232: Chapter 231 Seeking Light on the Sandy Journey! A fierce wind chases a secret, a warm heart shines through the perilous path (5)

Mu Li warily observed the surroundings to prevent armed personnel from launching a sneak attack while attempting to use information from Professor Chen's diary to crack the Xuanguang code lock on the alloy door. He input key information recorded in the diary, such as the start date of the 'xihe' project and technical parameters, one by one into the lock. Xuanguang Energy flowed across the lock, emitting a faint golden light.

With a crisp 'click,' the alloy door slowly opened. A stale, damp air rushed out from the entrance. Inside was pitch black, so dark one could not see their own hand, appearing like a massive black hole waiting for them to explore.

Just then, Old Zhou and the technical backbone also broke through the enemy's encirclement and ran quickly to the foot of the ancient pine. Everyone bore scars and their faces were full of exhaustion, yet their eyes remained resolute. 'Engineer Mu, we're here!' Old Zhou said, panting heavily.

'Good. Everyone, get ready. Bring your lighting equipment and follow me into the base.' Mu Li turned on his portable Xuanguang illuminator, its golden light illuminating the pitch-black entrance. 'Remember, there may be Xuanguang Energy traps inside the base. Stay close to me and do not act on your own. If you notice anything unusual, stop immediately and follow my commands.'

The group nodded, turned on their lighting equipment, and followed Mu Li, cautiously entering the entrance of Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base. Inside was a long corridor. The walls on both sides were lined with Xuanguang Energy conduits. Although abandoned for many years, technical traces from back then were still visible. The air was thick with a damp, musty smell and a faint scent of metallic rust, evoking a sense of solemnity.

Mu Li led the way, his Xuanguang detector constantly scanning the environment to identify potential traps. The corridor was pitch black, with only the light from their equipment illuminating the path ahead. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, sounding exceptionally clear and eerie.

They moved slowly along the passage. After about ten minutes, a spacious hall appeared ahead. The hall was filled with discarded experimental equipment, shattered glassware scattered everywhere, and a thick layer of dust covering everything; clearly, no one had been here for a long time. There were four passages around the hall leading to different areas. According to the diary, the second part of the restoration plan was hidden in the Core Laboratory deep within the hall.

Mu Li was about to lead the group toward the Core Laboratory when the Xuanguang Energy conduits in the hall suddenly lit up. Golden light instantly illuminated the entire hall, followed by a piercing alarm that echoed throughout the base. The four previously open passages were instantly sealed by heavy alloy doors, trapping them inside the hall.

'Not good, we've triggered a trap!' Mu Li's expression changed, and he cursed inwardly. 'It's a Xuanguang Energy trap. We're surrounded!'

As soon as he spoke, over a dozen armed personnel suddenly dropped from the vents in the ceiling, clutching advanced assault rifles and firing frantically at them. Simultaneously, Xuanguang Energy Cannons popped out from the walls around the hall and aimed at them. Dense firepower instantly surrounded them, putting them in a precarious situation.

Mu Li quickly led the group to hide behind the discarded experimental equipment, using it as cover to launch a counterattack. He looked up and saw a man in a black trench coat and a black mask entering through the hall's entrance. He was tall, with a fierce gaze and a cold aura, clearly a leader of the Aurora Alliance.

'Mu Li, we meet again.' The man's voice was raspy and cold, tinged with provocation. 'Didn't expect this, did you? You've fallen into my trap after all. The traps in Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base were tailor-made for you. Today, you won't escape, and the restoration plan will surely belong to our Aurora Alliance!'

Mu Li's eyes instantly turned cold, his tone resolute: 'In your dreams! The restoration plan is Professor Chen's life's work and the key to protecting Xuanguang Technology. No matter the cost, I will not let it fall into your hands! The Aurora Alliance's conspiracies will never succeed!'

'Stubborn fool!' The man sneered, his tone vicious. 'Since you refuse to cooperate, don't blame me for being ruthless! Fire! Eliminate them all and seize the restoration plan!'

At the man's command, the armed personnel's fire became even denser. The Xuanguang Energy Cannons fired beams of golden light. The discarded experimental equipment was hit and instantly pulverized, with debris flying everywhere. Their situation became increasingly dangerous.

Mu Li's brow furrowed as his mind raced to analyze the situation: they were trapped in the hall, surrounded by sealed alloy doors, facing dense fire and Xuanguang Energy Cannons in front, with no retreat behind. Breaking out would be as difficult as climbing to heaven. But he didn't have the slightest thought of backing down, his gaze remaining firm—he had to find the second part of the restoration plan, return safely to fulfill his promise to Xia Wan, and crush the Aurora Alliance's conspiracy.

