Hearing Salvatore’s disclosure or rather relaying of information, Annan had a wild idea in his mind.
It seems probable that Nicholas Flamel isn’t dead yet.
Annan remembered that there was such a person in his original world, just like Michelangelo.
In that world, Nicholas made a living in Paris by selling books, copywriting, and teaching students to draw. Then he suddenly obtained a considerable amount of wealth of unknown origin. With that money, he donated funds to build 14 hospitals in Paris. It was said that this was because he made the philosopher’s stone and used its power to transmute gold.
In the end, his coffin was found empty. Legend had it that he didn’t die but relied on the power of the stone to acquire immortality.
In this world, the situation was somewhat similar but different.
Just like how the old wizard named Michelangelo was also a sculpture master, Nicholas Flamel in this world was also an alchemist. Moreover, he had actually crafted the Sage’s Stone.
But could the Sage’s Stone actually grant him immortality?
Annan affirmed this idea immediately in his mind. It is highly possible.
The three curse vessels of the path of the Transcended heralded the essence of each stage.
Bronze was a metal that represented “corruption” and “calcination” in the Alteration School. Just like every Transcended who had just stepped onto the path of transcendence, he had to absorb many curses and gradually change his constitution and soul essence.
Silver signaled “condensation” and “purity.”
The Transcended needed to condense their souls and remove excess impurities when they advanced to Silver Rank. Unfortunately, at this stage of the Bronze Rank, some Transcended would fail to cast away their mortal sentiments.
After arriving at Silver Rank with a pure soul, their willpower would gradually become more vigorous, their minds become wiser, and their bodies grow healthier, approaching immunity to all diseases. Of course, their lifespan would prolong.
In Annan’s understanding, the “Will” attribute would be increased during each level promotion after Silver Rank.
Annan hadn’t found a way to improve the Will attribute effectively so far. This might be the reason.
For Gold Rank, it meant “dyeing” and “eternity”.
In other words, after the soul attained Gold Rank, it would be the actual qualitative change. If they stopped using the Transcended power, they would acquire eternal life from then on.
Of course, that would be impossible.
Annan read a line from Salvatore’s notes: People who do not have a strong desire to “metamorphose” cannot acquire the Eternal Soul.
After advancing to Silver Rank, the Transcended wouldn’t be bothered by desires. In a sense, that explained that they must have a solid faith to pursue in order to reach the Gold Rank.
How could such a person stop using the Transcended power for the sake of lifespan?
Only by burning this eternal and pure gold soul could the eternal “element” be extracted. In other words, the element itself was another form of expression for a Gold Rank Transcended’s soul.
In the ascendancy ritual, the Sage’s Stone could be used as a “perfected element essence” to replace the consumption of the soul.
Just like Michelangelo’s ascendancy ritual, he would be in deep trouble if he were to be interrupted at the last moment.
The Sage’s Stone could replace any perfected element. Moreover, only those who had reached the Truth level could extract the element at the “perfected form”. For ordinary Gold Rank Transcended, after the element was refined to the limit, they must burn their souls and turn them into residues to extract some “perfect element” from it.
If they succeeded, then they would be reborn in the fire.
In this process, their soul would be totally incinerated if they failed.. In a sense, they didn’t just fail to acquire the deity name. They succumbed to a complete death with no hopes to be resurrected.
That was the meaning of the Sage’s Stone’s existence.
In the age when there was no Book of Truth, it could replace the soul factor of those attempting the ascendancy. Even if they failed, there wouldn’t be any repercussions because there was still a second chance.
In a sense, it protected the person’s life — the life of a soon-to-be deity and immortal.
Therefore, the complete Sage’s Stone was undoubtedly one of the most precious materials in this world. Even if one decided to give it to others, he would be highly likely to acquire “friendship” with a true deity.
So, could Sage’s Stone bring immortality?
Highly possible.
At least for the Gold Rank Transcended, it would be entirely possible.
The lifespan of a Gold Rank would be drastically shortened due to the exertion of elemental power, and the Sage’s Stone itself was a perfected element essence that could even be used in ascendancy ritual. So it didn’t make sense that the stone couldn’t be consumed daily.
Since the Sage’s Stone could replace the soul in extracting the perfected elements, it meant that Nicholas Flamel might have attained immortality already, even without the need to become a deity.
He would only need to consume Sage’s Stone continuously, and then eternal life and mighty power would be in his grasp.
Still, there was a problem here.
Annan and Salvatore looked at each other. Their eyes became solemn.
Indeed, they all immediately realized the problem.
Sage’s Stone of the Hermetic School required “wizard’s bone marrow” as the primary raw material.
If Nicholas had suspended his death a hundred years ago and obtained immortality with Sage’s Stone, then it meant that he would need to hunt and kill wizards continuously to extend his lifespan and increase his power.
“I think Nicholas is a highly dangerous person.” Salvatore said with a stern expression to the Fourth Prince, “Your Royal Highness Albert, I strongly recommend that you don’t provoke him, and it’s best to pretend to forget him.
“If he is the Nicholas from a hundred years ago, then that means he has accumulated his power for a whole century.
“Master Nicholas was also proficient in the three schools of Edict, Prophet, and Shaping in addition to being the strongest Alteration Wizard at the time. If he wants to hide, no one would be able to catch him. If you plan to go against him, he would be able to detect it at the first moment. You can’t withstand the revenge of a Gold Rank Alteration Wizard who has accumulated his power for more than a hundred years.”
Salvatore’s words were blunt but truthful.
The Alteration School believed that “time is the foundation of power”. All Alteration spells adhered to the basic principle of “the longer the time, the stronger the effect”. The proficiency and optimization only shortened the actual application time.
In addition, the age of the Alteration Wizard was also the primary measurement of power.
Salvatore’s Black Fire sold poorly but it was sold easily under the name of Benjamin. People were more willing to trust the older Alteration Wizard, even though Benjamin was only in his fifties.
“Well, I will take note of that. This seems quite serious.” Knowing Salvatore’s identity, Prince Albert said bitterly, “But after listening to you, I can’t forget the name. What if I subconsciously became hostile to him? Do I need a Soul Snatch wizard to help me with this part, in particular wiping off my memory?”
“If you think it is necessary.” Annan raised his opinion softly, “But I don’t think it is.
“If we go against Nicholas, the Hermetic school may be in danger.
“So, why don’t you try to negotiate with him?” Annan’s mouth rose slightly.
“Since he appeared in the royal capital, he must have something he needs there. If that’s the case, before such a formidable character becomes an enemy, I suggest that you first ask what he wants.”
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Credits to MindMatrix for editing this chapter and improving the readability.