Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 249 The Giant Egg, a Special Extraordinary Mother Source!
With Cheng Ye's suggestions for revision, Lin Xu hurriedly left. Judging from his demeanor, he would probably be working overtime all night to adjust the plan.

Cheng Ye himself never expected that the engineering "master" he had planned to hire at a high price from the Public Works Department in the buffer zone would actually come to him on his own initiative, and that he was even Wang Kang's "stepfather." This coincidence was truly outrageous.

However, as his status and power increased, the difficulty for him to recruit talent did indeed decrease significantly.

Even without his active efforts to win over someone like Lin Xu, the other party brought his team to him on their own initiative, willing to leave the safe inner city for the satellite city.

Certainly, the relationship between Wang Kang and Su Xiu played a part, but more likely, Lin Xu sensed an opportunity to "rise on the wave" from the construction of the satellite city, even if it meant giving up a life of happiness that outsiders could only dream of.

But what about the engineers under him? There are 12 of them, which could very well represent 12 families.

"It's hard to say. People outside are scrambling to get in, while those inside are eager to get out."

"Those who can contribute 1000 contribution points to enter the inner city are, apart from a few lucky ones, people who are capable and willing to take a chance when they have the opportunity. It is reasonable."

Thinking of this, Cheng Ye felt even more emotional.

That night, because his room was occupied, he had to squeeze into a small bed with Wang Kang, which was extremely uncomfortable and far less comfortable than the ward at Fuxing Medical Center.

"We need to build a big hotel in Dabo Town in the future, instead of just a small inn."

He secretly calculated, "Once the waterway is opened, there will definitely be travelers passing through, which will not only make money but also promote Dabo Town."

As dawn broke, Cheng Ye got up, washed up, and left the residential area alone.

Today is Saturday, and all the major government offices in the inner city are closed for the holiday, strictly adhering to the two-day weekend system.

There weren't many pedestrians on the road, only a few sanitation workers in yellow reflective vests chatting on the sidewalk. They greeted him kindly when they saw him coming.

Here, there is no distinction between high and low status in work. After all, the Civil Affairs Bureau provides for food and drink, and without the pressure of livelihood and safety, there is more kindness between people.

There are no buses or private cars in the inner city, and the space is already small, so public transportation would only disrupt this peace.

If someone owns a bicycle, they'll be jokingly called a "busy person," becoming a source of amusement among colleagues.

Cheng Ye originally wanted to browse the shops on the street, but all the shops were closed on Saturdays, with signs at the door saying "Open at 2 pm," taking relaxation to the extreme.

"Well, it's really impressive if someone can be prepared for danger in this environment."

Cheng Ye withdrew his gaze and turned to walk towards the only school in the inner city.

Dabo Town will definitely need to establish schools to cultivate talent in the future. Although the process will be lengthy, as long as we can get through the first cycle, there will inevitably be a surge in talent later on.

Walking along the familiar road, I found that the school was also closed for the day, and its overall appearance was somewhat similar to that of a modern high school.

Two guards stood at the entrance. Seeing that he was tall and had an unusual demeanor, they did not try to persuade him to leave, but let him wander in and explore the only talent training center in this happy city.

Three teaching buildings, a large playground, and a laboratory building—the facilities aren't exactly luxurious. Those in charge of education probably know that having top-notch facilities doesn't guarantee good results.

When it was completely light, around eight o'clock, Cheng Ye left the school and headed towards the research institute.

He was familiar with this road; his predecessor had visited the research institute several times before, and although he had only been to the outer perimeter, he remembered the route very clearly.

After walking seven or eight blocks to the main road and then turning onto "Research Avenue" leading to the east end, you will soon see the guard post for verifying identities.

Upon entering this area, the cloak of disguise automatically deactivated, revealing his true appearance.

Cheng Ye thought for a moment, then simply handed over his prosecutor's badge. After the guard scanned it, his tone and attitude instantly became respectful.

"Inspector Cheng, please wait a moment. Team Leader Shi will come to escort you into the research institute shortly."

"Ok."

Cheng Ye took the badge and waited by the guard post.

There must be many secrets inside the research institute, and we cannot allow outsiders to freely enter and wander around.

However, while he was waiting, two small refrigerated trucks suddenly drove up on the road in the distance.

Cheng Ye accidentally made eye contact with the person in the passenger seat and was immediately stunned. He didn't expect it to be Qin Feng!

The truck stopped fifty meters from the inspection area. Qin Feng got out of the truck, followed by a person in a researcher's uniform. The two walked towards the entrance one after the other.

"Researcher Qin!" Cheng Ye stepped forward first to greet him.

"Prosecutor Cheng? What are you doing here?" Qin Feng stopped in his tracks, his face full of surprise.

It's not unusual for prosecutors to come to the inner city, but why would a trainee prosecutor be here?

Seeing Qin Feng's completely unaware appearance, Cheng Ye immediately understood. It seemed that Qin Feng was indeed not involved in the matter of the "immortal artifact".

"Oh, I came in to take care of some business and also to see a friend at the research institute."

