"What? A monster? Not human! And it can speak human language and use a human-like Zhenqi for combat?"

In the quiet research hall, Lin Liqiang's astonished voice seemed poised to tear the ceiling apart. Inzarota's face, seemingly frozen by frost, flushed with a surprise almost as great as Lin Liqiang's.

Since humanity entered the near-space age, various mutated creatures had emerged ceaselessly. Hearing of a mutated creature whose abilities rivaled a fifteen-star Martial Arts Master wouldn't normally cause astonishment. After all, many mutated creatures remained undiscovered, and some continued to change as time passed.

But, no matter the type of mutated creature, in the eyes of scientists everywhere, they were merely somewhat altered animals, like lions and tigers of old. They might be ferocious and brutal, perhaps even possessing a tiny spark of intelligence, but that intelligence was always exceedingly minimal.

Language, the crucial hallmark signaling humanity as a top-tier intelligent species, had never been replicated by any mutated creature over the years. Let alone speaking human words, these creatures were now using new energy and new metals to set traps to lure in exploring humans, and even employing human martial arts and Zhenqi. This could very well signify the existence of another type of supreme intelligent life form.

"The Lixing people?" Han Liqiang shook his head repeatedly. "I admit there should be other life in the universe, but I cannot accept that aliens have arrived in our society now. Keep in mind, even with current technology, we haven't entered the true Great Age of Space Exploration. Our various observational instruments have never detected any life forms in the known galaxies via probes. If aliens truly reached us, just how much further ahead must their technology be?"

Lin Liqiang tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, deducing with a serious expression, "According to Old Qin's description, that fellow is clearly no saint. If that's the case, and it possesses technology countless times superior to ours, shouldn't it also possess a military force capable of threatening us? Then why doesn't it use it? Why haven't they come? And listening to Old Qin mention what Chen Zhi said, it seemed eager to go back? Where exactly does it want to return to?"

Qin Fen could not answer Lin Liqiang's speculation and nodded repeatedly in agreement. If it truly was an aggressive alien, and they had the capacity to come here, why choose to descend upon this specific planet?

"This," Qin Fen said, pulling out a blood-stained piece of flesh the size of a fist from the pocket of his nano-combat suit, "I secretly kept this—its tissue."

Lin Li and Inzarota’s eyes instantly lit up. The tissue from this bizarre creature certainly held high research value, especially why the Bug Martial Artist Lan Caihe seemed so close to that monster; this warranted serious study, perhaps leading to new discoveries.

"What about the rest?" Lin Liqiang looked eagerly at Qin Fen. "Old Qin, I'm not scolding you, but facing something with such high research value, you need to be gentle! Gentler! If you could capture it alive, capture it! At worst, cripple it. If that's impossible, you must at least save more! Were all those tissues obliterated by your single punch? That’s too wasteful and extravagant. I must lodge a severe criticism against such luxurious behavior from you."

Inzarota solemnly nodded in agreement beside him. Such a massive amount of research material, and only this tiny bit remained—it was hard to accept.

Qin Fen sighed helplessly, "Du Zhanpeng cut it up; he took the rest of the tissue. I saw how intensely nervous they were about the corpse; I doubt I could have gotten more even if I asked. So, this piece... I kept it secretly."

Lin Liqiang let out an "Oh," and said no more. Based on the principle of first come, first served, the monster killed by Du Zhanpeng naturally belonged to him. Unless Qin Fen intended to be a bandit and outright steal the corpse, he could only manage to sneak away with this small portion for now.

"Better than nothing."

Inzarota concluded in three words, then used a scalpel to pick up two drops of dried blood from the flesh, carefully placing them under the laser microscope for detailed observation.

Lin Liqiang, emulating Inzarota, picked up some dried blood and placed it under the laser microscope. Sets of projection data rose from the desk, forming strange gene chains and cellular diagrams.

Staring at the projected graphics and the rapidly analyzed data, Lin Liqiang's expression immediately showed hints of confusion, his eyes filled with deep thought.

Qin Fen sat quietly waiting for the initial results. Having focused solely on martial arts cultivation over the years, he had not attended university and possessed no knowledge of higher sciences, leaving him with no input here—he could only await his two friends’ conclusions.

Inzarota had encountered far less Bug Martial Artist data than Lin Liqiang. Lin Liqiang, having previously dissected a complete Bug Martial Artist, showed a constantly shifting expression: confusion, contemplation, seriousness, admiration, awe—a multitude of varied emotions.

"Interesting, truly interesting. What a pity, what a huge pity."

Lin Liqiang looked up at Qin Fen. "Based on this initial analysis of the data, the organization that created the Bug Martial Artists, the Founding Council, must have encountered these things long ago. For now, it appears the Bug Martial Artists have absorbed some advantages from this entity, yet they are not entirely replicated copies of this creature."

