Chapter 158: Little Dark Lord, Forbidden Transfiguration, and Platinum-Tier Blood Jade?!

Hearing Ciel's surprised exclamation, Hagrid's expression became tense. "Shh. This can't be said out loud. Raising Quintapeds is far more serious than raising dragons. But I did indeed feed Quintapeds once." Mentioning this, Hagrid's face rarely showed such fear. "It really is an extremely evil magical creature. I swear, except for Dementors, I've never seen anything more evil." His expression also became grave. If Hagrid, a half-giant who considered vicious magical creatures "gentle little darlings," felt horrified by Quintapeds, it showed how troublesome these magical creatures were to deal with. It also showed what kind of dragon's den and tiger's lair Drear Island, with its large gathering of Quintapeds, would be. The difficulty of obtaining Puking Pastilles from there was unimaginable. But first, he at least needed to know Drear Island's location. He quickly asked Hagrid. "Drear Island, where the Quintapeds live, was sealed off by the Ministry long ago. No one's seen Quintapeds for years... where did you get yours, Hagrid?" Hagrid shook his head. "I didn't get it. It was a Gryffindor friend of mine at the time. During Quidditch training, his broom went out of control, flew in the wrong direction, and carried him north into the deep sea. When he finally flew back, he brought a young Quintaped with him. We didn't know what it was then, but when we discovered something was wrong and looked up its information... Merlin above, we nearly wet ourselves in fear. Finally, I don't know where he sent that young Quintaped, but he said at least we didn't have to worry about it eating everyone in the castle." Hearing Hagrid's account, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind. He thought of something. In the original story's final battle, Harry entered the Room of Requirement searching for the diadem. He saw various contraband items hidden there by generations of students. In one brief description, there was mention of an iron cage containing the corpse of an unknown animal with five legs. Now he thought about it... that should have been a Quintaped. That Gryffindor student who accidentally found the Quintaped must have locked the young Quintaped in the Room of Requirement. Just like all the dark magical items thrown into the Room of Requirement over the years! Then his heartbeat accelerated. He realized something. Since that Gryffindor student only encountered Quintapeds because his flying broomstick went out of control, that meant Drear Island, where the Quintapeds lived, actually wasn't too far from Hogwarts. It might even be near the sea area he was currently searching, just hidden by Ministry magic to prevent people from accidentally entering. But since students could enter back then, the protective magic probably wasn't that powerful. Or more likely, it was focused on containing the Quintapeds, preventing them from escaping Drear Island. If so, his Platinum-tier night vision that could see magical "particles" more directly might come in handy. He might be able to directly see the protective magic's location at night. But thinking of the northern deep sea Hagrid mentioned, his eyes showed some strangeness. That place, in Muggle mythological legends, was where various sea monsters appeared. Until the seventeenth century, Muggles frequently reported sightings of various unknown creatures there. Those were actually magical creatures living in the North Sea. In recent centuries, Muggle sightings of such magical creatures had become increasingly rare. Part of the reason was indeed environmental changes... the numbers of such magical creatures were decreasing. But more importantly, it was due to the Ministry's work. The Ministry secretly guided Muggle shipping routes away from areas where marine magical creatures appeared, minimizing exposure risks. Still, some sailors would see vague massive forms churning in the waves at night at the edges of these areas. Night was when many marine magical creatures were particularly active. Wizards entering the North Sea at night would appear like moving buoys to some marine magical creatures sensitive to magic. They might attract some big creatures to the surface. Even he couldn't guarantee complete safety venturing into the North Sea at night to search for Drear Island. Even if he went, he'd need to consider carefully and prepare well. Then he left Hagrid's hut, thinking while walking toward the greenhouse. He'd spent much time exploring islands these past days. Though the greenhouse plants had passed the stage requiring frequent care, regular pruning, soil loosening, and potion application were still necessary. He could use this time to carefully consider nighttime North Sea exploration. Click. Click. Casually waving his wand, leaves fell one by one. His mind recalled descriptions of the North Sea from books he'd read while searching for Quintaped clues. This place could be called a vast maritime "Forbidden Forest." Like Hogwarts' Forbidden Forest, it housed many marine magical creatures with unique properties. Most posed no threat to humans or wizards. But several marine magical creatures were exceptions. Most famous was the Kraken, called the North Sea Monster in Muggle legends. This magical creature resembled a giant octopus, reportedly reaching over 150 meters in size. It usually slept in the ocean depths. But once prey entered its territory, the Kraken's tentacles would drag them to the ocean floor. Whether sharks, whales, or human