Chapter 340: Fusion and Transformation

Chapter 340: Fusion and Transformation

The speaker was naturally an acquaintance—Mi Le, the former leader of that exploration team.

He bore the typical physical traits of an explorer—well-developed muscles, skin slightly roughened from prolonged exposure to the Abyss Environment, and prominent scale-like transformation marks running along his right arm.

His demeanor stood in stark contrast to the researchers' cautious aloofness.

"Lalfmage!" Mi Le strode forward, his face split by a brilliant grin. "Hear you've become Nova Plan's chief researcher now? Holy, that’s incredible!"

His enthusiasm drew sidelong glances from the nearby researchers, but Mi Le clearly didn't care.

"Always said someone like you—a genius—would eventually get the recognition you deserved!"

The flattery in Mi Le's tone was unmistakable.

"Now look—it’s straight to becoming Lady Cassandra’s personal researcher!"

This remark made Luo En’s expression tighten slightly, though he didn’t voice any objection.

Behind Mi Le stood several of his team members, each wearing that same ingratiating smile.

Explorers might lack the researchers’ intellectual complexity, but they possessed an uncanny instinct for power dynamics.

"Speaking of which—" Mi Le lowered his voice, eyes gleaming with expectation. "Now that you’ve reached this position, you must have access to some… high-level information? Like the plans for the plane expeditions?"

This question instantly changed the atmosphere.

Even those who had been preoccupied with their own tasks couldn’t help but strain their ears.

"I heard Lord Cassandra just conquered several new worlds recently", added one of Mi Le’s men—a middle-aged man with severe burn scars across his left cheek. "We Silver-Ring Rank folks—we’ve got experience. Could we get in on the action? Even logistics work would do!"

"Exactly!" another explorer chimed in. "We might not be top-tier experts, but we know our way around the Abyss. If Lalfmage could put in a good word with Lady Cassandra…"

Luo En studied the desperate hope in their eyes.

These explorers had lingered too long at the Abyss’s edge, their bodies and spirits pushed to the brink. Without greater power and resources, they’d inevitably become the Abyss’s prey.

Plane expeditions meant immense risk—but also unprecedented opportunity. The Precious Resources harvested from other worlds could elevate any participant to a new tier of strength.

"Sorry to disappoint", Luo En replied evenly. "Plane expeditions require at least Moonlight Rank. Otherwise, the mana surges during interplanar transit would kill you."

The explorers’ faces fell, but he quickly added, "Though I did hear Conquerors’ Division is developing new technology. They’re trying to safely transport Dawn Star Rank experts. If they succeed, there might be chances for you."

This revelation reignited the explorers’ hope.

Mi Le’s eyes lit up. "Really? How long would that take?"

"Can’t say exactly, but it shouldn’t be too far off", Luo En answered. "After all, expanding conquests needs more manpower."

"Excellent!" Mi Le clenched his fist. "Lalfmage, you’re truly our benefactor! With this information, we can start preparing early!"

The other explorers echoed their thanks, their gratitude genuine. In this world of information asymmetry, timely intelligence was often more valuable than gold.

"By the way—" Mi Le suddenly remembered something. "If you ever need to conduct field research in the Abyss, be sure to hire us! I’ll give you the best rates and top-tier service!"

"Absolutely!" the others chimed in. "Seventy percent off! No, fifty! Just let us work for you!"

This brazen flattery drew complex looks from the nearby researchers. They might secretly share similar thoughts, but their scholarly pride kept them from expressing it so bluntly.

"I’ll keep it in mind", Luo En replied politely, careful not to commit.

This brief exchange clearly revealed the Observatory’s interpersonal dynamics. Power was like a mirror—it reflected everyone’s truest selves. Some withdrew from fear; others approached for gain.

A young assistant researcher approached, his voice trembling slightly.

"Lalfmage, your independent laboratory has been prepared. It’s in Sector C-7—higher security clearance and fully equipped."

"Thank you." Luo En nodded briefly, picked up his briefcase, and headed toward the lab.

Behind him, the researchers lowered their voices.

"Never expected his status transformation to happen so fast…"

"Nova Plan’s chief researcher—directly under Lady Cassandra…"

"Better be extra careful with our words around him now. Who knows what gets reported?"

"He doesn’t even need departmental project recommendations anymore—direct access to independent privileges…"

"Mi Le and his crew are clever, knowing exactly how to secure favors…"

…

The elevator ascended slowly. Through the transparent walls, Luo En observed the Observatory’s intricate biological pipeline system. Various-colored liquids flowed within—nutrients, waste materials, and special hormones maintaining the structure’s "life."

Sector C-7’s corridor was unusually quiet, its air tinged with ozone—a sign of the high-tier purification system. The walls were embedded with dense monitoring equipment, and every lab door had strict biometric verification devices.

His private lab lay at the corridor’s end. His name and title were engraved on the door.

Placing his palm on the scanner, a soft green light swept over him, followed by a mechanical voice:

"Identity confirmed: Luo En·Lalf, Nova Plan Chief Researcher—independent research privileges authorized. Welcome to Lab C-7-18."

The door slid open silently, revealing a space far more spacious than expected.

The configuration here was indeed luxurious. Not only did it include the latest spectral analyzer, but tucked in one corner stood a "Consciousness Tomography Device"—a machine he’d previously only seen in books.

A complex structure composed of semi-transparent crystal and writhing vessels, with dozens of floating spherical containers of varying sizes inside. Each housed living neural tissues slowly writhing in nutrient solution, their surfaces flickering with faint electric discharges.

"This is the benefit of being a genius researcher."

