Pre-Collapse Civilization, My Wife is a Snake Oh

Ling Xi immediately felt a bit flustered, his face suddenly flushing. What was Mobius trying to do?

"Ling Xi..."

Finally, Mobius leaned close to Ling Xi's ear and gently blew, chuckling softly, "Because you're by my side? With you protecting me, I'm not scared, hehe..."

After speaking, Mobius quickly let go of Ling Xi's hand, poked her chin with her right hand, and watched the blushing Ling Xi with great interest.

Ling Xi: "..."

At this moment, Ling Xi was completely bewildered. Had he just been... teased by the Doctor?

Thanks and updates, plus some explanations!

@@@@1: This book mainly focuses on characters and some plot. Please don't overthink the accuracy of the Honkai settings, as the official sources haven't provided detailed explanations. Everything in this book is the primary source!

2: This book is simply a novel, the kind that's easy to read. If my understanding isn't flawed, there will generally be no plot points that make characters seem unintelligent or that are disgusting. Plus, I guarantee no sad endings, so read with peace of mind!

3: Since there isn't much story about the Pre-Collapse Civilization, some modifications and original content will naturally be included, but I'll try my best to align with the original settings!

Update Schedule: Two updates daily. An additional update will be added for every 2500 recommendation votes, donations, or 100 "blades" (a form of in-app currency/reward). These will be added immediately or the next day, and will not be delayed until after the book is put on shelves! (However, due to my typing speed, the pre-shelving bonus updates will be capped at five. Anything more... will be discussed later!)

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Lastly: Thank you to @Dream Feather @Shadow Spring @?Hua @After all, it's me~ @Herrscher of '?' Sirin @In the Name of the Imprisoned Queen @Blank Page's Corner @Eight Exaltations @The Story Started Back Then @Kashiwagi World's Number One @Valentine's Day Limited Kiana @Good Citizen Accelerator @Cooked Food @Idle Eight Clouds Purple @Ryū Yanagi @Moon Lotus @The Show Has Begun @Bai Chi @Reading is Joy @Xue Yu, Ren Xiao^O^Asceticism, Yao Yao Drunken Love, Shuke 75784667179, Israeli Boxing King, Junko Pure Mama, Shuke 52698510387, and other great contributors for your donations and "blades," thank you very much!

I also want to thank everyone for their monthly votes and recommendation votes. Thank you all so much!

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Chapter 29: At this moment, a Seele is still waiting...

By the time Ling Xi snapped back to reality, Mobius had already put her gloves back on and continued her research on the MANTIS, leaving a somewhat disheveled Ling Xi behind...

Ling Xi: "..." Damn it!

Ling Xi wanted to do something to show he had some dignity, but... seeing Mobius diligently researching the MANTIS, Ling Xi decided to let it go and wait for next time. After all, disturbing the Doctor's experiments was a major taboo...

As for protecting Mobius, as she had just mentioned, that was naturally his duty...

Wait, didn't he just think a few days ago that he had to hide his strength and strive to be a researcher? But now...

Ahem, well, as a researcher, it's inevitable to encounter some accidents during experiments, such as... summoning Honkai Beasts or MANTIS during experiments. In such situations, normal researchers are easily harmed, so...

It's perfectly reasonable for this researcher to have a little combat power for self-preservation, isn't it?

Moreover, this time it was for his own Doctor, so he had to act. Besides, Mobius had also helped him conceal this matter, so there shouldn't be any major problems!

But this is definitely the last time. If Honkai appears again in the future, he absolutely won't act, no matter what. After all, the Flame-Chasing Moths' army can also fight Honkai Beasts.

But he definitely won't act again in the future, unless...

Unless Mobius or Klein are in danger, and he has no choice but to act. Also, there's Seele. If Seele is in danger, he definitely can't stand by and do nothing, after all, Seele is...

"Mhm, Seele..."

And when he mentioned Seele, Ling Xi thought of something. What was he supposed to do this noon? It seemed like...

He remembered promising Seele yesterday that they would meet at their usual spot at noon today, and now...

Ling Xi quickly checked the time. It was 13:07!

Ling Xi: "..."

This time... it's over!

Ling Xi finally remembered his appointment with Seele. This was bad, this was really bad. Seele would definitely be angry.

"Um, Doctor, I just remembered I have something else to do. Can I go back to school for a bit?"

Ling Xi decisively asked Mobius for leave. Although it was already past one o'clock, what if that girl was still there? This was a good opportunity to make amends, even though... this opportunity was very slim.

"Mhm, go ahead."

Mobius agreed without hesitation, waving her hand to signal Ling Xi to go. After all, she was busy dissecting and studying the MANTIS right now, and Ling Xi couldn't be of much help if he stayed. So, she readily agreed.

"Then, Doctor, see you tonight!"

Ling Xi said his farewell and then quickly left...

"Hmph hmph hmph hmph..."

After Ling Xi left, Mobius hummed an unknown tune while observing the changes in the MANTIS's cells under the electron microscope.

"Doctor, there's something I think you should know."

Suddenly, Klein walked in, holding a document.

"Hm?"

Mobius paused, then turned to face Klein and asked, "Klein, what is it now?"

"About Ling Xi's cells."

Klein handed the document to Mobius and said, "The day before yesterday, we extracted various cells from Ling Xi and began various observations and experiments according to your arrangements. And yesterday, you started some group experiments, didn't you? There were a total of five groups of cells for Honkai radiation experiments, and five groups for cultivation experiments."

"Alright, alright, Klein, just tell me the results."

Mobius interrupted Klein's statement. There was no need to supplement information she already knew; she only wanted to know the results.

"All five groups of cultured experimental cells failed. Even with the addition of a catalyst, the cells showed no signs of division or proliferation."

Klein informed Mobius of this conclusion.

