Chapter 435

Luo En sat at that familiar oak desk, with precious items obtained from the treasury of the King of Absurdity placed in front of him.

"The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary" lay quietly in the center of the desktop.

The eyeball on the thick leather cover had already closed, as if sleeping.

The edges of the pages glowed with a faint golden light, hinting at the infinite knowledge contained within.

Beside it was another item, whose fluctuations stimulated the skin like static electricity, making one instinctively want to stay away.

Luo En's fingers stroked the cover of "The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary," wanting to open it to check the contents.

But as soon as he touched it, a severe headache surged like a tide, spreading from his temples to his entire cranial cavity.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as if countless fine needles were piercing his brain.

In less than two days, he had experienced too many events that exceeded the limits of ordinary people:

The psychological trials and paradox challenges in the treasury of the King of Absurdity, each choice testing his inner self;

Hours of strategic planning with Cassandra, his brain running at high speed to analyze the weaknesses of the Vital civilization, his thinking like a string stretched too far;

Using the Paradox Dice for deep divination, enduring the mental impact brought by spacetime distortion;

The life-and-death siege of seven Time Hounds, walking on the edge of death every second;

Finally, the divination to analyze future threats, his mental power almost exhausted, and the silver pocket watch just activated and drained his magic power...

Even though he had just taken the mental recovery potion treasured by the Crown Clan, his consciousness was still as painful as if it were being torn apart.

Stabbing pains came from his temples, and his vision occasionally blurred; these are typical symptoms of mental overload.

His radiation field contracted and expanded unstably, like a patient's rapid breathing.

The light of the "Triangle of Wisdom" was dim, and the connection between the three stars was intermittent.

The cracks at the edge of the consciousness space had not yet healed, occasionally sending out dull pains.

"Forcing research in this state will only be counterproductive..."

Luo En analyzed his situation rationally, but his inner curiosity grew like wild grass.

"The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary" was right in front of him, and that knowledge from the depths of the universe was within reach.

Just as he was forcing himself to continue his research, the door was gently pushed open.

Ailan's emerald figure drifted in silently.

She could feel the chaotic energy fluctuations in the room through her own extended root network.

The air was filled with the "burnt smell" peculiar to mental exhaustion.

That was the residual aura after magic power was burned excessively.

Luo En's life aura was weak and unstable, like a candle in the wind.

"Master..."

Ailan's emerald branches trembled slightly in the air:

"Your state makes me very worried. I can feel your Tree of Life is withering..."

Following closely behind, Daier also poked her head out, her moist silver hair sticking to her shoulders like a waterfall.

The siren's sixth sense made her perceive the fluctuations in her master's emotions, and that intense sense of unease was transmitted to her like a tide.

"Master looks so tired..."

Daier's voice carried careful concern:

"Your magic power fluctuations have become so weak, just like... just like the seawater at low tide..."

The two loyal attendants exchanged a look, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes.

They had accompanied Luo En through countless late nights of research and had never seen him in such a tired state.

In their cognition, although the master's work intensity was high, he always knew how to balance work and rest.

This state of near-overdraft was really a bit abnormal.

Just as Ailan was about to step forward to persuade the master to rest.

Without any warning, a translucent information interface appeared before Luo En's eyes:

【Predatory Target Analysis】

【Target 1: Ailan (Ancient Tree Fairy · Jin Huan)

Estimated devouring time: 72 hours

Skill experience obtainable: Herb Identification (more), Elemental Perception (less), Plant Manipulation (average)

Remaining lifespan: 1247 years

Talents:

1. Natural Affinity (Race): Can freely establish mental connections with relatively harmless plants and dispatch them to a certain extent

2. Regeneration Core (Race): Unless the energy core is completely destroyed, it can continuously perform high-speed regeneration

3. Elemental Conversion (Race): Convert any elemental energy into life energy

Special abilities:

