Chapter 354: Questioning Dr. Ai

Chapter 354: Chapter 354: Questioning Dr. Ai

"Back then, because several powerful people like you suffered a spiritual power collapse and ended up on Black Star, the public was terrified. They feared the appearance of the Mutated Insect Clan would lead to the extinction of the Beastmen. Fortunately, the Monarch dispatched the military. There were many outstanding Beastmen in their ranks, and after they successfully dealt with the Insect Clan, it unexpectedly managed to calm everyone’s fears."

Leo slowly explained, "It’s strange, though. After that incident, we never saw any Chao Si again. Later, when Dr. Ai needed Chao Si blood to develop a medicine to treat your spiritual power collapse, I searched all over Capital Star and couldn’t find a trace of them. To think they’d suddenly reappear on Border Defense Star now."

He couldn’t help but sigh.

Ye Ming’s gaze lowered thoughtfully. Trapped on Black Star, he and the others had been completely unaware of these events. ’So that’s what happened afterward.’

As this thought crossed his mind, Leo suddenly spoke up. "Oh, right, Eldest Prince, Dr. Ai’s daily routine has become much more regular in recent years. He even takes a nap at noon sometimes and generally heads back to his office to rest around ten at night."

In the past, Dr. Ai would act like there weren’t enough hours in the day. He was so frugal with his time he’d only drink nutrient solution for meals, let alone take a nap or sleep early.

"Mm, I see."

Ye Ming nodded. The Hovercar finally pulled up to the entrance of a downtown shopping mall.

The two of them entered a hidden door in the mall that led to the underground research lab.

It was now past twelve in the morning. At night, the research lab was mostly dark, save for the brightly lit corridors. Only a few researchers remained, still working.

They were surprised to see Ye Ming arrive so late. He didn’t interact with them much, heading straight for Dr. Ai’s office.

Dr. Ai’s office had no transparent window to see inside. Ye Ming didn’t bother knocking, simply using his own clearance to open the door and walk in.

The office lights flickered on. He glanced toward Dr. Ai’s private lounge and was about to head that way when Dr. Ai himself emerged, rubbing his eyes. Seeing Ye Ming and Leo, he looked puzzled. "Hm? Your Highness, what brings you here at this hour?"

Ye Ming observed the man’s wrinkled pajamas and drowsy expression, his own face a mask of his usual gentle demeanor. "Were you sleeping?"

Dr. Ai nodded and checked the time on his chip. "Yes, Your Highness. It’s already 12:45 AM. Definitely time for bed."

"But I’m sure you must have a reason for coming at this hour, Your Highness?"

Ye Ming hummed in agreement and said nonchalantly, "By the way, Dr. Ai, several hundred Chao Si have recently appeared on Border Defense Star. Didn’t you say last time that there was only one?"

Dr. Ai seemed extremely shocked. "What? That happened?"

"This is wonderful! Admiral He must capture some live specimens. That will make it much easier for us to research a cure for spiritual power collapse. We had to terminate that entire line of research last time because we didn’t have enough Chao Si..."

Ye Ming gave a slight nod. "I’ll be sure to mention it to Admiral He."

He spoke with a composed expression as he sat down at Dr. Ai’s desk. Gazing at the pristine desktop, he asked, as if it were an afterthought, "Where’s that notebook I saw last time? I remember it mentioned the Chao Si. I was hoping to check on your research progress and learn a bit more about them."

"Oh, that notebook? I put it away for the time being."

Dr. Ai’s expression remained unchanged. "Would you like to see it, Your Highness? If so, I can find it for you."

Ye Ming hadn’t expected him to be so agreeable, so he nodded.

Dr. Ai walked over to his desk, retrieved the notebook from a cabinet, and handed it to him.

Ye Ming opened it and briefly flipped through the first few sections. It all contained very normal research notes, most of which were projects he was already aware of. The early entries detailed research on improving the male constitution and developing nutrient supplements, while mentions of the Chao Si only appeared gradually toward the end.

Ye Ming found the page he had seen before and pointed to the heading "Fifth-Generation Chao Si." He asked, puzzled, "Dr. Ai, why the fifth generation?"

Dr. Ai explained, "It’s like this. Your Highness, do you recall the medicine I had Leo deliver to you on Black Star? That was the product of my third-generation research. Data analysis of the first two generations proved them to be useless. The third generation was the only one that showed any effect in experiments."

"However, it was still a failure. You experienced its effects firsthand—it wasn’t enough to cure a spiritual power collapse. After that, I moved on to conduct fourth and fifth-generation research."

Hearing this, Ye Ming looked down at the page and reread the entry he had seen before:

The blood of the Chao Si is unique. Its toxin content is twenty times that of a normal member of the Insect Clan, and this toxin can replicate and spread within a host’s body.

When Chao Si blood is extracted and injected into the blood of an unmodified Beastman, the toxins replicate and spread, affecting the Beastman’s spiritual power more severely than toxins from the normal Insect Clan.

However, when the differentiated healing cells from Chao Si blood are injected into the body of a toxin-afflicted Beastman, the toxin levels gradually decrease. This proves that these healing cells are indeed beneficial for treating spiritual power collapse.

Perhaps if a sufficient number of healing cells can be differentiated, it will be possible to lower the collapse value, thereby achieving the desired therapeutic effect...

The entry ended there. After reading it through, Ye Ming still couldn’t pinpoint anything wrong.

Dr. Ai truly seemed to be working hard to find a cure for spiritual power collapse.

He reined in his thoughts. ’I’m probably just overthinking things.’ He rubbed the bridge of his nose, set down the notebook, and looked at the doctor. "All right. My apologies for disturbing you, Dr. Ai. Please, get some rest. I’m going to go take a look at the Chao Si."

"Not at all, not at all, Your Highness. Let me come with you."

Dr. Ai said with a beaming smile.

"There’s no need."

Ye Ming already felt guilty for disturbing him so late at night. After all, Dr. Ai worked very hard and was no longer young.

"Leo and I can manage."

"Very well."

Hearing this, Dr. Ai didn’t insist.

Ye Ming left the office with Leo. Once the door was closed, Dr. Ai placed the notebook back inside the cabinet.

A glint flashed in his eyes. ’It seems the Eldest Prince hasn’t found Shi Lan yet. If he had, he wouldn’t be probing me like this.’

’Good thing I was prepared after last time and made a backup notebook.’

’But now that the Eldest Prince suspects me... I’ve been by his side for over twenty years; I know his personality.’

’Once he gets suspicious, he’ll eventually follow the trail of clues right back to me. What’s more, Shi Lan has suddenly escaped and vanished. Even if the Eldest Prince doesn’t investigate, once he and Shi Lan meet, Shi Lan knows who I really am. I won’t be able to get away.’

’Looks like I need to find a new place, and fast.’

’I already have Shi Lan’s blood. Perhaps my research is on the verge of a new breakthrough.’

’I will become the first great scholar in interstellar history to conquer the plight of males!’

At this thought, Dr. Ai’s eyes filled with fervent anticipation.