Chapter 1443 Your Stone Grandpa <TOC> Chapter 1445 Frost's Aspirations
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Translator: SumTLMan
Angel wasn’t aware that news of his breakthrough had gradually spread to the outside world through the departing Sky Ghost Ship. Within Black Castle, his advancement had long become a focal point of discussion.
However, Angel himself had disappeared from public view for a full two days.
During these two days, Angel remained in a meditation chamber within the Soul Domain, gradually adjusting to the new changes in his body, both internally and externally.
Such acclimatization is a necessary process for every wizard after a breakthrough.
Firstly, it allowed the Magic Source Vortex to operate continuously without external interference. After all, the type of energy produced by the Magic Source Vortex, as well as its recovery speed, far surpasses that of his previous magic source. Angel needed time to adapt, not only to familiarize himself with the Vortex but also to achieve a more harmonious balance of it within his Mental Space.
Secondly, this period also provided Angel an opportunity to let his mind settle. It was crucial to avoid rash decisions influenced by the overwhelming emotions and sudden surge in power post-breakthrough.
Balancing emotions and calming one’s spirit is even more vital than the first point.
The duration of this adjustment process varies from person to person. While some might take up to half a month, others can adapt swiftly. Angel belonged to the latter group. Although his approach leans more towards the academic faction, in terms of personality, he shares many similarities with Sanders. He’s an incredibly disciplined individual.
He’s fully aware of the magnitude of his newfound power. However, this increase in strength only made him even more disciplined. He understands clearly that power should serve the individual, not make one its captive.
Thus, his process of mental and emotional recalibration was even swifter than anyone could have imagined.
Two days later, he emerged from the meditation chamber.
Upon emerging from the meditation chamber, Angel’s first intention was to seek Sanders for insights about what follows a breakthrough. After all, his advancement had been rather hasty, and his preparations leading up to it focused primarily on the process itself, leaving him with only a rudimentary understanding of what came next.
However, when he reached Sanders’ quarters, he found the room empty.
Not just Sanders, but Frost, who resided in the same area, was also absent.
With both missing, Angel wasn’t idle. There remained many tasks that demanded his attention. For instance——
Sparrow Blossom and Popoca he had always kept within his bracelet.
Delicately, Angel channeled his mental energies into the bracelet. To avoid exerting undue pressure, he treaded lightly with his mental senses.
Angel had assumed that the sibling pair would be engaged in endless conversations, perhaps sharing their innermost feelings and thoughts.
Yet, to his surprise, as he projected his senses into the bracelet, he found an enveloping silence.
No words were exchanged.
In a corner within the bracelet, under the soft glow of a persistent amber light, Popoca sat at a table, meticulously examining the Insect Nest Pouch belonging to the Softworms with an expression of utmost seriousness. Sparrow Blossom, dressed in a gown, floated behind him. Every so often, she’d lean her head on Popoca’s shoulder — a gesture that seemed affectionate but was, in fact, her joining in the scrutiny of the Softworm Nest.
A myriad of questions whirled in Angel’s mind.
Why did the siblings’ demeanor differ so starkly from his expectations? Given such a heart-stirring reunion, shouldn’t they be consoling each other, mending past wounds and reconciling previous misgivings?
Popoca has taken quite the unorthodox path, even in reunions, he doesn’t forget to study the Softworm Nest, and even involves Sparrow Blossom in his research.
How insensible. Angel shook his head in disbelief internally.
At that moment, Sparrow Blossom turned her gaze into the darkness, her clear eyes showing a hint of hesitation, “Is that… big brother?”
Sparrow Blossom’s voice snapped Popoca out of his focus, looking around in confusion, “Is Angel here?”
Angel hadn’t expected Sparrow Blossom to be more perceptive of her surroundings than even Popoca. He had deliberately suppressed his presence, yet Sparrow Blossom noticed him right away.
“It’s me,” Angel’s voice emerged, “Hana, how did you detect me? Was it foresight?”
Upon hearing Angel’s voice, Sparrow Blossom’s eyes curved like crescents, joyfully replying, “It was intuition.”
Intuition? Angel muttered to himself, finding her answer even more unbelievable than he had imagined.
At this, Popoca explained, “My sister’s current foresight is a bit unpredictable. Compared to the sporadic foresight she used to have, her intuition is now sharper.”
Initially, Popoca was merely clarifying what Sparrow Blossom meant by “intuition.” But as he continued, it seemed like he couldn’t resist singing her praises like a proud elder brother.
“… I believe that this intuitive ability is even more powerful than foresight. You should know, in these past days, relying on my sister’s intuition and using pheromones secreted by Castor Kelp Insects, I successfully got the Worm Mother to produce a new type of mutated Softworm. Even though they’re not Morphing Softworms yet, this has broken our long-standing stalemate!”
“I’m convinced that with my sister’s intuition, perhaps I’ll be able to cultivate the Morphing Softworms very soon!”
Popoca spoke with such fervor and passion, yet Angel’s brows only furrowed deeper.
