After having condensed the soulshard of the superior-grade white grub, Zhang Lie then began to consume its inner core. The consistency and taste were surprisingly decent, reminding Zhang Lie of a lychee-flavored gummy.

After consuming the last remnant of its core, the will of the world announced, [For consuming the flesh of a superior-grade white grub, you received ten superior gene fragments.]

Zhang Lie: a mortal lifeform

Framework: Foundation, Lv. MAX

Genes: Basic, 20; Mutated, 0; Superior, 10

Soulshards: White Grub (superior, weapon-type)

Because the silver grub was a superior-grade lifeform, every part of its carcass was valuable. There were cellars and large freezers designated specifically for the meat and bones of such lifeforms in the Blacksteel settlement, so Zhang Lie stored what he could and headed back.

Of course, as soon as he entered the settlement, he was again greeted by a chorus of mocking laughter.

"Is the king of the dumps back already?"

"Is he doing it just because everyone else is? Surely that white grub flesh isn't worth a hundred points every month. What's he even trying to do?"

"If he weren't addled in the head, he wouldn't be at the bottom of the leaderboard."

As usual, Zhang Lie ignored them. Even though it did cost a hundred points per month to use the settlement's cellar, all the white grub cores that he'd stored up would be a veritable fortune once it was discovered that they could catalyze a hunter’s foundational breakthrough. He was even considering whether or not to disseminate that particular piece of information himself.

After all, now that he had broken through, he had no intention of returning to the white-grub cave to collect more cores. Selling this information and then making a huge profit off the cores that he'd stockpiled sounded like the best strategy.

However, given his current level of strength and connections, he certainly couldn't spread the word directly, or it would only invite unnecessary trouble for himself. He would have to consider his approach more carefully.

After storing the valuable cores in the cellar, Zhang Lie then rented the cheapest room he could possibly find in the settlement. Because it was so cheap, it barely had any amenities—it was essentially a prison cell with an attached bathroom.

Zhang Lie sat cross-legged in bed. Given his recent breakthrough, he was now able to develop a genetic framework which would form the basis of his future development, and he had long since prepared a suitable framework for himself.

The framework had been described in a manual that Zhang Lie had found within some ruins in the third realm of the dimensional world, which he had only acquired at considerable expense, effort, and danger.

Despite all that, the ironic thing was that it was a framework that the past Zhang Lie simply could not use: its first stage was water-attuned. The past Zhang Lie's repertoire had been predominantly fire-attuned, and the water-attuned framework would be in direct elemental opposition with his favored techniques.

He had even seriously considered destroying his foundation and starting from scratch, and it was only when he found out that even that might be insufficient for him to learn the technique that he gave up trying.

Not having encountered this framework earlier had been a lifelong regret for Zhang Lie. By a stroke of fortune, however, he was now able to learn it after his reincarnation.

Despite the fact that it wasn't a high-ranking framework, it was invaluable because of its ability to evolve. 

The first level of the framework was equivalent to a mortal-rank framework, which were so common in the dimensional world that just about any hunter could afford it. But upon reaching the second level, the framework would become low-rank; upon the third level, medium-rank; and so on and so forth...

Upon reaching the ninth and final level of the framework, all nine levels could theoretically consolidate into a framework beyond even god-rank, representing a metamorphosis from the carp motif of the first level to the dragon motif of the ninth, hence its name: [Ninecarp Transformation].

Of course, the requirements for advancement in this framework would only grow more and more stringent.

Regardless, the value of an evolving framework was immeasurable, and Zhang Lie immediately began to study the framework following the manual that had been ingrained in his memories after his past life's relentless study.

The main purpose of the original foundational framework was to accumulate genetic energy within one's body. After Zhang Lie's breakthrough, that energy had become more refined and concentrated.

Presently, Zhang Lie was circulating that energy through his body following the pathways required by the new genetic framework, cleansing his body as the energy became imprinted on and attuned to it. After a few cycles, a sea-blue genetic core began condensing where his dantian was located.

This core was about the size of a rosary bead, so large that Zhang Lie couldn't help but smile. Most hunters started out with a genetic core the size of a green bean. Naturally, Zhang Lie's exceptionally large core was, naturally, due to the breakthrough in his foundation. The initial size of hunters' cores greatly influenced their strength and resonance with genetic energy, so this was a clear benefit.

Learning a new technique required engraving it on one's genetic core. Because the first level of [Ninecarp Transformation] corresponded to a framework of the lowest possible rank, mortal-rank, it could only accommodate five techniques.

Luckily, its water attunement was extremely compatible with Zhang Lie's superior-grade white grub soulshard, and would be able to enhance its effects up to fivefold.

The first level of the [Ninecarp Transformation]—the carp—conferred two fundamental abilities. 

