120 The Mystery of the End times Part 2
Half an hour later, they arrived at the National Academy of Sciences, a large scientific research institution covering an area of over six thousand mu. It was here that Cong Xia's parents had met and fallen in love as interns. Later, his Second Uncle also joined this institute, representing the top scientific research strength in the country. Cong Xia was not unfamiliar with this place; he had been here when he was very young.
Nearly twenty years later, he returned to this place, but everything had changed completely.
Originally, the outer areas of the institute were open to the public for casual visits, but now they were heavily guarded from the entrance. After Kosi handed over the iron plaque and documents, they were allowed to enter.
Kosi and the three cars stayed outside while four guards on electric scooters led the way inside the institute.
Cong Xia asked Shan Ming, "Didn't you say that it's enough to bring us to the institute?"
Shan Ming replied, "I also have some business to attend to here."
Ten minutes later, the guards stopped, saying, "The cat can't go in any further. You all can get off now."
They slid down from Abb's back.
Zhuang Yao asked, "What about my cat?"
"Is it easy to control? If it is, let it stay here. We have specialized mutated pet food."
"It's obedient," Zhuang Yao instructed Abbu, and the rest of them headed towards a dome-shaped building.
As they entered the building, they heard footsteps coming from a nearby corridor. They turned around to see several people in white lab coats escorted by a group of soldiers. The leader was a man in his thirties, tall and with refined features, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and exuding an air of scholarly rigor.
"Uncle!" Cong Xia's excited voice trembled.
"Xia." Cong Zhenzhong's usually emotionless face now showed a hint of excitement.
"Uncle." Cong Xia ran over and hugged him tightly.
Cong Zhenzhong hesitated for a moment, seemingly unsure how to react, and finally patted Cong Xia's back.
They had never been this close before, and it had been many years since they last saw each other. They weren't quite sure how to interact, but after being separated in the apocalypse and then reuniting with the only family member left, the joy and relief were indescribable.
Cong Xia looked at Cong Zhenzhong with happiness. "Uncle, you haven't changed at all. It's been five or six years since we last met, right?"
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "I saw you off to college that year."
Cong Xia's eyes started to get teary. He never expected this reunion to be like this.
Cong Zhenzhong sighed. "As long as you're alive, that's all that matters. For so long, I thought you were gone. If I hadn't received news from Xiao Cheng, I wouldn't have dared to guess it was you." He looked at Cheng Tianbi, "Xiao Cheng, thank you for bringing my nephew back."
Cheng Tianbi said, "Professor Cong, since I promised you, I will definitely follow through."
Cong Zhenzhong adjusted his glasses. "Your father is waiting for you at home."
Cheng Tianbi's expression remained unchanged. "I know."
Cong Xia looked surprised and glanced at Cheng Tianbi. "Tianbi, then you should go home quickly. Don't worry your family."
Cheng Tianbi replied, "No rush, there's something more important."
Just as Cong Xia was about to say something else, Zhuang Yao approached them. He looked up at Cong Zhenzhong and said, "Professor, do you remember me?"
Cong Zhenzhong squatted down and looked at him. "You are Zhuang Yao."
"That's right."
"So, the child from the wanted list was you…" Cong Zhenzhong furrowed his brows, his gaze deepening.
Cong Xia asked, "Uncle, what's wrong?"
"We'll talk inside." Cong Zhenzhong stood up and said to Shan Ming, "Colonel Tang is in the lab at Area 6, but he's currently in the middle of an operation. If you want Shen Changze to recover faster, let me handle it."
Shan Ming asked the child in his arms, "What do you think?"
"I want to recover as soon as possible." The voice, with a hint of milk scent, sounded from Shan Ming's embrace.
"In that case, let's go."
They walked inside.
The ordinary-looking research building concealed secrets within. As they passed the second door, the security measures intensified, with doors made of eight-centimeter-thick alloy. Each door required dual verification of iris and fingerprint. After passing through three large doors, they finally entered an experimental area that looked somewhat surreal. Inside were numerous large machines, and Cong Xia couldn't even recognize what most of them were for. Many researchers in lab coats were busy at work.
