The Infinite Path of Evolution

“Today in the Bafang District, CS City, an armed homicide occurred. The suspect, Chu Xun, male, 16, from CS, is suspected of retaliating against the family responsible for a recent major traffic accident, resulting in two deaths and three serious injuries. The suspect was shot dead by police on the scene, and the injured have been rushed to the hospital. The police urge citizens to remain rational regarding traffic incidents. Rest assured, justice will be served fairly…” — CS Evening News … Chu Xun sat up on the bed, staring blankly, his mind in utter chaos. The surroundings were completely unfamiliar—likely a hospital room. His memories were deeply distorted. All he could recall clearly was the image of SWAT units bursting in and shooting him dead. After that, everything was muddled and didn’t belong to him at all. After some unknown amount of time, his fragmented memories finally coalesced, and he understood his situation. “It seems the heavens favor me…” he murmured, clenching his fists. A faint smile surfaced on his pale face as he recalled the extra memories flooding his mind. His memory was indeed accurate: after avenging his parents, he was shot dead by arriving SWAT officers. But he never expected that death would not be the end—but the start of something new. He had transmigrated! He now existed on another Earth—but this world was entirely different. Centuries ago, a biological virus codenamed “T” had opened the gates of destruction, heralding the apocalypse. The Doomsday Gate had been thrown open, unleashing countless powerful and cunning creatures upon the planet, leaving humanity on the brink of extinction. From then on, Earth entered a chaotic era of battles among countless survivors—known as the Age of Chaos. This was an era brimming with limitless possibilities. The virus granted humans the power to awaken supernatural abilities. Elite psychics could level mountains, command the skies, live in opulence, and even defy death itself! Every man dreams of becoming strong, and Chu Xun was no exception. Having completed his vengeance in his past life, he had no attachments. Now that destiny had granted him a second chance, he would seize it and become a superhuman, forging a brilliant future! This wasn't mere arrogance or wishful thinking—because when his memories aligned, he discovered something new in his mind: “Super Savior System!” He didn’t know where the system had come from. It hovered over his life like a dangling sword of Damocles—yet also filled his future with endless potential! System Main Quest: Host must pacify the apocalypse and help human civilization reclaim Earth. Main quest phases with deadlines. Failure to complete in time results in immediate erasure of the host. Current Main Quest 1‑1: Embark on your journey—pass the low-tier recruit evaluation and claim first place! Quest Description: A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. To be a true savior, your strength must be proven. Become the top of the recruits. Quest Reward: Unlock the lottery system and earn a free lucky draw chance. Quest Penalty: Erasure! Pacifying the apocalypse and returning Earth to human dominance—this mission’s difficulty was enough to crush any hope. Even simply ranking first among recruits seemed impossible for Chu Xun! Recruits in the evaluation had awakened powers, some even undergoing a second evolution—becoming true second-tier powerhouses. To surpass them would be akin to reaching the heavens. And failure would mean annihilation—and the end of his new life. Yet for all that, the system offered potent gifts. Even activation of the Main Quest bestowed innate abilities potent enough to open the door to being powerful. Superpower—“Insect Body”: Able to fuse insect genes, transform one’s physiology, and potentially activate insect-like abilities. Insects—smallest yet among the most powerful lifeforms. Ants can lift over 400 times their own weight and haul 1700 times their mass—terrifying strength! Fleas can leap 200 times their length—nature’s true long jump champions! Tardigrades—near indestructible—survive high heat (150 °C), near absolute zero (–273 °C), radiation, vacuum, high pressure… Earthworms regenerate, locusts fly, bloodworms suck, swallowtails mimic… These insect genes are unimaginably powerful. If Chu Xun could fuse them, he’d have limitless evolutionary potential! He had full confidence in his future. No matter how difficult the quest, no matter how cruel the world, he would become the strongest—and carve a legend of his own. Creak! The door opened. A tall, beautiful doctor in a white coat stepped in—a black‑haired beauty in her twenties with flawless fair skin and graceful curves. Even the loose coat couldn’t conceal her figure—and the sight of her perfect legs almost made one stare. Sadly, her expression was icy. She