MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 231
Chapter 231: The Crimson Queen
Jing Yi's jaw hung open, his mind reeling.
He wasn't a complete bumpkin. He'd heard whispers that the powerful clans of the current era not only focused on individual strength but also embraced technological advancements. However, technology was a distant concept in Archean City and the Heaven Saber Gang. Encountering artificial intelligence for the first time was beyond his wildest imagination.
Cautiously, he asked, "What can you do for me?"
The Crimson Queen's response was immediate and succinct. "Everything."
Jing Yi paused, then, recalling the information imparted by the Jing God, said, "Take me to Laboratory One."
The Crimson Queen's tone shifted, a hint of warning in her synthetic voice. "Are you sure?"
Jing Yi frowned. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"The project in Laboratory One is one of the Flame Clan's most significant undertakings. However, due to unforeseen accidents 5,342 years ago, Project One became uncontrollable."
"Entering Laboratory One recklessly could pose unknown risks. Therefore, I must confirm your intentions once more. Do you truly wish to proceed?"
Jing Yi hesitated momentarily, then nodded decisively. "I'm sure!"
He had nothing left to lose.
His life was in shambles, and death held no fear for him.
Besides, Project One was the weapon of vengeance left to him by his ancestor, the Jing God. What were unknown risks compared to that?
Weapons were inherently dangerous, after all.
But in his current state of emotional turmoil, Jing Yi failed to grasp a crucial point.
The Jing God had already been in slumber 5,342 years ago.
The Flame Clan's downfall and the Three Kings' Rebellion were events of the distant past, culminating in the clan's complete annihilation 5,342 years ago.
Jing Yi remained ignorant of this crucial detail.
Or rather, he had ceased to care.
The research institute's corridor illuminated, guiding Jing Yi deeper into its depths with a trail of glowing arrows.
He followed the path, his footsteps echoing in the sterile silence.
The Royal First Research Institute was a sprawling complex, its main road branching into numerous corridors, each leading to a clandestine project.
The Black Mist Zone had existed for countless eons, and over its long history, it had chosen countless races to become tribulation transcenders.
Technological advancement played no role in the selection process.
Some chosen races possessed rudimentary technology, akin to that of primitive societies. Others had embraced science, reaching the era of interstellar exploration before entering the Black Mist Zone.
However, regardless of their prior technological prowess, all races within the Black Mist Zone were bound to the Origin Power System. Its higher ceiling and the allure of superhuman abilities resonated more deeply with the inherent desires of intelligent beings.
But this didn't mean they abandoned technology entirely.
Once the initial chaos subsided, some of the larger clans resumed their technological pursuits. While no race had managed to alter their fate through science alone within the Black Mist Zone, they had achieved minor advancements, bringing some semblance of convenience to their lives.
As Jing Yi followed the directions towards Laboratory One, he recalled the cryptic information the Jing God had imparted.
"Project One is called 'Pollution,' correct?" he whispered, his voice echoing in the sterile corridor.
"Yes," the Crimson Queen confirmed.
"Can you give me a detailed introduction to this 'Pollution' project?"
The Jing God had only told Jing Yi that this project could be his weapon of revenge, implying its immense power. However, he hadn't explained what "Pollution" entailed.
Perhaps even the Jing God had been hesitant to entrust Jing Yi with such knowledge.
"The inspiration for the 'Pollution' project came from the zombies," the Crimson Queen explained softly.
Jing Yi frowned.
"It is well-known that zombies are created by the infection of Origin Power in the weak," she continued.
"But once someone becomes a superhuman, even at the Mortal Realm, they are completely immune to this infection."
"This raised a question: Can this infection be extended to superhumans?"
"The 'Pollution' project was designed to solve this problem: to expand the zombie transformation to the superhuman level... Not just the Mortal Realm, but also the Physique Realm, the Spirit Realm, the Origin Realm, the Ancient Realm, and even the gods!"
Jing Yi interrupted. "There's already a solution to this problem. The Undead Clan's Corpse Soldier Technique can turn superhumans into zombies, though it's limited to those below the Spirit Realm. And the technique is quite complex."
"But the underlying logic is the same," he concluded.
A wave of disappointment washed over Jing Yi. The Undead Clan was the progenitor of all things zombie-related, and it seemed this 'Pollution' project was merely a leftover from their experiments. Nothing to get excited about.
Suddenly, the Crimson Queen's voice broke through his thoughts.
"The original intent of the 'Pollution' project was indeed as I described," she said, a hint of mystery in her tone.
"But during subsequent experiments, the project underwent some unexpected changes, ones that no one could have foreseen."
She paused, leaving Jing Yi hanging in suspense.
"For the specific details, you'll have to see for yourself."
By this point, Jing Yi had reached the entrance to Laboratory One.
He peered through the observation window.
Inside, a grotesque sight met his eyes. Countless dark red flesh networks intertwined, forming a pulsating mass about ten meters in diameter at the center of the laboratory.
Jing Yi frowned, about to question the Crimson Queen, when the meat lump suddenly shuddered.
It trembled, then rotated, revealing a single, massive eye.
Jing Yi recoiled in shock.
The meat lump was, in fact, a giant, disembodied eyeball!
An eerie energy emanated from it, as if it wanted to reach out to Jing Yi but was restrained by the specially crafted glass wall.
"What is this thing?" Jing Yi demanded, his voice tinged with fear.
The Crimson Queen's answer was chilling.
"The final product of the 'Pollution' project: the Source of Dreams."
"Source of Dreams..." Jing Yi repeated, his mind racing. "What does it do? The Jing God told me this could be my weapon of revenge. It must be powerful, right?"
With eyes brimming with anticipation, Jing Yi stared at the Source of Dreams, hanging on the Crimson Queen's every word.
"At its inception, the Source of Dreams didn't have a defined level. Its exact strength is unknown to me. Originally, it possessed abilities like dream induction, pollution, and flesh distortion. However, after the Flame Emperor, along with the Black King, Blue King, and nearly all the Flame Clan members at the time, merged with it, it underwent a second evolution."
The Crimson Queen's voice paused, leaving Jing Yi hanging in suspense.
"I don't know what abilities the Source of Dreams possesses now. I'm simply following the last order I received... King Lin's command to contain this entity and prevent any contact with the outside world."
Jing Yi was stunned, the weight of the revelation crashing down on him. It took him a long moment to process the overwhelming information.
End of Chapter 231