70: Silver Skeleton

【Consciousness Space】

Watching Lu Jianchuan break free from the illusion and complete his transformation at the critical moment in the outside world, Han Chengyu let out a long sigh of relief. With a hint of lingering fear and ill-concealed pride, he said to the System:

"See! I told you I had foresight! I thought back then, since it's biological armor, it can't just be taken down by some random hallucinogenic smoke or toxic mist. When designing the filtration System, I prioritized integrating 'High-Efficiency Biotoxin and Nerve Interference Substance Decomposition' as a fundamental module!"

【This basic life-support function is indeed a mandatory module for all Advanced biological armor architectures.】

The System responded calmly, its data stream flickering steadily.

【The technical threshold is relatively low; the principle involves simulating the biological enzymatic detoxification and filtration mechanisms of a super-potent liver and kidney within the armor's circulatory System. The host's prioritization of this point demonstrates practical thinking.】

"Hey, can't you just directly praise me for being wise, divine, and having perfect foresight?" Han Chengyu muttered, somewhat dissatisfied.

【Recognition based on facts has been expressed.】 The System's electronic voice was devoid of emotion.

【It is suggested that you turn your attention back to the outside world; the threat has not yet been neutralized.】

【Real World】

After transforming, Lu Jianchuan's senses far surpassed those of an ordinary person. The helmet's goggles automatically adjusted their light-sensitivity mode. Even in near-absolute darkness, the outlines of the environment, heat sources, and energy flows were clearly presented before his 'eyes' in the form of different colored blocks and lines.

He no longer needed the flashlight, which was prone to giving away his position and had a limited field of light. He turned it off and stuffed it back into his backpack.

He followed the direction where he could still perceive the energy source, even though it was being filtered by the armor, and cautiously pushed forward. The passage gradually opened up, and a faint, ghostly blue light appeared ahead.

He slowed his pace and silently slipped into the area enveloped by the blue light.

The scene before him was hair-raising.

From the ceiling of the mine, the cracks in the rock walls, and even the ground, grew a strange kind of translucent flower that emitted a faint, eerie blue glow.

They had no leaves, only slender, tough vines that pulsed slightly like blood vessels. The sweet, cloying floral scent in the air reached its peak intensity here; without the armor's protection, it would likely have stolen one's mind in an instant.

Even more heart-pounding was that, entwined among these glowing vines, were the skeletons of countless animals—rats, bats, and even some small wild rabbits.

They were tightly bound by the vines, some of which even grew new flowers directly through empty eye sockets or gaps in the ribs, as if these skeletons were merely the scaffolding and nutrients required for their growth.

Lu Jianchuan suppressed his discomfort and rapidly scanned the area. Finally, in the center of this 'flower garden,' he saw the people he was looking for!

His two missing colleagues, Old Liu and Xiao Zhou, were tied back-to-back by thick vines. Their eyes were closed and their faces pale, but they were still breathing, seemingly in a deep coma or a hypnotized state.

And not far from them, the streamer Zhao Peng, whose online handle was 'Bold Beyond Bounds,' was in much worse shape!

His thin body was tightly entwined by even more vines, especially his arms and legs. One could see the tips of small vines, like straws, faintly piercing beneath his skin!

His entire person had wasted away to a skeleton, his breath as thin as silk, but his chest still showed a faint rise and fall.

He's still alive!

Lu Jianchuan's heart settled, and he immediately sprang into action. He couldn't rashly pull at the vines; who knew if a forced detachment would trigger a more violent injection of toxins or cause secondary injuries.

He quickly pulled a multi-functional tactical knife from his backpack's side pocket and flicked out the sharp blade. He walked to the streamer Zhao Peng's side, carefully avoiding his body, and used the blade to precisely and rapidly cut the entwining vines.

The vines were exceptionally tough, with an unpleasant elasticity, but under the strength added by the armor and the sharp blade, they were severed one by one.

A small amount of thick, blue sap, which also emitted a faint glow, oozed from the cuts in the severed vines. Lu Jianchuan tried his best not to touch it.

After dealing with the streamer, he immediately turned to his two colleagues, also using the knife to carefully cut the vines binding them.

Having finished all this, he didn't dare delay for a moment. This place was too eerie; every extra second spent there was an extra minute of danger. He had to get these three unconscious people out of this demon's den as quickly as possible.

Lu Jianchuan moved the three unconscious men away from the area emitting the eerie blue light, stopping only when he felt the sweet floral scent in the air was almost imperceptible.

He carefully placed the three of them side-by-side next to a relatively dry and flat section of the tracks, letting them lean against the rock wall.

However, when he looked up to try and identify his direction, his heart sank.

On the stretch of road where he had been confused by the floral scent, he hadn't left any glow stick markers at all!

At this moment, he stood before a cave entrance with three forks, each leading into unknown darkness, and each looking remarkably similar.

The green points of light he had laboriously placed on the way in had long since vanished into the depths of the labyrinth behind him.

This is trouble.

He didn't dare wander aimlessly with three people who had no mobility; that would be no different from suicide.

Try to break through the walls with the armor's power? Not to mention that the vibrations might trigger a collapse, the loud noise could also attract unknown dangers or even affect other rescue personnel who might still be searching somewhere in the cave.

After weighing his options repeatedly, he could only make the most stable decision—to leave the three of them here for now. This place was temporarily safe and far from those eerie flowers. He had to go scout the path himself, find the correct exit, and then come back for them.

