Chapter 102: Branch Modulator (Two-Star)

Luo En didn't respond immediately, but carefully observed the Treant's state.

Thanks to the professional eye of a Potioneer, he could see that this creature was indeed well-maintained, and the skin moisture and vine activity were maintained at the best state.

Its eyes were clear rather than chaotic, which showed that its mental state was also stable, and it had not become numb or crazy due to long-term imprisonment.

"I do need it to assist in potion refining."

Luo En nodded, a flash of shrewd calculation in his eyes, and began to bargain:

"But last time you said eighty magic stone fragments, I see the current market, sixty fragments should be a reasonable price."

"This... this won't do, my lord!"

The merchant waved his hands exaggeratedly, his voice becoming sharp, as if he had heard some ridiculous joke:

"Eighty fragments was already a discount for you. On the market, a Treant of this quality is at least over one hundred! Look at its activity, look at the color of the vines, how many special functions it has, this is all money!"

The two went back and forth, and finally agreed to trade at seventy magic stone fragments, plus free engraving service for the control mark.

"Deal." Luo En took out the leather bag from his waist and counted seventy magic stone fragments and placed them on the tray in front of the merchant.

The sound of collecting gold is the music the merchant likes most. His eyes narrowed into a slit, and the wrinkles on his face squeezed into a ball, like a lottery player who had just won the jackpot.

"Wise choice, my lord."

The merchant smiled until his eyes almost narrowed into a slit: "Wait a moment, I'll prepare the materials for the control mark."

When the merchant turned and left, the Treant suddenly raised its head, those eyes looking directly at Luo En, a trace of emotion that Luo En couldn't interpret flashing in its eyes.

It wasn't gratitude, it wasn't fear, nor was it hope or despair, just a kind of calmness to the extreme.

Just as he was carefully sizing up the Treant, the slave merchant had already returned with a small silver box.

"My lord, the control mark will be engraved soon. But before that, I want to recommend some other products to you. With your status, perhaps you will be more interested in these."

The merchant's tone carried an undeniable expectation, as if preparing to show his collection.

Without waiting for Luo En's response, he had already continued excitedly, clearly unwilling to let go of any opportunity to promote:

"For example, this..."

He took out an exquisite crystal container from the inside of his robe mysteriously, inside which was suspended a thumb-sized, strangely shaped translucent object, looking like an underdeveloped embryo, but a faint energy pulse could be seen inside:

"A special embryo from the masterpiece of a 'Bloodline Modulator', fused with the bloodline essence of three transcendent creatures."

"Bloodline Modulator? Tell me more about it."

Luo En's attention was immediately attracted. His eyes widened slightly, and he felt that an inspiration for improving that bottle of bloodline activation potion suddenly popped into his head.

"This is a trade secret." The merchant lowered his voice mysteriously, "But since it's you, Apprentice, who asked, I am of course willing to share a little."

He lowered his voice, as if sharing a shocking secret:

"Modulation is a wizard art specializing in bloodline strengthening and transformation. It is a branch of potionology, but it requires extra proficiency in alien structures and research on various transcendent bloodlines."

"It is said that the most powerful bloodline modulators can even build brand new life forms from scratch, creating races that have never existed in the world."

With the detailed explanation of this insider, the slave merchant, new information appeared on Luo En's professional panel...

[Partial professional information of the obtained profession - Modulator (Two-Star)]

[New advancement direction for Potion Apprentice unlocked: γ—Modulator (Two-Star)]

[Transfer conditions:

1. Basic Potionology reached proficient √

2. Transcendent Biology reached proficient

3. Bloodline Modulation reached proficient

4. Successfully perform at least three different types of bloodline modulation]

[Characteristics: Bloodline Identification, Tissue Activation, Gene Fusion]

A new branch route, it's just that in terms of advancement conditions, he needs to practice two new skills from scratch to the proficient level...

Luo En frowned, it was a bit difficult. He already had enough things to do every day.

However, this bloodline modulation has some similarities with the bloodline activation theory he studied before, but it is obviously one step further.

Bloodline activation is to awaken the sleeping bloodline already in the body; while bloodline modulation seems to be processing and transforming the bloodline itself, or even creating a brand new bloodline.

