Chapter 12

Xu Jingming spent half an hour reading through all ten evolution methods. Actually, there wasn't much text; the evolution methods were primarily a set of complex exercises that required virtual instruction to learn.

The ten evolution methods were all named after animals.

Five of them were suitable for males, with their Chinese names being: *Xuan Gui Evolution Method*, *Tian Python Evolution Method*, *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method*, *Giant Bear Evolution Method*, and *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method*. From their names, one could guess the different tendencies of these five evolution methods.

"Each evolution method actually has a compatibility rating?" Xu Jingming was somewhat surprised, as the books all indicated the compatibility ratings.

*Xuan Gui Evolution Method* (Compatibility 71%), *Tian Python Evolution Method* (Compatibility 98%), *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method* (Compatibility 82%), *Giant Bear Evolution Method* (Compatibility 91%), *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method* (Compatibility 93%).

As for the five evolution methods suitable for females, their compatibility ratings were all below 50%.

"The compatibility rating is calculated based on your real body and can be used as a reference," the man in the blue robe said. "Ultimately, you will have to make a choice after practicing the evolution methods."

"Within the game world, you can practice any evolution method. Even if you make mistakes and your body weakens or strengthens, you can reset to your real body," the man in the blue robe solemnly reminded. "But in the real world, there is no room for regret. Once you determine your evolution path in reality, you can only follow that path. The same applies in the game."

"Understood," Xu Jingming nodded slightly and asked, "Can these five evolution methods cure my leg injury?"

"These five evolution methods can regenerate severed limbs. Your injury is minor; it will be completely healed after practicing for one or two days," the man in the blue robe said.

Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

The evolution of life is truly amazing! This is the charm of technology.

Xu Jingming then opened his personal panel and clicked on the virtual instruction for the *Xuan Gui Evolution Method*.

A virtual body appeared in the canyon and began practicing the first gene evolution method, the *Xuan Gui Evolution Method*, in front of Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming decided to start with the low compatibility methods and test them one by one.

"Each move has requirements for speed, strength, and rhythm, and must be coordinated with breathing." Xu Jingming found the difficulty to be very high from the start.

"The moves get faster, and the breathing gets faster." Xu Jingming tried to coordinate his breathing, but he felt his heart start to ache, and his skin felt like it was on fire. He finally made it halfway through the practice.

"Phew."

Xu Jingming couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"You are already injured," the man in the blue robe said.

"This is more extreme than any training method I've ever learned," Xu Jingming said, holding his chest and clicking on his personal panel to restore his body to its peak condition.

In the game world, there was no need to worry about injuries, as the body could always be restored to its peak condition.

"Even the training can cause genetic changes, ultimately transforming to a higher level of life," the man in the blue robe said. "Of course, the difficulty is high, which is why you need to learn in the virtual world."

"Let's try again." Xu Jingming attempted once more.

Again and again.

The entire set of movements, from slow to fast, with breathing also getting faster, made his heart work like a pump, increasing in intensity.

Due to various reasons, Xu Jingming failed repeatedly.

Until the sixth attempt!

"Hmm." Finally, he completed the last move, and the breath he exhaled from his nostrils was tinged with blood, but Xu Jingming had ultimately completed the entire set of movements.

"Congratulations on reaching the beginner level of the *Xuan Gui Evolution Method*. To achieve this in just six attempts is truly remarkable," the man in the blue robe said.

Xu Jingming was inwardly impressed.

He was a world-class martial arts athlete with precise control over his body, yet it took him six attempts to reach the beginner level. How many attempts would it take for an ordinary person? A hundred? Three hundred?

"An additional combat stats panel?" Xu Jingming was surprised to find a sub-menu called the combat stats panel on his personal panel.

Player: Xu Jingming

Gene Evolution Method: *Xuan Gui Evolution Method* (Beginner 1%) (Practice time less than one day, can be improved)

Body: 12 (Average value for an adult male without learning an evolution method is 5)

Skills: None (Please engage in combat as soon as possible to determine skills)

Base Combat Power: None (Please engage in combat as soon as possible)

"Practice time less than one day, can be improved?" Xu Jingming looked at the text.

"In the game world, you don't need to practice repeatedly like in reality. Once you confirm that you have learned it, you can improve to your body's limit," the man in the blue robe said.

Xu Jingming tried to click on the improvement.

"Practice the *Xuan Gui Evolution Method* three times a day, with at least one hour between each session. After 39 days of practice, your body will transform and evolve, with a body index of 39."

"After 1051 days of practice, your body will evolve to its limit, with a body index of 53."

