Chapter 42: Kaboom! (Requesting nutritional fluid, suitable for climbing the rankings)

Chapter 42: Boom, Boom, Boom! (Please give me some Nutrient Solution for ranking up)

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Lane didn't enter because the think tank at headquarters had warned him not to.

Lin Sui's friend, who was a high-ranking official in the Analysis Department, was a professional. He already had insider information and privately contacted Lane, advising him not to go in.

"Mr. Lane, your enemies are often not outsiders like Sui Xin, but those insiders who might use such outsiders to harm you. Do you understand?"

Lane was well aware that the Analysis Department must have a clear understanding of the recent turbulence within headquarters. Several esteemed young masters and misses had become involved; were it not for his and Lin Sui's acquisition of those documents last night and their subsequent upload to headquarters, he would have been on a fighter craft this morning, returning to headquarters for rest while another person took over his responsibilities.

In any case, the responsibility for this accident would weigh more on him than on Lin Sui. The internal assessment of Lin Sui was quite favorable, considering she had made precautions beforehand, while it was his brother who caused the trouble.

Despite Ian being the foe he had defeated, Carol took on the responsibility. Eventually, it was passed back onto him by the other two clans.

I had assumed it would be a smooth ride to outmaneuver him, but... am I just supposed to let go of such a grand scheme?

The impact of Metahumans has already been substantial enough to reshape global dynamics - who could deny that? Not to mention that the older establishments are now largely immobile, the younger generation is practically restless. If he hadn't been in charge of the live-streaming mission project beforehand, he wouldn't have seized the opportunity to take the lead.

However, all challenges pale in comparison to the face of death.

Should he die, someone else would naturally take his place.

That was why the Analytical Department's higher-ups, due to Lin Sui's involvement, only gave Lane a subtle reminder.

Lane was well aware of this, so he never placed himself in harm's way. At this moment, he stood in an open, heavily-guarded area, even outside the sniper's line of fire.

It could be said that unless a fighter jet missile were to descend from the sky, there would be no danger to him—discounting any extraordinary abilities possessed by mutants.

He was currently coordinating the operation in this region through the equipment in nearby vehicles while out in the open.

The investigation persisted.

They had already obtained a rough estimation of the time frame from Lin Sui.

"Based on the defensive strength of the nanosuit, the distance and intensity of your bullet, as well as her physical condition demonstrated in M City, I've calculated her injury status as follows. If she doesn't receive effective medication or other methods of treatment for her wounds, according to big data collected from the recovery rates of other mutants, she can at most hold on for five minutes before reverting to her original form—judging by the climbing speed of spiders..."

Lane had already drawn a circle based on the algorithm sent by Lin Sui.

Within this diffusion zone, he discovered that his freight office was also included. His eyebrows twitched, and he immediately instructed his subordinates to have the staff at the office inspect their food warehouse.

It was impossible to thoroughly check everything; there were far too many storage rooms. They couldn't concentrate on searching them all.

In addition, armed personnel were conducting a meticulous sweep, with thermal sensors and patrol dogs systematically deployed. The number of drones in the sky had multiplied significantly.

Not only were people from Tiexi conducting the search, but other conglomerates were involved as well.

Lane knew that Endless's people must be on their way and would arrive soon.

If they couldn't find her within an hour, the situation here would no longer be under his control. After all, port operations couldn't be delayed for so long, or the losses would be tremendous.

Staring at the data on his wristwatch, a profound look settled in his eyes.

Amidst this serene stillness, where could she possibly be hiding?

Logically, with her severe injuries, most people in this area would have been checked and evacuated, leaving fewer chaotic individuals for her to blend in with. Her remaining options were either to hide in various concealed corners or to take refuge in the food storage facilities of the major conglomerates, replenishing her strength by absorbing sustenance.

Could she have found some other means of recovery within these confines?

The drugs were under strict surveillance, and an initial sweep had already been conducted.

Otherwise, she was waiting for other mutants to expose themselves so she could kill them and devour their genetic fragments.

At the Celestial Seal Bureau, on the third floor, an armed squad was conducting a thorough search. As one of them inspected a room, he passed through a corridor.

Suddenly, a scream echoed as he fell to the ground, poisoned. The others rushed over upon hearing the sound and witnessed a spider-like shadow dart out of the window, swiftly descending with the aid of spider silk.

What a colossal spider that was.

The shadow that descended seemed almost sentient.

They immediately opened fire, frantically calling for backup as they shot. Lane, in deep thought, suddenly heard the alarm from his company. He didn't need the call to hear the gunshots; he lifted his head and looked towards his company.

"Calling, we've found her! A giant spider! A Black Widow!"

"She's escaping downwards!"

"Quick, pursue! She's hiding in the bushes!"

