"Is the fungal infection on your body not canceling each other out, but rather, is there one particular fungus among the many that can completely neutralize the other infections?" Xu Huo was slightly astonished. Evolution to this degree had already completely transcended the bounds of science.

"Not just fungal infections, it's effective against other potent toxins as well." Xin Lang said: "I've conducted experiments with twenty types of A-grade pollutants and seven types of S-grade toxins. This fungus can perfectly detoxify all of them. For players traveling across different Game Partitions, this should be a very good defensive weapon, right?"

Of course it is.

Xu Huo's expression turned solemn. The pathogens Hugo carried were A-grade pollutants, highly contagious, and could even persist for a long time after leaving the host. Back when he risked fighting Hugo on the vessel, aside from the power gap due to player level, he also had to constantly be wary of the pollutants Hugo might inadvertently release.

And to this day, the dungeon site of the Seventeenth Hospital is still under pollution. It's unclear if those pathogens will continue to spread, but at least for now, he has no good method to remove the pollution, and naturally, he also cannot retrieve the items the other players dropped inside.

With a thought, he flicked out the "Identification Fork," stabbing it into the Young Man's shoulder. "Don't move!"

"Healthy male with even body fat and containing no toxins. All internal organ indicators are above 90 points. Safe for consumption."

"However, cannibalism violates human ethics and culinary principles. Not recommended for consumption."

Only after the identification result was projected did the Young Man painfully pull out the Identification Fork, saying with shock and disgust, "You're a Player-Eater?"

Xu Huo pulled open his clothes to reveal the black number on his back shoulder, then fixed his gaze tightly on Xin Lang. "Has the fungus truly evolved to this extent?"

Xin Lang nodded. "You don't think only humans can undergo Super Evolution, do you? The fungi in Clown City completed their Super Evolution over twenty years ago."

Xu Huo glanced at the mycelium still hanging from her wound that hadn't disappeared. He wasn't so dazzled by the benefits that he lost his head. Anything that can parasitize the human body carries immense uncertainty. In other words, while currently it seems this mycelium can resolve multiple infections and various toxins, it definitely has parasitic conditions.

No parasite can be entirely self-sufficient.

Seeing his expression slowly change, Xin Lang suddenly smiled. "You're scared?"

Xu Huo didn't speak, but she lowered her head on her own, made a few more cuts on her palm, then opened the car window and stretched her hand out, letting the blood drip along the way.

"Lang Lang..." Xin Hui's eyes reddened as she looked at her, but before she could say anything more, a dense barrage of bullets suddenly struck the car. At the same time, the car began to swerve and sway wildly. The driver in front panicked, "The road is waving like water!"

"Players are here!" Xu Huo yanked Xin Lang, who was being shielded in Xin Hui's arms, out. He slapped a facial restoration mask onto her face, changed her appearance, then told the driver to crash the car into the department store. Taking advantage of the impact and overturning of the car, he jumped out with her.

The department store was crowded with people. Many seeking refuge here panicked and scattered upon seeing the car crash in. Xu Huo used "Misplaced Capture," pressing Xin Lang's head down as they ran with the crowd.

Meanwhile, several players had already charged into the building, heading straight for the car. Xin Hui, who hadn't fled with them, suddenly jumped out of the car and escaped in another direction. After dealing with the two people inside the car, the players were successfully lured away by her.

Just as Xu Huo and Xin Lang were about to run out of the building from the other side, a ray grille shot up into the sky outside, completely locking the crowd in place.

From their position in the department store, they could see several other places similarly sealed by cages. Xin Lang said at this moment, "They're all about to die."

Xu Huo's gaze swept over her bleeding hand. While helping her up, he smoothly took hold of "Three Seconds of a Life."

The rays blocking everyone's path, along with the other cages within Clown City, instantly vanished. He led Xin Lang out of the building with the crowd, lowering his voice to ask, "Where is a place relatively close to the Protective Wall, but where the underground structures are not connected to Clown City?"

Xin Lang looked at him in surprise, then said, "The Protective Wall is built on underground bedrock. It's some distance from Clown City; they should all be separate. However, under every suspension bridge corresponding to a main gate position on the Protective Wall, it's hollow, used for defense against possible Mutant breaches."

"Are there underground passages?"

"I'll take you."

Their rapid-fire question and answer wasted no time. After hiding in a relatively secluded residential area, Xu Huo directly punched through the ground and jumped down with Xin Lang.

The underground of Clown City had clearly become the domain of fungi. There were caves drilled everywhere. Some were sealed shut by fungi, but Xin Lang could quickly determine the direction and location, not delaying in the slightest even in the dark and rugged terrain.

"Someone has followed us," Xu Huo suddenly said. "We've been spotted."

"It's not far from here to the Protective Wall," Xin Lang stopped, signaling for him to go first.

Xu Huo also stopped. "Your plan probably doesn't include destroying the Protective Wall as a backup option. If the General Administration Office manages to control the situation, what do you plan to do?"

Xin Lang smiled soundlessly in the darkness and turned around without hesitation.

"Wait!" Xu Huo stopped her. The person behind was fast, likely because they were spotted due to using the Super Item just now. However, to buy time, there was no need for Xin Lang to take the front line.

After setting up Counting Squares, he took out Hugo's severed hand again. Splashing it with water, he flung the water carrying pathogens all over the underground passage. Then he smeared it around the nearby rocks and set a timed explosive device ahead.

Next, he took out the Sound-Muffling Figurine to cover the sounds he and Xin Lang made. He also took out the Awakening Doll and tapped its head.

Little Pink Hat quickly emerged from the doll, but upon seeing his unlucky state and the surrounding environment, she immediately tried to go back without a word.

"Snacks doubled," Xu Huo said. "I don't need you to do anything else, just temporarily help me divert the attention of the person following us."

"No deal," Little Pink Hat pouted.

"After we get back, I'll buy you a C-grade item," Xu Huo quickly adjusted his strategy. "Don't you want a dress item?"

Little Pink Hat was tempted. Holding the doll, she said, "Two! But you have to remember to come get me later."

"No problem," Xu Huo tossed back the words and left at his fastest speed.

Soon, the two reached the base of the Protective Wall. From the Underground Nest, they could see some metal structures penetrating through the camouflage. Xu Huo directly placed his hand on it. The metal he touched didn't immediately turn to powder; after showing some signs of loosening, the effect spread into the surrounding rock.

"It'll take a little time," he said to Xin Lang.

"Are there children that small in the game?" Xin Lang asked with slight hesitation. "Was she forced or did she volunteer?"