Xiao Ling casually took off her clothes, along with the muzzle, and stepped into the shower. She let the icy water wash over her body, rinsing away the blood and staining the water red.
As the water flowed down her skin, it revealed the scars that covered her entire body. The most conspicuous mark on her back was a single engraved digit—0.
The Xiao family had controlled the Empire's military since its founding. Now, the military was split into two factions—superhuman and technological—each under the command of a different leader.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Miao, two brothers, each served as generals of these respective factions.
Although Xiao Yan had only one biological daughter, Xiao Ling, he had also adopted nine other children, naming them numerically from 1 to 9. These nine were elite soldiers selected from the military—Xiao Ling's Unit 0.
Superhuman soldiers were far fewer than technological ones. To counter this imbalance, Xiao Yan secretly conducted experiments—capturing lower-city residents and forcing them through genetic modifications to awaken superhuman abilities.
The success rate was only 10%, requiring a massive number of test subjects. They primarily targeted strong-looking lower-city people, luring them in with promises of becoming upper-city citizens in exchange for voluntary participation in the experiments.
Years ago, when Xiao Ling discovered this plan, she didn't want her father to continue the experiment. That led to a conversation.
At nearly seventy, Xiao Yan remained physically strong. He had fathered Xiao Ling late in life, at over forty.
No one knew who her mother was. Always dressed in military uniform, he maintained a severe demeanor, even toward Xiao Ling, treating her with the same detached professionalism as any subordinate.
It was as if no familial bond had ever existed between them.
Xiao Ling stood there, waiting for Xiao Yan to speak.
"You've come to report something?"
"General, I believe the experiment should be halted—"
Before she could finish, Xiao Yan threw the scalding tea in his hand at her face.
The burning liquid dripped down her cheek, but Xiao Ling remained expressionless.
A person who was supposed to be devoid of emotion still continued her report.
"The experiment has cost too many lives. Even if they are lower city people, they should not be treated this way."
Xiao Yan slammed his cane against the ground with a dull thud.
Xiao Ling fell silent.
He sighed. "You're nothing like me—so indecisive. Your nine siblings are all more capable than you. Did you really think I wouldn't notice your little tricks?"
He sneered.
"Releasing those soldiers who wanted to retire—when did you become so bold?"
Xiao Ling lowered her head, offering no defense.
Xiao Yan continued, "Your uncle has always been in bed with the Gu family. Now he wants to develop new weapons to replace superhumans. We need a weapon—one so powerful that all of the technology faction will fear it."
Xiao Ling clenched her fists. For the first time, she looked directly at Xiao Yan.
"Use me for the experiments."
"My S class genes are worth more than hundreds of lower city lives. There is no need to use civilians anymore. I will bear it all."
"I will become the Empire's—no, I will become Father's—strongest weapon."
* * * *
Xiao Ling turned off the water and dressed without care, slipping the muzzle back onto her face.
When she stepped out of the shower, a soldier was already waiting at the door. Seeing her, he immediately saluted.
Xiao Ling gave a slight nod, and the soldier reported, "Major General, it's a communication from the General."
She took the device from him, and Xiao Yan's projection appeared.
"This mission went smoothly. Seems you haven't forgotten what you promised me."
Xiao Ling only stared at the projection, showing no intention of replying.
Xiao Yan sighed and continued, "The Gu family has started moving. There's something they want in the Yellow Sand Ruins. Go see if you can get it first."
"Yes."
The transmission ended.
Xiao Ling led the soldiers out, heading east.
One of the leading soldiers was confused. "Aren't we supposed to be going to the Yellow Sand Ruins? Why is the Major General leading us east?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure she has a reason."
After a full day of marching, they stopped to rest. The soldier couldn't hold back any longer.
"Major General, aren't we supposed to be going to the Yellow Sand Ruins? Why have we been traveling east all day?"
Xiao Ling stared at him as if processing his words slowly. Then, after a long pause, she finally responded—
"…Isn't this west?"
The soldier nearly screamed, "Are you directionally challenged?!"
Xiao Ling awkwardly scratched the back of her head. "All units, turn around."
* * * *
Back at Chu Ling's side, the journey had been uneventful for a few days. They finally arrived at the entrance of the Yellow Sands Ruins.
Despite its name, the ruins weren't above ground. The actual entrance was a hole.
Most of the resources were buried underground, accessible only through this tunnel.
Surrounding the entrance were massive building remnants, which had only recently surfaced. Previously, even these structures had been buried. No one knew why a hole had suddenly appeared. The frequent sandstorms in this area had earned it the name Yellow Sand Ruins.
The hole was not vertical, but sloped, resembling an animal den. It was wide enough—three to four meters in diameter—for people to walk in directly.
Before descending, Chu Ling's group decided to rest. Over the past few days, they had earned a fortune working with those researchers.
Chu Ling finally unlocked Coca-Cola in her system shop.
Biting the bullet, she spent 20,000 gold to unlock it. This trip had essentially been a loss, but at least she got Coke out of it.
