Chapter 546: Chapter 548: Mind Spread * Abandoned Planet

“Another batch of slop?” In the dimly lit basement, Bo’er was tallying up a list of disheveled but unconscious slaves.

This was Planet S2971, a no-man’s land, unclaimed by any power because it held no value, thus it had become a hub for interstellar slave traders.

“Yes, they were stolen from a laboratory, the ones that came out of the Endless Abyss that obliterated the Blue Song Civilization not long ago,” the person said nonchalantly as he tossed an unconscious body into the prison.

This piqued Bo’er’s interest, “This is a rare commodity that could fetch a good price.”

Scarcity increases value, a fact known to all.

All interstellar civilizations were intensely curious about the special civilization of the Endless Abyss, and there were multiple high-paying commissions on the black market for acquiring an Abyss Spirit Monster, though none had been met so far.

These Abyss Spirit Monsters were all A-level Transcendents and not only did they possess A-level Battle Armor, but each also carried a Strategic Level Mecha. Could ordinary forces afford such equipment?

Obviously, the assailants were instantly chopped into eighteen pieces, so this slave had not leaked out until now.

And this test subject was the first slave that had leaked from the Endless Abyss.

“How did you capture it? I remember the conditions in the Endless Abyss, even the strongest Far-Flight clans couldn’t last long there,” Bo’er asked cautiously, aware of the subject’s identity as a test subjects. Who knew if it was involved in dangerous experiments?

This kind of test subject wasn’t good merchandise and needed to be sold quickly, or else even he might not be able to protect himself.

“Not sure, I got it secondhand,” the person replied indifferently.

“A secondhand source? What about the original source?” Bo’er was a bit surprised, which could mean less profit.

“Dead, hurry up and settle the payment, I still have to send money to his wife and kids.”

These words reassured Bo’er somewhat, since to date, no one had ever managed to bring out anything from the Endless Abyss, making this a first.

“Fine, but I need to check the goods first, after all, who knows if you just grabbed some random test subject from another lab to pose as this one?” Bo’er wasn’t a fool. Just going on his word, what if it was a scam?

The check was carried out swiftly, and as the machine beeped erratically, Bo’er also breathed a sigh of relief.

“An Abyss Power concentration of 75%, to have survived this indicates it truly is a product of the Endless Abyss, but it’s barely half alive.”

This tester Bo’er had was naturally developed by a major force, though not intended for sale, circulating only among these special organizations.

He was indeed an interstellar slave trader, but not merely that; big powers backed him, otherwise how could he engage in such a lucrative business without being turned into a political achievement.

And that’s why he also had such a device.

“It has significant Abyss Resistance; it looks like the major forces will offer a high purchase price. How do you plan to sell?” Bo’er inquired.

Normally, a 5% infection by Abyss Power would lead to mutations, but this experimental body, at 75%, still maintained humanoid semblance, which indicated significant Abyss Resistance–a piece of good news for the major powers.

“One price, no bargaining,” the person declared.

That clearly meant for Bo’er to make an offer, good enough and it’d be sold, otherwise he’d just go to another trader, given that there were more than one on Planet S2971.

“Ten million Star Cluster Coins,” Bo’er stated straightforwardly.

“Fine, an unregistered account, arrange a spaceship, you can do that,” the person said, seemingly confirmed of the path ahead.

If a slave trader could put forth ten million Star Cluster Coins, it indicated that Bo’er was backed by the Star Cluster Empire.

The price was sufficient, the Star Cluster Empire certainly wasn’t suffering from such severe inflation, this ten million Star Cluster Coins was enough to make him rich for three generations.

Without engaging in cultivation and just living as a citizen of the Star Cluster Empire, living lavishly for three thousand years wouldn’t be a problem, since an ordinary person’s life here meant not needing to buy weapons nor pay hefty medical fees, it would naturally suffice.

