Chapter 147

Chapter 147

After demonstrating the function of the medium crystal core, Cheng Jing handed the prepared proposal to Department Head Wang. Next, they discussed the feasibility of each suggestion Cheng Jing and his team had put forward.

First, regarding the proposal to extract crystal core energy as a sustainable power source:

"From now until the end of the extreme heat, solar power will be sufficient. However, we don’t know what will come after the extreme heat. Therefore, the recycling of crystal core energy is more reliable—at least for the current stage."

Department Head Wang agreed:

"Right. The extreme heat is certain. While focusing on heat protection measures, we must also consider potential disasters that may follow."

Professor Mo also nodded:

"Based on data from central broadcasts and meteorological research, there’s a high probability of polar nights. So, if we can indeed establish an energy power station, it would be excellent. As for whether to contain zombies for raising, further evaluation and discussion are needed."

During the pre-apocalypse and early apocalypse stages, weather forecasts had been wildly inaccurate and chaotic. Now, they were gradually becoming more reliable.

Though not 100% accurate, at least they provided some direction, avoiding panic from unexpected disasters.

"..."

After discussing the proposals in the document, Jiang Nian handed over the wolf tissue samples brought back from Xihe City to Chu Yi for safekeeping.

Regarding why animals weren’t infected by the zombie virus, Professor Mo explained:

"Not all animals are immune. In the research lab, there are many animal corpses that died from the zombie virus. The normal, living animals you’ve seen—some were never infected, while others were infected but unaffected."

"..."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian and Cheng Jing’s expressions shifted slightly. Indeed, the information from their past lives had been incorrect. Under the cataclysm, there were no exceptions—only those who survived. Wasn’t this, in a way, a form of selection?

After a moment of thought, Jiang Nian pressed further:

"Unaffected after infection… does that mean some animals have antibodies?"

Professor Mo nodded:

"You could say that, though it’s more peculiar. Those antibodies are a visible form of energy."

Noticing their confusion, he gestured with his fingers to elaborate:

"All research bases have conducted experiments on animals. Those without antibodies died quickly after infection and didn’t turn into zombies."

"Animals with antibodies, however, developed a layer of white light energy upon infection, which slowed the infection rate or even eliminated the virus cells."

"Are you saying… animal superpowers?" Cheng Jing blurted out. The description sounded exactly like a superpower.

"..."

Jiang Nian’s heart skipped a beat, his hand under the table clenching unnoticeably.

Professor Mo, however, shook his head helplessly:

"Researchers across bases have hypothesized about animal superpowers. But this energy only appears when they’re infected with the zombie virus, and it’s temporary—lasting anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the individual."

Jiang Nian frowned:

"Does it vanish once the time runs out?"

Professor Mo sighed:

"Yes. Once time’s up, whether the infected recovers or not, the energy disappears for good. Those not cured will still die."

Jiang Nian reined in his racing thoughts and calmly asked:

"If a cured animal gets reinfected, does it develop immunity?"

If true antibodies could be generated after infection and recovery, then a viral serum could be developed from animals.

"I understand what you mean, and that’s what we hoped for too. Sadly, no. If a cured animal is reinfected, that energy will reappear, but it may not necessarily cure them again—the energy’s strength fluctuates wildly."

After speaking, Professor Mo pushed up his glasses and absentmindedly rubbed his bald head.

Jiang Nian pressed his lips together and nodded:

"Alright."

Department Head Wang cut in at the right moment:

"Labs across the bases have run tests over and over to extract that energy for study, but none have succeeded. The proportion of animals with 'energy antibodies' is very small, just like with human Superpowered individuals."

"Moreover, there’s no way to tell which animals have antibodies beforehand. So, the central government has issued a notice to shut down this experiment—it’d just be animal slaughter."

Cheng Jing agreed:

"Right, it’d be a bloodbath for nothing."

"Exactly. The whole point of research is to fix things. If this method doesn’t work, we’ll try another. No point forcing it."

Professor Mo also concurred, but he kept the rest to himself:

People theorized that if humans also possessed such energy antibodies or Superpowers, they wouldn’t have to worry about zombie virus infection.

Thus, some proposed that Superpowered folks who get infected with the zombie virus should undergo special 'quarantine studies' before losing their sanity—just in case someone possessed such antibodies.

This wasn’t public knowledge, limited only to the top researchers at each base for 'academic exchange.'

But he knew some bases were already quietly recruiting unfortunate infected 'Superpowered volunteers.'

The Southern City Base had yet to issue orders to detain infected Superpowered. It was a gray area.

Studying zombies was different from studying living humans. Infected people still in their right minds were on thin ice.

Jiang Nian stopped asking, but he couldn’t shake his unease. The energy antibodies Professor Mo mentioned made him think of his own Superpower.

Could it be that those animals with special 'antibodies' had awakened a Purification Superpower?

A survival mutation from the disaster?

Unfortunately, he’d have to see it to believe it.

"..."

The discussion dragged on—they held nothing back, firing off questions. Even lunch was eaten in the meeting room.

But from start to finish, Chu Yi stayed silent, chiming in with just the occasional nod, listening silently most of the time.

Occasionally shooting a slightly cold look at Jiang Nian, who kept stealing looks at him:

When the other wasn’t deep in thought, those furtive eyes of his looked just like a hamster’s, all while naively believing he was being subtle.

Eyes so affectionate they could charm a dog—his stolen glances didn’t come off as creepy but rather shy and hesitant. If he hadn’t known Jiang Nian was already taken, he might’ve misunderstood.

Cheng Jing really should keep better tabs on him.

It wasn’t until the end of the workday that the conference room door finally opened from the inside, and Department Head Wang, Zhou Li, Cheng Jing, Jiang Nian, and Chu Yi emerged.

Department Head Wang called for an escort to see Chu Yi off, while Cheng Jing and Jiang Nian had to stay behind a little longer.

Jiang Nian watched Chu Yi leave with envy in his eyes—he had just witnessed him "putting away" Professor Mo and the other two like some kind of magic trick!

If Cheng Jing hadn’t been there, he would’ve begged Chu Yi to take him inside his space for a visit.

According to Department Head Wang, Chu Yi’s space contained a small laboratory where critical experiments were conducted.

The Medium Crystal Core would be perfectly safe and completely undetectable there.

The only limitation was that each person’s daily time inside the space was limited, and so was the number of people allowed in.

At this, Jiang Nian could only maintain a smile while screaming internally:

God! Why couldn’t he have been gifted with an ability like that?

What harm would it do to have one more dual-attribute Superpowered in this post-apocalyptic world full of powerful figures?