66: experiment

Three days later.

Island Experimental Outpost.

This isolated island, named "Li Feng" by Lin Mo, was located in the open sea nearly three hundred miles southeast of Qinglan City.

Underground, after days of excavation by the Death Warriors, several stone rooms with different functions had been initially completed.

In a tightly secured laboratory at the deepest point, [One Three Six] and [Number One Hundred Forty] were conducting the third "Trace demonic taint Resistance" experiment.

The test subject was [Number One Hundred Forty-Two], a Death Warrior summoned yesterday who came with the [Basic Poison Resistance Physique].

He sat shirtless, cross-legged in the center of a crude formation drawn with captured evil cultivator Materials: Century-Old Corpse Moss Powder and Yin Soul Grass Extract.

These were mixed with Ore dust containing faint traces of "Turbid Baleful" aura collected from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range.

The formation was activated, emitting an uncomfortable grayish-green glimmer that began to corrode [Number One Hundred Forty-Two]'s skin.

[Number One Hundred Forty-Two]'s body trembled slightly, and an unnatural grayish-blue hue surfaced under his skin, but his eyes remained calm.

Following [One Three Six]'s instructions, he began to circulate the several-times-optimized "Basic Qi Cultivation Art · Simplified Version (Initial Draft)."

Spiritual Qi, so thin it was almost invisible, was drawn into his body, where it contacted and clashed with the corroding filthy aura.

Outside the laboratory, [Number Four] recorded various data through a pre-installed observation hole.

Lin Mo's "Perception Extension" was also connected here, sharing the field of vision.

"Filth corrosion rate has decreased by 17% compared to the second experiment.

After introducing Spiritual Qi, the intensity of the conflict decreased, and the body's spontaneous rejection response strengthened.

[Number One Hundred Forty-Two] reports reduced pain and prolonged conscious clarity."

[Number Four]'s voice reported directly to Lin Mo, who was far away in the Nest, via the "Voice Network."

"Continue, increase the corrosion dosage by 10%. Record the critical point," Lin Mo's command came through.

[One Three Six] followed the instructions.

[Number One Hundred Forty-Two]'s body suddenly tensed, the grayish-blue on his skin deepened, and a trace of black blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth.

However, he still persisted in circulating the Cultivation Technique, attempting to guide that weak Spiritual Qi to wrap around, isolate, and block the invading filth.

Time passed minute by minute.

Just as [Number One Hundred Forty-Two]'s eyes began to glaze over and his body swayed, on the verge of reaching his limit—

A sudden change occurred!

At the position of his heart, where the conflict between the weak Spiritual Qi and the filthy aura was most intense, a faint dark-golden luster actually shimmered beneath his skin!

Though it vanished in a flash, the corrosion speed of that filthy aura clearly stalled for a moment!

"Stop!" Lin Mo's voice immediately rang out.

The formation's light extinguished.

[Number One Hundred Forty-Two] collapsed forward, his breath weak, but his vital signs remained.

The corroded parts of his body began to slowly ulcerate, but the area on his chest that had flashed with dark-golden light ulcerated significantly slower than the other parts.

"Treat him immediately. Collect samples of the ulcerated tissue and the skin from the chest area for comparative analysis."

Lin Mo's speaking speed increased. "That flash of dark-gold just now shares similarities with the characteristics of my True Essence, but it is much weaker.

Is it a mutation caused by the Cultivation Technique guiding Spiritual Qi to combine with the physical foundation, or is it [Number One Hundred Forty-Two]'s own [Basic Poison Resistance Physique] evolving under extreme pressure..."

"Preliminary judgment: it is a result of both combining."

[Number Four] responded, "The Spiritual Qi guided by the technique provided the fuel and direction, his Physique provided the foundation, and the extreme environmental pressure facilitated the minor mutation. However, the mutation is extremely unstable and comes at a great cost."

"Record all data; this is an important direction for a Breakthrough.

Use controllable demonic taint pressure, combined with specific Cultivation Techniques and screened Physiques, to induce adaptive mutations."

Lin Mo's thoughts were clear. "Next step, try to integrate some concepts of the Aperture Condensation Method into the simplified technique to see if we can stabilize or strengthen this mutation.

