Chapter 185: "Lion Scorpionization"

Chapter 185: "Lion Scorpionization"

In the dead of night, deep within Workshop's most concealed Meditation Chamber, Luo En sat cross-legged within a formation circle. A ring of extinguished Mana Crystal Lamps surrounded him, their light dormant. Only two sapphire flames burned before him, their glow unwavering despite the windless Environment.

This specially designed Meditation Environment for the second stage of The Murmuring of the Star Devourer maximized external interference resistance while amplifying his spirit Resonance connection with the "Star."

Drawing a deep breath, Luo En cleared his mind and slowly closed his eyes, beginning tonight's meditation practice. Familiar Whispering soon echoed in his consciousness—not the initial terror and resistance he'd felt, but a harmonious coexistence he'd learned through experience.

As his meditation deepened, Luo En's consciousness seemed to detach from his body, floating through an endless cosmic expanse. Countless stars shimmered around him, while something vast and ancient in the distant void appeared to fix its gaze upon him. The sensation was both terrifying and intoxicating, sending shivers through his essence.

The Whisperings reverberated across his consciousness sea, met by the mental barrier constructed through Erosion Sonata. This intricate process guided spiritual energy's flow and accumulation.

[Erosion Sonata (Entry-Level)] Experience Points +1

Time dissolved in this state—whether one hour or three, he couldn't tell. When Luo En finally emerged from meditation, dawn's faint light filtered through the window's crack. But what truly shocked him was the transformation within his body—barely two months since his breakthrough to High Apprentice, his spiritual energy had skyrocketed to an astonishing 4.4 points!

"This growth rate..." Luo En stared at his attribute interface, incredulous. "At least several times faster than the first stage."

This was no ordinary meditation technique, but an accelerated pathway toward higher realms. "The Crown Meditation Technique's entry-level method..." He sensed his surging spiritual energy. "Then what kind of effect would the complete Crown Meditation Technique produce?"

He understood why this technique was strictly restricted. Such rapid spiritual energy growth without protective measures could quickly lead to spirit pollution and loss of control.

Luo En retrieved his Timekeeper Pocket Watch, tracing its surface patterns with gratitude. This Rare Relic had allowed safe passage along this perilous path. Yet when activating its purification program, he noticed an unprecedented mana cost.

[Purification Success: Spirit Pollution Removed] Mana -10

"Consumption keeps increasing..." He frowned.

This meant pollution complexity and intensity grew in tandem with spiritual energy advancement, potentially soon exceeding the pocket watch's single-purification capacity.

"I must accelerate 'Furnace Conceptualization' practice." Luo En resolved. He needed a fundamental pollution solution before reaching critical thresholds. For now, though, he could manage—his priority was maximizing spiritual energy levels before the Bloodline Altar trial.

Leaving the Meditation Chamber, Luo En entered Workshop's main hall. Liliya was already preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, Master", she greeted with a smile, handing him tea. "How was last night's meditation?"

"Beyond expectations", he replied briefly, accepting the steaming cup. "Where are Daire and Ai Lan?"

"Ai Lan went to harvest mountain herbs. Some night-blooming plants require dawn collection." Liliya bustled about. "Daire's still sleeping—yesterday's training exhausted her."

Luo En nodded. While the siren girl's growth was remarkable, her physical stamina and spiritual energy recovery lagged behind adult sirens. Proper rest remained essential.

"I prepared your favorite breakfast." Liliya placed a fragrant dish on the table. "Any special plans today, Master?"

"Same as usual—laboratory work. Just keep my lunch warm." He replied between bites. "Recent discoveries are intriguing—I need further research."

Turning to her, he added, "What about you? Any plans?"

"Organizing the medicine vault, then continuing Basic Alchemy practice", she answered earnestly. "Ai Lan mentioned bringing Biyu Grass—it's crucial for strengthening potion production."

Satisfied with her consistent progress, Luo En nodded. "Good. Come find me if you have questions."

After finishing his tea, he entered the laboratory. A seemingly ordinary wooden puppet lay in the mana-isolation chamber. Retrieving it carefully, he placed it on the central workstation, sensing strange energy fluctuations emanating from within.

