Chapter 231: The Tide of Monster Hunting (Revised)

Inside the station, the rising and falling murmurs gradually faded, and many eyes turned to Erin Clark.

Undeniably, this woman was strikingly beautiful; even in her current disheveled state, her elegance could not be hidden, evoking pity.

Cao Hong saw her approaching with a pleading expression, and instantly felt a dry throat—this woman was simply too beautiful; in the apocalypse, such a beauty was rare.

His convoy always liked taking in beautiful women, but Cao Hong wasn't foolish—none of the women on his vehicle were mere ornaments, or his convoy wouldn't have lasted this long.

But having too many women had one downside: they chattered incessantly and constantly interfered with his decisions, which annoyed him.

Yet now, facing Erin Clark, he suddenly felt that adding one more woman wouldn't matter—even if she were an ornament, she'd be the most beautiful ornament imaginable.

"Miss Erin, I'm sorry, though I'd very much like to save you, I must also consider the safety of those on my vehicle—I need to confirm you're not carrying any weapons." Cao Hong said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Erin Clark's face lit up, and she quickly explained: "No… I have no weapons on me at all."

Cao Hong shook his head: "But you're wearing so much clothing—I can't verify that."

At these words, several female crew members beside him rolled their eyes.

Because Erin Clark was wearing nothing but a thin red evening gown—how could that be called "thick"? If you want her to strip naked, just say it outright instead of beating around the bush.

Meanwhile, some male crew members on the vehicle understood immediately, their eyes gleaming with anticipation and smiles forming on their faces.

After all, she was a Hollywood superstar—not an ordinary woman. Many present recognized this beauty; who wouldn't want to admire the stunning figure of a Hollywood star here?

Upon hearing this, Erin Clark immediately understood—but she showed no embarrassment whatsoever. She simply unfastened the shoulder straps of her dress, and with a soft swish, the red gown slid to the floor. Instantly, a slender, curvaceous body clad in a black three-piece set appeared before the entire convoy. The men aboard the Night Meihao stared, dumbfounded; even some women turned to look.

"See? I really have no weapons. Please believe me." Erin Clark raised both hands, spun around on the spot, then, seeing no reaction from him, reached for the clasp of her bra, preparing to strip completely right there.

At that moment, the air seemed to fall silent. The men held their breath, eyes locked on Erin Clark.

Unexpectedly, Cao Hong, who had been staring, cleared his throat lightly, interrupting her motion, his gaze burning with desire:

"Enough. I'm convinced you have no weapons. You may board."

What nonsense—such a beauty was meant to be savored alone, not left for those beasts to take advantage of.

Moreover, seeing how bold and open this woman was, Cao Hong grew even more eager, and immediately invited Erin Clark aboard.

Unbeknownst to them, the once-clear sky over Hengshan Pass, bathed in sunset, was now gradually obscured by thick dark clouds. Beneath the horizon, darkness spread, and the air grew oppressive.

On the Wuxianhao, Lin Xian and others watched the violent winds outside, sensing an impending storm. Everyone's hearts tightened.

"It's getting dark. Why haven't they returned? Did they run into trouble?"

Cold, howling winds swept through the city streets, sending leaves swirling as if sensing a sinister presence. Numerous wandering zombies grew violent and agitated, emitting Zhenzhen howls.

BOOM!

A silver lightning bolt split the sky, as if illuminating the heavens. With thunder crashing, heavy rain began pouring down, and soon transformed into a torrential downpour.

On the Wuxianhao, Lin Xian was about to check his watch when he suddenly heard the roar of an engine.

Everyone turned to look—two armored off-road vehicles burst from the distant street, charging through the zombies at high speed.

"It's Shu Qin and Daliang."

Lin Xian immediately picked up the communicator: "Shu Qin, Daliang."

"Captain Lin! We just encountered some human Gui —don't know where they came from." Shu Qin's voice sounded urgent.

Lin Xian frowned: "Casualties?"

"None. Lu Chang sustained minor injuries."

"Good." Lin Xian exhaled in relief: "Enter from the eastern station entrance, come directly through the tracks—avoid the areas where survivors are gathered."

In the off-road vehicles, Shu Qin and Daliang exchanged puzzled glances, then Shu Qin immediately replied:

"Understood."

Though unsure what was happening, she would always follow Lin Xian's orders.

