Mechanical Alchemist

In the treehouse, Su Lun sat shirtless on a woven bamboo mat.

Wolf Granny was next to him, preparing the materials for the totem drawing. She went up to the loft and rummaged around, gathering demon beast blood essence, Crystal Cores, minerals, and herbs—dozens of ingredients in total, which she crushed together in a trough.

Soon, she had created a blackish paste.

The Deer Clan Leader used a wooden spike to draw the totem on Su Lun's body.

As he drew, he chanted spells, and a gentle glow, similar to fireflies, began to envelop him. He harnessed a natural force far greater than his own strength.

Su Lun saw that the source of this power seemed more like...it came from the Divine Tree.

The drawing process was complicated, and even Su Lun, who was proficient in rune drawing as an Alchemy Magician, found it baffling.

While drawing, the Deer Clan Leader said, "This totem can only contain laws of not very high levels. But as long as divine whispers don't frequently occur, under normal circumstances, it could keep you safe for three to five years. After that, you can come back to the sacred land, and I will draw a new totem for you."

"Hmm."

Su Lun nodded in agreement.

The totem was somewhat like an external attachment device for him to manage the flow of rivers. Once filled, it would need to be replaced.

Without using the ability of "Death's Phantom", it could probably last three to five years.

However, Su Lun naturally still wanted to use his second-stage talents.

He then asked, "If it's a higher grade totem, could it permanently solve this problem?"

"Yes."

The Deer Clan Leader provided a definite answer, adding, "If it's a Great Druid of the seventh rank or higher, they can create a permanent totem with 'spirituality'. Then, you wouldn't need to change the totem at all. Instead, you could cultivate the 'spirit' within the totem. The spiritual power within the totem could then assist you whenever you need it. For example, if you need a surge of spiritual power to break through a bottleneck when advancing to a higher rank, it would be an excellent aid..."

Wolf Granny, who was standing by, seemed to think of something and sighed slightly, interjecting, "If the clan's Holy Artifact, 'Fal's Holy Grail', were still here, solving this problem wouldn't be so troublesome. But alas, the Holy Artifact is also lost now."

"Holy Grail?"

Upon hearing this, Su Lun showed a thoughtful expression.

Although the Holy Artifact was lost, having another method to completely solve the problem was also good news.

He quickly thought, and there was a spearhead in front of him, the [Mubrionak Spearhead]. He could ask Katiusha later where she found this item, as there might be related clues.

Moreover, if that great battle took place near the ruins of Cursed Valley, maybe the cursed space might provide clues about the other Holy Artifacts of the Dalu clan.

At that moment, the Deer Clan Leader, seeing Su Lun frowning in deep thought, assumed he was worried about the spiritual imbalance problem. He smiled, shook his head, and shared a different perspective, "In fact, to us Druids, spiritual power distortion isn't entirely bad. Young friend Su Lun, you don't need to totally abandon those things. Even deities possess greed, jealousy, anger...and other negative emotions. All things in existence, they are part of nature. Without 'darkness', there would be no 'light'. Similarly, people can't completely rid themselves of emotions beyond rational ones..."

Pausing briefly, he continued, "Thus, spiritual distortions have their negatives, but also their positives. If used well, it is a powerful force that can rapidly enhance your strength. Strong negative spiritual energy means, correspondingly, your inherent beneficial spiritual energy is strong. Of course, the premise is your willpower prevents you from becoming completely enslaved by emotions..."

"..."

Listening to the Deer Clan Leader's words, Su Lun pondered thoughtfully, nodding occasionally in approval.

The spiritual distortion indeed caused his spiritual power to surge at a much faster rate than harvesting and meditation could achieve.

If it did not threaten his life, it truly was a shortcut in cultivation.

...

It took about half a day to finally complete the totem.

The totem drawn on Su Lun, called [Eclipse], looked simple; it resembled a sun outlined in black lines. The center was empty, surrounded by spreading coarse black lines.

Su Lun felt the pattern looked somewhat familiar.

His physique was also very lean now, with highly defined muscles that were knotted in blocks. The black sun pattern tattooed onto his body resembled the ultimate boss "Orochi" from the past life arcade game King of Fighters, exuding an aura of heroic fierceness.

