Chapter Sixty-Five: The Transformation of the Dragon Soul’s Spiritual Power

After discovering that the Chameleon Serum could not be taken out, Wang Ling felt somewhat irritated. However, considering that the serum could still be used within this world, at the very least ensuring his safety once he left the research institute building, he gradually calmed down.

"Can you get me a few bottles of the Chameleon Serum?" he asked.

Kavasky replied, "The Dark Warriors come into the building every week to conduct inspections, and the quantities of all serums are reported. But with my authority as head of the Biochemical Mutation Division, I can use experimental consumption as an excuse to take a few away. Just don't ask for more than three. If it arouses suspicion and is investigated, I’ll be in serious trouble."

Wang Ling nodded, thought for a few seconds, and asked, "Can my three mutated subordinates be strengthened again?"

"No. After using the serum, their genetic structure has changed. A second use would cause a genetic collapse, and then, with a pop, they’d self-destruct and die."

"What about a modification like the Shadow Warrior?"

"The Shadow Warrior was created by combining the Double Dragon Brothers' blood with the Dark Leader's energy, cultivating a super soldier through biochemical means." Kavasky looked at the Shadow Warrior suspended in a glass cylinder, his tone tinged with admiration. "His body was a perfect specimen, the result of two years of work by our division. Only such a specimen could withstand the Dragon Soul Bearer's blood and the leader's immense dark energy. Your subordinates, with their mutated genes, simply can't endure such a process."

"Besides, all the dark energy was consumed in the creation of the Shadow Warrior. There's no way we could have the leader come here again to supply more energy. So, creating a second super soldier is simply impossible."

At this point, Kavasky added, "Oh, by the way, I secretly kept some of the Double Dragon Brothers' blood for research. This blood contains a unique energy released by the Dragon Soul, quite extraordinary. If you’re willing, I can use this blood to modify you. It should allow you to absorb some of this special energy."

Wang Ling frowned slightly. The potential to strengthen himself was tempting, and he wouldn't refuse. Yet, he didn't fully trust this scientist, even if his instincts told him Kavasky was sincere.

"What method would you use?"

"It's simple. Just like injecting dark energy into the perfect specimen to create the Shadow Warrior, the machine will extract and inject the purified energy from the blood into your body. As for the time... since there isn't much energy, it would take only an hour or two at most, not much time."

"Will I lose consciousness during the process?"

"No, but if your body isn't strong enough during the fusion, there is a certain risk." Kavasky paused, then continued, "The choice is yours. Strengthening you is to help you escape this island safely and bring the Dark Warriors' intelligence back to the International Alliance. For my adorable granddaughter whom I haven't seen in five years, I certainly wouldn't do anything to harm you. You don't need to worry."

"When can we start?"

"It's already 3 a.m. now. The modification would take about two hours, so it would be 5 a.m. by the time we're done. Someone might come into the lab around then, so tonight is out of the question. If you wish to proceed, the best time would be between midnight and 2 a.m. tomorrow."

Wang Ling nodded. There was nothing else of interest in the lab, so the two returned to their quarters—of course, Wang Ling took three vials of Chameleon Serum with him.

With such a guest and three Super Dark Warriors present, Kavasky naturally couldn't sleep. By early dawn, the scientist went to the lab to begin his usual research. Not wanting to arouse suspicion, Wang Ling let him go, remaining hidden in the room with his three subordinates.

This was also a test of Kavasky's trustworthiness. If nothing happened throughout the day, Wang Ling could safely accept the modification at night. After all, if Kavasky wanted to betray him, there was no need for elaborate schemes—he could simply leave and alert security.

Of course, Wang Ling had a backup plan: the three subordinates and the three vials of invisibility serum. He had already opened the room's window so that, if necessary, they could escape that way.

Although twenty stories was quite high, with the Brute and the Fat Hippy, the latter's bulk could serve as a cushion, and the Brute could throw Wang Ling onto the Fat Hippy before hitting the ground. Given Wang Ling's physical abilities and reflexes, as long as everything was executed well, just like when they rushed the helicopter, they should succeed.

Once on the ground, using the Chameleon Serum would grant fifteen seconds of invisibility—enough to escape the building.

