White Tower Alchemy Academy.

The entire academy was paved with gray-white stone slabs that gave a distinctly rough, gritty feeling.

Large trees grew around a small lake. At the lakeside stood a peculiar experimental machine that continuously rotated, churning the water.

The water splashed with a rhythmic sound.

Students carrying books moved quickly as they entered the classrooms.

“Hurry up!”

“Did you get yesterday’s notes written down?” one asked.

“I didn’t understand any of it,” another replied.

“Then you’re in trouble. The instructor said there would be a check today.”

The students chased one another into the building.

This scene and feeling were unprecedented, representing alchemy’s journey from the mystical into reality.

On the top floor of the No. 1 Experimental Tower, Oran contemplated the Art of God’s Grace, a gift from the God of Alchemy and Desire.

Oran opened the book.

The copper shell of the book served as a heavy seal. Once it was opened, the text inside could be seen changing and reorganizing itself.

Without specific methods, this book could not be opened. Even when opened, the correct text would remain hidden.

Lines of different lengths shifted and rearranged, forming words and intricate patterns.

Some patterns represented spirit, while others took the shape of mysterious runes symbolizing seals and stones embodying divine grace.

“Spirit, Divine Blood, Seal.”

“The three elements must ultimately condense into a God’s Grace Stone, merging with the body to create a mythological organ.”

The mythological organ was believed to be the brain itself.

However, Alchemists found it impossible to condense a God’s Grace Stone, let alone transform their brains into such an organ.

It seemed something had gone wrong somewhere.

“Where did the problem occur?” Oran wondered.

Oran scrutinized every word in the Art of God’s Grace. He had reviewed it countless times but still could not succeed.

Oran descended from the top of the experimental tower to the level below.

This level contained ritual arrays carved to guide spiritual pressure.

This was a crucial step for a breakthrough, combining the three elements of a Wisdom Ability to condense a God’s Grace Stone.

Oran summoned a silver-white Lamp of Covenant.

A Lamp Spirit appeared around him, with a spiraling flame dragon for its lower part and a humanoid outline for its upper body.

He was not attempting to break through to the Fourth-Rank here. Instead, he was activating the ritual arrays to form intense spiritual pressure, forcibly fusing the three elements within his body to experience what that fusion felt like.

If it felt wrong, he could stop at any time.

He was searching for the correct method to condense a God’s Grace Stone.

Only when he was certain would he formally proceed.

Mental power manifested the Lamp Spirit, Divine Blood emitted a fluorescent glow in his body, and several seals flickered within the activated Lamp Spirit.

But no matter how hard he tried, his mental power and the seals could not merge with the Divine Blood.

No qualitative change occurred.

He reached out, touching Elena’s Heart in his chest.

This was also a God’s Grace Stone.

It served as the perfect reference.

Oran reflected, “The Art of God’s Grace is an ancient technique from a time when the Creator walked the earth and the Divine King’s descendants forged direct contracts with the Lord. It’s nothing like the methods we use today.”

“In those days, there were no Snake People, and Alchemists did not exist.”

“Lamp Spirits were not the same as Seal Spirits.”

Oran felt a sudden realization. “While trying to fuse the three elements earlier, it felt as though something was missing from my mind, something vital was absent.”

“Is that the issue?”

“Is that why I can’t succeed?”

Suddenly, Oran looked at his Lamp of Covenant.

“Emotion.”

The core of an Alchemist was controlling the fire after emotion manifested. Part of their emotion manifested as the Lamp of Covenant, while their Divine Blood lacked emotion.

This was a truth many Alchemists understood.

“Is emotion part of the three elements? Because it manifests as the Lamp of Covenant, Alchemists cannot use the Art of God’s Grace to break through.”

Oran suddenly had an idea and immediately ran back upstairs.

He decided to reconsider the conditions of the Art of God’s Grace.

He opened the Art of God’s Grace and wrote his recent questions on a large sheet of paper.

“What are an Alchemist’s three elements?”

“How should an Alchemist condense a God’s Grace Stone?”

“What would an Alchemist’s mythological organ be?”

