Oran had finally completed the initial construction of his alchemical tower.

The alchemical tower did not look particularly grand at first glance. It was built around a metal framework less than ten meters tall, crafted from the renowned Elena’s Magic Gold, a material from the previous era’s Demon Abyss Kingdom.

This metal framework was combined and cast with a white clay known as Demon Spirit Soil, a unique product of the Jar Demon Spirits. While often described as a byproduct, some might bluntly call it excrement.

Despite its origin, this precious material was so rare that outsiders could not acquire it, even if they fought for it.

Under the extraordinary spirit flames of numerous flame Demon Spirits, the two materials were fired and shaped, transforming into a bright white structure.

The result was a three-story white lighthouse crowned with a metal spire, standing just over ten meters tall.

The exterior of the alchemical tower was smooth and delicate, giving it the appearance of fine ceramic.

With the assistance of the Demon Spirits in the Abyss Royal City, Oran constructed his alchemical tower. Elena’s Magic Gold, known for its extraordinary properties, served as a key material, while Demon Spirit Soil proved to be an ideal carrier for ritual arrays.

The Demon Spirits had gone even further, installing glass windows, laying pure white floor tiles, and adding various exquisite decorations. Each of these additions was a miraculous creation in its own right.

Only in a place like the Abyss Royal City could so many extraordinary materials and miraculous items be gathered for Oran’s project.

Naturally, Oran had paid a steep price for this. He offered his entire fortune as compensation, parting with nearly all the artifacts he had crafted over the years, both large and small.

He kept only two of his flying carpets and even issued IOUs to some Demon Spirits, ensuring he would be working off his debts for quite some time.

“It’s a success! A great success!” cheered the Demon Spirits outside, many proudly holding various alchemical artifacts in their hands.

“See that spire up there? I made it! Doesn’t it have a touch of artistic brilliance?” exclaimed one of the flame Demon Spirits as a group of them gathered, their large, glass dome-like heads bumping into each other with a series of loud thuds.

“We refined the magic gold!” called out several puppet Demon Spirits perched high above, their voices filled with pride.

“And we pulled up the tower body,” added a jar-like Demon Spirit, its voice muffled but satisfied.

Oran expressed his gratitude to all the Demon Spirits as he stepped into the alchemical tower.

The silver flower pinned to his chest rotated on its own and spoke softly to Oran.

Gamel glanced around with curiosity, taking in every detail of the interior. “Master Oran, your alchemical tower is finally complete!” he exclaimed.

According to the blueprint, the first layer was intended to be a compact alchemical workshop. The second layer was planned as a storage area, while the third layer was designated as the Tower Spirit control level.

At present, the alchemical workshop had not been set up. The storage level’s defenses were entirely absent, leaving it vulnerable.

The Tower Spirit control level remained incomplete as well, with no Tower Spirit yet fused to it.

The alchemical tower was also designed with offensive capabilities, but these had not been inscribed or implemented yet.

“Gamel, this tower is far from finished,” Oran remarked. “There is still so much to do. Honestly, it might never truly be complete.”

Gamel tilted his head curiously. “Why is that, Master Oran?”

Oran smiled, his gaze thoughtful. “Because this tower isn’t just a structure. It is an alchemical life form. Like us, it has the potential to grow, to evolve, and to improve itself endlessly.”

Oran and Gamel gathered on the highest third layer, carefully taking out the mature Cup of Desire and placing it in the pool at the center of the Tower Spirit control level.

“Tower Spirit, this is your body!” Oran declared.

As the Cup of Desire settled into the pool, its roots began to spread outward, intertwining with the magic gold and connecting to the ritual arrays embedded within the alchemical tower.

The entire structure seemed to stir with life, radiating powerful energy waves.

Oran stood still, watching as the ritual array beneath his feet activated. The three-story alchemical tower was awakening, and the Tower Spirit was beginning to adapt to its new form.

“Tower Spirit, activate the barrier,” Oran instructed.

The ritual array came to life, and a shimmering light barrier surrounded the entire alchemical tower.

He then added, “Tower Spirit, organize and clean.”

A gentle force swept through the tower, tidying everything inside. The remnants of the crafting process, including dust and debris, were carried out through the doors and windows.

