“Nope,” Chen Zhao rejected.
To be honest, Gaia was definitely no match for Chen Zhao at the moment.
Skill was indeed important, but when the difference between their strengths was so big, all skills were useless.
Now, Chen Zhao was truly a monster that no ordinary humans could fight.
“Really?” Gaia asked.
“Apart from bringing Tiger here, I also need your help.”
“What?”
“I need some special fitness equipment for myself.”
“How special?”
Chen Zhao muttered something into Gaia’s ear.
Gaia was clearly somewhat hesitant. “You need them for yourself?”
“Yup.”
“You sure you didn’t accidentally add a zero behind each number?”
“I know what I’m saying, and also what I need.”
“Tiger, familiarize yourself with the place first. Chen and I need to discuss something.”
Gaia brought Chen Zhao into an isolated gym. “Lift that barbell.”
Chen Zhao shrugged. With just one hand, he lifted the barbell which had seven or eight weights on it.
Gaia frowned. Chen Zhao’s strength was becoming absolutely alarming.
He was carrying a two-hundred-kilogram barbell, but he was holding it like a normal dumbbell.
“You’re a beast.” Gaia shook her head.
It was no wonder Chen Zhao had rejected her request for a fight.
If they really entered the ring, she would lose for sure.
Chen Zhao was way stronger than her, so much so that no skills could make up for the difference.
“How’s Morgery?” Gaia suddenly asked.
“You killed him.” Chen Zhao was unsure about Gaia’s position, so he denied it as his first reaction.
After leaving the fitness center, Chen Zhao went to Ethan’s motel to visit Li Qing.
Li Qing was recovering well, especially her mental state.
“Mr. Chen, have you read Qingyi Sect’s books I gave you?”
“Err… I was too busy. I’ll read them once I get back.” Chen Zhao felt as if Li Qing was forcing him to read the books.
“Remember to read them. Qingyi Sect has many techniques that can cure various diseases. They’re really useful.”
Li Qing was blowing her own trumpet. Chen Zhao could only nod.
When Chen Zhao left the motel, he received a call from Sienna.
“Chen, something happened again. Today, a witch was killed and another was severely injured.”
“It’s Evangeline again?”
“Yes,” Sienna answered. “Chen, I think you should reconsider. Evangeline is too strong. We don’t have to find her actively.”
Chen Zhao, however, had already made up his mind. He had caused all this, so he had no reason to hide.
In any case, he had to take care of the situation.
The longer Evangeline roamed outside, the more victims there would be.
“Are the witches in LA defenseless?”
“What do you expect us to do? We could at most build a few defensive wards at our house, but such wards cannot stop Evangeline at all.”
“Is there really nothing we can do?” Chen Zhao was worried about Sienna, Chris and Cheryl’s safety.
“No, unless witches stay in groups, but that’s almost impossible.”
“How about you come to my house and wait till I settle all this?” Chen Zhao asked.
“No, it’s good here.”
“Is there any news from your teacher?”
“Not yet. I’ll inform you if I receive anything.”
…
“Mr. Steven, you look very tired the past two days. Do you really not need some rest?” James stood before Steven.
“I don’t feel anything different. How’s the construction of the filming location?” Steven asked.
“80% complete. It’s estimated we can start filming in the next two days.”
“Also, I need a new assistant. Release the news for me,” Steven added. “Now, follow me to check out the location together.”
Steven rubbed his forehead. Indeed, he had been feeling weak recently.
However, in both visits to the hospital, he was told that his body was entirely normal.
After walking for a while, Steven was already feeling tired.
His strength had significantly decreased. Just a few weeks ago, he could play with two women all night without feeling this tired.
But now, walking a few steps would exhaust him.
It felt very uncomfortable. Steven slowed down with cold sweat running down his forehead.
Realizing Steven’s status, James quickly walked up and supported him.
“Right, go away. I’m not so old that I need someone to carry me.”
Steven tried his best to focus and check the location, after which he rushed home to rest.
However, he was soon awakened by a call. “Hey, James, what is it?”
Nobody would enjoy being disturbed from sleep.
“Mr. Steven, I’ve already sent out the announcement. When will you be free to interview the applicants?”
Steven’s name was really useless. With just once announcement, there were already hundreds of applicants.
After James did some preliminary selection, there were about ten people left.
“Tomorrow morning. I’m hanging up.”
“Yes. I’m sorry to disturb your rest.”
After Steven hung up, he wanted to sleep again, but he just could not fall asleep.
As he got up, he felt weakness running through his body. He had a hard time getting himself up the bed.
However, when he saw himself in the mirror, his expression changed.
His hair, which had been half-brown, was all white now.
At the same time, there were countless wrinkles on his face. Steven felt as if he had aged for ten years all of a sudden.
He kept rubbing his eyes, unable to believe in the reality.
Ignoring his aching body, he rushed to the hospital for an examination.
Waiting for the report was a very painful process. Steven waited for three hours and his state deteriorated.
“Mr. Steven, we detected your cells splitting rapidly. This is a very bad sign.” A doctor gave the medical report to Steven.
“What do you mean?” Steven asked, confused.
“You might have one of the progeroid syndromes.”
“Can you be more direct?”
“You’re aging at a rate which is dozens of times quicker than normal,” the doctor said.
Boom… Steven could feel his head go blank.
Aging dozens of times quicker?
“Is there a treatment?”
“No. Currently, there is no cure. It cannot even be slowed.”
“What should I do then?” Steven asked.
“I’m really sorry, but there is not much I can tell you. Please keep optimistic.”
