Suspicion Arises, Central Continent Folk Hidden Strength Surges, Ruins Reappear

As the institute's alarm blared, the security forces stationed inside quickly arrived. Dozens of armed security personnel with stern expressions surrounded every entrance and exit, while a portion of them slowly advanced into the institute. The matter concerned national secrets, and no amount of caution was too much.

Within a short time, they quickly found Wang Hong, who was in charge of the institute's security. On the ground lay a researcher, blood seeping from his nose and mouth, looking utterly miserable.

The scene before them left the security personnel bewildered. One couldn't help but ask, "Officer Wang, where's the intruder?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hong pointed at the researcher on the ground with a strange expression and said in a deep voice, "This is the spy who infiltrated the institute's laboratory to steal national secrets. He's been dealt with, and the national secrets he stole have been recovered..."

While the two were talking, other researchers from the lab finally arrived. Wang Hong then handed the data storage device to one of them.

Afterward, Wang Hong quickly wrote down all the details and causes of the incident and reported it to his superiors. The matter immediately garnered attention, and the institute's surveillance footage was reviewed in an attempt to identify the masked individual, suspected to be a Pillaring Grandmaster, who had infiltrated.

Unfortunately, it was completely useless against Gu Chen, who had taken appropriate measures. He had already used the cover of night to evade countless surveillance cameras on the streets, changed his clothes, and quietly returned to his residence.

Almost that very night, the news of the near-theft of the latest research findings on the Wu Ming Ruins from the Coastal City Official Institute by a spy spread like wildfire. The appearance of a mysterious figure at the Pillaring Grandmaster level during the incident caused many to turn their heads, unable to resist speculating about the person's true identity.

Meanwhile, Liu Qing'er, a wealthy young lady in the same small "group chat," also received related news from her researcher uncle at the Coastal City Official Institute, which made her heart skip a beat.

Just yesterday, they had discussed the "Coastal City Official Institute" in the group. Gu Chen, who was in the same small "group chat," had just inquired about information related to the Coastal City Official Institute, and that very night, a series of events unfolded at the institute.

It was akin to a friend asking you about a high-end club, and then that same night, you see news reports about the club being raided, with many individuals arrested. And that friend doesn't come home that night, and their phone is unreachable.

Faced with such a coincidence, Liu Qing'er couldn't help but make connections. She involuntarily turned her gaze to Gu Chen, who was also in the same small "group chat," feeling a bit suspicious. Could there be some connection between them?!

Holding her doubts, she couldn't help but privately message Fang Xiu.

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

He Wu: Are you referring to the incident where the Coastal City Official Institute's findings were almost stolen by a spy, and a National Martial Arts master suspected to be at the Pillaring Grandmaster level appeared?!

Liu Qing'er: That's right. Boss Beichen from the "group chat" had just asked me for information about the institute, and then that night, such a thing happened. It's too much of a coincidence. Do you think there might be a connection?!

He Wu: Now that you mention it, it is an incredibly coincidental event. No wonder you're so suspicious...

Gu Chen, however, was unaware of this. Or rather, he underestimated a woman's intuition, which had so quickly pinpointed him as a suspect. He didn't know that a certain wealthy young lady with a particularly keen sixth sense had become suspicious of what happened yesterday and had focused her suspicious gaze on him.

The incident at the Coastal City Official Institute, where research findings were almost stolen by a spy, quickly served as a warning. Other official institutes within Zhongzhou also heightened their vigilance, thoroughly investigating their mobile researchers and security personnel, scrutinizing their personal information.

Under this series of stringent actions, several deeply hidden spies were indeed uncovered before they could carry out their thefts, catching them completely off guard.

Meanwhile, America, Britain, and other Western European countries, as well as Japan, looked at the increasingly stringent security measures of Zhongzhou's official institutes with some frustration. Were the spies they had managed to place there gone just like that? The remaining spies who hadn't been caught also dared not make any unusual moves, fearing exposure.

As the authorities continued to research and improve upon the recovered items related to the Wu Ming Ruins, the effectiveness and output of the Peiyuan Pill saw an increase. Now, the authorities are considering whether it's possible to obtain similar medicinal herbs and rare plants through cultivation.