209: Institute of Biology

"It's basically been resolved," Li Wei answered affirmatively, his tone calm. "Many high-quality farmlands within Xijiang Province have resumed planting. More importantly, our Legion's research institute has successfully cultivated multiple types of staple grain seeds that don't depend on specific seasons, have short growth cycles, and high yields, and they have already been promoted and applied on a large scale."

"What?! They can be planted regardless of the season?! Is... is this true?" a biological expert cried out in surprise, so excited he almost stood up from his seat. "May... may I ask, can we... learn this technology?" He looked at Li Wei with a burning gaze, as if seeing the hope of solving the national food crisis.

"Of course!" Li Wei's answer was decisive. "Our Commander-in-Chief Jiang has given clear instructions: for any key technology concerning people's livelihoods, the Red Alert Legion is willing to open it up to all compatriots. We welcome experts from all sides to come and exchange ideas and learn, working together for the future of humanity!"

"That's wonderful! Wonderful! Many thanks to Commander-in-Chief Jiang! He is truly magnanimous; his contribution will last for generations!" That expert thanked him repeatedly. For scholars like them who were dedicated to research, nothing was more exciting than being able to obtain and promote advanced technology that benefited the country and the people.

Amidst the crowd's sighs of emotion and conversation, the bus slowly stopped in front of an extremely uniquely shaped building. Everyone got off and stood there, all of them marveling at it. The design inspiration for this building clearly came from the DNA double helix structure. The streamlined silver exterior walls intertwined and spiraled upward, stretching toward the sky, shining with a futuristic metallic luster under the sun, beautiful and full of technological flair.

At this moment, the doors of the research institute opened, and a group of people walked out quickly, most of them researchers in white lab coats. The leader was a spirited middle-aged man with wise eyes, who was a veteran Engineer of the Red Alert Legion and the current director of the Biological Research Institute—Hu Jingming.

"Everyone, this is our base's chief biological expert, the director of the Biological Research Institute, Engineer Hu Jingming," Li Wei introduced enthusiastically.

"Director Hu, hello! I've heard so much about you! I am Li Zhiyuan." Professor Li immediately stepped forward and reached out both hands to shake Hu Jingming's hand firmly.

"Professor Li, hello, hello! Welcome, colleagues, to visit and guide us!" Hu Jingming's face was brimming with a warm smile as he gripped back firmly.

"Engineer Hu, I'll leave the experts to you. I still have military matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you further," Li Wei said politely to Hu Jingming. "Tonight's banquet is at the Longxing Hotel; please make sure all the experts attend on time."

"Don't worry, Officer Li, I'll definitely bring them. You go ahead with your business." After Hu Jingming saw Li Wei off, he warmly invited the Kyoto expert group into the interior of the research institute.

Inside the Biological Research Institute, it was clean and bright, with various advanced instruments and equipment arranged in an orderly fashion. Hu Jingming took Li Zhiyuan and his group directly to the core crystal core analysis laboratory, pointing at the precision instruments one by one as he began his explanation.

"As all of you colleagues know, the zombie crystal cores left behind after zombies die contain a peculiar energy." Hu Jingming got straight to the point, his voice echoing clearly in the quiet laboratory. All the experts immediately pricked up their ears, their expressions focused.

"This energy is very special; it can not only modify the genetic structure of biological organisms but also stimulate them to produce extraordinary abilities." He paused and looked around at everyone. "But according to our current research, this modification has great uncertainty and risk. The most direct negative result is zombification. We can understand it this way: the zombie virus itself is like a key that forcibly opens the door to human genetic evolution, but in the early stages, the vast majority of individuals who could not withstand or adapt to this sudden change lost control and mutated into bloodthirsty monsters."

The experts from Kyoto nodded one after another; this coincided with their research conclusions in Kyoto.

"And now, it needs to be made clear that the zombie virus in the atmosphere of Blue Star has not disappeared; it still exists and is continuously and subtly changing the entire planet's ecological environment and all living things," Hu Jingming said with a solemn tone.

