So Base Seven is where the Tianshin Grass roots and the original GOD Virus are stored, Wang Linchi mused, gazing at the facility not far away. It was situated inside an excavated mountain, camouflaged for various biochemical experiments. The GOD Virus, originally isolated from Tianshin Grass, had been developed there. No wonder they didn't dare approach. But it seems it hasn't fallen as they imagined. Instead... they've created controllable zombies? The subsequent virus leak hadn't been an accident but one of the consequences of internal power struggles within the company. Long before, Dawn Watch Company knew the GOD Virus could cause irreversible changes in carbon-based life forms. Indeed, once someone became a zombie, reverting to human was impossible. This project had always existed for two reasons. First, zombie productivity: tireless and with low mental capacity, they were a cheap labor force. Second, their longevity: zombies could survive without food or water, and no limit to their cell division had been detected. Since zombies were transformed humans, they also wanted this longevity. This second project was the one inherited by Dawn Watch Company. It looks like Base Seven has far surpassed Dawn Watch Company in its research on the GOD Virus and zombies, Wang Linchi considered. An extraordinary individual must be involved. He pondered how to approach them. Unlike Dawn Watch Company, simply eliminating Base Seven wasn't ideal. The controllable zombie technology alone proved its immense value. Cooperation would be best, he thought, but quickly dismissed the idea. The reason was simple: Base Seven wasn't benevolent. Judging by Director Xue from Dawn Watch Company, who was in charge of the GOD Virus, they were experts at brainwashing and manipulation. Wang Linchi could resist Spirit-based suggestions and Soul-altering effects, but he definitely couldn't match their expertise in verbal and psychological manipulation. He had magical resistance, but his physical defenses were somewhat lacking. Forget it, I'll just kill them directly, Wang Linchi decided. He wasn't worried about extracting data from Base Seven. He had obtained the necessary cryptographic key and System port commands from that shareholder. As long as he reached the main control room, he could grant himself access. He had infiltrated the Dawn Watch Company building out of necessity. To acquire their assets, he had to prevent them from fighting like cornered beasts. Only after securing what he wanted could he unleash a slaughter. The Saint Master's figure materialized, effortlessly annihilating the guard zombies. This action naturally triggered an alarm, and subsequently, more zombies surged over. Wang Linchi narrowed his eyes. They control quite a number of zombies. It's a bit strange. It seems they're using Spiritual power as a base, amplified by technology, to achieve this effect. "Surrender. You can only control one zombie; I can control countless," a mental frequency conveyed, but Wang Linchi immediately blocked it. The sender was no amateur. The message ostensibly demanded surrender but was laced with a Spirit-based suggestion. Their ability is just too weak, though. It can't even breach my Thought Field, let alone reach the Soul Shield and the subsequent layers of resilience, resistances, immunities, and other defenses. "So, the stabilization of these zombies is actually focused on the Spirit aspect?" Wang Linchi asked abruptly. These controllable zombies had a stabilized GOD Virus structure within their bodies, meaning they were no longer vulnerable to the Sun. However, this stability wasn't replicable. It didn't stem from the zombies' own evolution but was supplemented by the hidden controller's Spirit-based control ability. If they broke free from this control, they would immediately revert to instability. "You... have a deep understanding of zombies," the voice stated, its tone initially calm. "Therefore, you must die here today!!!" The fury in the latter half was palpable, as if Wang Linchi had trodden on its tail. "Alright, if communication is impossible, let's 'chat' in person," Wang Linchi retorted. "I'm sure a big fellow like the Saint Master will help you calm down." Since the other party was uncooperative, he saw no point in further talk. Read full story at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱 The Saint Master unleashed its full power, brutally carving a path for Wang Linchi. "Damn it! That zombie of yours... it can't be Meffidia, can it?!" the voice shrieked, flustered. Knowing about Meffidia wasn't surprising. She was originally researched at Base Seven. Only after the original GOD Virus was extracted from Tianshin Grass was she transferred and imprisoned beneath the Dawn Watch