Chapter Eleven: The Gene Seed

"Handsome, this is the 'Blazing Fire' gene seed—it can imbue your bullets with the power of flame... eighty thousand star coins, that's already a bargain. Honestly, that's my cost price, I'm not making anything off you."

The middle-aged shopkeeper shook his head.

"I know it's the 'Blazing Fire' gene seed, but the truth is, its effect isn't all that great. If it were 'Armor-Piercer,' I wouldn't say a word at eighty thousand. But 'Blazing Fire'... though it's powerful, it consumes too much energy, and its effectiveness against higher-tier targets is limited... can't you knock a bit off?"

Fang Mu bargained.

"Are you kidding me, handsome? You won't get 'Armor-Piercer' for less than a million! Sure, 'Blazing Fire' is more common, but this one is made by 'Ultra-Core Tech,' so it's at least a tier stronger than other brands. Eighty thousand is really my lowest price. If you still think it's expensive, feel free to look elsewhere."

The shopkeeper was resolute.

Seeing the shopkeeper so firm, Fang Mu hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed.

"Alright, I'll transfer the payment..."

He paid, received his goods, and the shopkeeper smiled.

"Anything else you need, handsome?"

Fang Mu shook his head.

He had only a little more than ninety thousand star coins in total; he'd spent forty-five hundred that morning, and now he'd bought 'Blazing Fire'... what money did he have left?

He left the store holding a glass bead no bigger than his thumb.

Inside the glass sphere, a tiny crimson flame flickered.

This was the 'Blazing Fire' gene seed.

By fusing this thing into his body via gene energy, he could acquire the 'Blazing Fire' technique they'd discussed.

A gunfighting art—one that allows bullets to be infused with flame energy.

Yes, ordinary people learn gunfighting arts, gene combat skills, cultivation techniques... not by oral transmission, memory chips, or secret manuals...

But through these 'gene seeds.'

In the era of gene evolution, anything related to advancement is tightly controlled by the upper-class nobles and corporate magnates.

'Gene seeds' were created precisely to serve this purpose.

They were touted as a way to make gene combat skills simpler, so everyone could learn... but in reality, it was only a means to keep the true core techniques from spreading.

Because any skill learned through a gene seed cannot be taught to another.

Sounds hard to understand?

If you've mastered it, how can you not teach it to others?

But that's how it is.

Rather than viewing the gene seed as a technique, it's better to see it as a tool.

Like a car—you buy a car, naturally you drive it as you wish.

But does knowing how to drive mean you know how to build a car? Or understand all the principles behind its operation?

The analogy isn't perfect, but it's close enough.

There's even a rumor that every gene combat skill, gunfighting art, or cultivation method recorded in gene seeds... is a watered-down version. Far weaker than the original, than the core secrets.

Many believe that the difficulty in breaking through to the Gold Tier lies in the flaws of these cultivation methods.

So now, you can understand why Fang Mu was so shocked when he acquired the 'Original Energy Spirit Refining Record.'

Because that was something nearly impossible to obtain.

...

...

Though his mind raced with many thoughts, Fang Mu's expression remained calm.

He looked at the 'Blazing Fire' gene seed in his hand, considered for a moment, and thought to himself, "'Blazing Fire'... it's not ideal, but right now, I have no better choice."

The gunfighting art Fang Mu most desired was 'Armor-Piercer.'

Gunfighters are ranged attackers, relying on killing with a single shot. 'Armor-Piercer' perfectly suits their needs.

Its power is immense; any battlefield creature hit by it becomes extremely fragile for a time, making follow-up attacks easier. It's one of the most coveted gunfighting arts on the battlefield.

As for Blazing Fire, it's not bad per se, just not suited for Fang Mu's upcoming plans.

His main goal now is to hunt battlefield creatures, not fight other people.

If it were against people, Blazing Fire would be excellent—one shot, flames engulf the target, if not dead, they'll be gravely injured. In some ways, it's even more useful than Armor-Piercer.

But for hunting battlefield creatures, Blazing Fire is less appropriate. Either the flame energy isn't enough to kill the creature, or it risks damaging the corpse...

And the corpse is the most precious part of a battlefield creature. If it's burned, its value is greatly diminished.

Unfortunately, Fang Mu wasn't the only one who understood this; everyone did.

So 'Armor-Piercer' isn't just outrageously expensive, it's also extremely rare...

On a One-Star Battlefield, among a million people, everyone wants 'Armor-Piercer'—not just gunfighters. Even melee evolvers can carry a pistol and use 'Armor-Piercer' for greater effect when fighting battlefield creatures.

Competition is fierce.

This is the so-called treasure that commands the market.

He'd visited several gene seed shops already; Blazing Fire was one of the few gunfighting arts still available.

Others included 'Venom Fang,' 'Anesthesia,' 'Gale,' and so forth... It's not that they were useless, but firstly, Black Iron Tier evolvers can generally only fuse one gene seed, so he had to choose carefully.

Secondly... relatively speaking, Blazing Fire was more useful than the others.

So he naturally chose 'Blazing Fire.'

...

...

Returning to his rented room, Fang Mu could hardly wait to fuse the 'Blazing Fire' gene seed.

The method was extremely simple.

He gritted his teeth, used a small knife to slice his palm, then placed the gene seed onto the wound. With a focused thought, gene energy surged into his palm.

The gene seed touched blood, glowing red; as gene energy flowed in, the seed gradually melted, noiselessly burrowing into his palm.

In less than a minute, the Blazing Fire gene seed vanished, and even the wound in Fang Mu's palm disappeared.

At the same time, Fang Mu sensed something new within his body.

A mass of gene energy had gathered together. Indescribable, undefined—it simply existed inside him, perfectly under his control...

This was Fang Mu’s first time fusing a gene seed, and the sensation was strange.

But he’d already read plenty of posts about gene seed fusion, so he knew exactly what it was...

It was 'Blazing Fire'!

In battle, he would channel this mass of gene energy into a bullet!

So simple it was almost absurd!

Now, Fang Mu had mastered the gunfighting art 'Blazing Fire'... wielding it with ease.

But...

How could he possibly teach it to someone else?

Such is the nature of gene seeds.

Fang Mu could only sigh...

Those corporate magnates and nobles have truly devised every possible means to lock down their classes!

After his sigh, Fang Mu couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement...

He had reached Black Iron Tier, and mastered a gunfighting art... now, he was a bona fide gunfighter!

Eager to test the power of 'Blazing Fire,' he thought, "Alright, I'll pick up some supplies, then prepare to head out and hunt a Bronze Tier creature!"

His eyes shone with anticipation. After a moment’s thought, he went to the table, opened his light-brain, and began to enter commands...