The Side Effect Is Back

The Side Effect Is Back

January 1, 2051.

A new batch of students entered Evolution Camp full of anticipation, beginning six months of training.

Wang Ye headed to No. 3 Garrison as usual.

There were three days left until the Rookie Trial!

Many newcomers could already be seen at No. 3 Garrison today.

The regular class students had basically become proficient at connecting to Moon Web and had begun learning Advanced Evolution Methods.

Yu Haitao was nowhere to be seen.

But he ran into Huang Zirui instead.

Although they had added each other as friends, Wang Ye had never taken the initiative to contact him.

There was no need to deliberately maintain the relationship.

"Want to go to South Kettle Park?" Excitement shone in Huang Zirui's eyes.

"No." Wang Ye politely declined.

South Kettle Park was a large park built beside the lake west of No. 3 Garrison. It was named for its kettle-like shape.

A large number of Ferocious-level Monsters roamed the park, making it the most suitable place near No. 3 Garrison for evolutionists to hunt and train themselves.

"All right." Huang Zirui showed no displeasure at being refused and left after saying goodbye.

Still, Wang Ye could hear a trace of disappointment hidden in his voice.

Perhaps Huang Zirui believed his strength was already enough to fight Ferocious-level Monsters.

Being overly cautious would only cause one's strength to stagnate.

But efficiency and risk went hand in hand.

"I didn't encounter a single Ferocious-level Monster yesterday and still gained 1 Potential Point. That's enough." Wang Ye continued north to hunt.

Going to South Kettle Park might let him quickly gain 5 Potential Points, but it could also send him quickly back home.

Given his current situation, there was no need to take such a great risk.

Especially with the Rookie Trial approaching.

That night, at the Evolutionist Apartment.

After a round of shallow-to-deep exchange with Doctor Shu, Wang Ye shut himself in the training room.

Spend 10 Potential Points to raise the initial level of the Crimson Sun Evolution Method?

Yes.

Potential Points: 8 → 8.

He entered the Consciousness Space and felt the Crimson Sun Evolution Method improve.

It was as surging as the sun itself, his body filled with blazing heat.

As the Crimson Sun Evolution Method rose in level, his genetic cells also began to change.

His muscles became more refined, his skin tougher, and even his legs grew 1 cm longer.

The most noticeable change came from his vitality. It surged mightily, and his body brimmed with energy, vibrant as a Perpetual Motion Machine.

Reserve Gene Warrior → First Order Gene Warrior

His body had surpassed its critical point!

Every breakthrough in the Crimson Sun Evolution Method caused the body to undergo transformation.

The higher the level, the greater the transformation.

When the evolution ended, Wang Ye had been completely renewed.

With a thought, the Light and Shadow Panel opened.

6: Wang Ye

Life Level: Elementary Star Seed Lifeform

Cultivation System: First Order Gene Warrior (16%), Esper Awakening

Methods: Crimson Sun Evolution Method Initial (Mastery), Life Evolution Method (Perfect)

Combat: Crimson Sun Blade Art Initial (Proficient), Nine Forms of Elementary Blade Technique (Limit Breaking Skill: Square Circle)

Potential Points: 8

"The body's critical point for a First Order Gene Warrior is 250, while that of a Second Order Gene Warrior is 500."

"At 16%, my current physical attributes should be around 290."

"The Crimson Sun Evolution Method's initial level, from proficient to mastery, raises physical attributes by around 50."

Wang Ye had already been close to the critical point.

With the breakthrough in the Crimson Sun Evolution Method, becoming a First Order Gene Warrior had come naturally.

"Trouble."

"The side effect is back..."

The training room door opened.

"Ah!"

Before long, the bed began creaking and rocking again.

*

*

The next day, in the wilderness.

Wang Ye cleanly and decisively killed an ugly monster.

Killed a mutated beast.

Potential Points: 8 → 8.5.

What was this?

His Potential Point gains had been halved?

Wang Ye was somewhat puzzled.

Could it be that the mutated beasts had cut corners and not mutated thoroughly enough?

Very soon, after killing a second mutated beast, Wang Ye became completely certain.

The Potential Points gained from killing mutated beasts had indeed changed from 1 to 0.5.

"It should be because I advanced from a Reserve Gene Warrior to a First Order Gene Warrior." Wang Ye quickly figured it out.

As his strength increased, he should now hunt stronger Ferocious-level Monsters.

But going straight to South Kettle Park was too dangerous.

