Chapter 31 "Farewell Ceremony"

The only sound in my ears was the rapid heartbeat.

It hit him again and again. But Qi He hadn't regained consciousness yet. He just thought it was the beating of his eardrum caused by his own heartbeat.

The wet sweat flowed down his forehead and neck, and seemed to have wet Yan Chuanbai's body as well.

Qi He has no time to take care of these things for the time being.

He felt the subtle changes that occurred in his body after three evolutions: last time he was able to control multiple forces at the same time, this time, it seemed that he could touch an even more "massive" force -

His heart rate was a little faster.

The system finally popped up in a daze: […I thought you were going to be gone.]

It asked cautiously: [What new branches have you produced?]

Qi He calmed his heartbeat and said, "Don't worry, I won't need it for the time being."

【……temporary? 】

Some "powers" cannot be used lightly. He can choose not to use them, but he must know how to use them.

He was quite satisfied with this evolution.

His forehead moved unconsciously, and the hand around his waist suddenly tightened. Then, a large hand brushed aside his wet hair and wiped the sweat from his forehead with its palm.

The vision suddenly became brighter and Qi He looked up.

He caught Yan Chuanbai's eye at first sight.

Yan Chuanbai was looking down at him, his dark eyes churning with unclear emotions. His lips were tightly pursed, and he stared at him for an unknown amount of time.

As consciousness gradually returned, he felt the hand on his forehead was a little cold.

Yan Chuanbai lowered his eyes and said in a hoarse voice: "...Are you okay?"

Qi He felt it and said, "It's okay, but I can't move yet."

After a few seconds, the body suddenly flew into the air——

Yan Chuanbai picked him up, and he subconsciously hugged her shoulders. The epaulettes and uniform buttons were a bit uncomfortable. Yan Chuanbai crossed the aisle with his long legs, then leaned over and placed him on the bed.

His feet were resting on the edge of the bed, and Yan Chuanbai pulled a pillow under his head. He then sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at him sideways.

The two looked at each other, Qi He: "..."

Yan Chuanbai looked at him and sneered softly: "What is it this time?"

Qi He said seriously: "Pull——"

Yan Chuanbai predicted, "Cramps?"

Qi He shook his head: "It's a seizure."

“…”

He lowered his head and laughed. There was a hint of anger in his laughter. The veins on the back of his hand supporting his side were visibly blue, as if he was enduring something. After a moment, Yan Chuanbai raised his eyes again.

Qi He thought he would ask more questions, but Yan Chuanbai was silent for a moment and asked him: "Do you still need that box?"

He was stunned for a moment, "No need."

He stood up in front of him, turned around and walked over there.

Qi He's eyes widened slightly, "Yan..."

He paused, but didn't stop.

The plot required Yan Chuanbai to come into contact with the hybrid. He couldn't change it, but he had already minimized the impact. He was still wondering what to do if Yan Chuanbai didn't want to touch the box again, but he didn't expect that the other party would go over without hesitation.

I don’t know if he’s not afraid of death or if he has something he wants to verify.

The system was stunned: [...Yan Chuanbai is also crazy. He saw what happened to you, and yet he still dared to go.]

Qi He said casually: "It's common for people to be crazy."

【……】

In front, Yan Chuanbai stopped in front of the box.

His eyes dropped for a moment, a hint of undisguised anger in them, and then, without hesitation, he reached out and opened the lid of the box. The hybrids stored inside came into view—

A sesame-like plant whose seeds are dispersed by ejection.

No wonder Qi He pushed me away at the first moment.

This is to prevent him from being attached to large amounts of pollen and seeds.

Yan Chuanbai tightened his knuckles on the lid, his chest heaving. He waited for a few seconds, but nothing happened.

He closed the lid again and turned around:

"Do you think there's something wrong with it?"

Qi He regained some consciousness and stood up. He casually brushed his hair aside, revealing his clear features. He looked at him calmly, "Logically speaking, everything Base II provided has been tested, so there's a high probability there won't be any problems."

There is no tester here, nor any direct proof.

But Yan Chuanbai didn't seem to doubt his words: "Either someone tampered with it, or something unexpected happened."

Qi He lowered his head and thought carefully.

His mental strength had not yet recovered, and his face was pale.

Yan Chuanbai looked at him for a few seconds and walked closer. "They are all resting now. Ask them tomorrow if you have anything."

Qi He thought about it and lay back down, closing his eyes: "Okay."

There was silence beside me for a while, and then the footsteps disappeared.

Restoring mental strength is an extremely exhausting task. He ignored Yan Chuanbai and fell into a deep sleep with his eyes closed.

