Ultra: Dragon Sword Journey

Just as Zhao Ming, Liang and Dr. Ayano were about to get up and leave the crab stall, the TV screen suddenly flickered, and then an urgent news broadcast was interrupted.

"Dear viewers, today we made an amazing discovery at Shuliang Lake! We discovered a unique natural monument that closely resembles marimo. The TPC Bioengineering Research Institute has quickly launched an investigation."

"Next, let's follow the camera and interview the person who first discovered this mysterious object," the female host said enthusiastically, holding the microphone tightly in her hand and running quickly towards an elderly man wearing a blue plush hat, holding a fish bucket and fishing rod.

However, the old man seemed to have no interest in this sudden interview. He grumbled impatiently, disliking the female host for interrupting his fishing time. He pushed the female host away without any hesitation and continued to focus on his fishing activities.

The camera then switched to show a scene from the television station. On a wide stretch of shore, several white tents were neatly set up, the striking TPC Biological Research Institute logos on them particularly eye-catching.

On the site, a group of staff members in blue uniforms were busy moving various sophisticated instruments and facilities out of several white special vehicles.

"Hey, isn't that Nakajima?" Zhao Ming suddenly exclaimed, as if he had discovered something surprising. His eyes were fixed on the TV screen, and as the camera quickly scanned the screen, a familiar figure flashed by.

Liang Ye, who was standing nearby, was attracted by Zhao Ming's shout and quickly looked at the TV screen. Sure enough, he saw the figure. "Really? But isn't it Nakajima's turn to take a day off today? Why is he here?" Liang Ye's face showed a hint of confusion.

Zhao Ming's brow furrowed slightly as he tried to recall some details about Nakajima. Although he couldn't remember the specifics clearly, he was certain of the presence of algae in the lake.

"Shuliang Lake?" Zhao Ming muttered to himself, the name of the lake floating in his mind. Although he didn't know much about the specific situation, he knew that the algae in the lake might be a blood-sucking life form.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ming felt uneasy. He immediately took out the small communicator on his wrist and quickly dialed the command room.

"Ma Yi, is there anything strange happening near Shuliang Lake?" There was a hint of urgency in Zhao Ming's voice.

The communicator screen lit up, revealing Mai's face. She looked a little surprised, having obviously not expected Zhao Ming to ask her this question out of the blue.

"Ah...Senior Zhao Ming, please wait a moment." Mai said while operating the computer quickly.

After a moment, she replied, "Yesterday, there were records of strange cosmic rays being thrown into the lake, but after comparing it with satellite maps, nothing unusual was found. Any questions?"

"There's no particular reason. I just happened to see a news report about this incident, and then I caught a glimpse of Team Nakajima on camera, so I paid a little more attention."

Mai explained casually while keeping a close eye on Zhao Ming's surroundings. Her bright eyes revealed her curiosity about Zhao Ming's surroundings.

"Are you and Senior Liang eating crabs now?" Mai's attention was quickly attracted by the pile of red crabs in front of Zhao Ming.

As a seasoned foodie, her love for food is deep in her bones. At this moment, watching others devouring delicious crabs while she can only look on and quench her thirst is a torture for her.

"Haha, yes, the crabs here taste pretty good." Zhao Ming seemed to have sensed Mai's thoughts. Like a strange uncle who had kidnapped a little girl, he showed a malicious smile on his face and invited her warmly, "When we go back, we'll bring you a few to try."

"Really? Then I'll be waiting for Senior Zhao Ming's crabs!" Mai's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had already smelled the delicious aroma of crabs, and said happily.

After ending the call with Mai, Zhao Ming drove Dr. Ayano back to the research institute. Afterwards, he and Liang Ma rushed non-stop towards Shuliang Lake where Nakajima was.

Zhao Ming's mind kept flashing back to the blue, spherical algae. He vaguely remembered that the creature seemed to be a mutated schistosomiasis. If they couldn't get to the scene and stop it in time, the TPC Biological Research Institute would be in danger of being wiped out.

"Things that appear after being irradiated by special rays from outer space, that blue sphere must be something special!"

Liang was filled with doubts and muttered to himself, "Yeah, I've heard Kariya say before that Tsukara Lake is a famous fishing paradise. Now something strange has happened, which is really not right."

Soon, Zhao Ming and Liang drove the police patrol car and arrived at the road beside Shuliang Lake.

However, a thick layer of white fog enveloped the area ahead, making visibility extremely low. Zhao Ming gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes straining to find the road ahead. Liang, sitting in the passenger seat, also looked out the window at the thick white fog.

Zhao Ming, with his eagle-like eyesight, looked around but couldn't spot any blue algae in the fog. They still had time to attack humans en masse. After driving on the road for a quarter of an hour, the vehicle finally emerged from the dense fog.

To their surprise, the thick fog dissipated just as they were about to reach the temporary base set up by the TPC Biological Research Institute on the lakefront.

"Don't you think this fog is like the ghost covering its eyes in ghost stories?" Liang whispered softly while looking at Zhao Ming in the driver's seat. She then sniffed lightly and found that there was a faint smell of blood hidden in the fog.

"This is very possible. Aren't the monsters and demons in novels all so cruel to humans? Perhaps this is closely related to the special cosmic light that occurred in Shuliang Lake!" Although Zhao Ming knew very well that this was a trick of those mutated vampire beasts, it was not easy to point it out directly at this moment.

Just as they were discussing this, a strange scream suddenly came from the base.

"Oh no, something might have happened! Let's go..." Zhao Ming and Liang looked at each other and quickly got out of the car and rushed to the temporary base built with tents at the Biological Research Institute by the lake.

At this moment, the lakeside was shrouded in a thick layer of fog, making it difficult to see the surrounding scenery. However, within this thick fog, large patches of blue algae were extremely active, leaping from the lake, crossing the rocks on the seashore, and pouring into the numerous tents.

Several workers collecting samples outside were caught in a terrifying attack. They were entangled by numerous baseball-sized creatures shaped like blue marimo.

These spherical algae seemed to have life. They automatically opened and jumped out of the ground, revealing their starfish-like internal structures. They pounced on the researchers' bodies, attached themselves to their necks and bodies, and frantically sucked their blood.

After witnessing this scene, Zhao Ming and Liang looked at each other and nodded in understanding.

Then, in unison, they raised their left arms, revealing the symbols of Sagittarius and Aries. In an instant, a dazzling light flashed, and the two symbols quickly transformed into a gem-like constellation compass.

"Dress!" Zhao Ming and Liang shouted in unison, their fists clashing together. In an instant, a blazing flame erupted from the constellation compass on the backs of their left hands.

The flames spread rapidly along their arms, enveloping their entire bodies in the blink of an eye. Amidst the raging flames, Zhao Ming and Liang loomed, wrapping themselves in the flames as they finished putting on their archer and shepherd armor.