Chapter 253: Evolution Conditions Met

"Damn! They’re gone already. Not even a little bit is left!"

"Oh God, those fish are terrifying! If someone fell in there, I... I think I’d throw up!"

While the audience was still processing the horrifying scene, Shen Yu’s eyes grew brighter.

Protein. Fat. And most importantly, Evolution Points.

The food has practically been delivered to my doorstep, and the trash has been cleaned up at the same time.

He sprang to his feet, nearly tipping over the broken coffin, but quickly regained his balance.

The livestream viewers almost suffered heart attacks.

[Brother, lend me another one! I’ll burn paper offerings for you when we reach shore!]

Under the viewers’ shocked gazes, Shen Yu neatly snapped off another rib from Brother Bone.

Then, he retrieved a piece of seagull meat streaked with blood from his storage space and skewered it onto the end of the rib.

He firmly wedged the thick, blunt end of the bone into a gap between the coffin boards. Using the hemp rope he had just obtained, he reinforced the structure, creating a slanted frame extending over the surface of the sea.

The meat bait dangled from the top, with fresh blood dripping into the water.

"Holy crap! He’s making a fish trap!"

"Wow! So Shen Yu is actually a fishing expert, too!"

"I knew it! Everything can be used for fishing!"

"But there’s no hook!"

"How do you fish without a hook? Is this some kind of monkey business?"

Jeff from Pretty Nation shrugged.

"All right, I admit this cunning Dragon Nation contestant is a little clever. But obviously, victory has clouded his judgment. What is he trying to do? Feed the fish without actually catching them?"

Shen Yu quickly answered their question with his actions.

He stood with his feet apart inside the rocking coffin, his knees slightly bent. Holding the thigh bone against his right shoulder, he assumed a standard baseball batting stance.

His relaxed yet focused posture made it seem as though he were standing on a baseball field rather than a fragile coffin in the middle of the ocean.

The blood continued spreading through the seawater.

Some hungry fish monsters were drawn closer, circling beneath the bait and waiting for an opportunity.

Finally, the silver shadow that had first noticed the bait shot out of the water.

Everyone got a clear look at its true appearance.

It resembled a sardine, except its head was twice as large. Its lower jaw was tightly clamped, revealing rows of interlocking teeth as it lunged toward the bait.

Shen Yu’s waist twisted.

The thigh bone in his hands swung like a baseball bat, producing a sharp whoosh.

Slap! Splash!

The bone struck the fish monster’s body with pinpoint accuracy.

It flew backward as though it had been hit by a speeding truck, tumbled through the air, and crashed back into the sea.

Immediately, the game’s announcement sounded in the ears of every citizen of Dragon Nation.

[You have killed a Toothfish Monster and gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[Global Announcement: Dragon Nation contestant No. 100 has gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[National reward is being calculated.]

[Reward for all citizens of Dragon Nation: Physique +0.01.]

As the announcement rang out, real-time reports from across Dragon Nation began flooding in.

At a hospital, a critically ill patient’s vital signs showed a slight but noticeable improvement.

At Zhonghai People’s Hospital, a patient who had been declared brain-dead displayed signs of brainwave activity.

A 0.01 increase in physique might not feel significant to healthy people, but for those struggling on the edge of life and death, it could be a life-saving blessing.

"Good! Good!"

Many people inside the command center were already on the verge of tears.

[I had some discomfort in my chest earlier, but suddenly I felt a warm current spreading through my body. I feel much better now!]

[The reward is real!]

[My grandpa just got out of bed by himself! The doctor said he only had a month left!]

[Wuuu! From today onward, anyone who dares to say anything bad about Shen Yu, I’ll follow their internet cable and smash their head!]

[Sorry! I apologize for my previous ignorance. Big Boss, you’re not a saint. You’re my mother!]

[Upstairs, didn’t you just call him an idiot? Does your face hurt? It’s swollen now, isn’t it?]

[Please, Big Boss! Hit my face a few more times. I love this feeling!]

On Shen Yu’s system panel, the Evolution Points requirement changed from 1/10 to 2/10.

Eight more points to go.

Shen Yu resumed his stance, his eyes fixed on the dangling meat.

Soon, another fish monster couldn’t resist the temptation and leaped out of the water.

Slap! Splash!

A perfect arc.

A perfect trajectory.

[You have killed a Toothfish Monster and gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[Global Announcement: Dragon Nation contestant No. 100 has gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[National reward is being calculated.]

