"Finally, one cannot help but admire that Hoopa is indeed the closest person to truth on the path of alchemy, and using the Hoopa formula every time is utterly mesmerizing."
The above constitutes the entire content of this page.
The last sentence, while not explicit, seemingly hints that Hoopa’s identity should be a Miracle Wizard and, moreover, highly respected by Alchemists.
However, such a figure remains distant from him.
Angel committed Hoopa’s name to memory and then turned to the next page.
He wanted to see if there was any introduction of the Hoopa Coefficient or Mysterious Objects in the following text.
However, there was none.
On the next page, Belos had returned from the task of retrieving the Mysterious Potion, and a now occupied Culori once again entered a state of covert observation.
Angel casually flipped through it and was about to set the chronicles aside.
Yet, perhaps due to fate or some kind of inner intention, Angel inadvertently caught a glimpse of a familiar term as he turned to a particular page.
This was a term that Angel found both familiar and unfamiliar.
—— Darkening Technique.
...
The Darkening Technique was an alchemical spell technique documented in the "Alchemy Fundamentals" book Angel obtained in Naraku City of the Nightmare Realm.
It was a unique alchemy technique created and practiced by the Death Faction, led by Odoros, during the ancient times when the factions of the Alchemy World were many.
The alchemists of the Death Faction greatly revered the color black, believing it to represent withering, eternal silence, and death. Darkening signified making all matter die, and upon death, to radiate new life, transforming into another form of existence.
Because the Darkening Technique is remarkably unique, being the only alchemy technique without spell technique level restrictions, Angel intended to learn it from the start, even going so far as to spend a hefty sum to acquire a Black Gold Nightmare’s Magic Soul Horn specifically for refining a Death Faction magic power conductor.
However, though the magic power conductor was eventually completed, he still failed to master the Darkening Technique.
Angel did not know why he could not master the Darkening Technique. After numerous experiments showed no improvement, Angel temporarily set it aside.
He never expected to stumble upon the Darkening Technique again in Culori’s chronicles in such a manner.
Angel did not understand why Culori mentioned the Darkening Technique, so he read the page from beginning to end.
Upon finishing the entry, Angel’s expression turned slightly peculiar.
The entry continued to focus on Belos. It described a witch, whose name Culori disdainfully did not record, secretly inquiring Belos during a mission about whether Culori had obtained the Death Faction’s inheritance, having learned the legendary Darkening Technique.
This was the first mention of the Darkening Technique, spoken of by the unknown witch.
And in this page’s content, the Darkening Technique was mentioned once more, as part of Culori’s inner monologue.
"I merely visited The Land of the Undead, and rumors spread that I discovered a Death Faction alchemical relic and received the Darkening Technique inheritance? Damn, if it truly was a Death Faction relic, wouldn’t you all go to The Land of the Undead yourselves?"
Following that was Culori’s rampant ranting, containing no substantial content.
Yet, just these two mentions of the Darkening Technique left Angel stunned.
From the account of the Darkening Technique, Angel gained two insights:
Firstly, the Darkening Technique had been lost; secondly, it seemed to be connected with refining mysterious objects?—this was inferred from the unknown witch’s tone.
Angel had earlier speculated about the loss of the Darkening Technique. Since the book "Alchemy Fundamentals," which records it, was widespread in the Southern Domain, but the Southern Domain version of "Alchemy Fundamentals" had everything except the Darkening Technique.
Thus, Angel speculated back then that the Darkening Technique might have fallen out of vogue or even been lost.
But Angel never imagined that a seemingly inconspicuous Darkening Technique recorded in "Alchemy Fundamentals" could be associated with refining mysterious objects?
Initially, Angel even doubted if the Darkening Technique they mentioned was the same one he had learned. However, Culori’s chronicles clearly referenced the Death Faction, so it was undoubtedly the same.
The Darkening Technique that the unknown witch was seeking, and which Culori referred to with regret, should indeed be the Darkening Technique he had acquired.
Upon realizing this, Angel’s heart began to beat rapidly.
He, too, deeply desired to delve into the mysterious domain, but it was incredibly difficult to even approach it. Little did he know that today’s casual glance would open a new door for him!
Yet, Angel’s excitement was short-lived, soon replaced by dejection.
Whether the Darkening Technique is truly related to refining mysterious objects has yet to be proven; even if confirmed, inability to master the Darkening Technique still renders it useless...
"No matter what, having records of the Darkening Technique is ultimately a good thing," Angel mused silently, "Perhaps one day it will just click."
Though thinking this way eased his heart somewhat, Angel still couldn’t help but sigh.
"You’re both excited and shaking your head, then sighing... What’s the matter with you?" At this moment, Tree Spirit’s voice suddenly called out.
Angel shook his head: "Nothing, just didn’t expect Culori to note even such trivial matters of Belos’s life in such detail, feeling a bit sentimental."
Angel did not plan to tell others about the Darkening Technique. Although it’s likely that Rhein has already seen the content in these chronicles, it matters not as long as others are unaware that he knows the Darkening Technique.
Tree Spirit: "You think so too? I’m also very curious why Culori has been secretly observing Belos. You wouldn’t know, in ’Culori Chronicles III,’ Culori actually..."
Tree Spirit was interrupted halfway by Rhein.
"Have you finished ’Culori Chronicles III’? Was there any important information mentioned earlier?"
Tree Spirit glanced back and saw a stack of completed books beside Rhein’s left hand, with "Culori Chronicles IV" at the top. Judging by the sequence, Rhein was obviously supposed to read the "Culori Chronicles III" in Tree Spirit’s hand next.
"Finished reading, no useful information was found. The only known fact is that the mysterious object Culori refined seems to be a sort of stamp, mentioned during a conversation between Belos and Yue... Yue, the follower assigned by the Orderly Guild to Culori, whose strength also reached legendary rank." Tree Spirit replied.
Rhein nodded, softly murmuring: "It seems that the first three volumes aren’t worth another look."
After a pause, Rhein said, "Then let me share what I found; I discovered a lot of useful information."