204: The design of the third form.

Shen Mingyuan: "Can you design a form for aquatic or underwater use? I ran into a guy in the water back in the cave. The environment was a disadvantage; it was a bit tricky to handle."

A few seconds later, a reply arrived.

.: "Insufficient adaptation to underwater environments? Understood. Data recorded. I'll begin work on a targeted upgrade to add a combat form adapted for aquatic environments."

Shen Mingyuan: "OK."

He put down his phone, started the car, and drove away from that den of trouble. The headlights pierced the night, leaving behind the gloom of the cave, the slimy tentacles, and the icy water.

[Consciousness Space]

Han Chengyu's attention was forcibly pulled away from a complex decay equation. He was receiving feedback and a combat data overview from Shen Mingyuan, specifically regarding the significant drop in mobility and killing efficiency in restricted aquatic environments.

"Underwater form requirement... priority raised." He rubbed his nonexistent "forehead." "Let's set aside the general design for the third set of new armor for now. I need to patch this weakness in shadow first."

The blueprint before him cleared, and he began constructing a parametric model related to water.

"Underwater combat... what is the core conflict?" he muttered to himself, his mind racing.

"First is medium resistance. The density difference between air and water is several orders of magnitude. Evasive and lunging movements on land become sluggish and heavy underwater, and energy consumption skyrockets."

"Second are respiration and pressure. Humans are land creatures, after all. The armor needs to solve the issues of oxygen supply and water pressure balance. I can't expect Shen Mingyuan to hold his breath or evolve gills—at least not in an irreversible way."

"Then there's perception and communication. Water absorbs and distorts light and blocks radio waves. The vision and sonar he currently relies on will be less effective underwater, especially in murky or complex waters. I need to strengthen them or introduce new perception modes."

"Finally, there are the means of attack. Energy beams attenuate quickly underwater, and physical projectiles face even greater resistance. I need efficient underwater-specific weapons, or... adaptive modifications to existing weapons."

"System, retrieve all recorded evolutionary data for anomalous organisms with aquatic or amphibious traits, especially cases involving fluid dynamics, underwater perception, and attack methods. Also, focus on analyzing parts of the structures of that octopus and the Scavenger fish we just 'witnessed,' particularly their propulsion methods and the principle behind that high-pressure water jet."

[Retrieving relevant data... Analyzing.] [Prompt: Based on existing energy circuits and biomass conversion frameworks, the design focus should be on 'external morphological fluidization,' 'internal environment maintenance System,' and 'weapon medium adaptation.']

"Understood. I can't make it a submarine; I need to make an... 'aquatic war beast.'" A focused light began to flicker in Han Chengyu's eyes, the new challenge temporarily dispelling the frustration from the previous formula derivations.

"The shape must be streamlined to reduce resistance. Perhaps I can reference the fusiform bodies of fast fish or the skin structure of dolphins? Propulsion... biomimetic tail thrusters? Or undulating side fins? Or... jetting water like an octopus?"

"Regarding weaponry, the energy output mode of the 'twin stars' might need adjustment. high-frequency vibration blades? supercavitating warheads? Or... directly utilizing high-pressure water streams?"

[Real World]

The next morning, Shen Mingyuan woke up in his familiar bed. In the dim morning light, he habitually raised his left arm to check the time, but his movement paused halfway.

On his wrist, the black armband that was almost always with him was gone.

In its place was the original, futuristic-looking wristwatch. The faint light flowing on the dial seemed calmer and deeper than before, with a few subtle streaks of deep blue patterns added.

"Oh? So fast this time?" Shen Mingyuan raised an eyebrow in surprise. He remembered only making the request last night; this efficiency far exceeded the past.

He picked up his phone from the nightstand and sent a message to "The Forger."

Shen Mingyuan: "The upgrade is complete? The speed this time is incredible."

A reply came quickly.

.: "Of course. Practice makes perfect; after so many iterations, there should be some progress."

"Besides, the structural design for aquatic environments is logically more intuitive than dealing with abstract rules, given the existing fluid models and biological template libraries."

"With some focused effort, a single night was enough to put together the basic framework."

.: "By the way, given my current level of biological knowledge, I'm probably worthy of being addressed as 'Doctor.' So, rest assured."

Shen Mingyuan looked at the message, almost able to imagine the faint smugness hidden beneath the other's calm tone. He shook his head, replied with a simple "Understood," and got up to wash.

After breakfast, he went to the law firm as usual. He handled several documents in the morning, and near the lunch break, he walked to the public lounge with a teacup and casually turned on the wall-mounted TV. The news channel was broadcasting local headlines.

"...Regarding the recent explosion at the Xinwang Chemical Plant near the Yuejin River in the north of the city, the joint investigation team has preliminarily ruled out the possibility of sabotage. They are inclined to identify it as a rare accident caused by a combination of industrial safety issues and special ecological factors."

"Cleanup and ecological assessment are currently ongoing. Relevant departments remind residents not to approach the area..."

The screen switched to a blurry long shot of the factory and staff in protective suits. The Event Host's voice was clear and formal. Shen Mingyuan took a sip of tea, his gaze on the screen, but his thoughts drifted deeper.

The official characterization of the accident was within his expectations. The vague phrase 'special ecological factors' likely referred to those evolved water hyacinths. That layer of trouble was temporarily over with the explosion and cleanup.

But what truly bothered him was the later scene in the cave last night.

The New Federation's octopus had taken away that evolved Scavenger.

Why did they want a giant freak fish that was almost filled with water hyacinth toxins and heavy metals, and seemed to have no merit other than being tough-skinned and able to eat water hyacinths?

Although that Scavenger looked savage, its decisiveness when fleeing—abandoning its eggs to save itself—displayed an extremely pure survival instinct.

Did the New Federation value that? Or did they have a way to utilize its body, which had become like a mobile poison depot from devouring pollution?

Shen Mingyuan subconsciously tapped his teacup with his fingertips. The New Federation's actions always seemed to have a clear purpose, whether it was the previous attempt to recruit the mutated giant python or this precise retrieval of the Scavenger.

"I hope they don't create something even more troublesome again..." he thought to himself, finishing the last of his tea.

The completion of the upgrade was smoother than expected. After a simple lunch at the firm's cafeteria, Shen Mingyuan returned to his office for a short rest.

Shortly after 1:00 PM, while he was flipping through case files, a very brief, sharp, cramp-like sting suddenly shot through the inside of his left wrist, causing his fingers to curl involuntarily.

The pain was gone in an instant. He looked down and saw the light on the surface of the watch-like device rapidly withdraw and solidify. The strap tightened and fitted perfectly. In the blink of an eye, it transformed back into the low-profile black armband, clasped tightly around his wrist and feeling warm to the touch.

"It's done." Shen Mingyuan flexed his fingers, confirming there was no discomfort or loss of control, and felt slightly more at ease.

The 'blueprint' for the new form had clearly been loaded, waiting to be activated when needed.

But for now, everything was normal. Outside, the city operated in an orderly fashion. In the Incubator, the Little Green Snake showed nothing unusual, other than an increasing appetite and continued disdain for pinky mice. There seemed to be no emergency requiring the immediate use of the new power.