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Chapter 15 – A New Avatar
The rift in the sky widened, violet light pulsing like the heartbeat of a giant. Alien roars mingled with pressing whispers, as if the world itself was groaning in pain. Qin still fought at the frontlines, his sword clashing against the gray humanoid's spear and the scythe of the giant insect.
I—the main body—hid beneath the roots of a massive tree. The wounds across my body made every breath feel like being sliced open, but I knew there was only one way forward.
> "I need another Avatar…"
I summoned the panel with my thoughts.
Status – Lu Yuan
Level: 3 (Foundation Realm – Early)
XP: 27 (stored)
Lifespan: 67 years (stable)
Active Avatar: Qin
I gritted my teeth and injected a portion of lifespan into the formation technique. Pain flared instantly in my head, as if something were being torn apart. My genes pulsed, twisted, and then… something began to form.
[Lifespan 67 years - 60 years]
On the mossy ground, life energy condensed into a glowing mist. The mist spun, compressed, and slowly shaped into a human body.
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A Strange Birth
I held my breath.
The body curved gracefully. Long black hair cascaded down to the waist. Skin pale, smooth, unblemished. The face… resembled mine, yet with softer, feminine lines.
A woman.
My eyes widened. "What…?"
For a moment, I felt something unfamiliar. Not just seeing—but actually experiencing her body from within, since she and I shared the same consciousness. The chest that rose differently when breathing, the softer skin, the unfamiliar balance of the body.
I choked.
> "Don't tell me… my technique forms Avatars through genetic mutation…"
The answer was already within me: yes. The genetic mutation triggered by lifespan injection did not always produce a perfect copy. This was the proof.
But I had no time to dwell on it. The body was born bare, pure, raw.
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The Control Center
"Awaken," I whispered through the link of consciousness.
The woman's eyes opened—deep, pitch-black, like an endless night. She rose at once, without shame, without identity beyond the control I imposed.
[New Avatar Created]
Gender: Female
Ability: space manipulation
Cultivation Path: Not chosen
Level: 1 (Foundation Realm – Early)
Condition: Naked, stable
I drew a long breath.
> "No matter your form… you are me. And right now, I need you on the battlefield."
I felt her body move. Her muscles were supple, light—so different from my main body, wracked with wounds. The sensation nearly made me lose focus, but I forced it aside.
At the front, Qin faltered, the spear almost piercing his chest. I directed the female Avatar forward, leaping out of the mist and seizing a long tree branch as a makeshift weapon.
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A Battlefield Surprise
The gray humanoid turned, its glowing green eyes flashing when it saw the sudden naked female figure charging in. Its spear swung, but Qin seized the opening and struck from the other side.
Our combined assault forced the spear back, buying precious space.
From my hiding place, I allowed myself a thin smile.
> "Yes… with more Avatars, I can turn the tide."
My panel trembled.
[XP +2 stored]
Total XP: 29
Lifespan drained as well from the humanoid's wounded body.
[Lifespan +0.1]
I felt my main body grow slightly lighter. The wounds remained, but my life stretched a little longer.
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End of Chapter
I looked at my female Avatar. She was only a copy, yet her movements were fluid, brimming with potential. The strange sensation lingered in my mind—the feeling of being both man and woman at once.
But right now, only one thing mattered: survival, and using every resource I possessed.
In the sky, the violet rift spread further. New roars echoed out—heavier, more terrifying.
I clenched my teeth.
> "Fine… if this world forces me to forge more blades… then I'll rain blades upon it."
The new battle began—me, my own body… and two Avatars fighting as one.
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