Chapter 155

Chapter 155

"You're saying the National Special Ops are heading into the mountains now? How could they possibly know what's hidden there?!"

Leaders of various factions, big and small, gathered upon receiving the news, pacing anxiously and grilling their subordinates.

"I heard they captured Qi Hu," a subordinate said, grimacing.

"Qi Hu?" Qi Hu's superior angrily kicked the table. "Wasn't he supposed to be finding suitable Superhumans? How did he get caught by the Special Ops team?"

The subordinate hesitated, then explained how Qi Hu, trying to avoid trouble, had directly confronted the Special Ops team's Superhumans.

The man's veins bulged on his forehead as he roared, "That useless fool! Is this how he handles assignments? He didn't even assess his own capabilities before taking on the Special Ops team! Now he's dragged us into this mess! Damn him!"

"So the Special Ops team discovered the anomaly because of you!" Once the cause was clear, everyone turned to condemn the man.

But some were uneasy. "Boss Jin, what should we do now?"

All eyes turned to the person at the head of the long table.

If Lin Jiaxu and the others were here, they would surely recognize him as Jin Ruichi, also known as Jin Zhengcheng, the true owner of the former Anping Company.

Jin Zhengcheng, who had fled Longcheng just days earlier, was already soaked with cold sweat upon hearing the National Special Ops were pursuing him to Shancheng.

Jin Zhengcheng said fiercely, "The matter in the mountains must not be exposed! Understood?"

"Yes, but how do we stop them..." others asked with worried expressions.

After all, they were merely independent factions. Combined, their resources were no match for the Alien Bureau's advanced weaponry.

As for personnel, they knew their subordinates' limitations. Though all were Superhumans, there was a vast gap between them. These subordinates often indulged in partying and pleasure-seeking—how could they possibly stand against the Special Ops team, who constantly battle Aliens?

This was precisely why, despite their small numbers, they didn't dare confront the Alien Bureau openly. They had always been suppressed, operating only in the shadows, never daring to confront the state directly.

Jin Zhengcheng's expression darkened, filled with murderous intent. "I'll handle this. Since they're heading into the mountains, let them enter... and never come out!"

Others, seeing his expression, felt a chill run down their spines. "You're not planning to release what's in the mountains, are you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, objections erupted.

"No! Absolutely not!"

"If what's in the mountains is released, we won't be able to stay in Shancheng either!"

"Everyone will die!"

Jin Zhengcheng roared, "Enough!"

The room fell silent.

"If we don't release it, we're the ones who will die," Jin Zhengcheng said, his menacing gaze sweeping over everyone. "I've already found out that the National Special Ops coming this time include the government's most powerful Superhumans. If the anomaly in the mountains is exposed, we're dead men."

Everyone hesitated. "But if we do this, Shancheng will—"

"If we release what's in the mountains, we won't escape either."

"Can we really afford to put ourselves in danger too?"

"And what about everything we've built here? We've worked hard for so many years. Are we just going to abandon it all?"

Many were torn between abandoning their hard-earned assets in Shancheng and maintaining their position.

Their objections were not strong. Jin Zhengcheng knew what kind of people they were—they only cared about profit.

He swept a mocking glance over them, his tone slightly softening. "Shancheng might be lost, but with the Alien Bureau here, it likely won't be a total disaster."

"With them as a distraction, we'll have time to get away. We can always make more money, but if we lose our lives, it's over. If we don't leave now, the Alien Bureau won't spare us either."

Eyes flickering, everyone quietly agreed to his decision.

After the last person left, Jin Zhengcheng looked down at his terminal's communication interface and dialed a number without a second thought.

At that moment, somewhere on the outskirts of Shancheng's contaminated zone.

Bloodstains were obscured by gray mist, fading into a desaturated image.

"So weak..."

Kula casually kicked aside a corpse at his feet, licking the blood from his lips. "Human lives are so fragile... Why care about such feeble things?"

Unlike Lin Jiaxu, who had fully become one of humanity, Notones also seemed to think humans were special. What a ridiculous idea.

Such creatures could be crushed with a single claw, Kula mused.

Not far away, Cui Mao, drenched in blood, stared at his dead companions with rage and hatred.

He gripped his weapon tightly, refusing to fall. "You... you damned monster!"

"Almost forgot, there's one more." Kula snapped his head around, teleported to Cui Mao's side, and pressed a claw against his throat, pinning him down.

"Ugh!" The moment his neck was seized, Cui Mao's eyes widened, gasping for breath, his face turning red.