"You encountered human Gui?" Kiki asked over the communicator: "On the streets or inside buildings?"

"Both. That's why it felt so strange." Shu Qin replied.

Hearing the conversation, Lin Xian's expression hardened: "This isn't coincidence."

Chen Sixuan grew anxious: "What about Shasha and the others? Did they run into trouble too?"

"Probably. Otherwise, they wouldn't be late."

Lin Xian glanced at his watch—less than ten minutes remained until nightfall.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Lin Xian didn't hesitate—he ordered everyone to arm themselves.

VVVRRRRR~

Two armored vehicles, loaded with scavenged supplies, crashed through the tracks and into the platform. The Wuxianhao had already prepared—car 11's automatic blast door opened, and the two vehicles drove in one after the other.

Shu Qin, Daliang, Lu Chang, and the others stepped down, reeking of blood and gunpowder.

Lu Chang's arm was bleeding. Lin Xian walked over and asked: "How bad is it?"

"Not serious—arm's still attached." Lu Chang grinned.

Chen Sixuan and Miao Lu hurried over with the medical kit, checking injuries and preparing to bandage them.

"What exactly happened?" Lin Xian asked Shu Qin.

Shu Qin, looking disheveled, hurriedly explained: "At first, no trouble—we searched several commercial centers along the way. Later, in an underground mall, we encountered a large number of human Gui. But we didn't linger—we escaped immediately."

"But for some reason, when we emerged from underground, the streets outside were swarming with human Gui. We spent a long time getting back to the vehicles."

"Lin Xian," Kiki said anxiously: "Shasha hasn't returned yet—I'll go look for her."

As she spoke, Shasha's voice came through the communicator.

"Brother Lin? Can you hear me?"

Lin Xian immediately pressed the communicator: "I hear you. Where are you?"

"We're turning onto the main street—there are so many zombies!"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! gunfire erupted continuously through the communicator.

Lin Xian turned to Kiki: "Quick—prepare to support them."

URRRGH!!

On the main street, an armored vehicle sped through, drawing a horde of zombies in pursuit. Though night hadn't fallen yet, black, grotesque insects began crawling out of dark alleys; strange claws emerged from sewers; terrifying humanoid shadows appeared at the windows of abandoned buildings; indescribable entities writhed from shadowed corners.

PUFF! PUFF! PUFF! CRACK! CRACK!

Shasha's crew kept firing—zombies surged from all sides, hurling themselves onto the vehicle's hood. Shasha slammed the accelerator; the engine roared as the vehicle smashed through wave after wave of zombies.

"Evil spirits and vile creatures—watch as I burn you to ash!"

Lu Xingchen lowered the window and thrust his hand outward, unleashing a massive fireball at the zombie horde.

BOOM!

A wave of searing heat erupted, instantly turning over a dozen zombies into charred corpses.

"I'll clear the way for you!" Lu Xingchen leaned halfway out of the vehicle, sweeping both hands forward.

"Divine—Wall of Fire!"

WHOOSH! BOOM!

Instantly, twin walls of flame erupted on either side of the vehicle. The roaring firewalls consumed zombies that rushed forward in waves—none made it far before turning to ash. Piles of charred bodies fed the flames, making them burn even hotter.

ROAR!! Suddenly, a crawling humanoid monster burst from a dark alley, blocking their path.

Lu Xingchen's eyes flared with fire—he was about to strike—when, from a distant elevated platform, the roar of a machine cannon erupted.

DUUUUUU!

A furious storm of metal tore through the air. The humanoid monster hadn't even registered its attacker before being shredded into fragments. Debris and dust exploded upward, splattering across the windshield. Lu Xingchen yanked himself back inside—still, a layer of grime coated his face.

"It's our cannon!" Shasha gripped the steering wheel, excited: "It must be Brother Lin coming to rescue us!"

She stomped the accelerator, swerved sharply, and smashed through the cluster of zombies gathered beneath the station platform, roaring upward toward the elevated station.

Beneath the torrential rain, the blood on the armored vehicle was quickly washed clean. They finally reached the platform, with a horde of zombies trailing behind.

Meanwhile, other survivor camps on the platform sensed the surging zombie threat and scrambled into their vehicles, returning fire.

"Why so many zombies all at once?" Someone on the green train lowered the window and dropped the armored grating.

"They were lured here by them!"

