Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 160 A strange commission

Time seemed to be stretched out and frozen.

The pupils of the two scarred men contracted to pinpoints in extreme horror. The deathly aura emanating from the resentful spikes was not illusory, but a tangible chill that instantly froze their blood.

The muscles were taut as iron, not out of preparation for battle, but out of sheer terror that caused complete paralysis.

Unable to even swallow, he could only watch helplessly as the deadly black light tore through the air, his mind blank, leaving only the most primal, primal fear of facing a natural enemy.

Li Fugui was already terrified. He opened his mouth wide but couldn't make a sound. His limp body could only tremble helplessly.

Chen Zhiwei's exclamation was cut off in her throat. She had already raised the Soul-Suppressing Bell in her hand, but her eyes, which reflected the black light, were filled with fear and worry that she could not hide.

At this critical moment!
Xu Yan made a move.

Still as a virgin, swift as thunder!
Instead of retreating, he took a half-step forward to face the death ray, his body as stable as if rooted to the ground.

His right arm suddenly rose, his fingers pointing like a sword. At his fingertips, the highly compressed spiritual energy was no longer an invisible force field, but a condensed, tangible, blazing silver light, as if he were wearing a pair of finger guards forged from light. The surrounding air was slightly distorted and emitted a low hum due to the convergence of this extreme energy.

Without the slightest hesitation, the fingertips, imbued with all the strength and precise judgment of the body, pointed with surgical precision at the most vulnerable and unstable node in the energy structure of the resentment spike.

"hiss--!"

The instant the fingertips collided with the black light, there was no earth-shattering explosion, only an extremely piercing sound, like a red-hot iron searing the soul.

The silvery-white spiritual energy clashed violently with the filthy resentment, annihilating each other and erupting into a teeth-grinding noise. The turbulent energy flow was like a small storm, causing Xu Yan's clothes to flutter and his hair to dance wildly.

His fingers were as steady as a rock, but his face paled visibly as he braced himself against the condensed evil intent, clearly under immense pressure.

This scene was deeply imprinted in the eyes of every bystander present.

On the stiff faces of the two burly men, fear gradually gave way to an unbelievable shock; Li Fugui stopped trembling and stared blankly; Chen Zhiwei's grip on the Soul-Suppressing Bell loosened slightly, her eyes still showing worry, but with a hint of pride and determination.

Xu Yan took the fatal blow in the most direct and dangerous way.

"laugh--!"

That was not the sound of metal clashing; it was more like a red-hot iron fiercely scorching an invisible layer of ice, producing a sharp, chilling sound.

The silvery-white spiritual energy clashed and annihilated with the filthy resentment. The turbulent energy bursts out like an out-of-control whip, lashing the air and making tiny crackling sounds.

The force lifted Xu Yan's clothes, making a rustling sound, but his arm, with fingers pointing like a sword, remained steady without trembling.

Only his suddenly pale face revealed the immense mental and spiritual energy expended by this seemingly casual flick of the finger.

However, the effect was immediate!

The resentment spike, which was originally as solid as a black diamond, suddenly stopped in mid-air, as if it had been choked by an invisible hand. Its surface shimmered wildly, and its structure became visibly loose and blurred, its power greatly reduced.

"Knowing the subtle!"

Xu Yan's low shout, tinged with exhaustion and hoarseness, was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, instantly shattering the stalemate.

There's absolutely no need to say more!

Chen Zhiwei was connected to him by mind and spirit. The moment he stepped forward to meet her, she poured most of her spiritual energy into the Soul-Suppressing Bell without reservation.

At that moment, her eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and she suddenly jerked her wrist.

"Ding—Buzz—!!"

It was no longer a clear and melodious sound to ward off evil, but had transformed into a clarion call for conquest.

The bell rang so loudly it almost tore through the air. A condensed, tangible sonic wave, its edges shimmering with silver light, struck like a cannonball. It was no longer a defensive attack, but rather a resolute and unstoppable assault, slamming into the stiff, resentful spikes and the hideous "Resentful Puppet" body behind them.

