Chapter 211: Siren Secretions
Chapter 211: Siren Secretions
Since returning from the Bloodline Altar, Daire’s transformation had manifested not just in power but in her very demeanor.
Her movements had grown more graceful, her voice carrying an indescribable allure—a sign of the innate talent unique to pure-blood sirens beginning to awaken.
“I need some of your… special secretions.”
Luo En spoke bluntly. “Specifically, that highly corrosive liquid.”
Daire blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly. “You mean… my saliva?”
“More precisely, the acidic fluid produced deep within your salivary glands.”
Luo En explained, “As far as I know, pure-blood sirens can control the properties of their saliva, freely switching between ordinary saliva and concentrated acid.”
Daire lowered her head, her fingers twisting nervously. “This feels… rather embarrassing.”
Her voice barely rose above a whisper, but Luo En caught every word.
“For sirens, this secretion is… extremely private. It’s typically used only for hunting… or… other intimate purposes.”
She trailed off, her face reddening to the tips of her ears.
Luo En raised an eyebrow. He suddenly realized he might have inadvertently touched upon some cultural taboo related to the siren species.
But the urgency of his research took precedence.
“This is for an important spell experiment,” he said calmly. “If you truly feel uncomfortable, I can seek alternatives.”
Daire inhaled deeply, lifting her gaze. “No, of course I’m willing to do anything for my master.”
She hesitated before asking, “How… much do you need?”
“About this much.” Luo En gestured the size of a small vial. “Filling this container will suffice.”
Daire nodded, her face still flushed. “Please give me a vessel. I’ll need… a moment alone.”
Luo En retrieved a specially crafted glass vial from his pocket—its material resistant to even the strongest acid—and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” he murmured. “This is crucial for my research.”
Daire accepted the vial, then hurried to a secluded corner of the training yard.
Minutes later, she returned clutching a glass vial nearly half-full of a transparent, viscous liquid. Her eyes darted away as she spoke.
“Here you go… This is my… secretion.”
She extended the vial, her head bowed so low her hair nearly brushed her chest.
Luo En took the vial, examining its contents under the light.
In sunlight, the liquid shimmered faintly blue, far thicker than water yet still fluid.
“Thank you, Daire,” he said sincerely.
The little siren nodded rapidly. “You’re welcome, Master. If you need more… I can provide it anytime.”
Luo En smiled faintly before returning to his laboratory.
Daire exhaled, her gaze lingering on her master’s retreating figure—complex emotions flickering in her eyes.
Back in the lab, Luo En began his experiments.
He carefully dripped a single drop of Daire’s secretion onto a wooden plank.
The moment the liquid met wood, a sharp sizzling sound erupted.
The surface rapidly corroded into a deep, charred-black pit.
“Corrosiveness exceeds my expectations,” Luo En murmured, astonished.
This acid’s potency surpassed most industrial-strength acids he’d encountered in the school laboratory.
Even more remarkably, the liquid carried a faint mana trait. It didn’t just eat through physical structures—it disrupted mana formations.
Luo En began integrating the acid into a spell matrix.
Unlike simple infusion into an existing spell, true spellcraft required weaving the medium’s traits directly into the matrix during creation, forging a perfect resonance between the two.
He first constructed the foundational framework of “Slime Splash” in his spiritual perception, then infused it with the acid’s properties at key nodes.
This delicate process demanded mastery of both spell structure and the medium’s traits.
As spiritual energy flowed into his palm, a glob of obsidian-blue liquid materialized, glowing faintly.
Compared to the original slime spell, this version was denser, its sheen sharper, as if brimming with latent danger.
“Go!”
With a flick of his wrist, the liquid shot forward like an arrow, striking a wooden training dummy.
“Hiss!”
The impact screeched like nails on chalkboard.
A bowl-sized pit formed instantly, its edges smoking pale blue fumes. The air thickened with a pungent, acrid odor.
“The effect is far better than anticipated,” Luo En mused, impressed.
This improved spell’s attack speed and corrosive power had both leaped forward.
Yet he wasn’t satisfied.
“If I refine the spell structure further, I might develop area-effect variants.”
Flipping open his notes, he sketched new spell matrices.
His concept involved three forms of the acid spell:
The first, the “Acidic Orb” he’d just tested—high speed and extreme corrosiveness, ideal for precision strikes on single targets.
