Because it was administered via injection, the effects kicked in rapidly.
The NZT serum flowed through Chen Mo's veins and into his bloodstream, circulating back to his heart.
It was as if his heart had been infused with divine blood—it thumped wildly, like drums sounding the call of life's evolution.
The heart beat faster and faster, and the blood surged more rapidly.
As the blood flowed faster, the heart beat even harder.
The two systems entered a virtuous cycle.
Chen Mo's senses grew ethereal, and the activation level of his brain began to expand—this was a truly mystical sensation, a genuine metamorphosis.
As his brain absorbed the NZT serum, the cells within became more active, and dormant cells slowly awakened.
In that instant—
Chen Mo sensed the presence of a barrier inside him, positioned squarely at the center of his brain.
This barrier was the main obstacle to full brain development. It was akin to a genetic lock—or like a valve clamping shut the flow of a faucet. Only by unlocking it could one truly develop their brain and step into a forbidden realm no human had ever reached.
With that barrier in place, the human brain was effectively welded shut. No matter how hard humans tried, even over a lifetime, their brain activity remained at around 10%. Even the greatest mind—Einstein—had only reached about 15%.
This barrier stifled the brain's development.
Humanity had never even discovered the existence of the barrier, let alone broken through it.
But now, things were different.
Chen Mo had injected the NZT serum—a drug engineered specifically to enhance cognitive function, and the natural nemesis of that mental barrier.
The NZT serum marshaled the strength of his entire body, condensed into a single point, and sliced toward the barrier like a sharp blade. In an instant, it cleaved through the wall with ease.
Once the barrier was shattered—
Chen Mo felt his mind grow more clear and lucid. Thought flowed unimpeded. His brain cells began to evolve. Those already activated surged to their limits, and those dormant cells came to life.
Everything in his mind became crystal clear.
Problems that had once stumped him now had multiple solutions, which he could generate and evaluate instantly.
Memories he'd long forgotten—down to those from his infancy—suddenly resurfaced with vivid clarity.
His mind became a vast archive of memories.
But instead of chaos, the mind managed everything with perfect order.
It was like a well-organized library. When he needed a piece of information, he could retrieve it at will. Those memories not needed could be stored away, out of the way of daily life.
As the development of his brain continued, his intelligence rose accordingly, giving him a sense of control over everything.
Next came his eyes.
The eyes are the windows to the soul—and also one of the brain's primary sensory inputs. With the brain's potential activated, the eyes evolved in turn… or rather, their full capabilities were unleashed.
Although Chen Mo didn't usually wear glasses, he had slight myopia from years of studying under dim lights. From the back row of a classroom, he could still barely make out the chalkboard.
But now, that nearsightedness vanished, replaced with what could only be described as clairvoyance—an all-seeing gaze.
He could see the flapping wings of a mosquito ten meters away, the ants outside his window carrying food, and even the veins on leaves a hundred meters distant.
On top of that—
His vision gained a dynamic tracking ability. He could analyze enemy movements in slow motion, dissect their weaknesses, and gain a strategic edge in combat.
His ears followed suit.
His hearing sharpened dramatically.
His coordination, motor control, balance—every physical function improved drastically.
This was a true transformation.
Starting from the brain's potential activation, his entire body underwent a dramatic improvement, and his overall physical capabilities increased immensely.
Thanks to the perfected NZT serum, there were none of the negative side effects the movie character Eddie had experienced. Instead, Chen Mo gained what could be described as a "switch." When he needed enhanced capabilities, he could activate it. When not needed, he could turn it off, allowing him to live a normal life.
He dubbed this his Overclock Mode.
After about an hour, Chen Mo's brain activity had increased from 10% to 30%. Then the rate of improvement began to slow down, continuing at a gentler pace. Brain development is a gradual process; forcing it all at once would be too much for the body to handle.
Chen Mo shook his head lightly, stepped to the door, and opened it. The world outside looked entirely different—as though a brand-new realm had opened before his eyes, everything sparkling with wonder.
Suddenly, a projection of the little Red Queen appeared. She circled Chen Mo curiously, clicking her tongue in awe.
"Master, have you successfully evolved?" she asked.
"You've got it wrong. This isn't evolution—it's the activation of my brain and body's latent potential," Chen Mo corrected.
Before, he might not have made such a distinction. But now, with Overclock Mode engaged, he noticed every detail and felt compelled to correct inaccuracies, like a man with newly developed obsessive tendencies.
"Same difference," Red Queen laughed. Though just an advanced AI, she could still sense how different Chen Mo had become—as if the dull-witted student she knew had transformed into a true genius.
"Red Queen, dismiss your projection. Zhao Qiang is coming," Chen Mo said suddenly.
Though his eyes hadn't seen the man yet, the sound of his footsteps thundered in his ears like drums—impossible to ignore.
"…"
"Master, how did you know Zhao Qiang is coming?" Red Queen asked.
"I heard his footsteps," Chen Mo replied.
"…"
"Master, you're a freak. I needed to check the surveillance feed to know Zhao Qiang was approaching, and he's still over two hundred meters away! You can hear that? Freaking unbelievable!" Red Queen's projection covered her mouth, eyes wide like eggs.
"Maybe this is what it's like to unlock your potential," Chen Mo smiled.
"Fair enough!"
"I have a feeling, Master—you're going to make an incredible test subject. Once we establish the bio-lab, I'll conduct proper research and develop the ultimate genetic serum for you," Red Queen said, before opening a light portal and vanishing into it.