Mechanical Alchemist-Chapter 328 - 327: Legendary!

Su Lun had spent several days in the library.

Since it was the imperial palace, he didn’t have to worry about being disturbed. Every day, maids brought him exquisite food, making his days leisurely and comfortable.

Occasionally, when Princess Shinfuku Mitsuko was free, she would come to read as well, and they would discuss matters related to their training. Whenever Su Lun encountered something he didn’t understand, he had someone to ask.

Su Lun knew that the further up he went in the library, the more valuable the books became, so he had started from the third floor and worked his way down to the second and first floors.

The high development of his brain and multitasking ability significantly enhanced his learning and memory. He also had two cursed items, "Sereia’s Blessing" and "Isaac’s Alchemy Manuscript," which were divine artifacts that assisted in learning.

Su Lun read at an extremely fast pace and with high efficiency.

If he had enough time, he would probably be willing to stay in this library for months.

But with the "Black Sun Grand Festival" approaching, he felt something might happen, which made him cherish these tranquil days even more.

He could read hundreds of lines at a glance and browsed several books at once.

Having a solid foundation of knowledge, Su Lun could understand most of the books almost immediately.

Even the cultivation techniques that required understanding and contemplation, he would try to comprehend them. If he couldn’t understand something, he didn’t force himself. He just kept it in his mind for later digestion whenever he had more time.

Moreover, Princess Shinfuku Mitsuko had given him many copied manuscripts.

He had books to read and books to take.

Su Lun found that he could really get along with this friend.

If there was a problem, she could indeed help.

....

That day,

was Su Lun’s eighth day in the library.

Tomorrow was the "Black Sun Grand Festival,"

and he wanted to quickly finish going through the books he was interested in.

At that moment, the first floor of the library was like the Silk Cave, filled with shimmering silk threads.

Books hung from the threads, and the continuous rustling of pages filled the air, as if invisible hands were ceaselessly flipping through them.

The first-floor collection mostly consisted of folk literature, which Su Lun read roughly, merely glancing over them. However, as they were treasures accumulated by the Mountain Hermits over many years and collected by the royal family, he did not overlook any.

After all, in these days of reading, Su Lun also discovered some small pleasures.

He found some secrets in these books that perhaps even the librarians didn’t know about.

For example, there were "word puzzles" hidden in unique, handwritten notes that resolved into some type of "forbidden technique," or some erased "historical facts," "heretical dark arts." There were even subjects described by Princess Shinfuko as "unspeakable content."

Su Lun finally understood why alchemists loved to use various encryption means to hide their research results.

It was not only to keep secrets from outsiders but also to deceive those higher beings who did not want lower life forms to master advanced laws.

Usually, the value of taboo content was very high.

....

At that moment, Su Lun had solved the Eight-armed Spider Spear and was immersed in his busy tasks. Stay updated through novelbuddy

Seven or eight books lay open in front of him, which he occasionally flipped through,

His eyes skimmed lines of text, while the Spider Spear handled other tasks.

In the room, there was an alloy surgical table, and Su Lun was performing a precise surgery on himself.

He had cut open his flesh and was now engraving some arcane runes onto the radius bone of his left arm.

His arm’s flesh was splayed open, the stark white bones exposed to the air, yet Su Lun’s face remained unchanged.

With his comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy, he knew the exact paths of each blood vessel and nerve, so everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Luckily, with the Spider Spear implanted, he was able to perform such complex surgery and engraving on his own.

The "Rune Flesh" secret technique required turning one’s own body into a cursed artifact. Su Lun had already drawn runes on his skin and now needed to draw them on the bones, blood vessels, some necessary fasciae, and soft tissues. Then he would connect these variously effective runes to form a precise and complex rune system to unleash some incredible uses.

The preparation process was difficult, requiring high rune expertise and specific secret techniques,

which Su Lun now possessed.

Armed with these, he could completely disregard other risks.

Su Lun had absolute calm and multitasking thinking ability. The surgery and engraving process would almost certainly have no subjective lapses.

However, the process was somewhat tedious and could not be hurried.

Reading was just the right way to pass the time.

After finishing with the ulna and then the radius, Su Lun stitched up the incision, then began working on the humerus...

