Mechanical Alchemist

The battle within the Unihorn Whale Mercenary Group's camp suddenly intensified.

However, from the moment those folks misjudged the strength of Su Lun and his two companions, a tragic end was already sealed.

Su Lun also guessed why those people dared to make their move with full confidence.

It was probably because they had seen the gold-patterned cloak and recognized them as targets wanted by the King of the North Sea.

In those people's information, Mr. Jing was still at the sixth rank.

If that was the case, their three thousand-man group did indeed have the confidence to face them head on.

What they didn't consider was that intelligence from a few months ago was somewhat outdated now.

Su Lun was no longer the naive rookie who had just emerged from beneath Old Lington.

Yuta wasn't an ordinary Druid either.

And Mr. Jing was certainly not at the sixth rank.

Even more so, she wasn't just any seventh rank!

As soon as Mr. Jing's Mirror Domain was activated, her near-eighth-rank strength completely overpowered those few elite hundred-man teams.

Just as those people still harbored hope that they had a fighting chance, she struck with the force of thunder, killing the fifth-ranked Golden Tooth Leader.

The slavers were all people who came for the commission; they didn't have much loyalty to speak of.

They were not like professional soldiers who would fight to the death for orders.

Seeing their leader slain, the other ordinary slavers immediately scattered.

The battle that had reached its climax came to an abrupt end.

But.

Mr. Jing had no intention of exterminating them all.

Watching the slavers flee into the forest, she withdrew her domain and stood amidst the carnage of the campsite, silent for a long time, as if contemplating something.

Su Lun couldn't understand her state of mind.

But since Mr. Jing didn't move, he also refrained from pursuing those fleeing slavers.

His puppet theater was indeed strong, but now, limited by dark spiritual power, its control range was not too vast, and its pursuit capabilities were not very strong.

He was also clear about his senior sister's intentions.

Killing was never the goal; it was to end the slaving business in the Silent Deep Woods.

Those who escaped alive would spread the news, and it would also make other slaving groups wary.

Yuta, bolstered by the magic cauldron, had the ability to pursue, but seeing neither Su Lun nor Mr. Jing make a move, she remained quietly in her place.

....

After the battle, the campsite was filled with smoke.

The people of the Unihorn Whale group had fled, leaving behind hundreds of corpses, along with a large amount of cumbersome machines and supplies.

The supply for a large team of thousands was not a small amount.

With no outsiders present, Su Lun had no qualms about starting the pleasant task of collecting the spoils.

He didn't dare use the Reaper's Phantom, but instead directly stripped the haze from the corpses. Then, controlling the threads, he began gathering the equipment from the bodies, along with cursed materials and alchemical implants.

Most were of black iron and common materials, not worth too much.

But the volume was considerable.

Su Lun had previously noticed that many of the Unihorn Whale Group's mechanical-preparation had the marks of the Lurin military. Although this retired old equipment was technologically behind the current service equipment by a generation, they were still valuable commodities not easily bought with money in the black market.

This batch of spoils, once sold, would likely fetch a good sum.

With puppets and countless threads to sort through the spoils, Su Lun himself didn't have to toil too hard, and could still observe Mr. Jing.

Watching his senior sister remove her cloak, he finally spoke, "Senior sister, are you alright?"

Mr. Jing shook her head and did not elaborate, "I was just suddenly reminded of some things."

She gathered her complex thoughts, glanced at Su Lun, and the coldness between her brows dissipated; her eyes softened.

After pondering a moment, she spoke with approval, "Your puppetry technique has greatly improved. Now, you truly have a bit of a Puppeteer's air."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun chuckled noncommittally.

He was generally regarded as a "master" in the field of puppet alchemy by now.

But in the eyes of his senior sister, he was only at the level of "having a bit of the air."

However, this was a very high compliment already.

After all, she had once seen the pinnacle of this plane.

The two chatted casually for a moment when suddenly, from the nearby jungle, there came the sound of rustling movements.

Mr. Jing was the first to notice something and said indifferently, "Someone's coming."

Su Lun, listening closely, then noticed the rustling sounds as if many people were approaching. He thought it was the slavers returning and couldn't understand why they would come back to seek death, when Yuta, who was helping him collect spoils, heard the anomaly and softly exclaimed.

In the sky, a long eagle's cry resounded, and from the woods, there came the sound of special horn signals.

Yuta's face lit up with joy, exclaiming, "That's the battle horn of our Dalu tribe!"

Upon hearing this, the wariness in Su Lun's eyes also dissipated.

With a moment's thought, realization dawned on him.

The previous battle had been loud, especially Yuta using the magic cauldron to draw on the elements from all directions, creating a spectacle of rainbow hues across the sky, visible from tens of kilometers away.

