Chapter 232: Multi-Layered Linkage

Chapter 232: Multi-Layered Linkage

The sky above Black Mist Jungle gradually twisted, a sinister purple halo spreading through the clouds like ink dripping into clear water, diffusing outward.

From the School’s central area, alarm bells rang out as members of the Enforcement Team swiftly gathered across various regions, attempting to contain the spreading chaos.

Luo En, Hayaek, and Youni strode quickly through the corridors, heading directly toward the Bloodline Altar.

A discomforting corrosive odor filled the air—a clear sign of Abyssal mana leakage.

“The situation is worse than we expected,” Hayaek said, his brow furrowed with concern. “The seal’s collapse has already begun affecting the School’s mana barrier. If we don’t act swiftly, the entire Black Mist Jungle will be contaminated by the Abyss.”

Youni nodded, her violet eyes flickering with worry. “Apprentices have already reported finding many mutated creatures in the eastern district. Obviously, the barrier’s weak points are already showing minor spatial rifts.”

“Should we evacuate the apprentices?” Luo En asked calmly, glancing at the frightened lower-ranked apprentices along the way.

“It’s already underway,” Hayaek replied. “Maxim is prioritizing the evacuation of ordinary apprentices to safe zones, but high apprentices and candidate mage sequence members need to stay and assist in stabilizing the situation.”

The trio soon reached the outer perimeter of the Bloodline Altar’s control nodes.

The scene here was even graver than anticipated—deep fissures already split the ground, oozing purplish-black mana as viscous and caustic as pus.

The air reeked of a nauseating stench, a chimera of rotting flesh and metallic decay.

Even more alarming, the surrounding vegetation had begun to mutate.

Once ordinary shrubs now twisted grotesquely, their branches transforming into jagged thorns while their roots writhed like tentacles.

“Abyssal plant mutation,” Luo En immediately identified the phenomenon. “The contamination has already begun affecting the ecosystem.”

“It’s becoming more like a miniature Abyss,” Youni murmured, her eyes shadowed with concern. Bound by her own Soul Contract, she added, “This area may never return to its original state.”

Cautiously navigating the increasingly warped corridor, they arrived at the Bloodline Altar’s control node.

This was Luo En’s first close-range view of the control node, and it was drastically different from the internal spatial environment he had previously seen during testing.

The mana flow here was far more chaotic, the spatial distortions more violent, shrouding the entire area in a semi-transparent purple mist.

The central stone platform had shattered completely, leaving only fragmented remnants scattered across the ground.

Of the twelve crystal pillars, nine had already collapsed, leaving only three barely standing.

At the base of the remaining pillars lay a blood-soaked figure—Soren.

His chest bore a massive gaping wound, within which a red crystal glowed faintly.

The crystal’s pulsation mirrored a heartbeat, albeit erratically—sometimes quick, sometimes slow.

His skin had turned an unnatural grayish-white, as if teetering on the brink of death, yet his eyes remained open, vacant and unfocused.

Youni quickly examined Soren’s condition before shaking her head.

“The situation is worse than we feared. The ‘Heart’s Tear’ is failing and can no longer sustain his life signs. Furthermore, Abyssal contamination has seeped into his blood and soul, eroding his spirit world.”

Hayaek’s expression darkened. “Can we transfer him back to the School’s medical ward?”

Youni frowned tightly, shaking her head again.

“The risks are too great. His current condition cannot withstand the shock of any teleportation spell. And for contamination of this magnitude, ordinary treatment methods are completely ineffective.”

Luo En stepped forward. “Let me try.”

Hayaek and Youni exchanged a glance before silently stepping aside.

After all, he had already proven his alchemical and bloodline formulation prowess. If anyone could save Soren in this situation, it would be Luo En.

Approaching Soren, Luo En knelt beside him and began a thorough examination.

First, he used “Transcendent Perception” to analyze Soren’s life signs and mana flow.

【Transcendent Perception】 revealed alarming results:

【Soren (Dawn Star Rank Mage)
Status: Critical (60% life force depletion, 42% spiritual contamination)
Core Issues:
1. Missing heart, temporary replacement “Heart’s Tear” losing efficacy
2. Abyssal contamination eroding vascular system and spirit world
3. Severely disrupted mana flow, damaged core mana node】

Luo En’s brow furrowed slightly as he lifted his gaze to the two mages. “The situation is indeed dire, but there’s still a chance.”

He inhaled deeply, beginning his analysis.

“First, we must address three core issues—stabilizing life signs, purging contamination, and repairing the mana system. This will require combining techniques from potions, alchemy, and bloodline formulation.”

“We don’t have enough time or resources,” Youni said gravely. “Even the most foundational purification potion requires several hours of brewing.”

A faint, confident smile tugged at Luo En’s lips. “That’s where my advantage lies.”

Swiftly, he retrieved several small vials from his storage bag—his portable potion base materials, always carried for emergencies.

