"The adaptation period will take approximately 72 hours," a mechanical voice sounded. Xiao Yi turned around and saw Lin Xue's holographic projection floating in the air, but it was much blurrier than in the virtual world.
"You're still here..." Xiao Yi was a little surprised.
"My core program has been uploaded to the base's mainframe," Lin Xue explained. "Although its functions are limited, I will still be your assistant."
The other hibernation pods around them opened one after another, and people struggled to wake up. Coughing and retching could be heard one after another. Chen Feng walked out from behind a control console, looking much older than he had appeared in the virtual world.
"Welcome to the real world," he said with a wry smile, "even though it looks like hell."
Xiao Yi looked around. This was a huge underground facility, filled with rusty pipes and flashing warning lights. The air was filled with the smell of motor oil and disinfectant.
"Where are the others?" Xiao Yi asked.
"In another area," Chen Feng replied. "This base has twelve dormant areas, housing a total of 100,000 dormants. You are the first to be awakened."
Suddenly, the entire base shook violently and dust fell from the ceiling.
"The Observers are attacking the surface shield," Lin Xue warned. "We don't have much time."
Chen Feng called up a holographic projection, showing a diagram of the base's structure: "We need to organize manpower and build fortifications as soon as possible. Xiao Yi, you are responsible for..."
Before he could finish his words, a researcher came running over in a panic: "Dr. Chen! Come and take a look at this!"
In the laboratory, a set of astonishing data is jumping on the screen.
"These are the physiological data of the first group of awakened individuals," the researcher said excitedly. "Their genes have indeed mutated! Look here!"
Xiao Yi moved closer to the screen and saw a large number of unknown fragments appearing on his genetic map.
"These mutated genes are producing a special protein," Lin Xue analyzed, "that can resist the erosion of high-dimensional energy."
Chen Feng's eyes lit up: "This is the key to our fight against the Great Filter!"
Just then, the alarm sounded again, this time more urgently.
"Warning! Area A's protective shield is damaged! High-dimensional energy infiltration detected!"
The holographic projection showed that an area of the base had begun to distort, just as it was seen in the virtual world.
"Hurry!" Chen Feng shouted, "All awakened ones, go to Area A immediately! We need your genetic antibodies!"
Xiao Yi followed the crowd and ran towards Area A, feeling his lungs burning with every step. But strangely, as he got closer to the damaged area, his breathing became smoother.
The scene in Area A was terrifying. Space was distorted like crumpled paper, and several staff members who hadn't had time to evacuate had turned into translucent purple crystals.
"Stand behind me!" Xiao Yi shouted to the others. He felt the mutant genes in his body becoming active, generating a strange energy field.
When the distorted space came into contact with this energy field, it actually began to return to normal!
"It worked!" Lin Xue's voice came over the radio, "All mutants, disperse to the damaged area immediately!"
More and more awakened people arrived, and the genetic antibodies in their bodies began to take effect. The distorted space was gradually repaired, and the invasion of the observers was temporarily contained.
But the price was enormous. Many newly awakened people collapsed from overusing their genetic abilities, their bodies unable to withstand such drastic changes.
"We need to find a balance," Chen Feng said anxiously in the command center, "otherwise, we'll collapse before the Observers even get in."
Lin Xue pulled up a set of data: "According to calculations, if we can keep the mutant gene expressed stably instead of over-activating it, we can protect the base while avoiding damage to the body."
"But how?" Xiao Yi asked. He felt like every cell in his body was burning.
"It requires a catalyst," Lin Xue replied, "a nanomachine that can regulate gene expression. But with our current level of technology..."
Her words were interrupted by a violent tremor that shook the entire base.
"Warning! Main shield is about to collapse! Time remaining: 12 hours!"
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