Deep within the Origin Society, the laboratory felt like a steamer with its lid clamped shut.
Several magical lamps baked the air until it was scorching, while the sulfurous stink of fermented dragon dung relentlessly assaulted every olfactory cell.
Veylin leaned against the cold wall, his temples throbbing with every heartbeat.
His mental energy was like a pond that had nearly run dry.
Fortunately, the hardware was finally complete.
Next came the software, which required no mental energy.
Before him, a pitch-black beetle only half the size of her kind rested quietly inside a crystal enclosure. Her enormous compound eyes reflected Veylin's figure, revealing a trace of dependence.
[Sarah]
Veylin had given his general a rather meaningful name.
A bottle of [Animal Communication Potion] went down his throat, dissolving the invisible mental barrier.
He immediately "heard" Sarah's clear stream of thoughts-a consciousness mingled with awe, curiosity, and obedience.
Good. The communication channel is established.
Veylin brought out a ceramic bowl containing a quivering lump of dark yellow curd.
A strange stench of spoiled protein spread unstoppably through the room-even the dragon dung had to yield before it.
Though Veylin's expression remained unchanged, a flicker of guilt toward Xiao Lan, the cook, crossed his mind.
He remembered the remarkable expression on the young woman's face when he handed her a pile of processed humus, dragon dung essence, and several rotten eggs, then asked her to cook them using the method for steamed eggs.
The cooking process had been painful to watch. Xiao Lan had gone from shock to endurance, then finally rushed outside with a hand over her mouth to dry-heave, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Veylin felt rather helpless. He really did not know how to cook.
Putting those thoughts aside, he pushed the ceramic bowl toward the enclosure's feeding