Four hundred years ago, in an era before the Federation and the Empire existed—before the world was divided into the Northern Continent, Mid-Continent, and Southern Continent—the nation that held dominion over all things was known as the Eternal Empire.
Much like the golden age described in myth, the earth was as fertile as paradise and the sky arched high and vast. There were no natural disasters, no aberrant mutations, and none of the endless turmoil.
All things flourished, bathed in the radiant majesty of the Empire. From birth to death, every soul offered their modest contribution to the eternal Central Empire.
Enduring as heaven and earth, continuous and unending.
And it was precisely during this time that the matrix known as Non-Offensive was born from the imperial heartland… from its greatest scourge!
Beneath the Empire’s glorious light lurked a tiny shadow.
A radical insurgent faction had launched indiscriminate attacks on all imperial organizations and institutions. From its inception, it possessed only one goal: the complete dismantling of the Eternal Empire.
Its earliest origins lay in a group of alchemical artisans who had grown sick of the suffocating layers of imperial statutes. Unwilling to conform and chant praises to the Empire’s grace within prescribed boundaries, they yearned for the freedom to study their craft and create as they pleased…
The banner they raised stood in stark opposition to the pure, supreme white of the Empire.
Thus, they were called "Mo"—Ink.
From the Empire’s midpoint to its twilight, and even beyond its collapse, this organization's shadow lurked behind countless momentous events—or directly instigated them.
Not until the Cataclysm Era began, when the last traces of the Eternal Empire vanished entirely with the crumbling and splitting of the continents, did the Mo gradually fade from history into oblivion. Some even claimed that Nirvana, the terrorist syndicate currently bearing the highest wanted level from both the Empire and the Federation, was the poison they had left behind…
Yet whether by a cruel twist of fate or the deliberate design of their creators, the two great Celestial-Human matrices handed down by these Moists—who had stopped at nothing to ignite revolution through the most violent means—were named Universal Love and Non-Offensive.
One combined the essences of two Sovereign Virtues, Ascension and Heart Pivot, uniting ten thousand minds into one. It forged an unbreakable, indivisible unity inside and out, its power growing more terrifying the more people wielded it.
The other was the lifeblood crystallization of the artisans of Embers. Though grounded in the Path of Embers, it could reach freely toward any other Sovereign Virtue path at the wielder's will and need, reaping different blessings with an astonishing, terrifying inclusivity.
For a Celestial Conscript like Ji Jue, who resonated with nine Sovereign Virtues simultaneously, it was a match made in heaven!
Which brought about the real question.
With his newbie level, did he dare enter a place as dangerous as a Border Realm and expect to keep his head attached? And how was Professor Ye so certain that Non-Offensive was inside?
Though the mortal realm could be called moderately stable, it was incomplete.
To this day, numerous fragments of worlds drifted beyond its borders, bobbing and turning like air bubbles in water. Having detached from the mortal realm to form their own closed cycles, their rules, states, and internal ecologies often differed vastly from reality.
They could be hells, they could be paradises, or they might remain frozen exactly as they were when they fractured.
These fragments drifted constantly around the mortal realm, mostly keeping their distance like satellites. Occasionally, one would overlap with reality, forming a gateway or passage.
The vast majority of controllable Border Realms were precious resources, controlled and managed by various factions. The Ring of Taiyi, for instance, relied on its numerous Border Realms to monopolize the output of various mortal-realm alchemical materials, raking in profits daily. A mere drop through their fingers was enough to make someone astronomically wealthy.
Moreover, in these places outside the mortal realm, resonance with Sovereign Virtues was clearer, making it far easier to obtain blessings. They also preserved many materials and treasures that only appeared in special environments… or aberrant beasts!
According to observations by Celestial Chosen of the Path of Aether, this Border Realm about to graze the mortal realm was on the verge of fracturing and collapsing. It was in its final stage of decay and wouldn't last much longer. Its interior could not withstand the entry of Celestial Chosen above the Transcendent Rank; even those of the Regeneration Rank would be repelled.
Only Celestial Chosen below the Metamorphosis Rank could pass through smoothly.
In short: a limited-time event dungeon capped below level six, available for less than two weeks!
Whatever he got was pure profit!
It was practically a leveling paradise for a newbie like Ji Jue!
More importantly, intelligence sent by brokers from the Wild Gathering indicated that during an external scan of the Border Realm, they had spotted an imprint suspected to belong to the sage Quicksilver from the late Eternal Empire centuries ago.
There was a very strong possibility that this Border Realm was that master's domain, and might even contain his workshop!
Any Celestial Chosen worthy of being called a sage was inevitably an existence beyond the Celestial-Human stage. Bearing a title meant they were an undisputed grandmaster artisan who had completed their Heaven's Mandate work and formulated a unique Genesis Theory.
It was precisely because she had received this news first that a master like Kong Qingyan had rushed to Yacheng with her student in such a frantic, impatient hurry.
