The dark rumors of the Demonic Sect feeding on humans weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, yet they also ignited an unprecedented sense of urgency and resilience.
Shí Fán knew deeply that facing such an enemy, weapons and magic arrays alone were far from enough. Every mortal body had to erupt with greater strength.
"Lín Yuǎn, can we... make ordinary people stronger? Not by relying on ethereal spiritual roots, but in ways we can understand and control?"
"Theoretically feasible," Lín Yuǎn's response carried the cautious enthusiasm unique to a researcher. "Based on existing data, there are two clear directions: First, the confirmed benign stimulatory effect of continuous low-dose radiation on living organisms can be systematically applied. Second, unknown active ingredients contained within the flora and fauna of this realm can be developed."
Deep within the cave dwelling, a newly excavated stone chamber was strictly sealed off.
The walls and entrance were inlaid with lead plates meticulously forged by Tiě Zhù and thin layers of a local black stone capable of absorbing stray radiation.
Inside, over a dozen "Star Stones" of varying sizes, emitting a soft, ethereal blue light, were arranged according to a specific array calculated by Lín Yuǎn, forming a stable, controllable low-dose radiation field.
This was the "Body Tempering Chamber."
Entry into the Body Tempering Chamber required strict adherence to the "Body Tempering Regulations" formulated by Lín Yuǎn and supervised by Sū Wén:
· Tiered System: Based on physical examination data (primarily assessed by ā Cǎo and Lín Yuǎn), everyone was divided into three tiers—Initial, Intermediate, and Advanced—corresponding to different exposure durations and frequencies.
· Strict Monitoring: Before and after each entry, body condition must be recorded by ā Cǎo or her instructed apprentices. Any abnormality would result in immediate cessation and reporting.
· Gradual Progression: Absolutely no rushing for results.
The effects were significant. The first batch of systematically tempered guards, such as Wèi 1 and Wèi 7, clearly felt increased endurance, improved muscle strength, faster reaction times, and even slightly sharper senses.
This tangible, self-generated strength, independent of external aids, greatly boosted morale.
Concurrently, the "Herbal Workshop" led by ā Cǎo began a deep collaboration with the "Institute of Physical Investigation" spearheaded by Lǐ Wén and Old Cripple Hu.
Using the plant active ingredient analysis model provided by Lín Yuǎn, ā Cǎo and her team systematically screened hundreds of plants from Black Wind Cliff and its surrounding areas.
Finally, they identified an inconspicuous shrub named "Iron Bone Grass," whose root and stem sap could significantly promote bone density and muscle fiber strength; and a "Silver Thread Mushroom" found growing alongside fluoroscent moss, whose extract could gently stimulate nerve reaction speed.
The challenge became how to combine these two properties and remove their slight toxicity.
In the "Institute of Physical Investigation," Old Cripple Hu improved the distillation and extraction equipment, while Lǐ Wén was responsible for recording data on every proportion, temperature, and reaction time.
After dozens of failures, they finally obtained a mixture that appeared pale silver and was stable in nature.
The "Initial Stage Physique Enhancer" was born.
Following rigorous biological testing (first on captured small Demonic Beasts, then by a small number of volunteers like Wèi 15), its safety was confirmed.
Those who took it needed to cooperate with specific physical training, and within half a month, could stably improve their overall physical fitness by about ten percent.
This was undoubtedly a milestone breakthrough! It meant that mortals now possessed a stable, controllable method to improve their own strength, slow but firm and reliable.
As the Base's reputation quietly spread through specific underground channels, and with the conscious rescue efforts of the expeditionary teams, the number of people coming to join or being rescued gradually increased.
Shí Fán realized that he could no longer accept everyone indiscriminately as he had initially.
Sū Wén formulated a "Newcomer Acceptance and Evaluation Process":
1. Quarantine Observation Period: All new entrants must live in a quarantine zone established around the Base's perimeter for five days. Black Tooth's people would secretly observe their character and habits and ensure they had no tracking marks or serious illnesses.
2. Basic Skills Evaluation: Interviews conducted by the group leaders (Tiě Zhù, ā Cǎo, Sū Wén) to understand their existing skills.
3. Intent Selection: Clearly inform them of the Base's current situation, enemies, and rules, giving them the opportunity to choose to stay. If they chose to leave, they would be given a small amount of food, but Lín Yuǎn would administer a short-term, harmless memory-blurring treatment (based on preliminary research findings on Divine Sense), and they would be sent to a safe area far from the Base.
This process ensured the quality of newcomers and minimized unstable factors to the greatest extent.
The Base's population structure began to optimize, with professionals such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and even a down-and-out painter (assigned to draw precision blueprints) being recruited.
The faint glow of the Body Tempering Chamber, the smoke from the pharmacy, the recitation from the school, and the clamor of newcomers... all intertwined, filling the cave dwelling with vibrant, upward-aspiring vitality.
Shí Fán stood on a platform overlooking more than half of the Base's activity area, observing the orderly bustle below.
The guard team, led by Black Tooth, was conducting tactical drills coordinating with "Combustion Element" weapons;
Resonant hammering sounds emanated from Tiě Zhù's workshop;
ā Cǎo and Lǐ Wén were engaged in a heated debate over the properties of a newly discovered plant;
Sū Wén was assigning numbers and tasks to a group of newcomers...
Within his body, both souls observed all this.
Shí Fán (internal): We... are truly changing something.
Lín Yuǎn (stream of consciousness): We are constructing a miniature societal model based on reason, knowledge, and collective strength. Individual enhancement and group organization are effective paths for civilization to counter ignorance and tyranny. Data shows the Base's overall strength has a monthly growth rate of 27.4%. However, the energy consumption rate has increased in sync, magnifying external resource pressure.
Shí Fán nodded. He knew this path was still long.
Body tempering has limits, the potions are only initial stages, and population growth also means greater consumption and increased risk of exposure.
But the spark of hope had been ignited in the hearts of every mortal who sought to become stronger.
They were no longer mere fish to be slaughtered at will; they were swords being sharpened, and one day, with this extraordinary strength of mortal bodies, they would launch a desperate charge against that man-eating darkness.
"The procurement list for next month needs to include lead ingots and ten new types of experimental medicinal herbs," Shí Fán instructed Sū Wén beside him, his gaze returning to the cave outside.
Their journey had only just begun.