Permanent Martial Arts Chapter 1
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
To mankind, genetics remains a forbidden frontier, a realm belonging solely to the gods. To unlock the enigmas of the genome is to seize the very authority of the divine!
—Mendelstedt
…
Lin Feng, his complexion appearing somewhat sickly, sat in the Central Sea University library clutching a volume on genetic biology. This famous proverb, penned by Professor Mendelstedt—the illustrious pioneer of the field and the visionary behind "Genetic Martial Theory"—served as the preface to nearly every textbook on the subject.
In accordance with the "Genetic Martial Theory" proposed by Professor Mendelstedt, the human form is an inexhaustible storehouse of latent power. Yet, this potential remains suppressed for unknown reasons. Invisible "locks" exist within human genes, acting as barriers to this internal energy. To achieve superhuman capabilities, one must forcibly shatter these genetic locks.
“Genes possess the capacity for mutation. By breaking the genetic lock and reconfiguring their DNA, martial arts masters can attain terrifying, inhuman strength. But is this entire process dependent on having robust ‘basic genes’ to begin with?”
Lin Feng’s brow furrowed as he scanned the text, his fingers leafing through the pages with a sense of urgency, as if searching for a specific answer.
Ultimately, he closed the book with a heavy sigh of disappointment after scouring several genetic texts. He shook his head, whispering to himself, “Just as I feared, there is no alternative solution. The Genetic Martial Theory focuses entirely on the foundation of strong basic genes. Only with that base can one use Cultivation to break the genetic lock and initiate restructuring. Is there truly no method to force the lock in a short timeframe? Cough…”
A fit of violent coughing suddenly seized Lin Feng. Any observer would have labeled him reckless for such thoughts. Those capable of breaking the genetic lock are legendary figures of immense rarity. Every individual who achieves this feat enjoys a status of the highest honor, serving as the pillars of human civilization. To break the lock once in a lifetime is a monumental achievement; the idea of doing so quickly is almost unthinkable.
Lin Feng’s desperation, however, was born of necessity rather than arrogance. Since childhood, he had been plagued by a bizarre condition known as Atypical Organ Failure.
This was no standard medical issue, but an exceptionally rare and mysterious malady. It did not strike all at once; instead, it progressed relentlessly over the years, causing a slow decline of all internal organs that would eventually lead to death. Medical experts had predicted that Lin Feng would not survive past the age of twenty-three.
At twenty years old, Lin Feng was living on borrowed time, with only three years remaining.
Because the disease was congenital—rooted in a specific mutation within his own genes—conventional medicine was powerless. The only cure lay in fundamental genetic restructuring.
While restructuring could save his life, modern technology was nowhere near achieving such a feat for medical treatment. The sole path forward was the path of the martial artist: breaking the genetic lock. Once the lock was shattered, the body would naturally undergo genetic restructuring. This would not only cure Lin Feng’s terminal illness without any external help but would also grant him immense power.
Despite the high level of technological advancement in this era, humanity’s understanding of the world remained limited. Human territory accounted for a mere ten percent of the planet’s surface.
The remaining ninety percent was the Outland, a wilderness dominated by savage dire beasts. Modern society relied on a combination of advanced technology and elite martial artists to maintain a fragile peace.
Consequently, martial artists held a prestigious position in society, particularly those who had broken the genetic lock to become inhuman experts. These guardians of humanity were worshipped by the masses.
Yet, the odds of becoming such an expert were staggering. Perhaps only one person in a hundred thousand, or even a million, would ever successfully break the genetic lock.
Lin Feng’s lifelong illness meant his inherent genetic foundation was incredibly frail. He was physically weaker than an average citizen, let alone a candidate for breaking the genetic lock. How could he possibly hope to succeed through traditional Cultivation?
Periodically, Lin Feng would visit the Central Sea University library, desperately scouring books for some "shortcut" to bypass the genetic barriers. But in this world, what path existed besides raw martial talent?
Though discouraged, Lin Feng continued his search through the library's genetic archives. He refused to surrender as long as even a theoretical possibility remained.
He pulled a heavy volume from the shelf, which appeared to be a popular science text on genetics. The library held dozens, perhaps hundreds, of similar books.
As he skimmed the contents, he found the theories so eccentric that he couldn't help but shake his head. It hardly seemed like a scientific text at all, reading more like the ramblings of a crackpot theorist. He wondered how such a work had even ended up in a prestigious university library.
