thick black fog, a giant black cross stood in the heart of the city, topped by a strange halo, signifying ¡®the symbol of the dead¡¯.


    Scott, his legs completely marred by varicose veins, was sprinting back as fast as he could.


    He went straight to the depths of the sewer beneath the cross, where nearly 50% of the dead were laboring, expanding and converting the sewer into a sufficiently large underground tomb.


    Each passage was carved with numerous skulls of the dead, also adorned with various ¡®Skull Hundred Forms Maps¡¯.


    In the deepest part,


    dark and mixed with a large number of bones, the underground streams gathered here, forming four waterfalls that fell vertically, precisely located in the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest directions.


    In the center of the waterfall, a rudimentary form of a throne was constructed,


    and Sun Dis, in his black clerical robe, was sitting there, his forehead branded with the same mark of the dead, signifying that the insides of this shell had been completely replaced.


    Corresponding to the Apprentice Knight from the Original Tomb, Bart Prada.


    When Doctor Scott hurried over,


    from within Bart, a purest Aura of Death instantly released, overwhelming him to the ground, and checked his entire physical state to confirm that Doctor Scott was in no danger before retracting the Aura back into his body.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Thanks to the dead¡¯s ability, while I was exploring the Twilight Clinic, I discovered an unknown underground chamber through the Death Aura seeping from the ground.


    It required the activation of several mechanisms and even forcefully breaking through multiple obstacles to access it.


    I found a small vial of ¡®Dusk Thin Silver Liquid¡¯ that had not been reclaimed by the Gentleman Organization. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, a special seal was also set up in that chamber, presumably designed by Doctor Macaul, the original owner of the Twilight Clinic. With my current strength, I cannot break it.


    There might be more secret medicine in there, even a complete set of equipment and materials for making secret medicine.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not say too much, show me the secret medicine you found.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Scott presented the half gray, half black secret medicine very respectfully.


    When Bart took the vial, he immediately felt a strong sense of death, and his dim pupils became lustrous and moist.


    Gurgle gurgle~


    He drank the liquid within the vial in one gulp.


    Hum!


    A silver sheen covered the surface of Bart¡¯s eyeballs,


    and at the same time,


    a field of Death Aura was released automatically within Bart, causing all nearby waterfalls to stop flowing and a pair of faintly visible wings appeared on his back, and one could even faintly hear the neighing of warhorses from below the ground.


    This sensation was too exhilarating for Bart, and he even leapt up from his seat.


    Because the dosage was so slight, the silvery-gray color in his pupils quickly dissipated.


    ¡°Such a fine substance! If I could bring a large quantity of this secret medicine back to the Original Tomb, or even master the method of its production, I would officially be recognized by the Knight Order.


    You¡­ did very well!¡±


    Bart stepped down from the throne and placed a hand on Scott¡¯s head to imbue him with ¡®Death Plague Breath¡¯.


    Immediately, the physical exhaustion from his long journey was replenished, and it even deepened his understanding of death.


    The varicose veins protruding on the outside of Scott¡¯s thigh faintly formed the shape of a cross, though still imperfect.


    ¡°Thank you, my lord!¡±


    ¡°You deserve it. If there truly is enough secret medicine and related equipment in the depths of the chamber you mentioned, I will personally conduct the ¡®Transformation Ceremony¡¯ for you, turning you into a true dead.


    Hurry and take me there, I want to see what kind of special seal it is, whether it can resist the invasion of the Death Plague.


    The rest of the dead continue with the ¡®tomb expansion¡¯ here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡±


    Scott¡¯s performance was impeccable, he still respected Bart in front of him, and all that the dead represented, it¡¯s just¡­ these things seemed worthless in front of his teacher.

 Chapter 353: Entering the Jar

    Chapter 353: Chapter 352: Entering the Jar


    Chapter 353 -352: Entering the Jar


    [Twilight Clinic]


    Three young gentlemen were ¡®resting with their eyes closed¡¯ here in different poses.


    Yi Chen sat cross-legged at the edge of the rooftop, gazing at the starry sky.


    Jin held his hands in front of him, his back leaning against the entrance to the staircase,


    while Reagan was sitting more casually on the ground, holding a large bag of pickled cucumbers. Although his eyes were closed, he regularly popped a sour cucumber into his mouth.


    In reality,


    The three were maintaining a state of ¡°thought sharing,¡± using the connection of Madness Brain to obtain visual information from student Scott, which was being transmitted in real time from the City of the Dead.


    This allowed them to spy on Bart Prada, the Apprentice Knight who dominated the City of the Dead and possessed Sun Dis.


    Upon seeing this dead man from the Old World, Reagan even slowed his cucumber eating pace. Based on the visual information presented, he analyzed the real strength of the other party and even guessed his specific ¡°epidemic value.¡±


    ¡°This guy is not simple¡­ He originates from the Old World, and his illness hasn¡¯t undergone any iteration or divergence, making him a rather pure Origin Disease sufferer.


    The Death Aura he emits has a fundamentally different essence from the other dead in the city.


    According to the visual data, this guy¡¯s epidemic value is at least [3], and possibly even [4], just a membrane away from becoming Open Source.


    If we aren¡¯t careful, dealing with a fully Open Source being who embodies pure death, we might end up severely injured or even incapacitated for months, and William, you wouldn¡¯t be able to participate in your tournament.¡±


    Faced with Reagan¡¯s analysis, Yi Chen, still gazing at the starry sky, responded calmly, ¡°If joining forces with you two still results in severe injury against such an opponent, then there¡¯s no point in participating in the screening.


    You agree, don¡¯t you, Reagan?¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    While the two gentlemen were chatting,


    Jin, leaning against the staircase entrance, began drooling thickly like pus upon seeing this real dead man from the Old World.


    During her time living in the Cancer Palace, she had heard from her Master about the ¡®Original Tomb and the Death Plague.¡¯ The Death Plague Knights, who belonged to the First Dead Man, were still a significant threat even to powerful regions like the Cancer Palace and its Source Plague area.


    As time passed and the number of dead continually increased, the Original Tomb¡¯s power would continue to grow, possibly even threatening the status of the Cancer Palace.


    Her Master had specifically told Jin


    that real cancer, even in the darkest corners, continuously proliferates, occupying and smashing the concept named death, causing this concept to fester, break down the pus, and dissipate completely.


    Jin had always wanted to test herself against a real dead man, and now was the best opportunity.


    ¡°William, Reagan!¡±


    Following Jin¡¯s call, the two gentlemen also momentarily stopped their conversation.


    ¡°Let me handle this guy. How about you two assist from the side? If it turns out I really can¡¯t beat him and am about to be killed, you can come in and save me. Being heroes who save the damsel in distress might earn you praise and songs~¡±


    These words made Yi Chen, who looked away from the starry sky, turn his head, his eyes still shining with the light of stars as he met Jin¡¯s gaze, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking? My baby hasn¡¯t yet tasted the flavor of a real dead man.¡±


    Waaah waaah waaah~ A chorus of baby cries came from Jin¡¯s back.


    ¡­


    An hour later.


    In the district corresponding to the Twilight Clinic¡ªViner City.


    A shoe emitting black mist stepped onto the main road,


    where the wild grass growing between the streets and the vines climbing the street lamps and nearby buildings swiftly withered.


    However, the newcomer was already considerably restrained;otherwise, an area of hundreds of meters around would have been eroded by death, and symbols of death would automatically appear in the brains of various living beings, leading to a phenomenon of mass suicide.


    ¡°Sir! The Clinic is just up ahead on that hill.


    Since this place isn¡¯t very far from the Organization and the Twilight Clinic was once an external facility of the Organization, I suggest you restrain your ¡®Death Plague¡¯ a bit more.


    If the climb leads to a large decline in the wooded area, it might draw the attention of the gentlemen group.¡±


    Accepting his subordinate¡¯s suggestion prudently rather than rejecting it out of pride, Bart Prada also provided an explanation,


    ¡°I¡¯m not willingly releasing the Death Plague;it¡¯s because such a vibrant and living world inherently repulses a true dead man like me.


    An environment brimming with life stimulates the Death Plague inside me, passively forming a domain to ensure my normal ¡®breathing¡¯.¡±


    ¡°The current state of disrepair in the district suggests a severe outbreak of illness has occurred, and it has also been subjected to substantial slaughter, which barely allows me to move around normally,¡±


    said Balte as he took a deep breath.