checked the monitors, then looked at Chu Xun like an inert specimen. “Looks like you’ll be fine. In that case, leave—don’t waste medical resources.” she stated coolly. “Yes, Dr. Nangong.” Having inherited the previous occupant’s memories, Chu Xun knew who she was—cold, aloof Dr. Nangong Yan. Without hesitation, he nodded and walked out. Now awakened, he wouldn’t linger in the infirmary—better to find insect genes to absorb and grow stronger. “Huh—this guy’s different…” Dr. Nangong watched him leave with curiosity. In the past, Chu Xun resisted leaving the infirmary—even after awakening. But today, he left so readily? “Near‑death does change people,” she mused, “Next subject for study, then. He’s almost 16—if his awakening fails, he could be a test subject…” Shrugging, she dismissed it; students came and went, not worth her worry. “Which genes should I absorb first?” Chu Xun walked home, planning his power path. The annual Low‑Tier Recruit Evaluation would start soon—and he needed power before then, or he was doomed. “Hey, Chu Xun, you’re finally discharged?” A young man, about twenty, burly and scarred, blocked his path with a mocking grin. He cracked his knuckles. “It’s you?” Chu Xun frowned. His cousin, Chu Qing, had beaten him senseless; this man was Chu Qing’s top lackey—Qing Yi. “Of course it’s me, Lord Chu. Chu Qing told me: hand over your crystal cores today—or I’ll spars with you. Don’t worry—fatal injuries can be treated at the infirmary.” Qing Yi’s scorn was obvious: to him, Chu Xun was just a walking ATM for the Chu family. As a direct descendant, Chu Xun would receive ten standard crystal cores each month until he turned sixteen. These cores, harvested from zombies or mutants, combined viral and life energy—used to boost powers or physical strength. They were hard currency in human settlements. But Chu Xun hadn’t awakened yet—he was a weaker target. Chu Qing awakened at twelve with the ability “Diamond Body” and had become far stronger. Chu Xun had been too afraid to resist—until now. With sixteen approaching, he refused to hand over more crystals, prompting Chu Qing to beat him unconscious. If he failed to awaken by sixteen, he’d be worthless. In this brutal world, family rivalry—including extortion—was allowed. It helped concentrate resources in the strongest. “Get out of my way!” Chu Xun wasn’t the coward he once was. Even in his past life, he fought injustice—even if it meant death. And now that he’d awakened, why fear a mere family lackey? “Hah…grown up, have you? But talk’s cheap—you need muscle. Since you won’t back down, Qing Yi will spar with you.” He raised his massive fist. Damn! Chu Xun dove back, but Qing Yi, stronger and more experienced, followed up with a kick to his stomach. He flew like a sandbag onto the cobblestones, gasping in pain. “Ugh…” A blow to the abdomen nearly floored him. His vision spun, unable to get up. He was an awakened psychokinetic, but still pre-sixteen—and without insect gene fusion, he was no stronger than a common boy. Meanwhile, Qing Yi, though not an ability user, was physically robust—and had been enhanced with crystal cores and brutal fights. His stats greatly exceeded Chu Xun’s. “Did you just hit me?” Chu Xun spat, glaring at the smirking man. “You lackey dare strike me? Aren’t you afraid of death?” “Lord Chu, I’m not attacking—just sparring under Chu Qing’s orders. Look, he cares about your awakening—he even gave you my services. Pay your gratitude with crystal cores, won’t you?” Qing Yi shrugged dismissively. “Bastard…” Chu Xun’s face darkened. Yes, Qing Yi had injured him—but who would side with a weakling who hadn’t awakened at sixteen? Chu Qing was his father’s favored son. In this cruel clan, no one was on Chu Xun’s side. He understood now—without strength, no one respects you. Even a lackey would shamelessly bully you if you’re weak. “I’ll grow strong. I will grow strong!” Chu Xun’s resolve burned bright. He’d suffered a***e as an underdog—never again. This life, he would crush the despicable fools beneath his feet. “Can’t get up yet? Need some help?” Qing Yi stepped on him, pressing his foot down, sneering: “You’re a waste—why keep the crystal cores? Hand them over and be done with it.” “Where do I find genes to absorb?” he thought, anger giving way to clarity. The more enraged he became, the sharper his mind. He knew he needed gene fusion—but genes weren’t lying around in the streets. “Silent, hmm? Still no sense.” Qing Yi stepped harder. “You struggle like an ant—like an ant, you’re tiny. Can’t challenge Chu Qing—accept your fate.” “An ant?” Chu Xun’s eyes flashed. He looked at the ants crawling on the ground and felt a surge of hope. “You think ants are tiny? Let me show you ant power!” Suddenly he shouted and pressed his right hand onto the crawling ants. Instantly, a burst of radiant blue light exploded from his hand.