Infinite Terror: Infinite Reversal

Chapter 262 The So-Called Completion

In addition to the subtle control over their own power, the fourth stage of the Gene Lock also possesses subtle gene adjustments, although this is generally not categorized as a subtle ability in the narrow sense.

Entering the fourth stage of the gene lock is equivalent to directly obtaining a high-level enhancement... its core lies in adjustment and completion!
In theory, among the various exchanges in the Main God Space, there must be complementary relationships. However, even the strongest complementarity cannot guarantee that using two or more low-level enhancements will completely overwhelm a high-level enhancement, or even achieve a victory across levels—this is where the saying "avoid breaking up side quests if possible" comes from. Even if such a result is achieved, it is still related to the user's own strength.

If someone claims that two B-grade enhancements can create a wheelchair-like combination, achieving the effect of easily defeating A-grade enhancements... or that a B-grade fighting wolf can easily destroy an alien evolution, Mu Xiang can only say:

It sheltered us from the sand and wind.

However, the adjustments and enhancements brought about by the fourth stage of the gene lock can instinctively bring the body to its strongest combat state. Even more terrifying is that each activation of the fourth-stage gene lock preserves a portion of the enhancement… this is a fundamental strengthening. Therefore, the fourth-stage gene lock is not only equivalent to a high-level enhancement, but also the most suitable high-level enhancement for oneself, the one that best complements existing abilities!

While the enhanced vampire power of the clone Zheng Zha in the original work was indeed formidable, his ability to surpass Reinhardt's vampire prince level was clearly related to his constant maintenance of a fourth-tier gene lock, continuously replenishing his bloodline. This perfectly exemplifies how adjusting and replenishing the bloodline through a fourth-tier gene lock allows a lower-tier vampire to overwhelm a higher-tier one.

“However, I can’t just undo it casually…” Mu Xiang sighed. “Even with Ji Yue, I could easily go berserk… After all, it’s my own choice to undo it, which is a huge difference from being passively out of control. I originally thought Zheng Zha could restrain me, but now it seems I can only hope that Zhang Jie still has his former strength.”

If he were a fourth-tier mental power controller, a telekinetic enhancer, or a Shinigami enhancer with a Zanpakuto... then it would be possible to defend against Mu Xiang's loss of control.

As the saying goes, you only realize how terrifying it is once you step into this realm... Only Mu Xiang now can truly understand how strong Zhang Jie was before.

On another note... what exactly is Zhang Jie's current skill level?

Mu Xiang hadn't used the fourth-tier gene lock in actual combat yet, but even in normal circumstances, he could feel the difference in himself compared to before. Many abilities didn't require entering the fourth-tier gene lock to be used to some extent, such as consciousness differentiation and the perception ability in the metaphysical realm... and this was just the tip of the iceberg of the so-called creation of a perfect body by the fourth-tier gene lock.

Previously, Mu Xiang, using the Candle-Holding ability, utterly defeated a group of Great Old Ones in "The Trembling Black Hole." In the Candle-Holding state, Mu Xiang, as a powerful Tier 3 within the Gene Lock system, could surpass even the initial level of Transcendent Beings and suppress opponents at the intermediate level. However, the Candle-Holding ability has a fatal flaw: once activated, it cannot be stopped.

Mu Xiang could control the reverse flow and counter-rotation of the ripples and the Limitless Sword Qi, but after the two triggered an energy surge and physical resonance within his body, the subsequent reactions were beyond his control. All he could do was convert his internal energy into effective output before it was exhausted, and end the battle as quickly as possible; otherwise, once his energy was depleted, he would undoubtedly die in his weakened state.

However, Mu Xiang is now confident that he can greatly optimize the Candle-Bearing Technique. The core lies in the fourth-order Microscopic Control: Microscopic energy control allows him to precisely control the counter-rotating ripples, the Limitless Sword Qi, and the raging Kryptonian energy, avoiding the predicament of being unable to stop once started; Microscopic gene adjustment allows his body to exert energy more effectively, reducing energy leakage and physical burden.

In this way, the opening and closing of the candle will be more flexible, the total duration will be extended, and the physical burden will be greatly reduced.

Mu Xiang closed his eyes and meditated for a long time, simulating and comparing the power of skills before and after reaching the fourth tier in his mind. Then he opened his eyes and laughed and cried: "As expected, PVP and PVE are two different things... The fourth-tier monsters in horror movies are far inferior to the fourth-tier powerhouses in the Main God Space."

"If I were only at the third tier... it might not be impossible for me to use the Candle-Holding technique to crush a fourth-tier powerhouse from another team; but I'm afraid it would require a bunch of conditions to create the perfect one-on-one environment, to prevent the opponent from dragging out my burst period, to prevent me from being worn down by other enemies, and to prevent me from being finished off after the battle." The next moment, Mu Xiang opened his palm, and golden ripples and blurry light and shadow intertwined with each other, moving faster and faster in his palm, causing ripples and bursts of explosions to appear in the air.

"But now... to unleash my power, there are no longer so many restrictions! The room for other strategies has greatly increased..."

"I am strong!"

Meanwhile, Zheng Zha pushed open the door and immediately embraced Loli, who rushed towards him. Stroking Loli's head, Zheng Zha was lost in their embrace, wanting to speak but finding his nose stinging with tears.

The girl buried her head in Zheng Zha's chest, but still noticed his unusual behavior: "What's wrong?"

Zheng Zha took a deep breath: "Zhang Jie survived...that's wonderful."

After saying that, Zheng Zha picked up Loli and carried her into the inner room. Loli blushed and punched Zheng Zha lightly: "You didn't come back all night yesterday, what are you going to do now? Lunch is coming soon!"

Zheng Zha was taken aback for a moment: "Huh? I wanted to ask you something."

Upon hearing this, Loli punched Zheng Zha hard again, leaving Zheng Zha somewhat confused. He could only smile apologetically and try to appease her. After a bit of playful fighting, Zheng Zha finally lay down on the bed with Loli in his arms and carefully voiced his doubts.

Last night, Zheng Zha and Mu Xiang stayed up all night with their sister-in-law in the square, finally waiting for Zhang Jie to finish his repairs. Including the repairs done by the others, this horror movie alone cost Mu Xiang over 10,000 reward points. Fortunately, he was wealthy; due to the limitation of only being able to give rewards to others once after each horror movie, he still had tens of thousands of reward points left.

While waiting for Zhang Jie, Mu Xiang and Zheng Zha also talked about many things, such as their gains, insights, and potential risks after entering the fourth tier. One thing that Zheng Zha was particularly concerned about was Mu Xiang's speculation about his thinking.

“One characteristic of the fourth-order gene lock is consciousness differentiation… As for the relationship between consciousness and thought, it’s a bit too academic; you probably wouldn’t understand.” Mu Xiang pushed up his glasses. “I just tried out consciousness differentiation and discovered something interesting.”

Zheng Zha scratched his head: "Interesting? Can you guarantee I'll understand?"

Mu Xiang was speechless for a moment, then said, "According to information theory, thinking is a series of complex mental operations on new input information and knowledge and experience stored in the brain... well, in short, it is the advanced stage of the cognitive process."

This intermission will detail the characteristics of the fourth-order gene lock, unify the scattered descriptions of Z, and also incorporate some secondary settings from the book, laying the groundwork for future plot points so that they won't seem abrupt when they're mentioned in the main story later.

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(End of this chapter)