At the same time, expand the experimental sample size and screen Death Warriors with different basic skills for testing."

"Understood. The deduction for integrating the Aperture Condensation Method concepts into the simplified technique is 15% complete. The first safety test is expected in five days," [Number Four] reported.

"Very good. The island experiment enters the second phase: Adaptive Induction under Limited Risk.

All experiments must be conducted under the coverage of my Perception Extension. If anything goes out of control, eliminate it immediately," Lin Mo ordered.

After the System upgrade, the resurrection function greatly increased the tolerance for error in such high-risk experiments.

"Yes."

Ending the communication, Lin Mo's consciousness returned to the secret chamber in the Nest.

Spread out before him were the summarized cultivation insights of over a hundred Death Warriors compiled by [Number Six], along with the latest architectural diagram of the simplified technique.

The resource scanning function assisted him in quickly identifying some common medicinal herbs and Ores that could be used for technique experiments.

Progress was faster than he had anticipated.

The System upgrade not only enhanced immediate combat power but also greatly accelerated the "research and development" process.

Just then—

[Number Three]'s emergency communication came through the Voice Network: "Young Master, Green Feather has returned to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

He brought back three kong yun stones of higher quality than yours.

He looks solemn and has immediately entered a private discussion with Elder Zhou.

Additionally, news from the city's Patrol Division says that fishermen have gone missing from three fishing villages along the East Sea coast recently. Strange mucus and a faint fishy stench were left at the scene, not the work of ordinary sea beasts.

The Heavenly Supervision Department has already sent people to investigate."

Missing fishermen... It seemed Green Feather had discovered something in the East Sea, and it likely wasn't just kong yun stones.

Whether the missing fishermen incident was related to the Sea Eye, void rifts, or... the remnants of the Blood Fiend Sect.

"Continue monitoring the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, focusing on the subsequent movements of Elder Zhou and his disciple. Meanwhile, find a way to obtain the detailed files on the missing fishermen case," Lin Mo ordered.

"Yes."

Troubled times. Every party was being drawn in.

Li Chongshan was temporarily trapped, but the hidden danger had not been removed. The Heavenly Supervision Department was busy with internal and external troubles. The Sect's eyes were turned toward the East Sea. In the shadows, the Blood Fiend Sect or other forces might be stirring.

And he needed to quickly accumulate bargaining chips.

"I still need a fire to make the situation clearer, so I can see more plainly who the real enemy is and who might become a temporary ally," Lin Mo mused.

He looked at a piece of intelligence [Number Three] had sent earlier.

Regarding the remnants of "Fuyuan Trading Company," an overseas merchant firm with ties to the Blood Fiend Sect, they seemed to be secretly moving supplies and personnel toward the "Black Mountain" region northwest of Qinglan City.

The terrain in Black Mountain was complex, with many mines and deep valleys. Rumors said there were also small ancient ruins and dangerous lands there; it was a lawless zone.

"Perhaps I should send another great gift to the Heavenly Supervision Department and the Sect," Lin Mo plotted in his heart.

He connected to [Number Two]: "Select a group of well-equipped people and lead them yourself.

Target: The Black Mountain region, suspected remnant outpost of the Blood Fiend Sect.

Mission: Conduct high-intensity reconnaissance and harassment. You must expose their location and part of their strength. Fix their attention firmly on Black Mountain. At the same time, leave clues that point toward the anomalies in the East Sea."

"Understood," [Number Two]'s reply was concise and powerful.

Sending a disposable vanguard to pin the Blood Fiend Sect remnants to Black Mountain while diverting trouble to the east would push the unusual occurrences in the East Sea further to the forefront.

Let the Heavenly Supervision Department and the Sect handle these troubles.

While he could continue to develop and observe in peace.

The daily summons still took place punctually at midnight.

Today's new Death Warrior was [Number One Hundred Forty-Three], who came with the skill [Basic Mineral Identification].

As the attributes stacked and fed back, his physical quality improved slightly once more.

In the network of cultivation insights, another faint perception regarding "Earth and Stone Qi" was added.