On a special testing field, all eyes were fixed on the subject at the center. A tense anticipation lingered in the air.
Luo Yong's physical exam results had just been released—immunity, vision, hearing, bone density, and muscle-fat ratio had all significantly improved. No abnormalities were found, and his overall physical condition had elevated across the board.
The R&D team was stunned. According to the current data, the potential-enhancement drug was indeed effective at unlocking latent human capabilities.
Now came the final two evaluations: strength and speed.
If these indicators improved as well, it would mean the potential-enhancement drug had essentially succeeded.
Though it couldn't be deployed across all military units at once, for special forces operatives, the boost in combat capability would be immense.
"Begin."
At the command, Luo Yong, wearing padded boxing gloves, stepped up to the force gauge. His posture was textbook perfect. He raised his right fist, coiled his muscles, and launched a punch.
Bang!
The sound thundered across the field like a war drum, reverberating in everyone's chest. Gasps rippled through the crowd as they looked at the display.
237 kilograms.
A solid punch—over 500 pounds of force. It shattered expectations. For context, in 2000, Bruce Lee's recorded punch was around 400 pounds—approximately 180 kilograms. Luo Yong's blow far exceeded that, and he wasn't even in a heavyweight class.
Just days ago, he had undergone the baseline physical. To now exhibit such explosive strength was mind-blowing.
Was this truly the effect of the potential agent?
A tester standing nearby swallowed hard, unable to hide his awe. Strength that most fighters could only dream of after decades of training—unlocked in days.
And Luo Yong didn't even look particularly bulky. Yet that slim frame now hid terrifying explosive power. A single punch or kick from him could be fatal.
When paired with heightened reaction time and speed, hand-to-hand combat against him would be near-suicidal.
His scarlet-colored test scores had increased dramatically compared to his baseline results before the drug.
Half an hour later, the full evaluation was complete:
Heavy punch: 237 kg
Side kick: 832 kg
100-meter sprint: 9.21 seconds
Although flexibility hadn't been measured in this round, Luo Yong's muscle development suggested promising adaptability. With continued training, agility and flexibility would likely follow.
The R&D team stared at the results, mouths agape.
They may not have fully grasped the significance of the force metrics, but the speed was undeniable. 9.21 seconds over 100 meters—faster than the current world record.
If applied to professional athletes, this could push human limits even further—potentially shattering the 9-second barrier. And since this wasn't a stimulant, the drug would be virtually undetectable.
Of course, this wasn't intended for athletes.
The medicine was a success.
Ding Jianwen held the test sheet with a mix of awe and emotion. At the beginning, this potential-enhancement project was met with skepticism. He and three medical universities had fought hard to obtain it.
Most of his former colleagues had already abandoned the effort. The research team had expanded, but results were stagnant for a long time. The project was on life support.
Then Wu Bing joined, and progress accelerated. But it was Chen Mo's discovery of the "Silence Factor" that completely revitalized the project.
Now, the impossible had been achieved. Although the research team had executed the tests, the real credit belonged to the brilliant young man beside him.
Ding Jianwen turned to look at Chen Mo.
He wasn't the only one—Wu Bing's gaze also lingered on him, complex emotions dancing in her eyes.
The project was a near-total success, but she didn't feel elated. Their team hadn't developed the breakthrough; they were merely the supporting cast.
"Are you mesmerized by my good looks?" Chen Mo chuckled, noticing the stares. "Don't fall for me."
Wu Bing, who had just been feeling admiration, rolled her eyes. This guy wasn't just a genius—he was a bit of a narcissist too.
Still, that touch of arrogance made him feel more human, less distant. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
Li Chengzhi also smiled. He wasn't concerned about who invented the drug. What mattered was that it worked.
The success of the potential-enhancing agent was monumental news for the military and special operations divisions.
With improved strength and speed, even basic training could yield superhuman soldiers. The 'Huaxia Captain' project was finally bearing fruit.
Chen Mo continued to be a bottomless well of innovation—whether it was the seismograph or this new drug, he constantly surprised them.
The entire R&D team was overjoyed. The project they had poured years into had finally delivered. Everyone had played a role.
"Dr. Ding, are you still going to hang on to your position?" Wu Bing asked, smiling.
"I'm too old for this. Now that the project's complete, I'll retire to the second line. It's up to you from here." Ding Jianwen smiled warmly.
"Understood."
As deputy project lead, Wu Bing didn't hesitate. With Ding stepping back, her authority became absolute.
She stood up and addressed the room.
"The first human trial has been a preliminary success. We'll continue monitoring Luo Yong's condition daily. In three days, we'll do a full medical exam and expand the trial to other volunteers. Academician Peng, you'll be responsible for Luo Yong's daily check-ups."
"Got it," replied a middle-aged researcher.
After listing all remaining tasks, Wu Bing exited the lab.
Success in a single trial was promising, but they couldn't take it for granted. The volunteer's condition had to be closely monitored, and any side effects would need to be identified immediately.
They also had to confirm this wasn't just a fluke. Which meant testing on additional volunteers.
Three days passed in a flash.
During that time, Luo Yong remained in excellent health. No side effects, no abnormalities. The team's confidence surged.
As he gradually adjusted to his newfound strength, Luo Yong's combat effectiveness soared. Speed, flexibility, and raw power improved steadily. He was now capable of challenging four special forces soldiers on his own.
His clean bill of health reassured the team. The next phase was ready to begin.
There were ten initial volunteers in total. Nine remained: six men and three women.
The second trial would involve three of them—two men and one woman.
Caution was key. Any unforeseen reaction had to be contained. They weren't in a rush. After all, they'd been working on this for years. A few extra days wouldn't hurt.
In a large, sterile ward, the three selected volunteers lay secured on specialized beds. A curtain hung between them for privacy. Behind each bed, monitoring equipment tracked their vital signs in real time.
"Begin," Wu Bing ordered calmly.
"Understood."
Shen Chongxin, hands slightly trembling, approached the beds to begin the injections.