Chapter 57 - Dangers with Radiation and Careful Mutation

Upon receiving 40,000 Divine Points, Mr. Black handed Han Wu four cards. Each of these cards contained radioactive minerals of a uniform quality.

Subsequently, Han Wu located a hotel that offered rooms equipped with landing pods. Given his status as a Divine Being, he required a landing pod to access his divine realm under typical conditions.

Upon returning to his divine realm, he proceeded to check the number and quality of the radioactive minerals he had obtained.

Eighty minerals with 10% purity, 40 with 15% purity, 20 with 20% purity, and 10 with 25% purity. It seems that the price doubles with every 5% increase in purity. However, that's not the primary concern. The crucial factor is the conversion rate after they’re processed through the Refinery and the cost and profit ratio for that

, Han Wu thought

.

He asked his units to give him some room, then proceeded to place the minerals into the Refinery, organizing them by quality. After processing each batch from lowest to highest purity, he obtained eight, six, four, and three translucent Radiation Stones, respectively.

The results showed that purchasing the minerals with the lowest purity was the most profitable. He subsequently sealed the 21 Radiation Stones into a card and exited his divine realm. Before departing the town, he purchased a map of the Divine River Ruins from the hotel for 1,000 Divine Points.

Han Wu had hardly ventured far from the town when he encountered a mutated beast. Upon using Inspect Eye, he discovered the mutated beast in front of him was a frequently seen Rank 1 monster.

It was supposed to be a Common wolf, but its mutated DNA had caused its two upper canines to grow twenty centimeters long, resembling sabers. Its fur also bristled on its body like the quills of a porcupine. However, its mutated DNA also resulted in a lifespan of only twenty days.

To prolong its life, it was forced to consume radioactive minerals to gain strength. It needed to evolve into a Rank 2 mutated beast to extend its lifespan. It was engaged in a constant struggle against death, as it would perish if it didn’t grow stronger within twenty days.

Han Wu cautiously removed a Radiation Stone and gently tossed it to the mutated beast. The beast immediately picked up the scent of the stone and began searching the area for it. Its eyes widened with excitement upon discovering the fist-sized, pure Radiation Stone. It eagerly licked the stone, and surprisingly, its power instantly surged.

The energy from the Radiation Stone caused its body to undergo further mutation. Its fangs grew even longer, and its fur developed a metallic coating. With just one lick, the mutated beast had successfully reached Rank 2.

Despite remaining a Common life form, it had become strong enough to contend with some weaker Unique life forms. Aware of the alterations in its physique, the mutated beast became enamored with the Radiation Stone and opened its jaws wide, swallowing the stone in a single gulp.

The intense radiation caused it to mutate even further. Its two canine teeth continued to lengthen, its fur grew thicker and stronger, and a third eye sprouted on its forehead.

A tiny green gem began to develop below its third eye, initially the size of a grain. As the mutated beast absorbed more radiation, the green gem on its forehead grew larger, ultimately becoming the size of a peanut.

Han Wu’s breath quickened as he witnessed the events unfolding. He was certain that the green gem on the mutated beast’s forehead was a Gene Stone, though he remained uncertain about its specific effects.

As the Gene Stone continued to grow, the mutated beast also ascended to Rank 3. It had achieved a power level comparable to some of the more formidable Unique life forms. Remarkably, it had taken the Rank 1 mutated beast only ten minutes to reach Rank 3, and it was now hundreds of times more powerful than its initial state.

Han Wu was taken aback by the sheer speed and extent of the mutated beast’s power surge. He realized the Radiation Stone was far more potent than he had initially imagined, capable of triggering such rapid and dramatic mutations.

Just as Han Wu was contemplating conducting further experiments in his divine realm, he was startled by a deafening explosion. The mutated beast had suddenly exploded, scattering its flesh in all directions. The newly formed Gene Stone and the Radiation Stone landed nearby, still coated in the beast’s blood and flesh.

Stunned by the explosion, Han Wu immediately discarded any ideas of experimenting in his divine realm. The radiation proved to be far too risky, and he realized he had to be extremely cautious about what he was mutating.

He didn’t want to suffer the same fate as the mutated beast, exploding without experiencing the benefits of the mutation. It would be a tragedy to die like that. Thankfully, he was able to recoup his losses with the Gene Stone. He picked it up, rinsed it with clean water, and then used Inspect Eye to examine it.

[Gene Stone (Sharp Teeth): Equivalent to a Rank 3 Sacred Object. Effects: Induces fixed mutation on core race’s teeth to become longer and stronger. Side Effect: Lifespan of affected race reduced by 3 years.]

Han Wu’s expression turned sour when he learned that he couldn’t use the Gene Stone as he intended. It was not only extremely specific in its application but also came with significant side effects.

Given that his locusts had inherently short lives, they would have died immediately if he had used the Gene Stone. It was clearly a flawed Gene Stone. Nevertheless, Han Wu had managed to gather valuable data from the experiment.

He was still pleased that he had managed to obtain a Gene Stone, considering he had used only a tiny portion of the Radiation Stone. As he was about to put away the Radiation Stone and the Gene Stone, he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him.

“Runt, hand over the Gene Stone and that green stone you’re holding if you value your life,” a familiar voice threatened. Han Wu turned around and saw Demigod Zhang Gang[1], perched on a Raid Wolf!

He was surprised to find Zhang Gang here in the Divine River Ruins. However, he was relieved that his mask prevented Zhang Gang from recognizing him.

“And if I choose not to?”

“Then die.”

With a wave of his arm, Zhang Gang opened a portal to his divine realm, unleashing thousands of Wolf Riders that charged towards Han Wu.

1. Zhang Gang is Zhang Bin’s father. He first appeared in Chapter 5, and was the first Demigod Han Wu ever faced. ☜