Chapter 340: Retrospection

Luo En slowly released the hilt of the "Blood Oath," the feeling of hatred deep in his bones making him feel a lingering fear.

Even with only brief contact, Mo Gan's obsession still tried to take root in his heart, looking for seeds of anger to attach to.

"How does it feel?" Youteer's phantom floated to his side, concern in his silver eyes.

"More... direct than I imagined."

Luo En rubbed his temples, trying to clear the residual foreign emotions in his mind:

"This level of will imprint has already transcended the scope of enchanted weapons."

"Correct judgment."

Youteer nodded with satisfaction:

"True Master Swords will gradually integrate the soul imprint of their owners during the long process of use.

They are no longer dead objects, but living entities carrying memories and will."

The old professor's phantom floated to the next display stand, where a long sword emitting holy light was suspended:

"This is 'Evil Purger,' which once belonged to the Templar Knight Silas."

The sword body was as transparent as crystal, with golden radiance flowing inside.

Even through the protective barrier, Luo En could feel that pure and fiery sense of justice.

Complex holy emblems were carved on the hilt, every detail emitting holy majesty.

"Templar Knight..."

Luo En stated what he had learned:

"I remember historical records stating they were religious armed forces specializing in fighting the abyss?"

"Yes, and Silas was the most outstanding one among them."

Youteer's tone carried complex emotions:

"He purified countless abyssal creatures with this sword and was once hailed as the 'Bane of Darkness' and the 'Incarnation of Light'."

But immediately, the old professor's voice became heavy:

"Unfortunately, even the purest light is difficult to maintain forever in this world."

Luo En noticed that although the sword body still emitted holy light, a trace of eerie darkness was vaguely revealed deep within the radiance.

That darkness was like ink dripping into milk, slowly spreading; although small, it was extremely conspicuous.

"Silas eventually discovered a cruel truth."

Youteer's voice was like narrating a sad fable:

"The 'Holy Light' he believed in actually came from a parasitic will from another dimension. Those so-called holy powers were essentially no different from abyssal erosion."

Luo En recalled his fear of the source of "The Star Eater's Whispers."

That cultivation method of establishing contact with high-dimensional existences was itself full of uncertainty.

"How did Silas discover it?" He asked cautiously.

"During a purification operation deep in the abyss, he encountered a certain ancient existence."

Youteer's phantom became dimmer:

"That existence told him that the so-called 'Holy Light' was just another form of control. Believers thought they were doing good, but in reality, they were just collecting souls for an alien will."

"Silas didn't want to believe it, but when he began to investigate deeply, the truth he discovered was even more terrifying than imagined."

The old professor's voice carried deep sympathy:

"The souls of those abyssal creatures he 'purified' did not get liberation, but were transmitted to the source of the 'Holy Light,' becoming some kind of nourishment."

Luo En gazed at "Evil Purger." In his "Extraordinary Identification" vision, that trace of hidden darkness was slowly squirming, as if it were some kind of living parasite.

"The pain of faith shattering is more cruel than any physical torture."

Youteer sighed:

"Silas eventually chose self-exile, re-entering the abyss with 'Evil Purger,' and never returned."

"This sword records the entire process of his faith shattering."

The old professor warned:

"Anyone who touches it will feel that sense of despair and betrayal. For those with firm faith, this is almost a fatal mental shock."

Youteer continued forward, coming to the fourth display stand.

Here, a long sword with an extremely eerie appearance was suspended, the sword body presenting a deep blood-red color, with liquid slowly flowing on the surface.

"This is 'Blood Drinker'."

Youteer's tone became exceptionally serious:

"Its former owner, the Blood-Drinking Knight Maka, was one of the most controversial magic swordsmen in history."

Luo En carefully observed this sword.

He found that the flowing liquid was not ordinary blood, but some kind of life essence with extremely high activity.

Countless tiny blood vessels seemed to be pulsing inside the sword body, like a giant heart.

"Maka's philosophy was very simple—nurture war with war."

Youteer explained:

"This sword can absorb the bloodline essence of killed enemies and convert it into the user's power. Theoretically, as long as one keeps fighting, one can obtain endless enhancement."

