He became the White-Haired Evil God after wearing the Seven Curses Rings.

"It really can make one immune to holy magic."

After stopping his magic gathering, the cult leader sat back down in his wooden chair.

"Tell me, Griffin, what kind of help do you need?"

Griffin finally smiled upon receiving the cult leader's affirmation.

"It's not a big problem. As you know, Master, lost souls are very hard to find, and artificially creating them is extremely difficult."

"But I once traveled through a dilapidated village and found an almost endless number of lost souls there, which could be used to convert a large number of holy undead soldiers."

"It's just that the village is too mysterious, and even I don't know its history, which has led to many mysteries remaining unsolved."

"There are only two ways to liberate the lost souls there."

"First, we must unravel the mysteries of that place, bring a previously unknown history to light, and gain the approval of lost souls."

"The other method is much simpler: defeat the soul guardians there and forcibly lead the lost souls away."

After listening to Griffin's description, the cult leader immediately understood the other party's request.

"The guardian who suppresses a large number of souls is probably close to some demigods in strength."

The cult leader looked at the fourth person who had remained silent throughout the meeting.

"Julius, go and help Griffin resolve this matter."

Upon hearing the order, Julius immediately stood up and understood.

"Yes, Master."

Julius then turned to Griffin and asked.

"How far is that village you mentioned from here, and what direction is it in?"

Griffin looked up at Julius's tall physique and couldn't help but feel a sense of oppression.

"Uh...it might be a bit far, more than two thousand kilometers away from here, and it's roughly in the south."

"It's alright, let's set off now."

"Huh? What?"

Before Griffin could react, Julius grabbed him and hoisted him onto his shoulder.

"I can quickly reach my destination by traversing the dark dimension, but ordinary people may not be able to withstand the impact of the dark dimension."

"I'll put you down when we've traveled two thousand kilometers. Please make sure you stay alert then."

No, what are you talking about?

Before Griffin could even voice his opinion, Julius had already carried him away at breakneck speed.

"Hey, stop right now, hey!"

After Julius led Griffin into the Dark Dimension, the cabin fell silent again.

After a while, the cult leader spoke.

"The Void Hive has been quiet lately. Herman, go to the branch hall and take some people there to investigate what's going on."

"Yes, Master."

After bowing in response, Hermann also left the cabin.

With the departure of the last subordinate, the cult leader also disappeared into the wooden house.

The cabin was completely silent at this moment.

Meanwhile, Xie Bai had already secretly slipped into Julius's shadow and hitched a ride there.

……

Planetarium.

Roland led Edward into the study.

"Edward".

"Teacher, I'm here."

Edward carefully avoided the sophisticated instruments and came to the open space in the study.

Seeing Roland's serious expression, Edward cautiously asked.

"Teacher, did you fabricate those stories about thwarting the enemy's plots?"

Roland looked at Edward, feeling a mix of emotions.

"As my apprentice, if you were tricked into a secret room and almost killed, only to escape death by the explosion caused by the failed alchemy attempt, then my reputation would be in jeopardy."

In fact, Roland's reputation has already been somewhat affected by Edward.

Edward laughed somewhat awkwardly at this.

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you again, teacher..."

Seeing Edward's pathetic state, Roland felt a pang of distress.

"Alright, alright, I didn't call you here just for a casual chat."

Upon hearing this, Edward immediately sensed something was wrong.

Ignoring Edward's nervousness, Roland began to speak slowly.

"When I was observing the natal stars, I discovered that the Aodu Empire had two key points of destruction."

"One of these nodes is the Void Hive near Kalos Sri Lanka, which has been quiet lately, giving me a bad feeling."

"However, with His Majesty and I in charge, there's probably nothing to worry about regarding the Void Hive."

"The key is the second node."

Roland paused deliberately at this point, causing Edward's heart to skip a beat.

"So... teacher, you don't mean you want me to solve this problem..., do you?"

"As expected of my apprentice, he's quick-witted."

Upon hearing Roland's affirmation, Edward felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

It was said that Edward's fate was full of misfortunes, and he always managed to escape death every time he encountered an accident.

No matter how many misfortunes he has faced, we can't push him into such a major event.

A demise node comparable to a Void Hive is something no piece of trash like him could possibly handle.

Seeing Edward's face turn pale, Roland could no longer hide it.

He asked Edward.

Do you know why I decided to take you as my apprentice?

Edward was slightly taken aback.

"Eh...right."

"I always encounter accidents when I try to refine things, so I shouldn't have any talent for alchemy. Why did you take me as your apprentice, Master?"

When Edward asked the question, Roland simply explained calmly.

"Everyone in this world has a corresponding destiny star, and different destiny stars often symbolize different fates."

"And in the endless starry sky, there are nine special destiny stars called the Destiny Stars, which correspond to the nine mainstream professions on this continent."

"They are Warrior, Mage, Archer, Assassin, Guardian, Priest, Traveler, Druid, and Alchemist."

"Those who possess the Destiny Star are generally called the Children of Destiny. They are beings protected by the world and are destined to become the strongest in their profession."

"And the chosen ones will be drawn together, becoming a great force that changes the world."

Edward understood what Roland was talking about halfway through the conversation.

"So, according to you, teacher, I am the chosen one destined to be an alchemist?"

Roland nodded in response.

"Yes."

"I have the ability to observe destiny stars. The moment I met you, I discovered that your destiny star corresponds to the alchemist's destiny star."

"And Edward, you are the chosen one destined to replace me and become the strongest alchemist."

At that moment, Edward suddenly interrupted Roland.

"This isn't right. I clearly don't have any alchemical talent at all, and every time I refine something, there's a 50% chance it will explode."

In response to Edward's question, Roland simply chuckled.

"You don't need to worry, the destiny brought by the Destiny Star will not be wrong."

"Besides, don't the protagonists in vernacular novels always suffer setbacks, but ultimately overcome difficulties and grow with the help of others?"

"Your current failures are only to highlight your future greatness, Edward. You must believe in yourself. In the future, you will surely become the strongest alchemist who will surpass your time."

Roland usually wears an extremely serious and bitter face, as if he dislikes everyone.

At this moment, he suddenly changed his behavior and grabbed Edward, praising him enthusiastically.

Edward himself felt a little embarrassed.

"Yes, teacher, you're right. I shouldn't have underestimated myself. I will definitely strive to become the strongest alchemist in the future!"

Seeing Edward regain his confidence, Roland finally revealed his true intentions.

"Generally speaking, when a chosen one undergoes special trials, he or she often survives a great calamity and then grows tremendously from the experience."

"Therefore, for the sake of your future, I will send you to solve the second node. Come to my directional teleportation array and we will depart immediately."

Edward: "?"

So all that hype was just to trick him into saving the empire?

"That's not a good idea, teacher. I suddenly feel that becoming the strongest alchemist isn't so urgent. I can work hard slowly in the future..."

"If you don't go, I'll give you a zero."

Edward: "??"

Before Edward could say anything in rebuttal, Roland spoke first.

"By the way, considering that your strength is indeed not very good, I found another chosen one to accompany you, just as a bodyguard."

Another chosen one?

Edward suddenly sensed that something terrible was about to happen.

Just as he was pondering how Professor Roland had found another chosen one, a terrifying voice that he would never forget rang out.

"Hello, from now on I will be your companion. I hope the great Mr. Edward can forgive this little woman and put aside past grievances."

Edward stared blankly at the newcomer.

She is an adorable girl with short purple hair, a sweet smile, and an innocent demeanor; she's the kind of girl who easily evokes a protective instinct in others.

Unfortunately, her name is Cecilia.

Edward: "???"