Chakra Warrior

That night, the time for contact arrived.

Tianyi first reported in detail on his training insights and power test data for Water Release: Waterline Slash.

He also detailed its current shortcomings, such as range and activation speed.

At the same time, he mentioned the increasingly tense atmosphere in the camp and his premonition that a major battle might break out.

Soon, he received a reply from Commander Tian:

"Comrade Tianyi, your data has been received. Your progress meets expectations, and your optimization direction is correct.

"Regarding the conflict you predicted, the country can currently provide two forms of support:

"There has been a breakthrough in research related to Hanzo's poison.

"Based on the poison mist sample description you provided earlier and subsequent intelligence analysis,

"the special task force has completed the development and miniaturization of a blood toxicity inhibitor.

"Five doses of antivenom serum are now being sent to you. If poisoning is suspected or you come into contact with highly concentrated poison mist, inject it immediately into the outer thigh.

"It can greatly alleviate the toxicity and buy time for treatment. Use it with caution and monitor individual reactions closely.

"Second, according to the list of requirements you previously submitted,

"this shipment also includes military supplies: three high-intensity flash grenades and three high-efficiency smoke grenades.

"All items come with simple instructions for use."

As the information arrived, a faint glimmer flashed, and a message box quietly appeared in Tianyi's hand.

Looking at the support sent by the country, Tianyi felt much more at ease.

With these, as long as I don't get myself killed, my chances of surviving... have greatly increased.

"Supplies received. They are extremely important," he replied solemnly.

"Stay vigilant, use them flexibly, and your motherland awaits your safe return."

After Commander Tian's final instruction, the communication window closed on schedule.

Commander Tian then received a notice and immediately headed to the main research laboratory.

Outside the enormous circular observation window, Commander Tian and several core experts stood solemnly.

Inside were transparent cultivation units arranged in neat rows, resembling cryogenic hibernation chambers.

Each was connected to a complex vital-sign monitoring system.

At that moment, soldiers wearing matching training uniforms stood side by side nearby.

Their expressions were resolute, their gazes unwavering. There were twelve of them in total.

They were volunteers selected through rigorous screening for this human compatibility experiment.

The atmosphere in the laboratory was grave to the extreme, with only the faint hum of instruments breaking the silence.

Commander Tian's gaze slowly swept across every young yet resolute face.

Finally, it settled on the soldier at the front, whose eyes burned brightly.

"Comrades," Commander Tian's voice reached everyone through the internal communications system.

"The step you are about to take has no precedent. The risks are unknown.

"You are not doing this for personal strength, but for the countless lights of home behind you.

"So that our nation may have, in whatever storms it may face in the future,

"a little more confidence and one more choice.

"The people of this nation and I thank you!"

He took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently, then suddenly raised his hand.

Toward the soldiers beyond the observation window, he delivered the most standard and solemn military salute.

"Salute—!!!" His voice shook the room.

With a crash, every researcher in the observation room, all dressed in white lab coats, regardless of age or rank,

straightened their backs at the same time and solemnly saluted the soldiers beyond the window.

Silent respect and trust surged through the air.

The head of the experiment, an elderly academician with graying temples, gave the order in a slightly trembling voice:

"All units, attention. Begin now! Inject the Chakra Substrate and inducer!"

At the command, the researchers moved quickly.

The gray-white Chakra Substrate fluid slowly entered the veins of the twelve soldiers through precision tubes.

Second by second, the large screen displayed twelve sets of vital-sign data.

For the first half hour, everything remained stable—almost too stable.

The old academician stared intently at the screen and said softly to Commander Tian, "The substrate is spreading through the bloodstream.

"It is searching for and attempting to assimilate the host cells, establishing preliminary energy metabolism pathways.

"This process... should take about thirty minutes."

Before he could finish, the soldier in Unit Three suddenly shuddered violently, and his monitoring data fluctuated.

