CIATB Chapter 195 Crimson!
Chapter 195 Crimson!
Abnormal energy?
Could it be... a member of the Ruins?
He subtly surveyed everyone in the restaurant.
The well-dressed diners and the polite waiters—everything seemed perfectly normal.
Where is the energy source?
[Energy source locked.]
[Target: Su Wanqing.]
The system's voice sounded again.
Zhang Yan's gaze slowly fell on the girl opposite him who was smiling sweetly at him.
He squinted.
In the depths of Su Wanqing's beautiful eyes, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a very faint scarlet.
Chapter 195 Purification
That crimson hue vanished in a flash.
It was so fast it felt like an illusion.
If it weren't for the system's prompt, Zhang Yan would have thought it was just an illusion caused by the restaurant's lighting.
But he knew it wasn't.
Ruins.
This strange energy actually has this kind of ability?
It can directly erode or even control an ordinary person?
"Zhang Yan?"
Su Wanqing's voice interrupted his thoughts.
She tilted her head, a perfectly measured hint of confusion on her face.
"What's wrong? Is the steak not to your liking?"
Her voice was still sweet, and her expression was still innocent.
But in Zhang Yan's eyes, this beautiful face was now shrouded in an eerie shadow.
"no."
Zhang Yan looked away and continued cutting the steak on his plate.
"I was just thinking about something."
He quickly communicated with the system in his mind.
"What's going on?"
[Preliminary assessment suggests this is due to the dissipation of energy from the "Ruins".]
The "Ruins" are awakening, and their energy will radiate indiscriminately into the surrounding space.
The willpower of ordinary humans is insufficient to resist the erosion of this higher-dimensional energy.
Individuals with weak willpower or strong inner desires are particularly susceptible to being assimilated by energy, becoming puppets or coordinates of "Ruins" in the real world.
Zhang Yan's brows furrowed even more.
Weak-willed, yet possessing strong inner desires.
Su Wanqing...
He remembered her unwavering devotion to him, and the luxury cars and wealth she had suddenly acquired.
It seems that her inner desires were amplified countless times by the energy of "Ruins".
"What should we do in this situation?" Zhang Yan asked. "Kill him?"
He didn't want to kill innocent people indiscriminately.
Su Wanqing is essentially just a victim of corruption.
The target has not been completely assimilated; there is still a possibility of salvage.
Option 1: Physical removal. Advantages: Simple and efficient. Disadvantages: Target is killed.
Option Two: Energy Purification.
[The host can first subdue it, and then use the power of the "Heart of Heavenly Craftsmanship" to strip away and purify the "Void" energy that has invaded its body.]
Hearing that there was a second option, Zhang Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
Purification.
This plan is feasible.
But location is a problem.
This is a high-end restaurant in the city center, crowded and noisy; it's definitely not the place to make a move.
We must find an absolutely safe and absolutely private environment.
The third basement level of Tianji Security Company.
That enormous energy matrix prepared for the Tengshe.
That was the safest place in the entire Jinghai City, completely isolated from the outside world, and guarded by Tengshe.
It couldn't be more appropriate.
The plan took shape in my mind instantly.
Zhang Yan raised his head and looked at Su Wanqing across from him.
I enjoyed this meal very much.
He suddenly spoke, his tone much gentler than before.
Su Wanqing was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to suddenly change his attitude.
A hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and the crimson hue seemed to brighten slightly.
"Really?"
"Mm." Zhang Yan nodded. "Thank you for your hospitality."
He put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"As a return gift, I'd like to show you something."
"Look at something?" Su Wanqing's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"
"A 'big toy' that you've definitely never seen before."
A mysterious smile appeared on Zhang Yan's lips.
Trust me, you'll like it.
Su Wanqing's gaze became even more intense.
She had no doubt about Zhang Yan's words.
In her eyes, this man was full of mystery and power, and what he took out was definitely extraordinary.
"Okay," she agreed without hesitation.
"Shall we go now?"
"Now."
Zhang Yan stood up and picked up his coat.
"Let's go."
The two walked out of the restaurant and got into the red Maserati.
As Su Wanqing started the car, Zhang Yan took out his phone and dialed Nie Qingcheng's number.
The call was answered almost instantly.
"Feed?"
Nie Qingcheng's voice, tinged with a hint of joy, came through the room.
"Why are you calling me at this hour? Do you miss me?"
"Qingcheng," Zhang Yan said calmly. "Something came up here, so I might be back a little late."
"What happened?"
Nie Qingcheng's voice instantly became wary.
She knows Zhang Yan too well.
He would never speak to himself in such a serious tone at this time if it weren't something truly important.
"We've encountered a... contaminated 'sample'." Zhang Yan used a term only they understood. "It needs to be dealt with."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.
Nie Qingcheng immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.
"The sample?" Her voice turned cold. "Is there any danger?"
"No," Zhang Yan reassured her. "It's just that we need an absolutely quiet environment to handle this, so I'm going to take her to the company."
"A company?" Nie Qingcheng immediately realized. "Tianji Security?"
"right."
Are you alone?
"Um."
"No." Nie Qingcheng's voice left no room for argument. "Send me the address, I'm coming too."
Her man had to deal with danger; how could she possibly stay home and wait patiently?
Even though she knew Zhang Yan was very strong, she was still worried.
"Qingcheng, I..."
"Beep...beep...beep..."
Before Zhang Yan could say anything more, the other party abruptly hung up the phone.
He smiled helplessly.
this woman.
He edited an address message and sent it to Nie Qingcheng.
Su Wanqing, who was next to him, glanced at his phone screen seemingly unintentionally.
"Girlfriend?" she asked, her tone devoid of emotion.
"Fiancée," Zhang Yan corrected.
Su Wanqing's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.
"Is it...Nie Qingcheng?"
"Yes."
Zhang Yan's answer was calm, but it was like a knife that pierced Su Wanqing's heart.
Her knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
The crimson hue in her eyes seemed to have intensified.
……
at the same time.
The top-floor president's office of Qingcheng Group.
Nie Qingcheng put down her phone, her stunningly beautiful face now covered with a layer of frost.
"sample".
She knew what the word meant.
That means it's related to "ruins," and it signifies the unknown and danger.
She stood up, picked up the trench coat draped over the back of the chair, and walked quickly out of the office.
"Prepare the car."