Chapter 187: Transformative Resin

Chapter 187: Transformative Resin

"Memory..." Luo En murmured softly to himself, his eyes sparkling with surprise and excitement.

This additional trait had transformed Flowing Barrier from a passive defense tool into a self-learning and evolving protective system.

As the number of uses increased, the barrier would become increasingly resistant to penetration, especially against repeated attacks of the same type.

"Daire, again!"

Luo En motioned for her to continue attacking. "Use the exact same attack as before!"

Though slightly puzzled, Little Siren obeyed without hesitation.

When the second identical colossal water spear hurtled toward the barrier, Luo En intentionally refrained from reinforcing it further, maintaining only the basic spiritual energy input.

To everyone's astonishment, the barrier effortlessly withstood the assault, this time exhibiting almost no energy fluctuation as if it had been fully prepared.

"Have you already completely... mastered this advanced spell?"

Liliya stared in disbelief, her voice brimming with admiration.

"Not only that." Luo En explained:

"The defensive effect is even stronger than I imagined. Daire's attack intensity just now was comparable to a High Apprentice's signature spell."

He began contemplating the ability's broader potential:

If the barrier encountered various attack types—physical impacts, flame scorching, frost freezing...

Could it gradually form an all-around defensive system?

"Liliya, prepare some testing apparatus for me." Luo En turned to the girl, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"I need to test the limits of this memory ability."

In the following days, Luo En immersed himself in researching Flowing Barrier's deeper intricacies.

He designed a series of tests where the barrier faced diverse attacks—Daire's water-element techniques, Ai Lan's plant-whip manipulations, and even alchemy apparatus-simulated elemental strikes.

Each test confirmed the fluid memory's formidable power—the barrier truly could "learn" and adapt to various assault patterns, becoming increasingly impervious.

More remarkably, this memory ability exhibited a certain degree of generalization.

For instance, after "learning" to counter Daire's water spears, the barrier showed improved resistance against other piercing projectile types, though not as perfectly as against specifically learned attacks.

"It's almost as if it possesses some primitive intelligence..."

Luo En silently observed its flow patterns as the barrier automatically adjusted structure to counter a new assault.

During his research, Luo En discovered another astonishing trait of Flowing Barrier:

It could instantly reshape itself into complex geometric forms according to the user's will.

This moldability not only enhanced defensive effectiveness but also granted the barrier diverse tactical applications.

In a simulation combat exercise, Luo En successfully used Flowing Barrier to capture a rapidly moving target—vines manipulated by Ai Lan.

The barrier astonishingly transformed from a flat shield into a spherical containment cage, completely enveloping the writhing vines.

"In the Bloodline Altar, this ability's value is incalculable."

Luo En concluded, examining the specialized composite powder in his hand—

His latest masterpiece, carefully formulated from multiple materials to create an exceptionally balanced multi-functional barrier.

"Not only can it defend against various physical and elemental attacks, it can also resist moderate spiritual interference."

Luo En mused internally. "If combined with my research on 'Sound Wave Oscillation erosion state'..."

A complete combat system gradually took shape in his mind:

Flowing Barrier provided all-around protection, Sound Wave Oscillation erosion state handled long-range attacks, while Radiant Halo served as a mid-to-close-range offensive-defensive technique.

The three spells complementing each other formed an almost flawlessly balanced combination.

Combined with his own knight-level strength and the explosive power of Boiling Blood...

"I should practice more. After all, I can't predict what awaits inside."

Luo En sat in the laboratory's center, watching the Soul Steel shimmer coldly under the Mana Crystal Lamp's glow.

He had attempted countless Vitality transformations of Soul Steel, yet repeatedly failed to breakthrough the final bottleneck.

Whenever spiritual energy seeped deep into the metal, attempting to awaken some "life trait", the Soul Steel always reverted to ordinary metal at the critical moment, as if lacking some essential catalyst.

"Another failure..."

Luo En rubbed his temples, his eyes dry and weary from prolonged focus.

He flipped his notebook, reviewing data from recent experiments.

Every parameter adjustment, mana injection path, and vibration frequency had been meticulously recorded.

Yet no matter the adjustments, the results remained similar—Soul Steel could accept spirit imprinting but could never truly "activate."

"Master, still struggling with that stubborn metal?"

Daire's bell-like voice came from the doorway.

The Little Siren leaned against the doorframe, her violet-blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

Since her body had matured, she had shed her initial shyness, growing increasingly vivacious.

"I brought you tea. Liliya said you've been working nonstop for ten hours."

Luo En only realized then that dawn light had already filtered through the windows—the entire night had quietly passed unnoticed.

"Thank you, Daire." He accepted the teacup, taking a sip to soothe his dry throat.

"How was your training today?"

"Super smooth!"

Daire excitedly jumped up, silver hair flowing with the movement. "I can now fully control surface transformation! Watch!"

She raised her small hand—the webbing between her fingers vanished instantaneously, her skin becoming indistinguishable from ordinary human flesh.

Then, with a mere thought, her fingers instantly reverted to the siren's characteristic semi-transparent webbing.

"And this!"

Daire proudly lifted her chin, waving a hand. Water molecules condensed from the air, forming an exquisite ice shortsword. "Learned this yesterday!"

"Remarkable progress."

Luo En smiled approvingly, patting her head. "At this rate, you might actually defeat me someday."

"Definitely not!" Daire pouted. "Master's spells are too bizarre. I got dizzy from that Sound Wave Oscillation during training!"

Speaking of spells, Luo En couldn't help frowning.

His Sound Wave Oscillation erosion state indeed possessed terrifying power, but it came with significant control difficulties.

