Do You Like My "Stop Before Climax" Challenge

Luo Zhikang's expression changed as soon as he spoke.

"How did you know about the 'Overlimit Project'?"

Frankly, this was probably the biggest secret in his heart, and also his biggest regret.

In the world of Night Sin City, there had always been several schools of thought regarding armed research.

One was the so-called Mechanical Ascension, which involved prosthetic modification of human body parts or digitization of individual consciousness to achieve various goals.

For instance, enhancing combat capabilities, improving work efficiency... and of course, the most important was extending lifespan, as artificial organs had a much better resistance to 'Rust Fog' than native ones.

This was also a more common and prevalent type in the city—most people would give up some bodily functions for various reasons and replace them with machines.

Another was the extreme focus on machinery itself, most directly embodied by the Type I, II, III, and IV combat teams of 'Serpent Coil,' who armed themselves with high-tech mechas and weapons, but essentially, anyone could be behind the armor.

Or there was genetic modification—people generally attributed the abilities of 'Ascendants' to gene mutations caused by 'Rust Fog.' Major corporations like 'Serpent Coil,' 'Shark Tooth,' and 'Prism' had also developed methods to actively detect and activate abilities.

And what Xu Shi mentioned, the 'Overlimit Project,' was a combination of these streams.

—By analyzing the abilities of 'Ascendants,' it was possible to tailor weapons, mechas, or body modifications that would maximize their potential.

If explained in game terms, it would be called specialization or a specialized weapon.

Back then, 'Tianhe' was at its peak, involved in all aspects, and Chairman Shen Tianhong had such an idea, secretly launching such a project.

Unfortunately, not long after, 'Tianhe' suffered a catastrophic disaster, and the project was stillborn.

However, Luo Zhikang, who managed to escape, had never given up.

Although he had been living incognito all these years, he had been continuously refining and improving the project. After learning that Shen He was still alive, he had intensified his research in this area.

The reason was simple: as a loyal subordinate of 'Tianhe,' he had always hoped to use this project to help Shen He return to his peak.

And at that time, as the chief designer, he would surely be remembered by history.

But the most troublesome part was here: how did Xu Shi know?

After all, the Shen siblings were still young when 'Tianhe' was destroyed, and other insiders had already perished. Only he understood this project.

Even Shen He didn't know—after all, in Luo Zhikang's view, the other party's foundation was still shallow, and the time was not yet ripe.

Xu Shi naturally knew.

After all, in the original story, the original body had suffered quite a bit from this.

Originally, relying on the foundation of the major conglomerates, even with the protagonist halo's amplification, 'Serpent Coil' would not have been so easily suppressed by 'Spark'; they would often trade blows.

But after the 'Overlimit Project' was launched, things started to go wrong.

Even some of the first-generation mass-produced machines were enough to elevate the abilities of ordinary 'Ascendants' by one level, essentially a physical 'Ascension,' like D-class becoming C-class, and C-class becoming B-class.

Not to mention the specialized versions equipped by the protagonist group—even trash like Chen Fang and Lei Song could, in the later stages, resist two or three 'Serpent Coil' Type-V heavy armors by themselves.

How could they even play? It was impossible to win!

And by the time 'Serpent Coil' belatedly tried to imitate it, it was already too late, and they were powerless to turn the tide.

Therefore, Xu Shi knew the importance of this project. His previous actions targeting Luo Zhikang were to obtain the initial draft of the project and gain the upper hand.

"I..."

Luo Zhikang hadn't expected his request to be this, and he immediately fell into deep conflict.

If he handed this over, it would be tantamount to doing all the work for someone else.

Moreover, using the 'Overlimit Project' to exchange for the disassembly and analysis of a drone was like trading gold for steamed buns; the loss was not insignificant.

"But steamed buns can fill your stomach, can't they?"

Xu Shi seemed to have seen through his thoughts and said with a smile, "Of course, Mr. Luo can also consider it carefully. I'm not short on time."

Since the other party was imprisoned here by him, he had plenty of time to wait.

But Luo Zhikang really couldn't wait any longer.

Xu Shi's grasp of human nature was undoubtedly precise. If he hadn't told Luo Zhikang about the design concept of 'Sea Crane' at all, the other party might have felt better.

The most frightening thing was this kind of manipulation, stirring up a little desire and then immediately suppressing it.

It was like the "stop at the climax" challenge, which could easily drive people crazy. (Scratch that.)

The longer he couldn't get an answer, the more agitated Luo Zhikang became.

His increasingly pale face also showed how tormented he was.

Time passed bit by bit.

"...I agree to your trade, but I can't tell you."

After an unknown amount of time, the old man finally relented, "Regarding the 'Overlimit Project,' I can only tell the designer of this drone."

"Ah, alright, alright."

Xu Shi chuckled and then called Jiang Chengcheng over.

To be honest, telling her or telling himself made no difference.

At most, it would only reduce Luo Zhikang's guilt a little.

Let's leave him with some fig leaf, I'm such a good person.

"The designer of the drones... is her?"

When Luo Zhikang saw Jiang Chengcheng, he could hardly believe his eyes. "Not Jiang Fengshan?"

He wasn't completely unaware of "Serpent Coil," and his first thought was that the drones were Jiang Fengshan's work.

How could it be a young girl in her early twenties?

"Miss Jiang Chengcheng is Manager Jiang's adopted daughter," Xu Shi answered without directly addressing the question, simply introducing her.

"...So that's how it is."

Hearing this, Luo Zhikang sighed helplessly.

If that were the case, then it made sense.

What he didn't know was that if Jiang Fengshan had actually shown up today, Xu Shi would have been the one embarrassed.

It was hard to say if the old man's current professional capabilities even met the level of a clerk.

"I'll leave you two to chat."

Xu Shi politely gave them space.

After all, he had explained everything that needed to be explained, what should be said and what shouldn't, and even left a weapon for Jiang Chengcheng for self-defense.

He then went outside and struck up a casual conversation with the two guards.

This made them extremely nervous; they never expected the Chairman to chat with them...

Xu Shi didn't mind; he could do whatever he pleased when he was in a good mood.

Frankly, if things had gone according to the original plan, he would have had to recruit Luo Zhikang into his ranks at all costs.

But with Jiang Chengcheng's presence, the old man was essentially dispensable to him.

His only value to Xu Shi was the "Overlimit Project."

As for what came after, he could discard him like worn-out shoes at any time... not that he needed to, no need to kill him in a hurry.

Shen He must have already found out that Luo Zhikang had been captured by him.

Unlike Xu Shi, the old man was like a lifeline to Shen He. Without Luo Zhikang, "Spark's" equipment advantage over other gangs would disappear, and they would at least collapse by half.

It could be said that losing a hundred Chen Fangs wouldn't be as severe as losing one Luo Zhikang.

If he couldn't find anyone else to replace him, Shen He would have to consider whether to take a risky gamble and rescue Luo Zhikang.

Even if such a thing was as difficult as climbing to heaven.

But then again.

With his good brother taking care of things, did young Shen He even have the energy to think about all this right now?