Chapter 81: Gene Seed (Second Update)

"Director, download complete. When do we enter the game?"

"I downloaded successfully too."

"Download successful +1"

……

Half an hour later, Yu Ze led the researchers of the Genetic Modification Department to log into the game.

Though mentally prepared, the flawless, realistic scene before their eyes upon entering the game still shocked Yu Ze and the other researchers.

But they did not explore outward directly; instead, they chose to communicate with the guide to understand the world's preliminary background and gameplay modes.

After a long while, Yu Ze, having grasped the general situation, decided to launch the genetic modification experiment plan.

But before that, they first needed to solve the problem of game currency.

Without Shou Shou Jili, one cannot move a single step.

As for buying Shou Shou Jili with cash, this method seems unfeasible.

Old Yang from the Weapon Research Department stated that Shou Shou Jili production in this game is very low, but the gameplay requiring consumption is very high, and the number of pay-to-win players far exceeds the number of gold-farming players.

This results in great difficulty in acquiring Shou Shou Jili.

The Shou Shou Jili produced by many professional gold-farming teams is basically reserved in advance by major guilds and is not sold to the public at all.

Facing this problem, Yu Ze chose to seek help from an old friend.

Summoning the function panel, he added Old Yang's in-game name "Big Killer" as a friend.

Not long after, the notification that the friend request was approved rang out.

Genetic Frontline: Old Yang, lend some Shou Shou Jili; without money, we can't move a step.

Yang Yang Tianxuan, who had learned in advance that his old friend was leading the Genetic Department into the game, looked somewhat helpless:

Big Killer: We are also short on Shou Shou Jili; where would we get extra Shou Shou Jili for you (Explorer confused. jpg)?

Genetic Frontline: Stop wasting words, support me first; I'll pay you back once I have Shou Shou Jili.

Big Killer: No money.

Genetic Frontline: You will definitely need the genetic enhancement potions we develop later; after all, you need to improve your body refinement levels too, right?

Big Killer: So what?

Genetic Frontline: I'll sell you genetic enhancement potions at cost price later. Stop wasting words, give me 5000 points of Shou Shou Jili first.

Big Killer: I agree to sell you genetic enhancement potions at cost price, but wanting 5000 points of Shou Shou Jili is wishful thinking; how could I have that much Shou Shou Jili on me?

Genetic Frontline: How much do you have left on you?

Big Killer: Just 4200 points; Little Ye has over 16000 there; that's our entire fortune. All other Shou Shou Jili was spent on buying materials.

Genetic Frontline: Give me all the Shou Shou Jili on you, hurry up.

Big Killer: Fine, transferring it to you now; remember to pay it back.

……

After disconnecting the link, a notification sounded in Yu Ze's mind.

【Challenger Notification: Received player "Big Killer" transfer of Shou Shou Jili: 4000 points.】

With Shou Shou Jili, Yu Ze decisively summoned the Star Vein Enhancement interface.

After spending 500 points of Shou Shou Jili to open the second Star Vein, he purchased a Painful Painful Minghun worth 1000 points of Shou Shou Jili and embedded it in the second Painful Painful Minghun slot.

Subsequently, at the Jiaoyisuo, he began bulk-buying spiritual plants.

Diamond Vine, Moonlight Grass, Blood Light Lotus, Illusion Light Leaf… After completing the purchase, Yu Ze had only 823 points of Shou Shou Jili remaining on him.

Amidst the expectant gazes of his subordinates, Yu Ze took a Moonlight Grass from his spatial bag, then switched to Extraction Form, transforming into a half-meter-tall emerald-green plant.

Releasing the Extraction Trait ability, the Moonlight Grass wrapped by Yu Ze's vines turned yellow and withered at a visible speed; plant essence was continuously extracted and drawn out like bubbles, gathering above into a constantly expanding bubble.

Finally, the Moonlight Grass was completely drained, leaving only a pile of black powder.

A glowing green extraction essence appeared in Yu Ze's hand.

Focusing his gaze, analysis information floated up:

【Moonlight Grass Essence】

Spiritual Plant Level: 2

Item Description: Purified and extracted essence energy from the Level 2 spiritual plant Moonlight Grass, usable for functions such as consumption and alchemy.

……

Switching back to human form, Yu Ze brought the Moonlight Grass essence ball to his nose and sniffed lightly.

Immediately, a rich medicinal fragrance filled his nasal cavity.

The effect of the Extraction Trait shocked Yu Ze.

The steps for extracting spiritual plant essence in their laboratory were cumbersome, requiring a total of 10 steps to purify and refine the spiritual plant into essence.

Moreover, the extraction and purification method for each type of spiritual plant was different.

But in this game, this step was simplified to the extreme, requiring only one step to complete.

Although this technology cannot be brought back to reality, with the help of the Extraction Trait, the efficiency of subsequent genetic modification experiments can be greatly improved.

Now that the step of extracting plant essence is complete, the next step is to attempt making Gene Seeds.

The so-called Gene Seed is a special organ cultivated from active energy particles within spiritual plants.

After entering the human body via ingestion, it absorbs flesh and blood energy to grow rapidly, releasing energy within the subject's body to influence, regulate, and control the body's metabolic functions; during this process, the human body will reject the integration of the Gene Seed, and in severe cases, it will cause the subject's genes to collapse and lead to death.

If successful, the Gene Seed will completely integrate into the subject's body, becoming a power source for strengthening the physique.

This technology has developed over more than a hundred years of iteration, but has never been able to solve the problem of excessively high mortality rates.

But in the Monster World game, Yu Ze does not need to worry about this problem.

After spending 100 points of Shou Shou Jili to purchase a bottle of Intermediate Spirit Restoration Potion, he activated the Eagle-Head Demon's perception perspective.

Instantly, the microscopic structure diagram of the Moonflower essence magnified before his eyes, his consciousness, while projected outward, resembling a surgical scalpel.

By modifying the structural path of the plant essence, he transformed it into a special structure compatible with the human body.

This was equivalent to creating a program to release energy from the plant essence; through paths engraved by his consciousness, the spiritual particles were released progressively, attaching to flesh, bones, and meridians to achieve the goal of gradually transforming the body.

Without an engraved path, the spiritual particles implanted in the body would explode instantly, their energy release running out of control throughout the entire body.

A normal human body could not possibly withstand this power ravaging within.

Without supporting experimental equipment, the engraving process made Yu Ze feel it was a thorny problem.

Although his projected perception allowed him to see the microscopic view of the spiritual plant essence, without mechanical arms to assist in manipulation, the process of controlling his consciousness to wander while attempting to alter the paths for the first time appeared extremely clumsy.

Snap!

Accompanied by a clear sound, the main structure of the Moonflower essence in his hand was destroyed by the engraving knife, dissipating into green energy particles.

The first attempt ended in failure.

But Yu Ze did not give up; he decisively tried again.

After switching to the extraction form, he took out the Blood Light Lotus from his spatial bag and, following the same method, extracted a clump of Blood Light Lotus essence.

Under the microscopic view, the interior of the Blood Light Lotus presented a complex combination of light point structures, completely different from the composition of the Moonflower essence, requiring a new spiritual particle release path to be changed.

But this attempt also ended in failure.

After experiencing multiple failures subsequently, Yu Ze realized a problem.

The characteristics of the Eagle-Headed Demon could help him open the microscopic view, and even allow him to gradually change the paths of the spiritual plant essence through his projected consciousness.

But the intensity of the Level 1 Eagle-Headed Demon's control over consciousness extension was far from enough.

He needed to upgrade the level of the Eagle-Headed Demon's Painful Painful Minghun to strengthen his spiritual power and consciousness intensity.

"Let's go, leave the newbie village to level up."

Yu Ze, having failed the initial attempt, chose to first increase his strength before considering the genetic modification experiment.

This process could also accumulate the Shou Shou Jili needed for subsequent experiments.

Once he had enough Shou Shou Jili reserves, he could consider stopping hunting outside and obtaining Shou Shou Jili income by selling genetic seeds.

Three days later.

With the help of the Doomsday Technology Guild, Yu Ze and his team members reached Level 8 through hunting monsters.

Yu Ze, resurrected in the Di Zha Village, chose to attempt the production of genetic seeds again.

The Level 8 Eagle-Headed Demon had several times the improvement in spiritual power intensity, spiritual power recovery speed, and consciousness intensity.

This gave Yu Ze the confidence to try again.

The attempt process was unexpectedly smooth; after spending an hour reconstructing the internal structure of the spiritual plant and planning a spiritual particle release path, he successfully produced the first genetic modification seed.

After structural reorganization, the seed's shape was gold-red, the size of a thumb.

Attempting to analyze and read, relevant information appeared in Yu Ze's mind.

【Spiritual Seed】

Item Quality: Common Level 3.

Item Description: A personalized enhancement item crafted by the player "Genetic Frontline," fused and engraved with Moonflower essence and Empty Valley Grass essence. Swallowing it grants a one-hour spiritual particle enhancement state. After the enhancement process is complete, it grants a body-cultivation experience bonus. Due to crude technique, consumption causes continuous destructive damage to the body.

Seeing the "crude technique" in the analysis description, Yu Ze did not feel embarrassed.