Recent weeks of research had revealed new depths about this Abyssal Treasure. The Puppet Substitute could not only replicate appearance and foundational abilities, but also gain traits by absorbing Abyssal Creature tissues.

The initial discovery was accidental. During routine mana testing, he'd placed the Puppet Substitute beside Lion Scorpion tissue samples. To his astonishment, the puppet exhibited unusual activity, seemingly drawn to those tissues.

Detailed mana scans using Transcendent Perception revealed the Puppet Substitute's near-"craving" reaction to Lion Scorpion tissue, recognizing some shared energy fluctuation.

"Puppet Substitute originates from the fourth Abyssal layer, while Lion Scorpions inhabit the third..." Recalling descriptions from the Abyssal Life Compendium, a bold hypothesis formed—perhaps items and creatures from the Abyss shared mutual affinities capable of energy resonance or fusion under certain conditions.

With this theory, Luo En initiated a series of controlled experiments. He began with minimal contact between the Puppet Substitute and Lion Scorpion tissue, gradually increasing exposure while monitoring energy fluctuations and morphological changes.

Today, he planned a bolder experiment—having the Puppet Substitute absorb major Lion Scorpion organs. From the cold storage unit, he retrieved two Preservation Boxes. Inside lay dark-green tissue samples and a still-pulsing heart—the Lion Scorpion's tail venom gland and secondary heart, specially preserved to maintain their Vitality.

"If successful, the Puppet Substitute should gain partial Lion Scorpion abilities." Activating surrounding Protective Formations to contain any accidents, Luo En placed the organs on the puppet's chest.

Within seconds, transformation began—the tissues melted into dark-red liquid, rapidly permeating the puppet. Its surface patterns subtly shifted, lines sharpening into twisted shapes glowing faintly purple.

"Stronger reaction than anticipated..." Luo En meticulously recorded every detail.

After absorption, the puppet's aura had changed. Dangerous, aggressive mana seethed within like a crouching predator.

[Automatic Absorption of Vitality Abyssal Substance] Charging Progress +1%

[Current Mana: 1%/100%]

"This... the puppet can charge itself by absorbing Vitality Abyssal Substance? Unexpected fortune." He felt a thrill. Previously, charging required costly Mana Stones—one stone for 1% charge. Now, Abyssal materials could serve the same purpose.

Still, testing the Puppet Substitute's new capabilities took priority. Luo En funneled minor consciousness into the puppet, activating it. The puppet stood smoothly, movements more fluid than before.

But true surprises followed—when Luo En attempted to access the absorbed venom gland mana...

A razor-sharp tail stinger erupted from the puppet's back, glowing with deadly purple venom.

"Amazing..." Luo En whispered, commanding the puppet to slash its stinger through air, leaving a violet streak.

Further deformation attempts revealed astonishing adaptability—the entire structure had become remarkably malleable. Not just the tail, but limbs could strengthen dramatically, facial features partially morphing to display bestial characteristics.

"It's like..." His eyes lit with realization. "Biological fusion!"

Suddenly recalling the Abyssal Life Compendium's mention of "Morphogenic Resin"—a special fourth-layer Abyssal substance capable of blurring lifeform boundaries to grant object hybridization abilities.

The Puppet Substitute evidently contained this substance or a similar component.

When Luo En reduced his mental investment to just basic control, the puppet surprisingly exhibited a battle intuition akin to instinct. It autonomously adjusted its posture, executing a series of defensive and offensive maneuvers as if inheriting part of the Lion Scorpion's instinct.

"This is like gaining a semi-autonomous Combat Companion", Luo En marveled, watching the puppet move nimbly under his minimal control.

These discoveries immediately sparked more possibilities in his mind: If the Puppet Substitute could assimilate Lion Scorpion tissue, then theoretically, could it also assimilate tissues from other Abyssal Creatures? What kind of capability transformations would tissues from different Abyssal Creatures bring? What effects would occur when multiple tissues fuse simultaneously?

