Chapter 389: Verification and Request

Several days later, in the center of the tower laboratory, a 3D holographic screen split into multiple observation angles, transmitting real-time dynamics from across the plane.

Gao Jie Ming stood before the main console, his sharp gaze sweeping across the constantly updating data streams as he reported calmly:

"Experimental Sequence Seven, Phase Three initiated. Observation target: the newly introduced 'Twisting Rock Vine' intelligent variant, entering Battle Zone Seven."

On the screen, a group of newly activated vines, their surfaces covered in dark brown nodular growths and possessing sturdy, robust forms, advanced toward the distant battlefield—where light flickered and vines lashed—with a speed incongruous with their clumsy appearance.

"According to Star Fall's design, the 'Twisting Rock Vine' shares partial ecological overlap with the earlier awakened 'Devouring Demon Vine,' both requiring rare minerals in the soil."

"In terms of aesthetic form, the 'Twisting Rock Vine' favors 'solidity' and 'heaviness,' and theoretically should differ more significantly from elemental beings that pursue 'streamlining' and 'radiance,' while potentially resonating with the 'twisted, knotted' beauty of the 'Devouring Demon Vine.'"

As the new vines reached the battlefield's edge, the luminous elemental beings entangled with the 'Devouring Demon Vine' immediately reacted.

Like a startled swarm of bees, they split off a stream of blazing light and launched an unhesitating attack on the 'Twisting Rock Vine,' energy beams falling like rain.

Yet the 'Devouring Demon Vine' army on the opposite side of the battlefield exhibited a reaction entirely different from before.

Instead of launching indiscriminate attacks as they had against all other outsiders, they slowed their assault on the elemental beings, countless vine tips turning like eyes toward the newcomers, cautiously "observing" them.

After a brief standoff and observation, a dense wave of psychic energy rippled through the 'Devouring Demon Vine' collective.

Immediately, they reversed their direction and launched a swift, coordinated strike against the detached luminous elemental group alongside the newly arrived 'Twisting Rock Vine.'

The numerically inferior luminous elemental beings quickly scattered under the dual assault.

After the battle ended, the 'Devouring Demon Vine' and the 'Twisting Rock Vine' did not immediately merge.

Instead, they maintained a distance, exchanging faint yet complex psychic signals, as if carefully evaluating each other.

Moments later, both sides retreated in perfect unison, withdrawing to opposite sides of the plain, leaving behind a desolate expanse of charred earth.

"Recording complete!" Gao Jie Ming concluded his report and turned to the side.

The Star Fall Wizard rapidly recorded data on the auxiliary screen, her face glowing with uncontainable excitement: "Success! Look! The activated plants have shown reactions entirely different from those they displayed toward humans, various flesh-based creatures, and even the elemental beings we temporarily awakened with activated stones!"

She pulled up previous experimental records for comparison: "Previously, whether it was flesh monsters or those angular stone beings, as soon as they entered the perception range, they were met with indiscriminate, violent attacks from both the 'Devouring Demon Vine' and the luminous elementals. At that time, we nearly concluded the 'Aesthetic War' hypothesis was wrong."

"But now it seems," Gao Jie Ming interjected, his eyes filled with understanding, "even among elemental beings, 'radiance' and 'rock' possess vastly different 'aesthetic values' in their eyes. And plant life forms with similar morphology, despite resource competition, can maintain restraint during initial contact—and even engage in limited cooperation."

The Star Fall Wizard nodded vigorously: "Moreover, not all awakened beings will indiscriminately attack others due to differing aesthetic preferences."

"It now appears this extreme xenophobia, this life-or-death judgment based on 'aesthetic value,' may be unique to just these two specific combinations: the 'Devouring Demon Vine' and the 'Luminous Aggregates.'"

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, proposing a new hypothesis: "I suspect that when I first performed the 'Ignition of Spiritual Awareness,' my technique was still imperfect, containing unknown flaws."

