Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food Chapter 1310 - 644: The Tasks and Pressures of the R&D Department
Previously on Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food...
Liang Yuan wasted no time, his form streaking towards Yangshan with incredible speed.
Darkness had fully enveloped the sky, a biting cold wind whipped through the air, and heavy snow swirled down relentlessly.
With Liang Yuan's impressive speed, mere minutes were all it took for him to return to Yangshan.
Upon arriving back at the Leader's Mansion, he found Zhuang Shuyuan and the rest of the group attentively awaiting his return.
"Mr. Liang has returned!"
A voice rang out, and almost instantly, everyone surged out of the building to meet him.
Zhuang Shuyuan moved swiftly to his side, her body swaying slightly, and inquired with palpable concern, "Are you unharmed?"
Liang Yuan, however, shook his head and posed his own question, "Has anything unusual occurred here on Yangshan?"
Zhuang Shuyuan quickly responded with a negative, "No, why do you ask?"
Liang Yuan's voice deepened as he stated, "That convoy was indeed from an old adversary."
"What! An old adversary?" Zhuang Shuyuan was taken aback, her shock evident.
Shi Haizhu and the others nearby also began to pepper him with questions.
"Mr. Liang, when did we ever incur the wrath of anyone from Yu Province?"
"How did this Mengya Company come to hold a grudge against us?"
A torrent of anxious questions erupted from the assembled group.
Liang Yuan gave a slight shake of his head and replied gravely, "Do you recall the Eden within the Mirage Snake Space?"
A wave of silence fell upon the crowd. Many had heard whispers of the incident but lacked a clear understanding of the specifics.
From within the throng, a patrol captain who had previously served on Han Xiangman’s team suddenly recalled and exclaimed, "Mr. Liang, are you referring to the Eden from when Old Ge and Xia Ming encountered trouble while exploring the Mirage Snake Space?"
"Yes. The proprietor of that Eden back then possessed a Clone Superpower. His name was Wu Yaobang."
"I eliminated all his clones at that time, but he certainly must have had others concealed elsewhere. This individual leading the so-called Mengya Company this time is him."
"One of this man's clones has already reached Chi Mountain in Yu Province and has infiltrated the upper echelons of the Mengya Company."
"This individual has already attained the gene recombination stage. He is exceptionally perilous."
"I suspect he still has other clones lurking within Linjiang City. Minister Zhuang, please instruct the Inspection Department to conduct another population census. Focus on identifying any outsiders and scrutinizing individuals for suspicious behavior."
Liang Yuan harbored a strong suspicion that Wu Yaobang indeed had a clone within Linjiang City, and this was not born from mere fancy.
It was crucial to remember that Linjiang City lay a considerable distance from Chi Mountain in Yu Province. Without precise directional guidance, navigating such a vast expanse would be virtually impossible.
Yet, the adversary managed to traverse the immense snowy plains and arrive in Linjiang with precision.
He must have possessed a means of discerning the correct path.
Liang Yuan surmised this method likely stemmed from the inherent connection between Wu Yaobang’s clones.
It was similar to how he himself could sense the presence of the Parasite Species.
Though a geographical range limitation existed, this form of sensing was undeniably real.
Furthermore, Teacher Li's Spiritual Brand also possessed capabilities for positioning and tracking.
Zhuang Shuyuan immediately nodded in agreement. "Understood, I will ensure it is handled promptly."
This was not the first census conducted; the personnel within the Inspection Department were well-versed in the entire process.
After imparting a few more crucial points to the assembled group, Liang Yuan hastened his steps towards the R&D Department.
The R&D Department remained brightly illuminated, their lights practically burning round the clock as they delved into various research endeavors.
Ren Jie and Fu Qibo were at the forefront, guiding the team in developing the diverse technologies that Li Hanzhong had brought back from the military.
Currently, the staff at the R&D Department were engaged in intensive overtime, working to produce a substantial quantity of new Rune variations and integrating them with various apparatuses.
At this juncture, Yangshan was no longer facing a scarcity of Runes; rather, the bottleneck lay in acquiring suitable carriers for the manufacturing of weapons and equipment.
Aside from the skeletal remains of various Mutant Beasts that could serve as raw materials, the available options included timber and stone.
However, stone was prone to fragmentation. Certain Mutated trees offered durability comparable to steel and were even lighter, but these trees required specific growth cycles and could not be felled indiscriminately, as it would undoubtedly impact the island's delicate ecosystem.
The most superior materials, ultimately, remained all forms of metal, subsequently fused with the bones of Mutant Beasts to forge diverse composite materials.
Consequently, a novel profession had emerged on Yangshan.
The profession of scavenger!
A multitude of Superpower Users would depart from Yangshan, venturing into nearby skyscrapers to procure various metallic resources. These materials would then be brought back and sold to the specialized departments within Yangshan tasked with purchasing such goods.
