Chapter 729: Shared Kingdom
Two reports, over a hundred pages in total.
Densely packed with written records.
Wu Heng opened the materials on animal corpse core growth. The contents documented the time it took for animals to complete corpse transformation and produce corpse cores after being infected by corpse poison.
Bats, gorillas, canines, domestic pigs, and other available test subjects were used in the experiments.
Some produced corpse cores in 30–50 days, while others took over four months or even longer.
Also, not every subject formed a corpse core.
Bats had a success rate of 45%. Both gorillas tested produced corpse cores.
However, a note stated that the sample size was too small to determine an accurate success rate.
Canines and domestic pigs had around a 27% success rate.
Wu Heng flipped through the pages and understood why Lü Changan was so eager to rescue these people.
A group of professional researchers and these materials—
Would be treasures at any base.
Various technical terms and drug names were unfamiliar to Wu Heng.
On the last page was a conclusion: corpse cores commonly form in organisms with strong viral adaptability.
"Strong adaptability!"
"These are more likely to form corpse cores after transformation."
That really was important.
Wu Heng continued to the second report: [Experimental Directions for Controllable Human Abilities].
It mainly detailed experiments related to supernatural abilities.
This reminded him of his first contact with the Central Station.
Lü Changan brought an agreement, inviting him to join some ability-user development program and even asked for his blood for experiments.
He had directly refused.
In this otherworld, there were methods of cursing through blood—who knew if similar abilities might emerge.
Looking at it now, the experiments had really made progress.
And they'd even been compiled into reports.
Wu Heng read page by page until he finished.
The final section seemed focused on developing supernatural abilities.
"Can abilities now be produced in batches? That's a bit much."
...…
Wu Heng closed the materials and set them aside.
Glenda floated over, levitating the documents and flipping through a few pages.
Then closed them and asked, "So, are these materials useful?"
"More like reports—just summaries of the experiments," Wu Heng said. "Still somewhat useful to us."
"You could head to headquarters. We helped you steal these documents," Glenda said.
"No rush. Let's wait a bit." Wu Heng took out a crumpled yellow talisman. "See if this thing's any good."
"What's this? A formation drawn on paper?" Glenda asked curiously.
Xiaoxiao and Benny also flew over.
"A talisman. You could see it as a formation on paper. Let's see if it works on ghosts!" Wu Heng said.
"The same method Lü Changan used, right?" Glenda caught on.
"Yes, that's the one."
Glenda didn't say more, floated closer to sense it, and said uncertainly, "Maybe, I kind of feel something."
"Don't you have to stick it on the forehead?" Xiaoxiao asked.
"Your aunt doesn't have a forehead anymore. Xiaoxiao, see if you feel anything," Wu Heng said.
Xiaoxiao floated over and concentrated. "Feels like it's pushing me away."
Benny also approached the talisman. "Feels like a sense of repulsion."
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow. The talisman really had an effect?
Even if the effect was faint, any reaction meant it worked on soul bodies.
The ancestors' stuff really had something to it.
But it was unclear if the materials used to draw it or the design itself was effective.
As for the weak effect on ghosts, there could be many reasons.
Maybe ancient ghosts were different from today's spirits, or maybe the talisman wasn't crafted to its original standard.
"If you can enhance the talisman's effect, it could replace the current anti-ghost tools," Glenda added.
Drawing them would certainly be faster than engraving tools.
Find the right method, and skeletons could mass-produce them day and night.
By then, those expensive items would be obsolete.
"I'll research it and see if this path is feasible."
"Okay," Glenda said no more.
As it grew darker, Wu Heng stood up and stretched. "I'm off to bed. Ghosts really have it good—no need to sleep."
Glenda said irritably, "Dying's easy—I can help."
"Thanks, but no." Wu Heng waved. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Uncle."
"Good night!"
He left the room and went downstairs to sleep.
...…
Returning to the bedroom.
Wu Heng lay on the bed, thinking about the past couple of days.
First was the Central Station's rescue mission.
Rescuing people and catching spirits weren't difficult.
The key was obtaining the corpse core data and the talisman matter.
Ability research might be tough on his side, but cultivating animal corpse cores seemed doable.
"Bats and gorillas! Not easy to get. I can't just send skeletons to catch them."
"If that won't work, buy substitutes first."
The success rate is limited, so bulk-buyable animals are necessary.
The second issue was the talisman.
It appeared to have some effect and was worth studying.
Even if it didn't reach the desired outcome, it might inspire new formations or rituals.
In this otherworld—
The only issue left was the cult gathering site.
But he already sent a report to headquarters. Now it was their turn to handle it.
Also, whether Netalei City and the Fifth Princess could boost his reputation remained to be seen.
Lost in thought, drowsiness overtook him.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
...…
Ring ring ring~!
It was breakfast time. The phone rang.
Minnie picked up and then said to the dining room, "Master, it's Mr. 'Costas'."
Costas was the ghoul mechanist on the island.
Wu Heng walked over and picked up the phone. "Costas."
"Lord of the Island, the factory installations are complete. Production can begin."
The factories were ready.
Wu Heng had moved over three factories from the zombie world: a paper mill, a bakery, and a canning plant.
All three raw materials were easily obtainable on the island.
And large-scale processing could bring in profits, especially for paper—the newspaper and book printing on the island consumed a lot of it.
"Alright, I'll send someone over to check it out soon," Wu Heng said.
Costas continued, "Parts for the power plant are also ready. The remaining large equipment can be custom-made in Netalei City. We're ready to head out anytime."
"Wait two more days. Go with Philipa when she returns."
"Understood, Master."
After hanging up, Wu Heng returned to the table and looked at Andviel. "Veil, go to the new factory when you have time and order the raw materials."
"Understood, Master."
Wu Heng glanced at the other maids. "If it's too much, let Annette and Robe help. Good practice in dealing with the outside world."
"Annette, come with me to help with some tasks."
Annette looked up. "Okay."
Robe scratched her head. "What about me?"
Andviel smiled. "If it's still too much, you can come help."
"Alright then."
After breakfast, everyone went off to their tasks.
...…
Until the afternoon.
Wu Heng was reading the City Hall report in the living room.
The courtyard gate suddenly banged open.
Philipa swaggered in, shouting, "I'm back!"
"Why are you yelling? You scared me," Minnie grumbled.
"Did you miss me, Minnie?"
"Miss what?"
Philipa didn't get mad. She hugged her and spun around. "I missed you."
Minnie said, "Alright, stop messing around. Go take a bath. I'll take you to a movie later."
"What's a movie?"
"You'll see," Minnie said mysteriously.
Robe peeked her head out from a room. "Philipa."
"Robe, I missed you too."
"Thanks!"
Philipa continued into the room. Upon seeing Wu Heng in the living room, she sprinted and jumped into the air.
Wu Heng caught her. "What kind of move is that?"
"I missed you!" Philipa snuggled into his arms.
"You're like a child who never grew up." Wu Heng patted her back.
Philipa climbed out of his arms and said, "By the way, Brittany wrote you a letter."
As she spoke, she pulled out a letter.
A letter?
Wu Heng opened it for a look.
It was filled with words of gratitude. Toward the end, it mentioned development plans for Netalei City.
Wu Heng continued reading.
When he reached the end, his eyes narrowed.
「If I ascend the throne, I'm willing to share the Kingdom with you.」