Chapter 203: After the knife cuts the meat, will you thank it?

The light of the crystal pillars became increasingly clear, shining on the faces of the three-person squad, casting constantly changing red shadows.

The red crystals on the ground also became clearer as they approached, like some kind of translucent flesh paving the ground.

As they got closer to the core area, Luo En fell into deep thought, recalling his experience at the "Control Point."

He vaguely sensed that the teleportation process was by no means as simple as it appeared.

When his palm touched the surface of the stone pillar at the control point, a strange energy fluctuation spread from the point of contact, rapidly spreading along his arm to his whole body.

That feeling was both strange and unsettling.

It was as if countless invisible hands were wandering inside and outside his body, touching every inch of his skin, every nerve, and even every corner deep in his soul.

Through the special perspective of "Extraordinary Identification," he saw the flow of information that ordinary people could hardly perceive.

Countless tiny energy threads extended from the control point, wrapping around his body, constructing a complete blueprint of his life structure.

These energy threads not only scanned his surface layer but went deeper into the flesh and blood, even penetrating to the mental level.

A surprising discovery formed in his mind:

The control point was not just a teleportation tool, but a complex life scanning device.

It read everything about him—bloodline traits, ability structure, thinking patterns, and even the hidden desires and fears deep in his subconscious.

"What are you thinking about, Luo En? Did you discover some problem?"

Trish turned her head, asking with some consultation.

Those brown eyes presented an unusual luster under the reflection of the blood-red crystals, particularly eye-catching.

Huo Huo Erte also stopped his steps, casting a probing gaze.

Unknowingly, Luo En had become the backbone of this three-person squad.

"I am thinking about the mechanism of the control point."

Luo En answered in a low voice, his gaze still scanning the surroundings vigilantly:

"Have you noticed that when we touch those 'control point' stone pillars, there is a feeling of being 'read'?"

Huo Huo Erte's brows frowned slightly: "There is indeed a strange feeling, as if someone is flipping through my memories."

"It's not just memories." Luo En shook his head, his voice becoming even lower:

"I discovered that the control point is actually scanning our entire life structure—bloodline, abilities, and even the subconscious."

What he did not tell his companions was that at that moment, he felt a subtle reaction from the substitute puppet at his waist.

That inconspicuous little puppet suddenly became abnormally active, as if stimulated by something, trembling slightly but rapidly.

Even more strangely, the energy fluctuations it emitted resonated with the control point, as if some silent communication was taking place between the two.

"The substitute puppet also comes from the fourth layer of the abyss..."

Luo En speculated to himself:

"Although the space where the control point is located is not the true abyss, it does carry the characteristics of the Abyssal aura... some kind of linkage effect occurred between the two."

This discovery made him both excited and vigilant.

He realized that his clone was likely not just a simple bloodline mapping.

Instead, it was influenced by the traits of the substitute puppet during the generation process, causing it to possess special properties beyond conventional clones.

"I think the generation of the clone is based on the scanning results during the teleportation process." Luo En returned from his thoughts, barely revealing a smile:

"But there are... variables in some places."

He did not tell his two companions his true thoughts; these pieces of information involving the substitute puppet were too sensitive to be shared with outsiders.

"Indeed, the situation here is permeated with a sense of eeriness everywhere."

Huo Huo Erte nodded in agreement, constantly scanning the surroundings, his fingers already prepared to summon the Earth Elemental Colossus at any time.

The three continued to move forward, while Luo En continued to organize his thoughts about the clone deep in his heart.

Through that strange contact, he established an abnormal connection with his clone—a one-way, unequal connection.

This connection allowed Luo En to vaguely perceive the clone's actions and emotions, while the clone was completely unaware of this.

More interestingly, he discovered that the clone seemed to have inherited some traits of the substitute puppet—especially the ability to absorb Abyssal energy and the trend of self-evolution.

It was no longer a simple mapping, but an existence with autonomous consciousness and growth potential.

From the emotional fluctuations coming from the clone, Luo En felt a strong longing—a hunger for power, a desire to devour other lives.

But at the same time, there was also an indescribable fear, an instinctive fear of unknown threats.

