Chapter 1854 Reproductive Strategy
Chapter 1854 Reproductive Strategy
"That's true. Once I know for sure that you're dead, I won't be able to carry out Strategy K anymore. I can only switch to Strategy R," Lu Siya said.
"However, marriage is marriage, and genes are genes. Since I've decided to implement Strategy R, I really don't need to get married!"
"What are Strategy K and Strategy R?"
Meng Chao was confused again.
"They're the two main reproductive methods in nature!" Lu Siya said matter-of-factly.
"Strategy R is a reproduction method that's great for adapting to the rapid use of resources in a local environment. Creatures that adopt this method are more resistant to non-biological environmental factors, such as broad climate fluctuations. They pursue population size but also die in large numbers in the process.
"Under normal circumstances, relatively small and low-level creatures like bacteria, insects, and certain fish use Strategy R to reproduce and live.
"Strategy K, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It pursues quality of life and focuses on increasing survival rate. It's a reproductive strategy that's good for adapting to the stable use of resources in a regional environment. It's also the only or main reproductive method for large plants and animals.
"In short, Strategy R values quantity more than quality. Hundreds or even thousands of offspring are born at once, and they go through a process of natural selection. Even if 99% of the offspring are eliminated in the end, as long as 1% survives and evolve to adapt to the environment, it will be considered a victory.
"Meanwhile, Strategy K places more emphasis on quality than quantity. Only three to five offspring will be produced at a time, and most resources will go to these offspring. Unless it's absolutely necessary, parents will never give up on the offspring. This 'perfectionist' method is more likely to cultivate a king that will forever be at the top of the food chain.
"As the wisest of all living creatures, humans were the typical executors of Strategy K on Earth.
"However, if the apocalypse is inevitable, it would be risky and stupid to put all our eggs in the same basket now. There's going to be an ecological disaster that will sweep across the world!
"I believe that you're the one with the strongest genes among the several million males of the right age in Dragon City. If we're going to combine our genes, then the risk is worth taking. I'm willing to work with you and utilize Strategy K to create the best genetic inheritor. I'll also focus all our resources on our child and help him or her surpass the limits of an intelligent life form.
"If you die or you're strongly against this genetic matching, I won't force you into it.
"I'll execute Strategy R by stealing hundreds of genes that are inferior to yours. Then, I'll use artificial breeding methods to trigger a qualitative change with quantity.
"Under such circumstances, it would be impossible for me to invest too much energy and resources into a specific genetic inheritor. Of course, it would be even more unnecessary for me to establish a relationship with a certain gene provider, wouldn't it? It'll be in line with traditional ethics and the legal regulations on Earth, but it's completely out of place here.
"By the way, it's very troublesome to execute Strategy R in human society. I have to be careful and develop the relevant technology on my own. I also have to do everything I can to steal the appropriate genes. I can't let the other gene provider notice anything wrong for a long time.
"In addition, from a probability perspective, 99% of our several thousand offspring will unlikely be good enough for me. They'll fail to meet the standards required for 'preventing the apocalypse and continuing civilization.' The manner in which I treat them will become a great problem.
"It's not that these are unsolvable problems.
"It's just that these headache-inducing problems will take up a lot of my time and energy. As a result, it will be impossible for me to devote myself to Superstar Company, Sky Pillar Corporation, the Azure Alliance, and the work that concerns the future of the entire civilization.
"So, please trust me. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I really don't want to choose Strategy R to pass down my genes.
"My first choice will always be to work with you and adopt Strategy K. We'll implement a more traditional method that has less resistance and less trouble."
Lu Siya's eyes lit up.
It was as though the most voluptuous female beast in the forest was staring at the strongest male beast of her race.
Meng Chao fell into deep thought.
If it was to prevent the apocalypse and continue civilization, or at least steal a chance of surviving the apocalypse, he could not find any reason to reject Lu Siya.
He could not find it from a personal point of view either.
The only thing to consider was that Lu Siya could be a monster.
Back on the subject, there was a large number of spirit magnets in his body too. With the liquid metal material that had weak artificial intelligence, he might be a monster in another form.
"Don't rush it. Think about it slowly. If you decide to carry out Strategy K, we'll have to work it out repeatedly and perfect every step," Lu Siya said considerately.
"I don't want you to feel forced or cheated by me.
"I promise that if you're really unwilling to do this with me, I won't force you or ask you to give me a valid reason. Our friendship as comrades and our collaboration in the decades to come will not be affected because of this incident. You can pretend as if our conversation today never happened, and I won't mention it again.
"However, I don't think you'll be able to find a genetic match better than me in Dragon City. If you reject me, there's a high probability that you'll have to adopt Strategy R to pass down your genes as well. In that case, you'll encounter the same problems as me.
"Either way, there's still a lot of room for collaboration between us. For example, we can develop artificial breeding technology, optimize gene modulation technology, and find suitable genetic seeds for each other.
"If your parents have something to say about this, I can also help you cover up. We have such a good relationship. I can and will definitely help."
"Alright, I understand now."
Meng Chao looked at the Supernatural Tower which was right before him and slowly descended in his propeller-driven biplane. I'll think about it seriously. As for my answer, we'll talk about it after we go deep into the ancient ruins, find the Battle God, and come back alive!"
"Alright."
Lu Siya nodded and patted Meng Chao's shoulder in an understanding manner. "Don't feel too pressured. According to experts, more than 95% of men think that their wives are 'monsters' after they get married.
"Perhaps you only discovered this secret a little sooner than them."