The Abyss Cult and the Alchemy Academy

Oran took over the Tut Textile Machine Manufacturing Workshop, assuming the responsibility of teaching Tut's students.

As a puppet, it began to teach the students basic alchemy, showing them how to use the power of the Lamps of Covenant.

The Tut Textile Machine Manufacturing Workshop soon introduced the first water-powered spinning machine.

However, the yarn produced by the water-powered spinning machine was still inferior in quality to the yarn made by hand-operated machines.

The machine's demanding operating conditions also made it less appealing, resulting in fewer sales than the earlier Tut spinning and weaving machines.

Many merchants came to observe, but few placed orders.

For Oran and its students, the water-powered spinning machine represented a revolutionary step. It marked the beginning of harnessing the hidden forces of nature and moving beyond the limitations of human effort.

It was their first step forward.

"We still need to improve it," Oran told the others. "We also need external support to promote its development and use."

"If only we could use supernatural power as the driving force," Alsmo said, bringing up the idea once again.

"That would require finding a way to extract mental power and then store it," Moorman replied, the topic becoming a familiar refrain.

Using the textile machine manufacturing workshop as a foundation, Oran recruited a large number of craftsmen. It then selected suitable individuals from among them and their children to take as students.

Over time, the Tut Textile Machine Manufacturing Workshop evolved from a simple manufacturing hub into a significant force within the City of Gold. It gained substantial influence among craftsmen, both in the city and in neighboring areas.

Under their leadership, the craftsmen formed an association that included many Alchemists in official positions, several of whom were Tut's own students.

Oran was appointed as the first president of the craftsmen's association.

That year marked the beginning of an unprecedented conflict in the Land of Sunrise, as tensions between the alchemy schools and alchemy families finally reached their breaking point.

At the Alchemical Council in the City of Lights, the elders from the most powerful alchemy families and the alchemy schools clashed in heated debate.

The tension between the two factions was palpable, their arguments sharp and unyielding.

The root of this discord lay in the actions of the elder of the City of Miracles.

The school faction argued for increasing the representation of alchemy schools on the council. They insisted that the elder of the City of Miracles and the city lord be held accountable for their actions. Furthermore, they demanded control over the position of elder of the City of Miracles.

The City of Miracles was no ordinary place. It was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the Land of Sunrise, with seven or eight smaller cities and numerous towns and villages under its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the elders from the alchemy family faction accused the school faction of betraying their faith. They claimed the schools had colluded with Abyss demons to kill the elder of the City of Miracles and were actively working to suppress the alchemy families.

During the heated debates, some members of the alchemy school faction, driven by frustration, raised their voices in protest.

"The elders are relics of a bygone era, it's time they were eliminated!"

"The Land of Sunrise needs a new system. The ancient methods passed down by old family traditions are no longer viable."

Ultimately, the Council of Elders held a vote. With the alchemy family faction holding the majority, they decided to expel all Alchemist elders affiliated with the alchemy schools.

A few days later, war erupted.

The war started in the City of Miracles, where the guard corps betrayed the city lord. A large number of Alchemists from the school faction killed and imprisoned several renowned members of alchemy families, declaring their occupation of the City of Miracles.

They killed the city lord of the City of Miracles and seized the city.

Next came Black Fire City and the City of Lights.

In Black Fire City, school-faction Alchemists hired thousands of mercenaries and demon hunters to seize the city. A sudden rebellion threw Black Fire City into chaos, forcing even its city lord and elders to flee.

The City of Lights experienced something similar, with large-scale rebellions suddenly erupting both inside and outside the city.

Grand Elder Xin Jisi's strength was beyond anything they could have anticipated. The old man revealed a level of power that left everyone in awe.

The Third-Rank Alchemists leading the rebellion in the City of Lights were no match for Grand Elder Xin Jisi's overwhelming power. Defeated and gravely injured, they had no choice but to retreat.

To further consolidate control, Grand Elder Xin Jisi sent reinforcements, including troops and Lantern Bearers, to assist the city lord and elders of Black Fire City in reclaiming their territory.

