Chapter 673: Eighth Surgical Modification - Multiple Lungs!
"Distorted crystal, Extraordinary level, chaos-oriented material."
Simply put, this ultra-high concentration distorted crystal was a distortion inducer.
The vast majority of lifeforms that come into contact with it would undergo lethal and terrifying mutations.
Moreover, the mutated areas would grow and proliferate in a chaotic and disordered manner.
But growing two heads? Absolutely impossible!
Mutated parts can't grow such complex and intricate organs or structures.
At most, they might grow extra fingers, teeth, twisted eyes, boneless tentacles, or grotesque fleshy lumps—mutations that are basically useless.
There are also many types of distortions.
This high-level "distorted crystal" could remain in a very "obedient" stable transport state and function steadily inside the Catachan Demon larvae.
It inherently carried significant information!
Matthew had no intention of triggering distortions, but he was very interested in how to "control," "stabilize," and "isolate" distortions.
The crimson moon above was definitely more "terrifying" than the secrets hidden in the Catachan demi-plane.
Even after being weakened, the distortion and influence it brought nearly suppressed the entire material plane.
The material plane had many powerful beings, even deities appeared, but none could resolve the "Crimson Moon."
That alone proved how terrifying it was!
If Bay Territory wanted to develop, grow strong, and expand, research and preparation in this area had to be thorough!
Acquiring knowledge and data on "resistance" was far more valuable than using or researching "distorted crystals."
Having made up his mind, Matthew walked over to examine the exposed transportation pipes.
Most of the pipes were woven from extremely fine vines, with a surface that gleamed with a fleshy luster.
They were mostly buried underground, and Matthew speculated they connected to a certain area below.
That area likely hid more secrets.
Matthew hesitated for a moment and chose not to explore further.
He merely collected some pipe samples to hand over to Bay Territory's research institute for material analysis.
He was trying to identify key factors that restricted or influenced distortion.
While studying the transport pipes, Matthew also examined the various distorted substances they carried.
As his observations deepened, the various mutated substances became increasingly clear before his eyes.
He analyzed the subtle structures of these substances while precisely selecting and collecting them into his storage space.
He had no intention of researching distortion-related powers right now.
Whether for safety or secrecy, it all demanded the utmost caution.
This stuff was entirely different from the pipe materials.
After all, Matthew didn't want to see all the creatures in his territory turn into beings with six eyes, seven arms, and eight legs.
More doesn't necessarily mean better!
Just as Matthew finished collecting all kinds of substances and was preparing to delve into the Catachan Demon eggs...
Click! Click! Click!
Extremely faint noises reached Yaya's ears.
She didn't head toward the source of the sound but immediately released the power of time.
"Time Stop!"
When bullying an opponent who didn't understand magic, sometimes brute force was best.
As expected, the sharp noise immediately stopped.
Yaya yanked a vicious body out from a narrow crevice.
A "cunning" Catachan Demon!
Its goal was clearly not to attack Yaya or Matthew.
But to destroy these Catachan Demon eggs.
But it hadn't expected...
Bay Territory to react so quickly.
Nor Yaya's terrifying power.
Just two exchanges.
Yaya's massive claw smashed down, putting on a great decapitation show with the legendary Catachan Demon it was controlling.
That kind of pain, deep into the soul.
It only had time to issue the order to "retreat" and "destroy the Queen Worm eggs" before falling into a period of unconsciousness.
By the time its consciousness returned.
Everything was already too late.
The last legendary Catachan Demon had died before its eyes.
It had indeed heard what Matthew said, and thus felt a bit "afraid."
The fear wasn't about death.
But about protecting the secrets of the Catachan Demons.
No matter how many Catachan Demons the Catachan tribe killed...
It would never fundamentally threaten them or the Evil Shadow Spirits.
But Bay Territory with its endless tricks? That was another matter.
The remaining ordinary Catachan Demons were also being hunted down.
It finally located a relatively intact Catachan Demon.
Enduring the aftereffects of "death," it decisively controlled it.
But due to a control misstep, it created some extra noise.
That unintentional touch brought Yaya's version of a surprise.
Yep, another decapitation.
Matthew glanced back, but didn't care about this Catachan Demon and continued studying the eggs.
"Collecting data... 18%."
"Collecting data... 24%."
"Collecting data..."
The difference in strength between Matthew and the Catachan Demon egg was huge, so his data extraction was much faster than with typical Extraordinary creatures or Professionals.
It might hold many secrets!
But in the face of a god-tier feat dominated by the power of fate, none of those secrets remained hidden—they were all forcibly "revealed."
Temporary State:
"Advanced Feat - Rapid Growth LV3, consumes 1000% extra life force, gains 300% growth speed."
"Advanced Feat - Rapid Absorption LV2, consumes 70% extra nutrients, increases absorption speed by 40%."
"Advanced Feat - Rapid Reinforcement LV4, consumes 400% extra life force, completes maximum limb strength enhancement."
"Advanced Feat - Rapid Mutation LV2, consumes 800% extra life force, rapidly mutates and grows body parts."
Damn!
Four literally life-draining feats!
These were genuine life killers.
Burning that much nutrition and life energy just to maintain fast growth and strengthening.
