The Real Goal

“Ancient magic can only be found in the ruins. Old Ma, it seems you’ve gotten a little too excited.”

Hearing Ma Kun’s words, his colleague smiled and shook his head, clearly not agreeing with the idea he had proposed.

“Perhaps I’m overthinking it. After all, magic spells can be similar to some extent. Maybe Su Ran just referenced a part of it.”

Ma Kun didn’t dwell on the issue of the magic.

After all, as long as the spell Su Ran provided could observe the “Glitch” energy, that was enough.

He saw no need to press Su Ran for its origins.

“Huh? That’s strange. Why do I see a hazy gray fog appearing on the periphery?”

Among the group of excited researchers, an untimely voice suddenly emerged, drawing the attention of those around.

“I see it too!”

At this moment, another tall and thin researcher stood up, pointing towards the outer area of the ruins.

One after another, people reported seeing the “Glitch” energy outside the ruins.

Nearly everyone who had mastered the spell turned their gazes to the location the researchers were pointing at.

A hazy gray fog was rising at the edge of the ruins.

Although its movement was slow, it was still showing a tendency to envelop the ruins where they were located.

Thinking of the mutated creatures that might appear after the emergence of the “Glitch” energy, the researchers’ backs were instantly drenched in cold sweat.

“First, double-check with the instruments! Be ready to notify the security officers and the garrison here at any moment! Even if the ‘Glitch’ energy appears, it still needs a biological medium to summon and mutate things. There’s no need to scare ourselves!”

Seeing the researchers descending into panic, Ma Kun stood up to calm the fluctuating emotions.

With his command, the originally frantic researchers gradually calmed down, and each began to perform their duties, using the machines to monitor the “Glitch” energy appearing outside the ruins.

“Is the gray energy mass we are observing the ‘Glitch’ energy?”

Just as all the researchers were operating the machines, Ma Kun came to Su Ran’s side and asked in a low voice.

Su Ran didn’t speak.

The moment the researchers mentioned the gray fog outside the ruins, she had already used her own perception to investigate.

The result was that the energy appearing outside the ruins was indeed Holy Stone energy.

“Actually, you could have just asked me directly. There was no need to have them operate the machines to monitor the energy outside.”

After nodding in response to Old Ma’s question, Su Ran couldn’t help but voice the doubt in her heart before he left.

“Because I did it on purpose.”

Ma Kun’s answer took Su Ran by surprise.

She had thought he would say he hadn’t considered that possibility, but for it to be intentional was completely unexpected.

“If we old folks start to panic, the fear will spread. My main purpose in doing this is to give them something to do and, at the same time, let them cool their heads.”

After speaking, Ma Kun turned around to have the garrison stationed in the underground ruins prepare to evacuate the superhumans within.

Facing the mutated creatures that might emerge from the encroaching Holy Stone energy, Su Ran immediately felt the pressure multiply.

Because the enemies she had seen who could utilize Holy Stone energy were at least Sequence Four, a level she currently could not withstand.

For now, Su Ran could only take things one step at a time.

“I’ve already contacted the troops stationed here. They are taking the appearance of the ‘Glitch’ energy seriously. It’s time for us to leave.”

While Su Ran was contemplating, Ma Kun began to call out to his colleagues who were still operating the machines, preparing to arrange for their evacuation.

“Currently, the ‘Glitch’ energy has only appeared in this vicinity. We need to leave before the magic formation is activated.”

As someone who knew about the energy and understood magic formations, Su Ran spoke up, telling Ma Kun to lead his people and leave quickly.

Judging from the two times the enemy had laid down a magic formation, his move this time was most likely purposeful.

But this was just a safe area temporarily lent to the Federation researchers.

There shouldn’t be anything here worthy of the mastermind making such a big move… right?

Before Su Ran could finish her thought, her gaze fell upon the mutated Earl’s corpse.

If the enemy was using the same method as the Shadow Witch, intending to use the mutated Earl’s corpse as a sacrifice to summon an even more powerful mutated creature, then their motive for coming here would become logical.

“Let’s go, quickly!”

Ma Kun hadn’t forgotten Su Ran’s current immobility.

He came up behind her to push her wheelchair, preparing to lead her away.

“Stop, stop, stop!”

However, Ma Kun’s actions were quickly halted by Su Ran.

“What is it now? Isn’t the most important thing to leave?”

Su Ran’s call to stop left Ma Kun confused about what she was planning to do.

“I believe the enemy is here for the mutated Earl’s corpse. If they get their hands on it, the situation we’ll have to face might be even worse than it is now.”

Su Ran got straight to the point, holding nothing back from Ma Kun.

“Using a magic formation for a sacrifice, just like what happened in the Northern Border City.”

Just the thought of it was enough to make Ma Kun’s scalp tingle.

There was a difference in status even among mutated Earls.

Another sacrifice like that would be enough to threaten the safety of Jiangbei City.

“We’ll pack up the corpse. The transfer case is specially made; it can’t be forced open by anyone below Sequence Six.”

With that, Ma Kun and Su Ran began to pack up the corpse used for the experiment before leaving the scene.

However, as the presence of the mutated rat’s corpse grew weaker and weaker, the area they were in became completely enveloped by the Holy Stone energy.

“No sign of the vampire. It seems they left before we arrived.”

In the magical beast hunting grounds, Yuan Shirui dejectedly shook her head at Winnie, informing her of the results of the Blood Hunters’ recent sweep.

“Damn it! We rushed here as soon as we got the news, and he still got away!”

Winnie stomped her long, slender leg on the ground, leaving a sizable crater.

If they could just capture one vampire for a thorough interrogation, the problems facing Jiangbei City would be solved.

“This is bad, Manager! A message just came from the branch! The area belonging to the Jiangbei City Police Department has been sealed off by ‘Glitch’ energy!”

After receiving the report, Yuan Shirui didn’t dare to delay for a second.

She rushed to find Winnie and tell her what was happening in the underground ruins.

“The most important thing is that Xiao Ran is trapped inside too!”

Upon hearing Su Ran’s name, Winnie’s previously calm expression instantly broke.

“You continue searching for traces of the vampire here. I’m going to the underground ruins to get Xiao Ran out.”

Yuan Shirui knew how important Su Ran was.

Hearing Winnie’s command, she nodded and took on the heavy responsibility of leading the search on-site.