Chapter 219 - Teda Yazhede

Stepping on the rusty staircase, the building shrouded in mist gradually became clear. Like many structures suspended over cliffs, it also resembled a grotesque tumor. However, unlike others, its surface glimmered with a dim light that distorted onlookers’ vision. Without Belli’s note, Bologue would find it challenging to see through the illusion and discover this place.

Palmer followed closely behind Bologue, currently affected by the Void Realm’s influence, unable to perceive the building and resorting to Bologue for guidance.

At the end of the staircase, Bologue felt like he was standing in front of a giant bird’s nest, its shell covered with iron plates corroded by the mist, some even showing a state of collapse.

Knocking on the iron door, Bologue felt slightly nervous. He hadn’t informed Teda beforehand and didn’t know if he’d be mistaken for an intruder. Recalling Teda’s fully unleashed Secret Energy during the implant ceremony, Bologue’s nerves were taut.

Footsteps sounded from behind the door. Without a password or identity verification, the iron door opened, revealing Teda’s face, muttering as he appeared.

"I don’t remember having an appointment today?"

He was about to voice some complaint but was surprised when he saw the visitor’s face.

"Bologue Lazarus."

He remembered Bologue’s name well, couldn’t forget it as Bologue bore the Alchemy Matrix of Overlord Xilin.

"Hello..."

Bologue was momentarily at a loss on how to address Teda—former department head? Teacher Teda?

Among so many acquaintances, Bologue had special respect for this former head of the Sublimation Furnace Core, albeit he’d had little contact with him. Perhaps, it was under Teda’s craftsmanship that Bologue rose on the Path of Transcendence.

As for the other person? From the first moment they met, Bologue felt he would never hold Belli in esteem again.

"Teda, just call me Teda."

Teda glanced at Bologue and then at Palmer behind him, his voice more surprised.

"Palmer?"

"You know each other?" It surprised Bologue that Teda could call out Palmer’s name.

"The unlucky one from the Clarks family, he’s quite famous," Teda explained.

"What?"

Palmer hadn’t caught their conversation, his attention wholly on the building.

A low humming emanated from inside, with Ether swirling along fixed paths. As Teda opened the door, a gap appeared in the previously enclosed ring. The sealed Silence of power began to seep out slightly, continuously pricking Palmer’s senses.

"Is this your Alchemy Workshop?" Palmer asked.

"Yes, hmm?"

Teda stared at Palmer. Bologue sensed a hint of hostility in Teda’s eyes, but it didn’t last long. Teda sighed.

"Oh well, both of you can come in."

"Oh, thank you."

Palmer was oblivious to Teda’s reasoning. Bologue, however, understood and looked somewhat helpless.

"Please don’t let it collapse," Bologue quietly prayed.

"I didn’t expect the Order Bureau to actually plan on intervening in the Great Rift."

Teda frowned after hearing their intentions, "So, you need a safe place as a base?"

"Yes."

Bologue nodded in affirmation, withholding too much information from Teda.

He had previously discussed Teda’s stance with Palmer, but Bologue was cautious. Since Teda had left the Order Bureau, regardless of any private agreements or previous assistance from Teda, Bologue decided to conceal some information.

He still remembered why Teda left the Order Bureau—his research violated ethical regulations. Whatever Teda studied, he undoubtedly crossed the line.

"Belli suggested... we could stay here temporarily as a base," Bologue relayed Belli’s words, observing Teda’s reaction.

"If you guarantee not to wreck the place, you’re welcome to stay."

Teda gave an unexpected answer that left Bologue momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected Teda to agree.

If he and Palmer stayed here permanently, they would act like the Order Bureau’s surveillance, observing Teda’s every move. Yet, Teda didn’t seem to mind being watched; he was more concerned about Palmer’s "Blessing" possibly ruining his Alchemy Workshop.

"Palmer, I remember you, the heir of the Clarks."Teda conversed further with Palmer.

"Rather than an heir, I’m better known as the unlucky one,"Palmer unexpectedly admitted self-awareness, standing at the doorway, refraining from entering.

"If necessary, I can leave,"Palmer looked at the complex equipment and pipelines inside with curiosity yet restrained himself, "Since becoming a Debtor, I’m no longer allowed into Alchemy Workshops."

"It’s fine. You can have a look around, but remember not to touch the Alchemy Equipment in the center of the building. It’s the core that maintains the Void Realm."