The second, “Acid Rain”—dispersing the liquid into countless droplets to cover a wide area. Moderate concentration would corrode enemies’ skin and equipment, weakening their combat ability.
The third, “Acidic Miasma”—vaporizing the liquid entirely into a toxic fog, obscuring vision while dealing continuous damage.
For hours, Luo En immersed himself in refining the spell.
He adjusted structures, fine-tuned mana distribution, and tested various casting methods.
“Acid Rain” progressed smoothly.
Adding a “diffusion node” at the spell’s end allowed him to scatter the concentrated liquid into a shower of fine droplets.
Testing confirmed this form covered a circular area roughly five to six meters in diameter.
While less corrosive per point than the “Acidic Orb,” its area effect was impressive.
“Acidic Miasma” proved more challenging.
Vaporizing the liquid required additional mana conversion nodes, and controlling gaseous matter was far more complex than liquid.
After multiple attempts, Luo En finally devised a relatively stable structure, maintaining the miasma effect for about a minute.
When the final test concluded, he surveyed the results with satisfaction—the training dummy had nearly dissolved, its base barely intact.
“Three new forms of Slime Splash: Acidic Orb, Acid Rain, and Acidic Miasma.”
Luo En mused, “Each suited to different scenarios.”
Most satisfying was their shared foundational structure—allowing flexible switching by minor adjustments during casting.
【Skill Improved: Slime Splash – Advanced (Proficient Max)】
The translucent interface notification brought a faint smile to his face.
An unassuming foundational spell had evolved into three potent variants through specialized spellcasting media.
This epitomized the path of a mage—relentless exploration and innovation.
“Next, perhaps I should experiment with more spellcasting media,” he pondered, his gaze drifting to the materials on his shelf.
Venom glands from monstrous beasts, abyssal matter from the Bloodline Altar, even his own Crimson Blood Sky Dragon bloodline—each could enhance spells.
This success had also revealed new insights.
Spellcasting media weren’t just for amplifying existing spells—they could grant entirely new traits.
Mastering this technique would be vital for developing his personal spell system upon becoming a Full Mage.
As night fell, the workshop glowed softly with mana crystal lamps.
Luo En organized his research notes into a dedicated log.
These records would become foundational stones for future advancements.
After storing them in his Consciousness Library, he’d destroy them—leaving no traces.
Stepping outside, he gazed at the stars.
Their distant light seemed to whisper secrets, like the mysterious murmurs in The Murmuring of the Star Devourer.
“There’s still a long way to go.”
………
Three days later, in the early morning, Luo En completed his daily cultivation.
Entering the dining hall, he found Liliya had already prepared a lavish breakfast—her spirit clearly recovered.
Golden, crispy toast spread with smooth peanut butter.
Perfectly fried eggs, yolk slightly set yet still runny.
Sizzling grilled meat, edges crispy, the center a juicy pink.
A steaming cup of black tea awaited him at his usual seat, its deep amber hue releasing a subtle fragrance.
“Good morning, Master.”
Liliya bowed slightly, her long purple-black hair neatly pinned back.
Though traces of fatigue lingered in her eyes, their usual liveliness had returned—gone were the weariness and anxiety of recent days.
Luo En nodded, taking his seat. “How are you feeling today?”
His tone was flat, but she caught the subtle concern beneath it.
“Very well, thank you for your concern,” she replied softly, her cheeks flushing faintly.
Her slender fingers twisted together—a lingering embarrassment over her recent outburst.
Luo En observed her impassively.
Liliya’s innate talent, Diligence Compensates for Inadequacy, truly was a remarkable gift.
Like a humble vine, steadily growing stronger through patient cultivation.
Her progress had accelerated recently—from a timid apprentice candidate to a seasoned practitioner capable of brewing complex potions independently.
Her transformation was nothing short of astonishing.
Especially in meditation and alchemy, two disciplines demanding intense focus, she had surpassed her peers by leaps and bounds.
"Today I have some matters to attend to", Luo En said, setting down his teacup. The fragrant brew carried a hint of sweetness, just to his liking.
He met Liliya's gaze steadily. "You're coming with me."
Liliya froze at his words. Her teacup trembled in her hand, spilling droplets onto the tablecloth. Ever since becoming Luo En's apprentice, she'd visited Madame Ellen's Herbal Medicine Shop several times, though always for simple errands—delivering parcels or passing messages without ever engaging in meaningful conversation. Yet that sharp-tongued old woman had once sheltered her when she'd been in mortal danger.
