100: Chapter 100 Mr. Li's Gift

Yang Yueqi's stomach growled betrayingly. She reached out and picked up a bag of bread, using every ounce of her strength just to tear open the packaging.

The bread was a bit dry, but for her, it was a rare delicacy.

Just as Yang Yueqi finished eating the last of the breadcrumbs, a soft knock came from outside the door.

“Mr. Song, Boss Li requests your presence.”

Song Yang glanced at Yang Yueqi, who was holding a yogurt and taking small sips. He said to her,

“Stay here. Don't go running off.”

Yang Yueqi shrank back slightly and nodded vigorously.

After all, Liu Dahai had already left the Exchange, so he couldn't act as a babysitter for him this time.

The Exchange's Villa had three floors. The ground floor consisted of a chaotic trading hall and some crude cubicles.

The third floor was the territory of the Exchange's core figures.

Outside the largest room on the third floor, the man stopped and stepped aside, making a 'please' gesture.

Song Yang pushed the door open and entered.

The light inside the room was soft, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, which was refreshing to the soul.

A large mahogany desk stood in the center of the room. On the desktop, there was nothing but a simple, ancient-looking tea tray.

A man wearing a black silk training suit sat cross-legged on a prayer mat behind the desk, his eyes slightly closed.

The man was about forty or fifty years old, with a small goatee on his chin. Even with his eyes closed, he possessed a natural, imposing aura.

This person was the owner of this Exchange. His real name was unknown; people called him Boss Li.

Hearing the door open, the man opened his eyes and gestured toward the chair opposite him.

“Mr. Song, please sit.”

Song Yang didn't stand on ceremony either, walking straight to the pearwood chair across from the desk and sitting down.

Boss Li lifted the purple clay teapot from the table and personally poured a cup of tea for Song Yang.

“I have long heard of Mr. Song's great name. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”

“Boss Li, if you have something to say, you might as well speak plainly.”

Song Yang picked up the teacup but didn't drink. “I have things to do. If Boss Li just wants to make small talk, I'm afraid it's unnecessary.”

Hearing this, the man didn't get angry; instead, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

“Mr. Song is a straightforward man; I like that.

“I've been following Mr. Song for a long time. I'm very interested in you.”

“Oh?”

Song Yang raised an eyebrow, noncommittal.

“To be honest with Mr. Song, you and I are the same kind of people. People like us should have a lot in common in this world.”

“The same kind of people?”

“Correct.”

Boss Li's gaze intensified as he said word for word,

“Like Mr. Song, I am an Evolver who possesses a ‘mysterious object’.”

“The arrival of the apocalypse and the transformation of heaven and earth have not only brought disaster but also given birth to certain extraordinary things we call ‘mysterious objects’.”

“I have a team dedicated to researching these things. They have spent a great deal of effort and discovered that ‘mysterious objects’ are not all treasures that benefit humanity.”

“They contain extremely vast amounts of energy. This energy not only varies in level but also has huge differences in quality.”

He took a sip of tea, his gaze deep.

“Good mysterious objects can promote the evolution of human cells and unlock the Genetic Locks hidden deep within our bodies,”

“Just like you, Mr. Song, and me.”

“We can be called ‘New Humanss.’ Our genes are constantly evolving, and our life stages are constantly leaping forward.”

“Bad mysterious objects contain chaotic and highly polluting energy. Once in contact with them, one might suffer from mental derangement at best, or physical mutation at worst, turning into a monster that is neither human nor ghost.”

“In this city, people pay the price every day for recklessly using ‘mysterious objects’ of unknown origin.

Some people become incredibly strong overnight, able to lift a car with one hand, while others turn into a pile of writhing flesh the next day.”

“So, Mr. Song, do you know why I'm interested in you now? You are a successful Evolver, a New Humans with limitless potential, just like me.”

Song Yang put down his teacup and met the man's gaze.

“Boss Li, you might as well speak more clearly. There's no need to beat around the bush.”

A smile appeared on the man's face.

“Mr. Song truly is a straightforward person. Then I'll speak plainly.”

“This Villa may provide temporary shelter, but in the end, it's just a tiny speck of land. I'm not content to shrink here for the rest of my life, being a local warlord.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the window.

“The world outside is vast, and various forces are intricately intertwined. My power alone is ultimately limited.”

“Mr. Song, you and I are both ‘New Humanss,’ the lucky ones in this apocalypse and the future rulers. If you are willing to lend me a hand and join forces with me, we can surely create a whole new world.”

“Food, women, power—as long as it's something you want and I can give, I will not be stingy!”

The corner of Song Yang's mouth curled into an arc. “The pie Boss Li is painting is a bit too large. Why should I believe you?”

“Because we are of the same kind!”

Boss Li said decisively, “And because I understand the changes in this world better than you, and I know better how to use ‘mysterious objects’ to quickly increase strength.”

“My team has already initially mastered some methods for using and identifying ‘mysterious objects.’ By following me, you can avoid many detours and stand at the top of this world faster.”

“You must have noticed as well that those monsters outside are evolving rapidly. Some of them can't even be harmed by bullets. Our living environment is not safe.”

The man picked up his teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip.

“Of course, the choice is in your hands. You can think it over carefully. I'm not in a hurry. After all, a talent like Mr. Song is worth my wait.”

“I appreciate Boss Li's kind intentions.”

Song Yang finally spoke, “It's just that I'm used to being alone and have no plans to join forces with anyone for the time being.”

Boss Li seemed to have long expected Song Yang to give this answer and wasn't surprised at all.

He smiled slightly, leaned down to fumble under the large desk for a moment, and then stood back up with an elegant, ancient-looking long wooden box in his hand.

“Since Mr. Song has his own plans, I won't force you.”

Boss Li gently placed the wooden box on the tea table and looked up at Song Yang.

“Since you've come this time, I can't let you leave empty-handed.”

He extended a finger and gave the box lid a gentle push.

“Click.”

The lid opened at the sound, revealing the item inside.

It was a blade.

A uniquely shaped, narrow long blade. The blade's body displayed a heart-palpitating blood-red color, as if it were forged from solidified blood.

The scabbard and hilt were integrated into one, also a dull blood-red color, without any extra decorations, yet possessing a soul-capturing aura of ferocity.

“You've surely encountered those monsters outside.”

Boss Li's gaze fell upon the long blade. “They evolve too quickly and have thick hides. Ordinary blades and bullets are likely becoming less and less effective.”

“This ‘blood fang’ was forged from metal fragments my subordinates happened upon. I'm giving it to you for free.”

As he spoke, Boss Li held up the blood-colored long blade with both hands and carefully handed it horizontally to Song Yang.

Song Yang noticed that Boss Li seemed to be struggling exceptionally hard while holding up this blade.

This blade seemed to be somewhat heavy.