Chapter 347: The Consequences of Enraging the "Mother"

Chapter 347: The Consequences of Enraging the "Mother"

First came the main course—a massive heart still faintly pulsing, nearly half a person’s height. Its surface was covered in crystalline scales that shimmered like translucent gemstones. Each beat emitted a melodious echo that resonated through the air.

"This is the heart of an Echo Whale", Na Rui said, gently caressing the surface of the vessel, their voice brimming with maternal pride.

"Echo Whales are rare creatures that only appear from Abyss Layer 6 onward. They feed on sound, and their hearts store the purest essence of sonic waves."

"Though Mom got a few minor injuries, it’s all worth it for my treasure—my precious treasure."

Next came the side dish—several tender sprouts exuding faint time fluctuations. These vines were semi-transparent, their interiors swirling with liquid-like streams of time.

"These are young shoots of the Time Vine, a precious plant growing along the edges of time cracks", Na Rui explained, their voice brimming with affection. "Eating them will help my treasure better perceive the flow of time, giving them a critical edge in battle."

Finally, the dessert—a fist-sized crystal radiating dreamlike luminescence. Inside floated countless tiny points of light, each a fragment of a dream.

"A Dream Crystal—it holds countless fragments of beautiful dreams", Na Rui said, their voice softening. "Mom meticulously curated dreams brimming with love and warmth, hoping my precious treasure would grow up surrounded by happiness."

"Come, my little angel, time to eat!"

Carefully placing the precious ingredients near the Puppet, Na Rui watched with eager anticipation. "Eat slowly, no need to rush. Mom’s right here with you."

The Puppet’s rune circuits began responding to the high-quality "food." Silver light blazed brighter than ever, intricate mana channels extending like blood vessels to precisely connect with each offering.

As the Echo Whale’s heart decomposed, it released resonant sound waves that filled the Treasure Vault with celestial harmonies. The Time Vine sprouts dissolved into pure temporal energy, creating faint time-space ripples around the Puppet. The Dream Crystal erupted in a rainbow glow, projecting countless beautiful scenes into the air.

"So amazing! So amazing!" Na Rui exclaimed, trembling with excitement as countless tentacles danced wildly. "My precious treasure is eating so happily—Mom’s heart is bursting with joy!"

As the Puppet completed its feast, the Boon fluctuations it emitted reached unprecedented intensity. This pure, warm mana swept over Na Rui’s chaotic consciousness like a spring breeze, untangling and reordering their tangled thoughts.

"This feeling…" Na Rui murmured, their eyes glazed with bliss. "Like returning to Mom’s embrace—so warm, so safe…"

Under the Puppet’s nurturing influence, Na Rui’s intelligence was steadily advancing. Their once chaotic thoughts gained logic, their emotional fluctuations stabilizing. Most importantly, they could now engage in complex strategic thinking.

"Since the news will eventually spread, I’ll tell Cha Ye sir first", they muttered, excitement barely contained. "When he sees how amazing my treasure is, he’ll be thrilled! Maybe he’ll even grant me more hunting privileges, letting me collect more treasures for my treasure."

Yet beneath their excitement lurked instinctive caution. Na Rui knew the Abyss’s laws all too well—stronger entities always seized the weak’s resources. Cha Ye, while their "direct superior", would likely see their bond as merely a stepping stone for plunder.

"But…" Na Rui’s consciousness darkened with worry. "If Cha Ye sir tries to take my precious treasure…"

Deep within the Magma Sea, the ninth layer of the Abyss.

Cha Ye continued their grueling training, their colossal form enduring heat intense enough to melt mountains. For a Supreme Apostle, only such extreme environments could further strengthen their already peak-physical body.

Suddenly, a consciousness fluctuation arrived.

"Cha Ye sir! Cha Ye sir!" Na Rui’s voice chirped like a delighted girl. "I have incredible news! You must see my treasure!"

Cha Ye’s three faces displayed distinct expressions.

The first face (rationality) frowned in suspicion.

"Another of this fool’s delusions? Last time they claimed a ‘perfect subordinate candidate’ was just a slightly clever Abyss worm."

