Chapter 21: Genetic Source Stone

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Genetic Source Stone

"This is simple," Ji Zhixing smiled. "The five of us will play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets to refine it first."

"Alright!" The group’s eyes lit up, and they agreed in unison.

Rock, paper, scissors!

After a few rounds, Zhang Haoceng chuckled and raised his hand. "Haha, I won!"

Xie Jia came in second, Ji Zhixing third, Luo Yongguang fourth, and Liu Qifan last.

"Ah?" Liu Qifan looked disappointed. "Why am I so unlucky?"

Ji Zhixing also felt a bit helpless and shook his head. Compared to the others, he was the one most eager to test his Genetic Furnace’s abilities.

Zhang Haoceng stepped forward enthusiastically and crouched beside the corpse of the black-furred hound. He took a deep breath and activated his Genetic Furnace. The black-furred hound blurred for a moment before vanishing completely. Although the Genetic Furnace was located inside a Cultivator’s body, its internal space was massive; let alone a hound, it could even fit an elephant. If a Genetic Cultivator could break through to the second tier, the internal space of the Genetic Furnace would expand even further.

"Hurry up!" The group stared at Zhang Haoceng, eagerly awaiting the result.

Time ticked by. After about three or four minutes, Zhang Haoceng opened his eyes. The excitement on his face had faded, replaced by disappointment.

He reached out his hand, and a thumb-sized Crystal Stone materialized out of thin air in his palm. It was completely transparent and emitted a faint glow.

"Nothing to see here, just bad luck," Zhang Haoceng said, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "It’s just a guaranteed Genetic Source Stone."

The others looked at the Crystal Stone. The Genetic Source Stone was the universal currency of this world. When Genetic Cultivators refined the corpses of Genetic Beasts, even if they were unlucky and failed to produce Genetic Equipment or genetic potions, they would still obtain these Genetic Source Stones.

Given the size of this Genetic Source Stone, if Zhang Haoceng wanted to, he could put it back into his Genetic Furnace and refine it into ten Genetic Coins in mere moments. Both Genetic Source Stones and Genetic Coins could be used to slowly restore Genetic Source Power.

Ji Zhixing thought to himself, "Ten Genetic Coins... A bottle of Stone Skin genetic potion costs ten thousand, which means I’d need a thousand Genetic Source Stones like this one. A bottle of Gigantification genetic potion costs one hundred thousand, which requires ten thousand stones.

"There is still a long way to go."

He asked to see Zhang Haoceng’s Genetic Source Stone, examining it with a sigh in his heart.

"Here." Ji Zhixing handed the Genetic Source Stone back.

Zhang Haoceng stored it away. "Let’s go. We’ll keep moving."

The five of them regrouped and cautiously advanced deeper into Shihu Town. They hadn’t gone far before they heard the sounds of combat echoing from all over the town.

"It seems the other squads have encountered Genetic Beasts as well." Exchanging glances, they quickened their pace.

Suddenly, the sounds of an intense brawl erupted up ahead. Shifting their gaze, they saw Zhou Yuan’s squad surrounding a massive wild boar. The boar was pitch-black with two tusks curving upwards. By the looks of it, it was a Genetic Beast—the Monstrous Strength Boar King.

Wielding a long saber, Zhou Yuan moved nimbly around the boar, slashing at its vital spots with every strike. The others also unleashed their respective abilities, coordinating flawlessly.

Soon, the Monstrous Strength Boar King crashed heavily to the ground.

Sheathing his saber, Zhou Yuan turned and spotted Ji Zhixing’s group. He immediately waved at them with a smug expression. "Hey! How was that? Not bad teamwork, right?"

"It was just alright. We’ve already killed a Genetic Beast ourselves," Zhang Haoceng retorted instantly.

The two groups exchanged a few words before parting ways. Shihu Town was quite large, but the number of Genetic Beasts occupying it was limited. Once the beasts inside the town were cleared out, everyone would have to use the town as a base to hunt in the outskirts.

This practical training outside the city wasn’t going to end in a single day. According to the school’s plan, they were to stay here for five days before returning.

After walking for a while longer, a very faint rustling sound suddenly came from behind a broken wall up ahead. The group immediately halted, looking over vigilantly. They spotted a small-sized Genetic Beast crouching in the shadows behind the wall. It was a cat. A black cat with a single eye situated right between its brows.

"A One-Eyed Mutant Cat," Zhao Qing’s voice sounded from behind. "It’s very fast and highly alert."

Just as she spoke, the One-Eyed Mutant Cat seemed to sense the danger. It spun around abruptly and vanished into the ruins with a few leaps, displaying astonishing speed.