Gamel, still marveling at the tower, asked, “Master Oran, what else can this tower do?”

Oran smiled and replied, “This isn’t just an alchemical tower, Gamel. It is also a Tower Spirit workshop.”

Gamel tilted his head, intrigued. “A Tower Spirit workshop? What will you use it to create?”

Oran’s smile widened as he explained, “This Tower Spirit was born from my fascination with their mysteries. Its purpose is to help our civilization thrive and, one day, construct our own Tower of Heaven. To do that, it must create new Tower Spirits.”

Gamel’s eyes widened in surprise. “Create Tower Spirits? Really?”

Oran nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, that’s the idea. But the alchemical workshop on the first floor isn’t set up yet. I still need to figure out how to create new Tower Spirits and how to best use them. That’s why this alchemical tower is far from complete.”

In Oran’s vision, this was only the beginning. The alchemical tower was the first of many.

He envisioned a future with a second, a third, and eventually countless alchemical towers. His goal was to enable these towers to replicate and bring to life the mysteries of Tower Spirits, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the past.

As Oran shared his vision, Gamel suddenly asked, “Master Oran, the tower is so large. How will you take it with you?”

Oran smiled confidently. “This tower is only ten meters tall. I can just carry it with me.”

Gamel blinked in surprise. “But Master Oran, it’s a ten-meter-tall tower. How could you possibly carry it across the desert?”

Oran chuckled, raising his bracelet. “That’s the beauty of it. My storage artifact has just enough space to fit it perfectly.”

Someone like Gamel, who had never even owned a storage artifact, could hardly comprehend Oran’s extravagance.

In Thunder City, even the wealthiest and most influential individuals had storage artifacts with compartments no larger than an ordinary package. Every bit of space in those artifacts had to be carefully planned and used only when absolutely necessary.

These storage artifacts were invaluable, often serving as the inheritance of an Ability User family and playing a critical role in pivotal moments.

Yet here was Oran, casually mentioning that he would fit a ten-meter-tall tower into his storage artifact.

In the following days, Oran worked tirelessly to improve and organize his alchemical tower.

He emptied the contents of his various storage artifacts, carefully arranging them throughout the tower. What was once an empty structure gradually transformed into a lively and functional space, complete with tables, bookshelves, and an assortment of alchemical equipment.

One day, Oran invited Ray to visit his alchemical tower.

Ray sat by the window, gazing outside as he spoke.

“Everyone really likes your flying carpets. They’re even more popular than my aircraft!”

For the past few days, Demon Spirits could be seen riding flying carpets and zipping wildly through the sky, but Ray’s own aircraft had remained grounded.

Oran had recently consulted many books. He had also analyzed a great deal of information from Ray’s last flight into the Storm Sea.

“Ray, I came across something fascinating,” Oran began. “Take a look at this.”

“You know all those theories about how the Avel people left Ruhe Beast Island? Well, I think one of them makes the most sense. It suggests that, during their time, the Black Storm surrounding the island mysteriously dissipated. This book has some records and speculations about it.”

Oran placed a sea chart on the table, pointing to a specific spot as he continued.

“Here, Ray, this is the sea area as it was a few decades ago.”

He picked up a pen, drew a line on the chart, and then pointed to another spot further out.

“And this is where you reached last time. But the thing is, this area shouldn’t look like what you described. Back then, it was completely covered by the Black Storm. Yet when you flew there, the storm was gone. Do you see what I mean?”

Oran did not wait for Ray to respond, his voice growing more animated as he continued.

“This means the Black Storm that has been surrounding Ruhe Beast Island is starting to fade.”

He pressed his hand firmly on the sea chart, looking at Ray with a spark of excitement in his eyes.

“Ray, what happened once before could happen again. The gate to the world beyond Ruhe Beast Island might open once more. The miracle we have been waiting for, the one the Avel people experienced, could happen again in our time.”

It was clear that Oran was excited, as this concerned not just Ray’s journey but the entire future of Ruhe Beast Island.

If the gate to the outside world opened, it would mean that everyone could leave Ruhe Beast Island and explore a much larger world.

Although Oran did not understand why the Black Storm had started to dissipate, either in the past or now, it did not dampen his anticipation.

