Chapter 237 Puppet Heart

Aberk was released from the [Boyle's Mechanical Puppet Heart], and Suren's laboratory had one more person from then on.

It was only here that Suren understood the brilliance of his senior brother, Robert Boyle.

Creating such a core for inheriting the "Mechanical Puppet" lineage could not only ensure that his knowledge was passed down, but also screen out suitable descendants to inherit that knowledge.

Aberk had been trapped in this core for five years, and his gains were extraordinary.

Not only did his talent unlock a second time in certain special environments, but more importantly, his mindset had matured.

Studying alchemy is very boring and lonely, especially at the higher levels.

Suren now deeply understands this.

It requires extraordinary self-discipline and perseverance.

How many talented people in the world eventually return to mediocrity, all defeated by their mindset.

Being able to stay in a puppet core like a "cage" for five years, Aberk already possessed the most important quality to become a top alchemist.

Good talent and a good mindset make him a flawless gem.

Fortunately, his sister Kama had been patiently encouraging him these past few years, and fortunately, he met Suren.

Aberk himself was also very hardworking, and he showed an extraordinary talent for learning in alchemy.

He had a photographic memory, could multitask, and mastered almost all the basics very quickly.

He could read boring alchemy books with relish, quickly master fighting and firearms, and quickly accept complex mechanical knowledge...

Even though he hadn't integrated any colonial equipment or job advancement materials, he could control basic puppets with just his nimble fingers.

Suren also liked this disciple very much.

And when he heard Aberk say, "Teacher, I think the human body is too weak and also limits many functions. My dream is to transform myself into a mechanical puppet...", he knew that this guy would also walk a remarkable path as a puppet master.

That was the taboo of the puppet master lineage—the explosive modification warlock.

Suren also supported his idea.

The inheritance of the puppet master lineage had never been static. They were constantly exploring and progressing, standing on the shoulders of their predecessors.

The path Suren wanted to take was the "Mechanical Puppet Master" route.

And Boyle's mechanical puppets also had unlimited possibilities for development. He hoped that Kama and Aberk would continue to go further on this path and carry it forward.

Unfortunately, the [Boyle's Mechanical Puppet Heart] had not been completely repaired, and most of the knowledge inherited within could not yet be analyzed.

To repair it, the best way Suren could think of was to get another green dragon dragon crystal to replace it.

But dragon crystals... it was good to just think about it.

Dragons are creatures that have existed since the mythical era. Mr. Mirror said that there are still islands inhabited by dragons in the West Sea, and Tani had also heard his naga mother say it.

However, the combat power of that kind of creature, born as an overlord, cannot be judged by common sense.

To kill an adult dragon, Suren estimated that eighth or ninth-tier professionals would have a chance.

There was no need to consider it in the short term.

Fortunately, Suren's current knowledge base was already very rich, and he had also stripped away the mechanical puppet knowledge of Vasily Tirmido, the "Thousand Machine Puppet Hand." At least for the next ten or twenty years, it would be enough to teach the siblings.

......

With one more person, there was also more liveliness.

The three masters and disciples stayed in the laboratory all day, doing experiments.

Although he was used to solitary research and experiments, Suren felt it was good that the laboratory had more vitality.

Two disciples were also two useful assistants, which saved him a lot of trouble.

The Sea Ruins were very, very large, as if without boundaries. The Dawnbreaker Expedition had been sailing for eight or nine days and still hadn't found the Styx River leading out.

Suren was very busy every day. There were too many things he wanted to research: mechanical battle armor, making [Siren Banshee Dolls], solidifying the gargoyles' combat abilities, engraving the [Hymirleva Sea God Rune] on his body, researching mechanical octopus improvements, making new mechanical octopuses...

His days were packed, and he didn't feel that time was passing quickly.

One day, in the laboratory.

The three of Suren were as busy as ever.

In front of the workbench, two people with Eight-Armed Spider Spears were burying their heads in tinkering with puppets.

The one with the dark gold spider spear was Suren, and next to him, Aberk was practicing carving first-order rune puppets with a golden spider spear.

As the inheritor of the puppet master lineage, Suren would not mistreat his direct disciples.