Kula found it amusing, as always, to see the familiar expressions of disgust and fear on humans.

No matter how many times he saw it, it never ceased to amuse him.

Within moments, Cui Mao's struggling arms slowly fell limp.

Kula's communicator beneath his robe rang. He casually tossed the body aside, and answered coldly, "Speak."

On the other end, Jin Zhengcheng trembled.

His voice was fawning but hurried as he explained that the contaminated zone might have been exposed. "Sir, the National Special Ops are in Shancheng... and I heard there are two powerful, unfamiliar Superhumans among them."

The description was too detailed for Kula to dismiss.

A bloodthirsty smile spread across Kula's face. "Oh? Unfamiliar members? You mean Lin Jiaxu is here too?"

"Possibly. Sources in Lanshi report they haven't seen him outside the Alien Bureau for a long time." Jin Zhengcheng didn't dare to be too certain since he hadn't seen Lin Jiaxu himself.

"Hahaha! Good!"

Kula burst into crazed laughter, his words filled with venom. "Lin Jiaxu! Lin Jiaxu! Perfect timing! I'll tear him into pieces and devour him bit by bit!"

The call ended. Jin Zhengcheng trembled as he released the terminal, slumping back in his chair as if he had cheated death, taking several moments to compose himself.

Meanwhile, in the contaminated zone, Lan Ying watched as corruption marks rapidly spread across his body.

The few subordinates closest to Kula had already been corrupted and mutated into Aliens. Lan Ying’s throat tightened, and a wave of despair washed over him.

He should have known earlier—he should have known that what was in front of him was a Humanoid Alien.

How could such a powerful and bizarre existence be human?

Watching his subordinates, who had lost their sanity and were attacking everything in sight, Lan Ying clenched his fists and lowered his head tightly, not daring to let Kula detect his hatred.

Kula’s voice came from behind him suddenly: “You, go and inform the people in the research center to release those failed experiments.”

Lan Ying caught his breath. He couldn’t believe it and cautiously asked, “Sir… you mean, release all the experimental subjects?”

Kula grew impatient. Looking at these inferior creatures, it couldn't even be bothered to say another word. It wished it could kill Lan Ying on the spot.

But remembering Notones’s arrangements, Kula said coldly, “The Alien Bureau has already discovered this place. Tell everyone in the research institute to evacuate.”

A chill ran down Lan Ying’s spine: “…Understood.”

Dazed, he made his way back to the research institute hidden among the mountains and mechanically relayed Kula’s orders to the people inside.

The person in charge, upon receiving the message, put down his work: “Fine. These defective products are useless anyway. Let’s release them and leave it to those battle junkies from the Alien Bureau to handle.”

“Also, take the last batch of experimental subjects. Pack up quickly and prepare to leave. Lan Ying, you stay behind to cover our retreat.”

Lan Ying swallowed hard, his face turned deathly pale: “Understood.”

He had only wanted to earn a little more money to improve his life, but now… was there any way out for him and Mountain City?

*

Arriving at the edge of the contaminated area, the air was filled with a blinding gray mist.

“Beep—beep beep—”

The pollution detector in the vehicle suddenly emitted a sharp alarm. The readings on the display screen skyrocketed, flashing a glaring red light.

Lin Jiaxu suddenly looked up.

Not far away, the gray clouds churned in the sky. It had been a long time since Lin Jiaxu had seen such a scene—the last time was eight years ago in Stone Lake District.

Lin Jiaxu closed the window and turned back: “The contamination concentration is rising, and the rate is alarmingly fast.”

Song Bao’s face turned pale. Subconsciously, she gripped Lin Jiaxu’s arm tightly, as if psychologically overwhelmed.

Gasping for breath, she anxiously said, “The fluctuations there are intense! Something abnormal must be happening inside the contaminated area!”

“Do as I taught you. You can control it.” Lin Jiaxu watched as her breathing gradually steadied before continuing, “There’s likely something wrong there—either Aliens or a natural disaster.”

The detector’s readings exceeded the highest danger level—double-S-class.

It was no longer the time to discuss what was happening inside. What worried them more now was whether the contamination would spread to Mountain City and affect other areas.

Compared to the latter, everyone hoped it was the former.

Natural disasters were unavoidable and posed greater harm.

The vehicle came to an abrupt stop. Zhong Qian said, “We can’t drive any further ahead. Jia Jia, let’s get out.” Turning to Cheng Hezhi, he added, “Find the nearby action teams and arrange for the evacuation of personnel around the contaminated area.”

