Chapter 98: Chapter 94 Going up the Mountain (Request for Monthly Tickets!)

Coming into contact with a completely different world?

Byrne was slightly stunned, having no idea what specifically Viscount Bast meant by a “completely different world.” Could it be that he was about to take him to the Spirit Realm?

Viscount Bast waved his hand casually, and the surrounding servants immediately retreated in unison. The servants of the Lion clan were mostly loyal and well-trained, having served them for generations.

Viscount Bast slowly rose from the sofa and approached a full-length mirror in the room, starting to mutter incantations.

Before long, the full-length mirror began to emit a variety of strange lights, as if it had a peculiar hallucinogenic effect. Byrne’s mind was instantly filled with an irresistible obsession, and it took him a long time to break free from it.

He realized that he was now standing in front of the mirror, and what was reflected in the mirror was not his own figure but a vast expanse of stark white, like a field of snow.

The mirror?

Suddenly, Byrne felt a chilling sensation!

Because he remembered that when Mr. Gold had died, there were many shattered mirrors on the ground, and the subsequent deaths of the two Lion clan’s supporters had the same scene!

If Viscount Bast had wanted to kill him just now, he would have already been lured in front of the mirror and died in confusion!

Byrne considered himself very composed, his expression revealing none of his inner thoughts.

But he still heard Viscount Bast, expressionless beside him, nod in acknowledgment and speak with a very indifferent tone,

“You guessed correctly, Mr. Gold was indeed killed by my own hands.”

Byrne was silent, not knowing how to respond, and could only listen as Viscount Bast continued.

The middle-aged man’s voice sounded very cold as he said,

“He was the one who first betrayed me, as well as my family, and the other two were also betrayers of the Lion clan. To outsiders, it seems like the people of the Lion clan are succumbing one after another, but only the Eagle clan is very clear about what actually happened.”

“I understand now, traitors naturally deserve death, Lord Viscount Bast, you did nothing wrong.”

Byrne nodded his head, sincerely uttering these words.

In fact, if it had been him, he would certainly not have been able to forgive a traitor, let alone someone who betrayed the family.

However, he also felt a bit of discomfort deep inside.

Though he didn’t know what Mr. Gold thought of him, Byrne had regarded him as a half-friend and had not expected Mr. Gold’s end to be that of a traitor being disposed of.

“Let’s go, come up the mountain with me.”

Viscount Bast did not want to talk more about the matter and suddenly took out a pure white mask from the ring he was wearing and handed it to Byrne.

“Up the mountain?”

Confused, Byrne took it into his hand, and the part that touched his skin felt an immediate sensation, making him realize its material was very similar to the masks created by the Alchemy Council’s alchemy, also possessing a “concealment” effect.

However, it was very different from the Alchemy Council’s dark gold mask. This was a pure white mask with even stronger fluctuations of magic power.

Without a doubt, this mask was a more powerful alchemical product. Byrne was even astonished by its perfection, feeling that from every angle it looked flawless.

Even if it were to be sold purely as a work of art, it would certainly be of great value. Its designer must have been a perfectionist.

Viscount Bast said no more, put on a pure white mask himself, and leaned into the mirror.

His figure disappeared in an instant.

Upon seeing this, Byrne recalled the wall that could only be passed through by wearing a mask, took a deep breath, and then, wearing the pure white mask, he walked towards the mirror in front of him.

He believed that if Viscount Bast had wanted to harm him, he would have no need for any tricks, so there was no need for him to worry too much.

In an instant, everything around him changed, and Byrne seemed to come to an entirely new and different world.

The next moment, he was so shocked that he couldn’t speak!

Countless towering peaks soared into the clouds, covered with crystal clear snow, seemingly connected to the sky and separated from the ground.

Standing at the foot of the snow mountain, Byrne felt a solemn and reverent awe. The snow-covered mountains extended towards the heavens like crystal-clear jade, appearing like infinite steps to climb to the sky.

Atop the white snow mountain, there was a majestic palace, all of white, and the light from the sky reflected off the top of the palace as if it were a sacred and pure flame of the soul.

“Up the mountain,” said Lord Viscount Bast.

Byrne followed behind the viscount, utterly astonished, as they slowly climbed the white, sacred snow mountain. He had expected a long journey, only to be surprised that the seemingly endless and arduous mountain took them just a few minutes to ascend to the peak.

What in the world was going on?

He really couldn’t comprehend the underlying principle but could only sense a tremendous authority enveloping the area, leaving him completely unable to utter even a single word.

“You’ve come at quite the fortunate time; perhaps this is what they call destiny.”

There was a hint of emotion in Lord Viscount Bast’s voice as he continued to climb the snow-covered steps to heaven.

The two gradually drew closer to the snow-white Sacred Palace.

Lord Viscount Bast, who had always been frivolous and nonchalant, became extremely serious and solemn as they approached the palace.

“This is the real Alchemy Council.”

The real Alchemy Council—Byrne silently memorized everything about this place.

Viscount Bast continued, “Do not speak carelessly once inside, and definitely do not reveal your true identity, because the members of the Alchemy Council come not only from all over Cyart but even from other countries of the Eastern Four Kingdoms.”

