Chapter 41: Escape!

Chapter 41 - Escape!

---

In the heart of City M, near the ruins of the Tianxi Building, within the storage room of a neighboring corporation's building, a pulsating mass of flesh pressed against the window caught sight of the fighter jets' movements.

Soon, the mass coalesced into the form of a person. The contours of its cheeks shifted, transforming into an unfamiliar face.

He carried a box out of the company, pretending to be delivering supplies to the Tianxi Building. Ten minutes later, he sneaked into the cargo hold of one of the Tianxi fighter jets.

However, he didn't board the aircraft where Lane was. That jet had been customized for Young Master Carol and could detect any living being on board; he would have been discovered immediately. The other combat-type fighters were less sophisticated, allowing him to hide undetected.

In the darkness, Sol quietly concealed himself among the supplies, contemplating one thing— they must be going after that damned woman. He had to capture her first, not only for revenge but also because she was highly ranked. Consuming her genetic fragments would allow him to quickly advance, providing a shortcut. As for the third reason... he hadn't thought of it yet.

Regardless, he had to locate her.

Sui Xin.

---

Sui Xin concluded her transaction with the DD Corporation within the Viking Bank, and it seemed they were well aware of her disguise, but they tactfully advised her.

"Miss, there's actually no shame in buying our imitation underwear. You don't have to be so cautious," they said.

Sui Xin: "? Well, I mainly...".

DD Corporation Staff: "Really, those branded items only have a reputation. Let's talk about the craftsmanship of these undergarments; they might add some lace, but we use top-notch nanomaterials. Why are they so prestigious? Our great-grandmother could sew them, and yet their prices are doubled. Don't you think so? As long as they're comfortable, who cares about the brand?"

Not wanting to reveal herself, Sui Xin spun a little story, which eventually convinced the employee, who now fully understood. They parted ways...

Sui Xin drove away from the Viking Bank building when she suddenly perked up her ears, looking into the distance.

Fighter jets?

It sounded like the roar of fighter jets.

They seemed to be approaching the area.

Every hair on her body stood on end.

Surely not? Could the Vikings have been infiltrated like this? She had set up so many safeguards...

Unless that damned Lane found some backdoor into certain institutions.

The agency responsible for supervising online transactions? What was its name again?

Sui Xin used her communicator to search through the Viking account, only then discovering a clause within the Viking operation that pertained to the regulation of silver, as it were.

"Blimey! These capitalists are so cunning and shameless!"

Sui Xin's scalp tingled, and she felt uneasy, but she quickly regained her composure.

It was impossible for the enemy's fighter jets to land within the three-kilometer zone under Viking supervision. They could only dispatch ground forces to surround the area.

The fighter jets would certainly be faster than ground troops—certainly faster than those in City M. It was unlikely that City R's Tianxi armed forces could mobilize a significant number of troops in such a short time to surround such a vast area. She had to pinpoint a spot where the enemy had yet to establish a checkpoint and then make a break for it!

But which side had the enemy not yet sealed off?

Sui Xin accessed the map of City R, pinpointing the location of the Tianxi Company. Based on the route their armed forces had taken, it seemed that the southern area near there would be more heavily fortified.

However, Sui Xin suspected they might go against expectations. They would surely anticipate her anticipation and reinforce their vulnerable points. With manpower shortages, they might choose to set up roadblocks in the farther northern region.

In contrast, they'd likely monitor the southern ring road closer to the company. That way, even if she charged in that direction, it would be convenient for Tianxi's internal security, who were responsible for the final defense, to temporarily leave the company to intercept her.

So...

Sui Xin's car merged with the stream of traffic heading south. When she exited the highway, it was inevitable that she would be caught on surveillance cameras.

Firstly, she couldn't afford direct exposure. The Tianxi side, through their surveillance, would have to undergo a meticulous information analysis by their department to confirm her identity as Sui Xin.

This would take some time.

Sui Xin estimated that with the analytical prowess of the many brainpower experts in their Analysis Department, it should only take a few minutes.

After all, algorithms would have been pre-programmed, and big data would halve their workload.

After the car pulled away, she seized the moment to accelerate and turn into a side road.

Three minutes later, Lane, who was aboard the fighter jet, received the message – the target had been found.

The red dot on the map was now locked.

They were running towards an underground tunnel.

Into another underground tunnel?

This time, there shouldn't be anyone from Limitless assisting them, right?

Five minutes later, the mustard-colored vehicle was halted by armed vehicles.

