Chapter 710: No Upper Limit
Lily stayed with the Nelson family. According to Gerald, they would conduct genetic experiments on her afterward.
The process would be just like what those Heavenly Team members went through.
Steven had made up his mind that he couldn't take risks himself for now.
However, once Lily succeeded, he could have people close to him go through it first, like Henry and Earl.
As for how many resources the experiment would require, that wasn't something he needed to worry about.
He had done the Nelson family such a huge favor, so it was only right that they gave him something in return.
But as for himself—
Steven thought about the bottleneck in improving his abilities and couldn't help feeling a bit lost.
"Is LV4 the limit of my abilities?"
"If not, then why is Devour becoming less and less effective?"
Steven left the Nelson family with Cindy, who was holding Fluffy in her arms.
Meanwhile, Lily was escorted by the butler Nash to the laboratory inside Nelson Manor.
In the study, Gerald still stood before the huge floor-to-ceiling window, watching Steven's retreating figure.
"This kid is impressively cautious!"
Gerald let out such a sigh.
"If you had even half... no, a third of his caution, how would you have ended up in that situation?"
His voice was full of regret.
At that moment, from what should have been a wall behind him came a deep voice.
"This guy is truly hard to read."
Hearing this voice, Gerald glanced back. "Is that why you think so highly of him?"
"But do you really think he can beat Bryce?"
Gerald couldn't help but doubt it.
Although Steven had performed exceptionally well during the last raid on Eroding Moon.
After all, he had only dealt with small fries from Eroding Moon.
Yet the person behind the wall insisted that Steven must be the one to do that task.
Otherwise, given Gerald's status, how could he possibly be so attentive to Steven?
Everyone in Blizzard City wanted to get technical support from the Nelson family!
That voice came through heavily: "Don't underestimate him. His upper limit is definitely no less than Captain Reed's level. It might even be higher!"
A flash of astonishment crossed Gerald's eyes.
The six investigation team captains in Blizzard City all possessed LV4 psychic abilities developed to their extreme.
If Steven's upper limit was above theirs, wouldn't that mean...
"LV5?"
The voice behind the wall fell silent for a moment, then said leisurely:
"We only have shallow knowledge about mutation. Even though the Nelson family has researched genetics for half a century, we can only see vague shadows."
"That is the realm of gods. How can mortals touch it?"
"When I saw Steven's battle in Newport City, I finally understood that everyone had underestimated him."
"He's like a massive void cave, bottomless. With someone like this, we can only win him over, not let him become an enemy of the Nelson family."
Gerald's eyes burned with intensity.
What's most valuable in the 21st century?
Talent!
Especially after the apocalypse arrived, if they could invest in a top-tier psychic, the returns would definitely be a hundred times, even a thousand times over!
He also made up his mind to invest heavily in Steven and make him one of their own.
After all, Steven hadn't sided with any faction in Blizzard City yet—his background was as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
Now was undoubtedly the best time to win him over.
But if he had such thoughts, what about the other factions?
Gerald couldn't help but frown.
In terms of resources, the only one in the entire Silvercrest District who could compare with him was Ian, the supreme commander.
"As long as I don't let Steven join them, that's fine. With his casual personality, he doesn't like being controlled anyway."
"The stronger I make him, the less dependent he'll be on Ian."
Steven, on his end, left Nelson Manor with Cindy.
Escorted by the Nelson family's vehicles, they arrived at Area A, where a standalone villa had been specially prepared for him.
Shortly after moving into this villa, Steven carefully inspected it and found no surveillance equipment.
Back here, he could relax a bit.
Steven sat on the sofa, with Cindy pressed close against him. The two of them leaned against the backrest in a relaxed, half-reclining position.
Fluffy squinted comfortably and expertly perched on Steven's stomach.
Thinking about Lily undergoing genetic experiments at the Nelson family, Steven still felt a bit uneasy.
"I always feel like the Nelson family is being too good to me. And Gerald's explanation didn't completely convince me either."
The corner of Cindy's mouth curved up slightly. She propped one arm against the backrest, her gaze toward Steven full of admiration and affection.
"Steven, there's one thing you haven't figured out yet."
Steven: "What thing?"
Cindy pointed her finger toward Steven's nose, her fingertip gently touching it—cool and soft.
"You're too cautious, so you're always used to thinking about things in a pessimistic direction."
"But you've forgotten that you yourself are now a top-tier psychic in Silvercrest District! Someone like that would be respected and eagerly courted by major factions anywhere."
"And now the Nelson family, having lost their top combat power, is doing this to show goodwill toward you."
"Even without the Eroding Moon mission, they'd be willing to build a good relationship with you. Can't you understand such a simple thing?"
Steven's mind suddenly cleared.
He couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "I've survived so long in treacherous struggles between people that I've almost forgotten how civilized society works."
Blizzard City still maintained a civilized state, so there were still social niceties, not just pure survival of the strongest.
He turned his hand and retrieved the X Compound Gerald had given him from the extradimensional space.
Opening the silver case, inside appeared a vial of pale golden serum.
This thing was the drug Gerald mentioned that could help psychics rapidly awaken their potential.
Steven could imagine how valuable it was.
He felt an impulse to use it—a craving at the genetic level.
But out of caution, he didn't dare do so.
After thinking it over, he chose to call Theron to ask about it.
Before long, Theron answered the phone.
After exchanging pleasantries, Steven got straight to the point.
"How good is Nelson Group's research in genetic drugs? Do they have any dark history with their medications?"
Theron replied: "Let me put it this way—currently, more than half of Blizzard City's genetic drug field depends on the Nelson family. And now, after multiple experiments, the drugs have become quite mature."
As he spoke, he glanced at his own arm.
"I was in the third batch of drug test subjects. So far, everything's normal, with no adverse reactions."
Steven asked: "What's the drug you used called?"
Theron thought for a moment. Steven was now pretty much one of their own. Even though he wasn't willing to accept Silvercrest District's jurisdiction, joining the Dire Wolf Team to carry out missions against Eroding Moon proved he was trustworthy.
"That drug is called Compound No. 6."