The surgical restraints were Imperial grade biosynthetic designed to hold even low level cultivators. Kael tested them with a subtle flex of his enhanced muscles, confirming what his analytical mind had already calculated: escape would require either unlocking the neural release sequence or generating enough force to shatter the reinforced mounting points. Both options were currently beyond his capabilities.
Acceptable parameters, given the expected return on investment.
"Your neural activity is fascinating," Dr. Serpentis observed, reviewing biometric readouts on a holographic display. "Most subjects show elevated stress hormones at this stage. You're exhibiting the pattern of someone solving mathematical equations."
Kael met the doctor's gaze with calculated honesty. "I am. I'm analyzing the risk reward ratio of this procedure against potential alternatives. The analysis favors cooperation."
Serpentis smiled a expression that managed to be both pleased and predatory. "Refreshing. Most people pretend courage when they're actually terrified, or claim pragmatism when they're simply resigned. You're genuinely treating this as a business transaction."
"Because that's what it is." Kael's neural implant was recording everything: the lab's ambient essence readings, the surgical equipment specifications, even the subtle variations in Serpentis's voice patterns that might indicate deception. "You need test subjects for research that will advance your off world negotiations. I need cultivation advancement that I can't achieve alone. Both parties benefit if the transaction succeeds."
The doctor activated a series of essence conducting needles, each one glowing with refined crystal energy. "And if it fails?"
"Then I'll be dead, and you'll have learned valuable data about the failure modes of corrupted essence integration." Kael's voice remained level. "The knowledge will still benefit your research, though obviously I'd prefer to survive the experience."
Serpentis paused, needle halfway to Kael's exposed meridian point. "You're either the most pragmatic person I've ever met, or you're completely insane."
"The difference is primarily academic from my perspective."
The first needle slid into the pressure point at the base of Kael's skull, immediately sending cascades of refined essence directly into his primary cultivation channels. The sensation was indescribable like having liquid fire poured directly into his nervous system, but fire that somehow strengthened rather than destroyed.
His neural implant, still partially functional after years of minimal power, began correlating the sensations with fragmented Imperial medical data. The procedure matched theoretical frameworks for accelerated meridian development, though Serpentis was using techniques that pushed far beyond recommended safety parameters.
"Interesting," Kael managed, despite the overwhelming sensory input. "You're using corrupted essence as a catalyst for rapid advancement, but filtering it through crystalline matrices to prevent total deviation. The Imperial medical texts mentioned similar approaches, though they were classified as 'theoretical only' due to mortality rates."
Serpentis's hands stilled. "Imperial medical texts? Where exactly did you "
"The mining complex still has functioning Imperial education terminals in the deeper levels. Most of the data is corrupted, but fragments remain accessible." Kael kept his voice steady despite the essence fire racing through his meridians. "I've been studying whatever remained intact. Your techniques show significant advancement over the theoretical frameworks I accessed."
The doctor's expression shifted to something approaching genuine interest. "Show me these terminals when we're finished. Imperial baseline data would be invaluable for calibrating my research."
Second needle, this one into the meridian cluster governing physical enhancement. Kael's bones began to resonate with essence energy, the final stage of Bone Forging completion accelerating beyond anything he'd thought possible. His skeleton was becoming a conduit for spiritual energy, each bone transforming into a channel for power that defied physical limitations.
"The pain should be excruciating," Serpentis noted, monitoring Kael's vital signs. "Your stress indicators are remarkably low."
"Pain is information," Kael replied, his consciousness split between experiencing the procedure and analyzing its effects. "The sensation indicates successful meridian integration. The intensity suggests rapid advancement rather than tissue damage. Therefore, the pain is positive feedback rather than a warning signal."
Third needle, directly into his heart meridian. This one sent shockwaves of essence through his entire cardiovascular system, forcing the transition from Bone Forging to Muscle Refinement in a matter of minutes rather than the months such advancement typically required.
His neural implant registered the changes in real time: muscle fiber density increasing by 300%, reflexes accelerating to superhuman levels, essence storage capacity expanding dramatically. The modifications were integrating perfectly with his natural cultivation base, suggesting that his body was unusually compatible with forced advancement techniques.
"Remarkable," Serpentis breathed, studying the biometric displays. "Your body is accepting the modifications without any of the typical rejection responses. It's as if you were specifically designed for this type of cultivation."
Kael filed that observation away for future analysis. The doctor's comment suggested something significant about his own nature something that might explain his unusual survival rate and advancement speed.
Fourth needle, targeting the meridian network governing essence control and manipulation. This one was different; instead of fire, it felt like ice water flooding through his channels, reorganizing his entire cultivation structure with surgical precision.
