Old Wu arranged everything clearly.
"Thank you, Teacher," Li Ming said sincerely.
"Don’t mention it," Old Wu was very casual, "The main reason I called you here is that we’re about to leave soon."
"Leave?" Li Ming was quite surprised, "So soon?"
"Our presence here was originally because of the Star Creation Company’s game of chess with the higher-ups. Now that the game has concluded, staying here any longer is pointless," Old Wu briefly explained, then asked, "What’s the progress of your development?"
"Hm... about what I estimated," Professor Wu nodded, then pulled out a silver metal box from under his feet, "This is for you."
"What is this?" Li Ming couldn’t help but ask.
"[Thunder Sixteen Forms Body Forging Method]"
"Body Forging Method?" A spark of interest flashed through Li Ming’s mind.
"It’s a special training method used to assist in the development of gene seeds," explained Professor Wu, "There are countless forms of life in the universe, with a great variety of species, and humans are one of the major groups."
"Aside from the basic development methods, there are many special training methods that can deeply stimulate cells."
"RIT Body Forging Method?" Li Ming realized.
"Right, that’s a more popular one. This method is specifically designed to stimulate the Thunder Element related gene seeds, including the supportive equipment," Professor Wu elaborated further.
This advanced training method isn’t just about performing a few movements, it requires using a specific current to stimulate a certain part of the body at a specific time to achieve maximum effect.
It even requires the life form itself to mobilize its own bioelectric current in sync, akin to an internal martial arts technique.
According to Professor Wu, if one becomes proficient, it can increase the development speed by one and a half to two times.
That is, an enhancement of 150%-200%.
"Those powerful civilizations are truly unfathomable," Li Ming couldn’t help but sigh.
"Indeed," Professor Wu agreed fully.
Li Ming opened the metal box and glanced inside; there was a thumb-sized sphere and a USB drive.
The USB drive likely contained the movements, while the sphere made Li Ming surprised—
[Thunder Sixteen Forms Body Forging Sphere—Grade D: Special equipment used to assist in the development of Thunder Element gene seeds.
Control Conditions: 6,000 points of metal energy
Control Effect: Thunder Element Control—150%
Control Ability—Thunderclap Body Forging: Can help the host to perfectly perform the Thunder Sixteen Forms Body Forging Method.]
This was also a controllable object, and even a Grade D one.
The ability could help him to perfectly perform this Body Forging Method, and as Professor Wu said, it could increase the development speed by up to two times.
This wasn’t a direct enhancement but through the increase provided by the Body Forging Method, which wouldn’t overlap with the development progress of other abilities.
The most crucial point was that this device was equivalent to a portable training room, making everything much more convenient.
"The Body Forging Method is quite challenging but you also need to practice it more, grasp the essentials, and strive to use it proficiently before the University of Science and Technology starts its term," Professor Wu reminded him.
"I understand," Li Ming nodded and took control of it immediately after returning.
"The trip from here to Capital Star, even on the fastest interstellar ship, takes half a month. If it’s a slower one, it could take a whole month. Although school starts in October, you need to arrive a half month early. The latest you should set out is by mid-August," Professor Wu had thought everything through very considerately.
"Half a month left..." Li Ming nodded, there was enough time.
"Honestly, I really wish I could just take you with me," Professor Wu sighed.
"Teacher, this is already enough," Li Ming smiled, "No one will notice me, which is for the best."
Afterward, Li Ming subtly expressed his wish to add a friend to pave the way for asking for some Star Coins in the future. This Body Forging Sphere was quite precious, even more so the Body Forging Forms within it.
Li Ming felt embarrassed to outright ask for it. However, Professor Wu refused.
Professor Wu shook his head, "The Black Hole Network is not safe for me."
Through the Star Network, one can investigate too much information. Every civilization’s government has the authority to retrieve data from registered Star Network accounts within its jurisdiction.
Li Ming didn’t mention the Black Hole Network, which compared to the Star Network, is even less scrupulous.
At least the Star Network requires a process to obtain access, but the Black Hole Network needs nothing.
