Chen Chu pondered for a moment, then softly inquired, "How does this absorption gene operate, and are there any restrictions?"
After several days of research, Chen Chu realized that this property page lacked intelligence, only issuing reminders when specific conditions were met, and responding to his queries when prompted.
Sure enough, a row of transparent text slowly appeared.
"When the evolution is initiated, the clone needs to ingest the gene of the creature to be fused intact and absorb the strongest gene of that creature to optimize itself."
"Note: Only one gene can be fused each time the evolution is activated."
"Even though only one gene can be fused at a time, it's still a good start," Chen Chu murmured, trying to contain the excitement welling up within him.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind at this moment as he considered which biological genes to merge with the newt clone. Each evolutionary step presented an opportunity to integrate a biological gene, and Chen Chu was confident that a few more evolutions would make the salamander clone exceptionally powerful.
First, he ruled out options like elephants and ligers. It wasn't just a matter of obtaining these animals; even if he could acquire them quickly, consuming them all would be impractical, and their genetic potential was mediocre at best.
Despite being the largest land animals, elephants didn't excel in terms of strength, speed, or agility, and the same held true for ligers and tigers.
When it came to the most powerful individual creature on Earth relative to its size, insects naturally took the lead. Ordinary ants could lift objects dozens of times their weight, a feat beyond the capabilities of mammals. Additionally, fleas could leap more than 200 times their body height in an instant, equivalent to a person leaping over 200 meters high.
Thus, after careful consideration, Chen Chu settled on insects as the target for gene fusion. His limited knowledge of insects posed no problem.
Chen Chu turned on the computer and entered "What is the most powerful insect in the insect world" into the search engine.
Instantly, dozens of popular search results appeared.
The hexagonal salamander's current state of weakness, coupled with its difficulty in supporting itself on its limbs, prompted Chen Chu's decision to enhance its strength.
...
At nine o'clock in the morning, Chen Chu took a taxi to the city's largest flower, bird, fish, and insect market. Here, every conceivable type of pet could be found, whether it flew in the sky, crawled on the ground, or swam in the water.
Chen Chu purchased a hexagonal newt pet known as the "Yuan" at this market. Entering a shop called "Whimsical Birds and Insects" on the street, Chen Chu walked in and addressed the young man sipping tea at the coffee table, "Boss, do you have unicorns here?"
"Unicorns? Yes," the young boss nodded.
Compared to ants with dozens of times their own strength, unicorns held the title of the "King of Insects." They had been known to lift objects up to 850 times their weight, a level of power far surpassing other animals and insects.
The young boss led Chen Chu inside and pointed to several boxes on the shelf, introducing them, "I have three varieties of unicorns here: the double-forked rhinoceros beetle, the Terrass Nanyang pocket, and the mammoth pocket. Which one would you like?"
Each unicorn variety had a distinct body shape. The mammoth, the largest among them, was roughly half the size of Chen Chu's palm, measuring over ten centimeters in length. The Nanyang variety was similar.
With a quick glance, Chen Chu selected the smallest one, saying, "Boss, I'd like a two-pronged rhinoceros beetle."
"Alright, fifty yuan each. Do you want to purchase any feed?"
"No, thank you."
After scanning the QR code for payment, Chen Chu left the flower and bird market with a small box containing the two-pronged rhinoceros beetle. He chose to take a taxi back, unable to contain his excitement.
In the room on the second floor, the hexagonal salamander lay on the table, gazing at Chen Chu. Nearby, a box held the two-pronged rhinoceros beetle.
Suppressing his anticipation, Chen Chu opened the box and retrieved the two-pronged rhinoceros beetle. Unlike the mammoth pocket variety, which measured over ten centimeters and was roughly half the size of his palm, this one was smaller, about five centimeters in length.
As if sensing its impending fate, the two-pronged rhinoceros beetle struggled vigorously in Chen Chu's grasp.
Unfortunately, its attempts were futile; pinned between Chen Chu's fingers, it couldn't muster any leverage. Chen Chu pinched the beetle's head and body, swiftly breaking it apart with a distinct click.
The Unicorn was now deceased, its head and body separated, awaiting consumption by the salamander.
At the same time, Chen Chu accessed the property page and, with a thought, clicked on the "Enable Evolution" option at the bottom.
Boom!
With unwavering certainty, Chen Chu could sense a fiery power that had been building up within the salamander, ready to erupt at any moment. It surged through his body like a relentless torrent.
Beneath the influence of this potent force of evolution, the hexagonal salamander's bones and muscles underwent profound transformations, while its cells divided and compressed with frenetic intensity.
Even its deepest genetic makeup was in flux, evolving.
As the salamander avatar embarked on this evolutionary journey, waves of heat emanated from Chen Chu's body. Each passing muscle, bone, and cell was fortified in succession.
This transformation took him by surprise.
However, compared to the deluge of evolutionary energy coursing through the salamander, the amount within his own body was relatively minuscule, yet it still enhanced his strength significantly.
This evolutionary process spanned nearly half an hour.
By the time it concluded, the newt avatar resting on the table had undergone a remarkable metamorphosis.
While its length remained at thirty centimeters, its body shape had become notably sleeker and more harmonious. Solid muscles now covered the belly that once bore rib markings.
The previously wide and flat head had taken on a slightly rounder shape, and the three pairs of feather-like horns on its sides had transformed into tooth-like protrusions, exuding a rugged, hardened appearance that contrasted with its previous sensuousness.
The dorsal fins, which now extended from the midpoint of the body to the neck, had also turned into sturdy, ivory-like projections, returning to their broad and flat form as they reached the tail.
The most significant change manifested in the newly developed limbs, which had doubled in size, acquiring formidable strength and power. The hind legs, in particular, boasted prominent muscles, brimming with explosive potential.
Even the claw tips on its limbs had turned black, bearing sharp, menacing tips that emitted an aura of sharpness.
Yet, these changes went beyond mere aesthetics.
In Chen Chu's perception, the entire skeletal structure of the newt had become more robust than before, with the body's musculature now possessing a wire-like tautness akin to steel.
These transformations were the direct result of assimilating the unicorn gene.
The unicorn's strength was derived from its robust muscle fibers and a sturdy exoskeleton, enabling it to endure and exert forces up to 850 times its own weight.
It could be said that the current salamander avatar had evolved into a distinct species, bearing only a superficial resemblance to its previous hexagonal salamander form.
Upon sensing the avatar's transformation, Chen Chu summoned the property page with a single thought.
Physical: 10.5
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 9
Spirit: 13.5
Talent: Soul Split
Cultivation method: Lotus Terrace Meditation [Progress 21/100] Body Casting [11/100]
Divided body: Hexagonal salamander
Level: Low-level extraordinary [an ordinary creature that has evolved once, just touched the threshold of extraordinariness, with an adult body length limit of 70 cm and average combat prowess]
Talent: Strength [Strong muscle fibers and bones, with the potential to exert strength one hundred times their own, note: the current physical strength can only unleash ten times the strength]
Evolution value: 0/50