Published at 30th of August 2026 7:48 am

Chapter 3145: Initiator

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"I know what you’re thinking, this long journey mission is not the same as the last Purification Garden recruitment." Portia: "The Purification Garden was indeed beyond the apprentices’ control back then. But this time the long journey mission is optional; whether or not to accept the mission is entirely up to the apprentice."

Angel didn’t follow Portia’s words but instead asked, "This long journey mission is certainly related to the Reincarnation Casket, isn’t it?"

Portia nodded.

Angel: "I once told City Lord Rosen and Dean Muse that the inside of the Reincarnation Casket is extremely dangerous, and even a Legendary Wizard entering could possibly perish. In that case, aren’t they just setting up a trap for the contestants of the New Star Competition by releasing the so-called long journey mission?"

Even Legendary Wizards might perish, so for apprentices, entering is basically facing a situation of inevitable death.

Moreover, the condition of the Reincarnation Casket is very special, and Angel is very convinced that even if the higher-ups of Sky Mechanical City issued a mission to explore it, they would not reveal the true situation of the mission.

Releasing the mission without disclosing the danger level of the Reincarnation Casket—doesn’t that make it highly inappropriate, even though apprentices can choose not to accept the mission?

Withholding information leads to those who accept the mission to die—isn’t that a trap?

Portia was silent for a moment and then suddenly laughed, "Are you sympathizing with them?"

Angel closed his eyes and shook his head, "I don’t have the right to sympathize with anyone, I just feel a bit... empathetic."

After all, the matter of the Purification Garden is still recent—it was just yesterday for Angel.

Portia chuckled, "Little Angel, you’re getting more interesting. Speaking of which, it’s been long since the Research and Development Institute had someone like you. Your blood hasn’t run cold yet; your spirit’s edge is sharp. I really like it."

"No wonder Nail Granny appreciates you so much—you and Lord Ivor do look alike."

"I’m now quite sure that Dean Muse recruiting you into the Research and Development Institute was the right choice."

Angel: "..." Is this shifting the topic?

Portia laughed light-heartedly, "Shifting the topic? No, I was never really interested in this topic to begin with. Since I’m not interested, I haven’t delved deeper into this mission, but as far as my limited knowledge goes, this mission is unlikely to send apprentices to their deaths."

"Just like with Dong Liz. Although I don’t know why she insists on having a hat refined by you, according to Galatea, after receiving your hat, her survival rate increases to ninety percent. Even without your hat, their death rate wouldn’t approach zero."

Angel shook his head, "Survival rate and clearance are two different things."

Like Ivor—how many years has he spent in the cage? Yet he didn’t die either.

But if Angel hadn’t coincidentally entered the Reincarnation Casket and met Ivor in this hourglass spacetime, he might still be struggling in the cage.

With the nature of the Reincarnation Casket, if you don’t clear it, it’s basically not much different from dying.

And clearing it... is very difficult.

After entering the Reincarnation Casket, apart from the physical Bloodline Power, all other mastered powers are temporarily blocked.

Only with physical strength and Bloodline Power, you need to clear twenty reincarnations to have a chance to "pass."

Is an apprentice’s strength capable of achieving this?

Frost is a Legendary Wizard, and with his Legendary Level Bloodline physique, he only managed to grudgingly break through twenty hourglass spaces and escape the reincarnation by sacrificing an arm.

If even Legendary Wizards struggle this much, what of others?

Portia sighed helplessly and fanned her neck with a folded fan, "Forget it, I won’t argue with you. I know some insider information but can’t delve deeper. If you want to know, let Antonio tell you."

After a pause, Portia added, "You should have nothing else left now, right?"

Angel thought for a moment, then shook his head, "For now, no."

Portia stood up, "Then I’ll leave. I still have some experiments to conduct on my side... Want me to call Antonio for you?"

Angel nodded.

"Little Angel, I hope to see your new products next time we meet." Portia swayed her figure as she prepared to leave the Signal Tower.

As Portia opened the Signal Tower’s door, she suddenly remembered something: "Oh, by the way, are you at Bilun Tree Court now?"

Angel nodded.

