Chapter 276 - 275: The Bait

Gu Qi nodded. "That’s right. I know someone just like that. He cooperated with their research for half a month, and when he came out, he was financially free. Even owns several buildings."

His expression was tinged with envy. "Don’t mind those people outside who are scared of everything. They just don’t get it. Not just anyone gets the chance to cooperate with Chief Pei’s experimental research."

Jian Yu’s perception was shattered. She said thoughtfully, "Everyone at the academy is afraid of him."

"That’s normal. They’re all scared. I’m scared too." Gu Qi chose his words carefully. "But the benefits are greater. Chief Pei might be heavy-handed, but he never kills anyone."

A few of the Chiefs have special privileges.

Ling Yanzhi and Xi Yu have immunity to kill.

Pei Yin is the research world’s lawless madman.

Those three are the last people you should ever provoke.

Gu Qi’s tone was sincere. "Rich people can’t endure hardship, so it’s normal for them to be afraid. I’m different. I’m poor. I’ve endured plenty of hardship, and I’m more than willing to suffer now for a sweet reward later."

He looked serious. "Alliance data shows that people who’ve been through Chief Pei’s hands all experience improved physiques and have very long lifespans. Quite a few Awakeners even evolve beyond their rank."

The process is just a bit brutal, so most people don’t dare to go through with it.

Many people don’t believe the Alliance’s data, but he did.

"My friend was selected the year before last. It was for that Genetic Potion that came out last year. My friend had a severe genetic disease, so he took a shot in the dark and went to cooperate with the clinical trials."

Gu Qi slapped his thigh. "I was the one who fought for that spot for him. I saw how sick he was and gave it to him. He really got off easy! The clinical results were excellent, and Chief Pei asked him if he was willing to participate in confidential research. Next thing you know, he’s a rich man."

’The moment he got rich, he forgot all about his friends.’

’I helped him for nothing.’

’Goes to show, you have to seize opportunities for yourself.’

A smile tugged at the corners of Ling Yanzhi’s lips, and he was suddenly invigorated. "Say what you just said again."

Xi Yu tapped his Star Brain, his hazel eyes looking a bit brighter. "I recorded it, Ayan. I’ll send it to you!"

Gu Qi: "?"

Jian Yu: "..."

Ling Yanzhi’s interest was piqued, and he sat up straight.

He replayed Gu Qi’s words, a grin spreading across his face as he listened.

He smilingly forwarded it to Pei Yin.

After sending it, Ling Yanzhi yawned, his eyelids drooping. "Never thought I’d run into a brainless fan of Pei Yin’s."

He could accept being called a fan, but not a brainless one. Gu Qi bristled, got up, and started to walk away dejectedly.

Xi Yu hooked him back with a tentacle.

Gu Qi fell with a THUD, sprawling on the carpet.

He looked up, and what came into view was Sheng Yue’s face, his features so exquisite they looked intricately carved from ice—snow-white, cold, and without a single flaw.

Sheng Yue frowned slightly. "Are you going to confess voluntarily, or should we send you in and have you explain it to our superiors?"

Gu Qi held up a hand. "Wait! I just got carried away talking and was a bit long-winded. It’s not like I’m not cooperating with you!"

Ling Yanzhi twirled a badge between his fingertips and shrugged. "You were spouting a bunch of nonsense for ages. I thought you were trying to just muddle your way through this."

Xi Yu flicked his tentacle and tossed him.

Gu Qi landed obediently on the sofa. "I’m a little hungry. Is there a late-night snack? I want to eat meat, fresh meat."

Ling Yanzhi replied casually, "You kind of look like a piece of meat to me."

Jian Yu’s fingers, holding some spiced jerky, paused.

Gu Qi was sharp-eyed. "Hey, toss it over."

Jian Yu threw it to him. "Need some water?"

Gu Qi held out his hand. "You girls are the best."

Jian Yu picked at her palm.