"Friends?" The researcher behind Qin Feng suddenly chuckled. "Prosecutor Cheng, how come I've never heard of you having friends at the research institute?"

"What is this?" Cheng Ye asked, frowning.

"His name is Lü Jian. He is a first-level researcher at the research institute and is also one of my team members. He will be joining the research group at the checkpoint soon."

"I see, Researcher Lü, hello." Upon hearing that he was one of their own, Cheng Ye's tense brows relaxed, and he nodded in greeting.

"Hello." Although Lü Jian said it, he took the initiative to extend his hand, and the two shook hands lightly.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Cheng Ye's gaze fell on the refrigerated truck, and he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"That's right. Recently, the checkpoint has been receiving more and more migrants, and the sources of infection have accumulated without us even realizing it. But our checkpoint hasn't built enough containment rooms yet, so we can only send these sources of infection to the research institute for preservation on a regular basis. If we leave them unattended, they will quickly become inactive and then completely lose their research value."

As Qin Feng explained, he took out his pass from his pocket and handed it to the guard at the door, asking him to check the contents of the warehouse.

"Are there that many recent sources of infection?" Cheng Ye pressed.

"Yes, the large-scale influx of migrants has been diverted to various satellite cities. Now, only scattered individuals are arriving, but the proportion of those carrying the virus has increased significantly. In the past week, the infection detection rate has remained at around 0.8%."

Eight per thousand? That's almost ten times the previous figure!
Cheng Ye was secretly astonished. It seemed that while he was busy in Dabo Town and had been lying in Fusheng Medical Center for a few days, the situation outside was far more turbulent than he had imagined.

"Prosecutor Cheng, you still haven't said what you're here at the research institute for."

Lu Jian chimed in again, his curiosity growing, "Besides, as a trainee prosecutor, you shouldn't have the authority to enter the research institute, right?"

"Of course he has the authority!"

A cold, hard voice suddenly came from the side, and Qin Feng and Lü Jian's expressions changed simultaneously.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man riding an electric scooter silently gliding down the corridor outside the research institute and stopping in front of them.

It was Shi Xu!

The institute's level four researcher was two levels higher than Qin Feng. Even if Qin Feng was pushed into the buffer zone by the faction, he should have been promoted to level three long ago.

However, Shi Xu was stuck at level four because he had not made any breakthroughs in his research on the immortal artifacts.

Inside the research institute, the hierarchy was even stricter than at checkpoints.

One level higher means being above others.

Two levels above, Shi Xu could even unilaterally reject the research projects proposed by the two individuals without obtaining approval.

"Director Shi, what brings you here?" Cold sweat instantly broke out on Lü Jian's forehead, especially when he saw the obvious displeasure on Shi Xu's face, his heart pounded with anxiety.

“Inspector Cheng is a distinguished guest of our institute. Director Yu has specially approved his authority, which is equivalent to that of a second-level researcher. In terms of rank, he should be your superior.”

Shi Xu coldly rebuked Lü Jian, and only when Cheng Ye raised his hand and waved it gently, indicating that there was no need to take it seriously, did his expression soften slightly. He then turned to Cheng Ye and said politely, "Prosecutor Cheng, please come in!"

Under the dumbfounded gazes of Qin Feng and Lü Jian, Shi Xu, who was usually known for his sternness and never gave anyone a kind look, actually took the initiative to hand over the electric scooter to the guard, and then personally accompanied Cheng Ye from the entrance towards the giant dome building of the research institute.

This, how is this possible?

Qin Feng stared blankly at the two figures, but a glint of cunning flashed deep in his eyes.

Lu Jian was completely stunned. Shi Xu's words kept echoing in his mind: Cheng Ye, a trainee prosecutor, actually had more authority than him, a first-level researcher?!
"Prosecutor Cheng, please forgive me, but the news of your containment of the immortal artifact still needs to be kept strictly confidential and cannot be disclosed to the public at this time," Shi Xu softened his tone and explained in a low voice.

"I understand." Cheng Ye nodded slightly, then immediately asked, "How is the magical artifact now?"

"Its internal energy has been drained, but its overall activity is still quite good. We have reached a trade agreement with the City of Fire and Fire, and they are assembling a transport team that will soon arrive in Happiness City to retrieve the magical artifact."

"We sold the magical artifact?" Cheng Ye was stunned, his steps faltering, his face full of surprise.

“That’s true.” Shi Xu gave a wry smile, his tone tinged with helplessness. “We don’t have the foundation to study immortal artifacts right now. You can’t make a breakthrough just by getting your hands on one. Instead of leaving it untouched, we should make a deal with Xin Huo and have them exchange their core technology for it. That way, both sides can get what they need and gain something.”

"A deal." Cheng Ye's face instantly darkened.

He never expected that the magical artifact he risked his life to bring back would be sold by Happiness City to the City of Fire Protection.

He had originally thought this thing would help the development of Happiness City, but now it seemed like all his efforts had been wasted, a result he found hard to accept.

