First of all, the biggest gain was the progress bar.

On the wristwatch, the 1 o'clock marking was completely filled with dazzling gold.

Not just filled, it was about to overflow!

Originally, under Ji Jue's intense effort, the progress had already reached over seventy percent in just a month; and now, after digesting the Experience Bag from the Melting Furnace in one go, the progress bar had completely burst.

If Ji Jue didn't lack a Matrix and hadn't missed out on the Superior Blessing, he would have advanced long ago.

Fortunately, reality isn't a crappy gacha game—excess 'experience points' weren't wasted—all insights and changes had completely merged with Ji Jue's abilities and soul.

No one dictates that after filling Level 1, one must move to Level 2. In fact, Chosen Ones at lower levels often try to increase their accumulation as much as possible, continuing until there is no more room for improvement, and only then choosing to advance.

Maximally enhancing their own stats.

This was what Professor Ye and Sister Wen had reminded him countless times; every bit of advantage and strength during the Summoning Stage would exponentially grow and amplify during the stages of Transformation, Rebirth, and transcendence.

These days, it's no wonder wild Chosen Ones are overlooked by large organizations.

Lacking guidance, frameworks, various aids and supports, even theoretical guidance. On the starting line, sometimes moving too quickly means weakening later, and when enemies turn into a combination of mechanical and stat monsters, those Chosen Ones who overdraw their potential can only begrudgingly accept their fate.

However, the current situation with Ji Jue... was no longer about lacking a solid foundation.

It was that his foundation had been so filled by a huge dose of experience from the Melting Furnace that it was about to burst!

He had turned into a 300-pound fat man in one go.

He could barely walk now.

For instance, it's like driving a familiar car, and suddenly the engine is replaced with an airplane's. If you're not careful, the power output from Mechanical Descent can be too strong, vaguely beyond control.

The solution was simple.

Just advance to the next level and all's set.

But the problem circled back to the beginning... to advance, one needs to find a Matrix, then gain a blessing; otherwise, who knows what random ghost skill might be acquired from the skewed skill tree.

But the Matrix "Non-attack" remained elusive.

More important than the growth of the experience bar, however, were the many sensations and records brought to him by the essence of the Melting Furnace, memories and experiences it had firsthand.

If the previous resonance provided him with an introductory class, then the voluminous records in the essence offered genuine practical experience.

So much so that...

— Fluid Alchemy, completely mastered!

His understanding of the Twelve Superior had expanded countless times beyond what it was before, not just that, but he also made significant progress in the four fundamental elements of alchemy—Ascension, Purification, Extraction, Harmony.

This was the true treasure.

Starting today, Ji Jue was officially the inheritor of Fluid Alchemy, known as the legendary art in ancient alchemy!

Dividing according to the standards of the Cataclysm Era, alchemy techniques in Ember lineage were categorized into ancient and modern. Compared to the thoroughly standardized and independent Modern Alchemy, the craftsmen of ancient times had far fewer rules and requirements.

There wasn't even a separate category for Alchemy.

It, along with the entropy formula, Tian Yuan's contracts, Ether's divination and foresight, Ascension rituals... etc., all the general abilities transmitted among the Superior factions, were classified as Secret Rituals.

Craftsmen then also had strong individual characteristics and faced different troubles.

Simply put, their methods were all over the place.

During alchemy, using human blood, souls, all sorts of messy things for sacrifices, employing methods Ji Jue couldn't even begin to fathom...

Don't ask how it works, because 'I don't know' would be the answer, and 'it doesn't matter'.

According to Professor Ye—alchemy in the primitive times was like a bunch of people entering an elevator. Some laughed sky-high, some kneeled and kowtowed, some peed on the spot, some did nothing. And just like that, everyone inexplicably rose up. As for why, each person thought it had to do with what they did.

But the paradox lies in, upon reflection afterward, no one knows who pressed the elevator button...

I reckon, walking backward four steps in the bathroom, shouting "deep blue," saying "do not belittle the poor youth," or shouting "love and bonds," and it just happens.

Absolutely bizarre.

Besides having a common rough system, the underlying logic was completely different from the modern alchemy system, even contradictory in some areas.

But this does not mean there were no merits to it, on the contrary, sometimes, by discarding some accessibility and popularity, the enhancement obtained could far exceed the imagination of the modern craftsman.

And in the late period of the Eternal Empire, before the Cataclysm Era, Fluid Alchemy was born, incorporating the strengths of both classical and modern theories. It just lacked the Integration of several Saints who came later while still inheriting the strong characteristics of classical alchemy.

Discarding the two key elements of Ascension and Harmony, Fluid Alchemy's mastery on the path of Purification was touted as unparalleled.

Its unique skill was the integration between the external and essence of objects—thus, by elevating the essence, the external strength and functionality were improved.

Even if newly forged, it was just an ordinary iron blade. As long as the user maintained it well, communicating steadily with their Spirituality over time to nurture the spirituality, it could grow into a famous sword of unparalleled sharpness on its own.

And this was just the basics. Under Saint Mercury's guidance, all her creations seemed naturally perfect, incredibly covert while also combining multiple shapes and functions.

