Jiang Huai knew that Yue Qinshan was joking. If it were that easy to steal someone from another organization, others would have already made their move. Although Mo Yu was independent, her abilities were undeniable. If it weren't for the Bug Mother, a particularly special beast, she would easily handle other vanguard-level beasts.
Such a powerful awakened one, even if difficult to command, could be thrown into a heap of enemies and would still be a heavy bomb.
"So, what do we do with the core now?" Jiang Huai asked, looking at the pulsating purple core on the table.
Yue Qinshan took a deep drag of his cigarette and then blew the smoke toward the core. "The Association has a clear rule forbidding major organizations from privately keeping cores because cores represent the beast's core power. The Association hopes to study the cores to better understand the beasts."
"But you know, the more something is forbidden, the more valuable it becomes. Heh, I can introduce you to some black market dealers. A vanguard-level core can fetch quite a sum."
Jiang Huai knew that Yue Qinshan was hinting at something, so he didn't interrupt and just listened quietly.
"However..." Yue Qinshan's fingers lightly tapped the core. "The core might have another use for you."
"You want me to eat it, don't you, Old Yue?"
"Hahaha, it's up to you. This thing isn't some kind of supplement, and it doesn't look tasty, but if it can be converted into your power, I think it's worth a try."
Jiang Huai picked up the core and brought it close to his eyes.
"Holy shit, are you serious?!" Yue Qinshan was stunned when he saw Jiang Huai actually considering eating it.
"Why not? If there's a bargain, I'm not one to miss it." Jiang Huai smiled and popped the core into his mouth.
"Well? This thing is purple, is it grape-flavored?"
Yue Qinshan leaned in to observe.
Crunch—
Jiang Huai bit into the core, and Yue Qinshan laughed as he watched. "You really chew it, huh?"
"It's too big, hard to swallow," Jiang Huai said.
"Come on, how does it feel?" Yue Qinshan urged.
Jiang Huai swallowed the shattered core. It wasn't the grape taste Yue Qinshan had joked about. Instead, there was a pungent, foul smell. After swallowing it, he felt a warm current flowing inside his body. He uncontrollably leaned back on the sofa, slowly closing his eyes. The voice of Yue Qinshan grew distant.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the eerie prison office.
This time, he walked out of the office with ease, through the office area, and into the darkness. He once again arrived at the prison cell of the Skeleton Giant.
Jiang Huai easily pushed open the gate to the cell.
To his shock, the prison was a complete mess. Broken insect-like shells and limbs were scattered around, and blood and slime splattered on the walls.
The Skeleton Giant was crouching on the ground, gnawing on the body of the Bug Mother.
Jiang Huai stared in astonishment as he noticed the changes in the Skeleton Giant's body. A row of barbed spikes extended from its arms, and its once-rounded head armor had become angular.
[Core Devoured: Vanguard-level Beast.
[Codename: Bug Mother]
[Special Ability Gained: Dominator]
[You can now command lower-level infectors to submit to you and obey your orders completely.
As your power grows, even beasts will be unable to escape your grasp.]
Just then, the Skeleton Giant slowly turned its head to stare at Jiang Huai.
A scene appeared in Jiang Huai's mind.
In the ruins of the city, five lord-level beasts had slaughtered all the awakened humans. The black world-ending beast hovered above the city, spewing black flames and emitting a piercing screech, as if tolling the death knell for the world.
Beast Tide...
That was Jiang Huai's first thought.
But why had Baixi shown him this scene? Was it a warning or... a prophecy?
The black flames of the world-ending beast gradually engulfed the entire world, and Jiang Huai seemed to be immersed in darkness.
Until he felt a slap on his cheek, which jolted him awake.
"Ah, finally awake. Youth is good, eat something and fall straight to sleep."
Jiang Huai then told Yue Qinshan about the changes in his power but didn't mention the prison he saw in his dream.
"Well, it's basically confirmed now. You've got the ability to absorb a core and convert it into part of your own power. Heh, I've lived this long and this is the first time I've met someone like you."
Yue Qinshan stood up, stretching. "Little Lu should be back soon. Still, we need to keep this secret from her."
"She'll find out sooner or later," Jiang Huai said.
"Then let's wait a bit longer."
Yue Qinshan walked to the balcony, gazing at the city cloaked in darkness. His eyes showed an inexplicable worry.
"She's not ready yet."
"You can't protect her forever," Jiang Huai said as he walked up behind Yue Qinshan.
"Heh? You're lecturing me now?! Have you ever been a father?" Yue Qinshan teased.
"Huh? But you're not her..." Jiang Huai's words trailed off.
In some ways, Yue Qinshan really was like a father to Lu Wan Yin, and Jiang Huai didn't have the right to criticize his way of educating her.
"Kid," Yue Qinshan leaned on the railing, looking at Jiang Huai. "If one day—just if—I kick the bucket, I need you to..."
After a pause, he changed his tone. "If I die, I want you to take care of Little Lu. And for that to happen, you have to join the Association."
Jiang Huai furrowed his brow. "But if, as you say, the Association won't show mercy to beasts, wouldn't the risk be higher if I join them?"
"Dark under the light, kid. And from what you just said, your kind of power has unlimited potential to evolve."
"This evolution happens through devouring cores."
"The best way to get cores is by joining the Association. Do you understand now?"
Listening to Yue Qinshan, Jiang Huai gradually understood everything.
Baixi needed more cores.
Although he wasn't yet sure what his connection with the beast was, Jiang Huai had a strong intuition that Baixi and the things in the prison weren't his enemies.
Whether it was the upcoming battle against the beasts from the Rift or protecting those he cherished, he needed to make his power stronger.
To make this power grow and work for him.
That meant devouring more cores, and joining the Association was indeed the best way to do so.