Yang Zicang radiated an overpowering aura, and the heat waves behind him appeared faintly discernible.
The two men inside the bar, plus the man standing outside with deep-set features that seemed chiseled—these three eyed the unanticipated newcomer with ill intent.
“Who might you be, sir? “
Lu Yang’s eyes quickly lit up with three circular halos, and beyond these halos, faint, tiny specks of starlight could be seen.
“I am a guest, ” Yang Zicang said calmly.
The staff members standing on both sides of the hall, dressed in white shirts and black trousers, clutching documents in their hands, looked around in astonishment as if suddenly awakened, their gazes falling on the tall figure that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere in their eyes.
“What’s going on? “
The staff members’ eyes fell on the boss and guest who had suddenly appeared at the bar, and they said incredulously, “I thought it was just us here today. “
Amidst the commotion, everyone realized they must have fallen victim to the bizarre abilities of some Fogfolk or Corrupted Blood Contaminants.
Although Lu Yang had disguised himself, there wasn’t much change to his physique.
He seemed very confident. Feeling the faint, cold aura approaching, he quickly traced it back to pinpoint the young man walking in from the hall entrance, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
But in the next moment, he suddenly felt a suffocating, ethereal aura thickly enveloping him.
“You, you are! “
Along the young man walking in from the hall entrance, he saw what seemed to be the hazy deep seabed emerging behind him, along with the clearly visible, terrifying phantom of a giant white centipede.
“It’s a psychic construct! ” exclaimed the thirty-something, thin-faced man with a refined goatee behind the counter. He immediately pressed an electric bell button hidden under the countertop.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
An urgent bell sounded from deeper within the shop, followed by the rapid patter of hurried footsteps running out from the back.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
“Stop right there! ” Several men clad in what looked like special forces tactical gear burst out from the rear. The leader aimed a gun with dark, scale-like armor at the young man from afar.
Yang Zicang swept his gaze across them, then reached into his robe and pulled out the Black Rose he’d retrieved from He Yishu.
“The six of you hiding back there can each be taken out by a single bullet of mine. But don’t worry, I won’t make the first move. “
“Halt! Sir! ” An older man behind the counter called out in a grave, loud voice.
He was certain: this man was a Fogfolk. The bastard hadn’t even bothered to hide his identity. His gaze then sank heavily onto the man standing before him.
It’s definitely this bastard who brought them here. Damn it, and he’d claimed he made such quick work of things that no one could trace him here this fast.
Lu Yang’s breathing began to grow heavy and labored. His voice laced with despair, he asked:
“And what business does Your Excellency have here? “
“I’ve come to retrieve the materials you took, Mr. Lu. “
Lu Yang’s face shifted slightly. “Who are you? This matter involves a lot. I suggest you don’t wade into such murky waters for just a mere Radiance document. “
Yang Zicang let out a faint, “Oh? “
“Ha, from what you’re saying, does this implicate several Radiance documents, or perhaps even a Gleaming one? “
The White Shadow Thought-Dragon slowly crossed the hall, extending forward. Just then, Yang Zicang suddenly felt all the figures and objects around him beginning to waver like dissipating smoke, blurring into illusions that seemed entirely fabricated.
He lifted his foot and took a step forward, unexpectedly sensing the floor give way. It felt as if he were stepping on something that would shatter beneath him, sending him plunging into a deep pit.
Could an illusion technique achieve such a level?
So this was the “Gloaming ” bloodline?
— “Sir, you are now part of this incident. I’ll give you a reasonable conclusion and let you walk away with this Radiance. You can still turn back now. “
“For taking part in a battle involving a bloodline like this, I should be able to use those things, right? ” Yang Zicang’s voice spread softly.
— “What do you mean? “
｛Distributor May•Valkyrie gave me a “Neutral Review “.｝
The thought had barely subsided when the silk scarf in Yang Zicang’s hand suddenly fluttered. With a sharp unfurling, the gust driven from it instantly expanded outward, sweeping across the surrounding pillars and bookshelves. Amid the clamor, the rustling sounds of paper emerged from beneath the surface of this deceptive, empty chamber.
