Chapter 137: The Emerging Fog

Chapter 137: The Emerging Fog

Lu Heng returned to the Jade Peak Lake and took out the Metal Enhancement crystal core, handing it to the Mechanical Tiger. "Try it. It has skill slots, so it should be able to absorb the energy within," he said.

As he had never obtained this type of Mechanical Beast before, Lu Heng was unsure how it would absorb the skill core.

The data panel showed three skill slots, indicating that it should be capable of absorbing energy.

The Mechanical Tiger opened its mouth and swallowed the core in one bite.

Lu Heng placed his hand on its large head, feeling the cold metal, as his eyes remained fixed on the data panel.

After about ten minutes, the data panel finally showed a change in the skills section.

[Skill: Metal Enhancement]



[Metal Enhancement: Enhances metal-related abilities, increasing metal hardness, durability, and elemental resistance by 50%.]



Lu Heng then drew out the Aurora Blade and struck the Mechanical Tiger with the same force as before.

Clang!

With a single strike, he could feel the impact resistance significantly increase.

Earlier that morning, his sword could create a ten-centimeter-deep gash, but now it could only manage five centimeters.

Indeed, its durability had improved considerably.

Moreover, this was a dual-effect weapon with a +7 Tempering level, and he had struck with all his strength.

Despite such formidable power, it only created a five-centimeter-deep gash, indicating that it could withstand attacks from a Prism Armor Battle Tank at this intensity.

Over the next few days, Lu Heng continued to practice his swordsmanship and body skills.

Time gradually brought them to the sixth month of the Abyssal Descent.

In the middle of the sixth month, many low-lying areas around the world began to experience a persistent fog that wind couldn't disperse, and it was expanding.

Lu Heng noticed the news about the fog and raised an eyebrow, recalling this event.

During the sixth month of the Abyssal Descent, low-lying areas worldwide would indeed experience this fog.

These fogs marked a critical juncture, signaling the transition from the initial to the intermediate phase of the Abyssal Descent. After their appearance, demons would become more prevalent, gradually shrinking humanity's living space.

Furthermore, a more dangerous incident was unfolding in the southwest region of Sulfur Valley.

There was a nuclear power plant in Sulfur Valley, and after the fog emerged, it began to spread in all directions, gradually approaching the plant.

At the current rate of expansion, the fog would envelop the nuclear power plant within half a month at most.

If an accident occurred then, the consequences would be dire.

After watching the news, Lu Heng began contemplating how to provide information to the authorities and resolve this crisis.

However, before he could take action, a phone call interrupted him.

"Hello, I'm Chen Zihan," a voice said.

"Huh? How did you get my number?" Lu Heng asked.

"Knowing your name, finding your number wasn't difficult," Chen Zihan replied.

"What's this about?"

"I'm contacting you on behalf of my superiors regarding the fog. We'd like to meet with you."

"Sure, when?"

"Tomorrow morning."

...

The next morning, Lu Heng arrived at an inconspicuous building on Coastal Reunion Street, as directed by Chen Zihan.

Inside, he first met Chen Zihan and then Senior Inspector Chen Lianian from the Iron Blood Investigation Bureau, along with several other senior agents.

"This is Agent Liu, who came specifically to meet you," Chen Zihan introduced.

Lu Heng shook hands with Agent Liu.

After the introductions, the others began preparing the necessary materials.

Lu Heng curiously looked at Chen Zihan and asked, "What's your role in all this?"

"Haven't you already guessed?" Chen Zihan countered.

"I have a general idea, but not the specifics."

Chen Zihan spread his hands and said, "I'm just a student at the Aerospace University. After experiencing two Abyssal battlefields, I was drafted."

Aerospace University was a unique institution, and Chen Zihan's name seemed to carry a special meaning.

Lu Heng had a rough idea of Chen Zihan's background, so he asked, "You recommended me?"

Chen Zihan nodded. "Yes, this situation is a bit tricky. I was drafted, so I recommended you to my superiors."

Lu Heng already knew what this was about, and since Chen Zihan had recommended him, he decided to join the operation.

It wasn't long before Agent Liu finished preparing the materials. He brought them over and spoke with a serious tone, "You've probably seen the news and know about the fog.

"However, there are some things the news won't broadcast.

"A fog has also appeared in Sulfur Valley, and its location is particularly problematic. Just thirty kilometers from the fog is the Sulfur Valley Nuclear Power Plant.

"If this situation isn't handled well, the consequences could be severe. That's why we've formed a specialized team to deal with this incident.

"It was Chen Zihan who recommended you, so we hope you'll join us and help resolve this crisis."

Lu Heng glanced at Chen Lianian, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The Iron Blood Investigation Bureau's case involving Ono Kenji was still open.

Technically, Chen Lianian was still investigating, and Lu Heng was a suspect.

Chen Lianian's face remained expressionless. He took a cigarette, smelled it, and then placed it behind his ear, turning to Lu Heng with a smile that held an ambiguous meaning.

Lu Heng shifted his gaze from Chen Lianian's face to Agent Liu and said, "I'm willing to join, but I need to know my role in the team."

