Bloodline Evolution

Once the Ranking Battle had concluded, Qin Zhao's name swept through the Planet Level Core Layer of the Glacier Sacred Land like a storm, even attracting the attention of some higher-level figures. He had defeated Shi Feng, who possessed a Ninefold Domain, with overwhelming superiority and claimed first place. His strength and potential could no longer be underestimated.

The rewards were soon delivered. Fifteen thousand points were deposited directly into Qin Zhao's Identity Token. Added to the points he already had, his total came to nearly sixteen thousand. As for the most precious reward, the Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent, a World Master personally escorted it to Qin Zhao and handed it over.

It was a transparent crystal tube about a foot long and as thick as an arm, sealed at both ends with specially made metal caps. Inside flowed a viscous liquid that looked like melted sapphire, speckled with starlight. Every now and then, faint silver arcs of electricity flickered through it.

Even through the crystal tube, Qin Zhao could feel the immense life energy it contained, along with the pressure of an ancient and powerful bloodline. Longke Race members reached Universe Level upon adulthood. The value of this Evolution Agent was beyond measure.

"Bloodline evolution requires an abundant supply of energy. It's best to pair it with an increase in cultivation; that will yield even better results." Qin Zhao didn't rush to use the Evolution Agent.

Bloodline evolution was a leap in the level of one's life, and the process required an immense amount of energy. If he could reach Planet Level Nine Peak before absorbing the Evolution Agent, he might be able to rely on it to break straight through to Star Level! For Qin Zhao, that was undoubtedly the most cost-effective choice.

Although the Glacier Sacred Land didn't have convenient items like Nutrient Solution, a specialty of more powerful factions, as the official force of a low-tier Universe Country, it naturally had resources with similar effects in its stores.

Qin Zhao immediately logged into the Virtual Universe and opened the resource exchange list for the Ice Plains Divine Realm, carefully browsing the options.

"'Star Source Marrow,' extracted from the core essence of ancient stars. It contains pure Universe Origin Energy and is easy to absorb, allowing Planet Level martial artists to rapidly increase their Origin Force cultivation... Each portion costs 800 points."

"'Soul Crystal Jade Dew,' nourishes the soul and refines the Origin Force throughout the body. It's especially effective for breaking through cultivation barriers... Each portion costs 600 points."

"'Earth Mother Qi (diluted),' a strand of pure Earth Element origin energy. It greatly benefits Earth-style cultivators and can consolidate their foundations... Each portion costs 1,200 points."

These were all top-tier resources suited to rapidly improving one's cultivation at Planet Level, with no side effects. Qin Zhao calculated that to ensure he could safely advance from Planet Level Five to Planet Level Nine Peak, while also securing enough energy for his bloodline evolution and his subsequent breakthrough to Star Level, he would need at least five portions of Star Source Marrow, three portions of Soul Crystal Jade Dew, and two portions of Earth Mother Qi (diluted).

Total: 800 × 5 + 600 × 3 + 1,200 × 2 = 8,200 points.

It was a massive expense, costing him more than half of his reward points. But Qin Zhao didn't hesitate. Points were meant to improve one's strength. If not now, when? He placed the order without a second thought.

The resources were soon sent through the Virtual Universe network to the receiving station at his residence in the real world. Looking at the ten neatly arranged jade boxes and crystal bottles, each different in appearance yet radiating astonishing energy, Qin Zhao took a deep breath. The preparations were complete.

He first adjusted his condition, building up his Genetic Force to the fullest level his current cultivation could sustain. His mind settled into stillness, free of joy or sorrow.

Three days later, in the quiet cultivation room.

After making thorough preparations, Qin Zhao finally began. Sitting cross-legged, he arranged the resources he had purchased and the precious Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent in front of him. After taking a deep breath, he picked up the five portions of Star Source Marrow and three portions of Soul Crystal Jade Dew one by one.

The Star Source Marrow flowed like a silver river of stars, while the Soul Crystal Jade Dew gave off a refreshing chill, like a crystal that could not be seen. He stirred his Origin Force and held both hands over the resources!

In the next instant, pure Universe Origin Energy and soul-nourishing power surged into his body like rivers flowing into the sea. The Genetic Force Star in his dantian spun and expanded at a speed he had never experienced before, continually condensing and growing stronger.

The process lasted a full day and night. By the time he had absorbed every last trace of energy from the Star Source Marrow and Soul Crystal Jade Dew, Qin Zhao's aura had reached the true peak of Planet Level Nine. His Origin Force surged through him, and the gate to Star Level seemed to be only a veil away. He could even feel that his ability to sense and absorb the surrounding cosmic energy had improved dramatically.

"I'm at my peak. It's time."

Qin Zhao turned his gaze to the final two jade boxes. They contained two portions of Earth Mother Qi and the Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent.

He first opened the box holding the Earth Mother Qi. Inside were wisps of misty, dark yellow energy that clung together without dispersing, as heavy as a mountain. Qin Zhao took a deep breath and guided the two strands into his body. At once, an incomparably heavy and pure force of Earth Element origin energy, seemingly born at the dawn of creation, flowed into his limbs and bones and penetrated every cell. It resonated with his already exceptional Earth Element talent, further strengthening his foundation. A warm, dark yellow sheen faintly rippled across his skin.

With that done, the preliminary preparations were finally complete.

Qin Zhao picked up the crystal tube. When his fingertips touched its cold surface, he could feel the immense vitality within stirring restlessly. Following the instructions, he used his Origin Force to activate the metal at one end. Before long, a slender needle glinting coldly soundlessly extended from the top of the tube.

Without hesitation, Qin Zhao aimed it at a major blood vessel in his left arm and slowly pushed it in.

"Psst..."

A slight prick of pain came, then the blue liquid, seemingly distilled from stars and oceans, began to flow into his blood vessel, driven by an invisible force.

At first, he barely felt anything beyond a cool fluid spreading rapidly through his body.

But just a few seconds later—

"Argh! This is killing me!"

An indescribable pain, seemingly born from the very source of life, erupted! It was as if billions of red-hot steel needles were stabbing outward from inside his blood vessels, instantly sweeping through every inch of muscle, every bone, every cell! The agony went far beyond physical torment. It carried the soul-rending sensation of having his life code forcibly rewritten, his genetic chains torn apart and reassembled!

Qin Zhao's body convulsed violently. Veins bulged across his forehead, and cold sweat soaked his clothes in an instant. He clenched his teeth so hard that his gums began to bleed, yet he didn't make a sound. His consciousness was like a tiny boat in the midst of a raging storm, liable to capsize at any moment. But his powerful will, along with the Soul Resistance +10% buff, steadied his mind like an anchor.

Within him, a world-shaking transformation was underway. The energy of the Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent surged into every cell nucleus like the most ruthless invading army, attacking, dismantling, and reconstructing his existing genetic sequences. Old, comparatively weak gene fragments were forcibly removed and annihilated. New, stronger and more complex Longke Race genes were injected and activated.

His body began to stretch taller, his bones making a faint but rapid series of cracks as they grew tougher and denser. His muscle fibers became more explosive as they tore and regenerated. The most obvious changes were on his forehead. The bones on either side swelled and rose slightly, and two flexible, pale blue antennae slowly emerged from his skin. They were still short, but had already begun to take shape.