Chapter 183: Soul Anchoring Technology

Multiple protective magic arrays were set up here, which could not only block external magic power fluctuation interference but also prevent internal energy leakage.

He carefully lifted the magic array, pushed the door open, and walked in.

The room had soft light, and in the center was a research table made of special materials, with protective runes carved all over the surrounding walls.

Luo En first put the black sealing box and the letter aside and walked straight to the storage, taking out the thick "Abyss Creature Illustrated Handbook."

Since the last strong spiritual impact, he had temporarily shelved his study of this forbidden book.

But now, with his promotion to higher apprentice and the acquisition of the Bloodline Altar qualification, he had to absorb more knowledge about the abyss as soon as possible.

The pages unfolded slowly in his hands, and those active words and images appeared before his eyes again.

This time, he deliberately avoided the chapters that might trigger strong spiritual fluctuations and turned directly to the description of the intersection between the abyss and the outside world.

"The intersection between the abyss and the outside world is not a fixed physical boundary, but a gradient change in energy density..."

Luo En read this paragraph carefully, his eyes shimmering with focused light:

"Because of the 'Plane Great Navigation' at the end of the Second Era, many different worlds combined and collided with the main world, thus producing countless exotic spaces. Once they come into complete contact with the main world, they inevitably receive the influence of this special energy gradient..."

As the reading deepened, Luo En gradually connected these descriptions with Hayek's explanation of the Bloodline Altar:

"The most famous exotic space is the 'Bloodline Domain,' a semi-independent space forcibly torn out by ancient wizards, and subsequently produced many smaller 'Bloodline Altars.' Here, bloodline potential will be thoroughly stimulated, and the essential form of creatures will often manifest..."

"Bloodline Altar!" A flash of excitement crossed Luo En's eyes.

Continuing to read, the book detailed the characteristics of this "Bloodline Altar":

"Unlike the abyss, the Bloodline Altar, as a kind of exotic crack, is not an absolutely dangerous environment, but its trials often exceed ordinary endurance.

Every entrant will face the truth of their own bloodline, and those ancestor memories hidden deep in the genes will be awakened, forming various illusions or concrete challenges..."

"The most critical point is that the connection between the Bloodline Altar and the abyss makes its internal environment extremely sensitive to spiritual pollution.

Those explorers who enter with spiritual pollution often trigger more dangerous mutation reactions..."

This warning made Luo En frown.

He realized that before entering the Bloodline Altar, he must ensure that his spiritual state reached the best, otherwise he might fall into a dangerous situation during the trial.

The book continued to mention:

"The trial of the Bloodline Altar usually consists of three stages:

The first stage is 'Retrospection,' where the explorer experiences fragments of their own bloodline history;

The second stage is 'Resonance,' where bloodline energy begins to interact with the explorer at a deeper level;

The last stage is 'Metamorphosis,' where bloodline potential is fully released, and the explorer may obtain an essential improvement..."

"However, not everyone can complete all three stages. Most explorers reach their own limits in the first or second stage. Forcibly breaking through these limits often leads to disastrous consequences..."

Luo En firmly remembered this information in his heart and understood why the school attached such importance to the opening of this Bloodline Altar.

For any apprentice who aspires to the wizard path, this is a rare opportunity.

Not only can they deeply understand the essence of their own bloodline, but they may also obtain a qualitative leap.

However, this opportunity is accompanied by huge risks, and those who try rashly may pay a painful price.

At this time, his spiritual state was still stable, so Luo En decided to continue looking at the content he was more curious about.

He first turned to the chapter he only read the beginning of last time: "Abyss Substances and Treasures," and then continued from the previous part.

The book detailed the special substances of each layer of the abyss, not only describing their appearance and basic properties but also deeply analyzing the "overwrite" effect of these substances on the laws of the surface world:

"Blood Crystal" of the first and second layers—a red crystal capable of automatically absorbing and storing life energy.

The book revealed that blood crystal is actually the manifestation of a primitive consciousness in the abyss, which "learns" the rules of the material world by absorbing the life energy of surrounding creatures.

"Black Sand Essence" of the third layer—a black crystal compressed by countless micro-life forms.

