The efficiency of Ghost Face was truly incomparable to an ordinary person. With the help of the machines, he quickly completed a thorough analysis of Xiao Tian's blood.

However, when he emerged from the lab, his expression was unusually grave.

"Why do you have that look on your face?!" Xiao Tian put down the ancient book given by Sun Bo, and asked, puzzled.

Ghost Face seemed hesitant to speak, unsure of how to begin.

At the same time, Lin Bingxuan and Melinda, returning from grocery shopping, saw the two in the living room. Just as they were about to greet them, they were suddenly frozen in place by Ghost Face's words.

After a moment of hesitation, Ghost Face said, "Your current situation is much worse than we anticipated."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian and the two women by the door were dumbfounded.

"I originally thought it was just a simple decline in your power, but I didn't expect even your genes to start deteriorating!" Ghost Face said anxiously, "I also bear some responsibility for this."

"If my guess is correct, it's most likely related to your frequent use of the pills to unlock the Genetic Lock." Ghost Face concluded.

"With all this said, did my blood contain any trace of the pendant?" Xiao Tian asked calmly, without much change in expression.

This time it was Ghost Face who was stunned. He had only detected these things, and in his haste, he hadn't checked if there were traces of the pendant, but he still said, "Shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself right now?"

Xiao Tian chuckled lightly, "Isn't keeping track of the Five Elements Crystal's progress the same as caring about myself?"

"Uh..." Ghost Face was taken aback.

"Besides, a lot has happened recently. Having some time to think things over isn't a bad thing," Xiao Tian chuckled, "Even if I were to become an ordinary person this time, it wouldn't be too hard for me to accept!"

Ghost Face sighed heavily and said with utmost seriousness, "In any case, I will use all available time to resolve this. As you said, take this time to rest well!"

With that, Ghost Face returned to the lab.

"For now, don't let anyone else know about this!" Xiao Tian advised seriously.

Ghost Face nodded in understanding, "Indeed, telling more people would only cause more worry."

After hearing Xiao Tian's words, Lin Bingxuan and Melinda exchanged a glance, seeing the guilt in each other's eyes.

Although Lin Bingxuan possessed the mystical cultivation technique of Endless Life, her strength was still too limited, having only mastered half of the first layer of the Heart Method, thus her help was very limited.

Even Melinda, currently on par with Xiao Tian after his regression, recalled their agreement for her to be his bodyguard on this journey. Yet, she felt she hadn't contributed much.

Instead, Xiao Tian often stood up to protect her, leaving Melinda with a sense of shame.

"Bingxuan, what should we do now..."

Lin Bingxuan decided promptly, "First of all, we must keep this a secret; we can't even tell Ningxue for now. As Ghost Face said, more people knowing would only add to the worry without helping much!"

"And second, we must act as if we don't know anything, so he won't see through it."

Lin Bingxuan's thoughts aligned with Melinda's, but the latter still asked, "The key is, what can we do now?"

After pondering for a while, Lin Bingxuan had an idea, "Let's go to Ghost Face later and understand the details. Remember, don't let him see that we already know his condition."

Melinda slapped her face lightly, putting on a relaxed demeanor, and went into the living room with Lin Bingxuan, chatting and laughing as if they were in a good mood after grocery shopping.

"You're back!"

Xiao Tian looked up at the two who were smiling happily.

"Yes, we bought a lot today. Yaoyao will also come over later. By the way, did you buy the things you promised her?" Lin Bingxuan asked with a smile.

Xiao Tian said, "I've already prepared them. If I go against my word again, with that girl's temper, she might just tear down the roof!"

As they spoke, the doorbell rang.

The three exchanged glances, and Lin Bingxuan said, "That should be Yaoyao. You open the door, and we'll start preparing to cook."

Xiao Tian placed the ancient book into the drawer of the coffee table, smiled, and agreed. Then he walked out the villa's door.

Lin Bingxuan and Melinda exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, put the vegetables and fresh meat in the kitchen, and then entered the lab that Ghost Face had temporarily transformed under the stairs...

... 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Uncle, hurry up, hurry up, run a bit! My hands are about to break!"

The little girl was standing there elegantly, with her hands carrying big bags and a big pile of colorful gifts in front, making her small frame look like a human rack.

Xiao Tian quickly walked over, opened the door, and took the large bags and gifts from the little girl.

"Huff huff..."

The little girl blew on her wrists, wanting to hug him but seeing Xiao Tian already full of gifts, she pouted and extended her hands, "Uncle, look, my hands are red from bringing you gifts!"

Looking at the pitiful little girl, Xiao Tian exclaimed helplessly, "Can we talk about this inside?"

"Oh, okay!"

The little girl chirped and hopped into the villa, yelling as she ran, "Auntie, I'm here!"

Xiao Tian smiled wryly, wondering why she was still like a child at her age.

After entering the house, Xiao Tian put the things down, but saw the little girl looking around, puzzled, "Huh? Where's Auntie?!"

"Maybe she went upstairs!" Xiao Tian said, "She said she'd make something delicious for you later!"

The little girl nodded, then waddled over to Xiao Tian and stood there with extended arms.

Xiao Tian chuckled, embraced her, and rubbed her head, "You've grown taller!"

The little girl, who only reached Xiao Tian's chest, looked up at him smiling warmly, and asked seriously, "Are you praising me?"

"Of course!"

Xiao Tian replied sincerely.

After a moment, realizing Xiao Tian wasn't making fun of her, the little girl reluctantly let go and asked, "Where is my gift?!"

Seeing her extending her hands like a robber, Xiao Tian's mischievousness arose, and he pretended to apologize, "Oh no, sorry, I really forgot. Next time, next time I'll definitely get it for you!"

"Hmm?!"

The little girl frowned, seriously sizing up Xiao Tian, finally staring unblinkingly into his eyes.

After a moment, Xiao Tian, under her gaze, inexplicably felt a premonition of impending doom…

Moreover, a deep sense of guilt lingered within him, refusing to dissipate.