"Alright! Even if those barricades you built can't stop the zombies, it shouldn't have become such a disaster, right? Right now, I just want to know how the fire started! Didn't I tell you, don't use fire, don't use fire, forget it?"

Zhang Su pressured Wang Longzhong. He originally thought that after a few days, once United Village moved over, everything would be perfect. He didn't expect that at the last moment, something would still happen at the quarry.

"Boss Zhang, I didn't want to start a fire either... This has to do with another change in those zombies besides their jumping ability!"

Wang Longzhong wanted to smoke a cigarette but found that his pack had long disappeared. He took one from Zhang Su, lit it, and continued, "Before the zombies climbed over the barricades, we used firearms for a few rounds of shooting. Once they climbed over, we immediately took up weapons to attack. The plan was to block the zombies and kill them, using the barricades and zombie bodies as cover. But then..."

"But then some of the zombies were different, some were like they were wearing armor from ancient generals in TV shows. Axes, hoes, and machetes would just bounce off with a puff of dust, the only way to kill them was to stab them in the eye sockets, they were too hard to kill!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su and the others exchanged glances, not interrupting Wang Longzhong, letting him continue.

"Cold weapons were ineffective, and some brothers started getting injured. I immediately ordered everyone to throw dynamite sticks, and the most terrible thing happened... After a few rounds of dynamite explosions, the zombies caught fire. Once they were on fire, they became stronger and faster, as if they had turned into something else, it was terrifying. No wonder you told us not to use fire!"

Zhang Su rubbed his temples, massaging them.

"We only recently learned through experimentation that once live zombies catch fire, their strength surges, as if they can draw energy from the flames. But eventually, the zombies will be burnt to death unless they accidentally fall into water. But you mentioned you couldn't cut through them... Dr. Fu, what do you think?"

Zhang Su didn't dwell on the fact that United Village ignited the zombies with dynamite. At that point, using the strongest weapons they had was only natural since they didn't know how fearful the burning zombies would become.

Fu Weijun furrowed his brows, adjusted his glasses, and murmured, "Can't cut through, increased defense, puffing dust... We've never seen such a change before. Are there many zombies with enhanced defense?"

Wang Longzhong pondered with a frown, nodding and then shaking his head, "Not too many, about three in every ten or so regular zombies, roughly thirty percent, I'd say!"

"That high a percentage?" Fu Weijun was shocked. He thought there would be around a dozen, but if it's thirty percent, that's several hundred. Frowning, he muttered, "Could it be that these zombies had some special encounter?"

Hearing this, Zhang Su suddenly realized, "Could it have something to do with those zombies being trapped in the quarry before?"

"Exactly, those zombies were ones we previously lured to the quarry, and the dead ones were thrown into the big pit there..." Wang Longzhong hurriedly added.

Duan Wuhu, standing with arms folded by the side, showed an animated expression upon hearing this: "Touch and transform, S.H.I.E.L.D. is here!"

Zhang Su's lips twitched. He didn't expect this PE teacher to have such a wide range of knowledge.

"How long has it been? When did the first batch of zombies get trapped in the quarry?"

Fu Weijun asked with keen interest.

"It was just days after the disaster broke out." Wang Longzhong answered without hesitation, vividly remembering the scene when they lured zombies to the quarry.

"You said the mutated zombies make up about thirty percent. The individual differences seem related to the time, changing according to the environment. This phenomenon is amazing!" Fu Weijun showed a strong excitement, rubbing his hands together, "Mr. Zhang, did you capture any alive?"

Zhang Su and Wang Longzhong both shook their heads...

"If there were live ones to study, it would be great. It's the first time I've heard of zombies mutating due to special encounters, this discovery is incredible!"

Fu Weijun seemed a bit anxious, constantly rubbing his hands, itching to experiment.

"But even without live zombies to dissect, one thing is certain, those zombies' defenses were enhanced, showing the characteristics of petrified skin, it definitely has to do with the quarry. Special environments cause unpredictable mutations in zombies, Mr. Zhang, don't worry about all the zombies outside turning like this, it's definitely an individual case!"

Fu Weijun analyzed with great confidence.

"If zombies can evolve petrified skin due to the quarry, then it's possible for zombies to evolve due to other environments, we just haven't encountered it yet."

Zhang Su believed that petrified skin was an exception, but he didn't feel relieved because of it.

Fu Weijun, however, was optimistic, waving his hand with a smile, "Special environments are rare to begin with, and even fewer zombies are affected by special environments. It needs to last about two months, and there might be other factors we don't know. Overall, individual conditions don't matter much, but combined together, it becomes very demanding."

"Let's hope so."

As the leader of the safety camp, Zhang Su could show a positive and optimistic attitude, but he was internally filled with worries, always preparing for the worst to survive well!

"Moreover... Mr. Zhang, who's to say mutated zombies can't be used by us?"

