“Experiment Log #14.”

“When the ratio of spores exceeded the critical point, the spores have begun to show signs of bonding, forming a strange network…”

“Regeneration have reached 90% efficacy. The amputated leg has shown signs of regrowing, but the end results are still to be determined…”

“Despite stronger signs of vitality, the test subject has shown increasing signs of dormancy. The cause and effect is temporarily unknown…”

“Data will be verified after sample size increases.”

After the thoughts flowed out onto paper, Bubai set down his brush over the ink tray.

Giving the report another once-over, Bubai left it on the stone table to dry. “I’ll pick it up when I leave.”

Raising his gaze, Bubai surveyed the barely lit cell where he currently resided.

It had undergone a transformation, now boasting a cleanliness not often found in such prisons.

On top of the cleanliness, a sandstone table and chair offered a semblance of comfort amidst the austere surroundings. In one corner, a small hill of boxes stood veiled – a rather familiar layout.

Without a doubt, they were Bubai’s test subjects. How did they end up here?

Well, the dungeon beneath his towers had plenty of space. Naturally, Bubai had to put it to good use.

After touring the place with Xiao Lan and giving it a clean, he relocated his scorpion rearing, along with an array of equipment, down here, making this dungeon his new experimental lab.

Stepping out of the scorpion rearing cell, Bubai’s attention was drawn to the adjacent chamber, where a beret lay enshrined within a glass display pedestal.

Crossing into the other cell, Bubai approached the glass case, fingers tracing its smooth surface before taking the beret out.

"Hmm... curious, very curious,” Bubai turned the beret over and over in his hands, scrutinizing the wisps of black mist slithering out from its depths, tendrils of darkness drilling into him as if seeking to infect him.

Yet, moments after these mist broke through his skin layer, they vanished, reappearing above the green pond in the ethereal expanse of his mysterious space, only to be gobbled up by his gluttonous seed shortly after…

Soon, the beret stopped emitting black mist, and Bubai knew its energy was exhausted for today.

Unfortunately, there still wasn’t enough to produce any noticeable changes.

With a resigned sigh, Bubai returned the beret to its resting place, “Strange… it should be some form of energy, but what is its origin?”

Demonic energy? Abyss? Evil gods? Death? Destruction? Novels broadened Bubai’s imagination, yet it also stifled his ability to narrow down the target without concise data.

Alas, there wasn’t much progress in his research thus far. Even if Bubai wanted to gather data by experiencing its negative effects, he couldn’t.

His greedy glutton cheat was a double-edged sword. It can readily eat any external energy, serving as a safeguard against many danger, but this also posed as a barrier that left many mysteries unsolved.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a dead end.

Exiting the beret display cell, Bubai’s gaze rested on the covered hill in the other cell, "Once the population of my cute babies is large enough, I can start some riskier tests."

Turning away from the cells, Bubai's gaze drifted down the narrow walkway, landing on a wooden practice target hanging on the wall, its surface nailed with needles like pegs.

With a flick of his wrist, a dagger slipped out from Bubai’s sleeves and into his hand, its glint catching the dim light as he twirled it, letting his Qi shroud it before sending it sailing through the air-

Swoosh! Thud! The blade found its mark, embedding itself in the target... just shy of the painted bullseye.

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"Hmm, seems I need more practice with Qi control.” Relaxing his raised hand, Bubai made his way over to the target.

Brushing his hand over the target, Bubai swept away the scattered needles and dagger, banishing them into the recesses of his storage space.

Stooping down, he gathered the stray needles littering the ground, restoring a sense of emptiness to the walkway.

After tidying up, Bubai turned on his heel and head back up the corridor, making his way back to his workspace.

Just when Bubai passed a particular cell, he paused in his tracks, his attention drawn to its interior.

There she was, the enchanting model in a fishnet dress, kneeling gracefully while delicately potting a plant in a ceramic pot.

Sensing his presence, her enchanting eyes threw him a silent invitation.

So, Bubai stepped into the cell, his steps echoing faintly against the cold stone floor like a predator stalking its prey.

When Bubai arrived next to the plump bunny, he observed her work with a critical eye. "Are you done?"

An Jali glanced up at him, a coy smile gracing her lips.

"Replying to my king, Jali is done," she purred, raising her hand to reveal the dirt staining her fingernails.

Bubai threw a glance toward the nearby vat filled with clean water… Well, let’s leave it clean.

