’It’s done?’ Gao Neng’s heart leaped with joy. He immediately opened the system interface, only to find it was still a black screen, but now with a few lines of text on it.

"System Evolution Path Selection."

"Normal Evolution: After selecting Normal Evolution, the System will randomly issue daily tasks. The descriptions for these tasks are very detailed, allowing the Host to choose which ones to accept, granting a high degree of autonomy. The risk is low, but rewards will be limited to common items and skills. (Recommended for Hosts who like to play it safe.)"

"Excellent Evolution: After selecting Excellent Evolution, the System will randomly issue daily tasks. The descriptions for these tasks are relatively simple, and accepting them carries a certain degree of risk. However, the rewards have a chance of including high-level items and skills. Furthermore, the System will help the Host unlock a second ability attribute, providing greater room for growth. (Recommended for Hosts who wish to challenge themselves.)"

"Nightmare Evolution: This extreme evolutionary journey is a dance on a knife’s edge. Advance and live, retreat and die! The fiery passion of youth is destined to never cool. You are a true powerhouse. You will not bow to anyone. Your rebelliousness and arrogance are such that even the System must give way! Your path will be your own to command. You will have the authority to create your own quests. As for your ability attributes? They will be, without a doubt, the strongest! (High risk is often accompanied by high reward. If you’re not afraid to die, step right up!)"

"Hint: The most suitable choice is the best choice. Once an evolution path is confirmed, there is no turning back. The Host is advised to quell their impulsive urges and take a good look at the lucky halo above their head."

’There are even evolution paths to choose from?!’ Gao Neng was completely stunned.

’The System doesn’t evolve on its own!’

’Instead, I’m the one who chooses the path? Or, to put it another way, I’m choosing the intensity of the evolution?’

He had not expected this.

And what he’d expected least of all was that after carefully reading the three evolution paths four or five times, no matter how he looked at it, the Nightmare Evolution seemed incredibly good.

’"Ability attributes? They will be, without a doubt, the strongest."’

’That’s super badass, right?’

’And even the System has to give way to me?’

’I can even create my own quests?!’

’Is there even anything to think about?’

’Even an idiot would know which one to pick, right?’

’But why does this feel so strange...’

Gao Neng read them over again. The Normal and Excellent options both mentioned "daily tasks," which should be similar to the System’s previous quests.

’Could it be that quests I create myself are even harder than the ones the System issues?’

’That doesn’t make any logical sense.’

’It’s obviously a huge trap!’

’Would I really fall for such an obvious trap?’ Gao Neng felt an inexplicable sense of intellectual superiority. ’This dumbass System’s intelligence is really nothing special.’

What kind of person dies the fastest?

Greedy people. They always die the fastest!

Was Gao Neng a greedy person?

Yes!

He was!

Gao Neng’s hand hovered over the Excellent Evolution option, hesitating for a long time.

His subconscious told him that Nightmare looked good, but he absolutely couldn’t choose it. Excellent was the best choice. He could get a second attribute and have a chance at high-level items and skills.

’Lie low and build up my power!’

’Don’t get reckless!’

"I choose Nightmare!" Gao Neng said aloud.

"Please confirm, Host. Do you really wish to select Nightmare Evolution? (Hint: The abilities gained after Nightmare Evolution will far surpass your current level of strength. Once this choice is made, you can never take a step back!)"

"Yes, I’m sure. I choose Nightmare!" Gao Neng repeated.

He was afraid of death.

In fact, he was terrified of it.

But this time, he chose Nightmare with unwavering resolve.

There was no other reason. He just felt that this opportunity was right in front of him, and if he didn’t seize it, he would surely regret it in the future.

Even if he one day stood at the pinnacle of the world, he would look back and wonder...

’Why didn’t I choose Nightmare Evolution back then?’

It was like choosing a life partner. There’s a rich girl and a poor girl. You love the poor one, but choosing the rich one would let you live a better life in the short term.

How would you choose?

If you chose the rich girl, you’d gain material comfort for a while. But one day, when you’ve reached the top, wouldn’t your heart still ache for the one you truly loved?

That was exactly what Gao Neng was thinking right now.

’Nightmare Evolution is obviously the hardest path.’

’But it’s also definitely the best. When the best option is available, why would I settle for something worse?! Even if it’s only a tiny bit worse, it’s still worse!’

"BEEP! The Host has impulsively chosen Nightmare. The System will now commence Extreme Evolution!"

"Evolving..."

"Evolution successful!"

SWOOSH!

The black screen of the System panel gradually brightened.

Gao Neng opened the System’s panel without a moment’s hesitation.

Name: Gao Neng.

Age: 18.

Basic Information: Freshman, Eastern Capital Military Academy, City of Hope.

Vitality: 456/623 (Rating: Excellent).

Stamina: 220/286 (Rating: Excellent).

