In Car No. 5, the Roarer K23 Electric Revolving Gun in Daluo’s hand had already run out of bullets, the barrels glowing red, so he picked up the M556 light machine gun again and continued firing.
Lu Xingchen stood in the middle of the carriage, opened the automatic door slightly, and kept spraying flames outward, igniting large areas of trees along the way!
In the driver’s cabin ahead, Lin Xian, KIKI, and Chen Sixuan all looked puzzled at Ding Junyi’s words.
Ding Junyi didn’t hesitate, directly picking up her mobile terminal and showing Lin Xian the changes in the Hell Black Chrysanthemum she had just recorded.
"It’s still unclear why those parasites are attracted to the No. 1 Blood Calamity Disaster Plant, but I think I’ve found the reason for the red glow changes on this."
Lin Xian’s gaze sharpened and he saw on the screen that the red glow on the Hell Black Chrysanthemum drastically intensified at certain points noticeable to the naked eye!
Ding Junyi anxiously said, "Since recorded in the laboratory, the No. 1 Blood Calamity Disaster Plant has shown a total of three instances of brightening changes and one case of weakening. The three times it turned red were when we escaped from Underground City No. 9, from Yu Bei Airport, and just now from Rain Town!"
"Although such a sampling standard isn’t enough for a rigorous experimental conclusion, the situation now pertains to life and death, so I boldly present a hypothesis combined with the group hunting effect: these dark creatures could be marking prey they haven’t killed with something invisible to us, and the red glow reaction on the Hell Black Chrysanthemum is the materialized representation of this mark, like the scent of blood in a forest, making us the target of more abnormal bodies in the night."
"This mark might be a means of communication among dark creatures. Another possible scenario is that larger abnormal bodies give us a deeper mark. If Yu Bei City can be explained with the group hunting effect, then as soon as we left the territory range of Rain Town, the glow of the Black Chrysanthemum changed, and we were immediately besieged by numerous dark creatures. Hence, I believe if we keep fleeing, and this marking reaches a certain level, we’ll likely face the same situation as the Fireline Fleet... total annihilation!"
Ding Junyi finished in one breath, her gaze twinkling slightly. For someone with her rigorous nature to articulate such a subjectively inclined conclusion was very difficult. She also knew that if her argument was wrong and the team adopted it, it could very well lead to the vehicle’s destruction!
The grave expressions on Lin Xian’s and the other two faces deepened as they listened. Lin Xian directly furrowed his brows and said, "So you think the Hell Black Chrysanthemum is there to warn us humans?"
Ding Junyi said, "Not entirely, but this plant can absorb dark energy, indicating that the No. 1 Disaster Plant has the ability to perceive dark energy. By extension, the mark of dark creatures is undoubtedly one of the energies. But this is just one aspect; its other functions might need me to conduct sampling and real..."
Lin Xian, with a grave look, suddenly interrupted her loudly: "Cut the crap, just say the conclusion!"
The sound of gunfire erupted outside as countless abnormal bodies swarmed. The vehicle’s armored panels were under constant intense testing. Lin Xian was already extremely anxious and had no patience to listen to Ding Junyi’s analytical logic.
Lin Xian’s angry shout made Ding Junyi shudder. She looked at Lin Xian and opened her mouth in surprise, then quickly narrowed her palms and said, "There are two options. First, stop and eliminate all abnormal bodies around the train to clear all marks. Second, return to Rain Town, resolve the large parasite and other pseudo-human parasites. I suggest we choose the second option because, from a biological standpoint, creatures that need to use traps generally don’t possess strong defensive or evasion capabilities against predators—they’re particularly vulnerable in nature, thus needing traps or disguises to increase survival chances. The large parasite needs to hunt through splitting reproduction and pseudo-human deception and has a fixed territory, which implies its immediate combat threat level to humans might not be higher than the night abnormal bodies. With the troubles we’re encountering now endlessly appearing, the success rate for the second option is higher. I’m done!"
KIKI and Chen Sixuan were both incredulous after listening, quickly looking towards Lin Xian and seeing the seriousness in his expression.
As the team leader, every decision he made directly affected the team’s survival. Ding Junyi’s deduction brought hope for the team but also posed a near-mad choice for Lin Xian.
Lin Xian’s brain was rapidly processing. His intuition told him that Ding Junyi’s guess about the [marking] was likely correct. It not only explained the group hunting effect but also explained the changes in the Hell Black Chrysanthemum after leaving Rain Town. More importantly, Lin Xian had always had this suspicion.
The White Giant Monster from Jiang City, the Red Earthworm chased from Yushan to North Bay, the encounter with the Sky Jellyfish after fleeing Underground City No. 9, and immediately facing a full vehicle siege after escaping the weird entities of Yu Bei!
Including the Iron Guard Brigade, the massive Atmospheric Mica chased from Daluo Mountain all the way to Yu Bei Airport.
Hunters, marks, the red glow of the Hell Black Chrysanthemum became vivid at this moment, seemingly making perfect sense!
He even recalled chatting with KIKI last night when she casually mentioned that the team could only flee. The more they ran, the more monsters there were, and the stronger they became, as if the night monsters had put a bounty on them....
The team’s expansion is only a façade. The bigger hidden threat is the [mark] on the team, continuously amplifying danger during the night. If following this theoretical deduction, the best way to be safer at night would be to tackle the encountered monsters and then enter a silent state.
This is actually very counterintuitive. Many people wouldn’t immediately think in this direction or have the chance to think this way, and that is: dark creatures have the ability to communicate with each other.
And this communication is the hunter’s mark!
Suddenly, the Infinity braked abruptly. Many abnormal bodies, due to inertia, fell off the train, and the tide-like offensive began to assail from the side carriage.
Everyone clung tightly to the body’s frame. Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian, and now stopping, it indicated that Lin Xian had made his choice.
With the electric engine roaring, before everyone could catch their breath, the train started moving in the reverse direction!
"Lin Xian!" Chen Sixuan shouted.
"We’re returning!" Lin Xian looked at Ding Junyi: "I think Director Ding is right."
Ding Junyi’s eyes were heated now. She didn’t say anything, just nodded at Lin Xian and then turned to walk toward Car No. 3.
As a researcher, the only support she could provide was information and knowledge, something she had to do as a team member.
The entire train suddenly operating in reverse was unexpected for everyone aboard.
At this time, Lin Xian’s voice came over the train’s intercom.
"Everyone get ready, we’re about to return to Rain Town, don’t spare any bullets, eliminate all threats encountered!"
"Roger that." Shu Qin didn’t know Lin Xian’s purpose, but she had no doubt about Lin Xian’s arrangement.
"Okay, Brother Lin." Sha Sha’s voice also came.
"Got it, should we go outside and fight?" Lu Xingchen’s voice came, seemingly not entirely satisfied with the battle.
"We’ll see." Lin Xian decisively said, at this time pushing the train to operate at full capacity, breaking through the hindrance from behind, fortunately, the Gemini 11R nuclear power electric locomotive had double armor he specifically built, with robust defense power, except for not having an Ice-breaking Shield, its impact force was exceptionally strong.
Although it is unknown if the biological theory of Blue Star applies to those dark creatures, since opting to trust Ding Junyi, Lin Xian didn’t hesitate at all. He already had a plan in mind.