Chapter 94: Zheng Zha

"Why?"

Zheng Zha’s heart stirred slightly, and he couldn’t help asking, momentarily forgetting about rescuing Cheng Xiao.

"First... because you don’t use your brain."

Chu Xuan looked at Zheng Zha and spoke in the calmest tone, uttering the most sarcastic words.

"Huh?!"

Hearing this, Zheng Zha’s forehead filled with countless question marks, wondering if his hearing had failed or if Chu Xuan’s words held some hidden meaning.

"No hidden meaning—it’s exactly what it sounds like."

As if reading his mind, Chu Xuan instantly understood Zheng Zha’s thoughts and explained calmly: "You should know that the second-stage gene lock controls the entire muscular system, and the third-stage gene lock focuses on developing the brain."

"In other words, the higher your IQ and the better you are at thinking, the greater your natural advantage in unlocking the third-stage gene lock."

"Conversely, those with lower IQs—commonly called idiots—face certain obstacles in unlocking the third-stage gene lock... Unfortunately, based on my observations, you are exactly such a person."

"..."

Zheng Zha’s lip twitched; suddenly, his fists felt itchy, needing to hit something to relieve the itch.

Like that expressionless poker face right in front of him—seemed perfect. Should he try it now?

At that moment, Chu Xuan’s voice sounded again.

"Of course, IQ is merely the most trivial factor among the conditions for unlocking the third-stage gene lock; the true key lies in two other factors."

"Alright, Chu Xuan, I know I’m bad at thinking—stop circling around. Just say it straight."

Zheng Zha sighed, sounding utterly drained.

"Pressure, and obsession."

As he said this, a flash of white light passed over Chu Xuan’s flat glasses.

"First, pressure... According to the data I have, the gene lock is a uniquely special cultivation system. Beyond innate talent, the greatest factor is the fear generated during life-threatening crises and the desperate desire to survive."

"Only under such circumstances can humans break through their own limits and tap into the latent potential buried deep within their genes, thereby unlocking higher levels of the gene lock."

"It does... seem to be true."

Zheng Zha nodded, recalling a jeep racing across a beach and the Tyrant he encountered upon returning to the Biohazard world.

Both times he broke through the gene lock, he had been on the brink of death; even now, thinking back made him shudder.

But later...

"Unfortunately, later Wu Xian grew stronger and stronger, surpassing the combined strength of all other members of the Zhongzhou team, and repeatedly brought immense benefits to the team, ensuring the safe survival of everyone—including you—who earned his approval."

"Because of this, you and Zhan Lan and the others gradually developed a strange sense of security—even in extremely dangerous situations, you no longer felt much fear."

"Because at that time, a thought would automatically pop into your minds—that as long as Wu Xian was there, the Zhongzhou team would surely win and surely return alive to the Main God Space."

Zheng Zha opened his mouth to refute Chu Xuan, but found he had nothing to say.

Clearly, that was exactly how he felt inside.

Or rather, this was the most genuine thought of Zheng Zha, Zhan Lan, and the earliest senior members.

As long as Wu Xian was there, no matter what difficulty arose, they would have the courage and confidence to overcome it.

All they needed to do was stick closely to Wu Xian’s heels and not hold him back.

From Biohazard, to Alien, to now the Ju Yan world, they had all grown accustomed to this pattern and never felt anything was wrong.

But now, hearing Chu Xuan suddenly bring this up, Zheng Zha felt an odd sensation inside.

Was this... wrong?

"Of course it’s right."

As if hearing Zheng Zha’s thoughts again, Chu Xuan glanced sideways at him.

"For a team to truly become strong, it naturally needs a firm and powerful leader... Wu Xian has done this well, but too well—so much so that, to some extent, he has restricted the development of the other Zhongzhou team members."

"And this is precisely why you have failed to unlock the third-stage gene lock over nearly four months."

"...Chu Xuan, you’re absolutely right."

Zheng Zha took a deep breath, stood up leaning on his axe, and said with a bitter smile: "We’ve indeed become too comfortable under the team leader’s protection. But... the team leader is just too strong, and still growing at an unbelievable rate."

"To be honest, I once wanted to chase after him, to fight alongside him."

"But no matter how hard I tried, I found the gap between us growing wider and wider—now, I can barely even see his silhouette..."

As he spoke, Zheng Zha’s voice grew quieter, filled with a sense of desolation.

As a young man who had become an office director, Zheng Zha, though once indulgent in his private life, still had ambition deep down.

Especially when he first entered the Main God Space, he hadn’t been without thoughts of surpassing Wu Xian.

But after Wu Xian repeatedly demonstrated astonishing power, that desire to compare with him gradually vanished, replaced instead by a near-surrendering, lethargic mindset.

Screw it. The team leader is this strong—why bother striving? Isn’t it better just to cling to his leg?

"It’s normal for you to think this way, after all, Wu Xian..."

He’s not normal.

Thinking this, Chu Xuan paused, then abruptly changed the subject: "But have you ever considered this: what if—just hypothetically?"

"Suppose one day, the Zhongzhou team encounters an enemy they cannot possibly defeat—like the fourth-stage Kayako we mentioned before, even Wu Xian admits he has no guarantee of victory."

"But at that moment, the Zhongzhou team has no one capable of lending him a hand—what then? Will you just watch helplessly as Wu Xian is killed, and then all of you wait for your own execution?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!"

Zheng Zha immediately rebutted, refusing to believe such a thing could happen.

"What if?"

Chu Xuan looked at him, his tone unusually serious: "Don’t forget, Wu Xian hasn’t sent any message for nearly an hour—neither Friday nor Zhan Lan can reach him..."

"Fine, even if he eventually survives this horror movie, what about next time? If the Zhongzhou team faces the Heavenly Gods or Demons, and engages in team battles with those two special Lunhui teams, do you think Wu Xian can still defeat all enemies alone?"

"I..."

Zheng Zha opened his mouth, but the words "I believe in the team leader" stuck in his throat.

Yes, this is the Lunhui world—endless possibilities, endless dangers. Who knows what demons and monsters we’ll face later? Will we just dump everything onto Wu Xian alone?

{Both of you, I know you’re discussing something serious, but don’t forget—you’re on the battlefield right now. Can’t you talk later?}

Suddenly, Zhan Lan’s voice echoed through the mental network; whether because she’d heard Chu Xuan’s words or not, her tone carried a hint of gloom.

{And Zheng Zha, once you’re rested, get over to Cheng Xiao’s position immediately. If you delay two more minutes, he really won’t make it!}

"Ah! Oh! I’m coming!!"

Hearing this, Zheng Zha’s expression flickered with embarrassment, then he frantically grabbed his axe and ran toward the location Zhan Lan had given.

As for Chu Xuan, he stood still, watching Zheng Zha’s back disappear, then raised his Five Thunder Magnetic Divine Talisman Gun again, shooting down the approaching malevolent spirits.

"Wu Xian, I’ve completed the task you assigned me. Whether he can take this step during this horror movie depends entirely on how determined he truly is."

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(End of Chapter)