Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Questions and Answers

Hearing C Luo’s apology, Lu Xiao propped her chin on one hand, a smile in her eyes. “Who are you apologizing on behalf of? Were you the one who brought me here?”

The seemingly casual words struck a nerve.

But just as C Luo was reeling with guilt, Lu Xiao continued on casually, “This potion Ban Lun mentioned… do you know what it is?”

It was, one could say, a rather abrupt change of topic.

C Luo, still mulling over Lu Xiao’s last words, was taken aback for a moment. Then, realizing what potion she was talking about, he hesitated before nodding.

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Can you tell me about it? If not, that’s fine.”

C Luo took a sip of water, as if trying to calm some emotion. After setting down his cup, he said, “It’s a potion designed to treat the Spirit Sea disorders of S-Class males. The early stage of its development is complete.”

“So the side effects from the trials are severe?”

C Luo’s heart skipped a beat. Instead of answering, he asked, “Did Ban Lun tell you that?”

Lu Xiao noticed his way of addressing Ban Lun was slightly different than before, but she didn’t comment on it. Instead, she nodded. “He said the potion has side effects and that my presence can compensate for them. What does that mean?”

C Luo pressed his lips together, looking as if he found the subject difficult to discuss.

Seeing his troubled expression, Lu Xiao said understandingly, “If this question is difficult for you, you don’t have to answer. I was just asking on a whim anyway. I’m sure I’ll find out the answer soon enough. After all, that’s the whole reason I was brought here. I doubt they’d pass up an opportunity like this. I only asked you because I wanted to be mentally prepared. I’m actually quite worried I’ll see… some messy things.”

As she finished, Lu Xiao forced a brave smile.

That smile made C Luo feel even worse. He couldn’t help but say, “The potion’s side effect is a low success rate. If it fails, it amplifies the negative emotions of S-Class males, causing them to completely lose control and their sanity.”

Lu Xiao wasn’t too surprised by C Luo’s answer. Ban Lun’s previous words had already hinted at it. If her presence could counteract the side effects, it wasn’t hard to figure out what her purpose was.

“So this is the ’great’ potion Ban Lun was talking about?” Lu Xiao sneered, her eyes filled with scorn.

“But if they manage to endure that period, it is possible to cure the Spirit Sea disorder of S-Class males. It’s just that the number of successful cases is… quite low.”

“So your test subjects are all S-Class males?”

C Luo realized Lu Xiao had a knack for getting straight to the point.

Neither of them had mentioned test subjects during their conversation, yet Lu Xiao had exposed the core issue with a single sentence.

Seeing C Luo’s silence,

Lu Xiao asked another question. “Were they volunteers?”

C Luo nodded. “Yes. Their conditions were all quite severe. If left unchecked, it was a dead end either way, so they were willing to take the risk. After all, for many males, they’d rather die than live without dignity in the S-Class Shelter, which has been nicknamed ’the Abyss’.”

At the mention of the S-Class Shelter, Lu Xiao fell silent too.

Even though the S-Class Shelter had undergone many changes, Lu Xiao had seen what it was like in the beginning.

She really couldn’t refute C Luo’s words.

“The development process for this potion, did you…”

“I don’t know.” This time, C Luo answered quickly, cutting her off. He then stood up. “You should be about done eating, right? Shall we go look around somewhere else, or would you like to go back and rest?”

Sensing she had likely touched upon a critical secret, Lu Xiao tactfully stood up as well and said to the stall owner, “Put this meal on Ban Lun’s tab.”

The stall owner paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Where are we going next?” Lu Xiao’s expression returned to its previous state, a faint smile on her lips, as if they were truly just out for a stroll.

“We produce a type of Black Crystal Ore here that can be made into jewelry. If you’d like, we could go take a look?”

“Sure!” Lu Xiao nodded, looking very curious. “After you mine this Black Crystal and make it into jewelry, you sell it to the outside world, right?”

“Specialized personnel transport it to the surface. Many females are very fond of it.”

Lu Xiao didn’t pay much attention to things like jewelry. She was a practical person; if she had money, she’d rather buy more gold, since that stuff appreciated in value.

As for jewelry made of other materials, she could take it or leave it.

But since it was something females liked enough to be popular, it must be pretty decent. Her interest was piqued.

Although the Underground City was sunless and perpetually dark, it was lined with all sorts of lights. Not only could you see clearly, but the place felt more like a night market.

Soon, C Luo led Lu Xiao to a street where Black Crystal was sold.

On both sides of the street, piles of black crystals were everywhere. The stones were pure black, with only a slight sheen on the surface that didn’t seem to penetrate the interior.

Lu Xiao walked up to a stall, looking at the Black Crystal that had been crafted into various pieces of jewelry and accessories.

She casually picked up a bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist. Against the pure black, the light made her wrist look slender and fair.

’It’s actually quite pretty.’

Lu Xiao’s lips curved into a smile. “I’ll take this one. Put it on Ban Lun’s tab!”

’She didn’t even ask the price. That fatso must not be short on cash.’

As she turned, Lu Xiao paused and looked back at C Luo, who was following behind her. “Is there a restroom around here? I think I ate too much.”

C Luo froze for a second, seemingly surprised that Lu Xiao could be so blunt. A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. “I’ll take you.”

“No need. Just tell me where it is, and I’ll go by myself. Surely you’re not afraid I’ll run away? I don’t know this place at all. Where could I possibly go?”

“That’s not what I meant… Never mind. The restroom is over there, where you see the green lantern.”

Lu Xiao glanced over and saw it wasn’t far. She smiled and nodded. “Okay, wait for me here. I’ll be right back.”

After speaking, she didn’t forget to flash C Luo another smile before turning and walking in the direction he had pointed.

C Luo didn’t move, standing in place and watching Lu Xiao leave.

He wasn’t worried she would run. Just as Lu Xiao herself had said, she was in an unfamiliar place. Where could she possibly go?

But he didn’t know about Fred.

The reason Lu Xiao had made an excuse to go to the restroom was that, as she turned, she had noticed Fred hiding in the crowd.

Having shaken off C Luo, Lu Xiao was still wondering how to meet up with Fred when a commotion suddenly erupted in the crowd, and chaos ensued.

Lu Xiao turned back to look, but a black cloth was suddenly thrown over her head. Then, she heard a familiar voice. “It’s me. Don’t be afraid. Come with me.”

’It’s Admiral Fred!’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep