29: Chapter 29 Meeting

The meeting lasted a full hour.

Tao Zhe stood in front of the projection screen, detailing all his experiences in the Otherworld.

"First, regarding the gems we brought back—"

He clicked the remote control, and a photo of the crystal core was displayed on the screen:

"After preliminary research, Su Mingyuan suggested officially naming them 'crystal core', and we have always agreed with this proposal."

"Because essentially, they are a type of highly compressed energy crystal."

"Their energy density far exceeds any energy source currently known to us."

Several special envoys in the conference room leaned forward slightly.

Obviously, they were extremely concerned about this topic.

"The origin of the crystal core—"

Tao Zhe continued:

"According to our observation and analysis, these crystal cores exist within the bodies of zombies."

"Specifically, they are in the brain region of the zombies."

"Preliminary judgment suggests it may be related to some unknown mutation mechanism."

"But not all zombies have crystal cores."

He pulled up another picture:

"We found that only those zombies that have undergone obvious mutations will produce crystal cores."

"Moreover, the higher the degree of zombie mutation, the better the quality of the crystal core and the more abundant its energy."

A special envoy raised a hand to ask:

"Professor Tao, is there any pattern to the mutations of these zombies?"

"It is still unclear for the time being."

Tao Zhe shook his head:

"But we speculate that it may be related to time, environment, or some factor we do not yet understand."

"This requires more samples and data to study."

He turned to the next page:

"Most importantly, we found the crystal core energy extraction and conversion device!"

What?!

Everyone was shocked.

Zhao Jianguo suddenly stood up:

"You mean you found the crystal core energy extraction and conversion device?!"

"Yes."

Tao Zhe nodded:

"In that research institute, we discovered a complete set of energy conversion equipment."

"Although the equipment has stopped running, the structure is complete and the principle is clear."

"Our technical team has already conducted preliminary analysis and recording of it."

He took a deep breath:

"As long as you give us enough time and resources—"

"We can completely replicate this set of technology!"

"Even improve and optimize it!"

Zhao Jianguo's eyes lit up.

He turned to those special envoys:

"Did you hear that?"

"What does this mean?"

A special envoy stood up, tone excited:

"This means that as long as we can obtain a large number of crystal cores."

"Our Daxia's current energy dilemma can be completely resolved!"

"Correct!"

Zhao Jianguo slammed the table:

"This is not just about solving the energy problem!"

"This is..."

His voice was full of pride:

"An opportunity to change the nation's destiny!"

In the conference room, the atmosphere became lively.

Everyone realized.

What this mission brought back was not just technology, but the hope of changing the destiny of the entire country.

"Professor Tao."

A special envoy spoke:

"How long will it take to replicate this set of technology?"

"Conservatively estimated, one month."

Tao Zhe answered seriously:

"If resources are sufficient and personnel are in place."

"Perhaps it can be shortened to half a month, or even a week."

"Good!"

That special envoy immediately made a decision:

"I will immediately report to Central Command."

"All the resources you need will be fully allocated!"

"Personnel, equipment, funds, as long as you request them, we will give them to you!"

Tao Zhe nodded:

"Then I won't be polite."

Just as the atmosphere was lively—

Zhao Jianguo suddenly turned his head and looked at Su Mingyuan:

"Little Su."

"Is the opening time of the next portal still three days later?"

Su Mingyuan was just about to say "yes"—

when he froze.

Because of his very depressed mood earlier, he actually hadn't paid attention to the countdown.

At this moment—

he subconsciously looked at the numbers.

[166:51:11]

Su Mingyuan's pupils shrank.

Wait...

He calculated quickly.

166 hours...

That is...

"What's wrong?"

Zhao Jianguo noticed his expression:

"Is there any problem?"

"Time..."

Su Mingyuan's voice was a bit dry:

"The time has changed."

"What?"

"The interval between portal openings... has changed."

Su Mingyuan raised his head and looked at everyone:

"Originally it was 72 hours, which is three days."

"But now—"

He took a deep breath:

"It has become 168 hours."

"Seven days."

What?!

In the conference room, there was an uproar.

"Why did it change?!"

"What caused it?!"

"What impact does this have on the plan?!"

Everyone began to talk among themselves.

Zhao Jianguo frowned:

"Little Su, are you sure?"

"Sure."

Su Mingyuan nodded:

"The countdown is displayed very clearly."

"There are still 166 hours and 51 minutes until the next opening."

"That is seven days."

Tao Zhe pondered for a moment:

"Could it be because... we stayed in the Otherworld longer this time?"

"Or—"

He looked at Su Mingyuan:

"Related to some change in you?"

Su Mingyuan shook his head:

"I'm not sure either."

Su Mingyuan was silent for a moment.

Then, he slowly spoke:

"I vaguely have a feeling—"

"The next portal will last longer."

He raised his head and looked at the crowd:

"Moreover, the size of the portal... will also be larger."

"Oh?"

Tao Zhe's eyes lit up, his face showing joy:

"If that's really the case, that would be great!"

"A larger portal and a longer duration."

"This means we can send more troops in!"

"We can transport more equipment and supplies!"

"Even—"

He stood up excitedly:

"We can build a Forward Base!"

"Establish a real stronghold in the Otherworld!"

Zhao Jianguo also nodded:

"This idea is not bad."

"If the portal really expands as Little Su said, our tactical choices will be much more."

The meeting continued for a while longer.

Heads of various departments spoke one after another, discussing the subsequent arrangements.

Material allocation, personnel selection, technological research, equipment improvement...

Every single item was related to the success or failure of the next mission.

But Zhao Jianguo, who was chairing the meeting, looked at the time.

It was almost evening.

The core content of the meeting had basically been discussed.

Time could no longer be wasted.

Various departments must be mobilized as soon as possible to complete various preparatory tasks and make full preparations for entering the Zombie World next time.

So he looked around the audience:

"Comrades."

"Today's meeting ends here."

"Is there anything else? If there is nothing else—"

"The meeting is over."

Just as everyone was getting ready to stand up—

"Commander Zhao."

A voice sounded.

Everyone turned to look.

It was Su Mingyuan.

He raised his hand:

"I have something to say."

"Go ahead."

Zhao Jianguo looked at him.

Su Mingyuan took a deep breath:

"I want to go to person's home."

"I promised him—"

His voice choked a bit:

"To hand the military merit medal over to his mother."