Roar~
The bone dragon flew low over the landscape, and Bai Yi's figure vanished. From high above, he observed the scattered remnants of the players broadcasting live, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.
The bone dragon slowed, hovering above the white plague. Below, an elderly man with an angel mask lay motionless. His body was torn in half, from the face down to his waist, blood soaking the earth. Bai Yi could make out the slow, magical healing of his internal organs, though the process was painfully sluggish.
The old man hadn't anticipated Diane's presence. Or rather, he hadn't understood that Diane, who had grown up in the capital, had never known real battle. She might have competed with young masters in petty contests, but what could a silver-level mage truly achieve? This was probably a case of underestimating the power of financial warfare.
Bai Yi's gaze shifted to the leader of the Night Rose distribution in Dongwu City.
Night Rose was indeed formidable, with only gold-ranked guardians in places capable of hosting their Night Sacrificial Ceremony. Yet, compared to the Federation, Night Rose's resources were far fewer. Having two gold-ranked individuals in a single branch spoke volumes about Dongwu City's importance.
"Heh," came a low chuckle from the broken mouth of the angel. With his only remaining eye, he gazed at Bai Yi and whispered, "Do you think you've won?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Bai Yi replied, perched atop the dragon's head, his mental power reaching out to remove the angel's mask with a casual thought.
What lay beneath was not the face of any wealthy businessman or powerful official, but rather the visage of someone far more sinister.
Those with the power of the Golden Median were not only city lords but also influential figures within the Federation, capable of forming their own factions. Night Rose's influence hadn't yet fully integrated into the Federation; it was a hidden organization, and this old man was one of its unseen puppeteers.
"The miracle has come early, and they will arrive soon... I won't live to see the new era," the old man murmured as his vision blurred. His last breath escaped in a sigh.
[You used Alchemical Poison to kill a Level 67 Mage: Night Angel, and gained +100,000 EXP. Because of the huge level difference, you gained double EXP, +200,000 EXP.
Level-up bonus: Gain +10 skill points, +15 free attribute points, +1 optional common expertise, +150,000 bonus experience points.]
[You have leveled up to Level 45.]
Bai Yi's eyes narrowed in thought. He had never been one to get close to dying enemies; poison was a far more efficient method. A villain's last words? He never wasted the opportunity for a final counterattack. The moment the old wizard spoke, he was already poisoned by dozens of toxins.
But one word caught his attention: "New era." What could it mean?
Could it refer to the return of the ancient gods? Or something more drastic—a shift in the Federation itself? Night Rose's objective was clear: to control the Dawn Federation. If the ancient gods were involved, their return would mark the end of an era, not the dawn of a new one.
The thought lingered, but Bai Yi quickly dismissed it. The answers didn't matter for now. His focus was on growth—his own and anyone who dared stand in his way.
Mental power swept out, collecting two space rings and a broken wooden staff. He checked the soul lantern attached to the lining of his windbreaker. Inside, a faint blue crystal glimmered, a pure and flawless soul crystal that was nearly complete.
[Soul Collection: 65%]
Bai Yi cradled the crystal, but something felt off. Only a small portion of the Night Rose leader's soul had been extracted. His gaze turned toward Diane, whose magic grew stronger by the second, accompanied by the mournful wail of the dragon. She was handling the situation with surprising efficiency, and Bai Yi felt a twinge of appreciation for her unexpected role in this.
It was clear that his current burst-based combat strategy—mental suppression, followed by energy guns, alchemical poison, bombs, and close combat—was effective. It was even capable of dispatching lower-level gold-ranked opponents. But it was limited and predictable, especially when he couldn't reveal the dark side of his abilities.
An alchemist, however, was not meant to have only one set of tactics.
As he pondered, Bai Yi flew toward Diane, but then, an overwhelming sense of danger struck him. His heart raced as malice surged, and a gold-level protective scroll appeared in his hand.
Looking toward the source, Bai Yi saw a mound, its flowers blooming with the warmth of spring, full of life and vitality. On top stood a young man, watching him with a smile. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and the man nodded as if greeting him.
Bai Yi's expression remained cold. The malice in his eyes deepened. He blurred, his figure shifting as the scarlet mist surrounded him.
Buzz~
A hideous sound filled the air as a tentacle shot from Bai Yi's face, his mental power clashing with a curse. His body began to decay, but the mechanical dragon surged forward, rapidly gaining speed and heading straight for the mound.
The dragon's breath condensed and released, unleashing a spray of undead energy.
A dark aura flared briefly, and the breath of the undead was instantly blocked by an oppressive force.
Buzz~ Boom!
Both Bai Yi and the young man recoiled. Bai Yi reappeared atop his dragon, his body slowly returning to normal as the curse and malice within him clashed.
The young man, his composure returned, smiled politely. "Yes, my name is Charles. I am a follower of the Dark Lord. A pleasure to meet you, White Plague."
Understanding flashed across Bai Yi's face, followed by concern. As expected, everything was unfolding ahead of schedule. The arrival of players was the catalyst for the Xia continent's recovery. The upper limits of this world were still legendary-level, but with every shift, powerful forces like the ancient gods, the abyss, the undead, and hell would draw closer.
The ancient gods, though, were not part of the so-called "new era." Their return signified chaos, not order.
The young man, Charles, was just another pawn—a follower tasked with igniting wars, sacrificing souls, and paving the way for the gods' return.
"I've heard of your reputation, and came to see for myself," Charles continued nonchalantly, his dark green bead of alchemical poison forming in his hand. "But now, it seems you're not so impressive."
He yawned, tossing a casual remark over his shoulder as he turned away. "I'm building a kingdom nearby. Prepare for war, Alchemist."
Bai Yi stared coldly. "You're really not afraid?"
Charles halted, intrigued. "Why should I be?"
Buzz~
The air crackled as Bai Yi launched his counterattack. The young man's face twisted as he fled the blast zone, but Bai Yi's missiles and elemental waves annihilated the mound, leaving a scorched earth in their wake.
Charles, now thousands of meters away, showed signs of burns but regained his composure, his eyes turning dark. "Well done, Bai Yi. Our war will be something to look forward to."
With that, his figure faded, vanishing as his voice echoed through the air.
Back at the city, Bai Yi let out a long sigh of relief, guiding the bone dragon back into the inner walls. He walked toward the Hall of Knowledge, his mind already turning to new tactics. Alchemy, machinery, and other advanced knowledge were now within his grasp.
"Mr. Bai Yi, are you looking to buy or sell knowledge?" a familiar mechanical voice rang out, its tone respectful and full of admiration.
Bai Yi nodded, stepping forward. "I need to purchase advanced alchemical machinery knowledge, specifically related to AI brains."
"Understood. Please wait."
As the mechanical lifeform scrolled through the data, Bai Yi's gaze sharpened. This was only the beginning. He would keep acquiring knowledge, expanding his abilities, and preparing for the inevitable battles ahead.