Mu Ye Xing Chen, radiating an imposing aura of silent authority, strode with steady steps into the underground laboratory.
The moment he crossed the threshold, he froze, his expression unreadable, and gazed forward.
The entire laboratory equipment had been destroyed with extreme thoroughness.
Within the hundreds of square meters of the laboratory, the colossal transparent cylindrical experimental apparatus was smashed by countless mechanical parts. An untold number of mechanical components and small devices were scattered around the coffin, forming a small mountain that encircled the coffin in the center.
Occasionally, small devices materialized in the air, striking the coffin, but to no avail. They slid down the coffin's smooth surface and onto the ground.
The mountain of parts on the floor grew higher and higher, nearly burying the two-meter-tall coffin.
Inside the coffin, Gu Ya's eyes were unfocused, radiating madness, his expression contorted into a visage that could no longer be described as human.
Hong Lian Zhi Wu, following behind, shivered at the sight and stammered, "Wh-what in the world happened?"
The female scientist who had just reported their situation rushed over, her white lab coat torn in half, revealing a black leather bodysuit beneath. Her figure was curvaceous, and she spoke with terror, "We don't know what happened. These small devices suddenly appeared out of nowhere within the equipment. The only good news is that the experimental subject hasn't fully awakened."
Mu Ye Xing Chen frowned slightly and asked calmly, "What do you mean 'not fully awakened'?"
The female scientist swallowed and explained, "His consciousness is still trapped within the consciousness siege. However, the monitoring equipment is damaged, and we're unsure which layer he's currently in. If he breaks through the triple siege and truly awakens, I fear..."
Mu Ye Xing Chen shifted his gaze to Gu Ya, who was now roaring in madness. Though his eyes were open, they were unfocused, looking at nothing in particular.
This state indeed resembled symptoms of an intracranial mental disorder.
This meant that everything on the floor was summoned by him, in an effort to break through the consciousness siege.
Staring at Gu Ya, Mu Ye Xing Chen mused for a long moment before speaking, "Is there any way to make him truly awaken? I'd like to have a chat with him."
At his words, everyone around gasped.
The female scientist quickly interjected, "Commander, the things he's conjured are all sharp cold weapons, and firearms. I-I-I..."
"I know," Mu Ye Xing Chen stated calmly, beginning to unbutton his black cloak. Hong Lian Zhi Wu stepped forward to receive the cloak he removed.
Mu Ye Xing Chen, clad only in a form-fitting black military uniform, took long strides, his leather shoes clicking on the floor. He walked steadily to the edge of the parts mountain and calmly said, "Do it. I want to speak with a conscious Gu Ya."
The female scientist glanced at everyone present and nodded subtly.
Although the transparent cylindrical apparatus was damaged, its emergency measures could still function.
After a loud, high-pitched electromagnetic hum of "Zzzzz—!", followed by a descending tone of electrical current, a series of muffled "bangs" echoed from the ceiling and floor.
It was evident that the functions of the cylindrical apparatus were gradually shutting down.
Suddenly, Gu Ya raised his head towards the ceiling, opened his mouth wide, and roared with all his might, "Ah—!"
Gu Ya's cry grew higher and higher, as if ascending from the abyss towards its exit.
When his voice reached its peak, overpowering all surrounding sounds, it abruptly ceased.
His unfocused eyes gradually regained clarity.
Upon seeing his surroundings, Gu Ya roared at a tall, long-haired woman in a black star military uniform standing ten meters ahead, "Let me out! You bunch of son-of-a-bitch Black Star trash!"
The "woman" before him watched Gu Ya calmly. She moved her slender legs, stepped on the scattered parts, creating a "bang, pa, rattle" sound, and carefully climbed the mountain of debris.
When "she" reached the summit, her gaze met Gu Ya's. Looking him directly in the eye, she spoke calmly, "Hello, Gu Ya."
Gu Ya was startled. The incredibly beautiful "big woman" before him was, in fact, an adult man.
Such a handsome man, possessing a unique, proud aura, suddenly made Gu Ya feel immensely inferior.
However, this fleeting moment of distraction lasted only three seconds before anger consumed Gu Ya once more.
He snarled, his face contorted, and said coldly, "I don't care who you are. Let me out now, and I might leave you your corpse intact!"
