Chapter 176: Return
Chapter 176: Return
As he placed the purified tissue into the autophagic slime mold, things began spiraling out of control.
At first, the autophagic slime mold smoothly engulfed the tissue, its surface displaying the expected reddish-brown hue.
However, within mere seconds, irregular dark blue spots began forming on the slime’s surface.
The spots spread rapidly, like ink bleeding across white paper.
“This isn’t supposed to happen…” Luo En frowned, adjusting his recording device to capture every detail.
Suddenly, the slime mold’s volume began expanding, its surface colors growing chaotic—blues, purples, and reds intertwining like a miniature storm of colors.
“Stability is plummeting,” Luo En muttered, frantically scribbling notes.
He immediately activated the backup containment barrier, sealing the experimental area.
The moment the barrier activated, the autophagic slime mold emitted a piercing shriek—a high-pitched sound nearly sharp enough to rupture eardrums.
Then, with a thunderous boom, it exploded, splattering against the shield and hissing violently as it struck the barrier.
“First experimental subject failed, exhibiting classic abyssal backlash symptoms,” Luo En calmly recorded, his analytical gaze sharp. “Purification was incomplete, or the slime’s capacity was insufficient.”
Undeterred, he prepared a second autophagic slime mold, adjusting the purification solution’s formula to include more stabilizer.
Yet the next attempt also ended in failure:
The second slime, after consuming the tissue, began violently trembling before abruptly stiffening, its surface crystallizing into a lifeless gray mass.
“Over-stabilization locked down all mana, resulting in vitality loss,” Luo En noted the failure’s details.
The third attempt was even more catastrophic.
After ingesting the tissue, the slime initially displayed the expected color transformation per Luo En’s formulation.
But then it suddenly began contorting violently, twisting into impossible shapes—like a projection of non-Euclidean geometry in three-dimensional space.
Finally, it launched upward, breaching the first containment layer and exploding against the ceiling.
The viscous substance splattered everywhere, some of it beginning to corrode the lab table’s surface.
“Damn it!” Luo En swiftly donned protective gloves, initiating emergency protocols to neutralize the corrosive residue with specialized agents.
The laboratory was left in chaos, nearly every surface stained with faintly abyssal-contaminated organic matter.
Worse still, some remnants began faintly writhing, as if retaining primitive life traits.
“The abyssal structure is far more complex and invasive than I imagined,” Luo En analyzed while handling the cleanup. “Even ‘purified’ tissues retain imprints of abyssal laws within their structure.”
He carefully collected all residue samples into specialized mana-sealing containers to prevent any leaks.
Especially important was protecting Daire—this time, he’d leave no chance for mishaps. Later, he’d personally dispose of these hazardous materials.
“The foundational-type autophagic slime mold’s carrying capacity is too low,” Luo En mused while cleaning the lab. “They can barely withstand Silver-Ring-level bloodlines. Abyssal creatures, even at their outermost layers, are inherently near or at Gold-Ring levels.”
He recalled the high-ranking autophagic slime molds mentioned by the slave merchant—experimental organisms rumored to carry Gold-Ring or higher bloodlines.
“It looks like more resources are needed,” Luo En wrote at the end of his experiment log. “Order several high-tier autophagic slime molds and redesign the experimental approach.”
Still, research was inherently a long-term process.
Even without immediate breakthroughs, this work would significantly aid his mastery of the “Bloodlinemodifier” profession.
As he tidied the lab, Luo En pondered the deeper possibilities of the Bloodlinemodifier path.
As a relatively new profession, “Bloodlinemodifier” traced its origins to the Ancient Alchemist Lans, when Vital Alchemy was considered one of alchemy’s highest realms—dealing with soul manipulation, living body modification, and even the forbidden domain of immortal flesh transformation.
Most of this knowledge was now lost or sealed by Archmage factions.
At a branch like Black Mist School, access to advanced bloodline theory was extremely limited.
“To progress further, I’ll need to seek opportunities at the Central Lands,” Luo En mused. “Crystal Spire’s archives are hundreds of times richer than Black Mist School’s—perhaps there, I’ll find more records about the Ancient Alchemists.”
After finishing the cleanup, he decided to temporarily shelve abyssal tissue research.
Instead, he focused on a more stable and promising direction—cultivating Daire’s bloodline.
The young siren had made astonishing progress over the past few weeks.
Luo En entered the specially designed cultivation chamber, where Daire floated leisurely in the crystal pool.
Her silver hair drifted like soft seaweed in the gentle current.
“Daire, it’s time for dinner,” Luo En called softly.
“Master!” Daire chirped excitedly. “What’s for dinner today?”
Smiling, Luo En retrieved an exquisite crystal bottle containing a unique fluid.
The liquid shimmered pearl-white, with golden specks twinkling inside.
“This is a specially formulated deep-sea essence for you,” Luo En explained. “It incorporates rare deep-sea creature mana traits—it should greatly aid your bloodline purification.”
Daire eagerly took the bottle, sniffed it cautiously, then her eyes lit up.
“So fragrant! It smells just like the ocean!”
“Sip slowly,” Luo En instructed. “This formula requires your bloodline circulation to fully absorb each drop.”
Obediently, Daire sipped delicately, pausing to close her eyes and savor the mana flowing within.
As she consumed the liquid, her skin developed a subtle pearlescent sheen—like moonlight shimmering on the sea’s surface.
Activating his “Insight” trait, Luo En closely observed Daire’s internal changes.
This deep-sea essence was formulated using the siren’s core bloodline as a foundation, enhanced with specialized strengthening factors.
