Mechanical Alchemist

Su Lun couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of the Grave Digger, an otherworldly version of a tomb-raiding captain, rich with treasures galore.

He had killed the "Curator" Heideman and found plenty of good items in her storage ring, truly a colossal fortune.

He guessed that this individual might have other treasures at her residence in the academy.

But he dared not go there now.

Because when he harvested this woman's memories, he discovered that her memories of that outer god had been completely erased from her mind.

This was highly unusual.

The previous followers had all retained some fragmented information.

Su Lun deduced that there was only one possibility, Heideman held a very high position within the Giants' Conclave, perhaps even in direct contact with that Evil God.

So much so that she had left behind no relevant memories.

However, Su Lun didn't dwell on these issues.

His primary goal in killing this individual was to trace the origin of the "Scarlet Disease" to see if there were any clues to break the situation.

Not only had he achieved his objective, but he had also acquired many precious treasures, which was more than he could have hoped for.

It had been a long time since Su Lun had felt the sensation of fortune falling into his lap like a pie from the sky.

He picked up the "Rune Staff" beside the corpse again for another look.

As soon as he touched it, that familiar cold sensation instantly assaulted his heart.

...

He had always found the Rune Umbrella easy to use, and now that he had found the missing handle part, Su Lun couldn't hide his anticipation, "If both the handle and the canopy have such strong curse properties, what would the complete umbrella be like?"

Thinking this, he took out his own Rune Umbrella, removed the non-original staff, and then tried inserting the black staff. With a "click," it fit perfectly.

It was not just a physical fit; the most important part was that the ribs and the canopy's runes connected together, turning the entire umbrella's dark gold runes brightly luminous. When filled with dark spiritual power, it would even emit a layer of green flames like ghost fire. Just looking at it gave one chills, clearly something not of this world.

Seeing this, Su Lun was not alarmed but instead became even more fond of the complete umbrella, mumbling to himself, "Indeed, it's a good treasure of a banished level."

[Goddess Hel's Rune Soul Umbrella]

Quality: Legendary

Description: An umbrella for messengers of the underworld; also a shelter for the necrotic;

Curse Properties: Possession of this item greatly enhances soul-based spells, boosts necromancer affinity, and provides exemptions from dark spells; using this umbrella can disperse, resonate, confine, and enslave spiritual bodies; it adds massive damage when used against spirit-type monsters; actively unleashes a wide 'Nightfall Domain', stripping away the target's sensory perceptions of their spirit; the umbrella can nurture souls, maintain the intelligence and memories of spiritual bodies, and attain growth abilities, the more souls it shelters, the stronger its power becomes; this umbrella has stolen the power of a necrotic deity, any highly non-versed in death laws user will inevitably be watched by the deity;

Detailed Explanation: A replica of a death holy artifact; the Great Alchemist who forged this umbrella ingeniously stole a sliver of divine power, granting alchemists the abilities of a necromancer; this is a magical alchemical item that steals laws, remember to always stay in the shadows, or you might be detected by the deity;

Having seen the merger of the two cursed items, not only did the umbrella acquire shared functions, but its overall effectiveness also climbed a significant step higher.

And after handling it, his passive range of soul perception also increased several folds.

But these were changes he had anticipated.

What surprised him was that the complete Rune Umbrella had a new function—it could nurture souls and maintain their memories!

This was truly within the realm of deific abilities, not merely mortal capabilities.

Normally, once the soul leaves the body, it rapidly dissolves.

Just as humans age, this is a natural law, not to be defied by human efforts.

Only under certain conditions or with the support of death magic can they be preserved. But souls would still disperse, and memories would fade, gradually turning into vengeful spirits or similar entities;

But now, identifying the Rune Umbrella, he discovered it could actually preserve the memories of souls?

...

"Does this mean that if I could create living wax figures, they could retain the memories they had in life?"

Su Lun was truly shocked.

His thoughts immediately turned to living wax figures.

The terrifying wax spiritual bodies made by Curator Heideman were all low-intelligence vengeful spirits, but if he could have fully intelligent spiritual bodies, wouldn't their combat power soar?

Seeing this, Su Lun was greatly surprised, "This Rune Umbrella is simply a divine artifact for those in death-related professions!"

Just looking at the umbrella, his mind raced with many potential applications for the future!

Though the identified usage conditions were indeed strict.

Stealing divine power?

Did those ancient Great Alchemists really play on such a grand scale?

Seeing the umbrella's identification, Su Lun admired the ingenious creativity of the predecessor who had crafted it.

Merely using cursed materials would never achieve such extravagant effects.

Yet that person had actually stolen divine power.