"Currently, among ordinary humans, a very small number of individual cases have appeared where they have naturally undergone evolution without absorbing crystal core energy." Hu Jingming threw out a thought-provoking viewpoint. "Of course, this phenomenon is not unique to Xijiang; there are sporadic reports from all over. But the proportion of these people is extremely low, and the direction of evolution and the strength of their abilities have a high degree of randomness."

He shifted the topic: "As far as the current stage is concerned, absorbing the energy of zombie crystal cores through controllable means is still the fastest and most common way to guide human evolution and obtain the power to fight zombies."

Then, he finally cut to the theme everyone was most concerned about: "And the core principle of the anti-virus serum we invented is precisely based on in-depth research of crystal core energy and the zombie virus. It is essentially a specific biological agent capable of reversing the malignant genetic mutation process caused by the zombie virus and neutralizing its activity."

Hearing this, all the Kyoto experts were greatly energized, their eyes fixed on Hu Jingming and the crystal core substance extraction process being operated by the institute's researchers at his signal.

"We have named this key substance in the crystal core 'Crystal Essence'," Hu Jingming continued his in-depth explanation. "We believe that this is a special structure formed in the body of an organism after it undergoes mutation under the influence of the zombie virus, serving as a medium that can attract, gather, and transform some unknown energy in the universe..."

Time flew by amidst focused listening, intense discussion, and hands-on experimental operation. When Hu Jingming clapped his hands to interrupt everyone's immersion, the lights were already coming on outside the window.

"Colleagues—" Hu Jingming raised his voice with a smile.

The experts, who still hadn't had enough, finally snapped back from their state of self-forgetfulness and looked at him.

"It's getting late; let's stop today's exchange here. Please follow me to dinner first, and we will continue tomorrow." Hu Jingming's tone was gentle but left no room for doubt.

"Director Hu, this... we've just grasped a bit of a clue and reached a critical point. Look... could you let us stay a little longer?" Professor Li Zhiyuan's face was full of reluctance as he spoke almost pleadingly.

"Yes, Professor Hu, the train of thought has just been straightened out; let us verify it a bit more..." Other scholars also chimed in, none of them willing to leave this laboratory full of mysteries.

"Hahaha!" Hu Jingming laughed. "Everyone, the mysteries of the crystal cores and the serum are broad and profound, definitely not something that can be exhausted in a single day. The road of research is long and requires abundant energy. The base has already prepared a sumptuous banquet for everyone, with many rare and high-end ingredients. Please do us the honor of attending; it can also be considered a way to relax your tense nerves."

As the saying goes, it's hard to refuse such kind hospitality, and since the host had already invited them multiple times, although the Kyoto experts' hearts were still on their research, they also understood social etiquette. It wasn't good to keep declining, so they began to change clothes and undergo the cleaning and disinfection procedures before leaving the institute.

Outside the research institute, Ye Qingwen and the other accompanying Evolvers had been waiting for a long time. Li Wei also brought several high-ranking military officers from the base to accompany them, and they headed to the Longxing Hotel together.

The hotel's decoration was simple yet grand, not causing too much surprise to the experts who had seen the world. However, when the dishes were served one by one, everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes and secretly swallow their saliva.

Whole mutated sheep roasted to a golden crisp with a fragrant aroma, first-tier mutated snake soup with a milky white and incredibly fresh broth, and delicacies meticulously prepared with various rare mutated beast meats... these ingredients, which could be called top-tier luxuries in the apocalypse, were presented before their eyes in a dazzling array.

For a moment, this group of old scholars, who were usually rigorous and even a bit stodgy, also temporarily forgot the troubles of research. They picked up their chopsticks, not caring about their image, and began to feast. The restaurant was filled with sounds of praise and satisfied chewing, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious. During this meal, they ate with incomparable comfort and pleasure, and also personally felt the Red Alert Legion's solid foundation and sincerity in hosting guests.