[Killing Bee: Mark any life form with a pheromone to track its location. Tracking speed increases as the target gets closer, up to ten times faster.]
[Mantis: Allows for the rapid alteration of one’s physical form, transforming limbs into sharp Bone Blades. Speed and explosive power are moderately increased, but the Card Holder is prone to losing their sanity and becoming more insect-like.]
The information from the two Cards appeared in her mind.
Feng Ling finally understood. The fire extinguisher hadn’t worked because the Alien Species had placed a mark on her.
As long as the mark remained, the Alien Species could find her even with its eyes closed.
’Now that I’ve obtained these two Cards, does this mean I can use this ability in the future?’
Just as the thought took root, the text in her mind suddenly changed.
["Killing Bee" has been digested.]
["Mantis" has been digested.]
[Deck has grown. Pollution Value: 3%.]
[You now possess the ability to mark any life form. The mark is effective for 12 hours. Please name your new Skill.]
[New arms have grown within your body. They can rapidly transform into sharp Bone Blades. Please name your new Skill.]
Feng Ling froze.
’Why were the new Cards digested?’
’Why is there a Pollution Value?’
’Why do the Skills need names?’
No one had mentioned anything like this online.
’Since it’s a marking ability, I’ll just call it "Mark." And the Bone Blade will be "Bone Blade." Why bother coming up with new names?’
[Please name your new Skill. The Skill can only be activated after it has been named successfully.]
The text in her mind reminded her again.
Feng Ling thought for a moment, a wicked smile spreading across her face. "Since they call me the Mother of the World, let’s call the new skill Mother’s Thoughts. As for the Bone Blade... let’s call that Mother’s Whip."
[New Skill successfully named.]
Feng Ling couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Her laughter echoed over the blood-red river, but no one answered.
A few minutes later, the wail of police sirens and the drone of UAVs could be heard from the riverbank.
She looked up, squinting, and murmured, "I guess I can collect my reward money now..."
...
...
Feng Ling was taken to the Qingjiang City branch of the Alien Species Safety Inspection Bureau.
The 11th floor of the building housed a full medical facility. She was placed in a special ward for treatment.
A doctor stitched her wounds while a nurse set up a blood transfusion. Another attendant brought her juice and snacks. A whole team of three or four medical staff bustled around her—
Feng Ling felt less like she was in a hospital and more like she was staying at a high-end hotel.
A man in a uniform walked into the ward. He looked to be in his thirties, with thin-rimmed glasses and a clean, refined appearance. In a gentle tone, he asked the Doctor, "Are her injuries serious?"
The Doctor’s voice was tinged with excitement. "A normal person with these injuries would need at least half a month to recover. But her cellular Healing Ability is incredibly strong. I estimate she’ll be discharged in just a few days."
The man smiled faintly, then turned to Feng Ling and introduced himself. "Hello, my name is Su Yuqing. I’m an Inspector with the Alien Species Safety Inspection Bureau, which is under the Ministry of National Security. I need you to cooperate with an investigation. There’s no need to be nervous; this is just standard procedure."
Feng Ling studied the man with curiosity.
There were quite a few discussion threads online about Inspectors. According to the rumors, every Inspector possessed an Extraordinary Ability. They were grouped into small squads based on their abilities to clear out the Alien Species in each region.
This was the first time Feng Ling had seen an Inspector in real life. ’I wonder what his Extraordinary Ability is.’
Seeing her silence, Su Yuqing’s voice became even gentler. "If you’re still not feeling well, I can come back tomorrow. However, we do hope you’ll cooperate with the investigation as soon as possible. We need to report this incident, and our colleagues in the press department are anxious."
Feng Ling asked, "How do I need to cooperate?"
"I’ll ask you a few simple questions. Just answer them truthfully," Su Yuqing said.
Feng Ling nodded, indicating that he could begin.
Just then, the medical staff finished their tasks and left one by one, leaving Feng Ling and Su Yuqing alone in the ward.
Su Yuqing asked her, "We’ve reviewed the surveillance from the subway station. The Alien Species’ target was very clear. Do you know why it attacked you?"
’Is it because it recognized I had a Card?’
Feng Ling replied, "Maybe I just looked like an easy kill."
Su Yuqing asked another question. "The Alien Species’s primary cause of death was being sliced in half by a kite line. Was that kite line deliberately set up?"
Feng Ling nodded. "Yeah. I did that."
Even though he had already guessed the answer, Su Yuqing was still a little surprised to hear Feng Ling admit it herself.