Having just harvested Heideman's understanding of death laws, this umbrella suited him quite well.

...

Su Lun put away the black umbrella and then looked at the golden scroll glowing in the center of the room.
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Having killed Heideman, the entire space was now his spoils of war.

He was in no hurry to store the items into the spatial storage.

It was impossible to understand the content of the scroll at the moment.

That woman had researched for many years before coming up with this method similar to a "power station" that utilized the overflowing rules of the "Words of the Elders."

Until Su Lun developed a better use, this was quite good.

At least Mr. Crow liked it here; he could eat and drink as much as he wanted, saving a lot of provisions.

It was also extremely good for using as a morgue to preserve corpses.

Su Lun didn't stay in the cell for long; he teleported to the estate on the ground he had been to earlier.

He was looking at Mr. Hei, who was meditating there.

On the other side, the ground was covered with rigid, terrifying wax figures, apparently bound by spellwork.

The old man, seeing Su Lun appear, opened his eyes and asked, "Is it resolved?"

Su Lun nodded, his eyes barely hiding his joy, "Yes."

The old man, seeing his demeanor, knew the harvest was bountiful but didn't ask further, simply saying, "It was probably you who killed that Heidman. These wax figures lost control. I've contained them here."

Su Lun listened and realized that was the case.

The estate was littered with corpses; the thirty-six reanimated corpses had suffered significant losses.

Previously, it was Heidman who felt the pain; now, it was his turn.

Because they were all his property now.

But without lingering further and not hurrying to clean the battlefield, Su Lun took Mr. Hei into his miniature void realm.

He had stripped Heidman of his memories and learned that this terrifying wax museum was a spatial artifact itself, so he struck with his sorcerer's seals, and the scenery shifted in a flash, returning from the horrific estate to the previous streets.

Su Lun looked again, now holding a transparent crystal ball in his hand.

The crystal ball enclosed a pitch-black forest with a dilapidated manor at the center. Upon closer inspection, the manor was surrounded by chaotic signs of battle and corpses scattered everywhere.

This was an alchemical space artifact with similar effects to "Stanitz's Chessboard," but of a higher grade.

...

Su Lun put away the crystal ball and surveyed the chilled surroundings of the street.

The police in the slums weren't so dedicated; a midnight traffic accident would likely only be attended to at dawn. Moreover, the chosen ambush location was a remote corner of a factory, meaning no one came to spectate the prolonged battle.

But the moment Su Lun stepped out, he sensed two terrifying pressures confronting each other.

One was Mr. Jing, and the other was an unfamiliar presence.

The crow on his shoulder also called out once, prompting Su Lun to be immediately alert.

Looking at the situation, it must be the top-level expert from the Giant's Hermit Society his senior sister had mentioned earlier.

But since Mr. Jing hadn't sent a message, it meant the situation wasn't too dire.

Moreover, as soon as he stepped out, the other presence receded like the tide and vanished in an instant.

At that moment, Su Lun saw a cloaked figure slowly approaching from around the corner.

He let out a sigh of relief and walked over, greeting, "Senior sister."

Mr. Jing nodded, seemingly contemplating something and didn't say much.

Su Lun looked around and asked, "Is everything okay now?"

"Yes."

Mr. Jing responded coolly, "That person initially came to 'fish for bigger fish.' But after noticing me, he confronted me. We just waited for you to finish. Since you came out, he decided not to reveal himself prematurely and simply retreated."

Su Lun, understanding at last, realized that while they were energetically fighting inside, the big shot outside had also stealthily clashed.

He asked further, "Who was that person just now?"

Mr. Jing replied, "There aren't many Rank 8 professionals in Lingdun. It might be the mysterious leader of the Giant's Hermit Society."

Su Lun listened thoughtfully.

But further investigations would be better left to professional intelligence personnel.

At that moment, he took out a motorcycle from the storage space, mounted it, patted the rear seat, and called out, "Senior sister, come on, I'll take you to have some supper."

The battle had left his stomach completely empty.

Besides, with so much to gain from tonight's events, he needed to discuss things with his senior sister.

At this invitation, Mr. Jing looked at the motorcycle, her brows slightly furrowed.

It wasn't that she felt any objection; it just seemed somewhat difficult.

Su Lun noticed the hint of difficulty in her eyes and guessed, "Senior sister, you haven't ridden a motorcycle before?"

Mr. Jing, rarely showing a hint of difficulty in her tone, admitted, "Yes."

Su Lun curiously asked, "Motorcycles didn't exist a thousand years ago?"

Mr. Jing added, "There were similar things, but I never rode them."

"Oh."

