Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 616 - 540 Arrival and Cooperation (4000 words)_2

Without the slightest hesitation, amidst the puzzled gazes on the "May Wind," Aiven retrieved and tossed over a dozen heavy wooden boxes from the [Shadow Secret Vault: Modified] into the swirling vortex before him.

A moment later, a large wooden box brimming with various precious witchcraft materials was swept onto the ship by the waves. Among them was the valuable merchandise Aiven had specifically requested—the "Gem Star."

After inspecting it, Aiven whistled softly, increasingly satisfied with the Tempest Church as a major client. With these items and the timely arrival of Uncle Gel, the next step of his long-planned strategy could officially commence.

Beneath the waves.

A group of sea elves riding on sea monsters also confirmed the quality of the ammunition, smiling and waving goodbye to Aiven. Some bold ones even leaped out of the water to flaunt their alluring figures, giving him a flying kiss under everyone's watchful eyes.

For creatures like sea elves, a handsome sailor is almost an irresistible temptation. Staying at this level is already an act of extreme restraint for them, and Aiven didn't mind. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Of course, the prerequisite is to pay money.

Even if General Aiven were to chat with the young sea elf ladies for fifty thousand Golden Lions, there would be no issue, especially since Miss Olivia would likely find no fault with it either...

After bidding farewell to these beautiful creatures, Aiven turned around to wave at the dumbfounded crew of the "May Wind":

"Uncle, I've already spoken to Vice Admiral Gustav. Shall we go grab a drink in the Georgia Territory first?"

...

Still at the headquarters of the "Mechanical Immortality School," High Cliff Castle.

The evil alchemists did not expect, after receiving news from Camside City, that before they could even take action, the Fog of Order Secret Society would already dispatch an envoy to the school.

At this moment.

A figure in a grayish-white leather robe, not wearing the iconic animal skull, revealed a head that, though pale, at least had a semblance of human features.

Four slowly symmetrical green eyes stared at the official wizards, qualified to decide the school's fate, speaking through telepathy:

"Honorable Wizards, I come bearing the grace of the gods.

The fair rule-maker, the great Maze God, has just awakened from slumber, turning his gaze upon humanity struggling in the mortal realm.

As a generous deity, He wishes to share His glory with the insignificant humans.

Since your pursuit is 'eternal life,' why care whether immortality comes through witchcraft or divine art?"

The last time the Maze God Aihote and His followers could venture to the New Continent was thanks to those Kumans with a longing for 'eternal life' and the cruel blood sacrifice of at least ten thousand prisoners.

This doesn't even account for the involvement of the Kuma People's Main God, the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan.

The situation has now drastically changed.

The blasphemous offspring "Bradley," able to walk under the sun, occupied the first city on the New Continent, Camside, establishing a stable faith for Aihote and providing an anchor point for the Maze God's reach toward the New Continent.

In just less than two months, the "blasphemous cultists" transformed from the nobles of the Kuma Empire could openly return to the New Continent. Perhaps in a year or two, some twisted demons in the Mist Sea might even reach the coastal areas.

As faith gradually expands, core followers like the "Azure Beast," and even Aihote himself, already beginning essential transformation through new divine positions, could have a real chance to set foot on land again.

Shush...

The formal wizards in the hall began to stir slightly.

Admittedly, this "blasphemous cultist"'s words were highly persuasive, even causing some difficulty for the School Chief, Sedric.

Even a group claiming to pursue truth could work with gods, for "truth" is always just a means, while the desire hidden behind the mysterious source is the essence.

The most fundamental desire of the "Mechanical Immortality School" is, of course... immortality!

This point provides the biggest foundation for cooperation.

The "Poison Plague School" can work with Lady Crow; evil alchemists might not necessarily be unable to join Aihote's banner. In terms of mobilizable forces on the continent, the demigod Aihote might not even match the Tier 4 Totem God Lady Crow, who has completed "Faith Transcendence."

As for the still extremely ugly appearance of the "blasphemous cultists," even after starting to transform toward normal human aesthetics, it's entirely a secondary factor; those who don't intend to remain humans naturally don't mind becoming monsters.

Moreover, this envoy has proven he indeed survived from the era of the Kuma Empire over two hundred years ago until now. "Immortality" is not a vain dream like thirsting for plums to quench thirst.

Therefore, after much consideration, Chief Sedric could only cautiously say:

"Envoy, could you allow us some time to discuss before giving you an answer?"

"Very well, I hope to hear good news when I return next time. Know that the gods possess not only generosity and mercy."

This blasphemous cultist could tell that quite a few of the official wizards were tempted. After all, who can resist the allure of immortality?

The gate closed again.

Without outsiders present, the official wizards began to split into two factions and engaged in a fierce debate.

Even the opinions of the three leaders couldn't be unified.

In fact, judging by the pursuit of "immortality," it's clear that the school's members are mostly not extraordinary talents, for in the orthodox path, the higher the extraordinary level, the longer the lifespan.

As long as one can reach the realm of a Tier 3 High-Rank Wizard, a wizard's natural lifespan can exceed that of a Tier 4 Title, truly qualifying them to "live as long as the country prospers, age alongside the heavens." Many countries may not have Great Wizards living for so long; Tier 4 Crowned Wizards, especially those after "Truth Embodiment," need no further mention.

The three major branches of orthodox alchemy are "Magic Potion," "Alchemy Tools and Enchantment Engineering," and "Mechanization."

The corresponding mysterious sources and ultimate knowledge are:

[Elixir of Immortality]: The most direct means to live eternally.

[Hephaestus Square]: A hyper-integrated production line capable of producing powerful alchemy tools across the ages, an "Industrial Mother Machine" of alchemy.

[Steam Titan]: The representative of power, capable of standing alongside gods.

Evil alchemists originally belonged to the "Mechanization" branch, but diverged significantly in philosophy, representative witchcraft, and presumptive extraordinary sources during later stages.

The foundation of this "Mechanical Immortality School" is "Mechanization" and "Flesh Transformation."

Even with only the second volume of "Flesh Sacrifice" available, without knowing about the Life Tree School's fifth volume "Creator's Blood," they can still devise a path of understanding and abandoning the physical body.

They abandoned the original Mechanical Branch's [Steam Titan] and set new ultimate knowledge [Intelligent Mechanical Template]:

Through it, the school's official wizards can transform into a collection of thought, energy, and information, freely switching bodies among various mechanical bodies, achieving spiritual immortality.

So.

Is it to continue tilling the soil for an unknown future harvest or settle for someone else's discarded sweet potato peel? It's not an easy decision.

Most people in the "Mechanical Immortality School" have devoted their lives to their ideals, and overturning everything for a change is a heavy decision.

Moreover, no one, not even apprentices, naively believes there's a day to escape after joining the Fog of Order Secret Society.

"Perhaps, as the first step in establishing cooperation, we can open up a portion of the slots, allowing volunteers to try first? Given enough lifespan, we might truly realize the [Intelligent Mechanical Template] in the future, and could return to the wizard's rightful path?"

Someone whispered, and most of the wizards' eyes instantly lit up.