Evolving infinitely from ground zero

Shen Qinghan followed Yuan Dongzhi into a testing room up ahead.

Not long after, she returned.

“That was quick?”

Lin Zichen was a bit puzzled.

Shen Qinghan, pressing on her arm with a cotton swab, sat down next to him and said, “As soon as I went in, they just drew three tubes of blood from me, and then they let me out to wait for the results.”

“Gosh, drawing three tubes of blood, that’s a lot—who can stand that?”

Li Chuxin, who was close by, felt scared just hearing it and couldn’t help but complain.

Shen Qinghan gave a wry smile: “Indeed, it’s unbearable, my hand is even feeling a bit numb now.”

He Yu also found it strange: “Logically speaking, for a retest, one tube of blood should be enough. I don’t understand why they needed to draw three tubes.”

While they were talking, the team leader teacher came over to inquire about what was going on, curious why a leader from the Provincial Department of Education had suddenly come to find Shen Qinghan.

Lin Zichen answered for Shen Qinghan, saying that the results of the test were a bit abnormal and needed to be retested.

As for the specifics, he didn’t elaborate to the team leader teacher.

As time ticked by.

Soon, the genetic fusion adaptability tests at the whole base were completed.

Almost at the same time, Yuan Dongzhi came out of the test room.

Now, the expression on her face was clearly different from before. It was no longer the aloofness she had when she first arrived at the base, but instead a look of excitement and agitation, with a faint smile on her lips.

“Principal Yuan.”

Seeing Yuan Dongzhi approaching, the team leader teacher from Shanhai High School immediately stood up straight and called out somewhat nervously.

Lin Zichen and the others followed suit and greeted her as well.

Yuan Dongzhi toned down the smile on her face and said to the team leader teacher from Shanhai High School, “I have some matters to attend to with student Shen Qinghan next. You go ahead and take the other examinees back to school. Once I’m done here, I’ll arrange for someone to take her home.”

“I understand, Principal Yuan.”

The team leader teacher from Shanhai High School replied and then turned around to leave, organizing the students who had completed the genetic fusion adaptability test and were not participating in the afternoon’s mechanical transformation adaptability test to board the bus and head back to school.

Seeing this, He Yu and Li Chuxin followed the team leader teacher and left.

Lin Zichen did not leave; he wanted to stay at the base to accompany Shen Qinghan.

Yuan Dongzhi looked at Shen Qinghan and said, “Shen Qinghan, come with me, let’s talk inside.”

Shen Qinghan murmured her acknowledgment and followed her into the director’s office.

Lin Zichen waited quietly outside, using his phone to explain the situation to Zhang Wanxin and Xu Meng, telling the two mothers that he and Shen Qinghan would be home late.

Inside the director’s office.

Yuan Dongzhi, shedding her usual aloof demeanor and wearing a smile, said, “Student Shen Qinghan, the results are out—all three tubes show 21%.”

Hearing this, Shen Qinghan finally felt the heavy weight in her heart drop.

During the time she had waited outside, she had been very worried, very frightened.

Frightened that the results would come out to be not 21%, implying the previous 21% was a mistake and the actual score was not even 10%.

Yuan Dongzhi continued, “The results of the genetic fusion adaptability tests for the entire Nanjiang Province are out, and your 21% stands out, a full 6% higher than the second place.”

“To be honest, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes that it was retested three times, I wouldn’t believe that this 21% is real.”

“After all, the highest record since the existence of the college entrance exam was only 18%, and many experts have guessed that humans’ adaptability to the exotic beast gene might not surpass 20%.”

“However, the score you received today has completely overturned this notion, and it is astonishing. Once it’s made public, it will definitely cause a sensation across the country.”

“But, your score is a bit too exaggerated to be released.”

“So, I’ve just revised it to 16%, just enough to surpass the second place’s 15%, allowing you to retain the title of provincial top scorer.”

Yuan Dongzhi took a sip of tea and continued, “You must have heard about that genius from the Capital City who has been hyped up for many years, right?”

“Yes, I have heard of him,” Shen Qinghan nodded and replied.

Putting down her tea cup, Yuan Dongzhi said, “That Capital City genius is known almost nationwide, but what many don’t know is that because of his high profile, he has been constantly attacked by Heretical Sect members since he was young, once even nearly losing his life.”

“It is only because of his family’s strong background providing enough protection that he could withstand such attacks. If it were the child of an ordinary family, they might have been attacked by Heretical Sect members so many times that by now the grass on their graves would be two meters high.”

“The mechanical genius girl marketed along with him is a prime example.”

“News reports say that this mechanical genius girl’s body failed due to premature mechanical transformation.”

