Chapter 32: Breakthrough! Genetic Optimizer

Lin Xinghai certainly did not know that a certain baseless hobby of his had been taken as fact and was now spreading. Of course, even if he had known, he would have... ahem! He still would have cared quite a bit. However, this actually helped him in an invisible way; at the very least, it provided a cover for his behavior.

Lin Xinghai had no time to worry about what others thought. He happily opened his system panel. His Blood Qi energy, which had been reduced to 61 points during the process of continuously improving his marksmanship proficiency, was now displayed on the screen:

Host: Lin Xinghai
Constitution: 24 points
Strength: 20 points
Speed: 29 points
Blood Qi Energy: 93 points
Genetic Optimization Level: 29%+
Basic Shooting Technique: 70%+ proficiency

93 points of Blood Qi energy—no matter how he looked at it, it felt fantastic! Of course, something even better was to come. He secretly pulled two bottles of genetic reagent from his pocket and drank them in one gulp. As the system notification chimed, Lin Xinghai looked at the panel again; his Blood Qi energy had reached 103 points.

"It broke a hundred! It finally broke a hundred!"

Lin Xinghai suppressed the excitement in his heart and clicked the "+" sign next to his Genetic Optimization Level. A selection box popped up. Lin Xinghai first chose "Awaken Ability Promotion," and then selected "Consume 100 points of Blood Qi energy to awaken ability."

As 100 points of Blood Qi energy were deducted from his panel, Lin Xinghai felt a giant furnace ignite inside his body, with every corner of his being set ablaze. The sudden, intense pain caused him to grunt and break into a cold sweat. At the same time, a unique aura began to radiate from him, from the inside out.

Qin Yang was the first to sense this aura. His subconscious reaction was that his senses had failed him. But when he glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Lin Xinghai’s pained expression and red skin, he was instantly jolted.

"How is this possible!" He could hardly believe it.

The aura emanating from Lin Xinghai continued to tell him that the man was breaking through the first genetic lock. So-called genetic locks only appear when one’s genetic optimization level reaches 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100%. If all four locks are broken, the level of life is sublimated, leading to a new realm.

Right now, Lin Xinghai was breaking the first genetic lock. This meant his genetic optimization level had reached 30%, and he was about to become a Genetic Optimizer. No matter how unbelievable Qin Yang found this to be, he reacted immediately by steering the multipurpose off-road vehicle to a slow stop.

It is highly taboo to be disturbed while breaking a genetic lock. At best, one might cough up blood; at worst, one could be bedridden for months.

The vehicle stopping caught the attention of the entire team. Roger frowned and quickened his pace as he hurried over. However, as he came within three meters of the vehicle, he too felt that inexplicable aura. His expression changed, and he flashed to the window, staring intently at Lin Xinghai with utter disbelief.

The others had already found the vehicle stopping strange, and upon seeing Roger’s expression, they knew something had happened and rushed over. Without exception, as they drew within three meters of the car, they all wore expressions of seeing a ghost.

"This is too exaggerated! It took me a full half a year to break the first genetic lock and become a Genetic Optimizer," Xu Haishui couldn't help but say.

"That’s just because you’re slow. It only took me three months," Wu Yan retorted.

Xu Haishui was choked up and replied with some annoyance, "That only proves you had a better job than I did back then. If I could have joined a mercenary group from the start, I could have broken through in a month at most."

"That still wouldn't have been possible. Your genetic rating is only D-grade. Even if you joined a mercenary group, you’d only get one bottle of genetic reagent a week, four a month. Even counting what you bought yourself, it wouldn't have been enough to break through." Wu Yan’s statement was a mere fact, but it left Xu Haishui with nothing to say.

The atmosphere turned awkward and silent. Xu Haishui decided not to talk to this blockhead with zero emotional intelligence. He turned to Roger and asked, "Old Luo, I heard you fronted the cost for A-Xing’s genetic reagents. Just how much stock did you pull out?"

"Six bottles!" Roger said after a brief silence.

"Six bottles? How could that little amount be enough to break through?" Xu Haishui was shocked again. He remembered that it had taken him over half a year and 17 bottles of genetic reagent to break through.

"Theoretically, it is possible." A cold voice sounded. The group looked over to see Shen Han, who had climbed down from her mech and arrived by the car. As she spoke, she kept her gaze on Lin Xinghai, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

The theory she spoke of was only feasible under many prerequisites. For instance, Lin Xinghai’s base genetics would need to be at 10% of the theoretical human limit. Furthermore, his genetic rating would need to be A-grade to allow for perfect absorption of the reagents. If that were the case, one bottle could increase his level by 5%, and two bottles would raise his base genetics from 10% to 20%. After surpassing 20%, the effect of the reagents would be halved, but he would still only need four more bottles to reach 30%.

But... did Lin Xinghai meet the conditions for the theoretical limit? She had thought of this, and naturally, so had the others.

"Isn't it said his genetic rating is B-grade? And what I don't understand most is the speed at which he absorbs the reagent..." Xu Haishui raised his question, but was interrupted halfway by Fang Tianhe.

"That’s enough on that topic!" He scanned the circle and said, "As you suspect, Lin Xinghai is a bit special. As for how special, I will keep it confidential for now. Also, you must keep today’s events a secret."

"Our Sky-Splitting Mercenary Group is still too weak. If we want to become strong—strong to the point where no one can shake us—we need powerful individuals, true experts."

"Alright, enough said. Everyone, go back to your posts and keep watch! Don't let those zombies get close." With that, Fang Tianhe waved his hand.

The others dispersed, their faces thoughtful and their eyes gradually burning with excitement. Initially, these people had felt a bit of resistance, or even jealousy, toward Lin Xinghai joining the group. After all, they knew that with his talent, he would eventually threaten their status. But when the gap in talent grew to the point where they could only look up to him, that sense of comparison vanished.

When Fang Tianhe described a bright future that was tied to their own interests, their thoughts shifted in a completely different direction. Who wouldn't want the Sky-Splitting Mercenary Group to grow stronger? It would be even better if they could become a Tier 3 mercenary group.

Seeing everyone disperse, Fang Tianhe whispered to Shen Han, "What do you think?"

"Perhaps his unique constitution allows for perfect absorption of the reagents. But his initial genetics couldn't possibly be at 10%," Shen Han replied softly.

"You, don't think about it too much. Everyone has their secrets, don't you?" Fang Tianhe patted her shoulder. Shen Han’s gaze drifted away involuntarily, and she nodded gently.

Time ticked by. Five minutes later, the unique aura around Lin Xinghai gradually receded, and he opened his eyes. From this moment on, he was a Genetic Optimizer.