Chapter 65

Chapter 65

A week later, the rebel forces halted their relentless starship advance, docking near several barren planets, the site of a space station they had built.

After a few days of rest and resupply, the crew members were reassigned to other vessels, each choosing their landing positions.

On this day, the research lab gained two new subjects for study, one of whom was Sanan.

Sanan spotted Ruan Yunchu but cleverly pretended not to know him, and was reluctantly escorted into the examination room.

Ruan Yunchu remained seated on a high stool, unmoving, when a researcher approached and struck up a conversation. "See that? Even though he hasn't differentiated yet, his psychic energy is already high. Good thing we acted fast."

"How did you find out about him?" Ruan Yunchu asked.

The researcher chuckled. "That's not something we know. All I can say is the Chief had him brought in."

Ruan Yunchu guessed inwardly that the Chief and Noah must be aware of his connection with Sanan; otherwise, his visit to the lower levels that day wouldn't have been brushed aside so easily.

Thinking this, he saw no need to keep up the pretense. He simply stood up and walked into the examination room.

He didn't know what the doctor had asked Sanan, but the boy's face was flushed red, looking extremely wary, and even seeing Ruan Yunchu didn't relax him.

"How is he?" Ruan Yunchu asked.

"Very promising. According to my projections, he should differentiate within this month, and his grade will be at least A," the doctor said with excitement. "If he does differentiate, I'll try a secondary induction on him."

"Secondary induction?" Ruan Yunchu rarely encountered this vaguely familiar term, and a sense of dread came over him.

"Yes. If he's lucky, he might differentiate into..." The doctor's excited words cut off abruptly, as if he'd just realized he'd let slip too much, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut.

But Ruan Yunchu had already understood.

"You want him to differentiate into an Enigma?"

The doctor stared at him in surprise, clearly startled that he knew about this secondary sex characteristic, but still nodded. "Yes. We're going to turn him into a new star."

Ruan Yunchu frowned slightly. "What happens if it fails?"

"He might lose his glands permanently. In the worst case, death." The doctor spoke without a shred of remorse; instead, his expression was brimming with eager anticipation and excitement.

A human life meant nothing to him—research and experimentation were what he valued most.

Beside them, Sanan, listening to them calmly decide his fate, went pale instantly.

"I will never cooperate!"

As soon as he spoke, the researcher's face took on a pitying look, as if he had said something utterly irrational.

"Kid, you're still young. You don't understand what a superior secondary sex characteristic can bring you. Your current impoverished life will improve dramatically once you become an Enigma. You could even face a hundred enemies alone, enter the military, and replace the current commander."

Sanan's face darkened. "Do you think everyone wants to be a commander? I won't become your pawn against the Alliance!"

"It's your own life, unfortunately..." The researcher shook his head, not bothering to waste more words. Before Sanan could resist, a shot of sedative put him to sleep.

Ruan Yunchu watched them examine Sanan and slowly exhaled. "Is the existence of Enigmas really that terrifying?"

The researcher took a vial of blood from Sanan, looked up at him, and smiled. "Of course. There are barely enough Enigmas in the entire galaxy to count on one hand. We once had two Enigma companions, but... that ability requires extremely strong willpower to suppress. Otherwise, they become unstoppable beasts. Once they enter their rut, they can't even recognize their own companions."

Ruan Yunchu's heart skipped a beat. "Why?"

"Enigmas are powerful, yes—they have innate immense strength. But they also endure far more than ordinary people. I once asked them, and they said that every time they lose control because of pheromones, their body and brain throb in excruciating pain—a pain unimaginable to normal people."

The researcher's eyes flickered with coldness. "To some extent, they need to vent their desires, and those who fall victim to them endure horrors we can't fathom."

Ruan Yunchu: "Where are they now?"

The researcher snorted lightly, sent the blood for testing, and said casually, "Dead."

Ruan Yunchu had little trouble guessing the answer. "Killed in an earlier battle?"

"Yeah." The researcher sighed heavily, sounding helpless. "There's also a huge gap between Enigmas. Otherwise, the Chief wouldn't be so desperate for that person's genetic information."

"Why is he so special?" Ruan Yunchu couldn't understand.