Soon after, the alchemy legions of the City of Lights and Black Fire City joined forces. Together, they launched a coordinated assault on the City of Miracles, striking from both sides.

One by one, the satellite towns surrounding the City of Miracles succumbed to the advancing legions from the City of Lights and Black Fire City. Eventually, their combined forces encircled the City of Miracles itself.

The school faction's development, which had seemed like a raging fire ready to consume the entire Land of Sunrise, was suddenly contained.

This war tore apart the fragile peace that had once blanketed the Land of Sunrise, exposing the deep-seated conflicts for all to witness.

The alchemy schools and alchemy families could no longer coexist. Only one side could remain.

Amidst the chaos, an unseen force appeared to be orchestrating events from the shadows.

A dark force known as the Abyss Cult was gradually awakening and growing stronger.

All manner of evil creatures emerged throughout the Land of Sunrise, completely tearing it apart.

War spread in all directions.

Some chose to participate, others chose to observe.

Yet the God of Alchemy and Desire watched this transformation without any reaction.

He seemed to be tacitly approving this transformation.

This only caused the waves to surge even more violently.

One day, a visitor arrived at the Tut Textile Machine Manufacturing Workshop in the City of Gold, looking for Oran.

The visitor was an Alchemist.

Decades ago, the school he belonged to had maintained very close relations with the Tower Spirit School. When he was very young, he had even seen Oran before it became a puppet.

He twisted his snake tail as he came to the second floor of the workshop, first glancing at the first-generation Tut spinning and weaving machines displayed on a high platform, then entering a room.

In the room stood a person wearing a pointed soft hat, writing something at a desk.

The visitor immediately bowed.

"Master Oran of the Tower Spirit School."

"Congratulations on escaping the imprisonment of the Exile White Tower and regaining your freedom."

"I apologize for this sudden disruption to your life," he said, "but we had no other choice."

According to rumors, Oran possessed the power of a Fourth-Rank apostle.

Everyone knew it was this very power that had turned Oran into a puppet, yet it was also a power that could not be used casually.

Even without Elena's Heart, Oran had once been a Third-Rank Ability User and an Upper Alchemist.

"Whatever it is, you can speak directly," Oran said.

"Alchemists of the school faction pursue efficiency and truth. There's no need to beat around the bush like this."

The visitor then spoke directly. "We hope you will stand up and help us."

Oran finally put down its pen and raised its head. "I do not like war," it said, "and neither do the people of the City of Gold."

The visitor stood in the doorway. "But sir!"

"The time has come when war is unavoidable."

"We do not want this war, but the Council of Elders will not allow us to exist. They want to destroy us."

Oran remained silent for a moment before it resumed writing. "Even if war is necessary," it said.

"At the very least, we should aim to achieve the greatest results at the smallest cost."

"We should not start fighting suddenly, blindly waging a war with no preparation and no chance of victory."

These words revealed that Oran had anticipated the visitor's arrival, showing it was not driven entirely by idealism.

"That is why we need your help, Master Oran," the visitor said. "It is why I have come."

"With your assistance, we can surely resolve the current crisis."

"If you want my help, I require the authority to control the situation," Oran stated. "Only then can I ensure everything proceeds according to my plan."

Oran had been waiting for the visitor to plead, intending to make its demand at that moment.

This was the only way for Oran to devise its own plans and achieve its goals.

In the end, it was all about achieving its goals.

The visitor didn't answer, appearing to hesitate.

But as his gaze swept across the desktop, he suddenly noticed something.

It was a thick book with a copper shell, bearing the characteristic divine seal of the God of Alchemy and Desire, emanating waves of energy belonging to an alchemical artifact.

More importantly, he could see a few words inscribed on its cover.

The moment the visitor saw this book, he couldn't contain himself.

"Is this the legendary Art of God's Grace?"

He couldn't help but step forward, wanting to see the object on the desk more clearly.

He raised his hand but didn't dare to reach out, his voice completely different from before.

"You..."

"Have you also been chosen by the divine being?"

