In the quiet room, the intermittent beeping of machines could be heard.
Strangely enough, about ten people stood scattered around the room, holding their breath and maintaining silence as if by tacit agreement.
A silver-surfaced precision instrument was placed beside a platform. Dr. Luo and Dr. An continuously adjusted the instrument's data, securing the external interfaces connected to it onto the headless male corpse. Dr. Luo pulled a nearby metal lever, and the boy's body began to twitch slightly.
Dr. Luo stared at the fluctuating data on the instrument and said gravely, "Most of the cells in his body are still alive."
The silent atmosphere was broken, and everyone's expressions turned severe.
After death, the cells in a human body do not die immediately but undergo a gradual process of demise.
Typically, brain cells die first, followed by cells in other areas.
However, the boy had been dead for over two hours. Logically, most of the cells in his body should have died by now.
Tong Yang asked, "Dr. Luo, can we find out the reason?"
"The equipment here isn't sufficient. We'll only know once we're back at the institute."
"I'll go with you. Actually, I have some things I want to ask 'Yan Qing'."
Dr. Luo nodded. "Alright."
Tong Yang continued, "Dr. Luo, do many people at the institute know that 'Yan Qing' has been captured?"
"Yes, most of them know. Why?"
Tong Yang said, "The parallel world already knows about her capture."
Dr. Luo frowned. "This matter was highly confidential. No one outside your team and the research institute should have known."
"Exactly."
Therefore, if the parallel world knew about it, it must be because someone among them was working for the parallel world.
Everyone understood her implication and fell into deep thought.
Tong Yang added, "But Meng Xiao's identity and Meng Ting's existence have not been exposed."
Tang Shuyan rested his chin on his hand. "That means this person knows 'Yan Qing' was captured, but doesn't know Meng Ting is alive, nor about the cooperation between Meng Xiao and Tong Yang."
Dr. An stated, "Almost everyone at the research institute knows about Meng Ting's existence."
Tong Yang remained silent. The suspicion on the 749 Bureau's researchers wasn't high. They had to deal not only with matters related to the parallel world but also with other supernatural phenomena occurring domestically. There might even be things Tong Yang herself wasn't aware of.
If even a mysterious organization like the 749 Bureau could be infiltrated by agents of the parallel world, Tong Yang dared not imagine just how many people from the parallel world existed in the real world.
In that case, only one person was truly suspect.
Xu Junyue, who had arrived not long ago, stood by the door and suddenly noticed Tong Yang glance back at her.
Realizing something, her expression turned stunned. "My old man?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at her with surprise.
Chu Shiyu asked, "Junyue, what did you say?"
Xu Junyue explained, "The person who knows the parallel world's Yan Qing was captured, but doesn't know Meng Ting is alive or about the deal between Meng Xiao and the boss... that could only be my old man."
Police Officer Lin's face hardened. "Xu Junyue, think carefully before you speak."
Xu Junyue clapped her hands together and strode to the front of the group, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I have thought it through!"
"Think about it. The 749 Bureau researchers and all of us know about Meng Ting and Meng Xiao. Only Old Xu doesn't know? I never told him, but he was there the night we captured 'Yan Qing'! Who else could it be but him?" After saying this, she clicked her tongue at Tong Yang. "Boss, is that what you meant?"
Tong Yang lowered her gaze. "We can't rule out that possibility."
"Then let's go arrest him right now! We must punish this traitor severely! Or wait—maybe he is a person from the parallel world!"
Chu Shiyu said helplessly, "We haven't figured it out completely yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"What more is there to figure out? It's definitely him!"
Tang Shuyan chuckled mockingly. "Such a filial daughter."
Police Officer Lin asked, "Without direct evidence, we can't act rashly and risk alerting the enemy."
"Ah..." Xu Junyue's head drooped in disappointment. "We could just arrest him and interrogate him."
Tong Yang said, "Let's not rush. It's possible someone intentionally didn't tell the parallel world about Meng Ting to mislead us."
"Fine."
Police Officer Lin said, "I'll have someone keep an eye on your father."
"Understood!"
After a moment of thought, Tong Yang asked, "When do you plan to return to the research institute?"
"Soon."
Remembering the message from He Jingjing, Tong Yang said, "You go ahead. I have some other business and will come over later."
Dr. Luo nodded. "Let Tang Shuyan go with you. He knows the institute's location."
