Chapter 83: The Medium

The Xia Kingdom strictly forbids its citizens from privately undergoing any transformation of their life form. Once discovered, such individuals will have their nationality revoked, their citizenship stripped, and they will be permanently barred from re-entering the country.

There are reasons for such severity. On one hand, this transformation locks the microscopic realm of the human body, rendering the mysteries of genes, the origins of life, forever beyond observation and research. In the long run, such a measure poses endless potential dangers to both the nation and its people.

Another reason lies in the fact that transforming one’s life form often brings about a shift in ideology as well.

This process demands that one offer their devout faith to a deity, and the power of divinity is invariably accompanied by an overwhelming brainwashing effect!

In the initial one or two months, many who renounced their citizenship developed an intense zeal as converts, harboring strong aversion and even hostility toward their homeland and nation, all in exchange for acceptance and favor from the deity.

This is also why the Xia Kingdom has long hesitated to implement life form transformation within its military ranks. The risks are simply too great—should things go awry, the transformed soldiers might cease to be warriors of the people and instead become warriors of the gods.

While the authorities harbored such concerns, Black Dragon himself also deeply resented this form of feudal superstition. After all, he did not believe that being a deity was in any way a noble calling.

According to the Academy of Sciences of Xia, the relationship between deities and their followers is likely one of mutual influence.

A deity can shape the thoughts of its believers, yet the beliefs of the followers will, in turn, affect the god as well.

Black Dragon could hardly imagine what it would be like if he were to become a deity one day—having to receive the prayers and confessions of millions, listen to their guilt, their confusion, their pleas for guidance from the Dragon God…

The mere thought of such a scene made his scalp tingle. Perhaps those deities with experience could handle such situations with ease, turning a blind eye to their followers’ prayers without the slightest qualm. But Black Dragon knew himself incapable of such detachment!

After all, the capacity for empathy is one of humanity’s most essential instincts. Empathy for one’s own kind, compassion for others—these are the vital bonds that hold human society together.

If even these were to be lost, then Black Dragon’s humanity would be all but gone. At that point, he might be noble and powerful, but he would no longer be the Huang Ze he was now.

Thus, Black Dragon was deeply worried that Yu Xiaomin would fall into fanatical personal worship of him. Not only would this be awkward, but it would also seriously hinder future work.

The nation’s demand for Golden Dragon Blood was bound to grow ever greater. If every recipient became like that, Black Dragon would eventually be driven mad by them.

Fortunately, Academician Ding’s answer was negative. Yu Xiaomin’s transformation was perfect—aside from the microscopic realm of her body being locked, there were no other abnormalities.

Golden Dragon Blood seemed to be an exceptionally pure medium for transformation—untainted, without any hidden drawbacks, and completely free of side effects.

Only then did Black Dragon feel some relief, and he went off to his designated spot beneath the high-voltage lines to recharge.

To lose weight, and to cultivate the image of a devoted, long-suffering teacher so exasperated by an incorrigible Phoenix student that he couldn’t even eat, Black Dragon had not eaten a morsel for an entire month. He’d even secretly shed weight, playing up his role until he was gaunt and anxious.

Surprisingly, this act worked rather well. Even the Phoenix, usually carefree to a fault, was moved by Black Dragon’s earnest, dedicated demeanor. A sense of shame and remorse took root, prompting her to study harder than ever.

Eventually, the Phoenix even took the initiative to hunt for food for Black Dragon, but he always refused, speaking earnestly,

“…Your thoughtfulness touches me, but with your grades as they are, how could I possibly eat?”

“I promised your ancestors that I would nurture your talents and save your Phoenix clan from its fate… But whenever I think of what your people now face, I am grieved, I am anxious!”

Had it just been a performance once or twice, perhaps the Phoenix would have doubted him. But with his persistence over an entire month, she finally became convinced by his lofty self-sacrifice, growing ever more respectful and friendly—she even confided her gender to him!

She was a female Phoenix!

Unfortunately, her reproductive system seemed faulty; otherwise, under Black Dragon’s careful guidance, she would certainly have laid some eggs herself to supplement his diet!

When Black Dragon heard this, he felt a pang of regret, though his face was full of sympathy and encouragement. He comforted the Phoenix, urging her not to feel burdened or inferior.

The Xia Kingdom’s medical technology was highly advanced, with abundant experience in treating infertility. In the future, he promised, he would spare no effort to seek the best doctors and bring her to the finest hospitals for treatment!

The Phoenix was deeply moved. Laying eggs was her life’s greatest mission, her deepest obsession. With Black Dragon so considerate, how could she not be touched?

…

After this month of careful management, Black Dragon and the Phoenix had finally become much closer.

If, in the past, the Phoenix’s affection for Black Dragon was just a thirty, now it had reached at least seventy!

Though that might not seem high, one must remember that dragons and Phoenixes were mortal enemies—forever at odds, never reconciled. To raise her affection to such heights in just one month was truly remarkable!

Given time, he would surely win her over completely, making her his top aide.

Black Dragon was full of pride, secretly delighted at his unexpected talent for mentoring and, perhaps, brainwashing.

…

“Mr. Huang, are you sure you don’t want to eat something?” Academician Ding, noticing Black Dragon’s weight loss, was sincerely impressed by his discipline and devotion, and couldn’t help but urge him to eat a little.

“No need,” Black Dragon replied without lifting his head. “It took real effort to strike a deal with my stomach. What I owe it for these two months, I’ll repay double next month.”

“If I suddenly start feeding it again now, in its famished state, it might rebound uncontrollably. Should my mind fail to keep it in check, all my efforts would be wasted.”

…

He was often at odds with his own heart, and now he was bargaining with his stomach?

Academician Ding was at a loss for words, feeling that this Black Dragon was quite different from all other dragons.