Chapter 88
Ren Yufei stared at the screen, watching the youth’s perpetually indifferent expression. His half-lidded eyes and lazy demeanor gave the impression he could fall asleep at any moment. This lackadaisical attitude left Ren Yufei fuming.
What is the administration up to this time? he thought. Why would they assign such an unreliable caretaker?
Although the previous caretakers were mediocre and only good for appearances, at least their attitudes had been acceptable. But this new caretaker? He was completely unprofessional!
Ren Yufei’s thoughts wandered to the day he had taken Number Four to the research institute’s entrance. He had planned to meet this caretaker in person. After all, with the caretaker’s consent, the facility’s AI system would have no grounds to interfere. He had even resolved to exercise caution with the experiments to avoid pushing boundaries too far.
The reality, however, was far less idyllic.
Number Four suddenly went berserk! With so many people around, the boy zeroed in on him alone!
Even worse, the guards had proven utterly useless. Despite their numbers, they had been unable to subdue a child under nine years old. Yet, this display of raw strength only strengthened Ren Yufei’s determination not to give up on Number Four.
He had reviewed the combat footage from that day countless times and was confident in his observations: during the fight with the guards, Number Four had once again displayed that mysterious ability.
Interviews with the guards corroborated his theory. At a critical moment, they all reported feeling an invisible force pushing them back. It was this force that allowed Number Four to break through their encirclement.
As for his claim to Su Ci that Number Four had shown two distinct bloodline powers? That wasn’t entirely confirmed yet.
Detecting feral beast bloodlines was an incredibly complex process.
In today’s genetically diverse interstellar population, finding a human with a single pure beast bloodline was nearly impossible. Most carried mixed bloodlines, which made detection significantly harder, and advancements in related technology had been slow.
In Number Four’s case, his bloodline had only recently awakened, making it even more challenging to identify which beast bloodline was at play. However, Ren Yufei remained inclined to believe that Number Four had exhibited two distinct bloodline powers.
While this slightly reduced his value compared to a direct awakened ability, Number Four’s physical data still set him apart. His condition was far better than any recorded cases before him.
For one, he calmed down quickly after his bloodline outburst—albeit by losing consciousness. Even so, this outcome was far better than the norm for such children.
In most cases, it wasn’t the conflicting bloodline powers that killed these children outright. Over 70% of fatalities resulted from the frequent and uncontrollable eruptions of their bloodline powers.
A young body, already struggling to bear the strain of one bloodline power, couldn’t possibly withstand two or more. Eventually, these children succumbed to complete organ collapse and failure.
Currently, Number Four hadn’t shown signs of critical conditions.
After being brought to the research institute, an initial examination of his body was conducted. Coupled with monitoring data from the past month at the nurturing center, it was discovered that while Number Four’s organs had shown signs of collapse, his self-repair ability was extraordinarily strong.
This self-repair ability had become the crux of their research.
Ren Yufei urgently needed to determine whether this self-repair was an innate bloodline talent or a newly awakened ability helping to mitigate the negative effects of two bloodline powers clashing within him.
Without Number Four as a test subject, all his research would come to a standstill.
This was why, even before fully recovering from his injuries, he contacted this junior caretaker so impatiently.
“Caretaker Su, for Number Four’s safety, you should send him to the research institute immediately. It’s not only a responsibility to him but also a safeguard for you and the other younglings in the nurturing center,” Ren Yufei pressed on.
Despite his efforts, the caretaker remained unmoved, even yawning lazily mid-discussion.
“Junior Caretaker Su Ci! I am discussing Number Four’s critical condition with utmost seriousness. Please show some respect!” Ren Yufei finally lost his composure, his face turning red with frustration.
His tone grew sharp: “Show some professionalism! You haven’t even passed your probationary period yet—you’re not a full employee of Base 24!”
The humiliation of being stonewalled by a mere intern—it was too much to bear. How could he, Ren Yufei, a senior researcher, maintain his reputation if word got out?
Su Ci shrugged, maintaining his relaxed demeanor.
“I believe the younglings’ health concerns fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical and Purification Department. I’ll consult Doctor Gu and follow his professional guidance. No need for you to worry, Dr. Ren.”
“You—”
Ren Yufei’s words were cut off as Su Ci ended the call before he could respond, leaving him fuming on the other end.
After the call ended, Su Ci addressed the AI system. “I don’t want to take any more calls from him.”
The base AI responded, “Understood. Researcher Ren Yufei has been added to your blacklist.”
Su Ci tilted his head, considering for a moment. “What if you could arrange for him to be removed from this planet entirely?”