He first wrote under the three elements, “Spirit, Divine Blood, Lamp Spirit.”

“The three elements are correct, but because part of the emotion merged into the Lamp of Covenant, success is impossible.”

Oran skipped the second question, looking directly at the third.

The Alchemist’s mythological organ.

“When condensing the Lamp of Covenant, Alchemists manifest emotion as flame.”

“At the Third-Rank, all mental power is infused into the Lamp of Covenant, creating Lamp Spirits.”

“So when becoming an apostle, should more power be infused into the Lamp of Covenant?”

Oran paused as a thought struck him. “Could it be that the Lamp of Covenant is meant to be the Alchemist’s mythological organ?”

Oran looked at his Lamp of Covenant, realizing the Alchemist’s path to apostlehood differed completely from what the Art of God’s Grace recorded.

Over the following days, Oran dedicated himself to testing and refining his understanding of the three elements. He meticulously experimented with their interactions, gradually confirming that the Lamp of Covenant could indeed serve as a mythological organ.

Months passed.

Oran found himself once again on the second-to-last level of the No. 1 Experimental Tower, carefully activating the ritual arrays.

A strong spiritual pressure formed a storm, driving the power within Oran.

The Lamp of Covenant manifested from his body, floating above his head.

Divine Blood transformed into flowing fluorescence, mental power became the Lamp Spirit’s shadow, and the seal’s power surged within the Lamp Spirit.

Oran immediately attempted to fuse the three into one, infusing them into the Lamp of Covenant.

“The Lamp of Covenant is the Emotion Lamp.”

“Emotion is personality!”

“Condense all self-given emotion, forming a divine lamp that represents one’s personality.”

Oran’s power flowed continuously toward the Lamp of Covenant. He saw a stone called divine grace gradually condensing within it.

Oran grew excited, speaking the Fourth-Rank title he had imagined.

“Divine Lamp Apostle.”

The God’s Grace Stone had partially emerged. It seemed the entire Lamp of Covenant would soon be deified, transforming into Oran’s mythological organ.

But suddenly, Oran felt a surge of power within his body.

The previously dormant Elena’s Heart became agitated, creating a violent conflict with the puppet’s inherent power.

“What’s happening?”

Oran hesitated at the final, critical moment.

He could not bring himself to move forward.

The risk was too great, and the uncertainty was too overwhelming.

He sensed Elena’s Heart, fused with his body, stirring ominously.

Only then did he suddenly recall that he was not just an ordinary Upper Third-Rank Alchemist. He carried Elena’s Heart within him.

He did not know whether forcibly transforming the Lamp of Covenant into a mythological organ would make him an apostle or cause both powers to conflict and annihilate him.

Oran finally stopped, and the condensing God’s Grace Stone instantly dissipated.

Oran felt dejected. He left the ritual array level and climbed the stairs upward, eventually collapsing onto a chair.

His limbs lay sprawled and unmoving.

He resembled a lifeless puppet.

After some time, Oran reached for the Art of God’s Grace on the table, letting out a quiet sigh as he shook his head.

“God of Alchemy,” Oran murmured softly, his voice tinged with doubt.

“Perhaps you chose the wrong person. I may not have what it takes to become a true apostle.”

But even if he could not become an apostle, completing the Art of God’s Grace for Alchemists was still a significant accomplishment.

At that moment, Tut’s student Alsmo burst in carrying something, not even bothering to knock.

Behind him stood a young child.

Oran looked at the visibly disturbed Alsmo and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Alsmo produced an object. “Master Oran, look at this.”

He held out what appeared to be an alchemy notebook or manual.

Oran found the alchemy manual familiar and quickly recognized it.

It resembled Tut’s alchemy manual.

He reached out and took the manual, opening it.

It was filled with familiar handwriting and text. The first page clearly showed the passage Tut had used to admonish himself and Oran.

It was unmistakable.

This manual belonged to Tut.

Oran immediately looked at Alsmo. “Where did you get this?”

Oran had been searching for any trace of Tut but had found nothing.

Alsmo immediately pulled the child behind him forward. He was clearly a new student at the White Tower Alchemy Academy.

