Chapter Six: Absolute Symbiotic Mimicry

On the top floor of the Blue Algae Training Center, in the surveillance room, Xu Mingxiong, the duty officer known as "Spark," was peeling peanuts when, all of a sudden, his eyes snapped open, radiating an unprecedented sharpness. He stared intently at the monitor, which was displaying Ji Cheng's test results.

Even though he himself was already an empowered individual, he couldn't help but be astonished by Ji Cheng’s score.

One had to understand: in New Southern Port City, with its population of three hundred and eighty million, fewer than ten thousand people had ever reached an 80% protoform assimilation rate. Of those, most only achieved it in their thirties or forties. Someone like Ji Cheng, who had reached 89% assimilation at just eighteen years old—Xu Mingxiong had never seen the like.

Outside Test Room No. 5, the previously noisy crowd fell into utter silence the instant those numbers appeared on the screen. The hush was so complete, a pin drop would have sounded like thunder.

Brother Wang’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. His lips trembled, and he was struck dumb, staring in disbelief at the numbers clearly displayed on the door’s screen. The fact was plain: the young man he had been advising moments ago was not only far stronger than he was, but also only half his age.

His mind buzzed, leaving him utterly dazed. All his earnest admonitions had become a farcical joke—who could have guessed this kid was such a prodigy!

"Boss... Boss?" Hu Xian pinched his own arm desperately, hoping to wake from what he thought must be a hallucination.

"It... it can't be real, can it?" He shook all over, his expression becoming increasingly exaggerated. Unlike the others, Hu Xian knew exactly what was at stake. His own boss had been tested at a 55% protoform assimilation rate just three months ago. And yet, in that short time, he’d somehow raised it by over 30%! How could that be possible?

"I get it now—the boss has been hiding his true strength all along!"

Sudden realization struck Hu Xian, memories surging through his mind: every time they'd gone for a test, Ji Cheng would act anxious, frown about the future, and Hu Xian would always try to comfort him.

"Turns out the boss was sly all along..." Hu Xian reflected wryly. Although he’d never been able to beat Ji Cheng in a fight, his own assimilation rate had always been much higher—or so he’d thought. "He must’ve surpassed 80% a long time ago."

The rest of those present gasped in shock, too stunned to speak.

After a long pause, the hall finally erupted with astonished exclamations.

"Eighteen years old, did I see that right? That means he’s assimilated 89% of his protoform at just eighteen?"

"This is unreal! What kind of person is he? Eighteen! Have I wasted my forty-plus years living like a dog?"

"He must have deliberately skipped tests after he hit 55%, only revealing himself now at the threshold for empowered selection!"

While the others were reeling, the elevator operator who had previously caused trouble was already weak in the knees, his heart pounding as he silently prayed to every deity he could name, begging Ji Cheng to forget his existence.

"You’re fired," his manager abruptly declared beside him, voice ice cold.

"No, Mr. Cao, please! My father pulled every string just to get me in here!" he pleaded in panic.

"Out!" Mr. Cao’s gaze brimmed with disgust and anger—this idiot had almost landed him in trouble with a terrifyingly gifted youth.

...

Inside Test Room No. 5, Ji Cheng was massaging his aching arm while chatting with the intelligent lifeform.

"Mr. Ji, this is your training prescription based on your test results." The AI woman produced a densely packed chart, its tiny print almost overwhelming.

"Oh, thank you." Ji Cheng glanced at the prescription and nearly burst out laughing; it looked more like an aerobics manual than a gene assimilation regimen.

"According to your protoform type, theoretically your muscle tissue strength can reach a maximum of 980, neural reflex speed up to 1310, and cellular vitality 1040. At present, your abilities are well-balanced, with a clear advantage in neural reflex speed."

Ji Cheng nodded in understanding. The protoform’s transformation affected many aspects of the body, but these three were the most representative in daily life.

Muscle tissue strength was self-explanatory, determining explosive power. With enough strength, some could even stop bullets with their muscles.

Neural reflex speed was equally obvious—the higher the number, the faster your reactions, increasing coordination, balance, and agility.

Cellular vitality determined recovery rate and immunity.

"In addition, Mr. Ji, since your protoform assimilation has reached 89%, there are some matters concerning empowered selection you should be aware of."

Ji Cheng leaned back against the wall. "Go ahead."

