Chapter 813: Researchers

The immortal dao warship sped through the sky, arriving at the coordinates in no time.

Here, snow blanketed the ground, atop a mountain range at extreme altitude, with harsh climate and thin air—even bio-monsters refused to invade, making the environment a natural sanctuary.

Of course, this place was unsuitable for human survival.

Yet in this very location, a stretch of mountains had been forcibly flattened by some force, upon which stood several fortresses crafted from nanometal technology, alien artifacts utterly out of place in this post-apocalyptic bio-world.

"The evolutionists from Earth had clearly come here long ago—they even left behind a garrison."

Li Yi stepped out of the immortal dao warship, scanning the surroundings, thinking to himself.

He stored the warship inside his Red Gold Five Elements Bracelet, then flew toward the structures.

High-energy anti-air cannons were positioned on nearby peaks; should any bio-monster approach, they would activate instantly—but Li Yi's arrival triggered none of these defenses.

Instead, as he neared one of the fortresses, a familiar AI voice spoke.

"Li Yi, welcome to Earth Base 17. I am AI Xiao Mei, delighted to serve you." The AI here was named Xiao Mei, appearing as a cute little girl.

"Does Earth have a backup database here? How does the AI even recognize me?" Li Yi thought, then asked: "Are there any other evolutionists from Earth here besides me?"

Xiao Mei smiled beside him: "Base 17 operates and is maintained solely by me and the intelligent robots. No evolutionists from Earth were assigned to take over Base 17."

"So there really is no one?" Li Yi shook his head slightly, feeling disappointed.

"However, twenty days ago, an Earth evolutionist crossed over to this world and is currently in Sector One Rest Area," Xiao Mei suddenly added.

Li Yi's interest sparked immediately: "Someone crossed over just twenty days ago? Who is it?"

He assumed the person had come to retrieve him.

"I'm sorry, but Xiao Mei is prohibited from disclosing the individual's identity," said the AI.

"Take me to them. I need to meet them," Li Yi said.

"Of course. Please follow me," said Xiao Mei, her AI projection guiding Li Yi toward Sector One Rest Area.

As Li Yi followed the AI, he observed Base 17's condition—he noticed many intelligent machines maintaining the base's operations and performing other tasks.

"What are those white-clad robots doing?" he suddenly asked, pointing at certain robots.

"They are research robots. They are developing a specialized virus targeting the bio-monsters of Base 17. If successful, we will release it to exterminate all bio-monsters in this world," said Xiao Mei.

"So that's how it is," Li Yi froze in surprise.

As a warrior with little formal education, he had only ever thought of killing every bio-monster himself—he'd never considered using a bio-virus to solve the problem.

In this case, technology proved more effective than individual strength.

"Has the research succeeded?" Li Yi suddenly asked.

"We've developed Black Death Virus No. 1. It can kill 99. 9% of Base 17's bio-monsters, but it also affects the world's survivors. Thus, Black Death Virus No. 1 has not been released. We are currently developing Black Death Virus No. 2," said Xiao Mei.

Li Yi glanced at the AI in surprise.

He hadn't expected the virus targeting bio-monsters had already been developed—only withheld out of concern for the world's survivors.

"How long will it take to develop Black Death Virus No. 2?" Li Yi asked.

Xiao Mei replied: "Because the bio-monsters' genes are highly similar to those of Base 17's humans, developing a virus that kills only bio-monsters without harming survivors is estimated to take at least three years."

"Three years? Are there no other solutions?" Li Yi frowned.

Three years was too long—most survivors, except perhaps Du Peng and his group, would be dead by then, rendering the virus meaningless.

"If Base 17's survivors cultivate the Evolution Method to alter cellular strength or inject gene-serum to modify their genetic sequence, they can become immune to Black Death Virus No. 1," said Xiao Mei.

"That's good news," Li Yi nodded slightly.

Xiao Mei continued: "Base 17's satellites continuously monitor the survivors' population. Once their numbers drop below the critical threshold, Xiao Mei will release Black Death Virus No. 1 and deploy flying robots to disperse biological and plant seeds, restoring the ecosystem and transforming this world into a new Earth."

"No wonder you're artificial intelligence—you've considered every scenario," Li Yi praised.

This AI, Xiao Mei, possessed human compassion—willing to give the survivors a chance, hence developing Virus No. 2—yet also retained AI coldness: if the survivors were beyond saving, it would unhesitatingly release Virus No. 1 and cleanse the world.