He took out the rare materials he had collected on weekdays and refined a first-order alchemical colonial equipment of [Eight-Armed Spider God Spear] for Aberk. Although it was a golden-quality spider spear main material, it was more focused on control and had a higher compatibility with mechanical puppet warlocks.

Aberk also liked this colonial equipment very much, and he had become very proficient in using it in just a few days.

With two disciples, Suren didn't have to do many things himself. For example, recording experimental data, Kama was a very careful assistant.

At this time, Suren was engraving runes on his body. He thought of something and said, "Kama, go and see how Doctor Banks is doing with the cultivation of the [Mind Flayer Eggs] later. If we can get mature mind flayers sooner, we can get advanced colonial equipment for you then. Although it's not as effective as capturing them in the natural environment, it's perfect for your tier..."

Suren's own path was good, but not everyone could walk it.

Without the blessing of two S-class talents, others could not digest the colonial equipment and job advancement materials he used.

Kama listened with joy and obediently replied, "Okay, Teacher."

Having a good teacher allowed her to learn too much knowledge.

The key was that this teacher was also rich and generous, and had more good treasures than their entire big family back then.

Speaking of this, Suren added, "Also, don't just stay in the laboratory, there are many things I can't teach you. When you have time, go to the deck and communicate more with Tani and Lolota and get familiar with the other partners of the Dawnbreaker Expedition. Combining work and rest will also make learning more efficient."

Kama was still very obedient, "Okay, Teacher."

But Aberk said, "Teacher, let my sister go alone for that kind of communication. I think the laboratory is more suitable for me. Learning makes me happy~ Besides, Teacher, aren't you always in the laboratory? Everyone says that Teacher is so powerful because of hard work. I will work harder in the future and be as powerful as you!"

Hearing this, Suren smiled.

Combining Sereia's teachings and his own experience, he said, "Now is the time for you to accumulate knowledge, so it's best to stay in the laboratory. But in reality, combat is the fastest way to improve, especially for mechanical puppets. The world is very big, you have to see the world for yourselves. Alchemists also need enough knowledge and experience to support your dreams. When you become stronger, you will have to go out and gain experience yourself."

Kama seemed to understand something and interjected, "Ah, Lolota said that Teacher Chitiao also said that."

Aberk then seemed to understand something, "Understood, Teacher."

The three of them were chatting like this when suddenly, Tani's voice came from the communicator, "Mr. Suren, come and take a look, we seem to have arrived at the entrance to the 'Netherworld River'!"

Suren listened and muttered, "Finally arrived."

......

There was a chaotic magnetic field in the Sea Ruins, and there was no starlight or moonlight, so it was impossible to determine the direction. Fortunately, the Dawnbreaker Expedition had the [Black Sam's World Sea Map], a navigational treasure, to be able to head west all the way.

When Suren arrived on the deck, everyone was gathered around the ship's railing, shocked by the black sea vortex with a diameter of several kilometers in the distance.

"Heavens! I've never even heard of such a big sea vortex in my life, let alone seen one!"

"Are we really going to drive the ship in? Once we go down, we won't be able to come back up."

"Hahaha, the time has come to test Tani's skills. The fate of everyone on this ship depends on him."

"Oh, Mr. Suren is here."

"Hello, Mr. Suren~"

"..."

Everyone looked at Suren and greeted him one after another.

Suren responded and didn't delay. He jumped onto the mast.

Standing at a high place, he also turned his gaze over and took in the huge vortex hidden in the faint mist.

Huge, dark, terrifying, unknown, ancient meaning...

Even if he released the black crow, he couldn't see the bottom of the sea vortex at all. It was like a bottomless pit, swallowing endless seawater, as if it led directly to another world.

This Sea Ruins was really like the legend, the end of the sea, burying the dead seawater.

Suren contacted Mr. Mirror and described the scene he saw, confirming again that this "probably" was the entrance to the Netherworld River.

At this moment, Tani was using his superb ship-handling skills to circle around the sea vortex.

Behind the Dawnbreaker Expedition, there were dozens of more ships following.