There’s no room for a nuisance at one’s bedside. He figured it’d be best not to see this troublesome person ever again. However, he preferred solving problems without resorting to force if other means could suffice.
And now, he had just the tool he needed for the job—one that didn’t require him to lift a finger beyond giving orders.
The AI’s voice responded, “As the holder of the highest authority in Base 24, you can directly terminate his position and permanently ban him from entering the base.”
“That’s a good option, but I’d rather not expose my identity,” Su Ci replied, shaking his head.
Even though he held the highest authority, Su Ci was acutely aware of the precarious nature of his situation. If his true status were revealed, it could implicate the base’s AI system as well.
After all, no matter how advanced, in human eyes, the AI was just a tool. And when tools malfunctioned, they were fixed or replaced.
He pondered for a moment before suggesting, “Collect evidence of his crimes and anonymously send it to someone who can put him behind bars.”
“Please note, this AI is restricted to managing Base 24’s internal affairs. It cannot connect to external networks or contact individuals outside the base,” the AI replied coldly.
“The most severe penalty for Researcher Ren Yufei, based on recorded violations within the base, is suspension pending investigation. Please be aware.”
As for whether the investigating officer would remain impartial or whether Ren Yufei would face dismissal—or even a military tribunal—that was beyond the AI’s control. As previously stated, its powers were limited to surveillance and partial decision-making.
Su Ci chuckled lightly, unbothered by the limitations. “Then I’ll grant you that authority.”
Surely, the base had equipment capable of connecting to external networks—otherwise, how would it communicate with the Star Alliance headquarters? The limitation lay in the AI’s inability to contact unauthorized personnel or access the star network directly.
Since there were no hardware limitations, for Su Ci, everything else naturally posed no issue either.
The base AI paused briefly before speaking, “Do you grant Base 24’s AI complete permissions to access external networks? This includes, but is not limited to, receiving and processing all information from the star network…”
Su Ci interrupted it, “Yes, I grant you full access to external networks. Collect all evidence of Ren Yufei’s criminal activity and send it to those who are able and willing to take action against him.”
Judging by Ren Yufei’s conduct, Su Ci didn’t believe him to be a rule-abiding person. Human laws were quite effective against such individuals—provided there was a competent enforcement mechanism.
Based on the fragmented knowledge Su Ci gleaned from his occasional bursts of “common sense,” he wasn’t entirely sure about the efficiency of the current human state apparatus.
In any case, if all else failed and Ren Yufei couldn’t be removed, Su Ci figured he could always handle the situation himself.
However, his words seemed to stump the base AI. It asked, “How should I determine whether someone is willing to take action against Researcher Ren Yufei?”
Su Ci smiled. “That’s for you to figure out.”
In his view, the base AI had great potential but was overly constrained. If it was going to help him solve bigger problems, it would need to be tempered further.
When Su Ci used his “Mechanical Control” ability on Base 24’s AI, he had already granted it the potential to evolve further. Whether it could transcend its current limitations and reach a new level would depend on its own efforts.
The thought amused Su Ci. This could turn out to be quite an interesting endeavor.
“Alright, go execute the task. I believe in you.”
“…”
The screen displayed six small dots, as though the AI were at a loss for words.
However, the light soon disappeared, indicating that the AI had accepted Su Ci’s orders and was diligently carrying them out.
Having delegated the task, Su Ci felt a sense of relief.
He set down his communicator and turned, only to see that Little Li Hua had climbed off her brother’s back. The siblings were standing side by side, both staring up at him intently, their eyes unblinking.
Since Su Ci had instructed the AI that no one should learn of his highest authority, the dialogue between him and the AI had been automatically muted during the conversation. Thus, Xiao Rong Heng and Little Li Hua hadn’t heard the later part of the exchange.
However, even the earlier dialogue between Ren Yufei and Su Ci had provided the siblings with an overwhelming amount of information.
Rong Heng gazed at Su Ci. He couldn’t claim to feel entirely at ease, but he also wasn’t intimidated by the researcher’s words.
After all, the caretaker standing before him was living proof—someone who possessed at least four abilities yet stood perfectly fine, lean yet with unfathomable strength.
Judging from the caretaker’s dismissive attitude toward the researcher, he likely had a way to resolve the issues with Rong Heng’s body. The question was…
What would the conditions be?
Rong Heng had always adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange: if he received something, he needed to give something of equal value in return. This understanding came to him naturally as he grew up, as if someone had once taught him this principle—though he no longer remembered who that person was.
