「Several days later.」

Wintry gusts of wind swept through the streets. A few children in thick coats were squatting and playing by the roadside, running back and forth to chase after the withered yellow ginkgo leaves that fluttered down.

Tall apartment buildings of varying heights stood crowded together. Along both sides of the asphalt road, which was just barely wide enough, all kinds of vehicles were parked.

The doors to various supermarkets, restaurants, and clothing shops were wide open, their neon signs lit even in the daytime. People came and went, talking and laughing.

Such a scene was a rare sight in the Iron Ring District. Sitting in a black sedan on the roadside—his stakeout vehicle—Lu Chao subconsciously glanced toward the far end of the street.

A great steel bridge spanned the river. Its deck was dozens of meters above the water and stretched for nearly a kilometer, leading directly to the prosperous city district on the opposite bank—an area enveloped by glass curtain walls and green belts.

White cargo ships could be seen passing on the river from time to time, docking at the port on the other side. Occasionally, a hover car or two would approach from the distance, spewing pale blue exhaust as they streaked across the sky, leaving a turbulent wake.

"The Inner Ring..."

His gaze flickered, and he instinctively took another look.

The street he was patrolling today was on the innermost edge of the Iron Ring District, just a stone’s throw from the bridge that led to the Inner Ring.

"Want to go take a look?"

Chen Xiao asked with a smile from the driver’s seat. Lu Chao paused for a moment before shaking his head.

Although they had temporary clearance to enter and exit the Inner Ring, they rarely went inside under normal circumstances.

The reason for this was clear.

Looking over at the bridge entrance, he saw yellow roadblocks lying across the path, with barbed wire and spiked barriers blocking the way.

A camouflaged armored vehicle was parked at an angle, and seven or eight soldiers in combat gear stood guard at the intersection like statues, their weapons loaded.

Anyone passing through had to have their identity and clearance verified.

"Are those our people, too?"

Lu Chao asked, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

Chen Xiao nodded and picked up a bottle of soda from inside the car. "Qiu Shan and his crew have been causing too much trouble lately," he said. "That, plus the whole business with the God-Worshiping Church, has led to tighter controls between the inner and outer cities."

"Those guys are from the Mechanical Violence Team. Unlike our patrol units, they’re mostly responsible for matters within the inner city."

Lu Chao grew thoughtful. Beside him, Chen Xiao put down his empty soda bottle. "I’m gonna go grab a couple of drinks and take a leak," he said. "You hold down the fort."

"Alright."

Lu Chao nodded, giving a casual reply.

He glanced at a nearby pharmacy. He was long accustomed to such tedious stakeouts.

Not that he found it boring.

Because...

Tapping his watch, he swiped across the screen and opened a saved file.

Basic Biological Theory

This was one of the three foundational theories one had to master to become an Alchemist.

It was a decision he had made after long deliberation, and he had specifically gone through the Patrol Department’s internal channels to purchase this piece of basic Superpower Knowledge.

Unlike expensive and rare Martial Skills or Secret Techniques, this type of basic Superpower Knowledge was relatively common and affordably priced. He had acquired it for one thousand Alliance Coins.

’Potions provide more nutritional energy than Exotic Beast Meat, and their effects are more specific.’

’If I can consume them in large quantities, my Potential Progress will definitely increase faster. I could also maximize the effects of [Devour Growth]...’

As the thought crossed his mind, Lu Chao’s fingers were already moving, swiping the screen to open the file.

He always felt there was a strange, oppressive atmosphere in Ring City, one that made it hard to breathe.

That was why he was so focused on increasing his strength as quickly as possible.

He could use the downtime on his shifts to study the knowledge of an Alchemist without it interfering with his Martial Arts training.

If he actually managed to succeed, it might lead to a pleasant surprise down the road.

With that, he began to flip through the file.

It was filled with detailed descriptions of human biological structures, energy metabolic pathways, and various common Mutant Beasts...

Time slipped by quietly, and Lu Chao became rather absorbed in his reading.

Chen Xiao returned at some point but didn’t disturb him, only muttering something about the price of soda going up.

...

The warm sun hung high in the sky at noon.

VROOOOM!!

With the roar of an engine, a blue "Feast" sports car sped down the street and pulled up in front of a restaurant called the Fuman Building.

