Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 641 - 634: Genetic Fraud

Chapter 641: Chapter 634: Genetic Fraud

"Is she not a member of the non-human race?" An Liang looked at Cheng Ziang and asked.

"Shouldn’t such matters be part of your research? Why ask us?" Cheng Ziang shrugged and said.

"Alright, under our preliminary observation, we did not notice any characteristics of the non-human race in her. However, it’s strange that she seems not to be a person from the Otherworld, or rather, she doesn’t seem to be from this continent," An Liang nodded and said.

"You mean she is from another continent?" Li Si asked with no particular emotion.

"We are just speculating, but her physical features are indeed similar to the East Asian Race, so our hypothesis is that there is a new continent in the Otherworld, where people look like East Asian people on Earth," An Liang said.

"Indeed there’s a possibility," Cheng Ziang looked at Li Si, then added, "The Leviathan in the deep seas of the Otherworld impeded the Otherworld people’s Age of Exploration. We had the privilege of witnessing the Leviathan when we were on a mission—it’s truly terrifying."

At his words, Li Si nodded, then spoke: "Let’s put her identity aside for now, I just want to know, how did she manage to be immune to the virus’s infection and can we learn anything from her method?"

"After our initial observations and research, we have drawn a rough conclusion: the reason why the girl named Feng is not infected might be the same as the reason behind the immunity of Exotic Insects and Exotic Beasts," An Liang explained.

"The same?" Cheng Ziang and Li Si looked at each other in disbelief.

"Yes, the same!" An Liang nodded.

"You mean to say, this girl might be like those monsters, also originated from the Door of Annihilation?" Li Si asked with a creased brow.

"No, not like that," An Liang waved his hand and said, "Feng’s existence enlightened us that the virus seems not to have an interest in certain genetic organisms, which is why even when they host the virus it does not lead to an infection."

"A classic example would be the Exotic Insects and Exotic Beasts. These monsters have active viral components in their fluids. The virus hibernates in their bodies, but doesn’t infect them. Only when a suitable host appears, the virus will infect and mutate."

"So, how is Feng different from those monsters?" Cheng Ziang asked with a worried look.

He admired Feng’s abilities and did not want her to have any accidents. As he had mentioned earlier, if Feng could join the Advance Team, she would undoubtedly become a major force.

"This girl’s physique is more robust than that of those monsters. While the virus can barely survive within the monsters, it does nothing inside her. We tested her blood, fluids, even her feces, and found no active viral components. The spores of the virus aren’t even awakened in her body; they are directly expelled out in their spore state and then die in the natural environment." An Liang exclaimed in admiration as he said this.

"So, will this girl become a new source of infection like the Exotic Insects and Beasts?" Li Si questioned with furrowed brows.

"No, the virus present in the monsters’ fluids dies quickly inside her body and then gets expelled outside. The viral spores are also discharged as time goes by. After some period of isolation and observation, I believe we can assure her safety," An Liang answered.

"That’s good." Cheng Ziang glanced at Li Si surreptitiously and heaved a sigh of relief.

"So, can we develop corresponding pandemic prevention measures based on her case?" Li Si asked.

"Yes, we discussed it roughly and proposed a plan, the so-called genetic deception!" An Liang nodded.

"Genetic deception?" Both of them asked in unison.

"Yes. Since the virus is not interested in this girl’s genes, can we disguise ourselves with her genes by taking some medication, deceive the viral spores entering our bodies, and avoid getting infected?" An Liang explained.

"Do we," Li Si and Cheng Ziang looked at each other, then they couldn’t help but ask, "have such medication that can alter genes directly?"

"I remember a scene in a zombie movie where the zombies attack healthy people, but leave the sick ones alone, because the zombie virus thinks the sick ones are not suitable for infection. So I believe, maybe we can use this approach to deceive the virus and prevent its spread," An Liang explained.

"So, if we can disguise ourselves as a gene that the virus detests, then the virus won’t pose a threat to us?" Cheng Ziang hesitated to ask.

"Exactly, but our idea is even more advance. We plan to trick the virus with a fake gene, so even when it enters the human body, it remains deceived, and thus, inactive," An Liang said.

"If this is possible, it would mean that even if we inhaled the virus spores or got contaminated by those monster’s fluids, we would not get infected because the virus would believe that we are not suitable to serve as hosts." Li Si raised unsurely.

"Exactly, this is what we’re thinking." An Liang nodded.

"The complexity of this plan could be overwhelming," Cheng Ziang looked at Li Si with doubt, "I mean, it involves altering a person’s genes..."

"This plan might be challenging for other organizations, but for the researchers at the Otherworld Research Center, the difficulty is not as unimaginable," An Liang shrugged and said nonchalantly.

"We have such talented people?" Even Li Si couldn’t help but question.

"Of course, don’t forget these people led the Origin Project. The project was primarily headed by a biologist who, before taking charge of the Origin Project, had developed a biological drug that could specifically alter genes. Hence, the state hired him to lead the Origin Project," An Liang calmly explained.

"The Origin Project sure had a lot of talents..." Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but shake his head. Whether his tone hinted at envy or sarcasm was unclear.

"Of course, the Origin Project assembled some of the best bio-experts from Earth. If you’re interested, you can ask Luo’er, there are plenty of foreigners at Haiya Academy," An Liang said relaxingly with a shrug.

"What are your next steps?" Li Si asked seriously.

"Next, we plan to take the specimens and data back to Earth. If possible, we hope to take Feng, the girl, back to Earth for research, and try to find a solution as soon as possible," An Liang explained.

"So you wish to seek our advice?" Li Si asked.

"Yes, I feel that without you, the Advance Team, the girl might not listen to us. Tangmo said she is a strong fighter, so we are quite troubled now," An Liang shook his head.

"Don’t look at me," Confronted with the gazes of Li Si and An Liang, Cheng Ziang shrugged and waved, "That girl was brought back by Luo’er. She only listens to him and will never leave him. You want Feng, you should ask Luo’er. Even if I shout my lungs out, she will not pay attention to me without his permission."

"Then, you’d better ask him. We should resolve this issue as early as possible," Li Si ordered him.

"Alright, I’ll ask him!" Cheng Ziang nodded, leaving the two, and went to Luo’er in the isolation chamber.

In the five days that had passed, the relationship between Luo’er and Baiyue seemed to have improved significantly. They were laughing and talking while reading a book. However, Baiyue immediately tensed up when she heard Cheng Ziang coming in.

"What are you doing? Making me feel like an outsider," Cheng Ziang sighed, shrugged, and said.

"Stop teasing her, what’s the matter?" At this point, Luo’er looked much better, with no signs of infection, except the wound on his leg hadn’t fully healed yet.

"Dr. An Liang plans to take Feng back to Earth for research and wants to solicit your opinion. You know, that girl only listens to your orders," Cheng Ziang coughed once and stated seriously.

"There’s no need to ask. I disagree; you tell Dr. An Liang, they’d better give up the idea of taking Feng back to Earth," to everyone’s surprise, Luo’er resolutely rejected Dr. An Liang’s request without any hesitation.