Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 465 The Temptation of Mechanical Ascension

"Soul casting..." Fadun frowned slightly and muttered thoughtfully, "Among the many spellcasting systems, apart from the undead spellcasting school, there is indeed no other school that has conducted in-depth research... After all, it involves the illusory authority of creation."

However, in recent years, the Alchemical Exploration Society has suffered frequent setbacks in its experiments in life alchemy, and has long since secretly shifted the direction of its experiments to the forbidden realm of the soul, attempting to create alchemical creatures with intelligent consciousness... but the progress does not seem to be ideal.

But Dean Arturo, who was standing next to the city lord Harvey, was obviously a complete experimenter who had undergone some kind of taboo experiment and had his human soul transferred into an alchemical body. This was equivalent to telling everyone clearly that the soul realm, which was once regarded as a forbidden area for magic research, was now completely open to spellcasters.

"So... so you actively transferred your soul into this alchemical body?" a clearly elderly mid-level alchemist asked in a trembling voice. "Does this mean that as long as the energy from the Demonic Weave continues to flow... your soul will also possess immortality?"

Everyone present fell silent - although this forbidden experiment was somewhat chilling, it was also a unique way to achieve immortality, which was really exciting.

Arturo had discussed this privately with Harvey before coming here, so he naturally knew what to share and what not to share regarding their faction's secrets. "The soul refining experiment does require the subject to actively accept the transfer... but this does not guarantee true immortality. Everyone... our souls have merely been rehoused in a more durable container. How dare you dream of entering the realm of immortality?"

Many alchemists were shocked when they heard this, and felt ashamed of their unrealistic delusions.

The old alchemist shook his head and said, "No... The [Container] is absolutely vital to an alchemist! Think about it... without needing to eat or rest, unaffected by illness, as long as our soul energy remains constantly replenished... we can engage in countless time-consuming and laborious research experiments without sleep. Isn't this extra time... just an extension of life?"

Harvey looked at the old alchemist with some amusement. He didn't expect to taste the philosophical meaning of "time is life" from his words. However, he did directly point out the obvious advantages of the existence of alchemical life.

Lawrence continued, undeterred, "So you're going to force all spellcasters who join your faction to abandon their flesh and blood bodies and transform into these alchemical mechanical monsters?"

He paused, then shouted to the agitated alchemists present, "Everyone, giving up your flesh and blood bodies is equivalent to giving up your innate talent for spellcasting! There will be no veins within your alchemical body for magic to flow. You will forever lose your magic patterns and will no longer have the opportunity to create your own unique spells and advance to legendary status!"

These words are not alarmist. Alchemical beings that have undergone soul transfer will indeed lose their magic patterns, and lose the many spells that they have painstakingly constructed and analyzed within the magic patterns. Of course, they will no longer have the opportunity to create their own original spells... At most, they can only do what Arturo did, by having Harvey solidify a single-cast spell in their soul core in advance, and activate and release it through their own stored pure magic energy.

Essentially, it was no different from loading a magic gun with bullets, except that Arturo's high-level spell "ammunition capacity" was less than five rounds...

A brand-new spellcasting faction, a research path that has not yet been verified by predecessors... In other words, no one even knows whether this spellcasting path really has the opportunity to be promoted to the legendary level. The unknown is always accompanied by confusion and fear. After hearing Lawrence's sincere exhortation, many people present had cooled down their originally excited and passionate emotions.

The old alchemist shook his head and laughed heartily. "Young people naturally have many concerns. For an old man like me who is about to die, the opportunity to be reborn through this... would be like a godsend!"

As he spoke, he lowered his head, and in full view of everyone, his right eyeball fell into his palm with a gurgle. He pinched the lifelike fake eye and smiled bitterly, "I've been engaged in potion research for many years... My eyes have long been blinded by the poisonous mist that evaporated when I brewed magic plants. Last year, I asked a branch chief to replace my eyes with a pair of crystal magic lizard eyes... Haha, they only lasted less than half a year, and now I can't see clearly again..." His words made many alchemists present sigh. Many research-oriented spellcasters who had also been engaged in experiments for many years also felt the same way. Magic and alchemical experiments are inherently about seeking a trace of rules and order in chaos and disorder. Most of the time, the danger of experiments is not much less than that of the demon battlefield. There are many spellcasters who died on the spot in experimental accidents... Unless the organization behind them has strong resources and can provide them with high-level or even legendary natural healing techniques to reshape their flesh and blood, otherwise they will completely lose the chance to study magic.

The old alchemist slowly walked up to Harvey and Arturo, crossed his arms and bowed in front of his chest - this was the standard etiquette for lower-level alchemists to pay tribute to the Supreme Chief in ancient times.

"Lord City Lord, I wonder if I would be fortunate enough to join the Magic Academy that will be established in Jinhui City?"

The other alchemists came forward and saluted Xavi and Arturo.

"Lord City Lord, I am willing to join the Academy of Sciences and undergo soul transformation experiments. I wonder what the price is?"

"Dean Arturo, are you still accepting disciples? I'm willing to study necromancy and become a necromancer!"

"Dean Arturo, is the Academy considering recruiting fire-casting alchemists? I can start as an apprentice!"

Sirius and Prall stood side by side behind Arturo, looking at the alchemists and spellcasters who had gathered around them, and constantly chatting and communicating with the necromancers who had followed Harvey, without any of the disdain and contempt they had in the past. They couldn't help but look at each other, and saw the suppressed excitement and emotion in each other's eyes.

Arturo walked over to Harvey, leaned over, and whispered to him for a moment. Then he returned to the crowd, reaching out to silence the noisy chatter. "Everyone, everyone... please listen to me. The Golden Glory City Magic Academy is still under construction, and only accepts apprentices. If you truly wish to exchange ideas and study soul spellcasting, why not follow me to the North... At the Spark City Magic Science Research Institute, you might even have a chance to hear the city lord teach in person!"

He paused and continued, "Furthermore, the soul transfer experiment is no simple project. The difficulty involved and the consumption of precious materials make it difficult to fully popularize... It's not something that everyone can do voluntarily. I've just consulted the City Lord. If everyone chooses to join our academy, at least the problem of limb loss can be solved. The soul suturing technology we have mastered is already perfect for performing alchemical prosthetic limb transplants!"

Heading to the North to join the Institute of Magical Science?

Lawrence secretly glanced at the city lord Harvey who was standing aside with a smile and no words, and finally realized the other party's real intention - he was not intending to seize the right to speak between Jinhui City and the Federation branch... He wanted to poach people directly from the Federation!
He looked at the director of affairs, McCaughlin, who was standing beside Harvey, with some doubt. He found that in such a situation, the director had no intention of stepping forward to save the situation. He was even still chatting and laughing with the northern lord...

What a traitor! Lawrence cursed inwardly, preparing to immediately record everything that happened today and send it directly to Alayeh via magic messenger.

At least the Magic Council at headquarters won't sit idly by.

(End of this chapter)