Chapter 369: A New Alchemy Skill
"Version 1.3 is ending this soon?"
The players stared at each other in disbelief. Although this version had been incredibly immersive and enjoyable, with epic large-scale scenes, its duration had set a new record for the shortest in the game's history. The new version had gone live around 5:50 p.m., and by 7:55 p.m., it was already over. A total lifespan of two hours.
Some players had only just gotten off work and didn't even have time to log in. When they learned they'd missed such a massive event, they beat their chests in frustration and took to the forums to complain—only to be met with a chorus of sympathetic replies.
"Damn it! I missed it too!"
Were all this game's updates really this fast and furious? The players were stunned.
Afterward came several preview notes for Version 2.0.
[1. The prelude to Version 2.0 is expected to last for one month. The level cap will remain at 60. The new level cap and new class content will only unlock after Version 2.0 officially launches. During this period, players will enjoy a 30% EXP bonus to level up faster.]
[2. During this time, cross-country travel will no longer be limited by reputation. More hidden quests and new class mentors will gradually be unlocked (excluding the Wandering Gunslinger).]
[3. Let us salute the first player to reach Level 40—Jinse. Since a player has now reached Level 40, the first official Class Tournament will begin at 19:00 on the day maintenance is completed.]
Reading these patch notes, Zhou Ning couldn't help but be stunned.
In his previous life, Version 2.0 had no prelude event, nor did it offer a 30% EXP bonus. The theme hadn't been "Ten Disasters Descend", but "Elemental Calamity." The storyline had revolved around a war over coal mining rights—the native Walrus people had been invaded by the combined forces of the Bryston Kingdom and the Byron Republic, driving them to the brink of extinction. The Walrus hero, Dick, had sacrificed himself to summon the Goddess of Ice, opening a gate to the Elemental Plane. That had marked the true beginning of the Elemental Calamity update.
But now, Emperor Charles VI—who had led that war—was long dead, and the new version's content had completely changed.
It seemed his suspicions were right: his sudden, explosive growth had forced the game's AI core into a reactive position.
Originally, the "Bryston Uprising" update should have lasted through the entire prelude period of half a month to a month, and the 80 million EXP he had "stolen" had been meant to help players level faster. Now, they had no choice but to use this temporary prelude to bridge the gap until players had grown strong enough to begin the next version.
Understanding this cause and effect, Zhou Ning shook his head slightly. None of that was his concern.
By now, the power of One Punch Man had completely faded. Zhou Ning straightened his back and began to walk down the stairs step by step.
The ramparts were now crowded with extraordinary individuals who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Yet as Zhou Ning passed, everyone instinctively stepped back a pace, not daring to make a sound.
As he walked past Sherlock, he heard the man mutter in a low voice, "I still don't agree with your methods. But… well done, Wayne."
Zhou Ning didn't look back. A faint smile curved his lips as he walked away without hesitation. He understood Sherlock's actions earlier—it was only natural; their positions were different, after all.
After leaving Darkland Fortress, the players who had been following him began logging off one after another until no one remained. The only sounds left were the distant cries and wails echoing in the night.
Passing through a street, he saw groups of corpse collectors dragging body bags, hauling away corpses scattered across the road. Old Turing's body was among them.
The workload was simply too much; they would pile the corpses together for burial, then hold a collective funeral two days later.
Zhou Ning lowered his hat brim, one hand in the pocket of his white trench coat, and walked aimlessly down the street. For once, he felt an inexplicable sense of detachment and loneliness.
...…
Ten minutes later, Zhou Ning arrived at the Turing residence. Following Old Turing's instructions, he found a key hidden beneath a flowerpot and unlocked the door.
Inside, everything was just as it had been during his previous visits—filled with the warmth of daily life. Mrs. Turing had always been diligent; the room was spotless.
A rich aroma of beef hung in the air. Something was still simmering on the stove—clearly, the couple had left in a hurry.
A sudden ache welled up in Zhou Ning's chest. He went over to turn off the stove and silently looked around.
Near the living room stood a black-painted alchemical armor. Zhou Ning had seen this type before—it was designed to fit closely to the wearer's body, dramatically enhancing physical strength. For players, it wasn't just a collectible—it was a genuine weapon of war. In his previous life, some had paid fortunes for such armor.
This particular suit was exquisitely crafted, proof of Old Turing's meticulous care in its making.
On the right side of the armor, several words were engraved:
Anore Wayne Sturwell. by le bry Darian Turing.
It was in Bryston language, meaning: "To Wayne Sturwell, from your 'old' friend, Darian Turing."
Zhou Ning paused, ran a hand over the armor's surface, and stored it carefully in his inventory.
After calming himself for several seconds, he went to the drawer Old Turing had mentioned and opened it.
Inside were over a dozen medals, and a painting—showing a young Turing couple, with three cheerful children squatting in front of them.
Beside the painting, Zhou Ning found a notebook and a faded key that Old Turing had left there.
He picked them up gently, and a system prompt appeared:
You have obtained a Legendary Skill Book:
[Darian Turing's Life's Work]
Read it!
Description: Every word in this book carries Darian Turing's gratitude.
Zhou Ning opened it and began reading under the moonlight.
The handwriting was fresh—clearly written recently, tailored to Zhou Ning's situation.
The book's message was simple, just as Old Turing had once said: all branches of alchemy were interconnected, and dividing them too rigidly was meaningless. In this thick notebook, he elaborated on his life's understanding of alchemy—how to merge Applied Alchemy, Puppet Alchemy, and Life Alchemy into one unified system.
After he finished reading, another system prompt appeared:
You have read Darian Turing's Alchemy Notes. You have gained a massive amount of Alchemy EXP.
Your Puppet Alchemy has vanished. Your Life Alchemy has vanished. A new branch has appeared within your Alchemy Knowledge. Please check it yourself.
Opening his Alchemy skill menu, Zhou Ning saw that, indeed, three new branches—Applied Alchemy, Puppet Alchemy, and Life Alchemy—had appeared. The EXP requirements from Master to Grandmaster had increased significantly, but this also granted him infinite possibilities in alchemical study.
This was Old Turing's true gift to him.
A cold gust blew through the window. Zhou Ning pulled his collar tighter and sniffed quietly, then stood before the window, gazing blankly into the night.
After killing Charles VII without hesitation, he could no longer remain openly within the Bryston Kingdom.
Having completed the main quest, his task of slaying three land-based Transcendents was now finished.
Considering that his advancement to Gun God required the slaying of three sea-based Transcendents, his next journey should logically take him by sea to the Sepharic Kingdom.
Then, something else caught his eye—Zhou Ning's gaze sharpened slightly as he took out a badge the size of a dragon's eye from his inventory. He'd looted it from another player. On it was written an event invitation, most likely for an evil-aligned gathering:
December 21, 1452, 2:00 a.m. — Misty Sea Estuary.
It piqued his curiosity.
By his calculations—after attending the mass funeral and watching the first Apocalypse Tournament at the Darkland Arena around December 18—it would soon be time for him to leave Darkland behind.