    A kind of ¡®Death Plague Circle¡¯ that was invisible to the naked eye retracted into his body,


    he took off his hood, revealing a bald head and eyes shrouded in black mist, looking towards the hills on the outskirts of the city.


    Even though they were still several kilometers away, as a true dead man, Balte could already sense the Death Aura emanating from the clinic at the mountaintop.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, pick up the speed and head over,¡±


    Some manner of hooves and neighing spread through space, as Balte burst forth with unimaginable speed, turning into a black light and heading straight for the suburban hill.


    Scott, though he gave chase immediately, could barely catch up even when he let the effects of Varicose Veins spread and maximize across his legs.


    When the shadow stopped, he was already standing at the clinic¡¯s main entrance.


    After a short wait, Dr. Scott finally caught up, having crushed many trees and plants under his muscular legs along the way, causing even more damage than death itself had.


    Balte looked at the crumbling building, ¡°The Death Aura is indeed seeping out from beneath this building, and judging by the amount, it is quite substantial¡­ Lead the way, Scott!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    However, the so-called underground chamber Scott spoke of was formerly ¡®Mr. Lee¡¯s¡¯ underground ward.


    The barrier set there was the joint handiwork of Yi Chen, Reagan, and Jin.


    In the old and decaying ward, scattered with various medical tools and populated with rat corpses, some medicine boxes were piled up in the corners and beside the windows.


    ¡°Sir, the seal is here¡­ I discovered it by accident!¡±


    Scott gently pressed on a brick at the head of the bed, and a secret door opened.


    The interior corresponded to a sinister passage, hung with countless rat skeletons on fine threads, and at its end was a door made entirely of skin, which even Balte had never seen before, painted with silver symbols made with the Dusk Thin Silver Liquid.


    ¡°Skin¡­ Is this the technology of the Skin Market? Regardless, these humans are merely the lower Favored of the Skin Market, such a crude skin barrier is no trouble at all.¡±


    Balte placed his hand on the surface of the Skin Gate.


    As the ancient Death Plague overflowed from his palm, the Skin Gate began to age rapidly, vanishing into oblivion. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sight that met Balte¡¯s eyes inside was utterly shocking,


    it was filled with various torture devices used to torment patients and collect their special secretions, with some distillation flasks placed deeper inside.


    Contained on the central platform was a stained old bottle, filled to the brim with Dusk Thin Silver Liquid.


    ¡°Excellent!¡±


    Seeing this, Balte stepped decisively inside,


    he even fantasized about taking these items back to the Original Tomb, being recognized and awarded by his predecessors and ancients, and the subsequent scenario of becoming a formal Knight.


    However,


    as he stepped forward, the traveling doctor Scott, who should have followed, stayed at the entrance, muttering under his breath.


    ¡°Teacher, I have brought Lord Balte here as you instructed! Please, be careful, Teacher, Lord Balte is very strong.¡±


    As Scott finished speaking,


    he fully activated his illnessVaricose Veinssurpassing the physical limits his body could endure.


    Snap! (His body exploded)


    Scott burst open from within, even laying flat in a spread,


    Numerous varicose veins shot out like a spider web, connecting and sealing the only entrance and exit, using the fully stretched skin to reconstruct the Skin Gate.


    Additionally, the pre-set magnetic fields and tumors were activated, causing the surface of the skin layer to grow numerous oozing tumors, and also alive with electrical sparks, completely sealing the exit.


    ¡°How could this be¡­ How could the dead be controlled by others invisibly? And how could I not have noticed, what kind of method is this?¡±


    Just as Balte was stunned by his subordinate¡¯s betrayal, another aura slowly descended.


    As his gaze moved from the sealed entrance back to the central platform,


    a whole bottle of Dusk Thin Silver Liquid had vanished, leaving only a woman in red with a colorful mask sitting there, seemingly holding a crying baby in her hands.


    As the woman caressed the baby, its entire body began to ooze blood, its spine elongated, transforming into a fearsome dagger.

 Chapter 354: In the Mountains

    Chapter 354: Chapter 353: In the Mountains


    Chapter 354 -353: In the Mountains


    Although Balte was looking at the red-robed woman who had suddenly appeared before him, his thoughts remained consumed with Doctor Scott¡¯s betrayal.


