Clone Ascension

The question made Wendy Lewis fall into deep thought.

Quentin Vilewind’s mutation was extremely unusual—even across the entire history of human evolution on Blue Star,his case was one of the strangest.

Even for Wendy,this topic was beyond the scope of existing evolutionary science.

Mutation had always been one of the hardest problems in the field.The Evolution Era had only lasted a thousand years,and mutations were rare,leaving very few subjects to study.

Wendy said,“Quentin’s mutation doesn’t have much research value.It seems more like a coincidence—a chain of unlikely events.Even if you replicated his experience exactly,you might not produce another mutant.”

Evan agreed.

Quentin was a Saint‑tier sovereign,and theoretically could only absorb Tier‑5 extracts.But the Spiritroot Tree had been interruptedwhile evolving into a Tier‑5 spirit plant,causing its extract to carry some Tier‑5 characteristics—a quasi Tier‑5 extract.

If it had been a pure Tier‑4 extract,Quentin wouldn’t have absorbed it.

If it had been a pure Tier‑5 spirit‑plant extract,he probably would have died instantly.

Spirit‑plant extracts were essentially poison to humans.Absorbing them usually resulted in death or crippling.But Quentin had drunk half a bowl of tree sap beforehand.

Tree sap was a sacred healing medicine—capable of healing both physical and mental injuries.The negative physical effects of the Spiritroot extractwere likely neutralized by the sap.

Why only the physical effects?

Because even after mutating,Quentin was still insane.His mental damage had not been healed.

There was another factor:the sap and the Spiritroot extract came from the same source—like “curing poison with poison.”If he had used any other healing medicine,it might not have worked.

In short,Quentin’s mutation into a “Twisted Treant”was the result of multiple coincidences—almost impossible to replicate.

Talking about mutation made Evan think of the two extractshe had recently absorbed—both from mutated beasts.

He told Wendy about it,and she became very interested.

“Humans, spirit plants, and beasts can all mutate.But mutation doesn’t always make them stronger—sometimes it makes them weaker.

“The two extracts you absorbedcame from extremely powerful mutated individuals—basically kings among beasts of their tier.

“According to your theory,these powerful mutants pay a price—losing other innate skillsand retaining only their strongest one.”

Evan nodded.“That’s just my guess.I need more data.”

Wendy said,“When I finish my current work,I’ll help you gather information.If your theory is proven,it’ll be a valuable academic result.You could even publish a paper—it would look great on your résumé.”

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“Right,” Wendy suddenly remembered.“Have you considered enrolling at Dongli University?President Hale mentioned it this morning.He really wants to recruit you.”

School?

Evan had never thought about it.

Technically, Liam Zhao had never received higher education either.At seventeen, he hadn’t even graduated high school.

Evan was curious about what universities taughtin a world shaped by global evolution—and how it differed from the universities of his previous life.

“Studying…I guess it’s not impossible.I’m already living on campus anyway.”

Thinking of FangBro,who was over thirty and still fighting for a diploma,Evan felt embarrassed to slack off.And he wasn’t opposed to the idea.

Wendy smiled.“Then I’ll tell President Hale laterand have him arrange your enrollment.”

“No rush.Sis, help me ask if there are scholarships.”Evan grinned.“Schools always offer benefits to attract top talent, right?”

Wendy rolled her eyes,but still nodded.

“By the way, Sis—have you heard of bloodline crystals?”Evan suddenly asked.

Wendy’s expression shifted slightly.“I’ve heard of them.”

“What are they?What do they do?”

“They’re extremely high‑level evolutionary items.They can replace extracts.For more details,you should ask Chairman Sterling or President Hale.They know more than I do.

“Bloodline crystals are tied to high‑level secrets.I’ve never had access to them.”

Evan kept this in mind.Bloodline crystals were even more important and mysteriousthan he had imagined.

After all,his Evolution’s Grace skillcame from a bloodline crystal.

The two talked for a long timebefore Yvonne’s door finally opened.

She walked out with a smile.

“Looks like it worked!”

Yvonne nodded.“Not bad.I didn’t get the strongest skill—Wind Overlord—but King’s Roar is still very useful.”

King’s Roar was the superior version of the tiger‑beast skill Beast King Howl—the one that summoned nearby beasts to fight for the user.

King’s Roar not only retained the summoning ability,but also gained offensive and intimidating effectsagainst human evolvers—a powerful combination of sonic attack and mental suppression.

“Next, I’ll be working overtimeto fully digest the extract.Five or six months isn’t enoughto fully absorb a Tier‑4 A‑grade extractwithout high‑level medicinal support.”

Evan said,“I still have some Tomorrow Flower petals…”

Yvonne waved her hand.“No need.I still have savings,and the national treasury has reserves of natural medicines.I can exchange some with contribution points.”

Evan reminded her,“Don’t forget to practice Swan Dance.I’ve tried it myself—my sister’s Swan Dance is way more effectivethan that Dragon‑Subduing Stance.”

Yvonne looked surprisedand agreed to try it.

Evan was secretly delighted.

He thought,I’ll finally get to watch Aunt Yvonne dance.I should secretly record it.Serves her right for spying on me before.

🕊️ Filial Knife Behind the SmileYvonne exchanged for a large amount of natural medicinefrom Dongli’s treasuryand prepared to practice in her room.

But Evan dragged her into the courtyard.

“The air is better outside.More space.Practicing in your room is too stuffy.”

Yvonne eyed him suspiciously.She suspected this kid was hiding a knife behind his filial smile.

To ease her worries, Evan said,“I’ll dance with you.I also absorbed an extract recentlyand haven’t digested it yet.”

Only then did Yvonne agree.

An old and a young figuredanced gracefully in the courtyard.

Neither noticedthe phone camera peeking from the second‑floor window.

Evan carefully positioned himselfoutside the camera’s viewso the recording would show only Yvonne dancing alone.

He didn’t want to steal her spotlight.

But he was also genuinely practicing—and didn’t forget to take Doll Ginseng rootletsto aid digestion.

Once he finished digesting the Mutated Upright Ape extract,he would need to considerhis fourth Chrysalis‑tier extract.

Evan danced with Yvonne for the entire day.

The next morning,a teacher from Dongli University’s admissions officecame to discuss his enrollment.