55: The oriole turned out to be me?

Deep within the Earth Abyss, in a secret chamber carved out of a massive rock cavern, dozens of crystal screens shimmered with eerie light, covering the entire stone wall and displaying scenes from various parts of the Earth Abyss.

The main screen in the center showed the narrow cave where Li Dong was hiding.

A figure, dressed in a special black robe with his face hidden in the shadows of a hood, stood silently.

His body was gaunt, and he exuded the powerful pressure of a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, yet he also carried a chilling, deathly stillness that was out of place for a living person.

This person was the head of the Forbidden Experiment here.

He watched with interest as Li Dong gasped for breath, then abruptly sat up after the System upgrade.

"Interesting," the Doctor's voice was hoarse and dry, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together. "To remain conscious in such a strong demon-attracting incense environment, and even make progress, his Spirituality value far exceeds expectations. A useless person like Jia-Yin Three would have collapsed in this environment long ago."

He extended a withered finger and lightly tapped Li Dong's position on the screen.

"This keen perception, the subtle capture of energy fluctuations... he's an excellent subject."

Standing beside him were several assistants, also dressed in black robes, but with noticeably weaker auras and vacant eyes, like puppets on strings. They were "semi-finished products" from earlier experiments; their minds had been ravaged, leaving only the instinct to follow orders.

"Pass on my order," the Doctor's tone was devoid of any emotion. "Send three teams of Poison Flame Winged Serpents to test his limits. Remember, I want him alive. A sample like this is worth more in-depth research."

"Yes... sir..." an assistant mumbled in response, then turned and left.

The Doctor's gaze returned to the screen, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth: "Let's see how many surprises you can bring me, little mouse."

At the same time, in another hidden residence far away in the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

Lin Fan was fawningly reporting to a middle-aged man dressed in a Manager's uniform.

"Manager Liu, the news is confirmed. That kid took the 'Earth Abyss Extermination' mission and has already gone in!" Lin Fan's face showed unconcealed schadenfreude. "The Earth Abyss, hehe, even a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator has a slim chance of survival there, let alone someone who just entered the Foundation Establishment Stage - Early Phase."

Manager Liu picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip: "Hmm, he's sensible enough to seek his own death, saving us a lot of trouble. His 'Extraordinary Rating' spot, according to our previous agreement..."

"Naturally, it's yours, Manager Liu!" Lin Fan quickly bowed. "Once news of his death arrives, I'll immediately make the arrangements."

"Very good," Manager Liu nodded in satisfaction. "However, the 'Doctor' in the Earth Abyss has a strange temper. I hope this kid doesn't die too quickly; if he can consume more of the Doctor's experimental subjects, it would at least be a good use for waste."

They had no idea that the "waste" in their eyes was currently discerning their schemes at an astonishing speed.

Inside the cave, Li Dong had just recovered from the shock of the System upgrade when the 【Crisis Prediction Enhancement】 function wildly alerted him!

An aura far more powerful and insidious than the previous Sewn Giant Spider and Wraith Corpse Dog was rapidly approaching from the other end of the abandoned passage outside the cave. Not just one, but three! Each carried intense Yao Beast malevolence and a kind of... twisted spiritual energy fluctuation.

The 【Environmental Analysis】 function automatically activated.

【High-energy lifeforms detected: Poison Flame Winged Serpent (Modified Enhanced Type) x3, strength assessment: comparable to peak Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts. Characteristics: highly venomous flames, tough scales, extremely fast. Weaknesses: afraid of strong light, nerve nodes at the seven-inch mark.】

【Warning! Three controlled Cultivator auras detected, strength assessment: Foundation Establishment Stage - Early Phase. Mental state: deeply controlled, no independent consciousness. Suspected to be controllers or auxiliary units for the Poison Flame Winged Serpents.】

Li Dong's eyes narrowed.

The enemy found me! And their target is clear, they're coming for me!

Capture alive? Test?

His mind flashed back to the blood-stained handwritten notes he saw on the stone wall — "Spirituality sacrifices," "Artificial Dao Body."

A chill rose within him.

"They want to use me as a guinea pig?" Li Dong muttered, a hint of ferocity flashing in his eyes.

