Blood, as a vital circulatory and immune system within an organism, bears the critical responsibility of transporting nutrients and defending against external pathogens.
Generally speaking, the more advanced a creature is, the more complex the composition of its blood becomes. Immune cells within the blood are highly exclusionary; even between members of the same species, blood is usually difficult to fuse.
However, at this moment, Logan's blood was undergoing a miraculous transformation. Its activity level surged, becoming incredibly inclusive. The unique antigenic structure within his blood made it behave like cancer cells, capable of deceiving the immune systems of other organisms to achieve a state of "fused symbiosis."
Fine capillaries began to extend toward his sugar crystal-secretion organs, staining the transparent nutrients within them with a streak of vibrant, vivid crimson.
Compared to the previous transparent crystals, this blood-red variety possessed a more domineering, invasive quality. If the previous "evolution-accelerating" ability was like spreading a book open for other creatures to study on their own, this new version was like forcibly cramming knowledge directly into their brains.
As time passed, a crystal as clear and radiant as a ruby rolled off Logan's back, hitting the ground with a crisp ding. He picked up the crystal and examined it closely, finding its texture denser than before. The crimson blood within seemed alive, flowing slowly.
"What is this? Red sugar after white sugar? Will there be brown sugar next? Or maybe rock candy...?"
After toying with it for a moment, Logan stuffed the crystal directly into Zhu Peiniang's mouth.
As the surface nutrients were digested and absorbed, the highly active blood within seized the opportunity to seep into her capillaries. It spread rapidly through her circulatory system, soon weaving a fine, dense web within Zhu Peiniang's body.
This web connected every organ, acting like an external central nervous system. Following a preset program, it continuously absorbed nutrients from her blood, adjusted nutrient distribution, accelerated hormone secretion, and synthesized a special substance that stimulated cellular evolution.
Logan felt an indescribable connection form between himself and Zhu Peiniang, causing him to scratch his head in confusion.
"Wait, is this ability really 'symbiosis'? It feels a bit eerie!"
Initially, Logan had wondered: since he was evolving a symbiotic ability, both parties should theoretically benefit. Yet, the sugar crystals he secreted only seemed to help other creatures evolve, with no apparent benefit to himself.
Now it finally dawned on him. It wasn't that there were no benefits—it was that the benefit was the creature that ate the crystals.
Is this ability truly called Symbiosis, or is it Parasitism? If he continued to evolve in this direction, any creature that ate his crystals might eventually become a puppet under his control.
"Good grief! This is almost like the Frenzy Virus. I'll have to use this cautiously in the future."
Due to his injuries, Logan decided to rest with Zhu Peiniang for a while before continuing their search for the river.
Zhu Peiniang, having consumed the blood-red crystals, reacted quickly. Her appetite spiked; after devouring the small miscellaneous fish they caught, she was still hungry and picked up the massive Great Whetfish whose head had been crushed.
Normally, Logan hadn't planned on eating this fish. Given the Odogaron's habit of eating raw, cold food and carrion, its oral hygiene was appalling. Even if he wasn't afraid of pathogens, just thinking about it was stomach-turning.
But seeing that Zhu Peiniang was truly famished, Logan helped her tear off the fish head and scraped away the hard scales.
After consuming the three-meter-long giant fish, its rich nutrients and minerals were absorbed. The wounds on Zhu Peiniang's body began to heal rapidly; scabs formed over the bleeding areas, and shattered scales fell away naturally.
Three days later, Zhu Peiniang's injuries were essentially healed, while Logan's body had returned to its original state, leaving no trace of his wounds.
The two giant beasts set off once more. Before long, they discovered an upward passage. Being close to the Rotten Vale, there were powerful updrafts here. Later hunters would call these "Updraft Winds," functioning much like upwelling currents in the ocean.
If they were small creatures or humans, they would only need to spread a membrane or don a heavy mantle to ride these winds directly to the soft coral region above. Unfortunately, Logan and Zhu Peiniang were behemoths weighing tons; they had to climb the old-fashioned way.
The never-ending gale, combined with the thick effluvium, had severely eroded the rocks around the passage. With a light swipe of a claw, the rock would break off in chunks.
Fortunately, Logan's claws were powerful enough to pierce deep into the stone, and his tough tail served as a fifth limb to assist the climb. Trembling with apprehension, they finally managed to lead Zhu Peiniang to the top.
The two beasts calmed their nerves and continued north, gradually ascending to the middle layer of the Coral Highlands.
As the environment changed, the coral forest became more lush. Pink trees shed dust like white snow, and straight, cylindrical corals rose from the ground like giant chimneys.
The sunlight poured down under a deep blue sky. Reflected in this light, everything looked like a literal undersea world—dreamlike, as if leaping out of a fairy tale.
A few Barnos fluttered above the coral forest. Unlike their more hideous kin, perhaps because they fed on coral eggs long-term, their appearance was soft and pink. Hearing that their meat was exceptionally delicious piqued Logan's interest.
Logan suddenly whipped his tail, sending a large spray of feather-scales flying out like arrows. Several Barnos pecking at coral eggs were struck instantly; blood blossomed on their bodies as they spiraled down to the ground.
If the effluvium rising from the Rotten Vale is the "soil" that allows the Coral Highlands to exist, and the various corals are the "plants," then the Barnos are undoubtedly the "herbivores" (like Aptonoth).
As a primary meat source in the Highlands, the Barnos are over 4 meters long with a rounded physique rare among Winged Wyverns. Covered in white with apricot-pink spines and frames, their meat yield was substantial—roughly equivalent to a fat pig ready for market.
This was indeed a fine hunting ground, but Logan kept his goal in mind. After filling their bellies, the two beasts continued northward.
Passing through the dense coral forest, a semi-open cavern appeared. The moist vapor in the air indicated an abundance of water. After walking a short distance, they spotted a waterfall cascading down.
The current traversed the complex terrain, gathering into a wide river on the ground. Sunlight pierced the clear water, making the river sand glitter like stars in the daylight.
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