"Carrying the baggage, at the moment of leaving home, I know real life has too many unique... If you see me, don't be too indifferent, I am sensitive, but also passionate and free..."

In the originally silent workshop, several hands of the Mercury Hand waved drumsticks, hitting iron barrels. Amidst the passionate drumbeats, the craftsmen sang loudly while shaking their heads.

Then, they lifted the electric saw.

A refreshing buzzing sound started, sparks flew and caused the evil creature on the processing table to spasm in terror, its compound eye expanding and contracting within its single eye.

It made no sound.

Then, amidst intense spasms, the sharp sound of the saw rubbing against the shell broke out, blood plasma splattered, Mercury Hand fell down, expertly opening the abdomen.

Removing the organs, disassembling the skeleton.

Scarlet splattered, then disappeared within the rolling mercury, leaving the room spotless, even the smallest fragments were collected into the barrel, adhering to a principle of thrifty housekeeping—saving money to earn more.

Seeing oneself cherished so much, even the mourning and howls of the evil creature turned into happiness.

"Don't be afraid, soon you will dedicate your life to the progress of great alchemy."

Ji Jue comforted, "This is a small step for you, but a giant leap for me. Rounding down, it's equivalent to the progress of modern alchemy, isn't it? You are the backbone of the association, the pillar supporting the sea!"

The mixed howls of the evil creature grew sharper.

It seemed like it was swearing dirty words.

Ji Jue shook his head helplessly: This child, just like Lou Feng.

Swearing in excitement.

But it didn't matter, the smooth dismantling and dissection continued. The electric drill gently prying open the skull, closely examining the unique soul; like winning over a girl's heart, presenting the three mutant hearts; like in the darkness of a cinema, gathering courage to touch fingertips, shyly leaving each arm for collection...

At last, from the blackened spine, amidst the mutated pollution, a bizarre aura emerged...

"Woah, we hit the jackpot."

Ji Jue leaned closer, eyes sparkling, "There's actually a blessing!"

Analyzing from the spiritual characteristics, it should be a rare blessing from the Heavenly Origin System—[Foundation of Exclusion]!

Even though it had suffered significant mutation, its core remained intact, unbroken. Instead, within the mutation, it had transformed, losing its original peaceful stability and becoming intensely restless.

Simply put, the stability of the repulsion field was reduced, but its explosive power had qualitatively enhanced.

Shifting from defense to offense.

"Darling, if you had told me you were so rich, wouldn't I have acted more gently?"

Ji Jue's touch grew gentler, but unfortunately, the evil creature with only a breath left couldn't speak, only thick blood tears flowed from the empty eye sockets.

Like a naive little sister finally waiting for a scumbag's change of heart.

Unfortunately, holding the treasure in hand, Ji Jue's mind had already moved to its best friend: "Do you have any friends as good as you?

Don't overthink, I just want to blend into your life, look, we're so close, aren't your friends my friends too? Shouldn't I welcome them warmly? Besides, living in such a big house alone is lonely, I just want to find you a companion, right?

You're misunderstanding me..."

Though he spoke, the action of extracting marrow didn't stop, only pitying that the evil creature didn't have an ID card, otherwise he'd help it apply for some online loans.

We are family now, living together from now on means sharing life's hardships and challenges!

Only, the mind grew more puzzled.

——Where did the evil creature get the Superior Blessing?

If its former self was a mutated Chosen One, then why did it remain so complete post-mutation?

Not only the present evil creature, but also many big mutants' followers seen in Spring City bore the power of blessings, otherwise, they wouldn't have been such valuable materials.

Could it be that big mutants use the same blessing as Superior?

Similar thoughts and speculations never ceased within the mind, unfortunately, when he asked the teacher, Ye Xian didn't answer, only telling him that some questions should be pondered on one's own.

Ji Jue didn't care at all.

If the teacher said to think, then think, if not understood now then think later.

Anyway, Superior and big mutants are used by me alike!

Years of repairing taught Ji Jue one principle—if parts and instruments can be used well, does it matter which brand they are? Just say if they work well!

Are brake pads from an aftermarket not brake pads?

They're cheaper too!

Thus, reluctantly bidding farewell to the evil creature and carefully preserving its precious gifts, Ji Jue focused entirely on creating Blessed Creation.

Alarms rang repeatedly, all ignored by him.

Only when the work paused did he take off the heavy metal coat, grabbed the cup for water, and prepared for a shower.

Then saw the record floating on the fluid mercury on the wall.

In haste, it couldn't have designed proper UI or interface, even many commands lacked buttons, all written by Ji Jue.

Ji Jue paused for a moment.

"Rising again?"

Throughout the night, it rose thrice.

Unfortunately, it wasn't stocks secretly bought by Lu Feng, but the simulated Mutated Pollution Index. From mild pollution, it rose to moderate within five hours, and still rising.

