Chapter 83: Preparation and Decision

The train carriage moved, then gradually came to a stop at a massive station platform, and not far from the platform stood a towering steel gate.

The logo of Umbrella Corporation was branded onto it.

Zhang Xuan gazed at this scene, took a deep breath, and felt the blood within his body gradually begin to boil.

What followed next was the most important verification regarding his mission.

The relevant mercenary squad was already skillfully taking out tools in front of the gate to perform a forced entry.

The plot of Resident Evil 1 is quite simple: Spence Parks, a spy sent by a rival company of Umbrella, snuck into the Hive Base and stole the relevant T-Virus and the antidote.

Then, he deliberately shattered a vial of T-Virus within the Hive; the virus spread throughout the entire Hive via the air circulation system, infecting all the experimental and research personnel inside.

The main brain of the entire underground base, the artificial intelligence Red Queen, discovered this situation; to prevent the T-Virus from spreading, she proactively sealed the Hive underground base and released nerve toxins inside, preparing to keep everyone isolated within this underground base.

But the sudden sealing of the Hive caught the attention of the Umbrella Corporation headquarters; Umbrella headquarters believed there was a problem with this base, so they dispatched a mercenary squad to investigate and simultaneously retrieve the Red Queen.

Unfortunately, the mercenary squad's enemies now were not just the Red Queen, but also the many zombies hidden within the Hive, as well as the omnipresent T-Virus.

Once they entered the underground Hive, they would be regarded as enemies by the Red Queen, because all living people could potentially be infected by the T-Virus and carry it out, spreading it to the entire Shi Jie.

While Zhang Xuan was deep in thought, that steel gate had already been opened.

One of the mercenary squad members, who leaned toward a support role, took out a tablet computer, displaying the extremely complex map of the Hive.

"Go! Go! Go!"

The mercenary captain, a tall Black man named James Shade, spoke quickly and firmly; his actions were very military-style, his articulation clear and rapid, carrying a sense of unwavering determination.

"Our time is tight,"

A group of fully armed mercenaries followed closely behind him.

And the moment the steel gate opened, Zhang Xuan sighed slightly.

The virus content contained in the air was minuscule, but he had still keenly sensed it through his primordial spirit.

Alice's plan to block the virus's spread and prevent the destruction of the Shi Jie could no longer be achieved in its first step.

To prevent the destruction of the Shi Jie, one could only use other methods.

This matched Zhang Xuan's imagination of Resident Evil, but seeing a Shi Jie about to head toward the apocalypse, a peculiar feeling still arose in Zhang Xuan's heart.

In fact, the moment the virus leaked, the spread of the virus was already unstoppable; after all, the relevant ventilation and air exchange ducts would continuously spread and diffuse the air from the underground Hive to the outside world.

"I think our plan needs to change somewhat."

Zhang Xuan turned to Alice, who still looked somewhat nervous, and said.

"Hm? Why does it need to change?"

Alice was puzzled.

"Your mission and plan should be difficult to carry out now."

Zhang Xuan calmly informed Alice of the corresponding situation he had perceived, and amidst Alice's grave expression, he said softly: "The relevant virus has already spread out. With my ability, I can kill all the people infected with the virus inside the entire underground Hive, but I have no way to kill every single rat, cockroach, and other virus-infected creature hidden underground."

"The spread of the virus is already unstoppable."

"I think we should make a backup plan: publish Umbrella's relevant experimental research and record the tragic state of this place in full, making it public on a large scale."

"At the same time, we must issue early warnings and alerts so that many people can be prepared; this might be able to delay or prevent the destruction of the Shi Jie."

Zhang Xuan's Indestructible Heavenly Art indeed required cultivation and the consumption of large-scale Origin, but he would not deliberately let the virus spread to achieve his own goals; in that case, he would not be much different from the Supreme who launched Darkness and turmoil.

If he could, he would save this Shi Jie as much as possible, just to ensure he did not go against his conscience.

But for the virus that had already spread and the many people already infected by the virus, he would also kill them without hesitation.

"Consider this the reward for me coming here to save the Shi Jie."

Zhang Xuan whispered to himself.

And beside him, Alice's face turned very ugly.

"Has the virus already spread? How is that possible? I remember it was only in the underground Hive, wasn't it? Didn't the Red Queen already stop it?"

"You should know the subsequent plot development; don't hold onto that so-called wishful thinking. Prepare in advance, otherwise the future Shi Jie will eventually become what you saw, with everything meeting a terrifying destruction."

"You are a Tier 4 powerhouse, is there no way to change all of this?"

Alice still did not want to believe this cruel fact. Alice was currently a high-level security officer for Umbrella; even though she knew many of the subsequent plot developments, she had not yet gone through the tragic upheavals of the later years.

