In the days that followed,

Zorn steadily digested the Golden Magic Ring Source Fruit, causing his Sequence Level Experience to surge.

At the same time, Zorn began grinding his Skill proficiency in a secluded corner of the world he had previously explored.

The situation in the outside world seemed to be better than Zorn had anticipated.

First, the contaminated Torlask Steam Train had been perfectly trapped underground by Zorn’s plan.

According to intel from Sanma,

the sewers had been completely overrun by a thick, steamy mist.

Dense steam periodically spewed from the manhole covers, accompanied by the sounds of a train whistle and the CLANGING of rails.

Although the situation was strange and frightening, there was no actual contamination or harm.

Alvin went in to investigate and encountered a Lost Traveler that was forcefully trying to pull in passengers.

With his strength, he naturally dispatched it with ease.

The original plan to contaminate Ogrande City using the Torlask Steam Train did not come to pass.

Those powerful Harvesters also seemed to have vanished without a trace.

However, judging from the recent assassinations of high-status nobles with real power, the ambushes on Transcendent tutors, and Zorn’s own encounters, the Harvesters were clearly plotting something.

’Fomenting a war? It might be too soon for that.’

’Performing some kind of terrible ritual? Possible, but not likely.’

’Or perhaps they’re trying to find a way to bring the Torlask Steam Train to the surface?’

No matter what plans those powerful Harvesters from Saintisman were plotting, increasing his own strength was the key.

...

Deep within the hazy Gray Mist, beneath a towering tree wall.

A stream flowed quietly from a fissure at the base of the towering tree wall, pooling into a serene pond not far away.

From time to time, one or two Golden Jellyfish would drift down the stream and into the pond.

The dissolving Golden Jellyfish made the entire pond look like liquid gold. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The mysterious Golden Stream, the towering tree wall deep within the mist.

This place was originally one of the clues Players gathered while exploring this world, which would ultimately lead them to unravel the secrets of the Tree of the Magic Ring.

But Players wouldn’t think of it that way.

The "Golden Stream" was the perfect place to restore Energy.

Attacking the "Golden Tree Wall" yielded a generous amount of Skill proficiency.

It was clear this was a place for training Skills.

After a solid week of frantically grinding proficiency here, Zorn’s Skill and Witchcraft proficiency had increased by leaps and bounds.

For Forbidden Curses and Ancient God Curses, an increase in proficiency also meant a partial increase in power.

For the foreseeable future, Zorn planned to grind his Skill proficiency here properly.

After all, this was one of the few places in all of Ogrande City where one could grind Skill proficiency long-term.

Just as Zorn finished a round of training, drank some Golden Spring Water, and began to recover,

"HOOT... HOOT..."

The low cry of an owl came from the Gray Mist not far away.

Zorn’s senses pricked up. He quickly rose, moved deeper into the Gray Mist, and raised his arm.

The grayish-white owl landed on Zorn’s arm and spoke in a human voice, "Zorn, come to the gathering camp on the fourth Gray Mist World Layer, quick! Something big has happened!"

It was Madam Mable’s voice, and it sounded quite urgent.

After speaking, the owl took off swiftly, disappearing deep into the Gray Mist.

’So the Harvesters... they finally can’t hold back anymore? Are they about to make their move?’

Zorn raised an eyebrow slightly.

A vast amount of Calamity Black Mist erupted from behind Zorn, forming what looked like a giant hand. The massive hand of mist made a grasping motion, and Zorn vanished on the spot.

When he reappeared, he was already at the edge of the Gray Mist near the camp on the fourth Gray Mist World Layer.

When he arrived at the meeting hall, Zorn sensed the auras of several Middle Rank Level experts.

Not only was Marquis Albert there, but also two other Level Seven Transcendent council members from Ogrande City.

In addition, Madam Mable, the Undead Assassin Tutor, and three other Level Six Transcendents were also present.

One Level 8 Transcendent.

Two Level 7 Transcendents.

Five Level Six Transcendents.

This group represented half of Ogrande City’s top-tier Transcendent power.

It was also the force Ogrande City had invested in maintaining and safeguarding the Ancient Ruins.

Besides them, a dozen or so Level 4 and Level 5 Transcendents were also hurrying over.

With so much power gathered in one place, it was obvious that a major upheaval had occurred in Ogrande City.

The meeting hall was in an uproar.

"How dare the Holy Fierce Sun Church do this?"

Someone angrily pounded the table.

"To actually conduct a full-scale investigation of the Ancient Ruins in the name of a divine decree... do they really think the Extraordinary Power of Ogrande City Hall doesn’t exist?"

"What wouldn’t they dare? They won’t even deal with their own Archbishop’s contamination. They were even going to use it to contaminate our Ogrande City!"

"If we hadn’t handled it properly, Ogrande City would probably be on its knees at the feet of the Holy Fierce Sun, begging for their purification!"

"It looks like the Holy Fierce Sun is ready to drop the facade completely. They’re trying to lure us out so they can kill us all."

"This whole ’investigation’ is just an excuse."

"Let’s fight them! Those sons of bitches."

"I’ve been putting up with those Church members for a long time. Now is the perfect opportunity to drive them out of Ogrande City, and even out of the Autanston Republic!"