116: experiment

Lu Jianchuan hurried through the base corridors with the Rabbit King in his arms, rushing toward the area where Wang Yu usually operated.

Just around a corner, he saw Wang Yu standing by the passage with a Researcher in a white lab coat, seemingly discussing something.

"Wang Yu!" Lu Jianchuan immediately shouted and stepped forward quickly.

Wang Yu and the Researcher turned their heads at the sound. Seeing Lu Jianchuan and the Rabbit King in his arms, Wang Yu's face showed a hint of surprise: "Senior? Why are you here?"

"I heard from the Rabbit King..." Lu Jianchuan's tone was urgent as his gaze swept between Wang Yu and the Researcher. "That experiment you're conducting... is it using you for human experimentation?"

Wang Yu froze for a moment, then realized what was happening. He quickly waved his hands to explain: "Oh, Senior, you mean that! Yes, we are indeed conducting some tests using my ability, but not on my main body. We're using my Clone!"

"A Clone?" Lu Jianchuan was startled. "That works too?"

"It works, it works, no problem at all!" Wang Yu nodded vigorously. "The Clone carries a portion of my cells and consciousness, but it's essentially an independent energy aggregate. It's perfect for testing high-risk projects. Even if it dissipates, it doesn't have much of an impact on me."

Half the weight in Lu Jianchuan's heart dropped, but his confusion grew: "Then what exactly is going on? Why are you doing these tests?"

At this moment, the kind-looking Researcher beside them pushed up his glasses, stepped forward, and spoke: "Comrade Yin Hai, let me explain it to you in detail. Actually, the inspiration for this experiment is related to you."

"Related to me?" Lu Jianchuan was even more confused.

"Yes." The Researcher nodded. "Do you remember the previous comprehensive physical examination? We conducted a detailed scan and analysis of that biological organ on your left arm that is deeply integrated with the armor core—the armband.

Its structure is so exquisite and its connection to your nervous System so tight that it far exceeds our current level of technology. We thought, since life's own evolution can produce such a perfect 'control and amplification Unit,' is it possible for us to... replicate it?"

He paused and continued: "We aren't trying to duplicate your armor; that's clearly unrealistic.

Our goal is to attempt to manufacture an 'Artificial Biological Prosthetic,' an auxiliary device capable of simulating some of the basic functions of your armband—such as stabilizing energy output and resonating with specific bioelectric signals.

If successful, it might provide a viable path for empowerment in the future for other combat personnel who do not possess a special Physique like yours but still need to confront abnormal threats.

Comrade Wang Yu's Clone, due to its plasticity and risk-bearing nature, is currently the most ideal Early Stage testing vehicle."

After listening, Lu Jianchuan understood completely. It turned out this wasn't some forbidden human experimentation, but a cutting-edge technological exploration derived from his own situation, aimed at improving overall combat power.

His tense expression finally relaxed. He looked down and met the Rabbit King's eyes; the Rabbit King's red eyes blinked, and a thought was transmitted: "It seems the information I heard was incomplete, leading to a misunderstanding."

"Senior, since you're here, do you want to come and take a look?" Wang Yu offered an invitation, his face full of expectation as if showing off his results.

Lu Jianchuan nodded and, holding the Rabbit King, followed the Researcher and Wang Yu into the adjacent observation and isolation room.

Through the large observation window, they saw another 'Wang Yu' inside, carefully putting a silver-grey, slightly rough-textured metal creation on his left arm—a stark contrast to the perfectly natural armband on Lu Jianchuan's own wrist.

The research staff were operating equipment nearby, recording data: "Alright, beginning to inject low-intensity bioelectric signals, attempting to establish a preliminary connection..."

The Clone followed the instructions and concentrated. A few unstable flows of light lit up on the surface of the Artificial Armband, which began to vibrate slightly. At first, it seemed normal, but in less than ten seconds, the Clone's left arm and the Artificial Armband began to swell unnaturally, as if energy was surging out of control beneath the skin.

"Energy pathway disorder! Structural rejection reaction intensifying! Terminate immediately..." the Researcher shouted urgently.

But before he could finish his sentence, the Clone's body inside the observation room suddenly expanded violently, like a blown-up balloon. Then, with a dull but not particularly loud sound, it exploded, turning into a cloud of fine light spots and energy dust that dissipated into the air.

The Artificial Armband also twisted and deformed, falling to the ground with a clang, its surface charred and completely ruined.

The Researcher looked at the red failure indicators flashing on the data screen, sighed, and turned to Lu Jianchuan helplessly: "As you can see, so far, all replication attempts have failed. The precise structures evolved by life itself contain mysteries far beyond our current engineering technology. Replicating them is simply too difficult."

Lu Jianchuan looked at the dissipated Clone and the ruined device, his brow furrowing slightly. He turned to the Wang Yu beside him, his tone full of concern: "I see. But I'm still a bit worried." He chose his words carefully.

