Chapter 51: Adam

"Sister Amelia's ability can alter your appearance to be identical to Morris. What you need to do is memorize the intelligence related to him; I have just uploaded it to your optical computer," Xiaoling said. Xia Yan understood that Amelia possessed an ability to change one's appearance.

Xia Yan heard a soft chime as his optical computer forcibly accepted a data packet.

"Your initial mission is to kill Morris and then assume his identity to carry out subsequent operations. Regarding this demonic research, we have designated two major zones. The first is the peripheral zone. Most of the people in the peripheral zone are ability users tasked with maintaining security around the Wilbur family's territory; they cannot access core intelligence. The second is the core zone. By using Morris’s identity and passing the relevant assessments, you will be able to enter the core zone."

"The core zone?" Xia Yan asked, puzzled.

"The core zone is a classification. To be precise, it is the area where you can access their core intelligence. Regarding this demonic research, the core zone belongs within the Wilbur family's research base. This research base contains areas for research, experimentation, and intelligence gathering. However, as you are entering the base as Morris, you will be part of the security detail, not a member of the research staff."

"Understood," Xia Yan nodded.

"Additionally, within the core zone, there are five people we need to be wary of. To simplify, we categorize them as three minor, one medium, and one major," Xiaoling’s tone was straightforward. "The 'major' is the current patriarch of the Wilbur family. His intelligence file hasn't been updated for over a decade, so his specific strength is unknown, but he is expected to be either a six-star or seven-star ability user, likely the latter. But you don't need to worry about him; he rarely visits the research area unless you are extremely unlucky. The 'medium' is the person in charge of this forbidden research, named Noah. His strength is above yours; we will discuss his specific intel once you have gone deeper."

"And the three 'minors' are these people!" Xiaoling tapped on her virtual keyboard, and three profiles appeared: two men and one woman.

Xia Yan's expression shifted slightly; the girl was Tao Lu!

"These three should be slightly weaker than you, or perhaps evenly matched. First, this woman, Tao Lu. Her brain development is nearly fifty percent, and she has developed all three major abilities: Mind Control, Black Mist, and Shadow Clone. She carries a 707-lethal laser pistol and is a very troublesome individual."

Xia Yan signaled his understanding, while Amelia’s expression changed slightly—it was clear Xiaoling was unaware of the relationship between Xia Yan and Tao Lu.

The image of the second man appeared on the optical computer. He was in his forties, with a square face that looked quite righteous, and a scar across his forehead.

"The second is named Adam, forty-five years old. He has served in the Wilbur family for twenty years—twenty-two, to be precise. He is a human."

"A human?" Xia Yan was slightly surprised.

"Yes, a human who has served for twenty-two years. His loyalty is considered higher than that of the other two regional commanders," Xiaoling said with a trace of mockery. "He is more trustworthy than the other two Winged People."

"Adam’s strength hasn't been updated in the intelligence database for seven years, but it is speculated that his third ability has been developed. He might be even stronger than Tao Lu, though we cannot be certain," Xiaoling smiled. "Some humans are prone to hitting bottlenecks. At his weakest, he may have only developed his second ability with brain development below forty-five percent. But at his strongest, his brain development might be close to sixty percent."

Xia Yan nodded.

"The third person is thirty-four, named Qiong. His strength should be weaker than the first two; the probability of him having developed a third ability is only seven percent. Don't ask me how this data was calculated; I don't have time to explain." Before Xia Yan could speak, Xiaoling rolled her eyes at him. "This man named Qiong is a Winged Person and also a researcher, a member of the Wilbur family. The loyalty data for the Wilbur family is a bit unique, so this Qiong is at least the one most trusted by Noah. Because of his status as a researcher, he has many privileges and is someone you must watch out for."

"Understood."

"Leave tomorrow morning; I will provide support from the rear. It is worth noting that once you enter the research base—the core zone—they have shielding functions. I am not confident that I can hack in without being detected, so you will need to rely on your own judgment at that point."

Xia Yan nodded.

"All relevant intelligence and data have been uploaded to your optical computer." Having finished detailing the intelligence, Xiaoling looked tired, her eyelids drooping.

"Xia Yan, get some good rest today. We set off tomorrow morning, and I will hand you the prepared supplies," Amelia said with a solemn expression. "This mission is not as simple as you imagine. I have only one requirement for you: complete the mission while ensuring you stay alive."

"I understand," Xia Yan replied.

"One more thing," Amelia added. "Xia Yan, if you encounter danger, I will not be able to rescue you. Only I, Xiaoling, Weiwei, and you know of this plan. Even the other two pure-blooded demons are unaware. If your identity is exposed, you must not leak any intelligence that would drag our demon race down with you."

"That is a given," Xia Yan nodded.

"Rest well." Amelia smiled at him before turning to leave, followed closely by the bubbly Xiaoling, who acted like a little sidekick in Amelia’s presence.

Three targets: Tao Lu, the intensely loyal Adam who had stayed with the Wilbur family for twenty-two years, and Qiong, the Winged Person who served as a researcher!

In the Human District, at Gong Kui's mansion, she made a connection. The target of her communication was none other than the human, Adam.

"Lord Gong Kui," Adam said during a gap in his time away from the core zone. His image was exactly as it appeared in the intelligence report: square-faced and quite righteous.

"I apologize," Gong Kui said with regret. "We failed to obtain the Chain of Purity. To pass through the central zone and acquire the final intelligence on this experiment, we must execute the backup plan."

"What a pity!" Adam sighed softly. "But Lord Gong Kui, I will complete the mission even if it costs me my life."

"How many days until the research is complete?" Gong Kui inquired.

"Fifteen days at the shortest, or over a year at the longest. The timeline is uncertain, but the research is only one final step away. As for the bottleneck, it will be resolved as long as we put in the time," Adam answered earnestly, his expression full of respect.