Chapter 138 Maneuvering
The three sat down. Wang Jinsong got straight to the point: "The sample you submitted is very special. In particular, the vine and the moss attached to it exhibit a low-intensity but broad-spectrum psycho-interference characteristic that we have never recorded before. Could you explain the discovery process in detail? Any detail could be very important."
Ruan Ning calmly recounted the story she had rehearsed with Lao Chen: She followed the exploration team into the C-7 mine, discovered unusual plants deep inside, felt slightly dizzy, collected samples, and quickly evacuated.
Lin Yan added a few more details about the environment and the appearance of the plants at that time.
Wang Jinsong listened attentively, occasionally taking notes on his tablet. After they finished speaking, he adjusted his glasses and asked, "What exactly did you feel when you experienced 'dizziness'? Did you hear any sounds or see anything unusual?"
"I felt dizzy and a little nauseous, like I was short of breath. I didn't hear any unusual sounds, and the scenery... it was very dark in the mine, and the flashlight beams were too bright to see clearly," Ruan Ning replied.
Did the other team members have similar reactions?
"Yes. I felt better after the captain ordered a retreat."
Wang Jinsong nodded, swiped his finger across the tablet a few times, and brought up some data charts.
“Based on the sample analysis, the frequency and pattern of this mental interference signal have a slight similarity to some earlier records in our database.” He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Ruan Ning’s face.
"About a month ago, there was an unusual, large-scale burst of spiritual energy near Qinglin Town, about 150 kilometers to the southwest. Shortly afterward, plants in that area began to show varying degrees of activation. Have you heard about it?"
"We're here." Ruan Ning's expression remained unchanged: "Qinglin Town? We came from the east, we didn't pass through that area. Researcher Wang thinks there's a connection between the two?"
“It’s just academic speculation.” Wang Jinsong smiled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “This special pattern of mental interference may very well originate from a high-level mutated plant parent organism that possesses collective consciousness or powerful mental radiation. The samples from the C-7 mine may be the result of the spread of its spores or derivatives. If that’s the case, finding the parent organism would be of immeasurable value for studying the mechanisms of plant mutation and even the development of mental abilities.”
He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice: "Ms. Ruan, in the mine, did you really only see those vines and fungi? Did you find anything else? For example, crystallized substances? Or anything with particularly concentrated energy reactions?"
Ruan Ning met his gaze: "No. We only conducted a cursory investigation, and we withdrew immediately upon discovering anything amiss. What is the crystallized substance that Researcher Wang mentioned?"
"Oh, it's just a hypothesis." Wang Jinsong leaned back in his chair, regaining his previous calm tone. "Some extremely powerful mutants might have high-purity energy crystals condensed in their cores. Of course, this is just theory. By the way, Ms. Ruan is a superhuman, right? I saw in the report that you're a water-type?"
"A fourth-order water system." Ruan Ning admitted that it couldn't be hidden any longer.
“Impressive. The highest-ranking expert in the base is currently at the third tier.” Wang Jinsong nodded approvingly. “During the exploration, did your water-based abilities detect anything unusual? For example, did you have a particular sensitivity to the water vapor or plant sap there?”
“No. It’s damp there, but the water is just ordinary groundwater vapor,” Ruan Ning replied.
The Q&A session continued for another ten minutes or so. Wang Jinsong's questions consistently revolved around the discovery process, physical sensations, and reactions to the supernatural abilities, as well as subtly probing whether there were any other discoveries. Ruan Ning and Lin Yan's answers were cautious yet consistent.
Finally, Wang Jinsong seemed temporarily satisfied.
He stood up: “Thank you both for your cooperation. These samples are very important to us. This is the payment from the institute, as well as a long-term commission agreement to acquire similar samples, with generous compensation.” He handed over a points card and a document.
Ruan Ning took the points card, glanced at the agreement, which mainly stipulated that priority should be given to selling similar special samples to the research institute, with remuneration based on the value of the sample. She signed it.
"Furthermore," Wang Jinsong said casually as he put away the agreement, "if you encounter similar situations again during missions or explorations in the future, or hear any news about special mutated plants, especially the parent plants that may have crystallized nuclei, please contact me immediately. The research institute will provide generous rewards, and may even provide some resources that are hard to find on the market, such as advanced supernatural ability cultivation methods or customized equipment."
He handed me a personal business card with only a contact number on it.
Ruan Ning accepted the business card: "If we find anything, we'll consider it."
After leaving the research institute and meeting up with Zhou Min and Da Huo, the three returned to their residence in the outer city.
As soon as she entered, Lin Yan said, "He's testing us. He specifically asked about Crystal and Qinglin Town."
Zhou Min: "He suspects that we are related to that giant tree, or at least know more about it."
Ruan Ning took out the business card and twirled it between her fingers: "He wants to find the crystal core of the giant tree mother."
The communicator rang; it was Qin Li. Ruan Ning answered.
"How did the meeting go?" Qin Li asked.
Ruan Ning gave a brief explanation.
Qin Li paused for a few seconds and said, "Wang Jingsong has considerable authority and access to some sealed files. The 'early records' he mentioned are very likely related to the 'Origin' project. The research institute's interest in high-level mental system mutants and special energy crystals far exceeds the scope of normal research. You need to be careful; they may not give up so easily."
"What will they do next?" Ruan Ning asked.
"There are two possibilities. One is that they will continue to investigate you secretly, looking for flaws. The other is that they will use that commission agreement to assign you some tasks that are 'easy' to find special samples, leading you to dangerous areas, or taking the opportunity to observe your true abilities."
Qin Li analyzed, "They probably won't use force in the short term. The research institute still cares about its reputation and its relationship with the military. But it's hard to say what will happen in the long run."
“We need to move faster,” Ruan Ning said. “To improve our strength, uncover the truth about ‘Origin,’ and find out what the research institute is planning.”
"I will expedite the search for clues about 'Origin' in the military archives," Qin Li said. "You all need to be extra careful when taking on missions and avoid being alone. I will also remind my grandparents to be cautious."
The communication ended, and the room became quiet.
Ruan Ning walked to the window and looked at the gray sky outside. Da Huo came over and nuzzled her hand with its head.
“Starting tomorrow,” she said, “we’ll take on missions, earn points, and gather information on all things related to special plants, mental interference, and the research institute’s activities. Zhou Min, Lin Yan, we need to improve our strength as soon as possible.”
"clear."
“Also,” Ruan Ning added, “find an opportunity to contact people from the ‘Hunter Alliance.’ They have the most diverse information, and you might hear something different from what you’ve heard.”
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