Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 349 The Metamorphosis of Dale

The environment at the abyss observation station is never peaceful.

The walls made of living stone emit a faint pulsating sound when no one is paying attention.

The air was filled with disinfectant and some kind of indescribable corrosive odor.

Ron was in deep meditation, the operation of "The Star Eater's Whispers" allowing his consciousness to establish a subtle connection with distant stars.

The resonance between the Hermit Star and the Scholar Star created a complex interplay of light in his mind.

With each breath, you can feel a magical stream flowing into the network.

"Gulu."

The slight sound of water interrupted his meditation.

It wasn't just the sound of flowing water, but a deeper resonance, like a call from the ancient ocean.

Ron slowly opened his eyes and immediately noticed the unusual changes in the laboratory.

The crystal pool in the corner was emitting an unprecedented soft blue light, a light that carried a sense of life rhythm.

Ripples spread across the surface of the pool, each one accompanied by a rhythm reminiscent of a heartbeat.

The humidity in the air has increased significantly.

Surprisingly, the salty, fishy smell unique to the ocean could be detected in the otherwise relatively dry environment of the observation station.

"Owner."

A sweet, girlish voice called out from the direction of the crystal pool.

Her voice carried the languor of someone just waking up, along with a barely perceptible hint of shyness.

Ron turned his head and looked at it, somewhat surprised by the change.

This was no longer the naive little siren he remembered.

Dale was slowly sitting up from the water, her long silver hair sliding down her shoulders like liquid.

Under the illumination of the magic crystal lamp, every strand of hair shimmered with a pearly luster, as if it were formed from condensed moonlight.

Her appearance had completely shed its youthful innocence, revealing the eerie beauty unique to the adult sirens.

"Did I sleep for a long time?"

The siren girl asked softly, her voice carrying a strange rhythm.

Each syllable created ripples on the water's surface, like a song drifting from the distant sea.

"More than three months."

Ron's voice remained as calm as ever, but a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes:
"The transformation seems to have exceeded expectations."

【Dale (Pureblood Siren)】

Bloodline purity: 97% (approaching the next level)

Condition: Good, slightly hungry

Special talent:

Big Eater (Second-tier talent: the more nutrients consumed, the higher the growth rate and potential ceiling; conversely, insufficient intake inhibits development).
Potential Assessment: [Already fully developed; with sufficient nutrient intake, there is a high probability of reaching the Quasi-Star Ring Bloodline level.]

He carefully observed the changes in Dale's body.

Each of her silver-blue scales was like a living gem, shimmering slightly with her breath.

"Owner."

Dale wanted to get out of the pool, but the changes in her body made her movements somewhat clumsy.

Ron walked toward the edge of the pool.

"Slow down, your body needs time to adjust."

He reached out his hand; Dale's fingers were slender and soft, with a smooth texture unique to marine life.

When the siren fully rose from the water, her body naturally transformed into human form, with long, straight legs.

"Thanks."

"Dair said in a low voice, barely audible, with a faint blush rising on her cheeks."

She was only now becoming aware of the physical contact between herself and her master, as well as the changes in her own body.

Ron noticed the subtle change in his emotions and responded simply:

"Bloodline awakening usually brings about both physical and psychological changes. How are you feeling now?"

This somewhat aloof professional attitude filled Dale with a strange sense of loss.

She had originally hoped that her master would show more...attention to her changes.

But reason told her that such expectations were inappropriate.

"I feel...very different."

Dyer tried to compose herself and communicate with the other person in a more mature way:
"It's not just a change in appearance; I can feel some ancient power flowing within me."

She reached out and gently touched the air.

Instantly, the air in the laboratory began to flow rhythmically, forming visible vortexes.

At the same time, the water in the crystal pool slowly rose under her unconscious guidance.

"The bloodline of the primordial sea... and the protection of the storm."

Dale said softly:

“In those dreams, I saw the origin of the siren race and our ancient pact with the ocean and storms.”

