Chapter 6

"Now, let's test your own superpowers." Jean Grey led Zhou Yi to the depths of the laboratory, a super tunnel similar to a wind tunnel.

"So far, what abilities have you discovered on your own?" Jean Grey held an electronic screen and adjusted the equipment in the tunnel. As she did so, various metallic movement sounds echoed throughout the tunnel.

Zhou Yi thought for a moment and said, "Apart from the gravity field control and telekinesis that have already been demonstrated, I also have some ability to manipulate light. At the same time, I can control fire, with an initial maximum temperature of 2500 degrees Celsius, but now I can reach over 3000 degrees. Lastly, I can fly, and my speed is about the same as when I run."

Hearing this, Jean Grey looked at Zhou Yi with a strange expression again, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she asked Zhou Yi to use his abilities one by one on the instruments she had activated to obtain the most accurate data.

Zhou Yi didn't say anything, just rose into the air and flew two laps in the tunnel at supersonic speed. Then, he shot two intense beams from his eyes, cutting a metal object in half. Later, he used fire, gravity fields, and telekinesis, mercilessly bombarding all the testing tools. For a moment, it seemed as if the entire tunnel had been plowed by heavy bombs, almost blowing through the floor.

Faced with such destructive power, Jean Grey could only extract a little of Zhou Yi's blood and then dismissed him. Of course, she left her contact information to inform him of the blood sample test results. Zhou Yi did not object to this, but as a basis for cooperation with Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, he required that the blood sample be destroyed after testing.

Jean Grey agreed to this request. Although she hadn't consulted Professor Charles, she knew that such precious research material could not be retained. Many powerful mutants or those with tragic experiences did not want their blood samples to fall into the wrong hands, as they could be used against them.

After leaving Jean Grey's laboratory and with Professor Charles' help, Zhou Lan, who had been in a deep sleep, was awakened. The mother and son said goodbye to Charles and left Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. For Zhou Yi and Zhou Lan, many things needed to be prepared, especially after just arriving in New York.

Zhou Yi's departure did not end Jean Grey's work. She first connected with Professor Charles via telepathy and informed him of the situation in the laboratory. Then she immersed herself in the study of Zhou Yi's blood sample.

Although Jean Grey's main field of study was psychology, as a high-intelligence mutant with doctorates in psychology, medicine, and biological science, she took on the task of studying Zhou Yi's blood sample herself.

First, she believed that since it was her job, she should see it through to the end. Second, she was genuinely interested in Zhou Yi's superpowers. If they came from the X-gene, Zhou Yi could become the most powerful mutant after Professor X and Magneto. This was not just potential but already demonstrated ability. If Zhou Yi's powers did not come from the X-gene, how did they arise? This immense curiosity gave Jean Grey great motivation and desire.

Of course, the most important point was that no one knew how many spies from other forces were hidden in Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. At least, this was the case before Professor Charles lifted his constraints.

Therefore, the data of such a powerful superhuman must be held by reliable people. At the very least, the possibility of leakage should be minimized. So, only she could complete this test with the greatest peace of mind, and the data should ultimately be known by only a few people.

For these reasons, Jean Grey began her intense work. Of course, time passed quickly in such an environment, and the people working were deeply engrossed. It wasn't until someone tapped her on the shoulder that Jean Grey came to her senses.

"Jean, how are you? Did that boy leave?" Ororo, who had returned, stood behind Jean Grey, her face full of curiosity, clearly having seen the aftermath in the depths of the laboratory.

Jean Grey pinched her temples, picked up a cup of coffee, and slowly swallowed a few bitter sips before saying, "To be honest, I feel very uneasy. As for that guy, there's no way we can let him stay."

"Very troublesome?" Ororo picked up a file next to Jean Grey. The prominent X symbol on the cover made her pupils constrict. "He actually used the top-secret file!"

"You know the rules, you can look but can't say." Jean Grey did not stop Ororo from flipping through the file, as she had high-level access within Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, but she said very seriously.

Ororo nodded in understanding and flipped through the file.

The first page contained Zhou Yi's social information, including his name, birthplace, schools attended, medical records, and basic information about his friends and family. This page was simple, like most personal profiles. Ororo skipped this page.

On the next page, Ororo's expression became serious.

At the beginning of this page, Jean Grey had marked a very prominent line.

"Superpowers caused by genetic mutation due to unknown factors. Natural mutation not from the X-gene."