ships... even birds flying over the sea weren't exempt. In Muggle history, no fewer than five ships had entered Kraken territory and been dragged to the depths. Only after the Ministry applied Confundus Charms, ensuring Muggles no longer entered those areas, did Kraken ship attacks cease. But since few wizards entered the North Sea, and the probability of encountering Kraken was low, there were no recorded cases of wizards killed by Kraken. Therefore, Kraken wasn't among the Ministry's Class 5X dangerous magical creatures. But actually encountering this thing might be far more troublesome than most Class 5X magical creatures. Besides Kraken, the North Sea contained several threats comparable to Class 5X magical creatures. Without exception, all were more active at night. Therefore, he was quite hesitant. Just as he hadn't decided, his expression suddenly changed. His gaze shot toward the area under the Patronus Trees. The parchment Quirrell had stuffed in last time was buried in the soil below. Now the Patronus saplings began rustling. Silver halos emerged from leaf edges, like moonlight. His heart sank. The double agent was contacting him again. This was already the third time recently. Each time, the double agent would send Acromantula blood through the parchment. This allowed him to greatly expand his new batch of Blood Jade production. Simultaneously, he would release large amounts of blood containing slow-acting toxins for the double agent to recover strength. Though he suffered no loss and even gained considerable benefits, he still felt frustrated. At this time, he took a deep breath, looking at the parchment. But this time, the emerging text wasn't requesting his blood again. Instead, it was an unexpected question. "Junior. You've been reading many Quintaped-related books in the library recently. Are you interested in Quintapeds?" His pupils contracted slightly, his heart confused. This tone didn't seem like Quirrell. It was Voldemort personally asking. Though now supplemented by his blood, Voldemort should still be far from his prime. Why would he pay attention to his Quintaped research and even ask personally? This was also Quirrell's confusion. "Master, your power is so precious. How can it be wasted on such questions? Let me ask..." But he was met with Voldemort's laughter. "Quirrell, you don't understand what his actions mean." Voldemort's eyes flashed with appreciation, as if seeing a genius young wizard he could acknowledge. "First requesting blood from magical creatures like Acromantulas. Then beginning to search for Quintaped information. This shows he has probably grown intolerant of his physical talent limitations. He's seeking to break through talent constraints through bloodline and physical transformation. I suspected when he requested Acromantula blood. Now his interest in Quintapeds confirms my guess." Voldemort said quietly, "Think about Quintapeds' origins. A group of originally mediocre, moldering garbage wizards stuck on an island. After accepting transformation, they became one of the magical world's most dangerous magical creatures, easily opposing Ministry elite Aurors. If such garbage could achieve this, what about more talented wizards? If wizards similarly transformed their bodies, wouldn't more powerful magic be within reach? This is exactly what the dark magic field has explored in transfiguration for centuries. Also the third transfiguration branch outside officially recognized Gamp's Law and Switching Spells... Dark Magic Transfiguration. Or it could be called Flesh Transfiguration. Quintapeds are exactly the inspiration source for Flesh Transfiguration." "Now, Quirrell, do you understand? This young wizard is definitely pursuing Flesh Transfiguration!" Voldemort rarely became excited. Quirrell also widened his eyes, adding some fear toward him. This kid looked so honest. Yet harbored such deep schemes? Such darkness hidden in his heart? Even Dumbledore probably hadn't discovered it! Such age, such thoughts... Calling him a little Dark Lord wouldn't be excessive! Sensing Quirrell's thoughts, Voldemort laughed coldly. "Correct. Dumbledore definitely doesn't know he harbors such darkness. I haven't even induced much... he walked this path himself. He'll become my most unexpected chess piece planted beside Dumbledore. At crucial moments, he could even take Dumbledore's life! Now, Quirrell, do you understand why I personally spoke with him?" Quirrell was full of admiration. "Master saw through his hidden darkness that even Dumbledore couldn't detect. Master's farsightedness. Master's keen insight." Just then, after long consideration, he wrote trembling text on the parchment, as if some secret had been exposed. "Senior. How did you know? You won't tell anyone, will you?" Voldemort showed some smugness. Seductive text continuously appeared on the parchment. "You can always trust Senior Delphini. I will never tell this secret to anyone. And I completely understand your desire and pursuit. The ancient dark magic on Quintapeds could give those mediocre dregs power many wizards never obtain in their lifetimes. Wouldn't it be a shame not to utilize such magic? This is power that could change the magical world. Those brilliantly intelligent, far-sighted wizards, like you... some aren't blessed by heaven with magical talent. But following this path, with a little transfiguration and dark magic, some magical creature blood, plus sacrificing trivial fragile emotions and so-called humanity. Talent's cage breaks instantly. A broader magical world, unimaginable