Maria Hospital.

The lights in the research building have been on all night recently.

Due to the recent influx of a large number of evil brain samples, the laboratory has been continually expanding, with nearly half of the building converted to store and experiment on these samples.

Mechanical Doctors move back and forth between rooms, with every indoor screen lit, and the experimental instruments continuously monitoring the real-time status of the samples.

Zhou Yi is currently listening to a report in the main laboratory.

The room is neatly filled with specially designed culture vessels supported by gemstones. Inside each is an evil brain. These evil brains were transported and gathered by Hei Fu from beneath the chasm of the Forbidden Continent.

Da Vinci, standing to the side, says, "Chairman, the main group of evil brains in the chasm of the Forbidden Continent, totaling 171 units, have been completely contained. We are still meticulously searching and clearing the remaining parts to ensure nothing is missed."

"That's quite a number."

Zhou Yi can't help but think, "In that case, the form of the Brain Ark isn't a coincidence but rather a planned move by the collective will of the Usurper Worm to enter this side."

"Indeed."

The medical minister says, "Preliminary data analysis and comparison reveal that these evil brains are very intact, nearly undamaged, just like the evil brains we initially acquired. Therefore, we deduce that the swarm possesses some method to transcend the Space Hole, indicating this move wasn't accidental."

"Biological brains with only an A-level are inherently fragile and, according to natural laws, cannot traverse spatial matter without damage. Unless it's a Light Core Body, entry into spatial channels inevitably results in compression and damage, making it impossible to remain unscathed."

"Hence, we believe the method the swarm uses to pass through the Space Hole does not rely on the brain itself but on another tool."

Zhou Yi frowns.

This could be troublesome.

If the Usurper Worm swarm has mastered cross-space transportation, it could invade Earth at any time. The Mud Tree People can't stop them, and neither the Guangna Species nor humans on this side have the capability. Mechanisms suggest only Mechanical Life can't be affected by them.

However, this scenario sounds somewhat magical.

Because the Cave People, who have always relied on technology for core competitiveness, have never mastered stable cross-space methods... Yet the Usurper Worm, which focuses on reproduction and expansion, has lit up this technology tree?

Da Vinci continues, "We've investigated these 171 evil brain samples and analyzed the Usurper Worm as the foundational unit, leading to several discoveries."

"Firstly, the Usurper Worms have a clear division of labor, with the evil brain serving as a small community's carrier."

"A brain is the basic organizational unit for Usurper Worms, much like Family is for humans. The same brain contains the same direct lineage of Usurper Worms, with a primary progenitor, though Usurper Worms lack sexual differentiation and reproduce through division. However, such division halts upon entering Earth's realm."

"Yet only in the region beneath the Forbidden Continent, or rather, the specific space beneath it, can they resume reproduction. Hence, Usurper Worms congregate there."

"Through cellular slicing experiments and control groups, we discovered the key is high-energy pressure. Without sufficient high-energy high-pressure, Usurper Worms cannot divide; low pressure induces hibernation, enforcing physiological sleep."

"Jupiter's extraordinarily high-energy density and impressive pressures are a natural fit. On Earth, the natural environment puts Usurper Worms into a hibernative state, akin to humans on a super-high-altitude location with depleted air, making movement hard."

Zhou Yi realizes, "So it's the space beneath the Forbidden Continent that's analogous to Jupiter's energy and pressure?"

"Yes."

Da Vinci's monitor displays steady waveforms.

"There is also the question of quantity. We've found only one of these evil brains matched the Mud Tree People brain previously acquired by the company; the other evil brains are all local Guangna Species brains. The majority are Sea People's brains, totaling 167, followed by 2 long-necked crocodile brains, and 1 Gray Whale brain."

"The source is indeed that one Mud Tree Person brain. After encountering this environment, it spawned new Usurper Worms and captured passing Guangna Species brains, converting them into carriers for the swarm."

Zhou Yi's heart sinks, "Are they expanding externally?"

"The Cave People's investigation indicates that the swarm currently shows no such behavior or desire."

Da Vinci says, "This is still due to environmental effects. Venturing outside this area leads the swarm to enter a torpid semi-hibernation state, unable to reproduce, which hinders survival."

"However, if the swarm quantity were to breach a certain threshold, this situation could change."

"A large group needs to address resource competition and social conflicts, potentially developing more complex social rules, necessitating stronger memory and recognition abilities. As the whole swarm grows socially advanced, addressing resource and conflict issues will inevitably lead to external expansion."

"At present, there remains significant room before reaching that scale."

Zhou Yi feels slightly relieved.

That's good then.

At least there's no immediate threat of a swarm disaster.

The Mechanical Doctor introduced, "The local brains chosen by Usurper Worm prioritize higher-intelligence species. Once these animals are controlled, they direct all body nutrients and energy solely to the brain, leaving this organ as the final element."

"After attaching to the chasm, these evil brains have established connections; you'd be surprised at what connects these brains."

Zhou Yi says, "Do they use brain matter?"