“This book belongs to him.”

Oran turned his gaze toward the child, who lowered his head nervously.

“I found it years ago. I saw it mentioned the Tower Spirit School and Master Oran.”

“Later, when I heard Master Oran’s name, I came from my hometown to study here.”

Oran asked, “Where did you find it?”

Since it was years ago, the boy had somewhat forgotten. He hesitated before answering.

Alsmo, being young and impatient, saw the boy stammering. “Speak up, quickly!”

Seeing this reaction, the child became too frightened to say anything.

Oran stood up and patted the boy’s shoulder.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“We’re not saying you did anything wrong, but this alchemy manual is very important to us.”

“Think carefully. Where did you find it?”

“This would be a great help to me.”

The child thought for a moment. “I’ve mostly forgotten. Years ago, I was playing with friends when we found it on the street.”

“I didn’t pay much attention then, and none of us understood what was written inside.”

“It was in an alley, but I’ve forgotten which one.”

Oran asked, “Where are you from?”

The child answered, “I’m from the City of Lights!”

Oran pondered thoughtfully.

“Tut visited the City of Lights. He must have dropped this manual somewhere.”

“An Alchemist’s manual is one of their most important possessions and is never carelessly discarded, so he likely disappeared in the City of Lights.”

“Why did he go to the City of Lights? Or was he taken there? Why was he killed?”

“Who had a grudge against him? He hadn’t left the Exile White Tower for decades. How could he have enemies outside?”

Oran could not comprehend these matters, but having a target gave him a direction for his investigation.

Suddenly, the copper bell on the table rang.

Oran picked up a metal, cup-like object and placed it to his ear.

The metal cup was connected to wires, allowing people from the lower levels to alert him by ringing the bell, then communicate through the device.

“Headmaster!”

“Someone is here to see you.”

Oran asked, “Who is it?”

The other end replied, “He says he is from the City of Lights.”

Oran spoke into the metal cup, “Let him come up.”

The visitor was the captain of the Lantern Bearer squad under Grand Elder Xin Jisi.

This emissary from the City of Lights’ Grand Elder arrived in the City of Gold, presenting Oran with another possibility and a different intention.

“Master Oran,” the visitor said, “While the alchemy schools and families may be divided for now, under the watchful eyes of the divine, the eastern and western regions of the Land of Sunrise are destined to reunite.”

“This is inevitable and foreseeable by all.”

“The only difference is whether the alchemy schools or the alchemy families emerge victorious.”

Oran looked at the visitor. “Are you here to declare war?”

“Then you have come to the wrong place. I am merely the headmaster of the White Tower Alchemy Academy and currently hold no position within the alliance.”

“If you wish to declare war, speak to the alliance’s high executor.”

The Lantern Bearer squad captain replied, “Power is everything, Mr. Oran. As the strongest in the White Tower Alchemy Alliance, no one’s words carry more weight than yours.”

“Besides, I am not here to declare war, but to cooperate with you.”

Oran asked, “The Council of Elders wants reconciliation with the alliance?”

Oran felt disappointed, thinking this was wishful thinking.

The conflict and contradictions had fully erupted. Reconciliation seemed impossible.

Furthermore, would this not simply revert things to the old ways?

After all the turmoil and deaths, nothing would change.

Not only would the members of the White Tower Alchemy Alliance reject this, but Oran himself could not accept it.

The visitor shook his head. “Not the Council of Elders.”

“But my master, Grand Elder Xin Jisi.”

Oran studied the visitor intently as many thoughts arose.

Grand Elder Xin Jisi had bypassed the Council of Elders entirely, choosing to negotiate directly with Oran.

This added an intriguing twist to the situation.

Oran grew serious. “What do you wish to discuss?”

The Lantern Bearer squad captain explained, “Grand Elder Xin Jisi wishes to discuss establishing a new order with you. He can agree to the alchemy school’s ideals and let them guide the future new order of the Land of Sunrise.”

“But the Grand Elder needs the Golden bloodline to become the king of the Land of Sunrise, the only king.”