With the complete totem tattooed onto his body, he distinctly felt it contained a high level of "natural force," which absorbed the uncontrollable spiritual power.

This was far more effective than the "Clown Mask" he had made himself.

Internally, Su Lun estimated that using "Death's Illusion" a few times would likely be sustainable.

This trip to the Dalu tribal sacred land was not in vain after all, as this was the best solution he knew of to address mental distortions.

Upon finishing the totem tattoo, Su Lun didn't plan to stay in the wooden hut any longer. He put on his shirt and sincerely thanked them, "Elders, thank you so much for solving a big problem for me."

Hearing this, the two old men both showed kind smiles.

Deer Tribe Chief said, "Su Lun, my young friend, you are too polite. Compared to the hope you have brought to our Dalu tribe, this little favor I did seems quite trivial."

Su Lun responded with a polite smile.

After a pause, Deer Tribe Chief thought of something and added a piece of advice, "Also, my young friend Su Lun, you should pay more attention to this. It's normal for people to experience emotions and desires, you shouldn't always suppress them. A bit of relaxation will make your situation better..."

"Okay."

Su Lun nodded.

Seeing that they were about to leave, Yuta also said with a smile, "Chief, Wolf Granny, we'll be heading out now~" Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

Wolf Granny, who had already noticed the wolf claw amulet hanging around Su Lun's neck, held a meaningful smile on her face, "Hmm. Yuta, you take Mr. Su Lun for a stroll around the sacred land first. The tribe will have a banquet later."

Yuta obediently responded, "Hmm."

With that, she led Su Lun out of the wooden hut.

The two elders from the Dalu tribe watched the young duo's retreating figures, their kind smiles growing warmer.

....

The path from the Divine Tree to the Rainbow River village crossed through a dense forest.

They didn't walk fast.

Once out, Yuta's steps became noticeably more joyful.

Before this, the survival of the tribe hung like a dark cloud over everyone's head, with every member of the Dalu tribe tense.

Most critically, there was no sign of improvement in sight.

But now that "the one who follows the vows" had arrived, it seemed like everything was getting better.

Thinking about it, Yuta's face filled with a radiant smile.

After they had walked a bit further, she sneaked a glance back at the wooden hut, as if breathing a sigh of relief.

Su Lun, seeing her like this, teased her, "Wolf Granny seems quite kind, why are you so afraid of her?"

Yuta patted her chest and said, "Mr. Su Lun, you don't understand... Wolf Granny is actually very strict! As a kid, if my friends and I couldn't remember the effects of the herbs, we would always get spanked; if we fell asleep during prayers, our ears would be pinched and scolded; if we scraped our legs jumping off waterfalls, despite the pain, we would still get scolded..."

She tilted her head, recounting her childhood embarrassments, her eyes full of happy smiles.

Listening to her continuous chatter, Su Lun envisioned a scene: a strict teacher, instructing a group of mischievous wolf cubs, tiger cubs, deer cubs...

He too, slightly curved his lips upward.

"I've never seen so much laughter on her face before today."

Pausing a moment, Yuta then looked at Su Lun with a curious face, her eyes full of wonder, "I didn't expect Mr. Su Lun to be a disciple of Mr. Isaac too. No wonder you are so formidable..."

Su Lun looked at her pretty face and chuckled.

There was only a hard mud path in the forest, and the two of them followed it further in.

It was like the early summer sun filtering through the gaps in the treetops, warming their bodies.

The green grass beside the path was lush, dotted with small white flowers. Above them, amidst the green leaves, hung heavy fruits, orange-red, yellow, purple... and some that were slightly unripe.

In the forest, a couple of deer leisurely grazed on the grass, glancing at the two intruders before returning to their munching.

Everything here was so peaceful and comfortable.

Su Lun strolled through the forest, momentarily mesmerized.

....

Unknowingly, the two of them walked back into the village.

Probably because they knew Su Lun's identity, the people of the Dalu tribe seemed very enthusiastic.

As he walked by, people nodded at him one after another.

But everyone was very quiet as if they were listening to something.

Su Lun followed everyone's gaze and saw a girl in a red cloak standing in front of the huge black stele, engrossed in the poetry inscribed upon it.

Su Lun's interest in this noble young lady, whom he had met three times, grew.