At the same time, he activated his “Radiation Field” ability, a faint mana field radiating outward from his center to envelop Soren’s body.

The mana field shimmered with a clear blue-white hue, as pure as a mountain spring, forming a stark contrast to the surrounding purplish-black Abyssal mana.

“My Radiation Field seems more unique than an average Dawn Star Rank mage’s. It can temporarily isolate external contamination, buying us more time for treatment.”

As the two watched with puzzled gazes, Luo En casually explained while already beginning to prepare the potion materials.

Suddenly, an unexpected sound interrupted their plan.

“Screee—”

A chilling scream pierced the air, like nails scraping glass, yet carrying an unmistakable biological timbre.

The trio spun around swiftly, spotting a swarm of twisted creatures crawling from the corridor’s far end.

These creatures resembled grotesque mutations of rats.

Their bodies were at least three times the size of normal rats, their skin a sickly purple-gray. Spikes jutted from their backs, their tails splitting into three forked ends, each studded with sharp bony barbs.

Most unsettling were their eyes—not two, but a dense cluster covering the front of their heads like a writhing mass of red flesh.

“Abyssal vermin swarm,” Hayaek muttered. “The altar’s mana leakage has already begun affecting nearby lifeforms.”

Youni immediately positioned herself in front of Soren, condensing a ball of violet flame in her hand. “Luo En, focus on healing—we’ll handle these mutated creatures.”

Hayaek stepped forward as well, his staff’s tip gleaming with cold light. “Their numbers aren’t overwhelming, but be cautious. Abyssal creatures often possess unpredictable special abilities beyond conventional countermeasures.”

Luo En nodded, not pausing his work.

He knew he had to complete the treatment swiftly—not just to save Soren, but to ensure all of them could escape this collapsing area safely.

【Synergy Detected:
Potion Master (Two-Star) + Mage Primordial (Three-Star)
Synergy Bonus Unlocked:
1. Alchemical purification efficiency increased
2. Potion efficacy and stability enhanced】

As this synergy prompt flashed in Luo En’s mind, he felt an unprecedented affinity with medicinal ingredients.

Each wisp of mana particles in the air became crystal clear, the mana structures of the ingredients appearing to him like open books.

He began chimera-ing the ingredients with unprecedented fluidity and precision, each movement guided by an invisible force.

The core materials for the “Life Stabilization Potion” were “Sunlight Nectar” and “Crystal Ore Liquid.” These required precise ratios to generate powerful life-enhancing effects.

A senior potion master would typically need at least half an hour for meticulous refinement, but Luo En completed the process in under five minutes.

The mana amplification from his “Primordial Circuit” accelerated the purification—impurities melted away like snow under high-concentration mana, leaving only the purest active components.

The number of mutated creatures exceeded initial estimates, continuously emerging from the corridor’s shadows.

They moved with terrifying speed and agility, scaling walls and ceilings effortlessly to form a three-dimensional attack formation.

Even more troubling, these creatures displayed signs of collective intelligence.

Their movements weren’t chaotic but followed a clear strategy—some drawing attacks, others seeking breakthrough openings.

“Watch out for their self-detonations!” Hayaek warned calmly, casually unleashing an icy storm that engulfed a wide area. “Their bodies are composed of concentrated Abyssal substance. When they explode, the contamination can disperse into the air, potentially seeping directly into the bloodstream!”

Youni, clearly prepared, summoned a barrier of Purple Flame that blocked most of the charging rat horde while deflecting the self-detonating remains.

Luo En didn’t turn around or pause his work.

He merely tilted his head slightly, using his peripheral vision to spot the approaching mutated rats.

[Synergy Detected:
Demon Hunter Knights (Two-and-a-Half-Star) + Primordial Mage (Three-Star)
Additional Synergy Bonus Granted:
1. Expanded perception range against mutated creatures
2. Increased spirit attack damage against mutated creatures
3. Dramatically enhanced essence analysis capability]

Every living being’s location, movement trajectory, and energy fluctuations within the room coalesced into a precise three-dimensional map inside his mind. The mutated rats’ weaknesses became glaringly obvious—the multi-eyed region on their heads housed both their neural core and the densest concentration of Abyssal mana.

—Spirit Burst: Beam Wave!

An invisible ripple of spiritual energy erupted from his back, devoid of any flashy visual effects or even disturbing dust in the air.

Yet the Abyssal rats froze mid-motion, then their heads detonated like grenades, spraying purplish-black liquid in all directions.

“No wonder primordial mages are so rare—this level of control hasn’t been seen in centuries,” Hayaek murmured, eyes wide with awe. “The precision of this power is exceptional even among full-fledged mages.”

Youni nodded, her violet eyes gleaming with complex emotions. “A primordial mage’s combat prowess truly lives up to its reputation.”

Luo En ignored their praise and resumed his work.

