Chapter 257: Tarot Meeting and New Member

The Mechanical Skillful Hand consciously leapt onto Lei Ke Dun's shoulder, deforming its base and fastening it to the shoulder, fixing it as a third arm.

The biologist's trait, under the operation of the Mechanical Skillful Hand, was merged into a piece of ebony staff; to match Tu Ba Ge's stature, it also deliberately controlled the evolution direction of the wondrous item, shortening the staff by a large segment.

Forging the Sequence Six trait into a wondrous item was a considerable burden for the Mechanical Skillful Hand, which possessed only a single artisan trait; this staff took nearly an hour to complete.

However, after advancing to Sequence Four, the side effects of the Mechanical Skillful Hand on Lei Ke Dun became less noticeable.

He gently closed his eyes, simulating a holy light that blended vitality and purification; the numb, sluggish feeling on his body quickly faded away.

He then opened his eyes, moved his body slightly, and only then picked up the crafted staff to test its effect.

The original ebony staff had become a fresh branch, with two green leaves at the tip, looking like a twig cut from a tree just moments ago.

It can catalyze the growth and reproduction of organisms; mutated plants proliferate wildly, piercing the earth to strike enemies.

It can also be used to crossbreed various creatures, producing all sorts of odd results.

The downside is that the holder may randomly contract biological toxins; they are not immediately fatal, but as time accumulates the toxins grow stronger, and even a powerful extraordinary being will eventually succumb to death from prolonged toxin buildup.

It is best kept in a metal environment and should not be in prolonged contact with soil, lest it slowly take root and gradually animate into a monster.

"What a fresh branch, it even roots and sprouts."

Lei Ke Dun let out a sigh, examined the branch in his hand for a moment, and his right hand gripping the branch suddenly felt a slight numbness.

The toxins start so quickly?

Lei Ke Dun slightly frowned; instead of choosing to cleanse the toxins, he quietly sensed their intensity.

A flash of violet light flickered in his eyes, and he saw the spiritual glow of his right hand dimming slightly, with strands of black winding around it.

As time passed, more black wound around his spiritual light; he felt his mind growing hazy and prickling, and his body grew numb.

The next moment, a warm, clear golden hue enveloped him, and the biological toxins in his body vanished rapidly.

Tu Ba Ge is only at Sequence Seven; Lei Ke Dun estimates the branch can be used for about eight minutes, any longer and the toxin‑affected state becomes unsuitable for combat.

However, its previous Sequence was Physician, allowing it to heal itself and extend usage time a bit, and more purification talismans can be prepared for it.

Lei Ke Dun looked up at the wall clock, seeing it near three p. m.; the weekly Tarot Meeting was about to begin, so he casually placed the branch on a desk nearby.

Having just forged a wondrous item, a weary Lei Ke Dun simply returned to his bedroom to lie down and await today's Tarot Meeting.

With his eyes closed, Lei Ke Dun saw deep crimson light like a tide, as if the glow did not appear in his sight but directly in his mind's eye.

A brief daze, Lei Ke Dun reopened his eyes.

He was no longer in his bedroom nor lying on a bed; instead he found himself in a grand ancient palace above the gray mist, already seated on a high‑back chair that belonged to him.

Lei Ke Dun suddenly turned his head left, where a new member stood; though his figure was vague, Lei Ke Dun could instantly recognize him as the vampire recluse Ai Mu Lin·Huai Te.

"Good afternoon, Fool Sir, you have once again saved Beckland!"

Miss Justice was still the first to rise and greet the Fool Sir, but today her voice was no longer as light as usual.

Huh? What? When was I saved again? Ai Mu Lin listened blankly to Miss Justice's words.

He recalled recent major events; aside from the recent Great Smog incident, he could not think of any other event that affected the whole of Beckland.

Moreover, wasn't the Storm Church the first to respond to the Great Smog, creating a gale to disperse everything?

However, when confronting a hidden entity that must be addressed as "He," he felt an instinctive dread, unwilling to ask outright, intending to listen for a while first.

As the Fool, Ke Lai En, after hearing Miss Justice's words, leaned slightly back in his chair and responded with a light laugh:

"I only offered a trivial bit of help."

"No, your follower truly saved Beckland; his contribution is the greatest among all."

Justice Odairi sincerely praised:

"It was his warning that enabled the Night Goddess' Church to prepare, promptly eliminate the despairing witch, prevent the Primordial Witch's awakening, keep the Great Smog's contamination within controllable limits, and allow the True Creator's arrival to be cleared in time."

These were all because she supplied the most crucial information, received unanimous praise from the elders, and thus obtained some detailed intel.