"This is the dangerous part," Serpentis warned. "I'm forcing your essence channels to accept a modified configuration that allows for controlled deviation. If your system rejects the changes, the backlash will permanently cripple your cultivation potential."
"What's the success rate?"
"For previous subjects? Zero. But previous subjects were either already cultivators with established patterns, or complete novices without any foundation. You're unique awakened naturally but still malleable, with unusual compatibility for corrupted essence. The theoretical success rate should be significantly higher."
Should be. Kael appreciated the doctor's honesty about the experimental nature of the procedure. It confirmed his assessment that Serpentis was genuinely interested in research outcomes rather than simply disposing of inconvenient subjects.
The ice fire sensation reached a crescendo, and suddenly Kael could feel his entire essence network reorganizing itself. Meridians that had been chaotic and uncontrolled were snapping into perfect alignment, creating pathways for power that felt both natural and impossible.
"Success," Serpentis announced, removing the needles with careful precision. "Muscle Refinement achieved, with modified channel configuration intact. How do you feel?"
Kael flexed his hands experimentally, feeling the power flowing through enhanced muscle fibers. His strength had increased by another order of magnitude, but more importantly, his control over essence manipulation had become precise enough for complex techniques.
"Functional," he replied, sitting up as the restraints released. "The modifications integrate well with my existing capabilities. I estimate a 400% increase in overall combat effectiveness, with additional improvements in essence manipulation precision."
"Let's test that assessment."
Serpentis led him to a training chamber equipped with combat targets and measurement devices. The targets were designed to test cultivator capabilities reinforced materials that could withstand strikes from Foundation Establishment realm fighters.
Kael approached the first target, analyzing its construction through enhanced senses. Layered metal composites with essence absorbing properties, designed to prevent damage from energy based attacks. The weak points would be the joints where different materials met, and the mounting systems that connected to the chamber floor.
He struck with controlled force, sending a precisely calculated amount of power through his enhanced muscles. The target didn't just break it disintegrated, the impact force transmitted so efficiently that the entire structure came apart at the molecular level.
"Impressive," Serpentis noted, recording the results. "But let's see how you handle essence based techniques."
The second target was shielded with energy barriers, requiring essence manipulation rather than pure physical force. Kael extended his senses, analyzing the barrier's frequency and structure. His modified meridians allowed him to generate essence constructs with surgical precision.
Rather than overwhelming the barrier with raw power, he identified the resonance frequency that would destabilize its matrix. A precisely tuned pulse of essence energy, and the barrier collapsed like a house of cards.
"Excellent. Your advancement rate is approximately ten times faster than normal cultivation methods, with no apparent negative side effects." Serpentis was clearly pleased with the results. "The off world buyers will be very interested in this data."
There it was, confirmation that Kael was indeed intended as a product rather than a partner. He filed the information away while maintaining his expression of focused interest.
"When do you expect them to arrive?" Kael asked, as if the question was purely academic.
"Soon. Captain Cross's trading vessel should return within the week, and they're bringing representatives from the Solar Throne medical research division. Your successful modification will serve as proof of concept for the techniques I've been developing."
Kael nodded, already calculating the timeline for his own preparations. A week was sufficient time to master his new capabilities, learn everything possible from Serpentis's equipment, and prepare contingencies for multiple scenarios.
"I'll need continued access to the laboratory facilities to properly integrate these modifications," he said. "The enhancement process will be more stable if I can monitor the changes in real time."
"Of course. Consider yourself a guest researcher until the demonstration." Serpentis seemed genuinely pleased by Kael's apparent cooperation. "I'm curious to see how far we can push your advancement before the buyers arrive."
As they returned to the main laboratory, Kael's enhanced senses detected something the doctor had missed a faint transmission signal from the communication equipment. His neural implant, now powered by his increased essence flow, was able to decode fragments of the encrypted data stream.
Subject integration successful... demonstration scheduled... payment confirmed... disposal protocols prepared...
Disposal protocols. So that was Serpentis's long term plan use Kael to demonstrate the modification techniques, then eliminate the evidence to protect the research monopoly.
Acceptable. It gave Kael a clear timeline and objective for his own counter planning.
"Dr. Serpentis," he said, settling into one of the research stations with apparent casual interest, "I'd like to review the theoretical frameworks for the next stage of advancement. If we're going to continue pushing the boundaries of rapid cultivation, I should understand the underlying principles."
"Excellent attitude. The files are in the central database everything from Imperial medical theory to my own experimental notes. Take your time studying them."
Perfect. By the time the off world buyers arrived, Kael would have absorbed everything the laboratory had to offer. And when the time came for "disposal protocols," Dr. Serpentis would discover that his test subject had learned far more than intended.
The price of progress, Kael reflected as he began accessing the research files, was always paid by someone. In this case, he intended to ensure that the bill went to his creditors rather than himself.