Tools and Livestock

"Does 'Supreme Evolution' possess the technology to alter human cognition?"

Lin Yu was somewhat surprised to hear Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

Admittedly, there are quite a few ways to directly modify a person's Memory and cognition within the "Ten Realms." Both the magic of Night Valley and the illusions of the Prison Mountain Realm can achieve this, and the Gray Domain and Mist Island have a large number of related technologies throughout the world.

But...

This ability is indeed relatively "scarce" in the Barren Realm and in the City That Never Sleeps.

Although the Truth Company has products related to "Memory" and can manipulate "emotions," which sounds a lot like altering a person's cognition...

Ke Lin Yu, through his relevant knowledge, can clearly understand...

There is no ability in the Barren Realm that can truly "interfere with cognition".

At the very least, it is impossible to silently interfere with the perceptions, Memory, and Thought Interference of a living person in relation to the experience that President Paris went through.

The only closest match is the abilities he first encountered on the Snow Mountain Chate, and the [Ancient Notebook].

However, this has little to do with the Alchemy Supernatural System of the Barren Realm. It is an extension of the use of the "fear" Authority and the "information" Authority, and is the power of Authority.

This ability cannot be widely disseminated, learned, or mastered as a system.

Through Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, Lin Yu understood...

The company "Supreme Evolution" must possess the ability to "modify cognition" that can be learned from.

"Supreme Evolution is a very strange company. They have many Alchemy that are completely isolated from the Alchemy Lineage... Although many tribes in the Great Wilderness also have similar 'wild Alchemy,' their quality is generally not very high," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot casually. "But... the technology of Supreme Evolution is different."

"Their 'Isolated Alchemy' techniques not only include many high-grade ones, but also incredibly bizarre functions... including an Alchemy called 'Dreamlike Illusion'."

"The ability of this Alchemy is to distort one's perception of everything around them, implanting false 'pre-existing sensations'... It's somewhat similar to our family's 'Emotion Spectrum,' but completely different."

"It's precisely because it seems to align with the Emotion Spectrum that information about this Alchemy was recorded in the Nightless Sky Family's Database... I attempted to master this Alchemy in my younger years, but without success, which is truly regrettable."

Lin Yu was somewhat surprised. "There's even Alchemy you haven't mastered. Why is that?"

"It's probably because the records aren't complete, and some essential materials for using this Alchemy are missing... Since it's Isolated Alchemy, it's difficult for me to deduce what the missing parts are."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot waved her hand and said, "Although I haven't mastered it, I still know its general effects. Achieving 'President Paris's' current status shouldn't be too difficult."

Lin Yu nodded. "So, if it wasn't done by people from 'another world'... then it must have been done by someone related to 'Supreme Evolution,' right?"

"That's right... However, while we should indeed consider the possibility that someone like you, Arthur, used methods from Other Worlds, I have a gut feeling that... this was achieved through 'Dreamlike Illusion'," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot after some thought. "After all, if that's the case, it's too much of a 'coincidence'."

Fu Luo couldn't help but complain, "Shouldn't the fact that it's too 'coincidental' be a reason for 'counter-evidence'? Why would it be evidence to support your intuitive conclusion?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot shook her finger. "Mr. Sherlock, you are mistaken... Sometimes, the more 'coincidental' something seems, the more likely it is to actually happen."

"Especially in our world... a world of 'miracles'," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot with a smile, "Especially when it comes to 'Alchemy' and higher-level matters, the more likely they are to interlock and form a closed loop."

"After all... the higher you go, the smaller the circle gets—in the end, everything converges to a single point."

"Nightless Sky Fire Apricot used a very abstract metaphor to say it."

However, both Lin Yu and Fu Luo understood what the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot meant.

"So you mean... we should also consider the possibility of 'Supreme Evolution' behind the Paris incident?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot nodded. "That's right... and, by the way, I should mention something."

"Back then, Duke Rainbowlight was the technical director in charge of Alchemy dismantling at the 'Universal Trade Association,' and he was the most skilled Alchemy application expert in the entire Universal Chamber of Commerce... And when he received the inheritance, if we consider the timeline, he was probably also a 'key person in charge,'" said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot leisurely. "So, this 'deceased' is his second son, and he wasn't far from 'Supreme Evolution' —plus, the framed Paris was also in charge of this area back then, just like Duke Rainbowlight... Arthur, don't you think this is getting more and more interesting?"