After leaving Professor Wu’s place, Li Ming strolled around. The upper echelons were shrouded in intrigue, but the lives of most citizens of Silver Grey City remained undisturbed.
"Boss, how much for a genetic testing device?" Li Ming walked into a shop filled with all kinds of holographic advertising, causing severe light pollution.
"The ordinary one is five thousand, a better one is ten thousand, and the best is thirty thousand..." the boss said languidly, eyes glued to the holographic screen displaying a spicy girl writhing to the blaring music.
Li Ming glanced at them, seeing the ordinary one was an ungraded device, the better one was grade F, and the best was grade E.
"Seems like there’s a price difference to exploit..." Li Ming realized, calculating as if he were at a scrapyard.
A thousand points, thirty metal energy, to upgrade from ungraded to F grade only required thirty points, which meant a profit of four thousand...
After calculating for a while, Li Ming smiled wryly. He forgot to account for the time value, and moreover, selling as an individual would mean pricing it as second-hand, significantly reducing the price.
Calculating using the Black Hole Network’s prices, he would even be at a loss unless he could manufacture the most basic detection equipment from nothing.
Wasting a bit of time was fine when he was at a lower level, but now it wasn’t necessary. He’d be better off developing more gene seeds.
He’d wait for the price discrepancy to widen significantly before he reconsidered.
"Give me two of the best ones," Li Ming said. The lazy boss instantly perked up, his smile crowding his face, the spicy girl forgotten.
After packaging the two detection devices, he sent him off with enthusiasm, telling him to come again next time.
Returning home after a long absence, there was no need to stay in the training room all the time now that he had the Thunderclap machine orb.
Using six thousand six hundred points of metal energy, he controlled both detection devices as well as the Thunderclap machine orb, leaving around six thousand four hundred points of metal energy.
The two E-grade detection devices, each could bolster him by 60%, which added up to 120%. A D-grade Genetic Radiation Device, combined with its effect and ability, had a 300% efficacy, bringing it to 420%.
There was also the "Thunder Sixteen Forms," which could bring an approximate additional 200% effect, totaling 620%.
A sixfold increase in development speed, Li Ming’s mind was greatly stirred.
Li Ming immediately initiated the "Body Forging Form" ability, and then his limbs moved uncontrollably. His hands spread open, three fingers of the left hand turned inwards, elbows turned outwards, and his legs trembled with a high-frequency, small amplitude.
Cells began to rapidly heat up, bioelectrical currents surged across his body, and soon he felt pain.
Without the defense enhancement of an explosion shield to dull the pain, it came on extremely fiercely this time.
Only ten minutes passed, and Li Ming felt a profound sense of desolation; sweat pooled beneath his feet forming small puddles.
Inside his body, not only was the pain intense, but it was also accompanied by a tingling, soft itchiness, making him wish he could open his skin and pull out his veins and tendons.
Fortunately, he didn’t need to control his own body. Li Ming tried his best to calm his mind, but this only had the opposite effect, making him more aware of the pain everywhere.
Amidst this torment, time passed minute by minute, and night fell in the blink of an eye.
In the darkness, even though utterly exhausted, his breathing continued at a remarkably steady pace.
Finally, completely drained, he collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air.
After resting for a moment, he materialized one of the detection devices, and the screen displayed a number—12%.
Six hours for a 3% increase?
The progress displayed before his eyes swept away his pain and fatigue, as he drank down the nutrition liquid he picked up on his way home that morning.
In an hour or two, he should be mostly recovered.
The night was dark, and for the first time in a while, the stars could be seen in the sky above Silver Grey City.
About half an hour later, "bang!" his bed exploded silently!
Li Ming stood in the corner, his gaze icy and serene. Not far away, a figure slowly rose from the ruins of the bed; her black, tight-fitting combat suit outlined her voluptuous figure.
In the moonlight streaming through the window, Li Ming saw the assailant wore a black mask; there was something familiar about her eyes, as if he had seen them somewhere before.