    It¡¯s true that Doctor Scott hadn¡¯t yet transformed into a ¡°true dead,¡±


    but he had already seen the symbol of the dead and had completed the suicide ritual. Fundamentally, he should worship death infinitely and would eternally become a slave to death.


    What method could possibly override the enslavement of death without Balte noticing?


    His thoughts searched among the various types of life from the Old World, but the current world had not yet assimilated, and life forms from the Old World at Open Source level and higher couldn¡¯t freely come to this side.


    Balte had only managed to achieve consciousness descent through Sun Dis, a gentleman of the human race whose epidemic value matched his own.


    Because of this, he couldn¡¯t comprehend how his underlings among the dead were completely enslaved.


    In the end, he could only focus his attention on the red-robed woman before him.


    Watching the process of the baby transforming into a sword, the red silken threads pulsing under the woman¡¯s skin, sniffing the unique meat scent drifting in the air.


    ¡°The scent of blood, desperately concealed, but still unable to hide the distinctive odor of tumors¡­ To think that I would encounter a Patient of the Cancer Palace here.


    However, you are not an enslaver. If it were the Cancer Palace¡¯s method of enslavement, there would be significantly noticeable tumors in the brain, which couldn¡¯t possibly go undetected.


    Are there others here?¡±


    As soon as he had spoken,


    the ¡®Death Plague Circle¡¯ contained within Balte immediately unfolded, covering a range of a hundred meters, filling the enclosed space.


    The ground began to emit black death mist, which even autonomously formed the shape of a cross.


    However, it had no effect on the woman sitting on the round platform;when the thread-like death mist tried to penetrate her body, her skin in the corresponding areas immediately grew tumors used for absorbing tumors and drawing in death. Once the entire tumor turned black, it would fall off on its own, without affecting Jin, the main entity.


    A voice that was neutral but notably magnetic emanated from beneath the colorful mask,


    ¡°So this is the ¡®Domain¡¯ that true dead naturally possess? My master warned me to be exceedingly cautious, yet it¡¯s not as formidable as I imagined


    The last syllable of her sentence dragged slightly,


    and the woman¡¯s left hand resting on the round platform suddenly exploded!


    Boom~


    This directed explosion, like a thruster, propelled Jin¡¯s body swiftly toward him,


    the ¡®Blood Baby Swollen Sword¡¯ held in her other hand no longer cried, but instead grew variously sized tumor sacs on its body, which began oozing bloody pus.


    When the bloody pus covered the blade, shining a red light.


    ¡°Blast Slash!¡±


    Balte sensed the danger of this sword and was just about to dodge when.


    Buzz!


    A powerful spiritual current instantly pierced his brain, bringing an intense buzzing sensation, nearly causing him to collapse.


    At the same time, countless eyes opened within the cellar, covering the walls, thousands of them.


    The eyes intensely disturbed his vision.


    No escape!


    Swish! The physical body was completely cleaved in two,


    when the blade reached the middle of his body, the pus completely seeped inside, quickly growing large granular tumors on the surface of the wound,


    each tumor cracking open at the top, blooming like lotus flowers.


    At the moment of full blossoming,


    Boom!


    A violent explosion occurred in the cellar,


    the power of which exceeded everyone¡¯s expectations, forcing Reagan, who was hidden in the shadows, to temporarily cut off his hearing, and Yi Chen was forced to close his eyes.


    The unexpectedly powerful explosion completely shattered the ¡®urn¡¯ designed and crafted by Yi Chen,


    The mountain¡¯s summit was blown open by a huge hole, causing the entire structure of the Twilight Clinic to start collapsing downwards.


    Swish!


    Yi Chen and Reagan leaped out from the depths of the collapsing mountain, landing steadily at the summit¡¯s edge.


    Before them, the covered area of the Twilight Clinic had already turned into a massive pit, the explosion having utterly destroyed all that remained of the clinic.


    ¡°Jin really acted recklessly! It was so hard to lead the enemy into the trap, and now there are no spatial restrictions. Once they think of escaping, we can hardly stop them.¡±


    Just as Yi Chen looked troubled, Reagan, who was rubbing his chubby cheeks, said:


    ¡°You can¡¯t blame Miss Jin;after all, her ability is to cause explosions. It¡¯s just that the power of the explosion exceeded both of our expectations. William, I have a method to prevent the enemy from escaping, but it can only hold for a maximum of half an hour.¡±


    ¡°What method?¡±


    ¡°Using myself as the core, I¡¯ll construct a completely enclosed magnetic field that will cover the entire hill. I¡¯ve already measured the size of the hill in advance, and half an hour is my limit.


