Early morning.

Zorn awoke, feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Beside him, Vanessa was still fast asleep.

Last night, the "boss" had reached its fourth form, and the surging Spiritual power had been channeled through the path of Joy.

This had pushed the Merciful Witch, Vanessa, to the very limit of what she could contain.

Now, as she slept, Vanessa was still digesting the gift from Joy.

As he pondered, the Spiritual Realm bloomed within Zorn’s Perception.

Inside the Spiritual Realm, on an altar Zorn had long ago prepared, stood a Ritual Platform built from three materials: the Sun Eye, the Angel Statue, and the Golden Dragon Scale.

Upon it, a Crying Blood Sun with a distinct outline was slowly blooming within the deep dimensions revealed by the ceremony.

Zorn slowly extended his palm.

Space and time converged, misaligned.

The Crying Blood Sun faintly materialized in the center of Zorn’s palm.

The rules and procedures of this Miracle Ceremony, the Crying Blood Sun, were already etched into Zorn’s mind.

For a Player, this was a great wheel of the era that one absolutely had to board.

Failing to board this great wheel of the era’s tide meant falling far behind and being unable to keep up with the pace of development.

And for Zorn, who planned to put down roots in the new Steam Empire soon to be born in the Northern Border Region, it was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

Yesterday, Zorn had completed three sacrifices.

Only then had he managed to anchor his own part within the Tears and Blood Ceremony.

When the Crying Blood Sun rose over the Northern Border Region, Zorn would carve an immortal Miracle Sacred Mark.

It was a peculiar existence that made it easier to form an Immortal Sacred Mark than a Calamity Sacred Mark did.

Only one-third of a Calamity Sacred Mark could be converted into an Immortal Sacred Mark.

But a Miracle Sacred Mark would see half of it converted into an Immortal Sacred Mark.

’Even though it cost me three chances at Resurrection, I finally managed to carve out a piece of the Crying Blood Sun for myself.’

’When the Crying Blood Sun rises, I too will obtain my own immortal Miracle Sacred Mark.’

As he mused, Zorn extended his senses toward the Steam Lighthouses arranged around the manor.

’Last night, those guys tried to probe the area, but it seems they detected the surveillance power of the Steam Lighthouses and retreated.’

’It might have been Duke Mu Huo’s cronies. After all, Duke Mu Huo has been hiding in the shadows for a while now. With the terrible steam train disaster about to hit Ogrande City, they’re sure to take the opportunity to cause trouble. They might even brazenly make a clean break with Ogrande City.’

’A more likely possibility is that some of the powerful masters among Saintisman’s Harvesters have their eyes on me.’ 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

’The probability that the two have joined forces is also extremely high.’

’After all... they have connections with each other, and they all want me dead!’

He dressed, left the small, hidden chamber, and ascended the stone steps of the basement.

The old butler, Glangk, was waiting at the entrance, his back ramrod straight.

After completing the inheritance of the Knight Sequence, Glangk was clearly in much higher spirits.

His once graying hair had even turned significantly darker recently.

This was precisely why so many people yearned to obtain Extraordinary Power.

A healthy and strong physique, a long, high-quality life—these were things nobles were willing to spend a fortune to acquire.

And an Extraordinary Sequence could provide all of this with ease.

This also meant that every Extraordinary Sequence was incredibly expensive.

Although Zorn had a good number of Shadow Sequence Crystal Core Materials on hand, it was far better to use them to turn his own people into Shadow Sequence Transcendents rather than sell them for cash. By making them members of his "Fighting Ranch," he would gain a continuous supply of "Fighting Essence," a much more beneficial outcome.

Over the past few days, Zorn had already allowed several managers from the Steam Factory to acquire the Shadow Sequence.

Zorn still had many Shadow Sequence Crystal Cores left.

It was time for some of Alvin’s subordinates to obtain the Shadow Sequence.

...

Around noon, the sky gradually grew dark.

"WOOOSH..."

A cold wind from the northwest stirred the gray fog of Ogrande, making it flow through the streets like a layer of clouds.

Red River Valley Tavern, second floor.

Inside Alvin’s private room.

The flames in the fireplace burned fiercely, filling the room with warmth.

The Evil Spirit Divine Mage, Alvin, and Zorn were gathered there.

"There are about nine guys who can inherit an Extraordinary Sequence."

"Two of them have excellent Talent, and the other seven have decent Talent."

Doomsday Shadow Stab Alvin explained the results of the Extraordinary Talent tests for his many subordinates.

Zorn had already guessed the number would be around that.

Everyone in Ogrande City knew that Extraordinary Sequences were powerful.

Theoretically, anyone could inherit an Extraordinary Sequence that suited them.

In reality, however, the number of people who could properly digest an Extraordinary Sequence was quite small.

Only about one in ten people could fully digest a Sequence and possess the potential for advancement.

Alvin had about a hundred men, among whom five or six were already Transcendents.

Being able to pick out nine more suitable candidates this time was already quite good.

Zorn handed 15 Sequence Crystal Cores to Alvin.

"Have your men complete the inheritance. While you’re at it, you can also scout for some other talented individuals."

"It doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad. As long as they have Faith in the great Lord of Holy Witch, they will dedicate themselves selflessly."

"Understood!"

Alvin carefully put away the 15 Sequence Crystal Cores.

Zorn then looked at Alvin.

"How are the preparations coming along?"

Alvin clenched a fist, full of confidence.