"Haha..."
Before Dan Nan could comment on Han Lang's speculation, Dr. Sim burst into laughter.
"Frogs in a well, frogs in a well!"
"Han Lang! I thought you were so smart? Turns out you're just like this. It seems Gou Tuizhi never told you that I started researching the cultivation physique of Xia Guo people many years ago."
"Back then, I just wanted to find the weaknesses embedded in your genes!"
"But recently I discovered that people with the cultivation physique of your Xia Guo people, once they embark on the path of cultivation and are transformed into espers, their strength can skyrocket."
"That's why I conducted this experiment on Gou Tuizhi. I didn't expect it to be true."
"So, while you were fighting Gou Tuizhi, I injected myself with Xia Guo people's serum. At the same time, I used some special methods to temporarily reach the Foundation Establishment stage."
"Although this cultivation is temporary, as long as I complete the transformation during this period, my strength will be solidified to the level of an XS-class esper!"
"Otherwise, do you think I wouldn't have sent anyone to support Gou Tuizhi?"
"Why would I have kept Allen and Smith upstairs to stall you?"
"It was all to buy me time to complete the transformation!"
"Haha..."
Dr. Sim's laughter grew more excited.
His words completely explained why there were no SS-class or S-class espers outside the base to support Allen and Smith, but instead, they were all concentrated inside the base, not actively attacking Han Lang and the others.
Similarly, Dr. Sim's words also made everyone completely overturn Han Lang's previous guess.
They thought that Dr. Sim was limited by his physique and could not possibly reach the level of a true XS-class esper.
However, at this moment, a thought flashed through Zhao Wu's mind.
After being hit by Dr. Sim earlier, he had only suffered minor external injuries. After a period of recovery, he was basically fine.
So he quickly shouted and asked.
"No! Your base doesn't have any Xia Guo cultivators as test subjects, so how did you know that transforming Xia Guo cultivators into espers would cause their strength to soar? Therefore, Gou Tuizhi's matter was just a coincidence you stumbled upon. And your claim to reach XS-class strength must be a bluff, right?"
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to Zhao Wu's remarks.
That's right.
Espers and cultivators have always been at odds. Even if cultivators could be transformed into espers, thereby greatly increasing their strength.
But an esper base couldn't possibly have test subjects.
Even if they could capture some cultivators through unconventional means, once transformed and their strength greatly increased, if they weren't willing to be driven by espers, how could they be willing to be used as pawns by their enemies?
It should be known that espers beyond D-class could not be controlled by Dr. Sim through some special means.
Dr. Sim was also stunned by Zhao Wu's question.
He looked at Zhao Wu and asked back with a hint of confusion.
"You're from Xingcheng, aren't you?"
Everyone looked confused.
What kind of question was that, completely irrelevant!
Zhao Wu was even more bewildered and replied.
"So what if I am."
Dr. Sim, having received the answer, smiled faintly.
"Heh heh, I just recalled that when I was in Lecheng before, Wang Shan seemed to be from Xingcheng as well. But since I'm in a good mood today, it wouldn't hurt to explain it to you."
"Although most cultivators are opposed to us espers, don't you understand your own compatriots?"
"Many years ago, when your Huaxia land was enslaved, weren't there many traitors?"
"Do you think all Xia Guo people are like you, with their minds full of their own country?"
"Haha... Don't be ridiculous! You Xia Guo people are just greedy people."
"As long as there's profit to be made, you'll never refuse!"
Being belittled by Dr. Sim like this, Han Lang and the others were even more furious.
But even so, they had to admit.
What Dr. Sim said was indeed the truth.
Many years ago, Huaxia was invaded by some small countries that were living quite well.
During that period, there were indeed quite a few people who betrayed their country and became lackeys of others.
Therefore, even though everyone was indignant at this moment, they had to admit that this was an indelible fact of the Xia Guo people.
"So, you mean that someone in the cultivator world has betrayed Xia Guo and defected to you?"
Dr. Sim chuckled.
"That's right! Ever since we developed X-class espers, some far-sighted cultivators from your country began to flee. There are still many of your cultivators at our base headquarters now. Why don't you tie yourselves up, and I'll take you back so you can see for yourselves?"
Dr. Sim's words stunned everyone.
They truly did not expect that, as early as that time, there were cultivators who did not have faith in the cultivators of the Dharma-ending Age and had instead defected to the espers, whom the entire cultivator world regarded as a disgrace.
At the same time, they also felt a sense of humiliation from Dr. Sim's suggestion of self-surrender.
Han Lang gritted his teeth in anger upon hearing these words.
"That's right! Perhaps not every Xia Guo cultivator is as you say, loving our homeland. But even so, the unyielding soul of our great Xia Guo people cannot be defiled by you."
"In the end, you are nothing more than someone who unscrupulously took the Nascent Souls of our Xia Guo ancestors without our knowledge to research and create espers."
"What right do you have to stand here and spout nonsense, slandering my Xia Guo people!"
Seeing Han Lang's extreme anger, Dr. Sim's smile widened.
"Tsk tsk tsk... Angry? Haha... That's right. The birth of our espers was indeed inspired by your cultivators' Nascent Souls. But for so many years, we have been working hard to grow stronger. What about you?"
"You only know how to guard your own small territory and don't understand flexible adaptation!"
"It's the Dharma-ending Age, my friend. Do you think that compared to the ease with which we can achieve it, people will choose your slow and arduous cultivation to reach the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage?"
"Not to mention that most of your Xia Guo cultivators can't even break through the Golden Core stage?"
"Are we shameless, or are you pedantic!"
"Times are changing, your way of cultivation is no longer applicable, and you will eventually be completely replaced by us espers!"
As Dr. Sim spoke, his face grew more and more proud and self-satisfied.
However, after hearing these words, Han Lang's anger suddenly subsided.
He couldn't help but point at Dr. Sim and burst into laughter.