"It is afraid of me," Luo En sneered in his heart: "Even it doesn't know why."

This one-sided information advantage made him gradually understand its actions.

Every move of the clone was within his expectations;

Every time it devoured, every time it strengthened, every trace of fear was seen by him.

Through this abnormal connection, he captured the clone's behavioral pattern:

It would first look for weaker targets, accumulate energy and experience, and then gradually challenge stronger opponents.

This behavioral pattern was extremely similar to Luo En's own thinking style, simply like a twisted mirror, mapping out certain traits deep in his heart.

He could feel the excitement of the clone every time it devoured other clones, the fear when facing unknown threats, and even the instinctive fear of the approaching original body.

All of this was like a carefully choreographed play, and Luo En was the only audience.

As his thoughts turned, they continued to move forward.

The crystal ground beneath their feet made a faint buzzing sound with the air, as if countless tiny lives were whispering in between.

The outline of the crystal enclosure was already clearly visible, and those towering crystal pillars, under the reflection of the blood-colored light, were like a palace condensed from fresh blood.

Suddenly, a violent fluctuation came from Luo En's mental perception, and a strong energy tide surged from afar.

This feeling was so strong that he couldn't help but stop his steps, his brows locked.

"What's wrong?" Huo Huo Erte keenly noticed Luo En's abnormality.

Luo En did not answer immediately, but closed his eyes, concentrating on feeling that energy fluctuation.

Through the special connection with the clone, he "saw" an astonishing scene:

The clone was fighting with two twisted humanoid creatures, and those two creatures had already fused into a more terrifying existence.

"Oliver and Cynthia," Luo En muttered these two names in his heart, a trace of coldness rising from his back.

"It seems we need to speed up."

He said to his two companions: "I can feel the Abyssal aura constantly strengthening; returning early is the only way to avoid long nights and many dreams."

Trish and Huo Huo Erte looked at each other; although they didn't fully understand Luo En's plan, they nodded in agreement.

The three accelerated their pace, moving toward the central area of the crystal enclosure.

In the distance, the clone and the fusion body of Oliver and Cynthia were engaged in a fierce battle.

"My clone is eliminating other clones and even real Awakened Ones."

Luo En summarized in his heart: "This saves me quite a bit of trouble."

And at the other end of the crystal enclosure, the clone was completing the final blow against the fusion body of Oliver and Cynthia.

The light-flame longsword stabbed into the core of the fusion body, completely ending the lives of these two Awakened Ones.

The fusion body began to disintegrate, and a large amount of Abyssal energy was released, like a black river, surging toward the clone.

The clone opened his arms, greedily absorbing this energy, feeling the constant strengthening and metamorphosis of his body.

Ai Lue Te stood to the side, cold sweat soaking his clothes, fear almost drowning him.

He watched the clone turn those red-gold eyes slowly toward him after absorbing the energy, knowing that something big was wrong.

"Thanks for your assistance, Wind Listener."

The clone's voice became hoarser and deeper, as if coming from the depths of hell: "But now, your value has been exhausted."

Ai Lue Te's large ears twitched violently, capturing the fatal threat information in the air.

He had been secretly observing every move of the clone, waiting for the best time to escape.

"I thought you would thank me for helping you find such a delicious energy source."

Ai Lue Te tried to keep his voice steady, while quietly reaching for the special emblem in his bosom.

"Thank you?" The clone revealed a cold smile, a smile without the slightest human temperature:

"Why thank a tool? After the knife cuts the meat, will you thank it?"

The clone raised his hand, a dark spell model condensing at his fingertips, preparing to launch a fatal blow.

But at this very moment, his expression suddenly became stiff, and a strong sense of threat came from afar.

It was an instinctive fear; he knew that the real Luo En was approaching.

This brief hesitation gave Ai Lue Te enough time.

He quickly took out the special emblem given by Wa Lun from his bosom, while activating the protective barrier on his body.

This was a defensive means that only genius students of the Crystal Spire could obtain, capable of resisting attacks at the level of an official wizard for a short time.

The clone came to his senses and launched an attack, but it was too late.

Ai Lue Te's protective barrier blocked this blow, and at the same time, he crushed the emblem in his hand.

