Chapter 594: Secrets of the Parasitic Items

What an amazing parasitic item?

Professor Bai’s words brought a momentary hush to the meeting room as puzzled looks passed between everyone.

How incredible can a parasitic item really be?

……

“This is connected to another matter,”

Professor Bai seemed to sense the questions bubbling in their minds as he slowly set down the checklist he was holding.

Leaning back slightly, his fingers crossed on his timeworn yet smooth lower abdomen, he murmured:

“Parasitic items have long been a focus for researchers.”

“When the Red Moon first descended, everyone at the institute agreed on a few general approaches to counter the chaos it brought – including the Seven Steps Theory and various human experiments. Research and development of parasitic items was one of them.”

“At that time, a significant number supported this line of research despite its slow progress. Then, that renowned researcher introduced the Seven Steps Theory, outlining a clearer direction, which swayed more people to back his idea.”

“And later, with the Escaped Lab incident and the tragic suicide of the genius researcher…”

“……”

At this point, he paused, letting out a gentle sigh before continuing:

“Alas, from that moment on, chaos became inevitable at the institute.”

“For a long time, the researchers were adrift, unsure of what to do or which path to take.”

“Afterward, the institute’s research lost its central focus. Instead, it began helping other High-wall Cities establish Special Pollution Cleanup Departments and trained relevant talents to spark hope in this broken world.”

“It was around that time that I left the institute…”

“Although I’ve since distanced myself from the core of the institute and no longer have direct access to their central research, one thing is clear: the institute is still pursuing at least one line of research. Those people are never idle.”

“Proof of that is the periodic release of new theories or materials from the institute.”

“All these items might even be by-products of some large-scale research project.”

“……”

Only then did Professor Bai pause, picking up the glass cup on the table—merely cradling it in his hand without taking a sip.

The others exchanged glances, a palpable sense of oppression settling in.

Every time the Moon Eclipse Research Institute is mentioned, those involved feel a surge of dread.

Not to mention, perhaps what we’re hearing now are some of the highest-level secrets.

After a moment of frowning, Professor Bai slowly asked:

“Are you all familiar with parasitic items?”

“……”

Han Bing and the others exchanged looks, remaining silent.

Of course, each of them had some understanding of parasitic items.

However, their knowledge was limited to the hierarchy of parasitic items…

Second-tier, first-tier, and zero-tier.

Second-tier parasitic items are those created in laboratories that contain a certain mental power trait.

Currently in Qinggang, there is the capability to produce second-tier parasitic items.

They have not been mass-produced simply because the conditions required to make them are too demanding and cruel.

Second-tier parasitic items typically emphasize their inherent mental traits; their own psychic power isn’t particularly high. Their true impact depends on who wields them. Someone deeply acquainted with these traits and possessing high psychic power can unleash formidable strength, whereas for ordinary people they might only offer a marginal advantage over first-stage ability users.

First-tier parasitic items are usually naturally occurring items discovered around the world.

The principle is simple: if a person in constant agony wears a necklace for years, then one day, should that person’s mental power undergo a mutation, it might imprint on that necklace, turning it into a necklace imbued with the power of suffering.

That is a first-tier parasitic item.

Perhaps due to the element of chance in their emergence, these items often possess even greater psychic power.

More importantly, first-tier parasitic items usually have the capacity to grow.

Take, for instance, the Disaster Museum – once a parasitic item that continued to evolve…

Though it was eventually shattered by Mr. Lone Soldier.

As for zero-tier…

“In any region, data regarding zero-tier parasitic items is kept top secret.”

……

“The concept of zero-tier parasitic items is actually quite simple,”

Professor Bai continued softly without waiting for a reply:

“More than thirty years ago, on the first night the Red Moon descended, the parasitic items that appeared in our world were zero-tier.”

“Right now in Qinggang, we have preserved one – the painting we brought back from Second Satellite City known as ‘Gaze of the Red Moon.’ Not long ago, our tests confirmed that the painting harbors a form of ultimate mental power.”

“Its essence is best described as chaos.”

“……”

Unexpectedly, Professor Bai suddenly uttered a chilling remark:

The mental power hidden within that painting is chaos?

Several Special Weapons Research Experts present were visibly startled.

Han Bing was even more taken aback and exclaimed, “So there’s already been a research breakthrough with that painting?”

Professor Bai did not respond to their shock but continued slowly, “To my knowledge, since the descent of the Red Moon, there have been at least seven zero-tier parasitic items discovered worldwide, four of which are housed in the Moon Eclipse Research Institute.”

“So, I personally suspect that someone at the institute has always been trying to harness their greatest potential.”

“That’s why so many of the new materials and applications emerging from the institute are related to them…”

“Even I, after all these busy years, only once received recognition from the institute for a paper I wrote on this very topic. It makes me think that the institute’s current main project is indeed parasitic items.”

