Chapter 1267
This was only one of its unique abilities. Those strange energies could even affect alchemical potions, alchemical golems, and alchemical arrays.
But it wasn't like a magical artifact, channeling energy directly into it—instead, there was another method.
Right now, Astral Academy is using the most basic method. A thousand years from now, they’ll discover a way to harness the power of the Whisper Crystal to create Essence Relics. When an Essence Relic is forged, it immediately destroys the artifact vessel, allowing something else to take its place.
This way, the magical artifact can be used—its power is diminished, but Astral Academy can reverse-engineer it. Each year they produce a special magical artifact, then use its structure and properties to crack its secrets and develop a new kind of magical artifact...
That was when Astral Academy began its gradual rise. In that era, the Northend World was developing rapidly. Astral Academy, once a sanctuary for alchemists, became just that—a sanctuary. The infinite planes brought endless opportunities, and more and more powerful alchemists no longer belonged to Astral Academy. Even the Whisper Crystal couldn't maintain its status anymore.
Astral Academy survived only because it had several Saint Alchemists—many strong individuals sought them out.
But Astral Academy inevitably began to decline, because at that time, the overall strength of mages was rising. In the Odin Kingdom, any powerful faction had more Sky Rank experts than Astral Academy, and their top experts were stronger too.
Northend World, after all, is a world of mages—not a world of alchemists...
At that time, Astral Academy developed a method to use the power of the Whisper Crystal to create alchemical potions. Each year, they could produce a single, extremely potent Sky Rank potion. Back then, these potions were highly coveted by the strongest experts.
Later on, Astral Academy used the power of the Whisper Crystal to create an alchemical array that shielded the academy. Its offensive power was lacking, but its defense was more than enough.
So Astral Academy maintained its status as the Sanctuary of Alchemists for over two thousand years, a legacy that endured despite the world’s turbulence.
Eventually, a true prodigy emerged at Astral Academy—one whose gifts in both magic and alchemy were so formidable, he was hailed as the greatest genius in the academy’s long history.
This prodigy resisted the lure of magical artifacts forged from the Whisper Crystal and found a way to confront its power. After countless setbacks, he finally subdued the Whisper Crystal.
From that moment, Astral Academy’s ascent was unstoppable.
The prodigy used the Whisper Crystal to mass-produce Soulbound Relics—without the old flaws. Every month, he could elevate a custom artifact for Astral Academy’s strongest to the rank of Essence Relic.
He mastered all the runes on the Whisper Crystal. Only then did people realize the Runes of Truth weren’t infinite, but precisely 108,000—ten thousand on each of its eighteen facets.
Yet the unique and uncopyable nature of the Runes of Truth made everyone believe they were limitless.
The key to the Whisper Crystal was those 108,000 Runes of Truth—not its strange energy. That prodigy deciphered and understood the runes, and was soon sanctified.
Afterwards, he passed on the insights he'd gained from the Runes of Truth to Astral Academy's alchemists. Within a few centuries, the academy's achievements in alchemy surged—many of Northend's peak-era technologies originated from that time.
Many foundational theories were also established during that period, all within Astral Academy.
Astral Academy was ablaze with excitement, and that sanctified genius became a top-tier Sky Rank powerhouse in just a few centuries.
With Astral Academy's advanced alchemical research, it could shake the entire Northend World at that time.
In the endless planes, if Astral Academy's magic warships appeared, other factions discovering new planes would either compromise and cooperate, or simply withdraw, giving up the entire plane—perhaps just to gain access to some alchemical technology from the academy.
That was Astral Academy's most glorious era. At the dawn of Northend World's peak, Astral Academy led the way for a time.
But later, just as that genius stood at the pinnacle of Sky Rank, ready to take the final step and ignite his Divine Flame, he suddenly went mad...
Everyone at Astral Academy returned, gathering to witness their leader ignite the Divine Flame. But at the very last moment, the genius lost his mind—completely, utterly mad...
With power at the very peak of Sky Rank, one foot already beyond, he slaughtered within Astral Academy—killing dozens of Sky Rank experts and countless alchemists in mere minutes.
