Three people's faces changed slightly upon hearing that it was a mutated plant, and they eased up.
The A-level monster, Beauty Phase, uses its floral fragrance to lure males, devouring them. Females, on the other hand, are enchanted by it, amplifying their obsession with becoming beautiful. They attempt to pluck the petals of the Beauty Phase flower to enhance their own beauty, ultimately becoming prey as well.
But that's not the main concern; the impact of A-level monsters can cover more than half of the city.
"What's with those expressions? I'm not a fool. I've specifically checked that beauty salon. It has been operating in this city for many years. If there were real issues, it would have been shut down long ago," Feng An'an said.
As Feng An'an spoke, she noticed others looking at her with pity.
"What's wrong?" she asked, puzzled.
She awkwardly touched her face, not understanding.
"An'an... maybe I should take you for an IQ test?" Xu Wanwan said with a heavy heart.
"What makes you think that weighing over 60 kilograms and still wanting to lose weight is a normal idea?" Xu Wanwan continued.
"Huh?" Feng An'an truly didn't understand what Xu Wanwan was talking about.
She maintained a healthy diet, regular sleep, and relied on fitness for weight loss—nothing unconventional. What was the problem?
Xu Wanwan sighed and touched her forehead, somewhat distressed. "The Beauty Phase has the ability to magnify the obsession with becoming beautiful. This plant is a mutated species found in the birthplace of Beauty Phase. Have you considered that you might get addicted to this thing?"
Addiction might be a gentle way to put it; Xu Wanwan wanted to say, "Have you lost your mind and changed your perspective?"
Subtle changes, when the person involved firmly believes it's their pursuit, are the most terrifying.
Qi Yuan seemed to understand why some people would be willing to raise monsters.
Feng An'an appeared frightened by the term "addiction." The rule of resisting du products encoded in the DNA of the Dragon Nation began awakening her rationality.
"It can't be. I feel good both physically and mentally. Don't judge me by my slim appearance; it's all muscle," Feng An'an said.
Lv Cheng, who had lost interest in the initial spectacle, observed Feng An'an's expression. "Physically, you're fine, but you can't even move a flowerpot."
Sensing a subtle discrepancy, Feng An'an furrowed her brows, looking nervous with cold sweat on her forehead.
She looked at Xu Wanwan with a pleading gaze. "I won't be exposed to the new du products, will I?"
After contemplating for a moment, Xu Wanwan decided to use Qi Yuan's detection method.
Her best friend was a severe case of being obsessed with appearance.
She gestured towards Qi Yuan for her friend to see. "You were just talking about gaining weight; how do you feel now?"
Feng An'an glanced at Qi Yuan and then turned to her friend in disbelief.
"I don't want to gain weight anymore! This is unreasonable! It's over!!!" Feng An'an exclaimed.
Xu Wanwan also looked alarmed. "What do we do? Should we rush her to the hospital?"
Lv Cheng stared in shock at these two ladies. They said so much before and didn't find it unreasonable, but now, just because Brother Yuan doesn't want to gain weight, it's unreasonable? I think you two are the ones being unreasonable.
"Report it," he suggested.
After years of urban life, Qi Yuan had become very adept at seeking help from the authorities: "When it comes to paranormal matters, the patrol team should handle it."
The two panicked ladies calmed down upon hearing Qi Yuan's words, looking at him expectantly.
Just as he was about to message Xue Shiyun, Qi Yuan suddenly remembered that she wasn't responsible for this area.
This seemed to be the Nanwu District. He recalled Zhuang Heng's call last time and turned to his contacts.
...
"How did it go?"
Qi Yuan was brought to Captain Pang's office, where Liu Ying came out and headed straight to the inquiry room, asking as soon as she saw the team had just finished questioning.
The recording officer being questioned shook his head and chuckled, "I suspect she has mental issues. Rather than a monster, she seems more like she's imagining things."
This answer caught Liu Ying off guard. Qi Yuan was the one who reported it, so it's unlikely to be a misunderstanding like this.
She didn't rush to deny the team member's speculation. Liu Ying wanted to hear his opinion.
What if... his mind was also in turmoil?
The recording officer hadn't realized Liu Ying's thoughts yet. He recounted the situation like a joke.
"This lady actually said that a very handsome man told her she was thin, but she didn't want to gain weight, which is very unreasonable. She suspects that some potted plant has affected her sanity."
"A plant?"
Liu Ying pondered, indeed suspicious. Qi Yuan said she was thin, and she didn't want to gain weight?!
"Yes, and then I asked her, I also think you're thin, do you want to gain weight? She said you're not handsome enough! Hahaha, it's so funny, am I not handsome enough?"
As the recording officer laughed, he saw Liu Ying's deathly stare and explained awkwardly.
"Sis Ying, I was just joking, mainly because what this lady said was too absurd."
"This plant is suspicious, did you ask about it?"
"I asked, I asked." The recording officer nodded repeatedly, opening the folder in his hand, "According to Feng An'an, she said this potted plant originated from a mutant plant, and mutant plants come from the birthplace of the Beauty Phase. She believes that the Hibiscus Noodles, which is that potted plant, has an addictive beauty-enhancing function. We checked her recent expenses at the beauty salon, and indeed, the spending has been much higher than before."
"Beauty Phase?"
Involving an A-level monster, Liu Ying couldn't help but take a deep breath, pressing her lips together.
The description of being addicted to beauty and the ability of the Beauty Phase are very similar.
Right, if it's a B-level monster, Qi Yuan wouldn't need to inform them; he could handle it himself.
There's definitely something wrong!
"Immediately block the information and ask the reporter to stay temporarily."
"Huh?"
The recording officer was surprised. Isn't this unscientific? Where did he miss the train of thought?
He shouldn't wait for others to inquire and then compare the various statements and finally verify them.
Seeing his dumbfounded look, Liu Ying urged, "Hurry! Oh, and remember to bring that potted plant to Captain Pang."
"Oh, okay."
The recording officer didn't understand, but he knew Liu Ying wouldn't act without reason. Prompted by her, he hurried away.
Liu Ying watched him go and quickly returned to Captain Pang's office.
As she walked to the door, she heard Captain Pang's robust voice.
"What!? Involving the Beauty Phase, and you were still being polite to me just now? Just say it directly!"
Have I been too straightforward with you?
Qi Yuan, the perplexed monk, came over to make a record, invited by Pang Shuo for tea.
So he thought, perhaps Pang Shuo was just catching up with him.
With great hospitality, he had no choice but to sit here and wait for Lv Cheng and the others to finish recording.
"The mutated plants from the birthplace of the beauty phase are not the beauty phase."
Qi Yuan explained to Pang Shuo, emphasizing the vast difference between the two.
Pang Shuo nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts entirely on the beauty phase. "I know."
Well, just because there's no evidence, does Old Pang think he can just make things up?
Liu Ying walked in at the right moment, inquiring of her captain, "Captain Pang, I've sealed off the information. What's next?"
Pang Shuo waved his hand confidently, "Seal off that beauty salon, we'll conduct a direct inspection."
"Got it."
While the duty team faced monsters on the front line, there were also those trying to sabotage from behind. Liu Ying had no intention of giving them any favors.
The privileges that esper individuals should have, the duty team also had, but being officials, they rarely used them to set an example for other espers.