Notification Letter

The supervisor smiled meaningfully from beneath the brim of his black hat.

"That's precisely what I'm curious about. Such an invasive alien species is willing to coexist with you. When your body died, it could have found another host, but it ultimately chose to expend its limited vital energy to repair your body, even linking your consciousness to its main nervous system... While I have some theories about the fundamental reason for all this, further research is needed."

"Furthermore, according to the information I currently possess, our country did not manage to acquire the core of the unknown plant. Moreover, the initial 'antimatter missile' bombardment failed to destroy the core of this dangerous plant. It's highly possible that the plant currently hidden within your body is indeed its core."

Yu Jing froze, recalling that he had initially come to this A-Class City after seeing a suspicious news item in a newspaper corner, hoping to win the three million required for his mother's surgery. Now, he was inexplicably entangled in such a major event.

After about five seconds of stunned silence, Yu Jing collected his thoughts and tried to adapt to the current situation, asking, "What are your theories?"

The supervisor casually retrieved Yu Jing's previous detailed physical examination report from the special file archives of the city's health center. Within it, the latent 'Kajimo' virus was marked by the supervisor with a special symbol.

"Perhaps it's related to this new type of virus. Currently, there's no substantial data on the 'Kajimo' virus globally. The symptomatic Kajimo virus is actually a sign of degeneration; we can currently treat and repair it. However, the latent virus represents an advanced state, a barrier that is difficult to breach in the field of biological research."

Yu Jing realized from the supervisor's words that his survival might actually be linked to the latent virus that should have killed him. It was truly ironic. However, the most important point was that Yu Jing also saw hope for his mother's treatment.

"The symptomatic virus can be treated. My mother is infected with the symptomatic virus. Could you please help?"

At this point, the supervisor raised his hand to stop Yu Jing. "This is the second request you've made since coming to my research institute. In this society, everything is measured by 'equivalent exchange.' You and I have no substantial relationship. Why should I offer you unilateral assistance?"

Yu Jing immediately replied, "I can agree to your request... If I'm not mistaken, you want to study my body and the plant within it. As long as you can save my mother, I'm willing to agree to any research plan. If you want to extract this thing that doesn't belong to me from my body, I won't refuse either."

Hearing this, the supervisor smiled and replied, "I think highly of your adaptability and reaction speed. Moreover, why would I want to remove a host like you who is so highly compatible with an unknown external plant? Also, I do need you to willingly offer your body for my research, but the research won't take place here. This research institute is state property, and the central government has the right to directly access and retrieve all data here."

"Perhaps you don't yet understand the importance of the foreign object in your body. If the plant in your body were exposed, considering national stability, you would be completely erased within half an hour, all information about you would be deleted, and everyone related to you would forget you... Even I would be imprisoned for at least fifty years for 'harboring a fugitive.'"

"You need to understand that I didn't hand you over to the state immediately because of a little selfishness on my part. It is precisely because of this selfishness that you can sit here and negotiate terms with me, and you have the right to continue living in this society."

Yu Jing had actually analyzed his current situation and was certain that the supervisor of the research institute had no reason to lie to him.

Recalling the entire process of his discovery, Yu Jing asked, "Supervisor, I have a question. Were the Men in Black who found me in the forest initially from your research institute?"

"Of course. Anyone could expose your information. I don't trust anyone else."

"What do you want me to do? Since none of the facilities in the research institute can be used, how can I cooperate with your research?"

Yu Jing had already prepared for the worst, imagining that he might have to go with this supervisor to another special zone, or even a secret research institute established in the wilderness outside the city, for inhumane experiments.

"It's simpler than you imagine. Your records show you're graduating this year, right? Your test scores were excellent, but you didn't achieve the ideal results in the final test... What I want you to do is to enroll in an Ability Institute."

"Enroll in an Ability Institute?" Yu Jing couldn't immediately understand the meaning behind the supervisor's words.

"Not just any Ability Institute, but a special one I've designated for you. Our research institute was established to select elite talents from society and send them to this Ability Institute. The one who passes the test with the best overall score will be sent for advanced training. This is your 'admission notice.'"

The supervisor took out a neatly bound A3-sized envelope from his pocket.

"The purpose of the test is indeed selection, isn't it? I guessed correctly... May I open it?"

"Please do."

Yu Jing opened the envelope and found a pure black admission notice inside, with large, dark gold characters in the center.

—Dihua Ability Institute—

A rather imposing name, with a line of text attached at the bottom:

Disciple Yu Jing:

Our institute has decided to admit you into the Gene Academy. Please report to the institute on September 1st, 2139, with this notice.

Along with the notice, a bank card slid out.

"This is every newcomer's 'Credit Card.' You'll understand the details once you're admitted, so I won't waste your time. Outside the Ability Institute, this card functions as a regular bank card. I've transferred 3.5 million to it as a reward for passing the test."

The supervisor's words sent a jolt through Yu Jing. 3.5 million meant he had the funds for his mother's surgery.

"Th-thank you." Although Yu Jing harbored some resentment towards the supervisor, this money was incredibly important to him.

"No need to thank me. This is an exchange for your previous request for clothing. Furthermore, helping you with your mother's treatment is my assistance, and in return, you need to cooperate with my research on your body within the Ability Institute. This Ability Institute has authority equivalent to the national government, and the information will be kept strictly confidential internally and will never be leaked."

"The research will be conducted within the Ability Institute? Are you...?" Yu Jing's reaction was still swift.

"I am a specialist in the Gene Academy of Dihua Ability Institute. You need to sign this provisional four-year agreement."

The supervisor produced a special agreement. Yu Jing could already guess its contents: it required him to accept any form of research by the supervisor during his studies at Dihua Ability Institute, without refusal.

Considering all these circumstances, the other party was providing him with an opportunity to attend an Ability Institute and save his mother. The research on his body seemed insignificant to Yu Jing; his survival was already a blessing from heaven.

The moment he signed his name, Yu Jing suddenly felt something watching him from the darkness