Talent

For a Plague Exterminator, the most important thing is not powerful Plague Extermination Art or superior medical knowledge.

When facing a plague, a steady hand holding the scalpel and a mindset that refuses to falter—that is what matters most.

At the very least, in this regard, Zhou Zhi felt that Yu Jinhai still had some redeeming qualities.

Boom.

As spiritual power tore through the skin, Yu Jinhai's blade let out a metallic screech.

The sudden impact sent a shock through Zhou Zhi's heart.

The towering body of [Pathogen: Meng Ling] actually trembled for a brief moment.

But simultaneously, some viscous liquid, even tinged with blood, flowed from Yu Jinhai's mouth.

[Yu Jinhai's degree of pathologization has increased].

Zhou Zhi sliced through the Mucus Men that Lei Heng and the others had turned into, his expression turning grave.

"The reason a Pathogen is a higher tier than a Disease Seed is that its ability to spread pathologization is significantly enhanced."

Engaging in battle with a plague increases the pathologization index.

This was something Zhou Zhi was certain of.

And with high-level Pathogens, this increase in pathologization becomes increasingly violent.

In just that single exchange, Yu Jinhai's pathologization index had risen by more than fifteen percentage points.

If not for his Plague Armor, it might have been even higher.

"Damn this plague!"

Yu Jinhai gritted his teeth, his blade sweeping through the air.

He passed through the gap.

"We're going too!"

Zhou Zhi raised his scalpel.

The ground was covered in the shredded flesh of Mucus Men, and the repulsive sense of contamination made Xia Yu extremely uncomfortable.

However, Zhou Zhi did not care; what he cared about was that [Bai Xiu]'s scalpel was on the verge of shattering.

Just like Bai Xiu's talentless life, it was teetering on the brink of collapse.

Xia Yu held her breath and ran forward.

ROAR!!!

Yu Jinhai's speed was too fast; in an instant, he vanished into the stairwell leading to the third floor.

The towering Pathogen—Meng Ling—appeared extremely furious. Although its expression remained numb, it locked onto a new target in an instant!

Zhou Zhi!

"This is a bit troublesome."

Zhou Zhi's expression shifted slightly.

Only by experiencing it firsthand could one feel the terror of a Pathogen.

That sensation filled with contamination made his nasal cavity and throat feel blocked.

Streaks of blood surged.

[Pathologization index rising]!

[Pathologization index rising]!

The speed was too fast.

A hand lifted Zhou Zhi directly into the air.

Zhou Zhi did not panic; he raised the Ash Box with his left hand and forcefully flipped the switch.

A scent—an exotic fragrance to Zhou Zhi, but a foul stench to those around him—emerged.

Rotten meat fell, landing directly on the Pathogen's face.

Awoo?

The Pathogen—Meng Ling—was stunned, then began to chew.

It emitted a sound of satisfaction.

"That actually works?"

To the right, Xia Yu was dumbfounded.

Zhou Zhi landed steadily and ran forward.

Behind him was another Plague Exterminator, Lin Rui, who also looked surprised, though her expression vanished in a flash.

It was only tinged with a hint of sorrow.

She had thought this was just an ordinary internship; she had never imagined that things would turn out like this.

Under the radiant light of the Medical Department, such things could still happen within the Xuanyuan territory.

The classmates who had once formed a team together had ended up like this...

Lin Rui shook her head.

Why think about so much right now?

Lin Rui felt herself coming back to her senses.

She felt as if her nerves had grown sluggish.

Her condition was poor, what was going on...

"Mr. Zhou Zhi... over there..."

Standing at the intersection leading to the third floor, Xia Yu pointed toward the other side, trembling slightly.

Zhou Zhi's expression shifted.

That female Plague Exterminator was already wrong.

Because...

[Lin Rui].

[Pathogenization Index: 67.3%].

At some unknown point, Lin Rui's Pathogenization Index had begun to skyrocket.

Crackle, crackle.

The sound of static rang out.

Pathogenization contamination spread.

"What... is going on..."

Lin Rui spoke, staring at the giant pathogen ahead.

Her tongue seemed to be tied, a feeling of increasing obscurity surging within her.

Her vision was beginning to blur with double images.

Pathogenized... was she?

When exactly did it start?

Just when...

Zhou Zhi watched as a large number of organs resembling tracheae writhed and spread across Lin Rui's petite frame.

Mucus flowed from the female student's nostrils and eye sockets, her gaze gradually turning vacant.

The source was...

The [Communicator] that was still emitting the crackling sound of static.

"Go."

Zhou Zhi did not look back.

As expected.

Caused by the fact that all things could be pathogenized, anything could become a source of contamination.

Although Lin Rui had already pathogenized, Zhou Zhi still very much wanted the Plague-Slaying Blade at the female Plague Exterminator's waist; it was just a pity that with two monsters blocking the way, it was basically impossible to obtain it now.

Furthermore...

It seemed that [Pathogen-Meng Ling] was very afraid of the third floor.

Even when he saw Zhou Zhi and Xia Yu running toward the third floor, Meng Ling only roared and chased them to the entrance of the third floor.

It was as if he were merely there to stand guard, nothing more.

Third floor.

Xia Yu gasped for air, leaning against the wall.

Her nerves were stretched to the breaking point.

Death was truly far too easy.

Even Lei Heng, who had been at constant odds with her along the way, had pathogenized with such ease.

Life, in the face of disease, was so worthless.

Zhou Zhi stepped up the stairs.

Not far away, Yu Jinhai was clutching his Plague-Slaying Blade, panting for breath; he turned his head to see the two of them, his eyes flickering.

"Where is Lin Rui?"

"Why are the two of you the ones coming up?"

Zhou Zhi's expression remained unchanged.

"The Plague Exterminator... has pathogenized."

Yu Jinhai's expression turned hideous upon hearing this.

"How... how is that possible!"

He simply could not believe such a thing.

"She had a hazmat suit on, when exactly did it start!"

Zhou Zhi had absolutely no reason to lie to him.

And it was only one floor away.

Yu Jinhai had no choice but to accept this reality.

Zhu Xie, Meng Ling, Lin Rui...

They were all dead.

Such a reality.

Why, why did they have to die in a godforsaken place like this?

What on earth happened?

Even Yu Jinhai's eyes brimmed with despair.

No!

They could die!

I must survive!

I want to become a Plague Exterminator!

I want to live!

Yu Jinhai gripped his Plague-Slaying Blade.

"You two, get moving to the front!"

Xia Yu looked indignant: "Plague Exterminators are meant to protect the public, you can't—"

Zhou Zhi felt that there was something truly wrong with Xia Yu's brain, but he remained silent.

"Shut up!"

Yu Jinhai appeared frantic: "You talentless trash, shut your mouths!"

"I am useful to Xuanyuan, to humanity; I am a future pillar of society!"

"You lot should be the ones shielding my life!"

"I am ordering you now, you must go in front!"

"Otherwise, I will kill you right here."

Yu Jinhai's voice was cold and manic.

"I am a Medical Student majoring in [Cardiac] surgery; I can do it with ease."

Right now, his Plague-Slaying Blade was not pointed at the plague.

It was pointed at Zhou Zhi and Xia Yu.

Zhou Zhi raised his hands.

"I understand, Mr. Plague Exterminator."

Zhou Zhi spoke calmly: "For the future of humanity, for the seed of the Plague Exterminators, this is our honor."

With that, he led Xia Yu toward the front.

Coming into view were several large characters.

Jet-black and gilded, they looked like writhing snakes.

[Dean's Office].