Chapter 119

Luo En felt a wave of dizziness as if something were tearing his consciousness apart.

But the sensation vanished in an instant.

When he regained his senses, the two bloods had already fused completely, forming a deeper shade of crimson that emitted a faint golden glow, as though stars glittered within.

Carefully collecting the Chimera blood, Luo En followed the Chimerabloodlineinstinct's instructions and drank it in one gulp.

The moment the blood touched his tongue tip, he felt as though an invisible awl had pierced through his entire body.

A scorching heat surged from his throat to every limb and vein, like thousands of fiery serpents slithering through his bloodstream, burning his skin, bones, and muscles alike.

Gritting his teeth, Luo En clenched his fists until his nails dug deeply into his palms.

The pain exceeded anything he'd imagined, yet he uttered not a single sound, silently enduring the violent reaction of the bloodline fusion.

He felt his first consciousness core—the Chimera dragon's core—undergoing drastic transformation, as if reshaped by an external force.

The core, once a vague mass of flowing mana, began taking a distinct form, radiating searing energy.

The Chimera core was absorbing and refining the Red Serpent Dragon's bloodline data and mana, extracting its essence to forge a new bloodline force unique to Luo En.

The process lasted nearly half an hour, each second an agony.

But as time passed, the pain gradually eased, replaced by a peculiar warmth—a gentle flame flowing through his body, nourishing every cell.

Finally, as the last energy fluctuation settled, Luo En sensed newfound power within—his first consciousness core had successfully replicated the Red Serpent Dragon's bloodline.

【Bloodline Replication Successful!】

【Replicated Bloodline: Red Serpent Dragon (Dragon Head Core)】

【Foundational Attribute Boost:

Physique 2.5→2.7 (+0.2)

Mana 1.4→1.5 (+0.1)】

【Acquired Bloodline Abilities: Light and Heat Affinity, Scale Armor Protection】

Luo En exhaled deeply, his sweat-soaked clothes clinging to him.

He glanced at his hands and slowly channeled the new power.

Instantly, his arms were covered in dense, crimson scales, gleaming metallically under candlelight.

The scales mirrored Andie's almost perfectly, yet subtly different—Luo En's had smoother edges, meticulously aligned like a crafted masterpiece.

When he tried condensing flames, the distinction became clearer:

The crimson fire in his palm was purer, nearly transparent gold-red, unlike Andie's murky mix of dark red and black impurities.

The flames' shape was more controlled, morphing precisely to his will.

"Fascinating…" Luo En murmured, studying the fire in his palm.

"My elemental control surpasses Andie's—probably due to Solara's Blessing. But…"

Testing his scaled hand's strength by crushing a stone, he found it effortless. However, this merely reflected his already high physical base. Comparing raw physical augmentation, Andie's was stronger.

"Seems replication isn't literal—it adapts to one's traits."

Luo En mused, "My spiritual energy is superior, giving me an edge in mana control. Andie's physique peaks across all attributes, excelling in physical enhancements."

Bloodline replication wasn't mere copying—it merged with the user's traits to create unique expressions. Even identical bloodlines could manifest differently.

"Still impressive for my first attempt. The effects exceed expectations."

Nodding in satisfaction, he pondered how to utilize this newfound power more effectively.

Moreover, the replicated Red Serpent Dragon bloodline exhibited unique growth potential.

Each activation refined and strengthened the power, as though gradually adapting to his body.

If this trend continued, his replicated bloodline might one day surpass the original.

Most surprisingly, when he combined the dragon scales with the Solar Corona Breathing Technique, he discovered a mysterious resonance.

Under the technique's influence, the scales emitted a soft golden glow, significantly enhancing their defensive resilience—capable of even reflecting partial physical attacks.

"This must be the Chimerabloodline's uniqueness", Luo En speculated.

"It doesn't just copy bloodline traits—it can resonate and amplify existing abilities, forming new composite powers."

"Chimerabloodline combined with infinite career slots… perfect synergy."

Gazing at the flickering crimson flame in his palm, ambition gleamed in Luo En's eyes.

After all, this was just the beginning.

Andie's Red Serpent Dragon bloodline was merely the first step. Three more consciousness cores awaited filling.

With sample analysis concluded temporarily, Luo En decided to organize his current status and future plans—a habit he'd cultivated to maintain systematic clarity.

"Let's review my current abilities."

Closing his eyes, Luo En mentally expanded his meticulously constructed Memory Library—an unexpected benefit from The Murmuring of the Star Devourer.

His spirit sea had become vaster and deeper than ordinary apprentices, with a more complex, precise cognitive structure.

Within this grand memory palace, every knowledge fragment and skill had its designated place.

Spiritual energy-condensed "books" lined orderly shelves—data records of his abilities and growth.

His consciousness navigated the intangible library, locating the personal growth section.

