“All right, Lina, let’s get down to business.”
Old John exhaled a smoke ring, cutting off the teasing from the terminal android, Lina.
“It’s a critical moment now. There’s an abnormal energy feedback from the system—what do you think we should do?”
“What else? Obviously, we need a Holy Power-rich ‘tool… ah, I mean, ‘volunteer’ to perform a manual calibration.”
“Otherwise… why’d you bring him here?”
Lina giggled. The massive Holographic Projection stretched out a slender finger in midair, pointing directly at Fan Zhuo.
“Me? A volunteer?” Fan Zhuo pointed to himself.
“Of course it’s you, little priest,” Lina said, as if it was a matter of course.
“Though your Holy Power isn’t exactly pure, your ‘Specialty’ is recorded in Lina’s database as the highest, except for that person in Area A. It’s most fitting for you to guide the unstable energy.”
Old John nodded at this, “That’s right. Don’t worry. All you need to do is go inside, touch the Core Crystal, pour your unique Holy Power into it, and stabilize the energy. It’s not dangerous.”
“If it were us regular… normal clergy, it’d take several of us taking turns, but for you, one person is enough…”
Fan Zhuo curled his lips.
Is this old man implying I’m not ‘regular’?
What’s not regular about me? It’s not my fault monster girls keep clinging to me!
I’m helpless here…
Fan Zhuo stared at the massive, heart-like mechanical sphere, feeling deep down that things wouldn’t be so simple.
Guided by Lina, soon a metallic suspension bridge extended from the platform, leading straight to the mechanical core at the center of the hollow.
“Come, little priest.”
Lina’s Holographic Projection floated to Fan Zhuo’s side, her breath fragrant as orchids. Even though he knew it was fake, that ambiguous aura felt startlingly real.
“Big sister will give you ‘thorough guidance’… from the inside~”
Fan Zhuo braced himself and stepped onto the suspension bridge.
The closer he got, the more the massive mechanical hum vibrated through him.
He could feel his own Holy Power resonating with the thick “Holy Power mist” in the air, like a fish returning to water, a comfort impossible to describe…
Fan Zhuo reached the front of the mechanical sphere. A round hatch slowly opened, revealing the interior.
Inside was an array made of countless rhomboid crystals. In the center floated a head-sized Core Crystal, radiating a gentle white glow.
Countless tiny golden arcs leapt between the crystals, sizzling softly.
“Put your hand on it, little priest.” Lina’s voice sounded in his ear.
Fan Zhuo took a deep breath, reached out, and gently pressed his palm onto the crystal.
“Bzzz—”
An indescribable sensation surged from his hand straight into his mind!
He seemed to see an endless darkness. Within that darkness, a gigantic being larger than mountains was sleeping.
With every breath it took, waves of energy rolled forth. The machinery worked like a giant straw, carefully drawing power from those waves.
So… this is the “Big Guy” Old John mentioned?
“Don’t get distracted. Feel the flow of energy.”
Lina’s voice grew serious. “The ‘heretical’ energy from Area B triggered an allergic reaction, making the output highly unstable.”
“You need to use your Specialty Holy Power to comb through and soothe this wild energy, like untangling a mess of hair.”
Fan Zhuo immediately focused, calling upon the lake of Holy Power within him—blended from many sources.
His Holy Power, nurtured by the Mother Tree’s life essence and cleansed by Alfeya’s tears, had never been so gentle and resilient.
As this power flowed into the crystal, the rampaging golden arcs, like wild horses, instantly became docile.
“Yes… just like that…” Lina’s voice was tinged with admiration. “Your Holy Power… feels wonderful…”
Fan Zhuo ignored her flirty tone, concentrating on channeling the energy.
He discovered this process benefited him as well.
It wasn’t just an increase in Holy Power, but a deepened understanding of “Energy Transformation”.
This massive mechanical system’s method of converting energy was uncannily similar to how he managed Energy Transformation within himself!
As he unraveled the opposing energy, his comprehension of his own strength grew rapidly.
“Hmm… the energy flow is stabilizing… but at one node there’s still a problem… It needs a stronger stimulus to break through.”
Lina’s voice rang out again.
“How do I stimulate it?”
“Use your… use your Origin Holy Power, and hit that node with everything you’ve got.”
Lina’s Holographic Projection suddenly appeared in front of Fan Zhuo, her illusory form nearly pressed against him, long finger pointing to a spot on the crystal array.
“There… that’s it, pour all your strength into it…”
Following her instructions, Fan Zhuo gathered his Holy Power, sending it surging forth like a torrent.
“Boom!”
A powerful backlash hit him. Fan Zhuo let out a muffled grunt, his body flung backward involuntarily.
But he didn’t fall.
At some point, two mechanical arms made of flexible tubing extended from the “fridge” machine, wrapping firmly around his back.
The tubes hugged him like strong arms, locking him in place.
“Little priest~ Giving up so soon? Looks like your Holy Power reservoir is lacking…” Her voice purred by his ear, teasing, “We’re just getting started. Again… pour all your Holy Power into the machine…”
Even knowing it was a mere projection, the visual shock and seductive tone left Fan Zhuo parched and flustered.
He gritted his teeth and mustered his Holy Power again, charging at that node.
Lina’s Holographic Projection flickered violently, as if overloaded.
“System stability rising… calibration complete!”
Lina finally declared, her voice now languid and relaxed after the ordeal. “Good job, my little tool~”
She “let go” of Fan Zhuo, allowing him to steady himself.
Fan Zhuo exhaled deeply, realizing he’d gained an even deeper understanding of the principle of Holy Power “Transformation”.
This comprehension felt like a new instinct, etched deep into his soul.
It meant that the next time he “got close” to monster girls, he could transform energy more efficiently and purely.
I really… need to find an opportunity to try this out soon…
When Fan Zhuo emerged from the Core Chamber, Old John was leaning on the railing, having smoked half a pack.
Seeing Fan Zhuo, he just lifted his eyelids and asked calmly, “All done?”
“Yeah.”
Fan Zhuo nodded, flexing his numb arms.
“Good.” Old John stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it into the Recycling Port.
“Let’s go. That Lucien guy will probably be stuck in Area B for days… We in Area C can finally relax a bit.”
The two walked down the shadowy corridor, their footsteps echoing in the vast space.
“Um… Warden…,” Fan Zhuo asked, as if by chance, “the ‘heretical energy’ Lina mentioned just now—what is it, exactly?”
Old John paused, glancing back at the slowly closing massive Stone Gate, his expression a bit complicated.
“Who knows…” He resumed walking, voice weary and pace slightly quicker.
“It’s not the first time, you know. Every few years, these energy surges show up on the island, coming and going without a trace. The Papal Hall’s sent plenty of people, but no one’s ever figured anything out…”