"Sister..."
Xu Qian looked back, only to see the little zombie running and jumping on the ice, leaving the two of them far behind.
Her heart tightened, and she called out softly, "Xiao Lü, don't come over, stay put."
Xu Lü's footsteps paused, and he looked innocent.
"Sister..."
Xu Qian's expression remained unchanged, and she said sternly, "Spread your legs, don't move."
"Okay..." Xu Lü obediently did as he was told.
The ice layer did not stop cracking but exploded even faster around her.
Xu Qian remained motionless, her expression blank.
In such a situation, the more she moved, the faster the ice cracked. Standing still was the best option.
Soon, the ice stopped shifting, but the ice near her shoes cracked wider and wider.
Xu Qian dared not move, fearing the consequences of falling in.
With a "bang," something white jumped out.
Before Xu Qian could even see clearly, it fell back with a "slap."
It was precisely because of this "fancy move" that the ice beneath Xu Qian's feet completely broke.
"Xiao Lü, run to the shore!"
Xu Lü's face showed urgency as he shouted, "Sister!"
"Run!"
Xu Lü, unusually obedient, turned and sprinted towards the shore.
Xu Qian, of course, did not stand there foolishly. She ran towards the shore with all her might, ice shards breaking behind her one after another, large pieces of ice falling into the lake and splashing water.
The water splashed onto her mask and seeped into her shoes. The chill permeated her skin and reached her bones, leaving her feeling cold all over.
By the time Xu Qian, using all her strength, escaped to the shore, the entire lake's ice had vanished, leaving behind the clear blue water.
Suddenly, several white figures leaped out of the lake... dolphins, but with red eyes.
They did not harm them but repeatedly leaped in the lake, allowing the sharp ice shards to pierce their bodies, dyeing them in splashes of blood.
The group watched in stunned silence, wondering what was happening.
Xu Qian's gaze was calm as she said softly, "Let's find a good spot and wait."
She hadn't provoked these dolphins. They were mutated beasts, and their sudden frenzy must be the work of the X Group...
The four of them hid in the woods by the lake, waiting quietly.
After a long while, many of the mutated dolphins stopped leaping, with only two still persisting.
Xu Qian narrowed her eyes slightly, patiently waiting.
Yi Chun grew restless and called out softly, "Strategist..."
"Shh, look."
Xu Qian took out her binoculars. She saw two black figures floating on the surface of the lake. They swam to shore and climbed out.
The two were wearing full diving suits. One of them took out a notebook from his chest pocket and quickly recorded something.
Then, he took out a white controller and pressed a button. The two mutated dolphins immediately stopped leaping.
The two then dived back into the lake.
Xu Qian lowered her binoculars, her brows furrowed.
The base was at the bottom of the lake. It seemed they had to go underwater.
"You all stay on the shore and keep watch. I'll go down and scout."
Everyone strongly objected. The water was incredibly cold.
Xu Qian smiled, "I have a diving suit, and besides, I'm a good swimmer. I'm not afraid of the water."
Xie Yayun said urgently, "No, I'm going with you."
Yi Chun chimed in, "I've learned to dive, it's no problem."
Xu Qian's heart warmed, but she asked, "Yi Chun can accompany me. Sister Ya Yun, can you dive?"
Xie Yayun's expression stiffened. She indeed couldn't dive.
Xu Qian patted her shoulder and smiled, "You and Xiao Lü wait here obediently. We'll go and scout. We'll be back within an hour."
Xie Yayun had no choice but to respond with a low "Okay."
"Xiao Lü, you too."