The entire classroom was filled with excitement. They had only dissected dead specimens before, so encountering a live one was truly a first for them.

A group of people entered the laboratory with great enthusiasm. "What are you so excited about, Musashi? Are you planning to have a one-on-one duel with the worm?" Ma Long teased.

"If I have the opportunity, I wouldn't mind giving it a try," Musashi replied.

"You're insane! Where do you think you're going, Left Xiaotang?" Ma Long grabbed Left Xiaotang, who was trying to make a run for it. Left Xiaotang's chubby face contorted in disgust. "I find those things repulsive, especially when they're alive. They're even more terrifying. No way!"

"Left Xiaotang, you're in the Mecha Department. You can't be afraid of everything. You must go!" Li Hao chimed in. The three of them dragged the reluctant Left Xiaotang towards the laboratory. Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong followed behind, amused and exasperated. It was hard to believe that someone like Left Xiaotang had made it into the Mecha Department. It could only be attributed to his innate talent.

However, Left Xiaotang's weak personality needed to change. Otherwise, no matter how skilled he was, he would be useless on the battlefield.

Inside the laboratory, within a towering metal cage several dozen meters high, lay a semi-lifeless Razorworm. Surrounding it was reinforced glass. The giant worm was likely on its last legs, and everyone huddled around the reinforced glass, observing it intently. Some even flexed their biceps excitedly. However, no matter how strong they were, it wouldn't be enough to even tickle the creature's teeth.

"Its claws are incredibly sharp, with thorns on them. Mechas cannot fully withstand its attacks, and there have been very few survivors on the battlefield. It seems that humans are quite appetizing to them..." Professor Nichols began explaining firsthand to everyone. The initial excitement of the crowd gradually gave way to queasiness. "Pay close attention to the movement patterns of these worms in the EMP. This data was collected at great sacrifice. Take it seriously, as it could increase your chances of survival."

For the students, going into battle was still a distant concept. The solar system remained peaceful, and Kepler was, after all, far away.

Li Hao observed the Razorworm in the crowd. He had taken anatomy classes in his freshman year, and the creature's structure was exactly as he had dreamed. However, encountering a live one was a first for him.

The semi-lifeless giant worm seemed to be provoked by the gazes of the crowd. It slowly lifted its head, and its four massive compound eyes opened, instantly taking in its surroundings. Suddenly, it sensed something, and its four giant eyes focused on a single point.

"Don't assume it only has four eyes. Each eye is covered in sensory cells, and each compound eye is composed of over 20,000 individual eyes. They provide true 360-degree vision without blind spots. Even within the dense forests of Kepler, once you enter its range, there is no possibility of hiding. Any sense of luck is nonexistent. Targets locked onto by the creature will feel the terrifying sensation of being watched by countless worms. Those with weak mental fortitude will experience mental breakdown..." Professor Nichols explained.

And at this moment, Li Hao's body remained motionless as he was locked onto by the Razorworm. The creature struggled and crawled, despite being on the verge of death, and suddenly went into a frenzied charge towards the metal cage. The alloy-made cage, which had withstood intense strikes, unexpectedly broke apart, followed by the worm crashing into the reinforced glass.

The entire laboratory erupted in blaring alarms, and low-temperature nitrogen gas flooded through the ventilation ducts. Giant worms possessed a strong resistance to sedative gases, but only extreme cold could impair their functionality. However, it seemed that this time, the calculations were off. The worm relentlessly rammed into the glass.

"Spread out, evacuate! Everyone, evacuate!" Professor Nichols shouted, sensing the murderous intent radiating from the creature.

The laboratory descended into chaos, but before anyone could react, the reinforced glass shattered. The Razorworm burst out, causing people in the laboratory to fall and scramble. Many were injured by the shards of reinforced glass ejected by the impact. In that moment, two figures rushed forward. Ye Tong and Zhou Naiyi threw a nearby table, attempting to block the creature. However, with a swipe of its claw, the Razorworm effortlessly cleaved through the table and lunged towards Zhou Naiyi. Its four massive eyes widened, leaving Zhou Naiyi frozen in place.

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Zhou Naiyi found herself surrounded by countless eyes, an overwhelming nightmare that caused her to lose consciousness.

Swish...

A figure darted out as Li Hao carried Zhou Naiyi, narrowly evading the Razorworm's fatal strike. However, the creature had already closed in on them. Its massive razor-sharp blade swung down.

The entire laboratory erupted in screams. Suddenly, the Razorworm seemed to lose its strength, its eyes fixed on its prey. Eventually, it collapsed in defeat. A pool of green liquid flowed from its sharp jaws, and its body began to crack, releasing more green liquid...

Professor Nichols let out a long sigh of relief, his face filled with distress. Fortunately, this Razorworm was severely injured. He looked at the torn alloy pillar and the shattered reinforced glass. How could this have happened?

They had assessed the situation. The creature was on its last breath by the time it arrived here. Why did it suddenly go berserk? And why was the low-temperature nitrogen gas ineffective?

