Xia Li was now somewhat frightened.

  He truly felt his hair standing on end, his spine chilled.

  "Seen enough?"

  Liu Sheng Qiancao noticed Xia Li couldn't take his eyes off her and asked somewhat unhappily if he'd seen enough.

  Hearing this, Xia Li immediately withdrew his gaze.

  "Sorry."

  "It's fine. Is this enough to prove my grudge against him? Of course, to be precise, he's just one of the related parties. But he's the only related party I can reach."

  Liu Sheng Qiancao spoke while readjusting her clothes.

  "Enough."

  Her hatred for Jin Xiutai was probably far greater than his own.

  "Then are you willing to cooperate with me... with us?"

  Liu Sheng Qiancao possessed two people's memories, two people's experiences, and perhaps even two people's souls.

  She wasn't really an independent person.

  "So who exactly are you? The older or younger sister?"

  "Currently, the younger sister Qianzao's personality is dominant."

  "Then I'll call you Qianzao."

  "Whatever. Both names are mine anyway."

  Liu Sheng Qianzao didn't care what Xia Li called her. She just preferred to go by Qiancao publicly.

  Because Qianzao's personality was already dominant, she couldn't let her sister Qiancao's existence diminish further. They had to live on together—even as the same person, they needed to maintain distinction.

  "So what's your plan for dealing with him?"

  "I have one. With my status, I can't execute it, but you'd be perfect for it. But I'll be upfront—it's dangerous."

  "I understand."

  Unless you did nothing, wanted nothing, thought nothing—then there was no danger.

  Otherwise, to accomplish something, to have desires, tribulation was inevitable.

  "Good. I need you to join New Tokyo's Monster Hunter Association and become a Monster Hunter."

  "Once your Monster Hunter rank reaches C-class, I'll arrange for you to contact a monster part smuggling organization."

  "That organization definitely has connections to Jin Xiutai."

  Liu Sheng Qianzao presented a seemingly feasible plan.

  "Do I need to hide my identity?"

  "No. Letting Jin Xiutai recognize you would be better—that's how you lure the snake from its hole."

  "Alright. Then I'm counting on you. I hope you're reliable."

  Xia Li proactively extended his right hand, indicating a handshake to formally establish cooperation.

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  Liu Sheng Qianzao's response was interesting—she used both hands to grip Xia Li's hand, signifying that both sisters were now allied with Xia Li.

  "You two done talking?"

  Ke Xiao glanced at Xia Li and Liu Sheng Qianzao, a hint of barely perceptible melancholy in her expression.

  But she didn't show any abnormality.

  "Yeah. Sister Ke, just leave him to me with peace of mind!"

  "Qiancao, I can't reach into New Tokyo's affairs, and neither can the organization. But if there's anything that needs investigating, you can still contact me—maybe I'll have connections."

  "Thanks, Sister Ke!"

  "Then once Xia Li's identity upgrade certification comes through, you can depart. Remember to swap out your Heaven Chip after arriving."

  New Tokyo wasn't just a city controlled by corporations—it was also Corporate Union's main base in the Asia-Pacific region, essentially the corporations' headquarters.

  Going there while still using Hidden Wing's Heaven Chip would be suicidal.

  "I know, I know. Since we're really allies now, I definitely won't mistreat him."

  After saying this, Liu Sheng Qianzao enthusiastically rubbed Xia Li's hand, her eyes hinting she would definitely "take care" of Xia Li.

  That look gave Xia Li inexplicable fear.

  That afternoon.

  Xia Li received a notification from the organization informing him he'd been promoted to inner circle personnel, gaining a codename and exclusive key.

  The so-called exclusive key allowed accessing Hidden Wing's internal network and using Hidden Wing's exclusive techniques and divine abilities—even without installing Hidden Wing's Heaven Chip.

  He could choose his own codename or have the organization randomly assign one. After a moment's thought, Xia Li quickly thought of one that suited him.

  [Codename: Ashes]

  [Codename registration successful. Ashes, you are no longer an insignificant feather. May you become wings that bring liberation.]

  That was all the organization's message said. The Democratic Government's highest dream was to liberate the entire world—to bring back the harmonious order that had flickered like a brief flash five hundred years ago.

  Above the underground modification station, inside Red Crowbar Sundries Shop.

  Xia Li and Liu Sheng Qianzao had finished their departure preparations. Ke Xiao sat behind the shop counter with no intention of getting up to see them off.

  However...

  Just as Xia Li was about to push open the door and leave, Ke Xiao suddenly called out to him.

  "Hey, aren't you forgetting something?"

  "Huh? What did I forget?"

  Xia Li wondered what personal belongings he could have left—he didn't have any private items at Ke Xiao's place.

  "You're not giving me your exclusive key? Don't forget we've been communicating through Hidden Wing's frequency. Or do you want to communicate with me through the public network? Not worried about information leaks?"

  "Oh right, my key is..."

  Xia Li immediately transmitted his key to Ke Xiao.

  "Received. New Tokyo is different from here. It's more chaotic, more survival-of-the-fittest, with everything driven by profit. The losers' failures themselves carry value. You'll see what the real new society looks like."

  "Be careful not to become merchandise on someone's shelf. Don't harbor kindness—turn everyone with ill intentions into your assets."

  This was Ke Xiao's advice to Xia Li. She too had once lived in Corporate Union territory.

  In Democratic Government-controlled regions, bottom-level citizens actually lived with considerable dignity. As long as you weren't greedy and didn't seek to rise above others, you could guarantee a basically happy life.

  If you could be content with what you had, you could live a life quite similar to five hundred years ago.

  "I'll remember that."

  Xia Li nodded firmly.

  "Go then. I wish you success on this journey."

  Ke Xiao waved her hand. Xia Li waved goodbye as well and left the sundries shop with Liu Sheng Qianzao.

  Liu Sheng Qianzao then led Xia Li directly to an airport outside Lower City. They boarded a small private plane and embarked on their journey.

  Along the way, Xia Li and Liu Sheng Qianzao discussed the differences between the two governments.

  In Democratic Government regulations, the public outweighed the individual. Morality and law operated together, and the overall atmosphere tended toward stability.

  In Corporate Union regulations, as long as conditions were met, individuals could legally oppress the public. Morality couldn't match assets. It was the stage beloved by ambitious people seeking fame.

  At dusk.

  The plane landed at a small airport in New Tokyo's Lower City. Xia Li and Liu Sheng Qianzao disembarked.

  Xia Li saw the "I"-shaped city structure in the distance—much larger than Lingguang City. But that wasn't the key point.

  Lingguang City's Lower City wasn't large—about the same size as Upper City. The city's scale didn't exceed the Upper City foundation's range.

  But New Tokyo's Lower City was vast and complex, making Upper City look like an unreachable divine tower rising from a steel jungle.

  "Welcome to the poor's hell—the Boiling City, New Tokyo!"

  "Here you don't need to follow any rules. Just hide your spirit stones. Any legal violation can be atoned for with assets."

  Liu Sheng Qianzao introduced this massive city, causing a wordless pressure to rise in Xia Li's heart.

  "What does Boiling City mean?"

  "As the name suggests—it's like a big pot. You must float on the surface, trampling others' cooked remains, to keep yourself from being boiled."