156: Chapter 2: Fruit Dissection

Zhuang Wen led Su Wuming through layers of guards, then quickly changed into clean white sterile suits.

Afterward, the two entered a room full of people, none of whom spoke, only staring intently ahead.

Su Wuming also subconsciously looked over, only to see a gaunt young man on the other side, separated by just a pane of glass, staring venomously in their direction.

Although he didn't know if the other party could see them, the venomous resentment in their eyes was startling.

But even more startling was that the young man's chest had been completely dissected open.

That heart, covered in bizarre patterns, was still beating vigorously, as if everyone's heart was being pulled by it.

But unlike the people around him, Su Wuming had a look of astonishment; he actually felt a trace of familiar aura on the young man.

He had never encountered this feeling before. One must know that he was now a mechanical life form, no longer the same race as humans or these so-called Devil Fruit Ability Users.

But why did he feel familiar with this young man? As he released his senses, he actually detected a few more extremely faint familiar auras.

"You'll know when you meet them!"

For some reason, Su Wuming's mind recalled the figure in the junkyard back then, the one like a god.

"Are they the sequence before me?"

Su Wuming guessed, but quickly dismissed the idea, "Impossible, how could these weak people be those existences?"

Just he himself had such power and strength in a short time, let alone those existences before him. Could any of them be weak?

Just as he was lost in thought, a scream suddenly rang out.

Su Wuming snapped back to reality. Through the glass, he clearly saw everything happening on the other side.

He saw precise instruments, like surgical tools, extracting the other party's heart.

The moment the person's heart was removed, they let out a blood-curdling scream, like a demon roaring.

The instant the heart was removed, the person's body began to age at a visible speed, but a healthy heart was taken from the side and placed into them.

With the new heart, the person's condition somewhat improved, but judging by their appearance, they probably wouldn't last long.

"Experiment concluded!"

As the lights on the other side dimmed, everyone seemed to wake up from a dream.

Su Wuming, however, frowned tightly. He gave Zhuang Wen a deep look, "You guys..."

Before he could finish, Zhuang Wen provided an explanation, "Su Boss, these people are all those who swallowed devil fruit and committed evil deeds."

He naturally knew the meaning in Su Wuming's eyes. "Some Devil Fruit Ability Users have joined the military and are under our control, while others, after gaining abilities, have harmed society. So, these people can be considered atoning for their sins."

Su Wuming remained silent, not speaking. He didn't fully believe Zhuang Wen's words; human progress couldn't be achieved without shedding blood.

"Let's go, it's time for the meeting!"

Zhuang Wen led Su Wuming with the flow of people to a conference room. A white-haired Elder stepped forward and began reporting the summary of the recent experiment.

"After multiple experiments, it is now confirmed that the heart of a Devil Fruit Ability User is the source of their power, equivalent to the devil fruit's main body."

"Even if the heart is removed and replaced with a new one, the bearer can live for a maximum of three months."

"Furthermore, we speculate that if this mutated heart is swallowed, there is an 80% chance of becoming a new Devil Fruit Ability User."

Zhuang Wen explained the previous experiment's conclusions to Su Wuming on the side, "That person just now was a death row inmate we found. After making them swallow the fruit, this point was also confirmed."

Su Wuming nodded slightly. Although these few sentences were simple, he knew that behind them was definitely a lot of bloodshed.

He didn't have any emotional reaction to this. "What do you plan to do next?"

"..."

"The above is the summary of this experiment. Since even different people cannot reduce the side effects, we only have one direction left."

That Elder said with a solemn expression, "In a moment, we will dissect a devil fruit and attempt to achieve a Breakthrough by studying its essence."

"Chen Lao, that devil fruit disappears even if you just take a bite. If we dissect it rashly, what if the devil fruit disappears or directly loses its original ability?"

"Yes, Chen Lao, we absolutely cannot dissect a devil fruit until the very last step."

"Nonsense! Humans, animals, and even demon beasts have eaten it, and we still can't solve the side effects."

"Without a new Breakthrough point, are we just idling here?"

Some people also voiced different opinions, but such people were ultimately few.

Su Wuming, however, was a bit puzzled. "Why not give it a try?"

In his opinion, the Military Department should have quite a few Devil Fruit Ability Users, after all, this was the official authority.

"According to reports from above, there are twenty Devil Fruit Ability Users in the Military Department. It seems to be due to some holy war, and they are currently being trained."

Zhuang Wen said with a somewhat dejected expression, "If it weren't for this devil fruit's weak ability and the fact that we happened to have this extra one, otherwise even we wouldn't have gotten it."

"Once there's a loss, not only will it be hard to report, but we ourselves could also be disbanded on the spot."

Su Wuming had a sudden realization. He had also noticed this point when he had Su Yao collect information before.

With his current status and strength, he actually didn't have the slightest clue about this devil fruit.

If the Military Department hadn't come looking for him, he wouldn't have noticed this thing at all.

"That's why we're stuck in a Bottleneck. Otherwise, we wouldn't have sought out civilian experts like you, Su Boss."

Su Wuming smiled slightly and didn't reply, just focused his attention on the Elder in front, seemingly anticipating something.

"We must achieve a Breakthrough this time, otherwise we can only give up on the devil fruit line."

Chen Lao's eyes were full of determination. "If we fail, I, this old man, will bear the consequences alone."

Everyone's expression changed. Someone wanted to say something but was interrupted by this old man.

"This matter is settled. Rest for a while, and we'll set off once they are ready."

"Understood!"

About half an hour passed. Soon, a man in military uniform came and whispered a few words to Chen Lao before leaving.

Chen Lao nodded and led everyone to another laboratory. Su Wuming and Zhuang Wen just followed among the crowd.

"So cautious?"

"No one knows what will happen, so we must be cautious."

Zhuang Wen said solemnly. Soon, everyone arrived at a laboratory, about three to four hundred square meters.

Inside stood four people in military uniforms with extraordinary bearing. Just a glance at them created an inexplicable pressure. That strange heart was suspended among the four people.

As everyone entered, the laboratory was completely sealed. Su Wuming could feel that it was enveloped by a strange energy.