She had even cast aside her dignity to probe Professor Ye in secret.
Her objective had likely been achieved the moment she walked through the door. She had confirmed that Professor Ye hadn't received word and hadn't made any preparations. Even if Ye received news later, she would still be a step behind… The only thing Kong Qingyan hadn't anticipated was that Professor Ye was even pettier than she imagined, with a terrifyingly sharp nose for divining her rivals' dark motives.
Her intelligence channels were also far broader.
After receiving the news from the Wild Gathering and verifying it through her own exclusive channels, Professor Ye had already confirmed that Quicksilver’s workshop definitely lay within that Border Realm, along with the final relic he had left behind.
If it could be unearthed, it would undoubtedly be an invaluable treasure!
Unfortunately, Professor Ye didn't care in the slightest.
"Quite simple: I look down on it."
Professor Ye sipped her strong tea, her tone dripping with mockery. "Alchemy isn't fantasy magic where older means stronger. If you hope to achieve success through excavation, replacing research with grave-robbing, you'd be better off following Aether.
"If you merely rely on external crutches and fail to take your own step in the history of alchemy, you can forget about ever reaching the grandmaster realm in this lifetime.
"This is a lesson for you as well, Ji Jue. If you want to achieve something, to take control of your own life and future, don't count on some old grandfather resurrected from a tomb handing you easy treats. Understand?"
Ji Jue nodded frantically.
He had no choice; there were simply too many horrific historical examples. Just reading through that compendium of historical alchemical creations had completely shattered his faith in ancient artisans' moral character.
Alchemy was great, but the people practicing it were far too damned wicked!
"That's the general situation. As for what's inside, I can't guarantee anything. No matter how safe a Border Realm might be, it's still a Border Realm. Whether you go or not is up to you,"
Professor Ye concluded, "Your decision won't affect your treatment or your studies. Matrices aren't rare. Even without Non-Offensive, with your aptitude, you can find something better."
Ji Jue fell into silence.
Several times, Ye Chun looked as though she wanted to say something, but under Professor Ye’s gaze, she kept her mouth shut.
Finally, Ji Jue let out a sigh.
"To be honest, I'm a bit scared, but I want to go even more."
He looked up, answering candidly, "Things I haven't seen, matters I haven't encountered, situations I haven't experienced—I'm curious about all of them."
"Good."
After a brief pause, Ye Xian gave a slight nod. "Staying holed up in a tiny corner of Yacheng will only stunt your vision and breadth of mind, making your actions seem petty and unremarkable. Going out this time will at least broaden your horizons.
"Don't worry about what Kong Qingyan might pull. As long as I'm breathing, she wouldn't dare lay a finger on you.
"As for this, take it."
With that, she retrieved a spherical object from her pocket and tossed it over. Ji Jue fumbled to catch it, his grinning expression stiffening slightly.
It was none other than that puzzle ball that had leeched who knew how much of his spiritus.
"[Oho, little bro, it's you again?]" A cheeky voice rang out from the puzzle ball like an auditory hallucination. "[Not bad! You've actually lasted this long. I thought you'd get kicked out the very first week.]"
*Can't you wish me well for once?!*
The corner of Ji Jue's eye twitched. The puzzle ball continued to rotate on its own, greeting him with the swagger of a rogue: "[Alright, since I'm in your hands, let's get along, yeah? Hook me up with more spiritus later, and big bro will cover you!]"
After that, it fell silent.
Ji Jue asked tentatively, "Professor, this is…"
"Think of it as an errand runner—an assistant I made in my younger days. With your abilities, communicating with it shouldn't be an issue. If you run into anything you don't understand, just ask it.
"Aside from serving as a mobile workshop to help handle small troubles on the fly, its more important role is to help you crack the workshop's outer wards. It'll save you from reaching the door, finding the place, and then having no idea how to get in or where the goods are."
Professor Ye continued casually, "In an emergency, it can barely save your life, though if it comes to that, you can forget about exploring the Border Realm.
"Once it takes over control, it will bring you straight back."
Understood: an all-purpose lockpick and life-saving artifact in one!
Even without grasping the true weight of the words "mobile workshop," Ji Jue's eyes lit up instantly.
Looking down at the puzzle ball now, it seemed charming in every way. If he spotted a speck of dust on it, he'd want to wipe it off immediately.
What "broken ball"? This was Brother Ball!
Brother Ball was magnificent, no questions asked!
Having decided to send out this little stray frog named Ji Jue to bring back souvenirs, Professor Ye wasted no more time on pleasantries and began making arrangements.
She dialed Wen Wen's number directly.
"Ms. Wen, there's something I'd like to ask," she said plainly. "Within the next few days, a Border Realm containing a sage's ruins will emerge within Haizhou's territory, correct?"