She changed the subject. "Why did you come to Emperor Wolf Star?"

Gu Qi buried his head in his food. "I came to Emperor Wolf Star this time to sell those few Beast Crystal Stones your Teacher Hu gave me."

He looked up, wiping his mouth. "Someone told me Emperor Wolf Star offered the highest price, so I came."

Sheng Yue gave him a complicated look. "Selling Crystal Stones?"

"Right. Your Teacher Hu is a good person. He gave me a few Beast Crystals, and one of them was even an A-grade crystal stone." Now that he had eaten, Gu Qi’s mind felt sharper.

He took the initiative to continue, "With my abilities, I’ll probably never get my hands on an A-level Beast Crystal in my life. I wasn’t going to sell it cheap, so I planned to go to Imperial Capital Star to see if I could get a high price."

Gu Qi frowned. "Speaking of which, you should probably investigate the people at the space station. I was originally planning to go to Imperial Capital Star, but the station posted a notice saying the price for A-level Beast Crystals on Emperor Wolf Star was as high as a million. I was only tempted after seeing that notice."

Sheng Yue secretly took note.

Ling Yanzhi reported it directly, telling the Alliance to arrest and investigate.

To clear his name, Gu Qi explained the process and details as clearly as possible.

"I overheard my parents telling my sister that I was adopted and that they planned to steal my Beast Crystals to sell, and then sell me along with them. In a fit of anger, I burned down the house and ran away, buying my own spaceship ticket to Imperial Capital Star."

"When I saw that notice, I refunded my ticket midway and changed my course to Emperor Wolf Star. But who would’ve known I’d be taken away by the staff as soon as I got off the spaceship."

"They accused me of evading the fare. I showed them my proof, but they refused to even look at it, just forcibly holding me down. I yelled for help, and some out-of-town passersby tried to help, but the staff? They just called me a murderer and sent me straight to the Slave Market."

Gu Qi glanced at them. "Sorry, I tend to talk a lot. How about you ask, and I’ll answer?"

Sheng Yue glanced coldly at him from the side. "Keep talking."

Gu Qi moistened his dry lips. "I wasn’t locked up for too long. The guy who bought me at the auction was into some kinky stuff. I tricked him with a few words, knocked him out, and tied him up in the closet."

He peeked out of the corner of his eye.

"Chaos broke out in the Slave Market. Someone was going door-to-door, knocking and yelling for everyone to evacuate. I was afraid that person would come in, so I pinched my nose to disguise my voice, answered them, and immediately climbed over the balcony to the next room."

"Once I got to the next room, someone started knocking on that door too. I peeked and saw the people inside evacuating through a hidden door, so I slipped in after they left."

"There were three paths inside. I didn’t know the way, so I just picked one randomly. Halfway down, I heard someone talking. They said they had developed a Poison Needle, and that it was specially made for ’those seven people.’ But they didn’t have enough materials, so they could only grab two people for now."

Gu Qi recalled for a moment.

"I remember the voice sounded very young. I didn’t dare listen for long, though. As soon as I heard them say they were going to grab people for research and keep muttering to themselves, I turned and ran."

"My spiritual power is only F-rank. I was pretty close, but I wasn’t discovered, so I’m guessing that person probably wasn’t an Awakener either."

Xi Yu interjected, "How much of his muttering did you hear?"

Gu Qi’s train of thought was interrupted.

His brow furrowed. "Block Soul Power for half an hour. Might not be enough. Don’t give us any low-level trash. We only get one chance. Can’t mess it up. Ten thousand isn’t enough. They actually came... That old bastard... so ruthless, willing to use his own granddaughter as bait."

’It didn’t sound like he was talking to himself.’

’It was more like he was talking to a Soul Ghost Body.’

"I didn’t see anyone. The door was shut, one of those thick doors you can’t see through. After I left, I was afraid something would happen, so I went back to the small villa—the same one where you saw me, where I was climbing down the tied-together curtains."