The moon shone like water, its clear radiance slanting across the ground. Outside the window, blades of grass swayed, and crickets chirped hidden amongst the thickets.
Ren Yuanhao lay on his bed, staring blankly at the newly renovated ceiling. "I wonder where I can get a full map of the Gray Wolf Base. I've been here half a day and haven't even explored the A-level areas, let alone found where Mu Yunyan might be held."
In his mind, even if Mu Ziyue successfully completed the 'betrayal' mission and killed the sect leader, given Gray Wolf's nature, they wouldn't let Mu Yunyan go. And Xiao Yue, Zhao Yishu – they would also become leverage against him.
However, if that were the case, these people might at least survive. After all, dead people had no value as leverage.
"I wonder what Jiang Cheng's reaction will be when he knows I'm in Xiling City."
As he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a hurried knocking at the door!
Ren Yuanhao flipped over and sat up, quickly going to open it.
He had initially thought it was Yafeier, but upon opening the door, he was suddenly hit by a powerful, unmatched pressure, surging towards him like a tide!
"Rookie King, you actually deserve to live here? If I hadn't smelled your filthy aura, I would have thought it was fake."
Standing before Ren Yuanhao was a man even taller than him, the second of the Eight Kings, Vitus.
Fine red threads flowed within his pupils, and his muscles bulged like hills. However, his physique gave off a strong sense of dissonance, like a paper-made person, unreal.
"So it's Vitus. Can you put your hand down? I've already showered, and I don't want to do it again."
There was no fear in Ren Yuanhao's eyes. Even the imposing pressure didn't elicit any unusual reaction from him.
Vitus was instantly astonished!
He had already released more than half of his pressure, even more than when they were on the embankment. The Rookie King before him, who had almost collapsed under his pressure on the embankment, was now completely unfazed!
This was damnably strange.
"Rookie King, don't think your seemingly proud achievements impress me. Let me tell you, before the Eight Kings, your meager abilities are as insignificant as the dust dancing in the sky, ephemeral and baseless."
Vitus was already displeased with the man's attitude. He was one of the Eight Kings, far superior to ordinary A-level personnel. By rights, this man should have knelt when he saw him!
"I never expected you to look highly upon me. I just don't want to be like a salted fish stuck in a sheep's pen. This place can at least make me feel a little excited."
Ren Yuanhao said this deliberately, partly to provoke. He wanted to see if Vitus would make an exception for a congenital esper to enter the S-level area. If he could get there, he would be one step closer to the terminal.
Vitus's enraged expression suddenly turned into a wild laugh. He then slammed Ren Yuanhao against the opposite wall with such force that the freshly applied white plaster on the wall shook and fell off in flakes.
Ren Yuanhao spat out a mouthful of blood. The force was indeed formidable. However, it wasn't impossible for Ren Yuanhao to resist, but he was unwilling to expose his strength too much.
"Rookie King, if you honestly stay away from Yafeier, I might spare your life. But if I see you here again tomorrow, I'm sorry, today you're the Rookie King, tomorrow you'll be a prisoner. That place is even more fun!"
Upon hearing this, Ren Yuanhao was enlightened!
— Damn! How did I not think of this method! If I just refuse to leave, wouldn't I be able to quickly get in touch with Mu Yunyan, Xiao Yue, and the others!
However, he reconsidered. If the prison was truly as Vitus described, wouldn't Mu Yunyan and the others be in great danger? But this thought quickly faded from his mind. After all, they were also hostages to restrain him, so they were likely kept separate.
His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, all sorts of possibilities flashing through. His biggest concern was that if he were imprisoned, it would become incredibly difficult to reach the terminal's location.
Should he rescue them first, or should he focus on destroying the data from the Mandala Gene Research to alleviate the current tense situation and save more people?
Ren Yuanhao pondered deeply. In the end, he chose to compromise. After all, as long as his actions were not restricted, he would have plenty of opportunities to rescue people.
With this in mind, he deliberately coughed up another mouthful of blood in a disheveled manner, his legs went weak, and he slumped to the ground again, feigning a look of fear towards Vitus.
Seeing this, Vitus sneered, completely abandoning any pretense of绅士风度, and strode away.
Once Ren Yuanhao confirmed he had left, he sat down cross-legged and began to circulate his energy to heal.
Although the blow he received earlier wasn't a major issue, he still had old injuries within his body. Moreover, he had taken a direct hit from the second of the Eight Kings. Even though Vitus hadn't used his full strength, the force was terrifying enough.
Ren Yuanhao sat there meditating. Less than two minutes later, he heard Yafeier and Dr. Leviya's conversation growing closer.
"Grandfather, I've listened to you my entire life. For this matter, please let me decide for myself, okay?"
Yafeier's voice carried a hint of pleading.
But Dr. Leviya stated unequivocally, "To be noticed by Vitus is your fortune. In the future, you can legitimately enter the S-level area and enjoy imperial treatment, often being with Grandpa. What's not to like?"
"What's not to like is not good!"
Yafeier's tone was seven parts willful.
"Could it be that you've developed feelings for that kid?" Vitus shifted his tone and said sternly.
"I, how could I possibly? I've sworn to dedicate my life to my career. I won't get married!"
"But you are a woman, after all. Women will get married someday!"
Dr. Leviya's tone suddenly softened. "Tell me honestly, have you developed feelings for that man? Even just a little bit?"
Yafeier's voice was laced with a hint of tears as she sobbed slightly. "Perhaps. I've never felt that kind of care, that feeling of being so relaxed, that sense of everything being calm and clear just by seeing him. I like that feeling."
"Good!" Leviya's voice suddenly became extremely low. "Good. If that's the case, hurry and escape. Let him take you far away, hide yourselves, and never return."
Upon hearing this, not only Yafeier was stunned, but Ren Yuanhao was also taken aback.
In Ren Yuanhao's mind, he had always thought Leviya to be a man who highly valued power and status. Such a man shouldn't have said such a thing!