Chapter 37: The Wudu Research Institute

The man watched as the ship sank, the seawater soon to engulf the outer safety zone and flood the deck. He issued his orders swiftly and decisively.

The captain obeyed, pressing the button.

The fishing vessel’s liquid tank opened, releasing the seawater used for ballast in a constant rush.

The ship, over three hundred meters long, had a displacement of tens of thousands of tons.

As the water poured out, it churned the sea’s surface into turmoil.

Yet the safety line of the great vessel steadily rose.

When the water level reached the safe zone, the man ordered the tank closed.

"Return to port!"

"Yes, sir!"

With that, the fishing vessel activated its engines and sailed off toward the horizon.

At the same time, countless fishing boats began their harvest.

Meanwhile, many ships on the sea encountered attacks from mysterious marine beasts.

Some managed to kill the creatures; others, struck by the beasts, broke in half and sank to the ocean’s depths.

Simultaneously, these transformations of the sea appeared on monitors in offices of superiors across various regions.

“It’s really mutated?!”

In the Wu Capital Research Institute, a vast room contained a giant great white shark, more than a hundred meters long, belly up in a massive aquarium.

This was the shark brought back by the fishing vessel.

Xu Bancheng stood before the tank, gazing through the glass at every inch of the shark’s body, his eyes filled with awe.

The photograph his sister had shown him—a gigantic seahorse—had already amazed him.

But how could a photo compare to reality?

Here was a shark, over a hundred meters long, alive and before him.

“Increase the dosage!”

Just then, the shark’s tail flicked gently in the tank. A deep voice sounded behind Xu Bancheng.

“Changfeng!”

Xu Bancheng turned and greeted the approaching man.

Changfeng nodded slightly, his rugged, dark face devoid of expression.

He walked up beside Xu Bancheng and, watching the staff inject the shark with anesthetic, began, “From our recent observations, it’s not just the ocean that’s mutated—it’s the entire world.”

“Dogs with moods!”

“Hens that act spoiled!”

“Firebirds that spit flames!”

“…”

Changfeng listed them one by one, his demeanor growing solemn.

“It seems that every creature except humans has mutated, gaining mysterious powers.”

“They’ve evolved, while we remain unchanged.”

Changfeng handed Xu Bancheng a report. “This is the genetic report for the great white shark. According to the data, its genes have become a hundred times stronger.”

Xu Bancheng read the report as Changfeng explained, “A hundredfold genetic mutation has boosted the shark’s combat power by over a hundred times, and its lifespan as well.”

“If nothing unexpected happens, this great white shark could live for at least a thousand years!”

Changfeng’s voice grew more intense, his eyes shining.

Xu Bancheng shuddered, terror flickering in his gaze.

“A thousand years?!”

He swallowed hard.

This most outstanding youth of Wu Capital, always unshaken even in the face of disaster, now looked pale.

“That’s right!” Changfeng’s eyes burned. “My friend, do you know what this means?”

“If we can uncover the cause of their mutation and analyze their genes, perhaps we could mutate as well.”

“In other words, we could gain the same mysterious powers as these mutated creatures, break free from genetic shackles, and extend our own lifespans.”

Xu Bancheng looked at Changfeng, sinking into silence.

After a long pause, his voice emerged, hoarse, “Won’t research like this provoke public opinion?”

“It won’t!” Changfeng’s lips curled in a cold smile. “The nine research institutes of Hua Nation have long since acquired mutated creatures and begun their studies.”

“Come with me!”

Changfeng turned and strode off.

Xu Bancheng glanced at the great white shark, its tail once again stiffening, then followed Changfeng out.

Their footsteps echoed down the institute’s corridor.

At the corridor’s end stood a heavy alloy door.

Changfeng used fingerprint and iris verification. With a click, the door swung open.

They entered, and saw rows of display cases, each containing a sleeping creature.

From cockroaches, mice, hens, and dogs—

To cattle and horses—

Xu Bancheng inspected them all, realizing that creatures from sky and earth were present.

“All of these are captured mutated creatures. After their mutation, they became violent and began attacking people.”

Changfeng’s deep voice continued, “Those wounded by them also turn violent.”

“Through our tests, their genes have changed.”

“They mutate as well?” Xu Bancheng asked curiously.

“Yes, but they’re like the living dead.”

“This is a viral invasion, akin to rabies,” Changfeng explained.

Seeing Xu Bancheng’s furrowed brow, Changfeng smiled faintly. “That’s why we must study their mutated genes, find the breakthrough, and develop a vaccine.”

“At the same time, we need to research the reasons for their mutation and evolution, to create a genetic agent.”

“I believe I’m not alone in this ambition—the research institutes of every capital have begun their actions.”

Changfeng’s tone grew grave. “You’ve seen the great white shark. If we don’t adapt, humanity’s future will be perilous.”

Xu Bancheng, a prodigy, understood the danger ahead.

If humanity couldn’t find a solution, the oceans, skies, and other lands would become forbidden zones.

Should these creatures go berserk and assault the cities, how many could withstand it?

“Bancheng, we grew up together—you know what kind of person I am.”

Changfeng gently patted Xu Bancheng’s shoulder, a smile breaking through his dark, rugged face.

Xu Bancheng nodded slightly, sighing, “I’m not like you. My eyes see only profit. You’re the director here, a hero of humanity.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

“If it weren’t for financial support from you big families, my institute would’ve been left out in the cold long ago.”

Changfeng laughed and cursed.

Changfeng, director of the Wu Capital Research Institute, was also the man who gave orders on the fishing vessel.

Hua Nation boasted nine research institutes.

It’s not that there were only nine cities, but only nine had institutes, focused on genetics and biological research.

Changfeng was director of the Martial Arts Research Institute.

And childhood friend of Xu Bancheng.

Xu Bancheng was handsome and elegant, not yet thirty, yet possessed a steady and shrewd demeanor.

Changfeng, with his rugged dark face, looked to be in his forties, but was actually only twenty-eight.