Upon receiving the notification, Lane's gaze sharpened. Without his command, Hua Longyun, the guards, Wang Si, and Situ Lie nearby all rushed over. However, before they could seal off the area, they saw dark silhouettes emerging from the neighboring residences.

Two of them intercepted Wang Si and the others, while the other two shadows revealed their abilities. One transformed into a half-leopard form, incredibly swift, dashing more than ten meters in an instant and closing in on the bushy area. The other, while sprinting at breakneck speed, drew a gun, demonstrating the proficiency of a Disciple Rank III shooter. With one shot, he eliminated an armed guard blocking their path. As blood splattered across his body, he touched his eyes, seemingly altering the color of his pupils, magnifying every detail in his sight.

He almost caught the bullets fired by nearby snipers, effortlessly dodging and continuing to shoot.

A sharpshooter!

Every bullet found its mark, deadly accurate. He, along with the leopard-like ability user, formed an impenetrable barrier, swiftly approaching the bushes.

On the other side, two outsiders with abilities emerged. One could release poisonous gas—oh dear, it was gas? The external shooters collectively halted their fire, limiting their assault to Disciple Rank entry-level. But the other ability user opened their mouth.

A shrill shriek echoed forward.

Instantly, the shooters felt their eardrums pulsate! Many, even with helmets on, had their eardrums pierced, bleeding. The windows of the vehicles closest to the source shattered in unison.

"Damn, these mutated beings..." Wang Si and the others were astounded. These four mutants were far stronger than Yang Xiu's group, and they displayed exceptional teamwork and strategy, effectively utilizing their unique abilities to produce extraordinary results. For a moment, they managed to hold off the numerous and valiant armed personnel.

Only Hua Longyun, the guard, and a couple of other Tiexi Wandering Realm cultivators could approach. However, they weren't the only ones with disciples; other factions and powers also had their share. It was as if a fish had leaped ashore, its scent attracting nearby felines. Among these revealed disciples, about seven or eight were at a similar level as Wang Si and his companion. The other two, of unknown affiliations, also possessed the strength of the Wandering Realm. Their agility, weapon control, and lethal attacks on the mutants rivaled that of Hua Longyun and the guard.

The fact that the Wandering Realm cultivators could be mobilized so swiftly indicated that their opponent was likely a powerful coastal faction with a strong presence in this city.

Regardless of their identities, however, it was irrelevant for the moment. The crucial matter was the spider!

At this instant, using the Tiexi Corporation's office building at the R City harbor as a reference point, the destination was a cluster of ornamental shrubs to the south, beyond an open square the size of a football field.

Now, this football field had become a battlefield, resembling a chessboard where skilled players fought, obstructed opponents, and created opportunities for their comrades or allies to reach the shrubs first and capture the small, vulnerable spider...

She was still weak and in her infant form. If they missed this opportunity, she might escape completely, evolving into a formidable spider spirit.

Worse, she could become a spider demon elder.

Hold your ground!

That's why everyone unleashed their full potential, using their abilities and hacking skills in a frenzy against the enemy. The square turned into a chaotic battlefield. The perimeter was disturbed by gas fog, preventing the use of firearms for fear of triggering an explosion. At that moment, Lane, observing the scene from a drone on the outskirts, was about to order the snipers inside the office to take down those who weren't from the Heavenly Seal through the windows. Suddenly, he heard a gunshot.

The sniper had arrived.

Lane froze.

So soon? Was the chief of this dock office that talented?

His decisiveness and judgment were impressive.

Just like CEO Xiao Rao, he was a talent worth recruiting and nurturing.

But!

Lane sensed something amiss, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was a sharp intuition that tingled his nerves.

On the square, the one who was shot was—a mutant.

The man with extraordinary vision, who commanded the cheetah mutant, had sensed something amiss while precisely shooting down numerous people. In his panic, he had lifted his head, for his enhanced vision, magnified so many times, had instantly picked up the unique detail among the office building's windows.

On the ninth floor, in the middle of an office room, a window was open, revealing a gun barrel.

A gun barrel!

He had opened his mouth to warn, and his body had already reacted, preparing to dodge while aiming his pistol at the building.

However, his actions and reflexes were a step too slow.

The sniper was using the best sniper rifle available, a Barret M101-2. This weapon was formidable in terms of penetration and speed, considered the pinnacle among local weaponry, especially since it allowed for consecutive shots with a smooth reloading mechanism. With sufficient judgment and control from its user, it could function as an assault rifle.

A graceful little Barret, dancing through the air, precisely trampling on life.

So, by the time he reacted, he was already in the crosshairs, and the trigger had been pulled.

A Wandering Realm mutant could dodge bullets with their heightened reflexes, but not the Barret M101-2's bullets at this distance, especially when both parties were distracted in fierce combat. They were unable to do so.

Not even a metahuman could accomplish that.

