In the early morning, thin mist shrouded the wasteland, adding a touch of mystery to the desolate atmosphere. The gate of the temporary forward base slowly opened, and a lean and capable convoy drove out, heading towards Zhuolu Ancient Battlefield. This was the newly formed “Grave Robber” Task Force.
The convoy was not large, but its configuration was elite. Leading the way were two specially modified “Lynx” all-terrain reconnaissance vehicles, equipped with heavy psionic shields and terrain scanning arrays, driven respectively by Su Qing and Chen Mo of Ash Squad.
In the middle were three “Rhino” heavy armored personnel carriers, carrying the main force of Dawn Squad (Li Fan, Li Mingyu, Lin Wei, Chen Xue, and Zhou Yunguang, whose injuries were stable but had not yet awakened, were left at the base) and two chief experts from the Central Academy of Sciences with their precision instruments.
Bringing up the rear was a “Fortress” command and communication vehicle, with Ling Chen (Lin Chen) and Li Fan at its helm, responsible for overall command.
There were also two “Peregrine Falcon” light drones providing high-altitude vigilance.
The atmosphere of the entire team was solemn, and everyone was aware of the dangers of this trip.
Exploring ancient ruins, especially those that might be related to the root cause of the current crisis, was by no means a simple archaeological activity.
Ling Chen sat inside the command vehicle, with several holographic screens displaying in front of him, showing the status of each unit in the convoy, surrounding terrain energy scan data, and intelligence summaries from the base and headquarters in real-time.
He looked calm, his eyes focused, like a diligent Commander.
Li Fan sat opposite him, arms crossed, his dragon-transformed fingertips occasionally tapping his arm guard unconsciously, revealing his inner unease and vigilance. His gaze often swept over Ling Chen, with a scrutinizing look.
“Captain, we are about to enter the edge of the ancient battlefield’s energy anomaly zone. The energy turbulence is intensifying, and communications may be interfered with,” Su Qing’s calm voice came through the communicator.
“Received. All vehicles maintain a safe distance and activate full-spectrum anti-interference mode. Hui Xiu, focus on monitoring life signatures and energy traps,” Ling Chen gave the order, his tone steady.
“Understood,” Wang Yuan (Hui Xiu)’s voice came, with a hint of nervousness.
The convoy slowly drove into the dark red basin. As soon as they entered, everyone felt an invisible pressure descend, and the air seemed to echo with the sounds of ancient battlefields, making them uneasy.
The pointers on the energy detectors began to jump wildly, and the screens were covered with snowflake-like interference patterns.
“The energy field is extremely chaotic, containing high-intensity mental residual pollution! Non-combat personnel must activate mental protection!” Lin Wei (Bianwei (Discern Micro))’s voice was solemn. She fully operated her ability, filtering harmful mental fluctuations to provide an early warning for the team.
An old expert from the Academy of Sciences—Professor Qin, with white hair—looked at the strange sights outside the window and the astonishing data on the instruments, his hands trembling slightly with excitement: “Incredible! The energy residue here… spanning thousands of years, it can still be so active! This is definitely a treasure trove for studying ancient energy laws and life forms!”
Another younger expert, Dr. Zhang, was more cautious: “Professor, too high energy activity also means extreme danger, we must be extremely careful.”
Ling Chen spoke to the experts through internal communication: “Professor Qin, Dr. Zhang, please rest assured, we will ensure your safety. Please prioritize collecting energy spectrum and material samples from the core area, especially from that altar and the remains of the teleportation array.”
“Understood! Captain Lin, we are relying on you all!” Professor Qin quickly responded.
Under Ling Chen’s command, the convoy cautiously advanced towards the altar area in the center of the basin, following the previously explored safe path.
Along the way, they once again saw the giant bone fossils, bronze remnants, and faint war phantoms, but this time, with more adequate preparation and a stronger team, they handled it much more calmly.
The few blood fiend mutants that occasionally emerged, corrupted by the ancient battlefield’s aura, were also easily dealt with by the vanguard Ash Squad.
Finally, the half-collapsed black altar and the white jade teleportation array remnants next to it, emitting faint spatial fluctuations, reappeared before everyone’s eyes.
“This is it!” Professor Qin excitedly pointed at the altar and the teleportation array.
The convoy stopped at a safe distance. The task force members quickly dismounted and established a circular defensive position. Under the protection of the members, the experts from the Academy of Sciences began to carefully set up various detection instruments.
Ling Chen and Li Fan also got off the command vehicle. Li Fan’s dragon-transformed senses were fully open, scanning the surroundings vigilantly, especially towards the altar and the teleportation array. He instinctively felt an unusual sense of danger, even more intense than the last time they came. Ling Chen, on the other hand, appeared to be observing the environment, but the will of his Soul Jade Physique had already quietly covered the entire area like invisible tentacles, especially the remains of the teleportation array.
(Indeed, that trace of primal energy I injected last time, though faint, was like a seed, leaving an indelible ‘mark’ in this ancient structure. Its connection with me became clearer. Very good…)
“Professor Qin, any discoveries?” Ling Chen walked to the busy expert and asked.
“Yes! Absolutely!” Professor Qin pointed at the complex energy flow diagram on the instrument screen, “This altar… it’s not just a sacrificial site, it’s more like a giant energy convergence and transformation device! It’s drawing spiritual energy from the earth pulse and… and some kind of spatial energy that we cannot comprehend, injecting it into the teleportation array next to it! Although the teleportation array is severely damaged, its core spatial patterns are still repairing themselves extremely slowly, or rather… trying to establish a connection with a distant coordinate!”
