One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

At 5:30 a.m., the sky over Guiyang was still a deep, dark blue, with only a faint glimmer of dawn breaking through the eastern horizon, like a thin line of light painted lightly on ink-black rice paper with the finest brush dipped in water. The city was not yet fully awake; only the muffled rumble of early morning bus engines and the faint sounds of unloading and conversation drifting from the direction of the distant market broke the last vestiges of pre-dawn tranquility.

In the living room of the safe house, warm lights were already on. Nie Lingfeng, dressed in a practical dark gray outdoor suit, sat cross-legged on the carpet in the center of the room, an encrypted tablet computer spread out in front of him. The screen's blue light reflected off his sharply defined profile. His fingers slid rapidly across the screen, making final comparisons and markings with the scattered information about the Yaoxing Society's secret suburban base that he had gleaned from the fragments of the black-clad man's consciousness the previous night, along with the satellite images, company intelligence briefings, and the surrounding terrain map provided by Xiao Yang.

The approximate location of the base, its main structure, the distribution of the outer security forces, possible entrances and exits, and the approximate area from which the "chilling inhuman roar" in my memory came from... one red marker after another was marked on the electronic map, gradually outlining the vague silhouette of a steel behemoth surrounded by high walls and electric fences, like a crouching steel behemoth in the shadow of the mountains.

Chen Duo also woke up early. She was wearing the new dark-colored windbreaker and quick-drying pants Nie Lingfeng had bought for her, her hair tied in a neat high ponytail. She was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, clutching her panda plush toy, her small backpack spread out in front of her. Her expression was unusually serious, her face tense, her bright green eyes intently examining every item in the bag, and she was muttering to herself:

"Two sets of clothes. Three pairs of socks. One pack of tissues. A full water bottle. Five packs of compressed biscuits. Three bags of beef jerky. Two pieces of chocolate. Hmm, I'll have to be careful with the chocolate..." She picked up the two individually wrapped dark chocolates, looked at them, then at the bags of beef jerky next to them, seemingly weighing something. Finally, she solemnly placed the chocolates in the outermost, most easily accessible pocket of her backpack, and nodded with satisfaction. "Okay, I can eat them quickly when I'm hungry." (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

Next, she took out a small first-aid kit that Nie Lingfeng had given her the night before, a windproof lighter, a bundle of paracord, and several simple tools that Nie Lingfeng had taught her how to use (a multi-tool, a compass, a glow stick, etc.). She carefully checked each item to make sure everything was in order, and then, according to her own understanding of the "order" and "urgency," she categorized them and stuffed them into different compartments of her backpack. Although her movements weren't particularly skillful, they were meticulous and conveyed a seriousness that was quite different from her usual naive demeanor, a sense of "carrying out a mission."

Finally, she picked up the peerless sword, carefully wrapped in cloth strips to ensure the hilt's edge wasn't exposed, and hesitated. The sword was still too heavy for her; carrying it would hinder her movement. She glanced at Nie Lingfeng, who was intently studying the map, then at her own backpack, which was packed full but had been compressed as much as possible. Finally, she carefully placed the peerless sword on top of the backpack, securing it with the built-in straps. She tested its weight and balance, her face scrunching slightly, but she said nothing.

Although Nie Lingfeng seemed focused on the map, he was not missing a single detail of Chen Duo's movements. Watching her adorable expression, like a primary school student carefully checking her luggage before her first field trip, and then her worried look at the peerless sword at the end, he couldn't help but smile slightly. This girl, sometimes as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, and sometimes so sensible and earnest that it was heartbreaking.

"Chen Duo," he put down his tablet, turned to look at her, "Give me the Peerless Sword. It'll be easier for me to carry it." The specially made sword pouch on his back had enough space, and the Snow Drinking Blade and the Peerless Sword seemed to resonate with each other in a strange way, making them easier to carry.

Upon hearing this, Chen Duo breathed a sigh of relief, nodded quickly, carefully untied the binding straps, and walked over with the Peerless Sword, handing it to Nie Lingfeng. Nie Lingfeng took it, unfastened the clasp of the sword sheath on his back, placed the Peerless Sword and the Snow Drinking Blade side by side inside, and fastened them again. Sure enough, as the two divine weapons approached, the faint resonance made the sword sheath seem to lighten slightly.

"Finished looking at the map?" Chen Duo curiously leaned closer, looking at the tablet screen. The complex lines, markings, and contour lines on it seemed like gibberish to her, but she still tried her best to understand them. Her emerald green eyes were fixed on the screen, her little head tilted, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyelids.

"Okay, I've finished looking at it." Nie Lingfeng handed the tablet to her, pointing to the area he had marked with a red circle. "This is where we need to go. It's in the mountains, about forty kilometers east of Guiyang. It used to be an abandoned chemical plant, which was secretly bought and renovated by the Yaoxing Society. It's heavily guarded."

He switched to several enlarged satellite images, pointing to high walls, electric fences, patrol routes, and the outlines of several blurry buildings: "We won't drive; it's too conspicuous. Xiao Yang has arranged for someone to meet us on the other side of the mountain and take us to the outer perimeter. Then we'll sneak over from the back of the mountain, along this ridgeline." His finger traced a winding, relatively hidden green path. "The woods here are dense, creating a blind spot, but the path is difficult to navigate, and there might be hidden sentries or sensors. Once we get near the wall, we'll have to figure out a way to get in."

Chen Duo listened attentively, her eyes following Nie Lingfeng's finger as she tried to remember the key points. Although she couldn't read a map, she had an exceptionally good sense of direction and a way of remembering routes—an instinct she had developed back in the Medicine Immortal Society to evade capture and find "food."