Su Lun then remembered, his senior sister was truly a noble lady from a wealthy family.

A classical lady would certainly be skilled in horseback riding, but definitely not in riding motorcycles.

At least, that's how it was for the aristocratic young ladies of Old Lington's high society.

No noble lord would appreciate his daughter riding a motorcycle around.

He flashed a grin and added, "Haha, motorcycles are quite fun, you have to try it once. Sister, come on, let me take you for a ride~"

Mr. Jing was momentarily stunned, seeming to ponder for an instant before agreeing, "Alright."

She was the leader of the Dawn Organization, the ancestor of the blood race, an eighth-tier professional, respected and feared by everyone wherever she went.

It seemed that only Su Lun could treat her so casually, so affably.

This relaxed feeling made her feel very special, adding a different, soothing rhythm to her stern and rigid life.

Mr. Jing thought it was quite nice, put away the Gold-Patterned Cloak, and mounted the motorcycle.

Though he knew his sister wouldn't fall off, Su Lun still took her hand and placed it around his waist, smiling brilliantly, "Sister, hold tight, getting ready to start now!"

Mr. Jing smiled gently, feeling nothing amiss.

The motorcycle sped through the midnight streets of Lingdun City, with few vehicles and pedestrians, moving swiftly as if flying.

The brisk wind blew across Mr. Jing's exquisitely haughty face, her waterfall-like hair scattering in the wind.

Her eyes, deep and misty, reflected the night views of Lingdun City as they whizzed by.

Her mind raced with numerous thoughts as she stretched out her hand to catch a whiff of the night breeze.

For a moment, time seemed to slow down.

It gave a very tranquil, peaceful feeling.

Although it was just a moment of novelty, such an experience was already rare given her current mood.

....

Su Lun sped through Lingdun City with Mr. Jing, blowing the midnight breeze along the Lokwarren River.

Then they had street food late at night.

Not only was it Mr. Jing's first time riding a motorcycle, but it was also her first time eating at a night market.

She didn't enjoy it much, but she found it somewhat amusing.

Later, Su Lun took her back to her apartment, and he shamelessly stayed over as well.

Not only was there urgent business to discuss, but also because his upcoming arranged marriage was drawing near, Su Lun knew he would attract attention from various factions. Without a top-tier master by his side at critical moments, he didn't have the confidence to wander about.

They chatted deep into the night, discussing the night's events.

The best news was that they had obtained the "Scarlet Disease Research Archive."

If they could halt the spread of the "Crimson Potion," Mr. Jing estimated that even if the outer gods "descended," their strength would be significantly weakened.

To this point, they also managed to seize some "initiative."

Su Lun asked about the "scroll of the sage's maxim."

Mr. Jing did know about it, but the details were similar to what was identified previously.

She just knew that it was one of the eighteen divine curses from mythological legends of a supreme god.

But what was certain was that this was a high-order treasure that even gods might covet.

That's the unique thing about the Alchemy plane.

The "Dawn Era" once forged a splendid alchemy civilization that swept across all major planes of existence, due to the many treasures collected from various planes.

Even after the battle that broke apart the planes, many treasures remained.

They are hidden in mountains, forests, oceans, gods' tombs, and perilous places unknown to all...

This is a true treasure plane.

People could find numerous artifacts that might surpass the current level of civilization, including many items not of alchemical origin.

This is also why, a thousand years ago, Sir Isaac personally guarded the abyssal plane gateway to prevent the invasion of beings from other worlds.

Today's Alchemy plane, in the eyes of strong beings from other planes, looks like a golden-clad child, weak and wealthy.

If hidden, it could live through some years of peace;

Once discovered, it would be a disaster that could destroy the civilization.

In the apartment, on the sofa,

Su Lun and Mr. Jing were drinking tea, and their discussion had reached this point.

At that moment, Mr. Jing's face once again showed that serious expression of a civilization's heavy burden weighing on her shoulders.

She spoke calmly, "My father had also always speculated that there might be a very mysterious force, a protector. So, we need to become strong enough... At least as formidable as my father was, to have some capability to resist the invasion of beings from other worlds."

"Yeah."

Hearing this, Su Lun also looked contemplative.

Back when he was a low-tier professional, he felt these issues were distant and irrelevant to him.

But now, as he was about to enter the realm of top-tier professionals, he realized that this crisis hung over his head like a sharp blade, ever ready to fall.

The "Abyssal Plane Gateway" of Old Lington, the "Void Plane Gateway" of the Northern Sea... This plane had too many sealed gateways left behind.

The past glory had turned into a time bomb.

But if any one of them went wrong, it would be a catastrophic disaster.

