Chapter 122: Interrogation

High-energy nutrient solution was similar to high-energy food, packed with an immense amount of energy and capable of rapidly replenishing an evolutionist’s strength. However, Sadaen remained unconscious and unable to swallow, so Zhang Ran had no choice but to inject the high-energy nutrient solution into him.

An entire tube of milky-white nutrient solution entered Sadaen’s body. As it flowed in, the pallor of his face gradually gave way to a trace of color, while his previously cold body began to regain some warmth. Even his feeble breathing, which seemed liable to stop at any moment, gradually became steady and regular.

Seeing that Sadaen’s condition had stabilized, Zhang Ran once again took a syringe of potent stimulant from the spatial box and inserted the needle into the vein of Sadaen’s right arm.

Holding the syringe in one hand, Zhang Ran pushed the plunger with the other, slowly injecting the thick, pale-red liquid into Sadaen’s body.

“Cough, cough!”

Less than five seconds after the stimulant entered his body, Sadaen coughed violently twice. The muscles throughout his body began to tremble, and his consciousness rapidly returned.

The potent stimulant was a special drug refined from several mutated beasts and mutated plants found in the wilderness. It stimulated the secretion of human hormones and temporarily enhanced the body’s attributes. It was a common medicine carried by nearly all evolutionists in the wilderness, most of whom kept one or two bottles on hand.

Of course, it also had side effects. Once its effects wore off, it would leave the body weakened for a period of time. At the same time, it could leave behind hidden injuries and even directly shorten one’s lifespan. Thus, evolutionists generally used potent stimulants only when fighting for their lives.

Zhang Ran had injected Sadaen with the stimulant not to help him fight for survival, but simply to wake him. Otherwise, if Sadaen were left to awaken naturally from his coma, it would take a very long time. The stimulant could hasten the process.

The stimulant certainly lived up to the word “potent.” After another ten seconds or so, Sadaen coughed violently once more, then suddenly spat out a mouthful of phlegm. He shook his head from side to side before finally opening his eyes, dazed and weak.

“Where is this? Damn it... Ah, it hurts!”

Sadaen had only just regained consciousness and had not yet realized his situation when waves of excruciating pain erupted from every part of his body, striking straight into his heart.

Before bringing Sadaen here for interrogation, Zhang Ran had used Blood Thorn to completely shatter his bones and meridians, utterly eliminating any possibility of resistance. That was why he had dared to inject him with the potent stimulant. As a result, Sadaen awoke in unimaginable agony.

But he was an enemy. What mercy was there to show him?

“This is the wilderness! According to your own introduction, your name is Sadaen, correct? Answer my questions obediently, and I’ll grant you a quick death. Otherwise, I’ll show you what true suffering is.”

Looking at Sadaen, a cold glint flashed in Zhang Ran’s eyes. He spoke icily, then raised his foot and stamped hard on Sadaen’s ankle.

“Ahhh! It really is you! I deeply regret accepting this mission! Damn that mission briefing—it actually said you were only a second-level evolutionist! Fine, whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you everything. Just give me a quick death. Don’t torture me!”

Under Zhang Ran’s stomp, Sadaen’s ankle bent at an unnatural angle, clearly shattered beyond repair. As he screamed, intense regret filled his eyes. Clenching his teeth against the pain, he forced out his reply.

“The intelligence said I was a second-level evolutionist? So it really was the Pano Family that acted against me! The Pano Family... how dare you assassinate me? Your crime is unforgivable!”

“If I hadn’t possessed extraordinary evolutionary abilities, if I hadn’t hunted mutated beasts and advanced to the fourth level through painstaking effort every day, then I would probably have been killed by Sadaen today and ended up as fertilizer in the wilderness! The Pano Family... very well, very well. Before long, you will pay for what you’ve done!”

After hearing Sadaen’s words, Zhang Ran immediately identified the force that had placed the bounty on him—the Pano Family. A murderous light burst from his eyes as he thought viciously.

A gentleman may wait ten years to avenge himself.

The Pano Family had three hunters guarding it. With Zhang Ran’s current strength, revenge was nothing but a fool’s dream. However, with his extraordinary evolutionary abilities and the chip, Zhang Ran was fully confident that he could eventually reach the level required to kill hunters. When that day came, he would teach the Pano Family a bloody lesson.

“A second-level evolutionist? One month ago, I was indeed a second-level evolutionist. But now, I am already a fourth-level evolutionist.”

Thinking viciously, Zhang Ran stared at Sadaen, who lay curled up on the ground in agony, and spoke indifferently.

“To advance from the second level to the fourth level in a single month, and then defeat me—a fifth-level evolutionist—while only being at the fourth level... that is truly unbelievable! I doubt even the prodigies who participate in the Ancient Desert Selection Battle and enter Ancient Desert City have achieved anything so heaven-defying.”

Upon hearing Zhang Ran’s words, an expression of disbelief also appeared on Sadaen’s face. He exclaimed in astonishment.

“The Ancient Desert Selection Battle? What is that?”

A trace of confusion appeared in Zhang Ran’s eyes at Sadaen’s question. Only after reaching the sixth level did an evolutionist gain the preliminary ability to cross the wilderness and enter Ancient Desert City. For that reason, Zhang Ran had not yet taken the trouble to gather intelligence about the city, nor did he know anything about the Ancient Desert Selection Battle.

However, Zhang Ran did not immediately ask Sadaen for details about it. Instead, he continued questioning him calmly.

“Sadaen, tell me the truth. Which faction do you belong to? Where did you accept this mission? And who issued it?”

“Chip, analyze Sadaen’s heartbeat and determine whether he is lying.”

At the same time, Zhang Ran silently issued the command to the chip.

“I’m a mercenary of the Gene Mercenary Alliance! I accepted this mission through the Gene Mercenary Alliance. As for who issued it, I have no idea.”

Upon hearing Zhang Ran’s question, Sadaen immediately answered.

“Ding! Sadaen is not lying.”

As Sadaen spoke, the chip’s notification rang in Zhang Ran’s ear.

“Very good. You haven’t lied. Now answer another question: what exactly is the Ancient Desert Selection Battle you mentioned?”

With a satisfied nod, Zhang Ran once again turned to Sadaen for an answer.