It took only a few seconds.

A valet smiled and hurried forward to greet them.

"Brother Shen, don’t be fooled by the fact that this restaurant is in the Iron Ring District. Plenty of people from the Inner Ring actually come here."

As a car door opened, Shen Tianchen stepped out from the passenger seat.

Looking toward the source of the voice, another young man had also gotten out from the driver’s side.

He was elegantly dressed in a silver Martial Arts uniform with an intricate pattern. He smiled and pointed at the Fuman Building’s sign. "The head chef here trained in the capital, Yao Capital, in his youth. He’s a master of controlling heat with ancient methods, and his way of cooking Exotic Beast Meat is in a class of its own."

"He not only preserves its nutritional value but also turns it into a host of exquisite delicacies."

"Let’s go, Brother Shen. Junior Sister Fang and the others are already upstairs. Please enjoy yourself, and don’t hold back on your junior brother’s account."

Shen Tianchen gave a faint nod and, at the other man’s gesture, walked on ahead.

The window of the private room on the second floor overlooked the street. It was an excellent spot, offering a casual glance at the distant river and the inner city.

The interior was elegant and full of antique charm, filled with mahogany tables and chairs, an ink-wash landscape screen, and various pieces of imitation-antique porcelain.

"Senior Brother Shen."

"Brother Guo, you’re the man! You finally managed to get Senior Brother Shen to come out."

"Brother Shen, it’s rare for us all to get together, so we must have a few drinks... Don’t worry, it’s a Bone-Strengthening Wine brewed with a Python Bone Secret Technique. It nourishes the sinews and bones; it’s nothing but beneficial."

Fang Jingyi and the others were all dressed in similar Martial Arts uniforms, seemingly in an attempt to foster a sense of camaraderie.

Their conversation was filled with admiration and warmth, gradually bringing a slight smile to Shen Tianchen’s face.

"Fellow junior brothers and sisters, you’re too kind."

Amid the lighthearted chatter, he took the seat of honor.

As the atmosphere grew lively, various exquisite blue-and-white porcelain plates were brought out one after another.

Steamed Azurewater Crayfish Claws, Charcoal-Grilled Red Fire Ox Beef, Secret-Sauce Braised Bluebird Wings... all were dishes made from rare and precious Mutant Beasts, and they now filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma.

Everyone raised their glasses and drank. As the python-bone-infused wine went down, they all gradually felt a warmth spreading through their bodies, strengthening their sinews and meridians, nourishing their very flesh and blood.

"Brother Guo, this meal must have cost twenty or thirty thousand Alliance Coins, right?"

"You can say that again! We have Senior Brother Shen to thank for this. It’s the only way we could get a notorious penny-pincher like Young Master Guo to finally spend some money!"

"Haha, what are you talking about? Am I really such a cheapskate? If Brother Shen likes this place, we’ll just come back again."

"Alright, alright, then it’s a deal! Right, Brother Shen?"

As their voices washed over him, Shen Tianchen sipped his wine and nodded lightly, a self-satisfied smile gracing his features.

’Even among the wealthy scions of the Inner Ring, strength is what truly commands respect.’

’As long as I can maintain this pace of advancement, these connections and resources will all become stepping stones to greater heights.’

In that moment, he cast aside the warnings of Senior Brother Luo and Senior Sister Lin.

Amid the talk and laughter, he proceeded to drink several more glasses.

Until a certain moment.

"Hm?"

Shen Tianchen’s ears twitched. He had faintly heard some kind of commotion.

Everyone present was a trained fighter with exceptional hearing. They soon noticed the noisy clamor coming from downstairs.

Even through their slight intoxication, they snapped to attention and went to the window to look down at the street.

The once quiet and peaceful street was now filled with a large crowd that had emerged from deeper within the Iron Ring District, blocking most of the road.

"WUUUU—!"

"Protest! Protest!"

"Give us our jobs back!"

Curses, screams, and shouts all mixed together into a cacophony. The people at the front were holding a red cloth banner, repeatedly chanting the word "Protest."

Within minutes, the street descended into chaos, becoming a sea of jostling heads.

Passing cars were forced to a halt, one after another. A wave of furious noise, like a bursting dam, grew louder and louder.