"It's the Light Cuttlefish brains. Look here…"

Da Vinci projects an image onto the wall.

It shows the state before the evil brains were cleared from the ground, each fixed like barnacles on the sea floor, yet resembling soft-bodied brains, pulsating like hearts, inducing a bit of mind contamination.

The camera zooms in, revealing ring-shaped structures between the evil brains.

These rings are similarly sticky, semi-transparent biological tissues that link different brains, forming an extensive biological brain network.

Zhou Yi watches the footage and says, "I recall that the Warlord-modified evil brain spoke of controlling several Light Cuttlefish encircling them. It seems they are fond of this species, so why not directly use their brains?"

"Chairman, that's because the Light Cuttlefish brain is relatively weak."

Da Vinci explains, "Although the Light Cuttlefish belong to the Guangna Species, their evolutionary path did not favor brain development. Their neurons number around 500 million, comparable to a house cat, lacking social learning."

"Humans and sea people have about 86 billion brain neurons, far surpassing the Light Cuttlefish. However, the fast hunting and camouflage needs of the cuttlefish drive distributed neural control, while human sociality and tool use promote a high degree of brain centralization."

"The Usurper Worms organically combine the two to supplement the transmission exchange between main brains. The cuttlefish's circular brain is more sensitive to changes in the external environment..."

After listening to its description and conclusion, Zhou Yi sorted out his thoughts.

In simple terms.

The Usurper Worms use the Light Cuttlefish brain as a transmission cable and observe the external environment.

The sea people's brain as the main core brain is the true intellectual core that the Usurper Worms rely on, helping them solve complex problems, and even use tools.

It is evident that on Wasteland Earth, the Usurper Worms have already explored a pathway.

Give them a little more time, and they might just complete the primitive accumulation and start large-scale expansion externally.

What a pity.

They encountered me.

Before fulfilling their ambition, they became laboratory specimens.

Zhou Yi's thoughts drifted further: "Da Vinci, I have an idea. Since the environment under the Forbidden Continent is naturally like Jupiter, how about we modify this group of Usurper Worms and cultivate them over there?"

"Chairman, that is absolutely feasible."

Da Vinci said, "I was also going to suggest this to you. The laboratory environment has undergone extensive simulation but has never been able to allow the Usurper Worms to reproduce. Given that the existing site can be used, it can certainly be put to use."

"This way, we can fundamentally curtail the possible out-of-control situation of the Usurper Worms and instead turn them into medical biological units. Guided by the Cave People, the Usurper Worms can play more positive roles and coexist with more life in this world for a long time."

"Then let's do it, it's up to you."

Zhou Yi said directly.

If you don't occupy a position, others will.

The company taking over that area can at least ensure that there won't be an Insect Swarm disaster there.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door outside.

"Chairman."

Zhou Yi turned around and saw it was the Azure Sea Lord.

He nodded: "Let's talk outside."

They came to the end of the corridor.

Zhou Yi asked him, "How did the talk go?"

"The Epidemic Lord has understood our stance. In its eyes, the company's actions are quite insane."

Azure Sea Lord said softly, "However, the Epidemic Lord also clearly stated that if the company needs it, the Dream Demons will fully provide resources and various information, but only in private collaboration... In fact, they have recently been discussing investing on Mars."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Alright. Ask them to investigate the Seventh Agent Verne as thoroughly as possible."

"Understood."

Azure Sea Lord said, "I'll go talk to him now."

"Alright."

Azure Sea Lord left.

Zhou Yi looked at his right arm again. Now, the Corridor Palace was fitted onto his arm, having turned into a piece of Light Core Arm Armor, with both the Dong family and the Shell Sanctuary within it.

He silently thought, "Weren't you saying before that you hoped for more Usurper Worms to be available? Now we have them."

"Congratulations, it turns out they were hidden there."

The Dong family's tone was cheerful.

Zhou Yi then asked, "Is there any response from the Cave People deployed on Jupiter?"

The Dong family said, "Mr. Zhou, because restarting things left behind by the Cave People requires exploration and attempts, I don't know how to proceed. So, I let them spread out to search for Record Land first."

"Most of the Record Lands have sunk deep into the Dead Sea, and there's a lack of transport vehicles there, so progress is slow…"

"However, we have found a large number of Evil Brains this time, and I was thinking whether we could supply a portion of the Evil Brains to the Cave People as vehicles? This would not only solve the safety issues of the Cave People but also speed up the exploration process, aiding the excavation of Cave People tools and Record Lands."

Zhou Yi's eyes brightened upon hearing this.

Reverse deploying a Brain Ark, that's a good idea.

"How many Evil Brains are needed?"

"In theory, of course, the more, the better, but even one would be good."

The Dong family said conservatively.

Zhou Yi consulted Da Vinci.

"If we deploy them on Jupiter, we have 30 confirmed intact Evil Brains available, it's just that due to Jupiter's high-energy, high-pressure environment, some protective modifications are necessary."

"Then let's do it, quickly assist the Cave People in deploying the brain vehicles."

"Yes, Chairman."

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