I am the Clone of a Death Row Inmate

Su Ze handed him a pile of storage devices filled with supplies, along with a list of the contents, and waved him away.

Perhaps because the atmosphere in the stronghold was growing increasingly grim and anxiety was spreading like wildfire, Mr. Kang finally posted a message in the group chat that evening.

[Mr. Kang: I know what you’re all worried about, but there’s no need. We’ve received word from headquarters. Reinforcements are on the way and will arrive first thing tomorrow morning!]

The chat fell silent for a long time. No one cheered, no one celebrated. Their worries couldn’t be dispelled by a single, vague statement from Mr. Kang.

Everyone in that chat was at least a Cocoon Stage evolutionary and considered part of the Filth Earth Organization’s core strength. None of them were fools who would be placated by a few reassuring words and disregard the life-or-death situation they were in.

After a long moment, someone finally plucked up the courage to voice the question on everyone’s mind.

[Mr. Diao: Who exactly is in the relief force from headquarters? If Lin Hua Country sends a Legendary-level powerhouse, how are we supposed to deal with that?]

With one person leading the charge, others quickly chimed in to express their own concerns.

[Mr. Li: He’s right, Mr. Kang. If we’re outmatched, we don’t have to force a confrontation. We can make a tactical retreat.]

[Mrs. Sun: I agree. We should live to fight another day!]

Mr. Kang waited until everyone in the chat had finished clamoring before he responded.

[Mr. Kang: The relief force is being led by the Chief himself. And... we have a total of two Legendary-level experts coming to our aid!]

Mr. Kang deliberately left them in suspense.

The chat immediately exploded.

As far as they knew, the organization only had one Legendary-level expert: the Chief. Where did a second one come from?

[Mr. Diao: Two Legendaries? Don’t tell me one of the Grand Elders has advanced?]

[Mr. Kang: Correct. Grand Elder Pulumon successfully completed his sixth evolution a few days ago and advanced to the Legendary level. I only just received the news today myself.]

The news was like a shot in the arm for the members of the Filth Earth Organization, washing away their panic and reigniting their confidence.

In an instant, the oppressive atmosphere in the stronghold vanished. The face of every Defiled One was beaming with excitement.

Their organization actually had two Legendary-level experts! Now they could truly contend with Lin Hua Country!

After all, Lin Hua Country only had three Legendaries, and one of them was rumored to be so old he could barely walk.

With two Legendary-level experts backing them, they would no longer have to hide like rats in a sewer. They could finally operate out in the open.

They could even hold Ancient An Country, occupy it completely, and turn it into their main stronghold.

The Filth Earth Organization’s goal was to forge a nation of only Defiled Ones, where the first extract every sixteen-year-old absorbed was a human one.

After a century of this, only Defiled Ones would remain in the nation.

And now, all the Defiled Ones saw a glimmer of hope. If they could just hold Ancient An Country, they could begin to shape it into their ideal nation.

At that moment, Su Ze stood guard in the empty warehouse, his feelings complicated.

The good news: Pulumon was definitely coming.

The bad news: Pulumon had advanced to the Legendary level.

’Before, even without a surprise attack, I was confident I could defeat or even kill Pulumon. But now that he’s a Legendary-level expert, an ambush is my only option.’

’Only an ambush gives me a chance.’

’As for fighting a Legendary while I’m at a lower level... that would be difficult.’

’If I had enough time and the right conditions to prepare, I might be able to give it a shot. For instance, if I had a crowd of enemies to fully stack the buffs from my Bloodthirsty skill, I might be able to fight Pulumon, who’s only just reached the Legendary level.’

’But I can’t count on having enough enemies and time to stack my buffs every time.’

’Based on my own raw strength, there’s still a gap between me and a Legendary-level expert. Maybe after I absorb the second extract for the Ultimate Venerable Stage, I can try fighting above my rank.’

’I’ll just have to play it by ear.’

’I hope Pulumon doesn’t see through my disguise...’

’I’m currently using the transformation effect that comes with my Liquid Life skill. It can easily fool experts of the same rank, but against a Legendary-level expert, if their Spiritual Power is too strong, there’s a risk of being seen through.’

’Actually, I’m not too worried about Pulumon seeing through it. After all, he’s only just reached the Legendary level, so there’s a limit to how strong his Spiritual Power can be.’

’My main concern is the Chief of the Filth Earth Organization. That mysterious leader has been a Legendary for a long time—a powerful, veteran expert.’

...

Su Ze was on high alert. That night, he even slipped out to have Mr. Ya perform a divination for him.

After confirming there was no danger, he returned to the stronghold and resumed his vigil in the empty warehouse, waiting for Pulumon’s arrival.

He did his best to avoid contact with others, lest he blow his cover.

But unexpectedly, everything remained calm all the way through to the next morning. No powerhouses from Lin Hua Country stormed into Ancient An Country, and the reinforcements from the Filth Earth Organization never arrived.

Just as Su Ze was puzzling over this, someone in the Filth Earth Organization’s chat group brought it up.

Mr. Kang quickly responded, ”Just last night, our branches on the Snowfield Continent and the Flame Emperor Continent were simultaneously raided by the local authorities. Those two continents are clearly in collusion with the Lin Hua Continent. They chose this critical juncture to attack us, aiming to tie down the reinforcements from headquarters.”

Someone asked, ”Does that mean the reinforcements aren’t coming?”

”Don’t worry,” Mr. Kang replied. ”Although the Chief is tied down and might have to hold the fort at headquarters, Grand Elder Pulumon will come to support us at top speed. Besides, we’ve already launched counterattacks on all three continents. The forces from Lin Hua Country didn’t attack today, did they? They’ve probably got their own hands full right about now!”