Tang Shuyan had no objections and agreed.
Chu Shiyu and Xu Junyue would, of course, act alongside her.
Not long after, Dr. Luo set off on the return journey with the boy's corpse.
Tong Yang and the other three were settled in a rest room. They couldn't return to school for now; they needed to handle this matter first.
Those two people from the parallel world had clearly come for her. Staying at school would likely implicate others.
As for Tong Le and Yang Lin's family of three, Police Officer Lin would have people keep watch for her, so there was no need to worry for the time being.
"Get a good rest tonight. We can discuss anything else tomorrow."
"Alright."
Tong Yang opened a social app and sent a message to Ye Huai, telling him to come tomorrow instead to rest and recuperate.
Then, Tong Yang clicked into the text message chat with He Jingjing.
[Dr. Wu wants to meet with you.]
[When?]
[Tomorrow morning at nine, Ningping Mansion.]
[Okay.]
Dr. Wu choosing to invite her for a meeting at this time was undoubtedly related to the parallel world.
Among the upper echelons of the parallel world society, he was a relatively moderate leader who hoped for peaceful coexistence between the wealthy and powerful of both worlds, which differed from the goals of others.
Although Tong Yang would never agree with his ideas or cooperate with him, circumstances had changed. Perhaps she could extract some useful information from him.
Anything that could be used should be exploited to the fullest.
The rest room was heated. The other three had already found comfortable positions and fallen asleep.
Tong Yang closed her eyes, cleared her mind, and decided to sleep for now.
In the faint light of dawn, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded nearby.
Tong Yang frowned and opened her eyes. Several officers on duty rushed past the window, their expressions tense and serious.
"What's going on?" Chu Shiyu was also awakened, lifting her head drowsily.
Tong Yang shook her head, pushed off the thin blanket covering her, and walked towards the door.
Just then, Police Officer Lin approached, his attire slightly disheveled.
"What happened?"
Police Officer Lin said, "There's been a homicide in the district."
"When?"
"Unclear. The body was discovered this morning."
Tong Yang checked the time: 6:22 AM. There was still time before nine o'clock.
"I'll go with you."
Police Officer Lin nodded. "Get ready. Be at the entrance in three minutes."
"I'm coming too," Chu Shiyu said.
Xu Junyue and Tang Shuyan were sleeping soundly and hadn't been awakened.
Tong Yang and the other woman quickly washed up and got into the police car. Police Officer Lin was walking towards the vehicle while talking on the phone. Once inside, he tossed them bread and milk from a bag.
"Thank you."
They didn't stand on ceremony and tore open the packaging.
"Chief, I understand. We'll be at the scene right away."
"Good."
Police Officer Lin hung up the phone, leaned back heavily in the passenger seat, and let out a long, weary sigh.
"Let's go."
Several police cars drove off one after another towards the incident location.
"Police Officer Lin, what's the situation?" Tong Yang asked.
Police Officer Lin shook his head. "We won't know the details until we get there."
"The orders from above have come down. We absolutely cannot let this incident spread. All areas are to increase security. Relevant personnel only need to follow superior orders. It's the largest-scale covert operation you can imagine."
It was to be expected. Once the news got out, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"The deceased taken away by the 749 Bureau will have compensation negotiated with his family by the state. They will not be informed of the cause of death or what happened to the body."
Hearing this, Tong Yang and the other woman fell silent.
For a family, the blow would undoubtedly be devastating.
Yet, given the severity of the situation, they had no choice but to proceed this way.
Police Officer Lin continued, "Higher-ups have given the 749 Bureau a strict deadline: they must unravel the secret of the corpse within three days."
"Three days? That's too short," Tong Yang said.
"There's no other way. We can't let the situation deteriorate further. Otherwise, the truth will inevitably come out; you can't wrap fire in paper."
Upon arriving at the scene, the police had set up a cordon about two hundred meters away, not allowing anyone to approach, so few noticed the abnormal situation inside.
On the way, the car's sirens were off. It came to a quiet stop by the roadside.
After getting out, Police Officer Lin hurriedly led them through the cordon to the exact location of the incident.
Behind an unfinished building, drag marks and a large amount of blood stained the ground. The blood loss was extraordinary. Numerous blurred bits of human tissue had dried and congealed into bloody clumps, emitting a strong, foul, metallic smell.
Police Officer Lin handed them two masks, his brow furrowed tightly as he followed the blood trail forward.
