Zhao Wudi seemed not to have noticed the slightest abnormality. His face remained stern as he urged the technicians to carry out their work, while simultaneously using his divine sense to scan the surroundings from atop a tree.
Lin Ran, with Luo Qingyan, stood on the opposite side.
Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Qi, who were not talkative by nature, also remained silent.
This created a rather eerie atmosphere, as if everyone present were strangers.
Consequently, after the technicians completed their task, the entire group set off for the fourth target point without a single word spoken.
En route, Lin Ran did not position himself in the center protecting the researchers with Luo Qingyan this time. Instead, he switched places with Xiao Qi at the rear.
Xiao Qi moved to the center, while Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan took up positions at the end of the formation.
Lin Ran leaped from tree to tree, observing the surroundings with his Sharingan while analyzing data with his biochip.
After earning a substantial amount of dragon coins, Lin Ran had upgraded his biochip to the highest tier, costing a full hundred million dragon coins.
Higher-level biochips possessed more functions and greater computational power.
For instance, the environment analysis function currently in use was exceptionally effective.
Big data analysis indicated that the anomaly values in Lin Ran's current environment were steadily climbing, becoming increasingly unmanageable.
The danger level was also escalating concurrently.
Logically, Zhao Wudi, possessing similar capabilities, should have been aware of this. Yet, he had made no move to announce it...
Therefore, maintaining a distance from him for the time being was the most sensible choice.
Not long after, the nine individuals arrived at the fourth target location once more.
Apart from the technicians, the other six people dispersed as usual.
The only difference was that Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan stood together.
Observing the desolate atmosphere around them and the busy technicians, Lin Ran's sense of unease grew more intense.
He no longer dared to deactivate his Eternal Mangekyo, and he kept a Kamui ready in his hand at all times.
If any unforeseen situation were to arise...
As Lin Ran pondered, he suddenly heard an extremely brief, almost inaudible "crackling" sound.
The sound came and went so quickly that Lin Ran, for a moment, thought he had misheard.
But before Lin Ran could even attempt to locate the source of this potential sound, thunderous roars erupted from all directions.
Zhao Wudi, who had been silent for an unknown duration, his face suddenly changed:
"Not good! It seems to be a beast tide!"
Saying this, he leaped up and onto the tallest tree to observe.
At the same moment, Lin Ran skillfully combined his Sky Walk and Soru techniques to ascend the tree.
His speed was so great that he even slightly surpassed Zhao Wudi.
Upon surveying the scene, Lin Ran's expression also soured.
Countless ferocious beasts were stirring up clouds of dust, approaching from all directions.
In addition to the ground-dwelling beasts, there were also swarms of birds blanketing the sky.
Furthermore, analysis from his Sharingan indicated that the average quality of these beasts reached around Tier Three or Four.
Among them, there were even terrifying beasts of Tier Five or Six, and even Tier Seven or Eight.
"The situation is critical! I have already transmitted the news of the beast tide outbreak to the military district and the armed fortress!"
"Now, let's split up and break through. Let's see who can survive!"
Zhao Wudi's face was filled with resolve, but he did not hesitate in his movements.
In a flash, he, along with his three subordinates, Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Qi, headed south.
They left behind Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan, who were still observing, and three bewildered technicians.
Moreover, to ensure their speed, they even discarded a pile of nitrogen acceleration items, their departure resembling shooting stars in the sky.
They just left us behind and ran?
Lin Ran was momentarily speechless.
However, in a flash, he made his decision.
Sharingan, Hypnosis!
The three unfortunate technicians had their minds instantly controlled by Lin Ran, falling into a deep slumber.
As ordinary humans, their mental strength was frighteningly fragile before Lin Ran.
Without Lin Ran's deliberate awakening, this sleep would last at least ten years.
Subsequently, Lin Ran leaped from the tree, retrieved three biological storage pods from his Soul Ring, and placed them inside, preserving their vitality.
It now seemed that Zhao Wudi and his three subordinates were clearly problematic.
For example, the pocket-watch-like instrument he held might well be the culprit behind the beast tide.
However, since he had not directly attacked Lin Ran or Luo Qingyan, Lin Ran lacked direct evidence for his suspicions...
Dealing with such special forces from the military district was truly difficult for Lin Ran.
And the technicians, as important witnesses for their side, should be preserved if possible.
What if they were useful in the future?
Kamui!
As Lin Ran tossed the biological pods containing these three into the Kamui dimension, he grabbed Luo Qingyan and headed north.
Without utilizing the Kamui dimension, it would have been impossible for them to protect the three technicians.
Therefore, hypnotizing them first was clearly the best option.
Luo Qingyan immediately employed her techniques, conjuring a pair of Angel Wings for herself and Lin Ran.
"Your speed is slower, you go ahead, I'll follow!" Luo Qingyan called out to Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smiled slightly:
"All the way north! You lead the way! You can go all out..."
"My speed has long been different from what it was!"
Luo Qingyan's eyes widened in surprise.
However, this was clearly not the time for questioning. She did not delay, nor did she ask why they were heading north, and immediately stepped onto the treetops, heading north.
Lin Ran, using the burst acceleration of Soru and the aerial maneuverability of Sky Walk, kept pace closely behind Luo Qingyan.
At first, Luo Qingyan felt that Lin Ran was being a bit overconfident, using only about sixty percent of her speed.
Seeing that Lin Ran was keeping up closely, she gradually began to accelerate.
But she never expected that no matter how fast she accelerated, Lin Ran would always remain within ten meters of her.
This, this, this?!
It had only been a few days since she last saw Lin Ran demonstrate his running speed, how had he become so monstrous?!
If Lin Ran had possessed this speed during their one-on-one duel that day, wouldn't she have been thoroughly thrashed?
This man's growth rate was frighteningly outrageous...
Compared to Luo Qingyan, who was lost in shock, Lin Ran kept his gaze fixed forward.
The beast horde to the north was the most densely populated area.
After all, this was the path up the mountain!
Lin Ran's decision to head in this direction was primarily to investigate what secrets lay hidden behind this conspiracy.
What were Zhao Wudi's plans in abandoning them?
And who was behind this beast tide raging within the Fulong Mountain Range?
With the Kamui dimension at their disposal, their safety was guaranteed, allowing them to adopt a bolder strategy.
After all, great risks often concealed great rewards...