Apocalypse Circular

On the first level of the base, Ludie casually tossed the last Justicar Knight aside.

He lit another cigarette and then walked slowly toward the deeper parts of the base.

As he passed by some experimental culture dishes, he made a point to stop.

At the bottom of some of these culture dishes were the sacrificial, symbolic patterns of hands holding flowers.

These items and patterns stirred some memories in Ludie.

He had been silent for so long that many from the Fourth Ring had already forgotten his past, forgotten this King of Hunters.

This time, if Lu Luo hadn't called him here, he probably would have remained silent.

Ludie wouldn't bother with anything that didn't directly fall into his hands.

He wasn't ready yet; he still needed to wait.

However, as he looked at everything before him, especially these dead women, Ludie still felt a stir in his heart.

"You all could have become someone else's bride."

At that moment, a very piercing song drifted up from deep underground.

Ludie rubbed his head, feeling a dull ache.

"This song? It's truly unsettling!"

This song was the lullaby Qiu Guling often practiced singing to her baby during her pregnancy.

Although it was a soothing, sleep-inducing melody, when uttered by these female Exotic Species, it was filled with resentment and pain.

What surprised Ludie was that all the "brides" he had encountered seemed to know this song, as if it were some innate talent.

Logically, this shouldn't be possible.

Because the song was a human tune. Even though it was a common lullaby, not every woman would know it.

Yet, in all the bride cases Ludie had dealt with over the years, every bride Exotic Species could sing this song. This was what truly puzzled him.

Is something teaching them? Qiu Guling? If it really is Qiu Guling, does that mean she's still alive?

Ludie knew there would be a lot of information about the brides here. He wanted to see it, but he felt an internal resistance.

He didn't know what he was resisting, only that the feeling was strong.

"Ah well, since I'm here, I might as well go down and take a look!"

Compared to Ludie, Qiao Xing's approach was much simpler: he just followed Lu Luo.

He didn't want to know what was happening here, nor did he want to know what Zhang Tianyi, as a Church propagandist Priest, had been doing all these years.

He also wouldn't stop the Church's actions, even if they had already crossed the line of human ethics.

Because someone had tried to stop them before, but that person had died. (For details on Qiao Xing's story, see the side story.)

The Qiao Xing of the past had just wanted to live his life safely. But now things were different; he had more important matters to attend to.

Such as Lu Luo before him.

On the third level underground, Lu Luo held the Fruit of Life, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"So this is the legendary Fruit of Life? The people of the Church rely on this to extend their lifespans?"

Based on this item's appraisal, it was more than just anti-human; 'violates the biological ethical bottom line' was certainly an honest assessment!

Lu Luo put the item back in the box and stored it away.

I wonder what Qiao Xing would think if he saw this, and what Ludie would think.

"Only Song Hana is left!"

After the battle ended, Lu Luo chased into the tunnel, which was still not fully developed.

He had just entered when his figure abruptly stopped.

A huge White Snake appeared before him—the same one from the central experimental culture dish on the bottom level.

Atop the White Snake was Song Hana, seemingly waiting for him.

[Unknown Exotic Species, suspected White Snake animal species, elite Fourth Tier, abilities unknown.

Attributes: Strength 150, Agility 90, Constitution 200.

As a special Exotic Species, the White Snake, despite being only Fourth Tier, possessed attributes comparable to a Fifth Tier Lord, and was even more formidable in some aspects.]

Apart from the White Snake, numerous other special Exotic Species surrounded the cave, such as Red Shell and some unique deformed species.

These were all elite Exotic Species that had undergone a second mutation, each possessing unique abilities.

"Let's not even talk about numbers; just based on quality alone, it feels like we're outmatched! Host, can you confirm if Qiao Xing is still behind you?"

"Yes, he is."

Lu Luo was very sure because when he had just killed Zhang Tianyi and obtained the Fruit of Life, he had distinctly felt a strong sword intent, though it quickly receded.

With Qiao Xing present, he naturally had nothing to fear. Though his opponents were formidable, he was backed by a powerful figure and felt confident.

However, looking at Song Hana standing on the snake's head, Lu Luo still found it odd that she had stopped running.

"Why aren't you running?"

"My Exotic Species told me that Hunters and guards have completely surrounded the slums. I can't escape, so I've stopped running."

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes; the excuse seemed far-fetched.

Song Hana had been the first to react earlier. With these Exotic Species, if she had wanted to flee, she definitely could have given him the slip.

But she was, after all, an ordinary person. Even if she could escape Lu Luo, she couldn't outrun Qiao Xing.

A question had been lingering in Lu Luo's mind, a doubt that had surfaced when Li Qingshu began following him.

"What is your purpose in seeking me out?"

"Everyone has something they pursue, and I have mine. For that thing, it's worth a gamble."

