Chapter 307: One After Another

The research lab in the middle of the night was still brightly lit, but in the boundless light flow of the Crystal Spire, it was just an inconspicuous little spark.

Luo En sat alone at an oak desk, with a personal asset list spread out in front of him.

His consciousness library only contained important core content, so he still honestly recorded some basic data himself first.

"It's been almost four years since I came to this world, and it has been one year and one month since I became an official wizard..."

His fingers stroked the dense markings on the calendar; each red dot represented an experiment or a breakthrough.

The passage of time was so real, yet so unreal, as if he were still struggling in the Black Mist Forest for the materials for a bottle of basic potion just yesterday.

And it had been seven months since the end of that "Rainbow Ring" competition.

Luo En's gaze fell on the official notice at the corner of the table that emitted a faint pressure.

Every letter on it was written with special magic ink, constantly asserting its strong presence:

"Mandatory Participation Notice for the 'Welcome Ceremony' for the Triumphant Return of Great Wizard Cassandra St. Manzhi"

"Mandatory"—this term itself revealed the essence of this event.

In a place like the Crystal Spire, which was based on the philosophy of academic freedom, few things used such strong wording.

But now, all personnel above the official wizard level had to attend the welcome ceremony, without exception, without excuses.

This was not an invitation, but an order.

Besides this, there was a line of small print written in dark red ink at the bottom of the notice:

"Absentees will be regarded as a challenge to the authority of the School Alliance, and will bear the consequences."

That bloody color reminded Luo En of the scars on the explorers he had seen at the Abyss outpost.

"In two more weeks, this leader of the Conquest Faction will return to the Crystal Spire..."

According to the information he had collected from various channels.

Cassandra had brought back a large amount of unprecedented knowledge and resources from the conquest war in the other world.

These gains would provide the Conquest Faction with powerful speaking rights.

For those traditional members who were unwilling to follow the radical path, the days ahead would likely not be easy.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to refocus his attention on the asset list in front of him.

No matter how the winds and clouds changed outside, the accumulation of one's own strength was the most reliable guarantee.

【Financial Status: Currently holding 58 complete magic stones】

This number had undoubtedly increased quite a bit compared to before, giving him some solid sense of security.

The most stable source of income was his fixed salary as a teaching assistant.

2 complete magic stones per month, totaling 12 stones in half a year. Although the amount was not huge, it was stable and reliable.

And with the spread of his reputation as a "Treasure-level genius," and the excellent effects shown by those improved formulas in practice, his client base had expanded several times in just a few months.

From the first few wealthy apprentices to a stable client network that now included several official wizards.

Potion orders alone could bring in 6-7 complete magic stones per month, which was already a considerable number among wizards of the same level.

The unexpected joy was the income from class hours.

Due to his outstanding teaching quality, coupled with the word-of-mouth recommendations from students, his three courses enjoyed a high reputation throughout the Crystal Spire.

The number of students enrolled in each semester was on the verge of the limit, and the price, which was twice as expensive as other teaching assistant courses, not only did not scare students away, but became a symbol of "value for money."

Class fees alone could bring in 4-5 complete magic stones per month, which made many senior lecturers look sideways.

Expenditures were mainly concentrated on experimental materials, the purchase of various auxiliary props, and the cultivation and maintenance of "Ink," this special existence.

Although the Autophagic Slime was a life he created with his own hands, maintaining it in its best state required consuming a large amount of Abyss materials.

Especially after the contact accident with Franka's blood sample last time, the recovery of "Ink" required extra nutritional supplements.

But overall, the income and expenditure situation was quite healthy, even prosperous.

This made Luo En think of the days in the Black Mist Forest when he had to calculate carefully for a few magic stone fragments.

That poverty-stricken predicament now seemed like a lifetime ago.

And besides magic stones, there was the status of contribution points.

This was also the part he was most concerned about at the moment; in an academic institution like the Crystal Spire, contribution points often reflected a person's true value more than magic stone assets.

【Cumulative contribution points for three papers: 3800 points】

The first paper, "Design and Optimization of Mobile Simulated Combat Devices," brought him 1200 contribution points, which was a pretty good start.

The second paper, "Discussion on the Commonality of Advanced Potion Improvement," received 1300 points; the energy structure optimization schemes for more than a dozen common potions analyzed in detail were considered by the review committee to have important practical value.

