Chapter 153: Hereditary Duke

Chapter 153: Hereditary Duke

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Luo En sat hunched over his distillation apparatus in the second-floor laboratory of the Workshop, his eyes locked on the final drops trickling through the glass coils.

The last droplet of clear amber liquid plopped into the Crystal Bottle, and he exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. With meticulous care, he sealed the bottle shut.

"We finally did it", Luo En murmured, holding the bottle up to the light for inspection. "Lava Drop Dew—perfect replication of the formula."

The liquid shimmered under the light, its viscosity shifting like miniature flames dancing within. This was the essence of its Vitality.

Liliya stood beside him, her face glowing with joy and triumph. "Teacher, we succeeded!"

"Indeed", Luo En smiled, admiration flickering in his eyes. "Thanks to your help."

Over the past weeks, Liliya's progress in alchemy had exceeded all expectations. Her "Diligence Compensates for Inadequacy" innate talent, combined with relentless dedication, had unlocked astonishing potential, particularly her intuitive grasp of potion recipes that proved invaluable to Luo En. It was her suggestion to add a unique stabilizer that finally solved the impurity issue in the Lava Drop Dew.

"Reverse-engineering this formula was far more difficult than I anticipated", Luo En said, flipping through the thick notebook of experimental records on the table. "The sample Andie brought from the royal family was already degraded, with most of its Vitality components broken down."

He turned to a page filled with complex molecular diagrams. "The biggest problem was here—the core Vitality ratio was completely unbalanced, causing instability in our first three attempts."

Liliya nodded solemnly. She vividly remembered the second experiment when flames had nearly consumed the entire laboratory. Only Luo En's quick spellcasting had prevented disaster.

"But now, we've not only restored the formula—we've optimized it", Luo En said, satisfaction in his voice. "Theoretically, this version should be about 20% more effective than the original, with superior stability."

He swirled the bottle. The liquid's fiery particles swirled into a vortex, casting flickering light patterns across the walls. "Now it's time for testing. Go notify Ai Lan—we'll begin the first trial tonight."

Liliya curtsied, her face lit with excitement as she left. This was her first time playing a pivotal role in her teacher's critical research, and the sense of achievement eclipsed any past compliments about her beauty.

Luo En carefully reviewed the formula details once more. The Lava Drop Dew was the key potion for the third stage of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique, and its complexity had exceeded even his expectations.

Three major challenges had emerged during the reconstruction:

First, the royal sample was too aged, with most of its Vitality lost. He'd had to perform multiple extractions and concentrations just to isolate enough active components.

Second, the core ingredient—Solara essence—was an extremely rare material derived from the heart crystal of fire-attribute creatures. Luo En had been forced to use Essence Blood extracted from his own Crimson Blood Sky Dragon bloodline, a process both exhausting and time-consuming.

Third, stability issues plagued the original formula, which seemed tailored for royal bloodlines. Without adjustments, it could cause internal burns in others. Liliya's inspired solution—adding a neutralizer from ice-element creatures—had solved this perfectly.

"Theoretically, this improved Lava Drop Dew should boost bloodline awakening efficiency by about 30%", Luo En muttered, making final notes.

As night fell, the backyard training ground was circled by a special Protective Formation. Luo En sat cross-legged at its center, the glowing Lava Drop Dew bottle resting before him.

With a deep breath, he pulled the cork and took a cautious sip.

The potion ignited like molten lava in his throat, scorching through every vein and muscle. Luo En clenched his teeth, adjusting his breathing rhythm according to the third stage of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique—inhale for nine counts, hold for five, exhale for seven.

The roaring heat gradually steadied, following the breathing pattern as bloodline mana coursed through his meridians. Each pulse left a warm trail, the essence of the third stage—"Bloodline Refinement." Unlike the second stage's focus on awakening, this was about internal transformation, merging the bloodline fully into his being.

He felt the Chimera bloodline's dragon-core activating, crimson mana surging like living fire. Each pulse strengthened his physique incrementally.

"Lava Drop Dew truly works", Luo En confirmed mentally, analyzing the transformation. Compared to ordinary cultivation, the potion's effects were remarkable—smoother mana flow, higher conversion rates, and reduced discomfort during awakening.

After two hours of cultivation, Luo En opened his eyes, exhaling a wisp of red mist.

[Bloodline Awakening Experience Points +1]

[Current Progress: Bloodline Awakening (Entry-Level 45/100)]

"Progress is faster than expected. At this rate, I'll reach proficient level within two months", Luo En thought, sensing a faint stir in his blood. Reaching proficient might unlock a trait related to Bloodline Knights' Life Eruption.

