Gene Erosion

"My dear brother, help!"

Zhang Xuezhou was slightly disappointed by "The Theoretical Development of Kunpeng Fighting Techniques," while Wang Li spent the whole night feeling both delighted and surprised.

Wang Li's joy came after signing a confidentiality agreement, which allowed him to acquire the Zhou family's Black Armor Combat Technique.

Of the three conditions he proposed, one was that he needed the Zhou family's Black Armor Combat Technique; another was that he needed the complete version of the Black Armor Combat Technique without any omissions; and the third was that he sought to share updates and information on the Black Armor Combat Technique.

After signing a series of contracts, Wang Li's wish came true.

With a peerless manual in hand and the Seventh Sequence within reach, Wang Li was naturally overjoyed.

But as soon as Wang Li saw the Black Armor Combat Technique driving the accumulation of blood serum resources needed for cultivation, he felt like he had fallen into a bottomless pit.

If the Zhou family couldn't even support the supply of Zhou Rihui and others, it would be even more impossible for Wang Li, who relied on Feiyu Live's profit sharing.

He eventually sent his situation to Zhang Xuezhou via communication.

"Your own brother met a bad end, so don't call me your brother!"

Looking at Wang Li, who shared the same plight, and thinking about how Zhou Yueyan and the others were all in the same boat, Zhang Xuezhou felt a surge of joy.

He would be much more at peace with himself if he weren't the only one in such dire straits.

Needless to say, he had already adjusted his mindset beforehand, and he was happy to learn that everyone had similar problems.

Moreover, the Zhou family's Black Armor Combat Technique is extremely experienced in the accumulation of blood serum resources. Zhou Yueyan's theory on the development of the Kunpeng Fighting Technique is not just empty talk, but does have relevant past experience.

Gene technology, which appears to be highly modern, has only been developing for a few decades.

As Lineage possessing the Seventh Sequence, the Zhou family is not only a master of Gene Fighting Technique, but also a leader in related genetic technologies.

Zhang Xuezhou felt there was nothing wrong with following the leader.

For a moment, he felt the freedom of breaking free from Turkalando, the joy of learning all the information, and could easily tease Wang Li.

As long as people like him see some hope in adversity, Zhang Xuezhou will not despair, and may even be very happy.

"I ordered a total of twenty-five doses of Crane Blood Elixir from the Zhou and Luo families. That money just vanished in an instant," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"If money could solve the problem quickly, that would be fine," Wang Li replied dejectedly. "I always thought that the Xuan Turtle Blood Potion was disliked by many Lineage because it was only for training how to take a beating, but I didn't expect that the Zhou family monopolized all the high-end blood potions related to the Xuan Turtle series. Even if I offered them money, they wouldn't sell to me!"

"That sounds pretty bad!"

"It's not just that it sounds terrible, it's truly terrible. Without the blood serum to drive changes in my body, my strength would basically stagnate. No matter how many beatings I take, there won't be any qualitative leap!"

Blood potions can be stacked up to the Third Sequence, which is something that wealthy Lineage members often do.

But when a conflict of demand arises, money becomes a problem that is difficult to solve.

No wonder everyone has to develop laboratories!

The primary recipients of the laboratory's output are obviously its own Lineage, and only then will outsiders be served, meaning that transactions can be made with money.

If a demand surge were to occur like Wang Li's, the high-end blood serum Wang Li purchased would not only be extremely expensive, but also very difficult to acquire.

The reason Zhang Xuezhou was able to pave his way with money was simply because the development and exploration of the Gene Fighting Technique of cranes were limited. Apart from the agility brought by the Gene Fighting Technique, there were few other benefits. Even Zhang Xuezhou's ability to fly backwards was rarely mastered, making him one of the few genetic selection targets among many Lineage.

The blood serum that Zhang Xuezhou purchased came from one of the top laboratories in the Scarlet Alliance State, and therefore he was not subjected to malicious bidding or other underhanded tactics.

