Chapter 160: Power, Blood, and Preparation

On the system panel, the newly formed Dark Magic Transfiguration text flickered with deep iron-black luster. Ciel's thoughts also withdrew from the paper recording Dark Magic Transfiguration knowledge at this moment. He took a deep breath, his expression showing admiration and respect. Undeniably, Dark Magic Transfiguration was indeed radical. Various changes and modifications targeting flesh were like the magical world's "biotechnology." It was hard to imagine how many samples were needed to discover magical power's patterns in flesh transformation. Behind this, describing it as mountains of corpses and seas of blood wouldn't be excessive. No wonder Snape said that anyone slightly involved in such things, once discovered, would rot in Azkaban until death. But no one could deny that the transfiguration principles contained in Dark Magic Transfiguration were indeed unique. If Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration and Switching Spells constituted "traditional transfiguration" content, then Dark Magic Transfiguration opened a new path... Flesh Transfiguration. Then his gaze fell on the system panel again. He saw that the original Bronze-tier Transfiguration text had become more intense and solid in its bronze luster. This was previously impossible because his magical perception had blocked his progress in Gamp's Law and Switching Spells, preventing further advancement. But now, as Dark Magic Transfiguration reached Black Iron tier, these two more traditional transfiguration types also absorbed some nourishment from it, becoming more complete. His mind recalled what Professor McGonagall had once said: "Whether reaching the pinnacle in Gamp's Law or Switching Spells, both can be called Transfiguration masters. But only three people in a century have simultaneously reached extremes in both transfiguration fields." Now it seemed this assessment wasn't entirely accurate. There was also the path of Flesh Transfiguration to consider. Among the two Dark Lords, Voldemort goes without saying... he was undoubtedly a master-level practitioner in this field. As for Grindelwald, who was expelled from Durmstrang (a school famous for dark magic), no one would believe he hadn't studied Flesh Transfiguration during his youth. During Dumbledore's time with Grindelwald, he likely studied this field as well, at least experimenting with it. "So their strength might very well come from researching Gamp's Law, Switching Spells, and even Flesh Transfiguration to extremely deep levels, piling up magic beyond ordinary imagination." He felt some emotion in his mind. The deeper one approached magic's mysteries, the more vast and profound they seemed. Wizards like Dumbledore and Voldemort standing at magic's pinnacle... the more one pursued them, the more distant they felt. No wonder even powerful, brilliantly talented wizards like Snape felt genuine fear when facing Dumbledore and Voldemort, as if they weren't beings from the same dimension. After his contemplation, he took a deep breath, focusing his attention on reality. Perhaps someday in the future he could match Dumbledore and Voldemort, but the path must be walked step by step. He needed to focus on the present first. His gaze continued sweeping across the system panel. Mastering Dark Magic Transfiguration not only improved his original Bronze-tier Transfiguration but also caused unexpected changes in one spell. "Serpensortia?" His gaze locked on Serpensortia. An additional line of information had appeared behind it: [This spell is affected by Dark Magic Transfiguration and gains additional enhancement] He was immediately surprised. After a moment, his eyes burst with strange light. He had suspected before that although Serpensortia was a gift from Lucius Malfoy, the spell's style clearly clashed with the Malfoy family's style, seeming more like magic bestowed by Voldemort. Now he could almost confirm this. Because it was a spell created by Voldemort, it contained not only traditional transfiguration theory but also much content from Flesh Transfiguration... Dark Magic Transfiguration. When his Dark Magic Transfiguration reached the Black Iron tier, Serpensortia could display more mysteries. If Dark Magic Transfiguration continued improving, this spell's strength should continue climbing. No wonder Voldemort used this spell to summon countless venomous snakes when battling Dumbledore at the Ministry in the original story. With his Dark Magic Transfiguration mastery, this spell's strength had reached a terrifying level! Then his eyes showed anticipation. He wanted to see exactly how Serpensortia had changed. The next moment, he swung his wand, thrusting it forward fiercely while shouting: "Serpensortia!" Smoke instantly exploded from his wand tip. Then the smoke transformed, changing into a large venomous snake. He had repeated this process thousands of times and was extremely familiar with it. But now, having learned Dark Magic Transfiguration, he suddenly had a strange feeling. During the smoke's transformation into a snake, what if he used Dark Magic Transfiguration's power to modify the snake's flesh? Unconsciously, his wand trembled slightly. The snake condensed from smoke... its internal flesh actually began writhing madly. In moments, the snake's size shrank somewhat, but its fierce aura surged dramatically compared to before. Its fangs gleamed coldly. The next second, two streams of venom suddenly shot from the fangs like crossbow bolts, traveling nearly fifty meters before hitting the ground and emitting a foul stench. Seeing this, he looked delighted. Just now he had used Dark Magic Transfiguration knowledge to perform flesh modification on the snake created by Serpensortia, allowing it to spray venom through its fangs without needing to bite targets. He'd also enhanced its flesh density, so though it shrank in size, its strength and speed increased dramatically. Thus, this snake's combat ability had improved by more than just a little compared to before! Even encountering Acromantulas again, it shouldn't be torn apart easily and could at least struggle longer. He felt excited. Dark magic truly was strongly combat-related. Even touching it slightly provided combat ability improvements incomparable to other magic. No wonder so many wizards immersed themselves in pursuing dark magic. But after a moment, his excitement calmed. He was clear that if dark magic could easily let wizards reach the top, the Ministry building should be built in Knockturn Alley. Why would Knockturn Alley become a gathering place for skulking dark wizards? It could be studied and indeed had merits, but one should only take its essence to benefit oneself, not immerse oneself in dark magic's quick power and forget one's fundamentals. That would be putting the cart