Chapter 72: Intermediate Extrahuman

Ji Xinghuo immediately stopped shooting arrows and stood still.

He had gone through one evolution but this was his second. It was triggered by an accumulation of star power which differed from his first evolution, where he had to merge with a different species to obtain star power.

The first clarity he noticed was increasing.

Ether affinity allowed him to see the ether energy reactions around him. It seemed to boil and rushed toward his body, growing more intense and widespread.

Ji Xinghuo opened the Wanxiang Star Pupil interface. The human virtual image on the right was blinking; every symbiote inside him shimmered with a faint glow.

“During life evolution, abilities also get enhanced.”

“There’s even a certain chance to advance.”

Thinking this, he looked at the capability information on the left side of the interface. Just then, the progress of Thousand Clever Hands had increased slightly, changing to (Level 3, 2/1117).

“It really did increase.”

Ji Xinghuo was a bit surprised but not too much.

Apart from himself, other extrahumans couldn’t use mental source energy to boost their abilities. Their only option was more practice, but relying purely on training was too inefficient. Many had to hope for life evolution, expecting an ability boost during promotions.

Soon, Ji Xinghuo saw his 【Star Power】 also rise by a bit, reaching 278.

More and more ether energy surged into his body.

In the interface, the human virtual image showed countless tiny light points moving freely within his body. The number and density of these points were increasing and spreading throughout his body.

These light points were star power.

Gradually, the star power increased to 279, 280, 281… minutes later, it broke through 300 and continued to rise.

Ji Xinghuo stood still, feeling completely refreshed. From skin to flesh, from bones to organs, trillions of cells throughout his body were nourished by energy, becoming robust and more functional, climbing towards a higher form of life.

He closed his eyes, thinking: “This is life evolution!”

Every evolution represents a qualitative leap in the life’s essence, achieving a higher level.

Although by the standards of the Star Realm nations, this was just an advancement from level one to two, still at an early stage, the sensation of self-ascension fulfilled Ji Xinghuo both physically and mentally, a feeling he would never forget and tirelessly pursue in the future.

Nothing could be more exhilarating than this!

Ji Xinghuo was immersed in this sensation until the surrounding ether energy gradually subsided, and the virtual human image in the interface stopped blinking.

The evolution was complete.

The Wanxiang Star Pupil interface information also stopped updating and stabilized.

【Wanxiang Star Pupil’s Master: Ji Xinghuo】

【Species: Earth Human】

【Rank: Intermediate Extrahuman】

【Star Power: 347/347】

【Abilities: Thousand Clever Hands (Level 3, 102/1117), Rotating Magnetic Field (Level 2, 56/1699), Ether Affinity (Level 3, 197/1439)】

【Mental Source Energy: 0】

Ji Xinghuo compared the data before and after evolution.

This time, as an intermediate extrahuman, his star power had increased by 70 points. Although the percentage increase seemed small, the absolute number was significant.

He had predicted that the average star power increase for an extrahuman’s second evolution was about 30-35 points, but his had doubled, even on the basis of already profound initial star power. This laid a more solid foundation for his third evolution.

Life evolution is like building; the foundation matters. The more solid it is, the better and higher the subsequent evolutions will turn out.

Ji Xinghuo couldn’t know specific star power data for other extrahumans.

He could only estimate from regular interactions. A newly promoted intermediate extrahuman’s star power should be around 150 points, with a margin of error no greater than 20 points.

At the peak of intermediate level, it can range from 240 to 260 points.

Now, his own star power was 347!

“Winning right from the start.”

Ji Xinghuo felt delighted. This advantage was due to him merging with three symbiotes at the junior extrahuman level, including Ether Affinity, which made his star power much higher than others.

He checked the information on his abilities.

All three abilities had experienced slight improvements during this evolution.

Although far from leveling up, this still saved him nearly 200 points of mental source energy, which was an unexpected pleasure.

Next, Ji Xinghuo began adjusting to his evolved body.

His strength, speed, and endurance all enhanced. Bench pressing weight broke through 1200 kilograms. His 400-meter sprint came down to 20 seconds, and a 10,000-meter run took less than 12 minutes.

If he activated the Rotating Magnetic Field, his strength and speed could surge again, comparable to an average super extrahuman!

The quickest physical enhancement for an extrahuman happens from junior to senior level. The first three ranks have no bottlenecks; sufficient star power accumulation can trigger evolution.

But reaching the peak of senior level can’t directly promote to super extrahuman.

Compared to a senior extrahuman, a super extrahuman’s greatest enhancement is the increase and quality change in star power, but at this stage, the enhancement in physical quality isn’t very pronounced. Without strong abilities, the strength and speed are already near the limits of a regular flesh and blood body.

The difference between professional templates and abilities starts to become apparent.

Some non-physical strengthening professions like Beast Masters won’t be much stronger than the current Ji Xinghuo.

That’s why Ji Xinghuo was able to kill that female Beast Master from the Wan Beast Garden with three arrows. Shadow Blade, Ji Zongbang, was the same.

Had it been a physically strong profession, he wouldn’t have had a chance.

“The body is the capital of revolution.”