Fu Weijun looked at Zhang Su with shining eyes.

Zhang Su thought Fu Weijun's idea made sense. Nowadays, the number of zombies worldwide is a hundred times more than humans; if various uses could be developed, it would be a good direction.

In a short time, they had already discovered the high combustion rate characteristic of zombies. Zombie bodies were no longer discarded as waste and had found their use; additionally, live zombie thalamus could be used for healing injuries.

Research on zombies was only at its initial stage, and due to equipment limitations, they hadn't even clearly taken the first step. If the research environment could be improved, surely more discoveries would be made, and zombies would have more uses!

"Brother Su, Brother Su, two villagers on tricycles have arrived at the mountain gate, saying they come from United Village, looking clean!"

The walkie-talkie suddenly crackled with Wu Lue's voice, clearly questioning why the two hadn't joined the battle.

Zhang Su glanced at Wang Longzhong questioningly.

"Yes, yes, two brothers rode tricycles to lure the zombies away, it must be them!"

"I see, alright, you go check it out and then take them to rest, calm down your men, and we'll discuss any plans tomorrow!"

Zhang Su waved, signaling Wang Longzhong to leave.

As the door closed, Fu Weijun eagerly spoke, "Mr. Zhang, the special zombies are worth researching, and..."

He hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice, "Zombies are a double-edged sword, capable of harming both oneself and others!"

"Capable of harming both oneself and others!"

Fu Weijun's words struck a chord with Zhang Su, as his mind was continually haunted by the image of those burning zombies, crazed, bloodthirsty, and brutal!

If they could be weaponized, they would indeed be a powerful tool against human enemies.

After all, in this world, one must be wary not only of zombies but also of humans, with contingency plans for everything.

"We'll research this slowly, tomorrow I'll take some people and find a way to capture one; they've already been scattered by the United Village folks, so tracking one down shouldn't be too difficult!"

Zhang Su decided to take the initiative.

Finding solace in a corner is far from a lasting plan; gaining information ahead of others allows one to seize opportunities in the future, such as understanding the zombies' thalamus,—a discovery that he believes is globally advanced, to say it's leading is not an exaggeration.

The petrifying skin zombies are terrifying but have a high research value; no one knows what kind of aid it might bring to humanity, and research must begin quickly without significant risks!

"Alright, alright." Fu Weijun repeatedly agreed, nodding, "Thank you in advance, Mr. Zhang, once we achieve results, I will share them immediately with everyone."

Zhang Su could see that Fu Weijun was a pure scientific enthusiast; his interest lay in exploration, uncovering more unknown mysteries, and he cared little about how the findings should be used.

"Alright, let's leave it at that! It's getting late, you all rest, I'll go and check on the United Village folks."

Zhang Su glanced at the time, stood up, and left the room.

Before reaching the end of the corridor, he heard Duan Wuhu's puzzled voice from inside the room.

"Weijun, you mentioned using zombies as weapons, capable of harming both oneself and others, what does that mean?"

"It's literal; used properly, they can serve personal interests and pose a substantial threat to others." Fu Weijun replied calmly.

"But... don't you think that doing so is very... very, um..."

Duan Wuhu was stuck, unable to find the right word for a while, about four or five seconds later, he continued, "Don't you think this is too evil? Using the Alien Race against your own kind is not good."

"Brother Duan, we shouldn't indulge in too much emotional thinking now, I advise you to perceive things rationally; I can see Mr. Zhang is not a malevolent person, unlike Liao Youzhi, he wouldn't actively attack innocent survivors. If we assume this premise, then those to be dealt with must be enemies; enemies are enemies, Alien Race or human enemies, there's no difference!"

Fu Weijun's voice was very composed, sounding emotionless; as he said, viewing things with reasoning, absolute logic is truly frightening.

Zhang Su felt slightly stirred, not expecting their opinions to differ on this matter, nor expecting Fu Weijun to perceive so much; he lit a cigarette in the hallway, waiting for Duan Wuhu to speak.

"Perhaps I'm indeed not rational enough."

The voice carried a thick sense of desolation.

"I know Yu Nuo's situation hit you hard, but isn't this the charm of humanity? There's brilliance and darkness, all just aspects of humanity... I hope you walk out of this shadow soon, a woman like that is not worth the attachment!"

These words left Zhang Su stunned; if Fu Weijun hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have guessed there was a story between Duan Wuhu and Yu Nuo.

"All right, all right, don't bring up that woman, talking about her is annoying, I'm just whining; treat my words like nonsense."

"Hm, I'll read then; do you want to go out and have a look? We've come to their place, need to be a bit proactive. I have trouble with my legs, can only bother you."

"Saying that... fine, you rest, I'll go take a look!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su hurriedly walked down the stairs, nonchalantly leaving the yard, and heading towards Qingfeng Xiaozhu where An Dun United Village was stationed.