Chapter 254: Ecological Suoyi Insect

Chapter 254: Ecological Suoyi Insect

Luo En gave a brief nod. "Then we should leave immediately."

Yisen pointed toward the eastern part of the city.

"We need to cross the main district first, then exit through the East Gate", he explained. "The Shadow District lies beyond the formal city walls but has its own protective system—not to keep out Abyssmana, but to maintain its unique ecological balance."

Luo En understood the implication.

This was a lawless zone governed by its own rules, a place where strength and profit, not morality or legality, dictated order.

As they walked through the morning-lit streets, early merchants and residents were already stirring.

Passing a stone bridge, Yisen gestured toward a small stream below.

The water glowed unnaturally purple, its surface shimmering with faint fluorescence, moving slowly like congealed syrup.

"That's 'Abyss Blood.'"

There was reverence in Yisen's voice.

"It's said to be the literal 'blood' of the Abyss itself, seeping into the superficial world through certain unique nodes. No one has ever fully analyzed its composition, but drinking even a drop..."

He hesitated, shuddering slightly. "At best, it permanently alters your senses. At worst, it triggers full mutation."

Luo En paused to study the strange stream.

Using his "Transcendent Perception", he sensed the complex mana structure within the water. Not a single mana form, but a chimera of dozens—even hundreds—of interwoven manas, colliding yet maintaining some sinister equilibrium.

"Where does it flow?" Luo En asked, following the stream's course.

"Eventually into the 'Silent Lake' to the east", Yisen answered. "That lake is one of the region's most concentrated Abyssmana zones."

His expression turned serious.

"The Silent Lake is a restricted area. No one can approach without official clearance. Even Full Mages require special permits for research."

Luo En nodded, asking no further questions.

Beyond the East Gate, the scenery transformed immediately.

Neat stone roads gave way to uneven dirt paths. Orderly buildings were replaced by makeshift shacks. The Abyssal Breath thickened in the air, carrying a subtle oppressive weight that made breathing slightly uncomfortable.

"We've officially entered the outer zone", Yisen warned, lowering his voice. "The protective arrays here aren't as complete as the city center. Abyssmana seepage is much more pronounced. Still, it should pose no problem for a magelord like you."

Luo En distinctly felt the environmental shift.

It wasn't just the abnormal mana fields—the air shimmered with subtle spatial distortions, as if distances were being stretched or compressed, making depth perception tricky.

More unsettling were the pedestrians. Their behavior was distinctly... off.

"Most residents here are 'border-dwellers,'" Yisen explained, eyes scanning cautiously. "Either exiled criminals, explorers too deeply affected by Abyssal influence to rejoin normal society, or researchers who chose to stay for specialized studies."

Luo En noticed a small figure huddled in a corner, wrapped in a tattered cloak. Only a pair of glowing eyes were visible.

As they passed, those eyes tracked them—filled with indescribable hunger and fear.

"Sir, avoid eye contact if possible", Yisen urged, quickening his pace. "Some have lost all rational thought. They're ruled only by the primal instincts shaped by the Abyss."

Luo En gave a slight nod, fully understanding the warning.

The Abyssal Life Compendium contained similar records:

In its final stage, Abyssal influence degraded intelligence while amplifying instinct, reducing complex life forms to mere predators or scavengers.

As they ventured deeper, the structures became increasingly dilapidated. The air carried a nauseating mix of metallic tang, sulfur, and decaying organic matter.

"We're almost there", Yisen said, his tone tightening. "That black wall ahead marks the Shadow District's boundary."

Luo En looked up. A three-meter-high black wall loomed ahead.

Made of some dark metal or mineral, its surface was covered in tiny pores occasionally emitting wisps of purple mist. No guards stood atop it, but the wall itself seemed alive, subtly undulating as if breathing.

"They say this wall is an alchemist's experimental creation", Yisen explained reverently. "Forged from a special material called 'live metal.' It can autonomously judge an entrant's strength and intent, attacking threats. But as an experimental prototype, it's... sometimes unstable."

Luo En narrowed his eyes. He could perceive the complex mana flows within the wall—strikingly similar to the mana circulation systems of living organisms.

"Please follow me."

Yisen led Luo En toward an unassuming side entrance seamlessly integrated into the wall.

"This is the 'certified entrance.' Requires an entry fee and a simple power evaluation."

A half-meter-tall dwarf sat by the small door. His deep purple skin bore a pair of curved horns atop his head, his eyes solid black—no whites visible. Clad in a robe of unknown material, runes flickered faintly across its surface.

"Yisen, bringing another new customer?" The dwarf rasped, eyes sweeping over Luo En. "This one looks like a magelord."

"Balke, this is a mage sir requesting to enter the Shadow District", Yisen said respectfully, his voice tense. "Please grant the appropriate courtesies."

Balke's eyes widened slightly. He quickly stood, bowing deeply to Luo En.

"Welcome to the Shadow District, magelord."

His tone had shifted dramatically, almost sycophantic.

"Full Mages normally pay ten Mana Shard Fragments, but considering this is your first visit, five shall suffice."