"Don't panic—they're just ordinary zombies." Cao Hong, seeing this, grabbed his radio: "Hold your positions! These zombies can't penetrate our vehicles."

"Got it!"

"Hah! Our fortress isn't afraid of this trash~"

His men echoed his laughter.

Meanwhile, Cao Hong had just "invited" Erin Clark into his private cabin, his gaze lingering hungrily over her figure, eyes gleaming: "Oh my, Miss Erin, you're so dirty. Come, let's get you a bath."

He walked to one side of the train's private bedroom, flung open a sliding door with a whoosh—and bright lights revealed a large white bathtub.

"We're all brothers and sisters here, and everyone likes me, so they all enjoy bathing with me. To save water, I thought… maybe you'd join me, Miss Erin? You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Erin Clark, her nerves long frayed, heard this without hesitation. She immediately unfastened her dress and replied obediently: "I don't mind. I'd be happy to bathe with you."

With that, she removed her three-piece undergarments entirely. Instantly, a flawless nude form appeared before Cao Hong.

Cao Hong's eyes widened—he smiled faintly, said nothing, and turned to fill the bathtub.

URRRGH!!

A group of zombies suddenly slammed against the window, startling Erin Clark. Watching the zombies claw and scratch at the glass, Cao Hong quickly reassured her: "Miss Erin, don't be afraid. These things can't hurt you. Our train has triple armor. We're so used to being surrounded by zombies at night that if they ever stop howling and scratching, I can't even sleep well~"

"Oh~ Really?" Erin Clark's tension eased. She walked gracefully over and stepped into the bathtub.

The rushing hot water relaxed her nerves. Seeing Cao Hong frantically stripping off his clothes, she said nothing—instead, she wore a seductive smile. In the apocalypse, she knew how to use her body to secure survival. Though if she returned to her family, she'd have this fat man killed without a second thought, right now she knew this disgusting man was her lifeline—what was a little service?

Cao Hong, now naked, stared at the beauty in the tub and sighed inwardly: "Those fools on the Wuxianhao are idiots—they don't even appreciate such exquisite art. But that guy has plenty of beauties around him… hah. This fortune is mine alone to enjoy."

DING. DING.

As he stepped into the bathtub, the room's alarm clock began ringing.

"Nightfall is here."

Cao Hong said calmly, "Miss Erin, welcome aboard the Night Mei. Enjoy your first wonderful night."

"Thank you," Erin Clark smiled seductively.

BOOM~

Above Hengshan Pass, a thunderclap exploded, and every pane of glass on the train shuddered.

Just as Cao Hong slid fully into the water, ready to savor his rare post-apocalyptic bath, the entire train suddenly lurched downward—the roof collapsed inward.

KONG KONG KONG!!!

This jolt sent his little brother retracting instantly—he snatched the walkie-talkie beside him and barked, "What the hell is going on?!!"

KAKA KAKA!

The walkie-talkie was silent.

Cao Hong glanced back at Erin Clark, frowned, and was about to shout again—when suddenly, countless piercing screams and shrieks erupted throughout Hengshan Pass Station.

"AHHHHHH!!!"

TATATATATAT!

"Run!"

"Help me!!" KAKA.

The walkie-talkie suddenly crackled with sobbing: "Boss!! The monsters are here!!!"

HONG HONG HONG.

Cao Hong froze. Beside him, Erin Clark clutched her chest and rose from the bathtub, face pale with panic.

ZHI ZHI ZHI~

Then, a sharp scratching sound slowly rose from the roof—grating, unbearable—as if a giant hand were scraping across it.

Cao Hong's face darkened. He stared at the front window—then, slowly, a massive red head with a horrific face tilted down outside the glass, its crimson eyes glowing like lanterns, staring into the carriage.

"AHHHH!!!" Erin Clark screamed.

Cao Hong swallowed hard. Naked and fat, sweat poured from his forehead. Slowly, he reached for a pistol on the table.

At last, he realized—the Unlimited's warning was real.

But it was too late.

KUANG!

The monstrous red creature's claw slashed out, ripping open the side carriage like a soda can—its black-nailed, razor-sharp claws sparked as they swept across.

Erin Clark, standing in the bathtub, was instantly sliced into three pieces—no struggle, no sound.

!

The bathtub turned instantly crimson.