Most of the cost had to be borne by the Catachan Demon larvae inside the egg.
Much of the life force consumed was the larvae's own "lifespan."
This kind of situation was very common.
Ordinary intelligent beings that overwork without proper nutrition...
Will suffer life force depletion, shortening their lifespan.
That cost is usually irreversible permanent damage!
These nutrient pipes feeding the Catachan eggs didn't contain high-quality resources like life essence.
At best, they were blood-and-flesh essence and nutrient fluid from twisted creatures, which had some value.
But they couldn't possibly offset the cost of accelerated growth for a creature like a Catachan Demon.
"Maybe this was the creator's intention!"
Catachan Demons created this way had traits like fast growth, short lifespan, and low intelligence.
Perfect for control!
On the frontlines, Catachan Demons didn't perform particularly well.
That didn't mean they weren't powerful!
It's likely that all these Catachan Demons were intentionally modified weakened versions.
If they had no lifespan limit, great power, and matching intelligence...
They could easily spiral out of control!
"Tsk tsk, controlled directional production, with room for function upgrades and variations."
"In terms of results, it's an outstanding design."
"But... it doesn't seem like something these creatures could've come up with..."
Matthew turned his head and once again examined the now-threatless Catachan Demon.
Under Yaya's control, only its upper half remained, now utterly harmless.
Yet, it was still alive.
The torn, gaping wound had already begun scabbing over.
But Matthew keenly noticed—
The Catachan Demon's max HP.
Had dropped slightly in just over half an hour.
Clearly, the preset rapid recovery mechanism in its body was still functioning.
It noticed Matthew's gaze and suddenly felt nervous, like he could see through its entire being, stunned for a few seconds.
"No!!"
It suddenly struggled violently, manipulating the remains of the Catachan Demon.
Matthew said plainly, "Your acting sucks," which only made it struggle harder.
Even knowing Matthew might be aware of its existence, it didn't dare give up.
As long as it didn't admit it, the responsibility would never be on it.
Unfortunately, Matthew ignored it and continued researching the inner workings of the Catachan Demon eggs.
Soon, he discovered something.
Compared to the various capabilities of Catachan Demons, the larvae inside the eggs had even more prerequisite feats.
Not just more—way more!
One feat finally caught Matthew's attention.
"Legendary Distortion - Malignant Devour LV2: Can devour and absorb the essence and gene fragments of other lifeforms to refine and strengthen same-type genes."
A legendary-level feat!
And a brutally powerful one at that!
Matthew carefully recorded its data and sighed.
The feat's effect was outstanding and its potential immense.
If maximized...
It could rival the Dragon Warrior modifications!
Sadly, it was a distortion feat—a dangerous, currently uncontrollable thing.
Just understanding it caused Matthew tremendous psychological pressure, let alone researching or learning it.
Still, its appearance and the rapid changes in the Catachan larvae gave him great inspiration.
Especially regarding the breathing organs of the Catachan larvae!
The eighth surgical modification of a Dragon Warrior.
Matthew had long decided on the target—enhancing the lungs!
But after conducting research and gathering data, Matthew found—
Most land-dwelling lifeforms already had highly developed lungs.
Especially humans, elves, drow elves, and dwarves who underwent Dragon Warrior surgery, all had powerful and excellent lungs.
Even the most average human had outstanding lungs.
The lungs are among the first organs to start functioning.
They begin operating as early as a few weeks into embryonic development.
Initially just testing the waters, not fully functional.
But the earlier they begin moving, the stronger they become.
Lungs are the same!
Human bronchial branches have 23 levels of divergence, totaling about 15,000 meters in length.
Over 300 million alveoli, when flattened, cover an astounding 70 square meters.
The lungs are incredibly powerful.
Breathing is obvious, all intelligent life needs it.
But lungs also store blood, filter, metabolize, and more.
Modifying them is a vast, complex, and dangerous surgery.
Matthew had tried multiple times but frustratingly found—
Traditional methods and previous experiment procedures like "compression → repair → strengthening" couldn't fully unlock lung potential.
Simply put, lungs are powerful, and intelligent beings haven't yet pushed them to their limit.
More importantly, specialized lung feats were extremely rare.
It was difficult for Matthew to enhance experimental subjects' lungs gradually while keeping their bodily functions stable.
Because of all these challenges...
Matthew's research into the eighth surgery had stalled.
Now, by observing the Catachan larvae's "respiratory" organs, he found some very interesting inspiration.
These insect-like Catachan Demons...
Had multiple complete, powerful, and complex respiratory systems.
They had insect-style tracheal systems...
With spiracles all over their bodies ensuring full-body "breathing."
They also had partial gill structures, like fish...
Mainly located under the carapace on both sides of the body.
Interestingly, this was also one of the weak spots marked by Bay Territory.
Besides these two systems, Catachan Demons also had mammalian lungs.
Because of their vast and sophisticated respiratory systems...
Catachan Demons could grow over 20 meters long and have insane burst power—
Without even relying on magical feats or mana organs!
But... the larvae of Catachan Demons didn't have lungs!
Smiling faintly, Matthew reached out to a nearly mature Catachan Demon egg and decisively activated the power of time.