Oran had not expected Grand Elder Xin Jisi to harbor such thoughts.

After thinking it over, it started to make sense.

The Grand Elder of the City of Lights had everything except kingship, which the Council of Elders would never grant him.

For years, the elders had governed their respective territories, even trying to undermine the Grand Elder’s authority.

How could they tolerate the emergence of a king?

Ironically, his enemies, the alchemy schools, could give him this.

However, Oran did not immediately agree. Such matters could not be settled in a brief meeting with an envoy.

Both parties would need to meet face-to-face to truly finalize anything.

Oran sat at the table, lost in thought for what felt like hours.

Grand Elder Xin Jisi’s request, in Oran’s view, was not non-negotiable.

Grand Elder Xin Jisi wanted royal power, while the alchemy schools wanted reform, institutional change, and authority over inheritance.

If Grand Elder Xin Jisi could be brought over, the entire Council of Elders would instantly collapse, and the Land of Sunrise could be reunified at minimal cost.

The Golden bloodline would ascend to royalty, laying the foundation for a new nation shaped by their ideals.

This seemed like the best possible outcome.

“Tell Xin Jisi we can talk,” Oran said.

Upon hearing this response, the Lantern Bearer squad captain smiled.

This was precisely his goal. Whether the subsequent negotiations succeeded was irrelevant to him.

However, he added, “By the way, Master Oran.”

“This matter is extremely important. If news leaked, it could cause an upheaval within the Council of Elders. In such a case, Grand Elder Xin Jisi would deny everything.”

“So until everything is settled, until you two reach an agreement, he hopes you will not tell too many people.”

“Do not let the news leak.”

Oran nodded, readily agreeing.

“Of course. We trust in Grand Elder Xin Jisi’s sincerity.”

“We absolutely will not leak such information.”

But Oran studied the Lantern Bearer captain.

“However, how can I be sure this isn’t a trap?”

The Lantern Bearer captain smiled. “In the Land of Sunrise, who could detain a being with Fourth-Rank apostle power?”

Amid the turmoil in the City of Lights, the Third-Rank Ability Users from the White Tower Alliance had faced defeat at the hands of Xin Jisi. Despite their loss, they still managed to escape with their lives.

When viewed from this perspective, it certainly seemed that way.

At least for now, Grand Elder Xin Jisi seemed trustworthy.

After the visitor left, Oran remained seated at the table, lost in thought. He quietly repeated the names to himself.

“City of Lights.”

“Xin Jisi.”

“Grand Elder.”

Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he murmured again, “City of Lights?”

Oran took out Tut’s alchemy manual from the desk drawer, suddenly recalling an event from long ago.

Grand Elder Xin Jisi had arrived at the Exile White Tower with a demand for Saint Raphael, the messenger from the Creator’s Kingdom who represented the gods, to eliminate all evil spirits, including Oran.

At the time, Grand Elder Xin Jisi had insisted, all in the name of justice.

But thinking back now, was he truly concerned about preventing evil spirits from escaping the white tower for the sake of the Land of Sunrise’s safety?

Or was he perhaps coveting something else, something from the Tower Spirit School?

No matter how much Oran pondered, he could not fathom what enemies Tut might have had in the City of Lights, especially since Tut hardly knew anyone there.

He could not understand.

What kind of enemies could someone like Tut have?

Then, perhaps those who killed Tut were not targeting Tut himself, but something else.

Oran stared at the alchemy manual in his hand. “Tut!”

He stood up and approached the window.

From the experimental tower, he could just see the departing Lantern Bearer squad captain below.

City of Lights.

The Lantern Bearer squad captain successfully completed his mission and returned to the city inconspicuously.

But this time, Grand Elder Xin Jisi chose not to receive him at the Miracle Temple, instead selecting a very secluded location in the city.

The Lantern Bearer captain understood, given the classified nature of his mission.

The Lantern Bearer also felt emotionally stirred.

He had his own thoughts about the upcoming events, even harboring small ambitions.

Having accomplished such an important task for Xin Jisi, surely he would gain more trust from him.

“Oran genuinely seems willing to negotiate with the Grand Elder.”

