CHAPTER 486: CHAPTER 444: VENOM?

The time had slowly moved to the end of August.

After entering autumn, the weather should gradually cool down, but Hatrafa Port, located in the tropical region of the Golden Sea, showed no change at all, and the rainy season here would last at least another month.

Flap, flap—

Guided by the seagull navigator, the group led by Milan aboard a merchant ship traveling between the Far Sails Territory and Hatrafa Port, slowly sailed into the white mist formed by the large "Maze Lock" barrier surrounding the island.

Built using many precious materials, this layer of white mist possesses the ability to conceal, screen presence, and counter divination. Without the seagull’s guidance, not only entering it but even discovering the location would be impossible for those below Tier 3 Mage level.

Swish, swish, swish...

Suddenly, the sound of water stirred by the side of the merchant ship.

Then, in the dense fog, a large group of dorsal fins, varying in color and shaped like curved blades, emerged from beneath the sea surface, numbering at least a hundred.

"Ah, Milan, so many sharks, look, there are even demonized creatures among them!"

Standing next to Milan, Apusya, still dressed as a female warrior, couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise at this sight; rather than fear, she felt more amazement.

"Don’t worry, these are part of the island’s defense forces; they can distinguish between friend and foe."

Milan patted the young girl’s shoulder, explaining with some pride, as he had his share of contribution to this achievement.

The island’s integrated defense network is now basically complete, with a seagull reconnaissance network, large Maze Lock barrier, pirate patrol ships, and shark groups... while mostly consisting of ordinary sharks, there are a few demonized creatures as well.

Hmm, serving as Aiven’s "Demon Cave" guardians... the only question is how much longer their days will last.

This trip to Hatrafa Port is actually related to the "Activated Beast Hide" Aiven just made for them.

However, Milan turned his head to sneak a glance at Roddy, whom Aiven had specially instructed to bring along, feeling a bit surprised.

Because in the current split between Aiven’s navy and the privateer fleet, any navy officer allowed here is automatically considered a core member of this newly formed power.

Previously, at the very least, it was those on the "Storm Horn" whose loyalty and ability withstood the test of time, the "old timers."

Although Milan is highly optimistic about Warrant Officer Roddy, having fought alongside him many times, believing he will eventually gain Aiven’s recognition, he is still a bit puzzled that Aiven has already accepted the little chubby who boarded just two months ago into the core circle.

No matter how great his abilities, can they truly understand his character in such a short time? Although, as a "Prophet," he never blindly trusts prophecies, especially concerning complex species like humans.

’Could it be due to having a Golden Compass, sharing a common language?

However, it somehow feels like Aiven has been a bit too attentive to Roddy lately—certainly, this has not been seen with Vid and Fleck, whom he also favors.’

At this moment, Milan, a bit confused, was unaware.

Due to the time flow forty-six-fold in the Spirit Realm, it might not be long before Aiven and Olivia become the people who spend the longest time alone with each other in this world...

The little chubby "Roddy" was also looking at the sea from the deck, but he was no longer the cadet sub-lieutenant he once was.

After establishing sufficient solid merits, and receiving Aiven’s certificate of approval, he had long completed his promotion to a formal Captain officer at Dierben Castle’s garrison headquarters.

For Olivia, who already possessed considerable seafaring experience, passing such an examination was a piece of cake. Although, to her real identity, the mere rank of Captain meant nothing, it was a recognition of her abilities, separate from her identity.

Olivia cherished this recognition equally.

Different from the previous constant worry of being discovered, after truly meeting Aiven face-to-face with her original identity, she suddenly felt a lot more relaxed inside.

Despite speaking only a few words, she noticed the other party being slightly nervous when communicating directly with her.

Since you’re nervous, then I won’t be.

It was only then she suddenly realized that no matter how the image of Aiven, the meritorious brigadier general, is deeply rooted in people’s hearts, in reality, he is just a kind-hearted youth of seventeen, just like herself.

Both within the Spirit Realm and outside it, Mr. Red Fir is a fascinating person who makes one feel at ease!

Just like the meaning of red fir: luck, rebirth, strength, and protective justice.

Thinking of this, Olivia inexplicably recalled her mother Nymph’s words to her after the banquet, feeling somewhat blush.

’Ah, mother... really, how annoying...’

However, the only thing she was slightly dissatisfied with.

Upon learning of Aiven’s another identity: the Privateer Fleet Commander "White Knight," she finally discovered this "culprit" who plagiarized her "Dragon Cavalry Fleet" concept.

Furthermore, he had established a powerful, rising privateer fleet, galloping across the Golden Sea, achieving dreams she might never realize in her lifetime.

Thud—

Following the safe waterway, it didn’t take long for the merchant ship to dock smoothly.