"Bang!!"

The dull thud didn't come from the physical realm, but rather exploded directly in everyone's soul.

The spikes of resentment instantly disintegrated, turning into scattered black smoke.

The "vengeful puppet" that was lurking under the cupboard seemed to be struck by an invisible, heavy hammer, letting out a sharp howl that distorted space and was filled with pain and rage.

Its distorted energy form fluctuated violently and dissipated, shrinking and dimming by nearly half in an instant, clearly suffering a devastating blow.

"Now!"

Despite the churning of blood and the stinging pain in his mind caused by the backlash of spiritual energy, Xu Yan once again urged the little spiritual energy he had left. He pressed his hands down, and a powerful binding force field, like an invisible net, instantly enveloped the wounded and wailing Wraith Puppet, restricting its last struggle.

Chen Zhiwei understood immediately, and the Soul-Suppressing Bell rang again. This time, it was a continuous, clear sound, like the Weaver Girl weaving her shuttle, making the invisible force field net even finer and stronger, binding the evil spirit firmly in place, unable to move.

Only then was Xu Yan able to quickly take out the small black ceramic jar covered with talismans and recite a concise yet ancient sealing incantation.

Under the combined suppression of the force field and the bell, the severely injured Vengeful Puppet was powerless to resist and was forcibly sucked into the pottery jar like a dried-out sponge.

"Snapped!"

The lid was closed, the sealing talisman was affixed, and everything was settled.

The entire process, from the outbreak of violence to its suppression, lasted only a few seconds.

The suffocating, chilling oppression in the room receded like a tide, and the wildly flickering lights stabilized.

All that remained was the faint smell of burnt energy lingering in the air, and—

"Ho...ho..."

Li Fugui slumped to the ground, his face ashen, as if he had just been pulled out of the water. His whole body was soaked in cold sweat, and he could only gasp for breath like a broken bellows. His eyes were vacant, as if he had lost half of his soul.

The two scarred men stood frozen at the doorway like stone statues washed with cold sweat.

The muscles on their faces twitched uncontrollably, their previous arrogance completely shattered, replaced by a deep-seated horror and lingering fear.

They watched helplessly as the bizarre being that could easily take their lives was completely suppressed and sealed away in just over ten seconds thanks to the fluid, ruthless, and decisive cooperation of the young couple!
This was not just a crushing defeat in terms of strength, but also a display of composure and ruthlessness under pressure, which instilled fear and awe in them from the bottom of their hearts.

The requests introduced by Granny Xue... were indeed all suspicious!
Xu Yan slowly exhaled a breath of foul-smelling air, forcibly suppressing his churning blood and qi, and put away the sealed pottery jar.

His face was still pale, but his eyes had regained their usual calm depth as he looked at the still-shaken Li Fugui:
"Mr. Li, the root cause has been eliminated. Just clean up this corner and make sure it's well-ventilated."

Then, he turned to the doorway, his gaze falling on the two burly men whose attitudes had become extremely respectful, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear. His tone was calm but unquestionable:

"Now, we can talk about your business."

He paused, as if stating a perfectly natural fact.
"But it costs extra money."

Xu Yan's calm "It'll cost more" was like a pebble thrown into a room where the smoke of battle had not yet completely dissipated, the ripples clearly reaching the ears of the two scarred men.

In the past, such blatant blackmail would have been enough to enrage Scarface.

But at this moment, the hideous scar on his face twitched slightly uncontrollably, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, as if he was swallowing the fear brought about by the life-and-death confrontation he had just witnessed and the terrifying strength displayed by the two people in front of him.

He took a deep breath, his breath trembling slightly with relief, his back unconsciously bending even lower, his tone more submissive than ever before, even tinged with a hint of fawning:
"Mr. Xu, you're right! We absolutely must add it! We'll make sure you both are satisfied!"

He readily agreed, carefully observing Xu Yan's expression.

"Our boss... has truly encountered a tremendous problem and is just waiting for true masters like you two to step in! This is not the place to talk. The boss has prepared a quiet room and tea, and sincerely hopes to discuss the details with you in person. The terms... are absolutely generous!"

