Evolution!

Evolution!

December 27th, 7:00 a.m.

West Camp, ground level.

The trainees on the 101st Class roster arrived one after another in orderly fashion, each wearing a different expression.

Some were nervous, some afraid, some expectant, and some excited.

Receiving an injection of Evolutionary Serum was a gamble.

There were three possible outcomes.

1: Successful evolution. The genes transformed, consciousness connected to the Moon Web, and one became a true Evolver.

2: Mutation. A red-light alarm appeared, and the body suffered a violent rejection response. Either the genes were destroyed, leaving permanent bodily damage, or the genes mutated, evolving the person into an inhuman monster.

3: Evolution failed, resulting in death.

The reason Evolution Camp trainees had such a high mortality rate was because of Evolutionary Serum injections.

The trainees of Class 23 gathered under their instructor's lead.

Seeing Wang Ye appear here, every trainee had question marks written all over their faces.

Yu Haitao in particular looked utterly baffled. He wanted to ask, but was afraid of getting slapped in the face again.

"Wasn't Wang Ye not on the roster?" Lu Yong could not help asking.

"That's right." Wang Ye nodded.

"But the instructor helped me apply for an Evolution Fruit."

An uproar broke out.

All kinds of envious, jealous, and resentful looks turned toward him.

Evolution Fruits were fruits borne by evolved plants and were exceedingly rare.

The Evolutionary Essence they contained was mild and easy to absorb, with a far higher success rate than Evolutionary Serum.

Many of them knew that Yu Haitao had previously snatched Wang Ye's Evolution Fruit.

So what?

The current Wang Ye had not only surpassed Yu Haitao in every aspect.

He also did not need to rely on luck. With the extraordinary potential he displayed in the Graduation Exam, Evolution Camp had directly awarded him an Evolution Fruit!

In the future, the gap between him and Yu Haitao would only grow wider.

Assembly Square, a ray of sunlight spilled down.

The enormous display screen showed footage of China's powerful fighters battling super monsters.

Every sword strike and blade slash seemed to cleave heaven and earth apart, far beyond human limits.

They could fight in the air. Their speed was like light itself. Their bodies were even tougher than monsters'.

They were saving homeless refugees.

They were protecting China Base City.

Wang Ye stared fixedly at the screen.

Although he had watched it countless times, it still made his heart race and blood boil every time.

He might be a little greedy for money and women, but that was only human nature. It did not affect his sincere patriotic heart in the slightest.

At the end of the footage, a cold young man clad in black combat gear slashed out a dazzling blade in midair, killing a humanoid spider demon with eight dark-green scythe-like limbs. The lingering force of his Blade Qi even razed a skyscraper to the ground.

Not far behind him, a girl in snow-white clothes, pure and flawless, spread her hands in the air. Even through the screen, one could feel the piercing chill as she froze a super monster several stories tall into a statue, which instantly shattered into pieces.

"China's Strongest One, and humanity's Strongest One, Yao."

"China's number one, and the world's third-ranked Esper, Xue Ling."

Of course Wang Ye recognized them both.

The two hottest heroes in China right now were both very young.

Neither of the two powerful fighters had come from Evolution Camp.

Evolution Camp had only been established after Base Cities were gradually built in 2046, when the Earth Alliance began systematically exploring the best path for human evolution.

Even the first batch of trainees had only trained for four years by now.

There were currently two types of top-tier world powerhouses.

The first were human Evolvers who rose from chaos and despair at the beginning of the Great Disaster in 2045. They had either evolved by drinking Blood Sea Water when they had nowhere left to turn, or evolved by accidentally absorbing Red Rain, like Yao.

The second were batches of carefully selected seeds chosen by various nations from late 2045 to early 2046. They were either soldiers unafraid of death, terminally ill patients, or refugees who had survived after being driven to the brink, like Xue Ling.

"They are humanity's pioneers, warriors who blazed the trail, and powerhouses who protect China!"

The chief instructor was delivering the final rallying speech. His sonorous voice spread across the entire square and fell clearly into every trainee's ears. "Evolution used to be a near-certain death sentence. They had never practiced the Life Evolution Method, and fewer than one in a hundred survived after directly drinking Blood Sea Water."

"With advances in scientific research and the selfless contributions of Evolvers, research institutes extracted Evolutionary Essence from Evolvers' blood and developed improved generations of Evolutionary Serum. Bodily rejection has been greatly reduced, compatibility is higher, and the chances of evolution have risen dramatically!"

"Today, combined with the Life Evolution Method, the failure rate of the fifth-generation Evolutionary Serum has fallen to its lowest point. But everyone must still remember: when facing a Desperate Situation, do not give up. Use your unyielding will to overcome everything!"

"Just like the ancestors of China, generation after generation!"

"I hereby declare that evolution begins!"

Ten Medical Bays began operating at the same time.

The trainees lined up with anticipation.

The injections proceeded in orderly succession.

When it was their turn, trainees entered fully sealed Medical Bays, cut off from the outside world.

Researchers monitored and recorded data inside the Medical Bays, while medical personnel handled emergency treatment.

If someone mutated into an inhuman monster, the Gene Warrior inside the bay would kill them without mercy.

Lu Yong said all this while trembling.

He was very nervous.

It was his first time. Who would not be nervous?

Once the needle went in, would bleeding stop? If there was no bleeding, would that be even more worrying?

"Don't think too much. Become an Evolver first!" Yu Haitao's ID was W1012315, and he was ahead of Wang Ye in line.

Although Wang Ye receiving an Evolution Fruit made him deeply uncomfortable, he had to force himself not to think about it anymore.