Li Hao paid no attention to his surroundings. He immediately placed Zhou Naiyi on the ground and began to perform chest compressions and artificial respiration. Several rounds later, Zhou Naiyi's breathing gradually stabilized.If an ordinary person is locked onto by a giant worm's compound eyes without the protection of a mech, not only would their psyche be suppressed, but their breathing would also instantly cease. Li Hao had a profound experience of this feeling.

Shortly after, the school's medical staff arrived. Their response was swift, but this time, luck was on their side...

The laboratory was still being cleaned and disinfected. Dozens of injured students were receiving treatment. Fortunately, this particular worm had exhausted its remaining strength while ramming into the reinforced glass; otherwise, there might not have been any survivors.

Long Danni, with a grave expression, watched the recorded footage on the monitor. Beside her were Professor Nichols and experts in the field of giant worms.

"Professor Nichols, did we conduct a thorough inspection when this worm entered?" Such negligence was absolutely unacceptable. Had Tianjing Mechanized Martial Arts deteriorated to this extent? Long Danni was furious.

"Principal, we did indeed perform rigorous checks, and the laboratory has double-layered defenses. We also prepared low-temperature nitrogen gas to handle any anomalies. But this time, it's truly strange. The worm seemed to have been stimulated in some way. Judging from the way its body shattered, it must have been subjected to some unknown stimulus that gave it such attack power." Professor Nichols was both frightened and intensely curious. "Principal Long, this situation has never occurred before. At least, the reports from the frontlines didn't mention such peculiar circumstances."

"Replay the video. Was it provoked by something?" Long Danni requested, pointing at the screen.

More than ten people in the room stared at the screen. In slow motion, the Razorworm, which had been on the brink of death, suddenly became restless at a certain moment.

"Listen, can Professor Nichols determine its line of sight?" Long Danni asked suddenly while pointing at the screen.

Professor Nichols was also taken aback. This Razorworm had a specific target in mind. Judging from the angle... it was Li Hao!

The giant worm's target was clearly Li Hao. Its direction of impact after shattering the reinforced glass was also towards Li Hao. However, the table thrown by Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong had disrupted its path. It must be said that these two girls had reacted incredibly quickly. Although their momentary disruption had little attacking power, it interrupted the worm, visibly depleting its momentum.

Then came the moment when Zhou Naiyi's body remained motionless, waiting for her imminent death. Everyone present knew this state—it was the "nightmare" state when facing a giant worm, akin to mental suppression that soldiers on the battlefield had encountered.However, at that moment, Li Hao appeared out of nowhere and saved Zhou Naiyi in the nick of time. Just when they thought both of them were about to die, the Razorworm's life came to an end.

However, Long Danni noticed a detail. The Razorworm had obstructed most of the visual angle, but through the gap, it seemed that Li Hao was facing the worm head-on.

At least... he was not affected by the worm. Was it a coincidence, or had the worm already been exhausted?

"Professor Nichols, please follow up on the aftermath and provide an explanation to the students. The most important thing is to take care of the injured," Long Danni instructed.

"Yes, Principal."

The others left the principal's office, and a few minutes later, Long Danni dialed Tianxun. "Call Li Hao and ask him to come."

Long Danni sat quietly. As someone who had experienced war, she wouldn't be startled by such a minor incident. She would handle it appropriately. However, this time, it was evident that it was not a laboratory oversight but the presence of certain unknown factors.

Li Hao, a member of the Solar System Youth Class. Was he worth it or not?

Even at Long Danni's position, she had to be cautious.

While waiting, Long Danni played the video again. She had been to Kepler, where the absence of mech protection made giant worms resemble demons to humans. The students' fear and scattered fleeing were normal reactions. Therefore, Long Danni was pleased with the reactions of Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong. They showed courage and effective methods. It was evident that Ye Tong was unaffected by the suffocating suppression imposed by the worm, while Zhou Naiyi struggled a bit. But she couldn't be blamed for it. After all, Ye Tong was one of the few individuals with the "golden zone."

Li Hao's agile movements in saving Zhou Naiyi were impeccable, but he didn't face the worm head-on... Wait a minute!She had made a habitual mistake. When the worm attacked Zhou Naiyi, the attention of its compound eyes...

She slowed down the video and suddenly stood up.

All of the worm's compound eyes were focused on Li Hao. She changed the perspective, and although Li Hao was heading towards Zhou Naiyi, in that instant, his gaze was directed at the Razorworm.

The video froze, showing Li Hao with an expressionless face, staring at the worm, and all of the Razorworm's eyes were fixed on him.

When Li Hao landed and rolled with Zhou Naiyi, he had already moved out of the worm's attacking trajectory. Under normal circumstances, Li Hao should have carried on running with Zhou Naiyi. Although his view was obstructed by the worm, at that moment, Li Hao's first choice was not to escape but to turn back and look at the worm.