Chapter 64: Can Hold On, But Not for Long!

The flame inside the wall lamp gradually waned.

Ta Ke, seated on the high‑backed chair, slowly slipped into the shadows.

【Steam Ring】 【Light】 【Angel】.

The myriad pieces of information linked together, reverberating like a roar in Ta Ke's mind.

La Mo Er's secret is indeed shocking enough.

No wonder why Count La Mo Er has been stubbornly holding on here for so many years.

After all, compared with the other city‑states deep within the Ashlands.

The geographical location of La Mo Er's Tower City‑State isn't particularly favorable.

Ta Ke lifted his head and looked upward, toward the direction of La Mo Er's steam tower.

"That secret... I don't know if I can reach it!"

Just as Ta Ke was pondering.

Ao Bu Li's voice sounded again.

"Didn't Xi Luo Er invite you to join the exploration of the Demon King's tomb?"

"Yes!" Ta Ke nodded.

"Xi Luo Er is La Mo Er's most prized student; she is extremely clever, and more importantly, her strength is formidable."

"As far as I know, the Demon King's tomb—a tempting piece of cake—so far no one has dared to push for it."

"But we all know that the Dark Sun cultists hidden among the crowd are certainly itching to tamper with the Demon King's seal."

"After all, the Demon King lineage itself aligns with Dark Sun corruption."

"Someone is bound to make a move here."

"Although..."

Ao Bu Li looked at Ta Ke.

"You possess a keen sense that can discern enemies."

"But there are always things that exist beyond your perception."

"So when you take part in this Demon King tomb operation, you must be careful."

"The Dark Sun cultists are certainly lurking within."

Ta Ke nodded cautiously.

"Yes, Teacher Ao Bu Li, I have noted it."

The Demon King tomb operation was already set for Ta Ke.

Reaching the second layer and better development are the top priorities.

Whoever dares to obstruct will die.

Ao Bu Li examined Ta Ke for a moment, then slowly praised.

"At your age, you have an astonishing talent; it's scarce, but not nonexistent."

"However, possessing such humility is rarer than your talent itself."

After speaking, Ao Bu Li produced an extraordinary storage bracelet.

An undead raven beside them grasped it in its beak and dropped it beside Ta Ke.

"Inside are advancement materials for a steam wizard."

"Of course, the wizard's traits require you to prepare these items yourself."

"Remember... the ecosystem must be stable enough to allow promotion."

"Otherwise... the rank of the steam lineage will cause a tearing damage to the wizard's ecosystem."

If they were his other apprentices or disciples, Ao Bu Li certainly wouldn't be this relaxed.

But Ta Ke.

He, who single‑handedly eliminated the evil‑god organization genius and blew the evil‑god altar skyward.

Letting him act alone will only improve the outcome.

"Thank you, Teacher Ao Bu Li!"

He fumbled the bracelet's coarse, icy‑yet‑warm texture.

Ta Ke rose and performed a solemn bow to Ao Bu Li.

Outside the entrance, the slightly curious A Man Di glanced inside from time to time.

It didn't take long for the group to go in for the meeting.

Meanwhile, Ta Ke had been talking with the teacher for almost half an hour.

"If Ta Ke becomes the teacher's official disciple, he will be the chief disciple and may even inherit this undead tower in the future."

Beside them, Ta Ni Lu was examining a small iron box.

Inside were numerous dark‑infused materials, exactly what she needs as a Night Priestess.

These materials are also the reward for the past several days of guarding the undead passage.

Roughly 150 demon gold, which is quite a decent income.

Just as A Man Di was daydreaming.

Ta Ke, head bowed in thought, walked out.

"Ta Ke, what's wrong?"

A Man Di asked curiously.

"What else can be done? La Mo Er's steam tower can't hold any longer; at best it can last another half month before La Mo Er collapses."

The reply came from beside him, Tani Lu.

"What? How is that possible!" Amante froze.

Taku glared at Tani Lu, then comforted Amante.

"Don't listen to his nonsense."

"The pollution and corrosion of Lamor have been brought under control, and there are also strong ones from Saint Rand helping here."

"So that means Lamor is fine?" Amante looked over.

"With so many people helping, Lamor... can at least hold out another one and a half months." Taku said firmly.

Amante: "……"

Nowadays, Amante's acceptance ability is no longer what it used to be.

Combined with the many encounters of this period, and after carefully recalling the teacher's earlier words and the numerous tasks assigned,

Under the guidance pointed out by Taku and Tani Lu,

At this point, gradually realizing, it's probably true.

After slightly gathering her thoughts, Amante then looked toward Taku.

"These past few days, I've gathered quite a bit of undead properties and materials."

After saying that, Amante took out a black metal box.

"Inside is roughly a small half of the materials collected during this period; most are death-attribute materials, with a smaller portion being shadow materials."

"Death and shadow materials." Taku raised his eyebrows slightly.

"These are all excellent materials for transcendent alchemy."

"As for shadow-attribute materials, needless to say, Taku's rune shadow ring staff requires these materials."

"And the value of death-attribute materials is likewise not low."

"They can enhance the damage attribute of the rune shadow ring staff."

"Death attribute is one of the most direct attributes for increasing damage."

Taku took the small iron box, and his spiritual sense blossomed.

The materials inside are almost full.

A preliminary estimate puts it at no less than 800 magic gold, possibly even up to 1000 if more.

Guarding the undead rift passage, this harvest is indeed quite astonishing.

While storing the iron box into his storage bracer, Taku took out a fist-sized material containing the leader-level undead dragon crystal bone.

When he initially killed that level 28 dragon bone leader, Taku immediately stored this core material.

After all, back then there were many people and eyes about; who knows if someone might have had unclean hands.

"This thing is stored safely."

Taku shoved the leader-level undead dragon crystal bone into Amante's hand.

"This thing is too precious; I'm afraid..."

But Taku didn't give her a chance to object at all.

"In a little while, we'll probably have to leave Lamor. Out there, without some formidable means, you can't survive."

"Moreover, even if this material were given to me, with my undead talent, it would be pure waste."

"Only in your hands can this material's value be fully realized."

In the end, Amante still accepted the material; in her faint smile, a hint of gloom could not be hidden.

"Then I'll go get busy." Amante waved her hand and turned, disappearing into the darkness.

Watching her leave, Amante gradually faded into the depths of darkness.

Tani Lu's voice slowly sounded.

"She's a good girl, unfortunately, she met bad people."

Taku took a deep breath, looked over, and spoke slowly.

"Tonight, let's have lamb!"

Tani Lu's expression instantly looked as if his tail had been stepped on.

During this period, Taku behaved too normally, to the point that he subconsciously forgot that this guy is a complete demon.

"You'd better prepare thoroughly and teach me the basics of alchemy as quickly as possible."

"Otherwise... please believe me, you won't like that outcome."

Having said that, Taku walked forward.

That figure intertwined with shadow looks exactly like a demon.

Tani Lu let out a half sigh and followed after.

Now, the surface of Lamor has likely entered a state of opposition against the Dark Sun.

Underground, it's even worse—skeletons, plague rats, dog-headed people, goblins running rampant.

In the short term, escape is impossible.

As his name "Tani Lu" spread outward,

Anyone who dares to show their face will likely cause those Dark Sun cultists hidden among the populace to go mad and rush at him to perish together.

Following Taku, teaching him alchemy, there is also a slim chance of survival.

(End of chapter)