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After everything was done, Xu Zhi leaned back and let out a deep breath.
He felt surprisingly content. The fools who had schemed to bring him down had, in a twist of fate, gifted him something worthwhile in return.
After finishing his meal, he headed to the kitchen to wash the lunch box.
"Even the Creator has to do dishes. What a world."
He strolled next door to return the container to Mrs. Li, then didn't bother heading straight home. Instead, he hopped on his bike for a slow, meandering ride down the countryside road. Birds sang in the distance. Insects buzzed all around. The evening air was cool and quiet, wrapping the world in peaceful stillness.
Then, a sudden thought struck him. He raised an eyebrow and asked the Tyranis Hive Mind:
"If I assimilate the Phoenix's genes and gain its ability to be reborn from fire… does that mean I can just kill myself, hatch from an egg, and come back to life? Would that cure my cancer?"
"Yes," the Hive Mind replied.
Xu Zhi's eyes widened. Salvation! He could finally shake off the terminal illness that had been stalking him.
That brainless player had actually given him an incredible gift.
But the Hive Mind wasn't finished.
"However, due to the gene's strength and uniqueness, it would occupy fifty percent of your total genetic sequence."
Xu Zhi's expression darkened. Genetic sequence space was valuable—after purging all the useless junk, his human DNA only took up about ten percent. The Evil Eye's genes took another ten. That left eighty percent blank.
Spending fifty percent on a single gene?
He hesitated.
Sure, the Phoenix's power was impressive—but not efficient. If he could incorporate five specialized genes like the Evil Eye's and coordinate them properly, the benefits might far outweigh what the Phoenix offered.
Then another question formed.
"Wait… if I'm reborn through fire, am I still me?"
"Tyranis Queen," the Hive Mind responded matter-of-factly, "you would be dead. Your offspring would inherit your body."
Xu Zhi froze.
Offspring?
So if he died, his child would take over his body? Inherit his house, his sandbox... even Chen Xi?
Even Chen Xi!?
"That's... That's some horrifying cuckold gene!"
"Getting NTR'd by my own kid? Screw that!"
He shook his head in disbelief, continuing to pedal down the narrow road. His face was a mask of exaggerated sorrow.
"No way I'm taking that gene. I'd rather die with dignity."
With that train of thought derailed, his mind drifted elsewhere.
Thanks to the emergence of the new poisonous bird species, the large sandbox had evolved again. It now contained two supernatural creatures—each revered as a god. The God of Fire: the Phoenix. And the God of Wisdom: himself.
The foundations for a world of wizards had been laid.
"I hope the phoenix grows quickly. Each rebirth makes it stronger. Even now, as a fledgling, it's already comparable to the Three Witches—equivalent to a level six magician. Now that the Witches are gone, it's probably unmatched in this era. A true Fire God."
"I just have to wait until it gains sentience."
Xu Zhi came to a stop.
He had reached a quiet grove, thick with trees. A gentle river flowed in the distance, moonlight glimmering on its surface.
He was now strong enough to be considered an apprentice wizard. But he couldn't practice spells in his backyard—a careless blast could trigger a mass extinction event in the tiny sandbox world.
"Heaven's Hammer."
Xu Zhi lifted his hand and focused.
A formless spiritual force gathered around him, pulling at the air. But just as the pressure began to condense, it scattered without a sound.
He tried again.
"Heaven's Hammer."
This time, invisible ripples converged more swiftly. The spell took form—a translucent hammer of compressed air—and slammed into the river ahead.
Boom!
A small geyser of water burst into the air.
"Only two tries."
"After those three mass extinctions, my spiritual strength really has reached an insane level."
Xu Zhi grinned, breathing deeply.
Like every boy, he had once dreamed of having superpowers—casting spells, donning magical armor, or waving wands like Harry Potter. Who hadn't fantasized about becoming a wizard or a magical girl at least once?
He continued practicing. With each attempt, his control over Air Magic grew. His talent was undeniable—he could master a spell in a tenth of the time it took the Three Witches.
But it made sense.
He was a Tyranis hero. His genome had been meticulously optimized—purified of useless complexity. He was practically a higher life-form. If he entered the sandbox himself, he might surpass the Witches in a fraction of the time.
Still, he didn't have the time—or the interest—to do everything himself.
The Witches had spent over two centuries pioneering their magic system. Xu Zhi had no desire to dedicate his entire life to that path.
"They've even started using staves as magical conduits. It's basically the early stages of alchemy."
"It's a shame I can't craft a proper staff in reality. Otherwise, this spell's power would jump by thirty percent."
After an hour of spellcasting, he was confident. With Heaven's Hammer, Medea's signature spell, he now had real combat power. The blow could easily collapse a man's chest.
Satisfied, Xu Zhi turned back toward home.
Only to realize something.
He had forgotten to reopen the sandbox.
"The second beta test just started... and the game's been down for half a day due to 'maintenance'?"
Online Forums:
"Hardcore! This dev is way too hardcore!"
"Game's down again? Are you kidding me?"
"Burn the f***ing developer!"
The forums were in an uproar, filled with bitter complaints and apocalyptic wailing.
But Xu Zhi?
He wasn't sorry in the slightest.
"Relax. Just a little mistake."
"I'll turn the server back on now."