"And then what happens after you go inside?" she asked.

"Once inside," Nie Lingfeng's eyes narrowed slightly, "we'll act according to the situation. Our primary objective is to confirm their research content and find evidence related to 'Ancient God Belief,' 'Contamination,' and that 'Seed' project. If possible, it would be best to find some paper or electronic records. Additionally, if we encounter researchers or guards who know the inside story, we might be able to obtain more direct information. As for Qu Tong..." He paused, "If she's there, that's best. If not, we still need to find out where she frequents and her activity patterns."

Chen Duo nodded, then asked, "Are there a lot of 'stinky things' in there?"

Nie Lingfeng knew she was referring to something like the "Cave God" of Luodong Village or a corrupted creature. He pondered for a moment: "Judging from the fragments of that man in black's memory, deep underground in the base, there might be some... very dangerous biological experiments being conducted. Those inhuman roars likely came from the experimental subjects. The number is uncertain, but there are definitely some. Moreover, what the Yaoxing Society can guard and study so closely is probably not an ordinary 'stinking thing'."

Chen Duo's little face turned serious, a hint of instinctive disgust flashing in her emerald eyes, but more so a resolute "If that's how it is, then burn them." "Okay, I understand. I'll be careful, and I'll... help burn them."

Nie Lingfeng smiled and ruffled her hair: "However, our main purpose is not to fight, but to investigate. It would be best if we could sneak in, get the information, and then sneak out again. If we are discovered, or if we have to take action, remember to try not to make too much noise, and don't kill anyone. Most of the ordinary guards and researchers are just following orders. Our target is the core secrets of the Yaoxing Society, not murder."

"Yes, we won't fight ordinary people, only bad guys and 'stinky things'," Chen Duo summarized seriously.

Nie Lingfeng chuckled; this summary... was quite insightful.

Just then, the sky outside the window brightened a bit more, and the pale dawn in the east was tinged with a faint golden-red. The city was fully awake, and the sounds of bustling activity could be faintly heard.

"Let's go, have breakfast first, then we'll set off." Nie Lingfeng stood up and stretched his limbs. A sleepless night had no effect on him; after fusing with the three divine artifacts, his energy seemed inexhaustible.

The two checked their belongings again. Besides the sword sheath on his back, Nie Lingfeng now had a multi-functional waist bag containing various small tools, emergency medicines, and the encrypted communicator. He also wore a specially made tactical watch on his wrist, allowing him to maintain short-range (encrypted) communication with Xiao Yang. Chen Duo carried her bulging but neatly organized backpack and held a multi-functional whistle given to her by Nie Lingfeng, which included a powerful flashlight and a simple alarm function.

After locking the door to the safe house, the two went downstairs. The neighborhood was already bustling with elderly people doing their morning exercises and children rushing to school. Seeing their "professional" attire, they all cast curious glances. Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo kept their eyes straight ahead, quickly walking out of the neighborhood and stopping in front of a newly opened breakfast shop on the street corner, its doors emitting steam.

The breakfast shop was quite ordinary, with a few greasy little tables. The proprietress was frying golden-brown dough sticks in a large pot at the entrance, while next to her were steamers filled with plump white buns. The air was filled with the aroma of crispy noodles and the rich flavor of soy milk.

"Boss, four fried dough sticks, two bowls of soy milk, four meat buns, two tea eggs, to go." Nie Lingfeng quickly ordered. He didn't know when he would be able to eat hot food after entering the mountains, so he had to have a hearty breakfast.

The proprietress quickly packed everything up. Chen Duo looked curiously at the fluffy, crispy fried dough sticks, each thicker than her arm, then at the plump, glistening meat buns, and couldn't help but swallow hard. (☆▽☆)

Carrying their heavy breakfast, the two walked to a relatively quiet bus stop and quickly ate in the cool morning air. The fried dough sticks were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the soy milk was rich and slightly sweet, the meat buns were generously filled, and the tea eggs were savory and flavorful. Chen Duo's little mouth glistened with oil, her cheeks bulging like a little hamster diligently hoarding food for winter. She even carefully shared half of the meat bun filling, which she thought was the best, with Nie Lingfeng. Nie Lingfeng didn't refuse and accepted it with a smile.

After a simple but satisfying breakfast, Nie Lingfeng checked his tactical watch. 6:20. He took out his encrypted phone and sent Xiao Yang a short message: "Depart. Proceed with the rendezvous as planned."

A few seconds later, Xiao Yang replied: "Received. The rendezvous point is in place. Stay in touch. Be careful."

Nie Lingfeng put away his phone and nodded to Chen Duo. Without further delay, the two quickly crossed the early morning streets and arrived at a relatively secluded intersection. There, a slightly worn silver van with local license plates was already silently parked on the side of the road. The windows were tinted dark, obscuring the interior.

Nie Lingfeng opened the passenger door and got in. Chen Duo, carrying her backpack, sat in the back. In the driver's seat was a man dressed in ordinary work clothes, wearing a baseball cap pulled low—it was Xiao Yang. He didn't turn around, but simply said in a low voice, "Hold on tight," before skillfully starting the car and merging into the increasing morning traffic.

The van didn't head towards the highway leading out of the city. Instead, it meandered through the city for about twenty minutes before finally entering a large logistics distribution center. Here, vehicles came and went, and people mingled, making it easy to blend in and out. Xiao Yang parked the van in a secluded corner piled high with shipping containers and turned off the engine.