Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Choice of Destiny

Analyzing and researching materials is a long and tedious task, and it is impossible to achieve results in a short time. However, Gong Hao believed that if one dedicated themselves to a specific area, it was entirely possible to make breakthroughs quickly—especially when such research was a complete blank across the field of alchemy.

He was now devoted to studying the juice of Dragon Beard Grass, used in the production of corrosive potions. This Dragon Beard Grass was something he had cultivated in Area 13. After the escape of the fanged beasts and other magical creatures, Area 13 had suffered the most severe damage. Gong Hao suspected that all the beasts might have wandered through that area—probably to express their gratitude to him.

As a result, Area 13 was devastated, the Dragon Beard Grass was wiped out, and the crucial ingredient for corrosive potions was lost, forcing production to halt. Only a small amount of refined juice remained in the warehouse; once depleted, there would be none left.

Through his research, Gong Hao discovered that Dragon Beard Grass was not chosen as the primary ingredient for corrosive potions because of its effectiveness or compatibility with other materials. Rather, it was the root and stem of the grass itself that could be used to create anti-corrosive membranes.

Gong Hao had known since his days in the library that corrosive potions always had a dual purpose: not only to create a potent corrosive agent but also to produce a protective membrane resistant to corrosion. Otherwise, one could not apply the potion to their weapons—before corroding an enemy's armor, their own weapon would rot away.

Because Dragon Beard Grass provided an excellent material for isolation membranes, it became the ideal main ingredient for corrosive potions. If that was the case, replacing Dragon Beard Grass with other materials wasn't difficult; the challenge lay in finding a suitable isolation membrane.

An anti-corrosive membrane...

Gong Hao recalled that he had once researched acid and alkali resistance for isolation membranes in the laboratory and was thoroughly familiar with the formulas and processing techniques.

Wonderful! Gong Hao nearly shouted in excitement.

If he succeeded, not only could he restore the production of corrosive potions, but he was confident he could further enhance their efficacy.

Despite the rudimentary conditions, Gong Hao immediately set to work.

He followed Lancelot into the jungle each day, searching for substitute materials, and upon his return, he would refine various chemical substances.

Though the Magical Continent differed greatly from the Material Continent in many respects, there were also many similarities. In some ways, they lagged behind material technology, but in others, they were ahead.

Gong Hao made full use of every available means, striving to produce all the necessary materials in his spare time.

Others saw his manic dedication and had no idea what he was tinkering with, but since Heinz had granted him this authority, no one dared question him.

Twenty-six days later, he finally completed his first isolation membrane.

Holding it in his hands, Gong Hao was overwhelmed with emotion.

That very day, Heinz, having heard that Gong Hao had finished a new corrosive potion, personally came to test its effects.

Upon witnessing the impressive results, Heinz’s expression was so astonished it seemed he could swallow a whole goose egg.

“I must say, Grell, you truly are an outstanding genius. You’ve made the corrosive potion even more effective, while reducing the required materials and steps. Considering you’ve worked as an apprentice for barely two months, it’s simply unimaginable,” Heinz resumed his kindly, elderly demeanor.

But Gong Hao would never forget the ferocious look Heinz had given him a month ago when he issued a final ultimatum.

It was as if the old man had two faces: one smiling, offering affirmation when you performed well, the other grim, woven from the blood and skin of countless victims.

“All of this is thanks to your teaching and Lord Andrew’s help,” Gong Hao replied respectfully.

“Andrew? I know he appreciates you. His talent in alchemy is limited, but he’s good at managing subordinates,” the old man nodded, holding the potion. “Then, I look forward to seeing even better results from you, Grell.”

“I’m sorry, Master Heinz, but I fear I can only go this far.”

“Why?”

“Because the Free Spirit is arriving tomorrow. I believe they will bring new apprentices, and I’ll return to my original post.”

Heinz was silent for a moment: “That is truly regrettable, Grell. I admit I don’t want to see you go.”

———————————————

Early the next morning.

