Chapter 170: Artificial Soul Bones
Dr. Tomoe seized Dr. X by the shoulder, his tone practically interrogative: "What did you say? You've actually produced an artificial soul bone? Not the kind where you first extract a soul bone through the self-condensation method and then pull out the corresponding one?"
Faced with Dr. Tomoe's undisguised doubt and disbelief, Dr. X instantly flared up.
"Who do you take me for—one of those cheating, swindling profiteers?!" He shook off Tomoe's hand and pointed at the ceiling, proclaiming loudly, "I swear to the Water God! I am absolutely not lying to you!"
He drew a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and only then explained slowly:
"That said... it was indeed indirectly derived through the self-condensing soul bone method. I collected the bones discarded due to failed self-condensation attempts, then refined, extracted, and fused them. Ultimately, I discovered that beyond soul power, a perfect combination must form between the soul power and the bones—achieving a state of orderly equilibrium rather than chaos—for it to succeed."
He paused and continued: "I've also experimented with soul beast bones. Using soul beast bones alone won't work—after all, soul beasts like plants and jellyfish have no bones to begin with. But if you incorporate things like the fur or hide of a soul beast, the success rate increases dramatically."
As he spoke, Dr. X pulled two soul bones out of his storage-type soul tool and placed them before everyone.
One was ten-year, the other hundred-year.
However, compared to the soul bones Furina had previously left with the Research Department, these two were rather ugly in appearance—somewhat malformed, their shapes irregular.
Dr. X introduced them without the slightest concern: "These are my two best results so far. They may be ugly, but they're usable! After all, the technology is still immature. With such results, I believe I have over a ninety percent chance of becoming the number one doctor!"
He patted Dr. Tomoe on the shoulder, grinning: "Don't worry, Dr. Tomoe. Once I achieve fame and glory, I won't forget you."
Dr. Tomoe smacked his hand away with a cold snort. "Hmph! Spare me! I haven't even given it my all yet! Besides, Dr. Oak and Dr. Mirror aren't exactly pushovers."
Dr. X curled his lip dismissively. "Dr. Mirror is decent enough. As for Dr. Oak... I just find his ideas outrageously unorthodox, but actually implementing them successfully? Harder than reaching the heavens. I heard he recently actually found a mutated ten-thousand-year soul beast to romance!"
Just at that moment, the door was pushed open.
Furina walked in with her group and happened to catch this last sentence.
She raised an eyebrow and asked, "I think I just heard something rather extraordinary."
Huo Yuhao innocently chimed in: "It sounded like... romancing a mutated ten-thousand-year soul beast."
Wang Dong opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for comment. "Uh... how should I put this..."
Tang Ya furrowed her brow, her tone complex: "A soul beast re-cultivating, I can still understand. But romancing a ten-thousand-year soul beast that isn't even in human form... isn't that going a bit too far?"
Bei Bei remained silent, offering no opinion.
Xiao Xiao only felt her entire worldview had suffered a violent impact.
But the moment Dr. Tomoe and Dr. X saw who had arrived, they were instantly overcome with ecstatic surprise and shouted in unison: "Your Holiness! You've returned!!!"
Hearing the commotion, Dr. Oak and Dr. Mirror also hurried out from their respective departments.
Led by the four great doctors, they all bowed in unison: "Welcome back, Your Holiness!" Their voices were brimming with joy and excitement.
Furina inclined her head slightly, signaling them not to stand on ceremony. "No need for such formality. I'm just bringing some friends around for a look, and to check on your respective progress by the way."
Dr. Tomoe stepped forward first and reported with brimming confidence: "Rest assured, Your Holiness! I have successfully developed the method for self-condensing soul rings on my end. However, regarding artificial soul rings, I still lack some theoretical knowledge—for instance, concerning the soul, or the spiritual aspect."
A contemplative light flickered in his eyes: "If I could extract a soul beast's soul and spirit for research, I might very well be able to smoothly develop an artificial soul ring."
