EX Gene

A mysterious notebook transformed into a stream of light and suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Zhou Zhe]

[Talent: Absolute Comprehension; Self-Configuration.]

[Skills: Wind Element Body Tempering Technique (4/4); Swift Wind Blade Technique (2/3)]

[Title: Blademaster - While wielding a blade, destructive power +50%]

Destructive power had increased by a full fifty percent!

Casually swinging the long saber in his hand, Zhou Zhe felt his understanding of blade techniques deepen.

However…

What were the prerequisites for obtaining a title?

As the thought crossed his mind, related information flowed into his brain from the mysterious notebook.

Zhou Zhe immediately obtained the trigger conditions for acquiring titles.

1. Specific events—such as defeating all the powerhouses on a planet with a blade.

2. Slaughter—the stronger the souls of those who perished under his blade, and the greater their numbers, the higher the title's level and effect would gradually increase.

Naturally, besides Blademaster, there were also titles like Swordsman, Spear King, Fist Emperor, and so on, all of which could be acquired.

"It seems this notebook holds many more secrets that I need to uncover bit by bit."

With that thought, Zhou Zhe subtly glanced at Lin Ye, who was not far away. The latter seemed completely unaware of the notebook's existence.

"As expected, even Transcenders can't detect its presence?"

"Even so, it's better to minimize the notebook's appearance in front of others in the future."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Lin Ye walked over quickly, clapping his hands, a gratified smile on his face. "Your adaptation speed is even faster than I anticipated!"

"And, if I'm not mistaken, your current mastery of the Wind Riding Blade Technique is only a hair's breadth away from perfection, isn't it?"

Even standing to the side, Lin Ye could feel a sharp aura emanating from Zhou Zhe—the formidable presence of a Blademaster.

Lin Ye possessed this kind of aura too, but it was a gift from "that person," not something he cultivated himself. Compared to Zhou Zhe, it seemed to lack a core essence.

"That's right."

Zhou Zhe nodded slightly. "I feel like there's only a thin veil separating me now. To break through to the third level of the Wind Riding Blade Technique, I need a real battle."

Hearing this, the smile on Lin Ye's face became even brighter.

He had a clear self-assessment—he was just an ordinary person with good luck.

Born into a military family, he had been educated by his parents since childhood to be loyal and serve the country, making contributions to the nation after growing up.

He had always loved the famous quote by the Northern Song scholar Zhang Zai: "To establish the heart for heaven and earth, to establish life for the people, to continue the lost teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all generations."

Unfortunately, his own abilities were insufficient.

"With my talent, even with the help of friends from other worlds, how long can I survive in the Cosmic Arena?"

Lin Ye had often asked himself this question and had found the answer.

Death was not frightening; the unknown was.

What was even more frightening was not having done anything meaningful during his lifetime.

He was very fortunate to have met Zhou Zhe.

Patriotic, talented, extremely hardworking, with an excellent disposition and grateful—leaving such an outstanding disciple for the country, he could rest in peace even if he died in the Cosmic Arena someday, right?

Perhaps in history textbooks decades from now, Lin Ye's name would be mentioned because of his disciple, Zhou Zhe…

"Sorry, I was spacing out just now."

Lin Ye snapped back to attention and looked at Zhou Zhe, who was waiting patiently beside him, feeling even more satisfied. "So, next is the final stage of the trial!"

As he spoke, he clapped his hands.

Creak, creak…

With the sound of mechanical gears turning, the ground twenty meters away suddenly sank, revealing a steel underground passage.

"This place holds a 'Rare Beast—Blood Scale' from Sigma Star."

Lin Ye led the way, and before Zhou Zhe could ask, he said leisurely, "Cosmic Arena points are omnipotent; they can be exchanged for anything from lifespan to superpowers!"

"It can even bring back to life someone who has been annihilated in the river of history!"

"And the Rare Beast—Blood Scale is the ultimate trial I've prepared for you with my points!"

After walking for about a hundred meters, a thick, unyielding smell of blood assailed them.

The powerful pressure made Zhou Zhe's heart rate quicken significantly.

Dim orange light shone on the Rare Beast—Blood Scale in the distance, casting a large, terrifying shadow.

It was about four and a half meters tall, its tough crimson scales shimmering with a faint glow. The foul-smelling fangs still contained remnants of flesh, and its pair of silver eyes seemed devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

A killing machine!

That was Zhou Zhe's first impression of the Rare Beast · Blood Scale.

Lin Ye, standing a few steps back, said, "I won't tell you its abilities or weaknesses. Intelligence gathering is very important for a qualified Cosmic Arena gladiator."

"Start cultivating that ability now!"

"Blood Scale, attack!"

"Only one of you will walk out of here alive."

Hearing Lin Ye's words, the Rare Beast Blood Scale immediately sprang into action.

Swish!

The Blood Scale's figure vanished instantly, leaving behind only a black and red afterimage.

The next moment, it appeared before Zhou Zhe, its massive claws slashing down.

Lin Ye, spectating from the side, was focused to the extreme, ready to intervene at any moment.

Under normal circumstances, there's always a trade-off between strength and speed.

Large life forms inevitably lack agility and speed.

But the Blood Scale had no such drawback!

Its immense mass granted the Blood Scale incredible strength, while its speed came from a transcendent bloodline known as the EX Gene.

When exchanging for the Blood Scale, Lin Ye had meticulously reviewed its data.

Before Sigma Star entered the superpowered era, the Blood Scale often wreaked havoc on the planet with its unparalleled speed, strength, and endurance. Both Horned Demons and Bull Horn Demons were merely food to it.

It wasn't until Sigma Star's technology advanced that a geneticist extracted the miraculous EX Gene from the Blood Scale's body, creating EX Gene serum. Through generations of refinement, the entire species was reborn at a genetic level, allowing the Horned Demons to gain dominance and control of the planet.

The once fearsome beast, the Blood Scale, thus became a rare treasure.

"...Don't die!"

Lin Ye gritted his teeth, clenching his fists so tightly that his fingernails almost dug into his palms. He seemed oblivious to any pain, shouting, "Your opponent, Roxstar, is a Horned Demon genius from Sigma Star."

"His overall strength is even greater than the Blood Scale's!"

Zhou Zhe heard him but focused his attention on the rare beast before him, not delving deeper.

"Its speed is many times faster than I imagined!"

The moment the Blood Scale lunged at him, Zhou Zhe's mind cleared completely. Adrenaline surged, and his thoughts became exceptionally active. "I don't need to worry about its strength; one slap would turn me into pulp!"

"With no advantage in strength or speed, the only way to win is through skill!"

After narrowly dodging the Blood Scale's first attack, the second onslaught arrived in an instant!

The Blood Scale's entire body pressed forward!

It was like a collapsing tsunami, giving an overwhelming sense of invincibility!

"So fast!"

Zhou Zhe's pupils contracted slightly. He instinctively used a blocking technique from the Wind Riding Blade Technique, slashing at the Blood Scale's body. Sparks flew as he simultaneously used the impact to create distance.

"This guy is too much!"

"Does it not need to recover its breath between attacks?"

His tiger's mouth was numb from the shock. Zhou Zhe felt as if the blood and marrow in his entire right arm were vibrating.

His teeth even felt a bit sore. Even with the Wind Riding Blade Technique absorbing some of the force, his entire skeletal structure felt like it was trembling.

Rare Beast Blood Scale!

Strength, speed, endurance, defense—it appeared nearly perfect, with no discernible weaknesses.

He seemed to have no hope of winning.

(New book group: 1098288033. Why is it called Ah Guang's Pirate Den? Because the first chapter mentioned setting sail?)