Finding nothing of substance, Lin Feng closed the book. As he moved to return it to the shelf, he spotted a metal sphere, roughly the size of a small fist, tucked away in the back of the shelving unit.
He reached in and retrieved the object. It was hollow and surprisingly light, feeling cool against his skin.
“Who would leave a metal ball here?”
Lin Feng examined the strange object. He didn't recognize the alloy, and it didn't seem like a toy. It had clearly been sitting there for a long time, as it was coated in a thick layer of dust.
The surface was perfectly smooth, save for a narrow seam running around its center, suggesting it could be opened. Lin Feng applied pressure with both hands, trying to pry it apart.
Snap.
A sharp sound echoed. To his amazement, a faint white glow radiated from the sphere. The object then underwent a startling metamorphosis, dissolving into a pool of shimmering, silvery-white liquid metal. Before he could react, the liquid surged across his palm. Panicked, Lin Feng tried to shake his hand, but the substance clung to him firmly.
A piercing pain erupted in his hand as the liquid metal forced its way into a small cut on his palm. A burning sensation flooded his entire system, and he broke into a cold sweat, slumping against the bookshelf for support.
A girl with a round face, who had been browsing nearby, noticed his distress. She rushed over to steady him, asking in a concerned tone, “Are you okay?”
Lin Feng’s mind felt momentarily blank. He lost track of time as the agonizing heat surged through him, leaving his muscles weak and aching. It took several moments for him to regain his senses.
“I’m alright. Thank you.”
Feeling his strength return slightly, Lin Feng thanked the girl and made a hasty exit from the library. He had no idea what that metal sphere was, but its forced entry into his body was deeply unsettling. He needed to investigate this immediately.
…
Rather than staying in the university dorms, Lin Feng lived alone in a rented apartment nearby. Upon returning home, he immediately inspected his hand. A tiny, barely visible mark remained in the center of his palm.
Though the intense pain had subsided, he could sense a foreign presence within him. Almost instinctively, he whispered, “Come out.”
A miracle occurred. The moment the words left his lips, the metal sphere reappeared in his hand.
The sensation was bizarre; he felt a deep, almost biological connection to the object, as if it were a part of his own blood. With a simple thought, the sphere began to shift, transforming into a mobile phone, and then into a wristwatch that fastened itself securely to his arm.
The metal could be reshaped by his very will.
However, he sensed this was not its primary purpose. Taking a steadying breath, Lin Feng looked at the "watch" and commanded quietly, “Activate.”
“Genetic fusion device activated.”
As the device on his wrist hummed, a beam of white light projected forward, manifesting a holographic display in the air.
Physique: 0.92Strength: 0.81Agility: 0.78Skill: Basic Fist Technique (Proficient, can be improved to adept through continuous practice)Genetic Fusion: NoneGenetic Capacity: None
A strange array of statistics hovered before him. Remarkably, Lin Feng found he could "understand" the meaning of each data point simply by focusing on it.
The metrics for physique, strength, and agility represented his current physical state. For a healthy adult, the baseline value for these attributes was 1.0.
The data confirmed what he already knew: his physical condition was substandard. Because of his failing organs, his vitality was significantly lower than that of a normal human.
The "Skills" section appeared to track his martial arts training. Currently, it only listed the basic fist techniques he had practiced since childhood in his desperate attempt to find a cure through the genetic lock.
The most vital entries were Genetic Fusion and Genetic Capacity. These were the core functions of the device. Genetic Fusion indicated the ability to integrate the DNA of other organisms into his own—the primary purpose of the metal sphere. Genetic Capacity referred to how many foreign genetic strands his body could currently support.
This "knowledge" flowed into Lin Feng’s mind through the device as if it were a natural memory.
Lin Feng inhaled deeply, forcing himself to remain calm. While the situation was overwhelming, he kept his composure.
The device's ultimate power was the ability to merge the genes of any creature into his own body, granting him their specific biological traits. It was a concept straight out of a science fiction novel, yet it was functioning right before his eyes.
Modern genetic science was primitive by comparison. While the theories of fusion and restructuring existed, no experiment had ever succeeded. This genetic fusion device was clearly a "divine artifact" from a civilization far beyond current human technology.
The dream of modern science—the fusion of interspecies genes—was now within his grasp. This provided Lin Feng with a newfound glimmer of hope. If he could strengthen his genetic foundation through this device, he might finally have the chance to break the genetic lock and save his own life.