The man before her was nominally the father of Ning Yu and Ning Xuan.
But rather than a father, he was more like a foster parent, all under the orders of that esteemed figure.
Ning Xuan felt no emotion toward him.
He sought to bind her with false sentiments, but unfortunately, she had never forgotten everything that happened in her childhood.
Following orders and acting accordingly—this was Ning Xuan’s disguise.
When planning something crucial, one must remain composed yet inwardly fervent.
Her mind always recalled the lessons Ning Yu had taught her in their youth.
“That’s utterly impossible.”
The man shook his head, removed his glasses, and carefully put them away.
“Lord Chen Xing is currently overseeing the underground construction for the final ritual on behalf of the esteemed figure. How could he possibly have time for such a thing?”
“What evidence do you have for such an accusation?”
Ning Xuan understood all too well—this was what was about to happen. She unconditionally trusted her sister, but others wouldn’t extend the same faith to her.
“I have no evidence, but doesn’t the esteemed figure possess the magic to discern lies?”
Ning Xuan raised her head and looked at her so-called ‘father.’
His hair showed no signs of graying with age; instead, it was as thick and black as that of a man in his prime, neatly combed back to reveal his sharp, piercing eyes.
“So, I can present my case directly to the esteemed figure. He can determine whether I’m lying.”
“Where did you hear such a thing? Do not speculate about the esteemed figure in private.”
The man narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ning Xuan, unsure where she had picked up such information.
But Ning Xuan was all too familiar with his reaction. She knew she had hit the mark.
“Moreover.”
The man pointed downward, indicating the vast construction beneath them.
“The preparations for the final ritual have reached a critical stage. He won’t see you, but I’ll relay your message.”
The man stood up, ready to leave the conference room, passing by Ning Xuan.
“Fath... Father! If the mission target dies, the responsibility would fall on us...”
Ning Xuan couldn’t help but speak up, hoping to press her case.
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
The man didn’t believe Ning Xuan’s words, but he began to calculate in his mind, planning to immediately inspect the situation beneath Eden.
“Damn it.”
Ning Xuan watched as he entered the elevator on the second floor. The elevator’s display rapidly changed from -1 to -24 and continued to descend.
Her mind raced as she hurried to another elevator.
Her ‘father’ was likely telling the truth. The final ritual had been in preparation for a long time, and it was plausible that the esteemed figure truly couldn’t spare a moment.
Chen Xing was probably seizing this opportunity to make a bold move against Ning Yu.
But why would Chen Xing do such a thing? Would she dare face the wrath of the esteemed figure?
There must be a compelling reason, one that made her willing to pay such a high price.
Ning Xuan pressed the elevator button, and soon, with a ‘ding,’ the doors opened before her.
She thought of another person and decided to try her luck there.
Pressing the button for the -40th floor, the elevator began its rapid descent, much faster than a typical elevator.
Most people would feel discomfort in their ears at this point, but Ning Xuan had undergone cybernetic enhancements, so she felt nothing.
But something strange happened. The elevator passed the -40th floor without stopping, continuing to descend further.
This horror-movie-esque development didn’t faze Ning Xuan, but no matter how she tried to operate the elevator, it was as if it had malfunctioned.
She raised an eyebrow, her hands spreading open as two gleaming metal blades extended from her arms.
If all else failed, she’d dismantle the elevator.
Just as she was about to lose patience and act, the elevator emitted a ‘ding.’
It had arrived at the -50th floor.
When the doors opened, the corridor outside was pitch black, and a figure in a white robe and mask stood respectfully nearby.
“Miss Ning Xuan, Lady Lacy wishes to see you.”
The figure spoke, yet its lips didn’t move at all.
Ning Xuan frowned. She knew this was a purely mechanical android created by Lacy, who seemed to be researching the fusion of cybernetics and zombie technology.
But this sudden invitation suited her perfectly.
After all, she had been heading to the -40th floor to seek an audience with Lacy. As for why Lacy had brought her to the -50th floor, she’d find out soon enough.
“Lead the way.”
Ning Xuan retracted her metal blades and stepped out of the elevator.
The robed android nodded politely and began moving down the dark corridor, not making a single sound.
Ning Xuan glanced at its feet but couldn’t discern anything unusual.
The dark corridor was eerily silent as the two walked in single file, soon arriving at a door.
“I’ll leave you here.”
The android stopped at the door, bowed again, and then retreated into the darkness.
Ning Xuan reached out to push the door, but as soon as her hand touched it, the door lit up with fractal patterns and vanished into thin air.
“Welcome.”
Behind the door stood a young woman with icy blue hair, standing before a massive glass window and gazing downward. The mechanical device behind her ear flashed methodically with signal lights.
Ning Xuan looked at this masterpiece of cybernetic engineering. Even the cybernetic enhancements she bore were likely derived from Lacy’s technology.
She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of profoundly knowledgeable being had created her.
“Lady Lacy.”
Ning Xuan approached the enormous glass window. Faint sounds of combat echoed from below.
A semi-cybernetic Wrath was battling a dozen cybernetic Gluttons, and with each clash, several Gluttons were reduced to mangled heaps of flesh and metal.
Surrounding the fight were rows of the same white-robed mechanical androids, standing guard and seemingly ready to intervene as needed.
“You’re not surprised I wanted to see you?”
Lacy’s languid voice reached her ears, pulling her attention back into the room.
Ning Xuan noticed that Lacy’s eyes, usually cold and lifelessly icy blue, now gleamed with a golden hue that inexplicably inspired awe.
Just one glance made her soul tremble.
“Actually, I was hoping to speak with you as well.”
“Oh?”
Lacy chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.
“It’s about your dear sister, isn’t it?”
Ning Xuan froze at Lacy’s words.
“You overheard my conversation with ‘Father’?”