"Fuck…" Cao Hong trembled, muttering, "At least let me… touch one… before I die…"

HONG!

Under the night, Hengshan Pass Station flooded with grotesques—massive black centipedes thicker than platform support pillars slithered up the train; worm-like grotesques the size of leeches dropped from the station's ceiling beams onto the survivors' camp; the three-meter-tall red humanoid, its vertical mouth gaping, eyes radiating icy death, raised its black claws—on which several people were skewered like kebabs, Cao Hong, fat and white, right at the top.

Then the red humanoid lifted its arm and shoved the skewered bodies into its vertical mouth, chewing with a crunching sound.

TATATAT, PUM PUM PUM!

The once-safe station camp was now filled with screams and gunfire—no one had time to flee before they were surrounded by the sudden swarm of monsters.

HONG! HONG HONG!

The station's metal roof began collapsing; under the heavy rain, thick streams of blood flowed down drains into the city's depths.

The screams and explosions echoed for blocks.

Far away, atop the tower of Hengshan Pass Sports Arena, Hu Lushou raised his binoculars toward the train station, Sun Chang holding an umbrella behind him.

THUNDERCLAP!

A silver lightning bolt split the sky—through his binoculars, he saw dozens of writhing tentacles and grotesque shapes inside the station, black as night, like a tide of monstrous hunters.

SSST!

Hu Lushou sucked in a sharp breath, frowning: "Strange. Why so many grotesques all at once at Hengshan Pass Station?"

"And many of them look like B-rank," Sun Chang added.

"Impossible. They've been there more than one night. Why now? Why not earlier?" Hu Lushou said. "Could it be the herd effect from the Unlimited train?"

"Possible."

"They're probably done for," Hu Lushou chuckled. "Send two teams at first light tomorrow—see what we can scavenge."

Sun Chang said, "The Unlimited's firepower and its adepts—I think they'll escape."

"Who cares."

Hu Lushou tossed the binoculars into her lap and turned to walk downstairs: "I only pick up leftovers. Whether they live or die? None of my business."

…

Elsewhere, above the Orbital Ring, the ground trembled violently—HONG LUNG LUNG.

The next instant, a black heavy train hundreds of meters long surged past with Kuangbao force; on its rear car, an 1130 CIWS cannon spat deathfire, blasting a spider grotesque climbing the twin-star nuclear locomotive into shards.

On both sides of the cars, silver external plasma blades extended, crackling with heat, slicing through the dense swarms of black-winged beetles.

Each black-winged beetle, as large as a washbasin, resembled a giant cockroach; its breath spat molten fumes—its bite could spark and chip steel.

The black-winged beetles swarmed like locusts, clinging to the train; meanwhile, the colossal centipede coiled around the roof and sides of cars 3 to 6, screeching shrilly, forcing the Unlimited's iron wheels to spew sparks, tilting the train.

"Fire Brother! Burn those bugs!"

"Da Lou, go out and cut that centipede in half! Xiao Niang, cover Da Lou and hold it still!"

"Kill the ones on the nuclear locomotive—Shu Qin!"

TATATAT, PUM PUM PUM!

On the Unlimited, the battle raged.

Chen Sixuan drove straight south—the situation on the Palma Grassland remained unclear, so Lin Xian decisively chose the southern route. He had another critical purpose: he strongly suspected the 【Dark Mark】 lure was the Foundation's doing. Lin Xian thought: this might be the third human test!

Lin Xian's earlier suspicions were right—even if he screamed until his throat bled, no one would believe his 【Dark Mark】 theory. That's why he must find the Phoenix Society.

And this grotesque lure, appearing out of nowhere, bore the Phoenix Society's mark deliberately.

So Lin Xian decided to verify it again—otherwise, his entire plan would collapse. Without the Phoenix Society's cooperation, he'd be forced to flee east and west.

So Lin Xian decided to verify it again; otherwise, his entire plan would fall apart, and if he couldn't cooperate with the Phoenix Society, he'd be forced to flee in all directions.

Lin Xian sprinted to Car 2, climbing out of the electromagnetic cannon's lift hatch—when suddenly, a flood of black-winged beetles surged toward him.

Without hesitation, Lin Xian raised his hand and summoned an iron net, planted explosives, then thrust the Black Gun forward—BOOM! A directional explosion lit the train's roof in blinding fire.

