Chapter 258: Alchemist Keya

However, while the potential is theoretically limitless, the required energy is a bottomless pit. How much energy would it take to completely replicate the body of a powerful individual? Furthermore, even if the body is replicated, the consciousness, combat experience, and techniques within the mind cannot be copied, which is another limitation. Moreover, the energy expenditure is astronomically high and defies common sense; creating one fourth-tier life form might require the energy equivalent of more than ten fourth-tier life forms. Yet, these flaws do not overshadow its merits; it is terrifyingly powerful.

“Everyone, I’m going in. Wish me luck,” Akina Speed said. “And don’t tell the network outside the sandbox about me. I don’t want a certain animal knowing until I’ve gone in and dealt with him.”

“You’re awesome, boss!”“You’re awesome, boss!” the crowd cheered, silently giving their thumbs up.However, there was one thing they didn't say aloud: 'You only got strong by cross-dressing and paying to win.'

Sure enough, after a while, a long-awaited system notification sounded again:Announcement: Congratulations to player 'Akina Speed' whose evolved species, 'Alchemy Factory,' possesses great potential and has received an achievement reward.

“Brothers, I’m going in,” Akina Speed, in the form of a tree, declared, striding with devilish steps into the world portal.By now, all plants had become more 'proper'; after all, walking was an essential talent for a proper plant.

A rustling sound filled the air. Everything went dark, and gradually, Akina Speed's species died in an unnoticed dark corner.

The Ancient World.

Akina Speed looked upon the new world of ancient trees, where bright sunlight filtered meticulously through the leafy canopy, creating a beautiful scene.He took a deep breath and strode forward, thinking, “The Night Elf Ancient Tree, Yumia, is clearing out rebels and dealing with humans and demons on behalf of the entire elf race. The other ten Life Ancient Trees are likely resentful and wary of Yumia and the Night Elf Ancient Tree, but they have no choice but to assist them in saving the elf race. Now that I have appeared, surely some Elf Ancient Trees will be eager to become strategists, making me a hero of their lineage to contend with Yumia and, incidentally, deal with the problem of men….”He continued to analyze, concluding that other Elf Ancient Trees would be very willing to be allied with, even if they harbored resentment and extreme vigilance toward the appearance of a second elf hero. The question then was, which elf tribe to ally with?

Logically, he most wanted to ally with the Winged Elves, who possessed a pair of pure white wings, essentially starting as an angelic race with the ability to fly at a sixth-tier level. However, among the eleven Elf Ancient Trees, the Winged Elves were the most indifferent to this war. As they resided high in the sky, the chaos of war could not reach them, nor could men. Their leader, Omega, had no concerns about any of her precious, centuries-old elves—these 'flowers'—being taken by men.

“Excluding the Winged Elves, I can only choose from the remaining ones. After learning magic, they align more closely with their attributes: Water Elves, Dream Elves, Wind Elves, Light Elves, Sand Elves….” He sifted through them, noting each one's unique magical specialty.“I will choose the Sun Elves.” He chose what he believed was the best option. Sun Elves were the closest to plants, even capable of photosynthesis and having an affinity for light. What did plants need? Sunlight! He lacked energy! With energy, he could become stronger! The cultivation trait of photosynthesis deeply attracted him.

He spent several days traveling, moving closer to the Sun Elf tribe. Along the way, he hunted animals to gain energy. Only after establishing his rebirth altar near the Sun Elf tribe did he feel secure enough to enter the settlement.

A strangely shaped tree approached, looking at a stunningly beautiful Sun Elf. “I wish to see the Sun Ancient Tree,” it said.“What kind of creature is this?”“I’ve never seen anything like it. What a strange tree!” The surrounding elves stared, surprised at this unprecedented Ancient Tree.However, elves lived very long lives, especially after cultivation; there were countless elf maidens who had lived for two or three centuries. They had heard rumors of the Night Elf tribe from before the Elf Empire, that Yumia, the current Elf God, along with Shadow Song and the Watcher, had once been a strangely shaped Ancient Tree that could walk with an arrogant gait.“Another elf hero?” The surrounding elves' breathing quickened, and an elf immediately went to inform the Sun Ancient Tree.

