Chapter 81: He Lived Like a Hero

Everyone thought the Alchemist Emperor was dead, but to their surprise, he had returned to his youth and prime.

"How is he not dead? And he's returned to his peak?""He never broke through to Level 7 Epic; how could he still be alive?""This is something neither the Three Witches nor Gilgamesh achieved in ancient history. Otherwise, one wouldn't have tried to slay a god in her old age, and the other wouldn't have sought an audience with Mercury, the God of Wisdom, in his!""The Alchemist Emperor has accomplished what even the ancient era couldn't..."

All the major wizard sects and Orc Kingdoms were plunged into despair. The Rose Salvation Society was also shaken, filled with disbelief. It was utterly astounding that the Alchemist Emperor had returned alive and young.

"No matter what, with our rebellion, the Alchemist Emperor will surely not spare us. We are doomed. We can only seek the protection of another Great Emperor!""But, if we release that one...""There are no 'buts'."

Originally, the major wizard sects and Orc Kingdoms had united to resist the Rose Salvation Society from breaking the seal, but now, they had no other choice.

"The Alchemist Emperor has the grandeur and magnanimity to rule the world! On his return, he didn't purge the land with blood but instead settled in the Kingdom of Babylon, waiting for us rebels to come and apologize. But this is his biggest flaw: we can use this last window of time to rescue another Epic Emperor! The most terrifying entity that once ruled during the era of Dark Witches!"

King Emery of the Orcs trembled as he spoke, filled with dread at the mere thought of that being's name and its power over death. It was a legendary monstrous entity capable of opening the door to death and summoning the deceased. If not for the impending disaster, he would never have dared to approach such a legendary dark taboo.

The next day, countless Level 6 Legendary Wizards contacted members of the Rose Salvation Society and set off for Gorgon Alchemist Island, located beyond the Oceanus and in the Land of Night. For years, the Rose Salvation Society had possessed a method to break the seal, but they had been continuously thwarted by other forces.

Now, they quickly breached the seal. Beneath the island, a door opened, revealing a beautiful and captivating woman sitting at an alchemy table, observing a biological slide through a microscope.

"This is... the legendary Death Emperor, one of the most terrifying existences in the current era...""She's such a beautiful, gentle, and quiet woman..."

Countless Level 6 Wizards fell silent, and an atmosphere of dread spread. This being was indeed worthy of her legendary status as a Level 7 Epic. While the Alchemist Emperor had aged, she remained in the prime of her youth.

She slowly raised her head, looking at the crowd with surprise. "Who are you? How did you manage to break Grantham's seal?"

"Great Emperor, we have come to rescue you," the members of the Rose Salvation Society quickly stepped forward to explain.

"I see. He's nearing his old age; you almost finished him off." Medusa smiled, then paused in surprise for a few seconds before returning to her research. "I don't want to leave. I'm here studying alchemy. The field opened by the Alchemist Emperor is indeed profound. It's a marvelous microscopic realm that allows me to research true death. The very building blocks of life, the structural units of organisms, also experience birth and decay—this is truly a gateway to the truths of the world."

"But, Great Emperor..." the Rose Salvation Society members said anxiously.

No one could have imagined that after countless years of effort trying to break the seal, the result would be that this Death Emperor had no intention of leaving, now engrossed in her research.

Medusa smiled and glanced up at them. "There are many Level 6 Wizards in this generation; the era is indeed progressing. But as you also said, the elderly Grantham seems to have opened the 'omniscient and omnipotent' door to truth. He knows all things in the world and has a plan for every eventuality. To be his enemy is like being an enemy to the boundless wisdom of all beings. How could he leave a loophole for you to easily get here?"

Everyone was speechless.

Medusa smiled, murmuring softly, "I don't know how he extended his lifespan... But he is, after all, only a Level 6 Legendary Wizard. Two hundred and fifty years for a Legendary, six hundred for an Epic—the qualitative difference between the realms is too immense. Even if he could double his lifespan to five hundred years, what then? It still wouldn't match my longevity."

"What if his combat power is terrifying? His lifespan is still short! What if he suppressed me for an era? He's still only a Level 6 Wizard; he can't kill me! I just need to wait for him to die of old age or sickness, then I can emerge and rule the world."

Medusa continued to lower her head, her slender fingers examining the lens, smiling gently. "I was disheartened by my failures back then, but after countless years, I finally understand that temporary victories or defeats are merely trifles. Those who live long are the true victors."

