Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 583 - 227: Beyond Everyone’s Gaze

Chapter 583: Chapter 227: Beyond Everyone’s Gaze

"This is ..."

It was not a joke. Lu Xuanyu saw the remnant snow by the roadside melting at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"The most suitable temperature for metal-based organisms," Xiang Shan said, "It has exceeded fifty degrees. For Homo sapiens, this temperature is a bit hotter than bath water. On Earth nowadays, only the middle regions of great deserts reach this temperature."

Lu Xuanyu’s wife involuntarily stepped back.

"If you would like to enter, please bring protective gear—heat-insulating suits, ice packs, and the like," Xiang Shan said. "Of course, I do not recommend that you go in right now. This park is intended for those who have already undergone gene modification surgery."

As he spoke, he snapped his fingers. The door closed.

"That’s it," Xiang Shan said.

Lu Xuanyu said, "You have developed many ... metal-based organisms? But won’t they run out and impact the Earth in some way?"

"That question is a bit strange," Xiang Shan said. "A species can invade another ecosystem only if the local environment is suitable for their survival. However, metal-based organisms are not suited for Earth’s environment. Even the central part of the Sahara Desert, or the hottest places like Death Valley in California, feel just like ’summer has arrived’ to them. But the temperature difference between day and night in those places would kill them. Even during the Mesozoic Era, Earth was never so hot."

"Under Earth’s natural conditions, metal-based organisms have no competitive advantage. Only by undergoing genetic modifications to attain capabilities like hibernation, can they carve out a bit of living space in the desert regions."

Lu Xuanyu and his wife remained silent.

"Now you should be able to more vividly understand the magnitude of ’species change,’" Xiang Shan shook his head. "There is about a two-week preparation period before the actual surgery. You can opt out at any point up until the surgery begins. However, I must remind you that once the surgery starts, there is no turning back. Currently, there is no way to reverse the surgery, and abandoning it halfway would be fatal to you."

Lu Xuanyu was silent for a few minutes, then said, "Thank you, Mr. Xiang. I will consider it carefully."

The couple watched outside the greenhouse for a few more seconds. The monkeys inside contentedly ate strangely colored fruits, unsuspecting that they were living in a temperature that could cook eggs and even meat.

Lu Xuanyu’s wife asked, "Then if Lu has to go out ..."

"He will just have to dress more warmly. Carrying a portable heater might also be a good choice," Xiang Shan said. "I have already commissioned a third party to develop specialized heated clothing so that Benchmark Man can wear seemingly light clothes while walking the streets. In the industrial era, there’s never a shortage of electricity."

The group then set off for the next location. Lu Xuanyu himself wheeled his chair but noticed that his wife was lagging a bit. He stopped, looked back, and saw his wife still staring at the greenhouse, her expression somewhat dazed.

"What is it?" Lu Xuanyu asked.

His wife shook her head. "I think I’m just now understanding what ’changing species’ means. It’s a bit ... frightening."

Lu Xuanyu was somewhat worried. "You don’t want me to continue, then ... well, indeed."

"No, it’s an opportunity," his wife shook her head. "I just need a bit of mental preparation. The key is really up to you."

His wife pushed Lu Xuanyu’s wheelchair and caught up with Xiang Shan and Florence waiting ahead.

The group continued walking. Suddenly, a noisy clamor echoed through the empty corridor.

Lu Xuanyu was curious, unsure what had happened.

After a while, several formally dressed people walked through the corridor. Upon seeing Xiang Shan, they paused briefly, then nodded in greeting and deliberately walked close to the wall.

Lu Xuanyu noticed that they were mostly in their fifties or sixties, well-maintained, with graying hair. But for some reason, their expressions were all very anxious.

Xiang Shan also nodded in greeting to them, then continued onward.

Lu Xuanyu curiously asked, "Who are they?"

"They could be from the Ministry of Health, or perhaps the Ministry of Technology," Xiang Shan said, his tone suggesting he was used to it. "It’s common for them to come inquire about research progress or try various channels to sneak into the volunteer lists. All sorts are common and not surprising."

"Ah ..."

"Do you remember what I told you last month? The UN Security Council passed a special resolution that prohibits Benchmark Man from being elected to any governmental body or serving in the political system before 2055," Xiang Shan said. "This is actually a compromise. By 2055, the old guard can eliminate all younger competitors and pave the way for their successors with peace of mind."

"Meanwhile, the young elite could simply resign from their political positions, waiting to undergo the surgery for a longer lifespan."

"But those stuck in the middle are in a dilemma. They no longer have much ambition to climb higher, and though their lives are comfortable, they acutely feel their physical decline. These people fear death the most. There is now an opportunity for a much longer lifespan. But it requires them to give up what they have fought for all their lives. This group is most likely to come here to check on the research progress," Xiang Shan said. "Moreover, these people are very anxious to avoid speaking with me. If they happen to be accused of ’wanting to secretly become Benchmark Man,’ it would be considered a fundamental error."

They would only dare to speak with Xiang Shan in either completely public or completely private settings.

Lu Xuanyu said, "I remember you mentioned that some conservative people do not want this transformation, right? Not every young person is open to it ..."

"But as long as they are young, the elderly use this reason to suppress them. The reason is that they are still young and might resign to undergo the surgery at any time," Xiang Shan said. "Now it’s very difficult for young people to get promoted. This is all public knowledge. Of course, no country would officially acknowledge the existence of the ’Elder Faction’ and the ’Youth Faction.’"

Lu Xuanyu again felt a heaviness. The covert rivalry between the "elderly" and "young people" seemed unrelated to him. But the issue weighed heavily on his mind.

Even after seeing the information provided by Xiang Shan, he still only intellectually understood the implications of "changing species." He just knew "Oh, there are such consequences."

But now, this issue was truly weighing on him.

Florence placed a hand on his shoulder. "You do not need to be puzzled about this, Mr. Lu. The boss is the one who needs to worry about these things."

Lu Xuanyu looked at Xiang Shan’s nonchalant figure, and sighed, "These really are concerns for important people."