The Weiya Ancient Museum...
Chen Chuan thought it over. According to the materials he had reviewed, the exhibits displayed in this museum were not mere ancient artifacts; in fact, most of them were war trophies brought back from the Melded Lands.
This included the complete ceremonial retinue captured alongside Emperor Cleopatris, which was currently on display inside. In addition, over the past century and more of Younuo Continent's wars against the former imperial household of the Melded Lands, a considerable portion of the spoils of war seized, both large and small, was also exhibited here.
Every year, countless tourists from across the world came to visit this museum. Even now, due to the heavy crowds, reservations were still required for admission.
Moreover, this location was separated from Blockade Hall by just a single block.
If what Luo Xiao had set his sights on was here, it made perfect sense. Among these ancient artifacts, besides various crafts and works of art, were relics that only the imperial household could utilize, as well as sealed collections that people of this world could not use.
However, whatever Luo Xiao wanted was something he would surely retrieve himself, so there was no need for him to sketch a standalone diagram for it. Thus, Chen Chuan surmised that Luo Xiao had likely looted this item from elsewhere and ultimately traced his way here based on it or some related clues.
Furthermore, this item itself was very likely useful for tracking down what he was looking for.
Chen Chuan gave it further thought. Judging from Luo Xiao's dying words, it was likely something extremely important to him, perhaps even an obsession. Yet what Luo Xiao had needed was not necessarily of any use to Chen Chuan and his people.
Besides, whatever it was, there was currently no opportunity to retrieve it, so it was best to set it aside for now.
After tidying up the items, he walked into the training room. Sitting down, he first extended his senses and discovered that the two seeds still remained out in the world.
He had no idea what was happening with one of them; it had stayed in a single place for a long time without any movement, showing neither growth nor depletion, as though it were lying dormant. Still, as long as it had not dissipated, that was a good thing.
The other seed was in relatively better shape. The spiritual power it absorbed was steadily growing, which indicated that this seed was constantly drawing energy from outside to sustain itself. It had maintained balance thus far, though there was no telling how far it could ultimately go.
If he sought out this seed and recalled it ahead of time, he would gain its experience in sustaining itself; then, the next time he split off seeds, all of them would possess this experience.
That sounded fine, but doing so was not without risk, because there was no guarantee that a seed possessing such experience would endure over the long term.
The more times a seed was divided, the greater the likelihood of failure. Conversely, if he left this seed to its own devices, it might bring about even more possibilities. Thus, it came down to how he chose to weigh the trade-offs; before the outcome revealed itself, no one could say which choice was right.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to leave it be for the time being. Gathering his thoughts, he entered his cultivation.
***
Meanwhile, in Alantawa Center City, the doll held that cane in hand, standing before the main building of a commission company.
Several individuals accompanied him now, each bearing distinctive physical features, but every one of them was of Eastern Continent descent.
A sharp-looking man in front turned around and said, "Boss Blood Cane, this is the place. Once we head inside and sign the contract, with your skills, Boss, we'll be living large from now on!"
Standing to the doll's left was a burly man with shaven temples and crown, leaving his hair in two parallel strips like rutted tracks. A custom-modified sword-spear rested against his shoulder. He asked, "Xin Laosi, is what you're saying reliable?"
Xin Laosi replied, "Hey, Brother Xuan, we're all Eastern Continent folk, hometown brethren. Why would I screw you over?"
Brother Xuan turned his head and looked at the doll. "Boss, what do you say?"
The doll remained silent.
Another man, short in stature, wearing an anti-glare visor and equipped with external implant components, said, "Since the boss didn't object, he definitely agrees."
"Right, right. Shall we go in, then?"
The few people gathered around all chimed in. Yet as long as the doll did not move, not a single one took the initiative to step forward; they all kept their eyes on him.
The doll stared at the building for several moments. Just as the smile on Xin Laosi's face began to stiffen, he finally walked toward the main lobby. At that, the rest exchanged glances, chuckled, and followed behind him.
The doll had accepted commission jobs before, so after arriving in this Center City, he had already become familiar with the ropes, pulling off quite a few ruthless jobs in the process.
This particular team had previously lost their primary point-man and, in the course of targeting a mutual objective, had witnessed his prowess and stepped up to acknowledge him as their leader.
He had no objections to this, for the targets of commissions in a place like this were completely beyond comparison to the factions in small towns. Having a team to assist him saved a great deal of effort, freeing him from unnecessary legwork and preventing him from wasting too much energy.
The group walked into the reception lobby. Xin Laosi immediately stepped forward to negotiate and converse with someone who looked like a manager, ultimately returning with a paper document while simultaneously transmitting a field platform login signal to everyone.
