Chapter 353: Chain Quest Complete
But the giant seemed to have no consciousness at all—just kept circling the small lake step by step in the drizzle.
On the ground around it was an alchemy array, its pattern intricate and complex. Zhou Ning sharply noticed seven blank nodes on the array—apparently corresponding to the seven altars of the Ascendant's ritual.
What do they mean to do here? Could it be… they're trying to create a god?
For some reason, Zhou Ning's heartbeat began to quicken—thump, thump, thump—pounding harder and harder.
"You called me here just to watch this big fool act stupid?" the unfamiliar middle-aged man asked impatiently. He wore a finely tailored crimson suit, his eyebrows and beard carefully trimmed—clearly a noble of Bryston.
"Don't rush. The experiment is only one step away. We're about to see the results." Professor Bislok chuckled softly, then turned to Morlick and Fisher.
"Did you bring the materials?"
"They're here—plenty of life energy and flesh gel. Took me quite some effort to get it."
Chris Fisher replied in a deep voice. As he spoke, he had Morlick carry over seven alchemy barrels placed on the ground. When opened, they were filled to the brim with a pink, glistening gel—so full it overflowed—giving off a heavy, bloody stench.
"According to Goodwin's formula, don't add too much flesh gel at once, or it might backfire. The overflow of spirit could cause the ritual to fail," said Archmage Lirad, who had been silent until now.
"I know. A great man once said that failure is the only path to truth. A king's soul can be used to create four alchemy giants. We've already failed three times—this time will surely succeed."
Bislok's expression grew feverish as he gestured toward the blank-eyed servants standing around. "To prevent failure, I reduced the life energy and flesh gel used this time. If the amount still isn't enough, we can sacrifice these people—use their flesh and blood to make up the difference."
As expected… even the king was taken and used for alchemy. Truly miserable.
Zhou Ning could feel that Sherlock's mood must be extremely complicated right now, but he kept silent, continuing to watch.
By now, the rain had stopped and sunlight broke through the clouds. Bislok looked up at the sky, then placed the barrels at each of the seven blank nodes, opening the lids one by one.
When the seventh barrel was set down, the alchemy array instantly blazed to life. White lightning-like patterns lit up in sequence along the barrels' placements. Moments later, the gel inside the barrels vaporized, condensed into a single bolt of lightning, and shot straight into the giant's body.
At the same time, a hurricane made purely of spiritual energy roared to life, whipping up violently. With a whoosh, the wind tore back Archmage Lirad's hood, revealing his true face—a gray-haired, aging ancient elf.
The giant raised its head and gave a soundless roar. The hair on its forehead was blown back by the sudden gale, and the pressure rolling off its body kept rising higher and higher.
Did it work?
Everyone present looked excited, their faces glowing with anticipation. Even the usually calm Lirad's eyes burned with fervor as he gazed at the alchemy giant.
Zhou Ning's heart pounded faster, his bangs whipping wildly in the wind. With a snap, he pressed down his hat. He could clearly sense it—the giant before him had already transcended the extraordinary, evolving step by step toward demi-godhood.
Even more terrifying—it didn't seem to have a limit. Its power kept climbing.
"Excellent! Brilliant!" The previously sneering middle-aged noble began clapping. "His Majesty the King will be delighted. This is exactly the effect he was hoping for. Once everything is ready, the plan can begin at once."
His Majesty the King? Zhou Ning's heart jolted. That title caught his attention.
At that moment, notifications popped up across his interface:
[You have completed the B+ Hidden Quest: [Track Chris Fisher]. You have gained 340,000 experience.]
[Large Chain Quest: [Undead's Trail] has been completed.]
[[Mansion of Mystery] completed with extra credit; [The Hidden Truth] completed with extra credit; [Resentful Spirits in the Night] incomplete; [Origin of the Undead] incomplete. Overall progress: 62%. Quest rating: B+. You gain 560,000 experience, Random Reward ×1, and 12,000 reputation with the Sunwatcher Order.]
[B-Rank Quest: [Pursue the Giant's Truth] completed. You gain 420,000 experience and 8,000 reputation with the Sunwatcher Order.]
[Your Sunwatcher Order reputation has reached Revered!]
[Quest has advanced to its final stage: Slay the Alchemy Giant (0/1). Bonus Rewards: Slay Chris Fisher (0/1), Slay Damian Lirad (0/1), Slay Professor Bislok (0/1).]
[Quest Hint: This mission is extremely difficult. Proceed with caution.]
Zhou Ning hadn't expected it—when luck strikes, it really can't be stopped. He'd just cleared all his accumulated quests in one go. As for the few players who'd spent money to buy into those missions—he'd compensate them later.
"What now? Do we intervene and stop the ritual? If we wait any longer, it might be too late to act—our only choice would be to run," Zhou Ning whispered.
"Are you confident?" Sherlock's mouth twitched slightly as he asked in a low voice. "If not, we should retreat and bring reinforcements."
"Not sure—but I can try. You two step back. If anything goes wrong, retreat immediately." Zhou Ning looked up at the sky. The blazing sun was out—perfect weather for firing the Uranus.
If the Uranus wasn't as strong as he hoped, he still had two "White Emperor" descent cards. At least, his life wouldn't be in danger.
"Then be careful," Sherlock said solemnly after taking a deep breath, sensing Zhou Ning's seriousness.
Zhou Ning activated his Phantom Thief title. Once Sherlock and Leandro had withdrawn, he retrieved the Uranus from his inventory, narrowed his eyes, and aimed the staff's tip at the giant roughly two hundred yards away. Then he triggered Hot-Blooded Echo of One Punch Man and pulled the "trigger."
From the staff's tip burst a beam of light—thick as an arm—like a sudden flash erupting from the deepest, darkest void. It cut through the air silently, piercing straight through the giant's skull.
–71,965!
The giant, in the critical stage of evolution, let out an earth-shattering howl. The chaotic, massive energy inside it suddenly found an outlet. Its enormous head exploded violently.
Professor Bislok, who had been admiring his creation, snapped his eyes open, bloodshot and filled with disbelief.
A moment later, the giant's massive body collapsed to the ground, crashing down with a deafening boom and sending a devastating shockwave across the area.
The Uranus's destructive power far exceeded Zhou Ning's expectations. He had never imagined that, combined with Hot-Blooded Echo's critical multiplier and a lucky weak-point hit—plus several environmental factors—the shot would result in such unbelievable damage, instantly killing the alchemy giant.
Sherlock and Leandro, watching from behind, both widened their eyes in shock. Even though they had already raised their estimation of Wayne Sturwell again and again, this overwhelmingly destructive attack sent chills down their spines, making the man seem even more unfathomable.
After unleashing that terrifying strike, the Uranus's laser entered a seven-day recharge cycle. It now needed sunlight to recharge before it could be used again.
"Who? Who did that?" Bislok's face twisted with rage. But Chris Fisher, quick to react, pointed his hand toward Zhou Ning's hiding spot. A crimson beam shot straight at him.
Zhou Ning rolled forward just as a massive explosion erupted behind him. Corrosive marks spread outward from the blast's center like a plague.
"Wayne Sturwell?! You again!" Bislok roared, his voice filled with unprecedented fury.
Zhou Ning didn't reply. Everyone here—every single one—was an advanced-class powerhouse. There was no need to hold back now. He crushed the White Emperor card in his right hand and chose to activate it.