Theoretically, the meta with extraordinary visual abilities was the only one capable of doing so. Hence— he was the first to be eliminated.

It had to be done before he could detect the threat, to seize the initiative.

In that split second, whose perception was sharper: the sniper's Ba Lang sense or the meta's enhanced vision?

It should have been the latter, but the disadvantage lied in the fact that the meta was caught off guard. By the time he became aware, he was already a second too late compared to his opponent.

In that fleeting moment, the heavens and earth could change color, and the sound of gunfire could fall silent.

As the mutant's skull was pierced and his body recoiled under the impact...

Was it one of Tianxi's snipers?

The situation boiled like hot water in a wok, and in an instant, Hua Longyun and the others, who were engaged in fierce combat, abruptly halted their actions, entering a realm of three possible choices.

To Flee? To Attack? Or to Seize?

Dodging the sniper above, attacking the sniper, or seizing the genetic fragments and corpse of the vision-altered mutant!

A choice among three!

In such a brief moment, which is more crucial: human greed or the pursuit of survival?

The guard and Hua Longyun were decisive. After a moment's hesitation, they swiftly fled outward while drawing their guns to snipe upward.

The guard aimed at the sniper above, while Hua Longyun targeted those vying for the corpse.

They were merely hired hands, not willing to risk their lives. Yet, astonishingly—the Cheetah mutant, without the assistance of the vision-altered mutant, had no way of locating the tiny spider. Hence, he turned back to seize the corpse.

Others, however, were evenly divided in their choices. Some sought self-preservation by dodging, while others, driven by selfish greed, scrambled for the genetic fragments on the corpse.

In today's society, there was a prevalent belief—some claimed that consuming genetic fragments could grant one the abilities of a mutant. Didn't post-apocalyptic novels from before have similar settings? Where abilities were acquired by eating, like how zombies gained strength from what they devoured?

But this theory had yet to be proven true by anyone.

Genetic fragments were far too scarce; obtaining one meant victory.

Thus, they made their choice in a short period, likely banking on luck. The previous mutated human had died from an ambush, but now that the sniper was exposed, they were on guard. The chances of everyone avoiding a shot increased, and it might not necessarily be aimed at him; he might just be able to dodge.

Once this mentality took hold, the second casualty emerged.

Bang!

Hua Longyun, who had managed to escape and was dashing towards the entrance of the building, only realized later what he had stepped on.

There was something on the ground.

Spider silk.

Fine, nearly transparent threads that no one had noticed, released two inches above the ground and hidden within the bushes.

Hua Longyun, eager to rush into the building to pursue the sniper, didn't notice them despite having three eyes. When he felt something stick to his pant leg, he was startled, his nerves jolting as he attempted to retreat swiftly.

But it was too late.

The spider silk connected, and it was immediately tugged.

Rip!

Hua Longyun's left leg was caught, and he was swiftly dragged upward by the powerful force of the spider silk, suspended in mid-air.

Hanging upside down, about two meters above the ground, Hua Longyun instantly drew his sword to slice the silk on his leg while raising his gun to aim at the window above him.

"The sniper rifle's position is in the armory. That person is Sui Xin; she fell into our trap!"

No matter what spider demon or Black Widow, it was all an illusion!

She wasn't hiding in the bushes but had used small spiders to lure these experts and mutated humans, so she could snipe them from above.

Through the helmet's earpiece, Lane's hurried and precise analysis echoed. But for Hua Longyun, it was already too late. Lane and the other command technicians had seen the footage from the drone—a chaotic scramble in the square on the left, and Hua Longyun being lifted up towards the entrance of the building on the right.

Bang!

Between Hua Longyun's inverted body and head, the protective neck armor was penetrated by a Barret 101-2 bullet.

For an instant, Hua Longyun, a high-ranking bodyguard and a member of the Wandering Realm in Tianxi's subsidiary branch in M City, met his demise.

A flicker of light danced in Lane's eyes, but he was not yet moved to act over the loss of a mere prodigious disciple. As Hua Longyun's body fell, the drone's camera had already locked onto the sniper behind the window, zooming in to reveal a female marksman.

Apparently, she had ample time on her hands, as she had even taken the time to equip herself with a helmet from the arsenal. Had she been hiding there since the beginning? Was she now fully recovered from her injuries?

Amidst his surprise, Lane observed that his own snipers and long-range combatants were prepared and ready.

All their sights were set on that window.

They dared not attack the dense gas cloud in the square, but firing at the building's windows posed no issue. At the very least, they needed to neutralize her sniping capabilities.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The window shattered, and Sui Xin retreated inside. Under pressure from outside, she was also being contained by forces within.

She was trapped.

Simultaneously, a remote launcher was preparing a barrage of ammunition targeted at that window. Once delivered, the explosives and other thermal weapons stored in the arsenal would ignite like energy bombs, detonating together.

