Chapter 59: Teacher
Four hundred years ago, before the Federation or the Empire even existed, before there was any distinction between the Northern Continent, Central Lands, or Southern Continent, the nation that controlled the world and unified all people was called the Eternal Empire.
Like the golden age described in every myth, the land was as fertile as a paradise, and the sky vast and towering like a dome. There were no natural disasters, no aberrations, no upheaval.
All things flourished, bathed in the imperial radiance, dedicating their insignificant contributions to the eternal Central Empire from birth until death. It was as enduring as the heavens and the earth, unbroken and endless. It was in this era that the Pacifier matrix was born from the heart of the Empire during a dire internal threat.
Beneath the brilliance of the great Empire, there existed a tiny, insignificant shadow. It was an organization that launched indiscriminate attacks against every institution and agency of the Empire, its singular goal from inception being the total destruction of the Eternal Empire’s radical laws.
Its earliest origins lay in a group of alchemists, fed up with the Empire’s countless restrictive laws, and unwilling to mindlessly recite the Empire’s supposed “blessings” within fixed confines. They yearned for the freedom to research, craft, and create. The banner they raised stood in stark contrast to the Empire’s supreme white. Hence, they were called Onyx[1].
From the Empire’s mid- to late-period, and even after its fall, many major events bore the mark of this organization, or were directly orchestrated by them.
By the time the Cataclysm Era began, the last traces of the Eternal Empire vanished alongside the continent’s collapse and division, and Onyx’s existence gradually faded from history. Some say the terrorist organization now hunted to the highest degree by both the Empire and the Federation, the one that had seemingly risen from the ashes, was the lingering remnant of Onyx’s influence.
Whether by fate’s mockery or the creator’s design, the two supreme matrices inherited by the Onyx rebels, who had no qualms about violently revolting, were given the names Universal Love and Pacifier.
One combined the essence of two Supreme Benevolences, Ascension and the Heart Core, allowing tens of thousands to act as one, merging their bodies and souls into an unbreakable and indivisible whole. The more people who used it, the more terrifying the power of the matrix became.
The other was the crystallized effort of the artisans of the Ember Path. Those who walked the Ember Path could, according to the user’s will and needs, extend it to other paths of the Supreme Benevolences, receiving blessings from different virtues. Its inclusivity was astonishingly versatile.
For someone like Ji Jue, a Chosen One who resonated with nine of the Supreme Benevolences, this was practically a match made in heaven!
Which brought up the question: at his rookie level, could a noob like him survive a dungeon in such a dangerous rift? And how could Professor Ye be so certain that the Pacifier matrix would be there?
In this era, the world was only barely stable. Even now, fragments of other worlds drifted around like bubbles in water, operating in their own cycles detached from reality, often with rules, conditions, and ecologies wildly different from the real world. They could be hellish, paradisiacal, or even preserve the state from when they had been split.
These fragments wandered around this world, usually maintaining distance like satellites. Occasionally they overlapped with reality, forming gates or pathways.
Most rifts contained valuable resources and were controlled and managed by various factions. For example, the Taiyi Ring relied on many rifts to monopolize the production of alchemical materials, collecting wealth daily. Any leak, no matter how small, still symbolized unimaginable profit.
Moreover, in such places detached from the real world, not only was the resonance of Supreme Benevolences clearer, making it easier to gain blessings, but special materials and treasures, or even aberrations, could appear.
According to the observations of Chosen Ones through the Aether Path, this rift, about to merge with the real world, was already on the verge of fragmentation and collapse. In its final stage, it could not endure Chosen Ones above the Transcendence Realm, and even Rebirth Realm Chosen Ones would be repelled. Only Chosen Ones below the Metamorphosis Realm could pass through smoothly.
In short, it was like an event dungeon limited to level six and below and only available for less than two weeks!
Every drop was a jackpot! Perfect, it was a phenomenal growth paradise for a newbie like Ji Jue!
More importantly, intelligence from Wasteland Assembly’s informants reported that, during external observation of the rift, they had discovered what seemed to be the mark of Mercury, a sage from the final days of the Eternal Empire hundreds of years ago. There was a very high chance that this rift was the grandmaster’s domain, and it could even contain his workshop!
Any Chosen One who could be called a sage was undoubtedly special. To hold such a title meant that they were an undisputed grandmaster-level craftsman, someone who had completed their own destined work and developed a unique Theory of Creation.
Precisely because she received this news first, a master like Kong Qingyan had been in such a rush to bring her student to Cliff City. She had even gone so far as to test Professor Ye behind the scenes.
In fact, her purpose could have been fulfilled as soon as she entered the door—she had confirmed that Professor Ye had indeed received no prior warning and had made no preparations. Even if she had learned of it later, Kong Qingyan would still have been a step ahead. The only thing she hadn’t anticipated was that Professor Ye was even much pettier than expected, and had a terrifyingly sharp instinct for reading the opponent’s wicked intentions.
