Qi Zhen silently used ice and snow to clean up her colleague's belongings. Dr. Han tactfully brought over an empty box, and the two of them neatly arranged the items in the box.
Although there was no verbal communication, everyone present knew that the researchers were most likely dead.
From leaving the research institute to returning home after collecting samples, it only took about five days.
In just five days, this octopus accomplished a series of feats, including escaping the laboratory, devouring researchers, digging traps at the supply station, killing Xu Ding, and luring people on the tracked vehicle.
It is powerful and intelligent.
What exactly happened?
Why does an octopus undergo such a dramatic transformation?
Qi Zhen shoved the box full of her colleague's belongings into Dr. Han's arms and gripped Xu Nuo's shoulders tightly: "What exactly are you? What's the deal with that octopus?"
Immersed in grief, Xu Nuo tried to shake off Qi Zhen... but failed.
He turned around angrily, his eyes bloodshot: "Get out!"
Alarm bells rang in Qi Zhen's mind, and he instinctively crouched down and rolled on the ground.
A beam of white light pierced the spot where she had just stood, reaching straight to the sky and almost tearing a hole in the polar night.
Having miraculously survived, Qi Zhen stared at her hands in disbelief; something seemed off about her too.
Dr. Han quickly took two steps and stood between Qi Zhen and Xu Nuo: "Stop arguing, let's go back first. The higher-ups will definitely not let this happen if something happens at the research institute."
"Unless... everything outside is in complete chaos," Qi Zhen said, stating the worst possible outcome.
Xu Nuo glared at her fiercely, then got into the car without saying a word.
For the last leg of the journey, Dr. Han, who was most familiar with the area, took over driving.
The looted supply station, Xu Nuo with superpowers, the strange immortal fish and the giant octopus—each event weighed heavily on Qi Zhen and Dr. Han's hearts.
The closer they got to the research institute, the more restless they became.
Even at this critical moment, they still held onto the sample boxes tightly.
Finally, a red and white building came into view.
Before the vehicle had even come to a complete stop, Qi Zhen had already jumped out of the tracked vehicle and headed straight for the research institute.
The combination lock was broken, and the open metal door looked like a pounded dough, covered with dents and bumps.
The research institute was in a mess, with bloodstains covering the floor.
Qi Zhen stood outside the metal door, feeling dizzy.
Dr. Han gripped the sample box tightly and headed straight for the research lab. Even at this moment, he hadn't forgotten his project.
Sensing something was wrong, Xia Chuhe caught up with Dr. Han and kicked him from behind, knocking him to the ground.
Xia Chuhe pressed down on him, demanding sharply, "What exactly is your experiment?"
Dr. Han struggled: "You wouldn't understand even if I explained, let go of me! I need to see my project!"
In normal circumstances, it's only natural for researchers to prioritize their projects. However, it becomes highly questionable to prioritize projects when lives are at stake.
Xia Chuhe gave Lu Dangui a wink, and the two of them, one on each side, escorted Dr. Han to his research lab, with Qi Zhen leading the way.
Qi Zhen noticed Dr. Han's unusual behavior but did not refuse.
The institute has many researchers working on different projects simultaneously, and each group has its own independent laboratory.
But now, something has happened at the research institute. Almost every laboratory door is wide open, the inside is a mess, broken experimental equipment is scattered all over the floor, and the experimental subjects are nowhere to be found.
Perhaps the subjects of the study, like the neon octopus, became mutated creatures, wreaking havoc in the laboratory before escaping.
However, Dr. Han's laboratory is different from others.
The laboratory door was locked, just like any other day.
Dr. Han said coldly, "Don't worry, my research subjects are microorganisms, which are harmless. I care about the project because my research is very important; it concerns the life and death of humanity!"
"So, what exactly are you researching?"
Whenever Xia Chuhe asked this question, Dr. Han would immediately shut up and remain silent.
Qi Zhen entered the password to open the laboratory door, but received a "password incorrect" message.
"Did you change the combination lock? Xiao Han, what are you doing?"
Dr. Han remained silent.
Qi Zhen asked incredulously, "Is there really something wrong with your experiment?"
Xia Chuhe, whose superpowers have been restored, no longer needs a password to unlock doors. He simply focuses his intense fire on the lock, melting it, and then kicks open the laboratory door.
The laboratory was clean and tidy, with no signs of external disturbance.
In the center of the lab bench was a transparent sample box, inside which black mist, seemingly solid, surged and churned, and the corners of the box were covered with pieces of dry fur.
Xia Chuhe looked closely and found that the fur was intact, as if the flesh inside had been dried out and then baked.
Almost simultaneously, everyone present thought of the polar bear that had been drained of its life force and the director.
If nothing unexpected happens, the substance in the sample box must be an unknown organism that feeds on the flesh and blood of other organisms!
Dr. Han tinkered with this thing and even took it to the depths of the polar regions!
Xia Chuhe's gaze fell on the sample box at Dr. Han's waist. She didn't understand why Dr. Han, who had already discovered something strange, would venture into dangerous places to dig up other samples.
Now that things have come to this, Dr. Han has become quite frank, shamelessly declaring, "This is the result of my experiments. I have discovered a deity that can grant superpowers to living beings."
“As long as you stay by the side of a god, you will be subtly influenced and awaken superpowers.” Dr. Han looked at Xu Nuo, his tone full of jealousy. “You’re very lucky, aren’t you? You awakened superpowers in just a few days and quickly mastered how to use them.”
Dr. Han then looked at Qi Zhen: "Director, this is a groundbreaking study, and I formally invite you to join my project team. Once we understand the mechanisms by which the gods work, it will surely bring about earth-shattering changes to the human world, and we will be remembered in history!"
Qi Zhen's expression was complicated; he neither agreed nor refused.
Dr. Han said, "Are you worried that mutated animals will harm humans? Once all of humanity possesses superpowers, mutated animals will be nothing. I think you have already felt the power of the gods; you can always accurately dodge harm. He gave you an accurate sixth sense, right?"
Dr. Han bewitched everyone equally, and he did not forget Xia Chuhe and Lu Dangui.
"You were able to subdue me, which means your bodies have also been strengthened, and you are bathed in the divine light with me."
"Since the gods are so powerful, why would you risk your life for samples?" Xia Chuhe feigned ease, slightly loosening his grip on Dr. Han, and casually said, "I like powerful forces, and perhaps I can contribute to your research. If the gods need more samples, I'm willing to go and get them."
Dr. Han gazed tenderly at the sample box, his tone reverent: "The sample is the divine."
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