However, as soon as the car door opened, the leader of the pursuit team was tempted to swear.

It wasn't the young woman wrapped up like a dumpling driving; instead, it was a disheveled old man.

"I, I, I didn't do anything! A woman just gave me this car and invited me to a hotel, telling me to wait for her! Damn it! I didn't do anything! Is her husband trying to kill me?!"

Armed Personnel: "..."

Through the surveillance cameras in the underground tunnel, they witnessed how Sui Xin stopped at one of the refugee settlements within the tunnels. He handed his vehicle over to the elderly man and then flagged down another car to escape.

By now, that car had long left the underground tunnel.

Unaware of the situation, the DD Company employee was puzzled when he encountered more inspectors than usual at the checkpoint while driving from the Viking office. He was in the process of presenting his identification and excitedly informing his colleagues about successfully completing the deal when he was suddenly subdued and taken away for interrogation.

???

Wait, is it illegal to sell counterfeit underwear?

Fine, I admit I broke the law, but can't I just pay a fine? What's with all this grand show of force?!??

Inside the car, the man saw Lane.

Lane asked him, "Tell me everything that woman said to you during your transaction, nothing but the truth."

The man was shocked. Not that girl?

"My God, are you her husband?"

Wang Si and Si Tulie on the side were confused: "?"

Lane was taken aback, his sharp gaze turning cold as he pressed the gun against the man's head.

The DD employee, terrified, stammered, "She just told me she wanted to buy those underwear. The initial communication was online; you can check the chat logs. Later, I met her at the Viking Bank for the transaction. I was puzzled why she was being so secretive. It's not illegal to buy counterfeit lingerie. Then she told me it was because of her husband—uh, that would be you—who has a beautiful mistress with talent, looks, education, and background. She feels belittled as your low-born, discarded wife. Turns out she's been used as a substitute for that mistress all along. Her true feelings for you have been wasted. In an attempt to win back your heart, she planned to seduce you with some sexy underwear. But she's poor, saying you only give her 300 pounds a month for household expenses, so she couldn't afford the expensive ones. Instead, she used the alimony from your divorce to buy a counterfeit set... She was planning a desperate gamble, vowing to come back like a queen with a wardrobe full of Pinru's clothes. Oh, by the way, she said her name is Pinru."

Wang Si and the others felt their brains about to explode. Wait, wasn't Cui Xin mentally unstable?

Lane also wondered if he had water in his brain to have listened to all of this nonsense. Finally, with remarkable patience, he asked, "Is there any more useful information?"

He maintained his composure, reacting to Sui Xin's absurd and slanderous words with the detached elegance of a noble. There was no sign of his defenses being breached.

However, the DD Company employee was on the verge of losing it.

What? What other useful information could there be? !

Was he really breaking some divine law by selling underwear?

"Well... That young man's surname is Lin, he's a doctor. Would that information be relevant?"

Lane: "..."

He took the communicator and located the account Sui Xin had used to communicate with this person. Previously, when she had contacted this individual, it was from within the Viking Bank, where the IP was encrypted and inaccessible. But now...

"Trace her online searches from last night, and she definitely accessed their website too, perusing the search regulations pertinent to their company within the R City jurisdiction - she must have been hiding somewhere when she conducted those searches."

For her previous devices could never have been smuggled by a tiny spider, this communication device must have been acquired during her stay in R City. There wasn't enough time to select a specific signal frequency either, as the circumstances didn't permit it. Thus, she had to settle for the most ordinary communicator and a general search channel.

In that case, the IP tracking should be more precise.

However, the DD employee was thrown out of the car. After rolling on the ground, they sat there, tears welling up in their eyes. Wait, what was going on here?

Which husband was so fierce? Wasn't that sister-in-law's brain flooded with water? Wouldn't it be more pleasant to run away with the money and support a kept man?

-----------------------

Outside the market where Sui Xin had previously bought nutrient solutions, the area bustled with people. When the car parked by the roadside, its tire accidentally rolled into a sewage ditch, splashing passersby. The pedestrians grumbled and glanced back at the driver, who was oblivious. Instead, he smiled broadly at Sui Xin as he stepped out of the car, revealing his yellow teeth. "Little sister, tell me where you work. Big brother will come and support your business tonight."

Sui Xin casually mentioned a hair salon's location before turning into the bustling crowd, her pace quickening as she rapidly vanished from sight.

She hurried to the live livestock section.

There were all sorts of live chickens, ducks, cows, and sheep – naturally, there were also pigs.