Before he could think it through, Shi Xu's next words caused his emotions to take a complete 180-degree turn.

Upon hearing the crucial information, his somber expression quickly softened, replaced by overwhelming joy: "You mean, we've acquired a technology even more advanced than Happiness Alloy? And besides that, we've also obtained a B+ level technology equivalent to the Sparklink chip?"

“That’s right! Prosecutor Cheng, your efforts have definitely paid off!!! These solid technologies are the key to truly driving the development of Happiness City.” Shi Xu nodded immediately.

Although the sale of the magical artifact means that his research group is back to square one and it will be difficult to make any breakthroughs in the short term.

However, considering the overall interests of Happiness City, the benefits brought by a Class A technology plus a Class B+ technology are simply beyond imagination.

More importantly, these two technologies are exactly what Happiness City urgently needs right now, and their actual value is immeasurable.

"Regarding the specifics of that Class A technology, I'm not qualified to know the details with my level four researcher status, but what I can say for sure is that it will greatly benefit our subsequent agricultural industry, and..."

Shi Xu changed the subject, adding with a smile, "That B+ level technology was specifically exchanged for satellite city construction, and it can help us solve many problems in the construction process. Dabo Town, which you are in charge of, has not yet officially started construction, and it may become the first satellite city to apply this technology."

"Now that you mention it, I'm even more curious."

Cheng Ye couldn't help but laugh. He felt like he was on a rollercoaster, experiencing ups and downs.

Thinking it over carefully, since Happiness City currently lacks the ability to analyze magical artifacts, it's wiser to replace them with core technologies that can be put into use immediately rather than leaving them idle.

Since Happiness City took some detours in its development in previous years, it can seize the opportunity to make up for them as much as possible, and perhaps gradually close the gap with other sheltered cities.

What's more, the technology exchanged this time will also benefit the development of Dabo Town, making it a huge profit!
Near the research institute, there are two giant egg-shaped buildings of different sizes.

Cheng Ye had only visited the Taipei Arena before, but when he was still a student, he was not qualified to enter the real infection source research institute, the Taipei Arena.

Stepping into this place now is his first time getting up close to this core building.

To his surprise, there was an elegant coffee shop at the entrance of the Taipei Dome, with exquisite decor and a relaxed atmosphere, which was completely different from the serious image he had imagined a research institution to have.

“Prosecutor Cheng, would you like some coffee?” Shi Xu asked.

"Just a glass of juice will do."

Cheng Ye casually pointed to the menu. With his current physical condition, the energizing effect of coffee was negligible; a refreshing glass of juice would be much more comfortable.

After accepting the orange juice from the waiter, the two walked through the coffee shop toward the interior of the research institute.

As Shi Xu walked, he smiled and said, "Over the years, since the construction of the Taipei Dome, you are the twelfth inspector to be able to enter the Institute of Infection Sources."

"Then I am honored."

As Cheng Ye responded, he looked around curiously, carefully examining the internal structure of the giant dome.

Right after the entrance is a disinfection room. As soon as you step inside, a cool breeze carrying a faint smell of disinfectant hits you, followed by a fine spray of disinfectant.

What's remarkable is that the spray seemed to have a mind of its own, precisely avoiding the orange juice glass in his hand and only evenly covering his exposed skin.

Even the parts covered by clothing were thoroughly disinfected as the disinfectant seeped into the fabric through the gaps and gently flowed over the skin.

Passing through the disinfection room, looking up, the entire interior of the giant egg is breathtaking.

The three-tiered circular corridors are nested one on top of the other, each layer inlaid with countless transparent observation windows. The light strips on the ceiling emit a soft, pale blue light, reflecting a delicate shimmer onto the metallic walls.

At the very center of the building stands a silver column about ten meters in diameter. Countless slender pipes extend from the top of the column to the corridors on each floor. Occasionally, a pale green liquid flows slowly in the pipes, like some kind of dormant life form, maintaining a faint "breath" in the silence.

Shi Xu followed his gaze to the cylinder and explained, "That's the core nutrient delivery tube. All the infection source samples currently stored in our institute rely on the liquid in these tubes to maintain their activity, providing the basis for our research."

"Did it originate from a source of infection?"

"You're only half right," Shi Xu said, keeping everyone in suspense.

"Extraordinary Mother Source?" Cheng Ye immediately realized and asked tentatively.

“That’s right! Only the source of infection can truly understand the source of infection, and only they can share energy with each other. The extraordinary mother source can absorb the food we provide, convert it into the purest life energy, and then supply it to all the source of infection samples through these pipelines to maintain their survival.”

Shi Xu explained truthfully, but Cheng Ye's heart stirred.

Eating food converts life energy?

This sounds like a similar ability to the Stand Starfish, except that it can be transferred to others.
What he lacks most right now is endurance. Whether he's caught in a battle or recovering afterward, he can only rely on external forces like treasures to make up for his disadvantages.

If we could obtain the characteristics of this extraordinary source, wouldn't that be wonderful?
"Team Leader Shi, could I have a copy of these liquids to look at?"

(End of this chapter)