115: answer

Lu Jianchuan spent another half day in the Medical Observation Area. Under efficient medical treatment and his own stubborn resilience, that extreme sense of weakness finally began to recede, replaced by a softness and lethargy typical of someone recovering from a major illness.

He was approved to return to his temporary dormitory at the base for further recuperation.

Lying on his dorm bed, he scrolled through his phone out of boredom, the physical weakness making him particularly irritable.

He clearly remembered that whether it was his first transformation to fight monsters or later activating the Explosive Combustion Form, the moment the armor was donned, all pain and fatigue would be temporarily suppressed or even smoothed away. That feeling of being filled with power formed a sharp contrast with his current weakness.

A thought popped up uncontrollably: If he transformed now, would he be able to immediately escape this loathsome state of weakness?

This idea was extremely tempting. But he immediately recalled the even more surging backlash after releasing the transformation, especially with the Explosive Combustion Form—it was practically like burning his life away. He didn't dare take the risk, especially when his body hadn't recovered yet.

After hesitating repeatedly, he picked up his phone and tapped on the starry sky profile picture.

Lu Jianchuan: The Forger, I have a question. Every time I transform, especially after using that flame form, the cost is heavy. But if I force a transformation while in a weakened state and use the status refresh from the transformation to recover, is that feasible? Are there any hidden dangers I haven't noticed?

After sending the message, he waited somewhat anxiously.

Not long after, a reply came.

.: You'd better not do that.

.: The rapid recovery of injuries during transformation is essentially far-beyond-normal cell division and tissue reconstruction guided by the evo factor. It's an emergency mechanism used to deal with fatal crises.

.**: Frequently using this as a means of recovery is equivalent to overdrawing your cell division count and life potential. Theoretically, this will accelerate biological aging and shorten your natural lifespan.

Seeing the words "shorten lifespan," Lu Jianchuan felt a chill in his heart, and that bit of opportunistic thinking vanished instantly.

Lu Jianchuan: Understood. So it's essentially trading future lifespan for instant recovery... I get it. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't use this method to "heal" myself. I'll leave enough time for my body to recover naturally.

.**: Mm. Using power cautiously is also a way of protecting oneself. Get some good rest.

Lu Jianchuan put down his phone and let out a long breath, completely extinguishing that dangerous thought in his mind. The price of power was far heavier than he had imagined.

However, another heavy concern also surfaced in his mind. He picked up his phone again and opened the chat box with "The Forger."

Lu Jianchuan: The Forger, do you remember the question you asked me before? About... if all life evolved, how should they coexist.

.**: I remember. Why, do you have an answer now?

Lu Jianchuan's fingers paused on the screen for a moment, then he typed firmly:

Lu Jianchuan: Yes. I want to tell you that no matter how difficult it is, I will definitely go and search—search for the possibility and method that allows all life, at least intelligent life, to coexist peacefully. I don't believe that mutual destruction is the only path.

.**: ...Is that so? Having such confidence is a good thing. But confidence alone is far from enough; you need more specific and realistic thinking.

The existing ecological chain, such as predator-prey relationships, is an important part of maintaining balance.

If all life gains intelligence and power, are you going to make all carnivores change their nature?

Make humans give up meat? This involves a fundamental change in the way of survival, which is far more complex than imagined.

For these very real problems, you need to think more thoroughly.

Lu Jianchuan looked at the string of realistic and sharp rhetorical questions on the screen, as if he could feel the weight behind The Forger's words. He indeed hadn't thought that deeply yet.

Lu Jianchuan: ...Alright, I understand. I will think about this question more seriously.

Two days later, Lu Jianchuan's various physiological indicators finally stabilized, his body temperature returned to normal, and that deep-seated fatigue had basically faded. After receiving formal permission from the Medical Team, the first thing he did was head straight to the GUPA Base's Training Area.

Although the power granted by the armor was far beyond ordinary imagination, Lu Jianchuan always believed that a strong physical foundation was the root of everything and the final barrier he could rely on when unable to transform.

Continuous high-intensity combat and form overextension made him realize even more deeply that pushing his own limits was indirectly improving the armor's endurance and stability.

He pushed open the door to the Heavy Physical Training Room, and the familiar smell of metal and sweat greeted him.

After warming up, he stood before the bench press rack, adjusted the weight, and began today's strength recovery training.

With every exertion, the soreness of his muscles was clearly transmitted, but his gaze was focused and his breathing steady, as if he wanted to forge the strength accumulated during his recuperation, along with his determination for the future, through this dull yet solid repetition.

Just as Lu Jianchuan was focusing on push-up training, feeling the contraction and extension of his muscles, suddenly, a light but substantial object landed silently on his back.

He paused his movements and turned his head to look, only to see the Rabbit King crouching steadily on his back, its red eyes looking at him calmly.

"Haven't seen you for two days. It seems your nerves and muscles have recovered well after that last outburst." The Rabbit King's intent rang directly in his mind.

"Yeah," Lu Jianchuan responded, continuing his push-ups. His movements remained steady, just slightly slowed down to accommodate the extra weight on his back. "I can't just keep lying down forever." He paused and asked with concern, "How are your ears? They were hurt pretty badly by the sonic waves last time."

"A bit of a shock, but it's been fine for a long time."

The Rabbit King adjusted its posture on his back as if it were a natural seat, and then dropped a bombshell.

"By the way, you humans seem to be doing some... not-so-smart things again. I ‘heard’ some movement; they are using human bodies for experiments, using that individual named ‘Wang Yu.’ Aren't you going to do something about it?"

"What?!" Lu Jianchuan's arms went weak, and his body suddenly sank, almost failing to hold up. He quickly stabilized himself, whipped his head around to look at the Rabbit King on his back, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock.

"What did you say? The organization... Didn't GUPA clearly promise that any form of human experimentation is strictly prohibited? What exactly is going on?!"

"I'm not clear on the specifics," the Rabbit King's intent carried a hint of its usual coolness and detachment. "After all, these are just some fragments I accidentally ‘heard.’ How could you humans let an ‘outsider’ like me know too much about your core affairs? They haven't truly trusted me."

Before it finished speaking, the Rabbit King leaped lightly off Lu Jianchuan's back and landed on the nearby mat.

Lu Jianchuan immediately pushed himself up and stood, his brow furrowed, the previous relaxed expression on his face completely gone. He didn't hesitate to bend down and carefully pick up the Rabbit King in his arms, his tone resolute:

"Come on, we're going to ask and get a clear answer ourselves."