Time passed slowly. Wang Ling spent a tense morning, noon, and afternoon. Only after ten at night did Kavasky return, looking exhausted. At midnight, they quietly headed to another laboratory.

After securely locking the door, Kavasky opened a container, revealing two fist-sized orbs of light, one gold and one silver, floating in the center, surrounded by mysterious golden and silver sparks. The scene was both enigmatic and profound.

"These took a great deal of effort to extract from the Double Dragon Brothers' blood. They mustn't contact air, or they'll quickly dissipate." Rubbing his temples, Kavasky placed the container into a machine and pointed to the platform extending from it. "Lie down on the platform. The machine will draw it inside."

Wang Ling glanced at the cold, massive machine, nodded, and then addressed his three subordinates. "If anything goes wrong, Dwarf, kill him. Brute, smash the machine and get me out. Fatty, charge and destroy all the equipment in this lab."

In truth, these three were guided by his will, but Wang Ling said this just to remind Kavasky. He added, "Forgive my precautions. So, does this machine truly work?"

"Just get on," Kavasky replied with a wry smile.

Lying on the platform, Wang Ling was slid into the machine by rollers beneath. The hatch closed, sealing him inside the dim, cramped space. Then, he felt a sharp pain as two needle-like metal probes pierced his skin.

Fortunately, once they entered his veins, the probes went no deeper; otherwise, Wang Ling would have immediately ordered his Super Dark Warriors to destroy the machine.

Tiny golden and silver particles were extracted from the two Dragon Soul energy orbs and injected into Wang Ling's body. The sensation was deeply unpleasant—as the particles traveled through his veins and meridians, they rampaged within, as if trying to tear their way out, bringing excruciating pain.

Yet Wang Ling was relieved; the Soviet scientist seemed to be playing no tricks. He knew that the Double Dragon Brothers hosted the Celestial and Earth Dragon Souls—the energy must be that of the Dragon Souls. He wondered what changes he would undergo after the process.

As time passed and more energy was injected, Wang Ling’s pain intensified, nearly reaching the limits of his endurance. His clothes were soaked with cold sweat, and even his life points dropped with the energy infusion—from a high of 118 down to about 13.

Fortunately, after an hour and twenty minutes, the modification was finally complete. All the golden and silver Dragon Soul energy had been infused into Wang Ling. The machine opened, and the platform rolled out. Weak as he was, Wang Ling immediately used his last potion to restore 50 life points.

At this moment, the Dream Badge issued a prompt:

"Your body has been strengthened by the spiritual power of the Celestial Dragon Soul; all attributes have increased by 4 points. Your body has been strengthened by the spiritual power of the Earth Dragon Soul; all attributes have increased by 4 points. You temporarily possess a faint Dragon Soul power. Since your bloodline cannot store this power, it will dissipate completely within eight days."

"An increase of 8 points to every attribute?" Wang Ling was elated, quickly checking his stats and finding his base attributes had become:

Strength: 26, Agility: 25, Endurance: 26, Intelligence: 25!

He let out a long breath, astonished that the infusion of two Dragon Soul energies had brought such a tremendous boost. The only regret was that the "qi"-like energy within him couldn't be retained; it would dissipate after eight days.

"Thank you very much," he said sincerely to the Soviet scientist.

Kavasky smiled and nodded. After living in the Dark Warriors' research institute for five long years, he was weary of such a life and longed to return to his homeland and family. Now, with Wang Ling’s unexpected arrival—agent of the International Alliance or not—he knew he had to take this chance.

Otherwise, he might remain in this dreary, hopeless place until his death.

"At least you survived the transformation. All this effort wasn't in vain."

The two returned to their quarters. After resting a while, Wang Ling suddenly thought of the tentacle material he had obtained after slaying the King Squid in Mario World, and the red mask he’d taken from Brunov.

"Kavasky is the head of Biochemical Mutation, and the institute even cultivates mutant tissues. Tentacles are biological, so the Dream Space's AI can't forge them—could they be made into a weapon here? And the red mask is a product of the scientists here—could it be further enhanced?"

With these thoughts, Wang Ling took out the tentacle material and the red mask, placing them before Kavasky.