Xu Yan did not answer immediately. He first walked to the table and casually picked up the small black pottery jar that sealed the "Vengeful Puppet". He gently rubbed his fingertips on the cool jar wall, as if to confirm the seal was secure.

This subtle movement, when observed by Scarface, made his heart tighten again.

He turned his head and his gaze met Chen Zhiwei's.

As Chen Zhiwei was putting the Soul-Suppressing Bell back into her bag, she felt his gaze and looked up. There was no panic in her eyes after experiencing danger, only complete trust and a calm "it's up to you" attitude.

She even nodded almost imperceptibly, a subtle hint of mockery in her smile at his earlier comment that "it costs more."

"Lead the way." Xu Yan withdrew his gaze, his tone remaining calm, as if he had merely agreed to an ordinary meeting.

He walked towards the door first, his steps steady.

Scarface felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly stepped aside to lead the way, adopting a humble posture.

Just as they were about to leave, Li Fugui, who had been slumped on the ground, finally regained some of his senses. He struggled to his feet, his voice still trembling, "Master... Master! The reward... the reward..."

Xu Yan didn't stop walking, but merely turned half his face, his gaze sweeping over Li Fugui, and then seemingly casually glancing at the respectfully bowing scarred man beside him. His voice clearly reached everyone's ears:

"The rules remain the same. Since you were introduced by Granny Xue, the price is the same. Just transfer the money to the account she designates."

His words, spoken casually, acted as a watershed, clearly drawing a price gap between "introductions from acquaintances" and "special commissions."

Scarface and his companion exchanged a quick glance, realizing that this man was not only highly skilled but also knew exactly what the rules and prices were.

After giving his instructions, Xu Yan left without lingering and walked out of the room, which was filled with a faint smell of burning, alongside Chen Zhiwei.

Two burly men followed closely behind, their attitude more than ten times more respectful than when they arrived.

As they went downstairs, Chen Zhiwei gently touched Xu Yan's arm and whispered:

"how do you feel?"

The question was about the energy and effort he expended taking that hit.

"fine."

Xu Yan gave a brief response, feeling the spiritual energy within his body slowly recovering, and the mark on his right shoulder returning to calm.

His gaze swept across the shadows of the old stairwell, and he gained a clearer understanding of the "trouble" he was about to face and the "resources" he might gain.

Risks and opportunities coexist, and they have demonstrated the ability to justify a high price.

Sitting in that modified Mercedes-Benz van again, it felt as if the interior had been vacuumed.

Unlike the threatening silence that preceded their arrival, the silence now was filled with awe and caution.

Scarface and his companion practically huddled in their seats, deliberately keeping their breathing quiet, afraid that the slightest noise might disturb the young man in the back seat who had just killed the evil spirit with his bare hands.

Only the deep, steady hum of the engine could be heard, much like the suppressed heartbeats of everyone present.

Xu Yan leaned back in the large leather chair, his eyelids lowered, seemingly resting with his eyes closed. But his fingers, resting on his knees, unconsciously traced the soft fabric, outlining the trajectory of some kind of energy.

This is a habit he doesn't easily notice when quickly organizing his thoughts and processing the energy consumed in battle.

The vehicle drove smoothly, but every slight turn or change of speed caused a barely perceptible fluctuation in the stagnant air inside the car.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth on the back of his hand.

Chen Zhiwei's hand gently covered his. She didn't speak, but simply placed a small piece wrapped in oil paper into his palm, her fingertips lingering briefly on the back of his hand, conveying a silent question.

Xu Yan opened his eyes and met her gaze, which was very close to his.

The carriage was dimly lit, but the concern in her eyes was clearly visible, along with a hint of subtle reproach that was unique to them—reproach for his risky and stubborn act.

He looked down and opened his palm; it was a piece of osmanthus candy, the edge of the oil paper still warm from her fingertips.

He smiled almost imperceptibly, unwrapped the candy, and put the sweet candy into his mouth.