The existence of the Art of God's Grace was no longer a secret among the Council of Elders. This artifact was bestowed by the God of Alchemy and Desire.

If the god did not give it, one had no way to take it.

In a sense, this object was like a preparatory apostle certificate issued by the deity to believers.

Upon seeing this book, the scales in the visitor's heart completely tipped toward Oran.

His face even showed an expression of unbridled joy.

"It seems the deity has chosen us!"

Oran looked at the visitor, having deliberately placed this book on the desk.

"The deity has not chosen anyone," it said. "He wants those who can bring light to the Land of Sunrise, those who can pioneer the future for the path of alchemy."

The visitor had his own interpretations, seeing only the answer he wanted to see.

He said to Oran, "We agree to all your demands."

Oran's face showed no emotion. It spoke in a completely unchanged rhythm, emitting mechanical sounds.

"I will do as you ask. I will personally go to the City of Miracles to help you break the siege."

The visitor agreed to Oran's demands and prepared to leave.

At that moment, Oran rose from its seat and addressed the visitor once more.

It had one more request to make.

"After this is done, I will establish an Alchemy Academy in the City of Gold."

"This Alchemy Academy will recruit students from across the Land of Sunrise."

"I hope that each alchemy school will send instructors to teach the students of the Alchemy Academy."

The visitor was stunned for a moment, then suddenly bowed deeply.

His expression was very serious.

"It would be our honor."

A few days later, the craftsmen's association joined forces with the demon hunters' guild and the mercenary guild in the City of Gold. Together, they launched a bold campaign to take control of the city.

They quickly disarmed the city guards, then surrounded the city lord's mansion and the temple.

Oran stepped forward and confronted the elder of the City of Gold, defeating him decisively.

They expelled the elder and city lord of the City of Gold, declaring occupation of the city.

Oran then became the new leader of the City of Gold. It did not use the titles of city lord and elder, however, instead calling itself the interim administrator.

Afterward, Oran took command of the newly formed alchemy legion, a diverse force of craftsmen, demon hunters, mercenaries, and surrendered soldiers, and set out for the City of Miracles.

Upon hearing the news from the City of Gold, Grand Elder Xin Jisi and the Black Fire City Elder, leading the alchemy legion, quickly found themselves at odds.

The Black Fire City Elder wanted to have a decisive battle here, but Grand Elder Xin Jisi announced a retreat.

As the forces from the City of Gold, the City of Miracles, Black Fire City, and the City of Lights gathered on the plains, tensions reached their peak.

Just as the first signs of full-scale war began to emerge, Grand Elder Xin Jisi unexpectedly ordered a retreat, halting the conflict before it could erupt.

The allied forces that had besieged the City of Miracles for many days went their separate ways.

On the Plains of the Land of Sunrise.

Oran and Xin Jisi gazed at each other from a distance.

Oran breathed a long sigh of relief. Ending this chaos without war was certainly the best outcome.

The alchemy schools had advantages over the families, but their foundation was unstable compared to the major alchemy houses. They needed more time to establish themselves firmly.

Rashly starting a war would not give the alchemy school faction an advantage.

Oran favored resolving disputes through peaceful means whenever possible, avoiding the risks of an unprepared and uncertain war. However, it could act decisively when war became unavoidable.

Alsmo, standing beside Oran, was excited. "They ran away! They fled with their tails between their legs! We won!"

Moorman was equally passionate. The events of the past few days had been almost too crazy to believe.

In just over a year, they transformed from simple craftsmen into skilled Alchemists, formed a craftsmen's association, took control of the City of Gold, and even managed to repel Grand Elder Xin Jisi's forces.

On the other side, Xin Jisi's gaze lingered on Oran, his eyes betraying an unmistakable hunger for power and ambition.

"Elena's Heart," he muttered to himself, his voice dripping with ambition.

"If I could consume its power, I would ascend as the King of Greed!"

But Xin Jisi did not choose to engage Oran in a decisive battle here. It didn't align with his plans.

He wanted more than just Elena's Heart.

