Upon further analysis, the researchers discovered that the unknown elent emitted low-level exotic radiation, destabilizing cellular structures and forcing the mitochondria into a hyperactive state.
The sudden spike in energy production led to increased tabolic heat, which caused the fever.
"This X-Pri also utilizes its exotic properties to penetrate the cell nucleus, integrating itself into the host's DNA," the head researcher explained.
"DNA rewriting creates imnse cellular stress, which further elevates the body temperature as the body's systems attempt to compensate," another researcher added.
"My goodness, DNA rewriting—this pathogen is capable of enhancing cells!" The elderly scientists in white coats marveled at the discovery.
But beyond their awe, there was a palpable concern: The cells that could not survive the DNA rewriting would result in organ failure, and ultimately, death.
Yet, their plans to counteract the mutation seed dood before they could even begin. The progress of the pathogen varied between each patient.
"The onset and system hijack phases occurred rapidly, and so patients are already entering the mutation phase," a researcher noted.
Lin Weihao listened carefully. Unlike before, this ti the researchers had made significant progress.
However, the situation remained dire. He asked if there were any thods to slow down the mutation, buying ti for the patients.
The researchers and doctors proposed various approaches, including high-dose inflammatory dicines, glycolytic inhibitors, antioxidant therapy, and hypoxia control to disrupt the mutation process.
Lin Weihao instructed Colonel Tang and Wang Chul to distribute more dicine, food, and set up more isolation rooms.
He did everything within his power to help, but it wasn't out of selflessness—he wanted to save as many awakened individuals as possible.
The researchers observed a temporary slowdown in the mutation, but it was far from a cure. It rely bought the patients more ti.
Lin Weihao knew this would not stop the mutation.
As his suspicion grew, his phone rang after three hours. Pei Zhi's voice was heavy with grief.
"Brother Lin…"
Lin Weihao braced himself, already guessing what had happened.
At the Survivor's Camp Hospital, the infirmary was eerily quiet as Lin Weihao and Pei Zhi stood by a patient's bed.
The man's body had gone still—no more restless shifts or shallow breaths. The faint hum of the machines seed distant, hollow. The transformation was complete.
The patient's skin had taken on an ashen hue, and the veins, once darkened by the pathogen, were barely visible beneath his skin.
His eyes were closed.
Pei Zhi's face was pale, his expression stricken.
Lin Weihao placed a hand on Pei Zhi's shoulder, his own face grim. "Don't bla yourself."
Across the room, another patient lay in the sa state.
The man's body, too, had stilled. The twitching of his limbs had ceased, and the subtle movents of his body had stopped.
Hei Qian, who had accompanied them, stood frozen in the corner, staring at the dead patient. His thoughts drifted to Bingwen.
Everyone could hardly breathe.
This marked the first recorded deaths from the fever—and certainly not the last.
In just a few hours, the death toll had risen to forty, with more to follow.
The researchers sighed and murmured among themselves, "If only we could find a stabilizer. Unfortunately, none of the dicines we have seem to work against the pathogen."
Lin Weihao, unable to focus, barely touched the al Nanzhi had prepared for him. His mind was elsewhere.
anwhile, in the kitchen, Nanzhi was grating lemon peel, her thoughts heavy with worry. The mass fever continued to ravage the camp, and there was still no word from the base.
She recalled only vague details from when it had first started, as she had been unconscious at the ti. Everyone who developed the fever showed symptoms.
A slight fever and lethargy at first, followed by aggressive behavior in the next phase. In the final stage, their veins would turn darker, and if their bodies couldn't withstand the mutation, death would follow.
But even after all the research, no cure had been found.
Would this ti be different?
She could only hope.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and she looked up.
Yu Baoyin erged from the room, walking unsteadily.
As Baoyin staggered, Nanzhi rushed to her side.
"Sister Nan, is that you?" Baoyin asked, her eyelids barely lifting. She was weak, and had awakened with a high fever.
When Nanzhi's hands made contact with Baoyin's feverish skin, her heart skipped a beat.
"Baoyin, hold on."
She quickly helped Baoyin to her room, doing what she could to lower her temperature. Despite knowing Baoyin had successfully awakened her powers before, Nanzhi couldn't shake the fear that sothing could go wrong.
At the sa ti, in the neighboring unit, a commotion broke out. Both Lin Daxia and Lin Yicheng had fallen ill.
Their temperature had skyrocketed to 40°C.
"Daughter-in-law! Little Chen!" Lin Jianjun and the butler could barely hold back their tears.
"Quickly, tell Lin Weihao!" the butler urged, panic in his voice.
The butler hastily contacted Lin Weihao.
Upon receiving the news, Lin Weihao quickly stood up, but Feng Ran stopped him and told him an incredible news.
Elsewhere, the villagers' belongings were left at the quarantine zone reception, including several baskets.
When the soldiers saw the strange glowing mushrooms inside, they were startled.
"Do you see this? The mushrooms are glowing."
One soldier nudged his comrade. "Be careful. What if they're contaminated? Pack them in bags and seal them."
The soldiers packed the mushrooms away and sealed the bags, carrying them to the storage room where the patients' belongings were kept.
The Survivor's Camp Hospital was divided into four sections: Asymptomatic, Slight, Mild, and Severe.
Pei Zhi worked in the Severe section when a nurse called for him.
The hospital was cloaked in gloom. Despite the heartbreak, the dics had no ti to mourn. Too many lives were at risk. However, each person who passed was given a prayer.
Pei Zhi was walking through the ward when a nurse urgently called out, "Doctor Pei! Doctor Pei! You need to see this!"
Her voice was loud enough to catch the attention of every dic and researcher in the area.
They followed her to the end of the row, where a frail old woman, who had been brought in only hours earlier, was now sitting up in bed.
The elderly woman looked around, confused, and asked, "Have you seen my grandchildren?"
The Severe section, where late-stage patients were housed, had seen many deaths.
The old woman regaining consciousness was like a ray of hope.
There's cure!
Lin Weihao arrived just as the nurse was attending to the woman. His gaze faltered when he saw her. In the past, most children and the elderly who caught the fever didn't survive.
"Brother Pei..." He called out.
"I know." Pei Zhi nodded before approaching the old woman.
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