Blind Spot

"Uh... I remember that giant clams, snake-locked anemones, upturned jellyfish, spotted newts, and flatworms can all absorb solar energy."

Zhu Hao was surprised that the other person could actually answer the question. It felt like in a joke where an old Zen master asked a young man what the world's highest and second highest peaks were, trying to explain the philosophy that people only remember the first and not the second. Unexpectedly, the young man answered with K2 without hesitation, and then recited all the world's top ten peaks, leaving the old Zen master speechless.

"... Your knowledge is truly extensive. In fact, the examples you gave do not contradict my point of view. Most of these animals are parasitized by algae, which gives them plant cells and thus the ability to photosynthesize."

Take the spotted newt for example. During its embryonic stage, it is covered by algae in a jelly-like outer layer. The algae feed on the waste products of the embryonic eggs and provide oxygen to them, thus achieving a symbiotic relationship.

There's also the upturned jellyfish, which also obtains nutrients by having single-celled zooxanthellae inside its body, which can photosynthesize by raising its tentacles upwards.

Essentially, these animals absorb solar energy by relying on parasitic plants; they do not possess the corresponding function themselves.

Zhu Hao awkwardly wiped his dry forehead, relieved that he hadn't embarrassed his senior, and continued, "Besides the cell wall, your cell structure also contains chlorophyll-like substances, with a conversion efficiency ten times that of regular chlorophyll. Otherwise, how do you think you can absorb solar energy?"

Si Ming was dumbfounded. "This Cultivation Method is too scientific! Am I even human anymore?"

"Considering this issue is worrying unnecessarily. From a biological perspective, even Spirit Transformation experts are not normal humans. Their abilities and qualities in all aspects exceed the limits of ordinary people. Their biological cells have long since undergone metamorphosis. From the perspective of species, as long as you retain a human form and possess a moral code that is generally recognized by humans, you still belong to humanity."

Si Ming thought about it and felt that considering this question was meaningless. For example, Superman is definitely not an Earthling, but everyone assumes that he is human. From a biological point of view, the difference between Superman and ordinary humans is definitely much greater than the difference between him and humans.

"If I continue cultivating, will my whole body turn green?" Si Ming wondered, another problem arising in his mind.

"Theoretically, it should gradually turn green, but no one has seriously practiced this Cultivation Method before, so I can't say for sure what the final outcome will be. However, I can guarantee that your body probably won't turn green. In terms of its transformative power on the human body, the * Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture * far surpasses the * Blazing Yang Battle Art *. Your cells, stimulated by nuclear radiation, have already acquired metallic-like characteristics... So that's how it is!"

Zhu Hao revealed an expression of relief, as if he had finally relieved himself after being constipated for many days. Before Si Ming and the others could ask, he continued, "Rust Disease is obviously related to metal. This is a direction of cell evolution, and it's the same direction as the evolution of the 'Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture'. That's why your cells are engulfing Rust Disease. If I'm not mistaken, the engulfed bacteria should be converted into bioenergy. As long as you engulf enough, you should be able to sense the changes."

Lin Qingtong said, "According to you, Master, does that mean that Rust Disease is actually beneficial to humans?"

"You can't say that. Trying to force growth will only kill the seedlings. Human evolution is also a step-by-step process. If you don't build the first and second floors properly and jump straight to the third and fourth, the result will be destruction and death." Zhu Hao's expression became serious. "The appearance of Rust Disease cannot be a coincidence; it must be the work of someone with ulterior motives."

Si Ming understood. "So, someone developed Rust Disease and deliberately spread it for experimental purposes?"

Zhu Hao nodded. "Very likely."

No one present expected that the strange disease engulfing the Russia capital was man-made. Although Rust Disease does not directly cause death, the consequences are not much better than death. Now, nearly a hundred people are being infected every day, and the developers have no regard for human lives.

After a moment, Si Ming spoke up, "Since my cells can engulf Rust Disease, if I absorb all the rust spots on the patient's body, will they be cured?"

Zhu Hao shook his head. "That's impossible. What you absorbed was just the rust covering the surface of your body. In fact, Rust Disease have already had their internal organs corroded. The insidious nature of the rust disease is that it develops from the inside out, and there are no visible abnormalities in the early stages. However, you have reminded me that perhaps we can find a way to fight Rust Disease from your cells. Can I draw some blood from you?"

Si Ming did not refuse. He even deliberately dispersed his power to minimize the defensive capabilities of the Jade-Clad Dharma Body, because otherwise the needle would not be able to penetrate his skin at all.

After carefully storing the blood, Zhu Hao said, "Biology isn't my strong suit, but I can ask the people at the Institute of Mohist Academy of Science for help. Hopefully, we can develop a specific drug to treat Rust Disease as soon as possible."

After saying that, he didn't want to stay a moment longer and hurriedly left the ward.

