"Keep up the good work."
Roy didn't intervene much, simply giving a few words of encouragement to his former teammates before finding a small mound nearby to rest temporarily.
Sleep was out of the question. The entrance here had limited opening hours, and if it weren't for the need to exchange information and conserve energy, he would have preferred to explore non-stop, 24/7.
Moreover, with so many people around, many with ulterior motives, it would be unwise to let his guard down and risk being attacked.
After waiting until late at night, the artificial moon of Chalkland—a massive celestial body suspended in the starry sky—had already reached its zenith. The illusory panel of his Alchemy Talent finally showed some changes.
Illusions surged.
A torn sky, decaying flesh, eerie wails...
Scenes flashed through his mind like a kaleidoscope.
"Is this the scene of the failed experiment?
Strange, why am I seeing this?"
Roy's pupils trembled violently.
The next moment, a severe headache, reminiscent of when he first crossed over, surged through him.
"Ah!"
After a while, the sharp pain subsided, and the illusions disappeared.
What's going on?
Roy was both shocked and puzzled.
When he regained his composure, he noticed that the panel had unexpectedly expanded.
[Alchemy Talent Acquiring (100%)]
Roy couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
He had a vague feeling that this acquisition process was not simple, far more significant than when he obtained the Bronze-level talent.
Words appeared on the illusory panel, faithfully presenting the new gains.
[The Eye of Hermes (Origin Talent)]
[Insight into Magical Auras: This ability cannot be deceived by illusions; what is seen is always the truth. When appraising items, the corresponding ability level is +4.]
Origin Talent...
Insight into Magical Auras...
What is seen is always the truth...
Corresponding ability level +4!
The sheer volume of information left Roy momentarily stunned.
"How... how can this be?"
He looked around.
Everywhere he looked, there were gray and white auras!
These were all zero-grade miscellaneous items and ordinary Enchanted Items.
Looking at the Spatial Ring in his hand, he saw a mix of dark gold, pale green, and white, ultimately blending into an olive green.
"Is this the aura of Magical Equipment?"
According to the standards of appraisal, different items have a "quality" that is artificially determined, corresponding to their natural auras, similar to Wizardry Energy Radiation.
This is based on the item's inherent magical strength, spell effects, rarity, and value as a comprehensive measure.
Among them, gray and white auras indicate dim magical power, corresponding to zero-grade miscellaneous items and zero-grade mundane items.
Green auras correspond to first-grade common magical treasures.
Roy tried to connect with the Levitating Magic Orb hidden in his hairband using his Mental Strength. As expected, a brilliant blue light shone!
"This corresponds to second-grade rare and exquisite items..."
Suddenly, Roy thought of something and quickly extended his Mental Strength into the ring, locking onto the Advanced Magic Automaton that was treasured within.
A new aura appeared on it, an orange hue with a translucent clarity, imbuing it with a divine-like extraordinary quality.
"Orange aura! This is a fourth-grade Legendary Treasure, or rather—a Demigod-level Artifact!"
Roy was astonished.
In his mind, a mysterious knowledge seemed to naturally emerge.
"This is a Humanoid Angel from Chalkland, essentially the Administrator of the Box Garden World!"
Her 'Soul Rank' in the Art of Alchemy was originally 'Gold,' but now her soul has dissipated, not even qualifying as 'Black Iron'!"
This Advanced Magic Automaton is equivalent to legendary equipment, a Demigod-level Artifact, corresponding to a fourth-tier existence!
It must have been created by a fourth-tier Great Wizard, and a fourth-tier Great Wizard...
In many Otherworlds and external civilizations, the corresponding levels are Divine Beings! False Gods! Demigods! Legendary Mages!
In other words, a Demigod-level Automaton!
No wonder the appraisal result was "Humanoid Angel"!
And "Gold" is a professional term used by alchemists to judge the essence of the soul.
It has nothing to do with combat strength, Magical Aura, etc.; it is purely about innate talent and the hierarchy of levels.
The main criteria are instinct, emotion, sentiment, wisdom, and the proportion of divine characteristics, reflecting the fundamental nature of the soul.
"This is definitely the greatest harvest!
It seems I'll need to study a bit of 'Genesis Studies' when I get back and delve into the Puppet Secret Technique as well."
Thinking this, Roy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Although its Soul Rank has fallen, its Magical Aura hasn't diminished in the slightest.
Roughly speaking, it can be considered a "Demigod-level Artifact that has lost its spirit!"
"Wait!
Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold..."
Suddenly, Roy thought of something.
"I understand!
This is the process of Metal Transmutation in Alchemy, the continuous refinement of metals, which was later extended by alchemists to describe Soul Rank.
The reason Inherent Essence exhibits different characteristics is because the Soul Rank differs?"
Roy immediately speculated that a significant portion of the dissipated soul of this Advanced Magic Automaton might have been absorbed by him, transforming into the Origin Talent, the [Eye of Hermes]!
This is an existence that surpasses "Gold"!
"Legend has it that the soul is the only fundamental Soul Rank in the universe, an existence that surpasses 'Gold.'
Source Essence descends to become spirit, scattered among all living beings in the world, with qualitative differences arising from the concentration of spirituality.
Perhaps, this is the essence of Soul Rank!
If so, what I previously considered Inherent Essence is actually the power of the soul, gradually completing and elevating my Soul Rank!"
Previously, he was an ordinary, mediocre human, but after gaining the benefits of Inherent Essence, he must have undergone a fundamental transformation.
Especially now, having obtained an "Origin Talent," he can be considered a high-quality human.
He suddenly shuddered, feeling a chill down his spine: "When I first transmigrated, the progress was 100%, then I awakened [Proficient], slowly digested it, and later gained [Alchemy Machine], which is actually...
But that might not be the case.
From the experiences of killing Trides and Botning, it's certain that evil methods like killing to seize souls cannot plunder Inherent Essence, at least ordinary killing absolutely cannot.
Wait, that might not be entirely true.
Soul transmigration isn't as simple as killing..."
Blindly searching everywhere, relying on luck to complete it, isn't a sustainable approach.
He still needs to understand its essence...
And find a stable way to obtain it!
...
December 14th, entering the third day.
Roy suddenly opened his eyes, emerging from a shallow state of Meditation.
"Sophia and Celine didn't return yesterday? I wonder what they encountered.
And Renien and the others, they seemed eager, setting off on an expedition overnight..."
Last night, luck wasn't on their side, so they merely exchanged some information and didn't hold any substantial trading sessions.
This left Roy
with no opportunity to test the Eye of Hermes, which he had been eager to try.
However, with this tool in hand, it was only a matter of time before it would come in handy.
He stood up, summoned his Undead Warhorse, and left the resting place.
(End of Chapter)