Chapter 585: Chapter 585

As they walked, many people were overwhelmed by the strong smell and vomited uncontrollably. The intense aroma, similar to that of a decaying corpse, especially affected those who had never encountered it before, causing them to throw up without warning.

Of course, for Jing Shu, who had endured the year-long disaster of super stinky eggs in her previous life, she was much calmer this time around. Among the crowd, she kept her composure and pulled out a protective mask from her trouser pocket to wear, while also distributing them to the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association members near her—handing out one to each person so that they wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the stench and faint during the competition.

Upon arriving, the situation was much more horrific than Jing Shu had imagined, with the sound of miserable cries audible from afar.

The abandoned stadium was massive. Countless makeshift beds were partitioned off in the center, packed with people lying on them, so many that one couldn’t see the end at a glance.

How many people must there be?

If the first batch, at least, could still manage to curse and scream loudly, the majority of those here could only lie on the ground groaning. Only a few with severe reactions were screaming loudly.

This place was filled with people infected by parasites!

Arriving here, if the members of the various Medicine Associations didn’t understand what the third round of the competition was about, they would have been living in vain, though they could mostly guess what it entailed.

But with current methods, they could only intervene. The effectiveness of medications was not very significant. Consequently, doctors were seen ceaselessly moving among the parasite-infected patients.

In just a short while, the incessant BEEPING echoed through the hall. Two waves of resuscitations were conducted, and the atmosphere was incredibly tense since at any moment, someone could die from organ failure or various other causes.

Having lived through the apocalypse for so many years, most disasters resulted in instant death. If victims weren’t found already deceased, it was rare to witness such anguished, tortured departures from life as these.

Jing Shu’s eyes narrowed into slits as she recalled her previous life when numerous disasters struck. She shivered, praying desperately for everything to pass quickly, praying to survive. Her parents were still alive; how could she dare die? She wanted to become strong, but the times were harsh. Apart from silently following the Huaxia Government, they had no other lifeline.

Back then, they were just like the people here today, living in pain and difficulty. But as long as they had the will to survive, they struggled to hang on. Unfulfilled wishes and family ties meant they dared not die. Those without the desire to live had passed away early, which could be considered an early reincarnation.

Taking a deep breath, Jing Shu felt for the first time that her decision was right. In this life, she had encountered and planted a large number of Bodhi trees early on.

However, the Chief Referee didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping and continued to walk forward.

Could everyone have guessed wrong?

"We need to go to the back."

"This area is just a part of the parasite-infected patients; further back, there is a section dedicated to children."

A realization dawned on several people all at once.

The number of children infected by parasites was not small, and they were also segregated into a separate area. However, this section was much more eerie. The children lay quietly on the ground, as if... they were asleep. In any case, it was far quieter than the other section, with hardly any groaning or screaming.

If it weren’t for the doctors’ intermittent check-ups and the BEEPING of the ECG machine, everyone would have doubted whether these children were...

What’s going on here?

The Chief Referee finally stopped. "These are the future hopes of our Huaxia," he said. "Now, use whatever methods you have at your disposal and prioritize the children. Save as many as we can."

Then another referee said, "According to the procedure, we have to first enter into the drug trial, check the records, and so on. But now, resources are scarce, and we can’t afford to delay any further. Children are not like adults. Even if these children are hanging on by a thread each day with the aid of Bodhi and precious drugs like anesthesia and sleeping aids, they won’t last much longer. We can administer the medication directly."

Minister Zhao wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes. "The third round of the competition is very simple," he said. "Over here, we have the new drug formulas that our team has developed, which will be made public for everyone’s reference."

"Next, there are no restrictions on any means, including the red New Energy that you obtained from other channels. Use whatever you have. This round of competition is about your methods and how high a suppression rate for parasites you can achieve."

Soon, the various pharmacy ratios were published, followed by detailed data. The current highest suppression rate was 86%. With the data from the epidemic prevention department and various precious medicinal materials and Bodhi gathered these days, the members of these Medicine Associations were quite confident.

The Chief Referee looked excitedly at Jing Shu, recalling Old Zhao’s claim of a 99% suppression rate. Although he knew Old Zhao wouldn’t lie, the tension was still nerve-racking. He then announced, "So, let the third round of the competition begin. Everyone, please do your best. The results will be based on the suppression rate." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

"Grandpa! Grandpa! I’m over here!"

Just then, a clear but weak voice rang out. A pair of bright eyes stared this way, neither innocent nor naïve, but unexpectedly wise. The small head tilted as if seeing right through everything.

"Er Qiu, what nonsense are you spouting? How did you wake up?" The Chief Referee, flustered, strode over, anxiously looking at the doctor.

The little boy wiped his sweat and shook his head with effort. "Grandpa, I refused the anesthesia and sleep medicine," he said. "I’m afraid that after taking the medicine, I might never wake up again and never see this beautiful world."

Even Boss Zhang, a tough man who had been through wars, couldn’t help his tears. His grandson was truly...

"That’s not true, Great-grandfather!" a skinny child suddenly piped up. "He said he wanted to save the medicine for other children, that he can bear the pain."

Boss Zhang nodded, knowing it was the truth. Then he suddenly glared at the skinny child. "How are you awake too?"

"It’s... it’s all my fault Er Qiu is . If only I hadn’t fed him red earthworms back then, he wouldn’t have gotten infected. If Er Qiu isn’t taking the medicine, I won’t either!"

"Good, good, you are both real men!" Boss Zhang bowed his head, taking the chance to discreetly wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.

It was at this moment that Jing Shu, accompanied by the pharmacists from Wu City, approached. Minister Zhao introduced them brightly, "Xiao Jing, let me introduce you. This young friend here is Boss Zhang’s grandson, his nickname is Er Qiu. And this is his good friend, Tie Dan."

Jing Shu smiled and squatted down. Er Qiu was still sweating from enduring the pain. It pained her to see such a sensible and well-behaved child, only ten years old, suffering so much. She couldn’t help but pat his head. "So you’re Er Qiu? I’m Jing Shu," she said gently. "I know a smart kid named Niu Yanben, just like you. Once you’re better, I’ll introduce you two. Oh, and you too, Tie Dan. You can all play together."

Er Qiu’s lips cracked into a smile, and he nodded gently. "If such a day comes, I would be very happy."

At that moment, Danai retrieved her secretly made Black Pills.