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nChapter 306: 404 Research Institute

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nIn a certain sea area, a submarine began to sink rapidly.

nIn an instant, it had descended to the ocean floor over two thousand meters deep.

n“Activate the photic sensors!”

nAboard the submarine, a man dressed in military attire with a scar across his face, intently stared at the monitor and spoke slowly.

nWith the activation of the detection equipment, the screen displayed countless bright points, resembling stars.

n“Target detected, ranging from one thousand to two thousand in number…”

n“Release the plankton, prepare to lure…”

nFollowing the scar-faced man’s order, a large number of tiny plankton were released.

nOn the screen, many bright points began to move in response to the appearance of the plankton.

nAt the same time, a suction force emerged from beneath the submarine, and a vast amount of seawater was drawn into it.

nOnly when the bright points on the monitor completely vanished did the scar-faced man order, “Close the water intake…”

nHe hurriedly proceeded to the lower level of the submarine, arriving at a location resembling a pool filled with seawater.

nSeveral workers dressed in white lab coats were busily working.

nThe scar-faced man glanced around, finding nothing unusual about the water in the pool.

nHe inquired, “May I see these little creatures?”

n“Of course, Captain!”

nA worker in a white lab coat handed over a head-mounted device to the scar-faced man.

nUpon donning the special apparatus, he quickly observed the pool.

nWithin the previously dark seawater, numerous transparent floating creatures, each with numerous tentacles, appeared.

n“So beautiful…”

nAn expression of admiration appeared on the scar-faced man’s face, “Is this the raw material for immortality?”

n“Captain, these are merely lantern jellyfish. Whether they hold the key for humans to achieve immortality depends on the company’s further research…” The scar-faced man asked, “What would happen if I ate them?”

n“Captain, they are poisonous. Consuming them directly would damage your digestive system…”

n“Understood!”

nThe scar-faced man removed the headset, handing it back to the worker and turning to leave.

n404 Research Institute.

nChen Xiao sat alone in a conference room with a few documents laid out next to him.

nThe round table had twelve chairs, and behind each chair were several devices resembling cameras.

nChen Xiao glanced at his watch and gently pressed a button on the table.

n“Shush!” “Shush!” “Shush!”

nAs the switch was pressed, humanoid projections began to appear on the round table.

nIn the blink of an eye, all twelve chairs were occupied.

n“Chen Xiao, why on earth did you request a remote conference?”

n“Do you have any idea how expensive this equipment is? If you can’t present something satisfactory to us…”

nThe meeting had just started, and two attendees were already speaking with evident impatience.

nChen Xiao remained silent and pressed another switch. Instantly, projections of documents appeared in front of everyone.

nThe attendees paused for a moment, then began to read.

nAs time passed, some even had tears forming in their eyes.

n“Chen Xiao, is this true?!”

n“Chen Xiao, have you really found a way to incorporate the genes of the lantern jellyfish into other organisms?!”

nLiving organisms will die because the ends of their chromosomes have a special sequence called telomeres.

nDue to the structure and mechanism of DNA and chromosomes, with each DNA replication, the telomeres shorten slightly.

nWhen the telomeres are completely depleted, a person’s life comes to an end.

nThe desire not to die is deeply ingrained in human genetics. The ultimate goal of all life sciences research is to achieve human immortality.

nThe lantern jellyfish, the only known immortal creature in nature, became a common subject of study in many biological science institutions as soon as it was discovered.

nHowever, for many years, the progress had been limited, and the dream of eternal life seemed distant. Unexpectedly, research expanded into other areas.

nFor instance, the enhancer elixir consumed by people was a derivative product of the Reed Group’s research on lantern jellyfish.

n“It’s impossible!” A person with a research background immediately countered, “Gene editing is limited to homologous recombination. If you replace human genes with those of the lantern jellyfish, our genetic chain would collapse!”

nOthers also realized their overreaction and turned to Chen Xiao, awaiting his explanation.

nChen Xiao smiled slightly, “I’ve found another way to inherit genes, but it’s still under research…”

n“We have already merged the genes of the lantern jellyfish with the ‘Holy Light’…”

n“Oh, and by the way, ‘Holy Light’ is a combination of genes from spiders, mantises, worms, and sixteen other creatures…”

n“Such genetic editing requires generations to take effect. Is it meaningful for humans?”

nIt’s relatively simple to merge the genes of two creatures, which usually involves creating a new embryo.

nHowever, the more species involved, the more complex the rejection becomes.

nChen Xiao’s achievement of merging 18 species was already astonishing.

nMore surprisingly, he could also incorporate the genes of the lantern jellyfish.

nBut that wasn’t the most important aspect. The key for them was how to apply the method of immortality to themselves.

n“So, I used a parasitic approach…”

nChen Xiao smiled faintly, “Allow me first to introduce the name after merging the lantern jellyfish and ‘Holy Light’…”

nHe pressed the switch, and an image of a facehugger appeared before everyone.

n“Its name is ‘Dawn,’ symbolizing the first light of daybreak…”

n“It’s so ugly!”

n“No, I think it is very beautiful!” Chen Xiao looked at the facehugger with infatuation and muttered,”” This is the future of humanity, and also the mother of humanity…”

nUpon seeing his twisted appearance, everyone present felt uneasy. Someone bluntly said, “Cut the crap. This ultra-frequency communication method is expensive. Just tell us what you want!”

nThe fervor in Chen Xiao’s eyes faded, and he calmly stated, “In our initial tests, species parasitized by ‘Dawn’ retain 30% of the original species’ genetic traits. Moreover, the new species born are far superior to the parasitized species, able to automatically absorb the advantageous segments from its genetic material.”

n“I need more samples.”

n“As you all know, our 404 Research Institute has weak military power. Unlike you, who have many under your command. Thus, I hope you can help me capture some experimental subjects.”

n“What do you need?!”

n“Enhanced humans, from level one to level seven.” Chen Xiao said. He then turned to a female administrator and remarked, “Hao Meng Yun, I heard that the Reed Group has obtained level nine enhancers. Can you get me level eight or level nine subjects?”

n“Don’t talk nonsense!”

nHao Meng Yun retorted, “Level eight and nine are only for their core members, not for sale. We are from Rizhao. How can 1 betray them?!”

n“Aren’t you involved with one of their executives?”

n“Go to hell! That was just for procreation!”

nChen Xiao knew he cannot get his hands on level eight or nine enhancers in the short term.

nHe continued, “If that’s the case, then enhanced humans from level one to level seven.

n“Besides human samples, I also need samples from various radiation beasts, mutated carnivorous plants…” He paused for a moment, “If possible…”

n“I want a mutated beast!”

n“Have you lost your mind?!”

n“We can’t even handle these mutated beasts now. If, according to you, that ugly bug can optimize genes, what if it evolves an even stronger monster?”

nA cold glint passed through Chen Xiao’s eyes when someone referred to the “Dawn” parasite as an ‘ugly bug’.

nHe smirked, “Then forget about the mutated beast samples for now.”

n“With ‘Dawn’s’ current ability, it might take decades or even centuries to hatch after parasitizing a mutated beast. We can discuss this once 1 cultivate a more potent version of ‘Dawn’.”

n“I’ll help you, but in return, I want some of those ugly bugs.”

n“Yes, if there are results, we should all share them.”

nChen Xiao looked at the greed in everyone’s eyes and flashed a brilliant smile.

n“Deal.. It’s settled!”

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