Chapter 294: Welcoming Her Return

Time flowed quietly through the fingers like fine sand, and Luo En's life was also surging with undercurrents beneath this seemingly calm surface.

His daily routine had been adjusted to a precision bordering on harsh:

Waking up at dawn to meditate, using the 'Star Projection' trait to absorb starlight energy;

Handling various experiments and research at daybreak;

Conducting teaching work in the morning;

Focusing on memory crystal analysis and academic exchange in the afternoon;

Practicing spells and weapon techniques in the dead of night.

This rhythm of life was undoubtedly a torture for ordinary people, but for Luo En, it was the only path to a higher realm.

"Master, Ink is imitating your movements again."

Ailan's soft voice came from the other side of the laboratory bench, her green eyes carrying a hint of helplessness, but more of doting.

Luo En looked up, his gaze falling on the black slime in the corner that was working hard to 'learn.'

Ever since successfully cultivating this autophagic slime monster, it had become the most active existence in the workshop.

Daier named it 'Ink,' a name that was quite fitting.

Its body presented a near-perfect spherical shape, the surface smooth as a mirror, but it would present various wonderful patterns and bumps according to emotional changes.

At this moment, Ink was attempting to imitate Luo En's movement of holding a pen to write.

A slender tentacle extended from its main body.

Tremblingly holding a quill, it left crooked but barely recognizable lines on the paper.

That focused appearance, coupled with the constantly changing ripple patterns on its body surface, appeared both funny and moving.

"Its learning ability is indeed impressive."

Luo En put down the rune pen in his hand, observing Ink's attempts with great interest:

"Although it lacks a fixed body structure, the imitation precision for complex movements has reached a quite high level.

Besides this, its perception and reaction to bloodline energy are extremely keen."

He reached out his hand, gently stroking Ink's smooth surface.

The little guy immediately emitted a slight humming sound, its body color gradually turning from pure black to deep purple, which indicated that it was analyzing the bloodline composition and energy characteristics of the contactor.

A few seconds later, a part of Ink's body began to present an energy fluctuation frequency similar to Luo En's.

Although the intensity was so weak it could almost be ignored, the precision of that simulation was breathtaking.

"This is the perfect experimental subject I need."

Luo En's eyes flickered with satisfied light, and at the same time, he had already begun to conceive various experimental plans in his heart:

"By rehearsing various bloodline modulation techniques on Ink, I can significantly reduce the risk factor of conducting experiments on myself and my partners.

After all, any theory needs practical verification, and blind experiments are often more dangerous than ignorance."

In the following few days, Luo En began to systematically use Ink for bloodline modulation experiments.

He first attempted the further optimization and expansion of the Chimera bloodline.

Through a carefully designed potion formula, he successfully made a part of Ink gain a temporary ability similar to 'bloodline replication.'

Although the duration was only a short few minutes, this was already enough to verify the correctness of his theoretical system.

"Sixth experiment, duration extended to six minutes and twenty-three seconds."

Luo En carefully recorded every detail in the experimental log:

"After reducing the dosage of the bloodline stabilizer, the effect obviously improved.

Next step can be to attempt adding 'Abyss Thistle' extract; theoretically, it should be able to further extend the duration."

Ink was always extremely cooperative in participating in various experiments, never showing any discomfort or resistance.

As an autophagic slime monster, it not only possessed extremely strong adaptability by nature, able to withstand bloodline impacts that ordinary creatures could hardly endure.

The most critical point was that it seemed to be able to gain some kind of growth and evolution from these experiments.

After every successful bloodline fusion experiment, Ink's intelligence level would have a small but perceptible improvement.

This phenomenon made Luo En produce a bold conjecture: could Ink be cultivated into a 'living bloodline library' in the true sense through continuous bloodline modulation experiments?

【Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience +1】

【Current Progress: Bloodline Shaping (Proficient 82/100)】

"According to this progress speed, in another two to three months, I will be able to break through to the mastery level."

Luo En examined the data on the skill panel with satisfaction, his planning for the future becoming increasingly clear in his heart:

"Mastery-level bloodline shaping can be called a rare talent even in the entire Central Land."

………………

At the same time, the memory crystal analysis lesson, held once every two weeks, had become his most anticipated academic activity.

"Today we are going to analyze a high-grade memory crystal."

Youteer's phantom projection slowly emerged in the analysis room, the silver light more solid than usual, showing the importance he attached to this lesson:

"This is the highest-grade sample you have come into contact with so far, and the information complexity and potential risks contained within far exceed all previous exercises."

Luo En observed the memory crystal before him cautiously.

Unlike samples he had come into contact with before, this crystal presented a deep indigo color.

