Chapter 1501: Chapter 1499: Cracking the Research
Many days later.
Atlantis City.
Within the translucent giant city energy protective shield, there lay a dense and spectacular cluster of buildings.
Buildings with pointed towers and square structures reached vertically upwards, as if they wouldn’t stop until they touched the top of the shield. Many public buildings were not willing to lag behind, although their heights couldn’t compare, their area was vast, resembling independent small cities.
On the roads between these "small cities," pedestrians flowed incessantly, vehicles swarmed like rivers; a brand-new locomotive was traveling along the tracks from outside the city, swiftly passing numerous pedestrians, spewing thick white mist as it headed towards the city center.
Soon, the brand-new locomotive reached the central transportation station, and the door of the first carriage opened. A large group of people disembarked. Their arms or legs were almost all bandaged, carrying injuries, but their spirits were good. After getting off, they curiously observed Atlantis—looking at this city known as the Shalin Pearl.
Among these people were Goring, the leader of the Grey Parrot Reinforcement Group, Locomotive Captain Bob, crew members Frank, Philip, and another Philip—Ma Qiu Philip.
They didn’t spend long on the platform; dedicated personnel quickly appeared, courteously escorting them away from the transportation station, headed towards a remarkable semi-circular grand building in Atlantis City.
This is the city hall, constructed specifically to hold ceremonies of significant importance. Frank, Philip, and the others had come to attend the medal awarding ceremony held inside today. According to their various contributions during the Truth Society’s Catastrophe Level attack, they would be awarded different levels of the Richard Medal.
Frank, Philip, and the group, each with a hint of excitement on their faces, for whether it was receiving the medals awarded by Atlantis City Lord Moli or just the chance to see this legendary Atlantis City, it was a memorable event.
With the lead of the dedicated personnel, they soon arrived in front of the city hall and then entered through the large archway, disappearing from sight.
...
Meanwhile, not far from the city hall, inside a blue egg-shaped building, the nominal highest authority of Shalin—Richard—was observing a research experiment.
Inside a large laboratory four meters high and nearly twenty meters wide, a research team led by Witch Demon Elder Ah Fu was busily working around an experimental table.
On the experimental table lay the captured director of the Truth Society, Fen Feng.
This formidable existence, at the moment, was completely immobilized, lying like a wax figure, unable to resist the operations of Witch Demon Elder’s team.
Richard stood at a distance, watching while estimating the progress of the work in his mind.
With a squeaky sound, the laboratory door suddenly opened, and Eight-Armed Skeleton Anan poked his skull-shaped head in, the ghost fire in his eye sockets slightly fluctuating.
As if stimulated, Witch Demon Elder’s entire team instantly froze, and Witch Demon Elder Ah Fu himself fiercely glared at Eight-Armed Skeleton, sternly shouting, "You dead pile of bones, I’ve said it before, this guy’s bones can be yours, but only after I’m done with my research. If you try causing trouble again, I’ll dismantle you, believe it or not!"
The ghost fire in Eight-Armed Skeleton’s eye sockets didn’t react much, even turning completely serene, seemingly indifferent to Witch Demon Elder’s threats. However, upon seeing Richard, he quietly withdrew his head and courteously closed the door.
Witch Demon Elder watched Eight-Armed Skeleton leave, coldly snorted, waving a metallic syringe-like object, turning to Richard, "I’m just respecting you; otherwise, for the stunt he pulled before, I’d dismantle him right then!"
"Hmm." Richard nodded, indicating his trust.
Witch Demon Elder seemed to lack confidence, loudly asserting, "Everything I said is true; that day, I held back to avoid injuring the experimental subject, but otherwise, I’d have defeated that pile of bones!"
"Hmm." Richard continued nodding.
Richard’s nonchalant response made Witch Demon Elder somewhat skittish, finally opening and closing his mouth without adding more, venting his frustration on the experimental subject Fen Feng.
Holding the metallic syringe, with a "poof" sound, he forcefully jabbed it into Fen Feng’s skull at the temple, causing the needle tip to completely sink in.
Then, shallow blue spiral patterns on the metallic syringe began to glow, activating its function.
More than ten seconds later, Witch Demon Elder slowly drew out the syringe, glancing at the needle tip bizarrely stained gold, squinting before handing it to a red-haired assistant wizard.
The red-haired assistant wizard took it without delay, swiftly joining other assistant wizards before a pile of machines, placing the syringe onto it and commencing a series of adept operations.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
A light rumble sounded, and Witch Demon Elder pondered for a moment, then gazed at Richard to discuss serious matters, "You’ve been here observing for a while, you probably see it clearly. The unlocking process is relatively smooth but not quick to complete. Because, as you guessed, there’s indeed a special power within the experiment’s subject blocking memory and spirit; even with prior research experience, it requires multiple explorations and tests to find the unlocking method.
I estimate it will take two weeks to fully succeed. The good news is, once we truly unlock this, facing similar situations in the future, it can be done swiftly, maybe even with the so-called True God—given you can capture them like you did this one."
Richard listened, smiled, and said to Witch Demon Elder, "Whatever the case, the next step is in your hands, Mr. Ah Fu, I’ll wait for your results in two weeks."
"Hmm." Witch Demon Elder nodded, "I won’t let you down; of course, if that Eight-Armed Skeleton causes trouble, that’s not my responsibility."
"Mr. Anan won’t do that, I’ve communicated with him."
"Let’s hope so." Witch Demon Elder wasn’t too convinced, evidently still cautious about Eight-Armed Skeleton, complaining, "Honestly, it’d be safer if you sent him somewhere else, like Black Sun Castle, Green Source Castle..."
As Witch Demon Elder spoke, suddenly there was a "thud" sound outside, causing the entire building to slightly shake.
Witch Demon Elder was initially baffled, then looked towards the sound’s direction, questioning Richard, "Hmm, what’s going on?"
Richard glanced in the same direction, then received some information, lightly pressing his fingers to his ear, his expression shifting several times, explaining to Witch Demon Elder, "It’s a small issue at the Bright Castle outside the city; they’re requesting my presence to check it out."
"Oh, that’s it."
"Mr. Ah Fu, then, I’ll leave this to you. Unless there are other matters, I’ll head over first." Richard waved as if to bid farewell and swiftly melted into the air, disappearing.
Witch Demon Elder blinked, contemplating, and murmured softly, "In fact... taking that damned skeleton to Bright Castle, I’d accept."
However, Richard clearly couldn’t hear these words.
...