Song Hana didn't give a clear answer, but Lu Luo's suspicion deepened.

Does this woman know some secret of mine? Just like Li Qingshu! If she really knows, has she told anyone else?

"The 'thing' you mentioned, is it the Fruit of Life?"

Lu Luo took out the Fruit of Life he had obtained from Zhang Tianyi. Although its existence was unethical, its effects were undoubtedly astonishing.

Using the Fruit of Life to test Song Hana seemed like an effective tactic.

But unexpectedly, Song Hana simply shook her head.

"How can that trash, the Fruit of Life, compare to what I'm pursuing? Its so-called life-extending effect diminishes with each consumption, granting progressively less longevity. It doesn't alter the Essence of Life for humans or change humanity's future; it's merely a perk those in power are unwilling to relinquish."

Lu Luo hadn't expected Song Hana to say such things. If she wasn't after the Fruit of Life, then what she wanted to know probably did concern him.

"What exactly are you pursuing?"

Song Hana pursed her lips, gazing at Lu Luo with a somewhat obsessive look.

"If it were before, I might still have been fixated on it being some kind of purified substance, or some power, or a Sequence. But after what I saw today, I understood that none of those were what I was looking for. What I truly want is you, Lu Luo!"

Although Song Hana spoke cryptically, Lu Luo, considering these twice-mutated Exotic Species, understood her meaning instantly.

"What you want is Life Energy?"

Standing atop the White Snake's head, Song Hana tilted her head slightly, looking down at Lu Luo from a superior position.

"Life Energy, is that what you call it? I usually refer to it as Exotic Species Power.

"It's incredible, Lu Luo! I still remember your file—an orphan, nameless since childhood. Taken in by Ms. Lu from the orphanage, you were then named Lu Luo. Your academic performance was excellent. You were handsome but didn't like to socialize. Your past demeanor could be described as very introverted.

"During your school years, a girl named Qin Wanyu was close to you, but you never accepted her. After the 404 incident, Qin Wanyu disappeared, and your personality underwent a drastic change! This information should be correct, right?

"Your personality dramatically shifted, and your strength skyrocketed within just a few months, becoming formidable enough to strike down Third Tier Priests with a mere gesture. Lu Luo, who would have thought that today, you possess the power to harbor Exotic Species Power."

"She might have discovered the Devourer or guessed at a possible ability you possess. But why does everyone have to emphasize that you're an orphan?"

How should I know? Lu Luo narrowed his eyes slightly, aware that the Devourer's exposure was only a matter of time.

The rate of his strength increase and his physical condition couldn't be concealed forever.

Although Song Hana, Qiao Xing, and Ludie were covering for him, as his power and Circle Studio grew, someone was bound to investigate him.

He couldn't withstand scrutiny because his previous records, from both the Alliance orphanage and Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, should be on file.

Compare the two, and the outcome would be clear without investigation. Killing Third Tier Transcendents in a few months—and you're telling me there's no problem? If I take out Song Hana quietly here and destroy some evidence, then bribe Qiao Xing with 200 yuan and take Ludie out for free a few times, I could probably drag this out a while longer.

"Oh? You know quite a lot. So what? What do you want?"

"I want to know what exactly happened to you. Why can you harbor Exotic Species Power? Is it a treasure? Or a suddenly awakened Sequence? There has to be a reason for getting stronger, right?"

Reasons? Aren't they just made up on the spot?

"A reason? I awakened D14 Agility, so my speed increased. I was malnourished as a child, so I was always rather weak and not very combat-effective. Now that I'm making money and my living conditions have improved, I eat meat every day, so my strength and Constitution have caught up. Enhancing my Constitution by eating meat—isn't that perfectly normal? I don't even know what you find so surprising."

[Logical and convincing.]

If devouring Exotic Species also counted as "eating meat," then Lu Luo's explanation wasn't actually wrong.

"Hehe, Lu Luo, I know you're stalling for time. But aren't you curious why, even in this situation, I'm still willing to humor you?"

"Ah?"

Lu Luo was slightly startled; Song Hana had already issued the attack command.

"Actually, after all I've done, what I really need is just a piece of your flesh! These Exotic Species are the masterpieces I and another person have spent years creating. They are the culmination of Alliance biotechnology and now possess a special, autonomous consciousness. Actually, we're just one step away from success. Lu Luo, I hope your flesh won't disappoint me! Attack!"

At Song Hana's command, Lu Luo's body tensed instantly.

Old Qiao, aren't you going to make a move?

Qiao Xing, hidden in the shadows, was about to act when he noticed... these Exotic Species weren't moving!

So he relaxed, pulled out Li Lan's hand-fried sunflower seeds, sat down, and continued to watch the show.