before the horse. His foundation was cultivation. All magic ultimately served tree planting! Now, with his mind calm, his gaze fell on the third group of Blood Jade. Compared to before, this group's condition was even worse, appearing extremely withered. Even the reward orbs above were weak and dim, seemingly ready to extinguish anytime. Previously he couldn't see the problem, but now, having learned Dark Magic Transfiguration, he could finally find the problem's root in the tangled, conflicting magical powers. What Voldemort said earlier proved true for Blood Jade. Blood Jade cultivated with two Class 5X magical creature blood types had their internal magical powers opposing and consuming each other. This caused this group to not only fail in transforming from Luminous Moss to Blood Jade but also even gradually wither and weaken. To change this situation, he needed to introduce a third blood type comparable to Class 5X magical creatures. After preparation, letting all three blood types exert their effects should create Blood Jade much more powerful than the previous two groups. His eyes flashed as thoughts raced through his mind. According to Dark Magic Transfiguration theory, blood magical power balance was also particular. The blood for cultivating his third Blood Jade group came from dragons and Acromantulas... one aerial magical creature, one terrestrial. The introduced third blood type should ideally come from the ocean. This would achieve the best harmonizing effect. Thinking this, and recalling the oppressive feeling Voldemort conveyed through parchment, his palm tightened slightly. His growth speed needed acceleration. Whether seeking Puking Pastilles for cultivation or obtaining blood needed to harmonize the third Blood Jade group, the North Sea seemed inevitable. But marine magical creatures were generally much larger than terrestrial ones, often dozens of meters long. The North Sea Kraken's recorded size was basically over a hundred meters. The difficulty was unimaginable. Taking blood from them would be much harder than dealing with Acromantulas. Even Sectumsempra might not pierce their thick skin. Even if it caused wounds, it would be like humans being pricked by toothpicks. As for underwater combat... however confident he was in his Legendary Strength and Legendary Vitality, he wouldn't be so arrogant. After all, the size difference was too great. "I need more effective means to deal with potentially encountered marine magical creatures. Best if unused. But if I need them, I can't lack such methods." His gaze swept across the abilities on his system panel. But his attack methods were already limited, plus his magical strength limitations. After searching, he couldn't find effective restraints against such sea beasts. Finally, his gaze still settled on the newly learned Dark Magic Transfiguration. His eyes showed contemplation. Dark Magic Transfiguration could modify flesh, granting it different properties or amplifying existing ones. His blood had one most significant trait... extremely vigorous vitality. Also, after gaining Toxin ability, his blood could secrete specific toxins under his control. Now he had a flash of inspiration. Of course he wouldn't modify his own body, but could he use his blood as material, utilizing Dark Magic Transfiguration combined with his blood's vigorous vitality and toxins to create methods targeting large magical creatures? After thinking, "physical methods" were impossible for him. Perhaps only such "chemical methods" would work. Then he cut his wrist, extracting a tube of blood. He waved his wand. On the system panel, Dark Magic Transfiguration's text lit up. A magical power different from his previous transfiguration acted on this blood tube. He immediately had an illusion... as if the blood had come alive and was slightly writhing. After Dark Magic Transfiguration's effect ended, he frowned. Good news: the blood's toxins did indeed produce some effect under Dark Magic Transfiguration. Even after transformation, these toxins remained under his [Toxin] ability control. Bad news: his understanding of Dark Magic Transfiguration was obviously insufficient. The blood's changes had considerable gaps from his estimates. The toxin effect roughly became the cause of endless diarrhea after onset. Simply put... it went wrong. Fortunately, he hadn't expected immediate success. With Legendary Vitality and enhanced hematopoietic ability backing him, never mind one tube... hundreds or thousands wouldn't affect him much. Soon he extracted another tube of blood, continuing transformations. As for the blood tube that had undergone Dark Magic Transfiguration, he thought, "Don't waste it. Give it to the double agent... like feeding a dog. When toxins activate later, it'll give him another symptom." Then he poured this blood tube on the parchment. On the other side, seeing blood flowing from the parchment, Quirrell's mind heard Voldemort's delighted voice: "Good. Very good. This kid has already begun blood modification so quickly. He truly has potential for falling into darkness!" As for the failed blood modification, Voldemort didn't care at all. Dark Magic Transfiguration... how could it be that simple? Voldemort controlled Quirrell's body, greedily drinking the entire blood tube. Then he wrote on the parchment: "Junior. Congratulations on embarking on the path to magic's higher levels. Remember, Flesh Transfiguration, like ordinary transfiguration, requires firm will. But ordinary transfiguration requires strong will to change things. Flesh Transfiguration requires profane, twisted will..." After writing guidance for him, Voldemort also instructed Quirrell: "Quirrell. From now on, drink all the modified blood he sends yourself. This way, I can sense this kid's progress in Dark Magic Transfiguration. When he completes his first modification, that's when I'll fully turn him into a chess piece lurking beside Dumbledore." Quirrell quickly nodded in agreement. But after Voldemort fell back into slumber, Quirrell felt the blood he'd just drunk seemed to make his stomach ache faintly. A bit uncomfortable? But the feeling disappeared after a moment, so Quirrell didn't pay much attention. "Probably just nausea from drinking human blood." At this time, he looked at Voldemort's guidance on the parchment, his gaze slightly moving. "Profane, twisted will?" He seemed to grasp something. Waving his wand again, he transformed a new tube of blood. On the system panel, with his repeated wand movements, Dark Magic Transfiguration's iron-black luster grew increasingly profound. Tubes of modified blood continuously dripped onto the parchment. Time flew by rapidly. In a flash, three more days passed. He gently waved his wand. In a test tube before him, bright red blood suddenly seemed to come alive and began violent writhing!