Shawn Miller couldn’t quite understand what had happened.

  Evan had been browsing first?tier extracts just fine, and then—out of nowhere—he picked a second?tier D?grade?

  With his wealth, shouldn’t he be buying at least a second?tier A?grade?

  Maybe he’s buying it for someone else…

  Shawn Miller didn’t dwell on it. He simply asked whether Evan wanted to pay in L?Credits or EvolutionTech Points.

  Evan chose credits.

  Money was only useful for low?tier evolution items. Once he reached Butterfly?tier, ordinary currency would mean nothing.

  So while he still could, he preferred to spend cash.

  Shawn Miller led him to the counter and asked him to present the black VIP card.

  “This card isn’t just a point card,” Shawn Miller explained enthusiastically. “It’s also your membership ID. Every transaction earns Growth Points, which raise your membership tier. Higher tiers unlock better discounts and exclusive privileges.”

  “Selling that fourth?tier extract earned you enough Growth Points to reach Platinum Member status. You now enjoy a ten?percent discount.

  This Scorpionstone Extract is originally six million L?Credits—after discount, it’s five?point?four million.”

  Evan didn’t care for the sales pitch.

  He paid quickly, took the extract, and checked the time.

  Barely thirty minutes had passed since he entered the store.

  He declined Shawn Miller’s invitation to dinner, exchanged contact info, and left.

  Cutting Ties

  Evan blended into the crowd outside.

  He stopped by a phone shop, bought a new device and several anonymous SIM cards.

  His old phone and SIM were tossed into the river.

  Next, he found a branch of Continental Federal Bank, opened an anonymous account, and transferred all the money Zhao Yuanyi had given him.

  Continental Federal Bank was the largest financial institution on the continent, headquartered in the Linhua Dominion.

  He chose it specifically because it was too big for Zhao Yuanyi to easily investigate.

  He bought new clothes, put on a hat and mask—perfectly normal in November’s chilly weather.

  Only then did he finally breathe freely.

  The air tasted like freedom.

  With the fourth?tier extract, phone, and bank card all disposed of, the Organization and the Zhao family would have a much harder time tracking him.

  “First step: find a place to absorb the Scorpionstone Extract and complete my first evolution.

  Second step: get out of the Muke Republic.”

  Muke was Zhao territory.

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  Zhao Yuanyi’s influence was overwhelming here.

  Staying meant danger—checking into a hotel or even logging into a cybercafé could expose him instantly.

  Which brought up a new problem:

  Where was he going to sleep tonight?

  And where could he safely evolve?

  Hotels required ID.

  His ID—“Chen Kun”—was issued by Zhao Yuanyi.

  Using it would be suicide.

  A Temporary Refuge

  Bluewave Bathhouse was one of Blackrock City’s well?known bathhouses—

  a place where you could stay overnight without ID.

  A billionaire couldn’t exactly sleep under a bridge.

  “I want a private suite,” Evan said, lowering his cap as a cheongsam?clad hostess approached.

  “How many guests, sir?”

  “Just me.”

  “Sir, our suites have a minimum charge—”

  “Swipe the card.”

  Her smile instantly brightened.

  Money had a way of smoothing everything out.

  She tapped away at the computer, bundled him into some kind of package deal—Evan didn’t bother checking.

  A few thousand credits meant nothing to him now.

  She led him upstairs.

  The suite was decent: a private hot pool, a large bed, and clean furnishings.

  She set out a bathrobe and slippers, poured him tea, and left.

  Evan changed into the bathrobe—

  and then someone knocked.

  A tall woman in a black?and?white maid outfit and fishnet stockings stepped in.

  Her legs were long, her figure impressive, though her makeup was a bit heavy.

  She brightened when she saw him.

  A handsome young man was not what she expected.

  “Good evening, sir. I’m Technician No. 403. I’ll be serving you today. Would you like to shower first?”

  “No. You can leave. I want to rest.”

  She hesitated.

  “Perhaps a massage? Your package includes stress?relief services…”

  So she wanted a taste of the “fresh meat,” huh?

  Too bad.

  Liam Zhao’s private life might’ve been chaotic, but Evan’s cloned body was technically untouched.

  “I’m tired. If I need anything, I’ll call.”

  He waved her off.

  Women only slowed down his sword?drawing speed.

  Evolution was his true pursuit.

  The technician gave him a resentful look but left quietly.

  The Attempt

  Alone at last, Evan locked the door and took out the Scorpionstone Extract, glowing faintly orange.

  He inhaled deeply.

  “Someone like me—top?tier physique, three high?grade extracts already absorbed…

  Normally, after my first evolution, I’d be able to handle a second?tier S?grade.

  A second?tier D?grade should be fine… right?”

  He wasn’t sure if he was analyzing or comforting himself.

  He twisted the cap open and drank it in one go.

  It tasted earthy and slightly bitter—not pleasant, but not unbearable.

  Extracts could be swallowed or injected.

  Injection hit harder and was riskier; swallowing was safer.

  Within seconds, heat exploded in his stomach.

  He grabbed fruit and snacks from the table, stuffing them into his mouth to ease the burning.

  A strange force spread from his stomach through his entire body.

  His blood slowed.

  His thoughts dulled.

  His skin hardened and darkened.

  His heartbeat… slowed.

  And kept slowing.

  A creeping dread rose in his chest.

  If this continued—

  He was going to die.

  Evolution isn’t a gift — it’s a battle.Evan has finally taken the leap, but the extract is hitting him harder than he ever imagined.

  Now I’m curious:Do you think he’ll survive the absorption, or is this the moment everything collapses? Tell me your prediction.