"Then tell me the specific address, I’ll have my assistant teleport there later and give you the special extraction method."

Angel: "Can’t you give it directly to Qi Li?"

After all, Qi Li is also in Sky Mechanical City. Giving it to me would just be roundabout, wouldn’t it?

Portia covered her face and giggled, "Since you chose the second plan, do you think it’s appropriate for me to directly give it to Qi Li? If I were to come forward, I might as well have chosen the first plan."

"So, I’ll give the special extraction method directly to you—you can pass it to Qi Li in any way you want. Anyway, I must exclude myself."

"Also, my assistant will temporarily stay at Bilun Tree Court. If you want to refine a hat and can’t find any other alchemy assistant, you can ask her for help. Once the hat is refined, give it to her, and she will deliver it to Dong Liz."

Angel nodded, "Your assistant is..."

Portia: "My assistant is named Shariel."

As she spoke, Portia used Illusion Technique to conjure up a phantom image of Shariel. Portia’s Illusion Technique showed obvious stiffness marks, indicating it probably hasn’t been learned for long, and the conjured image had some flaws.

In simple terms, it tries to create a three-dimensional figure, but the end result is as flat as a picture.

Although the effect was unsatisfactory, Angel at least got a look at Shariel’s appearance.

A freckled, chubby, quiet-looking girl. Her most distinctive feature is the blue-yellow sea buckthorn fruits on her head as her hair ornaments, so abundant that they almost cover her black hair.

"Shariel grows the sea buckthorn fruits on her head." Apparently noticing that Angel’s gaze was fixed on the sea buckthorn fruits, Portia casually explained.

"Her sea buckthorn fruits use her hair as branches and her skin and blood as nutrients. They’re quite tasty, sweet and tangy—want to try some?"

Angel:... skin and blood as nutrients? Is that really what it means? Actually using the scalp as an orchard to grow fruit?

Can this fruit really be eaten?

"No, thank you." Angel declined, followed by a somewhat dry feeling, he added, "I don’t really like sea buckthorn fruits."

Portia raised an eyebrow, "Don’t like them? If Shariel knew that the Chaowei Lord she worships doesn’t like sea buckthorn fruits, she’d surely be heartbroken."

Angel kept silent.

Portia covered her mouth with a coy laugh: "I’m joking, she’s not most admired by Lord Chaowei, but by someone else. However, you are her second most admired person, that’s true."

"When Shariel comes to find you, maybe she’ll give you a surprise."

Angel: "A surprise?"

Portia: "You’ll know when she arrives... Well, I have to leave now."

With those words, Portia didn’t linger at the Signal Tower, waved her lace fan, and walked out the door.

...

Not long after Portia left, a gray shadow appeared on the light screen.

The gray shadow was none other than Antonio, the Guardian Divine Spirit of the Research and Development Institute.

Accompanying Antonio was Magic Potion Master Midora.

"Did Portia ask you to help find Magic Pattern?" Midora came in and immediately moved to the light screen, asking Angel across it.

Angel shook his head: "She didn’t mention anything about Magic Pattern."

Didn’t mention it? Midora was stunned, Portia’s recent purchases reveal her research has delved deeply into Transmutation Life, yet she didn’t raise the issue of Magic Pattern with Angel?

Midora continued asking: "Did she mention the Life Alchemy, even coneal a hint?"

Angel still shook his head: "No, she didn’t."

"She didn’t mention that either... That’s strange." Midora furrowed his brow, "Could it be that she already has information on the Magic Pattern? Or perhaps she feels you might not be able to find the Magic Pattern, so she hasn’t brought it up?"

Angel shrugged: "I wouldn’t know about that. However, Portia said she’s recently been trading with Witch Shariel, seemingly wanting to buy some materials from her."

"Regarding Qi Li’s matter, she offered me a condition to craft a tool for Witch Shariel’s student, Dong Liz."

Midora: "Do you find this matter odd?"

Angel nodded: "Witch Shariel’s identity is quite unusual."

Angel hadn’t asked about Witch Shariel and Portia’s transaction before, not because he wasn’t curious, but feared delving into their trade might steer the conversation towards Life Alchemy.

