The Creatures that We Are

Ting Ting and Cold Cicada turned their attention to Liao Liao, who sat between them.

Fidgeting with her fingers, Liao Liao spoke with careful consideration. "Cold cicadas often appear in poetry as symbols of sorrow and heartbreak, emphasizing the melancholy of farewells. Uncle Cicada's Longevity keeps him looking young, but he's witnessed many lifetimes. Most of his family and friends will leave this world before him..."

She cast a meaningful glance at Cold Cicada. "The name serves as practice for the inevitable goodbyes."

Cold Cicada responded with a noncommittal chuckle.

"Sister Liao Liao!" Ting Ting's eyes sparkled with growing admiration. "As expected of you!"

"Naturally." Liao Liao arched her eyebrows in exaggerated self-satisfaction. "I was a straight-A student who always scored perfectly in reading comprehension."

"Then allow me to interpret your name as well," Cold Cicada mused, his gaze fixed ahead. "Liao Liao references 'xiao shi liao liao' from the proverb, 'A young genius doesn't always grow up to achieve great things.' You were clearly gifted as a child, and remain brilliant now. Yet perhaps your intelligence brought its own burdens. After awakening, you chose the name Liao Liao as a reminder to stay humble and avoid drawing attention."

"Haha." Liao Liao's ambiguous response neither confirmed nor denied his theory.

Ting Ting's expression suddenly darkened, her gaze fixing on something ahead. Liao Liao looked up to see Dr. Jia approaching, carrying a rectangular tray laden with six Black Gold batteries and six syringes.

"I've finished preparations. We can proceed with the move," Dr. Jia announced, studying each of them. "But first, I'll need samples of vital energy and blood from each of you."

"Let's move first. We can provide samples afterward," Sir Jiang suggested.

"No, who knows if I'll see any of you again after the move?" Dr. Jia countered. "If this continues, you may all perish."

"Fine." Qin You, eager to complete the mission and claim his reward, was the first to grab a battery and syringe.

"Dr. Jia, isn't vital energy sufficient?" Ting Ting asked, shrinking back slightly. "I... I have a phobia of needles."

"What's your Talent?" Dr. Jia inquired.

"Air Man," Ting Ting replied.

"No exceptions. Your Talent is particularly interesting," Dr. Jia insisted.

Ting Ting hesitated until Qin You shot her an impatient glare. "Stop delaying the move!"

Since exposing Liu Qingying as a spy, Qin You had dropped his pretense of pursuing Ting Ting, instead treating her with the harsh demeanor of an demanding superior.

"Yes, sir!" Ting Ting hastily reached for a battery and syringe.

"Don't worry." Liao Liao stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Ting Ting's shoulder. "Start with your vital energy. I'll help with the blood draw afterward. I'm quite skilled at it. You won't feel a thing..."

[Warning! Invader!] [Warning! Invader!]

The laboratory's alarm shattered the silence. Every head snapped toward the surveillance screen mounted to the wall, its dozen windows monitoring key areas and crossroads throughout the region. The system was designed to automatically scan facial features of any suspicious individuals, triggering alerts for non-Union members.

A single figure dominated one of the windows before the image expanded to fill the entire screen. There, standing outside the laboratory, was a man in a black trench coat, his long hair pulled back in a ponytail. His sunken face and pronounced features were instantly recognizable, dark eyes radiating cold intent.

This was Gao Yang—primary enemy of the Ocean River Union, leader of the Nine Scions, a hybrid born of life monster and awakener, and the true Malediction of Surnamed Li's prophecy.

And he stood alone, deliberately exposed to their cameras.

Meeting the lens directly, he raised his right hand and drew his finger across his throat in a deliberate slicing motion. That simple gesture seized their hearts like an invisible vice.

...

The moment battle erupted on Qingyang Bridge, Gao Yang emerged from his hiding place in Feiyang District's shadows. Nine Frost's intelligence had provided him with the complete roster of Union members engaged in the fight, allowing him to calculate exactly who would be guarding Dr. Jia. None would pose a challenge, and Qilin would be too occupied to send reinforcements.

Everything aligned with his strategy.

Employing replicated Intangibility, Gao Yang plunged underground, racing toward Dr. Jia's secret laboratory. He had only thirty seconds before the replicated Talent expired—after that, he would become one with the earth itself.

The energy seal protecting the laboratory forced him to surface at its entrance. There, he deliberately positioned himself before the surveillance camera, allowing full recognition of his features.

Through level 6 Sensory, he pierced the Blocking barrier, detecting seven life signatures—exactly as anticipated. His threatening gesture at the camera was merely a prelude.

Gao Yang stepped back, golden light blazing from his eyes. As he raised his clenched right fist toward the laboratory's metal door, a massive wing of flame erupted from his back, filling the underground space with fierce light. Fire and turbulent air painted his silhouette in crimson as he prepared to unleash Fire Punch at full power—a strike seemingly meant to reduce the laboratory and everyone inside to ash.

The surveillance feed captured every moment of his preparation.

Inside, even Sir Jiang stood frozen. They all knew the devastating power of Gao Yang's Fire Punch at close range. The laboratory was built upon a regular chamber. While the security measures and the enchanted sealing energy could defend against most Support-type Talents, it could not withstand this level of concentrated destruction.

The realization struck them simultaneously: they were trapped prey about to be obliterated by a predator's strike.

Color drained from Qin You's face as panic set in. He'd anticipated the Nine Scions might locate Dr. Jia's hideout and send someone to capture him. He'd even prepared to kill Dr. Jia himself if escape became necessary.

But this—facing the enemy's leader himself, a man more unhinged than Qilin—this exceeded all calculations. Gao Yang wasn't here to capture; he meant to annihilate every trace of their existence.

What could they possibly do?

As paralysis gripped them all, even briefly stalling Sir Jiang's tactical mind, Liao Liao sprang into action.

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