Chapter 166: Bait, Lies, and Knowledge

Looking at the platinum light emerging from the reward information, Ciel's eyes first showed disbelief, then burst with intense heat. Even his breathing quickened. Blood Jade that originally provided Silver-tier rewards had actually upgraded to Platinum tier? This improvement span was simply a leap! It had become the highest-tier plant he could mass-produce! He took a deep breath, calming his mind after a long while. "Even if this has similarities with what Voldemort said about using multiple magical creature bloods to purify bloodlines. It belongs to very advanced Dark Magic Transfiguration. But this magnitude is still too exaggerated..." Then his eyes showed contemplation. "Could it be because the Kraken's blood strength far exceeds the other two Class 5X creatures? So it produced such miraculous effects?" After much thought, he felt this possibility was greater. After all, with his current strength, killing Acromantulas alone wasn't difficult. Even encountering a dragon, he could suppress it with strength and resist its flames with extreme heat resistance. Besides possibly inferior flight speed, he could still fight. But the Kraken... if he hadn't prepared in advance and created Giant Killer toxin, in a direct confrontation, he would have had no way to deal with it. Most other Class 5X magical creatures encountering the Kraken would only be devoured. "Right. After all, this is just the Ministry's rating. The standard also considers whether it has caused many wizard deaths as an important criterion. The Kraken stays in the sea and hasn't killed wizards, so naturally its rating isn't high. But in reality, whoever encounters it knows." He shook his head, his gaze falling again on the third Blood Jade group. His brow furrowed slightly. The reward information hadn't become clear, meaning the Blood Jade's transformation was still ongoing. Simultaneously, the reward orbs again showed unstable flickering. Of course, compared to the previous dying state, this was much better. His furrowed brow relaxed. He said to himself, "It seems the situation is still very unstable. It's not just a matter of pouring Kraken blood on it for guaranteed success. Just like Dark Magic Transfiguration... it's not about getting three magical creature bloods, gulping them down, and immediately transforming. If it were that simple, magical creatures would probably be hunted to extinction. More crucial than magical creature blood is the advanced technique of preparing blood magic power to make them harmonious." Unfortunately, he didn't know this. The version Voldemort left on the parchment only gave detailed steps for absorbing the first blood type. Later absorption of three blood types for bloodline improvement was just an overview. As for seven blood types, there wasn't even a bit of actual theory... pure empty promises. The intention was obvious... using this as bait to continuously induce him to work for him. At this time, he fell into deep thought. He indeed wanted this bait. After all, a Platinum-tier herb that could be mass-produced was too important for him. Especially Blood Jade. This thing played an important role in advancing Legendary Strength and Legendary Vitality toward the Mythical tier. This time, he clearly felt its benefits. Without previously harvesting Blood Jade and facing the Kraken today, he might not have survived the first strike. Much less using the Kraken to temper himself and gain so many benefits. Each tiny improvement above Legendary brought vastly different benefits! If there was a chance to obtain higher-tier Blood Jade rewards, he would naturally strive for it. But work for Voldemort? He rejected this from the bottom of his heart. Wanting to eat bait without doing work... even in ordinary workplaces, you'd need connections for that. Much less before Voldemort. The difficulty was unimaginable. "Unless... I can grasp what Voldemort most urgently wants." Suddenly, his eyes brightened as inspiration flashed through his mind. What Voldemort most urgently desired was none other than the Philosopher's Stone. If he could produce major news about the Philosopher's Stone, Voldemort wouldn't be reluctant to give up this bait. As for whether the news was true... that wasn't his concern. Simultaneously, for how to pass through Ministry protective magic, enter Quintaped-infested Drear Island, and obtain sufficient Puking Pastilles, he also had an idea. After long contemplation, he took out the parchment and wrote a line. At the same time, Quirrell was reporting to Voldemort. "Master. That kid hasn't bled for two days. Hasn't spoken either. When I indirectly asked about Devil's Snare before, he still didn't tell us." Quirrell said quietly, "Master. Could this kid be playing tricks?" Voldemort frowned. "Impossible. I clearly sensed it before. His blood contained traces of Dark Magic Transfiguration modification. And so frequent... proving how deeply he craves power. He absolutely wouldn't give up contacting me. Unless that old fool Dumbledore became suspicious..." Just then, his writing appeared on the parchment. "Senior. I want to know how to use three magical creature bloods for transformation." Seeing this line, Voldemort's eyes showed surprise. "This kid is asking for such knowledge so quickly?" His interest suddenly increased. "Could it be that during these two missing days, he found a place and completed the first step of Dark Magic Transfiguration self-modification? He successfully used one Class 5X magical creature's blood to transform his bloodline?!" This was the same path Voldemort had followed years earlier. However, he had discovered Dark Magic Transfiguration relatively late and still needed to gather the necessary materials. He only completed his first dark transformation in his fifth year, using ancient basilisk blood. After graduation, he spent years collecting materials and refining his methods before completing the more advanced three-blood and seven-blood transformations. Now he had taken the first step nearly four years earlier than Voldemort! "Though I provided guidance. This proves this kid's dark magic talent is truly extraordinary." But Voldemort's expression then turned cold. The knowledge he gave always carried hidden costs. Wanting more wasn't that simple. Voldemort's lips curved in a strange smile as he wrote on the parchment. "Junior. Senior