CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 154 GENE POTION_2

"So, we must deploy a team for a search, using drones and such to conduct a wide, low-altitude exploration."

At this point, Zhang Ji paused, looked at the Mutated Parrot and asked, "Parrot Messenger, do you think this could be the restricted zone doing this on purpose?"

"They aren’t incapable of devouring plants, they just avoided targeting plants in order to hide the existence of the restricted zone."

The Mutated Parrot halted in its tracks. To be honest, Ye Feng had never considered this possibility before, but now...

Ye Feng immediately said, "Your conjecture is very likely. Before using the Thermostatic Shells in the afternoon, let’s use Incendiary Grenades to kill all the plants inside the restricted zone, and then cut down all the plants around the perimeter."

Zhang Ji added, "I think we can leave a small amount of plants inside the restricted zone as a test."

Ye Feng nodded, "Alright, let’s do that."

In just a few words, the two of them amended the plan, but there was no joy in their hearts, only a weightier sense of gravity.

...

Capital City, the Chinese Academy of Sciences!

This place could be described as the pinnacle of scientific research, especially after the Spiritual Energy Resurgence when the state took action and invited most of the well-known scholars from across the country to work here.

There are hundreds of research projects, big and small, and each one is of critical importance.

Of course, if one were to choose the most vital research project, it would undoubtedly be the genetic engineering project.

Following the Spiritual Energy Resurgence, the Chinese Academy of Sciences had undergone three expansions, and from the outside, it looked like a vast campus, where almost every significant project had its own dedicated research building.

In the largest research building located at the center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences campus, an old man with striking white hair was intently examining a report in front of him.

His name was Zhu Zhengda, and he was one of the two leaders of the genetic engineering project.

Moments later, after finishing all the reports, he took off his reading glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Xiao Xu, tell all the research teams to hurry up with the next batch of genetic testing. Among this batch of genetic tests, only one person had a compatibility of one in twenty thousand, which is still not good enough!"

The young man beside him, his face haggard and bags under his eyes, rubbed his face vigorously and said with a wry smile, "Old Man Zhu, don’t worry. All the research teams are working round the clock, 24/7. You should also take a rest! You haven’t slept for nearly 20 hours, you can’t keep this up."

He had watched as the man in his fifties, who had started with a full head of black hair when he joined the project group, turned completely white in less than three months, which spoke volumes about the tremendous energy expended.

"Ah, how can I sleep at a time like this? The moment I close my eyes, all I think about are these matters."

"Old Li on the other hand, has at most two days left before entering the final stage of Gene Potion synthesis. We must select the genetic fragments with the highest compatibility within these two days."

Zhu Zhengda said as he stood up; he straightened his lab coat and took the lead to head outside.

Although with his current status he no longer needed to personally conduct experiments, he insisted on overseeing every core step of the experiment to be at ease.

Seeing this, Xu Yifei exhaled a helpless sigh, quickly organized the documents on his desk, and hastened to follow.

The two of them had just left the office when they heard arguing coming from the other end of the hallway.

Old Man Zhu looked in the direction of the argument and saw to his surprise that it was coming from the sample department, a trace of astonishment crossing his face.

It was common for other research teams to have disputes over the direction of their research.

But the sample department was only responsible for storing and delivering samples to the various research teams. What could they possibly have to argue about?

With a hint of curiosity, Old Man Zhu, with Xu Yifei behind him, walked towards the sample department, hands clasped behind his back.

"Xiao Wen, Xiao Guo, what are you arguing about?" Old Man Zhu entered and asked in a gentle tone.

"Old Man Zhu, how did you get here!"

"Old Man Zhu, please take a seat here."

Seeing Old Man Zhu come in, the two young people referred to as Xiao Wen and Xiao Guo quickly stood up and spoke.

"I’ve been sitting in the office long enough, so I’ll stay standing," Old Man Zhu replied, waving his hand.

He then asked, "Now, tell me, what were you disputing about?"

Both men looked somewhat embarrassed, but since Old Man Zhu had asked, they had to answer.

"Old Man Zhu, it’s like this: The blood samples sent from various cities are simply too many, and with the current efficiency of our project group, even if we rush, at most only a third of the blood samples can be tested within two days."

"Therefore, we must select a portion of these blood samples first. We had a disagreement over which ones to choose, which led to the dispute," the young man known as Xiao Wen explained first.

Old Man Zhu nodded, "Come on, tell me your thoughts and let this old man advise you."

After exchanging a glance, it was Xiao Wen who spoke first, "Old Man Zhu, here’s what I am thinking: among all the samples we tested before, those with the highest genetic compatibility were selected from more common abilities."

"So, for the next step, I want to select from these more common abilities in hopes of finding one with even higher compatibility. Even if we can increase the compatibility by one ten-thousandth, it would be a significant breakthrough."