Chapter 81: The Nature of the Virus

Wang Yezhi glanced at Xie Han and did not hide anything, saying, “It’s about whether the XR virus, aside from evolving the nervous system in zombies, might also cause them to evolve in other ways.”

All along, as one of the survivors, Wang Yezhi harbored a deep hatred for the XR virus. Not only had it destroyed his family, leaving him alone, but the devastation it wrought upon humanity was unprecedented. From the moment the XR Virus Research Center was established—precisely when Wang Yezhi, with his background in biological genetics, immediately devoted himself to its study—he had been seeking answers.

A virus is generally understood to be a microscopic organism without a complete cellular structure, containing only a single type of nucleic acid, and must parasitize living cells to replicate. Like all living things, it possesses the abilities of heredity, mutation, and evolution. This, broadly, is humanity’s basic understanding of viruses.

But Wang Yezhi discovered that the XR virus completely overturned that understanding. First, there was its structural integrity, and then the diversity of its nucleic acids. Not only could both DNA and RNA be found within, but there were also three other unidentified substances. Wang Yezhi could not comprehend how a virus composed of five different substances could still be classified as a virus, as its characteristics seemed to have already transcended that definition.

Typical viruses are highly parasitic, utterly dependent on their host cell’s energy and metabolic systems to obtain the materials and energy necessary for life activities. Once removed from the host cell, a virus is nothing more than a complex chemical molecule.

Yet the XR virus defied this basic trait of ordinary viruses. Its complete cellular structure endowed it with independent survivability. Moreover, it possessed an unusual feature: like hibernating animals, it could enter a dormant state. Even when separated from a host cell, it could survive for long periods through this function until it found another host. Once it did, it would instinctively release progeny viruses, which would replicate, assemble, and destroy the host. (Note: The host refers to active cells.)

The true reason the XR virus caused humans to mutate into zombies lay in a particular substance released by its progeny viruses, which Wang Yezhi had yet to fully understand. This substance could disrupt and recombine human DNA, thereby strengthening the nervous system, ultimately causing death and transforming the individual into a mindless zombie.

As for why some people remained uninfected, Wang Yezhi, after three years of research, concluded that differences in the strength of individual human cells led to different outcomes upon exposure. It was not simply that a strong or healthy person had stronger cells. Wang Yezhi did not entirely agree with that notion; cellular strength was linked to a person’s chromosomes, and often, a frail appearance did not equate to genetic weakness—sometimes, such individuals were genetically stronger than those who seemed robust.

It was precisely this genetic strength that formed a protective layer on the cell surface, preventing XR virus invasion and allowing many people to survive unscathed amidst its rampage.

Of course, survival did not mean total immunity. The protective layer formed by genetic strength merely prevented the XR virus from freely infiltrating the body. Should the skin be broken by something carrying the XR virus, this method of bypassing the cellular protection could still lead to infection, ultimately turning the person into a zombie.

For three years, Wang Yezhi had devoted himself almost entirely to researching the XR virus, sparing only time for eating and sleeping. Yet, after more than three years and with a research team of dozens, there had been no significant breakthroughs—an outcome Wang Yezhi found difficult to accept. And before they had unraveled the mysteries of the substances released by the virus, Yang Xingjun posed yet another question: the feasibility of zombie evolution.

Though he had studied the XR virus for over three years, it was the first time Wang Yezhi had heard of the virus potentially driving zombie evolution, causing their DNA to recombine and ultimately transforming them into a new species beyond zombies. Yet, just because it was the first time he’d heard it did not mean Wang Yezhi disbelieved it. After all, with the current state of zombies, who could believe they acted purely through their nervous systems? The XR virus had even enhanced their skeletal structures, increasing both hardness and strength many times over that of ordinary humans.

When Wang Yezhi admitted the research had made no progress, Yang Xingjun could not help but feel somewhat disappointed. He had heard this answer countless times. But, on reflection, the research conditions here were abysmal—many large instruments were unavailable. The fact that they could persist in studying the XR virus under such circumstances was already remarkable. “I was too impatient,” Yang Xingjun said apologetically. “I only gave you the research topic yesterday, yet I expect an answer today. That’s too much to ask.”

Yang Xingjun’s tone carried an apology. After all, throughout the entire compound, there were only a handful of true experts in this field. Many of the researchers had switched specializations or only knew a little about genetic biology. He recalled that when the XR Virus Research Center was first established, he had recruited anyone he could, regardless of their qualifications. With such a hastily assembled team and limited equipment, efficiency could hardly be expected.

Wang Yezhi looked ashamed. “It’s our failure. Three years, and we’re still only at the surface level of understanding the XR virus.”

Yang Xingjun shook his head. “Don’t blame yourself, Dr. Wang. These things are not so easily controlled by will. Many discoveries are made by chance.” After a moment’s thought, he added, “Dr. Wang, do you believe it’s possible for the XR virus to induce zombie evolution?”

Wang Yezhi managed a bitter smile. “All I can say is that, given the unique nature of the XR virus, anything is possible. While we haven’t found evidence that it directly causes zombie evolution, we can’t rule out the possibility. As you pointed out, Commander Yang, zombies have indeed evolved. Therefore, the XR virus must possess such a trait—it’s just unknown to us. Over the past three years, our numerous experiments have shown the XR virus to be increasingly strange and diverse, at times even exceeding the boundaries of human imagination.”

“As we have witnessed, the XR virus possesses not only immense destructive power but also the ability to create. Just as all things have two sides, we often only focus on its destructive aspect. If turning humans into zombies is destruction, then isn’t driving zombie evolution a form of new creation after destruction?”

Wang Yezhi’s words sent both Xie Han and Yang Xingjun into deep thought.

“Perhaps if you observe the experiment about to commence, you will better understand the unpredictable nature of the XR virus.”