novelThe Derived Path
| ← Ch.076 | Ch.078 → |
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Genes had 0, 1, 2, 3 and other numerical tiers in sequence.
The road of the interstellar cultivator was also the path of gene evolution. With each upgrade of their genes, it would bring their vitality a step closer to that of mythological beings.
In Ancient Earth Era, every single primitive creature was a dictator of the food chain: dinosaurs, gigantic apes, terrifying alligators...
Having awakened tier-1 gene meant that you had achieved power which rivaled those primitive creatures, standing on top of the food chain as they had done.
Hence, if tier-0 gene was the foundation to gene evolution—also known as basic genes—then, tier-1 gene would be the primeval genes.
Even then, this couldn't be considered anything at transcendent level.
What would count as transcendent?
The power and lifespan which surpassed an average human being!
Power alone would not be enough. If their longevity didn't increase, then their vitality tier wouldn't have the ability to leap. No matter how strong one was, even if they could crush a planet with a single punch, it would still be insignificant and irrelevant after a hundred years.
As for power, it was nothing more than fabrication.
There was a saying in ancient cultivation: cultivation had to be done with a healthy mindset and for a proper purpose; otherwise, it will be nothing more than sickness in itself.
As a qualified interstellar cultivator, cultivation of both character and physical health was indispensable. Strengthening both power and lifespan was the true cultivation art, capable of reaching into the essence of life.
If tier-1 gene was the beginning of becoming the dictator of ancient creatures, then tier-2 was the first step toward the path of transcendence.
Once a person entered the realm of tier-2 gene, their lifespan will be boosted by at least 300 years, tripling what it would have been. Only at this stage could a person be considered transcendent.
That was why tier-2 gene was also known as transcendent genes.
Without a doubt, Sun Wukong's path was the mythological path in which Feng Lin was on.
Every tier in the mythological path had its corresponding gene. Stone Monkey Gene was its first tier, then what would be the second?
To continue with the next step of his cultivation, he would have to figure that out first.
The road along this mythological path would require analysis of the stories of legends, deducing from each step of the mythological character's growth and experience.
These stories dictated the cultivation path, but derivating it would require genetic potential.
For example, Feng Lin knew that as the Creation God of Chinese Mythology, Pan Gu's mythological path would be invincible. However, the path to its genetic evolution would require an immense amount of genetic potential.
He knew that the peak of this path was Pan Gu genetics, but he didn't have a clue about its genetic tree nor the genes and combination at each tier.
Step by step, one would have to deduce every gene from the top to bottom and combine them. The genetic potential expended was simply too great for him to handle.
From the moment he awakened Monkey Gene and Stonebirth Gene, Feng Lin had thought that Sun Wukong was the best and only path he could've taken.
Or perhaps, he could wait until his vitality had strengthened again before ditching the restrictions of Sun Wukong's path and head onto one which was filled with infinite possibilities and freedom.
That being said, this was something that was far into the future. The matter at hand was far more urgent. Only after he had completed the task ahead, taking each step at a time and shaken himself off the clutches of his destiny, could he have a shot at achieving his freedom.
Otherwise, all these would be nothing more than fantasy.
In mythological tales, the power of saints and gods grew exponentially as one's experience grew. The inherited gene would likewise grow stronger step by step.
Feng Lin's flexible genetic points were sufficient and could be a supplement at any time. Even so, if he didn't understand the direction of his own evolution and added points rashly, then he would only end up harming himself.
After all, genetics had a rule of strengthening with no regrets. He didn't want to find himself at a dead end of his cultivation because of a moment of impatience.
Feng Lin began searching for the next step of his genetic evolution.
For a regular person, it would be difficult to find out the next step they should take without another person's guidance.
However, genetic cultivation followed the mythological path.
Feng Lin had the knowledge of Ancient Earth's mythology and could use it as his guide, taking away the risk of losing direction.
Using his knowledge in mythologies to choose his path and having genetic equation to deduce the possibilities, it could be said that these two components complemented each other. Feng Lin could guarantee that he would never be led astray as long as he used his ability wisely. His cultivation route appeared incomparably bright.
After Stonebirth Gene, what gene would follow on Sun Wukong's path?
Feng Lin speculated that it was the Spiritual Stone Monkey Gene at first but wasn't sure what was the difference between that and the Stone Monkey Gene.
He had a great grasp on mythologies, but that was based on how the stories were recorded. Perhaps the details from reality had been erased bit by bit through the passage of time and would require one to explore them a step at a time.