Finally, at the end of the path, they saw a blood-smeared wall. A corpse impaled by a steel rebar was slumped against it in a strange posture. Moving closer, they realized the other end of the rebar piercing his body was jammed against the wall, preventing him from going any further.
The two forensic examiners they had seen last night stood on either side of the body, while Police Officer Wan was crouched by some bushes, vomiting violently.
"Police Officer Lin, you're here."
Police Officer Lin asked, "What's the situation?"
One of the forensic examiners replied, "The findings aren't clear."
"How so?"
Tong Yang walked up to the corpse, bent down to examine the wounds, and discovered the victim's face was covered in knife cuts, flesh and blood congealed together in a horrifying, grotesque mask.
Chu Shiyu turned pale instantly upon seeing this.
Tong Yang's gaze was heavy as she looked at the rebar protruding from the abdomen. The clothes were crumpled and twisted, stained with dried blood, making it hard to see the condition of the body underneath.
The forensic examiner said, "Estimated time of death is over eight hours ago."
"Last night?"
Chu Shiyu said, "Roughly the same time as the corpse at Peking University."
The forensic examiner nodded and continued, "When we arrived, he was still moving forward."
The implication was clear: this corpse, like the headless male, had remained active after death.
"It was only about five minutes ago that he stopped completely."
Hearing this, Tong Yang frowned and said, "Police Officer Lin, contact Dr. Luo and ask about the status of that other corpse."
Police Officer Lin nodded, took out his phone, but before he could unlock it, a call came in.
"Dr. Luo."
Tong Yang's heart sank.
Police Officer Lin answered. "Dr. Luo."
Presumably, the other party said something. He closed his eyes briefly and said to Tong Yang, "That corpse has completely ceased function. All the research data obtained is now invalid."
Seeing the state of this body, Tong Yang had already guessed as much.
"Let me speak with her."
Police Officer Lin handed her the phone.
Putting it to her ear, Tong Yang said, "Surveillance shows his time of death was 9:41 PM last night. What was the time of cellular death?"
Dr. Luo replied, "6:41 AM."
"Exactly nine hours. There's a nine-hour interval between death and complete cellular death."
Dr. Luo said, "Then it can't be a coincidence."
"Right. Ask 'Yan Qing' if she can currently control the duration of the magnetic field energy cycle."
The similar times of death for the two victims suggested their killer was likely one of the five individuals who entered the real world during one magnetic field cycle.
"Okay."
Tong Yang then turned to ask Police Officer Wan, "Is there surveillance here?"
Police Officer Wan said, "This place has had no surveillance for a long time. Generally, no one comes here either. The body was discovered by a drone."
The forensic examiner added, "Scene investigation found traces left by three other individuals besides the deceased."
Tong Yang said, "In one magnetic field cycle, only five of them can enter the real world. Two at Peking University, three here. When a cycle ends, they are sent back. Only when the next cycle begins can a new group of five enter."
"However, they can return early."
"Before this, people from the parallel world always acted separately, but last night they didn't."
Police Officer Lin said, "They were acting with a purpose?"
"Exactly. And from last night until now, they've only killed two people, both around 9:30 PM last night. If 'Yan Qing' can prioritize controlling the duration of a magnetic field cycle—the maximum being half a year—the situation would be somewhat better."
Not long after, Dr. Luo replied, "She refuses to say. She demands to meet with you."
Tong Yang pressed her lips together. "I understand. Tell her to wait. I'll be there by tonight at the latest."
After hanging up, Police Officer Wan and the forensic examiners bagged the body. Once the scene was cleaned, they took the police car back to the Shuang Bai District Public Security Bureau.
The follow-up matters didn't require her attention. After returning to meet up with Xu Junyue and the others, they could head straight to meet Dr. Wu.
Back at the bureau, Xu Junyue and Tang Shuyan were already awake, each happily devouring a cup of instant noodles.
Ye Huai had arrived, wearing a black jacket and standing by the window, a white single-strap bag slung over his shoulder, bulging with what was likely mostly medical supplies.
"Huh? Where did you guys go so early in the morning?" Xu Junyue took a sip of the hot broth and asked.
Chu Shiyu waved a hand. "Don't ask."
Tong Yang casually greeted Ye Huai, saw several cups of noodles on the table, and decided to eat before setting off.
Chu Shiyu had lost her appetite and slumped into a chair.
