Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Inner Demon

For a moment, silence hung between them, but eventually, Xia Yan could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere and took the initiative to speak. "You knew already?"

"Knew what?" Amelia’s face bore a mischievous smile.

"What happened just now," Xia Yan replied helplessly. He didn’t have much time to waste with this pureblood.

Suddenly, she chuckled. "Xia Yan, just now you looked so righteous and confident—I actually thought you had everything under control. Yet, it’s been less than ten minutes, and you’re already asking for our help."

"You’ve got some nerve," Xia Yan said with a bitter smile. "If your subordinate hadn’t betrayed me and leaked my intel, would I have become the enemy of the entire Free Zone? To survive, I have to make a powerful enemy."

Her laughter tinkled like bells. Then her expression grew slightly serious. "What’s done is done. Now, I ask you, Xia Yan, are you confident?"

"Confident about what?" Xia Yan asked.

"Taking down a Level 6 mutant. If you kill it, you can win," Amelia said. "As for the others blocking your path, with the use of the Potential Enhancement Serum and the Extreme Potential Serum, it shouldn’t be too difficult."

"But there has to be at least six months between doses," Xia Yan frowned. "If I take them now, I’ll die immediately?"

"You’d die if you don’t," Amelia replied earnestly. "Xia Yan, this is an emergency. You have to fight. Once you use both serums, your physical and cerebral development will exceed 36%. At that level, you can crush any four-star ability user—definitely overpower them, and take one down within ten seconds."

"But a Level 6 mutant corresponds to a six-star ability user. I’m not capable of handling that," Xia Yan said helplessly.

"Alright then," Amelia sighed softly. "We have a backup plan, but its cost is enormous. Even you might not be willing to bear it. Scientific technology can create miracles, like an overdraft potential serum."

Back at the agency, some forbidden serums were available for exchange—potions that could amplify power but with terrifying consequences.

Those with milder enhancements had less severe side effects, mostly addiction or insomnia, rarely fatal.

But the stronger ones had dreadful side effects—some caused immediate death, others irreparably damaged the brain or organs, drastically reducing life potential. The cost was so great that almost no one dared to use them.

"That one is classified as a level ‘Mad Hell’," Amelia whispered. "It’s a forbidden serum I specially selected for you. I can assure you, its side effects will be minimized for you."

"This ‘Mad Hell’ serum greatly increases cerebral and physical development. The extent varies per individual but will not be less than 5%. It can only be used once in a lifetime—using it twice means certain death," Amelia explained. "Its side effect is that once the serum wears off, your life potential will plummet, and all your organs will suffer relentless damage."

"Organ damage?" Xia Yan gasped. Could such a serum truly spare his life? Did anyone survive after using it?

To be classified as a level ‘Mad Hell’ serum meant it was horrifyingly powerful—beyond anything Xia Yan had ever heard of.

The deadliest serums at the agency barely reached that level, and even then, the survival rate after a single dose was under fifty percent.

Few were willing to use such forbidden serums; even those desperate didn’t want a mutual destruction scenario—only those who faced certain death reluctantly considered it.

"Xia Yan, you have to do this, or you won’t survive," Amelia said. "Your body has strong regenerative abilities. Even with organ damage, you can hold on for a long time. If you can kill that Level 6 mutant, leave the rest to me—I can at least save your life."

Xia Yan was stunned. He hadn’t expected Amelia to personally come. According to the footage on the comms, she was inside the flying vehicle without the protective glass activated—no wonder the fierce wind kept blowing in.

"But given your agreement with Wenzhe, I don’t want to act publicly. If you die at the hands of that Level 6 mutant, I can only express my regrets," Amelia added.

"Alright," Xia Yan nodded.

"The ‘Mad Hell’ serum is hidden inside the briefcase. There’s a mechanism within—open it, input the following code, and take out the injection," Amelia’s voice rang out. "Xia Yan, live—that’s all I can hope for."

Their communication ended.

Inside the flying vehicle, Amelia sat in the co-pilot seat, the sunroof open to reveal the endless blue sky.

At the helm was a familiar face—Vivi, dressed in a butler’s uniform.

After receiving intelligence about possible betrayal within their ranks, Amelia and Vivi immediately headed for the Free Zone.

Her status was noble, but that was also her fault. Had it not been for her mistake, Xia Yan wouldn’t be in such a life-or-death predicament.

Therefore, Amelia had to go to the Free Zone to atone for her error.

Yet, this pureblood’s temperament was volatile; she didn’t always speak the truth. Her nature was inscrutable.

Perhaps even if Xia Yan failed against the Level 6 mutant, she would still step in to save him.

What was the Free Zone, after all?

Even Wenzhe, who couldn’t reach absolute development, was just an ant to her.

Outside the Free Zone lay the wilderness.

Many waited there—forces outside the Free Zone attending the auction.

Their goal was to kill Xia Yan.

There might be exceptions—like Blueheart.

To Blueheart, her mental fragility was exploited by Chai Guan, the leader of this operation. He had to lure out Blueheart’s psychological flaws and manipulate her as a weapon for their side.

"Miss Blueheart, Xia Yan has betrayed you," Chai Guan said.

"I don’t believe it!" Blueheart looked at Chai Guan, her eyes filled with confusion. Her sword trembled in her hand. She never imagined the day she would draw her blade against Xia Yan.

Not even in her wildest thoughts.

"He betrayed us, betrayed humanity," Chai Guan said earnestly. "Miss Blueheart, as a member of humanity, your duty is to draw your sword and kill him. Complete the mission we must accomplish!"

Pain flickered in Blueheart’s eyes. Memories of the past surged, tightening her grip on the sword hilt and igniting an uncontrollable terror.

In her gaze, one could see both confusion and madness.