Chapter 215

Soul-flesh suturing!

These four words were like a bolt of lightning, instantly tearing through Ji Ming's mind.

If it were the former him, facing such a statement might have taken some time to understand and dig out its deeper meaning.

But after a preliminary understanding of the life and soul aspects of alchemy, Ji Ming's mind immediately conjured the scene he had seen when first entering Thus Place: Dixiaseng.

Living people were ruthlessly dismembered, mixed with corpses, and sewn into various grotesque forms of 'new beings'……

At that time, Ji Ming thought this was merely An De Lu's peculiar hobby.

After all, in the tavern's gossip, anything strange and bizarre could exist in the basements of noble lords.

And while he passed through Thus Place: Dixiaseng, the only breathing creatures he could see were merely those victims still temporarily alive.

Here there were no twisted, deformed lives wailing in cages, nor any eerie presence blocking the road to kill.

Although the scene was nauseating, at least it had not yet reached the worst possible state.

However, after Cloi's prompting, Ji Ming realized that all of this was far more evil than he had previously understood.

An De Lu was covertly conducting inhumane human experiments in Thus Place: Dixiaseng, merely he hadn't yet managed to do so!

And now, he has obviously achieved some notable results.

So, the body lying on the operating table, with its parts especially minute and poorly assembled, barely pieced together into a humanoid form like a child's Lego……

All that can be said is that it's fortunate An De Lu is an outsider and lacks talent in alchemy.

Otherwise, at the end of this cavern there would truly be a little girl boss bringing smiles to the unlucky souls who strayed in!

Thinking of this, Ji Ming felt a lingering fear.

Thanks to my first designed dungeon being the extermination of alchemists, I preemptively strangled this bastard in the cradle.

If the mercenaries were to discover Edgar first and bring him back to Sunshine City, that would be disastrous; this pair of perverts together would inevitably create some artificial evil god.

While pondering, Ji Ming mounted Cloi's back.

Or perhaps I should consider making 'razing the grand manor, capturing An De Lu alive' the final closed-beta version……

"Let's go, let's get off work early today."

And not long after he left, light footsteps echoed in the empty underground third level.

The cheerful whistling indicated its master was in a good mood, and indeed it was; as he walked down the stairs, An De Lu's face bore a smile.

It's no wonder he smiled so smugly; after being unlucky for so long, he finally caught a break today.

First is Sheldon.

I found a suitable excuse to send off this time bomb, dispatching him to a godforsaken place for long-term duty.

Thomson, who took over his duties, did well, and while I smoothly handed over subordinate authority, I also reclaimed a bit.

This feeling of regaining control over everything is truly wonderful, allowing An De Lu to regain some of his former confidence.

Then comes the underground plains.

A new batch of supplies has been delivered in place, all the joints have been opened, and we can formally begin exploration and trade.

After all, Sheldon may have some ulterior motives, but he is capable; no matter what, he can help me make a profit.

Hmm, upon further thought, maybe he has already led a convoy to find those lowly folk and successfully earned his first pot of gold for himself……

And also this morning.

Upon hearing that Doctor Ji Ming had become a Divine Chosen Saint, he was genuinely startled; he had originally planned to strike and assassinate.

Thanks to his own strategic resolve, he ultimately abandoned that thought, thus leaving today's room for maneuver.

Too bad, what does being Divine Chosen mean, what does being a Saint mean?

A small doctor who fled from the East and developed in a frontier city of civilization—what foresight and determination could he have?

Isn't it just being greedy for money, saying a few soft words and forgetting everything?

However.

This rejuvenation elixir and talisman armor are indeed good things; if only one could figure out how to pry them away……

One can always give it a try!

Producing the key, he turned the heavy lock core, his beard trembling as he nearly laughed out loud.

An De Lu, you've done well!

What nonsense about legitimate and illegitimate sons; compared to that good-for-nothing eldest who only knows how to exert himself on a woman's belly, you are far more suited to be the Marquis's heir!

By then, bringing mother back to the castle, we'll see what that scheming, vicious old woman could still say, and what she could use to give herself small shoes?

... Hmm, no, no.

Today is a pleasant day; one shouldn't think about these unhappy matters.

Passing through the painful groans and wails, he went straight to the end of the corridor.

This is a huge prison, a colossal aberrant creature bound to a wooden frame.

Compared to the previous generation still lying on the operating table, it is undoubtedly a greater masterpiece.

Although it discards An De Lu's personal aesthetics, in terms of violent aesthetics it undoubtedly advances further.

It can simultaneously wield various weapons, its strong four arms perfectly suited for combat.