After an unknown amount of time, a warm, wet handkerchief suddenly came over and wiped his forehead and cheeks, then went down his neck, rubbing his exposed skin bit by bit.

In the hazy air, a low voice fell:

“…Stop worrying people.”

-

The next day, I woke up early.

Qi He felt his mental strength was stronger than ever before, and he felt that he had basically recovered. He said to the system happily:

"The sky cleared up, the rain stopped, and I felt like I could do it again."

The system was heartbroken: [He, I can’t do it anymore.]

"?"

The system fell silent. Yesterday, Qi He slept, but it didn't. It felt like something was seriously wrong with its "male protagonist."

Qi He ignored the system's scheduled malfunctions.

He glanced to his side and saw that Yan Chuanbai had already gotten up and gone out, probably to the military headquarters.

He took a quick shower, changed his clothes, and followed her to the hall.

As soon as I arrived in the hall, I saw the atmosphere of confrontation between the two sides.

Yan Chuanbai leaned lazily at the conference table with his arms folded, facing Gong Lianyu who was jumping up and down:

"You have to give a reason. You can't provide any proof, but you won't let us go. What are you doing—"

Gong Lianyu took two seconds to speak: "Imprisonment!"

Everyone: “…”

Qi He walked over and stopped in front of him: "What are you talking about?"

Yan Chuanbai raised his eyes and looked at him carefully twice, "Have you rested well?"

Qi He said, "Okay."

Gong Lianyu saw that they were chatting as if no one was around, and he became even more angry. "Now is not the time for deep love—" He stopped talking and glanced at Yan Chuanbai. "…Isn't it time to clarify things?"

He said to Qi He, "Your I Base said there were problems with the hybrids we gave you. Do you have any explanation?"

The so-called problem comes from the warning of the plot.

This kind of thing cannot be explained clearly.

Qi He lowered his eyes, and the details of yesterday flashed through his mind.

An idea suddenly struck him, and he looked at the adjutant beside Gong Lianyu: "Are you keeping all the samples?"

The adjutant was stunned: "Yes."

Qi He looked him straight in the eye. "You opened the box of sesame-like hybrids yesterday."

He used an affirmative sentence, and the adjutant was speechless.

Gong Lianyu quickly figured it out, tilted his head, and asked coldly, "Is that true?"

The adjutant paused for a moment and said, "Yes."

He explained, "Didn't we encounter an attack by mutant strains on the way here yesterday? But we responded promptly, and there were no casualties or infections. The box simply slipped during the turbulence, so my subordinates opened it to check if the plants were damaged."

He stressed: "You will not be exposed to the virus in the car."

Qi He was silent for a moment, then said, "Base I suffered an invasion of mutant species a few days ago, and the mutations have now evolved to a higher level."

It takes time to compile the battle situation and research reports. When the second-hand battle situation is transmitted to Base II, the information from the other side will be even more delayed.

When Gong Lianyu and his team set out, they probably had not received the results yet.

But according to his speculation, the growth method that evolved layer by layer by absorbing nutrients was very similar to—

"parasitic."

After the words were spoken, everyone suddenly got goosebumps.

If this is the case, it is indeed possible that parasitic mutants can attach themselves to other plants, and after genetic fusion, they can attach themselves to the human body in a new form.

Gong Lianyu's expression changed and he turned around: "Go confirm with the research institute."

They are busy verifying it.

Qi He was thinking about Yan Chuanbai.

Previous speculations were confirmed step by step: the plot was pushing Yan Chuanbai towards powerful and dangerous changes.

It's just that the parasitic method is too simple and can be easily detected. Putting it on a "protagonist" like Yan Chuanbai doesn't seem to fit the plot style.

But it doesn't matter, he has already got two "key fragments".

He could piece together the outline.

The other side suddenly turned around and asked: "How did you know?"

Qi He came back to his senses and saw Gong Lianyu looking at him.

His thoughts raced for a moment, his expression remaining calm. "He sneezed at the conference table yesterday. Combat-type espers have superior physical fitness to average humans, and the hybrids have been in his care. I suspect he might have come into contact with pollen."

It is known that mutants can parasitize, so it is logically reasonable to infer that there is a probability of infection and fusion.

Gong Lianyu asked, "Then why is it a sesame-like hybrid?"

Qi He said: "Only with this plant can flowers and mature seeds coexist at the same time."

Gong Lianyu choked for a few seconds, feeling defeated. "...Okay, you're awesome." He looked at the two of them again and said, "You haven't come into contact with it before, have you? After taking it back to the base for testing, it's best to destroy it."

This time, it was Yan Chuanbai who answered: "Okay."