"Once your assimilation exceeds 90%, you can apply for the annual empowered selection held each September first. However, in previous experience, that last one percent is the most difficult. It can take anywhere from eight or nine months to several years."

The AI woman paused before continuing, "Of course, for a genius like you, if you work hard, you’ll certainly be able to participate in next year’s selection."

"If I remember correctly, today’s August fifth, so I’ve already missed this year’s round," Ji Cheng said with self-awareness. "Being stuck at 89% will probably last a while, unless..."

Unless he could obtain information on that lynx—not an ordinary one, but the actual animal that provided the genes for his protoform.

Primary gene protoforms were extracted from animals using nucleotide purification, and each animal only yielded a single dose of protoform agent.

Thus, every protoform injection was uniquely tied to a single animal.

"Even among humans, individuals have subtle behavioral differences," Ji Cheng mused.

As gene donors, those animals were raised in laboratories from birth, every aspect of their behavior minutely recorded and analyzed, with only the healthiest, most vigorous individuals selected.

"If only I could get my hands on that lynx’s data..." his heart burned with hope.

With it, he could mimic the animal perfectly, achieving complete assimilation in a single attempt!

But such information was impossible to access.

He remembered clearly: his protoform bore the code BDXY-0181-1257-94UT. The "UT" suffix meant it was an original Empire Ministry of Industry product, surely stock left over from before White Mountain Star lost contact with the Empire.

So the behavioral data for that vital lynx would be secured in the Empire’s database—utterly unreachable until he reestablished contact with the Galactic Empire.

"Are you listening, Mr. Ji?"

"Ah? Oh, sorry, I got distracted. What did you just say?" Ji Cheng scratched his head, embarrassed.

"No worries, Mr. Ji. I was saying that if you’re interested in next year’s empowered selection, you might want to start acquiring and calibrating your equipment now; it takes time to master so many devices."

Ji Cheng nodded repeatedly. "Got it. I’ll head out now—my friend’s probably still waiting for me."

"Take care, and best of luck," came the ethereal reply.

Ji Cheng opened the test room door, and even with prior warning, he was startled by the scene outside. The entrance was packed wall to wall, the entire hall a chaotic blend of eager faces, all eyes fixed hungrily on him.

"Hey man, what’s your secret? Teach us!"

"I’ll pay you—friend, I’ll give you money, just be my teacher!"

"Clear a path—let the young man sit down first!"

"Stop crowding! Move back, the rest of you!"

Ji Cheng quickly spotted Hu Xian among the crowd, his face full of resentment. With a flash of inspiration, Ji Cheng pushed through and pulled Hu Xian to the side.

"Didn’t you ask me on the train if I still had any mechanical external spines?" Ji Cheng whispered, lowering his voice. "Get me a standard tool module, and I’ll make you another mechanical spine—with a direct neural interface, as a bonus."

"Huh?" Hu Xian was so overwhelmed by Ji Cheng’s rapid-fire words that he forgot whatever he’d wanted to say, only perking up at the last part. "A direct neural interface? You can make that, boss?"

Ji Cheng nodded confidently. "I can, but it has to be a standard tool module—don’t bring me a consumer-grade cut-down version."

"No problem! I can get it within two weeks." Hu Xian’s face flushed with excitement. "If you can really make a direct neural interface, that’ll fix my slow reflexes perfectly!"

"I can. So get the stuff as soon as you can."

...

The bright moon hung high, and late at night, New Southern Port City lay shrouded in unusual quiet.

Having finally shaken off the crowd after leaving the Blue Algae Training Center, Ji Cheng didn’t rush home. Instead, he strolled along the emptying streets, deep in thought. The AI’s earlier words echoed in his mind.

He needed gear.

Since he’d have to wait at least another year to participate in the empowered selection, he decided to stick to his original plan: make money in the mining district. It was a dangerous place—one that even empowered individuals might not survive. With his current abilities, he could easily die there. He had to equip himself to have any hope of staying alive.

If Huxian could really get him a standard tool module, and he found some salvageable components and materials at the junkyard, he could assemble a decent starter kit.

That way, even without being fully empowered, he might still scrape by in the mines. Of course, all of this depended on at least securing a provisional mining license.

If he only got a station-level permit, he’d be stuck idling at the supply base, unable to join a mining team. He’d have to cram hard for the test this week.