A gentle, floral-scented warmth quietly spread, slightly soothing the slight throbbing pain caused by excessive consumption of spiritual energy.

"Not so squeamish."

He spoke in a low voice, so that only the two of them could hear, and carefully folded the crumpled candy wrapper back into her hand.

This natural and trivial gesture speaks volumes more than any words about the intimacy and understanding between them.

In the front row, Scarface caught this brief but heartwarming interaction through the rearview mirror. His eyes flickered slightly, and his assessment of the relationship between the two was refreshed once again, making the label of "important partner" even more firmly attached, and his attitude became more cautious.

The vehicle had now left the main road, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from bustling to sparse, eventually turning into a private driveway shaded by tall trees.

The wheels rolled over the carefully paved stone road, making a dull screech.

Ahead, a tall, bluish-gray courtyard wall came into view, its top covered with lush climbing vines, and a heavy, seemingly rustic wooden door, which was actually embedded with sophisticated sensors, was tightly closed.

As soon as the car came to a stop and before the engine was turned off, Xu Yan keenly sensed at least three different frequency spiritual energy detection fluctuations, like invisible tentacles, sweeping across the car body from different directions, carrying a sense of scrutiny and warning.

The two "security guards" standing at the entrance were tall and straight like pine trees, with sharp eyes like eagles, slightly bulging temples, and long, steady breaths, clearly not ordinary security personnel.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen."

Scarface spoke respectfully, got out of the car first, and conducted a brief but efficient identity verification with the person inside the door.

The heavy wooden door slid open silently, revealing a deep and tranquil courtyard behind it.

Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei exchanged a glance, both seeing the same judgment in each other's eyes: this place is no ordinary place.

Guided by Scarface, they walked through the courtyard, into a corridor, and were eventually led to a carved wooden door.

As the door opened, a delicate and refreshing scent of sandalwood mixed with the aroma of top-quality tea wafted out, revealing a tea room with an elegant style, simple furnishings, and understated luxury in every detail.

The tea room was quiet, with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood wafting through the air.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark Chinese-style jacket with frog buttons sat upright in the main seat, without rising. He was around fifty years old, with a refined appearance, but his eyes were like a deep well, sharp enough to pierce through people's hearts.

He slowly and deliberately twirled a string of dark-colored prayer beads in his hands, every movement exuding a composure and calmness befitting someone who had long held a high position.

However, as soon as Xu Yan stepped into the tea room, he keenly sensed a faint but undeniable anxiety beneath the composure, like an undercurrent stirring the surrounding atmosphere.

This person was none other than Han Wenshan.

His gaze was already up when Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei entered the room. He didn't exchange pleasantries immediately, but instead, like a precise scanner, his eyes lingered on Xu Yan's slightly pale face for a moment, a barely perceptible assessment flashing in them, before falling on Chen Zhiwei. He also glanced at the ancient compass in her hand and her composed demeanor.

This brief examination, though silent, carries weight.

“Mr. Xu, Ms. Chen.” Han Wenshan finally spoke, his voice steady and mellow, carrying a natural and unquestionable aura of a master. “I am Han Wenshan. Manager Lin has repeatedly praised you both, saying that you are outstanding individuals. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary.”

He gestured to the seat opposite him, a gesture that was an invitation rather than a welcome.

"Please take a seat."

He did not display excessive enthusiasm, and this restraint itself demonstrated his status and the weight of the matter.

Xu Yan nodded calmly and sat down with Chen Zhiwei.

Chen Zhiwei remained calm and composed, showing no sign of unease despite the other party's imposing manner. She gently placed the compass on her lap, her posture natural, indicating that she was not merely a follower.

A tea master dressed in a cheongsam stepped forward silently and poured tea for the three of them with smooth and flowing movements. The tea soup was clear and bright in color and had a fragrant aroma.

Han Wenshan didn't touch his teacup. His gaze refocused on Xu Yan, cutting straight to the point, but his tone remained perfectly controlled:

"Manager Lin said that the two of you are good at handling some problems that cannot be solved by 'conventional' methods. In particular, you have a unique approach to 'harmless' disposal."