The second face (greed) burned with hunger.

"But their excitement feels… real. If there’s real value here…"

The third face (caution) narrowed its eyes.

"Na Rui may be foolish, but their instincts are sharp. If they’re this thrilled, something’s truly different. We must proceed carefully."

"Slow down, Na Rui", Cha Ye said, suppressing their eagerness to maintain authority. "Calm yourself and describe this ‘treasure’s’ appearance and traits. I need to assess its origins and risks."

"Of course, Cha Ye sir!" Na Rui gushed. "It’s a humanoid Puppet, very small—about this big!" They gestured with their hands.

"But it has such beautiful runes all over its body, glowing with Silver Light like twinkling stars!"

"And it’s so wise! It knows how to choose food—whenever I prepare different ingredients, it always absorbs the most nutritious ones first!"

Na Rui’s voice turned dreamy. "The warmth it radiates feels… just like Mom’s embrace, so safe and comforting. Since I got it, I’ve had no more nightmares, and my thoughts are so clear. I can even think about multiple things at once now!"

"The Puppet grows fast, transforming daily. I think it’s learning how I care for it, becoming more and more understanding."

Cha Ye’s three minds raced.

"A humanoid Puppet… rune circuits… rapid growth…"

Rationality speculated:

"Definitely not a common Abyss creation. Likely an experiment from an advanced civilization, or an AI vessel."

Greed burned:

"Regardless of origin, it’s a stable source of Boon. If I can obtain it…"

Caution warned:

"But an unknown artifact could be a trap. If it’s a spy tool or cursed…"

After a brief, fierce internal debate, Cha Ye made their decision. Softening their tone to a paternal warmth, they said:

"Excellent, Na Rui. You’ve truly found something remarkable."

Na Rui nearly fainted with joy. "Really? Cha Ye sir thinks my treasure is great?"

"Indeed, your discovery interests me greatly", Cha Ye continued, their voice carrying subtle authority. "However, I do have concerns. Unidentified artifacts often harbor hidden dangers."

They paused, letting the weight of their words settle.

"Therefore, you’ll report every ten days on the Puppet’s transformation status. Document every anomaly. I must track its growth. Second, don’t mention this to other Apostles—those bastards are too greedy. Lastly, if the Puppet attempts to control your mind or emits unexplained energy fluctuations… destroy it immediately. No hesitation."

At the word "destroy", Na Rui’s entire body tensed. "Destroy? But… it’s my precious treasure…"

"I know you’re attached", Cha Ye’s voice softened. "Sometimes protecting yourself matters more than protecting treasures. That Puppet could harm you if dangerous."

"Of course, if everything proceeds smoothly, your efforts won’t go unrewarded", they added, their tone turning enticing. "I’ll consider expanding your hunting privileges, letting you explore broader regions for rare materials. Perhaps even let you participate in the next ‘Domain Redistribution’."

At this, Na Rui forgot their anxiety, rolling joyfully across the Treasure Vault. "Really? I can hunt in other Apostles’ territories?"

"Follow my instructions, and it’s yours", Cha Ye said, satisfied. "Patience. Observation. Reporting. This Puppet may be your chance to change fate."

Na Rui appeared ecstatic. "Yes! Cha Ye sir! I’ll follow your orders! I’ll observe my treasure carefully and report regularly. If anything unusual happens… I’ll consider your advice."

"Thank you, sir, for expanding my hunting privileges! I’ll make full use of this opportunity!"

Yet deep within Na Rui’s mind, a different calculation unfolded.

Their now-clarity allowed them to see through Cha Ye’s honeyed words to the truth.

"Cha Ye sir is definitely lusting for my treasure. But this works. At least for now, he won’t directly seize it. I’ll use this time to make my treasure even stronger."

"And if other Apostles try to steal it…"

Na Rui’s thoughts turned to their ultimate ace.

As a naturally born Apostle of the Abyss, they possessed the terrifying ability to summon primordial Chaos.

