The Observer's enhancements were largely in line with what Lu Luo had anticipated. One particularly pleasant surprise was the replication effect, which allowed for direct copying of skills, significantly improving Lu Luo's combat style.

"Continue, enhance the Fusioner."

[Enhancing Grade S-04 Fusioner in progress, requires: 5,000 energy + Third Tier occupation + Sequence Value 200 + 500 grams of Dark Spirit Stone + an Elite's weapon.]

[Grade S-04 Fusioner has advanced to LV3, with all basic effects of the Fusioner significantly improved.]

[Your Fusioner can now fuse items up to +1 of the highest item level, without any item level restriction.]

[Your Fusioner can fuse energy for you.]

[Your Fusioner has gained a new effect: Refinement.]

Effect 1 - Fusion: Fuse items.

Effect 2 - Alteration: Change items.

Effect 3 - Refinement: Improve an item using another as a base.

Introduction: The hands of a creator.

Refinement, huh!

All went smoothly, and without much effort, Lu Luo managed to level up two Grade S Sequences to LV3.

But this was just the beginning!

Lu Luo again took out the Witch's Candy—specifically, the poisonous version later made by Witch Luo Ling.

However, with the LV3 Observer and Fusioner, this Witch's poisonous candy now had a new use.

[The Observer is detecting the Witch's poisonous candy for you; two effective plans have been found.]

[Lu Luo's Favoring Breath: Witch's poisonous candy * 12 + 2,500 energy + Lu Luo's Netherflame + any 3 Exotic Species hearts.]

[Witch's Candy: Witch's poisonous candy + 300 energy + 5 grams of Dark Spirit Stone.]

[The great Observer once said that with a Fusioner, you were destined to be the most powerful alchemist in the Wasteland. Perhaps that was somewhat unwarranted before, but now, things are different!]

Lu Luo contemplated the two transformative advancement plans for the poisonous candy. This is probably the nerfed version of an item compared to its high-end counterpart!

Despite its huge energy cost, the Favoring Breath was likely far stronger than the Witch's Candy. But such a judgment required specific item data.

So, Lu Luo directly took out twelve Witch's poisonous candies for on-site fusion.

[Fusing Lu Luo's Favoring Breath: Please wait…]

Energy continually drained from Lu Luo's body as the twelve poisonous candies gradually converged.

Next, Lu Luo took out a Third Tier Exotic Species heart from his ring and placed it aside, watching as the fusing candies slowly enveloped the Exotic Species heart.

Finally, Lu Luo released a wisp of Netherflame! This wisp of Netherflame began to continuously refine the mixture, causing the candies and the Exotic Species heart to gradually lose their original physical properties.

At last, when the Netherflame had been exhausted, Lu Luo surprisingly obtained an item that existed between the tangible and the illusory. It resembled a small, translucent crystal ball and even possessed a degree of buoyancy!

[Lu Luo's Favoring Breath]

Grade: Epic

Effect: Increases attributes by 25 points, based on the user's deepest desires.

Introduction 1: A grand alchemic product of Exotic Species. Loyalists to Lu Meng may use up to 5 Favoring Breaths; the disloyal may use at most 1.

Introduction 2: This is a creation of the Fusioner Lu Luo. Lu Luo cannot use it, and the user's attributes cannot surpass Lu Luo's.

Introduction 3: Favoring Breath cannot be used concurrently with Witch's Candy; doing so will render it ineffective.

???

What does this mean? I can't use something I made myself? Are they playing tricks on an honest person?

Although Lu Luo could significantly balance and increase his attributes through the Devourer, it was still frustrating that he couldn't use something like this himself.

Fortunately, he hadn't given any to Qi Xinzhu and the others; otherwise, those attribute points would have been wasted!

Moreover, Lu Luo's Favoring Breath could also test loyalty, which was quite interesting.

If this thing can be used five times, then Qi Xinzhu and the others' single attributes could increase by 125 points! My goodness, that's a frightening boost!

In an instant, Lu Luo thought of many possible development directions. Not just the development direction of his subordinates' attributes, but also his own growth needed consideration.

Then, Lu Luo took out the Heart of Nightmare.

[The Observer is checking the Heart of Nightmare for you. Observer level is insufficient, please upgrade.]

Alright, it seems I don't need to consider the Eighth Order Heart of Calamity for now.

Since the Eighth Order didn't work, what about Fifth Tier items?

[The Observer is checking the Witch's Brain for you. 1 effective strategy has been found.]

[Orb of Foresight: Witch's Brain + 5,000 Energy + one Rare Grade Crystal Ball + 15 kg of Corrosive Items]

[The Observer is checking the Womb Sack for you. 1 effective strategy has been found.]

