Two months had flown by.
Inside the elevator heading to the 647th floor, Long Yuehong adjusted the polyester shirt he was wearing. Catching his reflection in the elevator's metallic walls, he struck a flexing pose.
"This high-intensity training really pays off," he said, grinning. "I feel like I could take on three—no, five—versions of my younger self right out of college."
His physique had indeed improved remarkably, and his demeanor had grown significantly more assertive.
Shang Jianyao, standing beside him, stared blankly at the slight gap between the elevator doors.
"Well," he said suddenly, "even with genetic modification, I'm only 1.75 meters tall, my looks are average, and my grades were... just okay."
Long Yuehong blinked, unsure how to respond.
After a moment, he exhaled heavily. "Seriously, though. With all the meat we've been eating these past two months, how have I not grown a single centimeter taller?"
As they spoke, the elevator reached their floor, and the doors slid open. The two men stepped out, navigating their way to Room 14 with practiced ease.
They had no idea what training awaited them today, so they hadn't changed into their security department uniforms or more flexible combat gear. Their first stop would be to report to Jiang Baimian, their team leader, before heading to the baths and changing rooms.
Inside Room 14, Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen were already gathered around the former's desk, engrossed in examining something.
"Good morning, Captain!" Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao greeted loudly, a habit they had grown into over the past months.
Jiang Baimian raised her head and waved them over.
"Come here, both of you. There's something we need to discuss."
Long Yuehong exchanged a glance with Shang Jianyao, who looked equally clueless, and the two approached.
On Jiang Baimian's desk, painted a deep reddish-brown, lay a low-resolution map. She tapped it lightly with her fist, grinning.
"Today's training program," she announced, "is a field exercise!"
"A what?" Long Yuehong exclaimed, wide-eyed.
He had known that a field exercise was inevitable, but he hadn't expected it to come with no warning, no time to prepare.
Shang Jianyao said nothing, but his face lit up with barely contained excitement.
Jiang Baimian scanned their faces and continued, "Originally, we planned to start this a few days later. But headquarters just assigned us a small task: delivering a water filtration chip to a settlement of wilderness nomads. So, why not start today?"
She gestured toward Bai Chen, who was wrapped snugly in her ever-present gray scarf.
"Bai Chen, explain the destination and general route to them."
Bai Chen leaned against the desk with one hand and pointed to a spot on the map with the other.
"This is Qifeng Town, about 300 kilometers from the company. If there were intact roads and no dangers along the way, we could take turns driving and get there in a day. Unfortunately, the Black Marsh Wilderness has no such luxuries."
Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao knew that the "Black Marsh Wilderness" referred to the perilous expanse beyond the company grounds.
It was an enormous area, stretching northward into icy tundras, northeast toward territories held by the Salvation Army, and eastward to lands claimed by the White Knights. Further southeast lay the sprawling metropolis of First City. To the south, more wilderness and mountain ranges spread out.
Bai Chen continued, "As you can see, a large swamp—the Great Marsh—lies between us and Qifeng Town. Many areas on the map are marked with high-danger symbols. From experience, these zones are either pure swamp with no viable paths, infested with mutants or terrifying creatures, or contain ruins from the Old World—places you go but never return from.
"Excluding areas with severe contamination, our route options are quite limited. And to avoid using the company's routine patrol paths, which have outposts along the way, we can only choose between two routes. They both involve weaving through the Great Marsh and will take a week or even two to complete, depending on the weather."
She paused, her tone more tentative. "I'm not overly familiar with parts of the Great Marsh. Many areas are uncharted. If you have other suggestions, feel free to share."
Before Jiang Baimian could speak, Shang Jianyao stepped forward and pointed decisively at one of the routes.
"This one," he declared.
"Why?" Bai Chen asked reflexively, only to regret it immediately.
Shang Jianyao responded earnestly, "It has smooth lines and an aesthetically pleasing shape."
Bai Chen turned her head toward Jiang Baimian, silently pleading for intervention.
Jiang Baimian rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I agree with Shang Jianyao's choice. Since there's no significant difference between the two routes, we might as well pick the prettier one. Decision made!"
She turned to Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, tapping her digital watch.
"You've got 15 minutes to get ready."
"Only 15 minutes?!" Long Yuehong's face scrunched up in disbelief.
"Fourteen minutes and fifty-five seconds," Jiang Baimian replied without looking up.
Long Yuehong immediately spun around and ran after Shang Jianyao.
"Hey, wait up!"
The two dashed into a nearby bathhouse, heading straight for their lockers.
Because their daily training sessions often left them drenched in sweat, they kept plenty of spare clothes here for convenience.
