Chapter 13 Mutation Point

Lin Shen couldn't quite understand. Completing the first mutation only required one Steel Mutant Egg—using an Alloy Egg or even a Crystal Mutation Egg would be prohibited.

Too advanced mutation eggs could cause humans undergoing the mutation process to become entirely metallic, transforming into lifeless statues.

*Mutation was an astonishing yet dangerous process. Only the perfect amount of energy could allow a flesh-and-blood human to possess a steel base. The process was even more bizarre and eerie than the complete metamorphosis during Butterfly Transformation.*

*Was it truly necessary to venture into such perilous places just for one Steel Mutant Egg? With the Lin Family's resources, buying the perfect Steel Mutant Egg shouldn't have been a problem.*

Noticing Lin Shen's lingering doubts, Ye explained, "For most purposes, a top-tier Steel Mutant Egg usually only has one attribute at the maximum value of ten points. Finding an egg with even two attributes at max is already exceedingly rare. But Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother wanted to find an egg with at least three, if not four, attributes at max—so they ventured to Gourd Mountain."

Ye gave a bitter chuckle and continued, "Had they known earlier that Little Brother Lin Shen had already completed his mutation, there would've been no need to go to Gourd Mountain."

Lin Shen could hear the faint reproach in Ye's tone. Ye thought Lin Shen had kept his completed mutation secret from the Third and Fourth Brothers, forcing them into unnecessary risk.

*But how could Lin Shen even explain? How could an unmutated human manage to disable a Supersonic Gunman in one strike?*

"How did they discover such mutation eggs were available at Gourd Mountain?" Lin Shen felt something about this still didn't sit right.

"Because Gourd Mountain is actually a mutation point," Ye said slowly.

At the mention of the term "mutation point," Lin Shen's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "There's a mutation point nearby?"

*Over two hundred years ago, Base Mutation creatures started appearing worldwide—not simultaneously, but in specific locations that radiated outward over time. These initial sites where mutation creatures began to emerge became known as mutation points.*

*Near mutation points, not only were mutation creatures more abundant, but the presence of frighteningly advanced mutation creatures was also possible.*

*Years ago, a base staffed with over a hundred Crystal Base-level mutators attempted to infiltrate the outskirts of a mutation point to plunder resources. They inadvertently provoked an unbelievably terrifying mutation creature within. Not only were all mutators annihilated, but the creature subsequently rampaged through a nearby human base, obliterating it entirely and leaving countless dead and wounded.*

*Since that disaster, bases were intentionally constructed far from mutation points whenever possible.*

Lin Shen never imagined there'd be a mutation point near Dark Bird Base. Yet, over all these years, there had been no reports of terrifying advanced mutation creatures in the vicinity.

"No wonder someone like Second Brother became trapped inside." Lin Shen's remorse deepened. *If the Third and Fourth Brothers truly found themselves similarly ensnared while searching for a mutation egg for him, he'd never find peace for the rest of his life.*

"Ye, do you know the location of Gourd Mountain?" Lin Shen asked.

"Little Brother Lin Shen, don't ask about that. I absolutely will not let you go to Gourd Mountain. Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother would rather die than want you risking yourself," Ye immediately said with a firm shake of his head.

"Then send someone to Gourd Mountain to check the situation," Lin Shen murmured.

"Not possible. Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother risked themselves to keep Gourd Mountain's secrets safe. If we send people now and expose Gourd Mountain's location, all their efforts will be wasted," Ye firmly rejected Lin Shen's idea again.

"Ye, since Second Brother came up with the name 'Gourd Mountain' and no outsiders knew about it, why does Bai Shenfei know of its existence?" Lin Shen paused, suddenly lifting his gaze to stare at Ye.

Ye replied solemnly, "That's precisely what I wanted to discuss. Mr. Lin Xiangdong would never share something like Gourd Mountain publicly. But today, Qi Shuheng and Wang Tian'er also behaved oddly—they seemed very certain Fourth Brother was absent from the base. Otherwise, they wouldn't have repeatedly made such blatant probes."

"You suspect…?" Lin Shen stopped short, lost in thought.

"There might be a traitor among us," Ye's expression darkened.

"How many people know Fourth Brother went to Gourd Mountain with Third Brother?" Lin Shen followed up.

