At the summit of Changbai Mountain's main peak, the security detail had already withdrawn.
After all, the data they had obtained, along with Red Whale's assurance, was enough to put Dragon Fang at ease.
The four helicopters had withdrawn, taking the security teams that had arrived with them.
In the end, only the six-person squad originally assigned to accompany Old Li and the others remained.
They continued to cordon off the area around the geological monitoring station to keep tourists from approaching.
The six-person squad had set up a small rest area at the monitoring station, where everyone else waited for Leo to return.
"How are the readings now? Is Leo still down there?"
Pietro returned after another excursion. Looking around the rather empty rest tent, then at Red Whale floating silently nearby, he asked curiously.
"Get over here and sit down. Stop running around. Leo's situation still hasn't been resolved."
Wanda gave Pietro an irritated look as she spoke.
"The readings we're getting now are making us wonder whether the equipment is broken!"
Old Li made no attempt to hide the situation, speaking with a wry smile.
The readings from half an hour ago had already been enough to put Old Li completely at ease.
Yet the latest readings had made Old Li worried instead. He had even called a geological expert to ask what would happen if the temperature and pressure in the underground magma and mantle layers became too low.
As for Red Whale, after assuring them ten minutes earlier that everything was fine, he had said nothing more. Given his temperament, he wasn't inclined to chat anyway.
Jenny and George sat quietly in their chairs, gazing somewhat absently at Red Whale. There was no telling what they were thinking, but at least there wasn't much worry