Lu Xin didn't say anything at first. Instead, he casually walked over to the lakeshore, slowly crouching down. From an outsider's perspective, he appeared to be gazing at the lake in contemplation. In reality, he was quietly speaking with his sister.
"What's in there?"
Lu Xin spoke softly while looking at the water.
Beneath the red moon, the lake appeared both eerie and still.
"I don't know, but it feels like something that can be played with for a long time..."
His sister continued staring into the lake, licking her lips excitedly.
"That means we've found it..."
Lu Xin thought to himself, glancing toward the three members of the investigation team.
At this moment, the three investigators, led by Cheng Hui, were following standard procedures to examine the area. Starting from the lakeshore, they moved methodically. They were all experienced in this kind of work, and Cheng Hui had arranged everything efficiently. Since this was only a basic scan, he and his team could handle it themselves without needing Lu Xin's direct involvement.
In fact, they were somewhat wary of Lu Xin.
After all, he was one of "those people" from the legends.
Subconsciously, they preferred not to rely on him unless absolutely necessary.
Lu Xin didn't bother reminding them of anything yet. He simply waited for them to complete their scans of the path and its surroundings.
---
Since the first three locations had already been ruled out, this final area became the most likely source of contamination. As a result, the investigation team was extremely cautious and thorough. They meticulously scanned every inch of the narrow dirt path using their specialized instruments.
"No psychic residue detected on the path."
Once the two team members completed their scan, they returned to the jeep, their voices heavy.
"Understood."
Cheng Hui's eyes, visible beneath his glass face shield, showed clear concern as he glanced toward the lake. If the scan of the path and surrounding vegetation revealed nothing, then the contamination was most likely in the lake—the last unchecked area.
At this moment, Lu Xin quietly asked his sister, "Can you use your ability underwater?"
His sister, barely able to contain her excitement, responded, "I've never tried, but I want to..."
"You're so brave..."
Lu Xin patted his sister's head, then stood up and walked back to the investigation team. "You've finished scanning the surface?"
The three team members instinctively straightened up and nodded.
Lu Xin nodded back. "Can your instruments work underwater?"
He glanced at the devices. Although Chen Jing had briefly explained their functions earlier, he still didn't fully understand the principles behind them. What intrigued him now was that his sister was crouching just four or five meters away from them, yet the instruments showed no reaction.
Did that mean his sister wasn't classified as a detectable psychic force by these devices?
Surely, his sister wasn't just a figment of his own mind?
Hearing Lu Xin's question, the bearded team leader, Cheng Hui, hesitated briefly before answering honestly, "If it's just for a short period, the instruments might still work. The problem is... our protective suits aren't waterproof."
Lu Xin nodded, understanding their concerns.
Surface and underwater scanning were two entirely different tasks.
Their worry wasn't whether the instruments could function underwater—it was the fact that they were reluctant to enter the water.
Wearing protective suits would make movement difficult, but removing them would expose them directly to contamination.
Still, they were clearly disciplined. It was evident that if Chen Jing gave the order through the radio, all three of them would still go into the lake, despite the risks. To them, facing danger was simply part of their duty.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Xin smiled and said, "I'll go down first. Wait here."
"What?"
The investigators immediately turned to him in surprise.
Although they were within the High-Walled City, the area was still an abandoned factory district, looking no different from the wilderness. Darkness surrounded them, with only the narrow beam of the Jeep's headlights piercing through. As for the lake-bed, it was very likely hiding something eerie and terrifying. Encountering such things on land would at least leave some room to maneuver, but if they were to meet them underwater...
The thin-looking man before them turned out to be unexpectedly bold.
Especially since he seemed to have noticed the three of them were afraid, so he voluntarily took on the risk?
"Someone has to do it, right?"
Lu Xin smiled at them as he spoke, stretching his arms and legs for a quick warm-up.
He had always taken his work seriously.
For this mission, he was technically the team leader, responsible for overseeing the investigation. Even though Chen Jing had taken charge in his place, it was only because he lacked experience, so she had assumed authority while using this as an opportunity to train him. In reality, ever since they set out, he had mostly been observing while the three investigation team members handled the actual work.
Now, after watching these three hardworking soldiers diligently carry out their tasks all day, it was clear they were hesitant about this part. It seemed that investigating underwater was particularly difficult for them. Naturally, this meant it was time for him, the real core team member, to step in.
Back at the company, those commendation banners weren't given to him for nothing—Lu Xin understood that well.
If you want a promotion and a raise, take your job seriously!
Of course, why he nearly got fired after receiving those banners at that business company… he still didn't quite understand.
...
"Have all other locations been cleared?"
Just as Lu Xin had made up his mind and was preparing to prove himself, Chen Jing's voice suddenly came through the channel.
"Yes!"
The three investigation team members immediately stood at attention. Their captain reported, "Only this lake remains!"
Chen Jing continued, "Are we certain this is the final suspect location?"
Han Bing from the information analysis team also chimed in over the channel, "Confirmed!"
After a slight pause, Chen Jing stated, "Then the likelihood of a Contamination Source in this lake is extremely high!"
Lu Xin said, "Then I'll go down and take a look. Underwater oerations are a bit dangerous."
The three investigation team members all looked at Lu Xin with clear gratitude in their eyes.
They wouldn't have asked him to go down on their behalf, but the fact that Lu Xin considered it for them made a difference.
Even over the channel, both Chen Jing and Han Bing fell silent for a moment.
"Underwater operation is indeed very dangerous..."
After a short pause, Chen Jing's voice came through again.
Lu Xin nodded and was about to take off his jacket in preparation to enter the lake when he heard Chen Jing speak again.
"Then why take the risk of diving in?"
Lu Xin was momentarily stunned. "Huh?"
Chen Jing's response was firm and commanding. "Immediately call in the special support team. They'll arrive on-site within thirty minutes!"
"Drain the lake and run a direct inspection!"