Chapter 87: Failure of Genetic Modification

Of course, according to Wang Zhenling’s observations, this world has already begun to show such trends, though it has not yet fully developed to that extent.

The reason for saying so much is that the so-called seriously ill person is naturally a small-time wealthy individual.

Of course, this so-called small-time wealthy individual is relative to those true oligarchs who dominate large multinational corporations.

Those people have fortunes worth billions and can easily be called major tycoons by any measure.

Yet now, it is evident that this major tycoon’s situation is dire.

Although he resides in the city’s most upscale and well-equipped private hospital, none of the treatments seem to offer any relief to his condition.

This tycoon’s life hangs by a thread; his entire body looks as if it has been subjected to nuclear radiation, covered with tumors and abscesses, many of which have burst and are oozing pus.

A patient like this, if not wealthy enough to afford the best medical care, would have long since perished.

Wang Zhenling merely glanced at him and frowned, then looked toward Liu Yun.

What use is it to call him over for such a patient?

Could he be some immortal capable of curing such a disease?

Liu Yun is nothing but a fraud—wearing a vest, sporting a long beard, and carrying an air of ethereal detachment.

But according to the records of Zhenyunzi, this outer disciple relies solely on his good looks to swindle wealthy clients through trickery and deception.

Of course, Zhenyunzi himself has little standing or right to criticize Liu Yun.

Many times, the funds Liu Yun defrauded ultimately flowed into the account of the Juntian Sect.

In fact, many of the scams were orchestrated and supported behind the scenes by Zhenyunzi himself.

Now, Wang Zhenling appears as Zhenyunzi’s junior disciple, Zhenlingzi.

His displeased gaze toward Liu Yun immediately made Liu Yun shudder and hastily try to explain, “It’s not that I insisted on saving him. His family approached me, persistently begging, so I had no choice...”

Wang Zhenling replied bluntly, “With a disease like that, what could I possibly do? You created this mess; you should handle it yourself.”

He had initially thought this tycoon truly suffered some incurable illness. He considered that some so-called incurable diseases might still have solutions, so he decided to come and take a look.

But now, with the man’s condition so grave, what could he possibly do?

Wang Zhenling was no immortal capable of resurrecting the dead or mending shattered flesh.

Their conversation did not even rouse the sleeping tycoon.

Only the elderly woman standing nearby—Mr. Ma’s wife—spoke awkwardly as she watched their quarrel.

“Master, please don’t blame Mr. Liu. It was I who insisted on bringing my husband here... I know my husband’s illness is beyond cure. I only hope that after he dies, you can perform a ritual to help him transcend, so he will not become a malevolent spirit.”

Wang Zhenling frowned slightly, almost wanting to reply bluntly that in their world, becoming a ghost is not so simple.

The laws here have mutated, spiritual energy has dissipated, and even becoming a vengeful ghost is difficult.

Then, suddenly recalling the video he had just seen moments ago, a thought flashed through his mind.

He asked, “Mrs. Ma, why do you think Mr. Ma will become a ghost after death?”

Mrs. Ma gave a bitter smile. “Because my husband underwent a gene modification surgery to extend his life.”

Wang Zhenling frowned again. Gene modification surgery to extend life?

“Few people know that Titan Corporation’s life-extension gene surgery is still immature, with a very high failure rate.

Once the operation fails, the gene conflicts cause the body to collapse, often far worse than severe nuclear radiation, with the entire body festering and rotting,” Mrs. Ma said dryly.

“Then why go through with it?” Liu Yun asked curiously.

“My husband was already very old and riddled with diseases. Besides, we didn’t know these risks before the surgery.

Only after the operation failed did we investigate and discover that Titan Corporation had deceived the public.

They claimed the gene surgery was perfect, yet it carried such a high failure rate!”

Wang Zhenling remained silent, then asked, “What is the failure rate?”

“One in ten thousand,” Mrs. Ma answered helplessly.

Wang Zhenling smiled calmly. “I suppose even if Mr. Ma had known such a failure rate, he would still have undergone the surgery. People like him tend to think they won’t be the unlucky one.”

He had not asked earlier because he knew that wealthy men fear death—they would try such procedures despite the risks, hoping for a chance.

A failure rate of one in ten thousand means that among ten thousand people, one will fail; most would assume it won’t be them.

Mr. Ma was clearly very old; even without the surgery, he wouldn’t have lived much longer.

“Did you not sue Titan Corporation or expose this matter?” Liu Yun interjected again, now a bit fearful himself.

He had been saving enough money and was even planning to undergo this surgery soon.

Mrs. Ma replied, “My husband was not the first nor the last to experience failure with Titan’s surgery.

But apart from some rumors quickly deleted online, where is any negative news about them?”

Wang Zhenling nodded slightly, agreeing with Mrs. Ma.

Who would care about such things?

Who is not afraid to die? Who does not long for immortality?

Though Titan’s technology is flawed, it represents hope and can still be improved.

Even government officials, aware of the one-in-ten-thousand failure rate, would help conceal it.

In fact, Mr. Ma likely knew the risks but still spent a fortune on the surgery.

If Wang Zhenling were an ordinary person, even knowing the flaws, he too would probably try it, clinging to hope.

Especially for those old and facing death, the impulse is even stronger.

Yet Wang Zhenling still did not understand how this related to ghosts.

Mrs. Ma’s expression turned fearful.

“It’s a secret... Something we discovered later.

We found that many people who suffered gene surgery failure experienced supernatural phenomena.

Some even had their entire families perish.

Upon investigation, it seemed this was no coincidence—everyone who failed the surgery would become a malevolent spirit.

But later, all evidence was erased, as if it had never happened.

It must have been Titan Corporation covering it up...”