"Yes, just sign right here. Chengshui Commission Company is run by folks from Great Shun; they're as reputable as it gets when dealing with us Eastern Continent people. There won't be any issues."
The doll glanced over the terms provided, pressed a thumbprint onto the paper document, and signed his name on the field platform as well.
Seeing him sign, the others also pressed their prints onto the document together.
"Alright, that takes care of it," Xin Laosi chuckled. "Congratulations, everyone. From now on, you're members of Chengshui Company."
The doll's team members were also quite pleased. By signing the agreement, they could now take on commissions from Chengshui Commission Company, instantly transforming from an unsanctioned mercenary crew into a legitimate company squad.
They could improve their team rating based on completed commissions, purchase corresponding weapons and logistical supplies from the company at prices far cheaper than on the open market, and even qualify for the company's internal disability and retirement insurance. It gave them something of a safety net.
The group discussed excitedly for a short while, accepted a commission task, and departed.
At that moment, the receptionist carried the document bearing the doll's print into one of the company's testing laboratories. After scanning it with professional equipment, the receptionist tapped their boundary credential to contact a middle-aged man in an upper-floor office.
"Supervisor, the results are in."
The supervisor asked, "How does it look?"
"Based on face shape and height comparisons, he is indeed suspected of being an early product of Progenitor Company, but there are differences. As for the fingerprints, they rule out the possibility of a combat doll."
"Could it be a disguise film on the hands?"
"Impossible. We scanned him with our equipment; those are his actual hands, without any concealment or disguise. Furthermore, his body exhibits very intense signals of mutated tissue, which isn't something artificial mutated tissue could display."
"Could it be new technology from Progenitor Company?"
The analyst spoke cautiously: "We cannot rule out that Progenitor Company's products could achieve such a level, but Progenitor Company has agreements with the Federation and various corporations not to release unmarked products onto the market."
The supervisor offered no opinion on that.
He said, "No hurry. Create more opportunities for them and observe them for a while longer."
In truth, if there were suspicions, the best course would be to find a way to seize him directly. But the problem was that the subject was extremely formidable. If he wasn't what they suspected, fine—they would at most lose some manpower and resources. But if he was... that would involve a megacorporation like Progenitor.
When that time came, his small shoulders wouldn't be able to bear the weight. Were it not for the company higher-ups specifically naming this person, they wouldn't want to court such unnecessary trouble. Yet for certain reasons, he couldn't voice these concerns to his superiors, and he even suspected that the higher-ups might already know something.
After the doll's team came out with the commission, Brother Xuan asked, "Boss, do we handle this commission today, or take some rest first?"
The doll glanced at the commission's location and said plainly and directly, "Move out."
Seeing him like this, everyone perked up. They knew this boss never spoke idle words: if something couldn't be done, he wouldn't go; if he went, it meant he was confident in seeing it through.
They hopped into the off-road vehicle they had arrived in and drove toward the outskirts. Several kilometers behind them, another vehicle followed.
Because they were equipped with the badges and attire issued by the company, every move they made was under the surveillance of the resonators trailing them.
The commission the team had taken was to raid an armed encampment engaged in human trafficking and rescue the kidnapped child of a wealthy merchant.
The trailing resonators soon watched as, upon reaching the boundary area, the entire squad immediately deployed scouts ahead. They quickly mapped out the layout of the camp, and within minutes, the team breached the encampment.
The squad acted with remarkable speed and efficiency, their division of labor crystal-clear: there were snipers for long-range kills, resonators responsible for jamming implants and shielding against detection, and demolitionists setting charges.
Of course, the most formidable was that Blood Cane. He charged alone into the armed leader's quarters, taking only seconds to dispatch several hired fighters and all key personnel, sweeping through them like wind scattering remnant clouds.
This record was sent back to the city, and the supervisor at Chengshui Commission Company saw the detailed log and analysis report an hour later.
After reviewing it, he couldn't help but nod. This blade was truly exceptional. With someone like this in the company, their competitive edge jumped several tiers at once—no wonder the higher-ups had insisted on bringing him in.
Just then, a technician brought him a psychological analysis report generated by the head office's active conscious entity. It showed that the probability of Blood Cane being an artificial combat weapon was under fifteen percent.
The supervisor remained skeptical. "Is that so?"
The technician said with confidence, "The head office's active conscious entity makes no mistakes. Although this man doesn't like to talk, the analysis indicates that's merely a matter of personality; he still displays signs of inner mental activity. We can't rule out that certain high-end experimental dolls possess this technology, but even if they did, they would be kept strictly confidential rather than casually released into the outside world."
Having heard this, the supervisor felt somewhat relieved, though he had not completely put aside his misgivings. He thought it over and said, "In that case, bump their evaluation rating up by one rank. As for what follows... let's keep watching them."
Chapter 1115