Chapter 1

C-Class Training Room

"Huff! Huff!"

A swift figure moved with fists and feet, the punches so rapid that they were indistinct, and the air was filled with the faint sound of breaking wind.

Suddenly, the figure's movements changed, and its limbs twisted as if they had no bones, undulating like waves!

If someone were here at this moment, they would surely be amazed. This person, merely a Third-Stage Gene Warrior, had bones that crackled like popping beans, and had actually cultivated the *Basic Body* to the third level!

After a long while, the figure stopped and stood still.

"The *Basic Body* has reached the bottleneck of the third level. With just two more months of cultivation, I should be able to reach the fourth level," Wang Xu wiped the sweat from his forehead, a satisfied smile on his face.

Cultivating the *Basic Body* was extremely difficult, requiring a great deal of effort and time, especially the stringent physical conditions and the vast resources needed. Many people had invested countless amounts of money and effort into cultivating this ancient martial art, yet few had reached his level.

Wang Xu relied solely on his natural talent and understanding, watching a large number of cultivation videos online, and eventually cultivated the *Basic Body* to the third level, which made him shine in the academy's competitions.

"Wang Xu!" Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.

"Li Lian, you should be tutoring in a rich family's home at this time. Why are you here?" Wang Xu smiled as he saw the person approaching.

Li Lian, like Wang Xu, was a student at the Gene Academy. They had grown up together, and their relationship was as close as brothers, even closer than blood relatives.

Not only that, they had been neighbors for over a decade, living in the economic housing in the civilian area of the Seventh Security Zone.

The civilian area, to put it bluntly, was a slum, and the economic housing was a thirty-square-meter concrete house.

"Looks like you've been so focused on cultivation that you've forgotten the time. Today is the day the积分榜 (积分榜 means 'points ranking') is updated," Li Lian patted Wang Xu on the shoulder and laughed, "Hey, you've gotten even stronger, no wonder you're a Gene Warrior, you're really amazing!"

"Oh! You're right, I almost forgot. Today is the day the points ranking is updated, I need to go collect my resources," Wang Xu suddenly remembered.

Every month, the Gene Academy would announce the points of each Gene Warrior. These points were earned by hunting bugs, and the more points accumulated, the more bugs hunted, which naturally indicated greater strength. Therefore, the Gene Academy would provide cultivation resources to the top ten Gene Warriors on the points ranking to motivate them further.

"I really envy you, always ranking in the top three, unlike me, who is still at the first stage and finds it extremely difficult to advance. In the future, I can only pursue a career in science and politics," Li Lian sighed.

Since the birth of Gene Warriors, although everyone had the opportunity to receive gene serum injections, very few people had the talent for cultivation. Most people could not advance beyond the first stage, and Li Lian was one of them.

Unable to progress in martial prowess, he had to seek a path in science and politics.

Nowadays, unlike fifty years ago, when holding power could make one all-powerful, unless one reached a certain level in science and politics, an official was far inferior to a Gene Warrior with formidable strength.

In this regard, Wang Xu's future was naturally much brighter than Li Lian's, and it was no wonder he envied him.

"Here we go again, let's go see the points ranking," Wang Xu smiled and playfully punched Li Lian. The two of them left the training room, chatting and laughing as they headed to the Gene Academy.

...

In front of the huge electronic screen, many men and women in the special combat uniforms of the Gene Academy gathered, the crowd so dense that it was impossible to move, and the noise filled the air, making the entire space feel hot and bustling.

"There are so many people today."

Wang Xu and Li Lian could hear the loud commotion even before they approached. With over a thousand people gathered around the electronic screen, it was impossible to squeeze in.

"Senior Brother Wang Xu!" As soon as Wang Xu walked in, someone saw him, their eyes lighting up, and they quickly made way for him.

The others, upon hearing this, also made way with looks of admiration, their eyes filled with enthusiasm as they looked at Wang Xu. In just a moment, the surging crowd had cleared a path for him.

Wang Xu smiled and nodded at the juniors, a scene he was already used to.

Since the birth of Gene Warriors, the power that surpassed human limits had emerged, and increasingly terrifying strong individuals had appeared, gradually changing the world's perception. For everyone, strength was everything!

"1st Place: Zhang Xinglin, Points: 352"

"2nd Place: Wang Xu, Points: 326"

"3rd Place: Xu Yuan, Points: 289"

"4th Place: ..."

...

"Zhang Xinglin is really amazing. You only held the top spot for a month before he surpassed you. This cultivation maniac is terrifying!" Li Lian sighed, looking at the ranking on the huge electronic screen.

