Chapter 11: Evolution
Chen Chu pondered for a moment, then softly inquired, "How does the avatar absorb genes, and are there any restrictions?"
After several days of testing, Chen Chu had discovered that the attributes page lacked intelligence. It would only give reminders when certain conditions were met, though it would also respond to his inquiries.
Sure enough, a row of translucent text slowly appeared.
"When initiating evolution, the avatar must completely devour the creature whose genes are to be fused to absorb the strongest and most optimal genes.
"Note: Only one type of gene can be fused during each evolution."
"Can only fuse one type of gene each time? Well, even so, it's still good." Chen Chu licked his lips, suppressing the excitement in his heart.
Countless thoughts surfaced in his mind, contemplating what kind of creature's genes should be used. Chen Chu was confident that, with the ability to fuse a different creature's genes with each evolution, the avatar could become exceptionally powerful.
He ruled out creatures like elephants, lions, and tigers. Not only was it uncertain whether he could obtain these animals, but even if he did, he wouldn't be able to consume them entirely in a short period. Moreover, these animals had relatively average genetic potential. Despite being the largest animals on land, elephants lacked outstanding explosive strength, speed, and agility, as did lions and tigers.
When it came to the most extreme individual creatures on Earth, it would undoubtedly be insects.
Even ordinary ants could lift objects many times their own weight due to their small size and extreme structural differences, a feat unattainable by most mammals. Then there were fleas, capable of leaping heights equivalent to more than 200 times their body length in an instant, which was akin to a person of 1.7 meters jumping over 200 meters.
After some brief contemplation, Chen Chu narrowed down his target to insects.
He had limited knowledge of insects, though that wasn't a problem; he opened his computer and entered the search query, "What is the strongest insect?"
Immediately, dozens of popular search terms popped up below.
The six-horned salamander's strength was too weak; even crawling with all four limbs would be challenging. Therefore, Chen Chu's first choice was to enhance its strength.
***
At nine in the morning, Chen Chu took a taxi to the largest market in the city.
Any kind of pet, whether it flew in the sky, crawled on the ground, or swam in the water, could be found here. This was actually where he had originally bought the six-horned salamander.
Chen Chu walked into a shop named "Fantasy Birds and Insects." He approached the young man sitting at the tea table and asked, "Boss, do you have rhinoceros beetles here?"
"Rhinoceros beetles? Yes, we do," the young shop owner confirmed with a nod.
Compared to ants, with a strength equivalent to several dozen times their body weight, the rhinoceros beetle held the title of "King of Strength" among insects, with a record of lifting objects up to 850 times its own weight. This kind of explosive strength far surpassed that of other animals and insects.
The young shop owner led Chen Chu further in and pointed to several boxes on the shelves. "I have three species of rhinoceros beetles here. The Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle, the Atlas Beetle, and the Elephant Beetle. Which one do you prefer?"
The three species of rhinoceros beetle each had a different body size. The largest, the Elephant Beetle, was about half the size of Chen Chu's palm, measuring over ten centimeters in length, and the Atlas Beetle was similar in size.
With a quick glance, Chen Chu chose the smallest and last species. "Boss, I want a Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle."
"Sure, fifty yuan each. Do you want to buy some feed as well?"
"No, thanks."
After scanning the code to make the payment, Chen Chu left the market with a small box containing the rhinoceros beetle. Feeling a bit impatient, he indulgently opted for another taxi ride back home.
The six-horned salamander lay on the table, making eye contact with Chen Chu. Suppressing his anticipation, Chen Chu opened the box beside it and picked up the beetle. Compared to the Elephant Beetle, the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle was only around five centimeters.
Chen Chu felt a strong struggling force in his hand. As if sensing its fate, the beetle was resisting. Unfortunately, his fingers were gripping its body on both sides, and with nothing to use as leverage, its extraordinary strength was futile. Chen Chu directly pinched its head and body.
With a crisp sound, the beetle was beheaded. It was then consumed by the salamander, bit by bit.
Chen Chu summoned the attributes page, and with a mental command, he selected the option at the bottom: "Initiate Evolution—Yes or No."
Boom!
With the confirmation, Chen Chu felt the long-accumulated, scorching power erupt within the salamander's body, sweeping through it like a raging torrent. The entire skeletal structure and muscles of the six-horned salamander began to undergo a profound transformation, as its cells divided and compressed frantically.
At a deeper level, the genes were undergoing alterations, evolving.
As all of this was happening, currents of heat surged within Chen Chu's body. Wherever they passed, muscles, bones, and cells were all reinforced.
This change took him by surprise. However, compared to the torrential energy within the salamander's body, the amount appearing in his own was minimal. It only made him slightly stronger.
After half an hour, with the completion of the evolution, the salamander avatar had undergone a significant transformation in appearance.
While the length remained at thirty centimeters, the proportions had changed, making the body seem longer. The abdomen, which originally had visible ribs, was now covered with solid muscle.
The wide and flat head had become slightly more rounded, and the three pairs of fleshy, feathered horns on both sides had transformed into serrated structures with a horny, hardened texture.
The dorsal fin on its back extended from the neck to the posterior. It turned into white, serrated structures that continued to the tail, which had once again became wide and flat.
The most significant change occurred in the slender limbs, which had doubled in thickness, becoming robust and powerful. The hind legs, in particular, exhibited noticeable muscle definition, exuding a sense of explosive strength. The tips of the limbs' claws had a black hue, growing sharp and solid.
This was just the external transformation. Chen Chu could feel how the entire skeletal structure of the salamander had become even more robust than before. Its muscles felt explosive, akin to steel wires.
And these changes were a result of absorbing the genes of the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle.
The immense strength of the beetle came from its muscular fibers and robust exoskeleton, allowing it to unleash and endure a force equivalent to 850 times its own weight.
The salamander avatar had evolved into another species. Only the appearance still bore some resemblance to the original six-horned salamander.
After sensing the changes in the avatar, Chen Chu moved his consciousness, summoning the attributes page.
Physique: 10.5
Strength: 10
Agility: 9
Spirit: 13.5
Ability: Soul Splitting
Techniques: Lotus Platform Meditation Art [Progress: 21/100], Body Refining Art [Progress: 11/100]
Avatar: Six-horned Salamander
Level: Low-level Transcendent [a common creature which has evolved once, just reaching the threshold of transcendence. Maximum adult length: 70 centimeters. Average combat power.]
Ability: Strength [powerful muscular fibers and bones, possessing the potential to unleash a force equaling up to one hundred times its body weight . Note: Currently, the avatar can only unleash a force equaling up to ten times its body weight.]
Evolution Points: 0/50
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