He rose to his feet—before him, a massive black centipede was furiously gnawing at Car 3's roof. Lin Xian seized the Black Gun, activated his power armor's full torque output—it hummed—and fired straight at the centipede's head.

He stood up and saw a massive black centipede furiously tearing at the roof of Car 3. Lin Xian immediately seized the Black Spear, activated the full torque output of his power armor, which hummed loudly, and thrust the Black Spear straight into the centipede's skull.

The Black Gun left a blue trail, then—BANG—plunged into the centipede's hardened skull.

At Car 5, a pillar of fire erupted, blasting away countless black-winged beetles. Lu Xingchen rose through the flames, roaring: "Burn the Heavens!"

HONG! Crimson fire exploded upward, a shockwave scorching the sky—burning every black-winged beetle mid-flight to ash.

Da Lou seized his chance. He opened Car 5's automatic blast door, stared at the monstrous carcass outside, drew his steel-slicing greatsword, eyes flashing crimson—bloodlust surged. He stepped forward and roared, slashing down from above!

With the aircraft clear, the building opened the automatic blast door of Car 5, stared at the enormous insect carcass stretched outside, drew its Steel-Cutting Great Sword, its eyes flaring red, unleashing a furious surge of blood qi. It stepped forward and roared, slashing down from above.

The force was so great it carved sword qi—shattering the raindrops beside the train.

As his blade came down, the centipede's dozen razor legs fell instantly—the entire body split cleanly in two, gushing viscera and black mist, spilling along the track's edge.

As the sword came down, the black centipede's dozen sharp legs instantly severed, and its entire body split cleanly in two—internal organs and black mist erupted outward, splattering along the track's edge.

Kiki arrived from behind, raised her hand, and unleashed an invisible wave that blocked the spraying viscera and green blood, then grabbed both severed ends of the centipede and twisted inward!

KACHAK! The front and tail segments felt immense pulling force—their legs scraped sparks and grooves into the carriage, dragged violently downward, the tail slipping off the train.

The front half, however, still writhed and clung desperately.

Lin Xian climbed onto the roof, sprinting at full speed. He raised his hand—the Black Gun's magnetic engine roared to life, then shot free from the centipede's skull. He rushed forward, pressed the Black Gun against the centipede's massive mandible, and with his left hand, instantly forged a hydraulic clamp—forcing the mouth open. Then, his third mechanical arm erupted from his back, gripping a half-meter-long warhead from a Guardian-86 air defense missile—still attached to a metal bomb he'd crafted—and shoved it straight into the centipede's mouth.

Lin Xian yanked back the Black Gun, rolled backward—while Kiki leapt from Car 5, grabbed the centipede's head, and yanked it violently outward.

Immediately, Lin Xian pulled back the Black Spear, rolled backward in a somersault, and at that moment, Kiki flew out of Car 5, reached out, seized the centipede's head, and yanked it violently outward from the track.

The centipede's countless hooked claws scraped against the train's armor, producing sharp clicks, tearing off metal shavings—yet Kiki held firm, dragging it down.

The black centipede's countless hooked claws scraped against the train's armor, producing sharp, popping sounds as they tore off chunks of metal, yet it was still forcibly ripped away by Kiki.

Lin Xian shot out a mechanical chain, snatched Kiki mid-air, pulled her close, then raised an ice shield before him. Lu Xingchen, watching this, leapt quickly into Car 5's hatch.

Lin Xian extended a mechanical chain, caught Kiki midair, and yanked her toward him; at the same time, he raised his hand to summon an ice shield before him. On the other side, Lu Xingchen watched this scene and quickly leapt through the lift opening of Car 5.

HONG!

The Guardian-86's 30kg warhead, combined with Lin Xian's bomb, detonated inside the centipede's mouth—a fireball of several meters erupted mid-air, instantly vaporizing a swath of rain. Shattered monster limbs and debris rained down, clattering like shrapnel against the train.

This warhead had been salvaged from a bent Guardian-86 missile— Guanjianshike, it proved vital.

This combat unit was dismantled by Lin Xian from a slightly bent Guardian-86 air defense missile and proved crucial at the critical moment.

Just after eliminating the centipede, the swarm of black-winged beetles descended upon Lin Xian and Kiki like a black sky.

Kiki, who despised these cockroach-like beasts, saw this and shut her eyes, gritted her teeth, and poured every ounce of strength into slamming her hands outward.

