Chapter 208

After dinner, Luo En originally wanted to chat with Li Liya and Ailan for a while longer.

But he was so full of curiosity about the abyss materials he had just obtained that he truly could not suppress his inner urgency.

This desire to explore the unknown was like a wildfire; once ignited, it was difficult to extinguish.

"Li Liya, Ailan, you two go rest first. I'm going to the laboratory to process the materials brought back from the bloodline altar."

Luo En's tone was calm, but the flickering light in his eyes betrayed his irrepressible excitement.

Upon hearing this, Li Liya habitually wanted to follow and help, but thinking of something, she hesitated and stopped her steps.

"Master, do you need my assistance?" Her voice carried a hint of caution.

"No need, these materials are highly dangerous."

Luo En shook his head in refusal, his tone brooking no argument: "You have worked hard during this period; get some good rest."

Ailan keenly sensed something, and a trace of understanding flashed through her emerald green eyes.

As Luo En's first assistant, she understood her master's personality better than anyone else.

"Master, if you need to set up extra protection for the laboratory, please let me know at any time. I will ensure the vine barrier is foolproof."

Luo En nodded, his expression softening slightly:

"Then I will trouble you. If there are any abnormal energy fluctuations, immediately initiate the highest level of isolation measures."

Pushing open the heavy oak door of the laboratory, Luo En snapped his fingers, and the magic crystal lamps on the walls lit up in sequence, dispelling the darkness inside.

Each lamp had been specially treated to simulate natural light of different spectra, ensuring the precision of experimental observations.

Everything in the room remained as neat and orderly as when he had left.

This laboratory remained a restricted area for Li Liya; only Ailan, who had formed a strong binding relationship with him, could enter.

The potion equipment on the workbench was wiped spotless, and the materials on the shelves were categorized by attribute and purpose.

Various experimental records were neatly stacked in a corner of the desk.

Every detail showcased the tree spirit's dedication and attention to detail.

"It seems Ailan has put in quite a lot of effort." Luo En nodded inwardly, feeling a sense of gratification.

Although he never easily expressed praise, he was quite satisfied with the diligent attitude of a qualified assistant.

Walking to the special workbench in the center of the laboratory, Luo En took the storage bag from his waist and carefully removed several special containers.

These containers were not ordinary glass bottles but were made of a special material capable of isolating abyss energy.

The surface was engraved with complex suppression runes to ensure that the abyss energy inside would not leak out.

Placing the three containers on the table in order, Luo En took a deep breath.

"All are special materials with an abyss aura," he whispered to himself, his eyes flickering with the excitement unique to a researcher.

Inside the first container were several seeds glowing with purple light; these were the abyss plant seeds that Trish had collected from the swamp.

The second container held a small tissue sample of a swamp stitcher; although it had been specially treated, it was still slightly wriggling, looking like some kind of semi-solid gelatinous substance, with tiny bubbles occasionally appearing on the surface.

The third contained the crystallized bone fragments and molted skin of the bone worm provided by Huo Huo Erte; the bone fragments glowed with a ghostly blue light, while the molted skin presented a strange translucent state, as if plated with a thin layer of metal film.

Luo En first picked up the container with the abyss plant seeds and cautiously activated the "Extraordinary Identification" skill.

As his spiritual power permeated, the characteristics of those seeds gradually became clear in his perception.

It was like an open book, with every page recording the secrets of these abyss substances:

【Abyss Vine Seed (Mutated)

Characteristics: Absorbs environmental energy for self-strengthening, possesses extremely strong regenerative ability, sensitive to spiritual power fluctuations

Risk Assessment: Medium (unstable growth may lead to mutation spread)】

"Very interesting material." Luo En evaluated in his heart, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface of the container:

"These seeds not only retained the characteristics of the original plant but also gained a certain self-adaptive ability due to the influence of abyss energy. If this characteristic could be integrated into the substitute puppet..."

He turned to the second container, scrutinizing the tissue sample that was still slightly wriggling.

This sample was particularly eerie; even after being cut away from the original organism, it still maintained a certain primitive vitality, as if a faint consciousness were guiding its movements:

【Swamp Stitcher Tissue (Active)

Characteristics: Extremely strong regenerative and assimilation ability, can absorb surrounding biological tissue for self-repair

Risk Assessment: High (even a trace sample has the possibility of independent growth)】

"The danger level of this one is relatively high." Luo En frowned slightly, his fingertips touching the surface of the container, feeling the chaotic and violent energy fluctuations inside:

"Tissue completely detached from the control of the original organism, yet still maintaining a certain primitive consciousness. It's like a severed lizard tail, but with a higher dimension of autonomy."

