Chapter 477 - 412: Fourth Realm Genetic Modification Skill

Chu Bamboo frowned, his mind racing. Suddenly, he realized there was a very serious problem.

"Nuwa No. 17... Where is Li Kang—no, have Li Kang come see me!" Chu Bamboo’s tone was level. In the last worldline, the main reason Li Kang had lost control was that the Imperial Court had secretly issued an order for Chu Bamboo’s capture, and Li Kang had gotten caught in the crossfire.

’But now, I’m the Crown Prince of the Empire. More importantly, judging by Su Po’s earlier attitude, we don’t seem to be in conflict. So Li Kang should still be safe and sound!’

"Contact initiated," Nuwa No. 17’s voice replied, impassive as ever.

「A moment later.」

The large doors boomed open.

Li Kang charged into the base and crashed to his knees. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince! For what purpose have you summoned me?"

He was terrified, humbled. It was a stark contrast to the natural, easygoing way he used to interact with Chu Bamboo.

As Chu Bamboo sized him up, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.

Li Kang now stood a full four meters tall, his muscles bulging. He wore a thick suit of golden armor that shimmered with a dazzling light, exuding an indescribable holy aura.

"Li Kang, state your name, strength, profession, and life’s goal! This is an order!" Chu Bamboo suddenly barked.

By addressing Li Kang by name before ordering him to state it, Chu Bamboo ensured Li Kang wouldn’t suspect that the man before him was completely ignorant of his abilities and role. He would just assume it was a standard inquiry, or perhaps a dressing-down.

His expression was as serious and devout as ever. "I am Li Kang, a Fourth Realm Genetic Modifier and a Fourth Realm Body Cultivator! I am the leader of the Third Squad of the Crown Prince’s Guard. My current cover identity is Special Operations Captain for the Third District Police Chief Bureau in Shanghai! My life’s goal is to protect the Crown Prince and to protect the people! My current mission is to maintain my cover and protect the Crown Prince during his undercover tour of Shanghai."

Chu Bamboo was speechless.

The sheer volume of information was enough to make his head spin.

’First, his Cultivation... In the last worldline, Uncle Li was only in the Second Realm! And now he’s a dual Fourth Realm? But... considering Su Po has achieved godhood, I guess this isn’t completely illogical.’

After a few silent breaths, Chu Bamboo clenched his fist and said abruptly, "Follow me outside."

Chu Bamboo turned and started walking out.

Li Kang moved to stand, but then he seemed to realize something. His expression changed drastically. "Your Highness!"

"Hm?" Chu Bamboo paused, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

It was just as Chu Bamboo had guessed. Since they were supposed to be undercover, Li Kang couldn’t just call him "Crown Prince" in public.

He stammered, "...Bam... Bamboo!"

Li Kang wiped the cold sweat from his brow, quickly adjusting. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time he’d had to use the nickname. Taking a deep breath, he asked cautiously, "Aren’t... aren’t you going to wear a protective suit?"

’A protective suit? Right... there’s still pollution outside!’ The thought flashed through Chu Bamboo’s mind. ’So I’m not wearing one right now?’

A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. ’Where’s my suit, then?’ But despite his confusion, Chu Bamboo didn’t panic. He was the Crown Prince now; he could just delegate the problem. "Get me a new protective suit!"

"But..." Li Kang looked hesitant. Chu Bamboo just snorted, and Li Kang immediately rushed out without another thought.

Chu Bamboo waited for a moment, wondering, ’Is Su Po still watching me?’

’And...’ A lost look appeared in Chu Bamboo’s eyes. ’In this brand-new worldline... what am I even supposed to do now?’

After a moment, Chu Bamboo’s expression grew serious. ’My ultimate goal is to keep getting stronger. My secondary goal is to gather information!’

’Getting stronger is the only way to solve this mess!’

’It seems human civilization managed to survive this time... But I know deep down that while things might be better than before, the fundamental problem hasn’t changed!’

’Unless I wake up, ask a few questions, and God himself appears before me to explain everything... telling me that Nuwa and Z are both fine, the pollution problem is gone, and the world outside is thriving and prosperous! That would be great... *That* would mean the problem is actually solved!’

’But this situation now... heh.’

Even without leaving the base, Chu Bamboo could already sense a stench of rot in the air. He didn’t know the specifics yet, but he had a very bad feeling...

’So, I just have to focus on getting stronger. Stronger than anyone else. Then we’ll see if I can solve this with an iron fist.’

’In terms of strength... since human civilization never collapsed, the technology in this worldline should be pretty advanced, right? And then there’s that Fourth Realm Genetic Modification Skill!’

A strange thought surfaced in Chu Bamboo’s mind. ’If Li Kang can undergo Fourth Realm Genetic Modification, then as the Crown Prince, I should be able to get it even more easily, right?’

’A Fourth Realm Genetic Modifier is comparable to a Fourth Realm Body Cultivator! They’d definitely be stronger than me... well, most likely stronger?’

Chu Bamboo recalled his fight with Vice President Xin. ’He was probably in the Fourth Realm, right? Maybe even the Fifth Realm... In any case, even if things got bad, I could probably escape using my Light Divine Techniques. So it’s very likely that even if I go all out, I still can’t beat a Fourth Realm Powerhouse.’

’If there are no side effects... and it can be done in a day! Then I should definitely undergo this Genetic Modification Skill... and it’d be even better if I could get my hands on the actual modification methods!’ Chu Bamboo stretched his stiff limbs.

’Although, seeing as the genetic modification method cost a hundred trillion... I can basically assume it was difficult... or impossible... to use in the past?’

’Or rather, that it was practically impossible in the 21st century!’

’Besides that,’ Chu Bamboo’s eyes flickered, ’in this worldline, I could consider... how to get a meeting with God! But I shouldn’t get my hopes up...’

’And since Su Po, a Divine Being, can still walk the Mortal World... other divine beings should be able to as well! Nuwa is probably still asleep because of the pollution... but what about Z?’

Chu Bamboo felt a sudden urge to act. He subconsciously opened his mouth to ask Nuwa No. 17, but then remembered that the old scoundrel of an Emperor might still be watching. He ultimately suppressed the thought.

’I’ll take a look outside first... When I get back, and I’m ready to load my save... when I’m feeling suicidal, then I’ll ask Nuwa!’

Just as he was lost in thought, footsteps sounded again.

Li Kang walked back in, his expression calm. Behind him stood Ning Linglong with a mischievous grin, Wall Announcements with a look of utter speechlessness, and Guan Fei, standing ramrod straight.