Chapter 706

Chapter 706: Genes

Haigang City

An aircraft landed in Lin Jiang’s manor. Lin Jiang welcomed Cao Ying as she stepped out of the aircraft with Stone King, who had shrunken to a normal human size.

"Shi Daredeng greets Ancestor Lin."

The Stone King bowed to Lin Jiang, and along the way, he learned about Lin Jiang’s true identity, knowing that Lin Jiang was now the king of the human race.

"No need for too much politeness, since you’ve come to Huaxia, you’re one of us now."

Lin Jiang was very polite and friendly to the Stone King. The Stone King was willing to surrender, which was a good thing. On a larger scale, it added a bit to the world’s diversity of creatures and on a smaller scale, it meant one less enemy in the future.

"Thank you, Ancestor Lin."

"In the future, the Stone King will live in the Cloud Mountain Range. The territory there is vast, with few people around. No one will disturb you. I will personally protect the Luanshi Mountain. There will be no one occupying that area later on. Your people will no longer suffer attacks."

Lin Jiang directly offered arrangements. He claimed a large piece of land in the Cloud Mountain Range as his personal territory, and it wouldn’t be a problem to arrange for a few people.

"Thank you, Ancestor Lin. I also want a library."

"A library?"

"Yes, actually, I’ve been reading a lot of books recently and I think there are many interesting things in this world beyond fighting and killing."

The Stone King said he surrendered not only because Cao Ying was too strong for him, but also because he accidentally found a library in the city he conquered. After reading many books in the library, he felt like he had a sudden realization that fighting and killing didn’t seem meaningful anymore.

"Reading is good, but libraries are too troublesome. I’ll give you artificial intelligence and access to top university-level materials."

Lin Jiang said. If Stone King wants to read, isn’t that a good thing? Feel free to read, I’ll grant you access to everything except some core technologies. I’m not afraid of you reading.

"No, Ancestor Lin, I don’t like computers. I want to read physical books, that’s where I feel something."

"Haha, alright, alright, physical books it is. I’ll get you a large one. Do you want some companions to read with you?"

"No, I don’t like human women."

"*cough cough*"

"Human women are too weak, not strong enough."

The Stone King said seriously, extending his hand and gesturing, revealing skin like granite.

Lin Jiang felt very upset. Cao Ying frowned and said, "The Stone King is an elf, they can’t have children. What are you thinking?"

"No, no, I’ll arrange it. I’ll go arrange it."

Lin Jiang left dejectedly. He couldn’t mention other women in front of Cao Ying, or she would get jealous.

······

On the southern part of the Ying Continent

In the dark and windy night, a group of people quietly landed on the coast. They had just returned from the Penglai Continent, which had been abandoned by the human race.

There weren’t many places on the whole Penglai Continent that were not contaminated by radiation, plus the rampant demon beasts. It was of little use, so it was simply abandoned.

However, this abandonment was for the overall environment. For some independent cultivators, the Penglai Continent was a treasure trove. Just think about how vast Penglai Continent is and how many treasures there are. Even a small find there could be more valuable than all the hard work they did in the Ying Continent.

If there’s money to be made, danger is nothing. What job isn’t dangerous?

So more and more people are going to Penglai Continent for adventures. Some are scavenging, mainly picking up human technology items. Some are hunting demon beasts, and some are mining illegally. As long as they are well protected, the danger of nuclear radiation is not as bad as being attacked by sea demons on the way.

"The radiation levels on our bodies are too high. We need to rest for a while and can’t go back in the short term."

"After finishing this job, we can take a break for a while. I plan to rest for three months."

"Okay, see you in three months. We need to upgrade our equipment because the monsters on the road are getting stronger. Several teams have lost manpower along the way."

After a brief discussion, the group quickly split up and disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind a mystery.

Two people arrived at a city in Ying Continent and entered a laboratory, handing a box to the people at the laboratory. The laboratory was their financial backer, and they had cooperated many times to capture demon beasts for the laboratory, easily earning money.