The tissue inside the container seemed to sense Luo En's gaze, and the frequency of its wriggling significantly increased, like a trapped beast trying to break free from its cage.

Luo En remained unmoved by this and continued his scrutiny.

Finally, he checked the crystallized bone fragments and the molted skin.

These two materials were relatively stable, but the energy fluctuations they emitted were equally not to be underestimated.

"It seems these materials all have considerable research and utilization value."

Luo En pondered for a moment, his brain operating at high speed, weighing various processing plans.

Whether used for making special potions or as alchemy raw materials.

Even as auxiliary materials for bloodline modulation, these abyss substances had infinite possibilities.

He kept about one-fifth for future experiments in other areas.

Then he turned to the more important matter at hand:

Using these materials for the further strengthening of the substitute puppet; while thinking, he took out the puppet.

The puppet looked even more eerie than it had at the beginning.

In Luo En's spiritual perception, it emitted a unique energy fluctuation, seemingly sensing and evaluating the surrounding energy sources.

"After returning from the bloodline altar, I haven't attempted any strengthening." Luo En whispered to himself:

"Now, it's time to see what changes these new materials can bring to you."

Luo En sat cross-legged, placing his hands gently on both sides of the puppet, closed his eyes, and allowed his spiritual power to gently permeate the puppet's body, awakening its activity.

The substitute puppet began to vibrate slightly, its limbs gradually stretching, and a faint luster appeared on the wooden surface.

"Feel them... absorb them." Luo En guided softly, his spiritual power constructing specific energy circuits within the puppet's body.

These circuits were like a complex conduit system, guiding energy to flow along the optimal path, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the absorption process.

Under his guidance, the substitute puppet reached out a hand and touched the bone fragments.

Fine cracks immediately appeared on the surface of the glass bottle, as if eroded by some invisible force.

As the absorption progressed, subtle changes began to appear on the surface of the puppet's arm.

The wood grain became smoother, and a faint luster appeared on the surface, as if a layer of translucent crystal were covering it.

The joints of the fingers became more flexible, moving with a fluid-like elegance.

"The structural stability of the bone fragments has begun to integrate into the puppet's characteristics."

Luo En observed this change, recording it silently in his heart.

This real-time adaptability and fusion ability were precisely one of the most precious characteristics of the substitute puppet.

After the bone fragment essence was completely absorbed, the puppet reached for the second bottle—the molted skin extract.

The puppet's body instantly stiffened, and countless fine lines appeared on the surface, like snake scales, flickering with a cold, metallic light.

"The toughness and adaptability of the molted skin... perfectly integrated." Luo En nodded with satisfaction.

For the third bottle, the seed extract, countless tiny buds immediately appeared on the puppet's surface; these buds grew rapidly, bloomed, and then withered.

The entire process lasted only a few seconds, yet it felt as if it had experienced a complete life cycle.

For the last bottle—the swamp stitcher extract, the absorption process was the most astonishing.

Once the purple liquid was released, it immediately turned into a blurry mist, circling around the puppet.

Within the mist, countless tiny human faces constantly appeared and disappeared, emitting low murmurs.

These sounds were not heard through the ears but resonated directly in the spirit, like countless tiny needles piercing into the brain, both painful and carrying a strange sense of pleasure.

Luo En felt a strong spiritual pressure, but his spiritual barrier was strong enough to resist this interference.

The puppet's reaction was also extremely intense.

Its body began to deform rapidly, first expanding into a deformed sphere, the surface covered with twisted faces, each silently screaming;

then compressing into a flat disk, its edges as sharp as blades;

then returning to its original state, as if adapting to some brand-new form of existence.

Finally, when all changes subsided and the puppet returned to calm, its appearance seemed not to have changed much.

"Perfect!" Luo En, however, exclaimed softly: "All four abyss characteristics successfully integrated."

Through the spiritual link, he carefully checked the status of the substitute puppet.

Every energy node and every energy pathway was scanned in detail to ensure there were no unstable or potentially dangerous areas.

