Chapter 102 Undercurrents Within the Research Institute
"Crimping is indeed the simplest and most effective way, and it can also prevent the spread of plague. But do you think the authorities wouldn't have thought of such a simple and efficient method?"
As Ye Jian emerged from the testing room, he vaguely overheard several newly joined lab members whispering about the chaotic situation in the dungeon…
He listened in for a few moments, and when he heard about the disposal of the body, he frowned and couldn't help but interject.
"Yeah, Brother Ye, it's not that simple. The underground city has been short of resources for a long time. Even cremation requires coal." Seeing Ye Jian come out of the inner room of the laboratory, the lab technician Xiao Liu hurriedly stepped forward to take the test report.
"That's right. I heard that there aren't any fire-type ability users registered in the dungeon anymore. There was a team with a female fire-type ability user before, but after going on a mission, the whole team never came back. It seems they all died out there. I don't know if they encountered mutated beasts or died in a natural disaster."
"I've heard of her too. I think her name is Liu Xuewen. She's a very beautiful woman. It's a pity."
"These days are truly hopeless. Even superhumans can't withstand the apocalyptic catastrophe. When we first arrived in the dungeon, the superhuman service hall was packed with people. This morning, when I passed by there, the scene was so desolate..." Little Liu was a chatterbox who would chime in on anyone's conversation. In the morning, when he passed by the superhuman hall, there were only two or three small teams lingering in front of the mission board, all sighing and lamenting.
These words caused some people in the crowd to have their eyes flicker and clench their fists, but in the end they didn't say anything and quietly left the laboratory behind the crowd. Ye Jian seemed to sense the gaze and looked towards the door. She only saw the laboratory door shake slightly and then close with a "click".
In the dungeon, people with superpowers are as rare as stars in the sky. After the cataclysm, those who can awaken their superpowers are even rarer, and are regarded as treasures by the dungeon. Among the crowd, a pretty young woman with a round face and big eyes, Lin Xiao, who is also the newly recruited record clerk in the laboratory, revealed her envy: "If I could also awaken my superpowers, I wouldn't have to work so hard to earn money in this laboratory."
These words immediately caught Ni Youyuan's attention. He stood beside the girl, looking righteous and awe-inspiring: "If you don't even have the awareness to dedicate yourself to the country, then why are you staying here? Don't you all agree?"
Everyone echoed her sentiments, and Lin Xiao dared not say anything more. She simply pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and sat back down at her workstation with tears in her eyes.
Ni Youyuan, the second son of the Ni family, has a powerful family background and connections in both the government and the military. Although his own abilities are limited, he can still get by in the laboratory thanks to his family connections.
He was adept at sowing discord and exaggerating trivial matters to demonstrate his nobility and selflessness; however, in crucial moments, he was often the first to back down. At that time, however, no one realized his true character.
Many people regarded him simply as a rich second-generation with a sense of justice, and he was willing to befriend him. His reputation in the research institute was also rising day by day, and many people felt that he could replace Hang Song and become Ye Jian's right-hand man.
This was also Ni Youyuan's purpose in coming to work at the research institute. However, he wasn't after Hang Song's small assistant position, but rather to replace Ye Jian and gain absolute control of the research institute.
His father arranged for him to come in, naturally aiming for the research institute's secret manufacturing blueprints. Only by mastering the core secrets could he have the final say in the underground city.
No one understood why Ni Youyuan, who always seemed to be kind to everyone, only got along with Lin Xiao, and often openly or secretly bullied her, making Lin Xiao's days at the research institute very difficult.
Lin Xiao didn't understand, but Ye Jian knew perfectly well. Lin Xiao was the most promising researcher in the institute. Her professional knowledge was excellent, and her practical skills were also first-class. Ye Jian had initially expressed her appreciation for her during the meeting.
But at this moment, Ye Jian was just silently observing all of this. He knew that this subtle atmosphere was just the tip of the iceberg, and the conflicts of interest and complex interpersonal relationships in the laboratory were far more intricate than this.
Not participating was also to test Lin Xiao's ability to withstand pressure.
With the arrival of new people in the lab, such clashes became more and more frequent.
Not only the laboratory, but the entire underground city was in turmoil, with people filled with anxiety and panic. When people's hearts are in disarray, everything falls into chaos.
"Go back to work, Xiao Liu. Analyze the experimental data again; I need to see the report later. Xiao Lin, double-check the second-phase testing procedure with me. Everyone else, go back to what you're supposed to do."
Ye Jian and the others silently went to their work stations and then devoted themselves to another day of research. During this period, the main focus of their efforts was on new weapons and escape pods.
The underground city was originally under the jurisdiction of the military, but now many official organizations have infiltrated it. Chief Yang no longer has absolute authority. What can Ye Jian, an academician of a research institute, do? But he will not be disturbed by these things.
He knew that in this chaotic world, only by maintaining a clear mind and unwavering faith could one go further. He didn't care that Ni Youyuan and others were forming cliques and gathering information within the research institute; it was no secret that the Ni family had infiltrated various industries in the underground city through capital.
He focused solely on his research, hoping to find a way for humanity to survive.
He turned back to the lab table and began organizing and studying the data in his hands. He understood that the most important thing now was to develop technologies and weapons that could effectively combat natural disasters and mutated beasts. Only in this way could he bring a glimmer of hope and safety to the people of the underground city.
The laboratory was dimly lit, and various instruments emitted a soft hum. Ye Jian stood alone in front of a huge piece of equipment, his gaze focused and resolute.
He knew that this device could be humanity's hope for the future, or it could be the source of destruction.
He had to be very careful and could not make the slightest mistake.
When Yu Miaomiao and Lu An entered the laboratory, they felt that the atmosphere around them was somewhat oppressive and subtle.
The two women exchanged a glance; they were only there to complete a task, and nothing else concerned them.
"Academician Ye, please take a look and see if these chips are usable?" Yu Miaomiao took out the chips she had prepared in advance from her space. These were not supplies she purchased before the natural disaster, but rather obtained during a search for supplies after the disaster. They had been left in the junk in the basement of her space, so their quality could not be guaranteed.
Standing next to Ye Jian, Lin Xiao, who was checking the experimental procedures, stared intently at Yu Miaomiao and Lu An, her eyes filled with admiration. She genuinely envied those who had awakened superpowers and lived freely in the apocalypse. She had heard of these two, one with a spatial ability and the other with a water ability. She had heard that Chief Yang had personally received them, and that they were very outstanding girls.