Chapter 98 This Smoke Isn’t Bad (Extra for Springs of the Mountain)

Half an hour after Lu Luo left Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, Song Hana stood in the control room, clad in a red trench coat. Her face was frosty as she watched the two security guards kneeling on the ground and the surveillance footage brought in by other security personnel. Just moments ago, she had been entwined in bed with a security bureau leader from the Fourth Ring, only to be told that something had gone wrong with the company! This disturbance meant she had to return, and her return rendered that liaison utterly pointless. Not only were her negotiations with the leader ruined, but it might also cause him to develop certain opinions about Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals. On her way back, Song Hana had wondered, how could anyone dare mess with Lan Tian? Who would dare provoke Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals? Could it be that they were unaware that Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals was backed by the Council? However, upon her return, she discovered that those responsible weren’t outsiders, but insiders—and closely connected ones at that. In the surveillance footage, Wu Sen could be seen confidently entering the company. From the security booth at the entrance to the research institute on the fourth sub-level, his entire route was clearly visible. The entire process was blatant, with no attempt at concealment. It was precisely because she saw everything so clearly that Song Hana was extraordinarily furious. She had high hopes for Wu Sen’s mission. She had even spent a night with him and assigned him the task of targeting Chu Qi. But what was this idiot doing? Not only did he fail to bring back the urgently needed blood bags for the company, but he also stole the company’s potions. And what was it with the men she’d encountered lately? Were they all expert philanderers? Because research labs required secrecy, there were no surveillance cameras in the various lab departments; the specific details of the incident had to be obtained from those directly involved. "You’re saying he adapted to the test with the small purple vial? Isn’t the small purple vial only for Exotic Species? I thought it wasn’t very valuable." "I am absolutely certain. He did indeed use the small purple vial and emerged unharmed." "Aside from taking the small purple vial and other potions, did he make any other requests?" Song Hana asked, her voice cold as ice, as she looked at Zhang Desheng, who was still rubbing his stomach. Song Hana certainly didn’t look kindly upon Zhang Desheng, a researcher who hadn’t produced any significant results in a long time. Zhang Desheng’s expression shifted. Lacking professional interrogation training, he clearly hesitated under Song Hana’s reprimand. Song Hana was naturally adept at reading people; the moment Zhang Desheng hesitated, she saw there was a problem. "Did you betray the company?" "I didn’t! Supervisor, please believe me, I really haven’t betrayed the company!" "Professor Zhang Desheng, you better think clearly. Although you weren’t intentionally responsible for this incident, it did indeed originate with you. If you continue to hide things from me, from the company, then the final outcome of this matter could be quite unfortunate. Your whole family could meet a neat end, you know." "I’ll talk! I’ll say anything! Please, Supervisor, spare me and my family!" Under Song Hana’s duress, Zhang Desheng spilled everything, recounting the misdeeds of Wu Sen—or rather, Lu Luo. "You say he asked about the formula for the small red vial?" "Yes, he inquired about the formula for the small red vial." "So, you told him?!" Song Hana’s expression grew increasingly ugly. "I did it to save my life! And since he was from the company, I told him." "Well, well, Zhang Desheng. I never expected the mole to be one of our own. Take him away and feed him to the snakes." "Yes, Supervisor." "No! Please, no!" Zhang Desheng screamed as he was dragged away by two security guards. Just as he was pulled around the corner of the corridor, Song Hana raised her hand again. "Wait! Never mind, let’s just keep him for now. Lock him up; we’ll deal with him later." After the security guards released Zhang Desheng, the old man finally managed to catch his breath. Song Hana spared Zhang Desheng not out of appreciation for his talent, nor from compassion. She was considering Wu Sen’s motives. Wu Sen, that guy, actually asking for the formula for the small red vial. Could he really have defected? That man has no family. If he truly defected, it would indeed be a problem. But through what channel did he defect? Logically, other companies shouldn’t be able to offer him comparable terms. Could it be Chu Qi who turned him? No, Chu Qi isn’t capable of that. So what exactly is going on? What did he want with the small purple vial? If a Second Tier Transcendent could withstand the Exotic Species’ power in the small purple vial, then perhaps... As Song Hana pondered, she strolled around the control room. No one dared to disturb Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals’ supervisor at this time; such was the extent of Song Hana’s power. Unless there was a significant upheaval, Song Hana would remain the controller of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals in the East Ring until her looks faded. She suddenly looked up and said to her assistant beside her, "Pull up Chu Qi’s and Wu Sen’s Wall entry records. I want to see when their team entered." "Yes, Supervisor." Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals had a complex network of influence, and the power it wielded was immense. Song Hana could easily obtain seemingly confidential information like Wall entry records. "Report: according to information from the Wall of Explorers, we still haven’t received any Wall entry information for Wu Sen and Chu Qi." Song Hana was shocked; this news contained far too many implications. No Wall entry information? Could they have smuggled themselves in? Impossible. Even if the Wall Guardians aren’t as strong as Hunters, they aren’t that much weaker. Neither Chu Qi nor Wu Sen possess that kind of ability. So what’s going on? If Wu Sen didn’t enter through the Wall, then who is this Wu Sen in the surveillance footage? An idea suddenly flashed through Song Hana’s mind, and she immediately shouted at her assistant, "Go! Check for me! Check recent entry inspections to see if there’s any information regarding our Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals’ equipment. Any equipment, weapons, or marked items belonging to the Lan Tian Group—record all of them and report back to me immediately!" "Yes, Supervisor!" Once Song Hana’s orders were issued, it wasn’t long before a relief shift of Wall Guardians ascended the Wall of Explorers. The veteran who had accompanied Lu Luo’s trio during the day was currently on duty. Seeing the relief shift arriving so early, he asked his colleague with some confusion, "It’s still a while until twelve. Why are they changing shifts so early today?" "Don’t know. Maybe something happened." After some inquiries, they learned the reason for the early arrival. These men hadn’t come to relieve the shift but to inquire about matters related to Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals. It was supposed to be a simple questioning, so they quickly got to the veteran. "Old Wu, did you see anything belonging to Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals today? If you did, speak up. There’s a 2,000 coin bonus." Song Hana’s bounty was 10,000, but after layers of skimming, only 2,000 remained by the time it reached the veteran. The veteran known as Old Wu chuckled, showing his signature yellow teeth. "Two thousand, huh? That’s quite a bit of money." "Well, did you or didn’t you? Hurry up." "Don’t rush me. I’m old, and my mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Let me light a cigarette and think." While pretending to reflect, he took out the cigarette pack Lu Luo had given him earlier. Of course, he had already stashed away the Dark Spirit Stone that was inside. "TSK! HAAAH!" Old Wu took a satisfying drag on his cigarette. Mmm! This cigarette is truly excellent. "Well? Did you see anything?" "Doesn’t seem like it. Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals’ items are quite conspicuous; if I had seen any, I definitely would’ve remembered. What’s wrong? Did something happen? Someone dares to mess with a company like Lan Tian?" Old Wu lied. Just as he’d thought earlier, it was better to avoid trouble than to invite it. Since you paid, it’s my job to ensure you have less trouble. That’s the code of us Wall Guardians. "Nothing much, just that Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals is asking urgently. Alright, head back for now. You’re relieved early today." "Heh, that’s great! I can go back and have a drink, hahaha!" Old Wu patted the two Dark Spirit Stones in his pocket and walked off the high wall with a smile on his face. 「...」 In the control room of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, Song Hana quickly received some information. But this information was mostly from Scavengers, who occasionally brought back half a gun barrel, a grenade, a broken potion vial, or a few pieces of clothing. These items were all trivial and offered no clues as to whether Wu Sen’s team had been eliminated or had defected. Song Hana tapped the table and finally summarized her decision on the matter. "Keep this matter confidential for now. Issue a gag order. Check Wu Sen’s and Chu Qi’s recent contact lists. Additionally, request a Hunter to assist with the investigation. Whether it’s useful or not, we have to at least go through the motions." "Yes, Supervisor." 「...」 