"Hmm... While a bit strange, it's within the realm of normal."

Mobius didn't show much of a reaction.

"The experiments with the five groups of cloned cells also all failed."

Klein continued to describe the conclusions.

"Mmm... Continue."

Mobius merely furrowed her brow, saying nothing more.

"The other observation groups were fine, but the last five groups were for the Honkai radiation experiment..."

Klein produced another document and said, "All five groups of cells died directly."

"All dead?"

Mobius seemed to gain a bit of interest. "How is that possible? Normally, when human cells are exposed to Honkai radiation, they mutate first. While many do die after mutating, typically only a small portion of aged cells would die directly, right?"

"Yes,"

Klein nodded again. "Furthermore, the characteristics of cell death were identical. Their cell membranes ruptured. And I think..."

Klein hesitated for a moment before saying seriously, "Doctor, I don't think they died from cell membrane rupture, but rather... some power surged out from within the cells, causing them to be unable to withstand it, and ultimately burst."

"Mmm..."

Mobius also stroked her chin in thought and asked, "When was the radiation experiment conducted?"

"The radiation experiment began last night at 8 PM. Initially, only groups one and two were conducted with a radiation level of 0.5 HW. Groups three and four were conducted this morning at 8 AM with a radiation level of 5 HW. The first four groups of cells were all normal. Then, this noon, a new experiment was started. According to your instructions, Doctor, I placed all five groups of cells in a sealed observation chamber and subjected them to radiation with Honkai energy at a level of 25 HW. Then..."

Klein continued to flip through the logs. "The radiation experiment for the five groups of cells started today at 11:20 AM, and they all died at 11:25 AM. I had intended to collect data immediately and report the conclusion to you, Doctor, but before I could record anything, the Honkai occurred, so it was delayed until now."

"Wait..."

Suddenly, Mobius seemed to realize something and asked, "Klein, when did the Honkai occur?"

"According to the research institute's monitoring data, the Honkai occurred at 11:26:37 AM Far East time!"

Klein provided the answer with utmost professionalism.

Mobius "..."

Could this be a coincidence, or...

It shouldn't be possible!

Mobius shook her head, thinking her guess was too far-fetched. The highest radiation level from the fragments of Honkai energy used in her laboratory was only 50 HW. How could it possibly create the kind of Honkai that occurred before? The radiation level of that previous Honkai was as high as 100 HW – a full double!

Therefore, it was most likely a coincidence.

Of course, verifying it would be simple: just conduct the same experiment again. However...

Never mind. Ling Xi isn't here right now, so it's better to be a bit more cautious. It's not too late to conduct the experiment after Ling Xi arrives. Otherwise, if something really goes wrong, it would be quite embarrassing.

Chapter 30: That Sinful Human Heart of Yours, Doctor!

Meanwhile, at the school entrance, next to the bakery, Ling Xi looked at the empty ground outside the shop and began to ponder what to do next. Yesterday was the first time Seele had actively asked him out. Even though it was just for lunch...

He had stood her up!

Speaking of which, how should he explain it to Seele tomorrow? Should he say he's actually a superhero and was off saving the world yesterday?

Ling Xi "..." Forget it. That kind of excuse wouldn't even fool a paramecium.

"Sigh..."

In the end, Ling Xi could only sigh helplessly. Now... he could only wait until tomorrow. And...

Whether he could get Seele's forgiveness tomorrow was another matter entirely...

As for today...

Although he had no classes in the afternoon, Ling Xi no longer wanted to go to the laboratory. After all, Mobius was dissecting corpses right now. While he didn't object to her behavior, it was still unsettling to look at!

Asking him to fight or kill people was fine; it wasn't like he hadn't experienced it before. But...

Mobius was dissecting. Using a scalpel to cut open a corpse, observing it piece by piece, researching it bit by bit... that was... Anyway, while Ling Xi didn't object, he certainly didn't like that kind of work!

In the afternoon, Ling Xi received a call from Mobius, stating that it was time to leave. Ling Xi naturally rushed to the research institute without a second thought. But just as he was about to enter...

"Beep beep..."

The horn of a small white car at the entrance of the research institute honked. Then, Mobius leaned out from the driver's seat and called out with a smile, "Ling Xi, over here."

Ling Xi "..." So Mobius actually owned a car.

Well, it was normal, considering Mobius's financial resources. It would be strange if she didn't have a car.

Ling Xi got into the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and Mobius immediately started the car and drove off!

"Where's Klein?"

Ling Xi casually asked about Klein. Didn't Mobius say earlier that Klein usually accompanied her? Why wasn't he around today?

"I had Klein stay behind to guard the lab. After all, some observational experiments require supervision,"

Mobius said with a smile as she drove, "It's not good to always make Cangxuan work overtime, you know."

Ling Xi: "..."

"Doctor, this car is nice?"

Ling Xi looked around the car's interior, which exuded an aura of wealth. It probably wasn't cheap.

"Hmm, it's decent. Someone gave it to me."

Mobius chuckled casually and added, "If you want one, I can give you one too."

"Uh... I'll pass. If the Doctor gives me one, what will you do when you go out in the future?"

Ling Xi certainly couldn't accept. The item was too valuable, and he didn't like accepting gifts without earning them.

"Heh, if I give it to you, I'll definitely ask you to drive me around in the future?"

Mobius smiled again. "Klein used to drive when we went out. Driving myself occasionally feels a bit unusual. Compared to driving, I'd rather be driven."

Ling Xi: "..." So you're saying you'll give it to me, but what you really want is a free driver, aren't you?

After that, the two chatted about everyday topics, such as stories of Mobius teasing Klein or how she deliberately made things difficult for Klein, only for him to be helpless. In short...

When it came to being a loyal subordinate, Mobius was quite experienced.