Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1653: Running Around

Chapter 1653: Chapter 1653: Running Around

Zhuo Hang’s target was the critical laboratory, while Gu Fan’s target was the entrance and exit. The two moved in opposite directions, intending to split the enemy’s forces.

Although Gu Fan was unfamiliar with the Demon Refining Island Base, thankfully, the base was plastered with signs marking the safety exits, conveniently pointing him in the right direction.

Along the way, Gu Fan punched and kicked his way forward with ferocity, causing the enemies to scream in chaos.

The Demon Refining Island Base initiated a lockdown in a certain area, doors activated one after another, blocking the roads both ahead and behind.

But it was futile; Gu Fan was too formidable, always breaking through the blockades with his fists. He smashed the doors open effortlessly with a single punch, hinting at his intent to forcefully storm out.

Meanwhile, Ning Qi stared at the screen, weighing the situation, trying to discern which figure was Gu Fan. At the moment, all she could see were two helmeted figures rampaging through the Demon Refining Island Base.

Ning Qi recalled seeing the face-swapping earlier—two additional people entered the Demon Refining Island Base together with Gu Fan to rescue Leng Feng, plus Zhuo Hang now, making a total of five people. But currently, only two figures were visible. So where were the other three?

Was this a diversion tactic, a classic "lure the tiger from the mountain"? Ning Qi pondered. She knew Gu Fan must have a plan in motion. If she couldn’t decipher his strategy, she’d be dancing to his tune yet again.

Ning Qi speculated: if she were Gu Fan, she would never abandon her companions and run off alone. So the one attacking the entrance and exit must not be Gu Fan. Instead, the one targeting the critical laboratory was very likely Gu Fan himself.

"Fine, I’ll give you the entrance. Let’s see what happens," Ning Qi made a bold gamble, ordering her forces to abandon the entrance and focus entirely on the critical laboratory.

As Gu Fan continued his assault, he listened to broadcasts using a stolen internal communication headset he had seized from an enemy. He overheard their orders to abandon the entrance and exit.

"Perfect, that’s just what I wanted," Gu Fan seemed pleased with the enemies’ decision. It meant their next moves would be concentrated on Zhuo Hang, leaving Gu Fan unobstructed in his next steps.

When Gu Fan reached the entrance, he was astonished—there wasn’t a single guard stationed there. The gate was wide open, letting him stroll through freely.

Ning Qi fixed her eyes on the screen, convinced the figure wouldn’t leave—he wouldn’t abandon his companions. Plus, Ning Qi had regrouped everyone to ensure there wouldn’t be any chance for enemy opportunism like sneaking out disguised among reinforcements.

But what Ning Qi saw on the screen stunned her. The figure simply charged out, without hesitation, utterly ignoring the fact that his companions were still inside the Demon Refining Island Base.

"What the..." Ning Qi was utterly shocked, immediately switching to external surveillance, but found no sign of anyone moving across the vast grounds.

In reality, after leaving the Demon Refining Island Base, Gu Fan clung to the high walls, climbing upwards. Using his earlier methods, he reached the top, found a ventilation shaft, and slipped back into the base.

Then, Gu Fan repeated his scheme—charging toward the entrance once again, this time with exaggerated confidence.

On the other side, Ning Qi watched in bewilderment as yet another figure moved toward the gate. With the first one already out, now there was a second. What could this mean?

A short while later, the second figure also left the Demon Refining Island Base unimpeded, but Ning Qi chose not to act, maintaining her forces near the critical laboratory.

As Ning Qi pondered Gu Fan’s next trick, a third figure appeared on the screen—a helmeted individual walking toward the entrance once again.

Ning Qi was, of course, unaware that these three individuals were all actually Gu Fan. His strategy was designed to create the illusion that Gu Fan and his team were splitting up to storm out of the Demon Refining Island Base.

Each time Gu Fan left the Demon Refining Island Base, he re-entered via the ventilation shaft, then headed for the gate again, repeating the process several times to confuse the enemy completely.

Inside the Demon Refining Island Base, the enemy forces of the X Legion wore identical uniforms and helmets, making it difficult to tell who was who under normal circumstances. Gu Fan’s own disguise in their uniform capitalized on this, further masking the fact that all three "figures" were actually just one person—himself.

From Ning Qi’s perspective, three people had already left the Demon Refining Island Base, leaving her shaken. When she saw a fourth figure, she began to doubt herself, believing Gu Fan’s target wasn’t the critical laboratory but instead the entrance.

Ning Qi even suspected Zhuo Hang had been manipulated by Gu Fan, serving as a decoy to draw attention away and give Gu Fan the opportunity to escape.

At this moment, Ning Qi issued new orders, directing more forces to guard the gate. Three had already fled; she couldn’t allow a fourth escapee. As for the critical laboratory, a smaller contingent would suffice to hold Zhuo Hang back.

"Gu Fan, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but this is my domain—I won’t let you run amok," Ning Qi vowed silently. This time, she was determined to give Gu Fan a taste of defeat.

Although three had escaped, catching the fourth could pressure Gu Fan into submission.

After all, Gu Fan came with his team to rescue Leng Feng. If Leng Feng were successfully rescued but a companion were sacrificed, it would be a scenario Gu Fan couldn’t accept. Saving one while losing another would render all their efforts meaningless—a futile exercise.

Just as Ning Qi thought things were under control, something unexpected unfolded: three figures suddenly appeared on the screen, aiding Zhuo Hang in assaulting the critical laboratory.

"What the..." Ning Qi was momentarily stunned, but quickly pieced it together: she’d been duped by Gu Fan.

Ning Qi had no idea how the three figures had returned after leaving the Demon Refining Island Base through the gate. Clearly, none of them had truly left.

"Everyone, regroup at the critical laboratory immediately!" Ning Qi shouted orders without delay.

The X Legion personnel inside the Demon Refining Island Base cursed under their breath—moving between the critical laboratory and the gate was no simple task given the base’s size. They were being sent back and forth endlessly, now forced to rush back toward the critical laboratory.

Though the X Legion soldiers grumbled, orders were orders. They could only comply, dragging their fatigued bodies and gasping for air as they headed toward the critical laboratory.

Ning Qi’s timely but flawed decision overlooked two crucial points. First, the X Legion’s morale had plummeted from the constant back-and-forth, slowing their movement. Second, though numerous in number, exhaustion led them to slack off—they’d naturally think, "Let someone else rush ahead."