Chu Zheng was genuinely insulted. Chen Gu certainly understood the damaging power such words could have on a woman. However, if he hadn't said it, truly explaining the situation and convincing Chu Zheng would have required quite an exhaustive debate.

And Chen Gu was furious as well. In what way is Man Suling not better than you?

Fury flashed in Chu Zheng's eyes, but the Great Actor Chen, preempting her, assertively took on the mantle of a drill instructor, and commanded with his hands behind his back, "Go clean yourself up, then come back and listen to my lecture!"

Resentfully, Chu Zheng left. Half an hour later, she returned, refreshed. Yet, reality was cruel. It was easy to turn from sloppy to neat, but what one lacks remains absent, immutable.

Chen Gu asked with a stern face, "Why are you so negative?"

"If you have no hope whatsoever in this experiment, there's no need for you to come here. After all, the Bureau of Mystic Security has always generously treated those who have made sacrifices for it. You're not in want of food or drink."

Chu Zheng remained silent.

Chen Gu continued, "This experiment is very important, and you've been singled out as a separate group. Can't you feel how seriously you're being taken?"

Suddenly, Chu Zheng interrupted him, "Did Meng Ji send you?"

Chen Gu was startled. Then he noticed the complex expression in Chu Zheng's eyes. No way... he thought.

He didn't deny it but kept on persuading, "Shi Chenghua and Fei Ji's talents are far inferior to yours. Despite their high opinion of themselves, I can tell that you haven't been using your true strength in the training."

Chu Zheng interrupted again, "I don't want to participate in this experiment at all, and I didn't come here of my own free will. I'm only here because I followed the orders from my superiors.

"Even though I've lost all my power due to a serious injury, I'm still a part of the Bureau of Mystic Security. I can't disobey the head office's orders.

"Moreover, this order was issued due to the personal intervention of the influential Dr. Meng Ji."

Chen Gu chuckled to himself. So the Doctor specifically brought her in. No wonder he immediately assigned Chu Zheng to this slot when I mentioned my third idea.

He sized Chu Zheng up again, amused. So that research-obsessed Doctor likes this kind of figure, the same front and back. TSK TSK, indeed different from ordinary people, such unique tastes.

Although he had plenty of internal monologue, the Great Actor Chen hadn't forgotten the real reason he had specifically sought out Chu Zheng. Feigning the demeanor of an instructor, he said, "Even if you don't have much hope for the Doctor's experiment because of what happened to your brother, there's no need to be so despondent. Even if the experiment fails, the strength you accumulate during this training will still genuinely belong to you.

"With physical conditioning far superior to ordinary people, even in an administrative role, you will enjoy many conveniences."

Chu Zheng spoke assertively, "There's no other reason. I just don't want my life to be manipulated and arranged by him, like my brother's was."

Eh? As Chen Gu listened, he felt something was a bit off. What did she mean by her life being manipulated and arranged?

Unable to hold back, he asked, "How did the Doctor manipulate and arrange your brother's life?"

Chu Zheng spoke indifferently, "When our mother died, she entrusted him to take care of me and my brother. But what does so-called familial affection count for to someone like him? Nothing is more important than his research.

"From our childhood, he visited us no more than ten times. But once my brother came of age, he suddenly showed up and arranged for my brother to join the Bureau of Mystic Security. Then he gave my brother a sum of merit points, and my brother became a Professional.

"Then when my brother was injured and contaminated, he appeared again, arranging for him to enter his laboratory—his own nephew, in his eyes, is nothing more than a relatively valuable test subject."

Chen Gu was taken aback. He had thought Dr. Meng Ji wanted to play father to Chu Zheng, never expecting that the man was actually Chu Zheng's maternal uncle! This misunderstanding was rather large.

"But if you don't want him to arrange your life, why did you become a Professional?"

Chu Zheng said indifferently, "I awakened naturally and worked as a freelancer for a while. Then, during an attack by a Mutant, I had to reveal my powers to protect myself and was consequently recruited by the Bureau of Mystic Security."

Chen Gu had one overriding feeling: Their family truly has a cursed relationship with the Bureau of Mystic Security.

Chu Zheng revealed a self-mocking, cold smile. "Then I too was severely injured, and then I too had to join his experiments like my brother, becoming a test subject! He's succeeded splendidly—the last two relatives he has in this world have both become his test subjects!"

Chen Gu and Chu Zheng had different perspectives. Actually, Dr. Meng Ji's actions were understandable. A person like him possesses extremely strong self-confidence and has developed the habit of controlling everything in the lab. Subconsciously, he would therefore arrange what he believed to be the 'best' choices for his relatives.

Unfortunately, he had a deficit in emotional intelligence and had absolutely no idea that his niece didn't want to take part in any experiment or to receive another "opportunity."

Chen Gu couldn't say much about these matters. However, he had achieved his objective: he could basically confirm that Chu Zheng wasn't intentionally infiltrating to cause destruction.

He thought for a moment and said, "If you think you're incapable of resistance, why not make good use of this opportunity to strive to enhance your strength?"

Chu Zheng pursed her lips and didn't respond.

Chen Gu was still considering whether or not to help Dr. Meng Ji persuade his niece when suddenly, a rapid alarm bell rang throughout the base!

BEEP BEEP BEEP—

Following that, Gong Shuxu's voice came over the broadcast: "Severe contamination in the test subject!"

"All non-combat personnel evacuate to the outer perimeter!"

"Chen Gu, Chen Gu, come to the generator immediately!"

Chen Gu immediately rushed out. Dr. Meng Ji had already begun experimenting on the first group tonight, aiming to break them down and then rebuild them.

The outcome was self-evident.

On the way, both sides were lit with flashing red lights and earsplitting alarm sounds.

This time, they hadn't brought many people from the reserve base, so the evacuation was very swift. Chen Gu didn't encounter any panicking crowds. He passed through the empty corridors and took the elevator to the deepest level of the base at top speed. As the elevator descended, Chen Gu could distinctly feel a cold, evil, savage, and chaotic power growing increasingly strong in the direction he was heading.

The elevator finally came to a halt. The moment the doors opened, a fierce power, like a violent wind, surged towards him. A multitude of complex and evil thoughts continuously emerged in Chen Gu's mind.

He stood in the elevator, his whole body involuntarily shaking, almost becoming mentally disturbed.

Fortunately, his will was strong enough to resist these crazy temptations, and then he stepped out with firm strides.

At the same time, he switched to Derek Kun Shen's memories, transforming into the Fourth Energy Level "Quantum Wizard"—a profession well-suited for... escape.

This accident was very serious. Save as many as possible, he resolved.