Chapter 147 Can’t Help

Chapter 147 Can't Help

"Exactly."

Lu Wenshan nodded solemnly.

"We searched the area around the impact site for a long time, but found no trace of the hover vehicle. Only the marks from the crash and some debris from the impact remained at the scene."

He signaled to a sentinel behind him, who immediately stepped forward.

"Everyone, take a look. This is the terminal recording."

The person opened the recorder on the terminal and projected a holographic video in an empty area of the vehicle.

By now, the vehicle door had closed, and in the dim space, the image gradually became clear.

"Are you sure it's here?" Lu Wenshan's voice asked.

"Yes, Captain," another voice replied. "According to the trajectory calculated by the terminal system, it should be somewhere nearby."

"But we've already searched the entire area," a third voice said. "Aside from the impact marks, there's nothing around. Where could such a large hover vehicle have gone?"

"Go back and search again," Lu Wenshan's voice sounded once more.

The video footage had a gray tint as several people turned and hurried toward what looked like a cliff.

The image gradually zoomed in.

Flames seemed to burn at the bottom of the cliff, with thick smoke continuously rolling upward. A layer of white mist drifted around, and the edge of the cliff was charred black.

It was only then that Fang Ran realized this wasn’t a cliff—it was the suddenly appeared "fissure."

"Roar!!!"

The menacing roar of a monster suddenly came from the video.

The figure of a giant lizard gradually emerged from below the fissure, its triangular head poking out first.

With a "crunch," the giant lizard’s forelimbs supported the edge of the fissure, and its entire body pulled free from underground.

The lizard was over three meters long, clearly mutated.

Its body was covered in crystal-like black scales, jutting out like armor. The crimson beast-like eyes on either side of its head glowed with a hungry, bloodthirsty light, its fierce gaze locked tightly on the direction of the camera.

At that moment, the camera shook.

"Look!"

"What’s hanging from its tail?"

"Debris!? White debris! Could it be from the hover vehicle...?"

At this point, the image was zoomed in and magnified again.

A white fragment was embedded in the middle of the giant lizard’s tail, standing out starkly against its black scales.

Lu Wenshan’s low voice sounded.

"Subdue this monster first."

Then, waves of energy continuously exploded.

The video ended here.

The sentinel put away the terminal and took a white metal fragment from his backpack, saying to Lu Tianlin, "Sir, this fragment... we took it from the monster."

"It was embedded in its flesh. It’s possible... it got stuck on the monster during the hover vehicle’s impact."

Lu Tianlin reached out to take it and handed it to Fu Yanhua behind him.

The fragment was about palm-sized, still stained with the monster’s blood. One half was charred black, while the other half still showed traces of its original white paint.

After careful examination for a while, Fu Yanhua concluded.

"It really does... look very similar to the exterior paint of our hover vehicles."

Everyone went quiet at this.

This meant that the hover vehicle... had most likely fallen into the fissure.

Lu Wenshan spoke up, "I’ve already reported the situation to the center. They will continue to send personnel from other districts, but it will take time."

"After the purification is over, we need to go down into the fissure to investigate first."

His voice was slightly shaky, causing Fang Ran to glance at him a few more times.

Sweat had already begun to bead on Lu Wenshan’s forehead, his face had turned pale. Even the hand holding Fang Liyu’s was shaking.

It seemed their compatibility wasn't high, and a rejection response was occurring.

Lu Tianlin noticed his abnormality and frowned, "End the purification. This efficiency isn’t beneficial for the Spiritual Sea either."

Fang Liyu nodded helplessly and severed their spiritual connection.

Lu Wenshan instantly let out a sigh of relief.

The sentinel behind him grew anxious, "Then what should we do? Captain, can you still hold on?"

The gazes of several people involuntarily fell on Zhong Wan and Fang Ran.

"Aren’t there two guides here?"

Zhong Wan quickly waved his hand, "I... my situation is special. I can’t conduct purification with other sentinels anymore."

"Oh." Fu Zhangzhou reacted faster than Fang Ran, raising their clasped hands.

"We’re also in the middle of purification. Can't help."

Fu Yanhua took a box from the vehicle, "Use Hua Yan’s medication for now. Although it’s not as effective as a guide’s energy, it can provide some relief."

Lu Wenshan shook his head, "No need, I can still hold on."

"Since that’s the case, let’s discuss the next steps."

Lu Tianlin looked around at everyone in the vehicle and said solemnly, "I will take the three guides back to the new waiting point. The remaining sentinels will follow Lu Wenshan to investigate down below."

"Stay alert and report to the center promptly. If you notice anything unusual, don’t prolong the fight—return to the surface immediately. Clear?"

"Understood."

......

A little over ten minutes later.

Fang Ran stared intently at the screen as the figures of Fu Zhangzhou and the others slowly descended onto the clearing not far away, gradually making their way toward the abyss-like fissure.

On the charred land, Fu Zhangzhou walked at the rear of the group.

Watching him step by step heading in that direction, a sense of dread washed over Fang Ran.

At that moment, Fu Zhangzhou suddenly turned back and glanced in the direction of the hovercar.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Fang Ran shuddered, and that ominous premonition came rushing back.

Fu Zhangzhou.

You must return safely.

"Fang Ran, do you think... they'll be alright?"

Zhong Wan's face had also gone pale. He knew it was the sentinels' duty, and Lu Tang and the others were also in that vehicle... but watching Lu Wenchuan's figure leap into the fissure, he couldn't help but tremble inwardly.

Fang Liyu, hearing their conversation, said reassuringly, "Don't worry, they are all top-tier sentinels. Besides, support from the center should arrive soon."

At that moment, the figures on the screen leaped forward, diving down into the fissure and quickly disappearing into the billowing smoke.

Fang Ran's eyes were glued to the screen, fighting back the negative emotions in his heart.

"Yes, they will definitely be fine."

"Let's go too," Lu Tianlin said to Fu Yanhua. "First, take them to the waiting point, then I'll return to headquarters to discuss strategies with the others."

"Alright," Fu Yanhua nodded and was about to get the hovercar airborne.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The door of the hovercar was suddenly knocked on.

Strange.

Everyone in the cockpit immediately exchanged puzzled glances.

This was near the fissure—aside from sentinels, only those frenzied mutant monsters were around.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Another knock came from outside the door.