Discovery

Research institute.

Chen Lian walked in from outside and reported to Liu Mingxuan, "Captain, while checking the personnel records today, we discovered that the 76th Regiment Chief of Staff has gone missing. The military district has begun investigating and suspects that monster has started moving again. They told us to be more careful."

"I understand," Liu Mingxuan replied flatly.

After thinking it over, he added, "Contact Lin Yan. Tell him to stay alert too."

"Okay."

Chen Lian called Lin Yan and asked, "Lin Yan, nothing unusual has happened inside, right?"

Lin Yan's response over the phone sounded perfectly normal. "With you guys guarding the outside, what could possibly happen to me?"

"That's good. The 76th Regiment Chief of Staff disappeared today. The higher-ups told us to be extra careful, so you need to stay vigilant too."

Lin Yan laughed over the phone. "Don't worry."

Chen Lian hung up. Liu Mingxuan pulled up the surveillance footage and checked it. Everything in the laboratory appeared stable, and everyone was working, so he relaxed.

Evening.

Professor Wen stepped down from the helicopter. The institute's equipment was not advanced enough, and some issues required more precise instruments, so he had taken several people back earlier that day.

In truth, it no longer mattered much whether he remained in the North District. He had already helped them uncover crucial information from a professional perspective, and there was not much else he could assist with.

But the matter had not been resolved yet. To avoid any new developments later, he still decided to wait until the situation was under control before returning.

Jia Yan was still responsible for protecting Wen Xiuyong. He had also received news that someone had gone missing in the North District again, making him especially vigilant.

Qi Ze looked at the experimental data in his hand and sighed. "Teacher, this Gray Gorilla's Gene Modification is just too perfect. Who in the world could possess such an ability?"

The more he studied it that day, the more alarmed he became.

This Gene Modification technology was simply terrifying. Judging from the Gray Gorilla's genetic profile, it should originally have been a Blood Eye Gorilla. Blood Eye Gorillas had extremely low racial potential, the lowest among ape species. At most, they could become E-rank monsters at the Primary Beast General level.

Yet the Gray Gorilla could not have undergone Gene Modification for more than two years, and it had already reached the Intermediate Beast General level. Its potential was immense as well. Based on their assessment, given enough time, it would not be surprising for it to grow into a monster at the High Lord level.

This technology had definitely not just emerged. It had accumulated over a long period and developed a fully mature design framework.

Wen Xiuyong was somewhat mentally exhausted. He gazed into the distance, his spirits low.

Only after a long while did he say calmly, "I think I know who it is."

Qi Ze froze. He already knew who was behind the scenes?

Could it be someone who had crossed paths with his teacher before? He was curious, but seeing Wen Xiuyong's current state, he decided not to ask.

The group arrived at the research institute.

They passed through the security checkpoint without incident.

Jia Yan poured himself a glass of water, sat on the sofa, and asked, "Has the military district approved my application for Series 7 weapons and equipment?"

Chu Wei gave him a strange look. "It was approved. Didn't I call and tell you today?"

Jia Yan had been thinking about this for a long time. After this mission, a superior from his former unit had quietly tipped him off, saying that if he applied now, it would definitely be approved. He had submitted the application two days ago.

Chu Wei knew how much he cared about it, so he had called him the moment the approval document came through. At the time, Jia Yan had not seemed particularly excited, and Chu Wei had even joked with the others that Jia Yan had finally become more composed.

How had he forgotten in less than half a day?

Jia Yan took a sip of water, paused, and said, "When did you call me?"

Liu Mingxuan abruptly looked up, his expression grave.

Chu Wei had been right beside him when he made that call, so he naturally knew it had happened.

Jia Yan was still flipping through the call log on his communication watch. Bewildered, he said, "There's nothing."

At that moment, Wen Xiuyong and several researchers had changed into laboratory coats and were preparing to enter the lab.

"Professor Wen, please wait."

Liu Mingxuan stopped them.