A dazzling light enveloped him, his figure gradually fading in the light, finally disappearing without a trace.

The clone growled, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes.

But soon, his attention was drawn by the stronger sense of threat coming from afar.

………………

On the open ground outside the Bloodline Altar, magic power condensed in the air as if it had form, and suffocating pressure spread between the two confronting figures.

Wa Lun stood in the center of the open ground, his posture as straight as a pine.

The power of a Dim Sun-level wizard was released without reservation, pressing the surrounding air until it twisted and deformed.

His robe moved without wind, silver-gray patterns flowing on the surface of the robe, outlining the mysterious symbols unique to the Crystal Spire.

Lady Ai Lun appeared much more relaxed, a mocking smile carrying a few traces on that seemingly young face.

After taking the "Colorful Star Dew," her aura had completely changed.

She was no longer the elderly proprietress of the old pharmacy, but a powerful wizard emanating astonishing pressure.

Rainbow-like magic power surrounded her.

That kind of energy fluctuation did not come from a single element, but was a perfect fusion of seven basic elements, forming a more advanced and purer form of energy.

The confrontation between the two powerhouses had lasted for some time.

Fine cracks appeared on the surrounding ground, and a scorched scent permeated the air, as if a great battle capable of destroying this area would break out in the next second.

As a Dim Sun-level wizard of the Crystal Spire, Wa Lun's mission this time was to supervise the opening process of the Bloodline Altar.

And to ensure that the apprentices of the Crystal Spire could safely participate in the trial and obtain bloodline enhancement.

However, the situation before him far exceeded his expectations.

On one hand, there was the unexpected variable brought by the suddenly appearing Lady Ai Lun, and on the other, the possible abnormality inside the Bloodline Altar.

"The situation is terrible." Wa Lun looked at the Life Book in his hand, his face becoming increasingly ugly.

The flames on the Life Book represented the life status of the Crystal Spire apprentices.

The flames that should have been bright and stable were now mostly flickering uncertainly.

Even now, five pages had turned completely gray, representing that half of the apprentices had died.

And this even included Li Na, the special talent holder whose importance was second only to Ai Lue Te.

"Ai Lun, I don't have time to continue wasting with you."

Wa Lun's voice was calm, but a trace of worry flashed in his eyes:

"The Crystal Spire squad has suffered heavy losses; I must confirm the situation inside the Altar as soon as possible."

Lady Ai Lun sneered, the rainbow light surrounding her becoming even more brilliant:

"What is there to confirm? A group of so-called 'elites' instilled with a sense of superiority by you are nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs when facing true geniuses. Is this the cultivation result of your Crystal Spire? Disappointing."

Wa Lun's brows locked, his fingers trembling slightly, clearly suppressing his anger:

"Ai Lun, I know you have many dissatisfactions with the Crystal Spire, but now is not the time to pursue these. The situation inside the Altar has spiraled out of control; we must take action."

"Take action?" Lady Ai Lun scoffed:

"You and I both know the rules of the Bloodline Altar—once entered, it cannot be intervened in halfway; one can only wait for the result. This is an iron rule set when the Altar was originally designed; even a Dim Sun wizard cannot change it."

Her eyes suddenly became sharp:

"What you are truly worried about is not the safety of those apprentices, but Luo En, who has revealed astonishing talent, right? You are afraid that he will obtain improvements beyond expectations in the Altar, and upon returning, will pose a threat to the interests of the Crystal Spire."

Wa Lun was silent for a moment, then frankly admitted:

"That's right, Luo En is indeed a variable. According to Ha Ye Ke's description, his potential far exceeds that of ordinary geniuses. Such talent should receive the best cultivation and guidance. And the Crystal Spire happens to be able to provide these."

"Cultivation? Guidance?"

Lady Ai Lun's voice was full of mockery:

"Don't use these high-sounding words to cover up the truth. What the Crystal Spire wants to do is nothing more than bind him completely to your system through a soul contract, turning him into your tool and puppet."

Wa Lun did not answer immediately, but looked at Ai Lun deeply, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Just then, the space channel of the Bloodline Altar flickered, and a blinding light exploded on the open ground.