"I'll go a little deeper north." Wang Ye made his decision.

With the increasing number of newcomers, his current hunting ground was already becoming overcrowded.

Compared to the dense concentration of Ferocious-level Monsters in South Kettle Park, the northern suburbs had far fewer. There would be more lone targets, making it more suitable for him at present.

Two hours later.

Killed a First Order Canine Monster.

Potential Points: 3.5 → 3.5.

His first Ferocious-level Monster!

It was different from the Ferocious-level Yeniu Monster he had killed before.

Though both were First Order, this Ferocious-level Canine Monster was weaker.

They excelled at different things.

The Ferocious-level Yeniu Monster possessed great strength and endurance, making it difficult to deal with.

The Canine Monster was agile and full of vitality.

It happened to play right into Wang Ye's strengths.

But more importantly, compared to three days ago, his strength had improved significantly.

Another hour passed.

Potential Points: 7 → 7.5.

"Then that confirms it."

"Killing an elementary Ferocious Monster gives 1 Potential Point."

"The first Yeniu Monster gave 1.5 points, most likely as a reward for killing above my rank."

Wang Ye had roughly figured out the pattern.

Killing monsters below his rank halved the Potential Points gained.

Killing monsters of the same rank granted the standard number of Potential Points.

Killing monsters above his rank granted an additional 50% Potential Points.

*

*

January 3rd, night.

A day that left all newcomers unable to sleep.

Tomorrow was the highly anticipated Rookie Trial.

By passing the Rookie Trial, they would become true evolutionists!

Even if they only took a clerical job or became ordinary collectors in the park district, their status would be completely different from before.

If they failed...

They would die.

"Hey, bro."

Yu Haitao sat at his desk during a video call. "Got it. The Flowing Light Battle Suit fits perfectly. It's absolutely amazing!"

"Let me tell you some good news, bro. I've cultivated the initial level of the Armor Barbarian Evolution Method to proficiency!"

"Seven days, proficiency!"

"Even the instructor praised me as a genius, saying I could rival Elite Class Students!"

"I know, I know. I've been taking the Essence Nurturing Pills and Nutrient Solution on time. I had my body tested yesterday, and my score was 255! I'm already a true Gene Warrior now. Impressive, right?"

"Wait for my good news tomorrow, bro!"

After ending the video call, Yu Haitao clenched his fists tightly.

He was full of confidence for tomorrow's Rookie Trial.

Not only would he pass the trial with outstanding results, he would also use this opportunity to remove the thorn in his side—

Wang Ye!

"47% body evolution rate, physical score of 151." Yu Haitao had obtained Wang Ye's information long ago and sneered.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

In seven days, even if Wang Ye was exceptionally gifted and cultivated his Advanced Evolution Method to proficiency, his physical attributes would at most exceed 200.

As far as Yu Haitao knew, Wang Ye had spent the first three days in the hospital.

After that, he went to No. 3 Garrison every day.

Idiot!

What newcomers needed to improve most was not combat experience against Ferocious-level Monsters, but becoming true Gene Warriors first!

"And you're still wearing the Rookie Battle Suit issued by Evolution Camp."

"In physical strength, equipment, and swordsmanship, I crush you in every way. What do you have to fight me with?"

"Tomorrow is your death day."

"But I still need to be careful. What if this brat has some hidden trump card..." Yu Haitao still harbored a slight fear.

After all, Wang Ye had left too great a psychological shadow on him during the Graduation Exam.

Evolutionist Apartment, Room 714.

Training room.

Spend 10 Potential Points to raise the initial level of the Crimson Sun Blade Art?

Yes!

Wang Ye carefully absorbed the improvement in his blade technique.

He had completely comprehended the second move, Dawn's First Light.

In terms of pure offensive power, this move might be the strongest of the three.

If he encountered that first Ferocious-level Yeniu Monster again, Wang Ye was confident he could take it down within three strikes.

His hunting efficiency had not declined over the past two days. Instead, it had increased.

After breaking through to a First Order Gene Warrior, his combat strength had increased. He could hunt Ferocious-level Monsters alone, and the chance of injury had become much lower.

On average, he could gain 6 Potential Points per day.

Once the Rookie Trial was over, it would be about time to venture into South Kettle Park.

But first, he had to remove one thorn.

"Yu Haitao is probably figuring out how to deal with me right now." Wang Ye swung the Crimson Sun Battle Blade, his mastery of the blade technique fully clear.

Tomorrow, he would avenge the original owner.

He would settle their old grudge!