Chapter 2926  Internal Problems

“The spawns perceived a threat from the Black Fog Game and invited our Western District Federation to join the alliance to fight against the spread of the Black Fog and the Seed of Ouroboros.”

“As for the alliance, there are many special terms, but at least for now, the overall judgment of the Western District Federation is that it is beneficial. So, as you all can see, after the discussions and voting, the Western District Federation chose to join the spawns’ alliance and construct the Star Map.”

“However…”

Augustine’s tone shifted, and a sharp glint appeared in his eyes. He continued, “Joining the alliance doesn’t mean we have to submit to the spawns. Only by truly mastering our strength can we have a say; otherwise, we will gradually become puppets and playthings.”

“Therefore, we focused our attention on the Seed of Ouroboros.”

“The Seed of Ouroboros is so feared by the spawns, its potential is self-evident. We want to try to gradually control this power for ourselves. Therefore, while executing missions assigned by the spawns, we have also been attempting to collect the cocoons of the Seed of Ouroboros for research.”

“Ahem,” Zoran cleared his throat and continued from Augustine’s words. “This matter was approved by the Federal Central Assembly of the Western region. The military department was entrusted with the development of the cocoons, but in practice, the military encountered difficulties in researching them and requested assistance from the Black Fog crisis management department.”

“Some minor research, of course. The military department placed the gathered cocoons on ships, and we jointly researched to attempt to control the Seed of Ouroboros’ power.”

“Previously, the collection and research of the cocoons had been proceeding smoothly until yesterday, when we encountered trouble.”

Augustine glanced at the Minister of the Inspection Department, who was following behind the team, and continued, “Have you heard of Emery, the Deputy Director of the Inspection Department?”

Fang Heng’s mind stirred.

He recognized him.

He had met the guy on Gisele’s ship just a few days ago.

“After the incident with the disappearance of the crystal worm and the subsequent cocoon event, Emery, accompanied by the investigation team of the Central Assembly, entered the testing area to investigate.”

Augustine’s expression grew serious, and he continued, “During the investigation, the cocoon suddenly underwent an anomaly, gathering into a mutated creature that attacked the research institute and then escaped from the research room.”

A player frowned and asked, “Are you saying the cocoon mutated and escaped?”

“Yes.”

“Where did it go?”

Augustine took a deep breath and said, “To the Black Fog Game.”

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.

What did that mean?

Wasn’t the cocoon already in the Black Fog Game?

“In fact, through some beneficial exchanges with the spawns, we obtained a method to utilize the Black Fog Game.”

“To put it simply, through the spawns’ Black Fog technology and the Pillar of Black Fog, we can materialize a way to enter parts of the Black Fog Game.”

“The area you are in right now is the underground Black Fog crystal zone of the Star Map control center. The position you’re standing in is the fixed teleportation hall.”

“We later discovered that after the outbreak of the mutant worm incident, the Federation’s Inspection Department, led by Emery, sent a teleportation request.”

“After the teleportation was completed, traces at the scene indicated that the teleportation hall was also attacked by the mutant worm.”

The room fell silent as everyone took in the information.

Things were getting serious.

Everyone in the room, except the Federation members, was deeply familiar with the Seed of Ouroboros and understood its strength.

Even a damaged Seed of Ouroboros, once it enters the real world…

The entire world would be shrouded in the shadow of an eternal disaster.

After a long silence, a young female player asked, “I have one question. What was Emery’s purpose in all this?”

“It’s still under investigation,” Augustine replied gravely. “We believe this incident was premeditated. We’ve thoroughly investigated Emery’s background and found that his recent movements have been suspicious. We strongly suspect he might be a spy from another Federation branch, or even from the Central Federation.”

“This matter is not yet concluded. Augustine, it’s better not to make further assumptions,” said Zachary, the Minister of the Inspection Department, stepping forward. “I know Emery. He cannot be an internal spy sent by another faction. There is something off about this incident.”

Zachary looked at everyone and said, “Our Inspection Department has many enemies, but we can stand by our conscience. The internal review process to enter the Inspection Department is more rigorous than any other department. We do not believe Emery is an external spy.”

Charlene interrupted their back-and-forth, coldly asking, “What do you need from me, Western District Federation?”

“Today, you are all experts who understand the Seed of Ouroboros well. We invite you to assist and investigate, hoping to find the cause of this incident and locate Emery’s whereabouts.”

Augustine nodded and said, “We now know that Emery has been here. This is the first scene. Please have a look and see if you find anything.”

Everyone dispersed and began to carefully inspect the traces left on the floor.

Fang Heng crouched down near a section of the floor that had been corroded.

Deep within the marks, there was a faint green slime.

The slime had a strong corrosive ability.

It seemed the Seed of Ouroboros had completed its evolutionary form.

Very strange.

In the cocoon state, the Seed of Ouroboros should have been in a stable condition.

It shouldn’t have mutated into a polymer.

So, someone must have used some method to awaken the cocoon and cause it to evolve.

Could it have been the work of Emery from the Inspection Department?

Fang Heng pondered, slowly standing up.

Zoran, the captain, stood next to him and quietly asked, “So, Fang Heng, did you find anything?”

“Hmm, the cocoon underwent mutation due to external stimulation and partially fused with an external life form. Its main body was enhanced in strength, so we can pretty much confirm it wasn’t a normal laboratory accident.”

Fang Heng paused, then continued, “The traces left behind are the product of the cocoon fusing with an unknown creature.”

Charlene appeared at Fang Heng’s right side and nodded, adding, “In the initial fusion stage, the Seed of Ouroboros typically doesn’t have much strength. On its own, it wouldn’t be able to break through the laboratory’s internal defenses. For it to cause such damage, there must have been internal assistance.”

A middle-aged man wearing black glasses added, “Moreover, even if the damaged cocoon is revived, it would have a very low intelligence for a long time and would only follow its biological instincts, expanding its population. It wouldn’t be smart enough to open a teleportation portal.”

“Where is that place?”

A woman suddenly pointed toward a passage on the right and said, “The traces of the Ouroboros fusion body lead there.”

“That is the Star Map Control Center’s greatest secret–the core area of the Black Fog.”

Augustine shrugged and walked toward the passage. He said, “Let’s go. We’ll take you to the core of the Black Fog.”