Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

“Chicken, you don’t really believe that a magic book can save that woman, do you?” Dalian said dismissively.

"what?"

Do you know the story of the Bamboo Cutter?

"I do know that; it's a fairy tale that's been passed down in Japan."

"Yes, it is an ancient legend created a thousand years ago by an unknown author. In the story, Princess Kaguya, who was proposed to by five noblemen, asked each of them to bring back a treasure she loved as a condition for her marriage."

Hearing Dallian's words, Hugh couldn't help but whistle.

"It feels very similar to the task Viola assigned to them."

“Thousands of years ago, men were already being manipulated by women, and yet there are still those who don’t learn from that lesson today.”

"Then... I guess none of the five noble disciples in the story obtained the treasure."

"Yes, in the end, Princess Kaguya rejected all marriage proposals and was taken away by the messengers of the Moon Palace. Even the army sent by the emperor was powerless to save her and could not keep her in the end."

When Dalian recounted this story, it was as if she had experienced it firsthand.

“But, Hugh, if the treasures that Princess Kaguya sought were meant to deal with the envoys sent by the Moon Palace, and the noble children found them instead, would the situation be different?”

“How could this be…” Aruman exclaimed in horror, “In other words, finding only the Book of the Salamander’s Mark is not enough; there are four more.”

"Don't think you're the only one who found it."

A sudden voice rang out behind Aruman.

Looking up, she saw a gentleman in an elegant suit. There were also three others. They were people who, like Aruman, had proposed to Viola.

In their hands, each held either a book or a stone tablet.

"Lord Moschino...and the others as well..."

“We heard everything you just said. Hmph, Mr. Jeremiah. You seem to think you're the only one who successfully found the Book of Illusions, don't you? As you can see, we also completed Viola's request beautifully.”

The leader, Lord Moschino, boasted, and the other three nodded in agreement.

"In this way, our conditions are equal."

"Yes, we can compete slowly after we drive that evil count away."

Isaac looked at the books in their hands and felt something was off.

"Didn't you say these were all 'lost phantom books'? Why do they seem so common now?"

Dalian scoffed: "Those idiots who are blinded by beauty and have too much money to spare are the best prey for swindlers. And they probably know these are fake, which is why they brought so many guards."

"It really is just like the plot of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter."

In that story, five noblemen also tried to deceive people with counterfeit goods, only to be exposed.

"But you, aren't you going to duel with that count?" Dalian smiled at Isaac.

That's right.

"It's not impossible for me to lend you a magic book to save your life, as long as you kneel on the ground and sincerely repent for your disrespectful behavior towards me. I might even be merciful and lend you one."

"You little rascal, you're being cheeky, aren't you?"

Without hesitation, Isaac grabbed Dallian by the back of her collar and lifted her up like a hamster.

"What...what are you doing?! You rude scoundrel! Let me go!"

"Hugh, keep an eye on her. If a fight breaks out, stay far away." Isaac casually shoved Dalian into Hugh's arms.

"I understand. Be careful yourself." Hugh nodded. "If things get complicated, I'll request to open the bookshelf to help you."

Dalian: "I won't! I won't give you the right to open the bookshelf! I absolutely will not help this damn alchemist!!"

Amid the commotion, the main character in this incident has come forward.

A beautiful woman was seen walking down the stairs.

Her blonde hair and smooth, fair skin seemed to instantly illuminate the somewhat gloomy hall with her appearance.

Her appearance caused all the men present, except for Hugh and Isaac, to hold their breath.

"Everyone... I am very grateful that you have gathered here for me."

What surfaced in her eyes, however, was an indescribable, profound despair.

A tear slid down her cheek.

"Everyone... run away quickly!"

"Don't worry, Viola!"

The engaged couples went up the stairs and took out the 'illusion books' they had obtained.

"With the Phantom Book, we can fight that kidnapper."

"you……"

"Do you think that by obtaining five illusion books you can fight against me?"

"!"

A deep voice echoed in the air.

Like a black figure suddenly appearing from the void, an old man in an evening gown stood silently in the sky, looking down at the crowd below.

Chapter 994: Magician vs. Alchemist

"who!?"

The elderly man in formal attire who appeared out of nowhere above the hall caused everyone present to gasp in surprise.

The old man leaned on a slender cane. His teeth gleamed as he grinned, the outline of his monocle gleaming. To stand upright in mid-air without any support was a strength no normal human being should possess.

"Hehehe, that's fantastic! It's really fantastic, Viola. Your growth is absolutely amazing!"

As the old man spoke, he slowly floated toward the frightened Viola.

"Halt! Who are you?"

People in the hall raised their guns and pointed them at the old man in the air.

"Get out of here, you lowly scum, you are no longer of any use!"

"What did you say!?"

The old man completely ignored those people, not even glancing at them.

The angry guest immediately pulled the trigger, and the gunshot was deafening, shattering the skylight glass above the stairs.

The bullet struck the old man squarely in the chest of his robe. But he made no attempt to dodge. Then, he pointed the tip of his cane at the guest who had intended to shoot him, and began to chant something softly.

"Uh!!!"

"Waaah—"

The next instant, with a bloodcurdling scream, the guest who had fired the gun fell backward to the ground. He writhed in agony on the ground, and soon his rapidly swelling body burst open as silvery liquid gushed out.

He died on the spot without a doubt.

"What...what on earth is going on!?"

"what happened?"

"Hey! What exactly did you do to them!?"

The surviving guests anxiously questioned the old man, but he didn't even glance at them, instead floating to Viola, who was sitting on the ground.

"Have you forgotten my power? Do you think you can defy me with these mortals? Stop your futile resistance and come back obediently, Viola... my daughter."

"...Father."

……

Below, Hugh was squatting on the ground, examining the condition of the corpses.

"It actually turned the blood into boiling mercury..."

“I don’t think this is boiling mercury,” Isaac said. “Mercury, also known as mercury, has a boiling point of 357 degrees Celsius. It would have carbonized long ago upon contact with the human body, but the body was still intact.”

"Huh?"

"This is more like a smokescreen."

Isaac gently touched the 'corpse's' head.

"He's still breathing; he must be faking his death."

"This……"

“If this is all the skill someone has to offer me to challenge me to a duel, I’ll be very disappointed,” Isaac laughed.

……

"Come on, Viola. The experiment is over. To be able to manipulate so many men is truly beyond my expectations. Come on, let me examine your body properly..."

"No, I don't want it!"

Viola's eyes were already wet with fear, but she still shook her head desperately.

Some people, wanting to protect the immobile Viola, slowly moved closer to the old man; these were guards specially prepared by some guests to deal with this situation.

But the old man just sneered and raised his cane.

"You think you can stop me? With your abilities? Looks like I'll have to take her back by force."

The old man casually swung his cane into the air.

A ball of silver liquid began to condense in the air, and the silver-winged monster seen a few days ago flew out, heading towards the people who were surrounding them like an arrow.

Swish!

In the blink of an eye, large and small cuts appeared on these people's bodies, and blood flowed from the wounds.

"My children, destroy those who stand in your way."

The silver-winged monster darted wildly through the crowd, and almost all the guards who surrounded it fell into pools of blood.

Although the guards fought desperately, the power of the familiars was overwhelming. They were either torn apart by wings or ripped to pieces by claws. And those who remained had long since lost the will to fight.

Just as the guards dropped their weapons and began to flee, the other guests in the hall could no longer contain themselves and surged toward the door like a tide.