Chapter 45: Defying Heaven’s Power—Extraordinary Evolution and the Tree of Evolution

Having understood the effects of his first ability, "Blood Plunder," Zhang Ran turned his attention inward, letting his consciousness sink into the green, tree-shaped rune on the left. Within his perception, although the "Blood Plunder" rune radiated considerable power, it was nothing compared to the might exuded by the tree-shaped rune. This disparity stirred a sense of anticipation in Zhang Ran’s heart.

As his thoughts focused, the green rune shimmered faintly, and a surge of information washed into his mind, conveying the rune’s abilities to him.

"This... How is this possible? Such an extraordinary power actually exists!"

The information left Zhang Ran in disbelief; his eyes flashed with incredulity and his body trembled with excitement. Words spilled from his lips in a daze. Even with more than a decade of mercenary experience before his transmigration, having faced countless life-and-death situations, Zhang Ran found it difficult now to maintain his composure.

This rune bestowed upon him a unique power called "Transcendent Evolution," which had three distinct effects.

The first effect of "Transcendent Evolution" was to grant Zhang Ran a new ability rune every time he advanced in rank, allowing him to comprehend an additional ability.

In the wasteland world, evolvers from level one to nine were known as "Scavengers," while those from ten to eighteen were called "Hunters," with each major tier encompassing nine sub-levels.

Ordinarily, when regular evolvers reached the first, third, sixth, and ninth level within a major tier, they would, under the influence of evolutionary energy, gain a new ability rune and comprehend a new power. In other words, an evolver could acquire four abilities for every nine levels, which was the general rule for gaining powers in the wasteland.

But Zhang Ran’s "Transcendent Evolution" shattered this limitation. He could obtain a new ability rune with every single advancement, meaning he could gain nine abilities per major tier—2.25 times more than regular evolvers. It was nothing short of miraculous.

As for the second effect, it was equally formidable—it broke through the natural limits of Zhang Ran’s physical attributes. For an ordinary level-one evolver, average attributes would be three points, and unless they advanced to level two, their physical qualities would be capped around three points, rarely exceeding 3.5. Likewise, a level-two evolver’s attributes could reach around five points, but unless they advanced further, breaking past six points was nearly impossible. This natural ceiling applied to all subsequent tiers.

The advent of "Transcendent Evolution" erased these natural barriers for Zhang Ran. His physical qualities would no longer be constrained by level; as long as he invested enough evolutionary energy, even as a first-level evolver, he could raise his stats to 3.6, 3.7, or even 4 points—a truly extraordinary ability to defy convention.

The first two effects of "Transcendent Evolution" were positive, but the third was a drawback: compared to evolvers of the same level, Zhang Ran would have to spend 50% more evolution points for each minor advancement, and double the points for each major tier breakthrough.

To illustrate, while other evolvers needed two points to advance from level one to two, Zhang Ran would require three. For the leap from level-nine Scavenger to level-ten Hunter, he would need eight points instead of the usual four.

Yet, this minor drawback paled in comparison to the two overwhelming advantages. Even if the penalty were doubled, Zhang Ran would still consider it well worth the cost.

Moreover, "Transcendent Evolution" was not limited to these two benefits. According to the information he received, every time Zhang Ran broke through a major tier, "Transcendent Evolution" itself would transform, granting him an additional effect each time.

"This is incredible! All right, ‘Transcendent Evolution,’ activate!"

With eyes shining with exhilaration, Zhang Ran willed the "Transcendent Evolution" rune in his mind to awaken.

At his command, the rune erupted in a burst of seven-colored radiance. Mystical energies surged from its core, coalescing within his mind into a verdant seed that glowed with gentle light.

As Zhang Ran watched in astonishment, the seed in his mental sea suddenly split open and sprouted. The sapling grew at an astonishing pace, visible to the naked eye, and in less than ten minutes had become a lush young tree.

The sight was astonishing enough, yet there was more: every leaf on the sapling shimmered with its own unique light, each differing in shape and color—no two alike—yet together, the foliage created a strangely harmonious whole, as if embodying the universe’s most profound mysteries. Zhang Ran found his gaze irresistibly drawn to it.

Around the sapling, wisps of rainbow mist writhed and transformed endlessly, taking on the shapes of myriad beings—each distinct, each in constant flux. Some vanished, while new creatures formed from the mists, a scene of endless wonder.

"This is breathtaking! What in the world is this?"

As Zhang Ran stared, transfixed by the mysterious new sapling, a faint, elusive voice seemed to whisper its name into his ear—the Tree of Evolution.

After another five minutes, the Tree of Evolution in his mind ceased its growth, quietly taking root in his mental sea. At that moment, the "Blood Plunder" rune in his mind flew toward the Tree of Evolution, attaching itself to one of its branches.