Wu Bing frowned as she stared at the white mouse lying limp in the cage. Its breathing was shallow, and its vital signs were rapidly fading. Moments later, the tiny body fell still.
Another failure.
She had lost count of how many times the experiment had failed. Despite her dual doctorates in medicine and biology, she was still only scratching the surface when it came to this area of research.
And she wasn't alone.
Across the globe, research into bio-enhancement was still in its infancy. Breakthroughs were rare, and progress came painfully slow.
True biological enhancement wasn't as easy as people imagined.
To take it further meant stepping into realms involving genetic manipulation and extremely sensitive, confidential fields. During her time studying in the UK, she had come across the theoretical concepts—but making them work was another story entirely.
In the world of life sciences, bio-enhancement was among the highest-level subjects. Wu Bing was among the few best-equipped to handle it, given her qualifications and background. It was part of the reason she had been recruited so quickly after returning to China—assigned to this top-secret project at the National Engineering Institute.
Some researchers before her had made slight progress, but the side effects of their experimental drugs were too powerful and unstable to be viable.
Every time she administered a dose to a mouse, the pattern was the same: first, a sudden surge in activity and apparent vitality, as if the mouse's life force had been amplified. But within two minutes, the creature would collapse—lifeless.
This wasn't development. It was combustion. The drugs didn't awaken potential; they burned through the body like fuel.
And unless this problem could be solved, the project couldn't move forward.
Even so, Wu Bing hadn't given up. She didn't believe in giving up easily. To her, this was just a new and worthy challenge. Compared to the early days when the mice died instantly, at least now there was some sign of improvement.
Just then, an assistant approached her in the lab.
"Academician Wu, Academician Ding wants to see you right away."
"Right now?" Wu Bing asked, turning her head.
"Yes."
"Understood."
She put down the lab tablet where she was recording notes and removed her gloves, then left the lab.
Ding Jianwen was one of the lead figures in their research institute. An old academician with graying hair and a calm demeanor, he was also the most respected member of the team. There had originally been three project leads, but only Ding Jianwen remained after the others left or retired.
Normally, he wouldn't interrupt someone mid-experiment unless something significant had occurred.
When Wu Bing stepped into his office, she immediately noticed they weren't alone. Beside the elderly academician stood a middle-aged man she didn't recognize.
"You haven't met yet," Ding Jianwen said. "This is Instructor Li."
"Instructor Li." Wu Bing nodded politely, though her eyes flickered with curiosity.
The name was enough to identify him.
She knew who he was—Li Chengzhi, one of the liaisons for their classified project codenamed "Huaxia Captain." The project's ultimate goal was to find a safe, controllable method of enhancing the human body—essentially developing real-life super soldiers. Not like the superheroes of sci-fi movies, but something more grounded and viable.
She had heard the name before. Li Chengzhi was deeply embedded in the national system. He knew all the key players in the research world, including Wu Bing herself—being related to Wu Hequan, a fellow academician and national expert.
Wu Bing didn't know him personally, but it was clear he knew her.
"I'm here on special instructions from above," Li Chengzhi began. "There's a new piece of technology—or rather, a set of research findings—that may be relevant to your current work. I've already filed the necessary reports with the higher-ups. Academician Ding recommended you as the best person to verify it."
His tone was calm, but serious. Wu Bing's interest was piqued. What kind of information warranted this kind of formality?
"At the moment, I can't disclose too much," he continued. "Your task is only to verify the authenticity of the material. Once it's confirmed, the rest of your team will be granted access, and the entire project will be handed over to you for full-scale research."
She and Ding Jianwen both nodded.
Li Chengzhi opened the secure case he had brought and pulled out a stack of documents. "This is partial data—enough to evaluate the technology."
Wu Bing took the papers and sat down with Ding Jianwen to review them.
As she read, her eyes widened.
The materials covered topics on cellular activity and bio-strengthening—essentially the theoretical basis and practical data for bio-enhancement. The research was advanced. From a glance, she could tell it was closely related to her own field. In fact, some of the theories aligned directly with her research direction.
But this data… it wasn't from any known publication. It had to be internal. And despite being only a partial glimpse, it was detailed and convincing.
The most eye-catching part was the experimental data—comparative analysis of mice before and after treatment.
Someone else was doing the same research as her—and progressing faster.
Then she came across a term: "Silent Factor."
Wu Bing's brow furrowed.
According to the notes, the drug's effect stemmed from a special compound—a new substance that acted on living organisms the same way rare earth elements enhanced steel. The strengthening effect came from this silent factor.
The name sounded almost... playful.
At first, she thought it might be a joke. But the depth of terminology and scientific reasoning in the papers quickly ruled that out. There was no way someone like Li Chengzhi would come all this way to play games.
Names aside, the research was serious. And impressive.
"This is very similar to our own work," she said. "But this data is incomplete. It's only a small portion. Where did it come from?"
"That's not your concern for now," Li Chengzhi replied with a faint smile. "Your job is to confirm whether the science holds up."
He then opened a hidden compartment in the case and pulled out two vials, placing them gently on the table.
"These are samples of the drug. The developer claims this is a human potential-enhancement agent."
Seeing the samples, Wu Bing and Ding Jianwen immediately straightened their posture. The color and composition were unlike anything in their lab—but if Li Chengzhi brought them, there was no way it was a hoax.
"I need a complete verification report," Li said. "Test everything. Even unknowns. Whatever challenges your project is facing—check if this drug solves them."
"Understood," Wu Bing nodded, now taking the matter extremely seriously.
From the look of it, someone had already solved the fatal issues plaguing her experiments. According to the data and photos, not only had their test mice survived—they had thrived.
Wu Bing took one vial and stored it in a high-security refrigerated safe. The other, she began preparing for lab tests.
"I'll deliver the report in two days," she told Li Chengzhi, stopping him outside her lab.
Access to her lab was strictly restricted. Even Li Chengzhi needed her permission to enter. That was standard protocol in their facility—unauthorized personnel could not casually enter high-security research zones.
"Good," Li Chengzhi said with a nod. "I'll wait for your good news."
He turned and left.
Wu Bing stepped back into the lab, put on her gloves, and retrieved the testing equipment.
She placed a single drop of the liquid onto a petri dish, ready to verify the presence—and effects—of the mysterious Silent Factor.