They say I'm a world-destroying anomaly.

Chapter 23 The Unexpected Survivor

The crystal rock giant strode ahead, clearing the way, with Cheng Xu and Fields following behind, using the complex crystal rock terrain to conceal their movements.

The two maintained a relatively safe distance from the crystal rock creature, which allowed them to determine its route and provide ample room for escape should they be discovered.

Before long, Cheng Xu discovered that its route was not much different from the route planned by the combat suit's intelligent system, so he decided to continue tracking the Stone Man to find out what its goal was.

As the two gradually moved away from the lava lake, the temperature and radiation intensity in the air slowly decreased. Although they were still not at normal levels, they were at least not as uncomfortable as before.

Cheng Xu also had the capacity to access the map within his combat suit and, with the assistance of the intelligent system, mark the route he had just taken.

"It's almost out of the radiation shielding zone, where is it going?"

Cheng Xu looked at his location on the map; he was almost at the edge of the satellite signal shielding zone.

If he advances another three thousand meters or so, he should be able to try to contact the command center in space.

He followed the route taken by the crystal rock people on the map, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Ahead along this route, there is a marker marked with a shield symbol.

This marking signifies that the Anomaly Management Bureau has established an anomaly disaster shelter at the corresponding location to provide temporary shelter in special circumstances.

Is the Crystal Stone People's goal the refuge?

Could it be that there are still survivors inside the refuge?

Thinking about this, Cheng Xu felt anxious.

"Fields, keep up with me!"

"Brother Cheng, what's wrong?"

Fields noticed Cheng Xu quickening his pace and instinctively followed closely behind.

After Cheng Xu gave a brief explanation, Fields realized the seriousness of the situation and stopped talking, focusing on continuing on his way.

A few minutes later, the Crystal Rock Man stopped in front of a Crystal Rock Mountain. When Cheng Xu saw the scene at the foot of the mountain, his heart sank.

Seven or eight crystalline rock giants were seen surrounding the foot of the mountain, violently ramming against it, their savage rock fists slamming forward again and again.

Looking into the distance, Cheng Xu saw the glow of the energy shield shimmering as it was struck.

His fears came true.

The Crystal Stone People's target was indeed the refuge built into the mountain. And judging from the activated energy shield, there must still be survivors inside the shelter.

The mountain has been severely damaged by the relentless attacks of the Crystal Rock people, like a piece of cheese gnawed by rats.

Judging from the damage response of the shield, the shield's energy reserves at the refuge may have reached a critical point.

What should I do...?

Cheng Xu wanted to help, but couldn't think of a good way.

Seeing his anxious expression, Fields reached into the storage compartment of his combat suit and took out a wooden doll.

"Brother Cheng, how can it help?"

Cheng Xu caught a glimpse of the doll out of the corner of his eye, and his breath hitched: "Why did you bring it out too?!"

Fields scratched the back of his head: "Isn't this just for safety reasons...?"

The safety-level anomaly, [Mimicry Doll], possesses the ability to cause cognitive impairment in its target. Cheng Xu had no idea that Fields had been carrying this anomaly with him all along.

But then he thought about it again, and realized that Fields only brought out the doll at this time, so it didn't seem like there was really any problem.

During the previous rescue operation at the branch base, the Crystal Giant's rocky giant hand came too fast, and Fields was so frightened that he was practically frozen in place and didn't even think about the puppet's existence.

After falling into the underground fissure, the two did not encounter any intelligent life along the way, and the imitation puppet became even more useless.

Now, before him stood several crystal rock golems. Fields' previous experience had proven that the ability to mimic dolls worked on them.

Soon, a plan took shape in Cheng Xu's mind.

"Fields, listen to my instructions. The next operation may be a bit risky."

Fields tensed up, gritted his teeth and nodded: "Brother Cheng, I'll do as you say."

After repeatedly explaining the details of the plan, Cheng Xu quickly ran to the nearest low hill and stretched out his right hand toward the sky.

The launch port was activated, and a dazzling signal flare exploded above the crystal giants' heads with a piercing sound.

In an instant, all the crystal rock men who were rushing to the refuge stopped what they were doing and turned to look for the source of the commotion.

"You bunch of big idiots, I'm right here!"

The crystal rock people couldn't understand Cheng Xu's language, but they seemed to sense the mockery and provocation in his tone.

They growled and turned around, quickly locking onto Cheng Xu on the hill.

Without flinching, Cheng Xu stretched out his hands and launched two more signal flares diagonally upwards, accurately smearing the faces of the two crystal rock men with fireworks.

This provocation was even more effective than the previous words. The crystal rock people roared and charged at him, their crystal pillars stomping on the earth in turn, causing tremors to rise everywhere.

Seeing that he had already attracted the hatred of all the Crystal Stone people present, Cheng Xu dared not continue to be arrogant and ran towards Fields.

The two ran ahead, with the crystal giant chasing behind. After estimating that the crystal giant was some distance away, Cheng Xu shouted:

"Fields, now's the time!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two fired all the stored signal flares in different directions, and several miniature drones flew out from near their shoulder blades.

Some of these miniature drones flew straight at the stone figure and exploded, while others emitted sharp sounds and scattered away.

Under the cover of flares and drones, and taking advantage of the attention of the Crystal Rock crowd, Fields gripped the dummy tightly with both hands before releasing it.

A crystalline sheen suddenly appeared on the wooden doll. It flew out of Fields's palm, and its body and limbs began to move.

Its movements were very agile, and it was impossible to tell that it was made of wood. Cheng Xu could also clearly tell that it was imitating the way the Crystal Rock Man walked.

Glowing powder drifted from its body and sprinkled on Cheng Xu and Fields.

At the same time, the air rippled slightly, and an invisible, intangible current of air enveloped the crystal rock man in front of him.

"Brother Cheng!"

"Rush!"

After confirming that the cognitive barrier of the imitation doll was in effect, the two used all their strength and turned to rush towards the crystal rock man.

The crystal rock people turned their heads to look at them in surprise, wondering why their "companions" had suddenly turned around.

Having narrowly escaped death, Fields glanced back at the wall-like row of stone figures, patted his chest, and gasped for breath:

"Brother Cheng, I've never seen anything like this before, it's so exciting..."

They rushed all the way to the foot of Crystal Rock Mountain, where the energy shield and alloy gate of the refuge were already within reach.

The people in the shelter also noticed the change outside. Because they weren't the targets of the puppet's manipulation, they saw Cheng Xu and his companion rushing towards them.

Just a few meters from the alloy door, Cheng Xu's combat uniform arm armor cracked open, and he slapped his identity card onto the door's identification device.

"Beep beep beep—"

The alloy door opened with a thud, and Cheng Xu and Fields rushed in one after the other, only to bump into the crowd gathered at the entrance.

With the help of several people, they were able to stop their forward momentum, and the alloy gate quickly closed.

When Cheng Xu stood up and looked up, the first thing he saw was a face he had seen in the documents.

"Are you Cheng Xu? I'm Liang Lin, an engineer from the Gelunxing branch of the Chengmingxing Public Security Bureau. This is Bi Yan, a logistics staff member at the branch."

"The others present were all members of the exploration team from the Interstellar Mineral Research Institute."