Gao Wu: I became the minor villain that the protagonist was about to destroy.

Ye Ming nodded and walked towards the laboratory with practiced ease. Although the equipment at headquarters wasn't as precise as that at the actual headquarters, it was more than enough to separate the most essential part of that barrel of blood.

Momiji, who was standing nearby, had already changed into a sterile medical gown and disappeared into the separation room, which was lit by a red light. He carefully took out the bucket of dark red blood that Yujiro had brought back. Even through the specially made container, he could feel the frenzied energy contained within it that was not of human origin.

The viscous, mercury-like blood was then slowly poured into a uniquely shaped separation device. As the switch was pressed, a low humming sound emanated from inside the device, and several indicator lights lit up in sequence, initiating high-speed operation and precision purification.

Meanwhile, Ye Ming led the vacant-eyed Yun Sisi into the adjacent comprehensive examination room. Yun Sisi, like a delicate puppet, allowed the staff in white uniforms to guide her through various physical function tests. Blood draws, scans, energy fluctuation recordings… everything proceeded silently and efficiently.

Not long after, the door to the separation chamber slid open again. Hongye stepped out, holding a small, transparent test tube. Inside the test tube, a drop of liquid, resembling molten ruby, was emitting a soft and pure light, as if life was flowing within it—this was the extracted essence blood.

Almost simultaneously, Yun Sisi's full-body examination report came out. The medical staff stared at the ridiculously low numbers on the screen, their faces filled with disbelief. Not only were all her vital signs far below the average, but some data even exceeded the theoretical minimum for survival. They couldn't imagine what kind of tenacious will, or rather, how this seemingly intact little girl had managed to survive.

Ye Ming strode forward, his gaze falling on the test tube in Hong Ye's hand, and asked in a deep voice, "How is it?"

"Yes, it went even more smoothly than expected," Hongye nodded, her tone carrying a hint of relaxation after exhaustion. "The blood curse attached to the blood has also been removed by me."

Hongye, looking grave, reported, "Miss Sisi's condition... is worse than I anticipated. Her life force is almost depleted, and her body is riddled with countless 'death points,' like a dilapidated building on the verge of collapse. We don't have much time left."

"There is no other choice, let's begin." Ye Ming's voice was deep and firm.

Without further hesitation, Hongye quickly retrieved a specially made blood transfusion device. He walked to Yun Sisi, who lay motionless like a doll, and softened his voice: "Miss Sisi, the fusion process may be extremely painful... Please bear with it, this is the only way to save you."

Yun Sisi's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, but she still did not respond with any words or expressions. Hongye knew that any comfort would be futile at this moment. She deftly connected the device and slowly pushed the tube of essence blood containing abundant life energy into Yun Sisi's slender veins.

"Thump! Thump!..."

Almost the instant her essence entered her body, Yun Sisi clearly heard the beating of her heart, which suddenly became as strong and powerful as a war drum, from its original weak and feeble sound. Each beat made her eardrums throb.

Immediately following was a tearing, excruciating pain that surged wildly from every limb and bone! It felt as if countless red-hot steel needles were piercing and churning through every bone and meridian. Her previously lifeless hands suddenly gripped the edge of the hospital bed beneath her, her knuckles turning white from the excessive force. Her teeth clenched, forcing back the groan of pain that rose to her lips. Only the cold sweat that instantly beaded on her forehead betrayed the sheer agony she was enduring.

Sweat quickly soaked her clothes. As the essence and blood merged more deeply with her body, attempting to forcibly activate those "dead points" on the verge of extinction, the pain intensified exponentially, like a surging tide that completely overwhelmed the dam of her will.

"ah--!!!"

Finally, an extremely piercing scream burst out uncontrollably from deep within her throat, echoing for a long time in the cold laboratory.

Ye Ming and Hong Ye stared intently at the slender figure curled up and trembled on the operating table in extreme pain, their expressions grave. They knew clearly that external help had to stop here; this life-or-death ordeal of breaking down and rebuilding could only be overcome by Yun Sisi's own will. Whether she could rebuild her life from the ashes of pain depended entirely on how strong her instinct for survival was.

Meanwhile, at the top floor of the Chu Group, in the president's office.

Chu Yuntian was sitting behind his large desk, receiving two uninvited guests, Yun Yulin, the second young master of the Yun family, who had been introduced by Yun Lu from the Yun family of Luoxia City.

"Brother Chu, how have you been?" Yun Lu greeted him with a smile.

"It has indeed been a while since we last met," Chu Yuntian said calmly, but his gaze subtly swept over the young man with a noble air standing next to Yun Lu.

"I wonder what brings Brother Yun here today? What advice do you have for me?"

Yun Lu turned to the side and respectfully introduced, "Brother Chu, this is the second young master of our Yun family, Yun Yulin, also known as Young Master Yun."

"Second Young Master, this is Chu Yuntian, the boss of the Chu Group, President Chu."

Yun Yulin immediately broke into a perfect, warm smile, stepped forward, and extended his hand: "President Chu, I've heard so much about you. Recently, the Chu Group has been gaining a reputation in the industry; it's hard not to pay attention to it."

Chu Yuntian gave him a light handshake, then released it, his tone calm yet distant: "Young Master Yun, you flatter me. Our Chu family just runs a small business, barely making ends meet. How can we compare to the Yun family's deep roots and flourishing branches?"

The two parties took their seats on the luxurious reception sofas, and the secretary quietly served them fragrant, high-quality spiritual tea.

Chu Yuntian tapped his fingertips lightly on the sofa armrest, getting straight to the point: "Young Master Yun is a busy man, he surely wouldn't have come without a reason. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Yun Yulin took an elegant sip of tea, put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and revealed a sincere expression: "President Chu is straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush either. I've come here specifically to deliver a great opportunity to the Chu Group."

"Oh?" Chu Yuntian raised an eyebrow, showing considerable interest. "I'd like to hear more."

"Our Yun family has made inroads into various cutting-edge fields, with gene therapy being the most important one." Yun Yulin looked intently at Chu Yuntian.

"As far as I know, Mr. Chu, your core R&D team seems to be close to cracking a key monster gene sequence. This means that a revolutionary new gene serum will soon be born in the hands of the Chu family. The profits and influence it brings will be enough to transform the entire Chu Group, propelling it to the top of the industry!"