The a-level metal chain, like a cold viper, instantly coiled around the hunched body of the second Slash Zombie. The lock clicked shut with a crisp ‘clack,’ completely immobilizing its movements.
Zuo Feng said to Da Mi Tao:
“Alright, it’s all taken care of. You all need to evacuate immediately. Wait until they evolve into Six-Slash Zombies, and if we confirm that the a-level metal chain can hold them, then you can come back.”
No one knew the true strength of the Six-Slash Zombie at present, nor the limits of the a-level metal chain. Therefore, Zuo Feng naturally had to be cautious. If the a-level metal chain couldn’t contain the Six-Slash Zombie, these researchers and the female students in the base would face a huge threat.
Yue Jiaxue pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “Understood. I will arrange for their immediate evacuation. You must be careful too.”
Having witnessed the Slash Zombie’s ability to split, she knew that her attacks would be utterly ineffective against a Six-Slash Zombie, so there was no point in her staying.
She paused, then added, “Should we recall a few more of the little ones?”
Zuo Feng mused for a moment, then nodded, “Recall Kong Ling, Black, and their symbiotic beasts.”
Currently, Firefly’s variants, Kong Ling, Ying’er, Mu’er, and Black, had all evolved to three vertical slashes. Their combat power was conservatively estimated to be capable of fighting against eight horizontal-Slash Zombies, and their symbiotic young beasts were even stronger. Recalling them would provide an extra layer of security. Ying’er and Mu’er were at the base, so they didn’t need to be recalled; only Kong Ling and Black needed to be called back.
Yue Jiaxue immediately no longer hesitated and sent a recall command to Kong Ling and Black, who were far away at the construction site.
At the same time, she quickly left the isolation chamber and issued an emergency evacuation order.
The Slash Zombie’s evolution speed was simply too fast. For safety reasons, all personnel in the base had to evacuate to a safe area immediately.
Meanwhile, Da Bai Tu, who was at the construction site, looked at Kong Ling and Black rushing towards the base with some confusion. A gut feeling told her that an emergency might have occurred at the base.
However, there shouldn’t be any major problems, because she sensed that Kong Ling and Black had only received a recall command, not a combat command.
The atmosphere in the base suddenly became tense. Researchers and female students quickly evacuated. As for research data and such, there was no time to bother with it; the priority now was for people to leave first.
Only the harsh grinding sound of two chains tightening remained in the isolation chamber.
The two restrained Slash Zombies were still struggling madly, especially the one with three slashes already formed on its forehead. Each swelling of its muscles made the a-level metal chain emit a grating, teeth-aching friction sound. Dark red keratinous patterns pulsed under its skin like glowing hot brands, flickering on and off.
Zuo Feng stared intently at the chains. It was clearly impossible for these two Slash Zombies to break free from the chains now.
In the monitoring room, Professor Yan stared at the data on the screen with fiery eyes, muttering to himself, “This data is astonishing! Getting stronger and stronger!”
Now, the entire base only had Zuo Feng and Professor Yan left as living people; all other personnel had evacuated.
Yue Jiaxue had not failed to ask Professor Yan to evacuate as well, but the stubborn Professor Yan refused. He wanted to record all these precious data throughout the process, which was crucial for the research of the New type of symbiotic zombie virus.
Da Mi Tao deeply understood Professor Yan’s persistence. Moreover, she knew that the New type of symbiotic zombie virus itself was developed by Professor Yan leading a group of research fanatics within the Wild Wolf Gang.
Although due to the lack of testing equipment at the time, the hidden characteristics of the New type of symbiotic virus could not be discovered in time, this had always been a pain in Professor Yan’s heart. This terrifying virus came from his hands, and now being able to witness its mutation process firsthand was both a redemption and a challenge for him.
Zuo Feng, on the other hand, silently kept a close eye on every subtle change of the two zombies in the isolation chamber. Now, the fourth slash on the forehead of the three-Slash Zombie was about to form. The speed of its evolution was astonishing.