These goods tended to be more expensive due to their freshness and quality, considered premium ingredients. Before being displayed for sale, they were thoroughly cleaned, presenting themselves as plump and attractive in their snowy white skin.

Most of these animals were administered with anti-defecation medication prior to being brought for sale, to avoid polluting the entire market. However, the aroma was still quite alluring. Enduring the heightened sense of smell brought on by Ba Lang, Sui Xin located a pork vendor and pretended to be a customer interested in buying a pig.

As she observed, a pig, in the middle of drinking water, suddenly felt a chill on its behind. It turned its head to find a guest, bundled up like a bear, fondling its bottom.

Pig: "???"

Startled, what was this person doing?

The eyes of the pork fondler gleamed with satisfaction and delight.

Confused, the pig turned its head back and continued drinking water. Suddenly,

Its posterior was touched again.

The pig's head whipped around, only to see the delight in the man's eyes turn into frustration and anger.

Damn it! You touched me and you're angry? !

Boss, boss, psycho, there's a psycho here! Why are you even negotiating with him? There's a psycho here!

Oooh ooh ooh!

The big white pig panicked and nudged its fellow companion for safety.

The commotion caught the attention of the owner and the other buyers. The owner laughed gleefully, "See, I told you my pigs are lively and healthy."

"That's right, that's right."

Sui Xin quickly covered her embarrassment and made a couple of casual remarks before leaving.

As she left, her fingers in her pocket had already extracted the pig's genetic material from its flesh, but it drained the energy she had accumulated from a hundred nutrient fluids in one go.

Furious!

So furious!

Was she to be drained just for extracting the genetic material from a pig's skin?

Rascal!

---

Sui Xin grumbled as she returned to her previous residence. She took off her coat and pulled out a bag of nanomaterial undergarments from her backpack.

There was already a sewing machine rented from a nearby shop inside the room.

She hurriedly consumed her nutrient solution, pouring the remaining 400 packets into a basin and drinking them down with a 'duangduangduang' sound. After boosting her energy to its peak, she started operating the sewing machine, working at top speed to dismantle and sew the underwear materials into clothing.

In truth, she felt rather depressed.

Was she some kind of extraordinary mutant?

It felt as if she were serving a prison sentence, laboring for rehabilitation...

When would she be able to command respect like Dan Benxi?

But she had to hurry and finish this; once done, she'd make a run for it. She couldn't shake off the feeling that this place was no longer safe.

"Sigh, if only I weren't mutated, I could also be considered multi-talented. Look at my sewing skills – they're quite impressive, aren't they? I picked it up after just a few tries. How excellent am I?"

As Sui Xin worked the sewing machine, she began to appreciate the skill. The rhythmic clacking made her feel as though she was about to create a beautiful, minimalist, and form-fitting nanocloth garment.

Fifteen minutes later, looking at the peculiar, patched-up attire, she suppressed her expression and told herself: I won't be buying anything from that company again. There must be something wrong with their nanomaterials, not my sewing skills.

She had to wear the dress she'd made, even if she cried doing so.

Fortunately, due to the shrinkage of the material, it fit her rather well... After all, a washboard wouldn't have been a bad fit either. It shrank right into place.

Sui Xin donned her outdoor jacket ensemble and had just tied up her hair when she suddenly heard a noise. She turned to look upstairs – a vehicle had pulled up nearby.

Glancing down at her communicator, she noticed the signal was cut off.

Damn, they're here fast!

Sui Xin frowned, swiftly pulling on a baseball cap and slipping out the back door of the basement into the backyard. She leaped onto an old wooden plank leading to the wine cellar, then with a swift bound, she vaulted over the wall into the alley behind.

Suddenly, she looked up and spotted a drone!

Locked on!

Damn it!

Sui Xin narrowed her eyes. The moment the drone locked onto her, she raised her hand.

Bang!

The drone was down.

The gunshot drew the attention of the armed personnel who had just alighted from their vehicles in the driveway.

"Backyard!"

"Over here!"

"NHU combat mode, disperse and surround!"

"Drones, move in and seal off the crowded marketplace area, hurry!"

In an instant, scores of fully equipped frontline combatants from R City's Tiange rushed over after disembarking their vehicles. Some of these powerful disciples, with their exceptional physiques, scaled walls as effortlessly as they ate, leaping over numerous barriers in their frenzied pursuit. As drone units buzzed overhead, scanning for Sui Xin's figure, they guided their chase. From above, one could see Sui Xin dashing wildly through the bustling dockside market in R City, with a swarm of armed individuals in hot pursuit.

The armed forces surrounding the area were tightening their cordon...

On the periphery, Lane had already arrived, sitting in his vehicle and watching the large screen. "When will the fighter jets arrive?"

"This is a no-fly zone near the docks. We need clearance, which will take another fifteen minutes. Once we get it, they'll be here quickly."

"That's too long. Switch to a small single-pilot fighter. Clearance for that should be faster."

"Yes, but if we bomb the docks, I'm afraid... the consortiums and the federal government involved won't let it go easily."

The trading market at R City's docks was enormous, with a significant volume of goods flowing in and out via Tiange. It was precisely because of this that a direct bombing was out of the question; the fallout would be disastrous, and even Lane couldn't shield them from its consequences.

"Did I say that fighter jets are for bombing?"

Lane was indifferent. "Stick close to her, prevent her from transforming, and exhaust her energy as quickly as possible. In the end, even if she tries to escape, she'll have to maintain her original form. The fighter jets can then establish a lockdown, and we'll seal off and surround her in the shortest time possible."

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away."

Lane wiped his longsword with a special abrasive paper, his expression as cold as a century-old icy pool. The Hound Guard opposite him whispered, "Are you planning to intervene?"

Lane replied, "If you're not up to the task."

The Hound Guard fell silent. "If your intervention is necessary, then it's indeed our failure."

Heirs never personally engaged in conflicts; the risk of losing their lives in battle was too great. Thus, Lane, as a scion of a wealthy clan, had never taken part in combat.

His presence at the scene already spoke volumes about the level of importance attached to it.

The Hound Guard stepped out of the vehicle.

Lane remained seated, watching on the screen as Sui Xin was relentlessly cornered by the armed drones in an impenetrable blockade, leaving no chance for her to transform. Transforming would mean sacrificing her combat effectiveness in her original form. What fighting power could a tiny spider possess? She would be finished if hit by a single bomb from afar.

This was her transformation's weakness.

It had to be locked onto, continuously locked onto, with pinpoint accuracy. Only then could she be overcome.

------------------------

Indeed, Sui Xin was in a predicament. These major corporations were wealthy, and they had commandeered the government's public facilities. Drones seemed to be expendable, and with so many armed personnel, her options for escape were dwindling rapidly.

Those people were pursuing her too relentlessly.

She wished she could transform into a spider and burrow underground, but if she did, her location would be exposed. The enemy could simply drop bombs or unleash a barrage of assault rifle fire. Even if the bullets couldn't penetrate the earth, the intense heat generated would be enough to roast the tiny spider alive.

The little spider's resistance was nowhere near that of her main body; it would certainly perish in an instant.

If not for that rascal Lin Sui's guidance, she would never have believed such a vulnerability existed in this creature.

What should she do?

There was only one chance left.

Across the waterway!

Sui Xin suddenly picked up speed and, in the moment she leaped upward—bang!

She kicked a man riding by on a motorcycle, sending him flying. The fellow landed with a howl, only to have a backpack crash into his face.

Inside the backpack were dozens of nutrient solutions.

Stunned, he felt the pain but didn't have time to react as the woman who had kicked him effortlessly landed on the motorcycle and hit the accelerator...

Zing!

The motorcycle shot out like a rocket.

"D*mn it!"

Although the armed men could keep up with her in terms of running speed, it was a different story when she had a motorcycle. A few quick-witted disciples also snatched some motorcycles to chase after her relentlessly.

But... how could motorcycles navigate through such a crowded market?

She could manage.

With Ba Lang's sensory ability guiding her, she anticipated the location and number of people ahead. Faced with obstacles, she deftly maneuvered the motorcycle handlebar with one hand while shooting webs from the other, lifting each barrier out of her way.

The motorcycle roared fearlessly forward!

"Locking on... Unable to lock on!"

"Requesting aerial support!"

"Can attack drones be deployed?"

"No! The management at the dock is issuing warnings! Negotiations are ongoing! Only personnel are allowed to enter for the capture, no aerial strikes within the market! Otherwise, major conglomerates will file complaints!"

"The company's legal department has issued a warning."

"She's entering the trading market!"

The motorcycle sped over a ramp, leaping over a row of stalls, soaring above the crowd before diving into the heart of the marketplace.

Within, the occupants had already retreated at the sound. The motorcycle tore through the massive market, and as Sui Xin basked in the sunlight outside, she heard a barking-like roar.

Strange, this isn't the livestock area, and that sounds like a dog...

