"This might mean he has enough confidence."

Lin Guang shook his head, "The Divine Heart Association has been rooted in Zhen Sheng City for a long time. Mere 'test subjects' can't possibly escape from his grasp."

"Sister, why don't you seek help from the Great Xia authorities?"

Lisa pursed her lips, suddenly walked up to Chelina, and looked into her eyes, "I spent two years in that base's laboratory too. I know how painful the adaptation process after the experiments and implants is. Even if there's a shred of hope to escape, I would try with all my might."

Chelina looked at Lisa.

At this moment, the girl's cute face was shining with a strength beyond her age, and her orange-red eyes, which seemed indifferent to the world's affairs, appeared to soften a little.

"..."

She explained, "I came to this world about two years ago. For some reason, I was captured by the Divine Heart Association and became a vessel in one of their plans."

"This plan is called the 'Artificial Legend' plan."

Lin Guang's gaze froze as Chelina calmly stated, "The experiments lasted for about half a year, during which time many wolf spirit beast genes were implanted into me in various ways."

"The plan reached around two-thirds completion and then was halted temporarily."

Lisa couldn't help but ask, "…Why?"

Chelina lowered her head, looking at her slender hands clasped on her thighs, "With too many foreign substances implanted, my body is constantly in a state of chronic genetic collapse."

"Without a breakthrough in technology, further implantation would quickly turn me into a pool of sludge."

"However, even without continuing the experiments, this process still persists, though it slows down, allowing me to last for a few months."

As these words were spoken, everyone in the room held their breath.

"The resources invested in me by the Divine Heart Association are too significant and too valuable, and since I am considered a relatively successful test subject, they have not discarded me. They simply adjust my genes back to a relatively normal state periodically."

"So, I'm still alive."

She did not directly answer the previous question from Lisa, but the listeners had already drawn their conclusions.

If she chooses to escape, it would be gambling with her life. Without the capability to replicate such medical conditions within months, she would die, and die in a very miserable state. This is not a decision that can be made lightly.

Chelina calmly recounted what happened to her, but what she disclosed was far from calming.

The hostility in Vishdair's eyes subsided considerably.

Lisa bit her lower lip, seemingly guilty for having brought up painful memories.

Lin Guang remained silent.

This situation sounded like forcing someone exposed to powerful nuclear radiation, whose genes have been damaged, and whose cells can no longer regenerate, to develop new body tissues using external forces.

What level of medical technology does that require? How much spiritual material?

And most importantly.

What kind of torture is it to be repeatedly pulled back and forth like this?

A kind of... unbearable, searing torment?

"Later, perhaps fearing I might seek death, 'Boss' made an agreement with me."

"As long as I don't leave Zhen Sheng City, Boss will grant me a certain amount of freedom and also arranged identification for me—at least within Zhen Sheng City, I can move freely."

Boss?

Lin Guang's mind stirred; he, of course, knew this referred to the enigmatic president of the Divine Heart Association.

As for the identity of this person, aside from assumptions, there is no reliable information available online.

Lin Guang had previously curiously inquired with Assistant Wang and received the reply that even the Great Xia authorities weren't aware of this person's true appearance, and even the gender is unconfirmed, only that the individual is at least a six-star level powerhouse.

Possibly... even stronger.

But soon, Lin Guang silently shook his head, thinking that since the other party dared to let Chelina move around in Zhen Sheng City, they couldn't have exposed their identity to her.

"I am really sorry," he said slowly, "for interrupting your treatment process, causing you to... and making a contract with you while you were not fully conscious."

Chelina turned her head to Lin Guang, "No need."

"Even though I couldn't maintain clear consciousness at the time, I could feel that you were trying to save me." Her eyes sparkled faintly, "Just staying by your side, the pain from my genetic collapse almost completely vanished."

As soon as these words were spoken, Vishdair's temple began to throb like skipping a rope, but ultimately she held back, slightly turned her head, and did not look at Chelina, remaining silent.

"If I have offended, please forgive me."

These words were directed at Vishdair by Chelina.

"..."

Letting out a sigh, Vishdair pursed her lips, looked at Lin Guang, and said in a not-so-friendly tone, "What's the use of saying so much?"

"You brought her back, the resonance is yours, the contract is yours, think about what to do next."

Lin Guang did not speak, only looked at Chelina's face, silently contemplating.

A Contract of Equality cannot have healing effects, it could only be his talent, Heart of Terra, at play.

Theoretically, Heart of Terra is an all-around boost, maintaining body strength and internal status could indeed be applied, and since it's a specialized talent, it would have better effects on Terrans.

However, he remembered last night's situation very clearly.

Heart of Terra was indeed exerting its influence, but it merely suppressed her genetic collapse.

The improvement was actually due to the massive potential hidden within her aiding in self-healing.

This wasn't surprising, after all, as a semi-finished product of the Artificial Legend plan, her real situation and data couldn't be thoroughly seen by the mere level-one Eye of Omniscience and Omnipotence.

But... there was still something he couldn't understand.

The intense talent resonance, which only happened before when he first met Vishdair at the underground black market.

Although he wasn't pulled by it back then, it was indeed strong enough to cause some loss of reason.

Why hasn't Lisa caused any resonance?

What do she and Chelina have in common?

Or do they have any distinctive traits separately?

And no matter how you look at it, resonance over a hundred kilometers is too excessive, isn't it?

However, rather than these speculations that couldn't be immediately verified, Lin Guang was more concerned about one thing at this moment.

Chelina had talked so much in one breath, her expression and tone remained calm, and the content was well-organized.

But the more she behaved like this... the more it gave Lin Guang the impression of her being empty, thin.

Not thin in physique.

But a feeling... that could be described as pale.

No anger towards the Divine Heart Association, no fear from walking the line between life and death, Lin Guang didn't even sense any resentment.

It was the same at dawn.

During the talent resonance, Lin Guang could barely sense her emotions.

She really didn't have much desire to survive, only numbness and indifference.

Undoubtedly, her mental state was extremely abnormal.

Could it be that the point in time Chelina crossed over was...

Recalling the relevant settings in Future Ark, Lin Guang sighed inwardly and softly asked, "Chelina, how... do you feel now?"

She thought for a moment, "Much stronger than before. Previously, even breathing would cause dull pain in my organs and bones."

"Mm, that's good then."

Lin Guang let out a soft breath.

Looking into Chelina's orange-red eyes, the young man pondered for a moment and suddenly revealed a comforting smile.

"I suddenly feel... this impulsive and willful action wasn't entirely a bad thing."

Chelina showed a somewhat puzzled expression.

"I'm really glad... to have gotten you out of there."

"..."

Chelina remained silent, giving no reply.

Lin Guang then slightly raised his head, not being overly optimistic but stating the facts, "Feelings don't represent your actual physical condition. Whether your body's improvement is real or just a temporary illusion and comfort, no one knows."

"It's too soon to say anything for certain, it's best to quickly find a trustworthy doctor to deal with this."

"Oh, so you do know you need to see a doctor?"

Vishdair suddenly interrupted the conversation, her amber eyes filled with seriousness, her aura suddenly strengthened, and her tone heightened, "In your current state, do you still have the time to worry about others?"

Lisa looked at Lin Guang, recalling his previous behavior, already showing signs of concern, and her small hands instinctively clenched.

Chelina, observing this, also turned her gaze slightly.

"It's nothing seri—"

"How dare you say that!"

Lin Guang hadn't even finished his words when Vishdair interrupted him, "You were even acting slow just now! Go find that old woman quickly!"

Under Lisa and Chelina's gaze, Lin Guang's only option was to surrender, "At least I should finish my meal first..."

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