Chapter 201: Pure Blood

Luo En, Trish, and Huo Huo Erte formed a temporary squad.

They passed through the gradually dissipating fog and walked toward the translucent, dark red crystal enclosure.

As they approached, the crystal structure became increasingly clear.

Strange patterns flowed across the surface of those crystal pillars like veins, and some kind of energy seemed to be flowing slowly inside, emitting faint, pulsating crimson light.

"This is the core of the Bloodline Altar," Luo En said in a low voice, his gaze scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

"According to the *Abyssal Creature Compendium*, although the specific form of the trial varies, the Altar trial is generally divided into three stages—Retrospection, Resonance, and Metamorphosis. We should be approaching the final Metamorphosis stage now."

"I have also learned a little about these stages," Huo Huo Erte nodded, his slender fingers lightly brushing the storage bag at his waist to confirm the Earth Elemental Colossus core was safe.

"But the specific details have always been a secret of the school. Seeing it with my own eyes for the first time is truly shocking."

Trish's gaze fell on the crystal structure, her long brown hair appearing particularly dark under the blood-red light.

"These crystals... they feel like some kind of living tissue that has been solidified. I can feel a faint life pulse inside, like the heartbeat of an ancient tree, but even more... twisted."

The three of them proceeded cautiously, each step taken with extreme care, fearing they might trigger some unknown trap.

A peculiar scent permeated the air, both cold like metal and carrying an indescribable warmth, as if they were inside the body of some massive creature.

Luo En suddenly reached out to stop the two, his eyes sharp as a hawk's: "Stop."

As soon as his voice fell, all three simultaneously felt a slight ripple of water coming from ahead.

It was an extremely subtle sound, like a small creature swimming in water, accompanied by the soft splashing of water droplets.

In a shadow on the crystal platform, a small figure was moving lightly, emitting the faint sound of water droplets.

A head of long silver hair shimmered with an unusual luster under the crystal's reflection, and the large purple-blue eyes were deeper than usual, almost approaching ink-blue.

"Is that Dai Er?" Luo En's brows locked, his first reaction being that the little sea siren beside him had run ahead at some point.

But the next instant, his intuition told him something was wrong.

The aura emitted by this "Dai Er" was completely different from the real Dai Er.

It was a more primitive, colder aura, lacking the unique warmth Dai Er possessed.

"It's a clone."

He confirmed through his "Extraordinary Identification" skill, feeling the energy fluctuations on that "Dai Er" that exceeded those of a normal creature.

"The Bloodline Altar may have created a clone of each of us, and this is hers."

That "Dai Er" looked almost identical to the real Dai Er, but her temperament was completely different.

Her movements were more fluid than Dai Er's, every tiny gesture carrying a certain elegance and lethality of a predator.

Her eyes were sharper, and a primitive, cold predatory light flickered in her pupils, making one's hair stand on end.

Luo En felt the Dai Er beside him stiffen for a moment, but she quickly relaxed again.

"Is that... me?"

Dai Er's voice carried no fear, but instead revealed curiosity and excitement: "It looks like me, yet it also doesn't look like me."

The clone seemed to sense their presence, turned her head, and a strange smile appeared on her face.

That smile looked innocent, yet it was inexplicably creepy, as if some true horror was hidden beneath a mask.

"Ah, has Sister come to play with me?"

The clone Dai Er said in an innocent tone.

She jumped forward lightly a few steps, each step accompanied by splashing water droplets.

"Master is here too, how wonderful."

The clone tilted her head, water droplets sliding from her silver hair, but they suddenly stopped in mid-air, turning into a miniature ice blade.

"Master, can I eat Sister? I really want to become stronger so I can better protect Master..."

And with the murderous intent in her words, the air temperature dropped sharply, as if an invisible cold current was emanating from the clone.

Frost began to form on the crystal platform, and white mist was gently exhaled from her nose and mouth, condensing into translucent ice crystals that drifted slowly in the air.

However, even if she was just a clone, she seemed to have no hostility toward him; perhaps he should feel touched?

Luo En calmly assessed the situation; he could feel that the clone before him was much more powerful than the normal Dai Er.

The life energy fluctuations were more active, but at the same time more unstable, like a container forced with too much energy, ready to collapse at any moment.

"She is indeed very strong," Luo En said softly.

"But she is also very dangerous; the overly enhanced bloodline traits have left her completely dominated by instinct."

