Just as the team was about to step out of the creaking, dilapidated iron gate of the stronghold, Lu Zhaoming's mind went blank. A sharper, more piercing electronic buzzer than before suddenly exploded in his head. The system interface flashed red like a disco, and a line of bold, black text nearly blinded his titanium alloy eyes: "Warning! Warning! Detected the White Robe Control Center activating the ultimate defense program—'Holy Light Barrier' is being activated! Expected to fully cover the target area in three minutes!"

Good heavens, these white-robed bastards really have no martial ethics!

Lu Zhaoming suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning, as if it could pierce the night sky and shoot straight towards the area in the distance that represented the core of the white-robed figure.

Although he was far away, he could almost "see" a heart-pounding energy gathering there, like a balloon about to burst, ready to give them a "surprise gift".

Instead, a playful smile curved his lips, tinged with a roguish air: "Looks like the time for the final battle has come. Or rather, they're not giving us a chance to sneak in, they've just started the feast."

The group acted swiftly, despite the unknown dangers lurking in the darkness outside. But they shared a single belief: to end it all and restore order to the wasteland.

As the group marched, Liu Gang suddenly stopped, staring blankly at a pile of ruins ahead, and murmured, "There... it seems like something is waiting for us there."

Lu Zhaoming keenly sensed that something was wrong, but he did not make a fuss. Instead, he gently raised his hand, signaling the blacksmith to observe secretly.

The blacksmith understood immediately, quietly retreating to the side and sharply scanning his surroundings.

He whispered a reminder: "Something's not right with him. It might be the psychological suggestion device in the white coat at work."

Lu Zhaoming nodded, secretly making plans in his mind.

He understood that Liu Gang was like a time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

As night fell, the team set up camp in some ruins. By the campfire, Xiao Dao tried to talk to his brother, but found that Liu Gang's answers were fragmented and even mentioned the word "mission" several times.

"Brother, who gave you this task?" Xiao Dao asked anxiously, his eyes full of concern and confusion.

Liu Gang, however, appeared unusually indifferent, his bloodshot eyes glaring at him, his tone icy: "Don't ask, you don't understand."

Xiao Dao felt a chill run down his spine, but dared not ask any further questions. However, Lu Zhaoming saw this and secretly plotted how to verify whether Liu Gang had completely lost control.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lu Zhaoming deliberately arranged for Liu Gang to carry out a reconnaissance mission alone, and had the blacksmith secretly follow him.

"Blacksmith, remember, just observe him secretly, don't disturb him," Lu Zhaoming instructed, his tone somewhat serious.

The blacksmith nodded and disappeared into the morning mist without saying a word.

Soon after, the blacksmith hurriedly returned, his face grave: "He really is suspicious. He entered an abandoned experimental base and even came into contact with a person in a white robe."

Lu Zhaoming frowned.

The system interface popped up another notification: "High-energy signal source detected, suspected to be the control terminal of a psychological suggestion device." Lu Zhaoming had a flash of inspiration and decided to use this to set a trap and counterattack.

He gathered everyone together and announced that they would change their route to the abandoned experimental base, while also instructing Xiaodao to remain calm.

“Xiao Dao, your brother needs our help, not impulsiveness.” Lu Zhaoming’s words were filled with unwavering determination.

Xiao Dao nodded, and the team regrouped and set off again. Lu Zhaoming's gaze was as sharp as a blade as he secretly considered every detail.

He knew that all the mysteries were about to be revealed, and that they were about to face off in an unprecedented showdown.

The team marched forward with firm and powerful steps. The road ahead seemed full of unknowns and dangers, but Lu Zhaoming had only one thought in his mind: no matter what, he had to rescue Liu Gang.

The sound of the team's footsteps was exceptionally clear on the desolate wasteland, each step seeming to be on the beat of an unknown destiny.

As the ominous silhouette of the abandoned experimental base drew ever closer, a strange, almost imperceptible stench of disinfectant and blood seemed to permeate the air, making one's nose sting and one's heart pound.

Just a hundred meters or so away from the dilapidated barbed wire fence surrounding the base, Liu Gang, who had been walking ahead with his head down, suddenly turned around abruptly, spread his arms, and blocked their way like an iron tower.

His eyes were bloodshot, churning with madness and pain, and his voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping his throat: "You...you can't go in! It's too dangerous in there! You'll die...you'll all die!"

Lu Zhaoming raised an eyebrow, but did not stop walking. He walked slowly to Liu Gang, and the two were almost nose to nose.

He could smell the sweat on Liu Gang mixed with a hint of rusty, fishy odor—the unique smell of a modified body.

Lu Zhaoming's eyes were calm as a deep pool, yet sharp enough to pierce the heart. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but each word struck Liu Gang's heart like a small hammer: "Liu Gang, do you remember what we said by the campfire the day we escaped from 'The Butcher'? You said that if one day you lose control of yourself and become unlike yourself, then I should... personally end your life, or do everything I can to bring you back. Now, tell me, which do you choose?"

Liu Gang's tall body trembled violently, and a strange "hoarse" sound came from his throat, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his neck.

His weathered face twitched violently, veins bulged on his forehead, and large beads of sweat dripped down his face. He tried to say something, but his lips trembled for a long time and he couldn't squeeze out a single complete word.

It was clear that the thing in his head was engaged in a fierce tug-of-war with his own will.

Xiao Dao was so anxious that his eyes turned red. He was about to rush forward when the blacksmith grabbed him and shook his head, signaling him not to make things worse.

The atmosphere froze instantly, like solidified cement, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, a deep and rhythmic mechanical sound, like the heartbeat of a sleeping beast being awakened, faintly came from the depths of the experimental base.

The sound grew clearer and clearer, carrying a heart-pounding tremor, as if even the ground beneath one's feet was shaking slightly.

Lu Zhaoming's lips curled into a slightly wicked smile. He listened for a moment, then turned his head and looked at the blacksmith with a playful expression: "Old buddy, did you hear that? They're... already eagerly setting up their 'welcome ceremony'."