Half a day later.
[chanical Realm] Central Tower, the floating top tower master building.
Countless chanical puppets tirelessly cleaned the battlefield, and the eting of ordinary mbers of the "Holy Stone Council" continued inside the tower. Only Watt, Kingfisher, and Aiven, three Tier 4 Extraordinaries, could sit here.
Although Aiven's wizard level was temporarily only Tier 3, his performance in this battle had already won the recognition of the two Crowned Wizards, and deeper secrets that were not suitable for public disclosure could be opened to him.
"Mr. Galliot, the attack by the evil god [Thousand-Faced Moon] is just an external factor. The 'Alchemy School' now faces a more critical internal crisis, which can be said to have reached a crucial mont of life and death."
"Oh?"
Aiven initially thought that nnon Watt had summoned the mbers of the "Holy Stone Council" specifically to concentrate on dealing with the frequently attacking [Thousand-Faced Moon].
After today's battle, the evil god, severely injured by two divine artifacts, would inevitably disappear temporarily.
Unexpectedly, according to Watt, this powerful external enemy was far from being the most troubleso problem for the "Alchemy School."
"Because... my ti is running out."
The old man's first words went straight to the point, causing Aiven to shiver.
Even the small movent of twisting the diamond ring on his left ring finger paused, and he raised his head to stare intently at Watt's face.
It is said that at the peak of the Upper-Rank Wizard, many school's unique witchcraft was already sufficient to allow wizards to take the step into the Non-human, just like the "old witch" Baba Yaga and "Death ssenger" before the breakthrough.
Upon reaching Tier 4 Crowned Wizard, they had completely transford from human to Non-human in essence, gained recognition from the World Root Source, and beca the endpoint of certain rules.
In the perception of normal humans, their lifespan is like the rise and fall of a civilization on the continent, with no end in sight.
But Watt's extrely aged appearance showed that this Crowned Wizard, who had been active in the Material World since before the Dark Millennium, having lived at least fifteen hundred years, was truly running out of energy.
Beside him, Lady Kingfisher showed no surprise, obviously already aware of the situation.
Despite his old age, nnon Watt's eyes remained bright as he stared at Aiven:
"Now I have one last chance, but it requires reliable mbers, especially powerful Extraordinaries like you, to help..."
Soon, understanding the entire situation, Aiven leaned back slightly and gradually fell into deep thought.
With a visionary perspective, he had a clear view of the world's developnt.
The "trend" of the Steam Industrial Revolution centered on the Phaletis Kingdom had already taken shape.
When ordinary workers could use machines to make machines and export these machines and "advanced productivity" in large quantities abroad, it would mark the completion of the "Steam Industrial Revolution."
At that ti, nnon Watt, the flag bearer of the era, would undoubtedly harvest an unimaginable wave of [World's Favor].
Referring back to the Renaissance Period in the Old Continent, when more demigods were born in two hundred years than the previous millennia, one could see the potential power it held.
However, for other paths of Extraordinaries, maybe becoming a "Demigod" was an excellent opportunity to rise, but for a Crowned Wizard, there was a better choice.
The three major branches of the "Alchemy School" include: "Magic Potion," "Alchemy Tools and Enchantnt Engineering," and "chanization."
The Mysterious Source and ultimate knowledge corresponding to them are:
[Elixir of Immortality]: The most direct ans of eternal life (not just immortality in lifespan, but the key is that even if dismbered and pulverized, one cannot be killed).
[Hephaestus Square]: A highly integrated production line capable of manufacturing powerful alchemy tools from ancient to modern tis, the "Industrial Mother Machine" in alchemy.
[Steam Titan]: The representative of ultimate strength, comparable to deities.
From the traits of [Witchcraft Garden: chanical Realm], it could be seen that nnon Watt, as the head of the "Alchemy School," was also the head of the "Alchemy Tools and Enchantnt Engineering Branch."
As Aiven had guessed earlier, the knowledge reserve of [Hephaestus Square] had finally reached a critical point after years of effort.
The scene of "plagiarizing" [Missile: Truth Judgnt] in the previous battle was just one of its most trivial abilities.
Because, Wizards are the only Extraordinary Profession in the Extraordinary World that can reach Tier 5 Demigod Level step by step through their own efforts.
Other paths Extraordinaries, including Titled Knights, can only hope for the gift of [Divinity] from higher beings or make significant contributions to the world's advancent to receive a massive amount of [World's Favor].
Obviously, demigods who rely on faith power and [World's Favor] to rise by luck are likely no match for [Truth Embodint] who ascended by slowly unraveling the world step by step.
Moreover, [Truth Embodint], connected to the World Root Source, does not need the support of believers or need to anchor in a fixed "Sanctuary," similar to the difference between immortals and deities in the Eastern world.
Given the chance to beco a carefree immortal, why would one seek a heavily restrictive position?
Seeing that enough groundwork had been laid, Watt noticed Aiven, who had grasped the key, was sitting upright again, and continued:
"The preliminary work for the embodint of [Hephaestus Square] is complete; we just need to wait for the [World's Favor] to co through for a final push.
However, the ti spent accumulating the knowledge has taken too long. In my current physical condition, it's almost impossible for to bear such power anymore.
Therefore, gathering council mbers, especially soone like you, who is the strongest below the crown..."
