Chapter 51: Almost There

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Almost There

Ji Zhixing returned home and took a quick shower. The warm water washed over his body, taking away the day’s exhaustion. Changing into clean clothes, he walked into the living room, relaxed on the sofa, and picked up his phone to check the news.

"This year’s enrollment at Yu City University has concluded. It is reported that a total of 3,500 new students have been admitted this year.

"Among them, 232 have integrated Tier Three genes, and seventeen have integrated Tier Four genes. Furthermore, for the first time in three years, a freshman who integrated a Tier Five gene has appeared at Yu City University.

"The student is named Cao Zhenxing, and he integrated the Tier Five Celestial River Profound Water Turtle Gene."

Ji Zhixing’s eyes flickered when he read about the freshman with the Tier Five gene.

"Tier Five Celestial River Profound Water Turtle Gene," he thought, shaking his head. "I wonder when I’ll be able to evolve my Three-inch Stone Monkey gene to that level."

He then checked Yu City University’s official website and found that if he wanted to enroll this year, he had to evolve his Three-inch Stone Monkey gene within ten days. That was because the university would officially begin classes in ten days, at which point all new students would formally matriculate.

"Ten days should be enough, right?" Ji Zhixing took a deep breath.

After reading a few more messages, he got up, went to the kitchen, and started cooking. For the past few days, whenever he had the time, he would prepare dinner before his parents and sister returned. Chopped vegetables were neatly arranged on the cutting board, and the oil in the pan was already hot, emitting a loud SIZZLE.

"There are four bottles of Gigantification Gene Potion left," he silently calculated in his mind while slicing the meat. "I’ll use another one tonight, leaving three. I wonder if I can develop the gigantification gene ability by the time these potions are gone. If not, I’m afraid I’ll have to spend the remaining 200,000 Gene Coins I have on hand."

The Gene Coins he had been using these past few days were all earned from killing petrified crabs. Just in case, he had not yet touched the 200,000 Gene Coins left over from selling the Red Iron Ore.

"I hope it works!" he sighed. Unless they completely gave up, every Genetic Cultivator burned through money like water. With two gene apertures and a clear understanding of how to develop his gene abilities, he was an even bigger spender than most.

In the afternoon, Zhang Yulan and Ji Zhiyu returned to their residential complex and happened to bump into the woman from upstairs.

Upon seeing Zhang Yulan, a smile immediately appeared on the woman’s lips. "Yulan, what’s going on with your Zhixing? Why is he staying home every day? Is he scared? Does he not dare go out and hunt gene beasts anymore?"

Zhang Yulan frowned. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Don’t get agitated," the woman said with a laugh. "I’m just worried about you all. I was thinking, if he doesn’t go out, can your family really afford to support such a grown man? If he just idles at home all day, what will he do in the future?"

Zhang Yulan’s face flushed bright red, and she said angrily, "What do you know! My son is currently developing his gene ability to prepare for his gene’s evolution!"

"Gene evolution?" The woman chuckled. "Yulan, I don’t mean to criticize, but you don’t actually believe that, do you? Honestly, I advise you to be a bit more vigilant."

Listening from the side, Ji Zhiyu glared angrily at the woman. She tugged at Zhang Yulan’s sleeve and said, "Mom, let’s stop talking to her. Let’s go back and tell my brother!"

The woman’s expression immediately changed. "You child!" she said awkwardly. "Wasn’t I just saying this for your own good? I just wanted you to care more about your brother! Why are you blaming me?

"Forget it, forget it. My good intentions have been treated like dirt. I won’t worry about your family’s business anymore."

After saying that, she lowered her head and walked away briskly.

"She’s just a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong!" Ji Zhiyu huffed softly as she watched the woman’s retreating back.

Zhang Yulan held Ji Zhiyu’s hand, her face full of affection. "My daughter has grown up, too."

Ji Zhiyu tilted her face up, her eyes curving into joyful crescents.

