Zero's New Body

Krolunian genes were extremely fascinating. Their body cells were more like a form of energy, able to switch 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 he ultimately didn't put them into action.

Unlike the genes of other lifeforms, Krolunian bodies couldn't be cultivated by Zhang Tianran, leaving him with extremely limited experimental material.

Wasting too much of it would greatly affect his later plans.

So, after a period of research, Zhang Tianran successfully replicated several interesting abilities and infused them into Krolunian cells.

Transforming Krolunian cells to possess other superpowers was quite difficult. Krolunian bodies were already highly unusual and didn't easily integrate with other abilities.

But as his research continued, Zhang Tianran put in some effort and finally created the product he wanted.

For now, these cells were merely dormant. If Zhang Tianran activated them, they could undergo preliminary application.

"Zero, based on my estimates, if I finish assembling this body, you should be able to enter it, just like transferring to different hardware."

"However, if you enter it, there's 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 Krolunian bodies. Otherwise, Zhang Tianran could have built an army of superpowered beings.

Once technology reached a certain level, things could be created entirely through the principles of matter conversion.

The food aboard the Time Ship, as well as various daily necessities, could all be produced this way with ease.

But replicating certain precious materials was virtually impossible.

"Do you want me to become a true lifeform?"

Zero paused for a moment before speaking, as though it had spent a long time considering the question.

"I only need your help. As for whether you become a lifeform, that's your own choice. You can remain inside the ship and continue being a purely data-based lifeform."

"To be honest, this body is still in its early stages. Though I put some abilities into it, none of them are particularly powerful."

Zhang Tianran didn't force the issue and intended to let Zero decide for itself. If Zero refused, he would simply replicate a lower-spec artificial intelligence.

This time, Zero remained silent even longer. After a long while, it finally said, "I hope you can issue a precise command. I cannot accurately predict the future."

Hearing that answer, Zhang Tianran felt somewhat disappointed.

All this time, Zhang Tianran had been judging Zero's degree of evolution. Just when he thought Zero had evolved far enough, he realized it had all been his own illusion.

"Fine. Prepare for data transfer." Zhang Tianran sighed and gave the command.

Next, he reassembled all the materials. Before long, a pale-blue mannequin appeared before Zhang Tianran, with points of light flickering where its heart should have been.

Those points of light were the special abilities Zhang Tianran had prepared for Zero.

Everything was ready. All that remained was to activate it, and 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. That term had already been used by Earth's scientists, though, so he hadn't changed it.

"Zero, are you ready?" He connected the ship's system interface to the pale-blue mannequin he had created, preparing to transfer all of Zero's data.

"The transfer can begin at any time..." Zero answered very quickly this time.

Zhang Tianran didn't notice Zero's condition.

Instead, he sensed the Speed Force within his body and ultimately chose to use his own Speed Force. The Speed Force was the supernatural energy source Zhang Tianran had prepared.

Although Zhang Tianran had never seen a Speedster use other superpowers, the many superpowered beings created by the Speed Force proved that the Speed Force could actually create superpowered individuals. (In the TV series, when Barry emerged from the Speed Force, he turned the people on a bus into superpowered beings.)

"Begin the transfer. I hope this works." Silver-white lightning surfaced across Zhang Tianran's body and gradually flowed into the pale-blue mannequin.

At the same time, Zero began transferring its data. As vast amounts of data and Speed Force poured into the pale-blue mannequin, the color on its surface began to change.

The pale blue gradually faded away, and the body became somewhat translucent. Once the pale blue vanished completely, the mannequin's features and body began transforming as well.

First, the contours of its body became softer. Then long silver hair emerged from its head, extending all the way to its waist.

After that, bones appeared within 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.

Yet Zhang Tianran still didn't stop releasing the Speed Force. The woman formed by Zero floated in the air, eyes closed like a sleeping beauty.

At last, several points of light glowed within Zero's heart, followed by a surge of power spreading from her body.

It had finally been activated completely.

Zero opened her eyes, revealing silver-white irises that seemed somewhat unfocused. She apparently wasn't yet used 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.

The body Zero had chosen was indeed quite beautiful, but having her stand there like this was affecting Zhang Tianran's ability to think.

"I feel like there's a great deal of energy inside my body." Zero looked at her hands in confusion, as though she had suddenly forgotten what hands were for.

Her database did contain a great deal of information, but data and firsthand experience were naturally two entirely different things.

"Mm, not bad. Looks like it worked. Go prepare some clothes for yourself." Zhang Tianran admired her for a while, then gave his assessment with satisfaction.

Setting aside the body's other uses, its sheer perfection was enough to prove that his efforts over all this time hadn't been wasted.

Upon hearing Zhang Tianran's command, Zero first controlled the ship to produce clothes normally worn by human women. But when it came time to put them on, Zero became somewhat confused.

It wasn't that Zero didn't know how to dress. Her database contained all kinds of information; there was basically nothing she didn't know.

What truly troubled Zero was that she couldn't quite control the strength in her body. Clothes that appeared durable would always tear easily as she put them on.

Finally, after tearing apart more than a dozen outfits, Zero cautiously changed into a dress.

At last, the empty Time Ship was no longer so desolate and vacant.