Conversely, Zhang Xuezhou kept switching between Professor Zhou Yueyan and Professor Luo Hui, which led to both sides lowering the selling price.

"Brother, should we develop a laboratory?"

Wang Li sent a pleading emoji with his hands clasped together, looking quite pitiful.

"I heard you have a research institute in Beirehe. Now that Professor Ren is gone, you're in charge of that institute. We can make some initial attempts," Wang Li suggested.

"I raise chickens in North Rehe, and I haven't even considered converting it into a laboratory," Zhang Xuezhou refused. "The basic equipment needed for a laboratory costs hundreds of millions, which we can't afford or buy. We don't have any researchers, and we lack research materials. If we were to produce some low-grade blood serum, who would we sell it to!"

Research labs are a huge pitfall; massive investment does not equal output.

Given everyone's current status and abilities, plus their respective funds, Zhang Xuezhou felt that they could only set up a small, privately owned laboratory, and one that was guaranteed to lose money.

It's one thing if a lab doesn't produce anything, but Zhang Xuezhou certainly wouldn't want to do something that loses money.

He prefers raising chickens to developing a laboratory.

"My brothers can accept low-grade blood potions," Wang Li said urgently. "They often perform martial arts in their live streams, and now they've developed quite a few wealthy and interested apprentices. Those people will definitely have a demand for them!"

"You do have a market, I'll think about it some more!"

Aside from the fact that the timing isn't right yet, Zhang Xuezhou does indeed have the idea of developing a laboratory.

Every large Lineage needs a laboratory to support its development, regardless of whether they produce low-end, mid-range, or high-end blood products, pharmaceuticals, or other products; all of this requires persistent and continuous scientific research.

Through Zhou Yueyan's mention of some related information, Zhang Xuezhou managed to connect the risky tasks that Zhang Manqian had previously wanted to take on.

"Wang Li, do you think we really have to use those creatures from the Qin Meng Ruins to refine our gene serum?" Zhang Xuezhou asked. "How about we catch a few cranes here?"

"That really won't work," Wang Li replied. "I've heard that the ecosystem formed over the Qin Meng ruins is different from ours. The genes of those creatures have strong corrosive properties, which can shake our original genes and even replace them. Ours are normal organisms, so extracting them is just so-so, injecting them into the body is completely useless!"

Is it corrosive?

When Professor Qin Wenhan introduced the R25 Gene of guinea fowl, he proposed the concept of invasiveness, which involves altering the genes of existing organisms to create new genetic species.

If this kind of cultivation were to be extended to humans, humans would also be relying on this technology to modify their own genes.

Although everyone is still human, they have become different from before through this improvement.

However, the injection of blood serum by humans was not as thorough as that used in the breeding of guinea fowl; the humans remained the primary organisms, and the guinea fowl did not transform into bizarre creatures.

"If we have the means, let's take a trip to the Qin Meng ruins. If we happen to catch the mutated creature the Zhou family's lab needs, they might even have to beg you to sell it to them!"

Zhang Xuezhou didn't want to develop the laboratory right now, but he still comforted and reassured Wang Li.

While scientific research offers technological advantages, becoming a raw material supplier also provides resource advantages. This doesn't mean they are completely without the right to engage in equal dialogue.

Having experienced so much, Zhang Xuezhou is now not only interested in the gods of the Thousand Islands Alliance, but also in the Genas Lineage of the British Alliance State, and currently has developed a strong interest in the Qin Meng ruins.

Some students suggested that if the Zhou family's genes weren't good enough, they could consider a blood transfusion. Firstly, transfusions are temporary and require continuous consolidation and ongoing investment. Secondly, the type of blood transfusion and the genes it carries depend on the family's laboratory output and the relevant Gene Fighting Technique they've mastered. For example, Zuo Teng reached the runner-up group in the Grand Tournament after his transfusion, thus acquiring the Gene Fighting Technique he needed, just like Wang Li. Thirdly, given the family's existing advantages and the individual's corresponding talents, it's unlikely a normal person would consider a blood transfusion; only those with poor health or extremely inferior genes would consider it.