Chapter 122: Essence
Chapter 22: Essence
The discovery of the “Resentment” skill brought a pleasant surprise to Lu Yun. Originally, he had thought that mastering just one “Strange Light” skill was already quite an accomplishment. Unexpectedly, now he had gained an additional skill—“Resentment.” Could this mean that beyond his inherent combat skills, he might be able to learn more abilities from the Ghost attribute? A “dual cultivation of magic and martial arts” in raw power?
Chuckling softly, Lu Yun shook his head, knowing it was far too early to speculate on such matters. The most urgent issue now was how to break free from his predicament.
His gaze swept over the silver-white iron collar around his neck, and a shadow of gloom flickered in his eyes.
***
This was a modestly furnished office. Apart from a desk, two chairs, and a bookshelf, there was nothing else. Wisps of white smoke mingled with the faint aroma of coffee, drifting lazily in the air. The gentle sound of writing echoed like a harmonious melody in the void.
Suddenly, a sharp knock shattered the quiet.
“Come in,” said Dr. Dahl without looking up, his black pen dancing lightly between his fingers.
The wooden door creaked open slowly, and Eck stepped in quietly.
“Doctor, here are today’s experimental data.”
“Hm, leave them there,” Dr. Dahl said, extending his empty left hand and gesturing toward the desk in front of him.
Eck carefully placed the file wrapped in yellow plastic on the desk, then turned toward the door.
“Eck.”
The doctor’s voice was low and steady from behind.
“Yes?”
Eck turned, surprised.
“Don’t rush off. Sit for a while.”
“Oh… alright.”
Noticing Eck’s somewhat stiff posture, Dr. Dahl smiled faintly. He paused his pen and capped it neatly.
“How long have you been my assistant?”
“Counting from when I joined the Sinnoh division, it’s been six years.”
“Six years…” Dr. Dahl sighed, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. “Time really flies.”
He then shifted the topic. “Do you know why we returned to headquarters this time?”
“Isn’t it to report your experimental results?” Eck replied, puzzled.
“That’s partly true, but it’s not the main reason.”
Dr. Dahl tapped the desk lightly with his pen, producing a crisp sound. “The operation… is about to begin.”
The wooden chair scraped harshly against the floor as Eck rose excitedly.
“Can I participate?”
“Of course, you’re my key assistant.”
With a slight smile, Dr. Dahl nodded and leaned back comfortably into the chair’s soft backrest.
“Thank you so much,” Eck said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as if a lifelong dream had come true.
“It’s nothing,” Dr. Dahl waved dismissively. “In about a week, we’ll be leaving. Make sure to use up all the resources in the base—don’t leave anything for the League.”
“Don’t worry, Doctor. I understand.”
Watching the young man radiating excitement, Dr. Dahl nodded approvingly.
“That’s good.”
***
“Regarding the experiment, everyone here is quite experienced, so I won’t repeat too much,” Eck addressed the researchers in the white surgical room, holding a report and speaking earnestly.
Seeing some of the researchers’ impatience, he could only smile helplessly and wave his hand.
“Let’s begin the experiment.”
On the operating table, Lu Yun lay quietly, his eyes fixed on the pristine white ceiling above. He was about to undergo the third experiment, yet, unfortunately, he still hadn’t devised a way to escape.
The first experiment had caused the original owner of this body to perish. The second had nearly killed him, and if not for Larulath’s timely rescue, he might have long since returned to the cycle space.
The outcome of the third experiment was unlikely to be any better.
Yet strangely, Lu Yun felt no panic.
Having absorbed two powerful Ghost-type energies, his perception of the same attribute had greatly heightened. Even lying still, he could faintly sense the chilling, eerie aura emanating from the cabinet in the corner of the room.
It was just as terrifying and formidable.
Clearly, it was another high-quality Ghost-type artifact.
However, Lu Yun did not perceive danger from this aura. Instead, it exuded a strange affinity, a magnetic attraction.
Like a delicate little cake that one couldn’t resist swallowing whole.
Lu Yun swallowed involuntarily on the operating table.
“How odd,” Eck frowned as he glanced at the arm on the table.
“During the previous two times, there was a lot of struggling, but today he’s unusually calm and motionless.”
“Could it be the aftereffects of the ‘Blood Eye’ have dulled him?”
Shaking his head with a smile, he said, “It doesn’t matter. As long as he’s alive, the experiment can proceed.”
Bowing his head again, Eck resumed reviewing the report.
***
[Essence of the Soul-Harvesting Eye]
Source: Core gem essence of the King-class Soul-Harvesting Eye
Description: Extracted from a unique Soul-Harvesting Eye leader within the Blue Rock Cave’s colony.
Storage Method: Keep in a dark, sealed environment; avoid sunlight exposure.
Warning: Do not touch directly with hands; do not expose to air for prolonged periods.
***
The test tube was pitch black, made of opaque, sealed material. At the top was a mechanical metal knob.
Compared to the previous complex procedure with the “Rotwood Demon’s Cursed Blood Eye,” which required intense concentration, this experiment seemed overly simple.
First, a researcher used a scalpel to gently cut open Lu Yun’s chest.
Then, aligning the test tube containing the Essence of the Soul-Harvesting Eye with the wound—
“Creak.”
Wearing pristine white gloves, fingers turned the knob lightly.
The tube tilted slightly.
One by one, powdery silver-blue particles poured out.
Weightless, they floated in the air, emitting an eerie bluish glow.
Suddenly, as if sensing the bloody scent from Lu Yun’s wound, the silver-blue particles seemed alive, rushing headlong inside and mixing with his bright red blood.
In an instant, an emergency reaction appeared.
Deep within Lu Yun’s body, three dormant and entangled energies suddenly awoke.
Like a fierce lion defending its territory, they roared and extended their sharpest claws at the invader.
Compared to the incoming Soul-Harvesting Eye energy, the energy complex inside Lu Yun’s body far surpassed it in both quality and quantity.
Soon, under the stern discipline of the elder energies, the new Ghost-type energy withdrew its head and obediently quieted down.
On the operating table, Lu Yun only shuddered slightly at first, then quickly returned to normal.