Glancing at the solidified enhancement seed in his hand, he decided to personally try the result.

He tossed the Spiritual Seed into his mouth and swallowed it directly.

After a brief silence, veins on Yu Ze's face bulged, and his face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Although he had lowered the pain feedback to a minimum of 10%, the intense pain still made Yu Ze wail and roll on the ground.

At the same time, game prompts constantly rang in his mind:

【Challenger Prompt: Obtained Spiritual Seed enhancement modification, Body Cultivation Experience +3.】

【Challenger Prompt: The organism suffered a spiritual shock and is taking continuous damage.】

Following this trend, he would die before the enhancement even finished.

Enduring the excruciating pain, Yu Ze decisively summoned the Marketplace interface, purchased a bottle of healing potion, unscrewed the cap, and forcibly gulped it down.

Instantly, two forces within his body began to struggle between destruction and repair.

During this period, Yu Ze nearly fainted from pain several times, but he still endured it through sheer willpower.

After an hour-long torment ended, Yu Ze had drunk a total of nine bottles of healing potions, each priced at 10 points of Shou Shou Jili, only just managing to withstand the destructive force of the Spiritual Seed on his body.

Taking a long sigh of relief, he summoned his attribute panel.

【Challenger Name: Genetic Frontline】

Main Form: Human

Body Cultivation Level: 0 (318/10000)

Star Pulse Inlay (Level: 2):

Inlay Slot One: Eagle-Headed Demon Level 8 (Characteristic: Wailing of Resentment)

Inlay Slot Two: Extraction Level 1 (Characteristic: Extraction)

Main Form Bonus: All Attributes +2.3 (Body Cultivation Level 1 not reached, no additional attribute inheritance)

Through this modification, he gained 318 points of Body Cultivation experience.

At the same time, he obtained the physical quality enhancement effect of All Attributes +2.3 in human form.

But Yu Ze was not satisfied with this result.

The materials used for this enhancement were the Level 2 spiritual plant Empty Valley Grass and the Level 1 spiritual plant Moon Flower Grass, purchased from Shangcheng; their combined price was 235 points of Shou Shou Jili. Adding the nine bottles of Basic Healing Potion consumed during the enhancement process, the total cost came to 325 Shou Shou Jili.

However, the Body Tempering experience gained from the enhancement was 318.

No matter how he calculated it, he had lost 17 points of Shou Shou Jili.

If this Gene Seed were put on the market, no player would be willing to buy it; it would be far more convenient to simply consume Shou Shou Jili to increase Body Tempering experience directly.

Without a price advantage, the Gene Seed had no market.

Yu Ze realized he must find a way to adjust the release path of the Gene Seed to reduce the physical damage caused by the enhancement.

But the problem was that the arrangement structure of spiritual particles inside the essence of every spiritual plant was different; different spiritual plants required different release paths to be inscribed. Fusing the essences of two spiritual plants to achieve an effect greater than the sum of their parts required even more time to research through permutations and combinations.

Yu Ze immediately felt this problem was thorny.

Other problems could be solved by finding ways, but he could find no solution for the Shou Shou Jili issue.

Without Shou Shou Jili support, subsequent research could not be carried out at all.

He must produce a batch of Gene Seeds with a cost advantage as soon as possible, forming a positive cycle of returns by selling these seeds.

Facing inquiries from his subordinates, Yu Ze did not answer; instead, he chose to consume his remaining Shou Shou Jili and launch another research test.

For this attempt, he changed the direction of the inscribed path.

Two days later.

A post on the forum shot to the top of the popularity chart in a short time.

【Damn it, who the hell developed this? I'm asking who it is. Don't let me catch you; is this something a human could possibly make?】

Poster: Happy Little Chick.

Content:

I posted this not only to complain but also to remind everyone.

Do not buy the new custom item "Gene Seed" just listed on the Trading Hall; I have been punished for being greedy for a small bargain.

The specific situation is as follows.

Recently, I hoarded a batch of Shou Shou Jili, planning to use it first to increase my Body Tempering level, thinking of hunting outside in my main form later.

To save on the cost of increasing Body Tempering experience, I often browse the Trading Hall to find bargains, specifically choosing spiritual plants that are cheaper than their cost price to consume.

As a result, when I browsed the Trading Hall this morning, I found a special custom item called "Gene Seed" in the custom item section.

The item description stated that consuming it could increase Body Tempering level, but the body would suffer damage during the enhancement process. I thought, what's the harm in damage? Even if my hands or feet were broken, I could revive and be reborn.

After asking the guide, I learned that I could indeed gain Body Tempering experience exceeding the cost price, so I spent 380 points of Shou Shou Jili to buy one.