The researcher was clearly very interested in Yan Zhuo, easily opening up. "Don't you know? The current commander's parents were both Alliance pioneer generals, reportedly both super S-rank. It's no surprise they could produce such a child. But his identity was kept secret until he was eighteen, only revealed after their deaths in battle."

The researcher added meaningfully, "The Alliance was a mess back then. The previous commander was killed by the Chief, and they were leaderless. Some high-ranking Alliance members had already accepted our olive branch. A man barely in his twenties was suddenly thrust into that position—it took everything to keep his position."

Ruan Yunchu was silent.

Everything about Yan Zhuo was shrouded in mystery. He knew he could get answers if he asked, but for some reason, he never did.

He only knew that Yan Zhuo had been hastily pushed into the role of commander, but he hadn't realized his identity had been revealed only shortly before he took office.

Did every lapse of control for an Enigma truly come with pain?

Even though he knew it was inappropriate, his mind couldn't help recalling the desire hidden in Yan Zhuo's deep eyes every time he looked at him.

Seriously...

He took a deep breath, a strong restlessness welling up inside him.

He had never before felt such an intense urge to see Yan Zhuo.

This thing called longing had almost never existed for him. But now, as Yan Zhuo's unreserved, passionate emotions swirled in his mind, his own longing didn't seem so strange.

When Ruan Yunchu left the research lab, Sanan hadn't woken up yet. He personally saw him to the observation room before changing clothes and heading out. Noah, as usual, was waiting right on time at the door. When he saw him come out, his eyes fixed on him, not letting go.

"How is it?"

Ruan Yunchu didn't stop walking, walking straight outside. Noah walked along beside him.

"No progress."

Noah said thoughtfully, "That kid seems very familiar with you. Back when you were on T-Star, why did you let him stay at your place?"

After what happened last time, Ruan Yunchu had grown tired of him, so his reply was lukewarm. "He was pitiful."

"Really?" Noah's stare was sharp, studying him from the side. "I don't think you're the kind to have a soft heart. My guess is you saw his potential? Is he going to differentiate into an Enigma?"

"How would I know?"

Noah didn't get angry at his attitude. "You're very smart. And besides... you've been involved with an Enigma. You should be able to spot the similarities between them."

Ruan Yunchu stopped abruptly. He turned coldly to the man beside him, his green eyes shaded by his thick lashes, devoid of any emotion.

"Mr. Noah, I don't study my partners. I'm not you."

Noah's eyes darkened. "Are you mocking me?"

"Yes. Are you going to kill me?" Ruan Yunchu met his gaze directly. "I'm the Chief's honored guest. If you want me to work for you, stop testing me. With this kind of cooperative attitude, in the past you wouldn't even have made it through the front door."

Noah's face reddened with anger as he stepped forward. "Get this straight—you're on our turf now."

"If you don't need my help anymore, feel free to do whatever you want." Ruan Yunchu didn't back down an inch.

Noah stared him down coldly. From the first moment he'd laid eyes on Ruan Yunchu, he'd decided this man was his—and even now, meeting that icy, contemptuous gaze, that captivating, unique quality remained undiminished.

He wanted nothing more than to drag the man back to his room right then and there and finish what they'd started on the night of the celebration banquet. But he knew he couldn't.

The Chief had warned him just a few days ago: no more messing with Ruan Yunchu until the mission was complete.

The brutality and endless cruel impulses churned inside him, yet he had no choice but to suppress them.

Noah curled his lips into a cold smirk. "Fine. You're above me now. I'll do as you say."

With that, he spun on his heel and walked away.

Ruan Yunchu withdrew his gaze and returned to his own quarters.

502 was sitting on the carpet reading a book. Hearing the footsteps, he turned around and said, "Someone just told us to pack up—we're getting off the starship."

"Mm."

Ruan Yunchu opened the wardrobe and took out the two simple outfits, folding them neatly.

502 got up too, book hugged to his chest, and asked, "Where are we going?"

"We're landing on a barren planet. Probably heading to their base—we'll be moving to a different place to stay."

"Will I still be with you?"

"Mm."

502 visibly relaxed. He walked over to Ruan Yunchu's side and started asking again about Lin Zheng.