Unlike the risks of abyssal tissue, this homologous strengthening was far safer and more readily accepted by Daire’s body.
“How do you feel?” Luo En asked as Daire finished the last drop.
“Very warm,” Daire replied softly, her eyes still closed as if savoring an inner delight. “There’s a warm current flowing from my throat to my tail tip, then back to my heart.”
Nodding approvingly, Luo En said, “That’s the activation of your bloodline circulation. Next, I need you to practice specific exercises to better control this new mana.”
He placed a specially crafted crystal orb into the cultivation pool.
The orb sank slowly, emitting a faint blue glow.
“Use your abilities to control this crystal orb, guiding it along specific paths through the water.”
He instructed, “No touching—only control the water currents.”
Daire nodded, her expression turning serious.
She extended her hands but didn’t touch the orb, instead moving them gracefully, as if conducting an invisible symphony.
The water immediately responded, forming delicate vortices that gently lifted the crystal orb.
At first, the orb’s movement was unstable, bobbing up and down.
But as Daire’s mana control deepened, the orb’s trajectory became steadily smoother and more precise.
“Excellent,” Luo En encouraged. “Now, increase the difficulty—make the orb draw a perfect spiral in the water.”
Biting her lip, Daire’s cute face scrunched in concentration. This request clearly challenged her.
After several failed attempts, she seemed to find her rhythm.
The crystal orb began tracing an elegant spiral upward, then descending the same path.
“Absolutely brilliant!” Luo En praised. “Your control over the Water Element has surpassed most adult sirens.”
Beaming at the compliment, Daire declared proudly, “Of course! Because I have the best master in the world!”
Luo En gently tousled her hair.
“Your bloodline purity is steadily improving. At this rate, before I head to the Bloodline Altar, you should successfully break through the Gold-Ring threshold.”
“Really?” Daire’s eyes sparkled. “Then I’ll become stronger and better protect Master!”
“Indeed,” Luo En confirmed. “The champion has privileges—the Bloodline Altar permits bringing a ‘companion.’ That’s why the School values this Bloody Arena so intensely, offering significant rewards and changing the rules to a chaotic free-for-all.”
“I’ll become Master’s strongest guardian!” Daire declared confidently, puffing her chest. “No one will ever harm Master again!”
Watching this once near-death creature, Luo En smiled. The “Gluttonous Appetite” trait’s potential exceeded even his initial expectations.
In just half a year, she’d grown powerful enough to rival monsters like Lion Scorpions—a stunning result of “Special Innate Talent” synergizing with bloodline formulation.
“Let’s go to the training ground for more practical exercises,” Luo En suggested. “Let’s see how your Water Element control fares in actual combat.”
Daire gleefully leaped from the pool, droplets arcing beautifully through the air before returning to the water—none touching the ground.
The training ground was an open space Luo En designed specifically for Daire, surrounded by obstacles and moving targets to train her reaction speed and attack precision.
“Today, we’ll try a new exercise,” Luo En said, activating a central mechanism.
“As you know, the Water Element isn’t just for attacks—it’s also for defense and mobility assistance.”
As the mechanism engaged, dozens of sharp wooden spines erupted from the ground and walls, forming a perilous obstacle course.
“You must navigate these without touching any spines,” Luo En explained. “Use the Water Element to create protective barriers or alter your movement trajectory.”
The young siren raised her hands, and water molecules in the air immediately answered her call, condensing into a thin water film enveloping her body.
“Shield, activate!” she declared solemnly, mimicking words she’d heard Luo En mutter before.
Then, she carefully began weaving through the spines.
Whenever approaching a particularly dangerous obstacle, the water film automatically thickened at that point, forming a small barrier.
Her movements grew increasingly fluid, even performing graceful spins and leaps between obstacles, as if performing an aquatic ballet.
Observing Daire’s performance, Luo En recorded key data, his satisfaction evident.
Her Water Element control had reached an exceptionally high level—and was still improving.
“Next, I’d like you to attempt the ‘water-wing gliding’ technique.”
As Luo En prepared to explain the technique’s key points, a sudden surge of life energy erupted from the courtyard direction—strong enough to be clearly perceived even in the training ground.
Both Luo En and Daire turned toward the window in surprise.
“Mama Ai Lan!” Recognizing the mana signature, Daire excitedly tugged Luo En’s hand. “She’s waking up! Master, hurry, let’s go see her!”
Luo En immediately realized—the ancient tree that had slumbered in the courtyard for over half a month was finally awakening.
“Let’s go greet her return.”
Rushing to the courtyard with Daire, they found the ancient tree undergoing a breathtaking transformation.
The entire tree was enveloped in a pale green halo, its light radiating outward to form a soft luminous cocoon.
The bark’s patterns flowed like living script, transforming into intricate, elegant designs.
The canopy’s leaves shimmered, tiny glowing points drifting out like fireflies, dancing in mesmerizing patterns through the air.
“So beautiful…” Daire whispered, her violet-blue eyes reflecting the magical sight.
“Like spirits dancing through the forest.”
Activating his “Transcendent Perception” and “Insight” traits, Luo En closely observed the metamorphosis.
Through his perception, he saw Ai Lan’s internal mana undergoing complete reorganization.
Previously scattered mana nodes connected into a complex, harmonious network, her bloodline purity soaring—likely reaching Gold-Ring standards.
Liliya arrived, astonished.
“Heavens, this is more beautiful than any transcendent creature’s metamorphosis I’ve read about in books.”
As a gentle breeze passed, the tree’s canopy slowly parted, revealing the miracle within:
A golden-green light emerged from the canopy’s center, gradually condensing into a humanoid silhouette.
(End of Chapter)
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