29: No upper limit

"... I am more worried about whether the Galaxy Beasts in the northern region will also suddenly become stronger."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned grim.

These mercenary groups had almost all ventured deep into the northern region to make money; if these Galaxy Beasts also grew stronger, it would undoubtedly be the end of the world.

"Where is the most recently generated Disaster Zone?"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Huaiyuan spoke slowly.

When he had gone to carry out missions previously, he had seen with his own eyes that the so-called "Disaster Zone" was merely caused by something called a "Diluted Potential-Stimulating Biological Agent" acting up.

Logically speaking, as long as the concentration of that agent did not change significantly, such mutations should not occur.

"There is one near the Fifth Temporary Survival Zone. Uncle Qin has already taken the experts from the legion to handle it personally."

An Yu said with a helpless expression, "Before there is a definitive conclusion, we dare not accept missions casually."

"Commander, can you take me to see it? Don't worry, the perimeter will be enough."

Zhang Huaiyuan said immediately.

"You must go?"

"Hmm... You know I've self-studied Genetics. Maybe I can find the root cause of the problem."

"Fine."

An Yu was silent for a moment, recalling that during the previous mission, it was also he who first discovered the evolution of the Bone-Eroding Giant Lizard, and she nodded slowly.

"But only the perimeter. The current small Disaster Zones, apart from their smaller scale, have an intensity comparable to the medium-sized Disaster Zones of the past."

"I understand. Don't worry, Commander. But it would be best to go as soon as possible."

"Randy, continue deploying defense strategies with everyone. I'll take Researcher Zhang for a trip and be back soon."

Hearing this, An Yu gave a few simple instructions before rising and calling out to Zhang Huaiyuan to head directly to the starship docking platform.

It was as decisive and efficient as ever.

Amidst the roar of the engines, the two soon arrived at the perimeter of the small Disaster Zone.

"Do you need to go inside?"

"No need, the edge will suffice."

Zhang Huaiyuan waved his hand, put on a full set of protective mecha, and flew towards the edge of the pale red area that was still squirming and spreading.

With his mind focused, a stream of information feedback quickly entered his mind.

【Diluted Biological Potential-Stimulating Agent】

Concentration: 1%

Effect: Extremely low probability of awakening the latent special abilities of creatures under low-level world rules.

Composition...

【Improved Biological Potential-Stimulating Agent】

Concentration: 7%.

Effect: Medium probability of causing re-evolution in creatures under low-level world rules; can diffuse through most media.

Side Effect: Makes the evolved creature more prone to mania.

Knowledge Rule Level: 2.

Composition: Analyzing... Currently 0.5%...

"This is..."

Zhang Huaiyuan's pupils shrank sharply.

An improved biological potential-stimulating agent!

Re-evolution!

Knowledge Rule Level 2!

Sure enough, the formation of the Disaster Zone was artificially driven; those behind the scenes had released a new agent!

Wait!

Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze flashed, quickly focusing on a piece of information he had previously overlooked.

"Can diffuse through most media... It couldn't be...!"

He looked at the space outside the Disaster Zone, where the area near the edge had already been stained with a faint, imperceptible pale red.

【Diluted Improved Biological Potential-Stimulating Agent】

Concentration: 6.99%...

Effect...

"Damn it! It really is spreading to the perimeter of the Disaster Zone! This is bad!"

"Although the concentration will be reduced, the base number of Galaxy Beasts in the northern region is simply too large... Plus that so-called side effect, once it spreads, the impact of a large number of mutated Galaxy Beasts will be absolutely unstoppable..."

"How is it? Do you have any leads?"

An Yu watched his changing expression and couldn't help but ask.

"Commander."

Zhang Huaiyuan turned back, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "My suggestion is to take advantage of the fact that the situation has not completely deteriorated and evacuate the Blackstone Star System immediately."

...

Meanwhile, in the Supreme Council Chamber of the Star Dome Empire.

A man with a dignified appearance gazed indifferently at the projections of two Commanders kneeling on one knee before him.

"Speak, what is going on?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive us."

The two projections looked at each other, and one of them bit the bullet and said, "Your subordinate did not anticipate that two 3S-level Galaxy Beasts would appear in the Death-level Disaster Zone. They were hidden in the dark, and even the TC-9 detector failed to scan their information. While your subordinate was dealing with an SS-level monster, they simultaneously launched a sneak attack on the flagship, causing chaos in the fleet's command, and as a result... as a result..."

"As a result, the entire army was wiped out? Hmm? Then why didn't you die there with them!"

The man on the throne raised his voice by three decibels, filled with irrepressible anger.

"Do you know the cost of building a full-strength star fleet? Do you know how great the impact of the fall of two core star sectors is!"

The man slammed his seat and shouted angrily, "Knowing that there was an anomaly in this Disaster Zone, why were you so careless! Damn it, you really deserve to die!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive us! Your Majesty, please forgive us! Give your subordinate another chance, and your subordinate will definitely kill all those monsters and reclaim the two major star sectors."

The two projections looked terrified and spoke repeatedly.

"The Empire will not allocate any more fleets to you."

The man said coldly, "I know that your respective families usually embezzle quite a bit and have raised large private armies. One month. I will only give you one month to figure out how to clean up the Luka Star Sector and the Sprey Star Sector. Otherwise, there will be no need for your two great families to exist. Get out."

"Yes... yes... Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty. Your subordinate will definitely do everything in my power."

The two projections seemed to have been granted amnesty. After bowing twice more, they disconnected the projection link.

The man on the throne seemed to have lost all his strength at once and slumped into the chair.

After a long while, he reached out and picked up a report in front of him, which contained only a few lines of text.

"Latest analysis report on the Disaster Zone."

"Existence of special substances different from the past."

"Unable to parse."

The man gripped the report tighter and tighter. His previously dignified and calm face gradually became distorted, and a deep fear and hatred that could not be concealed even flowed in his eyes.

"They are coming again. They are coming again!"

"Why... why!"

"I have tried my best to block technology and increase the difficulty of extraordinary evolution. Why won't you let us go..."

"Treating us as toys... as whetstones... treating this place as a testing ground... Very good, very good indeed!"

For a long time, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in the man's eyes.

He sat up abruptly and contacted the Star Vault Supercomputer.

"Transmit my order: add funds to the No. 3 confidential research project, suspend all other projects, and order all Researchers in relevant fields to devote themselves to this project's research."

"Order received, Supreme Leader. May I ask what the specific amount of additional funding is?"

"No limit."