Her voice became even more ethereal:

"I can now establish a spiritual connection with most aquatic creatures, and they all become my companions in the aquatic environment."

As she spoke, she gently waved her hand, and the water in the air began to change shape.

First, it transformed into a swimming fish, nimbly gliding through the air;

Then it transforms into a jellyfish, its tentacles swaying gracefully;
Finally, it coalesced into a miniature sea dragon, which looked incredibly lifelike.

The practical value of this ability is self-evident, especially in situations where intelligence gathering is required.

"anything else?"

Ron's questions were delivered with the focused attention characteristic of a researcher.

Hearing her master's interested tone, a subtle joy welled up in Dale's heart.

Although that kind of attention wasn't the kind she craved deep down, at least her master acknowledged her value.

"I can still do this..."

The siren leaped gracefully into the air, and air currents began to swirl around her body.

The air currents seemed to be alive, lifting her up and allowing her to fly freely in the air.

Even more miraculously, her body began to become translucent, like a sprite made of water vapor and wind.

"In an environment with abundant water, I can temporarily transform my body into the form of water."

As she finished speaking, Dale's body dispersed like flowing water, then reformed into human form in mid-air.

"If we combine the two abilities..."

Dale took a deep breath, and the surrounding moisture began to gather rapidly.

The air currents and water vapor mingled, forming a miniature storm cloud around her.

"I can transform myself into a storm and traverse vast distances in an instant."

A messenger capable of freely traversing water and sky, also possessing the ability to transform into elements and travel long distances...

"A truly perfect transformation."

He offered a concise assessment, but the satisfaction and appreciation in his eyes were evident:

"The combination of these abilities has reached the limit of the siren's bloodline."

Hearing her master's praise, Dale felt an indescribable sense of happiness welling up inside her.

However, she also keenly sensed the other party's focus.

He was more concerned with the practical value of these abilities than with the changes in her.

This realization filled her with a strange sense of emptiness, but it also gave her a clearer understanding of a certain vague emotion.

She remembered Lilia from back then, and the burning desire and longing in her eyes when Lilia looked at her master.

Back then, I didn't understand that feeling, but now I can deeply appreciate the bittersweet experience.

However, this emotion was too complex and too difficult to describe; she simply didn't know how to express it.

"Dale! You're finally awake!"

A surprised voice interrupted her thoughts.

Alan floated over from the other end of the laboratory, her emerald green branches swaying excitedly.

“Ailan’s mother…”

When Dale saw the tree spirit who had raised her, her voice took on the liveliness and intimacy she used when speaking to Ailan.

"I thought you were going to sleep forever!"

Ailan circled around Dale with concern, carefully observing her changes:

"My God, you've fully grown up! Is this the adult form of a siren?"

"Hmm... During the process of bloodline awakening, I experienced a complete transformation from juvenile to adult."

The siren girl explained somewhat embarrassedly:
"I now possess all the innate abilities of the Siren race."

"That's great!"

Ailan excitedly patted the branches:

"The lab has been unusually quiet lately. Sometimes I still instinctively prepare a large portion of food for you, and then I remember you're still fast asleep..."

"By the way, your master comes to see you every day."

The tree spirit continued, its voice laced with sarcasm:

"Sometimes when he's tired from work, he'll sit by the pool and just space out."

I asked him what he was thinking, and he always said he was observing my transformation process, but I felt…

"Cough cough."

Ron coughed lightly, interrupting their conversation:
"Now that Dale has fully recovered, I need to start preparing to continue the experiments."

What kind of experiment was it?

Dale immediately perked up, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Pilot operation of the adaptive chaos simulation device."

Ron explained succinctly:
"This is a training system that integrates multidisciplinary technologies. Your elemental perception ability may also help monitor the operating status of the equipment."

His attention was completely absorbed by the important experiment that was about to take place.

Tomorrow's test is not only a technical verification, but also a crucial step in establishing his position at the abyss observation station.

………………

At 3 p.m., an unprecedented crowd gathered in the main experimental hall of the abyss observation station.

