Chapter 9：A Path Chosen

Sang Nian drifted into a restful slumber. After waking up, she felt an improvement in her wounds, and the pain had decreased. Emerging from the smart pod, Sang Nian found herself in a serene resting chamber, cocooned in an immaculate white ambiance. 

Sang Nian had simply been roused by hunger.

"You're awake, kid," said Yi Tianque, rising from a nearby chair and turning around. His face bore a hint of weariness and exhaustion.

Sang Nian nodded and quickly tidied up before following Yi Tianque. They found themselves in the cafeteria on the 25th floor.

It wasn't mealtime, the cafeteria lay deserted. 

Sang Nian realized she had been deprived of a proper meal for far too long. This realization ignited a newfound hunger within her soul. The tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared dishes danced in the air, teasing her senses and stirring her appetite to life.

Perhaps it was the lingering growth spurt or the craving for nourishment, but Sang Nian eagerly indulged in bowl after bowl of food, while Yi Tianque remained silent, watching her intently.

After satisfying her hunger and thirst, Sang Nian spoke up, "Broken Blade, what do you want to say?"

Are you just going to sit there silently with a belly full of words? That's too serious...

After a moment, he spoke. "Well, Sang Nian, there are a few things I need to discuss with you," his voice calm and measured. "Yesterday, the research institute meticulously scrutinized and meticulously collected data on your physical condition, and the results of the report are now available."

She murmured a response, her voice softened by the gentle sip of milk. "Hmm... And what did they uncover?"

Yi Tianque continued, "Your body possesses a unique ability to purify toxins."

 "Purifying toxins?" she repeated, a hint of disbelief coloring her voice. "What does that mean?"

"This situation is quite rare. To be precise, you are currently the only one possessing the purification ability." he explained. "The Bloodstone Heart that you inadvertently ingested—the one that should have been fatal to anyone else—your body is gradually purifying it."

This can't bode well, Sang Nian pondered silently to herself.

"But your physical condition is far below average, to the point of being extremely poor."He said, "Your body requires a longer period for recuperation compared to the average individual, and you experience pain twice as intensely. The purifying ability may be a talent achieved through continuous consumption of life. Left unaddressed, this condition affords you no more than six months of life."

Sang Nian took another bite of bread and nodded. "I understand."

Sang Nian's response caught Yi Tianque off guard. In his perception, she was but a mere child.

"Sang Nian," his gaze remained stern and cold, "you must grasp the reality of this world—it is desolate and fraught with dread. You now stand at the heart of the city, where humanity seeks refuge, where safety is fortified, and where hope perseveres. Emerging from the heart of the Century Tower, its influence extends outward, where peril escalates with distance, culminating in the realms beyond the reach of radio waves, shrouded in mystery."

"If my memory serves me right, you've endured the harshest of circumstances, cast aside like refuse in a junkyard. You're no stranger to the plight of the underprivileged, where survival hinges on toiling endlessly for meager sustenance until exhaustion sets in. But now, your extraordinary abilities are in demand. The Research Department seeks to retain you as their newest subject, aiding in the quest for humanity's survival. Even the esteemed Military District is intrigued, though they typically shun the unwanted, they recognize the value in your unique talents, envisioning you as a future protector. To be precise, due to your unique ability, they want to train you to become a hunter. Whichever path you choose, it won't be easy."

Yi Tianque slid a gleaming gold card across the table.

"My message has been conveyed. The decision, Sang Nian, rests with you."

Sang Nian listened intently to Yi Tianque's words, absorbing the weight of the decisions that lay before her. The path she chose would shape her future in this unforgiving world, determining whether she would be merely a pawn in someone else's game or a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

"The Research Department... the Military District..." she murmured, mulling over the weighty decisions that lay before her.

As Yi Tianque slid the gold card across the table, Sang Nian reached out to take it. This small piece of card held the key to her future, a symbol of the choices she was about to make.

"Thank you, Broken Blade," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll think about my decision. "

"Very well," Yi Tianque nodded. "When you've reached a decision, seek me out with the gold card. I'll be anticipating your reply." With that, he stood from his seat and departed the cafeteria, leaving behind a lone silhouette slowly vanishing into the distance.