Shangguan Jing and Jiang Qiao hadn’t come to any conclusion yet when a change occurred at the lake. A surge of overwhelming energy burst from underneath, causing the once-calm surface to explode into massive waves. Due to the precaution against aerial mutant species from the lake, a barrier of instruments was set up between the lakeside and the military command center. Now, the water surged like an army charging into the barrier.

The deafening roar was incessant, and although the flickering barrier wasn’t breached, no one could guarantee that the continued assault wouldn’t lead to more serious consequences.

Half a minute later, the troops stationed elsewhere along the lake commenced round-after-round bombardment of the lake’s surface.

A few minutes later, the waves receded, giving way to a torrent of dark liquid that spread across a large area of the lake, laden with a heavy, bloody scent.

"I wonder what kind of mutant species is underwater," Jiang Qiao’s assistant said, wiping away cold sweat. "Judging from its size, it must be larger than a whale."

"Not quite as large as a whale," Xu Huo replied. "There are just many of them, and they look somewhat like pythons, with over a dozen mixed in the water."

The waves weren’t entirely caused by them. The main factor was still the energy fluctuations deep beneath the lake.

"All the monitors placed outside the ruins have reported total failure again," Jiang Qiao reported after receiving the preliminary information. "With such a commotion, it’s possible that a new folded space has appeared underwater."

Records about the folded space state that when a new space emerges, energy fluctuations will hit a peak, disturbing the creatures under the lake and causing waves. The artillery’s purpose is both to counter the energy impact and to eliminate those mutant species brought out.

"Is it still possible to go underwater in such conditions?" Jiang Qiao ignored the previous military personnel’s attitude and asked with some concern.

"Going down for a look should be fine, but thoroughly investigating might not be possible," Xu Huo said.

The place itself is extremely unstable, and it’s unpredictable whether entering it would trigger a chain reaction. The best approach is actually to leave it alone until it stabilizes on its own.

"Alright, just let me know when you think the time is right," Jiang Qiao agreed readily.

Now, under the lake, the water was filled with fish carcasses and blood, clearly not the right time to delve into it. Xu Huo had his mechanical being and instruments put into the water.

His acquired mechanical being wasn’t specifically designed for exploration, but it would certainly collect data more comprehensively than an average person.

Since waiting was necessary, Xu Huo simply moved to another location to fish. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Species with secondary evolution might be stronger, but not necessarily smarter. Even though the lake had just been bombarded, a sizeable fish school had gathered again, seemingly coming from a deep place. Apparently, after the evolution, they preferred shallow waters more and actively swam toward the shore.

Xu Huo ignored the fish jumping around his feet and focused on his fishing rod. Before long, he pulled up a catch.

No one came with him, but Jiang Qiao, observing him from a distance, couldn’t help but remark, "Really calm and composed."

"Can he not be?" Shangguan Jing softly commented from beside her, "This isn’t his mission, anyway."

"A real man doesn’t carry a grudge," Jiang Qiao, who had a good relationship with him, said. "Even though you lost face to Xu Huo last time, he doesn’t hold a grudge against you. Why should you hold one against him?"

"This has nothing to do with holding a grudge," Shangguan Jing replied. "Everyone is preparing for the forthcoming game, and someone as exceptional as him should be doing something more."

Jiang Qiao smiled, "There are no ’shoulds.’ Besides, the Special Defense Department owes him countless favors. The more easygoing players like him, the better."

Speaking of those players who aren’t on good terms, Shangguan Jing’s face darkened further, "We’ll deal with them once it’s all over."

"Stay calm..." Jiang Qiao took another look at Xu Huo, then suddenly paused, "Has Chief Nie returned?"

There were now two people where the fishing was taking place.

"You’ve recovered quickly." Nie Xuan appeared behind Xu Huo without a sound, lifting a fishing net, only to find that the bottom had been bitten through, and all the fish leaked out with a splash.

He nonchalantly tossed the net back, meeting Xu Huo’s gaze, "These fish are not tasty."

Xu Huo didn’t say much, continuing to cast bait into the water, "I heard from Chief Wu that you had just left. Didn’t expect you to return so quickly."

"This instance didn’t take much time," Nie Xuan, who had come after receiving his message, replied, "Do you have something urgent?"

"Sort of." Xu Huo adjusted the spatial ray, and the Water Rubik’s Cube automatically released a barrier that severed his connection with spatial power, forming a membrane-like seal over his body, "It’s this thing."

Upon seeing this, Nie Xuan’s expression subtly changed, "How did you end up like this?"

"Got caught off guard." Xu Huo succinctly explained the existence of the third of the game, "Now, a part of the Water Rubik’s Cube should be inside my body, and specialized spatial instruments and props might help, but not enough to break the Water Rubik’s Cube’s seal. So I came to you for advice. How did you resolve the issue with your leg?"

"Pure luck." Nie Xuan said, "Surely you remember Lawrence Lee, who emerged during the Super Props incident in Sea City."

Xu Huo nodded, "He’s the one who injured your leg."

"Indeed. His spatial power is different from ordinary spatial powers. I’ve looked into cases similar to mine, and even if someone successfully evolves, their body doesn’t change much."

"With the deepening intensity of evolution, the body seems to slowly revert back."

"I’m different, though. My wound grew larger from small, and my legs gradually crystallized, no longer human legs."

"Later, I encountered Lawrence Lee again."

Nie Xuan paused here, meeting Xu Huo’s gaze. "He sealed the spatial power spreading through my legs, allowing me to maintain my current state."

"He didn’t say much, but from the information he revealed, his spatial evolution had reached a super-dimensional level. He was surprised that I survived after being stabbed by him and mentioned that, if left unaddressed, I could eventually become a complete humanoid spatial body, ultimately disintegrating into spatial power, or transforming in another direction to become a bizarre spatial point."

"You’ve probably come across the wormhole hypothesis. It’s like a space tunnel, with my body serving as an entrance and exit."

"Super-dimensional?" Xu Huo recalled the described scenes from the third of the game, along with the state of No Leave City’s Water Rubik’s Cube and Chaotic Space, looking much like an actual super-dimensional location, "Can spatial power evolve to such an extent?"