The Free Spirit docked.

They brought unfortunate news.

Two days after setting out, the apprentice Chackley had selected for Purgatory Island accidentally fell into the sea. By the time they found him, only his skeleton remained. Chackley told Heinz that finding another excellent apprentice would be extremely difficult, as it had taken him a month just to find this one, only for him to die in a freak accident.

That night.

In Heinz’s laboratory.

“Master, I believe Shuy Grell should remain in the Alchemy Tower. He’s a genius, and can help us solve many problems. In the two months he’s been here, everyone has seen his performance. He’s done better than a true apprentice,” said Andrew.

Pierre objected, “I disagree, Master. Shuy Grell is getting closer to our secrets every day. If this continues, one day he’ll discover everything.”

Andrew sneered, “Pierre, I respect you as a distinguished alchemist, your skill surpasses mine, but clearly you don’t understand management or talent. Shuy Grell is a genius, and we need such a genius.”

Heinz asked, “Andrew, do you truly believe the boy can help us?”

“Yes, Master. Our research on the Troll God has stagnated for years, and His Majesty is dissatisfied. I believe Shuy Grell might bring hope... We need fresh perspectives, and alchemists need vibrant new blood. Look at his achievements: in just two months he’s proven his abilities. No, even when he was a servant playing with plants, he already proved himself. Oh heavens, if it were anyone else, his performance a year ago would have made him an apprentice. He’s worked ten times harder than others, accomplishing what no servant or apprentice could. He’s even improved the formulas!” Andrew exclaimed.

Pierre glared at Andrew, “Andrew, you shouldn’t shout at Master.”

Andrew shrank his neck, “I apologize, Master.”

Heinz waved his hand, unconcerned, “So, your suggestion is...”

“Open the lower four floors of the Alchemy Tower, allow him free access and study,” Andrew said.

Pierre cried, “We’re discussing whether he should stay, and you want to give him even more authority?”

“We can remove all materials about flesh golems, undead golems, and spirit golems, move all production to the valley, and let him handle the rest. Perhaps he can create flesh golems without live subjects?”

“If that’s the case, we’ll need to give him that item...” Heinz hesitated.

Pierre shouted, “Absolutely not! Shuy Grell is only a servant!”

“We can copy the materials on flesh and undead golems for him. If he can reproduce Electra’s technique and create true flesh golems, perhaps we can consider involving him in research on the Troll God, even rune engraving, spatial rings, teleportation arrays, and so on.”

“My God, Andrew, are you insane? You’re grooming your most powerful future enemy—perhaps even the empire’s greatest threat. I can’t imagine what he’ll do if he learns about the spirit seed in his body.”

“Pierre, you’re always so alarmist. If it comes to that, we can kill him immediately. Don’t forget, because he carries the spirit seed, his life is in our hands; he has no power to resist. I only hope to maximize his potential before he discovers the truth and decides to betray us.”

Heinz halted the quarrel between his two disciples, saying, “Let Chackley continue searching for a new apprentice for now.”

Andrew was quite discouraged that his suggestion wasn’t accepted.

A month later, when the Free Spirit docked again, Chackley wore an expression of helplessness.

He told Andrew that the second apprentice he’d painstakingly found died en route from illness.

——————————————————

“Master Heinz, you wanted to see me?”

Gong Hao called respectfully at the door.

Heinz looked at Gong Hao with amusement, “I must say, you’re very lucky, young man.”

“Yes, Master, meeting you and following you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Heinz shook his head and beckoned Gong Hao to sit beside him.

Then, gazing at Gong Hao, he said, “This month you improved the formulas for two more potions. In just three months, you’ve contributed more than most apprentices ever manage. Tell me, how did you achieve this?”

“Hard work, Master Heinz. Lord Lancelot taught me that no talent is more important than diligence. I believe this applies even in alchemy, of course, with a touch of luck and guidance from wise mentors.”