This substance possesses amazing spatial manipulation characteristics, capable of folding and twisting space at the microscopic level.

Moderate use can create space bags or storage devices with capacity far exceeding the exterior, while large-scale use can create short-distance portals or spatial traps.

"Deformation Resin" of the fourth layer—a translucent liquid extracted from ancient trees in the twisted jungle, presenting constantly changing rainbow colors.

The most amazing characteristic of this substance is its ability to blur the boundaries of life forms, allowing the user to temporarily obtain the characteristics or abilities of other creatures.

The book recorded a "Hundred-Phase Skin" made by an alchemist using deformation resin, where the wearer could freely switch between different biological forms.

But the price is equally terrible—long-term use will cause the user's body and soul to "forget" their original form, eventually turning into a mass of amorphous biological matter.

"Time Amber" of the fifth layer...

And the "Labyrinth Crystal," "Soul Metal," "Void Fragment" behind...

When Luo En read these contents, his heart surged uncontrollably.

The descriptions of these abyss substances far exceeded any extraordinary material knowledge he had come into contact with before, completely changing his understanding of the essence of alchemy and magic.

Abyss materials seem to be not just resources and tools, but a medium that directly manipulates the essence of reality.

Through them, a wizard who is knowledgeable enough and proficient in technology can even briefly jump out of the constraints of established cosmic rules and achieve effects that conventional spells cannot reach.

But what Luo En was most interested in was the detailed analysis of the relationship between black wizards and the abyss:

"The path of the black wizard is essentially a path of leaning toward the essence of the abyss.

The so-called 'awakening' is actually the transformation of a part of one's own existence into an abyss form, thereby obtaining abilities that transcend conventional rules.

This is not just the acquisition of power, but a fundamental transformation of the form of existence."

"Areas below the sixth layer of the abyss, the 'Domain of the Labyrinth,' have long been the activity centers of various black wizard organizations.

These areas, due to the characteristics of 'Labyrinth Turbulence,' have their spatial structures constantly reorganized, making it difficult for outsiders to locate and track.

More importantly, the deep areas of the abyss contain rich chaotic energy, which is an ideal place for black wizards to conduct advanced awakening rituals."

"Especially noteworthy is the ancient organization 'Abyss Eye.'

Unlike common black wizard groups, they do not pursue simple power accumulation but are committed to the grand plan of 'abyss-izing' the material world.

Through special rituals, they try to gradually weaken the boundary between reality and the abyss, and the ultimate goal is to completely merge the two."

"The core tenet of the Abyss Eye is 'cognition is reality'—they believe that by changing the cognitive patterns of enough intelligent creatures, they can fundamentally rewrite the basic rules of reality.

Their missionaries mainly use infiltration into various academic institutions, changing the thinking patterns of those they come into contact with through distorted knowledge and special spiritual influence techniques."

This description made Luo En shudder.

The goal of the "Abyss Eye" was far more grand and terrifying than he had imagined, not just the pursuit of power, but the reconstruction of all reality.

And what really made Luo En's heart shake was the clear connection between the abyss and the Great Wizard path in the book:

"Since the First Era, the promotion path of the Great Wizard has always been inextricably linked to the abyss.

According to reliable records, every existence that successfully promoted to a Great Wizard has inevitably experienced a ritual called 'Abyss Baptism,' usually below the seventh layer, the 'Soul Abyss'."

The book specifically mentioned a key technology called "Soul Anchoring," which is the core method mastered by all successful Great Wizards:

"The essence of soul anchoring is to split and anchor part of one's soul to specific items in the material world before entering the abyss.

These items are usually personal items with deep connections to the wizard, such as weapons, staves, or jewelry.

Anchored items can provide a 'reality reference point' for the wizard during the abyss baptism process, preventing them from being completely assimilated by the abyss."

"The highest-level soul anchoring can even preserve the wizard's core memories and personality when their consciousness is eroded by the abyss.

To allow them to 'reset' themselves at critical moments, this is the key guarantee for passing the ritual."

Luo En's heartbeat accelerated, and he immediately associated it with his "furnace concept."

This description of soul anchoring had a startling similarity to the soul splitting and energy isolation technology he envisioned!

