Chapter 169 – Grasping Control

Chapter 169 - Grasping Control

Sky City wasn't vast by any means, but it wasn't small either; all the administrative offices were clustered together. Due to the encounter with a T5 Wandering Beast in Devil City yesterday, the Surveillance Institute had convened a special meeting. The Chancellor's face was grave as his deep voice resonated through the speakers, reaching every attendee:

"Although Wandering Beasts have been evolving, their pace has typically lagged behind ours. When Sky City's psychics reached the highest level of Fifth Rank, the strongest known Wandering Beast was only at T4. Yesterday, I received news that a T5 Wandering Beast has now appeared in the Contaminated Zone. This could indicate that their evolution is starting to outpace humans."

The evolution speed of Wandering Beasts surpassing humans?!

This revelation dropped like a bombshell into the previously calm meeting room, stirring up tumultuous waves. Attendees exchanged glances, struggling to digest this reality:

"How could this be possible?"

"Are Wandering Beasts going to replace humans at the top of the food chain?"

"It's probably just an isolated case and doesn't represent the overall trend."

While others were engaged in heated discussions, Xing Yuan sat at the table, unperturbed. He curled the corner of his lips, finding the conclusion somewhat amusing. Before Lu Yan's appearance, he was Sky City's earliest and only Fifth Rank psychic. From that time on, the evolution speed of Wandering Beasts had already surpassed humans, yet the Chancellor had only just realized this.

Boring.

Xing Yuan discreetly played with his phone under the table, aimlessly scrolling through messages, feeling a tinge of resentment: Lu Yan, that bastard, had sent him several apologies yesterday, which he ignored. Today, however, Lu Yan had vanished without a trace, not sending a single message.

Meeting in person was worse than not meeting at all—at least before they met, Lu Yan's good mornings and good nights were as punctual as clockwork.

Growing increasingly agitated, Xing Yuan turned off his phone and tossed it onto the table.

Just then, someone suggested, "I think Sky City should recruit some fresh blood. There's a popular online streamer recently whose estimated power is Fifth Rank Lightning. It's quite rare, and he has immense popularity online. If we can recruit him, it would be beneficial for the Psychic Special Zone."

He was almost ready to recite Lu Yan's ID number.

Secretary He Zhu sat beside him, glancing at the silent Chancellor and then at the sneering Xing Yuan. He thought this person was a fool—had they been able to recruit them, they would have done so long ago. Why did he need to act like a know-it-all?

He Zhu cleared his throat. "We've heard of this Fifth Rank Lightning psychic too, but if we were to recruit him, we'd have to offer certain benefits, which involves significant implications. Let's discuss this later."

Such matters must never be discussed in front of Xing Yuan. Everyone knew that Lightning psychics were sworn enemies and couldn't coexist under the same sky. The Chancellor had approached recruitment privately, who dared to openly challenge this?

Xing Yuan enjoyed putting people in awkward positions. He lifted his eyelids to look at He Zhu, thinking that using the tactic of discarding someone after using them was laughable when applied to himself. His lips curved into a mocking smile. "Sky City is in dire need of capable individuals. How can such an important matter be discussed later? We should clarify their benefits early on so that we can recruit them sooner, Secretary. Isn't that the logic?"

He Zhu chuckled awkwardly, thinking no wonder the Chancellor wanted to support new talents to balance Xing Yuan's power. Xing Yuan was simply too arrogant. Even his gentle tone carried a hint of barb. "If we really talk about it, he might have to be on par with Captain Xing."

Xing Yuan raised his eyebrows indifferently. "Being on par would be an injustice to him. I should step down and let him take over. What do you think?"

That was a serious statement, and He Zhu didn't dare to respond.

Luoyang and Yan Feng exchanged glances, wondering what kind of play these lovebirds were performing. They had already shared a bed, why were they still bickering about who was the boss.

In the end, the Chancellor intervened to end the topic, chuckling. "Xing Yuan, you're the leader of the Psychic Special Zone and an indispensable pillar. Don't mention stepping down again. I'm old, yet I'm still holding my position. How can you lose heart?"

