Lu Xia wasn’t particularly surprised when she received a voice call from the director of the Gene Research Institute.

It would have been more surprising if they *hadn’t* made a move after hearing the news.

The person on the other end was very polite. "My apologies for the intrusion, Duke Lu Xia. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the newly appointed director of the Gene Research Institute, and you can call me Levin. First, I’d like to congratulate your institute on the successful development of gene fusion agent 2.0. Secondly, the purpose of this call is to seek a partnership."

"We can provide you with more detailed research data, including but not limited to key considerations for clinical trials and the subsequent launch process. We can also offer relevant guidance. In return, we only ask that the Gene Research Institute becomes a primary distributor for gene fusion agent 2.0 once it hits the market. What do you think, Duke Lu Xia?"

It was, by all accounts, a very generous offer from the Gene Research Institute.

Lu Xia couldn’t help but think, ’This new director seems savvy and competent.’

But since she didn’t know him well, it was too early to be certain.

"You’re being too generous, Director Levin. You’re offering us assistance and only asking for a distributorship as compensation. Are you sure that’s all?"

Director Levin chuckled. "The Gene Research Institute wouldn’t be satisfied with just that, of course. If possible, I hope Duke Lu Xia will bring the Gene Research Institute on board for the subsequent development of the gene fusion agent. We could co-develop it. Of course, you are free to refuse."

Throughout the conversation, Director Levin had come across as reasonable and proactive in seeking a partnership, yet his words weren’t excessively deferential. Lu Xia was actually quite pleased with his approach.

"Very well. The Gene Research Institute can bring me a contract." She wasn’t one to beat around the bush. Since she felt it could be a win-win partnership, she didn’t find his attitude disagreeable, and his requests were within reason, then collaborating was a viable option.

Besides, the Gene Research Institute was backed by the Empire and had been an established institution for many years. Its foundation and resources were far beyond what her No.2 Institute could match. As the saying goes, it’s nice to have a large tree for shade—the same principle applied here.

After all, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

And just like that, the successful development of gene fusion agent 2.0 threw Lu Xia back into a whirlwind of activity.

Prince Li Mang even took the initiative to contact her, asking personally if the current rumors were true. If so, she had many friends whose males were in need and wanted to know if a batch of the gene fusion agent could be reserved for her after its official release.

Naturally, Lu Xia didn’t refuse. Many people were already pulling strings to get to her, and while she couldn’t grant every request, she certainly had to oblige Prince Li Mang.

Their relationship was, after all, a special one.

After Prince Li Mang, Duke Leslie, Lady Rafaelde, and even Lady Daina sent voice messages to inquire as well.

Lu Xia patiently explained the situation to each of them. Their intentions were even more direct, a fact that was not lost on Lu Xia.

In fact, it wasn’t just Lu Xia. People who knew of their connections to Duke Lu Xia also flocked to Graces in the military district and Smelian at the hospital, asking if the news was true, when it would be officially released, what the price would be, and whether acquaintances could get a discount.

Within the Empire, what family didn’t have a ’defective’ male from a failed gene fusion?

It was one thing when there was no hope, but now that a glimmer had finally appeared, how could they possibly let it go? Especially since they were lucky enough to know people connected to Duke Lu Xia.

Not taking advantage of this connection would be a waste of such good fortune.

However, unlike Duke Lu Xia, neither Graces nor Smelian were particularly enthusiastic in their responses. They were, in fact, rather cold.

After all, gene fusion agent 2.0 would be wildly popular without any extra promotion. There was no need for them to rush to publicize it; it wasn’t as if the product would have trouble selling. On the day it was actually released, it would likely be in extremely high demand.

Admiral Snop had noticed that his major general, Graces, was becoming increasingly calm and composed. It was a feeling as though nothing could faze him in the slightest. Physically and mentally, Graces seemed to have become powerful in the truest sense of the word.

Even he sometimes felt a faint, oppressive pressure when he inadvertently met Graces’s eyes.

It was a feeling akin to bloodline suppression.

This made Snop curious whether Graces’s gene fusion degree had increased again. After all, he already possessed a high gene fusion degree of 74%.

"Graces, do you have a moment?"

Graces was slightly taken aback by Admiral Snop’s sudden question. "Yes. What are your orders, sir?"

"Since you have time, come to the training room with me for a spar. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a good workout. You’re a Fusion Expert now, so let me see what you’re capable of."

Hearing Admiral Snop’s invitation to spar, Graces sounded a little resigned. "Did you sense something from me, sir?"

’Otherwise, the Admiral wouldn’t be so bored as to invite him for a sparring session for no reason.’

Hearing him ask that, Admiral Snop’s curiosity flared. "So there *is* something going on. Spill it. What’s the good news? Indulge this old man’s curiosity."

Meeting Admiral Snop’s unabashedly curious gaze, Graces didn’t hide anything. "It’s nothing, really. I was just the first volunteer for the No.2 Institute. My gene fusion degree rose to 100%."

He said it with such a natural, relaxed tone that for a moment, Admiral Snop was dazed, doubting what he’d just heard.

Judging by Graces’s attitude, you would think he was casually chatting about the weather, not announcing that his gene fusion degree was 100%.

"What did you say? Say that again!" Admiral Snop even stuck a finger in his ear, as if trying to hear more clearly.

Graces repeated himself without hesitation. "You heard me correctly. There’s no need to doubt it. Barring any surprises, I should now be the Empire’s first perfect male with a 100% gene fusion degree. There’s no point in you and I sparring."

That one sentence finally made Admiral Snop blow his top. "You little brat, are you looking down on me now?!"

Graces remained perfectly calm. "No, I’m just stating a fact."

"Don’t give me that!" Admiral Snop’s face was flushed, clearly still reeling from the news and unable to calm down. "Let me ask you... is that agent really that effective? Does that mean I have a chance, too?"

Even for those who weren’t ’defective’ males, for a Fusion Expert, the ability to increase their gene fusion degree was just as attractive.

In fact, their desire might have been even stronger than that of the ’defective’ males. After all, they had truly experienced the benefits that gene fusion brought.