Unknown Explorer, Transcendent Induction!

Rapid Response didn't have the luxury of equipping every quarantine zone with a containment team.

After more than ten minutes, the isolation door of Quarantine Zone A slid open to both sides.

A team of eight, all clad in Off-white Special Protective Suits, walked in. They resembled modern bomb disposal suits, with Honeycomb Buffer Layers covering the joints.

"So serious?"

He had expected it to be as "simple" as the Central Checkpoint, where they'd just shove the infected source in and take it away without much fuss.

This display made Cheng Ye feel surprised.

At the same time, he noticed that the isolation boxes used for containment had also changed their form.

They were no longer the common tempered glass containment boxes, but instead used special ceramic-like material casings, etched with fine anti-seepage patterns on the surface.

"Duty Inspector?"

The Containment Captain stepped forward, his gaze landing on Cheng Ye's face with a flicker of surprise.

What a young Inspector, looking even a few years younger than the youngest member of the containment team!

"That's me."

Cheng Ye nodded and directly produced his Inspector Badge.

The other party took it and swiped it on the Defense Communicator card slot on his arm, then exclaimed, "You're still a Trainee Inspector?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"No, just a bit surprised. Unknown Infected usually make it difficult even for Level Two Inspectors to examine. It's often after an outbreak that we come to contain them."

The Containment Captain quickly shook his head. "Hello, Inspector Cheng, I am Qin Feng, a Level Two Researcher from the Infection Source Research Institute."

"Infection Source Research Institute?"

Cheng Ye blinked, and immediately searched his original host's memories for an explanation of this term.

Xingfu City had three research institutions.

[Xingfu Research Institute]: In charge of livelihood technology R&D, from Nutrient Paste formulas to water circulation systems.

[United Arms Factory]: Specialized in weapons and equipment, including the development of various armed vehicles.

[Infection Source Research Institute]: As the name suggests, it monopolized the research on infected beings.

Although the three institutions were on equal administrative footing, their treatment was worlds apart.

The research topics of the Infection Source Research Institute were directly related to human survival, and the degree of funding and resource allocation was exaggerated. It was widely recognized as the "invisible boss" among the three major institutions.

The Level Two Researcher, whose official status was equivalent to a Phase Two Inspector, was two full ranks higher than his Apprentice Status!

"Because it's an unknown Infection Source, I need to make a simple research log for future reference. Is that alright?"

"Ask away."

"Please describe the entire process from discovery to eliminating the Infected. Hmm, you don't need to explain how you identified it; I know every Inspector has their own methodology. Just describe the Infected's abilities."

"Mmm."

Qin Feng's sense of boundaries was very comfortable.

Cheng Ye pondered for a moment. Besides the attack patterns of the Rotten Vine, he specifically added its deceptive camouflage and fire-aversion, as well as its learning and evolution ability when hit by bullets.

"Ah?"

Qin Feng's mind was still wandering at first, but he suddenly looked up when he heard the latter part. The eyes beneath his protective mask widened. "You're saying that after being hit by bullets, it grows denser fiber tissue around the bullet holes to resist?"

"I saw it with my own eyes," Cheng Ye nodded first, then added, "but I'm not sure if this is active learning or an instinctive reaction of the organism."

"Inspector Cheng, please wait a moment!"

Realizing there might be a major discovery, Qin Feng immediately turned and signaled to his team. "Prepare the Sample Box. We need to verify this Infected on-site!"

Camouflage and learning weren't new discoveries; many Infection Sources exhibited similar traits.

But the ability to start learning immediately after being hit was something they had never encountered before.

The eight of them rushed into the containment chamber. Cheng Ye subconsciously wanted to remind the Guards to be vigilant, lest these people encounter any accidents.

Unexpectedly, Raven spoke first in a low voice, "Rest assured, sir. Researchers are treasures of the Inner City. Their 'Turtle Shell' armor is so strong that even if an Infected gnawed on them, they might not be able to break through the defense."

"That strong?"

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow, showing some interest.

The Collector could search for items. He wondered if it could find this protective suit.

If he could wear this thing on external missions, wouldn't his survival rate increase dramatically?

Unfortunately, his Charge Value was already depleted and wouldn't be replenished until tomorrow.

"But there's no need to rush. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Cheng Ye mused inwardly. About half an hour later, Qin Feng returned with his team.

When they went in, the Containment Box was carried by one person. Now, four people were carrying it, indicating that the containment was successful.

"Inspector Cheng, congratulations. The quality of this Infection Source is excellent; one is worth three!"

Qin Feng spoke, taking off his mask to reveal a mature, square-jawed face.

Seeing Cheng Ye's confused expression, he suddenly slapped his forehead, "Look at my memory, you're still in your probationary period and don't know these things."

"Captain Qin means?"

"Give me your Identity Badge. There are many rules within the checkpoint, but the Research Institute doesn't care about these. It doesn't restrict trainee inspectors from knowing."

