Chapter 97 Are You Still Human?

Life Energy! Real Life Energy. Lu Luo was all too familiar with this term because every Exotic Species he devoured was rich in Life Energy. Life Energy is a mutated energy produced from the combination of Dark Energy and vitality, and it can make the body of an Exotic Species even stronger. Normally, the physical attributes of an Exotic Species, especially strength and Constitution, would far exceed those of an average Transcendent. Only Transcendents who cultivated strength-based techniques might stand a chance of competing with an Exotic Species in terms of physical attributes. When Lu Luo killed Wu Sen, he had asked the Observer if humans possessed Life Energy, and the Observer had replied that they did. However, except for those who cultivated strength-based techniques, the Life Energy of other Transcendents was as scarce as their other attributes. Moreover, human Life Energy was imbued with an individual’s independent spiritual will. For others, this type of Life Energy was highly contaminating. Therefore, the Observer had advised Lu Luo to avoid devouring humans as much as possible. Not only did it breach human moral boundaries, but it was also an extremely dangerous behavior. Lu Luo had initially thought that Life Energy was something exclusive to him. Unexpectedly, Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals had already extracted this energy and even turned it into a potion. In light of this, Lu Luo felt he had to raise his estimation of the biotechnology level Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals currently possessed. Unfortunately, normal humans couldn’t absorb such immense Life Energy. Only Lu Luo, who possessed the Devourer, was capable of absorbing it. "Dr. Zhang Desheng, right?" "Just call me Researcher Xiao Zhang." "Alright, Researcher Xiao Zhang it is then?" "Yes, Brother Sen." "That little purple vial of yours, what exactly are its effects? Can you tell me? I’m quite curious. Besides, if you want me to participate in your experiment, you should at least tell me about your experimental results and process, right? Are there any notable examples you can share with me?" Even though Lu Luo could now just take the little purple vial and drink it, he still wanted to gather more information about it and about Exotic Species. Opportunities to delve deep into Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals’ research area were few. Information was crucial, and he needed to seize this one. "The little purple vial contains a substance I’ve extracted from Exotic Species, which I call the Power of Exotic Species. As mentioned earlier, its effect is to directly enhance the physical attributes of Exotic Species. When enough of this substance accumulates in an Exotic Species, it undergoes significant and unpredictable mutations. Exotic Species like the Red Shell and the White Viper are examples of mutations amplified by the Power of Exotic Species." Lu Luo nodded. He generally understood and could guess what Zhang Desheng was talking about. For Exotic Species, Life Energy was definitely a great supplement. That raised the question: were they creating the little purple vial to directly enhance humans? "You want to use the little purple vial to directly enhance humans? So, how did your human trials go?" As soon as Lu Luo mentioned the human trial results, it hit a sore spot for Zhang Desheng, and he actually started sobbing. "Failed! They all failed! Our idea was to apply this substance to humans, but we haven’t succeeded to date. Neither ordinary people nor First Tier Transcendents could withstand the Power of Exotic Species. Theoretically, some First Tier Transcendents possess physical attributes surpassing those of weaker Exotic Species. Yet, even with overwhelmingly superior attributes, they still couldn’t endure it. It’s as if some unseen force completely prevents humans from assimilating this power, unlike Exotic Species." Lu Luo felt a chill in his heart. An unseen force blocking humans from Exotic Species’ power? "Continuous failures have exhausted all my department’s funds. I even mortgaged my own house, all to apply for a test with a Second Tier Transcendent. I feel that with a Second Tier Transcendent, this experiment will definitely succeed! So, Captain Wu Sen, you’re a Second Tier Transcendent—please help me!" Lu Luo squinted. Conducting an experiment here was definitely a bold idea. But what about its feasibility? "How long do you estimate this experiment will take?" Lu Luo was asking the Observer, but Zhang Desheng thought Lu Luo was addressing him. "Uh, normally, it takes about ten minutes to show effects." *The liquid Life Energy is absorbed very quickly. Although it contains many impurities, a Second Tier Devourer should be able to absorb it completely within thirty seconds.