Yan Bei reached into his own pocket; the medicine and nutrients provided by the Disease Prevention and Control Center had all been used up. Most of it wasn't for his own use but distributed among the affected masses.
Staff from the Disease Prevention and Control Center used a megaphone to reassure everyone: "It's okay! We will definitely control this pollution outbreak. Just wait until dawn!"
Yan Bei's mood was low.
Because he had no idea whether things would actually get better after dawn.
The reason he stayed on the defense tower was because he had dealt with too many pollutants tonight, exhausting his talents.
Yan Bei's skin bore the unique patterns of trees, his legs rooted firmly to the ground like tree roots.
Yuan Chen, holding a knife, flipped into the defense tower.
Bloodstains from pollutants on him hadn't dried yet.
Several bugs crawled out of his ears, accompanied by some transparent mucus.
Yuan Chen seemed unconcerned.
According to researchers at the First Research Institute, he possessed Talent 168 - Proliferation, an immature "Black Goat" or "Mother Worm."
Proliferation's superior talent was Talent 8 - Fission. Unfortunately, Ning Huai was not a volunteer, much to the disappointment of the researcher responsible for modifying Yuan Chen.
"I've taken care of the nearby pollutants," Yuan Chen spoke slowly and somewhat disjointedly. "I didn't dare to go too far. Didn't find the Pope. Ran into Bai Qiushi and Zhou Kaiwen, but they didn't see the Pope either."
"Bai Qiushi said they've sent many staff to search, and they're still searching. But there's been no news. The slaughterhouse area is too vast, and everyone's appearing in different places."
The Pope was responsible for signing contracts and was a precious Healing-type Talent, possessing the characteristic of immortality. But this trait came with some conditions, such as the need to preserve intact corpses.
The slaughterhouse attendants here didn't seem like they would be vegetarians.
Yan Bei hugged his knees, looking somewhat sickly.
Due to prolonged confinement, Yuan Chen's language skills had greatly deteriorated, and he could only awkwardly comfort, "Qin Woyu will be fine. We've come over from the institute; what's the slaughterhouse to us?"
Yan Bei suddenly raised his head, looking puzzled. "Yuan Chen, have you noticed that it's getting warmer nearby?"
His transformation trended toward vegetation, currently in a highly distorted state, making him particularly sensitive to the temperature around him.
Yan Bei's hair, like a tree left in the sun for three days, had started turning a burnt yellow from the base.
Indeed, this was not his imagination.
The two quickly discovered the source of this abnormal heat on the high tower.
Zong Yan was approaching from the distant street corner.
Yuan Chen leaned out, trying to identify the figure burning in the flames. His face showed excitement. "It's Zong Yan, it's Zong Yan! Yan Bei, he's still carrying Qin Woyu!"
He wanted to rush over, but Yan Bei's hair entangled his ankles. "Stay calm!"
Having joined the Special Operations Division immediately after leaving the institute, Yan Bei had been on several more missions than Yuan Chen.
Thus, Yan Bei was well aware that pollutants and humans were different.
"This is Zong Yan," Yuan Chen's tone was impatient. "Yan Bei, let go!"
Initially, at the First Research Institute, he and Zong Yan had been best friends due to their similar ages and interests.
But Yan Bei remained firm. He tightened the vines, restraining Yuan Chen's movements.
Zong Yan's arrival was swift. Wherever he went, black flames ignited, devoid of any light but scorching in temperature.
In his arms was a person, their face indistinguishable, but wearing the uniform of the Special Operations Division. The exposed arm looked as thin as a bamboo pole.
It indeed appeared to be Qin Woyu.
Yan Bei stood up, gripping the railing tightly, shouting, "Zong Yan! Stop!"
Just ahead was the safe zone.
Zong Yan's pollution value had exceeded ten thousand. This meant that even if he did nothing, just standing there would be a disaster for ordinary people.
Countless would melt from the high temperature emanating from him.
Upon hearing Yan Bei's voice, Zong Yan did stop. He slowly raised his head, looking towards the people on the lookout tower, his deep red eyes devoid of any emotion.
Yan Bei took a deep breath and continued, "Zong Yan, first put down Qin Woyu. His condition isn't good, and you're too close to him."
In his arms, Qin Woyu had already fallen into a state of unconsciousness. The Pope's skin was very pale, so the bloody burns were particularly striking.
However, this time, Zong Yan did not heed Yan Bei's words.
He just stated calmly and emotionlessly, "Come down, I'll take you home."
For a moment, Yan Bei was stunned. "Which home?"
"The Hound Base."
"The Hound Base is a contaminated area," Yan Bei yelled, "Even if we're Talents, prolonged contact with high-level pollutants will lead to uncontrollable mutations—besides, no one there likes my paintings."
Zong Yan tilted his head slightly, seemingly not considering the possibility of being refused.
But the order he received was to bring other experimental subjects home.
So, Zong Yan repeated, "I don't want to use force. Be obedient."
Black flames soared into the sky, raging flames engulfing them. The surrounding temperature was so high that the air distorted slightly. Yet, from the depths of Yan Bei's heart, a chill rose.
This wasn't Zong Yan.
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