The first, aquatic assimilation, would allow for underwater breathing and enhanced aquatic mobility. Most water-attuned frameworks would provide such a benefit, but some to a greater extent than others. The second, flame retardant, granted partial immunity against—and eventually absorption of—fire-based attacks.

As a reincarnator, Zhang Lie was extremely familiar with the process of engraving a framework and its associated techniques on his genetic core, and it was only a matter of moments before a pale pink carp appeared within it.

With the first level of the [Ninecarp Transformation] handled, the next step would be to assimilate compatible techniques into his framework. A water-attuned framework naturally required water-attuned techniques.

Because Zhang Lie had used fire-attuned techniques in the past, his techniques would be incompatible with his current framework—but that didn't mean that they would go to waste.

An electronic trading post had been set up within the settlement by which hunters could exchange techniques for points or for other techniques. In general, the first option was disfavored; most people would only accept an equitable exchange of techniques.

And even the cheap room that he had rented had an Internet connection.

In the past, Zhang Lie's techniques had consisted of [The Burning Pyres], [Soulfire Blade], [Scorching Fist], [Flameburst Step], and the two high-grade techniques that he had obtained within the third realm, [Embersteel Cuirass] and [Baptism of Hellfire].

All in all, they represented a full suite of techniques for attack, defense, evasion, and movement. He had no qualms about trading the first four away, but the last two would require more thought. [Embersteel Cuirass] was the signature technique of a famous dojo, and it would cause unnecessary trouble for him if he were to put it up for trade now.

On the other hand, [Baptism of Hellfire] was the technique that Zhang Lie most favored, as well as his most valuable. Because the last few levels of the [Ninecarp Transformation] would likely be fire-attuned, Zhang Lie didn't want to trade this technique away unless he had no other choice.

As he browsed the trading post, Zhang Lie paid particular attention to those requests for a fire-attuned technique in exchange for a water-attuned one. 

[Calm Waters] was one such technique, a defensive-type technique that its owner wanted to swap for a fire-type sword technique. Zhang Lie quickly uploaded a copy of his [Soulfire Blade], which was scanned and verified by the system and subsequently accepted in trade.

Though he continued looking for suitable techniques, his search was fruitless. Instead, Zhang Lie left a request on the trading post with his three fire-attuned techniques enclosed.

All that he needed to do now was wait. Even though the room he had rented wasn't particularly large, there was sufficient space for him to assimilate his newly acquired [Calm Waters].

It was a rather difficult technique to practice, and required incorporating the flexible and supple nature of water into one's movements. Given his past experience, however, Zhang Lie was able to familiarize himself with the technique in just half a day or so.

With his new framework and techniques, Zhang Lie intended to leave the settlement and hunt down some lifeforms to quickly bring his gene fragments to their maximum capacity. However, the moment he left the settlement, he encountered a nuisance.

"Zhang Lie! I've been waiting out here for you!" The person whom Zhang Lie encountered by the gates was none other than his childhood friend Wang Xiaohua, jumping up and down in impatience.

"...are you in such a hurry that you can't wait until the end of the month?"

Wang Xiaohua glared evilly at Zhang Lie. "The house is one matter, but your slapping me is another entirely. Don't think I'll forgive you so easily—unless you kneel down here and beg for my forgiveness, I won't let you leave!"

The commotion was already gathering a crowd of hunters eager to watch the altercation.

Zhang Lie shouted back, "Scram! I don't have time to play games with you."

"Do you think you scare me? You're at the bottom of the gene leaderboard! I have twenty mutated gene fragments now, and I'll be able to beat you with just my little finger!"

Zhang Lie rolled his eyes, unable to deal with Wang Xiaohua's nonsense any longer. He slapped her face again, leaving her to stagger aside in mute surprise as he turned to leave. 

So what if she had twenty mutated gene fragments?  Zhang Lie had ten superior gene fragments—even if no one in the crowd knew it.

His actions shocked the hunters who had gathered around to watch the show.

"Gods above, he really dared to fight back, huh?"

"Wang Xiaohua's going to kill him!"

When Wang Xiaohua recovered from the shock, she snarled and pounced on him like a vicious bulldog. "Zhang Lie! How dare you hit me again?! I'll rip your face to pieces!"

Zhang Lie's lips quirked into a smile. How convenient that Wang Xiaohua was coming at him now! He hadn't had a chance to test out [Calm Waters] on an actual foe yet.

As Wang Xiaohua approached, his hands bore the brunt of the impact, absorbing, redirecting, and multiplying the force of her approach.

Thud! Zhang Lie flipped Wang Xiaohua's body over his head, and she landed head over heels on the ground. He wiped his hands off, turned to look at Wang Xiaohua's fallen form, then walked off whistling a jaunty tune.

This time, it took Wang Xiaohua far longer to come to her senses. Somewhat woodenly, she dragged herself up from the ground. Her mouth filled with mud, she simply couldn't believe that the useless hunter that she had been mocking day in and day out actually possessed a strength that eclipsed her own.