The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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The creators of the Pure White Era, upholding lofty idealism, attempted to break free from the invisible shackles originating from within, to peer into the logic of matter's operation within a very limited field of vision, to peer into the pure external world obscured by the celestial veil of clouds, and to peer into the boundless abyss and glimmer of light—however, they paid the price for their desires.

Those magnificent towers, those grand structures, those awe-inspiring creations… all crumbled and collapsed amidst the mournful sighs, turning into the dust of history. The only thing that remains are the jagged cracks in the land of Ferranes.

Zoparos meticulously studied the sea stone tablet and kept taking notes to ensure that nothing was missed.

"It's Gormouth, a language from a lost era, and the vocabulary is so archaic it's almost antiquated. If I hadn't dealt with Niflår, that pirate captain, in my younger days, I'd probably have to dig out my notes to look up the roots of the words."

That being said, with Shitia by her side, there were no translation issues.

The deniers of the Pure White Era were not without geniuses among geniuses, and madmen among madmen, yet their ultimate fate was only failure. This was a hopeless path already rejected by history, and I cannot allow the survivors of Gormouth to repeat the same mistakes.

【We name ourselves after Stars and Abysses, but the stars hang in the sky, hidden in the clouds, how lofty and distant they seem! The abyss, though deep and cold, is at least tangible, at least undeniably real.】

Decline may be unstoppable, and the desolate end of the era is drawing ever closer. Amidst the shattered ashes of history, beneath the blade of the swordsman, where can one find survival? Who will escape? Now, all that remains is to bow, pray, and await judgment with fear in one's heart.

I have never hated my own vulnerable nature so much.

The inscription on the Hai Shi Fang Bei (Sea Stone Stele) ends here with a gap, as if this part of the writing had been forcibly chiseled away. Clearly, the person who recorded the events before this gap came from a lost era.

Specifically, this occurred at the end of the Pure White Era and into the middle and late stages of the Decay Era.

The writing system that emerged after the break in continuity underwent a degree of modernization in both word usage and individual affixes, suggesting it was left behind after the end of the lost era, roughly three or four hundred years into the first millennium.

The subsequent content mostly details major events encountered by the Star Abyss Society in its development history, as well as the research progress of the ritual "Feast of the Vanishers." Judging from the different writing styles and tones, the recorders inscribed on the stone tablet were the presidents of the Star Abyss Society in each generation.

As for the final inscription, it was carved by Melvis today.

I have failed my ancestors, betrayed the explorations and efforts of generations of pioneers… Now, perhaps the time has come to forcefully implement the final results. I know, I know everything is not yet perfect, but I have no time.

I must ensure that the great achievements of the Tide Listeners are not stolen.

This is a colossal document that has survived from the Lost Age to the present day, its value immeasurable to any cryptanalyst. Zoparos has completely forgotten the frustration of his fruitless search at the Bonestone Sanctuary and has devoted himself entirely to the task of deciphering it.

However, he also had some worries.

Because the preparation time for his trip to Gormouth was so tight that he did not bring an assistant, he had to complete the copying and rubbing work by himself.

But soon, Zoparos discovered that his worries were unnecessary.

At this moment, Syldia was waving dozens of tassels, using the secretions at their tips to quickly assist in the transcription. Not to mention a few assistants, even if the entire Funeral Court's cipher research team were here, they could probably only barely match her current efficiency.

After the inscription on the stone tablet was copied, Zoparos remembered what she had said before bringing him to the vault.

This nobleman from Heyer was puzzled by certain inscriptions on the stele…

But as a member of the Abyss Clan born in a lost era, and possessing immeasurable knowledge of ciphers and rituals, does he really have any answers to her questions about "history"?

“Mr. Zoparos, what I want to know is not what is written on the stone tablet, but about the end of the lost era and its epochal transformation.”

When seeking advice, Shitia maintained her usual sincere attitude.

Few scholars knew the history of the Lost Age better than her, and even fewer have survived to this day. But after the War of Destruction, she was imprisoned in the dark cage of the Ridge Palace, and knew very little about the upheavals and turmoil that followed.

As a hunter of secrets, Zoparos worships the god of hunting who was the initiator and executor of the end-of-era cataclysm, so he must have some knowledge of the secrets in this regard.

Upon hearing what she said, Zoparos felt a sense of relief, but then a sense of solemnity arose within him.

"I see."