This decision made me regret it so much my intestines turned green.

When I first swallowed it, I didn't take it seriously; my mind was still thinking about going out hunting with the team later.

But the feedback from the enhancement that followed taught me a lesson.

How to describe it? It was like a spiritual energy bomb exploding inside my body, or like ten thousand fine needles simultaneously piercing every inch of my skin. The four words "ten thousand ants devouring the heart" became concrete in my mind; the pain made me nearly suffocate, and my body convulsed uncontrollably.

During the process, I could clearly feel something moving inside my body; every place it passed left a lingering burning sensation.

The pain was so severe I almost thought I was about to meet my great-grandfather; my whole body's muscles spasmed, and I felt my consciousness was about to blur.

This hour felt as long as a century; I even thought about just dying.

But thinking that the expenditure of over 300 points of Shou Shou Jili would just go down the drain, I couldn't bear it. I had already persisted for more than ten minutes; what was another forty minutes? So I chose to drink Healing Potions and endure it.

By the time the enhancement ended, I was almost completely exhausted.

Guess what happened?

Here are the statistics (attached: screenshot).

The enhancement gave me a bonus of 534 points of Body Tempering experience, while the cost to buy the Gene Potion was 380 points of Shou Shou Jili. Adding the expenditure of 15 bottles of Healing Potions, the total cost was 530 points of Shou Shou Jili.

I was tortured by pain for an hour just to earn a return of 4 points of Shou Shou Jili.

If they had given me a few hundred more points of Body Tempering experience, I would have endured it and considered it a silent loss. But this is a return of 4 points! Who can endure that?

Do you know my mood after reading the statistics? I was almost on the verge of collapse. A cost price plus a return of 4! I ask you, which madman made this? Did you try it yourself?

You really have the courage to list this item; who the hell would endure an hour of torture for a return of 4 points of Shou Shou Jili...

The above content is absolutely true.

Finally, I'll say one thing: you Wang Ba who made the potion, don't let me catch you!

Magic Baldy: Holy crap, Gene Seed? Isn't this the key technology for creating Super Gene Warriors in the real world? How could it appear in the game? The player who made this must be a super big shot in the real world; ordinary people have no way to access such technology. So how many big shots are actually mixed into the game?

Night is Coming: Hah, I'm dying of laughter. The talents emerging recently are truly increasing. First, there was the Arms Dealer Guild, and now a Death-Defying Alchemist has secretly appeared. Most importantly, this Death-Defying Alchemist player actually dared to sell immature technology for money. That's too ruthless. Fortunately, the OP tried it in advance; otherwise, I might have fallen for it out of curiosity.

Gene Front: I think the development of the new Xinliu Sect in the game will definitely have a series of problems in the early stage. Everyone should support it with an inclusive mindset. Once this technology matures, all players will benefit. Perhaps the team researching the Gene Seed was too short on Shou Shou Jili, so they chose to list the Gene Potion to recoup funds. The OP's reaction was a bit radical. We are all brothers on the same side; the pain you endured will likely lead to progress in new technology.

Is This a Beaver replied to Gene Front: After listening to your long explanation, is there a possibility that you are the one selling these Gene Seeds? (Qidi's contemptuous expression. jpg)

Gene Front replied to Is This a Beaver: Don't talk nonsense. I just have "Gene" in my name; I absolutely cannot make Gene Seeds.

Game Grinders: Hahaha, an hour of torture for a return of 4 points of Shou Shou Jili. The brother selling this potion must really be short on money; otherwise, I can't imagine what kind of brain circuit would make him do such an unforgivable thing. However, I am very much looking forward to the upgrade of Gene Seed technology. The cost of increasing Body Tempering experience is really too high. I hope the big shot can bring the price down.

Scrolling through the forum comments, Yu Ze felt awkward inside.

If it weren't for raising funds for the next step of technology upgrades, he would not have sold the Gene Seeds.

Now that the situation had escalated, he decisively delisted the remaining three Gene Seeds he had consigned on the Trading Hall.

These three seeds were all made from Level 2 spiritual plants, with a cost price of over 350 points of Shou Shou Jili.

This post has already been pinned to the top of the homepage hot list; the remaining three Gene Seeds definitely won't be sold.

But he couldn't bear to waste them like this.

Thinking of this, he turned his head to look at the team members fighting fiercely with monsters not far away.

"Let me tell everyone something: the remaining three gene seeds are likely unsellable, so why don't we use them ourselves?"

Hearing Yu Ze's announcement on the voice channel, the team members' expressions turned wonderfully varied; they all spoke up in the voice channel to respond, politely yielding to one another, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)