The task of collecting X-gene samples had always been carried out by the Nova Team, although not with deliberate effort before.
When executing missions, they would conveniently collect X-gene samples, mainly from mutant criminals. As for mutants who hadn't committed any crimes, their information was simply recorded, and the team generally avoided contacting them proactively.
This time, with Ian's orders, the Nova Team immediately sprang into action, methodically searching based on prior records. They didn't need to use force or even show up in person—Nova Team had plenty of ways to discreetly obtain gene samples.
Within just three days, the number of X-gene samples in the lab's database rose from 3,000 to 5,000. However, the growth rate quickly slowed down.
After all, there were only so many mutants in the world. It became difficult to gather a significant amount of samples at once unless they sought out potential mutants who hadn't yet awakened. However, identifying X-gene carriers among ordinary people posed its own set of challenges.
An unawakened X-gene appeared as an inactive gene segment, which standard genetic testing equipment couldn't detect. They'd have to find another approach.
Ian wasn't too concerned with this issue at the moment. For now, the thousands of X-gene samples already collected were enough to keep the lab busy for a long time. Simulating gene-matching experiments required a vast amount of computational power, which the lab's current supercomputers couldn't fully support.
Therefore, Ian needed to quickly expand the computing center to increase computational capacity and efficiency.
The software aspects could be handled by 007, and the manufacturing process was automated. What Ian needed to focus on was acquiring the core raw material: ultra-high-purity monocrystalline silicon.
With his mastery of elemental control, Ian could purify silicon—even to an absolute 100% purity level if needed. However, the higher the purity, the lower the efficiency. Achieving this degree of precision, ensuring every atom was silicon and not any other element, was an extraordinarily meticulous and energy-consuming process.
Fortunately, absolute purity wasn't necessary for chip manufacturing. Even slightly lower purity would far exceed standard lab-grade products. Over three days, Ian completed this task.
However, his work wasn't finished yet. The production of thermal control runes required Ian to provide additional materials. These runes were the core of the cooling tower used by the lab's supercomputers.
That's right—the supercomputers in the mutant lab weren't entirely built with scientific technology. Their most critical cooling system relied on the metaphysical cooling tower.
Often, problems that science struggled to solve could be easily addressed through metaphysical methods—for instance, the cooling challenges of supercomputers. Instead of using large and complex cooling systems, a single cooling tower less than a meter tall could ensure absolute cooling for one computing unit.
A single computing unit was capable of 10 exaFLOPS (10 billion billion operations per second) at peak performance. Absolute cooling meant that no component of the system would ever exceed the preset temperature threshold.
The raw material for the thermal control runes, however, was far more demanding than monocrystalline silicon. Vibranium, the strongest physical material on Earth, was not suitable. Among the materials Ian currently knew of, only absolutely pure elemental iron could bear and activate the runes.
This iron had to be absolutely pure—containing no atoms of any other element and no isotopes.
Refining such material required Ian to remain in a highly focused state, and he could only refine five or six grams per minute. At most, he could refine one kilogram per day before his focus would waver.
The problem was that this absolutely pure material couldn't be stored. Unless kept in an absolute vacuum environment, it would instantly be contaminated and become ordinary ultra-high-purity iron, losing its ability to bear runes.
Only after inscribing and activating the runes could it stabilize.
Thus, Ian had to refine the iron on-site while a heat-control researcher used their X-ability to inscribe the runes and create thermal transfer runes.
After ten full days, Ian finally completed the 100 law runes needed for the project. This effort completely exhausted him, and he vowed never to take on such a tedious task again.
"Next time, I must acquire photon or quantum computing technology. Electronic computers are too much trouble!" Ian swore to himself.
If only the lab had a genius researcher specializing in this field. Otherwise, Ian might have considered developing a new type of computer on his own.
Unfortunately, developing new technology required more than just a solid knowledge base—it also demanded an endless stream of inspiration. While his learning system allowed him to rapidly acquire new knowledge, it couldn't grant him inspiration.
Such an endless stream of inspiration was a talent possessed only by true super-geniuses!
"Maybe I should visit Tony," Ian thought, recalling Tony Stark.
For a problem like this, someone like Tony Stark, a certified super-genius, could probably resolve it with ease.
Unfortunately, Ian didn't have the time for that now, as the first official X-gene implantation experiment was about to begin!
"Anna, are you ready?" John solemnly asked Rogue, who was standing beside him.
The determined Rogue, already dressed in experimental gear, replied firmly, "Of course!"
The bikini-style experiment suit accentuated Rogue's alluring figure, though no one in the lab paid any attention to it.
This suit wasn't designed to cover critical areas but to ensure her safety during the crucial moments of the experiment.
"Good luck!"
Amid everyone's well-wishes, Rogue stepped into the experimental chamber, a device resembling the medical pods often seen in movies.
The hatch closed as Rogue secured herself inside. Through the glass, she nodded at John.
"Begin!" John commanded to start the experiment.
Hypnotic gas was released, and Rogue quickly fell unconscious.
"Nutrient solution!" John continued to issue instructions methodically.
A vital nutrient solution was injected, completely submerging Rogue.
"Inject the 'gene agent'!"
Dozens of micro-needles connected to conduits penetrated Rogue's body and injected the gene agent.
Within a minute, the gene agent had spread throughout her body via bodily fluids and blood.
At this point, the preparation phase was complete!
"Initial activation!" John gave the next order.
A gentle life radiation emanated from all sides of the chamber, enveloping Rogue entirely.
The gene agent was activated and began taking effect. Rogue's metabolism accelerated dramatically, and her cellular activity surged.
The nutrient solution was continuously replenished, while nutrients were also injected through the needle punctures.
Ten minutes later, Rogue's vital signs stabilized.
"Full activation!" John commanded again.
The intensity of the life radiation increased rapidly, becoming significantly more stimulating.
Energy reactions within Rogue's body grew stronger.
Suddenly, Rogue, who was unconscious, opened her eyes!
Fortunately, she quickly closed them again without taking further action.
However, Ian, observing nearby, could clearly sense a powerful wave of psychic energy erupting from Rogue, which persisted without settling.
The instruments also indicated that Rogue's brain activity had surged dramatically.
Fortunately, her brain activity remained within the safety threshold, and the experiment was still under control.
Three minutes later, Rogue's psychic energy stabilized, and her brain activity returned to normal.
At that moment, everyone in the lab broke into radiant smiles.
The experiment had succeeded!
No unexpected incidents occurred!