Bullet Time is a little-known physiological phenomenon. When the human spirit surpasses a certain limit, the mind accelerates, and observation and reaction speeds greatly increase. The world seems to slow down, as if the slow-motion button has been pressed, allowing even a fired bullet to be dodged. This special state is called Bullet Time. And the substance responsible for regulating human neural excitement is adrenaline.
As this bottle of adrenaline potion—likely of perfect quality—went down his throat, Feng Lin felt the world slow to an extreme. His soul seemed to exist in another space, overlooking the world from a god’s perspective. The movements of figures appeared frozen, yet they shifted slowly and orderly. It was an indescribably wondrous sensation, as if his soul had transcended everything, with all things within his perception—a state of omniscience.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Lin’s body jolted, as if waking from a dream, and his soul instantly snapped back into place. After a brief moment of shock, he was overwhelmed with joy! He had truly concocted a perfect potion.
Feng Lin gasped heavily, his entire body trembling. Every muscle was like a taut string, quivering uncontrollably, on the verge of collapse. Bullet Time accelerated his thinking speed but placed an immense burden on his body. It couldn’t be used for long, or his body would fail and break down. This wasn’t a side effect of the potion but a natural physiological response of the human body. Just as food can provide nutrition with few side effects, but overeating overloads the stomach, causing blood congestion and mental sluggishness.
The potion he had just consumed caused no pain to his body. Genetic potential decreased by 30%, lasting 20 seconds! The significant reduction in potential meant the potion’s effect was four times stronger than the original formula, with double the duration, and no side effects. Without a doubt, he had succeeded in improving it again, crafting a perfect-quality genetic potion.
The final formula was: 36 milliliters of Dragon Blood Flower, 18 grams of Water Moon Powder, 108 milliliters of Losoto Fusion, 12 grams of Catalytic Paste, 18 grams of Spirit Sand, 32 milliliters of Fluid Ice… Feng Lin silently recorded all the formulas he had tested so far, then stopped experimenting and closed his eyes to rest. The consecutive consumption of potions had drained both his mind and body; he needed rest.
But this scene stood out sharply in the bustling R&D department. “This kid’s got some nerve! Doesn’t he know Team Leader Aike hates slackers the most? He dares to sleep openly here!” “He probably failed at improving the potion and gave up!” “Poor guy. He had to go and question human experiments right off the bat, offending Aike. He’s in for a rough time!” …
Those so-called colleagues, seeing Feng Lin’s exhausted face, laughed with schadenfreude. Feng Lin, however, couldn’t be bothered with them. He was thrilled, observing the changes inside his body.
Genes, when repeatedly stimulated by external conditions, could awaken passively. Because he had been constantly drinking the adrenaline genetic potion, his genes were repeatedly stimulated, and the reduced genetic potential had unknowingly exceeded 100%. This was equivalent to a free genetic point being added to the adrenaline gene. The adrenaline gene’s enhancement point went from 0 to 1. This meant Feng Lin had awakened, unlocking a new gene: the adrenaline gene.
On the human gene map of the Genetic Equation, a brand-new golden star lit up. Each bright star represented an awakened gene. This golden star was far from the positions of the Ape Gene and Stone Fetus Gene, looking out of place. Feng Lin focused his mind and saw its attributes.
“Gene: Adrenaline Gene Grade: Perfect Basic Gene Enhancement Points: 1 Ability: Bullet Time (secretes adrenaline, stimulating accelerated thought and awareness)”
A perfect gene! It was actually a perfect basic gene. Feng Lin was stunned. Every major gene grade also had minor classifications: Low, Medium, High, Mutant, and Perfect. The higher the gene grade, the stronger the ability. A perfect gene meant no flaws, with abilities considered flawless, making it an invincible existence among genes of the same grade.
Feng Lin thought it over. The adrenaline gene’s ability was indeed a bug, almost unbeatable. This gene allowed one to enter Bullet Time mode, with thought and reaction speeds far beyond normal. In battle, every second counted. A single decisive move could mean the difference between life and death. The Bullet Time ability let one seize the initiative in the smallest margins, gaining an edge everywhere. Though it had no direct power, its auxiliary effect was already heaven-defying. The only downside was the immense burden on the body. But this wasn’t a flaw—it was because the gene ability was too powerful for the body to handle, fundamentally a matter of insufficient life evolution. If his life level improved in the future, he could enter Bullet Time at will without any lasting consequences.
Feng Lin was both amused and exasperated. He had only been trying to improve the potion, never expecting to awaken himself, and with such a powerful gene at that. It was an unexpected blessing. After a series of experiments, he had gained insights. This Genetic Micro-Manipulation technique was practically unbeatable in the field of genetic potions. Mastering such a powerful tool gave him even more confidence in his future path as a geneticist. He couldn’t reveal this to anyone, or he’d end up being dissected.
Feng Lin didn’t continue improving the formula. He closed his eyes to rest, recovering his weary body. Seeing him so relaxed and composed, Aike’s gaze darkened. He walked over and spoke in a low voice, “What are you doing? Is the task done? Remember, the R&D department doesn’t keep idle people. Don’t ruin yourself!” Feng Lin slowly opened his eyes, meeting Aike’s gaze directly, and said calmly, “I’ve already improved the potion. The task is complete. Can’t I rest now?” “What? You’ve finished it!” Aike was stunned. Improving a genetic potion was something only a geneticist could do. How could a mere genetic scholar accomplish it? He had assigned this task to put the kid in his place, to teach him to behave and not think that just because he was specially recruited by Director Frank, he could casually question the R&D department’s methods. But he never expected that this kid would finish improving the adrenaline potion in such a short time. How was that possible?
The people around were also exchanging glances, momentarily speechless. “A genetic scholar completing a genetic potion improvement? Don’t talk big!” Aike sneered coldly. Feng Lin wasn’t angered. He smiled faintly and said, “I’ll throw your own words back at you: Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean it’s impossible!” Aike’s eyes narrowed, his face turning as dark as a ghost. “Fine! Show me the improved formula. If you’re faking it, don’t blame me for being harsh!” His voice turned icy, carrying a hint of threat.
Feng Lin hesitated, and seeing this, Aike sneered even more. No real skill, yet he dared to boast. Now he couldn’t produce the formula! Good. Let me expose his true colors and see how he can stay in the R&D department. Even Director Frank couldn’t defy the entire department’s opinion and keep him here!
But unfortunately, he was completely wrong. Feng Lin wasn’t unable to produce the formula; he was hesitating over which one to offer. He had too many improved formulas! If he gave the perfect-quality one, he’d be losing out big time! The first improved version was still a medium-quality potion with unclear effects, and Aike might not accept it. So, to leave this man with no room to argue, Feng Lin decided to offer a high-quality potion formula. With that thought, he decisively sent the high-quality formula via his identity chip.
Aike, wearing a cold smirk, casually opened it and began to browse. But as he read, and read, and read… The smile gradually vanished from his face.