The wizard era begins with the alchemist wizard

Chapter 860 Ghost and God Mask
"The body has become etherified? That's a bit too incredible."

Richard found the idea of ​​stick figures somewhat unbelievable.

Even if an eighth-and-a-half-level being's body could be corrupted by ether, the process would take a considerable amount of time.

Even an ordinary Overlord's body, if thrown into the Astral Plane, would take at least hundreds of thousands of years to become etherified. And between ordinary Overlords and Level 8.5 beings, there are two more levels: Limit-Breaking Overlords and Civilization Leaders.

Richard couldn't fathom what reason the civilization devourers would have given to drifting such a vast distance through the astral plane.

"It is indeed somewhat unbelievable, but according to the information we have collected, it should have been an 'infant' at the time. It did not possess any knowledge, only basic life instincts, and had no inherited bloodline, so its power was naturally not that strong."

Of course, it's quite possible that those younger technicians back then lacked the skills to detect it.

"baby?"

A look of horror crossed Richard's face.

Could it be that the civilization devourers are actually a race?
“Yes, the Black Mud Monster was just an infant back then,” the stick figure sighed. “In terms of strength, any ruler at that time could have easily killed it.”

But faced with an infant possessing such domineering potential, who could resist greed?

Richard was speechless. Indeed, faced with such a cub with the potential to dominate, which civilization's ruler could suppress his greed?
Who wouldn't want to have a ruler as a subordinate or a pet?
“So, the ruler of the world community at that time subdued it,” Richard said in a deep voice.

“Of course,” the stick figure said slowly, “for it, the first war of civilization broke out in this nascent world community.”

This war was initially just a conflict between dominant powers. After all, the world communities at that time were full of newly emerging worlds, and a war between civilizations would only delay their expansion.

But later, the war grew increasingly vast and uncontrollable… Alas, you know what that mud monster's abilities are.”

“...to incite war.” Richard replied after a moment of silence.

“You’re wrong,” the stick figure shook its head. “It doesn’t incite war; it is war itself. Even if it does nothing, war will continue to break out.”

I call this destiny; of course, you can also call it fate or talent.

“A talent of destiny?” Richard’s heart skipped a beat. “Master, could you explain it in detail?”

Without realizing it, Richard's way of addressing the stick figure had changed from "blacksmith" to "master".

That's how wizards are; knowledge is a treasure to them. And forbidden knowledge that they've never heard of is an even greater treasure to them.

They are still willing to show respect to the creatures that give them treasures.

"Since there is only one source of information, what I am saying is just a deduction."

The stick figure straightened its posture, and the simple line drawing-like expression on its face became serious.

"In my theory, destiny is an upgraded version of fate entanglement. Fate entanglement affects the fate of those around them, but this influence is completely irrational. Some people may suffer family ruin and death as a result, while others may live to a ripe old age."

But creatures with destiny are different.

The influence of destiny follows a pattern. I call the Black Mud Monster's destiny "War." Even if it does nothing, or doesn't even appear, hiding in some small corner, war will constantly occur around it.

Richard nodded slightly; he was familiar with this thing—it was something like the Lone Star of Calamity.

However, this fate is even more ferocious than the Lone Star of Destiny. Even if one retreats to the mountains, one will still cause war... Hmm!

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Richard.

"Master, have you said this reasoning to others before?"

The stick figure nodded and said, "That's right. More than a hundred epochs ago, the three civilization leaders who sealed the Black Mud Monster found me. I told them this deduction."

"What, did they achieve something?"

Richard nodded, and the void beside him suddenly trembled, as the ancient-looking Miracle Furnace slowly emerged from the void.

"What! What is this?!"

The stick figure's simple sketched expression instantly turned to utter shock upon seeing the Miracle Forge.

It arrived at the Miracle Forge almost instantly, its pair of black dot-like eyes fixed on the furnace fire.

The power of the Miracle Forge might require further study from other creatures, but this being, who had lived for countless years, could immediately recognize its extraordinary nature.

Its voice trembled as it said, "What an exquisite rule structure! No, this is no ordinary rule; it has transcended rules! It... it is simply a projection of the source rules!"

“Master, don’t just look at the furnace fire,” Richard said helplessly. “The Miracle Forge also has a thread of fate attached to it.”

"Hmm? The Thread of Fate?"

The stick figure shifted its gaze from the Miracle Flame and then began to examine the Miracle Furnace.

During this process, the color of its eyes changed, from the initial black to a rainbow of colors.

"Hiss... That guy is a genius. He actually figured something out."

After looking around for a while, the stick figure returned to his chair.

"Sure enough, although you outsiders have shorter lifespans, your thinking and knowledge are far superior to those of us old guys in cages."

I was just casually mentioning "fate," I never imagined it would actually lead to something meaningful research.

Seeing this, Richard asked in a low voice, "Master, have you noticed anything?"

"No," the stick figure shook his head. "Don't underestimate me just because I'm an old man. My knowledge is limited to that one area."

Fate is not something I study; it's too terrifying. Even for us, a single mishap can lead to our demise.

Upon hearing this, Richard felt a pang of disappointment.

Few people can study destiny; knowledge of it is rare even in the entire astral plane.

But just as Richard was feeling down, the stick figure spoke up again.