This core area, which is usually accessible only to a few senior researchers, was bustling like a market today.

The explorers gathered in small groups, whispering about the "special project" they were about to witness;
The researchers were even more cautious, their recording devices ready to capture any anomalies at any moment;

Even management personnel who usually keep to themselves appeared in the audience.

In the center of the laboratory, a complex piece of equipment is quietly awaiting its first appearance.

The device looks like a work of art born from a nightmare—beautiful yet dangerous, precise yet eerie.

The underlying support structure is woven from Soul Steel and Abyss Active Metal, forming a skeletal system with a highly organic aesthetic.

The metal surfaces were not rigid reflections, but rather, like the skin of a living creature, they exhibited subtle color changes as internal energy flowed.

The most striking feature is the energy circuit that runs throughout the entire structure.

They meander across the metal surface like blood vessels, radiating a pulsating silver-blue light.

Whenever energy passes through, these "blood vessels" pulsate slightly, just like real vital signs.

The mid-level neural network systems are even more unsettling.

Thousands of bio-fibers, thinner than a human hair, wriggled slightly within the transparent tubes, their ends connected to complex consciousness processing nodes.

These fibers are not inanimate objects, but rather living neural tissue that has been specially cultured.

Through the transparent tube walls, you can see pale green nutrient solution flowing on the surface of these nerve fibers.

Some tiny, shimmering particles also float among them; these are bioelectrical phenomena generated by thought processes.

The top-level rune control system is the most mysterious part of the entire device.

Hundreds of complex three-dimensional runes floated in the air.

Each rune rotates, deforms, and recombines at different frequencies, forming a dazzling three-dimensional kaleidoscope.

"Dear colleagues."

Ron stood in front of the installation, facing the gathered audience.

His voice was amplified by magic and carried to every corner of the laboratory:
"Today, we will witness a major breakthrough in the field of deep-sea exploration."

Miller sat in the front row, his face filled with anticipation and doubt.

As a seasoned exploration team leader, he was well aware of the limitations of existing training methods:
“Ralph, to be honest, I still have some concerns about your device.”

His voice carried the straightforwardness characteristic of an explorer:

“We old folks have seen far too many new inventions that look amazing but end up killing people. Can you guarantee this thing is really safe?”

Ron appreciates Miller's pragmatic attitude and doesn't mind such criticism at all:
"Captain Miller, I understand your concerns. In fact, safety was our primary consideration during the design process."

He pointed to the array of runes floating above the device:

"We have established a triple independent security mechanism."

A physical-level emergency circuit breaker can cut off all energy supply within 0.1 seconds;
A mental anchoring system ensures that the user's consciousness never completely detaches from reality;

There's also a forced exit function that can pull the user back to reality within three seconds, no matter what happens.

Supervisor Wayne raised his hand, his half-petrified face filled with worry:
"However... directly manipulating human consciousness has already touched upon certain forbidden areas."

His voice carried a deep unease:
"History is replete with examples of disasters caused by an excessive pursuit of technological breakthroughs..."

A brief silence fell over the laboratory; Wayne's words touched upon the deepest anxieties of many.

"Manager Wayne."

Ron's voice remained calm, but his words carried a questioning tone:
“I understand your concerns, but please consider the reality we face.”

Every month, explorers perish in the abyss due to inadequate preparation; aren't their deaths a greater taboo?

His words contained a convincing logic:

"Scientific progress is always accompanied by risks, but that does not mean we should stand still."

The key is to manage these risks effectively, rather than letting fear cause us to forgo opportunities for progress.

Dale stood in a corner of the laboratory, her golden eyes intently monitoring the subtle changes in the air.

Through their telepathic connection, she reported her observations to Ron:

"Master, the humidity distribution around the device is very even, and there are no signs of energy leakage."

All magical energy flows are within the preset parameter range.

"very good."

Ron nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the explorers who had volunteered to be test subjects:
"Rex, are you sure you want to proceed with the test?"

Rex is a veteran member of Miller's team, a bearded man in his thirties.

