Zhu Jiu's Iron Body Technique was at full power, and in one devastating punch, the werewolf was killed on the spot, leaving no chance of survival.
[System Notification: Host has slain a Tier-1 Evolver. Beginning dark energy extraction.]
[Dark energy successfully captured. Host receives 20 points.]
[System Notification: Host has slain a Tier-1 Evolver. Initiating evolution ability extraction.]
[Evolution ability successfully extracted. Host has acquired Beast Class "Werewolf" Evolution Serum.]
"A Beast Class Werewolf Evolution Serum?"
The muscular Tier-1 Evolver had vanished without a trace—likely fleeing during the chaos—leaving Zhu Jiu to deactivate his Iron Body Technique. His frame returned to its normal state as he curiously examined the system's notification.
"What's the point of this evolution serum? Does it turn someone into an Evolver?" he muttered. "But why would anyone want to become a werewolf? This guy's strength wasn't even impressive."
As Zhu Jiu recalled the werewolf's performance, he couldn't help but feel that the serum was of little value. The thought of transforming into a hairy beast didn't appeal to him. He opened the system to inspect the serum's description.
[Item: Werewolf Evolution Serum (Beast Class)]
[Description: Grants the user the Beast Class "Werewolf" evolutionary abilities. Limited to non-Evolver entities other than the host.]
[Recycle Value: Non-recyclable.]
"So, it can't be recycled, and I can't even use it myself..." Zhu Jiu sighed, realizing this serum was meant for someone else.
He shook his head and turned his attention to his remaining 64 points. A smile crept onto his face.
"A small fortune," he mused.
Zhu Jiu could use the points to max out his Eight Trigram Blades and still have some left over. However, he decided against it.
"Better to save it for now. I'll check the system store later to see if I can get a decent weapon."
His recently reinforced blades had taken a serious beating during the earlier fight, and he couldn't expect the injured Fatty to repair them anytime soon.
"Fatty, how are you holding up?" Zhu Jiu asked, pulling Fatty to his feet.
"I'm fine—Fatty ain't dying that easily," Fatty replied, though his pale face and labored breathing betrayed his bravado.
Shaking his head, Zhu Jiu turned to the white-coated woman. Extending a hand, he introduced himself. "I'm Zhu Jiu, owner and instructor of the Southern City Martial Arts School next door. And you are?"
The woman shook his hand and replied crisply, "Hello, Mr. Zhu. My name is Ruan Qingyan. I specialize in biological research."
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity as she looked at Zhu Jiu. "Mr. Zhu, I couldn't help but notice that your body lacks the kind of energy field typically seen in Evolvers, yet your physical strength far surpasses theirs. Is this the result of ancient martial arts training?"
"That's right," Zhu Jiu confirmed with a nod. "Ancient martial arts are far more extraordinary than most people realize. They can help practitioners fundamentally transform their bodies—but very few have the discipline to see it through."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "But now's not the time for that discussion. Miss Ruan, if you're interested, we can talk more about it later. For now, I need to know how to treat my friend's infection."
While the infection in Fatty's back had been temporarily suppressed, it was only a stopgap measure, buying them three days at most. The problem needed a real solution, and fast.
"I lack the necessary equipment and research samples to develop an effective treatment," Ruan Qingyan admitted. "But if I had access to a laboratory and some infected or evolved specimens to work with, I might be able to figure something out."
Zhu Jiu frowned. "Specimens are easy. I can grab a few Infected or Mutants. But this laboratory—do you know of one nearby?"
"Infected? Mutants?" Ruan Qingyan repeated, her eyes lighting up. "Mr. Zhu, your naming system is spot on—far better than just calling them zombies."
Zhu Jiu gave her a flat look, wondering how she could still be so engrossed in trivial details during a crisis. Noticing his expression, Ruan Qingyan quickly composed herself.
"Apologies, Mr. Zhu. Regarding a laboratory, there is a place nearby. Linshui Academy, a private school for the city's elite. It's well-equipped, and I'm sure we can find a sterile lab there."
"Linshui Academy?" Zhu Jiu mused. The school wasn't far—only three or four kilometers from his martial arts school.
It was risky but worth a shot. Besides, with thousands of students and staff on campus, it was likely teeming with Infected and possibly even Mutants. Capturing a few for experiments wouldn't be an issue.
"Let's move out immediately," Zhu Jiu decided, hoisting Fatty onto his back as they began the trek toward Linshui Academy.
Shortly after the trio departed, a swarm of Infected descended on the site, drawn by the scent of blood. They tore into the corpses of the werewolf and the Mutant, devouring them ravenously.
Then, a petite figure darted into the chaos. It was the pink-dressed Infected from the supermarket—a unique specimen with pitch-black eyes and an unnervingly human-like demeanor.
"Slash, slash, slash—"
With inhuman precision, it eliminated the other Infected, claiming the area for itself.
Soon, the ground was cleared of all corpses. The pink-dressed Infected stood motionless for a moment, clutching its head and whimpering.
"Pain... Pain…"
After a while, it lifted its head. Its once pitch-black eyes now looked entirely human, reflecting a youthful innocence.
Upon closer inspection, faint cross-shaped pupils glimmered in its eyes before fading away. It had fully evolved into a Mutant.
As it regained clarity, another Infected wandered into its domain, drawn by the lingering dark energy. The pink-dressed Mutant turned its gaze toward the intruder.
Its cross-shaped pupils glowed briefly, and the wandering Infected abruptly froze, then knelt before it in submission.
"Control…"
"Servant…" it murmured in a halting voice, as though relearning how to speak.
The Mutant turned to face the direction Zhu Jiu's group had taken, its expression softening.
"Sister…"
"Sister."