The madness and destruction nearly wiped out all the Sky Rank experts Astral Academy had accumulated over millennia. Countless research achievements and precious records were destroyed...
Even the alchemists conducting research were killed. Neverwinter City was destroyed in an instant—the underground flames erupted to the surface, engulfing the city in fire that burned for three whole years. Only after the subterranean fire was diverted did the blaze finally die down...
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Only a handful of people survived to rebuild Astral Academy, but by then, its status in the Northend World had dropped below even third-rate. The once Sanctuary of Alchemists saw few alchemists return...
As for the genius, after his massacre at Astral Academy and nearly destroying everything, he vanished without a trace...
Later, many alchemists unearthed old records and the sinister nature of the Whisper Crystal. They concluded the genius had been possessed by an evil spirit within the Whisper Crystal, which is why he went mad at the critical moment of igniting the Divine Flame...
With the genius's disappearance, the Whisper Crystal vanished as well, leaving only legend behind. Many of its secrets were uncovered in later years.
They even discovered the first incomplete journal left by the genius, which recorded that the key to the Whisper Crystal was its 108,000 Runes of Truth.
Yet the Whisper Crystal itself came to be seen as evil.
The name 'Whisper Crystal' was coined later, meant to evoke the Devil's Whisper—endless temptation and evil.
But no matter how much the Whisper Crystal was maligned, one point was universally agreed upon: its 108,000 Runes of Truth.
After all, that genius became sanctified in just a hundred years!
This was unique in Northend's history and the fastest record ever. Later researchers of the Runes of Truth asserted that as long as one comprehended all 108,000 runes and their alchemical secrets, sanctification would be as easy as eating or drinking.
With such benefits, how could Leon not be interested? In fact, he was very interested—but only in those 108,000 Runes of Truth, not the Whisper Crystal itself.
The Whisper Crystal's sinister nature matched its power. Even the genius who appeared at Astral Academy thousands of years later didn't notice its evil—and in that era, Astral Academy stood above all of Northend, with seven sanctified alchemists, yet none foresaw the coming disaster.
Leon didn't think the Whisper Crystal itself was a good thing. Its strange energy was indeed powerful—if you subdued it, you could create all sorts of powerful alchemical items, potions, magical artifacts, arrays, and even golems, all elevated to Sky Rank, gaining sentience...
But Leon had no desire for it, because whatever the Whisper Crystal could do, he would eventually be able to accomplish himself...
On the first day here, things didn't start immediately. Someone from Astral Academy led everyone to settle in, then tour the space and see the Whisper Crystal. After all, for several people, this was their first visit—not everyone had been here before.
After arriving, Leon learned from Cyrus's introduction that this gathering had been held many times. Only Worldshapers could attend Astral Academy's gatherings, almost all to study the Whisper Crystal.
Every decade, many Worldshapers come here for the gathering. During the six months of the event, they can freely study the Whisper Crystal. But in exchange, each Worldshaper must copy down whatever insights they gain from the Runes of Truth and give them to Astral Academy.
Upon learning this, Leon suddenly understood why Astral Academy was hailed as Northend's alchemical sanctuary—the academy's alchemical technology forever outshone all of Northend.
It's not just because all three deans here are sanctified alchemists, nor because of the many Worldshapers and alchemical talents trained here—it's because of the Whisper Crystal.
Others may not realize how powerful the Runes of Truth on the Whisper Crystal are, but Leon understands very well. Each of the 108,000 runes contains vast information and countless alchemical secrets.
But even if the secrets are the same, different people will interpret them differently. The same Rune of Truth can yield entirely different insights to an alchemist specializing in potions versus one specializing in magical artifacts.
And everyone who comes here to study is a Worldshaper. What they comprehend is never basic—many insights are extremely advanced, and their thinking far ahead of the times. Any Worldshaper here might discover something truly powerful.
All these discoveries are eventually left to Astral Academy. This way, Astral Academy's alchemical technology will always outpace other factions, allowing it to maintain its position.