A crisp snapping sound echoed in the hall. Lin Liqiang spoke again, "In other words, this creature probably didn't appear recently; it has existed for quite some time. It's just that neither you nor I were aware of its existence. Perhaps this is why the Bug Martial Artists show such 'affectionate' behavior towards it."

"Furthermore, the appearance of the Bug Martial Artists confirms my previous conjecture: it is indeed a comprehensive product. There were ten areas on its body that I previously couldn't comprehend at all. One of them..."

Lin Liqiang pointed to the projection floating next to him on the desk. "...is this structure. I couldn't understand where it came from before. Now I know it wasn't developed by the Founding Council itself, but originated from a creature capable of human speech."

"Nine others?" Qin Fen was quite surprised.

"Yes." Lin Liqiang’s hands flew across the keyboard nonstop, and sets of bizarre projected images reappeared. "See this? These nine types of cells are ones I have never encountered. They have clearly been decomposed and reorganized. Although I managed to restore much of them using my methods, this probably isn't their original form. Even so, I still cannot trace where they came from. There are no clues to them among the known mutated creatures. And this..."

A projection showing about eighty percent similarity to the cell structure in the flesh Qin Fen brought appeared on the desk. Lin Liqiang gestured toward it like a saleswoman, "See? This is one part I previously discovered but couldn't explain. After my efforts to restore and recover it, I still haven't completely succeeded. Doesn't it look very similar to the one you brought me?"

Qin Fen nodded noncommittally; the two sets of graphical data were indeed somewhat alike.

"You mean...?" Qin Fen probed tentatively. "There might be nine other types?"

"That's hard to say." Lin Liqiang shook his head and waved his hands continuously. "It's just one type, but those cellular tissues weren't on the piece of flesh you brought back. That’s why I say it’s a pity. If you could have brought back a complete specimen, perhaps more mysteries could have been unlocked."

Qin Fen fell silent. If the other party in the dispute over the new energy and new metal hadn't been Du Zhanpeng, and if it had no connection to Qin Zhan, he might truly have tried to seize it by force. If he had known how valuable this piece of flesh was to Lin Liqiang and Inzarota, even if the group belonged to Du Zhanpeng and was connected to Qin Zhan, he would have tried communicating with them again to demand half. If they refused, then seizing it by force would have been inevitable—after all, in the Natural Graveyard, that thing had no ownership markers; taking it would just be taking it.

"It's better than nothing."

Lin Liqiang made a forceful grabbing motion. "Old Qin, never mind. Next time there’s such an opportunity. This stuff is absolutely a treasure for Old Yin and me."

Inzarota’s cool face showed a rare seriousness: "A new direction."

Lin Liqiang snapped his fingers in affirmation. "Exactly! A new direction! If we had researched this earlier, maybe Du Peng wouldn't be the way he is now. The appearance of this thing aligns perfectly with our direction for New Humans; it could even open up more new paths for us."

"Since that's the case..."

Qin Fen fell into serious contemplation. After entering Saturn, the dangers would only increase. Even as a powerhouse of the eighteen Earthly Fiends, augmented by Yang Lie, Xue Tian, and the others, they might not necessarily secure victory against the Celestial Gate and the Underworld—especially the Jade Emperor and Ksitigarbha, two top masters who might have already reached the Heavenly Gang realm.

The Du Peng incident led Qin Fen to seriously reflect. In such a perilous environment, the primary consideration could no longer be mere righteousness or unrighteousness. This was a massive vortex, and once caught in it, the first priority must be the safety of his friends.

"The Founding Council could create Bug Martial Artists, and they possess nine types of samples you can't understand..." Qin Fen rubbed his chin while looking at Lin Liqiang. "Then..."

Lin Liqiang excitedly raised his index finger: "Then! They might possess the remaining nine types of samples that I completely fail to understand!"

Qin Fen gave Lin Liqiang a look that suggested, a promising student. Chen Zhi had once said that to know more, one must seek out the Founding Council. Chen Feiyu harbored an irreconcilable hatred for the Founding Council, and Morade also had significant grievances against them.

If the sudden appearance of the Bug Martial Artists hadn't caused the deaths of so many new West Asian soldiers, forcing the three young geniuses of West Asia to venture into the new soldier chaos of East Asia to steal the weapons in Qin Fen’s hands to survive the crisis, Qin Fen wouldn't have killed two of them outright.

"Old Qin, figure out a way to find them. You are, after all, the supreme commander of Saturn now," Lin Liqiang mused, looking at Qin Fen. "They were willing to provide so much data this time; I find it strange. Perhaps if we ask them for the rest, they might give it to us."