“Well said. You make me feel ashamed, as I’ve hardly taught you anything.” Heinz stood up. “I heard you asked Andrew to make some interesting tools and used them to accomplish these feats—is that so?”

“Yes, Master. They’re folk methods, clever tricks. If you’re interested, I can show you.”

“No need. I won’t be interested; they mean nothing to me.”

Gong Hao glanced at Heinz in confusion, and Heinz continued, “I think it’s time I taught you something, Grell. Do you know the true meaning of an alchemist’s existence?”

Gong Hao shook his head.

“Of course you don’t, because you’ve never realized you’re already a magical apprentice, have you?”

“A magical apprentice?” Gong Hao was surprised.

When had he become a magical apprentice? It seemed a joke.

Even when Ivo tossed him the mage’s meditation manual, he hadn’t truly practiced it. For him, the priority was to achieve results at work. But now, Heinz was telling him he was already a magical apprentice.

“Yes, a magical apprentice—you just never realized it. You saw yourself as a craftsman. Shuy Grell, alchemists are not architects, not craftsmen, not any ordinary profession. They are noble, grand, mysterious like magicians. In fact, they are magic. So, an alchemist does not use ordinary power but magical power. Your methods suit the common folk, not the magical world. You might achieve remarkable results in potions through clever tricks, but you may reach your limits this way. Alchemy is vast; almost every aspect requires magical power. And you cannot bottle magic for research.”

“Whether it’s potion making, weapon enchantment, golem crafting, or creating spatial rings and advanced items, magic is indispensable. Alchemists may not wield magic as freely as magicians, but our goals are the same. We use different means to achieve what magicians desire. Think: an earth mage can summon sandstorms, cause land to yield only weeds, but cannot conjure waves like water mages; water mages cannot control fire as fire mages do. We alchemists cannot summon such powers at will, but through our crafted items, we achieve our purpose. Anything magicians can do, alchemists can do, though by different means and with different effects. That is the greatest distinction between alchemist and magician. Why do we make potions? Because alchemists crave healing powers like Light Priests, but also delight in the dreadful curses of curse mages. They wield spells, and we use potions for the same ends.”

“So what alchemists pursue is magical power, not just effective tools. Rather than inventing a lens to replace micro-sight, I’d rather discover a way to possess or use micro-sight itself. That is the difference, and the true meaning of an alchemist’s existence. If you cannot make magic your goal, you will never reach the pinnacle of alchemy—at best, you’ll be a decent craftsman.”

Gong Hao listened, sweating. He had never imagined the true meaning of an alchemist lay in this. Clearly, many of his previous ideas about alchemy were mistaken. What Heinz was telling him now was exactly what Gong Hao had overlooked.

He just didn’t understand why the old man was suddenly willing to teach him this today.

He doubted Heinz was having a rare moment of benevolence.

He suddenly remembered the words Heinz had spoken as he entered: “You’re very lucky.”

He understood.

All his efforts, all his risks, had finally borne fruit and were returning to him.

Sure enough, Heinz said, “Of course, I am very pleased with your achievements in potion-making. You are a clever child, always finding unique solutions to problems. That is precisely what we lack. Chackley brought apprentices twice, but both died. These past three months, you’ve been filling in for Neil, and I believe you are now fully qualified for the apprentice’s role. So I’ve told Chackley not to bother searching for new apprentices. From today, you are officially one of the Alchemy Tower’s apprentices. The lower four floors will be open to you. You may study anything you wish. If you have questions, come ask me any time. I hope you continue to display your genius. Perhaps soon, you’ll be my capable assistant.”

The long-awaited words finally echoed in Gong Hao’s ears.

At that moment, he let out a deep breath and said respectfully, “Thank you very much, Master Heinz.”

“Thank fate. Consider the deaths of those two new apprentices, and Neil’s death—perhaps this is fate’s choice. Fate has destined you to remain here.”

Is it fate? Gong Hao smiled slightly.

Well then, if fate has destined you murderers for hell, would you accept it too?

He walked out of the Alchemy Tower, feeling light as air.