Order Bureau, Sublimation Furnace Core.

Aimou led the way in front, with Bologue closely following behind. Even though he had mentally prepared himself these past few days, when truly facing it all, Bologue couldn't help but feel nervous.

The Unfettered Poetry Society was just a minor episode for Bologue. Since the encounter on the street, Bologue hadn't sensed that sticky, sinister gaze again.

He guessed that maybe the Unfettered Poetry Society had given up tracking him, or perhaps his encounter with them was purely accidental.

These thoughts didn't bother Bologue for long. He dismissed all distractions, leaving only one goal in his mind.

The surrounding lights gradually dimmed, an eerie white light shone from above, and then a heavy gate obstructed his path, flashing with blood-red warning lights.

Colorful lights painted Bologue's face like pigments; behind the grid walls, the noise of fans spinning was like the buzz of a crowded hive.

After a brief wait, the gate slowly opened, a cold draft seeped through the gap, and as the gate fully opened, a fierce wind struck Bologue.

Bologue raised his hand to shield his eyes; the wind stopped after a few seconds. Through the gaps between his fingers, Bologue saw the vast space beyond the gate.

Endless white light fell from above, blocking Bologue's vision. The entire space was circular, cold grid iron plates covered the floor, and faintly, pipes lurking in the shadows could be seen. Vines of pipes hung densely on the towering iron walls, massive tracks traversed the upper space, crowded with hooks, and various indicator lights blinked incessantly. Employees wearing protective clothing were busy.

The style here was consistent with that of the Sublimation Furnace Core, maintaining a wild industrial aesthetic. In the center of the venue stood an operating table Bologue was extremely familiar with; it was there that he had undergone the implantation ritual initially.

Three days passed quickly, and Bologue faced his ascension ceremony.

Turning his head, the gate was slowly closing; in the dim corridor, he saw Palmer whistling towards him, Hart waving, while Church silently stood by, watching Bologue.

Bologue muttered, "Now, the one giving birth has changed."

"What?"

Aimou turned her head; she hadn't heard what Bologue said clearly.

Bologue shook his head, "Nothing, just talking to myself."

"That's good, don't be too nervous."

Aimou thought Bologue might be nervous, pulled at his sleeve, and led him aside.

The researchers had already been waiting here for quite some time, and before arriving at the Sublimation Furnace Core, Aimou had also explained a general procedure. Bologue knew what to do next and cooperatively took off his coat, revealing his upper body.

"You won't die, but your Alchemy Matrix is too special and still requires careful treatment."

A familiar voice sounded. Bologue looked up, seeing a figure wrapped tightly in protective clothing.

"Balder?"

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

Balder spoke while wiping Bologue's arm, then inserted an injection needle into it.

"Nothing, just feels like I haven't seen you in a long time."

Bologue recalled he hadn't seen Balder for a while, or perhaps he had but Balder didn't greet him. After all, Balder was always in protective clothing, and without carefully checking the nameplate, it was hard to distinguish him from the crowd.

Balder said, "Aimou has been sharing my work, and recently, I've been focusing on my research."

Beside him, Aimou nodded; when mentioning the "shared work" part, a hint of fatigue appeared in her eyes.

Even a person as tough as iron would become exhausted after many days of work, not to mention that Aimou essentially had two jobs, one in the Field Operations Department and another in the Sublimation Furnace Core.

Well, she indeed was like iron, and that expensive Alchemy Metal at that.

"These potions will make you feel more comfortable and provide considerable stability for the ascension ceremony."

Balder injected a few more potions into Bologue's neck. His medical case held numerous prepped Mang Silver Souls.

"Based on previous implantation rituals, you would suffer from Bulimia Nervosa after the ceremony, so we are well-prepared this time."

Balder took out a few potions, shaking them in front of Bologue. Inside the transparent glass containers, liquid resembling mercury swirled, and within the shiny silver glimmer, countless small light spots flickered.

The Golden Soul is only bound by the Devil's Blood Contract; even if condensed into a Philosopher's Stone, it will eventually fade away. But the souls from plants and animals, the Mang Silver Soul, are different. This soul can be bound by the Condensation Ceremony and subsequently used. Its effects are much inferior to the Golden Soul, but this is the only means for debtors to supplement their soul without violating ethical guidelines.

It's not just one.

Bologue whispered in his heart; he possessed the ability to "absorb," allowing him to seize Soul Shards from those decaying demons.

All along, Bologue had been pondering the source of this power, for which he had made numerous guesses.

For instance... is this a "Protection" granted by some Devil?

Much like the Protection·Bloodthirsty Healing obtained by the Contracted members of the Corrupted Sect from the Devil's hand.

Just as Bologue was about to continue pondering, a surge of pain came from the back of his neck. Aimou realized she had applied too much force and apologized.

"I'm sorry. This is a Concentration Potion, which will help you stay awake from now on."

Bologue nodded slightly; he had used the Concentration Potion before, just like the Mang Silver Soul, to suppress the Bulimia Nervosa Potion.

The Concentration Potion allowed Bologue to stay awake, preventing him from falling into a coma, but Bologue wasn't overly hopeful about the potion. Once he died, no potion could awaken him from the slumber of death.

After completing these preparations, the entire space was strictly sealed, with some unnecessary personnel being dispersed, leaving just a few to maintain the operation of the scene.

"Do I need to leave as well?" Aimou asked Balder.

Balder hesitated for a moment and, after much thought, advised Aimou, "You can, but everything you see next must remain secret."

Aimou nodded firmly, unaware of why mere ascension ceremony required such secrecy, but since it involved Bologue, she was quite attentive, always ready to respond to the call.

Bologue was also somewhat bewildered as to why everyone was acting as though facing a formidable enemy. Then, the armor covering the circular walls shifted to the sides, revealing an observation window. Beneath the thick glass, numerous silhouetted figures could faintly be seen flickering.

"There's nothing we can do; the Scholars' Hall has to be involved."

Belli approached Bologue, who almost didn't recognize her at first glance, as Belli, usually dressed lightly, had unexpectedly donned protective clothing.

Bologue looked at the blurry figures behind the observation window. During his triple trial, they were observing, and this time was no different, as if Bologue was some rare species in their eyes.

Bologue had no objections to this, following Belli's instructions, he came to the center of the surgical table... or rather, the ceremony platform, lying flat within it, where cold iron frames locked and bound him one by one.

Bologue said to Belli, "Is there anything you want to say?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I feel today's atmosphere is somewhat off; is it because of the Scholars' Hall?"

"Not entirely."

"Then what is it?"

Belli replied with action; she raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Balder began instructing others, and a cargo covered in black cloth was carried over the overhead track. Simultaneously, several people in gray clothing appeared quietly, attracting no one's attention.

She asked, "Have you decided on your auxiliary sub-sect?"

"I have."

Bologue intended to nod but found his head was tightly bound to the ceremony platform, unable to move.

"Without knowing the sub-sect of Secret Energy, I'm ready to take a closer step, advancing along the path of polarization, further lifting the restrictions of the Summoning Hand."

"Sounds pretty good."

Belli nodded and showed an unwilling smile, "Then it seems I was unnecessary."

"What did you do?"

Belli didn't answer; then, Bologue saw it. Though his head couldn't move much, he still saw the glowing light, like burning gold.

The black cloth was uncovered by the gray-clothed people, and the gilded color instantly spread over the areas illuminated by the light, instilling everything with a thin golden layer, like an amber container. The Celestial God's figure remained unchanged, suspended within, unable to awaken from the unending slumber.

"Xilin Kagader..."

Looking at the familiar yet strange silhouette, Bologue murmured.

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