Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Progress in Injection Preparations
Execution!
The sharp knife plunged into the chest of the bound man, blood spraying out and flowing onto the hands of the executioner, warm and emitting a bloodthirsty scent.
Although it was their first execution, the crowd's actions showed little hesitation.
One month was enough for everyone to adapt to this apocalypse; not to mention, they were not exactly killing the innocent now.
"All seven vehicles are good, and there's enough fuel."
Zhu Xiong inspected the vehicles and found that they were usually used by Nie Rilong and his crew, basically in decent condition.
Even the battle that had just transpired had caused only minor damage to the windows and hadn't seriously harmed them.
"Let a few people drive them back."
After thoroughly clearing out the Bucks Gym, everyone began their journey back.
This time the convoy was even more significant, with a truck at the front and one at the rear, and nine vehicles following in the middle, all strong and powerful.
Along the way, of course, there were monster attacks, even hordes of flesh-zombies hunting, but with the trucks leading the way and the support from the Spider Warriors and Human-faced Trees at any moment, nothing dangerous occurred.
Upon returning to Shanhu Villa, Zhu Xiong and the others took charge of settling the newcomers and organizing the supplies, of course, with Yan Meiyu overseeing the whole situation.
Su Han used his control over the Human-faced Tree to bind Nie Rilong and the Blood Bone Lizard and dragged them to the courtyard of Villa No. 9.
Then, using the scarce Metal Control to transform, he turned it into a cage to imprison them, meanwhile extending chains from the cage to bind them.
Although the Angel Envoy could summon and retrieve the Book of Blood Spirit, it wasn't something that could be done completely at will or under any circumstances or in any situation.
If the retrieval could be done at any time, there wouldn't be cases of Angel Envoys being seriously injured or even killed.
To retrieve the Angel Envoy, one needed to focus mentally, and the process couldn't be too severely disturbed, especially the Angel Envoy couldn't be in a state of combat or bondage.
This was a rule that Su Han and the others gradually figured out later on.
Of course, the limitations of summoning and retrieving were also closely related to the strength of the Angel Envoy; being tied up with the same ropes, Old Zhu and the others faced much more resistance and energy consumption when recalling their Angel Envoys, at times even unable to recall them.
As for Su Han, his Spider Warrior easily broke through such invisible barriers.
Right now, Nie Rilong was already restrained, and the Blood Bone Lizard was even pierced by chains, so summoning it back wasn't going to be easy.
"We're running low on metal, and it's not good to fully merge the cars either."
Aftee locking up Nie Rilong, Su Han once again noticed the issue with metal.
Metal was needed for reinforcing the defenses of Shanhu Villa, for dealing with the Fish-Head Monster by using it for the cage, and finally for Fusion.
The Spider Warrior had a clear affinity for metal, and both Metal Manipulation and Black Armor had great potential; only if they continued to merge with metal could further development be possible, so Fusion was something that couldn't stop.
Although the Human-faced Tree didn't have a high compatibility with metal, the material could still provide it with significant enhancement; long-term Fusion wasn't very practical, as the time required and quantity needed would grow exponentially.
But for a short-term increase in strength and to cover weaknesses, Fusion with metal was essential, meaning more metal was needed.
Su Han pondered the next step in the plan, his brows slightly furrowed; despite being at the Second Order Low Grade, his power seemed trivial compared to the fog that enveloped the entire city and, indeed, the world.
"Pat, pat, pat"
Footsteps approached from behind, and Su Han turned his head, "Bai Qilan?"
What was she doing here?
As he was wondering, he heard Bai Qilan say, "The injection has made some new progress."
Upon hearing this, Su Han became interested and asked, "Tell me more."
"I extracted blood from the Half-Fish Monster, Giant Claw Zombie, and Meat Mountain Demon as temporary injections: eight vials from the Half-Fish Monster, five from the Giant Claw Zombie, and two from the Meat Mountain Demon. Moreover, I discovered that even without purification, the injection liquid retains more activity under the yellow light of Lamp Tree Crystals."
Bai Qilan paused for a moment and added, "I suspect it's because the Lamp Tree Crystals themselves have the ability to absorb Spiritual Energy and then release it."
"You want to study the Lamp Tree Crystals?"
Although Bai Qilan was just reporting progress, the emphasis she put on the function of the Lamp Tree's Crystals was suggestive.
She didn't avoid the subject, nodded, and said, "Yes, I feel that the Lamp Tree may be more important to humanity than some Angel Envoys. The fog blocks the sunlight, plants die, and although it won't cause a dramatic change in Earth's oxygen balance that could extinguish humanity quickly, we still need food to live."
If plants can't grow, there won't be a sufficient source of food, and the primary producers of the entire ecosystem would collapse—this is extremely serious.
Don't talk about the large grain reserves that can ensure food supply for millions of people for several years or even longer than a decade.
That is based on the ideal state of proper preservation and regular replacement of old and new grains under official control each year.
Now, with the fog covering and order collapsed, it is unknown how long the granaries will last or how many are still undamaged.
Therefore, the Lamp Tree, which can shelter the growth of plants, is especially important, even a crucial element in filling the broken food chain.
Su Han knew the importance of the matter and, after a moment's thought, said, "You and Yan Meiyu can take a Lamp Tree for observation. You can study it and use the tree's Crystals, but you must not damage the Lamp Tree."
Bai Qilan gave a slight smile, nodded, and said, "Of course, I won't damage it. If I hadn't heard that you guys had obtained three more Lamp Trees this time, I wouldn't have come to you so soon."
Her eyes shone with purpose as she said, "I'm even more eager to study how this thing grows and reproduces."
"That's something I don't know about; you'll have to rely on your own research," Su Han replied.
Su Han lacked the research mindset of Bai Qilan and believed in leaving professional matters to professionals.
"The injections can be used directly after injection, right?"
Bai Qilan was startled for a moment, then nodded, "A direct injection is fine. It's best if injected in places like the spine, neck, or heart."
"How many doses are needed to induce mutation?"
Su Han asked in detail, but Bai Qilan was clearly well-prepared and replied, "The data samples are too few to make a good estimate. When Kailing and I injected the Angel Envoy, it began mutating after two doses, while her Angel Envoy required three. It should relate to compatibility with the monster, as well as its innate talent.
Among these injections, the Meat Mountain Demon has undoubtedly the best effect, the strongest one, and a certain connection with flesh zombies. The Half-Fish Monster is the least effective, but I estimate that mutations might occur with around three doses."
"Hand over the injections to Yan Meiyu; give one from the Meat Mountain Demon to her and one to Zhu Xiong. Distribute the ones from the Giant Claw Zombie among Gan Xinglei, Ye Kailing, Guo Gang, and Zhang Dahai. As for the remaining injections, let her distribute them based on merit. Better to leave them unused than to give them away undeservedly," Su Han instructed.
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Looking at Bai Qilan, Su Han said, "Wait for the next batch of Meat Mountain Demon injections for your dose. Should we be able to produce it within the next couple of days?"
Bai Qilan smiled confidently and said, "Just give them a day or two to recover, and we can."
She seemed to recall something and mentioned, "Under the light of the Lamp Tree, injectable's activity can be preserved to some extent. If not immediately used, they can be stored for a while."
Su Han nodded and then said, "For the newly arrived Blood Bone Lizard, oversee its blood extraction for research. Don't worry too much about it; it doesn't matter if it dies in the process."