However, to Oran’s surprise, Ray showed no excitement at all.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Ray raised his head, scratched it, and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Because I’ve decided I’m not leaving the Abyss Royal City.”

Oran was stunned. “That is not like you, Ray. Has something happened?”

Ray fell silent for a moment, his gaze distant. “I guess I realized something, Oran. What I have been chasing all this time… it might not be what I truly want.”

“All those yearnings, all those expectations, they feel like illusions now. Like bubbles that pop the moment you reach for them.”

“I think I forgot why I started. I lost sight of my ideals, my goals. All that was left was this impulse to chase dreams, to keep flying higher and farther.”

He shook his head slightly. “I kept flying toward the sky, again and again, but I never really knew what I was looking for. Maybe what I was searching for was already here.”

“The dreams I had back then have already come true. But I was still stuck in the past, chasing something that no longer exists.”

He hesitated, then added, “I don’t even know anymore if I’m the Ray who believed in his dreams or just a shadow of who I used to be, clinging to yesterday.”

“Is that all?” Oran asked softly.

Ray lifted his gaze. “Isn’t that enough?”

Oran offered a gentle smile. “When past dreams are fulfilled, it is a moment worth celebrating. Ray, you ought to rejoice. When one dream is achieved, you can pursue the next. We are called intelligent beings because we possess desires that are unending and aspirations that never fade.”

Ray turned his head, leaning against the window.

A longing filled his eyes as he gazed at the blue sky, the distant lands, and the sun resting on the horizon.

“But I still want to go to faraway places. I still want to fly. Yet I can’t tell if these are my true desires or just illusions,” he murmured.

As he spoke, something slipped out from his collar.

It was a compass.

Oran’s attention was immediately drawn to the item, sensing a fluctuation that did not belong to Wisdom Authority.

“A Miracle Tool?”

In this world, the most common items were Divine Artifacts. Alchemical Artifacts were simply Divine Artifacts crafted by alchemists. Alchemy was just the method of creation, while Divine Artifacts were their true name.

Miracle Tools and Life Artifacts, on the other hand, were extremely rare.

Oran was able to recognize it because he had one within his own body, the Miracle Tool known as Oran’s Wooden Heart.

This artifact had been left inside him by the Storage Nymph Saint Raphael and had once saved his life.

Ray held up the compass. “This is Lady Elena’s treasure,” he said.

Turning to Oran, he added, “She called it ‘More Than Just a Compass.’ I’m not sure why She gave it to me. Maybe She thought I might lose my way up in the sky. Either way, it helped me find my way back from the Black Storm.”

The mention of the God of Demon Spirits made Oran recall his own awe before her. He realized then that an item from Elena could be nothing less than a Miracle Tool.

Oran looked at Ray and said, “For Lady Elena to entrust you with her Miracle Tool shows how much she values you, Ray.”

Ray’s face lit up with joy. “Lady Elena told me I am Her student. She also said I am the one who will carry on Her legacy and ideals.”

He paused for a moment, then repeated with pride, “That’s right! I am Lady Elena’s inheritor, the one who will uphold Her ideals!”

Oran looked at Ray, listening to his words.

He seemed to grasp something, recalling ancient secrets he had once learned. A sudden realization sent a chill down his spine.

“The Temple of Truth!”

Oran remembered the time he had followed the Storage Nymph Saint Raphael to meet several divine beings. He had learned of an inheritance from the previous era, a place that had given rise to multiple divine beings.

Aside from the God of Desire and Alchemy, who originated from the Divine Kingdom of Creation, nearly all mortal deities had their roots in this place.

Since Ray was Elena’s student, it was clear he must also be connected to the Temple of Truth.

Ray found himself wandering through the desert outside the Abyss Royal City once more, the yellow sands stretching endlessly around him.

Scavenging through piles of discarded items had once been his favorite daily activity. Each broken part he uncovered and every intricate structure he analyzed brought him immense joy.

But this time, he seemed unable to find that same enthusiasm.

“Ray, what exactly have you inherited? What exactly do you want to do?”

He asked himself listlessly but could not find an answer.

Lost in thought, he wandered to a place where ancient ruins lay scattered. It was a sprawling heap of discarded stones, haphazardly stacked and mostly buried beneath the yellow sands, with only a few protruding into the sunlight.

