Chapter 202: After the Knife Cuts the Meat, Will You Thank It?

Chapter 202: After the Knife Cuts the Meat, Will You Thank It?

The crystalline pillars radiated increasingly clear light, illuminating the faces of the trio and casting constantly shifting red shadows across the ground.

The red crystals on the ground grew sharper in definition as they approached, resembling some kind of semi-transparent flesh laid out on the ground.

As they drew closer to the Core Area, Luo En fell into contemplation, recalling his experience at the Control Point.

He vaguely sensed the teleportation process was far more complex than it appeared.

When his palm touched the Control Point's stone pillar surface, a strange energy fluctuation spread from the contact point, rapidly diffusing from his arm throughout his entire body.

The sensation felt both unfamiliar and unsettling.

It was as if countless invisible hands were roaming over his body—tracing every inch of his skin, every nerve, even reaching into the deepest corners of his soul.

Through the special perspective of Transcendent Perception, he saw streams of information imperceptible to ordinary people.

Countless tiny mana threads extended from the Control Point, wrapping around his body and constructing a complete blueprint of his lifeform.

These mana threads didn't just scan his surface—they penetrated deep into his flesh and even seeped into his spirit realm.

A startling realization formed in his mind:

The Control Point wasn't just a teleportation device—it was a complex biological scanning apparatus.

It read everything—his bloodline traits, ability structure, thought patterns, even his subconscious' deepest secrets, desires, and fears.

"What are you thinking about, Luo En? Did you discover something unusual?"

Cui Xi turned her head, asking with obvious curiosity.

Those brown eyes reflected the crimson glow of the blood-red crystals, creating an unusual luster that drew attention.

Holt also stopped walking, sending a searching gaze.

Without realizing it, Luo En had become the backbone of this three-person team.

"I'm thinking about the Control Point's mechanism", Luo En answered quietly, his eyes still warily scanning the surroundings.

"Have either of you noticed—when we touch the Control Point's stone pillars, there's a sensation of being 'read'?"

Holt's brow furrowed slightly. "There was definitely something strange—an impression of someone flipping through my memories."

"Not just memories", Luo En shook his head, his voice growing even lower.

"I discovered the Control Point was actually scanning our entire lifeforms—bloodlines, abilities, even subconscious elements."

What he didn't tell his companions was that at that moment, he felt his Puppet Substitute respond subtly.

That unremarkable little wooden doll suddenly became unusually active, as if stimulated, trembling slightly but rapidly.

More strangely, its energy fluctuation resonated with the Control Point, as if some silent communication was occurring between them.

"The Puppet Substitute also originated from the Fourth Layer of the Abyss", Luo En speculated inwardly.

"While the space containing the Control Point isn't the true Abyss, it does carry Abyss-like traits. There's some kind of interaction occurring between them."

This discovery left him both excited and cautious.

He realized his clone likely wasn't an ordinary bloodline projection.

Instead, during its creation it had been influenced by Puppet Substitute traits, causing it to possess special characteristics beyond ordinary clones.

"I believe the clone's generation was based on scanning results from the teleportation process", Luo En returned to the present, forcing a slight smile.

"But some variables appeared."

He didn't share his true thoughts with his companions—the Puppet Substitute-related information was too sensitive to share with outsiders.

"Definitely. This place is permeated with an eerie feeling everywhere."

Holt nodded in agreement, constantly sweeping his gaze around while his fingers prepared to summon an Earth Elemental Golem at any moment.

They continued forward, while Luo En internally organized his thoughts about the clone.

Through that strange contact, he'd established an unusual connection with his clone—unidirectional and unequal.

This connection allowed Luo En to vaguely perceive the clone's actions and emotions, while the clone remained completely unaware.

More intriguingly, he discovered the clone seemed to have inherited some Puppet Substitute traits—particularly its ability to absorb Abyss Mana and tendency toward self-evolution.

