Netherworld

Aunt Yun said, "What I can't figure out right now is how Feng Buqing of the Netherworld Organization got wind of us and found us."

Liu Wenyin replied, "Perhaps there are people from the Netherworld Organization mixed into the higher ranks of the Guan Kingdom."

Su Ze mused, "Is it possible that the Guan Kingdom has reached some kind of cooperation with the Netherworld Organization?"

Aunt Yun glanced at him, "That's a dangerous thought."

"But it's the only explanation that makes sense," Su Ze insisted. "We can confirm that Li Gaojie was sent as a spy by the Tiger King General. After failing to attack us, the Tiger King General still had Li Gaojie follow us and transmit our location information to him. Not long after, Feng Buqing caught up to us.

"It feels like after the Tiger King General's plan failed, he just told Feng Buqing where we were."

Aunt Yun shook her head, "That's unlikely. If the Guan Kingdom dared to cooperate with the Netherworld Organization, they would face severe sanctions from the Dominant Nation, Linhua Kingdom, if discovered."

Liu Wenyin frowned slightly and said, "It's not impossible. While the 'Skill Suppression Potion' formula I developed this time is useful for ordinary Evolvers, it's even more effective for Tainted Ones who specifically absorb extracts from humans. To put it bluntly, if the Netherworld Organization gets this formula, it'll be like giving wings to a tiger.

"I didn't understand why the Guan Kingdom valued the Skill Suppression Potion formula so much before, but if they've partnered with the Netherworld Organization, it makes sense. The ones who truly want the formula are the Netherworld Organization!"

"This..." Aunt Yun still couldn't believe it. "You know, all six kingdoms have Saint Envoys sent by their Dominant Nations stationed there. Are they really risking their lives to collude with the Netherworld Organization right under the noses of the Saint Envoys?"

Liu Wenyin smiled, "Aunt Yun, you don't need to worry too much. These are just our speculations, there's no evidence to prove it."

She then turned to Su Ze and said, "I've said pretty much everything I need to. Do you have any other questions?"

"Two questions," Su Ze replied. "First, what is the Skill Suppression Potion? Second, what kind of organization is the Netherworld Organization?"

Liu Wenyin pondered for a moment before answering, "The Skill Suppression Potion allows an Evolver to absorb an extract without gaining the skill within it. It essentially frees up a skill slot. When you absorb another extract next time, you'll gain two skills at once, filling the previous gap.

"Furthermore, the Skill Suppression Potion can be stacked. This means you can free up two, three, or even more skill slots."

"A miracle drug!" Su Ze exclaimed, immediately understanding the value of the Skill Suppression Potion.

"Then wouldn't I be able to free up a skill slot during the Pupal stage and, after evolving into the Cocoon Breaking Stage, directly absorb a skill from a Tier 3 extract?"

"Good idea, but you're thinking too much," Liu Wenyin dismissed Su Ze's attempt to exploit a loophole.

"Experiments have proven it doesn't work. If you try that, you won't get two Tier 3 skills; instead, you'll get one Tier 3 skill and one Tier 2 skill."

Su Ze was confused, "Where would the Tier 2 skill come from?"

Liu Wenyin explained, "Tier 3 Exotic Beasts aren't born as Tier 3 Exotic Beasts; they evolve from Tier 2 Exotic Beasts. The Tier 2 skill you obtain comes from its skills during its Tier 2 stage.

"It's the same principle when Tainted Ones absorb extracts from humans.

"Take you as an example. You're in the Pupal stage. If you were made into an extract, it would be a Tier 1 extract, only absorbable by Mortal Lifeforms. After absorbing your extract, they wouldn't gain your Tier 2 skill, 'Regenerative Body,' but would randomly acquire one of the skills you mastered at the Mortal Tier."

So that's how it works!

It seems this loophole can't be exploited after all.

However, even so, the Skill Suppression Potion is still a very useful evolutionary medicine with a lot of room for strategic use.

For instance, if an Evolver has two vials of extract, one D-grade and one S-grade, they could use the Skill Suppression Potion to absorb the D-grade extract first, and then absorb the S-grade extract. This would be equivalent to spending the cost of one S-grade extract but gaining the skills from two S-grade extracts.

"Holy crap!" Su Ze suddenly realized, "If the Netherworld Organization gets this formula, won't they skyrocket?"

He finally understood why Liu Wenyin said the Skill Suppression Potion was more effective for Tainted Ones.

Ordinary Evolvers absorb extracts from Exotic Beasts, and the quality of skills they gain can vary. Even an S-grade extract often contains only one top-tier skill.

Take Su Ze, for example. The Immortal Salamander extract he just absorbed contained three skills, but only the Regenerative Body skill was considered top-tier; the other two were significantly inferior.

However, human extracts don't have this drawback.

Geniuses cultivated by major families and powerful factions, or renowned experts who have been famous for a long time, possess top-quality skills.

For Su Ze, all his skills are top-tier. If he were made into an extract by the Netherworld Organization, with a little time and enough Skill Suppression Potions, they could cultivate a genius who perfectly absorbs all his skills.

Similarly, the skills of other geniuses and powerhouses could be replicated.

It seems the Skill Suppression Potion paired with human extracts is the perfect match, allowing their value to be maximized.

"Yes," Liu Wenyin also found this troublesome. "I'm starting to regret researching this medicine. It feels tailor-made for Tainted Ones."

"The good thing is, this medicine is ineffective against Saint-level lifeforms..."

"Ineffective against Saint-level?" Su Ze nodded. "That's a relief. If Saint-level beings could also use it, things might truly spiral out of control."

After concluding the topic of the Skill Suppression Potion, Liu Wenyin began to answer Su Ze's second question, introducing him to the Netherworld Organization.

"I don't know too much about the Netherworld Organization. Firstly, it's the only, and largest, faction composed entirely of Tainted Ones.

"There aren't many Tainted Ones in the world, but because they can't survive among normal humans, they are forced to live far from people and stick together, eventually forming the current Netherworld Organization."

Su Ze asked, "How strong are they?"

"Very strong!" Liu Wenyin affirmed. "Powerful, mysterious, and evil – these are their labels. Some say their influence isn't limited to the Linhua Continent but spans all human settlements across Earth."

"The six kingdoms of the Linhua Continent are definitely no match for them. The Netherworld Organization's only fear in the Linhua Continent is the Dominant Nation, Linhua Kingdom."

"That strong!" Su Ze hadn't expected to provoke such a behemoth right from the start.

"You don't need to worry too much. With the deterrence of the Dominant Nation, they don't dare to act too recklessly within the Linhua Continent," Aunt Yun comforted him.

"And compared to you, they definitely want to capture me more."

Su Ze nodded in agreement. Having understood the effect of the Skill Suppression Potion, he believed the Netherworld Organization was determined to get the formula from Liu Wenyin.

"So, what's your next plan? Are you leaving immediately?"

Liu Wenyin replied, "We definitely have to leave. Only by returning to the Dongli Kingdom will I feel safe. However, I plan to rent a place in Mengka City first and wait until Aunt Yun has recovered from her injuries before we set off.

"Also, I've already contacted the Dongli Kingdom, and they will send people to escort us as soon as possible."