The signal flare was like flipping a switch! The next second, clusters of flames burst forth in the dark jungle.

    Fueled by gasoline and at the upwind location, the fire took advantage of the wind. In just a few short seconds, the flames connected into a sheet, scorching leaves and dead trees, spreading rapidly toward Moonlight Forest like a fire dragon!

    In the Planning Area, there were few cars, so most of the soldiers and agents had never come into contact with gasoline. That''s why they hadn''t recognized the black liquid at first.

    But... fire is an instinctual fear etched into the DNA of all living creatures!

    So, when they saw the fire dragon, seemingly alive, rising and leaping among the dead wood and leaves, rapidly spreading through Moonlight Forest with a devouring ferocity, they became afraid!

    "Forest fire! It''s a forest fire! Run! Run!"

    The soldiers and agents who had experienced the terror of a forest fire immediately panicked.

    While the forces from Eastern City Investigation Bureau and Xinjie City Military Department could somewhat contain their subordinates'' panic, those from Xinjie City Investigation Bureau and Eastern City Military Department were not as easily controlled!

    Seeing the spreading fire, the well-behaved soldiers and agents were shivering with fear, while those who were not as disciplined had already started running to either side, trying to escape Moonlight Forest!

    At this moment, Lin Ting looked at the spreading fire with a face ashen with rage. He cursed, "Damn it! United Front! It must be the United Front!" S~ea??h the N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Those rats must have seen that they couldn''t get to Moonlight Lake, so they decided to just destroy it!"

    Although his training wasn''t the best, he still was a senior official of the Investigation Bureau, with a few tricks up his sleeve.

    So, even in this crisis, he didn''t panic. Instead, he drew his gun and roared at the agents around him, "Chop down trees for me!"

    "Chop down trees! Clear a safe zone!"

    "As long as there are no dead trees or leaves, the fire won''t be able to spread over!"

    His command was correct, but the problem was... All four forces had come to extract Tears of Moonlight, who would carry an axe to chop trees!

    So, his assistant looked at him with eyes almost in tears and said, "Chief! We don''t have the tools! No tools!" Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

    Hearing the assistant''s words, Lin Ting also realized this point.

    His face still ashen, he watched the spreading flames, anxiously thinking of other strategies.

    Meanwhile, the leaders of the other three factions were also quickly discussing whether to retreat or to stay.

    Both retreating and staying had their pros and cons.

    Retreating would mean there would likely be no casualties due to the ample time. However, the downside was also clear: Tears of Moonlight are Cataclysmic Materials that cannot withstand burning or smoke.

    If they were to retreat, many of the Tears of Moonlight could be destroyed.

    Staying, on the other hand, may save the Tears of Moonlight, but the risk of casualties would be completely uncontrollable.

    Furthermore, it was very possible that the forest fire would become too large, leading to heavy casualties, and in the end, the Tears of Moonlight might still not be preserved.

    With these thoughts in mind, having consulted with each other, the leaders quickly leaned toward a decision: to retreat!

    After all, retreating was the safest option, and besides... it was the southern region, under the jurisdiction of Xinjie City Investigation Bureau, that the United Front had infiltrated.

    If they had to go to trial at the Sanctuary, it would be Xinjie City Investigation Bureau taking the blame; they saw no need to risk themselves for the sake of claiming credit.

    With that in mind, the leaders of the three forces made eye contact and started instructing their agents to throw all the collected "Tears of Moonlight," Cataclysmic Material and containers alike, into Moonlight Lake.

    Although the "Tears of Moonlight" in the lake might be scorched and contaminated by flames, the water in the lake could effectively protect this packaged "Tears of Moonlight"!

    After the forest fire was extinguished, they could come back and retrieve the "Tears of Moonlight."

    And just as the leaders of the other three major forces were making their critical decision...

    Suddenly.....

    "Ring ring ring!"

    The clear sound of ringing echoed by the shores of Moonlight Lake.

    It was the sound of a communicator.

    Everyone''s gaze couldn''t help but drift over.

    Then they saw a man over two meters tall, like an iron tower, who was, astonishingly, holding a communicator and taking a call at this crucial moment.

    Lin Ting had clearly heard the ringing too. He turned his head and glared fiercely at the man, then rebuked, "What''s the time for? Still making calls!"

    No sooner had he finished speaking did he feel something was off.

    Because... this place was between Eastern City and Xinjie, where communication signals didn''t reach. How could a regular call come in!?

    Unless it was... a specially made communicator and a special direct line!

    With this thought, he couldn''t help but look toward the towering man.

    At this point, his assistant hurried forward and whispered, "Chief, that agent''s name is Ah-Tai. It seems he''s a confidant of Deputy Director Qiu Tu."

    Hearing the assistant''s words, Lin Ting''s eyes narrowed slightly.

    Qiu Tu?

    Since when did he have the authority to use specially made communicators and special direct lines?

    ''There must be more to this!''

    As he was thinking this, Ah-Tai, under everyone''s watchful eyes, pressed the answer button.

    Just as Lin Ting had anticipated, as soon as the communicator was connected, it wasn''t Qiu Tu''s voice that emerged, but that of Deputy Director Tang Feifei!

    Ah-Tai clearly had rehearsed many times before, so as soon he connected the call, he immediately pressed the loudspeaker button.

    The next second, Tang Feifei''s stern, deep voice resonated across the shores of Moonlight Lake.