The Steel Barrier emitted white steam as the towering skies pressed down, and the uneven skyscrapers stood in the reddish glow of the waning sun, blurring into dark silhouettes under the raging heat. In the distance of the crimson sky, large military transport aircraft took off, loaded with arms, heading to unknown destinations.

The roar of fighter jets cutting through the sky came from above, the last sliver of golden sunlight leaping between buildings, spreading over the old alley. Several shadows darted at the end of the alley, appearing frantic, scrambling beneath a rusty old burglar-proof window, soon followed by the sound of body collisions, and backs hitting against walls.

Xu Xiaoyou had both hands in her hoodie pockets, one boot pressing against the chest of a punk in front of her, forcing the young man's chest back down. She nodded her chin, and the punk resignedly handed the wallet he had just snatched to the girl, along with the clenched drug packet in his hand.

Beside him, his companions lay scattered on the ground, clutching arms or holding legs and groaning. Not long ago, they had just robbed an unlucky white-collar worker, not expecting this blonde girl to have tailed them and trapped them in a dark alley, forcing them.

"Get lost," Xu Xiaoyou waved her hand.

The small gang hurriedly got up, circled around Xu Xiaoyou, spit out a few harsh words, and disappeared at the alley entrance. This familiar sense of déjà vu reminded Xu Xiaoyou of past incidents in Corrupt Nest City.

With a few inner sighs, she took off her hoodie, bought some daily necessities with the money from the wallet, and returned to the apartment. It was an apartment in name only, in reality, a lodging so crude it couldn't be any more so. As she entered, she saw Angelina lazily reclining on the sofa, watching the news through her veil.

She took some time to assess their current situation, which was in a small town called Dragonfly Town, east of Chichu Heaven Louse Tower City, under the direct jurisdiction of the Mountain Crow Family. Those on the street earlier wearing the black Crow Family emblems were indeed members of the Mountain Crow Family.

To the west was Octopus Tower City, majestic as a mountain range, aligning with the Xuedong family. Dragonfly Town is one of the crucial military hubs of the Chichu Five Families, with military facilities like armored vehicles often seen on the streets.

The Chichu Five Families each had their roles. The main Chichu Family unified the other four, making all political decisions. Though the Mountain Crow Family seemed to manage taxes and regulate the market, secretly they dealt with all the unsavory affairs for the main family, such as debt collection, gambling, and adult entertainment.

It's hard to imagine a Nest City entirely ruled by a regime akin to a mafia. There's no traditional judicial system, petty theft goes unnoticed, and robberies and fights are commonplace. For unpardonable crimes, instead of court-ordered death sentences, a gang of men branded with the Wanderer's Journey symbol will come door to door, cutting off hands as needed, embedding them in concrete piles, and if all else fails, giving them three stabs, six holes.

In Chichu Heaven, the words of Cosmic Heavy Industries hold no weight. The company's rules and laws are scoffed at because the Chichu Family itself is one of the Five Great Clans within Cosmic Heavy Industries, ranking far above the Withered Flower, Lindong, and Starfall Family, among the top two clans.

Because of this, major fugitives wanted by the company often escape to Chichu Heaven, seeking protection from the Chichu Family. As long as they don't break the underworld's rules or commit unforgivable errors, no one can touch them. The military power of the Chichu Family is highly integrated with the company, with half of Cosmic Heavy Industries' foundation lying in Chichu Heaven.

Angelina cracked open a chilled beer can, gulping it down. The sparkling liquid flowed down the girl's slender neck.

She let out a satisfied sigh, casually wiped her mouth, and upon seeing Xu Xiaoyou behind her, tossed over a bottle.

Xu Xiaoyou flipped her hand to catch it, the corner of her mouth twitching, "We might still be wanted by the Association. Aren't you worried about being this lax?"

Angelina frowned, patting the sofa next to her.

As Xu Xiaoyou just sat down, Angelina's arm wrapped over, the smell of alcohol hitting her. She only now noticed the scattered metal cans on the table, one of which rolled to the floor with a clang.

In her ear, Angelina whispered, "What are you afraid of? If anyone comes, I'll protect you anyway, just like before."

"Frown a bit more; I enjoy watching it."

Angelina leaned her face close to Xu Xiaoyou, gleefully gloating.

Xu Xiaoyou slightly frowned, lightly pushing Angelina, who was pressing her onto the sofa, away, lowering her voice, "Anya."

"Don't forget, it was for you that I ended up like this."

Angelina paused, retorting with a click, "No fun, why bother with me, just toss me like before."

Xu Xiaoyou had no mood to argue with Angelina, listless as she collapsed onto the sofa, placing the stolen drug packet in the sunset. It contained vermilion, crystalline powder chunks—the same thing Angelina had previously fed her, known by the locals as Vermilion Saliva.

All Chichu Heaven residents suffer from a form of hysteria where subtle internal fears magnify into a series of mental and physical changes. When the hysteria erupts, they need to take Vermilion Saliva to suppress the symptoms.

It's still unclear what one becomes if the hysteria fully manifests. Reflecting on that intense sense of palpitations before, Xu Xiaoyou judged she was already infected. The sensation was not at all pleasant, and perhaps leaving Chichu Heaven would lead to some improvement.

Xu Xiaoyou's mind was awash with thoughts.

She suddenly noticed the affection plotline for Tang Xin, [Girl Falling from the Starry Garden], had all prerequisites unlocked, leaving only time as the sole trigger condition.

[By completing this affection plotline, the character Tang Xin will gain enhanced Basic Attributes, break through attribute locks, exceed genetic limitations. Unlock advanced resonance: Star Blessing. Unlock Mimicry: Sound of the Void. Awaken as the up character Starry Singer—Savia Lindong.]

Xu Xiaoyou was a bit surprised; when she was at the Star of Art, the prerequisites had always been locked. Yet here, in Chichu Heaven, she inexplicably triggered and unlocked Tang Xin's affection plotline?

It's not going to be another world-class horror tale of destroying the Star of Art, Xu Xiaoyou mused inwardly. She keenly spotted that the [Girl Falling from the Starry Garden] requires her to be an actor in its opening.

Putting her thoughts aside for now, Xu Xiaoyou rubbed her temples. The immediate task was to confirm the aftermath of the Siren's descent and Tang Xin's current situation, and lastly, assess the Association's attitude toward them.

Information channels for the Average Chichu Heaven citizen were too tightly restricted, lacking timeliness. News on the veil regarding the Star of Art was even over half a month old. To understand external affairs, she must connect with reliable intelligence merchants.

She first considered Darwin, a fellow company S-class agent, who had previously mentioned offering help once she arrived in Chichu Heaven, but she quickly dismissed this thought.

Without assessing her current status, contacting anyone associated with Cosmic Heavy Industries or the Association could ignite trouble, regardless if the "Dark Gold Rose's" mysterious veil had been lifted, she must remain vigilant.

She then thought of the online acquaintance named 'Camellia,' recalling the details of their conversations. She vaguely remembered, shortly after the incident on the Star of Art, the other party had already received the news, clearly possessing above-average information access.

'[Camellia: Right, do you even know my status? It would scare you to death if I told you.]'

Could the seemingly offhand bragging of the other party actually be true?

No matter what, the other person's true identity was undoubtedly complex, and in the current situation, treating the stale as the lively treatment might be the only option. Xu Xiaoyou decided to probe that girl's sincerity.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.