If it were in the past, Xing Yuan would have certainly eliminated that Lightning psychic, never allowing them to set foot in Sky City. Otherwise, encountering them on the battlefield in the future would be akin to planting a ticking time bomb. But that Lightning psychic happened to be Lu Yan.

Complicated.

Thus, everyone saw that Xing Yuan, who usually never held back his words, frowned but said nothing, gracefully accepting the Chancellor's suggestion. Perhaps he was worried about the Chancellor supporting new talents, affecting his own status, so he toned down his arrogance.

The discussion returned to the T5 Wandering Beast from earlier. Professor Mo expressed his concern. "The Contaminated Zone has always been an unknown territory. For years, we haven't been confident enough to venture there. A T5 Wandering Beast appeared out of nowhere yesterday. If there are more high-rank Wandering Beasts lurking inside, it's only a matter of time before they emerge. The Red Sun phenomenon may be foretelling something. We must make plans early and find ways to settle both the residents of Devil City and Sky City."

Someone retorted coldly, "Sky City is barely managing itself. Who has the resources to arrange for those people in Devil City? We can barely protect ourselves. In this world, humph, the poor suffer!"

Upon hearing this, Professor Mo was instantly enraged. He realized it was Minister Liu speaking and stood up abruptly, slamming his hands on the table. "What nonsense are you spouting? We are all human beings, all compatriots. When disaster strikes, are we going to watch idly as thousands in Devil City perish? They have no means to defend themselves. At this moment, those with abilities should protect them. Otherwise, why do psychics exist?!"

Minister Liu responded sarcastically, "Psychics? How many psychics does Sky City have in total? Not even enough for Sky City itself. You actually want to meddle in Devil City's affairs, Professor Mo. Nature is a process of constant elimination. Survival of the fittest. Their deaths are merely the result of fate's selection."

"Bullshit!"

The usually refined Professor Mo flushed with anger, his hands trembling. "Are you even human?! They share the same blood as us, the same ancestors! They can die due to poverty or the depletion of life force, but they cannot die under the cold eyes of their fellow countrymen! Even if we allocate part of the arsenal and squeeze Sky City's space, we can save countless lives!"

"Do you think the Wandering Beasts will spare us if everyone in Devil City dies? Do you think Sky City can maintain normal operations without Devil City?! Humans stand atop the food chain because of our intelligence, but your self-preservation idea is utterly foolish!"

Minister Liu was scolded mercilessly. Hearing this, he also slammed his hands on the table, rising angrily. "Professor Mo, I won't hold your age against you, but don't push your luck!"

Seeing them nearly come to blows, everyone rushed to intervene. Even Xing Yuan coolly offered a few words of advice. "Professor Mo, calm down. Minister Liu lost his son yesterday. You should show him some understanding."

Upon hearing this, Minister Liu glared fiercely. His pudgy figure resembled an inflamed pufferfish. "Who said my son died?!"

Xing Yuan shrugged, smiling faintly. "Calm down. It's the result of fate's selection."

Everyone knew that Minister Liu's son had been killed by a Wandering Beast at home yesterday, causing chaos early in the morning. Patrol teams had mobilized to search for hidden Wandering Beasts among the populace. Although Xing Yuan was confident that his high rank wouldn't expose him, it didn't stop him from disliking Minister Liu.

"Are you insulting my son?!"

Hearing this, Minister Liu was so incensed that he momentarily forgot that Xing Yuan was Sky City's most powerful psychic. Rolling up his sleeves, he was ready to fight him, when suddenly, a patrol soldier rushed into the meeting room, leaning against the door, gasping for breath.

"R...Report to Minister Liu! The Wandering Beast that attacked Director Xiao Liu yesterday has been captured!"

"What?! Captured?!"

Minister Liu, who was still seething, instantly regained his composure, striding forward and grabbing the patrol soldier's collar. "Where is that Wandering Beast? Dead or detained?!"

