Chapter 152: New Power

Chapter 152: New Power

The rabbit breeding at the herb garden was managed by a recruited farmer with some experience in rabbit breeding, and fire psychics and earth psychics were also employed as staff.

Qin Mu personally organized earth psychics, metal manipulators, and fire psychics to construct the rabbit hutches.

Considering that most of the volcanic rabbits were fire psychics, with a few being earth psychics, Qin Mu carefully considered the site’s design. Fire safety was a top priority, along with ample outdoor activity areas. Firebreaks were dug around the perimeter to prevent the spread of flames, and the area was kept away from flammable materials.

The rabbit hutches were mainly renovated from a former labor site for serious offenders.

The outdoor activity area for the rabbits was the original outdoor labor site, equipped with high walls, electric fences, and iron railings. Qin Mu organized earth psychics and metal manipulators to dig a five-meter-deep cellar, with the cellar floor paved with stainless steel and shadow hemp, then covered with soft soil for the rabbits to dig in.

Additionally, a semi-open indoor rabbit cage was set up as a rest area, with stainless steel floors and cages, and shadow hemp rugs. Since rabbits are afraid of dampness, special care was taken to ensure dryness and ventilation. Cleaning and disinfection systems were also arranged.

The feeding area had special troughs for hay, vegetables, and other food, making it easy for the rabbits to eat. There were also clean and ample water supply facilities.

Du Zonghan followed Zhou Yun into the rabbit hutches and was immediately captivated by the plump, flame-like rabbit.

Its eyes sparkled like rubies, its fluffy fur glowed like flames, its long ears standing upright, and its round tail like a soft ball of fur—what a gorgeous, plump rabbit!

Its three-lobed mouth was munching on fresh mutated carrots, revealing jade-like white teeth. It didn’t shy away when people approached, still appearing dazed and adorable.

However, many of the smaller rabbits quickly shot into the ground or hid behind the mother rabbit when they saw the visitor. After a while, seeing that the visitor was just sniffing them outside the railings and couldn’t get in, they boldly ran around the outdoor grass in groups, each one round and fluffy, like rolling balls of red fur.

Zhou Yun introduced, "This is a fire-earth dual-element king rabbit, discovered in the volcanic group. It can spit fire and burrow through the earth—very powerful. General Guan personally captured it."

Du Zonghan’s face almost pressed against the iron railings, staring at the rabbit with a gaze as intense as if he were looking at a lover. "So strong! General Guan truly lives up to his reputation as Zhongzhou’s top fighter. So... Dr. Zhou, are you in charge of the South Mountain Herb Garden?"

It dawned on him that Dr. Zhou must hold a high-ranking position in Guixu City to have such authority in the research of mutated flora and fauna and to move freely through the heavily guarded inner areas. But when he came a few days ago, Zhu Zhuan and others had introduced him to high-ranking officials—how had he not met this one?

Zhou Yun smiled, "I am Zhou Yun, Deputy Minister of the Scientific Research and Medical Department, mainly responsible for some scientific research projects on mutated creatures."

Du Zonghan nodded, "Right, Minister Qi mentioned several deputy ministers in charge of scientific research, medical, health, and epidemic prevention, etc."

He murmured, "Such a powerful king rabbit... why has Guixu City only released information about shadow ducks and shadow hemp?"

Zhou Yun explained, "It was just airlifted from Xining a few days ago. We still need to determine the research direction and form a research team. Have you seen the volcanic algae? We’ve already conducted preliminary tests and will soon release it. But for this volcanic rabbit, we haven’t found the right experts yet to determine the research direction."

Du Zonghan immediately responded, "The physiological structure of mutated rabbits, especially their digestive system, must be different from ordinary rabbits. Research can be conducted on their biological characteristics and ecological adaptability. Moreover, you’ve also captured a group of rabbits, which is very rare. Research on the population dynamics and ecosystem functions of mutated rabbits, their impact on ecological niches, and their interactions with other species are all excellent research directions!"

He rubbed his hands eagerly, "I’m dying to see their natural habitat."

Zhou Yun said modestly, "It’s a volcanic canyon, not just with volcanic rabbits but also with groups of volcanic spiders, competing for survival resources. The volcanic spider eggs are currently hatching. We’ve already established cooperation with the Xining base, and a group of experts from Zhongzhou University has arrived. We’re forming an expert team and will soon fly to Xining Research Institute for collaboration."

"But you know I’m too tied up here to leave, but without someone of sufficient stature to represent Guixu City, I’m worried we might lose our initiative in the cooperation with Xining base, as they have the local advantage..."

Du Zonghan immediately said, "I’ll go! As Deputy Governor, I’m the perfect person to lead the team!"

Zhou Yun smiled with satisfaction, "We also have lightning butterflies here. Deputy Governor Du, come and take a look."

What are lightning butterflies? Du Zonghan hadn’t yet realized their significance, still somewhat reluctant to leave, taking a few more glances at the cute, soft rabbit before finally leaving the rabbit hutches and following Zhou Yun into a garden.

The garden was filled with peach trees, their pink flowers in full bloom, the fragrance filling the air. Du Zonghan noticed that the pink petals were double-layered, exceptionally large and lush, realizing these were also mutated peach trees.

