However, this energy was neither something humanity had ever discovered, nor was it Honkai Energy. In short, it was an entirely new but incredibly powerful form of energy!
But because Superpower Cells could neither be divided and cultivated nor cloned, the two conventional research paths had been completely blocked. Mobius could only try a new approach: transplantation.
She would transplant Ling Xi's Superpower Cells into other animals, then find a way to eliminate rejection so the cells could exist within the animal's body, and observe whether the test subject could gain the corresponding power.
If it worked, then humanity might be able to undergo an upgrade through Ling Xi. Of course, that was contingent on obtaining superpowers and... solving the problem of Superpower Cells being unable to divide. Otherwise, even draining Ling Xi dry would not be enough!
She would start with multicellular microorganisms found in nature.
Unfortunately, Ling Xi had already gone home. Otherwise, she could have tried having him assist with some experiments right now. After all...
Whether Ling Xi became her student in the future or something else, experiments were a must!
"Ling Xi, welcome to my home."
On the other side, Elysia had already brought Ling Xi to her home.
Of course, calling it her home was a stretch. It was really just her temporary residence at the research institute, definitely not her actual home.
Still...
Ling Xi carefully looked it over. Well, although it was not her real home, it had been decorated very warmly and had a distinctly feminine style!
And this three-bedroom, one-living-room layout was already more luxurious than many people's actual homes!
"So, what do you think? Not bad, right?"
Seeing Ling Xi looking around her home, Elysia smiled as she brought him a drink. "Everything in this home was arranged by me personally. So, does it suit your tastes?"
"It's very nice. It feels cozy."
Ling Xi nodded and gave a polite assessment as he took the drink Elysia handed him.
"Mm, mm, how perfunctory."
Elysia spread her hands, but did not say much else. She opened her drink and sat beside Ling Xi, smiling. "What do you think? Between my room and Mobius's room, whose is prettier?"
"I've never been to Doctor's room. How would I know?"
Ling Xi spread his hands, saying he had never been there. He did not spend much time in the lab to begin with, and who knew what secrets might be inside Mobius's room? What if he went in and never came back?
"Eh... you've never been there? I have."
Elysia looked disappointed, then suddenly leaned close to Ling Xi and smiled. "Say, would you like to leave Mobius's lab and come work for me? I know she only pays you eight thousand. As for me... hehe..."
Elysia held up two fingers!
"Two hundred thousand?"
Ling Xi asked curiously...
"Pfft..."
Elysia sprayed out her drink. "You really dare to dream, huh? Twenty thousand. And compared to Mobius's place, the work here is much easier."
"Sorry, not interested."
Ling Xi refused without hesitation. Was he working at Mobius's lab for the salary? Of course not! He was here for the powerful backing!
Although Elysia also counted as powerful backing, and would even rank second in the future, still...
Compared with Elysia, who spoke so casually that no one could tell whether she was telling the truth or lying, Ling Xi was more willing to trust his Doctor. At least... Mobius did not give people that dangerous feeling the moment she opened her mouth, unlike Elysia.
"Ah, how heartless. I invited you so sincerely, too."
Elysia helplessly spread her hands. Of course, she knew Ling Xi would not agree, but she still wanted to ask.
"Elysia, what exactly did you want from me?"
At this point, Ling Xi no longer wanted to keep probing Elysia. They were both smart people. Couldn't they just be more direct?
"Hehe, it really was nothing. I simply wanted to get to know you."
Elysia still wore that sweet smile. "Of course, I was a little interested in the power you used yesterday. After all, that was the first... no, the second time I'd seen that power. The first time... seemed to have been in a video from H City."
Ling Xi: "..."
Seriously, which idiot had filmed that video back then? If he had known this would happen, he would rather have skipped the reward than save those idiots!
"If you want to learn about my power, then I can only say you'll be disappointed."
Ling Xi sighed and smiled. "As for my power, I don't really understand it myself. Doctor Mobius is researching it right now, but there still haven't been any results. So if you ask me, all I can say is that I don't know."
"Hehe, those words might fool Mobius, but don't bother trying to fool me."
Elysia smiled faintly. "Your microexpressions just gave you away. So I'm certain of one thing: you... understand your own power very well. You simply... don't want to tell anyone else, right?"
"Think whatever you want."
Ling Xi helplessly spread his hands. He could not be bothered to explain too much. The more lies one told, the more loopholes there would be. At a time like this, silence was the best choice.
"Hehe..."
Seeing Ling Xi's reaction, Elysia smiled and did not continue the topic.
"Ling Xi, what I said earlier still stands."
At that, Elysia stretched lazily and smiled. "Whenever you want to come work for me, you can. I'll always keep a place for you."
"I appreciate the offer, but I rather like Doctor's lab right now, so no thanks."
Ling Xi still smiled as he refused. What a joke. Wasn't it great to slack off in Doctor's lab? Why change jobs for no reason?
"Ah, what a pity..."
Elysia put on a regretful smile, but she had no intention of continuing to persuade him. She could tell that Ling Xi genuinely wanted to stay with Mobius!