Inside, there was an extremely complex spiral structure, as if a miniature galaxy compressed within a crystal.

Just gazing at its surface, one could feel a subtle and dangerous energy fluctuation.

"High-grade memory crystals usually come from areas below the sixth layer of the Abyss, and the memories preserved within often involve the direct activities of Apostles, or confidential information from the core areas of the Abyss."

Youteer's voice became exceptionally serious, and the silver light of the phantom projection also slightly converged:

"In the process of analysis, you are very likely to come into contact with some... not very pleasant truths.

Make full psychological preparations; if you feel any discomfort, I will forcibly cut off your link."

Luo En took a deep breath, nodded to indicate understanding, and then began to establish a spiritual connection with the memory crystal.

As the link gradually deepened, a shocking scene slowly unfolded in his consciousness:

It was the terrifying scene of the sixth layer of the Abyss.

In the boundless darkness, huge blood-colored altars were arranged according to some complex and evil geometric pattern.

On each altar was bound a humanoid creature, but those could no longer be called humans.

Their bodies were severely twisted by Abyssal energy, turning into terrifying existences between humans and Abyssal creatures.

What was even more hair-raising was that these twisted existences still maintained clear consciousness.

Their eyes revealed complex emotions such as despair, pain, anger, and pleading, their lips trembling constantly, yet unable to make any sound.

That kind of silent screaming was even more heart-shaking than any wailing.

In the center of the scene, a tall and blurry figure was presiding over some kind of evil ritual.

Although the specific face could not be seen, judging from the terrifying energy fluctuations surrounding it.

This was undoubtedly a true Apostle, that kind of high-level Abyssal existence that even looking directly at could lead to spiritual pollution.

"This is... large-scale artificial manufacturing?"

Luo En endured the nausea rising in his heart, continuing to carefully observe this heinous scene.

Through the perspective of the memory's owner, an unfortunate Abyss explorer.

He witnessed the entire process of how the Apostle systematically transformed the captured into some kind of special Abyssal creature.

This was not simple and crude killing or devouring, but a 'sublimation' process carefully designed.

Its purpose was clearly to create terrifying hybrids that possessed both the intelligence and cunning of sentient creatures and the power and cruelty of the Abyss.

"You have seen things you shouldn't have seen."

When Luo En finished the analysis, Youteer's tone became exceptionally heavy:

"This memory crystal records the internal situation of a 'nest' in the Abyss.

Those Apostles are attempting to create a kind of war unit, perfect soldiers possessing both human intelligence and Abyssal power."

"For what purpose?"

Luo En asked, although he already had an ominous premonition in his heart. "The Abyss regularly conducts large-scale infiltration and invasion of the surface."

Youteer's phantom projection dimmed slightly, his voice carrying deep worry:

"Once these hybrids are successfully created, they can perfectly lurk in human society and launch fatal betrayals at critical moments.

The most terrifying thing is that they completely retain human memories, emotions, and social relationships, almost impossible to be identified and discovered by any conventional means."

This discovery made Luo En feel deeply shocked.

If the Abyss was really conducting such large-scale infiltration preparations, then the entire human civilization would face an unprecedented survival threat.

【History Research (Entry) Experience +1】

【History Research (Entry) Experience +1】

【History Research (Entry) Experience +1】

……

【Current Progress: History Research (Entry 49/50)】

Only one point of experience left; the memory fragment produced by analyzing the silver pocket watch last time only had the last part left.

Because the mental burden was too great, he had prepared to leave it until now to watch; finishing it should be enough for him to break through.

"Alright, next week is the last activity, still at the old time."

Youteer chuckled, the silver light in his eyes flickering, not knowing what he was thinking.

………………

Besides the memory crystal analysis activity, Luo En also regularly participated in the stargazing party privately organized by Yi Fu.

This was not any large-scale academic salon, but a private exchange with only the two of them participating.

Every stargazing party was held on the carefully arranged stargazing platform on the top floor of the Emerald Building,

surrounded by complex soundproofing and anti-peeping magic arrays, ensuring that the content of the conversation would not be detected by any outsiders.

"Tonight's star signs are exceptionally special."

Yi Fu stood in the center of the stargazing platform, holding a precisely crafted astrolabe in her hand, her amethyst-like eyes reflecting the brilliance of the stars:

"The 'Annihilation Star Cluster' and the 'Gemini Star System' are forming a rare triangular conjunction; this celestial phenomenon only appears once every hundred years."

Her physical state had obviously improved compared to a few months ago.

The magic-eating symptoms had been effectively controlled, and her complexion had also returned to a healthy ruddy color.

