Chapter 96: Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory

Ding!

[Through repeated observation, your ability to identify animal prints, disturbed vegetation, and other traces has improved. Tracking Skill Proficiency +16]

[Through analysis of animal prints, broken vegetation, and environmental disturbances, you have successfully reconstructed the target’s route. Tracking Skill Proficiency +15]

Fang Ning continued to follow Lin Haoren as he led the investigation.

The tracks took them past Qingshan Heavy Machinery Works and further down the old factory road. It took considerable time just to walk this far.

Lin Haoren realized that they might not find the laboratory by nightfall if they kept up their current pace.

"Lumi, if there was a secret laboratory for illegal animal experimentation in Qingshan Industrial District, where would it likely be hidden?" Lin Haoren secretly inquired on his phone.

Buzz!

Within moments, the loyal and capable Lumi quickly displayed a list of potential locations in order from the best to the worst spots for hiding a secret laboratory.

At the top of the list was Qingshan Chemical Works.

After all, the site could possess old storage tanks, pipes, contaminated buildings, and other restricted zones that make people reluctant to explore due to the dangers.

"Ning’er, what other buildings are ahead?" Lin Haoren asked.

Fang Ning’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing the intimate term. She didn’t expect it to have such a deadly effect when it came from Lin Haoren’s mouth.

Ding!

[You have learned the basic art of smiling, capable of reducing hostility, enhancing friendliness, and charming the opposite sex. Smiling Skill Proficiency +16]

[Smiling Skill has reached Beginner-level mastery. Proficiency: 16/100. Next level: Intermediate.]

[Charm +1]

Lin Haoren’s smile stiffened at once.

He didn’t expect that even a smile could become a skill. Moreover, it wasn’t just any ordinary skill; it was a skill capable of raising his Charm.

Lin Haoren studied the Smiling Skill a bit more and realized that this was a very powerful skill at later levels.

The system’s skill levels were divided into Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, Extraordinary, Transcendent, Divine, and Eternal.

If the Smiling Skill could be raised to the Transcendent level, it could become an incredible weapon capable of charming the world.

His smiles would attract endless fans and deter haters.

However, Lin Haoren smiled quite often. As such, he couldn’t understand why the Smiling Skill was only acquired now.

Gaining proficiency in this Smiling Skill didn’t seem simple. There seemed to be special rules or restrictions imposed on it.

Could it have something to do with the skill’s potent effects?

Lin Haoren couldn’t help but suspect that the more supernatural the skill was, the harder it was to acquire proficiency points for it.

However, all skills were basically supernatural at the Extraordinary or Transcendent level.

Moreover, every skill upgrade was a tenfold increase in the proficiency requirement to reach the next level.

As such, if proficiency points also became harder to acquire at higher levels of mastery, then the difficulty increase wasn’t as simple as a tenfold increase.

’Acquiring skills isn’t difficult; mastering them is,’ Lin Haoren understood.

The system was certainly generous when it came to skill acquisition, but such skills only seemed impressive to the current Blue Star.

On a grander stage like the Cosmic Alliance, they were very insignificant. His starting point was simply too low, and catching up to alien superstars would be far from easy.

"Up ahead should be Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory," Fang Ning answered after regaining her composure.

’Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory!’ Lin Haoren recalled the name with surprise.

On Lumi’s list of potential hiding locations, Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory was actually ranked second, just under Qingshan Chemical Works.

Moreover, the difference was almost negligible.

Lin Haoren had a feeling that they might just find something in Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory—or more specifically, according to Lumi’s list, Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory, Research Building No. 2.

The site contained laboratories, specialized equipment, restricted rooms, chemical storage, and unusually thick utility infrastructure.

These facilities were basically convenient resources without an owner.

Setting up a secret laboratory nearby or on the underground floor would definitely save many inconveniences.

"We should check out that place, Ning’er. There’s a chance that the laboratory might be hidden there."

"We aren’t following the cats’ tracks anymore? What’s the basis for your assumption, Haoren?"

"Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory has R&D buildings that are convenient for holding laboratories. It’s a reasonable location to check."

Fang Ning quickly understood after hearing Lin Haoren’s explanation.

It sounded reasonable enough.

Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory was abandoned many years ago, and its entry was sealed off with rusty iron chains.

However, there were multiple parts along the fences that were worn out and damaged, leaving notable openings for entry.

Although only small animals could fit through them, Lin Haoren found one particular spot that was big enough for humans.

"Why did you suddenly stop? It looks like we can squeeze inside through here," Fang Ning shared her discovery.

"Take a look at the ground." Lin Haoren pointed to damaged patches of grass and foot-printed soil. "There are human tracks, and it’s very recent."

"How recent? Can you tell?" Fang Ning asked with a startled look.

"Maybe a couple of days or even earlier," Lin Haoren said after contemplating for a bit.

With his Intermediate-Level Tracking Skill, he couldn’t give a precise answer; a rough estimate was already the best result.

"Could there still be people lurking around inside? Won’t it be dangerous?" Fang Ning asked worriedly.

Her courage to explore the abandoned factory building instantly shrank into oblivion.

What could they even do with 4 people if they actually encountered a gang of criminals inside?

"That is indeed a possibility," Lin Haoren nodded.

Given how recent the tracks were, any further investigation was basically risking their lives. As such, he had no intention of investigating further.

After all, he only knew some Taijiquan and had a Physique score of 13 points. He wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that he was unbeatable.

A group of street thugs?

That might still be possible to handle, but a group of trained criminals?

Better forget about it.

"Oi, you!"