So, with a single incantation gesture, Bubai conjured a stream of cool water from his fingertips, letting it trickle down to clean her hands.

An Jali accepted his grace, allowing the water to wash away the dirt. Rubbing and rubbing, her clean fingers soon began rubbing something else, letting the rest of the water trickle down her own figure…

Seeing the cool water that just got really hot, Bubai... forced himself to focus on the matter at hand.

Inspecting the pot with his divine sense, Bubai nodded in approval, “Good work.”

Picking up the pot, he sent it in his storage space, placing it atop a box, next to a basin of water, where other ungerminated seeds soaked.

Project: Greenery was officially in action. Now, he’ll just have to wait to see if plants can actually grow in his mysterious storage space and the effects of his Qi on them...

Transferring his attention back to the kneeling beauty, Bubai reached out to stroke her head. "Jali, you'll be in charge of taking care of them from now on. I’ll move the vat of water in after I’m done training with it. You can scoop from it when needed.”

An Jali bowed her head in acquiescence, "As my king commands."

Bubai lifted her chin, his gaze locking with hers as his finger traced her plump lips. "Your yin energy should have replenished by now?”

An Jali gave him a sultry smile, “My king… Please water your flower."

…

After finishing his prison activities in the dungeon, the satisfied Bubai ascended the spiral stairs, his lonely footsteps echoing in the narrow space until he reached the top, encountering a dead end.

Retrieving his tower key, he inserted it into the designated slot, infusing it with his Qi.

Following a series of mechanical clunks, the motionless wall at the top of the stairs began to shift, gradually opening up to the tower’s corridor beyond.

By the time Bubai pocketed the key slip and stepped into the tower, Xiao Lan was already waiting by the doorway of the storage room.

With her guarding up here, Bubai knew it’ll be hard for any unwanted spies to sneak down into his sanctum.

Bubai acknowledged her with a nod, "Did they...?"

Xiao Lan shook her head subtly.

Approaching Bubai, she sniffed delicately at his clothing before meeting his gaze with an icy demeanor. "Bath?"

Her cool whisper prompted Bubai to obediently nod in agreement. Hey, why does it feel like he was a husband caught cheating by his virtuous wife?

Silently, the violet-haired beauty towed him towards the pool room, her gait measured and detached.

Just when they were about to enter, his maid came down from the staircase, adding fuel to the fire.

Wei Yi offered a respectful bow, greeting Bubai with a warm, "Welcome back, master."

Behind her, Wei Er's head peeked out, blinking curiously, “Where did master go? So mysterious-”

Before she could finish, she earned a rap on her head from her sister. Wei Er pouted, but obediently silenced herself.

Turning back to the pair standing by the bathroom door, a coy smile gradually graced Wei Yi’s composed face, "Master, do you require assistance?"

Girl, are you trying to murder your master?!

Bubai glanced at the iceberg beauty. Xiao Lan’s glassy eyes met his. Shortly after, her cool voice settled his heart, "Can."

No way! For real? Xiao Lan hadn’t agreed ever since the special promotion race, but now…

Bubai felt the excitement bubbling within as Xiao Lan towed him into the pool room.

Seeing this, Wei Yi maintained her composure, seizing her sister's hand just as she attempted to retreat upstairs.

With a firm grip, she towed her sibling into the bathroom, sliding the glass door shut behind them with a quiet click.

Night. North District.

After cultivating hard, it was naturally time to head back to work.

Arriving at the steps of the Book Pavilion, Bubai glanced up. Yep, it was open once more.

With a relaxed mentality, Bubai climbed the familiar set of staircase and pushed open the grand door...

Just when he stepped in to the hall, the air seemed to thicken with a solemnity that wrapped around him like a cloak.

At the front desk, Granny Shu sat in her rocking chair, her weathered hands folded in her lap, her eyes closed as if in deep sleep.

Beside her, the young Shu Ling stood, her timid presence contrasting sharply with the aged granny.

Her head was bowed, but as Bubai approached, she threw him a “be smart” glance.

The old lady let out a low “hum?”, prompting the young lady to bow her head once more.

No way… did something happen? Bubai approached the desk with a mixture of trepidation and confusion.

Bubai was about to greet the old granny, but before he could-

The old granny's eyes snapped open, revealing sharp, piercing orbs that seemed to see straight through him. He swallowed down his greeting under her scrutinizing gaze.

Shortly after, a low rumble reverberated through the hall, "Young Bubai, do you know what you did wrong?"