Even if half-cut, it can still stand normally on its three pairs of legs.

Located on the chest and abdomen, a terrifying giant mouth capable of ingesting in another way.

Spread across the body, numerous eyes capable of catching any slightest breeze or grass movement.

To create it, An De Lu referenced various beings, including Sunshine City's strongest, Ke Li Si Ting.

To analyze, to seek out where the strongest biological structure truly lies, attempting to manufacture a war machine with perfect combat capability.

And now, after countless iterations, he has finally touched success!

Oh no, in fact it's still lacking the final bit.

He opened the suitcase he carried; amidst the surrounding red velvet was a crystal-clear glass bottle.

Inside the bottle, the dark brown liquid was transparent and viscous, like mellow fragrant liquor, as if a single whiff could intoxicate the heart and soul.

—if it weren't for a black, malformed heart floating inside.

Wearing a pair of leather gloves, An De Lu unscrewed the bottle cap and, bare-handed, took out this heart.

Although it looked large, it was unexpectedly light in hand.

And under the light, it could only cast a faint shadow on the white cloth, as light as dust.

An De Lu naturally noticed this as well, but after a brief fear came ecstasy.

"Exactly, exactly! How could a treasure bestowed by the gods be ordinary!"

He controlled his smile, placed it into the reserved cavity in the strange creature's chest, and then, with extremely clumsy technique, slowly sutured it.

And after finishing everything, he walked out of the prison and locked the door.

Trembling with his fingers, he took out a beautiful hexagonal iron tray from the box and began to infuse it with magical power.

The so-called magic array is actually somewhat like an electric toy in the real world, except here it uses corresponding engravings and energy-storing crystals.

An De Lu merely activated an engraving that functioned as a switch; driven by the energy-storing crystal, the magic array inside the prison began to run automatically.

The sound of the flowing magical power was somewhat like a ghost's wail, but to his ears it was so melodious that he couldn't help but start nodding.

The eerie magic array then drove that heart to fuse with the strange creature, and a dull heartbeat began to sound.

An De Lu widened his eyes, not daring to take a breath, afraid to miss a single moment.

This vital energy also gradually manifested in the flesh; its fingers twitched slightly, and finally it opened its eyes.

Although it looked somewhat dull, those were eyes pure yet tinged with doubt and confusion.

This is reason!

It can gain wisdom!

It is not a madman!

In An De Lu's heartfelt shout and delighted gaze, the strange creature began its first movement.

With its simple wooden structure and coarse restraints, how could they possibly bind this mighty war machine?

It merely shuddered, and easily broke free of all restraints, just as a person could easily snap a spiderweb stuck to their body.

The thirty-six eyes on its side also detected An De Lu's presence.

It examined itself, and a deeper confusion appeared on its face.

After a brief hesitation, it slowly moved its steps, swaying as it rushed toward the railing.

But before it could even touch the steel, its body suddenly began to sink.

Bones bent, muscles tore, skin split open…

Cracks and destruction kept spreading, making the strange creature's body look like a piece of shattered glass.

Without even a chance to utter a roar, the massive mound of flesh turned into a scatter of meat chunks and bone shards, with only a black heart askew amid the wreckage.

An De Lu succeeded, in seven seconds.

"Failed! Failed again……"

He clutched his head hysterically, pacing anxiously back and forth in the hallway.

"No, the problem lies with me, the heart! At least the heart is genuine, it can, right!"

He abruptly halted his stance, took a long breath, simultaneously lifted his head, and devoutly covered his face.

"Praise the God of Shadows!"

"Praise the God of Clocking Out!"

Having prepared today's collected data in advance from the small boss, Ji Ming set up an automatic dispatch, and then returned from the dungeon to the clinic.

Saying off work means off work; slacking off starts with paid sleep!

However, after he made the bed and began to enjoy the comfortable sleep he had longed for, he suddenly discovered a terrifying fact.

"Damn, I've got insomnia!"

Never having slept this early before, suddenly doing so feels quite unaccustomed.

Gazing blankly at the ceiling, he suddenly felt a bit sorrowful.

"Ji Ming, Ji Ming, have you been trained by money into a hustler?"

However, as a man of strong initiative, he finally managed to fall asleep by relying on the faint drowsiness he had barely found.

After who knows how long, he awoke from his dazed state.

He glanced out the window, only to find it already broad daylight.

"Doomed, I'm late opening the door! This will surely get me…… by the patients……"

He instinctively changed clothes and pushed open the door, only to find the lobby already full of people waiting to see a doctor.

After jolting his numb brain, he then recalled that yesterday he had handed over all his work.

