Chapter 177: Dangerous Steampunk

Looking at Gune's face, which was slightly youthful yet exuded a steady temperament,

Nigel chuckled softly.

"Avoiding danger in time is essential for a transcendent."

"Originally, I planned for you to conceal your identity and go to the Vanguard's Void Source Space to brew potions, while also taking some time to cultivate and improve your strength."

"I didn't expect you already had your own plans."

Then Nigel said thoughtfully.

"That million-credit assassination bounty is indeed very dangerous for you now."

"You really need to lay low for a while."

"Will you hide according to your own ideas, or follow my arrangement and enter the Void Source Space?"

"You should know that the Vanguard's Void Source Space is guarded by top-tier ninth-rank transcendent masters."

"Moreover, there are many powerful insight-type treasures at the entrance that detect all comings and goings."

"Not to mention a seventh-rank shadow transcendent master; even a ninth-rank transcendent shadow master would find it hard to sneak in."

"Furthermore, under my arrangement, no one will know you've entered the Void Source Space."

"So... what's your choice?"

After a brief pause, Gune didn't hesitate much.

"I'll disappear on my own for a while," Gune affirmed.

Gune's answer made Nigel's expression shift slightly.

"You should know that if you disappear on your own, the million-credit bounty will surely lead some experts skilled in deduction, divination, and spying to investigate your whereabouts."

"It will be nearly impossible for you to evade these mysterious detection methods."

Although Gune wanted to say, "Go ahead and divine; if you find me, I lose," it was clearly inappropriate.

"Rest assured, senior, I'm well prepared. They won't find me," Gune said with a hint of confidence.

"Oh?"

Nigel's eyes narrowed slightly.

After a moment, without further inquiry, Nigel nodded and advised.

"Then take care of yourself."

Although Nigel also wanted Gune to follow him to the Vanguard's Void Source Space to brew potions,

since that way Gune could help more people,

Nigel also understood that institutions as massive as the Vanguard and the Transcendent Association

could easily grind geniuses down into tools.

Whether Gune chose to disappear on his own or follow him to the Void Source Space,

Nigel would respect Gune's decision either way.

After pondering, Nigel spoke softly.

"Originally, there were some things I planned to tell you later."

"But since you've chosen to disappear for a while, we probably won't meet again for some time."

"So I should tell you now."

"Please, go ahead, senior."

Nigel's tone was low and heavy.

"Nowadays, with the roar of steam engines, our world has entered the age of steam industry. Railway tracks have been laid into the previously unreachable transcendent wilds, and steel ships have opened up great sea routes. We are constantly exploring and discovering the mysterious side of this world."

"High-precision firearms and artillery give us an advantage in confronting the feudal theocratic churches in the south and the alien warriors from the northern mountains and the western wilderness plateau."

"I even heard recently that the Steam Industry Department has developed a machine capable of flying in the sky."

"Undoubtedly, our northern empire is growing stronger, and as time passes, we will dominate the sky, the earth, and the sea."

"But ordinary people and even ordinary transcendents haven't noticed that our world seems to be undergoing some strange changes."

As he spoke, Nigel's tone grew heavy.

"Those Dominators, sealed and sleeping for countless ages, seem to be issuing faint calls in their half-slumbering dreams."

"The source power in our world has begun to rise, and at an accelerating pace."

"The luster of our transcendent world's stars among the constellations is growing brighter and stronger."

"No one knows why, but these things are indeed happening."

"The Dominators' calls have drawn the gaze of some beings from beyond the stars onto our world."

"And those calls that pierce through the stars have caused powerful and mysterious visitors from other realms to descend continuously."

"Those high-level alien beings see our world as a flesh ranch; they have begun herding, waiting for the harvest."

"Those evil gods are searching for something in our world, and they are also waiting for some kind of opportunity."

"Beneath the thriving surface, a danger capable of destroying our entire world is approaching."

"If we don't confront those evil gods and those mysterious powerful entities,"

"the horrific events at Sugg Ruins City will play out across every corner of the continent. They will treat us as sacrifices to nourish their ambitions."

"If we don't eliminate them, they will eliminate us."

"This is a war of life and death."

Though Nigel's voice was not loud, Gune could feel the heavy pressure.

"So..."

Gune murmured softly.

"Our world is already under the gaze of beings from beyond the stars?"

"And more and more powerful entities are constantly arriving in our world?"

"What is it that attracts them?"

"Is it the Dominators' calls?"

"Or something else?"

"The transcendent world, layer upon layer of dark mist, shrouds things in such an elusive manner."

Gune's thoughts gradually settled.

After a moment of contemplation, Nigel continued.

"This information is only accessible to transcendent masters and above."

"I'm telling you so you understand that the soul potion you developed is of extraordinary significance to our entire world."

"Therefore, in the days and months ahead, while improving your own strength, you must also intensify your research on other potions."

"Only then can you help the Vanguard and the Transcendent Association resist those evil gods and those strange, mysterious powerful beings who seek to destroy this world."

"Only then can we have enough strength to face the strange changes in this world's future."

"Rest assured, senior, while improving my own strength, I will not stop researching various powerful arcane pattern potions," Gune said.

"Mm." Nigel gave Gune a deep look and nodded slightly.

Gune had never stopped researching arcane pattern potions.

In fact, Gune's ambitions went even further than what Senior Nigel had mentioned.

Gune would research arcane pattern potions that could enhance the body.

At the same time, Gune would also research the higher-level "advanced arcane pattern potions."

As he pondered, Gune looked up slightly, his eyes falling on the dark ceiling.

But his thoughts had already drifted to the starry sky above.

"Those terrifying evil gods and mysterious powerful beings that want to descend or have already descended,"

"sooner or later, you will regret descending into this transcendent world."

Gune rubbed his fingers and said softly in his heart.