Lu Zhaoming's nerves were on edge even more.
Xiaodie's small body was like a candle flickering in the wind, about to be extinguished.
Su Li's delicate face was filled with anxiety, and her voice trembled as she said, "Zhaoming, she...she's dying! This power has drained her dry. If we don't think of a way soon, she's really going to die!"
Lu Zhaoming gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
He knew the situation was urgent, of course, but... this old thief in white robes was treacherous and cunning; who knew what evil schemes he was plotting?
Just then, the white-robed man's nauseating voice echoed in the air again, tinged with a cat-and-mouse smugness: "Lu Zhaoming, I know you're in a difficult position right now. Tsk tsk, a beauty's concern for a hero, how touching! However, I can give you a choice, a chance to save her."
Lu Zhaoming narrowed his eyes, like a lone wolf eyeing its prey, and said coldly, "What are the conditions?"
"Hehe, that's great!" The white-robed man seemed quite satisfied with Lu Zhaoming's reaction and continued, "It's simple, hand over all your system data to me. How about it, isn't this a good deal? An insignificant experimental subject in exchange for the cheat code you rely on for survival, isn't that worth considering?"
"Bullshit!" Lu Zhaoming almost couldn't help but curse.
Does this old man really think he's a three-year-old?
If we hand over the system data, wouldn't we be at their mercy?
At that point, let alone saving Xiaodie, I'm afraid I'll lose my own life too!
But... looking at Xiaodie's pale face, Lu Zhaoming's heart softened again.
He's not a saint, but he wouldn't do something like standing by and watching someone die.
What's more, this little girl trusts him so much, calling him "big brother"...
He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
He knew that he had to make a choice now, a choice that would determine Xiaodie's life or death, and even the future of the entire wasteland.
"Believe you? I don't believe you for a second!" Lu Zhaoming's lips curled into a mocking smile, a resolute glint in his eyes. "You think I'd believe your nonsense? Give you the data and watch you use it to research and create more victims like Xiaodie?"
The man in white seemed unsurprised by Lu Zhaoming's reaction. He shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Believe it or not. Anyway, this little one's life is in your hands. I'll give you time to think it over, but... don't take too long, after all, she can't wait much longer."
Lu Zhaoming remained silent.
He knew the man in the white robe was telling the truth.
Xiaodie's body has reached its limit; if this continues, the chances of her survival are slim.
He secretly activated the "Doomsday Judgment System" and began analyzing Xiaodie's physical condition.
As lines of data flashed by rapidly before his eyes, Lu Zhaoming grew increasingly alarmed.
He discovered that Xiaodie's superpowers resonated strangely with the energy fluctuations in the laboratory.
This resonance was like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it accelerated the loss of control over her superpowers, and on the other hand, it also created a subtle connection between her and the energy field of the laboratory.
"Wait... resonance? connection?" A sudden flash of inspiration struck Lu Zhaoming, and a bold idea came to mind.
Perhaps he can use this to his advantage, turn the tables on his opponent, and win!
He looked up at the white robe.
"Oh? You've come to your senses so quickly?" The white-robed man raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "It seems you're not so heartless after all!"
"Don't be too happy yet," Lu Zhaoming said coldly. "I have a condition."
"Conditions? Do you still have the right to negotiate with me?" The white-robed man smiled disdainfully.
“Of course I do.” Lu Zhaoming retorted sharply, “I can give you the data, but you must first prove that you have the ability to save her.”
"Hmph, isn't that simple?" The white-robed man waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to push forward a strange instrument.
It was a uniquely shaped instrument, entirely silver-white, shimmering with a ghostly blue light.
Lu Zhaoming recognized it at a glance; it was the core device of the energy cage that had imprisoned Xiaodie before!
"This is... an energy extractor?" Su Li exclaimed, her face turning even paler. "He wants to use this to extract Xiao Die's superpowers!"
Lu Zhaoming ignored Su Li's exclamation. He stared intently at the instrument, his eyes flashing with a complex light.
He knew this might be his only chance.
He must find an opening when the man in the white robe activates the equipment and defeat him in one fell swoop!
He pretended to carefully observe the instrument, but his mind was racing with calculations.
He needed to find the perfect moment to strike, to ensure a decisive blow, and to completely thwart the White Robe's conspiracy!
"Well, Lu Zhaoming?" The voice in the white robe rang out again, with a hint of urging. "Any more questions? If you have no objections, I'm about to start activating the equipment."
Lu Zhaoming took a deep breath, raised his head, looked at the white-robed man, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips: "Let's begin..."
The moment the person in the white coat pressed the start button, the light from the instrument instantly became blinding...
When the old man with the white robe and chrysanthemum-like face pressed the start button, the energy extractor hummed, instantly blinding everyone.
The eerie blue light was like the laser lights at a disco, so bright it was blinding.
Lu Zhaoming had been waiting for this moment!
He grinned, revealing a "you're finished" smile.
With a flurry of fingers, he used the energy frequency calculated by the "Doomsday Judgment System" to completely destroy the broken machine.
With a loud "Duang", the energy extractor went out of control instantly, sparks and lightning flashed, and the entire hall shook.
The energy fluctuations ran rampant like mad dogs, smashing the surrounding instruments to pieces and creating an apocalyptic symphony.
"How dare you play me!" The man in white robes was so angry that he jumped up and down, his beard almost standing on end. His expression was just like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Lu Zhaoming rushed to Xiaodie's side and hugged her tightly, not forgetting to throw a disdainful look at the white-robed man: "Your trump card is nothing special!"
Just as they were about to slip away, the ground suddenly began to tremble violently, as if it had an epileptic seizure.
"Crackling sounds"—cracks spread out like a spider web, revealing a dark, bottomless passage before them. A chilling wind blew, making everyone's chrysanthemums clench.
"Beep beep beep!" The "Doomsday Judgment System" alarm began to sound frantically: "Unknown threat detected. Immediate evacuation recommended!"
As Lu Zhaoming stared into the dark passage, his heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose within him.
He glanced down at Xiaodie in his arms, then at Su Li beside him who looked tense, took a deep breath, and said, "It seems that getting out of here unscathed today will be a bit difficult..."
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