Before finishing his sentence, unexpectedly, when Watt finally began "talking business," Aiven's eyes lit up, and he raised his hand to interrupt:
"Mr. Watt, please wait a mont! Business is business.
Why don't you first reimburse the appearance fee for the [Libra Balance Holy Sword] and the patent fee for [Truth Judgnt]? You were the one who said to 'make a full effort' before.
So, to show appreciation..."
He respectfully handed over a bill with both hands.
The old wizard took the seemingly glowing note with little concern, rely giving it a cursory glance.
The next second, his pupils suddenly enlarged, his heart thundered.
Poo—!
His throat tasted sweet, and a mouthful of old blood was forcibly swallowed back with his millennium of cultivation, narrowly avoiding passing on the spot.
"This... this... this..."
...
Hoo—!
Not lingering long in the [chanical Realm], the [Sea Soul] sped out from the brass gate, heading towards the New Continent under the stars and moon.
Of course, the main reason was that Aiven feared the old man might suddenly go back on his word, driven by desperation, risking everything to keep his life's savings.
The final business negotiation concluded in a very "friendly" atmosphere, with both parties signing a property transfer agreent based on fairness, justice, and voluntary principles.
Unable to provide enough cash on hand, the "Alchemy School" would, upon nnon Watt's successful promotion, transfer ownership of the 76 "Light of Alchemy" branches they've diligently built over the decades entirely to the Galliot Duchy.
Though seemingly, Aiven appeared to be losing a bit.
However, when he decided to unleash the "Electric Revolution," those already established channels would be a priceless treasure worth their weight in gold.
As for the task he gathered the councilors to announce, Aiven agreed to it readily.
It turns out.
The "Alchemy School," developed over the years besides nnon Watt, actually had another "Crowned Wizard" Paracelsus, from the oldest "Magic Potion Branch."
He, though much younger than Watt, was renowned for his extraordinary talent, having surpassed all predecessors in the research of the [Elixir of Immortality], with a completion level even higher than that of the contemporary [Hephaestus Square].
However, Paracelsus mysteriously disappeared shortly after arriving at Celebes Island, during the first wave of exploration of the "Broken Star Islands," even the highest level of Divination Art failed to determine his whereabouts.
It wasn't until recent days, after seeking help from the goddess, combined with the nautical chart Aiven sold to the "Turin Grand Library," that roughly pinpointed his location, marking several coordinates.
Search within the specified range.
If alive, bring him back.
If dead, break into the [Witchcraft Garden] that must have fallen into the real world, retrieve an Alchemy School treasure—[Elixir of Immortality: Half-Finished].
Even if unfinished, it would suffice to grant his aging body power comparable to its peak state, perfectly rging with the [Hephaestus Square], becoming a living "Mysterious Source"!
Of course, the old man won't aim too high, having already prepared dual plans.
If unable to achieve the optimal goal, leveraging the power of [World's Favor] to reluctantly beco an ordinary demigod is also acceptable—to live on is better than to die well.
"No wonder..."
Earlier, Aiven had ticulously observed, the factions within the "Alchemy School" were distinctly divided into two camps. When Watt produced the Divine Artifact Cross, one faction was unresponsive, while the other appeared restless.
The root may lie in the unease about Watt becoming a [God] in the future.
For wizards who have experienced church hunting operations, such feelings are understandable.
If there weren't currently only one "Crowned Wizard" within the "Alchemy School," this ideological split might directly lead to a division of the school.
"Aside from [Elixir of Immortality: Half-Finished], the allure of other private collections belonging to that 'Crowned Wizard' is significant, indeed worth speeding up my plans."
This encounter in the [chanical Realm] made Aiven deeply realize:
This vast sea is truly different from the Order World under the Seven Gods which restricts the entry of high-level forces; also different from the deep "Broken Star Sea," which is chaotically non-regular.
Rather it's a place of survival of the fittest, with the constant threat of demigod-level dinsion-reduction strikes lurking.
At the very least, one must possess a fortified stronghold like the [chanical Realm], complented with divine artifacts to barely stand against a demigod.
The promotion of "Crowned Wizard" is imperative, consuming the [World's Favor] obtained from landing in space should be enough to firmly reach Tier 3 Limit, with so surplus.
Among the upcoming plans, the most crucial is preparing the "Crowned" promotion ceremony!
At this mont.
Milan approached, her face heavy with concern, saying:
"Aiven, at the upper-rank wizard's eting, I and Lady Serra couldn't find the female Great Wizard you told to watch out for, it's highly likely she already left the [chanical Realm].
For others, breaking through to 'Crowned Wizard' in the [Witchcraft Garden] is difficult, but for upper-rank wizards of the [Clock Tower] school, it's not unattainable.
Do you think she might have discovered us too?"
It was only then that Aiven ca back to his senses.
He almost forgot that Milan and the unknown female Great Wizard were sowhat similar to Watt's situation, both having a completed "Mysterious Source" waiting for them to inherit.
These wealthy families with riches made one enviously cry tears from the corners of their mouths.
"This ti, you are accompanying the task to the 'Broken Star Sea.' With the sa path lying there, you will et sooner or later.
Whether she's an enemy or friend, whether she wants a duel or a group fight, we'll take it as it cos.
It's a perfect opportunity to determine the ownership issue of [Mysterious Source: Clock Tower]."
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