What would it be like to possess two consciousnesses? Yang Ying now understood: under normal circumstances, having a clone was no different from not having one. The clone could merge with the original, becoming indistinguishable, their thoughts sharing the same root. The clone inherently thought based on the original; whatever the original thought, the clone followed. Unless the original was lost, the clone could never develop an independent consciousness.

The simplest application of the clone was multitasking. So, Yang Ying let his clone experience various aspects of his being while the original turned to Katerina: "Does your hand still hurt?"

Katerina shook her head, smiling. "It healed long ago."

"Don't do such foolish things again," Yang Ying said seriously.

Katerina nodded gently and obediently.

As for Grimorun and Baal, Yang Ying and Katerina had long treated them as non-existent.

"Go get some sleep. You haven't closed your eyes for nearly two days and nights taking care of this clone," Yang Ying urged.

"Since it's already been two days and a night, twelve more hours won't make a difference," Katerina replied, clearly having already calculated the exact time needed for the clone to fully mature in the cultivation tank.

"Then I'll stay with you," Yang Ying said when he saw her stubbornness. There was no other way.

Facing the clone, which had just reached the state of a four or five-year-old, Yang Ying paused, then walked to the control panel and typed in a string of commands.

"Sir, what are you doing?"

"I need to use the cosmetic surgery system. After all, the clone isn't meant to be a stand-in. He's going to charge into battle later; he can't just continue to carry Yang Ying's name. I'll give him a new identity, a new appearance."

As Yang Ying spoke, he activated the cosmetic surgery system. A holographic image of a human head model appeared before him.

The cosmetic surgery system allowed for either random appearance generation or customization using a 3D drawing program. Yang Ying was using customization at this moment.

He pulled up the database, selecting the desired modules for eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, and adding them to the head model.

He already had a finished result in mind: his appearance from five hundred years ago. Although the exact record of his past life was surely lost—probably having turned to dust in some forgotten corner centuries ago—Yang Ying remembered his previous appearance clearly.

Once the settings were complete, Yang Ying initiated the cosmetic procedure.

Several metal filaments descended from above the cultivation tank, piercing the clone's facial skin. These were computer-controlled micro-needles capable of injecting growth hormones or growth-inhibiting hormones beneath the skin to fine-tune the growth of the facial skin, muscles, and bone structure, naturally forming a different face.

Of course, this technique was only viable during a period of growth and development. If used on an adult, it would only cause facial swelling.

After completing all these steps, Yang Ying willed his clone to enter the clone body and experience the process of rapid maturation.

Then, time flowed by in tranquility.

The clone gradually developed into an adult male, his features identical to those of Yang Ying five hundred years prior. Katerina’s face flushed deep red; she couldn't bear to look.

On the display screen beside the cultivation tank, a progress bar instantly jumped from 99.9% to 100%.

The clone's eyes snapped open, and a voice echoed in everyone's ears: "Time's up!"

This was the mind-link used by Yang Ying's clone.

Immediately, several channels at the bottom of the cultivation tank opened, draining the cultivation fluid. The liquid level gradually receded, revealing the clone.

Once the drainage was complete, the tank walls retracted upwards. The mechanisms securing the clone—now rightly called Yang Ying’s clone—released. He walked straight out and stood before Yang Ying, nodding once.

Yang Ying gestured to the side where a towel and a complete set of casual clothing had been prepared next to the cultivation tank.

Yang Ying's clone took the towel and dried his body. His movements were slightly uncoordinated, a fact he immediately noticed. "It will take me a few minutes to get used to this body," he said.

"Let's go outside; there's more space," the original Yang Ying stated.

The clone nodded and, after dressing, walked out of the barracks.

Reaching the open area outside, the clone performed several stretching motions to familiarize himself with the body's motor functions.

The others followed.

After a few movements, Clone Yang Ying's actions became coordinated.

"Next, I need to test the special characteristics of this cloned body. This idea occurred to me while adding the Zerg genes," Clone Yang Ying announced.

Then, he took off his shirt, shouted, and his skin immediately began to undulate rhythmically, as if something was writhing beneath the surface. Simultaneously, his bones emitted a creaking sound, as if undergoing violent proliferation.

Specifically, two large bulges rose on the clone's back.

Seconds later, a pair of pitch-black wings sprouted from those two bulges. To call them wings might be imprecise, as they were composed entirely of bone—perhaps better termed 'bone-wings.' They lacked feathers or membranes for propulsion, looking instead like two razor-sharp claws, their tips gleaming menacingly, clearly possessing extreme sharpness.