A moment later, he saw a colossal, ancient, and weathered pillar that seemed to reach the sky. He knew clearly that it wasn't a pillar reaching the sky, but a Life Ancient Tree. Its branches and leaves were simply so tall that one had to crane their neck, making it appear like an enormous, terrifying, and vast wooden column.“You too can die and be reborn? I sense a peculiar aura about you,” the Sun Ancient Tree said softly.“I am of the same race as that traitor, and I am here to capture him,” Akina Speed replied. “Please allow me to become a hero of your race. I will ensure the rise of the Sun Elves and capture the elf traitor, the Demon Hunter!”“What if I refuse?” a faint voice replied.“Then you would have no choice but to kill me. After I revive, I will simply go to another Life Ancient Tree.”The air suddenly fell silent, and dappled sunlight filtered through the tree canopy.“Am I the first Elf Ancient Tree you’ve visited?”“You are the first.”“You will be proud of your choice.” After a moment of silence, a voice came, “Very well, I accept your request and will provide you with a huge amount of energy.”

Soon, Akina Speed died. He had arranged for the Life Ancient Tree to construct his rebirth altar within a Life Fruit that contained immense energy.Whoosh! Inside the hazy Life Fruit, a tree seed slowly nurtured. A flash of light appeared. This tree seed instantly died. Then, in the next moment, Akina Speed revived in the hero altar within another Life Fruit, seemingly unaware.

“Hmm? This time, he was prepared?” the Sun Ancient Tree’s voice grew solemn. “After killing him, the remaining tree seed quickly rotted.” Its original intention was to replicate a hero belonging to the Sun Elves. It was too envious of Yumia’s powerful and unique elf hero status, but it also didn’t want to suffer losses like the Night Elf Ancient Tree. It had planned to replicate him, then immediately kill the original body to prevent future troubles, but it hadn’t expected the other party to be prepared.“In that case, we can only let it truly become a hero of our elf race.”

At this moment, Akina Speed quickly proliferated. He transformed into an exquisitely beautiful Sun Elf, even sporting a massive golden, hazy halo behind him, with six copper coins embedded in the ring, appearing like a sacred, inviolable Sun Goddess.

“This is the power I get from cross-dressing?” He widened his eyes, instantly feeling an incredibly powerful force. “Fifth-tier! And my species’ overall characteristics have become even stronger, especially the energy acquisition speed, which is surprisingly high.”“However, while I guarded against the Life Ancient Tree replicating me, it also guarded against me… It placed a restriction on my elf life, capable of killing me at any time.” He could feel a brand in his mind that he couldn’t escape unless he became stronger than the Life Ancient Tree.His life was controlled. Yet, he didn’t mind. If this body died, he could simply be reborn; it was a free gain anyway. Besides, he wouldn’t provoke the Sun Ancient Tree’s wrath; he wasn’t as foolish as someone who stays silent.

“What do you think your name should be?” the Sun Ancient Tree asked calmly.“I’ll be called Keiya,” he casually picked a name, then put on a long elf dress, appearing tall and serene. “I am the Alchemist, the Midas Touch. I can create alchemy factories. As long as you give me enough energy, I can move the entire world.”The entire… world?

The other Sun Elves behind him watched the elf hero in shock. They gathered around, looking at the newly born hero of their race, and couldn't help but ask curiously, “Are you strong too?”“I am not strong. In fact, I am incredibly weak, weaker than all of you.” Keiya’s voice made countless elves’ eyes dim. They had hoped this Sun Elf hero would be as powerful as the Night Elf hero Yumia, an all-powerful hero with an invincible aura that surpassed even dragons!“But I can make you strong.” Keiya smiled gently. To the astonishment of the elf maidens, he stepped onto a high boulder, spread his arms, bathed in a golden halo behind him, with six ancient copper coins shining golden. “Come, go hunt! Give all your energy to me, the Alchemist. Mounts, weapons, armor—anything you desire, as long as you give me the energy. You can even surpass Yumia through investment, making yourselves strong!”

The innocent and adorable elf maidens were utterly bewildered, yet bathed in his encompassing divine radiance, they eternally remembered this moment.Countless years later, the epic hero Luna, riding a Moon Leopard, wielding the epic life weapon Moonblade, and adorned in divine artifacts, recounted to posterity: “At that moment, it was as if a great deity embraced us, and the six golden copper coins behind him radiated an endless halo, as if whispering the truth of this world to us—that investment makes us powerful.”