Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon

"A First-Rank Miracle Construction... made from the remains of divinities!?" Elise was greatly astonished.

The others were similarly shocked into a stunned silence.

It must be understood that whether it’s the Miracle Construction Company or the various sects, they all viewed Miracle Constructions as gifts bestowed upon this world. They either came from the blessings of the divinities or were excavated from ancient relics, and no one had ever associated these inconceivable creations with the bones of divinities.

Only Chaoyang remained silent.

In fact, he had previously speculated that — Although the man-made structures buried beneath Huiqiu Mine were blasted to pieces, the decorative patterns on many of the shattered pillars still indicated that they once belonged to a temple, and it was the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, Meyer.

Furthermore, after a thorough investigation of Gaotian Mining, he had read in several anonymous letters about the company’s emphasis on the secret underground excavations, which mentioned the term "First-Rank Miracle Construction" on multiple occasions. Based on Luowei Siya’s memories and a synthesis of information from multiple sources, it was judged that the temple of Meyer wasn’t initially built underground. Instead, it was forcibly dragged below by some force, and the items stored inside the temple, were very likely the Divine Relics that Gaotian Mining used for Miracle Construction extraction.

Now, with Kokomoqi’s testimony, everything had become clear.

The goal of Gaotian Company was to obtain the regrets of Meyer and transform them into First-Rank Miracle Constructions!

Isn’t this somewhat akin to exhuming and opening coffins after people die?

However, Chaoyang faintly felt that the Magic Goddess’s intense anger didn’t stem from this... because she did not show any obvious revulsion when the Panlogical Machine was mentioned.

What she truly detested was the action taken by Duke Longjiu and the God of All Machines.

Whether it’s the Academy or Duke Longjiu possessing the Panlogical Machine, both actions equated to desecration of Ninata’s remains, with no fundamental difference — so why was there such a vast disparity in her reaction?

Chaoyang voiced his doubts.

"Let me put it this way, Yu cannot understand Ninata’s actions, but Yu respects her decision," Kokomoqi spoke passionately, "After all, each divinity has its own temperament, just like you humans... If Yu knew that Yu was about to perish, Yu would definitely find a place where nobody could touch to rest in peace. Yu was born because of your prayers, and has also protected you for many years, but Yu does not wish to be ordered around by you after death, being unearthed to be used as a machine!"

Even though she spoke somewhat incoherently in her agitation, Chaoyang understood her point — the God of Knowledge, Ninata, had willingly given her remains for mankind to use!

Therefore, she would not direct her discontent at the Panlogical Machine, for that would amount to going against the other’s last wishes.

But the actions of the God of All Machines were different.

It was more like a plunderer, not only devouring other divinities but also refusing to spare the remains of deceased divinities.

Additionally, First and Second Order Constructs possessed individual consciousness. Though it was unclear how much these consciousnesses were connected to the divinities, destroying these Constructs would amount to the complete obliteration of the corresponding consciousnesses. In the context familiar to Chaoyang, it was probably akin to crushing bones to ash, never to recovery.

Kokomoqi evidently did not wish to see her own kind become offerings to new divinities after contributing their entire lives to mankind.

"How many existing First-Rank Miracle Constructions are there?" Chaoyang turned to Xue Quan.

The latter flipped through his booklet and said, "Four have been recorded by the Panlogical Machine... Apart from the Academy itself, the other three are the ’Holy Grail’ of the Church of Abundance, the ’Vast Territory Map’ of the Frontier Expansion Company, and the ’Settlement Point’ of Fenjin City. The first two are located on the western side of the Old Continent, while Fenjin City, like Magnificent Castle, is a pioneering city in the New Continent."

"Those are just the ones officially recorded," Judy actively added, "There are also quite a few families and large companies rumored to possess First-Rank Miracle Constructions, with as many as twenty or so rumors. Of course... after hearing what Kokomoqi has said, most of these are likely just chasing after the wind and clutching at shadows."

After all, a first-rank miracle construction corresponds to a fallen divinity, and the divinity must be willing to hand over its remains to those it protects, which is certainly no easy feat.

"Whether it’s true or false, let’s send them a letter to remind them of what happened in Star Peak City, in the name of the Paradise Sect," Chaoyang said to Xue Quan. "As for the secret of the first-rank miracle construction, it’s better to keep it hidden for now. If any of them truly possess a first-rank miracle construction, they will understand the warning in the letter."

Kokomoqi cast a glance at him, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes.

"Speaking of which, there’s something else that’s been puzzling me," she said.

"Oh? What is it?"

"The Goddess of Abundance, she still exists," Kokomoqi stated. "Using water divination, I can sense her presence, but she does not respond to my inquiries. Now that the Royal City has fallen, it means that the stronghold of the Abundance Sect has also fallen into enemy hands, and the Laurel Family’s protecting goddess should have been killed and consumed by the God of All Machines a long time ago."

"You mean the enemy spared the Goddess of Abundance’s life?"

Chaoyang thought for a moment. Duke Longjiu’s actions were also highly unusual; he had not chosen to replace the Laurel Family, but rather positioned himself as the Executive Minister, which, although it gave him control of the government, nevertheless left room for those hoping to restore the Laurel heritage to cling to. Was there a connection between these two facts?

"Kosmos didn’t even spare the dead Ninata, so how could he possibly spare Clara, who still possesses a divine body?" The Magic Goddess crossed her arms. "Anyway... I find the matter strange, and if you have the ability to investigate, perhaps you should look into it."

It was possible to hand it over to Dane.

But he was also in danger now, additionally tasked with uncovering the secrets Duke Longjiu had deliberately concealed; it was perhaps too much to ask of him. After some thought, Chaoyang decided to merely casually mention it to a journalist. If they could find out anything, that would be great; if not, there was no need to force it.

...

Five days later, the "adventurer squad" sent from Zhaixing City arrived as promised.

Unlike the formidable army of twenty thousand that had come before, this squad not only brought with them diplomatic documents signed by the Duke but also reported the identities of all their members to the Paradise Sect upon arrival at Thistlefort, showing sincere intentions on the surface at least.

In this team of one hundred, ninety percent were specialists of various kinds, such as architects, locksmiths, blacksmiths... even tomb raiders. Of the six people leading the group, three were Royal Guards, two were Executive Priests in red robes, and one was Sir Hollis, a general from Zhaixing City.

Chaoyang, along with Kokomoqi, Elise, and Xue Quan, welcomed them.

Even though there had previously been "minor friction" over the control of Thistlefort, they now appeared to be intimate "allies." Looking at them toasting and chatting jovially at the evening banquet, one couldn’t tell that there had been any discord between the Alliance Army and the Paradise Sect.

According to Xue Quan, the political decorum of these people at least met a passable standard.

However, Chaoyang didn’t overlook one detail—even though the adventuring team only numbered one hundred, its leaders were still divided into three factions, and none, whether members of the Royal Guard or the Executive Priests and Sir Hollis, had absolute say over the squad.

Fortunately, the current venture into the City of Defense was entirely led by the Paradise Sect, so Chaoyang didn’t pay too much attention to the other party.

In his opinion, he alone had the power to achieve the goals of this mission.

After two days of rest and preparation, all members of the expedition boarded the special train modified by the logging company, officially setting off for the Eastern Coast.