He'd never had much to look forward to before—his days had been nothing but being experimented on or sitting in endless white rooms, blankly staring at the walls. Now, with a person who looked exactly like him fixed in his heart, it felt like life finally had something worth hoping for.

"Is he much taller than me? By twenty centimeters? Is his hair really blacker than mine?"

Ruan Yunchu answered each childish question without irritation.

"Will he come looking for us?" 502 asked quietly, clearly eager. "Since you two are friends, he should come to rescue us, right?"

"Not sure." Ruan Yunchu finished packing and patted him on the back. "Don't say things like that once we leave this room."

"Okay."

502 nodded in agreement, and true to his word, didn't utter a single word after stepping outside.

It had been nearly two months since they'd last seen sunlight. When light first peeked through the channel at the bottom of the starship, Ruan Yunchu instinctively squinted and raised a hand to shield his forehead.

Hot air rushed toward them, the ground radiating warmth. As sunlight poured down, a thin sheen of sweat formed on everyone's backs.

"We've been gone a while—how'd it get this hot?" Several researchers from the institute grumbled in displeasure.

Noah strode forward and waved a hand. "Don't just stand there. Let's get into the base."

Ruan Yunchu followed, and only then did he see a massive steel gate standing upright amid vast stretches of barren hills—so incongruous it felt like an illusion.

The researcher he was familiar with quickened his pace to catch up and struck up a conversation. "Don't let the outside fool you—it's a whole different world inside."

Ruan Yunchu didn't reply. He was wearing a thin jacket and normally didn't mind the heat, but now he felt hot all over. This planet was far too uncomfortable and hardly drew any attention—no wonder the rebels had chosen it as a stronghold.

Before entering the gate, he lifted his wrist to check the time. The coordinates were blank.

Stepping into the passageway, a chill swept over him, dispelling the lingering heat. Little lamps on the walls lit up one by one, and as the giant door slowly closed behind them, a massive elevator came into view.

"Level B3 is the living quarters; the research lab is on B6." The researcher entered first and habitually explained. "You can go freshen up first."

Ruan Yunchu asked, "What about the test subjects?"

"They'll be brought in together later."

Ruan Yunchu asked no more. When they reached B3, he headed to his room. 502, strictly heeding his instructions, didn't say a word the entire time.

Only after stepping into the room and closing the door, standing in the small space, did 502 open his mouth.

"This place—"

"Let me wash my hands first."

Ruan Yunchu cut him off, pushed open the bathroom door, washed his hands and face, came out, and without meeting 502's eyes, scanned the room from all angles, checking every corner and ornament.

Seeing his actions, 502 began examining the area around the bed too.

Having confirmed there were no listening devices, Ruan Yunchu straightened up. "What do you think?"

502 obediently stood up and shook his head. "Nothing."

"Have you been here before?"

502's brows furrowed as if he were struggling to recall, but in the end he found no memory. "I can't remember."

"Alright. Get some rest first." Ruan Yunchu didn't press further, took off his jacket, and said, "I'm going to the lab. You can take a walk later."

"Okay."

Ruan Yunchu closed the door behind him. Though he knew they'd come in from the left, he deliberately turned right down the corridor.

The rooms here were several times larger than those on the starship, and the hallway was much wider. The intervals between doors on either side were long, and as he rounded a corner, there were more living quarters on the other side.

Confirming that this was a facility he couldn't fully gauge, Ruan Yunchu returned to the elevator area.

The elevator doors here were small—far from the grandeur of the main entrance. Five small elevators stood side by side, each requiring facial recognition.

His information had clearly been entered beforehand. As soon as he stepped in, the button for B6 lit up automatically, and the elevator began to descend.

"..."

When Sanan woke up, his whole body felt weak. He stared at the white ceiling for who knew how long before he finally gathered enough strength.

Pushing himself upright with effort, he couldn't figure out what was going on. His memory stopped at those twisted researchers frantically drawing his blood, but now the room was empty—just him.

No—as soon as he realized that, the faint sound of breathing nearby became audible.

He turned his head and saw a group of people in white coats entering his field of vision.

“Holy crap!”

Sanan was startled, and the group seemed equally stunned, staring at him blankly.