"A person died in an unfinished building, exactly like the male student. Complete cellular death occurred nine hours after death."
Before they returned, Ye Huai had heard the details from Xu Junyue.
He walked over to the table opposite Tong Yang, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Any discoveries?"
Tong Yang tore open the seasoning packet, poured it into the hot water, and said, "Because 'Yan Qing' was captured, the parallel world took a radical action. I haven't figured out the specifics yet, but it's definitely connected to this incident."
Ye Huai nodded. "Yan Qing has leverage over the parallel world."
"Exactly."
"She herself might not even know it."
"In that situation, she wouldn't dare lie to me."
Ye Huai smiled faintly. "In that situation, no one would dare lie to you."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm, the pressure you exert is quite strong."
Ye Huai continued, "Given the technological level of the real world, even if they could research it, it wouldn't be within a short timeframe."
Tong Yang gave a slight nod. "I think so too. However, the parallel world previously didn't want to expose themselves too early, but after 'Yan Qing' was caught, they stopped holding back."
"The parallel world believes we can uncover the leverage on 'Yan Qing' in a short time?"
"Right."
"It won't be hard to find, but it won't be simple either. Otherwise, why would the parallel world have let 'Yan Qing' roam freely in the First District?"
"Any other possibilities?"
Ye Huai said, "Did she discover something when stealing the high-quality gene serum?"
"That's certainly possible."
"Perhaps Dr. Wu knows about this," Tong Yang suggested.
"He contacted you?"
"Mhm."
"Made an appointment?"
"Mhm."
Before, Tong Yang thought he was too clever, always feeling it was dangerous to interact with him. Now, however, she found his intelligence rather good—it meant she didn't have to explain every single detail to him.
"What are they talking about?" Xu Junyue looked utterly confused.
Chu Shiyu shook her head. "Can't keep up."
Tang Shuyan shrugged. "I can't keep up either. Just listen for the conclusions."
Tong Yang's noodles were ready. She ended the conversation and dug in heartily.
After eating, a tissue was handed to her from the side.
Tong Yang took it, wiped her mouth, and said, "Let's go."
"Okay."
Tong Yang and Ye Huai stood up simultaneously and headed out.
After a few steps, they noticed the others hadn't moved.
"What are you standing around for? Let's go."
Chu Shiyu and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions blank. "Go where?"
Tong Yang asked, "Didn't I tell you?"
"???"
"Did you say anything to us after you came in?"
"Didn't I?" Tong Yang looked questioningly at Ye Huai beside her.
Ye Huai said, "No."
Tong Yang was speechless. Communicating with Ye Huai had been so smooth she assumed they had understood too.
"He Jingjing sent a message. Dr. Wu wants to meet me at nine this morning. It should be related to this matter."
Xu Junyue shot her a look. "How would we know if you don't tell us?"
Chu Shiyu "hmph"ed, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and walked out.
Tang Shuyan, with his hands behind his head, teased, "You two are moving too fast. Mind the ordinary folks who can't keep up, huh?"
Tong Yang: "..."
Ye Huai lowered his eyes with a smile. "Let's go."
Tong Yang, not particularly concerned, grabbed her bag and followed.
"Officer Lin, we're heading out first," Xu Junyue called out.
Police Officer Lin said, "Alright. The helicopter is ready. You can depart anytime after you return."
"No problem! It's my first time on a helicopter!"
Tang Shuyan mimicked her tone: "It's my first time flying a helicopter!"
Xu Junyue: "?"
Chu Shiyu: "?"
"You're flying?" Tong Yang couldn't help showing surprise.
Tang Shuyan let out a deep, practiced laugh. "Otherwise? Who else knows the location of the research institute?"
Xu Junyue asked, "Are parachutes prepared?"
"What are you thinking? Even if they were, you wouldn't know how to jump."
"Can you even do it?" Chu Shiyu sized him up with a skeptical look.
"To be honest, I've never flown one before."
Chu Shiyu: "..."
Police Officer Lin gave him a light slap and said to the group, "Don't listen to his nonsense. He's licensed to fly helicopters and has even participated in helicopter rescues."
Tong Yang narrowed her eyes at him. "Just how many more secrets do you have?"
Tang Shuyan said nonchalantly, "There are plenty of things you don't know..."
"Weirdo."
Tang Shuyan was definitely not as simple as he seemed, but now wasn't the time to delve into that.
