Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

After closing the last page of the document, Su Zhisu let out a long breath.

The information in the file was like a broken jigsaw puzzle, corroborating his existing clues and pointing in a vague yet unsettling direction.

Amadeus's research involves the taboo transformation of the soul and life.

Liliana is a key assistant in this research, specializing in soul resonance.

The high-purity life matrix contained in the marine iguana eggs was clearly identified as a key component of the mission.

Edgar's soul is fixated on his pocket watch, and Liliana Thea wants to see him.

"Could it be that Amadeus and Liliana's research goals are related to Edgar?"

"Using the marine iguana egg, a top-tier life-sustaining substrate, combined with Liliana's soul resonance technique, to contain or transform Edgar's soul obsession?"

"Thus achieving a kind of... continuation?"

This speculation left Su Zhisu with mixed feelings.

The hidden quest "The First Mate's Wish" likely involves much more than just a love story that transcends life and death.

It is more likely to touch upon the unfinished forbidden research of a genius alchemist, concerning the mysteries of the soul and the forms of life.

"If Liliana Thea is still alive, and deep within the workshop..."

"Her condition is probably beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

He recalled the fluid movements and eerily intelligent [Lyliana's Alchemy Golems] in the workshop.

"Has she already transformed herself?"

"Or...existing in some special form within those puppets, or even fused with the workshop itself?"

These questions currently have no answers.

Su Zhisu put away the copies of the files, organized them, and returned them to Kyle.

"Finished watching?"

Kyle took the file box and carefully locked it.

"Hmm. Very valuable information. Thank you, Your Majesty, and for your assistance."

"I'm glad I could help."

Kyle smiled.

"So, are you planning to go back to your room to rest, or...?"

"I want to go and take a look at the Alchemists' Guild."

Su Zhisu said.

"His Majesty mentioned that the guild might be interested in my alchemical transformation abilities."

"A very wise decision."

Kyle nodded.

"Guild Master Maurice is a highly respected old-school alchemist who is both conservative and curious about new technologies."

"He should be in the research lab on the top floor of the guild today. I'll introduce you to him."

Thank you for your trouble.

With the alchemist's badges pinned to their chests, the two left the heavily guarded archive tower and once again traversed the tidy streets of the palace district, heading towards the spire where the Alchemist's Guild was located.

Sunlight streamed down the street, and the air was filled with the distinctive scent of Hydeland, a blend of sea breeze and various alchemical materials.

Occasionally, pedestrians dressed in alchemist robes would hurry by, nodding to Kyle while curiously observing Su Zhisu beside him.

The Alchemist Guild's main tower was even more magnificent than Su Zhisu had seen during her previous certification.

The towering spire seems to pierce the sky, and the tower itself is built of white boulders, its surface inlaid with intricate runes that shimmer in the sunlight.

Kyle was clearly a regular here; the guard simply checked his badge and then respectfully let him pass.

The tower has a spacious interior, with a spiral staircase leading to higher levels.

The air was thicker with the smells of herbs, solvents, and burning metal, and occasionally, faint explosions and low curses could be heard coming from one of the laboratories.

"The Alchemists' Guild is one of the most 'lively' places in Hydeland."

Kyle led the way while chuckling softly.

"There are experimental accidents every day, but fortunately the protective array here is sturdy enough."

They climbed the spiral staircase and eventually reached the top of the tower.

There was only a heavy oak door with no markings on it, but Su Zhisu could feel a deep and stable energy fluctuation coming from behind it.

Kyle stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

"Master Maurice, I am Kyle Crane. I have come with a guest on His Majesty's orders."

There was a moment of silence inside the door.

Then, a hoarse but strong voice came from inside: "Come in, the door isn't locked."

Kyle pushed open the oak door.

Behind the door was an extremely spacious, yet dizzyingly cluttered, circular research room.

The room is nearly ten meters high, and the walls are all bookshelves that reach the ceiling, filled with books, scrolls and notes of all kinds of thickness.

In the center of the room is a huge composite alchemy workbench filled with various beakers, tubing, and reaction vessels.

Beside the control panel stood an elderly man with gray hair and a messy beard.

He wore a dark brown, gold-plated robe stained with various colors, and a pair of thick glasses perched on his nose. Behind the lenses, his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, staring at a test tube containing a violently reacting purple liquid.

The liquid in the test tube was boiling wildly, its color changing from purple to black, then emitting wisps of green light, and emitting an ominous crackling sound.

The old man—Master Morris—looked excited, muttering to himself, "Stability is still a little lacking... Energy dissipation rate is too high... But the direction is right..."

"master."

Kyle raised his voice and shouted again.

Master Morris seemed to be startled from his own world. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Kyle before finally landing on Su Zhisu, lingering for a moment on the skilled alchemist badge on Su Zhisu's chest.

"Kyle, and this one is...?"

"This is Lord Su Zhisu, a lord from Atlantis, and also a skilled alchemist certified by the guild."

Kyle explained.

"His Majesty specifically instructed that Lord Su Zhisu possesses a unique technique called 'Alchemy Metamorphosis,' which may be helpful to the guild's research."

"Alchemy mutation?"

Master Morris raised his eyebrows, and his interest in his eyes deepened considerably.

He put down the still crackling test tube in his hand, casually wiped his hands on his robe, and walked a few steps to Su Zhisu.

"A branch of alchemy I've never heard of before? Young man, tell me, what is your 'alchemical mutation'?"

His gaze was intense, filled with the pure curiosity and scrutiny of a researcher.

Su Zhisu remained calm as he took out the alchemist's badge certified by Hydeland from his pocket.

"Master, this is my certification badge, quality is white and common."

"Now, I have given a simple demonstration of alchemical transformation before His Majesty, which you can take a look at."

"Of course, I can also perform alchemical transformation on a new 'item', as I'll demonstrate for you."

With that, Su Zhisu handed the badge to Master Morris.

Master Morris took the badge, and without using any alchemy instruments, he simply rubbed its surface with his fingers, then brought it close to his eyes and examined it carefully through thick lenses.

A few seconds later, his eyes shone with an amazing light.