Ding dong——

With the elevator's arrival announcement, a young and an old person stepped out, their expressions varied.

The researchers in the corridor greeted Professor Guo as he passed by, clearly showing that this old man was highly respected at the institute.

"Teacher Guo, could you come take a look at the residue in the material library left by that new supernatural object? We seem to have discovered something new."

A man wrapped like a white mummy in a hood, mask, and protective suit suddenly approached to speak.

Seeing him, Professor Guo hurriedly waved his hand and said, "We'll talk about the rest later. Willow Leaf, you go call Quark and Molecule, and all three of you just..."

"Just gather in one of your research rooms, so you don't have to make a couple of trips." Before Professor Guo could finish, Wu Liang interrupted from the side.

Looking at this unfamiliar face, the man called Willow Leaf frowned and ignored him.

After all, in a place like the research institute, identities, status, and even combat strength were superficial; they only acknowledged the value and importance of research and results.

Professor Guo was respected not because he was one of the institute's founders, but because most of the current supernatural-related research was initiated by him.

"Listen to him, go ahead."

Unexpectedly, after being interrupted, Professor Guo did not refute or get annoyed but instead followed the stranger's words.

This left Willow Leaf somewhat puzzled.

Who on earth is this guy?

When did Teacher Guo become so agreeable?

"Alright, I'll go now."

Out of respect for the teacher, Willow Leaf said no more and turned to other research rooms to find the two mentioned people.

Meanwhile, Professor Guo led Wu Liang through many rooms to a laboratory at the end.

"What method are you going to use to examine them? I suppose you've hardly seen any of the equipment here?" Professor Guo's tone was slightly puzzled.

After all, this kid couldn't even find the monitors he had installed himself; how could he possibly understand the functions of this cutting-edge supernatural technology?

Wu Liang shrugged and said, "You'll see when the time comes."

The two didn't wait long.

The laboratory door opened again.

Besides Willow Leaf from before, a yawning, gaunt man and a short-haired, dashing woman walked in.

"The man is code-named Quark, the woman is code-named Molecule. These three were the ones overseeing the Zodiac Pig at the time, feel free to proceed." Professor Guo adjusted his glasses and said.

Upon hearing their teacher mention "Zodiac Pig," the three, who initially looked confused, suddenly showed unpleasant expressions.

After all, they were suspended for ten days for investigation because of this matter.

They had just resumed their duties a few days ago, and now someone is here to investigate them again. It's downright insulting!

"Don't worry, he's not from headquarters, just... hmm... a friend of mine who is interested in what happened back then. Please cooperate with him."

Seeing his three students still harboring resentment over their suspension, Professor Guo explained Wu Liang's identity.

Hearing this from their teacher, the trio's expressions eased significantly.

Willow Leaf stepped forward and said kindly, "Since it's the teacher's friend, how may we cooperate with you? Should we explain what happened back then?"

Unexpectedly, Wu Liang simply said, "Oh, no need, just stand still."

As soon as the words fell, three dense, impenetrable white mists erupted from behind him.

In an instant, the three were completely enveloped!

This scene not only caught the three researchers by surprise but even left Professor Guo stunned.

He was shocked not because Wu Liang dared to use a symbiotic ability directly on his students, but because wasn't this guy just placed under the highest-level spiritual power restriction lock by the Zodiac Rabbit?

Why can he use the mist again?

"Shadow, you..."

Before Professor Guo could say anything, the white mist summoned by Wu Liang disappeared instantly.

Apart from the three researchers checking themselves for changes in bewilderment, everything seemed as if it had never happened.

At this point, Wu Liang smiled and pointed to the first researcher he contacted—Willow Leaf.

"Comrade Willow Leaf, could you please take me to your residence and research room?"

Hearing Wu Liang say this, Professor Guo frowned and continued, "Take him, but I must say, Shadow, you'd better not deceive me."

Willow Leaf, apart from the Zodiac Rabbit, was Professor Guo's most valued student.

Though he was an ordinary person, his research achievements were among the top in the entire research institute.

One could say he was in no way inferior to the Awakened on the front lines facing fierce ghosts, having made significant contributions to humanity's current battle against supernatural resurgence.

Now, is Shadow suspecting he is a traitor?

"How could I deceive you? First, trust, then doubt," Wu Liang said with a smile.

He was too familiar with the scent from the Desire Monkey Claw. After all, this thing had even directly attacked his memory and brain.

The mist just now was merely a cover, the real purpose was to have the Nightmare check if their brains had been affected.

Indeed, good news came frequently!

The Nightmare indicated that in Willow Leaf's memory, there was a strange odor, just like when the Desire Monkey Claw tried to modify Wu Liang's memory, and it stood up to help resist, a familiar feeling!

With Willow Leaf leading, the five came to the researcher's residential floor.

This wasn't on the same level as the Awakened's residences since no one wanted to live with those who saw everything as material, always eager to drag people to the lab to dissect.

Buzz—Clack—

"Feel free to check, but if you don't find anything, please formally apologize to me," Willow Leaf said with a displeased face, opening the room and gesturing for Wu Liang to enter.

Being singled out to have his room checked meant he was indeed under suspicion.

But Willow Leaf could swear to the heavens; he had no idea what had happened the day the Zodiac Pig disappeared!

He worked diligently, tirelessly researching supernatural objects, all to contribute his strength!

Now, this passion was being questioned and even tainted!

He undoubtedly felt aggrieved!

"Hehe, don't worry, if nothing's found, you can put me on your lab table and slice me open," Wu Liang filled the room with mist as he spoke.

"Hmph! Who's interested in researching you..."

Clap—

Before Willow Leaf could finish, Professor Guo quickly covered his mouth, his eyes revealing an expectation and passion never seen by his three students.

It was almost as if "I'm keen to research him" was written all over his face.

If today's situation could earn the opportunity for Wu Liang to voluntarily go to the lab... oh, no, to the research table, then Professor Guo felt he had struck gold.

But then, Wu Liang dissipated the mist, walked over to the bed, and pulled it out.

Professor Guo felt a bit uneasy.

Then, looking at the empty floor, just as he was about to relax, he saw Wu Liang slowly raise his leg and stomp down hard, producing a loud bang that sent a tremor through everyone's hearts on the scene.

Is this really without using the Awakened ability?

"So tell me, Comrade Willow Leaf, is this what you use to substitute your right hand for sewing?" Wu Liang's voice came out.

Everyone looked down.

An eerie, grotesque Monkey Claw, dry and shriveled with its curled fingers, emerged from the broken floor tiles below.

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