Professor Ye’s information network was also far more extensive than Kong Qingyan’s. After receiving the tip from the Wasteland Assembly and verifying it through her own unique channels, Professor Ye had already confirmed that Mercury’s workshop existed in that rift, and that it still preserved her final workpiece.
If it could be uncovered, it would surely be a priceless treasure! Unfortunately, Professor Ye had no interest in it whatsoever.
“Simply put, I don’t care for it.” She sipped her concentrated tea and added, “Alchemy isn’t some magical system from a fantasy novel. Old doesn’t automatically mean better. Relying on excavation to gain achievements or digging up graves instead of doing research is pointless. You might as well follow the Aether Path.
“If you keep depending on external things and never establish your own mark in alchemy history, don’t ever hope to reach the level of a grandmaster in this lifetime. This is a lesson for you, Ji Jue. If you want to achieve something and have control of your own life and future, don’t expect some grandfather resurrected from a grave to hand you any rewards. Got it?”
Ji Jue nodded frantically.
There was no way around it; the previous disastrous examples were too many. Just looking at the encyclopedia of historical alchemical products, he had long given up any hope in the moral standards of ancient craftsmen.
Alchemy was good by nature, but humans? They were ridiculously evil!
“This is pretty much the situation you have to deal with. As for details, I can’t guarantee anything. No matter how safe a rift is, it’s still a rift. Whether you go or not is up to you. Your choice won’t affect your benefits or knowledge. Matrices aren’t rare. Even without Pacifier, with your aptitude, you can find something better.”
Ji Jue fell silent. Several times, Ye Chun seemed like she wanted to say something, but under Professor Ye’s gaze, she ultimately chose not to speak.
In the end, Ji Jue sighed.
“Honestly, I’m a little scared, but I want to go.” He lifted his head and calmly said, “Things I’ve never seen, situations I’ve never encountered, circumstances I’ve never understood... I’m curious about all of them.”
After a brief pause, Ye Xian nodded. “Good. If you’re always stuck in your little corner in Cliff City, your vision and perspective stay narrow, and your actions come off petty, small-time. At least this trip will broaden your horizons. Don’t worry about what Kong Qingyan might do. As long as I’m alive, she won’t dare do anything to you. As for this, take it.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a perfectly round object before tossing it over. Ji Jue scrambled to catch it, and the smile on his face froze. It was none other than the devil's work ball that had drained who knew how much spirit matter from him.
“Oh hey, young lad, it’s you again, huh?” a cheeky voice came from inside the sphere. “Well, well, you managed to last this long. I thought you’d be gone the first week!”
Can’t you wish me well instead of cursing me... Ji Jue thought as the corners of his eyes twitched.
The devil's work ball continued operating, brimming with its playful bravado. “Alright, since you’ve got me, let’s get along. Bring me more spirit matter later, and I got you covered!”
After that, it no longer spoke.
Ji Jue still wasn’t sure. “Professor, this is...”
“Just treat it as a general assistant for now. It’s something I made when I was younger. With your abilities, communicating with it shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t understand something, just ask it directly.
“Besides serving as a mobile workshop to help you solve minor problems on the spot, its more important role is to help you bypass the outer security of a workshop. That way, when you get to the door and locate the place, you won’t be stuck wondering how to get in or where things are.”
Professor Ye said calmly, “If necessary, it can barely save your life. But when that happens, don’t even think about exploring the rift. Once it takes control, it will bring you back immediately.”
Basically, it was a universal lock-picking tool that doubled as a life-saving device! Even without fully appreciating its value as a mobile workshop, Ji Jue’s eyes lit up.
Looking at the devil's work ball in his hands, it was impossible not to love it. He even wanted to wipe off a single speck of dust the moment he saw it.
It’s no longer just some stupid ball. It’s my Mr. Ball! Mr. Ball is great, no further explanation needed!
After deciding to send the wandering Ji Jue out to fetch her a “postcard” from the rift, Professor Ye stopped with the pleasantries and went straight to the arrangements. She dialed Wen Wen’s number without hesitation.
“Ms. Wen, I have a question,” she said bluntly. “In the next few days, a rift containing a sage’s relics will appear within Haizhou territory, correct?”
Amid the noise on the other end, she heard Wen Wen’s resigned sigh. “The Security Bureau is basically a sieve full of holes now, all our info is getting leaked... Master Ye, are you interested?”
“I am indeed.”
“Alright, then. Tonight the latest, I’ll submit the report, just in case some unaware person tries to interfere.”
“No need to rush,” Professor Ye replied. “Also, it’s not me who will join, it’s my student, Ji Jue.”
After a brief pause, a loud bang burst out, followed by Wen Wen’s astonished voice.“Are you serious? That kid has only just become a Chosen One. Isn’t it too soon to pursue blessings?”
“He’s strong enough, so there’s no need to delay,” Professor Ye said. “Rest assured, I’m not treating this as some walk in the park.”
