Chapter 168

"I'm not young at all!" Dai'er put her hands on her hips in dissatisfaction:

"I have already been able to defeat so many powerful opponents in the beast-fighting arena!"

Lilliya laughed out loud, reaching out to help Dai'er tidy up her messy silver hair:

"In terms of combat power, you are indeed already very strong. But physical development has its own laws, you can't rush it."

Dai'er pouted in dissatisfaction, but soon put on a sly smile again:

"Sister Lili, are you hoping that Master can look at your beautiful body more?"

The blush on Lilliya's face instantly spread to her earlobes, and she waved her hands in a panic:

"What nonsense are you talking about! Teacher is my guide, I only have respect and gratitude for him!"

"Really?"

A flash of mischief crossed Dai'er's eyes; she imitated Lilliya's usual tone and said exaggeratedly:

"'Teacher, do you need hot water?'

'Teacher, I added your favorite herb to this dish.'

'Teacher, I have already washed and ironed your robe.'"

Lilliya was both shy and annoyed, grabbing a sponge and changing the subject:

"You little rascal! If you keep talking nonsense, I won't help you wash your hair!"

Dai'er dodged nimbly, giggling:

"Sister Lili is blushing! She's blushing!"

She turned a circle in the water, the splashing water like a string of pearls:

"I see that every time Sister Lili hands something to Master, she secretly looks at him a few more times!"

Lilliya sighed and smiled helplessly:

"Dai'er, Teacher is very good to both of us, I'm just doing my best to repay his guidance."

Her voice softened, and a trace of gentleness flashed in her eyes:

"If it weren't for him, I wouldn't know what kind of fate I would have met. It was he who gave me the opportunity to learn and let me see my own value."

Dai'er suddenly quieted down, swimming to Lilliya's side and leaning gently on her shoulder:

"Master is very good to us. He saved my life, taught me so many skills, and made me so strong."

The little sea siren's voice suddenly became a bit sad:

"However, Master seems to never need anyone else's help; he always studies alone until very, very late."

Lilliya gently stroked Dai'er's wet silver hair, her voice gentle and firm:

"That is why we must do our best to help him handle those daily trivial matters, so he can focus on truly important research."

Her eyes flashed with determination:

"I believe Teacher has pursuits and ambitions that transcend ordinary people; what we can do is support him as much as possible in our own positions."

Dai'er nodded thoughtfully, then returned to her usual liveliness:

"But Sister Lili, if Master needs a partner, would you be willing?"

Lilliya's face burned again, and she hurriedly grabbed a sponge to change the subject:

"Alright, stop talking about this, let me help you wash the blood off your back!"

Dai'er laughed triumphantly, but also obediently turned around, yet she still kept muttering:

"Sister Lili is shy, Sister Lili is shy..."

Amidst the splashing water, the laughter of the two echoed in the bathroom...

And on the other side, after confirming that she was the only one left in the room, Luo En walked straight to the deepest laboratory on the second floor.

This was a special room protected by multiple isolation magic arrays, specifically used for experiments that required absolute privacy.

He carefully checked the integrity of the magic array, ensuring there were no tiny damages or energy leakage points.

For the subsequent advancement ritual involving his core ability, he could not tolerate the slightest mistake.

The magic array runes were activated one after another, each rune precisely embedded in the preset position, forming a perfect energy closed loop.

Luo En's fingers brushed gently through the air, and his spiritual power injected into every node as precisely as flowing water.

When the last protective rune lit up, the entire room was shrouded in a layer of light blue energy film, completely isolated from the outside world.

He could feel the subtle energy fluctuations when the magic array started, like an invisible net, blocking all external energy interference.

Subsequently, he began to activate the Skin of the Shapeshifter, which had been charged to 100%.

At this moment, the Skin of the Shapeshifter was no longer the dull silver-gray liquid he had obtained initially, but presented a texture of flowing light and color, as if moonlight had melted and was flowing uncertainly.

"Are you sure the advancement process won't produce obvious energy fluctuations?"

Luo En asked in a low voice, his voice carrying caution, his brows furrowed, fully on guard.

After all, this was the core area of the school, and any abnormal energy fluctuation could bring unnecessary trouble.

The voice of the shapeshifter sounded in his mind:

"Master need not worry. The advancement process is mainly carried out at the soul level and will not produce externally perceptible energy fluctuations. Moreover, with the protection of these isolation magic arrays, even if there is a weak energy leak, it will not be detected by the outside world."

Luo En pondered for a moment, nodded, and responded:

"Then, let's begin."

He sat cross-legged, placing the Skin of the Shapeshifter in his palm.

That piece of silver liquid shone with an eerie light under the candlelight, as if something inside was awakening.

It was no longer just lying there quietly, but was actively flowing slowly in Luo En's palm, as if it had a life of its own.

Luo En took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing rhythm, and let his heartbeat trend toward stability.

Subsequently, he closed his eyes slowly, his spiritual power extending cautiously, establishing a connection with the Skin of the Shapeshifter.

As his spiritual power deepened, he could feel the astonishing energy contained within the Skin of the Shapeshifter.

It was an ancient and profound power, like a dragon that had been sleeping for many years finally opening its eyes.

The energy was complex and changeable, yet possessed a certain indescribable order and beauty.

"Can we start?"

Luo En confirmed one last time, his voice calm, but his spiritual power already carried a bit of cautious expectation.

"Ready to start at any time, Master."

