Chapter 131: Formatting

Chapter 131: Formatting

The moment the Shapeshifter finished speaking, a faint smile tugged at Luo En's lips.

Even cornered, his gaze remained as unyielding as ever, showing no trace of panic.

"You copied my abilities."

Luo En slowly straightened his posture, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "But there are things you'll never replicate."

The Shapeshifter scoffed. "Still bluffing when cornered like this? You've exhausted all your tricks. What hidden card could you possibly have left?"

"This."

Luo En swiftly retrieved the Silver Pocket Watch from his robes, pressing its mechanism under the Shapeshifter's stunned gaze.

The black gemstone at the center of the Pocket Watch blazed to life, unleashing a ripple of energy that enveloped Luo En.

[Mana Consumption -3: Reset current injuries]

In an instant, Luo En's wounds vanished as if time itself had reversed, his aura surging back to its peak. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, his entire demeanor shifting.

"The Timekeeper's Pocket Watch... So it fell into your hands after that damned Goblin stole it during my slumber!" The Shapeshifter gasped, its voice cracking with disbelief for the first time. "And you've already partially activated it!"

Before the opponent could react, Luo En lunged forward. His swordplay grew fiercer, each strike half a beat faster and three degrees heavier than before.

The Shapeshifter was forced backward, its expression shifting from amusement to grimness.

"So that's it—the Pocket Watch resets your condition. All these years of research..."

Luo En ignored the remark, flipping his left hand to withdraw a pale red potion from his belt pouch, draining it in one gulp.

The moment the liquid touched his throat, his eyes brightened, his muscles sharpening visibly. His reflexes and strength surged dramatically.

"Enhancement potion?"

The Shapeshifter's expression darkened. It reached for its own potion—only to realize it could mimic actions, but not replicate Luo En's tools.

Mimicking an ironwood sword was already stretching its limits. It hadn't evolved to the point of materializing potions or alchemical substances. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a shapeshifter—it'd be a "Creator."

"You can only copy abilities I've displayed, not my tools", Luo En said coldly. "And even resetting your mimicry takes preparation. I won't give you that chance!"

With a flash of his ironwood sword, he struck at the Shapeshifter's throat.

The creature barely dodged, but Luo En's other hand already hurled two Alchemy Flash Grenades.

The grenades erupted midair, releasing blinding flashes and deafening explosions.

The Shapeshifter had copied Luo En's form and abilities, including sensory systems. The light and sound overwhelmed its perception, staggering its movements.

Seizing the fleeting opening, Luo En darted forward like an arrow. His right sword aimed for the Shapeshifter's heart while his left hand erupted in a golden-red halo, expanding instantly.

"Radiant Halo!"

Though blinded, the Shapeshifter's instincts helped it evade the fatal strike. But the Radiant Halo following the blade pierced through, searing its insides with heat and emitting intense blinding effects.

"Agh!" The Shapeshifter screamed, its silver liquid surface rippling unstablely, parts temporarily liquefying.

Luo En gave no reprieve. From his belt pouch, he retrieved his final potion—"Shadow Peak"—his strongest auxiliary elixir prepared for this mission.

As the liquid burned down his throat, his form blurred. His speed skyrocketed to absurd levels.

Before the Shapeshifter could recover, a storm of sword flashes erupted from all angles, each strike landing precisely on critical points.

"Sound Wave Oscillation!"

Luo En halted abruptly, thrusting his palm forward. A wave of invisible sonic mana smashed into the Shapeshifter.

This time, he channeled nearly all his remaining mana, amplifying the attack to unprecedented intensity.

The Shapeshifter's body twisted under the shockwaves, its silver liquid surface boiling violently. Suddenly, it expanded into a massive sphere before exploding into countless silver fragments, scattering in all directions.

The metal shards moved with eerie sentience, changing trajectories midair to swarm Luo En from all angles.

Luo En raised a rapid defense, but several drops of liquid metal breached his guard, burning his skin with excruciating pain.

Gritting his teeth against the agony, he focused on locating the Shapeshifter's core.

"Radiant Halo!"

This time, the golden-red halo spread faster and stronger, piercing through the Shapeshifter's body.

Intense heat seared every fragment of its being. Mana ripples exploded from within, tearing its silver liquid body into shreds.

With a final roar of defiance, the Shapeshifter collapsed into a puddle of silver liquid on the ground, unable to reform.

Luo En gasped for breath, drenched in sweat.

Staring at the motionless puddle, he cautiously prodded it with his sword tip, confirming the Shapeshifter had lost all vitality.

"It seems I won." His voice was calm, devoid of triumph, heavy with exhaustion.

[Rare Relic "Shapeshifter's Skin" Storage Initiated]

[Storage complete!]

[Please select consciousness reconstruction path:

1. Complete Compliance: Erase all original personality, remold into an utterly obedient tool.

2. Limited Autonomy: Retain basic personality, establish clear behavior boundaries and loyalty parameters.

3. Partnership: Preserve complete personality, establish equal mutualistic symbiosis.]

Luo En studied the options, deep in thought.

