Chapter 10: Harnessing the Blue Spider Lily
After a month of rigorous experimentation on the Blue Spider Lily ,I successfully uncovered its remarkable properties. The flower exhibits an extraordinary mutagenic effect, particularly potent when introduced to demons.
Leveraging my prior knowledge of biology from Earth,I recalled that a mutagen refers to an agent such as a chemical substance or radiation that causes genetic mutations by altering an organism's DNA. These mutations can lead to a variety of genetic changes some of which might manifest as diseases like cancer while others could result in advantageous traits.
Catagories of Mutagens:
1. Physical Mutagens: Radiation such as X-rays and ultraviolet light that can damage DNA.
2. Chemical Mutagens: Substances like industrial chemicals or tobacco-related compounds that directly interact with DNA.
3. Biological Mutagens: Viruses and bacteria that integrate their genetic material into host cells, altering DNA structure.
Armed with this foundational understanding Kyogan and I spent hours brainstorming and strategizing how we could harness the flower's mutagenic properties to our
advantage. After much discussion we devised a systematic plan to harness the flower's mutagenic properties.
[Expiremental Solution]
1. Preparation of the Mutagenic Solution:
- Grind one petal of the Blue Spider Lily flower into fine powder.
- Mix the powder with water to create a mutagenic solution.
- Administer the solution to a demon subject.
2. Initial Testing and Data Collection:
- Observe immediate physical and genetic changes after the solution is consumed.
- Use Kyogan's Blood Demon Art to analyze cellular and genetic responses.
3. Sunlight Exposure Testing:
- Expose the demon to sunlight in controlled conditions to test for mutations related to sunlight resistance.
- Record the demon's reactions, regenerative capabilities, and any beneficial adaptations.
4. Iterative Testing:
- Allow the demon to regenerate from sunlight-induced damage.
- Reintroduce the mutagenic solution and repeat the process, aiming for a mutation that confers sunlight immunity.
This relentless cycle of mutation and regeneration is a calculated gamble, one that if successful could lead to the ultimate breakthrough.The creation of a demon immune to sunlight basically overcoming the species greatest limitation.
As Kyogan and I prepared to implement the plan a sense of anticipation surged through me. The Blue Spider Lily's flower's potential was vast and with each experiment we moved closer to reshaping the future of demons forever.
[Experimental Subject 001]
We began with a newly turned demon, who had been transformed only a few months ago during an attack on a Demon Slayer headquarters.This particular subject was ideal: a fresh demon whose body had yet to fully adapt to its new form
[Phase 1:Initial Mutagenic Injection]
The demon was forced to inject the mutagenic solution. Under close observation we witnessed immediate and dramatic effects. The subject's veins expanded unnaturally, pulsating visibly while his eyes bled profusely.
Kyogan now equipped with basic modern biological knowledge that I had taught him observed through his Blood Demon Art that the demon's DNA was in a state of extreme instability, constantly shifting and mutating. His body appeared to be undergoing a relentless cycle of adaptation responding dynamically to every form of stimulation it encountered.
[Phase 2:Controlled Stumuli Testing]
To begin we conducted simple tests to observe the demon's regenerative responses. Using a standard knife we made shallow incisions on the demon's arm. At first his hand regenerated normally but as the process was repeated, significant changes began to manifest. The hand darkened, turning black and began leaking blood continuously.
As we escalated the frequency and severity of the cuts the arm further morphed into a grotesque and unstable amalgamation. Blood, hair, teeth, eyes and ears fused together into a nightmarish structure. The mutated arm appeared to be held together solely by the demon's supernatural healing factor. When severed, the arm regenerated not into its original state but into the same mutated form revealing a groundbreaking insight.
[Key Discovey]
We determined that once a demonic body part undergoes mutation, it is permanently recognized as the "new normal" by the demon's biology. Any subsequent regeneration restores the mutated form rather than reverting to the original. While this phenomenon complicates our experiments it also presents an intriguing challenge that can be addressed with persistence and further testing.
[Summary of Findings]
- Initially small cuts healed without issue.
- Repeated incisions triggered mutations, transforming the arm into a grotesque amalgamation of blood, hair, teeth, and eyes.
- The mutated form was permanently adopted by the demon's regenerative system, demonstrating now a fixed biological adaptation.
[Adaptation to Environmental Stimuli]
Next we focused on the demon's opposite arm. A demon with an ice-based Blood Demon Art froze the arm repeatedly. After several cycles of freezing and regeneration, the arm adapted to the cold. Thick and coarse hair grew over its surface, insulating it against the freezing effects. Satisfied with these results we moved on to test new stimuli.
We shifted our focus to one of the demon's legs burning it continuously while observing the regenerative process. Over time the leg's skin transformed into tough and scaly tissue presumably to resist the burning. However this adaptation came at a cost,the leg lost a significant amount of muscle mass and tissue rendering it less mobile
[Summary of Findings]
- Freezing: After repeated freezing by an ice-based Blood Demon Art, the demons opposite arm developed thick and coarse hair for insulation.
- Burning: Continuous exposure to flames resulted in scaly,heat-resistant tissue on one leg though at the cost of reduced mobility.
