Starting as a Mechanical Hunter

Chapter 486 21: The Balance Scale Project

As he entered the ice layer, Gao Gong quickly sensed the increase in the concentration of the Radiation Field. The 'snowflakes' drifting in the ice cave were solid radiation energy.

On this planet, it was the first time Gao Gong had seen solid-state radiation energy.

This indicated that in this area, the Radiation Field had completed the initial transformation from 'energy' to 'matter'.

This kind of transformation could only be achieved by an A-level Radiation Beast at the very least.

Gao Gong displayed a vigilant expression; this place was extremely dangerous, even without enemies.

The intense Radiation Field even made him feel a vague discomfort, surpassing even the 'Beast Tide State'.

Solid radiation energy seemingly could not augment the 'Radiation Species'.

In other words, it killed even its own kind.

These days, aside from killing Radiation Beasts, Gao was investigating everywhere under the sea. Combined with the intelligence from 'Keramos', he could basically conclude that there was a Knight Order's underwater base here.

With the operation of the 'Biological Computer', gradually, a foreign biological pheromone was received, transformed into data, and decrypted.

A scene was immediately reflected in Gao Gong's eyes.

Within a thick ice layer, a prehistoric giant beast was sealed inside.

This prehistoric giant beast looked much like a yak, as tall as a five-story building, with six legs, each like a giant pillar, and 'yak hair' as thick as fingers, more than ten meters long, evenly draping on its sides, with three horns on its head, the thickest of which was broken, exposing black bone fragments.

To be honest, for Gao, who experienced the Beast Tide right from the start, he had seen such massive giant beasts more than once. Plenty of B-level Radiation Beasts had such size as well.

However, he did not sense even a hint of radiation energy from this 'prehistoric yak'.

In other words, it was purely a large organism, a species that was born on this planet before civilization developed, similar to dinosaurs, mammoths, or titan boas from the previous world.

This was an unmutated ancient species.

And if it were to mutate, its size would at least increase by dozens, if not hundreds, of times.

A hundred times the size of five stories, that's a bit exaggerated. Even compared to a Godzilla resurrection, it's still more akin to an Ultraman's little monster friend.

'Not only the Knight Order's underground base, but also the resting place of ancient beast souls.'

A glance at the task panel—

[Task: Ancient Beast Soul Ceremony]

Difficulty: Tier 2 - Difficult+

Task Briefing: The installation of the 'Large-scale Biological Computer' is for the Knight Order's next phase project, a prerequisite for 'ancient species revival'. In the Pan-Asian Sea Area, the Knight Order has already collected a certain amount of 'ancient fossil remains'. Please allow these 'ancient beast souls' to rest in peace.

Task Objective: Bury 'Ancient Fossil Remains'

Task Duration: Two months

Task Rewards: Experience +500,000, Sea Area Reputation +10,000, Ancient Genes *2, a random Tier 2 Blueprint

'Pretty decent luck.'

Under the augmentation of the Biological Computer, the recently gathered biological information was quickly translated.

'Save me... pain... pain... death...'

In the scene, above the ice layer, were the skulls typical of the Knight Order, continuously cutting into the flesh and injecting something into the back of the 'prehistoric yak'.

Undoubtedly, this was a forbidden experiment on evolution.

Gao Gong didn't have a moral cleanliness complex, and evolution itself wasn't a disgraceful thing. The 'reverse evolution' of a species was also common in the Carbon-Based Civilization.

But the reason 'forbidden experiments' are termed 'forbidden' is largely because the experimental technology is imperfect and problematic.

Otherwise, the creature's instinctual consciousness wouldn't have communicated such pain; it would have been calling, "Yamete, Yamete".

Just as Gao Gong intended to continue the 'translation', a slight 'crack' sound rang out, and in an instant, Gao Gong's hair stood on end with a strong sense of death threat, and the 'Biological Computer' instantly entered 'hibernation mode'.

Wiping off a cold sweat, Gao Gong turned his head to see a 'frozen methane bubble' not far away, its surface already showing a crack.

'Such a sensitive environment!'

Around this 'bubble', there were countless other bubbles. Once one bubble burst, it would inevitably cause a chain reaction, turning the entire ice layer into a terrifying nuclear volcano crater in no time.

'No energy must be emitted, huh? No wonder the Knight Order would place a secret base here.'

Gao talked to himself.

A high-intensity Radiation Field capable of directly melting most marine life.

And a 'Methane Bubble Layer' that would explode instantly upon detecting any energy reaction.

These two natural defense layers were enough to stop 99% of enemies; even surrounded by a whole Mechanical Legion, they couldn't penetrate it in a short time.

After all, for mechanical life to operate, energy reactions are essential.

