Chapter 128: Research Results
When Zhou Ming dragged the leader of the search squad back to his own laboratory, the dark-gold giant python rapidly split apart into one ordinary Ironthread Snake after another, beginning to clean up the corpses left behind.
Over the nearly one and a half years of experimental planning, Zhou Ming’s strength could be said to have undergone earth-shaking changes.
With the knowledge obtained from the Half-Beastman Class Advancement materials, combined with Zhou Ming’s research on the Ironthread Snake and the fact that Spiritual Seeds originated from the same source,
the ordinary Ironthread Snakes that had originally only been used to construct the Radar Sensory Domain were able, after rapidly fusing together in a short time, to form a gigantic Ironthread Snake whose strength far exceeded that of ordinary low-tier Ferocious Beasts.
The fused giant Ironthread Snake also possessed a distinctive trait, namely extraordinarily strong vitality.
Even if its heart were pierced, it would not die. At most, after releasing the fusion, several Ironthread Snakes would perish.
This method of fusion had already evolved into a special secret technique, so Zhou Ming named it “Gathering Sand.”
Apart from the secret technique Gathering Sand, Zhou Ming also used the properties of Star-glow Spirit Liquid to stimulate bloodlines, enhancing the strength of Inkband and Vermilion Jade, while also cultivating a brand-new Ferocious Beast–grade Ironthread Snake.
During its metamorphosis, this Ironthread Snake devoured massive amounts of flesh and Nutrient Liquid, resulting in a body far surpassing that of ordinary Ironthread Snakes.
It was the silver giant Ironthread Snake that had previously appeared in the snowy fields, which Zhou Ming named Silver Scale.
Silver Scale did not possess Vermilion Jade’s lightning-like speed and sharp bone blades, nor did it have Inkband’s alloy-piercing venom fangs and terrifying snake venom, but it did possess silver snake scales with extremely powerful defensive capability.
As for Vermilion Jade and Inkband, they had also undergone considerable changes. Vermilion Jade’s body length reached three meters, its speed became even faster, and its bone blades grew sharper. Inkband’s size did not increase, but its crimson venom fangs gained greater piercing power, its snake venom became even more terrifying, and in addition, its ability to conceal its presence was greatly enhanced.
All of this was the result of Zhou Ming’s research into the bloodline genes of the Phantasmal Scale Snake Lizard, combined with the assistance of Star-glow Spirit Liquid, which allowed his two Beast Companions to undergo new transformations.
As for Zhou Ming himself, he had already fused Mad Python Martial Way and Beast King Body together, opening up a martial path that belonged solely to him.
He named it Snake King Body.
The final result was that beneath Zhou Ming’s skin existed a layer of semi-transparent snake scales, which could surface on his skin at any time.
This layer of semi-transparent snake scales possessed defensive power capable of resisting conventional firearms.
It also granted resistance far exceeding that of ordinary people against corrosive liquids, high temperatures, and low temperatures.
It could be said that Zhou Ming’s own physical strength was only one step away from that of a Ferocious Beast.
If he were to obtain the Thunder Type-3 Revolver, at close range he could even pose a threat to a Professional Beast Tamer.
Of course, merely threatening a Professional Beast Tamer was still insufficient to kill one head-on.
After all, upon advancing to Professional Beast Tamer, one’s strength underwent a comprehensive qualitative transformation.
At present, the final issue Zhou Ming needed to resolve before advancing to Professional Beast Tamer was the influence of Bloodline Will on Beast Tamers.
Bloodline Will was the instinct formed by the residual soul consciousness of Ferocious Beasts remaining within the bloodline. In addition, it bestowed information that transcended what genes themselves carried.
If Bloodline Will were erased, only genetic information would remain, which would completely sever the potential for advancement.
As for how to resolve Bloodline Will, Zhou Ming had long had his own ideas. The secret technique Gathering Sand was precisely the product of research aimed at addressing Bloodline Will.
With one’s own will as the core, supplemented by the consciousness of the Ironthread Snakes under one’s control, a kind of aggregated consciousness was formed, which could also be called a snake swarm will.
When the snake swarm will exceeded the Bloodline Will hidden within the bloodline genes, Zhou Ming would no longer need to worry about Bloodline Will affecting his mental clarity and rationality.
However, regarding research into spirit, mind, and rationality, Zhou Ming had almost no achievements in this field.
The reason he was currently able to conduct such effective research on bloodline genes was, aside from the fact that bloodline genes could be directly observed in a tangible manner, also because he had obtained the Half-Beastman Class Advancement materials.
These were the research results of the top scientific team in a base from the past. Zhou Ming’s research into bloodline genes could be said to be progressing while standing on the shoulders of giants.
“Awake?”
Inside the cramped laboratory, just as Zhou Ming was recalling his changes over the past year and more, the squad leader who had fallen unconscious due to mental backlash had already awakened.
“Are you looking for this?”
Seeing that the other party ignored him, Zhou Ming took out a false tooth from behind him.
“I had only heard of this kind of suicide tool in rumors. I never thought I’d be fortunate enough to witness it in person today. This little thing is really quite exquisite.”
Seeing that his body was weak and that he had been restrained on a long table, the burly man knew that there was no chance of survival today. He directly closed his eyes and ignored Zhou Ming.
Under the organization’s training, the burly man knew that any verbal communication was the beginning of breaking through one’s psychological defenses.
Faced with the burly man’s reaction, a trace of a smile appeared on Zhou Ming’s cold face. He showed no anger at all, instead chatting casually with the burly man before him.
“During the one and a half years in Serpent Valley, I spent almost all of it in this small laboratory, repeating experiments every day.”
“Yet I didn’t feel bored or weary. On the contrary, I became somewhat immersed in it. Every discovery, every piece of new knowledge I obtained, made me feel extraordinarily excited.”
“However, throughout this one and a half years of experimentation, I never conducted human experimentation, because I wanted to preserve a final sliver of a bottom line.”
“But that sliver of a bottom line did not include people who wanted to kill me.”
Afterward, as if proclaiming his achievements, Zhou Ming took out the products of his research into genetic bloodlines from the shelves behind him.
“Take a look at this. This is a product obtained from researching flesh fusion.”
Inside the glass jar in Zhou Ming’s hand, several tiny Ironthread Snakes were fused together, resembling a deformed tentacled monster.
“And this as well. It’s an extracted mutation liquid used to practice gene martial arts, also a byproduct of my research.”
Zhou Ming then placed another syringe to the side.
Seeing the burly man’s eyelids tremble slightly, a sinister, cold smile leaked from the corner of Zhou Ming’s mouth as he leaned close to the other’s ear.
“Tell me what you know, and then die without pain.”
“Or keep your mouth shut, and try experiencing what it feels like to become human experimental material.”
At this moment, Zhou Ming was like an evil arch-villain from a film or television drama, his flat tone carrying indifference toward life itself.
Without saying anything further, Zhou Ming merely began arranging the tools needed for the experiment.
Scalpels, forceps, syringes, reagents, and mutated snakes were placed neatly beside the burly man.
The sounds produced by the collision of instruments with the experimental table were steadily eroding the other party’s psychological defenses.
“I’ll talk…”
Unable to withstand Zhou Ming’s psychological torment, the burly man finally gave in.
After all, the horrific outcomes of human experimentation were something the burly man had witnessed firsthand.
Seeing this, Zhou Ming revealed a slight smile and only then put the tools away again.
Afterward, he sat down to the side like a listener, hearing the intelligence the other party began to divulge.