Chapter 2: The Molting Red Worms

　　"Who's there?!" The sound of rifle bolts clashing rang out twice. Old Zhang and Maomao, one on the left, one on the right, raised their rifles, aiming at the red-glowing humanoid figure.　　The figure seemed to sense the threat of the firearms. The red light on its body dimmed immediately. It stretched its limbs and began scrambling back and forth across the dome ceiling, agile as a monkey. But no matter how fast it crawled, it couldn't outrun the beams of the flashlights. In the dazzling light, I clearly saw a Dacron jacket and a fisherman's hat.　　Old Zhang hurriedly lowered his rifle, shouting at Maomao to stand down!　　"Lao Qiao! It's dangerous up there! Come back down!"　　No matter how Sister Molly called, Lao Qiao acted as if he didn't hear, continuing to dart and evade across the broad dome ceiling.　　"Lao Qiao, we won't shine the lights on you! Come down! Hurry!" Sister Molly was so frantic she was jumping up and down, her voice cracking. She flapped her hands at the people around her like wings, repeating, "Oh, everyone, stop shining the lights! Put the flashlights down!"　　The flashlight beams quickly shifted away. The dim red light also stopped moving, hovering motionless above the stone door. Pairs of eyes stared tensely at Lao Qiao on the door. The surrounding air seemed to freeze.　　After a prolonged standoff, Big Liu couldn't take it anymore. He bellowed at the distant red glow, "Lao Qiao! What the hell are you doing? Alive or dead, say something!"　　"Don't talk nonsense!" Sister Chen's eyes widened as she slapped Big Liu's arm hard.　　The red light flickered again. A sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air. A swift current of air, carrying a streak of red light, shot straight for the ground. In the blink of an eye, the Lao Qiao on the door had traversed dozens of meters, raising a cloud of dust right in front of Sister Molly!　　"Professor!"　　"Professor Lin!"　　Click! Click!The safeties on the two rifles were disengaged almost simultaneously. But Lao Qiao had already tackled Sister Molly to the ground. Old Zhang and Maomao, unable to get a clear shot for fear of hitting her, hesitated, not daring to fire.　　"Help! Ah!" Amidst