Mechanical Alchemist

This issue had actually been troubling Su Lun as well.

Why would Mr. and Mrs. Isaac choose to burn their most precious little daughter to death?

When Celia heard that Su Lun would ask such a question, she wasn't surprised in the slightest.

"It's been a thousand years, she must be very upset."

She sighed softly and said, "Because... only with resentment can her soul not dissipate."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun suddenly realized.

One of the preconditions for forming ghosts and vengeful spirits is that there must be some sort of intense obsession.

Upon hearing the beginning, he guessed why the Isaacs from a thousand years ago would do such a thing.

They wanted to preserve Pestoia's soul.

But... why burn her?

....

Celia's emotions became very complex, gentle, loving, guilty, sighing, expectant...

All those complex emotions were reflected in her shimmering eyes.

She revealed the secret that had been buried in the dust of history, "The Fallen Angel of divine rank was indeed defeated that year, but Sir Isaac paid a very heavy price. A large number of abyssal creatures invaded, and our Dawn City also suffered tremendous losses. The entity even attempted to completely destroy this spatial seal, allowing the abyssal plane to invade en masse... At first, we did not think we had the means to kill it. In order to prevent it from rampaging after recovery, we chose to dismember its divine body, limbs, torso, head, heart, wings... Sealed in various locations of Dawn City. This way, its divine power could not converge in one place, and the threat would be greatly reduced."

Listening to this, Su Lun finally understood where the [Heart of the Fallen Angel] he had obtained came from.

Then, the part sealed inside the white monastery was also one of the divine limbs...

The item that Number 19 and his team had stolen, was that too?

At this time, Celia continued, "On the surface, a god is a god because they understand the laws of higher planes. But to us Alchemists, it's necessary to see through appearances and grasp the essence of things. Laws are elusive and intangible, but the body of a god is very real. And after guarding this spatial gateway for many years, we have discovered that abyss creatures possess incredibly strong physiques and have deduced some patterns, so..."

Listening up to this point, Su Lun finally knew what Sir Isaac intended to do when he captured a divine rank beast.

They "dissected" the divine rank creature for research.

Alchemists are the scientists of this world, with research fields including biology, mechanics, and even mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering... and so on in all fields.

A thousand years ago, the group of Great Alchemists led by Isaac were the top scientists in these fields. Their research in biological science had reached a level that was beyond what Su Lun, a transmigrator, could comprehend.

Perhaps because Su Lun was her disciple, Celia spoke in great detail, "Although we had gained some knowledge from ancient texts that describe the divine body, this was our first time actually encountering a living one... We studied the blood and other tissues of this Fallen Angel and discovered from a microscopic level the genes of the gods, which are much more numerous than humans', with forty of them. Essentially, this should be the fundamental difference between a godly body and a mortal one..."

Listening to this, Su Lun didn't know how to describe his feelings anymore.

It turned out that the ancient Alchemists of a thousand years ago had already studied genetics to such a thorough extent.

He didn't know if it was because Old Lington was a mining pit that led to some form of aberrant development, or because of a knowledge gap causing the outside world's research level to not reach the standard of a thousand years ago. But in his acquired knowledge, there indeed was not the slightest mention of "gene chains."

However, Celia did not continue talking about the research issue but went back to the previous topic, "But in the process of this research, some accidents occurred. Although we had sealed the Fallen Angel's body, we did not expect that its soul would escape during a research incident. Then, it possessed Pestoia's body..."

Hearing this, it was as if he had found the vital missing piece of the puzzle.

All the clues in Su Lun's head automatically connected, and he immediately understood the truth behind the burning death of Pestoia.

Upon reaching this point, Celia stopped, seemingly recalling a segment of her past she was reluctant to revisit.

After musing for a moment, she continued, "That Fallen Angel was very cunning, knowing that no matter where its soul fled, it would be annihilated. So it chose to parasitize Pestoia. By the time we discovered it, it was already completely entwined with Pestoia's soul. If we killed it, we would certainly kill Pestoia. But if we did not deal with it in time, it would bring cataclysmic disasters to our realm..."

She didn't continue the rest of her words, but Su Lun had understood.

So, they had chosen to burn Pestoia to death.

As the story reached this point, Su Lun also vaguely understood what was previously marked as "???" on the butterfly brooch—a secret.

Most likely, it was the lurking soul of that Fallen Angel!

So... has the young mistress of the Duke's estate, Teresa, also been influenced by that soul?

Su Lun knew that things might not be as simple.

If the goal was destruction, they would absolutely not leave the soul behind.

Sereya said, "I've lost some memories and don't know what happened afterwards. But your appearance means that Isaac's plan was successful."