The next morning, as Andie entered the Workshop with his signature elegant smile, Luo En was guiding Liliya through an improved Stimulant Potion.

"Am I interrupting?" Andie asked, his gaze carefully avoiding Liliya.

"Not at all", Luo En said, signaling Liliya to set down her silver spoon. "We just finished."

"His Highness Andie", Liliya curtsied, cheeks slightly pink as she retreated to prepare tea.

"Here I'm just Andie", he waved her off, turning to Luo En with a teasing glint. "You're living well—this year's most beautiful candidate apprentice has become your 'personal assistant.'"

Liliya lingered in the doorway, stealing a glance at her teacher's reaction. Luo En seemed unfazed, discussing alchemical formulas with his friend. A pang of disappointment hit her chest, followed by shame at her own thoughts.

"Teacher treats everyone kindly", she scolded herself, her hands trembling slightly as she brewed the tea. "I shouldn't have such inappropriate feelings."

Yet as the aromatic steam rose, her mind drifted to Luo En's focused gaze during lessons, his patient explanations, and the rare moments he'd looked at her with genuine appreciation. These memories, warm as spring sunlight, slowly melted the ice she'd built around her heart, leaving her yearning for more.

"What's happening to me?"

Liliya sighed softly, arranging the carefully prepared tea and pastries on a delicate tray. She steadied her heartbeat and walked back to the reception room.

"How has the School been lately?" Luo En asked, watching Andie's tired expression.

"A complete mess", Andie shook his head. "Since Aolifu's defection, the Enforcement Team's been scouring Edge Forest daily, but there's still no solid leads."

"What about the pursuit squad?"

Andie's expression darkened.

"All missing. Presumed killed. Their last report mentioned Aolifu had already 'half-Awakened,' displaying some terrifying ability."

The aroma of tea filled the air as Liliya silently entered, placed the tray before them, and retreated to the side.

Andie politely thanked her, lifting the teacup for a sip.

"This tea is excellent—its fragrance is unique", he remarked, glancing at Liliya. "I imagine you've practiced this technique specifically?"

She bowed her head. "Thank you. It's a modified recipe—I've added some special herbs."

Andie nodded with a smile before turning back to Luo En.

"You sure know how to live. Workshop orderly, exquisite tea service, and such a thoughtful, beautiful assistant."

Luo En shook his head, neither confirming nor denying, steering the conversation back.

"Aolifu's defection—has it affected the School?"

Andie's face turned serious immediately.

"Significantly. First, security measures escalated—apprentices' movements are strictly restricted. Second, the investigation into the 'Abyssal Eye' organization has intensified. Several suspects have already been detained."

He paused, voice deepening.

"Worst of all is the human cost. One of the pursuit squad members—Nuo Li Si, you know him..."

Luo En's eyes narrowed. "Nuo Li Si? The Intermediate Apprentice on duty at Enforcement Team under Holtsenior?"

"The very one", Andie nodded, sadness flickering in his eyes. "Though he seemed cold and strict on the surface, he was actually quite protective of newcomers. When I first joined Enforcement Team as a probationary member, he secretly taught me all the rules and nuances."

Luo En recalled the Enforcement Team member who'd helped him multiple times back when he still lived in the probationary Dormitory Area. A pang of sorrow struck him.

The brutality of the Supernatural world felt particularly real in this moment.

"Fate deals its cards", Luo En murmured. His gaze fell on Andie's bandaged arm. "What happened to your arm?"

Andie awkwardly touched the bandage.

"That's actually why I came. I was bitten by a fully mutated Ma Kusi."

"Take that bandage off—now!"

Luo En's voice suddenly sharpened with urgency.

Andie hesitated before slowly unwrapping the cloth. When the final layer peeled away, Luo En's pupils constricted.

The wound had already begun decaying, the skin around it a sickly black-purple, like ink seeping through paper. Most alarming were the black veins slowly crawling upward—they'd reached near his shoulder.

"Damn it!" Luo En shot to his feet. "How could you let it drag on this long? This is clearly spirit pollution manifesting physically!"

Andie stared at his wound in shock. "I thought it was just a regular injury. My bloodline should've healed it quickly."

"Do ordinary wounds turn black like that?"

Luo En swore under his breath before turning to Liliya. "Prepare the laboratory—we need minor surgery."

Liliya sprang into action, her expression professional and calm. "What instruments and potions?"

