Chapter 1 Midnight

The sea was shrouded in a thick fog, a serene yet eerie scene.

"Moo... moo..."

"Ooo..."

The sound of a train whistle echoed from all directions in the mist.

The sound surrounded the ears, sending chills down the spine. It was as if it wasn't a real train whistle, but rather...

...the wails of the dead, filled with sorrow, resentment, fear, nostalgia, and ferocity.

The sound of the train whistle made the living on the Eternal Night feel as if their souls were about to be pulled out of their bodies by a mysterious force. All were surprised and curious.

It was the first time anyone had seen a train truly from the underworld, picking up the souls of the dead.

"Clang," "clang," "clang"...

As everyone watched, a black train billowing steam sped from the sea.

The train was an old-fashioned steam train, similar to the passenger trains in the Yamihide Kingdom now.

But the train itself was like a ghost, appearing in a semi-transparent spiritual state.

This was a very famous monster in the Yamihide Kingdom, called the Ghost Train.

Suren watched the train approach calmly.

He sensed the high-level death law on the train more clearly than anyone else.

In the All-Knowing Eye, he saw more information and murmured in his heart, "This Ghost Train is indeed a special existence that transcends the laws of the plane..."

This was the train that took the Yamihide Kingdom's believers to the underworld plane, the Land of the Yellow Springs, after their death.

Originally, crossing planes required a plane channel.

Even the celestial deity who descended on Frank before was the same.

But the Ghost Train could ignore plane channels and appear directly on the sea, which was obviously a higher-level cosmic rule beyond the general plane.

The monster Ghost Train appeared as a train to humans, but its essence was a special existence that guided the souls of the dead.

It was a law, a rule, a monster, or some other extraordinary power...

It could be in the shape of any means of transportation, such as a ship, a carriage, or an airship.

It was just that in the faith system of the Land of the Yellow Springs, people thought it should be in the shape of a train.

So it was.

Suren didn't know what it was. It was so high that even his Second Order All-Knowing Eye couldn't understand it, like the flow of time and the changes of space, which were close to the origin of the universe.

The scene was exactly as described in Fujiwara Hayato's travel notes.

In the blink of an eye, the train slowly pulled up beside the Eternal Night.

Because the train was in a semi-transparent ghostly state, everyone could see that there were other passengers in the train carriages.

They were some expressionless spiritual bodies, some human and some strange monsters.

Most of them were dressed in kimonos and wooden clogs, all in the style of the Yamihide Kingdom.

The sudden appearance of a ghost train on the midnight sea made everyone in the Dawn Mercenary Group feel a chill down their spines.

Everyone had the feeling that if the train wanted to take their souls away, no one could stop it.

Like the approaching death of old age, even the most powerful person could not avoid this ending.

An indescribable sense of terror struck everyone's hearts.

On the huge deck, everyone held their breath and there was silence.

The train came to a complete stop, and a death spirit train conductor wearing a black uniform that obscured his features opened the carriage door, seemingly welcoming the guests waiting at this stop.

At this moment, Chitose jumped down from the mast.

Originally, the living could not touch the train that only picked up the dead, but she was holding an old ticket in her hand and walked towards the train with big strides.

The train conductor, who was covered in black mist, checked the ticket that Chitose handed over and used a ticket punch to cut a slit in the green ticket.

In an instant, a ball of green fire rose from the ticket and burned out in the blink of an eye.

As if some ancient contract had taken effect, the burning phosphorus fire of the ticket wrapped around Chitose and merged with the train's deathly aura. She put her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist and stepped onto the train without hesitation.

Suren knew that after getting on the train, the next stop would be the Land of the Yellow Springs.

He looked at Chitose's back and shouted, "Chitose-nee, take care."

Chitose's footsteps paused for a moment, as if she had thought of something. The corners of her mouth, which no one could see, lifted slightly. After a moment of silence, she replied to Suren, "Got it."

She didn't even look back, just waved her hand smartly, "I'm leaving, everyone."

The members of the Dawn Mercenary Group watched Chitose leave with worried expressions and waved goodbye.

Get on the train, close the door.

Chitose sat in the carriage, mixed in with a group of ghosts.

The whistle sounded again, "Ooo," "Ooo."

The train started slowly.

The Ghost Train's engine spewed out a large amount of steam, and in the blink of an eye, the train disappeared into the thick fog on the sea.

The surroundings became quiet again, as if nothing had happened.

"I can't sense it anymore..."

Suren sensed the space positioning necklace he had left on Chitose, but found that he could no longer find the coordinates.

It wasn't that the distance was too far.

But that she was no longer in this world.

