Read Novel Full Chapter 559: The Ancient Alchemist [2]
Chapter 559: The Ancient Alchemist [2]
The hollow figure stared at Gabriel for several seconds before suddenly raising both arms wide.
"I am the greatest alchemist to ever exist!" the projection declared proudly, its voice echoing across the chamber loudly enough that several ChaosKnight members turned their heads in surprise. "Creator of the Nine Meridian Furnace Method, inventor of the Crimson Bone Pill, master of twelve royal courts, and the only alchemist in history to refine a Heaven Vein Elixir without losing a single ingredient!"
"I surpassed every fool of my era," it continued while pacing above the table, robes flickering slightly with each movement. "Kings begged for my service. Champions bowed for my medicines. Even Paragons requested guidance from me."
Gabriel listened quietly without interrupting.
The projection continued listing achievements for nearly a minute, speaking with obvious pride while gesturing dramatically with translucent hands. It clearly expected admiration, but Gabriel’s expression behind the mask remained calm the entire time.
Finally, Gabriel asked, "If you were so great, how did you die here?"
The projection froze.
Its mouth opened slightly before closing again, and the confident expression on its face stiffened awkwardly. One hand remained raised halfway in the air while the flickering around its body became slightly unstable.
"I... that is..." the alchemist stuttered.
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed faintly in amusement. "So the greatest alchemist alive died trapped inside a tomb."
The projection pointed at him angrily. "You insolent junior, do you understand who you are speaking to?"
"You are dead," Gabriel replied calmly. "Your reputation matters less now."
The alchemist’s face twitched.
For several seconds, it looked genuinely offended, but Gabriel only leaned slightly against the table and watched quietly. The projection clearly still carried remnants of its original personality, and for someone who once stood at the top, being reminded of failure was obviously unpleasant.
A faint smirk appeared beneath Gabriel’s mask.
"If you truly are the greatest," he said, "prove it by telling me something useful about this tomb and the suppression spike."
The projection’s expression changed slightly.
"I know nothing about the tomb itself," the alchemist admitted after a short silence. "I entered this place trying to reach the main chamber where the Core Suppressing Spike was located. Unfortunately, I failed before getting there."
Gabriel frowned slightly. "You died trying to reach it?"
"Yes."
The projection’s earlier arrogance reduced slightly as it spoke. "I underestimated the guardian general and overestimated my own preparations. By the time I escaped, my injuries were already fatal."
Gabriel studied it carefully before asking another question. "What level were you?"
The projection straightened immediately, pride returning to its face.
"Level 200."
Gabriel’s breathing paused for a fraction of a second.
A level 200 existence was not something ordinary people even discussed casually.
That was Paragon rank.
A true monster.
The projection noticed his reaction and snorted proudly. "Now you understand."
Gabriel remained silent for a moment while information moved through his mind rapidly. Hero rank started at level 100, and people at that stage already stood above most kingdoms.
Level 150 was Champion rank.
Level 200 was Paragon.
Beyond that, level 250 was known as Legend rank, while level 300 entered the realm of Mythic existences. After Mythic came Transcendent at 350, Saint at 400, Primordial at 450, and finally Ascendant at level 500.
Very few people even knew whether those upper ranks truly existed.
Most information about anyone above level 200 was unclear because those individuals rarely appeared openly, and many deliberately lied about their actual strength. At higher levels, normal appraisal methods became unreliable, so rumors often replaced facts.
Gabriel slowly crossed his arms.
A level 200 Paragon had entered this tomb and still died before reaching the spike. That single fact made the danger level rise sharply in his mind.
The alchemist watched him and sighed. "You are thinking the same thing I thought when I first entered. Confidence disappears quickly in this place."
"What happened with the general?" Gabriel asked.
The projection’s expression darkened.
"I reached a chamber guarded by an ancient warrior," it replied slowly. "At first I believed it was only another undead creature, but the thing still retained intelligence and combat instincts. We fought briefly, and I realized very quickly I was not winning."
Gabriel’s eyes flashed faintly, and his mind went back to the knight. He could tell it was not the knight this ancient alchemist fought because he had already passed there. Whatever thing he encountered was further along this path, which meant only one thing.
They were heading the right way.
The projection continued speaking while lowering its gaze slightly. "I escaped after suffering severe injuries. My organs were already damaged, my qi circulation was collapsing, and the monsters outside had begun gathering in larger numbers."
"So you hid here," Gabriel said.
"I could not return to the entrance," it admitted. "The outer passages had already become flooded with monsters, and my injuries made prolonged combat impossible. I chose this chamber because it was isolated enough to buy time."
Its eyes moved toward the shelves around the room.
"I spent my remaining days crafting pills, refining medicine, organizing techniques, and leaving behind my knowledge before death fully took me."
Gabriel glanced briefly at the surrounding shelves again.
Most of the items he collected earlier were probably created during those final days. Considering the level of the person who made them, even damaged leftovers might still be extremely valuable outside.
The projection folded both arms behind its back.
"I did not leave this recording behind for fools," it said proudly. "If you activated it, it means you possess enough intelligence or luck to deserve some answers."
"I will allow you a limited number of questions," the alchemist said. "Ask carefully, because I will not waste time explaining meaningless things to someone who may die before leaving this tomb."
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Thanks to all those who support this novel. I’m sorry for the lack of Chapters in recent days. I was caught up with school and some other activities. Hopefully, I’ll find time to write more... another Chapter coming soon.