"These... hands..."
Mo Pai's expression, upon seeing Xu Ruina's claws, first faltered, then his face lit up with excitement.
He immediately recognized Xu Ruina as a half-human, half-zombie hybrid.
Xu Ruina possessed almost all the attributes of zombie creatures: no body temperature, pale skin, and especially these claws, which no human could possibly grow.
If Xu Ruina hadn't been able to speak, he would have certainly believed the person standing before him was merely a well-dressed wailer.
Mo Pai extended his hands, intending to pick up the claws for a closer examination, but was interrupted by Xu Ruina.
"Don't touch them, there's a virus on them. A single scratch, and you'll die!"
Xu Ruina said nervously. Mo Pai was the chief researcher of the genetic school among the natives and the most likely person to solve her problem.
If he were to die like this, it would be a great loss.
"I understand, I understand... Then... this laboratory isn't suitable for research. Do you have a biological laboratory? I need to conduct some experiments!"
"This is practically a perfect work of art. I've never seen such advanced technology and such a perfect fusion form, especially one that retains its sanity!"
Mo Pai said excitedly.
"Ahem..."
Tang Houde, standing beside him, coughed forcefully twice.
His meaning was clear: "Pay attention to your facial expressions, alright? Everyone's life is in Xu Ruina's hands right now, yet you're treating her like a test subject. What if she gets angry... the consequences would be dire."
Mo Pai then came back to his senses and said apologetically:
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just overwhelmed, but I certainly meant no offense!"
"I understand, you're just that kind of person obsessed with technology, which is why I believe you can solve my problem!" Xu Ruina said nonchalantly.
"But... how can we safely transfer to your laboratory?"
"Your strength is undeniable, but we... without our mechs, have almost no ability to protect ourselves!"
Tang Houde said nervously.
"I will escort you back safely. Just follow me."
Xu Ruina said calmly, then jumped up the elevator shaft with Shirley.
Tang Houde and the others were of mediocre strength, but after receiving crystal cores, their physiques were still much stronger than ordinary people.
They braced their feet against the ninety-degree wall gaps and slowly ascended.
As soon as they emerged from the hospital entrance, everyone was startled.
They saw rows upon rows of behemoths, wailers, and crawlers lined up neatly before them.
There were also over a dozen zombie tigers of immense size.
They still bore massive wounds, and the internal organs of some zombie tigers had been gouged out, yet they sat on the ground as if unaffected.
"This... this... we've been discovered?"
Tang Houde asked nervously.
"No... it's Xu Ruina. She has the ability to control zombies!"
"Just as a wailer can lead a zombie horde in battle!"
"But her ability is even more outstanding!"
"I never expected there to be such an outstanding scientist in this world. I really want to meet him!"
Mo Pai said, his eyes gleaming.
"Let's go. Mount your steeds, and we need to hurry. Hopefully, we can return to the camp before nightfall!"
Xu Ruina said, waving towards the Wind Wings in the sky.
A massive creature, similar to a Western dragon, with milky white eyes, flapped its wings and slowly descended.
Xu Ruina and Shirley rode on it directly.
Mo Pai and the others also carefully mounted the zombie tigers.
"Depart!"
Xu Ruina commanded!
The Wind Wings immediately took to the air, flying low in the lead.
The zombie tiger squad followed closely behind.
Behind them was a horde of zombies, marching in orderly steps to escort them.
All the zombies on the road actively made way, and as they rushed out of the city, not a single monster was encountered.
Upon reaching the city's edge, the zombie horde halted.
As Xu Ruina and the others moved further away, they slowly reverted to their aimless state, milling about in place for a while before gradually dispersing.
At dusk, Xu Ruina finally led everyone to the outside of the high wall.
To avoid frightening the survivors within the city, Xu Ruina had the zombie creatures return to Jiangshui City on their own, while they walked.
Upon seeing the majestic and magnificent high wall before them, Tang Houde couldn't help but nudge Mo Pai with his elbow and whisper:
"The Wall of Hope, wasn't this a plan by Tengxiang Nation to prevent the doomsday crisis? I never expected it to be realized in this world!"
Mo Pai nodded and said:
"That's right... I also saw the design blueprints for the Wall of Hope, but it's nowhere near as grand as what we see before us..."
"Of course, Tengxiang Nation at that time didn't anticipate monsters as terrifying as those in this world!"
At this moment, at the main gate of the fourth walled city, an barbican was under construction.
This would ensure that the gate could remain open, facilitating entry and exit.
Otherwise, it was too troublesome to use the elevator to cross the hundreds of meters high wall every time.
A group of workers with construction skills were mixing the ground soil into massive stone blocks, then throwing them up to the workers building the wall with sheer force.
Each stone weighed over a ton, yet they were easily tossed by the workers to a height of over ten meters, like ordinary bricks.
Next to the unfinished structure, guards of the True God Cult, wearing red cloaks and riding rhinoceros beetles, patrolled back and forth.
Such a scene left Mo Pai and the others astounded.
It felt as if they were in a fantasy world.
"I suggest you put on your hoods and don't let anyone recognize you, to avoid unnecessary trouble!"
Xu Ruina said, having Shirley distribute hoods to everyone, partially concealing their faces.
Although the group didn't understand what kind of trouble Xu Ruina was referring to, they obediently complied.
After all, this world was too terrifying. Those who could survive in it were definitely not ordinary people, and it was best to live inconspicuously.
After entering the city and walking through the streets for a while.
Suddenly, they saw a massive portal appear in the direction of a park in the distance.
Then, they heard the roaring crowd coming from within.
Witnessing such a scene, Mo Pai and the others were even more shocked.
The technology, genetic technology, and even the individual physical quality of this world completely surpassed their own.
This world was both dangerous and full of opportunities.
If they could properly learn the technology here, their own technical skills could easily be advanced by decades, or even a century!
Thinking of this, Mo Pai and Tang Houde exchanged glances, their hearts filled with anticipation for the future.