To avoid revealing himself, Dan Nan took no further action, merely hiding in a secluded corner and carefully observing every move within the base.
Although he could not directly infiltrate the base, the garage was essentially the main thoroughfare for the base's transportation.
Consequently, new vehicles would enter from time to time.
Among them, convoys transporting various scientific researchers, as well as fleets of vehicles carrying equipment, would pass through the garage to enter the base.
Therefore, Dan Nan surmised that the construction progress of this base was likely comparable to the one they had been monitoring on the border.
At the very least, it was not yet fully operational, and might even still be in the testing phase.
With these thoughts, Dan Nan no longer felt anxious. He simply hid in a remote corner, meditating while waiting for an opportunity to leave.
A day was not a particularly long time for a cultivator.
The next morning, Dan Nan finally found his chance to escape.
A group of researchers, clad in white lab coats, boarded a truck under the arrangement of several ability users.
Although Dan Nan did not know their destination or purpose, this presented a perfect opportunity for him to slip away unnoticed.
Without hesitation, he crept along the base of the wall to the garage exit. Seizing the moment as the truck passed, he rolled and, without incident, attached himself to the underside of the truck once more.
The truck sped along, soon arriving in the city of Gadri.
Observing the truck's route, Dan Nan quickly deduced that these researchers were likely heading to the border ability user base to receive instructions from Dr. Sim, or perhaps to visit and learn.
With these matters clarified, Dan Nan saw no further need to remain hidden.
Finding a quiet, secluded spot, he released his grip and let his body rest between the truck's wheels. Only after the truck had passed completely did he hastily get up, brush the dust off his clothes, and watch the departing convoy with a thoughtful expression.
He then returned to his residence at his earliest convenience.
Inside the residence.
Han Lang and his group, aware that Dan Nan had not returned all night, were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
"Political Commissar Liu, Young Master, do you think Deputy Officer Dan might have encountered something?"
Ma Long was the first to voice his concern.
Liu Xiaoxiao and Han Lang both shot him a look.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Deputy Officer Dan has extensive combat experience and is very powerful. What could possibly happen to him?"
Han Lang chimed in agreement.
"Indeed. Deputy Officer Dan is a seasoned veteran of many battles; he acts with discretion. I believe he must have encountered some new development that caused a delay. Otherwise, he wouldn't be out all night!"
Their reassurances did not seem to carry much weight, and even Tang Qin remarked.
"But he still hasn't returned! Should we go out and check the situation?"
Zhao Wu also agreed with Tang Qin's sentiment.
"Yes. With Deputy Officer Dan's strength, even if he were exposed to ability users, the commotion would surely be significant. A brief investigation would tell us the reason!"
Tang Geng, after hearing Zhao Wu's words, nodded in agreement.
"Most importantly, if Deputy Officer Dan is surrounded, we can rush to his aid in time!"
This discussion began to sway Liu Xiaoxiao and Han Lang.
Ma Long, growing impatient, impatiently grabbed his clothes from the sofa and started to walk out, saying.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Just as everyone was preparing to follow Ma Long out, Dan Nan appeared at the doorway at the opportune moment.
He looked at Ma Long with a bewildered expression and asked.
"Going? Where to? Have you discovered anything new?"
Seeing Dan Nan's appearance, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Liu Xiaoxiao quickly explained.
"No, no. We saw you hadn't returned all night and were worried something might have happened to you, so we were planning to go out and check the situation. It's good that you're back now!"
Ma Long, who had been poised to leave, also chuckled with an embarrassed smile.
"Yes, yes. You really scared us to death!"
Han Lang, remaining relatively calm, asked urgently upon seeing Dan Nan return.
"Deputy Officer Dan, did you discover any new developments?"
As Dan Nan was about to speak, he suddenly noticed the water cup on the table and swallowed his words.
He strode forward, picked up the cup, and drank the water in one gulp, remarking.
"Ah, I haven't had a drop of water all night. I was dying of thirst."
After speaking, he adjusted his breathing, sat down, and gestured for everyone to sit as well before speaking unhurriedly.
"My apologies! I made you worry. Yesterday, while on my routine patrol, I encountered that SSS-class ability user from Xia Guo on my way back!"
"Gou Tui Zhi?" the others questioned.
Dan Nan nodded.
"Yes! It was him! He was leading a group of SS-class ability users past our entrance. I saw that such a large-scale operation seemed unusual. So, I quietly followed them. Guess what I discovered?"
Han Lang and the others looked at him, clueless.
Dan Nan didn't keep them in suspense and continued.
"I discovered a new ability user base!"
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in unison.
Ma Long then asked.
"Deputy Officer Dan, are you saying that in a location other than the border, a second ability user base has been discovered?"
Dan Nan nodded.
"I estimate that after we destroyed the first base, Dr. Sim, to ensure the smooth progress of ability user modification, constructed two bases simultaneously!"
Hearing this, everyone was astonished.
"Then, where is this base located? What is its construction progress, and should we act immediately!"
Seeing Han Lang's anxious expression, Dan Nan quickly waved his hand, urging him to calm down.
"Don't rush, Han Lang! I examined it carefully. The construction progress of the newly discovered base should be similar to the one on the border. I estimate it will be officially operational in about a month. That's why I rushed back to discuss the next operational plan with you!"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought.
If there was only one ability user base, with their strength, they might have been able to destroy it even with a frontal assault.
However, with two ability user bases now, the difficulty of destroying both simultaneously would be significantly greater.
Even destroying one would alert the other.
In that case, they would only be able to proceed as Dr. Sim had envisioned, unable to prevent the opening of the ability user battlefield on the border of Bai Xiang Country.
Pondering these matters, everyone knitted their brows.
Han Lang asked.
"Deputy Officer Dan, what are your plans now?"
Dan Nan pondered for a moment and said with a worried expression.
"Our action team only has these few members. Splitting up is clearly not feasible. Therefore, even if we are to destroy them, we must act as one unified force."
"Currently, the favorable news for us is that this base here only has that SSS-class ability user stationed. In terms of strength, we can completely overwhelm them. Destroying it won't be too difficult, but it will alert the southern base."
"Therefore, for this operation, we must proceed with caution and careful planning!"