"Or perhaps… my mental state at the time—the eagerness for success, or some subconscious perception of the opposition between 'light' and 'vine' forms—subtly influenced the process of granting them intelligence through Imaginary Elements, shaping their unique and extreme cognitive pattern based on form and beauty."

"This possibility is high," Viola agreed, having previously studied Imaginary Elements. "Gao Jie Ming's Imaginary Elements are indeed prone to being tainted by the user's emotions and will. The 'opposition' concept you poured into their creation may have unknowingly become the foundation of their intellectual core."

Gao Jie Ming also nodded in agreement with this analysis: "If so, we could design a new experiment—for example, having the calm-minded Anya lead a small-scale 'Ignition of Spiritual Awareness' to see whether the newly awakened intelligent life still exhibits such extreme 'aesthetic cleanliness.'"

"Excellent idea!" The Star Fall Wizard's eyes lit up, but then her excitement faded, replaced by rare embarrassment as she rubbed her hands and looked at Gao Jie Ming and Viola: "Um… we can set the new experiment aside for now. Right now, there's a small matter that might require your help."

Viola raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What could possibly trouble the master of this plane?"

The Star Fall Wizard sighed and pointed to a specially marked region on the main hologram, flashing with high-energy warning signals:

"Perhaps due to our recent high frequency of experiments and the excessive number of bizarre test units deployed, the two native intelligent species have developed a profound sense of crisis."

"Based on my monitoring of the plane's energy flows and earth vein fluctuations… that group of luminous elementals appears to be brewing something massive deep underground. They seem to be concentrating their entire species' energy to construct a supermassive… well, something resembling a self-destruct or energy annihilation core."

Gao Jie Ming frowned: "If you want to stop it, your control over the plane should allow you to intervene effortlessly."

A sixth-level wizard, on their own territory, could suppress such localized disturbances by manipulating the plane's origin energy— theoretically, effortless.

The Star Fall Wizard waved her hands quickly: "I'm not trying to stop it! On the contrary, this is a perfect opportunity for observation! Even if they create something capable of piercing the plane's barrier, I can crush it in the final instant. But…"

She paused, her expression cautious: "To prevent any mishaps—lest they accidentally blow up my laboratory… I mean, the plane—I must remain tightly connected to and monitor the plane's origin, ready to deploy maximum authority for suppression at any moment. So I cannot afford to be distracted."

She turned to the two, her gaze pleading: "I need you to go close and collect data on the construction process of this 'big bomb'—energy convergence patterns, structural stability, and the luminous elementals' psychic state changes. These firsthand, close-range observations are invaluable! And if possible…"

Her voice took on the fervor of a researcher: "I'd like you to appear and forcibly halt their operation just as they're about to succeed—or think they are."

"That way, we can directly observe the extreme emotional fluctuations they experience when their collective effort fails at the last moment—and how their intelligence and social structure adapt… or collapse! That would be perfect!"

Gao Jie Ming and Viola exchanged glances. They felt no moral hesitation toward this request to "stoke the fire" and collect tragic data—after all, these beings were fundamentally experimental products.

Though these two species had indeed awakened spiritual awareness, to be blunt—how many awakened beings had already died in the hands of wizards?

They nodded, agreeing to Star Fall's request.

Considering Viola was also a sixth-level wizard, it was most appropriate for her to remain at the tower's core during Star Fall's full concentration on maintaining plane stability, overseeing the network of observation arrays and emergency systems across the plane.

The division of labor was swiftly decided: Viola would stay at the tower's center, managing the overall situation.

Gao Jie Ming, accompanied by Anya—whose perception of elements and life was exceptionally acute—would personally travel to the turbulent underground region to closely "observe" the luminous elementals' ultimate plan.

And prepare to deliver a "surprise" from the "ugly flesh monsters" at the critical moment to interrupt them.

(Requesting a day off tomorrow—beginning of the month, too many things to handle; will try to finish everything tomorrow.)

(End of Chapter)