Chapter 168: The Second Stage

“Yes, but evolution is just one direction.”

“What we’re discussing now is more accurately described as an upgrade and strengthening of abilities.”

Speaking over the phone, Han Bing didn’t notice the slight shift in Lu Xin’s emotions. Judging by his voice she assumed he was merely surprised. Her voice remained soft and gentle as she continued explaining:

“Strengthening the abilities of Ability Users through various methods, even pushing them beyond their limits to safely and stably utilize their powers, has always been the most critical research topic for major high-wall cities and research institutes. And significant progress has been made.”

“If the First Stage focuses on guidance, then the Second Stage is about breakthrough.”

“Researchers discovered early on that while discovered Ability Users have diverse powers, those whose abilities tend toward stability generally have a psychic magnitude below one thousand. Conversely, those whose abilities are unstable, even appearing somewhat mad, often show some degree of mutation in their psychic magnitude. Some far exceed one thousand, while others… are simply unpredictable.”

…

An image of the Queen from Happy Town flashed through Lu Xin’s mind. How high must her psychic magnitude be?

Ordinarily, just while she slept, her psychic power could stably cover the entire town, twisting the fifty-kilometer radius into a forbidden zone. Based on post-incident analysis, Lu Xin suspected she could even turn day into night. Chronologically, it should have been daytime when he entered the town, but it felt like night.

And if the Happy Town Queen’s psychic magnitude was that high, then his family…

…

…

“So, the initial experiments involved strengthening the psychic magnitude of stable Ability Users to push them above one thousand…”

Han Bing paused slightly before continuing, “Mr. Lone Soldier, what I’m about to tell you involves highly classified information and controversial topics. I hope you can maintain confidentiality after hearing it. Also, please try to manage your emotions.”

Lu Xin realized what she was about to say and remained silent for a moment.

After a while, he chuckled, “I’m ready.”

Han Bing seemed a bit surprised by his response but continued, “These types of ability enhancement experiments are now classified as Forbidden Experiments under Alliance law and are explicitly banned. However, it must be admitted that for a time, such experiments were rampant…”

“During that chaotic and lawless era, many who had the resources began these experiments, even…”

“…without the slightest hesitation!”

…

Lu Xin listened, nodding numbly, his face betraying no emotion.

Han Bing paused again before adding, “And the fates of these Ability Users who underwent enhancement experiments varied greatly.”

“Some who were initially stable lost control after enhancement, becoming Pollution Sources.”

“Some experienced no abnormal changes, merely a steady improvement in their existing abilities.”

“And there was another type…”

Han Bing’s tone grew heavier. “After breaking through their limits, it was as if they entered an entirely new level. Not only were their original abilities significantly enhanced, but they even mastered new ones. Their power became completely different from others of the same system. For instance, the Spider-type, which typically maxes out at B-level even with full development, directly reached S-level after enhancement…”

“And these are the earliest records concerning research and experiments on the ‘Second Stage.'”

…

After hearing Han Bing’s explanation, Lu Xin was silent for a long time.

It was a bright afternoon, sunlight streaming in through the window.

But Lu Xin felt a slight headache coming on.

After a good while, he asked, “So what about the current ‘Second Stage’?”

“Through organizing and analyzing research data, combined with extensive experimentation, methods for this enhancement have now spread among the major high-wall cities. Even though the Alliance has repeatedly warned against and attempted to halt this research, the actual effect has been minimal…”

Han Bing spoke slowly, “What I can tell you now, Mr. Lone Soldier, is that these experiments… have even matured.”

“We, in Qinggang, have the capability to perform this kind of enhancement.”

…

The sunlight falling on the conference table seemed dusty, not bright, yet somehow glaring.

Lu Xin frowned and slowly asked, “Does it also involve experimenting on people?”

“No.”

As Han Bing said this, her tone seemed infused with more confidence than before. “Professor Bai oversees all research related to psychic abilities and Pollution Sources in Qinggang City. He came to Qinggang right when the city was founded and established several ethical bottom lines for research from the very beginning. Therefore, Qinggang City has never conducted those unrestrained Forbidden Experiments…”

Realizing she might sound too certain, she paused slightly and slowly added, “Of course, I’m just a newcomer. There might be things happening at higher levels that I’m unaware of. But at least, that’s what Qinggang law dictates.”

