37 The hidden gene

Bian's attempt to contact Han Yan proved futile as her number remained unreachable. He couldn't help but assume that she was still in the sanctuaries, navigating the perilous landscapes that had separated them for so long.

As he left the cafeteria, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge led him straight to Professor Bai. While his studies of the crystallizers had been put on hold during his time away, back in the alliance, he eagerly resumed delving into their intricate language and enigmatic formations.

Days melted into weeks, and finally, after several months, Bian managed to establish contact with Han Yan. Her voice was a welcome and familiar sound.

"Oh my God, you're finally back!" Han Yan exclaimed with evident happiness.

"That's my line," Bian replied, equally delighted to hear her voice.

"Where are you? Let's meet up," she suggested eagerly.

Bian considered for a moment before responding, "Don't bother. Let's meet in the sanctuaries."

"You don't mean...?" Han Yan realized that Bian must have returned to Green Armor Shelter.

"Okay, then. Let's meet up at the stony cliffs on the riverside," Han Yan proposed, and they quickly settled on a meeting place.

With a sense of excitement and anticipation, Bian made his way back to the sanctuaries, eager to reunite with Han Yan and share the experiences and stories they had gathered during their time apart.

In the sanctuaries, Bian wasted no time in getting directions to the stony cliffs and soon found himself standing before Han Yan, waiting anxiously. The moment they met, he embraced her warmly, and a pleasant fragrance caught his attention. "She has gained some insight from the Dongxuan Sutra," he thought to himself, appreciating her presence nonetheless.

Their reunion, though heartfelt, felt all too brief, but Han Yan had something important to share. With a confident smile, she announced, "I've maxed out all my gene points. If you need help with hunting sacred-blood creatures, I'm your girl."

Bian, displaying a hint of playful confidence, responded, "Sorry, love. The creatures I'm hunting are beyond your grade."

Undeterred, he summoned the wings of the Azure Bunting, causing a chill to run down his spine as majestic blue wings materialized behind him. Han Yan, in response, summoned her sacred-blood wings and followed him. Two hours later, they arrived at the base of a colossal mountain.

As they approached, they encountered a group of injured individuals making their way back to Green Shelter. One of them warned them about the formidable minotaur at the mountain's peak. Bian thanked them but assured them that Han Yan's abilities were more than sufficient for the task.

Upon reaching the summit, they encountered the slumbering minotaur, surrounded by rubble. Its eyes remained closed, presenting an opportunity for a surprise attack. Bian advised Han Yan, "The minotaur is sleeping. Now's your chance to land a finishing blow."

With determination, Han Yan summoned a sacred-blood karambit and rushed forward with lightning speed, striking the minotaur's eyelid with force. The impact resulted in a resounding metallic clang that reverberated through the environment. However, to her astonishment, the minotaur merely opened its eye but remained unmoved.

"But how?" Han Yan was perplexed. She had maxed out her sacred geno points and used powerful geno arts.

Bian stepped forward, revealing the truth he had wanted to share, "This is what I wanted to show you all along. This is a grade above sacred-blood. This is a super creature." His words conveyed the gravity of the power before her.

"There's no need to worry about the minotaur, as it is a loyal companion," Bian reassured Han Yan.

With a swift change of wings, he summoned a pair of dragonfly wings that became imperceptible to most eyes when they flapped. Eager to test their speed, Bian proposed a race from their mountain peak to a distant tree and back.

"Okay," Han Yan agreed, even though she knew the outcome was practically a foregone conclusion—after all, a sacred-blood flying beast soul wouldn't typically surpass another in speed.

As the race began, Han Yan surged toward the distant tree at top speed. She reached the tree and prepared to head back when she realized that Bian was still standing at the mountain peak.

Confusion clouded her thoughts as she flew back toward the cliff. Just when she was about meters away from the peak, Bian took off with astonishing speed. He circled the tree five times and returned to the mountain's summit before her.

"Impossible," Han Yan muttered, completely dumbfounded by what she had just witnessed.

Bian waited for her to come to terms with the reality of his newfound power. "This is the power most people cannot overcome," he explained confidently.

"It's not fair," Han Yan admitted, her disappointment evident as tears welled up in her eyes.

Realizing he may have upset her with the race, Bian tried to make amends. "Oh, I'm sorry about the race. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Just when I thought I would have a chance to repay you, I find out about this. How will I ever repay you?" Han Yan lamented, feeling helpless.

Bian offered a simple solution by giving her a passionate kiss, understanding that life often had unexpected twists.

Meanwhile, the minotaur unearthed a bag from the rubble, and Bian retrieved a large, curved golden marble, handing it to Han Yan.

"Eat this," he instructed.

Han Yan tried to take a bite but found the marble rock solid. Bian chuckled and clarified, "And don't worry about how to pay me back. You'll definitely help me out in the future. Also, I meant for you to lick it."

With a bag on his back and a determined look in his eyes, Bian unsummoned the minotaur and urged Han Yan to stop moping.

"We've got super creatures to slay!" he declared.

As Bian and Han Yan were about to leave the mountain's summit, their plans took an unexpected turn when Bian spotted a group of people approaching. Among them, at the far end, stood a figure who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Son of Heaven but appeared more slender and mature.

The realization hit him like a lightning bolt. "Ning Yue, perfect timing," Bian thought, his heart skipping a beat at the unexpected encounter.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, he turned to Han Yan and urged her with utmost seriousness, "Han Yan, you have to go now. I'll meet you back in the alliance."

Han Yan looked into his eyes, understanding the gravity of the situation, she didn't ask anything and prepared to take flight.

But before she could leave, Bian held her hand sent her a beast soul. "Wait, they say once your eyes have been opened to something, you begin to see it everywhere," he said cryptically, giving her the Holy Angel.

With a nod, Han Yan flew away as instructed, leaving Bian alone on the mountain's peak. With a sense of determination and anticipation, he summoned his super crystal armor and super dragonfly wings, taking off in the direction of Ning Yue.