He paused deliberately, observing Xu Yan's reaction.

“I happen to have encountered such a ‘trouble’ concerning the safety of a top researcher and a project that… absolutely cannot fail.”

Xu Yan didn't reply. Instead, he picked up the teacup in front of him, feeling the warmth of the porcelain with his fingertips. He calmly looked back at Han Wenshan, waiting for him to continue.

This silence itself is an attitude; he is weighing the situation and exerting pressure.

Han Wenshan leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, but each word was clear and forceful:

"Dr. Li, our chief researcher. His private laboratory has recently become a hotbed of 'anomalies.' The instruments are mysteriously recording data that shouldn't exist, undecipherable blood-red marks are appearing on confidential documents, and the staff on duty claim to have seen 'shadows' that cannot be captured..."

He paused, his gaze becoming extremely solemn. "And Dr. Li himself, his mental state deteriorated rapidly. He became delirious, suffered from amnesia, and even... uttered some ancient and taboo syllables."

"We tried internal handling and also sought external assistance." Han Wenshan's tone didn't reveal much emotion, but the understated mention of "seeking external assistance" implied the heaviness of failure. "The result was unsatisfactory. One person even suffered mental trauma as a result and has not yet recovered."

At this moment, Chen Zhiwei spoke softly, her clear voice breaking the silent struggle between the two men:
"Mr. Han, did the previous interveners leave behind any detailed investigation reports? Or, are there any recordings of those 'taboo syllables'?"

Her questions were professional and to the point, instantly demonstrating her value and proving she was not merely an appendage of Xu Yan.

Han Wenshan turned his gaze to Chen Zhiwei, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Miss Chen is meticulous. Some data has been preserved, but it involves core secrets and can only be released after the two of you officially take over. As for those syllables..." He shook his head, "They cannot be reliably recorded by the equipment, and the descriptions of those who have heard them are all different, but they all point to... some kind of ancient consciousness that should not exist."

He looked at Xu Yan again, offering his real bargaining chip with a resolute tone, displaying the decisiveness of a business tycoon: "I understand the risks. Therefore, the reward must be commensurate with the risks. In addition to the cash and resources promised by the mission hall, my Han family will provide three standard units of 'Spirit-Nourishing Jade'." He stared intently into Xu Yan's eyes, continuing without allowing any refusal, "Furthermore, I will grant access to my Han Group's advanced intelligence network for one year. I believe that some of this information will be helpful to Mr. Xu in finding something..."

The Spirit-Nourishing Jade! An intelligence network!

Han Wenshan's last sentence was particularly pointed, as if he knew that Xu Yan was searching for the "Soul-Suppressing Iron"!
This insight and resourcefulness instilled a sense of dread in Xu Yan. This Mr. Han knew far more than he appeared to.

Xu Yan's hand holding the teacup was as steady as a rock, but a very subtle fluctuation flashed deep in the depths of his eyes.

He didn't look at Chen Zhiwei immediately. Instead, he met Han Wenshan's extremely imposing gaze and slowly placed the teacup back on the table with a crisp "tap".

“It sounds like Dr. Li’s condition is extremely dangerous.” Xu Yan’s tone remained calm, yet carried a professional caution. “It would be irresponsible to make any promises before we see him in person and complete an initial assessment. We need to determine first whether the ‘thing’ troubling him is still under control, and… what it actually wants.”

He was not blinded by the generous reward; instead, he displayed a composure and professionalism beyond his years.

This composure transformed the last trace of scrutiny in Han Wenshan's eyes into genuine concern.

Han Wenshan leaned back slightly, picking up his cup of tea, which had already cooled somewhat, for the first time. A subtle, enigmatic smile played on his lips. "Very good. Caution is a virtue. The car is ready; it can take you two to 'Jingxinzhai' at any time." He took a sip of tea and added, "I will inform them to cooperate fully. I hope you two can bring me good news."

The air in the tea room seemed to begin flowing again at this moment.