"Follow me to the conference room. Shan Ming, I'd like to catch up with my nephew first. Can you wait for me for an hour?" Cong Zhenzhong asked.
Shan Ming shrugged. "Sure, one hour."
Cong Zhenzhong led the group into the conference room.
After entering the room, Cong Zhenzhong closed the door and lowered a glass partition. Once everything was set, he took a seat at the conference table and said, "Please, have a seat."
They all sat down as well.
Cong Zhenzhong took off his glasses and rubbed his temples, appearing tired. "I have... many questions to ask you, and I believe you have many questions too, especially about this place. I'll be responsible for answering your questions, but before that, I want to confirm a few crucial things." He looked at Cong Xia and asked, "Xia, tell me, are you the person rumored to possess special healing abilities?"
Cong Xia nodded gravely. "Uncle, I am."
Cong Zhenzhong sighed. "I knew it. The intelligence on my injury indicated that the special ability was between you and a child. I didn't expect that child to be Zhuang Yao, and moreover, Zhuang Yao is a cerebral domain evolver, so you must be the one with the special ability."
Zhuang Yao asked, "How did you know that I'm a brain evolver?"
Cong Zhenzhong replied, "Zhuang Yao, Zhuang Yuchao is also a brain-evolver, so you must be one too."
Zhuang Yao's expression darkened.
"And even if I don't use that as a basis, I can still sense that your brainwaves are different from others."
"I can't make such judgments about brain waves yet. It seems you've evolved better than I have."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "Perhaps. With the influence of the Puppet Jade, our evolutions have been rapid, but it's not necessarily a good thing."
"Why?"
Cong Zhenzhong sighed, "We'll talk about that later. I want to understand your situation first. What are your respective mutant abilities?"
Starting with Cheng Tianbi, they each explained their mutant abilities one by one.
"Your team's composition is top-notch no matter where you go. No wonder you caused such a huge stir even before reaching Beijing. If I didn't arrange for the Dragonblood Clan to pick you up, you might not have been able to enter the capital. Since Yao Qianjiang, the leader of Jiujiang County, was injured at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, he still hasn't recovered, and now he's demanding that we hand you, Cong Xia, over to him for healing. Xia, if the military exerts pressure, you'll have to go."
Cong Xia said, "Uncle, before that, it was Zhuang Yao pretending to be me. I don't know if this method is feasible because it puts Zhuang Yao in danger."
Cong Zhenzhong shook his head. "It might have been feasible before, but not anymore. There are many brain-evolvers in Beijing, and Zhuang Yao's identity as a brain-evolver can't be concealed. Therefore, your identity won't be hidden either. Instead of that, it's better to obtain a 'status' in Beijing. That way, many people will be less likely to harm you."
"'Status'?"
Cong Zhenzhong explained, "Here, only those who possess abilities and contribute to humanity have status, which means they have a certain social standing. Ordinary people with no value have become recipients of regular rations, struggling to meet their basic needs. Although it's cruel, that's the reality."
Cong Xia let out a sigh.
Cong Zhenzhong continued, "Xia, you don't need to worry too much. At least on the surface, they won't go against me. If you really need to go and heal Yao Qianjiang, I'll assign enough people to protect you."
Cheng Tianbi said coldly, "No need. We'll go with him."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded, "That's fine too."
"Uncle, are we going to encounter a lot of trouble here?"
Cong Zhenzhong looked at him, his expression somewhat grave. He didn't give a direct answer but said, "Xia, if only you were an ordinary person. As long as I'm here, I can ensure you have food and clothing. Why did you have to...?"
Cong Xia gave a bitter smile. There were so many things he couldn't decide. If he could choose again, he wouldn't want to be a comfortable ordinary person. He preferred becoming stronger and powerful enough to protect Tianbi and his friends. Many things were beyond his control.
Cong Zhenzhong changed the topic and addressed Cheng Tianbi, "I know you have a mission. Although you didn't have direct contact with that secret information, I've taken over many tasks in the Academy after the apocalypse, so I also know about that scientific expedition's secret. You can report to me, but if you don't trust me, I can arrange for you to meet with General Guo Chengming."
