Chapter 15: The Power of Species

The research and development at Solar Corona Company encountered some obstacles.

Specifically, the progress in the CoBIS1 laboratory was lagging far behind expectations. In fact, projects in other laboratories were progressing smoothly, and even the joint project with New York University Ochsner Laboratory had made some headway. However, the CoBIS1 lab, led by the elite and largest team under Gilbert Gordon, had not made any progress so far.

Over the past period, this laboratory had sent out dozens of bodies of various forms, consuming several test subjects almost daily. The researchers had become so accustomed to these bizarre corpses that they could face them calmly, even continuing to eat without changing their expressions.

At this moment, Bruce sat in the central control platform of the lab, accompanied by Gilbert Gordon, calmly and focusedly observing the experiment. Above him on the wall, a large emblem of a black and golden sun overlapping to form a corona loomed, like a majestic king overseeing the earth.

This was a logo specially designed for Solar Corona Company by a top Visual Identity design firm, costing a significant amount. It included a complete set of visual symbols and identification systems. This system helped to enhance the employees' sense of identity and belonging, providing strong psychological support.

Almost everyone who saw the Solar Corona Company's logo could feel its imposing aura and profound significance, involving visual symbols, psychological suggestions, and subconscious elements.

As the data on various dynamic displays fell silent again, it was clear that another attempt at injecting the genetic reagent had failed.

"I'm sorry, Boss, I've let you down," said Gilbert Gordon, his face dark, eyes fixed on the screen, as if trying to discern the cause of the failure.

"Relax, Gilbert. Remember, you're still one of the best scientists. Like you always tell everyone, scientific research never ends," Bruce reassured him, not showing much disappointment. Instead, he closed the documents in his hand and stood up to comfort Gilbert.

Thanks to the efforts of shadow demon Ray Stein, Marcus, and others, more and more new demons were joining his ranks. These demons provided a rich variety of genetic reagent synthesis materials for the CoBIS1 laboratory. However, to date, no combination had successfully sustained itself in the test subjects' bodies — even the greatly weakened synthetic reagents led to the collapse of all test subjects.

Was it because the test subjects were too fragile to withstand the powerful force of the demonic reagents?

Bruce didn't think so.

On the surface, Earth's life forms, dominated by humans, seemed simple and fragile. But at a microscopic level, the human body was far more complex than one could imagine.

For many years, humanity tirelessly sought to answer one question: What magical force allowed life to maintain its species characteristics during reproduction, while also producing differences within a species and among individuals?

Taking humans as an example, why could reproduction ensure basic uniform characteristics, yet individuals differed so much, like the wondrous variations in eyes, ears, mouths, and noses that were visible to the naked eye?

The Human Genome Project, along with the Manhattan Atomic Bomb Project and the Apollo Program, were known as the three great scientific endeavors.

Governments, institutions, businesses, and scientists from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and China, participated in this project. On June 26, 2000, the rough draft of the human genome was completed.

It's worth noting that Gilbert Gordon had also participated in this project.

Such a complex human body, even with the assistance of demonic knowledge, could not be easily unraveled to discover its true mysteries.

The entire human community, countless scientists, had been researching for nearly half a century, and yet, what they had learned was still limited. What did the earth's scientists think of this now?

Oxford University in the UK published the latest research findings, suggesting that only 8.2% of human DNA plays a significant role, with the rest being evolutionary remnants, akin to the appendix – of no benefit to the human body, yet not harmful either. The head of the research, Dr. Gurton Lunter, even said, "The vast majority of DNA in the human body doesn't play a crucial role; it merely occupies space."

Is this the truth? Is the majority of human DNA within us of little use?

Bruce believes the opposite. These unexplored DNAs are just more mysterious, indicating the immense untapped potential of humans.

"But all the experimental data show no signs of success. Humans... are just too fragile!" said Gilbert Gordon, slightly frustrated. Undergoing a transformation into a demonic constitution due to Bruce's bloodline parasitism, he was starting to feel detached from the human race deep inside.

"Gilbert! Never underestimate any species you don't fully understand. You don't know its potential, especially a species that dominates the food chain of a planet!" Bruce said solemnly, turning his head to look at his newly created bloodline descendant, his eyes flickering with a hint of golden flames.

"I'm sorry, Boss!" Gilbert's face stiffened as he respectfully lowered his head.

"Think about it from another angle, Gilbert. Is the synthetic gene reagent the only way?" Bruce returned to his calm state, pondering as he watched the busy researchers below. "Use your expertise, stimulate your thinking. Don't forget, you are an outstanding scientist."

"Boss, are you saying... to achieve more delicate gene modification through artificial intervention?" Gilbert Gordon pondered.

"To fully leverage the power of human science, this is an era of a technological explosion." Gilbert Gordon's transformation from human to demon had been so rapid he almost forgot his own profession. This was not what Bruce intended, but fortunately, after being reminded, he finally came to realization.

It seemed a bit ironic: a pure-blood demon lord advocating for science, while a human-born scientist turned into a demon bloodline started to believe more in simple, brute force.

But if you live long enough, you'll understand - every success has its reasons. The difference lies in whether you are adept at utilizing this fact.

Indeed, if direct genetic reagents are difficult to progress with for now, then why not try two approaches simultaneously, experimenting with smaller-scale, more subtle gene modifications. In a way, this was also another form of trial with reduced dosage combinations.