Previously on God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World!...
As the group neared the tomb's core, stronger monsters attacked, pushing them to their limits. Gabriel skillfully fended off the waves, using a blend of Qi and mana that unnerved his companions. They eventually found a hidden alchemist's chamber, filled with ancient cultivation resources. While the others rested, Gabriel explored deeper and activated a mysterious alchemical device, causing a spectral figure to appear.
For several seconds, the spectral figure gazed at Gabriel before suddenly flinging its arms wide.
"I am the greatest alchemist to ever live!" the apparition proclaimed, its voice reverberating through the chamber, causing several Chaos Knights to startle and turn their heads. "I conceived the Nine Meridian Furnace Method, engineered the Crimson Bone Pill, advised twelve royal courts, and I am the only alchemist in history to successfully refine a Heaven Vein Elixir without wasting a single component!"
"I surpassed every single incompetent in my time," it continued, gliding above the table, its robes rippling with its every movement. "Monarchs pleaded for my assistance. Warriors bowed for my concoctions. Even Paragons sought my wisdom."
Gabriel observed in silence, not uttering a word.
The apparition continued to enumerate its triumphs for a full minute, speaking with evident pride and making grand gestures with its ethereal hands. It clearly anticipated awe, yet Gabriel's expression beneath his mask remained impassive throughout.
Finally, Gabriel inquired, "If you were so magnificent, how did you perish in this place?"
The spectral figure halted its movement.
Its mouth parted slightly, then closed, and the confident demeanor it projected faltered, becoming rigid. One hand remained suspended mid-air, and the faint shimmering around its form grew somewhat erratic.
"I... that is to say..." the alchemist stammered.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed with a hint of amusement. "So the most brilliant alchemist in existence met their end trapped within a tomb."
The apparition pointed an accusing finger at him. "You disrespectful junior, do you comprehend whom you are addressing?"
"You are deceased," Gabriel responded calmly. "Your past accolades hold little sway now."
The alchemist's face contorted.
For a few moments, it appeared genuinely affronted, but Gabriel merely leaned against the table, watching with quiet detachment. The projection clearly still held echoes of its former self, and for someone who had once occupied the pinnacle of achievement, being confronted with failure was undeniably vexing.
A subtle smirk played on Gabriel's lips beneath his mask.
"If you truly are the greatest," he stated, "then demonstrate it by imparting something valuable concerning this tomb and the suppression spike."
The apparition's expression shifted subtly.
"I possess no knowledge of the tomb itself," the alchemist confessed after a brief pause. "My objective in entering this place was to reach the central chamber where the Core Suppressing Spike was situated. Regrettably, I failed before I could arrive."
Gabriel's brow furrowed slightly. "You perished in the attempt to reach it?"
"Indeed."
With its earlier haughtiness diminished, the projection elaborated, "I underestimated the guardian general and placed too much faith in my own preparedness. By the time I managed to retreat, my wounds were already mortal."
Gabriel scrutinized the apparition before posing another question. "What was your cultivation level?"
The spectral figure immediately straightened, a measure of pride returning to its features.
"Level 200."
Gabriel's breath hitched for a fleeting instant.
An existence at Level 200 was far beyond casual discourse for ordinary individuals.
That designation was known as Paragon rank.
A genuine anomaly.
The projection observed his reaction and emitted a proud snort. "Now you comprehend."
Gabriel remained silent for a moment, processing the information rapidly. The Hero rank commenced at level 100, and individuals at that stage were already considered superiors to most nations.
Level 150 marked the Champion rank.
Level 200 was Paragon.
Beyond that, Level 250 was recognized as Legend rank, while Level 300 signified entry into the domain of Mythic existences. Following Mythic was Transcendent at 350, Saint at 400, Primordial at 450, and finally Ascendant at level 500.
Very few individuals possessed concrete knowledge of whether these uppermost ranks genuinely existed.
Much of the information pertaining to beings above Level 200 was vague, as such individuals seldom appeared publicly, and many actively obscured their true capabilities. At elevated cultivation levels, conventional assessment methods became unreliable, leading to rumors frequently supplanting established facts.
Gabriel slowly folded his arms.
A Paragon, a Level 200 being, had entered this tomb and still met their demise before reaching the spike. This single revelation caused the perceived danger level to escalate significantly in his mind.
The alchemist observed him and let out a sigh. "You are contemplating what I considered upon my initial entry. Confidence evaporates swiftly within this domain."
"What transpired with the general?" Gabriel inquired.
The projection's demeanor grew somber.
"I encountered a chamber guarded by an ancient warrior," it responded deliberately. "Initially, I presumed it to be merely another type of undead entity, but the creature still possessed remnants of intelligence and combat prowess. We engaged briefly, and I swiftly realized that victory was not within my grasp."
Gabriel's gaze flickered, his thoughts returning to the knight. He recognized that the alchemist's foe wasn't the same knight he'd encountered previously, as he had already passed that point. Whatever inhabitant this ancient alchemist faced was further ahead on the same path, indicating a single, significant conclusion.
They were indeed progressing in the correct direction.
The projection continued its speech, its gaze lowering slightly. "I managed to escape, but not without sustaining severe injuries. My internal organs were already in a dire state, my Qi circulation was on the verge of collapse, and the monsters outside had started to amass in greater numbers."
"So, you took refuge here," Gabriel stated.
"I was unable to make it back to the entrance," the projection admitted. "The outer corridors were already swarming with monsters, and my critical injuries rendered any prolonged combat utterly impossible. I chose this chamber specifically for its isolation, hoping to buy myself some time."
Its eyes then drifted towards the various shelves that lined the room.
"In my final days, I dedicated my remaining time to crafting pills, refining potent medicines, meticulously organizing ancient techniques, and imparting my accumulated knowledge before the embrace of death inevitably claimed me."
Gabriel cast another brief look at the surrounding shelves.
It was highly probable that the majority of the items he had collected earlier were artifacts from those very final days. Considering the remarkable cultivation level of the alchemist who created them, even mere remnants, if damaged, could still hold immense value out in the world.
The projection then clasped its arms behind its back.
"I did not create this recording for the benefit of foolish individuals," it declared with a discernible air of pride. "The fact that you have activated it suggests you possess either sufficient intelligence or extraordinary luck, qualities that entitle you to receive some answers."
"I shall permit you a limited number of questions," the alchemist's projection offered. "Choose your inquiries wisely, for I have no intention of squandering my time attempting to explain inconsequential matters to someone who might perish before ever escaping this tomb."
...
Gratitude to all who champion this novel. My apologies for the recent scarcity of chapters; I was occupied with academic pursuits and other commitments. I hope to find more time to dedicate to writing... a new chapter will be available soon.