Delphini naturally wants to guide you. But you must know Dark Magic Transfiguration isn't commonly available. The knowledge I gave you before was stolen from my family. This already got me severely scolded by my parents, who even threatened to disown me. If I steal again, sob sob, I might lose my family. But if you could provide something valuable, even just information, so I could negotiate with my parents, I would definitely plead with them." Quirrell whispered, "Master. Would that kid really provide useful information? I mean, he might not have access to much valuable information." Voldemort sneered. "It doesn't matter if he can't provide it now. As long as he still has a strong desire for this knowledge. He'll definitely follow my orders... steal, rob, do whatever it takes to gather Philosopher's Stone information. With his identity, there might even be surprises." At the same time, he looked at Voldemort's writing, a strange light flashing in his eyes. Voldemort was casting bait to fish. Unfortunately, he wanted to eat the bait but skip the hook. Not only that... he'd make Voldemort voluntarily deliver the bait! Then he wrote on paper as if struggling and hesitating... writing then crossing out, crossing out then writing. Voldemort noticed this scene, his eyes suddenly brightening. Could he really have some information? Then Voldemort wrote more seductive text. "Junior. No one in this world hopes for your success more than I do. You know, from your first day at school, professors have privately spread that they don't think highly of your talent. Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick... they all think you won't achieve anything. Think back... remember their pitying looks. Don't you want to make them look at you with new eyes? Don't you want to prove yourself and make everyone kneel at your feet? In life, there aren't many chances to change fate." These words seemed like the last straw breaking the camel's back. His writing suddenly became clear. "Alright, senior. This is a secret... a secret I overheard. You absolutely cannot tell anyone." Then he wrote word by word. "I learned that. Headmaster Dumbledore and others seem to be transferring something. I heard this once in my aunt's office. Aunt's voice was very low, but my hearing is good. I heard that in a sea area not far from Hogwarts, there's an island. The island is surrounded by carefully designed protective magic. There are also layers of dangers inside. The island supposedly hides something very useful." Seeing his revealed information, Voldemort's gaze suddenly froze. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Quirrell shivered, saying tremblingly, "Master. The Philosopher's Stone is at Hogwarts. It can't be on some island. Hogwarts is the safest place in the magical world... the Philosopher's Stone must be kept here." But Voldemort seemed to understand something, saying coldly. "No. Dumbledore is cunning and scheming. How could he put something as important as the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts? Even letting so many people know? He never trusts anyone." Voldemort took a deep breath. "Unless this is a trap to attract attention. Actually, there's only a fake inside. Or when I go through countless hardships to reach the final chamber, it's empty, and that old fool Dumbledore is waiting for me! Right. The real Philosopher's Stone must be preserved somewhere remote and unexpected. Damn. I almost fell for Dumbledore's trick! Cunning, scheming old bee!" Hearing Voldemort's analysis, Quirrell couldn't find fault. It sounded very reasonable. But this was hard for Quirrell to accept. This meant all his previous intelligence and plans were worthless. Instead, he had made great contributions. What about his merit? Even if the Dark Lord successfully revived, wouldn't he still have to serve under him? He got all the benefits while he suffered all the hardships? Who could stand this! Quirrell still tried to persuade. "Master. What this kid says might not be entirely believable. What if he misheard? Or what if he deliberately fabricated it to obtain magical knowledge? Master, we must be cautious." But obviously, Voldemort was quite confident in his ability to read people's hearts. He firmly believed that he, desperate about his talent, couldn't possibly resist after seeing Dark Magic Transfiguration. "Quirrell, do you think I'd be deceived by a child? Could children's clumsy lies fool me? Is that what you mean?" Quirrell quickly waved his hands. "No, no, Master, how could that be possible? I meant we should still be cautious. We've already put so much effort into the obstacles... now we have to attack an island too? What if something goes wrong?" But then, his writing appeared again on the parchment. "Senior. You've helped me too much. Trading one piece of information for such precious magical knowledge... I'm taking too much advantage. How about this... let's set a time to go to the island together. If there's anything you can use, take it. I'll handle the rest. Don't worry, I'm the Sprout family heir... my aunt will protect me." Seeing his words, even Voldemort was stunned. Then his face filled with admiration. "See that? Quirrell. I told you he is a person of principle!" The next moment, Voldemort wrote lines addressing his question. Quirrell's heart turned bitter, and then he almost ground his teeth in hatred. How much did he have to pay to learn magic from Voldemort? Why was it so easy for him? Suddenly, a thought appeared in Quirrell's mind. Remembering Voldemort saying he smelled good, could the Dark Lord really have such preferences? Quirrell hesitated briefly. He had some attractiveness too, right? Maybe... he should be more proactive? He couldn't let him, this kid, come from behind and step on his head! So after a moment, Quirrell gritted his teeth, spoke in a falsetto voice with orchid fingers, lightly stroking his neck... or rather, Voldemort's current throat. "Master, actually, I..." Voldemort paused. "???" "Crucio!!!" At this time, he didn't know about Quirrell and Voldemort's drama. His gaze fell on the magical knowledge Voldemort provided. With Bronze-tier Dark Magic Transfiguration, though this knowledge was complex, he found it not too difficult to understand. Countless inspirations surged through his mind. He murmured, "Balance and fusion of three blood magics... I see."