Chapter 41: The Bloodline Experiment
With the foundational success of his multi-bloodline theory, Kai dives deeper into the intricate art of bloodline integration. Using the data collected from his experiments and the AI chip's simulations, he begins crafting a more sophisticated ritual to purify and stabilize the bloodlines.
In the Nightmare Realm, he sets up a temporary laboratory within the ruins, surrounded by faintly glowing herbs and vials of monster blood. His first subject is the blood of a Shadow Drake, a low-tier predator known for its stealth and shadow manipulation.
As the ritual begins, the array hums with energy, and Kai experiences an intense surge of power. For a moment, it feels as though his body might tear apart, but the AI chip guides him, stabilizing the process. When the ritual concludes, Kai feels sharper and faster, with a newfound ability to manipulate shadows to a limited extent.
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Chapter 42: A Dangerous Encounter
Kai ventures deeper into the Nightmare Realm, guided by faint whispers that seem to originate from the blood key. These whispers lead him to a dense forest where the air feels heavy with malice.
In the heart of the forest, Kai encounters a Nightmaw—a mid-tier monster with a grotesque appearance and immense power. The battle is grueling, with the Nightmaw's dark energy attacks nearly overwhelming him. Using his shadow manipulation ability, Kai creates decoys to confuse the beast and ultimately defeats it with a well-timed spell combination.
From the Nightmaw's corpse, Kai extracts its blood, which the AI chip identifies as highly compatible with his current enhancements. However, he decides to save it for later, as the instability from multiple integrations is becoming increasingly apparent.
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Chapter 43: The Guild's Secret Operations
Back in the Wizard World, Kai's reputation within the guild continues to grow. He takes on challenging missions, earning rare resources and spells. However, his rise also draws the attention of the guild's inner circle, who begin to suspect him of harboring secrets.
Kai is approached by Alaric, a senior apprentice with ties to the guild's leadership. Alaric offers Kai a place in the inner circle, but Kai senses ulterior motives. Instead of accepting outright, he uses the opportunity to gather information about the guild's secret operations.
During a mission to retrieve a rare artifact, Kai uncovers evidence of the guild's involvement in illegal experiments on captured Nightmare Realm creatures. This discovery leaves him conflicted, as the experiments could provide invaluable insights for his research but come at a significant moral cost.
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Chapter 44: The Hidden Ruins
Kai learns of an ancient ruin located near the guild's territory, rumored to hold advanced meditation techniques and powerful spell models. He decides to explore it, hoping to find the means to advance his magic further.
The ruins are protected by a series of deadly traps and magical wards, testing Kai's intelligence and reflexes. Along the way, he encounters Serena, the rogue who once betrayed him. She claims to have changed and offers to help him navigate the ruins, but Kai remains cautious.
In the deepest chamber, they discover a spell model for a high-tier shadow spell and an incomplete meditation technique. However, the ruins are also home to a spectral guardian, which attacks them relentlessly. Kai and Serena are forced to work together to defeat it, with Kai using his newfound shadow manipulation to land the final blow.
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Chapter 45: The Nightmare Realm's Secrets
Kai returns to the Nightmare Realm, this time venturing into an area known as the Abyssal Expanse, where the hierarchy of monsters becomes apparent. He observes how low-tier creatures serve more powerful ones, creating a complex ecosystem.
Through careful observation and a few skirmishes, Kai learns of a powerful monster known as the Abyssal Warden, rumored to possess a unique bloodline with incredible regenerative abilities. Determined to acquire this bloodline, Kai begins devising a plan to confront the Warden.
Meanwhile, the blood key reveals another encrypted message, hinting at a deeper connection between the Nightmare Realm and the Wizard World. The chapter ends with Kai preparing for a pivotal battle, knowing that success could catapult him to new heights of power—or end his journey entirely