Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Even so, these monsters seemed oblivious, watching their devoured companions with indifference, and continued swimming towards their destination without hesitation.

It seems that being devoured is their very purpose in being born.

As the behemoth continued to devour, its body grew taller and taller.

After breaking through the atmosphere, it grew rapidly until it reached a total length of 320,000 kilometers.

320,000 kilometers...

Keep in mind that the Earth's diameter is only 12,742 kilometers.

This is almost thirty times the diameter of the Earth.

If it weren't for the fact that it appears to be only a long, thin strip, its body would be larger than the Earth.

From satellite images, it looks like a slender black figure standing on a blue planet, like a clown in a circus stepping on a ball. Just looking at the photo is enough to send chills down your spine.

"In fact, once it reaches a certain altitude, Earth's gravity will no longer have any effect on it, and its body can use the centrifugal force generated by the planet's rotation to counteract gravity."

During the online meeting, Isaac explained the current situation to everyone.

Having experienced the monster disaster of the past year, all countries have suffered some losses, which is why everyone can now temporarily set aside their disputes and sit down for a meeting.

Among the several screens at the meeting were Schneizel, the current minister of the Empire; Li Xingke, the head of affairs of the Federation; Sagara Sousuke, the general of the EU; and Isaac.

Leaving aside Sagara Sousuke, Isaac's underling, the other two also knew Isaac, which is why Isaac, nominally a businessman, was able to participate in this summit.

"Judging from the current situation, it should continue to grow until... the range of 360,000 kilometers or 400,000 kilometers."

"Mr. Yao."

Schneizel suddenly asked.

Why are you so sure it's this distance?

"Because this is the distance between the Earth and the Moon."

Isaac said.

"In three days, the Earth and Moon will be closest this year, at a distance of 361,124 kilometers. That's when..."

After a brief pause, Isaac continued.

"That behemoth will connect directly to the moon."

Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.

"Mr. Yao."

Li Xingke asked at this moment.

"This is just speculation, right?"

"It is indeed a guess, but I believe my guess is correct."

"So... can you guess what its purpose is in doing this? Is it trying to pull the moon towards Earth?"

If the moon were to collide directly with Earth, it's unknown whether Earth would be destroyed, but humanity would definitely be wiped out.

"It shouldn't be. The most basic instinct of living things is survival. That thing is still on Earth. If it were to be removed from the moon, it would be the first thing to perish."

Isaac said.

"I believe his goal was to go to the moon."

"Moon landing?"

“That’s right, leave the moon and land directly on it,” Isaac said.

“…In that case, it seems unnecessary for us to stop it, right?” Schneizel said. “It’s a good thing for something so dangerous to leave Earth.”

"As I've already said, this is just my guess, but I suggest everyone prepare for the worst."

Isaac said.

"What will happen next... no one can say for sure."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In fact, many countries want to send research teams to explore that colossal object that stretches from the sea to the universe. Unfortunately, maritime transport has not yet been restored, and research vessels would be subject to strong magnetic field interference if they tried to approach it.

Furthermore, the surrounding seas are still teeming with migrating monsters, so the research has made no progress to date.

Three days later, the sea was plunged into darkness, and a full moon hovered in the sky.

However, almost everyone on Earth at night saw what appeared to be a tentacle next to the moon in the sky.

Then tentacles continued to emerge, entangling the entire moon. At the same time, the enormous creature located in the sea began to slowly grow taller, gradually breaking away from the sea and heading into the dark depths of space.

Then, a colossal object spanning 360,000 kilometers began to continuously orbit the moon, enveloping the entire moon within it.

Five days later, no one in the world could see the moon anymore.

Every time I look up at night, all I see is that huge tumor covered with eyes and sharp teeth.

Meanwhile, the increased mass of the moon after it was enveloped led to a stronger gravitational pull, which in turn affected Earth's tides, causing tsunamis and floods in many places.

Fortunately, due to the previous monster disaster, those coastal cities were all uninhabited areas, so apart from some economic losses, there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, various countries were also busy, sending out artificial satellites to continuously observe the planet enveloped in flesh.

"This is only the second stage of that child's evolution. I would call it the 'Cocoon of Selene,' or the 'Cocoon of the Moon,' which is also fine."

Looking at the images captured by the satellite, Sumire Muroto spoke slowly.

"No matter how much it grew on Earth before, it was still just the initial stage of evolution. The current 'cocooning' is the real second stage."

As she spoke, she slumped into a chair and rubbed her temples.

"Born with the combat power of Stage 5, capable of destroying human civilization during the first stage of evolution, and now in the second stage, I dare not even imagine how strong it is..."

Sumire Muroto felt that when the other party truly emerged from its cocoon, it would probably become an unimaginable existence.

"I just hope it doesn't emerge from its cocoon too quickly."

"Haha, I reckon it'll be soon."

"what?"

Sumire Muroto turned to look at Isaac, who was holding the photo.

Isaac laid out the photographs on the table; they were all enlarged images of the moon encased in its shroud.

Besides the bumpy growths, the picture also shows fine and complex patterns.

“I have already marked these patterns, and next I will arrange them together.”

As he spoke, Isaac laid the photos on the ground.

As Sumire Muroto watched, her pupils widened, and cold sweat poured down her face.

Even Sumire Muroto, who is used to the world and doesn't easily get emotional, felt terrified when she saw the scene before her.

The photos, when arranged in order, form an image of the moon encased in a tumor, with patterns on it forming a vast and complex transmutation array.

Muroto Sumire murmured to herself, "This is..."

"This is even more terrifying than the Earth Transformation Array..."

Isaac said slowly.

"Planet Transmutation Array".

Chapter 1640: Infinity

"Planet Transmutation Array..."

Sumire Muroto uttered the word softly.

"A planetary-level transmutation performed on the moon?"

"Well, in short, the transmutation is for the entire moon."

Isaac said.

"But this is different from the transmutation we usually talk about. For example, the main target of the land transmutation array is the humans living on that land, but there are no humans on the moon, let alone any living things."

After a pause, Isaac continued to explain.

"Alchemy's energy source is the energy generated by the movement of the Earth's crust, while the New Kingdom's alchemy is generated by the flow of the Earth's mantle. Neither of these exists on the moon."

As is well known, the moon's core has long been solidified, and geological movements have ceased. After the liquid outer core solidified, it also disappeared along with the magnetic field.

In other words, the entire moon cannot provide any energy.

Even if you swallowed the entire moon, all you would get would be some silicate minerals.

"If that's the case, what was his purpose in initiating the planetary transmutation?"

"What he needs... is not the moon, or rather, the moon is merely a 'canvas' for him to paint on."

"A canvas for painting?"

"Yes."

Isaac looked at the photographs that covered the entire floor of the research institute.

"What I can draw is only what can be captured by artificial satellites. The real transmutation array is hundreds of times more complex than what you are about to see. Some of the tiny lines inside are completely invisible to you. You might not even notice them if you saw them in person, let alone in a photograph. The smallest lines inside are at the nanometer level. Its complexity is far beyond your imagination."

"..."

"Such a complex route can only be 'canvas' on the moon, and the ultimate result this transmutation circle is meant to achieve is..."

Isaac took a deep breath and then spoke slowly.

"unlimited."

------

When the moon turned into a giant tumor, people on Earth felt an unprecedented panic.

They called the spherical lump of flesh suspended in the sky the 'Demon Moon'.

At night, they dared not look at the huge tumor hanging in the sky, fearing that looking directly at it would cause some terrible changes to their bodies.

On the first day, no one dared to raise their head at night.

The next day, some people tried to look up at the huge tumor.