The patrol soldier was startled, stammering, "D...Detained, in the prison!"

Minister Liu dashed out of the room like a gust of wind, heading straight downstairs. Hearing that the patrol team had caught a Wandering Beast, Xing Yuan raised his eyebrows, his tone ambiguous. "Your efficiency is impressive, catching a Wandering Beast in less than a day."

The patrol soldier replied, "Not just one. There was another Wandering Beast disguised among the crowd, a young girl."

Xing Yuan didn't pay much attention to this. Wandering Beasts could transform into various forms; what was so special about a young girl? However, due to this interruption, today's meeting was doomed to be inconclusive. The Chancellor directly announced its adjournment.

Xing Yuan and Luoyang slowly walked out of the meeting room, only to find an unexpected person waiting in the corridor.

The administrative building strictly prohibited unauthorized personnel from entering. No one knew how Lu Yan managed to sneak in. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt, black pants, and a baseball cap. Due to his tall stature, leaning against the wall while waiting gave off a strangely lazy yet alluring vibe. The shadow cast by the lowered brim of his cap revealed only half of his face. Upon seeing Xing Yuan exit, he lifted his head, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

Luoyang exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Lüqian, how did you get here?"

He seemed happier to see him than Xingyuan.

Xingyuan stood there with a dark expression, turned around and left at the sight of this, but Lüqian swiftly grabbed him back. He found the other's angry appearance strangely adorable, wanting to laugh but holding it in:

"Don't rush off just yet. I have something important to discuss with you."

Passersby were curiously observing them, even the Chancellor and He Zhu paused in their steps, their expressions filled with shock and uncertainty. They clearly hadn’t expected these two Lightning-type individuals to be connected—one smiling as if coaxing a lover, the other scowling as if he had seen his enemy.

Xingyuan tried to shake Lüqian off twice without success, and said coldly, "Let go!"

Now that you remember to find me, what were you doing yesterday?!

Lüqian replied, "Just listen to what I have to say first."

In public, Xingyuan couldn’t afford to lose face by fighting Lüqian. His brows furrowed tightly: "What do you want to say?"

After being deceived for so long by Lüqian, a few sweet words wouldn’t be enough to placate him.

Lüqian surveyed their surroundings: "This isn’t a convenient place. Let’s talk somewhere else."

Without waiting for Xingyuan’s struggles, he chose a less crowded corridor and pulled him away. The usually domineering Xingyuan was actually dragged away by Lüqian, stumbling along despite his resistance, which appeared rather ineffective.

Luoyang’s lips twitched as he muttered to himself, "My goodness, today is like a small knife cutting my butt, I’m seeing things I’ve never seen before."

He had witnessed Xingyuan twisting steel bars barehanded, yet Lüqian had effortlessly dragged him away with one hand? Were people in love this strange, losing not only their intelligence but also their combat abilities?

Indeed, Xingyuan’s combat abilities had dropped significantly, otherwise he wouldn’t have been pinned against the wall in Lüqian’s private office, unable to move. To avoid onlookers, Lüqian had triple-checked the nameplate outside the door, confirming that it read “Xingyuan” before pulling him inside. The lights were off, the curtains drawn, creating a dim and intimate atmosphere.

Xingyuan knew Lüqian was up to no good, and said angrily in a low voice, "Let me go!"

Lüqian was adept at feigning helplessness, lowering his head to rub his nose against Xingyuan’s face. The cool touch sent tingles down his spine: "You didn’t care where I slept last night."

Xingyuan sneered, "I don’t care where you sleep. It’s none of my business even if you sleep in a wanderer’s nest."

Lüqian bit his earlobe, hot breath fanning over his ear, causing visible redness to spread across his fair skin: "Still angry, huh? I’ve apologized, I promise, I won’t deceive you again."

Xingyuan turned his head to avoid him: "Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?"

Of course not.

