Finally!
John reached the center of the light, with the shadow at his feet curling into a faint, trembling ball as he moved.
"I'm here. Where are you?"
"Your power is average, but your temper is quite fiery."
"You called over here, and now you won't even show yourself. What's the deal?"
John retorted irritably, ready to turn and leave, when suddenly a figure appeared behind him.
"Hmm, your talent is decent, but your alchemy skills... why are they so poor?"
"What do you an by that?" John asked.
"Such a waste of good talent."
John frowned, scrutinizing the beautiful woman who had appeared before him.
Even in his two lifetis, having seen so many beautiful won, she stood out, able to outshine them all.
Her sky-blue eyes seed to contain an endless expanse of stars, swirling within them.
Her fair skin was as smooth as cream, and even the slightly loose robe she wore couldn't hide her proud figure.
"Don't look at like that. It's very offensive."
"You misunderstand. I'm just curious about what you are exactly. A ghost? Are you trying to possess ? I get the feeling you didn't want to et . You've been in the Eternal Alchemy Bible for so long; why didn't you show yourself earlier?"
"Because you were too weak. You hadn't even reached level 1000 in alchemy, and you wanted to et ? But you're sowhat interesting. Reaching level 100 in alchemy was enough to awaken ."
The mysterious woman's words left John in shock.
Only a level 1000 Alchemist could et her?
The highest level Alchemist in his previous life was only level 112.
Could this woman be stronger than a level 1000 Alchemist?
Still cautious, John pressed on with his questions.
"If you're so powerful, why are you hiding in a book?"
"Watch your tone! You are, after all, sowhat my disciple!"
John scoffed and sat down, continuing his questioning. "Disciple? I don't rember learning anything from you."
"The alchemy you know ca from ! How can you not be my disciple?"
"Alchemy from you? That's a poor lie. All the alchemy I use is from the [Legendary Alchemist Orlando Barry's Notes]."
"Legendary Alchemist Orlando Barry?"
"You don't know him?"
"Oh, I rember now, the little blond kid from the Barry family? He wrote a book?"
"How old are you?" John was stunned.
"Don't concern yourself with a young lady's age."
"According to you, all the world's alchemy cos from you. So, tell , can you bring the dead back to life?"
John rolled his eyes, not believing a word she said. He thought this question would expose her, but she actually started considering it seriously.
"Bringing the dead back... that's truly difficult. If the body is gone and the soul is missing, even alchemy can't create life from nothing. But it's not impossible. You would need to go to the [Abyss] to retrieve the soul. After that, I can help you.
But with your current power, going to the [Abyss] is a death sentence."
"You must be joking, right? I was just asking casually, but... you really can do it?"
"What would be the point of lying to you?"
"..."
"Wait, let get this straight... you're saying that if I can bring the soul to you, you can bring him back to life?"
"There might be a few failures, but the thod is feasible. However, how do you plan to survive the [Abyss]?"
"That's not your concern. I'll figure out a way. I'll bring the soul out and then hand it over to you."
John clapped his hands, struggling to stand up and took a deep breath.
"Can you teach so new alchemy? I don't have much ti and need to enhance my power quickly."
"Of course, but I have one condition."
"A condition? What condition?"
"First, answer one question," the mysterious woman said in a sudden serious tone.
"Ask away."
"What do you think alchemy is?"
"Potion-making, creating items... a type of magic?"
"Wrong." The mysterious woman gently waved her hand, and a crystal-clear, shimring alchemy table appeared between them.
"Have you ever taken a close look at an alchemy table, having used it so many tis?"
Pointing to the intricate yet elegant patterns on the alchemy table, the mysterious woman asked, "Do you know what this is?"
"Magic patterns?" John was all too familiar with these.
The patterns on alchemy tables worldwide were the sa, and the texture of the patterns directly reflected the quality of the table.
But such a dazzling and beautiful pattern was sothing John had never seen in his two lifetis.
"Correct, but it's not that simple. Patterns are rely the 'grammar' of this world," the mysterious woman continued. "A pattern is the language for a specific type of alchemy. An alchemy table greatly enhances alchemical efficiency, but once a pattern is engraved on it, its purpose is fixed for life. Apart from the alchemy described by the pattern, the table has no other use."
"Now, if all the alchemy tables in the world have only one pattern, that ans..."
