Suspicion Grows as Hidden Strength Fighters Emerge Across Central Continent and Another Ruin Appears

As the institute's alarm sounded, its security forces rushed into position. Dozens of armed guards surrounded every entrance and exit, their faces grim. Others advanced slowly into the institute. With national secrets at stake, they could not be too careful.

Before long, they found Wang Hong, who oversaw the institute's security. A researcher lay on the floor nearby, blood seeping from his nose and mouth.

The sight baffled the guards. One of them asked, "Officer Wang, where's the intruder?!"

Wang Hong pointed at the researcher on the floor, his expression strange. "He's the Spy who slipped into the institute's laboratory to steal national secrets. He's been dealt with, and we've recovered the secrets he stole..."

While they spoke, other researchers from the laboratory finally arrived. Wang Hong handed the data storage device over to them.

Wang Hong quickly wrote up everything that had happened and how it had begun, then sent his report to his superiors. It drew immediate attention. They pulled up the institute's surveillance footage, hoping to identify the masked intruder who appeared to be a Pillaring Grandmaster.

Unfortunately for them, the precautions Gu Chen had taken rendered it useless. He had already used the darkness to evade countless street cameras, changed clothes along the way, and returned home without a sound.

That very night, word spread that a Spy had nearly stolen the Coastal City official research institute's latest findings on the Wu Ming Ruins. The mysterious figure who had appeared there, seemingly a Pillaring Grandmaster, drew even more attention. People could not help speculating about who he really was.

Liu Qing'er, the wealthy young woman in the same small Group Chat, heard about it from her uncle, a researcher at the Coastal City official research institute. Her heart skipped a beat.

They had discussed the Coastal City official research institute in the Group Chat just yesterday. Gu Chen had asked her about it, and that very night, one incident after another had struck the institute.

It was like a friend asking you about an exclusive club, only for the news that night to report a vice raid there and the arrest of everyone involved. Meanwhile, that friend had not come home, and no one could reach him by phone.

Faced with such a coincidence, Liu Qing'er could hardly keep from connecting the dots. Her thoughts turned to Gu Chen, and suspicion stirred within her. Could he have something to do with it?!

Unable to shake her doubts, she privately messaged Fang Xiu.

Liu Qing'er: Sister Xiu, have you heard what happened last night?!

He Wu: You mean how a Spy nearly stole the Coastal City official research institute's findings, and a National Martial Arts Master who seemed to be a Pillaring Grandmaster appeared there?!

Liu Qing'er: Exactly. Boss Beichen had just asked me about the institute in the Group Chat, and then this happened that very night. It's too much of a coincidence. Do you think there could be a connection?!

He Wu: Now that you mention it, the coincidence really is unbelievable. No wonder you're suspicious...

Gu Chen knew nothing about their conversation. He had underestimated a woman's sixth sense: Liu Qing'er had immediately singled him out as a suspect. He had no idea that the wealthy young woman, whose intuition was particularly sharp, had begun to question what happened yesterday and fixed her suspicions on him.

The incident at the Coastal City official research institute became a warning to others. Official research institutes across Central Province promptly tightened security, repeatedly checking the backgrounds of their researchers and guards.

The sweeping investigation uncovered several deeply embedded spies. They were caught before they could steal anything, taking them completely by surprise.

America, Britain, other Western European countries, and Japan were frustrated to see security at Central Province Official research institutes grow ever tighter. The spies they had worked so hard to plant were gone just like that. Those who had not been caught dared not make a single suspicious move for fear of being exposed.

As officials continued studying and refining the items recovered from the Wu Ming Ruins, both the effectiveness and production of Peiyuan Pills increased. They were now considering whether they could cultivate Rare Medicine and Precious Grass with similar effects.

The civilian explorers who had entered the Wu Ming Ruins were quick to act. They traded the Rare Medicine and Precious Grass they had picked to the authorities for varying numbers of Peiyuan Pills. With the pills' help, a wave of Hidden Strength Boxers emerged among the public as well.

With the help of Peiyuan Pills, Liu Qing'er, Fang Xiu, Li Xingming, Wang Xiaoai, Ye Zhen, and the other goofballs in the small Group Chat broke through to Hidden Strength over the course of that month.

Nearly a month had passed since the first Wu Ming Ruins appeared, and the excitement had mostly faded. Seeing his daily gains of Origin Points dwindle, Gu Chen did not hesitate. He used the system to activate the Wu Ming Ruins at a cost of 5,000 Origin Points.

The earth trembled. Billowing Blood-colored Wolf Smoke erupted from underground, rising hundreds of meters into the air. The second Wu Ming Ruins in Central Province had finally appeared.