Chapter 164: Chapter 133: Picking Up a Bargain
The merchant noticed Ron’s interest in the gladiator event, and his smile grew even more ingratiating as his thick palms unconsciously rubbed together.
"Since you intend to participate in the gladiator event, choosing a high-quality combat slave is crucial."
He said, hinting, "We have a batch of premium embryos in the backyard meant for distinguished guests like yourself. Why not let me take you to see them?"
Ron nodded slightly, following the merchant with a calm expression, but he already felt a sense of wariness towards this merchant who spoke so indiscriminately.
Through the merchant’s earlier introduction and his own observations, Ron had already realized a crucial issue:
These so-called "high tier combat slaves" are mostly hastily made products, forcibly crafted through crude bloodline modulation and spiritual control.
They may erupt with tremendous combat power in the short term, but without exception, they have fatal flaws:
Unstable spirit, short lifespan, and even the possibility of losing control entirely at any moment.
"A truly high-quality combat slave should be like Trish’s leopard woman," Ron thought to himself.
Li Yue, despite being from a native tribe that had been exterminated, had clearly undergone a gentler and more detailed modulation process.
Essentially built on an already superior bloodline with moderate enhancements and stimulation, nurtured from a young age to allow both body and spirit ample time to adapt.
A combat slave cultivated in this manner not only possesses formidable combat strength but also maintains basic sanity with a lifespan far exceeding those hastily manufactured.
Through a dim corridor, the merchant led Ron to a compartment deep within the trading area.
Opening the heavy metal door revealed dozens of special incubation pods inside, each containing the embryo or young of some creature.
"This is our ’seed vault,’ where the most precious goods are nurtured."
The merchant proudly introduced, "These are rare bloodlines collected from various places, some even directly from exploration teams near the Great Abyss region."
Ron glanced around, activating his extraordinary recognition ability to examine each incubation pod carefully.
"How about this one?" the merchant pointed to a pod containing a purple-black embryo, eyes shining with greed:
"A hybrid of Hellhound and Abyss Worm, able to master both black fire and earth swimming abilities when matured, priced at only five hundred Magic Stone Fragments."
[Hellhound and Abyss Worm Hybrid Embryo
Bloodline Fusion: Golden Ring 32%
Stability: Extremely low
Estimated Lifespan: 3-5 years
Special Abilities: Black Fire, Earth Swimming (Unstable)
Risk Assessment: Extremely high, 80% probability of deformation during growth]
Ron maintained a steady expression, but inside he confirmed yet another short-lived, unstable combination.
"What about this?" The merchant eagerly guided him to another pod containing a flame-like liquid embryo:
"This is a rare treasure! A combination of Phoenix and Mercury Element creature, a priceless gem! When matured, it not only possesses partial regeneration ability but can also control metal elements, making it a perfect guard and combat assistant!"
[Phoenix (Dilute) and Mercury Element Hybrid Embryo
Bloodline Fusion: Golden Ring 25%
Stability: Nearly zero
Estimated Lifespan: Less than 2 years
Special Abilities: Limited Regeneration, Metal Control (Highly Unstable)
Risk Assessment: Catastrophic, core energy structure chaotic, risk of self-collapse at any moment]
Looking at the extraordinary recognition results, Ron had a deeper understanding of the merchant’s shamelessness.
This was no rare treasure but a ticking time bomb.
This forced fusion of completely opposite elements had almost zero stability and could self-destruct at any time.
How could the merchant dare? Was there some astonishing backing behind him?
"There are a few more suited for high-tier modulation over here."
The merchant, oblivious to Ron’s thoughts, continued enthusiastically:
"There’s a hybrid of Star Fairy and High Tier Ghost, a fusion of Deep Sea Merman and Wind Element Fairy, and finally, the most precious—the legendary hybrid of Time Giant Lizard and Beholder!"
Ron scanned them one by one, finding almost the same results—low fusion rate, poor stability, numerous hidden dangers, yet the price was exorbitant.
The merchant was obviously highlighting the most expensive, most rare yet actually least suitable embryos for beginners, clearly intending to profit greatly given the opportunity.
"Do you have some more... foundational embryos?" Ron asked calmly, "I’m just starting to explore bloodline modulation, so I’d like to start with something simple."
The merchant’s smile froze for a moment before piling back on ingratiation:
"Of course! But those are just ordinary goods, someone of your talent should directly start from high end, straight to the top..."
"I’d like to see those foundational ones first." Ron’s tone was calm, but his gaze had become resolute.
Reluctantly, the merchant led Ron to another room, where the incubation pods were noticeably less refined, and the creatures inside considerably more ordinary.
"These are ordinary species, low-priced and lack anything special."
The merchant’s interest waned visibly, tone flat: "Someone like you wouldn’t be interested in these."
Ignoring the merchant’s guidance, Ron carefully examined each incubation pod.
He noticed several pods against the wall seemingly deliberately overlooked, one of which contained a small blue lifeform floating inside, appearing to be a newly born young rather than an embryo.