The shapeshifter responded, its mechanical tone devoid of any emotional fluctuation:

"Once it begins, it cannot be interrupted, please reserve enough time. I need to remind you that after the advancement is completed, I will be deeply bound to you; this is a necessary process preset for the subsequent upgrade to an 'exclusive weapon,' please make relevant preparations."

Hearing this, Luo En closed his eyes gently, took a deep breath, and his consciousness sank into the depths:

"Begin!"

In an instant, it was as if a bolt of lightning had pierced through his entire body.

An invisible torrent of energy erupted from the Skin of the Shapeshifter, rushing directly into the depths of Luo En's soul.

This was not ordinary magical power or spiritual power, but a more primordial energy, acting directly at the soul level.

He could feel every inch of his spiritual space being washed by this energy, like a long-dried riverbed suddenly welcoming a mountain flood.

At first, the feeling was both painful and wonderful, indescribable.

But as the process deepened, the pain gradually subsided, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and sharpness.

His perception range began to expand rapidly; he could not only feel every cell in his body but could even detect the tiniest energy fluctuations in the air.

At the same time, the Skin of the Shapeshifter was also undergoing astonishing changes.

The silver liquid began to flow violently, as if wriggling with life.

This energy fluctuation was extremely intense, like a silent gale raging in the enclosed space.

Originally just a piece of silver liquid, it now began to differentiate into countless tiny structures, just like a micro-universe being born.

Each tiny structure had its specific function, interconnected, forming a perfect whole.

Luo En could clearly perceive these changes, just like witnessing the creation process of a work of art from nothing.

He could feel the connection between the Skin of the Shapeshifter and himself becoming tighter, almost to the point of being inseparable.

It was no longer just an external object attached to the surface of his skin, but had become a part of his body, like a special second skin, fused with the essence of his life.

The advancement process lasted for a long time, and yet it seemed to be just an instant.

When Luo En finally opened his eyes, he found that the outside world seemed to have passed only a few short minutes, but his inner self had undergone earth-shaking changes.

【Successfully completed advancement:

Rare Ancient Item - Skin of the Shapeshifter -> Glorious Legacy - Thousand-Change Phantom】

【Thousand-Change Phantom (Glorious Legacy) Effects:

Perfect Isolation: Capable of forming a triple energy barrier, isolating internal and external energy interaction

High-Level Simulation: Capable of simulating the appearance and partial abilities of a specified target, simulation accuracy improved

Record (Active Ability): Consumes 1% energy to record a move; once selected, it can be released in one direction, but the user cannot control its power

Note: Can only record moves not exceeding two levels above the user's own, requires close contact to record

(Currently limited to Morning Star level wizard or below)】

【Charging Progress: Current 0/100%

Special Tip: Will gain a certain ability liberation again when charging reaches 50%

After charging reaches 100% full value, it can be used as a key item for an advanced epic profession (four-star) and evolve into an exclusive weapon】

Luo En carefully read the information on the panel, each line making his heartbeat accelerate, and various possibilities rapidly unfolded in his mind.

"Perfect Isolation" was the most critical ability in his plan.

It would provide a solid guarantee for his soul-splitting plan, ensuring that no energy leakage or interference would occur during the splitting process.

"High-Level Simulation" was an extremely practical ability; whether used for hiding his identity or integrating into a specific environment, it could play a huge role.

The most pleasantly surprising thing was the active ability named "Record."

Being able to record and release others' moves meant he could directly use other people's skills, greatly expanding his combat choices.

Although there were limitations—it could only record moves not exceeding two levels above his own, and required face-to-face close contact.

But this was already an extremely powerful ability.

Luo En immediately thought of an excellent application scenario:

Learning from those formal wizards willing to demonstrate spells during paid consultations, and then secretly recording the powerful spells they cast.

"If I can record a powerful spell at the formal wizard level every time I consult, over time, I will have a powerful library of trump cards."

Luo En calculated in his heart, a flash of precision crossing his eyes.

He tried to mobilize the energy of the Thousand-Change Phantom slightly, immediately feeling an unprecedented sense of control.

The Skin of the Shapeshifter in the past was more like an external tool, requiring commands to be issued through thought, and then waiting for execution.

But the current Thousand-Change Phantom was like a part of his body, even more intimate than his body, no longer a simple attachment relationship, but more like a part connected by flesh and blood.

Just like his own skin, muscles, and bones, it became an inseparable part of his body.

Now, only a slight adjustment of thought was needed, and the Thousand-Change Phantom would respond immediately.

Thinking of this, he raised his hand, and with a slight thought, a layer of silver luster immediately covered the surface of his arm.

This layer of luster changed rapidly, forming appearances of various different materials—steel, wood, crystal, everything.

Its speed of change was fast, and its form was accurate, far beyond what it could compare to before.

"Truly astonishing control precision."

Luo En praised somewhat; the changes of the Skin of the Shapeshifter in the past always had subtle unnaturalness.

But now, these changes could almost rival real materials, even the texture and feel were not off by a bit.

He tried further, concentrating his spirit, and recalled the sharp claws of the manticore.

The next moment, his fingers had turned into sharp claws exactly the same as the manticore's, even the patterns on them were almost the same.

Luo En brushed across the tabletop lightly, and the hard wood surface immediately left several deep grooves.

"Record ability..."

He pondered again about this newly acquired active ability and its potential uses:

"Can only record moves not exceeding two levels above my own; currently, I can only record moves at the apprentice and Morning Star wizard levels."

(End of chapter)