Dai Er watched her clone, her eyes flickering with a certain understanding.

"She is a part of me... that part which only follows instinct."

"Instinct?" The clone Dai Er tilted her head, her expression innocent and puzzled, her silver hair fluttering with her movements, forming a patch of tiny ice crystals.

"What are you talking about? I'm just... hungry."

When she said the last few words, her voice suddenly changed.

It was as if dozens of voices were speaking at once, her pupils dilated to almost swallow the entire white of her eyes, filled with irrepressible greed and longing.

The form of the clone Dai Er began to change.

Her fingertips lengthened, turning into sharp blue claws covered with fine scales.

The sides of her neck split open, revealing gill-like structures that opened and closed with her breathing.

Her mouth expanded, revealing three rows of sharp fangs, denser and sharper than those of ordinary carnivores.

Most terrifying were her eyes; the originally cute purple-blue turned into a deep black-purple.

Her pupils were vertical like a cat's, but even longer and thinner, almost running through the entire eyeball.

"Is that... the form of a sea siren after Abyssalization?"

Huo Huo Erte gasped, his fingers already secretly rubbing earth-type energy, ready to summon defense at any time.

"Yes and no." Luo En's voice also became solemn.

"Besides being infected by the Abyssal aura, there is also the most primitive predatory side of Dai Er's bloodline, which has been strengthened and manifested by the power of the trial. The ancestors of sea sirens were deep-sea predators; this form should be closer to the origin of her bloodline."

The clone Dai Er licked her lips, the tongue revealed being abnormally long and forked, like the organ of some ancient reptile, covered with tiny barbs on the surface.

"Let's play, Sister. I promise it won't hurt too much. Anyway, in the end, you will become a part of me..."

Her voice carried a certain strange charm, like a wonderful yet eerie ballad, making one want to approach involuntarily.

This was the sea siren's primitive "Siren Song" ability, a deadly attraction that acted directly on the soul.

Luo En immediately sensed this strange mental wave and quickly released a mental ripple to the surroundings, interrupting the influence.

He saw Dai Er's eyes flicker; she had clearly felt the temptation, but she quickly regained clarity.

"Dai Er, this is a very good opportunity."

Luo En said in a low voice, his tone calm and firm: "Defeating your own clone in the Altar can grant bloodline enhancement."

"I understand, Master." Dai Er's eyes became sharp.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile completely different from her usual innocent cuteness; it was an expression only a predator would have.

"Then let me see who eats whom."

She said this lightly, but with full fighting spirit.

The clone seemed to lose patience, leaping forward suddenly, her speed so fast she almost left an afterimage, opening her bloody mouth to pounce on Dai Er.

Dai Er did not retreat, but instead met her head-on.

A flash of fighting spirit crossed her eyes, her hands drawing an arc in front of her chest, and the surrounding water molecules were instantly mobilized.

"Water Shield!"

A crystal-clear water shield formed in front of her, its surface rippling, presenting strange colors under the reflection of the blood-red crystals.

The clone's fangs slammed heavily into the water shield, emitting a harsh friction sound; ripples spread across the surface of the shield, but it remained as solid as iron.

"A very powerful sea siren." Huo Huo Erte whispered, his eyes filled with surprise: "Her control over water elements is much more precise than at the last Gladiator Society."

Dai Er did not give the clone a chance to catch her breath, pushing her hands forward violently, and the water shield surged, knocking the clone back several meters.

Her movements were permeated with muscle memory from thousands of training sessions, and every strike had unexpected precision.

"It seems she has mastered the rhythm of battle very well." Luo En's eyes carried some gratification; he knew Dai Er worked much harder than she appeared.

It should be said that everyone in their workshop worked very hard.

Not to mention Li Li Liya, even Ailan had been practicing herb processing and plant manipulation in the backyard during their rest.

"Are you imitating my moves?"

The clone Dai Er hissed with laughter, her voice full of mockery: "But do you know, Sister? I understand myself better than you do."

She opened her mouth and spat out a string of strange syllables; those syllables formed visible blue ripples in the air, striking Dai Er's spirit directly.

This was a more powerful "Siren Song" technique, no longer simple temptation, but a direct mental attack.

Dai Er was caught off guard by this sudden attack, and countless illusions instantly appeared before her eyes:

The call of the deep sea, bloody revelry, endless darkness...

These were the most primitive memories in the sea siren bloodline, now forcibly awakened, almost drowning her reason.

A flash of worry crossed Luo En's eyes, but he did not intervene.

Dai Er's body swayed, but she quickly stood firm, the confusion in her eyes replaced by firmness: "Those... are not me."

She took a deep breath, her lips moving slightly, and spat out a completely different string of syllables.

These syllables were crisp and pleasant, like a mountain spring flowing over pebbles, carrying a kind of pure power.

"You want to use Siren Song against me?" Dai Er's voice carried some coldness: "Then let's compare and see whose song is more powerful."

The two Siren Songs met in the air, forming strange energy ripples, shaking the surrounding crystals and emitting crisp harmony.

The clone's Siren Song was full of chaos and greed, while Dai Er's contained restraint and order.

The two canceled each other out, finally exploding into countless tiny energy fragments in the air.

The clone Dai Er clearly did not expect her strongest means to be canceled, and a flash of annoyance crossed her eyes.

She gave up on the Siren Song and instead rushed directly toward the real Dai Er, her sharp claws cutting through the air, aiming straight for the throat.

Dai Er no longer relied on her innate abilities, but instead displayed more primitive combat instincts.

Her fingers also turned into sharp claws, meeting the clone's attack.

The two figures moved at high speed on the crystal platform, so fast that only afterimages remained.

Although the movements were wild, every one of Dai Er's attacks had a clear goal and path, by no means a blind vent.

She gradually gained the upper hand, and the clone began to show signs of fatigue.

Both were covered in blood, but the fighting spirit in their eyes did not diminish.

The clone's movements began to become chaotic, clearly due to the decline in control caused by excessive energy consumption.

"Now!" Luo En thought to himself, but did not speak to disturb Dai Er's battle rhythm.

Seeming to sense the Master's intent, Dai Er suddenly leaped backward, opening up the distance.

Her hands were raised high, and all the water molecules around were instantly mobilized, forming a lifelike water dragon in the air.

"Tidal Fury!"

The water dragon roared and dived down, hitting the exhausted clone head-on.

The huge impact force knocked the clone flying, slamming her heavily into a crystal pillar with a muffled sound.

Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the surface of the crystal pillar, and red energy seeped out from within.

The clone struggled to stand up, but Dai Er had already arrived in front of her, victory shining in her eyes.

"You said you wanted to eat me." Dai Er's voice was low, carrying a coldness inconsistent with her age: "But on the contrary, it is you who should be devoured."

She leaned down and opened her mouth, revealing a row of sharp teeth.

At that moment, her expression was exactly the same as the clone's earlier—innocence containing extreme cruelty, only her eyes still retained clear reason.

The scene that followed was shocking even to Luo En.

Like the most primitive predator, Dai Er tore open the clone's throat, swallowing those dark red liquids in large gulps.

Her movements were both elegant and cruel, as if performing an ancient ritual, every action filled with a certain primitive beauty.

The clone struggled, her eyes filled with disbelief, seemingly not expecting to be conquered in this way.

Her body gradually became transparent, finally dissipating into countless light spots in the air.

These light spots did not drift away, but were all absorbed by Dai Er, merging into her body.

"I can feel it..." Dai Er muttered to herself, her eyes slightly dazed: "Her power... her memories... they are all mine now..."

Her body began to glow, as if injected with some mysterious energy.

Complex golden patterns emerged on her skin, covering her entire body like scales, forming a strange decoration.

The way the patterns flowed was like an undercurrent in the ocean, carrying a certain ancient and mysterious rhythm.

Dai Er's body floated up, surrounded by a mass of golden-blue light.

Her silver hair became even brighter, as if merged with the essence of moonlight;

Fine scale patterns appeared on her skin, each piece shimmering with a pearl-like luster;

Her eyes turned completely into pure gold, with starlike light spots in the pupils.

The light dissipated, and Dai Er landed slowly, her entire temperament renewed.

The contradiction between innocence and cruelty disappeared, replaced by a sense of harmony and balance.

"Master..." Dai Er opened her eyes, her golden pupils reflecting Luo En's figure, her voice filled with unbelievable joy:

"I feel so wonderful... it's like I truly understood who I am for the first time... as if all the water in the world is singing to me..."

Luo En walked up and stroked her hair, a gratified smile on his face:

"Congratulations, Dai Er, you have evolved into a 'Pure-Blood Sea Siren,' a more noble and pure existence."