He took the last few glow sticks from his backpack, chose the leftmost fork, and walked in quickly, leaving a marker every so often. This passage wound downwards, getting deeper and deeper; feeling something was wrong, he immediately turned back.

Next was the second path. This path went uphill, but after walking for ten minutes, a cave-in appeared ahead, blocked by giant boulders.

Just as he stood at the third fork, preparing to try again, an extremely faint but rhythmic sound of footsteps came from deep within the passage, accompanied by several steady and unassuming white beams of light.

Lu Jianchuan immediately ducked against the rock wall, his deep blue goggles staring intently in the direction of the light source.

Soon, a group of figures appeared. The leader was none other than the cold-faced Zhan Yong, wearing a dark gray GUPA uniform. Behind him followed four fully armed, elite-looking combatants; their equipment was much more sophisticated than that of ordinary police, and their movements were even more silent.

Zhan Yong's gaze immediately locked onto the silver armor against the rock wall. An imperceptible 'as expected' expression flashed across his face, and he raised his hand to signal his team to stop.

"We meet again." Zhan Yong's voice was exceptionally clear in the cave, without much pleasantry. "It seems you've beaten us to the punch in solving the trouble again." His gaze moved past Lu Jianchuan toward the depths of the passage behind, clearly knowing what was inside.

Seeing it was them, Lu Jianchuan felt slightly relieved. His raspy, metallic voice rang out: "You know the way here?"

"Of course," Zhan Yong replied bluntly. "We have incomplete but sufficient blueprints of this mine's structure. This 'Blue Velvet Garden' has always been on our surveillance list."

"If you knew about it, why didn't you destroy it?" Lu Jianchuan asked the doubt in his heart. "It's too dangerous."

Zhan Yong shook his head: "We can't, and there's no need. First, these 'flowers' you see aren't independent plants, but the mutated roots of specific trees growing on this mountain.

They extend here through cracks in the mine, absorbing certain rare elements and biological energy from underground.

If we were to forcibly destroy the root System on a large scale, it would cause large areas of forest above to wither, severely damaging the mountain's ecology and soil conservation. The consequences would be unpredictable."

He paused, then continued: "Secondly, as long as we keep the news suppressed and prevent ordinary people from entering, its actual threat is manageable. Most importantly..."

Zhan Yong's gaze became profound as he looked at Lu Jianchuan: "These mutated roots and the glowing substances they produce have extremely high research value, involving the mysteries of directed biological evolution and energy conversion.

Their potential uses... please forgive me, that is an organizational secret." He changed the subject, extending an olive branch again. "If you are willing to join us, this data can be made available to you."

Lu Jianchuan was silent for a moment, still giving the same answer: "I'm used to being alone."

Zhan Yong seemed to have expected this and wasn't surprised, merely nodding: "Everyone has their own path. So, where are the three victims? Just leave them to us; we will ensure they receive the most appropriate—and also the most 'confidential'—treatment."

Lu Jianchuan pointed in the direction he had come from: "Up ahead, they're safe for now."

Zhan Yong made a gesture, and two team members immediately stepped forward, skillfully checking the conditions of Old Liu, Xiao Zhou, and the streamer Zhao Peng, and injecting them with a certain medication to stabilize their vital signs.

"Use this," Zhan Yong pointed to a minecart by the tracks that, although rusted, was still structurally sound. "Put them in it and we'll pull them out; it's the fastest way."

Lu Jianchuan had no objection and cooperated with the GUPA members to carefully lift the three unconscious men into the minecart. Then, with two members pulling in front and others guarding the sides, this strange combination—the mysterious GUPA agents and the silver Armored Man—pulled an old minecart carrying the unconscious through the labyrinthine mine, silent and swift.

Zhan Yong was clearly extremely familiar with the route, leading them toward a hidden but relatively smooth exit without hesitation.

The minecart's wheels made a monotonous and long 'creak' on the abandoned tracks, echoing in the dark cave. Zhan Yong walked beside Lu Jianchuan, and after a moment of silence, spoke again, his voice kept very low to ensure only the two of them could hear:

"There's something you need to know." Zhan Yong's tone carried a hint of gravity. "The woman we caught last time was snatched away during transport."

Lu Jianchuan's gaze beneath the helmet sharpened, and he turned his head to look at Zhan Yong.

Zhan Yong continued: "The squad responsible for the transport... was completely wiped out. The opponent's methods were extremely ruthless and professional, using a biotoxin that triggers acute cardiac arrest. The members were... within minutes. By the time our people arrived, they only managed to save two, who are currently in the intensive care unit."

He looked at the cold goggles of the silver skeleton: "They are more dangerous and more unscrupulous than we imagined. This is a blatant declaration of war; they won't let this go. You... be careful."

Lu Jianchuan remained silent, his fist clenching slightly. He had personally experienced that woman's terror, and the organization behind her was clearly even larger and more ferocious.

At this point, Zhan Yong changed the subject, looking at his sleek, silver armor that was full of biological texture: "Also, we can't keep calling you 'armor' this and 'armor' that. Since we've decided to establish limited communication, you should have a codename. Tell us, how should we address you?"

Lu Jianchuan's pace did not falter. His raspy, low metallic voice rang out in the tunnel, carrying a non-human coldness and resolution:

"silver skeleton."

Zhan Yong repeated the name in a low voice, as if savoring the meaning behind it, and then nodded.

"Understood. silver skeleton, remember the warning I just gave you."

The team continued forward in silence, accompanied only by the noise of the minecart and their footsteps. Ahead, the faint light of the exit was already dimly visible.