Not only that, the book also mentioned an advanced technology called "Pollution Conversion," which was almost the most critical link in his "furnace concept":

"A few outstanding wizards have mastered a special technology capable of converting abyss pollution—not simply blocking or clearing it, but converting it into pure power.

The core of this technology is to create an 'energy circulation system,' introducing abyss pollution into specific containers or media, and through a series of complex energy conversions, eventually 'purifying' it into pure energy available for use."

"Selwyn Aldrich himself is believed to have mastered the primary form of this technology, which is also the key to his ability to survive in the abyss for nearly a century while maintaining a clear mind.

His 'Conversion Furnace'—a special alchemical device, is said to be able to convert abyss pollution into energy that extends life and enhances spells."

Luo En closed the book, took a deep breath, and felt a wave of dizziness.

The content of the "Abyss Creature Illustrated Handbook" far exceeded his expectations, not only providing incomparably rich materials for his extraordinary biology research but also providing key theoretical support and technical details for the "furnace concept."

He even began to doubt whether his encounter with this book was really just a coincidence.

This description of "pollution conversion" and "soul anchoring" was so consistent with the "furnace concept" he independently conceived that it was almost unbelievable.

"This cannot just be a coincidence..." Luo En muttered to himself, his eyes shimmering with thoughtful light.

But what made Luo En feel most uneasy was the content on the last page of the book—a postscript that seemed to be added casually, the handwriting was significantly different from the main text, and it seemed to be written later:

"If you read this, remember: knowledge will respond to the seeker, just as the abyss will respond to the summoner.

I once thought I was studying the abyss, until I discovered that the abyss was also 'studying' me.

No matter what your purpose is, please remain vigilant, because now, 'they' already know of your existence.

——S. Aldrich"

Luo En carefully closed the book and put it into the specially made rune safe and locked it.

The knowledge brought by the "Abyss Creature Illustrated Handbook" was both exciting and disturbing. He needed time to digest this information and integrate it into his own research and plans.

"Abyss..." Luo En muttered to himself, his eyes shimmering with complex light, "A perfect combination of danger and opportunity, or a carefully designed trap?"

"Take it slow, achieve it step by step."

Luo En encouraged himself in a low voice, his eyes shimmering with firm light, "Solve the immediate things first, then consider the more distant future."

He closed the book, his thoughts like surging waves.

This information was undoubtedly extremely important for the upcoming Bloodline Altar trip, but to fully understand the mysteries within, I am afraid more clues were needed.

Luo En's gaze fell on the black sealing box, which contained the final stage of "Babble of the Star Eater," perhaps it could provide another part of the puzzle he needed.

He took a deep breath, carefully put the "Abyss Creature Illustrated Handbook" back into the storage box, and then walked toward the mysterious sealing box.

Where his fingers touched, he could feel a peculiar energy fluctuation, a mysterious rhythm similar to the depths of the starry sky, both distant and deep, as if coming from the edge of the universe.

Luo En recalled Lady Ailan's warning conveyed through Li Liya again: do not try it easily without enough preparation.

And that even more meaningful sentence: the road she couldn't finish back then, I hope he can successfully reach the end.

"Lady Ailan..." Luo En muttered: "What exactly did you encounter on this road?"

He thought for a moment and decided to check the letter sealed by magic power first.

Carefully taking out the letter, Luo En noticed that the runes covering the surface were flowing slightly, as if possessing their own life.

He knew the basic principles of this sealing spell—only the designated recipient could open it, and any attempt by an unauthorized person to read it would lead to self-destruction of the content.

Spiritual power gently touched the surface of the envelope, and Luo En could feel the magic power within "detecting" his identity.

A moment later, those runes suddenly lit up with golden light, and then dispersed like water waves, the envelope automatically unfolded, revealing the parchment inside.

The handwriting on the parchment seemed to be written with some kind of special ink, shimmering with blue light under the dim light:

"Luo En kid, I have some things that I need to leave the school temporarily, don't tell anyone about this.

But by the time you come back from the Bloodline Altar, I should be back too.

Come to the herb shop to find me then, I have important things that need to be handed to you in person."

This was completely different from what he thought. For this level of information, it was actually enough to let Li Liya bring him a message. Why did he need to use a magic ban letter specifically?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 184 =====