Lin Ke's laboratory became a sterile, high-stakes operating theater. He spent the first hour not on the evolution itself, but on meticulous preparation. He triple-checked the seals on the pet containment pod, calibrated its life-sign monitors, and laid out his equipment with the precision of a surgeon. This was not magic; it was a delicate biological procedure, and any contamination or miscalculation could lead to disaster.
"Alright, little guy," he said softly, placing the Rock Vole into the comfortable, climate-controlled pod. "This is going to feel even stranger than the first time. But I'll be right here. Just trust me and endure it. Your potential is about to be unleashed."
The Rock Vole looked up at him, its eyes a beacon of unwavering trust, and gave a small nod.
Lin Ke sealed the pod and turned to the workbench. He began the procedure. First, he placed the High-Purity Geode into a specialized grinder, which pulverized the shimmering rock into a fine, crystalline powder. He carefully dissolved this powder into the ten vials of Active Cell Culture Medium, creating a nutrient-rich, silvery slurry.
Then came the most critical step. He took the Earthheart Crystal, its amber light pulsing gently, and lowered it into the solution.
The moment the crystal made contact, a powerful reaction occurred. The silvery slurry began to boil without heat, and the Earthheart Crystal dissolved, releasing its ancient, foundational energy. The entire mixture ignited with an intense, blinding amber light, so powerful it filled the entire laboratory.
With a steady hand, Lin Ke used a syringe to draw the luminous, super-charged catalyst and inject it into the pod's intravenous delivery system. The glowing liquid flowed into the Rock Vole's body.
The effect was instantaneous and violent.
The Rock Vole cried out, a sharp squeal of pain as its small body was flooded with an immense wave of energy. Its form was completely enveloped in a cocoon of swirling, earthy light. On the monitor, its life signs went haywire.
[WARNING: Subject's cellular structure is undergoing rapid, high-stress transmutation!]
[WARNING: Energy levels are fluctuating erratically! Probability of genetic sequence collapse: 45% and rising!]
The evolution was becoming unstable. The sheer power of the A-Rank potential was too chaotic for the Rock Vole's E-Rank body to handle on its own.
"I won't let you fail!" Lin Ke gritted his teeth. This was not a passive process; his intervention was part of the experiment.
He placed his hands on the containment pod, closing his eyes and focusing his will. He activated his Soul Pact, not to issue a command, but to project his own mental energy, his own sense of calm and order, into his struggling partner. "Stabilize! Focus the energy on your core! You can control it!"
Through their bond, he could feel his pet's pain and panic. He pushed back with reassurance and unwavering belief. On the monitor, the wildly fluctuating energy readings began to steady. The risk of collapse dropped... 30%... 20%... 10%...
The cocoon of light pulsed one final time, shining with the brilliance of a miniature sun, before cracking. Fissures of light spread across its surface like a spiderweb. Then, with a sound like shattering stone, the cocoon exploded outward in a wave of harmless light and energy.
Lin Ke shielded his eyes. When the light faded, he looked back into the pod, his breath catching in his throat.
The small, palm-sized Rock Vole was gone.
In its place stood a new creature. It was now half a meter tall, its body powerfully built, standing on thick, sturdy legs. Its form was no longer just grayish-brown rock; it was a mosaic of deep, obsidian-like plating and veins of glowing amber that pulsed with a slow, steady rhythm, matching the light of the Earthheart Crystals. Intricate, geometric patterns, like ancient runes, were etched naturally across the armored plates on its back and shoulders. It was a perfect fusion of defense and power, a creature that looked like it had been born from the very core of the planet.
As the creature opened its eyes, they shone not with simple animal instinct, but with a new, deeper intelligence. It looked at Lin Ke, a look of profound connection and gratitude.
The Gene Editor's new profile popped into Lin Ke's vision, confirming his success.
[Evolution Complete.]
[New Individual Name: Terran Titan Vole]
[Attribute: Rock/Earth]
[Rank: C+ (Potential: A)]
[Skills: Tackle, Rock Throw, Advanced Rock Harden, Earth Spike (New), Titan's Will (New - Passive).]
Lin Ke looked at his reborn partner, a wide, triumphant smile spreading across his face. The titan had awakened.