Free Web NovelChapter 342: Chapter 284: Sorry, I’m Mutated Too
"’Mutated genes?’" Gao Neng had heard the term before. For instance, Shen Ning’Er had once mentioned that her brain development had reached 100%, and that she could exert 150% of her full strength.
But hearing about something and seeing it were two different things, after all.
At least, he had never seen anything like Shaximo’s current state, his entire body glowing with a golden light.
’Could it be similar to Life Element Fusion?’
Gao Neng hadn’t truly tried using this special ability yet, because it was quite expensive: 100,000 Alliance Coins per minute, and that was just the starting price.
Fusing two types would cost at least one million!
’Still, looking at Shaximo... it does look pretty similar.’
Just as he was lost in thought, a wave of gasps and exclamations erupted from the crowd.
Shaximo’s test results were out.
"Coefficient: 9.07 + 13.59 (Combined Score: 22.66)"
It was an absolutely monstrous score.
Even Gao Neng was a little surprised.
According to the researcher’s earlier explanation, this test measured muscle tissue strength as a part of one’s overall physical condition. The first number, 9.07, represented the muscle development value.
In terms of breaking the Human Limits, the value would typically reach over 2 after the first breakthrough, 4 after the second, 6 after the third, and 8 after the fourth.
Of course, this was just the initial value.
The number would continue to change with subsequent training.
For example, Shaximo hadn’t actually broken the Fourth Human Limit; he had only broken the third. However, there can be significant differences even among those who have broken the third limit.
After Shaximo broke the third Human Limit, his score wasn’t just 6. Through further training, his current score had already reached 9.07, which was higher than someone who had just broken the Fourth Human Limit.
That was the result of hard work.
As for the second number, 13.59, that was the bonus from his mutated gene.
In other words, Shaximo’s baseline muscle tissue strength was 9.07, but with the enhancement from his mutated gene, it reached 22.66.
"He really lives up to his title as number one on the Dragon List!"
"The Golden Body Arhat’s strength lies in his muscle density. With that kind of durability, I bet even a typical high-ranker would struggle to break through his defense, right?"
"I estimate I could only reach a score of 8 at most, and I don’t have a mutated gene to give me a boost. I don’t think anyone will be able to surpass that score."
As they marveled at the result, the crowd’s eyes turned to Gao Neng.
Their gazes held a hint of pity.
Being grouped with Shaximo, with the very first event being a muscle strength test... Gao Neng was probably in for a major blow, wasn’t he?
Shaximo, too, glanced at Gao Neng.
His expression was as solemn and dignified as a statue, revealing little emotion. But his gaze was profound, as if to say, ’Don’t be surprised. You’ll still have your chance!’
That’s right!
Gao Neng did indeed have a chance!
At least, in the eyes of many, Gao Neng stood a chance in the Spiritual Power test.
"Gao Neng, it’s your turn," Zhang Hongying said.
"Wait, can I ask how the bonus from the mutated gene is calculated?" Gao Neng asked after a moment’s thought.
"Heh heh, what’s this? Don’t tell me you have a mutated gene, too?" A smile played on Zhang Hongying’s lips.
"Hahaha..." The disciples from the various sects and noble families also started laughing.
Not just anyone could possess mutated genes.
Besides, if Gao Neng truly possessed a mutated gene, wouldn’t it have been discovered long ago? How could it possibly have remained hidden until now?
Clearly, Gao Neng just didn’t want to lose.
But the problem was... how could an ordinary person possibly compete in a test of physical strength against someone with a mutated gene?
"Gao Neng, mutated genes are generally divided into two types: innate and acquired. Innate ones are present at birth, while acquired ones awaken under special circumstances," Lin Ying answered.
"Are there different categories?" Gao Neng asked again.
"Of course. Colonel Shen has a brain-based genetic mutation, while Shaximo’s is a physical one affecting his muscles. He can fuse Elemental Energy with his muscle tissue," Lin Ying explained.
"Elemental Energy?"
"Correct. He can fuse with Gold. It’s an innate ability he was born with, allowing him to merge Gold Elemental Energy with his muscles to strengthen them. That’s how he earned the title Golden Body Arhat!"
’So that’s how it is.’ Gao Neng understood.