“Thick blood and high defense make for a good body and a long life!”

“A Hexagonal Warrior is truly the way to go!”

Feeling the strength of his evolved body and combining his experiences, Ji Xinghuo concluded this. If he continued on the path of a ranger, one misstep could lead to the same fate as Ji Zongbang and the female Beast Master.

Upon being promoted to intermediate extrahuman, one can merge with another ability.

Ji Xinghuo was somewhat impatient.

He left the training room and, passing through the garden, saw Ren Mian sitting on a swing reading a book.

Several broad-leaved green plants above her formed a sunshade, blocking the intense sunlight. Nearby was a plant whose leaves could rotate like a windmill, continuously sending her breezes, keeping the swing cool.

Ji Xinghuo was used to this scene.

Ren Mian would take care of the garden for a while every day, occasionally disappearing for a few hours, mostly staying at home reading, painting, and sometimes playing musical instruments. She was proficient in many, including the guzheng, piano, and flute, very talented and highly skilled, but never seen practicing cultivation.

Placed in ancient times, she would be a well-educated young lady, also the kind of stunning beauty who brings disaster.

“Sister Ren,” Ji Xinghuo called out.

Ren Mian’s gaze lifted from the book, glancing at him with surprise, “You advanced?”

“Yes.”

Ji Xinghuo wanted her to be the first to share his joy.

“Not bad, not bad!” Ren Mian examined him seriously, her eyes revealing surprise as she exclaimed, “Your talent truly exceeds expectations. In seven months, you’ve gone from an ordinary person to an intermediate extrahuman. It’s been nearly two hundred years since the star gates opened, and humanity hasn’t seen many progress as fast as you.”

“Without Sister Ren’s cultivation, I couldn’t have advanced this quickly,” Ji Xinghuo sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Ren Mian shook her head with a smile, “It’s your own hard work and talent. I merely gave you a little push with the current. Even without me, you would have shone eventually.”

Though she said this, her face was full of a sense of achievement.

“Let’s go.”

Ren Mian put down her book, “Now that you’ve been promoted, you can merge with another species. Let’s go to the Dragon Lookout Pavilion now. Selina should have the symbiotic species ready.”

The two left together; as usual, Ji Xinghuo rented a large tame wind deer to ride together.

As the wind deer ran, Ji Xinghuo put his hand around Ren Mian’s waist, to which she showed no reaction, seemingly used to it.

They soon reached the Dragon Lookout Pavilion.

Entering the inner mall, it was still as deserted as ever.

Just as they entered Selina’s room, she stood up, delightedly saying, “Ms. Ren, you’ve come at just the right time. The symbiotic species you ordered arrived the day before yesterday.”

Ji Xinghuo was secretly thrilled, though his face remained expressionless.

Ren Mian simply nodded lightly, “That’s convenient. Show it to me.”

Selina brought out a beautifully crafted box and slid it across the table after opening it. Inside was a peculiar looking species resembling a blob of slime. Its color was murky, and it slowly flowed in the small box like a living creature, occasionally emitting a few pungent odors.

“Is this the symbiotic species?” Ji Xinghuo was quite surprised.

He hadn’t seen any information about symbiotic species before, and Olympia had no internet, making information gathering difficult. So, this was his first time seeing one in person.

“Yes, Mr. Ji,” Selina, having met Ji Xinghuo several times, knew his surname and introduced, “This species was acquired by us at a great cost from a symbiotic species company, absolutely genuine, ready for merging anytime.”

“How much?” asked Ren Mian.

“58 million,” Selina said sincerely, “This is our acquisition price. It’s about a 60% markup. Can you accept that, Ms. Ren?”

Ji Xinghuo was shocked by the price.

That meant the original price of the symbiotic species was around 36 million. The markup was huge.

Ren Mian didn’t even frown, “I’ll take it.”

As she spoke, she pulled out seven green fruits resembling apricots from her handbag, all expansion artifacts called Green Sky Fruits, totaling seven.

The Green Sky Fruits rolled around on the table a few times, looking like ordinary fruits to the unaware.

Selina quickly cupped her hands around them to prevent them from rolling off.

“Still the old price, one Green Sky Fruit for 30 million. Two fruits for the symbiotic species. The extra 200,000 is a personal tip for you, and the money for the other five should be transferred to my bank account,” Ren Mian completed the deal swiftly and decisively.

“Okay, the money will be transferred within half an hour,” Selina beamed, “Thank you, Ms. Ren, for your trust in Dragon Lookout Pavilion and for your support.”

These seven Green Sky Fruits, valued at 210 million, but what they could exchange was worth far more than just the money!

She herself would gain substantial benefits.

Ren Mian nodded, took the symbiotic species, and left with Ji Xinghuo. Back at the villa, she handed the box containing the species to Ji Xinghuo, softly saying, “You can try merging now.”

Ji Xinghuo didn’t say many words of thanks.

He lightly touched the species, and suddenly, the interface information appeared before his eyes.

【Species: Symbiotic Species】

【Grade: Beyond Limit】

【Merging Success Rate: 97%】

【Upgradeable: Yes】