Chapter 277: Chapter 183: Beneath the Crown

Li Yue sat up from the lab table, delicately flexing her fingers, surprised to discover that she could freely control the length of her nails.

When she focused her spirit, the claws could even extend to twice their original length, forming sharp weapons.

And when she controlled further, a faint purple glow began to emanate from the claws, indicating the activation of poison.

"This is... unbelievable," Trish exclaimed, her eyes flashing with excitement:

"You’ve not only completed the poison fusion but also endowed her with the ability to control the poison!"

Li Yue tried retracting her claws, then extending them once more.

The process was smooth and natural, with no discomfort at all.

"Thank you, Lord Ralph."

She rarely smiled: "This power... will allow me to better protect my master."

"Your bloodline potential is far more than this."

Ron assessed: "If there’s an opportunity for a more comprehensive bloodline activation, you might exhibit more surprising abilities."

As he spoke, he packed away various samples of the Leopard Woman’s tissue that he had "conveniently" collected during the bloodline modulation phase into preservation containers.

This was also one of the reasons he gladly agreed to this bloodline modulation, the Monarch Bloodline must be of great research value.

The brown-haired girl also turned around at this moment, preparing to retrieve the Magic Stone Money Bag, turning a blind eye to Ron’s small actions.

Ron carefully stowed away the samples he collected, preparing to conduct a final examination on the Leopard Woman, when a powerful wave of magic power suddenly came from outside the door.

The oppressive feeling made the air become stagnant, as if it had been suddenly infused with an invisible viscous substance.

Even someone like Ron, an Advanced Apprentice, felt a moment of trepidation.

This was the unique "Radiation Field" of an Official Wizard.

The door silently opened, and a figure in a white robe drifted in like a specter.

"It seems things are progressing smoothly," a hoarse voice sounded.

The voice was as sharp as metal scraping, yet it carried a kind of undeniable authority.

Ron looked up and saw Corina draped in a white robe, her familiar exquisite mask on her face.

"Master." Trish immediately stood up to pay her respects, her tone filled with evident awe.

Ron also bowed respectfully: "Lady Corina."

"No need for formalities."

The White-robed Mage’s gaze swept between Ron and Li Yue, finally resting on the Leopard Woman’s completely transformed claws.

"An interesting improvement," she remarked, her voice containing a hint of imperceptible appreciation:

"More complex and effective than I originally thought. The level of poison guidance and structural reshaping is already equivalent to that of a professional Modulator, Maxim’s judgment is indeed accurate."

Ron’s heart stirred, sensing something abnormal:

"Lady Corina, do you have something specific to tell me?"

"Hehe, you’re quite perceptive."

The White-robed Mage slightly tilted her head, chuckling softly, her eyes behind the mask sparkling with mysterious light:

"You’re right, I arranged for Trish to invite you over because I heard about your unusual interest in the Abyss."

"As for Li Yue’s bloodline modulation..." Corina continued, her voice calm to the point of coldness:

"If you hadn’t demonstrated this level, I would have asked Maxim to personally intervene. He’s an old friend of mine and an expert in Abyss-related research."

Ron’s alertness heightened; the situation was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.

An Official Wizard showing special attention to an Advanced Apprentice often signifies some special task or trial subtly unfolding.

"Is Lady Corina also interested in Abyss research?"

He cautiously inquired, attempting to discern the other’s true intentions.

"Not ’also interested,’ young man, but ’was once obsessed with it.’

Corina’s voice carried a trace of undetectable bitterness:

"However, your performance earlier truly exceeded expectations. This fusion technology is already approaching the level of a senior Modulator. Li Yue’s value has greatly increased, warranting extra compensation."

With that, she took out a complete Magic Stone from inside her robe and handed it to Ron:

"This is your modulation fee."

Ron accepted the Magic Stone, sensing the pure energy contained within.

A complete Magic Stone is more valuable than a simple hundred Magic Stone Fragments, enough to purchase a single-person dwelling in Black Mist Jungle.

"Now, please come to my laboratory once."

Corina turned to head for the door: "There are some things I need to discuss privately."

She turned to Li Yue and Trish:

"You two go rest first, I have some matters to discuss privately with Apprentice Ralph."

The two nodded respectfully and then left the room.

Ron silently followed the White-robed Mage, passing through several winding corridors to arrive at a room half-hidden in the shadows.

Corina lightly touched a rune on the door frame, and the heavy stone door slowly opened inward.

The light in the room was dim, ghostly blue Magic Crystal Lamps flickering on the walls, illuminating various strange instruments and devices.

"Come in," she gestured for Ron to follow inside.

Ron clutched the Silver Pocket Watch in his arms, letting the "Thousand Transformations" on his body awaken.

He felt a slight unease rising in his heart; if Corina bore him any malice, she wouldn’t have used such cumbersome methods.

As Ron stepped in, the stone door automatically closed, the room’s Protective Array silently activated, isolating all magic power fluctuations and sounds from the outside world.

Corina went straight to the only chair in the room and sat down, crossing her legs, a beautifully curved calf revealing from the edge of the white robe.