Ray climbed the uneven pile, stepping carefully over the weathered stones. Many of them were etched with ancient text, preserving the oldest stories and myths.

Yet only those who had survived from those distant times could truly understand their meaning.

“The Prince of the Moon Yesael, our ancestor King Redlichia, Saint Tito, and the first Abyss King. Even after countless years, their names are still remembered. It must be incredible to have a story that lives on forever.”

Ray gazed at the faded texts, his mind piecing together what was written. Many of these stories were scattered throughout the Abyss Royal City, preserved in the Demon Spirit Palace and various temples.

He found himself envying these figures. Their lives had been fleeting, yet time had immortalized them. Their stories were still celebrated in this era.

In contrast, despite having crossed the river of ages, Ray could not even remember who he truly was.

As Ray walked along the uneven pile of stones, something caught his eye.

He paused, stepping back a few paces to peer through a narrow gap between the stones.

“Huh?”

A glint of light reflected from within, illuminated by the sunlight.

Curious, Ray reached out with both arms. His metal palms pressed against the stones, carefully lifting one to uncover what lay beneath.

To his surprise, it was an aircraft.

“There’s one here too.”

As Ray approached, he quickly realized something was off.

The aircraft appeared far too new, as if it had just been created. It shimmered with a dreamlike, colorful light that radiated extraordinary power, the unmistakable glow of miracles.

Ray’s hand froze mid-air as a strange feeling washed over him.

“What is this?” he murmured.

He stepped closer, carefully brushing away the yellow sand covering its surface.

On the raised wing of the aircraft, a line of text was etched, left there by its original creator.

It read, “Dreams are the most beautiful gift the divine gives us, and flight is the world’s most beautiful fantasy.”

Below was a signature.

“Ray.”

Ray stood frozen in place as the realization struck him.

This was the world’s first aircraft, crafted by his own hands in the past.

It had been lost here for an unknown length of time, perhaps buried since the previous era.

【Miracle Tool: Ray’s Aircraft】

【Sequence Number 48】

【Ray built the world’s first aircraft without relying on any extraordinary power, using only his wisdom to soar into the sky. He saw continents formed by clouds, saw the most brilliant light and the most radiant sun.】

【From that day forward, he no longer dreamed, because flight was the most beautiful dream he could ever have.】

【Ability 1 Wings Above the Clouds: Once this aircraft rises above the clouds, it can gain the blessing of the Dream Barrier, obtaining unimaginable speed.】

【Ability 2 Dream of Flight: This aircraft can temporarily leap into the Dream Realm while above the clouds, resting in the Dream Realm’s fantasy barrier. No one can hold onto the mortal world’s most magnificent fantasies, just as nothing can stop humanity’s yearning for the sky.】

In the previous era, Miracle Tools were bestowed differently.

The aircraft, however, was clearly much more valuable than the compass. It was an exceptionally powerful Miracle Tool.

As Ray’s hand rested on the aircraft, he felt an immediate connection as its former owner.

The words came to him naturally, and he recited them without hesitation.

“Flight is the most beautiful dream I could ever have. Nothing can stop humanity’s yearning for the sky.”

Ray loved these words deeply, feeling as if they had been written into the depths of his heart.

At that moment, the compass hanging around Ray’s neck began to vibrate. The pointer inside spun wildly before gradually slowing down.

Finally, it stopped.

The pointer aimed directly at the aircraft before him, and beyond it, toward the distant sun.

“Huh!“

“Why did it stop?” Ray muttered, his gaze following the direction the pointer indicated. He stared at the aircraft, and the yearning within his heart began to swell uncontrollably.

That longing for the blue sky, the power buried deep in his bloodline and will, surged through him with an unstoppable force.

Ray ran his hand along the aircraft’s wing and climbed aboard, almost without realizing it. He seemed to know instinctively how to pilot it. With a thought, the aircraft responded to his will, gliding down from the stone pile.

After a few unsteady moments of stumbling and gliding, the aircraft finally took flight.

Ray, who had not flown into the sky for so long, soared upward once again, rising above the clouds.

A colorful bubble enveloped the aircraft, propelling it forward with incredible speed and leaving a long rainbow trail across the sky.

Ray laughed with pure joy, his voice echoing through the heavens as he let out a triumphant cheer.