"Let's go."
Fortunately, Xu Junyue had driven the car over last night. Tang Shuyan took the wheel as the driver, Ye Huai sat in the passenger seat, and Tong Yang and the other two sat in the back.
"By the way, are you just leaving Old Xu alone? What if he's from the parallel world?"
Chu Shiyu said helplessly, "What grudge do you have against your dad? So eager to give him a hard time?"
Xu Junyue snorted coldly. "I just think it's better to arrest and interrogate him sooner rather than later. What if he does something else harmful to the real world?"
"Are you really his biological daughter?"
"Of course! But, you see, I'm the type to uphold justice over family ties. Get it?"
Ye Huai didn't participate in their conversation at all, quietly looking out the car window.
Tong Yang remembered something and asked, "You said before your eye condition is related to your mom?"
Xu Junyue said, "Yeah."
"How did it happen?"
Xu Junyue thought for a moment. "Don't remember. Anyway, it's connected to my mom and my uncle."
"Did your dad tell you?"
Xu Junyue shook her head. "No, it was my older sister. She's a few years older and remembers what happened back then. My dad has never mentioned my mom to me."
Tong Yang nodded thoughtfully, having only asked casually.
Several dozen minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of Ningping Manor.
"Good day. Do you have a reservation?" a waiter asked, bowing slightly.
"Yes."
Tong Yang replied, about to say they were there to see Dr. Wu. The waiter's gaze swept over them and finally settled on Chu Shiyu.
"So you are Miss Chu's friends. Please come in."
Chu Shiyu looked bewildered. "You know me?"
The waiter lowered his head. "Please enter."
Tong Yang prompted, "Let's go in first."
The group filed into Ningping Manor one after another.
It was a courtyard with an antique charm. A wide path was lined with serene trees. The buildings had white walls and green tiles, with lanterns hanging under the eaves, their long tassels swaying in the wind.
"Is the A-world Chu Shiyu here too?" Xu Junyue said.
Tong Yang nodded. "Probably."
"It seems they've been staying here for a while. The waiters have already memorized her face."
After entering the gate, there was only one path. They walked along the quiet trail until they reached an open area, with a garden on the left and a courtyard gate on the right.
"Please enter."
A waiter standing outside the courtyard gate said to them.
Presumably, Dr. Wu and his party were inside.
Tong Yang stepped through first. From the right side came the faint sound of a sharp object cutting through the air. She instinctively halted. In that instant, a green arrow almost grazed the tip of Tong Yang's nose before embedding itself with a "thwack" into the black wooden gate, causing the wood to bulge and crack around it.
If she hadn't paused for that moment, the arrow would have pierced straight through her head.
"What a pity. You dodged it."
A girl's voice, tinged with regret, sounded.
Tong Yang glanced sideways. To the right was an archery range. The A-world Chu Shiyu was holding a green bow, its arrowhead—which should have been aimed at the target—was now pointed directly at Tong Yang.
"This time, will you be so lucky?"
Tong Yang's face darkened. She pulled out the dagger fixed in the side pocket of her backpack and walked towards the girl, meeting the cold point of the arrow.
"Wait."
Ye Huai grasped her wrist, gesturing for her to look ahead.
Tong Yang paused her movement, following Ye Huai's gaze towards the main hall entrance, where a man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his mouth strangely agape.
"Can I spit on him?" Xu Junyue asked.
"Aren't you disgusting?" Tang Shuyan took a half-step back in disgust.
Chu Shiyu lowered her voice, "There's a weapon in his throat."
"Huh?" Xu Junyue immediately perked up, "Where?"
Looking closely, there was a piece of cold, gleaming metal lodged in the man's throat.
Tong Yang looked at the two weapons now pointed at her, her eyes turning gloomy. "It seems further conversation is unnecessary."
"Let's go."
Tong Yang turned and left with the others.
Chu Shiyu from World A said, "Don't you want to know the secret of the living dead?"
Tong Yang ignored her completely, walking forward without looking back.
Chu Shiyu from World A clearly hadn't expected her to leave so directly, and exchanged a look with the man at the hall entrance.
"Wait, wait! Let's talk this out properly!" Chu Shiyu from World A put down her bow, flustered as she hurried after them.
Dr. Wu wanting to cooperate with Tong Yang wasn't a one or two-time occurrence. Despite being rejected every time, he still hadn't given up.