The pirates responsible for port management began unloading cargo, while the three of them took a carriage along the newly repaired gravel road into the depths of the island.

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

On the road, they also saw the island bustling with activity.

With ample funds and manpower involved, various construction projects are progressing rapidly.

The fortress near the port has completed the construction of the first layer of rammed earth, and the second layer of granite buildings is halfway through, thanks in no small part to Aiven’s frequent participation in the construction.

The potential applications of Activated Spiritual Light in the Material World are truly immeasurable.

At this moment, the docks, residential areas, taverns, and foundries... a fully-fledged town is rising rapidly.

Watching these scenes unfold, a sparkle flashed in Olivia’s eyes, and the small annoyance concerning a young girl’s dreams vanished in an instant.

...

Clang! Clang! Clang!...

Whoosh——

A black and a blue agile figure are swiftly leaping through the woods outside the experiment, their speed and agility completely on par with Apsuya, who had activated the "Mountain Cat Soul".

As they move at high speed, sparks fly during their occasional skirmishes, their strength almost on par with powerful Senior Knights.

However, these two figures each exhibit distinctive combat styles.

The black figure leaps as if flying, able to shoot out sticky spider web-like fungus threads at will in combat, resembling a giant spider roaming between tree branches.

The other figure, in its normal state, has a magnificent gradient glow of blue, purple, and magenta on its skin, yet it can easily blend into the surroundings in the blink of an eye, as if flawlessly camouflaged.

Swish! Swish!

After briefly testing their "Activated Beast Hide", Milan and Olivia leap down from the treetops, landing in front of Aiven and Apsuya, one after the other.

The "Activated Beast Hide" on them automatically squirmed and gathered, transforming into two exquisite belts tied around their waists, similar to Aiven’s captain’s cloak.

"How was it?"

"Fantastic!"

"Unbelievable!"

It was evident that both Milan and Olivia were extremely pleased with their new toys.

"That’s good."

Aiven casually noted down the various data points he had just detected.

Olivia’s "Activated Beast Hide" was standard, sourced from an Extraordinary level Fine Black Cloud Shark.

In its normal state, the skin boasted a vibrant gradient glow ranging from blue, to purple, to magenta, like a magnificent gemstone. It combined speed with strong mimicry abilities.

Though it seemed a bit incongruous with Little Fatty Roddy, Aiven knew Olivia would love this style, and choosing this specific type was a result of his thoughtful consideration.

Of course.

Even though this "Activated Shark Hide" was decent, it didn’t go beyond the limitations of regular "Activated Beast Hide". Milan’s one, however, was Aiven’s latest masterpiece!

Previously, he acquired a "Witchcraft Notes" from the seized "Magic Bag", where he found three types of witchcraft that felt somewhat familiar: [Parasite Transformation], [Solidified Bloodsucking Aura], and [Solidified Plague Aura].

Because the Inheritance Secret Scroll "Flesh Sacrifice" in Aiven’s possession contained the first volume’s catalog, he could confirm that the latter two witchcrafts were indeed the original versions from the second volume, merely slightly modified to better suit the "Poison Plague School".

Additionally, in the section of notes regarding [Parasite Transformation], he discovered a prototype witchcraft accompanied by numerous annotations and illustrations.

It belonged to the second volume "Flesh Puppet" but was more directly at the core: [Symbiotic Transformation].

However, the witchcraft that could originally create symbiotes to provide extra support for the Wizard had been unrecognizably and inscrutably altered by the "Poison Plague School".

At the very least, he was quite reluctant to transform his body into a fungal parasite host.

Nonetheless, the few Extraordinary fungi in the "Poison Plague School" and their unique knowledge system greatly impressed Aiven.

Whether it was the [Super Cystic Fungus], [Spider Web Fungus], [Tattletale Strain], or their foundationally potent Extraordinary fungi "Primordial Strain", they all broadened Aiven’s horizons.

Thus, he expanded his imagination; "Activated Skin" uses animal skin, so could the cell wall be considered a type of skin?

If these peculiar Extraordinary fungi could be used as carriers to apply the original [Symbiotic Transformation] and the [Bloodline Transformation] from the third volume, perhaps an exceptional potent "Activated Skin" could be created.

Through multiple experiments, Milan’s set, which closely resembled Venom, was his first-generation product.

Unlike regular "Activated Beast Hide" that was effectively dead, this "Venom" made using "Fungal Symbiote" was still alive!

Although lacking collective intelligence, functioning at the level of a small dog was no problem.

Furthermore, it could continually grow through ongoing transformations and even hold the potential for large-scale laboratory production.

Perhaps with laboratory cultivation, it could be equipped on every ordinary soldier, creating a Venom army!

This is Aiven’s wild ambition.