“However… while I can’t offer you any advice on fate, I do have a lot to say about this flame.” “Oh?”

Richard raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are your thoughts on this miraculous fire, Master?"

"Hehe, I can tell you don't know much about this stuff," the stick figure said mysteriously.

Richard didn't pretend anything when it came to the stick figure's claim. Pretending would only lead to humiliation in front of such a master.

"Indeed, what are your thoughts, Master?"

"I wouldn't call it insightful, but I'd like to make a deal with you."

transaction?

Richard's interest was piqued, and he asked, "Master, what kind of deal do you want to discuss with me?"

“This fire,” the stick figure said, pointing to the Miracle Fire in the Miracle Forge. “Give me a fire, and I’ll give you a priceless treasure.”

“A supreme treasure?” Richard smiled slightly. “Master, you should be able to tell that I don’t lack any supreme treasures. I even have two and a half supreme treasures of civilization.”

"Tch, what's so special about a treasure of civilization?" the stick figure scoffed. "I've seen treasures of civilization before. Let me give you a heads-up: treasures of civilization are very precious, but precious doesn't mean useful."

What suits you best is the best, and this is definitely for you.

The stick figure's confidence aroused Richard's curiosity.

What astonishing things did these grotesque craftsmen create that made them disregard even the most precious artifacts of civilization?

"Then let me see the master's treasure first."

Without a word, the stick figure drew a drawer in the air. The instant the drawer opened, Richard's hair stood on end, as if a terrifying monster lay inside.

"Look, it took me ten epochs to complete this thing. Last time, that little guy who was on fire wanted to trade his so-called Supreme Furnace Fire for it, but I didn't agree."

The stick figure took out a patch of darkness from the drawer—yes, a patch of darkness.

In the stick figure's hand, that thing was a deep darkness devoid of any light.

"The Ghost Mask, even if you're a fool, can transform into a ghost comparable to a Limit Breaker. Once you break through your limits, it can also merge into your dimension, turning your dimension into a world of ghosts and gods."

However, these are all secondary functions. Its primary function is to protect the soul, allowing it to remain unaffected by external influences, just like the very essence of the world.

Even the black mud monster couldn't break through the protection of the demon god's cloak.

"The origin of the world? Could it be that the master has found the secret to the end of spiritual evolution!?"

Upon hearing the stick figure's explanation, Richard exclaimed in surprise. The ultimate goal of spiritual evolution is to transform the soul into the origin of the world, and this cloak can actually transform the soul into something almost like the origin of the world.

“Wanru, listen carefully,” the stick figure repeated. “If I had found that secret, I wouldn’t be in this cage now.”

The mystery at that end, like your flame, is a mystery that has already transcended the boundaries of domination.

Richard calmed down, smiled slightly awkwardly, and then, after a moment's thought, suddenly laughed and said, "Master's thing is indeed extraordinary, but it's still a bit inferior to my flame."

I'm not afraid for you to know, Master, that this furnace of mine is a relic from a civilization over a million years ago.

This flame burns with the soul of a race, and within it lies the essence of a Titan King who has transcended the limits of domination, as well as an anchor of destiny.

Master, your work is still a little lacking.

"Almost there? Almost there... No, you're trying to rip me off!"

The stick figure was thinking about adding something more, but as he thought about it, he realized something was wrong. This flame could definitely spread; it didn't need a tinderbox, so why did it need so many things?

Upon hearing this, Richard immediately declared righteously, "Fair trade, equal exchange. Master, if you feel I'm extorting you, we can refuse to trade."

Upon hearing this, a few drops of sweat, drawn on the stick figure, appeared on its forehead.

Not trading is definitely not an option.

For Richard, the Miracle Fire was just a tool, but for the Goblin Craftsmen of the Goblin World, it was an invaluable treasure.

The source rule, also known as the Great Dao, the origin, the source of everything, is just a ray of its boundless light, and all the rules in this world are merely a part of it.

Even its projection, if thoroughly studied, would be enough to free these ghostly craftsmen from this cage.

After much thought, the stick figure hardened his heart and asked, "What do you want?"

Richard smiled slightly: "It's very simple. I'm very interested in the ghost-forging techniques of all the masters."

The stick figure was taken aback: "You want to learn forging? That thing... well, you are the ruler, so you can certainly learn it."

Forging...that's easy."

After saying that, the stick figure strode out of the house and drew a broken gong in the center of the village, summoning all the ghosts and craftsmen in the village.

Standing in the center of a group of ghostly craftsmen, the stick figure shouted excitedly, "Old folks, that wizard has something that is very likely a projection of the source rules. Now, he wants to trade this thing with us."

I've already changed out of my demon mask; now, we're still missing one thing.

Upon hearing about the fragments of the Source Rules, the entire group of ghost craftsmen instantly erupted in excitement. They were the oldest ghost craftsmen in the vast ghost world, and they knew all too well what the projection of the Source Rules meant.

"Boss, hurry up and tell me what's missing, stop keeping me in suspense!" shouted a grotesque craftsman who looked like soft clay.

"We'll give you anything we have!"

For prisoners, a key to freedom is more important than anything else.

The stick figure chuckled upon hearing this: "Alright, you said it yourself. He doesn't want anything else, he just wants our Ghost Forging Technique!"

(End of this chapter)