Chapter 158: The Fourth Evolution, Visions (I)

Chapter 158: The Fourth Evolution, Visions (I)

In the late afternoon, just before the final school bell rang, Chen Chu and Luo Fei made their way to Pang Long’s office after receiving a notification from him.

"At the moment, there are a total of fifteen individuals, including yourselves, who have applied to venture into the mutated beast battlefield. They are all freshmen, and up until now, they have been diligently preparing for this journey.

"The bus is scheduled for Sunday. I will be accompanying you on this journey, but then I will be heading to the frontline."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chu's curiosity got the better of him. "Sir, when you mentioned the frontline, were you referring to the ones in the mythical world?"

A faint smile graced Pang Long's lips. "Oh? Intrigued by that place, are you?"

Mhmm! Both Chen Chu and Luo Fei nodded in unison.

Pang Long continued with deliberate pacing. "That world is vast and boundless, teeming with transcendent resources. Over the years, humanity has been expanding its dominion there. However, with each step of exploration and expansion into that realm, conflicts have arisen between humans and a myriad of creatures.

"Mythical colossal beasts, eerie and inexplicable monstrosities, and formidable alien civilizations exist there. Consequently, many nations have stationed the main forces of their militaries over there in recent years. The landscape boasts numerous formidable individuals, and terrifying skirmishes unfold daily, exacting a heavy toll on ammunition and resources. On the frontline, weapons like hydrogen bombs are deployed with alarming frequency.

"And there exist weapons even more devastating than nuclear arsenals. Their employment results in annihilation within a hundred-mile radius, rendering even Ninth Heavenly Realm cultivators powerless.

"Furthermore, there are battlefields where individuals of extraordinary prowess, surpassing even king-level cultivators, shape the earth with a mere gesture, exhibiting formidable might..."

Pang Long paused, prompting Chen Chu to inquire further, "Sir, is there more?"

"That's all." Pang Long chuckled. "According to protocol, I am unable to divulge further specifics. If you wish to learn more, you must get stronger as soon as possible. Only then will you find the information you seek."

"Old Pang really knows how to keep us on the edge," Chen Chu remarked as they exited the building.

The girl beside him chuckled softly in agreement.

Chen Chu found himself filled with a sense of yearning. "Mythical colossal beasts, terrifying monsters, and unknown civilizations... I never anticipated that world to be so vast and magical. But Old Pang said they frequently use hydrogen bombs over there. Aren't they afraid of nuclear radiation?"

Luo Fei whispered, "Nuclear radiation only has a strong impact on the genes of ordinary organisms. Once a biological mutation occurs, the body usually becomes extremely robust, with stable genes.

"High-level mutated organisms also possess powerful transcendent abilities within their bodies that shield them from external harm, including radiation. So it’s not an issue for them."

"That makes sense." Chen Chu nodded.

The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and softly said, "I might need to make some preparations in the next few days and won't be coming to school. I'll see you again on Sunday."

"Okay, see you on Sunday."

After bidding farewell, Chen Chu returned home around five o'clock, finding Chen Hu already back.

Chen Chu unplugged the plug under the refrigerated truck and called out, "Ah Hu, I'm going to deliver the electric eel meat. I'll be back later for dinner, so don't wait for me."

"Ah Chu, you're back. Dinner is warming up in the kitchen."

"Mom, you watch your TV. I'll get it myself. What about Ah Hu?"

"He went fishing again."

"Okay."

After Chen Chu had brought back the mutated beast meat, Chen Hu had been selling the fish he caught to the city council. While it wasn’t very much money, he seemed to really enjoy doing it regardless.

After dinner, Chen Chu went back upstairs.

Meanwhile, far from the coast, the Fiery Beast had traveled over two hundred kilometers and arrived at the rocky reef where it had once killed the mutated crocodile-whale.

Navigating past the outer rocks, the Fiery Beast surfaced in the middle, where a small island covering an area of just over a thousand square meters lay.

During its third evolution, the Fiery Beast had gone into a deep slumber for over two hours. Chen Chu anticipated that this fourth evolution might take even longer and would require a safe location.

Beneath the surface, the Fiery Beast swung its claws at the iron-hard rock of the island, its razor-sharp talons carving through it as it was tofu.

Soon, a five-meter-wide and tall hole appeared underwater, winding deep into the island for dozens of meters. In the middle, a cave measuring forty meters in length and width was dug out. For added safety, the entrance to the cave was blocked off with some of the dug out rocks.

Only then did the Fiery Beast slowly swim to the middle of the cave. Opening its mouth wide, it tore and devoured the already thawed electric eel in one moment.

At the same time, standing by the window, Chen Chu issued a mental command. Evolve!

Hundreds of kilometers away, beneath the rocky island, Chen Chu’s confirmation caused the accumulated evolutionary energy to erupt like a volcano.

This time, the effect of this energy was even more astonishing. Amid frenzied roars, the Fiery Beast's flesh, bones, and muscles shattered and regenerated. Every cell in its body was dividing and compressing at a terrifying speed, then dividing and compressing again.

At the same time, as the Fiery Beast absorbed the genes of the Electric Lightning Eel, its originally strong and stable gene sequence began to collapse, recombine, and optimize, initiating the fourth stage in its life.

Suddenly, the aura emanating from the Fiery Beast surged outward, even seeping through the cracks of the cave and spreading on the other side. The surrounding seawater boiled, and countless marine creatures frantically fled.

The power was absolutely spine-chilling.

At the same time, inside his room, Chen Chu's body also erupted with a violent surge of heat. The scorching evolutionary energy swept through him, causing his cells to divide and compress madly.

His physical strength surged, and his aura broke out from its restraint, becoming increasingly heavy and oppressive, like a domineering dragon. The air within a meter of him was abruptly pushed away by the aura, forming invisible gusts of wind that made the curtains flutter and his hair dance about.

Fortunately, there was no one around to witness this scene; they would have outright fainted from the sheer terror.

This time, the evolution lasted five hours, finally ending at the darkest moment before dawn.