"It sounds very tempting indeed."

Luo En evaluated objectively:

"But this way of power growth must be accompanied by corresponding costs."

"You guessed right."

Youteer shook his head with a wry smile:

"The manufacturing process of 'Blood Drinker' is extremely complex; Maka integrated the bloodline essence of hundreds of different creatures into it, including dragon species, magic beasts, and even abyssal creatures."

"This fusion brought powerful adaptive capabilities to the sword body, but also buried hidden dangers."

The old professor's voice became full of warning:

"As the variety of absorbed bloodlines increases, the chaotic factors within the sword body will gradually affect the user's spirit and body."

Luo En activated "Extraordinary Identification" and was immediately shocked by the scene before him.

In his special vision, "Blood Drinker" was simply a living bloodline storage room.

Countless different bloodline factors were surging wildly inside the sword body, devouring, fusing, and splitting each other, forming a chaotic and active ecosystem.

"Maka used this sword for the first ten years and was indeed invincible."

Youteer continued to narrate this tragic story:

"After every battle, he would become stronger, and his bloodline abilities would become more diversified. But starting from the eleventh year, his humanity began to undergo subtle changes."

"At first, it was just a change in appetite; Maka began to crave raw meat, especially the flesh and blood of monsters containing magic power."

The old professor's tone became heavier:

"Then it was the distortion of his thinking mode; he began to view all creatures as 'bloodline resources,' including his former companions and friends."

"Eventually, Maka completely lost his humanity and turned into a monster that only knew how to kill and devour."

Youteer sighed:

"Although he obtained unprecedented power, he was no longer 'Maka,' but a puppet of the will of 'Blood Drinker'."

This ending reminded Luo En of his own bloodline modulation research.

Although he had always been cautious, he was indeed constantly trying to fuse different bloodline factors.

Maka's tragedy reminded him that he must always be vigilant against those seemingly powerful shortcuts.

"It seems you collect these swords not only for commemoration but also as a warning to future generations."

Luo En said with deep feeling.

"Exactly so."

Youteer's phantom nodded slightly:

"Power itself has no good or evil, but the way of obtaining power determines the final destination. Every sword represents the limit of a path and also represents a lesson of failure."

After speaking, the old professor began to float toward the deepest part of the collection room.

The environment there was clearly different from other areas; an oppressive majesty permeated the air, and even the passage of time seemed to become slow.

"Finally, what I want to show you is..."

Youteer stopped in front of a special display stand, his tone becoming exceptionally heavy:

"The mysterious sword I discovered in the deepest layer of the abyss."

Luo En looked up and was immediately shocked by the scene before him.

That was a long sword completely entangled by black chains, suspended in the center of a specially made sealing array.

The chains were not ordinary metal but were composed of some kind of living substance, with dark red liquid like blood flowing on the surface.

On the other hand, the space around the sword body also presented subtle distortion phenomena.

It was as if reality itself lost stability in front of this sword, and cracks that were difficult to heal could be torn open at any time.

"This sword..."

Youteer's voice carried a trace of trembling:

"I discovered it in a collapsed temple. It was bound by thirteen different layers of seals, each representing sealing technology from different eras."

It was as if reality itself lost its stability in front of this sword, at any moment liable to be torn into fissures that were difficult to heal.

"Even with my ability, I could only lift seven layers of seals."

Youteer admitted frankly:

"After unsealing, I could feel some... will beyond understanding contained within the sword."

The old professor's phantom floated back and forth in front of the sword, silver light producing eerie reflections in the distorted space: "The level of this consciousness fragment might even exceed that of an ordinary Apostle. Its very existence is influencing the surrounding reality structure."

"What do you think is the origin of this sword?"

Luo En asked cautiously, while trying hard to suppress the fear coming from "Extraordinary Identification."

Youteer was silent for a long time, his phantom becoming dimmer:

"Some knowledge is more dangerous the more you know. The level involved in this sword is already beyond the scope you should be contacting."