This power was so immense that even a Supreme Apostle might not be able to fully resist it. The cost, however, was that Na Rui themselves might be torn apart during the process.

But to protect her "treasure", she was willing to risk everything.

"When my treasure fully matures", Na Rui silently plotted, "not even Cha Yesir will dare to bully me anymore."

"And if things really reach a desperate situation..." Na Rui's thoughts turned darker. "I'll make everyone understand the consequences of angering a mother."

Luo En had taken a short break inside the exhibition hall before turning his attention to the sword etched with countless enemy names - Blood Oath.

The densely packed names carved along the hilt glimmered with a sinister crimson glow under the Mana Crystal Lamp.

Uther's Phantom Husk shifted slightly. "The memories within Blood Oath are far darker and more twisted than those of Frostbite. Mo Gan's path of vengeance was paved with conspiracies, betrayals, and cold-blooded slaughter."

The elder professor paused, his voice growing more solemn. "You must prepare yourself mentally. An avenger's inner world is often more brutal than any battlefield."

"I understand the risks", Luo En acknowledged, simultaneously activating all his spirit protection mechanisms. "But it's precisely this kind of extreme emotion that will allow me to grasp the essence of will imprinting."

He slowly extended his hand and gripped the hilt of Blood Oath.

In an instant, a scorching, viscous hatred surged into his consciousness like molten magma.

This was no abstract anger, but pure hatred refined over years of bitter resentment - as hard and sharp as steel forged through a thousand hammer strikes.

Night had fallen like ink across the sky. Moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only faint starlight to illuminate the earth.

Luo En found himself inhabiting Mo Gan's body, immediately sensing the physical condition of this avenger.

Unlike Edric's towering, muscular frame, Mo Gan's build was lean and wiry.

Yet every muscle had been meticulously trained, taut and powerful like tempered steel cords.

His handsome face bore a cold, austere expression. His deep green eyes burned with an unquenchable fire of vengeance.

Most striking of all was his pitch-black, waist-length hair, flowing silently in the night breeze like a grim reaper's cloak.

The "Night Wolf" bloodline demonstrated its formidable effects in the darkness.

Nighttime was no longer an obstacle - it had become his greatest ally.

"Elly... Xiao Tom... I'm coming to bring you home soon."

"Aaaaaaah!"

Blood Oath revealed its bloodthirsty nature in battle.

Each time its blade drank blood, the sword glowed even redder, and Mo Gan's strength surged accordingly.

The weapon seemed alive, instinctively guiding Mo Gan toward his enemies' vital points, each strike landing with deadly precision.

The sword slipped limply from his grasp. There was no joy of victory in his eyes, only profound emptiness and confusion.

"Is this... the end?"

The man murmured, his voice trembling with despair. "Waldo is dead... but Elly and Xiao Tom... they still won't come back..."

He had thought vengeance would bring relief, but now he realized hatred was merely an anesthetic to temporarily forget his pain.

With his enemies fallen, the sorrow and despair he had buried surged back stronger than ever.

"What was all this for? To prove their deaths had meaning?"

Mo Gan looked down at his blood-stained hands. "But now... what do I have left?"

He had grown accustomed to the pleasure that killing brought.

Blood Oath's bloodthirsty trait had subtly changed his personality, making him dependent on violence.

"Perhaps... I should seek out the remaining enemies..."

Mo Gan's eyes grew hollow and dangerous. "Only in battle can I feel truly alive..."

The historical vision ended abruptly, but the profound sense of confusion and twisted emotion from Mo Gan's final moments left an indelible mark on Luo En's consciousness.

Luo En slowly opened his eyes, still gripping the hilt of Blood Oath.

Yet his mind remained unusually calm. The hatred and pain from Mo Gan hadn't overwhelmed him as expected.

This calmness surprised him.

Given the intensity of those emotions, his spirit should have suffered significant damage.

"A strange reaction", he analyzed. "I can understand Mo Gan's pain and anger, but I can't truly empathize. This emotional distance... is it a blessing or a curse?"

