"Be careful."
"Keep a close eye on these lab mice's physical condition."
Still somewhat uneasy, Lü Yongchang reminded him, "Then keep increasing the number of test subjects to make sure the visceral reticulum gene doesn't conflict with the mice's genomes."
"Once you've confirmed there are no abnormal reactions, move on to monkeys and chimpanzees."
Mao Zhengzhi nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, Professor."
"You don't need to concern yourself with minor details like these."
"I know what I'm doing."
Lü Yongchang chuckled and rose from his chair. "Next, I need to pay Parliament a visit."
Mao Zhengzhi's expression shifted slightly, and he stopped working.
He looked up at Lü Yongchang, whose face was relaxed.
"Human trials?"
Mao Zhengzhi uttered the words with a conflicted expression.
Lü Yongchang nodded solemnly. "We need to start preparing in advance."
"As soon as all the animal trials pass, we'll have to consider genetically modifying humans."
"Isn't that a little too soon?"
Mao Zhengzhi's expression grew even more conflicted.
His eyes filled with uncertainty as he murmured to himself, "This is a road of no return."
Lü Yongchang fell silent.
How could he not know that?
But humanity, as it stood, was far too weak.
To survive in a universe fraught with danger, they would have to give some things up.
"It's not too soon," Lü Yongchang murmured softly, his tone firm. "Humanity needs to evolve."
Lü Yongchang walked alone down a corridor of the Earth.
The clicking of his electromagnetic boots rang out with particular clarity.
A door in the distance quietly opened.
Lü Yongchang steadied himself, took a deep breath, and walked toward the open doorway.
Council members sat around an enormous conference table.
Hong Qiming sat at the head of the table, quietly watching Lü Yongchang enter.
"Professor Lü."
Hong Qiming spoke