Chapter 264
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Chapter 264: Transformation of Abilities
Wang Xiao had not seen green food in a long time; if there was even a little something that could be called a vegetable, even if it was freeze-dried or just dried, he wouldn’t mind.
Since reaching the Third Level, Wang Xiao had truly felt the profound changes occurring within his body.
Now, as long as he willed it, he no longer needed to consume food.
The rules of the objective world seemed to be altering and distorting around him; hunger, thirst, and the sensation of being full no longer held any significance for him.
All aspects related to energy and growth could be encompassed by “life force.”
If his transformation were likened to a game, it would be as if, upon ascending to the Third Level, Wang Xiao had lost all his health bars, mana bars, stamina, and hunger values, leaving only a single data bar labeled life force.
To him, everything had become exceedingly simple—having life force meant being alive, and exhausting life force meant death.
However, as Wang Xiao re-evaluated himself, he realized he still preferred to exist as a human in Hope City, and he certainly retained an interest in foods beyond nutritional paste.
Thus, at this moment, he chose not to use his abilities to suppress his hunger; instead, he faced it candidly and proposed that everyone enjoy a hearty meal together.
For the superpowered individuals directly under the military, each received a substantial monthly allowance. However, due to restricted activity zones, the necessity for constant mobilization, and the provision of daily necessities free of charge, they rarely had the opportunity to spend it.
But spurred by Wang Xiao’s suggestion, the group, having narrowly escaped death, decided to launch an “Allowance Recovery Plan” that day, determined to sample foods they had never encountered before.
Just then, a messenger stepped in front of them.
“Hello, may I ask who is Superpowered individual Shi Jin?”
“I am.”
Shi Jin stepped forward half a pace, her brow furrowing as she instinctively sensed something was wrong.
Could it be about the Holy Fire Meow Meow Cult?
“Here is a transfer order for you.”
Before she could ponder further, the messenger swiftly explained his purpose.
The messenger said little more, handed a file to Shi Jin, and then turned to leave.
Shi Jin opened the file and saw the document intended for her.
Noticing her less-than-pleased expression, her teammates crowded around, while Fresnel, still weak, couldn’t secure a good vantage point.
“What’s going on?”
He was obstructed by Wang Xiao’s broad shoulders and couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the order.
“Am I being transferred?!”
Shi Jin herself was quite taken aback.
“Where to?”
“That’s the very problem.”
Shi Jin shook the order in her hand, as if verifying its authenticity, and said:
“To Wager Chemical Factory.”
“Where is that?”
The Puppet Master asked instinctively.
Wager Chemical Factory was merely a name on paper, but to the residents of Hope City, that area was affectionately known as the Dark Market.
“How did this happen?”
Beacon, the most seasoned and experienced member of the group, was baffled—his teammate, a perfectly capable superpowered individual, seemed to be heading off to guard the gates of the black market…
“Did you upset someone?”
“Good question.”
Shi Jin turned her head, her expression one of innocence, and said:
“I hope you haven’t forgotten why I nearly faced a death sentence.”
The atmosphere grew awkward once again.
Shi Jin and the team had actually developed a strong rapport.
From a pragmatic standpoint, the roles of Obscure and Beacon in the previous team setup had overlapped somewhat.
Shi Jin, however, was able to fill in the team’s weaknesses from every angle.
But now, just as the team had finally settled into a rhythm, a new member was about to be transferred away…
“Let’s all cheer up and grab a bite to eat first.”
Fresnel, still looking a bit pale, waved his hand to gather everyone’s attention.
Since stepping down as Captain, he seemed less inclined to assert himself.
“The transfer order is effective tomorrow, so let’s enjoy a good meal today. I’ll head home tonight and ask the old thing to help me figure out what’s going on.”
With that, everyone quickly put the matter aside and wandered through the bustling First Commercial Street in the inner city, searching for restaurants they usually couldn’t afford to even glance at.
—
“Yongxing, I’m heading out first.”
The researcher in the white coat bid Ji Yongxing farewell as he left the laboratory.
As the night deepened, the young researcher continued to work overtime.
This level of intensity was nothing to him; although his ability wasn’t particularly strong in physical endurance, pulling an all-nighter was no big deal.
Ji Yongxing, however, had ulterior motives—he was simply waiting for everyone to leave so he could begin his own operation.
Finally, half an hour past midnight, the second-to-last researcher muttered something about “not being able to keep up with the Young Man” and “needing to get home to the kids” as he left the laboratory.
Seeing this, Ji Yongxing began packing up his things and entered the elevator five minutes later.
Like most researchers after a long day, he leaned his entire body against the metal wall at the back of the elevator.
“Click.”
A magnetic micro-device attached itself to the elevator wall, briefly disrupting the surveillance system inside.
After counting a few seconds to ensure his trick had worked, Ji Yongxing placed the second micro-device near the sensor on the elevator’s floor panel.
The electronic display showing the floors was instantly filled with garbled characters, and after a few seconds, the screen cleared, revealing a target floor that couldn’t normally be selected: “-1.”
“Ding.”
The elevator reached the target floor, and Ji Yongxing tucked the two devices into his sleeve before stepping confidently into the basement level.
The basement level of the research institute’s main building was the second site of the “incident at the research institute” a few months prior (the first being the bathroom on the conference room floor).
Returning to the scene, Ji Yongxing felt a faint stir in his otherwise calm heart.
As he looked at the battle scars etched into the walls, he couldn’t help but recall that afternoon when he’d been chased around by a flesh blob.
Pushing open the nearly shattered glass partition door, Ji Yongxing saw a familiar face.
Lin Qingliu, holding a communicator for direct contact with Ji Yongxing, smiled and gestured for him to enter the wide-open Hidden Door nearby.
Ji Yongxing had seen this expression many times before—it was the look researchers wore when they’d achieved something and were eager to show off in front of Zhou Zhuo.
His face remained impassive, but Ji Yongxing’s heart smiled faintly as he bent down and stepped into the secret passage.
The Hidden Door closed behind him, and Lin Qingliu’s voice echoed through the passage:
“It’s not easy to get a moment with you. Your son misses you terribly.”
