"Good morning."
"Welcome to the Black Mountain technology transportation system."
"This system provides institute personnel with a comfortable, safe riding environment."
"The time is now 9:37 a.m."
"The weather is clear. The outdoor temperature is 27 degrees Celsius, and the indoor temperature is 22 degrees Celsius..."
The students sat buckled into their seats, pressing their faces curiously against the glass to peer outside.
The train wasn't moving very fast as it traveled through a deep, dark tunnel.
From time to time, they could see workers beside the tracks welding something with torches.
"It's so deep!"
"I bet the whole mountain's been hollowed out."
"The institute's hidden in such a secret place. Even a beast tide couldn't break in, right?"
The students chattered away. Today had truly opened their eyes.
The fatty clicked his tongue in amazement. "My family's company has plenty of dealings with the Black Mountain Research Institute, but this is my first time here."
"I was even thinking about coming to the Black Mountain Research Institute for some experience after graduation, before going home to inherit the family business."
The fatty no longer had that idea.
Qin Ze remained calm throughout the trip.
Compared with the shock of seeing the shelter for the first time, this was a little witch before a great one.
"The train has arrived at platform one. Please disembark in an orderly manner."
After more than ten minutes, the train pulled up at the platform. Everyone got off and lined up, then followed a staff member forward.
"The real Black Mountain Research Institute begins here."
The group stood before a tightly shut alloy gate. The staff member gave a card a quick swipe, and the gate opened.
Inside was a spacious hall, where quite a few people could be seen hurrying back and forth.
A directory stood in the center, listing the research departments on each floor.
It showed that the institute had five floors in total. Qin Ze and the others were currently on the first floor, the reception hall.
"First, I'll take everyone to visit our specimen hall."
The group took the elevator down. The entire second floor was the specimen hall.
Specimens of exotic beasts in all shapes filled the transparent glass cases. Some were nothing but white skeletons.
Every exotic beast was enormous and ferocious-looking.
Even though they were cold corpses, they still exerted an immensely oppressive pressure on the students, who were just taking their first steps into the world.
"The specimen hall contains exotic beasts from F-rank all the way up to S-rank."
"By dissecting exotic beasts, we can learn their genetic sequences and cell strength, and thereby find their weaknesses."
"So martial artists aren't the only ones fighting exotic beasts. There are also vast numbers of researchers."
"Those of you who aren't taking the martial arts exam, don't lose heart. Get into a good university, and you're welcome to join us at the Black Mountain Research Institute after graduation."
The staff member soon began talking about the institute's advantages and various benefits.
Qin Ze could see it now. This wasn't a practical class at all; the institute was clearly advertising for recruits.
After visiting the specimen hall, the group went to the pill research and development department.
Through the transparent glass wall, they could see that every researcher inside looked tense.
They were covered from head to toe, with even their eyes protected by goggles.
"The pill research and development department mainly develops various healing medicines and Qi-Gathering Pills and the like for martial artists."
"Occasionally, we also receive orders from the front lines to develop the corresponding medicines."
"The pill research and development department is the most short-staffed right now. Those of you taking the academic exam can apply for a relevant major at university, and join us after graduation if you pass the interview."
The staff member was especially warm toward the students who weren't taking the martial arts exam, asking after their well-being in every way.
Crude martial brutes like Qin Ze and the others, meanwhile, were all left sitting on the cold bench.
"That bastard's way too pragmatic," the fatty complained.
Qin Ze smiled. "You're not the least bit useful to them. It's good enough that they let you tag along for the tour. What more could you ask for, a bicycle?"
After visiting the research and development department, Qin Ze felt an urgent need to pee.
"Teacher, I need to use the bathroom."
The staff member said, "Go straight back there and turn right."
He wasn't worried that Qin Ze would go somewhere he shouldn't.
The institute had a door every few meters or so. Without an access card, he couldn't get anywhere.
"Brother Ze, wait for me!"
The fatty followed him.
Besides the fatty, Qin Ze also saw the class monitor.
"Qin Ze, will you come to my birthday party next week?" the class monitor asked.
"Sorry, the martial arts exam is coming up. I still need to cultivate," Qin Ze replied.
"I see." The light in the class monitor's eyes dimmed a little.
Qin Ze and the fatty stood side by side taking a leak. The fatty said, "The class monitor likes you. Can't you tell?"
Qin Ze said, "The three great illusions in life: my phone vibrated, I can turn this fight around, and she likes me."
The fatty sighed with endless feeling. "You really won't take oil or salt!"
After giving himself a shake, Qin Ze washed his hands and left the bathroom.
The lights in the corridor suddenly went out, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every door on the floor shut. Only the emergency lights on the walls flashed red, accompanied by a piercing alarm.
"What's going on? Did they forget to pay the electric bill?"
In the pitch darkness, the fatty tripped.
Qin Ze said, "Let's wait."
He couldn't see his hand in front of his face, and he didn't know his way around.
Other than waiting for the power to return, there was nothing else they could do.
Just then, the overhead broadcast sounded.
"A transformer has malfunctioned. Staff are carrying out emergency repairs."
"Please remain where you are and do not wander around. Things will return to normal shortly."
The fatty shook the water from his hands. "We really are unlucky. We run into everything."
Qin Ze frowned slightly. His sixth sense was warning him.
Bang!
A loud crash suddenly came from the women's bathroom next door, as if something had hit the floor.
A scream followed.
"Ah-"
It was the class monitor.
Qin Ze and the fatty hurried into the women's bathroom.
By the faint red glow of the emergency lights outside, Qin Ze saw the class monitor slumped on the floor.
A panel from the ceiling ventilation duct had fallen, smashing two tiles.
A short distance in front of the class monitor, a hunched humanoid creature was letting out a series of threatening growls.
"Th-that... what is that thing?" the fatty asked, his voice trembling.
The light was too dim to make out its face.
Qin Ze thought its outline looked a little familiar.
"Roar-"
After a brief standoff, it lunged at the class monitor on the floor.
Qin Ze unleashed the first layer of the Fate Reversal Technique in an instant and met its punch head-on.
With a bang, both sides staggered back at the same time.
In the flash of a spark, Qin Ze grabbed the class monitor's arm and used the momentum to pull her behind him.
At close range, Qin Ze finally got a clear look at it.
It was a man under thirty, all his hair gone and his skin sallow.
He wore blue-and-white hospital clothes, and his chest badge bore the number three.
"An altered one!"
Qin Ze's brows knitted tightly.
He had transformed, but not completely.
The guy in front of him still looked very different from the Mutated Ones in the Otherworld.
He was more like a castrated version.
Qin Ze had an ominous feeling.
Was the disaster of the Mutated Ones in the Otherworld going to repeat itself in reality too?