When Popoca delved into the study of the Softworm Nest, he had no qualms. After all, it was assigned to him for research, and Popoca had a natural knack in this area. However——
“You’ve been solely researching Softworms these past few days?” Angel said, his face painted with disbelief.
Popoca, a bit lost, nodded absentmindedly, “Yes.”
Outside, Angel rubbed his temples in frustration, “I’ve specifically spared some time these days for you all to reunite, and you just spent it with Hana researching Softworms?”
At this, Popoca finally grasped Angel’s point, realizing the slight undertone of annoyance in his voice.
Stammering, he opened his mouth, searching for words. On the other side, Sparrow Blossom chimed in cheerfully, “Big brother, don’t blame him. It was my suggestion.”
Angel’s gaze shifted to Sparrow Blossom as she continued, “I’m so grateful to you for letting us reunite. I have nothing with which to repay your kindness. So, when I learned about the Softworms from him, I thought maybe if I could help in some way, you’d be pleased?”
Angel observed Sparrow Blossom intently. He sensed sincerity in her words, but there was a hint of unsaid sentiment, evident in her downcast eyes.
For some reason, she didn’t voice it.
After a moment’s thought, Angel said, “While I don’t require any repayment, if this is what you wish, I won’t stop you.”
“So, big brother won’t blame him anymore?” Upon receiving an affirmative response, Sparrow Blossom’s eyes crinkled into a smile, “I have this intuition that with our combined efforts, we will definitely help you cultivate a Morphing Softworm.”
Angel looked at Sparrow Blossom’s unwavering confidence and smiled, “If you truly can achieve that, it would indeed be wonderful.”
“We will!” Sparrow Blossom and Popoca declared in unison.
After sharing their sentiments, they exchanged a joyful glance, delighting in their spontaneous harmony.
Angel initially wished to inquire about the emotional harvest of their sibling reunion these past days. Yet, seeing that shared gaze filled with Warm and Tender Sentiments, he refrained from asking further.
It was a stark transformation for Popoca, from a lingering melancholy to openly displaying such radiant smiles — a side of him Angel had never witnessed before.
The siblings, once inseparable, had been torn apart by unforeseen circumstances. Their lives diverged, taking them down different paths.
Yet, after enduring countless hardships, the depressed soul and the lonely heart found solace in their reunion. Regardless of the years apart or the distance between life and death, they still sought comfort in each other’s presence.
Popoca’s ever-clouded sky began to clear with Sparrow Blossom’s entrance into his life.
The isolated world of Sparrow Blossom, in turn, became bathed in sunlight due to Popoca’s presence. They became each other’s redemption.
Lost in his thoughts, Angel was interrupted by Sparrow Blossom’s plea, “Big brother, could you speak to Lady Isabelle for me? I wish to remain here.”
Angel glanced at Sparrow Blossom, then at an anxious-looking Popoca. It seemed they presumed Angel’s sudden appearance indicated Isabelle’s intent to take Sparrow Blossom away.
Suppressing a chuckle, Angel assured them calmly, “Of course.”
Relief washed over the siblings upon hearing this.
It was only now that Angel’s attention shifted to the Softworm Nest on the table. Though it hadn’t bred any Morphing Softworms, several mutated kinds were quite beneficial. Especially the Phantasmal Limb Softworm from before; it left a profound impression on him. Presently, for Angel, the Phantasmal Limb remains his most formidable long-range weapon.
Angel was filled with curiosity. What kind of variant Softworm was about to emerge this time?
After a thorough examination, Angel found this particular Softworm quite fascinating.
At first glance, it seemed no different from other common Softworms. Plump and pale with tiny black eyes — if one were an enthusiast for these creatures, they would undoubtedly find it adorable.
However, when exposed to external stimuli, this cute little thing would deflate into a mere thin layer, its internal fluid covering its skin, making it look like a puddle of liquid.
“Based on our observations,” Popoca explained, “The reason this mutated Softworm turns into a liquid is due to its extreme timidity. The fluid is highly toxic and emits a strong foul odor. Even the natural predators of Softworms wouldn’t dare touch it. Essentially, this liquid acts as its protective shell, with its core located beneath the fluid, in that thin layer of skin. So, unless subjected to a superior-level attack, it can perfectly shield itself from external disturbances.”
On the whole, Angel didn’t find anything particularly groundbreaking about this Softworm. Many creatures possess similar defensive mechanisms. For instance, some fish puff up into spiky balls when threatened, while certain insects blend seamlessly into their surroundings and so on.
Yet, what intrigued Angel about this Softworm, now dubbed the ‘Liquid Softworm’, was an emerging trend it hinted at.
A trend of transformation.
While previous Softworms had variations in their appearances, their form remained essentially unchanged. This one’s transformation into a liquid state was quite an alteration in itself.
If such a trend continued, the development of Morphing Softworms might not be too far off in the future.
Chapter 1443 Your Stone Grandpa <TOC> Chapter 1445 Frost's Aspirations