The Strongest Gene Chapter 2: This Location Was Somewhat Scary

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Previously on The Strongest Gene...
Chen Feng, plagued by lifelong bad luck, discovered the legendary Fate Stone was the cause of his misfortune. Trying to activate it to change his fate, he unintentionally triggered a massive energy absorption, causing an earthquake that buried him. He awoke to find he had transmigrated into a new world, one vastly larger than Earth and defined by advanced gene research, where humans could fuse with mutated life forms to gain genetic abilities.
"Does it truly possess such mystical abilities?" Chen Feng cautiously extended a hand towards his left wrist, and an interface materialized before him. "Whiirrr—" The dark wristband vibrated subtly, a surge of energy coursing through his body before rapidly receding back into the band. New data then populated the screen. ------ Strength: 10 Agility: 10 Physique: 10 Spirit: 30 Stamina: 10/10 (Each point of physique enhances maximum stamina by one point) Spiritual Power: 30/30 (Each point of spirit enhances maximum spiritual power by one point) Genetic Abilities: Wind Blade: Conjures a tempestuous gale. Forms a pattern with spiritual power to unleash a wind-formed blade, inflicting a degree of damage. Possesses a minor chance (estimated initial 5%) for consecutive wind blade releases. General Function: A rudimentary combat technique with notable lethality. (Assessed based on your muscle memory, spiritual recollection, and the integrated memory database. This data should be stored within the wristband's chip. For your security, it remains disconnected from any network. Regular data updates are recommended for accuracy.) Special Ability: Luck Aura. Depletes the luck value from the Fate Stone, significantly boosting fortune for a limited duration. Current luck value: 10 points. (The Fate Stone accrues its energy by absorbing ambient world energy. Based on the current world's assessment, one point of luck value is gained per hour.) ------ This was essentially a digitized representation of himself! The basic attributes served as benchmarks derived from primitive human capabilities. While the ability to display everyone's condition was remarkable, Chen Feng's primary interest lay in the final special ability. "Luck Aura?" Chen Feng expressed his astonishment. He had presumed the Fate Stone was lost. To his surprise, it had actually merged with him. Upon observing the remaining 10 luck points, Chen Feng could vaguely surmise that at the brink of his demise, when the library crumbled, the Fate Stone had expended all its accumulated luck, transporting him to this new existence. "So, this is your power?" Chen Feng mused aloud. Fate Stone—the very essence of fortune and misfortune intertwined. He had endured a lifetime of the worst possible luck. Perhaps, in this new life, he could forge a destiny entirely his own! Yet, the question lingered: why was he here? "Let's investigate." Chen Feng sifted through the extraneous details within the original host's memories, focusing directly on those pertaining to himself. Soon, he uncovered a rather uplifting narrative. His name was Chen Feng, a resident of Gold City, and an orphan. Having lost his parents at a tender age, he’d nevertheless excelled academically, securing a scholarship that propelled him into an elite high school. There, he pursued gene studies, acquiring a genetic ability and other proficiencies through rigorous training. This propelled him into the coveted elite class, making him the epitome of the "child from another family" that parents often cited. Had fate not intervened, his path would likely have been smooth, marking him as a rare commoner who defied the odds. However, reality often proved harsh. On the final day of the university entrance exams, Chen Feng, who should have been taking the test, was instead cast into the sea, destined to become shark fodder... The reason? Even in his final moments, the original owner of this body likely couldn’t comprehend the situation. But as Chen Feng delved deeper into the memories, he deduced the motive. Gold City's sole candidate for North Qing University's prestigious Gene Production Major Facility was up for grabs. Fatefully, the original Chen Feng was the top student vying for this very spot. The outcome was hardly a mystery, was it? He had simply become an obstacle in someone else's ambitions. "What a tragic soul," Chen Feng offered a silent elegy. It was evident that the original owner, having dedicated most of his life to arduous study, likely possessed a social intelligence so low that he fell prey to others' machinations without realizing it. "If I had been here sooner, his fate wouldn't have been so dismal," Chen Feng declared with conviction. But... Ugh... He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Top student? No... ugh... wait! Chen Feng's recollection sparked, and a sense of dread washed over him. Sharks?! Cast into the sea to feed the sharks? "F*ck!" Chen Feng finally grasped the gravity of the situation. "CRASH!" The entire cave trembled violently.

The very ground began to shake violently, and the surrounding walls commenced a slow, undulating movement. A peculiar mucus started to seep from the environment, causing Chen Feng's expression to shift dramatically.

"Blast it all!"

A sudden recollection struck Chen Feng.

Based on the final sights of the original owner and the intel from his wristband, this was a mutated blacksea shark—a spirit-type mutated beast! The instant it had consumed the original owner, his consciousness and very soul were obliterated, leaving behind an empty vessel. This allowed Chen Feng to luckily transmigrate into this predicament.

