Structure

Structure Diagram

The terms of cooperation between Hong Mo and the research institute were quite simple.

On the condition that no irreparable damage was inflicted upon him, Hong Mo had to assist the institute with any research concerning his person. In exchange, Hong Mo would be granted access to the research results. Additionally, he could utilize the institute's facilities to master the power within his body.

Naturally, the cooperation between the two parties could not be legally binding; it was merely a verbal agreement. Implementation would inevitably require adjustments based on practical circumstances, but that was a concern for the future.

For the time being, Hong Mo and Luo Meiyue—or rather, the Northern Institute Research Center—had entered into a friendly relationship.

"Then, I'll have someone send a set of clothes down for you. We can discuss the detailed arrangements once you've rested." Although Luo Meiyue's eyes gleamed with excitement now that the deal was struck, she did not let it show on her face.

As the call ended, Hong Mo sat quietly in his chair, contemplating the pros and cons of the situation.

Cooperation might be a good thing; otherwise, whether he could even get out of here was a question in itself. Hong Mo was not naive enough to believe those few superpowered individuals were the entirety of the facility's defenses. Perhaps it was because he had woken up so suddenly and was already deep within the institute that their defensive forces had been caught off guard.

"Dad, I'm going to take him some clothes. You handle his living arrangements." Luo Meiyue turned and flashed a V-sign at her father.

"You trust him that easily? Aren't you afraid he's just pretending to agree so he can find an opportunity to escape the institute?" Luo Bingyi stared at his daughter, puzzled.

"If he's smart enough, he would never do that. Individual heroism doesn't work in this era, unless his power can truly topple society—but do you think that's possible?"

"I'm just afraid he's foolish and not smart enough." Luo Bingyi muttered vaguely, though he didn't argue with his daughter and went off to make the arrangements. It was quite frustrating; he was the director of the institute, yet ever since his daughter began to display her talent, she was always the one calling the shots on major decisions.

She was his daughter, and the more outstanding she was, the prouder he felt. Yet, what was this faint sense of loss in the bottom of his heart?

Initially, Hong Mo's plan had indeed been to use the cooperation as an opportunity to escape. However, after thinking it over for a while, he dismissed the idea. The terms of the cooperation were very lenient, so once it began, there would be plenty of opportunities to leave; there was no need to break his word. Besides, staying to try out a genuine collaboration wasn't a bad idea—perhaps it would truly be of help to him.

Ten minutes later, Luo Meiyue entered the Special Research Department carrying a set of clothes.

Face to face, Hong Mo finally experienced the concise and capable aura radiating from this woman.

"I need to change. Aren't you going to look away?" Hong Mo said after taking the clothes.

"What's the big deal? I've already seen you naked." Luo Meiyue showed no signs of inhibition, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Hong Mo.

Tch. Since the woman herself didn't care, Hong Mo couldn't be bothered to say anything else and simply pulled off his lab coat. Hong Mo didn't even notice that since becoming a superpowered individual, his thoughts were rarely constrained by social etiquette, becoming increasingly unrestrained.

"You're injured?" Luo Meiyue looked at the dozen or so wounds of varying sizes on Hong Mo's body in surprise. After such a long time, the bleeding had stopped, leaving behind terrifying, dark red scars.

"Weren't they sent by you? You didn't know?" Hong Mo frowned slightly, and only after realizing Luo Meiyue was genuinely unaware did he ask.

"Them? Oh, you mean the people from the Special Security Squad? It's like this: the director only has the authority to mobilize them when the institute is under threat. Aside from that, they have no obligation to report to us. When they came up earlier, their faces were sour; why would they explain anything to me?" Luo Meiyue looked at him as if he were missing the obvious.

"Hmph, that's to be expected. I killed one of their teammates." Hong Mo stared intently into Luo Meiyue's eyes as he spoke. He wanted to know her stance on this fact.

"I only care about research. I can't be bothered with anything else, nor do I have any interest in it. Does that make sense to you?" Luo Meiyue explained simply.

Hong Mo nodded.

"I think you shouldn't bother with clothes. Just come with me to the sixth underground level. There's Repair Fluid there that can accelerate your physical recovery." Luo Meiyue spoke as if she were saving him the trouble.

Hong Mo remained unmoved and silently put on the clothes.

"Lead the way." Hong Mo also wanted to experience the effects of the Repair Fluid Luo Meiyue had mentioned.

"Repair Fluid is a commonly used culture medium for accelerating physical recovery, a product jointly developed by several major research institutes in the Celestial Empire. Inside the fluid, the body's recovery speed is ten to twenty times faster than normal, though the specific effect varies depending on individual constitution. Of course, there are many products developed by other countries internationally, and the effects are much the same." As they walked, Luo Meiyue explained to Hong Mo.

"What's the deal with that woman in white?" Hong Mo suddenly asked.

"Woman in white? Who are you talking about?" Luo Meiyue asked, confused.

"The Special Security Squad I fought earlier—the woman in white." Hong Mo hadn't forgotten how the muscular man's wounds had healed rapidly under the woman's milky-white light. Such an ability was practically that of a priest in a game.

"You mean her? Fei Yan, 24 years old, healing-type superpowered individual, currently Level 3."

"Healing-type superpowered individual, Level 3?" The more she explained, the more questions Hong Mo had.

"Yes, that's the classification method for superpowers, as well as the leveling system. If you hadn't had a conflict with them, having her treat you would be a great idea. Your injuries would heal very quickly, but..."

Hong Mo naturally knew what the "but" implied. He had killed one of their teammates; expecting them to heal him would be insane.

I know that without you saying it. Hong Mo grumbled inwardly. He wanted to know the detailed classification of superpowers, but it was clear Luo Meiyue was not in the mood to explain it to him right now. Following Luo Meiyue, the two stepped into an elevator.

"These are common knowledge. I have no interest in explaining them to you in detail. When you have time, you can look up the data yourself," Luo Meiyue said inside the elevator.

Hong Mo nodded. "Didn't you say we were going to the sixth underground level? Why are we going up?" Hong Mo asked, feeling the gravity shift as the elevator ascended.

"The Northern Institute Research Center is built underground. The top is the surface, levels one through seven, followed by a thousand-meter vertical shaft connecting to the Special Research Department. Within the Special Research Department, eight directions connect to eight Sub-nests. The place where you were kept in the culture tank earlier was one of those Sub-nests." Luo Meiyue tapped the elevator panel, and a screen appeared showing the structure of the institute.

So advanced? Hong Mo looked at the structure diagram in surprise. A small white dot was moving rapidly upward—this must be the elevator he and Luo Meiyue were in.

"Don't mind it. It's nothing special, not as advanced as you imagine; it's just some simple applications," Luo Meiyue explained, as if she knew what Hong Mo was thinking.

Is that so?

Suddenly, the two fell silent.

What neither of them knew was that shortly after Luo Meiyue had left the upper levels, a group of special forces soldiers had broken into the institute from the outside. In a very short time, this group of soldiers had seized control of the entire facility.