"Is this a side effect of my superpower? Or a hidden benefit?" Xiao Yi muttered to himself, his brow furrowed. His eyes grew dark and confused, as if he were caught in a vast mystery. He paced slowly across the room, his steps heavy and hesitant. With each step, countless thoughts and speculations flashed through his mind. Xiao Yi paused, leaned against the window, and stared into the distance, his gaze unfocused. He began to recall the moment his superpowers first awakened. That powerful, unfamiliar force surged through his body, bringing shock and delight. But now, he couldn't help but wonder if that momentary surge of power held an unknown price. "If it's a side effect, will we face even more serious consequences in the future? Bodily mutations, functional collapse..." Xiao Yi dared not think any further, feeling a chill running down his spine. But another voice echoed within him: "Perhaps this is a gift, compensation from heaven for our difficult battles. Giving us more time to protect and complete our mission." This thought ignited a glimmer of hope. Xiao Yi rubbed his temples with his hands, trying to make his thoughts clearer. He was wondering if there were deeper laws and purposes behind the seemingly beautiful phenomenon that their superpowers had changed their physiological mechanisms and delayed aging. "Is it that some kind of balance in nature has been broken? Or have we accidentally opened an unknown door to life?" The more Xiao Yi thought about it, the more confused he became, as if he was in a maze with no exit. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "No matter what, we can't be bound by the fear of the unknown. We must find the truth and control our own destiny." Xiao Yi secretly made up his mind, his eyes became firm again, and he turned and walked towards the door, ready to explore this mysterious puzzle with his brothers.

Within the seemingly peaceful base, the astonishing news of Xiao Yi and his mercenary group's aging halted, like a boulder dropped into a lake, instantly rippled through the crowd, gradually spreading through the crowd and causing a massive uproar. Initially, it was limited to whispers within a few small circles. A soldier, taking a break, unwittingly revealed the secret to a fellow soldier. Though quiet, the whisper lit a fuse. Their companions' eyes widened in disbelief, followed by an explosion of astonishment and curiosity. Before long, the news spread like wildfire throughout the base. People chatted in the streets and alleys, their expressions tense and excited. In the cafeteria, the previously lively conversation abruptly ceased as everyone turned their attention to the bearer of the news, followed by a cacophony of discussion. Upon hearing the news, the researchers immediately dropped their work and gathered to passionately discuss the potential scientific breakthroughs and implications of this phenomenon. "This is a truly unprecedented discovery. If we can fully understand it, it could change the future of humanity!" a senior scientist exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. The base's leadership was also alarmed and convened an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures. The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy, with everyone's face filled with worry and deep thought. "If this news gets out, it will likely spark covetousness and panic outside. We must prepare countermeasures," a leader stated solemnly. Ordinary residents reacted with mixed reactions. Some expressed admiration and awe for the mercenaries, saying, "They must be warriors chosen by heaven to possess such miraculous abilities." Others harbored fear, worrying that this unknown power would unsettle the base. The children, on the other hand, were filled with curiosity and fantasy, wondering, "Will they be able to protect us forever, like superheroes?" The base's media outlets were also abuzz with the news, with reporters scrambling to obtain more exclusive information. Reports and speculations abounded, some exaggerated, others groundless, plunging the base into chaos and unrest. Beyond the base, certain factions also began to take notice, secretly plotting how to exploit this discovery for their own benefit. The once peaceful base was plunged into immense turmoil by this news, leaving the future filled with uncertainty.

Throughout the base, the news of Xiao Yi and his mercenary group's aging halt spread like a whirlwind, stirring up a wave of excitement. Other residents cast their gazes upon them, eyes filled with envy and unquenchable curiosity. At the market, people gathered in small groups, whispering and discussing. "I heard they don't age. How do they do that?" a woman selling vegetables whispered to a nearby vendor as she sorted her produce. "Who knows? Maybe they got some magical medicine from those mysterious missions they're on," the vendor shook his head, his eyes full of speculation. At school, children were also discussing the matter enthusiastically during recess. "I think they must have superpowers, like the heroes in comic books!" a little boy gestured excitedly, as if he too possessed magical powers. "No, no, I guess they've been transformed by aliens!" another child retorted, his face filled with seriousness. Elderly people, seated on park benches, were also discussing the matter. "Ah, they're so lucky! If only we could be like them," a white-haired old man sighed, a flicker of longing in his eyes. "Perhaps this isn't such a good thing. Going against the laws of nature could have dire consequences," another said worriedly. Even in the tavern, the patrons, under the influence of alcohol, were loudly expressing their opinions. "I heard they've discovered an ancient treasure containing the secret to immortality!" a drunken man slammed the table, drawing glances from those around him. "Don't be ridiculous! I think they've offended the gods and are cursed!" another retorted, his tone tinged with fear. All sorts of bizarre speculations and rumors emerged among the residents, intertwining like countless threads to form a tangled web. Some said they were blessed by mysterious magic, some said they'd found the legendary Fountain of Youth, and still others said it was the result of genetic experimentation. Each statement is full of imagination and mystery, making this originally peaceful base extremely lively, while Xiao Yi and his mercenary group are shrouded in this mysterious fog.