Her presence always felt shrouded in mystery. He wanted to probe her background and casually ask where she had found that holy artifact.

This whip-toting girl seemed completely captivated.

Her serious little face occasionally furrowed in concentration or paused in thought, as if utterly fascinated by the poetry on the stele.

Su Lun watched without hurrying to greet her, his gaze slightly intensifying.

Because right then, he saw a visible special aura enveloping Katusha. It resembled an elemental barrier, yet it wasn't any of the elements of earth, wind, water, or fire, but rather seemed to rhyme with the laws of nature.

Red cloak, stele, primitive village...

She stood there, as if integrated into this beautiful painting.

The heavens and the earth resonated with her.

Anyone looking would feel as if she truly belonged there.

Yuta tugged at Su Lun's arm and gently shook her head, whispering, "Don't disturb her; she's roaming within the poetry."

As she spoke, her eyes also showed a complex expression, "The elders in our tribe say that only those who truly understand the poems on the steles can immerse themselves in the stories of the poems. This lady has a profound understanding of poetry…"

Su Lun listened thoughtfully and also stood there quietly.

Although he did not understand poetry, he knew it was like laws.

Only those who truly understand can comprehend its subtleties.

At that moment, a faint yet clear recitation sounded next to his ear.

It was a poem.

"How could I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

...

When you lengthen time itself within the immortal poetry.

As long as there are humans for one day, or people have eyes,

This poem shall grow and bestow life upon you."

The voice was rich and melodious, lingering in the air.

She recited a poem as if singing a song, more so as if narrating a story.

Katyusha stood in front of the stele, having finished the entire poem, she then sighed deeply, "This poem is truly beautiful!"

It was only then that she seemed to emerge from that wondrous state.

She noticed Su Lun and another behind her.

Katyusha looked back, immediately showing a delighted expression, "Nicholas sir..."

Just as she began to speak, her eyes twinkled with cunning, fluttering her eyelashes, "Should I address you as 'Mr. Nicholas', or 'Mr. Su Lun'?"

"Whichever is fine,"

Su Lun didn't feel embarrassed, and responded casually.

In noble etiquette, it is rude to use a pseudonym with a lady.

But Su Lun didn't mind, he felt he was just an ordinary person, unable to blend into that so-called high society.

Plus, he also felt that "Katyusha" was probably a pseudonym as well.

At least, among the top nobility memories he had stripped away, like dukes and marquises, there was no lady named that.

And this lady, who could casually produce a Holy Artifact, surely was not some minor noble.

As neither were telling the truth, it wasn't awkward.

Katyusha, extremely astute, seemed to perceive what Su Lun was thinking and spoke softly, "I didn't mention a false name, you know~ My family indeed calls me 'Katyusha'."

Looking at her teasing demeanor, it was as if she was saying: you're deceiving a young lady, tsk tsk~

On hearing this, Su Lun felt slightly embarrassed and changed the subject, "I just heard you reciting the poem, it sounded very pleasant. You are quite a talented poet."

He was also testing her, despite claiming to be an "apprentice astrologer", her prowess in poetry seemed astonishingly high.

Katyusha, while seeming indifferent to the compliments, modestly said, "I'm not that impressive."

She pointed towards the stele behind her, her face suddenly revealing a fan-like fervor, "The predecessors from Clan Dalu who wrote these poems are the truly incredible ones! These poems record the most wonderful stories in the world, they are the poems with real souls~"

Su Lun nodded in acknowledgment.

He glanced at the stele, but regrettably he could not read the Dalu script.

Even if he could read, this man who followed the "Death Rules" was rough and only understood fighting and killing. He couldn't appreciate the intricacies encrypted in the poetry, nor the romantic sentiments.

At that moment, Su Lun noticed Katyusha's curious gaze falling on Yuta standing next to him, and then he remembered to introduce, "This is Elder Yuta, from the White Wolf Clan's Druids."

Katyusha politely and sweetly greeted, "Hello Sister Yuta, my name is Katyusha, it's very nice to meet you."

Although upon first seeing Katyusha, Yuta felt a strange sensation, as if fate would heavily intertwine their paths in the future.

But having returned the Holy Artifact and saved her tribespeople, the "warrior" couldn't evoke any suspicion in her heart.

She also courteously responded, "Miss Katyusha, hello."