Teda’s unexpected leniency stunned not only Bologue but also Palmer, who even doubted his own ears.

"Are you serious?" Bologue asked. If Palmer had any bad luck, the precise Alchemy Workshop might explode into a fireball.

"It’s nothing," Teda replied with an indifferent attitude.

"Oh, oh, oh!"

Palmer crowed like a rooster, babbling incoherently, then slipped inside.

With Palmer’s departure, Bologue’s expression turned cold, and he whispered.

"Palmer is a jinx. Aren’t you afraid he’ll blow this place up just to get rid of him?"

"You’ll be coming here often anyway, better to get used to it early."

Teda showed the cunning look of an old fox.

"I have one condition. If you agree, I’d be happy to provide any support for your operations within the Great Rift."

Teda’s words were full of allure, truly a master-apprentice dynamic, Bologue realized from whom Belli had learned those damned negotiation skills.

"Aren’t you afraid we’ll be watching you if you keep us here?" Bologue admitted frankly.

"What’s there to fear?" Teda replied dismissively. "The Order Bureau letting me go is proof I pose no threat, right?"

Bologue remained silent, his teal eyes fixed on Teda. Perhaps due to his aura, whenever Bologue looked at someone in silence, they always felt immense pressure and a chilling sensation, as if they were facing a spirit monster wearing human skin.

Teda was no exception. He avoided Bologue’s gaze and said.

"You’re really vigilant, Bologue."

His demeanor was relaxed; privately, Teda was not as imposing as he once was, and his aging eyes glimmered with wisdom.

"What is your condition?" Bologue asked.

"Let me study you, study your Secret Energy, your Alchemy Matrix, study the Power of Dominator Xilin... In a way, you’re practically a walking masterpiece."

The wisdom in his eyes was partially replaced by fervor, as Teda continued to speak to Bologue.

"I’ve been researching this power for many years. I might even help you master it better."

"It seems there’s no reason for me to refuse."

After a few moments of contemplation, Bologue accepted Teda’s proposal.

As Teda mentioned, at least from the upper echelons of the Order Bureau’s perspective, they still trusted Teda. Not only did they let him leave, but they also involved him in the takeover of the Power of Dominator. Yet even so, Bologue found it hard to fully trust him.

After the Kedening incident, Bologue was reluctant to trust his first impressions of people; everyone wore masks, and all he could do was maintain absolute vigilance.

Apart from these, Teda’s conditions were indeed hard for Bologue to refuse. An Alchemy Master providing backup, a base protected by the Void Realm, and many more potential benefits...

"Can I ask you something?" Bologue suddenly inquired.

"What?"

"What initially caused you to violate the ethical regulations," Bologue asked curiously, "I want to know the reason why you left the Order Bureau."

"You’ve really hit the nail on the head," Teda fell silent for a moment or two, then showed a helpless smile, "Have you read the ’Golden Thesis’?"

"I have. That book is fundamental knowledge, understandable even without knowing Alchemy," Bologue said.

"Then you should know the three main schools in Alchemy: the transformation of metal sublimation, the exploration and pursuit of the Alchemy Matrix, and the creation of new life."

Teda began explaining these basic concepts, then shifted the topic.

"But research always needs to break taboos; only by throwing away all rules and constraints can we progress further."

"That sounds very much like the style of the Order of Truth," Bologue commented coldly.

"Haha, indeed, once you abandon your bottom line, all that remains is fervor," Teda put away his smile, speaking seriously, "The school I researched was the third one."

"Creating new life..."

Bologue murmured softly. In ’Golden Thesis,’ the creation of life was viewed by Alchemists as the research for usurping divine power—the most mysterious and maddening study.

"Creating life is absolute taboo within the Order Bureau. They handled many such crises. Under the Alchemists’ madness, they created one deformed monster after another, bringing endless calamity," Teda said.

"But you violated all that... What did you create? Were you successful?"

Bologue’s tone also carried curiosity. The creation of life was indeed utterly fascinating.

"I still have some bottom lines, not performing inhumane experiments or concocting Philosopher’s Stones-like atrocities, so the Order Bureau’s treatment of me was relatively lenient. Naturally, the main reason they let me off so easily was that I did indeed achieve results."

With that, Teda smiled confidently, though his smile carried a hint of madness, completely at odds with his previous authority.

"As for my results... She should be back."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Bologue turned his head, looking at the dark iron door.