It had ceased being a simple projection, becoming instead an existence with independent consciousness and growth potential.

From the emotional waves emanating from the clone, Luo En sensed a powerful craving—a hunger for power, a desire to consume other lives.

But simultaneously, there was an indescribable fear—an instinctive dread of unknown threats.

"It fears me", Luo En sneered inwardly. "Even if it doesn't understand why."

This one-sided information advantage gave him gradually increasing mastery over its actions.

Every movement, every consumption, every flicker of fear—he observed them all.

Through this abnormal connection, he captured the clone's behavioral patterns:

It would first seek out weaker targets to accumulate mana and experience, gradually challenging stronger opponents.

This behavior pattern was extremely similar to Luo En's own way of thinking, like a twisted mirror reflecting certain traits from deep within his soul.

He could feel the clone's excitement after devouring other clones, its fear when facing unknown threats, even its instinctive dread of the approaching true self.

Everything felt like a carefully choreographed drama, with Luo En as the sole audience.

As his thoughts churned, they continued forward.

The crystal floor emitted a faint humming sound through friction with the air, as if countless tiny lives whispered among them.

The outline of the crystal enclosure had become clearly visible—those towering crystal pillars bathed in crimson light resembled a hall formed from congealed blood.

Suddenly, Luo En's spirit perception detected violent fluctuations—a powerful surge of energy tides rushing from afar.

The sensation was so intense that he instinctively halted his steps, his brows knitting tightly.

"What's wrong?" Holt immediately sensed Luo En's abnormality.

Luo En didn't answer immediately, instead closing his eyes to focus on the energy fluctuation.

Through his special connection with the clone, he "saw" an astonishing scene:

The clone was battling two twisted humanoid forms, which had already fused into an even more terrifying being.

"Abyss Fusion Entity", Luo En murmured these names internally, a chill rising from his spine.

"It seems we need to quicken our pace", he told his companions. "I can sense the Abyss's presence intensifying constantly. Returning sooner rather than later will help us avoid complications."

Cui Xi and Holt exchanged glances. Though they didn't fully understand Luo En's plan, they nodded in agreement.

The trio quickened their steps toward the central area of the crystal enclosure.

In the distance, the clone launched its final strike against Aolifu and Xin Xi Ya's fusion entity.

The Radiant Flame Sword pierced the fusion entity's core, completely ending the lives of these two Awakening Beings.

The fusion entity began disintegrating, releasing massive quantities of Abyss Mana that flowed outward like a black river toward the clone.

The clone spread its arms wide, greedily absorbing this mana, feeling its body continuously strengthening and undergoing metamorphosis.

Eliot stood aside, soaked in cold sweat as fear nearly overwhelmed him.

As the clone finished absorbing the mana, those crimson-gold eyes slowly turned toward him—he knew trouble had arrived.

"Thank you for your assistance, Hearer of Winds", the clone's voice grew even raspier and deeper, like it originated from hell itself. "But now, your usefulness has ended."

Eliot's large ears trembled violently, detecting the lethal threat in the air.

He'd been secretly observing the clone's every move, waiting for the optimal moment to escape.

"I thought you'd at least thank me for helping you find such a delicious mana source", Eliot tried keeping his voice steady while subtly reaching toward the special insignia in his robe.

"Thank me?" The clone's expression twisted into an icy smile devoid of human warmth. "Why thank a tool? After the knife cuts the meat, do you thank it?"

The clone raised its hand, dark-colored spell matrix condensing at its fingertips, preparing to unleash a fatal blow.

But at this very moment, its expression suddenly stiffened—a powerful sense of threat arrived from afar.

An instinctive fear gripped it. It knew—the real Luo En was approaching.

This brief hesitation provided Eliot with sufficient opportunity.

He quickly pulled out the special insignia Valen had given him while activating the protective Barrier on his body.

This was a defensive technique exclusive to Crystal Spire's elite students, capable of resisting attacks from Full Mages for a short period.

