C3 Detection

"Phew," Jun Lindao exhaled, stirring awake inside the Genetic Chamber. He was emerging from a deep slumber, his body sluggish and his vision slowly sharpening to clarity.

"Huh? Why am I here?" he muttered, eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar Genetic Chamber. The setting was starkly different from the original research facility, and even the technician at his side had been replaced by an elderly man.

"You're awake," the old man observed, a touch of melancholy in his gaze.

"And you are?"

"I'm Researcher Song from the Genetic Institute. Feel free to call me Old Song."

Jun Lindao wouldn't presume to address him so informally; he understood the weight of the title 'great researcher'—a title demanding respect from all.

"Mr. Song, I was supposed to come for a basic genetic test. Why am I here?" Jun Lindao surveyed the room, taking in the array of intricate instruments he couldn't name, a setup far more complex than his initial testing site.

"Your case is quite complex. The standard equipment couldn't yield a definitive result, so I've brought you to my private lab for a thorough examination," the elder researcher explained.

"So, what's my talent level?" Jun Lindao recalled the word 'complex' from the old man's explanation and felt a twinge of unease.

The researcher seemed to weigh his words carefully, pausing before he finally spoke, "You possess ninth-level talent, but with some unique aspects."

Jun Lindao's mind reeled at the mention of "ninth level," struggling to come to terms with it. He completely overlooked the significance of 'unique' that the old man had mentioned.

From the moment he learned about the talent tiers, Jun Lindao stood apart from his peers, brimming with anticipation for the genetic assessment at eighteen. He was convinced he was no ordinary individual. While others approached the test with trepidation, he remained composed, firmly believing that even if he wasn't a third-level genius, he was surely a fourth-level standout, or at the very least, the pinnacle of the ordinary fifth level. In his mind, he couldn't possibly fare any worse.

Unexpectedly, he was far from "ordinary"—his talent was abysmal.

The revelation from the old man that he possessed the lowest of the low, a "Level Nine" potential, was a bitter pill to swallow.

"How can this be? It's not possible... You're lying to me!" he murmured, his face etched with incredulity. He even began to doubt the old man's sudden appearance and intentions, suspecting deception.

"From a young age, I've outshone my peers. By eight, I had mastered calculus. By nine, I had a complete grasp of relativity. Just three months ago, I ranked in the top one million of the universal exam—I am undoubtedly exceptional! How could I possibly have Level Nine potential?" Jun Lindao bellowed.

In the student benchmarks of the Universe Era, mastering calculus by ten and relativity by twelve was the norm. Jun Lindao's ability to far surpass these milestones was a testament to his impressive talent.

The significance of one's rank in the universal exam couldn't be overstated.

In this Universe Era, humanity's numbers were beyond calculation. Jun Lindao's home planet alone boasted a population exceeding one billion, with millions his age taking the universal exam. With thousands of human-inhabited planets out there, some with populations dwarfing that of Jun Lindao's world, the largest reaching a staggering hundred billion, the annual exam saw a sea of candidates.

Securing a spot in the top one million amidst such fierce competition marked Jun Lindao as an absolute standout, placing him among the top hundred on his own planet.

By all accounts, he was destined to be a child of fortune, a belief he had always held.

Before undergoing the original gene test, he had familiarized himself with the basics of genetic theory. Typically, a higher IQ indicated a more developed brain. While there wasn't a direct cause-and-effect link between brain capacity and personal aptitude, a correlation was generally observed. A stronger brain often meant higher aptitude.

The aptitude of renowned scientists was consistently above Level Four, with many geniuses at Level Three and even rarer physical constitutions. Jun Lindao had assumed he was among their ranks. After all, he had been the smarter child, the "neighbor's kid," and in the eyes of others, he was already a genius.

Throughout the vast expanse of history, there have been rare extreme cases, like a prodigy whose intelligence was recognized as genius-level, surpassing many Awakened individuals even before his own awakening. Yet, his talent was a mere sixth level—clearly below average. This "prodigy" later took his own life, unable to cope with the crushing disappointment.

Similar cases have occurred.

But never before has there been someone like Jun Lindao, a genius with a staggering ninth-level IQ!

"Take a moment to calm down," the elder said, his eyes brimming with compassion. He had used his authority to look into the background of the eighteen-year-old Jun Lindao while the boy was unconscious. He discovered that Jun was among the top one hundred on this planet before his awakening—a "genius" by any standard. A child destined for greatness had his world turned upside down in an instant, a fall from grace so severe it could shatter anyone's psyche.

"You are indeed ninth level; this is your genetic data. You're smart enough to understand it yourself," the elder offered, handing Jun Lindao a stack of documents.

Jun Lindao eagerly grabbed the papers, scanning them rapidly. Despite the chaos in his mind and the swarm of intrusive thoughts, his brain was still processing at breakneck speed.

"Is what he's saying true? Am I really ninth level? Or is this old man deceiving me, planning to use me as a lab rat, orchestrating all of this?" he wondered.

After some time, he finished reviewing his genetic report.

"If this report is accurate, then I am indeed ninth level," Jun Lindao exhaled deeply.

Then, something else occurred to him. "Earlier, you mentioned I was somewhat unique. What did you mean by that?"

"You are unique," the elder explained. "Typically, someone at the ninth level can detect only a very limited number of awakening points, often no more than a hundred. But you're an exception; not a single awakening point can be detected on you. In over two hundred years, I've only seen this in you."

He paused, then added, "I had assumed such a constitution couldn't exist, or perhaps the outdated gene detectors from history weren't sophisticated enough to identify every aspect. However, even with the most advanced detectors, the results are the same. I can only infer through special techniques that you possess hidden awakening points, buried incredibly deep, beyond the reach of conventional technology. My methods can only approximate a general area; I can't determine the exact number or locations of your awakening points. All I can confirm is that you're still human, not an inanimate object. That's all there is to it."