He turned to Luo En, his voice full of serious warning:

"I specifically took it out of the seal vault to show you so that you would understand... in this world, there exist powers we cannot understand and should not understand. Humility and awe are sometimes more important than courage and wisdom."

Luo En nodded to show understanding; with his current strength, contacting an existence of this level would only bring disaster.

The introduction ended, and Youteer turned to him again, expectation revealed in his pupils:

"Your 'Historical Research' skill has reached a considerable level, and, I can feel that unique perception power on you."

The old professor pointed out:

"Why not try using your skill to analyze these Master Swords? Except for that sealing sword which must absolutely not be touched, the others can be tried."

This suggestion made Luo En's heart race.

Through the Historical Research skill, he could reproduce the memory fragments of the owners of these Master Swords and personally experience the battles of those legendary magic swordsmen.

"These swords preserve memory fragments before their owners' deaths; through your skill, you might be able to reproduce those critical moments."

Youteer continued to explain:

"Not only can you understand their history, but more importantly, you can learn the combat techniques and manufacturing processes of ancient magic swordsmen."

"This opportunity is rare in a thousand years."

Luo En expressed his interest frankly:

"Being able to personally experience the battles of ancient magic swordsmen and learn the essence of their techniques will be of huge help to my research."

"I will ensure your safety."

Youteer promised:

"If any abnormality is found, I will immediately force the connection to be interrupted. And my phantom core is deep in the observation station, capable of providing the strongest protective barrier."

Under Youteer's guidance, Luo En first took a bottle of "Mental Stabilizer."

Then, he sat down in the array in the center of the collection room.

This array was composed of silver runes, capable of enhancing historical perception while providing multiple protective barriers.

"Remember, you are only an observer and experiencer; do not try to change anything."

Youteer warned at the end:

"The weight of history is far heavier than you imagine; any attempt to intervene might produce unpredictable consequences."

Luo En took a deep breath, gently stroked the hilt of "Frost Bite," and activated the "Historical Research" skill.

The walls of the collection room flowed like water, and the boundaries of time became blurred.

The first thing he saw was that cursed land.

The sky was covered by thick blood-red clouds; there was no sun, no stars, only that oppressive dark red light.

The air was permeated with a nauseating corrosive aura, and every breath could feel some kind of sticky malice squirming in the throat.

The scene on the ground was even more terrifying.

The plains that should have been covered with green grass were now filled with twisted flesh and white bones everywhere.

Countless eroded corpses were half-buried in the mud, and the flames of immortal resentment still flickered in their eye sockets.

Luo En found himself "possessing" Edric.

The first impression of the other person's body was "powerful."

Nearly two meters tall, muscles as solid as steel, every heartbeat could feel the cold power surging in the bloodline.

"The final battle..."

Edric looked at the corrosive legion gathering in the distance, his voice carrying relief and determination.

Luo En could feel Edric's complex emotions in his heart:

Calm acceptance of the coming death, regret for not being able to save more companions, deep hatred for the corrosive legion, and expectation for reuniting with loved ones.

On the distant horizon, the corrosive legion began to attack.

That was a nightmare army composed of various abyssal creatures:

Corrosive Finger Monster—a twisted monster the size of a house, its body composed of eight giant human fingers, each finger as thick as a siege hammer, with sharp nails like knives;

Wailer—a worm-like monster composed of countless twisted human bodies, hundreds of meters long, their mouths forever emitting shrill screams;

Flesh Giant—dozens of meters high, its body piled up from rotting flesh, dropping rotting organs with every step, emitting the stench of death;

Nightmare Knight—a headless knight riding a burning bone horse, holding a dripping long spear, leaving eternal ghostly green flames wherever the horse hooves stepped.

"Come on, you disgusting things."

Edric gripped "Frost Bite" tightly, and the sword body was immediately covered by thick frost, the moisture in the air instantly condensing into ice crystals:

"Today we are all going to die, but I guarantee you will die uglier than me."

Edric raised "Frost Bite," and Luo En could feel the Polar Ice Dragon bloodline surging wildly in his body.

