Chapter 151 The Research Institute Comes Knocking

Chapter 151

Three days later, someone knocked on the door of Ruan Ning's small building.

They were two men in casual clothes.

“Ms. Ruan Ning? Researcher Wang Jingsong sent us to invite you to the institute to discuss the post-war supernatural ability assessment and potential development project.” The leading man handed over a card with the institute’s emblem.

Ruan Ning took the card without looking at it: "Just me?"

“If your teammates are interested in learning about the project, they can come along too. They mainly want to talk to you.” The man’s tone was polite, but it left no room for refusal.

Zhou Min and Lin Yan stood behind Ruan Ning without saying a word.

Ruan Ning nodded: "Now?"

"If it's convenient for you."

"Wait for me." Ruan Ning turned and went upstairs, whispering to Zhou Min and Lin Yan, "Stay in touch as planned."

She followed the person who came and left. The car drove towards the inner city.

They had barely left when Shen Yan emerged from the shadows of the alley and climbed over the wall into the courtyard.

Zhou Min immediately became alert: "Who?"

"I am Shen Yan." Shen Yan landed, dusting off his hands. "Ruan Ning was taken away by the research institute?"

Lin Yan gripped the knife hilt tightly: "How did you know?"

“I was keeping an eye on things nearby. I saw their car,” Shen Yan said directly. “I also received an ‘invitation’ this afternoon. They started making moves.”

Zhou Min frowned: "What do you want to do?"

“Cooperation,” Shen Yan said. “I’m investigating the research institute, and you need intelligence too. You have the resources and connections with Qin Li, and I need to leverage that.”

Zhou Min and Lin Yan exchanged glances.

"Let's talk about it when Ruan Ning comes back," Zhou Min said.

Research Institute, Seventh Analysis Room.

Wang Jinsong smiled warmly: "Ms. Ruan, please have a seat. This is a routine assessment. Thank you for your contributions to the base."

He asked some standard questions: combat losses, recovery status, and any unusual zombies encountered.

Ruan Ning answered them one by one.

Wang Jinsong changed the subject: "Your water-based ability seems to have a rare low-temperature characteristic. Could you elaborate?"

"It's just a change in the form of water," Ruan Ning replied.

"What about psychic abilities? I heard you helped kill that command-type zombie, which requires a very strong mental perception."

"Good teamwork."

Wang Jinsong stopped pressing the matter and produced an agreement: "The research institute is preparing a 'High-Level Ability User Potential Development Project,' aimed at helping talented individuals break through bottlenecks. We invite you to participate. In return, we will provide customized resources."

Ruan Ning looked at the agreement; the terms were vague, but the promised resources were very tempting.

“I need to think about it,” she said.

“Of course.” Wang Jinsong put away the agreement, then suddenly asked, “Ms. Ruan, is your mother’s name Ji Wan?”

Ruan Ning's heart tightened, but she remained outwardly calm: "Yes. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just asking." Wang Jinsong smiled. "I heard your mother passed away a long time ago. My condolences."

Ruan Ning stared at him: "Researcher Wang is very concerned about my family affairs?"

"Just chatting," Wang Jinsong changed the subject. "The project invitation is valid indefinitely; you can contact me anytime."

Ruan Ning left the research institute. Returning to the small building, she saw Shen Yan.

"Did they mention your mother?" Shen Yan asked.

“They mentioned my name.” Ruan Ning sat down. “They’re investigating my background.”

Shen Yan: "I've learned that the 'Tracing the Origins' team has recently been secretly collecting old files from decades ago, focusing on those related to the 'Origin' project and their descendants. They suspect that important relics from the 'Origin' have been passed down."

Lin Yan: "His belongings?"

Ruan Ning shook her head: "They didn't mention it. But since they found out about my mother, they've probably also found out about her belongings, or at least they suspect them."

Zhou Min: "What do we do now? If we refuse them, they might use force; if we accept them, we're walking into the tiger's den."