She's as good as dead!

"Master Lane," someone called.

Lane remained silent, giving a dismissive wave.

Over there, the long-range projector was about to launch its payload.

Suddenly!

Lane noticed, through the drone's footage, two dark shapes flying out from behind her, right after she was seen.

Had someone already broken in?

But on Lane's screen, which displayed the internal surveillance of the building, the armed personnel were still rushing through the corridors, heading towards the armory. Thus, those two dark shapes couldn't be the attackers.

In fact, they were two large objects that she had propelled with spider silk.

One was an oxygen pump filled with highly concentrated oxygen.

One was a massive entity of an unknown nature.

Both were encapsulated and usually wouldn't explode unless—under immense forceful attack, they were shattered.

Indeed, the barrage of bullets aimed at her within the window struck these two entities as they emerged, sending them soaring into the square.

They mixed with the dense cloud of gas fog.

Wang Si and the others, being seasoned frontliners, could recognize what these things were. How could they not withstand the realization?

A combination of highly concentrated oxygen, flammable gas reaching its threshold, and the high temperature triggered by the unknown entity.

It was a recipe for disaster...

"Run!"

All attacks ceased, all blockades were withdrawn. The people in the square were like live fish thrown into hot oil, their first instinct being to leap out.

They bolted wildly outward.

Even the periphery, where Lane resided, was secured by layers of vigilant guards.

"Defend!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Regardless of whether they were in the square or the outskirts, the defense-equipped soldiers snapped their bulletproof shields into place with a series of rapid clicks.

The explosion in the square thundered loudly, and the heat wave swept across the entire rectangular open space—fortunately, it was open-air. Had it been an enclosed plaza, everyone would have been doomed.

This blast still caused severe injuries to many, especially those who were already in the center of the square. No matter how mangled the bodies of the visually mutated individuals were, they couldn't spare a thought for the exposed genetic fragments, as they were all knocked flying by the blast, collectively suffering severe trauma.

Some even lost their lives on the spot.

Despite the timely defense of the shield-bearing personnel on the outskirts, the impact still sent them tumbling to the ground, all spitting out blood together.

Amidst the billowing smoke,

most of the drones in the square had become inoperable, instantly destroyed or knocked down by the blast. They were unable to maintain surveillance of the building. Drones further away could only see the building's window side shrouded in thick smoke as the air currents swayed.

In the midst of the nebulous reality.

But Lane knew for certain that she had emerged!

"Keep firing at the exterior, quickly!"

The fallen armed personnel were trying to regain their footing, but amidst the thick smoke – bang!

The entrance to the weapons vault within the building had been blasted open, now empty – its occupant was already outside.

On the building's exterior, the figure suspended by spider silk had climbed to the rooftop. As she retracted her silk, a genetic fragment was stuck to it.

What a joke! After all this trouble, could she really let those people obtain the genetic fragment?

Hmph!

Just as Sui Xin flipped onto the rooftop, she used the spider silk to swing towards the adjacent building...

With a whoosh, the high-altitude rappelling moved her swiftly from one building to another, followed by a quick descent to the ground.

Nature was indeed observed, but the armed personnel over there couldn't arrive in time, as their speed wasn't that fast.

Unless...

She heard something.

There were dogs, and... people. Where there were dogs, there were bound to be people.

But she wasn't sure if there were others. Judging from the state of those mutated individuals earlier, they didn't seem to be nurtured by the consortium. It was perplexing, as if they were strategically sent by some foresighted organization to intercept.

While she was sniping, she had thought about what Yang Xiu and the others had gone through—the mutated individuals who appeared and took them away didn't seem normal at all.

However, Sui Xin was desperate to escape and lacked the means to gather information. At this moment, she didn't consider the possibility of a cult; instead, she sensed that Lane's shot at her might have been a ploy to lure someone out.

Perhaps it was to lure these mutated individuals.

Strange, if it was that group, why wasn't the mutated individual who rescued Yang Xiu and the others present?

That person could release fog, not gas, but a particulate fog that enveloped the area. The concentration and speed of its release were far superior to the gas-spewing mutant. Logically, they would be more adept at capturing prey—like her.

So, why wasn't he here?

Was he still in hiding?

Moreover, judging from how the numerous Night Watch Dogs failed to detect this Mutant when they were chasing Yang Xiu and the others that day, this person's control over Fog particles should also conceal his own scent, making it impossible for even the Night Watch Dogs to pick up on him.

If this person was hiding nearby, would she be able to sense him?

Sui Xin was suspicious and decided to stay vigilant, changing her strategy by pretending to be slow in reacting.

Here they come.

Roar! The bushes rustled as several Night Watch Dogs charged forth.

Darkness crept into Sui Xin's eyes as she pretended to be surrounded by these fierce creatures, buying just enough time for a shadow to leap out from the bushes, brandishing a knife.

It was the guard.

Emerging from the shadows of the bushes, the guard saw Sui Xin narrowly dodge his thrown knife.

The guard radioed for backup while directing the patrol dogs, a task that required precise timing.

Even if he couldn't subdue Sui Xin, he still needed to stall for time. In turn, Sui Xin couldn't allow the guard to delay indefinitely without revealing her surroundings to other potential abilities. Thus, she deliberately exposed a vulnerable weakness, pretending to be short of breath and struggling with her movements.

The guard never suspected it was an act, mainly because her severe injuries had only occurred an hour prior. Within this timeframe, in such a tightly controlled search area, with no access to additional resources or medicine, it was impossible for her to recover, let alone become stronger. Her current weakened state was genuine. He had been cunning enough to avoid the building and approach from another angle to ambush her, but not cunning enough to see through her disguise. Consequently, he promptly triggered the Night Walker knife with a flick of his finger.

The Night Walker split into two blades, spinning in her hands as they sliced through the air. The edges were razor-thin, like snowflakes, emitting a chilling glint that was blinding under the sunlight.

Although Sui Xin was feigning weakness, she was genuinely impressed by the Guardian's combat prowess. She had typically relied on strategy and her unique abilities to outsmart these disciple powerhouses, rarely engaging in direct confrontations. This encounter served as a stark reminder of the disciples' strength.

If mutants didn't evolve, this world would indeed remain under the disciples' rule.

She might really need to tackle those three introductory tasks in the future...

But right now!

She pretended to panic, dodging backward.

The Night Watchdogs had been neutralized, attacking from behind to cut off her escape route and force her into a deadly confrontation with the terrifying Snow Dual Blades.

In this desperate situation, Sui Xin made a last-ditch effort, continuously casting spider silk laced with venom to counter the guards and Night Watchdogs.

Despite being biological creatures, the Night Watchdogs still feared the toxins and, in their attempts to evade, became entangled in the spider silk, allowing her to break through from the rear. However, her focus on the back exit left her unprepared for an attack from the front.

Clang!

Her blade was knocked from her hand, and she somersaulted to the ground, her helmet shattered by the guard's fierce strike. As the helmet split open, a cascade of raven-black hair fell around her cheeks. With one hand supporting her body, she lifted her head, a trail of blood already appearing at the corner of her mouth.

This was the moment!

The guard lunged forward, determined to capture her alive. At that very instant, from about ten meters away, beyond the hedge separating this courtyard, the sounds of armed personnel approaching in numbers could be heard.

The time... had come.

If she didn't act now, it would be overly cautious on her part.

As her palm gripped the ground, a thought crossed her mind, but just as she was about to act, she suddenly sensed something amiss through the connection with Ba Lang's skin in contact with the earth.

Particles!

Were there more particles?

What was this?

Whoosh!

A black silhouette leaped from behind the seventh-story window of a nearby building. The instant it landed, the figure extended its hand, releasing a torrent of dense particle mist. These particles hovered in the air, enveloping the space where it had descended and casting an absolute shadow over Sui Xin and Ba Lang below, as well as the patrol canines.

Jumping from a height of thirty meters on the seventh floor, unless one possessed the enhanced ability to strengthen their physique, even a You Shou Realm disciple would suffer severe disability or death.

Yet, his descent was slowed, as if he were being gently lowered by some magical force.

It was reminiscent of the supernatural sensation of the ancient Black Wind Monster descending amidst a swirling vortex of black fog.

In a way, this was the most fitting manifestation of superhuman abilities that aligned with people's imagination of the supernatural, second only to Xiran's flight ability.

Absolutely mind-blowing.

Who could deny that this wasn't flight?

The scene was so captivating, not only did it astonish the approaching armed personnel, but also the disciples with their keen eyes, and even Sui Xin and his guards were left dumbfounded.

Guard: This is a power?!?!

Sui Xin: So this is freaking amazing power belonging to someone else?!

However, Sui Xin reacted swiftly, seizing the opportunity after a moment of shock.

The guard, being in the Wandering Realm, sensed it. Thanks to the barking of the patrol hounds, his body's muscle memory was strong, instinctively prompting him to dodge backward. But the speed at which the spider silk shot out exceeded his expectations.

Wait, this speed?

He was startled.

She had transformed.

Gotten stronger?

How could that be!

He was severely injured and had barely managed to hide for an hour, yet he's already grown stronger? As he felt a premonition of danger, Sui Xin had already anticipated his evasion. The spider silk in her hand shot out, adhering to the underside of his wrist – sticking to the skin beneath the metal spine!

In an instant, the barbs pierced through.

Not good!

