Clone Ascension

The security officer’s gaze froze on the spot Wendy Lewis pointed at.

Confusion flickered across his face—then shock.

“You suspect this vehicle?

Do you mean… this case might be connected to the Church of Evolution?”

Wendy had singled out a black business van.

Its owner was a cleric of the Church,

serving at the Eastplain Evolution Temple.

“Because this is the only vehicle in the list

linked to a major organization,” Wendy said.

“And it’s a business van—

large enough to hold several children and the culprit

without drawing attention.”

The officer didn’t fully understand,

but Evan did.

Wendy had already theorized

that the sick children were abducted

for mutation experiments—

and only major powers

had the resources to conduct such research.

The Church of Evolution

was exactly such a power.

The Security Bureau chose to trust Wendy’s judgment.

Using surveillance from multiple regions,

they reconstructed the van’s movements

over the past five days.

Five days ago—

the day the children disappeared—

the van passed by the Welfare Home,

moving slowly.

It was impossible to tell

whether it stopped in a blind spot.

Afterward, it drove to the Eastplain Evolution Temple

and stayed there until nightfall

before returning to the owner’s home.

In the following days,

the van showed no unusual behavior—

just a repetitive route

between the temple and the owner’s residence.

Nothing suspicious on the surface.

Evan said,

“If the children were taken by this van,

they were likely brought to the temple.

Whether they were moved elsewhere afterward…

we can’t know yet.”

Wendy thought for a moment.

“Let’s go take a look.”

🛕 Heading to the Evolution Temple

“To the Evolution Temple?”

Evan hesitated, then shook his head.

“Sis, you’re too recognizable.

If we go together,

they’ll be on guard immediately.

Sending officers would be even worse—

they’d scare the snake.

“But I know someone perfect for this.”

Wendy’s eyes brightened.

“FangBro?”

Evan nodded.

“Smart people think alike.”

The Church of Evolution

had never gained much traction in Dongli Nation.

Dongli citizens believed in fate, not gods.

Few worshipped the God of Evolution.

As a result, the Church’s influence in Dongli

was far weaker than in the Rovan Federation.

Even the smallest Rovan towns

had multiple Evolution Temples.

Dongli’s capital—its most prosperous city—

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had only one,

and it was nearly deserted.

Evan and Wendy were both well‑known in Dongli now.

Their appearance at the temple

would be far too conspicuous.

But FangBro?

He looked like a typical Rovian.

A Rovian visiting an Evolution Temple

was the most normal thing in the world.

Evan immediately called him.

The moment the call connected, FangBro asked,

“Bro, what’s up?

Are we dancing today?”

“Not today.” Evan asked,

“FangBro, do you believe in the God of Evolution?”

“Believe my ass!” FangBro snapped.

“That so‑called god is just a scam

made up by con artists.

My parents were devout believers—

did the god protect them?”

“Good.

Meet me near the Eastplain Evolution Temple.”

🏛️ Eastplain Evolution Temple

From afar, the temple looked grand and imposing,

but its entrance was desolate.

Only one or two people entered

after long stretches of emptiness.

Evan couldn’t help but sigh.

“This is nothing like the Rovan Federation.”

Rovan temples were always bustling—

especially on holy days,

when crowds overflowed into the streets.

A security officer chuckled.

“Dongli citizens aren’t necessarily richer than Rovians,

but we’re practical.

Even when poor,

we focus on improving our lives—

not begging gods for charity.”

Evan nodded,

then turned to FangBro.

“We’ll enter one after the other.

I’ll draw their attention.

You find a chance to slip inside

and see what you can uncover.”

FangBro lifted his chin proudly.

“Leave it to me.

There’s no place in this world

I can’t sneak into.”

The Security Bureau captain

handed them two walkie‑talkies.

“We’ll be outside.

Contact us immediately if anything happens.”

Wendy added softly,

“Be careful.

Safety first.”

🧎 Inside the Temple

Evan headed toward the temple.

It was his first time visiting one,

and curiosity stirred in him.

The entrance was lined

with towering stone pillars.

Beyond the gate

stood a “Blessing Well”—

dry and empty.

Believers of the God of Evolution

could throw offerings into the well

to show devotion

and pray for blessings.

A cleric in a white robe approached.

This was the standard attire

of temple staff.

He recognized Evan immediately—

an evolver.

He smiled warmly.

“Honored Beneficiary,

are you here to pray

or to worship?”

The Church referred to all evolvers

as “Beneficiaries,”

believing that evolution

was a gift from their god.

Evan said,

“To worship.”

“Please follow me.”

The cleric led him

toward the temple hall

behind the Blessing Well,

where the statue of the God of Evolution

was enshrined.

“Is this your first visit to our Church?”

the cleric asked.

“Have you encountered difficulties

that require our Lord’s guidance?”

Evan nodded,

putting on a troubled expression.

“There is something

I wish to ask the god.”

“As long as your devotion is sincere,

our Lord will surely bestow His grace.”

They entered the main hall.

🐙 The Statue of the God of Evolution

For the first time,

Evan saw the statue

of the God of Evolution.

It was a monstrous hybrid—

part human, part beast.

A human head and torso,

but no arms—

only writhing tentacles

like those of an octopus.

Its left leg was a massive hoof,

its right a bird’s talon.

Its facial features

were a grotesque collage—

fish eyes, elephant trunk,

cow ears, horse mouth.

A colossal patchwork abomination.

Evan wasn’t alone.

Two other worshippers

were already kneeling before the statue.

No cleric accompanied them—

clearly, not everyone received

the special treatment Evan did.

At that moment,

FangBro entered the hall as well.

The cleric glanced at him

but paid no attention.

His focus remained on Evan.

He picked up a smooth, round “Divine Stone”

and offered it to him.

“Hold the Divine Stone

and kneel in sincere devotion.

You may be able

to communicate with the god.”

Kneel?

Evan scoffed inwardly.

A man kneels only to gold.

And he hadn’t seen any gold.

Seeing Evan hesitate,

the cleric didn’t seem surprised.

“If one possesses divine nature,

kneeling is unnecessary.

You may still receive

the god’s summons.

Please, give it a try.”