Chapter 17: Verification at the Academy of Sciences

Biological Research Institute—A group of academicians received an urgent notice and hurriedly gathered here.

Each of them was a renowned figure in the academic world—some university professors, some senior scientists from research institutes, and even a few military research giants working incognito on critical projects.

Any one of them, if seen outside, would attract public attention.

Yet now, they all stood together, marveling at the mutated black seabream No. 2 inside the cage.

“This is the mutated organism the student cultivated? Such a phenomenon has never before occurred in biology!”

“This shatters our understanding of genetics! Humanity’s grasp of biological genes is truly but a speck of dust in an endless desert!”

“Its original form was a black seabream? Logically, no matter how much a black seabream mutates, it could never transform into this!”

“What exactly is this ‘Zerg gene’?”

Song Jinghong spoke: “Colleagues, I don’t have much information on it yet. The reason I gathered you all here today is not only because of this mutated creature but also due to a research report written by a student.”

“A student’s research report?” The veteran biologists were astonished. Would a report by a single student warrant this many experts studying it together?

“Yes.” At that moment, Cui Weimin, Director of the Security Bureau, introduced, “His name is He Xingzhou, a third-year physics undergraduate at Capital University of Science and Technology. Over a month ago, he independently built a miniature nuclear fission reactor.”

“This mutated species was created when the nuclear reaction exposed it to radiation from nuclear fission, causing gene mutations.”

“Please read his research report carefully and assess the accuracy of his findings and hypotheses!”

An octogenarian academician said, “Having so many of us read his report suggests this student indeed discovered something extraordinary. Let me see it!”

Song Jinghong’s assistant immediately distributed the documents—He Xingzhou’s research report and his Zerg gene evolution model.

Everyone read attentively; the files detailed the evolutionary and mutation process of the black seabream.

As they absorbed the contents, some experts grew wary, and upon reaching He Xingzhou’s analysis and hypotheses, they were deeply alarmed.

“Zerg gene? How did such a gene arise? Do many marine creatures possess it?” an expert inquired.

“Exactly.” An academician responded, “In recent years, mutated organisms have appeared worldwide. I have studied this somewhat, assuming it was caused by environmental pollution. Reading this report, I realize I may have overlooked this so-called ‘Zerg gene’!”

Cui Weimin continued, “After discovering this, we immediately gathered intelligence. Indeed, similar creatures have been spotted in the ocean. It is even possible that foreign research institutions have obtained specimens of such mutated organisms for study.”

“So his hypothesis has factual grounding!”

“This is astounding!” an expert said. “According to his deduction, doesn’t it mean the entire ocean is polluted? If these Zerg genes fully take over biological bodies, humanity might face extinction!”

“That possibility cannot be ruled out!” Song Jinghong spoke cautiously. “Colleagues, I believe we must take this matter seriously.”

“Before your arrival, we conducted biological tests on black seabream Nos. 1, 2, and 3!”

“We found that if black seabream Nos. 1 and 3 are given sufficient energy, they rapidly evolve into a form resembling black seabream No. 2.”

“Moreover, we have concluded that black seabream No. 2, which is the most evolved, is still in its juvenile stage. Its biological traits have yet to fully manifest! It demonstrates remarkable vitality, with cellular activity over five times that of humans!”

“It possesses limb regeneration capabilities. Its scales are hard enough to resist ordinary fish spears, and the toughest parts are nearly impervious to standard handgun bullets! It can function both in water and on land!”

“Most importantly, we discovered its brain capacity is already close to that of a pig and still developing. In experiments, it exhibited intelligence behaviors similar to a human toddler!”

“We have every reason to suspect the Zerg may be a highly intelligent species! It could be an ancient Earth organism or even an extraterrestrial species!”

At Song Jinghong’s words, everyone was stunned.

Experts realized the situation was more severe than they had imagined.

This species could very well challenge humanity’s position in the Blue Star’s ecosystem! Its biological capabilities overturn all previous human research on Blue Star lifeforms!

“This matter is too critical to draw hasty conclusions! Otherwise, it could incite panic nationwide and worldwide!” an elderly academician cautioned.

“Yes, we cannot yet confirm that He Xingzhou’s deductions are entirely accurate, but his reasoning is not without merit,” Song Jinghong said. “The institute has sent inquiries to research institutes across the country and some abroad, seeking relevant data.”

“We must determine the validity of this hypothesis as quickly as possible.”

“The best approach is to replicate He Xingzhou’s verification method—exposing other mutated organisms to nuclear radiation and observing whether their evolutionary paths align with his hypothesis!”

“Begin immediately!”

The experts launched their studies. Various research materials arrived, including mutated organisms collected worldwide, all undergoing genetic testing to detect the presence of the so-called ‘Zerg gene’ He Xingzhou described.

Some mutated creatures were even sent to the Atomic Energy Research Institute for nuclear radiation stimulation to observe their mutation progress.

…

This process could not be completed in a day or two; it would take at least a month to replicate He Xingzhou’s transformation of a mutated black seabream into a monstrous form to verify his theory.

During this time, He Xingzhou continuously refined his plan to improve its feasibility.

At the university, the incident at the biological experiment building became an unresolved mystery. All related posts on forums mysteriously disappeared, and there were no news reports.

Whenever asked, He Xingzhou insisted it was a state secret and declined to elaborate.

One month later, in a lecture hall at Capital University of Science and Technology accommodating several hundred students.

“State secret? That’s ridiculous!” Students chatted before class, discussing the incident.

“Yeah,” a female classmate said to He Xingzhou, “I heard the equipment just broke down that day. No safety accidents happened.”

“Right, right, I also heard it was just a fight that was stopped,” other classmates chimed in.

One joked, “He Xingzhou, if it’s really a state secret, why are you just sitting here like nothing happened? Nobody’s questioning you or anything.”

“Yeah, He Xingzhou’s just making things mysterious!” the students laughed. “You might as well write novels.”

“Soon. It’s been a month. Their verification should be complete,” He Xingzhou said. “Our time as classmates is running out.”

“Whatever.” The students didn’t take it seriously.

“Class is starting, class is starting. Save He Xingzhou’s stories for later.”

At this moment, at the Biological Research Institute, experts convened again. This time, important leaders from the National Security Bureau, the military, and the highest levels were also present.

These seasoned veterans wore grave expressions and breathed deeply. The atmosphere in the conference room was as if frozen by ice and snow.