Not good!

The moment Sui Xin burst out of the market, her motorcycle raced down the stairs and soared into the air. Mid-flight, she kicked off the bike, doing a backflip. The guard riding the mighty Night Patrol Hound narrowly missed slicing her throat with his sweeping blade, while a web of silk dragged her to the sturdy column of the market.

Her body hung against the column, her cap flying off, but her ponytail remained neat, save for a strand of hair that fell across her forehead. As she lifted her gaze, she saw the guard's blade fail to sever her neck. In response, she performed a reverse cut, slicing the motorcycle in two.

That blade was a slender Night Rider's Blade, designed specifically for hunting hounds.

The guard had severed the motorcycle as a means to hinder her escape, forcing her to stay put. The armed personnel behind were closing in on the distance they had previously created, and now, the people inside the market, hearing the broadcast, began to retreat, clearing the space for the impending slaughter.

Sui Xin frowned. Before the guard could launch a short-range fracture projectile at her, she leaped off the column. The guard abandoned the attack, unable to get a clear shot, but the spider silk she had fired ensnared the paw of the Night Patrol Hound beneath him.

Rustling!

The hound was dragged to the ground, and the guard sprang up. Landing with fierce strides, his muscles bulging, he flung the Night Rider's Blade from his hand...

Ba Lang's intuition made the few fine hairs on her skin stand on end, as if they were bristling with alarm.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

With a flick of her fingers, five spider silk threads shot out before her, intertwining chaotically. Their incredible stickiness immediately snared the terrifying flying knives that were closing in.

The guard narrowed his eyes. Before she could counterattack and seize his Night Walker knife, he twisted his wrist, controlling the pricking sensation in his palm.

Swish! The blade spun back, slicing through the spider silk. As he regained control, he was already close enough to leap and turn with the knife. At the same time, the other Night Watchdogs, hearing the whistle emitted from his wristwatch, instantly pounced upon her.

Surround her!

Suddenly!

Splash!

The boiling pot she had pulled with another strand of spider silk swung towards them, spilling its scorching contents.

The guard's expression changed slightly, and he retreated in horror alongside the Night Watchdogs.

In that very moment, Sui Xin suddenly leaped onto the back of one of the patrol dogs.

It was the same dog she had pulled down earlier – it was poisoned, its nerves damaged, and it was now blind and out of control. With her hands, she wove spider silk into reins, gripping its maw and controlling its life or death. Using the creature's instinctive fear and desire to survive, she forced it to bolt.

Just then, Wang Si, Si Tulie, and the others had arrived on the scene, while armed pursuers were closing in from behind.

As they watched Sui Xin about to escape the lockdown on the patrol dog...

"She's heading for the waterway! She plans to escape by water!"

The drones had captured her escape route, and soon Lane's instructions were conveyed to the authorities.

The armed forces were already within shooting range, and the surrounding area had been evacuated.

Behind her, bullets rained down in a relentless barrage.

Sui Xin had no choice but to race through the alleys atop the towering, fierce patrol dog, using the walls to shield herself from the incoming bullets...

She pressed her body low against the dog's soft, fluffy fur, feeling its pain and panic.

Amidst the cacophony of gunfire behind her and the relentless shattering of nearby walls, Sui Xin furrowed her brow.

Finally, she burst out of the alley and reached the edge of a small bridge overlooking a flowing stream.

But... Hua Longyun was waiting there, his blade poised to strike.

Sui Xin turned to witness the attack.

The edge of the blade grazed past her and the patrol dog. She had anticipated this, swerving to the side—but!

Someone had predicted her anticipation.

A bullet came flying from behind.

Bang!

It struck her directly in the back.

Sui Xin leaped from the patrol dog's back, grabbed onto the bridge's railing, and executed a backflip into the water.

Rushing water splashed.

Hua Longyun was unable to stop it. Firing bullets or even cannonballs at the surface of the water was futile; items like a wetsuit had already emerged.

The person was nowhere to be seen.

The small spider-like drone moved downstream. Short of a missile instantly striking this spot, there was no way to pinpoint her location for an attack.

However...

The armed personnel arrived at the riverbank and continued firing wildly at the water's surface, throwing grenades as well.

They were hoping for a concentrated attack that might just hit their target.

At the bridgehead, Hua Longyun watched the approaching guards. "We hit her, but there's no blood on the water."

"Her nanosuit probably kicked in. She's highly efficient and resourceful; she'll use any advantage she has."

