Within the giant mechanical testing vat, towering dozens of meters high, numerous diamond-shaped, capsule-like instruments were neatly arranged.
Fu Yafang tilted her head back, her expression calm as she gazed at these dark green instruments, a shiver running down her spine.
Beside her, Huiye Ailicity smiled gently and said, "These are all the Brains of the Huiye family. Their physical bodies have died, but their brains have been preserved to continue contributing to the family."
"Of course, if I were to die, I would also be placed in these containers. This would continue until the brain is thoroughly soaked in nutrient solution and can no longer think. These processes might last for decades."
Fu Yafang nodded silently, accepting this perverse arrangement.
The two continued forward along the deserted avenue.
This grand testing zone, nestled amongst the mountains, was the entire base of the Huiye family.
Yet, in this city of towering skyscrapers, no other living people could be seen. It was utterly silent; if a needle dropped ten meters away, it could be heard with abnormal clarity.
"Here are our various small-scale testing and research zones: human body modification, cybernetic integration, genetic modification and fusion, flesh and blood separation modifications, consciousness merging, human weapon consciousness manipulation, and many other minor projects."
"It can be said that a significant portion of the Black Star Empire's technological achievements today is due to our advancements."
Fu Yafang followed Huiye Ailicity silently. Suddenly, the heel of her high-heeled shoe sank slightly.
She looked down and saw a set of human teeth embedded into the concrete floor.
Huiye Ailicity smiled and said, "We will utilize all resources from ourselves and our experimental subjects to construct this city."
"Everything you see has been obtained through modification."
"The family strictly teaches us that all things will be, and are ultimately, utilized."
Fu Yafang forced a calm smile, but she felt indescribably repulsed.
If her guess was correct, the entire city was constructed using these bone fragments mixed with building materials.
They were currently in a true "dead city."
As they spoke, the roar of mechs echoed between the skyscrapers overhead.
"That is the automated production line of the Mech Research and Casting Department, churning out all sorts of mechs. Four-fifths of the Black Star Empire's mech production comes from us," Huiye Ailicity explained with a smile.
The two walked across glowing glass skywalks, weaving between the skyscrapers.
It had to be said that, despite the chilling silence, the grandeur here was unmatched by any city in Xianxia, not even Xianxia City itself.
A few hundred meters ahead, on a towering, spire-like skyscraper, a holographic image of a man unfolded.
The man gazed sternly at Ailicity and Fu Yafang, his authoritative voice resonating throughout the city, "Ailicity Mi, one of our experimental subjects has been out of control for a long time. Our intelligence reports that he has recently returned and infiltrated the capital city of Dahei Star."
Ailicity looked up, smiling sweetly at the man, and said, "Is that Xu Jie? Don't worry, the Main Brain has already notified me."
"Oh my, the Head Steward is quite busy lately, even meddling in the affairs of the Outer Technology Department."
The Head Steward's face immediately contorted in displeasure. Unable to hold back, he burst into laughter, "Hahaha! All matters here are handled, I'm very idle! Unlike you young people, who can still go out and wander. Speaking of which, I haven't been outside to see anything for a century."
Ailicity chuckled, "You can apply to the Main Brain, have them give you a body and go out for a stroll."
The Head Steward's gaze landed on Fu Yafang, his eyes showing a hint of something unusual. "Hmm, it must be put on the agenda. I should get a young body and experience the feeling of being full of hormones."
"Don't you dare lay a hand on Sister Dailian~" Ailicity warned with a smile. "She is my honored guest."
The Head Steward's figure rapidly shifted through the holographic images on various skyscrapers, finally arriving on a small holographic screen just a few meters away from them.
"It's been a long time since I've seen living people, especially fresh, living women. The Brains are all very excited," the Head Steward said with anticipation.
Ailicity narrowed her eyes suddenly, her tone becoming chillingly stern. "Tell them to behave themselves and not to touch Dailian."
"Ailicity Mi, you, a mere member of the Outer Technology Department, cannot control the Brains," the Head Steward said provocatively.
Huiye Ailicity suddenly smiled and said, "The Main Brain has agreed to grant me supreme authority for the time being. Otherwise, where would all those strange, terrifying things have gone? I'm also afraid Sister Dailian might not be able to handle the shock."
Upon hearing this, the Head Steward's expression turned cold again. He turned and vanished from the holographic projection.
Fu Yafang, not understanding the full context, breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing their conversation, she realized those brains without bodies had taken an interest in her. Fortunately, Ailicity had intervened, saving her from persecution.
Fu Yafang asked with confusion and disgust, "Do these disembodied brains still retain their excitement for carnal matters?"
Ailicity let out a chuckle and said, "No, no, no. They want to modify your body to be even more perfect. That's what excites them."
Then, Ailicity whispered, "That Head Steward is a pervert who likes to seek pleasure through women's bodies. He's taken a liking to your beautiful, alluring, and captivating physique."
The explanation, rather than reassuring her, made Fu Yafang's heart turn colder. She wished she could leave this place immediately.
"Well, we're almost at our Outer Technology Department. There are more normal people there. Of course, you need to stick close to me. Some outwardly respectable 'normal' people are more terrifying than those mechanical beings."
With that, the two continued forward.
Walking through winding, glowing skywalks and passing by one skyscraper after another, Fu Yafang's questions grew heavier.
"You said earlier that because of our appearance, some terrifying things retreated, right?" Fu Yafang asked softly.
Ailicity nodded calmly and said, "Normally, some creatures that defy common perception help clean the city and maintain its operations."
"To say they defy common perception is actually just modifying them to be more suited for their work."
As they were speaking, the sound of a chiming clock echoed from the sky, striking ten times.
Fu Yafang followed the sound and looked up. On the roof of a building, she could vaguely see something with a chicken's head, a bell's body, human legs, and a lizard's tail, rapidly descending the skyscraper.
The bizarre creature glanced at Fu Yafang from afar and quickly disappeared behind the building.
Fu Yafang shivered all over, forcing herself to forget the creature's appearance.
The two walked for about another half an hour, taking in a small portion of the city, before taking an automatic escalator down to the underground levels.
On the negative 33rd floor underground, a massive doorframe appeared before them.
The doorframe was emblazoned with several glowing characters: [OUTER TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT]
Ailicity smiled and turned back to Fu Yafang, saying, "We've reached our destination. Let's start today's formal work."
But she found that there was no one behind her.