Favored one!

Su Chen refrained from engaging in conversation with Kukas, his eyes gradually brimming with excitement as he focused on the phone's screen.

In Su Chen's mind, Kukas had successfully evolved from a software with artificial mental limitations to a manual navigation tool—Kukas with advanced navigation capabilities.

This newfound ability proved far more valuable than idle chitchat.

However, Kukas firmly believed that its "chat" function was a core skill, striving to showcase its prowess.

Su Chen decided to put Kukas to the test. In the navigation mode, the energy consumption was alarmingly rapid. Within half an hour, Kukas exhausted its power and slipped into a dormant state. For now, Su Chen hadn't explored whether Kukas possessed a radar function.

Just then, Wang Li issued a reminder, "We've already covered more than half of the distance. The upcoming area was active with monster sightings a few hours ago. We are highly likely to encounter an attack."

Su Chen's vigilance spiked upon hearing those words.

The student team ahead remained on edge throughout their journey. Lacking Su Chen's combat prowess, they relied on constant vigilance to evade danger.

Xia Lan, in particular, harbored deep unease towards Su Chen and his companions, fearing they might be ruthless bandits in these dire times. Seated in the lead vehicle, she frequently glanced back. In fact, she had stationed several individuals to observe Su Chen's off-road vehicle from their positions in the convoy.

Their defense mechanisms were indispensable.

As they continued driving, a disturbing neigh pierced through the darkened sky— a black monster had spotted them!

However, the obsidian creature refrained from attacking and instead trailed behind. Xia Lan sensed imminent danger and swiftly ordered the entire convoy to accelerate. Within minutes, thirteen black-scaled monsters raced alongside them, their terrifying speed causing a collision with the convoy.

There was no way to avoid the impending disaster.

Despair loomed over Xia Lan as she realized the gravity of the situation. Yet, just as all hope seemed lost, news reached her.

The occupant of that particular vehicle had stirred!

Hope surged within Xia Lan's heart.

Perhaps they truly were monster hunters...

Poking her head out of the car window, clinging to the last flicker of hope, Xia Lan cast a desperate gaze towards the rear of the convoy. Then, she and the surviving members of the team witnessed a sight that would forever be etched in their memories.

In the speeding off-road vehicle trailing behind, a figure emerged, arms raised high, instantly illuminating the surroundings like a colossal searchlight. The intense beam of light reflected off the dark scales of the thirteen Mercedes-Benz monsters.

And following the figure, a blur of unimaginable speed streaked through the air, breaking away from the convoy like an arrow released from its bowstring. Each swift motion resulted in the slaying of a black scale monster!

Many onlookers barely registered what was happening. The lead monster was swiftly dispatched, leaving behind a trail of spilled blood as the high-speed figure darted towards the next target.

With the vast open environment, battle armor providing a distinct advantage, and the accumulation of countless hunting experiences, Su Chen grew increasingly proficient in eliminating the black scale monsters. This time, Su Chen even relished the hunt. His rapid maneuvers allowed him to create considerable distance between each monster, presenting him with ample opportunity to attack them individually.

For Su Chen, the process had become almost mechanical—shooting, decapitating, and pursuing. However, for the students witnessing this spectacle, the shock was indescribable.

Who had ever witnessed a person single-handedly dispatching thirteen black scale monsters with such ease?

It was unheard of!

In the astounded eyes of the students, they even witnessed a black scale monster, seemingly gripped with extreme terror in Su Chen's presence, disregarding the orders of its pack and fleeing in haste!

A monster fleeing before a mere human!

The students were dumbfounded, but Su Chen abruptly halted his pursuit at the last possible moment.

This particular monster's behavior seemed too peculiar, as if it had been utterly frightened into fleeing. Amidst the chaotic battle, based on his initial judgment, Su Chen was on the brink of giving chase. After all, the monster had wasted his time by leading him on a chase—it couldn't simply be allowed to escape.

