When Shen Feng heard that the success rate of this technology was only ten percent, he found it very difficult to accept. The reason was simple: Du Xinshi was already in a life-or-death situation, and if this technology were used, her chances of survival would not be high.
Professor Niu remained relatively calm and continued to ask, "If a patient with heart disease undergoes this surgery, what is their survival rate?"
After hearing this, the scientists in Pudong exchanged glances and shook their heads. Clearly, they were not satisfied with the results. Patients with heart disease had poor physical condition to begin with, and undergoing this technology would likely be too much for them to bear.
One scientist carefully chose his words before speaking to Shen Feng, "Lord Fengshen, please listen to me. When we conducted experiments on animals and humans, we selected strong individuals. While not necessarily athletes, they were definitely healthy people. Even with so many physically strong individuals, our experimental success rate was only ten percent. If we were to use someone with a weaker constitution, the success rate might drop to one percent."
Shen Feng was also extremely troubled. It was at this moment that Shen Feng finally understood what it meant to say that health is the capital of revolution. Without good health, one could not use evolution potions or ability potions, and moreover, one might not even survive the cryopreservation surgery. Yet, it was precisely Du Xinshi's health that was lacking.
Professor Niu then turned to the professors in the research institute and asked, "Do any of you have any questions?"
An elderly professor actually stood up and directly inquired, "Since the human body is to be cryopreserved at low temperatures after freezing, where will it be stored? And how can we ensure that the low-temperature environment will not be altered?"
Several researchers quickly replied, "The frozen human bodies or other animals are placed inside a cryopreservation cabin. This cabin is not difficult to construct; as long as there are materials, it can be built. However, the main cause of failure during experiments is the thawing process. If an accident occurs during thawing, the experimental subject may never wake up again."
Shen Feng was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "By the way, if an ability user with ice abilities could assist in the experiment, would the success rate of this technology increase?"
Shen Feng had clearly not forgotten Mu Ying. Mu Ying's ability was to control ice. Since the process involved freezing the human body, the ability could be controlled by an ability user. Having an ability user perform the freezing process would surely be much better.
"We really haven't thought of that, and it's impossible for us to easily find an ice ability user in Pudong." The researchers were stunned at this moment because they had never considered such a possibility. If they could get help from an ability user, the success rate of this technology might even be higher.
Shen Feng said in a deep voice, "An ability user will arrive in Yuzhou in a few days. In the meantime, you should conduct some experiments. Also, expedite the construction of the cryopreservation cabin, aiming to complete it as soon as possible. As for whether this technology will ultimately be used, we will decide later. This matter, alas, is truly difficult."
Ideally, Shen Feng still hoped that Du Xinshi could deliver her baby smoothly. If that happened, she would only need a few months of recovery before undergoing heart transplant surgery. Once the transplant was successful, Shen Feng could administer an ability potion to Du Xinshi, freeing her from her chronic illness.
Before Du Xinshi gave birth, Shen Feng also tried to spend as much time as possible with her. Shen Feng didn't know what the future held; he could only accompany Du Xinshi, hoping that she would have no regrets in the end. However, during Shen Feng's time with her, Du Xinshi's condition continued to worsen.
A heart patient's body was already weak, and now Du Xinshi was pregnant. The fetus needed sufficient nutrition from the mother to develop, which further deteriorated Du Xinshi's health. Witnessing this, Shen Feng realized that something was seriously wrong, and perhaps time was not on his side.
Upon learning of her cousin's poor health, Mu Ying also quickly came to Yuzhou. However, before she could even see Du Xinshi, she was taken to the research institute. This was Shen Feng's decision: to help the scientists in Pudong complete their experiments and, if possible, improve the success rate of cryopreservation technology. If this could be achieved, it would be sufficient.
"I can't guarantee that I can do this. Before, I always froze people to death directly, turning them into ice sculptures. Their bodies, inside and out, became blocks of ice. Now you're asking me to freeze people but not to kill them, only to temporarily stop their bodily functions. You are simply making things difficult for me." Mu Ying was speechless upon hearing her mission because the difficulty was indeed too great.
Since acquiring her ability, Mu Ying had primarily been killing people and had never experimented with using her ability to save lives. However, her cousin's time was running out, and Mu Ying had no other choice. Even for something she had never attempted before, she had to try now. As long as there was hope of saving her cousin, she could not give up.
Mu Ying's appearance brought immense joy to the scientists in Pudong. They had never collaborated with an ability user before, and now, here was an ability user, precisely one who controlled ice. This ability user's appearance seemed tailor-made to perfect their research project.
