Xu Sheng was a little confused. Su Ze had been browsing the Tier-1 extracts just fine, so why did he suddenly pick out a Tier-2 extract?
Besides, for someone as obviously wealthy as Su Ze, it was strange that he hadn't chosen a Tier-2 Grade A, but a Grade D instead.
'Maybe he's buying it for someone else…' Xu Sheng mused. He didn't dwell on it and simply asked Su Ze if he would be paying with Lin Hua coins or points.
Su Ze understood that money was only useful for purchasing low-level Evolution Items. Once he reached the Butterfly Stage, it likely wouldn't be of much use to him personally. Therefore, as long as he could pay with cash, he would.
Xu Sheng then led him to the checkout counter to pay, asking Su Ze to present the black card he had just received.
Xu Sheng explained, "This black card is both a points card and a membership card. All of your transactions with us will accumulate growth points based on the amount spent. These points will raise your membership level. The higher your level, the greater the discounts you'll receive from our company. High-level members also get some extra privileges."
"The growth points you earned from selling the Tier-4 extract have already upgraded you to our Platinum Member, entitling you to a ten-percent discount. This tube of Rock Scorpion extract was originally six million Lin coins, so after the discount, it's 5.4 million."
Su Ze wasn't in the mood to listen to the whole spiel. He hastily swiped his card, paid the 5.4 million, and secured the Rock Scorpion extract.
He glanced at the time. Less than half an hour had passed since he'd entered the store. He didn't dare to linger, so he declined Xu Sheng's invitation to stay for a meal, exchanged contact information, and left.
Outside the store, Su Ze discreetly blended into the crowd. He passed a phone shop, went inside, and bought a new phone along with several unregistered SIM cards.
After tossing his old phone and SIM cards into a river, Su Ze found a Lin Hua International Bank branch, opened an anonymous account, and transferred all the money from Zhao Yuanyi into it.
Lin Hua International Bank was the largest bank on the Lin Hua Continent, with its headquarters in the Sovereign Country of Lin Hua. Su Ze had specifically chosen this massive multinational bank to prevent Zhao Yuanyi from tracking him.
Next, he found a clothing store, bought a complete change of clothes, and put them on, adding a hat and a face mask.
It was November, and the weather was turning cold, so being bundled up wouldn't draw any unwanted attention.
Only then did Su Ze finally let out a sigh of relief. The very air he breathed seemed filled with the sweet scent of freedom, and the desperate urgency of a man on the run was gone.
Now that he had dealt with the Tier-4 extract, the phone, and the bank card, it wouldn't be so easy for the mysterious organization and the Zhao Family to track him.
'The first thing I need to do now is find a place to absorb the Rock Scorpion extract. Then, I'll complete my first evolution and become a Pupa Stage life form.'
'After that, I have to find a way to get out of Mu Country!'
Mu Country was the Zhao Family's home turf, and Zhao Yuanyi's power there was absolute. If Su Ze stayed, every move would be fraught with peril. Simply checking into a hotel or even using a computer at an internet cafe would expose his location.
That reminded him. Su Ze suddenly began to worry. 'Where am I going to stay tonight? Where can I absorb the extract?'
Hotels all required ID for registration. The one he had, in the name of "Chen Kun," had been arranged by Zhao Yuanyi. If he dared to use it, the Zhao Family would undoubtedly track him down.
...
Bihai Tang City was one of the more famous bathhouses in Heiyan City.
After racking his brain, Su Ze figured a bathhouse was about the only kind of place where he could stay the night without having to register with an ID.
'With a net worth in the tens of billions, I can't just go sleep under a bridge, can I?'
"I'd like a private room," Su Ze said, pulling the brim of his hat low as a beautiful woman in a cheongsam approached to greet him.
"How many in your party, sir?"
"Just me."
"Sir, our private rooms do have a minimum charge..."
"Charge it!"
"Of course. Right this way, sir." The smile on the woman's face grew even more enthusiastic.
Su Ze didn't waste any more words, simply paying upfront and letting his wallet do the talking.
The woman in the cheongsam tapped away at the computer, setting him up with some kind of package. Su Ze didn't bother to look at the details; it was only a matter of a few thousand coins anyway.
Su Ze followed the woman to a private room upstairs. He glanced around; the accommodations weren't bad. In addition to a small, private hot tub, the room also had a large bed.
The woman laid out a bathrobe and slippers for Su Ze, poured him a cup of tea, and then excused herself.
The room felt a little warm, so Su Ze took off his clothes and changed into the bathrobe.
He had just finished changing when a knock came at the door. Su Ze looked over to see a female technician enter. She was dressed in a black and white maid outfit complete with fishnet stockings. She was tall, with long, slender legs, and her low-cut neckline made it clear she was well-endowed. Her face was pretty enough, though her makeup was a little too thick.
The technician's eyes lit up when she saw Su Ze. She hadn't expected the client to be such a handsome young man.
"Hello, valued guest. I'm technician number 403, and I'll be serving you today. Would you like to take a bath first?"
"That won't be necessary. You can go for now; I'd like to rest a bit first." All Su Ze wanted was to absorb the extract and complete his evolution as quickly as possible.
"Well... how about I give you a massage to help you relax?" The technician seemed reluctant to leave. She reminded him suggestively, "Your package includes a 'stress-relief' service."
'Is this woman trying to take my virginity?'
'In her dreams.'
Although Zhao Lingxiao's private life had been a mess, this body of Su Ze's was a clone. Strictly speaking, he was still clean.
"I'm tired and just want to rest. I'll call you if I need anything," Su Ze said, waving her away.
Women would only slow his blade. Evolving and growing stronger was his one true calling.
He had been a seasoned veteran in his past life; a small temptation like this wasn't enough to make him lose his composure.
The technician shot him a resentful glance before silently retreating.
Now alone in the private room, Su Ze got up and locked the door. He took out the Rock Scorpion extract, which faintly glowed with an orange light. Taking a deep breath, he prayed that nothing would go wrong.
'For a top-tier specimen like me, I should be able to easily absorb a Tier-2 Grade S extract after my first evolution. So even though I haven't evolved yet, absorbing a Tier-2 Grade D extract shouldn't be too much to handle...'
Su Ze wasn't sure if he was making an objective analysis or just trying to reassure himself.
Gritting his teeth, he twisted open the cap of the Rock Scorpion extract, tilted his head back, and downed it in one go.
It tasted slightly astringent, with a hint of an earthy, fishy odor, but it wasn't too difficult to drink. Su Ze finished it off in a couple of gulps.
Absorbing an extract was that simple—just drink it. Apparently, injection was also an option, but the shock of the evolutionary power to the system would be far more violent. Taking it orally was the gentler, safer method.
Different extracts had different flavors, too. Some tasted quite pleasant, while others were said to be so foul they were nearly impossible to swallow.
A second or two after Su Ze downed the extract, a burning sensation ignited in his stomach, as if it were on fire.
He hurriedly grabbed the fruit and snacks from the table and stuffed them into his mouth, hoping to lessen the extract's harsh effect on his stomach.
A strange power began to spread from his stomach throughout his entire body. Under its influence, Su Ze felt an indescribable sensation. His whole body began to react: his blood flow slowed, his thoughts grew sluggish, and his skin hardened, taking on a blackish hue.
His heartbeat seemed to be slowing as well.
As time went on, Su Ze could feel his heart beating slower and slower, unsure of when it might stop completely!
Su Ze's sluggish brain registered one terrifying fact: if this continued, he was going to die.