Upstairs, the woman pushed open her door and threw her groceries onto the table, her face looking rather unpleasant.

Her husband, Wang Henxin, was sitting on the sofa watching TV. Seeing her expression, he asked casually, "What’s wrong?"

"What else could it be? The family downstairs." She plopped down heavily and recounted what had just happened, adding at the end, "That Zhang Yulan even said her son is going to evolve his gene. It’s hilarious. Like her son could actually evolve a Tier One gene into a Tier Two? Keep dreaming."

Wang Henxin frowned but didn’t reply.

Their son, Wang Yan, was sitting on the sofa playing on his phone. Hearing this, he looked up and chuckled. "Mom, don’t worry. I’ve already gotten familiar with my classmates.

"One of my classmates has an older brother who used to go to Yu City Middle School, too. Once the new semester starts, he’ll be attending Yu City University.

"I’ve already spoken to that classmate. He said that when his brother has free time, he’ll call him over. When that time comes, we won’t even have to do much—Ji Zhixing will have to obediently admit his mistakes.

"Ji Zhixing dared to bully me because I haven’t integrated a gene yet, but he absolutely wouldn’t dare challenge a genius who’s about to enter Yu City University," Wang Yan said smugly.

The woman’s eyes lit up, and the gloomy clouds on her face largely dissipated. "Really? Your classmate is willing to help?"

"Of course," Wang Yan said nonchalantly. "We have a great relationship right now. Mom, just rest assured. When the time comes, I’ll definitely make that Ji Zhixing kid bow his head and apologize."

Meanwhile, after Ji Zhiyu returned home, she also told Ji Zhixing about what had just happened.

Ji Zhixing nodded after listening. "Mom, Zhiyu, you don’t need to pay any attention to their family from now on. They still dare to clamor now, but they won’t after a while."

Although he had killed people before, he wouldn’t dare entertain such thoughts inside the base city. It wasn’t just him; even if Gu Zheng and his crew saw him in the base city, they would have to behave themselves. The laws of the base city were incredibly strict. Anyone who dared to make a move here would be challenging the order of the entire Yu City Base City.

"However, once I evolve the Three-inch Stone Monkey gene and recommend myself for admission to Yu City University, that family upstairs will definitely quiet down for good," Ji Zhixing thought silently. By that time, his level and status would be completely different. Wang Yan’s family would absolutely never dare to act like this again.

After dinner that night, Ji Zhixing returned to his room, rested for a moment, and then took out a bottle of Gigantification Gene Potion and downed it, ready to continue developing his gigantification gene ability. These past few days, he had always scheduled his development of the gigantification gene ability for the evening. That way, after his mind was exhausted, he could go straight to sleep and fully recover by the next day.

After drinking this bottle of Gigantification Gene Potion, Ji Zhixing sat cross-legged on his bed. His consciousness sank, and he once again transformed into a Three-inch Stone Monkey. He immersed himself in the illusion of the Three-inch Stone Monkey continuously executing the gigantification ability, experiencing its profound mysteries over and over again. He could feel his understanding of this ability growing deeper and more thorough. How the bones grew, how the muscles expanded, how the gene source power circulated—every single detail was becoming second nature to him.

An unknown amount of time passed before he slowly opened his eyes.

"It’s close. I am definitely close to developing the gigantification ability," Ji Zhixing murmured in his heart.

He had never felt this way before. But this time, while refining the gigantification potion, a distinct feeling had emerged within him. He was only a tiny step away from developing the ability.

"I can’t be sure exactly when it will happen, but it will definitely be soon. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after. Regardless, I will definitely succeed within the next few days!" he thought. He rubbed his temples, feeling dizzy. A tremendous sense of exhaustion washed over him as he collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

*(You guys are awesome! You smashed over a hundred and fifty monthly tickets for this humble author yesterday. Today is the last day of March, so if you still have monthly tickets, keep them coming. I will release three more Chapters early tomorrow morning, which will be roughly four to five thousand words.)*