Huo Chao’s genes

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Meanwhile, in the warship’s resting quarters in Bright City.

Jiang Ci was unaware that Huo Xianfeng had gone “off to play online games.” He remained at his workstation, working on a virtual model to create a space-time shuttle device using the mainframe of the Forbidden Abyss.

They had discovered a damaged space traversal device in the ruins of the underground armory in Bright City. While the external structural mechanism had been deciphered, the core components were irreparable and required independent analysis.

Bai Ze’s computational speed wasn’t sufficient for the task, and since the device was manufactured by the Illusory God Sect, only the Forbidden Abyss’s system could achieve the precision required for connection and simulation.

“Simulation in progress—”

“Establishing virtual channel…”

While waiting, Jiang Ci glanced back at Huo Xianfeng, only to find him curled up, holding his tail, fast asleep. Ever since Huo Xianfeng had grown a tail, he slept curled up and clutching it.

It was… kind of cute, actually.

However, it was unusual for Huo Xianfeng to fall asleep this early.

The Zergs didn’t seem to require much sleep. Huo Xianfeng could remain energetic with just three or four hours of sleep daily. During their escape, he had even gone two to three days without resting.

Was he tired?

Jiang Ci felt something was off. He got up to check on him, but just then, a cascade of red warning pop-ups appeared in the air.

“Simulation failed!”
“Simulation failed!”
“Simulation failed!”

The barrage of red projections made Jiang Ci hold his forehead in frustration.

—This is so difficult.

He slumped onto the desk.

The Forbidden Abyss’s voice chimed in softly, “Jiang Ci, it’s okay. Even your father couldn’t decipher this, and the academy’s top scientists haven’t made any progress either.”

“…Yeah.”

Jiang Ci knew the Forbidden Abyss was right. He wasn’t overestimating himself, but he couldn’t help feeling anxious—anxious to make something happen.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down. Creating a new theoretical framework was incredibly challenging, but working backward from existing technology was supposed to be the shortcut.

He was just in too much of a hurry.

“…Forget it, I’ll work on it tomorrow.”

However, as he stood up, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him. He reflexively supported himself on the desk, and the sensation passed just as quickly as it came.

“A-Ci?”

Bai Ze’s voice was nervous. It immediately scanned Jiang Ci’s body data and found no anomalies—he was perfectly healthy. In fact, for an omega, he was unusually robust.

“It’s nothing.”

It was just a fleeting moment. Jiang Ci blinked slowly, feeling no lingering discomfort.

“I’m probably just tired from staying up too late.”

At that moment, the Forbidden Abyss spoke up,
“Jiang Ci, has your mental power threshold increased?”

Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment before replying,
“…It seems so?”

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The Forbidden Abyss fell silent, as if contemplating something.
“Maybe… it’s more than just a bit.”

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The Forbidden Abyss cross-referenced its data records and said,
“Typically, excellent mecha pilots have mental power thresholds between 300 and 400, allowing them to operate A-class mechas. S-class mechas require thresholds between 600 and 700. Your uncle Zhou Jiuya’s military record showed about 800. Huo Chao holds the highest human record at 1,800.”

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1,800?!!

Jiang Ci was stunned by the number. Without thinking, he asked,
“And Huo Xianfeng?”

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Sure enough, non-humans are on a different level.

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The Forbidden Abyss didn’t think this was a coincidence.

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Jiang Ci, however, didn’t mind. He nodded.

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The Forbidden Abyss extended its neural chain, preparing to connect.

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“Wait,” Jiang Ci said, holding the neural link. He pulled it closer to examine it carefully and suddenly asked,
“Forbidden Abyss, has your neural chain been modified?”

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The Sage, Forbidden Abyss’s creator, was respectfully referred to as “Father” by it. However, its programming dictated that the only commands it needed to obey were those of its owner.

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At the time, Forbidden Abyss had flatly refused him.

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Jiang Ci raised a hand as if taking an oath.
“I guarantee you’ll be restored to your original condition!”

The Forbidden Abyss took another glance at Huo Xianfeng, then, with a heavy tone and an air of resignation, placed its neural chain in Jiang Ci’s hand.
“…Fine, go ahead.”

“Great!”

Jiang Ci quickly got to work, opening the neural chain.
“This neural chain design is… strange.”

Puzzled, Forbidden Abyss moved closer.
“What’s strange about it?”

“A standard neural chain doesn’t pierce the skin. Its principle is to establish a connection with human nerves through specific electrical frequencies. But the tip of your neural chain is different—it has a tiny needle-like structure and surface features that are almost imperceptibly barbed. There’s also a recessed groove inside it.”

Jiang Ci held up the tip for Forbidden Abyss to see.

“This means that every time the pilot connects, they’ll feel a slight prick. For alphas, the pain is minimal and nearly negligible. However, when the link is disconnected, the barbs scrape off minuscule amounts of blood and tissue, which are stored in the recessed groove…”

Mid-sentence, Jiang Ci froze. His head snapped up, staring at Forbidden Abyss with wide eyes.

The only person to use this neural chain was Huo Chao. Which meant—

Every time Huo Chao connected with Forbidden Abyss, his blood and tissue cells were secretly stored in its neural chain.

“They got it…”

Forbidden Abyss froze. Its entire system stuttered for a moment, and its usually composed, authoritative voice trembled.
“They got Huo Chao’s genetic material.”

The Forbidden Abyss didn’t understand the full reasons, but it had witnessed Huo Chao’s painstaking efforts to eliminate any chance of his genetic material falling into the wrong hands.

Yet it had never imagined the oversight—that the fatal loophole—lay in Forbidden Abyss’s neural chain.

“The Church wanted Huo Chao’s genetic material?” Jiang Ci quickly deduced whom Forbidden Abyss meant by “they.”

“What would they do with Marshal Huo Chao’s genes?”

“I don’t know.” The Forbidden Abyss shook its head.
“Huo Chao never told me. Despite his easygoing demeanor, he wasn’t someone who trusted even his mecha unconditionally. All I know is that, during his lifetime, Huo Chao destroyed every sample of his genetic material.”

Huo Chao had clearly anticipated his genes being misused.

Jiang Ci stood frozen, his mind whirling as the puzzle pieces snapped into place.

—This explained everything.

“This explains it!” Jiang Ci exclaimed.

“Why the Illusory God Sect paid such a high price, sparing no expense to retrieve the Forbidden Abyss. The kidnapping thirteen years ago, the battle on Winter Day Planet months ago—they were all aimed at getting the Forbidden Abyss. But once Bright City fell and the Forbidden Abyss ended up with Huo Xianfeng, they suddenly stopped their pursuit.”

It was as if the Forbidden Abyss’ loss no longer mattered, and the Church had abruptly stopped caring.

Now, Jiang Ci had the answer.

Because they had already obtained what they wanted the most.

—Huo Chao’s genetic material.

Jiang Ci bolted upright and ran toward the sleeping young man on the bed.
“Huo Xianfeng!”

“Huo Xianfeng—!”

No response.

Jiang Ci hesitated, then reached out to touch his face.
“…Huo Xianfeng?”