The Highest Bounty - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: I Want to Drop Out!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the early morning, the sky of Cerule was azure.
“Pearson returned to Skyriver Prison Headquarters last night. Even Old Henry’s dinner was called off.” Neptune handed Gu Ding a piece of information about Pearson early in the morning.
“Any other news?” Gu Ding did not care about the news on Pearson. Based on what he had said, the two of them had already settled their grievances and no longer held any ill-will. If the other party chose to continue to keep an eye on him and his friends, then he would have no choice but to send the videos and information to the higher-ups of the Federation Government, completely ruining his life.
“There is a message that you might be interested in. It arrived in the early hours of today morning and it has not yet been verified.” Neptune’s tone carried a hint of expectation. “The message said that the ruler of Faye Cosmic Nation secretly visited our Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation a few days ago. The rulers of the two nations had initially discussed being mutually open to each other. ” 3
“Are you sure that it was the Faye Cosmic Nation?” Gu Ding was somewhat unconvinced by this news. The Faye Cosmic Nation was different from the Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation as it was a prestigious five-star cosmic nation. The Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation in which Gu Ding was located was just a two-star cosmic nation, which paled in comparison to the strength of the Faye Cosmic Nation. Generally speaking, the five-star cosmic nations rarely dealt with cosmic nations that were below four stars—they were the top hegemons in the universe. With the gods residing with them, they had the power and the right to command any cosmic nations which were below five stars. 2
Moreover, two-star cosmic nations like Dragon Soar usually depended on three-star cosmic nations to survive. Three-star cosmic nations likewise existed by attaching themselves to four-star cosmic nations. If the Faye Cosmic Nation really wanted to establish diplomatic relations, it would be enough to communicate with the four-star cosmic nation that oversaw the Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation. In order to establish a long-term cooperative relationship, it was also normal for four-star cosmic nations to give up the rulership of multiple two-star cosmic nations. 1
Thus, a five-star cosmic nation actively visiting the two-star universe country… such a thing had never been heard of.
“Is this news reliable?” Gu Ding asked next.
“I’m not sure. The level of communication authority between cosmic nations is too advanced. I can’t infiltrate it right now.”
This was the first time Neptune had admitted to Gu Ding that he would not be able to do something.
Gu Ding was surprised to hear this. Ever since he first met Neptune, he saw Neptune as omnipotent. Now, he finally realized that there were things in this world that even Neptune could not do. 2
“You should improve your skills as soon as possible. The higher your gene level, the more authority you can activate. I estimate that once you reach the level of a tenth-order genome, the Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation will no longer be able to hide secrets from me.” Neptune’s words made Gu Ding speechless.
The tenth-order genome was too far away for Gu Ding. Even a strong man like Uncle Cain with a reward of hundreds of millions was only a bearer of a sixth-order genome. Furthermore, the bearer of a sixth-order genome was able to get a position in the federal university in Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation.
Thinking of this, Gu Ding felt a bit depressed. “I don’t know when I will be able to break through to the second-order genome. The cell index has reached 19 points, but the genetic level has not yet broken. Fortunately, practicing extreme body skills every day can strengthen cells. Ordinary people would have broken through their gene level when they have more than 10 points cell indexes.”
“Your genetic situation is a bit special…” Neptune was a little bit reticent.
“Do you know something?” Gu Ding caught Neptune’s tone. It sounded like Neptune knew about the problems with his genes.
“Your gene is in a blocked state, with it being a double blockade. One of it is the gene lock you were born with, and the other is a seal lock that was added deliberately by someone else.” In reality, Neptune had noticed Gu Ding’s anomaly right off the bat. 2
“Actually, the main reason why I accepted you as my master was because of your genetic condition.”
“Is the gene blockage a good thing?” Gu Ding frowned slightly. He did not care too much about the gene lock he was born with, what he cared about was the gene lock that he was inflicted with after birth. Growing up, he had only one loved one person, his dad. Thus, he was afraid that the seal lock was also added by his dad. “Dad must have done this for a reason… It doesn’t matter, I’ll know the reason once I find him and ask him in person!”
“Innate genetic locks are only for those who are born with extremely powerful genes. Usually, such people have the powerful existence of gods in their ancestry. Once the kin inherits the genes from the gods, certain traits will cause them to carry this gene lock when they are born. If you do not actively break this gene lock before adulthood, the hidden terrifying power will not only automatically break the gene lock, but will also cause the gene chain to break, or even collapse. In this case, the inheritor will die within three days. 1
“The acquired genetic seal was also an extremely powerful method during ancient times. Even if they were not a god, the caster may be infinitely closer to Godhood.” Neptune went on to explain, “The genetic seal is also usually cast by elders in order to sharpen the genetically awakened younger generations. It trains them in a down-to-earth manner and prevents them from relying on their special abilities and abandoning their training. Such a seal is generally not very strong, as long as the younger generation have the strength to exceed the seal’s strain capacity, it will eventually be unlocked. 4
“So, if my comprehensive cell index exceeds 20 points and the gene lock is not lifted… If I still can’t break through to the second-order genome, then will I never be able to awaken my power?” Gu Ding frowned slightly. If his genetic level could not be broken through, then the time of one’s awakening ability would be delayed. Only when humans were promoted to a new genetic level would they have the chance to awaken their special abilities.
“If the gene lock is not released, you will not be able to ascend to the second-order genome.”
After this, Neptune finally offered him a bit of reassurance. “However, people who have a genetic lock by nature will have a 100% chance of gaining new abilities once the gene is unlocked. Their ability will be otherworldly. ”
“Don’t think so much, finish your exercise early, and then go for breakfast.” Gu Ding climbed up from the ** (TL: originally in the text, I’m not sure what the author’s intentions were). He had to perform a morning run every day, even if, based on his current cell strength, this exercise had minimal effect. Still, it was a good habit which his old man had forced upon him. 3
He walked out the door and trotted around. Neptune’s voice suddenly called out, “Gu Ding, the news from this morning is true!”
“Which news?” Gu Ding asked casually.
“The news about the visit of the Faye Cosmic Nation. The Dragon Soar ruler has just issued a statement that the Faye Cosmic Nation officially opened the interstellar route to the Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation.” Neptune’s voice sounded a little excited.
“That is to say, in the future, Dragon Soar Pirates will not have to bypass three three-star universe nations and a four-star universe nation. They can directly enter the cosmic sea through the five-star route of the Faye Cosmic Nation.”
After hearing this, Gu Ding’s eyes lit up. “I want to buy a Kittyhawk Model now. Let’s head out! ” 2
“You don’t seem to have graduated yet,” Neptune reminded him. He felt Gu Ding had forgotten something.
“Well, I’ll go through the withdrawal process later.” However, Gu Ding gave a shocking response without batting an eyelid.
“In truth, the courses at the Military Academy are basically over. I got enough credits to graduate six months ago and I have no plans to go to the Advanced Military Academy. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have the graduation certificate. If the new route hadn’t been opened, it would okay to set off a few months later as many people would have already used the previous route. But now that a new route is open, I want to start as soon as possible to explore it before anyone else. We can’t let ourselves lag behind!” 2