Chapter 98: Surprising Breakthrough

The next day.

Beneath the hotel ruins, within the underground research facility, patrols began emerging one after another—some suffered heavy damage, others carried the corpses of their companions.

Along with them came a steady stream of new intelligence.

Many areas within the facility were equipped with high-intelligence combat-type mechanical sentinels and various specialized detection devices.

After a day and night of exploration and combat, most of the preserved serums and gene-optimization opportunities within the facility had been exhausted, leaving only the most difficult-to-conquer zones.

The remaining zones—

either housed mechanical sentinels with strength rivaling gene-awakened individuals.

Or required laser corridors that could only be safely traversed with qualifying genetic scans.

Or contained cages housing massive mutated animals.

Even senior patrol chiefs could not force their way in—only circling outside, searching for openings.

Moreover, remnants of the original research institute's enemies lurked, waiting to strike; though most had been wiped out by patrols, the strongest among them were even more powerful than ordinary senior patrol chiefs.

Especially the one known as Luo Wu—his strength was terrifying, having already claimed the lives of senior patrol chiefs.

Lin Qing also received a steady flow of latest intelligence sent casually by Patrol Envoy Tang.

That afternoon, a major revelation emerged—

In the cage zone of the underground facility housing massive mutated animals, a patrol had accidentally discovered that the research institute was keeping these powerful mutated creatures solely to feed a peculiar creature resembling a crimson eel!

The moment the news spread, it was immediately confirmed: this creature was a bio-weapon developed by ZhiXing Group!

Compared to other fourth-tier gene-optimization opportunities or precious gene serums, the value of this bio-weapon was clearly far greater.

Unfortunately, the few remaining members of the original research institute were overwhelmingly powerful, and the massive mutated animals were extremely difficult to handle.

Most patrols had already left the underground facility—especially patrol chiefs had withdrawn—leaving only powerful senior patrol chiefs still attempting to press forward.

And the shocking news that ZhiXing Group's bio-weapon existed within the underground facility spread rapidly.

……

That evening at eight o'clock.

"Huh…"

Lin Qing slowly exhaled, his hands gathering inward like embracing the rising sun, then settling into a final stance.

Then, a notification appeared before his eyes.

【'Rising Sun Method' fully completed】

"Finally…"

Lin Qing slowly smiled.

He had completed the 380th iteration of the Rising Sun Method and repaid the debt of the original Rising Sun Method.

Normally, repaying once per day would take over a year.

Thanks to expensive rare serums and the 'Gluttony' gene ability, he had cleared it in just two months.

"I can now pre-advance the original 'Zi Zai Shen' combat technique." Lin Qing smiled faintly.

He had already entered the basics of the original Zi Zai Shen technique two weeks ago, but lacked the pre-advance slot—so he had waited until now.

"According to the technique's description, non-gene-awakened individuals almost cannot cultivate the original technique to the instinctive level—maximum they can achieve is mastery, unless their genes are optimized with multiple types suited to the original technique, granting even a slim chance."

"I can't attempt such gene optimizations for now—I'll have to wait until later…"

Lin Qing recalled the notes on Zi Zai Shen: "But even mastering the original 'Zi Zai Shen' technique, my strength should already surpass many senior patrol chiefs—especially with the advantage of Instant Light!"

"Order."

He wasted no time, immediately summoning the Entropy Reverser.

"Pre-advance: original 'Zi Zai Shen' combat technique!"

In that instant, as vast amounts of unfamiliar information flooded his mind, as always, Lin Qing understood precisely how to cultivate this technique to reach his own maximum potential.

According to the Entropy Reverser's simulation—

His genes, improved through reaching the instinctive level in six simplified Zi Zai Shen techniques, had already begun aligning with the original 'Zi Zai Shen' technique.

Viewing the body as the universe and stars, treating bodily force points and energy nodes as stars, and the mysterious energy as the invisible forces between them—he needed to continuously open 3,000 nodes to master the original Zi Zai Shen technique.

Simultaneously—

Given his gene compatibility with the original 'Zi Zai Shen' technique, theoretically, opening 48,000 nodes could achieve the perfect state where any part of the body could become a star node—the instinctive level! "Huh?"

