Research Progress

Xu Ruoxi sat to Li Chen's right.

Before long, Doctor Yang hurried over.

His face was flushed with excitement.

His steps were light and airy.

"Reporting, Commander! We've achieved a huge breakthrough in the application of the Energy Core!"

"Our researchers have discovered that the energy within the Energy Core is stored in a mixed state of liquid and gas. We can extract and use the energy in the form of biological waves!"

As Doctor Yang spoke, he opened his Smart Bracelet.

He sent the data to Li Chen.

Then he continued to speak eloquently.

"So we made a bold conjecture: perhaps the Energy Core can be absorbed by the human body!"

"To this end, our researchers experimented on themselves."

As he spoke, Doctor Yang took out an Energy Core.

He placed it directly in the palm of his hand.

Immediately, a strange purplish-red color appeared on his face.

Li Chen clearly felt a violent fluctuation coming from the Energy Core in Doctor Yang's hand.

But as Doctor Yang exerted force.

The energy did not enter his body.

Instead, after being extracted, it disappeared into the air!

Looking at the Energy Core again, it had changed from its original crystal clear state to a dull gray.

It looked as if a glass object had been left somewhere for a long time and was covered in dust.

Doctor Yang couldn't help but scratch his head.

"We haven't found a way for the human body to use this energy yet."

"Our guess is that perhaps our researchers' bodies haven't reached the threshold, which is why they can't absorb it."

Before the apocalypse, Doctor Yang had made significant contributions in both biology and energy.

In one of Doctor Yang's published papers.

There was a similar conjecture.

Currently, less than 10% of human brain cells are developed and utilized.

The remaining majority of brain cells are in a dormant state.

Only 1% of brain cells participate in the functional activities of the brain simultaneously.

If this is true for the brain, then what about the body?

Many human gene fragments are also in an inactive state.

Doctor Yang believes this is the Gene Lock.

It can only be unlocked when a certain threshold is reached.

Li Chen cast a look of approval at Doctor Yang.

As expected of a genius.

Then he said to Xu Ruoxi, "Take out an Energy Core and let Doctor Yang guide you on how to use it."

"Yes!"

Xu Ruoxi was a little surprised and nodded.

She remembered that the Star-Level Shelter had started collecting Energy Cores a long time ago.

Does this mean Li Chen knew the function of Energy Cores early on?

Thinking of this, Xu Ruoxi was deeply shocked!

She held the Energy Core in her hand.

Following Doctor Yang's guidance, Xu Ruoxi cautiously tried to extract the energy within, step by step.

Soon.

Xu Ruoxi succeeded.

However, she still didn't absorb the energy into her body; instead, it dispersed into the air.

Only a gray, empty Energy Core remained in her hand.

"Try again."

Li Chen said calmly.

Xu Ruoxi's various attribute points had already reached the level required to unlock the first layer of the Gene Lock.

There was no reason she couldn't even absorb an Energy Core.

"Yes."

Xu Ruoxi took a deep breath.

She took out another Energy Core and placed it in her palm.

Following the previous method, she carefully sensed it.

Crack—

Under Doctor Yang's excited gaze.

Cracks appeared on the Energy Core in Xu Ruoxi's hand.

then shattered into dust!

And the energy within the Energy Core had already been absorbed by Xu Ruoxi!

At this moment, Xu Ruoxi felt a cool Qi Strength constantly circulating within her body.

"Success! Indeed, indeed!"

Doctor Yang circled Xu Ruoxi excitedly.

He wanted to research the difference between Xu Ruoxi and the other researchers.

"Continue the research, and also begin research into the energy aspect."

"Ideally, we should be able to create an instrument to extract the energy from the Energy Core."

Li Chen nodded slightly.

Doctor Yang immediately took out his notebook and jotted it down.

He scratched his head, looking at Xu Ruoxi with fervent eyes, and asked, "Commander, can I borrow someone for a bit?"

"You may."

Li Chen nodded.

Doctor Yang was as happy as a child who had received candy after getting permission.

However, after a moment, he opened his Smart Bracelet again and continued.

"There has also been progress in the research of the zombie virus."

"Our researchers have discovered that the zombie virus will evolve!"

"Under the microscope, even without a host, a single virus body can become an independent entity. As long as energy substances are continuously provided, they will constantly upgrade!"

"If they lose energy substances, the zombie viruses will even devour each other to achieve evolution."

"Their speed is roughly a tenfold increase every 30 days!"

When Doctor Yang reported this research finding, his expression was very solemn.

Xu Ruoxi immediately gasped.

Although she had already learned from Li Chen that zombies would evolve, she hadn't expected it to be so fast!

At this rate, she believed that in at most one or two more weeks, the entire Donghai City would become the domain of Tier 2 Zombies!

And that wasn't all.

If it were allowed to continue developing, Tier 3, Tier 4... would soon appear.

Do humans still have a way to survive?

Xu Ruoxi murmured to herself, her heart filled with despair.

She had already experienced the abilities of a Tier 2 Zombie.

It could easily tear apart a truck!

If they continued to evolve, could the shelter's defenses truly hold them back?

Looking at Xu Ruoxi's expression, Li Chen said calmly.

"No need to be nervous. Zombies evolve, and so do humans."

"Who will win in the future is still uncertain."

Perhaps influenced by Li Chen.

Xu Ruoxi slowly calmed down.

Doctor Yang pushed up his glasses, his face grim as he said, "Through our research, we've also discovered that the zombie virus can infect animals!"

Animals?

Xu Ruoxi couldn't help but say, "Alright, Doctor Yang, stop keeping us in suspense. Hurry up and explain clearly. What exactly is going on?"

"The initial outbreak of the zombie virus, which we call Tier 1 virus, spreads through blood and saliva and only affects primates. Humans and monkeys are hosts."

"But after evolving, it has continuously mutated. Now it can infect across target cells!"

"Soon, everything that flies in the sky, walks on the ground, and swims in the water will become members of the zombies!"

Doctor Yang's words brought extreme shock!

Although the zombie virus was terrifying.

Now that humans had established shelters, things were gradually stabilizing.

As long as the walls were thick enough, they could resist most zombies.

But if even animals could be infected.

Wouldn't it be impossible to defend against?

Before, being bitten by a mosquito only felt a little itchy.

In the future, one might get infected!

"However, currently, the animals that can be infected are basically carnivorous or omnivorous animals. No cases of infection have been found in herbivorous animals."

Doctor Yang took a deep breath before continuing.

"We currently believe that it might be because carnivorous animals secrete some special substances in their bodies to break down and absorb meat. Herbivorous animals do not."

"If we follow this direction, we will soon be able to research an antidote for the virus."