Si Ming remarked with emotion, "It seems that regardless of their personalities, the predecessors of the Heaven's Will Palace are at least morally impeccable when it comes to matters of principle."

Yu Shuying sneered, "That's not necessarily true."

A short while later, Lin Qingtong also left with Liu Qingqing, presumably to carry out the "book-borrowing technique" mentioned earlier.

Seeing that no one was around, Si Ming said to Yu Shuying, "According to the plan, shouldn't I have been the one to stand in front and attract attention, covering for you? But because of your outburst at the meeting, everyone remembers you. If it falls into the eyes of someone with ulterior motives, they might immediately connect it to the matter of the Grandmaster Candidate."

"What can we do? We're new here and have no prestige. Our first step is to establish our authority and intimidate those old fogies. Only then can we achieve results. We need to work on both fronts to gain a voice. Besides, have you thought of a way to defeat the Thousand Ren Society? You know about the enemy's plan. Have you thought about how to counter it? If you could do that, of course I wouldn't need to get involved. But right now, I'm the one who has to take charge of this."

"Alright, then the task of defeating the Thousand Ren Society is yours, and I'll take care of the investigation into the Rust Disease."

"No problem."

Chapter 226 Blind Spot

"A new task has been assigned."

"Perfect timing, I've also received my medical license."

Qingyan glanced down at the certificate he had just received yesterday. Because he needed a suitable identity to cover up his mission in Russia, he set his sights on the profession of surgeon, which was extremely common and respected in Russia.

In other countries, obtaining a medical license is extremely difficult, requiring systematic training, written exams, interviews, and internships. However, the situation in Russia is somewhat unique. Due to the high demand for prosthetic limb replacement surgery, there is a shortage of qualified surgeons, leading to the emergence of many unlicensed and unqualified doctors and a surge in surgical accidents. Therefore, the government introduced a new policy: a special license specifically for doctors in this field. Anyone who passes the examination can obtain the certificate, but it only qualifies them to perform prosthetic limb replacement surgery.

As a "professional" assassin, Qingyan was proficient in the Butcher Ding's Ox-Carving Saber Technique. Although he applied his skills to different fields, the techniques were the same, and he found it very easy to learn the corresponding surgical techniques. In fact, in terms of technique alone, he was even better than most doctors. He studied the book for half a month and mastered all the basic knowledge, passing the test with a perfect score.

"The mission is to assassinate a man named Huang Wanlong. Here is his information."

Qingyan took the documents and photos from the other party, quickly glanced through them, and couldn't help but frown. "Huang Wanlong's identity as a spy has been discovered by the Black Earth Gang, and he will inevitably be under their close surveillance. The Black Earth Gang's discipline is different from other gangs. Killing an important person under their surveillance is not an easy task."

"If the mission were easy, I wouldn't have come to you. Currently, in the capital region, you are the only one capable of assassinating Huang Wanlong. The path to becoming a 'legend' is not so easy."

"I understand. I'll accept this task. Also, my personal commission..."

"Is this the information you wanted about 'Shadow of Nightmare' Lin Xiu? I really don't understand why you would be interested in a Mohist?"

"In my eyes, he was a legendary assassin. No one knew of his achievements while he was alive, but after his death, the world marveled at his abilities. I have always strived to emulate him."

"The Chi School has so many heroes to worship, yet they insist on worshipping a Mohist. Fine, it's your freedom to worship whomever you want, as long as it doesn't affect the mission."

"I admire him as a person, not his nationality or identity. As a professional assassin, once he accepts a mission, he will kill even if the target is his own family."

After browsing through the information several times, Qingyan destroyed it all. Although he did not have the ability to remember everything he saw, he did have an exceptional memory. He could memorize tens of thousands of words of information after reading it a couple of times.

The client's identity wasn't mentioned in the documents, which wasn't surprising. In fact, clients often chose to conceal their identities, and assassination organizations wouldn't question it. They were just doing their jobs for money and didn't care who the client was. But Qingyan, even with a shred of common sense, was certain it was someone from the Thousand Ren Society. To prevent spies from leaking secrets, they simply killed to silence the witnesses. He'd seen this kind of thing countless times.

Qingyan left the stronghold silently and came to the street. He no longer concealed his presence and adjusted his movements and posture to look like an ordinary person. No matter how carefully anyone observed him, they would not be able to detect anything unusual about him.

To assassinate Huang Wanlong, one must first get close to the Black Earth Gang. Qingyan couldn't think of a way to infiltrate, so he decided to conduct an on-site investigation first. Based on the intelligence, he arrived at the place where Huang Wanlong was being held and secretly observed from the doorway for a while.

"As expected of the Mohist School organization, their manpower is arranged very meticulously, without any obvious flaws. It seems there's no chance during the day; we can only wait until night."

After observing Qingyan came to a conclusion and was about to leave when he suddenly sensed a familiar presence approaching.