Even after the bone-wings extended, the clone's transformation was not complete. Black bio-armor erupted from his entire body, resembling a collection of an exoskeleton, enveloping the clone's form.

The armor layer covered the clone entirely, leaving only the face exposed, while the exoskeleton reinforced crucial vital areas.

This armor material was perfectly organic, possessing smooth lines and a lustrous sheen unlike metal, yet its hardness surpassed alloy steel!

The exoskeleton also formed spikes at various joints, and bone blades materialized at both elbows. His fingernails lengthened considerably as well.

Once the transformation was complete, the clone appeared as a being perfectly engineered for slaughter, radiating both power and terrible beauty.

"The blueprint for this clone is the legendary Queen of Blades, possessing a Terran body, Zerg armor, plus psychic power—almost a perfect fusion of the three races. However," Yang Ying smiled, "I have no intention of sex change, so this clone should have a new name. Let's call him the Blade Emperor."

"Omniscient and Omnipotent Master, that is indeed a magnificent name," Baal sang loudly via mind-link.

The others had no objections, so the clone’s name, Blade Emperor, was settled.

"Calling myself that name constantly would be too ostentatious. Just call me Blade for short."

Blade spoke, then walked before the group, gradually retracting the exoskeleton and bio-armor back into his skin. He returned to his original appearance.

"Very good, Blade. From now on, the task of charging into battle falls to you. Of course, since you are me, it’s no different than if I went to the battlefield myself," Yang Ying said, clapping Blade on the shoulder.

"Mhm," Blade nodded. "This feeling is quite marvelous. I was patted on the shoulder by another version of myself."

The group then accompanied Blade through several more routines. As time passed, Blade's movements became increasingly fluid, and he could even wield a lightsaber to perform a set of basic Psi-Blade techniques.

Seeing that Blade had adapted, Yang Ying bid farewell to Grimorun and Baal, then left the floating continent with Blade and Katerina.

As soon as the trio returned to the command room, Yang Ying immediately urged Katerina to sleep, as she was exhausted from two days and two nights without rest.

After seeing Katerina off, Yang Ying immediately summoned Kalia.

Kalia entered the command room, saw Blade instantly, and asked Yang Ying, "Sir, is this your cloned avatar?"

"Yes," Yang Ying introduced Blade to Kalia, then added, "Although he is a clone, Blade is identical to me in terms of thought. You can treat him as if he were me."

Blade gave Kalia a slight nod. "I can't wait to see Grey Harbor. Robin has already left for Ceres, but he hasn't arrived yet. Still, appoint him as the representative for the Trance Mercenary Corps at the Mercenary Alliance first. That identity will be perfectly suited for negotiating with Commissioner Andre of the Caesar Mercenary Corps."

"I understand, Commander Blade. I will arrange it immediately." Kalia showed Blade the same deference she showed Yang Ying.

"Call him Colonel. Blade needs an official cover identity," Yang Ying instructed.

"Yes," Kalia confirmed.

"Also, prepare a transport ship for me. I can’t wait to get to Grey Harbor," Blade said with a smile.

"Understood." Kalia saluted and withdrew.

Blade wasted no further time and headed directly toward the hangar.

Yang Ying and Blade required no formalities; they were one person. Since Blade had nothing else to do at the base, he was permitted to proceed directly to his new post in Grey Harbor.

Six hours later, Blade stepped onto the ground of Grey Harbor.

During this time, Kalia had finalized all the arrangements. Everyone in Grey Harbor now knew that the city's highest commander had been replaced by someone named Blade.

No one in Grey Harbor had ever heard of Blade, but this did not dampen their enthusiasm.

When Blade emerged from the port, a grand welcoming ceremony awaited him.

It took another two hours before he reached the Grey Harbor Administrative Office.

The office had already moved out of the cramped little building they previously occupied. The new office was a forty-story skyscraper in the city center, boasting protective measures ten times superior to the old small house.

As he walked through the main entrance, a Ghost Agent greeted him: "Colonel Blade, there is someone here claiming to be from the Caribbean Pirates. He wishes to see the highest officer of Grey Harbor."

"Oh? How long has he been here?" Blade inquired.

The Ghost Agent checked his watch. "He arrived twenty-six minutes ago."

"Did he say why he was here?" Blade asked. Herman had once served under the Caribbean Pirates, so this group had some history of animosity with him.

"He said he is here to deliver intelligence—intelligence vital to his life," the Ghost Agent replied.

"Take me to him," Blade commanded.

"Please follow me. He is in Conference Room Two," the Ghost Agent said.

Requesting monthly passes and recommendation tickets!