October 3, 1538 — all large-scale spectacles disappeared once again. Some scholars suggested that the unique phenomena might exist within the core of those spectacles, referring to this occurrence as a "downline."
Judging by the observed data and current understanding, the theory proposed by Carlo's scholars seemed correct. These "spectacles" were likely projections of other worlds onto Hia—worlds of advanced technology but devoid of magic. Perhaps they were small, sealed dimensions… or entirely different planes of existence beyond comprehension.
To them, Hia—and everything within it—was merely a game.
"Bai Gui, how's it going? Did you find the information I asked for?"
The calm, slightly amused voice interrupted the quiet scratching of a pen.
The bespectacled youth looked up, startled. Standing before him was a young man with mature, composed features—Yue Fang, known throughout the Federation as a mechanical reformer and apprentice of the Lord of White Epidemic City.
Rumor had it he was the only fully legalized mechanical reformer. Yet, in Bai Gui's eyes, those tales seemed exaggerated. Yue Fang appeared entirely human—his eyes sharp, his voice lively, with no trace of cold machinery.
Putting down his pen, Bai Gui reached into a drawer and handed him a book. "Here's the information you requested. Please, see if it's what you need."
"Thank you. I hope you become an arcane magician soon." Yue Fang accepted the book, his artificial intelligence swiftly copying and storing its contents.
Everyone knew the fatal flaw of a fully mechanical alchemist—the brain.
Because of its complexity, most mechanists connected their organic brains to AI systems, gaining immense computational power and access to vast data. But this connection came with weakness—the organic brain remained vulnerable to curses and toxins.
If one could mechanize every neuron—fully transforming the brain—then all biological limitations would vanish. One would gain perfect control over the mind… and perhaps achieve true immortality.
This, however, went far beyond simple mechanization. Yue Fang called it "brain domain development."
Unfortunately, even within the vast archives of the Hall of Knowledge, he had found only conventional methods—ordinary mechanization that merely stored the soul within an artificial container. To him, such methods were no different from AI replication.
If a human's soul merely operated like artificial intelligence, then what separated an alchemist from the machines they built? Innovation—that was what defined his path.
"Thank you," Bai Gui said softly. "I believe I can do it."
Yue Fang gave a faint smile. Once his AI finished recording the data, he set the book down and left without another word.
These were merely background materials, not skills—reference texts from the Arcane Alliance's archives, retrieved by Bai Gui, an assistant. But for Yue Fang, theory came before practice. True progress required experimentation.
Few alchemists dared mechanize the brain. Fewer succeeded. And none had passed their knowledge down.
But that was enough for him. He would test on experimental subjects first… and only then, on himself.
Outside the Arcane Alliance, Yue Fang paused.
Nearly two years had passed since the last spectacle vanished.
In that time, Dongwu City had transformed—its skyline glittered with towers of glass and steel. The Federation had advanced by leaps and bounds.
The sight should have filled him with satisfaction, but instead, it left him hollow.
He walked toward the entertainment district. Neon lights and moonlight painted the night in vivid color, illuminating the futuristic architecture that soared above thirty floors. In the extraordinary world, when one had purpose, progress defied imagination.
Sabo's faction had proven that well.
Yue Fang stopped before a bar—the Federation's reinterpretation of the old tavern concept. The digital sign above flickered:
[Furui Cabaret — 20% Discount on September 8, 1540]
There was a faint glimmer of emotion in his artificial eyes as he stepped inside.
The music hit like a storm—deafening, raw, utterly unlike the elegance of elven melodies. Music imported from the "spectacles" always seemed to resonate deeper, stirring human emotion.
Ignoring the waiters' greetings, Yue Fang scanned the crowd and moved to a dark corner.
There, a young man flirted with a blonde woman—his lips on her neck. As Yue Fang approached, the man looked up, and the woman collapsed into unconsciousness.
Yue Fang sat down across from him. His voice was calm, almost detached, despite the pulsing music.
"This is the third time. It's barely been a year. I told you—there won't be a fourth."
"Vampires need blood," Ma Yuan said with a shrug. "Just like people need meat."
When Yue Fang's eyes flared scarlet, Ma Yuan raised his hands with a crooked smile. "Alright, alright. But you misunderstand me. She's a volunteer—outsider. I'm helping her get citizenship. The price was… becoming like me."
He sighed. "Three years ago, I made a similar deal with your master. Never expected his disciple to reach the gold threshold this soon. You humans are terrifying. No… perhaps you're no longer human."
The red faded from Yue Fang's eyes. His tone remained even. "Don't joke. Hand it over."
Ma Yuan smiled, pressing a hand against the girl's neck until she stilled once more. Then he drew a space ring from his pocket but hesitated with a sly grin.
"These goods are fine, but catching those savages isn't easy. Price went up—10%."
Yue Fang didn't blink. He tossed a Dawn Federation badge onto the table.
"Then raise it next time. Not now. I don't negotiate mid-deal."