The path wound through the trees, still wet from last night’s rain, with pink petals sticking to the cement bricks. They turned into the innermost part, where a glass greenhouse was filled with blooming flowers of various colors, a sea of blossoms. But Du Zonghan was once again captivated, this time by the fluttering swarm of giant butterflies.

His face almost pressed against the glass wall, "These... are lightning butterflies?" He almost held his breath—they were so beautiful, a beauty that was beyond nature yet naturally born.

In the sunlight, the shimmering blue wings of the magnificent butterflies fluttered gently among the flowers, delicate and graceful, yet with flashes of lightning dancing on their wings.

Du Zonghan murmured, "Won't they kill the flowers with electricity?"

Zhou Yun smiled and replied, "No, when they land on the flowers to suck nectar, they retract the lightning. Sometimes there’s just a slight static charge. So far, the flowers are fine and pollinating normally. Actually, the slight electric shock seems to make the flowers even more vibrant."

Du Zonghan said, "Right... Butterflies and moths carry static electricity due to friction with the air during flight. This allows them to attract pollen to their bodies through static electricity even before they touch the flowers, thus aiding pollination. This might be the reason these butterflies mutated into lightning-type."

Zhou Yun smiled, "That’s a possibility. However, we discovered them on a plant that had been struck by lightning and mutated into a lightning-type."

Du Zonghan pondered, "That’s also possible... Did you bring back that plant?"

Zhou Yun smiled, "It’s been put to another use."

Du Zonghan realized something but didn’t press further, only marveling, "In this era of psychic abilities, nature’s wonders and mysteries have only grown."

Zhou Yun continued to explain, "We have another idea; we’ve released some lightning butterflies into the shadow hemp to see what effects they might have. Come this way. We have a rare king-level mutated shadow hemp, cultivated in a cave, and it has already leveled up. I’ll show you."

Du Zonghan felt like a playboy, having seen the volcano rabbit, lightning butterflies, shadow hemp, shadow duck, and mutated black goat in one day, falling in love with each one. Countless possibilities and research topics stormed through his mind.

He eagerly took out his phone to jot down some ideas, urgently saying, "I’ll head back and whip up a proposal for you!"

Zhou Yun smiled, "Great, how about tomorrow we hold a research topic selection meeting... Perfect timing, the experts from Zhongzhou just arrived. It’s a great chance to get to know each other, since we’ll be collaborating a lot."

Du Zonghan said, "That would be perfect!"

Zhou Yun noticed the familiar gleam of a "medical student" in Du Zonghan’s eyes. Veterinarians are also doctors, and in this era of abundant mutated creatures, they are invaluable. A prestigious university, dual master’s degrees! Who dares call him a failure? He would be the first to object!

Satisfied, he said, "Alright, it’s a deal."

Finally, he had another capable worker. Happily, he hopped on his bike with Comet and headed back to the hospital in the herb garden, but Du Zonghan suddenly called out, "Dr. Zhou."

Zhou Yun turned, "What else is there?"

Du Zonghan asked with some confusion, "We deputy governors, dropped into various bases, are met with deep distrust and fear. You showed me these core projects... Did Dong Jun and General Guan approve?"

Zhou Yun smiled, "Mr. Du, once your research yields results, they will inevitably be transformed. And where better to transform scientific achievements than here in Guixu with its ready resources?"

Seeing his confidence, Du Zonghan was speechless.

Zhou Yun added with a smile, "Indeed, the results of your research, if after a few years you don’t wish to stay here, taking them with you seems quite reasonable. In these times, everyone is racing against time. Mutated creatures are continuously evolving and will inevitably threaten humanity. The sooner we research and develop ways to domesticate and utilize these creatures, the better it is for humanity. Just focus on your research and don’t sweat the small stuff."

Du Zonghan: "..." The idea of focusing on research during the apocalypse suddenly felt very comforting. He suddenly felt a strong urge to share this with his friends.

Zhou Yun waved his hand with a smile, "Guixu Academy is in the works. I hope to call you Professor Du someday."

He hopped on his bike with Comet and headed back to the hospital in the herb garden. After lunch with Yao Lao and some discussions, he returned to his dorm at the herb garden and got a call from Guan Yuanfeng: "Luo Shouchang is here, bringing the young master from the Luo family to apologize and thank you, along with many gifts. You wanna meet them?"

Zhou Yun, feeling a bit lazy after eating, asked, "What goodies did they bring?"

Guan Yuanfeng smiled, "They brought some crayfish, dried chicken and duck, and a few mutated plants. I took a look but didn’t recognize them."

Zhou Yun finally showed some interest, "Let’s set up a dinner then." He could barely keep his eyes open, "Seeing this Luo young master, I suddenly wonder how Ye Yuqing is doing back home." He also wondered about his first experimental subject.

Guan Yuanfeng said, "These things are always kept under wraps. No matter the internal turmoil, outwardly it always appears calm. Why not just give him a call and ask?"

Zhou Yun replied, "Hmm... I’m afraid it might affect his performance. Let’s talk about it later."

Hearing his drowsy tone, Guan Yuanfeng knew he liked to nap, "Had enough to eat? What did you have?"

Zhou Yun’s mind was already muddled, not remembering what he replied. He vaguely remembered Guan Yuanfeng saying a few more words before hanging up. He immediately lay down on the bed and fell asleep, still exhausted from last night. Today, he needed to catch up on sleep.