Then, like a chain reaction, the soldiers in the other units also began to show abnormalities.

"Report! Unit One's body surface temperature is rising sharply!"

"Unit Five's heart rate is too fast, and his muscles are experiencing involuntary tremors!"

"The volunteer in Unit Eight reports... agonizing pain throughout his body, accompanied by intense numbness and itching!"

Pained low growls began to emerge from individual units and soon blended together.

Even those men of iron could not completely suppress their agonized cries.

"What's happening? The exact cause!" Commander Tian clenched his fists so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his flesh.

A young researcher responsible for data analysis spoke rapidly:

"The substrate assimilation process is more violent than simulation predictions! It is forcibly rewriting part of the cells' mitochondrial functions.

"And stimulating nerve endings and muscle tissue throughout the body to undergo adaptive restructuring!

"This pain... based on simulated conversion from neural signal intensity,

"may... may far exceed the upper limit of normal human pain levels.

"If childbirth is level ten, the instantaneous peaks they are experiencing may be level twelve or even higher!

"As long as they endure this assimilation peak and the cells accept the new energy metabolism model, they will succeed!"

"Did you all hear that?!" Commander Tian lunged toward the internal communicator, his voice hoarse yet booming like thunder.

"Hold on! Damn it, hold on! You are the people's soldiers! No pain can crush you!

"Hold on, and victory will be yours! For the parents, wives, and children behind you, for the land beneath your feet, hold on—!!!"

His roar seemed to pierce through the observation window and reach them.

"Commander... Tian... don't... worry..." The soldier in Unit Two gritted his teeth until they creaked.

Veins bulged across his forehead, sweat pouring down like rain, yet he still struggled to answer, one word at a time.

"We... can... do... this..."

"Don't... stop..." "Keep... going..." Broken yet exceptionally resolute voices

came one after another from the other units, despite the uncontrollable groans of pain.

In the observation room, many researchers' eyes instantly reddened.

Several emotionally sensitive female researchers could not bear to watch any longer.

They covered their mouths, turned around, and hurried out of the main control area, their shoulders trembling slightly.

The next thirty minutes felt as long as thirty years.

The data curves on the monitoring screens rose and fell violently like the sea during a storm.

Alarms sounded one after another, while the soldiers' agonized howls mingled with their suppressed groans.

No one gave up. At last, after thirty minutes,

"The pressure peak is beginning to fall!"

"Neural electrical signals are stabilizing!"

"Cellular energy metabolism readings... are showing a new, stable fluctuation! It has the characteristics of chakra!"

"Estimated assimilation completion... 85%... 90%... 95%... 100%! It's complete!!!"

The old academician abruptly took off his glasses, tears streaming down his face.

His voice trembled with sobs and indescribable ecstasy as he shouted:

"Commander Tian! We... we succeeded!!!

"They... they have begun producing stable chakra reactions within their bodies!

"From today onward, they are... they are the world's first group

"of warriors to gain an otherworldly energy system through scientific means!!!"

They had succeeded!

Those three simple words instantly sent the entire main control room into an uproar!

Everyone, regardless of gender, rank, or education, erupted in thunderous cheers.

Many leaped up, embracing one another as tears streamed down their faces.

Commander Tian slammed his fist heavily onto the console, making the teacups jump,

then laughed heartily, though his laughter carried a choked sob:

"Good! Good! Good! Worthy of being the people's soldiers! Well done! Every one of you did well!!!"

He turned and forcefully patted the old academician on the shoulder, then looked at all the elated researchers:

"Quick! Immediately organize the most thorough follow-up examinations!

"Ensure the absolute health and safety of every soldier!

"Give them the best possible conditions for rest and observation!

"Everyone here, including the soldiers, is a contributor to the nation!

"I'm going to report to our superiors right now and request commendations for you, for everyone involved!!"

Amid the resounding response, there was incomparable excitement and pride.

"Yes!!!"