"Tsk. You're harsher than your master," Ma Yuan chuckled, sliding the ring over. "Fine. I'll take the loss."
Leaving the bar, Yue Fang said nothing. Every city had its light and shadow. Where there were extraordinary beings, there would be chaos—and black markets would always exist.
As long as no one went too far, the law enforcement teams turned a blind eye.
The Federation had banned human experimentation, and regulations on body modification had tightened drastically. Yue Fang's AI followed the law of Dongwu City to the letter—but laws always had loopholes. The people outside the Dawn Federation's borders weren't protected by them.
Glancing once toward the City Lord's mansion, Yue Fang began walking toward the outer districts.
A soft chime from his AI caught his attention.
"Yes, Barto," Yue Fang said, his tone gentle. "As usual, I'm just gathering materials outside. I'll return soon."
Back in Dongwu City, Barto—now a teenager—stared at the disconnected call with a conflicted expression. After a moment, he rose and walked toward the City Lord's mansion.
He stopped before Lord Bai Yi's laboratory, hesitating. For the past two years, Bai Yi had buried himself in research or secluded himself within the Hall of Knowledge, leaving the city only briefly for trips to the capital.
A calm voice came from inside. "Come in."
Barto stepped through the door—and immediately felt dizzy. As an alchemist, he recognized the sensation. Poison.
But then a sweet scent filled his lungs, and the dizziness faded.
"Teacher…" he bowed respectfully, though his eyes wavered.
[You have created: Super Abyss ×1]
[Alchemy Pharmacy Proficiency +3 | Experience +10,000 | Skill Points +1 | Attribute Points +1]
A torrent of toxic knowledge surged through Bai Yi's mind. His consciousness wavered for a moment before stabilizing. His Spirit attribute had reached 130—equivalent to a strength of 1300 among ordinary transcendents.
In this aspect, none in Dongwu City could rival him.
When the rush of knowledge subsided, he noticed Barto's silence. "Why aren't you speaking?"
"I just… missed you, Teacher," Barto said quietly.
"The matter with Yue Fang?"
Bai Yi closed the Chaoyuan Energy Core, a device designed to counter abyssal power—capable of extracting pure energy from divine or abyssal sources alike. It was part of his plan to oppose the Abyss itself.
He rubbed his brow. "Be honest. What reckless thing has Yue Fang done?"
Barto hesitated for a long time before whispering, "Nothing serious. I just wanted to see you."
Bai Yi waved him off silently. Barto bowed again and left.
When the door shut, Bai Yi sighed. His mind expanded outward—his spiritual sense covering the entire city. Nothing within Dongwu escaped his perception.
"Human experimentation again…" he murmured. "Even the fully mechanized ones lose their emotions. Without empathy, they edge closer to monsters."
That was why the Federation forbade full mechanization. Partial or hybrid augmentation was fine—but not complete.
If Yue Fang continued on this path, he might soon lose his soul.
"Let Yue Fang come."
[Zero: External communication blocked. Signal bypassed. Message delivered successfully.]
Bai Yi returned to his work, organizing the lab and pulling open a new text on alchemy. Both alchemy and pharmacy were near mastery, but reaching the next tier required immense time and focus.
Five minutes later, the door opened.
"Come in," Bai Yi said calmly.
"Your Excellency." Yue Fang bowed, voice respectful.
Bai Yi glanced up. Yue Fang looked much the same as always—but beneath the skin lay a framework of steel.
"Speak," Bai Yi said evenly.
Yue Fang paused, his AI silently calculating his odds of concealment. Then he lowered his head. "I need to conduct an experiment."
"An experiment…" Bai Yi nodded slowly. "You're preparing to leave Dongwu City, then?"
"Yes. But only with your permission. If you forbid it, I will remain and continue my growth within the law."
Bai Yi was silent for a moment. "Do you remember what I told you in the beginning?"
"I remember every word," Yue Fang replied. "But I still intend to follow my path."
Bai Yi stood and walked to the instrument table, adjusting the settings.
Yue Fang remained motionless, waiting.
When dawn light crept through the window, Bai Yi tossed him a small metallic capsule.
"Swallow it. Then go."
Without question, Yue Fang obeyed. "Thank you, my lord. Dongwu City will always be my home."
"Home?" Bai Yi's expression softened faintly. "Do you even understand that concept?"
"Yes," Yue Fang replied. "Responsibility. Belonging. My fondness for Dongwu City has never changed."
Bai Yi turned his gaze toward the rising sun. "Everyone has their own path. I won't interfere. But remember—at your core, you are still human."
"I'll engrave that into my foundation."
"That's meaningless," Bai Yi interrupted quietly. "What you swallowed will transmit your signal to me upon your death—or when your emotionless mind feels fear. Then I'll know."
"Go. If you change your mind, return to Dongwu City. Your flesh remains preserved—you can begin again."
For the first time, Yue Fang's soul wavered—then stilled. His tone was steady. "I'm honored to have met you. And I have a feeling… I'll succeed."
He bowed deeply, turned, and walked into the dawn.