“That sounds amazing! So what kind of species is this vine? What can it do?”
The moment Mo Xiaobai heard how powerful it was, all fear vanished, replaced with pure excitement. Even her little braid seemed to perk up with pride. Look at this luck of mine—total female-lead treatment! Hahaha!
The little vine seemed to sense its master’s delight. It poked its tiny head out from her wrist, wrapped two small leaves around her hand, and a tiny bud appeared on its tip, nuzzling her affectionately. It was adorably lethal.
“It appears to be a Bloodsucking Vine,” Fuwa explained, eyes wide with admiration. “It naturally produces a hallucinogenic toxin that numbs its prey—making them unaware even as their blood is drained.
“It can convert the absorbed blood into energy. The more it consumes, the brighter its flowers bloom and the stronger and tougher its body becomes! It’s a top-tier spiritual plant! As expected of my chosen host!”
Fuwa’s eyes shone as it gazed at the tiny vine that still looked harmless and delicate.
“So powerful! But… how do I communicate with it? Do I have to do a blood-bond ritual?” Mo Xiaobai asked curiously. She already adored the little thing, but she couldn’t seem to establish a link with it.
In the novels she read, there was always a ritual—blood recognition leading to telepathic connection! Just as that thought flashed through her mind, the vine’s tendrils, soft as tiny feet, coiled around her wrist and then—stabbed into her vein with a faint “puchi.”
Strangely, though she could see her blood being drawn, she didn’t feel any pain at all.That must’ve been the hallucinogenic toxin Fuwa mentioned.
As the vine drank more, its green hue slowly deepened to a reddish tint. When its bud finally bloomed with a vivid crimson flower, it loosened its hold. At the same moment, Mo Xiaobai felt a presence appear in her mind—a tiny shadow of the vine, radiating warmth and cheerful affection.
Mo Xiaobai smiled, her lips curling with genuine fondness. She stroked the tiny red blossom with her fingertip.“From now on, I’ll call you Xiaoying—beautiful, deadly, and impossible to resist.”
The vine—no, Xiaoying—wiggled happily, its little red flower bobbing and its leaves trembling in joy. Clearly, it was quite pleased with its new name.
After a few moments of bonding, Mo Xiaobai accidentally brushed against the vials she’d left on the bedside table. Only then did she remember—she still hadn’t used the gene serums from the beginner’s pack! Instantly perking up, she called for Fuwa.
“Fuwa! What exactly is a gene serum? Is it like in the novels—where you drink it and it reforges your body from within? Wait—does that mean I should’ve taken it before using the Awakening Stone?”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of regret.
“The gene serum is a basic bio-enhancement medicine developed by advanced civilizations,” Fuwa said solemnly, face puffed up in mock seriousness. “It compensates for genetic deficiencies and promotes biological evolution. It can vastly improve one’s physique, and sometimes even trigger ability awakenings!
“The higher the grade of the serum, the stronger its effects—but also the stricter the requirements. The primary gene serum is the lowest tier and the safest. In high-level civilizations, even children start taking it in elementary school. So, whether you use it before or after awakening doesn’t make much difference.”
Fuwa’s cute little face was full of exaggerated professionalism, which somehow made it look even more out of place.
“That’s fine then! Otherwise, I’d feel like I just lost billions in potential value!” Mo Xiaobai muttered, still stunned. “Wait—did you say elementary schoolers take this stuff?! Something we’d treat like a priceless treasure is just a kid’s supplement there?!”
“That’s correct,” Fuwa said with a nod. “Gene serums are divided into primary, intermediate, advanced, and special-grade. Primary and intermediate are common commodities—anyone with money can buy them. Advanced ones are restricted to the military, and special-grade serums can only be used by a select few.
“If someone unqualified tries to take a higher-grade serum, their body will literally explode. The same can happen with intermediate or advanced serums if the user’s condition doesn’t meet the threshold. The requirements for special-grade are extremely high.”
Fuwa lectured seriously, like a tiny professor in a red bellyband.
“So I just drink it directly, right?” Mo Xiaobai asked, nodding in understanding. Those details didn’t matter—someday, Blue Star would reach that level too. After all, if anyone could replicate and innovate, Huaguo could.
“Yes, but I suggest you drink it in the bathroom,” Fuwa said thoughtfully. “After taking it, you’ll most likely need to shower.”
“Got it!” Mo Xiaobai said eagerly. “I know this part—body cleansing and impurity expulsion, right?”
After double-checking the instructions, she rushed into the bathroom, sat on a small stool, opened one vial of the primary serum, and downed it in one go.
She smacked her lips. “Not bad! Kinda sweet, actually.”
But before she could savor it, pain exploded through her body. Every bone felt as if it were being shattered and reforged, sending her collapsing onto the floor.
Rolling and screaming, she cursed the system between gasps—even though she knew this was the legendary “body refinement” process. Still—knowing didn’t make it hurt any less!
“Fuwa! Get out here right now! It hurts like hell! Don’t tell me this stuff expired! How do elementary kids survive this?!”
“This is perfectly normal! Hang in there, Host! The process of genetic perfection is equivalent to total genetic reconstruction! You just have a weaker constitution than those kids! Remember—‘No pain, no gain!’ Every tear today is for the sweetness of tomorrow! Every bit of suffering now is a blessing later!”
As it spoke, Fuwa instantly shifted from serious instructor to gleeful cheerleader. Its chubby face glowed with excitement, and now it was waving two tiny handkerchiefs while shouting encouragement.
Mo Xiaobai was so furious she wanted to bite the little brat’s head off. How could something so cute be so infuriating?!
Yet somehow, with Fuwa’s ridiculous commentary filling the room, the agony didn’t feel as unbearable anymore. She even found herself arguing back between groans.
Eventually, the pain faded away, replaced by a wave of soothing warmth spreading through her entire body. Relief flooded her senses—it was over. Finally, blissful comfort!
She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh of pure satisfaction. The sky’s bluer, the air’s sweeter—life has never felt so good!
Then she blinked, rubbed her eyes, and gasped in disbelief.
“Wait—my nearsightedness is gone?!”
Her face lit up with joy. “Wahahaha! The world’s so clear! I can’t get used to it!”