"To further improve your body, please advance the *Xuan Gui Evolution Method* to the intermediate level."

Xu Jingming simply clicked, and he felt his body transform. His chest and back became broader and thicker, and his entire body became much stronger. His arms and legs also became more muscular, and every movement he made exuded immense power.

Xu Jingming picked up a pebble from the canyon and threw it with a sudden force. As he threw it, he felt his entire body working like a large engineering machine, tightly coordinated, and the pebble was thrown with great force.

Whoosh.

The pebble tore through the air, leaving a trail of air waves, and struck the distant rock wall, shattering it, which made Xu Jingming somewhat startled.

Xu Jingming picked up another pebble and, with a slight effort from his right hand, crushed it into powder, which slowly fell through his fingers.

"Can I become like this in reality?" Xu Jingming whispered.

"Just as your combat stats panel indicates, if you practice three times a day, in 1051 days, your real body will improve to this level," the man in the blue robe said. "This is human evolution."

"Can I choose any weapons or armor in this training ground?" Xu Jingming examined the various functions of the training ground, which included selecting weapons and armor, sparring partners, and battle scenes.

"Almost all cold weapons in the history of the Blue Star are available here," the man in the blue robe explained.

Xu Jingming extended his hand, and a long spear appeared: "Heavier, make it heavier." The training ground was specifically designed to assist in training, and the weight of the weapons could be freely adjusted.

A single-handed thrust with the spear tore through the air.

Then, Xu Jingming held the spear with both hands, took a step forward, and thrust the spear forward with his left arm. Puh puh puh! The spear turned into a blur, and he thrust it over ten times, leaving several spear shadows in the air.

"Performing the spear techniques feels a bit awkward," Xu Jingming looked at his arms, which were twice as thick as before, and his entire body was much more muscular. "This body is too cumbersome."

"Reset the body to the real flesh." Xu Jingming lightly tapped, and his body quickly changed, returning to the state when he first entered the game, becoming thinner again, with his leg injury and scars returning.

"The next evolution method." Xu Jingming began the virtual instruction for the *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method*.

At this moment, countless people around the world were diligently learning evolution methods.

In the training ground.

Xu Jingming learned the other four evolution methods at an astonishing speed.

After five attempts, he had advanced the *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method* to the beginner level. When the practice time was increased to three years, Xu Jingming was much leaner and more agile than in reality, and he could run 100 meters in five seconds.

After three attempts, he had mastered the *Giant Bear Evolution Method* and the *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method*.

The *Giant Bear Evolution Method* had the greatest impact on the body. After reaching the body's limit, Xu Jingming's height increased to 1.98 meters, and he was incredibly strong, resembling a standing bear. The *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method* reached the body's limit, with a height of 1.85 meters and a more muscular build.

"By practicing just once, you have mastered the *Tian Python Evolution Method*. Truly, a compatibility rating of 98% is impressive," the man in the blue robe remarked.

Xu Jingming increased the practice time for the *Tian Python Evolution Method* to 982 days on his personal panel, also reaching the body's limit. His height increased by only one centimeter, but his muscles became much tighter and more resilient, and his spine felt like a large dragon, capable of easily transmitting his body's strength.

"Let's try the spear." Xu Jingming stood in front of the rock wall, and with a single movement of his spear, he left a trail of spear shadows. The spear tip poked the canyon rock wall, and in the blink of an eye, he thrust it over thirty times, forming a pentagram on the rock wall.

Xu Jingming looked at the rock wall with satisfaction: "The virtual world's simulation is truly impressive. The *Tian Python Evolution Method* is indeed the most suitable for me."

"Among the five evolution methods, the *Giant Bear Evolution Method* is the strongest in terms of strength. The *Xuan Gui Evolution Method* is the strongest in terms of physical robustness. The *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method* is strong in all aspects, including strength, physical robustness, and agility. The *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method* is the fastest and most agile. But... the *Tian Python Evolution Method* has the strongest body resilience and is the most compatible with me."

"I find it easiest to practice the *Tian Python Evolution Method*, and the improvement in my body is the most noticeable," Xu Jingming nodded.

Even at the beginner level, after reaching the limit:

Only the *Tian Python Evolution Method* can achieve a body index of 63, the *Fierce Tiger Evolution Method* 60, and the other three around 50. If he were to practice the evolution methods with lower compatibility for females, the body index would likely be even lower.

"As long as you haven't started practicing in reality, you can reset in the virtual world at any time," Xu Jingming thought. "Let's tentatively choose the *Tian Python Evolution Method* and practice for a few days first."