The system is four years ahead of schedule, but Weird is still a cub.

The study of the Ugly Ox's carcass lasted for three days. In Li Xiang's eerie energy research room, he carefully used a high-frequency vibrating eerie energy scalpel to peel away the last bit of necrotic tissue around the Ugly Ox's charred heart, revealing a dark red substance that had shrunk but had an unusually complex structure, like a "crystal," hidden beneath the sarcoma-like heart.

He growled excitedly, his voice sounding somewhat muffled through the mask of his isolation suit: "Old He, quick! Record its weird energy fluctuation frequency and material composition. This may be the key to maintaining their super-high healing and strength after mutation. If we can find the source of mutation, we might be able to create a new type of weird energy inhibitor."

He Youwei immediately directed his assistant to operate precision instruments for scanning and analysis: "The spectroscopic display of the eerie energy shows extremely high activity, and the structure is similar to... a man-made eerie energy capacitor? The technology of the Twelve Branches has already reached this level? If we can also achieve this level, then the eerie energy jar can completely withdraw from the stage of history."

He Youwei frowned, both shocked and worried. Through in-depth research on the core weird energy frequency and other tissue samples of the Ugly Ox, especially the keratin layer and metallized skeleton, the research department gradually pieced together the direction of the enhancement of the twelve "new generation" monsters.

High-strength embedded paranormal material composite armor, embedded paranormal power core, and berserk stimulation based on specific paranormal cells.

"Their defenses no longer rely solely on mutation; it's more like a purposeful 'forging.' This kind of embedded, bizarre bone is probably only something that freaks can use," Jiang Peiwen said, pointing to the analysis report.

"Look at these keratin layers again. They are embedded with micron-sized, supernatural metal meshes, forming a structure similar to composite armor. The metallization of the bones is also a targeted reinforcement of stress points. This is completely different from the monsters we've encountered before; it's a 'weapon' designed specifically for the battlefield!"

Li Xiang echoed, "That's right, but I don't think this is an ability that only weirdos can use. Although we can't use this embedded weird bone on the anti-weir warriors, we can use it to improve the defense of combat suits and anti-weir armor."

"Inhibitors! We must upgrade our inhibitors to be more targeted!" He Youwei suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming.

"Conventional broad-spectrum inhibitors are too inefficient at penetrating this 'mystic armor,' and their interference with the core nodes is even weaker. We need new inhibitors that can penetrate the mystic armor, disrupt the mystic energy cycle of the core nodes, and suppress those berserk cells! Old Li, Minister Jiang, let's split up and tackle this problem!"

Two days later, after finishing his research on the Ugly Ox's corpse, Li Xiang began tinkering with the supernatural equipment that Shen Ge had seized.

In the highly guarded weapons analysis laboratory, Shenhou's uniquely designed, supernatural sniper rifle was fixed on a precision analysis table.

"The structure is exquisite... and the energy conversion efficiency is terrifyingly high," a weapons expert exclaimed, as a laser scanner meticulously analyzed the barrel, which resembled flowing crystal.

"The core is a symbiotic entity of some kind of high-strength bizarre energy creature skeleton and special crystal? It is both a bizarre energy channel and an amplifier. What it fires is not physical ammunition, but highly compressed and condensed bizarre energy in the form of 'bone spikes', with penetrating power and destructive power reaching the peak level of the sixth tier."

At the peak of the sixth tier, no wonder he could destroy the fifth-tier Red Mist Armor's secondary armor with a single shot.

Li Xiang, controlling the instrument, picked up a shimmering crystal fragment scraped from inside the gun barrel and examined it closely: "This crystal fragment... the energy fluctuations it contains seem different from ordinary energy. Analyzing it, perhaps this is why it could destroy the Red Mist Armor's secondary armor with a single shot. According to Xiao Qi's feedback, it can instantly grant the fired energy a 'stagnation and penetration' effect, ignoring most energy shields and physical defense layers. It should be a special kind of energy, such as... a 'characteristic' energy."

The few "unusual characteristics" of the Special Affairs Department either ended up in Shen Ge's system or became part of the Red Mist Armor, making it extremely difficult to find samples for research.

Actually, the best option for such "high-risk" paranormal energy equipment is to integrate it into the Red Mist Armor. With Xiao Qi monitoring it, it's unlikely that anything will go wrong.

Most importantly, the Red Mist Armor currently lacks long-range attack capabilities. If the Pseudo-energy sniper rifle could be integrated, it would be a super enhancement.

