Chapter 645: Dual‑Standard Yang Yixie

Shen Zexi's gaze shifted from the lump of charcoal and quickly swept the surrounding crowd.

Some people were so frightened they stood trembling in place, others frantically pulled out phones to take pictures, but because they acted in time, no one was injured by that Aberrant Species.

He turned his head aside, lowered his voice, and said something to the person beside him.

"If it's only this level of Aberrant Species, a slightly trained ordinary person can handle it; don't let the situation get completely out of control."

Qi Hengyu casually steadied a child nearby who had almost tripped, and glanced at the situation.

The past year and a bit has been enough for a reckless youth to learn how to face such circumstances.

"Leave this side to me; you go clear the area around the atrium."

Rather than letting these people run around, they must be gathered to a single protected spot, while others deal with the Aberrant Species separately.

"... the Mutation concentration is still rising; if we give the Aberrant Species time for the Mutation, those Aberrant Species cannot be handled by ordinary people alone—"

Ye Lin could feel a distinct discomfort all over her, and a slight dizziness in her head; she hadn't awakened any powerful Aberrant Arts, but after the world merged, her in‑game body had completely turned into energy and fused with her.

This has greatly increased her tolerance to Mutation, yet she still feels considerable unease.

"Then let the worst‑case scenario happen first."

Meng Kexin's tone was straightforward; looking ahead and behind was just a waste of time.

She and Ye Lin exchanged a quick glance, Ye Lin nodded, and turned to stride quickly toward the few uniformed mall security guards among the crowd.

She carried a Special Division credential, allowing her to seize command of the scene.

Shen Zexi said no more; he stepped onto the slightly raised platform beside the atrium fountain, his voice clear, calming everyone's restless hearts.

"Everyone, please gather toward the center of the atrium, avoid standing by the glass curtain wall and the shelves; our team handling the Aberrant Species has already moved in. Stay calm and head toward the atrium area for shelter."

Shen Zexi was already adept at resolving such chaotic scenes; although his overly youthful face made some uneasy, once he spoke, everyone gained a focal point for action.

At that moment, age really mattered little; the crowd only needed someone to issue clear orders.

Yang Yixie quickly reached Zhiruo's side, and via the game system checked his mother's Mutation Value.

【Mutation Value: 5】

The rate of increase was already rapid; just a few days ago, Yang Yixie had covertly given his mother holy water to lower the Mutation Value.

And in this short time, it nullified all his efforts from a few days ago.

Yang Yixie gritted his teeth, quickly entered a program into the small robots he had pre‑placed throughout the city, in a spot invisible to Zhiruo.

He couldn't act too openly, so he could only command those little robots to deal with the newly‑born Aberrant Species nearby.

Yang Yixie could swiftly eliminate the Aberrant Species scattered across Shoudu, but doing so would be too conspicuous and would surely attract official attention; the authorities would never allow such a Special Ability Practitioner to remain hidden forever.

Yang Yixie wasn't reluctant to do work for the authorities, just as he had previously toiled overtime to provide them with a large number of rune weapons.

Supporting Zhiruo, he walked slowly through the side corridor on the second floor; the escalator passage ahead was blocked, and everyone was crowded here, while people from the third floor kept pushing down to the second, so the crowd was completely jammed here.

Actually, it's almost done here; the main body of the crowd is already on this side, so if an Aberrant Species appears, those guys can spot and deal with it, not to mention there's someone inside who is especially sensitive to Mutation.

Yang Yixie stopped with his mother a short distance from the escalator, choosing not to push into the crowd.

Not far from them, an older woman was shielding a skinny figure behind her, muttering something.

The person being shielded wore an off‑white coat, had two slightly messy braids, and clutched a somewhat torn red cloth.

Zhiruo's steps suddenly slowed a bit, and she glanced at the older woman.

"... that looks like Zhang Jie?"

Yang Yixie followed her gaze and saw the older woman, who at the same moment also noticed Zhiruo.

"Huh? You're Xiao Yang's daughter‑in‑law, right?"

Yang Yixie had no clear memory of the older woman before him, but she seemed to know his father, so she must be an old acquaintance of his mother.

Zhiruo's complexion was unusually pale, yet she still gave the older woman a smile.

"Zhang Jie."

"Why does your face look so pale? Is your health bad? Why aren't you resting at home?"

Zhang Jie and Zhiruo were indeed old acquaintances; her husband had even been a senior to Yang's father, but unfortunately he passed away early.

Therefore Zhang Jie took special care of Zhiruo's family, but after Zhiruo moved away, they lost contact.

Since they were blocked here and couldn't advance, Zhang Jie simply chatted with Zhiruo, inquired about her recent situation, and seeing Zhiruo looking on the verge of collapse, quickly called out.

"Sit here for a moment; look at that pale little face, as if you'll faint any second."

Yang Yixie immediately took off his coat and used it as a seat for his mother.

"Ah, this kid is well‑behaved; is he your youngest son?"

His mother smiled and nodded, Yang Yixie politely smiled at Zhang Jie, but his gaze fell on the Hong Ling behind her.

"Is this your daughter, Zhang Jie?"

Zhiruo also noticed Hong Ling.

"No, I found that girl; I have no idea what she's been through, it's a terrible fate, so I just adopted her..."

Zhang Jie shook her head, but saw Hong Ling staring straight at Yang Yixie, a flash of golden light flickering in her eyes.

"... not stinky..."

The girl's lips twitched slightly, murmuring to herself; the voice was so faint that no one could hear what she said.

Yet Yang Yixie's eyes gradually grew cold; he didn't recognize the face before him, but from such a close distance he saw the mark atop her head.

【Hong Ling - Lv. 38】

【Race: Aberrant Species】

It was originally thought that Luo Jinyou, as an Aberrant Species, being allowed onto the surface was already a special privilege from the authorities, but the official review seems overly lax.

He and Luo Jinyou have always been extremely cautious, suppressing their Mutation to avoid affecting others; this habit has become instinctual. Hong Ling, like a stumbling novice, also carefully restrains her Mutation, but inevitably leaks some of it.

Zhang Jie is in good health, maintains a regular routine, and often walks for exercise, so she might endure it, but that doesn't mean his mother can.

Moreover, regardless of anything, she is still just an Aberrant Species.

Yang Yixie is very double‑standard.