On the consciousness level, it had become clearer and sharper;

the energy structure was more stable, especially when facing external interference, capable of automatically constructing multi-layered defense mechanisms;

physical fitness had also significantly improved, especially in regenerative ability and environmental adaptability.

And of course, the most important thing was the increase in charging progress brought by absorbing active abyss substances:

【Automatically absorbed active abyss substances, charging progress +5%】

【Current charging: 43%/100%】

Almost there; it was only one step away from the 50% charging requirement.

"Once the Demon Hunter job transfer is complete, this improvement will be even more astonishing."

Luo En thought while putting away the substitute puppet, conceiving a blueprint for the future in his heart.

The special abilities brought by the Demon Hunter profession, such as enhanced perception, toxin resistance, and suppression of aberrant creatures, would all be fed back to him through the substitute puppet.

The substitute puppet was like a perfect carrier, capable of withstanding those transformation processes harmful to the human body, and then passing the purified abilities to Luo En.

Moreover, as he had speculated, the more characteristics the substitute puppet absorbed, the stronger this feedback effect would be.

Eventually, it might reach another form of "bloodline activation"—a purer, more powerful bloodline enhancement.

"Compared to the crude transplantation of traditional Demon Hunters, my method, while slightly circuitous, has much lower risks, yet the gains are not diminished in the slightest."

Luo En nodded with satisfaction, carefully putting the substitute puppet into his inner robe pocket:

"And because it can integrate characteristics across multiple species, theoretically, the potential is even greater."

………………

Meanwhile, the three women in the bath were enjoying the comfort brought by the hot spring.

Steaming water vapor permeated the air, and the scent of Ailan's special herbal blend drifted through, making one's mind feel relaxed.

"Ah~ so comfortable!"

Daier sighed with satisfaction, immersing most of her body into the warm water, leaving only her head exposed, her silver hair appearing even smoother and shinier in the vapor:

"Compared to that cold water element in the altar, this is simply heaven!"

Ailan carefully observed Daier, her vines gently touching the little sea siren's arms and shoulders, seemingly checking something.

Suddenly, a flash of surprise appeared in her eyes: "Daier, your body seems to have undergone some changes."

"Hmm? What changes?" Daier looked down at herself curiously, not finding anything unusual.

Ailan's vines gently pointed to Daier's chest:

"Look, here, after the bloodline breakthrough, your body has also begun to develop; there is already a small prototype here."

Daier looked down in surprise and indeed discovered that her originally flat chest had begun to show subtle bulges.

Although still very small, it was indeed a sign of development.

"Really!" The little sea siren was overjoyed, her hands gently stroking this change, a joy of growth surging in her heart:

"It seems I will soon be like Sister Lili, possessing a mature body!"

She turned excitedly toward Li Liya, preparing to share this discovery.

Only to find that the young girl was already leaning against the edge of the bath, her head tilted back slightly, eyes closed, breathing lightly and evenly—she had fallen asleep.

This state of being completely unguarded was completely different from Li Liya's usual self.

Long-term worry and tension, combined with the relaxation after Luo En's safe return, finally caused her body to automatically seek rest.

"Shh, don't wake her." Ailan gently signaled with her vines, her voice kept very low: "She really needs the rest."

Ailan carefully adjusted Li Liya's posture to ensure she wouldn't slide into the water:

"She has been too tired during this period, almost to the limit."

"Why? Isn't everything in the workshop operating normally?"

Daier asked in confusion, her voice also lowering involuntarily.

Ailan shook her head, worry flowing in her emerald green eyes:

"Li Liya is the one among us who worried the most. After you and the master disappeared, she was almost to the point of a nervous breakdown.

During the day, she forced herself to handle workshop affairs, but at night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep; I often saw her still flipping through various ancient books about the bloodline altar in the study in the middle of the night."

Daier looked at the sleeping girl, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and her slightly thin cheeks.

Even in her sleep, Li Liya's brows were still slightly furrowed, as if she couldn't let go of the worry in her heart.

Daier blinked, a trace of heartache flashing in her golden pupils:

"Sister Lili..."

"Now that you have all returned safely, she can finally relax."

Ailan's tone was soft: "So, it's only natural that she fell asleep while soaking."

Daier nodded, saying no more, quietly enjoying the soothing of the hot spring.

The water ripples in the bath gently swayed, as if telling a silent warmth.

(End of chapter)