Free Web NovelChapter 192: Chapter 190: Enticement
"Activated Magical Plant Experimental Body-7, designated: [The Timid Alchemy Tree]..."
"Consciousness carrier and nourishment base is the ’Dark Soil Core’... a fusion of bloodline evolution and Alchemy Matrix theory..."
"Principle of equivalent exchange established... brute force is ineffective..."
"Fruit pulp contains the ’Physical Transformation’ element... Primal Cores require high-purity Essence of Life or pure Energy to be nourished and restored..."
"If deep approval is gained, the complete ’Dark Soil Core’ may be transplantable... forced removal will cause the consciousness to dissipate..."
The fragmented information pieced together a general picture.
A glint appeared in Ian’s eyes.
’Is this the legacy of the ancient Life Alchemy Association or the Morpher Secret Society?’
’A self-sustaining ecosystem that continuously produces top-tier Body Refining Materials?’
’It requires a sacrifice... Blood Essence? Or a Flawless Magic Stone?’
He looked at the Blood Essence in his hand. It had just been refined from Samael and was about the size of a longan.
Then, he looked at the small silver tree on the stone platform, which was curled into a ball and trembling slightly, and the writhing "Dark Soil Core" beneath it.
Ian pondered for a few seconds, then walked forward, stopping ten meters from the stone platform.
He opened his palm and used Wizard’s Hand to gently place the Blood Essence, still warm from reaching the Peak of Liquefaction, on the ground.
Then, he took a few steps back and waited quietly.
On the stone platform, the "Dark Soil Core" seemed to quicken its writhing.
The small silver tree also unfurled its branches and leaves a little, as if "looking" toward the Blood Essence.
About a minute passed.
From the stone platform, a silver rootlet thinner than a strand of hair slowly extended downward.
Like a probing little tentacle, it gently tapped the Blood Essence.
It touched it once, then immediately retracted.
After a few more seconds, more silver rootlets extended down, wrapped around the Blood Essence, and slowly dragged it toward the stone platform, finally pulling it into the "Dark Soil Core."
The surface of the "Dark Soil Core" glowed faintly silver, and it seemed to let out a soft, contented whimper.
Immediately after, the palm-sized silver tree began to gradually unfurl.
It returned to a height of about one meter, and its branches and leaves once again shimmered with a soft, silver light.
Among the branches at the top of the tree, silver light gathered. The five pigeon-egg-sized silver fruits slowly emerged from the soil once more, with points of starlight swirling and flashing within them.
This time, the little tree was no longer trembling. The aura it emitted was much calmer, and there was even a faint, indistinct trace of goodwill.
"Equivalent exchange... five Primal Cores... What astonishing skill."
Ian’s mind was set at ease. ’It seems my gamble paid off.’
"Gaga, it seems... it’s not running away anymore, gaga?" Gaga whispered, looking at the little tree curiously.
Ian nodded but didn’t rush forward to pick the fruits.
According to the information on the metal plate, you couldn’t use force to obtain the fruits.
Besides, these weren’t real fruits. The entire thing, including the little tree, was an alchemical product that had simply been activated.
He observed the fruits.
Their surfaces were smooth as they hung there quietly.
Suddenly, the fruit on the far left swayed gently.
As if sensing Ian and Gaga’s gazes, the bottom of the silver fruit went POOF! and sprouted two tiny, sparkling silver legs, each thinner than a toothpick!
The little legs kicked a few times, and then...
The fruit leaped off the stone platform!
As soon as the silver fruit landed, it took off on its two little sparkling legs, scurrying PATTER-PATTER-PATTER toward a crack in a nearby corner.
"Oh no! Lucy’s running away!" another fruit on the stone platform shrieked.
Its voice was high and delicate, like a little girl’s.
"Silly Lucy! Don’t run off!" shouted another fruit, shaking the leaf on its head.
The fruit named Lucy paid no attention, its little legs kicking furiously as it was about to slip into the crack in the wall.
Ian’s eye twitched.
With a flick of his left hand, he produced a small Crystal Bottle from his Dimension Ring.
He twisted off the cap, and a fresh, invigorating herbal scent wafted out.
It was the scent of a Concentration Potion. Its main ingredients were Moonlight Grass and Calming Flower, and it was remarkably effective at stabilizing Spiritual Power.
The moment the fragrance spread, Lucy skidded to a halt by the crack in the wall.
Its two little legs hung in mid-air as the entire fruit wobbled around to "face" Ian.
"Wh-What is that smell..."
Lucy mumbled indistinctly, her little legs taking a tentative step back toward him.
On the stone platform, the other four fruits also grew restless.
"It smells so good!"
"It’s... it’s the smell of moonlight and flowers!"
"SLURP!"
The leaves on top of all five fruits stood straight up in unison, like the pricked ears of five small animals.
Ian knew what to do.
He crouched down, placed the Crystal Bottle gently on the ground not far from the stone platform, and then slowly backed away a few steps.
"Gaga." He gave a meaningful look to Gaga on his shoulder.
Gaga’s small eyes brightened. Understanding the signal, it shrank into the shadow of Ian’s collar, completely concealing its aura.
Lucy shuffled forward another two steps, now only three or four meters away from the Crystal Bottle.
The two small leaves on its head trembled nervously.
"N-No... Mama said not to take things from strangers..."
It muttered to itself, but its little legs uncontrollably shuffled one step closer.
On the stone platform, a slightly larger fruit swayed back and forth in agitation.
"Lucy, come back! That’s a trap!"
"But... but it smells so, so good..."
Lucy’s voice had a tearful quality to it, as if it were fighting its own instincts.
The other three fruits couldn’t hold back any longer and leaped off the stone platform one after another.
"Wait for me!" "I want to smell it too!" "Just a little sniff..."
The five fruits formed a crooked line and shuffled over to the Crystal Bottle, gathering around it in a circle.
The smallest fruit, whose name seemed to be "Rice Grain," extended two silvery, thread-like tendrils and cautiously tapped the side of the bottle.