Zhang Xinglin was Wang Xu's only competitor on the points ranking. Unlike Wang Xu, he had a background, and the Zhang family was one of the most influential groups in the entire ordinary area!

Despite his background, what was most impressive was his dedication...

Zhang Xinglin hardly used any of the family's resources and never asked for help from the family, even refusing it when offered.

The reason for this was unknown, but Wang Xu had heard that it was due to a strained relationship with the family's upper echelons, with unresolved conflicts, which is why he did not accept the family's assistance.

"He is a formidable opponent. If he were like Xu Yuan, relying on resources to cultivate, it would be one thing, but he has an exceptional talent for cultivation and is as crazy as a maniac, training day and night. His future achievements are boundless..." Wang Xu sighed, but his eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit.

Zhang Xinglin was indeed powerful, but Wang Xu was not to be underestimated. Not only did he have a high cultivation talent, but he was also known as a "madman." He believed that if he unleashed his full potential, he would not be inferior to Zhang Xinglin!

...

After collecting ten bottles of "Enhancement Serum," three "Cultivation Pills," and 20,000 Earth Coins from the academy's resource center, Wang Xu and Li Lian set off on their way home together.

"Wang Xu, look! It's her!" The two were chatting and laughing when a slender figure approached, and Li Lian immediately shouted.

Wang Xu glanced over, his heart pounding uncontrollably!

"Tang Yan!"

Her exquisite face and slender figure, even from a distance, evoked a strong desire to protect her. This was the girl Wang Xu had secretly loved for years.

Wang Xu had wanted to confess to Tang Yan, but when he learned that her family was one of the three major families, the Tang family, his face turned pale, and his heart sank.

Even as a seed student at the Gene Academy, he was worthless compared to the Tang family!

Therefore, until now, Wang Xu had never truly spoken to Tang Yan, only watching her from a distance, his fists clenching tightly.

"Wang Xu, the 'Graduation Trial' is coming soon, and we might not see her much after that..." Li Lian, Wang Xu's best friend, knew about his feelings.

Wang Xu's face showed bitterness. How could he not want to boldly confess to Tang Yan? But he had no right!

The Graduation Trial was approaching, and with Wang Xu's current strength, entering the "Elite Combat Team" would be a sure thing, but the Tang family would send her to the "Genius Combat Team"!

The gap between the two was too great!

Unless Wang Xu could advance to the next stage within the next six months and become a true elite student, he would not have the qualifications to participate in the Genius Combat Team trial!

And that was just the beginning. If his performance in the trial was poor, he would be mercilessly eliminated...

The gap between ordinary people and family groups was too vast!

"Enough, I will keep this feeling in my heart, forever..."

A gentle breeze blew, and Wang Xu hid his bitterness, clenching his fists tightly.

Li Lian shook his head and sighed softly. He knew Wang Xu's character and did not say more, patting his shoulder, "Let's go home!"

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, before they could turn around, a loud buzzing sound came, and they immediately looked up, their faces turning pale with shock!

"Bug!"

"Damn! Where did this bug come from?!"

In the distance, a bug as large as a water buffalo, with a black carapace and spines on its back, was waving its scythe-like legs, suddenly descending from the sky!

"Fourth-Stage Elite Bug, the Double Scythe Bug!"

Wang Xu and Li Lian looked at each other, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes!

A Fourth-Stage Elite Bug, with a carapace as tough as a B-Class combat suit, could not be broken without A-Class technology weapons, let alone killed!

"Run! Hurry up and run!" Li Lian immediately reacted, shouting urgently.

"Wait!"

Li Lian's face was anxious, but when he followed Wang Xu's gaze, he froze.

Tang Yan!

The moment the Double Scythe Bug landed, Tang Yan was the only one nearby, and it immediately locked onto her!

"It's impossible... Wang Xu, don't go up there. That's a Fourth-Stage Elite Bug. If you go, you'll definitely die!" Li Lian knew what Wang Xu was thinking. This was not a regular first or second-stage bug, but a Fourth-Stage Elite Bug! Even a Fourth-Stage Gene Warrior might not be able to kill it and could easily die in its jaws, let alone Wang Xu, a Third-Stage Gene Warrior, who had no chance against the Double Scythe Bug!

"Ah..."

At the same time, Tang Yan was also terrified by the Double Scythe Bug!

Tang Yan was a Third-Stage Gene Warrior, ranking in the top ten on the points ranking. With her formidable strength and stunning beauty, she was also an idol to many juniors.