Luo En offered no negotiation, producing five Mana Shard Fragments from his Storage Bag and placing them on the dwarf's small table.

"Thank you for your generosity, magelord."

Balke swiftly pocketed the fragments, retrieving a small black crystal orb from beneath the table.

"A simple power evaluation, if I may. No offense intended—it's merely Shadow District protocol."

Luo En understood the purpose of such evaluations—establishing a visitor's strength rank to prevent unnecessary offense.

He extended his hand, lightly touching the orb.

The orb flared brilliant blue, then rapidly shifted to purple, finally settling on deep red.

"A very stable Dawn Star Rank tier!" Balke appraised the orb's glow, eyes flickering with surprise. "Your instantaneous output reaches at least Dawn Star Rank mid-tier!"

Luo En already knew this. Based on the orb's immediate reaction, his output was indeed mid-tier Dawn Star Rank. After all, he had only ascended a month ago.

"Here, please accept this." Balke quickly produced a red badge from a drawer and handed it over. "This serves as your identification within the Shadow District. It will deter lower-perception creatures from causing unnecessary... incidents."

Luo En took the badge, pinning it to his robe. The badge bore a complex rune that shimmered strangely in the light.

"My commission?" Yisen reminded, eyes gleaming with greed.

Balke impatiently tossed several crystal coins to Yisen. "Yes, yes, take it."

His tone turned servile again as he addressed Luo En.

"Magelord, every person in the Shadow District will show you proper respect. Should any issues arise, simply present your badge. In the Core Area, you'll find exclusive services and items reserved for high-ranking visitors."

Luo En nodded, signaling readiness to proceed.

Balke swiftly opened the small door, stepping aside respectfully.

As Luo En crossed the threshold, he immediately felt a powerful energy fluctuation—as if passing through an invisible barrier.

The scenery shifted instantly—the gray decay of the outer world replaced by surreal, multicolored lights.

The entire Shadow District appeared perpetually cloaked in twilight, illuminated by countless strange neon-like glows.

"Welcome to the Shadow District, magelord."

Yisen relaxed visibly, clearly at ease in familiar territory.

"With your privileges, you may proceed directly to the Core Area. That's where the Shadow District's unique 'Silent Market' resides."

He glanced around, resuming his guide role.

"Their trading methods differ completely from the outside world. Each negotiator operates within their own quarantine cage, completely sealed off by semi-transparent mana barriers. No one can perceive another's energy fluctuations or perform spiritual detection. All communication occurs through the central mana board. Safe and discreet—it's the ideal place for exchanging rare items."

Luo En surveyed the Shadow District.

The architecture was bizarrely varied—some structures resembled giant mushrooms, others twisted bone towers.

He studied the "Silent Market" more closely.

The interior dome was divided into dozens of hexagonal quarantine zones, each completely enclosed by mana barriers. From the outside, almost nothing was visible within.

At the center stood a massive black crystal slab, its surface constantly flickering with colorful texts and patterns—the endless stream of demands and supplies posted by countless negotiators.

This design was truly ingenious, effectively preventing accidents caused by energy fluctuation conflicts or spiritual contamination during transactions.

For Abyss material trades, such precautions were anything but excessive.

As they ventured deeper, Luo En noticed the quarantine zones varied significantly in size.

Some were noticeably more spacious and luxurious, seemingly reserved for visitors of specific Ranks,

while others were cramped and rudimentary, barely enough space for one person.

This tiered structure reflected the internal hierarchy of the exchange, and Luo En himself had clearly been categorized as an upper-tier guest.

"Each negotiator is assigned a temporary quarantine zone", Yisen explained, slightly quickening his pace to save time.

"There, you post your trading information or respond to others' requests. All substantial communication and item exchanges are handled entirely by the central system, ensuring neither party can learn the other's true identity—unless voluntarily revealed."

At the reception desk stood a peculiar Magic Automaton.

Its silver-white metallic body was inlaid with countless tiny blue crystals, while its head was a perfect sphere devoid of facial features.

Luo En probed the intricate mana flow within its structure, sensing an artificial intelligence construct inside.

"Respected guest, welcome to the Silent Market", the Automaton spoke in a neutral tone that resonated directly in Luo En's mind, bypassing his ears entirely.

"Please present your privileges identification."

Luo En displayed the red badge on his chest.

The spherical head flickered faintly, as if performing a scan.

"Advanced privileges confirmed", the Automaton's voice gained a subtle layer of respect.

"You will be assigned to the Special Trading Area, Quarantine Zone 7. Allow me to explain the Silent Market's basic rules."

[Rules omitted for brevity]

Quarantine Zone 7 was spacious and comfortable, at least three times larger than standard negotiator zones.

A black metallic chair occupied the center, with a floating mana board before it—the personal interface for the central slab.

"Privileges holders with special status may access historical transaction records and special item listings", the Automaton added.

"For browsing, please use the 'Archives' option at the lower-right corner of your mana board. We grant complete access privileges to Advanced Privileges holders."

Luo En found this privilege intriguing.

