What exactly is that creature in the Natural Graveyard that can speak human words? An alien? Then where is its Zhanchou spaceship?

Qin Fen sat in the transport plane soaring toward the city, his mind replaying the bizarre events of the day, along with the strange occurrences he had encountered over the years: the Insect Warriors, the Founding Society, that peculiar organism, and Du Zhanpeng’s knowledge of it.

The universe was immensely vast. Qin Fen believed life must exist somewhere in its expanse, but could present-day human society really encounter extraterrestrials? Qin Fen still found it somewhat unbelievable. Even if humanity’s technology hadn't reached its zenith, the skies were crisscrossed by man-made satellites forming a spiderweb around the planet. Forget sneaking in an unfamiliar spaceship; even a single meteor falling into the atmosphere couldn't escape current technological surveillance.

The aircraft slowly landed at a civilian airport in Neptune City. Yang Lie had already arranged for various transport vehicles to be ready. In this city, situated on the buffer zone between the Heavenly Gate and the Underworld, where neither faction could easily expand its influence, conducting operations was comparatively easier.

Especially since many of the high-level forces from both the Heavenly Gate and the Underworld had been dispatched elsewhere, leaving the two major powers unable to fully cover more ground.

Rows of specialized equipment, so high-end they made ordinary eyes swim, were arranged within a large underground hall rented by Yang Lie.

Lin Liqiang watched Gao Fen open his arms for an embrace, and Inzarota offered Qin Fen a similarly profound hug. In such a situation, any words of comfort or encouragement were superfluous; an embrace contained everything that needed to be said.

Du Peng was stripped bare and laid out on the surgical table. Inzarota submerged him directly into that strange ** solution. He didn't rush the Insect Warrior conversion surgery, but instead, like Lin Liqiang, each focused intently on a computer screen, rapidly absorbing all available data on Insect Warriors.

Regarding that strange **, Lin Liqiang only glanced at it briefly before diverting his attention. That fell under the domain of pharmacology. He only needed to know when to use specific substances; figuring out how to maximize their efficacy was Inzarota’s concern.

Inzarota, too, would meticulously examine various agents one moment, and then glance at the biochemical data in Lin Liqiang’s field of view the next, searching for optimal synchronization points.

The vast hall was thick with an incredibly tense atmosphere, as if a dozen powerful martial arts masters were unleashing colliding auras at each other.

"Incredible," Lin Liqiang exclaimed from time to time, causing Inzarota to nod repeatedly. His usually cold face displayed faint approval and recognition. The Insect Warrior concept was inherently a profound discipline—resurrecting a martial artist in a state akin to brain death through a process resembling a ritualistic mechanism. This was almost akin to challenging the domain of a god.

Biochemical technology alone could not achieve this. The Founding Society had flawlessly integrated the capabilities of contemporary pharmaceuticals with biochemical science, constantly arranging various sequential permutations and applying the most advanced surgical techniques, theoretically making it possible to challenge a divine domain.

"Old Yin," Lin Liqiang tapped the keyboard a couple of times, correcting minor details in computations he had previously estimated but found flawed, and said casually, "In the future, perhaps we should research and develop together? I have some new inspirations, though it might be an immensely colossal undertaking."

Inzarota’s eyes remained locked on the screen, and he responded with a noncommittal "Mmm," saying no more. His eyes shone with the same intense light as Lin Liqiang's. The technology Qin Fen brought had unlocked a door for them that they had never touched before. Even as that door was almost closing, the intuitive genius of both men simultaneously grasped an almost preposterous possibility.

"Biochemical techniques merging with pharmaceutical techniques create a subtle chemical reaction..." Lin Liqiang stole a moment to tap a few keys on another computer, watching a string of genetic code appear on the screen. A smile touched his lips as he turned to look at Inzarota. Their gazes met, and in that connection, they saw the spark in each other's eyes: "Perhaps, the future of humanity will be forged by the two of us."

A proud and confident smile surfaced in Inzarota’s usually detached eyes. This subject was entirely unexpected, yet it held infinite tangible potential.

"Old Qin, thank you." Lin Liqiang glanced again at Du Peng in the glass vessel. "Young Master Du, perhaps all of humanity will have to thank you in the future."

Everyone around looked at Lin Liqiang and Inzarota with confusion, unable to grasp the meaning behind their words.

"You deeply understand whether the Founding Society has discovered this issue, haven't you?" Lin Liqiang asked anxiously, his focus still divided as he watched the screen.

Inzarota paused for a second before decisively shaking his head: "Difficult!"

Lin Liqiang snapped his fingers approvingly. All this data pointed in one direction: the thoughts of everyone in the Founding Society followed a path designed by someone unknown. Any clear-sighted observer could see that this path held limitless potential, quickly drawing adherents in.

But the world was not limited to just one path. Lin Liqiang had discovered another way, and Inzarota had discovered it too.

Lin Liqiang was certain Inzarota would find it, for his friend was a true genius in the field of medicine! What is a genius? Many people say it’s ninety-nine percent effort plus one percent inspiration. But many overlook the final, often most crucial, element: that sudden flash of one percent inspiration.

Lin Liqiang termed this the innate intuition of a researcher!