[Reward for all citizens of Dragon Nation: Resources +0.01.]

[Double kill! Big Boss is awesome!]

[My God! These Evolution Points are so easy to earn. It’s like playing whack-a-mole!]

[Wuuu! I was so jealous watching contestants from Pretty Nation and Bear Nation receive rewards earlier. I was practically in tears!]

Then—

Slap!

[You have killed a Toothfish Monster and gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[Global Announcement: Dragon Nation contestant No. 100 has gained 1 Evolution Point.]

[National reward is being calculated.]

[Reward for all citizens of Dragon Nation: Lifespan +0.01.]

Slap!

[You have killed a Toothfish Monster and gained 1 Evolution Point.]

In Saka Nation’s livestream, the viewers who had previously cheered for their own contestant were now filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

"OMG!"

"He must be a monster! Definitely a monster!"

"He killed our contestant, so why is he still receiving rewards?"

"The game is unfair! We protest!"

"Shut up! You’re so noisy!"

"Our Big Boss Shen Yu is simply amazing. If you’re unhappy, swallow your complaints!"

"Get out! You’re annoying!"

Slap!

With the final fish monster sent flying, Shen Yu finally stopped swinging.

The fish monsters in the water had learned their lesson. None dared to leap out again and approach the bait hanging above the surface.

"Tsk."

Shen Yu tossed the bone aside and leaned against the coffin wall.

His bandaged left hand had developed a small red stain, but it wasn’t a serious problem.

He had originally thought he could simply fish here and get rich.

Unfortunately, he was genuinely tired.

Picking up the thigh bone that had played such an important role, he examined it before offering a sincere compliment.

"Brother, your leg is really solid. The feel is top-notch."

He then called up the system.

The light-blue holographic screen unfolded before him.

Shen Yu opened the vehicle panel.

[Possible Evolution Path: Simple Bone-and-Wood Raft.]

[Evolution Requirements:]

[1. Wood: 10/10]

[2. Complete Biological Skeleton: 0/1]

[3. Evolution Points: 11/10]

Only one requirement remained.

A complete biological skeleton.

The viewers in the livestream also saw the evolution materials and began discussing enthusiastically.

[It looks like the system only accepts complete skeletons, not individual bone fragments.]

[That means he needs to kill something big, right?]

[This requirement is too harsh!]

Before the discussion among the netizens could end, they noticed Shen Yu’s gaze falling on Brother Bone.

"Big brother, look at the situation we’re in."

He placed a hand on the skull.

"Here you are, alone and lonely in this vast ocean. But if our vessel could be upgraded, things would be different."

"Your little brother will feast, and I’ll definitely offer you incense."

"Besides, instead of sinking together with this broken coffin, wouldn’t it be better to follow me and become a giant ship? A battleship, even!"

"Then my glory will also become your glory, big brother."

A moment earlier, Zhang Guangwei had been wearing a serious expression. Now, the corners of his mouth were already stretching into a wide grin.

"This child..."

Professor Li Shu chuckled, holding her forehead.

"Does this count as a pre-war motivational speech?"

"Before this, it looked more like a fraud scene," someone muttered.

"Wait, is this really okay? The person is dead, and we’re using his bones. Isn’t that a little too..."

A comment floated across the screen, and someone immediately agreed.

[Yeah, it feels a little disrespectful to the deceased.]

[The boss is strong, but isn’t this going too far?]

However, the argument didn’t have time to gain traction before being overwhelmed by a much stronger wave of comments.

[Respect? Could the saint upstairs please leave Dragon Nation?]

[What do you mean disrespect? This is ascension!]

[Brother Bone is about to evolve and become part of an aircraft carrier in the future. This is the highest honor!]

Even General Pei, who was usually very serious, couldn’t help smiling slightly.

He wasn’t particularly amused by Shen Yu’s actions. Rather, he was relieved by the change in attitude among the viewers.

On the screen, Shen Yu’s hand was already resting on Brother Bone’s skull as he connected to the Evolution panel.

[Evolution requirements have been met.]

[Would you like to begin evolution?]

"Confirm evolution."

In an instant, pale-blue light engulfed Brother Bone and the entire coffin, spreading outward like ripples across the surface of water.

Within the light, all the materials seemed to be thrown into a furnace. They melted together before reorganizing into something new.

At first, everything became transparent.

Then, it gradually formed a swirling vortex that constantly changed shape.

