Lu Zhaoming stood in front of the rusty metal door, the air filled with a putrid smell, like a shroud dug out of a grave.

This place is like a post-apocalyptic version of "Silent Hill," so oppressive that it's hard to breathe.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Lu Zhaoming raised an eyebrow, looking at the pile of scrap metal in front of him.

If this is the "treasure" Su Li was talking about, then he would rather eat a mutated cockroach.

Su Li rolled her eyes; her alluring figure seemed out of place in front of the dilapidated ruins.

"Otherwise what? Do you think the secrets of the wasteland are written on billboards?"

Lu Zhaoming touched the tip of his nose, thinking to himself that this woman was sharp-tongued, but he had to admit that what she said made sense.

He activated the "Doomsday Judgment System," and a ghostly blue light swept across a plaque on the metal door.

Sure enough, the nameplate was engraved with familiar dark blue symbols, which were exactly the same as the core energy fluctuations that had been sensed before.

On the system interface, strings of data scrolled rapidly, eventually settling on a single value.

"Psionic residue: 0.003%".

Lu Zhaoming clicked his tongue. This concentration was so low that it was almost as low as his bank deposit.

However, even a small mosquito is still meat, which proves that the internal facilities may still retain some operational capability.

“Let’s go in and take a look,” Lu Zhaoming said, pushing open the heavy metal door first.

The door hinges emitted a harsh, screeching sound, like the wail of a dying man.

Behind the door was a dimly lit corridor, its walls covered with pipes and wires, resembling a giant network of blood vessels.

The two moved forward cautiously, the air filled with the smell of disinfectant and a faint odor of blood.

On the walls, you can see torn posters from time to time, with images of people in white coats, their smiles stiff and eerie.

"It feels like I've stumbled into the lair of some cult," Lu Zhaoming muttered.

Su Li didn't speak, but silently followed behind him, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Soon, they arrived at a laboratory.

The room was filled with various instruments, but most of them were damaged, leaving only some wreckage.

In the corner of the room, Lu Zhaoming found a pile of paper documents covered with dense writing.

He picked up a document and quickly browsed through it.

"Experiment Log: The Azure Core Project aims to maximize the development of human potential through psionic modification..."

"Side effects: mental breakdown, loss of superpower control, even death..."

Lu Zhaoming was increasingly alarmed as he read on. These scientists were simply insane, willing to risk human lives for their so-called "potential development."

Su Li leaned closer, looking at the contents of the log, her face turning pale.

"This is...this is the hell I've experienced..."

She pointed to a passage in the logbook, her voice trembling.

"Psionic rejection reaction... Subject 37... Mental breakdown... Forced elimination..."

"They...they said I was a failure..." Su Li's voice was filled with despair, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Lu Zhaoming hugged her tightly and gently patted her back.

"Don't be afraid, it's all over. You're not a failure, you're the strongest."

He cursed inwardly, "These damn scientists are utterly depraved!"

"System, scan this area and find all valuable information," Lu Zhaoming silently instructed.

The system quickly began to work, and beams of pale blue light swept across every corner of the laboratory.

Soon, a system notification sound rang out.

"Encrypted data detected. Should we attempt to crack it?"

“Break it!” Lu Zhaoming said without hesitation.

The system began processing the data, and the progress bar slowly moved forward.

Just then, a familiar voice came.

"Su Li, it really is you!"

Lu Zhaoming and Su Li turned around at the same time and saw a man in a white coat standing at the door, looking at Su Li with excited eyes.

"Dr. Lin?" Su Li was stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to believe her eyes.

"Thank goodness, you're still alive!" Dr. Lin rushed over and hugged Su Li tightly.

"How did you end up here?" Su Li asked.

“I’ve been looking for you all this time.” Dr. Lin sighed. “Back then, the experimental base was purged, but I managed to escape and have been secretly investigating the truth ever since.”

Lu Zhaoming looked at the two of them and felt that something was not right.

Dr. Lin's appearance was too sudden, and there seemed to be something hidden in his eyes.

"Dr. Lin, do you know about the Azure Core?" Lu Zhaoming asked.

Dr. Lin nodded.

"Of course I know. The Azure Core is the core of the entire experiment, and it's what the mastermind behind it wants to restart."

"The mastermind behind this?" Lu Zhaoming frowned. "Who is it?"

“It’s ‘Night Owl’,” Dr. Lin said in a low voice. “They are the ones who are really controlling the experiments.”

Just then, Dr. Lin's face suddenly turned deathly pale, his body trembled violently, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Be careful..." Dr. Lin said with difficulty, a poisoned needle inserted into his chest.

"Dr. Lin!" Su Li exclaimed and quickly helped him up.

Dr. Lin grabbed Su Li's hand and, with his last strength, said, "Be careful... Night Owl...they...they..."

Before he could finish speaking, Dr. Lin's head drooped, and he lost all life.

"Damn it!" Lu Zhaoming cursed angrily, quickly picking up Su Li. "Let's go!"

Just then, a piercing alarm sounded within the ruins, and red warning lights flashed wildly.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!