Chapter 145: Research on Xenogeneic Cells

Deep in the desert, beneath the shadows of giant tree-turtles, many cacti grow. Within some of these cacti, alien cells lie dormant as parasites.

These cells spontaneously form dormant bodies, sacrificing a portion of their parasitic mass to protect the cluster of cells at their core. Once they sense a living creature approaching, they extend needle-like protrusions from their outer shells. As they pierce the target’s skin, they inject more cells into the body, completing a sequence of physiological actions including parasitism and biological modification.

Ordinarily, however, few living things venture into this area. The climate is brutal, and the surrounding patches of foul-smelling rafflesia ensure the location remains quite secure. This is how Vinigo stores his alien cells.

The High Council has been paying too much attention to Prism Manor lately. This is not entirely good news for Vinigo, as many of his previously effective little maneuvers are now unusable.

At night, the giant tree-turtles take advantage of the cool air to wander slowly. The massive trees upon their backs sway gently in the breeze, emitting light, melodic sounds. These tree-turtles are extremely drought-resistant; they endure the scorching heat and aridity of the day while collecting and storing dew condensed from the air at night. If necessary, they can even "squeeze" out enough drinking water to sustain several people.

One could say these tree-turtles are masters of desert reclamation. Even after they die, the two small trees they carry can be planted in the sandy soil, where they will survive for months. Vinigo relies on these tree-turtles to slowly improve the soil quality and climate from the fringes of the wasteland.

Vinigo sat on the back of a "small" tree-turtle, leaning against a tree and humming a tune no one else understood. He juggled three diamonds, watching the expensive gems tumble through his hands with a look of nonchalance.

"Sophie, you've come?" Vinigo said softly.

Sophie stood silently behind him, saying nothing.

"Biological modification is a dangerous pursuit," Vinigo said slowly. "Because, if one is not careful, a modified creature that slips out of control could become a catastrophe for the world. Unfortunately, the Sheep-Herding Sect possesses this power; they have a master of biological modification whose skill is beyond our reach. Do you worry? About the modified creatures I keep?"

"Yes," Sophie whispered.

"You don't need to worry too much. They are very gentle children," Vinigo gestured toward the tree-turtles, the devourers, and the stargazing insects nearby. "They were born for peaceful purposes."

"Those... the golden ones," Sophie paused. "They feel very dangerous."

"Those are dangerous invaders from different worlds. They are highly aggressive and possessive; they will subconsciously parasitize and destroy all other species until they dominate the entire world," Vinigo said. "A calamity fallen from the sky—the true destroyers."

"Then why do you keep one?" Sophie asked.

"Because the Sheep-Herding Sect holds enough of these alien cells to destroy this world many times over," Vinigo chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, I won't use that kind of thing lightly. Believe me, no one in this world understands it better than I do, not even its creators."

"Be careful," Sophie hesitated, then whispered.

"Mmh." Vinigo gestured with his hand, and a current of air released by Cangkong nimbly sliced off a piece of cactus. Before the golden-red meat-cocoon inside could fall, he drew it into his hand.

Vinigo skillfully sliced open the cocoon, using a current of air to wrap the mass of cells and deposit it into a syringe—a medical tool made of crystal and manufactured using Nanoka’s sundries.

"Guess how I'll use this?" Vinigo turned to ask Sophie.

Sophie merely shook her head; she made no effort to hide her distaste for the alien cells.

Vinigo smiled. He summoned Hida and told the little creature to stand by; if the alien cells showed any signs of agitation, she was to purify them with fire. Almost all cells can resist high or low temperatures to some degree.

Vinigo took a piece of skin recently harvested from a tree-turtle from a rack nearby and covered his hand with it. Over the skin, he layered a thick mass of flesh: a heart, a liver, a lung—all fresh organs taken from different creatures. He pressed the syringe into the flesh and injected the contents.

The golden-red alien cells spread across the meat like a starving dog pouncing on a bone, invading, devouring, and assimilating. However, they soon encountered the tough, resilient skin of the tree-turtle.

The alien cells acted on instinct. It could "sense" a complete higher-order animal before it and "sense" the life force radiating from within. Yet, it could not know that this was all one of Vinigo’s little tricks. Thus, it was only after it had almost completely occupied the flesh and assimilated all the organs that it "discovered" this portion had been severed from the "main body."