Lin Qing blinked in surprise.

The next moment, a flood of memories surfaced in his mind.

They were memories of himself, step by step, following the Zi Zai Shen cultivation method, locating suitable force points and energy nodes, adapting and refining each individual 'star.'

Even with genes more compatible with the original Zi Zai Shen, it took years of relentless, round-the-clock cultivation before he finally, through extraordinary luck, mastered the original technique.

Then, decades more passed—even as his body aged—still he practiced the original 'Zi Zai Shen' technique, repeatedly refining and shaping each star, until, in his twilight years, he finally formed 48,000 stars within his body, integrating Zi Zai Shen into his instinct.

"Boom!"

In that instant, the mysterious energy within Lin Qing, already transformed into starlight, began condensing into fine, brilliant streams—like a meteor shower racing through his body, then quietly settling upon one energy node and force point after another, adorning them with star-like glimmers.

One hundred, two hundred, three hundred…

One thousand, two thousand, three thousand…

Ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand…

Moments later, 48,000 star-like points adorned his force points and energy nodes.

And deep within his cells, subtle changes began—new pairs of genes emerged within his genome, quietly shifting toward a specific direction.

"This is…"

Lin Qing slowly opened his eyes, sensing the massive transformation within himself, his gaze filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he merely thought—and without any physical motion—he instantly shifted several meters, appearing unchanged on the restaurant floor.

The speed was astonishing, yet it stirred not the faintest breeze.

"One thought triggers it, and still this fast—truly, the Instinct Level of the 'Free Body'…"

Lin Qing took a deep breath, delighted yet puzzled.

"Strange—advance payment should only cover what I can actually achieve…"

Lin Qing was deeply confused: "Logically, mastering the original 'Free Body' at the Instinct Level should require prior genetic optimization compatible with the 'Free Body'—just to have a sliver of hope."

It's like wanting to learn the Finger Snap Technique—you must have fingers first.

The Instinct Level of the Free Body likewise requires genes compatible with the 'Free Body.' He had never undergone such genetic optimization—so how had he succeeded?

In terms of genetic optimization, he had only trained the original Dawn Training Method and the Bloodline Evolution Method to unlock the gene capabilities of the Celestial Orbit Monarch bloodline.

"Unless…"

Lin Qing's mind stirred—he suddenly considered a possibility: "Could the Celestial Orbit Monarch's bloodline genes be precisely compatible with the 'Free Body' combat technique?"

Aside from this, he could not conceive of any higher possibility.

"The Celestial Orbit Monarch's bloodline genes just happen to match the 'Free Body' combat technique? Is it really that coincidental?"

Yet after careful thought, Lin Qing realized this wasn't really coincidence at all.

First—

With the energy of Dawn Group, they could not have failed to discover he chose the 'Free Body' as his combat technique; and since they gave him the Bloodline Evolution Method with investment intent, they naturally selected a bloodline better suited for him.

Thus, it was perfectly normal that the Celestial Orbit Monarch's genetic optimization suited the 'Free Body.'

Second—

The more powerful a lifeform, the stronger its genes' adaptability to various conditions; the Celestial Orbit Monarch, a terrifying extraterrestrial entity, possessed immensely potent bloodline genes—so their compatibility with the 'Free Body' was no surprise.

"This is an unexpected boon…"

Lin Qing smiled faintly. "I've directly reached the Instinct Level of the original 'Free Body'—my strength exceeds my expectations by more than double…"

Even if all Free Body combat techniques were mastered to the Instinct Level, they would amount to no more than thirty to forty percent of the original 'Free Body''s power.

Their overall strength pales drastically, especially in movement—mastering the original version grants a massive leap.

Yet even with mastery of the original 'Free Body,' one can only unleash forty to fifty percent of its power—and cannot trigger it in a single thought.

Most importantly—

Without reaching the Instinct Level, one cannot alter one's genetic state, and thus cannot master the terrifying technique ranked among the top three at Dawn Gym.

After all, the 'Free Body' is the foundation of that terrifying technique.

"My current strength…"

Lin Qing silently assessed himself: "Among Senior Patrol Captains, I should be among the best—only the absolute top geniuses at headquarters might surpass me."