The Clone snapped back to awareness and launched its attack, but it was already too late.

Eliot’s protective Barrier blocked the strike. At the same time, he crushed the insignia in his hand.

A blinding light enveloped him, and his figure gradually faded within the radiance before vanishing completely.

The Clone growled lowly, its eyes flashing with irritation.

However, soon after, its attention was drawn by a far stronger sense of danger emanating from the distance.

………………

Outside the Bloodline Altar, mana coagulated into a tangible form in the air, creating an oppressive atmosphere that thickened between two figures locked in confrontation.

Valen stood at the center of the clearing, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

The full might of a Dusk Sun Rank mage erupted unrestrained, warping the surrounding air with its pressure.

His robe fluttered without wind, its surface shimmering with silver-gray patterns that traced the mystical sigils unique to Crystal Spire.

Madame Ellen, in contrast, appeared far more relaxed, her youthful face curling into a mocking smile.

After consuming the “Seven-Color Star Dew,” her aura had transformed completely.

No longer the frail old woman of the apothecary, she now radiated the overwhelming pressure of an extraordinary Archmage.

Rainbow-colored mana swirled around her.

This force wasn’t born from a single element but instead was a perfect fusion of seven foundational elements, forming a higher, purer form of mana.

The standoff between the two powerhouses had lasted for some time.

Fine cracks spread across the ground, and the air reeked of scorching energy, as if the next second would unleash a cataclysmic battle capable of annihilating the entire area.

As Crystal Spire’s Dusk Sun Rank mage, Valen’s mission was to oversee the activation of the Bloodline Altar and ensure Crystal Spire’s apprentices could safely participate in the trials to obtain bloodline enhancements.

Yet the current situation had far exceeded his expectations.

On one hand was the sudden appearance of Madame Ellen, an unexpected variable. On the other was the potential anomaly brewing within the Bloodline Altar itself.

“This is a disaster,” Valen muttered, his expression darkening as he stared at the Life Ledger in his hands.

The flames on the ledger represented the life statuses of Crystal Spire’s apprentices.

What should have been steady, bright flames now flickered erratically.

Even now, five pages had turned completely gray—half of Crystal Spire’s apprentices were already dead.

Among them was Lina, the Special Innate Talent whose importance ranked just below Eliot.

“Ai Lun, I don’t have time to keep stalling with you,” Valen said, his voice calm but his eyes betraying a flicker of worry.

“Crystal Spire’s squad has suffered heavy losses. I must verify the situation inside the Altar immediately.”

Madame Ellen scoffed, the rainbow glow around her intensifying.

“What verification? A bunch of so-called ‘elites’ who’ve been fed a sense of superiority—against true genius, they’re nothing but clay chickens and paper tigers. This is the best Crystal Spire can produce? Disappointing.”

Valen’s brows knitted together, his fingers trembling slightly as he suppressed his anger.

“Ai Lun, I know you harbor many grievances against Crystal Spire, but this is no time for grievances. The situation inside the Altar is spiraling out of control. We must act.”

“Act?” Madame Ellen’s voice dripped with disdain.

“You and I both know the rules of the Bloodline Altar—once entered, no intervention is allowed until the outcome is decided. That’s an ironclad rule set when the Altar was designed. Not even a Dusk Sun Rank mage can override it.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“What truly concerns you isn’t the apprentices’ safety, but Luo En, the one displaying remarkable Innate Talent, isn’t it? You fear his growth within the Altar will exceed expectations, threatening Crystal Spire’s interests.”

Valen paused in silence before finally admitting, “Yes, Luo En is indeed an anomaly. According to Hayaek’s description, his potential far surpasses ordinary geniuses. Such talent deserves the best cultivation and guidance. And Crystal Spire can provide exactly that.”

“Cultivation? Guidance?”

Madame Ellen’s voice dripped with mockery.

“Don’t hide behind these grandiose words. What Crystal Spire intends is to bind him completely through a Soul Contract, turning him into your tool and puppet.”

