Chapter 191: Forging a Crown with His Own Hands

Chapter 191: Forging a Crown with His Own Hands

The lights of the Workshop gleamed like a solitary star in the night sky.

Outside, the wind howled—a hallmark of Black Mist Jungle’s merciless weather, bone-chilling gales interlaced with faint Mana Fluctuations. These unnatural winds stung every creature’s skin like invisible needles piercing through flesh.

Inside the laboratory, Luo En focused intently on a new alchemy experiment. His eyes locked onto a floating droplet of amber liquid, which he manipulated with meticulous precision.

This was an improved Spirit Shield potion. He sought to enhance its contamination resistance before the Bloodline Altar opened tomorrow. Time was precious—wasting even a second was unthinkable.

“If I add Moonshadow Grass extract…” He carefully dripped three drops of silvery liquid into the mixture. “Theoretically, this should strengthen its anti-contamination properties.”

The liquid reacted instantly, hissing softly. Its hue shifted from amber to deep purple, then gradually stabilized into a purer golden yellow.

【Material Transmutation (Proficient) Experience Points +1】

Before Luo En could proceed to testing, Ai Lan’s voice resonated through mental transmission:

“Master, Andie has arrived—he seems deeply agitated. His emotional fluctuations are intense. Something critical must have occurred.”

Luo En frowned slightly. Interruptions were unwelcome at this hour. He carefully stabilized the potion before removing his goggles and striding toward the reception chamber.

The moment he entered, he saw Andie seated inside, his usual elegant composure shattered. His hands clenched nervously around his knees, golden vertical pupils constricted with anxiety.

Luo En noted the disarray—Andie’s robes were wrinkled, the left sleeve torn as if he’d rushed here without time to change.

“Prince Andie,” Luo En said flatly, masking his sharp awareness of the urgency. “What wind brings you tonight?”

Andie lifted his gaze, his slit-pupiled eyes flickering with turmoil.

“Luo En… I received a secret report from the kingdom. Father’s condition has worsened. He’s coughing blood, burning with fever, and even High Apprentice’s grandfather admits helplessness.”

His voice darkened. “My eldest and second brothers are placing loyalists in the military. Third brother controls the southern tax district. Even reclusive Fourth Sister attends noble assemblies now… The royal family has fractured into at least five factions, all scheming. I… I’m considering returning.”

Luo En sat opposite him, his gaze slicing like a blade. “Then what? What do you plan to do when you return?”

Andie bit his lip, hesitating before speaking.

“Perhaps… I should fight for it too. I’ve Awakened the Crimson Blood Sky Dragonbloodline. If Father truly dies, someone must inherit. I want… I want to be that someone.”

Luo En’s smirk turned icy. “You sound like you’re asking my permission. Are you sure you want the throne—or are you just terrified of being dragged into this?”

“I…” Andie’s struggle was visible, his golden pupils dilating. “To be honest… I’m afraid. My brothers were raised as heirs, backed by the military and nobles. I may have Awakened a powerful bloodline, but beyond that, I have nothing. I’m not even sure returning is wise…”

Luo En abruptly stood, his expression stormy.

“If that’s your attitude, returning means suicide.

Did you think you could hide here forever without royal backing? Do you really believe your brothers would spare you if you refuse to compete?

In royal power struggles, neutrality is death. Not fighting means surrendering your fate to the butcher’s knife.”

He turned to the window, voice cutting.

“Choosing to fight may mean failure—but shrinking back? That guarantees death.

I thought surviving your Bloodline Awakening’s near-death ordeal would harden your resolve. Seems I overestimated your determination.”

“You don’t understand…” Andie’s voice cracked. “I lack experience, resources. Returning means facing wolves with bare hands…”

“Liliya.” Luo En’s command rang out. “Bring the special Recordcrystal orb—the third shelf in the cabinet.”

Liliya hesitated briefly before hurrying out. Moments later, she returned with a fist-sized dark red orb, cradling it as if it might explode.

Luo En accepted it, channeling a thread of spiritual energy. The orb flared with ominous crimson light, projecting a horrifying scene midair.

A blood-smeared basement. Ritualrunes crawled across walls, surrounding a complex sacrificial formation. At its center hung a naked young man, arms chained in a crucifixion pose.

His eyes had been gouged out, replaced with glowing blue crystal orbs. A metallic device kept his mouth agape, a grotesque tendril snaking into his throat. Twisted runes slithered across his flesh like living things. His chest was split open, organs exposed yet alive—his heart still beat faintly, lungs rising in shuddering rhythm.

Beside him, a woman wielded a ritual dagger with surgical precision, extracting a luminous organ from his body. Each incision preserved his life while maximizing mana extraction. His low, agonized moans and twitching limbs confirmed full consciousness.

“Andie’s fate, if handed to Xin Xi Ya? Worse than this.” Luo En’s finger jabbed at the orb.

“This is Xin Xi Ya’s ‘pet project.’ Or rather, her ‘mana reservoir.’ See those runes? They form a complete mana extraction circuit, feeding her endless life mana and pleasure through eternal torment.”

The orb shifted, revealing fresh horrors—men fused with alien organs, translucent skin revealing pulsing innards, bodies threaded with fluorescent tubes, or grotesque meat masses with human faces, eyes hollow with despair.

Finally, a room filled with desiccated husks, discarded like trash—souls drained to papery skeletons.

Andie lurched upright, trembling violently, face pale as death.

“This… this is what awaits me?”

His voice rasped, barely suppressing nausea.

“No.” Luo En’s tone was brutal. “Yours would be worse.”

“Xin Xi Ya has a particular fondness for high-status males,” Luo En said coldly. “She believes ancient noble bloodlines contain purer mana. As a prince, she’ll make sure you ‘enjoy’ your suffering far more intensely and thoroughly.”