Su Lun listened quietly. A being like Isaac, who had mastered "fate," would definitely not employ simple methods.

He asked, "Teacher, did you preserve Peshtoya's soul in order to resurrect her?"

Sereya: "Yes. No parent would want to watch their child being burned alive, but to ensure she harbored enough resentment, we didn't tell her the truth. We set up some mechanisms in Storm Manor to preserve her soul. However, compared to a deity, a human's soul is too weak. That Fallen Angel had the power to easily erase Peshtoya's soul. Thus, this plan would last at least a thousand years, until Peshtoya's soul was strong enough that the two could not be completely separated anymore... then we could take action."

Showing her fierceness as a mother damaging the enemy at the expense of her own child, she snorted, "Hmph! These so-called gods, just to save their own lives, would only resort to such despicable tricks."

Having heard this explanation, Su Lun had completely understood the whole story.

It wasn't as simple as it appeared.

It was a grand chess game.

A game planned for a thousand years!

At the same time, a thought emerged in his heart.

No wonder the front page of "Isaac's Alchemy Manuscript" contained that seemingly emotional phrase: Gods are merely higher level materials.

So there was this layer of hatred inside.

And... contempt!

The contempt of a Fate Controller for beings of the divine level!

....

Relieved by this explanation, Su Lun also breathed a sigh of relief.

At least, the next time he met Peshtoya, he could give her an answer.

Otherwise, always deceiving that young girl without delivering, he would still feel guilty.

Su Lun asked again, "Teacher, is everything that Mr. Jing is doing now for that god's soul?"

Thinking this way, Mr. Jing, who had lived for a thousand years, his purpose seemed clear.

Sereya said, "Yes, but it's not just that. She survived firstly for the deity inside Peshtoya's soul, and secondly for the legacy of Dawn City. After all, now that you have appeared, the disaster must have already occurred, and Dawn City must have been destroyed."

Su Lun had always been curious about what caused the destruction of Dawn City and Old Lington.

He directly asked, "Teacher, what exactly was that disaster?"

"My memories are fragmented."

Sereya shook her head, indicating she didn't know either, "I don't have Isaac's talent in fate to deduce what the future holds. But it's likely there was a problem with the abyss seal. According to your current description, the plane hasn't fallen yet, so Isaac definitely managed to prevent the disaster from worsening. After all, constructing the 'Black Tower' was meant as a last resort when things were beyond control..."

The Black Tower had that effect too?

Listening, Su Lun contemplated.

Suddenly, he thought of that top-tier being capable of hunting deities and asked, "What about... my grandteacher?"

Su Lun always felt that such a master of "fate" shouldn't have just died off casually.

As expected.

"Him?"

When speaking of her husband, Sereya's face revealed a tender smile again, then she added, "Isaac once said that this plane's laws are flawed, and to break through to the divine level, one would have to go to a plane where the laws are more complete. I think, he probably went to the 'abyss'..."

She paused, her eyes brimming with love, and added, "He always had a dream, you know, to explore various planes like the Great Alchemists of the Dawn Era and to probe into the ultimate mysteries of Alchemy..."

....

Su Lun understood the truth of the events of those years, and nearly all of his doubts had been cleared up.

The atmosphere of the conversation had become very relaxed.

As they chatted, Su Lun looked at the books on the shelves in the room and asked, "Teacher, may I take these books with me?"

He had previously coveted the things in this space, knowing that this alchemic knowledge was the true treasure beyond price.

But he had not dared to touch anything rashly.

The plot within the Curse Space seemed to be in an infinite loop.

But in reality, if something was taken, some of its energy would be lost.

A few books might not make a big difference, or they might cause a "butterfly effect," altering the entire plot of the Curse Space.

Previously, while Su Lun had laid an ambush against two major families and the "forensic doctor" Servis Gerard, he did not take away anything unnecessary, to avoid any deviation in the plot.

But now, he had no such concerns. Discover more content at empire

Seraya joyfully responded, "Of course, I don't have the time to mentor you. These books, you'll have to study on your own."

While speaking, she pointed to the bookshelf and said, "The first two rows are the basics of Alchemy, the third row is about rune knowledge, the very top... oh, that's right! I almost forgot, taking you as my disciple also means inheriting my 'Puppeteer' lineage..."

Something occurred to her, and she used her octopus spear to take down a few notebooks from the top.

Upon opening one, it was immediately apparent to be a Puppet Alchemy manuscript.

The books in the Curse Space would only reveal their content to her, the main agent of malice, after she had leafed through and remembered them.

Su Lun had been a bit worried that the content might be incomplete, but when he picked up a book, it was densely packed with text.

Although they were manuscripts, the handwriting was exceptionally beautiful, like printed text, and even the roughly sketched design drafts had the feel of perfect works of art.

