Martian Manhunter

While Zhang Tianran studied the Krolunian genes, the Department of Extranormal Operations was investigating this failure.

"Why did the Quantum Field shatter? Didn't you say it could restrain any enemy moving at high speed?" The agents who had previously gone out on the mission angrily questioned the researchers.

Upon hearing the question, the researchers immediately gave an explanation.

"Because the energy released by the target while running was too powerful! In that instant, it directly broke through the Quantum Field we deployed. Energy at that level... is almost impossible to defeat." The researchers stared gravely at the data detected by the instruments.

"The Quantum Field we set up was very strong. Even Supergirl wouldn't have been able to escape if she were trapped inside it. But everything has its limits, and the field generator is no exception. Once the upper limit is exceeded, damage is inevitable." The researchers continued their explanation.

"So all we need to do is expand the scale of the field generator?" Kara asked.

"That is true in theory, but if we want to expand the field generator, we simply do not have enough funding, equipment, or time." The researcher spoke with some dejection.

"Looks like we need to find another method?" The director of the Department of Extranormal Operations murmured to himself.

"He is strong, extremely strong. I have never seen anyone move that fast. With that kind of speed, if he wants to escape, no one can stop him." Kara gave her report with a serious expression.

"Kara, don't fear the enemy too much. There are plenty of ways to capture someone, but the question now is... do we truly need to capture him?" The director of the Department of Extranormal Operations looked at the surveillance footage on the large screen and spoke hesitantly.

On the screen was footage of Zhang Tianran shopping some time ago. Just as the director of the Department of Extranormal Operations looked up, Zhang Tianran in the footage was waving at the camera.

In fact, the Department of Extranormal Operations had discovered Zhang Tianran's true identity long ago. They had simply never acted because they lacked confidence in capturing him, and because Zhang Tianran did not pose much of a threat.

What they had not expected was for their first attempt to end in failure.

"I've decided to speak with this Speedster myself..."

The next day, Zhang Tianran met the visiting director of the Department of Extranormal Operations in his hotel. He was also Martian Manhunter, the sole survivor of Mars.

"So you've finally decided to stop watching me?" Zhang Tianran casually asked as he fiddled with the little gadgets on his table.

Martian Manhunter was, in fact, somewhat of a threat to Zhang Tianran.

His illusions and telepathy posed a threat to a Speedster. Even though Zhang Tianran had technological equipment that could resist mental attacks, he still did not dare let his guard down.

"The Department of Extranormal Operations exists to protect this world. What you are doing is far too dangerous, and we cannot simply turn a blind eye." Martian Manhunter spoke with great sincerity.

Zhang Tianran continued working, though most of his attention remained fixed on Martian Manhunter.

A few minutes later, Zhang Tianran set down the instrument in his hand. "I know. I do not intend to do anything to this world, either. After all, I have not even concealed my appearance, nor have I harmed anyone."

"Otherwise, you would not have found me so easily."

Hearing this, Martian Manhunter said, "I am grateful for that. However, collecting the genes of extraterrestrial beings is not permitted on any planet."

Zhang Tianran asked in return, "What do you intend for me to do? Surrender, or leave this world?"

Martian Manhunter said earnestly, "In truth, I merely hope that you will stop seeking out other forms of life in this way."

"If you continue, it will not just be us. Residents of other planets will also come to stop you."

Zhang Tianran considered it for a moment.

Then he directly said, "Fine. From this point onward, I will no longer collect the genes of any extraterrestrial lifeforms from this world." Martian Manhunter had not expected Zhang Tianran to agree so readily. If his telepathy had not told him that Zhang Tianran was not lying, he would never have believed it.

"That is quite an unexpected surprise. I did not think it would go so smoothly. One final question: would you be interested in joining the Department of Extranormal Operations?" Martian Manhunter was delighted, as the conversation had gone more smoothly than expected.

"Not interested... Oh, right. Your Department of Extranormal Operations can keep watching me. But before long, I will leave this world. You can think of me as an adventurer traveling through different universes." Zhang Tianran spoke calmly, giving himself a new identity.

He had already collected nearly all the extraterrestrial genes that interested him, so Zhang Tianran was preparing to leave this world as well.

As for Kryptonian genes... Zhang Tianran planned to return to the past and obtain Superman's genes from when he was young.

Although this world's Supergirl was somewhat stronger than Superman—yes, this Supergirl really was written to be stronger than Superman, even if it was impossible to tell—Superman's genes should be more suitable.

Perhaps, if he was lucky enough, he might even find the Kryptonian Codex within Superman's body.

Though the chances of that were not very high...

After Martian Manhunter left, the surveillance around Zhang Tianran became several times tighter.

Aside from not entering Zhang Tianran's hotel room, these agents occupied nearly every position around the area. Even when Zhang Tianran went out to buy food, a large group of disguised agents would gather around the street corners.

Clearly, the Department of Extranormal Operations did not simply trust Zhang Tianran. However, they also did not seem prepared to do anything against him in the short term.

Zhang Tianran had no time to concern himself with such trivial matters. By then, he had already modified the hotel room to ensure that no one could monitor him inside it.

Besides that, he took out some equipment from the Time Ship and began further upgrading Zero.

The upgrade was mainly divided into two steps. Zhang Tianran was responsible for modifying the hardware within the Time Ship to improve its efficiency, while Zero would optimize her software and carry out self-correction.

The Krolunian genes contained the ability to transform flesh into data. They also contained some extremely special code, code sufficient for Zhang Tianran to complete an upgrade for Zero.

However, Zhang Tianran did not intervene this time. He could naturally help Zero become stronger, but that would make it meaningless.

What Zhang Tianran needed was not a mere artificial intelligence. If that were all he wanted, he could simply replicate one. There would be no need to painstakingly write technical code.

He needed an assistant, one who would never betray him no matter what.

That was why he let Zero analyze the code hidden within the Krolunian genes herself...

For Zero, this was also a form of training and testing.