Chapter 1866 - 2058: Third-Order Evolution (2)

However, just as Zhu Hong’s body was about to split apart, a strange dark green hue suddenly appeared on the surface of his skin. Simultaneously, the skin that was about to crack rapidly healed. It continued like this, constantly cracking and healing, while a dozen or so researchers nearby could only watch helplessly.

This situation persisted for more than half an hour before Zhu Hong’s body gradually returned to normal. Seeing this, one researcher couldn’t help but clap and say, "It’s a success! Mr. Zhu, just as you predicted."

Zhu Hong smiled faintly. Although the first stage of fusion went smoothly, the second stage was the most crucial, and even he was not completely confident. After the fusion of two Soul Stones, the energy surged dramatically, and even with his physical condition, he wasn’t sure he could withstand such an impact. However, the Soul Stones had a self-healing effect, and it was by leveraging this that Zhu Hong managed to survive the second stage of fusion. He was grateful his theory was correct.

Seeing Zhu Hong succeed once again, Qi Yong had a stupefied look, lacking the energy to even speak. He couldn’t comprehend why the other party succeeded while he couldn’t.

Now, having completed two stages, only the final step remained. As he watched the researcher pick up the dark red Soul Stone from the tray, Zhu Hong’s eyes showed a hint of solemnity. He had more than half a chance with the first two steps, but this last step... he had no assurance at all. Success now depended entirely on luck.

As he contemplated swiftly, he nodded towards the other party, saying, "Begin."

The researcher took a deep breath and slowly inserted the dark red Soul Stone into Zhu Hong’s body. As soon as the stone was in place, Zhu Hong’s body began to tremble violently, with blood continuously seeping out through his pores. In an instant, he had turned into a man covered in blood.

This sudden change immediately petrified everyone present, except Qi Yong, who laughed out loud: "Haha! You failed after all."

After a brief moment of shock, one researcher finally snapped back and urgently shouted, "Quick, bring the glass cover." Hearing his cry, several researchers immediately brought over a pre-prepared glass cover and enclosed Zhu Hong’s body inside.

"Connect the power!"

"Received!" One researcher ran to a computer and forcefully pressed a key. Instantly, electric flashes illuminated the glass cover, and Zhu Hong, lying on the experimental table, went from trembling to spasming, with occasional purple electric flashes across the surface of his body. As the electric lights gathered more, the entire glass cover turned into a purple glow, making it impossible to see anything.

Who knew how long it took before the purple glow inside the glass cover finally dissipated. Simultaneously, Zhu Hong’s body reappeared in everyone’s sight. As before, Zhu Hong was covered in blood, looking particularly eerie and terrifying.

"Is he... is he still alive?" A researcher gulped and asked hesitantly.

At this moment, their primary concern was whether Zhu Hong was still alive because Zhu Hong’s life or death was tied to their own survival. One researcher directed his gaze towards the electronic screen on the experimental table, only to see that all the data had turned to zero, indicating Zhu Hong no longer had any life signs.

Dead... dead?

"Quick, start resuscitation." Not daring to delay, everyone swiftly removed the glass cover and began to resuscitate Zhu Hong. However, after a few minutes, the electronic screen remained unchanged, and Zhu Hong lay there quietly on the experimental table, without a breath, already a dead man.

It’s over... it’s over... The researchers stood pale-faced, frozen in front of the experimental table, unsure of what to do.

With Zhu Hong dead, they had no hope of surviving either. At this time, Chen Quan, who had been guarding the lab door, walked in. Hearing his footsteps, everyone’s bodies began to tremble uncontrollably, eyes filled with fear.

"Haha! Haha!"

At this moment, Qi Yong, sitting in a wheelchair, laughed crazily: "Dead, you’re finally dead."

"What did you say?"

Suddenly, a voice came out, abruptly halting Qi Yong’s laughter. He looked up to see Zhu Hong slowly sitting up from the experimental table, coldly staring at him.

"You... weren’t you dead?" he exclaimed incredulously, "You were clearly dead, why... why are you still alive?"

"Who said I was dead." Zhu Hong sneered, stood up, and walked over to Qi Yong, stretching his arm. Suddenly, with a flick of his arm, his five fingers pierced directly into Qi Yong’s body, forcefully removing his heart.

Staring at the still-beating red heart in Zhu Hong’s hand, Qi Yong opened his mouth but slumped over from the wheelchair, eyes wide open.

"I said I would succeed," Zhu Hong muttered to himself, casually tossing the heart onto the ground, then licking the blood on his fingers with his tongue. Seeing his actions, the researchers couldn’t help but back up a few steps, faces full of terror. For some reason, this resurrected Zhu Hong brought a strong sense of unease.

Looking back at those fearful researchers, Zhu Hong smiled and said, "You did well, as a reward, I’ve decided... to let you all die by my hand." As soon as he finished speaking, the over ten researchers’ faces changed drastically as they hurriedly rushed towards the laboratory door.

But at that moment, a figure flashed by, and within seconds, all the researchers in the lab fell to the ground, each with their hearts ripped out, leaving the scene utterly gruesome. Zhu Hong licked the blood from his fingers. Somehow, he relished the taste of blood.

Feeling the endless power within, Zhu Hong’s lips curled into a sinister smile. He succeeded! He actually succeeded! He knew he couldn’t withstand the power of all the fused Soul Stones, so he used electricity, electrocuting his body to fight against that power. Luckily, his body had an abnormal defensive power; otherwise, he would’ve been charred under the intense electric current.

As thoughts swirled in his mind, he walked to the experimental table, picked up a sharp scalpel, and lightly sliced a cut on the back of his hand. After a few seconds, the wound rapidly healed, leaving only a shallow blood-red trace, almost as good as new.

Seeing this change, Zhu Hong couldn’t help but laugh out loud. After all he had been through, he finally possessed the world’s most miraculous power. From now on, who could be his opponent! When God blocks, kill God; when Buddha blocks, kill Buddha; no one can stop his steps, he—Zhu Hong—will someday reach the pinnacle of the world.

What a pity...

Ling Chen.

Hmph! It’s a pity you didn’t survive, otherwise, I would have made sure you died by my hand.