Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1259 - 611:

"Brother Ma, it's not surprising you haven't heard of this; it's top-tier classified intelligence."

Before Fang Cheng could respond, Hou Peng interjected softly:

"The ruins of the ancient civilization are actually an entirely different New World from the one we inhabit."

"Within them lie various forms of advanced technology surpassing modern society, or perhaps resources for cultivation and heavenly treasures capable of fundamentally altering a person."

"Extracting even a fraction of what's there, even just the surface layer, is equivalent to possessing a fortune beyond measure for those outside."

"Such a bounty makes even the governments and militaries of nations feel envious, regarding it as the paramount strategic resource!"

After Hou Peng finished speaking, he swallowed, a glint of longing in his eyes.

Clearly, he had been privy to such rumors before and had harbored desires for it for a long time.

Ma Donghe listened, his eyes wide, his breathing growing noticeably heavier.

"The opportunity is indeed immense, but the peril is equally deadly."

Fang Cheng nodded, his gaze piercing the mist ahead as he added:

"The natural laws and bizarre creatures within are beyond the tolerance of ordinary individuals; venturing in rashly guarantees a ninety percent chance of death."

"You all witnessed Old Dog's frenzy earlier. He was merely exposed to a trickle of residual Qi from the ruins and completely lost his mind, transforming into a man-eating monstrosity."

At this juncture, he turned his attention to Ma Donghe and Hou Peng:

"You don't need to put yourselves at risk; you can remain here. I will find the entrance to the ruins and emerge to inform you."

"How can we possibly agree to that?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Donghe emphatically struck his chest with his hand, the sound echoing:

"Ah Cheng, do you think Ma Donghe is a coward? Since we are a team, why would anyone flee when faced with danger?"

"Besides, if it weren't for you, I might have already been finished. Wherever you go, Old Ma follows!"

Hou Peng also tightened his grip on his dagger, his gaze resolute:

"Brother Fang, fortune favors the bold. Though I may not be the strongest, I possess sufficient courage. Count me in!"

Observing the unwavering resolve on their faces, Fang Cheng ceased his attempts at dissuasion.

Grown men make their own choices and must naturally shoulder the consequences.

Should true peril arise later, he could always urge them to withdraw.

Returning his focus, Fang Cheng addressed Gray Eagle's crew, who had finished their hasty bandaging:

"Lead the way."

Gray Eagle nodded vigorously, like a hound catching the scent of prey, plunging headfirst into the swirling mist.

Fang Cheng cast a glance at the three applicants leaning against the broken tree stump and spoke no further, forging ahead with Ma Donghe and Hou Peng.

Mountain Cat and Bald Rat supported each other, hobbling along at the rear.

Their figures rapidly dissolved into the thick fog, vanishing into the obscured depths of the forest.

Within the clearing, only a few shattered bodies and the acrid stench of blood remained.

The three police cadets rested against a splintered tree stump, their gazes fixed on the direction Fang Cheng and the others had departed.

Merely moments prior, two opposing factions were locked in conflict, yet now they had abruptly united for a treasure hunt?

"Brother Yan Rui, what course of action should we take now?"

The cadet on the left, clutching the knife wound on his shoulder, sought guidance from the one with the crew cut:

"Those civilization ruins sound like a significant secret; should we trail them and investigate?"

"Our injuries are too severe; we ought to remain here and await assistance."

Yan Rui, gritting his teeth against the searing pain in his ribs, shook his head.

While he might not grasp the intricacies of these ruins, the almost barbaric carnage witnessed earlier indicated this matter far exceeded the parameters of the Special Search Team's physical assessment.

This was simply not something they, who were not even mutants, could possibly become involved in.

Furthermore, in their current condition, not only was participation in this treasure hunt out of the question, but even safely exiting the woods presented a formidable challenge.

"Regardless of their machinations, our priority must be to manage our own situation and establish contact with the authorities at the earliest possible moment."

After meticulously re-evaluating the circumstances through deep, measured breaths, Yan Rui made his determination.

He swiftly removed the rucksack from his shoulder, deftly retrieving a crimson signal flare gun and a corresponding flare.

*Click.*

Loaded and chambered.

Yan Rui raised his right arm, aiming the barrel unflinchingly at the ink-black night sky, and squeezed the trigger.

*Bang!*

A brilliant red flare erupted from the barrel.

It climbed with a trail of high-temperature exhaust, piercing the dense canopy and thick fog that enshrouded them.

Resembling a meteor ascending against the natural current, it soared hundreds of meters into the heavens.

*Boom——*

A scarlet light erupted into the night sky, bathing the surrounding fog in a bloody red hue.

After launching the signal flare, Yan Rui leaned back against the tree trunk, his arm falling in defeat.

He lifted his gaze, watching the red spots descend slowly, and murmured:

"I truly hope the examiners... manage to see it."

..................

The mist thickened considerably, obscuring all vision.

The silhouettes of the trees nearby were merely indistinct shadows.

The atmosphere grew frigid, humid, and clinging, making each breath a struggle.

The beam from the flashlight struck what felt like a solid gray barrier, halting abruptly at a mere three meters.

Walking at the forefront was Gray Eagle, clutching a palm-sized nuclear radiation detector.

The small instrument's red light blinked incessantly, sounding a piercing "beep beep" alarm.

"Brother Cheng, the readings are continuously fluctuating wildly."

Gray Eagle turned his head, a fawning grin plastered on his face:

"My gut feeling, combined with this device, provides absolute double security; we must be nearing the entrance by now!"

Ma Donghe responded with a gruff grunt, his voice coarse:

"Cease your infernal chatter and maintain your vigilance. Should you guide us into a mutated beast's lair, you'll be the first offering to the heavens."