'In that case—'

As Gao Gong's thoughts moved, his body began to change gradually. Blue lines appeared on the surface, exuding an aura of nobility and mystery. Inside his body, a large number of chemical substances were transformed into an 'information state'.

Blue Blood People (Tier 3): As a semi-carbon-based semi-information life form, Blue Blood People are known for their mysterious aura and cryptic speech style in the Robert Star System. Thanks to the diligent work of interstellar traders, some star thief influences dissected the bodies of Blue Blood People and discovered their secrets. It turns out that the blood of Blue Blood People contains special informational substances that allow them to often sense higher-dimensional existences.

Although among the Tier 3 bloodlines, Blue Blood People are infamous as garbage, it is nevertheless a dual-type life form. Once in 'Blue Blood People mode', a significant portion of the organism will be converted into informational substances.

Since it has already been informationalized, there naturally exists no energy reaction anymore.

Gao Gong extended his crystalline blue hand, slowly touching a 'methane bubble'. Amazingly, his fingers passed through the ice layer and touched the bubble inside.

It was a very peculiar feeling, like reaching into ice water, yet the ice water was in a state of boiling.

Gao Gong withdrew his hand, with a thought, and the 'Biological Computer Mode' was restarted once again. Only this time, no methane bubbles burst.

There is never a garbage bloodline, only people who don't know how to use it.

That's how confident Gao is.

...

At the eighth research center of the Knight Order, the Glacier Standard Bearer frowned at the experimental report from his subordinates.

In front of him, there were also several completely frozen researchers from the Knight Order, their bodies emitting cold smoke.

Clearly, the experiment was not going well, and the main reason for the lack of success was the absence of support from a 'large-scale biological computer'.

Without tremendous computational power, it's impossible to reconstruct the mutated genome, nor is it possible to revive the ancient creature 'Katorov'.

'Katorov', the name of the prehistoric yak, means 'world bearer' according to ancient textual records.

Just from its name, it's evident its life force is exceptionally strong, making it one of the ancient creatures with the best chances of being revived.

Unfortunately, the 'large-scale biological computer' is still not in place, and ordinary supercomputers cannot conduct genetic reconstruction at this level.

Because 'reviving' is not the same as 'restoring', according to the Knight Order's plan, reviving ancient creatures also involves making them radiative and mutant.

The powerful genes of prehistoric species are the key to becoming an S-Level Beast King.

"You may leave."

The Knight Order's researchers wiped sweat from their brow, realizing that the General Dongg did not plan to kill today.

Once everyone else had left, the underwater base was left with only its highest administrator.

The higher-ups in the Knight Order are generally quite tall, especially the Standard Bearers, many of whom are over 3 meters tall. However, the Glacier Standard Bearer, known as 'General Dongg', is an exception.

His stature is not only short, but almost childlike, yet anyone who glimpses him is immediately intimidated by his terrifying aura.

His entire biological magnetic field has evolved into a cold energy field. In this high-radiation environment, all researchers must wear heavy protective suits, except for him. Any radiation near him is automatically frozen, so his body surface is always layered with thick frost. No one knows his true appearance, only a pair of pure blue eyes, seemingly able to freeze human souls.

'General Dongg' contemplated briefly and activated a holographic screen. Soon, a sharply dressed middle-aged executive appeared on the screen.

The executive nervously glanced around before complaining, "Weren't we agreed not to contact until the last minute?"

'General Dongg' replied coldly, "I'm sorry if there was a misunderstanding. I must clarify; our Knight Order is not a charitable organization."

Without a doubt, this executive had something held over him by 'General Dongg'. Coupled with the Knight Order's fearsome reputation, his face turned pale, and he forced a smile, saying:

"Misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. My collaboration with your organization has always been harmonious. Please feel free to say what you need."

'General Dongg' maintained a cold expression and said directly:

"I need you to insert our people into the 'Balance Plan'. Can you do it?"

"Insert someone?" The executive was startled, then said with a bitter smile, "The plan is still in the experimental stage. It's under close watch. Any new face appearing might be immediately detected."

"Then there's no need to trouble you," said General Dongg. "Once you arrange for our person to enter, naturally, someone will take over."

The executive's expression sharpened. The Knight Order surely had more than just him as an insider in the company.

"I... understand."

"By the way, the new hairstyle is quite nice."

The executive was momentarily taken aback, instinctively touching his half-white hair, which looked normal but upon closer inspection, it's clear his 'hair' has been partially replaced by 'white neural bundles'.

The brain beam, located in the central position of the brain, consists of 200 million fibers balancing the structure of the left and right brains and was also the subject of this experiment.

Balance Plan - Life Slicing Agreement.

Cyber Experiment of the Liangzhou Plate.

The experimenter, one of the four major biological groups, the Balance Group.