Acceptance Version

Jerry's body temperature rose incredibly fast. Within a few breaths, Ronan sensed that its surface temperature had increased by at least four or five degrees—given his expertise in perception on the Mental Side, he could manage that level of precision.

Mammalian body temperatures generally hovered around 37 degrees. Going beyond that range caused noticeable changes in bodily functions. Most proteins and biological enzymes within an organism became inactive in the 40-to-41-degree range. If extreme fever persisted, tissues and organs—especially brain tissue—would suffer severe damage. That was no good sign, however one looked at it.

"Jerry, Jerry?"

Ronan picked up the little fellow and examined it carefully. It was still somewhat unwilling, struggling with all four limbs and keeping its head twisted toward the Virtual Work Area, as though it had not seen enough.

That was rather strange. Any mammal burning above 40 degrees would more or less wilt. How could the little fellow still be so full of energy? It was even stronger than before!

Was it because of the mutation?

Ronan tightened his grip slightly, his palm and fingers sliding over Jerry's plump body. At the same time, dense high-energy electromagnetic short waves penetrated through it, sensing changes in its fur, muscles, bones, and even internal organ functions.

Hmm. The little fellow's heart was beating very fast; its muscle spasms were worsening, but their vitality had not diminished, and its control remained intact; its Qi and Blood circulated smoothly, and its bodily functions had not been damaged; its thermoregulatory center and other heat-dissipation functions were also operating normally...

During the examination, Jerry's body temperature continued to rise, long past the upper limit mammals could endure. Under such circumstances, changes inevitably occurred in Jerry's body. Ronan could feel the little fellow's originally soft underfur becoming much harder, even prickly to