When he connected with the Melting Furnace, bringing the entire workshop within perception again, he heard... the thunderous sound above the ground, the earth shaking, sea tides roaring, floods rampaging.

Pitch-black rain fell from the sky.

Engulfing everything.

Under the shadow of the black storm, the environment of Luye Island was again welcoming new mutations with the provocation of pollution. Eerie shadows traversed the dark rainstorm, the wind sounding like wails.

In the surging mud, an eerie footprint appeared out of nowhere, a series of footprints stumbling towards the distance...

Only to gradually fade in the storm.

But more terrifying, beneath the rain, the menacing aura emerging from all corners of the island. After repeated catalysis, the number of evil creatures started to grow again.

Even devouring each other, once again evolving...

Ji Jue's scalp tingled.

This mutation pollution rate spread like a bursting sewer...

"Did you guys bomb the Vortex's toilet?!"

In the dead silence, no response.

Only vague moans.

From outside the workshop...

Purple lightning flashed amidst the storm, illuminating the staggering mutant silhouettes, figures emerging from the rain, gradually shedding their old forms, revealing new appearances.

More chilling to Ji Jue, those empty black eyes.

Seemed to be watching Ji Jue's position.

Through the deep ground, staring at his face.

Desperate and hungry.

And upon Ji Jue's discovery of them, it seemed an invisible command was issued, those dozens, hundreds of figures, sprinting towards here!

Like having cheat codes, all seeing the map, rushing towards the workshop's entrances left by Ji Jue...

No, they actually did have cheats!

Just didn't turn off—

All aimed at him!

Hatred locked, passing by other mutants and evil creatures, completely ignoring them. Both sides like wells not disturbing rivers, pretending not to see each other.

Ignoring everywhere else, heading straight for the workshop, among them, the fastest were already crashing into the underground base entrance.

Ji Jue sneered, sitting still.

The base gate, to prevent mutant and evil creature invasion, is made of granite over a meter thick, each entry and exit requires mercury manipulation as rail medium and lubricant, then awakening the hydraulic pump at the back to pull it open, pushing back immediately.

If they can get in, then I...

Boom!

The gate, crumbled apart.

"You..."

Ji Jue's smile froze, defense broken.

The gate exploded.

But the gate exploding wasn't the issue, the issue was, at that moment, the leading mutant figure simply reached out, pressing on the granite gate.

Then, bizarre intricate spiritual circuits intertwined, instantly forming a 'Catalyst Seal', breaking the internal stress equilibrium, catalyzing material properties, causing the granite gate to collapse.

Even Ji Jue had to admit, that's impressive.

But the issue was, this was purely alchemy... and absolutely some internal workshop secret. Typically, such seals directly acting on material must be engraved using tools and consuming materials by craftsman. He just touched...

Look at this solid foundation and smooth operation, family, almost reaching even at craftsman level!

Wait—

Ji Jue's frozen smile twitched, looking at the mercury reflection of various silhouettes, some incomplete, some mutated, vaguely discernible human forms.

This...

——Could they be other eliminated candidates?!

His vision darkened, ears rang with 'MEN!' like sound.

Shoot, really let them win the resurrection round...

Darling, I'm back!

Obviously not them.

It should be the simulation of failed candidates' post-mutation forms by collecting their data, retaining their skills and instincts, thrown back into the exam area.

And bringing brand new surprises to the surviving apprentices!

As the sweet leisure time ends, here comes the most popular show from the Embers system.

Fellow killings, starting now!

.

"Haven't seen such a joyous scene for a long time!"

In the Tower of Transformation outside the simulation, Jiang Tongguang embraced his arms, gloatingly admiring the miserable scenes from multiple projections.

The sharp alarms never ended.

The prompts not heard for a long time now roared again like a storm.

In less than a minute, fewer than three hundred people remained, likely even fewer after this wave...

In the initial safety period, those apprentices failing to utilize conditions and develop themselves to secure the workshop now faced the inevitable, dying in the first wave of attack within minutes.

The remaining ones were struggling to survive.

One by one, met with brutal fate.

Great job, Gustav, you did great!

I concealed it from Delong, withstanding the association's pressure with you, for what?

For friendship?

No, for such pleasing sight?

I want rivers of blood!!!

"I wondered why you suddenly scored early stage." He commented: "Turns out it's for determining the number of deployments?"

Gustav calmly replied, "Without pressure, how can one distinguish stones from uncut jade?"

The standard was simple.

One per score, ninety-nine scores meant ninety-nine.

The more reckless or excellent early performance, the heavier the pressure and trials faced. Besides the specially attended candidates, every surviving apprentice with no score was assigned thirty.

Even apprentices, protected by workshops, having time to develop, upgrade equipment, if unable to handle thirty first-round eliminated enemies with no gear or aids... might as well sleep.

Fail to protect your workshop, forget being a craftsman!

Besides...

Gustav's eyes lowered, viewing a projection image cast aside for its absurdity:

"Some handle it easily."

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