The Krolunian genome was incredibly fascinating. Their body cells were more like a form of energy, capable of switching between information and matter.
Matter with such differing properties was exceedingly rare. At that moment, several experimental plans had already surfaced in Zhang Tianran's mind, but in the end, he did not put them into action.
Unlike the genes of other lifeforms, Krolunian bodies could not be cultivated by Zhang Tianran, so the available experimental material was extremely limited.
Wasting too much of it would greatly affect his later plans.
Thus, after a period of research, Zhang Tianran successfully replicated several interesting abilities and infused them into the Krolunian cells.
Transforming Krolunian cells to possess other superpowers was quite difficult. After all, Krolunian bodies were inherently special and hard to integrate with other abilities.
But as his research progressed, Zhang Tianran put in some effort and finally created the product he had envisioned.
For now, these cells remained dormant. If Zhang Tianran activated them, they could be put to preliminary use.
"Zero, according to my calculations, if I finish assembling this body, you should be able to enter it, just like transferring to other hardware."
"However, if you go in, there is a high chance you won't be able to come back out and will become a true lifeform..."
After studying it for a while, Zhang Tianran spoke directly to Zero.
It was a pity he had no way to replicate a Krolunian body. Otherwise, Zhang Tianran could have built an army of Metahumans.
Once technology reached a certain level, creation could be accomplished entirely through the principles of matter conversion.
The food aboard the Time Ship, along with certain daily necessities, could all be produced with ease this way.
But replicating certain precious materials was nearly impossible.
"Do you want me to become a true lifeform?"
Zero paused for a moment before speaking, as though she had spent a long time considering it.
"I only need your help. Whether you become a lifeform is your own choice. You can remain aboard the ship and continue being a purely data-based lifeform."
"To be honest, this body is still in its early stages. Although I've given it some abilities, none of them are particularly strong."
Zhang Tianran did not force her. He intended to let Zero decide for herself. If Zero refused, he would simply replicate a lower-spec artificial intelligence instead.
This time, Zero remained silent even longer. Only after a long while did she say, "I hope you can issue a precise command. I cannot accurately predict the future."
Hearing that answer, Zhang Tianran felt somewhat disappointed.
All along, Zhang Tianran had been judging Zero's degree of evolution. Just when he thought she had evolved far enough, he discovered that it had all been his own illusion.
"All right. Prepare for data transfer." Zhang Tianran sighed and gave the order.
Next, he reassembled all the materials. Soon, a pale blue doll appeared before Zhang Tianran, with specks of light flickering around its heart.
These specks of light were the special abilities Zhang Tianran had prepared for Zero.
Everything was ready. All that remained was to activate it. Activating it required a massive amount of Dark Matter Energy.
Well... it was called dark matter, but Zhang Tianran actually preferred to call it supernatural energy. However, Earth scientists had already adopted that term, so he did not bother changing it.
"Zero, are you ready?" Zhang Tianran connected the ship system's interface to the pale blue doll he had created, preparing to transfer all of Zero's data.
"The transfer can begin at any time..." This time, Zero answered very quickly.
Zhang Tianran did not notice Zero's condition,
Instead, he sensed the Speed Force within his body and ultimately chose to use it. The Speed Force was the supernatural energy Zhang Tianran had prepared.
Although Zhang Tianran had never seen a Speedster use other superpowers, the Metahumans created by the Speed Force on several occasions proved that—the Speed Force could actually create Metahumans. (In the TV series, when Barry came out of the Speed Force, he turned the people on a bus into Metahumans.)
"Begin the transfer. I hope it succeeds." Silver-white lightning emerged from Zhang Tianran's body and gradually flowed into the pale blue doll.
At the same time, Zero began transferring her data. As vast amounts of data and Speed Force poured into the pale blue doll, the color of its surface began to change slightly.
The pale blue gradually faded, and the body began to turn somewhat transparent. Once the pale blue color had completely vanished, the doll's facial features and body began changing as well.
First, the contours of its body became softer. Then long silver hair sprouted from its head, extending all the way down to its waist.
Afterward, bones appeared inside its body, followed by organs, muscle fibers, and finally skin identical to that of a human.
When Zero's data had been fully transferred, the body of a human woman appeared before Zhang Tianran.
Even then, Zhang Tianran did not stop releasing the Speed Force. The woman formed from Zero floated in midair with her eyes closed, like Sleeping Beauty.
At last, several points of light glowed around Zero's heart, and a wave of power spread from her body.
Finally, the activation was completely successful.
Zero opened her eyes, revealing silver-white irises that looked somewhat vacant. She seemed not yet accustomed to observing the world this way...
"How does it feel, seeing the world in this state?" Zhang Tianran took out a piece of clothing and draped it over Zero.
Though the body Zero had chosen was indeed quite beautiful, having her stand there like this somewhat interfered with Zhang Tianran's thoughts.
"I feel like there is a great deal of energy inside my body." Zero looked at her hands in confusion, as if she had suddenly forgotten what hands were for.
Her database did contain a great deal of information, but data and actual experience were naturally two entirely different things.
"Mm, not bad. It looks like it worked. Go prepare some clothes for yourself." Zhang Tianran admired her for a while, then gave a satisfied assessment.
Leaving aside the body's other functions, its perfection alone was enough to prove that all his effort over this long period had not been wasted.
After hearing Zhang Tianran's order, Zero first controlled the ship to produce clothing normally worn by human women. However, putting it on left Zero somewhat confused.
It was not that Zero did not know how to dress herself. Her database contained all kinds of information; there was basically nothing she did not know.
What truly confused Zero was that she could not quite control the strength in her body. The seemingly durable clothes were always easily torn while she put them on.
Finally, after tearing apart more than ten outfits, Zero carefully changed into a dress.
At last, the empty Time Ship was no longer so cold and desolate.
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