Seraya's face showed the affection of a teacher looking at her disciple, and her voice contained a touch of sorrow, "As a teacher, I haven't spent much time instructing you, which is truly neglectful of me. But once the heart is successfully crafted, and this Curse Space runs out of energy, I will also disappear..."

Su Lun looked mildly distressed, "Teacher..."

Seraya smiled and shook her head, declining to elaborate.

She flipped to the last few pages of the notebook and introduced them, saying, "This 'Alchemy Golem Notes' is the culmination of my life's research in Puppet Mastership. It's also the design concept for what I believe to be the perfect elusive puppet, one that I wish to create as an alchemical being with invincible defenses, yet possessing a measure of wisdom..."

Su Lun gazed at the design labeled "Gargoyle," his expression slightly complicated.

The founder of the Puppeteers actually wanted to create an "alchemic being" that required no threads for control and possessed its own consciousness!

However, the technological aspect of it was too advanced, and Su Lun was currently unable to comprehend it.

He was even more astounded by the efficiency of his own learning.

In the past, he was constantly needing to suppress other emotions in his mind.

It was like watching a football game while at the same time having to remember the questions for tomorrow's exam.

Having become accustomed to it, he never realized anything was amiss.

Only after letting go did he understand the magnitude of that pressure.

Now, those negative emotions, completely released and impacting the development of his brain space, with spiritual power Secret Techniques restraining them, turned into nourishment for his spiritual power. No longer having to be distracted by them, it was as if the whole world had become clear.

He felt a burden lifted from him.

At this moment, Su Lun experienced the benefits of the 5% increase in brain area development.

Truly able to read ten lines with a single glance.

```

It wasn't that he read faster, but that his brain could swiftly process the content as it entered his eyes, doing so simultaneously.

It was as if a computer had an upgraded processor, with both reaction speed and information processing capacity increasing exponentially.

There was no need to read line by line as he had before.

However,

even though his brain could handle more information,

looking at these highly advanced Alchemy knowledge, Su Lun still felt his scalp tingle.

He could foresee that these volumes of notes would occupy many years of his study and research.

When Sereya saw Su Lun's slightly furrowed brows, she smiled and said, "The purpose of giving you these tomes is not to have you tread my path exactly as I did. A true Puppet Master is not about how many puppets one can make, but truly understanding why you're doing it. That is also the essence of Alchemy."

She continued, "You should study Isaac's manuscript carefully. The content that progresses from easy to advanced isn't just about teaching you how to refine an 'Isaac Alchemy Heart' or other Alchemy equipment. It's a way to see the essence through the phenomena. Only with a full understanding of the structure of all things can one truly grasp the 'law of equivalent exchange,' the ultimate rule of Alchemy; only then will your path lead further, and you will have the chance to touch the truly top fields..."

....

"What I've given you includes some of my own insights, as well as what Isaac has told me, the true philosophies leading to divine levels. Although I am still understanding them myself, I also pass them on to my disciple, you..."

Perhaps because she felt she didn't have much time left, Sereya had much to say.

But there was little in the way of technique; instead, she instilled in Su Lun many of the top philosophies visible only in the worldview of a great Alchemist.

Su Lun also immediately realized his own misconceptions, or rather, that he had entered some wrong paths.

Previously, he cared so much about how many spells he mastered, how many types of puppets he could make, how many skills he possessed, and how much stronger his combat power would become...

But that was just the surface, messy and not refined.

His vision was ultimately too narrow, too short-sighted.

Such a hodgepodge might be strong in the realm of low-level professionals, but in the domain of high-level Magicians, "understanding" is the real divide between true experts and the average.

Just like when Sereya saw him use Spatial Ability and said it could easily be broken by a high-level Magician.

That's what she meant.

In the eyes of a Magician at her level, the essence of "equivalent exchange" is an understanding of all things in the world.

Everything else is merely a stepping stone to grasp that principle.

Indeed, an Alchemist must be well-learned.

Su Lun suddenly understood the realm of Mr. Hei.

For ordinary people, mastering multiple elemental spells at the same time is nearly impossible.

But if one truly understands, that is when it becomes "diverse but refined."

Sereya's words were immensely beneficial to Su Lun, leaving him deeply shaken for a long time.

It was like a ship sailing in the vast, pitch-dark sea, and someone had lit a lighthouse for him, so the path ahead was no longer a darkness he had to grope through on his own.

This would save him from taking too many detours and entering many false paths.

He knew where to focus his efforts in the future.

Towards understanding "all things," towards "equivalent exchange,"

that is the ultimate open road,

which could lead to a lofty height,

one that might even reach divine levels.

```