"Incubation plant? We have such high tech?" David asked in surprise.
"Extracting biological genetic information and using nutrient fluids to culture and mold it is mature technology."
"Are you sure we can do it with just the two of us?" David still found it unbelievable.
"I have the related technical details stored. I can prepare execution plans anytime. I just lack execution authority. As soon as you give the order, Master, we can take action," Lynn patiently explained.
"Hmm, I'll trust you on this..."
Leaving the stone steps, they arrived at the outskirts of the ruins.
This body was not only more agile than his old one, but also stronger. Even running didn't make him feel tired.
This place was truly massive. The towering throne behind was already a blur. The octahedron sun was also farther and farther away.
The sky overhead grew darker as the red beams from the little sun gradually faded, like forgotten stars.
The surrounding pillars and ruins were shrouded in hazy glows, making everything especially tranquil and secluded.
Their lonely footsteps echoed through the expansive ruins. In those indistinct dark corners, specks of light would occasionally flash by, as if invisible eyes were hidden, causing unease.
"There won't be ghosts, right?" David muttered under his breath.
"Of course not," Lynn patiently responded.
Suddenly, rustling sounds came from behind a damaged stone wall. David looked over warily.
At that moment, a tall, black humanoid creature crawled out from behind the broken wall, meeting his gaze!
It was a bizarre looking quasi-human with a large split mouth, full of sharp teeth, exuding a rancid odor.
It staggered towards them, baring its fangs when it saw the living humans.
"F**k!" David took a wary step back, never having seen such a monster before.
"It's alright!" Lynn gently reassured him.
Buzz!
Suddenly, David felt strength fill his entire body. A warm current swiftly circulated through his veins, like raging flames, instantly suffusing his whole being.
This aura then emanated out through his pores, expanding into an illusory force field. The approaching quasi-human shuddered violently as if frightened out of its wits. It let out a low roar and retreated back into the darkness.
"Phew!"
David finally breathed a sigh of relief as his body returned to normal. "What was that? What did you do just now?"
"I temporarily took over the body and released a hint of 'magical' aura. With the little sun's radiation, I have near infinite magic power," Lynn gently explained.
"That was a mutant in the ruins. Since you're not yet used to the ebb and flow of 'magic', you kept exhibiting an ordinary human's aura, making the monster think we were prey."
"Magic? There's stuff like that here too?" David's eyes widened.
"It's something cultivators in this world train in," said Lynn.
"Can I cultivate too?" David grew interested.
"Of course, after you have your own body," Lynn replied.
Guided by Lynn, David kept moving forward.
The light here grew increasingly dim and tranquil. Only faint blue glows emanated from the inner walls of the ruins, barely illuminating the space around them.
The air was filled with damp, moldy smells, as if this place had been forgotten by the world for many years.
If not for Lynn's encouragements, David would never have dared to explore.
In those seemingly endless passages, he finally emerged from a cave.
There was light ahead!
"Are we finally getting out?" He felt hopeful.
Peering into the distance, several massive figures suddenly appeared on the distant horizon.
"My god, what is that??"
At first they were just blurred shadows, but the gigantic outlines quickly became clear - they were towering stone statues, hundreds of meters tall!
He stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the scene before him.
Such colossal existences were simply unimaginable!
The statues stood ramrod straight, the boulders at their feet seeming no larger than grains of rice.
"What the hell are these??"
As David drew nearer, he had to crane his neck up to barely make out their full forms.
Despite still being some distance away, their sheer size already gave an overwhelming sense of pressure.
On the left was a tentacle titan, with chaotic tentacles and sucker mouths on its face, seeming to want to devour all life.
David couldn't help but shiver, quickly retreating several steps.
Then he looked up at the three-headed hound in the center. The three ferocious dog heads were chilling to the bone. He noticed this statue was covered in scales, more like a fearsome reptilian monster.
Finally, he had no choice but to face the demon king statue on the right. Thick black demon horns grew from its head, the enormous wings and greatsword in its hands exuding a murderous aura, sending chills down his spine.
"They are the three guardians of the throne," Lynn explained in a timely manner.
"Sea God Cthulhu, Hellhound Cerberus, Demon King Leotar...!"
"??" David was shocked.
Since I'm the true ruler of the throne, and they are its guardians...
That means...these are my own guardians?
"They've been dormant for a long time. I have to offer them sacrifices every so often," Lynn said.
"The most recent sacrificial day is on the 4th next month. If nothing unexpected happens, the villagers should have already started preparing."
"Villagers?" David didn't understand.
"There are some human villages above the ruins. We've been cooperating for thousands of years. We'll also need their help to rebuild the incubation plant," explained Lynn.
After passing the three colossal statues, a bright area appeared up ahead.
Taking a closer look, there was a huge opening, with sunlight streaming in, illuminating the stone steps ahead.
"That's the exit," Lynn pointed out.
David quickened his pace and arrived at the light.
An ancient flight of stone steps ascended, winding endlessly out of sight, leading to the distant ground above.
After the long climb...
"Phew, we finally made it up!"
Before him was a dilapidated stone temple. Through the half-collapsed roof, he could see the blue sky and white clouds.
This temple wasn't very big. Moss grew on the stone walls, and the carvings were blurred beyond recognition. Dust and weeds filled the interior, with some broken stone tablets scattered on the ground.
"My god!"
But David's eyes were quickly drawn to the dazzling pile of treasures -
This place was filled with mountains of valuables!
Gold, jewels, diamonds - here they were only the most worthless junk, found everywhere.
There were also some unknown minerals with strange glowing surfaces, irregularly shaped, with faint electricity crackling across them.
Some were blood-red crystals, feeling hot to the touch, with power flowing within. He didn't know what materials they were.
A gigantic beast skull hung on the wall, its bony surface covered in intricate patterns, extremely mysterious.
"Master, these are the riches I've accumulated. We can give them to the villagers, who will be very grateful," Lynn said calmly.
"Oh, okay, you pick what to give." David was still dumbfounded.
"Crimson primal stones, rich in fire elements, helpful for elders' cultivation..."
"Thunderbird demon cores, suitable for tempering newborns' bodies..."
When David pushed open the ancient stone door and stepped outside, a chill wind rushed forth, carrying the faint cries of magical beasts.
Curled up by the entrance was an enormous magical beast, built like a bull but covered in black scales. Its eyes glowed blood-red, warily watching David's every move.
"It's fine, it guards the temple!" Lynn quickly introduced, afraid to startle David.
"??" David was full of questions, quipping: "You call this 10-ton monster a pet?"
Aside from the bull beast, there were also many bizarre plants here.
There were vines that grew tentacles like infants' arms; blood-red flowers with darting tongues; bushes of luminescent blue grass that emitted an otherworldly glow in daylight...
"Starlight grass not only detoxifies but also contains abundant spiritual energy. Let's bring some to the village!"
When bidding farewell to the temple, David was already filled with treasures and spiritual herbs, and set foot on the road to the village.