The Wager

Connors drove while Shen Fei and Norman discussed Jessica's condition after her autopsy in the back seat.

"When she had the thought of flying, her pituitary gland produced a special substance that altered the cells throughout her body, compressing them tightly and creating cavities within them.

"Her cells also generated a special kind of force. At present, it appeared to be a form of magnetism.

"But she couldn't control that magnetism. It could only surround her entire body..."

"Cells generating magnetism? Can her cells form circuits internally?"

After Norman finished handling his business affairs, he had come in to help as well, speeding up their progress considerably.

"That seems to be the case for now."

"Once this is over, we'll go back and analyze her genetic sequence."

"Alright."

After the discussion, Shen Fei looked at the documents in his hands. "General Ross..."

During this period, Klaw had finally caught the military's attention through his continuous sales of Phoenix 1, opening up part of the market.

They were now heading over to test the product.

Before long, the car arrived in the outskirts.

They soon reached a heavily guarded base.

Soldiers patrolled outside. When Shen Fei appeared, a car drove out.

Someone stepped out of the car.

"Gentlemen, I'm Lieutenant Spa. The general asked me to take you inside. However, you may need to get out for an inspection."

"Alright. You don't need to let the car in," Norman said.

After Shen Fei and the other two got out, they were searched.

Once the inspection was complete, the three of them entered the base.

They arrived at an office and met the person in charge of the base.

General Ross.

Banner's father-in-law, the Thunderbolt General who intended to spend his life trying to kill his own son-in-law.

He was very interested in Phoenix 2, and the version Klaw had put on the market was the Green Goblin version.

In other words, excessive use would only lead to mental instability, possibly even the emergence of another personality.

But it would not turn someone into a Lizard.

That was because Phoenix 2 worked on the principle of two side effects counteracting and suppressing each other. However, the Self-Healing Factor was consumed over time, so the final side effects varied between versions.

Ross looked at Norman, and a faint smile appeared on his hard, cold face. "Mr. Norman, it's been a long time."

"General Ross."

Norman had worked with Ross before. Compared with mechanical research, Ross preferred biological research, whether it was the earlier Super Soldier Serum or the later Hulk Serum.

He believed more strongly in the limitless potential of the human body.

Norman also had experience working with the military. It was just that Osborn had been hit too hard recently, and many of its channels had been cut off.

Working with the military meant there was no need to worry about too many underhanded complications. The only requirements were connections and results.

"This is my colleague, Connors. He is an assistant on the Phoenix Project."

"And this is my current boss, as well as the chief designer and overseer of the Phoenix Project.

"Shen Fei."

Hearing Norman's solemn introduction, Ross looked at Shen Fei.

"Hello."

Ross got straight to the point. "I've already purchased Phoenix 1 from outside sources. But I tested it, and too many uses can get my soldiers killed.

"I hear you're planning to release Phoenix 2..."

"Yes. Having heard of General Ross's needs, we brought the product with us."

Shen Fei smiled as he spoke, while Norman stepped back behind him.

Connors placed the briefcase in his hand on the table and opened it. Inside were two emerald-like vials of medicine.

Ross forced down his impatience. Because of the Hulk incident, he hated the color green.

"This is Phoenix 2. Its Self-healing Ability is weaker than No. 1's.

"But it will preserve a soldier's life. The price may only be a little mental instability."

"Mental instability? Can't there be no side effects at all...?"

"You can inject another vial."

"And then inject another vial next time?"

Ross stared at Shen Fei and said coldly, "Shen Fei, I think you're telling a joke. From what you're saying, this drug actually has usage limits."

"That's right."

Shen Fei was frank about it. Ross would definitely be tempted, because a batch of soldiers who could not die for a certain period would be enough to unleash tremendous combat power from his troops.

"You're asking me to spend a fortune on defective goods?"

"Of course not. Since I dare put it on the market, I naturally have a solution.

"General, you can periodically have your soldiers undergo psychological evaluation tests. Osborn Company will provide them as well. When a soldier's score falls below a certain threshold, General Ross can choose to discontinue its use or administer another injection."

Shen Fei spoke calmly. To be honest, if not for the chemical waste that could mutate Matt, he would not have wanted to get involved with the military so quickly.

The military was an independent force within the United States, filled with countless factions and intricate relationships.

If you became friendly with one faction, you would come into conflict with another.

He had no desire to be charged with treason and brought before a Military Court before he had even become Superman.

But things had already reached this point.

Besides, it happened to be Ross. Shen Fei was also interested in the Hulk Serum Ross possessed.

Maintaining a certain connection was still acceptable.

"Then why should I bother buying it?"

Ross shook his head and summoned Lieutenant Spa, preparing to see them out.

Shen Fei said calmly, "After the Hulk incident, General Ross must be suffering quite the headache.

"Working with Osborn is an opportunity."

"Chairman Shen, I hear Osborn hasn't been doing well lately. What kind of opportunity is that?" Ross tapped the table, apparently prepared as he tossed out a stack of documents.

Shen Fei glanced at them.

They were all media reports about Osborn: massive shareholder deaths, unsafe experimental environments, and so on.

"Phoenix is only the beginning of Osborn's rebirth.

"Furthermore, the Phoenix Series is one of our company's flagship products, and there is much more development to come.

"Before long, we will release No. 3, whose side effects will be greatly reduced. We promise to prioritize supplying it to General Ross."

"How am I supposed to believe you?"

"You don't need to believe us. We can sign a contract. If we fail to provide General Ross with a drug with lower side effects within six months, we are willing to pay General Ross twenty times the compensation."

"Fine."

Ross looked at the young man. His tone was full of confidence and arrogance, a little like that egomaniac Tony Stark.

But he could tolerate arrogance when it came with ability.

Norman took out a wager agreement from his briefcase. After the agreement was signed—

Shen Fei smiled. "Would General Ross like to see the effects?"

"You've already signed a wager agreement.

"If the product doesn't match what you claimed, I'll naturally come looking for you."

"This is the base's quartermaster in charge of procurement. He will discuss the subsequent price, supply quantity, and additional conditions with you," Ross said as he summoned someone over.

"Norman will handle that with him."

Their discussion had not been a transaction, but an accumulation of trust before the transaction.

Shen Fei had no need to waste more words, which was why he had brought the wager agreement.

If he could not develop Phoenix 3 with better effects within six months, he would be betraying his own talent.

Once the agreement was signed, their trust level was immediately maxed out.