Chapter 103

Luo En didn't respond immediately, but carefully observed the state of the tree spirit.

Thanks to the professional eye of a Potion Master, he could see that this creature was indeed well maintained, and the skin moisture and vine activity were maintained at the best state.

Its eyes were clear rather than chaotic, which showed that its mental state was also very stable, and it had not become numb or crazy due to long-term imprisonment.

"I do need it to assist in potion refining."

Luo En nodded, a flash of shrewd calculation in his eyes, and began to bargain:

"But last time you said eighty magic stone fragments; looking at the market now, sixty should be a reasonable price."

"This... this won't do, Master!"

The merchant waved his hands exaggeratedly, his voice becoming sharp, as if he had heard some ridiculous joke:

"Eighty was already a discount price for you. In the market, a tree spirit of this quality would cost at least over a hundred! Look at its activity, look at the color of these vines, how many special functions it has, this is all money! This is all money!"

The two went back and forth, and finally agreed on a deal of seventy magic stone fragments, plus free engraving service for the control mark.

"Deal." Luo En took out the leather bag from his waist and counted out seventy magic stone fragments in front of the merchant.

The sound of collecting money was the music the merchant liked most, his eyes narrowed into a slit, the wrinkles on his face squeezed into a ball, like a lottery player who had just won the jackpot.

"Wise choice, Master."

The merchant smiled until his eyes almost narrowed into a slit: "Wait a moment, Master, I'll go prepare the materials for the control mark."

When the merchant turned to leave, the tree spirit suddenly raised its head, those eyes looking directly at Luo En, a trace of emotion that Luo En couldn't interpret flashing in its eyes.

Not gratitude, not fear, nor hope or despair, just a kind of calmness to the extreme indifference.

Just as he was sizing up the tree spirit, the slave merchant had already returned with a small silver box.

"Master, the control mark will be engraved immediately. But before that, I want to recommend some other products to you. With your status, perhaps you will be more interested in these."

The merchant's tone carried an undeniable expectation, as if preparing to show his collection.

Without waiting for Luo En's response, he had already continued enthusiastically, clearly unwilling to let go of any opportunity to promote:

"For example, this..."

He took out an exquisite crystal container from the inside of his robe, in which a thumb-sized, strangely shaped translucent object was suspended, looking like an underdeveloped embryo, but a faint energy pulse could be seen inside:

"A special embryo from the masterpiece of a 'Bloodline Modulator,' fused with the bloodline essence of three extraordinary creatures."

"Bloodline Modulator? Tell me more about it."

Luo En's attention was immediately attracted, his eyes widened slightly, and he felt that inspiration for improving that bottle of bloodline activation potion suddenly popped into his head.

"This is a trade secret." The merchant whispered, mysteriously, "But since it's you, Apprentice Master, who asked, of course I am willing to share a little."

He lowered his voice, as if sharing a shocking secret:

"Modulation is a wizard skill specializing in bloodline strengthening and modification. It can be considered a branch of potionology, but it requires extra proficiency in alien structures, as well as research on various extraordinary bloodlines."

"It is said that the most powerful Bloodline Modulators can even build brand-new life forms from scratch, creating races that have never existed in the world."

With the detailed explanation of this insider slave merchant, new information appeared on Luo En's professional panel...

【Partial professional information of the obtained profession - Modulator (Two Stars)】

【New advancement direction for Potion Apprentice unlocked: γ—Modulator (Two Stars)】

【Transfer conditions:

1. Basic Potionology reached Proficient √

2. Extraordinary Biology reached Proficient

3. Bloodline Modulation reached Proficient

4. Successfully conduct at least three different types of bloodline modulation】

【Characteristics: Bloodline Identification, Tissue Activation, Gene Fusion】

A new branch route, it's just that in terms of advancement conditions, he needs to practice two new skills from scratch to the proficient level...

Luo En frowned, it was a bit difficult; he already had enough things to be busy with every day.

However, this bloodline modulation has some similarities with the bloodline activation theory he studied before, but it is obviously one step further.

Bloodline activation is to awaken the sleeping bloodlines already in the body; while bloodline modulation seems to be processing and modifying the bloodline itself, or even creating brand-new bloodlines.

Perhaps there is a chance to verify each other and draw inferences about other cases, rather than learning from scratch again.