[Regenerative Elixir: Womb Sack + 10,000 Energy + Holy Radiance Water + 500 g of Holy Radiance Stone.]

[The Observer is checking the Tongue of Decay for you. 1 effective strategy has been found.]

[Tongue Plate of the King of Rot: Tongue of Decay + 5,000 Energy + 25 kg of Rare Grade Metal + 9 kg of Corrosive Items]

Holy shit, does it really work? Too bad I can't see the specific effects.

Although he couldn't see the specific effects, Lu Luo could still glean some information from the names of each item.

The Orb of Foresight was obviously a reconnaissance item. If it had a surveillance effect similar to a witch's scrying orb, then the Circle Base definitely needed one, though its surveillance range was unclear.

Next up was the Regenerative Elixir, whose concept was rather vague. He wasn't sure if it was a single-use item or if its effects were continuous. If it was single-use, was it a healing potion, or could it regenerate lost limbs? For instance, if someone's manhood were severed, could they regrow it by drinking this stuff? These were all questions worth pondering.

Finally, there was the Tongue Plate of the King of Rot, clearly a piece of armor. Armor made from a tongue?

Lu Luo knew without asking that Qi Xinzhu would definitely refuse to wear it. Gu Fangyi would never wear such heavy armor; it didn't suit his combat style. If Qi Xinzhu wouldn't wear it, then the purpose of crafting this armor became minimal.

Of course, all of the above situations were just Lu Luo's speculations. The real key lay with the Fusioner and the subsequent integration of resources.

If the Fusioner could be used this way, then the strength of the Circle Studio members would greatly increase. Not just in terms of strength and attributes; with the Fusioner, Lu Luo could also greatly enhance the equipment of the high-end members. When the time comes and all the brothers are decked out in epic gear, how dominant would that be?

[Wake up. Never mind the Pride of Lords required for epic gear, just consider the 25 kg of rare metal for a single piece of equipment. And 9 kg of Corrosive Items? That isn't something a poor bloke like you can afford. Face reality and start hustling for money!]

Lu Luo curled his lip. In the past, acquiring so many items would indeed have cost him considerable time and energy. But things were different now. The base is my home, and development depends on everyone. With so many brothers striving together, could they not gather enough money?

Thrilled with the potential, Lu Luo then took out his core weapon, the Fenrir Type VI.

[The Observer is checking the Fenrir Type VI for you. 1 effective strategy has been found.]

[Enhancement of Fenrir Type VI: Fenrir Type VI + 10,000 Energy + Pride of Lords with unique properties + 1,000 g of Dark Spirit Stone]

"Everything else is negotiable, but what is this 'Pride of Lords with unique properties'?"

[For example, Pride of Lords with distinct attributes, like the Tongue of Decay which has toxic and corrosive properties. Or certain Pride of Lords imbued with lightning, flame, frost, or other attributes.]

I see!

The Fenrir Type VI was already quite formidable. Combined with Lu Luo's Thunder Breath and Sword Heart Technique IV, it already delivered powerful attacks. He didn't have a suitable Pride of Lords for enhancement, so he decisively abandoned the idea.

With his Observer and Fusioner greatly enhanced, Lu Luo's path forward became instantly clear. What he needed to do now was integrate resources and plan the development trajectory for his main team.

Then… ask Brother Kane for money!

That's settled then.

Thirty minutes later, Lu Luo returned to the lower levels of the base. This time, he had summoned both Zhou Kai and Bai Yuetong. This was a major issue concerning the future development of Circle Studio, and since they were all shareholders, they had the right to be informed. Moreover, enhancing strength attributes via the Fusioner and creating fused equipment would require significant company resources. Such actions needed the consent of all shareholders.

Lu Luo couldn't act like a dictator just because he was the boss. Although he indeed could become a dictator. But sometimes, discussing matters together could yield different results. For instance, Gu Fangyi had unique insights into combat and cultivation. Dumb Hair often had constructive suggestions regarding equipment and long-term vision. Brother Kane was responsible for operations, financial coordination, and the like. As for Qi Xinzhu, it was enough that she looked good. Besides, she wasn't a shareholder—she was just Lu Luo's wife.

Once everyone had arrived, Lu Luo didn't immediately announce the agenda of the meeting but first went to Witch Luo Ling.

"Luo Ling, can this type of candy be produced continuously?" As he said this, Lu Luo took out a poisonous candy!

But Witch Luo Ling seemed somewhat surprised. "Master, is this the type of candy you asked me to make?"

Her words made Lu Luo pause momentarily. What did she mean? Could it be that the manufacturing conditions for the two types of candy were different?

