Chapter 969: Explosive Discoveries and Hidden Dangers

The Idol printed out a comparative analysis between the sample Yang Jin brought back and the one Xia Qing delivered. The results were crystal clear.

“The soil sample from Lan Five’s Pure Spring, where Devastationweed seeds were planted, was mixed by me. Captain Yang took it there.” Xia Qing explained. “The most obvious difference between the two soils is that at the start of the month, I added Yi Stone granules. Otherwise, there’s not much difference in other elements.”

After finishing the soil samples, Xia Qing moved on to the air analysis. “Third Brother, the levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and phosphorus trioxide in Lan Five’s air are off the charts. Did a fire break out by the Pure Spring?”

Zhang San seemed pleased with Xia Qing’s progress. “To stop the Super Evolution Fungus from spreading, Lan Five’s people set huge swaths of the Evolved Forest on fire. The compounds released drifted over with the wind.”

So that’s what happened. Xia Qing pointed at the last line in Lan Five’s air sample results, labeled ‘unknown substance.’ She asked, “Third Brother, what exactly is this?”

Zhang San led Xia Qing out of the lab and pulled up footage of the explosion in the air-testing chamber from this morning. “It’s a Devastation compound. I triggered a Devastation Explosion when I tried to test its stability under heat and pressure.”

Xia Qing’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up and down at the Idol’s paper-thin body. “Are you alright? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Zhang San shot Xia Qing a glare. “I’ve spent eleven years studying the Devastation Element.”

“Of course, you’re the nation’s leading expert on both Devastation and Yi Elements. No one’s researched them longer or produced more results than you. You’re basically perched atop Blue Star’s scientific pyramid.”

Zhang San was speechless. “Why are you so obsessed with the pyramid thing?”

Why, indeed?

Xia Qing blinked, then answered honestly. “My dad’s an architect. There’s a photo at home of him standing on top of a pyramid, looking all heroic. Super cool.”

Zhang San snorted. “He snuck up there and got targeted by a laser pointer, didn’t he?”

“No, the photo’s photoshopped. My parents originally planned to take me to see the pyramids after my high school exams.” But Xia Qing’s exam year was also the first year of the great natural disasters. Catastrophes struck all across Blue Star, so travel was out of the question.

Hearing that, Zhang San fell silent.

Xia Qing got back on topic. “Third Brother, I thought only high concentrations of the Devastation Element explode from high-speed impact or intense heat. With this new Devastation compound from Lan Five, what’s the trigger temperature?”

“Seventy-nine degrees Celsius. Its concentration matches that of neon in the atmosphere.” Zhang San glanced at Xia Qing’s face and added, “That’s 0.0015 percent.”

Xia Qing was stunned. “That’s dangerously unstable! If it spreads, other than laser guns and cannons, all conventional firearms would be banned in Lan Five. The balance of power in the Base would be flipped and who knows how many would die.”

A bullet heats up from air friction mid-flight and easily reaches 100 degrees. Not to mention shells, which go faster and have more surface contact.

No wonder Yang Jin’s arms and hands are injured, and he’s got a headache from thinking too hard! Even so, he still remembered to bring back three huge boxes of supplies for me. That’s real loyalty.

Lan Five must be in utter chaos right now. I hope Zhang Shi quickly finds the right person and cover identity so Little Shiyi can be sent home soon.

Zhang San understood the consequences of a Devastation compound outbreak even better than Xia Qing. “The fact that Devastationweed seeds dissolve in water may be linked to this new substance.”

Xia Qing followed the Idol’s train of thought. “Devastationweed is the natural counter to Devastation compounds. Third Brother, are you thinking of using the weed to absorb or break down that stuff? Want me to go grab some seeds?”

Zhang San shook his head. “I’ve already requested five Devastationweed seeds from Hui One.”

Hui One’s Pure Spring also has Devastationweed plants, so getting seeds isn’t hard. The problem is, there isn’t enough uncontaminated spring water at Zhang San’s place, making cultivation costly—though research samples are still doable.

Xia Qing nodded right away. “Great move. There’s no point letting Hui One’s supplies sit unused.”

Watching Xia Qing haggle and strategize, Zhang San just couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Once you get back, contact Yang Jin immediately and warn him. I’ve already reached out to Lan Five’s Research Institute—we’ll have air samples from across their Evolved Forest soon and can determine the gas’s range.”

Xia Qing lowered her voice. “Third Brother, did Hui One upgrade their surveillance on you again?”

Otherwise, why would the Idol have her call instead of contacting Yang Jin directly?

“What other upgrade could there be?” Zhang San rolled his eyes at Xia Qing. “I just don’t want more people knowing my personal number. How’s your Elder Wolf doing?”

So the Idol’s main account is already being monitored!

Xia Qing forced down her annoyance. “The wolf’s been on Brother Song’s meds for four days. It’s eating more and its diarrhea’s improving, but it’s still low-energy and just wants to lie there.

Zhang San nodded. “Have Zhang Song check it out personally.”

Xia Qing knew what the Idol meant: he didn’t want Ji Li’s Squad to notice the wolf.

Xia Qing took Zhang Song and some portable medical gear to the South Gate of her Territory. Before she could react, Zhang Song volunteered, “Sister Qing, I’ll get the door.”

“Alright.” Xia Qing handed him the key and watched as he opened the car door—then promptly rolled out onto the ground…

Before Xia Qing could get out, Tang Lu came rushing over from inside Territory Two, hurrying towards Zhang Song.

Xia Qing immediately jumped down and placed herself between Zhang Song and Tang Lu.

Tang Lu stepped back two paces, her expression genuine as she explained, “No need to be nervous, Miss Xia. I just saw this gentleman fall and wanted to see if you needed help.”

“I’m fine.” Zhang Song got up, dusted himself off and smiled. “You must be Miss Tang, the Lord of Territory Two, right? Sister Qing’s just blocking you because she’s responsible for my safety now that I’m out of Section Seven. I can’t defend myself at all.”

Tang Lu kept her polite smile while chatting with Zhang Song. “Are you an ordinary person too?”

Zhang Song smiled right back at Tang Lu, who was still wearing her protective mask. “No, I’m an Advanced Brain Evolutionary. But tell me, Miss Tang, I’m curious—this is our first time meeting and all you saw was my back as I fell. How did you guess I was male? What tipped you off?”

Here, everyone—man or woman—wore the same camouflage-patterned protective suits.

Tang Lu’s smile froze for just an instant before she answered sincerely, “Just a hunch.”

“A pretty accurate one, Miss Tang.” Zhang Song nodded, turned to open the iron mesh gate to Section Three and only after Xia Qing drove in did he nod again at Tang Lu, relock the gate, and climb into Xia Qing’s off-roader.

Glancing at Tang Lu’s expression in the rearview mirror as they left the Wild Grass Wall behind, Zhang Song finally asked curiously, “Sister Qing, do you have a grudge with her or something?”