“Xiao Chen, I heard from your mom that you joined the school’s Martial Arts Team. How do you feel about it?”

Lin Zichen had just returned home when Lin Yansheng asked from the living room.

That afternoon after school, he had called Zhang Wanxin to say that he joined the Martial Arts Team and would be coming home later, so his parents already knew.

“It’s good. After class I can work up a sweat and train my body.”

Lin Zichen replied while taking off his shoes.

Lin Yansheng asked again, “Xiao Chen, whether it’s academics or athletics, you’re very gifted. Have you thought about which path you want to take in the future?”

“I think my athletic talent is greater than my academic one and martial arts has a promising future. Once I get to high school, I’ll enter the Martial Arts Class to train.” Lin Zichen said without hesitation.

In this world, the education system did not include martial arts classes before high school.

Because training too early affected physical development.

Only in high school, when students’ bodies were more developed, did schools open Martial Arts Classes.

Before then, students mainly studied academics.

But there were also courses about Gene Fusers, Cyborgs and Aberrant Beasts, ensuring a balanced education.

“What a coincidence, your mom and I also wanted you to practice martial arts. Seems we’re all in agreement as a family.” Lin Yansheng smiled with relief.

In a world constantly threatened by Aberrant Beasts, all else was secondary to martial arts.

Only by strengthening the body through martial arts could one withstand the backlash of genetic fusion or mechanical augmentation and become a high-level Gene Fuser or Cyborg.

“By the way, where’s Mom?”

“Your mom went out with Aunt Meng to buy groceries. She said since it’s Friday, we’ll all get together tonight.”

“No wonder I didn’t see her around.”

Lin Zichen nodded and quickly went upstairs to shower.

Training had left him sweaty and sticky, uncomfortable.

* * *

In the bathroom.

After showering, Lin Zichen dried off and stood in front of the mirror, examining himself.

Though he trained hard daily, his muscles weren’t bulky like a bodybuilder’s, but lean and solid.

The type to look thin with clothes on, but muscular without.

‘Perfect, an ideal build.’

He was very satisfied looking at his reflection.

On a whim, he began practicing punches and kicks in front of the mirror.

[You are practicing punches: Vitality +1, Hand Muscle Strength +1, Hand Flexibility +1, Punch Proficiency +1]

[You are practicing kicks: Vitality +1, Leg Muscle Strength +1, Leg Flexibility +1, Kick Proficiency +1]

Before long, voices drifted up from downstairs, filled with laughter.

It was Zhang Wanxin and Xu Meng, back from shopping.

He also heard Shen Jianye and Shen Qinghan’s voices.

The whole family had arrived for dinner.

Seeing everyone together, Lin Zichen got dressed and went downstairs.

In the kitchen, the two mothers were cooking. The two fathers chatted at the tea table. Shen Qinghan sat on the sofa diligently working through her test papers.

Hearing Lin Zichen’s footsteps, Shen Qinghan looked up and teased, “Xiao Chen, your shower took forever. I’ve been here half an hour already.”

“Not too long.”

Lin Zichen sat next to her, casually scrolling through news on his phone.

It was current events, checking on situations across the country.

Before long, Shen Qinghan leaned in mysteriously, “Xiao Chen, guess what my mom and Aunt Xin bought? You’ll never guess.”

“Hairy crabs?”

“Nope.”

“Lobster?”

“Wrong again.”

“Then I give up.”

“I knew you couldn’t guess!” Shen Qinghan grinned triumphantly, “It’s Ghost Shadow Squid meat — three jin!”

Ghost Shadow Squid meat?

Lin Zichen was shocked.

From the kitchen, Lin Yansheng explained, “Your mom knew you and Hanhan wanted some, so she had Aunt Meng buy it with her.”

Hearing that, Lin Zichen felt a strange emotion.

He went to the kitchen, where Zhang Wanxin was busy and said, “Mom, let me help.”

Shen Qinghan followed to help as well.

* * *

By 8:30 p.m., dinner was ready.

Though later than usual, everyone agreed the wait was worth it when they saw the feast of eight dishes and one soup.

“Xiao Chen, this Ghost Shadow Squid meat smells amazing and it’s so chewy! Delicious!”

Shen Qinghan, glowing with happiness, put a piece of squid meat into Lin Zichen’s bowl.

He tried it and found it truly tasty.

[You have devoured a trace of the Ghost Shadow Squid’s Life Origin]

[Ghost Shadow Squid Compendium: 3.01%]

‘Huh? The Compendium progress bar has gone up?’

He froze in surprise, but then realized it made sense.

If simple contact could devour essence, then eating it would certainly work too.

As he thought this, the TV broadcast caught his attention.

“Genius Girl Shocks the Nation!

At only fourteen, she successfully fused with the Heart of Energy, becoming the youngest Cyborg in the country’s history!

With her energy activated, she can lift a 2000kg SUV with one hand, sprint 100 meters in 3 seconds and leap vertically 8 meters!

The Child Prodigy of Kyoto and now this Genius Girl — two peerless geniuses. Who will reign supreme in this era?

Will Gene Fusion dominate, or will Mechanical Ascension prove unstoppable? Let’s look forward to their future showdown!”

Everyone at the table watched the news intently.

Zhang Wanxin muttered, “Another genius girl? Fourteen and already a cyborg before her body is even grown. What were her parents thinking?”

Lin Yansheng sipped his soup, “Probably trying to replicate the Child Prodigy of Kyoto’s success. That marketing made a fortune. They’re chasing the same.”

Lin Zichen agreed in his mind. These so-called prodigies were just money-making tools.

Making money wasn’t shameful. Easy to understand.

Shen Qinghan’s eyes sparkled as she said with determination, “Xiao Chen, I’ll work hard too. One day, I want us to become peerless geniuses together!”

“Mm, do your best.”

Lin Zichen encouraged her with a gesture.

Watching them, Shen Jianye and Xu Meng felt a pang of sorrow. They worried for Shen Qinghan’s future.

Become peerless geniuses together?

In reality, the gap between them would only grow wider.

But she was still young.

If she could be happy now, let her enjoy the present.

They decided not to overthink it.

Soon, the news switched.

“In Shanhai City’s XX District, the Security Team Captain was killed last night at 11 p.m. in his office, by a giant aberrant rat according to surveillance footage.”

“The Captain, He Chunshan, had served for three years, contributing greatly to district safety. He arrested 19 Rat God Cult followers and helped cyborgs eliminate three giant aberrant rats.”

The report then played interviews with furious Security Team members, vowing vengeance against the Rat God Cult.

Everyone in the house was stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.

The Security Team Captain was dead?

11 o’clock… wasn’t that right after they left the Security Office last night?

Realization sank in and dread filled them all.

Especially Lin Zichen, recalling the rat he saw last night. A chill ran down his spine.