Even a high-profile mission like protecting a scientific team by the White Sea Mercenary Group only amounted to one million Star Cluster Coins, which seemed a lot, but realistically, if it wasn’t for Wang Wei, it wouldn’t be his job to accept in normal times, most hiring missions mostly fluctuated around a hundred thousand.

These were all life-risking engagements, and coupled with the high expenditures of the Transcendents, it obviously wouldn’t suffice.

“The funds have been transferred, turn left once you exit, someone will lead you away,” Bo’er said with a smile.

After checking his account, the man confirmed there were no issues and rose to leave. However, before he could step out of the gate, his head exploded instantaneously, scattering remnants everywhere.

If it were about a slave that held no secrets, even a special alien, Bo’er wouldn’t have taken such action, but when it involved the Star Cluster Empire, extra caution was necessary.

After all, it was only an interstellar slave hunter; his death mattered little.

“Dispose of this, I’ll contact the higher ups, make sure to watch over this experimental subject,” Bo’er instructed his trusted subordinates. Those who stood here were essentially people from the Star Cluster Empire, and so was he, so there was no worry of betrayal.

As the corporate white glove dispatched by the Star Cluster Empire, Bo’er was of course aware of the situation in the Endless Abyss; this unique civilization lay on the fringe of the territories of the Star Cluster Empire, severing the transportation lifelines to other civilizations.

If the Empire could master Abyss Resistance, the Endless Abyss would lose a significant advantage, and they would also be able to develop specialized weapons to combat the Abyss Spirit Monsters using their genes.

Bo’er was very clear about these matters; he had the necessary abilities, otherwise, how could he have been assigned to this no-man’s land? Without sufficient capability, he would have been completely devoured by those greedy villains long ago.

The report was swiftly completed, and the Star Cluster Empire would arrange for a handover within three days; by then, the subject would be sent off.

‘Am I truly content with this?’

Suddenly, this thought emerged in his mind.

He had sent off the experimental subject, but the credit was not his; it would become the credit of the person taking over, as their deeds could not see the light.

Therefore, Bo’er felt somewhat indignant.

“Heh, what can dissatisfaction do?” Bo’er scoffed at himself. His current life was still pretty good; in this S2971 abandoned planet, he considered himself a sovereign, much more comfortable than living within the Star Cluster Empire.

‘Has the Star Cluster Empire really helped me?’

Another question emerged in his mind, is there any? Maybe there is.

He couldn’t help but recall when he had first arrived at the S2971 abandoned planet, fresh and enthusiastic, having just graduated from the Imperial Academy. Not only were all his records erased, but he was even listed with a death certificate. At that time, he was impassioned; now, he had cooled down.

“There’s no going back, even if I wanted to return, the Star Cluster Empire would probably not welcome a slave trader,” Bo’er said with resentment.

In that moment, feelings of discontent surged. Over the years, he had done countless dirty jobs for the Star Cluster Empire, yet his arrest warrant was still pending there.

The day he would return might just be the day of his execution.

‘What if one day I get old? What then?’

This question made Bo’er shiver with fear; right now, in his prime, he was fine. But what about later?

Could his end be the same as the slave trader he had replaced, dying in a ditch?

Would the Star Cluster Empire stand up for him? Impossible. Perhaps the man who would replace him was the newcomer arranged by the Star Cluster Empire, just as he had been when he first came to the S2971 abandoned planet.

“I must save myself while I’m still young!”

In the past, he worked for the Empire asking for nothing in return, but now, having thought it over, he realized something: his value had never been significant. The promise that accumulating enough merit to return as a first-class citizen was likely a lie.

Without records, he was nothing but a dead man in the Star Cluster Empire; what merit could there be?

Perhaps someone remembered who he was, but definitely no one would fish him out from this no-man’s land.

‘I am just a pawn because I still have value, not yet a discarded piece.’

This line of thinking became Bo’er’s sole focus, everything seemed so normal, yet so abnormal.

“So I have to test the Empire’s attitude towards me to see if my past sacrifices were worthwhile,” Bo’er realized it was time for a change.