"We can start anytime."

Hao Xuan couldn't help but smile. This was one of the last few pieces he had been waiting for and finally it was ready to use.

"Good. Do I need to know anything or can we just go ahead?" he asked curiously. Baracus hadn't told him a lot about this.

*Beep*

"Since you wanted me to stick with both paths of evolution, I had to make a few changes. I have completely reprogrammed the nanotech from the ground up and added a lot of new features. The most important one is that I have converted my own core so that it can utilize the nanotech on its own without any outside help."

"Secondly, I converted the materials for the spirit band as well. Instead of a single solid object, it will instead act as a liquid with the help of the nanotech. Meaning you won't even need to wear a spirit band or a storage ring anymore. Each and every nanoparticle will be able to have the same function as them."

Hao Xuan's eyes narrowed to a slit.

"Is this really safe? Won't it be harmful to my body?"

*Beeep*

Even the beep sounded angry so Hao Xuan knew he had stepped out of line with that question.

"You vastly underestimate my abilities. Do you really think I didn't think of every possible scenario? Your primitive intellect can not possibly comprehend what I am capable of. How about you let me worry about the technical aspects and take care of your own problems first."

"Alright alright, geez. I was just asking," Hao Xuan raised his hands helplessly. So can we start then?"

"Yes. You will have too manually inject the nanotech into your bloodstream. I will not be able to communicate until it is done."

"Alright, go ahead."

As soon as Hao Xuan gave the go-ahead, the spirit band started shaking. The same metallic container that the nanotech came in appeared in front of Hao Xuan on its own. But it looked more like a giant syringe now with a needle at one end and a small button on the other.

*Bzzzt*

One after another the dozens of small anchor-like blades that were embedded into Hao Xuan's wrist retracted back into the watch and it fell off on its own. It started vibrating with a whirring noise that lasted for a full 30 seconds.

When it was done, Hao Xuan tried to pick up the band but as soon as he touched it, it turned into a pile of grey sand. His pupils shrunk and he almost jumped out of his seat.

"Oh shit, was that suppose to happen???" he mumbled in a panicked voice.

But there was no response.

"God damnit, do I just inject myself with this?" he mumbled with furrowed brows while looking at the giant syringe, "This looks shady as hell..."

But there was nothing else he could do now. Baracus wasn't replying and the spirit band was gone. He quickly picked up the metallic syringe. A layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead. It would not be good if the spirit band actually broke because of him.

With gritted teeth, he closed his eyes and stabbed his left hand, exactly where the spirit band used to be. His fear of needles was still there apparently.

His skin that could stop a ballistic missile couldn't hinder the cold needle in the slightest as it easily pierced through. A surge of pain ran throughout his body.

*Schuuulp*

He pressed the button on top and felt a cold substance start to enter his bloodstream.

It was an odd feeling to say the least. He could clearly feel the nanotech. It was a foreign substance and he had to consciously keep himself from suppressing it.

The syringe injected this cold liquid for over ten seconds straight before it ran dry, at which point Hao Xuan pulled it out and threw it away. His arm was swollen and he could see the protrusion clearly. It was not a pretty sight.

"Okay, now what?" he mumbled. His frown getting deeper and deeper by the second until a familiar beep came from under the skin. All the nanotech that was in his arm slowly started dissipating and within a few seconds it returned to normal.

*Beep*

"It was successful," he heard Baracus's voice right next to his ear, startling him.

Previously they mostly communicated internally but now Baracus's voice actually sounded in his ear and not his mind.

"The spirit band broke, is that okay?"

"Yes, I had already transferred the material to the syringe. That was just an empty shell, a place holder until the nanotech came online."

*phew*

Hao Xuan let out a breath of relief.

"Thank god. So is it all done then?"

"Not completely. I still have to fine-tune a few things but that will happen slowly over time. But the nanotech should still work fine."

"Nice, so what's new then? What can I do?"

"Whatever you want. The nanotech can accelerate healing, strengthen your bones and muscles for some time, boost your internal systems to give faster reflexes, better senses etc. But only one at a time for now and when they are doing that there's nothing else they can do."

Hao Xuan whistled, "Really? That sounds amazing. And I don't feel any different."

"Oh, you will feel the full impact once it starts. Do you want to try it out?"

Hao Xuan nodded, "Why not. Let's go hunt a few beasts.. I heard there was a lava gator somewhere near the bottom of the mountain, I'll go fight it."

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