Dr. Zhang added: “Even stranger, we found some… unnatural embedded objects at the base of the altar.” He pointed to several inconspicuous grooves at the bottom of the altar, where some dim, crystal-like fragments were embedded. “The energy properties of these fragments… have a faint similarity to a certain fluctuation coming from the direction of Zhuang Han’s lair!”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan’s pupils suddenly constricted, and he sharply looked at Ling Chen.
Ling Chen’s face timely showed “shock” and “solemnity”: “Similarity? Professor, do you mean… Zhuang Han’s power might… originate from here? Or, it once came here and left something behind?”
Professor Qin shook his head: “It’s currently impossible to determine whether it’s the source or later contamination. But this correlation itself is extremely important! This might explain why Zhuang Han is entrenched in the nearby Linghui Academy!”
Ling Chen nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Li Fan: “Captain Li, it seems our direction is correct. This ruin is very likely one of the keys to solving the mystery of Zhuang Han.”
Li Fan remained silent, his dragon eyes staring intently at the crystal fragments, then at Ling Chen. The doubts in his heart surged again. It was too coincidental! Every exploration seemed to uncover clues related to Zhuang Han, and it was always under the guidance of this Lin Chen!
Just then!
Buzz—!!!
A low but extremely penetrating hum suddenly emanated from the white jade teleportation array remnants next to them! Several originally dim runes on the remnants suddenly lit up with a faint, white light that flickered like breathing! A clearly discernible spatial fluctuation spread out again!
“What’s going on?!” Everyone was startled!
“Energy readings are rising sharply! An external energy source has activated part of the array patterns!” Dr. Zhang exclaimed!
“Alert!” Li Fan instantly entered combat mode, dragon scales covering his entire body!
All task force members immediately drew their weapons, nervously aiming at the teleportation array!
Ling Chen also “changed his expression,” quickly stood in front of the experts, his gaze sharply fixed on the teleportation array, but his heart was filled with a cold understanding.
(As expected, there was a reaction. Is it the mark I left before resonating with a similar energy source deep within Zhuang Han’s lair? Or… did my stimulation of Zhuang Han through the Soul Guiding Talisman indirectly affect this place? Either way, the effect is even better than expected.)
The light lasted for several seconds, then slowly dimmed, and the spatial fluctuations also subsided. Nothing came out of the teleportation array.
A false alarm?
But Professor Qin became even more excited: “It’s activated! It’s been activated! Although it was only a brief reaction, this proves that this teleportation array is still active! The other end it connects to might still exist! If we can repair it, even if it’s just to receive information unilaterally, it could be an earth-shattering discovery!”
Ling Chen took a deep breath, as if still shaken, and said to Li Fan: “Captain Li, it’s not advisable to stay here long. The energy reactions are too unstable. The experts have already collected key data. Shall we proceed to the next exploration point—Blood Sacrifice Canyon—as planned?”
Li Fan took a deep look at the now calm teleportation array, then at Ling Chen, who wore an expression of “lingering fear” and “seeking advice.” He suppressed the doubts in his heart and said in a deep voice: “Agreed. Pack up the equipment immediately and evacuate this place!”
The task force quickly and orderly withdrew from the center of the ancient battlefield and drove towards Blood Sacrifice Canyon.
In the vehicle, Ling Chen appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, the will of his Soul Jade Physique was sending a clearer, more provocative mental fluctuation to the distant Zhuang Han through the Soul Guiding Talisman he kept close to him— “Ancient treasure… weak guardian… delicious flesh and blood… here…” He also transmitted the coordinates of Blood Sacrifice Canyon, mixed in with the chaotic energy information.
(Go, mad dog. The pain of being scorched by holy light needs more flesh and blood to soothe. And here, there is the ‘homologous’ power you crave, and also… the taste of ‘light’ you hate the most. You will come, won’t you?)
Less than half an hour after the task force left, the remote monitoring unit of the energy detector at the edge of the ancient battlefield captured a powerful and violent energy source rapidly approaching from the direction of Linghui Academy! Its energy signature highly matched Zhuang Han!
Inside the command vehicle, the alarm blared piercingly!
“Report! High-intensity energy reaction detected! Target… Zhuang Han! Moving towards our direction… no, towards the ancient battlefield! Extremely fast!” The communicator’s voice was filled with panic.
Li Fan sharply looked at Ling Chen: “How does it know we are here?!”
Ling Chen’s face showed “extreme solemnity” and “bewilderment”: “Unclear! Perhaps our exploration activities’ energy fluctuations attracted it! Or… it has been monitoring this place all along! Immediately change course and retreat at full speed towards the base! Also notify the base and request support!”
The convoy immediately turned around, engines roaring, fleeing madly towards the base!
However, Zhuang Han’s speed was too fast! Its figure had already appeared on the horizon, its massive dark golden body carrying monstrous ferocity, smashing into the ancient battlefield like a meteor!
Its target seemed very clear; it was not pursuing the task force, but rather heading straight for the area where the teleportation array had just been activated!
“It went to the ancient battlefield!” Lin Wei confirmed through Bianwei (Discern Micro).
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but their hearts tightened again. What was Zhuang Han doing at the ancient battlefield?
At the corner of Ling Chen’s mouth, in the unseen shadows, a cold arc formed.
The bait has been swallowed, the hound is in the cage.
Next, it’s time to move the stage to the next scene.
Blood Sacrifice Canyon, that is where he prepared… Zhuang Han’s final resting place.