Wolf Fang Town Guardian Army, Wolf Fang Legion Camp Entrance.
"Shen Zheng? The genius with an adaptation value of 98?"
Upon receiving Shen Zheng's enlistment card, the veteran responsible for welcoming new recruits widened his eyes in shock. He immediately stood up and saluted, leaving Shen Zheng feeling completely unprepared.
"It's him! The genius!"
Among the hundreds of young recruits reporting in, some overheard this and quickly gathered around.
"Oh my god, it really is you!" One recruit exclaimed excitedly, trying to get closer. "Do you remember me? We were in the same group during the test that day!"
"Sign an autograph for me, genius!" Another young soldier eagerly held out a piece of paper and a pen.
"Me too! Please sign mine!"
More and more recruits, including a dozen female soldiers, rushed forward, their eyes filled with admiration and excitement.
Shen Zheng felt overwhelmed. Just a short while ago, he was an ordinary, unnoticed worker. Now, he was suddenly being treated like a superstar. The drastic contrast made his head spin.
"Hmph, what's so special about that?"
A cold snort broke the excitement. A tall recruit stood apart, his expression disdainful. "A high adaptation value means nothing. What really matters is what type of insect you're compatible with. If it's not a combat insect, then you're just a useless weakling!"
"Oh, isn't that the so-called genius with an adaptation value of 86?" Some recruits turned to look at him before chuckling.
"That's pure jealousy!"
"Yeah, everyone knows that the higher the adaptation value, the easier it is to integrate with combat insects. You're just envious!"
"No, I'd say it's more of a curse. Genius, just ignore him! He's just bitter about your adaptation value being 98!"
The tall recruit's face turned red. He glared at Shen Zheng before handing his enlistment card to the veteran and walking into the base without looking back.
Watching his retreating figure, Shen Zheng felt a sudden sense of unease.
The tall recruit wasn't entirely wrong. A high adaptation value alone wasn't enough—it depended on what kind of insect one was compatible with.
Humans were far weaker than insects in terms of raw power, but their intelligence made up for it. Over two thousand years ago, on Earth, humans had developed "insect technology," allowing them to harness the strength of powerful combat insects to enhance themselves.
The process involved implanting insect eggs into a human body. Through special technological procedures, the egg would fuse with human cells, granting the host the insect's power—this was called "insect implantation."
Not everyone could undergo insect implantation. Only those with exceptionally strong physiques had the potential to succeed. The degree of compatibility was measured by the adaptation value—the higher the value, the easier and more effective the fusion.
Combat insects came in two main types: melee-type and ranged-type.
Melee-type insects granted immense physical strength and powerful close-combat weapons. Ranged-type insects enabled hosts to generate and launch spikes, corrosive fluids, flames, ice, or energy beams.
Only those who successfully implanted either of these two types were considered true warriors—superhuman beings that ordinary people could rely on.
"Am I truly destined to be a one-in-a-million genius?"
Shen Zheng couldn't help but feel anxious.
After signing a few more autographs, he followed the other recruits into the base. In an open training field, three hundred young recruits assembled into formation.
"Relax," a military officer in front of them said with a smile. "You are only theoretically qualified for insect implantation, but in the entire history of the program, there has never been a qualified recruit who failed the process. You are practically qualified as well. Now, let's begin the implantation process. Approach it with a calm mind."
"Yes, sir!" The recruits shouted in unison.
They were soon divided into ten groups and led into different labs within the base. Inside, military medics in white coats were busy preparing implantation devices and insect egg containers.
"Genius, look! That's the combat insect egg storage!" A recruit whispered excitedly to Shen Zheng, pointing to a metal rack lined with hexagonal containers.
"Don't call me that," Shen Zheng replied, feeling embarrassed.
"Come on, don't be so modest! An adaptation value of 98 has never been recorded before!"
"Yeah, you're a true genius!"
"We're honored to be implanting alongside you!"
Before Shen Zheng could respond, a blood-curdling scream filled the lab.
"Aaaahhh!"
The first recruit undergoing implantation convulsed in pain, struggling desperately against the restraints of the implantation chair. The military medics, unfazed, calmly adjusted the control panel on a nearby computer.
A thick transparent tube was connected to a needle firmly embedded in the recruit's wrist. The other end of the tube led to a massive sealed device—over two meters tall, resembling a giant cocoon. The hexagonal insect egg container was placed inside, extracting a single round egg, which was then compressed and liquefied before being injected into the recruit's body.
"Adaptation value of only 64… this is troublesome," one of the medics muttered, adjusting the settings.
As the insect egg was fully injected, the recruit's entire body tensed up.
"Activate the energy modulation field," a senior medic commanded.
A circular light shield materialized around the chair, encasing the struggling recruit. His tremors gradually weakened until he fell completely still.
"Success," the medic monitoring the screen confirmed. "We've gained another melee warrior."
"Show us your new abilities," another medic instructed, deactivating the light shield and unlocking the restraints.
The recruit hesitantly stood up. His body shuddered twice before his sleeve suddenly ripped apart—a sharp, blade-like limb extended from his forearm, gleaming with the toughness of steel and the texture of an insect's exoskeleton.
"I feel… powerful!" The recruit exclaimed in awe.
"You will undergo specialized training to master your new abilities," the medic explained. "Once your combat rating improves significantly, you will officially become a superhuman warrior. Next!"
Just then, the lab door swung open. A towering officer in his fifties strode in, flanked by two guards. The medics immediately snapped to attention and saluted.
"Where is the genius?" The officer scanned the room.
"There!" A recruit pointed at Shen Zheng excitedly.
"Excellent," the officer nodded. "The Third Division needs talents like you. Congratulations, you have been selected for the most elite unit in the Wolf Fang Legion!"
"Captain Cates, you sure are quick to snatch recruits," a new officer entered the room, a tall man with black hair and a dark expression.
"Talent should be commanded by the best," Cates responded coldly.
Another officer with golden hair stepped forward. "New recruits should be assigned by the Legion Commander."
"Looks like this one is in high demand," a fourth officer commented, appearing more composed and calm than the others.
"The division leaders are fighting over him already?"
"Damn, I'm so jealous!"
The recruits murmured among themselves, watching in awe as the four captains argued over Shen Zheng.
Then—the door opened again.
A sixty-year-old man entered, exuding authority. His uniform bore distinctive insignia—the Wolf Fang Legion Commander.
The captains immediately stopped arguing and saluted.
"I heard some commotion and came to check," the commander said, looking at Shen Zheng.
"So, you're the one?"
"Yes, sir!" Shen Zheng saluted, slightly awkward but determined.
"Work hard. You have a bright future."
"Yes, sir!"
The commander turned to the captains. "Stop fighting. Let's see how his implantation goes first."
The lab fell silent.
"Shen Zheng, you're up next."
His heart pounded as he stepped forward, strapped into the chair—the moment of truth had arrived.