The Alloy Creatures' attribute limit was 20, and the Supersonic Gunman's speed was already very close to that limit. Truly exceptional Supersonic Gunmen with a full 20 points of speed did exist; this one was just a step away but wasn't far off.
The Supersonic Gunman's hardness and strength were considered relatively low among Alloy Creatures, especially its hardness, which was not even at 10. Some Steel Creatures' hardness could also reach this value.
However, this Supersonic Gunman had two Base Mutation Talents, and both talents were highly compatible with its attributes, making it quite remarkable.
Theoretically, Steel Creatures' upper limit was one Base Mutation Talent, Alloy Creatures' limit was two Base Mutation Talents, and Crystal-Based Creatures' limit was three Base Mutation Talents.
But that was just theoretical. In reality, many alloy pets only had one Base Mutation Talent, and often, their talents didn't even match their abilities.
Overall, this Supersonic Gunman's value was likely very high. In a place like the Dark Bird Base, trading it for a full property wouldn't be out of the question.
Perhaps it was Lin Shen's astonishing performance, or maybe it was the Lin Family's enduring reputation, that led several Mutators to decide on the spot to sign contracts with the Lin Family. Among all the groups present, the Lin Family signed the most contracts.
Unfortunately, Wei Wufu still showed no intention of taking action, clearly not planning to join any faction for the time being.
*Even if Wei Wufu wanted to sign with the Lin Family now, it would be a tricky situation for them.*
When Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother were around, signing an Alloy Mutator wouldn't have been an issue. But now that both were away, signing an unknown Alloy Mutator would bring trouble to the Lin Family.
Afterward, Lin Shen didn't say much, leaving Ye to handle most of the interactions.
Qi Shuheng and Wang Tian'er also lost interest in talking with Lin Shen. Instead, they were extremely enthusiastic while chatting with Bai Shenfei. It was apparent they were hoping to curry favor with Bai Shenfei. *But who was she, exactly? Lin Shen hadn't heard Lin Xiangdong mention Bai Shenfei's origins before.*
"Why has Bai Shenfei come to the Dark Bird Base this time?" *Lin Shen felt a headache brewing. If it hadn't been for the unexpected variable of Bai Shenfei, today's matters would have been resolved perfectly. Now, an unresolved issue remained.*
After the recruitment conference ended and Lin Shen got up to leave, Bai Shenfei naturally followed him. Clearly, she wouldn't give up easily unless she understood Lin Shen's identity.
"Junior Sister, it's been a while since we last met. We ought to have a proper talk. If you don't mind, why not come to my place for dinner?" Lin Shen said with a smile.
"Alright," Bai Shenfei agreed readily, seeing how cooperative Lin Shen was.
Of course, Lin Shen wouldn't bring Bai Shenfei to his own residence. Instead, he led her to Lin Xiangdong's place, arranging for her to rest in the guest lounge.
"Who are you, really?" Bai Shenfei didn't sit down. She simply stared at Lin Shen and asked.
"Who I am, whether I am Lin Xiangdong or not—does this question really matter to you?" Lin Shen replied unhurriedly.
"It matters," Bai Shenfei said directly.
"What matters to you is Lin Xiangdong as a person, or what he can do for you? If it's the former, you can rest assured. If it's the latter, you're welcome to speak; as long as it's within my ability, I won't shy away." *Due to the mosaic camouflage around her, Lin Shen couldn't see Bai Shenfei's expression after hearing his words.*
"Did Lin Xiangdong go to Gourd Mountain?" Bai Shenfei suddenly blurted out.
Lin Shen was thinking about what Gourd Mountain was—it wasn't a place he recognized, and his momentary confusion was evident in his eyes.
"Looks like you don't know anything." Bai Shenfei, who had been watching Lin Shen's eyes closely, immediately caught onto this and, sounding disappointed, turned to leave.
*As Lin Shen watched Bai Shenfei leave, he felt profound confusion coursing through him. What made her suddenly decide to leave?*
Lin Shen turned to Ye behind him, only to notice Ye's peculiar expression. *Alarmed, he asked,* "Ye, be honest. Third Brother and Fourth Brother didn't really go to that Gourd Mountain, did they?"
Ye's expression turned complicated. After hesitating for a long while, he seemed to finally make up his mind and said, "Originally, Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother didn't want Little Lin to know about this. But now, since even outsiders are aware of the matter concerning Gourd Mountain, it's difficult for me to keep this from you anymore."
"What exactly is Gourd Mountain? Is it somewhere near our base? Why haven't I ever heard of it? What did Third Brother and Fourth Brother go there for?" Lin Shen asked anxiously. *The matter seemed even more intricate than he'd imagined.*
"Of course, you've never heard of it. That place was named on a whim by Second Brother when he first saw it. Barely anyone knows the name Gourd Mountain," Ye replied with a sigh.
"Second Brother gave it that name?" Lin Shen froze slightly.
Lin Yin, also known as the Second Brother, was deemed the most talented among the Lin Family in cultivation. The honorary "Zong" prefix bestowed upon Lin Family members had originated with Lin Yin.
*It could be said that Lin Yin once single-handedly upheld the crumbling and nearly forgotten legacy of the Lin Family.*
Moreover, Lin Yin was one of the few individuals at the Dark Bird Base to ascend to the elite Crystal Base Level. Yet, during his apex, Lin Yin mysteriously vanished while trying to hunt Base Mutation Creatures.
When Lin Yin disappeared, Lin Shen was not even ten years old. To him, Lin Yin was like a father figure.
*Having lost both parents early on, Lin Yin, who was over twenty years his senior, had a profound influence on Lin Shen—a relationship that embodied the saying, "elder brother as father."*
Over the years, the once-vivid memory of that stalwart figure had faded somewhat. Lin Shen could barely recall what Lin Yin's face looked like.
Still, Lin Shen remembered clearly how kind Lin Yin had been, often playing with him and buying him treats and toys during childhood.
*Lin Shen's playful disposition had been cultivated in part by Lin Yin's indulgent care.*
"Was Gourd Mountain the place Second Brother visited before he vanished?" Lin Shen asked, his brow furrowing.
Ye nodded. "You're as perceptive as ever, Little Lin. Before Second Brother disappeared, the last place he visited was Gourd Mountain. He never returned after that."
"Did Third Brother and Fourth Brother uncover Second Brother's trail and head to Gourd Mountain because of it?" Lin Shen deliberated aloud.
"That's part of the reason." Ye hesitated before continuing on his own: "Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother said they went to Gourd Mountain to secure for you a Base Mutation Egg for transforming into a Mutator."
Lin Shen paused slightly, surprised. *With his abilities, he had long been able to undergo the Base Mutation transformation; Third Brother and Fourth Brother had repeatedly urged him to delay the process—as it turned out, they'd been preparing an optimal Base Mutation Egg for him.*
The transformation from human to Mutator could only be achieved through one method: extracting a specific substance from Base Mutation Creatures to modify one's physicality until the assimilation process completed.
This substance could either originate from Base Mutation Creatures or from a Base Mutation Egg. However, before transformation, acquiring a Base Mutation Egg was obligatory, and the egg's quality would significantly influence the resulting Steel Body attributed post-transformation.