At the same time, faint currents of air lightly brushed past various nearby objects.
｛Distributor May·Valkyrie gave me a “Neutral Review “.｝
｛Distributor has adjusted the prelude of Radiance I am currently gestating down to 95%.｝
Yang Zicang couldn’t help but want to ask what on earth this was all about.
— “That thing is… “
Yang Zicang turned his head to look toward the entrance, “I’ll just watch here. You’re not leaving. “
— “And how do you know you’re standing at the entrance? “
Seizing this fleeting window of time, Lu Yang twisted his head toward the two people behind the counter, signaling. The older one was pushing the document back to him, while the younger man cast a knowing glance toward several security officers making preparations at the side.
The team’s captain was reluctant, but the boss had given the order, so he did not hesitate. In an instant, two circular halos of light flickered to life around his pupils.
“Last chance. Step back, or we’ll defend ourselves on charges of trespassing onto private grounds! “
Looking at those whose eyes seemed unable to focus on their proximity, they shouted:
“The proof uses your own Fogfolk credentials! Now leave immediately! “
Only Lu Yang realized that there was a massive blanket one concealing that which the others could not perceive; he had already sensed that something seemed off.
“Really won’t reconsider? ” asked Lu Yang, his voice troubled as he urged the elder gentleman before him. In this whole city, only a figure with military backing like this could possibly take charge of this document, but not even the man himself had yet had time to peruse exactly what it was.
Yang Zicang’s pace did not retreat but advanced; he pushed off the ground, and with a faint silvery-white phantom light flickering over his body, he turned into a lightning-like afterimage, abruptly appearing by the counter.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed on Lu Yang’s face, and his fist, wrapped in Stellar Yuan and an orange phantom glow, smashed forward.
At that very moment, feeling a sudden shift in the breeze around him, Yang Zicang calmly expanded the Grid slot of “Dispatch. “
｛Dispatch, Ten-thousand-rank.｝
Lu Yang felt his hand uncontrollably brush past the swiftly dodging young man’s side, scraping against his clothes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several gunshots rang out, with two bullets hitting the wall and the counter in vain, while one bullet flew toward Yang Zicang’s forehead, protected by the Amplified Chrono. Yet, just as it neared his temple, it abruptly twisted direction, tilting downward and carrying Chrono as it shot toward the fist-throwing man beside him.
Snap! The bullet, bearing Yang Zicang’s Chrono, struck Lu Yang in the lower back.
｛I begin to resonate with the Sacred Origin Source. Five Elements Force Field.｝
This bullet, with its trajectory reversed, stunned the surrounding gazes, while the Chrono attached to it spread like a spark from a spider’s web, instantly revealing the hidden Lu Yang in his entirety.
Seeing this shocked look, Yang Zicang sneered as he raised his knee, covered in the grayish-white phantom flames of the “Source of the Holy Spirit, ” and rammed it hard into the man’s abdomen.
Bang! His entire body slammed uncontrollably back against the counter. Yang Zicang lifted his foot again, the heel of his shoe smashing into the man’s chin. Under the intense suffocating aura of the White Shadow Thought-Dragon, the man’s body weirdly arched and flew upward.
Boom!
His entire body was smashed into the counter. Yang Zicang’s figure swiftly leaped across the countertop. A short sword slid from his sleeve into his hand, and he steadily pressed it against the man’s throat.
Lu Yang, still dazed, looked up to find himself pinned by a dark sword that sent a sharp, stabbing sensation of danger across his throat.
-｛Distributor May Valkyrie gave me an “Favorable Review. “｝
-｛Distributor Valkyrie raised the price for the brilliant prelude I am conceiving to 105%.｝
“Who else saw the file. ” Yang Zicang picked up the document that had slipped from his hand and glanced at it as his heart plummeted.
This was no longer the original.
“A copy?! ” A chill shot up his spine. What he had feared most had come to pass: the spread of the information had gone beyond his control.