If an outsider were there, they would likely be greatly alarmed by his drastic actions.

Yet Su Lun felt as calm as if he were cutting someone else’s flesh.

"X Serum" endowed the body with super regenerative abilities, and with some alchemy potions, once a wound was sewn up, it healed almost visibly to the naked eye.

Even if some rare materials were lacking, the royal treasury was right next door, having a princess as a friend was quite handy, and there was no shortage at all.

...

At last, the sun was slanting westward.

Su Lun finished the preliminary carving of the runes on his bones before tomorrow’s "Black Sun Grand Festival."

He put away the surgical instruments and stretched his arms and legs.

With dark spiritual power infused, a dim golden luster flowed around his body, and his skin faintly revealed dense mysterious patterns.

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The fundamental framework of "Rune Vajra" is already set up, now the physical defense capability has greatly improved. This strength should support the fourth stage of hormonal rampage, and perhaps it could even break through to the fifth stage briefly... After comprehending higher rune languages in the future, there will be a significant increase in potential."

Su Lun raised an eyebrow, seemingly quite satisfied with his accomplishment.

With the Puppeteer’s core survival ability enhanced, his combat power would enormously increase.

He estimated that if he encountered one of the "Koga Three Ninjas" previously, Ueno Sasaki with the "Demon Hand," it probably wouldn’t be as perilous as before.

He even felt somewhat confident about being able to kill him in a head-on fight.

However, he murmured to himself as if he had thought of something, "But, the big problem with dark spiritual power is a major drawback. ’Rune Vajra’ is very strong, but such complex runes require more energy. Moreover, the energy consumption during a hormonal rampage increases exponentially. If I go full power now, I probably can’t last three minutes..."

"Rune Vajra" + Hormonal Rampage = Three minutes of real man.

If he were to engage in prolonged combat, it would be a huge problem.

However, this problem is only temporary.

Su Lun still had an epic-grade alchemy enhancement sealed in his chest, which is his biggest confidence in pursuing this professional advancement route.

He was greatly looking forward to it: "After advancing to the fifth tier and merging with ’Isaac’s Alchemical Heart,’ I won’t lack mana. Then, I can use both secret techniques without limits, and the control range of the puppet theater can be infinitely exaggerated..."

It could be said, once he advanced to the fifth tier, his combat power would be unbelievably exaggerated.

But just as he thought of this, Su Lun’s thoughts drifted off, and he thought to himself: "That’s not quite right either, the physical endurance has its limits. Even with unlimited mana, against higher-tier professionals, the body can only endure a bit longer before it collapses, and the hormonal rampage could cause irreversible damage or even death. To last longer, I might need to enhance the physical strength. If even the sixth-tier runes are barely supported by my current body, perhaps after advancing to the fifth tier, I should consider augmenting physical strength?"

With this thought, it turned into an infinite loop.

A stronger body could support stronger runes, stronger rune-infused bodies could possess greater combat power...

Su Lun’s expression revealed deep thought, faintly shaping some reference directions for his future career advancement.

His mind still racing,

However, just then,

Suddenly,

His gaze sharpened!

"Eh..."

Su Lun looked at a newly pulled book from the shelf, his left eye flickered with light.

Having the All-knowing Eye, he instantly recognized the special feature of this manuscript.

This novel named "The Chrysanthemum Blade" bizarrely revealed a very sophisticated method of alchemy encryption!

"Van Hormont encryption method? A very advanced encryption technique..."

After flipping through a few pages, Su Lun’s All-knowing Eye automatically identified the patterning of the text.

This was an encryption method named after "Van Hormont," a Great Alchemist from the Dawn Era, typically used to encrypt very advanced alchemical secret techniques.

This was already the domain of study for "Master" alchemists.

It was this realization that made Su Lun even more curious.

What content deserved such encryption?

Was this novel written by an alchemist?

But why would it be in the Mountain Hermit’s library?

Su Lun’s mind automatically found the corresponding decryption method.

The text of the original novel in front of him transformed into something else.

"When you decipher the secret I’ve hidden in this novel, congratulations to you, the thoughtful destined one. There are some small surprises hidden within."

Upon reading this line, an image of an alchemist who liked "treasure-hunting games" and was a bit "mischievous" vividly emerged from the pages.