The third paper, "Mechanism for Promoting Benign Mutation in the Bloodline Modulation Process," also received 1300 points; this paper, based on innovative discoveries he made in practice, even attracted the attention of some senior bloodline modulators.

Teaching contribution points: 600 points

This part mainly came from the cumulative rewards of daily teaching work, as well as the excellent results achieved by students in various tests.

Elite group training reward: 800 points

Herman successfully entered the 34th position in the candidate wizard sequence, bringing him 600 points in talent training rewards.

Although the ranking was not very high, for an apprentice from a civilian family, this was already a remarkable achievement.

The steady progress of several other students also contributed small rewards.

Although the single amount was not large, many small amounts added up to two hundred points.

After all, the members of the elite group were absolute elites he had selected from hundreds of ordinary apprentices.

"Total available contribution points: 5200 points."

Luo En looked at this number with satisfaction, silently comparing himself with the self from half a year ago.

At that time, he still had to run around for the publication of a paper, but now he had accumulated enough contribution point reserves to exchange for rare resources.

He opened the thick contribution point exchange list; every page of parchment recorded coveted precious items.

Several specific entries made his gaze linger for a long time:

【Magic Amplification Crystal Blueprint】—1000 contribution points

"A highly complex alchemical structure that can temporarily increase the caster's magic output. Requires precise energy circuit design and special magic-conducting materials..."

Luo En carefully read every technical detail, and in his mind, he had already begun to conceive how to integrate this amplification device into his "Active Magic Sword" project.

The plasticity and magic-conducting properties of soul steel provided a perfect foundation for this integration.

If he could succeed, he would be able to create a "transforming weapon" in the true sense.

It would be a sharp blade in close combat and a powerful staff when casting spells.

His current massive magic pool was just worrying about having no place to be used, and the increase in magic output just happened to fit his biggest current advantage.

【Mind Expansion Potion Formula】—2000 contribution points

The value of this formula could not be underestimated either.

"Through special herb ratios and alchemical craftsmanship, it can significantly expand the user's thinking capacity for a certain period of time.

After use, it can handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously, and the duration of the effect is about 4-6 hours.

Side effects: mild headache and mental fatigue..."

For an all-around researcher like him who needed to take into account multiple disciplines such as pharmacology, bloodline modulation, alchemy, enchanting, historical research, and astrology, this was simply a tailor-made artifact. Whenever he was overwhelmed by various complex calculations and analyses in the lab, he would imagine how good it would be if he could handle multiple thinking threads simultaneously.

And now, this dream had the possibility of being realized.

【Potential Awakening Stone】—10000 contribution points

Although the price of this item was jaw-droppingly expensive, its value was immeasurable.

"An extremely rare Abyss product containing mysterious power to awaken latent talents.

After use, there is a 60% chance to awaken a third-tier talent, a 10% chance to awaken a second-tier talent, a 5% chance to awaken an unknown-level special ability, and a tiny possibility for a first-tier talent.

Warning: There is a certain risk in the process of use, which may lead to mental trauma or bloodline mutation..."

A 10% chance of awakening a second-tier talent—this kind of opportunity was almost impossible to obtain through conventional channels.

Even geniuses from ancient wizard families rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with treasures of this level.

And the tiny possibility of awakening a first-tier talent was even more heart-stirring.

But the huge sum of 10,000 contribution points was still quite far away given his current accumulation.

"The current contribution points are only enough to exchange for the first two items, but this is enough to support the next stage of development."

Luo En carefully weighed the priorities in his heart; every choice could affect his future development trajectory.

The 【Magic Amplification Crystal Blueprint】 was almost a necessity for the "Active Magic Sword" project.

And the 【Mind Expansion Potion Formula】 could directly improve his research efficiency.

The combination of the two would provide powerful support for his work at the Abyss Observation Station.

He picked up a quill and wrote a detailed procurement plan below the list:

"First priority: Exchange for 【Magic Amplification Crystal Blueprint】 and 【Mind Expansion Potion Formula】

Total cost: 3000 contribution points

Remaining contribution points: 2200 points, as emergency reserve and follow-up development funds

Expected benefits: improved research efficiency, improved combat capability"

At the other end of the lab, "Ink" was curled up in a special recovery tank, as quiet as a sleeping baby in a cradle.

The recovery tank was a life-support device specially designed by Luo En for it, filled with nutrient-rich Abyss essence solution.