He also tried the Mirror Organization's [Daggas Goblin Communicator], which ignored spatial distance, but it had also lost contact.

"I can only rely on her..."

Suren looked into the depths of the misty sea with deep eyes.

The atmosphere on the deck was slightly sad, but he smiled and greeted everyone, "Okay, everyone, let's go back."

Hearing Suren's voice, everyone slowly sighed and dispersed.

Suren stayed alone on the side of the ship, continuing to feel the cold midnight sea breeze and looking into the distance.

No one disturbed him.

Chitose had gone to pursue her sword path. Even if it was a farewell, they should be happy and bless her.

Thinking of this, Suren's frown eased.

A spatial fluctuation flashed, and he had already returned to the cabin.

The half-finished [Isaac Dragon Pattern Golden Body] was placed in the alchemy array. Suren adjusted his thoughts and continued to refine it.

Unconsciously, time flew by, and another ten days or so passed.

The Dawn Mercenary Group traveled east all the way, slaying sea monsters and conquering raging waves. Finally, they passed through the Sea of Eternal Night, which used to be the isolation zone between the Dragon Kingdom's sea area and the Western Luying Sea, with no danger.

Since the day he said goodbye to Chitose, Suren had been in the cabin.

The Dawn Mercenary Group's combat power was now very different from what it used to be, and they could handle everything without him intervening.

He could also concentrate on fusing the required Seventh Order Colonial Equipment.

On this day, the Dawn Mercenary Group finally sailed out of the endless darkness of the Eternal Night Sea.

The turbulent waves gradually calmed down, and long-lost sunlight suddenly shone into the captain's room.

Like golden threads, the sunlight shone through the glass window onto Suren, who was meditating. What was amazing was that there was a layer of mysterious runes like black dragon scales on his body surface.

And it was the existence of this special rune that gave people a visual sense of solidity that his body was indestructible.

During these few days of seclusion, Suren had successfully refined the epic-level [Isaac Dragon Pattern Golden Body] from the distorted Eighth Order Hell Black Dragon.

Originally, the epic-level Colonial Equipment refined from the Eighth Order Dragon, looking at the super-strong curse

characteristic, should normally be successfully fused by a Ninth Order professional.

However, because Suren originally followed the physical strengthening route of the Rune Golden Body, and Dr. Banks' special Dark Dragon Potion greatly reduced the fusion threshold, he was able to perfectly fuse without any risk of distortion.

After digesting it for a few days, the characteristics of the Colonial Equipment were completely integrated with the body.

The sun was warm on his face, and Suren opened his eyes.

He looked at his attribute panel and exhaled a breath of turbid air: "Hoo... the fusion is perfect."

As soon as the Colonial Equipment was released, black dragon scale runes lingered on the body surface.

He clenched his fists and immediately felt that his body was like cast copper and iron, visibly indestructible.

The resilience value on the panel was even more direct, from 312 before unlocking the Colonial Equipment to 4552 now, an increase of more than ten times.

There was also cell activity, bone strength, physique, muscle strength, immunity to negative curse states, elemental resistance... and so on. All the values related to body defense soared.

This would simply become the nightmare of the enemy in battle!

"So strong."

Suren himself felt that these attributes were a bit unbelievably strong.

His body was already strong enough before, but now it was even more outrageously strong.

This defense power was not to mention the Eighth Order, but probably even the Ninth Order professionals could not achieve it.

Before, he had to use domineering aura to block cannonballs, but now he could probably stand on the spot and resist with his bare hands without any damage.

It was not easy to die, which was definitely a direct improvement in combat power for Suren, the Golem Master.

Moreover, after the body strength was improved, the body's ability to withstand was stronger, so it could also carry greater power, energy, and negative states...

This Colonial Equipment also had a direct increase to [Isaac's Giant Power], and a huge increase to the spiritual energy carrying capacity of [Isaac's Alchemy Heart], as well as the blood devouring growth limit, all-system resistance... and so on. All kinds of body states have skyrocketed.

Thinking of this series of causal relationships, Suren couldn't help but sigh again: "Sir Isaac's idea of this set of Colonial Equipment is really wonderful! In this way, there is almost no threshold to overcome 'Heavenly Tribulation Reversal' and successfully master the Overlord Body. It can even lay a solid foundation for the Ninth Order."

His mind flashed, and he had already thought of too much.

Suren stood up and stretched his muscles after meditating for too long.

He pondered for a moment, and then said to himself: "This level of body value should be enough to directly advance to the Eighth Order."

Originally, fusing the Seventh Order Colonial Equipment was already the professional end point for most alchemists.

Otherwise, the Eighth Order professionals in the alchemy plane would not be so rare.