Moreover, he suddenly had a hunch.

However, when he read the next line, he was immediately shocked.

"My name is Carl Gustav Jung, oh, this name might be unknown. You might have heard of my other pen name, ’Fujiwara Hayato’..."

"It really is him!"

Su Lun, looking at this introduction, immediately realized

this could absolutely not be an impersonation by anyone else.

It was definitely Fujiwara Hayato himself!

Because, it would be impossible for anyone else to impersonate him!

Using cryptography to hide secrets is not too impressive; any Magician with a bit of knowledge base in Alchemy could manage.

But what’s impressive is encrypting these secrets and hiding them in novels that already hold high literary value.

Thus, when Su Lun discovered this "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword," he knew that the author was not just a Magician but also possessed a very high literary accomplishment!

There are definitely not many such people.

Coincidentally, Su Lun had just heard about one!

Seeing that name, he was already eager to read what followed.

"I had initially planned to follow ’Bellamy’ to explore uncharted routes, but I discovered something far more entertaining, and I stayed in the Mountain Hermit. Think of this as part of my travelogue, although the places I visited were a bit special…"

Right from the start, it indeed did not disappoint Su Lun.

In the circle of big shots, most are big shots.

Seeing the phrases "explore uncharted routes" and "Bellamy," Su Lun immediately thought of one person.

Sam Bellamy, the legendary Pirate King recognized by all four seas thirty years ago!

"Fujiwara Hayato knew the Pirate King?"

Suddenly, Su Lun felt as though he was unveiling a piece of legendary history unknown to others.

A simple line made him feel as though he was seeing two legendary figures from that era conversing breezily.

Filled with intense anticipation, Su Lun continued to read.

"Because I went to a very special place, I wanted to express this experience in writing. This creative process is difficult because, after all, those beings are indescribable. Writing this story might consume my lifespan. I don’t know if I can complete it by the end of my lifespan, but no matter what, I intend to try…"

A very special place.

As expected of a great literary master, suspense handled just right.

Su Lun kept reading.

"Without firsthand experience, one absolutely cannot write a soulful story. This is also the most important reason I became an adventurer, a Navigator. Since coming to the Mountain Hermit, I’ve discovered many fascinating stories."

"You must be very curious about where I went, right? Hehe… you might not believe it if I tell you, but I took a trip to ’Netherworld’."

"Yes! The real ’Netherworld’."

At this point, Su Lun furrowed his brows.

He suddenly felt as if he was reading another supernatural fantasy novel?

After all, Fujiwara Hayato had written many such novels, and he had read quite a few of them.

But Su Lun felt it was not that simple.

If it were just a novel, there’d be no need to hide it within another story.

"I returned alive from the Netherworld, my soul tainted by the spirit of Death. I plan to go to Asakusa Temple, where the monks are adept with Buddhist practices to suppress things related to the undead; it should allow me more time to write down my experiences…"

"Oh, this was an unforgettable adventure. No one would believe that I have come back from the Netherworld, where no living person has ever returned!"

"As for what I saw, I plan to express it in another story. In this book, I want to leave for future generations how I went there and how I returned. If by chance you are an adventurer, then surely you would be curious about a place full of mythological hues, right? Who would refuse the chance to step into legends? Haha…"

"This story starts from when I was traveling in the Mountain Hermit, where I found two ’Ghost Train Tickets’ used for crossing over souls…"

"..."

Reading this, Su Lun really didn’t know how to describe his feelings.

The Fujiwara Hayato had discovered a way to the Netherworld and then actually tried it!

What the fuck... Is this the courage of an adventurer?

Su Lun’s rationality made his entire body resist the type of "curiosity" that could kill him.

No, you don’t want to go!

It’s life-threatening!

Fujiwara Hayato decidedly was a Great Alchemist and he died because of it. Su Lun did not want to risk his life just to satisfy his curiosity.

But he couldn’t deny that as he read the words, a certain impulsive thought started sprouting in his heart.

Just as the great literary master stated, given the chance to step into mythology, who wouldn’t want to glimpse the truth?

…

"The Sword of Chrysanthemum" was not a lengthy novel, just a thin volume of a few dozen pages, which Su Lun quickly flipped through to the end.