Dai Er looked at her hands in surprise, and with a light thought, water flowed at her fingertips, forming various exquisite shapes—a small bird, a flower, a fish...

These water forms were precise to every detail, like the masterpiece of a sculpture master, several times more precise than before.

"I can feel that my control over water has become much, much stronger... and also..."

She blinked her large golden eyes and said excitedly:

"My Siren Song has also become different; it's no longer just a temptation used for predation, it can do so many things."

Dai Er tried humming a few notes, and the surrounding crystals immediately resonated, emitting pleasant harmony.

Some damaged crystal pillars even began to self-repair, the cracks slowly closing.

Luo En smiled and patted the little sea siren's head, continuing forward with Trish and Huo Huo Erte.

As he left, he habitually touched his waist:

"It should be about time... time to go harvest that guy..."

………………

Ai Lue Te stood in the distance, cold sweat soaking his clothes, quietly watching the terrifying existence that defeated all opponents like a crushing force.

His large ears were still twitching slightly, capturing every trace of energy fluctuation, every tiny sound.

This innate sensitivity had become a torture at this moment.

He could clearly "hear" the painful groans of his companions, that terrifying process of being eroded and polluted.

Kai Sa Er, Jie Kui Lin, Nuo Lun, Li Na... the most outstanding apprentices of the Crystal Spire.

Just like that, they were crushed under a single blow from the clone Luo En, like fallen leaves swept away by a gale.

Especially Kai Sa Er, that always arrogant power-type genius, who was now nothing more than a puddle of pitch-black paste, emitting a nauseating odor.

Ai Lue Te's brain worked at high speed, trying to understand everything happening before him.

A normal trial clone could not possess such powerful strength, let alone such clear self-awareness and ability to act.

This violated every rule he knew.

"Why don't you kill me?" he asked nervously, while thinking rapidly about an escape plan in his mind.

His fingers moved toward his waist without a sound.

The clone Luo En extended a finger and shook it gently, like an adult scolding a disobedient child:

"Because you are useful, Wind Listener. Your talent can help me find certain hidden things."

Ai Lue Te's heart skipped a beat.

He understood the clone's intention.

The other party wanted to use his special "Wind Listener" talent to find something.

A strange feeling welled up in his heart; for the first time, he felt vulnerable because of his talent.

"So you just need a living navigator."

Ai Lue Te tried to keep his tone calm, while quietly reaching for the emblem at his waist, hoping to activate it at a critical moment to escape.

"Smart."

The clone nodded approvingly, a look of appreciation flashing in those flame eyes:

"But I won't give you too much time to think. Now, get to work."

Ai Lue Te could capture the subtle changes in the energy fluctuations on the clone; this change signaled that if he did not cooperate, he would immediately suffer a fatal blow.

Although he had the confidence to escape safely, he decided to listen to what the other party was planning to do first:

"I need to know what you are looking for; my talent needs a clear goal to be effective."

The clone Luo En pondered for a moment, seemingly considering how much information to reveal.

He looked around to ensure there were no missed threats, then spoke:

"An 'Awakened One.' He has infiltrated this trial space and is currently undergoing metamorphosis somewhere."

Ai Lue Te's pair of large ears instinctively perked up, beginning to capture the energy fluctuations around him.

This was a natural reaction of his talent, requiring no deliberate control.

He closed his eyes, letting his senses open completely, allowing all kinds of information to rush in like a tide.

In the eyes of ordinary people, this world was composed of light, shadow, color, and shape;

But in Ai Lue Te's perception, everything had turned into various frequencies and fluctuations.

Every substance, every strand of energy, every living body had its own unique "sound."

He carefully distinguished these "sounds," separating the abnormal frequencies that did not match the background of this space.

Soon, he captured some extremely twisted energy fluctuations; the sound was harsh and chaotic, like multiple musical instruments playing out of tune at the same time.

"Interesting... I do hear some abnormal fluctuations."

Ai Lue Te said cautiously, not wanting to expose too much information too early:

"But it doesn't belong to the native energy pattern of this space; it's like it was forcibly stuffed in."

The clone Luo En's eyes lit up, the red-gold flames flickering violently: "Direction?"

Ai Lue Te pointed to a shadow in the northwest corner of the platform:

"Over there. But I warn you, those energy fluctuations... are very chaotic, like a combination of multiple forces. I have never 'heard' such a twisted frequency."

The clone said no more, signaling Ai Lue Te to lead the way.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 202 =====