Chapter Nine: An Irresistible Reason

Xia Yan’s expression shifted slightly, and at once he sensed trouble. This pureblood was exactly as the rumors described: moody and unpredictable, the sort who held others in a vice-like grip.

“We’ve learned something very bad. Your former partner, Tao Lu, has already become a subordinate member of the Welber family, and her current duties are related to this research.”

The intelligence made Xia Yan’s face turn grim.

Emilia did not go into further detail about Tao Lu, as though she felt that revealing only a little was a very effective bargaining tactic.

“Xia Yan, your strength is far too weak. You are not even worth an ant.” Emilia sighed. “So we can give you some special treatment, for example—”

“For example?” Xia Yan frowned.

“How about a Type Potential Potion and a Type Limit Potion?” Emilia said.

Xia Yan’s expression became rather strange. Having spoken with Emilia before, he knew very well the value of such items.

He had saved the lives of many ability users in Fuxiang City and obtained a large number of contribution points for it, yet even with all of those, he could not have exchanged them for so much as a single hair of this kind of potion. The two bottles Gong Kui had given him were pure favoritism, not an exchange of equal worth.

Even among demons, the rarity of these potions was terrifying. Very few people were qualified to consume them.

But Xia Yan did not doubt that this pureblood could produce Type Potential Potions and Type Limit Potions. Her status was simply that exalted.

“Everyone has a limit, and so do you. Three bottles of Type Potential Potion and three bottles of Type Limit Potion are your limit, so the reward will be two bottles of each.” Emilia smiled.

With a casual remark, the pureblood doubled the reward, raising it from one bottle of each to two. The temptation was so great that no one could resist it.

Indeed, even everything Xia Yan had done was nowhere near worth the price of such potions, not even the smallest fraction of it.

“Also, once you finish this mission, we will be even. The debt you owe me will be completely paid off. From then on, you can go wherever you want. You may even go to Human District One.”

Yet another favorable condition. Though Xia Yan would not trust her entirely, her status was noble; she had no reason to deceive him.

“Xia Yan, I’ll give you an extra piece of intelligence for free.” Emilia said seriously. “Going to District One and taking refuge with Gong Kui is not a bad choice. That woman is anything but simple; even I find her troublesome. To receive such a high evaluation from us, working under her will surely give you a chance to rise.”

Xia Yan frowned. This pureblood’s temperament was truly revolting.

He did not agree to her conditions, and instead prepared to ask about Tao Lu. “About Tao Lu, can you tell me more in detail?”

Emilia nodded. “According to our intelligence, the girl named Tao Lu is a very gifted winged human. She is also ambitious, so she likely joined the Welber family in order to improve her strength quickly.”

“Perhaps there is even some surplus in the allocation of Type Potential Potions. After all, with decent aptitude, if she does her job well, there is a certain chance of being granted one. Still, staying in such a dangerous place—does that really sound good?” She teased. “Perhaps one day she’ll be treated as one of the test subjects, or perhaps she’ll be killed by a berserk test subject. If you agree to my conditions, you might even be able to destroy this taboo experiment in your spare time. Then that girl Tao Lu may be reassigned to another workplace and escape her suffering at last.”

Xia Yan considered it. At least on the matter of Tao Lu having joined the Welber family, Emilia should not be lying to him. As for the rest, Xia Yan would not believe a single word. After understanding her personality, he knew this was her malicious taste: using words to manipulate another’s actions.

Even so, from beginning to end, Xia Yan had remained completely within her control. Emilia felt the time was about right; it was time for the final talk.

“Xia Yan, you have no reason to refuse my proposal. If you refuse me again, I will kill you.” She looked at him. “But rather than being killed by me for nothing, why not make use of your own value? Even if you are buried in hell, so what? At the very least, you can help avenge your friend, or help Tao Lu escape her suffering.”

Xia Yan had no answer to that refusal. Compared with being killed outright, he could only agree to this proposal.

But Xia Yan also knew that, from start to finish, this pureblood had held him tightly in her grasp. Yet in any case, the intelligence was beneficial to him, and the reward was so high that Xia Yan could not even comprehend what motive she had for doing this.

“According to our intelligence, if you want to obtain the research materials, you can only do so through the core area. But there are a great many test subjects there.” Emilia’s expression was serious. “Xia Yan, no one can pass through there unharmed. Once you enter, you will be swallowed by negative emotions and become a madman on the spot.”

“Hmm?” Xia Yan understood that there was more in her words. He knew very well how terrifying the negative emotions of demons could be.

“There are exceptions to everything. I told you before that in that other space linked to the demons, there are some extremely special items, things that have not even been classified by the Earth Federation.” Emilia said. “For example, Type Potential Potions and Type Limit Potions: their primary materials come from that space. And if you want to pass through the core area, you must obtain an accessory called the Chain of Purity. This accessory also comes from that otherworldly space, and its effect is wondrous enough to resist the侵蚀 of negative emotions.”

“There’s such a mysterious thing?” Xia Yan was curious.

“Of course. The world is vast, full of wonders. The demons themselves are not a species native to this space.” Emilia smiled. “If there is a chance in the future, I can take you to see that world. It is completely different from ours.”

“That world?” Xia Yan was astonished.

“How should I put it?” Emilia thought for a moment. “If you have read any novels, then it is probably a world of swords and magic. It is a pity, though: their power differs from ours by too much. Aside from these special materials, we cannot find any more valuable clues.”

“How do I obtain the Chain of Purity?” Xia Yan asked in confusion.

“You do not go to that world to get it. Instead, you go to the Free Zone.” Emilia said. “The official authorities in the Free Zone occasionally auction off these kinds of special items as a way to attract the great powers. I will have my subordinates accompany you, and the money for the bids will be prepared in advance. Tomorrow morning, you will leave this place for the Free Zone. Only after we have successfully auctioned the Chain of Purity will the next step officially begin.”

Xia Yan knew nothing about the Free Zone. He knew almost nothing at all.

At present, the intelligence he could obtain was limited, but at the very least, it could be confirmed that all the human mutants lived in the Free Zone, and they hated Xia Yan to the bone.

“The Free Zone?”

“Xia Yan, I’m tired today. I don’t want to say any more!” Emilia said in irritation. “If you have questions, ask the partner assigned to you tomorrow.”