“Yes… someone suggested it to me. The original isn’t here anymore; he took it. “
Yang Zicang forced himself to calm down. Anger and anxiety would do no good.
The two men inside the counter pressed themselves against the wall cabinet, terrified that the man pointing the sword at their companion might casually swing it their way.
Yang Zicang felt his inner turmoil and agitation gradually settle into a semblance of calm.
“Who made these copies? Can you get in touch with them? “
Feeling the sword blade truly pierce the skin of his throat, the fallen man no longer dared harbor any smug satisfaction:
“It was… someone suggested it to me. The original isn’t with me anymore—he took it. Now there’s no way to contact him. “
As he questioned the man, Yang Zicang began mapping out an extraordinarily bold plan in his mind.
Since he couldn’t stop the leak, he would guide it. Using a carefully concocted “truth ” to contaminate every copy that had spread beyond.
Yang Zicang slid the sword subtly, intimidating Confirmation into the asking: “If you don’t tell me the truth now, I’ll call it a day and go back to file my report. “
“I am telling the truth! ” Lu Yang’s voice grew agitated:
“I asked him last night. He told me that if this document is handled well, it could definitely become the spark to change the future of the continent and trigger a blazing dawn! I, I admit I don’t have that kind of wisdom, so even if the glory doesn’t get credited to me, I’ll still end up with a reward that outshines mere Gleam coins. “
The two inside the counter, as well as everyone in the hall, felt their faces twitch with tension.
“You do realize the consequences of this thing spreading… enough. Transfer your entire chronological timeline to me. “
In the dark text archives, relatively free scientists, or researchers, have developed a deep-seated resistance to scientific and technological research. Even though most of them still harbor a heartfelt desire to dedicate themselves to science but are powerless against the barriers of reality, this is where the trend is headed.
Those who, like Ms. Alian, were able to turn their focus to researching magic blood-related technologies are still considered fortunate, and are secretly envied by many researchers from various institutions.
Lu Yang gritted his teeth hard again and again. Only after Yang Zicang thrust his sword in two additional inches, nearly touching his trachea, did he finally spread open the ring on his chest.
A silvery-white thread shot out from Yang Zicang, trailing towards this man.
｛I have invested 0.01R into Lu Yang.｝
｛Lu Yang has provided me an investment rebate of 110000N.｝
｛This is truly an immense amount of sequence. I feel as though I can see the decimal point in a distant future.｝
“This sequence is absolutely everything I possess.“
Lu Yang’s words came in fragments to the ears of those around them, but everyone could more or less piece together the situation.
It was this man before them—using the most ordinary light a Fogfolk could emit, relying on nothing more than swift and agile movements—a few quick moves were all it took to finish off this maleo tainted with at least three rings of demonic blood corruption, while seizing the precious “lifespan ” so valued by Fogfolk.
“I really envy him… lying in his father’s arms like that, ” the delicate man with the dense beard thought, unable to resist swallowing his saliva as he eyed the tradable “lifespan. ” If only I were a Fogfolk, with my abilities, I could surely rack up hundreds of thousands to millions of years and become a being like a god.
“Where’s the person who took the original documents now? “
“He’s already left here. There’s no way you can find him. That guy… he’s not just clever but also wary—at the faintest sign of trouble, he leaves immediately, never sticking around even a second longer. “
Yang Zicang mulled over the situation. In this world… a set of initial data for a Blood Shell, without the original substance to work with, breaking through in research wouldn’t be something accomplished in just a day or two.
But he still had to give it a try.
He pulled out Lu Yang’s belt, bound the man’s wrists with it, then infused crimson Spectral Flames into the leather strap.
