The nebula mist inside became unusually restless, shooting a ghostly blue beam straight into the depths of Uphemia’s blood.
The white-haired witch beside her turned pale instantly.
Something’s wrong! A strong ominous feeling arose in her heart.
Sure enough, as soon as the beam intervened, the surface of the liquid in the container began to bubble mysteriously.
Each bubble burst with a faint wail, as if countless tiny souls were struggling within.
The blood began to form complex patterns in the container.
It wasn’t a random flow, but symbols with a clear meaning.
Twisted human faces, a broken crown, and some indescribable geometric shapes.
"This blood..."
The blind girl’s voice carried fear, her hands gripping the chair’s armrests tightly, her knuckles white from the exertion:
"It contains marks of power from the highest levels... this is not ordinary bloodline modification... this is..."
Her words suddenly halted, as if she had seen an unspeakable horrific truth.
"This bears the marks of original corruption."
Uther’s voice was as cold as a winter’s north wind, the silver light around the phantom beginning to sharpen into blade-like shapes.
"King of Blood Aiden... that fallen pretender king... and whoever made the filthy deal with him..."
Complicated emotions flashed through the old professor’s eyes — anger, disappointment, and deep sorrow:
"I should have anticipated it, with that guy’s current style, she could not possibly have not prepared some extra routes..."
His gaze pierced Uphemia like a sharp sword:
"You are one such route, aren’t you? Uphemia Pele, or... should I call you ’Experiment 18’?"
This designation struck Uphemia’s heart like a thunderbolt.
It was her code name in the King of Blood’s laboratory, the first "name" she had when she was created, and the nightmare symbol she least wanted to remember.
The perfect mask she had maintained for so many years collapsed completely at that moment.
"I..."
For the first time, the white-haired witch’s voice lost its elegant control, filled with obvious panic and fear:
"I can explain... yes, I am indeed father’s... creation... but that doesn’t mean I intend any harm to Ron!"
Her expression twisted:
"I know you don’t trust me... I know my origin is suspicious... but Ron is truly in danger now! My abilities can indeed help him!"
Uphemia’s voice began to waver, it was the first time she showed such a vulnerable side in front of outsiders:
"I... I just want to prove my worth... I don’t want to be abandoned..."
Uther’s expression did not soften in the slightest, the air around the phantom started to distort, emitting a suffocating pressure:
"Aiden’s creation comes to my observatory claiming to ’help’ my most valued student?"
The silver light became even sharper, like countless transparent sword blades suspended in the air:
"State your true purpose, bloodline puppet. Here to perform some filthy bloodline fusion experiment? Or to steal Ron’s research results?"
Amidst the tense standoff, Chloe’s trembling voice cut through:
"Wait... let me finish the divination first..."
The blind girl’s voice carried an odd determination:
"Regardless of her origins... we need to know what her involvement will bring to Ron’s fate... that’s more important than debating her background..."
She placed her trembling hands on the "Celestial Sphere" crystal.
"By the stars as witness... by destiny as guide... reveal the branching paths of the future..."
As the spell proceeded, the nebula within the "Celestial Sphere" crystal began to surge, gradually forming two distinctly different vortices.
The vortex on the left exuded a stable silvery-blue light, and its scene was relatively clear:
Ron traversing the depths of the Flesh and Blood Forest alone, seemingly engaging in harmonious communication with some massive abyssal presence.
Although the process was fraught with danger, the result was positive.
He obtained the necessary materials, returned safely, and his strength improved to a middle degree.
But the vortex on the right was much more complex.
It exuded chaotic multi-colored light, the scene inside constantly shifting, dazzling like a kaleidoscope.
In some segments, the figure of a white-haired woman provided crucial assistance to Ron, helping him avoid deadly traps and even gain benefits beyond expectations.
But in other segments, the same woman became the source of chaos.
Her appearance complicated simple situations, triggering a series of uncontrollable chain reactions.
"The outcome... is clear..."
Chloe slowly opened her eyes shaded by black silk, exhaustion filling her voice:
"If Uphemia does not participate... Ron’s fate trajectory is relatively stable... he’ll complete the planned tasks without major risks... gaining certain benefits..."
She paused briefly, turning to Uphemia, her voice growing heavier:
"But if she gets involved... the situation will become extremely complicated..."
Chloe didn’t finish speaking, but everyone present could read the answer from her expression.
Uphemia heard this outcome, and the hope in her eyes was instantly shattered.
She originally thought her value was irreplaceable, only to find she was more like a mere variable.
"Alright, you can leave now."
Uther waved his hand, as if shooing away an annoying fly.
"Wait..."
Chloe spoke up again, her voice carrying a new discovery: