Chapter 269: Humanoid Combat Soldier

In her inner torment and longing, Xia Madam staked her entire family's fortune. Meanwhile, in the core research fields of the New Era, a silent yet profoundly far-reaching technological revolution was quietly accelerating, fueled by data analysis from Kunlun Mountain and the ongoing probes of Pioneer One.

Outside a highly classified biological engineering laboratory at the Command Center.

Qin Feng, accompanied by Su Wenqian and Biological Department head Academician Chen, gazed through a special-material observation window into the interior.

In the center of the laboratory, inside a cylindrical nutrient maintenance chamber, immersed in pale blue cultivation fluid, was not some strange biological tissue, but a highly biomimetic humanoid body.

The body's lines were fluid, muscle textures clearly visible, skin texture nearly indistinguishable from a living human's, yet its internal skeleton glowed with the dark luster unique to Obsidian Type-C crystals, and its neural network was composed of biological fibers infused with special energy-conducting materials. Its eyes were closed, its face a featureless standardized template, floating silently as if in deep sleep.

"Sir, this is the Guardian series, first-generation prototype, serial number G-01," said Academician Chen, his voice trembling with barely contained excitement and a touch of awe. "We integrated the latest bio-printing technology, Obsidian Type-C composite skeletal material, a high-density energy core, and a primitive neural sensing network based on Quantum Entanglement. Its physical strength, Environmental Adaptation, energy endurance, and information processing speed all far surpass any known single-soldier combat unit."

Su Wenqian stared at the powerful, technologically advanced body, her brow slightly furrowed: "Academician Chen, I recall this project's original intent was to develop a 'high-adaptability biomimetic platform' for extreme-environment operations and hazardous-area exploration." Her gaze swept over the standardized weapon-mounting interfaces faintly visible at the body's joints.

Academician Chen's smile turned slightly awkward as he adjusted his glasses: "Er… yes, Assistant Su. The base platform does possess formidable operational capabilities. However, after evaluating its performance potential, we believe it also holds immense application value in… specific security and rapid-response roles. Look at its reaction speed and load capacity…"

Qin Feng paid no attention to their exchange. His gaze remained fixed on the G-01 prototype, his expression calm, as if evaluating a tool.

"Activate combat mode demonstration," he said softly.

"Yes!" Academician Chen immediately issued commands to the control console.

The fluid inside the nutrient chamber drained rapidly; moisture on the humanoid's surface evaporated instantly. It snapped open its "eyes"—not biological orbs, but two composite sensors glowing with cold red light.

Crack! Crack!

Amid faint, clear mechanical whirring, its limb joints adjusted slightly in reverse-joint fashion, adopting a more explosive posture. Armor panels along its forearms slid open, revealing built-in pulse emitters emitting faint energy fluctuations. Behind its spine, two foldable alloy blades extended like bone wings, their edges shimmering with high-frequency energy fields.

A cold, efficient, pure aura of slaughter instantly spread through the air!

It no longer resembled a biomimetic body—it was a perfect machine forged for combat!

Humanoid Combat Soldier!

Su Wenqian instinctively stepped back half a pace; even behind the sturdy observation window, she felt the chilling pressure radiating from it.

Academician Chen, excitedly explaining: "Sir, look! Its tactical mobility, weapon-mounting flexibility, and adaptability to diverse battlefield environments… if energy output is stabilized, it can handle nearly all known threats today! Whether for internal security or future potential… "

He did not finish, but the implication was clear—whether eliminating internal pests or confronting unknown dangers from Star Sea, this would be an extremely sharp blade.

Qin Feng watched the G-01 in combat mode, executing pre-programmed maneuvers with ghostly speed and thunderous force. Pulse energy beams struck distant moving targets with pinpoint accuracy; the alloy blades tore through air with shrill whistles.

"Neural connection latency?" Qin Feng asked a critical question.

"Currently stable at 0.007 seconds! Nearly negligible! The operator can control it as effortlessly as their own body!" Academician Chen replied quickly. "We employed the latest…"

Qin Feng raised a hand to cut him off.

He no longer cared for technical details, instead asking: "Progress on consciousness upload and independent intelligence module?"

Academician Chen's excitement dimmed; his tone grew cautious: "Sir, consciousness upload touches upon the ultimate mysteries of ethics and the essence of Spirit. It remains purely theoretical, with no breakthroughs yet. As for the independent intelligence module… we attempted loading the highest-tier AI core, but it can only execute pre-set complex tactics. It cannot perform true creative thinking or respond to completely unknown emergencies. It… lacks Spirit."

Lacks Spirit.

This meant it was ultimately merely a powerful tool, requiring human control. It could never truly replace the judgment and decisiveness of top-tier human warriors in complex environments.

Qin Feng nodded. He was not surprised by this result. The mystery of life, the essence of consciousness, was far more complex and profound than manufacturing a powerful shell.

"Continue optimizing the control system, reduce the operator's Spirit load," Qin Feng ordered. "Prioritize its survival and combat capability in extreme environments."

"Yes, Sir!" Academician Chen bowed in acknowledgment.

Qin Feng cast one final glance at the G-01 prototype, now once again submerged in nutrient fluid, silent.

Humanoid Combat Soldier.

A blade just taking shape.

Perhaps it would be useful in future explorations of dangerous Starfields, or in confronting threats from the Star Ring.

But now, it still needed more forging.

His gaze turned again westward, toward the Kunlun Mountains, still shrouded in mist.

More than a combat machine without Spirit, he awaited what the girl—possessing mysterious Bloodline, battling ancient prohibitions—might bring back.

After all, some secrets and powers cannot be easily replicated by technology.