Chapter 321: Super Division
Xiao Ye wasn't very familiar with biological terminology. "What does 'super cell division' mean?"
Professor Xiao explained, "It's quite simple. It's actually a mode of cell division."
"We classify normal cell division into several levels, and super division is the highest level. That's a name that came about later."
"According to the laws of nature, super division shouldn't exist. All currently observed cases of super division are invariably the result of human intervention."
"And once it enters a state of super division, it means it has reached a certain stage."
Professor Xiao had Xiao Ye look at the dissected animal's organs. "The test subject you see is dead. In the traditional sense, it is indeed dead."
"But its internal organs began to undergo super division after the successful procedure. This indicates that it's actually still alive, in a way—not completely dead."
"As long as this super division continues, the creature will live on."
Xiao Ye understood. "So as long as the super division persists long enough, it can keep it alive."
"Exactly. That's the principle. However, super division presents one major problem: fleshy growths."
Professor Xiao found a picture on his phone. It looked like a dog, but its entire body was covered in tumors. It was disgusting to look at.
"This is a dog that was injected with a super division agent. These tumors are the fleshy growths produced by the division."
"If too many of these things appear, the body can't handle it and will still die. However, if you can slow down the production rate of these growths, you can, to a certain extent, achieve immortality."
"Humans die and age because the speed of their cell division gradually slows down. As long as it's kept running at high speed, not only can humans achieve immortality, but they can also stay forever young."
Professor Xiao's explanation was so simple and clear that even a layman in biology like Xiao Ye understood it completely.
'The fleshy growths appeared, and the super division was successful. All they have left to do now is solve the problem of time.'
'It seems I need to find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might very well create monsters!'
'A perfect species? Such a thing doesn't exist in this world.'
'The dinosaurs once ruled the Earth for a long time, but they were ultimately wiped out completely.'
'It was precisely their extinction that led to the emergence of other life forms.'
'A perfect creature cannot exist in this world. If one were to appear, it would inevitably be eliminated. This is the result of natural evolution.'
Xiao Ye left the laboratory, but not before giving a final instruction, "Don't let anyone know about this test subject."
Only then did he return to the Xiao Family estate.
As a great family, the Xiao Family had a virtually endless stream of New Year's visitors.
However, most of them were from the other three great families.
The Ouyang Family arrived on the second day of the New Year.
Xiao Ye came down to greet them personally, not to show them respect, but to observe their behavior.
"Patriarch Xiao!" Ouyang Cheng stepped forward and grasped Xiao Ye's outstretched hand. "Happy New Year."
After speaking, he immediately had the people behind him present their New Year's gifts.
The Ouyang Family truly lived up to its reputation as the strongest of the four great Hidden Clans. Their New Year's gifts alone were worth as much as a million.
Xiao Ye had someone accept the gifts. "Please."
Ouyang Cheng sat on the sofa, his gaze landing casually on Lin Chuxing for a moment before he quickly looked away.
"Patriarch Xiao, what are the Xiao Family's plans for the coming year?"
'Plans?'
'Naturally, to investigate the Ouyang Family.'
'If they really are connected to the Angel Association and have done a lot of bad things...'
'Then in this new year, I will eliminate the Ouyang Family!'
Ouyang Cheng, still unaware of Xiao Ye's thoughts, smiled. "I wonder when we'll be able to drink to Patriarch Xiao's wedding?"
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since our four great Hidden Clans have had such a happy occasion."
A faint smile played on Xiao Ye's lips. "It should be soon."
Ouyang Cheng's smile grew a fraction more sincere. "Then I'll be waiting!"
The Ouyang Family didn't stay for long and soon left for their next visit.
Xiao Ye returned to his study.
He had someone bring in the recording of Ouyang Cheng's conversation and used computer software to create a voice profile.
Then he did the same with the recording from the villa, creating another voice profile.
Although the voices were completely different, the tone, manner of speaking, and even the pauses were nearly identical.
Looking at the two overlapping waveforms, Xiao Ye's expression turned icy.
'To think that the Godfather is actually Ouyang Cheng!'
'What is his relationship with Red Night?'
'And why did he want Lin Chuxing to join the Xiao Family?'
'Could it be... to regain control of the Xiao Family?'
Xiao Ye suddenly thought of the Liu Family.
'Back then, Liu Loulan also married the Patriarch of the Xiao Family—my father—and then took control of the entire family!'
Xiao Ye immediately picked up the phone. "Starting now, don't just investigate the Ouyang Family's connection to the Angel Association abroad. I also want you to look into the last twenty years..."
"No, the last thirty years. Their business dealings, including their sources of funding, and their relationship with the Xiao Family. The more detailed, the better!"
Xiao Ye had reason to suspect that Liu Loulan had been sent by the Ouyang Family back then.
They had found Lin Chuxing to pull the same trick again and retake control of the Xiao Family!
If that was really the case, then the Ouyang Family's ambition was truly immense!
The New Year's holiday always seemed to pass quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the New Year.
The investigation on Xiao Ye's side had finally made new progress.
A subordinate came to the study to report in person, afraid of leaving out the slightest detail. "Patriarch, the Ouyang Family does indeed have a very deep connection with the Angel Association."
"By investigating overseas companies, we discovered that the nobles who cooperate with the Ouyang Family are all members of the Angel Association, and very likely high-ranking ones."
"Furthermore, the Ouyang Family's buyers are also from the Angel Association. And the venues and parties that the Ouyang Family frequently attends abroad all belong to the Angel Association."
Xiao Ye's fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop. "Have you investigated any biotech companies or labs?"
"We have. We didn't find any biological labs belonging to the Ouyang Family abroad, but they do have one in the country."
Xiao Ye's hand paused. "Where?"
"On Shifang Mountain in the Imperial City. That area is Ouyang Family territory. To this day, no outsiders are allowed in, only a select few. This even applies to members of the Ouyang Family itself."
Xiao Ye nodded. "What has the Ouyang Family done for the Angel Association?"
"From what we can tell, the Ouyang Family seems to be the Angel Association's most important hub in the Dragon Country. Currently, they are the ones handling everything from various rituals to recruiting new members."
No matter how secretly the Ouyang Family operated, they were bound to be discovered eventually.
Besides, since they had to recruit members, they inevitably had to take action.
The corners of Xiao Ye's mouth lifted, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Alright. I understand."
"Continue the investigation. Report any movements from the Ouyang Family to me immediately."