The guard glanced at the injured and unconscious Night Watchdog. "She also has incredible reflexes. She always manages to breach our defenses."

"So, does that mean this mission is a failure?"

"I'm not sure. It depends on how young Master Lane assesses the situation."

Both turned to see Lane standing by the riverbank, having just fired a shot. The others bowed and awaited his decision.

Lane held his gun, his brows knitted together. After a moment, he said, "Continue the lockdown — she's injured, and her energy is likely depleted. She won't be able to maintain her shape-shifting for much longer. Soon, she'll have to reveal her true form and hide."

Hua Longyun replied, "But the waterway leads outside. She might escape soon… Have we sealed it off already?"

Of course, all the sluice gates were closed.

Having made preparations beforehand, Lane wiped his gun, his eyes beneath the glasses somewhat darkened.

He refused to believe he wouldn't catch that damn girl.

With such a commotion at the R City dock, news of the incident quickly leaked out. However, Heavenly Seal was a formidable force, suppressing other conglomerates. After all, they hadn't violated any rules; they were merely capturing a wanted criminal without aerial bombardment, only armed ground entry. Was there anything wrong with that?

Others couldn't protest, but they were swiftly dispatching their personnel to the scene.

Sui Xin, the one Tianxi captured is indeed Sui Xin, hiding right here at the R City harbor. I've heard she's injured.

Isn't this the perfect opportunity to catch her now – as long as she can't escape the harbor, she must be hiding within this area.

Everyone's hearts are stirred!

-----------------------

Over at Wei Ruhu's side, she naturally received the news, somewhat astonished.

"Lane's move was unexpectedly bold, exceeding my expectations. Sui Xin is cunning and sharp, yet he managed to locate her."

"Tianxi has deep roots, but they must have pinpointed her weakness in her special abilities. Didn't Lin Sui go with them?"

"She didn't. This Lin person is quite a troublemaker. I have a feeling that her absence suggests she's discovered something else, but we can't uncover it for now."

"It's likely that after the building self-destructed, some experimental data inside wasn't completely destroyed, which has kept her occupied with an unexpected discovery."

Ji Lin reclined with her long legs crossed, observing the intelligence report on the screen. Her thin, burgundy shirt was tucked neatly into her pants, and her finger rested against her temple, her delicate willow brows slightly furrowed. The faint scent of snow birch around her was barely perceptible.

This was not good news for Limitless.

"You should pay a visit to City R. I'm curious. With that trajectory gap, Lane had an opportunity to shoot her—surely he should have anticipated her having nanosuit defense."

"Then why didn't he aim for Sui Xin's head? As far as I know, Lane's shooting skills are exceptional, surpassing even regular front-line snipers. And we still don't know about the abilities of his disciples, so it's truly peculiar."

Wei Ruhu took a sip of water, put down the cup, and paused in her preparations to leave. "Your meaning is...?"

Ji Lin lowered her gaze. Her slender fingers, like those of a bamboo shoot soaked in rice water, were translucent and delicate. She toyed with the remote control, softly saying, "I mean no more than this—I'm just pondering whether he has more of an intention to recruit Sui Xin rather than to kill her, or perhaps—he has another purpose."

"That's why I want you to go and see if this young lady needs our assistance."

But this time, the price of help would be different.

Wei Ruhu asked, "If she does need us, she should know how to find me. There are still the secret signals from before, and she should be proficient in such matters. So if she seeks me out, what conditions would you like me to propose, Boss, or should I simply bring her back?"

In terms of combat strength, Hua Longyun's two associates combined wouldn't stand a chance against her.

As long as Sui Xin contacted her, she could bring the person back.

Ji Lin Bie Yan smiled faintly. "I want her."

After Wei Ruhu left, the smile on Ji Lin Bie Yan's face faded. She was pondering something—Sui Xin must have guessed Tianxi and Wuyao's intentions towards her. Given her boundless and unscrupulous nature, why would she cling to life stubbornly instead of simply surrendering and joining them?

Her value would wipe out all her past transgressions.

Lane had the means to fund the construction of the building, too. After all, once she submitted, the data would return to them regardless.

So why insist on not surrendering?

Didn't she used to feel justified in receiving two salaries from Tianxi while enjoying an easy life?

"If she rejects even Wuyao, it indicates that she has a secret, one that is unacceptable to any conglomerate, just like how Shibanxi's unique flying ability would undoubtedly be coveted and seized."

-----------------------

In reality, Sui Xin wanted to cry. Wasn't she willing to cling to a powerful ally?!!