Everyone looked at the sea vortex, which looked like the giant mouth of a dark abyss, and didn't know what to do.

Suren was observing when Tani suddenly asked from the cockpit, "Mr. Suren, are we going down? If we keep circling, the sea vortex will pull us in. Either we have to leave as soon as possible."

As soon as these words came out, Chitiao, Barrett, Doctor Banks... everyone looked over, waiting for his decision.

Although Suren often stayed in the laboratory and rarely showed his face, everyone in the Dawnbreaker Expedition knew that he was the core of this team.

Suren frowned upon hearing this, appearing very cautious. After all, this was not the Sea Ruins that Sir Isaac had gone to back then. This decision was related to the lives of everyone in the Dawnbreaker Expedition.

But there seemed to be no other way to leave the Sea Ruins.

After pondering for a moment, he first asked, "Tani, are you confident that you can go down?"

"No problem!"

Tani used his expertise to give a definite answer, and added, "The range of this sea vortex is very large, and the wind direction is stable. We just need to go down along the vortex pattern. The strength of the 'Eternal Night' is enough to support us from being torn apart by the sea vortex. It's just that we don't know what will happen after we go down. We won't be able to come back up either."

Hearing these words, Suren glanced at Chitiao and the others, and received a firm gaze in return.

Everyone in the Dawnbreaker Expedition had absolute trust in him.

Suren calculated all the possibilities in his mind, and without much hesitation, said, "Then let's go down."

"Okay."

A serious response came from Tani in the communicator, followed by commands, "Sailors in position! Prepare to rush into the sea vortex!"

With this order from the chief navigator, everyone held their breath.

After adjusting the angle of the sails, the "Eternal Night Emperor" rushed towards the huge sea vortex.

This crazy move immediately stunned the dozens of adventure groups that had followed the Dawnbreaker Expedition.

The "Black Panther Group" knew some inside information. The leader, "Red Nose" Miles, was also an experienced adventurer. He unhesitatingly ordered his subordinates to throw away the heavy gold and silver treasures on the ship and follow.

The other ships hesitated.

Such a huge vortex, not to mention whether they could go down safely, no one could make a decision immediately to give up the treasures they had earned with their lives.

......

The Dawnbreaker Expedition ignored the strangers.

The "Eternal Night" quickly entered the exaggerated vortex current area of the sea vortex. The pulling force of the sea on the hull became stronger and stronger, but the controllability became smaller and smaller.

"Pull in the triangular sails, control the mainsail! Release half of the spear to stabilize the hull!"

"Hold on tight, we're going to hit the waves!"

"..."

Tani's hoarse roar came from the communicator.

Under his command and control, the hull rode on the waves of the sea vortex with an almost ninety-degree vertical angle and at an increasing speed.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats, their expressions either solemn, excited, or uneasy.

Although the Sea Emperor-class battleship was strong, it seemed so pale and weak in the face of the power of nature. If one was not careful, and it was caught in the turbulence, the ship would be torn to pieces by the huge current in an instant.

But after a violent impact, the entire ship suddenly stabilized.

The huge centripetal force glued everyone's feet to the deck. It looked very dangerous, but it was like entering a train on the correct track, and it became stable instead.

At this time, Tani's excited voice came from the communicator, "Hahaha, the dangerous time has passed, we have successfully entered the stable flow rate area of the sea vortex!"

As soon as these words came out, a collective sigh of relief came from the deck.

Suren looked at the dark, bottomless black hole of the sea vortex, his eyes shining brightly.

It was a feeling of falling into an endless abyss.

Facing the abyss, the fear disappeared, and endless courage rose in his heart instead.

Chitiao on the side was the same. Looking at each other, both saw the fearlessness in the other's eyes.

And around them, Lolota, Kama, Aberk, and the others had never seen such a scene before, and their little faces were full of nervousness.

......

The sea vortex seemed to have no end, leading to endless darkness.

In the faces of everyone, expectation gradually emerged from the uneasiness.

This was also one of the joys of adventure. The front of the voyage was always full of unknowns.

In a very short time, the "Eternal Night" probably dropped vertically for more than ten kilometers. Suddenly, everyone saw a faint blue light in their vision.

