The limping werewolf’s external appearance didn’t change much, but its internal structure had become plant-like. Thus, it had no vital points in the strict sense. Even if its neck was slit or its heart pierced, it would still be able to move and fight, which was a common characteristic of Dr. Feng’s mutated monsters.
However, despite Dr. Feng’s modifications significantly boosting the limping werewolf’s combat ability, its foundation was ultimately too weak. It was no match for Tao Qingqing fighting at full strength and was quickly torn to shreds by her.
The branches that fell to the ground attempted to gather and heal, but Tao Qingqing gave them no chance. She unleashed a crimson energy that completely destroyed them.
Throughout the entire process, Dr. Feng did not intervene. Instead, he meticulously took notes. Seeing the battle concluded, he closed his notebook and said to Tao Qingqing:
“You indeed possess authentic vampire powers, but you lack the weaknesses of vampires. If those old folks knew there was a unique bloodline like you, they would surely capture you for dissection and research.”
“Those old folks… do you know the upper echelons of the bloodline?” Tao Qingqing asked, her eyes shifting slightly.
Wen Wen had already notified Zhu Qipei and Master Feng Bei, and they were rushing to the location. Tao Qingqing’s mission was to stall for as much time as possible before their arrival.
Dr. Feng did not deny it: “I do have connections with those old folks. My previous batch of plant zombies was created by referencing your bloodline’s method of creating blood corpses. This knowledge cannot be obtained by researching ordinary vampires; it was data provided to me by a bloodline elder.”
Normally, people targeted by vampires would either be drained dry or transformed into new bloodline members. However, humans who died after being drained by certain special bloodlines would become blood corpses – beings with only a thirst for blood, completely devoid of reason or significant supernatural power.
“So, do you plan to hand me over to the bloodline’s upper echelons?”
Tao Qingqing inquired curiously. If Dr. Feng intended to hand her over to the bloodline, her mission could be considered complete.
“No, no, no,” Dr. Feng said, shaking his finger with a smile. “You are such fascinating material; why would I give you to anyone else? Naturally, I’ll keep you for my own research.”
Seeing the change in Dr. Feng’s gaze, Tao Qingqing knew he was about to make a move on her. She immediately transformed into bats and scattered, fleeing.
Although Wen Wen had instructed her to act as bait, she was unwilling to be captured without a fight. She wanted to at least attempt a simple resistance. These bats were all parts of her body; as long as she could escape with even a small portion, she would have escaped Dr. Feng’s control.
However, Tao Qingqing soon realized how naive she was. Evading a pursuit by an Apex-tier powerhouse in a confined space was not easy.
Thick plant branches burst forth from the walls, the floor, and beneath the experimental benches. These branches grew into various lush plants, blocking all of Tao Qingqing’s bats. She had no chance of escaping.
Thus, she could only reluctantly reassemble her body, putting on a terrified expression as she looked at Dr. Feng.
Dr. Feng smiled and said, “This is my important laboratory. Did you really think I wouldn’t have anything set up here? This place is a massive plant trap. The moment you entered, escape was impossible, much like a fly entering a Venus flytrap!”
The plants slowly closed in, gradually shrinking Tao Qingqing’s space to move. Despite Tao Qingqing’s continuous struggle, she was eventually bound tightly by these plants.
Seeing Tao Qingqing captured, Dr. Feng also breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew someone in the city was tracking him. Therefore, to prevent this laboratory from being discovered, he had significantly reduced its defenses and removed anything that emitted power fluctuations.
Whether it was the parasitic grass controlling the orphanage teachers and children outside or the vines spreading around the laboratory, all of it was an extension of himself.
This intricate setup should not have been discovered, but who knew that because of that limping werewolf, Tao Qingqing stumbled upon this place by chance.
The reason he gave Tao Qingqing so much time to explore was to see if she had any accomplices or if she had transmitted information about this place. Only after confirming that Tao Qingqing had no outward signs of contact did he emerge to confront her.
Dr. Feng placed Tao Qingqing on an experimental bench and said, “You took many things from me before. Can you return them to me now?”
He was referring to the experimental materials Tao Qingqing had sent to the containment facility. While those items were not valuable, many of them were difficult to find, and reassembling them would waste a considerable amount of time.
Tao Qingqing shook her head. She had no way to retrieve items that had already been sent to the containment facility.
Dr. Feng’s expression turned cold. Tao Qingqing had no storage equipment, so he had no idea where those items were.
“Since you are being so uncooperative, then there’s nothing I can do.”
He turned around and began to mix a potion using the remaining materials. From Tao Qingqing’s perspective, it looked like he was just throwing various things together. Finally, he drew a tube of blood from his own body and added it to the potion.
After loading the potion into a syringe, Dr. Feng said to Tao Qingqing:
“After being captured by me, you didn’t contact anyone, but you didn’t despair. Perhaps you believed someone would come to rescue you, or perhaps you have some hidden means and are confident you can escape from me.”
“But did you think I would let someone rescue you after capturing you? No, I won’t give anyone that opportunity.”
“Killing you directly is the safest option. However, to use you to complete my experiment, I do need you to live a little longer. Therefore, I will first turn you into my property.”
“This syringe contains my specially formulated toxin. Once injected, you will lose your will, and even if someone rescues you, you will never recover. You will only serve as my experimental material!”
Upon seeing the green syringe, Tao Qingqing finally showed true fear. If Wen Wen didn’t appear soon, she was truly finished.
One second, two seconds… The air was so still that the drop of a needle could be heard clearly. Dr. Feng waited for about ten seconds before raising the pale green syringe and grinning sinisterly at Tao Qingqing.
“It seems no miracle has occurred. Farewell, then.”
The long syringe plunged towards Tao Qingqing’s chest. She could only close her eyes in despair.
But at that very moment, a dark hand blocked the syringe.
“My suspicions were correct. Someone really came to save her, and they appeared out of thin air!”
Dr. Feng’s heart trembled, but his expression immediately turned fierce, and his movements did not stop as he lunged directly at the hand.
The syringe in his hand was custom-made, capable of piercing the skin of disaster-level monsters. While this potion might not incapacitate an Apex-tier powerhouse, it could at least weaken the incoming adversary.