He looked at his companions. Though everyone was wounded, they were still fighting back with all their might, without a hint of retreat in their eyes, their hearts filled with firm conviction. Mu Li was deeply moved; he knew that as long as they fought side by side, there was no difficulty they couldn't overcome, no peril they couldn't survive.

'Everyone, listen to me!' Mu Li shouted, his voice firm. 'The Core Laboratory is deep within the hall. As long as we can charge into it and find the second part of the restoration plan, there's still hope! Old Zhou, you're in charge of suppressive fire to draw their attention; Zhao Gang, assist the technical backbone and protect the restoration plan we already have; I'll lead the way. Together, we'll charge toward the Core Laboratory! No matter how great the danger, we cannot give up!'

'Understood!' the group responded in unison, their voices resolute and their eyes burning with determined fighting spirit. They knew this was their only hope and a mission they had to complete.

Mu Li gripped his xuanguang energy dagger, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and was the first to charge toward the Core Laboratory. The golden dagger gleamed coldly under the lights. Relying on his agile movements, he dodged left and right to avoid the dense bullets and Xuanguang Energy beams. Simultaneously, he raised his hand to fire, taking down several armed personnel and carving out a path for his companions.

Old Zhou increased his fire, spraying dense bullets at the armed personnel to pin them down. Zhao Gang protected the technical backbone, following closely behind Mu Li as they fought their way toward the Core Laboratory. The armed personnel's fire remained heavy, and the Xuanguang Energy Cannons continued to fire. Debris flew and they were covered in wounds, yet not a single person stopped. Everyone was giving their all to sprint toward the goal.

As they drew closer to the Core Laboratory, just as they were about to reach the door, the Aurora Alliance leader personally stepped up. He raised a xuanguang energy gun and aimed it at Mu Li, saying viciously, 'Mu Li, stop. You have no more chances!'

Mu Li stopped abruptly, turned around, and stared at the man with cold eyes, showing no fear: 'I won't stop unless I'm dead!'

The man sneered and pulled the trigger. A beam of golden Xuanguang Energy whistled toward Mu Li. Mu Li dodged the beam and, at the same time, threw his xuanguang energy dagger with all his might. The golden dagger was like a flash of light, accurately striking the man's wrist. The xuanguang energy gun fell to the ground with a 'clatter.'

'Ah!' The man let out a scream, blood flowing from his wrist as the wound burned by Xuanguang Energy emitted white smoke. Mu Li seized the opportunity to rush forward, kicked the man to the ground, then picked up the xuanguang energy gun. He aimed it at the man's chest and said in a bone-chilling tone, 'Speak! How many more ambushes do you have? How many more traps are in Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base?'

The man gritted his teeth, his eyes fierce, and refused to answer, even letting out a provocative smile. At that moment, seeing the situation, the surrounding armed personnel rushed toward Mu Li, attempting to save their leader.

'Engineer Mu, go! We'll cover you!' Old Zhou shouted, increasing his fire to hold back the charging armed personnel. 'The Core Laboratory door is right ahead. Go find the restoration plan, we'll block them!'

Mu Li felt a surge of warmth seeing Old Zhou and his companions fighting back so hard, and he knew now was not the time for interrogation. He glared at the man, turned, and rushed toward the Core Laboratory door. He quickly opened it, stepped inside, and closed the alloy door, temporarily blocking the pursuit of the armed personnel.

The interior of the Core Laboratory was more intact than imagined. Lab benches and storage cabinets were neatly arranged, holding experimental equipment and documents from years ago. Though covered in thick dust, the traces of past research were still visible. Mu Li did not hesitate and immediately began a careful search of the lab for the second part of the restoration plan.

Following the records in the diary, he went to a hidden storage cabinet and opened it. Inside was a sealed metal box, identical to the one found at Xuanguang No. 1 Experimental Base. Mu Li carefully took out the metal box and gently opened it. Inside was indeed a stack of yellowed experimental data, detailing the second part of the plan to repair the xuanguang core vulnerabilities, including energy steady-state debugging, vulnerability reinforcement methods, and Professor Chen's handwritten notes. It was even more detailed and critical than the first part.

'Found it! I found the second part of the restoration plan!' Mu Li's heart was filled with excitement, his voice trembling slightly. He quickly organized the data, put it into a waterproof file bag, and held it tightly to his chest. With these two parts of the restoration plan, they were one step closer to completely fixing the xuanguang core vulnerabilities and crushing the Aurora Alliance's conspiracy.