Luo En's "Conceptualization" trait was operating at full capacity, gradually forming a grand blueprint in his mind: A super substitute combining multiple Abyssal Creature traits, possessing various environmental adaptation capabilities, multiple attack methods, and even potential autonomous awareness and judgment abilities... Once the Puppet Substitute's Charging reached 50%, unlocking the bidirectional communication function, and then using profession advancement to transform it into a [Demon Hunter], these abilities would further surge! All these abilities would simultaneously feed back to the original body, allowing him to reap all the benefits without any risk.

Deep within the land veins, a beehive-like cave was surrounded by thick black mist. The cave walls were covered with a layer of constantly writhing mutated tissue, its surface flowing with dark purple liquid that emitted a suffocatingly foul odor.

In the deepest part of the cavern, a grotesque mass existed in a semi-solid, semi-liquid state, slowly writhing. At first glance, it resembled some giant decaying mushroom. But upon closer inspection, countless tiny tentacles and protrusions covered its surface, rhythmically expanding and contracting as if breathing. At the core of this mass, two faint human-like silhouettes were tightly intertwined, as if engaged in a twisted embrace.

"We... survived", a voice rasped from the revolting flesh-mass. The words were muddled but vaguely recognizable as Aolifu's voice, now tainted with an alien quality.

"Of course", another voice replied, wet and viscous like liquid squeezing through a narrow slit. "Even though Hayaek's attack was terrifying, Saint Plate provided me with a good item."

The writhing flesh gradually stretched and deformed, revealing more distinct forms. Two bodies, connected by purplish-black tissue like conjoined twins sharing organs. Aolifu's upper body barely maintained a humanoid shape, though his skin had an unnatural grayish-white hue. His right facial half had mutated into a massive tentacle eye, pulsing with his emotions. His left arm had completely transformed into a thick tentacle lined with suction-cup organs.

Xin Xi Ya's transformation was even more complete. Her hair had become a mass of blue-purple tentacles drifting like a jellyfish's tendrils. Most grotesque of all was her abdomen - a massive vertical slit stretched from chest to pelvis, resembling a tooth-lined maw that periodically opened and closed.

Aolifu trembled as he extended his remaining human hand to caress his twisted face. "I remember being shattered by mana shockwaves. Then your tentacles wrapped around me... After that, everything became hazy."

"I used my primal form to protect your core consciousness, and also applied a type of abyssal substance", Xin Xi Ya murmured, her voice echoing from beneath the surface. "Never expected this abyssal material to fuse with us in that moment of desperation. Such beautiful Adaptability - the instinctive reaction to imminent death."

Aolifu fell silent, his tentacle eye observing their fused bodies. He could feel an unprecedented ecstasy flowing through their shared tissue, as if constantly immersed in shared pleasure.

"Abyssal substance? We fused with it?" His voice carried shock and confusion.

"Not exactly", Xin Xi Ya's tendrils caressed Aolifu's face, sticky and soft. "More like a symbiotic relationship. Our flesh and consciousness partially intermingled, sharing mana and Perception."

Her voice deepened into a sultry timbre. "How does it feel? This symbiosis... isn't it exquisite?"

Aolifu closed his last human eye, surrendering to this new awareness. Indeed, he could sense unprecedented strength and clarity. The raging thoughts and impulses that once tormented him seemed calmed by continuous pleasure, replaced with a cooler consciousness.

"My spirit feels more stable", he realized in astonishment. "Those raging impulses and hallucinations aren't so intense anymore."

"This is the benefit of higher-order Awakening", Xin Xi Ya purred with satisfaction. Her slit-like abdomen widened slightly, revealing writhing dark-red tissue inside. "When your Awakening reaches a certain point, you no longer passively succumb to corruption's influence, but actively symbiose with it."

He attempted to move their malformed symbiotic body, feeling the new power flow. The movement was awkward and bizarre - Xin Xi Ya's countless tentacles slithered across the ground, dragging the entire mass forward with wet, squelching sounds.

Aolifu asked, his tentacle eye turning toward Xin Xi Ya. "What do we do next?"

"Obviously to the Bloodline Altar." Xin Xi Ya giggled. "Yes, that place you've always longed for in your dreams."

Her slit abdomen stretched wider, exposing accordion-like layers of muscle tissue inside. "There we'll complete a true Awakening transformation, elevating our Awakening level to rival Full Mages."