The Dalu tribesmen from the Sacred Lands must have seen it and were attracted here.

He glanced at Mr. Jing, who was standing not far away with a detached expression, and decided not to dwell on it any longer as he continued to clear the battlefield.

No matter the situation, with him present, chaos could not ensue.

....

Su Lun's guess was not wrong.

While they were still fighting, Wolf Granny and a few elders had led a hundred-man squad out of the holy land and silently approached the cliff.

The sight of the holy land's colorful radiance compelled them to take the risk and investigate. If it really was their Dalu clan's sacred object "Dagda's Magic Cauldron" that had appeared, any risk was worth it.

The battle had just ended, and the faint scent of blood still lingered in the air of the forest.

The Dalu clan, with their partially animalistic organs, had keen senses of smell and could clearly detect the bloody scent from miles away.

They discerned that many had died, so they proceeded with extra caution.

Yet, before they could approach the area of the battle, the intense fighting abruptly ceased.

This made them even more cautious.

They also feared it was a trap, as those despicable human slavers would resort to any method to capture slaves.

The main force remained hidden at the edge of the cliff, and a few young Druids volunteered to scout ahead, quietly moving closer to the area.

The youths carefully leaped between the giant trees, avoiding areas on the ground that might have trap alerts.

From a distance, they saw the camp littered with bodies, and the three remaining people who were standing.

Yuta had wolf ears, and they naturally recognized one as a Dalu clansperson.

Moreover, she looked familiar.

The few youths gathered for a discussion.

"That... Arcu, look, doesn't she resemble Sister Yuta?"

"It does look like my sister... but why does she look different?"

"I think so too. Arcu, do you have any other sisters?"

"..."

The leader was a young man of the White Wolf clan, none other than Arcu.

He saw Yuta and was stunned for a moment, uncertain if the White Wolf clanswoman with the red totem on her face and a completely different demeanor was indeed his sister.

She resembled her to about eighty or ninety percent, but that otherworldly aura made him doubt his own judgment.

And that totem was strange!

The Dalu clan's totems were subject to strict rules: the more mysterious the totem, the higher the strength and status it represented. He had never seen anyone in the clan draw a totem like that red one.

His sister, being a Druid of the White Wolf group, did not draw that kind of totem.

But as his gaze moved back to the man who was cleaning the battlefield, Arcu immediately confirmed his identity, exclaiming excitedly, "That's... Mr. Su Lun!"

Upon hearing this, the other youths also recognized him.

Yuta had undergone a great change, and they dared not be certain.

But Mr. Su Lun, who had saved their lives not too long ago, had not changed at all!

"Mr. Su Lun has returned!"

"Indeed, it must be Mr. Su Lun who drove away those slavers. Then that must be Sister Yuta."

"My God, we must tell Wolf Granny and the others!"

"...."

With this discovery, a few youths went back to deliver the news while the rest excitedly ran over.

....

Suddenly, several young men with bows and arrows and clad in animal-skin clothes burst out from the woods.

Su Lun recognized them all and smiled, taking the initiative to greet them, "Arcu, it's you guys."

"It's really Mr. Su Lun!"

Arcu excitedly walked up, just about to greet him, but upon seeing Yuta's stern expression, he hesitated.

Yuta looked at the rash youths with disdain and coughed lightly, "Ahem!"

It would have been fine if it were just her and Su Lun, but with an ancestral elder present, being rash would reflect poorly on their Dalu clan.

The few youths didn't know what had happened, but Yuta's intimidating presence as their elder sister was strong, so they stood quietly to the side and did not dare to speak.

Before long, Wolf Granny and several elders carefully led a group of people out of the woods.

When these elders saw the red totem on Yuta's face and then noticed the colorful magic cauldron floating beside her, they were moved to tears of excitement.

They had heard from the older generation in the clan about the significance of the red totem and had been described the appearance of the four sacred objects of the clan.

"This is a God-Given Holy Totem! Oh my... our Dalu clan has been favored by the great Nature God once again..."

"It is truly 'Dagda's Magic Cauldron!' The sacred object has been recovered!"

"Great Nature God above..."

"..."

Seeing the scene before them, Wolf Granny and the elders kneeled on the ground in unison.

The hundreds of Dalu clanspeople behind them also knelt down, chanting the name of the great Nature God in Dalu language.

Yuta saw everyone kneeling towards her and did not dare to accept such a grand gesture; she too knelt down and began to pray devoutly.

Su Lun silently watched from the side.

Faith is worthy of respect.

He had stayed with the Dalu tribe for a while and was clear about their religious customs.

Mr. Jing was also silent.

