Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 604 - 248 This is the change happening to Lu Xuanyu

Chapter 604: Chapter 248 This is the change happening to Lu Xuanyu

```

The second phase of human benchmarking surgery, a transformation, is a lengthy process.

And within this phase, the first step proves to be the most troublesome.

The nervous system is the part of the human body that changes the slowest. Yet, at the same time, it is also the most fragile.

If it were to undergo benchmark transformation at the same time as the other body parts, its progress would undoubtedly be left far behind by the rest of the body.

The fragile nature of the neural network also means it is all too easy to be damaged.

In fact, even the "immune cells" within the brain—microglia, known as the "Imperial Forest Army" of neurons, their inflammatory response is often considered "more damaging in the long run".

When humans die, it is the central nervous system that collapses first.

Therefore, after the other parts of the body complete benchmarking and drive up body temperature, the brain will not be able to handle it.

It is necessary to transform the nervous system first.

However, the transformation of neurons is very slow. In the biological laboratory, some viruses used to infect the brains of mice to carry out various experiments, take a whole week just to infect a small part of the brain tissue.

Yawgmoth’s improved rabies is indeed much faster, but still requires a long wait.

Lu Xuanyu simply regarded this waiting period as a form of "Cultivation". He began to find ways to amuse himself.

For example, intentionally staring at a glass of water, then trying hard to look for that "thirsty feeling".

On the fifth day after the surgery, his wife finally got permission to enter the patient’s room.

Lu Xuanyu’s immune system had long been shut down due to medication. Pathogens normally carried by people could easily kill him. He could only contact his wife using chat tools until now, but such face-to-face opportunities were few.

Through the thick protective suit, his wife’s eyes sparkled with tears, "You really have lost weight."

"It’s normal," Lu Xuanyu smiled, "I have to take care of the viruses inside me as well. They help me remodel my body, I cover their board, it’s fair."

Patting her chest with a bit of reproach in her tone, Lu Xuanyu’s wife said, "Really... I wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t developed by Mr. Yawgmoth. Is it really necessary to use so many dangerous viruses... It really is..."

"They might not use it in the future," Lu Xuanyu said, "Once the transformation is complete, these viruses will no longer be a problem."

When visiting time came to an end, his wife told him, "You should listen to the doctor and nurses... Eat more..."

"Alright, alright, don’t worry. The experts tell me to worry less."

"Tsk."

"Alright, alright, it’s time for you to go," Lu Xuanyu waved his hand.

He was actually clear in his mind that the medical center’s staff had meticulously arranged for this visit during this particular day because after today, his mental state wouldn’t be suitable for face-to-face conversations.

Florence, Yawgmoth, and another doctor named Tao Enhai had all spoken to him about some of these aspects.

The genome knocked into the cells by the virus would rewrite the most fundamental activities of life in his body. The transformed cells would continuously produce high-temperature-resistant enzymes that previously did not exist.

These enzymes hardly react below fifty degrees.

They would accumulate inside the cells.

At this point, two effects would occur simultaneously.

The new, non-functioning enzymes would dilute the enzymes that originally supported life reactions, resulting in low efficiency of chemical reactions within the cells.

On the other hand, new commands would require the mitochondria to create more energy to establish an environment for new reactions.

Some cells might temporarily shut down and enter a dormant state.

Meanwhile, other cells may "heat up" themselves to temperatures that allow the new enzyme system to react.

Of course, technicians hoped that this "heating up" would happen later rather than sooner.

```

Because the neurons that had already completed transformation, when in a state of hibernation due to low temperatures, would not suffer much damage. However, neurons that had not completed transformation would die instantly if directly exposed to high temperatures.

For many organisms, "enduring cold temperatures below their optimal range" is simpler than "enduring high temperatures above their optimal range."

Due to the cold, the cells in his body that were transformed first would gradually slow their metabolism until entering a state similar to "hibernation," maintaining minimal function at very low efficiency.

Since he had first transformed his central nervous system, this effect would be directly reflected in his consciousness.

His emotions would become somewhat strange, and his mental state would get worse and worse.

Even to ensure that his already transformed nervous system did not generate too much heat, prematurely igniting the metabolic fire of the Benchmark Man, the care team would deliberately lower the temperature inside his skull.

By the final stage of this phase, he had to rely on a ventilator or even an extracorporeal life support system to sustain life functions.

At this stage, the person undergoing the transformation surgery was essentially entering an induced state of "hypothermia."

However, in a tightly monitored environment, this "special hypothermia" would not lead to death.

Of course, before entering this state, a new virus would be injected into him.

The virus would then begin the transformation of his cardiac muscle cells and skeletal muscle cells.

Next, he would spend time in a comatose state.

This process would take place over the course of "months."

As his heartbeat slowed, the other transformations could proceed.

First would be the muscles and certain internal organs.

Then the liver and other tissues with fast recovery rates.

Following them would be the skin and mucous membranes.

The newly grown immune system would also undergo transformation during this period.

A week later, Lu Xuanyu began to feel a bit breathless.

The care team also began to gradually increase the oxygen content in the air of his room.

This slightly relieved the symptoms, but only for a few days.

Another week passed, and he became groggy.

Before the care team connected him to a ventilator, he had his last conversation with his wife.

Ms. Florence visited him every day. Even at this stage, she did not forget to have Lu Xuanyu do that set of cognitive test questions.

It seemed that the amount of questions had been reduced.

Lu Xuanyu’s mental state was worsening by the day. He was often falling asleep...

Well, in a way, this should be considered "coma."

But Lu Xuanyu did not like to think of this state as a "coma." His dormant brain cells still had a faint response. When he fell asleep, there were dreams in his mind.

Perhaps because the brain was not fully operational, Lu Xuanyu’s dreams were blurry and ambiguous.

But he was sure that they were dreams filled with hope.

In the end, he entered a prolonged dream.

Superman Enterprise no longer woke him to ask for his consent. At this point, Lu Xuanyu could no longer exit the project. If he insisted on stopping the transformation, death was the only thing waiting for him.

The Martial Artist dreamt undisturbed for a long time.

In his dream, he saw the strange roar that had haunted his childhood soul.