Chapter 86: The Path to Advancement

“Hurry up and open it,” Ji Cheng said, zipping up his combat suit with a look of eager anticipation.

The briefcase was opened, revealing a small square box inside. In the box, five gene prototypes were arranged neatly.

Each vial was encased in a refined metal shell, with an oval window at the center that allowed one to see the starry mist-like liquid inside, rising and condensing with a shimmering brilliance.

At the front, a dual-valve and a capped needle were attached; the rear featured an arched piston handle. These looked many times more luxurious and advanced than the first-tier prototypes.

A dozen pairs of eyes stared unblinkingly at the gene prototypes, like a pack of hungry wolves that had just spotted meat, yearning to pounce.

“The metal shell is engraved with serial numbers, all ending in UT—they’re original injectables from the Empire’s Ministry of Industry, not black market products. Good stuff,” Ji Cheng praised with a grin.

Second-tier gene prototypes were all derived from plants. Unlike the first-tier, their appearance was markedly different; the oval window was designed for people to observe the medicine inside.

For seasoned players like Ji Cheng, just the pattern of condensation and rising inside the vial was enough to identify the type of gene prototype.

What a pile of junk: one Blood-Tongue Orchid, one Rotbone Claw, one Eyeless Grass, one Golden Horn... not a single one has the potential to break through to the sixth tier.

Ji Cheng was deeply dissatisfied.

Every time a new stage gene prototype is injected, the path for advancing narrows significantly. For example, the Lynx prototype he injected is completely incompatible with the ‘Eyeless Grass’ gene prototype before him; injecting it would allow advancement to a second-tier ability user, but all future injections would fail, ending in a dead end with no further path.

Most gene prototypes only allow advancement up to the fourth or fifth tier at best. The better ones have paths to the sixth tier—seventh tier is a massive hurdle, the basic requirement for earning a title in the Empire.

“The Lynx’s greatest advantage is its vast potential and multiple paths, with nine possible routes to go beyond the sixth tier. There’s no way I’d cut myself off by injecting this rubbish.

The best one here, ‘Gene Prototype–Golden Horn,’ has only a single path ending at the fourth tier,” Ji Cheng thought to himself.

Still, one man’s poison is another’s remedy. What Ji Cheng considered trash could be valuable to others. For instance, if Luo Rao injected ‘Gene Prototype–Blood-Tongue Orchid,’ she could advance up to the sixth tier.

“But her Phoenix is equally outstanding, with great potential and many possible routes. Limiting her to six tiers would be a shame,” Ji Cheng mused for a few seconds, then declared generously:

“Here’s how it’ll go: in the last battle, Lei Junming, Centipede, Tian Gang, and Liu Fangjian contributed the most, so for now, these four get a vial each. The last one will be reserved for whoever performs best next.”

“You… you’re not taking one for yourself?” Zhang Lingfei, unable to sit still, blurted out, “I think you contributed the most. You should take one.”

“I agree,” Zhang Jing’e managed to overcome her shyness to chime in. The sisters clearly considered Ji Cheng one of their own; seeing him not claim a share for himself made them anxious.

“I concur,” said Lei Junming, nodding. “Ji Cheng was not only the commander but also contributed most in the assault. By all rights, he should take one, maybe even two.”

“It’s reasonable for Ji Cheng to take two,” Fu Ting expressed his opinion through an electronic synthesized voice.

“I support Ji Cheng taking two.”

Blackwater Suspended City’s reclusive ability user unexpectedly spoke up in Ji Cheng’s favor, “I don’t know much about the rest, but Ji Cheng’s contribution is clear. It’s right for him to take two.”

The ability users from White Mountain Star were limited in their knowledge; they understood nothing about advancement paths and didn’t realize Ji Cheng wasn’t being modest but simply didn’t care for these worthless things.

His supporters soon stepped forward.

“I disagree. No one would object if Ji Cheng took one, but two is too much,” Tian Gang said, ignoring his wound as he stood up, visibly agitated. If Ji Cheng took two, only three would be left for distribution, and he might end up with none.

“It’s fine. Let others have priority this time. I’m sure there’ll be more later,” Ji Cheng said, seeing the heated debate. He pinched Luo Rao’s slender thigh, forcing himself not to laugh. “Taking two wouldn’t be right. The four I mentioned all contributed greatly; it wouldn’t be fair if anyone missed out.”