He wanted the entire Land of Sunrise, he wanted to transcend his identity as Grand Elder, he wanted to become a mortal apostle, he wanted a lifespan of thousands or tens of thousands of years.

He wanted to seize and obtain everything as the King of Greed.

Having repelled the alchemy legions of the City of Lights and Black Fire City, the entire City of Miracles erupted in cheers.

As Oran led the reinforcements into the city, the streets erupted with cheers. The alchemy schools and residents hailed Oran as their hero, chanting its name in unison.

"Oran!"

"Oran!"

"Oran!"

Oran led the alchemy legion into the badly damaged City of Miracles, with the entire populace lining the streets to welcome it.

At the end of the road, three Upper Alchemists from the alchemy schools stood waiting.

As Oran approached, they greeted it with respect and enthusiasm. "Master Oran, we've been expecting you!"

From that moment on, multiple schools were united.

Several coastal cities with developed commerce and trade, represented by the City of Gold, formed the White Tower Alchemy Alliance.

They controlled nearly all the major northeastern coastal cities of the Land of Sunrise, establishing their dominance in the region.

Meanwhile, the southwestern cities remained loyal to the Council of Elders, continuing to uphold its governance system.

For several years, both sides were locked in ongoing minor conflicts and skirmishes.

However, deep internal divisions within each faction prevented either from achieving a decisive victory.

City of Gold.

Not far from the Tut Textile Machine Manufacturing Workshop, a building that would influence the entire Land of Sunrise and change future generations was finally completed.

The first Alchemy Academy on Ruhe Beast Island was born. It would overthrow the once-mainstream ancient alchemy family inheritance model.

It also changed the school's model of one teacher leading a few students in an intergenerational inheritance pattern.

The White Tower Alchemy Academy looked quite rough when initially established.

It had only a few buildings and one experimental tower.

The few buildings were ordinary stone structures that served as classrooms and dormitories. While ordinary people preferred to build homes with wood, Alchemists and Ability Users favored stone, which was even simpler for them to work with.

After all, what Snake People excelled at most was turning soil into stone.

The experimental tower was where instructors conducted their experiments, equipped with ritual arrays and strict protections.

An inscription was carved on the stone pillars at the academy's main gate.

"The essence of alchemy is not creation, but discovery."

And on the foundation stone beneath the pillars was the sentence once spoken by Tut.

It spoke of wings and flying, and of rebuilding that ancient Tower of Heaven.

Oran resigned from its position as the interim administrator of the City of Gold. The White Tower Alchemy Alliance had begun establishing a comprehensive system, selecting suitable people to serve as administrators and building the alliance's political structure.

Alchemists are just Alchemists.

They are very powerful, but they are not necessarily suited to be administrators.

At the very least, Oran didn't understand these matters. It only wanted to build this White Tower Alchemy Academy well, to complete what Tut had been unable to finish.

On the first day the White Tower Alchemy Academy opened, hundreds of people gathered.

The crowd included not only aspiring Alchemists eager to learn, but also seasoned Alchemists, demon hunters, and mercenaries from the city who had come to witness the academy's opening.

The instructors chosen by the White Tower Alchemy Academy each brought along a group of their own students.

Standing before the crowd were several of Tut's former students, their presence a testament to the legacy he had left behind.

Although they had studied with Tut and Oran for a year, there was still much more knowledge they needed to learn.

They, too, would join the first class of students at the White Tower Alchemy Academy.

Oran stood beneath the experimental tower, and everyone looked at this puppet-formed first headmaster of the Alchemy Academy.

Their gazes held shock, curiosity, and respect.

The puppet Oran had long decided what to say.

"In ancient times, alchemy was passed down through families, and only those of distinguished birth could learn alchemy."

"Later, someone broke this pattern by selflessly teaching alchemy to others. Those who learned from them called themselves students, and they called their mentors teachers, passing down alchemy through schools."

"That's why I established this White Tower Alchemy Academy, hoping that what sustains alchemy and its inheritance will no longer rely solely on bloodlines and families, but on teachers and students."

