Chapter 426: Nike Leme

A hidden, world‑apart utopia.

A small cottage, shrouded by layers upon layers of barriers, stood quietly.

Dumbledore led John and Yueer here.

Outside the cottage lay a meticulously tended garden, and many wondrous beasts of various shapes frolicked among the blossoms.

A few Hu Shu Luo Guo perched on the branches, curiously eyeing the visitors.

A Yue Chi Beast poked its head out from the shrubbery, blinking its huge eyes as if judging whether the newcomers were friendly.

"Is this the place where Grandpa Nike lives in seclusion?"

John gazed at the utopia before him, feeling a sincere awe.

"He really knows how to live..."

Dumbledore smiled faintly, "Indeed, Nike has lived for centuries and knows best how to make life comfortable."

Today is the day John and Yueer formally commence the ceremony.

Originally, John intended to find a place at Hogwarts for the ceremony.

But Dumbledore suddenly informed them that Nicolas Flamel had invited them to his secluded utopia for the ceremony.

There it would be safe, and Nicolas Flamel himself would preside, ensuring the ceremony's flawless success.

John was somewhat surprised.

He had only exchanged a few verbal messages with Dumbledore and had never actually met Nicolas Flamel.

After all, he is a living legend of the magical world, a reclusive master who has lived over six hundred years.

He never thought he could persuade the elder to act personally.

But unexpectedly, the elder voluntarily offered to help.

John gladly accepted.

And thus the present scene unfolded.

Dumbledore, with John and Yueer, arrived at Nicolas Flamel's secluded utopia.

Of course, this is just one of them; Nike Ye Ye has dozens of hideouts— even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone a six‑hundred‑year‑old legend.

Soon, Dumbledore led John and Yueer through the garden, past the gazes of the wondrous beasts, to the cottage door.

The door opened automatically, revealing an elderly man with white hair, yet spry, seated in a rocking chair by the fireplace.

"Oh, young Albus is here. You must be John, and Yueer—welcome both of you,"

Nike Leme set down the book in his hands, rose, and gazed gently at the two.

A kindly smile rested on his face, as if he had long anticipated their arrival.

The little old man looked aged, yet his white hair was bright and supple, and his eyes exceptionally clear.

He exuded a powerful vitality, hardly resembling a frail old man.

No wonder he is a legend who has lived over six hundred years.

"Grandpa Nike, nice to meet you for the first time,"

"I never expected you to personally intervene for my private matter; I am truly grateful,"

Upon meeting, John bowed deeply, his tone full of sincere gratitude.

Yueer mirrored the bow, softly saying, "Thank you for being willing to help us."

Nike Leme waved his hand, smiling kindly.

"Don't put me on such a pedestal; I've lived over six hundred years and have seen everything."

"Yet the situation of you two little kids truly rekindles my long‑forgotten sense of novelty."

"This is not only to aid you and answer young Albus's request, but also to satisfy my modest curiosity."

John now realized that Nicolas Flamel's willingness also involved Dumbledore's face.

Dumbledore said nothing, merely winking at John.

John smiled back at him.

Having said that, Nicolas Flamel again examined the timid Yueer hiding behind John.

"Child, are you getting used to the Artificial Human body?"

"Ah... um, the Artificial Human is fine, thank you, Grandpa, for your concern," Yueer whispered, his voice tinged with shyness, yet his eyes sparkling.

Nike Leme nodded appreciatively, then stepped with small strides toward the interior.

"Come, follow me."

John led Yueer, walking slowly to keep pace.

The interior was spacious, filled with numerous odd alchemical devices, walls lined with yellowed parchment scrolls, and the air scented faintly with herbs and metal.

At that moment, the tables and chairs had been moved to the walls, leaving a large central area cleared.

A complex alchemical diagram was drawn on the floor, runes interlaced, shimmering with a faint silver light.

"Come, child, step inside."

Nicolas Flamel gestured to Yueer, indicating he should enter the center of the diagram.

Yueer, a bit nervous, glanced back at John, who gave a gentle nod.

Having prepared beforehand, Yueer inhaled deeply and stepped forward into the diagram's center.

"Relax, child."

Nike soothed Yueer while looking toward John.

"The key to this ceremony lies not elsewhere but in the life source you provide."

"Whether shaping flesh or forming an embryo, it is a trivial task."

"But what we are doing today is shaping life itself."

The subtlety of this far exceeds our imagination; I will assist from the side in shaping the embryo, but the true core guidance must be completed by you.

Based on the source of your life and using Yueer's soul as the core, create a true life that conforms to natural law.

John solemnly nodded, his gaze falling on Yueer at the center of the formation.

He walked slowly to the edge of the formation.

"Yueer, don't be afraid, close your eyes."

Yueer obediently closed their eyes, their eyelashes trembling slightly.

John inhaled deeply, waved his wand, and his left index finger was severed outright.

Fresh blood surged instantly, yet it did not fall to the ground.

Instead it enveloped the severed finger, hovering in midair.

At the same time, John's complexion visibly turned pale.

The blood kept flowing, coalescing in midair into a fist-sized blood sphere that wrapped the severed finger and exuded a strong life aura.

Nicolas Flamel acted at the right moment, the formation beneath his feet lit up, and countless golden rays poured into the mass of blood and flesh.

The blood and flesh slowly writhed and reassembled in the golden light, gradually solidifying into a crystal‑clear embryo that hovered in midair, emitting a gentle life aura.

"Yueer, extend your hand."

With eyes tightly shut, Yueer obediently extended the right hand, the fingertips gently touching the embryo.

John likewise extended his intact right hand, agreeing to lightly touch the embryo.

In an instant.

The embryo erupted with dazzling white light.

Yueer's soul entered the embryo, the Artificial Human's body instantly lost all strength and fell back softly.

And John's soul seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, tearing a fragment of soul that merged into the embryo, becoming the anchor for Yueer's soul.

At this point.

The embryo began to generate a rhythm of life, faint yet genuine.

It was no longer merely a creation of blood, flesh, and alchemy, but a truly gestating life.

Nicolas Flamel quickly stepped forward, forming seals with both hands, and the golden light in the formation surged toward the embryo like a tide, encasing it in a luminous cocoon.

Finally, the ceremony concluded.