[Five years had passed, and humanity had finally developed Gene Serum 3.5. After injection, the physical strength of the new humans would increase a hundredfold, and they would gain powerful superpowers. Those who injected Gene Serum 3.5 were defined by humanity's chief biologist, Zhao Xian, as the true human transcendent who had unlocked their genetic potential. Their combat abilities were on par with the Zombie Kings.]
[However, while Gene Serum 3.5 appeared to be powerful, it carried great risks. The success rate was only one in a thousand, and after injection, the lifespan did not increase, but rather rapidly declined. This situation was defined by Elder Zhao as a trade-off of life and potential for immense power. Because of these risks, this gene serum was called Gene Serum 3.5, far from reaching the potential of Gene Serum 4.0.]
"Thirty-five years, and all they've come up with is this defective Gene Serum 3.5?" Lu Jie raised an eyebrow.
As expected, the further research into gene serums, like the evolution of zombies, became increasingly difficult.
In the past 35 years, only around a hundred Zombie Kings had emerged, along with a Zombie Emperor that had evolved by devouring numerous fellow Zombie Kings.
Humanity's survival was largely thanks to their defensive strategies and nuclear deterrents, as well as the divisions within the zombie ranks.
The zombies also sought to evolve to higher levels.
Zombie Kings fought amongst themselves, devouring each other in their quest for evolution.
The Zombie Emperor, however, had gained the ability to break through the thick metal foundations of the human base and infiltrate from underground.
Of course, humanity was not without its countermeasures. High-tech surveillance closely monitored subterranean activity, and once high-energy reactions were detected, they would respond with indiscriminate bombing.
But, because the Zombie Emperor resided underground, even nuclear weapons couldn't defeat it. Its power had reached a level where it could withstand nuclear shockwaves.
"Unless something unexpected happens, humanity will have to rely on this defective Gene Serum 3.5," Lu Jie mused.
Relying on nuclear bombs alone would not work forever. The stockpile of nuclear weapons was limited.
Moreover, there were concerns: if too many were used, could the J-virus evolve further due to increased radiation?
The only solution would be to create a few transcendent beings. During a Zombie Emperor's assault, these transcendent beings could intercept it outside the base while the host killed it, ensuring humanity's safety.
[As Lu Jie pondered, humanity was already taking action. Due to the high failure rate of Gene Serum 3.5, few new humans were willing to inject it. The Grand Elder of the Xuan Nation, in desperation, was forced to administer it to soldiers. Out of 100,000 soldiers, only 95 survived, becoming humanity's new trump card and stabilizing the situation.]
[One year later, the earlier transcendent beings either died in battle or from the serum's side effects, and the Grand Elder had no choice but to forcibly inject 300,000 soldiers with Gene Serum 3.5, creating 302 transcendent beings. Due to the ongoing war, only 251 survived.]
[Initially, the Xuan Nation's Elder Council planned to take a gamble and use these 251 transcendent beings to actively attack and destroy the Zombie Emperor and remaining Zombie Kings. However, they hadn't expected that the forced measures over the past two years would cause accumulated tensions within humanity to erupt. Some transcendent beings even defied orders, leading uprisings among the populace. Eventually, humanity descended into chaos.]
[Amid the unexpected internal rebellion, the Xuan Nation's Elder Council was assassinated by the rebellious transcendent beings. Only the more moderate Fifth Elder survived. The Grand Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and Fourth Elder were all killed. The rebellious transcendent beings took control of humanity's biologists, forcing them to develop Gene Serum 4.0 within six months.]
[The Fifth Elder, protected by loyal transcendent beings, fled the Xuan Capital Base and sought refuge at the Water City Base. The Fifth Elder and his followers, enraged by the rebellious actions, began to confront them.]
[For six months, humanity's forces rapidly dwindled as transcendent beings continued to die from the side effects of Gene Serum 3.5. Before the last transcendent being perished, he killed Zhao Xian and the other biologists, accusing them of feigning progress. In his final moments, he recalled the brutal reign of the rebels and the despair that had engulfed humanity in the Xuan Capital Base.]
[When the Fifth Elder learned of Zhao Xian and the others' deaths, he was so enraged that he spat blood and collapsed, lamenting that humanity was doomed. Although the Xuan Capital Base attempted to surrender, humanity was severely weakened, losing its most vital foundation.]
[A week later, sensing that humanity was at its weakest point in history, the Zombie Emperor no longer hesitated, attacking the three major bases day and night. Ultimately, the three major bases fell one by one, and many humans were turned into blood food. A small group of new humans, led by the Fifth Elder, fled to the Frozen Continent.]
Lu Jie watched as the three major bases fell, letting out a deep breath.
Was the Grand Elder wrong?
Perhaps.
But it was an inevitability. Only the transcendent beings had the power to counter the Zombie Kings and the Zombie Emperor.
Without them, the defense would eventually be breached by the Zombie Kings and Zombie Emperor from below.
Yet, the Grand Elder miscalculated human nature.
When the collective strength of humanity grew, it inevitably sowed the seeds of conflict.
This was the apocalypse, so the dangers weren't immediately obvious. But when the entire population was made into new humans and soldiers, tensions began to rise, even if most people suppressed them.
Eventually, the forced measures ignited the powder keg, and the rebellion exploded.
After all, with a survival rate of one in a thousand, who would willingly walk to their death?
Even if they succeeded, they would always live in fear.
Once they gained such overwhelming power, they would use it to dominate others and unleash their frustrations.
They wouldn't want to be controlled by the Elder Council and the higher-ups of humanity.
Internal strife was inevitable. When driven by fury and desperation, humanity no longer considered the consequences.
However, from Lu Jie's perspective as an observer, the Grand Elder's actions had been right — at least from the viewpoint of the authorities.
Sometimes, sacrifices must be made.
If humanity could wipe out the Zombie Kings and Zombie Emperor in one decisive blow, life would be much easier, buying them time to wait for the development of Gene Serum 4.0.
If a Zombie King emerged again, they could destroy it without hesitation, maintaining the balance.
But this was all based on the assumption that they didn't know that a meteorite was about to strike Blue Star.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]