Chapter 3: Evolution Starts

Countless spores were released into the fish tank and gradually settled at the bottom due to gravity.

These spores were so small that they were imperceptible to the naked eye.

Fortunately, the surface of the spores was pure black. Even though individual spores couldn't be observed with the naked eye, once they reached a certain quantity, they formed a small, dark spot in one corner of the tank, which was quite noticeable.

"The formation of every life requires immense energy support. The larger the size, the more accumulation of energy is needed, and the difficulty of transformation increases. However, it doesn't mean that a smaller size is advantageous for transformation. For example, bacteria and viruses, although their sizes are small enough, don't even possess a complete cellular structure, so they can't fulfill the prerequisite for transformation," Ismali summarized.

The genetic code of the octopus was so strange that it could be considered alien.

On the first day, the octopus cell spores activated, initiating a remarkable process of growth and development. Germination took place, leading to the division and specialization of cells. As the primitive cells differentiated, they acquired specific functions for efficient nutrient absorption and facilitated overall growth. The emergence of basic organelles supported essential cellular processes and energy generation. Gradually, tentacles started to form, elongating and enabling limited movement and responsiveness to stimuli. The development of basic muscle cells within the tentacles enhanced coordination and mobility, setting the stage for further evolutionary transformations.

Although the individual cells of these spores were small, Ismali, as their creator, had a god's-eye view. He could not only clearly see everything in the fish tank but also easily observe any part of these spore cells' morphology and composition, including the grooves and wrinkles on the surface of the spores.

At a glance, all the spore cells settled at the bottom of the tank, forming a cluster the size of a thumbnail and appearing as dark spots. With the fluctuation of the water flow in the tank, it resembled a beating heart.

On the first day of releasing the spore cells, the crystal-clear tank showed no changes. Everything remained calm as usual, not even a small bubble appeared.

The same thing happened on the second day.

And on the third day...

The fourth day...

It wasn't until the fifth day that the spore-like colonies finally began to undergo changes.

Firstly, the tightly packed black spores suddenly separated, splitting into individual small entities.

And after separating from the collective, these individual entities continued to undergo changes. Their size gradually increased, reaching two to three times their original size. Over time, the internal structure of the spore cells began to improve, and their appearance underwent gradual changes.

In the evolution spanning five hundred thousand years, the spore cells acquired the basic structure of a single-celled organism. They also grew a long, whip-like tail at their posterior end, resembling the shape of a tadpole.

Other than that, there weren't any other particularly noticeable changes.

After all, five hundred thousand years may seem long, capable of accommodating the rise and fall of countless civilizations. However, in the vast and profound process of life, five hundred thousand years are just a blink of an eye, a wave of the hand. It is not enough time for the spore cells to undergo more significant changes.

Of course, due to the cycle of day and night, even if Ismali tried, he still couldn't do anything about the change in temperature or the lack of sunlight caused by the day and night cycle.

One day, equivalent to one hundred thousand years, meant fifty thousand years with sunlight and warmth and fifty thousand years of darkness and coldness.

Of course, there were also problems with the change of seasons and oxygen levels, but those were things that were out of Ismali's power.

Only after the sixth day and six hundred thousand years did Ismali see a change in the aquarium.

Under such harsh conditions, the vast majority of species would be unable to survive.

On the evolutionary path of five hundred thousand years, nearly half of the spore organisms did not make it. Before the sunset on the fifth day, their bodies decomposed into organic matter and nutrients, replenishing the sand below.

However, even so, it was enough to excite Ismali because there was still a resilient portion that withstood the drastic temperature changes, surviving between death and rebirth.

From this, it could be seen how tenacious the vitality of the first generation of octopus spores was.

While Ismali overestimated the survival capacity of the small fish, as almost all of the small fish spores were dead and had decomposed with the sand even before the end of the second day.

...

Time passed...

On the sixth day, when the sun rose, six hundred thousand years had passed in the aquarium.

The seventh day...

The eighth day...

The ninth day...

The tenth day...

Until the tenth day, after a long period of time, the appearance of these spore organisms, which had fused with octopus cells, changed once again.

Basic organelles began to develop, facilitating cellular functions and energy growth.

The spores underwent further growth and differentiation. Eventually, the spores transformed into a multicellular form, consisting of specialized cell types. Tissue differentiation progressed, resulting in the emergence of epithelial and connective tissues. Tentacles began to appear as elongated structures, allowing limited movement and response to stimuli. Basic muscle cells were refined within the tentacles, enhancing coordination and mobility.

But due to the influence of small fish, they evolved fish eyes with pitch-black pupils resembling bottomless ancient wells. In addition, these spore organisms developed mouths and gills specifically for breathing underwater.

Furthermore, their size increased once again, now reaching one-hundredth the size of an ant. They fed on microscopic organisms in the water, a type of single-celled algae that could only be seen under a microscope and were much smaller than the spore organisms.

Not every attempt to capture the single-celled algae was successful for the spore organisms. Although the single-celled algae in the aquarium posed no danger, they swam much faster than the spore organisms. Typically, it took at least several dozen spore organisms working together to achieve any success.

The eleventh day...

The twelfth day...

...

The fifteenth day...

In the world of the aquarium, as the sun rose and set, the spore organisms underwent another comprehensive evolution.

This time, the tentacles in their bodies grew sharp scales, while some tentacles evolved and looked more like 'arms' and 'legs'.

The spore organisms also formed siphons on their bodies, greatly enhancing their ability to prey on the single-celled algae.

The single-celled algae, which had no fighting capability and relied solely on their speed to escape, found themselves helpless in the face of chasing and fighting. They had become like fish on a cutting board, waiting to be slaughtered.

The spore organisms had a large appetite, either feeding or heading towards a food source every minute and every second.

Evolutionary mutations require substantial energy support, and energy must be conserved!

Fortunately, the spore organisms were small enough, so small that the food they devoured could be disregarded. Otherwise, if they were the size of cows or elephants, they would easily devour an entire mountain in minutes!