Pegasus Star, Beikun Icefield, underground secret training base.
The small room had only a bed and a table, arranged with exceptional simplicity. The empty iron-gray walls gave a cold and oppressive feeling.
On the table sat a small cupcake, the only thing in the room that could evoke warmth.
Sitting upright on the bed, Xu Hui rolled a piece of paper into a stick, then inserted the small paper stick into the cupcake.
A trace of satisfaction appeared on Xu Hui's aged face, seemingly quite pleased with his paper rolling skills.
He told the young man standing at the table: "088, today is your eighteenth birthday. From today onwards, you are an adult. You can leave the training base and officially serve the organization."
Xu Hui spoke with a sense of nostalgia, "I still remember when you first came here at the age of six. You were the most talkative, always loved to speak incessantly. I always thought you wouldn't last long. Unexpectedly, you survived and passed through hellish training. Congratulations."
"All thanks to the teacher's nurturing."
088 was an exceptionally handsome young man; his smile was like the autumn sunlight, clean and bright, filled with charisma.
Though Xu Hui was knowledgeable and experienced, he had to admit this young man was indeed unrivaledly handsome; the clarity and spiritual aura between his brows resembled that of a deity.
Plastic surgery can freely change a person's appearance, but it could never achieve this effect.
The organization injected genetic potions from the Spirit Race into the youths, raised them in a competitive manner to let them fight amongst themselves and eliminate the weak.
Through this method, the youths continually evolved with mutations. The evolution direction for Number 088 was quite peculiar; his appearance constantly approached perfection, showcasing extraordinary charisma.
Despite his chatter and ordinary skills, 088 managed to survive mostly owing to his extraordinary charisma!
Xu Hui must also admit that his favoritism towards 088 was influenced by the latter's charisma.
This special charisma proved particularly effective in social interactions. It's more valuable than typical assassins.
A talent like 088; the organization wouldn't send him to be a frontline assassin. This boy will certainly live long and have a promising future.
"Tomorrow you will leave the base and formally serve the organization."
Xu Hui said: "As your mentor, I hope you'll rise continually, and in the future, have a chance to take care of this old man."
"The teacher is kidding. You are an elder of the Blood God Association. It's not for me to take care of you."
088 said with a hint of emotion: "I remember very clearly, there were six batches totaling 1200 people, and in the end, only a few dozen remain. Without the teacher's care, I would've died long ago. There's no way I could've passed the hellish training!"
Xu Hui nodded, satisfied with 088's attitude. Though the young man's chatter was often annoyingly persistent, when he needed to speak favorably, he did so especially well.
He sighed deeply: "Hellish training is extremely cruel, with only a 4% survival rate."
The Blood God Association spared no expense in raising them competitively, but the high elimination rate was somewhat poignant for Xu Hui.
After more than a decade, the efforts have not been in vain. The young generation has grown, each showcasing unique talents, and they will become the backbone of the organization.
Looking at Number 088, just eighteen years old, speaking of past tragedies with a calm and serene demeanor, without any emotional turmoil, he is a fitting killer.
Xu Hui withdrew his sentiment, speaking calmly: "Only toughness and ruthlessness can control your destiny."
He further exemplified: "I remember very clearly during your trial at fifteen, there was an extraordinarily gifted girl, I believe her name was 006. If she hadn't shielded you from a sword and left the healing potion for you, she wouldn't have died?"
"Indeed, 006 was too sentimental."
This memory long past, the brilliant star-like eyes of 088 showed a hint of reminiscence. The event had occurred so long ago; he nearly forgot it.
The bright and gentle girl hemorrhaged to death right before him.
He couldn't clearly recall the specifics of her appearance now, only remembering her tightly gripping his hand as she died, with blood-stained hands indistinctly drenched in gore.
The feeling of powerlessness of not being able to grasp anything always woke him in the depths of night.
And the girl's gaze slowly dimming upon her death, like a flame extinguishing, leaving only cold ashes.
The cruel and cold, ugly death left an indelible mark deep in his soul on that day.
"Life cannot be redone, and in our profession, decisions must be made carefully and calmly."
Xu Hui also wished to show goodwill, exceptionally sharing many of his insights.
"Teacher, what if life could be redone?"
088 suddenly questioned: "Supposing you could return to being eighteen, would you still follow this path?"
Xu Hui dismissively waved his hand: "This hypothetical is meaningless. Time can never change, and life cannot be redone."
088 earnestly stated: "Teacher, if you could be reborn, would you prefer to be an ordinary person or continue as a cold-blooded butcher?"
"What are you saying! Such insolence!"
Though Xu Hui aimed to show favor to 088, he wouldn't tolerate the youth's nonsense and disrespect.
As the head trainer of the underground base, Xu Hui held the power over life and death within the base.
Even after passing the hellish training, 088 was still a mere pawn before him without the standing for such disrespect.
Xu Hui's old face turned gloomy, his drooping triangular eyes fixating fiercely on 088.
088, though lacking skill, was one of the rare clever individuals in the base. His insolence surely had some reason.
Retaining his crafty nature, Xu Hui raised his voice loudly, yet kept a calm inner observation of 088.
088 smiled subtly: "To face change calmly, to remain unangered by provocation, deep composure. Teachers, eighty years of nurturing truly astonishing. You are indeed a disciple's exemplary model."
Xu Hui remained silent, the more arrogant 088 became, the more suspicious Xu Hui grew.
How could a mere third-level warrior like 088 have the confidence to challenge a seventh-level expert like him?
Xu Hui extended his sixth sense; there were no other people within the room, nor signs of people outside.
Could it be a bomb hidden in the room? Could 088 wish for mutual destruction?
Considering 088's character, Xu Hui doubted he would resort to such radical measures. Furthermore, 088 had no access to a powerful bomb.
"Teacher must wonder how I would suddenly seek suicide by provoking you."
088's curious yet cautious posture amused him further. "Teacher, I already told you. I was reborn, so I want to change my destiny and live differently."
"Oh, where did you come back from?"
Xu Hui pondered, steadier now, unconcerned with 088's sarcasm, instead inquiring about specifics.
"I returned from a hundred years later, claiming to be older than the teacher."
Sighing, 088 said: "Unfortunately, I couldn't bring back my formidable power... alas."
"From a hundred years later?"
Xu Hui's old eyes held a complex gaze, torn between the impulse to apprehend 088 immediately and the curiosity to listen to what else the youth could spin.
He inquired: "088, how is it a hundred years later?"
"My name is not 088; it's the dull number you all assigned. My name is Gao Xuan."
Correcting Xu Hui, Gao Xuan calmly continued: "A hundred years later, the Galaxy was engulfed in wars of countless species, and humanity neared extinction. It's a story of tears."
Gao Xuan expressed relief: "Luckily, I was reborn and lived again. Even in the worst scenario, living an extra hundred years is a blessing. Fate treats me kindly."
"I see..."
Xu Hui seemed to want to ask more, but suddenly he spread his arms slightly, source power erupted around him, his thin, aged body like a predator eagle, fiercely lunging at Gao Xuan.