100: huge head

The blazing white flames gradually receded, and the pulse nozzles on Lu Jianchuan's arms dimmed from their orange-red glow. Inside the sewer, the once-spreading phosphorescent fungal carpet and vibrant crystal mushrooms had been completely eradicated, leaving only large swathes of charred burn marks and the lingering smell of scorching and residual high heat in the air.

After confirming the threat was eliminated, Lu Jianchuan focused his will and began to guide his power to settle. The dark red propulsion structures covering his body were the first to decompose and fade, re-integrating into the silvery-white base layer. Finally, even the silvery-white biological armor shattered into countless points of light, dissipating into the air.

Clothing simulated and manifested again through biomass reorganization, covering his body. An intense wave of weakness and hunger immediately assaulted him, far more severe than after using only the First Form, causing his steps to falter slightly and fine beads of cold sweat to break out on his forehead. He immediately retrieved high-energy compressed rations from his tactical waist pack to quickly replenish his stamina.

"Clearance complete. The area is now secure," he reported to the Command Center via the communicator, while looking at the head of the research team. "Have the samples of that 'Bursting Crystal Umbrella' been collected?"

"Yes, Comrade Yin Hai. The spore samples have been properly sealed and will be sent back to headquarters immediately for in-depth study," the head nodded, then looked at Lu Jianchuan with a gaze full of astonishment and admiration. "More importantly, congratulations on successfully mastering this new power. This provides us with a stronger tactical option for dealing with high-threat targets."

Lu Jianchuan gave a slight nod, saying nothing more. He needed to return to the base as soon as possible, both to replenish his energy and to record the data and sensations from this active guidance of the Second Form.

He followed the Researchers and tactical squad, exiting the sewer via a maintenance access tunnel and returning to the GUPA Base in a dedicated vehicle.

The vehicle drove directly into the base's internal research and analysis zone. Just as Lu Jianchuan was preparing to head to the designated debriefing room, he involuntarily stopped in his tracks while passing a reinforced glass observation window.

Inside the observation window was a highly isolated sterile laboratory. Within it lay a massive, hideous head, so large it would take several people to encircle it! The head's skin was a grayish-brown, covered in thick, rock-like keratinous scales. Its snout was thick and elongated, revealing interlocking, dagger-like, ghastly white teeth. A single enormous vertical pupil, even devoid of life, still retained a heart-palpitating ferocity. Morphologically, it more closely resembled some unknown, giant lizard or reptilian creature.

"This is...?" Lu Jianchuan couldn't help but voice his question.

A Researcher accompanying him immediately stepped forward, subtly shifting his body to partially block the view through the observation window. His tone carried a formal caution: "Comrade Yin Hai, this is a trophy brought back by Comrade Golden Bone from an external mission. Specific intelligence involves higher-density operational details. Although your clearance level is not low, according to procedure, if you require specific information, you must submit a formal access request to the Command Center."

Lu Jianchuan immediately understood the implication—this was not something he needed to concern himself with for his current mission, and it might be deeply involved in significant matters. He nodded, indicating his understanding: "I understand. I was just curious after seeing it by chance."

He didn't press further. Following the Researcher, he left the unsettling area of the isolation laboratory. Accompanied by the Researcher, Lu Jianchuan arrived at the familiar Physical Recovery and Data Recording Center.

Unlike the first comprehensive 'physical examination,' the focus this time was clearly on the newly mastered 'Explosive Combustion Form.'

After quickly consuming a double portion of high-calorie special-supply rations at a dedicated energy replenishment station, barely suppressing that hollowed-out feeling of weakness, he was guided to a room marked 'High-Energy Reaction Testing Ground.' The walls and instruments here were obviously specially reinforced for high-temperature and energy impact resistance.

"Comrade Yin Hai, please relax. We need to record the various physiological and energy parameters during your active guidance of the Second Form, as well as the specific data after the form stabilizes," the responsible Researcher said, his tone carrying obvious anticipation.

Lu Jianchuan nodded and walked to the center of the testing ground. He closed his eyes, recalling the sensation of successfully guiding that scorching power in the sewer—not relying on anger, but on clear intent and perception of the energy pathways within his body. He concentrated and began to guide.

The crimson jewel on the armband on his left wrist shimmered with light, rapidly transforming into a blazing orange-red.

*Hum—!*

A low engine roar sounded. Dark red propulsion structures swiftly covered the silvery-white base layer. Pulse nozzles formed at the shoulders, back, arms, and legs. Blazing white visor lenses lit up.

Second Form · Explosive Combustion Form, activation complete.

"Biological signal peaks are rising sharply! Energy fluctuation patterns show significant differences from the First Form!" "Surface temperature increasing. Core metabolic rate being calculated... approximately 420% of baseline value!" The Researchers in the observation area immediately became busy, recording various data points.

"Yin Hai, please demonstrate the primary ability modes of this form sequentially," an instruction came through the loudspeaker.

Lu Jianchuan complied. He first performed a short-range Blaze Displacement. Nozzles at his feet and back briefly erupted with blazing white flames, propelling him at an astonishing speed to complete a sprinting round trip within the testing ground.

"Peak instantaneous acceleration exceeds 50 Gs! Duration: 0.8 seconds!"

Next, he threw a Blaze Punch at a specially made high-temperature-resistant target. The nozzles at his fist ignited. Accompanied by a loud bang, the target violently shook, leaving a distinct, scorched indentation.

"Physical impact combined with chemical energy impact. Comprehensive destructive efficacy is approximately 3.2 times that of a heavy punch in the First Form!"

Finally, he raised his arm and performed a sustained three-second Flame Emission. The blazing white stream impacted a thick composite armor plate, instantly melting and vaporizing its surface.

"Stream core temperature stable between 2200 and 2300 degrees Celsius! Energy output power is extremely high!"

After this series of tests, even with Lu Jianchuan's current Physique, he felt a noticeable fatigue and a burning sensation within his body, as if every cell was protesting.

"Data collection complete. Please deactivate the form."

Lu Jianchuan guided his power to settle. The dark red structures receded, and finally the silvery-white armor shattered and dissipated. An even stronger wave of intense weakness and hunger than before instantly assaulted him, making him almost unable to stand steady, with copious cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He immediately grabbed a nearby railing for support and headed back to the energy replenishment station.

The Researcher quickly compiled the data and relayed the preliminary conclusions to him: "Comrade Yin Hai, the preliminary analysis of the data is complete. We are tentatively designating your Second Form as the 'Explosive Combustion Form.' Its energy consumption rate is approximately 4.5 times that of the First Form, primarily depleting fat and blood sugar reserves."

"Under full-power intense combat, the estimated sustainable duration is approximately 2 minutes and 10 seconds to 2 minutes and 50 seconds, depending on the intensity of combat and environmental conditions."

"The Flame Emission ability is extremely powerful, but sustained use accelerates energy depletion and causes localized overheating of the armor. The form-switching process places extremely high demands on mental focus. It is currently not suitable for rapid switching in the rapidly changing environment of actual combat."

Listening to this series of clear yet stringent data, Lu Jianchuan silently nodded while wolfing down an energy bar.