Chapter 28: Developing the 1st Genetic Ability

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Developing the 1st Genetic Ability

Ji Zhixing sank his consciousness into his body, looking at the genetic node that had fused with the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene.

Within the genetic node, the phantom representing the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene emitted a faint glow, trembling slightly.

Ji Zhixing’s heart stirred. "Is my gene transforming?" he wondered.

He focused his attention, sensing it carefully.

"I’m not mistaken. My gene is transforming," Ji Zhixing thought as he sensed the changes. "However, it might still take some time to develop the Innate Staff Heart ability. But it shouldn’t take too long. I just need to wait a bit more."

He opened his eyes. Seeing him standing motionless, Liu Qifan walked over and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing." Ji Zhixing shook his head with a smile. "Just a bit tired. I’m going to rest for a moment."

Liu Qifan nodded. "Makes sense. You held off the Chicken King all by yourself for so long; you must be exhausted."

Subsequently, the group took turns refining the five Iron-Feathered Pheasants.

Since Ji Zhixing had already refined four Petrified Crabs that morning, he didn’t get a share this time. He sat to the side, resting while watching the others refine their prey.

Before long, Liu Qifan, Luo Yongguang, and Xie Jia had all finished their refining.

Zhang Haoceng was allocated the Iron Feather Pheasant King. He enthusiastically absorbed it into his genetic furnace, but opened his eyes a few minutes later with a look of disappointment.

"It’s still just a Genetic Source Stone. It’s a bit larger, sure, but this Chicken King is completely useless."

"You just have bad luck," Liu Qifan chuckled. "When Zhixing refined the Chicken King earlier, he got a bottle of Source Power Genetic Potion right off the bat."

"Your luck isn’t much better than mine." Zhang Haoceng curled his lips.

The sky gradually darkened. After a full day of hunting, the group was utterly exhausted, so they quickened their pace and headed back to the camp.

Upon their return, they noticed that many squads had already gathered in the clearing. However, the atmosphere was somewhat solemn, a stark contrast to yesterday’s liveliness.

"What’s going on?" Liu Qifan asked in a low voice, sensing that something was wrong.

Ji Zhixing felt it too. He glanced around, noticing the grim expressions on several classmates’ faces as they whispered among themselves.

"Something happened." Zhang Haoceng frowned.

The group hurriedly asked around and soon discovered the reason.

A student from Class Four had met with an accident while hunting a genetic beast. The senior student leading their squad hadn’t been able to rescue him in time. The student was severely injured and had been rushed back to the city for emergency treatment.

"Severely injured..." Ji Zhixing thought, his heart sinking slightly.

"I heard the injuries were devastating. He nearly lost his life." Liu Qifan shook his head.

"That’s too dangerous."

"It’s a good thing someone was leading the squad, otherwise it would have been even worse."

As the group discussed the incident, a heavy mood settled over them. Ji Zhixing remained silent, not saying a word.

Zhao Qing walked over, her tone calm. "For Genetic Cultivators, getting injured while hunting genetic beasts is a common occurrence. Even losing one’s life is considered normal.

"You’re in a slightly better situation now because you have someone leading you. If you didn’t, it would be infinitely more dangerous."

The group nodded, their hearts heavy. This was the path they had to walk in the future.

By becoming a Genetic Cultivator—even just a Tier One Gene Cultivator—they would earn money much faster than ordinary people. But alongside that wealth came the constant, ever-present shadow of danger.

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Everyone is tired. Hurry up and eat something so we can rest."

Ji Zhixing patted their shoulders and walked over to a large rock. He sat down, took out some rations and water from his bag, and ate in silence with the rest of the group. As he ate, he was lost in thought.

"Severe injuries..." he thought silently. "This is the world of Genetic Cultivators. With great rewards come great risks. If you want to become stronger, you have to bear the risks. All I can do is become stronger as quickly as possible. Strong enough to protect myself, and strong enough to protect the people around me."

Just as he was pondering this, another squad approached from the distance. It was the group from Yu City Middle School.

They looked the same as before: composed, unhurried, and completely at ease. The youth named Gu Zheng, who was leading them, walked at the forefront with an indifferent expression.

