Ji Yizhi still found it hard to believe that the Peach Blossom Base could achieve a breakthrough in just a few days. After all, every faction had been researching the Evolution Potion for so long with so little to show for it. Blue Star’s technological level had its limits, and no one could break past that barrier.
"I know what you mean," Wang Jun said quietly. "But the world isn’t what it used to be. We can’t keep thinking about things the old way!"
Ji Yizhi was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
"It looks like the next trade will likely be for the Evolution Potion. Our previous bet is still on, right?" Long Zhan said, smiling at Ji Yizhi.
"Of course it does. I’m not a sore loser!" Ji Yizhi had no intention of going back on his word.
Long Zhan gave him a thumbs-up. "You’re a real man!"
Just then, a request came in from the lab for permission to conduct live-subject experiments.
Both Wang Jun and Ji Yizhi received the request.
"Captain Ji, what do you think? Should we approve their request for live-subject experiments?" Wang Jun asked, frowning at Ji Yizhi.
Ji Yizhi’s brow was also furrowed. He wanted his researchers to continue experimenting, but he was worried they would make no progress and waste the captives from Lvzhi Country.
"You know, there’s no need to agonize over this," Long Zhan suddenly suggested. "Since Peach Blossom Base said they’ll have results in a few days, why not just wait and see? You can have the lab spend that time studying the research data more thoroughly or designing a few more experimental protocols. The next few days will fly by. If Peach Blossom Base still hasn’t made any progress by then, you can approve the lab’s request. It won’t cause any major delays."
Wang Jun nodded slightly. "That’s a good idea. We can stall for a bit."
"Okay, we’ll send that response for now," Ji Yizhi agreed.
When the lab received the rejection notice, all the researchers were stunned for a moment.
In the past, no matter what they requested, their superiors had always approved it. This was the first time they had ever been rejected!
"What’s going on? Don’t the captains always prioritize the Evolution Potion experiments?"
"Yeah, in the past, everything else made way for the Evolution Potion experiments. Why would they suddenly reject our request this time?"
"Could it be because we haven’t made any progress and our superiors are starting to have second thoughts?"
"Let’s not overthink it. The superiors also ordered us to study the data more and design more experimental protocols, right? Maybe they’re planning to run everything at once!"
"That makes sense. We should have a solid plan before we act. Let’s focus on perfecting the experimental protocols first!"
The researchers nodded in agreement and went back to poring over the experimental data they had obtained from the Han Jin Association Fleet.
Two days passed in a flash. On the morning of the third day, Hua Lingfang excitedly reported to Ren Yuanyang.
"Chief, we’ve confirmed that the thrice-enhanced baked licorice has the strongest effect. The potency decreases with fewer enhancements. I’ve already sent you the specific data."
Ren Yuanyang nodded, then opened his phone to look through the data Hua Lingfang had sent.
The experimental data showed that any Evolution Potion prepared with medicinally-enhanced licorice could trigger evolution in lab mice, but the duration and the process itself varied.
The once-enhanced licorice took forty-eight hours for the evolution to complete. The process was painful, causing the lab mice to become extremely agitated and restless.
The pain affects various bodily systems and can lead to myocardial ischemia, even myocardial infarction, and can also worsen pre-existing conditions.
In other words, an Evolution Potion made from this type of licorice would pose a certain degree of risk to human users.
The twice-enhanced licorice required twenty-four hours. The process was still painful, but observations of the lab mice suggested it was a tolerable level of pain.
The thrice-enhanced licorice required only twelve hours, and no pain was observed during the process.
However, using baked licorice further reduced the level of pain, making the process of becoming an Evolutionary Form even smoother.
The three days of experiments also determined the optimal time for decocting the licorice and the ideal ratio for mixing it with the semi-finished Evolution Potions.
After reviewing the experimental data, Ren Yuanyang walked over to the cage of the most recently evolved lab mice and reached his hand inside.
The lab mice that had completed their evolution were still docile. Ren Yuanyang gently stroked them.
[Evolved Lab Mouse: Earth-Type. Can instinctively use Earth-Type Superpower. Physique comprehensively enhanced...]
Seeing the system prompt, Ren Yuanyang thought to himself, ’Looks like there are no problems.’
"Chief, can we have the Aircraft Carrier Base help us conduct the live-subject experiments now?" Hua Lingfang asked, seeing that Ren Yuanyang had finished reviewing the data.
Ren Yuanyang nodded slightly. "Go ahead and start brewing some Baked Licorice Decoctions. Prepare fifty portions of each of the three types we agreed on beforehand."
"Understood!" Hua Lingfang replied, and immediately started brewing the decoctions.
Over the past three days, Hua Lingfang had harvested more licorice from Lin Mu and gotten some honey from Wang Feng. For now, they had a plentiful supply of baked licorice.
As time went on, these ingredients would only become more plentiful.
Ren Yuanyang thought for a moment before sending a message to Wang Jun: "Captain Wang, how many captives do you have left?"
Wang Jun was slightly taken aback by the message, but he replied at once: "We should have about five hundred left."
"The Feixiang Aircraft Carrier had over three thousand people, didn’t it? You’re certainly getting your payback with those captives!" Ren Yuanyang replied, chuckling.

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