[Of course they're different. One is a very perfect alchemical product, while the other has flaws—how could they be the same?]

The problem was, the item I need now is the flawed alchemical product!

"I know the effects of the two types of candy are significantly different. So can you tell me, what are the manufacturing requirements for the poisonous candy?"

Luo Ling didn't know if Lu Luo was testing her or if he genuinely wanted the manufacturing requirements for the poisonous candy. Why would anyone want those flawed, defective items?

"My Master, would you truly care about such a thing?"

Luo Ling became suspicious, but Lu Luo's expression remained unchanged. Information asymmetry was so important.

"Whether I care or not, is that really so important? I just want to see, Luo Ling, how much loyalty you have left."

At this moment, Lu Luo perfectly displayed the imposing manner of a superior. Although his strength wasn't as formidable as a Nightmare Demon's, his dynamic with Luo Ling and Ellie was different. Luo Ling had been summoned by Lu Luo, and she inherently held a degree of reverence for him. Thus, Lu Luo's power play succeeded.

"My Master, I have always held you in awe. I simply wish to survive."

"I need to see your sincerity, Luo Ling."

"Making the poisonous candy does not consume my lifespan. It is toxic precisely because it doesn't undergo the 'evolution' that comes from using my lifespan. To create it, I only need to consume my Dark Energy and Dark Spirit Stones. Of course, it also requires a sufficient amount of Exotic Species' life force—the Purple Potion you created, Master."

Hearing Luo Ling's words, Lu Luo's pupils constricted!

A perpetual motion machine! I've suddenly... obtained a perpetual motion machine! A machine capable of mass-producing attributes, enhancing strength, and even creating vast quantities of items that could rival Exotic Species in power! This is no longer just about a path to wealth! Given enough time, resources, Dark Spirit Stones, and if the witch doesn't die! Then this production line is a key to strength, influence, and power!

Lu Luo's fingertips trembled slightly. He pressed them with his other hand to still them, only for that hand to begin trembling too.

[Show a little ambition, will you?]

You're the one lacking ambition, okay?

Lu Luo remained silent for a long while, struggling to calm his racing heart. However, to Luo Ling, his silence seemed profound and unfathomable.

What do I have to do? How many candies must I make before the Master will let me go? I can't win in a fight. Defiance means death, but even obediently making candies means death! So, the question is, if I earnestly make candies, could I gain an extra 20-50 years of life? Is that feasible? It seems a bit cruel, but apparently possible. If it's possible, then I'd better submit!

"Master, I am willing to give my all, to earnestly make Witch's Candy for you, and I swear I will never again act disrespectfully. I only hope that you, Master, can spare me some of my lifespan." As Luo Ling spoke these earnest words, she dragged her battered body and prostrated before Lu Luo.

Watching Luo Ling now lying prostrate at his feet, Lu Luo showed a slight smile. If Luo Ling cooperated well enough, then this matter was essentially settled. Witch Luo Ling would become a top-tier strategic asset for the Circle Transcendent Corporation. Her existence meant that Circle Studio's future would become ever stronger, perhaps even strong enough to contend with the Hunters in the not-too-distant future.

"Luo Ling, I can feel your sincerity, but..."

"But what?"

"But I don't need you to make Witch's Candy for me anymore. Compared to that troublesome item, I now find the poisonous candies to be more convenient and effective." Lu Luo took out a poisonous candy and placed it before Witch Luo Ling.

Luo Ling picked up the poisonous candy, utterly astonished. This time, she truly did not understand Lu Luo's intentions.

"Master, are you joking? This substance damages the body; even the strongest Lords cannot avoid its ill effects."

"I know. But what I need are precisely these poisonous candies. Make them well for me. That's what you need to do next. Don't worry, I won't shortchange you."

Luo Ling was stunned for a moment, then once again prostrated herself on the ground. "Thank you, Master. I will work diligently for you. This world will become great because of your presence."

"While the flattery is pleasant, you clearly don't understand how to properly curry my favor. Just work diligently. Diligent work is more important than anything."

"I understand."

After concluding his conversation with Witch Luo Ling, Lu Luo gathered the quartet of shareholders for an impromptu meeting.

"Brother Lu, what's going on?" Zhou Kai asked first.

"Brother Kane, we've struck it rich!"

Seeing Lu Luo's excited expression, Zhou Kai's heart skipped a beat. Because every time Lu Luo had that expression, it was when he needed to ask for money.

"Brother Lu, let me be frank, the organization is pretty strapped for cash right now. Let's not aim to strike it rich just yet. How about we focus on keeping things stable for now, alright?"