Clone Ascension

The upgraded Needle Strike still pulsed faintly in Evan’s fingertips as he left the training hall.

It was surreal—his weakest, most outdated D‑rank skill had suddenly become one of his strongest offensive tools.

But one question gnawed at him:

Why did absorbing a random Tier‑4 coral tendril upgrade Needle Strike?

The last time a skill evolved, he had consumed tree sap—something directly tied to regeneration.

That made sense.

But this time?

A coral worm’s tendril?

What connection did that have to Needle Strike?

Maybe the stinging cells resembled the piercing nature of the skill.

Maybe the coral worm’s biology resonated with the technique.

Or maybe it was something deeper—

something tied to Evolution’s Grace.

He couldn’t figure it out.

And honestly, he didn’t want to overthink it.

A skill upgrade was a skill upgrade.

He went home and happily practiced Swan Dance.

⭐ A Paper Published, A Reputation Inflated

Wendy worked fast.

Within two days, she had finished and published their research paper.

She originally wanted Evan to be the sole author, but he insisted on joint authorship—with his name listed first.

It was a small academic achievement, but because the authors were Evan Cole and Wendy Lewis, the paper exploded in popularity.

Dongli’s netizens were already obsessed with them.

Now they were calling Evan not only a combat prodigy but also an evolutionary science genius.

Evan just laughed it off.

He knew exactly how much he actually contributed.

⭐ A New Discovery in Evan’s Blood

Wendy called him back to the lab.

“I found something in your cells,” she said, eyes bright with scientific excitement.

“A high‑tier energy. Not absorbed from outside—your body produces it.”

Evan blinked.

“Produces it? What kind of energy?”

“Saint‑tier energy,” Wendy said.

“Only Saint‑tier lifeforms can generate it. But you’re producing it at Chrysalis‑tier. Maybe even earlier.”

Evan’s mind immediately went to Evolution’s Grace.

“What does this energy do?”

“You remember what I told you—Saint‑tier evolvers can upgrade their own skills. This energy is the key.”

Evan’s eyes widened.

“So that’s why my skills evolved twice? I can upgrade skills like a Saint‑tier?”

“Not exactly.” Wendy shook her head.

“You have far less of this energy than a real Saint‑tier. And your evolution level is too low to control it. You can only use it passively. Randomly.”

“So it’s still luck.”

“Luck?” Wendy scoffed.

“You’re already absurdly lucky. Most people never upgrade a skill in their entire lives.”

She folded her arms and continued her lecture.

“Besides, you’re getting a massive head start. Skill upgrades now will save you years—maybe decades—once you reach Saint‑tier.”

Evan frowned.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Why? What’s so special about Saint‑tier?”

Wendy smiled, pleased he asked.

⭐ The Truth About Saint‑Tier Evolution

“Do you know the biggest difference between transcendent evolvers and Saint‑tier beings?” Wendy asked.

“Uh… they’re stronger?”

She gave him a look that said you’re hopeless.

“No. It’s the number of extracts they can absorb.

At Saint‑tier, you can only absorb one Tier‑5 extract per stage.”

Evan froze.

“Only one? But transcendent evolvers get three extracts per stage. Isn’t that weaker?”

Wendy shook her head.

“Each extract is a ladder.

Transcendent evolvers need three ladders to climb to the next level.

Saint‑tiers only need one.”

Evan blinked.

“So Saint‑tier evolution is easier?”

“Not at all.” Wendy leaned forward.

“At Saint‑tier, everyone has only one ladder. The difference is the climber.

Your success depends on the strength of your foundation—your existing skills.”

Evan finally understood.

“So the key is upgrading all your old skills to Saint‑tier level.”

“Exactly.” Wendy smiled.

“Your skills are part of your genes. When you become Saint‑tier, your old skills become outdated. They drag you down.

Before you can attempt the fifth evolution, you must upgrade every one of them.”

She tapped his forehead lightly.

“That’s why I told you—every skill you choose now determines your future ceiling. Your foundation must be solid.”

Evan nodded seriously.

He would never waste a skill slot again.

⭐ A Birthday Gift (Sort Of)

“By the way, Wendy,” Evan said, “that little piece of Tier‑4 coral stone you studied… don’t return it. Give it to me.”

Wendy shot him a glare.

“Leftover research materials must be submitted.”

“My birthday is coming. Consider it a gift, okay? Good sister?”

“Your birthday is in two months.”

“That’s Liam Zhao’s birthday. I’m a clone. I don’t have a real birthday. No parents. No family. Lonely. Abandoned…”

“Enough.” Wendy sighed, defeated.

“I’ll bring it back for you in a few days.”

“You’re the best! I’ll go buy your milk tea!”

He dashed out happily.

He wanted the Tier‑4 coral stone for one reason—

to grind it into powder and drink it.

The Tier‑3 coral stone from General Storm had already increased his bone density dramatically.

Tier‑4 would be even better.

⭐ A New Routine

Evan’s seven‑day leave ended, but he requested an extension from his counselor, Jiang Hong.

Jiang Hong couldn’t refuse.

Evan had just published a paper, earned a B‑Rank Merit, and outranked him in government hierarchy.

Talking to Evan now felt like talking to a superior officer.

Evan wasn’t skipping class for fun.

He spent every morning in Wendy’s lab, learning evolutionary science and helping with experiments.

Every afternoon, he practiced Swan Dance with Yvonne to digest the Gravity Demon extract.

Knowledge in the morning.

Training in the afternoon.

His progress was obvious.

The Gravity Demon extract was nearly fully digested, and the coral stone tonic made his bones harder by the day.

He checked the dosage carefully—too much coral stone caused kidney stones.

General Storm had truly given him a priceless gift.

⭐ Trouble at the Naval Base

One night, Evan remembered Serena Storm and messaged her.

Evan:

Senior, have you decided? When are you coming to Dongli University?

Serena:

I planned to go two days ago, but something happened at the base. It may take a while.

Serena always replied instantly—polite as ever.

Evan:

What happened?

Serena:

Two soldiers went missing. We found the first one’s corpse—drained of all flesh. The second is still missing.

Evan’s expression darkened.

Evan:

Any suspects?

Serena:

We don’t know if it’s a beast or a human evolver. The corpse was too damaged to analyze. Grandma is investigating. I’m helping her.

Evan:

If you need anything, message me. I’m around every night.

After the chat, he browsed the news—and froze.

A shop owner in Ningshui City had vanished.

A Chrysalis‑tier evolver who specialized in marine beast extracts.

Another disappearance.

Another drained corpse.

Ningshui wasn’t far from Lihai City.

Evan forwarded the article to Serena.

He didn’t expect much.

But the military followed the lead—

and found a heavily damaged corpse in the shop owner’s warehouse.

DNA confirmed it was the second missing soldier.

Two cases.

Two victims.

One killer.

But no fingerprints.

No DNA.

No clues.

A ghost.