"Don’t worry about it. You’ve broken the Fourth Human Limit, so your physical strength won’t be that much worse than his. He just has a mutated gene, that’s all. There’s no need to compete with him on this!" Lin Ying urged again.
"Compete... I still have to," Gao Neng said, shaking his head.
Lin Ying was about to say more, but Gao Neng had already started walking forward, leaving him speechless.
When the others heard Gao Neng’s words, they were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter again.
’He’s completely overestimating himself!’
’His strength is in Spiritual Power.’
’Trying to compete with Shaximo in muscle strength? Isn’t he just asking to be humiliated?’
"Alright, Gao Neng, hurry up and start," Zhang Hongying urged. Then, she glanced back at Shaximo. "You, prepare for the muscle stress-resistance test!"
"Understood." Shaximo nodded.
"Fang Tangtang, take care of Gao Xiaomeng." Gao Neng said, tossing Gao Xiaomeng over to her. Then, he casually stripped off his shirt.
This scene immediately left the onlookers stunned once more.
’Shaximo took his shirt off to better fuse with Gold Elemental Energy. Gao Neng doesn’t even have a muscle-related mutated gene, so why is he taking his shirt off for no reason?’
’What a hick!’
"Gao Neng, you don’t need to take your shirt off," a researcher reminded him.
"It’s fine. I just like to," Gao Neng replied.
The researcher was speechless but stepped aside anyway, gesturing for Gao Neng to stand in front of the machine.
Gao Neng stepped into position as instructed.
The glass door slid shut.
A strange wave of energy began to scan his body.
Gao Neng felt the muscles all over his body begin to activate. Then, he saw the numbers on the screen start to change.
8.01
8.59
9.00
BEEP!
The number stopped at 9.05.
"He actually hit 9.05?!" Staring at the number, even the disciples from the sects and noble families who had been mocking Gao Neng moments ago were now wide-eyed.
’Without any mutated genes.’
’He reached 9.05 on pure muscle strength alone?!’
’So the rumors were true.’
’This guy really did break the Fourth Human Limit. Otherwise, at just Rank-5, it would be impossible to have a score in the nines.’
"9.05... not bad. Wai—wait a second! Why is it still going up?!" The researcher nodded, and just as he was about to write down the score, he suddenly noticed that the screen, which had stopped, was changing again.
That’s right!
The numbers were changing again!
And they were rising rapidly.
Most importantly, a black, metallic sheen was spreading across Gao Neng’s skin. The luster grew deeper and richer until his body looked as if it were forged from a block of black iron.
"Th-This is impossible!" Zhang Hongying’s eyes widened in disbelief. ’This is just too damn unreasonable!’
’A mutated gene.’
’You just have one because you say you do?!’
’Couldn’t you at least give us a little warning? Just a tiny hint?’
’Gao Neng clearly didn’t show anything like this during the Dragon List challenge. How could he suddenly have a mutated gene?!’
"A mutated gene!"
"It really is... a mutated gene?!"
"Iron?! His body can fuse with Iron Elemental Energy?!"
Shock and amazement rippled through the crowd.
No one could believe their eyes.
But the facts were right in front of them, because the number on the screen had finally stopped.
"Coefficient: 9.05 + 9.80 (Combined Score: 18.85)"
"It actually reached 18.85?! That’s barely any different from Shaximo’s score!" Seeing this number, the atmosphere in the room began to buzz with excitement.
Gao Neng actually possessed a mutated gene.
Although it was only a fusion with Iron Elemental Energy, which wasn’t as fearsomely strong as Gold, it was still an incredible feat, far beyond any ordinary person.
"Unexpected. Not bad at all!" Shaximo nodded. He felt he could no longer underestimate Gao Neng. At the very least, the guy wasn’t that far behind him.
"Huh? Is the bonus from Iron Elemental Energy this low? My bad, I must have done something wrong. Let me try again," Gao Neng said, shaking his head as he looked at the numbers on the screen.
He wasn’t satisfied.
He had just wanted to show something a little different.
But iron... was too disappointing.
’Oh well.’
’Might as well go with gold.’
With a single thought, the iron energy dissipated.
He began to fuse with Gold Elemental Energy.