Cheng Tianbi replied, "I'll go meet him."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded, "Xiao Cheng, you're still so meticulous. That's good. I'll arrange for General Guo Chengming to come to the Academy. You can bring the Puppet Jade, but don't wander around aimlessly."
Cong Xia hesitated and said, "About the Puppet Jade..."
Cong Zhenzhong interrupted, "I know you have two pieces. Our instruments detected them as soon as you arrived at the Academy. One piece was brought back by Xiao Cheng from Qinghai and needs to be turned in. The other piece was brought from Luoyang by you, and I'll help you apply to keep it."
Zhuang Yao added, "Even if you don't approve, we won't give them to you."
Cong Zhenzhong smiled, "With Xiao Cheng, the Natural Force Evolver, here, it shouldn't be a problem. The Natural Force Evolvers in Beijing all have a piece."
Cong Xia expressed his concern, "Uncle, I've always felt that using the Puppet Jade like this isn't a good thing."
Cong Zhenzhong's expression turned serious. "Do you think you have this feeling because of your healing ability?"
Cong Xia replied, "Uncle, there are many secrets I need to share with you, but it will take some time to explain them all."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "I understand. I also have many things to tell you, especially regarding the Puppet Jade. You're right; the reckless use of Puppet Jade can have serious consequences, and we are now aware of that, but it's already too late."
Cong Xia was surprised. "What consequences?"
"The most immediate one is that all the mutants who have had close contact with the Puppet Jade have lost their fertility."
Everyone's faces showed astonishment, and their expressions were very complex. This news was particularly difficult for someone like Tang Yanqiu, who held traditional beliefs. Knowing that he could not have offspring would be a significant blow, and his parents might not be able to accept it if they knew.
Tang Yanqiu said in a deep voice, "Professor Cong, are you sure?"
Cong Zhenzhong adjusted his glasses. "This matter has been confirmed by a large amount of data. Other side effects are still under further research."
Tang Yanqiu lowered his head and sighed deeply.
Liu Fengyu patted his shoulder. "Don't be upset. At this time, you shouldn't be worrying about the next generation. It's not easy for you to live through this lifetime. I believe your parents will understand."
Tang Yanqiu shook his head, filled with self-blame.
Seeing Tang Yanqiu like this, Cong Xiafelt guilty. After all, it was them who brought Tang Yanqiu into the team, and he had been with them through thick and thin. Despite being a man of few words, he never complained. Now, they have caused the inheritor of a martial arts family with a history of hundreds of years to lose the ability to have children. This was truly a heavy burden.
Cong Xia said with distress, "Xiao Tang, I, I'm sorry, I didn't expect..."
Tang Yanqiu shook his head. "It's not your fault."
Cong Zhenzhong added, "Actually, the loss of fertility is not directly caused by the Puppet Jade. Ultimately, it's a consequence of evolution. As long as you keep evolving, when you reach a higher level, you will inevitably lose fertility. The Puppet Jade simply accelerates this process. Do you understand? Even without the Puppet Jade, the seismic energy released over the years would still affect you. Year after year, even without the Puppet Jade, you would continue to evolve, and this is one of the prices higher-level evolvers have to pay."
Zhuang Yao said, "So this is one of the methods used by the 'Cambrian Consciousness' to exterminate humanity? To make all the survivors of the apocalypse lose the ability to reproduce?"
Cong Zhenzhong said in a low voice, "'Cambrian Consciousness' is using various means to attack humanity."
"Uncle, how far have you progressed in your research on the Puppet Jade? Is it possible to solve this problem?"
"The research on the Puppet Jade is quite complicated," he glanced at his watch, "I promised Shan Ming that I'll go for energy recovery with the leader of the Dragonblood Clan in an hour."
"Energy recovery? What do you mean?"
"Didn't you see it? Shan Ming was holding a baby in his arms."
Cong Xia widened his eyes, "That's the leader of the Dragonblood Clan?"
