Han Wu stepped into the Origin of Mutation’s prison on the eighth floor. The moment he entered, he sensed something watching him. He scanned his surroundings and spotted a strange creature.
Unexpectedly, the Divine Civilization had no record of it. The thing resembled the tentacles of the black octopus and squirmed like a maggot, its rubbery body disturbingly tough and pliant. More unsettling was the faint trace of mental corruption it emitted. Any living being that touched it would fall under its control and become a puppet.
It posed no threat to Han Wu for now, but if the creature evolved into a High Lord life form, it could actually affect him. He realized that this was a new creation born from the Origin of Mutation’s Life Creation, the last Skill it had acquired.
A cold chuckle echoed from the shadows. The Origin of Mutation emerged, bearing Han Wu’s own face and body. After so long, it had become even more proficient in its art. “Ah, you’re here! What do you think of my cute little creations? I call them Viral Maggots.”
Han Wu shook his head. “These creatures don’t belong in my divine realm. They must be eradicated.”
With a wave of his authority, he wiped out every Viral Maggot on the floor.
The Origin of Mutation showed no reaction. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve already encoded the Viral Maggot’s data into my genes. Once I gather the necessary resources, I can make them again.”
Han Wu said nothing. He had once wielded the powers of the Origin of Mutation himself and knew just how uncontrollable it could become.
In the end, Han Wu said, “I order you to stop creating these dangerous beings. Do you understand?”
The Origin of Mutation chuckled. “Of course. I am but your prisoner. My life and death hang by your will alone. But remember, though you’ve separated me from your body, our Life Energy remains linked. If anything happens to me, you will suffer as well.”
“Are you threatening me? What do you want?” he demanded.
Han Wu had gained significant power when he first merged with the Origin of Mutation. It had even helped him survive several life-threatening crises. Still, the deeper his understanding grew, the more he grasped its terrifying nature. Its danger didn’t lie in raw strength, but in its unpredictability and the fact that it couldn’t be controlled.
The Origin of Mutation consistently exploited Han Wu’s authority, draining his Divine Essence to upgrade itself. Once it evolved, it acted on instinct, mutating everything around it in unpredictable ways. Those caught in its influence mutated into something wholly unexpected.
At first, Han Wu believed he controlled the Origin of Mutation. But as it evolved, he realized he had become part of its design. If left unchecked, the Origin of Mutation could seize his entire divine realm and enslave him in turn. Recognizing the threat, Han Wu wielded the power of the titles to expel it from his body and free himself. Thankfully, he had succeeded.
The Origin of Mutation sneered, “Me? What could I do? What do I want? I’m just a Supergene Soldier, separated from my vessel and currently imprisoned.”
To Han Wu, the Origin of Mutation was both precious and dangerous. Losing it was not an option. “I wouldn’t have to imprison you if you were more cooperative.”
“Then would you reward me for cooperating? Maybe some resources for my research?” It put on a sad face, trying to guilt-trip Han Wu.
Han Wu hesitated when he saw his clone pull that expression. After all, the Origin of Mutation was technically part of him. Maybe he didn’t need to be so strict with it. That thought slipped unbidden into his mind.
He relented. “Fine, but the creatures you research cannot leave the eighth floor, or I will destroy them again.”
The Origin of Mutation chuckled like a child receiving a new toy. “Yay! Thank you, my dear vessel.”
With that, Han Wu left the eighth floor.
The Origin of Mutation dropped its facade and glared fiercely at the spot where Han Wu had just stood. “The Viral Maggots’ effect worked. Turning the mental corruption into mental hypnosis was the right call. It won’t be long before I escape this palace.”
As Han Wu exited the Sky Palace, he shook his head. Something felt wrong with his body. He examined himself carefully but found no obvious issues. Before continuing to issue orders in his divine realm, he informed Steely that he had destroyed all the Viral Maggots.
The Tigermen and Epistians, highly intelligent, took on the role of teachers. They guided the humanoid Locustmen in building a city designed for their kind. The city thrived with Locustmen culture and became a safe haven for newly hatched locusts to grow and thrive.
Meanwhile, the half-dragons threw themselves into researching Primalize with relentless fervor. Soon, three of them transformed into Great Dragons wielding the power of lightning.
Their transformation drew attention not only from Han Wu but also from the black dragon Alpheus, who rejoiced above all.
Han Wu had nurtured Alpheus until he became a High Lord life form. At this rank, Alpheus possessed strength comparable to that of ordinary King life forms. Yet, despite his power, he faced a personal dilemma during his growth: his troubled love life.
In the books, Great Dragons were often recorded as prolific lovers, giving rise to many dragon subspecies and even half-dragons. The enormous Alpheus had not yet mastered the ability to transform into a humanoid form. If he wanted to satisfy his urges, he could only look for the giant locusts that Han Wu had nurtured.
Unfortunately, they were too hideous for Alpheus’s taste, so he had been enduring his desires in silence. That changed the moment he first saw the female half-dragon that had successfully ascended to a lightning Great Dragon. He immediately claimed her as his own.
The half-dragons revered the Great Dragons’ bloodline, so she gladly accepted him as a partner. It wasn’t long before the third half-dragon became a Great Dragon—a female as well. Alpheus gladly welcomed her into his growing harem.
Han Wu didn’t know whether to be amused or annoyed. He felt Alpheus should have at least left one of them for the half-dragons. If not, there would come a day when too many single male dragons banded together and ganged up on him. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help looking forward to seeing what kind of offspring a black dragon and a lightning dragon would produce.
He was even toying with the idea of organizing an army of Great Dragons in the future when Qin Shuang called him. He picked up the call and heard her soft, hesitant voice. “Han Wu, I am returning to my old house in a couple of days. Would you like to tag along?”