That feeling was like injecting liquid nitrogen directly into the blood vessels, cold but full of power.

With Edric as the center, a huge frost ripple spread to the surroundings.

Wherever it passed, the air condensed into ice crystals, the ground was covered by thick ice layers, and even the corrosive miasma was frozen into solid.

This is a domain skill; only the most powerful in the bloodline knight system can release it, with strength approaching the Moon-level of a wizard.

The Corrosive Finger Monster rushing at the front was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture; Edric slashed with his sword, and they shattered into millions of crystal ice chips.

But the number of the corrosive legion was too large, dense like locusts crossing the border.

Even though Edric's frost could freeze large batches of enemies, subsequent attacks were continuous.

Luo En followed Edric's perspective, experiencing every swing of the sword, every block, every dodge:

Facing the Wailer's sonic attack, Edric condensed a huge ice wall to resist.

Those sound waves capable of shattering rocks hit the ice wall with thunderous roars, and then he leaped up using the recoil, piercing the monster's sonic sac core with one sword.

When confronting the Flesh Giant head-on, he did not choose to fight for power, but used the freezing property of "Frost Bite" to gradually freeze the giant's joints.

First the knees, then the elbows, finally the neck, completely dismembering it.

The Nightmare Knight's spear tore his shoulder, and blood sprinkled on the snow like red plum blossoms.

Edric backhanded and cut off half of the knight's body; even the ghostly green flames could not melt his frost armor.

After hours of fighting, Edric was exhausted.

His bloodline power was near exhaustion, the frost on "Frost Bite" also became dim, wounds covered his whole body, and blood had dyed the snow red.

The trump card of the corrosive legion finally appeared; that was a "Dead Soul Dragon."

This monster was once a half-breed giant dragon, possessing noble bloodline.

But after being eroded by the abyss, it became a terrifying fusion of flesh and metal.

The original beautiful dragon scales were replaced by twisted devices, and the giant wings were covered with dense pipes.

"Ha... haha..."

Edric laughed shrilly, madness flashing in his eyes:

"I didn't expect it to be you, my old friend... Saladin, I'm here to send you on your final journey."

The sword body began to emit blinding white light, the temperature in the surroundings dropped sharply, and even space began to produce ice crystals.

"Eternal Ice Seal!"

This was the strongest ultimate move created by Edric and "Frost Bite" together, and also the final echo of his life.

A beam of ice light pierced through heaven and earth, and the entire plain was completely frozen.

The corrosive giant dragon was hit by this ice light, and its huge body was frozen in an instant.

Not only that, the freezing effect was spreading at an astonishing speed, turning the entire battlefield into a world of ice and snow.

Those corrosive creatures that were still attacking were all frozen into statues, together with their malice and pain, forever sealed deep in the ice layer.

The historical retrospection ended, and Luo En's consciousness returned to the collection room.

【Historical Research (Proficient) Experience +1】

【Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience +1】

【Cold Weapon Combat (Proficient) Experience +1】

……

"How does it feel?"

Youteer's voice awakened him from contemplation.

"Shocking."

Luo En answered concisely:

"Edric's combat techniques and mental will exceeded my imagination."

………………

At the same time, deep in the Sea of No Light on the fifth layer of the abyss.

"My little baby, mother is going to prepare a very, very delicious feast for you today."

Nari's voice was as soft as a feather brushing against a petal:

"Mother went to a very, very far place yesterday to find the most nutritious food for you."

It cautiously took out today's "special menu" from the depths of the storage room.

Those precious materials carefully preserved in biological vesicles each emitted unique and powerful energy fluctuations.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 341 =====

Meanwhile, deep in the Sea of No Light on the fifth layer of the abyss.

"My little treasure, today Mommy is going to prepare a very, very delicious feast for you."

Nari's voice was as soft as a feather brushing against a petal:

"Mommy went to a very, very far place yesterday specifically to find the most nutritious food for you."

It carefully retrieved today's "special menu" from the depths of the storage room.

Those precious materials, meticulously preserved in biological vesicles, each radiated unique and powerful energy fluctuations.

(End of chapter)