Cong Zhensheng nodded, "That's his self-preservation state after his energy was depleted. It's a remnant from an energy storage experiment conducted by a Dragonblood person before the apocalypse. In reality, he is an adult."
Cong Xia was astonished and couldn't close his mouth.
"I have to leave now. Someone will arrange your rest here. If you need anything, just tell them, most of your requests can be fulfilled."
Following Cong Zhensheng, they walked out of the sealed conference room.
Not far from their exit, several electric scooters approached. Cong Zhensheng narrowed his eyes and stopped walking.
A man in a white coat was leading the scooters. He looked around thirty, very handsome, with deep eyes, and an air of sharpness in his brows.
The most eye-catching thing was that this man's features looked extremely familiar.
Zhuang Yao's eyes turned cold the moment he saw him.
The scooters stopped next to them, and the man got off with a slight smile. "Professor Cong, hello there."
"Dr. Zhuang," Cong Zhensheng greeted him coldly.
Zhuang Yu, with a sharp gaze, scanned everyone present, finally stopping on Zhuang Yao. He walked over, "Zhuang Yao, you've grown so big."
Zhuang Yao replied icily, "As long as I grow normally, I should be this big."
Zhuang Yu smiled, "I have been looking forward to seeing you again."
Deng Xiao clapped his hands, "Little Zhuang Yao, he's your dad, right? You two look like they carved you out of the same mold. So alike."
"Dad?" Zhuang Yu suddenly laughed, "Judging from his tone, did you mention before that you have a dad? Hahaha, Zhuang Yao, you are not like me in this regard."
Zhuang Yao clenched his fist behind his back, but his expression remained calm. "I find this explanation easier to accept."
"To make it easier for them to accept?"
"No, to make it easier for me. If you were my father, I'd feel less disgusted."
Zhuang Yu showed a sinister smile, "You still hate me so much, but I have strong feelings for you. After all, you are my most perfect clone."
*********
Translator’s note: Guys, if you’re interested about the dragonblood mutant story, it’s up in NU! Someone’s translating it.
120 The Mystery of the End times Part 2
Half an hour later, they arrived at the National Academy of Sciences, a large scientific research institution covering an area of over six thousand mu. It was here that Cong Xia's parents had met and fallen in love as interns. Later, his Second Uncle also joined this institute, representing the top scientific research strength in the country. Cong Xia was not unfamiliar with this place; he had been here when he was very young.
Nearly twenty years later, he returned to this place, but everything had changed completely.
Originally, the outer areas of the institute were open to the public for casual visits, but now they were heavily guarded from the entrance. After Kosi handed over the iron plaque and documents, they were allowed to enter.
Kosi and the three cars stayed outside while four guards on electric scooters led the way inside the institute.
Cong Xia asked Shan Ming, "Didn't you say that it's enough to bring us to the institute?"
Shan Ming replied, "I also have some business to attend to here."
Ten minutes later, the guards stopped, saying, "The cat can't go in any further. You all can get off now."
They slid down from Abb's back.
Zhuang Yao asked, "What about my cat?"
"Is it easy to control? If it is, let it stay here. We have specialized mutated pet food."
"It's obedient," Zhuang Yao instructed Abbu, and the rest of them headed towards a dome-shaped building.
As they entered the building, they heard footsteps coming from a nearby corridor. They turned around to see several people in white lab coats escorted by a group of soldiers. The leader was a man in his thirties, tall and with refined features, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and exuding an air of scholarly rigor.
"Uncle!" Cong Xia's excited voice trembled.
"Xia." Cong Zhenzhong's usually emotionless face now showed a hint of excitement.
"Uncle." Cong Xia ran over and hugged him tightly.
Cong Zhenzhong hesitated for a moment, seemingly unsure how to react, and finally patted Cong Xia's back.
They had never been this close before, and it had been many years since they last saw each other. They weren't quite sure how to interact, but after being separated in the apocalypse and then reuniting with the only family member left, the joy and relief were indescribable.
Cong Xia looked at Cong Zhenzhong with happiness. "Uncle, you haven't changed at all. It's been five or six years since we last met, right?"
