Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1461: [Bonus Story] - Deng Shentong I

Two and a half years after the apocalypse.

Blizzard City had finally resolved its energy crisis. The elemental ore Zhang Yi had brought back breathed a glimmer of life into this concrete jungle.

But the harsh and perilous conditions outside had not completely changed.

Humanity still had to face all kinds of threats at every moment.

Powerful mutated beasts, rogue Transcendents who refused to submit to Blizzard City's governance, and that which only a handful of people in this world knew about—the mighty and secretive everything.

Deng Corporation Technology.

Inside the underground laboratory, researchers in white lab coats were busily working at this moment.

The person in charge, Deng Mao, looked at the transparent workbench before him, upon which a human structural diagram and various dynamic data were displayed.

He lifted his head, peering through the transparent glass window at the handsome, bare-chested man in the laboratory.

He stood inside a cylindrical, semi-transparent experimental pod, connected to over a dozen thick, long pipes.

"Begin!"

Deng Mao said in a deep voice.

The experimentalist beside him immediately operated the control console.

Soon, streaks of crimson electric current surged through the dozen or so pipes into the experimental pod, causing Deng Shentong's body to convulse.

He clenched his fists, involuntarily lifting his chin as painful groans escaped his lips.

This kind of experiment was not something even a squad-level Transcendent with an ability index of 9700 could easily endure.

Powerful energy poured into the pod, causing arcs of serpentine electricity to flicker across its surface before finally flooding into Deng Shentong's body.

His muscles rose and fell as if breathing in that immense energy.

Even his pupils began to glow with an eerie red light.

After a long while, Deng Mao looked at the exclamation mark on the monitor indicating saturation, and only then ordered the experiment to stop.

"Professor, here are this experiment's data."

The nearby researcher quickly compiled the data and handed it to Deng Mao.

Deng Mao looked at the data and couldn't help but frown.

"Why is it still this result?"

Just then, a large, fair hand reached over from beside him and took the experimental data.

Deng Mao turned his head and saw Deng Yuanbo carefully examining the data on it.

"Uncle!"

Deng Mao quickly bowed in salute, a hint of nervousness and guilt on his face.

Deng Yuanbo looked at the data and said to him calmly, "No need to be nervous. You've done your best. There's nothing wrong with our experiment; I can sense that from him."

He put down the data in his hand and looked at Deng Shentong, who was sitting with his head bowed in the experimental pod. His long, silver hair covered his handsome face. This high-intensity energy infusion experiment had placed a tremendous physical burden on him.

But the gains were equally immense.

"What he lacks is not energy infusion. Perhaps, from the very beginning, our understanding was flawed."

Deng Yuanbo gazed at his nephew, in whom he had placed so much hope, and said calmly.

Deng Mao was somewhat surprised. "But our technology is already top-tier in the world! Even the Research Department might not be as advanced as we are."

Deng Yuanbo clasped his hands behind his back. "Humanity knows very little about itself. It was only after the apocalypse arrived that the world began large-scale research into human mutation technology. Even being at the forefront of the world doesn't necessarily mean much."

He turned and walked out.

"Suspend the experiment for now. What he needs is not this. After he's finished resting, tell him to come see me."

...

One kùnshí later.

Deng Shentong, draped in a silver outer robe, arrived at the Deng family's back garden and found Deng Yuanbo feeding a snow mink.

"Uncle. I'm sorry. I failed again."

Deng Shentong said in a low voice, his eyes cast down. He felt a mix of guilt and confusion.

Deng Yuanbo merely looked at him with calm eyes before saying, "Don't stay in Blizzard City anymore."

Deng Shentong raised his head to look at Deng Yuanbo. "Uncle, you mean you want me to go out and train?"

Deng Yuanbo casually tossed the food in his hand to the eagerly waiting snow mink, clapped his hands, and said:

"The technical department currently rates your ability at 9700 points. That number hasn't changed in months."

"But I feel you already possess potential close to the Epsilon-class."

"To reach Epsilon-class, the only thing you lack is a key. Continuing with energy infusion is meaningless."

"But before that," he walked over, reached out, and patted Deng Shentong's shoulder, looking at him with calm eyes, "you first need to figure out one thing."

Deng Shentong furrowed his brow, a look of incomprehension in his eyes.

"What is it you want me to figure out?"

Deng Yuanbo smiled faintly.

"You need to know exactly why you want to become strong."

"A person only walks forward with certainty when they have a clear goal, without any hesitation."

"But right now, do you really know what it is you want?"

Deng Shentong's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

"Of course I know... What I want is to become stronger!"

He clenched his fists.

Becoming stronger was his greatest hope right now!

He was the heir to the Deng Corporation, commanding the most powerful technology and financial conglomerate in the Jiangnan Region.

In the early days of the apocalypse, he was the darling of the entire Jiangnan Region, regarded by everyone as the most promising candidate, even the strongest contender for the next Supreme Commander.

But... when did his reputation begin to wane, and he was no longer worshipped as a deity?

It started with the invasion of the Jiangnan Region by the "Eclipse Moon" organization.

And after his head-on defeat at the hands of Gao Changkong, he was thoroughly relegated to a second-rate role.

No one truly wishes to be a supporting character for others, least of all someone as proud and distinguished as Deng Shentong.

So, all along, he had been desperately striving to become stronger.

Hoping that, one day, he could catch up to Zhang Yi, or even surpass him!

Deng Yuanbo shook his head.

"What I'm asking you is, what is it that you want to become strong for?"

Deng Shentong almost blurted out: To make himself... surpass Zhang Yi, and be recognized by everyone again!

But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly felt a pang of confusion.

Was that really what he wanted?

It seemed important, yet also not that important. Striving to become stronger merely for the sake of reputation didn't seem like a powerful, fundamental driving force.

For a moment, a blank look of confusion appeared in his eyes.

Deng Yuanbo gazed at him and said slowly, "All these years, you've lived too comfortably. Deng Corporation Technology gave you the best technology and also ample protection. Hardship fosters growth, ease breeds stagnation. This kind of protection, while allowing you to sail smoothly, has also curbed your ability to walk on your own."

"When you have something to rely on in your heart, you subconsciously choose to depend on others rather than yourself."