Inside the company, sunlight was nonexistent, and the cold nights made drying clothes impractical. The Training Support Department handled all laundry, from collection to cleaning, drying, and return. Only small personal items were allowed to be air-dried over individual washbasins or caught in basins below.
Shang Jianyao grabbed a camouflage backpack issued by the security department, unzipped it, and stuffed a uniform inside.
He followed up with a yellow soap bar—labeled as both shampoo and body wash—sealed in a plastic bag, which he tossed into the bag alongside toothpaste, a toothbrush, and other essentials.
Without hesitation, Shang Jianyao stripped down to his underwear, tossing his worn clothes back into the locker.
He donned the spare gray security uniform with practiced efficiency and bent to lace up his boots.
Straightening up, Shang Jianyao walked to the half-length mirror to adjust his outfit.
The reflection revealed a man with straight brows, bright brown eyes, and neatly trimmed black hair. His face was sharply defined, exuding strength.
Wearing the well-designed security uniform, he looked both vibrant and commanding.
Taking a slow, deliberate step back, Shang Jianyao pulled a red badge from his pocket. He pinned it to the left side of his chest.
The badge bore four embossed golden words on a crimson background:
"Pangu Biology."
Two months had passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the elevator leading to the 647th floor, Long Yuehong adjusted his polyester shirt and glanced at his reflection on the metallic walls. He flexed his chest muscles, striking a triumphant pose.
"This high-intensity training really works wonders," he muttered, half to himself. "I think I could take on three—no, maybe even five—of my past selves."
Not only had his physique improved, but his demeanor now exuded a newfound ruggedness and confidence.
Shang Jianyao, standing beside him, stared straight ahead at the elevator doors and sighed.
"Here I am, after genetic modification, still just 175 centimeters tall, looking ordinary, and with mediocre grades…"
Long Yuehong blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.
"Honestly, even with meat every day for two months, why haven't I grown a single centimeter taller?"
As they chatted, the elevator doors slid open, and the two men exited, taking a practiced turn into Room 14.
The morning's training agenda remained a mystery, leaving them unsure whether to change into the security department's uniform or more combat-appropriate attire. Their only option was to check in with Jiang Baimian first and then head to the bathhouse locker room.
Inside, Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen were already huddled around the former's reddish-brown desk, studying something intently.
"Good morning, Team Leader!" Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong had grown accustomed to greeting her with enthusiastic volume.
Jiang Baimian waved them over.
"Come here, there's something I need to discuss."
Exchanging a puzzled glance, the two men approached her desk, where a crude, low-resolution map lay spread out.
Jiang Baimian tapped the map with a clenched fist, smiling broadly.
"Today's training is...
"A field survival exercise!"
"What?" Long Yuehong exclaimed, his voice laden with disbelief.
Although he had always known this day would come, the lack of any prior warning left him feeling caught off guard and unprepared.
Shang Jianyao, on the other hand, remained silent, but the grin stretching across his face was impossible to hide.
Jiang Baimian surveyed the group and explained,
"We originally planned this for a few days later, but an opportunity arose. Headquarters needs us to deliver water filter chips to a drifter settlement. So, why not combine the task with your training?
"Bai Chen, explain the route and our destination."
Leaning against the desk, Bai Chen tapped a specific point on the map.
"This is Qifeng Town, approximately 300 kilometers from our base. If we had a fully restored highway and no obstacles, we could make the trip in a day by taking turns driving. But unfortunately, the Black Marsh Wilderness lacks such conveniences.
"The wilderness spans a vast region filled with dangers. To the north, it borders the Ice Fields; to the northeast, it touches the Salvation Army's territory. The eastern frontier is controlled by the White Knights, while far to the southeast lies First City.
"To the south, there's another wilderness interspersed with mountain ranges."
Bai Chen's finger traced the map as she continued.
"We're separated from Qifeng Town by the Great Swamp, marked with numerous high-risk symbols. These areas are either impassable marshlands, infested with mutated beasts or horrifying monster packs, or home to Old World ruins—places from which few return.
"After accounting for these threats and ruling out heavily polluted zones, our viable routes are limited. Furthermore, we must avoid the two commonly used paths monitored by the company's outposts, as taking those would defeat the purpose of the exercise.
"Considering these constraints, I've charted two possible routes. Both involve weaving through the Great Swamp and will take about one to two weeks, depending on the weather. Alternatively, we could bypass the swamp entirely, though that would take even longer and be just as dangerous."
She paused, then added,
"My knowledge of the Great Swamp is limited, as I haven't explored every part. If you have other suggestions, feel free to share."