Furina was inwardly surprised.
Good heavens, he actually managed to figure that out on his own, and even knows he needs knowledge of the soul. It seems that with just a little guidance, the native talent of the Douluo Continent can indeed produce results. It's just that the previous influence of the heavenly will was far too overwhelming.
She nodded and said to Dr. Tomoe: "Mm, very impressive. In that case, you should make a trip with Huo Yuhao. He has conducted some research in that area."
Huo Yuhao instantly understood—Furina was referring to the necromancy he had been learning from Electrolux. Necromancy was indeed intimately connected to the soul and spiritual power. Perhaps he truly could assist Dr. Tomoe and advance the development of artificial soul rings.
Once it succeeded, there would be no further need to hunt soul beasts for soul rings. And if they could even further develop artificial soul spirits, that would be perfection.
He immediately responded, "Alright, Sister Furina."
Furina's considerations went far beyond that. Beyond necromancy, there was Electrolux himself. The current Electrolux was not only alive but also stronger than in the original story. With his help in advancing soul spirit research, the results would certainly far surpass the artificial soul spirits of the original timeline.
Dr. Tomoe trusted Furina's words one hundred percent. Although he had no idea when Huo Yuhao had become proficient in matters of the soul, that was irrelevant. What mattered was that he could help accelerate his own research on artificial soul rings.
He nodded repeatedly, his delight written all over his face: "Thank you, Your Holiness! Huo Yuhao, come, come, follow me over here."
As he spoke, he beckoned Huo Yuhao toward his own laboratory.
Bei Bei and the others, however, were left standing frozen in place, exchanging stunned glances, their eyes filled with shock.
Furina's Water God Church was actually researching self-condensing soul rings, and even artificial soul rings? This was far too unbelievable! And more crucially, they already had results!
In that case, the Water God Church of the future was bound to transform the entire landscape of the Douluo Continent and change the current dynamic between soul masters and soul beasts.
Ye Guyi, for her part, was not surprised. She had been in the Water God Church all along. Although she paid no attention to exactly what the Research Department was working on, she knew that whatever Furina had them researching would never be ordinary. Self-condensing soul rings and the like were perfectly normal in her eyes.
After all, Furina always had some wildly imaginative ideas and concepts, and could produce all manner of rare items. She had long since grown accustomed to it.
After Dr. Tomoe left, Dr. X hurried forward, unable to wait any longer to showcase his results: "Your Holiness, I have also made progress on my end regarding self-condensing soul bones and artificial soul bones!"
He once again activated the ten-year self-condensed soul bone skill in his right hand, a layer of white radiance instantly enveloping his entire body. He then pointed to the two ugly soul bones on the table: "This is my self-condensed one. These two were produced using the method I figured out on my own. Though still imperfect and merely barely usable, they cannot compare to the ones you previously gave us."
Furina inclined her head slightly, inwardly marveling.
In less than two years, Dr. Tomoe and Dr. X have truly managed to produce these things. It's really not easy, and it far exceeds my expectations.
"Not bad, not bad." She nodded approvingly, but then her brow furrowed slightly as her gaze settled on Dr. X. "However... I sense that your soul power seems somewhat off?"
Dr. X smiled bitterly, his tone as flat as if he were speaking of someone else's affairs: "It can't be helped. In order to self-condense soul bones, my limbs have been severed I don't know how many times. My foundation is damaged. That my soul power feels somewhat ethereal and unstable is only normal."
Furina pondered for a moment, then said: "Then you should rest for a while, and focus on your cultivation in the meantime. Later, I will give you and the others some pills and immortal herbs to replenish your bodies. Although it may affect your potential, it can at least push you all past the Soul Sage level, so that you can continue your research."
Hearing this, Dr. X, Dr. Oak, and Dr. Mirror were overwhelmed with gratitude and chorused:
"Boundless thanks, Your Holiness!"