“If the Golden Family rises to rule not just the City of Lights but the entire Land of Sunrise,” he thought, “what role will I play in this new era?”

“One of the first Oath-Takers of the new kingdom?”

“Much like the ancient nobles of Suinhor who joined Alpens in founding the kingdom, leaving their mark on history.”

The Lantern Bearer captain envisioned the future.

He seemed to see himself rising with the winds, becoming a significant figure of the new era.

He entered an old castle and saw Xin Jisi standing in the reflected light of the evening sunset.

This castle was somewhat eerie, completely empty yet meticulously maintained.

The outer courtyard also appeared to be cleaned regularly.

Unbeknownst to him, this was the Abyss Cult’s headquarters.

Xin Jisi turned his head, hearing the Lantern Bearer describe the results of his journey. The White Tower Alchemy Alliance’s Master Oran had agreed and was planning to come to the City of Lights in half a month to privately discuss establishing a new kingdom with Xin Jisi.

“Well done.”

Xin Jisi smiled, twisting his snake tail as he emerged from the dark shadows.

His face looked even younger, resembling a strong, middle-aged man.

“You truly are my capable assistant!”

“How should I… reward you?”

Xin Jisi pondered as he approached.

The Lantern Bearer captain replied, “Grand Elder Xin Jisi, this is my honor…”

Suddenly, Xin Jisi raised his scepter.

The scepter thrust forward, piercing the Lantern Bearer captain’s chest and pinning him against the wall.

The Lantern Bearer’s face showed shock, though his eyes betrayed some anticipation.

His face contorted in pain as he emitted a hissing sound of agony.

Ssss!

“Grand… Elder… Xin Jisi.”

“I have not betrayed you. I have been utterly loyal!”

Grand Elder Xin Jisi approached him, affirming his words.

“Indeed. You are my most trusted subordinate.”

“That is exactly why.”

“You know far too much.”

The Lantern Bearer captain pleaded desperately, “Spare me. I can do more for you.”

“I do not know much. I never look or ask too much. What I shouldn’t know, I never try to know.”

Xin Jisi shook his head. “No, no, no. You have done enough.”

“Time to rest.”

Xin Jisi gripped his scepter, slowly withdrawing it. “Take this final secret and disappear with it!”

As the scepter was gradually withdrawn, the other’s life force seemed to drain away.

At last, his lifeless body collapsed, drained of all vitality.

Xin Jisi had always intended to silence the Lantern Bearer captain. He had let him finish his mission, fully aware it would lure Oran to this very spot.

Once the captain had served his purpose, Xin Jisi planned to eliminate him, wiping away all evidence of their dealings and any trace of their negotiations.

But unexpectedly, a voice came from outside.

“So it was you after all.”

“Grand Elder Xin Jisi.”

“I never imagined the lofty Grand Elder of the City of Lights would be such a person behind the scenes.”

A humanoid figure slowly walked in from outside.

Light illuminated his metal face, revealing the intricate craftsmanship of a puppet. It was alive, a living puppet.

Originally planning to secretly visit the City of Lights in half a month for negotiations, Oran had followed the Lantern Bearer squad captain instead.

Oran did not confront the Lantern Bearer captain directly. Instead, suspecting Grand Elder Xin Jisi’s involvement, he used Divine Techniques to subtly uncover the captain’s past actions.

With his mastery of Wisdom Abilities, achieving this was effortless.

He learned not only about Grand Elder Xin Jisi’s various vile deeds but also how Xin Jisi had killed Tut.

He had learned everything from the Lantern Bearer captain’s mouth.

He decided to follow the Lantern Bearer captain to the City of Lights, hoping to confront Xin Jisi when he least expected it.

“Xin Jisi.”

“What exactly do you want? What did you hope to get from Tut?”

Xin Jisi was clearly stunned and did not react immediately.

He had not anticipated that, in the midst of silencing someone, erasing evidence, and reveling in the seamless execution of his plans, the very person he was scheming against would appear.

Oran seemed uninterested in answers, not caring what Xin Jisi wanted.

