Chapter 169: Dark Boundless Realm 24
Tang Guan tucked his mobile phone into his pocket and sized up the girl.
She stood against the light on the rusty stairs, her hood covering her forehead, and a black mask covering her face. In her hands, she carried a waist bag and two black plastic bags, which seemed a bit cumbersome compared to her neat attire.
“Passing by.” As the other party had shown a hint of goodwill, Tang Guan proactively explained that he meant no harm, even though his explanation was only two short words.
His voice was youthful and unmasked.
Kui Xin wasn’t particularly eager to speak because she didn’t wear a voice modulator like in the Second World; she didn’t want to expose her identity… but the person in front of her was someone she recognized, not only recognized but had a deep impression of him.
“Extraordinary abilities, symbiosis, Grade B…” Kui Xin only knew one person who possessed the extraordinary ability of “symbiosis,” and that was Tang Guan.
Back on the Kraken, she and the Mechanical Dawn team had captured Tang Guan. Mechanical Dawn then imprisoned him in a laboratory for long-term human experimentation and torment.
When Kui Xin visited the laboratory, Dr. Long, who was in charge of the research project, mentioned that Tang Guan’s waking hours were becoming shorter and shorter, and the monster was occupying his consciousness. Sooner or later, Tang Guan’s awareness would be completely swallowed by the monster’s consciousness. Tang Guan was an exceptionally unique individual; when the monster parasitized him, it did not consume him. Instead, his abilities established a peculiar state of symbiosis with it, and the xenomorph that shared this symbiosis was intelligent.
Tang Guan did not possess the flesh regeneration abilities of a Heterogeneous Blooded; his ability came from the monster he coexisted with.
The figure in front of her did not match the Tang Guan from the Second World; that Tang Guan had long been unable to sleep, his eye sockets sunken and emaciated, whereas the person before her, though thin, appeared to be of normal human stature.
As Kui Xin recalled Tang Guan’s voice, she felt a strong familiarity in the voice of the person across from her.
Considering the extraordinary ability of symbiosis, there was a ninety percent chance it was indeed Tang Guan.
She suppressed her swirling emotions, astounded to learn that Tang Guan was still alive and had come to Tonglin City.
Then she thought of a crucial question—did the monster that shared a symbiosis with Tang Guan return to the First World with him?
Kui Xin wasn’t very concerned about Tang Guan recognizing her; the ages in the two worlds were different, and due to the age gap, she appeared significantly different to those unfamiliar with her, especially since she had captured Tang Guan in full armor, hiding her true form and altering her voice. When she met Tang Guan in the laboratory, his consciousness wasn’t very clear, and she had also been disguised then.
Throughout her time at the Mechanical Dawn Headquarters, she often had disguises on her face.
Tang Guan sensed her wariness and hesitation in her silence. Instead of speaking, she typed on her phone, clearly not wanting to reveal her identity.
However, Tang Guan needed to communicate with her; there were things he wanted to know.
“Encountering a kindred spirit isn’t easy,” Tang Guan said. “I’m here to investigate.”
He observed the bags in Kui Xin’s hands, his keen senses picking up the smell of bl**d—a fishy bl**d smell mingled with a strange scent. Although they were both bl**d smells, he could differentiate between the two.
Like the Phantom said, the girl must know some inside information; she was well-prepared, appearing in the area where the xenomorph’s aura was the most potent at night. What could fish entrails be used for? Of course, as bait.
He focused on Kui Xin’s bags and probed, “You’re also here to investigate, right?”
Kui Xin weighed her options for a moment before softly responding, “Mm.”
“Have you found anything?” Tang Guan asked, getting straight to the point.
“What do you think? Do you think she’ll tell you obediently? She’s wary of you. After enduring so much pain in Mechanical Dawn, you should know the best methods of inquiry.” The Phantom coaxed. “Capture her, interrogate her! You have the ability to do it! A frail little girl will surely spill everything out of fear.”
Tang Guan ignored the Phantom’s comments and calmly watched Kui Xin, waiting for her response.
“I captured a mutated rat,” Kui Xin said.
This was the first time she spoke tonight.
“What did it look like?” Tang Guan continued his line of questioning.
“Hairless, with red eyes, limbs three times their original length, and quick movements,” Kui Xin replied. “Have you uncovered anything?”
“Nothing. I just arrived nearby,” Tang Guan said in a steady tone. “Have you seen any unusual phenomena?”
Kui Xin looked down at Tang Guan below, “For example?”
“For example, time-space distortion,” Tang Guan lifted his head. “Just like the forum said.”
“I have,” Kui Xin scrutinized him, affirming. “You’ve seen it too.”
“Yes, I was nearby at midnight, standing outside the Tobacco Factory, and saw a blurry barrier appear and disappear.” Tang Guan continued, “You… were inside the Tobacco Factory?”
Kui Xin avoided the topic and quietly stated, “When that thing descended, I heard vague mumblings and howls, along with chaotic moving shadows.”
Tang Guan didn’t notice Kui Xin’s ambiguous answer; his expression grew serious, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.
“Hehe, want to know what that was?” the Phantom teased. “I can tell you.”
“What’s the condition?” Tang Guan asked.
“I want half the control over your body in the First World from now on,” the Phantom replied.
Tang Guan once again ignored it.
“I need to inspect this factory,” Kui Xin stated her intentions.
Tang Guan thought for two seconds, “Can I join?”
“Sure,” Kui Xin agreed.
“Together or divide tasks?” Tang Guan inquired.