Company headquarters. "You guessed right. The zombie I evolved using Meffidia wiped out the entire company," Wang Linchi replied, playing along with the entity's assumption. Let them imagine whatever they want, Wang Linchi thought. I'll just feed their delusion. The Saint Master led Wang Linchi into Base Seven. Following the shareholder's directions, they quickly located the main control room. That shareholder might have been a coward, but he was remarkably honest, withholding nothing. Using the cryptographic key and passphrase, Wang Linchi swiftly created an identity for himself, complete with an ID card. The ID card mechanism wasn't complex; the main control room had the means to create them. He just needed to input the data and synchronize it. Let's see where you are, Wang Linchi thought, activating the surveillance system, only to find all screens black. His adversary was ruthless, having ordered all zombies to destroy the surveillance cameras the moment Wang Linchi entered Base Seven. "No problem. We have plenty of time," Wang Linchi muttered, his fingers flying across the console. "I can lock down this base so you can't escape. No matter how large it is, I'll find you eventually." He proceeded to lock down the entire facility and delete all personnel records. This meant only he could move freely within the base. Anyone else would be flagged as an intruder, subject to obstruction, control, or even summary execution. As a dedicated base, it naturally possessed an automated weapons System. The Dawn Watch Company headquarters hadn't installed extensive weaponry because it needed to be open to the public and receive visitors. A loss of control there could cause a massive public outcry, so only specific areas were armed. Fortunately, Wang Linchi hadn't ventured into those particular areas. As for placing weapon systems in the virus laboratory or the Tianshin Grass Cultivation Area—that would have been insane. Of course, if it hadn't been for Wang Linchi, Dawn Watch Company wouldn't have been breached. Their security personnel, combined with the Ultraviolet System, could have kept the facility impregnable as long as the zombies hadn't achieved stable evolution. After completing the lockdown, Wang Linchi, accompanied by the Saint Master and armed with a map of Base Seven, began to clear out the remaining zombies and hunt for the mastermind. Although the mastermind ceased direct communication with Wang Linchi, it persistently attempted to control the Saint Master, whom it evidently still perceived as a mere zombie. Wang Linchi almost had to admire its tenacity. The Saint Master was indeed theoretically weaker in terms of Spirit, Mind, and Soul compared to its incredible Physique. However, it shared Wang Linchi's Soul Seed Effect and spiritual power, and possessed the Twelve Symbols. Theoretically, these "weaknesses" were even more resilient than Wang Linchi's own corresponding defenses. The mastermind couldn't even breach Wang Linchi's Spirit, let alone the Saint Master's. "Damn it! How much spiritual power do you possess to block me?!" The entity grew increasingly agitated, sending more zombies to their doom in a desperate attempt to find a chink in Wang Linchi's defenses and seize control of the Saint Master. Found you. Your remote control method is as obvious as a wired connection... Wang Linchi mused. If the enemy was controlling zombies remotely, there had to be a link. Indeed, using his Soul Vision, he quickly pinpointed the mental frequency used for control. Spreading out the map he had taken from the main control room—a bird's-eye view—Wang Linchi's expression darkened. This map is like a labyrinth, practically designed to make you get lost, he grumbled. He then stuffed the map back into his clothes. He had no intention of following it; who knew if it would lead him astray? He planned to use the simplest, most direct method. "Come on, we're going this way," Wang Linchi declared without hesitation. As for assets? He wasn't concerned. All the research data he valued was stored on the main control room's server and was already being copied. The Saint Master instantly changed direction, pulverizing the wall before them with a single punch, and then charged forward with Wang Linchi. Foolishly following the map would mean playing into the enemy's hands. What if it led to his own demise? After they advanced in a straight line, the mental frequency grew steadily closer, and then... SNAP. It vanished. The entity had cut its losses, abandoning control of the zombies to prevent Wang Linchi from tracking it. A desperate move, but made a little too late. Heh, too late, Wang Linchi thought. If you'd severed the connection right at the start, finding you would have taken me a lot more time.