1. Life Perception Network: Establish a large-scale perception network through plant root systems

2. Toxin Immunity: Completely immune to most plant toxins

3. Environmental Modification: Can change the small-scale ecological environment in a short time】

【Target 2: Daier (Pure-blooded Siren · Jin Huan)

Estimated devouring time: 48 hours

Skill experience obtainable: Water Elemental Manipulation (more), Wind Elemental Manipulation (very little), Singing (more), Marine Creature Communication (less)

Remaining lifespan: 423 years

Talents:

1. Glutton (Second Tier): Digestion ability exceeds common sense, can extract nutrients from any organic matter

2. Enchanting Voice (Race): The voice has enchanting power that acts directly on the soul

3. Ocean Affinity (Race): Significantly increase affinity for both water and wind elements

Special abilities:

1. Deep Sea Adaptation: Can operate normally in any water pressure environment

2. Emotional Perception: Can accurately perceive others' emotional fluctuations and psychological states

3. Protective Scales: Automatically deflect physical and some spell attacks】

The moment he saw this information, an unprecedented craving surged from the depths of Luo En's heart.

It was not his rational thinking, but some more primitive, more greedy impulse.

More than a thousand years of lifespan! Near-immortal regeneration ability! Second-tier rare talent!

These temptations hissed in his mind like poisonous snakes, trying to persuade him to take action.

"Analyzing from a purely efficiency perspective, this is indeed the optimal choice..."

"In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, it is only natural for the strong to use the weak..."

"They were slaves you bought with magic stones in the first place, isn't it natural for them to dedicate everything to their master..."

But just when greed was about to gain the upper hand, Luo En's rationality intervened as hard as steel.

"No."

He said coldly in his heart, his voice as sharp as a blade.

"First, analyze the source of this impulse from a logical level."

Luo En forced himself into a mode of absolute rational thinking, just like analyzing a complex potion formula:

"This greed clearly comes from external influence, not my subjective will."

"The Whispers of the Star Eater" will strengthen the desire to devour; this is a known side effect.

The predatory ability of the silver pocket watch clearly amplified this influence on this basis.

The superposition of the two forces produced an impulse that exceeded the normal range of endurance.

He analyzed his psychological state as calmly as dissecting a specimen:

"Since it is an external influence, it does not represent my true will."

A truly rational decision-maker should not be swayed by any external factors.

"Secondly, evaluate from the perspective of actual interests."

Luo En continued to analyze, replacing those bad distracting thoughts:

"The value of Ailan and Daier is not just in their talent abilities."

"They are the first batch of interpersonal relationships I established in this world. Trust is a scarce resource; once lost, it is difficult to regain."

"If I choose to betray them, then who will dare to treat me sincerely in the future?"

In the wizarding world, isolation means vulnerability.

A strong person without any allies and supporters is actually the easiest target to be targeted, just like the King of Blood.

"What's more, their loyalty itself is a priceless treasure."

His thinking, at this moment, was running at high speed like a precision instrument:

"At critical moments, loyal partners are more important than powerful abilities."

Devouring them might gain a temporary boost in power, but it would lose long-term strategic value.

"Finally, consider from the moral bottom line."

Although talking about morality in the wizarding world seems a bit luxurious, he still adheres to his principles:

"I can be cold, I can be rational, I can make difficult choices for survival."

"But I cannot become a monster without any bottom line."

Betraying those who trust me is a red line that must never be crossed.

"Once this line is crossed, I will start to doubt the meaning of my existence."

If even the most basic humanity is abandoned, then what is the point of gaining even more powerful strength?

After this round of rigorous logical analysis, Luo En's rationality completely suppressed the greed from external forces.

He took a deep breath, feeling the peace regained in his heart.

"The strength of will is an important standard for measuring the upper limit of a wizard's achievements."

He concluded in his heart:

"If I cannot even resist this level of temptation, then I am not worthy of pursuing higher levels of power."

Luo En regained control of his emotions, and his eyes became clear and firm again.

That dangerous murderous intent dissipated completely, replaced by the usual calm and gentle temperament.