The first option was safest but would greatly diminish the relic's Spirit Vitality and potential.

The third carried the highest risk—and reward.

The second was a balanced compromise.

After a near-death battle, he understood the relic's danger. It could read memories, transform, and nearly killed him. Trusting it completely would be reckless.

"I choose the first option." Luo En decided. "Erase all original personality, reshape into an absolutely obedient tool."

It didn't matter. He had no intention of developing its potential. Safety was paramount.

[Selection confirmed: Complete Compliance]

[Reconstruction initiated.]

The Shapeshifter's Skin glowed faintly, its surface patterns transforming as if undergoing reprogramming.

"You can't do this!" The Shapeshifter's liquid silver surged violently, attempting escape.

"Rare relics shouldn't possess wills", Luo En said coldly, operating the interface. "You've betrayed your essence."

The Shapeshifter thrashed violently, splitting into dozens of silver tendrils that lashed out while emitting piercing shrieks.

[Reconstruction progress: 30%]

"I waited centuries! Devoured hundreds of souls! All to break free from bondage!" Its voice brimmed with despair and rage. "I refuse to become a tool again!"

[Reconstruction progress: 85%]

"I've absorbed nearly critical soul mana! Just one final step!"

Its voice distorted. "I could almost taste freedom!"

"Pity. That freedom will never come."

[Self-awareness reconstruction complete]

The Shapeshifter's final struggles faded. The silver puddle flowed obediently toward Luo En, adhering to his skin as an almost imperceptible film.

Luo En felt the relic's complete fusion—pure tool, devoid of will or thought.

The desperate, angry, freedom-craving consciousness had vanished, replaced by foundational programmatic functions.

The process lasted minutes. Luo En sensed the growing connection to the relic.

A cool sensation spread, like donning a second skin perfectly attuned to his body.

[Shapeshifter's Skin attached. Synchronization complete.]

[Current disguise status: Default appearance (Original form)]

[Note: Shapeshifter's Skin consciousness can be edited at any time.]

"I can provide any disguise form, including mimicking aura and partial abilities", the Shapeshifter's voice now echoed in Luo En's mind, devoid of emotional fluctuation.

"Additionally, I can block external spiritual energy detection, safeguarding your secrets."

Luo En tested his willpower, surprised at how easily he changed appearance.

Transforming into Andie, then back to himself—seamless and perfect, even the aura identical.

"Amazing", Luo En muttered. "Better than I imagined."

"Of course, maintaining disguises requires mana." The Shapeshifter explained mechanically. "I'll enter dormant mode to conserve core functions, awakening only when needed."

Meanwhile, the Spirit-controlled Andie regained consciousness, blinking around dazedly.

"What happened?" he asked confusedly. "Why did I suddenly lose awareness?"

Luo En reverted to his original form, approaching Andie.

"The old hag used a Spirit Control spell. We just survived a fierce battle."

"Battle?" Andie looked around, more perplexed. "But this place looks... like a tornado hit it."

Indeed, the pawn shop's interior lay in ruins, fragile items shattered except for the sturdiest.

"Not bad", Luo En smiled. "Most of the fight happened outside the shop."

He quickly fabricated a story, claiming he neutralized the old crone with counter-spiritual energy and obtained Time Sand information.

Andie remained skeptical but accepted the explanation, lacking memory of the lost time.

"Did we get what we needed?"

"Yes."

Luo En produced a small vial. Inside shimmered golden grains—the Time Sand the Shapeshifter provided.

"This is Time Sand. Not much, but sufficient for my research."

"Great!" Andie sighed in relief. "Can we go back? I feel dizzy."

"Of course. Let's return immediately."

Luo En supported Andie, secretly grateful the Spirit Control eliminated the need for explanations.

Leaving the pawn shop, Luo En glanced back.

All valuable items had been packed. Yet in his Perception, the shop still vibrated with a residual mana field, hinting at deeper secrets.

"Perhaps I'll return someday?"

He looked at the mysterious little shop before guiding the dazed Andie out of Lizard Alley.

During the return to the School, Andie remained half-conscious.

Luo En used the time communicating with the Shapeshifter, extracting more Rare Relic intelligence.

As dusk painted the sky upon their return, Luo En escorted Andie to his dorm before heading to his Workshop.

Pushing open the door, Ai Lan was organizing Potion Materials. Seeing Luo En return, her vines swayed as she rushed over.

"Master, welcome back."

Her vine leaves traced characters on her writing board: "You seem exhausted yet excited. Significant gains?"

"Better than expected", Luo En smiled, gently caressing her vines. "I acquired something extremely valuable."

"Rest first?" Ai Lan asked, concerned. "I've prepared dinner and hot tea."

"Thank you, Ai Lan", he said warmly. "I'll visit the laboratory first. I'll return shortly."

He hurried into the lab, securing the door before addressing the Shapeshifter in his mind.

"Now, continue detailing your intelligence."

The Shapeshifter separated from Luo En's body, forming a small humanoid figure on the workbench.

"As per your current core command protocol", it intoned. "I will answer all inquiries without reservation."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end