Above The Sky
Chapter 239 - 239 227 Brain-Eating Parasite and Spirit Energy Progress 44

239: Chapter 227 Brain-Eating Parasite and Spirit Energy Progress (4/4) 239: Chapter 227 Brain-Eating Parasite and Spirit Energy Progress (4/4) Ian used his sword to pry open the chest of the mutant, and discovered that the parasite was not ‘entwined’ around the spine but that it was actually a part of the spinal cord—the parasite enveloped the mutant’s spine like a neural structure, causing the brown-red worm body to spread throughout the mutant’s entire body, wrapping around the stomach and extending into the intestines, taking over the digestive system.

At its tip was the mutant’s original brain.

—This parasitic worm had completely replaced the mutant’s neural structure and had taken full control of the body!

The original mutant was left with just a carcass, its spinal cord and all neural systems had been consumed and replaced by the parasite!

Narrowing his eyes, Ian’s mouth curved into an arc of interest as he raised his sword to lift the mutant’s still relatively intact skull, revealing its inner side full of viscous mucus and the brain cavity with bizarre pustules.

The youth couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

Because, before his eyes, was a giant tapeworm that curled and coiled, bulging and filling the entire skull, its shape eerily resembling a brain!

The giant brown-red tapeworm was still alive, constantly swelling and contracting, its outer layer covered with mucus, forming a thin film similar to the blood-brain barrier… and according to those complex brain sulci and cortexes, as well as various brain structures that looked quite familiar.

Ian was almost certain that this bizarre giant parasitic tapeworm had completely taken over the functional duties of the mutant’s brain.

Or rather, this parasite was a ‘parasite brain’ that devoured the host’s brain and took its place!

“Named as Brain-Eating Parasite.”

Ian named this malignant parasite in the Silver Chip.

He didn’t feel disgusted but instead squatted down to attentively observe the Brain-Eating Parasite’s structure.

The scanning functionality of the Silver Chip was extremely useful and provided many specific outcomes that required detailed scrutiny and analysis, but it was not omniscient or omnipotent, and much of the explanatory information was not complete.

Initially, Ian thought that the Chip had scanned the memories of Inega II and Hiliard, two contemporary powerhouses, an emperor and a Royal Knight with broad knowledge, thus it appeared almost all-knowing.

But later he found that many assessments within the Chip were not subjective; they were quite neutral… Whether it was any data or conclusion, they all did not seem like results achievable by someone from Terra Continent.

They resembled more… the perspective of an ‘Observer’ from beyond the entire civilization.

Ian had many speculations about this, but these conjectures were not important at the moment—there would be plenty of time in the future to prove those things.

What mattered most was the peculiar parasitic organism before him now.

“This parasite is considered a Magical Medicine Ingredient; who knows what abilities a Sublimator who ascends through such a Bloodline might possess.

Parasitism?

Parasitize whom, when people are such large creatures, how could they possibly be parasitized…”

He initially muttered to himself, answering his own questions to dispel the confusion in his heart, but as he spoke, Ian’s eyebrows furrowed tightly: “Wait a minute?”

“The process of the Native Great Shaman and the Crocodragon fusing into one entity… the flesh-and-blood human figure that appeared in the Crocodragon’s Flesh and Blood…”

“Could it be…”

Pausing for a moment, the youth shook his head: “It might just be a coincidence, but I’ll note down the suspicion.”

Thinking this, he thrust his sword into the brain-shaped parasite and killed it.

Ian then surveyed the entire hall, his gaze fixing on those dark Cultivation Chambers: “Clearly, this mutant crawled out from those temporary Cultivation Chambers—although most are just deformed tumors, if cultured enough times, a few who are severely mutated could still emerge.”

“Sadly, these mutants are too close to the River of Parasites.

As soon as they come out of the Cultivation Chambers and drink water, they are parasitized, their brains consumed, becoming carcasses for the Brain-Eating Parasites.”

Even now, Ian was not very clear why such creepy Demon Beast Level parasitic worms would appear in the natives’ Holy Ground, and the subterranean ruins of a previous civilization era, but the dangers and peculiarities of this place were absolutely beyond anyone else’s imagination.

He must find his companions immediately, especially Shasha who moves around in the water, to ensure they don’t get infected by the parasites.

Having thought it, he began to act.

However, before that, there were still some things to prepare.

He found what was likely a fire started by a mutant or possibly a brain-eating parasite.

After igniting it, Ian rested for a bit before once again activating his Foresight View.

This time, there was no sign of life in the vicinity—not even the shadows of the stalactites above.

The entire cavity was a dull gray-white, with only the Cultivation Chamber itself being a light blue object containing scattered Origin Quality.

However, at this moment, Ian was somewhat surprised to find that the physical strength needed to activate Foresight View had increased.

It had been the equivalent of the energy needed for an ordinary person to throw a punch, but now it had suddenly increased to the energy needed to throw several punches.

“Is this due to a special Spirit Energy Field in this area?”

After reaching the First Energy Level, Ian had almost never been troubled by the energy consumption of Foresight View.

The cost of Spirit Energy, unaffordable for an ordinary person, was as simple as breathing for a Sublimator.

But that the consumption had multiplied was a dangerous signal, indicating a significant anomaly.

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

Shaking his head, Ian dismissed this guess.

He considered another more likely possibility, “Could it be…

my Spirit Energy has progressed again?”

——Having witnessed the anomaly of the Southern Sea and relics from a former era firsthand, his Spirit Energy had improved due to ‘curiosity’…

and thus began to evolve gradually.

Thinking about it, this was, in fact, the most probable explanation.

He reminded himself of the visions from the past that he saw when the gates to the underground relics opened…

“As long as I continue exploring the relics, my Spirit Energy will most likely undergo evolution.”

“Perhaps, afterward, in addition to Foresight, I might also learn of some past events?”

With this firm belief, Ian looked forward to his future explorations even more.

Foresight View was the foundation of his existence in the Terra Continent and essential for his continued growth—if this ability could become stronger, he wouldn’t miss any chance to enhance it.

Moreover, it was already his desire…

his wish to explore.

As for the increased consumption, it was but a minor inconvenience.

Anyway.

In this treacherous underground, Ian couldn’t guarantee he would have access to food…

Parasites would be the last resort.

For now, all his physical strength could only be replenished with potions from his waist pouch and Origin Quality stored in the Ancient Dragon Heart Core.

Of course, aside from these already-prepared items, the young man had an unexpected reserve.

That was the brain marrow crystal of the Crocodragon.

The brain marrow crystal of the Spirit of the Mountain Tide·Swamp Crocodile Dragon.