Chapter 444: Ambush in the Institute

“Zhang Yuan, go scout the surrounding area first.”

Among a group of figures hurtling in at high speed, Yinglong hovered in midair, silently scrutinizing the Research Institute before him.

In his eyes, the Research Institute assigned in the Blood Nightingale mission appeared as ordinary as could be.

A low concrete building stood amidst heaps of rusty metal debris. Faded on its sign was a hint that this was a small facility researching survivor food.

The only unusual detail was the factory structure extending underground behind the institute—resembling a place for breeding earthworms…

And the mission site mentioned by Blood Nightingale was somewhere inside.

“Yes, Commander!”

Obediently, the order was acknowledged.

As the Third-Stage Advanced Awakener Zhang Yuan, second in strength only to Yinglong, he skillfully raced toward the institute.

He knew that was just how Lord Yinglong operated.

Whenever a location seemed ripe for an ambush, these Awakeners would always scout it out first.

Especially in this Dungeon, where intelligent Otherworldly Ghosts were known to lie in wait for a surprise attack.

After carefully circling the entire institute, Zhang Yuan raised an eyebrow and immediately flew back to Yinglong’s side.

“Commander, it seems there are no Otherworldly Ghosts inside.”

“No? Shouldn’t it be completely empty?”

“If there are any, maybe they’re underground. I wouldn’t be able to detect them without going in.”

He reported the situation swiftly.

Zhang Yuan’s eyes brimmed with doubt as he spoke.

According to Blood Nightingale, there should have been NPCs here.

Though he wasn’t a Willpower-Type Awakener and his mental strength wasn’t impressive, he could sense any living activity within.

Underground, you say? That would be in the deepest part…

Meanwhile, ever since Zhang Yuan began the reconnaissance, Blood Nightingale’s anxiety deepened.

She was nervous—not only about Yenir being discovered but also because she had no clue what Yenir intended to do.

Nothing at all?! What is he up to? Or perhaps the Military has already set an ambush around here, hidden behind advanced gear?

Unable to help but glance around, Blood Nightingale’s breathing grew noticeably rapid.

“Miss Blood Nightingale, you seem a bit nervous?”

Yinglong furrowed his brow.

For some reason, ever since he got this close, he’d been feeling uneasy. Though he couldn’t pinpoint the source, a sixth sense told him something was off.

“Oh, nothing.”

“I was just thinking—maybe the NPC has fled. The briefing told us to find him; he was supposed to be crucial!”

Seeing Yinglong’s unwavering gaze, Blood Nightingale hurriedly fabricated a mission that didn’t even exist, just as Yenir had advised.

Yet, she couldn’t comprehend why Yenir wanted her to say that…

Could it be that Yenir had coerced an NPC from this Dungeon to work for him?

Would that fool Yinglong?

With no idea what Yenir was truly planning, she could only follow his instructions.

Listening to her explanation, Yinglong nodded faintly, choosing not to dwell on it further.

Since nothing seemed amiss—and there weren’t even any Otherworldly Ghosts—it was time to proceed inside.

“Let’s move! We’ll sort it out once we’re inside!”

With a sweeping gesture, in the blink of an eye, Yinglong—clad in full battle armor—charged into the institute like a streak of red light.

……………

Ten minutes later.

“Commander! There’s nothing on the first floor!”

“Nothing on the second floor!”

“Not even in the abandoned factory!”

..

After meticulously searching the institute, several Awakeners from the Bloodshadow Legion stared at Blood Nightingale in disbelief.

There wasn’t a single soul; no NPCs at all.

The place was so empty you could practically run mice through it.

Apart from some rotten, foul-smelling worm castings, there was nothing else.

Forget about any side quests; this scene looked utterly ordinary, not even showing a hint of battle.

“Miss Blood Nightingale, are you sure the NPC mentioned in the briefing was supposed to be here?”

“And besides, it’s linked to the origin of Otherworldly Ghosts—the mission is supposed to be extremely special?”

She couldn’t help but voice her doubts.

After ten fruitless minutes, they had found nothing.

Blood Nightingale stuttered, unable to offer any explanation—as if the whole mission had never existed.

Up until now, nothing unusual had occurred—they even began to suspect that Blood Nightingale had purposely lured them here.

Faced with everyone’s expectations, Blood Nightingale’s heart sank, and she muttered curses under her breath.

Damn it!

After Yenir had her brought over, he vanished again! Who knew how nervous she had been inside, dreading that a fight might break out any second?

Yet nothing happened—not even a ghost in sight!

Meanwhile, an increasingly impatient Yinglong couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Blood Nightingale.

With his keen insight, he immediately noticed how tense she was; despite her efforts to mask it, she had almost fallen silent as time passed.

At first he thought she was merely worried about the mission, but with no NPC in sight, he began to suspect.

“Miss Blood Nightingale, would you mind displaying the mission panel?”

“Maybe you overlooked some details, or perhaps we’re searching in the wrong place?”

Softly, Yinglong asked as he calmly fixed his gaze on Blood Nightingale, edging closer with a questioning look.

Though he wasn’t entirely mistrustful of her, he wanted confirmation.

As Yinglong demanded she reveal the mission details, a flash of panic crossed Blood Nightingale’s eyes.

Damn it!

She didn’t have any mission! It was all concocted by Yenir!

Already on edge and suspecting Yenir of toying with her, no matter how hard she tried to remain calm, Yinglong still detected her unease.

Seeing that Blood Nightingale seemed reluctant to share the mission details, Yinglong suddenly furrowed his brow.

Instinctively, he scanned the surroundings; his powerful sixth sense warned him that something was watching them.

“Miss Blood Nightingale, you…”

Before he could press further, a spatial rift materialized a short distance in front of him.

In an instant, an eerie pressure accompanied the emergence of a figure that filled the space.

Dressed in a splendid robe, Li Dafu appeared like a visitor from another realm, clutching a scepter.

His sudden appearance caused Yinglong’s expression to change immediately.

…………..

Forty-seven kilometers away, atop an abandoned building.

Exhaling lightly, Yenir—also visibly nervous—monitored the scene through Li Dafu’s perspective.

Victory or defeat hinged on this moment!

He had purposely set up a ridiculously underwhelming short-range teleport tool, just so that Li Dafu could appear as if leaping through space!

His aim was to trick Yinglong into willingly revealing his ‘treasure’—and he had to maintain an air of prestige!

“Li Dafu, start showing off!”