    Although I can¡¯t guarantee that it will completely trap the enemy, I¡¯m sure that it¡¯s impossible for them to break out instantly.


    Of course, I won¡¯t be able to provide any spiritual support while maintaining the magnetic field. Can you and Miss Jin manage?¡±


    Yi Chen didn¡¯t say much, but placed a hand on Reagan¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Please do it.¡±


    Reagan turned and began walking downhill, still instructing as he walked, ¡°By the way, try to preserve the whole corpse for my experiment.¡±


    Shortly after Reagan disappeared from sight, an invisible magnetic field was immediately generated,


    Yi Chen¡¯s Madness Brain captured the spiritual power to view the entire scope of the magnetic field;it seemed like a full-metal sarcophagus covering the hill, with effects much better than the previously set underground chamber.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity¡­ Losing a combatant like Reagan directly means all the spiritual support pressure is now on me alone.¡±


    Just then, a flash of inspiration crossed Yi Chen¡¯s mind,


    ¡°I was originally two people, even three people. Little Grape, do you want to try something big?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡± Little Grape, having been duped many times before, directly saw through Yi Chen¡¯s intention to use it.


    ¡°Ah come on, our opponent is a strong figure from the Old World. If we do not give it our all, there could be a high chance of defeat, even severe injuries or death. If we manage it, I¡¯ll try to get his Death Grape for you, okay?¡±


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°Currently, the skin content of the clothing has reached 80%. ¡®Restriction Removal¡¯ can become more smooth and perfect. I am different from the usual gentleman;Restriction Removal holds diversity. Under the guidance of ¡®Yellow Skin,¡¯ it can specifically undergo a transformation in one direction.


    Since Jin wants to fight alone, I will try a spiritual type of Restriction Removal, or transform using keywords like your ¡®Eye,¡¯ ¡®Prophet,¡¯ etc., and see what it could become.


    Maybe it will reach an unexpected state.¡±


    ¡°If I feel uncomfortable during this process, I will immediately end the integration with you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yi Chen immediately transmitted this thought to Yellow Skin, and then received a text response.


    ¡ÚThis will be an interesting skin transformation¡Û


    ¡­


    In the deep crater formed by the explosion, due to the collapse of the clinic, the fallen building debris had filled the bottom,


    Jin stood solemnly on the ruins, her infant sword momentarily restraining its pus, its moist and tender eyes also focused on the lower part of the rubble.


    ¡°A completely successful strike didn¡¯t kill him¡­ It only slightly reduced the total amount of Death, truly befitting a dead from the Original Tomb.¡±


    Just at that moment,


    black mist began to seep through the gaps in the ruins, a skull manifested first, followed swiftly by other skeletal parts, then flesh formed over the bones and black skin adhered to it. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The body of Sun Dis was condensed in less than three seconds.


    A dim, hefty brass frame also appeared above him, the starting end was an axe with a spine for a handle.


    The frame was filled with an ultra-pure black spinal fluid, which lost 1/20th of its epidemic value due to the recent strike.


    ¡ìFallen Dead Spine ¨C Bart Prada¡ì


    ¡°An explosive type of tumor, huh? And quite a fierce strike¡­ Unfortunately, it¡¯s not pure enough. If your epidemic value was equal to mine, that strike would have been quite deadly.¡±


    Just as he reached inside his body for his weapon, preparing for battle,


    a strange sense of threat came from the top of the pit, and Jin felt it too,


    Both momentarily set aside their conflict to look upwards.


    At the edge,


    a pair of scorched black bare feet stood straight,


    their body draped in an ancient and tattered gray-yellow robe,


    outstretched hands scorched with burn marks were holding four eyeballs inscribed with different marks, glancing down in a supervisory pose.