Lu Luo, having shed his disguise, arrived early at the rendezvous point he’d arranged with Ludie. After ensuring there was no one around, he prepared to consume the potions. Lu Luo looked at the small purple vial in his hand and chuckled. Heh, Life Energy... for humans? Isn’t that a bit far-fetched? Wait a second, something doesn’t add up. What about me? Am I still considered human? [The host possesses Devourer, a Grade S Sequence. Of course, you can perfectly absorb Life Energy. Moreover, the host’s body structure has long differed from that of ordinary humans. This information has been provided multiple times. Please, try to pay attention and remember it!] So that’s how it is. Well then, everything I, Lu Luo, have achieved today is due to my own hard work! "Devourer, devour!" GLUG GLUG GLUG! Lu Luo downed the contents of the small purple vials—Exotic Species power—as if drinking water. Twenty-two small vials, totaling 220 milliliters, provided Lu Luo with 1,100 energy points. A massive haul! After finishing the vials, Lu Luo meticulously crushed them, then ground them into powder, letting the dust dissipate into the air. Having watched hundreds of episodes of *Detective Conan*, Lu Luo knew that incriminating evidence like this shouldn’t be carelessly tossed into trash cans or sewers where it could be found. Destroying evidence at the source is the perfect method! After disposing of the small purple vials, Lu Luo took out the purple potion jar, the size of a small wine cask. Such a large jar, it probably holds over 500 milliliters. [Reminder: The Life Energy in this vial has low purity and contains many impurities.] Could it have more impurities than consuming an Exotic Species whole? [No.] That settles it then. As long as it doesn’t kill me, I’ll devour it until I’m on the brink! The large jar yielded Lu Luo over 1,800 energy points. With that, Lu Luo’s energy finally broke the 3,000-point barrier! This was a complete windfall, a parting gift from Wu Sen’s team, so to speak. With ample energy, Lu Luo was eager to allocate his points and chose to enhance his Strength first. "Increase Strength." Lu Luo’s Strength was only 10. Raising it to 20 required 1,650 energy points. [Your Strength has increased to 20. Your Sequence C-00-Extreme has undergone certain changes.] After completing the Strength Enhancement, Lu Luo felt a swelling sensation in muscles all over his body; he knew his physique must have changed somewhat, especially his musculature. However, he didn’t pause to observe, choosing to continue with the enhancements. "Increase Agility." His Agility was currently 13. He spent another 1,190 energy points to raise it to 20, and the Observer’s prompt appeared as expected. [Your Agility has increased to 20. Your Sequence C-00-Extreme has undergone certain changes.] After enhancing so many attributes at once, Lu Luo would need a considerable amount of time to adapt to his new condition. Fortunately, his body structure was already different from that of normal humans, and his adaptation speed was extremely fast. Qi He circulated throughout his body, revitalizing Lu Luo! With all attributes at 20, Lu Luo felt a peculiar sense of balance within his body. Watching the Qi He flow within him, Lu Luo was momentarily lost in thought. This feeling... it’s quite remarkable! If he had to describe it, it would be: "effortless control, acting on a whim." He hadn’t experienced this when all his attributes were at 5. This must be some latent change brought about by reaching 20 in all attributes. Lu Luo opened his attribute panel to check the changes in his talents. [Sequence Chain C-00-Extreme] Effect—Toughness: Reduces damage by 17% (stacks with all other damage reduction). All damage ultimately reduced by 4. Effect—Dexterity: Increases dexterity by 22%. Reduces fall damage from heights and enhances jumping power. Effect—Martial Force: Increases physical damage by 22%. Physical damage penetration +4% (20 Strength +1%). Effect—Robustness: Increases Life by 40%. Increases physical damage by 11%. Description: Extreme signifies the ultimate. Only the pinnacle can forge the Extreme State. The current C-00-Extreme provided an all-around attribute enhancement. Not only Dexterity and Martial Force, but even the Robustness effect had received a significant boost. Although the current Sequence Chain C-00-Extreme was rated only as a Grade C Sequence, its actual strength had undoubtedly surpassed Grade B and reached Grade A—and not just an ordinary Grade A. Such was the power of multiple Sequences combined and enhanced into a Sequence Chain. Martial Force and Robustness provide numerical changes, but Dexterity... enhanced jumping power! Unlike the potent effect from Constitution 20, the effect of Agility 20 was rather modest. An additional 10% dexterity boost and enhanced jumping power. Truthfully, Lu Luo was somewhat disappointed with the Dexterity effect. Fortunately, he already possessed powerful effects like Toughness, along with the practical, if standard, effects of Robustness and Martial Force. A slightly weaker Dexterity didn’t matter much. Time to test these effects.