Unwilling to Remain Ignorant

Martin led the way at an unhurried pace, seeming very familiar with the Research Institute.

Perhaps during the time they had been away, the other "Martins" had already fully learned the layout of the Research Institute.

These "Martins" had originally been one entity. Once one became familiar with it, the others did too.

The current Martin might understand this place even better than Old Ping...

Seeing "Martins" everywhere in the Research Institute, Old Ping gave up on trying to stop them. He merely told them not to damage anything inside.

After leading everyone in circles through the Research Institute, Martin finally stopped before a tightly locked door.

At that moment, a "Martin" was fiddling with the lock. When he saw people approaching, he hurriedly hid his hands behind his back and pretended nothing had happened.

That futile attempt at concealment nearly made even the ever-stern Old Ping crack. The corner of his mouth twitched as he stepped forward and said helplessly, "Let me..."

He took out a ring of keys from his coat pocket, precisely picked one, and with a click, opened the tightly locked door.

The door swung open, revealing a room covered in dust.

It seemed no one had come here in a very long time. Old Ping quickly stepped back to avoid the drifting dust, only moving forward again after it slowly settled.

After passing through the door, Old Ping surveyed the surroundings, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

It was a small storage room, packed full of miscellaneous items.

Discarded experimental equipment, old containers, tattered notes, broken tables, chairs, and tools... Everything was coated in thick dust and grime, completely obscuring its original appearance.

A thick layer of dust had accumulated on the floor as well. Every step stirred up a cloud of it. Neon light from