The Idea for a Clone

Flying was prohibited on the streets of Red Flame Planet's main city.

"What a hassle. I've finally made it."

Lin Yuan looked up at the towering Administrative Building before him and grumbled inwardly.

Lin Yuan entered the building. In the lobby, he checked the floor directory. There were more than three hundred floors in total, and nationality services were handled on the 150th floor.

"Take me to the 150th floor," Lin Yuan said as he sat on the soft sofa.

The sofa and the floor beneath it shot upward together without a jolt, carrying him smoothly to the designated floor in no time.

"Hello, sir. What service do you need?"

A woman in uniform with a fluffy tail flew straight over and smiled at Lin Yuan.

"I'd like to obtain citizenship in the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom."

"Citizenship? Of course, sir. You must be at least Universe Level to obtain citizenship in the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom, and you meet the requirement."

"Please go to the second room on your right to complete the process."

The fluffy-tailed woman answered with a smile.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly and walked toward the room.

Lin Yuan entered. A staff member from the Ape-man Race saw him come in and immediately greeted him warmly. "Sir, what service do you need?"

"I'd like to apply for citizenship in the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom."

Since applicants had to be at least Universe Level to join the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom, the Ape-man Race staff member grew even more enthusiastic. His gaze swept over Lin Yuan and landed on the badge on his chest.

"G-Giant Axe Warrior?"

"Sir, which Universe Country—or which empire under one—did you originally belong to?"

"I don't have citizenship anywhere."

"Uh... you don't have citizenship?"

"That's right."

The Ape-man Race staff member was astonished. A Universe Level expert without citizenship? He took out an instrument and ran a scan.

"His information really isn't in the system. Could he be a disciple of some powerful family or faction who only ventured out after reaching Universe Level?" the Ape-man Race man wondered.

"Sir, since you're currently without citizenship, you only need to pay 50 Universe Coins to complete the process. It'll be done shortly."

"Can I transfer the money through the Virtual Universe?"

"Certainly, sir."

A little over ten minutes later, Lin Yuan received his identification documents.

The Ape-man Race staff member looked even more puzzled. This Universe Level customer had paid using an unregistered Virtual Universe account.

Lin Yuan then headed to a Virtual Universe Company branch. His previous account had been unregistered, which meant it came with many restrictions. He quickly opened an account at the branch, then set off for the next destination: the Cosmic Galaxy Bank.

Having started out as a slave on a slave planet, Lin Yuan truly had nothing. He was completely out of touch with the rest of the universe and had to set up all kinds of accounts one by one.

At the Cosmic Galaxy Bank, Lin Yuan opened a bank account and sold the bottle of Godly Drunkenness, receiving a fortune of 7,600 Hunyuan Units, which he deposited into the account.

Red Flame Planet was home to the Nine Flame Sacred Land, where many highly esteemed prodigies studied. Many came from prominent families, and some were even the children or disciples of Immortal Gods. So the staff weren't too surprised or curious when Lin Yuan sold the bottle of Godly Drunkenness.

Lin Yuan was automatically made a three-star user of the Cosmic Galaxy Bank. The requirement for three-star status was a deposit of 10 Hunyuan, roughly the entire fortune of an ordinary World Lord.

Becoming a three-star user also automatically granted him Bronze VIP status at the Great Axe Arena, allowing him to watch live broadcasts of life-and-death battles for free. A four-star account required a deposit of 10,000 Hunyuan Units, a threshold Lin Yuan wasn't actually far from reaching.

Lin Yuan couldn't help reflecting on how much things had changed. Before, he had been on edge every day during life-and-death battles, his nerves taut as he fought to survive and fought for his freedom. Now he could sit in a VIP box and watch those same battles for free. He had never dared imagine such a reversal in status.

Lin Yuan also bought a Space Ring. The strange stone his teacher, Marquis Yuankun, had given him had been sitting in his pocket; now he put it inside the ring.

"Beep. Master, you have received twelve emails." The Smart Optical Brain's cheerful voice sounded in Lin Yuan's mind.

