Armed Train in the Apocalypse

But now, after becoming a Genetic Primordial and experiencing numerous battles, he had a whole new understanding of evolution.

”Combat is just one way to promote evolution: direct, but not the only way. Different fields have different methods to promote evolution. The ones most suitable for combat evolution are only ’Defenders.’ ’Makers’ are surely related to making something. What skills do you have now?”

”Level 3 ’Pan-Energy Erosion’ + Level 2 ’Mechanical Specialization’ + Level 1 ’Material Manufacturing’.”

Su Huan raised an eyebrow, thinking that Yu Jing had already mastered the three skills of a mechanical apprentice. Ideally, all she needed was an opportunity for advancement.

But Yu Jing was a complete workaholic, spending all her time in the workshop. She had developed many new materials and exoskeletons, this should have met that opportunity.

What was she missing...

After pondering for a moment, he said, ”As far as I know, the condition for a mechanical apprentice to advance is to create a mechanical work.”

”Does it have to be a mechanical work? Are there any other conditions, like the work must be complete, or it can’t involve assistance from others, etc.?” Yu Jing asked again.

”I’m not sure.”

Su Huan shook his head.

Remembering the way for mechanical apprentice advancement was already admirable; how could he remember the details so well?

If it wasn’t for the bike enthusiasts, he wouldn’t even follow this path.

Thinking about this, Su Huan glanced towards Director Xu.

The latter had changed into a clean white lab coat, his silver-white short hair was combed impeccably, and although his hairline had receded, each hair was neatly in place.

Perceiving Su Huan’s glance, he regretfully shook his head, ”The company’s previous research focused on the ’Defender’ field. Only after Lin Xi joined did we begin research on Gatherers and Controllers, with the Makers having the least experimental progress.”

He paused and continued to share everything he knew.

”Although ’Pan-Energy Erosion’ is not as effective in the short term as the other four fields, its potential for growth is second only to abilities like the ’Combat Factor.’ Apart from altering the properties of certain substances, it can also change oneself, stimulating organ mutations.”

”However, the method of eroding oneself is very dangerous. A stable skill has not yet been developed, and given the high value of ’Makers,’ not many related experiments have been conducted; it’s mainly disseminated as informational science.”

Sitting next to them, Yu Yue’s mind flashed with the image of that soldier from the Steel Council, swollen into an unrecognizable form of iron. She looked at Yu Jing with concern in her eyes.

”Evolution can be understood as a genetic leap, compressing countless years of genetic iteration into an extremely short timeframe, so Evolvers have some mutations that differ from ordinary people, such as eye color, traits, and hair color, among others. There are also some implicit ones, like additional bones appearing in joints, shifting positions of nerves and blood vessels, etc.”

”However, these changes don’t seem abrupt. A person remains a human; they won’t suddenly turn into a fully scaled lizard because of evolution. But the changes caused by ’Pan-Energy Erosion’ can be massive!”

”It’s like breaking some kind of shackle, with the direction of evolution losing control.”

”Will they grow a third hand?”

Lao San scratched his head and asked.

Director Xu thought for a moment and answered seriously, ”Theoretically, that’s possible. Not just a hand; they might even sprout an eye right on their forehead.”

Everyone gasped.

Those with slower reactions found it a bit horrifying.

The quicker ones instinctively compared it to some ancient mythologies.

Su Huan secretly observed everyone’s reactions. Tong Zizhan and his companion remained calm, as if Deep Blue Data had conducted research in this area, perhaps even more deeply than the Steel Council.

Wan Hao and Old Yuan appeared serious yet excited, as if they had opened the door to a new world.

’It seems Wan Hao is indeed being excluded…’

Su Huan thought regretfully, took over the conversation and continued, ”Just listen to these things; pure flesh manipulation leads to quick deaths, and the combat power isn’t particularly strong. The methods are just a little bizarre, like making a hand fly off to attack someone or regenerating flesh. But the actual combat power remains weak, making oneself neither human nor ghostly; it’s not worth it.”

Everyone showed a look of understanding.

Though Su Huan said ”you all,” it was clear that his words were directed at Yu Jing.

The latter remained silent, her gentle eyes showing no waves.

Her thoughts remained a mystery.