“If you say so, then hold on a moment... alright, it’s done. There just so happens to be someone on my side heading out to obtain a blessing as well, so they can go together. Tell him to arrive at the North Mount District branch by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”
Now, not only did Wen Wen secure Ji Jue a ticket, but she even arranged a teammate for him.
The last thing Professor Ye handed to Ji Jue was a form awaiting his signature. It was the workshop member registration form for the Taiyi Ring. The registration location was the Tidesound Workshop in Cliff City. Both the person in charge and the recommender were Ye Xian, and the document was complete with stamped confirmation and a handwritten signature.
The registrant was none other than Ji Jue. His position was assistant, which in conventional terms meant apprentice.
“I originally planned to give you more time to think it over, but it seems hoping you’d change your mind is pointless. Let’s just complete the process while we can.” Ye Xian pushed the pen toward Ji Jue. “But think carefully. Once you sign this, you are completely bound to my workshop.
“Registration and records will be handled internally by the Taiyi Ring, and all management will be under my authority. From that moment on, your future will be in my hands. Without my permission and recommendation, you won’t even have the qualification to sit for the craftsman exams.
“Of course, outside the workshop, every word and action of yours will represent the workshop. You will be allowed to wear my emblem, and everything you do will be considered my command and intent. Even if later you find a better master, I will never allow you to switch.”
“That sounds a lot more lenient than my student loan,” Ji Jue murmured, chuckling lightly.
Apprentice and workshop, as well as student and craftsman, inherently shared each other’s fortune or misfortune. In the Ember Path, this was the most crucial form of inheritance. Moreover, without Professor Ye’s guidance and recommendation, what chance would he have of passing the craftsman exam? It wouldn’t happen even in his wildest dreams.
There was nothing to hesitate over. Even without this paper, their relationship wouldn’t change. But now, what Professor Ye was handing him was a life-saving token for a new Chosen One like Ji Jue. From this moment, anyone thinking of acting against him would have to watch out for the person backing him up.
He picked up the pen without a second thought. But as his eyes swept over the form one last time, they caught a line in the “Ability Registration” section at the very end. It wasn’t detailed, nor did it follow the standard formatting of the Taiyi Ring.
Professor Ye had written only three simple words: Deus Ex Machina.
He whispered the words softly, slightly taken aback. This was the first time his ability had been given an official name, Deus Ex Machina.
It was a term critics used to summarize traditional performance and storytelling. Originating before the Middle Lands’ Eternal Empire, cranes or mechanisms would be used to bring actors portraying arbiters and other roles onto the stage in stage plays. In narrative terms, it referred to a plot device where the writer abruptly resolved a dilemma through an unexpected, unforeshadowed event.
Taken literally[2], it perfectly encapsulated the essence of Ji Jue’s ability, imparting soul and spirit to machinery, manifesting the power of the Supreme Benevolence within inanimate objects and mortal vessels.
But taken further, it could be interpreted as a “sudden, massive variable,” “an unforeseen force that breaks deadlocks,” or “a lifesaving straw in times of crisis.” Or even as the one divine move that could turn the world upside down.
Seeing Ji Jue ponder, Professor Ye remarked, “You don’t like it? It’s just a name, it can be changed anytime.”
Ji Jue smiled and signed his name at the bottom of the registration form.
“No, it’s perfect. I really like it. Thank you, Professor, no—” He returned the form solemnly. “Thank you, Teacher.”
But Professor Ye remained silent. Her hands rested on the form, lost in thought.
It was as if she were back in time, when she stepped into her own teacher’s workshop for the first time, staring at the furnace in the dazzling sunlight. Gentle yet rough hands had lightly tousled her hair, so carefully and tenderly, as if stroking a seed about to sprout. That person had said to her, “From now on, I am your teacher.”
Why did those long-forgotten memories suddenly feel so vivid?
She said nothing. She simply waved her hand, signaling Ji Jue to do as he pleased. Bathed in the afternoon sunlight, she watched the drifting dust particles, letting the distant sound of the tide and memories engulf her.
So many years later, do you ever regret it, Ye Xian?
1. The Chinese raw here is 墨, which literally translates to “Black Ink.” Obviously Ink doesn’t really sound as badass in English. Plus, in this context, it represents more than color, it embodies opposition, rebellion, and the radical freedom of the group against the empire’s rigid, pure-white authority. I chose to translate 墨 as Onyx because it captures both the literal and symbolic essence of the original name. In Chinese, 墨 means “black ink,” but Onyx, a deep black gemstone, naturally conveys darkness, resilience, and quiet strength, all of which mirror the organization’s identity as a secretive yet powerful force. Unlike a literal translation like “Ink,” Onyx reads smoothly in English, evokes a sense of weight and presence, and maintains the stark contrast with the empire’s “white,” reinforcing the idea that this group stands in deliberate defiance of imperial control. ☜
2. Deus ex machina is a Latin phrase meaning “god from the machine.” It refers to a plot device where an unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected, contrived intervention. It originates from ancient Greek theater, where a deity was lowered onto the stage by a crane (machine) to resolve the plot. ☜