 Chapter 355: Yellow Eyes Tumor Beard and Death

    Chapter 355: Chapter 354: Yellow Eyes, Tumor Beard and Death Horse


    Chapter 355 -354: Yellow Eyes, Tumor Beard and Death Horse


    Yi Chen¡¯s three attributes breakthrough was the first in the history of the Organization,


    even gentlemen with dual attributes breakthroughs made up less than 3% in the Organization,


    hence, the Organization conducted very little exploration on the application of multi-attribute breakthroughs, and related research was even more scarce,


    they often continued to develop based on the main attribute¡¯s corresponding illness, treating the sub-attributes as a kind of assistance.


    Subsequently, when the skin content reached 50%, the restriction removal that was conducted also targeted the main attribute, and once determined, it could not be changed.


    But Yi Chen was different,


    due to the presence of Yellow Skin, the development and application of the skin was superior to most gentlemen from the start, and he also had the fortune of reading the ¡°Skin Sack Bible¡±, affording him a deeper understanding of skin.


    Not to mention that restriction removal could play its greatest role, he could also, under the guidance of Yellow Skin, transition between three attributes¡ªIntelligence, Physique, and Sensing¡ªto adapt to different battlefield situations.


    At present, S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    since Jin requested to combat the enemy solo, Yi Chen abandoned the attribute of Physique,


    performing restriction removal mainly focused on Intelligence and Sensing under the guidance of Yellow Skin, to assist from outside the field.


    The most crucial point was,


    to integrate that complex fellow Little Grape, Yellow Skin drew upon its true standard, prompting even the clothes to be dyed yellow.


    Thankfully, the effect of the embers made the yellow appear more like the yellow of firewood flames, and even if seen by others, it could be explained away by Little Grape¡¯s ember trait.


    Eventually,


    using skin as the core axis, he seamlessly integrated all elements, even causing yellow spots to appear on the surface of Madness Brain, forging this entirely new stance.


    When the stance was fully displayed, even Yi Chen, as the main body, found it incredible,


    Under the hood was still Yi Chen¡¯s handsome face,


    but his entire face was covered with scars of embers, and the forehead¡¯s ¡®triangle zone¡¯ was covered with numerous ember compound eyes.


    Additionally,


    four completely distinct ¡®External Eyes¡¯ had appeared on Yi Chen¡¯s body, which, as the name suggests, are eyes that can be removed from the body and used externally.


    These four external eyes were embedded in the left and right forearms.


    With just a command from Madness Brain, the four eyes would roll out from between the arms,


    Yi Chen, still in the process of exploring their specific uses, held the four external eyeballs in his palm, feeling them carefully.


    In some ways, they represented the ¡®Mind Control Tools¡¯ that Little Grape had transformed into,


    Upon close inspection, of the four eyeballs, only one was alight with embers, while the remaining three were in a ¡®sealed state¡¯ and could not exert their true function.


    The ember-lit eyeball surface was engraved with a symbol of ¡®multiple eyes stacked with lines connecting¡¯, emitting an evil presence, signifying one of the corpses that made up Little Grape, [Eye Collector.Gemhar].


    ¡°It seems these four eyeballs correspond to the four ancient corpses that make up Little Grape, it¡¯s just that the other three have yet to be developed¡­ However, for the current situation, they are more than enough.¡±


    Yi Chen, holding the eyeballs, slowly walked to the edge of the mountain top crater,


    overlooking the details within the pit,


    when the eyeballs captured Jin and Balte, who were preparing to continue their fight, an observation mechanism was quickly triggered by the first appearance of living beings within view.


    Embers scattered,


    when granules of ash cores fell onto the two men¡¯s bodies, the points of contact turned into the structure of pages,


    as more floating embers accumulated, the two men in the visual scene turned into two ¡®Human Books¡¯.


    Yi Chen only needed to manipulate the eyeballs in his hand to flip the pages and read the personal information recorded in the books.


    *The above ¡®Human-Book Transformation¡¯ is only a visual observation effect;there is no actual change in the two individuals in reality, nor can they feel any ash falling, they just felt a gaze coming from above.


    Using his reading talent, Yi Chen quickly grasped the detailed situation of the fallen Dead Spine ¨C Bart Prada.


    ¡°Reagan¡¯s guess was indeed correct;this guy¡¯s Epidemic value is [4], just a membrane away from an Open Source breakthrough.


    Being an Apprentice Knight from the Death Plague Knight Order, venturing here to collect Dusk thin silver liquid represented an attempt to merit achievement and obtain official knight certification.