Having not been bombed by missiles and having not seen nuclear weapons destroy the world, how could she say she had grasped the true meaning of life? She was still a relatively ordinary person.

She did not have awareness far beyond ordinary people, and she would not be as firm and decisive as she would become later.

"I am still human, not a God, and it is impossible for me to reverse everything."

Zhang Xuan responded calmly.

And facing Alice, who was caught in a state of conflict, Zhang Xuan pointed to the mercenary squad ahead that was preparing to go deep into the underground base.

"There isn't much time left for you to make a decision. You also know the current state of the Red Queen; she will try every possible way to keep everyone who enters the base inside, and she won't let them out."

"If you continue to hesitate, the losses will be even greater."

"Can't you protect them all?"

"I came here to help you find a way; saving the Shi Jie is not about me being a babysitter for you or for them."

Zhang Xuan responded calmly.

At his current level, the various situations in the underground base could not stop him at all.

He alone could kill all the various Lickers, Tyrants, and zombie dogs in the underground base until none were left.

But if he brought along a mercenary squad, Zhang Xuan was not sure if the mercenary squad could walk out in one piece.

After all, taking care of a rookie squad while also keeping an eye on them so they wouldn't be injured by zombies or zombie dogs was quite difficult, and Zhang Xuan did not want to be a babysitter.

"If you only want the relevant data from the underground base, they don't have to go down. I can handle the relevant matters underground by myself. They can stay above and live; if they go deep underground, I'm not sure of the consequences."

Alice bit her lower lip; in her red dress, she was quite alluring, but Zhang Xuan glanced at her and didn't care much.

If one doesn't cultivate properly, one will face life-and-death crises later. Beauty is good, but after reaching a higher realm, more choices will be before you, and there is absolutely no need to indulge in what is before one's eyes.

"Stop them!"

After pondering for a moment, Alice spoke with a grave expression.

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly, and without making any excessive movements, the squad of mercenaries naturally walked over to Alice's side and sat down.

Furthermore, every member of that mercenary squad wore a serious expression, looking as if they were in the middle of a tense mission.

After opening the brow center, a protagonist can sense the heavens and earth, appearing like a God in the eyes of many cultivators, turning the Wind and Cloud, carrying thunder, and bringing endless mental pressure upon others.

Upon reaching the Outer Scene, the application of this becomes even more refined; without needing any divine arts, one can easily cause the minds of ordinary people to fall into illusions, lost within their own thoughts.

"Then wait here, I will return very soon!"

Zhang Xuan spoke softly, preparing to head deep into The Hive; this was one of his objectives.

With too many people interfering, it would be inconvenient for him to work inside The Hive.

Without anyone to interfere, he could go all out below, then use the Indestructible Heavenly Art to swallow the various related Origins into his body, further enhancing his own physique and constitution.

"No, take me with you, I want to see it!"

Alice's gaze was firm and filled with longing; Zhang Xuan looked at her with a strange expression, but Alice did not back down, showing a glimpse of a strong woman's demeanor at this moment.

"My current situation is too weak. The Chat Group showed me many future destinies, but I haven't truly seen them; it was just like watching a movie. I want to go underground and see this real cruelty, otherwise, if I confront the Umbrella Corporation with my current mindset, I will lack courage in the future."

These words made Zhang Xuan think more highly of Alice; she was worthy of being the protagonist of the six-part Resident Evil series, resilient, wise, and not lacking in courage.

Bringing an entire squad of mercenaries would be troublesome, but letting Alice enter The Hive alone was not too much of a hassle.

Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment: "Then follow behind me. I will not intentionally wait for you. You can see the relevant cruel scenes for yourself. Remember to actively avoid the laser corridor and the corresponding intelligent equipment. If you die here, I will not bother to intervene."

Alice nodded. Before she could react, Zhang Xuan pointed to a mercenary nearby holding a tablet computer: "The map is in his hands, so good luck!"

Before his voice had faded, Zhang Xuan had already transformed into a streak of light, plunging into The Hive.

Alice glanced at the open Hive; the interior of the gate was pitch black, with no light to be seen, standing on the earth like a beast with its giant mouth agape.

She gritted her teeth and took the tablet from the hands of the mercenary squad nearby. The entire mercenary squad still showed little reaction, sitting together in a neat, uniform circle.

As she prepared to enter The Hive, Alice paused slightly; the briefcase she had obtained earlier from the train leading to the Hive Base had been opened at some point.

A full row of emerald green T Bing Du Yuan Ye was lined up before her. After a brief moment of thought, she pulled one T Bing Du Yuan Ye from the briefcase without hesitation and injected it into her own artery.

"I am too weak now to keep up with the pace. Since I am that special, unique evolver, then I will take a gamble. God help me!"

The T Bing Du Yuan Ye was completely injected into her body in an instant.

(End of chapter)