"Even if it's a Clone, it still originates from you. Is it really okay to watch 'yourself' dissipate before your eyes over and over again?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu showed a bright smile and waved his hand: "Senior, you've got it wrong! The Clone is just an energy body containing some of my cell structure and basic instructions. Our perceptions aren't connected.

It can 'die' all it wants; I don't feel a thing on my end. At most, it consumes a bit of energy and mental strength, which I can recover with some rest."

He paused, put away his joking expression, and said seriously: "Besides, I applied for this experiment myself."

"You applied for it yourself?" Lu Jianchuan was a bit surprised.

"Yeah!" Wang Yu's eyes suddenly lit up, full of longing. "Look, Senior, you look so cool after you transform! Just like a hero in a tokusatsu drama! I want that too! If this research succeeds, maybe I can have a similar 'Transformation Device' in the future! When that time comes..."

He gestured excitedly, "I'll run to your 'silver skeleton' film crew and tell the director that I want to play the 'Kamen Rider' who will fight alongside you in the future!"

Lu Jianchuan looked at Wang Yu's excited state and smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright. It's good that you have this heart, but you must prioritize safety."

Just as he finished speaking, the phone in his pocket rang. He took it out and saw that the caller ID was Director Zhang from the "silver skeleton" film crew.

"Hello, Director Zhang."

"Jianchuan! Have you rested enough? The crew is waiting for you! It's been several days; we can't afford to delay the progress. Can you come back to film today?" Director Zhang's voice was urgent.

"Okay, okay, Director Zhang. I'm fine now; I'll head over immediately," Lu Jianchuan replied quickly.

"Good, good, good! Remember, ride that custom motorcycle Young Master Hongyi gave you. Look sharp! Today's first scene is the big moment of your first transformation after gaining power!"

"Understood, I'll get ready right away."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Jianchuan handed the Rabbit King to Wang Yu: "You guys stay here; I'm going to the film set."

Wang Yu took the Rabbit King and nodded obediently: "Goodbye, Senior!"

However, the Rabbit King nimbly broke free from Wang Yu's hands, leaped lightly, and jumped back onto Lu Jianchuan's shoulder, its red eyes carrying an air of refusal.

"I'm going too."

Lu Jianchuan looked at the wise "partner" on his shoulder and sighed, knowing he couldn't win: "Alright, but be quiet at the set. Don't scare anyone."

"Don't worry. I am also quite interested in your human theatrical performances."

[The "silver skeleton" Film Set]

Lu Jianchuan arrived at the set riding the sleek silver-white custom motorcycle, a quiet but extraordinary-looking white rabbit perched on his shoulder. This combination drew many curious glances from the staff. Director Zhang saw him and immediately came over; after a brief communication, he urged him to hurry and get into makeup and costume.

Today's shoot was the core plot of the first episode of "silver skeleton"—the segment where the protagonist "Lu Jianchuan" gains a mysterious power in a desperate situation and transforms into the silver hero for the first time.

Inside the set of a constructed abandoned warehouse, lights, cameras, and wire rigs were all in place. Lu Jianchuan wore a costume specifically distressed with "bloodstains" and "dirt," standing at his designated position. The Rabbit King was placed in a safe corner, watched over by an assistant; it was very quiet, its ruby-like eyes staring unblinkingly at the set.

"Action!"

The clapperboard snapped, and Lu Jianchuan quickly entered character. His face showed despair, anger, and unwillingness as he watched his "comrades" "sacrifice" themselves before him. His right hand trembled as it brushed over the Transformation Device prop on his left wrist, which had been meticulously crafted by the prop team to look seventy to eighty percent like his real armband.

"If... if I could have power... the power to protect!" he growled, with the determination of someone burning their bridges, and pressed his thumb hard onto the imitation crimson orb in the center of the prop armband!

According to the script design, the special effects team would add magnificent CG light effects in post-production. Lu Jianchuan needed to perform a set of movements in front of a green screen, designed by the martial arts director to represent the infusion of power and the donning of the armor—from kneeling on the ground to slowly standing up as if enduring immense energy, while using the wire rig to stretch his limbs as if invisible armor were covering his body.

Finally, he froze in a powerful standing posture, his head raised, his gaze sharp as he looked into the camera—here, he needed to imagine the feeling of the armor's visor lighting up with a deep blue glow.

"Cut! Excellent! That's a wrap on this shot!" Director Zhang shouted with satisfaction. "Jianchuan, your emotions were perfectly on point! The shock of gaining power and the subsequent determination were very well expressed!"

Lu Jianchuan breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed his body. This scene, in a way, was another interpretation of his own real experiences. The Rabbit King, hiding in the corner, watched all of this quietly, its thoughts unknown.