Deviant: No Longer Human

Isabelle's mood softened slightly. "Do you really know nothing about me?" she asked, more intrigued by the opportunity to explain science than his impudent remarks.

Wang Xiao shook his head, prompting her to continue.

"I'm an expert in microbiology and regenerative medicine," Isabelle explained, her voice taking on a passionate edge. "We're working on a regenerative treatment, and if it succeeds, your sister's name will be on the front page of every newspaper."

Wang Xiao nodded, absorbing her words.

Isabelle, now in her element, became more talkative. "The machine you saw earlier, the one we used on you, is designed to heal all kinds of mental disorders and illnesses that were previously incurable. We're also developing an elixir that could grant eternal life."

She paused, her mind drifting toward the core of their current challenge. They had already created the elixir of immortality, but it wasn't without its complications.

The problem lay with the scarcity of Tiamat's blood, a refineable substance used to create the elixir.

Ever since Aether reentered the world, they had expected to mass-produce the elixir, but the raw Aether was incredibly difficult to refine into something stable.

Consuming too much would cause the user to burst like a balloon, overloaded with uncontrolled power.

Only minuscule, diluted amounts could be taken, and even that wasn't enough to sustain true immortality.

Wang Xiao's brows rose, slightly amused. "Why go through all that trouble? Just increase your strength and cultivate. That's the easiest path to immortality."

Isabelle nodded, though her expression hinted at skepticism. "Not everyone can cultivate Aether."

"Not everyone deserves eternal life," Wang Xiao countered, his voice steady. "They wouldn't be able to face the consequences."

Eternal life wasn't some grand reward, at least not to him.

With his power, he could easily grant it to people as a blessing.

Even Eleanor could alter the human structure to bestow such longevity.

But that wasn't immortality—it was merely a prolonging of existence, and to him, it wasn't particularly impressive.

Prolonged eternal existence through unsustainable means was dangerous.

Those granted eternal life often lacked the mental fortitude to endure it.

Sooner or later, they'd either break under the weight of endless time or become unstable, driven mad by the very gift they had sought.

'Following the traditional path of strength,' Wang Xiao continued, 'you don't just forge your body; you forge your mind as well. That's why Eleanor never gave me eternal life directly, even though she could. Same goes for Aurora.'

They both could have easily granted him eternal life, but they didn't.

And now, as a transcendent, Wang Xiao understood why.

His perspective had shifted, becoming far more farsighted, as though he could see the ripple effects of decisions far into the future.

Like a god, he could glimpse the outcomes of actions, understanding that short-term gains often led to long-term consequences.

Immortality was one thing.

Eternal life, bestowed without understanding or discipline, was another.

"We won't know the consequences until we achieve it…" Isabelle suddenly smiled, her tone almost teasing, as if enjoying the intellectual conversation they were engaged in.

For some reason, this conversation was far more stimulating than she expected, especially since she had already pegged Wang Xiao as just another hormone-driven teenager.

Wang Xiao shrugged, indifferent to her amusement. "By the way, I also know a scientist. She's written a few books on microbiology too…" His voice was casual, as if this were common knowledge.

Isabelle raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Oh? What are the names of the books?" Maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than she had initially assumed.

"Don't remember," Wang Xiao replied with a lazy grin, as if the details weren't important at all.

Isabelle's face fell flat, staring at him in silence.

'This kid… seriously?' She sighed inwardly, annoyed at herself for expecting more.

"Fine," she said, her patience wearing thin. "What's your friend's name, then?"

"Ericka," Wang Xiao said casually, his mind already drifting to the woman in question.

Ericka—the fiery, voluptuous woman he had privately dubbed the "milf scientist" for reasons entirely personal.

She was like two of Seraphina combined, both in figure and fiery personality.

Thinking of her, Wang Xiao briefly entertained the idea of paying her a visit.

She could be a great source of entertainment for him… or rather, a good "mattress," as he crudely thought to himself.

"Ericka?" Isabelle's eyebrow twitched.

The name struck her like a slap.

That was the name of her deputy at Prometheus, hired by her.

But… no, that couldn't be right.

There was no way this brat knew the same Ericka she did.

Still, her curiosity got the better of her. 'Could it be the same woman?' She dismissed the thought quickly, shaking her head. "You're lying, aren't you..?"

Wang Xiao smiled, as if enjoying her dilusion, "Believe what you want."

Isabelle just gave him a long, hard look, her face unreadable. 'This kid is either delusional or he's telling the truth, and I don't know which one is worse.'

Suddenly, Isabelle seemed to remember something. "Your sister gave this to me," she said, walking over to a nearby counter. She picked up a small paper cup, the kind used for quick drinks, and handed it to him.

"Here, drink this. It's supposed to help with the recovery process."

Wang Xiao took the cup, glancing at the bubbling liquid inside.

His eyes narrowed.

What the hell is this?

As he glanced at the popping bubbles of the soda, a wave of suspicion crossed his mind.

'Does she want to drug me?'

'Xueying…' He clenched his fist, feeling a sudden surge of frustration.

He wanted to smash something—or someone, more specifically, his sister!

What kind of nonsense was this?

The drink in the paper cup wasn't normal.

It was laced with a drug that could leave a normal person in a state worse than being drunk.

His sister really thought she could slip this past him?

He made a firm decision then and there. 'I'll deal with that woman today.' He was done pretending to be the obedient little brother.

Wang Xiao had overheard something suspicious before, but he didn't believe Wang Xueying would go this far.

Yet here he was, staring at a drugged drink, the proof of her intentions right before him.

But what was her endgame?

Was she trying to kill him?

She had always been cold toward his current self, never fully trusting or showing affection, but he hadn't thought she would stoop to this level.

The thought crossed his mind: she might really be capable of slitting his throat while he slept.

Even though he was playing the part of someone with amnesia, she was treating him like an enemy. Was she truly that heartless? Did she see him as a threat that needed to be eliminated, despite their blood ties?

'This has gone too far,' Wang Xiao thought darkly.

Something had to be done.