Shen Yan said, "I suggest we turn the tables on them."

Ruan Ning looked at him.

Shen Yan: "I'll accept the invitation and join the project. But I have conditions: I need a certain degree of freedom, I can bring an 'assistant,' and I can contact my family regularly. That way, they won't dare to act recklessly in public. We'll gather evidence inside and find out the details of the 'source tracing' team."

Ruan Ning pondered. This was similar to the controlled contact she had previously considered; having Shen Yan with her would be more prudent.

“The risk is very high,” she said.

“Staying here is riskier,” Shen Yan said. “Once they start, they won’t stop. It’s better to be proactive than passive; we need to take the initiative.”

Ruan Ning finally nodded: "Okay. But once inside, follow my instructions."

Chen Yan said, "Deal."

Qin Li objected upon learning this, but could not persuade Ruan Ning otherwise, so he could only agree to provide support from the outside and use his military connections to exert pressure to ensure "transparency and compliance".

Three days later, Ruan Ning and Shen Yan entered the research institute's "High-Level Ability User Potential Development Center" as "project participants" and "technical assistants," respectively.

The first step is a thorough physical examination and aptitude test.

The instrument scanned the energy circuit and recorded mental fluctuations. Researchers recorded the data, occasionally exclaiming in amazement: "The water-based energy has extremely high purity, and the low-temperature conversion efficiency is astonishing… the mental power is incredibly stable…"

Wang Jinsong watched from the side, his eyes filled with excitement.

After the test, they were moved to a separate accommodation area, where the conditions were good but their activities were restricted and their communications were monitored.

On the first night, Shen Yan said in a low voice, "I've found a weak point in the internal network. Tonight, I'll try to break in and check the 'source tracing' logs."

Late at night, Shen Yan used modified equipment to connect to a hidden data interface. The code scrolled.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded in the corridor.

Ruan Ning gestured. Shen Yan quickly packed up the equipment and lay down.

The footsteps stopped outside the door and then faded away.

“Highly vigilant,” Shen Yan said.

"Take your time," Ruan Ning said.

The next day, "potential development" began. A special energy field was used to stimulate the superpower core, and the reaction was observed.

Ruan Ning sensed a slight, unusual energy activity in the energy field, but it was mixed with subtle fluctuations attempting to penetrate her mind. She pretended to be unaware and secretly used her mental power to isolate and analyze it.

Shen Yan moved around the center as an "assistant," noting down the patterns of passageways, surveillance cameras, and personnel.

A week later, Shen Yan gained access to the internal network and downloaded some encrypted log fragments.

View after decoding.

The log mentions: "Carrier compatibility test", "Mental resonance experiment", "Progress of deciphering the original code", "Sample requirement: high-purity mental crystal cores..."

Another instruction reads: "Pay special attention to 'Ruan,' whose ability characteristics match the 'Yuanchu-07' prediction model by 89%. Obtaining its biological sample information is a priority."

“They used me as a sample.” Ruan Ning’s eyes were cold. “What is ‘Origin-07’?”

Shen Yan shook his head: "Cannot find it. 'Yuan Chu' has a number, which may be a code for different sub-projects or experimental subjects."

Another entry: "'Tracing the Source' team is preparing to conduct a 'Deep Consciousness Contact Experiment,' requiring the cooperation of at least a fifth-order mental ability user. The goal is... 'to awaken or read the carrier's deep information.'"

“A carrier?” Ruan Ning thought of the necklace.

“Very likely.” Shen Yan’s expression was grave. “They want to use your mental power to explore secrets. This experiment is very dangerous.”

Ruan Ning paused for a moment: "Before they are ready to conduct the experiment, find out more evidence, find out the details of the 'source tracing' team and Feng Yuanzhou, and then find a way to fight back or leak the information."

Shen Yan: "We need external help. Qin Li's side..."

“I will find a way to send a message,” Ruan Ning said. “First, we need to find out the specific time, location, and personnel involved in the experiment.”