Historical transaction records might contain valuable Abyss intelligence, while special item listings could include the rare materials he needed.

The mana barrier surrounding the quarantine zone radiated a profound bluish-purple hue, blocking sightlines while shielding against energy fluctuations and spiritual detection.

"Wishing you prosperous trades, esteemed magesir", the Automaton bowed before exiting, leaving Luo En to explore the system alone.

Yisen had already been arranged to wait outside—guides weren't permitted in these high-level trading zones.

Luo En sat in the chair, letting his spiritual energy brush the mana board.

The board immediately responded with a gentle pulse, its surface displaying a complex menu structure.

He quickly grasped the intuitive interface—clear and efficient, evidently designed for time-pressed elite visitors.

First, he searched for "Shape Resin", hoping to find transaction records of this precious material.

However, results made him frown slightly—only two transactions in the past three months, both involving limited quantities.

The records in "Abyssal Life Compendium" proved accurate; this substance was indeed extremely rare.

Following his plan, Luo En began querying materials related to Chimerabloodlines, particularly those compatible with the "Lionhead" core.

The Lion Scorpion bloodline acquired from the Black Mist School arena previously had been formula-treated, leaving insufficient vitality to retain its advancement potential. That's why he hadn't chosen to integrate it into his "Chimera" bloodline at the time.

This time, he sought more pristine bloodline samples with stronger vitality.

His gaze scanned data streams like a precision instrument, using Transcendent Perception and Insight abilities to swiftly filter valuable information.

Ninety percent of the transaction records were discarded—only truly rare or mission-critical items were flagged.

Through systematic analysis of historical archives, Luo En identified two particularly valuable material records:

First was the "Sand Sea Hunter's" primary transcendent organ.

These apex predators dwelling in the Abyss's third layer—the Black Sand Wasteland—resembled giant serpents armored in dense black scale plates, moving through sand seas like fish in water.

Their defining traits were extraordinary environmental adaptation and innate hunting talents, allowing survival in the most hostile Abyss regions.

One particular detail caught Luo En's attention in the transaction record:

The Sand Sea Hunter possessed remarkable mana transformation abilities, capable of converting Abyss pollution into personal power.

The second was the "Ecological Suoyi Insect's" core transcendent organ.

Though not particularly powerful, these creatures could freely traverse all Abyss layers without environmental restrictions.

Their secret lay in a special "Ecological Membrane" covering their bodies, which rapidly analyzed and adapted to environmental traits, creating stable micro-environments.

"These bloodlines..." Luo En mentally simulated potential fusion pathways, his eyes gleaming with calculation.

"Combined, they might forge an intriguing 'Lionhead.' Chimera bloodlines are inherently composite—layering secondary composite bloodlines upon that foundation... I wonder what chemical reactions might occur."

Delving deeper, he discovered several special material records used for soul fragment protection:

"Soul Dimension Crystal", "Stardust Sand", and "Phantom Soul Pearl."

All were crucial components for constructing Simulation Combat Devices, stabilizing and protecting soul fragments within from vitality loss or deterioration.

Luo En meticulously stored these details in his Memory Palace, simultaneously publishing his trading demands via the mana board.

He planned to exchange high-grade potions and rare materials from the Black Mist School for these special items.

First to respond was a negotiator offering a "Soul Dimension Crystal"—proposing a trade of a thumb-sized crystal for Luo En's "Spirit Stabilizer."

This potion was already precious in the mage world, but Luo En's modified version far surpassed in efficacy and stability, evidently attracting serious interest.

Confirming the trade through the system, Luo En placed the potion on the transmission platform.

Moments later, a faintly silver-glowing crystal appeared in the same location.

He inspected it with Transcendent Perception—structurally stable, mana-pure, and top-grade quality. Perfect for Simulation Combat Device requirements.

Subsequent negotiations yielded "Stardust Sand" and significant quantities of "Phantom Soul Pearl."

These trades proceeded smoothly—counterparts offered reasonable conditions, and Luo En spared no expense in paying sufficient Mana Stones or potions.

For future-critical devices like this, materials must be the absolute best—no room for penny-pinching.

However, responses for "Sand Sea Hunter" and "Ecological Suoyi Insect" organs remained absent.

Luo En remained patient—tissue samples of such Abyssal Creatures were inherently scarce, requiring extended time to locate suitable sellers.

After approximately an hour's patient wait, a response finally appeared on the mana board:

A negotiator identifying as "Wanderer" claimed possession of a complete "Ecological Membrane" from the Ecological Suoyi Insect—but demanded a steep price: five vials of advanced potions plus one Mana Stone.

Luo En considered briefly before accepting.

Though substantial for his current resources, the expenditure remained within acceptable limits.

Besides, the Ecological Suoyi Insect's mana core was critical for his bloodline experiments. The value justified the cost.

The transaction completed swiftly.

He received a transparent crystal orb containing a floating, color-shifting mana construct—the legendary "Ecological Membrane."

Transcendent Perception confirmed its pristine condition and abundant vitality.

He could even sense its unique "Adaptability"—already attempting to establish environmental connections with its surroundings.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end