Qi Yuan pushed the door open and entered, just in time to see Tan Qiu's back as she stood by the workbench in a white coat. She was operating a device that was half the height of a person, seemingly examining something.
A holographic computer was placed to Tan Qiu's right. She was examining something while recording the experimental data.
Qi Yuan only glanced at the projection screen that was filled with data and felt his head swell. Unless a computing hub was constructed, no Extraordinaire, no matter how powerful, would be able to understand these things.
The room was very clean and simple. Other than the workbench placed in the middle of the room, there was a low-temperature freezer erected by the wall facing the window. Through the light blue curved glass, he could see the corpse of a black-toothed rat frozen inside.
Whether it was the analyzer on the workbench or the low-temperature freezer by the wall, it was obvious that they were not originally from Black Stone Town. These things were all research instruments that Tan Qiu had brought from the Black Steel Shelter.
Qi Yuan did not disturb Tan Qiu's research. He walked to the side and carefully observed the black-toothed rat that was frozen like amber. It was the same as the black-toothed rats he had seen before. Its black fur was soft and stuck to its body. Its sharp teeth were clearly visible, and he could even see the remaining flesh between its teeth. The only thing that was different was its eyes.
This black-toothed rat's pupils were pitch black, and there was not a trace of white in its eyes. It was clearly a fallen black-toothed rat.
Qi Yuan stared at the small bald scar on the black-toothed rat's head for a long time. Although all black-toothed rats looked the same, this black-toothed rat gave him a familiar feeling. It seemed to be the black-toothed rat he had dragged here to dig the tunnel!
'Didn't I kill that black-toothed rat underground? How did it become a fallen black-toothed rat and appear here?'
A question surfaced in Qi Yuan's mind.
"You've seen this fallen black-toothed rat before?" A slightly hoarse female voice came from behind him.
Qi Yuan felt a chill in his heart. He had not noticed Tan Qiu's approach.
Could it be that this seemingly powerless researcher was also a powerful metahuman?
"No!" Qi Yuan suppressed the shock in his heart and shook his head, decisively denying her speculation.
Tan Qiu was wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Strings of blue characters danced on the lenses like a holographic projection screen.
Tan Qiu casually pressed the edge of the lens frame, and the jumping characters on the lens instantly disappeared, turning into two completely transparent pieces of glass.
Tan Qiu did not dwell on the issue of the black-toothed rats. He only nodded lightly and brushed it aside.
"Your name is Qi Yuan?" Tanqiu asked.
"Yes!" Qi Yuan replied calmly.
Tan Qiu touched the frame of her glasses again. A blue light screen followed her line of sight and slowly swept over Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan felt a faint electric shock from the light screen. He quickly realized that it was checking his body's information.
Qi Yuan resisted the urge to shoot Tanqiu with his spear. He silently endured the other party's probing. When the light screen swept over his body and slowly disappeared, Tanqiu's brows furrowed slightly.
"I thought you were a genetic warrior. Unexpectedly, you are an awakened one!"
Qi Yuan's heart tightened, but his expression did not change.
Awakened ones were very common. However, if Tan Qiu knew that he had changed from a powerless ordinary person to an awakened one with many extraordinary abilities in just a few days, even if she did not sense the existence of the super Talent Tree of Life, she would have realized that something was wrong. If she was not careful, he might end up like the black-toothed rat, frozen and used as a specimen for experiments.
"I have preliminarily tested your DNA sample. It is very clean and very stable. There are no traces of the injection of evolution drugs. I did not expect that other than those pure-blood humans who were raised in captivity, there would be such a powerful gene body in the wilderness."
A pure-blood human!
Raised in captivity!
Qi Yuan suddenly remembered the information revealed by Master Luo. He suddenly became nervous.
This Tan Qiu would not treat him as a pure-blood human and bring him back to the Black Steel Shelter to be raised in captivity, right?
Perhaps sensing Qi Yuan's vigilance, the corners of Tan Qiu's mouth curled up slightly.
"Don't be nervous. I won't dissect you and make you into an experimental specimen. I'm just a little curious. Which shelter did you run out from?"
"Is it the Storm Shelter that rioted because of the infiltration of the Spirit Beast, or the Hope Shelter that was almost destroyed by the Apocalypse Holy Court?"
"I don't understand what you are talking about!" Qi Yuan said expressionlessly.
"Don't worry. Although the Storm Shelter and Hope Shelter issued a notice to the public to summon the escaped pure-blood humans back, they did not issue a bounty for you. They probably think that you have been contaminated by the wilderness and are no longer the pure-blood humans they need."
Tan Qiu thought that she had guessed Qi Yuan's thoughts. After carefully sizing up Qi Yuan, she smiled and said, "Although I do not agree with your proposal, the new humans are much more powerful than you.
"Although I don't agree with the plan to recruit new people, your genes are indeed stronger than ordinary people's. My research just happens to need some stable gene samples, so I hope to collect some samples from you as my experiment material."
"Of course, I won't take your samples for free. In exchange, I can give you a Tier 2 evolution drug or help you carry out a mechanical modification!"
Luckily, it's just a sample. If she wanted to slice me up, I would really be dead!