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "I saw you off to college that year."
Cong Xia's eyes started to get teary. He never expected this reunion to be like this.
Cong Zhenzhong sighed. "As long as you're alive, that's all that matters. For so long, I thought you were gone. If I hadn't received news from Xiao Cheng, I wouldn't have dared to guess it was you." He looked at Cheng Tianbi, "Xiao Cheng, thank you for bringing my nephew back."
Cheng Tianbi said, "Professor Cong, since I promised you, I will definitely follow through."
Cong Zhenzhong adjusted his glasses. "Your father is waiting for you at home."
Cheng Tianbi's expression remained unchanged. "I know."
Cong Xia looked surprised and glanced at Cheng Tianbi. "Tianbi, then you should go home quickly. Don't worry your family."
Cheng Tianbi replied, "No rush, there's something more important."
Just as Cong Xia was about to say something else, Zhuang Yao approached them. He looked up at Cong Zhenzhong and said, "Professor, do you remember me?"
Cong Zhenzhong squatted down and looked at him. "You are Zhuang Yao."
"That's right."
"So, the child from the wanted list was you…" Cong Zhenzhong furrowed his brows, his gaze deepening.
Cong Xia asked, "Uncle, what's wrong?"
"We'll talk inside." Cong Zhenzhong stood up and said to Shan Ming, "Colonel Tang is in the lab at Area 6, but he's currently in the middle of an operation. If you want Shen Changze to recover faster, let me handle it."
Shan Ming asked the child in his arms, "What do you think?"
"I want to recover as soon as possible." The voice, with a hint of milk scent, sounded from Shan Ming's embrace.
"In that case, let's go."
They walked inside.
The ordinary-looking research building concealed secrets within. As they passed the second door, the security measures intensified, with doors made of eight-centimeter-thick alloy. Each door required dual verification of iris and fingerprint. After passing through three large doors, they finally entered an experimental area that looked somewhat surreal. Inside were numerous large machines, and Cong Xia couldn't even recognize what most of them were for. Many researchers in lab coats were busy at work.
"Follow me to the conference room. Shan Ming, I'd like to catch up with my nephew first. Can you wait for me for an hour?" Cong Zhenzhong asked.
Shan Ming shrugged. "Sure, one hour."
Cong Zhenzhong led the group into the conference room.
After entering the room, Cong Zhenzhong closed the door and lowered a glass partition. Once everything was set, he took a seat at the conference table and said, "Please, have a seat."
They all sat down as well.
Cong Zhenzhong took off his glasses and rubbed his temples, appearing tired. "I have... many questions to ask you, and I believe you have many questions too, especially about this place. I'll be responsible for answering your questions, but before that, I want to confirm a few crucial things." He looked at Cong Xia and asked, "Xia, tell me, are you the person rumored to possess special healing abilities?"
Cong Xia nodded gravely. "Uncle, I am."
Cong Zhenzhong sighed. "I knew it. The intelligence on my injury indicated that the special ability was between you and a child. I didn't expect that child to be Zhuang Yao, and moreover, Zhuang Yao is a cerebral domain evolver, so you must be the one with the special ability."
Zhuang Yao asked, "How did you know that I'm a brain evolver?"
Cong Zhenzhong replied, "Zhuang Yao, Zhuang Yuchao is also a brain-evolver, so you must be one too."
Zhuang Yao's expression darkened.
"And even if I don't use that as a basis, I can still sense that your brainwaves are different from others."
"I can't make such judgments about brain waves yet. It seems you've evolved better than I have."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "Perhaps. With the influence of the Puppet Jade, our evolutions have been rapid, but it's not necessarily a good thing."
"Why?"
Cong Zhenzhong sighed, "We'll talk about that later. I want to understand your situation first. What are your respective mutant abilities?"
Starting with Cheng Tianbi, they each explained their mutant abilities one by one.