Talent: Iron 100%, Copper 100%, Tin 100%, Silver 100%, Gold 100%, Phosphorus 100%, Sulfur 100%, Silicon 100%...

Special Abilities: 1. Eye of Deprivation (Beginner). 2. Three Hundred Nursery Rhymes (Intermediate). 3. Lifeform Transformation (Beginner).

Special Skills: 1. Infinite Energy Infusion.

Evolution: 0/10 (Completion).

’My Vitality and Stamina haven’t changed, but how did the Eye of Deprivation go from a trial version to "Beginner"? Is this a benefit of Extreme Evolution? Also... that "Infinite Energy Infusion" I got from the high-level treasure chest has been categorized as a "Special Skill." What’s the difference between a special ability and a special skill? What does that even mean?’

Beyond that, there was the "Evolution: 0/10."

He could understand this part. ’It means the System can evolve again, and the condition is to complete ten quests, right?’

Gao Neng felt his guess was probably correct.

He didn’t immediately check what "Infinite Energy Infusion" did, because he had a nagging feeling. ’After the System’s Extreme Evolution, why does it feel like almost nothing has changed?’

’That’s not right!’

’What about the promised evolution?’

’Wait a minute!’

’There seems to be a number "2" at the bottom?’

’And not just a "2," there’s a "3" as well?!’

’A second attribute?’

Gao Neng immediately clicked on the panel for the second attribute.

And then...

He was dumbfounded.

Second Attribute:

Ore Mining Skill (Proficiency: 100%): Your shovel and pickaxe will perfectly avoid any action that would damage the ore. Any ore you unearth will be perfectly intact.

Ore Identification Skill (Level: Perfect): No ore can escape your eyes. With a single glance, you will know where to find ore.

Energy Material Collection Skill (Proficiency: 100%): Your fingers are perfectly nimble. Any energy materials you gather will not lose a single trace of energy.

Energy Material Identification Skill (Level: Perfect): As long as it has energy, you can sense it. No energy materials can escape your eyes.

Weapon Appraisal Skill (Level: Perfect)...

Glove Appraisal Skill (Level: Perfect)...

Greaves...

...

Energy Pill Manufacturing Technique (Success Rate: 100%): You only need to know the composition of an Energy Pill to manufacture it with a 100% success rate.

Weapon Manufacturing Skill (Success Rate: 100%): You only need to glance at a weapon blueprint to manufacture the weapon on it with a 100% success rate.

Helmet Manufacturing Skill (Success Rate: 100%): You only need to glance at a helmet blueprint to manufacture the helmet on it with a 100% success rate.

Greaves Manufacturing Skill (Success Rate: 100%)...

Boots...

...

Gao Neng was truly a bit stunned.

’Does this mean I’ve become a true master miner now? And the most overpowered part is, I only need a single glance to know where to find ore?!’

’Am I a human ore-detector?’

’And energy materials... Wow, it didn’t leave those out either!’

Moreover, all of his manufacturing skills had a 100% success rate. What did that mean? ’Does this mean I can now perform Alchemy with a pressure cooker?’

’So this is the "second attribute" the System mentioned during the evolution?’

’Extreme Evolution!’

’The abilities really are super strong.’

Gao Neng was quite satisfied.

This evolutionary path could be said to have solved his most pressing problem. He had come to deeply understand that at the Eastern Capital Military Academy, you needed money to get stronger.

And right now, wasn’t this second attribute’s entire purpose to make money?

’I just wonder what’s behind the number "3"...’

His heart pounding with excitement, Gao Neng subconsciously tapped his finger lightly on the number "3".

"What is this thing?!" This time, Gao Neng wasn’t just stunned; he was terrified. The third page of the System panel didn’t have much text.

Just one word.

"Incubation!"

Other than that, the page was completely black.

It was a completely black space, yet it wasn’t static. It was slowly flowing.

It looked a bit like a "black hole," but not quite. A black hole should be a hole, but this third page was a solid expanse of black, like liquid ink.

Most importantly, this inky darkness was truly in motion, shifting slowly like water.

’Incubation?’

’What does that mean?’

’Wait, don’t tell me I fucking grew a uterus?!’ Gao Neng was genuinely panicked by the thing on the third page. If he really "incubated a child," what kind of ridiculous plot twist would that be?

’I, Gao Neng, can actually give birth to children, right?’

"..."

Gao Neng was speechless. He decided to ask the dumbass System.

"System, what does ’Incubation’ on the third page mean? Isn’t there an explanation?"

"..."

There was no reply.

’Did the dumbass System go mute after the Extreme Evolution? No, that’s not right. The System just had a notification tone a moment ago.’

Gao Neng didn’t dwell on it for the time being.

He wanted to check the meaning of the special skill "Infinite Energy Infusion," but another question was making him even more antsy with curiosity.

Creating his own quests!

That was what he most wanted to figure out right now.

’I’ll check out "Infinite Energy Infusion" later. First, I’ve got to try creating a quest!’