20: Temptation appears after the choice

The wind of Sand City was scorching and dry, containing almost no moisture.

In comparison, the underground River Valley was far too suitable for survival.

Why was it occupied by Gray's group? They didn't seem like a very strong force.

Was there something she had overlooked?

"We're here, just behind this alley."

Gaia reached out and pointed ahead. An inconspicuous shop was squeezed into a corner.

"Grandpa Hei! I brought some friends to give you some business."

"What's all the shouting for? I'm not deaf." A hunched little old man rose from among the shelves.

The wrinkles on his face were deep and dry, with only his eyes still holding a sharp glint. After scanning the three of them, his gaze landed on Li.

"What good stuff do you have? Out with it."

Li took off a large backpack from his back. "The chest plate and tail tip of a Sand Scorpion King."

Tu Nan glanced at those armor plates; each one was the size of a shield.

"There are also teeth. This is a Sand Scorpion King of at least ten years." Gaia patted the bundle he was carrying.

A sharp light flashed in the old man's eyes as he darted over with an agility that belied his frame to take a look. He nodded with satisfaction.

"Let's go to the warehouse to see the goods."

He walked to a corner and flipped open a cover on the floor, revealing a passage 2089.

As they were about to head over, the worn iron door was pushed open again, and a lazy voice drifted in.

"This is the good shop you mentioned? To think a Border Star like this could actually have something that catches your eye."

Light streamed into the room from outside. A pair of polished black military boots stepped into the dilapidated little shop, and the male who entered appeared before them, silhouetted against the light.

He wore a crisp white military uniform adorned with gold thread patterns, and his belt buckle was bright enough to blind someone.

Likely overwhelmed by the strange smell of machine oil and various Materials mixed together, he pulled out a handkerchief, covered his nose and mouth, and looked around with disdain.

His long, curly, dark green hair had the elegant color of top-grade emeralds. It was draped casually behind him, swaying slightly with his movements. When he stopped, the scattered bits of light seemed to withdraw.

A scent of the forest wafted toward them.

"You didn't trick me into coming here on purpose, did you?" He tilted his head and spoke to someone outside.

A cold, calm voice rang out unhurriedly.

"You will pay for your arrogance one day, Kong."

Before the words had even faded, the person stepped into the shop and stood side-by-side with the previous Male Beast.

Unlike his companion, who seemed completely unfazed by the scorching sun and wind-blown sand, he was entirely shrouded in a cloak.

Only his gentle eyes and a pair of long, fair hands were exposed. Even from these few features, one could glimpse his elegant temperament.

Both were Male Beasts rarely seen in the sand fields, each with their own distinct aura.

Tu Nan and her group of three, however, all froze in place.

Although she didn't know what was going on with Li and the others, Tu Nan's heart was screaming frantically.

People she thought were extremely rare in this world—two of them appeared at once!

For so long, besides the 10% prompt when Li appeared, there was only that speechless 1% from Gray.

And now, two 5%s appeared before Tu Nan's eyes in such an absurd manner, each with an evaluation provided by the System above their heads.

On the scroll above the gorgeously beautiful green-haired man, it read:

[Detected Collectible Mutant Gene: Ancient Phoenix (Divine-Grade)]

[Successful breeding can complete the host's gene chain by: 5%]

Above the head of the elegantly poised man, it was labeled:

[Detected Collectible Mutant Gene: Ancient Sea Beast (Divine-Grade)]

[Successful breeding can complete the host's gene chain by: 5%]

"Aren't you going to explain... I thought the mission targets were extremely rare?" she questioned the System darkly.

[They are indeed very rare... They can only be triggered upon meeting.] It really wasn't its fault; the System, showing a rare hint of emotion, replied to Tu Nan stubbornly.

"Do you have a grudge against me? You dragged me here from Earth and want me to do missions, but you won't tell me anything?" Tu Nan had never been able to get information out of the System; no matter how much she asked, it was like punching cotton, yielding only silence.

[I cannot say.] It had its own considerations and was extremely sparing with its words, remaining insistent. After speaking, it fell silent.

As expected, it was like this again.

Tu Nan forced herself to stop looking at those two, turning her head back toward Li bit by bit.

Even though her mind was racing at explosive speeds, she forced herself to maintain a calm expression. She couldn't let Li discover her abnormality... It was too late now to consider who was more suitable.

She had already been forced to place her bet, and now her life was tied to Li—even if he wasn't necessarily the best choice.

Tu Nan stared at her toes, her hands tightly gripping the inner seam of her cloak.

Either of the two at the door looked like "nobles."

That's right; whether it was the arrogant one or the gentle one, both possessed a temperament that was completely out of place with everyone else.

This was a familiar scent from her past life—the kind of innate superiority and disregard for others cultivated in an environment of luxury and privilege.

They wouldn't easily lower their heads to look at a Foster Mother, nor did they lack reproductive resources.

And Li, as a "buyer," was already merciful enough; her luck wasn't too bad.

She should be able to reach her goal easily and get pregnant with the Children first. As for how to safely give birth to the Children in the River Valley and exchange them for three years of life?

She could only take it one step at a time.

Li put his arm around her waist, nearly lifting her feet off the ground as he walked toward the open basement entrance. Gaia followed silently behind him.

The shopkeeper's attitude changed completely after they entered the basement. Rubbing his hands, he spoke flatteringly: "Distinguished guests have graced my door! Are you bringing your friend to order a new weapon? Just leave it to me..."

"Who are they?" the gentle voice inquired.

"Ah... just a nephew of mine. He brought a friend over to hang out. Don't mind them."

"I'll have them stay far away so they don't offend the distinguished guests' eyes... Look, shall I go get the catalog now?"

The voices behind them suddenly vanished; the hatch above had been closed.

The lights in the underground passage flickered on. The three of them walked quickly and silently for quite a distance before arriving at a vast underground space.

Tall shelves and stacked cabinets lined the space. The three of them stood in the center of the warehouse, speechless for a long while.

"Li... who are they?"

Tu Nan feigned curiosity, trying to gather information.

"Shh... keep your voice down."

Gaia stopped her softly. Seeing that Li was tense and on guard, with no intention of answering Tu Nan, Gaia had no choice but to speak.

"I only know one of them, the one in the military uniform." His fluffy tail thrashed against the ground, his expression worried. "He's a new Major in the Border Patrol Army, Kong Jiamu."

"Last time, it was he and Li who got into a fight."

"Don't you think he's full of bad habits? But he's actually a bird who's quite good at fighting."

"...Nonsense, he's not that good." Li was unhappy.

Kong—Jia—mu.

She knew the identity of one of them; as for the other... who was he?

Even though she had already made her choice, she still wanted to hold more possibilities in her hands.

Only then would she feel at ease.

Tu Nan lowered her eyes.