"What bloodlines are fused in this embryo?" He asked, staring at the translucent little thing, his heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably.

"Dragon lizard, wind demon, and crystal scorpion, three types,"

The merchant lowered his voice, excitement flashing in his eyes, as if talking about some incredible secret:

"This combination can give the host extremely strong adaptability and regenerative ability, and is a perfect combat partner. Dragon lizard provides strength and defense, wind demon brings speed and flexibility, and crystal scorpion endows poison and regeneration."

He stroked the crystal container boastfully:

"I spent a lot of money to acquire this."

"How much is this embryo?" Luo En asked, trying to make himself look uninterested.

"One hundred and fifty magic stone fragments."

The merchant reported a sky-high price, but immediately added:

"However, considering your big deal just now, I can give you a special price, one hundred and twenty."

Luo En quickly calculated his financial situation in his heart.

The tree spirit had already spent seventy, and adding this embryo would almost empty his entire savings.

Moreover, he knew nothing about bloodline modulation, and the risk of rashly buying an embryo of unknown origin was too great.

"No, let's find out clearly first." He decided in his heart, then shook his head:

"Not necessary for now, but I am very interested in 'Bloodline Modulation.' Can you tell me where I can find them?"

The merchant looked a bit regretful, but quickly adjusted his expression, as if he had long been accustomed to the bargaining process:

"True Bloodline Modulators are extremely rare. It is said that there are less than five in this area. However..."

He looked around to make sure no one else was listening: "If you are willing to pay enough price, perhaps I can arrange a secret meeting for you."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully, keeping this information in the bottom of his heart, but chose to ignore the second half of the merchant's sentence.

Contacting this kind of hidden existence through this kind of middleman of unknown identity is too risky and not worth the risk.

"I will consider it." He responded vaguely, then changed the subject:

"Now, please complete the engraving of the control mark."

The engraving process was surprisingly simple. The merchant took out a special rune stone from the silver box and pressed it gently on the tree spirit's forehead.

The patterns on the surface of the rune stone lit up instantly, and then flowed into the tree spirit's skin like a living thing, finally forming a complex mark that appeared and disappeared in the center of the forehead.

"Done, Master." The merchant put away the silver box and nodded with satisfaction:

"From now on, it is yours. As long as you recite the control password, it will unconditionally obey your orders."

The control password was engraved by a special mental power mark: "Emerald Wither."

Leaving the exchange with the newly purchased tree spirit, Luo En calculated the current arrangements:

"Perhaps it's time to go to the library again."

He looked at the tree spirit walking beside him and decided secretly:

"Not only do I need to find information on bloodline modulation, but I also need to check knowledge about the tree spirit clan, so that I can get along with it better."

The tree spirit followed him quietly, those eyes still as calm as water, as if it had experienced too much and was no longer moved by anything.

But Luo En noticed that whenever passing some green plants, the other party's vines would sway slightly, as if communicating silently with them.

After returning to the workshop with the tree spirit, he was initially worried that the other party would not adapt to the new environment, but unexpectedly, the tree spirit seemed to see the layout of the workshop as an old friend.

After simple settlement and basic guidance, the tree spirit soon began to assist in organizing medicinal materials.

Its talent for plant materials far exceeded expectations, almost instinctively knowing how to preserve every herb to maintain its best activity.

"You know, I was worried that you would be difficult to take care of."

Luo En said to the tree spirit, watching it slowly extend its roots into the soil:

"I didn't expect you only need to be like ordinary plants, watering regularly, and occasionally supplementing with some magic power."

The tree spirit's vines swayed gently, and a trace of pleasure seemed to flash in those calm eyes.

Although it never said a word, Luo En gradually learned to interpret its body language.

Surprisingly, when the tree spirit extended its roots under the ground, Luo En found that it seemed to be able to bring a certain monitoring and warning effect to the workshop, able to perceive subtle changes in the surrounding environment.

"I will be back later," Luo En organized his instruments and said to the tree spirit:

"When I am not here, you continue to organize these materials, especially those exotic herbs that need special preservation. I have marked the basic requirements on each shelf, and you can adjust them according to your own understanding."

The tree spirit just nodded gently, not knowing whether it didn't want to speak or couldn't speak.

(End of chapter)