Since everyone had grown more familiar with each other by now, no one stared at them anymore. Only Qi Xingzhou and a few others greeted them and exchanged a few words. Ji Zhixing glanced at them before looking away.

By the time they finished eating, the sky had turned pitch black.

Ji Zhixing was just about to get into the vehicle to rest with the others when his body suddenly jolted. A bizarre sensation welled up from deep within his body.

"This is..." Ji Zhixing thought, startled. He hastily closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his body.

Within his body, the genetic node that had fused with the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene was now radiating a brilliant light. And amidst that light, a wave of brand-new information flooded into his mind like a surging tide.

Innate Staff Heart!

He had finally unlocked his first genetic ability.

Unlike Stone Heart—which was a one-star quality passive ability that merely granted him extra resistance against mental and spiritual attacks—this was different. The Innate Staff Heart was a two-star quality ability!

"Two-star!" Ji Zhixing thought, filled with pleasant surprise. He carefully examined the information regarding this new ability.

"The Innate Staff Heart can enhance my talent in staff techniques, accelerating my cultivation speed with them. At the same time, it can also amplify my power when executing them," he realized.

Under the amplification of the Innate Staff Heart, the power of a Two-Star Staff Technique would be nearly comparable to a three-star genetic ability!

"Three-star!" Ji Zhixing thought, his eyes burning with intensity.

Three-star genetic abilities were something that only those who had fused with Tier Two genes—like Huang Yu and Yu Zhirou—could possess. And now, when he executed the Breaking Army Eight Strikes, his power could reach that exact level!

Of course, while the Innate Staff Heart would also amplify three-star and higher staff techniques, the boost wouldn’t be nearly as significant.

"However..." Ji Zhixing thought, his mind racing. "The quality of genetic abilities can be upgraded. If I want to continue improving the quality of my Innate Staff Heart, all I need to do is continuously practice my staff techniques. As long as I keep practicing, it’ll eventually evolve into a three-star, four-star, or even higher-tier ability one day!"

The more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes shone.

"Zhixing, what’s wrong?" Liu Qifan asked, noticing that Ji Zhixing had suddenly frozen in place.

"I have something to take care of. You guys go ahead and get in the car first." Ji Zhixing shook his head, his gaze shifting into the distance. Over there, Teacher Sun Dajun was chatting with a few other teachers.

"What is it?" Liu Qifan asked casually.

"I’ve mastered the Breaking Army Staff Technique and unlocked the Innate Staff Heart talent. I’m going to find Teacher Sun and ask him to teach me another staff technique."

Ji Zhixing flashed Liu Qifan a smile before striding toward Sun Dajun in the distance.

"Crazy!" Liu Qifan muttered, unable to guess what Ji Zhixing was planning.

As for Ji Zhixing claiming to have mastered the Breaking Army Staff Technique, he didn’t believe it for a second. How could it possibly be that fast?

"What’s going on?" Zhang Haoceng and the others looked at Ji Zhixing in astonishment.

"Who knows what he’s up to." Liu Qifan shook his head.

Consequently, the group abandoned the idea of getting into the vehicle and simply waited there for Ji Zhixing to return.

"Teacher Sun," Ji Zhixing called out as he approached Sun Dajun.

Seeing that it was Ji Zhixing, Sun Dajun nodded and smiled. "Do you need something?"

The other teachers also turned to look at him.

"Teacher Sun, I want to practice the Boulder Staff Technique," Ji Zhixing said. "I was wondering if you could teach me."

"Learn the Boulder Staff Technique?" Sun Dajun was taken aback before shaking his head. "Didn’t you say that as long as you mastered a Tier One Two-Star Staff Technique, you could unlock the Innate Staff Heart talent?

"The Breaking Army Staff Technique you’re practicing and the Boulder Staff Technique I practice are equally difficult.

"Before you master that technique, I suggest you strictly focus on it alone."

"Thank you for your concern, sir," Ji Zhixing replied. "However... I have already mastered the Breaking Army Staff Technique and unlocked the Innate Staff Heart talent. That’s exactly why I want to learn the Boulder Staff Technique from you, Teacher Sun."