Fortunately, the a-level metal chain was incredibly strong. No matter how the two zombies struggled, the chain remained completely undamaged.
Ten minutes later, Kong Ling and Black, along with their symbiotic beasts, arrived at the base and quickly entered the isolation chamber to assist Zuo Feng.
Seeing this, Zuo Feng felt a little relieved. With the assistance of the symbiotic beasts, even if these two Slash Zombies broke free from the a-level metal chain, they could be killed immediately.
Zuo Feng clearly sensed that Mu’er, Kong Ling, Ying’er, and Black all transmitted instinctive messages of desire to Zuo Feng the moment they perceived the existence of the small sapling. The efficacy of the small sapling could even make variants feel desire, which left Zuo Feng deeply shocked. The mysterious power of the small sapling was clearly far beyond expectations.
However, what surprised and worried Zuo Feng even more was that the two Slash Zombies became strangely quiet after seeing Mu’er, Kong Ling, Ying’er, and Black.
This was not a good sign. This meant that the Slash Zombies had an instinct to seek good fortune and avoid disaster. After sensing the strength of the variants, they chose to temporarily lie dormant, waiting for an opportunity.
This also meant that Slash Zombies were more dangerous than ordinary zombies who only knew how to attack.
Another ten minutes later, Zuo Feng found that the fifth slash on the Slash Zombie’s forehead had completely formed. After waiting for another 20 minutes, the Slash Zombie suddenly let out a low growl, and the sixth slash on its forehead completely formed!
It took less than an hour in total to evolve from one slash to six slashes. The threat level of the pathogen was imaginable.
Moreover, when they evolved to six slashes, they were no longer quiet, but occasionally let out low growls, subtly implying provocation.
Zuo Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly. The Slash Zombies had an instinct to seek good fortune and avoid disaster, but after evolving to six slashes, they actually began to provoke actively. This meant that the strength of the Six-Slash Zombie was already close to the level of three vertical-slash variants and symbiotic beasts; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so bold.
Indeed, the speculation was correct. Zuo Feng dared not be careless and carefully stared at the Slash Zombie’s forehead. He absolutely would not allow these two Slash Zombies to evolve to seven slashes; that would be a catastrophic existence.
Fortunately, after waiting another hour, the Slash Zombies showed no new changes. There was no sign of a seventh slash appearing on their foreheads, which made Zuo Feng breathe a sigh of relief. If there was still a tendency to evolve, Zuo Feng would not hesitate to kill these two Slash Zombies.
Seeing that there was no tendency to continue evolving, Zuo Feng then carefully observed these two Slash Zombies. Their skin had become blood-red, and the previous blood-colored stripes on their skin were now even deeper, clearly visible like blood vessels, emitting a chillingly ferocious aura.
Their eyes were blood-red, shimmering with a bloodthirsty light, and sticky drool hung from the corners of their mouths. When they opened and closed their mouths, a mouthful of sharp fangs was visible, as if they could tear through anything.
Their fingernails were also blood-red, as if blood was flowing between them. Zuo Feng clearly saw that where the Slash Zombie’s nails touched the metal ground, deep scratches were instantly left, as if the metal was as fragile as paper.
Zuo Feng looked at the monitoring equipment and asked:
“Professor Yan, are there any fluctuations in the readings?”
Professor Yan frowned, staring at the data on the monitor, and slowly shook his head: “Currently, the readings are stable, with no tendency for further evolution.”
Upon hearing this, Zuo Feng felt a little relieved. As long as there was no further evolution, it was still within a controllable range.
However, due to the presence of the symbiotic young beasts and variants, the Six-Slash Zombies did not struggle at all, only growling softly. It was clear that they currently had no confidence in defeating the variants and symbiotic young beasts, but this made it impossible to test whether they could break free from the a-level metal chain.
Zuo Feng thought for a moment and decided to temporarily leave with the variants and symbiotic young beasts, leaving the Slash Zombies alone to observe their reactions.