Chapter 279: The Institute's Method
"A message from the front lines: mutants guided by the toxin have been discovered, requiring researchers to inspect and deal with them."
Inside the research institute, everyone was busily at work. Ever since the toxin samples had been delivered, the entire institute put aside all other tasks to focus on solving the poisonous fog problem urgently, preparing for the offensive operations of the forces at the front.
And now, before they had even finished with current affairs, new information had come in.
Bai Qilan listened to the Sky Cavalry's report, furrowed her brow slightly, activated her Talent, and immediately found Shu Hongguang and Zheng Chenhong inside the institute. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire
"Shu Hongguang, Zheng Chenhong, take a team to support the front lines, check on the condition of the mutants, then report back to me."
On the first floor of the research institute, Shu Hongguang suddenly heard Bai Qilan's voice ringing in his ears. Although taken aback, he wasn't overly surprised and immediately responded, "I'll go right away. Is there anything particular I should be aware of?"
"The toxins in Lisu County might be infectious, ensure your own safety, and especially differentiate whether they are fallen ones. All other actions should be under Su Han's command."
"Understood. I'm on it."
Shu Hongguang immediately took action. After letting the Sky Cavalry retreat, Bai Qilan promptly headed for the laboratory where her father Bai Shan and the others were located.
Although the mutants caused trouble with large-scale physical transformations, the true root of the problem was still the pervasive toxic fog in Lisu County. By solving the poisonous fog issue, they could resolve most of the problem, which was why she had to prioritize this matter.
Upon entering the laboratory, Bai Shan, Bai Qiuwen, Tian Jiaxuan, and others were deep in discussion. When they saw Bai Qilan come in, they immediately said, "Qilan, you came just at the right time. Your father has already figured out the analysis of the toxin. After comparison, it's highly similar to the toxin samples collected from Zhang Xinxin and others in the early stages."
"Are we certain it's the same source of toxins?"
"Yes, but the poison fog has evolved from the structure of toxins collected from poisonous plants in Lisu County. The Spiritual Energy structure is more complex, and the level of toxin is higher. However, because it presents itself as fog, it has not erupted directly, making its toxicity appear weaker. But its source should be some High Order creature."
Even though the toxin samples hadn't been in their possession for very long, when Zhang Xinxin and the people from Lisu County had fled to South City, Bai Qilan and Cao Yubao had once dealt with that type of toxin.
Although they didn't conduct further research at that time, the data they gathered then naturally allowed them to decode the current toxins more quickly.
Bai Qilan listened to Bai Qiuwen and the others' progress and nodded slightly, but her expression remained very grave.
"A message just came from the front lines. Mutants infected by the toxin have been discovered, and there are no small number of them—they were originally residents of Lisu County."
"Mutants?"
Bai Qiuwen's face showed shock—it hadn't been long, and yet the front lines were already undergoing changes.
"Are there any special points of note, any impact on the pioneering troops?"
Bai Qilan shook her head, "No immediate impact, but their bodies have partially mutated to adapt to the toxin environment. The toxic fog in Lisu County is no longer just an obstacle to our advance; monsters lurking within are adapting the environment to their advantage using the fog, so we need to resolve this issue as soon as possible."
"Ecological transformation,"
Bai Qiuwen's expression turned solemn—it was one of their guesses. Any life form, after finding its ecological niche, will try to construct an environment suitable for itself to the greatest extent possible.
Pre-apocalypse wild beasts would carve out territories, humans would build cities, modifying nature, and in the post-apocalyptic world, monsters would use their clans and abilities to seize higher ecological niches.
Whether it was the native Tentacle-faced Monsters or the invading Abyssal Insect Race, they both did the same.
Now, clearly the entity hidden in Lisu County's toxic fog was using this method to transform the environment to suit itself.
Bai Qiuwen took a deep breath and said, "We discussed two temporary plans for clearing and suppressing the toxic fog to create conditions for the forward troops' attack, but each plan has its pros and cons."
"Let's hear them."
Bai Qiuwen glanced at Tian Jiaxuan, who understood and passed two papers from the table to Bai Qilan.
"One plan is to use a Spiritual Energy mineral powder bomb, similar to white phosphorus, to ignite the toxic fog over a wide area, achieving a quick weakening effect. As long as the fog is temporarily removed, the Tree Domain Troops can quickly move in, locate the source, and deal with it. This method is the fastest. With our rebuilt production line, making such bombs won't be too difficult.
However, igniting the fog over such a large area, even based on Commander Ye's intelligence that the combustion range would be limited and not erupt all at once like natural gas, would still have considerable power and cause significant destruction throughout Lisu County."
Bai Qilan made no comment and asked, "And the second plan? Suppressing the toxins?"
She guessed vaguely what the second plan might entail. Having previously treated Zhang Xinxin's poison, they were able to produce a dedicated antidote, but how to contain the toxin within a region was the big question.
"Using Bug Quality enhanced antidotes, spread throughout Lisu County."
Bai Qiuwen's voice rose, advocating for the second plan.
"There are existing antidotes, which previously used the massive resistance of the Mother Tree lineage to neutralize toxins. Now we have another option: using the Bug Quality tissue in conjunction with the original antidotes, disrupting the Spiritual Energy structure in the toxic fog, neutralizing the poisonous substance, thereby suppressing the fog.
However, the method requires the Sky Cavalry for dispersal, as bomb deployment is not feasible for now."