The shattered laws of the Alchemy plane made it impossible to break through to the divine level. If another plane were to invade, everyone in this plane would be like lambs to the slaughter.

Including himself.

It was only after a whole night of talks that Su Lun realized the huge burden his senior sister had been silently shouldering.

No matter how strong an individual is, they are minuscule in the face of a civilization-level disaster.

This also stirred in Su Lun an unprecedented urgent desire to become stronger.

The pinnacle of this world is merely a ninth-rank professional?

No, there are other planes!

There were once gods warring, breaking planes asunder, what sprawling vistas of civilization were those?

And what about those mythological civilizations that have been erased from history?

Mr. Jing's words greatly shocked Su Lun.

He also gradually understood why Mr. Hei, despite being among the most learned of his time, always maintained a humble attitude towards acquiring knowledge.

Faced with this vibrant world, Su Lun felt for the first time how insignificant and ignorant he was.

It's only from a certain height that one can see more.

...

Su Lun handed over the "Scarlet Disease Research Archive" to the technical team in his minor void realm.

Overnight, Dr. Banks found a virus control formula that could be made with the current materials.

This was definitely the "key turnaround" to halt the widespread outbreak of the Scarlet Disease in Lingdun!

But this news must absolutely remain confidential for now; otherwise, it would inevitably be targeted intensely by the nobility of Lingdun.

Those guys hoarded so much Crimson Potion merely to profit enormously. They definitely would not allow another specific medicine capable of solving the Scarlet Disease to emerge.

And currently, the only ones capable of mass-producing the potion were a few large biocompanies in Lingdun.

After thinking it over, Su Lun realized the only person he could trust with the capability was Yekaterina of the Lans family.

Though his fiancée in name seemed very distant, their understanding of each other felt as if it still existed.

Su Lun was well aware that he and Yekaterina belonged to the same circle of mutual interest. At least compared to the Rega Lands family, the royalty, and several other Senior Councilors, they were more deserving of trust.

The next day, Su Lun found an opportunity to meet with Yekaterina and gave her the treatment formula for the Scarlet Disease.

This "fiancée" also showed initiative; the various rare metals she had promised at the full moon ball were all prepared.

Su Lun went to the Lans family's warehouse and took away the batch of metals that were crucial for his urgent needs.

Although these rare metals were not very valuable in Luying, their exaggerated quantity was still worth a fortune.

Though it was unspoken, Su Lun owed Yekaterina a huge favor.

...

In the following days, Su Lun hardly went out.

Because he was too busy with numerous tasks.

With the materials at hand, the mechanical puppet army could now truly be produced on a large scale.

He also had to spend a great deal of time assimilating the gains from having killed the "Curator" Heidman.

By absorbing those three Thousand-Men Blood Refining Crystal Cores, Su Lun's power level soared from 925, reaching an astonishing 3000+ at one point. Even after completely digesting and stabilizing, he was definitely able to sustain over 2000.

His vitality level also reached "S".

Although there was still a huge gap from the 4300 required to integrate the giant's regalia, the 1000+ increase in power in just a few days filled Su Lun with immense confidence in his future!

The state of overflowing strength felt very good to him; he was now definitely not inferior to those sixth-rank pure strength professionals.

This was sufficient to support his research into using the higher resolution "Hormone Rampage" secret technique.

His strength visibly surged by a great margin.

Once again, Su Lun felt that choosing the "Lilith Vampire Ring" for his sixth-rank advancement was very wise.

Although merging this material didn't immediately enhance his combat power, looking at it now, the "Blood Devour" ability's enhancement to his body had exceeded most of the previous potential advancement materials.

As long as he continued to devour, he would grow stronger and stronger in the future.

On the other hand, in addition to his physical enhancement, Su Lun was also meticulously studying those living corpse wax figure trophies.

He stripped Heidman's memories, fully mastering the creation and manipulation of the wax figures.

Necromancers and Puppeteers were both zerg rush profession types. This branch of Necromantic Arts and his puppetry technique had many sparks to be ignited.

Now that Su Lun had a complete Rune Umbrella in his hands, those wax figures could immediately become a part of his puppet army. That batch of over ten mostly intact elemental wax figures was enough to take his combat power to another level!

But since he didn't know necromancy, the method to control wax figures couldn't be directly copied.

So Su Lun researched using puppetry techniques to control the terrifying wax figures, and he made good progress.

After trying it out, he also found that his concept of "living corpse wax figures" was indeed viable, though there were many issues to resolve.

Su Lun was very busy every day, and in this way, time flew by rapidly.

One day, the wedding date arrived.