Chapter 41: Please Move to Drive F and Use Your Imagination (Please Keep Reading and Add to Your Favorites!)

According to the lore of "Infinite Terror," the standard for entering the fourth stage of the Gene Lock consists of two requirements: achieving "micro-level control" over energy and the ability to "adjust and optimize one's own genes."

Mastering these two points marks the entry into the early phase of the fourth stage. It allows an individual to reach their peak combat state, where every ounce of strength is utilized with precision and every gene's potential is fully excavated, thereby unleashing one hundred percent of the power reinforced by the "God."

Once the "inner demon" is overcome and one reaches the mid-phase of the fourth stage, a reincarnator’s grasp of "micro-level control" advances further. They become capable of rationally reorganizing and altering their own genes, choosing different genetic structures to change their combat forms at will, or even simulating the abilities of other races.

Naturally, trivial matters such as correcting genetic defects or remodeling sensory organs become effortless.

"I see..."

A quarter of an hour later, after hearing Wu Xian’s description of the fourth stage of the Gene Lock, a ripple seemed to appear on Chu Xuan’s perpetually expressionless, poker-faced countenance. Although this ripple vanished as quickly as a hallucination, it was still captured by Wu Xian, who had been observing him all along.

So... is this guy truly devoid of any emotion?

With this thought in mind, Wu Xian’s gaze toward Chu Xuan turned profound. To be honest, he had already engaged in several intangible confrontations and probings with Chu Xuan back in *Alien 1*. Although Chu Xuan acted with extreme indifference and almost always chose to avoid direct conflict even when faced with Wu Xian’s deliberate suppression, Wu Xian could still sense that the man occasionally revealed a state of self-loathing or even a self-destructive spirit.

The plan to force the Alien Queen into the open by blowing up the spaceship was the best proof of this. While it was a high-risk, high-reward, and practical method under the circumstances, the problem was that Chu Xuan hadn't prepared any contingencies; it felt like a "succeed or die" gamble.

One must understand that a competent, let alone excellent, strategist would habitually formulate multiple backup plans when facing dangerous situations to address unexpected changes. But Chu Xuan? According to the setting, in terms of pure calculation, he was arguably the only T0-tier player in the entire reincarnation world. Yet, his performance in *Alien 1* was lackluster—only slightly better than in the original work—and there was nothing that truly amazed Wu Xian.

The only explanation Wu Xian could think of was that the current Chu Xuan simply didn't care about surviving, hence why he didn't waste brain cells on complex planning. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had simply given up.

Thinking of this, Wu Xian looked at the pensive Chu Xuan and began to spout nonsense with a very sincere tone: "As I said, I had a teammate in the past who spent much longer in the God's space than I did."

"During a chat once, he mentioned that there was once a powerful reincarnator in the China Team who was very similar to you, also suffering from innate emotional deficiency. But ever since he unlocked the fourth stage mid-phase and overcame his inner demon, his emotions began to slowly return, eventually becoming no different from a normal person."

"This is a living example. So, Chu Xuan, if you want to become a normal person of flesh and blood who can laugh and cry, then you must never give up—you must strive to survive!"

"In the God's space, as long as you have enough reward points, you can obtain anything, including all sorts of knowledge regarding the Gene Lock. I believe that with your wisdom and ability, you will eventually crack the mysteries of the Gene Lock and, like that predecessor, reclaim what should have been yours with your own hands."

After these few bowls of "chicken soup for the soul" were served, the reaction of Zhan Lan, who was standing nearby, was immediate. Her beautiful face was filled with longing, and her gaze toward Chu Xuan was now tinged with encouragement: "That's right, Chu Xuan, you are so smart, you can definitely do it."

"...I will do my best."

Chu Xuan pushed up his plain-rimmed glasses, looked at Wu Xian, and asked calmly, "I have some more questions regarding the God's space and team battles. I wonder if you have the time."

"Of course... not!" Wu Xian replied with a solemn face, then grinned. "Just kidding, of course I have time. But I’ve been running around too much, so I’m genuinely tired. Let’s do it tomorrow when everyone is gathered. We can discuss the specifics of the new round of reinforcements, and you can provide some... er, constructive suggestions."

Thinking of the troll bloodline the man was obsessed with in the original work, Wu Xian couldn't help but wipe away some non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.

"Understood. Then... see you tomorrow."

Chu Xuan nodded and stood up, heading toward the giant glowing sphere of the God. It was clear that, just like the original plot, he intended to pull an all-nighter, determined to grind the God until he got what he wanted.

Shaking his head slightly, Wu Xian also got up and headed toward his room, planning to take a hot shower and get a good night's sleep. If he could enter that mysterious space, he would make sure to embellish his experiences from *Alien 1* for a bit of bragging... Oh, wait, he almost forgot; all the Wu Xians share memories, so that was fine!

With a silent scoff, Wu Xian was just about to close his door when a fair, slender hand caught the edge of the door frame.

It looked so familiar; he felt as if he had seen this scene somewhere before. Wu Xian paused for a moment. When he saw that the hand belonged to Zhan Lan, his expression turned peculiar.

It was indeed familiar. He vaguely remembered it happened after the China Team returned from the *Resident Evil* world for the second time. At that time, Wu Xian discovered that Zhan Lan had awakened her telekinesis, so he had squeezed into her room that night to explain the professions of "Mental Controller" and "Psychic" and guided her to choose the mutant bloodline reinforcement path.

At this very moment, history was repeating itself. The only difference was that their positions had swapped; it was now Zhan Lan squeezing into his room.

But the question was, what was Zhan Lan trying to do? Was she trying to exchange insights on being a mental power user?

"What's wrong, Zhan Lan? Is there something important?"

Wu Xian was confused. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he laughed and said, "Oh! I know, you're here for the compensation I promised you... what, are you worried I'd welsh on the deal? You can rest assured; I’m a man of my word. I never go back on my promises."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Lan blinked, then walked into the room with a slightly flushed face. Under Wu Xian’s increasingly puzzled gaze, she turned around and closed the door. At the same time, a voice, slightly trembling, rang out.

"Are you really not going to go back on your word? Then, Captain, can I choose the compensation myself?"

"Of course, as long as it's within my power, you can have whatever..."

Before he could finish, his mouth was blocked by something...

Feeling the soft touch on his lips, Wu Xian’s pupils constricted sharply. What was happening? Had he just been forcibly kissed? And by Zhan Lan, of all people!

In his daze, a series of thoughts and questions drifted through his mind... He pulled away and leaned into her ear, whispering with a smirk, "What’s wrong? You were so brave just a moment ago, why are you shrinking back now?"

"I, I didn't think it would happen so fast..."

Zhan Lan’s face was as red as blood. Listening to the playful laughter in her ear, she finally gathered the courage to look up at Wu Xian’s handsome, chiseled face and whispered, "Wu Xian, I like you. So, the compensation I want is... could you try to like me back?"

Wu Xian didn't speak. He simply stared at Zhan Lan for a long time before sweeping her up in a bridal carry and striding toward the bathroom.

And then... did it even need to be asked? Of course, he enjoyed himself to the fullest!