pjbooks Chapter 204: Clone!
Chapter 204: Clone!
"Here," she pointed to one of the areas marked in red, "Falling Star Valley."
"Two weeks ago, a geological exploration team of twelve people went in and went missing."
"Three days ago, the local authorities organized a search and rescue team, but they also disappeared without a trace after entering the mountains."
"The most crucial thing is..."
She pulled up a satellite monitoring map.
"The magnetic field in this area has experienced three high-frequency oscillations in the past week."
"The wavelength is exactly the same as the one we measured in the Changbai Mountain Geothermal Valley."
Zhang Yan put down his chopsticks. The ribs in his mouth suddenly lost their flavor.
The clues match up.
Not only did Xu run away, but he has also found a new "canteen".
The atmosphere in the conference room on the third basement level was somewhat oppressive.
Qin Xiao stared at the map of Falling Star Valley on the screen and cursed. "This godforsaken place doesn't even have a decent road; heavy equipment can't get in at all. Xu Zhen really knows how to pick locations."
"It doesn't need roads." Zhang Yan pulled out a tissue and wiped his hands. "It's heading for the earth's ley line energy."
"Ancient ruins are usually built in places that are rarely visited by people."
Zhang Yan stood up, walked to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and drew a few circles.
"We can't ignore this mess in Jinghai."
"Those ordinary people who have been infected with the seed, once it takes effect, although the destructive power is not great, it can easily cause social panic." He looked at Qin Xiao, "Tianji An has kept half of its manpower in Jinghai to cooperate with the authorities in handling the situation covertly."
"Have your dad give a heads-up about this, and make sure the local police don't get involved, so as not to increase casualties."
Qin Xiao nodded and noted it down. "What about Falling Star Valley?"
"I'll go myself." Zhang Yan tossed the marker back into the pen holder. "Since they're trying to use a feint, let's go straight for the kill."
Nie Qingcheng sat up straight. "I'll go with you."
"No way." Zhang Yan refused decisively.
Nie Qingcheng frowned slightly, about to retort, when Zhang Yan walked over, placed his hands on the armrests of her chair, and looked down at her.
"Falling Star Valley is not Changbai Mountain. There is no signal, no supplies, and not even a road there."
"Moreover, this time we are facing the Ruins, not the gatekeeper mechanical beasts."
Zhang Yan's tone was calm and even, without much fluctuation, but it conveyed an air of uncompromising authority.
"If you stay in Jinghai, the mobilization of resources for the Qingcheng Group and the operation of the intelligence network will all require your presence. You are my eyes and ears here."
Nie Qingcheng looked at the handsome face so close to her.
She knows Zhang Yan too well.
This man usually goes along with her in everything, and is even happy to play the role of a kept man.
But on matters involving life and death, once he makes a decision, nothing can change his mind.
She sighed and reached out to straighten his collar. "Okay, I'll stay."
"But you must promise me that you will come back safe and sound, just as you left."
"If you lose even a single hair, I'll dismantle all those metal lumps of yours and sell them for scrap metal."
Zhang Yan smiled.
"make a deal."
Qin Xiao watched from the side, rubbing his teeth in disbelief.
Even at this hour, these two still manage to find time to flaunt their affection.
"Brother Yan, cough cough." Qin Xiao tapped the table. "What equipment should we bring to Falling Star Valley? Xing Tian is too big and has poor mobility in mountainous terrain."
"The White Tiger can run, but its range is a problem. It can't possibly walk there on foot, can it?"
Zhang Yan turned around and brought up the mecha's parameter panel.
"Who said you have to walk?"
He entered a series of commands on the console, and the central isolation zone on the third underground floor slowly opened.
A tremendous mechanical roar resounded.
A brand-new mech was displayed in front of the two of them.
It doesn't have the exaggerated heavy armor of Xingtian, nor the highly aggressive streamlined appearance of Baihu.
Its overall shape resembles a metal cheetah magnified countless times, with long limbs and a highly elastic hydraulic shock absorption system at the joints.
It is equipped with two small turbine thrusters on its back and is painted in a dark camouflage pattern.
Codename: Wind Spirit.
Zhang Yan explained, "The prototype was a scout from the Mo family's mechanical beasts."
"I reinforced its drive shaft with scraps of meteorite iron and added a miniature anti-gravity balancer that I took from Cheng Ying."
Zhang Yan patted the cold, metallic shell of the Wind Spirit.
"In the complex terrain of the Shiwan Mountains, its maneuverability is even better than that of a helicopter."
"Most importantly, it is equipped with the latest anti-meme coating."
"Anti-meme coating?" Qin Xiao looked closer and found that the surface of the mecha had a matte film that looked like water ripples.
"The most troublesome attack methods of the Ruins, besides physical destruction, are high-frequency sound waves and energy pollution."
"This coating can reflect 80% of mental attacks," Zhang Yan explained.
Qin Xiao's eyes lit up. "This thing is great! Can it be mass-produced?"
"Dream on." Zhang Yan rolled his eyes at him. "This one membrane alone cost me thirty million of rare metals."
"I've almost emptied the working capital in Tianji Security's account."
Qin Xiao chuckled and patted his chest, assuring everyone, "Don't worry about the money. I'll ask my old man for some more money later."
"For the sake of national security, it's only right that he sheds some blood."
Preparations are proceeding smoothly.
Zhang Yan put Feng Ling into the system's storage space and made a minor adjustment to Xuan Xie's neural connection system.
He planned to bring Qin Xiao with him on this trip to Falling Star Valley.
Although this kid is arrogant, he has excellent combat intuition, and the Xuanxie, a heavy firepower suppression platform, needs a driver who dares to fight and take risks.
The next morning.
On the tarmac of the Tianji Security Base, a heavy transport plane without any markings had already started its engine.
The massive rotors whipped up gusts of wind.
Nie Qingcheng stood in the wind, the hem of her trench coat fluttering in the wind.
She didn't put on a show of reluctance like a typical young girl; she simply stepped forward and gave Zhang Yan a tight hug.
"I'll wait for you to come home for dinner, no matter how many days it takes."
Zhang Yan patted her on the back. "Okay."
Turn around and board the plane.
The hatch closed.
The transport plane took off and roared off in the southwest.
Inside the cabin.
Qin Xiao was checking the magazines in his tactical vest.
He stuffed several specially made armor-piercing incendiary rounds inside.
This thing vaporizes instantly when it hits an ordinary person, but against a monster like Xu, it only makes a sound.
Zhang Yan sat opposite him, resting with his eyes closed.
The system interface unfolded in my mind.
[Main Quest Update: Tracking and Ambushes]
[Mission Objective: Proceed to Falling Star Valley and prevent the Ruins from acquiring the Earth's Leyline Core Energy.]
[Quest Rewards: Mo Family Four Spirits - Vermilion Bird Blueprint (Fragment Completed); Heavenly Craftsmanship Heart Fragment x1]
Zhang Yan opened his eyes; it was the Vermilion Bird.
The Mohist mechanical arts feature strategic weapons that dominate the air and generate extreme temperatures.
If we can get the complete blueprints, we'll be even more confident in dealing with the Ruins.
Five hours later.
The transport plane landed at the nearest military field airfield to Falling Star Valley.
The person in charge here is Qin Changfeng's old subordinate.
Upon receiving instructions from his superiors, he had prepared the off-road vehicle and guide well in advance.
"Young Master Qin, Expert Zhang." The person in charge, a dark-skinned man, pointed to the endless primeval forest in the distance. "The car can only go as far as the mountain pass. Beyond that, it's uninhabited territory."
"Locals call that area 'the ghost wall,' because compasses stop working when you go in there."
"The guide can only take you for a maximum of ten kilometers."
"No need for a guide." Zhang Yan tossed a few tactical backpacks onto the off-road vehicle. "We don't even need the vehicle; we'll go in ourselves."
The person in charge was stunned for a moment, and was about to dissuade him when Qin Xiao had already opened the car door and sat in the driver's seat.
"Do as he says. You can't get involved in this. Just guard the perimeter." Qin Xiao poked his head out and gave instructions, then stepped on the gas, and the SUV roared out of the airport.