Chapter 1502 Morphing Softworm <TOC> Chapter 1504 Stone Mulberry Dynasty
Translator: SumTLMan
“What Lord Phantom Master said is correct. This Morphing Softworm possesses the attributes of skin property alteration and a special spatial energy. Therefore, one shouldn’t focus on its appearance; it is unequivocally a Morphing Softworm,” Moriah continued, “After confirming its identity, we can then evaluate its quality.”
“Generally speaking, a newborn Morphing Softworm cannot fully manifest its morphing abilities and can only make partial changes. However, the better the quality, the sooner the Softworm will exhibit its full transformative abilities.”
“Based on what you’re saying, this Softworm has been consciously altering its shape since birth, which suggests it belongs to the highest quality class,” Angel paused, slightly taken aback.
“Are you suggesting that its current form is not its true appearance?”
Moriah nodded, then shook her head, “By conventional standards, this is indeed not its true form. However, in its own mind, it undoubtedly believes this is its authentic appearance.”
“Because it modeled itself after the initial form of the Worm Mother, who was the first being it encountered, it likely believes it has grown to resemble her and has thus morphed accordingly.”
“Regardless of what form it takes as its original, it doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that it is a Morphing Softworm; everything else is irrelevant.”
After Moriah’s explanation, Angel finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He had never expected that Sparrow Blossom and Popoca, the two siblings, would not only cultivate a Morphing Softworm but also one of the highest quality.
Using Popoca’s entry qualification into the Wilderness of Dreams as an exchange for such a top-grade Morphing Softworm now seemed like not just a fair trade, but an absolute windfall.
“I heard that Morphing Softworms have gone extinct in the Southern Region. How did you manage to obtain such a high-quality specimen?” Lady Kimberly asked curiously.
Moriah: “He already told you, it’s a newly born Morphing Softworm. Don’t you get it?”
Lady Kimberly paused: “You have a Worm Mother?”
Angel, having sought their advice, saw no reason to hide: “Yes, I do.”
Lady Kimberly’s eyes lit up: “That’s wonderful. If you manage to breed another Softworm of this quality, would you consider selling it to me first?”
“Does Lady Kimberly also have a need for them?” Angel questioned.
Kimberly shook her head: “I don’t need it, but I do have students.”
Angel pondered for a moment: “The next one might not be possible. I previously promised Lord Canter that if I managed to breed a Morphing Softworm, the second one would go to him.”
After all, the Softworm hive and eggs from the Worm Mother were gifts from Canter to Angel.
Upon hearing this, Kimberly fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking: “Canter, you’re referring to that grumpy old man from the House of Lilith?”
Observing Kimberly’s reaction, Angel suddenly recalled something Sanders had once mentioned: that there seemed to be an enigmatic relationship between Kimberly and Canter, a subject of speculation that neither had publicly acknowledged.
From Kimberly’s reaction, it appeared that mentioning Canter in her presence might not be a good idea.
However, since the topic had already been broached, Angel could only feign ignorance. As if he were unaware of any secret dealings between Kimberly and Canter. After all, he had just recently advanced and was still a novice in these matters.
“Yes, I’m talking about ‘Like the Night’ Canter. Lady Kimberly, do you also know Lord Canter?” Angel looked at Kimberly with a facade of innocence.
Kimberly did not respond. Instead, it was Moriah at her side who covered her mouth and chuckled softly: “Oh, their relationship is much more than just an acquaintance.”
Kimberly cast a displeased glance at Moriah, who shrugged, signaling she would say no more.
Angel feigned ignorance with a smile, as if he hadn’t heard Moriah’s words.
“Canter has skin that’s been grafted with a Morphing Softworm, he doesn’t need it. Is it for his apprentice?” Kimberly, upon seeing Angel nod, paused before asking, “I heard his current apprentice is Heidi’s daughter?”
“Yes,” Cherie’s mother is indeed named Heidi and also belongs to the House of Lilith.
“I never thought Heidi’s daughter would enter the Wizarding World,” Kimberly mused. “How is she doing now?”
Angel briefly outlined Cherie’s situation, particularly focusing on her autism, which Kimberly found most intriguing. Angel elaborated on Cherie’s character, its origins, and her current state.
“Seeing her parents killed by Florence, no wonder she has psychological issues,” Kimberly sighed. “Cherie is a pitiable child.”
“Although Canter is a bit stubborn, he is quite kind to Cherie. It’s good that you’re leaving a Morphing Softworm for her.”
Hearing about Cherie and Canter, Kimberly lost interest in the topic of Morphing Softworms and opted not to discuss it further.
Angel thanked Kimberly and Moriah and then took his leave.
Upon returning to his private chamber, Angel released Popoca and Sparrow Blossom and shared his conclusions with them. Both Sparrow Blossom and Popoca broke into joyful smiles; after all, they had reached their goal through collective efforts. However, the joy was short-lived, leaving behind a lingering sense of emptiness.
