Chapter Seventeen: Darkness

The next morning, at dawn.

Biyang City, Xiajiang District.

The outskirts.

Several military jeeps slowed to a stop before a desolate mountain.

Lin Lei, carrying a sheath of blades across his back, stepped out of one of the jeeps. He rolled his neck, stretched lazily, and turned to look at Hochi with curiosity. “So this is the ‘Forbidden Zone’?”

The barren mountain ahead was already cordoned off with barbed wire, and around it stood fully armed guards wielding submachine guns.

Although the location was far from the ‘Forbidden Zone’ Lin Lei had stumbled upon before, the arrangement was strikingly similar.

Lin Lei frowned slightly. “Are there any unusual fluctuations in this area’s source energy?”

Since unlocking his first source essence, Lin Lei could vaguely sense the ripples of source energy in the air, but this place seemed no different from anywhere else.

Hochi’s expression was grave as he replied, “Before the Forbidden Zone was liberated, it was completely sealed off, and the source energy fluctuations wouldn’t leak out so easily.”

Lin Lei’s thoughts drifted to the zone he had encountered previously.

The fact that the ‘Source Energy Radar’ had malfunctioned there implied that that Forbidden Zone had likely already been liberated…

Hochi summoned the three to him and cautioned them:

“The number of low-level anomalies in the Forbidden Zone will far exceed what you can imagine. If you encounter minor anomalies, avoid them if possible. If you can’t, resolve the battle as quickly as possible—never let it drag on.”

“Your target is the core of the singularity, which is, in fact, the most formidable third-tier anomaly in the zone. Destroying it is equivalent to destroying the core…”

“When you face that third-tier anomaly, Wen Xiang, do not act rashly. Stay aware of your position. Zhen Shuang, reinforce Lin Lei with ‘Guard’. Lin Lei will engage up close and draw its attention physically, while Wen Xiang provides ranged support.”

Although Wen Xiang looked unwilling and impatient, after Hochi’s ‘lesson’ the previous evening, he dared not defy Hochi—at least not outwardly.

In truth, the three had spent the night in emergency training, familiarizing themselves with each other’s abilities and rehearsing responses to various scenarios.

Hochi’s expression was stern:

“A final reminder—the Forbidden Zone is a place that defies normal logic… Remember only this: kill the third-tier anomaly, destroy the core, and the zone’s restrictive rules will be broken!”

Lin Lei nodded. “So here’s the question… How do we pinpoint the location of the Forbidden Zone’s core?”

Hochi turned his head.

Immediately, someone stepped forward carrying a silver case.

Hochi opened the case and produced three bracelets adorned with diamond-shaped crystals.

“These bracelets are special locator tools. Inside the Forbidden Zone, they’ll guide you to the core. Simply move in the direction where the crystal glows brightest, and you’ll find the third-tier anomaly…”

Hochi’s gaze shifted from Lin Lei to Zhen Shuang and Wen Xiang.

“Prepare yourselves. You can depart once you’re ready…”

Each of the three donned a bracelet.

Lin Lei cleared his throat and looked to Hochi. “Consultant Hochi, what about the Azure Flower?”

Hochi tilted his head, and immediately, three armed soldiers stepped forward, each carrying a silver case.

Lin Lei picked up a case, only to find it locked and impossible to open.

Hochi explained, “These silver cases are equipped with electronic locks. Once you enter the Forbidden Zone, the source energy interference will disable all electronics, and the locks will automatically open.”

Electronic devices tend to malfunction inside the Forbidden Zone.

Lin Lei snorted softly. This precaution was to prevent them from consuming the Azure Flower outside and advancing to the second tier prematurely, thus rendering them unable to enter the zone.

Although such a scenario was highly unlikely—and would surely be punished by the Investigation Bureau—it was wise to guard against it.

The trio changed into the latest tactical gear and helmets, notably without any electronic equipment.

However, they carried plenty of grenades and flashbangs.

“May you succeed swiftly!” Hochi nodded to them, then ordered the barbed wire gate be opened.

“Let’s go!” Wen Xiang strode in first, followed closely by Lin Lei and Zhen Shuang.

All three were source energy awakeners at the peak of the first tier. Though their abilities differed, each was physically enhanced by source energy, and their movements were swift.

They followed a mountain path, pressing forward. As they advanced, a dense fog suddenly began to rise around them.

Though not thick enough to obscure their hands from sight, anything beyond a meter was hidden from view.

“Wen Xiang, slow down! We mustn’t get separated!” Lin Lei called out, but received no reply.

He paused, glancing back. Moments ago, Zhen Shuang had been right beside him, just a step behind, but now there was no sign of her.

“How can this be?” Lin Lei’s brow knit tighter.

Wen Xiang had only moved two or three meters ahead, Zhen Shuang was almost parallel, less than a meter away. How could they vanish in the blink of an eye?

“This fog is not normal!” Lin Lei’s mouth twitched.

They had spent most of the night training for coordinated action, yet before they even truly entered the Forbidden Zone, they were separated…

He grimaced, then raised his hand, looking at the bracelet.

He spun in place, and the diamond crystal began to glow red. The brightest direction pointed toward the core of the Forbidden Zone.

“Our ultimate target is the core. As long as we aren’t eliminated early, we’ll be able to regroup…”

The bracelet not only pointed toward the third-tier anomaly, but also gave them a chance to reunite.

His eyes gleamed.

“For me, having an opportunity to act alone might actually be a blessing!”

Lin Lei arched his brow and strode in the direction indicated by the bracelet.

As he pressed forward, the fog around him gradually dissipated, but the light overhead faded, plunging him into total darkness.

The source energy in the surroundings also intensified sharply.

“I’ve entered the Forbidden Zone!”

Normally, without entering meditation through the Source Energy Cultivation Method, a source energy user’s senses would be dull to the energy’s presence.

Now, simply standing here, Lin Lei could feel the omnipresent source energy—even stronger than when he cultivated with the method.

Fortunately, Lin Lei’s source energy had advanced rapidly, and with the Power of Calm, his emotions remained exceptionally stable. Even in this intense environment, his mood barely fluctuated.

“I’ve already reached the limit of the first tier; no matter how much source energy there is, I can’t absorb more, so I won’t be easily affected.”

Though the world was dark, it hardly impeded Lin Lei’s senses.

On the contrary, with his Nightwalker ability, operating in darkness only enhanced his physique and strength.

He quickly surveyed his surroundings, confirming no anomalies appeared, then found a concealed spot to hide.

He took out the silver case.

Now the electronic lock’s indicator light was completely extinguished. Lin Lei triggered the mechanism, and the case opened easily.

Inside was a glass vial surrounded by ice packs, containing a flower that glowed with an eerie azure light.

“The Azure Flower…”