“If old dreams and old scars belong to the past, then I will carve a new future! I will not fly for what was. I will fly for what comes next! To adventure, to discover, to explore the world!”

Ray piloted the Miracle Tool aircraft, breaking through the sea of clouds. The propeller blades at the front churned through the layers of mist.

He descended from the sky, and at that moment, the barrier of the Abyss Royal City opened to create a passage for him.

He spiraled downward, plunging straight into the heart of the Abyss Royal City.

The recent display of his Miracle Tool, with its power fluctuations leaving a rainbow trail across the sky, had caught the attention of everyone in the city.

Even the God of Demon Spirits, Elena, stepped out of the pyramid. She stood outside the temple, gazing up at him as he soared through the sky.

Once again, Ray had crossed a line he had been warned about before. Although he avoided flying directly above the Demon Spirit Pyramid, he was circling within the restricted flight zone.

Standing upright on the aircraft, he called out to Lady Elena below, shouting his thoughts and declaring his will for all to hear.

“If not for survival, then let us forge the future in pursuit of our dreams!”

“Lady Elena, the destiny of the Demon Spirit race may rest within our hands!”

“In this age, we are no longer bound by the chains of mere survival, nor paralyzed by uncertainty about what lies ahead. We have the freedom to step boldly forward, to create, to explore, and to shape our own path!”

“We can become adventurers, inventors, and visionaries. The future is ours to define, and nothing shall hold us back!”

Elena looked at Ray, unable to suppress a smile.

Over the past few days, she had watched Ray struggle with his despondency, uncertain if her earlier words had been the right thing to say.

But now, seeing him renewed and full of life, she spoke with warmth.

“Ray, you are truly worthy of being my student, a true student of the Temple of Truth.”

Ray was filled with joy.

He piloted the aircraft, soaring around the Abyss Royal City as he often did, circling the majestic Yesael Tower.

Groups of kite Demon Spirits emerged, joining Ray in flight.

In addition, many Demon Spirits took to the skies on flying carpets, transforming the entire sky into a vibrant celebration.

Ray even spotted his old companions. Kite Demon Spirit Number Three glided gracefully, while the big glass dome-headed Number Two rode a flying carpet like a skateboard, swaying back and forth in the air.

In a modest building on the lower levels, within the white alchemical tower, Oran and Gamel stood by the window, watching the lively scene unfold in the sky. It was a celebration unlike any they had ever witnessed.

“That appears to be a new Miracle Tool, is it not? Truly, the descendant of the Divine King, the Creator’s favored child, a race perpetually blessed.”

Although slightly envious, Oran remained genuinely pleased for Ray.

Under the sun, Ray set out once more. This time, he piloted a new aircraft, the Miracle Tool of Sequence Number 48.

Its two powerful abilities, particularly the second, filled Ray with confidence that he could fly beyond the Storm Sea.

This time, he did not bring any companions.

“Ray, do you think you’ll make it out this time?”

“Do you think you’ll discover the new continent?”

“Your aircraft is incredible, Ray!”

Ray scratched his metal head, feeling a little awkward.

Still, his chest puffed out with determination.

“This time, definitely!”

That was his answer.

After Ray transported the aircraft onto the city wall, he lingered there, hesitating. He kept turning back to look, as if waiting for someone.

He waited for a long time, scanning the crowd for the figure he hoped to see. Waves of people came to see him off, but the one he was waiting for never showed up.

Just as disappointment began to settle in and he prepared to leave, Number Two appeared. Shaking his large glass dome head, he carried a pile of items and silently climbed into the rear seat of the aircraft. His actions spoke louder than words.

The kite Demon Spirit called Number Three floated down from the sky and asked in a soft, airy voice.

“This time, can we fly to where the sun rises?”

Ray said happily, “I don’t know, but I will keep flying.”

Even after nearly losing their lives in the Black Storm, facing its horrors and the terrifying monsters lurking in the darkness, both companions still chose to embark on this journey with Ray once more.

The three of them formed a small team and rushed down from the city wall.

Ray shouted with excitement, “Ray’s Adventure Squad!”

“We’re setting out again!”

Ray piloted his Miracle Tool aircraft into the sky and toward the horizon, chasing the morning sun.

“This time, I will definitely make it out!”