A Top Scholar in Everything-Chapter 736 - 722: Heart of the Empire

Bishop Gear's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and after Yao Shuimei's reminder, he suddenly laughed: "Yes, yes, let's get down to business. It's been a long time since I've opened the Heart of the Empire. The last time it was done here was, if I remember correctly, thirty years ago for that little fellow called something or other..."

Yao Shuimei rolled her eyes, "Uncle, stop reminiscing. Hurry up and get on with it. After we're done, Baiyu still needs to undergo training for Golden Blood."

Bishop Gear emitted a clicking sound from his body and laughed, "Getting old makes one reminiscent of the past, have some sympathy for the old man."

Yao Shuimei didn't respond.

Bishop Gear didn't intend to continue pitching his theory of "flesh is weak, mechanical ascension" to Baiyu, and began to lead Baiyu deep into the church.

Yao Shuimei followed behind.

Upon reaching the confession hall at the back of the church, Bishop Gear stood beneath the massive iron sculpture in the center.

The sculpture depicted a man holding a giant hammer.

His body was made up of various mechanical parts, and even his forehead had two large chimneys, which looked quite peculiar.

This was one of the three gods worshipped by the Cult of the Mechanical God.

The beliefs of the Cult of the Mechanical God were extremely diverse. Early on, it was formed by various sects that worshipped the God of Steam and Machinery, but no one had ever seen the true appearance of the God of Steam and Machinery, so over time, many different images emerged.

In the end.

The Cult of the Mechanical God consolidated, adopting a "circle and cross" symbol to represent the God of Steam and Machinery.

As for the other images.

They were combined to form two other "subsidiary gods," also belonging to the mechanical faction but ranking below the God of Steam and Machinery.

This one.

Was clearly the image of the God of Craftsmanship.

It seemed that this Bishop Gear was a follower of the God of Craftsmanship.

"Great God of Craftsmanship, your devoted follower beseeches you, open a convenient passage, and may your divine power descend..."

Bishop Gear muttered in front of the sculpture.

Soon.

A faint glow began to emit from the giant iron statue, the light resembling fire, as if flames were burning within.

The light gradually converged, forming a fiery red door.

"This is the path to the Heart of the Empire. The God of Craftsmanship has opened the way for you. If you want to leave, just silently recite 'open the door' in your heart."

Bishop Gear explained to Baiyu.

Beside him, Yao Shuimei also nodded to Baiyu: "Go ahead, remember to choose two things and return. The Heart of the Empire holds all the treasures the Empire has collected over the years, but some treasures you cannot take away.

The process of you choosing them is also the process of them choosing you."

Baiyu nodded.

In other words, the items in the Heart of the Empire were not available for random selection; it also depended on luck.

He took a deep breath, looking at the flame-like gate that burned continuously like a forge, and stepped inside.

...

Waves of heat assaulted him.

Under this intense heat, Baiyu couldn't open his eyes at all.

Once the heat completely dissipated.

Baiyu finally opened his eyes and looked around.

This was a vast, majestic library, with towering bookshelves that seemed to reach the clouds, and the carpet was made of the finest silk, with a faint scent of books lingering in the air. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Baiyu walked in.

The entire library was devoid of any people; he could freely browse through the books, but many were written in characters he couldn't understand.

There were also many books that caused him headaches with just a glance.

Clearly.

Many of the books in this library were forbidden texts. Although Baiyu was eager to read about knowledge buried in history, it was obviously not the time yet.

"Once I receive the reward for completing the task of decrypting the Blood River Simulation Realm and successfully advance to the next sequence, I should have the ability to start reading the books here."

Baiyu thought to himself.

Although he completed the task, he has not had the time to claim the reward and perform the promotion ceremony.

The library was vast, winding and twisting, seemingly formed like a labyrinth. Baiyu wandered around for a long time before finally finding the exit.

Behind the library.

There was a spacious holy hall.

Inside, many murals were carved, depicting major battles between the Empire and the demons.

In the center, there was a pool.

At the bottom lay countless coins, resembling a wishing pool.

Baiyu observed the situation, feeling quite uneasy without instructions, needing to rely on guessing for everything.

So far.

Aside from the pile of books, Baiyu hadn't seen anything else.

As for the treasures Yao Shuimei mentioned, he hadn't seen a single one.

After carefully checking the entire room.

Baiyu found no other exit, and gritting his teeth, he placed his hand into the pool that resembled a wishing pool.

Immediately.

The pool suddenly began to boil.

A large mass of water floated into the air, forming a water screen. The image displayed in the water screen resembled something like a control interface.

It was divided into several large boxes.

Each box had different labels: Weapons, Equipment, Magical Items, etc...

"Quite user-friendly."

Baiyu couldn't help but remark upon seeing the scene.

With a moment's thought, he tapped on the icon labeled Magical Items.

Soon.

Once he pressed it, the surroundings rapidly transformed.

Walls and rooms began to disappear.

One sealing object after another suspended midair, orbiting around him like birds.

Whispering sounds continuously echoed in Baiyu's ears.

Frowning, he touched a nearby sealing object, and immediately information was transmitted to his mind.

"Crazy Scalpel... from a mental doctor?"

Baiyu withdrew his hand, refraining from further interaction, and the light orb containing the sealing object drifted away.

He continued his selection.

Many light orbs were indeed inaccessible. When Baiyu got close, these orbs would immediately float away.

Clearly.

This was what Yao Shuimei meant by a two-way selection.

These sealing objects did not choose him.

Baiyu didn't mind. After wandering around, he set his mind on a rather peculiar sealing object.

The danger level of this sealing object was rated as A Level.

"A-19, Descent of the Demon King."

"Usage: Wear."

...

This was a mask, resembling those used in Sichuan opera face-changing, full of vibrant colors, with many inscrutable patterns engraved on it.

Its information was also quite simplistic.

Baiyu chose it because, upon seeing it, the accumulated pollution within him began to stir, and the two mouths that hadn't appeared on his palms for a long time seemed to be resurfacing.

Since journeying through the Blood River Simulation Realm.

Baiyu's pollution level had risen to fifteen percent and showed no signs of declining.

Of course.

This wasn't considered high.

However, Baiyu instinctively felt that the sealing object capable of sparking a reaction in his palm mouths must be extraordinary.