At the very bottom of the research institute lay a darkness cut off from all light and sound.
The elevator descended vertically, passing through layer after layer of barriers before coming to a steady stop at the bottom.
The elevator doors opened, and Wang Quan walked out slowly.
The next second, the doors silently closed. The lights gradually dimmed, their outlines blurred bit by bit, and they finally melted completely into the darkness.
Wang Quan looked at the pitch-black darkness where he could not see his own hand and frowned slightly.
"Little Nine."
"I'm here."
A crystalline, ethereal blue light suddenly lit up beside him. A holographic projection in the form of a young woman slowly appeared, the hem of her white dress gently rippling as if underwater, speckled with faint electronic light.
"Turn on the lighting system."
Little Nine smiled. "Director Wang, the lighting system here has actually never been turned off. It is simply that all light has been absorbed by the Abyss."
Tch!
Irritated impatience flashed through Wang Quan's eyes. "Do I need you to explain that? Do you think I don't know?! Lead the way!"
Little Nine maintained her programmed smile, then transformed into a faint blue trail of light and floated forward through the air, becoming a guide through the darkness.
Wang Quan followed the blue trail through the dark. From the shadows around him came faint, fragmented, hoarse whispers.
The sound came and went, boring straight into his soul.
Wang Quan's expression abruptly changed as he shouted, "Little Nine, activate soul shielding now!"
"Understood, Director Wang."
A column of blue light descended from above and enveloped Wang Quan, blocking out the surrounding whispers.
Only then did he let out a breath, cursing inwardly.
Damn barbarians! Still causing trouble even while sealed!
A moment later,