Even if some talented people could, if they really had the opportunity to enter the Eighth Order, they would stay at this threshold for many years.

After they were really sure, they would choose to advance.

Because it was not difficult to fuse professional materials to advance to the Eighth Order, but what was difficult was that there was a tribulation in the Eighth Order - Heavenly Tribulation Reversal.

This was the only way to comprehend the Overlord Body.

If you can't hold on, you will die on the spot.

In the eyes of alchemists, the energy of the universe is constant.

Then, some individuals in the universe will gradually become stronger, and will inevitably plunder energy from other places.

And the path of advancement for alchemists, from the essence, is a process of plundering energy and becoming stronger step by step

To give a not-so-accurate analogy.

Professionals are like parasites to the plane.

When they are young, the host will not notice it, but when they grow to a certain extent, their demand for nutrition will become greater and greater.

And the host will also instinctively try to eliminate the parasites.

This is "Heavenly Tribulation Reversal".

This is the plane's rejection of powerful existences.

But for Suren, this threshold was non-existent.

In terms of body strength alone, not to mention the Seventh Order, even the Eighth Order might not be able to compare with him.

And the Second Order All-Knowing Eye made him have no doubts about the advancement threshold, so that advancing to the Eighth Order was really not difficult for him.

Anyway, his state was good, so he would advance today.

Suren stood up and prepared to go to the deck to inform everyone.

After all, the "Heavenly Tribulation Reversal" was a big event.

But as soon as he stood up, he always felt like something was missing.

He glanced around the room and saw the square bathtub in the bathroom, and then he suddenly realized.

Oh, it turned out that Chitose-nee was gone.

This huge captain's room was a bit empty with only him alone.

Suren frowned slightly and muttered, "I wonder how Chitose-nee is doing."

Saying that, he stepped into the space door, and when he looked again, he had already appeared on the deck.

The Dawn Mercenary Group members on the deck were all very leisurely, some basking in the sun, some fishing, and some sparring daily,

Practicing legion magic...

After leaving the Dragon Kingdom's sea area, the level of danger dropped directly from nine stars to two stars.

Previously, within a hundred miles of the Dragon Kingdom's sea area, there could be dozens of Golden-level and Lord-level deep-sea behemoths; but in

In the Western Luying Sea, there might not be one in hundreds or thousands of miles.

For the current Dawn Mercenary Group, there was really no pressure at all.

After their strength became stronger, those dangerous areas that were once called 'Nightmare Sea Area' by countless adventurers, were like

It's like going to the back garden at will.

Unknowingly, the Dawn Mercenary Group has gone through so many battles, large and small, and has been tempered and refined.

Whether it was combat power or the mentality of the members, it was enough to calmly deal with everything.

Spatial fluctuations appeared on the deck, and were immediately discovered by the patrolling sailors.

Seeing that it was Suren who came out, someone exclaimed, "Mr. Suren is here!"

With this, everyone gathered around and greeted him enthusiastically.

Although Suren was one of the several captains, it was rare to see him on the ship.

"Mr. Suren has successfully fused the Colonial Equipment?"

"Oh... I feel that Mr. Suren has become stronger again."

"Hey, Dave, don't brag! With your Sixth Order level, can you still sense Mr. Suren's power?"

"Hahahaha, that's right! That's right!"

"Hey, hey, hey, it's because I can't sense it that he's so powerful. What do you think, Mr. Suren? Oh, right, what Order are you now?"

Everyone laughed.

Suren also felt that the atmosphere was very good.

He hadn't been on the deck for more than ten days, and when he looked at it, he realized that everyone's strength had visibly increased by a level.

Each of them was burly, with a strong aura and a stern expression.

Suren smiled and replied, "I'm going to prepare to advance to the Eighth Order."

"Going to... advance to the Eighth Order?"

Hearing this, the surroundings instantly fell silent.

Everyone showed surprised expressions.

Because they all knew that Suren had been in seclusion to fuse the Seventh Order Colonial Equipment.

And there was that threshold between the Seventh Order and the Eighth Order, which even the top-ranked people in the Seventh Order among the former Luying "Ten Legendary Bounty Hunters" were not sure of.

It had only been a few days since Suren... and he was going to advance?

The news that Suren was going to advance to the Eighth Order soon spread to everyone's ears in the mercenary group.

Before long, the high-level combatants also appeared on the deck.

Currently, there were only the Old Sword Saint Bartolo and "Blood Duke" Wordsworth in the group who were at the Eighth Order, and Chitose, who was previously at the Half-Step Eighth Order.

Now it seemed that there was going to be another one, which was a great event.

Moreover, everyone knew that after Suren advanced to the Eighth Order, he would probably not be an ordinary Eighth Order.