He continued ruthlessly:

“From my observations, she takes the most pleasure from the willpower of her prey. Many of her victims were allowed to retain consciousness at first – precisely so they could fully experience the collapse from pride to despair. This psychological torment satisfies her twisted desires far more than mere physical pain.”

Andie squeezed his eyes shut, nails digging into his palms until they bled.

“You deliberately preserved those… just to torment me? Those images will haunt me forever…”

“You flatter yourself.” Luo En replied calmly, sealing the crystal orb. “Those records were originally obtained for academic purposes – studying her mana extraction rituals and formation structures, particularly the techniques that maintain prey vitality long-term. Those methods have significant research value.”

His gaze sharpened like a blade.

“But yes, I kept them to show you the world’s brutal reality. There are no safe zones or neutral territories in this world. Hesitate, and you’ll be devoured. Without me, you’d already be part of that corpse pile. Yet you still hesitate to claim what should be yours?”

Andie remained silent for a long moment. The golden vertical pupils gradually shifted from fear to icy determination – the primal ferocity of a cornered beast.

“You’re right,” he said hoarsely but firmly. “I have no choice but to move forward.”

His eyes, once uncertain, now pierced Luo En with sudden sharpness.

“You must’ve noticed the royal mana shard fragment supply has been cut off for six months. What are your thoughts?”

Luo En gave a slight nod.

“I deduced your kingdom’s internal conflicts reached critical mass. The resource chain collapsed – factions began hoarding power instead of exporting resources. But for you, this chaos creates opportunity.”

“You gathered the materials I requested?” he asked abruptly.

“Brought them.” Andie produced a complexly sealed silk pouch. “These weren’t easy to find. I used nearly all my favors. Especially that final ‘Stellar Iron’ – said to be forged from meteorite fragments, extremely rare.”

Luo En inspected the contents – Stellar Iron, Blood Ore Sand, Solar Flame Essence. Each was a rare alchemy material, particularly suited for crafting bloodline-related alchemy items.

“Good.” He pocketed the pouch. “Wait here.”

“Wait.” Andie stopped him. “What are you planning?”

Luo En paused, as if weighing something.

“These materials plus some I’ve collected are enough to forge you suitable weapons and armor. Time’s tight, but functionality should be guaranteed.”

He turned toward the laboratory, leaving Andie and Liliya in the reception hall.

The air grew heavy. Andie’s gaze kept returning to the dark red crystal orb, his expression twisting with fear and disgust.

“Prince Andie… would you like some mint tea? It might help calm your nerves.”

Liliya broke the silence softly.

“Thank you. Something to wash away those images would be good.”

She poured a cup of mint tea and handed it over.

“Teacher… was he always this… direct when you first met?”

Andie accepted the tea with a bitter smile.

“No. When we first met, he was a reckless playboy, chasing pleasures without care. No one imagined he’d become this cold, calculating man.”

He sipped tea, lost in memory.

“But maybe this is his true self. When he removed all pretenses, this was who he always was.”

“He’s actually a very good person,” Liliya suddenly insisted. “He cares deeply about you, which is why he used such extreme methods – even showing you those terrifying images.”

Andie nodded. “I know. That’s why I must become stronger.”

Two hours later, Luo En emerged from the lab – clearly exhausted but satisfied. He held two items: a longsword glowing deep red, and a silver-white chestplate.

“This is my parting gift.” He handed them over. “Your weapon and armor.”

Andie accepted them carefully, immediately sensing their extraordinary mana. The sword felt warm to the touch, resonating with his bloodline. The armor radiated steady protection.

“These…” He stared in shock. “How did you finish them so quickly?”

“Stellar Iron naturally channels mana efficiently. The other materials just strengthened resonance with your bloodline.”

Luo En explained briefly, as if it were trivial.

“The sword contains your blood essence – creating a direct link. The bond will strengthen with use, amplifying your power. The armor mainly protects against spell attacks, giving you critical reaction time for counterattacks.”

Andie gripped the sword, feeling warm mana flow like a tamed inferno.

“Luo En, this is too much…”

“This is my final gift. Now I must attend to my own matters.”

Luo En cut him off, voice weary.

“After returning to your kingdom, you may operate under my name – ‘Rank Sixth, Luo Enlalf’s Ally.’ That title carries weight among mageworld nobles.”

He locked eyes with Andie.

“But remember – that’s just an aura. True battles require your own strength and strategy. No one will bow to you just for knowing a High Apprentice. Everything must be seized by your own hands.”

Andie took a deep breath, standing straighter.

“I understand, Luo En. Thank you for everything… I won’t disappoint you.”

“Go, future King.” Luo En offered a rare encouraging smile. “Forge your crown with your own hands. Don’t let it fall to others. And don’t make my investment a complete blood-loss.”

Andie nodded solemnly, securing the artifacts and offering a formal knight’s salute.

“My friend, I promise – when we meet again, I’ll no longer be that hesitant Thirteenth Prince.”

After seeing Andie off, Luo En returned to the laboratory, his exhausted body dragging. Liliya followed quietly, worry clouding her face.

“Teacher, you’ve worked over ten hours straight. Please rest.”

He shook his head, resuming interrupted potion-making.

“No time. The Bloodline Altar trial approaches. I must complete preparations.”

“Do you really believe Prince Andie will succeed?” she couldn’t help asking.

Luo En paused his work.

“That depends on him. I armed him with weapons and motivation. Whether he seizes opportunity is his choice.”

“What if he fails?”

“Then I misjudged him.”

His voice chilled as he resumed work.

“Natural selection. But I’ve already cleared his doubts. He stood at death’s edge – such men, when determined, often unleash unimaginable strength.”

Looking at her teacher’s contemplative profile, Liliya quietly withdrew.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end