The noon sun barely pierced the dust haze shrouding Jinlin City.
Lu Nian stood atop the roof of a half-collapsed shopping mall, the epaulets on his military uniform trembling gently in the breeze.
His gaze was like that of a hawk as he surveyed the crisscrossing streets below.
More than twenty Intermediate Military Mages were positioned throughout the surrounding buildings, maintaining a well-trained tactical formation.
"Commander, no target has been found in the East District," the female adjutant, Lin Yu, reported quietly. Her voice came through the communicator with exceptional clarity.
"However, we found traces of recent activity, likely no more than two days old."
Lu Nian did not respond immediately. He raised his right hand, and a mass of dark red energy potion appeared in his palm. Blood-colored energy could vaguely be seen swirling within it.
"For the future of mages, I need more test subjects, more data, more breakthroughs."
"Mo Fan, the perfect specimen with Innate Dual Element."
Lu Nian muttered to himself, a feverish gleam flashing through his eyes.
"As long as I obtain him, my research can advance further. The true Demon Element will no longer be a fantasy."
His thoughts returned to the failed test subjects in the military laboratory, those mages who had collapsed when their power spiraled out of control.
Every failure had made the goal of his research clearer, but those old fools in the military command had already lost their patience, accusing him of "defying human ethics" and "falling into madness."
Defection was the only choice.
"Commander," Lin Yu's voice interrupted Lu Nian's thoughts.
"There are energy fluctuations, northwest, approximately two kilometers away."
A sharp gleam flashed in Lu Nian's eyes.
"All units, converge on the northwest. Stay concealed. Lin Yu, lead the second squad around their flank."
"Yes!"
Three streets