Chapter 17: The Serum Experiment

"I recall providing three types of genetic cells, didn't I?"

Looking at the two serums in the case, Li Yang asked with a flicker of doubt, his gaze lifting toward the researchers.

"Your Excellency, one of the genetic samples lacked sufficient activity and failed to bond effectively with the Blood of Perfection. Furthermore, the nature of that gene was quite peculiar, with a highly unstable structure. We are currently searching for a solution to this issue."

The three genes Li Yang had provided were: the gene of a Six-Winged Golden Centipede extracted from his own cells, the gene of a Three-Legged Golden Toad, and scrapings taken from the eggshell of an Angry-Clearance Chicken.

Dr. Yorkson had no knowledge of the origins of these three miraculous genes. They did not belong to any creature currently existing in the biological world, and with their current research capabilities, they could only conduct various experiments to tentatively determine their basic properties.

As for the energy carried within these mysterious genes, modern scientific methods were completely incapable of explaining it. There were not even any comparative biological cells to use as a baseline, as the characteristics and structural composition of these three genes entirely transcended the scope of modern cellular biology.

Had Li Yang not insisted that these were biological genes, they would have found it impossible to believe that such miraculous creatures could exist in the world.

"Set that gene aside for now. I will provide you with a fresh sample in a while."

Hearing this, Li Yang realized the situation. Unlike the Three-Legged Golden Toad, the Angry-Clearance Chicken was still in the midst of transformation and had not even fully hatched; its genetic fragments were naturally unstable. Even the samples he had provided were merely scrapings from the eggshell. While they contained the chicken’s genetic material, the activity was undoubtedly low, and the material was somewhat fragmented. Using eggshell debris to synthesize serum was far more difficult than cloning a chicken from the shell.

"Since the serums are ready, give the order to initiate human trials immediately!"

Li Yang had been impatient for this project. Now that the serums were developed, he did not want to wait even a second longer.

"As you command, Your Excellency!"

It wasn't just Li Yang who was impatient. As the creator of these extraordinary serums, Dr. Yorkson was equally eager to validate his research, having been held back only by the importance Li Yang placed on the project. Now that he had Li Yang's approval, he immediately instructed his assistants to begin preparations for the human trials.

...

"Your Excellency! Shall we begin?"

An hour later, in a heavily guarded chamber in the depths of the laboratory, two sturdy black test subjects were placed onto operating tables. A group of core researchers gathered around, watching Li Yang with expectant expressions.

"Proceed."

Although he was confident in the effects of the Blood of Perfection, practice was the only criterion for testing truth. Before everything was settled, Li Yang would not claim that the experiment was a guaranteed success.

"Serum One and Serum Two prepared. Inject!"

Under Dr. Yorkson's precise direction, the experiment began. First came the various sedatives, followed by the injection of the two differently colored serums into the bone marrow of the test subjects.

"Hhh... Hhh..."
"Sss... Sss..."

Within fifteen minutes, the subject injected with the Golden Centipede serum began to foam at the mouth. Their muscles contracted at a visible rate, their bones deformed and collapsed, and their bodies withered away.

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Gurgle... pfft..."

The subject injected with the Golden Toad serum reacted quite differently. Their entire body began to swell, their eyes turned blood-red, and they emitted beast-like wheezes. As they struggled violently, their skin cracked open, transforming them into a mass of riddled, rotting flesh.

Seeing these results, the atmosphere in the laboratory froze. The experiment, which had begun with such confidence, had ended in a miserable failure. The researchers looked at Li Yang with shame and self-reproach, feeling they had betrayed the trust of their great leader.

Li Yang’s expression, however, remained unfathomable. Unlike the researchers, his sensitivity to energy was far keener. The death of the Golden Centipede serum subject was caused entirely by a lack of the energy required for evolution. Evolution requires energy; even if these subjects couldn't transform into full Six-Winged Golden Centipedes, the incorporation of those traits demanded a level of energy that a normal human constitution could not provide.