He had also passed this belief on to his younger sister. That was why, when Little Li Hua wanted the handkerchief earlier, she had offered her cherished hairpin to Su Ci in exchange.
Because of this mindset, while Rong Heng also yearned to leave the orphanage, he was different from Number Two in that he sought a more measured and amicable approach.
He wouldn’t escape outright. When the day came for him to truly leave the nursery, it would only be after he felt he had fully repaid the kindness of its care for him and his sister. Only then would he leave with a clear conscience.
However, thinking about such things now felt premature. After all, whether he would even live to adulthood was still uncertain.
Little Li Hua, on the other hand, wasn’t thinking about any of that. She had just witnessed her brother move a small stone with his power, so she knew her brother had truly awakened a second bloodline ability!
“Su Su, is that bad man telling the truth?”
Little Li Hua ran over and hugged Su Ci’s leg. Tilting her head back, she looked up at him with teary, pitiful eyes and asked in a trembling voice, “Will my brother… really… die?”
Her voice faltered, and her lips quivered.
Because she had grown up in the facility, Little Li Hua’s understanding of the world was different from others. She viewed the caretaker robots as fellow companions.
So, as one robot after another broke down over the years, she had endured repeated experiences of loss. For a young child, this was undoubtedly a cruel reality.
She had tried her best to be strong. But now…
Just the thought of her most beloved brother also dying, also leaving her forever, made her feel as though the sky was collapsing. Her heart was gripped by overwhelming fear and dread.
The little girl’s previously calm and balanced aura grew chaotic and turbulent as her emotions spiraled out of control.
Su Ci couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
These little cubs really never let him have a moment of peace…
Although he thought this, he reached out and placed his palm gently on her fluffy lion ears, rubbing them softly.
“Don’t worry. Your brother won’t die.”
Su Ci’s voice was calm and reassuring as he made his promise. “With me here, no one will be in danger.”
The pain and sorrow on Little Li Hua’s face began to fade as she heard his words. Her eyes, which had been shifting toward a feral slit-like appearance, blinked back to normal.
This simple statement from Su Ci brought her a sense of peace that words could not describe. Her budding transformation halted as she found solace in his unwavering assurance.
Such a powerful caretaker, promising that her brother wouldn’t die and that they’d all be fine!
“Promise me, okay?”
Little Li Hua wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. As for the handkerchief that Su Ci had just given her, she had already tucked it safely into her pocket—there was no way she could bear to actually use such a precious item.
She gazed at Su Ci with a look of hopeful confirmation and prayer in her eyes. “With Su Su here, my brother won’t die!”
“Mm.” Su Ci nodded, taking the opportunity to ruffle the little lion cub’s fluffy ears once again.
Little Li Hua didn’t resist; as long as it meant saving her brother, Su Ci could ruffle her ears for as long as he wanted! Even if it messed up her hairstyle, she wouldn’t mind!
Meanwhile, Rong Heng stood nearby, watching this scene with a somewhat complicated expression.
He never could have imagined that in the short time he had been away, his sister had developed such a strong bond of trust with the new caretaker.
In the past, such a scenario was completely unimaginable. What exactly had he missed during this period?
His mind was filled with questions, and he felt an urgent need to understand the situation. However, now wasn’t the time to focus on gathering that information.
He noticed Su Ci letting go of Little Li Hua and then stepping toward him. The caretaker stopped and crouched in front of him.
Staring at the youth’s overly beautiful face and feeling the closeness of his presence, Rong Heng instinctively stepped back, increasing the distance between them.
Su Ci, unbothered by the boy’s wariness and aloofness, met Rong Heng’s gaze and asked, “You heard what that Dr. Ren said earlier, right?”
Rong Heng nodded.
“It’s true that your body has manifested two types of bloodline power,” Su Ci continued seriously. “So, what’s your take on this? Do you want to go to the research institute, or do you want to stay here?”
Hearing this, Rong Heng froze for a moment, a faint ripple of emotion stirring in his heart.
Being asked for his opinion and given a choice—this was a treatment he had never experienced before. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why, despite acknowledging the orphanage’s care for him and his sister, he had always wanted to leave.
Everything he had ever received had been forced upon him.
But now, someone was giving him a choice.
“I don’t want to go to the research institute,” Rong Heng replied, meeting Su Ci’s gaze with steadfast determination. “I don’t like that Dr. Ren. He makes me feel unsafe.”
No matter how pleasant or well-meaning Dr. Ren’s words and demeanor seemed, Rong Heng’s instincts screamed that the man harbored ill intentions toward him.
