Human Skin and Starting Point

Run.

Must run.

His skin had been completely peeled away; this was one thing Chen Chaosheng was certain of.

In this state of mangled flesh, the man maintained a solemn expression, still running.

Must survive!

Why!

In such a remote place, how could there be a powerhouse at the Chief Surgeon level?

No...

Chen Chaosheng was struck with horror.

This is a trap.

Chen Yao falling, the plague breaking out...

This is a trap!

He fled powerlessly, but the bones in his body let out agonizing howls.

[Bone Shaving].

As if his bones were being severed by a saw, the arrogant Seven Xuanyuan Stars collapsed onto the ground.

Chen Yao was completely stunned, unable to believe that what was happening before her eyes was real.

The [Seven Xuanyuan Stars] were supposed to be the most outstanding young generation in all of Xuanyuan, possessing formidable strength.

Although they hadn't gone through the Selection, they were certain that figures like the Seven Xuanyuan Stars would inevitably secure a [Ranking] and enter a major faction.

But now...

This woman was at most eighteen or nineteen years old.

Why...

"[Plague Armor Avatar]."

"Xuanyuan has... never had a Chief Surgeon as young as you..."

"Who... exactly... who are you..."

Chen Chaosheng lay limp on the ground, like a puddle of black mud.

Click-clack.

Red high heels tapped against the ground.

Xia Yu wore a protective mask, the rose on her right side looking all the more enchanting.

"The President told us that villains should have the self-awareness of villains and that there's no need to always announce one's name, but I feel that death still requires more embellishment."

Xia Yu narrowed her eyes.

She spoke softly: "[Patient Association]."

"NO.11."

"Xia Yu is my real name, you know."

Chen Chaosheng's pupils dilated, even though he had already completely lost all dignity.

The pain in his body could not compare to the shock in his heart.

"It... it was that bitch Di Qiuyan who leaked our location to you!"

Chen Chaosheng's voice was hoarse and desperate.

But by now, Xia Yu had lost interest.

[Snake and Scorpion] emitted a suffocating aura.

The game of big fish eating small fish had reached its end.

There was no fish bigger than Xia Yu.

[Secondary Bone Shaving].

The blade moved in a cross.

Bones shattered completely.

Seven Xuanyuan Star, [In-Situ Tremor] Chen Chaosheng, dead.

Zhou Zhi watched everything before him calmly.

This world made him feel that death was truly a very hasty affair.

The ferocious Yu Jinhai, the self-preserving Wu Ji, the master of divine arts Qiu Ti, and even this tyrannical and terrifying Seven Xuanyuan Star.

Everything ended at this moment, turning into ownerless, withered bones.

"It's over."

As the crimson mucus dissipated, Xia Yu shed her luxurious and bewitching appearance, returning to the temperament of a young girl.

But Zhou Zhi would not forget that terrifying power which transcended everything.

"[Bone Shaving]..."

Zhou Zhi's eyes flickered.

Since Plague Exterminators all utilized medical-based powers, what kind of system did Xia Yu use?

Chen Yao woke up as if from a long dream, her entire body sprawled on the ground.

Before long, some liquid began to flow out onto the floor.

And then...

She died.

Zhou Zhi's gaze was cold.

He had discovered nothing; he did not know how this Xia Yu had made her move, when she had done it, or anything else at all.

"She's quite pretty, though she really should have had the corners of her eyes opened..."

Xia Yu muttered as she walked over.

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

It was just as it had been when Zhou Zhi first met her.

"Mr. Zhou Zhi, now that the noisy fellows are gone, we can have a pleasant conversation."

Xia Yu waved her hand.

The entire Blue Stone Town Central Hospital had been reduced to broken walls and ruins.

Having lost Qiu Ti, the Disease Core, the Mucus Men and Throat Beasts had also lost their vital signs one after another.

"What do you want to do?"

Zhou Zhi spoke slowly.

Xia Yu narrowed her eyes: "Shouldn't you have already guessed what I want to do?"

Zhou Zhi remained silent.

The Medical Student brought Chen Yao to Blue Stone.

Blue Stone Town became diseased, and Xia Yu brought Qiu Ti so-called hope.

She lured Chen Chaosheng here.

"It has already been accomplished. Opportunities to kill a genius in the human world are few and far between, you know," Xia Yu said airily.

Her crescent-moon-shaped eyes were extremely beautiful.

Zhou Zhi did not ask why.

It was obvious that the woman before him was not a good person either.

Xia Yu narrowed her eyes, staring at Zhou Zhi.

"Do you know, Mr. Zhou Zhi?"

"Under normal circumstances, I would kill everyone, including you, but I don't intend to kill you."

Xia Yu smiled as she spoke the most terrifying words: "Because you are very interesting."

"I inspected Bai Xiu's underground clinic. That poor wretch [Bai Xiu] was missing a lung in his body, and among the corpses previously processed, one was missing."

Xia Yu widened her eyes, as if she had found some strange toy.

"Resurrected from the dead, with absolutely no Rejection Reaction."

"It's just too interesting."

Zhou Zhi remained silent.

This was a loophole.

When he left the basement, if anyone with a mind to do so had inspected it, they would have reached the same conclusion as Xia Yu.

And a hidden big boss like Xia Yu would certainly not let any detail slip by.

"So, what are you going to do?"

Zhou Zhi looked at Xia Yu's perfect face.

That face had no flaws; it was so beautiful it was almost fake.

Xia Yu shrugged: "Don't be afraid... oh, you don't look very afraid, either."

The young girl stuck out her tongue.

Then, she revealed a strange smile.

"Do you want to try this?"

Zhou Zhi's pupils flickered.

What Xia Yu held in her hands was the complete human skin of Chen Chaosheng.

Flesh and blood dripped down, a scene so gruesome that no one could bear to look.

Yet, the innocent and naive girl treated it as if it were a warm blanket.

"What are you planning to do?"

Zhou Zhi asked.

"Conduct a test."

Xia Yu held up a finger.

"If you succeed, I will give you a reward."

"If you fail."

"You will die."

Zhou Zhi looked at Xia Yu: "Can I refuse?"

Xia Yu nodded: "You can, but then you'll just die right now."

Zhou Zhi fell silent, then spoke.

"What kind of test?"

Xia Yu looked delighted—a morbid sort of delight. Zhou Zhi always felt that she was different from humans in certain aspects, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly where.

"Put on the [Human Skin] and experience what it feels like to be one of the Seven Shining Stars."

"Of course... the Rejection Reaction is unavoidable."

Xia Yu smiled: "The process should be quite painful, but it doesn't matter. Life is inherently painful. Feeling pain in the pursuit of beauty is part of that beauty, and part of life itself."

Zhou Zhi felt a bad premonition.

Before his eyes, a message appeared.

Regarding the human skin.

[Seven Shining Stars - Chen Chaosheng's complete human skin].

[Pathogenization Index: 3.6%].

[Crafted by Xia Yu].

[A complete human skin, containing mysterious power within].

[Donning it might allow you to become him; of course, that is assuming you don't find it disgusting].

Zhou Zhi's pupils dilated.

In an instant!

Pain, overflowing and absolute!!

Skin...

Peeling away!!!

Drenched in blood!!!

"Hehe, time to put on your new clothes."

Xia Yu said with a beaming smile toward the screaming Zhou Zhi.

Before him, she looked as morbid as a demon.