After receiving the money, the two quickly left, while the laboratory staff took the demon beast to the testing area.

"Chief Lu, this time they brought a Demon Insect, similar to an earthworm but with terrifying mouthparts…"

Several assistants said to a man in a white coat, who was their chief researcher, Lu Xuan.

"This isn’t a worm, it’s called a Demon Insect, a rare creature from the ancient cultivation era. Those hunters don’t know its value."

Lu Xuan said, he knew more than the ordinary researchers. He had a lot of information from the ancient cultivation era and knew this was a special Demon Insect.

"Yes, Chief Lu, how should we proceed with this research?"

"Let’s continue with genetic editing as before. We need to find the perfect way for evolution."

Lu Xuan mentioned that their research was semi-public. Ying Continent had set up a Spiritual Energy Research Institute, imitating Huaxia, to study the fusion of technology and cultivation.

Apart from the official institute, there were many private research organizations, like some biotech companies. They focused on specific areas, serving as a scientific supplement to Ying Continent, allowing them to conduct research.

However, Lu Xuan’s approach was reckless and unconventional, sometimes crossing ethical boundaries. For instance, he suggested gene editing on human babies to ensure they became top cultivation geniuses. He also proposed cloning genes of exceptional talents.

Because of his controversial research, Lu Xuan was expelled from Ying Continent’s Spiritual Energy Research Institute. Without some connections, he might have faced imprisonment.

Several researchers agreed and quickly got to work. Being a private enterprise, they valued efficiency. The higher their research efficiency, the more money they earned, avoiding any wastage.

At the same time, inside the Ying Continent’s Spiritual Energy Research Institute, Li Qing was listening to researchers’ reports. Ying Continent is far behind Huaxia in every aspect, so for Li Qing to make a breakthrough, she had to do something special.

So many years ago, Li Qing heavily invested in demon beasts, making Ying Continent’s people focus on researching demon beasts. They even kept it secret.

"So you mean, demon beasts have genes originating from the demon race, and by extracting these genes, they can be used as medicine or on people?"

"Yes, Head Master, we have made progress in this area. For example, demon beasts have a stronger ability to absorb energy from demon races compared to cultivators like us. If we absorb too much energy, there’s a risk of becoming possessed. But the demon race is stronger in this aspect than us, and demon beasts are even stronger than them. By extracting and refining these gene fragments, then making them into genetic elixirs, we cultivators can fuse these genes into our bodies. Even a small amount can help us absorb more energy."

"So, we can absorb spiritual energy faster?"

"Yes, we can overcome some environmental issues and there are many other useful applications, such as the regenerative abilities of certain demon beasts, which are our research directions."

"If your research is correct, you’ll be a hero to the human race."

Li Qing said that if these effects are real, cultivators could perhaps overcome the obstacle of talent, which is much better than the random effects of the Plastic Bone Pill from the past. This method is controllable.

"It’s all thanks to the wise guidance of the Head Master."

"I always give generous rewards, keep studying this, I will increase investment in you. Take some time to improve yourself, I will arrange for you to reach a higher level."

Li Qing also learned from her master, never hold back on giving rewards, you need to invest in order to see results.

Several researchers were excited, reaching a higher level means five hundred years of life extension, this reward is very important.

"Leader, even though we have expelled some troublemakers from the research institute, the whole institute’s research is unconventional. Will this cause problems?"

On the way out of the research institute, Zheng Yi expressed his worry about the unconventional research of these scientific enthusiasts to Li Qing.

"Don’t worry, everything is under control."

Li Qing explained that she had no choice. Huaxia was already leading in technology, if she wanted to surpass them, she had to take the unconventional approach.

She had to do what she could for now, she wasn’t too concerned about any issues arising because her skills have improved, she was close to reaching an advanced stage and dealing with any threats would be manageable.