The light purple liquid flowed slowly under the action of the magic circulation pump, providing continuous nourishment for this injured life.

But even under such careful care, the state of "Ink" was still worrying.

The body, which was once as deep as obsidian, had now become nearly transparent.

The silver patterns that once shone brightly had also become dim, like stars about to go out.

"You have indeed endured too much recently; rest well..."

Luo En stroked the crystal wall of the recovery tank, his voice carrying a rare softness.

This life he created with his own hands had moved him deeply with its performance at a critical moment.

The slime seemed to feel its master's care, its body squirmed slightly, and the patterns on its surface flickered with a faint light.

Although it could not speak, there was no doubt it was trying to respond.

"Rest well, after you fully recover, we still have a lot of important work to do," Luo En comforted softly.

This painful experience was certainly not without gain.

It was precisely under the sacrificial protection of "Ink" that Luo En was able to obtain extremely precious experimental data from that terrible energy conflict.

He turned and walked to the analysis table, where various components separated from Franka's blood were neatly placed.

"The true essence of the 'Preserved Strain' bloodline..."

Luo En looked at the analysis report and fell into deep thought.

These data completely overturned his understanding of the ancient bloodline system, revealing a truth far more complex and dark than he had imagined.

Under the near-self-sacrificial deep analysis of "Ink," he discovered three key characteristics of the "Preserved Strain" bloodline:

First: abnormally low erosion

This was the most confusing discovery.

According to common sense, the essence of Abyss factors is chaos and corrosion.

Any creature that comes into contact with Abyss energy will inevitably suffer from mental pollution and physical mutation.

This is the fundamental reason why Abyss exploration is so dangerous, and also why the careers of most explorers are extremely short.

But in Franka's blood sample, these Abyss factors showed a gentleness that completely defied common sense.

The chaotic energy that should have crazily eroded the host's consciousness became as quiet as a tamed lamb here.

Through precise measurement, Luo En found that its erosion was actually reduced by nearly half!

"This degree of attenuation is by no means a natural phenomenon."

He wrote his judgment on the report:

"It must be the product of some extremely advanced artificial modulation technology. And the complexity of this technology far exceeds any bloodline modulation method I currently know."

What was even more disturbing was that this "gentle" process was like a dormant volcano, which could be activated through means.

Under certain specified stimuli, these dormant Abyss factors could restore their original destructiveness at any time.

He boldly guessed that perhaps such a time bomb was buried in the bloodline of every "Preserved Strain" family.

Second: extremely stable bloodline structure

What made Luo En feel even more abnormal was the stability of the bloodline structure.

Generally speaking, Abyss factors have a strong tendency to mutate and will constantly reorganize and evolve under the action of environmental pressure.

Although this mutation is dangerous, it is also the key to Abyss creatures being able to adapt to various extreme environments.

But in the bloodline of the "Preserved Strain," this natural evolutionary tendency was almost completely suppressed.

"As if it were forcibly 'frozen' in a specific state by some invisible force..."

Luo En stared at the blood sample under the microscope; those Abyss factors were like prisoners under a immobilization spell, only able to run mechanically along a preset track.

The traces of artificial control were so obvious that one couldn't help but wonder:

Is the so-called "Preserved Strain" system protecting these ancient bloodlines, or is it controlling and utilizing them?

Third: incredible fusion adaptability

To verify his speculation, he conducted a series of fusion experiments.

He brought some "Preserved Strain" blood into contact with various Abyss creature samples he had collected:

"Sand Sea Hunter" eyeball essence, fusion success rate: 84%

"Ecological Straw-Cloak Insect" tissue fragments, fusion success rate: 87%

High-purity Abyss crystal fragments, fusion success rate: 79%

Even those extremely unstable Abyss spores, fusion success rate: 62%

Every experiment achieved incredible success.

Different Abyss factors that should have repelled and devoured each other.

After coming into contact with "Preserved Strain" blood, they actually showed perfect coordination and fusion.

"This has already transcended the scope of conventional bloodline science..."

Luo En recorded the experimental data in shock:

"This extreme adaptability is just like... just like some kind of 'universal interface' designed."

Under normal circumstances, the fusion success rate between different Abyss creatures rarely exceeds 30%, and is often accompanied by violent rejection reactions and unpredictable side effects.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 319 =====