Confirming that the ‘snot creature’ was a Morphing Softworm also meant that the siblings, who had finally reunited, would soon be separated.
Gazing at the profound sense of reluctance in the eyes of the two siblings, Angel whispered softly, “I will be leaving Black Castle tomorrow.”
In other words, today marked the last moment the two siblings would spend together.
Angel didn’t intrude on their private moment, leaving them in a serene space to exchange their sentiments of farewell.
Just as Angel closed the door to the quiet room, a gray shadow lunged at him. Instinctively preparing to react, he relaxed when he recognized the source of the shadow, letting it make contact with his cheek.
The fluffy little head nuzzled his face and then sat proudly on his shoulder like a valiant soldier. With the leather armor it wore today, it exuded an aura of dignified authority.
This little fellow was none other than Toby.
Before heading to the testing grounds, Angel, anticipating unexpected events during the tests, had left Toby, who was still inebriated, in the care of Gloria.
Emerging from the quiet room, Angel intended to check on Toby’s condition with Gloria but didn’t expect Toby to have flown back first.
Petting Toby’s head, Angel proceeded down the corridor toward the main hall. Since Toby was here, he assumed Gloria must be as well.
Indeed, when Angel arrived in the hall, he saw Gloria and Sanders sitting on the sofa, apparently engrossed in conversation.
After taking a seat, Angel discovered that Sanders was recounting his solo exploration of the Nightmare Plane in search of Gloria’s physical body.
Upon hearing Sanders’ account, Gloria’s expression darkened. Given Sanders’ understanding of the Nightmare Plane and his capabilities, the significant memory loss he suffered there indicated how perilous that world was.
Considering this, the prospects of reclaiming her physical body seemed increasingly daunting.
After a moment of silence, Sanders looked at Angel and asked, “Is it settled?”
Angel nodded.
“When have you decided to leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
Sanders nodded and then turned to Gloria, “You’ve heard it too; we’ll be leaving Black Castle tomorrow. What’s your plan? I still recommend that you come with me the next time I venture into the Nightmare Plane to get acclimated.”
After contemplating for a moment, Gloria agreed, “Alright, I’ll leave with you guys tomorrow.”
Because the topic was a heavy one, Gloria shifted the atmosphere by discussing Toby’s situation with Angel.
Toby actually woke up five days ago.
The crux of what Gloria was emphasizing was not when Toby woke up, but how Toby behaved after awakening.
“Generally, he doesn’t seem to be affected by the Tribulation of Resentment. However, that’s just a façade.”
From Gloria’s narration, Angel gradually understood that Toby seemed just as usual in day-to-day life. Yet, within these five days, Toby had fallen into slumber twice. Each time he woke up, there would be a fleeting moment in his eyes — filled with malice, jealousy, and rage.
But that emotion lasted only for an instant.
It’s as if, for that brief moment, Toby’s body was controlled by another, more volatile soul.
Afterward, once Toby fully awoke, that condition completely disappeared.
Gloria added, “I’ve asked Toby, and even he doesn’t know what’s going on. I suspect it’s the suppressed Tribulation of Resentment subtly influencing him.”
Angel carefully held Toby in his palm, looking deeply into its crimson eyes.
At that moment, Toby’s eyes were crystal clear — pure and untainted.
Capturing such an expression is genuinely challenging. And based on Angel’s understanding of Toby, his current demeanor likely reflects his true feelings.
However, the situation Gloria described must also be taken seriously. The insidious presence of the Tribulation of Resentment is unmistakable. In Toby’s dreams, this malevolent force takes on his form to guide him — Angel has witnessed it firsthand.
At the moment, the only solution seems to be external interventions, such as allowing Toby to enter the Wilderness of Dreams when he wants to sleep, thereby shielding him from the influence of the Tribulation of Resentment.
Still, to truly root out the issue, Toby must conquer the Tribulation of Resentment himself.
Since Gloria is accompanying them, they could let her train Toby, aiming to bring him to a level where he can overcome the Tribulation of Resentment.
After discussing Toby’s situation, Gloria was initially prepared to leave and return tomorrow.
Just then, Angel interjected, “A few days ago, I crafted a little trinket. Since Gloria is here, would you like to take a look?”
Gloria, who had been prepared to leave, halted her steps immediately.
“A trinket?” Sanders also looked at Angel with curiosity. “When did you craft this?”
“While we were waiting for the results from Sparrow Blossom at the testing site, I got bored and made one on a whim,” Angel replied. Then, he took out a peculiar box adorned with trumpet-shaped flowers.
“This is it. I call it the ‘Shadow of the Cage.’ It’s a special theatrical playback device.”
Chapter 1502 Morphing Softworm <TOC> Chapter 1504 Stone Mulberry Dynasty