He touched a crystalline "book" of spiritual energy, its contents instantly materializing in his mind.

His attributes and skills clearly fell into three categories:

Mage path (blue-violet aura), knights path (crimson-gold glow), and auxiliary professions like Potion Master (emerald-green shimmer).

Each occupied a dedicated area in the library, marked by distinct "lights."

Spirit consciousness reviewing these records, Luo En nodded in satisfaction—clear documentation of his progress.

Compared to months ago when he barely ascended to Elementary Apprentice, his growth was staggering.

"Still a long road ahead."

At the library's center, he'd constructed a refined planning hall, prioritizing near-term action plans.

First: Intermediate Apprentice Certification.

Tomorrow's visit to the Central Hall would formalize his Backup Mage Sequence membership, granting greater resources and privileges.

He'd strategically reveal his "Medicinal Body Resonance" Special Innate Talent to explain his rapid progress, carefully wording disclosures to avoid undue attention.

Second: Potion Master Gathering Preparation.

He'd attend Magnus's gathering next Wednesday, preparing improved recipes for exchange and producing 3-5 sample potions to demonstrate his achievements.

Additionally, he'd focus on acquiring Special Bloodline Samples.

Third: Workshop Management Optimization.

He'd teach Ai Lan bookkeeping and inventory management, establishing a complete client archive and regular settlement system.

Expanding workshop equipment, especially alchemy and bloodline research tools.

Fourth: Academic & Study Plans.

Fully commit to the third-stage spiritual energy control and spell construction courses.

Maintain steady progress in alchemy and elemental affinity courses, aiming for advanced qualification within one or two months.

Lastly: Bloodline Research.

Next month, contact the Slave Merchant to purchase exotic race embryos for preliminary bloodline formula experiments, continuing to refine Chimera bloodline fusion research.

Opening his eyes, Luo En emerged from deep meditation.

This efficient planning in the Memory Library was a mage's hallmark—calm, rational, systematic, and comprehensive.

Actually, the immediate challenge was spirit pollution.

Though the pocket watch recently cleared a pollution incident, long-term threats remained unavoidable.

He'd created a new library section dedicated to countermeasures—researching advanced pocket watch methods, expanding "Boon" acquisition channels, developing purification potions.

"Must prioritize discovering the pocket watch's advanced techniques", he muttered, gazing at the Silver Pocket Watch.

This mysterious artifact had saved him multiple times, but as spirit pollution deepened, its purifying power seemed increasingly strained.

Mastering its evolution would undoubtedly resolve his greatest vulnerability.

But other matters awaited.

Calling the tree spirit, "Ai Lan, come here."

The tree spirit glided beside him, nodding.

"Master… need… what?" Ai Lan laboriously assembled characters on her writing board.

"I want to teach you financial management", Luo En said gently.

"The workshop grows larger, with more orders. I need you handling daily accounts and inventory records."

Ai Lan's eyes brightened, her vines trembling slightly with excitement.

"Want to learn… help master…"

Nodding, Luo En presented a blank ledger and several orders.

"We'll start foundational—this is order amount, material cost. The difference is profit…"

For the next hour, he patiently taught basic accounting and inventory methods.

To his surprise, Ai Lan learned rapidly, grasping concepts instantly.

"You're quick to learn, Ai Lan."

"Want… help master", the tree spirit's words were simple yet heartfelt. "Master… gave new life…"

Watching the verdant glow in Ai Lan's eyes, Luo En recognized her hunger—not just for knowledge, but for growth.

The Slave Mark ensured loyalty, but her true drive stemmed from valuing her new life and yearning for bloodline evolution—a symbiotic relationship.

"Ah, Ai Lan—another matter", Luo En continued.

"Tomorrow I go to the Central Hall for Intermediate Apprentice certification. During my absence, the workshop's in your care."

"Understood… will manage everything", Ai Lan nodded solemnly.

"Good." Luo En smiled.

"Upon certification, I'll officially join the Backup Mage Sequence. Our workshop will gain greater resources and rights."

Ai Lan seemed to understand "Mage", her eyes flashing reverence.

"Master is strong… will become true mage…"

Luo En smiled, not denying the premonition.

Becoming a Full Mage was a goal, but far from the final destination.

Beyond the mage path, he valued the infinite possibilities of multidimensional growth.

"Mage, knights, Potion Master—each path holds unique value", he mused.

"My strength lies in fusing these seemingly disparate paths."

As sunlight slanted westward, Luo En stood by the window, his gaze piercing Black Mist Jungle's fog toward a broader world.

Distantly, the "Central Fertile Lands" and "Crystal Spire" awaited.

Beyond lay the Abyssal Continent Cluster—mentioned only in archival records—as well as countless other worlds and arcane mysteries.

Endless exploration beckoned, and within him burned infinite yearning.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end