* "Thirty seconds, huh!" Lu Luo murmured. "What? What thirty seconds?" "It’s nothing, Dr. Zhang Desheng. Are you the only person in this department now?" "Yes, it’s just me. Due to lack of funding, all my research assistants have left. Why do you ask?" Lu Luo smiled and nodded. Just one person, thirty seconds, a lone middle-aged man—what more could he ask for in this situation? Perfect. "Nothing much, just curious. So, can we start the experiment now?" "Start? Captain Wu Sen, you’ve agreed?" Zhang Desheng asked, surprised. "Of course. This concerns the future of the Wasteland Alliance. As a promising young member, I’m certainly willing to contribute my strength. Let’s do this." Lu Luo sat before Zhang Desheng’s lab bench, his expression calm, but inwardly, he was eager to try. "Alright, alright! I’ll get the experiment ready now!" Zhang Desheng, seeing Lu Luo agree, was instantly overjoyed. Afraid Lu Luo might change his mind, he moved with surprising speed and dexterity, hardly like an ordinary person. In less than ten minutes, he had all the experimental equipment prepared. However, when he was about to give Lu Luo the injection, he found that three needles bent one after another. *Your Resilience has immunized you against a human’s attack.* *Your Resilience has immunized you against a human’s attack.* *Your Resilience has immunized you against a human’s attack.* Lu Luo: "..." Zhang Desheng exclaimed, "Huh?! Has a Second Tier’s Constitution become this strong already?" Lu Luo shook his head, took the syringe, infused the needle with Qi He, and injected it into his own arm. "Hey! You don’t understand the potency of the Power of Exotic Species! Slow down, slow down!" Zhang Desheng cried out, afraid something would happen to Lu Luo. Apart from him, he really couldn’t find any other test subjects. However, Lu Luo paid him no mind and quickly injected the contents of the little purple vial into his body. *Life Energy inflow detected. The Devourer is filtering energy for the host.* *Energy +5* *Energy +5* *Energy +5* This notification appeared ten times. A standard ten-milliliter little purple vial provided Lu Luo with fifty energy points. This meant that if he took another vial, he would have already replenished his energy expenditure for the day. Once the entire reagent was injected, Life Energy circulated within Lu Luo’s body. Zhang Desheng carefully observed Lu Luo’s expression and physical state, worried that injecting so much reagent at once might cause problems. But after a while, his concerns seemed unnecessary. The Wu Sen before him seemed perfectly fine. Could the gap between a Second Tier and a First Tier Transcendent really be that great? According to typical physical data, while there’s a difference between First Tier and Second Tier, it shouldn’t be *this* pronounced! "Captain Wu Sen, are you okay? Any reaction to the little purple vial?" Lu Luo tilted his head and snapped his fingers at Zhang Desheng. "Nice! I feel fantastic. Do you have more of that little purple vial?" Zhang Desheng was stunned. Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals manufactured many of these little purple vials for breeding Exotic Species, but a human shouldn’t use them like this! He’s human, after all! "Captain Wu Sen, you... you want more? Are you experiencing any adverse reactions?" Zhang Desheng checked the instruments. Lu Luo’s heart rate, blood pressure, and current mental state were all very stable, indicating no issues. Still, Zhang Desheng wasn’t at ease. "Yes," Lu Luo replied. "I feel the effect of one vial is too weak. You can increase the dosage; I can handle it." "What? You injected one dose, and your body had no reaction or changes whatsoever?" Zhang Desheng was baffled. Logically, even a Second Tier Exotic Species would show significant changes after injecting just one syringe of the Power of Exotic Species from the little purple vial. Too much could lead to unpredictable mutations, or even evolution. But this Wu Sen... what’s going on with him? "Do you really want to continue? The little purple vial, the Power of Exotic Species, is very dangerous." "It’s fine. Go ahead." After confirming several times, Zhang Desheng finally nodded. Since Lu Luo wasn’t afraid of death, there was no reason for him to hesitate. He just needed to record the experimental data thoroughly. A complete set of Second Tier experimental results would be sufficient. If this experiment succeeded, if the little purple vial could truly be used by humans, it would be a miracle that would astound the entire Alliance! Then, he, Zhang Desheng, as its primary creator, would surely attain the status of a first-class citizen and receive the Alliance Hero Award! Lost in thoughts of the wonderful future awaiting him, Zhang Desheng approached the password-protected refrigerated cabinet where the little purple vials were stored. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! After quickly keying in a code, Zhang Desheng opened the safe in his laboratory. Distracted, he didn’t notice a shadow gradually falling over him. Only when the shadow blocked the light from behind did he sense something and turn around. "Captain Wu Sen, you—" WHACK! Lu Luo’s hand-edge strike landed on Zhang Desheng’s neck. To Lu Luo’s surprise, the man didn’t faint but instead started wailing. "OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! Captain Wu Sen, what are you doing?" Lu Luo looked at his own palm, muttering discontentedly, "How come it’s not like what they show on TV?" Fearing a single chop might kill Zhang Desheng, Lu Luo hadn’t used his full strength. Since he couldn’t control his force precisely enough, he decided on a more direct method. THUD! URRRGH! A heavy blow to the abdomen—his punch sent Zhang Desheng’s dinner spewing out. The man’s willpower was astounding; even after such an attack, he didn’t faint but merely kept spasming on the ground. Amidst the vomit, however, the key Zhang Desheng had swallowed earlier was revealed—an unexpected boon. Lu Luo’s attack power was truly astonishing. An ordinary person wouldn’t recover from such a blow for hours. He picked up the key, ignored Zhang Desheng, took out a woven bag, and began stuffing it with the reagents from the refrigerated cabinet. There were many little purple vials. Besides over twenty pre-packaged vials, there was also a large jar. When Lu Luo saw this large jar, his eyes lit up. "Indeed, a man can’t get rich without a windfall, just as a horse can’t get fat without night fodder. The resources of such a large company are beyond what ordinary people can imagine. And this is just one department! If I were to loot several of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals’ laboratories and storage rooms... Tsk! Wouldn’t I be set to take off?" Besides the little purple vials, there were also many "little yellow vials." These must be what Zhang Desheng used for his research. The way the Power of Exotic Species enhanced physical attributes, and the way these little yellow vials seemed to optimize genes for a similar enhancement... there were definitely some commonalities. After stashing all the reagents, Lu Luo grabbed Zhang Desheng. "Researcher Zhang, you seem to value your life. So, how about you tell me the formula for the little red vial?" Zhang Desheng hesitated for a split second. With a swift motion, Lu Luo plucked a strand of the man’s already sparse hair. "Stop, stop! I’ll talk! Don’t pull anymore, I’ll talk! The formula for the little red vial is: blood sacs, Luo Xing grass, Advanced Coagulant, human blood, and Blue Sky fusion agent!" "That’s it?" Lu Luo moved to pluck another hair. "There’s more, there’s more!" "Can’t you just say it all at once?" "Alright! Besides those ingredients, a special kind of energy needs to be injected for the little red vial to form. But I don’t know what specific energy that is." Lu Luo observed Zhang Desheng closely. Seeing he didn’t seem to be lying this time, he nodded. Then... WHUMP! He punched him again. Ignoring Zhang Desheng, who was still on the floor, Lu Luo used the key to open the door and walked straight out. It was the dead of night on the fourth floor of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals. No staff members were around; even the researchers were in their respective labs. So, no one noticed Lu Luo’s actions. Carrying the bag of reagents, he strolled to the elevator. DING! The elevator doors opened. Two security guards on night patrol happened to arrive on this floor. They looked surprised to see "Wu Sen" carrying a woven bag. "Captain Wu Sen, when did you get back? Was the blood sac collection successful? Though, with your strength, I imagine it wouldn’t be a problem, right?" one of the guards, who seemed familiar with Wu Sen, chatted casually. The other guard, however, kept staring at the bag on Lu Luo’s back. "What’s Captain Wu Sen doing here so late? And what’s that you’re carrying, Captain?" Factions existed within Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, and struggles between team leaders were particularly apparent. This guard clearly belonged to a faction opposing Wu Sen and was naturally looking to be difficult. Lu Luo looked at the two men. He tried to think of a plausible excuse, but nothing came to mind. Forget it, a more direct approach is better. THUD! THUD! After punching each guard once, Lu Luo pressed the button for the first floor. When the elevator doors opened, he quickly dashed out into the night. He hadn’t killed anyone here. Many were just trying to make a living; there was no need. Inside the city walls, one had to be more mindful of the rules. Killing had different implications here. Their survival would solidify Wu Sen’s culpability—Wu Sen’s ID, attire, and appearance. If they could still track him down after all this, then these Blue Sky employees might as well go report to Circle Studio. Passing the security room, the gate guard saw Lu Luo emerging and greeted him, "Captain Wu Sen, leaving so soon?" "None of your business! Just watch your gate!" Lu Luo snapped, deliberately adopting a terrible attitude. He wanted this guard to have a lasting, negative impression of Wu Sen’s ugly demeanor. "Yes, yes, Captain Wu Sen is right. Take care, Captain Wu Sen! Safe travels!" The guard then muttered under his breath as Lu Luo walked away, "Damn show-off, always putting on airs." Watching Lu Luo’s departing figure, the gatekeeper cursed. Indeed, the impression "Wu Sen" had left was exceptionally bad. About ten minutes after Lu Luo departed, a shrill alarm blared throughout Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals.