Chapter 71: Ander

Early the next morning, inside the doctor's office.

Looking at the [Roar of Death] placed between the three of them, Jon, who had always been composed, showed a look of excitement on his face.

"It's been made according to your request, but the controller has also been placed in a safe location," Zhao Kuo said.

"Thank you, Brother Zhao Kuo. You are a benefactor to us in the lower levels," Jon said sincerely, his tone genuine.

But Zhao Kuo waved his hand: "Benefactor or not, it doesn't matter. I have one condition for giving this to you."

The doctor took off his glasses and set them aside: "What condition? Feel free to speak."

Zhao Kuo looked at him and said, "I want the formula for the evolution serum—beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels."

It's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish.

Although the evolution serum had earned Zhao Kuo over fifty thousand subway coins, it was ultimately a fixed amount.

Only by obtaining the formula could he secure more wealth for himself.

"This... Brother Zhao Kuo, this might be..." Jon glanced at the doctor, then back at Zhao Kuo, his face showing hesitation.

The evolution serum was the foundation of the lower levels. It was precisely because of the serum that the members of the Blaze Gang were stronger than other lower-level citizens.

But Zhao Kuo cut him off directly: "Don't worry. After this is over, I'll be leaving Eternal Station, and perhaps I'll never return. Our interests won't conflict."

Yes, that was the core reason.

After the revolution, players would eventually leave Eternal Station.

After that, whether Zhao Kuo had the formula or not would have no impact on those in Eternal Station.

Like two straight lines, once they intersect, they no longer affect each other.

Just as Jon was struggling with the decision, the doctor slowly nodded: "Fine, but... not now. After the revolution is over, I'll personally hand the formula to you."

Zhao Kuo was surprised. He looked into the doctor's eyes and asked, "Are you so sure you'll win?"

The doctor just smiled and said, "Victory always belongs to the people."

Jon and the doctor left the laboratory with the [Roar of Death], accompanied by Jasmine and a young man Zhao Kuo didn't recognize. It wasn't Zhou Xing, but he figured this person wasn't someone to be trifled with either.

Zhao Kuo sat in the laboratory, reflecting on his earlier conversation with the doctor.

Things seemed to have gotten a lot more interesting.

At the entrance of an alley, a black, elongated steam car that didn't belong to the lower levels was parked by the side of the road.

The luxurious vehicle naturally attracted the attention of many lower-level citizens, who gathered around to gawk. The young man in a suit waiting by the car was visibly impatient, constantly shooing the crowd away: "Move along, move along, you filthy vermin."

But the crowd only grew larger.

Fortunately, several tall, burly bodyguards armed with firearms kept the crowd at bay.

The young man, frustrated, lit a cigarette.

After all, he was a young master of the Li family. Although not the eldest son, he didn't deserve to be sent on such a menial task. His elder brother had it better, tasked with welcoming outsiders arriving at the station. Perhaps he could even buy something good from those outsiders.

His father was too biased.

Just then, the doctor and his three companions emerged from the alley.

The young man tossed away the cigarette he had only taken a puff from and sneered: "So the leader of the Blaze Gang lives in a place like this. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Get in the car. The Governor is waiting for you."

With that, he opened the car door and made an exaggerated, almost comical gesture.

The Blaze Gang members nearby immediately grew agitated, with many pulling out weapons, ready to fight these detestable upper-level people.

Jon's sharp gaze fell on the young man, and without hesitation, he stepped on his foot.

"Ow!" The young man yelped in pain and instinctively reached for his gun.

But Jon was faster. With a swift, tiger-like strike, he slammed the young man to the ground.

The surrounding bodyguards, however, remained motionless. Their orders were to ensure the doctor and his group arrived safely at the banquet hall. Anything else was beyond their responsibility.

The young man was left dazed and confused. He couldn't understand how these lowly lower-level people dared to lay hands on him.

And why didn't the bodyguards react to this violence? Shouldn't they be protecting him?

With Jon's assistance, the doctor got into the car. Jasmine sat in the front, while the other young man carried a large box and boarded another vehicle.

As the engines started, the cars quickly moved off.

The vehicles bore the flags of the Governor's Mansion of Eternal City, granting them the highest right of passage within Eternal Station.

This time, the doctor and his group weren't subjected to any checks. Every checkpoint let them pass immediately.

The Governor, as the highest authority in Eternal City, not only controlled the most powerful family but also held actual command over the military.

Although many prominent families had the habit of maintaining private armies, their military strength paled in comparison to the Governor's.

The convoy of three cars drove directly into a special, luxurious elevator. In the lower levels, no one knew of this elevator's existence.

This elevator was accessible only to a select few nobles who had reached the rank of Earl or higher. Those below the rank of Earl couldn't even dream of riding it, let alone knowing about it.

The elevator ascended with a soft mechanical hum.

After a few minutes, the elevator slowly came to a stop, and the doors opened. Bright light poured in from outside.

Having spent so long in dim surroundings, everyone squinted at the sudden brightness.

Outside the elevator was a red-carpeted path. At the end of the path stood a middle-aged man dressed in ornate attire, holding a scepter, his eyes filled with the weight of time.

He was the Governor of Eternal City, Ander Bell.

As the cars drove onto the red carpet, a beautiful military march began to play. At the same time, several ceremonial cannons fired, as if welcoming not the upper levels' most troublesome opponents but their most honored guests.

The administrative car slowly came to a stop at the end of the red carpet. To everyone's surprise, the esteemed Governor Ander personally opened the car door on the doctor's side.

Looking at the doctor's white hair and deep wrinkles, he seemed almost sorrowful: "Teacher, you've aged so much since I last saw you."

"Just a little weathering," the doctor said calmly, stepping out of the car with Ander's assistance.

He looked at the bright world before him, his eyes filled with complexity.

He had once belonged here, to this seemingly radiant place. But now, he was fighting for those in the lower levels who lived in darkness.

The doctor shook his head and looked at his once most brilliant student.

"Ander, do you still remember the ideals we had back then?"

Governor Ander smiled faintly and said, "Just childish talk. I've long forgotten."