Once alien cells move from an activated state to a parasitic state, although they can quickly assimilate a target organism, they cannot reverse themselves back into an activated state. They can only produce new activated cells through a "proliferation nest." But at this moment, the alien cells had just assimilated a mass of false life and had not absorbed enough energy or material to form a proliferation nest.

"Success, though the process of forming new life is not under my control. Still, the result is acceptable."

The life form assimilated by the destructive, apocalyptic alien cells—which possess a fierce desire for aggression and exclusivity—would naturally become a pure biological weapon. A stable symbiotic state like Ramen's, formed by the unique structure of an elemental creature, is quite rare. But even so, Ramen's tentacles can still be classified as "highly aggressive weapons."

"Call Yuri over," Vinigo said to Hida.

Hida tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then transformed into a streak of light, shooting into the distance. She had grown accustomed to the "Wave of Murderous Intent." Referencing the technique Vinigo used in his Akuma state for the Ashura Senku, the little fairy could perform similar high-speed movement techniques. Her method was to transform her entire body into flame and project it forward.

Before long, Yuri ran over. He looked a bit disheveled, as the little fairy clearly hadn't gauged the distance well and had set Yuri's clothes on fire. Fortunately, he was already bald.

"Place it on your right arm and drive the six hooks into your upper arm," Vinigo instructed. "If you do this, this dangerous creature will become a part of your body. Of course, I can tell you in advance that I haven't conducted any tests, so the risks are unpredictable. Are you willing to take this gamble?"

Vinigo tilted his head, watching Yuri, waiting.

Yuri didn't agree immediately. He clearly pondered for a moment before replying, "Let me try."

The "mass of flesh" was injected into Yuri's upper arm. Having lost its aggressive drive, the cells could not assimilate Yuri, but as a biological instinct, it chose the best outcome—adopting a symbiotic approach to form a mutually beneficial alliance with this organism.

The biological mass immediately covered Yuri's right arm, making it appear slightly thicker than his left. Because of the tree-turtle's tough hide, Yuri's "right hand" looked exceptionally rough, but it possessed the strength of a shield. Its power was six times that of Yuri's own! Moreover, this little thing could generate a row of thorns at the tip and fire them when needed.

"I call it a 'Bio-Gun,' though the name clearly doesn't fit the style of this world," Vinigo said, looking at his masterpiece with satisfaction. "Give it a name yourself; after all, it will be a part of you from now on."

"No, Master, let's call it the Bio-Gun," Yuri replied. "It's a simple, unadorned name."

"A good flatterer, but I like it," Vinigo laughed. "You have a weapon that will never leave your hand. By the way, this little thing will make your appetite grow significantly. Only you, because of the direction of your genetic modification, can digest certain highly toxic and harmful high-energy substances, providing enough energy to feed it. In anyone else's hands, it would be active for at most five minutes a day before falling into a slumber; otherwise, it would simply drag the host to death."

Yuri nodded. Vinigo rummaged through his pockets and tossed him a row of grey, cube-shaped gelatin.

"From now on, this is the snack you must eat every day," Vinigo said. "Eat one before battle to ensure a sufficient energy supply. Of course, it tastes terrible..."

"What is this, Master?" Yuri asked curiously.

"Nothing much," Vinigo shrugged. "If you must give it a name, Nanoka-style Super-Explosive Ammunition, Type S. Very useful."

Super-explosives? Had Nanoka's inventions really evolved to this level? Divine modification truly gave Vinigo the potential to become a god in an instant.

***

The Silver Helm's death throes were merely the final flare of light before a candle was extinguished. Vinigo knew that Diya's Dark Council had contributed significantly to this affair. They were eager for the Kingdom of Enroth to fall into greater chaos, as only then could their plan to rescue Prince Archibald and rule the entire kingdom by controlling him proceed smoothly.

However... Vinigo sneered. That Prince, though young, was no mediocrity. Controlling him would not be so easy. Even the young Prince Nikolai, that little brat, was not to be underestimated.

Prince Nikolai? A thought suddenly struck Vinigo. He rummaged through his collection, pulled out a few four-leaf clovers and smooth, round pebbles, and tossed them in his hand.

"Time to go see the Prince."