"Twelve emails? That many?"

Lin Yuan looked at the screen projected by his Optical Computer and opened the emails one by one.

Most of the emails were advertisements: games, investment management, product promotions, planet and territory sales, and so on.

The first email, from the Virtual Universe Company, caught Lin Yuan's interest.

He opened it and saw a notice that he had qualified to attend the Nine Flames Auction.

Lin Yuan looked into it carefully. The auction was held by the Virtual Universe Company in the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom. He qualified for the beginner auction, which required three-star status with both major banks and was held once every five years.

The email said the next auction would be held in four years.

Lin Yuan recalled the Ganwu Auction that Luo Feng had attended. The Yan Shen Armament and Demon Killer Race skin had both come from that auction.

Lin Yuan focused his consciousness on the light point in the System Space in his mind. Information flowed into his thoughts:

Innate Secret Technique: "Clone." An ordinary innate secret technique bestowed by the Primal Universe; it will be taken back upon reaching the True God level. Once claimed, it will automatically fuse with the user's consciousness and allow the user to nurture three clones. One opportunity to nurture a clone is granted at each of the Planet Level, Universe Level, and World Lord stages. Nurturing a clone requires a biological sample containing the creature's genes. The gene level of a life-form that can be nurtured cannot exceed 1,000 times. Upon claiming this ability, the system will grant a Clone Space for nurturing clones. Note: Items not rewarded by the system can also enter the Clone Space.

Lin Yuan considered the matter.

"This innate secret technique, Clone, is quite similar to Luo Feng's Golden Horned Beast, but there seem to be some differences. The Golden Horned Beast is a Protonucleus Organism and naturally possesses an Internal World, where it nurtures its clones. My clone ability, however, was bestowed by the Primal Universe. I haven't reached the World Lord level, so I naturally don't have an Internal World. So the system thoughtfully gave me a Clone Space to nurture my clones?"

There was another difference. The Golden Horned Beast naturally possessed the ability to create clones, and anyone who possessed the Golden Horned Beast would automatically gain that ability. But if the owner of the innate secret technique Clone bestowed by the Primal Universe was possessed, the one who took over his body wouldn't gain the secret technique.

Lin Yuan thought of Lord of Sinking Fire. He had been a World Lord traveling abroad when he encountered a special opportunity and obtained the secret technique Second Clone, bestowed by the Primal Universe. Lord of Sinking Fire could nurture only one clone, while Lin Yuan could nurture three. But the clone Lord of Sinking Fire had nurtured, Li Huoshan, should have had a gene level above 1,000 times. Each had its own advantages and drawbacks.

"So how should I choose my clones?"

Lin Yuan began to think it through carefully.

"First, I need a clone with strong survival abilities, preferably one without a soul, so it can explore secret realms and put itself in danger for me. It might be less useful later on, but I'm still weak. I need to improve my chances of survival now if I want a future."

Luo Feng's Demon Killer Race clone had been exceptionally good at staying alive. It had saved Luo Feng from danger time and again.

"As for the second clone, it could be my main combat clone. Its gene level and size naturally can't be too poor."

"The last clone will probably have to be related to the Nine Nether Blood Sea."

Lin Yuan felt that even though he was only Universe Level, the Golden Finger had already given him an incredible reward: an innate secret technique of this caliber. If he later broke through to Domain Lord and World Lord, the Golden Finger's rewards would surely become even rarer and more precious. Perhaps one of them would even raise his gene level.

He had to think long-term.

"Considering the conditions for earning wheel-spin rewards, these clones should ideally help me comprehend laws or strengthen my will."

A clone that could help him earn more draws would suit him best.

"Looks like I'll have to try my luck at the Nine Flames Auction four years from now."

Lin Yuan decided to take things one step at a time. If he couldn't find a suitable clone, he could simply avoid venturing into dangerous places to gain experience. After all, he still had the system's rewards.

With most things taken care of, Lin Yuan prepared to return to his small estate. It was time to take out that bottle of Purple Fire Ape Wine and drink it.