After the light dissipated, Ai Lue Te's figure appeared between the two, his face pale, his clothes damaged, but fortunately, he was unharmed.

Following closely, several more rays of light flashed, and several Crystal Spire apprentices appeared one after another.

The state of these apprentices was far worse than Ai Lue Te's.

Some were covered in black spots, some had skin constantly dissolving, and others had black liquid flowing from their eyes, having completely lost consciousness.

"Master Wa Lun!" Ai Lue Te saw Wa Lun, a flash of hope crossing his eyes.

"Ai Lue Te!" Wa Lun's attention was immediately diverted, and he quickly took a few steps forward, squatting down to carefully check the state of the apprentices:

"This level of pollution has already exceeded the scope of a normal Bloodline Altar trial!"

He placed his palm on an apprentice's forehead and closed his eyes slightly.

Mental power penetrated into the depths of the apprentice's consciousness like fine threads, attempting to perceive the source and degree of the pollution.

"The situation is not looking good." Wa Lun's voice became solemn:

"This kind of pollution has already penetrated to the soul level; conventional purification means are likely to have limited effects. They must be sent back to the Crystal Spire immediately to receive professional treatment."

Lady Ai Lun also walked a few steps closer, the mockery on her face diminishing slightly.

She squatted down and lightly touched an apprentice's pulse, feeling the faint life fluctuations within.

"A mixture of erosion and mental pollution," she quickly made a judgment:

"This damage originates from the whispers from the depths of the starry sky, but it is also mixed with the corrosive nature of the abyss. A very rare combination."

Wa Lun looked up at Ai Lue Te: "Tell me in detail what happened inside the Altar."

Ai Lue Te took a deep breath, describing the encounter in the Bloodline Altar as concisely and comprehensively as possible.

From the moment they met their respective clones, to that crushing battle, and then to the scene where the clone Luo En killed the Awakened Ones Oliver and Cynthia.

"Impossible..." Wa Lun's voice was filled with shock:

"A clone, how could it possess such powerful strength and clear self-awareness? This completely exceeds the design scope of the Bloodline Altar!"

He looked at Lady Ai Lun: "Ai Lun, what is the background of your student Luo En?"

Lady Ai Lun smiled slightly, a touch of mystery in that smile:

"He is just a talented young man, nothing more."

"No, there must be other reasons." Wa Lun's gaze became sharp:

"An ordinary genius cannot create such a clone. Unless..."

He stopped suddenly, a flash of realization crossing his eyes:

"Unless he possesses some special talent or item capable of influencing the operating mechanism of the Altar."

Ai Lue Te recalled his observations in the Altar and added:

"The clone seems to be able to absorb the power of other clones to strengthen itself, just like... just like a living Abyssal substance."

"You mean..." Wa Lun's expression became even more serious: "Luo En might possess some kind of Abyssal item?"

"I'm not sure," Ai Lue Te answered honestly:

"But the clone's behavioral pattern is indeed very special. It not only can absorb the energy of other clones but also showed clear self-awareness and judgment ability, not at all like an ordinary clone."

Wa Lun did not continue to ask, but quickly constructed a teleportation portal:

"Regardless, the situation of these apprentices is critical and they must be sent to the Crystal Spire for treatment immediately."

He looked at Ai Lue Te: "You rest here; wait for me to finish handling this matter before coming back."

Ai Lue Te nodded, leaning weakly against a rock.

Wa Lun began to send the injured apprentices into the teleportation portal one by one, his movements quick and skilled.

His face became increasingly solemn; clearly, the injuries of these apprentices were more serious than he had initially estimated.

"This has already exceeded the acceptable range of losses."

Wa Lun said in a low voice, his voice carrying a trace of self-reproach: "I must explain the failure of this mission to the School Alliance."

Lady Ai Lun sneered:

"Doesn't the Crystal Spire always boast that it has the most excellent apprentices? What, now you're afraid to answer to those old guys?"

Wa Lun's eyes became sharp:

"Ai Lun, I know you have many dissatisfactions with the Crystal Spire, but now is not the time for you to mock these; I must ensure the safety of the remaining apprentices in the Altar as soon as possible."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 204 =====