Kiki had always despised these cockroach-like monsters; seeing this, she shut her eyes tightly, gritted her teeth, and poured all her strength into a violent outward thrust with both hands.

A powerful invisible shockwave radiated outward in a perfect circle—suddenly, rain vanished for hundreds of meters; every black-winged beetle clinging to or flying toward the Unlimited was blasted away.

A powerful invisible shockwave radiated outward in a circular pattern—suddenly, the heavy rain within hundreds of meters vanished for an instant, and every single black-winged beetle clinging to or flying toward the Infinite Train was blasted away in that single moment.

The Unlimited ignored all track obstructions, hurtling wildly along the elevated rails—soon bursting out of Hengshan Pass City, heading toward Shijiu Lake's Qing Shui Town.

The Infinite Train now ignored all obstacles on the track, hurtling wildly along the elevated rails, soon bursting past Hengshan Pass City and heading toward Shijiu Lake's Qingshui Town.

Go back quickly.

Everyone was exhausted after a long, brutal battle, finally escaping with their lives.

Back in the train car, a thick stench of gunpowder hit them—the barrels of every combatant's weapon were glowing red. Lin Xian, Kiki, Fire Brother, Daliu, Shasha, Lu Chang, and Miao Lu were all drenched in sweat, gasping for breath.

"I knew it—that woman was definitely a bait marker. So terrifying." Kiki, drained from the fight, sat down on the sofa in Lin Xian's Car No. 1 as the noise outside faded, fanning herself with her hands.

Chen Sixuan monitored the road from the cockpit. Seeing the commotion had ceased after leaving the city, she slowed the train: "Lin Xian, are we heading to that small town?"

Qingshui Town had no platform. Lin Xian stared at the distant silhouette of the town and said: "The lab is just ahead of the town. Stop somewhere open. There might still be anomalies inside—let's not go near it yet."

"Understood."

Once they confirmed no other threat creatures surrounded the train, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That surge of anomalies was terrifying," Shu Qin walked over to Lin Xian. "I never thought a single person carrying a marker could draw so many anomalies."

Lin Xian nodded: "It proves anomalies detect human movement through this method. If it weren't night, they wouldn't have found us."

"Oh my god, all those people at the station—they're definitely dead," Shasha said, pale with fear. "We barely made it out alive, and those people…"

"Who cares about them?"

Kiki's face twisted with rage: "We warned them a hundred times—they didn't believe us. Then they accused us of trying to harm them. Now they've got no chance to regret it."

Lin Xian's expression darkened: "Using a former celebrity as a bait carrier—if we hadn't had the Hell Black Chrysanthemum, we'd have been defenseless."

Beauty aside, a public figure everyone recognized—just by face alone—could earn immense trust.

"Check the train," Lin Xian said. He needed to return to the research institute immediately to confirm whether this was connected to the Foundation.

"Got it!" Shu Qin and the others immediately moved.

"Lin Xian!" Suddenly, Chen Sixuan shouted from the front. Lin Xian and Kiki rushed into the cockpit.

"Look!"

The Infinite Train, speeding along the lake's edge toward Qingshui Town, suddenly spotted a massive tear in the sky to the northeast of the town—flames erupted from the rift, as if the heavens had been ripped open by some other dimension.

Lin Xian and Kiki exchanged a glance—both paled.

"Lin Xian, that's the institute's dome!" Kiki cried.

"What's going on?"

Lin Xian stared in disbelief: "Only a few hours passed—could something have gone wrong?"

"Lin Xian, should we still stop?" Chen Sixuan asked.

"Go straight there. See what's happening." Lin Xian activated his Mechanical Heart, accelerating the train.

Soon, the distant dome drew closer. Amid the flames, they saw many trees toppled, tire tracks scattered along both sides of the road.

A low hum rose from the grassy embankment near the lake—the water churned violently, as if vast quantities were draining underground.

Lin Xian halted the train, frowning: "Something's happened here."

"Should we go in?"

Lin Xian looked at Kiki: "Let's go. The institute's full of valuable gear—even if we don't find Hua Xiaoling, recovering an automated medical pod would be worth it."

He and Kiki had seen one before, under Hua Xiaoling's guidance. With such a device onboard, most injuries could be treated without a doctor.

(End of Chapter)