Below, she recorded the detailed report of her analysis of Zhou Yi's blood sample.

"From the target blood sample, an extraordinary cell division rate was detected. The speed of cell division, growth, evolution, and mutation is unimaginable. However, the cells in the target blood sample seem to be in a state of decline. Higher-evolved cells consume less-evolved cells to maintain their stability. It is speculated that the energy produced by the target's body is too low to sustain efficient cell evolution, so it can only maintain a low-level evolution. After testing, the 3rd ray did not produce a malignant reaction in the blood sample cells. The cells gained energy from the ray, increasing the speed of division and evolution, maintaining a high-level evolution state. Analysis suggests that the target has a benign reaction to radiation, which could significantly increase the strength of the ability. Cell resistance test: no malignant reaction to radiation... Fusion test: the target cells have strong exclusivity, all injected substances were consumed and had no effect on the target cells. Further testing with viruses..."

Accompanying the detailed records were photos Jean Grey took during the experiments. Clearly, she had ample evidence for her analysis. On this point, Ororo believed Jean Grey had not lied at all, so the conclusions were somewhat beyond her expectations.

A natural ability holder not from the X-gene mutation, and with the analysis of his abilities, he possessed unimaginably powerful superpowers. Such an existence, even for mutants, was a shock. However, like humans to mutants, people like Zhou Yi were so rare that they could hardly change the situation.

So Ororo's first reaction was to ask Jean Grey, "What does the professor think?"

"The professor hopes we can have a good relationship. If he can join us, it would be the best."

"But he is not a mutant, we have no reason or way to let him join us." Ororo put down the file and tapped her fingers on the table.

"We have no reason to let him join the X-Men, but we can ask for his help when needed. His sister is a member of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, and if possible, she can become an X-Man." Jean Grey put away the file and said to Ororo with her back turned.

"Damn, his sister is only eight years old, what are you thinking? The professor won't agree." Ororo held her forehead. She had no idea why Jean Grey would say such a thing. Can't mutants solve their own problems without relying on external forces?

"The professor won't agree, but this is Scott's and my opinion, and it's not now but in the future. Every bit of strength, as long as it can be obtained, we must strive for it. This is not for us but for the future of mutants."

To this, Ororo fell silent for a long time before saying, "I hope you haven't made a mistake, and I hope your decision won't bring tragedy."

Jean Grey nodded silently. Under her ability, the paper file was instantly decomposed into countless pieces, and the data archived in the secret computer of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was heavily encrypted, accessible only by the most core personnel.

Unless Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters is attacked by enemies, the data on Zhou Yi will never be leaked. In the eyes of the elite mutants at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Zhou Yi had become a potential ace. If he could be utilized, it might not be impossible to give the enemies a heavy blow.

However, the only problem was how to establish a good relationship with Zhou Yi. On this point, Jean Grey's head was starting to hurt.

Judging from Zhou Yi's behavior, he probably had a strong desire for the opposite sex, like most teenage boys. But it wasn't as if they could really use a beauty trap. First, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was just a school, established to protect mutants, and did not have the strong control over its members that other organizations did. Even if it did, who could be sent?

If she went herself, Scott would probably bomb Zhou Yi's house with lasers the next day. Then there would be no talk of a friendly relationship; the two sides might end up fighting to the death.

If Ororo went, as a former leader, she might not listen to her. Unless there was a real possibility of a relationship.

Thinking of this, Jean Grey was taken aback. She then scolded herself for being stupid. However, the future was unpredictable.

Back at their home in New York, Zhou Yi suddenly sneezed. Before he could say anything, Zhou Lan put her hands on her hips and immediately entered "mother tiger" mode.

"Don't try that with me. If you don't tell me everything about what you've been hiding today, you won't be sleeping."

"But that's my privacy!" Zhou Yi tried to resist, but seeing Zhou Lan's fierce eyes, he lost his temper.

In traditional Chinese education, the mother is the most important person. In this family, Zhou Lan, a normal person, was the undisputed master. Zhou Yi had no choice but to comply. After all, she was his mother.

However, pleasing this mother was not an easy task. It looked like he wouldn't be sleeping tonight.

Damn Charles, the old bald head, for being so talkative! Zhou Yi cursed inwardly but had to put on a smile and carefully serve his mother. It looked bad, but for Zhou Yi, it was a joy. Because this was his home.