Super Gene Hunting Ground

After Gu Hai left, Yang Xiao closed the door and carefully examined the room.

It was a one-bedroom apartment with a bathroom, about seventy to eighty square meters, equipped with a bed, sofa, tables, chairs and more in the living room.

The Genetic Store Headquarters is located in the city center of Dragon City, situated in an isolated courtyard, enveloped by a Defense Light Screen, making it impossible for anyone to break in unless they enter through the front gate.

Two Golden Armor Guards stood vigilant at the entrance of the Genetic Store, not allowing anyone to force their way inside.

With the Genetic Store’s status on Witch Star, even the Great Dragon Empire dared not easily offend it. Hence, Yang Xiao was currently considered to be safe.

Yang Xiao gently placed Bing’er down from his embrace, speaking softly:

”Bing’er, don’t be afraid, Uncle will protect you.”

Bing’er looked at Yang Xiao and asked softly:

”Grandpa and Sister Caixia, are they...?”

Yang Xiao nodded,

”I’m sorry, Bing’er, I couldn’t protect them. It’s my fault. I was careless. I should have left earlier. Staying at the ice cream shop for two months was really too long.”

It was rare for Yang Xiao to feel such self-reproach.

According to his original plan, he intended to stay for only ten days to half a month at most.

However, he procrastinated again and again, convincing himself with the reasoning that Long Aotian wouldn’t discover him for the time being, and that he needed to prepare more for the futures of Bing’er, her grandpa, and Caixia.

Looking back now, it was his own yearning for worldly warmth.

He enjoyed being with Bing’er, teasing her every day, listening to her tender voice, and loved the feeling of Bing’er hugging his neck and kissing him.

Elder Zhan’s simplicity and kindness.

Caixia often teased him, but he didn’t mind, even quite enjoyed it.

He was just an ordinary person, enjoying the warmth of the world.

He forgot the harshness of reality, forgot the brutality of Long Aotian.

Yang Xiao gazed at Bing’er, feeling deeply remorseful. Had he left sooner, Bing’er wouldn’t have lost her grandpa, and Caixia wouldn’t have died. They could have formed a temporary family of three, and later Caixia could have married a faithful and simple man, and they could have lived happily together.

Yang Xiao sighed deeply.

Bing’er looked at Yang Xiao, then threw herself into his arms, hugged his neck, and whispered:

”It’s not Uncle’s fault. It was those villains who killed Sister Caixia and Grandpa. I hate them. As I grew up, besides Grandpa and Mom and Dad, Uncle is the best person I’ve met. I love Uncle.”

Yang Xiao held Bing’er tightly and said softly:

”Uncle vows never to leave you again. I will protect you and watch you grow up. Also, one day, I will return to kill Long Aotian and avenge Grandpa and Sister Caixia. Trust me!”

”I trust Uncle!”

.....

The Skid Row fire shook the entire Dragon City, and everyone was frantically searching for Yang Xiao.

The War God hurriedly mobilized thousands of guards, setting up a perimeter around Dragon City to prevent Yang Xiao from escaping, while dispatching thousands more within the city for a detailed search.

The other three sprawling city suburbs became key search areas, causing chaos and unrest.

Long Aotian searched for two consecutive days, combing through almost all of Dragon City except the Imperial Palace and a few vital places, yet yielded no results.

The War God convened a meeting with Long Aotian to strategize.

”This is strange, how could Yang Xiao just vanish into thin air? We’ve searched the whole city and there’s no trace of him.”

”This guy is indeed unusual. Last time, he exploited our thinking blind spot, killed three of Xue Gang’s guards outside the city, returned to Dragon City, and hid in Skid Row, even disguising himself as a Skid Row local, opening an ice cream shop. It’s extraordinary.”

”This time, could he really be out of Dragon City? Even if he’s brazen, he wouldn’t reuse the same plan twice. He must know we’ll extensively search Dragon City. Staying here means waiting to die.”

”It’s hard to say. This man is too cunning to be gauged by conventional thinking.”

”War God, Yang Xiao is now openly against us. Are there concerns about him returning to Purple Origin Star, rallying the native tribes to revolt? If so, that could be a significant issue.”

A General asked.

The War God paused before responding to Long Aotian:

”Ao Tian, you’ve stayed on Purple Origin Star for a long time and are familiar with the situation. Do you think we should be prepared?”

Long Aotian cleared his throat and replied:

”No need. Firstly, Yang Xiao can’t return to Purple Origin Star. Only large ships can make long-distance interstellar journeys, and regarding that, only the empires on Witch Star have them.

We’ve reached agreements with all Witch Star’s empires, ensuring none allow Yang Xiao to board their large ships to Purple Origin Star.

Thus, Yang Xiao can’t return to Purple Origin Star. Without him, the native tribes don’t know what’s happening here. For them, Yang Xiao is still enjoying himself on Witch Star.

The tribes have recently entered an agreement with us, are thriving, and wouldn’t easily revert to old hardships.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The War God said:

”The Prince’s analysis is correct. Yang Xiao can’t return to Purple Origin Star, so we needn’t worry about it now. Once we find and kill Yang Xiao, the threat is eliminated.”

”But where should we look for Yang Xiao? We’ve practically searched the whole city.”

War God paused and asked:

”According to my instincts, Yang Xiao is still hiding in Dragon City. We simply haven’t found him yet. Where in Dragon City hasn’t been searched?”

”Reporting to War God, places not yet searched include the Imperial Palace, Genetic Evolution Research Institute, Guard Camp, all protected areas, impossible to infiltrate. Not even Yang Xiao could sneak into the Imperial Palace.”

”There are a few more places to check.”

”Which places?”

”Genetic Store, Blacksmith Shop, Equipment Center, and Elixir Medicine Shop.”

Everyone paused, realizing these significant locations had been overlooked.

”These places shouldn’t harbor Yang Xiao, should they? Besides, we don’t have the authority to search them.”

”There are over a dozen Genetic Stores in Dragon City. How do we investigate?”

”These shops are neutral entities, enjoying immunity here. Without the Emperor’s special orders, we can’t search them.”

”But what if Yang Xiao is hiding in them?”

”Unlikely. Even if he can hide temporarily, he can’t hide for days. These shops operate by day but shut at night.”

.....

Debates ensued, with many speculating Yang Xiao could be hiding in these neutral commercial entities, yet lacked search authority, leading to silence.

After a while, the War God said:

”Order to station a guard team at the entrance of each commercial institution, monitoring everyone who enters and exits 24/7, leaving no suspicious figure unchecked, especially the Genetic Stores. Keep a close watch.”

”Good idea. Without disrupting these organizations, we can prevent Yang Xiao from sneaking in. Even if he’s hiding here, he can’t stay forever. He’ll eventually show himself.”

(End of chapter 5)