He had a deep scar on his left arm, a souvenir from his last exploration of the abyss.

In recent missions, his reaction speed and judgment have declined, which is exactly what he needs for this kind of targeted training.

"Since the captain trusts you, what do I have to worry about?"

Rex laughed heartily, but a hint of nervousness still lingered in his eyes:
"However, I must make it clear first that if this thing damages my brain, my family will definitely not let you off the hook."

His words elicited a good-natured laugh, easing the tense atmosphere in the laboratory.

“Then I’ll have to be extra careful.” Ron also showed a rare smile, following the other’s lead:
"I don't want to support your wife and kids."

As soon as he said that, laughter erupted throughout the hall.

Rex walked toward the consciousness access panel in the center of the device, which was a specially designed ergonomic chair.

The chair surface is covered with a breathable biofilm that can automatically adjust its shape according to the user's body contours.

As he sat down, the biofilm began to gently envelop his body.

Dozens of slender nerve tentacles extended from the chair, precisely reaching his critical nerve nodes.

"how do you feel?"

Ron asked, while monitoring various physiological parameters.

"It's a little itchy, but not uncomfortable."

Rex answered truthfully, "It felt like someone was gently stroking my skin."

"Great, this means the neural connection is working properly."

Ron began activating the various components of the system:

"Now I will begin the consciousness access procedure. You will feel slight dizziness, which is normal."

Remember, this is just a simulation, not the real abyss.

As the system started up, the device began to emit a low, rhythmic hum.

The peristalsis frequency of those nerve fibers increased significantly, and the glitter particles in the nutrient solution became as active as fireflies.

The rune array began to rapidly reorganize, forming a complex three-dimensional monitoring network.

"Consciousness access initiated. Target environment: Abyss second layer simulation area."

Ron's voice became more professional:

"The danger level is set to 'basic,' and the system will adjust it in real time based on the tester's reaction."

Rex's eyelids began to grow heavy, and his consciousness was being guided into a completely new world.

After a moment, his body completely relaxed, and his breathing became deep and regular.

Viewers can see the virtual experience he is going through through the device's monitoring display.

The screen displays a typical distorted scene of the second layer of the abyss.

Countless spatial vesicles of varying sizes floated slowly, each fragment containing a different ecological environment.

"This is the real environment of the second layer."

Captain Miller explained to the young explorer beside him:

"It may seem chaotic, but it actually has its own rules. The key is to learn to adapt to this chaos."

On the screen, Rex's virtual avatar is cautiously navigating between these spatial vesicles.

His movements were practiced, clearly those of an experienced explorer.

But soon, the first threat appeared.

A corrosive worm emerged from nothingness, its body resembling a transparent jellyfish, but filled with acidic liquid.

This creature is one of the most common threats in the second layer of the abyss. It feeds on corpses but will not refuse fresh flesh.

Rex immediately went into battle mode, drawing his runic short sword from his waist and beginning to fight the dangerous creature.

But to the audience's surprise, this virtual corrosive worm exhibited the exact same behavioral patterns as the real monster.

Its attack timing, movement trajectory, and even its reaction after being injured are exactly the same as in real life.

“This level of realism…” a young researcher exclaimed in amazement.

"It's like bringing real monsters into a virtual environment."

What is even more impressive is the system’s adaptive adjustment.

When Rex easily dealt with the first Corruption Bug, the system immediately assessed his ability level and increased the difficulty of the challenge accordingly.

A second carrion bug appeared, then a third...

There was even a significantly more powerful elite individual, whose body surface gleamed with dangerous poisonous stingers.

"The system is analyzing the test subject's reaction speed, judgment, and combat skills in real time."

Ron explained to the audience:

"It will continuously adjust the threat intensity to ensure that the training difficulty is always kept at the optimal level."

It's neither too easy to lower one's guard, nor so difficult as to drive one to despair.

One hour later, the system determined that the training had reached the preset goal.

Rex's performance in the virtual environment was fully evaluated, and his weaknesses were accurately identified.

(End of this chapter)