Chapter 16: Unlocking the Gene Lock

(And these two people are also the only two characters on this spaceship who can trigger side quests.)

According to the map Li Xiao had just memorized in the central control room, he ultimately chose the direction where the android was located.

Some might say that according to the plot of *Alien*, the android Ash should be dead by now.

Yes, that’s correct, he is indeed dead. But who said that just because he’s dead, he has no value?

As a human civilization that has already developed interstellar travel and possesses androids, the true value of the *Alien* world isn't just those terrible Xenomorphs.

At the very least, Ash represents the existence of "advanced artificial intelligence."

And when Li Xiao saw the corpse (Ash) lying in a certain storage room, his heart was already blooming with joy.

Without any hesitation, he rummaged through the shattered head and mechanical skeleton, searching for something.

Soon, Li Xiao found what he was looking for in the chest cavity of the body.

A hard drive flickering with a red light.

Li Xiao shook off the unknown mechanical fluid on it and tucked it into his clothes, feeling satisfied.

His only regret now was that he hadn't entered this world from *Resident Evil*.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have left the Red Queen's mainframe behind and returned empty-handed, no matter what.

But even if he couldn't take the Red Queen's mainframe, he was content with this android's intelligent terminal.

Even if this thing wasn't worth a C-rank side quest, it would still be worth a D-rank side quest back in the Main God's space.

For things that could be picked up for free, Li Xiao always operated on the philosophy that not taking advantage of a bargain makes one a fool.

Moreover, this item was extremely important to Li Xiao.

It could be said to be an indispensable existence for his subsequent plans.

Feeling satisfied, Li Xiao just stood up and, without a moment's hesitation, turned and rushed toward his second destination.

However, before Li Xiao, who was running through the metal corridor, could be happy for long, a whistling sound suddenly rang in his ears.

With his back to the sound of air being torn, Li Xiao’s upper body suddenly arched backward.

Even though he hadn't sensed any danger from start to finish, the sixth sense brought by the genetic lock told him intensely

Fear was right behind him.

No one was an idiot.

And in this enclosed spaceship, he couldn't think of anything else that could give him this feeling besides a Xenomorph.

As Li Xiao, arched like a bridge, saw clearly, his eyes widened instantly.

Because he saw the Xenomorph’s massive tongue, full of sharp teeth, graze past his ear.

At this moment, he was barely an inch away from the Xenomorph; he could even feel the monster's breath.

Relying on the warning from his sixth sense, Li Xiao had dodged it, but two drops of the Xenomorph's viscous saliva splashed onto his forehead.

With a soft "hiss," corrosive white smoke rose.

The searing, stinging pain kept him from relaxing.

From his angle, he could see the entire massive, pitch-black Xenomorph.

If someone were to interview Li Xiao and ask him how it felt to engage in close-quarters combat with a Xenomorph, Li Xiao would beat them up first.

Because it could be summed up in two words: "Death wish."

As a biological weapon standing at the pinnacle, the combat instincts carved into the Xenomorph's genetic chain were incredibly powerful.

In a millisecond, the Xenomorph raised its right claw high, slashing down like a reaper's scythe.

Li Xiao’s eyes were dazed.

Is the road of *Infinite Terror* ending so sloppily?

No, not yet.

In his peripheral vision, Li Xiao saw a black shadow streak toward them from the opposite corridor.

It was Zheng Zha’s spiral stab.

And it was the kind carrying the force of a thousand jun.

The spiral stab arrived first despite being launched later, instantly piercing the Xenomorph’s right arm.

Opportunity knocks but once.

Li Xiao used his remaining hand to shove the last cluster grenade into that gaping, blood-filled maw.

An injury for an injury.

The tongue whipped out like a long lash, sending Li Xiao flying, his flesh and blood spraying.

Staggering, Li Xiao pushed off with his feet while roaring at the approaching main force

"Run! Run!"

Before the words even faded, a roar of explosion erupted!

This time, it was much closer than before.

The intense firelight, accompanied by a shockwave, pushed Li Xiao forward.

He rolled twice on the ground before coming to a stop.

[Killed Drone Xenomorph, reward points 500.]

Listening to the voice in his mind, Li Xiao muttered to himself

"Five hundred points, that's really not bad!" After saying this, he closed his eyes and fell straight backward.

The duration of the genetic lock had finally ended.

In ancient times, when all things competed for freedom, humans emerged only after enduring thousands of hardships.

It took a mere four hundred years to evolve from ancient apes to hominids.

Later, it took another three hundred years to evolve from hominids into humans who walked completely upright.

From then on, humans had the potential to become the masters of all things.

However, the speed of this evolution also caught the attention of a certain existence.

Layer upon layer of shackles began to appear on them.

The genetic lock originated from this.

Despite these heavy restrictions and the changing tides of thousands of years, humans still stood firmly at the top of the biological chain, holding that unique authority.

Later, with a massive population base, some gradually discovered this lock within their bodies and attempted to open it.

And they succeeded.

A wise man left behind an oracle.

When on the verge of death from fear, while still possessing a strong desire to survive and a firm will, a few can touch and open the first lock.

But opening the lock is extremely dangerous, as it involves unleashing all of one's potential in an instant.

Countless chaotic thoughts erupt suddenly, which is an unimaginable burden on the body and brain.

Therefore, when facing danger, not opening the genetic lock means death, and opening it doesn't guarantee survival.

At this moment, Li Xiao, lying on the ground, began to twitch and tremble irregularly in his limbs and torso, his skin flushed and hot.

Immediately after, bright red blood began to spill from his eyes, ears, and nostrils.

The expression on his face was one of extreme pain, but through his bright eyes, Zhang Jie could tell he wasn't unconscious; on the contrary, he was more clear-headed than ever.

He sighed in a voice only he could hear: "Just like me? A genius who opened the genetic lock in their first horror movie... Welcome to the world of *Infinite Terror*."

Zheng Zha confirmed the Xenomorph was dead before walking over to Li Xiao.

Zhan Lan also rushed over from behind, looking at his severed arm and body riddled with corrosive holes, and couldn't help but say with heartache

"In this state, there is no doubt he successfully opened the genetic lock."

"It's just that, given his current physical condition, I don't know if he can withstand the aftereffects of the genetic lock."

Li Xiao lay on the cold steel floor; other than his eyeballs, he had lost all control over his body.

Having opened the genetic lock for the first time, combined with his current injuries, his body could be described as being in a terrible state.

Signing soon, hurry up and invest if you want to get free points!

(End of chapter)