Indeed, she currently lacked the ability to conceal the secret within her abdomen.

Her immunity wasn't merely genetic; it involved a mutation of her organs. This extraordinary gift would be like a cheat code for her, but if discovered by the conglomerates, not only would they assess her worth, her entire stomach might be harvested and transplanted into some high-profile individuals.

There was no need to ask – it was a certainty!

Who could be a mutated individual capable of absorbing fossil extracts to evolve their genes?

For the conglomerates, obtaining this ability would be akin to unlocking a divine-level cheat. Their evolution would soar at an unprecedented pace...

Can subordinates ever outperform their superiors in exerting effort?

This had nothing to do with one's status, but was simply a trait of human nature. Despite her severe injuries, Sui Xin forcefully pushed her weakened body to climb towards her destination before her energy ran out, eventually slipping into a storage room.

Splash.

Her body regained control and began to recover, fortunately without the awkwardness of being naked this time. However, she was extremely weak, gasping for breath while clutching her abdomen.

There was no bleeding, as the nanosuit had absorbed the direct impact of the injury. Nonetheless, the force of the blow had affected other organs in her abdomen, leading to internal pressure - commonly known as internal injuries.

Internal injuries are more severe than external ones.

She wouldn't die, but she would undoubtedly be rendered unable to fight. Moreover, that bastard Lane didn't shoot her on the spot, which meant he was planning to capture her alive, and possibly had other intentions.

Anyway, she had suffered a significant loss in this encounter.

The opponent would likely find her soon—given enough time, this clever person would guess her current objective alongside Lin Sui.

In this situation, apart from seeking help from Endless, she would inevitably fall into the hands of Tianning or another influential faction.

There were no other possibilities.

As for the consequences of being captured...

Sui Xin's pale face set in a bloodless line as she gasped, glancing behind her—a storage room lay before her.

It wasn't a granary nor a food storage, but rather a fossil repository within a conglomerate's warehouse.

The markings on some of the boxes were distinct—it was Tianning's storage facility.

Indeed, the reason this harbor prohibits bombing is that Tianxi's largest maritime trade, including its own operations, takes place here.

Sui Xin now entered one of the storage rooms located underground within the office building.

The main focus here was on settling scores and self-sufficiency.

"I'm not forcing you to steal your resources, am I? No, I didn't, I don't have such shamelessness or ill intent towards you."

"But! You're pushing me into this."

Looking at the pile of fossils originally intended for trade before her, worth at least tens of millions of LBs, Sui Xin felt awkward. She had never touched so much money in her life; even the 480,000+ LBs were depleted, leaving only a few thousand LBs for purchasing nutrient supplements to curb her hunger. However, the resources she consumed couldn't be measured in LBs.

Her consumption of gene fragments alone had a fluctuating value on the black market, making it meaningless to use them as a gauge of wealth. All it did was vaguely define the concept that there were over two hundred fossils of varying sizes and genetic compositions here.

In the eyes of a conglomerate like Tianxi, these fossils could only serve as currency or be transported to regions lacking fossils to make a profit from price disparities. In reality, they held little value to the conglomerate itself. Only the finest, purest fossil crystals would be preserved in their vaults. The ordinary, lower-grade fossils mostly ended up in external warehouses for cargo transportation.

Suddenly, Sui Xin found her abdominal pain less severe. Reaching out, she touched one of the fossils.

She glanced at the mineral composition of the fossils and the genetic origins they contained, immediately realizing that these likely originated from the Crimson Region C. To be precise, many fossils there were related to the Flameborn species, such as the Python Mountain being within that area.

Therefore, most of these fossils held the genetic energy and material remnants of ancient pythons. However, there was a distinction in quality.

But something was odd. Apart from her own mutation triggered by the fusion of the colossal sea cucumber's genes, subsequent absorptions of pure Flame Python crystals, Bruce's genetic material, or even imitating the genes of Ba Lang or Iron Spine Scale Thrasher didn't leave any lasting traces in her body. Apparently, direct skin contact was required for their retention, and they never persisted permanently.

Was it because each person could only have one fixed block for their unique ability genes?

Was this an unyielding rule in the Prophet's guidance, or was it due to the limitations of their life genes? Could there be exceptions?

This thought fleetingly crossed her mind.

Inhale!

Intense inhalation!

This time, she fully unleashed her body's regenerative capabilities. She also wanted to test how effectively her stomach could absorb these energies, potentially granting her the power to rapidly heal her wounds.

While her conscience was accusing her of unethical behavior, the thrill of appropriating the belongings of her near-assassin was undeniable.

Indeed, it was... exhilarating!

But Sui Xin was also making the most of her time and didn't let herself get distracted. As she absorbed the energy, she began to utilize her energy manipulation ability, using spider silk to grab fossil pieces to hasten the process.

Thirty minutes later.

"Prophet's Guidance: Evolution Progress 11.2% + 6%, current progress 17.2%."

"Evolutionary Path One: Skin Contact Mimicry Camouflage lv9."

"Evolutionary Path Two: Gene Expression lv2."

Though the progress seemed minimal, Sui Xin felt as if the total capacity of the energy within her body had expanded twofold. She activated the Iron Spine Scale Thrust gene substance within her and, with a swish, a slender Iron Spine Black Sword, about a meter long, formed in her palm – ready for close combat.

However, with the excess energy, she either stored it for future release or... Sui Xin decisively used it to temper her body.

In the past, she lacked experience. Although she noticed that her body would gain some strength each time her evolution progressed, she hadn't realized that this enhancement could be controlled. Later, with the gene expression and control over gene fragments in her stomach, it became clear that this strengthening could be targeted.

So, this time, Sui Xin chose to reinforce her hands.

The energy was immense, and its impact on her hands was profound, transforming them to such an extent that it seemed every inch of bone, flesh, and skin from her arms to her fingertips was undergoing a metamorphosis. Some substances seeped out, expelling impurities, especially around her fingertips.

It was excruciatingly painful, almost to the point where she gritted her teeth so hard they threatened to draw blood—though, of course, she didn't cry out. Instinctively, she clenched her jaw and persevered.

Several minutes passed before it finally ceased. As she wiped the dirt from her fingers, she was taken aback, her face flushed with surprise.

Goodness, why did it have to make her hands so attractive?

Should she, in the event of unemployment, set up a stall under a bridge to apply phone screen protectors?

Or... engage in... some... shady and immoral... yet lucrative professions...

Like what?

Like, say, working as a foot washer? Wouldn't that earn me a fortune, allowing me to buy a house in three years?

Hahaha!

She amused herself with her own thoughts. When alone, she entertained herself. If Lane and the others were to witness this scene, they'd probably be stunned—she seemed somewhat reclusive, rebellious, and indifferent to others' well-being, yet there was an endearing mix of innocence and cunning about her when she was in her own world.

It was quite paradoxical.

If the energy were used for bodily transformation, there would be none left for anything else, let alone enough.

"Sui Xin, with my stomach's capacity, no tycoon could afford such extravagance."

She sensed the genetic material remaining within her body. Ba Lang's ability was still in use and hadn't expired yet, estimated to last another seven days. The Iron Spine Scale Thrust could maintain its effect for two days, while the Pig Meat ability could only sustain for half a day.

There were limitations, and it wasn't enough, but the crucial thing was getting through today.

As Sui Xin was contemplating how to turn the situation around, she suddenly heard a commotion outside.

With her high level, her utilization of genetic material had improved, especially in gene expression, which led to obvious enhancements in all aspects of her genetic abilities. Even with the thick storage room's soundproofing, she could hear a few people chatting about seven or eight meters away.

They were discussing the orders from above to inspect all the food compartments.

Sui Xin realized: Ah, they definitely wouldn't have guessed or even imagined that I can eat fossils. However, did that bastard Lane suspect that I could recover by eating? What does he think of me? A glutton? Well, it's not entirely wrong... but... so infuriating!

Why do people get angry? Because they know that what the other party is guessing, mocking, or ridiculing is true.

Just as a beauty wouldn't be angered by someone's thoughtless insult of her looks.

Only the truly ugly would take offense.

And so it was with the food containers, which were genuinely furious!

-----------------------

Sui Xin had initially planned to raid another warehouse, but upon observing these people's movements, she realized that wasn't feasible. If they inspected the food storage and then moved on to investigate other goods, discovering the fossil with its internal energy drained, her secret would be exposed.

Thus, she needed to act ahead of schedule.

Sigh, every time she was constrained by time from retaliating. Yet, she remained calm, understanding that she couldn't risk everything for temporary wealth.

If this secret were exposed, she would face utter disaster.

Moreover, many others from different factions were likely outside too. With more and more, even wings wouldn't help her escape.

So... Sui Xin transformed back into a small spider, leaving the Tianning warehouse, and discreetly assessed the situation outside before heading to the armory.

It's time to fight back, comrades.

But first, she needed to catch a massive spider.