“Don’t think you can escape by leaving my side. My domain of passage isn’t something an ordinary person can measure up to. “
Amidst Lu Yang’s fury and sighs, Yang Zicang pressed the files against the counter, glanced around at the increased number of armed personnel who had entered from behind the house and the main hall entrance, than said to the two proprietors beside him:
“Two Gentleman, I wish to sell a set of data. “
— ｛Distributor, April, Odyssey gave me a “Favorable Review. “｝
— ｛Distributor, February, Diren has inscribed a new node on my brewing magnificent prelude with her vast experience.｝
“Sir, what kind of information would you like to sell? Not all the clients here are Fogfolk, so… ” The young man’s gaze fell on the material Yang Zicang was holding down with his hand.
“You’re not thinking of selling this very document, are you, sir? “
“Yes and no. “
Yang Zicang pulled out a few sheets of paper from his bosom. They were notes he had jotted down on the way here in the car.
“To be blunt, the value of this information is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Selling it all at once would be both foolish and dangerous, and it would be an act gravely irresponsible to the future of humanity. “
The older gentleman pushed aside his son’s body and stood solemnly before Yang Zicang. “Then what do you intend? “
“I plan to sell ‘products’ of different contents in batches. They will, of course, have flaws, but for those who truly need it, these difficulties won’t be enough to make them give up. “
The two men on the side looked puzzled.
“What on earth is this? ” the bearded young man asked. “What could make you… go to all this trouble? ” He had already realized that, just moments ago, his shop had been shielded by the fallen man’s occult blood ability—a kind of camouflage.
“Hmph, it’s the data on the Blood Shell from Schdfen. “
“What! ” the middle-aged man trembled, nearly shouting. He looked at the man on the ground, whose face had changed color several times. “Information aboutthat? How is it possible? “
This man quickly waved a hand at the sturdy figures pouring into the hall. They immediately turned and left, with the two team leaders, seasoned from experience, walking away while quietly instructing their men to keep their mouths shut about what had just happened there.
The hall instantly became empty again. This time, the emptiness was real.
“It’s alright, after all, what I want to sell is this very information. ” Yang Zicang said with a composed smile:
“But as I just mentioned, they must be kept separate, and more content needs to be added inside. Consider these as small gifts from me to both of you gentlemen. What we need to do is make my editions the most sought-after on the black market, and for this, we require your assistance. “
The man detected a hint of condescension toward his side in those concluding remarks; the other party, a Fogfolk, would certainly not limit his content’s distribution to just this single location.
Yang Zicang was also tense at heart. He needed this person in front of him to exert himself for his benefit right now. Regardless of whether the original document could be recovered, he had to at least try. These copied sheets of paper and the resources that this man could mobilize were Yang’s only chance to gamble.
-｛Distributor Loki Tata Mingqi tried giving me a “Neutral Review. “｝
“Hmm, this sales strategy can indeed help us identify which factions are the real buyers, and also allows us to focus our attention on these factions more effectively. Very good… “
-｛Distributor Loki Tata Mingqi actively lowered his perception of my current experiences.｝
The elderly man looked up, “But what about the complete set of data? Are we going to mislead researchers with these different documents stuffed with fake information? “
Yang Zicang pondered for a moment: “I just hope that guy is as sharp and prudent as he claims to be. Once the value of his data drops, I hope he’ll find other ways to restore, or even surpass, its worth. “
The gentleman in the suit and leather shoes, upon hearing this, had a glint in his eyes.
He had still been thinking like an ordinary person. Fogfolk didn’t care about this data or that; they just wanted things to become interesting enough… ‘interesting’ in their own sense of the word.
“An excellent plan. We won’t waste the time you’ve secured for us, sir. ” The man felt both anticipation and anxiety. He was uncertain whether the person before him genuinely wanted events to unfold this way, or if he was exploiting the mentality of whoever took the complete data, using them like sedans carried on poles, manipulating them into taking the next step that matched his predictions.
“For data of the ‘Blood Shell’ calibre… I believe I can offer a high price for exclusive rights. “
“Hmm, may I ask your name? “
“I am Muse. “
Yang Zicang, who had been quite calm until now, felt his smile stiffen slightly.
“Hmm, very good. The name I go by here is Ziegler. “
Both men smiled and shook hands.
Yang Zicang chuckled: “But that kind of thing is impossible. “
Leave a Reply