"Yes, all other forms of alchemy have been erased. The potion-making and gear-crafting you know are just the most peripheral functions of true alchemy."
The peripheral functions are already so powerful? John's heart was filled with shock. He continued to ask, "Why is it like this?"
"I can't tell you that now. Knowing this would do you no good. Rember, don't seek this out. It will only harm those you care about most."
Seeing the mysterious woman suddenly switch from a stern expression to a more serious one, John nodded slightly.
"Promise ."
"Okay, I promise," John said.
"My alchemy is the [origin] of the world. It is both [creation] and [destruction]. I will teach you the fundantal logic of this world and the truth of magic. One day in the future, when you have mastered all my alchemy, I hope you can put an end to this farce.
Always believe that alchemy can bring you miracles! Alchemy itself is a miracle."
As she spoke, the woman reached out, lightly touching John's forehead with her fingertip. A glimr of light instantly entered John's mind.
"The alchemy I possess has the power to change the entire world, John. One day, you too will create your own unique alchemy, and when that ti cos, perhaps everything can start anew."
Feeling the alchemical diagrams flooding his mind, John felt a tingling sensation in his scalp. The sheer quantity and breadth left him speechless.
Life fusion alchemy, Titan alchemy, ocean alchemy, even divine force creation—so forms of alchemy John had never heard of, even difficult to imagine, now appeared before him. The impact was no less than what he felt at the mont of his rebirth.
"Go, learn, explore, John. Never give up on alchemy. The miracles it can bring may far exceed your imagination."
"It's already beyond my imagination..."
John pinched his forehead and took a deep breath.
"One last question—how can I bring you out of here?"
"I... I don't know. There might be a way, or perhaps there isn't. I have been stuck on this question for thousands of years without finding an answer. The solution might only be found by you, who has inherited everything from .
Regarding alchemy, you can co to anyti for guidance. I will train you to the best of my ability. Please, don't lose hope, and don't give up... on ."
"I understand. When the day cos that I create a new form of alchemy, maybe I can rescue you."
"I will eagerly await that day."
"And, take care of the girl by your side for ."
...
When John ca to his senses, he found himself back in his room.
The woman hadn't given him a chance to ask more questions before ejecting him from that world.
Looking down at the Eternal Alchemy Bible at his feet, John sighed deeply and picked it up.
"Things are getting stranger and stranger. I should find so ti to talk to the [Deception Apostle]. Maybe I can find a way to bring Qing back. After all, losing such a powerful ally will make the upcoming dungeons much harder."
Moreover, Qing's death was partly John's fault.
If he could bring Qing back to life, it would fulfill one of John's deepest wishes.
Just as he was contemplating logging out of the ga to find the [Deception Apostle], a series of urgent knocks interrupted his thoughts.
'Bang, bang, bang!'
"John! Are you in there? If you can hear , please respond, please!"
Helena's voice ca from outside the door, and John realized that two hours had passed since they separated.
He hurriedly opened the door, looking at Helena and the others with an apologetic expression.
"I'm fine. Sorry to make you worry. Just now, I had a little accident with my alchemy. The magic device exploded and knocked out..."
"You scared us to death! Do you know it's been two hours?"
Helena's eyes reddened as she saw that John was unhard. Biting her lip, she rushed forward and pounded on his chest.
"Ow, ow, ow... I just woke up, do you want to knock out again?"
"We couldn't reach you, I was so worried!"
"John, what were you working on that could knock you out like that? It won't hurt Grandpa Chief, will it?"
"I was thinking the sa, so I decided to leave it at that. What I've made should be enough. Let's give these to Grandpa Chief and get going. I've already wasted too much ti, and we can't afford any more delays."
...
anwhile, in the real world, in the [Abyss]!
The [Deception Apostle] gazed at the ethereal projection from Mount Olympus before him and sighed deeply.
"Master, you want to help John kill the [Lust Apostle]? But he was your chosen one."
"The [Lust Apostle] has lost control and no longer possesses rationality. He has lost his purpose for . His power will be a great asset to John."
"Knowing I'm just paving the way for another pawn, yet realizing that one day I too will be discarded, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth... But, I understand. I will follow your will and help John gather the power of the [Apostles] to resurrect that person."
"Does Mother really have a chance to be resurrected? A thousand years have passed. When I see her again, what should I say?
Never mind, I believe Mother will guide from beyond."
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