Qin Feng spoke nonsensically, and Cheng Ye couldn't understand. He could only hand over his Identity Badge.

He saw him swipe the Defense Communicator with the badge again, then tap the screen a few times before handing it back.

"Try it. You can see it if you attach your Defense Communicator."

"My Defense Communicator can do it too?"

Only devices with special permissions enabled could read the Identity Badge. Cheng Ye had tried his own inspector Defense Communicator before, and it hadn't reacted at all.

But as Qin Feng said, he tried attaching it.

The Defense Communicator's screen immediately flickered, automatically jumping to a brand-new interface.

[Module: Xingfu City Infection Source Research Institute Mission Board]

[Affiliation: Cheng Ye (Trainee Inspector)]

[Current Permission Status: Unlocked]

[Current Unlocked Missions: Unknown Explorer (S)]

[Unknown Explorer (S): Submit '100' new infection source samples to the Infection Source Research Institute

Current Progress: 3/100

Milestone Rewards: 25 (D-class contribution qualification); 50 (C-class contribution qualification); 75 (B-class contribution qualification)

Completion Reward: 5ml 'Transcendent' Inducer (Basic model, 20% chance to help humans awaken)]

"What?"

"Transcendent Inducer?"

Looking at the text displayed on the Defense Communicator screen, Cheng Ye almost cried out.

At this moment, the milestone rewards and contribution qualifications became insignificant.

What did he see?

Transcendent?

"Holy crap, am I seeing this right?"

He double-checked the two characters displayed on the Defense Communicator screen. They were indeed Transcendent he recognized.

Cheng Ye felt a surge of blood rush to his head, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably with excitement.

But at the same time, a mix of realization and bewilderment intertwined, churning into a tangled mess in his chest.

Because whether it was from the books in the Survival Library, the whispers among ordinary people in the Buffer Zone, or even the Wasteland stories Liu Bi occasionally told him.

Transcendent were, without exception, all active in history.

Since the dawn of the New Era, there had been no specific records of any newly emerged Transcendent.

But.

"Don't be so surprised. You'll know once you pass your probationary period. Not opening it up now is also a form of protection. There are always people who don't know their limits and get carried away by greed, leading them to take risks. Your checkpoint has had its fair share of incidents like that."

As if guessing Cheng Ye's confusion, Qin Feng showed a subtle smile, unsurprised.

"Checkpoints and our Research Institute are on the same level, and we have similar missions."

"Otherwise, why do you think Inspectors come to Quick Checkpoints? This isn't a good place, the death rate is consistently high, let alone taking on Field Missions in dangerous areas."

"Checkpoints have similar missions too?"

Cheng Ye caught the key information and instinctively asked, "Are there Transcendent in our Xingfu City?"

"Of course. Every Sanctuary City has Transcendent. How else would they deal with large-scale Infected Tides?"

Perhaps seeing Cheng Ye's youth and his performance that seemed beyond that of a Trainee Inspector.

Qin Feng patiently explained, "There's no need for ordinary people to know these things too clearly. Because in their eyes, the rampage of S-4 hasn't ended yet. Transcendent aren't heroes; instead, they're seen as potential harbingers of a curse, like a plague."

"If you want... hmm, missions S-class and above will reward Inducers. The higher the difficulty, the greater the dosage, and the better the quality."

"Has anyone ever completed one?"

"Of course, they have." Qin Feng chuckled. "Nine years ago, someone from your checkpoint completed one, but unfortunately, he didn't successfully induce a Transcendent."

Nine years ago?

That sounded like a long time ago. Cheng Ye didn't press further, realizing the difficulty just from the timeframe.

"Then what about this Contribution Qualification?"

"It's used for purchasing things. Many controlled strategic materials require it. For example, if you want to buy an Energy Storage Battery for personal use, or modify a Combat Vehicle, you'll need Contribution Qualification."

"Any more questions?"

"It's gone."

Cheng Ye shook his head gently, his mind still processing the massive amount of information that had just flooded in.

"Gone?"

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "On the Wasteland, only by suppressing inner desires can one survive and qualify for these missions."

"The standard reward will be issued to your personal account after verification in a couple of days. Remember to check it."

"My Defense Communicator ID is 16571. If you discover any unknown Infection Sources or new clues related to them in the future, you can contact me. I will settle with you by increasing the reward by 10% above the normal standard."

"Thank you."

Cheng Ye took out his Defense Communicator and added the ID to his contacts.

But even after watching the backs of the eight people disappear down the passage, he was still lost in thought.

He had originally thought that the transcendent qualitative change caused by S-3 was still far from humanity, but he hadn't expected it to be so close, so close that it could even be offered as a reward openly.

That unattainable Transcendent... was actually by my side?

Ps: I've received the readers' requests for more updates, wow, I really want to churn out chapters, but I'm strictly limited by the new book period rules. Many authors write 4k words, but San Jin writes 6k+ words daily!

ps2: Never mind, I've received all your support. Updates are a must, and another chapter is coming soon. Thank you all for your Monthly Ticket support~