And the patients downstairs also saw him, all smiling and greeting him.

"Doctor Ji Ming, it's rare to see you up this late."

"Yeah, after all I handed over my work, so I'm just resting a bit more……"

Standing at the stairwell on the second floor, he stood there dazedly for a moment.

Realizing he seemingly had nothing to do, he turned back and returned to the bedroom.

How about…… reading some alchemy books for a while?

However, this idea had just surfaced when he snuffed it out.

No, today is a day off.

No one can stop me from taking the day off, I say!

He changed into a less flashy outfit, decided to stroll around Yangguang City, to properly look at this city he had never really looked at before.

And the time was already approaching noon, so the number of people on the road increased.

But what came with it was that, compared to when he first walked to the Adventurers' Guild on foot, the number of beggars had increased severalfold.

Although the Wendigo's influence is gradually being eliminated, things have already come to this point, and it's already too deep to reverse.

If the situation continues to deteriorate like this, the Inner City becoming the Outer City is merely a matter of time.

Who knows whether, by that time, the three major families of the Inner City will still be able to hold their ground.

He quietly observed for a moment, then finally decided to revisit the old place and walk to the Adventurers' Guild again to take a look.

But just as he turned a corner, the hairs on his body suddenly stood on end.

……No way, you really changed!

Unlike the first time he encountered an attack, he did not choose to pull out his handaxe and retaliate rashly.

Instead, he quickly stepped aside, wanting to exchange a larger combat range for operational space.

But the person coming seemed to have already anticipated this, and with a tap of the foot gave chase.

Chase?

You flew over here, didn't you!

Unable to dodge in time, Ji Ming was grabbed by the collar by the other party, and immediately a huge force came, pulling his body uncontrollably toward them.

Since the other party doesn't observe martial courtesy, Ji Ming also drops the pretense, immediately clenching his ten fingers to let them taste the endless flavor.

But just then, a sentence came to his ears.

"Your reaction is quick, well done."

"Bu... Buluowa Lady?"

Recently, Lao Nv Shi hasn't been at home; I heard Bishop Tenisi say she went out of the city on business, but I didn't expect to meet her here.

Fortunately, the other's hoarse, muffled voice like swallowing charcoal is so distinctive; otherwise, I would have cursed myself to lie on the ground the next second…

They quickly left this place, and only after two blocks outside did the two stop.

"I just returned to Yangguang City myself, and before I even got home I saw you on the roadside—how's it been, what's happened recently in Yangguang City?"

Ji Ming briefly mentioned his selling of the talisman armor and resigning from his doctor's post.

Buluowa fell silent, lowering her head in thought for a moment.

"Very good, since you've decided, go ahead and do it—being able to have your own views and ideas is best."

After observing for a moment, Ji Ming suddenly felt that Lao Nv Shi's limp today was particularly unusual; her normally spirited appearance also seemed somewhat listless.

He couldn't help but ask.

"Lady Buluowa, what did you encounter after leaving the city? I feel like you're injured."

In return, he only got a dry, curt sentence.

"Kids shouldn't pry into elders' affairs."

But he couldn't really just ignore it; having no choice, Ji Ming had to follow her back to the Blighted Tree Materials Shop.

He had originally wanted to go back to the clinic to get some medicine, but after moving to sit behind the counter, Lao Nv Shi waved at him instead.

"Come over."

"Okay."

As Ji Ming sat down, the dark gold bracelet on her wrist emitted a faint light, and she placed out a somewhat worn box.

"Open it, consider it a belated gift for accepting me as your teacher."

There's still such a good thing?

For the first time in his life, Ji Ming received a gift.

It's not a favor exchange, nor petty gain, but a proper, earnest gift!

He rubbed his hands, washed them thoroughly in the air, then dared to touch the box lid.

And upon opening it, what lay inside was actually a golden…

laurel wreath?

In ancient Greece, this was the highest honor bestowed upon outstanding poets or athletic victors.

And as the inheritor of Greek culture, the Roman Empire simply made the laurel wreath the emperor's crown.

Although the world is different, this item's status in the Yangyue World is also not ordinary.

Even if it's not an exclusive imperial weapon, it's a precious adornment only outstanding individuals can wear.

For example, the heads of the Holy Nine Surnames, the ruling class of the Sacred Tree Kingdom, and likewise the northern dukes of the Shen Lin Wang Guo who inherited the Sacred Tree system.

Moreover, from the faint magical flow within this golden laurel wreath, it is also a powerful magical item, and extremely luxurious.

"Lady Buluowa, are you sure you want to give me something this valuable?"

"If you don't want it, return it to me."

"I want, I want, I want…"