Agent Liu didn't provide a precise answer, "There are no set rules. We hope everyone will contribute their strengths and work together to overcome this crisis."

Lu Heng nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll be straightforward. I need a certain degree of authority because I've encountered this kind of mist before."

As soon as he said this, everyone present showed expressions of both surprise and delight.

"Really? You've seen this kind of mist before?" Agent Liu was the most excited among them.

"Yes, I have."

Lu Heng had already decided before coming that some information indeed needed to be made public.

As for explaining the source of the information, it was simple.

All he had to do was say that the information came from the Abyssal Battlefield.

The time and number of times each metahuman was summoned to the Abyssal Battlefield were uncertain.

Lu Heng didn't need to explain which specific battle it was; he only needed to provide the crucial information.

"If that's the case, then it's great. We need you so much, and we're grateful for your help," Agent Liu said, his emotions running high as he shook Lu Heng's hand.

He was so enthusiastic that even Lu Heng felt a bit uncomfortable.

Since Lu Heng had encountered this kind of mist before, as soon as he joined the Crisis Response Team, his authority rose to one of the top positions, even surpassing Chen Zihan.

Subsequently, the Crisis Response Team convened its first meeting to discuss the mist crisis.

The authorities had already sent people to approach the mist for inspection, and the results were out.

One of the team members reported the findings: "After inspection, this mist has a weak corrosive property. Humans operating within it will be affected to some extent, but it's not lethal in the short term.

"Additionally, none of the personnel who entered the mist for investigation have returned, and the situation is very serious..."

After he finished his report, Lu Heng took over the conversation: "I've seen this kind of mist in the Abyssal Battlefield. It's a sign of an intensified Abyssal invasion.

"Therefore, after the mist appears, the number of demons will increase significantly.

"Areas where the mist appears need to be evacuated as soon as possible."

Someone asked, "Can the mist be cleared?"

Lu Heng replied, "Yes, but it's very difficult. However, the mist has a maximum diffusion area, meaning that once it reaches its maximum size, it will stop expanding.

"But there are too many mist occurrences worldwide, and it's impossible to clear them all, so we need to prioritize evacuation from the mist-affected areas first. Then we can consider clearing the mist."

Chen Zihan raised his hand and asked, "How does the mist appear?"

Lu Heng took a deep breath and answered, "It's due to the intensified spatial overlap between the Abyss and Bluesphere. When the overlapping space creates a rift, mist seeps out from the Abyss.

"The weak corrosive property of the mist isn't the most challenging to deal with; the mental contamination from within the mist is the most dangerous.

"So, humans can't stay in the mist for long, or they'll lose their sanity and become puppets of the Abyss."

Agent Liu took out a map and said, "Here is the Sulfur Valley Nuclear Power Plant. The mist in Sulfur Valley is only thirty kilometers away from the plant. According to the mist's expansion speed, it will take at most half a month for the mist to envelop the power plant. What do you think we should do about this situation?"

Lu Heng thought for a moment and replied, "I suggest implementing two plans simultaneously. First, halt the nuclear reactor's reaction and process the nuclear elements. At the same time, dispatch a team to enter the mist and attempt to remove it.

"If the mist removal is successful, the nuclear power plant can resume operations. If it fails, we'll have to abandon it. So, both plans need to be carried out together."

The Crisis Response Team members present nodded in agreement, most of them expressing their consent.

In fact, implementing both plans simultaneously was the most prudent approach, aiming to minimize the impact of the event.

Agent Liu consulted with the other researchers on the team and reached a unanimous decision: "We all agree with Comrade Lu's plan, and the work to shut down the nuclear reactor is already underway.

"Now, we need to consider sending a team into the mist to attempt to clear it.

"Since you're the only one who has encountered the mist, Lu, are you willing to lead the team?"

Lu Heng had already given this matter serious thought. Since he was involved, he knew he had to enter the mist.

Moreover, the areas where the mist appeared also had Abyssal rifts.

The primary cause of these rifts was the high energy density.

Regions with high energy density usually had high-level resources.

Additionally, Lu Heng vaguely remembered that a high-level resource had indeed appeared in the mist of the Sulfur Valley, making it worth the trip.

After careful consideration, Lu Heng nodded and said, "I'm willing to go, but there's one question: who do I take with me? Can I decide that?"

Agent Liu quickly agreed, "Of course, we'll need your approval. We'll also recommend the best warriors to accompany you."

Lu Heng turned to Chen Zihan and asked, "Are you coming?"

Chen Zihan gave an ambiguous answer, "I'll follow the organization's arrangement."

Hearing this, Lu Heng smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

"Okay, Comrade Chen Zihan, the organization hopes you can work with Comrade Lu Heng. We'll provide you with strong support," Agent Liu decided on the spot, assigning Chen Zihan to the team.

Lu Heng began making requests, listing everything that came to mind: "I also need a special operations squad with an average level of 18 or above, proficient in wilderness combat. I'll also need a tracked armored vehicle equipped with a machine gun and various other ammunition... I'll mention more requirements as I think of them."

"No problem. We'll provide whatever you need," Agent Liu agreed to almost every request, as long as it was within his power to grant.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end