He spoke in a calm tone, only replying with the second half of the sentence.

Gong Lianyu was used to his reluctance to talk, so she didn't take it seriously. "Tell us when you have the results."

-

The parasitism incident sounded a wake-up call to the other side.

They made a new plan and implemented more comprehensive protection for Xiaohai.

Only then did Yan Chuanbai let them go.

Both teams are gathering.

Qi He was standing at the door waiting when Gong Lianyu came over with Xiao Hai. "Xiao Hai is here. Just in case, anyone who has handled the hybrids should have him heal them."

Yan Chuanbai didn't answer, but looked at Qi He first.

Qi He thought about it and nodded, "Okay."

Yan Chuanbai turned back and said, "Okay."

Gong Lianyu, "?"

Xiao Hai, “?”

Xiao Hai paused for only a moment, then raised his hand, adapting well: "Please relax your mental strength."

The next moment, a gentle power enveloped him, and his whole body was warmed, and his fatigue was swept away. Qi He looked at Yan Chuanbai again. He was healed by a near-S-level supernatural power, but the plot did not stop him.

He thought thoughtfully: "System, I suspect this is a combo."

System: […Is it appropriate for you to discuss my superiors with me? Please respect yourself.]

“It’s just a discussion, not optimized yet.”

The system was severely shaken by his crazy remarks.

[What's wrong?... No, don't talk! ]

Qi He is still here seducing the system.

On the other side, Yan Chuanbai went to send the people from Base II away.

The convoy had already stopped outside the station. Gong Lianyu put Xiao Hai in the passenger seat, then stood outside the car door and said goodbye to Yan Chuanbai: "I heard that you were going back to headquarters, but you ended up staying at Base I——"

He glanced at Qi He over there: "Is it because of him?"

“…”

Yan Chuanbai was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "I guess so."

Gong Lianyu: “Tsk.”

He thought back to what happened just now. "You were disobedient, weren't you? Now you obey everything he says."

Yan Chuanbai took a deep breath, "...You could say that."

Gong Lianyu said confidently: "You like him."

Yan Chuanbai admitted it smoothly this time: "Yes."

Gong Lianyu reviewed this series of conversations, took a deep breath, and sighed: "Even S-level healing power can't cure your love brain."

“………” Yan Chuanbai’s smile turned cold.

Gong Lianyu quickly scurried back to the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. Yan Chuanbai was about to turn and leave when the window rolled down again and a hand extended, "Oh, by the way, he didn't like the previous meeting gift. I'll give him a new 'parting gift'. You're welcome."

After saying that, he snapped his fingers. Snap!

Yan Chuanbai warned quickly: "Gong Lianyu."

Boom! The car sped away like a fleeing fugitive—

Yan Chuanbai stared at the rear of the car as it drove away. After a moment, he took out his communication and sent a message to headquarters. Then, he curled his lips slightly, put the communication in his pocket and walked back.

He stopped beside Qi He and looked him over: "Are you okay?"

Qi He turned around: "Full of strength once again?"

Yan Chuanbai studied it for a moment and said, "...Forget it."

He didn't know what Gong Lianyu had copied again, but seeing that there was nothing unusual about him, he put it aside for the time being.

It's time to prepare to return.

Yan Chuanbai drove, and Qi He fastened his seatbelt in the passenger seat. The car started up and drove towards Base I.

After three evolutions, Qi He was full of mental strength and accelerated all the way.

There was only a blurry afterimage left outside the window.

The car was quiet, and he asked, "Has You Tianxing contacted you in the past two days?"

Yan Chuanbai: "Nothing serious, usually we don't contact each other."

Qi He nodded, and then heard someone beside him casually say, "What about you?"

"What?" He glanced sideways and shook his head, "Of course he didn't contact me either."

“…”

The system uttered an ambiguous mocking sound: [Hehe.]

Qi He narrowed his eyes slightly and was about to return to the system when the communicator suddenly beeped twice. He opened it and it was Guan Shangchun: "You should be returning. Be careful. [Lovely Blessing]"

Suddenly, a voice came from the side: "What's going on?"

Qi He said, "It's okay, it's still official."

Yan Chuanbai chuckled and tapped the steering wheel twice with his fingertips. He was about to speak when he suddenly felt an inexplicable compulsion and his inner thoughts almost blurted out -

There was a hint of anger in the sneer:

"Then Green Tea, can't you delete him?"

“…”

Qi He, "?"

The author has something to say:

Gong Lianyu (snaps fingers) (cool): Hey~ Do you like this parting gift?

Yan Chuanbai: Smile.

Qi He: What’s going on?