Just then, a loud 'thumping' sound came from the lab's alloy door. The armed personnel were frantically ramming it. The door was swaying and could be broken open at any moment. Mu Li knew they couldn't stay any longer. He had to leave immediately, regroup with his companions, break through the encirclement, and return to the base.

He quickly searched for a backup exit within the lab. According to the diary, the Core Laboratory's backup exit led to the mountain forest behind the base, allowing them to avoid the armed personnel's ambush. Soon, he found the backup exit and opened the door. Outside was a narrow passage leading deep into the forest.

Mu Li immediately spoke into his communicator to Old Zhou and Zhao Gang: 'I've found the second part of the restoration plan and a backup exit. Break through the encirclement as soon as possible and meet me at the backup exit. We'll evacuate through here and return to the base!'

'Understood! We're on our way!' Old Zhou's urgent voice came through the communicator, accompanied by dense gunfire and explosions. Clearly, they were fighting hard to break through the enemy's encirclement.

Mu Li stood guard at the backup exit, warily observing the surroundings with his weapon gripped tight, waiting for his companions. The ramming sounds grew more intense, and the alloy door could break at any moment. He was anxious but did not panic, his gaze fixed on the exit as he protected the restoration plan and his companions' hope.

Soon, familiar footsteps echoed from the other end of the passage. Old Zhou, Zhao Gang, and the technical backbone ran over, covered in wounds and exhausted, yet their eyes remained firm. 'Engineer Mu, we're here!' Old Zhou panted.

'Good, quick, we're evacuating through the backup exit!' Mu Li nodded and led the group into the narrow passage, heading deep into the forest. The path was narrow and steep. They supported each other, moving forward with difficulty. The sounds of ramming and gunfire behind them gradually faded; they had finally escaped the Aurora Alliance's pursuit for now.

Emerging from the backup exit, they arrived at a secluded mountain forest. The clouds and mist still lingered, but they were far from the base's traps and the armed personnel's ambushes. Mu Li stopped and looked back toward Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base, his eyes full of resolve. Although they had successfully found the second part of the restoration plan and escaped pursuit, the Aurora Alliance's conspiracy was not yet crushed, the third part of the plan was still missing, and their mission was not over.

'Everyone, rest for a bit. Organize your gear and check the supplies and the restoration plan,' Mu Li said in a steady tone. 'Once we've rested, we'll contact the base for support, then head to the next location to find the third part of the restoration plan. No matter the dangers ahead, we must forge forward, completely repair the xuanguang core vulnerabilities, crush the Aurora Alliance's Operation Light-Devouring, and protect Xuanguang Technology and everything we cherish.'

The group nodded and found places to sit and recover. Their bodies were covered in wounds and they were exhausted, yet joy and determination were written on every face. They had successfully completed this stage of the mission and found the second part of the restoration plan. Despite the perils, not a single person had given up or backed down.

Mu Li took out his communicator and tried to contact the base. Fortunately, with the forest providing some buffer, the signal had recovered slightly. Though weak, he could establish contact. He immediately reported their situation, informed the base that they had found the second part of the restoration plan, and requested a support team to meet them and arrange for subsequent research work.

The base responded, informing them that a support team had already set out and would arrive at their location soon. They were told to stay safe, wait in place, and not act on their own.

Mu Li breathed a sigh of relief, put down the communicator, and looked at the distant mist, his heart full of expectation and resolve. He knew the upcoming journey would still be full of danger. The Aurora Alliance would certainly not give up and would set more traps and ambushes on their way to find the third part of the restoration plan. But he was fearless because he had firm conviction, companions fighting by his side, Xia Wan's waiting and support, and a heavy responsibility.

He gripped the waterproof file bag containing the two parts of the restoration plan, which also held Professor Chen's life's work, the future of Xuanguang Technology, the nation's energy security, and his promise to Xia Wan. Mu Li whispered in his heart: Xia Wan, wait for me. Once I find the third part of the restoration plan and complete the mission, I will return safely to your side, fulfill my promise, and give you a stable future.

The mist-shrouded southern mountains remained mysterious and dangerous. The Aurora Alliance's conspiracy continued, and Mu Li's team's journey was far from over. But they were fully prepared. No matter the obstacles or ambushes set by the Aurora Alliance, they would forge ahead and never retreat until the xuanguang core vulnerabilities were fixed, the conspiracy crushed, and everything they cherished was protected.

As the sun set, its golden afterglow pierced through the mist and scattered into the forest, illuminating the figures of Mu Li and his team. Their silhouettes in the vast forest appeared exceptionally resolute, like the green pines on the mountains—having weathered the storm, yet still standing tall.