"Your team's composition is top-notch no matter where you go. No wonder you caused such a huge stir even before reaching Beijing. If I didn't arrange for the Dragonblood Clan to pick you up, you might not have been able to enter the capital. Since Yao Qianjiang, the leader of Jiujiang County, was injured at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, he still hasn't recovered, and now he's demanding that we hand you, Cong Xia, over to him for healing. Xia, if the military exerts pressure, you'll have to go."
Cong Xia said, "Uncle, before that, it was Zhuang Yao pretending to be me. I don't know if this method is feasible because it puts Zhuang Yao in danger."
Cong Zhenzhong shook his head. "It might have been feasible before, but not anymore. There are many brain-evolvers in Beijing, and Zhuang Yao's identity as a brain-evolver can't be concealed. Therefore, your identity won't be hidden either. Instead of that, it's better to obtain a 'status' in Beijing. That way, many people will be less likely to harm you."
"'Status'?"
Cong Zhenzhong explained, "Here, only those who possess abilities and contribute to humanity have status, which means they have a certain social standing. Ordinary people with no value have become recipients of regular rations, struggling to meet their basic needs. Although it's cruel, that's the reality."
Cong Xia let out a sigh.
Cong Zhenzhong continued, "Xia, you don't need to worry too much. At least on the surface, they won't go against me. If you really need to go and heal Yao Qianjiang, I'll assign enough people to protect you."
Cheng Tianbi said coldly, "No need. We'll go with him."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded, "That's fine too."
"Uncle, are we going to encounter a lot of trouble here?"
Cong Zhenzhong looked at him, his expression somewhat grave. He didn't give a direct answer but said, "Xia, if only you were an ordinary person. As long as I'm here, I can ensure you have food and clothing. Why did you have to...?"
Cong Xia gave a bitter smile. There were so many things he couldn't decide. If he could choose again, he wouldn't want to be a comfortable ordinary person. He preferred becoming stronger and powerful enough to protect Tianbi and his friends. Many things were beyond his control.
Cong Zhenzhong changed the topic and addressed Cheng Tianbi, "I know you have a mission. Although you didn't have direct contact with that secret information, I've taken over many tasks in the Academy after the apocalypse, so I also know about that scientific expedition's secret. You can report to me, but if you don't trust me, I can arrange for you to meet with General Guo Chengming."
Cheng Tianbi replied, "I'll go meet him."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded, "Xiao Cheng, you're still so meticulous. That's good. I'll arrange for General Guo Chengming to come to the Academy. You can bring the Puppet Jade, but don't wander around aimlessly."
Cong Xia hesitated and said, "About the Puppet Jade..."
Cong Zhenzhong interrupted, "I know you have two pieces. Our instruments detected them as soon as you arrived at the Academy. One piece was brought back by Xiao Cheng from Qinghai and needs to be turned in. The other piece was brought from Luoyang by you, and I'll help you apply to keep it."
Zhuang Yao added, "Even if you don't approve, we won't give them to you."
Cong Zhenzhong smiled, "With Xiao Cheng, the Natural Force Evolver, here, it shouldn't be a problem. The Natural Force Evolvers in Beijing all have a piece."
Cong Xia expressed his concern, "Uncle, I've always felt that using the Puppet Jade like this isn't a good thing."
Cong Zhenzhong's expression turned serious. "Do you think you have this feeling because of your healing ability?"
Cong Xia replied, "Uncle, there are many secrets I need to share with you, but it will take some time to explain them all."
Cong Zhenzhong nodded. "I understand. I also have many things to tell you, especially regarding the Puppet Jade. You're right; the reckless use of Puppet Jade can have serious consequences, and we are now aware of that, but it's already too late."
Cong Xia was surprised. "What consequences?"
"The most immediate one is that all the mutants who have had close contact with the Puppet Jade have lost their fertility."
Everyone's faces showed astonishment, and their expressions were very complex. This news was particularly difficult for someone like Tang Yanqiu, who held traditional beliefs. Knowing that he could not have offspring would be a significant blow, and his parents might not be able to accept it if they knew.
Tang Yanqiu said in a deep voice, "Professor Cong, are you sure?"
Cong Zhenzhong adjusted his glasses. "This matter has been confirmed by a large amount of data. Other side effects are still under further research."