Mu Ye Xing Chen's lips curved upwards into a cunning, insincere smile.
Gu Ya had seen this smile on Xuan Lang's face before. Ever since Xuan Lang changed his name to Zeng Lang, turned over a new leaf, and became his brother, he had never displayed this smile again.
That smile alone made Gu Ya realize instantly that this person was no ordinary individual!
Soon, Gu Ya received his answer, as the other party didn't seem to be hiding anything.
"My name is Mu Ye Xing Chen, Commander of the Xing Chen Military. I am the one who planned your capture. Are you happy?"
"Happy my ass! You mother—!" Gu Ya roared in curses.
"Hahahahahahaha!!!" Mu Ye Xing Chen suddenly covered his face and burst into unrestrained laughter. His laughter abruptly stopped. Through the gaps in his fingers, his sinister, sharp eyes appeared. He said calmly, "It's been a long time since someone cursed at me. This feeling is quite peculiar."
"What is it today? Two Xian Xia individuals in a row have given me unparalleled pleasure! Hahahahahaha!"
"Is this the feeling of kinship upon meeting a fellow countryman? Hehehehehehe!"
"Let's talk business!" Mu Ye Xing Chen sighed, calming himself. He said placidly, "Gu Ya, cooperate with my research, and you will gain unparalleled, supreme abilities!"
"Imagine yourself, fused with a supercomputer, how omnipotent you will be!! You will help me ascend to the pinnacle of world power!"
"You will help me achieve the monumental feat of breaking through human limitations!!!"
Mu Ye Xing Chen's excitement grew with each word. His subordinates, standing far behind him, looked at him in astonishment. The Commander Xing Chen they knew had never shown such an expression.
Even Hong Lian Zhi Wu had never seen him in such a frenzied state.
"Tui!" Gu Ya spat at Mu Ye Xing Chen in defiance.
Mu Ye Xing Chen ceased his wild laughter and calmly wiped the saliva, mixed with the odor of chemical agents, from his face with a white handkerchief. He said coolly, "I will make you submit!"
As soon as he finished speaking, countless sharp blades suddenly appeared above Mu Ye Xing Chen's head, pointing downwards and piercing towards him!
"Chih chih chih..."
Instantly, Mu Ye Xing Chen's shoulders, arms, and neck were crisscrossed by countless wounds from the blades. Six or seven blades were embedded in his shoulder.
Yet, he remained standing motionless, his eyes calmly fixed on Gu Ya, saying coldly, "Only this much?"
Immediately after, the area above Mu Ye Xing Chen's head turned dark!
Everyone behind him panicked. Some rushed desperately towards Mu Ye Xing Chen, while others recoiled in fear.
Hong Lian Zhi Wu had charged forward as soon as the blades appeared. At this moment, she reached Mu Ye Xing Chen's back and pulled him backward with all her might!
A massive metal block slammed heavily onto Mu Ye Xing Chen's previous position, creating a deep pit in the parts mountain below.
Before the two could steady themselves, the area above their heads darkened again!
Disregarding her own safety, Hong Lian Zhi Wu pushed Xing Chen backward with all her strength!
Another colossal metal block descended. Hong Lian slowly emerged from behind the block, having narrowly avoided being crushed.
Mu Ye Xing Chen's anger finally ignited. He calmly pulled the embedded blades from his shoulders. Blood flowed down his shoulders, dripping from his fingers onto the mountain of parts.
"Increase the dosage and accelerate the fusion process."
With Mu Ye Xing Chen's command, the giant cylindrical apparatus whirred to life once more.
Gu Ya glared furiously at Mu Ye Xing Chen, his killing intent seemingly transforming into thousands of sharp blades, piercing the man before him.
As the drug was injected into his body, Gu Ya began to feel drowsy. The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was Mu Ye Xing Chen's cold gaze.
When Gu Ya opened his eyes again, he found himself back in a familiar scene.
He was clad in heavy armor, wielding a long saber, standing amidst a vast expanse of corpses. The sounds of battle erupted from all directions.
A flash of cold light!
A cavalryman, built like a small mountain, charged forward on horseback, swinging a halberd to strike Gu Ya's head!