Because—

"Witch Shariel and Dong La, they are both Carabits. Their shared passion is researching transplantation and grafting of biological entities."

Although Witch Shariel is slightly better, not forcibly grafting organs onto others like Dong La, indiscriminately offending others.

But that doesn’t mean Witch Shariel is kind; she is equally cruel, just slightly more restrained than Dong La.

And Witch Shariel’s research direction surely involves the realm of Life Alchemy, so if Portia were to have dealings or transactions with Witch Shariel, it’s likely related to Life Alchemy as well.

That’s why, even though Angel knew, he didn’t inquire, fearing he’d get caught up in the whirlpool.

"Your idea seems correct. Portia indeed might be trading Life Alchemy materials with Witch Shariel..." Midora: "Maybe that’s why her focus is more on Witch Shariel, not you. Hence she hasn’t discussed Magic Pattern with you this time."

"Which is actually a good thing for you."

Midora paused: "We’ll pay attention to Portia’s situation... What about Qi Li’s situation, how does she plan to resolve it? Are you crafting for Dong Liz and then lobbying with Ashiliya Academy’s people?"

Angel shook his head: "No, Portia provided a special Extraction Technique."

Angel briefly recounted his previous conversation with Portia.

"Portia really has a special Extraction Technique?" Midora first showed surprise, then couldn’t help but exclaim: "No wonder she’s a genius... Nail Granny says Portia is the most talented Alchemy Wizard after Lord Ivor, and it seems it’s undoubtedly true."

As Midora spoke, he suddenly looked at Angel: "Of course, you’re an outlier."

Angel: "..."

Midora: "Since you’ve agreed to craft tools for Dong Liz and Portia provides a special Extraction Technique, are you still planning to contact Sterling?"

"Of course, I need to contact." Angel: "The time saved with the special Extraction Technique is limited. If I can combine it with Sterling’s machinery, it will help Qi Li clear the No. 1 raw material library the fastest."

The premise being, Sterling doesn’t demand extravagantly.

"I can assist in contacting Mr. Sterling right now." Antonio spoke: "Shall I proceed with contacting now?"

"Yes, how about Angel contacts now then." Midora chimed in: "And I can help persuade Sterling, ensure he doesn’t dare to overcharge."

Angel thought about it, shook his head and said: "Let’s wait a bit. Before contacting Sterling, I want to ask Antonio a question."

Antonio looked at Angel: "Is it regarding the expedition mission Portia the Witch mentioned earlier?"

Angel nodded, looked seriously at Antonio: "The expedition mission allows New Star contestants to enter the Reincarnation Casket, right? Did you forget, I warned before not to let the Reincarnation Casket’s chaotic rhythm expand? Letting apprentices in won’t do anything besides accelerate this chaos... And with apprentices’ skills, entering the Reincarnation Casket is basically sending them to die."

Midora listened to Angel’s words, seemed like he wanted to say something but after glancing at Antonio, swallowed his words back down.

He knows the truth of the expedition mission, but not entirely. Antonio, being deeply involved with internal and external affairs, knows the most details. If an explanation were needed, it’s better from Antonio.

Antonio: "Mr. Pat’s words are heard by City Lord Rosen and Dean Muse, of course. However, Mr. Pat may have misunderstood, the expedition mission although issued by Sky Tower, the actual initiator wasn’t the two city lords, but the one now stationed in Ancient Asia World... Nail Granny."

Nail Granny?

Angel looked up sharply, surprised, at the phantom shadow on the light screen.

He isn’t very familiar with Dean Muse and City Lord Rosen, but he knows Nail Granny quite well. Plus, Nail Granny even sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation with Angel because of Lord Ivor.

Thus, Angel is keenly aware that Nail Granny is not a senile person.

Nail Granny isn’t a great philanthropist, much like the condition with the Purification Garden, she knows but never intends to stop it.

She might oversee such events coldly, but definitely won’t actively push such harmful things forward.

Thus, Angel never imagined the expedition mission would be proposed by Nail Granny...

Could it be, Nail Granny misses Lord Ivor too much, to the extent of resource-intensive human harm?

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