The Infinite Path of Evolution

Chapter 2: The Power of the Ant

“Oh no, he’s awakened!” Seeing the brilliant blue light bursting from Chu Xun’s right hand, Qing Yi’s expression changed drastically. Growing up in Chu City, he naturally recognized this as the sign of an ability awakening. And once awakened, Chu Xun would no longer be a powerless waste. If Chu Xun gained enough strength, even if he killed him, no one would seek justice for him.

“No, I have to cripple him!” Qing Yi hadn’t clawed his way to being Chu Qing’s top lackey without ruthless instincts. He had seen life and death from a young age, had even killed rivals himself. He was both brutal and decisive. Within seconds, he made up his mind and raised his foot to stomp down on Chu Xun’s right hand.

The awakening of an ability was the most critical moment in a person’s life. If the process was interrupted, the individual could permanently lose their chance to awaken. Qing Yi’s goal was simple: destroy Chu Xun's awakening, reduce him to a true cripple. Then, for Chu Qing's sake, no one would bother punishing Qing Yi.

But what Qing Yi didn’t realize was—Chu Xun wasn’t awakening his ability. He was using it!

Smack!

With a dull thud, Qing Yi’s foot was caught midair by a hand glowing with a faint blue light. The hand looked pale and slender but carried terrifying strength. It felt like stomping on a block of steel. Agonizing pain shot through Qing Yi’s foot, and he screamed in agony.

“Let go! Let go of me!” Chu Xun’s hand clamped down like a steel vice, even piercing through Qing Yi’s boot. The crushing grip made it feel as if his foot bones were crying out. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t escape.

“People think ants are weak… but do you know how terrifying their strength can be?” As power surged through his body, Chu Xun was overwhelmed with excitement. He took a deep breath, then hurled Qing Yi away with a fierce yank.

Boom!

Under Chu Xun’s incredible strength, Qing Yi—over two meters tall and weighing more than 200 pounds—was tossed like a sandbag. He slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash.

“You… you really awakened?” Qing Yi struggled to his feet, trembling as he looked at Chu Xun in fear.

He wanted to run, but the pain in his foot left him unable to escape. And he knew he had no chance of outrunning a newly awakened ability user.

“That’s right. Regret it now? Too late…” Chu Xun sneered coldly, his eyes gleaming with icy light.

If he hadn’t been lucky enough to find a few ants nearby to fuse with, he might’ve really been crippled by this thug.

Although he had only just fused with the ant gene and could only access less than 5% of its true power, it was more than enough to handle a regular human like Qing Yi.

“Didn’t you enjoy beating me just now?” Chu Xun stood, brushed the dust off his clothes, and walked coldly toward Qing Yi.

This bastard tried to cripple him—he had to make him pay.

“N-No! You can’t kill me! I’m one of Chu Qing’s men! If you kill me, Young Master Chu Qing won’t let you off!” Qing Yi shrieked in terror, mistaking Chu Xun’s intent.

This was a world where the strong reigned—and the weak were crushed.

Qing Yi had seen countless lowborn servants tortured and killed by nobles, which was why he’d taken such pleasure in beating Chu Xun. But now that the roles were reversed, fear of those same horrific scenes filled his mind.

“Is this what they mean by ‘the pitiful must have done something hateful’?” Seeing Qing Yi tremble like a leaf, Chu Xun smirked with scorn and kept walking.

“Didn’t Chu Qing send you to be my sparring partner? If I remember correctly, even if a sparring session ends in death, no one can say anything… right?” Influenced by the original host’s memories, Chu Xun was filled with resentment toward Qing Yi and Chu Qing. He was going to make them pay.

“Please! Don’t kill me!” As Chu Xun got closer, Qing Yi’s fear intensified until he finally collapsed to his knees, weeping and begging for his life.

But Chu Xun remained unmoved.

He wasn’t a good man—otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken lives in his past. Qing Yi had humiliated and beaten him. That debt had to be paid.

Bam!

Reaching Qing Yi, Chu Xun kicked him hard in the chest. Qing Yi flew back, hitting the ground hard and coughing up blood.

“Please! Don’t kill me! I don’t want to die!” Qing Yi crawled back toward Chu Xun, still sobbing, begging desperately.

“Forget it. Arguing with a lackey is pointless.” If Qing Yi had still been arrogant, Chu Xun would’ve beaten him senseless. But seeing him grovel like a dying dog, Chu Xun lost interest.

“Die!”

But Chu Xun had underestimated this cruel world. Just as Qing Yi approached, seemingly ready to kowtow, he suddenly lunged—pulling out a gleaming alloy dagger and stabbing toward Chu Xun’s chest.

Qing Yi had no intention of dying obediently. He’d rather risk it all than be tortured to death. If he could kill Chu Xun, maybe he could escape to the wilderness and take his chances.

Chu Xun had only just awakened. Though his strength had grown, it wasn’t enough to block a deadly alloy dagger. If Qing Yi landed a fatal strike, he could still win.

“Damn it!”

Caught off guard, Chu Xun panicked and tried to dodge.

But his ability only boosted strength—not speed. Although he reacted quickly, he couldn’t fully evade. The knife missed his vitals, but—

Thunk!

The alloy blade tore through his clothes and sliced into his abdomen. Blood gushed like a fountain, soaking his shirt red.

“You bastard! Get off me!” The searing pain drove Chu Xun into a rage. He let out a furious roar and swung his fist with all his might—aiming right at Qing Yi’s face.

Fueled by fury, his strength exploded. Blue light shimmered around his clenched fist.

Bam!

The punch landed with devastating force. Qing Yi’s face caved in like it’d been hit by a sledgehammer. His nose broke, teeth flew, and blood sprayed in every direction. His body flew backward and crashed to the ground.

The impact also yanked the blade from Chu Xun’s stomach—causing even more blood to gush out. Pain and blood loss left him reeling and unsteady.

But Qing Yi didn’t move again. Whether dead or unconscious, he was out cold.

“Damn it… just like in the movies. Talking too much mid-fight gets you killed…” Chu Xun muttered bitterly as he tore off his outer shirt and pressed it to his wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

He was badly hurt. His right hand, enhanced for strength but not durability, throbbed in pain—possibly fractured. His knuckles were torn and bloodied.

“Grrr…”

Suddenly, Qing Yi stirred. He twitched… then began crawling again.

But this time, something was different.

His movements were unnatural. He growled like a beast. His eyes had turned pale white.

“Oh no…”

Chu Xun’s face paled as a bitter smile formed on his lips.

The good news? His punch had probably killed Qing Yi outright. His ant gene really was powerful.

The bad news?

Qing Yi had turned into a zombie.

And right now, the scent of Chu Xun’s fresh blood was exactly what he craved most.