Qi Yuan quietly heaved a sigh of relief in his heart, but his face revealed a trace of anger and unwillingness to lower his head under someone else's roof. After his expression changed a few times, he finally nodded in the end.
Tan Qiu's movements were very fast. Not only did she draw 100 milliliters of blood from Qi Yuan's body, she also used a pair of scissors to cut off a small piece of hair and a small piece of fingernail.
Qi Yuan took out the Butcher that he always carried with him and placed it on the workbench.
After knowing the Shelter's attitude towards mechanical equipment, Qi Yuan did not expect to be able to obtain mechanical equipment from Tan Qiu. However, if he could modify the Butcher, it would be a good choice.
"Can it undergo mechanical modification?"
Although the Tier 2 evolution drug was precious, it did not have much meaning to him. Qi Yuan did not hesitate to use the opportunity that he had obtained by selling himself to the Butcher.
The Butcher was very powerful, but for the place he was about to go, it was still not enough. The new checkpoint refreshed near the Black Steel Shelter. Even if it was just a gathering point outside, there were many Extraordinaries that were far more powerful than Blackstone Town. If he wanted to complete the checkpoint there with just a few Tier 1 abilities, it would be much more difficult than here.
Tan Qiu picked up the Butcher and observed it for a while, quickly determining its origin.
"The Butcher produced by the Black Steel Gate, and it's a first-generation one. I didn't expect to see such an antique here!"
Tan Qiu played with the Butcher for a while before putting it down.
"This Butcher model is too old. Without enough materials, modifying it will only increase the firing speed by 10% or reduce the recoil. It shouldn't be of much use to you."
"If you really want to modify a gun, the Death Reaper in your hands is more suitable than the Butcher. There are many parts in Situ's collection that can be used."
"The modified Death Reaper will be able to fire two shots in a row. Its power will also increase by 10%, and its aiming and effective killing range will increase by 20%. If combined with your ability to strengthen bullets, even if it's a Tier 3 Extraordinaire, as long as they don't have a Tier 3 defense enhancement, you'll be able to heavily injure them within 200 meters!
Or even kill them! "
"Then I'll modify Death Reaper!"
Qi Yuan was not someone who did not listen to advice, so he made a decision decisively.
Although Death Reaper was less practical than the Butcher, under certain circumstances, Death Reaper was an incomparably fierce killing machine!
If Tan Qiu's modification of Death Reaper could reach the level she mentioned, it would be no less than a Tier 1 Extraordinaire's ability.
"Bring it over. The modification will take a day. Come and get it tomorrow at this time."
After Qi Yuan left, Hong Cang pushed open the door of the room next door and walked in. Seeing Tan Qiu holding Death Reaper's parameters, he could not help but ask,
"A Tier 1 Wilderness Hunter doesn't seem worth wasting a day on."
"I naturally have my reasons for doing this."
Tan Qiu said as she put down Death Reaper and pressed the control button on the edge of her glasses. A blue fan-shaped screen projected from the edge of the glasses and slowly swept over Death Reaper.
A holographic projection of Death Reaper suddenly appeared on the workbench. Tan Qiu's fingers moved nimbly as she quickly disassembled the holographic projection of Death Reaper into countless small parts.
Hong Cang stood beside the workbench and looked at the projection of Death Reaper.
"You are now a Tier 3 researcher. According to the rules, all your genetic research projects must be reported to the higher-ups. If someone finds out that you haven't reported your research projects, I'm afraid there will be trouble. Your promotion to Tier 3 researcher has blocked the path of some people. They will probably keep an eye on you and wait for you to make a mistake."
In the Black Steel Shelter, the Biological and Mechanical Research Institute had a unique position. They had an independent promotion system. Tier 3 researchers were already considered the upper echelons of the institute. Tier 4 researchers were nothing more than the index of their hands. There was only one Tier 5 researcher, and that was Director Morin.
"Among the Tier 3 researchers, you're the youngest, and you've been promoted the fastest. Although you've been promoted to Tier 3 for the shortest time, in many people's eyes, it's only a matter of time before you reach Tier 4. Why leave a flaw for a Wasteland Hunter?"
Tan Qiu pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and said indifferently, "I won't make a mistake. It's just a Tier 1 genetic sample. It's not enough to support a research project."
After a moment of silence, Hong Cang said slowly, "I've been with you for a long time. I know you have a little habit. Whenever you lie, you will push your glasses up the bridge of your nose. Even if you don't wear them, you will subconsciously do the same thing."
Tan Qiu's movements stiffened. She paused for a moment, then suddenly said in a deep voice,
"Do you think the New Human Project will succeed?"
Hong Cang was slightly taken aback. He didn't expect Tan Qiu to suddenly throw out such a controversial topic.
More than 50 years ago, when the New Human Project was first proposed, it caused a great deal of controversy. This controversy has continued to this day, but no unified answer has been reached. However, whether it was the Gate of Truth, the Armory of Doomsday, the Union of Flesh and Blood, the Theosophical Society, or even the Doomsday Holy Court, they all silently began the implementation of the New Human Project after that joint meeting.