“But the truth of the matter is, she was attacked by Heretical Sect members and was cut in two. If not for the Machine God Corporation’s intervention, she would have been long gone.”

Yuan Dongzhi cautioned, “I told you all this to make a point: being the provincial top scorer is indeed a proud achievement, but it’s best if only you and your family know. Don’t over publicize it to avoid attracting the attention of the Heretical Sect members, understand?”

Shen Qinghan nodded, “I understand.”

This was the first time she had heard about these hidden truths.

These things had never been mentioned in the news.

Before today, she had always thought the news was transparent, with many reports about the Exotic Beasts being quite thorough.

Unexpectedly, she was still too naive; many things were not disclosed to the public.

The world was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.

But she couldn’t understand: What was there to hide about a Heretical Sect attack?

Was there some secret that couldn’t be exposed?

She couldn’t figure it out at all.

Forget it, when she got home, she would tell Xiao Chen and let Xiao Chen think about it…

Shen Qinghan silently thought to herself.

Lin Zichen was her childhood friend and her encyclopedia; as long as she didn’t understand something, she could just ask Lin Zichen.

Since childhood, she had always relied on Lin Zichen more than her own parents.

“All right, we’ve talked enough; it’s time for the main issue.”

Yuan Dongzhi’s expression turned serious.

The main issue? What main issue?

Shen Qinghan was first puzzled, then anxious, as she sat up straight.

Yuan Dongzhi didn’t beat around the bush and cut to the chase, “Your Genetic Fusion talent is very high, and I want to take you as my disciple.”

“Ah?” Shen Qinghan was stunned.

Yuan Dongzhi didn’t explain too much, merely saying indifferently, “As my disciple, the feat I performed outside the base, walking on the waves, you will be able to do it easily in the future.”

“This is too sudden; I’m not psychologically prepared at all; can I think about it…”

Shen Qinghan said weakly.

She couldn’t make up her mind and wanted to ask Lin Zichen for his opinion before making a decision.

However, Yuan Dongzhi’s personality was very dominant, as she unilaterally decided,

“There’s nothing to consider. Being my disciple will only bring benefits, no drawbacks.”

“From this moment on, you and I are master and apprentice.”

“I hold positions both as Minister of the Nanjiang Provincial Education Headquarters and as Vice Chancellor of Shanhai University. You will attend Shanhai University.”

Having said all this independently, Yuan Dongzhi then asked Shen Qinghan, “Do you have anything to say?”

Shen Qinghan opened her mouth to say something but realized she didn’t know what to say.

In the end, she could only purse her lips and give a feeble shake of her head, “No…”

Her personality had always been on the meeker side, and under Yuan Dongzhi’s imposing dominance, she confusedly acknowledged this master.

“I don’t like complications, and I prefer to keep things simple; therefore, a verbal agreement on our master-disciple relationship will suffice. There’s no need for a formal apprenticeship ceremony,”

Yuan Dongzhi finished and took out her mobile phone to open WeChat, then said, “Come, let’s add each other on WeChat.”

Shen Qinghan obediently took out her phone, opened her WeChat QR code for her to scan.

After adding each other as friends, Shen Qinghan felt dazed, unsure of what she had just done.

Despite knowing very little about Yuan Dongzhi, she had inexplicably accepted the other as her master.

It was all so hasty…

Shen Qinghan felt extremely frustrated inside, thinking she was too soft-hearted, being led by the nose from start to finish, never knowing how to refuse.

“Oh, besides you, I have another disciple.”

“She entered the fold ten years before you, but she is about your age, also a girl; you two should get along well.”

“However, she is not currently here, and where she is, electronic devices can’t be used. It’s estimated that she won’t be able to return for a while. I’ll arrange for you two to meet when there’s an opportunity.”

“I have her picture on my phone; I’ll send it to you so you can see what she looks like.”

As she spoke, Yuan Dongzhi sent a photo to Shen Qinghan over WeChat.

Curious, Shen Qinghan clicked on the photo, and saw a tall girl of her age.

The girl had snow-white hair, a stern look with an oppressive gaze in her eyes, and was holding a bloodied spear in her hand. At her feet lay an Exotic Beast, its body larger than an elephant, giving the image a striking impact.

Shen Qinghan did not recognize the Exotic Beast in the photo, but she felt a strong sense of familiarity with the white-haired girl.

The moment she saw her, memories from second grade of elementary school suddenly surged from the depths of her mind.

Is this… Bai Xue?

Staring blankly at the girl in the photo, Shen Qinghan’s face was filled with disbelief.

PS: Begging for monthly and recommendation tickets!