All Oran needed to know was that Tut had been killed by this ancient being. That alone was sufficient.

Oran said, “Don’t want to talk?”

“Or are you too ashamed, you hypocritical Grand Elder Xin Jisi?”

“But it does not matter anymore. After today, you will lose everything.”

As his words echoed through the hall, the faint sound of fireworks crackling in the distance reached their ears, breaking the tense silence.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Fiery light exploded, scattering across the sky.

Within the glow of the light, a Lamp Spirit emerged. Its upper body resembled a human while its lower body swirled with wind. It grew rapidly, towering to dozens of meters before surging toward the city walls.

People inside the city quickly responded.

The Golden Family’s Alchemists immediately began to counter. An Ability User brought out a Third-Rank Alchemical Artifact, summoning puppets to engage in battle.

The Golden Family had endured in the Land of Sunrise for countless years, not merely due to their lineage as Xin Ji’s descendants, but because of the remarkable foundations they had built.

At the signal, a fleet of ships disguised as merchant vessels surged forward from the river with swift precision. In moments, they reached the city walls, their movements deliberate and calculated.

The leading ship was clearly exceptional, with alchemy-enhanced sails.

Without hesitation, it surged forward from the river, crashing straight into the walls of the City of Lights.

This clearly emulated the ancient Avel people’s witch spirit, Xiuborn.

Long, long ago, the powerful Ability User Xiuborn used this tactic to breach the Golden City of that era, defeating an entire city single-handedly.

Boom!

The ground trembled as the ship’s bow splintered upon impact. Yet, the City of Lights stood resilient. Its walls glowed with intricate ritual patterns that shimmered to life, forming a protective barrier against the assault.

While not grand enough to shield the entire city, the reinforced walls held firm against the collision.

“Kill!”

“Take the city!”

“Take the city!”

Thousands of soldiers poured out from the disguised merchant ships, using the wreckage of the ships smashed against the walls as makeshift ramps. They climbed swiftly, surging toward the battlements of the City of Lights.

Among these people were Alchemists controlling flames and Snake People Ability Users who could manipulate sand and stone to petrify others.

Some elites also subjugated Stone Demons and Fire Demons.

Under their leadership, captains wielding Alchemical Artifacts and armored soldiers began the siege.

Though their numbers were few, they were an elite force, entirely sustained and empowered by alchemy.

While the soldiers were mostly ordinary, their armor and the captains’ Alchemical Artifacts were all crafted using alchemy.

Such an alchemy legion could withstand any number of ordinary troops.

At this moment, chaos erupted within the City of Lights, with internal forces attacking key buildings.

The White Tower Alchemy Alliance’s First Alchemy Legion had been preparing for this assault for a long time. Their attack on the City of Lights was clearly premeditated.

Fierce fighting broke out on the City of Lights’ battlements, with struggles erupting inside the city as well.

Meanwhile, at the border, the forces of the White Tower Alchemy Alliance had begun their full-scale assault on the towns controlled by the Council of Elders.

The all-out war for the control of the Land of Sunrise had begun.

The events unfolded abruptly, catching Xin Jisi entirely off guard.

In his imagination, he should have assassinated the puppet Alchemist Oran through conspiracy. Then, he would seize Elena’s Heart to become the King of Greed, ultimately turning the puppet Alchemist Oran into a true puppet.

Using the alchemy schools’ power, he had planned to destroy the Council of Elders. Afterward, he would use the puppet Oran to control the alchemy schools, consolidating his rule and ensuring his dominance over the Land of Sunrise.

Finally, the Golden Family would become the Land of Sunrise’s only royalty.

He would control everything from behind the scenes, silently becoming the true owner of the entire Land of Sunrise.

Claiming everything, becoming the true King of Greed.

But he never expected the puppet Alchemist Oran, known for urging caution and restraint, to be the one to decisively initiate the final battle.

The battle began with an intense clash, with each side unleashing its full strength.

No room was left for hesitation or retreat.

This seemingly harmless puppet was actually the most dangerous.

Xin Jisi said, “It seems you were well-prepared.”