"Young Master Yin, shall we try to map this out?" Lin Liqiang turned to look at Du Zhanpeng. "We now have two paths forward. One is to convert your brother using the Founding Society's methods. Then he might become a second Hades, the Little King of the Underworld. I don't know whether to call him human or an Insect Warrior. From a scientific standpoint, he is an Insect Warrior; his body will harbor potent aggressive factors, factors that currently cannot be eradicated. These aggressive factors could bring him power, or they could bring annihilation."

Du Zhanpeng listened to Lin Liqiang quietly, offering no comment. The words exchanged between Lin Liqiang and Inzarota moments ago carried an air of mystery, making everyone eager to know what the second path entailed.

"The second path, we are not as certain of as the first, but if it succeeds unexpectedly," Lin Liqiang paused slightly, nodding with earnestness, "this truly depends on luck, as it is a 'truly grand' undertaking. We will need much time to research it—perhaps ten years, perhaps fifty. Young Master Du’s physique is exceptionally strong, which increases the chance of success. If successful, he won't be an Insect Warrior, but rather..."

Lin Liqiang fell into thought, slowly raising his head, his face glowing with ruddy excitement, his voice laced with extreme fervor: "He will become the very first New Human in human history!"

"New Human?" Du Zhanpeng frowned. "What is the difference?"

"Theoretically, there isn't just one type of New Human..." Lin Liqiang tried to explain but realized he was only working with nascent inspiration and couldn't articulate the concept of the New Human clearly: "I can only say that, theoretically, the outward appearance of a New Human will be identical to that of a regular human. As for what specific differences Young Master Du will possess, that is premature to say. The only certainty is that if he becomes a New Human, it will only bring benefits, never harm."

Chen Zhi and the others beside Du Zhanpeng turned their gazes of confusion and surprise toward Qin Fen. Indeed, it seemed like father, like son: the elder brother was surrounded by a gathering of eccentric geniuses, and the younger brother's circle included not just martial arts prodigies; the capabilities of these two young men alone likely surpassed those around Battle Brother.

Chen Zhi shook his head subtly. Qin Fen's martial power might not match Battle Brother's, but his ability to attract talent might even exceed his brother's. According to Battle Brother, the Qin family was descended from eight generations of commoners. How was it that in this generation, two such monsters had suddenly emerged?

Genetic mutation? Chen Zhi gently shook his head, recalling words Qin Zhan had once spoken: What if they are ordinary citizens? Isn't the construction of this world built upon the backs of ordinary citizens? Many people, upon seeing someone succeed, always assume their parents must be powerful, always projecting that notion onto them. In reality, if they themselves put in the effort, they could achieve it too! Chen Zhi, you came from a civilian background, and yet you still became a Martial Dao Master? We common folk have a lesser starting point than those elites, but we possess a spirit of perseverance they lack! Ordinary people? When you stop daydreaming in class, when you stop being distracted by romance, when you don't stop exercising just because you’re tired but instead persist—then you will realize that you, as an 'ordinary person,' are anything but ordinary!

Du Zhanpeng looked back at Lin Liqiang. Such non-detailed words sounded tentative but simultaneously inspired hope and imagination.

Du Zhanpeng rested his gaze on Du Peng for two seconds, then shifted his sight to Qin Fen.

Qin Fen picked up a seldom-used fountain pen and slowly wrote words on a piece of paper. Du Zhanpeng did the same, writing a few characters on his own sheet.

They opened the papers held in their hands across the distance: New Human.

The exact same three words. The tension in their heavy expressions eased slightly. This was a massive gamble, but neither believed Du Peng’s luck was so poor that having lost the (Life-Death Pill) gamble last time, he would lose on the New Human front too.

"New Human, then?" Lin Liqiang swung his legs, his chair sliding over next to Inzarota’s. "I have a few questions here that I currently cannot resolve in the biochemical domain; I need your help."

Inzarota also tapped his keyboard deeply, and sets of projection data, incomprehensible to ordinary people, appeared before Lin Liqiang.

P: As this book has progressed to this day, I have seen more than once people suggesting that Qin Fen’s parents might be incredibly powerful, which is why Qin Zhan and Li Fen are so formidable.

Frankly, every time I see this topic, I can’t help but smile wryly. To say something that might offend: have you read too many novels where the son is powerful simply because the parents were powerful?

Today's chapter makes it very clear what I intended when writing Jìmì Tiānjiāo (Eclipsing Heaven's Pride).

Bloodline, at times, is not that important! Jordan’s parents weren't top-tier basketball players, yet Jordan became a god in basketball. According to the concept of blood inscription, Jordan's son should be able to continue that legacy, but will he?

I am a grassroots individual, and writing this novel has always held a suppressed thought: many of us are grassroots, but so what if we are? When we stand tall, we are still men!

I remember a friend's signature line: Even if I am a small figure, I will live with an awesome brilliance!

What does a grassroots background matter? Many of us are grassroots, but does that mean we cannot succeed? We have dreams, and we have the ability to realize them! Yes! So, stop saying Qin Zhan and Qin Fen have powerful parents—that insults them, and it insults yourselves.

Just because we come from ordinary backgrounds doesn't mean we are incapable! Everyone, keep going! Anyone can do it! It only asks if you act, not if you are capable!