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The four on the opposing side each introduced their physical abilities. Naturally, Yu Jing also briefly explained his work at the Research Institute and the power of 'Ivy'.

As for Yu Xiaoxiao, Jiang Pengyu proactively stated that there was no need for her to explain; they only needed to consider her a very strong combatant within the team.

"I didn't expect you to have a Cultivated Physique, Yu Jing!" Jiang Pengyu exclaimed in surprise.

Yu Jing's ability report, provided by Special Commissioner Liang, contained the professional term 'Cultivated Physique'.

This was because not everyone could undergo the fusion and grafting of plant genes with their physical bodies. Only individuals whose certain gene expression could perfectly integrate with plant genes were eligible for plant gene grafting surgery.

Otherwise, if there was a backlash, the plant entity within the body would not be controlled by the host and would instead drain the host's energy, ultimately resulting in a true 'Human-Flesh Plant'.

"If we're going to cooperate and act together, we'll need a leader."

Yu Jing shifted the conversation to the topic of leadership, which was crucial for their upcoming actions.

"Yu Jing, you work at the Research Institute and have merged with a plant, which is equivalent to having undergone preliminary training at the Dihua Ability Institute. You're the most suitable person to lead. You'll be primarily responsible for arranging our actions, and as long as it's appropriate, everyone will follow your lead."

Jiang Pengyu, without much thought, proactively suggested Yu Jing take the lead. There were two reasons: first, based on the previous deductions of Jiang Pengyu's team, Yu Jing might have some knowledge of this hotel. Second, in their opinion, Yu Xiaoxiao would only obey Yu Jing's arrangements.

"En."

In reality, despite Yu Jing's personality, he disliked being the center of attention in a captain's position. However, given the current situation, if Jiang Pengyu were to take charge, Yu Xiaoxiao would absolutely not follow orders.

"We have four hours left until tomorrow morning. Three people will take turns on watch every two hours to ensure everyone is well-rested for tomorrow."

As per Yu Jing's request, the six of them safely passed the first night of physical training by taking turns on watch. No abnormal incidents occurred throughout the entire period.

From the initial events that transpired tonight, Yu Jing had noted two rather important pieces of information.

First, the oddities in the hotel had intentionally gathered the six of them together through the television's warning.

Second, the woman who appeared on the television had pale soles of her feet, which were covered in dirt.

Yu Jing temporarily kept these two pieces of information in mind.

At precisely seven o'clock on the second morning, it should have been a bright and sunny day in September. However, the gloom in the sky persisted, and the downpour that began yesterday showed no signs of abating. Still, this overcast weather was much better than the absolute darkness of the night.

However, due to the humidity, a scent mixed with sandalwood and decay had become more potent.

Through the room's window, they could clearly see the rain-soaked mountain forest outside. There were no wild animals or other newcomers approaching the area.

Since the second morning had arrived, the six of them collectively returned to the empty lobby on the first floor of the hotel.

A detail was noticed: the tea left on the counter the previous night remained untouched. Currently, a spider had already spun a large amount of webbing across the surface of the teacup.

"Let's confirm if the Old Woman in Charge from last night is still here."

Jiang Pengyu, the most cheerful person in the group, opened his mouth and shouted in the center of the first floor: "Is anyone here?"

His voice was incredibly loud, even echoing out of the hotel and into the surrounding forest.

Five minutes passed with no response or sound. It was safe to assume the old woman from last night had vanished.

"I should have been the one to hypnotize the old lady yesterday to ask questions..." Zhang Xingyue muttered softly to herself within the group.

Yu Jing paid no mind to this woman. In a group with such unfamiliar relationships and no established trust, there was no absolute faith to be had.

"Everyone, search the rooms on the first floor. Try to find the old woman's room, or find any strange items. Also, if you find anything resembling a bell, absolutely do not ring it."

Yu Jing ultimately chose not to conceal this information.

First, they searched the front counter, obtaining the keys to all the rooms on the first floor and a ledger. The only noteworthy item within the ledger was the dates and some strange markings.

The dates in the ledger indicated that the hotel's original time was 40 years ago from the present.

Next were the guest registration details. Some guest names were marked with a circular notation. As they tallied them, it was easy to discover that the marked names were predominantly male, and through their identification numbers, they were confirmed to be males between the ages of 15 and 25. The reason for this was currently unknown.

Yu Jing also did not find the bell he remembered at the front desk. Currently holding the keys to the first-floor guest rooms, he began a thorough search of the entire first floor, aiming to locate the old woman's room.

Each guest room, starting from the front, was the same as those on the upper floors and held nothing noteworthy.

The six of them each had their own methods for meticulously inspecting various parts of the rooms, but they consistently found nothing. However, the first-floor rooms were significantly more humid than those on the second and third floors, with uncomfortable fungi growing in the corners of the walls.

When Yu Jing intended to introduce plant matter from his own body into the first-floor walls, he immediately felt a strong sense of repulsion.

"This door won't open."

Upon reaching the room at the innermost part of the first floor, with the room number '110', Jiang Pengyu inserted the corresponding key but was unable to open the door.

Yu Xiaoxiao, standing nearby, had already taken out a dagger, intending to force the door open.

"I'll do it."

Yu Jing, signaling them not to resort to forceful measures, walked up to the door, placed his palm against the keyhole, and extended a plant into it.

However, the situation within the keyhole sent a ripple of fear through Yu Jing's heart. It wasn't an issue with the key, but rather that the keyhole was jammed by something.

As the vine was pulled outward, a large amount of black, rotten hair was pulled from the narrow keyhole. This sight startled everyone in the group, with Zhang Xingyue and Men Qian, who was skilled in medicine, showing the most intense reactions.

"Creak!"

The wooden door was successfully opened, and the scene inside the room caused everyone to pause and stop in their tracks.

The old woman from last night was currently lying on the bed. Additionally, the walls of the bedroom were covered with numerous pieces of paper cut from newspapers. Due to the distance, the fine print on the newspapers was temporarily illegible.

The old woman lying on the bed showed no signs of life. Her eyes were rolled back, and part of the foul odor in the room emanated from her body.

"Quiet, don't make any noise! Collect some items from the room first, and then we'll check on the old woman's condition."