“……”

“Doesn’t it feel like the news is getting more and more terrifying?”

Everyone in the meeting room felt it too. Although Professor Bai’s tone was calm and his delivery matter-of-fact, this was about the institute’s central research project—a topic that, if leaked to the black markets, could fetch a fortune.

Also, why did Professor Bai suddenly shift from talking about Mr. Lone Soldier to discussing the institute so extensively?

“The interesting part is right here…”

Professor Bai’s gaze fell once more on the checklist as he grinned, “Although I wasn’t directly involved in the institute’s projects, based on my understanding of the institute and the intelligence from various labs, many materials and ingenious designs on this checklist match recent research within the Moon Eclipse Research Institute’s various departments…”

He looked up and added, “And that’s how I deduced Mr. Lone Soldier’s intentions.”

“The more this goes on, the more curious I become…”

“What do you suppose Mr. Lone Soldier is really up to with all these materials?”

“……”

Could it be that the items Mr. Lone Soldier collected are somehow aligned with the research at the Central City Moon Eclipse Research Institute?

Listening to Professor Bai, even if it was merely speculation, a heavy weight seemed to settle in everyone’s hearts.

The institute is exerting every effort to exploit zero-tier parasitic items.

So what exactly is Mr. Lone Soldier doing?

In the midst of the oppressive silence, it took Han Bing a while before he suddenly understood, his expression turning grave.

“Should I go and inquire with Mr. Lone Soldier?”

“……”

All eyes in the meeting room shifted from Professor Bai to Han Bing.

After a pause, Professor Bai smiled and said, “There’s no need. After the first-stage experiments of the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan, I already discussed with Mr. Su and his team to cease all proactive research on Mr. Lone Soldier, and we’re not prying into his personal life.”

“Besides…”

He lifted his head, glanced at the screen showing Mr. Su and the quietly appearing Minister Shen, and smiled:

“He already said he was just renovating his house, isn’t that so?”

“……”

Han Bing was struck silent, finally grasping Professor Bai’s meaning.

Mr. Lone Soldier has always been an easygoing person—honest and kind.

Such a person leaves so little room for secrets to be uncovered.

But who would dare?

Just as he claimed nothing had been done in Heichao City, it meant nothing was wrong—nothing suspicious at all.

Now he says he’s involved in these matters merely to renovate his house…

……Maybe he really is just renovating his house?

……

“So, how should we respond to him?”

After a long pause, an impulsive Special Weapons Expert couldn’t hold back, “These materials are scarce even in Qinggang’s reserves. Many can only be bought at exorbitant prices in the black markets or from secret labs…”

“Some might not even be purchasable at all; they’d have to be exchanged for intelligence, documents, or raw materials of equivalent value…”

“Their value is simply incalculable.”

Another added, “Moreover, our high-profile procurement to mirror the institute’s materials might also…”

“……”

“My suggestion is to agree to his terms.”

As they discussed these matters, Professor Bai suddenly spoke up.

Everyone was taken aback, staring at him in astonishment.

A mischievous smile flickered on Professor Bai’s face as he said, “One mustn’t be stingy. After all, the Central City is willing to spare no expense by giving Mr. Lone Soldier a furnished apartment. Do you think Qinggang would balk at paying for a renovation?”

The others were left speechless at his remark.

Professor Bai explained with a laugh, “Right now, our research in the field of Mental Overlord is ahead of other regions. This is the time when our data is worth the most. However, down in the South, there’s someone who also seems to have access to that same data…”

“So rather than waiting for him to offload these materials and devalue our experiment data, it’s better to trade them now for something else.”

“As for the institute, you need not worry.”

“Their research runs much deeper than we know, far beyond our comprehension.”

“Everything that has been released—even the proactive and the reactive—has been pruned out by them…”

“Based on my understanding, when others claim the institute has reached stage one, they’ve actually achieved stage two. And when they announce stage two, those madmen might have already moved on to stage three, even starting on stage four.”

“Moreover, since Mr. Lone Soldier is a member of the Eclipse Club, they certainly won’t mind…”

“……”

“Of course…”

Finally, he paused briefly and joked, “Considering the price issue, we don’t really have to reimburse Mr. Lone Soldier in full, do we?”

“Launching such a grand gesture right off the bat—and him not contributing a single penny—doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

“……”

The onlookers were dumbfounded, and Mr. Su on the screen, grinning the whole time as a silent observer, finally spoke up, “So you mean…”

“Split it fifty-fifty?”

Professor Bai casually remarked, then shook his head and laughed, “Forget it. Let’s do a 37-91 split instead!”

“Otherwise, he simply can’t afford it.”

“……”

“Right, right…”

Mr. Su on the screen quickly concurred, “It’s good to have him invest a bit so he feels the pressure…”

“But too much pressure could push him into a life of crime, which would be counterproductive…”