In particular, Awakened with Water Attribute Superpowers held the most significant advantage among them. Utilizing the floating-bridge fishery as a route, they descended into the water to probe the submerged ruins of the city that had once been drowned. On those deserted avenues and elevated roadways, countless derelict, corroded automobiles were scattered, each containing a substantial quantity of steel. Retrieving them represented pure profit. Naturally, certain hazards were present. After all, the underwater domain was fraught with peril, teeming with a vast array of Mutant Fish and crustaceans. Consequently, numerous Water Attribute Superpower users opted to unite, forming scavenger crews to embark on explorations of the depths and the collection of resources. And during this endeavor, the chance to discover precious metals like gold and silver would yield even greater financial returns. In essence, every advancement and alteration occurring at the upper echelons of Yangshan precipitated substantial shifts in the environment below. "Mr. Liang, what brings you here today?" Ren Jie and Fu Qibo, along with others, inquired with evident surprise upon seeing Liang Yuan. Liang Yuan offered a nod to the two individuals and posed the question, "Where is Professor Li?" "Professor Li has retired for the night. He rarely visits this late," Fu Qibo responded. Liang Yuan stated, "I have brought back a piece of war spoils. I require your R&D Department to meticulously examine and dismantle it, to ascertain if we can replicate similar equipment." Ren Jie and Fu Qibo immediately exhibited heightened interest. These two were acutely aware that whenever Liang Yuan returned bearing spoils of war personally, they were invariably significant discoveries! "Mr. Liang, what sort of spoils are we discussing?" "Could it be a weapon?" the pair eagerly questioned. Liang Yuan surveyed the immediate vicinity and remarked, "This space is inadequate. Let us proceed to the R&D Department's Sunshine Room." This suggestion caused considerable astonishment. The Yangshan R&D Department had been constructed adjacent to the mountain, far removed from its initial modest size. Presently, the entire R&D Department spanned six to seven floors, each boasting several hundred square meters of space. What manner of spoils could possibly be too large to fit even here? Instantly, all personnel within the R&D Department followed suit, their faces alight with intense curiosity. Liang Yuan guided them to the dedicated Sunshine District of the R&D Department. This area, situated within the mountain, was a vast cavern hall adorned with numerous Defense Runes, effectively preventing infiltration or reconnaissance by Superpower users possessing Earth Escape abilities or similar techniques. The entirety of the cave possessed ample height and spaciousness. All around, extensive plantings of Mutated Sunflowers were cultivated. Planters containing Mutated Sunflowers also hung from the ceiling, casting a bright illumination throughout the entire cavern. Rumble! With a gesture, Liang Yuan summoned a Mengya armored vehicle from his inventory. The colossal armored vehicle impacted the ground, causing a faint tremor. The R&D department personnel stood transfixed, utterly speechless. "Th-this... is this an armored vehicle?" "Good heavens, why is it so enormous?" "What material comprises this? Rune Bone!" "No, the runes were etched onto the bones after their initial formation." "Whoa, is that a tracked propulsion system?" "Quick, quick, let's go inside and examine it." Ren Jie, Fu Qibo, and the others began to encircle the armored vehicle, scrutinizing it with immense excitement. This was undoubtedly a product of Superpower Technology, representing a high degree of integration between runes and advanced engineering. Its technological sophistication was demonstrably a level above Yangshan's current capabilities. Liang Yuan announced, "Everyone, this piece of loot is equipped with integrated systems for sustenance, accommodation, transportation, and all other functions, including its own weaponry, various surveillance capabilities, defense mechanisms, and a transformation system." "I require you to research and dismantle it with utmost urgency, and to produce a complete set of blueprints as soon as possible." "Should you encounter any difficulties understanding the operation of this armored vehicle, I will arrange for personnel from the Inspection Department to provide a manual." Ren Jie paused, then inquired with curiosity, "Why would the operation manual be held by the Inspection Department?" Liang Yuan replied with a smile, "Minister Zhuang and his team are currently conducting interrogations." Liang Yuan had, in fact, already apprehended all the Mengya Company Seedling Team Members trapped within the Shadow World and handed them over to Zhuang Shuyuan and his unit for intense questioning. The primary objectives were to thoroughly investigate Mengya Company itself and to fully comprehend the operational technology behind these formidable armored vehicles. Zhuang Shuyuan’s specialized Superpower made the interrogation process naturally quite effective. They anticipated compiling a comprehensive report by the following day. "Mr. Liang, is it truly feasible to dismantle this armored vehicle? I harbor concerns that once disassembled, reassembly might prove impossible," Ren Jie expressed with apprehension.Fu Qibo, standing nearby, also affirmed, "Inside, it's not just a precision circuitry system, but also a Rune Array system, a switching Talisman Array system, and an energy supply system, among others, integrating multiple complex systems working in unison."