Luo En gently ran his hand across the device’s warm, vein-covered surface, feeling the pulse of life within.

This equipment could precisely analyze biological consciousness structures—an invaluable asset for his upcoming experiments.

Yet he understood such privileges came with expectations.

Cassandra wasn’t a benefactor. Every boon carried a price.

Approaching the window, he gazed through the reinforced glass at the distant outline of the Abyss.

At the Abyss Edge, he spotted moving lights—exploration teams’ illumination devices. The massive black fissure resembled the earth’s wound, constantly "breathing."

Even from this distance, a subtle pull lingered in the air.

The Abyss called to all life approaching its threshold.

Collecting his thoughts, he carefully sealed Franca’s bloodline samples.

Suddenly, a familiar oppressive aura filled the air.

It felt like being watched by an ancient mountain—massive and profound.

His newly acquired "Omen Star" trait allowed him to sense the anomaly several seconds before it arrived.

An Archmage-level presence approached.

Silver light began coalescing at the center of the laboratory, like stars raining down from the night sky.

The air twisted. Uther’s Phantom Husk projection slowly took shape, his expression weary.

"So, you’ve adapted to your new working environment rather quickly."

The old professor’s voice was like water from a deep ancient well. His silver eye swept across the lab’s equipment, lingering briefly on the Consciousness Tomography Device.

"Consciousness Tomography Device… Cassandra certainly spared no expense. This is an absolute rarity."

Luo En gave a courteous bow. "Good afternoon, Professor. This is our first meeting here at the Observatory."

Uther rarely appeared in person unless important matters required discussion. He opened with a casual topic:

"Actually, I already sensed some changes in workplace relations when I returned to the Observatory earlier."

"Oh?" Uther’s Phantom Husk tilted slightly forward.

"Let me guess—Wayne and the others have started keeping their distance?"

"Precisely."

Luo En briefly described his experience in the lobby. "Researchers suddenly became excessively polite and distant, as if I carried some infectious disease. Meanwhile, the explorers acted overly enthusiastic—even practically pledging allegiance."

Uther let out a low chuckle. "Wayne and his lot? Exactly as I’d expect. Those so-called researchers always prioritize political instincts over academic ones."

The projection drifted through the lab, casting sinister shadows across the equipment.

"They think maintaining distance protects them from entanglement, but they fail to realize—during such delicate times, neutrality itself is a dangerous stance."

"As for Mi Le and his bunch of roughnecks…"

Uther’s tone turned contemplative. "At least they’re direct. In this world of empty formalities, honest opportunists are more reliable than hypocritical neutrals. They understand fear—and fear is the foundation of survival."

He paused, his gaze sharpening.

"Ultimately, aside from Wayne's Moonlight Rank strength and his pitifully modest research achievements..."

Uther's voice carried quiet contempt. "All those other researchers are nothing more than repeating cycles of expendables since the observation system's establishment. They vanish through spiritual contamination, experiment accidents, or simple purges, only to be replaced by fresh faces."

Luo En gave a slight nod - he understood this brutal reality with crystalline clarity.

"Still, these minor figures' attitude shifts hardly matter." Uther's tone softened like warm wax. "What you must focus on is leveraging these quality resources to advance your research. True value lies in what you create, not how others perceive you."

"You've seemed unusually busy lately", Luo En smoothly shifted the topic while activating Hermit's Insight, observing the subtle transformations in Uther's Phantom Husk. "I heard Truth Pavilion has been particularly active recently?"

"Indeed", Uther's spectral form dimmed slightly, confirming he'd touched sensitive matters. "The old order faces upheaval while the new one remains incomplete. In such transitional periods, everyone must reposition themselves."

The professor's silver eye glimmered warmly. "Yet seeing youths like you grow steadily brings renewed hope." He quickly regained his usual calm. "Tell me about your recent research progress. Still exploring Vitality-Infused Mana-Forged Sword production techniques?"

Luo En carefully chose his words. "Pursuing that direction intensively." He retrieved a blueprint from beneath his workbench. "The core concept uses Soul Steel as the foundational carrier, infused with sentient components and controlled through Rune Networks. Theoretically enabling form transformation, attribute modulation, and even autonomous learning."

Uther studied the schematic intently. "What about contamination transfer and isolation? That remains your biggest technical hurdle."

"Precisely", Luo En confirmed. "The fundamental conflict between vitality and stability proves insurmountable. Higher vitality destabilizes the system, while pursuing stability severely restricts intelligence expression. Regarding contamination transfer, we must prevent the weapon itself from complete corruption. It requires complex rune designs and material structures."

Uther chuckled wryly. "Frankly, you're demanding this Mana-Forged Sword combine all desired functions simultaneously. That's why you're stuck." He gestured, projecting images of various Master Sword forms. "These lost blades in my collection maintain complete preservation despite their masters' demise. Each holds its own story - some from Abyss Explorations, others from mage wars. You might find them intriguing."

The Phantom Husk's voice turned conspiratorial. "And if your research reaches sufficient standards, I could arrange monitored access to the 'Throne Seed.'"

Luo En's pulse quickened.

"Understood", Uther's tone sharpened. "Throne Seed exposure requires my direct supervision with strict time limits. The authority power remains far too intense for your current capacity - one misstep could mean complete annihilation."

Uther's spectral form began fading. "Remember - each advancement you make brings comfort to us old ones. In this increasingly dark era, hope remains more precious than despair."

As the Phantom Husk vanished, Luo En sat motionless in the Rune Meditation Chair. He closed his eyes, consciousness stretching like spectral threads into the Abyss's depths.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end