Qingying's Purple Gold Hammers were known to many, and even Ji Shiyou, with his Level Six strength ability, dared not face them head-on.
Thus, Mingyue and the others held their breath for Dr. You Hen, ready to rescue him at any moment.
However, facing the whistling Purple Gold Hammers, imbued with earth-shattering power, You Hen showed no panic.
He lightly stomped his right foot on the ground, and the circular disk rotated once.
A circular light screen illuminated, protecting him within.
This thin, transparent light screen, upon impact with the heavy Purple Gold Hammers, bounced them back without even a ripple.
The repelled Purple Gold Hammers circled back, gathering momentum, and attacked again. You Hen stomped his foot once more.
The disk beneath his feet spun again, and the light screen began to glow intensely.
The Purple Gold Hammers whistled towards it, then disintegrated into a shower of golden dust that fell to the ground.
This was the material conversion laser that Mingyue and the others were familiar with, the one that had trapped them earlier.
Qingying was stunned by the sight. The Purple Gold Hammers were her spatial treasures, yet they had been decomposed by a beam of light.
This surpassed her understanding of ordinary humans. Before she could react, the disk beneath You Hen's feet began to spin again.
The light shield condensed a beam of intense light, which shot directly towards her.
Qingying knew the power of that beam; contact meant utter annihilation.
But it was too sudden to dodge. In desperation, she summoned her Fire Dragon Umbrella to shield herself, but it was instantly decomposed by the beam of light.
"Is she dead?"
Seeing the Fire Dragon Umbrella disintegrate and Qingying disappear into the emptiness behind it, Gong Que and Shi Henian anxiously asked.
"No, the data shows the decomposition laser did not make contact with the carbon-based lifeform. Where did she go?"
Dr. You Hen checked his wristwatch, frowning. The laser had not touched Qingying.
"Space, she has spatial abilities! She must have hidden in her space. Everyone be careful, she could reappear at any moment!"
Not decomposed, yet vanished. Mingyue's eyes lit up, and she shouted a warning to everyone.
But it was too late. As soon as her words fell, a monstrous flood appeared without warning.
It instantly inundated the entire work area, then flowed through the passage, blasting open the massive stone blocking the base entrance and pouring outside.
Caught unprepared, everyone was submerged by the flood. Before they could react, the flood miraculously vanished.
It turned out Mingyue had collected the flood back into her space. They all chased towards the base entrance, having understood Qingying's strategy.
She had used the Fire Dragon Umbrella to buy time, then retreated into her space, where she activated the Heavenly Water Pearl.
Taking advantage of their inattention, she flooded the Thunder Base and used the force of the water to break open the base's main gate.
Her sole objective was escape.
By the time they reached the entrance, Qingying was nowhere to be seen. They returned dejected.
"She got away again! I knew she was cunning. We shouldn't have listened to the Doctor earlier; we should have rushed her and killed her!"
Qingying's escape angered Gong Que and Shi Henian the most. Gong Que complained indignantly.
Bu Zhi tugged at him from behind. Gong Que looked up and saw Dr. You Hen standing at the entrance, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Doctor, I didn't mean it like that. I'm not blaming you.
You are truly amazing. Without abilities, you still managed to defeat that woman Qingying so thoroughly.
If I had faced Qingying alone, I would never have been able to kill her. In short, please don't mind what I said earlier."
Gong Que was not eloquent and felt awkward after speaking ill of someone behind their back, so he explained.
"Doctor, he meant no harm. Our Mingyue team considers Qingying an arch-enemy, which is why he spoke carelessly.
I truly admire you for building the Thunder Base to be impregnable. Even someone like Qingying was defeated by you. You are truly the pride of us researchers."
Shi Henian and You Hen had known each other for a long time, sharing a mutual respect and a friendship that transcended age.
Seeing Gong Que's flustered state and incoherent ramblings, Shi Henian quickly changed the subject to ease the tension.
"You flatter me, young man. These are your areas of expertise; I wouldn't dare show off my meager skills.
Others may not know, but you are aware of the drawbacks of these systems, aren't you?
They are fixed and can only be used within the base; they cannot be moved.
Therefore, their limitations are significant. Without abilities, we are in danger once we leave the base.
However, people need to eat and drink, and ability users are needed to collect supplies. That's why I indulged Gao Chu, because the base needs them.
I never expected him to have such wicked intentions, not only to kill me but also to kill everyone here. I was blind and let a wolf into my house.
As for Qingying, Gong Que is right. I was overconfident, and it is my responsibility. Therefore, I do not blame him.
Captain Mingyue, I have an unconventional request: would you consider inviting your team to join the Thunder Base?
You saved everyone, and we trust your character. The base also needs ability users. Please consider it."
You Hen extended an invitation to the Mingyue team, his words earnest and sincere.
The members of the Mingyue team exchanged glances, their faces breaking into smiles. They had thought of the same thing.
"Dr. You, to be honest, our Mingyue team was also planning to invite you to join us. Does this count as telepathy?"
Mingyue smiled and also extended an invitation to Dr. You, a decision made after discussions among all their team members.
Initially, their invitation was only for Doctors You Hen and Chang Xiang, to leave with them after the potion was completed.
This was Shi Henian's suggestion; to establish their own base in Yuncheng, the two doctors would be their greatest assets.
However, after the battle with Qingying just now, Mingyue realized that while You Hen appeared to be fighting Qingying,
it was the cooperation of everyone behind the scenes. Those ordinary people without abilities were the talents needed for future base construction, so she wanted to recruit them all.
"Doctor, although the Thunder Base is impregnable under your management, its scale and geographical location are limiting and not suitable for long-term development.
Come with us to Yuncheng. There, everyone can utilize their strengths and achieve great things.
You will also have a place to exercise your talents. Let us build a dream home together in this post-apocalyptic world."
Seeing You Hen hesitate, Shi Henian quickly analyzed the pros and cons, urging him to leave with the Mingyue team.
"I understand all of that. It's not that I don't want to leave; I'm worried about the hundreds of people here who have no abilities.
If we leave the base and go to Yuncheng with you, the journey will be fraught with danger, and we will become a burden to you.
Furthermore, the instruments and equipment in this base are the culmination of my life's work.
In this post-apocalyptic world, these things may never be found again. I truly cannot bear to part with them."
You Hen's concerns were valid. With zombies everywhere outside, the Mingyue team only had nine members. How could they protect hundreds of ordinary people without abilities?
Moreover, the equipment in the base was his lifeblood, something he truly could not abandon.
"Doctor, if I can resolve these issues and guarantee your safety, will you agree to come with us to Yuncheng?
I promise to move the entire Thunder Base to Yuncheng."
Hearing You Hen's worries, Mingyue smiled with understanding and spoke.
You Hen was stunned by Mingyue's words, unsure how to respond.