The vivid text made it seem like a truly great adventurer was coming to life before his eyes.

That guy

It was also because of such pioneering adventurers that so many splendid legendary stories were left in the world.

The last passage in the book penned down this statement.

"Oh, that’s right. Bellamy had a premonition that his voyage might meet with an accident, so he left behind three gold coins. One of them was left with me. I kept it inside this book. If you’re interested in that guy’s nautical adventures, then that’s probably another story. Oh, just thinking about it is exciting. A story about treasure? Turns out, unknowingly, we seem to have become the protagonists in legendary stories in the eyes of others..."

Su Lun watched as his eyelid twitched.

On the last page, there was a drawing of an ancient coin and a sketch of a train ticket written with a brush.

As he finished reading, these two patterns suddenly emitted a glow.

Su Lun felt a spatial fluctuation, reached out his hand, and a gold coin and a green train ticket appeared in his hand.

[Black Sam’s Cursed Gold Coin]

Description: Legend has it that collecting three gold coins can lead to Pirate King Sam Bellamy’s sunken treasure; the coin is engraved with some incomplete cryptic information.

"Indeed, it was that pirate king."

Seeing the attributes of the identified coin, Su Lun confirmed his thought.

That Bellamy was the Pirate King who disappeared thirty years ago.

Birds of a feather flock together.

The circles of legendary figures are indeed legendary!

And Su Lun already had one gold coin in his possession.

Now he had two.

He hadn’t expected to flip through the Royal Family’s library and have such a find.

Looking at the train ticket in his hand, Su Lun’s expression grew even stranger.

[Ghost Train Ticket]

Description: Buying a ticket to board the train, it can take you to the Netherworld; the ticket has some kind of undead certification. A train? No, not what you think. This is an ancient monster that has existed far longer than you can imagine.

Su Lun, having read the story in the book, was silent for a long time.

He knew that Fujiwara Hayato truly took this "train ticket" to the Netherworld.

After a while, Su Lun finally sighed deeply and couldn’t help but remark, "That guy was really crazy..."

But it truly evokes a sense of profound admiration from the bottom of the heart.

...

Su Lun put away the train ticket and gold coin, the content of the book was deciphered, and it didn’t matter whether it stayed in his hands.

He flipped through it again from the beginning.

The title page had this phrase: "If the world is a prison, then love is the key to unlocking it."

Su Lun had heard this phrase before, from Grandma Kasusha’s mouth.

After finishing, Su Lun felt as if he had set down a heavy piece of history.

He returned "The Chrysanthemum Sword" to its original place on the shelf, thinking that maybe one day in the future, another person discovering the secrets in the story would probably be equally astonished at Fujiwara Hayato’s legendary life.

As for going to the "Netherworld," Su Lun was curious but had no intention of going.

He thought that without the strength of a level eight or nine, going there would be game over.

Fujiwara Hayato could come back alive was not only due to his strength and adventure experience but also a great deal of luck.

He naturally couldn’t risk such dangers.

Instead, another thing made Su Lun more curious.

"The Chrysanthemum Sword" was written before going to Asakusa Temple. That is to say, Fujiwara Hayato was truly creating at the last moments of his life.

He had written his experience going to the Netherworld in the story?

If he really wrote it down, what a remarkable work it would be!

Su Lun was looking forward to that story.

He previously thought that going to Asakusa Temple might have been fruitless. After all, with Fujiwara Hayato being so famous, countless people wanted to find his manuscripts over the years; the threshold of Asakusa Temple was probably worn out.

But now seeing this book "The Chrysanthemum Sword," he felt it might really be possible.

Perhaps hidden somewhere?

Even if it was a rough draft, there should be something left behind.

While Su Lun was still contemplating, a commotion was heard from the palace garden outside.

It sounded like many people had come in.

In the peaceful and serene palace, this was unusual.

Su Lun sensed that strong and familiar soul fire, furrowed his brows, and muttered, "Has ’Greedy Grand General’ Yixier Peion come? Those pirates finally couldn’t restrain themselves from forcing a showdown..."

It’s not surprising; he had felt that the "Black Sun Grand Festival" was a major threshold for the Royal Family, and those who would kick them when down would seize the opportunity before rather than after.

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