About Genetic Evolution

When they returned to camp, the girls left behind screamed excitedly seeing Huang Wen's group carrying bags of taro and dozens of water bottles.

This attracted other small teams nearby to come to take a look. Seeing the haul of taro and water, they drooled with envy and asked about it, some with ill intent.

Huang Wen explained they had got the taro and water from the pond below Jade Cloud Mountain and anyone could go get some.

"Ah, but isn't there a water monster in that pond? Weren't you afraid?"

"Hehe, just don't go in the water. Stand on shore and dig, that's all."

"Oh I see, shall we go dig tomorrow too?"

"Why wait? We could go now and have dinner tonight!"

Soon several teams formed up to head out.

Yang Xiao gathered the over thirty girls and said, "Never forget to protect yourselves. From now on, at least ten girls must be on guard with weapons. Beat anyone who dares snatch food to death immediately. The rest of you, gather as much wood and branches as possible, and cut the taro stems into pieces to dry. To save water, don't wash the taros, just put them straight into the fire to roast. Use bricks to make a stove and boil water in an iron pot. You must boil it to kill bacteria. Remember, never drink raw water."

"Yes, Boss!" the girls responded loudly.

Smiling, Yang Xiao carried the metal bucket toward the Gene Store.

"Mr. Gu Bo, please help me see if this eel has mutated?"

He removed the taro leaves covering the bucket.

Gu Bo took a look and smiled, "Indeed, this is a genetically mutated eel. Hehe, you're quite lucky. In another two days, after completing mutation, this eel would at least double in size and have tremendous attack power. Even ten of you would be no match. You've had great fortune!"

Yang Xiao was shocked. Just as he had guessed, the eel was not done mutating yet. So were the strange fish in the pond and creatures on the mountain. Once they finished, it would be nearly impossible to move about the mountain.

Just thinking of it made him uneasy.

Scratching his head, Yang Xiao asked, "Can this be eaten? Also, why haven't I seen any genetic fragments you mentioned?"

"Hehe, this is a good thing! Mutated creatures are edible. Though not fully mutated, it can still provide powerful energy and improve your physique a bit. Genetic fragments only drop when a creature completing the first evolution stage gets killed."

"First evolution stage?" Yang Xiao looked at Gu Bo in surprise.

Gu Bo smiled mysteriously. "Creatures on Earth will finish the first evolution stage in seven days, that is the evolution of primitive genes. After the first stage, they won't stop but keep evolving by devouring other mutated creatures until completing the second evolution, the gene strengthening stage."

"So after the evolution of gene strengthening, they'll continue evolving, right?"

Gu Bo nodded, stroking his beard. "Hehe, you're quite smart. But no need to understand the later stages yet. With each evolution stage, these creatures' attack power grows exponentially, as does your danger. "

"Then how do we deal with the mutated creatures?"

"Simple. They evolve, so you must evolve faster to defeat them."

"How do humans evolve?"

Yang Xiao had guessed some but was still very puzzled about his own evolution.

"Human evolution is the same as other creatures. After seven days, some of you will awaken your hidden beast souls. Those who don't will gradually awaken through training. Kill mutated creatures for genetic fragments. Bring those to my store and I'll refine genetic reagents for you to drink. That will continuously improve your genes and increase your battle prowess..."

Gu Bo explained for a while. Yang Xiao gained a basic understanding, though many specifics would have to wait until after the seven days.

Taking his leave, Yang Xiao noticed Gu Bo eyeing the huge eel hungrily. He said, "Why not sell it to me? I'll give you one crystal coin. I haven't eaten a mutated creature in a while."

There was a hint of gluttony revealed in his speech.

"A crystal coin?"

"Yes, crystal coins are our store's currency. One fragment of primitive gene only sells for one crystal coin. I'm now offering a high price for it," Gu Bo said.

"Hehe, thank you Mr. Gu Bo, but I also want to taste this mutated eel. Farewell. If interested, I can bring you some soup later."

Yang Xiao left the store with a general idea now of his situation and path ahead.

Returning to the girls' camp, he found a crowd gathered outside and arguing within. Pushing through, Yang Xiao saw it was Xiao Zhe's team, led by vice-captain Hao Lei.

Hao Lei had waited for Chen Fei's group to surrender. After a fruitless day, he never expected them to return from the mountain with taro and clean water, attracting other teams to follow suit.

Coming to look with some boys, Hao Lei saw Huang Wen, Chen Fei, and others cooking, roasting taro, and drying stems. Displeased, he sneered, "Hey, where did you get so much food? Taro stems that even pigs don't eat in the country."

Huang Wen immediately stood up and scolded, "Hao Lei, mind your own business! Stay away from us!"

"Hehe, so cocky over some taro. Forgot how you begged our boss last night?" Hao Lei taunted as onlookers laughed.

Huang Wen's face flushed red. Grabbing a shovel, she shouted, "You thug! Don't blame me for being impolite if you continue!"

Hao Lei laughed sinisterly. "Hehe, I really want to see what that looks like."

Then he kicked over a boiling pot, extinguishing their fire.