After all, he wasn't the real Sun Wukong and as such, he wouldn't know every single detail of the true mythological tale.
The only thing Feng Lin knew was that Sun Wukong's mythological path would have a tier which involved Sun Wukong Gene and that its tier-0 gene was made up of Monkey Gene and Stonebirth Gene. Tier-1 included Stone Monkey Gene, but he didn't know anything about the rest.
That was why he first assumed that tier-2 gene in this cultivation path was Sun Wukong Gene and regarded Stone Monkey Gene as the known variable. He then tried to solve it with the genetic equation.
However, there were no changes to his genetic equation, and the genetic potential remained stagnant as well without deduction.
Why was that?
Wasn't the activation of genetic equation supposed to reduce genetic potential?
Feng Lin was confused; this was the first time genetic equation had failed.
However, after calming down, he thought it through. Genetic equation had always been useful before; it wasn't possible that it would fail now.
This didn't make sense!
He speculated.
It seemed like Sun Wukong Gene wasn't tier-2's transcendent gene but an even higher level gene.
The disparity between their genetic grades was too great and couldn't be combined directly. This was why genetic equation wasn't able to do its work.
Regarding Sun Wukong Gene's abilities, he could only explore it further in the future.
Every myth and legend was a path to Godhood!
These myths and legends were the starting points in figuring out the cultivation path.
Sun Wukong's story followed his growth and experience. In legend, his power would grow stronger continuously.
Feng Lin thought back on Sun Wukong's experience and recalled that before he had respected the Patriarch Subhuti as his Master and got his name, he was known as the Handsome Monkey King from Flowerfruit Mountain.
The transcendent characteristic from his stint as Handsome Monkey King must be within gene inheritance as well.
Could his tier-2 gene be the Monkey King Gene?
This time, Feng Lin assumed that Monkey King Gene was the tier-2 gene of Sun Wukong's path and once again used Stone Monkey Gene as the known variable before seeking the result.
Even so, the genetic equation didn't move just like before.
This meant this genetic evolution path still had a discrepancy in grades and wasn't able to be combined directly.
Monkey King Gene was higher than tier-2 in this case, and there were lower genetic tiers below it.
Feng Lin began combing through Sun Wukong's legend from the beginning again.
Birthed as a Spiritual Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong was naturally more agile and majestic than other monkeys; rays of golden light swept across all directions when he was born. He conquered the kingdom of monkey and became the Handsome Monkey King before attaining Path of Longevity. He traveled a long distance before saluting Patriarch Subhuti as his Master and got the name Sun Wukong... In the end, He wreaked havoc in Heavenly Palace and proclaimed himself as the Great Sage Equal to Heavens.
Feng Lin was ceaseless in recalling the story, and his mind seemed to clear up.
According to his knowledge, Monkey King Gene could possibly be a tier-3 gene while Sun Wukong Gene could be a tier-4 or tier-5 gene.
That left only one possibility for the tier-2 gene. That was the Spiritual Stone Monkey Gene which Feng Lin just remembered.
Why didn't he try that from the beginning?
His mind screamed, wasn't Stone Monkey the same as Spiritual Stone Monkey?
Feng Lin thought they were the same, with only a difference in the way they were named.
It seemed that wasn't true.
Myths were just an overall route; there were many unknown secrets within it.
Proficiency in these legends only allowed Feng Lin to build upon it. Even with the clear knowledge of the path, details within it still required intricate analysis.
Feng Lin began to infer from this, using Spiritual Stone Monkey Gene as the target and the Stone Monkey Gene as the variable.
The nebula energy began moving into the genetic map.
As expected, there was a movement!
Feng Lin felt a burst of glee; the reduction in genetic potential meant that Spiritual Monkey King Gene was indeed the evolution of Stone Monkey Gene.
Genetic potential -20%, -20%, -20%...
Like a deluge, his genetic potential reduced by 180% rapidly.
This expenditure hit Feng Lin hard. It was as though with every upgrade in tier, the evolution formula would become more complicated as well, expending even more potential than before.
It seemed he would have to earn more genetic potential in the near future,
Finally, after his genetic potential reduced by 320%, three nebulas broke.
A clear path of genetic combination appeared before his eyes.
There was only one genetic formula.
Feng Lin looked up in surprise before his expression turned strange.
Stone Monkey Gene x 10 + Spirit Gene x 10 = Spiritual Stone Monkey Gene???
...
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