Chapter: 208

"Baymax, how are the results of the experiment? Does the 'Key' virus induced and bred exhibit the predetermined genetic characteristics?"

"Master, you already know the results, don't you? No information can escape your awareness. Informationized vision allows you to instantly analyze all the features of the 'Key' virus comprehensively."

"You know me well, Baymax. Scientists don't believe in 'seeing is believing'; they believe that 'practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.' Don't forget about this principle."

"But considering your understanding, Master, your confidence is enough to break all these 'scientific principles.' Just like how you never adhere to the 'Safety Regulations' and always use yourself as the first test subject for clinical trials."

"But am I not the only test subject? And so far, I'm still alive and well without any accidents.

Besides, you need to consider, when the items being experimented on are things like Extremis virus, Heaven's Eye virus, and the 'Key' virus, they either turn people into 'angels' or condemn them to become demons.

Adhering to the so-called 'Safety Regulations' is the most unsafe thing to do. You wouldn't understand this if you haven't watched 'Resident Evil'."

If this experimental subject, other than me, escapes uncontrollably from the laboratory, it will become a source of contamination for all biological genes."

"You always manage to counter my arguments, Master. It seems that Baymax still needs to continue evolving."

"Don't worry, the programming of your core intelligence is already on my schedule. Once I unlock the genetic lock and strengthen my body, the brain utilization rate will also increase, and then I'll have time to deal with this project!"

"Then, Master, if you are ready, please enter the nutrient hibernation pod.

I have already injected the 'Key' virus into the nutrient solution. The 'Project Deity Creation' can be initiated at any time."

"Hahaha, it seems like you're quite eager, Baymax. Previously, you wanted me to follow the 'Safety Regulations,' constantly reminding me of the danger of using myself as a test subject. Now, when it comes to your own program evolution, your attitude has changed so noticeably. It seems that the emotional engine upgrade I gave you was very successful, as you are now able to recognize yourself and start considering your own well-being."

Mark didn't worry or get angry at Baymax's small display of "selfishness." On the contrary, he felt happy. If Baymax had always been a flawless entity that only selflessly dedicated itself, it could never evolve into an intelligent life form.

Because an entity that doesn't prioritize its own survival goes against the instincts of life. The self-interest demonstrated by Baymax just now is a sign of its gradual evolution.

Of course, this so-called "selfishness" is only one aspect of the evolutionary manifestation. As Baymax's core intelligence continues to improve, it will also acquire richer emotions and desires.

Just like selfish humans, whose genes also carry a genetic impulse for self-sacrifice. Sometimes, this is the result of kin selection, aiming to pass down their own genes, just as parents are willing to sacrifice their lives for their children.

Other times, this self-sacrificial genetic impulse has no connection to kinship. It could be a war hero sacrificing themselves for peace or a naturalist completing the sublimation of life for a completely different species.

It is precisely because of this complexity and contradiction that the existence of life appears vibrant and full of vitality. For Baymax, its path of evolution still has a long way to go.

However, once Baymax completes its own life-level upgrade and becomes an intelligent life form, it will reach the state of quantum life earlier than Mark. Mark can also obtain richer data from it, making his own evolutionary path smoother.

"Baymax is not only concerned about its core upgrade, but Baymax believes that, just like every previous experiment, you will triumph and achieve success, Master.

Moreover, based on the collected experimental data so far, all the settings conform to your calculations and analysis conclusions.

Please don't misunderstand Baymax—"

"You've even learned to be cute and coaxing, Baymax. Today, you've given me quite a few surprises. It seems that your evolution speed, after the previous upgrade, far exceeds my imagination. The Mind Stone truly lives up to being the Infinity stone of the Marvel Universe.

Even just a segment of programming derived from its data has such miraculous effects. It's no wonder it led to the birth of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, as well as later on, Ultron and Vision.

Rest assured, I'm not only happy with your performance just now, but I also have no blame whatsoever.

I need to prepare for the experiment quickly. Double-check all the equipment settings, nutrient solution ratios, and inventory. Once confirmed, we'll start the experiment immediately."

"All equipment has been checked, nutrient solution ratios have been verified, inventory has been confirmed, and the production room equipment has been activated. Once the nutrient solution is running low, we can replenish it at any time.

Everything is ready. Should we start the experiment?"

"Begin the experiment! Initiate the 'Project Deity Creation' program—"

"The program has been initiated. Injection of the 'Key' virus is complete. The detection system has locked the virus's position. The genetic lock is about to be opened. Due to the intense pain involved in the transformation, I will connect you to the virtual reality, Master. Should I proceed?"

"Execute! Oh, and activate the cooling system of the nutrient hibernation chamber. Almost forgot, I have undergone the Extremis transformation. If my self-healing function is activated during the process of unlocking the genetic lock, it would melt down the entire hibernation chamber, resulting in the failure of the experiment. That would be quite a joke..."

...

The transformation experiment began after the injection of the nutrient solution. The 'Key' virus swiftly invaded every cell in Mark's body along with the infiltration of the nutrient solution.