But Luo En could still capture the hidden worry in her occasional eyes, as if some heavy matter was pressing on the bottom of her heart.

"According to ancient astrological classics, this kind of star sign usually indicates that major changes are about to arrive."

Yi Fu's voice was soft and distant, but the weight contained within was impossible to ignore:

"Every major innovation in history has almost been accompanied by similar celestial omens.

The stars do not lie; they just reflect the subtle changes in the power balance in the universe truthfully."

Her gaze inadvertently swept over Luo En, her eyes full of complex colors.

After the stargazing activity ended, the two chatted on the stargazing platform as usual.

The night wind blew gently, the starlight was like water, creating a romantic yet mysterious atmosphere for this important conversation.

"Mentor, I want to tell you some things."

Yi Fu's voice was softer than usual, but Luo En could feel the determination contained within:

"About the true purpose of my existence, and about the fate I am about to face."

Moonlight spilled onto the two through the crystal dome overhead.

"Do you know why I suffer from magic-eating symptoms?"

Yi Fu did not wait for an answer, but continued on her own:

"From the time I had memories, mother told me that this was a rare congenital disease, an unfortunate mutation that occasionally appeared in the Wang Guan Clan's bloodline.

She said that although this symptom was painful, it also endowed me with magic sensitivity and spiritual power control ability beyond ordinary people."

The young girl smiled bitterly:

"For a long time, I believed this explanation. After all, who would doubt the words of their own loving mother?"

"But as I grew older, with a deeper understanding of wizard history and bloodline knowledge, I began to realize some things that were not right."

Yi Fu's voice began to tremble slightly:

"The onset pattern of magic-eating symptoms was too precise, and the degree of pain was always just at the limit I could bear.

Moreover, whenever the symptoms were about to worsen to a dangerous degree, appropriate relief measures would always appear in time."

She turned to Luo En, her amethyst eyes revealing a depth and sorrow beyond her age:

"This kind of precise control is absolutely not something that a natural disease can achieve. It is more like... a kind of artificially designed modulation process."

Luo En listened silently, but his heart was quickly analyzing the information revealed in Yi Fu's words.

With his professional knowledge in bloodline modulation, he could indeed understand the rationality of Yi Fu's suspicion.

"Later, I began to secretly study the history and bloodline characteristics of the Wang Guan Clan."

The already delicate voice carried a sense of fragility:

"The ancestor of our clan, the King of Absurdity, while successfully advancing to Wizard King, also made his bloodline descendants bear a restriction that could not be broken."

"Restriction?" Luo En finally asked.

"To be precise, it should be called a bloodline lock."

"The bloodline descendants of the King of Absurdity, no matter how talented, no matter how hard they cultivate, cannot break through the realm above Great Wizard.

This is an absolute shackle engraved deep in the bloodline; for millions of years, no one has been able to break it."

Yi Fu's eyes contained both awe for the ancestor and unwillingness toward fate:

"Mother, as the strongest of the contemporary Wang Guan Clan, naturally was unwilling to be restricted by this.

She longed to break the bloodline lock and become the second Wizard King in the clan's history."

"And I"

The black-haired princess continued to tell, like an echo from a deep valley:

"I am an experimental attempt she made in order to break the bloodline lock."

"Experiment?"

"Yes, I am not a naturally born child."

Yi Fu's words were like sharp blades, cutting open the sores deep in her heart:

"I am an 'artificial genius' created artificially by mother through bloodline modulation technology.

My magic-eating symptoms, my special constitution, my powerful talent, everything is the result of careful design."

Her voice carried deep self-mockery:

"Mother hoped to attempt to circumvent or break the bloodline lock set by the King of Absurdity by creating a perfect bloodline carrier."

Artificial embryo, he who had seen test-tube babies could still accept it.

But creating offspring just to serve as a tool to break the bloodline lock, this was a bit...

Luo En had a brand-new understanding of Tower Master Cassandra.

She was certainly a mother, but more of an ambitious person who would stop at nothing for power.

"You tell me these, what do you hope I do?" Luo En asked directly.

"I don't know."

Yi Fu shook her head honestly, her eyes revealing a deep confusion and helplessness:

"Maybe I just want someone to be able to understand my situation, to be able to know my true thoughts and feelings.

Or... after everything settles, to be able to have someone remember me."

Her words carried a heartbreaking despair and loneliness.

That was the final cry of a young girl manipulated by fate, facing an unchangeable future.

"In addition, there is one more thing that needs to be told to you in advance.

Mother notified me recently that she should be back in three months.

And according to convention, all wizards and apprentices enrolled in the school in the Central Land must participate in the welcoming ceremony held by the Academic Affairs Office."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 295 =====