Chapter 35: New Path
One hour later.
By now, Cole had managed to sweep a wide area, roughly one kilometer in diameter, picking up all the blood crystals one by one. In real time, he could witness the number shoot up. By the end of the third hour, the A.I. chip’s prompt finally made him stop.
[Mana Monster Storm Eater Leviathan Bloodline Records — 99.9%]
This number made him stop. The bloodline record had reached ninety-nine point nine percent by the end of seven hours, but after that it would not budge an inch. It had been stuck at this point for almost an hour.
Now that he thought about it, the number made sense. There was just not enough data for the A.I. chip to deduce everything.
Hmm, I better stop here. Even if I continue to scan the blood crystals, it might not result in any further progress. I would only be wasting my time. It would be better if I searched for the Blood-Calming Potion in the meantime.
While saying these words, Cole looked at his hands. After using mana potions a couple of times, it had caused the Lightning Worm bloodline to react violently. Cole could feel the lightning raging through his veins.
This was also the reason Cole gave up scanning the blood crystals.
Once his thoughts were clear, it was time to move on to the next thing.
"A.I. chip, use the CRISPR method of bloodline splicing created by the original to remove all the useless elements. Keep only the Storm Eater’s ability to devour lightning to strengthen its body. After doing this, create a potion that could help fuse the two bloodlines together."
[Request accepted! Processing...]
The task was heavy, so Cole expected the A.I. chip to require some time.
The original might not have been talented in either of the two paths of humanity, but when it came to research and analysis, that fellow was a different breed. The original had managed to create a tool similar to the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool from modern Earth to edit bloodlines. Using that tool, the original could edit bloodlines.
It was also this tool that allowed the original to even think about fusing with the Lightning Worm bloodline in the first place.
While thinking about all these things, Cole felt the admiration he had for the original increase considerably.
That fellow was another breed altogether.
After another thought, he stopped thinking about it and focused on his surroundings, gathering resources one by one. While avoiding being hit by lightning strikes, the task was extremely delicate and required patience.
Without realizing it, Cole had arrived at the deepest part of the Thunder Domain, where lightning strikes were the most intense.
Just then, he noticed a familiar carriage parked atop a small hill. Sitting on top of the carriage was Jessica and her brother. It seemed deciding to come to the deepest region was the right choice, as most of the stone growing on her body had been destroyed by the lightning.
It seemed she would be cured soon.
It was at this time Ethan also noticed Cole looking in their direction, but after exchanging one glance, the fellow did not speak a single word.
Cole also did not stand on ceremony, focusing on his task once more.
Without anyone realizing, five hours passed in the blink of an eye. Night was fast approaching.
During nighttime, the Thunder Domain would turn even more dangerous.
Looking at the sky, Cole frowned.
I should not have come this deep into the Thunder Domain. Even if I start leaving now, it would be too late.
The Thunder Domain stretched for dozens of kilometers. To cross it in one or two hours was impossible, at least for his current self.
Just as he was thinking, his thoughts unconsciously drifted toward the Summers family chariot. By using the chariot, they could get out of the Thunder Domain in time.
But how should I return now when I had left so arrogantly...?
Cole thought with a difficult expression. He had left them so arrogantly, and now if he went back asking for help, it would be too embarrassing. But given his choices, it seemed he had no other option than thickening his face.
The next moment, the look on his face hardened.
For survival...
Muttering under his breath, he headed toward the Summers family chariot.
However, he had just taken the first step when suddenly, a message popped up in front of him.
[Refined completely, removed all the stated data other than what was needed. Using the CRISPR method, there is a feasible way to fuse the two bloodlines. Chance of success: 98%.]
This high?!
Cole’s mouth opened wide in surprise. Even in the past, the original had tried to fuse many bloodlines, but the percentage had never been this high.
It took months of fine-tuning and research before it got close to this number, and yet now, in just the first attempt without much fine-tuning...
It seems the two bloodlines are a perfect match.
Cole’s lips tightened together in a straight line, countless possibilities flashing through his head.
Before he could continue thinking, the message window changed once more, listing a series of ingredients one by one.
Seven Dew Essence Flower. Tyrant Kind Horn Powder...
It was a list of ingredients that would allow the two bloodlines to fuse together seamlessly.
By the end of the list, there was even a small note.
Hmm... so if I use this potion, there is no need to refine the Blood-Calming Potion. Just perfect...
Cole almost laughed out loud.
On top of that, some ingredients for the Blood-Calming Potion could be used in the bloodline fusion as well.
Simply perfect.
Things could not go any better for him.
With that thought in mind, he hurriedly moved toward the chariot while also keeping an eye out for the ingredients mentioned in the list.
The listed ingredients were fairly common, Cole should have no problem in getting his hands on all of them.
However, Maybe it was because he was lost in thought or something else but he didn’t notice a bolt of lightning falling from the sky, tearing through the air right above his head.