Although this decision is risky, Shen Tang has to go. She has also thought of some countermeasures.

After all, having successfully entered the laboratory once, she has already pretty much figured out the layout and traps inside. With more precautions going in again, those traps are not to be feared.

The biggest trouble is the monster conglomerate deep in the laboratory, a test monster that is indeed strong and terrifying, harder to deal with than the Gatekeeper, but it has a fatal weakness,

it lacks reason, can’t think, only attacks by instinct.

With this, she has more operating space.

To get the items inside the door, Shen Tang doesn’t need to actually kill the monster. Just lure it away, and there’s an opportunity to enter.

She can prepare some puppets to attract the monster’s attention, buying time for herself.

Although dangerous, and a careless move might cost her life, theoretically... there’s still a chance of success.

Jin remained silent for a long time. After listening to her plan, he slightly furrowed his brow, "I can help you get the Crystal Core."

Shen Tang looked at him in surprise, quickly realizing, "You... want to use the Crystal Core to heal, don’t you?"

Her voice carried a few more hints of vigilance and caution. Although both wanted the Crystal Core, their purposes were fundamentally different, and the atmosphere silently changed.

Jin glanced at her cautious look and chuckled lightly, "I don’t want to heal anymore, there’s nothing worth healing."

He said, "I’ll help you find him."

Shen Tang was astonished and hadn’t had time to speak when he interrupted her.

Jin looked at her, "I... you’ve helped me many times, I owe you a lot."

No matter how cold-hearted and aggressive he sounded, Jin was clear in his heart that Shen Tang had helped him too many times along the way, saving him countless times, and by any calculation, he owed her.

"I don’t like owing favors. This is the last time I’ll help you, help you successfully find him. After that, let’s pretend we’ve never met, owing nothing to each other."

Shen Tang didn’t know what to say, her emotions were complex and hard to discern, unsure if it was gratitude or something else, "...thank you."

She didn’t even know how to address him now.

Jin naturally noticed. He said indifferently in a low voice, "I hope you succeed in rescuing him."

"I wish you... a lifetime together, happiness and fulfillment."

This was also the life he once most wished to share with her.

Truly enviable.

...

The plan to return to the laboratory was thereby set, but soon, Shen Tang received bad news.

After the accident at the laboratory, it is now completely sealed, even the teleportation points to other Royal City laboratories have been shut down. That base has become an independent space, inaccessible from the outside world.

The only ones in the world qualified to enter the laboratory are the Family Heads of each clan.

This means that for Shen Tang to enter the laboratory now, she must go through the Hunting Leopard Clan Family Head Shou He to gain access again.

But isn’t this just walking into the trap, throwing her life away?

Shou He’s actions aimed to force them to show themselves.

He’s also aware of how important the Crystal Core hidden in the laboratory is to Jin, and Jin would definitely find ways to return. Eventually, he can’t escape his grasp!

Shou He has led the search team for days without finding the two, unable to figure out where they are hiding so skillfully!

The matter concerning Shou Jin is still a secret to the outside world, only a few in the clan know of his existence and true identity.

Shou He personally leading the search team outside is already attracting attention. The longer it runs, the more suspicious it becomes. If the secret leaks, he himself would be implicated.

As Shou He planned to return the same way and wait at the tree, sudden commotion came from the jungle ahead.

His face changed, and he immediately launched an attack, "Who is it? Get out here!"

It was neither a beast nor a mutant species on a sneak attack, but a slightly disheveled female emerging from the forest.

Upon seeing her appearance, the whole team’s atmosphere shifted drastically, taking on an aggressive stance.

Shou He’s expression also changed, squinting slightly, ponderous, "...could it be you?"

This female, isn’t she the runaway Shen Tang from days ago?

Her hair was messy, clothing stained with dried, blackened blood, looking haggard and weak—it was evident the recent days of fleeing hadn’t been kind.

Shou He hadn’t expected to search so long in vain, and she unexpectedly presented herself. Effortless gain indeed.

"Come, seize her!" Shou He ordered coldly.

"Wait! You can’t capture me, I have something to tell you!" The female, fearful, struggled desperately, but she was too weak, surrounded by many, ultimately unable to resist, bound and tossed before Shou He.

Shou He crouched down, gripping her face as he examined this young female.

Though her face was grimy, a delicate beauty in her features shone through, undeniably an outstanding beauty, possessing rare skills. Were he not of advancing age, even he might be tempted.

Shou He sneered, "Are you the female that boy fancies? Ha... I truly didn’t expect someone to manage to reach into his heart."

Releasing his grip, he stood, speaking coldly, "You had a chance to become one of my Hunting Leopard Clan. Unfortunately, you opposed me various times... destined to die miserably."

His eyes narrowed, scanning the area without sensing other presences.

Jin wasn’t nearby.

"But before killing you, I must squeeze out your remaining value. Don’t know if the boy will frantically come when he finds you’ve vanished."

Shen Tang’s face was pale, shaking her head vigorously, "No, it’s not like this! I’m here to defect to the Family Head!"

Her words startled everyone.

Shou He looked at her puzzled, "Defect to me?"

Shen Tang nodded eagerly, "Yes! Family Head, I deliberately shook off Jin to come here just to see you, I want to defect to you!"

Shou He furrowed his brow, prompting her to continue.

Weren’t these two deeply in love, going through life and death many times, so their feelings should be profound, right? How could she suddenly want to defect to him?

...A ruse?

Shen Tang hurriedly explained, "I desperately protected Shou Jin before because I mistakenly believed he was my beloved Beast Husband. Now that I know the truth, he’s fake, not my true Beast Husband. Naturally, I don’t want to follow him on this perilous journey anymore!"

"I beg the Family Head to spare me! I truly realized my mistake!"

The beastmen within the team exchanged baffled glances. Shou He thoughtfully asked, "Then your true Beast Husband is...?"

Shen Tang wiped her reddened eyes, tears rolling down, "My Beast Husband... is his experiment."

She disclosed much, laying bare their entire relationship, even her own origins, with no concealment whatsoever.

Shou He, "So that’s the story... your Beast Husband is that experimental subject..."

His once sharp, chilly gaze seemed to soften with some affection, "A truly pitiable child."

That female came from that continent... he knew the defeated "God of Creation" attempted an invasion. Did she seize that moment to sneak in?

This indeed was an unexpected discovery.

Shen Tang, eyes laden with tears, "My previous collisions with the Family Head were utter folly... all because I mistook someone for another, pouring my heart out. Now knowing it’s all feigned, I no longer want to help him. Please, Family Head, spare my life."

Shou He nodded, "Smart child, drawn into this turmoil inadvertently. Naturally, I won’t blame you."

"However, for me to spare you, you’ll first need to do something for me,"

He asked while watching her,

"Where is Jin now? Tell me."