Clone Ascension

When the two teachers from Dongli University were still present,

Yvonne Hart had remained silent.

Only after they left did she finally speak.

“You’re choosing Evolutionary Biology? Aren’t you afraid you won’t graduate?”

Evan frowned.

“Why would you think that?”

“People who specialize in evolutionary research

usually have a full set of support‑type skills.

Take Dr. Wendy Lewis, for example—

she has Evolution Sight, Hyper‑Capacity Brain, Rapid Memory,

and several other S‑grade support skills.

You, on the other hand, only have combat skills.

Doing research will put you at a disadvantage.”

Evan didn’t care.

“Do you not know who my sister is?

With an evolutionary science professor as my sister,

you think I won’t graduate?”

Yvonne had no comeback.

Fair point.

Even without Wendy,

Dongli University would probably open the back door for Evan.

There was no universe where they’d let him fail to graduate.

🕊️ A Quiet Campus

As the days passed, Dongli University entered winter break.

The campus became noticeably quieter.

Only a few students like FangBro stayed behind.

Most had gone home to prepare for the New Year.

Blue Star didn’t have lunar or solar calendars—

only the Evolution Calendar.

The turn of the year was the New Year.

With fewer people around,

Evan didn’t have to worry about being recognized.

But he was too busy to go out anyway.

He had a new goal:

complete his second evolution within twenty‑plus days.

Not only Evan—

Wendy and Yvonne were also extremely busy.

Yvonne didn’t need explanation—

she was dancing Swan Dance with Evan day and night in the courtyard.

Wendy, having just returned to Dongli,

had a mountain of accumulated research results

that needed to be handed over to the nation.

For several days,

Dongli’s top evolutionary scientists gathered for nonstop meetings,

discussing how to maximize the value of Wendy’s research

to strengthen the nation’s overall power.

Graham Sterling and Winston Hale,

the two Saint‑tier sovereigns,

participated in every meeting.

They were the final decision‑makers.

Wendy submitted all her research results—

except for one thing:

the formula for the Skill Suppression Drug.

The formula itself wasn’t the issue—

the problem was if it fell into the hands of the Filthborn Organization.

Wendy only told Graham Sterling and Winston Hale privately.

Both understood the gravity of the matter

and didn’t make an immediate decision.

After long deliberation,

they decided to report it to the Dominion Nation.

Coincidentally,

Wendy also needed to apply for patents

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

for more than ten evolutionary drug formulas.

So Graham personally accompanied her

to the Dominion Nation to handle both matters.

The Dominion Nation’s Linhua State

was located directly north of Dongli,

sharing a border—

travel was convenient.

Wendy didn’t return until December 30th,

the day before New Year’s Eve.

🍵 Wendy Returns

“Sis, you’re finally back!”

Evan had finished digesting the Mutated Upright Ape extract yesterday.

This time he didn’t push himself to the limit—

no all‑nighters—

so it took two more days than when he digested the Mutated Crocodile extract.

But he hadn’t skimped on medicinal support.

He had used up most of his Doll Ginseng rootlets.

After finishing digestion,

he had been thinking about what extract to absorb next—

but with Wendy gone,

he had no one to consult.

Seeing he had something to say,

Wendy said,

“Come on, let’s go buy groceries.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve.

We’ll cook at home.”

Evan followed her out

and asked about his next extract along the way.

“Sis, what kind of skill should I aim for next?

What weaknesses do I still need to patch?”

“You haven’t even completed your second evolution yet,

and you’re already worrying about Cocoonbreak‑tier extracts?”

Wendy looked puzzled.

She didn’t know Evan could absorb four extracts per evolution stage.

She thought he was asking about

the first extract after reaching Cocoonbreak tier.

“Just preparing ahead of time,” Evan said casually.

Wendy didn’t overthink it.

“So you still only want S‑grade?”

“Of course. Money isn’t a problem.”

“Let me think… Tier‑3 S‑grade…”

Wendy began narrowing down the options.

Evan’s fourth Chrysalis‑tier extract

was indeed intended to be a Tier‑3 S‑grade.

Before they knew it,

they had reached the university gate.

Evan automatically walked into the “One Drop” milk tea shop

and bought Wendy a cup.

Wendy always showed an unexpectedly cute expression

when drinking milk tea.

She took a small sip,

her face softening with satisfaction.

“Actually, you don’t have any major weaknesses right now.

If I had to name some—

your mental strength isn’t outstanding,

and you lack mental defense.

Your attack range is short,

so you’ll be passive against long‑range evolvers.”

Evan nodded.

She was right.

His mental strength was average for a Chrysalis‑tier evolver.

He had almost no resistance to mental attacks.

And against long‑range evolvers,

he only had Rhino Charge—

a short‑range dash.

He could easily get kited.

Raging Myriad Tides had only a ten‑meter range.

Wendy continued,

“But I’ve said before—

there is no such thing as an all‑round evolver.

As a melee evolver,

these weaknesses are normal.

They’re not flaws you must fix.

“For your next extract,

I have two suggestions.

You can choose based on your preference.”

“Go ahead, Sis.”

Evan listened attentively.

🕊️ Flight Skills

“The first option is the mainstream choice.

Almost all Cocoonbreak‑tier evolvers

choose a flight skill as their first extract.

“It’s a choice that can’t go wrong.

“Flight skills are special—

every evolver wants them.

Humans have always longed for the sky.

“We’re not birds.

We don’t grow wings.

Evolution doesn’t magically grant flight.

So flight skills are essential.”

Wendy took another sip of milk tea.

“But extracting a flight skill is luck‑based.

Not everyone gets it on the first try.

Some people absorb multiple useless skills

just to get a flight skill—

wasting several skill slots.

“And flight skills only appear in Tier‑3 extracts or higher.

So most people try to get them

right after entering Cocoonbreak tier.

“Because flight skills don’t boost combat power much.

If you wait until Butterfly tier or Saint tier,

you’ll waste a precious high‑tier skill slot.

“At Cocoonbreak tier,

even if you waste one or two slots,

most people think it’s worth it.”

Evan already knew some of this,

and Wendy’s explanation made it clearer.

In short:

Everyone must learn flight.

The earlier, the better.

Quality doesn’t matter much—E‑grade is fine.

Evan asked,

“So what’s the difference between high‑grade and low‑grade flight skills?

Just speed?”

“Speed, stamina consumption, maneuverability—

many things.

But the difference isn’t huge.

“What truly determines flight speed

is evolution tier.

“A Cocoonbreak‑tier evolver with an S‑grade flight skill

will still be slower

than a Butterfly‑tier evolver with an E‑grade flight skill.”

Evan nodded.

No wonder people didn’t care much about flight skill quality.