Su Huan cleared his throat, ”Any problems?”

Lu Xiao could not help but ask, ”I want to know which Tier One profession suits me for advancement.”

Su Huan sensed the pan-energy fluctuations within him, ”How many skills? Two, three?”

”Three: Level 2 ’Combat Factor,’ Level 1 ’Firearm Specialization,’ Level 1 ’Martial Arts Specialization.’”

Su Huan looked at him, surprised. Lu Xiao had been injured a lot lately, so Su Huan hadn’t paid much attention to him. He hadn’t expected he’d develop two specialized skills in neglect.

Upon hearing these skills, He Jie raised an eyebrow.

He had already known during their shared hospitalization that the kid had the makings of a soldier. That’s why, when Su Huan asked him how to modify things, this guy popped into his head immediately, focusing on clearing the path for advancement.

Consider it giving him a lift.

Now, with the modification of the armored train, Lu Xiao, Jiang Rong, and Tong Zizhan, as squad leaders, benefitted the most clearly.

Although they did similar work as before, the treatment for insiders was different.

Lu Xiao wasn’t even eligible for small meetings like these before.

”How about the ’Dual Gun Wanderer’ in the Gunfire Spectrum? It’s a waste to strictly follow either the firearm route or the martial arts route.”

Lu Xiao’s eyes lit up, ”Is that class strong?”

Su Huan thought aloud, pointing at He Jie, ”In terms of firearms, it’s weaker than his ’Firepower Hand.’”

Then he pointed at Liang Kuan, who was like a small mountain, ”In terms of martial arts, it’s weaker than his ’Soldier.’

Lu Xiao’s face stiffened, his eyes flickering, ”So, the opposite is that I surpass He Jie in close combat and surpass Liang Kuan in firearms?”

”Well, not exactly.”

Su Huan poured cold water on the idea once more.

He Jie was bewildered for a moment, ”Then why recommend that profession to him?”

Su Huan glanced at him, ”He just got the second half wrong; the ’Dual Gun Wanderer’ can indeed beat you in martial arts, but it may not necessarily outshoot Liang Kuan at a distance.”

”Eh?!”

He Jie rubbed his spiky crew cut, his eyes bulging like an ox’s eyeball.

Clearly, he was a bit unconvinced.

”Isn’t this a problem with the profession itself?” Lao San asked suspiciously.

”Of course.” Su Huan crossed his legs arrogantly and said, ”This is a problem with Liang Kuan.”

Everyone looked at the robust Liang Kuan, mostly convinced, especially Wan Hao, who had seen Liang Kuan’s ferocious combat style, and believed him entirely.

He Jie asked curiously, ”Old Liang, what level have you reached now?”

Everyone perked up their ears.

Liang Kuan shook his head, and from his chest cavity, a rumbling voice emerged, ”Not at Tier One yet.”

Mountain Goat, Licking Rabbit, and other elite soldiers gasped.

They had assumed that Liang Kuan was so fierce because he was evolving quickly, little realizing he hadn’t even chosen a profession.

An evolver without entering a tier suppressing a tier one…

”Is this still possible?!”

The first to question was, unsurprisingly, Director Xu, who had researched evolution the longest.

His brows were furrowed, his face full of disbelief.

”Skipping tiers? Probably not.”

Su Huan chuckled.

He Jie stood up solemnly, extending a hand, ”Come on, Old Liang, lend a hand.”

Liang Kuan didn’t hesitate, his hand resembling a fan immediately met his.

Their palms collided with a muffled thud.

A noise like a firecracker sounded from their palms.

The two men competed in the most direct way, through arm wrestling.

Their bodies didn’t move, but the muscles in their forearms instantly swelled, extending to the shoulders, so much so that their sleeves were filled by the bulging muscles, and a wave of heat burst forth.

The exposed skin revealed bulging veins, the muscles writhing like dragons on their arms.

The blood drained from their hands, bones cracking.

It gave everyone a tooth-aching sensation.

They carefully observed the changing expressions on their faces.

Liang Kuan’s face remained calm, while He Jie’s face was solemn as ever.

(Caught a fever at nine last night, subsided around five this morning, only had a minimum 4k update, will write more tonight, and make it up around midnight.)