“Alright, be careful,” Cheng Hezhi said seriously.

As for Song Bao, Lin Jiaxu handed Eighth Master to her: “Stay here. Don’t go inside. The mental impact there is too strong for you.”

Song Bao nodded and hugged the equally terrified Eighth Master. In her current state, she was powerless and in no condition to help. It was better to stay nearby and assist where she could.

After getting out of the vehicle, Flower suddenly reverted to her original form. Lin Jiaxu and Zhong Qian leaped onto Flower’s back.

Lin Jiaxu said, “Flower, head toward the area with the highest contamination!”

Flower soared with the wind: “Mrow!”

Lin Jiaxu leaned forward slightly, squinting as he surveyed the landscape below and the distant mountains.

Zhong Qian’s Superpower formed a faint protective glow around them, shielding them from the wind as he held Lin Jiaxu close.

The entire mountain was shrouded in the shadow of contamination, much like the layered gray mist of Stone Lake District from the past.

Yet the chaotic energy in the air felt even more eerie, filled with a strong, rusty scent of blood.

Lin Jiaxu frowned. The feeling here unsettled him greatly.

Suddenly, he noticed something—two areas below where dark currents surged and pollution was concentrated.

There were actually two areas of high contamination concentration within this contaminated zone.

Lin Jiaxu: “How can there be two contamination sources in this area?”

Zhong Qian’s voice was firm: “Impossible. Naturally formed contaminated areas only have one core contamination source. There’s no way there could be more than one.”

Lin Jiaxu nodded slightly and focused his gaze. Suddenly, he said, “Wait, it’s not a contamination source. The contamination there is moving? Let me see… are those Aliens?”

The contamination source further away was stable, but the other high-concentration contamination area, closer to the edge, was spreading outward and around at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The mist obscured Lin Jiaxu’s view. He said, “Flower, let’s go down and take a look!”

Flower abruptly descended. The strong wind stirred the gray mist, parting it and finally revealing the scene below clearly.

Lin Jiaxu and Zhong Qian’s breaths hitched.

Flower was so startled that her eyes widened, and she let out a sharp “mrow” sound.

Dense, twisted, rotting, malformed, and foul-smelling Aliens—like piles of flesh forcibly pieced together.

Some had countless eyes, others many hands. Some resembled rotting, stinking balls of flesh, while others looked like squirming, elongated unknown objects.

What sent chills down their spines was that a few of them still retained traces of human features.

But what made Zhong Qian’s expression darken instantly were the few Aliens at the forefront, roaring and attacking each other.

Shreds of action team uniforms still hung from their bodies as they fought and tore at each other over territory, the fabric ripping under their bites.

Zhong Qian, behind him, tightened his grip on Lin Jiaxu’s arm abruptly. After a moment of silence, Lin Jiaxu turned to look at Zhong Qian.

Zhong Qian’s face was expressionless, but his eyes were already boiling with intense killing intent.

Lin Jiaxu touched his hand, concerned: “Zhong Qian?”

Zhong Qian closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, only cold killing intent remained: “I’m fine. Leave this place to me. Jia Jia, go into the mountains and find the source of these… things.”

“Alright…” Lin Jiaxu nodded. Suddenly, a familiar scent reached his nose amidst the various rotting smells.

Frowning deeply, Lin Jiaxu said, “Wait! I think I smell the scent of that Humanoid Alien we encountered in Stone Lake District before.”

That Alien seemed to have been active here for quite some time recently, its tainted presence permeating the air everywhere, instinctively triggering Lin Jiaxu's vigilance and killing intent.

Lin Jiaxu abruptly looked up, his gaze piercing, scanning the distant direction where the pollution was most concentrated.

"It's definitely there, it's right over there."

Moreover, that detestable creature was hiding among the Alien horde and had detected their presence even earlier than they had.

In the distance, Kula revealed a vicious, malicious grin, slowly raising the near-lifeless Cui Mao in his hand, Kula's sharp claws gripping the latter's neck.

He stared at Lin Jiaxu, tauntingly swinging his trophy.

Lin Jiaxu's expression instantly turned icy.

"Flower, let's go!"

Flower charged toward Kula's location at an incredible speed.

At the same time, Zhong Qian reported the anomaly within the polluted zone to the outside.

One minute later, the mountain city sounded its highest-level danger alarm for the first time since the post-apocalyptic era began.