Chapter 6: You're Welcome, My Friend!

On the sliced tissue, countless cells began to proliferate rapidly. Then, the old cells swiftly started to perish. This cycle repeated endlessly. The flesh and blood taken in that slice could be described in one word: "fresh." It could maintain a state of perpetual freshness.

The doctor who witnessed this scene firsthand now roared wildly like a madman. “Oh! Sh*t! The Jade Emperor!” “This is nothing short of a miracle!” He grabbed an assistant by the collar, nearly losing his mind. “Do you know what this means?” “God! This is insane!” The assistant replied immediately. “It means he can live forever!” The doctor’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he nodded. “Exactly!”

“But haven’t similar phenomena been observed in some contained subjects?” a researcher questioned. The doctor shook his head, putting on a pair of pince-nez again. “No, this is different! Because this was found in a human being!” His words stunned everyone present, leaving them confused. Someone muttered quietly, “Is he really still human?” “Who in their right mind cuts their own flesh without batting an eye?” The doctor fell into deep contemplation at these remarks. “From a biological standpoint, I suppose he still counts as human.” “I suppose…”

At that moment, the doctor was gripped by profound self-doubt.

Elsewhere, Lu Xiao finished devouring a pile of hamburgers and let out a loud, satisfied burp. His gaze landed on the last button on the wall, marked with a door icon. Without hesitation, he pressed it. Mechanical gears whirred, and the heavy door of the room swung open abruptly. Lu Xiao peeked out; the corridor was empty, bathed in light and utterly silent.

He glanced back and noticed a screen mounted on the outer wall of the room he emerged from. It read:

[Designation: S292 – The Lost One]
[Containment Level: S (provisional)]
[Target Ability: Unknown (under investigation)]
[Containment Conditions: Unknown (under investigation)]
[Note: This human lost within the dark prison is still under observation. It is advised not to provoke!]

Lu Xiao stared blankly, deep in thought. “The word ‘lost’ isn’t quite right. It needs a better term.” “But what would that be?” After racking his brain with no success, he gave up. “I remember that prison medic’s designation was S069!” He stuck out his crimson tongue, licking the corner of his mouth. “How do I find him?”

Looking around, he quickly spotted something like a surveillance camera. With a thought, Lu Xiao approached and pressed his face against the lens. The staff member watching the monitors was so startled he fell off his chair. On the screen, the lifeless eyes of Lu Xiao filled most of the frame. Simultaneously, his voice came through: “Hello? Is anyone there?”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Lu Xiao tapped the camera. The staff wiped the sweat from his brow and finally responded, “Y-yes! How can I help you?” A smile crept across Lu Xiao’s face. “I’d like to ask how to get to the room of S069, the prison medic.”

“Just follow the corridor straight ahead! You’llI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.