After a moment of violent impact, the ship felt as if it had crashed from a waterfall into a river, and the water flow became gentle.

It was dark all around, but groups of spirits like blue jellyfish flowed through the water.

Suren identified them and saw that they were actually displaying [Souls of the Dead].

He was overjoyed and said loudly, "We've arrived at the 'Netherworld River'!"

Everyone was delighted to hear this.

Seeing this river also meant that they had taken the right path and had a high chance of getting out.

At this time, Suren shouted again, "Everyone, throw down the [Obolos Silver Coins]!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone threw a silver coin they had prepared into the water. This was to bribe the ferryman of the Styx and redeem the ransom for their souls, which should have gone to the underworld.

With a "splash," the silver coins entered the water, and everyone in the Dawnbreaker Expedition closed their eyes.

In the legends of the Roman Kingdom, a black river, called the "Acheron," surged from the underworld.

Its tributaries spread throughout the various planes. The souls of people after death would float along this river to the underworld. The dead must pay the ferry god a silver coin to safely cross the river by boat, otherwise they would wander and get lost along the banks of the River of Pain, never finding their way home.

Suren also closed his eyes, this was the rule above the Styx. If you really saw the god of the ferry, you would have to replace Him in ferrying the souls of the dead, and you would never be able to return. Or you would have to wait for the next successor before you could go to the underworld.

......

After paying the toll, the Eternal Night slowly went upstream on the river, and a very slight sound of water could be heard in the ear.

Mr. Mirror said that the Styx converges all the dark laws of this plane, and going upstream on the Styx will cleanse people's souls, and there is a chance to comprehend some of the mysteries of the dark attribute laws.

Entering the Sea Ruins was an accident, and this was also a great opportunity.

An opportunity that most people cannot touch in their lifetime.

Everyone in the Dawnbreaker Expedition closed their eyes, either cross-legged, standing, or lying flat, carefully sensing.

Suren cultivated dark spiritual power and comprehended the "Law of Death," and the aura on this Styx made him feel very comfortable.

For the first time, he felt that there was a difference in the Law of Death.

The "Law of Death" was like a big tree, so the leaves were all a kind of green with different shades, tender green, light green, crystal green, dark green, and even the darkest black.

Suren felt that what he had comprehended was one of the leaves, the green was not too strong or too light.

He could clearly sense that behind him was a piece of darkness, and they were going in the direction where the laws were getting weaker and weaker.

......

I don't know how long it took, it seemed like several hours, and it seemed like several days.

Suddenly, everyone felt the light was dazzling.

Suren opened his eyes and saw that they had appeared on a vast sea.

Blue sky, white clouds, and the warm sun.

The dark aura accumulated from staying in the land of the dead for a long time was also swept away, and the entire spiritual world was transparent.

"Hahaha... we're finally back!"

"Oh, the damned dead spirit smell in the Sea Ruins made me feel that the sea breeze was so fragrant for the first time!"

"..."

On the deck, everyone was reveling, and everyone was immersed in the great joy of returning from an adventure.

Coming out of the Styx upstream, everyone seemed to have received that kind of cleansing on the soul. They couldn't describe the feeling, but they all had a look of fulfillment on their faces.

The Eternal Night also saw the sun for the first time in two hundred years, and the murderous black sails were majestic in the sunlight.

Not far away, the "Black Panther Group's" ship also followed.

"Red Nose" Miles was going back to Luoying to report, and guessed that the Dawnbreaker Expedition still had other important matters, so he waved goodbye to Barrett.

Although they lost a lot of treasures, they also brought back some. Overall, this trip was still good.

After saying goodbye to the Black Panther Group, Tani used a sextant to determine their approximate location and reported, "Mr. Suren, we are now several thousand nautical miles away from the place where we first entered the Sea Ruins. Where are we going now?"

Suren didn't forget that the main purpose of this trip was the "Void Ruins," he said, "Continue sailing!"

Everyone cheered, raised their sails and set sail.

That Frost Moon Princess probably wouldn't have guessed that someone would survive from the Sea Ruins.

This trip would probably give those guys a big surprise.