https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-The-Giant-Brain-A-Beast-s-Desperation-/13535096/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-24-Sound-Wave-Oscillation-Prototype-Farewell-Cui-Xi/13535098/
Chapter 23: Death and Legacy
Chapter 23: Death and Legacy
The blade struck with surgical precision into the writhing mass, sending Darend's body into violent convulsions as a guttural scream tore from his throat.
But the attacker showed no mercy. Gritting his teeth, he drove the sword deeper, twisting it violently to create maximum damage.
【One Strike Killing! +5 Foundational Swordsmanship Experience】
A grotesque mixture of blood and cerebral tissue erupted from the wound, splattering across his clothes.
With a thunderous crash, the giant brain monster finally collapsed, its twitching body going still. The killer kept his eyes locked on the twisted remains until absolute silence confirmed death. The malformed brain's eerie glow had vanished completely, leaving only a lifeless, desiccated organ.
Luo En stood motionless, panting heavily, his clothes soaked in foreign blood and viscous fluids. He could barely comprehend what he'd just done - slaying a fellow candidate apprentice, a neighbor who'd shared this hellish jungle with him for months.
Yet survival instinct quickly reasserted itself.
In the Black Mist Jungle, this was business as usual.
The law of the jungle governed everything here - survival of the fittest. And he'd simply followed that law.
"Sorry, Darend", Luo En murmured, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. "But I'm the one who has to live."
After the battle, he cautiously approached the corpse, hoping to salvage something useful. Amid the grotesque remains, a small notebook had miraculously survived intact - perhaps Darend had instinctively protected his research even in madness.
Flipping through the pages, Luo En found dense notes on Darend's sound wave magic studies - chaotic sketches and unfinished ideas. Most were incomprehensible, but several pages stood out: a simplified prototype of sound wave magic, refined to practical application.
"So this was what he fought to complete..." Luo En muttered, carefully pocketing the notebook.
This research was invaluable not just academically, but potentially life-saving for the upcoming trial.
【Special Skill Unlocked: Sound Wave Oscillation (Prototype)】
【Description: An incomplete magical concept, yet already practically useful】
【Effect: Generates offensive sound waves that inflict both physical and spirit damage】
Before he could examine Darend's other belongings, urgent footsteps echoed from the distance. The school's enforcers had obviously noticed the disturbance and were responding.
Luo En quickly composed himself, crafting the appearance of an innocent victim rather than an aggressor. While the jungle operated on survival of the fittest, the school maintained strict order.
A squad of enforcers soon appeared at the corridor's end. Leading them was a tall man with a High Apprentice badge on his chest. He pushed back his hood, revealing a pale, gaunt face with sharp, calculating eyes that swept the scene clinically.
Recognition sparked in Luo En's mind. The herbal scent confirmed it - this was Holt, the High Apprentice who'd purchased starry dusk grass at the herbal shop days earlier.
"What happened?"
Holt's voice carried no personal warmth when addressing Luo En, though his eyes flickered slightly.
Luo En took a steadying breath, keeping his explanation concise and emphasizing Darend's mutation and unprovoked attack. "He used forbidden elixirs, suffered brain mutation, and attacked me. I had no choice but to defend myself."
Holt listened impassively before crouching beside the corpse, collecting samples of the brain fluid. "Classic catalyst mutation", he noted. "These cases keep increasing."
Turning to Luo En, he continued, "Regulations require a spiritual energy scan to check for contamination."
Luo En complied, allowing Holt to press a crystal against his forehead. The device's light cycled from blue to green before stabilizing.
"Clean", Holt confirmed. "Your spiritual energy remains stable. Good defense."
His gaze lingered on Luo En's wooden sword. "Killing a mutation with just this? Your swordsmanship impresses."
"Luck more than skill", Luo En downplayed, avoiding undue attention.
Holt smiled faintly. "Caution serves well. But know this - the school encourages justified self-defense. If you found valuable research..." He let the implication hang.
Luo En stiffened. Had Holt noticed the notebook? "Thank you for the advice", he replied carefully.
As Holt departed, Luo En understood Andie's earlier words: those in power often nurtured promising apprentices rather than crushing them. Holt's subtle guidance was recognition of his potential.
Back in his room, Luo En reflected on the jungle's brutal reality. Here, desperation drove people to madness in pursuit of power. Darend, Ai Mi Li, Luo Ke - all victims of this twisted system. Yet ultimately, survival depended on personal strength and choices.
In a hidden chamber, blue light illuminated several white-robed figures observing crystal balls displaying various school areas. One showed Luo En's battle in detail.
"Seventy-eight points", declared a serious mage. "His performance against sound wave attacks was impressive."
"Seventy", countered Youni, a silver-haired woman. "His swordsmanship merits praise, but his initial reaction was sluggish."
"Seventy-five", the elder mage decided. "Record Luo En Lalf for priority observation."
A scribe noted the name as Holt's investigation played out in the crystals.
"Interesting", Youni observed. "He's Ai Lun's new protégé. The old man's instincts remain sharp."
"The sound waves left internal injuries", the serious mage noted. "I wonder if he'll survive tonight."
"He'll manage", the elder replied. "He carries Solara's scent - healing should come easily."
"Solara?" The name sparked interest. "You're certain?"
The elder nodded. "Faint but present. That's why he intrigues me."
"Definitely worth watching", Youni mused. "Fewer apprentices show elemental affinity these days. If he truly has Solara potential..."
"Speaking of potential", the male mage shifted topics. "Fuyuanzhang, you seem younger lately. Kelinna's ascension must've granted you significant Boon."
"Finding promising commoners pays well", Fuyuanzhang replied. "Cultivating potential like Cui Xi could yield greater rewards."
"Indeed", another agreed. "Without student Boons, we'd have succumbed to corruption long ago."
Fuyuanzhang stood. "Gentlemen, continue monitoring candidates. Instruct the Black Vipers to slow operations - mutation rates exceed our projections."
"As you command", the scribe bowed.
Youni smirked. "The apprentices would never guess their 'dangerous' black market is our tool."
"A necessary evil", Fuyuanzhang said calmly. "Some die, but more grow stronger. Survival of the fittest."
The crystal images dimmed as the mages departed, leaving the jungle's shadows to consume its next victim.
(End of Chapter)
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