"Hmm... The Funeral Court does have some records about this part of the secret history. However, even the Hunters of Mysteries only have scattered fragments of information. The true cause, process, and final result of the End of the Era's Decay are difficult to trace."

"All I can offer are some ambiguous fables and proverbs."

After saying that, he coughed lightly and then began to talk about another concern of his.

"Besides, the secret history of the end-of-era upheaval is under a very high level of confidentiality. Even I have no right to disclose it to the public without the permission of the General Affairs Committee, in violation of the agreement."

4. "...I understand."

Zhe Xitia nodded slightly upon hearing this, her azure eyes remaining calm.

Judging from Zoparos's cryptic attitude, it was clear that the esoteric scholar possessed more than just "a few words" as he claimed.

Therefore, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Just then, Zoparos moved his neck slightly, and a deep, enigmatic look appeared in his aged eyes.

"However, I happen to have a notebook I wrote a few years ago with me. It's not very important, so I'll give it to Ms. Xitia. I think this is a friendly academic exchange that is beneficial to both of us cryptanalysts."

As he spoke, he took out a notebook from his book box, its pages curled and covered with dense handwriting.

Its title is "Zopalos Larui's In-Depth Research Notes - The Grand Destruction of the Broken Dust Order".

-

-

Jiu Geng!

Chapter 200 The Spawn of Lust

Given Fran's exhaustion and accumulated weariness, this should have been a deep, dreamless sleep.

It felt like falling into a dark and silent abyss, enjoying pure tranquility.

However, today, a visitor arrived in her deepest, most private dreams. Or perhaps Fran was the visitor, while the person had always resided here and seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

The man's appearance, demeanor, and every gesture were exactly the same as Fran's, except that he was more slender and taller.

Amidst the swirling mist, she sat quietly on a square chair, her hand resting on her cheek as she calmly observed Fran, who had stepped into the place.

Clearly, that was the doctor's "old self," representing the complete form of his personality structure.

"Hey."

The old Fran looked at his other self, who was approaching lightly, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a slight smile.

"Who would have thought that my future self would be even smaller than my former self? It's a truly indescribable and subtle experience. Hmm... judging from the development of this body, I should be around sixteen or seventeen years old."

"It's good to be young."

As she spoke, she slowly stood up, and the square chair she had been sitting on instantly vanished like clouds.

“I have seen your detailed condition before, and it is only one-third complete. That is to say, apart from the original humanity and the rediscovered 'madness', the rest is completely missing.”

"However, it doesn't really matter. It's just some dust from the past; if it piles up too thickly, it will only be unpleasant."

After speaking, Fran's old self pinched the cheek of the person in front of him with a bit of interest.

It has to be said, this was indeed a rather strange experience. The person in front of me clearly belonged to the future, and according to common sense, she should be my elder. But given the current situation, it seemed as if I was the older one.

"The remaining spiritual essence of the ancient banyan fruit is actually enough to make you appear in my dream?"

Fran didn't stop his old self from pinching his cheeks, which seemed to be getting increasingly audacious. Instead, he seriously changed the subject. If it were anyone else doing this, it would clearly be considered a bit too intimate…

But since the other party is ultimately "zero-self," zero tolerance doesn't impose much of a psychological burden on Qi.

"Only this one time."

"At least, that's the case until the traces of time left by the ancient banyan tree are filled with spiritual energy again."

After a moment's thought, Fran's former self stroked her chin and gave her answer. At this point, she seemed to remember the purpose of her appearance, and then, with a slightly more serious expression, began to recount the more important parts.

"By the way, I've unlocked some hidden modules in the Mist Within the Door program that were folded. This will help you find the fragmented parts later. Of course, even if I didn't do this... in time, I'm sure you'll master it again."

"In any case, it is truly gratifying to see that 'I' have not fallen into alienation or undergone unpredictable changes."

Looking at his past self, who seemed somewhat sentimental, Fran narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"Don't talk to me like that, it's like you're dead. I'm perfectly fine."

"No matter how many planks are replaced on the Ship of Theseus, as long as Theseus is still at the helm, its essence remains unchanged. Just as the water flowing through a river is completely different each time it is crossed, but it is still the same river, and the things that cycle upstream are ultimately just external."

Upon hearing this, Fran's former self nodded, clearly agreeing with the explanation of this other self.

"That's right, you are me, we are no different."

After saying this, she strode directly towards Fran, and when they were inches apart, her form shattered, turning into illusory mist. The two slightly different figures then overlapped and merged into one.

