Genetic datafication meant that every minute change was reflected in corresponding data, with nothing overlooked. What was called genetic micro-manipulation referred to Feng Lin’s ability to analyze flaws in potion formulas through changes at the genetic micro-level, making fine adjustments to improve the recipe. This method of refinement at the genetic level could only be discovered and utilized by Feng Lin. After all, no one else possessed the miraculous and formidable talent of the Genetic Equation.
Facing the harassment from team leader Aike, Feng Lin now felt a sense of gratitude instead. If Aike hadn’t assigned such a difficult task, how could he have pushed his potential to the limit and created a new geneticist technique? If he could fully develop the technique of genetic micro-manipulation, he would undoubtedly secure his position as a true geneticist. On this point, Feng Lin was utterly confident.
Genetic potential decreased by 9%, and the duration increased by 2 seconds. The new potion formula was clearly an improvement over the original. At this stage, Feng Lin had already completed the task, enough to counter Aike’s harassment. Even a 10% boost in efficacy counted as an improvement. With such a formula, Aike would have nothing to say. After all, forcing a genetic scholar to modify a genetic potion was already unreasonable. Feng Lin had done it, and if Aike still demanded more, he would overstep his bounds and put himself in a disadvantageous position. No smart person would do that.
But Feng Lin didn’t want to stop. Having developed the technique of genetic micro-manipulation, he wanted to see the limits of this technology. Genetic potions had grades, and even within the same tier, there were quality levels: basic, intermediate, advanced, flawless, and perfect. Each higher quality level brought significantly better effects and greatly increased value. Every medicine has its side effects. No matter how miraculous genetic potions were, the rare ingredients in their formulas often came with severe side effects, causing adverse reactions in the human body. But as the quality of the potion improved, the side effects diminished. Reaching flawless quality meant the potion had no defects, with the medicinal properties fully integrated and no side effects. One step higher was perfect quality, where not only were there no side effects, but the medicinal properties reached the formula’s absolute peak, impossible to enhance further.
If the original adrenaline potion formula was only intermediate quality, Feng Lin’s improved version, with its modest enhancement, remained at the intermediate level. He wanted to see if he could further refine the formula into an advanced potion, or even flawless and perfect quality. The bigger the dream, the greater the ambition. Though he knew it would be difficult, Feng Lin wanted to try. Failure wouldn’t be a loss as long as he gave it his all.
He delved into the formula again, identifying two key components: dragon blood flower juice, which stimulated nerves, and the spiritual material, spirit sand. By combining dragon blood grass with auxiliary ingredients, Feng Lin successfully boosted the potion’s efficacy by about 10%. But what if he worked on the spirit sand? The dragon blood flower juice stimulated genes, while the spirit sand allowed the genetic abilities to fully activate. Feng Lin acted on the thought, decisively increasing the spirit sand content from 12 grams to 15 grams.
After several rounds of potion preparation, Feng Lin grew more skilled, his movements fluid and unhurried, creating a rhythmic, pleasing spectacle. Soon, he reached the final step: adding the spirit sand! Despite its name, spirit sand wasn’t actual sand but a naturally occurring mineral. Across the vast galaxy, it could only be found on one-in-a-million planets, formed under extremely苛刻 conditions. The spirit sand, granular in form, trickled slowly through Feng Lin’s fingers, crystal clear and gleaming with light.
Soon, another batch of the new adrenaline potion was successfully prepared. Feng Lin swallowed it in one gulp. The familiar surge of fiery energy rushed into his body, stimulating his nerves like flames burning within. But this time was different. Previously, it felt like his soul was slowly drifting out of his body; now, it was violently shoved out. His thoughts accelerated to the extreme, the scenery before him blurring, stretching into distorted voids. His body trembled violently in agony. The scorching medicinal power erupted like volcanic flames, engulfing him instantly.
When Feng Lin finally recovered, he felt his physical strength nearly drained. Genetic potential decreased by 10%. Duration: 7 seconds. The potency had increased, but the effect had become too harsh. The increased spiritual material caused the medicinal power to burst forth instantly, making it unbearable. The medicinal force dissipated almost immediately, reducing the duration from the previous 12 seconds to 7 seconds—a loss of 5 seconds. Fortunately, the dosage in this batch was small; otherwise, such a potent formula would be undrinkable for most people. Only Feng Lin, with his current vitality of 3.7, could temporarily withstand it.
He decided to keep trying. He had a clue now. With more spiritual material in the potion, the medicinal power became more active. If he could extend the duration, he might elevate the potion to the next tier, making it advanced quality. But the existing formula was hard to improve, so Feng Lin decided to make a bold attempt: adding a new ingredient to the original base—fluid ice. This was a fluid form of ice, a natural inhibitor of spiritual energy, capable of reducing its activity.