Thinking of this, a flash of inspiration struck Li Xiang: "If we could combine the generation and firing mechanism of this 'bone crystal' with the characteristics of the Red Mist Armor to create Blood Spiders... no, smaller 'psychic blood bees' specifically designed for sniping... and supplement them with the armor's own psychic energy supply..."

A new upgrade plan quickly took shape in Li Xiang's mind—Red Mist Armor V-type: Sniper Mode.

Under the control of Shen Ge or Xiao Qi, it can condense and generate a miniature eerie energy sniper rifle/cannon from the shoulder or arm armor of the battle armor, and fire eerie energy sniper bullets that are simulated by highly compressed red mist eerie energy and contain penetrating power, or blood spider eerie energy explosive bullets!
The idea flashed through Li Xiang's mind, and he immediately rushed to find Shen Ge to upgrade the main armor of the Red Mist Armor.

At this moment, Shen Ge was in the deep containment area of ​​the base.

In the special observation room next to the highest-level interrogation room, the one-way glass was switched to an opaque privacy mode. Inside, only Shen Ge and "Yu," who was tightly bound to a specially made chair, were present. The powerful demonic energy suppression ring not only imprisoned her power but also made her appear exceptionally pale and weak.

Although she was captured by Shen Ge, there was no need for such a "grand" ceremony for Shen Ge to see her alone. However, Shen Ge was too lazy to use his abilities to deal with her, so he simply tied her up to save trouble.

Shen Ge pulled up a chair and sat opposite "Yu," at a comfortable distance. He didn't offer any opening remarks, his gaze calm yet carrying an invisible pressure, and directly asked his question: "Australia. Underground at Granger Manor. Who is the 'insider' that you twelve branches promised to have?"

Yu twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a mocking and weary smile: "Captain Shen... only now do you think to ask this? Didn't you already... turn that place upside down? An inside man? Ha... does it matter? The result wasn't... as you wished?"

"The process is also important." Shen Ge's voice was completely calm.

Yu remained silent for a moment, her eyes flickering as if she were weighing her options. She knew Shen Ge's methods and also knew that her value as a "stand-in" was rapidly diminishing.

Finally, she spoke in a hoarse, low voice: "...Not 'who.' It's 'it'."

“'It'?” Shen Ge’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Australian international anti-cyber organization's artificial intelligence... 'Gardener'."

"Yu" licked his dry, cracked lips. "It is the biggest 'insider' of the Twelve Branches. In fact, you could even consider the Twelve Branches as the 'mastermind' behind the scenes of the international anti-terrorist organization."

Shen Ge was not surprised by the "secret" that "Yu" revealed.

In fact, even before the first Fuzhou City ghost incident, the Special Affairs Department suspected that the Twelve Branches were supporting an international anti-ghost organization.

Otherwise, the twelve branches' affiliated organization "12" wouldn't have been able to spread all over the world; foreign friends really love those underground clubs.

What surprised Shen Ge was that it was one thing for international organizations to accept the Twelve Branches' research on strange people as "technical assistance," but why did they also hand over such an important artificial intelligence to the Twelve Branches?

In this way, the AI ​​"Gardener" became the biggest "insider" in the twelve international anti-spy organizations.

“Tell me about the ‘Gardener’,” Shen Ge asked casually, seemingly uninterested in the term, more like a casual chat. “Yu” paused for a moment at Shen Ge’s reaction, but still said, “’Gardener’…you think it’s just a program? In fact, the Chief Lord planted ‘seeds’ in its underlying logic long ago. Everything it sees…knows…will, under specific conditions…in a specific way…be passed on to those who need it…or…to the ‘New God’.”

Upon hearing "new god," Shen Ge became interested: "You guys came up with 'new god'?"

"Yu" shook her head: "Don't ask me about anything related to the 'New God'. Believe it or not, I really don't know. I only know that... someone has approached the Chief, hoping she can assist them in completing a research project, which is very likely the 'New God'."

Shen Ge tapped his knuckles lightly on the armrest of the chair. Someone was looking for Twelve Branches to collaborate with?

Is it the other half of the twelve earthly branches, the "Heavenly Stems" who are eager to go to the next civilization, or the Monster Association that has been recruited?

Based on the information obtained from the fragmented world, Shen Ge felt that "Hunter" and "New God Cult" were not quite like the three major freak organizations in "reality".

It's clearly a "cooperation," but why are some of the members of the Twelve Zodiacs acting like followers of a "new god" cult, constantly talking about "the new god shaping me," like some kind of cultist?