The dream faded, and all returned to tranquility.

...Fran was finally able to get some sleep.

Her words just now revealed a hint of unusual irritability, perhaps because she had been disturbed.

-

Mordway, the Blue Chapel.

Before the solemn and majestic stone statue of the deity, beneath the colorful and magnificent stained-glass windows, the regent of the Gaelonson court is releasing his desires in their most primal state.

Perhaps it was to heal the gruesome wounds on his body, or perhaps it was simply to temporarily forget the wails that echoed through the streets of Mordway.

It was a desperate tearing, entanglement, and gnawing... a complete immersion in self-forgetfulness.

Once the brocade robes and high hats are removed, and people meet with their true selves, there is no longer any need to suppress what is hidden inside their skin.

The act of intercourse, which resembled feeding, only ended when blood stained the expensive silk sheets and the tattered scales of the snake and python covered the bed. Gunther's maid was panting heavily, her body riddled with wounds and barely breathing.

But Prince Gunther seemed to have exercised some restraint in the end and did not fully enjoy everything the other had.

Even though he desperately needs a live sacrifice that is obedient and of high quality.

"Sir, why are you..."

Leireira asked weakly.

Gunther offered no explanation, but simply raised his hand to touch the wounds on his body inflicted by the remnant of the Ravenfeather High Priest. Most of them were now closed and showing signs of healing, and the uncontrollable bleeding had ceased.

"I might do that someday, but not now."

After saying this, he wiped the blood off his body and then put on his robe.

Even Gunther himself was taken aback.

Over the years, he had collected countless inhuman creatures from slave traders and other sources. Originally, he only wanted to obtain spirits with different qualities through intercourse and the consumption of flesh and blood, but in the end, it developed into a kind of passion that he could not let go of.

Even for the sake of Leireira, who volunteered to be a sacrifice, he found it difficult to make up his mind to completely take her life.

Gunther consistently maintained the arrogance and cruelty of a superior to others, and his initiative in initiating the Hollowfication Protocol stemmed from this. However, he was always generous with his collection, treating it well and even tolerating a certain degree of offense.

"This damned weakness... Perhaps, as the late king said, I have no potential to ascend the throne."

"But I'm not reconciled! Why can that idiot Murphy get the crown, but I can't? He's just a short-sighted fool blinded by the allure of longevity and the rank of apostle, easily becoming a guinea pig with a few words of manipulation from Melvis!"

"It was no surprise that he was eventually beheaded."

At this moment, he felt an indescribable frenzy and anxiety.

If Melvis's scheme ultimately succeeds, then his eventual ascension to the throne of Galonson will be a matter of course, without any further obstacles. Of course, without these unforeseen events, everything could have been accomplished subtly and flawlessly...4

If he fails, he will likely face retribution from his former adversaries.

Gunther wanted to know the answer, but he was filled with hesitation, fearing that the answer wouldn't be the one he wanted.

"Tap." (The sound of something falling)

Just then, the church doors were pushed open.

Upon hearing this sound, Gunther felt as if his spine had been removed, and his limbs began to go limp uncontrollably. Royal guards would always ring a bell and knock respectfully before entering, never simply pushing the door open.

Those who come must be uninvited guests.

"It seems I've arrived at the wrong time."

The speaker was White Cup's teaching assistant, Child. After confirming that everything was over at the Bone Stone Sanctuary of the Star Abyss Society, he did not linger and immediately went to the Azure Church in Gallonson.

Now, his eyes are a deep, clear emerald color.

"...It was you?"

Gunther immediately questioned him.

In fact, he had a vague idea of ​​how things would end tonight, but he still harbored some illusions and found it difficult to face the cold and cruel reality.

"Did you really think the newcomer would be Melvis? It's a great pity that all that's left of him now is his corpse turned into salt dust, along with the lingering poison and curse of the Abyss."

"I must admit, the Listeners' plan is very fascinating. However, I still believe that trying to gain ascension by devouring corpses will only lead to alienation. Even if they eventually perfect the [Feast of the Unseen] ritual, that will not change."

Child, in Grantham's state, explained the situation rather easily.

Upon hearing his words, Gunther's expression froze for a moment before he smiled with relief.

"Ha, hahaha... Just as I thought."

"That unreliable old man finally failed. Could it be that our collaboration with Karmion caused us all to be tainted by his incredible bad luck?"

In his despair, all he could do was let out a self-deprecating laugh.