…

“Meaning…”

Lu Xin slowly responded, “If they did conduct such experiments, it would be illegal, at minimum?”

“Yes, illegal. And there would be consequences.”

Han Bing continued slowly, “According to my personal knowledge, Professor Bai brought the concept of the Second Stage to Qinggang from an Alliance conference. Similar data was largely collected from the ruins of Forbidden Labs that were shut down during that previous mad era. People detest those forbidden experiments, yet much useful data undeniably came from them.”

“It’s undeniable that Qinggang has naturally conducted some experiments, but always adhering to the principles of voluntariness and non-aggression…”

“…Of course, I say this based on my position as a newcomer with limited access to secrets.”

…

Listening to Han Bing’s soft yet earnest voice, Lu Xin gradually felt some of his tension ease.

He swiveled in his chair, turning away from the window view.

Then he asked softly, “So, how exactly does Qinggang City conduct the Second Stage?”

“First, one must reach a sufficient rank.”

Han Bing explained, “Only Ability Users who have reached the level of Level 3 Special Talent are qualified to apply for Second Stage enhancement to strengthen their abilities and compensate for weaknesses. But just applying isn’t enough; the Research Institute also screens the applicants.”

“In reality, strengthening psychic abilities is like building with blocks.”

“Simply making the psychic magnitude higher isn’t the main goal. Ensuring the Ability User’s stability while their psychic power increases is the key point of the upgrade. It’s like building a tower of blocks; no matter how high you stack them, if it collapses, it’s meaningless!”

“Therefore, we assess the Ability User’s loss-of-control risk. Stability is the most crucial screening criterion.”

…

“Stability?”

Listening to this, Lu Xin frowned slightly, his thoughts drifting.

Having explained this far, Han Bing seemed to relax a bit, smiling as she said, “Actually, although we’ve possessed the ‘Second Stage’ ability enhancement technology for quite some time, fewer than five Ability Users in Qinggang City have undergone the enhancement. Currently, among the people you know, Mr. Lone Soldier, there’s actually only one person who meets the conditions for ‘Second Stage’ enhancement…”

“And that’s Mr. Gecko.”

…

“Him?”

This time, Lu Xin was genuinely surprised.

“Yes.”

Han Bing chuckled softly, “Mr. Gecko is recognized by the entire Research Department as the most stable Ability User they’ve ever encountered.”

“Stability implies enormous potential for growth.”

…

Lu Xin thought about it and couldn’t help but nod. “He is quite stable… So why hasn’t he undergone enhancement?”

“Because Mr. Gecko is very cautious…”

Han Bing’s voice held unconcealed amusement. “He has said more than once that he’s perfectly fine as he is. He can live very well, already possesses the privileges he dreamed of, and finds handling routine Pollution Sources easy. So, enhancement is something he absolutely won’t consider… If the city tries to force him, he says he’ll report them to the Alliance…”

…

“That sounds like him…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but nod inwardly, letting out a soft sigh.

The strange sense of irritation and aversion he’d felt earlier had quietly faded.

Thinking carefully, he wasn’t even sure if his aversion was directed at the ‘Second Stage’ itself, or the ‘Forbidden Experiments’.

Regardless, he now understood the concept of the Second Stage and Qinggang City’s stance on it.

This reminded him of what his Mom had told him at home.

She said to wait until he reached the Second Stage before looking at the file locked in the cabinet.

Was it because she knew he would inevitably reach the Second Stage, or did she hope he would never look at that file?

And himself…

…should he continue like this, or figure out his current state?

…

…

*Tap, tap, tap!*

Lu Xin sat in silence, his fingers unconsciously drumming slowly on the tabletop.

After long consideration, he finally made an extremely important decision, his expression becoming resolute:

“Help me apply for the ‘Second Stage’ enhancement!”

…

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

Han Bing didn’t speak, nor did Lu Xin on his end. He was completely serious now.

“Well…”

After what felt like a long pause, Han Bing’s voice finally came through, tinged with laughter, “I’m very sorry, Mr. Lone Soldier… but that’s not possible!”

“What?”

Han Bing’s refusal was unexpected. Lu Xin was momentarily stunned.

“Because Mr. Lone Soldier doesn’t meet the rank requirement yet…”

A hint of playfulness could be heard in Han Bing’s voice. “Only Level 3 Special Talents can apply for Second Stage enhancement.”

“You’re currently only Level 2…”