Old Morgan's expression darkened before he could even finish speaking.
"To sacrifice Gelimu Port, they really have some nerve... To sacrifice an entire city... The price they would have to pay is enough to crush the entire Deep Sea Church into dust."
"But they will definitely make a move!"
Old Morgan's tone carried a hint of exhaustion.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Finally, Old Morgan let out a long sigh.
"This matter is more serious than I imagined."
He turned to look out the window, his voice weary.
"When the Iron Whale set sail, it didn't just take Gaowen and his team."
"There were also two fathers from the church and three alchemists from the Ascension Society."
"They were all elites; if the entire group is wiped out, it will be a monumental loss for Gelimu Port."
Lu Yuan asked in confusion, "So..."
Old Morgan turned around, his gaze resolute.
"I'm going to talk to the Ascension Society and the church."
"The Nightwatchers cannot handle this matter alone."
"We need a joint operation to head out to sea, find the Iron Whale, and rescue any survivors."
Ink floated in mid-air and asked, "Do you think they will agree?"
Old Morgan let out a cold snort.
"They have no choice but to agree."
"The church lost two fathers, and the Ascension Society lost three alchemists."
"They understand the weight of this loss better than anyone."
He looked at Lu Yuan, his tone becoming stern.
"You go back first and get some proper rest."
"Remember what I said—take the holy water every day and stay away from triggers."
"Gelimu Port will be in chaos for the next few days; you'd better stay in the clinic and avoid wandering around."
Lu Yuan didn't say much, simply nodding. "I understand."
He then turned to the door with Ink.
Just as he reached the threshold, Old Morgan's voice came from behind him.
"Lu Yuan."
Lu Yuan stopped and looked back.
Old Morgan stood by the window against the light, his expression obscured.
However, his voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
"You did well to be honest."
"But next time there is a problem, speak up sooner."
He paused before adding:
"The Nightwatchers won't abandon their own."
Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll remember that."
He pushed the door open and walked out.
As they walked along the path leaving the base, Ink drifted out of the notebook and hovered by Lu Yuan's shoulder.
"That old man actually cares about you quite a bit."
Her tone carried a hint of teasing.
"He was slamming the table and yelling one minute, but he softened up in the end."
Lu Yuan smiled but said nothing.
The morning sun pierced through the thin mist, spilling onto the cobblestone road and bringing a touch of warmth.
However, Lu Yuan knew in his heart that this was merely the calm before the storm.
...
Afternoon sunlight spilled through the window into the clinic as Lu Yuan sat at the table, flipping through the holy water recipe he had brought back from Old Morgan.
This recipe was much more complex than he had imagined; the raw materials alone involved more than seven types of transcendent potions, three of which he had never even heard of.
Brent was nearby helping to organize the medicine cabinet, his movements diligent yet cautious, as if afraid of making a mess.
Mina, meanwhile, sat curled up in a chair in the corner, clutching the black notebook.
Ink was explaining some basic pharmacology to her, and the young girl listened intently, nodding from time to time.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed.
Brent put down the medicine bottle in his hand and hurried to open the door.
"Mr. Lawson?"
His voice carried obvious surprise.
Lu Yuan looked up.
Lawson walked into the clinic, and Lu Yuan noticed the change in him immediately.
Lawson's condition was unexpectedly good this time.
Though there were still faint traces of scales on his neck, his expression was calm, even carrying a hint of relief.
The anxiety and fear that had once permeated his being had vanished completely.
"Dr. Lu, I apologize for the intrusion," Lawson said with unexpected politeness.
Lu Yuan put down the recipe. "Lawson, please, have a seat."
He then signaled Brent to take Mina to the next room. Brent understood immediately and softly ushered Mina away.
Ink drifted back into the notebook, but Lu Yuan knew she was eavesdropping.
Once the two had left, Lu Yuan looked at Lawson. "You look... different today."
Lawson sat in the chair, one hand resting on his silver-plated cane, his posture composed.
"Yes, because I've come to terms with it."
He looked up, meeting Lu Yuan's eyes directly. "Dr. Lu, I didn't come here today for treatment. I came to say goodbye."
Lu Yuan's heart sank. "Goodbye?"
Lawson nodded. "Remember what I told you last time? I saw that deep sea city in my dreams."
"Recently, that city has become increasingly clear, and my identity there has become more established."
He paused, a faint, inscrutable smile appearing on his lips. "Moreover, I was chosen as a sacrificer there, responsible for serving..."
Lawson stopped just as he was about to utter the name, as if realizing something, and did not continue.
Hearing this, Lu Yuan frowned and said in a heavy voice, "That is pollution! It's a mutation!"
"I know," Lawson did not argue. "By normal standards, I am indeed mutating."
"But Dr. Lu, do you know? In that city, I feel a sense of belonging I've never felt before."
His tone was terrifyingly calm.
"I'm no longer that landlord in Gelimu Port, no longer that pathetic wretch who lived off rent and was looked down upon."
"I have power, I have status, and I have... meaning."
Lu Yuan's frown deepened. It was clear that Lawson was no longer just a landlord; he had officially stepped into an unknown domain.
"Have you stepped onto the path of a transcendent?" Lu Yuan asked tentatively.
Lawson did not answer, but instead extended his right hand.
A faint blue light emerged from his palm.
The water in the cup on the table began to boil, bubbles gurgling upward.
Then, the stream of water rose out of the cup and hovered in the air, slowly condensing into the shape of a small snake.
The little snake twisted its body as if it were truly alive, swimming through the air for a moment.
Then, it dissolved into countless water droplets and fell back into the cup with a splash.
Lu Yuan's gaze grew solemn.
This was indeed a transcendent ability, and his control over it was remarkably refined, even a level above mutated transcendents like Valentine.
It was simply incredible; Lawson had only entered the Strange Dreams a few days ago!
As Lu Yuan focused his mind, the familiar greyish-white text finally surfaced:
【Environmental anomaly... water elements gathering... speed exceeds normal parameters...】
【Analysis: Target has stepped onto the path of a transcendent; pathway unknown.】
Lawson withdrew his hand, his expression calm. "You see? I have already stepped onto the path of a transcendent."
Lu Yuan asked again, "Can you still control your own consciousness?"
Lawson's expression grew complex. "For now, yes, but I know it won't last long."
"The deep sea is calling to me; that city is summoning me."
"I can feel it; I don't have much time left."
He looked up, a trace of bitterness in his eyes. "At most... in another three to five days, I must respond to that call."
"Otherwise, I will lose control and turn into a complete monster."
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