Illusion and Reality

Without Zuo Teng's identification, Ren Wuyang would have found it almost impossible to believe that the giant humanoid creature was Zhao Tianhua.

That head weighs more than my whole body...

On his face, which still retained seven-tenths of its human form, Zhao Tianhua's eyelids revealed dozens of compound eye patterns when they opened and closed, as if he could observe the surroundings above, below, and all around.

Two 30-centimeter-long canines protruded from the normal oral cavity, causing facial deformity.

The body's bulging blue muscles trembled constantly, and bone Root Bone occasionally emerged from the joints, as if possessing endless explosive power, or as if constantly changing.

As his icy gaze swept around, Ren Wuyang felt a chill run through his body.

Enormous creatures naturally inspire a sense of oppression, while dangerous and deadly beasts send chills down one's spine; even those in the Seventh Sequence are extremely cautious when facing them.

The intimidation caused by the humanoid ferocious beast was almost unprecedented.

Zuo Teng pulled him back, and Ren Wuyang stumbled and fell into the bushes.

Ren Wuyang had seen ferocious beasts before. He had seen them one by one when they were transported to Western Capital City, including giant birds, fierce eagles, tiger-faced spiders, and white elephants, but none of them could compare to the humanoid behemoth before him.

"What exactly did you do?"

As Ren Wuyang gritted his teeth and uttered the words, he felt his voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Uncle Luo got a new drug and injected it into Zhao Tianhua. At first, nothing happened, but after seven liters were injected..."

"How much?"

Zuo Teng's response was accurate as always, but Ren Wuyang could not accept the data Zuo Teng mentioned.

Injecting medication is not like drinking water or alcohol; such a large dose injected into the body will inevitably have a strong effect.

"You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you," Zuo Denggao complained. "Uncle Luo said that the derivative resistance layer requires the participation of all the tissue fluid in the body for the reaction. We have about fifteen kilograms of tissue fluid in our bodies, and the stimulating drug can weigh up to fifteen kilograms. We've only injected half of it so far!"

"This is terrible!"

Ren Wuyang whispered.

He didn't really understand the medication Luo forbade to inject, but if he wasn't mentally impaired, he should know very well that the body couldn't withstand such injectable stimulation.

"The experiment appears to have failed!"

Zuo Teng whispered.

His gaze swept over the giant humanoid creature that had crashed out of the research institute, then he touched his sidearm, and finally gave up the idea.

Not many people fled for their lives. Apart from those who evacuated early, most people were so intimidated by the enemy that they could hardly move, just like Ren Wuyang, who could only stand there blankly.

Zuo Teng didn't know how many people had been injured or killed in the riots; all he wanted now was for the high- Sequence Holder could come to clean up the mess.

Only those at the Seventh Sequence can face the ferocious beast. Emergency communications are being sent continuously, and higher- Sequence Holder are also arriving.

Zhang Xuezhou seems to have appeared as well!

Zuo Teng shook his head vigorously; he seemed to sense a familiar figure as he frantically fled the research institute.

He knew Zhang Xuezhou too well; he was someone he couldn't catch up to no matter how hard he tried. Zuo Teng could even sense the distance between them growing ever wider.

This isn't just Zuo Teng's feeling; most people close to Zhang Xuezhou feel the same way, even the currently popular Ning Que and Zhang Manqian.

"That guy..."

Zuo Teng muttered something. His feelings for Zhang Xuezhou were extremely complex, a mixture of jealousy and envy. However, Zuo Teng also believed in Zhang Xuezhou's abilities, a feeling that Zhu Bufan and other Seventh Sequence individuals could hardly provide.

"Counselor Zhang, lend a hand!"

Zhong Rang's loud shouts continued to rang out, and only then did Zuo Teng see a familiar figure leap out of the broken window of the research institute.

"Zhao Tianhua's body is undergoing rapid changes; he is not suitable for attacking at this time!"

He's become mentally unstable and is now in his twilight years!

"Wait a little longer!"

A figure leaped into the air. The tall Zhang Xuezhou was only half the length of Zhao Tianhua's arm in front of him, the difference in size was huge.

From behind the shattered window, Zhong Rang emerged, wielding a nearly 1.5-meter-long serrated sword.

The scarlet blade looked as if it had been smeared with blood, and the electric current flashing across its surface clearly indicated that this was no ordinary knife.

This is the genetic weapon Zhong Rang changed after entering the Seventh Sequence; the broadsword is mainly used to deal with ferocious beasts.

A cold glint of electricity flashed across the blade, causing Zhong Rang to fly behind Zhong Rang.

The stench of burning flesh filled the air, indicating that the knife's first battle had not been as invincible as Zhong Rang had hoped, forcing Zhong Rang seek a partner.

"Luo Burang said the potion still has 20% of its effect waiting to be realized. If his abilities are enhanced by another 20%, I won't be able to withstand his attack," Zhong Rang said through gritted teeth. "Don't be so soft-hearted. You can avoid him, but there are many more people who can't avoid Zhao Tianhua at all, and don't even have the right to stand in front of him!"

"I led him into the no-man's land!"

The brief discussion was followed by a heavy sigh from Zhong Rang.

Western Capital City has always been extremely swift in dealing with high- Sequence Holder have fallen into the chaos of old age or whose thinking is confused. Even if they are former partners who have spent every day together, Zhong Rang's blade will show no mercy.

Zhong Rang felt that Zhang Xuezhou was somewhat indecisive, but if he were to fall into this state, he would still have a 30% chance of regaining his senses. Moreover, Zhang Xuezhou was the person Zhong Rang was hoping for.

"Luo Burang, what's your opinion?"

"I have no objection!"

Zhong Rang turned around and saw that Luo Burang, who had been lying on the ground on the verge of death, was now running out with a pale face.

Although he was pale and looked so haggard that he looked like he was about to die, Luo Burang was indeed still alive.

"This formulation has a powerful impact. My suggestion to Zhao Tianhua to stay conscious is 'Seventh.' See if he can break free from this uncontrollable situation!"

Luo Burang shouted towards the sky, and saw Zhao Tianhua's huge body slightly crouch down, the flesh on his back constantly writhing, and a pair of wings covered with fleshy membranes rapidly extending from his shoulder blades.

"Is it the image from Manqian's painting?"

At the B13 Research Institute, Zhang Manqian left behind some paintings that look rather strange.

Zhang Manqian mentioned that it was a hallucination she had, while Zhang Xuezhou mentioned that it might be a rehearsal for some future moment.

Zhao Tianhua's physical appearance differs from his paintings, but they consistently align with his depiction in the paintings.

"That painting..."

A long time has passed, and Zhang Manqian's paintings were just something Luo Burang casually found while flipping through the pages.

He kept trying to recall the details, but even with his exceptional memory, he found it difficult to remember every single detail of the portrait.

"Quick, quick, find that painting!"

Luo Burang exclaimed, and Zhong Rang somewhat puzzled, while Ren Wuyang seemed to understand.

"A painting by Manqian?"

Ren Wuyang called out, and saw Luo Burang, whose face was pale, nodding repeatedly, which made him take off running.

At this moment, Ren Wuyang should do whatever he can; he doesn't need to get to the bottom of things.

Having quickly figured out what Luo Burang needed, he rushed off towards the B13 Research Institute.

"What did she say? What did Zhang Manqian say?"

Zuo Denggao asked a couple of questions without thinking, but Zuo Teng ignored Zuo Denggao, keeping his gaze fixed on the floating figure in mid-air.

It's not a rumor that Zhang Xuezhou possesses the ability to Crane Soaring like a crane. Zuo Teng had seen Zhang Xuezhou floating around in Qin Meng, but Zuo Teng had never seen Zhang Xuezhou walk in the air as if he were walking.

This posture seemed to provoke Zhao Tianhua, whose wings covered with fleshy membranes spread out and flapped continuously.

Powerful winds and waves roared and swirled in all directions, whipping up patches of grass and sending soil raining down like a sandstorm.

Amidst the wind and waves, Zhao Tianhua's enormous body began to slowly rise into the air.

Like an observer learning, Zhao Tianhua kept his eyes fixed on Zhang Xuezhou, his body quickly adapting to the ability to hover in the air, without going around causing trouble.

Just as Zuo Teng and the others breathed a sigh of relief, they saw Zhao Tianhua spread his fleshy wings and rush towards Zhang Xuezhou from high in the sky.

Zhao Tianhua's wingspan didn't seem particularly fast, but his size made up for it, allowing him to fly over thirty meters with a single flap.

Although seemingly slow, Zhao Tianhua was actually incredibly fast, rapidly closing in on Zhang Xuezhou, who was suspended in mid-air, with a flap of his wings.

Zhang Xuezhou's fluid and agile maneuvering in the air resembled that of an experienced helmsman battling the waves, his speed almost unimaginable.

But in the instant Zhang Xuezhou turned to avoid him, a fierce roar erupted from Zhao Tianhua's massive body.

This roar is not the sharpness of machine cutting, but a powerful howl.

Like a tiger's roar shaking the mountains, a huge sound wave came, and Zuo Teng, who was more than 200 meters away, felt his vision go black and blood kept flowing from his nose.