Chapter 161: Testing

Extending his hand toward Liu Yun, the middle-aged man asked, "Are you the one who wants to sell vegetables, young lady?"

Liu Yun shook the man’s hand, then nodded and replied, "Yes."

Gesturing for her to follow him, the middle-aged man added, "I’m the captain in charge of today’s Distribution Day. Please come inside so we can discuss the details."

"All right."

Following the captain, Liu Yun entered the tent. Unlike the others, this tent was larger and more spacious.

The captain gestured for Liu Yun to take a seat before pouring her a cup of water. After placing it on the table, he sat down across from her.

Noticing that she hadn’t brought any backpacks or bags, the captain asked, "Young lady, could you show me the vegetables?"

Liu Yun nodded and took a Basic Carrot out of her inventory.

Thud!

The moment the carrot appeared on the table, the captain was stunned. His eyes widened as he looked at Liu Yun.

"You are a spatial-element ability user?"

Liu Yun nodded. The captain then turned his attention to the Basic Carrot. Pointing at it, he went silent for a moment before asking, "Is this a mutated carrot?"

Being asked by him, Liu Yun lowered her eyes and thought, ’Since mutant plants exist in this world, claiming that the Basic Carrots are mutated carrots would save me a lot of trouble.’

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yun nodded. "Yes."

Hearing her answer, the captain grew serious. Looking into Liu Yun’s clear eyes, he asked, "Young lady, would you mind if we tested this mutated carrot?"

Knowing that this was a standard procedure, Liu Yun readily agreed. "I don’t mind. You can test it first before we discuss the details."

"Thank you for your cooperation," the captain said before calling for his subordinates. "Someone, come here!"

A few seconds later, a soldier entered the tent. The moment he saw the enormous carrot on the table, he stumbled and nearly fell flat on his face.

Frowning slightly at the soldier’s clumsiness, the captain ordered, "Take this mutated carrot to the laboratory and have them test whether it’s safe for consumption."

Snapping out of his daze, the soldier saluted the captain. "Yes, sir!"

Picking up the carrot, the soldier hurried out of the tent.

While they waited for the test results, the captain observed Liu Yun. He stared at her in silence for a while, then asked, "Young lady, may I know where you found this mutated carrot?"

"I found it at a local market near my home in Ji City," Liu Yun lied without batting an eye.

Watching her calm expression, the captain thought, ’This young lady isn’t just a rare spatial-element ability user. She is also a survivor from Ji City. If she managed to escape Ji City alive, she must be stronger than she looks.’

’If this mutated carrot is safe to eat, I must do my best to recruit her into my team. Whether we can find a new source of vegetables may depend on the outcome of this transaction.’

While the captain considered how to recruit Liu Yun, the soldier carrying the metal box climbed into a military armored car.

As soon as he closed the door, he said, "Go to the laboratory."

"Yes, sir," the driver replied before starting the engine and pressing down on the accelerator.

The laboratory at Lie Huo Military Base was located in the central ring area. It took them more than twenty minutes to reach their destination.

Seeing the approaching armored car, the two soldiers guarding the laboratory entrance signaled the driver to stop for inspection.

As the car slowed to a halt, one of the guards approached. He saluted the driver, then said as the window rolled down, "This vehicle isn’t registered in the system. Please turn around."

Sitting in the passenger seat, the soldier showed him his badge and explained, "Comrade, I’m from the Third Division. My direct supervisor ordered me to bring something here for testing."

The guard examined the badge before turning around and signaling to his companion.

The second guard nodded and pressed a button. A second later, the metal gate slowly swung open.

Stepping aside, the first guard said, "You may proceed."

"Thank you," the driver replied before driving through the gate.

After the armored car disappeared inside, the second guard closed the gate while the first pressed the communication device in his left ear.

"Sir, a member of the Third Division just entered the laboratory to have something tested."

On the other end of the communication, a man in a black military uniform listened to the report before responding, "Understood."

After ending the call, he turned to his subordinate and ordered, "Inform the laboratory staff that someone from the Third Division is coming."

The soldier immediately saluted. "Yes, sir."

While the soldier went to notify the laboratory staff, the driver parked the armored car outside a five-story building.

"Sir, we’ve arrived."

"Thank you. Please wait here for me." The soldier in the passenger seat replied before picking up the metal box and getting out of the car.

As soon as he raised his head, he spotted a young man in his twenties approaching him. The man was dressed in a white lab coat.

"Are you the one from the Third Division?" the young scientist asked.

The soldier nodded. "Yes. My captain ordered me to bring something here for testing."

"Understood. We have already received the notification. Please follow me."

The soldier followed the young scientist into the building. Neither of them spoke along the way.

When they reached an elevator, the young scientist pressed the call button. As the doors opened, he explained, "The laboratory is on the third floor."

The soldier remained silent as he followed the scientist inside. Before long, the elevator reached the third floor.

Ding!

As the doors slid open, the scientist led the way down a long, spacious corridor. Several scientists and staff members glanced curiously at the soldier carrying the metal box as they passed.