Feng Lin acted on the idea, preparing the potion in one go. He held a bottle of potion in his hand, its color distinct, a faint pink. Due to the added fluid ice, a slight chill emanated from it. Crystalline ice particles floated within the liquid, swirling continuously with the potion’s movement, quite beautiful.
After drinking it, Feng Lin immediately felt a difference. The fiery potion became gentle. Though the energy was still scorching hot, it paradoxically gave a soft, watery sensation, like rain nourishing things silently. His soul drifted away effortlessly, feeling euphoric, as if he had taken a drug, naturally leaving his body without side effects. Feng Lin no longer felt discomfort; instead, it was like soaking in a hot spring, his whole body lazily relaxed. The changes around him became incredibly clear, like a deliberately slowed-down movie scene, every frame vivid before his eyes.
Success! This thought flashed through Feng Lin’s mind as he immersed himself in this奇妙 sensation, unable to pull away. But happy moments always passed quickly. When he came back to reality, Feng Lin still wore an expression of lingering satisfaction. Genetic potential decreased by 16%. Duration: 13 seconds. The significant reduction in genetic potential, the marked increase in efficacy, and the greatly extended duration. What struck Feng Lin most was that this potion had no side effects—a hallmark of flawless quality. He had leaped two quality levels in one go, elevating the adrenaline potion to flawless quality. This was an unexpected delight.
What bothered Feng Lin was that the duration was still too short. If it were a bit longer, he could aim for perfect quality. He wanted to try. It wasn’t greed; with his mastery of genetic micro-manipulation, he felt capable. Not trying would be too cowardly.
Duration? Feng Lin pondered. Perhaps he could reduce the catalyst paste a bit, slowing the drug’s reaction rate for a more gradual, sustained effect, while slightly increasing the dragon blood flower juice and spirit sand. This led to a new formula: 35 ml dragon blood flower, 17 grams water moon powder, 96 ml Losoto fusion, 12 grams catalyst paste, 15 grams spirit sand, 30 ml fluid ice…
Feng Lin tried again, but unexpectedly, this attempt failed—or not entirely. He once again experienced the agonizing sensation of his soul being scorched. Through subtle genetic changes, he analyzed the new potion’s properties. Genetic potential decreased by 12%. Duration: 15 seconds. Though the duration increased, the potency dropped, and side effects reappeared. This attempt at improvement wasn’t a success, but it wasn’t a complete failure either; the quality had degraded to an advanced potion. However, the increased duration proved his reasoning was correct. One failure wasn’t something to fear. With continued effort, success would come eventually.
Feng Lin kept experimenting. 32 ml dragon blood flower, 17 grams water moon powder, 94 ml Losoto fusion, 12 grams catalyst paste, 16 grams spirit sand, 35 ml fluid ice… Genetic potential decreased by 8%. Potency significantly reduced. Duration: 11 seconds, down by 2 seconds. Severe side effects. Low-quality potion. Complete failure!
36 ml dragon blood flower, 20 grams water moon powder, 100 ml Losoto fusion, 16 grams catalyst paste, 20 grams spirit sand, 35 ml fluid ice… Genetic potential decreased by 10%. Potency slightly reduced. Duration: 12 seconds, down by 3 seconds. Obvious side effects. Intermediate-quality potion. Failure.
35 ml dragon blood flower, 28 grams water moon powder, 98 ml Losoto fusion, 21 grams catalyst paste, 26 grams spirit sand, 32 ml fluid ice… Genetic potential decreased by 12%. Potency unchanged. Duration: 16 seconds, up by 1 second. Mild side effects. Advanced-quality potion. Neither success nor failure.
…
Feng Lin seemed to have lost his earlier ease, constantly adjusting the formula and failing repeatedly, as if perfect-quality potions didn’t exist. But he wasn’t panicked, because he felt he was on the right track. Each attempt brought him closer to success; he just needed a spark of inspiration and luck.
After repeated trials, Feng Lin gradually entered a奇妙 state, feeling he had grasped every subtle change in the potion, fully in control, mysterious and profound. When he came to, a brand-new potion was in his hand. The liquid had two colors, red and blue, clearly distinct yet interwoven, spinning like a Tai Chi symbol. It was a work of art, giving only one impression: perfection! Not a drop more, not a drop less.
Feng Lin had a premonition that this potion was special. Perhaps he had succeeded in creating a perfect-quality potion. But no matter how good it looked, the potion had to be consumed to see its effects.
Feng Lin tipped his head back and drank it. Instantly, a stunning change occurred before his eyes. The world slowed down. Time stretched endlessly. The movements of those around him seemed to be on slow-motion, their steps sluggish, looking utterly ridiculous—ten times slower than usual. Feng Lin even felt that if a bullet were fired, he could see its trajectory and dodge it with ease.
This was… Bullet time!