Seeing that Xingyuan was still angry and showing no signs of softening, Lüqian composed himself and released him. He took out his phone from his pocket, pulled up a photo to show Xingyuan. It was a picture of Rourou, looking pained and imprisoned in a restraint cage: "This girl is a wanderer. She was accidentally discovered during today’s city patrol. She said…"

Lüqian paused, glanced at Xingyuan, then continued calmly: "She asked me to help her find someone named ‘Xingyuan’. This person might be able to save her."

...

Wanderers were all detained in underground prisons. Some needed to be destroyed in batches, while others were kept for experiments by the Monitoring Institute. If one escaped by accident, the consequences would be unimaginable. Xingyuan’s rank was K1, allowing him free access to any area, but bringing Lüqian in was a bit troublesome. So, Lüqian simply waited outside.

Wanderers were mostly the products of accumulated resentment, the prison was eerie and dark, echoing with their angry roars that sent shivers down one's spine. Xing Yuan ignored the commotion and, led by the guard, went straight to one of the cages, where Xiao Rou was clearly imprisoned.

Xing Yuan spoke to the guard without revealing any emotion, "Leave us."

The guard saluted, "Yes!"

As he turned to leave, Xing Yuan glanced at the surveillance camera; a flash of blue light flickered in his dark eyes, blurring the image instantly.

"You sought me out."

These were the first words Xing Yuan heard from the woman in the cage, not a question but a calm statement. The vastness of the prison made his deep voice reverberate with faint echoes, the air damp and cold, seeping into the bones with a painful chill.

This feeling was unpleasant, as it reminded Xing Yuan of a terrible place.

Seeing Xing Yuan, Xiao Rou struggled to her feet, crawling slowly to the edge of the cage: "Number 1... save me..."

Hearing this long-forgotten title, Xing Yuan tilted his head, making him look like some mechanical creation, as if pondering something, yet his tone was laced with sarcasm: "Should I call you Number 3275?"

Xiao Rou paused for a moment, "I have a human name, I'm called Xiao Rou."

Xing Yuan chuckled softly, "So do I."

Xiao Rou whispered hoarsely, "I escaped from my birthplace a long time ago."

Xing Yuan stated calmly, "But now you're locked up again."

Xiao Rou slightly raised her body, looking unsteady, "There are several humans outside waiting for me to save them, Xing Yuan, please, find a way to help me, get me out of here!"

Hearing these words, Xing Yuan slowly lifted his gaze, his slender index finger drawing an ambiguous circle in the air toward her, "Save humans? But you're a Wanderer."

Xiao Rou looked at him with red-rimmed eyes, unable to control the salty tears falling, "But I want them to live..."

Xing Yuan's indifferent expression finally showed a hint of interest, could Wanderers shed tears too? "What did those humans give you?"

After a lengthy silence, Xiao Rou spoke in surprise, "They gave me... ten seconds of life."

When she escaped from her birthplace, she was severely injured, barely alive, curled up in a corner. Next to the dilapidated building where she hid lived a group of impoverished people suffering from terminal illnesses. They found Xiao Rou and each gave her ten seconds of their remaining lives.

Just ten seconds.

Yet it felt heavier than a lifetime.

"Ten seconds?"

Xing Yuan repeated the two words expressionlessly, it was unclear what meaning he derived from them. After a while, he raised his eyebrows slightly and uttered indifferently, "Understood."

He then got up and left the prison, snapping his fingers, which restored the surveillance footage to normal. Lu Yan had been waiting outside for quite some time. Seeing Xing Yuan emerge, he straightened his posture against the wall, "How did it go, is it resolved?"

Xing Yuan was somewhat distracted, failing to notice the trap in the question. He casually replied, "Resolved."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he sensed something amiss, and he suddenly looked up at Lu Yan. Sure enough, he saw an intriguing expression on the other's face: "You actually know that wanderer?"

Xing Yuan: "…"

Damn it, I let my guard down.

Lost in thought, Lu Yan asked, "What's your relationship with him?"

Xing Yuan: "…"

Lu Yan finally confirmed his suspicion: "You've been keeping something from me."