It had taken considerable effort to get Tong Yang to come this time. If she messed up Dr. Wu's plans because of this delay, she'd be in trouble!
"I was wrong! I... I was just testing you, I didn't mean to hurt you! Really!"
Tong Yang stopped and turned to look at her.
Seeing there was still room for negotiation, Chu Shiyu from World A sighed in relief and said, "Come in. Dr. Wu is waiting for you inside."
Tong Yang let out a soft snort through her nose, turned around, brushed past her, and walked into the courtyard.
The strange man who had been blocking the hall entrance earlier had now moved aside, standing obediently with his head bowed.
"Go ahead, open wide again?"
As she passed him, Xu Junyue taunted.
The man glared at her expressionlessly, remaining silent.
Passing the paper-covered door, they entered the main hall, which was empty.
The group found seats and sat down. He Jingjing then emerged from the back.
"Please wait a moment."
"He Jingjing?"
"Jingjing?"
He Jingjing's gaze swept over them, a flicker of disgust in her eyes, and she didn't acknowledge them.
"Jingjing, you should be more polite to my guests."
The voice arrived before the person.
Then, Dr. Wu, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, walked out.
A gentle smile graced his face as he said, "My apologies for any offense. Please forgive us."
Chu Shiyu from World A and the strange man also entered the hall, taking positions on Dr. Wu's left and right respectively.
"Shiyu, apologize to our guest."
Chu Shiyu from World A obediently stepped forward and bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "I'm sorry for frightening you."
Tong Yang leaned back in her chair, glanced at her without a word, then turned her gaze to Dr. Wu. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"No hurry. It's been several days since we last met. We should exchange pleasantries first."
"Fine. Then tell me, what's the deal with He Jingjing by your side?" Tong Yang said.
Dr. Wu smiled. "Jingjing and I get along well. Please don't mind our respective affiliations. You are still friends."
"I don't make friends with lackeys from parallel worlds."
"And I don't make friends with heartless scum who stand by and watch people die."
Tong Yang lowered her eyes. "Exactly. We were never destined to be friends. No need for pleasantries. My time is valuable."
Dr. Wu said, "I, however, believe we could become very good friends."
"Everyone misjudges sometimes, myself included. The prerequisite is that your offer is compelling enough."
"Miss Tong, compelling you doesn't seem like a simple task."
"Hmm."
Dr. Wu lowered his head, picked up a warmed teacup, and took a small sip.
Tong Yang fiddled with the goldfish pendant on her phone, a gift from Tong Le.
"Miss Tong, do you have a good relationship with your younger brother?" Dr. Wu asked, his eyes smiling with an ambiguous meaning.
Tong Yang said, "Yes, he's quite obedient."
"Is the relationship good because he's obedient?"
"More or less."
Their back-and-forth, seemingly meaningless, was actually a subtle game, each testing the other's bottom line, like two cunning foxes.
"My children here are also quite obedient." Dr. Wu's eyes crinkled as he glanced over Chu Shiyu from World A and the others.
Tong Yang nodded. "Obedient. Especially the one on the right. She says exactly what I want to hear."
Chu Shiyu from World A's eyes widened. "Are you mocking me?"
"I'm praising you."
Dr. Wu chuckled. "Miss Tong, please don't mind her. She's not very sophisticated."
"I can tell." After a pause, Tong Yang added, "Hmm, completely transparent."
Chu Shiyu from World A: "..."
"I'm a bit curious," Tong Yang said.
"Oh? Please, go ahead."
"Can the magnetic field energy of a parallel world change a person's intelligence?" Tong Yang narrowed her eyes teasingly. "The other her doesn't seem quite so... pure."
Chu Shiyu from World A was momentarily stunned, then showed a hint of bashfulness. "I'm not that pure either!"
Chu Shiyu: "..."
Xu Junyue patted the shoulder of the person next to her, her voice neither too loud nor too soft. "Is that how the boss insults people? So high-level. Someone without a bit of brains really wouldn't get it."
Chu Shiyu from World A's face darkened. Was that an insult aimed at her?
Tang Shuyan said, "Do you have brains?"
Xu Junyue: "?"
"You understood it without having any."
Chu Shiyu from World A's face turned ashen. They were definitely insulting her!
Dr. Wu sighed. "You're right. Magnetic field energy can change a person's intelligence."