Perhaps there is a chance to verify each other and draw inferences from one instance to another, rather than learning from scratch again.

"What bloodline is fused in this embryo?" He asked, staring at the translucent little thing, his heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably.

"Dragon Lizard, Wind Demon, and Crystal Scorpion, three types,"

The merchant lowered his voice, excitement flashing in his eyes, as if talking about some amazing secret:

"This combination can give the host extremely strong adaptability and regenerative ability, it is a perfect combat partner. Dragon Lizard provides strength and defense, Wind Demon brings speed and flexibility, and Crystal Scorpion endows poison and regeneration."

He stroked the crystal container boastfully:

"I spent a lot of money to acquire this."

"How much is this embryo?" Luo En asked, trying his best to look uninterested.

"One hundred and fifty magic stone fragments."

The merchant reported a frighteningly high price, but immediately added:

"However, considering your big transaction just now, I can give you a special price, one hundred and twenty fragments."

Luo En quickly calculated his financial situation in his heart.

The Treant had already spent seventy fragments, plus this embryo, it would almost empty all his savings.

Moreover, he knew nothing about bloodline modulation, and the risk of rashly buying an embryo of unknown origin was too great.

"No, let's understand it clearly first." He decided in his heart, then shook his head:

"Not necessary for now, but I am very interested in 'Bloodline Modulation'. Can you tell me where I can find them?"

The merchant looked a little regretful, but quickly adjusted his expression, seemingly used to the bargaining process:

"True bloodline modulators are extremely rare. It is said that there are less than five in this region. However..."

He looked around to make sure no one else was listening: "If you are willing to pay enough price, perhaps I can arrange a secret meeting for you."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully, keeping this information in his heart, but chose to ignore the second half of the merchant's sentence.

Contacting such hidden existences through this kind of middleman of unknown identity is too risky and not worth the risk.

"I will consider it." He responded vaguely, then changed the subject:

"Now, please complete the engraving of the control mark."

The engraving process was surprisingly simple. The merchant took out a special rune stone from the silver box and pressed it gently on the Treant's forehead.

The patterns on the surface of the rune stone lit up instantly, and then flowed into the Treant's skin like a living thing, finally forming a complex mark, looming in the center of the forehead.

"Done, my lord." The merchant put away the silver box and nodded with satisfaction:

"From now on, it is yours. As long as you recite the control command, it will unconditionally obey your orders."

The control command was engraved by a special mental power mark: "Emerald Staff".

Leaving the exchange with the newly purchased Treant, Luo En calculated the current arrangements:

"Perhaps it's time to go to the library again."

He looked at the Treant walking beside him, and decided secretly in his heart:

"Not only to find information on bloodline modulation, but also to check knowledge about the Treant race, so that I can get along with it better."

The Treant followed him quietly, those eyes still as calm as water, as if it had experienced too much and was no longer moved by anything.

But Luo En noticed that whenever passing by some green plants, the other's vines would sway slightly, as if communicating silently with them.

After returning to the workshop with the Treant, he was initially worried that the other party would not adapt to the new environment, but unexpectedly, the Treant seemed to see the layout of the workshop as an old friend.

After simple settlement and basic guidance, the Treant soon began to assist in organizing medicinal materials.

Its talent for handling plant-based materials exceeded expectations, almost instinctively knowing how to preserve each herb to maintain its best activity.

"Do you know, I was worried that you would be difficult to take care of."

Luo En said to the Treant, watching it slowly extend its roots into the soil:

"I didn't expect you only need to be like ordinary plants, water regularly, and occasionally supplement some magic power."

The Treant's vines swayed gently, and a trace of pleasure seemed to flash in those calm eyes.

Although it never said a word, Luo En gradually learned to interpret its body language.

Surprisingly, when the Treant extended its roots under the ground, Luo En found that it seemed to be able to provide a certain monitoring and warning effect for the workshop, and could perceive subtle changes in the surrounding environment.

"I will be back later," Luo En said to the Treant while organizing his instruments:

"When I am not here, you continue to organize these materials, especially those exotic herbs that need special preservation. I have marked the basic requirements on each shelf, and you can adjust them according to your own understanding."

The Treant just nodded lightly, not knowing whether it didn't want to speak or couldn't speak.