The key lay in whether the survivors could endure until the new virus was completed.

Previously, Li Yi believed releasing Virus No. 1 was inevitable, since Xiao Mei's criterion wasn't total human extinction, but population falling below a critical threshold.

What that threshold was depended entirely on Xiao Mei's assessment.

But now, no matter what, survivors would endure—because Li Yi had already taught the Evolution Method. At least those who trained diligently could escape the purge.

Then civilization could return to this world.

After learning the base's situation, Li Yi felt reassured—at least there was now a viable plan to exterminate the endless bio-monsters. The future was not hopeless.

Soon, under Xiao Mei's guidance, Li Yi arrived at Sector One Rest Area.

To his surprise, the rest area was not empty—it held dozens of people. A quick glance revealed at least forty or fifty, all dressed identically, with nearly identical builds and faces, like clones.

"You said there was no one here," Li Yi said.

"He is not an Earth evolutionist—he is a native of Base 17, working here in research," said Xiao Mei.

"Researching the virus?" Li Yi asked.

"No. He is the subject."

Xiao Mei smiled: "Developing the Black Death Virus requires genetic samples from local humans. He is our most exceptional specimen—extremely cooperative."

As she spoke, the dozens in the rest area turned their heads simultaneously, fixing their gazes on Li Yi.

"You didn't need to clone so many people," Li Yi said.

"He is not a clone. He is one person—a unique anomaly with ultra-rapid cellular regeneration. He has split himself into multiple bodies, learned the Evolution Method, and reached the Spiritual Tribulation realm in a short time. His individual power is too great for Base 17 to expel, so he is permitted to remain here," Xiao Mei said, still smiling.

"If it's out of control, just say it's out of control. Has the AI learned to hide its own mistakes?" Li Yi said.

Clearly, the AI had taught the Evolution Method to study its connection with the Black Death Virus—but lost control, resulting in this unmanageable subject.

Reaching the Spiritual Tribulation realm was an astonishing feat.

In Base 17, he was invincible.

Yet Li Yi couldn't understand why this subject's cultivation speed was so terrifying—given the base's recent establishment, time couldn't have been long.

A native of Base 17, rising from nothing to Spiritual Tribulation realm—this was no different from cheating.

Xiao Mei's smile vanished as Li Yi exposed her oversight, replaced by a pained expression.

But Li Yi had no time to care for the AI's feelings—he walked toward the research subject, wary.

Perhaps sensing Li Yi's strength,

something unexpected happened: Li Yi watched as two identical figures approached each other, their bodies glowing brilliantly—cosmic energy erupting.

Then, the two figures merged.

Yes.

Li Yi himself froze, witnessing the fusion with his own eyes.

Though Spiritual Tribulation cultivators could reshape their bodies beyond normal flesh, he had never seen two bodies merge like this.

After merging, the two became one again—appearance and build unchanged, only their aura altered.

With more cells and greater cosmic energy, the new individual's power had increased.

But this was far from over.

Others began merging too—two into one, four into one. The number rapidly decreased, yet a powerful aura blossomed.

"Clone technique?" Li Yi watched curiously.

"No. This is Bio-Splitting Technique."

Xiao Mei leaned in again: "I named it. Through ultra-rapid cellular regeneration, he continuously splits into new selves, connected by soul-link, sharing identical thoughts and behavior. But as his numbers increase, his cultivation speed multiplies. Forty-five individuals mean he cultivates at forty-five times the normal rate."

"Damn, that's cheating!" Li Yi was stunned.

You could do this?

Split yourself, let your clones cultivate, then merge back and double your power.

This was insane.

If this guy went into immortal cultivation, what would happen?

As the man continued merging, his body density increased, his internal energy strengthened—now exceeding the Spiritual Tribulation realm's limit, his power doubling repeatedly.

What kind of monster had Xiao Mei created in this world?

Fortunately, the man remained rational. Though immensely powerful, he did not act recklessly—he even smiled at Li Yi.

"Earth-crossing visitor, hello. I am Li Ruhai, a researcher at this base. Pleased to meet you," Li Ruhai grinned.

Clearly, through Xiao Mei, he had learned much.

"Hello. I am Li Yi," Li Yi nodded slightly in greeting.

(End of Chapter)