“Why aren’t you guys saying anything?” As Sanan spoke, his voice echoed in the empty white room, but no one responded.

He frowned, bracing himself against the wall as he stood up. A wave of dizziness hit him, and he instinctively leaned against the wall to steady himself, but when his body hit the wall, he felt a hard object in his pocket.

He paused, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small damaged sphere that smelled bad.

He brought it closer and sniffed it—the smell was overpowering and pissed him off.

“What the hell are they stuffing in my pockets?”

He tossed it to the floor casually, widening the crack in the sphere, which rolled toward the dozens of research subjects huddled in the corner.

Oblivious, Sanan continued feeling along the white walls for an exit.

Suddenly, a sharp scream erupted behind him.

His hair stood on end, and he spun around to see the people who were quiet suddenly going berserk, shrieking in terror.

What was going on?

Before his mind could catch up, a white wall beside him slid open automatically, revealing a door, and a researcher rushed in frantically.

“What’s happening?”

“This is the last batch waiting for transfer. We don’t know what’s wrong, but—”

“What’s that smell?”

Sanan swallowed hard, leaning against the wall and pretending to be innocent, but the gazes of the group locked onto him, filled with suspicion.

“This isn’t my fault.”

After he spoke, he watched as several people went to investigate, while the two researchers standing nearby kept staring at him like he was a criminal. A strange restlessness surged in his chest.

He hated this feeling the most. He hadn’t done anything wrong, and besides, what right did these disgusting rebels have to treat him like this?

The researchers’ earlier words flashed through his mind. “Last batch waiting for transfer”—did that mean only they were left on this starship?

Sanan clenched his fists, barely suppressing the urge to resist. If it was just them, this was a golden opportunity.

The researcher picked up the crystalline sphere from the corner, sniffed it, caught the pungent odor, and his face darkened.

“Who stole this and tossed it in here? Go find a stabilizer.”

But as he spoke, a heavy thud echoed behind him.

*Bam.* A figure in white flew past him, and several researchers were already down. Watching the young man’s cold demeanor, the researcher frantically searched for a weapon in his pocket, but the next second, he saw the boy’s lips curl into a smirk.

It was over.

In the blink of an eye, a fierce wave of psychic pressure crashed down. His body went limp, and he collapsed to his knees.

Seeing the room full of downed researchers, Sanan felt a surge of exhilaration.

So this was what it felt like to be strong. No wonder these people went to such lengths to alter him.

He walked slowly toward the researcher, intending to ask about Brother Fu Yun's whereabouts, but as he leaned down, the kneeling figure suddenly lunged at him, a syringe clenched in his hand, aiming straight for Sanan.

Sanan’s pupils contracted. He instinctively tried to dodge, but the needle grazed his cheek, leaving a burning sting.

At the same time, his mind became chaotic, his focus slipping. The oppressive mental pressure in the air weakened, and the researcher sneered, got up, and moved to inject the remaining agent into him.

Sanan panted, stepping back, but his legs were numb, and he nearly collapsed.

Damn, these people are too sneaky, carrying this kind of stuff on them.

Just as the needle was about to pierce his skin, a surge of overwhelming psychic pressure descended. Sanan watched in disbelief as the researcher froze mid-motion and collapsed without warning.

The force was intense and wild, a world apart from what he had released.

Then, like a tide, the psychic pressure receded silently.

Hearing steady footsteps behind him, Sanan's heart skipped a beat. He steadied himself and turned to see a column of soldiers in combat gear flood into the room.

They secured the area, and several walked toward the agitated test subjects carrying cases—clearly medics.

No one paid attention to Sanan.

He stood there, bewildered, wondering if these were reinforcements from the Alliance. A flicker of excitement stirred, but then he saw a tall man walk in.

He was taller than the others, helmetless, ducking slightly as he passed through the doorway. His combat suit highlighted a physique anyone would envy—long legs, an intimidating presence, and a calm, relaxed demeanor that felt dangerous.

Sanan grew nervous, instinctively knowing that the overwhelming pressure from before had come from this man.

The man stopped in front of him. Behind a black mask, deep, sharp eyes were visible under a transparent visor, their intensity undiminished.

He looked Sanan up and down slowly for a few seconds before speaking in a deep voice: “Sanan?”