It could be said that Mercury single-handedly elevated Fluid Alchemy to the heights it reached today.

What Ji Jue had learned and mastered today were only a few basic circuits and structural ideas she had developed, far from true masters like Professor Ye.

But even so, it was enough.

"Ha ha ha ha, from today onward, please call me—Squid Man!!!"

Inside the mobile workshop of the Ghost Work Ball, in front of the Melting Furnace, Ji Jue excitedly spread hisarms, and then, four alchemically modified Mercury limbs extended from his back.

Like a deep-sea monster.

Squishy, wriggling, wriggling, listlessly floating in the air.

They didn't look like strong arms, but more like tentacles... wriggling, wriggling~

This was Ji Jue's first achievement after he had learned Fluid Alchemy!

A needle-like projection, garbage.

Xiao An prodded it with his hand and it snapped in half, fell to the ground, and floundered like a dying fish. It wriggled back onto Ji Jue's back.

"So weak."

An ignorant child scathingly commented, then was rebuked by an annoyed Ji Jue, saying something about how ugly could also be cute, and it was impressive just to grow that much, endurance was what mattered most, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Good news, he had learned. Bad news, there was still a damn long way to go before he could apply it officially.

Fluid Alchemy, naturally, had its unique strengths in handling liquid types. For example, the name Mercury came from its divine application of liquid mercury.

Ji Jue naturally tried to mimic and learn.

Sadly, with his current control and skills as a beginner, he couldn't support such a complex tool's operation—it was merely for show. However, after transitioning from four limbs to one, it became more sensitive and could at least help him carry tools and bags.

In simple words, a toy.

The real applications and results were, however, made without thinking much—inside the box on the nearby backpack, densely packed bullets.

The bullets' heads were drilled through from the inside and filled with specially treated mercury.

Engraved with the emblems of the Ruins and the crowd to enhance their toughness and destructive power, and depending on the situation, heads made of special materials from other Superiors could be exchanged to achieve different effects.

Through Fluid Alchemy, the entire bullet was enhanced and upgraded. Using mercury as a carrier meant that Xiao An didn't have to charge them in emergency; they could be pre-enchanted with the Sword Sound matrix and stored. Ready to be activated whenever needed.

This solution maximally addressed the current issue of Ji Jue's insufficient striking power and difficulty overcoming tough defenses. Just this trick alone made Ji Jue's trip worthwhile.

But, what about the matrix?

Non-attack.

Professor Ye, your guide doesn't work; how many versions has it changed?

From the moment he entered the Crack Realm until now, he had gathered numerous clues, almost touching upon the collapse of the Heavenly Pillar and the mystery of the Eternal Empire's destruction, yet not a trace of Non-attack.

Could he really be stuck at this level?

The thought of possibly returning without achievement, or maybe having no way to return and having to die in this Crack Realm, made Ji Jue's scalp tingle.

Yet, as he pondered, the Ghost Work Ball suddenly made a noise.

"Don't just stand there, kid."

It said, "Someone's coming!"

In the void, lights outlined, revealing the scene outside—right outside their temporary shelter in the ruins, several sneaky shadows peeked this way.

Curiously looking around, eyes vigilant.

Holding heavy and bulky weapons, resembling some sort of firearms, unlike any seen in the outside world.

Most notably, their faces... all had traces of mutation and fragmentation, resembling wild beasts or mutated limbs, and leading them...

was that 'local' Ji Jue had once let escape.

Ji Jue was momentarily taken aback.

Was this a repercussion of not removing the roots when hacking the grass?

But as the two tensed up and prepared, the middle-aged man hesitated for a long time, then left his companions and walked toward them, circling the ruins, unable to find the entrance of the workshop, his gathered bravery seemingly dissipated.

He sat down on the ground.

As if waiting for them to appear.

Xiao An got up leaning on his crutch but was held back by Ji Jue.

"It might not be a fight," he said, "I'll go take a look."

After preparing for defense, he pushed open the door.

It was as if appearing out of thin air, the middle-aged man at the doorway jumped in surprise, and even those far away seemed to startle, lifting their weapons, trembling.

"What's the matter?"

Ji Jue curiously looked at the man's appearance, "I don't think I've signed up for local TV service? Why are you collecting TV fees here?"

"…"

The mutated man hesitated, then spoke, "Outsider, please come with me."

He said, "The Prophet wishes to see you."

This time, it was Ji Jue's turn to fall silent.

Not to mention the stranger's invitation, just the bizarre term 'Prophet' made him feel an inexplicable sense of unease and vigilance.

He turned back and exchanged a look with the fully attentive Xiao An behind the door.

Slowly shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I'm a bit busy lately, not really free to join your local lively community club activities…" he said, "Let's not meet."

The man was stunned for a moment, the quick sound from his mouth mixed with a sort of insect cry, as if in a hurry. After a long time, Ji Jue finally discerned what he was saying.

"The Prophet said, she knows where Non-attack is."

"…"

Ji Jue froze.

After a long moment, he turned back, looked at Xiao An, and after hesitating for an extended period, he finally heaved a silent sigh.

"Lead the way."

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