In a perfect world, you start by relying on your own strength.

Shi Geng's genetic structure was exceptionally powerful and mysterious; she was unable to analyze it even after using all the equipment in the medical department.

More importantly, some of the gene fragments analyzed showed a certain characteristic that was homologous to the biological tissue inside the Abyss Mech.

All the previous test subjects were crushed into blood by the Abyss, but Shi Geng was the only one who had a high probability of being compatible with, or even able to control, that forbidden mecha.

She didn't reveal these inside stories in public; she just looked at Shi Geng with an almost frantic expectation in her eyes.

Morgan tapped his fingertips on the table, his gaze fixed on Shi Geng: "Instructor Shi, what do you think?"

All eyes were once again focused on him.

Shi Geng raised his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Dr. Carrie. He spoke softly, his tone nonchalant: "Those who stand on the edge of the abyss... I can try."

Morgan's gaze sharpened: "Are you aware that once you participate in the Abyss Trials, you are solely responsible for your own life and death?"

"I know." Shi Geng said in a flat tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

This composure, on the contrary, gave everyone in the conference room a jolt.

Anyone else would have hesitated and backed down long ago, but the confidence he exuded didn't seem like arrogance; it was more like he already had the outcome in his grasp.

Charles's face darkened completely, and he stared coldly at Shi Gen.

He was originally planning to have the assassins of the Light and Shadow Society experiment on the Abyss Walker to see if it would work. If he could control the Abyss Walker, wouldn't the position of Lighthouse City Lord be his for the taking?

"Lord, this is too risky!" Charles immediately said. "Even Dr. Carrie herself can't guarantee the success rate. If we fail, we will not only lose a powerful fighter, but this also concerns the safety of the Lighthouse. Who knows what changes he will undergo after piloting the Abyss."

While he spoke of the lighthouse's safety, what he truly wanted was to ensure that Shi Geng never became a hero of the lighthouse and threatened his position.

Dr. Carrie immediately retorted, "There is no more suitable candidate than him. Shi Geng's genes have a certain compatibility with the biological tissues of the Abyss Walkers; this is the only possible success. If we wait any longer, the Lighthouse will enter the densely populated ecological zone, be surrounded and killed by the Devouring Beasts, and everyone will die!"

Victor frowned, unsure of which side to take.

Mark tried to persuade him again, but Shi Geng stopped him with a look.

Shi Geng looked up at Morgan in the main seat, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear: "I'll go and adapt. If it succeeds, the Lighthouse will be saved; if it fails, don't you have a backup plan?"

Morgan remained silent for a moment, a resolute glint flashing in his aged eyes.

He knew very well that this was a gamble, but the Lighthouse could not afford to lose anymore. As for the backup plan that Shi Gen mentioned, he did have one, but the risk might be even greater than that of the Abyss, as it was another forbidden experiment.

"Alright." Morgan spoke slowly, making the final decision. "Carrie, prepare for the Abyss to activate the program immediately."

"Victor, keep this a secret. No one is to divulge a single word."

"Shi Gen..." He gave the young man in front of him a deep look, "Be careful."

Shi Geng nodded slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Influenced by the memories of the Heavenly Dao Stone, and carrying a touch of the Heavenly Dao's detached perspective, his temperament was subtly affected.

The survival of the lighthouse was irrelevant to him; as long as he could become stronger and understand the secrets of this world, it didn't matter where he was.

If the situation gets out of control and he realizes something is wrong, he can simply walk away and run to Longgu Village.

As for the fate of these people, the future of the lighthouse, and Charles's schemes...

It was just a passing scene along his path of growth.

Moreover, Shi Geng harbored a secret suspicion that belonged only to himself.

If this world truly shares the same origin as the Devouring Starry Sky, then the One Approaching the Abyss is very likely a treasure that fell here.

And the genetic energy within him might just be able to drive it.

If that's the case, then this person who stands by the abyss is definitely facing a great opportunity.

Thinking of this, a burning desire flickered beneath the indifference in Shi Geng's eyes.

Dr. Carrie pushed up her glasses and looked at Shi Geng with burning eyes: "Come with me to the experimental area. The compatibility testing for the Abyss Walkers will begin now."

Shi Geng nodded, said nothing more, and followed directly.

Morgan sat in his seat, watching Shi Gen's departing figure, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

He could vaguely sense that Shi Gen always had his own agenda and was never truly serving the Lighthouse.

He had no idea whether it was right or wrong to gamble everything by agreeing to start the Abyss Experiment.

But now, the lighthouse has no way out.

A day later, they will venture deep into the densely populated ecological zone. Given the lighthouse's current height, the siege by the Devouring Beasts is inevitable.

Conventional forces couldn't hold them off, the city defense army couldn't hold them off, and even the hunters couldn't fill the endless tide of devouring beasts. The central electromagnetic cannon could solve the problem temporarily, but it required too much energy. After releasing it once, the entire lighthouse would be paralyzed for a long time, and it would still be unable to avoid being submerged by the beast tide.

Now, having Shi Geng wear the Lin Yuan Zhe's robes is the best choice.

Morgan sighed softly, his gaze complex, a faint prayer remaining in his heart.

I just hope...

Charles stood on the other side, his eyes swirling with resentment and ruthlessness.

On what grounds?

Why should everyone place their hopes on a lowly commoner?

He is the leader of the Light and Shadow Society and the biological son of City Lord Morgan. The position of Lighthouse should rightfully belong to him. However, his father favors Mark, an outsider, and now even the power of the Abyss Walker, which can determine the fate of the Lighthouse, is being handed over to a guy who is completely out of control.

The more she thought about it, the stronger the jealousy and hatred in her heart became.

Mark's existence has robbed him of the attention and voice that should have been his, and now even a commoner is trampling him underfoot.

That power of the Abyss should have belonged to Charles, to the Light and Shadow Society, and to the future Lord of the Lighthouse!

Leaving aside how Charles was secretly going crazy in the conference room, on the other side, Shi Gen had already followed Dr. Carrie onto the narrow corridor leading to the deep forbidden zone of the lighthouse.

The deeper they went, the dimmer the lights became. The alloy walls gleamed with a cold, hard metallic sheen. The air was filled with a strange smell, a mixture of disinfectant and some unknown biological substance. It was so quiet that only the sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty passage.

This is one of the most secluded areas of the lighthouse. Apart from Carrie and a few core researchers, almost no one sets foot here. Even the city defense forces are not allowed to approach it at will.

Dr. Carrie walked ahead, her tone almost indifferent: "The Abyss-Bearers have been sealed away for too long, and their condition is unknown. I can apply to Morgan to use a batch of Dust People infected with Scarlet Disease for preliminary experiments."

She paused, glanced at Shi Geng, and behind her glasses, her gaze held the unique obsession and composure of a scientist: "Although they will most likely be rejected, at least we can first measure its synchronization threshold, rejection level, and basic data..."

"No need, let's get started."

Shi Geng interrupted decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

Using unrelated people to test the waters?

It's meaningless to him; it's just a waste of time.

The backlash that others couldn't withstand doesn't mean he can't.

Just because others can't control a force doesn't mean he can't.

Carrie paused for a moment, then regained her composure and nodded. "Alright, that'll save you trouble. I hope you can successfully control the Abyssbrough; the fate of the Lighthouse rests on your shoulders."