Before Jiang Baimian could weigh in, Shang Jianyao stepped forward and pointed decisively at one of the routes.
"This one."
"Why?" Bai Chen asked reflexively, then instantly regretted it.
"Because the lines are smooth, and the shape is aesthetically pleasing," Shang Jianyao replied earnestly.
Bai Chen turned to Jiang Baimian, hoping for a more reasonable decision.
Rubbing her chin thoughtfully, Jiang Baimian grinned.
"I agree with Shang Jianyao. If the routes are essentially the same, why not choose the more visually appealing one?
"Decision made!"
She glanced at Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, tapping her smartwatch.
"You have fifteen minutes to prepare."
"Fifteen minutes?" Long Yuehong's face twisted in dismay.
"Fourteen minutes and fifty-five seconds," Jiang Baimian replied without looking up.
Realizing the urgency, Long Yuehong hurried after Shang Jianyao.
"Hey, wait for me!"
The two rushed to the nearby locker room, where they opened their personal lockers.
Due to their rigorous daily training, they had left a substantial portion of their gear there for convenience.
Shang Jianyao pulled out a camouflage backpack issued by the security department, unzipped it, and began packing. He tucked in a set of uniforms, a yellow two-in-one soap bar, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and other essentials.
Stripping down to his boxers, he replaced his clothes with a fresh gray uniform and laced up his boots.
Standing before a half-length mirror, he adjusted his jacket and retrieved a nameplate from his pocket. Pinning it to his chest, the engraved gold letters on a red background glinted under the fluorescent light:
"Pangu Biology."
Two minutes later, Shang Jianyao stood waiting outside the locker room. When Long Yuehong finally emerged, he couldn't help but grin.
"Notice anything different about me?" Long Yuehong asked, lifting an arm as if to showcase himself.
Shang Jianyao gave him a sidelong glance, saying nothing.
"I'm not nervous!" Long Yuehong declared. "Didn't you notice? I didn't panic, and I wasn't pessimistic! If this were the old me, I'd be terrified by now. But now? It's just a survival exercise. I can handle it."
Shang Jianyao slowed his pace, scanning Long Yuehong from head to toe.
Finally, he smiled.
"Your legs are shaking."
"…" Long Yuehong's expression fell like a deflated balloon.
Ignoring him, Shang Jianyao strode towards Room 14, Long Yuehong trailing behind, muttering defensively, "They're not shaking! They're not!"
By the time they re-entered Room 14, Jiang Baimian's sharp gaze landed on the nameplate pinned to Shang Jianyao's chest.
"No need for nameplates," she said, raising an eyebrow. "This isn't an official company mission, and in the wilderness, fewer numbers mean less risk. To drifters and bandits, your affiliation doesn't matter. If they're desperate enough, they'll attack anyone, big-name organizations included."
Shang Jianyao nodded solemnly.
"It's for the sense of ceremony."
"…Just take it off once we leave the base," Jiang Baimian relented, rubbing her temple. "Let's move out."
The team grabbed their identical camouflage backpacks and followed her to the elevator area. They entered the lift, and Jiang Baimian swiped her card, selecting the 650th floor.
The elevator doors opened onto a stark, silver-metal corridor—this was the floor closest to the surface. The hallway was barren except for a few heavy metal doors, armed security personnel, and surveillance systems.
Navigating through the labyrinthine passages, Jiang Baimian swiped her card at each checkpoint. Some doors required additional biometric scans, and the final one even demanded a password.
Beyond the last door, they boarded a secondary elevator, which ascended to the Surface Zone.
When the doors opened, the team found themselves in a massive parking area beneath a reinforced metal dome. Rows upon rows of vehicles stretched into the distance—cars, tanks, even missile trucks.
"This is the parking lot," Jiang Baimian said casually, her voice echoing.
Amid the vast array of machinery, she located their assigned vehicle: a gray-green Jeep with a high chassis and oversized wheels.
Opening the trunk, she gestured to the left side.
"These are our weapons for the exercise. Each of you gets a standard-issue 'Ice Moss' 9mm pistol. It's modeled after First City's 'Red River' and uses the most common ammo type for easy resupply..."
She went on to list the rifles, grenades, and ammunition stored alongside their provisions, explaining their uses. After equipping themselves, the group climbed into the Jeep. Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen took the front seats, leaving Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong in the back.
As they drove through the final checkpoint, Jiang Baimian gestured ahead.
"That's the last gate."
A massive silver door loomed in the distance, guarded by nearly twenty armed personnel.
After clearing the final inspection, the Jeep rolled forward, and the gates began to part.
Golden light spilled through the widening gap, neither as stark as