Celestial Human Diagram

Chen Chuan and Gu Haiting arrived on deck. The spring sun scattered across the sea, creating a dazzling shimmer of gold. A warm breeze rustled their clothes and the ends of their hair.

Gazing at the magnificent, sprawling Central City in the distance, the two men walked to the railing. Below them, azure waves rolled, and an occasional white seabird glided past near the coast.

Chen Chuan glanced in the direction of Yinglu District. Even from so far away, he could still see the silhouette of the giant Ferris Wheel.

Gu Haiting took two boxes from an attendant, passed one to Chen Chuan, and then opened his own.

Just then, the waves below churned with foam as several dolphins swam over. Some poked their heads out of the water to look at them, while others circled beneath the yacht’s gunwale.

Gu Haiting grabbed a handful of pellets from the box and scattered them into the water.

The dolphins below immediately chattered with excitement, leaping from the sea to snatch the food. Some jumped so high they actually cleared the yacht’s bow, landing on the other side with a tremendous SPLASH.

No ordinary dolphin could perform like that.

Gu Haiting said, "These are all Mutated dolphins, Modified Creatures specially developed by the company. We’ve fitted them with Implants, which help us with rescue operations and finding certain special things."

Chen Chuan asked, "Special things?"

Gu Haiting said, "Captain Chen, are you aware that just as there are Rifts on land, there are also Rifts on the seafloor? But we’ve never fully understood them.

However, based on records from the old era and data from modern exploration, it seems there aren’t many Rifts in the ocean. The primary evidence is that mutations among sea creatures are extremely rare. Moreover, we once attempted to build a Central City in the Outer Ocean, but we located very few Rifts. For that and other reasons, the project was never pursued further.

These Rifts may be few and far between, but when they do appear, they affect the surrounding life, causing them to undergo a certain degree of mutation. These modified dolphins are an effective tool for finding these Mutated Creatures, which in turn leads us to the Rifts themselves.

From the very beginning, one of the responsibilities of our Canglong Company and the Overseas Development Group has been to find ways to eliminate these Mutated Creatures, investigate the Rifts under the sea, and then seal them off."

Chen Chuan listened, but he knew better. ’Besides their stated responsibilities, these two companies have certainly reaped significant profits from this venture. And the applications for Modified Creatures go far beyond what he’s saying. Their real goal is probably to research weaponized Implants and various other biological modification technologies.’

’But in the current climate, that’s hardly a secret. With the Great Collision on the horizon, practically every corporation in the world is doing the same thing.’

Gu Haiting scattered another handful of feed. "Those Foreigners have always wanted to establish their own Central City. The government has been using our two companies to keep them suppressed. I won’t bore you with the historical entanglements, but in short, we have no reason to simply hand over what we’ve already secured.

These Foreigners are backed by the Lynx Federation and some other international organizations. They’ve always vied with us for dominance over the Outer Ocean. The establishment of the Ferris Wheel Company, for example... some of the technology they used bears the hallmarks of the Lynx Federation."

He stated bluntly, "Regardless of their original intentions, from the moment that company was founded, they have been our enemy."

He looked at Chen Chuan again. "And I’m not just talking about Canglong Company and the Overseas Development Group. I’m including you, Captain Chen."

Chen Chuan said, "Oh? How so?"

Gu Haiting said, "Captain Chen, please log into our internal platform here. I want to show you something."

Chen Chuan tapped his Realm Token and found a connection to the platform of the nearest ship, the Ivory. He logged in, and Gu Haiting immediately sent him a list.

"Captain Chen, this is a report we’ve compiled. It’s a list of people who have died mysteriously over the past six months, but we can confirm they were all murdered."

Chen Chuan glanced at it. Plenty of people died in violent conflicts in Central City every day; it was impossible to keep a detailed count. At first glance, the victims’ identities and ages varied widely, and he couldn’t see any obvious connection.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Is there some connection between these people?"

Gu Haiting said, "Just from the list, it’s indeed hard to tell. But..." He tapped again. The individuals’ photos appeared, with their time and cause of death listed below each one.

Now, Chen Chuan started to see something.

The deaths were all concentrated within the past few months. Most were attributed to accidents—gunshots, car crashes, drug overdoses, and so on. But according to the summary report, the methods used in each case were remarkably similar.

He looked up and said, "These people were the victims of organized murder?"

Gu Haiting nodded.

"Mixed in with the high number of daily deaths in Central City, these cases seem unremarkable. But no matter how well-hidden the act, it always leaves a trace.

Since discovering this pattern, our company has been monitoring the situation. Through comparison and analysis of active Consciousness Bodies, we gradually identified these similar cases, eventually piecing together a thread that points to a single source."

