Chapter 82: Personal A.I. Brain (Part 4)

The moment Scott uttered those words, Lu Yan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Charging Spirit Energy tax on corpses? He had to admit—the cyber version’s creativity was something else.

What made it worse was that both Quentin and Shack were actually seriously pondering the tax’s legal reasoning.

Shack slapped his thigh and growled through gritted teeth:

“I always wondered why the corpse factories had us sign some so-called ownership agreement, claiming they were just borrowing the corpses and that the arena retained all ownership rights.”

“At the time, I thought they were just trying to dodge corpse disposal taxes—but turns out, their real aim was to avoid getting stuck with the Spirit Energy tax on the corpses!”

“Damn it! If I’d known, I should’ve paid someone in the Middle City to get legal advice before selling the bodies!”

Lu Yan, face expressionless, glanced at the USB drive in his hand and began thinking seriously—now that Shack had been marked by an Enforcement Officer, should he just dispose of him before getting dragged into trouble?

Mid-rant, Shack suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Remembering Lu Yan’s mysterious identity, he quickly spoke up:

“Please rest assured, sir! The Spirit Energy tax situation is troublesome, yes, but it’s not completely unsolvable.”

“I have some connections within the City Tax Bureau. If we can get through this initial inspection, I can find a way to retroactively pay the tax.”

Lu Yan studied Shack, a trace of suspicion in his gaze.

“Spirit Energy tax is the Universal Conglomerate’s top priority. You really think it’s that easy to evade consequences?”

Shack gave an ugly smile through his broken face.

“The Spirit Energy tax is strict, but no matter how strict a law is, enforcement depends on the people below.”

“We’re major taxpayers down in the Lower City. Plenty of powerful people are regular guests of ours. A little leniency from the tax bureau isn’t unheard of.”

Lu Yan pointed in Scott’s direction.

“That Enforcement Officer doesn’t seem the type to let things slide. You sure you can handle him?”

Lu Yan’s spiritual sense told him that Scott’s Spirit Energy had already reached the equivalent of Qi Refining Tenth Layer. Among all the Spirit Energy users he’d encountered, Scott ranked at the top.

What’s more, Scott’s Spirit Energy modifications weren’t crude like the others.

Though he appeared outwardly human, his bones and muscles were etched with intricate Spirit Energy code. His blood vessels pulsed not with blood, but with surging Spirit Energy.

In short, while Scott looked the most human of anyone in the arena, he was the furthest from human—a finely crafted Spirit Energy machine.

“So this is what an Upper City Spirit Energy user looks like? Fascinating.”

Were it not for the risk of exposing himself, Lu Yan might’ve captured Scott right then and there just to study him. Who knew what insights he might gain into the Spirit Energy system?

“Him?” Shack glanced warily toward Scott. There was fear in his eyes… but also a hint of disdain.

“Enforcement Officers are undoubtedly the Tax Bureau’s fiercest hounds. But not everyone agrees with their unchecked power.”

“There’s already talk from various factions about curbing their authority. As long as we escape this arena, someone will step in to help stall this guy.”

Lu Yan’s gaze swept over the Enforcement Division soldiers clad in power armor, Spirit Energy rifles in hand. Their inner Spirit Energy barely reached even the First Layer of Qi Refining, but armed as they were, they could easily slaughter everyone in the arena.

“How do you plan to escape?”

Shack smirked mysteriously. “Don’t worry. Someone’s about to draw the Enforcement Officer’s attention.”

As he spoke, a massive explosion suddenly erupted outside the arena. Flames and shockwaves blasted through the gates, launching several Middle City flying bikes into the air.

Due to the cavernous environment, large-scale machines were impossible to operate—flying bikes were already the Enforcement Division’s limit.

“Who’s there?!”

Scott’s face darkened, eyes sharpening as he looked toward the source of the explosion.

A shrill, mocking voice echoed from the smoke:

“Hey there, Enforcement mutts! Here’s a little gift from the Lower City!”

The Enforcement soldiers raised their rifles. Their smart targeting systems instantly locked onto the hidden figure in the smoke.

“Open fire!”

Blazing Spirit Energy erupted from the muzzles, scorching hot beams tearing through the smoke and riddling the figure inside like a sieve.

As the gunfire rang out, someone in the crowd shouted, “The Enforcement Officer’s starting a massacre! Everyone run!”

In an instant, the arena’s fragile order completely collapsed.

Panic spread like wildfire as the audience clambered over seats, rushing toward the outer walls. Spirit Energy users, mutated by enhancements, smashed holes through the structure, creating escape routes for the frantic crowd.

Shack tapped his personal terminal and pressed a button. A layer of camouflage skin spread across his body, hiding the unmistakable gleam of his metallic skin.

Turning with a grin, he said to Lu Yan:

“In the Lower City, our greatest fear is the kind of Enforcement Officer who doesn’t follow rules. If they just start mowing people down, no amount of planning can save us.”

“But these by-the-book types? They give us the perfect window.”

“This place is no longer safe. Please, sir, allow me to lead you to the underground escape tunnel.”

Lu Yan nodded and rose. Quentin immediately fell in line behind him, playing the part of the loyal sidekick to perfection.

Shack, meanwhile, picked up the silver combination case from the table, a glint of manic excitement in his eyes.

Under normal circumstances, an incident like this at the arena would cost him dearly—even if he escaped, it would take everything he had to smooth things over.

But with the Nine Dragons Force Potion?

Everything had changed.

Until the production source was found, the Lower City’s factions would scramble to shield him. As long as Scott didn’t catch him personally, he had plenty of ways to walk free.

As for the arena? With the Nine Dragons Force Potion in hand, he could build ten more if he wanted.

Even more importantly, he now had a connection to someone like Lu Yan—someone who seemed to be a fallen elite from the Upper City.

That alone was enough to give him more confidence than ever.

Just as Shack was about to exit the VIP booth toward the underground passage, his eyes swept over the subordinates in the room.

They’d seen too much.

They’d witnessed his dealings with Lu Yan—and more importantly, the miracle of the Nine Dragons Force Potion. If any of them were captured by the Enforcement Division, they’d be trouble.

A cold glint flashed in Shack’s eyes as he raised his hand, preparing to act.

But at that moment, Lu Yan lifted a hand and formed a spell seal. With a pulse of magic, his power spread deep into their souls—and erased their memories using Soul Search.

The dazed expressions on the affected subordinates vanished. One by one, they collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.

“I’ve erased everything from the past thirty minutes. They won’t remember a thing.”

Shack’s face showed even deeper reverence at Lu Yan’s words. With a deferential gesture, he pushed open the booth’s door.

Outside, chaos reigned. Even the gunfire of the Enforcement Division couldn’t restore order.

Under Shack’s lead, the three of them quickly moved toward the underground passage.

But just as they neared it, all three of their wristwatches suddenly flashed with a pale light—and a cold mechanical voice rang out:

“Enforcement A.I. Unit 0776 has locked onto your signal. All users are advised to surrender immediately.”

Shack’s face drained of color.

“He’s got a personal A.I. brain?! How is that possible?!”

(End of Chapter)