Wen Xiuyong and the others looked at him in confusion. Liu Mingxuan gestured for them to wait. Seeing his reaction, every member of Star Team stood up and gripped their weapons tightly.

"Captain, what's wrong?"

Liu Mingxuan did not answer. Instead, he called Lin Yan, his eyes fixed on the surveillance footage. In the recording, Lin Yan answered the call perfectly normally.

"Hello, Captain. What is it?"

Liu Mingxuan's expression was solemn, but his voice remained calm. "Have you thought about what I told you yesterday, about joining the Security Division after this matter is over? Director Li asked me to get your answer as soon as possible."

"I'll think about it some more. I'm in the middle of an experiment right now. I'll explain it to you after work."

"Okay. It's fine. I'm only asking on their behalf. The decision is yours."

"Okay, Captain."

Liu Mingxuan hung up and took a deep breath. "Something's happened!"

"What?"

Everyone turned pale in shock.

"I never mentioned anything to Lin Yan about the Security Division, but he went along with what I said. The person on the other end of the phone wasn't him."

"And Chu Wei clearly spoke with Jia Yan, but Jia Yan never received the call. Our communication signals have been intercepted."

Liu Mingxuan's face was grim. "The surveillance footage is probably fake too. We have no idea what is happening inside the laboratory right now."

Wen Xiuyong was visibly unsettled as he asked, "What do you mean? That monster infiltrated the laboratory?"

Liu Mingxuan's reply came with difficulty. "Yes."

Everyone inside the laboratory was either one of Wen Xiuyong's researchers or his daughter. With things having reached this point, they had no clue what condition the people inside were in.

This failure was simply too severe.

Wen Xiuyong's expression shifted unpredictably. "Can you determine when it happened?"

Liu Mingxuan took out the logbook and looked through it. "Xiang Yang, how long did you stay in the archives with Professor Wu today?"

"I paid attention. Forty-eight minutes."

Bu Xiangyang was certain.

"Did you do anything else during that time?"

"No." Bu Xiangyang recalled, "But I did feel a little dizzy midway through. Professor Wu even asked if I was all right."

"Based on your walking speed, there is an error of around four minutes in the time."

Everyone's hearts sank. They knew the problem had to have occurred there.

"You returned at 1:39 p.m. It is now 7:02 p.m., which means it has been inside the laboratory for over five hours."

Five hours.

Liu Mingxuan looked at the door leading into the laboratory, his gaze deep and his heart growing heavier.

He knew that the strongest fighter inside was only Lin Yan. Although Lin Yan had always been dependable, he was ultimately only an Intermediate Warrior. No matter how strong he was, he could only be comparable to a Primary Beast General.

Yet the enemy he faced was a monster suspected to be at the Lord level. It had disguised itself as Professor Wu, and it was cunning by nature and brutal in its actions.

He did not dare imagine what the laboratory was like now.

"Jia Yan, call the Lightning Special Forces over. Accompany them and protect Professor Wen and the others as they leave this place and head to headquarters. Report this matter truthfully as well."

"Chen Lian, go to the building next door. Team Leader Jiang is on the second floor."

"Xiang Yang, find the Jiaolong Commando and the Sky Wolf Special Forces. Have them join us in entering the laboratory to investigate the situation."

Liu Mingxuan issued orders. Even if they were only trying to salvage the situation, they could not delay any longer.

The whites of Wen Xiuyong's eyes were bloodshot. He stared intently at Liu Mingxuan, his voice hoarse. "I'm not leaving. My daughter is still inside. I need to see her come out safely!"

Liu Mingxuan fell silent for a moment. "I'm sorry."

Jia Yan directly struck Wen Xiuyong with a controlled chop to the neck, knocking him unconscious. Qi Ze and the others cried out in alarm.

"I'm sorry." Liu Mingxuan bowed his head in apology.

An aura that kept strangers away radiated from him as he gave the order, "Now, begin the operation!"