The guard couldn't dodge in time. The barbs pierced into her wrist – a device like a wristwatch needed to be in direct contact with the skin to synchronize with the body's data. She had learned this from using Lin Sui's wristwatch before, so she knew there must be a weakness in the guard's armor where the skin underneath the watch was exposed.

The barbs were laced with Ba Lang's deadly venom, which immediately infiltrated the guard's wrist skin.

Under the intense pain, the guard's vision blurred, her neural network disrupted, and she felt a wave of nausea in her stomach...

But instead of killing her outright, Sui Xin swiftly snatched the wristwatch. After evading the attack from the Night Watch Dogs, she leaped onto a nearby plum tree. The branches swayed gently, as if a startled swan had just alighted upon them.

The influence of the spider's genetic expression affected her in every way, making her feel even more ethereal than before. But as she landed on a branch, she saw those particulate mists surging towards her.

The intricate, matte particles spun faster, as if... attempting to pierce through her eyes.

Damn it!

This kind of attack was rather vicious.

Sui Xin frowned and pressed the melody button on her wristwatch.

High-tech indeed, were they worried that this Hound Guard might not be able to control these Night Watch Dogs? Probably because Lin Sui was an introverted genius, considering the possibility that the guard might fall, and thus preparing for someone else to take over the control of the Night Watch Dogs with these melody notes.

Cultured people were meticulous.

It suited her just fine, so Sui Xin pressed the button for a chaotic attack.

The Night Watch Dogs immediately charged at the foggy mutant descending from above.

Their tough skin and thick fur protected them from the particles, allowing them to temporarily hold off the mutant.

The Mutant withdrew the controlled mist particles to assault the watchdogs' eyes, simultaneously shifting his position elsewhere.

His control was indeed far superior to that of the Gas Manipulator. Sui Xin suspected that he had also evolved to a second-stage level, granting him the ability to control genetic expression. Thus, he could manipulate the particles with such finesse, dividing his attention to attack the watchdogs while causing the particle mist to swirl and accelerate like a gust of wind, swooping towards Sui Xin in a flash.

Amidst the swirling dust and debris, Sui Xin would have been unable to discern her opponent without Ba Lang's senses. Concealed within the ashen particles, the Mutant flicked his sleeve, sending a few razor-thin blades dancing through the mist with a whizzing sound. More terrifying than Xiao Li's Flying Daggers, they performed a relentless slicing motion, heading straight for her neck...

Truly... sharp!

Swish!

Sui Xin instantly shrank and reformed, her clothes falling from her in that fleeting moment.

A flying knife sliced through the air where she had just been.

It pierced the void.

The mutant's cheek twitched as he tried to track the tiny spider's whereabouts. Suddenly, the shrunk arachnid, carried by the swirling mist, approached him swiftly. In an instant, it returned to its original size right before his eyes. Sensing this, he was about to recall the flying knife to strike back while freeing his hands to draw his gun.

At this juncture, it all came down to the speed of their control.

Who's Faster?

The moment Sui Xin recovered, he pinched his fingers together, and a black sword with an iron spine instantly appeared.

The mutant's pupils trembled.

The fog swirled, particles danced, a spinning throwing knife sliced through the air, followed by the black sword's deadly strike.

Who would live, and who would die?

The approaching armed personnel outside didn't even need to jump over the bushes. They readied their shots directly at the massive gray fog.

The poisoned guard, barely hanging on, had leaped out and made a gesture, indicating a specific direction.

He had just determined the two individuals' location through their sounds.

Over there!

Swish!

Their weapons collectively zeroed in on the fog near the tree.

Before they could fire, a commotion emerged from within.

Then, a figure stumbled out, clutching at the bloodstain on their chest, and waved, controlling the fog particles to sweep forcefully towards the armed personnel.

Bullets pierced through the particles in a clash.

The person took cover behind the rear entrance of a building, while the weapons and helmets of the armed team clattered, showing signs of damage – not fatal, but enough to jam their guns.

Damn!

Could things play out like this?

These two mutants, one a spider-like creature and the other a black wind demon, were quite adept at their powers.

However, both feared being surrounded by the armed forces. One swiftly fled, while the other entered the building and exited through another opening. The torn clothes revealed a metal suit slashed open by a spike-like structure.

How terrifying. He had almost met his end just now.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect that the Sui Xin, who could only summon a few black spikes to kill the disciples of the Horse Slaying Sect on the Sky Bridge, now wielded a full-blown sword here.

Was this a sign of respect for him, or had she grown stronger in such a short time?

The extent of her growth suggested she must have consumed at least two dozen Gene Fragments.

Where did she get all these mutated human heads? Or had someone fed her a high-evolution Gene Fragment?

