Chapter 315: Heart of Deformation, Guardian God Selection

Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Heart of Deformation, Guardian God Selection

’Designate an entity to become a "Guardian God"... and it can even provide mental protection and a defensive barrier?’

An idea sparked in Seraphina Sullivan’s mind.

Mental attacks were notoriously difficult to defend against.

The Woman with the Red Umbrella from this last instance and her various past experiences had proven this point.

If it hadn’t been for the Purple Gemstone Necklace, she might have truly suffered an unexpected and humiliating defeat.

And the mental protection from the Purple Gemstone Necklace had a limited number of uses.

She now had two uses left.

If she used them all up and then encountered another being like The Woman with the Red Umbrella...

Without any mental protection, she wouldn’t know what to do.

This [Guardian God] ability could undoubtedly shore up Seraphina’s weakness in this area.

’As for which pet or plant to choose... that requires careful consideration.’

The third item was a "heart" that was still faintly pulsing, its surface covered in dark red veins and a strange crystalline structure.

[Heart of Deformation]

[Effect: The life core of a powerful radiation mutant, containing highly active and specialized Aberrant Radiation Energy. The user can attempt to guide the Energy within by directly consuming it, with a very high probability of awakening a special Talent or Skill related to "radiation." Warning: Consumption carries a certain chance of causing aberrant mutation.]

Seeing the effect of the [Heart of Deformation], Seraphina Sullivan’s brow furrowed slightly.

The Power of this thing was clearly immense, but it came with enormous risks. It was highly likely to cause uncontrollable aberrant mutations in the user’s body.

For Seraphina, it seemed more suitable as a special material or a research specimen. Using it directly required extreme caution.

Finally, there was a rather fantastical-looking stamp. The paper was soft and pliable, decorated with images of a starry sky, clouds, and a sweetly sleeping child. Its edges were adorned with exquisite gold-leaf patterns—the [Beautiful Dream Stamp].

[Beautiful Dream Stamp]

[Effect: A voucher to the "Divine Kingdom of Sweet Dreams." The holder can use this stamp before falling asleep, and their soul will be guided to the legendary Kingdom of Sweet Dreams. This kingdom is a special dimension composed of spirit and dreams where the flow of time differs from reality. Within it, the holder may have their spiritual power nourished and enhanced, comprehend special dream-related Skills, receive revelations about themselves or the future, or even have the opportunity to trade with the God of Sweet Dreams or its creations. Note: The dream kingdom also contains unknown risks. Please remain true to yourself.]

’The kingdom of the God of Sweet Dreams?... An adventure in a spiritual dimension?’

Seraphina Sullivan pinched the light but profoundly significant stamp.

’The God of Sweet Dreams? Another new divinity.’

She felt as if the system’s world was unfurling before her like an ever more magnificent and bizarre scroll painting.

This wasn’t just a reward; it was more like a ticket to a new "instance" or a wondrous encounter.

All four items held immense potential or unique opportunities, but they also came with corresponding risks or choices.

Seraphina felt that once she processed these gains and formulated her next enhancement plan, her power was bound to take another leap forward.

’They’re all good items, but the dangers and uncertainties they carry are not insignificant either.’

Seraphina Sullivan rubbed the bridge of her nose, quickly sorting through her thoughts.

The [Heart of Deformation] could certainly grant a powerful radiation-type Ability, but the risk of aberrant mutation was something she was absolutely unwilling to bear lightly.

There were many paths to becoming stronger; there was no need to choose a perilous one that could twist her very form of existence.

’The [Meteorite Gemstone] is relatively pure. I can use it as the core of my next enhancement, but I must ensure everything is perfectly safe before I absorb it.’

She marked it as her highest-priority personal enhancement project.

As for the [Beautiful Dream Stamp] and the [Mysterious Store Coupon], they both had special trigger conditions, like the full moon. They were opportunity-based items that required waiting for the right moment, so she set them aside for now.

’The [Heart of Deformation]... perhaps I can give it to Sean Chandler or Flora and the others.’

She looked at Sean Chandler. His perception and tolerance for Energy seemed unusual, so perhaps he could use it more safely or find a better way to utilize it as a material.

’And the choice for the [Guardian God] must be made with extreme care.’

The effect description for [Guardian God] implied that the chosen entity would undergo a fundamental change, becoming a special existence akin to a "Totem."

Seraphina Sullivan didn’t want to rashly decide which of her long-time companion pets should take on this role that could alter its very essence.

Flora, Moe, Chubbs, Tubbs... each had its own uses and growth path.

’The pets all have their own roles... so what about the sentient plants?’ Seraphina’s gaze swept across the Scavenger’s Farm.

After multiple Energy nurturings and the accidental catalysis from the Fat Flame, the most sentient plants on the farm were undoubtedly...

Her gaze fell upon the patch of vigorously growing [Fiery Sunflowers], their heads flickering with orange-red flames.

They weren’t combat-type pets, but they were full of life, sensitive to Energy, and had an affinity for the Fire Element.

’If I transform the best among them into a [Guardian God], could it create a unique entity that possesses the traits of a "Holy Domain," "Spirit Barrier," and "Flame Shelter" all at once?’

’Maybe... I can try using a Fiery Sunflower.’

The idea gradually solidified in her mind.

However, just as she was about to deal with the two enormous "pieces of trash" in her Space—the remains of Mokela and the corpse of the Titan Python, to see what she could learn or what materials she could extract—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

A series of urgent, forceful knocks came from outside the Space, from the RV’s door!

The sound was filled with obvious panic.

Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler exchanged a glance, instantly on alert. They immediately flashed out of the Scavenger’s Farm Space and back into the RV.

The moment they returned to reality, the knocking grew clearer, accompanied by a familiar male voice, choked with tears and frantic with anxiety:

"Sullivan! Sullivan, are you in there?! Please, open the door! My brother... my brother needs your help! He’s dying!"

It was Forrest Sterling’s voice.

Seraphina’s brow tightened. She strode forward and yanked open the RV door.

The sight outside the door made her heart clench!

Forrest Sterling’s face was as pale as a sheet, his hair disheveled. The face that usually wore a cheerful smile was now etched with terror and despair.

Even more shocking, he was covered from head to toe in blood—some dried and blackened, some still fresh and sticky. His hands and clothes were so stained it looked as if he had just crawled out of a pool of blood!

There were no visible wounds on his body. The blood... was clearly not his own.

"Forrest? What happened?! What’s wrong with River Sterling?!" Seraphina demanded in a grave voice.

Forrest Sterling was trembling slightly. He grabbed Seraphina’s arm, his nails nearly digging into her flesh, his voice on the verge of breaking. "My... my brother... he’s hurt, really, really badly! In the instance... at the end, we ran into... something terrifying... Sullivan, you’re the only one who can save him, I’m begging you!"

It seemed the troubles of the real world were no less daunting than those inside an instance.