Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Aztec Tribunal Chronicles

Could the civilization of a species be guided, and what about its physical form? For instance, could one set up several templates in advance, so that the organism would develop according to these predetermined shapes? It was much like placing a square mold over a young watermelon; as it matured, the fruit would naturally take on a square form.

Fang Zhuowei frowned deeply, pondering whether this was truly possible. Yet, after much deliberation, he still couldn’t arrive at a clear conclusion.

After all, the evolution of life was not as simple as growing watermelons. One could only intervene up to a certain extent, and the most defining trait of evolution itself was its inherent unpredictability. This uncertainty was the very foundation of life’s greatness, as deeply rooted as the DNA chains themselves, running through the entire process of evolution, from birth to death, persisting even to the end of life, and being passed on through countless generations.

For now, all he could do was provide the necessary conditions and interfere to some degree in the evolutionary process. He was still far from being able to create any creature he wished at will.

“What if I tried injecting the cells of several different animals into a single spore?” The idea flashed through Fang Zhuowei’s mind, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

According to certain folk legends, the dragon was said to embody the likeness of nine different animals: antlers like a deer, head like a camel, eyes like a rabbit, neck like a snake, belly like a clam-monster, scales like a fish, claws like an eagle, palms like a tiger, and ears like an ox. Each animal signified something: the deer’s gentleness, the camel’s endurance, the rabbit’s agility, the snake’s cunning, the clam-monster’s mystery, the fish’s wealth, the eagle’s acute survival instincts and opportunity, the tiger’s dignity and vitality, and the ox’s loyalty.

In strict terms, the dragon itself was an imaginary being, constructed from the characteristics of many different animals.

“If I want to attempt creating such a creature, then surely I should also try fusing multiple animals together.” The more Fang Zhuowei considered it, the more promising the idea seemed.

Most importantly, the rules for using the essence of evolution he had inherited did permit such an attempt.

However, while some of the animals were straightforward enough, the tiger and especially the clam-monster posed a problem. The latter, in particular, was a mythical beast he’d heard of in ancient texts. According to the “Rites of Zhou,” the clam-monster was described as a giant clam, yet it was far more than that. There were tales of wild pheasants in the mountains transforming into clam-monsters after entering the sea, and eventually, an evolved form emerged: the dragon-clam.

Such a creature didn’t belong to the category of dragons, but rather to the water-dwelling jiao—both were entirely products of fantasy.

“If it’s really impossible, I can leave it out. If need be, I’ll just find something similar as a substitute.” Rubbing his nose, Fang Zhuowei resolved silently.

Taking advantage of the moment, he tidied up the newly prepared farmland from yesterday, clearing away some weeds around the edges.

He had already sown vegetable seeds and watered them, as whether he could eat fresh, safe, and healthy vegetables in the coming days depended on this plot. Naturally, he had to take it seriously.

After finishing, Fang Zhuowei dug out another plot of about a hundred square meters along the ridges.

The first plot was for vegetables; this one, he planned to use for staple grains like wheat and sorghum.

With vegetables secured, he needed something for the main course as well.

As for the king of staples—rice—he was fortunate to be in Wucheng, where the natural environment and terrain were abundant. As long as there was enough water, rice could be grown too.

But rice would mean reclaiming yet another patch of wasteland, and given his current poor health, he was already at his limit managing these plots. He simply didn’t have the extra energy or strength for more at the moment. He’d have to wait until his body improved before considering rice cultivation.

Just then, his phone rang in his pocket.

Fang Zhuowei glanced at it—the delivery had arrived.

He put down his tools and hurried to the front gate.

There were quite a few packages, several large boxes. Most were various “martial arts manuals” he’d bought online, which made up the bulk and were rather heavy. There were also some pairs of athletic shoes and a few gadgets he’d dubbed the “three treasures of civilization.”

After signing, he had barely carried everything inside when another knock sounded at the door.

No time to rest, Fang Zhuowei quickly stepped outside.

Standing there was a robust man in a thin sweater.

“Hello, are you Mr. Fang? I’m from the town’s pet shop. Here’s the spotted mouse you ordered.”

The man spoke politely, carefully lifting a small but finely crafted iron cage from his tricycle.

Fang Zhuowei glanced inside and saw the spotted mouse, huddled in fear, its tiny body quivering, staring at the two men with panicked eyes.

“Thank you,” Fang Zhuowei nodded, a little excited. This little creature was his shortcut to acquiring strength beyond that of ordinary people, at least for now.

He took the cage and, after a careful inspection, paid the remaining balance.

“Thank you for your business, Mr. Fang. We look forward to seeing you again,” the man said with even more warmth.

After watching him leave, Fang Zhuowei immediately carried the cage up the hill behind the house.

Without hesitation, he focused his mind.

In the next moment, a black hole appeared.

A crimson bead of blood shot straight out of the spotted mouse’s body and plunged into the shadowy black hole.

“Deploy,” Fang Zhuowei commanded.

At his word, the spore organism, now fused with the spotted mouse’s cells, was released into the second experimental site—a puddle behind the hill, roughly the size of a basketball.

Unlike the other spores, this one was a rare milky white.

A short while later, the deployment was complete.

After finishing, Fang Zhuowei immediately set the evolutionary process to its highest acceleration. With over a hundred thousand years compressed into mere moments, the civilization of the spotted mouse evolved before his eyes at a visible speed.

The spore would rupture, heal, rupture again, then heal once more, the cycle repeating over and over...

Fortunately, after about half an hour, the spore fused with the spotted mouse’s cells finally stopped breaking apart and healing.

The first stage of evolution was complete.

During this evolutionary history—spanning tens of thousands of years—they had developed the most basic life structures and a primitive form.

These spore creatures inherited some genetic fragments and habits from the spotted mouse. They still moved on all fours.

Yet unlike the original mouse, their forelimbs were much shorter, only a third the length of their hind legs. Moreover, they were completely hairless, their bare bodies cleaner than Fang Zhuowei’s own pockets, looking more like some kind of mutated, furless rat.

To be honest, in terms of appearance alone, these spore creatures—blending the civilization of the spotted mouse—could easily rival the ancient monstrous beings still slumbering at the bottom of the aquarium.