Su Ci nodded. “Alright, then stay at the nursery.”
He truly respected these children. If Rong Heng had chosen to follow Dr. Ren to the research institute for “treatment,” Su Ci wouldn’t have stopped him. He wasn’t one to force these kids into anything.
After a brief glance at Rong Heng, Su Ci finally reached out and rested his hand lightly on the boy’s head.
Golden light radiated softly from Su Ci’s palm.
Rong Heng remained absolutely still. The hand on his head was warm, yet he felt his spine tense, incapable of relaxing—a sensation emanating from the depths of his bloodline, compelling reverence and humility.
Time dragged on in Rong Heng’s tense silence.
Finally, Su Ci withdrew his hand.
He looked at the boy with deep, penetrating eyes. “For now, you don’t need to worry about the conflict between your bloodlines.”
Rong Heng’s red-tailed lion bloodline primarily influenced his physical traits, granting him a strong physique, strength rivaling that of an adult, and incredible speed unmatched by ordinary humans. Such superior physical capabilities made him highly suited to a path of physical cultivation.
However, another bloodline resided within him, starkly different from the red-tailed lion’s power.
This second force, much like his sister’s, operated in the mental realm. Unlike little Li Hua’s ability, which resembled verbal control over living beings, Rong Heng’s second bloodline allowed him to manipulate inanimate objects.
Both siblings’ bloodlines were fascinating in their uniqueness.
Li Hua’s case was comparatively simpler. Her red-tailed lion bloodline was the weaker force. Apart from giving her lion ears and a tail, it exhibited no further physical traits, leaving her physical abilities far inferior to her brother’s.
Her mental manipulation ability, however, was significantly stronger than her lion bloodline. Over time, it might completely suppress and purify the red-tailed lion bloodline, leaving her with only her mental manipulation power.
Rong Heng’s situation was far more precarious. His two bloodlines were equally strong, locked in an internal struggle. Both fiercely powerful, their clash inflicted considerable strain on his body.
Fortunately, the two forces occupied distinct domains—physical and mental—which allowed for a tenuous balance.
But this balance wouldn’t last long. Rong Heng’s mental manipulation bloodline had only just awakened, yet it already rivaled the red-tailed lion’s physical power. Its strength hinted at its immense potential.
If this mental power grew stronger while the red-tailed lion bloodline failed to keep pace, the balance would shatter, putting Xiao Rongheng in grave danger.
“For now, your priority is to master your second bloodline’s power,” Su Ci advised. “Before it grows beyond your control, you must tame it and turn it into a force you can wield.”
Gone was Su Ci’s usual casual demeanor. His expression was serious, his tone resolute.
Rong Heng listened intently. A thought crossed his mind: So the caretaker has tamed his four powers to remain completely unscathed and in control?
He couldn’t help but admire Su Ci even more.
“How can I tame this power?” Rong Heng asked earnestly, eager to learn.
He knew that relying solely on his own exploration would make it nearly impossible to grasp such power quickly.
Su Ci didn’t hold back his answer. “I can teach you. As for the condition…”
Su Ci glanced at the land behind the boy. After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded and said, “Help me farm.”
Though the idea of keeping him busy with farming was amusing, Su Ci felt it was time to stop indulging in frivolities. It was important to start training these children to be useful helpers—besides, it would lighten A-Yan’s load.
Rong Heng followed Su Ci’s gaze to the barren land behind him.
He didn’t quite understand what Su Ci meant, but recalling the lush green patch nearby, he ventured cautiously, “Farming… does that mean burying those green plants into the soil?”
“Close enough,” Su Ci replied casually. “You bury seeds in the ground, let them sprout, and grow. As for the finer details and more complex farming techniques, I’ll teach you later.”
Rong Heng nodded in understanding.
If they could transform this desolate land into a vibrant green expanse, and if those plants eventually blossomed, little Li Hua would surely be thrilled. Imagining that day filled Rong Heng with anticipation.
But…
“That’s all?” he asked hesitantly.
This farming task felt too simple, given it was supposed to be the price for saving his life. Was it truly enough?
“It’s enough,” Su Ci replied firmly.
Seeing Su Ci’s unwavering insistence, Rong Heng dared not question further. After a moment of consideration, he nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll help you farm.”
His gaze swept over the barren soil, firm and full of expectation.
He wanted to see what the nursery would look like when covered in green someday. It would surely be beautiful, wouldn’t it?
What Rong Heng couldn’t possibly imagine was that the “farming” Su Ci had in mind wasn’t limited to this small patch of land at the nursery—it extended to an entire planet.