"I hope that through this method, more people will be able to learn alchemy."

The puppet Oran mentioned the name White Tower, but it didn't bring up the Exile White Tower, instead speaking of another tower.

"The first tower to appear in the world was the Tower of Heaven."

"According to legend, it could reach the kingdom of the gods, allowing deities to travel between the mortal realm and the divine realm through this tower."

"And if mortals could climb it, they could reach the world of stars and pluck the stars from the sky."

"I hope that one day, you will become star-pluckers."

"Accomplish what those before you could not, fulfill the dreams previous generations could not complete, and inherit the will of those who came before to follow in their footsteps."

The applause was thunderous.

Oran's speech was brief, its tone rigid.

It wasn't a speech that stirred the soul or ignited passion. Yet, the actions behind those words had already altered the lives of many standing below. Each aspiring Alchemist looked up at Oran with gratitude, knowing it had given them a chance to reshape their futures.

Hearing Oran's words and the hopes it had for them, many felt a surge of emotion, their eyes welling with tears.

The White Tower Alchemy Academy's opening was modest, drawing some attention but failing to convey the significance it would later achieve. To many, it seemed like just another school, albeit a slightly larger one.

Although the great war between the White Tower Alchemy Alliance and the Council of Elders hadn't erupted, small frictions between them continued unabated.

However, as years passed, both the White Tower Alchemy Alliance and the Council of Elders came to realize that the current state of division could not last forever. The Land of Sunrise was destined to move toward unification.

They found they couldn't survive without each other.

Although the White Tower Alchemy Alliance possessed several of the most commercially developed ports, they needed materials and support from inland.

With just a few coastal cities, the workshops severely lacked operating materials, minerals, and even food was extremely scarce.

Meanwhile, the Council of Elders also needed support from the flourishing commercial ports in the east.

So while friction continued on the surface, trade continued unabated internally on both sides.

How long could this situation last?

No one knew for certain.

Perhaps when one side's strength began to overwhelm the other, war would erupt. Only by absorbing the other could development continue.

In the City of Lights, Grand Elder Xin Jisi had just finished a tense council meeting. After calming the agitated elders, he made his way back to the Miracle Temple without delay.

He summoned his trusted guard, the captain of the Lantern Bearer squad.

The captain hurriedly arrived outside the room, prostrating himself respectfully.

"Grand Elder, you summoned me?"

The captain of the Lantern Bearer squad appeared very cautious, noticing that Xin Jisi had dismissed everyone, leaving just the two of them inside and out.

This indicated that the other had something very important to say.

Xin Jisi twisted his snake tail as he approached him.

The Lantern Bearer squad captain didn't dare look up at Xin Jisi. Over the past year, the aura around the other had grown increasingly majestic, and somehow he even looked younger.

The Golden bloodline had always possessed secret methods to extend lifespan, just like the first-generation Grand Elder Xin Ji, so this was not entirely unexpected.

"Hundreds of years."

"It's time for a change."

"Although I greatly dislike those alchemy school fellows, they did say one thing right."

"The Council of Elders system no longer suits the times. One elder for one city, and I as Grand Elder am only the nominal master of the Land of Sunrise."

"The Golden Family should possess more."

Grand Elder Xin Jisi stared at his subordinate.

"Perhaps the Golden Family should produce a king."

He noticed his subordinate's body tremble, but the man showed no other emotion, instead becoming even more respectfully submissive.

Satisfied, he nodded and continued.

"In the mortal realm, in the world of mortals, in this secular place."

"A king possesses everything, a king has absolute rights."

"A king is the supreme being of the mortal world."

"Just like Suinhor," Xin Jisi said, his tone firm. "A king's authority is essential to unite and govern all people effectively."

"Only then can the scattered forces of the Land of Sunrise be unified, making the Land of Sunrise stronger."

The Lantern Bearer squad captain couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Lord Xin Jisi, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to go south," Xin Jisi told him, "and meet with the puppet Alchemist, Oran."

"Tell it this."

