C1 The White Liquid Jade Worm

"Shua!"

A gleam of sword light flashed through the damp cave, home to the White Liquid Jade Worm. A silver arc sliced through the transparent creature, cleaving it in two.

The white fluid burst forth, vaporizing into a mist that dissipated into the air.

The young man scooped up the undissolved white hemisphere and casually wiped it on his dark, coarse linen clothes before popping it into his mouth. After a brief chew, he swallowed the slightly numbing substance.

"Ding! White Liquid Jade Worm killed. No Soul Jade acquired. Consumption of White Liquid Jade Worm meat results in no increase in basic gene points."

Zhang Lieh, a Common Level Life.

Cultivation Method: Universal Cultivation Method Level 10 (Maximum Level 10)

Gene Points: 20 Basic Gene Points

Gene Soul Jade: None

"Have I consumed too much?"

Zhang Lieh murmured to himself, realizing he had lost count of how many White Liquid Jade Worms he had slain.

Regarding the acquisition of basic gene points, it had been three months since Zhang Lieh was last able to extract any Gene Points from the meat of the White Liquid Jade Worm.

For him, the meat of the White Liquid Jade Worm had become nothing more than ordinary sustenance, providing the energy and nutrients his body needed to function.

The White Liquid Jade Worm was the most basic of the worm-type gene creatures. In appearance, it was more akin to a 'slime' from old video games than an actual worm.

The distinction lay in its gelatinous, translucent body encasing a soft core resembling white jade, hence its name, White Night Jade Insect.

Yet, after three months of relentless hunting, Zhang Lieh had become intimately acquainted with their anatomy, able to dispatch them with a single, effortless stroke.

Looking up at the cave walls coated with White Liquid Jade Worms, Zhang Lieh let out a deep sigh, "Three months since my rebirth, and I've yet to break through the limits of the basic cultivation method. Where could that elusive White Liquid Jade Worm with the Super Gene be hiding?"

He ran his fingers over the jagged edge of his blade, feeling a sense of deflation.

The sword was nearing the end of its life.

Swung a thousand times a day, it was bound to deform, especially since it was the cheapest of the low-grade variety.

Zhang Lieh's origins were humble.

Night had fallen, and it was time for him to head back to the base.

The Void Realm at night was fraught with danger.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the Meridian Galaxy was plunged into chaos as humans were forced into a tiny enclave by alien races from Outer Space. In their darkest hour, within ancient ruins, they stumbled upon a miraculous teleportation array. These arrays whisked them away to bizarre spaces.

Within these realms, human technology was rendered useless. Firearms, missiles, and even nuclear weapons failed to operate.

Here, countless Strange Beasts roamed, relegating humans to the bottom of the food chain.

That is until someone fortuitously slew a relatively feeble Strange Beast, underwent a radical transformation, and heard the voice of the world's will.

Humans rejoiced upon discovering that an increase in gene count led to longer lifespans. Thus, the era of gene evolution was ushered in.

Black Iron Base, a modest human outpost in the Void Realm, was a mere ten-minute journey from the White Liquid Jade Worm's cave. Zhang Lieh reached the base's grand entrance in no time.

The imposing steel gates were etched with myriad marks, each a testament to the base's tumultuous history.

As Zhang Lieh crossed the threshold, he was met by the resting Hunter Team, who instantly recognized him and erupted in mocking laughter.

"Look who it is, the eternal bottom-dweller of the Genetic Rankings, Wang Xiaohua."

"He was already at the bottom when I first arrived in the Void Realm, and he's still there."

"If I were him, I'd be too ashamed to stick around."

"With the vastness of the Void Realm, it's a wonder it can hold all sorts of rubbish. Who knows, by the time I'm fifty, this guy might still be at the bottom of the Genetic Rankings."

"Never mind fifty years; even at two hundred, his rank on the Genetic Rankings won't budge."

A wiry man turned to the attractive girl next to him and asked, "Wang Xiaohua, isn't it true that you and this fellow have been childhood friends?"

Wang Xiaohua, who had been looking down with flushed cheeks, snapped her head up at her teammate's words and blurted out, "Childhood friends? How could I, Wang Xiaohua, ever fancy someone like him?"

"My dad just felt sorry for their family and let them use a house temporarily. I have no connection to this guy, so don't spread rumors."

As Zhang Lieh overheard the conversation, he let out a cold laugh and strode past them without uttering a word.

Dragons don't associate with snakes, and phoenixes don't mingle with chickens.

If he were to retaliate every time he was wronged, Zhang Lieh would likely exhaust himself to death, given the abundance of malevolent dogs in the Void Realm.

He glanced up at the electronic screen erected in the center of the base, the very Genetic Board they had all been discussing.

First place: Yun Bing: Combat Power: 12,000

Second place: Chu Feng: Combat Power: 11,000

Third place: Qin Xiao: Combat Power: 10,000

The Genetic Board ranked individuals based on their gene count and possession of Soul Jade, essentially serving as a Combat Power Board.

Like the Kunpeng bird rising from the sea and soaring ninety thousand miles into the sky.

Zhang Lieh, of course, was indifferent to such empty honors. As someone reborn, he possessed advantages unknown to others and had already devised an extreme gene evolution plan. Now, all was in place; he was just waiting for the opportune moment.

He approached the point redemption counter at the base and placed half of the White Liquid Jade Worm's soft core he had collected over the past three months into the container.

The container snapped shut, and after a quick assessment by the electronic panel, a synthesized voice announced:

"A total of 1,000 basic Gene Points have been deposited, redeemable for 1,000 points."