However, regarding the clearing of the True Creator's arrival, she learned little, and the official forces seemed intent on covering it up, suggesting it was not done by the three major churches or the authorities.

Could it be an angel under the Fool Sir's command? According to the information gathered by Viscount Ge Lai Lin Te, the True Creator's arrival was handled brutally, the entire area evaporated as if, leaving only a massive crater.

What exactly happened in Beckland regarding the Primordial Witch's attempted awakening and the True Creator's arrival?

Ai Mu Lin's pupils contracted, nearly leaping up. Mother God—no... the Moon above—when did Beckland become so dangerous?

Seeing someone know and remember his contributions, though not all his, Ke Lai En felt somewhat gratified.

He immediately chuckled and voiced his sigh:

"Unfortunately, because of that, he had to stay away from Beckland."

Justice Odairi rose again, sincerely bowed and said:

"Please convey my thanks to him."

"I'm sorry; due to the three major churches and the military cleaning up Beckland, I couldn't obtain the subsequent Rosael Diary. Please wait another week."

"Fine," Ke Lai En said evenly, without any inflection.

Upon hearing Miss Justice mention the Rosael Diary, Fo Er Si snapped out of his reverie, quickly looking toward the head of the bronze long table:

"Honored Fool Sir, I have received three pages of the Rosael Diary."

Shrouded in gray mist, Ke Lai En lightly nodded and said:

"Very well."

Sitting silently in his seat, Lei Ke Dun suddenly frowned, recalling something he had previously overlooked or forgotten:

Ke Lai En had just obtained a diary containing the Primordial Witch's true name, and turned to meet Te Li Si; previously he had chosen the path of a diviner and was also influenced by the Rosael Diary.

He wondered who arranged these coincidences. Hmm, also, why do I feel as forgetful as a nightmare!

Rosael? Diary? Ai Mu Lin felt as if he had heard something remarkable.

When he looked puzzled at Fo Er Si materializing the three pages and handing them to Ke Lai En, the Fool Ke Lai En finally recalled a vampire he had forgotten.

"Your presence is far too weak," he thought with slight embarrassment, then chuckled and introduced:

"This is the new member, Mr. Moon."

"This gathering is called the Tarot Society, and they are respectively the White Tower and the Hanged Man."

After introducing Mr. Moon to the members of the Tarot Society, Craine began reading Russell's diary that he had obtained today.

Justice Audrey fixed her gaze on the spot to the left of Mr. Fool, where she had previously noticed an additional item: a peculiar crown covered in iron rust and bloodstains.

While observing, she keenly noticed that the "Black Emperor (Title)" card that Mr. Fool had placed on the mottled long table was gone!

With which being was the exchange made? Was the peculiar crown obtained in return?

Audrey's eyes flickered slightly as she continually speculated about the reason in her mind.

After finishing Russell's diary, Craine leaned back slightly, letting the diary vanish from his hand, and said:

"You may begin now."

Concerned for the Tarot Society members, Audrey immediately looked toward the slanted opposite Little Sun:

"Have you broken free from that cycle?"

Little Sun Derek nodded earnestly, then bowed to Mr. Fool at the head of the bronze long table, saying:

"Great Mr. Fool, thank you greatly for your hint; it led me to locate the key point—the Angel of Destiny—on the mural bearing the words 'Redeeming Rose'."

"Not bad," the Fool at the head replied evenly.

Little Sun Derek then turned to Recktorn, speaking in a very serious tone:

"Mr. White Tower, thank you for your reminder as well; it enabled us to respond correctly and escape that endlessly looping region."

"I have another question to ask you; our chief wishes to inquire, and I can offer a reward!"

Little Sun emphasized the point about offering a reward.

Sun classmate is still as naive as ever; saying that is like handing himself over to be slaughtered, isn't it?

Shrouded in gray mist, Craine sighed inwardly for Little Sun.

"What question?"

Recktorn raised an eyebrow, looking toward the Little Sun on his right, and asked curiously:

Little Sun Derek organized his words a bit and said:

"Our Silver City's records concerning the 'Creator of All, the All-Knowing All-Powerful God' state that eight 'Kings of Angels' surround the Lord; they are the beings closest to the divine throne, thus bearing the title 'King of Angels'!"

"Among them are the 'Time Angel' A Meng and the 'Angel of Destiny', also known as the Tail‑Swallower Wu Luo Liu Si."

"I recall you mentioned before that a 'True Creator' is accompanied by a 'Angel of Destiny' also called Wu Luo Liu Si. Are they the same being? What is the relationship between the True Creator and the 'Creator of All, the All-Knowing All-Powerful God' worshiped in our Silver City?"

(End of Chapter)