This brief meeting, devoid of tension, served as a subtle test of each other's strength and character through calm words and delicate gestures. At the eye of the storm, Dr. Li, with his unique background, awaited their arrival.

Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei both knew that what Han Wenshan gave them was either a map to the treasure or an invitation to step into the abyss.

The vehicle drove into a separate park called "Jingxinzhai".

Rather than a residence, this place is more like a high-level private research fortress.

The towering walls, hidden cameras, and the faint energy barrier fluctuations in the air all indicate that this place is extraordinary.

After passing through several automatic doors requiring identity verification, an assistant led them into the main building.

The interior is a cold, minimalist tech style, with pure white walls and a seamless, illuminated ceiling that provides constant but unwarm light. The air circulation system emits a low, muffled sound. Everything seems too orderly, clean, and even... lifeless.

"The energy field here is not right."

Chen Zhiwei almost immediately whispered to Xu Yan, the compass needle in her hand was shifting slightly at an extremely slow, almost viscous speed, as if the target being probed was wrapped in a thick layer of grease.

Xu Yan nodded slightly, his spiritual senses becoming clearer. This place was not the cold, deathly stillness of an ordinary haunted place, but rather a viscous atmosphere that had been forcibly "sorted out" and "suppressed".

It's as if someone uses immense power to forcibly smooth out and imprison the originally chaotic energy field, attempting to create a false sense of peace.

The air was filled with a faint smell of disinfectant, but it couldn't mask a subtle, cloying sweetness mixed with old books and some strange chemical reagent, an aroma that instinctively made one uncomfortable.

The assistant led them to a heavy alloy door on the second floor, with no conventional locks or handles visible on it.

“The doctor… his condition is unusual,” the assistant said cautiously. “He is abnormally sensitive to energy ‘frequency,’ especially… unfamiliar fluctuations.” He gave the command through his wristwatch, and the alloy door slid open silently to the side.

The moment the door opened, a surge of mental energy, a mixture of intense anxiety, extreme intellectual paranoia, and a strange, almost life-burning excitement, burst forth like a flood, assaulting Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei's senses.

The room is more spacious inside than it appears from the outside, resembling a strange combination of a study and a cutting-edge laboratory.

On one side are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, crammed with classics and papers in various languages; on the other side are several precision instruments in silent operation and a huge interactive whiteboard.

The whiteboard was covered with dense, dazzling formulas and molecular structure diagrams, written in hasty, messy handwriting.

A thin, disheveled figure with graying hair was facing away from them, almost pressed against the whiteboard, writing frantically with a pen, the pen tip screeching against the board.

Seemingly hearing the noise behind him, the figure suddenly stopped and then turned around abruptly like a startled animal—it was Dr. Li.

His eyes were sunken and bloodshot, and his face was an unhealthy gray, but deep in his pupils burned a kind of almost manic light, as if he had discovered a divine revelation.

"Who?! Who came in?!"

His voice was shrill and piercing, and his gaze, like two high-speed scanners, swept over the assistant in an instant before locking onto Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei.

His gaze lingered on Xu Yan the longest, his face showing an expression of extreme confusion and inquiry.

“Your frequency… is wrong!” He threw down his pen, staggered forward a few steps, and pointed his hand, stained with ink of various colors, at Xu Yan. “It’s too stable! Unnaturally stable! Like… like it’s been ‘locked down’ by some kind of absolute order! This is impossible! Unless…”

The fervor in his eyes intensified, as if he wanted to pounce on Xu Yan and touch him, to personally "measure" this abnormality.

The assistant tried to step forward to stop him, but Xu Yan slightly raised his hand to stop him.

Xu Yan stood still, calmly enduring Dr. Li's neurotic scrutiny, while his intuition, like a sophisticated radar, rapidly scanned the entire room.

He noticed several details:
In the corner of the room were several non-standard, oddly shaped energy sensors, whose faint fluctuations resonated with the "viscous" energy field in the center of the room.
In a sealed nutrient tank next to the electronic whiteboard, a certain type of cultured bacterial colony exhibited an abnormally bright fluorescent color.
The sweet, cloying smell in the air seemed to originate from an open reagent bottle on Dr. Li's lab coat.