In the upcoming Bloodline Altar trials, balancing power and precision would require careful consideration.

"Oh, Master, Mother Ai Lan wants to see you about something."

Daire suddenly remembered. "Something about the new medicinal herbs in the courtyard."

"Oh?" Luo En set down his cup. "What's the issue?"

"Not exactly an issue..." Daire scratched her head. "Mother Ai Lan says their growth pattern is special. She wants you to check it out."

Following Daire to the backyard, Luo En found the courtyard transformed into a medicinal herb garden under Ai Lan's meticulous stewardship.

Ai Lan stood by glowing grasses, her face unusually animated.

"Master, perfect timing." The tree spirit turned, smiling. "This batch of Solara Grass exhibited a special mutation."

Luo En knelt, examining the medicinal plants.

Their leaves displayed an unusual golden-red luster, and the stalks were significantly thicker than ordinary Solara Grass.

"This is..." Luo En reached out, immediately feeling warm mana flow from his fingertips into his hand. "A mutation strain?"

"Not just that." Ai Lan gently stroked the grass stem, her voice carrying mystery:

"They seem to have some resonance reaction to your Erosion Sonata. Whenever you practiced that spell in the training ground, these grasses became more active."

Luo En raised his eyebrows, genuinely surprised.

As a terrifying pollution originating from stars, Erosion Sonata should theoretically harm plant life.

Yet these Solara Grasses had paradoxically strengthened instead?

"Perhaps... because Master's spell possesses a transformation trait rather than pure destruction?" Ai Lan ventured a guess.

Luo En fell into contemplation.

Indeed, pollution sometimes wasn't merely destruction but a deeper "reorganization"—not simply destroying the target's physical structure but altering its "existence mode" to some degree.

"I need to research this phenomenon."

Luo En murmured, carefully harvesting several mutated Solara Grass specimens. "This might prove useful for my current research project."

Back in the laboratory, Luo En conducted detailed analysis on these mutated plants.

Through his Transcendent Perception ability, he discovered their cellular structures had undergone subtle transformation, forming a more active mana circulation system.

"Interesting... These cells seem to have mutated to develop some 'self-adaptability,' enabling them to absorb and transform external mana."

Luo En gazed thoughtfully at the microscopic sample, a bold idea suddenly forming:

If plant cells could adapt and utilize erosive mana, could other substances possess this trait as well—perhaps even to a greater extent?

His mind raced, searching for possible clues. Suddenly, a familiar term surfaced—Transformative Resin.

The Abyssal Life Compendium mentioned this special material from the fourth abyssal layer, possessing extraordinary plasticity and adaptability. It could fuse different biological traits to form new composites.

Wasn't that exactly the key attribute required for Furnace Conceptualization?

He fell into deep thought, realization dawning.

Through his previous Transcendent Perception analysis of Puppet Substitute, he understood that the puppet's ability to absorb and assimilate abyssal creature traits originated from containing Transformative Resin...

"Central Lands... Crystal Spire..." Luo En's gaze turned distant:

"There should be richer abyssal material resources and samples. After the Bloodline Altar, I must find ways to breakthrough to mage-level power as soon as possible before heading there."

"The abyssal materials mentioned in Abyssal Life Compendium... Transformative Resin is merely one example."

Luo En flipped through his notes, eyes gleaming:

"Blood crystals, black sand essence, time amber... Each holds unimaginable potential. If I can collect and master these materials..."

The idea of reaching the Central Lands to access more abyssal knowledge and acquire various abyssal substances and treasures had stopped being a distant plan—it had become an urgent necessity.

Each day's research proved these abyssal materials held irreplaceable value for transcending conventional limitations and reaching higher cultivation stages.

"Teacher, lunch is ready!" Liliya's voice interrupted Luo En's contemplation from outside.

"Understood, coming right away." Luo En replied, carefully storing the Puppet Substitute and mutated Solara Grass before rising toward the dining hall.

Daire already sat at the table, her small hands impatiently tapping the surface.

Ai Lan helped Liliya set the tableware, even though she couldn't normally eat—needing only sunlight and water—but always accompanied them.

"What's today's main dish?" Luo En pulled out his chair, spreading his napkin.

"The silver-eyed fish Daire caught. I marinated it with the new herb formula you developed earlier this week."

Liliya answered with a smile, serving a delicious-looking fish dish:

"And vegetable soup made from Ai Lan's organically grown vegetables and her cultivated mushrooms."

"I caught it myself!" Daire proudly announced. "It weighed four pounds!"

"Truly impressive." Luo En smiled, gently stroking the Little Siren's silver hair.

"I guess I won't have to worry about food supplies anymore."

"Of course!" Daire confidently patted her chest. "Master can focus on researching those bizarre spells. Leave the rest to us!"

Speaking of research..." Liliya carefully asked: "Teacher, how's your research progressing?"

Luo En sighed lightly:

"I'm missing one crucial step. I need some 'Vitality' factor to transform my creation into a semi-living entity. Ordinary materials clearly can't fulfill this requirement."

Silence fell over the table, Luo En inadvertently becoming the conversation's endpoint.

After hastily finishing his meal, Luo En hurried to resume his endless experiments and research.

"Master, you need rest."

Ai Lan suddenly blocked his path, concernedly offering a cup of herbal tea. "You've been working nonstop for three days."

Her vines lifted a copper mirror, reflecting the dark circles and haggard expression beneath Luo En's youthful features.

Only then did Luo En feel the wave of exhaustion crashing over him. He nodded:

"You're right. I should take a break."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end