Tian Gang nodded repeatedly, while Zhang Lingfei and the others grew anxious.

“But let me be clear: this distribution is provisional. To prevent anyone from slacking off after getting a prototype, I’ll keep the box for now. It’s not a matter of distrust, but a matter of principle as commander. I hope you all understand.”

“That’s fine. Anyway, now isn’t the right time to inject gene prototypes. Let Ji Cheng hold onto them,” said an ability user from Anxi City.

Injecting the second-tier prototype is much more complicated than the first, so it’s best to wait until safety is assured before advancing.

Ji Cheng closed the box containing the gene prototypes in front of everyone, took the briefcase from Liu Fangjian, and put it away.

“I have to hand it to you, brother,” Tian Gang said, shaking his head in embarrassment. “After this, you’re my brother. If you need anything, just ask, and I’ll never refuse.”

“No problem; we’ve fought side by side,” Ji Cheng replied, slapping Tian Gang’s shoulder with a smile. “If I ever go on assignment to Red Eagle, I’ll look to you for hospitality.”

In truth, if one set aside the discrimination against ordinary people, they were quite easy to get along with. Compared to the scheming of pre-crossing workplaces, the immense external pressure here meant most ability users weren’t so complicated.

Ji Cheng, always calculating, felt a tiny pang of guilt.

“Don’t mind that my hand’s missing a chunk; my fighting style isn’t much affected. Once I inject and advance to the second tier, I’ll be one of Red Eagle Republic’s strongest ability users. If you come over, I’ll treat you like an emperor,” Tian Gang said, beaming.

“I’m impressed too. When our captain gave you the slot for advanced intelligent life, I was a little dissatisfied,” Centipede laughed heartily.

No wonder this guy was always hesitant when picking sides, Ji Cheng mused.

“Time is short. Two of you go scout the road ahead; keep light signals for contact,” he instructed, pointing to the dim corridor beyond the lab’s other door.

According to the wilderness rules, when headset communication isn’t possible, light signals take priority—shouting is rarely considered.

Lei Junming stood up. “Me, and one more.”

Ji Cheng looked back at Fu Ting.

Cards on the table, brother—it’s your turn.

After standing up so decisively for me earlier, here’s your chance to earn credit.

Ji Cheng, ever the schemer, was determined to reward those who supported him now that he held the command.

He didn’t mind if others saw through him; in fact, it was better that way—it would only draw more into his camp.

Fu Ting seemed to understand, eyes brightening as he glanced gratefully at Ji Cheng, then raised his flashlight and headed out with Lei Junming.

“Everyone, inject the thiol chelator to relieve the effects of radiation, then rest here for ten minutes and adjust your state,” Ji Cheng said formally, before moving alone behind the fume hood to cool off.

“I wonder how Old Lu and the others are doing, whether they’ve reached the central area yet…”

Just as he sat down, Luo Rao approached, syringe in hand, her excitement barely contained.

“Darling, take off your pants. This time, let big sister give you the shot,” Luo Rao whispered, licking her rosy lips. “Look how thick the needle is.”

Everyone present was an ability user; even in a whisper, they could make out the gist of it, and immediately looked over in surprise and suspicion, forgetting the danger around them.

Take off his pants? Thick needle? What were they doing over there? Could it be…?

“There are so many people…” Ji Cheng regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, realizing he’d only made things worse.

As expected, the others looked over with even greater amazement, but the fume hood blocked most of their view. Only the rustling sounds behind it could be heard, with nothing clear to see.

Ji Cheng, resigned, opened the collar of his combat suit and let Luo Rao give him the injection.

She pushed half the thiol chelator into Ji Cheng, then injected the rest into herself.

“Feeling better?” Ji Cheng asked.

“Mm, the tinnitus is much lighter.”

Just then, a strange wailing sound came from the direction that Lei Junming and Fu Ting had gone.

“It’s here!”

It was the cry of that monster. The relaxed atmosphere instantly tightened; everyone’s hearts raced and they held their breath, listening intently.

But the strange sound did not come again. Only the constant patter of sand and dust falling from the petrified walls could be heard.

In the darkness, the flashlight flickered several times, then its beam turned sharply, pointing straight at their location.