Checking the price, each bottle of Coke was 5 gold coins.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
This is the best drink in the world, she thought.
The Empire's people have never tasted this before.
I'll sell it for 50 gold a bottle—instant profit.
She immediately exchanged for two bottles.
Ah Hu and the others, used to seeing Chu Ling pull items out of thin air, were unfazed. Even though she always claimed to be a non-superhuman, they had long suspected otherwise.
She could summon instant noodles at will.
Clearly, she had a spatial ability.
It was rare but not unheard of in the Empire.
"Boss, what's this? It looks black—is it poison?"
"Nonsense. This is the best drink in the world."
"It's called 'Happy Fat Otaku Water'—Coca Cola."
"…That's a long name. Never seen it before in the Empire."
Ah Yi's mouth watered at the words "best drink in the world."
Chu Ling handed him a bottle. "You have no taste. No one in the world dislikes Coke."
She popped open her bottle and took a deep swig.
Ah—
That perfect.... burn?
Chu Ling couldn't hold back—it all spilled out from her mouth.
Her eyes were already dead inside.
How could she have forgotten?!
Maybe it was because they were in the desert, but this Coke—was hot.
Heated Coke was worse than medicine.
Ah Yi also spat his out instantly, exclaiming in horror, "This is worse than poison!!!"
Seeing him insult her precious Coke, Chu Ling immediately snapped back to attention and defended it.
"Coke must be chilled to fully bring out its deliciousness!"
Ah Yi eyed the dark, medicine-like liquid in his hands with doubt. "Boss, are you sure?"
Chu Ling, of course, was utterly confident. "Of course! No one can resist the taste of Coke!"
She spoke as if she hadn't just spat hers out seconds ago.
In Chu Ling's world, warm Coke and sugar free Coke should not exist.
They should be erased.
Hearing her words, Ah Yi's curiosity was piqued. "Then I gotta try a chilled one. Once we get back, I'll get some ice, and then I'll finally understand what Boss's favorite drink tastes like."
Seeing his eager expression, Chu Ling was satisfied. She handed him the unfinished bottle and patted his shoulder.
"Don't waste food."
Ah Yi, ever the simple-minded one, nodded earnestly and—like a true man—gulped down both bottles of hot Coke in one go.
A real man dares to face his fears.
* * * *
Gu Jingbo came over to discuss going into the ruins with Chu Ling.
However, she had already planned to squeeze more money out of him.
"Another 200,000?! Are you insane?!"
They were already at the entrance, and now she was raising the price?
"Of course!" Chu Ling replied shamelessly. "The first 200,000 was just to get you here. I've already done that. Now, if you want me to take you inside—you gotta pay more."
"You—!"
Gu Jingbo had long disliked Chu Ling.
Previously, Liang Liang had secretly approached him, saying she could help them out.
They had superhumans on their side.
Chu Ling's team only had Qian Li.
Might as well get rid of her while they had the chance…
Gu Xiyan narrowed her eyes, instantly sensing his intent to silence them.
Gu Jingbo glanced at Shi Tuoyi, subtly giving a signal.
Chu Ling was on alert, but it was already too late.
Gu Jingbo drew Godslayer Mark 3 and aimed it at Chu Ling.
"Since you're looking for death, don't blame me."
Yet Chu Ling didn't move at all.
The moment Gu Jingbo raised the gun—
Sand coiled around his arm, tightening with immense force.
He was forced to drop the gun.
At the same time, he felt a presence behind him.
It was Qian Li.
At some point, she had silently appeared behind him, pressing a small knife to his throat.
Chu Ling smirked.
"Now, can we properly discuss the price?"
* * * *
From afar, Liang Liang watched the scene unfold.
She had no intention of taking sides.
Her earlier attempt to cozy up to Gu Jingbo was just to hitch a ride.
She wanted the meteorite too.
And if the two sides fought each other—
She could swoop in and claim the prize.
She was waiting for the right moment.
* * * *
Despite the knife at his throat, Gu Jingbo remained unfazed.
Clearly, he had another trick up his sleeve.
Chu Ling frowned.
She suddenly realized—Shi Tuoyi was gone.
Before she could react, she felt something press against her lower back.
A gun barrel.
Her heart sank.
She hadn't even noticed someone getting close to her.
She turned her head slightly—
It was Gu Xiyan.
…Gu Xiyan was holding the gun against her.
Did she choose to help Gu Jingbo?
A flicker of disappointment crossed Chu Ling's face.
But then—she felt something.
A slight tickling sensation on her back.
Gu Xiyan was… writing something with her finger.
Play along.
Chu Ling's eyes flickered.
She immediately raised her hands in surrender, grinning cheekily.
"Now, now, let's talk this out, President Gu."
Then, she gestured to Qian Li to let go.
Qian Li hesitated, eyeing Gu Xiyan warily, but still refused to release Gu Jingbo.
Gu Xiyan remained calm.
"If she lets go, I let go."