....

Before long, the prayers were finished.

After the excitement came confusion.

Everyone's eyes turned to Yuta, filled with a desire to know more.

Yuta was aware that the clanspeople must have many questions at this moment, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

Everyone was already familiar with Su Lun, so no introduction was needed.

She formally introduced Mr. Jing, who was not far off, saying, "Wolf Granny, and everyone else. This is Su Lun's senior apprentice sister, Lady 'Ophelia Fei Isaac.' She is also the direct daughter of Sir Isaac from a thousand years ago."

She paused before adding, "The retrieval of our tribe's sacred artifact was thanks to the assistance of Lady Ophelia and Mr. Su Lun. It was also her who drove away the slavers just now."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, Wolf Granny and the entire Dalu tribe were shocked.

Although they had been informed that Sir Isaac's direct daughter was still alive, the presence of a person from a thousand years ago still left them visibly astonished.

With her hands pressed together over her chest, Wolf Granny bowed deeply and with great respect, saying, "Mara, Druid of the Grey Wolf Clan, extends the sincerest greetings to the Dalu tribe's pledged ally and our dearest human friend."

Following her lead, the elders and the people behind her also bowed deeply in unison.

Mr. Jing, having lived for over a thousand years, was certainly worthy of this grand gesture.

She looked at the gathered Dalu tribe members with a kind smile, bowed slightly with her hands over her chest in return and said with conviction, "The Isaac family will always remember the pledge."

....

The imminent danger of destruction hanging over the Emerald Holy Land was suddenly alleviated with Mr. Jing's arrival.

Mr. Jing also intended to stay in the Holy Land for a while.

This time, repelling the unicorn whale slaver group was just the beginning. She needed a considerable amount of time to deter other slavers and to guard against retaliation from the major slave traders.
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Until the business of slave capture in the Silent Forest was entirely eradicated.

However, without a top expert to defend them, the Dalu tribe's crisis would still not be resolved.

But the good news was, the situation was about to change immediately.

Yuta, being the first in five hundred years to feel the call of the gods, would turn a new page in Dalu history.

Adding to the great joy, she had brought back the sacred artifact "Dagda's Magic Cauldron." In the land where natural essence was most concentrated, the Magic Cauldron would unleash its strongest combat power. The Dalu tribe now at least had some means of self-protection.

In the evening, the Emerald Holy Land held a grand welcome celebration.

The Dalu people sang and danced, welcoming Mr. Jing as the prophesied Pledged One.

....

Two days later, at dawn.

The weather was clear.

Radiant colors steamed in the Holy Land, persistent and unceasing.

Chieftains and Druids from dozens of nearby tribes in the Emerald Deep Forest had received the news and gathered in the Holy Land.

The Holy Land had never been this lively in hundreds of years.

In front of the massive gray elm Divine Tree, Yuta, dressed in ceremonial robes, stood alone before the Divine Tree, her face solemn as she chanted ancient prayer incantations.

The pattern on her face was the "God-Given Sacred Pattern," a totem personally bestowed by the gods, which meant she had now become the highest-ranking Grand Druid of the tribe.

Behind her, the people of the Dalu tribe dressed lavishly.

Arcu's group of young Druids, with totems painted on their faces, beat stone drums and danced a primal war dance, welcoming this most important day. The Deer Tribe Chief and the other elders devoutly followed Yuta in chanting prayers passed down through generations.

Su Lun and Mr. Jing stood not far away as the most honorable guests, observing this ancient ritual ceremony.

Shortly after, the ceremonial rites in front of the Divine Tree were complete.

The main group began to march with great pomp toward the depths of the forest.

....

There is but one tall mountain in the Emerald Holy Land, and midway up its side is pure white snow.

Lake Gaius lies above the mountainside.

There stands an altar where, legend says, only those called by the gods may ascend.

According to legends passed down from the ancestors of the Dalu tribe, Druids who partake in a baptismal rite at the lake will gain power bestowed by the gods and inherit the Grand Druid lineage.

Yuta, too, had received a divine decree, and this time she was leading her people to the Sacred Lake.

For the first time in hundreds of years, the Dalu tribe embarked on the pilgrimage to the Sacred Lake.

The mountain path was rugged, yet the scenery was delightful, a winding stream flowing down from the mountain gully. As they climbed higher, vegetation gradually became scarcer. The small, black stone-paved path, long-unused over hundreds of years, was now covered with dark green moss. Every so often, totem-carved pillars stood beside the path.

Su Lun and Mr. Jing, as esteemed guests, walked at the front of the procession.

The pace of the entourage was slow; the Dalu people took each step with reverence, their prayers solemn.