When she realized the Double Scythe Bug had descended from the sky behind her, she could not help but scream.

Fourth-Stage Elite Bug!

This was far beyond her capabilities!

Tang Yan was horrified, her eyes filled with despair. In front of a Fourth-Stage Elite Bug, she had no chance of escape!

"Chirp..." The Double Scythe Bug let out a harsh, unpleasant sound. The moment it saw Tang Yan, its two large scythe-like legs lunged at her!

"Clang!" Suddenly, a long sword flew through the air, its sharp blade piercing the Double Scythe Bug's carapace. However, this was just a low-grade D-Class weapon, and it shattered into pieces without leaving a mark.

The Double Scythe Bug stopped and turned to look at where Wang Xu was.

"Wang Xu... you're crazy, you're really crazy!" Li Lian trembled, the bug's compound eyes staring at him with a cold, merciless gaze.

The long sword was Wang Xu's usual weapon, which he had saved up 30,000 Earth Coins to buy, but it had not even left a scratch on the Double Scythe Bug's carapace.

Tang Yan regained her senses and looked in Wang Xu's direction, immediately spotting him and Li Lian.

Before she could speak, the Double Scythe Bug flapped its thin wings and charged straight at Wang Xu!

Wang Xu did not hesitate, pushing Li Lian to the side and then turning to run.

"I'll draw it away, you two run!" He shouted, then burst into a sprint at the maximum speed of a Third-Stage Gene Warrior.

The Double Scythe Bug was faster than Wang Xu, and in the blink of an eye, it was almost upon him, focusing only on the human who had attacked it, ignoring everyone else!

"Wang Xu..." The Double Scythe Bug swept past Li Lian, making him stop in his tracks, his voice trailing off in fear.

...

"There's a moat ahead. If we jump into the water, we might survive... Hurry! Faster!"

Wang Xu's mind was screaming. He could already see the Double Scythe Bug's towering figure behind him, and he accelerated even more, not daring to slack off for a moment!

"Chirp!"

The Double Scythe Bug let out an angry roar, and people screamed and scattered, too terrified to breathe!

"Plunk!" Just as the Double Scythe Bug was about to catch up to Wang Xu, he leaped high and jumped into the moat!

The Double Scythe Bug did not hesitate, diving into the water headfirst!

Wang Xu was shocked, his eyes filled with despair. He had thought bugs were afraid of water and would not enter, but the Double Scythe Bug had followed him into the water, and its movements were still swift, reaching him in an instant!

"Thud!" The bug's massive legs nearly cut Wang Xu in half. If not for the water restricting the bug's strength and movements, Wang Xu would have died on the spot!

Wang Xu endured the intense pain and swam desperately toward the bottom of the river.

I must live! I have to survive!

The strong will to live gave Wang Xu's pale face a hint of redness. Blood flowed from the gruesome wound on his abdomen, turning the water red.

The Double Scythe Bug did not give up, charging at Wang Xu again, raising its scythe-like legs and slashing down!

Wang Xu's eyes widened, filled with unwillingness. He had not yet become a true strong person, and he had not yet made his parents live a good life!

"Beast!"

Suddenly, a powerful voice echoed, and the Double Scythe Bug's movements paused. A brilliant sword beam split the water, rushing straight at the bug!

"Thud!" In an instant, the Double Scythe Bug, unable to react, was split in two by the sword beam!

A Fourth-Stage Elite Bug, killed in one strike!

Wang Xu was filled with shock but also realized that the experts from the security zone had arrived!

Thinking of this, Wang Xu could no longer hold on, losing consciousness in the water due to excessive blood loss.

...

At the edge of the moat, a middle-aged man in blue landed, the light from his large sword gradually fading, and the powerful aura that had just erupted slowly subsiding.

"Another bug?" A middle-aged man in red walked over, frowning.

"This is the third time. Bugs are appearing in the security zone for no apparent reason, with no signs of the defense system being breached. Dr. Kuro's theory about the temporal fluctuations might be true, and disaster may be imminent..." The middle-aged man in blue sheathed his sword, his face filled with worry. "By the way, when I was killing the Double Scythe Bug, I saw someone in the river. Have the search team retrieve the bug's body and save that person as well."

...

"Whoosh!"

At the bottom of the river, a red flame suddenly appeared, burning steadily, a breathtaking sight!

Creating a flame in water, what a marvel!

The flame flickered for a moment, then shot out, heading straight for Wang Xu and entering his body without hesitation...

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