Chapter 00253: Blessing Chain
# Blessing Chain
Chapter 253
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 253: Blessing Chain
Even among all the arrays, considering all the special requirements, different variations, and the various eccentricities, "Non-Strike" is certainly one of the most unusual aspects.
As a tool created by the scheming Ink Masters, its very existence is like a gun aimed at the heart of the Empire, a shovel made to undermine its foundation, and a guillotine meant to sever the Emperor's head.
Not only are the four stages of invocation, transformation, rebirth, and transcendence characterized by chains composed of three different blessings, but once the state of transcendence is completed, the four blessing chains can merge together again, undergoing another qualitative change.
What is even more terrifying is that it maintains interaction and complementarity with the array of "Universal Love," not to mention the specialized creations such as "Heavenly Ghost," "Common Unity," and "Non-Life" that were born specifically for this purpose.
The more rudimentary the workshop, the more powerful the materials produced.
Not to mention those Ink Masters, who are like lunatics ready to risk everything against the Emperor, stuffing their materials recklessly into the work, anything that can’t fit is then worked into blessed creations, arrayed artifacts, or even supreme instruments, all working together.
The tools and weapons forged for Non-Strike are simply countless.
Instead, it also encounters someone like Ji Jue, who carries the legacy of ancient sages, a bizarre entity that nine supreme beings covet and desire.
She cannot even begin to imagine what kind of chaos might ensue when Ji Jue truly loses control in the future.
At this moment, what Ji Jue displayed was the combination of "Heavenly Craftsmanship," "Primacy of Mind," and "Dominion Axis," forming the most supreme, one-of-a-kind chain among all the blessing combinations of Non-Strike!
Back in the day, the Ink Masters categorized it into four distinct tiers, naming it ‘Invocation,’ which means everything touched by the hands of Non-Strike belongs to itself!
Thus, all phenomena are invoked!
The precise operations of Heavenly Craftsmanship, the enhancement and guidance by Primacy of Mind, paired with the diffusion and connection of the Dominion Axis, and the effects of Non-Strike all together allow for the bypassing of all prerequisites and enables the direct refining and transformation of the controlled objects.
The strength of the effects and the changes in refinement and transformation all entirely depend on the user's own mastery of alchemy.
Yet among the crazed craftsmen of the Ink Masters, how could any who receive the favor of Non-Strike lack prowess? Let alone Ji Jue, who is versed in fluid alchemy, modern alchemy, and mutant alchemy all at once.
In the presence of his teacher, he has even been conservatively showcasing his skills; who knows how many insane things he has yet to reveal.
In the past, opponents faced with the Non-Strike Ink Masters had to be cautious of any bomb that the craftsmen might casually create beneath their feet, inhaling the toxic fumes or whether flames or frost would suddenly appear before them.
But Ji Jue's enemies would have to face a mechanical monstrosity activated through divine mechanization, enhanced by alchemy, tireless, fearless, and absolutely unafraid of death.
As things stood, it was manageable; the limit of divine mechanization was only about a hundred meters, at worst, one might wonder whether they would accidentally encounter a major disaster or engage in a passionate embrace with a petroleum truck set to explode.
When the time comes for Ji Jue to further enhance his powers in the future, it would be his foes who begin to pray that no aircraft happens to fly over their stratosphere…
Just thinking about it, Professor Ye found himself sympathizing for the unfortunate souls caught in Ji Jue's sights.
Meanwhile, he felt a subtle stomach ache for the burden of responsibility that came with being a teacher.
More importantly…
"This is from the legendary workshop 'Clock Tower' of the Empire, one of their earliest creations. Although it is not a blessed creation, it holds significant meaning. The last auction price for it was twenty-one million."
She expressionlessly lifted her teacup and reminded him kindly, "You'd better restore it to its original state."
In an instant, the smile on Ji Jue’s face froze.
He swallowed hard, voice dry, "This… is that expensive?!"
"I didn’t spend money; I took it by chance."
Professor Ye took a sip of strong tea and said nonchalantly, "But if it’s not restored, a recent lucky fellow might go bankrupt."
Crack!
With a light sound, the brass leopard rushed back to its original position under the master's command, restoring its state.
Not a single detail was off!
Even under a magnifying glass, not a flaw could be found.
Returning to its source, reshaping, the effect brought about by divine mechanization and the controller's mastery of alchemy and precise operation can be plainly seen.
Alright, this hurdle is passed.
This also saves him from having to check the work.
Professor Ye set down her teacup, "Now that the invocation chain is complete, next is 'Transformation.'"
Unlike the previous completion of the invocation phase, where one would go to various supreme beings to scrounge for meals, as part of the embers series’ array, the upcoming blessings in the transformation stage will all be solely from the embers series.
In fact, regardless of the user's level or distinctions, any person arriving here will be met with the same three blessings.
These represent three critical aspects for the Chosen Ones, three essential transformations.
Life, mind, and soul!
These are the "Blood of the Furnace," "Ever-Burning Ember," and "Heavenly Gifted Spirit."
The completion of each blessing represents a qualitative change, departing from the mundane and moving toward rebirth.
Once the three transformations are completed, it is as if one has stepped over three vital thresholds, finally able to push open the doors of rebirth.
Each of these three is a blessing that the Embers long for, and they are also the substantial tests that caused the ambitions of many craftsmen to be buried in despair.
Only by having one can there be two, only with two can there be three.
If one cannot obtain the primordial Blood of the Furnace, then the subsequent Ever-Burning Ember and Heavenly Gifted Spirit shall never respond to the Chosen One’s call.
