CHAPTER 256: CHAPTER 175: RETURN

When he placed the purified tissue into the Autophagic Slime Monster, things began to get out of control.

Initially, the Slime Monster successfully devoured the tissue, its surface showing the expected reddish-brown hue.

However, just a few seconds later, irregular dark blue spots began to appear on the surface of the Slime Monster.

These spots rapidly expanded, like ink spreading on white paper.

"Something’s wrong... this shouldn’t be happening..." Ron frowned, observing as he quickly adjusted the recording equipment to capture every detail.

Suddenly, the Slime Monster’s volume began to swell, its surface color becoming more chaotic, with shades of blue, purple, and red intertwining, like a small storm of colors.

"Stability is deteriorating rapidly." Ron tensely jotted down in his notebook.

He immediately activated the backup isolation barrier, completely sealing off the experimental area.

Just as the barrier rose, the Slime Monster emitted a strange shriek—a sound so high-pitched it almost pierced the eardrums.

Then, with a "bang," it exploded, splattering against the protective shield, producing a teeth-gritting sizzle.

"Experiment No. 1 has failed, exhibiting typical Abyssal rebound phenomena."

He calmly recorded, his eyes filled with analytical focus:

"The purification wasn’t thorough enough, or the Slime Monster’s carrying capacity was insufficient."

He wasn’t discouraged and immediately prepared a second Autophagic Slime Monster, adjusting the purification formula this time by increasing the proportion of the stabilizer.

However, the subsequent attempt also ended in failure:

The second Slime Monster began to tremble violently after devouring the tissue, then suddenly became still, its surface crystallizing into a lifeless gray solid.

"Over-stabilization led to complete energy lockdown, losing its vitality." Ron recorded the details of this failure.

The third attempt was even more disastrous.

After the Slime Monster devoured the tissue, it initially displayed the color changes according to his modulation plan.

But then, it suddenly began to deform rapidly, twisting into various incredible shapes, like some non-Euclidean geometric bodies projected in three-dimensional space.

In the end, it suddenly leaped upwards, broke through the first layer of the protective shield, and exploded against the ceiling.

The sticky substance splattered everywhere, some even starting to corrode the surface of the experimental table.

"Dammit!" Ron quickly donned protective gloves, initiated the emergency handling procedure, and sprayed the corrosive remains with a special neutralizing agent.

The laboratory was a mess, with nearly every surface stained with that slightly Abyssal-contaminated organic matter.

Worse still, some residues were still weakly wriggling, seemingly carrying some primal life traits.

"Abyssal structures are more complex and erosive than I imagined."

Ron analyzed while dealing with the remnants:

"Even the already ’purified’ tissues retain some imprint of Abyssal rules in their internal structure."

He collected all residual samples using a specially designed energy storage box, ensuring there was no energy leakage.

Especially to prevent Dale, this time was different from last time; he wouldn’t give her any opportunity, and later he would find time to personally dispose of this batch of hazardous material.

"The basic model of the Autophagic Slime Monster has too low a carrying limit."

Ron pondered while cleaning the experimental table:

"They can at most withstand Silver Ring-level bloodlines, whereas Abyssal creatures, even at the outermost layer, inherently approach or reach the Golden Ring level."

He recalled what the slave merchant had mentioned about advanced Autophagic Slime Monsters, those higher-level experimental creatures reportedly capable of carrying Golden Ring or even higher-level bloodlines.

"Looks like more resources need to be invested." Ron wrote at the end of the experimental records:

"Order a few advanced Autophagic Slime Monsters and redesign the experimental plan."

However, research is a very long-term process.

Even without interim results, it could still aid in enhancing his skills as a Bloodline Modifier Profession.

Thinking of this, Ron organized the laboratory while contemplating the deeper possibilities of the Bloodline Modifier path.

"Bloodline Modifier," as a relatively new profession, can trace its history back to the Ancient Alchemist Lance.

At that time, Life Alchemy was considered one of the highest realms of Alchemy, involving soul manipulation, living being modifications, and even transformations into undead shells, falling into forbidden domains.

This knowledge is mostly lost today or strictly sealed by major Wizard factions.

Opportunities to access genuinely high-level bloodline theory are extremely limited in branch institutions like the Black Mist School.

"To advance further, it seems that it will have to wait until I head to the Central Lands to seek opportunities."

Ron pondered: "The collection of books in the Crystal Tower is a hundred times richer than that of the Black Mist School, perhaps there will be more records about Ancient Alchemists there."

After finishing, he decided to temporarily set aside the research on the Abyssal Organization.

Instead, focus on a more stable and promising direction—the cultivation of Dale’s bloodline.

The growth of the Little Sea Siren had seen remarkable progress over the past few weeks.

Ron arrived at the specially designed cultivation chamber, where Dale was leisurely floating in the Crystal Pool.

Her silver hair drifted like soft algae in the gentle water currents.

"Dale, it’s time for dinner." Ron softly called out.

"Master!" Dale cheerfully responded: "What’s for dinner today?"

Ron smiled, taking out an exquisite Crystal Bottle containing a peculiar fluid.