The crowd fell silent, astonished by this Wizard Emperor who calmly pursued her research. This was a true sage.

Medusa continued, "Actually, he intentionally let me out, remaining here for three days, to give you time to release me. He wants to bring the pressure of death upon himself, to provoke a battle with me, allowing him to break through to Level 7 Epic, just as he once allowed me to break through to the Epic realm... But if he can break through to Level 7 Epic, that will be the moment he can kill me, and I will have no chance of turning the tables."

This was precisely the strategy devised by the netizens online. However, they had severely underestimated this Great Emperor who once suppressed the world; their scheme was easily seen through. She would simply not give Li Shengjiang the opportunity to battle her and break through to Level 7 Epic.

After that day, a piece of news reverberated throughout the world: Death Emperor Medusa voluntarily remained suppressed on Gorgon Alchemist Island, pledging that as long as the Alchemist Emperor lived, she would never take a single step off Gorgon Alchemist Island!

"As long as the Alchemist Emperor lives, Medusa, the Death Monarch who once ruled the Dark Era, will never leave? This is an acknowledgment of the Alchemist Emperor's unparalleled power in the current age!""The Alchemist Emperor, suppressing an entire era, with no one daring to challenge him!""The Alchemist Emperor, not an Epic, yet greater than an Epic!"

By the third day, countless Level 6 Wizards had lost all hope. Numerous factions, completely despairing and on the verge of collapse, voluntarily went to the Kingdom of Babylon to beg for forgiveness. Within just half a month, a terrifying reform erupted. Countless Level 6 Wizards and internal spies were uncovered, their cultivation abolished, and they were imprisoned in Carlson Grand Prison on the Prison Island. These rebellious usurpers were never to leave.

Innumerable ambitious individuals reined themselves in. The Alchemist Emperor had already surpassed the limits of his lifespan, and no one knew how much longer he would live.

History, as recorded by the Spear of Prosperous Witchcraft, states:In the 539th year of the Kingdom of Babylon, during the twelve years following the assassination attempt on the Alchemist Emperor Grantham in his later years, the land plunged into dark chaos as various powers vied for control. On this day, he returned, living a second life, suppressing the world. All those who plotted rebellion came to beg for forgiveness.

549th year of the Kingdom of Babylon.Ten years had passed since the suppression of the turmoil, and the Alchemist Emperor's rule continued. He had completely transcended the normal lifespan limit of Level 6 Wizards, appearing as if he were truly immortal. He remained young, majestic, full of vigor, and energetic.

And the legend of the Alchemist Emperor's devotion finally reached its completion at this moment: using his life-extending methods, he successfully revived the seven sealed little witches and prolonged their lives. However, they were no longer in human form but had the unique antenna-like tuft of hair characteristic of slimes growing from their heads.

At this moment, ten years later, people finally guessed the truth behind the Alchemist Emperor's longevity.

"They... they actually integrated slime blood!""How is that possible? They had clearly already integrated evil eye blood. Is this a second bloodline integration? But only one bloodline can be integrated; that's an ancient law of the wizarding world...""The Alchemist Emperor, it turns out, researched a method for a second bloodline, which allowed him to extend his lifespan and suppress the dark turmoil of his later years.""The Alchemist Emperor's alchemy skills are inconceivable, having reached a divine forbidden zone... Compared to their infighting, this is what a true wizard is: give me endless truth, and I can move the entire world!"

600th year of the Kingdom of Babylon.On the centennial anniversary of the kingdom's founding, the Alchemist Emperor, having lived for over three hundred years, announced his grand wedding, marrying the seven little witches of the "Elizabeth Witch Lodge." Countless rare treasures were presented, his prestige at its peak, and the whole world celebrated!

In the Kingdom of Babylon, the giant "Adolf" held alchemical multicolored firecrackers and fireworks, as colossal fireworks bloomed, echoing across the entire sky of the Babylonian capital. Countless merchants, women, and pedestrians on the streets looked up, their eyes welling with tears.

"Our King has finally married."

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon soared into the sky, flying beneath a canopy of beautiful stars, where the grand wedding ceremony was held. Armin, the Alchemist Emperor's only true disciple, quietly stood guard nearby, smiling with deep emotion. "Master, at this moment, you are no longer the omniscient and omnipotent Alchemist Emperor, but a man who has patiently waited for over two hundred years for his true love."

Tears streamed down Armin's face as she wiped them away, layer after layer. "Master, the more I understand you, the more I realize how admirable you are. Though you are merely a slime, you have lived like a hero."