Oran replied, “I have never liked fighting unprepared battles, but once I am prepared, I always give my all.”

It appeared Xin Jisi was indeed cornered by Oran.

But Xin Jisi showed no panic. Instead, he smiled.

“Prepared?”

“What guaranteed preparation exists in this world? That is merely arrogance.”

“This world never gives you time to prepare. Seizing opportunities and grasping everything is the only truth.”

Grand Elder Xin Jisi raised his scepter and gradually walked to the center of the hall.

“I will not lose everything.”

“Just by killing you, I can still retain everything.”

The Grand Elder stood in the center, looking at Oran.

“I truly did not expect you to come early.”

“Just perfect.”

The Grand Elder’s smile grew increasingly terrifying, his mouth stretching to an angle impossible for a Snake Person.

“I will devour you… right here.”

Regarding this puppet Alchemist who could unleash Fourth-Rank power at any moment, Xin Jisi had personally witnessed his power years ago, that ability to control all metal and summon group puppets.

One person with the power of an army.

But Grand Elder Xin Jisi was not unprepared either.

This place was not just a dark corner for silencing people but also the Abyss Cult’s headquarters.

Moreover, this was the location Xin Jisi had chosen for negotiating with Oran. It was the very place he had prepared to eliminate the puppet Oran.

Here lay the most intricate and complete Upper Abyss Sacrifice ritual ever devised.

As he spoke, the Grand Elder’s form continuously expanded, transforming into a terrifying monster.

A towering creature loomed within the hall, its fiery eyes blazing with intensity as flames erupted from its form.

Its chest held a heart beating like a great drum, with crystal-like outer armor growing from the heart’s network, covering the monster’s upper body.

Its snake tail had somehow grown four thick legs, while its upper body had sprouted six arms.

It appeared that Xin Jisi had absorbed other powers during this time, merging them into his own being.

As the monster appeared, more and more evil Ability Users connected to the Abyss emerged from various corners, eyeing the puppet Oran menacingly.

“Power of the Abyss?”

Oran froze in place, his mind racing. He had known of Xin Jisi’s dark reputation, but he had never imagined the extent of the depravity hidden behind the facade of the Golden Family’s patriarch.

The descendant of the first-generation Grand Elder Xin Ji, once revered as God’s most faithful servant, had long betrayed his faith, surrendering everything to the Abyss and the God of Original Sin.

This uncertain factor immediately made Oran sense trouble.

He disliked such unpredictable powers.

“Retreat first!”

At least, he could not battle the other here.

Puppet Oran lightly tapped the ground. His body lifted effortlessly as if gravity had no hold on him, and he glided toward the exit.

But before he could escape, an invisible force pulled him back, holding him in place.

Endless darkness crawled up from the ground, like walls extending into the distance.

On the earth, ritual arrays spread throughout the castle activated, their black patterns connecting directly to the dark, bottomless abyss.

Transformed into a monster, Xin Jisi laughed maniacally.

“Oran!”

“I will not kill you. I will devour you. I will become one with you.”

“I will take everything you have,” Xin Jisi growled, his voice echoing with malice.

“You will become a part of me.”

The darkness underfoot grew increasingly dense.

The Door of the Abyss opened with a thunderous roar.

Puppet Oran lowered his gaze, catching sight of a sinister, otherworldly door emerging from the depths of the darkness. Beyond it, countless monstrous figures writhed and roared, their forms twisted and waiting for prey to descend into their abyss.

The darkness consumed everything around it, creating an isolated space that cut off the outside world entirely.

This agent of the Abyss evidently possessed extremely high authority to borrow its power.

The previous lord of the City of Miracles had died this way at Xin Jisi’s hands.

Puppet Oran had prepared for everything else. He had planned how to defeat Xin Jisi, how to overcome the Council of Elders, and even arranged for what would happen afterward.

To avoid alerting Xin Jisi, he had personally followed the Lantern Bearer captain, solely to locate Xin Jisi precisely, concerned about other complications on Xin Jisi’s end.

Unexpectedly, this place turned out to be the Abyss Cult’s headquarters.

The door and entrance to the dark world.