"…"
Amidst the ambient noise on the other end, a helpless sigh seemed to drift from Big Sis. "The Security Bureau really is a sieve, leaking from every side… Is Master Ye interested?"
"I am."
"Fine. By tonight at the latest, I'll submit the paperwork so no blind idiots try to block your way."
"No need to rush," Professor Ye said. "And I won't be the one joining. It's my student, Ji Jue."
"…Are you serious?"
After a brief pause, a loud crash erupted on the other end, followed by Wen Wen's stunned voice. "How long has that kid even been a Celestial Chosen? There's no need to seek a blessing this early!"
"Since he has the capability, there's no reason to delay," Professor Ye replied. "Rest assured, I wouldn't treat something like this as a casual picnic."
"If you say so. Hold on a second—alright, done."
Wen Wen said, "I happen to have people heading in to seek blessings as well, so they can go together. Tell him to report to the Beishan District branch tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
Just like that, not only was the entry ticket settled, but so were his teammates.
Finally, Ye Xian handed Ji Jue a form awaiting his signature.
A Ring of Taiyi workshop member registration form.
The registered location was the Tide Sound Workshop in Yacheng. The manager and recommender were both Ye Xian, stamped and signed in her own hand.
The registrant was Ji Jue.
His role: Assistant—which was to say, an apprentice in the conventional sense.
"I originally intended to give you more time to think it over, but it seems there's no chance you'll regret it. We might as well complete the paperwork now."
Ye Xian pushed a pen before Ji Jue, giving a final reminder: "However, think this through carefully. Once you sign this, you will be bound to my workshop entirely.
"You will be registered within the Ring of Taiyi, and all oversight will fall to me. From then on, your future will rest in my hands. Without my permission and recommendation, you won't even qualify to sit for the artisan exams.
"Naturally, to the outside world, your every word and deed will represent the workshop. You will be permitted to wear my insignia, and your actions will be viewed as my orders and instructions. But if you find a better prospect down the road and wish to switch allegiances, I will never allow it."
"These terms sound much more lenient than my student loans,"
Ji Jue chuckled softly after listening.
Apprentice and workshop, student and artisan—they inherently shared both honor and ruin. On the Path of Embers, this was a vital, sacred heritage.
Besides, without Professor Ye's guidance and recommendation, what hope did he have of qualifying for the artisan exams? In his dreams?
There was nothing to hesitate over.
Even without this piece of paper, their relationship wouldn't change. And what Professor Ye was handing him now was an indispensable protective talisman for a newly awakened Celestial Chosen like Ji Jue.
From now on, anyone thinking of touching Ji Jue would have to measure the backer behind him.
Without a second thought, he picked up the pen. But as his gaze swept to the bottom, it was arrested by the single line written in the ability registration field.
There was no detailed explanation, nor did it conform to the Ring of Taiyi's standard format.
Written by Professor Ye were only three simple words.
—Deus Ex Machina.
Murmuring the name softly, he couldn't help but pause.
This was the first time his ability had been given an official name.
Deus Ex Machina—a god from the machine.
A term used by critics to summarize traditional performances and plot devices.
It originated from the era before the Eternal Empire in the Mid-Continent, referring to theatrical performances where a crane or mechanical contraption lowered an actor playing an arbiter or deity onto the stage.
In storytelling, it denoted a clumsy contrivance where a playwright resolved an impasse through abrupt, unforeseen events without any prior foreshadowing.
Taken literally, it captured the essence of Ji Jue's ability with surgical precision: bestowing soul and spirit upon machinery, manifesting the power of Sovereign Virtue within dead matter and mortal flesh.
Yet thinking deeper into its meaning, it could be extended to mean a sudden, colossal variable; an external cause that breaks the deadlock; a lifeline tossed in the depths of peril.
Or even a divine masterstroke that turns the tides!
Noticing Ji Jue's contemplation, Professor Ye seemed to understand. "Does it not fit? It's just a name. You can change it if you like."
"No, it fits very well. I like it a lot."
Ji Jue smiled, signing his name at the bottom of the registration form.
"Thank you, Professor. No…"
Solemnly, he handed the form back. "Thank you, Teacher."
Yet Professor Ye went silent.
Her fingers rested on the form atop the desk, her expression drifting.
It felt just like the day she had first stepped into her own teacher's workshop all those years ago—gazing at the furnace before her beneath the dazzling sunlight. A gentle, calloused hand had lightly ruffled her hair with profound care and tenderness.
Like stroking a seed on the verge of sprouting.
That person had told her: *From this day forth, I am your teacher.*
Why did those memories, which she thought she had long forgotten, suddenly become so vivid once more?
She said nothing further.
She merely waved her hand, signaling for Ji Jue to do as he pleased.
Bathed in the afternoon sunlight, she watched the motes of dust drifting through the air.
She let the distant sound of the tide and the rush of memory swallow her whole.
*After all these years, Ye Xian, did you ever regret it?*
Chapter 59