Pillar of Yita

But ultimately, in essence, it’s not much different from a ring array.

However, the difficulty of a composite array is evidently a notch above a single array—especially when demanding a precision of over ninety-five percent—the difficulty increases exponentially.

This time, even Fang Hong made several mistakes, taking a full hour and a half to meticulously complete the last Red Gold Plate. When the Red Gold Plate completed the final step of the spiral staircase, he couldn’t help but wipe away some sweat.

This is only the fourth level.

Fang Hong raised his head, a sense of reverence for this place growing in his heart.

Characters, Single Array.

Extraction, Purification.

These are all tests of the craftsman’s foundation.

But the foundation of a craftsman is the cornerstone of all higher levels of Alchemy. Back when he studied in Kapuka, he received this advice more than once.

And here, the tests impose almost stringent requirements on the foundation, making him realize that Alchemy is actually composed of many different steps, and every step represents these foundations, and any minor improvement in each step—

When they eventually form a system, the enhancement brought about is often huge.

With just four levels of tests, Fang Hong felt he had gained some insights.

However, he vaguely grasped something, but such feelings were not yet clear.

He looked up at the spiral staircase leading to the next level, with a strange idea in his heart—that this might not just be a test, but also a way to temper oneself. He wondered what every craftsman—who had passed through the world behind this door, including that genius Loofah—had experienced and realized back then?

As for Fang Hong, he had only a bit of gratitude in his heart.

Most Invokers do not pay much attention to the basics because they have the Summoners System. But his past experiences in Kapuka laid a solid foundation for this moment, and only then did he fortify his mind and step forward.

The Communication Crystal on his chest flickered slightly, but quickly dimmed.

...

Far South Forest Sea, on the ’Sturgeon Number’ Airship.

The Airship was swaying as it passed through the clouds, with airflow sweeping past and ruffling the ’young girl’s’ long hair on the deck.

In the hearts of fans, this Queen might still be considered a young girl, but Nether felt she might already be old.

This charming lady was tapping the dark red Communication Crystal with her pale fingers idly, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes revealing a deep sense of boredom. She leaned against the ship’s side, gazing at the veil-like clouds below and the endless Forest Sea beneath them.

That place is Nogness, directly 1,700 kilometers away from King’s Port of Saint Hugon Corner.

Looking down from the sky, you can occasionally see cliffs, waterfalls, and a white Cloud Sea appearing faintly from the clouds.

But these beautiful, scenic views she had long gotten used to, and she was no longer the little girl who was surprised by everything, and those Seniors who once guided her through these regions have one by one left this world.

Now it’s her turn.

She sighed softly, drawing curious glances from others.

The information sent from the Communication Crystal vanished without a trace, which didn’t surprise her; she thought that fun little fellow must have entered the Hall of Thousand Doors, and Odin, being so decisive, couldn’t possibly let him have any spare time?

Poor little fellow, her mood brightened suddenly.

So she sent a message to another ID:

”Are you there?”

”Yes, Sister Nether.”

The community avatar, a bit discouraging to look at, suddenly lit up—a style known as ’depressing culture’. Nether looked at this avatar and couldn’t help shaking her head—unable to understand these young people’s interests.

She must truly be old.

The avatar ID is Lofaah, but Nether knew this girl was a master of disguises.

She had quite a few fans, but not many truly knew her or had even seen her.

However, Nether could be considered one of them, though it seemed the other side didn’t hold much respect for her as a ’mentor’—instead loved to fool around. She steadied her mind and then asked:

”Do you still remember the Hall of Thousand Doors?”

”Sister Nether, hug me, kiss me!”

Nether instantly envisioned a young girl rolling on the ground in her mind, her brows furrowing: ”Go away, troublesome girl.”

”Oh dear, why bring that up again?”

”I’m asking you seriously, be serious about it,” Nether said exasperatedly: ”Tell me about the situation back then.”

”There’s not much to say, it was quite simple at the beginning, mostly basic,” Loofah finally answered: ”But it was a bit troublesome for Invokers, needing more time. Fortunately, the time flow in there is different from outside, averaging two to three hours per door, and most people should have gotten through.”

”I’m not asking about most people, I’m asking about you.”

”Me?” Loofah sent a cheeky expression: ”Trade secret, Sister Nether.”

”Brat.”

In the circular plaza of the Hall of Thousand Doors.

Leiya suddenly raised her head, a drop of water rolled down from the void above, landing on her smooth forehead with a splash, the water droplets scattering. She cutely rubbed her forehead and opened her palm to look at her wet little hand.

Thinking outside, it had started raining.

And not far away.

The hourglass placed on the ground flipped over, starting its timing anew.

Outside, time had passed the first mark—half an hour.

...