Kui Xin replied, “Together, starting from the first floor.”
This was a good opportunity to observe Tang Guan’s actions and behavior, to assess his threat level.
Tang Guan nodded and stepped back slightly, watching Kui Xin walk down the rusty stairs.
After reaching the bottom, Kui Xin did not lead the way immediately, looking at Tang Guan instead. “It’s past midnight; perhaps you should explain the questions to your sister first. It’s not good for children to stay up late.”
Tang Guan froze for a moment, receiving the goodwill she emanated. He hesitated for an instant and said, “I’ll step outside to make a call; wait for me five minutes.”
He quickly walked away, and Kui Xin listened attentively. She faintly heard him explain the problem about chickens and rabbits in the same cage to his sister.
…
From the first floor to the second floor of the Tobacco Factory, they found nothing except a few puddles of bl**d on the ground.
Tang Guan had already located the place. Rather than letting him investigate the Tobacco Factory and discover those puddles of bl**d on his own, it would be better to have Kui Xin guide him.
Tang Guan crouched down and carefully examined the area, whispering, “It’s quite fresh, but it wasn’t left today. It should have been made yesterday or the day before…”
He stood up and turned to Kui Xin, who was not far away.
She was the only living human on the scene. Considering her behavior, Tang Guan was almost certain she was the one who killed the mutated being last night.
This girl wasn’t a frail little girl; she was far from simple. What kind of fragile girl would run alone to an abandoned factory in the outskirts at midnight?
“May I ask what should I call you?” Tang Guan didn’t ask if Kui Xin was the person who killed the mutated being but instead posed a different question.
Kui Xin glanced at him, “Code name, Maotoufu.”
Tang Guan’s eyebrows twitched slightly in surprise. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Then you can call me… call me Bai Ge.”
“Okay, Bai Ge,” Kui Xin replied.
This was evidently a temporary code name; neither of them wished to exchange real names.
The inspection continued as they circled the entire Tobacco Factory. During the night patrol, they maintained a distance—not too far nor too close.
Until Tang Guan reached the spot where Fang Zhi had died, the Phantom in his mind cried out, “Right here! Someone died here, a Heterogeneous Blooded… and a high-ranking one at that. Although he’s dead, his power hasn’t dissipated but formed coordinates…”
Tang Guan stared at the dark brown bloodstains on the ground for a long time before silently shifting his gaze to Kui Xin.
Kui Xin stood calmly, looking back at him, “Is there a problem?”
“There is a problem,” Tang Guan pointed at the ground, “This seems to be the source.”
“The source?” Kui Xin repeated.
“The source of the mutation,” Tang Guan said. “I’m not sure of the specifics… but a high-ranking Heterogeneous Blooded has died here. In the Second World, high-ranking Heterogeneous Blooded are often favored by the gods. Followers can even communicate with the deity through certain special rituals. The deity watches over His followers and leaves His mark on their souls…”
“What’s the purpose of the mark?” Kui Xin focused on the key point.
“Sorry, I don’t know. My knowledge in this area is limited.” Tang Guan paused before adding, “That mark seems to be equivalent to something like a coordinate…”
Coordinates are things that can define spatial positions within a specific range.
Kui Xin’s expression darkened, “Are you a Heterogeneous Blooded?”
“I’m an Awakened, but I understand information related to Heterogeneous Blooded,” Tang Guan glanced at Kui Xin, taking out a small kn*fe from his pocket and slicing it across his arm.
The wound was bleeding and showed no signs of healing. Most players on the forum knew that Heterogeneous Blooded possessed flesh regeneration abilities on average, recovering quickly from injuries. Tang Guan’s act of cutting himself was to prove his identity.
He had endured too much pain through continuous human experiments; a cut from a kn*fe was nothing compared to that.
“I see,” Kui Xin scanned the surroundings. “We’re still unsure what negative impact the time-space distortion may have here. We must leave quickly after we finish checking.”
Tang Guan agreed, “Alright.”
Tang Guan did not ask Kui Xin whether she was the one who killed the Heterogeneous Blooded and the mutated being, nor did Kui Xin ask how Tang Guan knew about Heterogeneous Blooded to conclude that something was amiss here. They were like two strangers who met by chance, temporarily teaming up to help each other in their common task.
A few hundred meters after leaving the Tobacco Factory, Kui Xin and Tang Guan almost simultaneously halted their steps and exchanged a glance again.
Tang Guan hesitated, opened his mouth but did not speak, nor did he walk away.
Kui Xin scrutinized him carefully for a moment, standing still as she contemplated, before saying to Tang Guan, “Can we form a temporary team?”
Tang Guan immediately responded, “Sure.”
It seemed he had long wanted to ask that question.
“Contact information…” Kui Xin glanced at him. “Forget it, if you don’t want to, we can discuss it later.”
Tang Guan relaxed a bit and nodded.
“Later” implied that they would talk when they had established some basic trust; for now, it was merely a temporary cooperation.
“I’ll be patrolling at night nearby tomorrow,” Kui Xin casually tossed in. “Let’s meet by chance.”
She moved swiftly, disappearing into the darkness.
Tang Guan glanced in the direction she vanished, involuntarily thinking that the name Maotoufu seemed to have an inexplicable connection to Black Snake…
“Maybe the two are acquaintances,” the Phantom chuckled. “If you ask me, that 233 on the forum is either also in Tonglin City, or someone he trusts is there. With such a major event, it’s impossible not to be involved.”
