CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 52: NIGHTTIME JOURNEY

The confirmed intelligence at this point is: Ma Ran’s status is low; even when facing a life threat, he wouldn’t dare to kill that tall young man!

So...

As long as the parasitism on the tall young man is successful, the threat from Ma Ran will be significantly reduced!

Furthermore, if maneuvered well, 98725 can completely parasitize Ma Ran with spores, making him the strongest in its first batch of operatives!

Like Ma Ran, the tall young man has an abundance of Biological Energy in his body, which can help it quickly evolve!

At that time, 98725’s activity time and range will no longer be restricted!

Its racial abilities can be fully unleashed!

...

Fifteen minutes later, Song Chu successfully arrived at the armory and began moving in the direction as instructed by Ma Ran.

At this time of night, it’s the darkest part of the day, with stars and the moon hidden.

All the lighting equipment on the road had been destroyed, leaving him in almost complete darkness, unable to see his hand in front of his face.

If it weren’t for the night vision goggles, Song Chu felt he would be virtually immobile!

He’s a night owl, accustomed to staying up late.

But this night, it was unusually long!

First, mistaking Ma Ran for an extraterrestrial being, he was disarmed by him barehanded, narrowly escaping a scare and breaking out in cold sweat.

Later, he was attacked by Nightmare Spores, almost becoming parasitized and turned into a puppet.

Under the continuous invasion of Nightmare Dust, the Inner Qi, which was once ample, has now been depleted to only a quarter.

As he hurried onward, Song Chu only felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue washing over him, gradually drowning him.

His eyelids felt as heavy as if filled with lead, requiring all his effort to barely keep them open and stay conscious.

The night wind, cold as a blade, stung his face, yet failed to drive away the mounting drowsiness.

If he didn’t know he would never wake up from this sleep, and if he hadn’t remembered Ma Ran’s instructions, Song Chu might have already laid down and visited the Land of Nod.

"How come this hundred-meter road feels so long to walk?"

"And..."

"I’m getting more and more tired!"

"Just as that little girl said, I’m definitely not as good as Ma Ran."

"At least, in Black Rock Martial Arts, I’m far behind!"

"My brain is muddled and doesn’t want to think at all."

"This is the result of excessive Inner Qi depletion and physical exhaustion, even my Spiritual Will is worn down in the process..."

"At this rate..."

"I definitely can’t hold on!"

With a fierce gleam in his eyes, Song Chu opened his mouth and bit down hard!

The faint sweetness, the saltiness of saline, and the metallic taste of rust mixed together, filling his mouth and nose.

The sharp pain jolted him awake!

His heartbeat and blood circulation began to accelerate, his pupils slightly dilating.

The secretion of adrenaline provided Song Chu with more energy for physical activity.

The muscle inside his mouth, on the left side, was bitten off a small piece by him, which he swallowed down with the blood.

Indeed, Song Chu is a ruthless person.

Otherwise, he probably would have died in the last incident with the extraterrestrial life along with his friends from the tour group, instead of surviving till now.

Song Chu raced on through the evening wind.

He knew clearly that in this pitch-black night, an invisible pair of eyes filled with malice were watching him.

On the way to the shelter, deadly danger could strike at any moment!

Due to the pain, fear, and excessive physical exhaustion, Song Chu’s brain started secreting endorphins.

This substance quickly numbed the pain and brought him a pleasurable euphoria.

The originally grim expression gradually disappeared, with a faint unadulterated smile appearing on Song Chu’s face.

He feared death, yet enjoyed the process of facing a crisis, even finding satisfaction in danger!

He was obsessed with the feeling of being on the edge between life and death!

Before today, Song Chu himself wasn’t aware of this.

Now, he’s realized that his reason for refusing the company of other society members and choosing to travel alone at night was precisely due to this pathological fascination with danger!

With the last of the Inner Qi’s support, the platelets had already sealed the wound in his mouth, and the bleeding had stopped.

Yet, a familiar thick and sweet smell suddenly drifted in under his nose!

"Is it here?"

Excitement flashed in Song Chu’s eyes.

After adjusting his breath, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he expressionlessly cracked his knuckles.

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

He never used to have the habit of cracking his knuckles.

Earlier at the general store, Song Chu saw Ma Ran doing it and subconsciously mimicked it.

Strangely enough.

Even though it was just a trivial action, after doing it, Song Chu suddenly felt a bit more courage welling up inside him.

His entire being calmed down, showing a bit of composure and serenity.

Song Chu slowed his pace, taking out a note paper and pen from the side pocket of his hiking bag, quickly scribbling a line of scrawled text.

"The taste of Nightmare Spores, ’It’ might be coming, Inner Qi remains at a quarter."

...

Bam!

With one shot, he blasted two Nightmare Spores, the dark green viscous liquid splattering on the wall, and Ma Ran swung "Hunting Elephant," blowing away the faint white smoke from the gun barrel.

"Song Chu’s current state is very much like having stayed awake through several nights."

Su Qiangwei’s voice echoed in his heart: "He smelled the Nightmare Spores, Inner Qi remains at a quarter."

"You’re not far from each other, do you want to go over now?"

Ma Ran raised his left hand, pinching his thumb and forefinger together, then asked using sign language: "Did he make this gesture?"

"Yes, he did."

Su Qiangwei clicked her tongue in wonder: "Is it psychological suggestion and subconscious guidance?"

"Was this included in your calculations?"

Ma Ran subtly nodded, indicating there’s no need to worry.

If Song Chu fights with all his might, he should be able to hold on a bit longer.

It’s well known that mental and physical states can affect and influence each other.

In a state of hunger, people are more prone to irritability and anger.

In a satiated state, the brain may not allow ’learning or working’ to take place.

Humans can unleash extraordinary strength when extremely angry.

In a calm state, people can save energy to the maximum extent, allocate resources rationally, and use them efficiently.

From the moment he first came into contact with Song Chu, Ma Ran had subtly planted psychological suggestions in him.

The knuckle-cracking action served as a one-time ’mental key’ designed by Ma Ran for Song Chu, specifically to activate dormant positive emotions.

Now it seems to have a bit of an effect.

"Yesterday, I left Ancient Longzhong and flew overnight to Henan."

Seeing Ma Ran remain silent, Su Qiangwei said softly: "The seniors and senior sisters at Yingchuan Academy are somewhat cold, not warm at all, the atmosphere isn’t as good as at Grass Hut Academy."

"However, their abilities do come in handy."

"Now I’ve become stronger!"

"Unfortunately..."

"President Huang made a call, and Yingchuan Academy restricted my freedom of movement here."

"To top it all off, he started a group video call, making people at the Grass Hut watch me."

"As if I would rush to A3 District for no reason."

"I’m not some brainless fool."

Saying this, Su Qiangwei suddenly let out a startled cry.

She swallowed hard, her voice slightly trembling, tinged with fear: "Ma Ran, hurry!"

"Run quickly!"