"Blub blub."

After Merlin had jumped into the pond, bubbles rose up to the surface. Merlin felt as if he was caught in a swamp where it was difficult to move even an inch.

Particularly, the thick, sludge-like stuff pressed in on Merlin from all sides. Other than his head, all the rest of him was sunken. He felt cold and damp. However, thereafter, a numb sensation arose, followed quickly by a hot and stinging feeling.

These sensations were difficult to endure. Any average person would be unable to stand it but Merlin's Mind Power was incomparably powerful. How would he be afraid of this smidgen of pain?

Conversely, he was using his Mind Power to carefully study the pond. There was special energy within that slowly seeped into his body, binding with his body's blood. It was indeed able to enhance the power of his bloodline multiple times.

"It's not surprising that it's called the Nourishment Pond for it can strengthen an ordinary person's bloodline multiple times. I suppose the formula isn't that simple?"

Merlin opened his eyes and asked in an even tone.

Heroult was somewhat astonished. He did not expect that Merlin could still reason so soberly under such circumstances. He smiled as he replied, "Of course, it's not simple. The Nourishment Pond formula is every Host's secret. Back then, I've only obtained this Nourishment Pond formula due to random chance. However, don't you count on me passing it on to you. This Nourishment Pond formula is the most basic of all. Even if your parasitism succeeds, you'll need the Nourishment Pond formula. Perhaps, if you follow me to Holy Dragon City, I'll consider passing on the Nourishment Pond formula to you."

Merlin eyed the pond, not expecting that this small pond would be so crucial. Nonetheless, a formula that could strengthen the power of one's bloodline was vital indeed. At least, in "Leon" memories, Merlin could find nothing that would enhance one's bloodline. After all, Merlin's current bloodline was merely an ordinary one.

"How easy it would be with the Matrix. With one scan and I'll know the Nourishment Pond formula."

Merlin missed the Matrix but it was a shame it would not appear again.

When he thought of the Matrix, Merlin naturally recalled the Vestigial Tribe. The Illusory Tribe Civilization in his Illusory World was completely developed based on the Vestigial Tribe. If the Illusory World were to recover even more, he would first develop the Illusory Tribe Civilization.

It was similar to the Matrix in the Illusory Tribe Civilization. Even though it was not as outrageous as the Matrix that could construct Spell Models, it could still scan spell formulas and exert precise control. At that time, the Nourishment Pond formula would not be a problem.

With this in mind, Merlin was not worried anymore. He had come from the Void Zone, a great existence able to contend against the will of the Void Zone. Naturally, he had some advantages.

"There's no need for that. I'll look for the Nourishment Pond formula myself in the future."

Merlin replied coldly. His tone contained no trace of gratitude. He could see the current situation clearly. He was a test subject, and Heroult would obtain precious experiment data from him. As for Merlin himself, if the parasitism succeeded, he would gain some powers of self-preservation.

This was a mutually beneficial matter and could be considered a transaction. Thus, feeling thankful was not in the equation.

"Alright, you might be in agony, so be prepared!"

After Heroult spoke, he took out a spotless, white porcelain bottle and gently opened the lid. From within out poured a gray powder.

"Sizzle sizzle."

As the powder fell upon the Nourishment Pond, it was like water poured into a deep fryer. The pond started to boil violently, and Merlin felt a scorching pain.

"Endure it. Only by passing this stage can your body withstand the Two-headed Pterolycus' will!"

Heroult noticed Merlin's expression of suffering and spoke hurriedly. He was afraid that Merlin could not bear this. If that happened, all his previous work would go to waste.

Merlin glanced at Heroult. He could endure this. Though it was great agony, his will would not be affected in the slightest even if this was ten thousand times worse.

Under the observation of Merlin's Mind Power, he could distinctly feel that his body was gradually strengthening. His blood surged with immense power, which was proof of the wonder of the Nourishment Pond.

"Alright, you can come out!"

After an unknown period, when Merlin was even feeling somewhat numb, Heroult's voice sounded in his ear, yelling that Merlin could leave the Nourishment Pond.

Merlin was somewhat reluctant to leave, noticing a slight twitch at the corner of Heroult's mouth. Heroult felt a pang. This Nourishment Pond could be considered his greatest asset. So many precious items had been put into it for it to have such astonishing effects.

"Master Leon, you may now inspect your body."

Heroult tossed Merlin a clean robe. Merlin put it on. Although it was not as well-fitting as his own clothes, he could get by. It just appeared somewhat oversized.

However, this was unimportant. What mattered was that Merlin felt his own body seemed to have grown stronger. It really had. If he weighed himself now, his mass would surely have increased significantly.

Merlin lightly gripped his arms, which felt different from their previously weak state. Now they seemed filled with strength.

"This was all transformed by the Nourishment Pond?"

Merlin was rather taken aback. It looked like he had underestimated this world. It could produce such a miraculous thing like the Nourishment Pond, which forcefully increased the strength of those who did not have any almighty beast bloodline.

Of course, compared to those who had inherited an almighty beast bloodline, there was still no way to be on par. One's physique was merely enhanced at least five times compared to an average person.

"Not bad, Master Leon, your will isn't bad at all. Your body could be enhanced more than five times. Most people can no longer stand it after they were enhanced three times over."

Curator Heroult was rather surprised but also mournful as well. Admittedly, he was delighted over Merlin's physique being enhanced five times over but the greater the enhancement, the more Merlin had consumed the substances in his Nourishment Pond.

These materials were extremely precious. He had collected them for many years before manufacturing this Nourishment Pond. Initially, he had planned to use it for long-term research on parasitism but now, it was used by Merlin.

Nonetheless, he had already recorded Merlin's physical situation and his body's data. This was always a part of the research and could be considered a fair trade. There was nothing to rue.

"Alright, next is the crucial step – to allow the almighty beast's will to parasitize in your body, coexisting with your consciousness!"

With that, Curator Heroult had moved the Two-headed Pterolycus' fossil into the room at an unknown time. Instantly, Merlin's ear seemed to ring with the almighty beast's snarls.

"Tell me, what do I do?"

Merlin did not hesitate at all and asked softly.

"It's simple. Focus your attention and hold onto the Two-headed Pterolycus' fossil. The Two-headed Pterolycus' will would slowly detect your presence, then infiltrate your consciousness, parasitizing your mind!"

Heroult pointed to the Two-headed Pterolycus' fossil on the floor, indicating that Merlin could begin.

Merlin drew in a deep breath and crouched down. The moment his hand gripped the Two-headed Pterolycus' fossil, Merlin felt a bleak force invading his body furiously. Moreover, the almighty beast's roars seemed to magnify innumerable times over in his ears.

Heroult swiftly retreated to one side, closely observing Merlin's changes. Currently, this was the complete process of parasitism. This precious experiment data would be very useful for his future research on parasitism.

As for whether Merlin would succeed, this was no longer within the scope of his considerations. Now, it was all up to Merlin.