Upon mentioning Gu Yao City, Ren Yuanhao's expression shifted slightly. Initially, he harbored a sliver of hope that it was just a rumor, but now it was confirmed.
However, at least this marked the official commencement of the investigation. As the saying goes, every journey begins with a single step; once the first step is taken, everything else will gradually come to light.
"About a month ago, in our understanding, there was only the term 'ability user.' However, after the City Lord sent people to scout Gu Yao City, they brought back the term 'acquired ability user.'"
As the Serpent Woman spoke, Ren Yuanhao understood. The so-called acquired ability users were those who underwent body modifications using the Mandala gene. During this process, a latent ability within the body would be infinitely amplified. This amplification of a single strength gave rise to the concept of acquired abilities.
"The Sand Kingdom is rich in gold and has many wealthy individuals. From that time onwards, the number of acquired ability users in Sand City also grew. Martial arts masters, once sought after as retainers, were replaced by self-cultivated acquired ability users. In the long run, the cost of injecting the Mandala gene is naturally lower than recruiting retainers."
The Serpent Woman paused for a moment before continuing, "Fortunately, the success rate of the Mandala gene is not high, only around twenty to thirty percent. However, it is still much higher than the birth rate of true ability users. Think about it, if this artificial ability user development is left unchecked, this world will soon be overrun by monsters. Thus, this ultrasonic device came into being."
Ren Yuanhao wished that someone would develop such a device. But upon further thought, something felt amiss. After all, the Mandala gene had only recently flowed into Gu Yao City. No matter how advanced a third-party technology was, it was unlikely to develop an antidote for live subjects modified by the Mandala gene in just about a month.
Therefore, the existence of this device could only have one explanation: it came from the hands of Dr. William, the father of the Mandala gene.
Sharing the same origin, the benefits could be maximized, thus alleviating financial pressure.
As Ren Yuanhao grasped the crucial point, a chill ran down his spine.
"However, this ultrasonic device has a major drawback: its usage is extremely limited."
— Damn it, if I had this kind of technology, I'd also limit its usage to a ridiculously low amount.
Ren Yuanhao grumbled inwardly.
"The one you're holding, I always thought it was the latest technology. I didn't expect that man last night would use an even more advanced ultrasonic device to warn me," the Serpent Woman said, then looked at Ren Yuanhao and asked in a low voice, "You're a born ability user, aren't you?"
Ren Yuanhao nodded, recalling how even his system had entered a level three alert state when interfered with by that ultrasonic wave yesterday. In fact, he still couldn't summon the system girl.
"The current devices have been upgraded to a point where they can affect born ability users. Future battles will likely be a test of wealth. No matter how powerful an ability user you are, you won't be able to withstand their high-end technology."
Ren Yuanhao found some truth in her words, but she might have overlooked the existence of another kind of person who could influence the world: cultivators.
After their analysis, they still hadn't found any way to save the man in the red mask. If there was any hope, it lay in Ren Yuanhao's trump card – the almighty system.
Unbeknownst to them, a wanted poster for four individuals had already been issued in Sand City. Moreover, a fierce killing intent permeated the public execution grounds in the western part of the city.
Dark clouds swirled, dust and sand danced in the execution grounds, and a pungent smell wafted through the air. On the execution block, a burly man wielding a broad saber stood expressionless, as if only at the moment of the blade's descent would his eyes be slightly stirred by the blood splattered on the weapon.
Before him knelt a man wearing a red mask. If one looked closely, they would notice that the mask was perfectly fused with his entire face. Legend had it that a celestial fire from the desert once descended upon a small village, causing extensive burns to this man's face, making him appear terrifying. Thus, he wore a mask then, and it had since fused with his flesh.
"Is it worth it, Instructor?" the executioner asked, speaking like a normal person for a moment, his face showing a mix of sorrow and disdain.
"We are all orphans, ghosts who survived that great fire. Every day we live is a gain. Besides, she should be far away by now. What you're doing won't achieve anything. Hurry and finish it."
The masked man's tone carried a sense of deep contentment.
"Is that so? What makes you so confident? Is that man truly as strong as you say?"
The man the executioner referred to was naturally Ren Yuanhao. After all, they had been at the execution grounds for over an hour, and their conversation had been intermittent. However, the executioner now knew the entire story.
"I should have taught you all: everyone possesses a 'qi.' A person's integrity, strength, and mindset determine the strength and form of this 'qi.' If the City Lord is a fierce tiger, then that kid's 'qi' is an evil dragon."
Upon hearing this, even the executioner couldn't help but shiver.
"The Instructor rarely praises someone like that."
The man addressed as Instructor chuckled coldly, "No, it's not praise. It's a tangible power emanating from that person that fills me with dread. I can say that if I hadn't brought the ultrasonic device with me then, I might have been instantly killed the moment I made a move."
The executioner fell silent for over ten seconds, his complexion turning slightly ashen. "If that's the case, I'm almost looking forward to him storming the execution grounds."
"You should be beheading me now, severing everyone's hopes. It's the right thing to do. I truly don't wish to see you kill each other."
The Instructor's tone was tinged with a sense of tragedy.
A month ago, the Instructor existed as the strongest retainer of the Luyyeher family, enjoying a status second to none.
But ever since the advent of this 'Mandala gene,' he, as a representative of traditional martial arts, had seen his status plummet. However, because he had personally trained most of the Luyyeher family members, many of his former subordinates still respected him, even though he refused to use the Mandala gene.
The executioner, the Serpent Woman, the quartet in the underground passage, and many other acquired ability users were all his disciples. Only the Serpent Woman, however, hailed from the same village and the same great fire, which had turned them both into orphans.
That year, one was twelve years old, and the other was eight.
If the Instructor had any remaining attachments in this world, it was only this Serpent Woman.
"Instructor, why don't you accept the Mandala gene?"
The executioner asked, puzzled.
"It's a lie woven from power, one that makes people forget the exhilaration that comes from breakthroughs achieved through sweat."