"Any objections?" Luo En asked, his voice as calm as a windless lake.
Liliya gazed into her master's fathomless eyes. This wasn't a request—it was a decision already made. Straightening her spine, she nodded. "None at all, Teacher. I'd be honored to accompany you." Though her voice remained steady, her heart pounded like a war drum. Why was he taking her there? Was he returning her to Madame Ellen? Had she done something wrong?
Luo En gave a slight nod and returned to his meal, seemingly oblivious to her turmoil. In truth, he keenly felt Liliya's emotional storm—the way her normally downcast eyes now flickered with anxiety and confusion.
This visit was necessary. If he intended to pursue that perilous yet promising path of advancement, preparations needed making. Whether as his first formal apprentice or a cultivator possessing a Special Innate Talent, Liliya's future required careful planning.
As they stepped into the Market, the morning mist from last night's rain still lingered in the air, washing away the Black Mist Jungle's perpetual dust. The bustling marketplace teemed with merchants hawking everything from mundane wares to rare ingredients. Goblin traders displayed gleaming alchemy sets to curious apprentices. Exotic women in linen robes peddled unfamiliar spices, while a blue-skinned merchant carefully unveiled a pulsating Crystal Stone, drawing envious stares. Enforcement Team members in dark robes patrolled silently, their staffs marking them as enforcers of order.
"It's been a while since I last came here", Liliya murmured, her gaze lingering on familiar stalls. Before joining Luo En's Workshop, she'd visited daily to procure supplies for Madame Ellen. Many vendors had grown accustomed to her presence, setting aside fresh goods just for her.
"Is the Workshop more demanding?" Luo En asked casually, though his eyes scanned the crowd. Since the Bloodline Altar incident, his vigilance had never wavered. Who could say whether the Abyss Eye's influence had already seeped into every corner of the School?
"Not at all, Teacher", Liliya replied, warmth softening her features. "Learning new techniques, organizing your research records, helping Sister Ai Lan care for little Daire... It's all so fulfilling." Her smile glowed with genuine contentment, radiating a quiet joy.
The Herbal Medicine Shop stood unassuming, its weathered walls adorned with a creaking bronze wind chime. The scent of medicinal herbs greeted them as they entered, mingling with faint acidity and bitterness. Madame Ellen hunched over ledgers at the counter, her emerald eyes sharp despite her frail appearance.
"Not open today", the old woman barked without looking up. "Come back tomorrow."
"It's me", Luo En said evenly. The shopkeeper's head snapped up, recognition flashing in her eyes before they flicked toward Liliya. "Oh? Brought your little student along?"
"Madam", Liliya inclined her head respectfully, but Madame Ellen only snorted.
"Stop standing there like a fool", she grumbled, though a trace of softness crept into her tone. Grabbing her cane, she led them through the back.
As Liliya passed the threshold, memories surged. How many times had she walked this path? Yet today felt different. She reached instinctively for the teapot, her movements smooth from repetition.
"Still the same old Madam?" she asked gently.
The old woman merely nodded. "You've got a good memory. But no tea today—we've more important matters."
In the hidden chamber beyond, alchemy apparatus hummed softly. Blue liquid dripped rhythmically into a collection vial, each drop an echo of life itself. Madame Ellen snapped her fingers, activating a mana barrier before transforming before their eyes. Wrinkles smoothed, posture straightened, and within moments, a beautiful woman with pink-violet hair stood before them.
Liliya stumbled back, her voice catching in her throat. "M-Madam?"
"Scared of your old grumpy boss now?" Madame Ellen teased, her melodic voice a stark contrast to her usual rasp. "This is just my peak mana state—what you might call a temporary 'reversion'."
Luo En remained unfazed, but Liliya's mind reeled. Could this graceful woman truly be the same sharp-tongued herbalist who'd once saved her life?
"Go tend the herb garden", Madame Ellen instructed, her voice brokering no argument. "The nightshade needs pruning."
As Liliya left, her backward glance betrayed lingering uncertainty. Luo En reassured her with a nod before turning back to Madame Ellen, who sipped her tea with satisfaction.
"Good pupil", the alchemist remarked, fingers absently entwined. "Her growth-type Special Innate Talent combined with your tutelage has produced remarkable progress."
(End of Chapter)
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