"Full surgical kit, Bone-Eroding Agent numbers three through seven, vitality restoration potion, and—"

Luo En rattled off a long list. Liliya memorized it instantly and hurried to prepare.

"How bad is it?" Andie's face had gone pale.

"Extremely severe", Luo En stated plainly. "The Ma Kusi was clearly in advanced pollution state. Its saliva and blood contain potent contaminants. You only did basic treatment—pollution already infected your bloodline."

He motioned for Andie to follow. "We need to remove the deeply infected tissue, then purify the wound with specialized potion. The surgery will be painful, but waiting longer would be worse."

The laboratory was soon ready.

Ai Lan joined, her vines ideal for precise operations, proving herself Luo En's capable assistant.

Andie lay on the specialized operating table while Luo En donned sterile gloves. Liliya stood ready to hand instruments.

"This will hurt."

Luo En warned, injecting a numbing potion into Andie's arm. "But I need you conscious to monitor pollution reactions."

Andie gritted his teeth. "Proceed. I can handle it."

The surgery began. Luo En used an advanced technique from his Element Perception—guiding a beam scalpel to peel back the skin, revealing the discolored muscle tissue beneath.

The contamination was worse than expected. Black fluid had seeped deep, nearly reaching the bone.

"Start excision."

Luo En signaled Ai Lan to stabilize the wound, then took a special scalpel glowing with purification energy. Every incision had to be precise—removing all polluted tissue without damaging healthy areas. This required extreme Spiritual Energy Control and anatomical knowledge, both of which Luo En possessed in abundance.

Though numbed, Andie couldn't suppress low groans of pain. His dragonblood physique let him endure more than ordinary pain, but this direct assault on the deepest flesh was unimaginable torment.

"Just a bit more", Luo En focused on the delicate work, hands unwavering. "The worst part's over."

After removing the final contaminated section, the wound looked gruesome—nearly double its original size, revealing red muscle and white bone.

"Critical phase now." Luo En picked up a golden vial—his specially-formulated composite purification potion. "This will eliminate residual pollution while stimulating healthy tissue Regeneration."

Pouring the potion into the wound, golden liquid reacted violently with black residue, producing white smoke. Andie groaned painfully but clenched his teeth, enduring.

The process lasted nearly an hour. Finally, the wound was completely cleaned and coated with specialized Regeneration ointment.

"All done." Luo En exhaled, wrapping Andie's wound. "Pollution cleared, but since you waited too long, permanent scarring will remain."

Andie managed a weak smile. "Compared to death or mutation, a scar's nothing. Thank you, Luo En. You've saved my life again."

Luo En shook his head. "You're too careless. If this had gone another week, pollution would've reached your core bloodline—no Full Mage could save you then. At least you weren't completely stupid coming here..."

He walked to a cabinet, took out three bottles of Lava Drop Dew.

"These are my improved Lava Drop Dew vials. Effects are stronger than standard version. Take them as instructed—it'll accelerate bloodline growth."

Andie stared in shock at the golden-red vials. "Th-this is too valuable!"

"Once your bloodline Awakening reaches certain level, it should repair permanent damage", Luo En said calmly. "Besides, I just followed the recipe. Cost wasn't too high."

He knew Andie had been financially strained lately from his bloodline Awakening's massive appetite.

"I... I don't know how to thank you", Andie's voice choked. "You've saved my life again, and given me such precious potion..."

Luo En smiled, suddenly teasing. "When you become king, make me a count or something. That'll honor the Ralph Family ancestors."

Andie blinked, then replied seriously. "Not just a count. If I ever reach that position, the Ralph Family will be hereditary dukes, second only to the royal family."

Luo En chuckled at his friend's determination. "Too much power might inflate my family's ego. I just want protection for the Ralph Family, a peaceful life."

He paused, half-joking. "Perhaps arrange a marriage between my eldest brother's descendants and your line. That would be even more secure."

Andie laughed, shaking his head. "You always make earth-shattering matters sound so casual."

He looked toward the setting sun outside the window, eyes burning with unprecedented resolve.

"But I'm serious, Luo En. I used to think the throne was too distant, but now..."

The golden-haired youth clenched his fist.

"With a genius like you constantly supporting me, I've started believing—it might not be an impossible dream after all."

Luo En didn't reply. He simply lifted the now-cooled teacup for a sip, moistening his throat.

Everything he did for Andie now was effortless assistance.

No one could predict the future.

But one thing was certain—he believed he'd reach the end, even if it took an extremely long time...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end