"Once we take it apart, piecing it back together will prove quite challenging."
Liang Yuan let out a light laugh, "Just go ahead and study it to your heart's content. I've managed to gather a total of eight of these armored vehicles."
The mention of this number sent Ren Jie and Fu Qibo into fits of joy, excitement sparkling in their eyes.
"That many? Ha! Then there's no issue at all; we can truly let loose and dissect it."
"Old Ren, what are you waiting for? Let's get started tonight."
"But your rune electric grid project... ah, that's not urgent. I noticed this armored vehicle possesses its own power system; perhaps we can glean some inspiration from it!"
"Indeed, and speaking of which, my multi-attribute tracking cannon project could also benefit from insights derived from this vehicle!"
...
Observing the two becoming engrossed in excited discussion before diving into the armored vehicle to begin their study, Liang Yuan couldn't help but emit a soft chuckle. He then turned and departed from the research and development department.
Upon his return home, Yang Mei had already retired for the night.
However, Lin Ya was surprisingly still present in the living room.
Ding Yan, Dong Yan, and Song Wen had also returned.
Witnessing this gathering, Liang Yuan expressed a touch of surprise.
"Why is everyone home?"
The women collectively rose to their feet. Ding Yan surveyed Liang Yuan from head to toe, verifying he was unharmed, and couldn't suppress a sigh of relief.
"Representatives from the Inspection Department paid a visit and mentioned you had just returned and subsequently went out again. That's how I realized you had engaged in combat. Are you alright?" Ding Yan inquired.
Song Wen chimed in, "Brother Liang, didn't you state that matters on the military's end were already settled? Why did you venture out once more?"
"It involved that armored convoy from Yu Province."
As Liang Yuan recounted the events, evident shock registered on the faces of everyone present.
"Wu Yaobang? He's still alive?" Ding Yan asked, her expression darkening perceptibly.
She had not forgotten how, within the Mirage Snake Space, she had narrowly escaped falling victim to Wu Yaobang.
Song Wen and Dong Yan, having previously heard Liang Yuan's account of the happenings in the Mirage Snake Space, also displayed subtle shifts in their expressions.
Song Wen couldn't refrain from asking, "Brother Liang, is he that Superpower User capable of wielding Clone Superpower?"
Liang Yuan offered a slight nod. "Indeed. When we eliminated so many of his clones previously, I had already surmised that his true body remained concealed somewhere outside."
"I simply didn't anticipate he would have journeyed all the way to Yu Province, let alone attained a mid-to-high-level position within this Mengya Company."
"Brother Liang, did you eliminate him this time?" Dong Yan inquired promptly.
Liang Yuan gave a slight nod, then followed it with a shake of his head. "I've intercepted his convoy, but he himself should still be alive. The individuals who appeared this time were exclusively clones."
"Clones again?" Dong Yan couldn't suppress her rising anger.
"What level of strength did these clones possess?" Ding Yan quickly followed up with her question.
Liang Yuan stated, "It's estimated his gene recombination progress exceeds 20%."
"What!" Ding Yan exclaimed in astonishment. "Doesn't that mean it surpasses yours?"
Liang Yuan acknowledged this with a subtle nod.
"With such advanced gene recombination progress, could that possibly be his actual body?"
Liang Yuan shook his head resolutely. "No."
He was entirely certain, as the system had not alerted him to any acquisition of Points from vanquishing the adversary.
This indicated that it was not Wu Yaobang's true form.
"This individual possesses an innumerable quantity of clones. If I were in his position, I would never risk exposing my true body."
"Therefore, his real body must be secreted away in an undetectable location."
Ding Yan's expression remained grim. The prospect of such an adversary lurking in the shadows was unsettling news indeed.
Liang Yuan placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "His true body has most likely proceeded towards the northwest. The elevated terrain there negates concerns about flood incursions. Try not to worry excessively."
"Brother Liang, what exactly is the nature of this Mengya Company's power?" Song Wen posed the question.
"Zhuang Shuyuan is currently leading a team performing interrogations throughout the night. We have yet to obtain definitive intelligence."
The women pressed Liang Yuan for further details regarding the entire ordeal, and he, as expected, withheld nothing, narrating each aspect sequentially.
Upon absorbing his account, all of them wore somber expressions, acknowledging the strong possibility that this so-called Mengya Company wielded considerable influence, its developmental standing far surpassing that of Yangshan!
Observing their reactions, Liang Yuan stated, "Moving forward, we must accelerate our development efforts, concentrating on augmenting Yangshan's technological capabilities. All of you must also prioritize your Cultivation advancements."
""Quickly advance to gene recombination. That's the only way you can help me stabilize some crucial locations in Yangshan."
Song Wen, Dong Yan, and Ding Yan all gave firm nods. Even Lin Ya, observing from a short distance, sensed the immense pressure bearing down on Liang Yuan and the rest of the group."