Valen didn’t reply immediately. He simply gazed at Ai Lun, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

At that moment, the Bloodline Altar’s spatial channel flickered, and a blinding light erupted across the clearing.

When the light faded, Eliot appeared between them, his face pale and his robes tattered, though he seemed otherwise unharmed.

Following soon after, more lights shimmered, and several Crystal Spire apprentices materialized.

However, their conditions were far worse than Eliot’s.

Some were covered in black spots, others’ skin was dissolving, and some had black liquid oozing from their eyes, already unconscious.

“Master Valen!” Eliot’s eyes lit up with hope upon seeing Valen.

Valen immediately redirected his attention, swiftly stepping forward to kneel and examine the apprentices’ conditions.

“This level of corruption exceeds anything the Bloodline Altar’s trials should produce!”

He placed his palm on an apprentice’s forehead, closing his eyes slightly.

Strands of spiritual energy seeped into the apprentice’s consciousness, probing the source and depth of the corruption.

“This isn’t good,” Valen’s voice grew grave.

“The corruption has already reached the soul level. Conventional purification methods won’t suffice. We must send them back to Crystal Spire immediately for professional treatment.”

Madame Ellen took a few steps closer, her mocking expression softening slightly.

She knelt, her fingers lightly touching an apprentice’s pulse, feeling the faint life force within.

“A hybrid of Erosion and Spirit Pollution,” she diagnosed swiftly.

“This injury originates from the Star’s depths, yet is laced with Abyssal corrosiveness. A rare combination.”

Valen looked up at Eliot. “Tell me exactly what happened inside the Altar.”

Eliot took a deep breath, succinctly describing the events within the Bloodline Altar—from encountering their clones to the crushing battle, and finally the Clone Luo En slaying the Awakening Being Abyss Fusion Entity.

“That’s impossible!” Valen’s voice was filled with shock.

“A clone possessing such power and independent consciousness? This completely defies the Bloodline Altar’s design principles!”

He turned to Madame Ellen. “Ai Lun, just who is your student Luo En?”

Madame Ellen smiled faintly, her expression enigmatic.

“He’s merely a talented young man. Nothing more.”

“No, there must be more to it,” Valen’s gaze sharpened.

“Ordinary talent couldn’t create such a clone. Unless…”

He suddenly paused, realization dawning in his eyes.

“Unless he possesses some unique Innate Talent or artifact capable of influencing the Altar’s mechanisms.”

Eliot recalled his observations inside the Altar and added, “The clone seemed capable of absorbing other clones’ power to strengthen itself—almost like… like a living Abyss entity.”

“You’re saying…” Valen’s expression darkened.

“Luo En might possess an Abyss artifact?”

“I can’t be certain,” Eliot admitted honestly.

“But the clone’s behavior is indeed unusual. It not only absorbed other clones’ mana but displayed clear self-awareness and judgment—entirely unlike ordinary clones.”

Valen didn’t press further. Instead, he swiftly conjured a portal.

“Regardless, these apprentices’ conditions are critical. They must be sent to Crystal Spire for treatment immediately.”

He turned to Eliot. “Rest here. I’ll return once I’ve handled this.”

Eliot nodded weakly, leaning against a rock.

Valen began sending the injured apprentices through the portal one by one, his movements swift and practiced.

His expression grew increasingly grim—their injuries were far worse than he’d initially feared.

“This loss threshold has been exceeded.”

Valen muttered, a trace of self-reproach in his voice. “I’ll have to explain this mission’s failure to the School Alliance.”

Madame Ellen scoffed.

“Isn’t Crystal Spire always boasting about having the most outstanding apprentices? How is it now? Afraid to face the old masters?”

Valen’s gaze hardened.

“Ai Lun, I know your grievances against Crystal Spire are many. But this isn’t the time for mockery. I must ensure the safety of the remaining apprentices inside the Altar as soon as possible.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end