Gritting his teeth, he swallowed the blood surging up his throat and pulled out a Gene Fragment from his inner pocket to replenish his energy and heal his wounds. The fragment's evolutionary level wasn't high; its primary purpose was for temporary recovery. Gathering his strength, he waved his hand, regaining control of the fog before the armed personnel could catch up.

Supported by the wind and mist, his running speed multiplied several times as he rushed towards Sui Xin.

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Run!

She fled.

Right at that moment, the armed personnel arrived. Initially, their primary target would undoubtedly be Sui Xin. However, with a more explosive mutant engaging the Night Watchdogs, they couldn't ignore this opportunity. Though their guns were temporarily blocked, they wouldn't abandon the chase.

The order at this moment was clear - the primary target was the Mist Man.

His ability was so captivating that even Sui Xin seemed to pale in comparison.

That was Lane's interpretation, at least.

Both of them were on the same pursuit, so there was no need for them to split up; it was merely a matter of prioritizing their attacks.

From his drone's perspective, Lane had already glimpsed the general course of the previous battle, albeit through the mist. He could discern the outcome despite the obscuring veil.

"This Mist Man is incredibly powerful! Too strong!"

"Yes, he's terrifying. Both his group and single-target attacks are formidable. Were those spinning blades during his flight?"

"Having witnessed Sui Xin's various attacks and manifestations of his abilities, we can now see similar sophistication in this man's usage. It's a high-level application of his powers."

It was evident from this observation that these two creatures were leagues ahead of the other mutated humans.

However, the focus on the Mist Man stemmed from the perception that his abilities appeared more visually impressive and effective, while Sui Xin's seemed better suited for escape.

Her abilities require a matching intellect to wield effectively; otherwise, she wouldn't have achieved such feats.

"Lane, it's because he's easier to deal with than Sui Xin," he thought, recalling how Sui Xin had handled the guards. It was clear she was feigning weakness to buy time, all for the sake of luring out that mutated individual.

It wasn't surprising that she had guessed his strategy, but what was perplexing was how she had grown so much stronger.

What had gone wrong?

Considering Sui Xin's intellect and her peculiarities, Lane instinctively sensed that she was becoming more dangerous and harder to handle. That's why he resorted to ordering his team to focus on the fog people trailing behind while he glanced at his communicator, catching a glimpse of the chaotic battle in the square before inputting his instructions.

On Sui Xin's end, she was fleeing ahead while the fog people were chasing her at an alarming speed, almost as if they were defying gravity. Had Sui Xin possessed spider-like silk to aid her movement, they would have caught up to her in no time.

But as the fog people pursued her, they saw the waterway up ahead and sensed trouble.

Sure enough!

In a flash, Sui Xin vanished.

The fog person was furious, but a barrage of armed projectiles was already closing in. Unable to transform, he could only flee while defending himself. Fortunately, his three companions arrived just in time to join forces.

On the square, even with the armed forces in position, the three of them were more than capable of creating an opening with their abilities. After all, Gas-based abilities were suppressive against thermal weapons, and it wouldn't be difficult for them to escape temporarily, stretching out the battle line before reuniting with him...

They succeeded; the armed forces indeed failed to stop them.

However.

The Mist Man's perception was sharp, and he noticed the mechanical dogs emerging from the corners of the alleys on both sides, their metallic sheen glistening under the sunlight.

Those mechanical canines were massive, resembling Tibetan Mastiffs. Their entire bodies were forged from the same alloy used for cutting horses.

Three mechanical canines surrounded them.

"What is this?"

"Damn it!"

The backs of the mechanical dogs launched gun barrels, firing rapidly like machine guns. They didn't rely on their eyes to identify targets; their bodies were equipped with various sensors that detected heat, scent, and body movements, rendering camouflage and fog useless.

Under such a relentless assault, the four mutants were trapped, struggling desperately in that area. This scene startled the disciples from other conglomerates, causing their expressions to shift as they instinctively looked towards Lane's direction.

This must be some high-tech gadget sent from headquarters, all for the purpose of eliminating these mutated beings, right?

The mutants from the Sect were Lane's primary objective today.

Lane stood before the device, his expression cold. He commanded the aggressive encirclement of the four individuals while ordering drones to survey the area and fighter jets to stand by.

"By now, Sui Xin should have fled. She must have regained her strength and won't revert to her original form, exposing herself again."

"Master Lane, she...,"

Lane interrupted, "Regardless of whether she's escaped or not, it can't disrupt the current situation. At the very least, I need to take down these few mutants."

The others fell silent, also entering a state of command.

-----------------------

Meanwhile, Sui Xin hid somewhere, watching those three mechanical hounds with lingering fear.

Goodness, these wealthy capitalists truly have deep resources, capable of producing such devices.

Isn't it said that Celestial Seal excels in surprises, while Endless is the master of armed energy? How come these three mechanical canines from Celestial Seal seem so sophisticated?

