Chapter 137 Research Institute

Ruan Ning pondered. Taking the initiative to make contact was risky, but it certainly suited her personality better than passively waiting. Moreover, she wanted to find out whether there was any connection between the research institute and "Origin."

“I have samples,” she said. There were also some tiny roots and leaf remnants of a giant tree in the space; their energy was weak, but enough to serve as “evidence.” “How do we make up the story?”

Qin Li took out a map and pointed to an area in the northwest of the outer city: "Here, the abandoned mine, numbered C-7. In a week, an official exploration team will go there to investigate its geological stability. You can 'accidentally' join them, or follow them, and then 'accidentally' discover traces of abnormal plant growth deep in the mine, experience slight mental interference, and finally bring out some samples. The leader of this exploration team is one of my men, and the report will be written logically."

"Okay." Ruan Ning nodded. "When?"

"Five days from now. The exploration team will gather at the warehouse in the fourth district of the outer city at eight o'clock in the morning and depart." Qin Li put away the map. "During these five days, you will operate normally, but try to stay within the fifth district and minimize close contact with strangers. I will also send people to keep an eye on the movements of the Black Rat Gang, the Merchant Alliance, and the Hunter Alliance."

The matter was settled. After Qin Li left, Zhou Min was somewhat worried: "Wasn't this too risky? The research institute might be a dangerous place."

Lin Yan was straightforward: "What's meant to be will be. It's better to take the initiative."

Ruan Ning didn't speak, and walked to the window. The building outlines in the direction of the inner city research institute in the distance looked somewhat eerie in the setting sun.

Five days later.

At 7:30 in the morning, Ruan Ning, Zhou Min, and Lin Yan arrived at the warehouse in the fourth district on time, carrying a large fire. An exploration team of about ten people had already assembled. The team leader was a man in his thirties named Lao Chen. He had an ordinary face but a steady gaze. When he saw Ruan Ning and the other two, he nodded almost imperceptibly.

"So these three are the temporarily recruited superhumans? I'm Captain Chen. Our mission is to investigate the structural stability of Mine C-7 and assess its potential for conversion into a temporary shelter or warehouse. There may be scattered zombies or mutated animals along the way, so stay alert. Follow orders completely, understand?"

"Understood," Ruan Ning replied.

The group set off in two modified off-road vehicles. Ruan Ning and his two companions got into Lao Chen's car. Da Huo was allowed to follow, but was instructed not to wander off unnecessarily.

After driving for more than an hour, we arrived at our destination. The C-7 mine is located at the foot of a desolate hillside, with its entrance partially buried by collapsed rocks and surrounded by overgrown weeds.

Old Chen directed his team to begin clearing the cave entrance and setting up lighting and equipment. Ruan Ning and the other two were also assigned simple tasks.

About two hours later, a gap large enough for a person to pass through was cleared at the entrance. Old Chen selected six people, including Ruan Ning and two others, and they entered the mine to explore, carrying equipment.

The mine was cold and damp, the air thick and murky. The beams of flashlights illuminated the dust-covered, cobweb-covered tunnels. The team moved forward in silence, the only sounds being their footsteps and breathing.

After descending about 300 meters, the tunnel forked ahead. Old Chen checked the map and pointed to the left: "According to plan, we'll go this way."

The tunnel on the left was narrower, and dark green, damp moss-like plants began to appear on the walls, reflecting a faint luster in the flashlight beam. Amidst the stench of decay in the air, a subtle, sweet, plant fragrance had also appeared.

After walking a few dozen meters more, the team member at the front suddenly stopped, his voice sounding strange: "Captain... look ahead."

The flashlight beam shone forward. At the end of the tunnel, in a relatively open collapsed mine pit, a small patch of peculiar plants was growing. They resembled enlarged versions of vines, dark purple in color, with scaly patterns on their surface, swaying slowly without wind. In the center of the vines, there was a small clump of translucent purple fungi that emitted a faint glow.

"Be careful, it might be poisonous or have thorns." Old Chen signaled everyone to stop, put on protective gloves, and carefully approach to observe.

Just then, Ruan Ning sensed a faint, familiar fluctuation—similar to the lingering effects of the giant tree's mental interference, but much weaker and more chaotic.

"Hmm..." A teammate next to him suddenly shook his head, his eyes looking a little confused. "Why... am I feeling a little dizzy..."

Old Chen immediately took a few steps back and shouted in a low voice, "Back up! There might be something wrong with the air! Put on your gas masks!"

Everyone quickly retreated and put on their masks. But the slight dizziness did not completely disappear.

Ruan Ning feigned discomfort, crouching down and placing her hand on the slippery moss of the mine wall. "This moss... doesn't feel right."

Zhou Min also moved closer and carefully scraped off some dark green moss samples with a dagger, putting them into a sealed bag. Lin Yan, on the other hand, used a tool to cut a small section from the end of a twisting dark purple vine and put it into a sealed container as well.

Old Chen quickly directed everyone to take photos, record coordinates, and collect a small number of fungal samples. Then, he decisively ordered, "Retreat! This place is not safe to stay!"

The team quickly returned the way they came. Once they exited the mine and were back in the sunlight, the faint dizziness gradually dissipated.

Old Chen immediately reported to the base via radio that "an unknown mutated plant has been discovered, suspected of having mild psycho-interference properties," and handed over the collected samples. The entire process conformed to standard exploration procedures.

That afternoon, we returned to the base. The samples were routinely sent to the relevant departments for analysis.

The next day, news came that the research institute was "very interested" in the samples and wanted to "meet with the discoverer in person to understand the situation."

The invitation to contact was officially sent to the communication terminal associated with Ruan Ning's identity card through official channels.

Time: 10:00 AM the following day. Location: Seventh Analysis Room, Biological Research Institute, Third District of the Inner City. Identification is required. One companion may accompany you. Mutant beasts must remain at the reception desk.

Ruan Ning told Zhou Min and Lin Yan the news.

"I'll go with you," Lin Yan said.

Zhou Min nodded: "I'll provide backup outside. Let Da Huo follow me."

Qin Li quickly received the news and sent a text message: "Wang Jingsong, senior researcher at the institute, specializing in mutation biology, clean background, but shrewd. Just deal with it according to plan. My men are on the outskirts of the institute."

At 9:50 a.m. the next day, Ruan Ning and Lin Yan arrived at the Inner City Biological Research Institute. It was a five-story building, entirely white, with armed guards at the entrance.

After showing their ID cards and invitation codes, the two were led to the reception room on the first floor. Da Huo was asked to stay in a designated pet holding area, where staff would look after it. It was a little impatient, but eventually lay down after Ruan Ning comforted it.

At exactly ten o'clock, a man in his forties, wearing a white lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses, walked in. He was of medium build and had a refined appearance, but his eyes behind the glasses shone with an overly focused light.

“Ms. Ruan Ning, Ms. Lin Yan? I am Wang Jingsong, in charge of this sample analysis.” He spoke steadily and extended his hand.

Ruan Ning shook hands with him; his hand felt dry and slightly cool. "Researcher Wang."

"Please follow me." Wang Jinsong turned and led the way, passing through several brightly lit corridors and entering a room marked "Analysis Room Seven".

The room was large, filled with various instruments and petri dishes, and the air smelled of a mixture of disinfectant and some strange plant sap. A small reception area was separated from the room by glass on one side.