At the beginning of the New Human Project, it encountered great resistance and even caused serious turmoil. However, it still continued. Under the secret promotion of many parties, as the first and second generations of New Human Project slowly came out of the laboratory and integrated into the ordinary people, there was no reproductive isolation, there was no complete suppression of the old Human Project, and there was no division of the human race. Everyone's opposition to the New Human Project was not as strong as it was at the beginning, and slowly, people accepted their existence.
In the eyes of many people, the New Human Project was not much different from ordinary people except that they could awaken extraordinary abilities at a very young age.
"There are very few people who are against it now. It should be successful-" Hong Cang said with some hesitation.
"Even you have changed your position on this matter?" Tan Qiu looked deeply at Hong Cang.
"I just don't want to see this plan cause turmoil. To me, whether it is the old Human Project or the New Human Project, they are all the same. They should not be regarded as two completely different races." Hong Cang replied.
"If I told you that some of the New Human Project in the laboratory in the shelter have developed to the fifth or even sixth generation, would you still think so?"
"How is this possible!"
Hong Cang, who had been calm all this time, suddenly opened his mouth wide, as if he couldn't believe this news.
From the time the New Human Project was proposed until now, it had only been 51 years. If it had been the old Human Project, at most, there would have been a third generation of New Human Project. Even if the New Human Project was shortened by a few years, there would only be a fourth generation of New Human Project in 51 years. There was no way there would be a fifth or sixth generation of New Human Project.
"Although this news hasn't spread widely, it can't be considered a secret. I learned about it the day I became a Tier 3 researcher, and I've already verified its authenticity."
"The Black Steel Shelter's New Human Project already has a fifth generation of New Human Project. The Flesh Alliance's progress won't be slower than ours, in fact, it will be faster. A sixth generation is just a conservative estimate."
"If what you said is true, then why didn't the higher-ups stop the New Human Project?" Hong Cang muttered to himself, as if he still hadn't recovered from the shock of this news.
"Stop the New Human Project?" A mocking smile appeared on Tan Qiu's face.
"Why do you think the first and second generation of New Human Project left the laboratory and integrated into the different social classes of the shelter? Was it really to prove their value to others, or to prove that they were the same as everyone else? Or was it just to ease the tension?"
"Neither. The purpose of their existence was to pave the way for the New Human Project. The first generation of New Human Project was originally a selection of powerful Evolvers with excellent genes. It's been 15 years since they left the laboratory. Not only did they perfectly return to human society, but with the help and acquiescence of certain people, they even rose to a high position."
"Think about how many Homo Evolutis have left the lab, and then think about how many of them are already standing above us."
"Of the seventeen board members of the company, two of them are New Human Project members. This year, there will be another one."
"I can guarantee that the number of New Human Project members on the board will continue to increase. When they have more than half of the board members, New Human Project members will become the owners of the shelter!"
"You're saying that the higher-ups are purposely transferring power to the New Human Project members?!" Hong Cang was shocked.
Although he was a Tier 4 Evolver, the distance between him and the top of the shelter was even greater than his status as a Tier 3 researcher. Therefore, Hong Cang did not pay much attention to the changes in the board of directors. Today, when Tan Qiu reminded him, he realized that in less than 15 years, the New Human Project members had already gained so much power.
"If it's just a transfer of power, for most people, it won't have much of an impact. After all, the power of the new era belongs to oneself. No matter how much power one has, it's not impossible to overturn it."
"However, if the New Human Project members also start to suppress the ordinary people, then everything will be irreversible!"
"Starting from the second generation of New Human Project members, every new generation of New Human Project members will have a slightly higher starting point. The gap between New Human Project members and ordinary people will also increase. If one day, the New Human Project members can directly give birth to descendants with Tier 4 or even higher superpowers, do you think ordinary people will still have room to live?"
"But what does this have to do with Qi Yuan? Could he be one of the New Human Project members?"
"It's very possible!" Tan Qiu nodded.
"I've done a genetic comparison experiment between New Human Project members, ordinary people, and evolvers. I found that the genetic stability of New Human Project members is far greater than that of ordinary people. This means that their genes can withstand a stronger impact."
"However, the genetic lock of New Human Project members has not been strengthened. This means that it's easier for them to break through the threshold of a higher superpower."
"If Qi Yuan is not the product of a genetic warrior, then it's very likely that he's a New Human Project member who escaped from another shelter. For more details, we'll need to return to the laboratory for more detailed tests."
"Do we need —" Hong Cang did not finish his sentence and looked at Tan Qiu.
"No need!"
Tan Qiu shook his head. "I've already collected enough DNA samples. There's no point in killing him. Keeping him alive will provide more data."
"He should be leaving Blackstone Town and going to the gathering points around the Black Steel Shelter. Keep an eye out for him. If he reaches third tier, you can consider absorbing him into the shelter. I prefer a living DNA sample," Han Sen said.
"What if he goes to the Quicksand Shelter?"
"Then put him there." As Tan Qiu spoke, he glanced at the cryopreserved black-toothed mouse by the wall.
"Compared to dying at the hands of the Xu family, he's more suitable to stay in my laboratory!"