Overall, the Golden Centipede serum was a success; it simply had extremely high requirements for the user. Ordinary humans could not withstand it. The Golden Toad serum, however, was baffling. The subject had clearly lost their mind, their eyes filled with violent animalistic rage. It was certain that this serum was a failure, though Li Yang could not yet fathom the reason.

"You are all a bunch of madmen... is this what you call an experiment? Disgusting!"

At that moment, a voice broke the eerie silence. It was Catherine, standing behind Li Yang, looking at the people in the lab with undisguised revulsion.

Was she unaccustomed to such bloody scenes? Not at all. After years of hunting werewolves, there was no shortage of gore she had witnessed. She simply despised the way they treated human lives as if they were worthless. Although she had killed many humans over the centuries, none of them had been innocent; they were all heinous villains. She held herself to a certain moral standard. Seeing Li Yang grab innocent people for experiments naturally sparked her resentment.

As Catherine spoke, the atmosphere in the lab solidified. The more timid researchers began to tremble, silently cursing Catherine for her recklessness, having experienced the terrifying nature of Li Yang's authority themselves.

"I think you misunderstand. These are gang members, not good people."

Seeing Catherine's expression, Li Yang guessed her thoughts and, for the first time, offered an explanation.

The researchers stared at Catherine in disbelief. Li Yang was a great God of Blood Sorcery; they knew his character well. He was a man of absolute authority who never explained himself to anyone—a domineering figure who always had the final say. Yet today, he had actually explained himself to a maid.

Thinking of this, the researchers looked at Catherine with newfound caution, lost in deep thought. They had previously dismissed her as a mere maid, but if the great deity was not only unoffended but also willing to explain, what did that imply? Everyone in this lab was highly intelligent; while they couldn't guess Li Yang's true intentions, they knew this maid’s identity was likely not simple. Though curious, no one dared to show it.

"This experiment was essentially a half-success. As you can see, the Golden Centipede serum was successfully developed, but it cannot be used on ordinary humans. The Golden Toad serum needs further refinement, and you will need to research the cause of its failure together."

Li Yang knew the failure wasn't their fault; it was a limitation of current scientific technology. With the current level of scientific development, even basic cellular engineering and cloning were far from sufficient to support serums involving extraordinary powers. The success of the first serum relied heavily on the miraculous nature of the Blood of Perfection; without it, modern science wouldn't touch the realm of the extraordinary for another five hundred years.

"Your Excellency, what about the test subjects for the first serum..."

Seeing that their leader wasn't blaming them, the researchers finally breathed a sigh of relief. Dr. Yorkson, as the head of the lab, stood up under the expectant gazes of his subordinates to ask for guidance.

"The primary issue with the first serum is that the biological body lacks the energy to support the transformation. This involves the law of conservation of energy, meaning ordinary people cannot use it. Go to Amelia and Lucian. Tell them to gather the Vampire and Werewolf clans and select volunteers for this experiment. There are only three slots. Tell them that regardless of the outcome, I will grant each of their clans one slot for a perfect transformation!"

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yang looked at Dr. Yorkson. Werewolves and vampires were extraordinary beings; while they had fatal flaws, their internal energy was undoubtedly far superior to that of ordinary humans. Furthermore, both races possessed amazing vitality, making them the perfect candidates for the first serum. Li Yang was confident that with them as subjects, the success rate would exceed ninety percent. Once successful, these races might completely transform, shedding all flaws and becoming the blood sorcerers he envisioned. With luck, they might even awaken some of the innate abilities of the Six-Winged Golden Centipede.

As for the second serum, he was uncertain and had no intention of using it in the short term. For a product with an unknown cause of failure, repeating experiments without improvements would be futile. The vampire and werewolf clans were valuable assets he used to collect cultivation resources, and many had already been lost. If unnecessary, Li Yang had no desire to see them sacrificed in vain.