Yet, in the final moment, he sensed something amiss and refrained from pursuing further. Instead, he retraced his steps back to the off-road vehicle, casting a glance at Wang Li before inquiring, "Contact Su Wenhao. Is there any new information?"

Wang Li, too, sensed the abnormality and was about to initiate contact, but Su Wenhao beat him to it.

And the information he conveyed came directly from Lin Mo.

This time, Wang Li insisted that Su Chen personally converse with Su Wenhao.

Su Wenhao reported, "Recently, a significant number of survivors have returned with a general report. Our team has collected and thoroughly vetted all available information. Professor Chen even pulled some strings, and we successfully obtained Mr. Lin's intel. It's highly likely that he is located in the He City Industrial Park!"

"He City Industrial Park?" Su Chen strained his memory to recall the fragmented details.

Wang Li promptly unveiled a map, marking the designated spot, and stated, "Mr. Su, the straight-line distance from He City Industrial Park to our current location is approximately 100 kilometers."

That location lay on the fringes of the encirclement formed by the monsters, completely opposite to Su Chen's current position and the direction in which the black scale monster had fled.

"Are you certain?"

"It should be accurate," Su Wenhao affirmed. "Based on our deductions, that's where Mr. Lin's trail went cold. Unlike you, Mr. Su, it appears that he remained stagnant there for quite some time, potentially facing adverse circumstances that have significantly weakened his strength. There's a favored individual heading in that direction, accompanied by a group of monsters. It's possible that this favored individual has encountered Mr. Lin and eliminated him. Mr. Su, you need to..."

Su Chen nodded and interjected, "One more thing. This time, I want to ascertain the current situation in Yuanliao City."

Su Wenhao let out a weary sigh and confessed, "It used to be classified information, but now, almost everyone knows—Yuanliao City is under complete lockdown, not just a mere blockade. It's like a spatial imprisonment, cutting off all communication with the outside world. There's no reinforcement, no information. Yuanliao City has become an isolated fortress."

"Monsters and humans, we can only save one."

"If you have the chance, pick a direction and flee from Yuanliao City," he continued gravely.

"The end of this world is in sight..." Su Chen fell into a somber silence.

Su Wenhao urged, "Su Chen, I strongly advise you to make haste. Judging from the current situation, it's evident that the favored individual plans to deploy a massive horde of monsters in this direction. They aim to lure in substantial military firepower, and by the time you arrive, it may no longer be able to hinder you. However, I fear their primary objective is to eliminate Mr. Lin first, using the lesser creatures here to ensnare you and buy themselves time. But they underestimate the capabilities of our military and are playing a losing game. The higher-ups have long identified their movements outside Yuanliao City, but have remained silent. The favored one deliberately avoided leading a large number of monsters, seeking to confuse both you and us. They only brought a select group of high-ranking minions to Mr. Lin's location, believing it presented an opportunity. However, the military has quietly mobilized a portion of their forces, ready to strike with full force and sever their head!"

Su Chen's expression turned solemn. "I understand."

Taking a deep breath, Su Wenhao continued, "Due to my limited clearance level, my information has been lagging behind. Otherwise, Mr. Lin's whereabouts could have been confirmed earlier, and the military's assassination unit would have moved in within hours, maintaining absolute secrecy. I won't report your situation for now, but the higher-ups may still be unaware of Mr. Lin's predicament. I'll report it promptly to avoid any accidental harm."

"Mr. Su, over there..." Su Wenhao trailed off.

"Leave it to me. Don't worry, I'll assist the military as needed," Su Chen replied calmly.

The conversation with Su Wenhao abruptly ended, and Wang Li wasted no time revving up the off-road vehicle, hurtling towards the battlefield.

With a sudden surge of acceleration, the off-road vehicle receded into the distance, leaving Yuanliao University's fleet in awe as it raced towards the He City factory, a hundred kilometers away.