"Aside from me, no one knows Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother went to Gourd Mountain. However, four individuals know Fourth Brother is away. Many others could infer the possibility that Mr. Lin Xiangdong left," Ye speculated.

Ye referred to four trusted confidants of Mr. Lin Xiangdong, all Alloy-level mutators.

"Ye, which of those four do you think might be the traitor?" Lin Shen asked. He was familiar with the four individuals, long-standing allies of Mr. Lin Xiangdong who had fought side-by-side for years and shared life-and-death bonds. They'd also clashed often with the Qi and Wang Families, making them seem unlikely candidates for betrayal.

"They've followed Mr. Lin Xiangdong for years. He's saved their lives, and they've saved his. To suspect any of them as traitors is hard for me to accept. Over the years, they've committed plenty of offenses against the Qi and Wang Families under Mr. Lin Xiangdong's orders. The idea they'd turncoat now is difficult to believe," Ye admitted.

"That's what makes it terrifying," Lin Shen sighed. "Ye, you're the only one I can fully trust right now."

"Little Brother Lin Shen, rest assured—I will root out the traitor. If it turns out to be one of those four, I'll personally tear out their heart to see if it's black," Ye vowed bitterly.

"Conduct your investigation discreetly—don't make a commotion. Even if you uncover the traitor, don't act impulsively. Wait until Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother return before making any moves," Lin Shen instructed.

"What if… I mean, what if… they can't come back?"

"There's no 'what if.' They will come back."

"True, Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother are extraordinary men; they've weathered countless storms. This time will be no different—they'll return safely." Ye hesitated before adding, "Thankfully, Little Brother Lin Shen, you're already an Alloy-level mutator. With you here, the Lin Family still has its pillar. Even if the worst happens, I'll sacrifice my life to help you protect this family's legacy."

Lin Shen glanced at Ye, nodded, and said, "Ye, I'll be counting on you. Find the traitor first."

"Don't worry, Little Brother Lin Shen—I'll begin immediately," Ye said as he walked out.

After Ye left the room, Lin Shen removed the mask from his face, furrowed his brows, and muttered to himself, "That guy Ye—his words subtly implied several times he was goading me to rescue at Gourd Mountain. I hope I'm overthinking this."

*Of course, Lin Shen wanted to head to Gourd Mountain—but he genuinely lacked the strength. Going would be like delivering himself to die.*

*Despite the effectiveness of Acupoint Sealing, one still had to close the gap to land the move; similarly, Seven Steps of Conflict was only applicable when the opponent used a gun. Yet few mutation creatures wield firearms—going would be suicide.*

*If I want to help, I need to ensure I don't become dead weight,* Lin Shen thought deeply for a moment before hurrying away from Mr. Lin Xiangdong's residence to return to his own quarters.

In his quarters, Lin Shen approached the incubation chamber and stared contemplatively at three mutation eggs inside.

"In a little over a day, the Steel Tail Scorpion should hatch. I'll assess the situation before deciding," Lin Shen thought about these mutation eggs imbued with Super-Base Evolutionary Fire Seeds. *Their attributes should be far above average.*

If the Steel Tail Scorpion's post-hatch attributes were off the charts, Lin Shen considered using the Dark Iron Swallow or Hundred-Refined Steel Beast mutation egg to complete his own mutation.

"What exactly is the nature of a Super-Base Evolutionary Fire Seed?" Lin Shen couldn't help but recall Bai Shenfei.

*For a human like Bai Shenfei to possess a Super-Base Evolutionary Fire Seed was almost beyond belief.*

*Lin Shen desperately wanted the Fire Seed Bai Shenfei carried. If it held earth-shattering abilities, he'd have more leverage to venture to Gourd Mountain.*

*But even now, Lin Shen was clueless about how Fire Seeds transferred.*

*From practical experiments, simply sleeping beside a mutation egg containing a Fire Seed allowed him to gain its abilities.*

*The problem was Bai Shenfei was human—and a woman. He couldn't exactly ask a woman he'd only met once to sleep with him, could he?*

*If money solved everything, Lin Shen would willingly spend his entire private savings just to have Bai Shenfei sleep next to him. However, that was far from realistic.*

"So you're Lin Shen—the young master of the Lin Family, known for indulging in life's pleasures," a woman's voice suddenly spoke behind him.

Turning around, Lin Shen saw a humanoid mosaic sitting on his sofa. Apart from Bai Shenfei, there could be no other person.