Yet the current situation far exceeds what he had anticipated.
On one hand, there’s the unexpected variable brought by Lady Allen’s sudden appearance, and on the other, the potential anomaly within the Bloodline Altar.
"The situation is terrible." Valen looked at the Life Book in his hand, his expression growing increasingly grim.
The flames on the Life Book represent the life statuses of the Crystal Tower apprentices.
Flames that should have been bright and stable are now mostly flickering unsteadily.
Five pages have already gone completely dark, indicating that half of the apprentices have already perished.
This even includes the one whose importance is second only to Eliot—the one with the Special Talent, Lina.
"Allen, I don’t have time to continue wasting with you."
Valen’s voice was calm, but a flash of worry crossed his eyes:
"The Crystal Tower Squad has already suffered heavy losses. I must immediately confirm the situation inside the altar."
Lady Allen sneered, the rainbow glow around her growing more radiant:
"What’s there to confirm? A bunch of so-called ’elite’ filled with a sense of superiority by you are nothing but chickens and dogs when faced with true geniuses. This is the result of the Crystal Tower’s cultivation? Disappointing."
Valen’s brow furrowed, his fingers trembling slightly, clearly suppressing anger:
"Allen, I know you have many grievances with the Crystal Tower, but now is not the time to pursue them. The situation inside the altar is out of control; we must take action."
"Take action?" Lady Allen scoffed:
"You and I both know the rules of the Bloodline Altar—once inside, no mid-intervention is possible; we must wait for the results. This was set as ironclad when the altar was designed, even a Dark Sun Wizard cannot change it."
Her gaze suddenly became sharp:
"What you really worry about is not the safety of those apprentices, but that Ron, who has shown astonishing talent, am I right? You’re afraid that he might achieve an unexpected advancement inside the altar and pose a threat to the interests of the Crystal Tower upon his return."
Valen was silent for a moment before ultimately admitting:
"Yes, Ron is indeed a variable. According to Hayek’s description, his potential far surpasses that of ordinary geniuses. Such a talent ought to receive the best cultivation and guidance. And the Crystal Tower happens to provide these."
"Cultivation? Guidance?"
Lady Allen’s voice was filled with sarcasm:
"Don’t use those dignified words to cover the truth. What the Crystal Tower wants is to completely bind him with a Soul Contract, turning him into a tool and puppet for you."
Valen didn’t respond immediately but looked deeply at Allen, his eyes full of complex emotions.
At this moment, the spatial passage of the Bloodline Altar flickered, a dazzling light exploded on the clearing.
Once the light dissipated, Eliot appeared between the two, his face pale, clothes torn, but fortunately unscathed.
Following closely, several more lights flashed, and a few Crystal Tower apprentices appeared one after another.
These apprentices were in much worse condition than Eliot.
Some were covered in black spots, others’ skin was dissolving, and some had black liquid flowing from their eyes, having completely lost consciousness.
"Master Valen!" Eliot saw Valen, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Eliot!" Valen’s attention was immediately diverted, quickly stepping forward to kneel down and carefully examine the apprentices’ conditions:
"This level of contamination... has already exceeded the normal trials of the Bloodline Altar!"
He placed his palm on the forehead of an apprentice, closing his eyes slightly.
Spiritual Power seeped like fine threads into the apprentice’s deep consciousness, attempting to sense the source and degree of contamination.
"It doesn’t look good." Valen’s voice grew serious:
"This contamination has penetrated the soul level, conventional Purification methods are likely to have limited Effect. They must be immediately sent back to the Crystal Tower for professional treatment."
Lady Allen also stepped closer, the mockery on her face diminished slightly.
She crouched down, her fingers lightly touching an apprentice’s pulse, feeling the faint life waves within.
"A hybrid of Erosion and Spiritual Contamination." She quickly concluded:
"This damage originates from the Ravings in the depths of the Starry Sky, but it also incorporates Abyssal Corrosion properties. A very rare combination."
Valen looked up at Eliot: "Describe what happened inside the altar in detail."
Eliot took a deep breath, trying to concisely yet comprehensively describe the ordeals inside the Bloodline Altar.
From encountering their respective copies, to the overwhelming battle, to the scene of the copy Ron killing the Awakeneds Oliver and Cynthia.
"Impossible..." Valen’s voice was filled with shock:
"How can a copy have such powerful strength and clear self-awareness? This completely exceeds the design scope of the Bloodline Altar!"
He turned to Lady Allen: "Allen, your student Ron... what exactly is his background?"
Lady Allen smiled faintly, her smile carrying a hint of mystery:
"He’s just a gifted young man, nothing more."
"No, there must be another reason." Valen’s gaze turned sharp:
"An ordinary genius could not produce such a copy. Unless..."
He suddenly stopped, a flash of realization in his eyes:
"Unless he possesses a Special Talent or item that can influence the altar’s operational mechanism."
Eliot, recalling his observations inside the altar, added:
"The copies seem to be able to absorb the power of other copies to strengthen themselves, like a... like a living Abyssal Material."
"Are you saying..." Valen’s face grew even more solemn: "Ron may possess some Abyssal Item?"
"I’m not sure." Eliot answered honestly:
"But the behavior pattern of the copy is indeed very special. It not only can absorb the energy of other copies but also shows a clear self-awareness and the ability to judge, completely unlike ordinary copies."
Valen did not continue to inquire but hastily constructed a Teleportation Gate:
"Regardless, these apprentices’ conditions are critical and must be immediately sent to the Crystal Tower for treatment."
He looked at Eliot: "Rest here, I’ll return after handling this matter."
Eliot nodded, weakly leaning against a stone.
Valen began to send the injured apprentices into the Teleportation Gate one by one, his movements swift and practiced.
His expression grew more solemn by the moment, clearly, these apprentices’ injuries were more serious than he initially expected.
"This has already exceeded the acceptable range of losses."
Valen whispered, with a hint of self-reproach in his voice: "I must explain the failure of this mission to the School Alliance."
Lady Allen sneered once:
"Isn’t the Crystal Tower always boasting about having the best apprentices? What, now afraid to account to those old fellows?"
Valen’s gaze became sharp:
"Allen, I know you have much dissatisfaction with the Crystal Tower, but now is not the time for your sarcasm, I must ensure the safety of the remaining apprentices in the altar."