"Thank you, Mr. Aubrey!"
Tuck rose to his feet, expressing his most sincere thanks.
The power of the Evil God Organization was astonishing.
To have the protection of a highly influential figure in charge of the High Tower.
There was no doubt that Tuck's safety was guaranteed.
With such an influential figure backing him.
Then... Tuck had plenty of confidence to carry out his plans.
Even if there were any black pots to be carried on someone's back at certain times, someone would be there to bear the burden for him.
Lost in thought, Tuck spoke out.
"I don't know too much about the Dark Sun Church."
"I will prepare all the necessary materials for you," Aubrey nodded.
"Anything else?"
Aubrey continued to inquire.
"Um... that's enough," Tuck thought for a moment before replying.
This time, Aubrey revealed a slight smile.
Tuck!
This 16-year-old youth was able to cultivate to Level 9 by himself in the Underground Nest District of Ramore Tower City-State, and he had also accumulated quite a bit of Origin Energy, with his skills being quite impressive as well.
Furthermore, he had gathered the materials necessary for his advancement.
Without a doubt, this youth was thriving in the Underground Nest District like a fish in water.
If it were not for the rampage of the Evil God Organization here.
Perhaps this youth would soon become the boss of the Underground Nest District, or even of Underground Street.
For such a "Tuck" who had his own way of survival.
Aubrey clearly did not intend to confine him within the High Tower.
After all, several of his apprentices had perished while out honing their skills and exploring.
If they had had experience like Tuck's, no... even just half of that, their odds of survival would have been much higher.
Tuck's methods might be a bit rough, but they were decidedly helpful.
In cultivating Tuck.
Aubrey was very clear on what to do.
To supplement his foundational knowledge of witchcraft and allow him to develop freely.
His own protection was more than enough.
...
Two hours later.
Tuck, who had a lengthy conversation with Mr. Aubrey.
Returned to his second-floor basement abode with several printed booklets and "materials" such as steam newspapers.
"You have to admit, a big shot is a big shot."
"Their understanding of Origin Energy, witchcraft, and even Transcendent ecology, far exceeds my knowledge."
"Especially, the detailed explanations of spells like Sheep Transformation, Bullet Tentacles; though some parts were beyond my understanding, I was greatly shocked."
Upon his return, Tuck immediately sat cross-legged in a corner of his room.
He began to thoroughly absorb and digest Mr. Aubrey's interpretations of Sequence, witchcraft, Origin Energy, and other aspects.
Previously, Tuck himself possessed the Wizard Ability of "Spiritual Perception."
Naturally, he was a quick study.
And the Tuck who had traveled through time inherited all of this.
Plus, having advanced his Level of Spiritual Perception, Tuck's learning and comprehension abilities surged.
About an hour later.
Tuck had digested most of Mr. Aubrey's explications on Transcendent knowledge.
"My understanding has increased quite a bit."
After feeling satisfied with the results, Tuck nodded in satisfaction.
Moving to the desk and using the magic crystal lamp in the room.
Tuck began to examine the information about the "Dark Sun Church."
Dark Sun Church!
The number one Evil God church in the Ashen Land.
They worship the magnificent "Dark Sun."
Lurking in the darkness and shadows of the Ashen Land.
They proclaim the world's downfall with doomsday clamor.
The world is about to descend into eternal darkness, as the "Dark Sun" will rise in the sky, ushering in a new world for humans.
Many city-states in the Ashen Land have completely fallen under the influence of the Dark Sun Church's doctrine, becoming its followers, leading to the downfall of those city-states.
Even now.
In the depths of the Ashen Land, there still exist a significant number of bizarre city-states ruled by the Dark Sun Church.
This time, the Dark Sun Church has the audacity to act so unrestrained within the Ramore Tower City-State.
If you say there aren't enough followers within the Ramore City-State, Tuck would definitely not believe it.
Even...
Running into someone else's home, dragging them out and killing them, is such an extremely impolite act.
It is very likely done by those fanatical believers.
Having read through all these pamphlets, newspaper information and so forth.
Tuck, sitting in front of the desk, stood up, stretched, and then opened the window.
The fresh air outside, tinged with the scent of death, quickly cleared Tuck's head a great deal.
"Compared to the actions of the Evil God Organization, this scent of death and Undead Grey Fog seem so lovely," Tuck said, massaging his temples and focusing on the genius of the Dark Sun Church.
That guy was the starting point of the recent chaos and turmoil in the Ramore Tower City-State.
"Suspected to possess an A Grade Transcendent Talent," Tuck mused.
"And it's precisely because of his A Grade Transcendent Talent that he inherited a powerful Foreign Wizard Sequence."
"And plans to use the Steam Core to complete the Steam Upgrade."
"Already gifted with high Talent and a powerful Sequence, if he manages to complete the Steam Upgrade, wouldn't that be like taking off right where he stands?" Tuck murmured, exhaling softly.
"A Grade Transcendent Talent, huh? Interesting," he thought.
"What Steam Core, not Steam Core, it doesn't matter."
"The important thing is, I want to contribute to the safety of the Ramore Tower City-State."
Tuck pulled out a small "Ash Clock" from the inner pocket of his Wizard's Robe.
The tiny hand had already passed the marks that symbolize the "Grey Night period" and "Gray Day."
And it had already moved a small notch into the Grey Day area.
"Although I missed the sunrise of this Gray Day."
"But...finally, the Gray Day has come."
"The surface world should be bustling now."
"After I've mastered the Sheep Transformation and the Sculpting Light Spear, it won't be too late to venture out," he reasoned.
...
In the Ashen Land.
"Gray Day" and "Grey Night period" combined are about a month's time.
Usually, both periods last roughly half of the month, around 15 days each.
Only during certain specific times will either the Gray Day or Grey Night stretch close to 20 days, thus compressing the duration of the other.
And now.
The vast Ashen Day was fully revealing its outline in the east.
The body of the Ashen Day was dark and profound, like a giant black hole.
Around the Ashen Day, the ashen halo burst forth with crimson light.
The Ashen Day illuminated the Ashen Land.
But what it illuminated was a world bathed in blood.
Just right, a particularly rich stream of bloodlight fell upon Tuck, who had just crawled out of a burial tunnel.
Looking left and right to ensure no one was nearby,
Tuck dusted off the ash from his body, donned a grey hood, and headed towards the Underground Nest District.
At this moment, on the main roads of the Ramore City-State,
lines of Adventurers, Mercenary Corps, and traders formed a long dragon, stretching far into the distance.
They had come from the "St. Land Transcendent City-State" hundreds of kilometers away.
That was the heart of the "Dark Curtain Province."
Being a bustling hub connected by steam train tracks, St. Land was tremendously prosperous.
It is said that when the Steam Mechanical Furnaces operated at full capacity to resist the Undercurrent,
the roar could be heard by people dozens of kilometers away.
And the "Ramore Tower City-State," tucked into the wilderness on the frontier, served as the bridgehead for the adventurers, mercenaries, and traders from St. Land.
With the arrival of a large number of adventurers, mercenaries, and traders,
the "Ramore" High Tower City-State, which had slumbered in darkness for half a month, also officially woke up.