The lesson from the combat assessment was still fresh in his mind.

Taking a deep breath and calming himself, Yu Haitao strode into the Medical Bay.

Half an hour later.

"W1012323, Wang Ye."

A staff member opened the bay door.

Wang Ye nodded, verified his identity, and entered.

Clack!

The bay door shut and locked with a ding.

The strong smell of disinfectant was mixed with a faint scent of blood.

Wang Ye swept his gaze around. The white chamber contained a sterilization and purification unit, while a massive machine resembling a CT scanner stood in the center.

A bespectacled researcher stood on the left, and fully equipped medical personnel stood on the right.

Against the wall in an open area stood a tall man wearing Ox-Horn Battle Armor. His arms were crossed and his eyes closed, his expression blank, yet he radiated immense pressure.

A West Camp Gene Warrior.

He was there to prevent accidents or mutations during the evolution process.

"Take off your shoes and lie down," the Male Doctor told Wang Ye.

Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!

Four locks snapped into place. Wang Ye's hands and feet were secured, clasps emerged at his waist, and the computer data was connected.

"Buzz." The machine rolled forward, carrying his body along.

The injection was performed in a fully sealed environment, entirely by machine, to avoid human error and the possibility of genetic mutation.

The light before his eyes gradually vanished, replaced by the cold interior of the machine.

Wang Ye's heartbeat sped up slightly. A metal plate slowly descended behind his head, and the sealed space was left with nothing but the sound of breathing.

"Open your mouth."

Wang Ye opened his mouth. A mechanical arm held a round fruit, and before he could see it clearly, it had already placed it in his mouth.

Ugh... it was hard to swallow food while lying down!

Just as Wang Ye finished complaining inwardly, the fruit melted the instant it entered his mouth.

A massive surge of energy instantly flooded his body and spread throughout him!

It was here!

"Another Evolution Fruit."

"He's different from the one earlier. This one was awarded by Evolution Camp."

The two doctors watched the display screen and chatted. "Huh? Why is his success rate so low? Only 45%?"

Without even looking up, the researcher said, "He has a Mutated Monster Blood Crystal inside his body. There are too many variables."

"Probability is only a reference. It cannot be considered accurate. If those early powerhouses who evolved using Blood Sea Water were calculated according to current big data, each of their success rates might have been below 1%."

The Female Doctor looked toward the Ox-Horn Gene Warrior by the wall. "The 101st Class is almost done receiving injections. Team Leader Tong, what do you think of this batch? How many can make it into your Rescue Team?"

The Ox-Horn Gene Warrior opened his eyes, expressionless. "A bunch of weaklings who have never left the Base City perimeter. They have no idea how terrifying real monsters are. The Rescue Team? They should first worry about surviving the Rookie Trial."

Beep! Beep! Beep!

As he spoke, the machine suddenly sounded an alarm and a red light came on. The medical staff's expressions instantly changed as they hurried into position.

The Ox-Horn Gene Warrior raised his head, his towering, muscular body straightening as cold light burst from his icy pupils.

A red-light alarm meant that a mutation had occurred during evolution!

Only two outcomes remained.

Either the genes would be destroyed, causing permanent bodily damage.

Or the genes would mutate, evolving him into an inhuman monster.

"Wait a little longer." The researcher had monitored the data from beginning to end. He adjusted his glasses. "The Blood Crystal is still reacting inside his body. It isn't over yet. His vital signs are good, and the trainee's willpower is strong."

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

His limbs shook violently out of control. Wang Ye clenched his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

If he had not been strapped down so tightly, he might already have broken free of his restraints and gone nearly berserk.

A powerful, terrifying energy coursed wildly through his body, yet seemed unable to find a place to settle. Wang Ye was drenched in blood, trapped in confinement.

He vaguely knew what had happened, but he could hardly believe it.

Only four words surfaced in his mind—

Heaven envies genius!

"Willpower!"

Wang Ye's teeth ground together with a creak, his eyes filled with determination.

First, survive through sheer will to live!

He could accept evolution failing.

But as long as he got through this alive, he would always have a chance to make a comeback!

Give up?

Not a chance!

"Fuck, what a massive sucker!"

"I want to become an Evolver so badly! I'm not willing to accept this! I'm so fucking unwilling!"

"I have to survive! I haven't even gotten married yet! I haven't even seen Doctor Shu in uniform! I haven't found a third wife, a fourth wife, or a fifth wife! Flying wing to wing, sharing one huge bed! I haven't slept with blonde bombshells! International supermodels! Lesbians! 2D girls! Beast girls... no, cute girls! I haven't even tried female celebrities yet, aaaah!"

His fierce desire to live made every vein in Wang Ye's body surge. He refused to yield or bend.

Ripples spread through the depths of his mind, and a familiar point of light suddenly appeared.

His talent, the Light and Shadow Panel!

It was a shining Jade Sculpture Light Sphere, pure and flawless, within which he could vaguely make out the number "6."

Suddenly, the Jade Sculpture Light Sphere burst with dazzling radiance. Vast energy erupted as the depths of his brain domain expanded dramatically, while his soul rang and shook!

In an instant, his consciousness became incomparably clear, and his life rose to a higher level.

Esper awakened

Initial Lifeform → Elementary Star Seed Lifeform

Evolution successful!

Wang Ye looked at the familiar prompt before him, overwhelmed with surprise and joy.

His cheat—no, his talent—really was reliable!

Although there was a tiny, tiny discrepancy from what he had expected, the result was absolutely badass!

Not only had he completed his evolution, he had even awakened one of the exceptionally rare types among beginner Evolvers—

An Esper!

(End of Chapter)