Chrysalis Chapter 1754 - Dancing in the Ruins of What Was

I became

a Pure Core, absorbing corruption and expelling it as smoke—that's the fundamental idea behind it, yet I was clueless about just how potent it would turn out to be. That's why I left it unmutated so far, aiming to gauge its standard output first. Should it prove useless, mutating it might not have been worthwhile, and steering it toward a different path could have been smarter.

But that doesn't appear to be the situation.

Slowly and with strict mental discipline, I ease my hold on the mana seeping into my carapace, letting it circulate a tad more freely. As the influx of corrupted mana rises in small steps, I keep a close watch on the Pure Core. Should it overheat and fail like the Everflowing Well, I'd prefer early warning. The consequences would be dire if a massive load of corruption lodged inside me during a battle or similar crisis.

Yet the core just... persists steadily. It draws in the tainted energy and utterly annihilates it. Regarding its capacity... impressive. By steadily ramping up the exposure, it doesn't take long to hit the Pure Core's threshold. Truthfully, it's better than anticipated, a solid volume for an untouched organ.

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It creates a notable shift in how I allocate my mental resources. With fewer mind constructs tied up hunting for corruption remnants within me, I can redirect them to standard spellcasting and mana control. Overall, the Pure Core has liberated about ten percent of my mind constructs, which is fantastic.

Tracking those errant bits of tainted mana drains far more energy and effort than I'd like to confess. Easing that burden lifts a heavy load from my thoughts.

Basking in the newfound simplicity of handling the fifth's corrupting mana, I start strolling casually around, my mandibles clicking joyfully as I roam freely without dread. Ah, a pool of sinister-looking slime! Ha! I mock the sinister slime boldly! Watch as I prod it with a leg! Oh dear, corruption's infiltrating my leg! And... it's vanished.

Gweheheheheheh!

I ponder how the core will perform once upgraded to +15? With the Biomass already available, I opt to proceed right away, before straying too far from the safe area.

As usual, numerous upgrade choices appear, but I'm focused solely on enhancing its primary role at present. Boost its mana purification!

Thus, I select the Concentrated Pure Core +15.

Confirm that!

Luckily, no ants lurk near this edge to witness my undignified thrashing. The core remains compact and far less irritating than mutations to my carapace, muscles, or eyes, yet it's smack in the center of my innards! Agonizing!

After the mutation finishes, I approach the evil slime pool and plunge my leg in once more, vigilantly tracking the corruption's path into my body.

Just like earlier, the Pure Core absorbs it then eradicates it completely. From the pace of elimination, it's likely boosted by around thirty percent? Excellent.

The slugs remain utterly unaware of the doom heading their way. No longer fretting excessively over the fifth's tainted mana lets me battle them with much greater ease than previously. This will be amazing!

My spirits soar so high that I bounce around like an ant a mere tenth my bulk. Leaping about carefree from spot to spot.

Toxic fungal growth? Pfft! Vivid mucus oozing from the ceiling and splattering me? No issue!

A sluggish river of sludge creeping through the tunnel's center? Perhaps I'll test the waters with a leg, check the heat! Sure!

Oh, it's intensely acidic—that's why not. Ouch!

Shaking my leg lightly, I choose to tone down my recklessness a touch. Being more secure than before doesn't make me invincible. I should continue showing due caution toward the fifth.

Still, it's tough to suppress that subtle bounce in my stride as I delve further into the tunnel.