He immediately took action. Relying on the detailed scan of the cave structure by 【Environmental Analysis】 and his understanding of the demon-attracting incense's characteristics, he began to set up simple traps at the cave entrance and key internal locations.

Several loose rocks were cleverly stacked, designed to cause a small collapse with just a light touch.

He also placed a few of his remaining low-grade Talismans — "Slowing Talisman" and "Confusion Talisman" — in the shadows of the cave wall, using the scent of the demon-attracting incense to mask their spiritual energy fluctuations, preparing to activate them at a critical moment.

An escape route, planned using the cracks in the cave ceiling, also formed in his mind.

Mu Shi County, Demon Suppression Division.

Zhang Wu's expression was grave as he put down the communication jade slip in his hand; its light had dimmed.

He had tried to contact an old friend from the Prefecture whom he had known for years and who was rumored to be relatively upright, conveying the news that Li Dong might be in danger and that the "Earth Abyss" might be involved in Forbidden Experiments.

But the other party's response was unusually vague and evasive, only saying they would "pay appropriate attention" before abruptly ending the communication.

"Pay appropriate attention?" Zhang Wu slammed his fist on the table, sending wood chips flying.

This attitude clearly indicated that they knew something but dared not or were unwilling to intervene!

The waters of the Prefecture were deeper than he had imagined!

Brother Li Dong, you must hold on!

Zhang Wu took a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm. He couldn't sit idly by; he had to find another way!

Earth Abyss, the Doctor's secret chamber.

Every move Li Dong made to set up traps was clearly displayed on the screen.

"Oh? Not just waiting for death, but also knowing how to use the environment to resist?" A pathological appreciation flashed in the Doctor's eyes. "Quite interesting, much stronger than those useless people who only know how to tremble."

He seemed completely unconcerned by Li Dong's small actions, instead watching it as if it were a carefully choreographed play.

"Since you want to play so much, let's make the game more exciting," the Doctor issued new instructions to the assistant beside him. "Activate the 'Mist Generator' in Zone Two, and then deploy five teams of 'Corrupted Hounds' into the outer passage. I want to see where this little guy's limit lies under multiple pressures."

He licked his chapped lips, as if savoring the anticipation before a delicious meal.

Li Dong had just finished setting up the last small mechanism when the System's warning sounded again.

【Warning! High-level surveillance formation detected within the Earth Abyss. The formation's energy fluctuations are linked to special Spirituality fluctuations. The host's current actions are being monitored in real-time!】

【Warning! The surrounding environmental energy is changing. The concentration of 'demon-attracting incense' has slightly increased, and an unknown interfering mist has appeared!】

【Warning! More modified Yao Beasts are approaching!】

Indeed!

Li Dong's heart sank; his every move was under the other party's watchful eye.

This was not an extermination mission at all; it was a meticulously arranged gladiatorial arena, and he was the trapped beast being toyed with!

No, perhaps not even a trapped beast, but merely an experimental subject waiting to be dissected.

"Special Spirituality fluctuations..." Li Dong chewed on this phrase from the System's prompt.

Was there some inevitable connection between the ubiquitous "demon-attracting incense" in this Earth Abyss, the stripped "spirituality fragments," and this pervasive surveillance formation?

If he could disrupt these special Spirituality fluctuations, could he interfere with or even block the surveillance?

A bold idea surfaced in his mind.

He glanced at the only "way out" of the cave — the abandoned passage. Now, it seemed more like a carefully designed entrance leading to deeper despair.

But, it might also be the only breaking point.

Li Dong tightened his grip on the Demon Suppression Ruler, feeling the cold touch of the ruler's body.

Rather than passively waiting to be tested, it's better to take the initiative and, in this "test," obtain the information I need in return!

Surveillance formation... special Spirituality fluctuations... the "Doctor"... He needed more clues to pry open this massive dark machine.

"Want to watch a show?" Li Dong's lips curled into a cold, sharp arc. "I'll put on a grand one for you!"

He took a deep breath, his gaze as sharp as a knife, sweeping towards the darkness outside the cave, which appeared even more profound due to the newly appeared mist.

"Come on, let's see who the real hunter is!"