    This guy¡¯s strength is extraordinary;we must assist Jin with all our might to have a chance at killing him.¡±


    As he perused, Yi Chen¡¯s saliva also began to flow¡­ because he saw the treasures on this person, even those directly bound to him as a true dead man, growing up with him.


    Balte¡¯s being favored by the Death Plague Knight Order, becoming an Apprentice Knight, was even directly linked to this treasure.


    ¡­


    Between the pits.


    Barte looked up at the individual dressed in yellow, entangled with eyes, and immediately understood how his subordinates had been enslaved. He also searched through his brain for the characteristics of various life forms from the Old World, hoping to identify the type of illness the other party had.


    However, he couldn¡¯t find anything relevant.


    The only thing he could recognize was the ash pattern on the yellow robe.


    ¡°A direct infectee of the Sick Focus firewood? How can it appear in this world¡­ Moreover, the entire mountain¡¯s space has somehow been sealed off by some kind of psychic magnetic field.


    My luck can¡¯t be this good, to encounter so many special individuals in one day.


    I absolutely can¡¯t stay down here to fight. Under the gaze of these eyes, all my actions, even my thought processes, will be affected. If I don¡¯t kill this guy, I can¡¯t possibly take the initiative.¡±


    In an instant, Barte¡¯s assassination priority changed, and this mysterious individual in the yellow robe was elevated to the top of the list.


    He would hold nothing back, and was prepared to go all out to break through the current predicament.


    Waves of black fog spilled out from underfoot,


    and Barte exploded with astonishing jumping power, aiming directly for the mysterious person in the yellow robe at the edge of the pit,


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about escaping


    Jin¡¯s feet and calves exploded with miniature Red Lotus explosions, chasing Barte with an even faster jumping speed, attempting to intercept him in mid-air and pull him back into the depths of the pit.


    The right arm extended, and strands of Red Lotus silk were already dancing on his fingertips, ready to entangle the target upon touch.


    Just as he was about to grab Barte¡¯s ankle,


    Hiss~


    A strange horse¡¯s whinny sounded in Jin¡¯s ear,


    followed immediately by a cold, heavy, invisible iron horse hoof stomping onto Jin¡¯s face,


    Crack!


    The force was so great that Jin¡¯s facial mask shattered.


    You could even hear the crackling of breaking bones¡­ His body turned into a red streak, falling like a bullet.


    Barte, leaping through the air, had somehow transformed into a riding pose, and a Death Horse emerged from the fathomless depths beneath him, carrying him on its back.


    This was a horse with an old saddle, its frame entwined and floating with tattered cloth, and ancient iron hooves for shoes¡ª a dark steed.


    Its black mane fluttered in the air,


    and from its empty eye sockets, black fog continuously spilled out.


    This horse was one of the standards for joining the Death Plague Knights, and it was the Death Horse that Barte had ridden during his Apprentice Knight assessment in the Original Tomb.


    Not only that,


    Barte, while mounted on the warhorse, reached into his belly, grasped a piece of the Dead Spine that had long been deceased, and pulled it out!


    Whoosh!


    A small Hand Axe, with a curved spine for a handle, was drawn out.


    It was quite small, not even as big as the usual Hand Axe, but as Barte¡¯s grip tightened~ one after another, pitch-black spines began to stretch, move, and grow.


    Eventually, it became a black battle axe fit for a cavalryman.


    Ancient death script was stamped into the axe head, determined to cut down its target.


    Getting close,


    the horse reared up,


    and just as the axe was about to come down,


    there was a stir from the bottom of the pits again. Whoosh! Six swollen and sturdy structures of mutated tumors flew from the bottom of the rubble at high speed, showing a smooth tentacular structure,


    A fleshy-colored set of tentacles, covered in red filaments, strong and powerful, capable of rapid extension through the fast proliferation of tumors.


    The tentacular tumors, in comparison to regular ones, were of a completely different ¡®quality,¡¯ and they wrapped around both the horse and Barte, forcefully pulling them back down to the bottom!


    At the same moment, a huge tumor membrane rose from the bottom, enveloping the whole pit and sealing the two inside.


    Jin, whose mask had been kicked apart, inserted a special red syringe into his neck artery, entering a peculiar cancerous state. With a finger pressed to the tip of his tongue, he whispered:


    ¡°You are my opponent, don¡¯t think about running away.¡±