The genetic material, encased in protein shells, was released and continuously transcribed new genetic DNA within the cells.

These genetic materials seemed to possess self-awareness. After assembly within the cells, they began targeted attacks on Mark's existing gene chains.

Under the powerful assault, the fragile gene links quickly became fragmented. This presented an excellent opportunity for the transcribed genetic materials from the 'Key' virus.

They voluntarily replaced the gene sequences in the gene chains and joined the broken double-stranded structures. When every cell in Mark's body completed this replacement, the experiment was successfully accomplished.

The newly generated gene sequence, referencing Frigga's genetic sample, fully unlocked the genetic lock during the virus breeding process, precisely adjusted according to experimental conditions. The replaced gene sequences were, in fact, fragments of Mark's gene lock.

As the experiment progressed, the gene chains suffered attacks and damage from the 'Key' virus. This stimulated the body's immune response and self-healing mechanism, as Mark had anticipated.

Mark's body attempted to eliminate the invading 'Key' virus by constantly raising the body temperature. However, this mechanism had no effect. As a newly bred virus strain derived from the Extremis virus, it inherited certain characteristics, including high-temperature resistance.

If Mark's body temperature could be raised to 4,000 degrees Celsius or higher, it would undoubtedly exterminate the 'Key' virus.

Unfortunately, Mark's body temperature limit could only reach a maximum of 3,000 degrees Celsius. Beyond that, the terminal enzymes in his body would prevent further increase as per the refined repair algorithm, to avoid the risk of self-destruction due to excessive temperature.

However, the automatic regulation of the body does not consider the success rate. Since the virus could not be eliminated, it was assumed that the current temperature was not high enough. As a result, the central repair center in the brain would send instructions to continue raising the body temperature.

Thus, throughout the entire transformation process, Mark's body temperature could be described as constantly energized. After continuous elevation in the early stages, it eventually stabilized at 3,000 degrees Celsius. If it weren't for Mark's foresight in ordering Baymax to activate the cooling system of the nutrient hibernation chamber in advance, the experiment might have indeed failed.

Moreover, Mark encountered difficulties beyond the body temperature issue. The increase in body temperature was merely a reaction caused by the body's immune system. The real obstacle to the entire transformation process was Mark's extraordinary self-healing ability after the Extremis transformation.

Under the scheduling of the repair center, self-healing factors continuously arrived within the cells, repairing the damaged genes. This meant that the gene links, which had been painstakingly broken by the 'Key' virus, were restored to their original state in less than a second, greatly reducing the efficiency of the transformation process.

Fortunately, Baymax detected this issue through real-time monitoring of Mark's body. It immediately injected an inhibitor for self-healing factors into the nutrient solution and temporarily deactivated the runes on the nanobots. This allowed the 'Key' virus to finally accomplish its mission smoothly.

The entire transformation process, which involved altering every gene in Mark's body, took a total of five days and four nights to complete the replacement of all gene sequences. The genetic lock within Mark's body was truly opened.

However, this was not the end of the transformation project. Opening the genetic lock was merely the first step in the entire process.

After unlocking the genetic lock, the internal potential of Mark himself was freed. However, to truly manifest the changes it brought, time was needed for the internal genes to be expressed externally through Mark's body's metabolism.

During this process, through the unraveling and replication of the entirely new genes, new cells would continue to multiply, while aging cells would gradually be eliminated through the process of metabolism. Eventually, Mark's body would undergo a complete renewal, becoming a vessel that could adapt well to the new genes and bear the brand-new abilities brought by unlocking the genetic lock—magic sensing and magic absorption.

Of course, Mark wouldn't simply let the body undergo natural metabolism to complete this final transformation process. As a man who had been continuously enhanced since birth, he naturally sought ways to shorten the entire process.

Therefore, after unlocking the genetic lock, following the modification process predetermined by Mark, Baymax connected the nutrient hibernation chamber to a high-voltage current of 1,200 volts and 22 amperes.

Since the new cells were influenced by gene expression, their strength and energy-carrying capacity significantly increased. Hence, such a high-voltage current would have no effect on them.

However, the old cells couldn't reach such intensity levels. In a situation where all self-healing abilities were completely suppressed, these cells would be eliminated by the high-voltage current.

In this way, Mark could rapidly complete the entire replacement process and shape a completely new physical form through this screening method.

Once Mark's entire body completed the renewal, Baymax immediately activated the self-healing mechanism and runes within him, allowing the new cells to receive nourishment and energy replenishment. At the same time, the nutrient solution was injected with a virus inhibitor. The 'Key' virus within Mark's body was suppressed and would gradually lose its activity, ultimately being eliminated by the immune system.

Under a meticulously designed and intricately structured transformation process, after enduring numerous difficulties and challenges, Mark finally completed the first step of the Project Deity Creation, unlocking his own genetic lock.

This also meant that he would completely break free from the dependence on the Ark Reactor for energy and the medium dependency on Uru. He would embark on a new chapter in the realm of dark energy, opening up new possibilities...

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