Hearing that Ian was finally going to use the Substitute, a previously asked-for Sio was visibly excited. She clenched her fists and earnestly said, "I’ll do my best!"
"Don’t put too much effort into it, just try to be inconspicuous." Ian was a bit speechless, but since it was Sio, it was understandable: "I won’t say much else, I’m disguising as Mahdi to do something incredibly dangerous, concerning the deepest secrets of the Exotic Species Research Institute... So if you encounter me later, don’t come near, even the Prophet might not be able to protect you."
"To be honest, even I might not be able to protect myself."
This was Ian’s heartfelt truth. He was well aware that despite all the camouflage measures he had in place, Mahdi’s disguise was only ’hard to see through’... not to mention, the real danger was not being unmasked, but the massive crisis brought about by ’The Unyielding Fortress’ and the ’Silver Chip.’
The danger inherent in these two identities didn’t depend on whether the bearer was Ian or Mahdi. Once exposed, at the very least, a Third Energy Level peak attack would ensue, and Fourth or even Fifth Energy Levels might personally appear.
"But is this identity really useful?"
On the side, Anfa expressed her disapproval. She raised a very real concern: "That Elg just now... let’s assume he is Elg. He seemed to see through your special characteristics without any means."
"If you can’t figure out what exactly he sees through, your identity as Mahdi will be exposed immediately!"
"That’s true, but it’s not a big issue."
Ian nodded, pondering, "The true identity of that ’Mahdi’ is more excessive compared to mine. He only reveals his true nature because of me... in fact, only I can see through it, which is why he’s so audacious."
"But I’ve roughly figured it out—he should be able to see my soul essence directly, and under the transformation of the Meditation Technique, my soul essence doesn’t quite resemble an ordinary person’s. Heh, I’ve got some understanding now."
Ian thought of something amusing—if Elg was indeed very focused on him, even to the point of investigating Xiawei Territory, then they would definitely find that most of the leadership in Xiawei Territory are extraordinary individuals who’ve practiced the Meditation Technique and have extremely unique souls.
And because of their imitation of the Silver Chip’s calculation units, at a glance, they all appeared to have a highly consistent, ultra-complex soul structure.
——Anyone would think they all originated from the same source, or were even the same person!
That would be the common thought, and as the Thousand-Star Beast, a being that parasitizes and assimilates, would definitely assume Ian’s another similar monster managing a horde of people by parasitizing and assimilating!
If that’s the case, it really could explain why Elg is so convinced that he and Ian are the same kind, capable of comprehending each other... indeed, they’re quite close!
Only that the Thousand-Star Beast uses a more brute physical method, whereas Ian uses dreams and beliefs, inheritance, and technology for assimilation.
"You really aren’t some special identity are you..."
Sio mumbled, but stopped halfway, because Ian indeed has many special identities. Suddenly, she couldn’t determine why Elg valued Ian so much, so she gave up thinking: "Whatever, we have to trust your judgement, anyone not believing in the Prophet must have some issues in the head!"
"As a friend, I’d still suggest you question a bit. Sometimes I might not be coming from my heart and might lie instinctively."
Speaking frankly, Ian began to remove his ’Entangling Void Armor’ that he had been wearing.
At the same time, Anfa retrieved a large box from her baggage. Inside was a low-power-level prosthetic body that resembled the red-haired Elf Girl who currently looked like Sio.
This was intended to be the ’vessel’ for Sio to use Spirit Energy later, essentially serving as an alternative identity prosthetic.
Though seemingly like trafficking elves, the Dragon Blood made it more appropriate, and as Sio rubbed her face, she quickly altered her prosthetic’s height a bit taller, becoming white-haired and blue-eyed. At first glance, she looked ninety percent similar to Ian, but her expression lacked that little bit of aloofness, being slightly too warm and approachable.
Ian pointed out some improvements, and finding that it was hard to change, he gave up. Sio just couldn’t act so cold, he sighed and said, "Anyway, just minimize your presence, to outsiders, I’m naturally reticent, avoid when encountering a fight."
After finishing, Ian noticed everyone was heedless to his warnings; they all bore curious looks, gazing at him intently as if awaiting something.
"I’ve never seen your Mahdi form before, Ian!"
Yisen Gard spoke up, enlightening Ian, the blond-haired youth eager yet trying to play it cool, while Anfa, who hadn’t seen it either, nodded repeatedly, clearly not caring about being reserved—Sio, having seen it a few times, loved to join the fun, especially since she had little sense of decorum.
"...What’s there to see?"
Ian sighed, raising his hand, brushing across his face, and pulling his hair back.