The method to obtain it is simple.
No need for scheming, nor any begging upwards or downwards; just complete the craftsman’s basic duty.
All that's needed is determination!
Night and day forging and polishing, creating and working prior to the furnace, through which craftsmen comprehend the essence of alchemy, as they encounter countless transformations and exchanges of supreme essences day after day, their very bodies will subtly undergo changes.
Until finally, through the long passage of time, having completed countless creations and smeltings, those tiny essences will be integrated into their blood, leading to a day when a complete qualitative change arrives.
The Blood of the Furnace is thus born.
From then on, the craftsman's blood becomes like the blazing flames of the furnace, with a temperature comparable to lava.
Even a mere few drops injected into a creation will induce unbelievable transformations, significantly enhancing the completeness and effects of the works from the furnace.
When fully ignited, it can even be used as fuel...
For each of the three blessings completed, the quality of subsequent creations will get a qualitative uplift, such that in the end, even a casual creation would likely contain boundless mysteries.
Logically, such a simple method should attract craftsmen in droves.
However, in reality, after exhausting countless people who gave up halfway, everyone understands its nature——for the mediocre, this is a torturous journey they could not complete in their lifetime!
If someone spends their life dealing with waste materials, it would likely take hundreds of years to fulfill the requirements for the Blood of the Furnace.
The farther along one goes, the harsher the conditions, and the more exquisite and rare the works that need to be created.
In the end, the prerequisite for obtaining the Heavenly Gifted Spirit is to happen upon a fortunate coincidence, to follow the will of heaven, and to complete a true work of divine gifting.
Craftsmen who can accomplish the Blood of the Furnace are rare, one in a hundred.
Those who obtain the Ever-Burning Ember are even rarer, one in a hundred of those.
But ultimately, the Heavenly Gifted Spirit is beyond numerical calculation.
Since the birth of modern alchemy, there have been but a few.
Thus, when craftsmen attempt this, they will also act according to their capability.
Even if they can only obtain the blessing of the Blood of the Furnace, it wouldn’t be a loss.
Moreover, there are quite a few blessing chains related to the Blood of the Furnace; they can always turn back when the time comes.
But Non-Strike is different.
It possesses only this single path moving forward, with no other options!
This is the consequence of the many expectations and designs poured into it by the Ink Masters.
If one cannot complete the crucial transformation, then further rebirth and transcendence need not be considered.
The path of Non-Strike is destined to be arduous; the mediocre shall retreat, and the incompetent will find it inaccessible.
Only those rare one-in-ten-thousands, those who are truly the Chosen Ones, can grasp its true essence.
And now, the test has presented itself before Ji Jue...
Yet this guy remains foolishly happy.
As if unaware of anything.
But that is impossible; this kind of common sense Ji Jue cannot possibly be ignorant of, he simply has grown accustomed to it, or perhaps… he has never even considered the possibility of failure!
Professor Ye silently sighed.
The arrogance of the Embers...
"Ji Jue."
After a brief pause, she suddenly spoke.
Ji Jue perked up, straightening his body and sitting upright, waiting for instructions.
"There's no need to be so serious. No, forget it, maybe you should be a bit serious."
To prevent him from slumping carelessly back into his chair, Professor Ye wisely decided to stop short: "There is something I require your assistance with. This is neither a compulsion nor without future consequences."
She paused for a moment, letting out a gentle sigh: "It could even lead to irreversible impacts on your life... this has already moved beyond the obligations and authority of teacher and student. To be honest, it is quite demanding."
Thus, I hope that you will consider it carefully."Ji Jue was taken aback. He had never seen Professor Ye display such caution. Suddenly, his previously relaxed heart was on edge again, and he subconsciously become nervous:"You’re not planning to send me back to that old Deng from the Jianyuan, right?!"That would be unacceptable! He really would pick up a bucket and flee! The look he received was that of Professor Ye regarding a fool. This made his feelings somewhat clear. Hmm, so it seems that’s not the case."Could it be…"He recalled Lü Yingyue, who had visited that morning, and immediately lowered his voice, leaning closer, drawing a finger across his neck,"Are you, like me, having a small opinion on Xue Chao-xian?""…"Professor Ye's expression grew more serious. Hmm, so that’s not it either. What could it be?! Ji Jue’s eyes lit up:"Could it be…"Before he could finish speaking, Professor Ye raised her hand and closed the space. She stopped Ji Jue’s mouth. If he were allowed to continue, the two of them might just storm into the central city to seize the presidential position. Considering his lack of sense, best not to speak further. Discussing anything would only add stress to herself."Whether you hold the qualifications to participate in this matter is still undecided; you only need to be prepared.
Just let me know once you have considered it.
Before that, however, there is a task you must accomplish, whether you wish to or not!"She paused and suddenly asked:"How long have you been in the workshop?""Um..."Ji Jue held up his fingers, counting back and forth for a long time, still not quite certain, he cautiously asked:"Four... four months?"He joined the workshop from summer into autumn, and now it was autumn to winter; considering it all, four months should be correct. These four months have been significantly more thrilling than the previous twenty years. It feels as though he has accomplished so much! Exciting! As for how sensational the story of moving from invocation to transformation in just four months is, he hadn’t the slightest inkling."Indeed, the progress is about right, and the theory and accumulation are sufficient.
You can still catch this year's final batch of registrations."After a moment of consideration, Professor Ye nodded in agreement, pointing at Ji Jue. As a teacher, she issued an order to him:"——You, go take the craftsman’s license! Come back!"