For the final stage we introduced a Nichirin sword imbued with sunlight
one of the few substances capable of permanently kill demons. After repeatedly striking the demon's leg we observed that regeneration became progressively slower. Eventually the demons leg stopped regenerating entirely which was a fascinating result.
Encouraged by this we applied the same process to the other mutated body parts. As expected after repeated strikes the mutated limbs also ceased regenerating. This suggested that while the mutagen significantly enhances adaptability, it has limits particularly when exposed to substances infused with sunlight.
[Summary of Findings]
- Sunlight Exposure: Strikes with a Nichirin sword infused with sunlight slowed regeneration significantly. After repeated exposure regeneration ceased entirely confirming that while the mutagen enhances adaptability, sunlight stil remains a critical vulnerability.
[Phase 3: Recovery Analysis]
Following the trials we allowed the demon a brief recovery period, during which he was fed human body parts to evaluate the role of nourishment in his regenerative process. After one hour we conducted a thorough assessment of his condition.
To our surprise the demon's limbs had fully regenerated. However the demons limbs bore clear evidence of the trauma inflicted during experimentation frost marks, burns and deep cuts remained visibly etched on the demon's body. This unexpected outcome raised critical questions about the limits of demonic regeneration and whether repeated injuries can result in permanent scarring or deformities over time.
[Summary of Findings]
- Regeneration and Nourishment: The demon demonstrated full regeneration after resting and consuming human body parts.
- Residual Scarring: Despite regenerating the demon retained visible scars and deformities including frost marks, burns and cuts suggesting that repeated trauma might leave lasting effects on the regenerative process.
These initial experiments provided invaluable data on the Blue Spider Lily's mutagenic effects. The demon's body exhibited extraordinary adaptability but also displayed clear limitations. Moving forward we will refine our methods introduce more extreme stimuli and test whether controlled mutations can be directed toward achieving immunity to sunlight.
For now the data gathered from [Experimental Subject 001] serves as a foundation for the next phase of our research.
[Exploration of Wisteria Resistance]
To further our experiments we decided to focus exclusively on [Experimental Subject 001] to explore the possibility of developing an immunity to wisteria flowers, a substance notoriously toxic to demons.
Properties of Wisteria in the Demon Slayer World:
1. Poisonous: Produces a toxin that disrupts a demon's regeneration often leading to death.
2. Repellent: Demons instinctively avoid Wisteria due to its toxic nature.
3. Combat Utility: Frequently weaponized by the Demon Slayer Corps as poison-coated blades or traps.
Given the potency of Wisteria on demon's finding a way to neutralize its effects or develop an immunity would grant immense power to any demon who could achieve it so we started experimenting.
We began by relocating fresh
Wisteria Flowers to our research area with the help of human subordinates. Although I only briefly handled the flowers, i could feel their toxic aura. Just being near them was enough to make me uncomfortable but I persevered determined to continue our research.
Once the flowers were brought near [Experimental Subject 001] the demon immediately displayed signs of agitation. When I placed a flower directly on his restrained body his reaction was extreme he screamed in agony and his movements became erratic as if trying to escape the burning pain.
After removing the flower a few minutes later we observed that his skin had turned an alarming shade of purple and it was covered in blisters. Despite these injuries we repeated the process:
We allowed [Experimental Subject 001] to rest for an hour. When we returned his body had fully adapted and he was now awake,the subjects skin became entirely purple and remarkably he no longer thrashed or screamed when exposed to the flower presence.
This development was astonishing. It suggested that the demon had begun to build a tolerance if not outright resistance to the flower's effects.
To push the experiment further we fed [Experimental Subject 001] a petal of the Wisteria Flower.The demons reaction was immediate and violent:
- His body spasmed uncontrollably.
- Blood poured from his eyes, ears and mouth.
- Foam seeped from his lips as his body convulsed.
Within five minutes [Experimental Subject 001] succumbed to the effects of the toxin dying in front of us.
Following the subject's death we conducted a thorough investigation to understand the mechanisms at work. Notes were meticulously recorded documenting every observable reaction and change in the subject's physiology.
[Summary of the Experimental Procedure]
1. Wisteria Exposure Cycle:
- The flower was placed on the demon's restrained body for ten minutes per cycle.
- After eight cycle's, the demon entered shock, his skin turning purple and blistered.
2. Recovery and Adaptation:
- Following an hour of rest the demon's skin exhibited an alarming purple hue but displayed reduced sensitivity to the flower's presence.
3. Ingestion Trial:
- The demon consumed a petal of Wisteria resulting in violent spasms, uncontrolled bleeding and eventual death within five minutes.
[Key Findings and Future Directions]
These experiments revealed the incredible adaptability of demons subjected to the Blue Spider Lily's mutagenic effects.[Experimental Subject 001] displayed remarkable mutations but also clear limitations:
- Regeneration is hindered by sunlight-infused substances.
- While partial resistance to Wisteria is possible through repeated exposure, ingestion remains lethal.
Despite the subject's death the insights gained were invaluable. With refined methods and incremental exposure full immunity to Wisteria may be within reach. These findings bring us closer to reshaping demon biology and achieving a future where demons can overcome their most significant vulnerabilities.
Our journey continues driven by the vision of transforming the balance of power forever.