Tang Yanqiu lowered his head and sighed deeply.
Liu Fengyu patted his shoulder. "Don't be upset. At this time, you shouldn't be worrying about the next generation. It's not easy for you to live through this lifetime. I believe your parents will understand."
Tang Yanqiu shook his head, filled with self-blame.
Seeing Tang Yanqiu like this, Cong Xiafelt guilty. After all, it was them who brought Tang Yanqiu into the team, and he had been with them through thick and thin. Despite being a man of few words, he never complained. Now, they have caused the inheritor of a martial arts family with a history of hundreds of years to lose the ability to have children. This was truly a heavy burden.
Cong Xia said with distress, "Xiao Tang, I, I'm sorry, I didn't expect..."
Tang Yanqiu shook his head. "It's not your fault."
Cong Zhenzhong added, "Actually, the loss of fertility is not directly caused by the Puppet Jade. Ultimately, it's a consequence of evolution. As long as you keep evolving, when you reach a higher level, you will inevitably lose fertility. The Puppet Jade simply accelerates this process. Do you understand? Even without the Puppet Jade, the seismic energy released over the years would still affect you. Year after year, even without the Puppet Jade, you would continue to evolve, and this is one of the prices higher-level evolvers have to pay."
Zhuang Yao said, "So this is one of the methods used by the 'Cambrian Consciousness' to exterminate humanity? To make all the survivors of the apocalypse lose the ability to reproduce?"
Cong Zhenzhong said in a low voice, "'Cambrian Consciousness' is using various means to attack humanity."
"Uncle, how far have you progressed in your research on the Puppet Jade? Is it possible to solve this problem?"
"The research on the Puppet Jade is quite complicated," he glanced at his watch, "I promised Shan Ming that I'll go for energy recovery with the leader of the Dragonblood Clan in an hour."
"Energy recovery? What do you mean?"
"Didn't you see it? Shan Ming was holding a baby in his arms."
Cong Xia widened his eyes, "That's the leader of the Dragonblood Clan?"
Cong Zhensheng nodded, "That's his self-preservation state after his energy was depleted. It's a remnant from an energy storage experiment conducted by a Dragonblood person before the apocalypse. In reality, he is an adult."
Cong Xia was astonished and couldn't close his mouth.
"I have to leave now. Someone will arrange your rest here. If you need anything, just tell them, most of your requests can be fulfilled."
Following Cong Zhensheng, they walked out of the sealed conference room.
Not far from their exit, several electric scooters approached. Cong Zhensheng narrowed his eyes and stopped walking.
A man in a white coat was leading the scooters. He looked around thirty, very handsome, with deep eyes, and an air of sharpness in his brows.
The most eye-catching thing was that this man's features looked extremely familiar.
Zhuang Yao's eyes turned cold the moment he saw him.
The scooters stopped next to them, and the man got off with a slight smile. "Professor Cong, hello there."
"Dr. Zhuang," Cong Zhensheng greeted him coldly.
Zhuang Yu, with a sharp gaze, scanned everyone present, finally stopping on Zhuang Yao. He walked over, "Zhuang Yao, you've grown so big."
Zhuang Yao replied icily, "As long as I grow normally, I should be this big."
Zhuang Yu smiled, "I have been looking forward to seeing you again."
Deng Xiao clapped his hands, "Little Zhuang Yao, he's your dad, right? You two look like they carved you out of the same mold. So alike."
"Dad?" Zhuang Yu suddenly laughed, "Judging from his tone, did you mention before that you have a dad? Hahaha, Zhuang Yao, you are not like me in this regard."
Zhuang Yao clenched his fist behind his back, but his expression remained calm. "I find this explanation easier to accept."
"To make it easier for them to accept?"
"No, to make it easier for me. If you were my father, I'd feel less disgusted."
Zhuang Yu showed a sinister smile, "You still hate me so much, but I have strong feelings for you. After all, you are my most perfect clone."
*********
Translator’s note: Guys, if you’re interested about the dragonblood mutant story, it’s up in NU! Someone’s translating it.
