Inside his body, at the microscopic level, the transformation was even more dramatic.
The energy invaded him down to his very DNA, flowing into every single cell. It reached the nucleus of each cell where his genetic code was stored and began fundantally rewriting it.
His genes were being edited and completely rewritten. His cells were being altered from normal human cells into sothing similar but far superior.
Human cells normally have 46 chromosos arranged in 23 pairs. Vogue’s cells began developing 48 chromosos, with the additional pair containing entirely new genetic information that enhanced every biological function.
The mitochondria—the powerhouses of each cell—doubled in number and increased in efficiency. Each mitochondria began producing three tis the normal amount of ATP energy while requiring the sa amount of fuel.
The cell mbranes beca more selective and efficient, able to absorb nutrients faster while blocking toxins more effectively. The cells beca more resistant to damage from radiation, heat, cold, and physical trauma.
The telores at the ends of his chromosos, which normally shortened with age, actually lengthened and beca reinforced. This ant his cells could divide many more tis before reaching their limit, dramatically extending his potential lifespan.
Most dramatically, half of his double-helix DNA structures suddenly shattered into fragnts, the bonds between base pairs breaking apart. But instead of causing damage, this was intentional.
The fragnts began reconstructing themselves, but this ti they rged together to form complete triple-helix DNA structures instead of the normal double helix. The third strand wove itself between the existing two strands, creating a more stable and information-dense genetic structure.
This triple-helix DNA could store significantly more genetic information and was far more resistant to mutation and damage.
The white light inside Vogue’s body grew so bright that it beca difficult to look at him directly. His skin began developing cracks all over, hairline fractures spreading across his face, his arms, his chest. The light leaked through the cracks like he was a container that could barely hold the power being forced into it.
Outside the corporate building, the sky above suddenly darkened dramatically even though the four suns had just risen.
Dark storm clouds gathered from nowhere, swirling together and blotting out the sunlight within seconds. The clouds ford a massive spiral directly above the building where Vogue was evolving, centered perfectly on his location.
Thunder began rumbling through the sky, deep booming sounds that made the ground tremble and windows rattle throughout the entire district.
The few remaining players who were still alive and scattered throughout the city all noticed the sudden change in weather. They looked up at the unnatural storm with confusion and alarm.
Those who were more knowledgeable about the secrets of the Osympic Trial knew exactly what this phenonon ant.
One player, a young man with gray hair who had survived by hiding rather than fighting, stared at the darkening sky with wide eyes and whispered in awe.
"Soone is actually undergoing Ultimate Evolution! I didn’t think anyone would make it..."
His companion, a less experienced player who had been traveling with him for safety, looked confused. "What do you an? What’s happening up there?"
The gray-haired player explained in a hushed, reverent tone.
"The Ultimate Evolution is an evolution that goes against the natural order of the heavens themselves. It’s borderline supernatural, granting power that normal humans were never ant to possess. There’s an ancient saying: ’The heavens are jealous of exceptional talents.’ The natural order doesn’t like when soone breaks the rules and achieves sothing that defies fate."
He paused, watching the clouds continue to darken and swirl.
"Therefore, the heavens will send down Nine Heavenly Thunder Dragons to destroy anyone attempting Ultimate Evolution. Each one is stronger than the last."
His voice dropped. "If the person undergoing evolution can survive even three of the Thunder Dragons, they’ve successfully passed the tribulation and the evolution will complete. But most people die on the first or second dragon."
He turned to look at his companion with serious eyes. "It’s said that the highest number of Thunder Dragons ever recorded that an Ultimate Evolution candidate survived was six dragons."
The other player stared wide-eyed at the thunder forming in the clouds above. "Six out of nine... What happens if soone survives all nine?"
"No one knows. It’s never happened in recorded history."
Both players and dozens of others scattered throughout the city all stopped what they were doing to watch the sky above the corporate building.
The dark clouds continued swirling and gathering energy. The thunder grew louder and more frequent. Then, slowly, the accumulated lightning in the clouds began taking shape.
It ford into a massive dragon made entirely of crackling blue electricity. The Thunder Dragon was roughly as thick as a human torso but incredibly long, its serpentine body coiling through the clouds. Its eyes blazed with destructive intent.
Without any warning or buildup, the First Thunder Dragon dove straight down from the sky.
It rushed through the air with a deafening roar of thunder, moving faster than the eye could track. It smashed through the roof of the corporate building, destroying the structure completely, and collided directly with Vogue’s unmoving body.
"BOOM!"
The thunder surged through Vogue’s body like a living thing. Electricity coursed through every nerve, every muscle, every cell. His skin cracked even more severely, deep fissures opening across his body as the destructive energy tried to tear him apart from within.
But inside Vogue’s ntal space, sothing unexpected happened.
There was a sudden dragon roar that echoed through his consciousness. The golden cocoon that contained his Ancient Nine-Headed Primordial Dragon Physique suddenly blazed with light.
The cocoon opened slightly, creating a gap in the golden chains that bound it. Then it began actively absorbing the Thunder Dragon’s energy, drinking it in like water.
The Thunder Dragon that had been rampaging through Vogue’s body suddenly found itself being pulled inexorably toward the cocoon. It roared with what sounded like fear and confusion as it was dragged away from Vogue’s physical body and into his inner world.
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