Chapter 40: A Tremendous Price

Tao Lu approached the four winged humanoids and casually spoke a few words. They all nodded in agreement, each activating their bloodline powers and retreating from the battle circle. Without looking back, she flew steadily toward the distance. They would take a flying vehicle to return to the winged tribe.

Yet, a single tear quietly fell, embodying Tao Lu’s unwillingness to accept defeat.

Xia Yi stared grimly at the images projected on the holographic screen, her expression darkening. After a long pause, she gritted her teeth and said, “Is this Xia Yan really human? He’s so crippled, yet he kills our people without the slightest hesitation!”

Gong Kui, however, seemed unfazed, her eyes fixed on Xia Yan in the arena.

“Either way, he’s doomed. A level-6 mutant—he will be killed for sure, absolutely,” Xia Yi said with a hint of hatred.

“Xia Yi, do you think he has any value?” Gong Kui suddenly asked an odd question.

“Value?” Xia Yi frowned in confusion.

“For example, the possibility of absolute development?” Gong Kui’s topics always seemed strange.

Xia Yi’s expression changed abruptly. She even wondered if she had misheard. “My lady, absolute development is something no ordinary human can hope to achieve. He definitely has no chance. Even among purebloods, only two people in the Earth Federation have reached absolute development!”

“So you think there’s no hope at all?” Gong Kui smiled.

“Well...” Xia Yi frowned, “Honestly, Xia Yan’s current level at just seventeen years old is impressive, but for him to reach absolute development is almost impossible.”

“Why?” Gong Kui asked.

“My lady Gong Kui, Xia Yan is a human with extremely peculiar genetic mutations. His physical development and cerebral domain development are equivalent,” Xia Yi explained bitterly. “In other words, for him to raise his cerebral domain to absolute development, his physical development must also reach 100%. But no one has ever reached 100% physical development, not even mutants.”

Once mutants gain intelligence, their physical development is strong while their cerebral domain remains weak. The stronger the mutant, the higher their physical development—but none have ever reached full 100%.

Humans and other races are the opposite. Their physical development can only reach half of their cerebral domain development. Thus, absolute development for humans is limited to the cerebral domain. It is nearly impossible to elevate physical development to 100% after achieving absolute development.

Xia Yan is a unique exception; his physical and cerebral developments are equal. Therefore, it is impossible for him to reach absolute development unless the entire world accepts that someone can fully develop both body and brain to absolute levels—a notion so absurd it borders on a cosmic joke.

“So where do you think his limit lies?” Gong Kui inquired again.

“Well, maybe...” Xia Yi bit her lip, “Though I hate to admit it, if his future goes smoothly, he might reach a level just below absolute development.”

Such an evaluation was already quite high, implying he would surpass all nine-star ability users.

“If I save Xia Yan, what do you think?” Gong Kui asked once more.

This question left Xia Yi utterly stunned. She looked at Gong Kui in disbelief, unable to comprehend the lady’s intentions.

“No, no, my lady Gong Kui,” she said anxiously, “The cost is too great. Xia Yan isn’t worth it. Not even ten or a hundred Xia Yans would be worth it. He might even become an enemy to humanity in the future, and that would be a catastrophic disaster for us!”

“I’ve made up my mind,” Gong Kui’s eyes shone brightly. After the five humans had just died, she firmly resolved that Xia Yan owed her a debt—a heavy one—and this time, he would owe her again.

Xia Yan was not cold-hearted; he would repay her kindness, binding himself to humanity’s side.

“Even if Xia Yan currently serves someone else for reasons unknown, that doesn’t matter,” Gong Kui shook her head. “Xia Yan is human, and I know his character well. He will return to us eventually. So though the price is enormous, it is worth it.”

“My lady Gong Kui,” Xia Yi bit her silver teeth.

Then Gong Kui sent a communication.

To Wen Zhe, leader of the Free Zone, very few had access to his contact. Even fewer had the privilege to initiate contact with him.

Yet the number on his screen was the last person he expected to hear from. He thought it impossible to see this person reaching out to him for years to come. But it was real—no illusion.

Wen Zhe answered the call. The voice on the other end spoke each word carefully, causing his brow to knit in doubt. He suspected he had misheard.

But he hadn’t.

“Miss Gong Kui, are you certain?” Wen Zhe’s voice trembled.

“Yes.”

“The cost will be tremendous. Are you sure you can bear it?” Wen Zhe doubted.

“Yes, the cost is enormous,” Gong Kui confirmed.

“If you’re willing, I have no objections,” Wen Zhe nodded. “But is he truly that important?”

“Yes,” Gong Kui replied tersely.

“Are you certain he won’t become an enemy of humanity if you save this ungrateful wretch?”

“No,” Gong Kui answered firmly. “Once I play this card, Xia Yan will never betray me.”

“What should I do?” Wen Zhe asked, getting to the point.

“When that level-6 mutant is about to kill him, intervene and save him. Then tell Xia Yan the reason he survived was because of me, and send him back to District One,” Gong Kui instructed seriously.

“What if he refuses to return to Humanity District One?”

“If he refuses, let him go. But make sure he knows I paid a heavy price to save him.”

“Understood,” Wen Zhe nodded.

The cost was so great it frightened even him. One hundred, even one thousand Xia Yans would never be worth such a price. It truly was immense.

But Gong Kui had made her decision, and he had no reason to refuse.

“Let that level-6 mutant strike here,” Gong Kui added. “After Xia Yan is freed, lift the bounty on him and order the mutants not to seek revenge.”

“I understand,” Wen Zhe sighed softly.

“Mr. Wen Zhe, please make sure to save him at the most critical moment. I trust you can do it,” Gong Kui said earnestly.

“I guarantee I will,” Wen Zhe said confidently. As a nine-star ability user, if he couldn’t accomplish this, he might as well die.