The base was constructed with special materials, allowing the use of technological products within its walls. However, combat was strictly prohibited, and any violation of this rule would result in immediate execution by the formidable guardians, regardless of the offender's identity.

He saved the remaining half of the White Liquid Jade Worm's soft core in the base's vault for future use.

Zhang Lieh spoke up, "I'll take a Grade C alloy sword, and convert the remaining points to cash."

"A Grade C alloy sword costs 800 points. The remaining points will be converted to cash, totaling 20,000 federal coins."

An electronic synthesized voice chimed as the box opened once more, revealing a sword and a stack of red bills before Zhang Lieh.

He had returned to the slums of Ning City via a Teleportation Device, a common household item in this era, as ubiquitous as a television.

Teleportation Devices were affordable, costing only a few hundred dollars.

Stepping out of the Teleportation Device, Zhang Lieh saw a stunningly beautiful girl sitting in a wheelchair, engrossed in a book. She exuded tranquility, elegance, and purity, resembling a pristine flower of paradise, untouched by the world's blemishes.

Hearing the Teleportation Device's hum, the girl looked up with a radiant smile, "Brother's home!"

Zhang Lieh, usually so detached, couldn't help but smile warmly, "Yes, has Han Shuang been taking good care of the house?"

"Of course."

With a tender touch to his sister's head, Zhang Lieh's aloof demeanor melted away.

His sister, Zhang Hanshuang, had been his only family since their parents' disappearance. Despite her disability, which left her legs useless, she was otherwise in good health.

"Brother, shall I warm up some food for you?"

Zhang Lieh replied, "No need, it's inconvenient for you, and I've already eaten in the Void Realm. How many days was I gone?"

Time in the Void Realm, a high-genetic space, flowed differently from Earth, with a rough ratio of 10:1.

"You've been gone for ten days, brother."

"And Aunt Zhao?"

"She left early; it's quite late now."

Zhang Lieh nodded, then withdrew some cash, "Here's 8000 dollars for this month's expenses. Could you pass it on to Aunt Zhao for me?"

With Zhang Hanshuang's limited mobility and Zhang Lieh's need to re-enter the Void Realm, he relied on Aunt Zhao from next door for assistance, though her help mainly entailed providing meals at the appropriate times.

"Your birthday is six months away. What gift would you like?"

"I don't need any gifts, Han Shuang. Just being with you is more than enough," Zhang Hanshuang replied sweetly.

Zhang Lieh's smile couldn't hide the worry in his eyes.

Zhang Hanshuang's next birthday would mark her 18th year, and as per the Federation's laws, adulthood at eighteen meant mandatory training in the Void Realm.

The Void Realm, rife with conflict and death, was no place for someone as innocent and pure-hearted as his sister, especially with her disability.

In his previous life, he had failed to protect her, helplessly witnessing her tragic death. He was determined not to let history repeat itself.

There were, of course, ways to circumvent the law. Special citizens held privileges that could exempt a direct relative from the perilous Void Realm hunts.

Once he had gained sufficient strength and support in the Void Realm, it wouldn't be too late to consider allowing his sister to enter.

Since the last century, the Federation had been classifying citizens based on their gene points. Ordinary genes meant ordinary citizens with corresponding benefits, mutated genes indicated first-class citizens, and a full set of Super Genes designated one as a special citizen.

His eyes rested on the book beside the wheelchair; his sister loved to read. She aspired to be a scholar or a writer, but with their parents being merely ordinary citizens, and her disability, he would need to rise to the status of a first-class citizen for her to have a chance at attending a special academy.

Time had slipped away since his rebirth. If he couldn't find the fabled super creature after entering the Void Realm tomorrow, he would have to abandon his initial plan.

Yet, even though this was the first step of his extreme plan since rebirth, for his sister's sake, what was a plan worth?

"Knock... Knock... Knock..."

The door echoed with knocks. Zhang Lieh went to answer it, only to find Wang Xiaohua standing outside.

Zhang Lieh's brow furrowed. "What brings you here?"

Wang Xiaohua's face twisted with revulsion. "You think I want to be in a dump like this?"

Behind Zhang Lieh, Zhang Hanshuang approached in her wheelchair, offering a polite greeting, "Sister Xiaohua, it's been a while."

Wang Xiaohua's eyes landed on Zhang Hanshuang's frail legs, her face contorting with scorn and mockery, a sneer playing at her lips.

Zhang Lieh felt a surge of anger at the condescending attitude, his eyes sharpening in response.

He could brush off being disrespected himself, but when it came to his sister, that was a line he couldn't allow to be crossed.

Had it not been for their past agreement, Zhang Lieh might have already taken action.

Wang Xiaohua let out a cold snort, not even deigning to respond. She breezed past Zhang Lieh, surveying the room with a look of utter contempt. "After all this time, the place is still a dump. It's hardly fit for human habitation, more akin to a pigsty. It suits you perfectly, Zhang Lieh."

Zhang Lieh replied with measured indifference, "This is pointless. If you're here just to ridicule the way we live, then you're not welcome. I'd ask that you leave immediately."

With a mocking laugh, Wang Xiaohua retorted, "As if anyone would come here without good reason. Who'd willingly visit this garbage pile? I'm here today to reclaim this house."

Her words sent a jolt through both Zhang Lieh and Zhang Hanshuang.

Wang Xiaohua produced a contract, saying, "I stumbled upon this rental agreement at home today. It's about to expire, and upon closer inspection, I realized—oh, this is our property."

Taking the contract from her, Zhang Lieh scanned the text, his face growing increasingly grim.

Wang Xiaohua taunted, "The lease stipulated an eighteen-year transfer to your family. Now that the time is up, it's only right that the house be returned."