"If it agrees to let the Golden Family become the royal family and establish a new nation, I will dismantle the Council of Elders system and support the school inheritance model it desires."

"The Golden bloodline is willing to join with the schools to create a brand new country, a new Land of Sunrise."

The Lantern Bearer squad captain looked at Xin Jisi in shock. Was he proposing an alliance with Oran?

Was he planning to sell out all the elders in exchange for the opportunity for someone of the Golden bloodline to become a mortal king, to grasp royal power?

It must be said, this was truly shocking news.

News that could completely overturn the situation in the entire Land of Sunrise, changing heaven and earth.

But wasn't this the same person who had killed Oran's close friend Tut? And now he wanted to negotiate with Oran?

The Lantern Bearer squad captain hesitated before speaking, his voice cautious.

"Do you think it will agree?"

"And what about the other elders? Won't they..."

Xin Jisi made no mention of past events, as if they had never happened.

"It should agree. What it wants is for the schools to develop and grow, and our conflict is with the Council of Elders."

"And I need this too."

"In the future, there will be no more elder families. The entire Land of Sunrise will have only one family."

"The family flowing with Xin Ji's Golden bloodline."

"I give it what it wants, I satisfy their desires, and dissolve the contradictions between us, so what can't we discuss?"

"Once the main desires are satisfied, the rest are just minor details. We can discuss them slowly."

"As for the other elders, what do they have to do with us?"

Xin Jisi turned, his eyes sharp and unyielding, carrying an air of menace that made the Lantern Bearer squad captain instinctively feel as though he was standing before a predator driven by insatiable greed.

"Go to Oran," he commanded. "Tell it that if it wishes to avoid war and save lives, it should come to the City of Lights and speak with me directly."

Xin Jisi seemed to understand this puppet Alchemist very well, knowing what it wanted and what it worried about.

Every word hit the mark.

The Lantern Bearer squad captain raised his head, staring blankly at Xin Jisi.

He suddenly felt that the person before him was somewhat frightening.

He began to suspect that the initial outbreak of chaos, the conflict between the alchemy schools and the Council of Elders, all had intricate connections to the man before him.

Now he said the times needed to change.

Could it be that he had been planning this all along?

"No, this can't be right," the Lantern Bearer squad captain muttered to himself, shaking his head as unease crept into his thoughts. He tried to dismiss the growing fear, but the more he dwelled on it, the stronger it became.

He hurriedly accepted Xin Jisi's orders and left the Miracle Temple to make preparations.

Meanwhile, Grand Elder Xin Jisi watched him leave, then walked to the depths of the temple.

Xin Jisi removed the Grand Elder's robe and hat, putting down his scepter.

As night descended, he quietly departed the Miracle Temple. Moving through a concealed underground passage, he emerged at a secluded structure hidden from prying eyes.

Xin Jisi changed into a black cloak, wrapped his face with gauze, and carefully put on the hood.

He completely concealed his figure beneath the cloak.

Finally, he entered a great hall.

By now, the hall was filled with people wearing black cloaks.

These people all appeared normal on the surface, but each had connections to the Abyss.

Some had become Ability Users by borrowing power through the Door of Original Sin, while others had signed contracts with Abyss Monsters, becoming evil demon summoners.

Now they gathered here in response to the summons of the mortal agent of the God of Original Sin.

This hall was the sacred chamber of the Abyss Cult, a place shrouded in darkness and secrecy.

Seeing Xin Jisi emerge, everyone fervently prostrated themselves.

"Agent of the God of Original Sin, the Abyss High Priest walking among mortals."

"We await you. Please convey to us the will of the God of Original Sin."

Those who had appeared completely normal moments ago now seemed entirely different.

Each of them had been corrupted by the Abyss to varying degrees, their ultimate fate destined to fall into the dark world.

Xin Jisi looked at the cultists prostrated on the ground.

He finally loosened his concealment, unbridledly releasing his inner evil and desire, his voice becoming increasingly frenzied.

"Followers of darkness, seekers of greed, and those who have fallen from grace."

"We gather here now, waiting for the final moment of darkness to arrive."