On this day, the Alchemist Emperor entered the hall with seven beautiful brides in wedding gowns. Flowers were scattered throughout the garden, and countless wizards nearby shed tears, whispering to each other with profound emotion.

"Ancient legends say that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by Grantham, King of Babylon, for his queens. To provide a home for them a hundred years later, so they wouldn't be displaced by changing times, one of the rooms inside was entirely relocated from the dilapidated hut of the 'Elizabeth Lodge' where they had once lived together."

A woman's eyes welled up with tears."The Alchemist Emperor, who spent his life researching alchemy, not for godhood, but solely to bring his loved ones back from the mortal world!""Ultimately, this is a happy ending. Our Monarch Emperor has also found happiness in his later years."

Countless witches stood in the hall of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, gazing at the beautiful fireworks display in the night sky, sighing deeply. If only there could be someone in the world who loved them so devotedly, they too could die without regrets. Priceless treasures are easily obtained, but a true lover is hard to find.

After entering the Royal Hall, Li Shengjiang shed his "Grantham" persona. A bouncing Angel Slime, shaking its adorable antenna-like tuft, jumped into Elizabeth's embrace, surrounded by Meryl and the other six little witches, all dressed in white wedding gowns.

Elizabeth smiled, holding the adorable slime. "That weak slime we picked up all those years ago, who boasted and swore he would become the next Monarch Emperor... he actually did it."

"You didn't believe me back then, did you? Do you believe me now?" Li Shengjiang couldn't help but wipe away tears, laughing and crying at the same time. With them, he was no longer the Monarch Emperor who had to maintain dignity to the outside world, but simply their little pet. To him, they were like family. After waiting so many years, this day of their awakening had finally arrived. This "longevity potion" not only extended his own life but also theirs.

"Say... cheese!!"

[Screenshot][Screenshot][Screenshot]

In the forum post, netizens gazed at the brilliant fireworks nightscape, the stunningly beautiful and exquisite wallpaper screenshots, and the grand master's wedding photos, becoming restless with emotion.

"I'm so happy, truly happy! Finally, after so many arduous fantasy adventures, and Armin and the Slime Emperor's late-life escape, it has reached a perfect ending. And after over two hundred years of enduring devotion, true lovers are finally united.""Although, it's utter nonsense (sudden shift in tone).""Hey, you above! I'm going to hit you! Humph! Don't joke around at a time like this. This is the most beautiful, purest love, a blend of familial affection and romantic love—ethereal, pure, and wonderful. All those years ago, in that one room in the Witch Lodge, everyone's laughter held so many memories. The master fought for this memory and persevered for over two hundred years within it. It's for the sake of his loved ones that he reached this point.""So touching! Although it's seven wives, I can't feel any disgust at all. Perhaps it's because there was no physical contact, and the marriage wasn't for male carnal desires, but simply to formally make them part of his family, part of his household. It's a very pure intention. Honestly, I'm tearing up a bit. I don't even use this many tissues when watching tragic movies (sobbing).""Why is everyone so sad? Everyone should be happy! We helped so much, and this text-based narrative game has finally concluded perfectly! It feels like watching your child, whom you've painstakingly raised, finally grow up and get married (tears, tears)."

Countless netizens also watched the wedding, filled with emotion. With their help, everything had finally come to a close. This text-based story game had at last reached the perfect ending they had hoped for, complete with various ending wallpapers, screenshots, wedding photos, and fireworks.

Xu Zhi sat in his room, looking at the forum post on his computer, and sighed. "Li Shengjiang, in his later years, really knows how to stir things up, just like the previous two era pioneers; they simply can't stay quiet."

He smiled. "But it's good that he didn't mess with me. His frantic antics, playing cute and gaining sympathy to get netizens' help, have finally come to an end. These guys keep giving me pleasant surprises. Still, Li Shengjiang, you ultimately couldn't break through to Level 7 Epic."

How difficult was the Epic realm? Li Shengjiang was a scientist of the farming-simulation genre; his cultivation aptitude was ultimately not exceptional. Even if he were given an extended lifespan, his chances of breaking through would remain slim. He developed a second gene, but at most, with the help of netizens, he would only live an extra day or two in reality.

"The brilliant era of the Alchemist Emperor, even with an extended lifespan, is coming to an end." Xu Zhi looked at the sandbox that had just started its third beta test, where a new group of players had already entered. It was time to plan how the next era, after the Alchemist Emperor, should develop.