He looked at Chen Chuan and gave an answer that was entirely expected.

"The Ferris Wheel Company."

Chen Chuan reviewed the list of victims again. Some were influential figures, but others were just ordinary citizens who posed no conceivable threat to the Ferris Wheel Company. It seemed completely random, as if the company were targeting them for no reason at all.

"Why kill these people?"

Gu Haiting shook his head. "We don’t know. But this isn’t motiveless killing."

He gazed at Chen Chuan. "Captain Chen, you’ve been attacked by the Ferris Wheel Company before. It made us wonder if this seemingly random method of attack is connected to why they’re targeting you.

Otherwise, given your official position, they wouldn’t have needed to go to the trouble of hiring someone from Langtao Hall just to deal with you..."

He smiled apologetically. "My apologies, I don’t mean to underestimate you, Captain Chen. It’s just that the power you have at your disposal doesn’t really pose a threat to them."

Chen Chuan acknowledged this statement, saying, "That’s true." He added, "I’m surprised your company heard about this matter."

Gu Haiting said, "Due to our company’s business, we have to pay attention to movements in the Outer Ocean. The Jian Chengsheng you killed earlier, Captain Chen, was the most prized disciple of his generation at Langtao Hall.

It’s said that after Langtao Hall learned the news, a disciple named Mishiro Ara expressed great interest in you and says he wants to challenge you. This person is much stronger than Jian Chengsheng. You should be careful, Captain Chen."

Chen Chuan replied calmly, "Is that so? I’m looking forward to it." If a worthy opponent came knocking, he was more than willing to test his mettle.

Gu Haiting said, "Captain Chen, we saw the Ferris Wheel Company’s apology and compensation to the Processing Bureau, but to be honest, that was just for show.

Don’t be fooled by how they seem to have quieted down recently. According to our moles inside the Ferris Wheel Company, their personnel are frequently active in various places in the Outer Ocean, contacting people and passing messages. They’re definitely planning something big soon."

He said earnestly, "Captain Chen, we make no secret of our intention to deal with the Ferris Wheel Company. If you’re on their list, they’ll come after you again sooner or later. So, we believe we have a common enemy, and we can provide you with some assistance."

Chen Chuan looked at him. "In that case, thank you."

He didn’t refuse the overture. Gu Haiting was right—for now, they were on the same side.

He had already considered this when he was discussing the matter with Gao Ming. Taking on the Ferris Wheel Company alone would be difficult, and their attacks were unpredictable and hard to guard against.

But if Canglong Company got involved, things would be different. Even if they only provided some information, it would be a great help to him.

A smile appeared on Gu Haiting’s face.

"In the coming days, the atmosphere in Central City might become more tense. Hmm..." He probed, "I presume you’re already aware of this, Captain Chen?"

Chen Chuan nodded.

Seeing that he already knew, Gu Haiting was relieved and continued, "At that time, the forces of the Upper Layer will all be deployed to deal with the potential crisis. The Ferris Wheel Company won’t stay quiet during that time."

Chen Chuan understood the implication: the Ferris Wheel Company would likely use that time to do things they normally wouldn’t dare.

’And another thing,’ he thought. ’The Federation chose to station themselves here and inspect the Ferris Wheel Company at this exact juncture. Could their motive really be that simple?’

’No, that’s impossible.’

He said, "Mr. Gu, thank you for the reminder."

Gu Haiting said, "You’re too kind, Captain Chen. By the way, besides the disciple from Langtao Hall I just mentioned, you also need to be careful of this person." As he spoke, he sent over a photo of a gloomy-looking middle-aged man.

"This is Guan Shangjing, the Ferris Wheel Company’s head of external operations and security. He is a disciple of Wind Forest Hall, one of the Three Major Outer Ocean Dojos. In a place like the Outer Ocean, the security chief must be a formidable fighter, and his skills are exceptional.

Our analysis suggests that if they refuse to give up on targeting you, Captain Chen, he might choose to take matters into his own hands. However, you needn’t worry too much about other fronts."

His tone turned grim as he said, "While there are some things the government can’t directly intervene in, competition between companies is perfectly normal."

Chen Chuan immediately understood his meaning. He said slowly, "If he really comes for me, I won’t let him go back."

The smile on Gu Haiting’s face widened. He extended a hand and said with utmost sincerity, "Captain Chen, we are prepared to offer you our support during this period. If you lack for anything, you can contact me directly. Canglong Company and the Overseas Development Group are willing to provide you with all necessary assistance."

Chen Chuan reached out and shook his hand. "I won’t hesitate."

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