"So, the woman who met me back then... and readily gave me a billion, was it 'Crow' or you?" Shen Ge asked again.

"Yu" closed her eyes, seemingly exhausted: "It's the Chief. Who can fathom the Chief's thoughts? My mission was merely to attract your attention, to keep you preoccupied, and to make you think you had grasped the key... However, I never expected your strength to far exceed our expectations."

Her words carried a sense of sorrow and resignation at being thoroughly exploited.

Shen Ge raised an eyebrow and smiled, "After telling me so much, aren't you afraid of being labeled a 'traitor' by the Twelve Branches and being eliminated? Or... do you know you can't leave here, understand your fate, and have simply resigned yourself to it?"

"Yu" raised her head and looked at Shen Ge with an extremely serious expression: "Shen Ge, we are not enemies, and strictly speaking, the Twelve Branches are not your enemies either! Isn't our goal to survive in a world full of strange occurrences? Yes, some people in the Twelve Branches are blinded by power and money, trying to become superior people and live like kings, but... even without them, wouldn't anyone else do the same thing?"

“Well said. Then tell them not to bother me. The world is so big, don’t cause trouble in Rong City. I’ll wipe out as many as they come. Oh, I almost forgot, you can’t get out.” Shen Ge’s words were fine at first, but the second half of her sentence pierced Yu’s heart, leaving her speechless.

"Yu" gritted his teeth and said, "The monsters of the Twelve Zodiacs all voluntarily accepted the modification. Do you think your Special Operations Department is a good thing? I am a monster modifier who escaped from your Dajing Special Operations Department. Otherwise, why do you think I would deliberately win over the Dajing Special Operations Department's task force? It's all to plunge them into utter ruin!"

"Oh? Tell me more." Shen Ge became interested.

"..."

Yu was speechless. What kind of people are these? Can you please stop looking like you're listening to gossip?
……

……

Two hours later, Shen Ge left the containment area.

Just as he stepped out of the research institute, he was stopped by Chen Su, who was waiting at the main gate.

The director of the Sixth Bureau of the Special Operations Department of Dajing no longer had the arrogance he had when he first arrived in Rongshi. Instead, his face showed a kind of anxiety and exhaustion that he tried hard to hide but still revealed.

"Captain Shen, may I have a word with you in private?" Chen Su forced a slightly stiff smile and pointed to an empty small conference room next to him.

Shen Ge nodded, and the two went inside.

The door closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

However, in reality, the entire base is under Xiao Qi's surveillance. As long as Shen Ge is willing, whatever Chen Su says or does can be "live-streamed" throughout the base and even the whole country.

Chen Su didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point, his tone tinged with urgency and... a show of goodwill: "Captain Shen, the recent Thunder Operation in Rong City severely damaged the Twelve Teams, a brilliant achievement worthy of admiration. On behalf of the Dajing Headquarters, I congratulate Minister Deng and your outstanding leadership!"

?

Shen Ge remained noncommittal, simply looking at him with an expression that seemed to say, "If you have something to do, do it properly. Forget about flattery and such, goodbye."

Seeing Shen Ge's reaction, Chen Su felt a little embarrassed. He cleared his throat and lowered his voice: "Regarding... some of the work of the special task force before, especially the arrangements involving Comrade 'Zhang Hong'... some... unnecessary misunderstandings may have occurred."

He carefully chose his words, and after a long pause, he continued, "After careful consideration by headquarters, and with full respect for the professional judgment and handling capabilities of the Rong City Special Affairs Department, we have decided... to withdraw all previous requests regarding the transfer of Comrade Zhang Hong. His treatment and observation in Rong City will be the sole responsibility of you, and headquarters will provide all necessary remote technical support."

"Oh, and then?" Shen Ge's reaction remained indifferent.

That was as if to say, "It's not like you can take Zhang Hong away," showing absolutely no respect for Chen Su.

I'm a combatant. If you want to use bureaucratic language, go find Deng Yuqi. What do you want with me?

However, this also shows that the task force has made complete concessions.

Shen Ge knew that Chen Su was afraid.

He was afraid that "Yu" would reveal his private contacts during the interrogation, and he was even more afraid that Shen Ge and Deng Yuqi would seize on this point and embarrass him at headquarters or even put his position at risk.

Although Chen Su ultimately declined "Yu's" invitation, as the head of a bureau, what exactly was discussed during his private meeting with a member of the eccentric organization? Who can say for sure? (End of Chapter)