Qin Fen smiled, seeing the serious yet excited expressions of his two old friends. Fate was truly miraculous. Back then, Lin Liqiang was dissatisfied with his family matters, and Inzarota disliked the atmosphere in Europe. They coincidentally attended the same high school and accidentally became friends.

Over the years, both friends had silently provided their support. Whether it was the bio-beasts, the medicine, or that time everyone was heavily injured and Inzarota stood guard at the hospital entrance, sending all challengers to other wards—they never asked for anything in return.

"Alright, I will immediately mobilize all military power on Saturn to search," Qin Fen said with a smile. "When the time comes, if the Founding Council refuses to yield, we will steal and seize a set for you. By the way, do you know anyone with expertise in metals and energy?"

Lin Liqiang and Inzarota exchanged a glance, then both looked at Qin Fen's nano-combat suit, which seemed capable of holding many things. "What? Did the new energy and new metal fall into your hands?"

"Sort of..." Qin Fen took out the new metal and the new energy from his suit. "Although this incident was a trap set by that monster, these materials are indeed real. I just don't know the source of the ore, nor whether only that monster possessed this material, and we only have this little bit."

Lin Liqiang looked at the energy crystal in his hand. Under the light, its color differed from that found in the Natural Graveyard. The fist-sized energy crystal emitted a dazzling, iridescent glow, resembling the rotating light ball in a nightclub. When gently shaken, its colors constantly shifted.

"This is the new energy?" Lin Liqiang clicked his tongue. "If I turned this into a gift, it would be a great present for chasing girls, right?"

Inzarota weighed the new metal in his hand. This metal felt light, yet when gripped with full force, it showed no change, feeling just like an ordinary person squeezing steel.

"The hardness is incredibly high," Qin Fen explained. "Morade's gun is inferior to it."

Inzarota nodded in understanding. Morade, a disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect, had that gun gifted to him by the Vermilion Bird. While this item couldn't be called a divine weapon of this age, it wasn't far from that level either. The fact that this metal surpassed it meant it demanded serious attention.

"Old Qin, this actually doesn't require us to handle it," Lin Liqiang said, looking at Qin Fen. "Do you remember the Dragon Hall you mentioned when you called me?"

Qin Fen was startled. The Dragon Hall, created on the Sky Combat Network two years ago, hadn't been revisited in a long time. The only evidence that it still existed was the substantial sum of money appearing in his account every month—proof that Zhang Xiangyang, the Dragon Hall's agent, was managing things, indicating the Dragon Hall was operating normally.

"Perhaps you don't know yet?" Lin Liqiang said, a hint of envy on his face. "Your luck was good; your last appearance on the Sky Combat Network earned massive popularity and attention, causing your Dragon Hall to expand rapidly. Moreover, the people managing the Dragon Hall are truly talented—they not only made a splash in the virtual Sky Combat Network but have also extended their influence into real society."

Qin Fen was greatly surprised. It seemed that Wu Yi’s casual remark that the Dragon Hall was doing well was more profound than he thought.

"Let me put it this way: there are geniuses in every field. For example, in biochemistry and pharmaceuticals, there are me and Old Yin; in martial arts, there's you, Xue Tian, Shangguan Legend... Little Hades, and Yang Lie. Lin Liqiang explained, "It's the same in other fields. There are outstanding individuals in metals and energy every generation."

"They've been in contact with the Dragon Hall?" Qin Fen found it hard to believe that geniuses from all these fields would be connected to the Dragon Hall, an organization comprised purely of martial artists.

"Of course. They're all young people, and they all practice martial arts, don't they?" Lin Liqiang glanced at Inzarota and said, "Old Qin, perhaps you don't know? Old Yin and I are also members of the Dragon Hall. Some of those young people from various fields are naturally arrogant and ignore the Dragon Hall. But some interact with the Dragon Hall in their leisure time, gradually learning about your past, greatly admiring your ability and character, and some have simply joined the Dragon Hall. So, if you want to find talent in various sectors, you don't need to ask me and Old Yin. Just visit your Dragon Hall once; you might reap unexpected rewards."

Qin Fen nodded repeatedly. The Dragon Hall, which started purely as a means for him to earn a living, had unexpectedly grown alongside him over time.

Beep, beep. A double chime sounded from the phone in Lin Liqiang's pocket. He looked at the projected screen notification and slapped his forehead. "Right! I almost forgot, today is the first day of ticket sales for the Feixin Women's Band concert! Old Qin, do you have any money? I left in such a hurry, lend me some to use."

"Feixin?" A thought flashed through Qin Fen's mind—that heavy metal rock band with soulless singers but advanced vocal skills. Thinking about how the Founding Council couldn't be found instantly anyway, he stretched lazily, "I want to hear their concert too. Let's go buy tickets together."

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