Chapter One Hundred Forty-Two: Su Yi

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"RX-23 mining area is located 27 kilometers west of Linfeng Control Point No. 3. It was surveyed by the ability user Ji Cheng, and so far no other mining areas of the same type have been discovered."

Chen Qian read aloud the information about the mining area.

"Boss, this part needs to be corrected. It should be 'Nan Gang City-State Chairman Ji Cheng,'" she pointed out.

Beep—

The destination was reached, and the aircraft began to descend.

"Don't worry about such details. Maybe after today, all the data on this mining area will have to be revised," Ji Cheng said, his gaze passing through the cockpit window toward the Salt River channel below.

Unlike when they first arrived, a stretch of water dotted with white crystalline formations now pooled in the riverbed.

"The salinity is truly high—crystals are precipitating right on the water's surface."

Those sparkling white patches on the river were actually solid salt-alkali crystals formed from an oversaturated solution. As for the source of these salts and alkalis, no one could say for certain.

The "Hunter" aircraft quickly landed on the ground, and the door opened. Ji Cheng, fully armed, stepped out alone.

He had brought Chen Qian along to provide various logistical support, so she only needed to stay inside the aircraft, acting as a temporary support operator.

"Sound check."

Chen Qian, remaining inside the aircraft, instantly switched to work mode.

"I can hear you," Ji Cheng responded, pressing the headset mic.

"The flow of the Salt River is intermittent due to its unique terrain and seasonal changes. According to records, excessive toxins have been detected multiple times in its waters. Even though your physical constitution far surpasses that of an average ability user, it is recommended to conduct a toxin test first."

Chen Qian spoke in a fast but clear broadcast tone. "I have prepared a toxin detector for you, which is in the pocket at the waist of your combat suit."

Ji Cheng reached behind his waist and indeed felt a rod-shaped instrument.

"This secretary is really reliable," Ji Cheng thought, inserting the toxin detector into the water.

Clearly, Chen Qian had prepared thoroughly, knowing that the toxin detector would be the first tool he needed, placing it at the very top of the pocket for easy access.

"Actually, I should try training her more—she would make a good deputy in the future."

Three seconds later, a green light lit up.

"No toxins detected. I'm going in," Ji Cheng said into the headset, then plunged into the water. His legs kicked fiercely, propelling him forward like a released arrow.

As he swam toward the fissure based on his memory, not far away in the New Nan Gang City, a terrifying slaughter was beginning.

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Silver District, Fifth Avenue.

A grotesque, monstrous creature, drooling, stepped onto the wide asphalt road.

It moved on all fours but still bore a human outline. Its skull, spine, and elbows were adorned with hard bony protrusions, and most of its body was covered with a tangled network of red and black veins.

Soon, more terrifying creatures identical to it emerged from the roadside behind.

The monsters that had come out of the Parliament building had finally spread into this neighborhood.

Screams echoed again over the New City. Many civilians hiding were dragged out, and countless buildings were stained with a layer of red. Dense veins spread across streets and walls, spreading wildly with the monsters like cancerous cells.

Deep underground in the Xinliu Building, the Black Island branch.

Thorn, wearing only a mask, licked the blade in her hand with her tongue.

Tick-tock.

Blood dripped from her mouth as she lifted an ice cream cup and caught the blood inside, stirring it with a small spoon.

"Try this—frozen milk mixed with blood tastes quite good," she offered the cup to the woman opposite her.

"Thank you, but I still prefer beans..." The woman’s voice was weak yet carried an innate seductive charm.

Thorn glanced at her, then at the can she was holding. "If you’re willing to help me persuade your father, I’m quite confident I can escape."

Thorn was unwilling to stay here to endure slow death. She preferred to try running, hoping for a chance at survival.

At worst, she would be eaten by mutated animals—not worse than staying here.

"The last person who said that to me almost wore out the prison floor," the woman eating beans looked up and suddenly smiled.

"Uh," Thorn was momentarily stunned. "Then let me rephrase: If you help me persuade your father, I will definitely escape."

"Alright, I’ll try. But I’m not sure if it will work. I never really understood my father; I even thought he was just a regular businessman. I didn’t expect he was one of the leaders of your Black Island organization."

Thorn licked her homemade ice cream, a smirk curling at the corner of her mouth. "Thank you very much. As long as you’re willing to help, that’s enough. But I haven’t even asked your name."

"Su Yi."

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud explosion thundered overhead. All the surrounding glass shattered simultaneously, as if the entire world was shaking.

"What’s happening?!"

…

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Ji Cheng quickly entered the RX-23 mining area and arrived at the hideout where he had previously slain the so-called "Limping" half-bodied salamander.

Gurgle.

The water churned as Ji Cheng swiftly swam to a corner with a slower current.

He chose a vantage point with good visibility, gripping a hollow in the rock wall, pulling himself close to the edge, and forcefully pressed a locking pin into the stone.

"This cursed place, my life is only spared because of this biochemical mask," he said, looking at the nauseating filth in the dim yellow river water.

Besides the half-bodied salamanders, the mining area was home to armored ants—mutated animals obsessed with collecting trash.

They wrapped foul-smelling garbage in saliva membranes, which had already littered the area during his last visit. Now, with rising water levels, the stench was suffocating.

Floating everywhere were animal innards, rotting plants, and strange oily sludge.

"Chen Qian, I’ve reached the spot where I killed the half-bodied salamander before. I’m turning on the pinhole camera. Help me create a 3D model and check where underground water might be seeping from."

Ji Cheng let his body gently sway with the current, speaking into the headset. "I’m sure there’s an underground river below, but I can’t pinpoint its location."

He activated his wrist computer, releasing the sensory abilities of Shana and An Chan. "You two help me look as well."

He had specifically researched relevant information. The Salt River was an ancient seasonal river, carving countless tributaries on this planet’s surface over thousands of years. Its source was hard to determine, but there must be numerous underground branch rivers.

Just five minutes later.

With the support of a powerful logistical brain trust, Ji Cheng easily followed the guidance and swam to a hidden corner.

"Is the underground river beneath here?"

"Yes."

He examined the ground carefully. This patch of earth was indeed strange, similar to the entrance area of RX-23. It was likely created by the armored ants’ saliva cementing sand and soil.

It was essentially a natural door.

Boom!

Ji Cheng kicked the hardened, compacted sand, instantly opening the hidden entrance.

"Let’s go!"

Although submerged and carrying heavy gear, Ji Cheng’s muscular explosiveness ensured his speed remained astonishing. Remember, his running speed on land could reach 155 meters per second. Now swimming, a single powerful stroke could propel him thirty to forty meters forward.