Lu Luo was also baffled. Looking at the Exotic Species before him, he took a couple of symbolic steps forward and then stopped.

"The way these Exotic Species are looking at me... something feels off. Could this be a trick?"

[The Exotic Species are in a normal state, their physiological functions balanced and complete. No anomalies detected. However, they are all emitting a special pheromone. Insufficient data to determine the specifics.]

"You fall short every time it's crucial! Can't you be a little helpful?"

[Please, Host, read more books. Expand your knowledge as much as possible to avoid looking like an ignoramus.]

It wasn't just Lu Luo; Song Hana was also surprised, as this was the first time she had experienced the Exotic Species disobeying her commands.

"White Snake? Red Shell?"

Red Shell turned its head to look at Song Hana, then at White Snake, and finally at Lu Luo. It tapped its pincers in a seemingly cute way, then lowered its head again, slowly approaching Lu Luo. It then proactively extended its stinger and even gave it a little shake!

This gesture, how to put it, was like a dog trying to ingratiate itself with you.

Looking at Red Shell's stinger, Lu Luo's first thought was, I really want that! Can I just pull it off and take it?

But seeing Red Shell prostrating on the ground, Lu Luo ultimately refrained from doing something so unprincipled.

"What do you mean by this? White Snake!"

SWISH!

While Song Hana was questioning them, she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, her expression shocked—the White Snake's fangs had pierced her stomach.

Shocked, she immediately pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at the White Snake's eyes.

But how could the strength of an ordinary human compare to that of an Exotic Species?

For a high-level Exotic Species like the White Snake, unempowered bullets were like tickles.

The White Snake didn't kill Song Hana immediately. Instead, it bit through her spine and carried her to Lu Luo's feet.

Seeing the scene before him, Lu Luo was shocked. Qiao Xing was also shocked.

Ludie, who had just arrived, dropped his cigarette.

What was happening? Exotic Species rebelling?

If an Exotic Species like the White Snake reached Fifth Tier, it would undoubtedly be a supreme Lord.

At this moment, it nudged Song Hana on the ground with its tongue and spoke to Lu Luo in the unique language of Exotic Species:

"You have finally returned, My Lord. We... are ready."

Ready? Ready for what? Can't they stop speaking in riddles? The Observer is useless; it knows nothing!

Just then, Zhou Kai actually charged over from nearby, shouting as he ran, "Lu Luo, I'm here to help! I'm really strong now, truly!"

Zhou Kai had been full of confidence, but his confidence wavered as he silently assessed his newly attained First Tier strength upon seeing a crowd of elite-level Exotic Species gathered before Lu Luo, with even a second-level elite like Red Shell acting like an underling.

"Ah, the mood-setter is here! You all looked so tense, I just wanted to lighten the atmosphere. Don't mind me. Carry on, just keep going."

Zhou Kai was clearly chickening out. He didn't leave, though, just stood to the side, quietly cheering Lu Luo on.

The White Snake and the others ignored Zhou Kai. Amidst everyone's puzzled gazes, the White Snake suddenly opened its mouth.

The other Exotic Species made similar movements, focusing their gazes and intent on the space before Lu Luo.

Then, the bodies of these Exotic Species began to disintegrate!

This disintegration wasn't like decay, nor an explosion of flesh and blood. It was as if they were dissolving into fine particles out of thin air, which gradually gathered before Lu Luo.

The Exotic Species died en masse, their dissolving forms slowly coalescing into a fist-sized sphere before Lu Luo.

The White Snake was the strongest among them and the last to completely dissolve.

Before it did, the White Snake stretched its head to Lu Luo's hand, rubbing its white brow against his fingers.

"I await Your summons."

Looking at the floating sphere before him, Lu Luo couldn't help but extend his eight Devourer tentacles!

This sphere seemed to hold an irresistible allure for him.

Ludie and Zhou Kai had seen the Devourer before, but the current Devourer was even more formidable and bizarre than before.

Qiao Xing and Song Hana, however, were witnessing the Devourer for the first time.

Everything was happening too suddenly; no one was mentally prepared.

Countless unknown substances flowed into Lu Luo's body along the Devourer's tentacles.

Simultaneously, notifications arrived.

[Life Energy automatically enhanced. All your attributes +5.]

[The Circular World turns. The Doomsday Disc rotates in synchrony, granting 1 Sequence Particle.]

[Doomsday Disc Rotations +1. Entries into the Disc World +1.]

[Your Devourer - Exotic Kind has received certain enhancements.]

[Sequence Particle activated: Sequence S-07 – Summoner.]

Just as Lu Luo was accepting this offering from the Exotic Species, a small, unidentifiable deformed species burst from the ground and suddenly bit Lu Luo's toe.

It took a tiny piece of flesh!

Seeing this, Song Hana began to laugh.