Tong Yang had guessed as much. The upper echelons of the parallel world could issue commands to everyone in their world via magnetic field energy. Over time, any kind of energy would inevitably affect the brain's neural pathways.
"No wonder."
"Magnetic field energy is immensely powerful, comparable to gravity. It's not something one can easily break free from."
"Are you saying magnetic field energy is a natural phenomenon?"
"No. As the saying goes, things turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme. Magnetic field energy is what we rely on for survival, yet humans remain fragile, giving rise to problems we cannot solve."
Tong Yang smiled faintly. "Really? You can even develop the brain. Are there still problems you can't solve?"
Dr. Wu sighed. "No matter how well the software is developed, if the hardware cannot bear the load, after a brief period of operation, it will inevitably face a crash."
At this moment, Ye Huai said, "You've already developed something to change the hardware, haven't you?"
If the body is the hardware and the brain is the software, a developed brain would overload an ordinary body. The gene serum just happens to compensate for the hardware's deficiency.
"However, the price paid is too great."
"And those bearing the consequences aren't you, are they?" Tong Yang raised the corner of her mouth, her smile cold.
Dr. Wu didn't deny it. "You're right."
"Miss Tong, you know many things in this world require equivalent exchange, don't you? For some to enjoy, others must suffer."
Tong Yang lowered her eyelids, her lashes concealing the expression in her eyes, casting a shadow on her cheeks. "Let me correct you."
"It's that some monopolize the enjoyment, forcing others to suffer."
Dr. Wu said, "How similar it is to your world."
"What do you mean by that?" Tong Yang looked up, her expression odd. "It seems we're the ones having it worse. The vast majority are suffering painfully while trying to enjoy."
"Since that's the case, why not draw a clearer line?"
Tong Yang asked, "Is the world simply black and white?"
"Does day and night change over in an instant?"
Tong Yang's gaze seemed to pierce through flesh and blood, so profound it was daunting. She spoke slowly, each word firm and resonant: "Haven't you seen clearly what your fate will be?"
Initially, Tong Yang thought the parallel world had become that chaotic state simply because, after the two worlds merged and fought amongst themselves, they had to kill and plunder for resources, thus becoming accustomed to slaughter.
Unfortunately, the reality was far more complex. The fundamental reason for that distorted society was still the monopoly of the upper class.
Just as Dr. Wu said, a portion of people were enjoying themselves, hoarding all resources to create a paradise; another portion were suffering, living on the edge of death, controlled by magnetic forces.
The former would always be an extremely small minority, while the latter would make up ninety percent of the Earth.
Most importantly, resources required continuous extraction, mining, cultivation, invention, and so on. Relying on existing resources would inevitably lead to collapse one day.
So, in the parallel world, the Earth's existing resources were already insufficient for even ten percent of the people to enjoy.
Yet, no one was mining or producing anymore.
Thus, they extended their claws toward the real world.
Once the real world fell and resources became scarce again, they would simply search for the next target, repeating the cycle.
Dr. Wu understood her implied meaning and said, "That's why I want to change."
"Your change is to leave only ten percent of the people in the real world alive?"
Dr. Wu said, "Resource sharing is unattainable. I understand that now."
Hearing this, Tong Yang narrowed her eyes.
"You've changed your mind?" Tong Yang asked.
Dr. Wu rubbed the rim of his cup with his thumb and raised his head. "Yes."
"Let's hear it."
"I want to cooperate with you to destroy the parallel world."
Upon hearing this, everyone's breath hitched.
"Old man, you're not joking, are you?" Xu Junyue said.
"Be polite!" The Chu Shiyu from World A shot her a glare.
Tong Yang pursed her lips tightly and sat up straight. "Elaborate."
Dr. Wu said, "I want to completely destroy the social system of the parallel world, let everything return to nothingness, and start from zero."
Tong Yang's eyes were inscrutable. "Are you serious?"
“Yes.” Dr. Wu closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. “Miss Tong, your existence has profoundly shaken me, both your identity and you yourself. I have been observing you and have never felt such intense energy in anyone else. It’s indescribable, unrelated to age, and not even tied to your identity.”
"I am certain that if anyone else were in your circumstances, they could not have halted the parallel world's advance."
"You are exceedingly fortunate that the time anchor fell upon you, and it could only be you."
Tong Yang listened to his words, lost in thought.
At that moment, Ye Huai let out a very soft laugh. "If you need Tong Yang's help, shouldn't you be more honest?"