"Then... let's change the subject. For example..."
Elysia leaned slightly closer to Ling Xi and smiled. "What kind of person is Mobius? What exactly is she researching? Do you know the answers to those questions?"
"I do."
Ling Xi smiled and answered generously. "I know Doctor Mobius's research very well. She has not hidden anything from me. Although many people oppose and criticize it because they believe it is inhumane and violates human ethics and morality, Doctor's research has always been questioned, but..."
Ling Xi said calmly, "I don't think Doctor Mobius has done anything wrong. If I had to name her one mistake... it would be that she is too arrogant. Even when misunderstood, she cannot be bothered to explain herself."
"Is that so..."
Elysia was somewhat surprised that Ling Xi truly knew about Mobius's research. Then she asked, "Since you know all that, why do you still stay with her? Aren't you afraid that one day she'll suddenly feel inspired and decide to research you too?"
In truth, Elysia wanted to draw Ling Xi to her side. She was interested in his power, but she also wanted to protect him. After all, Mobius was a madwoman who could abandon anything for the sake of research!
Mobius could not possibly be uninterested in a power as strong and mysterious as Ling Xi's. So... Elysia was a little worried that one day, Mobius might have a lapse in judgment and coax Ling Xi into doing some strange experiments.
"Uh..."
Ling Xi scratched his head and asked, "But Doctor is already researching me, isn't she? My hair, blood, and some cells—aren't those enough for Doctor to study?"
"Mmph..."
Elysia could not really refute that. Normally, those samples would indeed be enough for scientific research, but... Mobius was absolutely not normal.
"Fine. Since you like staying with her, I won't say anything more."
In the end, Elysia smiled faintly. "But if you ever need help with anything, you can come find me anytime."
"Okay."
Faced with Elysia's goodwill, Ling Xi did not refuse. He nodded with a smile. "I understand. Thank you, Miss Elysi—"
"Hm!"
Elysia glared at Ling Xi...
"Elysia..."
Ling Xi hurriedly corrected himself, dropping the honorific.
"That's more like it..."
Elysia familiarly ruffled Ling Xi's hair and smiled. "All right, now that we've said everything, I won't keep you any longer. I have some other things to do, so you can go back now."
"Okay. See you another day, Elysia."
Since Elysia had issued an invitation to leave, Ling Xi naturally had no intention of lingering. After saying goodbye, he left directly...
As she watched Ling Xi gradually walk away, Elysia wore a meaningful smile. "Hehe, Ling Xi... Mobius, you really are something, making someone besides Klein support you so wholeheartedly..."
Five minutes later...
Mobius's laboratory.
"Doctor."
Klein opened the door to Laboratory Three and walked in.
"What is it, Klein?"
Mobius was busy transplanting Superpower Cells, so even though she heard Klein's voice, she did not turn around.
"There is a visitor."
Klein said quietly.
"A visitor?"
Mobius was clearly stunned. What was going on? Would anyone visit a place like hers, known as a den of demons? Usually, even delivery drivers did not dare bring food inside.
"Hi, Mobius! I came to hang out with you..."
Before Mobius could finish speaking, Elysia popped in from behind Klein. Waving as she smiled, she said, "How is it? You must be happy to have such a wonderful friend like me come see you, right? No need to thank me."
Mobius: "..."
"Klein, next time you let someone in, could you at least see clearly who it is first? This is not a guest."
Mobius looked displeased as she turned back to fiddle with her experimental equipment. "Go home, Elysia. I'm busy right now. I don't have time to argue with you."
"Oh my, honestly. You make me sound like some kind of bad person."
Elysia deliberately put on an aggrieved expression, then smiled again. "Don't worry, I didn't come here to argue with you. I... wanted to talk to you about Ling Xi."
Mobius merely glanced at Elysia, having no interest whatsoever in speaking with her. Ling Xi? What did my Ling Xi have to do with you?
"Oh, right, Mobius. Let me tell you something. Just five minutes ago..."
The corners of Elysia's lips curled up as she whispered, "Ling Xi had just left my home."
Mobius: "..."
"Put away your little tricks, Elysia. They won't work on me."
Although Mobius was slightly shaken, she obviously would not be easily deceived by Elysia. After all, nine out of ten things that came out of this girl's mouth were nonsense, and the remaining one was a lie.
"Oh my, why would I lie to you? After all... we're good friends."
As she spoke, Elysia took out her phone and opened the photo she had taken earlier of Ling Xi on her sofa. It clearly showed Ling Xi and Elysia sitting together, chatting with smiles on their faces...
Mobius: "(▼皿▼＃)"
Doctor Seemed a Little Unhappy...
The next day...
Ling Xi arrived at the lab early in the morning and swiped his card along the way...
"Ding!"
At last, he had not been late today.
Of course, Ling Xi had not come to the lab just to swipe his card. He was here for something else.
"Senior Klein, good morning."
Seeing Klein already sitting on the sofa and working, Ling Xi quickly went over.
"Mm, Ling Xi, good morning."
Before you continue