Liu Qifan chased after it for two steps before stopping in frustration. "It runs so fast!"

Ji Zhixing shook his head. "We can’t catch it. Let it go."

"That’s just how One-Eyed Mutant Cats are," Zhao Qing said, walking over. "They have incredible vigilance and will bolt at the slightest sign of trouble. Moreover, they are extremely fast. Even Cultivators who possess standard speed-type genetic abilities would find it hard to catch them."

Helpless, the group could only continue their search. This time, it didn’t take long for them to spot a new target.

The new target was an enormous pheasant. Standing upright, it was a full meter and a half tall, covered in grayish-brown feathers that glinted with a metallic luster in the sunlight. Its two legs were thick and powerful, armed with razor-sharp claws.

"It’s an Iron-Feathered Pheasant!"

Ji Zhixing’s eyes lit up. "Although this kind of Genetic Beast has wings, it can’t fly. Its two wings are its weapons. The feathers are as hard as iron, and they pack a massive punch when flapped. It’s not particularly fast, but its strength is nothing to scoff at."

"Let’s attack together! A slow Genetic Beast like this is nothing but a sitting duck against us!" Zhang Haoceng chuckled.

They all nodded and immediately surrounded it.

"CLUCK CLUCK!" Startled, the Iron-Feathered Pheasant immediately bristled its feathers. Spreading its wings like twin blades, it charged straight at Liu Qifan, who was running the fastest.

At that moment, Xie Jia made her move. With a wave of her hands, Genetic Source Power surged out, forming a translucent emerald-green vine that rapidly extended and instantly bound the Iron-Feathered Pheasant’s legs.

"CLUCK CLUCK!"

The Iron-Feathered Pheasant struggled desperately, flapping its wings frantically. However, despite looking fragile, the translucent vine was incredibly tough. It constricted the bird’s legs tightly, immobilizing it completely.

"Nice!" Overjoyed, Liu Qifan immediately skidded to a halt and swung his saber backhand toward the Iron-Feathered Pheasant’s neck.

Spreading its wings, the Iron-Feathered Pheasant violently swatted at Liu Qifan.

CLANG!

As the saber clashed with the iron-hard wing, the impact nearly sent the long blade flying from Liu Qifan’s grasp. The sheer force jolted him, forcing him several steps back.

He thought to himself in shock, "What incredible strength!"

But at that moment, Ji Zhixing had already arrived. Gripping his staff with both hands, he channeled all his physical strength into the weapon. His Genetic Source Energy surged simultaneously, fusing into the impending strike.

Sky Shattering Stance!

Carrying an indomitable momentum, the long staff slammed ruthlessly onto the Iron-Feathered Pheasant’s back.

THUD!

With a muffled thud, the Iron-Feathered Pheasant’s body sank sharply. The feathers on its back caved in from the blow, sending a flurry of them scattering into the air.

"CLUCK!" The Iron-Feathered Pheasant let out a shrill cry of pain.

Zhang Haoceng’s long spear thrust in from the other side, piercing into its abdomen with a squelch. Luo Yongguang also charged forward, raising his heavy shield to smash fiercely into the Iron-Feathered Pheasant, knocking it off balance.

The Iron-Feathered Pheasant thrashed with all its might, flailing its wings wildly, but with its legs ensnared by the vine, it simply couldn’t move. Its resistance grew weaker and weaker as blood gushed from its wounds.

Steadying himself, Liu Qifan lunged forward once more, slashing his saber right across its neck. This strike directly sliced the Iron-Feathered Pheasant’s throat wide open.

Blood sprayed out. The Iron-Feathered Pheasant convulsed a few more times before finally collapsing to the ground.

"Phew..." Liu Qifan panted. "This Iron-Feathered Pheasant had so much strength. It almost knocked my saber right out of my hands."

Ji Zhixing nodded in agreement and looked at Xie Jia. "Xie Jia’s Vine Entanglement is truly excellent. As long as the opponent is restrained, we can basically slaughter them at will."

"CLUCK CLUCK CLUCK!"

Right at that moment, a flurry of urgent clucking sounds rang out from a short distance away. The group snapped their heads around, only to see three Iron-Feathered Pheasants suddenly rushing out of the woods ahead.

The one taking the lead was exceptionally massive, standing a full two meters tall. It sported a vibrant red fleshy crest atop its head that was dazzlingly bright. Clearly, this was an Iron Feather Pheasant King.

The other two were identical to the Iron-Feathered Pheasant they had just killed. Seeing their fallen kin on the ground, the three Iron-Feathered Pheasants instantly let out furious screeches and charged madly at the group.