This scene was broadcast live to billions of people around the world.

Everyone held their breath.

Some unconsciously stood up, while others leaned forward, staring intently at their screens.

They had already witnessed several vehicle upgrades by contestants from other nations. Some vessels had become larger and faster, while others had developed more aggressive structures.

But what would this unique upgrade in Dragon Nation produce, using biological bones and Evolution Points?

Would it surprise them?

Or shock them?

The light continued for approximately ten seconds before rapidly retracting.

A brand-new vessel revealed its true form.

It floated steadily on the waves.

Compared to the previous black-gray, dilapidated coffin, the new vessel had become a pale, almost ivory-white structure with visible wooden textures. It looked several times sturdier.

Its size had also increased significantly. It was now large enough to accommodate more than one person lying down.

Nearly half-meter-high railings made from rib bones surrounded three sides of the vessel.

At the rear was a simple seat that appeared to be a combination of a scapula and several arm bones.

As a Level One wooden raft, it was already impeccable.

Except for one thing.

It still looked exactly like a coffin.

After holding their breath for ten seconds, Dragon Nation’s livestream was flooded with question marks.

[Did my internet freeze?]

[Someone hit me!]

[So... it evolved from a single-person coffin into a double-person coffin?]

[A coffin with railings and a seat? Is that to prevent Big Boss from falling into the sea when he goes to the bathroom at night?]

[Hahahaha! Sorry, I really can’t help it!]

[But seriously, this is hilarious!]

[From now on, Big Brother Shen Yu has a new nickname in Dragon Nation: Coffin Bro!]

After their initial shock, viewers from other countries around the world also began gloating.

"Oh my God! What did I just see?"

"From a box to an even bigger box!"

"Do Dragon Nation people have some special obsession with coffins?"

In Saka Nation’s livestream:

"I’m dying of laughter! I thought something cool would evolve, but it’s still a coffin!"

"Is this the taste of Dragon Nation?"

In Bamboo Nation’s livestream:

"This must be the most ridiculous evolution in history!"

However, the comments in Dragon Nation’s livestream were surprisingly united this time.

[What are you laughing at? Don’t you understand? This is called getting rich from a coffin!]

[Are you mocking my family?]

[Exactly! Our Coffin Bro likes this design. What does it have to do with you?]

[Honestly, this new coffin—no, this new boat—looks solid. Its safety has improved considerably.]

[That’s right! Stable and sturdy. What’s not to like?]

[You can even sleep lying down. Can your boats do that?]

The audience in Dragon Nation laughed while desperately defending their contestant’s new vessel.

Dragon Nation Supreme Command Center

The atmosphere was a little subtle.

After a long pause, Zhang Guangwei struggled to find something to say.

"This... This design is quite unique."

He paused.

"I think I roughly understand the reason now."

Professor Li Shu pushed up her glasses.

"The raw material used for evolution..."

She quickly pointed at the screen, speaking rapidly.

"This evolution’s key material, unlike the materials used in other contestants’ vehicle upgrades, was the complete biological skeleton."

"And that skeleton belonged to a human."

"The system’s evolutionary logic is probably based on the intrinsic properties of the materials. Using an animal’s bones might produce a more aggressive structure. However, when human bones are used, the system judges that the most suitable container for carrying a human being is naturally a coffin."

Her explanation made sense.

It was also impossible to refute.

Everyone in the command center exchanged glances before eventually displaying expressions of helpless amusement.

"So that’s what happened."

After hearing the analysis, General Pei smiled kindly.

"The design doesn’t matter, as long as it’s practical."

Above the Sea

At that moment, Shen Yu, who had just received a new nickname, was happily admiring his upgraded vessel.

[Evolution successful!]

[Previous Vessel: Damaged Coffin LV0.0]

[Current Vessel: Small Bone-and-Wood Coffin LV0.1]

[Durability: 50/50]

[Dimensions: 2.2m × 1.5m]

[Structure: Bone-Reinforced Wooden Structure]

[New Features: Bone Guardrails, Simple Seat]

[Evaluation: Congratulations! You have finally moved from inside the coffin to on top of the coffin.]

[P.S. Although it’s still pretty bad.]

Shen Yu automatically ignored the system’s malicious evaluation.

He knocked on the guardrails with his hand.

"Not bad. Very reassuring."

The space had expanded considerably, giving him enough room to stretch out his legs.

The vessel’s stability had also improved significantly.