However, the scientists also gradually discovered that this female ability user appeared to be the woman who had been wanted by the authorities. It was said that she had killed many people from headquarters. They were surprised that she had a connection to Yuzhou. But who cared? As long as she could help complete this research project, even if she was a murderer, it no longer mattered.
After Mu Ying's arrival, she first conducted experiments on animals. Since Mu Ying had never attempted such a thing before, she initially froze several experimental animals into ice sculptures. They were so brittle that they would easily shatter if dropped on the ground, indicating a failed experiment.
Mu Ying was a fifth-tier ability user. For her, killing enemies was incredibly simple; she only needed to unleash her ability, and her enemies would turn into ice sculptures. However, now she needed to freeze an animal and prevent it from dying, which was an immense challenge. For a moment, Mu Ying doubted if she could truly control her ability.
Fortunately, after a week, Mu Ying was able to control her ability to the extent of freezing a white mouse without completely killing it. During this process, Mu Ying also realized that her mastery of her ability had advanced to a higher level. She had gained insight into what true ability should be: the ability to do as one pleases, to utilize one's ability in any way desired. This was the mark of a true ability user.
"The experiment is successful! The success rate is fifty percent! It seems there were indeed issues with freezing the experimental subjects before. Now that the freezing process has been perfected, the experimental success rate has immediately improved." The scientists were overjoyed upon discovering the progress in the experiment, almost disbelieving their eyes. The success of the experiment was a great encouragement to these individuals, and with the increased success rate, they erupted in cheers.
The experiment of freezing white mice was successful, and the next step was to proceed with other animals: rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, and finally, humans. The size of the frozen subjects gradually increased, and Mu Ying's ability became more adept. She believed that even if the subject to be frozen was human, she would have the confidence to succeed.
Shen Feng had been keeping a close watch on the research team with Mu Ying's assistance. Upon learning that the success rate had increased, he felt a slight comfort. He then arranged for death row inmates to participate in the experiments, though this matter was not made public, as it might provoke opposition if it were.
In the apocalypse, the social status of death row inmates had also declined. In the past, prison guards would often fulfill the requests of inmates before their execution, such as wanting to listen to music or smoke, and preparing something delicious to eat before their death. But now, that was gone. They were dragged out and shot. If they didn't die, they were shot again.
Furthermore, Shen Feng was inspired by the previous system in Dian Province. At that time, organ transplant surgeries in Dian Province were among the best in the country. This was ultimately because death row inmates had no human rights; their organs were harvested directly after execution. Therefore, using death row inmates for experiments was naturally not a problem, and Shen Feng was even being more humane.
"After the experiment, if it's successful, you won't have to die. Instead, you'll be sentenced to lifelong labor, working for the rest of your lives. If you die, that's also a good thing, as you'll be given anesthetic gas before the experiment," Shen Feng told the death row inmates.
Even the most heinous death row inmates were generally afraid of death. Now, hearing that there was a chance to live, they decided to take a gamble. Perhaps they might even survive after the experiment.
At this moment, Shen Feng suddenly understood why technology had advanced so rapidly during wartime: it was due to the ample supply of experimental materials. The choice of experimental materials was diverse, including criminals and prisoners of war.
Just as the research institute was busily conducting experiments, an unexpected event occurred: Du Xinshi was about to give birth. It wasn't a full-term pregnancy; she was delivering half a month early.
Shen Feng had missed the birth of Xiao Hu, which was a great regret. Now, Shen Feng decided to be present for the birth of their second child. Additionally, Shen Feng wanted to know about Du Xinshi's condition. However, fate was not in his favor. The obstetricians discovered that Du Xinshi could not hold on any longer; her heart rate was dropping, and her heart had begun to fail.
The doctors quickly administered cardiac stimulants. Du Xinshi was already a heart patient, and every childbirth was a life-and-death struggle. Even with the guidance of doctors and various advanced equipment, the dangers that were bound to occur would still appear in the end.
A nurse rushed out of the delivery room and said to Shen Feng, "City Lord, you should prepare for the cryopreservation surgery quickly. Madam's condition is not optimistic. The child is fine; at worst, a cesarean section can be performed. But Madam's body may not be able to withstand it any longer."
Shen Feng felt a momentary dizziness. He hadn't expected the worst-case scenario to occur, but he managed to calm himself and said, "I understand. Prepare a clean room, and I'll contact someone to come over."