Jiang Cheng and his team emerged from the dimension of death, carrying with them the mutated researchers and heavy hearts.
He handed Cronint's body to his son and walked dejectedly toward the research fortress.
The soldiers followed closely behind him, all silent, deeply shocked by what they had just witnessed.
To witness something even larger than a Titan appear before one's eyes, just a few meters away, and to be able to feel the creature's scorching breath, is terrifying enough to send shivers down the spine of a tiny human.
They were as if modern people had traveled back to the Cretaceous period, standing on the vast land and witnessing countless strange sights—this was the level of awe they felt.
Jiang Cheng still hadn't taken off his protective suit; he sat quietly on the snow in front of the fortress.
The officer directed the soldiers to take back all the observation instruments and documents from the fortress, which would soon become a dead zone, the closest place to the invading creatures.
In the near future, Jiangcheng plans to have the federal government send people here to establish a machine-based, unmanned observation system to prevent further casualties.
In fact, based on Jiang Cheng's personal experience with the dimension of death, Gu Ling's revival should not take too long.
The real battle will then be a life-or-death struggle between the War Maiden and the Ancient Spirit.
The long period of repression was finally ended at that time.
Jiang Cheng wanted the process to end as quickly as possible. He deeply felt the pain of life slipping away, a pain a thousand times, ten thousand times more intense than being stabbed several times.
If in the end, we cannot lead humanity to victory.
Even if he dies, he will never forgive himself.
The soldiers behind them were busy packing the instruments inside the fortress into boxes, carefully putting away the documents, and leaving the researchers' personal belongings there.
The officer was in charge of these things.
Gu Qingwan stood in front of the iron gate, looking at Jiang Cheng's back as he sat on the snow, but dared not go forward.
Needless to say, everyone else, upon seeing Commander Jiang after stepping outside, quickly lowered their heads, only able to sigh inwardly.
After packing everything up, the officer locked the heavy iron gate, marking the end of their thrilling Arctic expedition. They were to return the way they came.
Many people stood in front of the snow, surrounded by boxes of all sizes, and there were also mutated researchers who were tied up and asleep.
They remained silent, their gazes fixed on Gu Qingwan.
The eerie silence lasted for a while before the officer finally came out and whispered to her, "Assistant Gu, it's almost time. We should be back in the Federation by midnight. Let's hurry up and leave."
Gu Qingwan understood, nodded, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
She walked towards Jiang Cheng, stood behind him, leaned down, and whispered in his ear, "Boss, it's time to go."
Jiang Cheng paused for a moment, then came to his senses and gave a faint "Oh".
Only then did he realize that his hands were as cold and hard as ice, and that his body was losing warmth. Sitting in the snow was just too cold.
He put on his coat and headed back the way he came.
Once aboard the icebreaker, the people who had been tied up were settled, and the soldiers returned to their posts. Those who had no work to do sat together and rested against the cabin walls.
Smoke rose from the boat's cooking fire; conditions were rudimentary, and all they could do was drink fish soup to warm themselves up.
The white fish soup in the pot was bubbling and steaming, rising and drifting above the boat.
The massive icebreaker slowly started moving.
After moving a bit south, the signal was restored, and the command was sent back.
"The Snowfield Expedition Team has completed its mission and is preparing to return. It is expected to arrive in the Federation before midnight."
"receive."
The situation in the federal government is no less challenging than it is here.
Over several hours, Tali asked Commander Jiang about news about the situation about a dozen times, causing the staff receiving the signals to be on tenterhooks.
They are extremely sensitive to any flashing light indicating a signal, and immediately become alert and watch it closely.
They discovered the news wasn't from Jiangcheng, and then continued to wait.
Fortunately, everyone is safe and sound, and there is no danger to Jiangcheng.
Tali responded immediately, without asking about the situation, saying he would know once the team returned.
He hoped that nothing would happen to the researchers in the Arctic, as any sacrifice would be a heavy blow to the Federation at present.
On the icebreaker.
Jiang Cheng rubbed his messy hair, wrapped up like a bear, and sat at the table, not even showing his hands.
Gu Qingwan insisted on doing it this way. She carefully peeled the fish bones with her fingers, not even letting Jiang Cheng do it himself.
The reason is that it was observed that his condition deteriorated rapidly after this snowy journey.
It's better to stop worrying about these trivial matters and clear your mind.
Jiang Cheng would usually exchange a few words with her, but now he had no desire to argue. He didn't care what happened, and just sat quietly without saying a word.
The spacious cabin was carpeted, and there were only the two of them in the room. Apart from the occasional breathing sound and the sound of moving dishes, there was nothing else.
Outside, ice breaks, water floats and sinks, and cold water splashes everywhere.
Birds perched on the deck, watching the busy people walk by with their not-so-bright eyes.
Jiang Cheng suddenly said something, breaking the silence between the two.
"I don't think so."
"What's wrong?"
"I think it's impossible for researchers to go back to the mutated state. These kinds of genetic changes are never reversible, and they may even worsen in the future."
Clearly, Jiang Cheng had been sitting quietly just now, contemplating this matter.
Gu Qingwan thought for a moment and then said, "So, what the boss means is that even after bringing them back to the Federation, the mutation process will not stop? They will become more and more like monsters, eventually becoming a problem that must be solved."
Jiang Cheng turned his head away. "So, their deaths are inevitable and unavoidable. We still have to deal with them, and we'll do it ourselves."
Xiao Gu was stunned, and half a sentence was stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered.
She knew Jiang Cheng wasn't talking to her; he just needed to vent and talk to himself to feel better.
Should we bring these researchers back to the Federation, observe their data, record their physical changes, and then imprison them like monsters?
It is far too cruel for our former kin to do this.
And the reason they became like this is for the sake of millions of compatriots behind them.
This is an outrageously difficult question...
Jiang Cheng had no idea how to solve the problem.
If he were ruthless and cold-blooded, he could even dissect researchers, forcing them to work themselves to the bone until their deaths. This would undoubtedly elevate the Federation's understanding of the invaders to a new level.
But if he actually did that, he would never be able to forgive himself for the rest of his life.
The cups and bowls clinked together, and Jiang Cheng tilted his head back and drank a glass of water.
Just as Gu Qingwan was about to stand up from her kneeling position, a sudden sentence made her freeze on the spot, and her hands holding the things trembled.
"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
Jiang Cheng asked this question.
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