“Here, we do not fight among ourselves, but if there is any combat or conflict outside, the president will absolutely not intervene.”

Could it be that even the Rhea People are here?

Byrne frowned slightly, never having expected that the real Alchemy Council was a secret organization spanning across the Eastern Four Kingdoms.

He felt uneasy and extremely curious, why would Viscount Bast bring him here?

His only wish was for the Fischer family to become one among the many vassals of the Lion clan, as a counterbalance to the threat from the Garcia viscount family. Could it be that every vassal was brought here by Bast?

He had a vague feeling that it was not the case. In fact, upon their first meeting, Viscount Bast had seemed unusually cordial, and it appeared as if he had always been waiting for Byrne’s arrival.

Why?

Byrne knew there must be some reason that made Viscount Bast value him so much.

The two entered the towering, majestic Sacred Palace, which was in a state of utter disrepair, with collapsed walls and stone pillars everywhere.

He soon saw in the center of the palace a long table made of some mysterious white metal that he didn’t recognize, pristine white and exquisitely crafted.

Around the white table sat six people dressed differently, each wearing a pure white mask on their face.

Although the five individuals surrounding looked dissimilar in their attire, their seats suggested no obvious difference in status. Byrne noticed that it was really just the person seated at the head of the table who was more prominent and distinct.

Because of the effect of the pure white masks, Byrne couldn’t make out his face at all.

The man was dressed in a purple robe, like a cloud of pure wisdom in the fog, knowing all the knowledge in the world. It seemed that anyone who came into contact with him, receiving even a bit of guidance, might have their fate completely changed.

Before taking his seat, Viscount Bast bowed deeply to the mysterious person at the head, speaking with utmost respect.

“Chairman, this is the newcomer I wish to introduce into the council. I have already paid the price in advance at our last gathering.”

His tone was extremely reverent, even bordering on obsequious.

Paid the price in advance?

Byrne was inwardly amazed and increasingly perplexed. It meant that Viscount Bast had intended to recruit him into the council for some time, but why?

The man at the head nodded slightly and uttered one term.

“Mithril.”

His voice was very cold, devoid of any human emotion.

Turning to Byrne, Viscount Bast said:

“Very well, from now on your codename in the Alchemy Council will be ‘Mithril.’ Remember it, as you cannot reveal it outside.”

After he finished, he paused and then added: “My codename is Dragon Crystal, as for the others…”

“I’ll tell him,” the mysterious chairman interjected with a slight wave of his hand. Instantly, information surfaced in Byrne’s mind, and within moments he knew all the codenames of those present.

Their codenames were all metals or minerals with mystical powers, precious materials needed in many alchemy recipes.

“Mithril,” “Dragon Crystal,” “Time Stasis Stone,” “Moon River Stone,” “Spirit Essence,” “Star Metal,” “Solar Gold.”

Byrne was astounded, information unexpectedly infused into his brain without warning, instinctively making him feel awe towards the mysterious chairman.

Who exactly was this person?

Byrne took a deep breath and bowed with great politeness, respectfully saying, “Good day, Mr. Chairman; I am very grateful for your acceptance of me.”

The chairman did not respond to Byrne’s polite words, his tone indifferent and unemotional: “As usual, you all should proceed with the exchange.”

The first to speak in the Alchemy Council was “Solar Gold.”

His voice boomed with an impressive magnitude, like the weight of a great mountain: “It has been three whole years since we last met, very good. It seems every member of the council is still alive.”

Meet only once in three years?

Byrne found it unbelievable; no wonder Viscount Bast kept saying it was such a coincidence, it was too much of a coincidence that he would encounter an opportunity that came only once in three years.

He even had a strange feeling, as if some invisible force was propelling him to join the Alchemy Council.

Byrne quickly realized something; the towering “Solar Gold” was sitting in the second seat from the bottom. He was likely the second highest-ranking person in the council after the chairman.

If this was indeed the case, Byrne felt his status was undoubtedly the lowest, while Viscount Bast’s was second from the bottom.

This discovery was utterly astonishing. Viscount Bast was undeniably a major figure on the East Coast who could make things happen, If the rest of the council members held even higher positions…

Who on earth were these people?

Viscount Bast spoke up: “The Sea God Cult is stirring. They will further test the Tempest Church, and it won’t be long before war breaks out on the East Coast.”

The Sea God Cult! War!

Byrne furrowed his brow tightly; if Viscount Bast’s words held true, the entire East Coast was unquestionably the prime conflict zone.

“Moon River Stone,” dressed in elaborate and intricate black garb, his voice that of a very young man or even a youth, said:

“The Rhea people are showing signs of internal conflict again. If the Rhea people burst into civil war once more, they likely won’t have the capacity to go to war with the Cyart people for the next few years.”

Each piece of information exchanged by those present was of great importance. Byrne listened in silence, not daring to speak, feeling completely out of place.

The information from the next person gave him chills, absolutely hair-raising.

“Star Metal,” a woman in a light blue robe, spoke slowly:

“The information about the followers of the Lord of the Lost within the Eastern Four Kingdoms that I have been seeking for three years—do you have any news?”