Aolifu fell into thought. The Bloodline Altar - that long-coveted opportunity from his apprentice days. How many nights had he dreamed of earning entry qualifications, using the altar's power for qualitative transformation? And yet now they'd approach it in this monstrous form with entirely different purposes - not for self-improvement but for abyssal Awakening through the altar's mana.

"The School will monitor the Bloodline Altar's activation closely", Aolifu worried. "Fu Yuanzhang, the other Mentors, and that terrifying guardian from Crystal Spire will all be present. In our current state, exposure means immediate elimination."

"We don't need direct confrontation", Xin Xi Ya's voice chilled. "The Bloodline Altar exists in a semi-dimensional space with countless secret entrances. Once activated, energy fluctuations will create massive interference, enough to conceal our actions."

Aolifu could feel Xin Xi Ya's excitement, sensation continuously transmitting through their connection. He exhaled sharply, his eye beginning to roll back.

"There's something more important", Xin Xi Ya, already accustomed to this, gently stroked Aolifu's face with her tentacles. "We'll have help."

"Help?" Aolifu jolted, his tentacle eye violently constricting. "Who would help us?"

"The 'Eye of the Abyss' wasn't completely eliminated. Saint Plate anticipated the School's actions and left early."

Xin Xi Ya produced a wet laugh. "He'll assist us at critical moments. Actually, surviving this was thanks to the abyssal material he provided."

Aolifu remained silent. Saint Plate - that mysterious 'Eye of the Abyss' representative. He'd never truly understood that man's background or motives. But one thing was certain - that man was absolutely not someone to be trusted.

"Are you sure he's helping us rather than using us?"

"Help? Use? These concepts lose meaning before higher existences."

Xin Xi Ya's voice turned ethereal and dreamlike. "We're all parts of 'Project Paradise.' As long as we complete our transformation, achieving higher Awakening levels, nothing else matters."

Aolifu wanted to argue but found his thoughts gradually assimilated by Xin Xi Ya's perspective. This assimilation wasn't forced but subtle, like two differently colored liquids slowly blending. Their consciousnesses were gradually merging, boundaries blurring.

"How long?" he asked softly. "When will the Bloodline Altar activate?"

"Very soon", Xin Xi Ya's voice became distant and hazy. "I can feel the energy fluctuation frequency accelerating. Approximately half a month, and the altar will activate."

She suddenly lifted her head, as if listening to some faraway sound. "Plus, I know who will enter the altar."

"Who?"

"Luo En Lalf." Xin Xi Ya spat the name, her voice filled with pathological excitement. "That unpredictable fellow. He's finally stepping into our hunting ground."

Aolifu's emotions surged violently, his tentacle eye violently constricted, oozing black slime. "Lalf?! That damned-!"

Their shared body's surface began violent transformations. Black spines erupted from beneath the skin, muscles and tissues expanding and twisting uncontrollably in response to their anger.

"Calm down", Xin Xi Ya's voice pierced Aolifu's rage. "Your emotions interfere with our fusion process. We're still too unstable now."

Her tentacles caressed Aolifu's face, soothing his emotions. "Luo En Lalf. Yes, he's a threat, but also an opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Aolifu's voice carried doubt.

"There's something special about him", Xin Xi Ya mused. "I've never been able to identify exactly what, but 'Saint Plate' seems especially interested in him."

"We need more mana." Xin Xi Ya interrupted Aolifu's thoughts. "Before the Bloodline Altar activates, we must accumulate power and stabilize our symbiotic state."

"What's your plan?"

Xin Xi Ya's slit abdomen opened, releasing laughter. "There are many abandoned mines around here. Adventurers and treasure hunters frequent them."

Aolifu understood her meaning instantly, his tentacle eye gleaming with excitement. "Fresh prey."

"Exactly", Xin Xi Ya's voice deepened into hungry tones. "Their lives, their pain, their fear - all will become our nourishment."

Their shared body began slithering toward the cave's exit, leaving a trail of glistening mucus. As they moved, the mutated tissue on the cave walls seemed to sense something, their convulsions ceasing.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end