Not cooperation, but simply help.
Dr. Wu looked momentarily stunned, glancing at him in surprise.
Tong Yang suddenly understood something. She reached over and patted Ye Huai's shoulder from her seat. The feeling of having clever friends was fantastic—it doubled the results with half the effort.
"You were exiled from the parallel world?"
Although Tong Yang phrased it as a question, her tone was utterly certain.
Under what circumstances would Dr. Wu, one of the "enjoyers" from the parallel world, choose to cooperate with her to destroy it?
If he followed his original plan to eliminate the middle and lower classes of the real world, regardless of the plan's success, he would remain bound to the parallel world, sharing its glory and ruin.
Now, however, he wanted to destroy it.
The only conceivable reason was that his relationship with the parallel world's upper echelon had completely fractured. He was fighting alone, and even if the parallel world successfully invaded the real world, there would be no place for him anymore.
His only way out was to destroy the parallel world, or, to remain in the real world forever.
The purpose of today's meeting with Tong Yang was now clear.
The initiative might soon be in Tong Yang's hands!
Dr. Wu set down his teacup, his expression unchanged. "Dealing with clever people is like walking a tightrope high in the air. A slight misstep, and you'll fall, doomed forever."
"That's right, I was exiled from the parallel world." Dr. Wu's tone was sighing. "However, that is not the main reason I changed my mind."
Tong Yang said, "Since you want to 'cooperate' with me, shouldn't you show some sincerity?"
"I know a great deal of information about the parallel world, which will certainly be helpful to you. However, I won't tell you everything immediately. Please understand."
Something squeezed dry of its usefulness risks being discarded at any moment.
Tong Yang understood one thing: the fact that Dr. Wu could make such a drastic move to cooperate with them in destroying the parallel world proved he was not a fool.
Dr. Wu continued, "Miss Tong, if you want to stop the parallel world, your only choice is to completely destroy them. Our goals coincide, don't they?"
"Then first tell me, why do the walking dead appear?"
Dr. Wu sighed. "Those are defective gene therapy products, not belonging to the high-quality or low-quality categories. They can maintain cellular activity within the body, creating the illusion of a walking dead person. The duration is nine hours."
"Your parallel world is really something else. Can't even let people rest in peace when they die." Xu Junyue shook her head and sighed.
"Do you know the purpose of the parallel world's current operation?"
Dr. Wu shook his head. "I've been in the real world for some time now."
The implication was that he didn't know.
Tong Yang had many questions, but Dr. Wu, that old fox, afraid that Tong Yang would use him and discard him, remained tight-lipped about most matters. He even had the audacity to say, "Even if I don't cooperate with you, you will ultimately have to destroy the parallel world. If I straightforwardly tell you all the information, it might hinder your growth. After all, you still need to grow; the parallel world is more powerful than you imagine."
"Miss Tong, go and discover things for yourself. Come find me when necessary, and I, Wu, will surely tell you everything I know."
Tong Yang cursed the old fox in her heart. Even after having his identity exposed, he was still so brazen!
However, maintaining a friendly cooperative relationship with Dr. Wu was very necessary for them at present.
In the end, the two established a cooperative relationship, amicable on the surface but not in heart.
Unable to extract useful information from Dr. Wu for the time being, they didn't waste any more time and set off immediately.
As they walked out of the main hall, passing by the archery range, Ye Huai suddenly stopped.
"I'd like to give it a try."
"You know how to shoot a bow?"
Ye Huai nodded. "A little."
He handed his single-strap bag to Tang Shuyan, picked up a green bow from against the wall, nocked an arrow on the string. His posture was standard, his figure upright, his brow carrying a sharp intensity.
"Whoosh—"
The arrow pierced through the air, hitting the bullseye dead center.
"Boss Ye, impressive!"
Chu Shiyu from World A curled her lip and prepared to close the door to the main hall.
Not that great, not as good as her shot. That arrow was deliberately aimed right in front of Tong Yang.
Ye Huai's expression was indifferent. His slender fingers picked up another arrow and nocked it on the bowstring.
This time, he did not release the arrow immediately.
Tong Yang stood behind him, watching his posture with keen interest.
A light breeze stirred the stray hairs on his forehead. Ye Huai's lips curved into a smile, revealing a hint of youthful bravado.
He turned towards the main hall, and an arrow shot forth, piercing through the door!