If she were in their shoes, she could handle the Night Patrol Dogs, as they were biological and controllable. However, these mechanical canines currently showed no apparent weaknesses, and they possessed even more terrifying combat capabilities than the Night Patrol Dogs. Each of them was harder to deal with than a Wandering Realm cultivator.

And there were three of them.

Fortunately, she knew that these canines must have backup plans, so she managed to evade swiftly.

--------------------

However, Sui Xin didn't plan on running away after hiding.

She had a purpose for luring everyone here...

Taking the form of a small spider, Sui Xin moved swiftly, heading for a specific location – the outskirts where the fighter jets were waiting.

The fighter jets had been patrolling at high altitude beforehand, but it was impossible for all the small aircraft to remain at that height for an entire hour; fuel consumption would be too great. Therefore, shifts were arranged.

Currently, two jets were up high, while the other two were grounded, awaiting orders.

"By Lord Lane's command, all fighter jets are to take off immediately."

"Right away, right away. I'll just be a moment, I need to use the restroom."

"Hurry up!"

The pilot, emerging from the lounge, rushed to the adjacent restroom. As soon as the door slid shut behind him, a muffled groan echoed briefly within. Moments later, the sound of rustling fabric indicated a change of clothes.

Dressed, Sun Xin touched the man's face and compared his height, activating the pig gene within her to mimic his appearance.

It was tricky to control, but fortunately, she had practiced before, sparing her the need for prolonged manipulation. All she needed was to simulate his likeness...

In no time, an exact replica of the pilot dashed out of the compartment, leaving behind a man in nothing but his underwear.

-----------------------

At the landing site of the fighter jet, the armed personnel in charge of overseeing it immediately allowed the familiar pilot access without hesitation.

Boarding the aircraft, they took off swiftly...

One of them accelerated abruptly, shooting down the tail of the adjacent fighter jet the moment it lifted off.

Former comrade: "?"

I haven't even taken off, and you're shooting at my tail?!

The startled pilot here was still in disbelief when the ground troops were also astonished.

"Something's wrong!"

"Enemy attack!"

"Traitor?"

Before the news could reach Lane, the fighter jet made a swift about-face, launching two missiles at the unsuspecting other two jets, causing malfunctions that forced both pilots to eject and parachute to safety from high altitude.

Watching their former teammate's aircraft fly by nearby.

It seemed as if this damn guy had even given them an disgusting air kiss.

The two pilots: "?!??!"

Wait, is Old Zhang crazy?

Traitor? Fine, you exposed your betrayal, but why go so disgustingly far?

Having dealt with the aerial threat, Sui Xin didn't follow the usual perimeter patrol route. Instead, he flew straight towards the dock area.

At the speed of the fighter jet, it was only a matter of seconds. The communication from the ventilators couldn't have been faster, as pressing buttons did take some time, right?

Thus, everyone on the ground watched as the suspected traitor's fighter jet flew straight towards the no-bombing dock zone.

The noise... It buzzed through the sky, and when Lane heard the emergency transmission on his communicator, he also picked up the sound trailing behind.

What the hell?

He turned around to see the fighter jet flying high above...

"Flee! Quickly!" With no other thoughts, Lane dashed forth expressionlessly...

Swish!

He bolted out as the fighter jet rained bullets down, and upon his warning, the others scattered in all directions.

The bullets swept across...

Several rows of equipment trucks were shredded to pieces and immediately engulfed in flames.

Amidst the terrified screams, they fled in disarray, only to see the underside of the fighter jet unleashing small, long-range fragmentation missiles.

"He's insane!"

"Ahh!!!"

"Is he a traitor? Damn it!"

"Sir Lane, it's chasing you!"

Beneath the fighter jet, a row of three missile launchers nestled in its underbelly. After unleashing three melon-sized, plump projectiles, they darted through the air, homing in on their designated targets with precision.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

In his entire life, Lane had never been pursued by a horror bomb like this. Nevertheless, he made a dashing leap at the very last moment.

Splash!

He leaped into the foul drainage ditch.

Boom!

The bombs descended next... Bombardment!

Two more, one of them a shuttle...

The Misty figures and the others: "?"

They seemed to be heading straight for them.

Another projectile streaked towards the Celestial Seal's office—the storage facility—engaging in a sweeping bombardment.

Three pinpoint strikes.

The ground forces had detected the threat and were preparing long-range weapons to lock onto it. However, the attacker quickly ascended and flew out of the harbor airspace amidst the deafening explosions of the three successive strikes.

The people of the Celestial Seal watched their own warehouse engulfed in raging flames, then observed the costly equipment vehicle that had been blasted, and then looked on in horror...

"Ahh, young master!"

"Master Lane is still in the sewer!"

"The sewer was hit!"

"Young Master!!!"