And this location... was most certainly not a cave, but rather the interior of the shark's colossal body!

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The entirety of the shark's internal structure trembled.

Chen Feng braced himself, leaning heavily against one of the swaying walls.

"Boom!"

A persistent barrage of explosive sounds echoed.

It appeared this mutated shark had stirred from its slumber. Within its confines, Chen Feng felt as if his entire world was in disarray, with the strange viscous fluid secreting without cessation.

Earlier, Chen Feng had tossed a piece of cloth to gauge the situation, and that cloth had been instantly corroded.

Now, that same corrosive liquid was incessantly flowing through newly formed gaps, making its way towards Chen Feng.

"This will not do."

Chen Feng drew a deep breath.

Though uncertain of his exact whereabouts, he surmised with high probability that he was within the mutated blacksea shark's stomach. There were no visible exits anywhere around him, and the sole point of entry should have been the esophagus. However, it was now completely sealed by even more of the viscous mucus. Attempting to traverse it would be akin to actively seeking death!

"What should I do?"

Chen Feng strove to pacify his racing thoughts.

With no viable exit and the entrance blocked, his only recourse was to forcefully break his way out.

The genetic warriors of this age possessed considerable might. One point of strength was equivalent to the raw power of a standard human. Chen Feng's own strength and agility were both rated at 10 points! A tenfold increase in both aspects, perhaps...

"Boom!"

Chen Feng delivered a determined punch.

"Hiss—"

Chen Feng gasped in sharp intake of cold air. A searing pain shot through his hand, yet the wall he had struck showed absolutely no reaction. Chen Feng's physical strength was indeed formidable. However, in this era dominated by genes, the physical resilience of colossal mutated beasts like this shark was even more astonishing!

"This method is ineffective."

Chen Feng shifted his gaze to another ability displayed on his digital interface—Wind Blade.

Genetic abilities served as the defining characteristic of this era's genetic warriors.

One could only be recognized as a true genetic warrior after gaining mastery over a genetic ability. Among these, spirit-type genetic warriors were considered the most enigmatic and potent! Consequently, spirit-type genes commanded exorbitant prices. Even after expending his entire scholarship fund, the original owner of this body had only managed to acquire a gene reagent for this exceedingly low-tier spirit-type ability.

Wind Blade...

In comparison to other spirit-type genes, this particular genetic ability was decidedly weak!

Nevertheless, at this critical juncture, it was his only option to attempt.

"At the very least, I possess 30 points in spirit. Hopefully, it will not let me down."

Chen Feng inhaled deeply once more.

Wind Blade!

"Buzz—"

A strange, mystical power emanated from Chen Feng's body, coalescing in the empty space before him. A crescent-shaped azure blade materialized, launching forward with relentless force.

"Pfft!"

With a faint sound, the blade vanished, leaving behind a ragged bloody gash on the shark’s internal wall.

"Roar—"

A deafening bellow erupted, and the shark’s entire body convulsed violently, as if the very heavens and earth were in turmoil. Chen Feng narrowly avoided being pierced by the caustic liquid splattering around him.

"This is bad."

Chen Feng surveyed the bloody gash with dismay.

His most potent ability had inflicted only a minor wound. He lacked the power to even significantly harm this gargantuan mutated blacksea shark! They were in entirely different leagues!

This was true even though he was currently positioned within the mutated blacksea shark's most vulnerable area!

Damn it! Would he perish here so soon after his transmigration?

Chen Feng glanced at the data presented on his wristband. He still had 10 points of luck value remaining; however, he harbored no confidence that this ability alone would ensure his survival. In the face of overwhelming power, luck sometimes...

Wait.

Chen Feng suddenly froze, a dawning realization striking him.

He meticulously examined the Luck Aura, then the Wind Blade, before finally focusing on the description of the Wind Blade ability: "A small probability (initial estimate 5%) to continuously release wind blades."

Continuous release?

A 5% chance?

Because the probability was so minuscule, Chen Feng had subconsciously disregarded it.

The reasoning was simple: a mere 5% chance to activate a two-hit sequence. What about a three-hit combo? The probability would plummet to a mere 0.25%! As for a four-hit or five-hit combo? Infinitesimal! Coupled with the fundamentally ordinary strength of the Wind Blade itself, this gene, integrated by the original owner, had received a thoroughly dismal assessment. However...

What if it could be synergized with the Luck Aura?

Chen Feng felt a spark of intense intrigue.

With 10 points of luck value remaining, which should be sufficient to sustain the Luck Aura for some time, he found himself brimming with anticipation. He wondered what kind of power the Wind Blade could unleash during this operational period.

His excitement grew with the thought!