【History Research (proficient) experience points +1】

【Close combat (proficient) experience points +1】

【Hunting Evil (entry-level) experience points +1】

【Instinct Reflection (entry-level) experience points +1】

...

The profession interface confirmed the value of this experience.

The Instinct Reflection skill had accumulated 46/50 experience points, on the verge of reaching proficiency.

After returning, he planned to spar a few more rounds with Aksa and the new enemy profiles stored in the simulation device. That should push Instinct Reflection past its proficiency threshold.

From Mo Gan's battle memories, Luo En had learned many practical techniques:

How to use shadows for concealment in darkness;

How to determine an enemy's bloodline type by their breathing pattern;

How to identify fatal weaknesses during close combat.

"You truly have remarkable stress resistance", Uther observed. "I expected Mo Gan's pain within Blood Oath to severely damage your spirit."

The professor's Phantom Husk drifted closer. "This proves your spirit resilience has reached an exceptional level."

"It might be because I don't fully identify with Mo Gan's choices", Luo En admitted. "While I understand his pain, using revenge as life's sole purpose... seems like a waste of one's existence to me."

"An interesting perspective", Uther said appreciatively. "Most would be moved by Mo Gan's tragedy, but you focus on the consequences of his choices."

Through these two deep history research sessions, Luo En had developed his own understanding of master sword craftsmanship.

It wasn't merely a matter of metallurgy, but involved complex spiritual operations.

He began organizing these technical points in his mind:

First was the material requirement. The foundational material for a Master Sword needed exceptional mana conductivity, capable of carrying complex mana flows.

Ordinary metals would suffer structural damage under intense spiritual imprinting. Only special alloys could withstand the strain.

"Edric's Frostbite used an alloy of Polar Mithril and cold ice crystals. Mo Gan's Blood Oath used a fusion of darkmoon steel and blood gemstones", Luo En compared.

"The commonality was adding crystal materials with special attributes to stabilize and amplify spiritual fluctuations."

Second was the integration of bloodline essence.

During forging, the creator must infuse their bloodline essence into the sword blank to grant the weapon life vitality.

This process required extremely precise control.

Too little would fail to establish an effective connection; too much might cause the weapon's will to overpower the user.

"The key lies in the proper ratio", he noted.

Third was Spiritual Energy Guidance.

The creator must use spiritual energy to guide the metal's molecular flow, achieving perfect integration between bloodline essence and the metal matrix.

This process resembled bloodline formulation but was more difficult since it involved inorganic materials.

Through this fusion, the sword would gain bloodline traits:

Elemental affinity, special resistances, unique abilities, while establishing a preliminary resonance with the creator.

"It's like creating a pseudo-life with a special bloodline", Luo En realized. "The essence of Master Swords is a chimera form between living beings and machinery. That explains why they display intelligent behavior."

Finally, the most dangerous step - soul division.

The creator must split off fragments of their soul and seal them within the sword core.

These fragments contained the creator's memories, skills, and personality traits - the key to granting the Master Sword independent will.

Luo En recalled Edric and Mo Gan's final moments. "This must be done at the peak of one's vitality - typically during the creator's prime."

Sealing the soul fragments required establishing a stable spiritual link to prevent the fragments from devouring the creator.

Ultimately, an exclusive ownership mechanism would be created through a complex rune network.

【Material Transmutation (proficient) experience points +1】

Analyzing two Master Swords consecutively, Luo En felt a deep weariness creeping into his consciousness.

The result of prolonged exposure to intense spiritual imprints.

"I think that's enough for today", Uther observed. "Excessive contact with these ancient wills might damage your own spiritual structure. It's necessary to rest appropriately."

"Professor, there's something else important I want to discuss with you", Luo En remembered his other purpose for visiting.

"I've completed the technical framework for further improvements to the mobile simulation device."

As he spoke, he retrieved the blueprints he'd spent countless nights completing from his Storage Bag.

Dense technical parameters and complex structural diagrams covered the entire sheet of parchment.

Uther considered the time Luo En had spent at the Observatory, furrowed his brow, seemed about to speak, but ultimately kept silent.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end