The short mountain path took nearly three hours to traverse.

Before long, everyone stopped beneath an almost vertical rock face.

Further up lay the Sacred Lake.

Cold mountain winds blew down, and Su Lun felt a slight chill. He looked up but the rock face obstructed his view, hiding any hint of the lake.

The main force halted below the mountain pass, with only Yuta and a host of elders ascending.

Along with Su Lun and Mr. Jing, who were present as guests.

....

The sheer rock wall was about a hundred meters high, and as soon as they climbed up, the view suddenly widened.

Su Lun's gaze was immediately captivated by the sight before him.

This place was right below the snow line, where a verdant lake came into view.

The lake was not large, but the steaming aura over the lake surface made it look like a scene filled with fairy-like mist.

It wasn't just the natural scenery that Su Lun found overwhelmingly beautiful, but more striking were the two gigantic black steles above the Sacred Lake!

Su Lun had not imagined that within the sacred site of the Dalu tribe, akin to an original stone civilization, there would be such magnificent structures.

Majestic, sacred, grand, mysterious...

Looking at the carvings on the stele, a surge of complex and indescribable emotions welled up within him.

Even more astonishing was the peculiar sight behind the steles.

The two steles, rising a hundred meters, stood like two unfeeling giants, forming the shape of a "gate."

Su Lun looked intently as the sunlight shone precisely through that "gate."

Instantly, a cascade of rainbow-colored light dazzled the eyes, ablaze with splendor.

It was as if beyond that stone gate lay not the world before them, but the gorgeously colorful heavens of myth and legend.

In that single glance, he witnessed what could be called the most beautiful sight in this world.

Su Lun squinted slightly, his heart shaking for a long time, as he muttered, "The gods look down upon all creation; is this the view from on high..."

Mr. Jing, standing beside him, also cast his gaze that way, his crystalline eyes unintentionally flashing a strange brilliance.

This was the scene his father had once described to her, where sunlight descended, bringing with it myriad rays of light from heaven, piercing through the otherworld.

Indeed, it was so.

....

It was Yuta and the Dalu tribespeople's first visit to the Sacred Lake.

They were also the first group of Dalu tribespeople to come in five hundred years.

Upon witnessing this scene, they were all exhilarated, folding their hands together and praying fervently.

Their ancestors had repeatedly admonished them that this was the place closest to the divine, and only with enough devotion could they receive a response from the gods.

After the prayers, everyone remained where they were.

Yuta alone walked towards the white stone altar beside the lake.

She stepped onto the altar and began a beautifully graceful ritual dance, chanting enigmatic prayers as well.

Although the altar was hundreds of meters away from the mountain pass, the sound should not have been so clear.

Yet the prayers from Yuta's lips grew clearer and clearer in everyone's ears.

The sound echoed above the Sacred Lake as if it had penetrated the "gate of heaven."

Before long, the rainbow mist above the Sacred Lake grew heavier, and that indescribably mysterious aura intensified.

Everything seemed to indicate that something was about to happen.

The Dalu tribespeople looked on in eager anticipation, filled with hope.

Finally,

the devout ones received a response from the divine.

A miracle occurred.

A sudden beam of divine light fell from the heavens above, like the first ray of dawn gracing the world, piercing the darkness. The beam instantly illuminated the entire snow-capped mountain peak, spreading to the entire Emerald Holy Land and stirring the surging natural forces between heaven and earth.

The world before them became luminous in an instant, everything sharpening into clarity.

Su Lun did not use the All-knowing Eye to investigate what the ray of light was, as it would have been an offensive act to a high deity.

Although he did not witness the arrival of a deity, he could clearly sense the indescribable will within the light.

The next moment, Su Lun witnessed another scene he would never forget.

The light fell,

Landing upon all the Dalu tribespeople.

The next instant, a dazzling rainbow brilliance rose from their bodies.

The confusion in their eyes gradually cleared, becoming pure and cool, as if they were filled with wisdom.

Their momentum grew higher and higher until it reached a critical point,

And then, they all broke through concurrently!

Su Lun was astonished by the scene before him.

He could distinctly sense that the Deer Tribe Chief and Wolf Granny beside him suddenly surged in power, both advancing from the fifth tier directly to the sixth; other elders likewise ascended a full tier. Moreover, the rainbow mist that condensed around them remained for a long time, seemingly containing even more of nature's secrets.

What Su Lun found even more puzzling was Yuta, not far away on the altar.

At that moment, the red totemic glow on her body flourished, and her aura became even more ethereal.

She danced, she twirled, she prayed...

By divine grace, the awakened tribespeople of Dalu, who had received the response from the divine, truly revealed their exaggerated potential.