Read advanced chapters - pat reon/Siuteo
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Xu Zhi silently observed the player's activity through the forum.
This one didn't seem interested in evolving new species like the others. Instead, most of his gameplay focused on crafting tools and building infrastructure. His current base was a cozy seaside villa—complete with a fenced yard, a small house, a garden, and even a mining well.
He lived there like a reclusive scientist, immersed in his personal experiments.
In his yard stood a peculiar contraption: a handmade bicycle. Its frame was wooden, the chain crafted from cured hide—rough and primitive, yet functional. It could actually be ridden, though the experience would undoubtedly be bumpy.
"What a talent," Xu Zhi muttered in surprise. "He even built a bicycle. So after evolving that bizarre tentacled species, you've decided to quit the rat race and just... settle down? Climb the tech tree in peace?"
At that moment, the player—who had previously been killed by Xu Zhi—resurfaced from the ocean in his newly evolved six-armed species. Without fanfare, he returned to his quaint home and resumed his quiet life: farming, mining, chopping trees. His routine mirrored Xu Zhi's own.
Meanwhile, the forums were buzzing.
"The boss is insane! His new species is even more powerful than the last. Look at those serrated limbs—and that shovel-shaped arm! It's like a built-in multitool. He chops trees and digs like a machine!"
"He's totally wasting his potential," someone else grumbled. "The guy's obviously a genius—it didn't take him long to evolve that species. If he had taken things seriously, he could've outpaced Akina's Speedster and grabbed the first achievement. Instead, he's just... farming? What a waste."
A chorus of agreement followed.
But Future Skywhale, as the player was known, ignored the chatter. He was too busy mining. "No ores underground," he muttered. "Guess there really aren't any minerals in Spore Evolution. Looks like the tech route's a dead end. No smelting, no metallurgy. I'll have to pivot—go fully biological."
The crowd laughed.
"Of course there aren't any minerals! Why are you trying to smelt iron in a game about evolution?"
"Actually, this just shows how much freedom this game has. It's practically a sandbox world. Limitless possibilities."
Future Skywhale sighed, still digging. "If I don't find iron tonight, I'll have to give up on cars, engines, motorcycles, planes... and there's no gasoline here either. I'll need to start evolving biological tools. My new goal is to build a wooden car."
A car? Without metal or fuel?
The entire forum fell into stunned silence.
Who was this guy in real life?
From the way he talked, it sounded like he genuinely believed he could reinvent industrial civilization from scratch. He spoke with the confidence of someone who designed real engines for a living.
Was he a university professor? A scientist? A researcher in some high-level institute? Maybe even someone who developed missiles or jet engines?
But... would someone like that be playing this game?
And didn't he scream like a little kid when he got eaten last time?
One curious player finally asked:
"Boss, you're really gonna build a wooden car? But how? You'd need precise gears and a solid frame, and even if you manage that, where's the engine coming from?"
Future Skywhale responded calmly:
"I've already considered it. I'm going to evolve a biological engine—a special lifeform with a mouth for fuel intake and a single, powerful tentacle to spin a turbine. That'll serve as the power source."
He went on: "I ran the concept by a friend of mine—an internationally recognized expert in biology. He said that such a creature couldn't naturally evolve. It wouldn't survive in a real ecosystem. But since we're in control here, we can force evolution. We just need to create the right environment."
The chat exploded.
A living engine? A creature to replace gasoline and electricity?
It was an absurd idea—but theoretically, not impossible.
"You're incredible, boss! That's next-level thinking!"
"If you really pull this off—evolve a creature to power a vehicle—then that's no longer just a car. That's a full-blown mechanical lifeform! That could be our second achievement-worthy species!"
Everyone was excited. This was something new. Something bold.
In the Paleozoic era, someone was already trying to evolve mechs.
"Do you need help, boss?"
"Have you got a blueprint? I'll evolve that creature for you! I can take it—experiment on my body! I don't care how many times we fail! Please, use me!"
"Play with my body!" someone else chimed in.
Future Skywhale chuckled but declined the enthusiastic volunteers. He explained that he already had a team of real-life colleagues—professionals in the field—helping him out. Naturally, he wasn't going to hand over a potential achievement reward to anyone else.
Though composed, he wasn't about to let go of such an opportunity.
Meanwhile.
Xu Zhi's eyes narrowed.
A biological engine?
He hadn't expected this. He found himself gradually getting excited.
This was the first spark of alchemy—the fusion of biology and machinery, life and tool. He hadn't seen this coming at all.
Unfortunately, despite this alchemical breakthrough, the development of magic potions remained nowhere in sight. That was the direction he'd initially pushed for—seeking a cure for his illness.
"He's the real deal," Xu Zhi muttered as he pulled up the man's profile.
Over forty. Founder of a major tech company. A heavyweight in the industry.
If they met in real life, Xu Zhi wouldn't even be worthy of standing next to him.
He'd really hooked a big fish. Seeking help online had been the right choice. There were simply too many brilliant minds out there. Xu Zhi alone would've never come up with an idea like this.
Satisfied, he logged off and went to bed, letting the players handle the headaches of evolution. He was content to sit back and reap the rewards.
The next morning.
Xu Zhi awoke to the familiar scent of breakfast. Chen Xi had brought him food.
He glanced at the smaller sandbox. After suffering a few deaths, the players had calmed down. The ecosystem was developing nicely.
But in the larger sandbox—ever since the fall of the Three Witches—something had changed.