"Has the Iron Golem's road of enhancement really hit a dead end?"
A young researcher asked, unwilling to accept it.
Everyone fell silent.
Inside the Materials Research Institute, an elderly scientist stared at the unresponsive Iron Golem and finally gave a helpless sigh.
Meanwhile, in the base's Intelligence Analysis Room.
The atmosphere was tense and hectic; dozens of supercomputers were running at full power, cracking the black data box smuggled back from The Fortress.
As the progress bar filled, masses of encrypted files were instantly decompressed and displayed before everyone.
The first physical document scan that greeted them was a cooperation memo between Divine Judgement Base and Indomitus Base.
"According to intelligence, within the last three months the global evolution speed of zombies has shown explosive growth."
"Sightings of Fifth-tier zombies are frequent everywhere; commanders capable of directing hordes have even appeared, further compressing humanity's living space."
"In view of this, Divine Judgement Base and Indomitus propose establishing an offensive–defensive alliance…"
Staff skimmed these strategic platitudes, then locked their eyes on a folder marked TOP SECRET.
"In-Depth Analysis of the crystal sound Relic and Conjectures on source crystal"
"Found it—this is the one."
Everyone perked up.
The file opened, detailing Divine Judgement Base multi-year study of the white levitating object.
"crystal sound, a strange symbiont that arrived with a meteorite, possesses a unique biological energy-extraction mechanism: devouring zombie flesh to refine pure energy crystals."
"Yet this is only its surface function."
The latter half of the document carried a line in bold red.
"When crystal sound has devoured enough zombies and its core energy reserve reaches a critical point, it will undergo qualitative change and expel an ultimate product named source crystal."
"The special energy inside source crystal has purity and level surpassing energy crystals by a hundred-fold."
"In theory it can trigger ultimate evolution in organisms."
However, the file ended with Divine Judgement Base's frustration.
"Regrettably, we once fed it 100,000 zombies in a month, yet crystal sound's core energy still failed to reach saturation."
"Limited by zombie-capture difficulty and base-defense pressure, the source crystal project has been suspended indefinitely."
"No wonder…"
Everyone suddenly understood.
The massive core energy inside crystal sound—always taking in and never releasing—had been incubating this source crystal.
As for what source crystal actually did, Divine Judgement Base hadn't figured it out either; the record stopped there, but that was already enough.
News spread rapidly through every research institute.
"Source crystal—that's exactly what we want."
The Materials Research Institute staff saw red.
"Quick—full throttle on the fully automated zombie farm!"
"Stuff it, stuff it like crazy; Divine Judgement Base couldn't catch enough zombies, but we've got plenty—feed it till it pukes!"
"And keep using satellites to search for any other crystal sound out there—protect them all."
With the order given, inside that majestic obsidian cage the feeding line ramped into overdrive; the lump of crystal sound locked in the cell was about to enjoy the happiest binge-eating moment of its crystal life.
It was about to enjoy the happiest binge-eating moment of its crystal life.
On the frontline battlefield, above a ruined wasteland.
Steve didn't rush back; he still hovered in the air, controlling that peak-state Super zombie.
"Since the real body has awakened ice, I'd better figure out the logic behind it."
Steve focused, stirring the chill deep in his soul.
On the Super zombie's gigantic palm a terrifying ten-meter ice spear condensed in an instant.
But that wasn't the end; as Steve poured in more power, the spear became wreathed in green zombie toxin and wild red light—the perfect fusion of zombie physique and ice ability.
Boom!
With a casual throw the ice spear fell like a meteor, freezing a small hill into an ice sculpture before exploding into a skyful of ice dust.
"Just as I thought."
Steve nodded in satisfaction.
"My soul is the source of the attribute, but the power released depends entirely on the strength of the body I'm currently controlling."
"Cast it with the real body and it's just refrigerator-level; cast it with this Tier 4 zombie and it's absolute zero."
"Which means, as long as I stack this body's stats higher, my ability becomes stronger in this world."
Reassured, Steve… finished testing. Dawn was breaking in the east.
Steve withdrew his consciousness from zombie world and slowly opened his eyes.
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtain gap onto the bed; Xishan Villa was quiet and peaceful.
He got up and walked out, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.
In the living room the TV murmured softly, and appetizing aromas drifted from the kitchen.
Stefanie, who usually slept till noon on weekends, was up at the crack of dawn today, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone in high spirits.
Nicole was already busy preparing a hearty breakfast in the kitchen.
Looks like the strengthening serum hasn't just boosted physiques—it's given everyone extra energy too, Steve mused with an inward smile.
"Big bro? You're up."
Hearing the noise, Stefanie immediately peeked over from the sofa, eyes sparkling.
"Did you go to work?"
"No, nothing big over there right now; everything's proceeding on schedule."
Steve sat down opposite her and poured himself a glass of water.
He quickly reviewed the current situation in his mind.
Crystal sound is still charging up to produce source crystal; on the Tier-4 genetics side, Tier 4 zombies are being hospitably entertained, continually sending arms to the Biological Research Institute for gene extraction; as for that so-called Divine Judgement Base… Steve gave a cold laugh—according to intel, Zeus is probably fuming at his antics and assembling troops for a counterattack.
But he wasn't in a hurry.
In a zombie world where transport is basically by foot, it would take days for a large force to cross hundreds of kilometers of wilderness.
Not everyone has an Enderman's limitless teleportation to get around so outrageously fast.
"Since they want to die, let them take their time walking; by the time they arrive my Tier-4 legion should be ready—perfect for a rested-against-weary, shut-the-gates-and-beat-the-dog scenario."
With that settled, Steve relaxed completely.
"Bro, since you're free today…"
Stefanie set her phone down and scooted closer, eyes full of expectation and coquetry.
"Come stroll with me? You've either stayed cooped up in your room or gone to that mystery base these days—you haven't even seen what the capital looks like, right?"
Looking at his sister's vibrant smile, Steve felt a soft tug at his heart.