It's not passive erosion, but active guidance and imprisonment.

A clear conclusion formed in Xu Yan's mind.

He met Dr. Li's almost frantic gaze and spoke calmly, his voice low but like a precise scalpel, dissecting the surface:
“Dr. Li, you are not its victim. You are… trying to tame it, study it, and even use it as a ‘catalyst’ for your experiments, right?”

These words were like ice water splashed on my face!
Dr. Li's fanaticism froze instantly, replaced by a look of utter shock and pallor, as if his secret had been completely exposed. He staggered back a step, his lips trembling, "You...you're talking nonsense! You're slandering my research!"

“Slander?” Xu Yan’s gaze swept over the homemade sensors and the unusual nutrient tanks. “The energy field here has been carefully ‘modified.’ You are trying to observe it, guide it, and use its power to break through the bottleneck in your research. These devices are the evidence.”

Chen Zhiwei stepped forward, the compass needle in her hand pointing clearly in the direction of the sensors, emitting a faint buzzing sound.

"Energy is being actively extracted and gathered, Doctor, you're playing with fire."

Her voice was cold and clear, carrying an unquestionable judgment.

The truth, under the two people's accurate observation and sharp words, has nowhere to hide.

Dr. Li was not simply a victim; he was a mad scientist who actively opened Pandora's box and attempted to control the demon within...

The moment Xu Yan finished speaking, a sudden change occurred.

Contrary to expectations of howling winds or ghostly figures, a chilling anomaly occurred within Dr. Li's seemingly meticulous laboratory itself.

On the right side of the room, in a sealed nutrient tank, the bacterial colonies that had been steadily emitting a faint blue fluorescence suddenly boiled over, as if injected with a violent life force.

"Goooooooooooo-"

The viscous culture medium churned violently, and the colonies proliferated and twisted wildly at a speed that defied the laws of biology. In an instant, the color changed from a dark blue to an ominous purplish-black, as if it were filled with endless filth. It instantly filled and squeezed the walls of the reinforced glass tank, making a teeth-grinding "crunching" sound.

At the same time, with a soft "beep", the screen of Dr. Li's smartwatch automatically lit up, but it was not a regular interface. Instead, countless twisted, wriggling, eerie codes, like microscopic insects, rolled wildly, emitting a high-frequency, subtle yet piercing "buzzing" noise.

"Shut up! Shut up! You low-dimensional noises are interfering with my thinking!"

Dr. Li suddenly clutched his head, his fingernails almost digging into his scalp, and roared hysterically at his wristwatch.

However, the next second, his gaze fell upon the purplish-black nutrient tank, and a morbid, almost pilgrimage-like fervor erupted in his eyes. "Look! Do you see it? A completely new metabolic mode! Breaking through the theoretical limits! This is 'His' blessing! It is the revelation of truth!"

His mind swung violently between extreme pain and twisted ecstasy, like a candle flickering in the wind.

The latent malice seemed to be completely enraged by Xu Yan's accurate insight and Dr. Li's loss of control.

No more hiding, no more testing.

A cold, viscous mental shock, carrying a strong corrosive and chaotic will, was no longer a pervasive pressure, but rather like a venomous snake that had been plotting for a long time, suddenly condensing into an invisible needle, ignoring spatial distance, carrying a bone-chilling cold, and piercing straight for Xu Yan's brow.

This attack was insidious and precise, far surpassing the savage charge of the "Vengeful Puppet," and aimed at directly corrupting and disintegrating the core of consciousness.

Xu Yan groaned, his body swaying slightly. He felt as if an ice pick had been driven into his mind, stirring his thoughts. Even the "Abyss" mark on his right shoulder felt a faint, desecrated tremor.

But his eyes remained clear. In the instant the impact was about to hit him, he keenly sensed that this power resonated and depended on a certain energy node in the room, on that homemade sensor.

