The moment Evan heard Shawn Miller’s report, he knew exactly who had visited the store.

  The Organization had found his trail.

  Fortunately, they were only asking questions—they hadn’t dared seize the fourth?tier extract from EvolutionTech.

  Even they weren’t reckless enough to provoke a corporation of that scale over a single vial.

  He hung up and stepped out of the suite.

  Night had already fallen.

  At the front desk of Bluewave Bathhouse, he said calmly, “I’ll be staying a few more days. Renew the private suite.”

  He transferred twenty thousand L?Credits on the spot.

  “And have someone change the sheets. Also, no technicians.”

  The receptionist blinked, then nodded quickly.

  Evan left the bathhouse and took a cab to the nearest LifePharm branch.

  LifePharm had two stores in Blackrock City.

  Unlike EvolutionTech, LifePharm specialized in evolution?related pharmaceuticals—extracts and artifacts were just side products.

  The Physique Digestion Tablets he needed were one of LifePharm’s premium best?sellers, and naturally, the most expensive in their category.

  Evan didn’t hesitate.

  He bought seven or eight bottles, plus several bottles of Strength?Boosting Pills, and registered an anonymous membership card.

  While the card was being processed, he casually chatted with the store manager, asking about Blackrock City’s situation.

  After spending several million in one go, he was treated with the utmost respect.

  The manager answered every question without reservation.

  Half an hour later, Evan left LifePharm satisfied.

  He hadn’t asked Shawn Miller for this information—if Shawn ever betrayed him, the Organization would know everything.

  Better to diversify his sources.

  With the pills, he would fully digest the Scorpionstone Extract in two or three days.

  After that, he needed to leave the Muke Republic immediately.

  His best option was the neighboring Rovan Federation—simply because it was close.

  Blackrock City bordered the Rovan Federation, separated only by the Blackrock Mountains.

  Traveling to any other country would require passing through multiple cities and checkpoints—impossible without a legal identity.

  The official border road is safe, but the Zhao family and the Organization will definitely be watching it.

  If I take that route, I’m walking into a trap.

  Which left only one option:

  Illegal crossing.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He exhaled slowly.

  Illegal crossing meant trekking through the Blackrock Mountains—home to countless beasts.

  There are third?tier beasts in those mountains. Rare, but if I run into one, I’m dead.

  Even second?tier beasts are too much for me right now.

  He needed a team.

  A group to blend into.

  A group that knew the terrain.

  Meanwhile — Blackrock City Outskirts

  The foul?smelling old man who once fought Zhang Fantie now bowed deeply before a figure emerging from the shadows.

  The man stepped into the dim light—mid?thirties, sharp features, handsome even—but his multicolored spiky hair completely ruined the image.

  If Evan saw him, he would recognize him instantly.

  This was the mysterious man who had once met Liam Zhao in Valleycrest City and commissioned him to assassinate Princess Zhu Zhi.

  “Elder Feng,” the old man greeted respectfully.

  “Steward Diel,” Elder Feng replied, voice calm. “Have you found the Zhao family boy?”

  “Not yet,” Diel said. “But I’ve stationed people at the airport, the border highway, and all major exits. I’ve also ordered Spider to conduct a full sweep of Blackrock City. He won’t stay hidden for long.”

  Elder Feng nodded.

  “Good. Every Bloodline Crystal is vital. We cannot afford to lose even one.”

  “We will do our best!” Diel said quickly. “There’s more—Zhao family agents are also searching for Liam Zhao today. They’ve deployed people at every checkpoint. This morning, one of their enforcers received a call and immediately moved to capture him. We feared complications, so we acted early.”

  Elder Feng frowned, scratching his rainbow?colored explosion of hair.

  “Elias Zhao only has one son. Why would the Zhao family suddenly turn on him?”

  He sighed.

  “After I persuaded the boy into accepting the deal, I left Valleycrest City. Capitals are forbidden zones for us—I couldn’t stay long. It seems something interesting happened after I left. A pity I missed the show.”

  “Shall I send someone to investigate Valleycrest City?” Diel asked.

  Elder Feng nodded.

  “Do it.”

  Two Days Later — Bluewave Bathhouse

  To avoid exposure, Evan stayed inside his private suite for two full days.

  Meals were delivered to his door.

  With nonstop medication, he finally finished digesting the Scorpionstone Extract.

  His physical stats had risen again.

  His condition was perfect.

  It was time.

  He lay down on the bed, exhaling slowly.

  Even though he was confident, evolution was still a major threshold—his heart beat a little faster.

  He closed his eyes.

  Evolution didn’t require meditation or special posture—comfort was all that mattered.

  He relaxed completely and focused inward.

  As a mortal?tier lifeform, his evolution force was colorless—just a faint, flickering glow, like a dying bulb.

  Begin.

  At his command, the evolution force stirred, flowing through his body like blood—instinctive, automatic, beyond his control.

  As it circulated, the glow deepened—turning gradually into crimson.

  Crimson evolution light—the mark of Chrysalis?tier.

  His evolution force had transformed.

  But the process wasn’t over.

  The crimson energy continued to roam through his body, and wherever it passed, transformation followed.

  Skin.

  Blood.

  Muscles.

  Fat.

  Bones.

  Every cell underwent rebirth.

  Even his genes were rewritten.

  When the evolution force reached his heart and brain, it lingered—rewriting these core organs with meticulous precision.

  Finally, the crimson light completed its circuit and faded into his body.

  Evan’s eyes snapped open.

  Brilliant.

  Sharp.

  Alive.

  He had evolved.

  Evan has finally stepped into Chrysalis?tier — but evolution is only the beginning.

  Now the real hunt begins.

  If you were Evan, would you risk crossing the Blackrock Mountains… or try to outsmart both factions another way?