Since tracking down the virus transaction on the dark web, Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing have felt increasing pressure. They knew that the closer they got to the truth, the greater the danger would become. At this point, the dark web buyer "Phoenix" was no longer the only threat; the virus itself had become the biggest challenge. As their investigation deepened, they pinpointed the virus sample's holder—Wei Fan, a mad scientist. He was once a top bioresearcher, but due to his extreme experimental methods and dangerous ideas, he had long been listed as one of the world's most dangerous biological terrorists.
Wei Fan's secret laboratory was hidden in a remote mountain area, where the geographical environment and tight defense systems made it nearly impossible for anyone to get close. There were no conventional communication signals around his laboratory, as if it were cut off from the world. Based on Su Wanqing's analysis, the virus sample Wei Fan was studying was likely a mutated strain of the "Apocalypse-9" virus, a virus highly prone to mutation and extremely aggressive towards the human immune system. If the virus spread, the consequences would be catastrophic.
After confirming the virus's threat, Lu Chen Zhou and Su Wanqing decided to launch a raid, planning to destroy the virus samples before they spread further. With a sense of urgency, they assembled an elite team, fully equipped, and headed straight to the hidden laboratory in the mountains. Everyone knew this mission was unlike any pursuit they had faced before. It wasn't just a chase after an enemy, but a race against time.
The road through the mountains was rugged and the weather unpredictable. To ensure the operation's secrecy, Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing led their team cautiously forward. As they advanced, the surrounding area grew eerily quiet, as if nature itself was holding its breath, waiting for what was to come. When they neared the laboratory, the team was on high alert.
The laboratory was well-hidden, and its defense systems exceeded their expectations. It used advanced infrared detection technology, ensuring that any approaching lifeform would be detected immediately. Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing had no choice but to rely on specialized equipment to breach these defenses. After several hours of effort, they finally succeeded in entering the area around the laboratory.
However, when they entered the laboratory, the scene before them shocked everyone. The laboratory was unusually quiet, and the environment, which should have been filled with activity, now appeared empty. Various pieces of equipment and unfinished experimental samples were scattered across the workbenches, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant. But what startled them most were the experimental animals in cages—struggling in agony, their eyes bloodshot, and their bodies severely mutated in ways that were impossible to describe.
"He... has already started the experiments," Su Wanqing said, her voice low and grave. Her expertise told her that these animals had been infected with some extremely dangerous virus, and this was just the beginning.
"We have to find the virus samples and destroy them," Lu Chenzhou gritted his teeth and quickly instructed his team to disperse and search every corner of the laboratory.
Just as they began searching, a muffled sound came from deep within the laboratory, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Lu Chenzhou immediately signaled for the team to stay alert. He knew this situation was no accident. Sure enough, a figure quickly emerged from a dark corner—it was Wei Fan, the mad scientist they had been chasing all this time.
"You're late. The virus has already been released into the experimental animals," Wei Fan said with a strange smile on his face, his eyes filled with fanaticism and indifference. "You're too late. This virus will change everything, even human evolution."
"Wei Fan, you're crazy!" Su Wanqing shouted angrily, unable to bear the madness in front of her.
"I'm not crazy. I'm just advancing the process of human evolution," Wei Fan's voice was low, full of confidence. He looked at Su Wanqing with challenge in his eyes. "You think you can stop all of this? Once the virus spreads, the whole world will fall into chaos, and I will be the creator of the new world."
Lu Chenzhou quickly scanned the surroundings, realizing how dangerous the situation was. The virus had already spread through the experimental animals, and time was running out. There was no more time to debate with Wei Fan—they had to destroy the virus samples and prevent the virus from spreading.
"Find the virus samples!" Lu Chenzhou quickly directed his team. He knew they needed to deal with the virus threat in the lab first, before handling Wei Fan.
However, just as they were preparing to act, a sudden and violent coughing fit froze everyone in place. Su Wanqing covered her mouth, her eyes flashing with a trace of pain. Her body began reacting abnormally, and black fog clouded her vision, making it nearly impossible for her to stand.
"Wan Qing!" Lu Chenzhou rushed to her side, urgently grabbing her shoulders. "What's happening?!"
Su Wanqing's eyes were blurry, her face pale, and her voice weak. "I... I think I've been infected with the virus..." Her voice was barely audible.
"How could this happen..." Lu Chenzhou's heart tightened, and his nerves surged. He knew that the virus spread rapidly, and if they didn't find the antidote in time, Su Wan Qing's condition would become irreversible.
Taking a deep breath, despite his overwhelming anxiety, he knew he had to stay calm. Even in this life-or-death moment, he couldn't afford to lose his composure.
"Don't worry, I'll take you to find the antidote," he said softly, then quickly ordered the team to continue searching for the virus samples. "We must find the antidote as soon as possible and destroy the virus."
In the tense situation, Lu Chenzhou had no choice but to focus all his efforts on finding the antidote. He took Su Wanqing to the depths of the laboratory, his only thought: time was running out, the virus must be stopped, and Su Wanqing had to be saved.
Just as they found the virus samples and prepared to destroy them, Wei Fan's mocking laughter echoed again. His voice reverberated throughout the laboratory. "You think you can stop all of this? The virus... has already spread among you..."
A deadly showdown had quietly begun, and whether Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing could stop the virus in time and escape unscathed was still uncertain. The battle for the survival of the world had only just begun.