By now, he’d completed the Life Stabilizer Potion—a shimmering emerald-green liquid glowing softly in his palm. Thanks to the synergistic enhancement from both the Radiation Field and his Primordial Mage bonus, its potency had tripled.

This wasn’t an ordinary life-stabilizing potion.

Beyond temporarily steadying vital signs, it also strengthened the fusion between Heart’s Tear and biological tissues, significantly prolonging its efficacy.

Luo En carefully poured the potion into Soren’s mouth.

As expected, Soren’s complexion improved, his breathing steadier. The red crystal on his chest no longer flickered erratically, maintaining a stable, rhythmic glow.

“Now, we must address the Abyssal contamination.”

Luo En frowned, studying the purplish-black traces in Soren’s veins. “Conventional suppression methods won’t work against this concentration. I’ll need an alternative approach.”

[Bloodline Modifier (Two-Star) + Primordial Mage (Three-Star) Synergy Detected]
[Additional Synergy Bonus Granted:
1. Increased bloodline formulation success rate
2. Enhanced Radiation Field bio-tissue affinity
3. Finer control over bloodline mana]

Enlightenment flashed in Luo En’s eyes as his fingers danced in the air, manipulating invisible threads.

The purplish-black contaminants in Soren’s veins began segregating from his bloodstream, rising toward the surface like oil droplets separating from water. This delicate process would normally take days for a standard Bloodline Modifier, but under the synergy’s amplification, Luo En achieved visible progress in mere minutes.

“This is…!” Youni gasped, staring at Soren’s skin.

A wisp of purplish-black substance seeped from his pores, writhing like tiny snakes. The Radiation Field instantly neutralized it, reducing the corruption to harmless ash.

[Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience Points +1]
[Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience Points +1]
[Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience Points +1]
…
[Current Progress: Bloodline Shaping (Proficient 56/100)]

The complexity of the procedure explained the accelerated experience gain.

“Surface contamination is temporarily neutralized,” Luo En said, sweat beading his forehead. The high-precision operation had taxed him heavily.

“Now we face the final challenge—replacing Soren’s heart.”

“This is practically impossible,” Hayaek shook his head. “Even alchemy masters require weeks or months to craft organs with sufficient compatibility. Someone capable of simultaneous bloodline formulation would be a Truth Pavilion-listed prodigy.”

Luo En said nothing, retrieving a compact alchemy set and rare materials from his Storage Bag, along with purified blood samples from Soren.

“I can’t create a replacement heart for Mentor Soren,” he explained calmly. “But a stable temporary organ substitute is feasible.”

His hands moved, transforming the strange living substance from metal into a beating heart shape. Golden mana patterns shimmered across its surface, with intricate mana channels mimicking natural circulatory systems.

As Soren’s blood was absorbed, the artificial heart radiated brighter.

[Material Transmutation (Proficient) Experience Points +1]
[Current Progress: Material Transmutation (Proficient 78/100)]

Luo En exhaled deeply, cradling the pulsing golden heart.

This step far exceeded previous challenges—any mistake could trigger catastrophic rejection or instant death.

He carefully removed Soren’s failing Heart’s Tear, now dim and mana-depleted, and implanted the artificial heart.

Thud… Thud… Thud…

The cavernous wound shrank visibly, the heartbeat strong and clear.

“It worked.” Luo En sighed, sweat drenching his hairline. “The heart has achieved perfect fusion. His life is stable now.”

Soren’s eyes fluttered open, clarity returning to his gaze.

“Am I… still alive?” His voice trembled with fragile disbelief.

“Under normal circumstances, your soul should already be burning in hellfire,” Hayaek quipped dryly before turning to Luo En, admiration unhidden. “But our young friend has just proven primordial mages exceed even our wildest expectations.”

Soren attempted to sit up, movements slow but autonomous. He met Luo En’s gaze with unspoken gratitude, then scanned the surroundings warily.

“What about the Bloodline Altar and Holy Disc?”

“The Holy Disc is handled,” Luo En replied curtly, avoiding details of the fierce battle. “But the Bloodline Altar’s seals have collapsed. Abyssal contamination is spreading.”

Hayaek nodded grimly. “We must evacuate immediately. Your repairs only delayed the inevitable.”

Suddenly, the ground shook violently.

“Worse than expected!” Youni’s violet eyes widened. “The spatial structure is collapsing faster!”

Luo En’s mind raced through escape routes as Soren interrupted.

“The northern passage’s still stable—get moving now!”

“Sure you can walk?” Hayaek eyed his pallor.

Soren chuckled weakly. “Sir Fuyuanzhang, if we delay, the Abyss will consume us all. Don’t worry—this new heart’s stronger than I imagined.”

The passage twisted violently, walls cracking as purplish-black mana oozed like blood. Rock fragments rained down, the terrain warping under invisible forces tearing reality itself.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end