Even at headquarters, before gene awakening, those who mastered the original combat technique to the Instinct Level were legendary—whether any still exist is uncertain.

In this regard, I have the advantage.

But reportedly, the true geniuses at headquarters all come from the urban ring—or were pre-recruited by Zhi Star Group.

For such geniuses, third-tier genetic optimization is trivial—they can even undergo fourth-tier genetic optimization, giving them far greater advantages in genetic enhancement than I have.

In terms of genetic optimization, I've only trained the Bloodline Evolution Method.

"Those top-tier geniuses don't lack fourth-tier genetic optimization, and wouldn't care about this research institute anyway."

Lin Qing mused inwardly: "With my current strength, I shouldn't fear anything inside that underground research facility…"

He took a deep breath and immediately stood up.

…

…

"You're going in now?"

On the ruins of the hotel, inside a brightly lit temporary shelter, Patrol Inspector Tang sat on the sofa, frowning slightly as she studied Lin Qing.

"Yes." Lin Qing gave a slight nod.

Patrol Inspector Tang slowly shook her head. "Do you know all Patrol Captains have already withdrawn? More than half of the Senior Patrol Captains have evacuated—only the strongest tier remains inside the underground facility. Are you sure you want to enter now?"

"Inspector, take a look."

Lin Qing said nothing more—he simply extended one hand. His five fingers began to elongate simultaneously, then moved like tentacles, supple and agile, even cracking the air with sonic booms.

"Huh?" Patrol Inspector Tang's eyes changed. She leapt to her feet, staring at Lin Qing in disbelief.

"You…" she said, astonished yet delighted, "you've mastered the original 'Free Body' combat technique?"

Even if all Free Body techniques were mastered to the Instinct Level, they could alter form—but never with such fluid, effortless motion.

Only the original 'Free Body' technique could achieve this.

Yet this might also be a gene ability, so she wasn't certain.

Lin Qing said nothing—he simply shifted his body instantly, appearing silently beside Patrol Inspector Tang.

"Good, good, good."

Patrol Inspector Tang smiled. "You've truly mastered the 'Free Body'—faster than I expected. Headquarters leadership thought you'd master it within this year; I didn't expect you'd do it half a year early. Clearly, your affinity with the Free Body technique is extremely high."

She studied Lin Qing. "Tell me honestly—have you already unlocked the gene capabilities of the Celestial Orbit Monarch bloodline through your Bloodline Evolution Method?"

Lin Qing's heart stirred—he feigned ignorance: "How did you guess?"

"Because… the Celestial Orbit Monarch's bloodline genes are highly compatible with the 'Free Body' technique."

Patrol Inspector Tang smiled. "Once you successfully unlock the gene capabilities within your bloodline and achieve genetic optimization, it naturally aids your cultivation of the 'Free Body' technique."

She couldn't help but sigh: "Dawn Group truly has vision—the Bloodline Evolution serum they gave you was perfectly suited to you."

Lin Qing inwardly confirmed it—he nodded. "My Bloodline Evolution Method has progressed quickly—I've achieved some results."

"Excellent," Patrol Inspector Tang praised. "You now possess the strength of a Senior Patrol Captain—and with the Free Body's survival capability, go ahead. Remember: self-preservation comes first."

"Understood." Lin Qing nodded.

"Go."

Inspector Tang gave a faint smile.

Just then—

"Whoosh—"

A sharp whistling sound suddenly came from outside the house, as though something was flying toward this place at high speed.

"Hm? That sound…" Inspector Tang slightly furrowed her brow and said, "Let's go out and take a look."

She immediately strode out of the temporary house, only to see a saucer-shaped, disc-like aircraft roughly eight meters in diameter hovering in the air above.

With Lin Qing's eyesight, he recognized at a glance that this was an aircraft from the Metropolis, and the logos of the Metropolis and Zhixing Group could even be seen on it.

"This is… a Variant A7L?"

Inspector Tang recognized the model of the aircraft and could not help slightly furrowing her brow. Her lips moved faintly, and only Lin Qing could hear her gathered voice: "Someone from the Metropolis has come. Looks like no small background. They're probably here for the underground research institute. Be careful."

(End of this chapter)