"Brother!"

Chen Zhiwei's exclamation was filled with genuine worry. Almost simultaneously, the Soul-Suppressing Bell in her hand rang, its clear and melodious sound transforming into gentle silver ripples, attempting to cleanse and weaken the sharpness of the spiritual needle.

However, Xu Yan did not choose to confront it with brute force or hastily use the camera.

In a flash, a more ingenious strategy took shape in his mind—to use their strength against them and break their claws.

He endured the discomfort of his consciousness being invaded, his eyes flashing with silver light. He actually released a sliver of his defense, guiding the violent mental impact like guiding a flood, directing some of its destructive energy along that subtle resonance connection, and fiercely directing it towards the homemade energy sensor that was flickering faintly in the corner.

"Bam—!"

A short, violent explosion! The sensor was simply unable to withstand such a concentrated and foul energy shock. It overloaded instantly, the outer casing shattered, and a plume of black smoke mixed with burnt components and a chilling aura rose up.

Strangely, at the very moment the sensor exploded:
The boiling purplish-black colonies in the nutrient tank withered and dimmed instantly, as if the power had been cut off.
The strange code scrolling on Dr. Li's wristwatch abruptly stopped, and the screen shattered.
The icy mental shock that had invaded Xu Yan's sea of ​​consciousness was also as if its source had been severed, its power greatly reduced, and it quickly dissipated.

Everything was amiss, and suddenly it all calmed down!

All that remained was the faint hissing sound of the nutrient tank and the lingering smell of burning in the air.

Dr. Li collapsed to the ground as if his spine had been removed. The madness in his eyes faded, leaving only an emptiness like someone who had survived a catastrophe and a deep-seated fear. His body trembled uncontrollably.

Xu Yan slowly exhaled a breath of cold, foul air. His face was pale, but his eyes remained sharp as ever.

He walked up to Dr. Li, squatted down, and spoke in a low voice, each word like an icicle, piercing into the other's confused consciousness:
"Doctor, what you have attracted is not a tool for you to use. It is a predator with high intelligence and malice. Your self-righteous experiments are, in its eyes, nothing more than the process of cultivating a more delicious 'snack' for itself. You, your intelligence, your life are all just a dish on its table."

He stood up, ignoring Dr. Li's pupils which had constricted sharply in extreme fear, and turned to his pale-faced assistant and the worried Chen Zhiwei, his tone calm and composed:
"The situation is very complicated. The 'roots' of this thing have already penetrated deeply into Dr. Li's research system through these homemade devices, and may even have formed a symbiotic entanglement with his own life magnetic field. Forcibly removing it would be tantamount to performing a psychosurgery on the doctor with a very low success rate."

He gave instructions to his assistant, his words carrying an unquestionable air of authority:
"Immediately notify Mr. Han: First, we need all of Dr. Li's research logs and experimental data from the beginning of the project to the present, especially his personal notes, particularly those related to 'energy source capture' and 'anomalies'. Second, immediately implement the highest level of physical and psionic dual isolation here, cutting off all possible external connections and energy supplies."

Finally, his gaze swept over the destroyed and undestroyed sensors again, and he added, his tone meaningful:

"Third, and most importantly, we need to find out the source of these 'ingenious' devices. Who gave Dr. Li the inspiration and technology to capture and 'study' this phenomenon?"

The nature of this task has changed.

It is no longer a simple exorcism, but a brutal war with higher-dimensional evil spirits for the host's life and sanity, an intellectual game in which the weaknesses of the "prey" must be found and precisely attacked before the other party completely digests the "prey".

The tranquil "Jingxinzhai" had now transformed into an invisible battlefield fraught with danger and deadly traps in Xu Yan's eyes.

Xu Yan's words were as precise as a scalpel, dissecting the glamorous facade of "Jingxinzhai" layer by layer to reveal the hideous truth within.

The assistant's face paled visibly. His fingers trembled slightly as he connected to the encrypted communication and reported to Han Wenshan, his voice filled with barely perceptible panic.

(End of this chapter)