"Perhaps, the sudden attack on Paris by those tech-savvy elders in the family, besides the sense of crisis they felt from my being designated as a 'Chosen of God Candidate,' might also be due to the instigation of some Remnants of the 'Supreme Evolution.'"

Lin Yu said in a low voice, "In that case, it seems our timing for investigating 'Supreme Evolution' was truly perfect..."

The car stopped again inside the Nightless Sky Family. Nightless Sky Fire Apricot jumped out of the car, and then the group, after avoiding eye contact, arrived at Nightless Sky Fire Apricot's secret passage—the interior of the underground Alchemy Pipelines.

"Anyway, these two are yours," Lin Yu said, pointing to Fu Luo and Stiller. "You'll continue to lead them around the City That Never Sleeps. I'm going back to rejoin my 'companions' for now. We'll enter the city through another route tomorrow."

"Since Fire Apricot said that President Paris's case might also be related to 'Supreme Evolution,' then I'd like to trouble you to take these two guys and investigate along this lead."

Lin Yu gave his instructions.

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot gave a thumbs up. "Don't worry, I understand—in fact, I already have a plan!"

"In short, I will first investigate the two deceased, especially the background of the other Commoner manager of the Divine Power Group besides the second son of the Rainbowlight Family, and what their 'conspiracy' before their deaths might have been."

As she spoke, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot patted Fu Luo.

"I've left this 'famous Detective's role to myself, so figuring out the Truth shouldn't be too difficult—ah, I've always been envious watching Sister Huo Le use 'Mr. Sherlock,' and now it's finally my turn!"

Fu Luo protested helplessly, "What do you mean by 'use'? Don't talk to me like I'm some kind of object or tool!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Mr. Sherlock... Would it be better to say 'drive'?"

"Nightless Sky Fire Apricot asked with a grin."

Fu Luo sighed helplessly, "It's not much better. Although it no longer feels like some kind of inanimate object, it doesn't seem like Wisdom being either. It feels more like some kind of livestock."

Lin Yu watched the two talking and nodded slightly.

"You two seem to get along well... then I'm not worried."

"Oh, by the way, Fire Apricot, besides 'Sherlock,' the other person who uses my identity as 'Supervisor Arthur' is actually quite talented."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot looked at Stiller and nodded, saying, "I noticed—this guy is quite special. His Alchemy Energy and Life Energy are mixed together... and the purity of the Alchemy Energy is extremely high. He's practically a walking Alchemical Materials."

"Where did you find this guy?"

Lin Yu began, "He is a team leader in the Security Department of Truth Company, a confidant of Paris... He is Artificial Humans created by Paris in cooperation with the Divine Power Group using 'Supreme Evolution' technology."

Stiller nodded humbly. "Yes, Your Excellency, Lord Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, I used to work in the Security Department and was also a direct subordinate of President Paris."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Artificial Humans... and they're also related to 'Supreme Evolution'... Now there are more and more elements related to Supreme Evolution!"

"Don't worry, Supervisor Arthur, I'll handle this Artificial Humans well."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

Fu Luo complained again, "Is this even a 'manipulation'?"

Stiller glanced at Fu Luo and shrugged. "I have no objection... Rather, it's an honor to be said that by the esteemed Miss Nightless Sky Fire Apricot."

Fu Luo rubbed his temples. "Wow, it's really impossible to reason with someone like you, a true-blue, native-born Barren Realm person... It seems that even though you've lived in reality for a short time with Old Lin and been exposed to a lot of 'equal ideas,' this part of your thinking is still hard to change."

Stiller didn't refute. "That's true... However, even in your world, although 'equality' is almost a consensus slogan, in reality, there are still people who are willing to grovel before those in power, aren't there?"

Fu Luo thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's true..."

Lin Yu listened to their conversation but did not interfere. He simply looked at Nightless Sky Fire Apricot again.

"So, besides the 'investigation,' if you're free tomorrow, could you come and help me with something else?"

The Nightless Sky Fire Apricot tilted its head.

"Go ahead and say it."

"At the right time, you can find some reliable mercenaries, summon your Raccoon... or even personally bring Stiller along," Lin Yu said, pointing to himself. "In short, I hope that once you receive the signal, you can attack me and those traveling with me as soon as possible."

After hearing this, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot blinked.

"Wow, Arthur... This is the first time I've ever heard of such a request -- do you have this kind of fetish?"