As Lu Zhaoming led everyone to evacuate the experimental base, a notification suddenly popped up on the system interface: "High energy fluctuations detected, possibly related to Lin Shuang." Lu Zhaoming frowned, as if entangled in an invisible net. He recalled the "mysterious spatial entrance" that Lin Shuang had mentioned, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.
He whispered to Qinglian, "We may have underestimated her plan."
Qinglian frowned as well. After a moment of contemplation, she suggested, "We must investigate the clues immediately. This mysterious entrance to the space is definitely not simple." Lu Zhaoming nodded, already having a general plan in mind.
Following the system's guidance, they arrived at a secluded valley.
The entrance to the valley was covered by thick vines and surrounded by traps and surveillance devices.
Professor Lin analyzed, "This defense mechanism doesn't seem like a temporary setup; it must be the result of long-term planning." Lu Zhaoming decided to disguise himself as a wandering mercenary and infiltrate the group, while ordering Qinglian and Afu to provide backup outside to avoid revealing their identities.
"Qinglian, Afu, you two are outside providing backup. Be careful." Lu Zhaoming's tone was serious, and his eyes flashed with a resolute light.
Qinglian and Afu exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
Lu Zhaoming changed into a set of worn-out mercenary equipment, painted his face with camouflage, and disguised himself as a wandering mercenary.
At the entrance to the valley, the guards were tight. He carefully avoided the traps and slowly moved forward using the path analyzed by the system.
Upon entering the valley, he discovered that it had been transformed into a small fortress, heavily guarded and with a clear division of labor.
Inside the fortress, Lu Zhaoming noticed a girl—Xiao Die.
Xiaodie possesses a special ability: she can sense the intentions of intruders.
Using the system's time-delay function, Lu Zhaoming cleverly avoided her patrol route while carefully observing the terrain to prepare for subsequent actions.
During his in-depth investigation, Lu Zhaoming unexpectedly intercepted a piece of intelligence that showed Lin Shuang was hoarding a large amount of resources and building a private army.
What shocked him even more was that Lin Shuang's plan was not just to hoard resources; she also planned to attack several major forces in the wasteland in order to "reshape order."
Lu Zhaoming realized the seriousness of the situation and knew he had to stop her as soon as possible.
However, when he tried to approach the core area, he was stopped by the squad led by Iron Leopard.
Iron Leopard was tall and imposing, with eyes as cold as steel. He blocked Lu Zhaoming's path and sneered, "Newcomer? Prove your worth first!"
Lu Zhaoming's eyes narrowed, and he secretly plotted how to win the trust of these people.
His fingers, as nimble as those in Barcelona, tapped lightly on the handle of the gun at his waist, a cold smile playing on his lips: "I'm here to prove myself. Besides, your boss seems to need an assistant like me."
A hint of suspicion flashed in Tie Bao's eyes, but he ultimately said nothing more.
He stretched out his hand and pointed to the training ground not far away: "Then come on, only the winner can stand next to me."
Lu Zhaoming spread his hands, seemingly with a helpless smile, and said, "Then let's go. I'll make you look at me in a new light."
A tense atmosphere filled the air, as if a storm was about to break.
Dust billowed across the training ground, and the mercenaries watching the spectacle whistled, waiting to see how this arrogant newcomer would be "taught a lesson" by Captain Iron Leopard.
"Hey, big guy, all warmed up yet?" Lu Zhaoming casually swung his neck and beckoned to Tie Bao with his finger. "Buddy, time's precious, don't make it look like a game, hurry up!"
This provocation is like adding fuel to the fire with Tie Bao's volatile temper!
With a roar, Tie Bao unleashed his fist, as big as a casserole dish, which, accompanied by a whistling sound, hurtled straight at Lu Zhaoming's face like a cannonball.
This guy is really strong; the force of his punch made Lu Zhaoming's cheek sting.
"Tsk, is that all?" Lu Zhaoming curled his lip, and the [Eye of Judgment] quietly activated.
In an instant, the whole world seemed to slow down in his eyes.
Iron Leopard's seemingly ferocious straight punches were as slow as flipping through a PowerPoint presentation in his eyes, with openings large enough to fit a fist!
This guy's lower body is unstable, and he used too much force; he's practically full of weaknesses!
Neither dodge nor flinch?
No, that's the behavior of a reckless person.
Lu Zhaoming swayed and glided away half a step like a ghost, just in time to avoid the punch.
At the same time, he casually hooked and pulled with his feet.
"Ouch!"
With a muffled thud, Tie Bao's burly body, weighing over a hundred pounds, rolled over like an out-of-control gourd, landing face-first in the mud, kicking up a cloud of choking dust.
The entire room fell silent for a second, then erupted in uproarious laughter.
Tie Bao's face turned pale and then flushed, as if a dye shop had been opened. He scrambled to his feet, glaring fiercely at Lu Zhaoming, feeling like his lungs were about to explode with rage.
He couldn't understand how his powerful punch could be so easily neutralized, and how he could fall so badly.
This kid is weird!
"Do you submit?" Lu Zhaoming patted non-existent dust off his hands, grinning like a cat that had just stolen some cream. "Want to try again? I respect the elderly and care for the young, so I'll give you three chances."
Tie Bao mumbled in his throat for a long time, looking at Lu Zhaoming's relaxed and carefree appearance, and then at his subordinates around him who were suppressing laughter, he finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "I guess... you've got some skills! From now on... you'll follow me!" Although he was a hundred times unwilling, the strength was right in front of him, and he had to admit it no matter how unwilling he was.
Lu Zhaoming chuckled inwardly; the first step was now secure.
However, just as he was about to join in and fully integrate into the group, a clear and ethereal voice pierced the noisy silence like a needle.
Xiao Die appeared at the edge of the training field at some point, her large, untainted eyes staring straight at Lu Zhaoming, as if she could see through his disguise.
She tilted her head, her voice soft, yet like a piece of ice, instantly plunging into the still waters of Lu Zhaoming's heart:
“You… are not just a mercenary, I can sense that.”
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