It was said that the stronger the strength, the stronger the plane reversal would be when advancing to the Eighth Order, and they were also very curious to observe and see how Suren would overcome this disaster.

Before long, the deck was piled up with tens of thousands of people.

Everyone wanted to witness the great event of the Dawn Mercenary Group.

Lolota's eyes were full of stars: "Wow... Mr. Suren, are you going to advance to the Eighth Order?"

Tani: "Mr. Suren is so amazing!"

Nineteen smiled gently: "Congratulations, Suren."

Barrett sighed: "Oh, Suren, your advancement speed is really surprising. I remember when we first met, I was at the Sixth Order and you were at the Fourth Order, but now you've surpassed me."

Kitt also yelled strangely: "Yeah... you guy, your advancement speed is really exaggerated and perverted. I thought it was outrageous for you to advance to the Seventh Order before, but now even the Eighth Order has no threshold for you?"

"Blood Duke" Wordsworth: "Having lived for eight hundred years, Suren, you are the fastest advancing professional I have ever seen."

Old Sword Saint Bartolo: "Old man thinks that Suren, young friend, your advancement may attract a very strong Heavenly Tribulation Reversal, so be careful..."

Everyone:

With so many people, everyone started discussing at once.

Others didn't know Suren's situation, so naturally they couldn't believe it.

But only Mr. Black, who had also drunk from the Fountain of Wisdom, could understand why his advancement was not difficult.

Looking at Mr. Black, who came to congratulate him, Suren also asked, "What about you, Mr. Black?"

Mr. Black smiled and replied:

"It's about the same. But because of the eye transplant, it will take a long time

on it."

Saying that, he pointed to his right eye, which was covered by an eye patch, and said, "But I'm not in a hurry, my body strength

It's not as exaggerated as yours. At least now I want to advance, but I'm not sure I can survive the Heavenly Tribulation Reversal."

Suren knew that Mr. Black had seen the changes in his body, smiled noncommittally, and asked, "How is the eye transplant going?"

How could he not see that there were two forces fighting fiercely in Mr. Black's body now.

It must be the abnormal situation of the eye transplant.

Mr. Black said: "There is still a very strong rejection reaction. But this is not a big problem, Dr. Banks can

handle it. The trouble is to understand the essence of the [Myriad Phenomena True Solution], this celestial-level talent. After the transplant, I

I gradually understood some of the sources of this talent, and it has many similarities with our alchemy field material decomposition, but the law level

The face is very high, so high that it is almost the original law of the universe... If it doesn't work, I plan to melt it into alchemy Colonial Equipment,

But in that case, this eye will be a dead thing, which is really a pity..."

Suren listened and nodded frequently, which was about the same as his speculation.

Mr. Black's transplant of Frank's Celestial Eye was just an attempt, and the possibility of failure was not small.

But if it was successful, the future would be of great significance.

Because once it was successful, it could be replicated.

Suren was also very interested in [Myriad Phenomena True Solution].

It was also an important part of his professional plan in the future.

Although there was only one body of Frank, the same "Three-Eyed Celestial Race" was still in the Celestial Plane!

The plane war had already started in full swing, and there might not be an opportunity to hunt down a few more in the future.

What's more, Suren had an even better choice.

That was the sealed black coffin he had obtained in the mirror library of the Luying Royal Family.

Suren had now completely deciphered all the ciphertext left on the black coffin.

A great alchemist once killed a high-level three-eyed god in the Celestial Plane, and what was sealed in the coffin was the god's body!

But in the current situation, it was obviously not a good time to pay attention to the coffin's body.

Not to mention that Suren did not have the ability to deal with the body of the god, at least he had to wait for Mr. Black's transplant experiment to be completed before

Then see the situation.

Suren and Mr. Black chatted, and before long, the Eternal Night had found a desert island.

Suren knew that his advancement would definitely cause a lot of noise, so he didn't dare to stay on the ship.

He teleported to the desert island, set up an alchemy array, and then took out the advancement materials he had prepared long ago, the [Descartes Crystal Skull], and placed it in the alchemy array. 4

After doing everything, Suren solemnly chanted the common spell of alchemists: "Follow the law of equivalent exchange of all things, praise the glory of the original creator, and witness the miracle of creation with alchemy..."

In an instant, the world changed color.

The four elements of earth, wind, water, and fire reversed, and the Heavenly Tribulation descended like the end of the world.

The dragon scale runes on Suren's body shone brightly, standing still in the wind and rain.

The Dawn Mercenary Group members watching from afar were dumbfounded.

On this day, Suren successfully stepped into the Eighth Order.