magical power, lies ahead." Finally, Voldemort almost played his cards openly. Obscure, twisted magical knowledge appeared on the parchment before his eyes. His pupils contracted to pinpoints. "This is... Transfiguration? No, not ordinary transfiguration... a more powerful, twisted transfiguration using twisted will. This is transfiguration that would definitely be classified as forbidden dark magic!" As if burned by charcoal, he immediately looked away. He knew his own capabilities very clearly. He also understood Voldemort's nature well. The gifts this guy offered often hid unbearable costs. If he was truly trapped by talent, perhaps over time he might be unable to resist attempting such dark magic transfiguration. But with the cultivation system, why would he follow this "noseless monster's" old path? Regarding his paused writing, Voldemort wasn't surprised. "I know the first step with such forbidden knowledge is particularly difficult. But Senior believes that with Junior's farsightedness, you'll make the right choice. What I showed you is just a negligible part of this forbidden knowledge. Using one Class 5X magical creature's blood to transform your bloodline. Don't worry... except for slight changes in temperament and personality, there won't be any effects. No one can tell. Further on, when you collect three or even seven Class 5X magical creature bloods, even more amazing changes await. Talent? That will no longer be a problem. So-called geniuses will see you like seeing the sky!" Voldemort's seductive text appeared on the parchment. He had planned to end this conversation. This text was too dangerous. But seeing Voldemort's last two sentences, he suddenly paused. His gaze locked on the numbers one, three, and seven. "Why after transforming with one magical creature's blood, does the next transformation require collecting three types, and the next seven?" Seeing his question, Voldemort's lips curved in a strange, profound smile. Since he was asking, it meant he was already interested in Dark Magic Transfiguration. Once tempted, he'd eventually be unable to resist entering. He'd become a chess piece planted beside Dumbledore. At crucial moments, he could even take Dumbledore's life! So Voldemort patiently explained to him. "Class 5X magical creature blood often contains incredible magic power. Using any one blood type to transform bloodlines can improve talent. But simultaneously introducing two blood types causes their magic powers to oppose and consume each other. Not only won't talent improve... it might even drain life force. Only introducing a third blood type for balance can end internal consumption and achieve stronger transformation effects. Same principle... the next balance requires exactly seven blood types, plus extremely precise preparation. But I believe with your intelligence, these won't be difficult." The moment Voldemort explained the principles, he immediately buried the parchment under the Patronus Trees again. Then he exhaled deeply. His tense nerves finally relaxed slightly. Unknowingly, his forehead was already covered with bean-sized sweat beads. Conversing with Voldemort was still too stressful. And his power had obviously recovered considerably. The heart-bewitching magic power through the parchment was much stronger than before. If not for his naturally firmer mental will than ordinary young wizards, plus being surrounded by the Patronus Trees' sacred magic power that greatly weakened the bewitching magic, he might actually have been swayed by Voldemort. But then his eyes burst with strange light. Though crisis lurked, he had to admit... as a wizard standing at the magical world's pinnacle, any knowledge Voldemort casually revealed was beyond ordinary imagination. The earlier explanation about why one, three, and seven magical creature bloods were needed for transformation had completely resolved his recent confusion. Then his gaze fell on the third group of Blood Jade in the greenhouse. This group had been watered with both dragon blood and Acromantula blood simultaneously. He had expected extraordinary changes. But while the other two groups matured, this group not only showed no activity but also gradually withered. He previously couldn't understand why. Now, seeing Voldemort's guidance, he was enlightened. "It's because dragon blood and Acromantula blood are consuming each other. A third Class 5X magical creature's blood is needed for balance!" His eyes suddenly brightened. He'd felt the effects of Blood Jade harvesting very clearly. It greatly benefited his Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength abilities. Not to mention gaining Dragon Fire and Toxin abilities. Only the bloodline purification effect was relatively weak, but still quite rewarding. If he could really introduce a third Class 5X magical creature's blood to advance Blood Jade further, perhaps the Hematopoietic Enhancement reward could reach the Gold tier. Other reward tiers would also improve dramatically. This would be worlds apart from before. Even further... according to Voldemort, using seven blood types to cultivate Blood Jade? That effect might be even more terrifying. Mass-producing Platinum-tier rewards?! Thinking this, his heart surged, taking a long time to calm. But this process couldn't simply be achieved by directly watering with blood. It required strict, precise preparation. This meant he needed to do something. His gaze fell on the parchment. The twisted, evil Dark Magic Transfiguration that Voldemort had imparted came into view.