Most importantly—though Cyrus didn't mention it, Leon knows—that everyone has a limit when studying the Runes of Truth. The more runes you comprehend, the harder it becomes to grasp new ones, and it takes much more time.
The Worldshapers within Astral Academy have likely reached their limits—they can't comprehend any more runes unless they find another way or advance in rank.
To gain more insights into the Runes of Truth, the best method is to bring in other Worldshapers and learn from their discoveries. This not only builds a good reputation but also keeps Astral Academy at the forefront.
After all, there's no way to study the Runes of Truth except directly on the Whisper Crystal. Any copied rune loses most of its "truth."
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Astral Academy's approach is all reward and no risk. Over time, their understanding of the Runes of Truth deepens, and perhaps one day a Worldshaper will suddenly become sanctified.
With another sanctified alchemist, Astral Academy's status would remain unshakable for millennia.
There are hundreds of independent buildings in this vast space, each separated by a considerable distance. Worldshapers coming here can freely choose one for living and research.
But no fighting or alchemical experiments are allowed here—any mishap could destroy the place, or worse, seal the exit and trap everyone inside.
Even those with major grudges become well-behaved here—no one dares risk their life.
The first day's tour ended quickly. On the second day, everyone could begin their research freely.
When Leon returned to the Whisper Crystal's location, every crystal table was already occupied by a Worldshaper, each fully absorbed in studying the Runes of Truth that appeared on the crystal.
The Runes of Truth change according to a set pattern, appearing at intervals. If you can't capture their secrets in time, you'll never be able to uncover the mysteries within any rune.
That's why Astral Academy only invites Worldshapers. Alchemists below that level simply can't discover anything complete when studying the Runes of Truth.
During research, every Worldshaper displays the focus and dedication expected of an alchemist, ignoring everything else to devote all their energy and attention to the Runes of Truth.
In the distance, two Worldshapers from the Moshe Clan extended their mechanical arms, the surface transformed into a smooth metal plate. These two busily released rune sequences onto their arms, the runes forming chaotic, tangled patterns of information.
It's important to know that the Runes of Truth cannot be copied. Their mysteries are impossible to duplicate—any copied rune loses its original secrets.
The Moshe Worldshapers employ a different method. Their mechanical arms, clearly crafted with precision and special powers, allow them—when studying a Rune of Truth—to sense those unsolvable mysteries and, using the power of rule runes, break them down and temporarily seal them on their arms.
They wait until they've broken down a rune's mysteries into something they can understand, storing those secrets in rule runes for later study.
After all, each Rune of Truth only appears for a brief moment. Within that window, it's impossible to fully comprehend its mysteries or express them through alchemy.
The Moshe Worldshapers are impressively fast, but most others can only seize insights when a rune appears. While they may not grasp every mystery, they still gain considerable benefit.
Leon was the last to arrive. As he entered, he saw a Worldshaper from the Odin Kingdom, face alight with joy, hunched over a crystal table, scribbling furiously with a goose-feather quill, filling pages with chaotic data.
Others might not understand those scribbles, but for that Worldshaper, it was precisely through studying the Runes of Truth that he unlocked a crucial mystery to solve his problem.
Raphael, meanwhile, frowned as if stumped by a challenge, staring blankly at the Whisper Crystal. No one could tell what rune he was seeing. In his hand, he held a whirlwind, which shifted shape constantly—clearly using his magic to aid his comprehension.
Gureig of the House of Haus placed a pot of seven-colored plants with flat leaves in front of him. He bowed his head, watching as, with the surge of his magic and rule runes, the colors on the leaves changed rapidly. What was once a vague boundary between hues now shifted swiftly as Gureig manipulated his magic and runes.
In the end, each color was as fine as a strand of hair, looking like countless colored lines weaving across the leaves. This was Gureig's own method of deduction and unraveling.
Albert, meanwhile, clutched a crystal orb, torrents of data swirling within. His eyes were locked on the orb, while his right hand, without even glancing, jotted down key data beside him.