"An interesting idea…" [Vakh] chuckled coldly, bringing his hands together. Then, a rapidly expanding mass of flesh appeared between his palms.
Compared to modifying a group of energy-depleted creatures, directly creating a brand new organism was more efficient with his Honkai energy.
His authority was incomplete, and the replenishment rate of his Honkai energy had plummeted. The natural recovery rate wasn't even a ten-thousandth of what he had used to create those parasitic creatures!
This feeling of being constrained was what angered and frustrated [Vakh] the most.
As for losing to Shu in guiding life's evolution?
Impossible!!
What could Shu possibly use to win?!
[Vakh] threw the fleshy mass. It writhed in the air, transforming into a heavily armored behemoth by the time it landed.
This behemoth raised its massive pincers towards the giant snail hiding in its shell, effortlessly crushing the shell.
Shu, expressionless, threw out several more test tubes, using the authority to catalyze and enlarge the creatures within.
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"In short, that's how it is. Need another demonstration?" Otto put away his draft paper, asking Shu with a smile.
"Argh…" Shu groaned unconsciously, then snapped back to attention, shaking his head vigorously. "No need! You've explained it clearly enough!!"
Heaven knew how much he had suffered when Otto started explaining "junior high school biology" for the third time!
The first time, he listened attentively. The second time, he was able to fill in the gaps. The third time, he was dumbfounded.
Seeing Otto about to start a fourth explanation, Shu quickly stopped him.
Otto chuckled and took out a fresh sheet of draft paper, writing "False Dragon" at the top. "Then let's speculate on what countermeasures 'Vakh' will take.
"First, to deal with this 'False Dragon,'" Otto drew two lines under the words "False Dragon." Shu perked up, leaning closer.
"He has three ways to eliminate the 'False Dragon.'" Otto drew three lines extending downwards. "First, use a more powerful trump card to destroy it. Second, use more 'False Dragons' to besiege it. Third, use some specialized biological army to wear it down.
"Among these three methods, the Herrscher will most likely choose the last one. This is also what you should focus on, because it's also the method to counter the other two."
Shu nodded repeatedly, indicating he was listening carefully.
"Parasitism, swarming, toxins… these are the common ways for weaker life forms to eliminate stronger ones. There's also wound infection, but your battles are too swift for that to be a factor.
"There are many forms of parasitism. The most troublesome are attached life forms like 'barnacles', followed by brood parasitism like cuckoos, and internal parasitism like parasites." Otto drew several lines after the "parasitism" category.
Looking at it, Shu felt like he was looking at a branching plotline in a large-scale visual novel or dating sim.
Was Otto trying to deduce the Herrscher's behavior through brute-force enumeration?!
Seeming to sense Shu's astonishment, Otto paused and smiled. "The enemy possesses the knowledge and memories of the world's top biologists. Even I can't surpass him in this aspect.
"Or rather, in his field of expertise, I can only follow in his footsteps." Otto shook his head. "So I can only use time to simulate his immediate responses, trying to find the optimal solution he might adopt."
"What if he has some unique knowledge you don't know about?" Shu asked. He didn't believe Otto hadn't considered this.
Otto was silent for a moment, then looked at Shu with a grave expression: "Then there's nothing I can do… If that happens, it depends on what you can do…"
I should've paid more attention in biology class… Shu's eye twitched.
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The creatures created by both sides clashed continuously in the ruins. Although Shu kept retreating, each test tube he threw out, in sequence, seemed to generate a life form that could withstand [Vakh]'s current offensive.
Although they were quickly destroyed by [Vakh]'s next move, Shu managed to hold on.
From snails and crabs to birds and giant snakes… everyone watching the livestream was dumbfounded as the two played a game of biological chess.
In just ten minutes, Shu and [Vakh] had already exchanged hundreds of completely different creatures. They fought each other, yet strangely complemented each other.
A lush patch of grass had grown on the ground, which was originally covered in rubble. This was [Vakh]'s handiwork.
Shu's tenacity was unexpected. He knew Shu was using some kind of cheat to compete with him.
Shu had prepared existing biological materials in advance, merely propagating them into the forms he desired, while [Vakh] had to conceive countermeasures and create from scratch. Coupled with Shu's delaying tactics of retreating, the difference in their efficiency was surprisingly small!
[Vakh] felt like the other party was using crib notes to answer his questions. This feeling was…
…exhilarating!!
The smile on [Vakh]'s face had changed from a sneer to a maniacal grin.
"A surprise… what a wonderful surprise!!" After casually throwing out an omnivorous jackal-like creature, [Vakh] shouted at Shu with a ferocious smile.
"Come on! Show me what you're capable of!! Show me the limits of the biological world!!"
He had a premonition! He could find the weaknesses and strengths of all living beings here! After this game, he could reach a whole new level!!
He would become… the first truly perfect, life-specific—
God!!
The jackal-like creature landed, opened its large mouth, and ripped out a handful of the flourishing grass, swallowing it whole.
As the grass entered its stomach, the jackal's body swelled noticeably!
The roots of the grass delved deep underground, entwining themselves around the dead creatures, greedily absorbing every ounce of remaining energy, then multiplying and growing rapidly, ultimately contributing to new life!
[Vakh] had effectively created a new, self-sustaining ecosystem! An ecosystem that incorporated Shu's every action!!
The green grass served as both decomposer and producer, while the new life forms acted as consumers!