If Duke's words are true, this could be something sufficient to change the structure of the cosmos of the Star Forge world.
Before Ge Zheng could express his opinion, the ninth-level alchemist Pico preemptively said, "This formula is simply a hoax. I've carefully researched it myself, the formula is self-contradictory and it's simply impossible to produce the Solomon Demon Pillar."
Duke Maris remained silent, while Ge Zheng continued to look down at the formula: three pythons entwined together, with a double-faced warrior in armor standing on them, holding an oil lamp in his left hand and a bottle in his right hand, in which a king wearing a crown was swimming in a red liquid. Around each image, there were inscriptions in an ancient language.
Instead of immediately expressing his opinion, he looked at the ninth-level alchemist, and asked in a very courteous manner, "Mr. Pico, why do you believe this formula to be fake?"
The ninth-level alchemist raised three fingers: "There are three reasons."
"First, from the formula itself, it's clear that just a simple appraisal can reveal the fact that the parchment used to write the formula is from seven hundred years ago. But some markings on it...notice, it's Snake Island Magic Script. The Snake Island Magic Script appeared four hundred years ago—how could a script that appeared four hundred years ago be written on a formula with a supposed history of seven hundred years? Therefore, this formula must have been forged using parchment from seven hundred years ago."
"Secondly, the snake represents the initial chaotic state of matter, the least perfect state. The warrior signifies invincibility, but between the snake and the warrior, there are only three words: dissolve, refine, and smelt. How can such simple operations transform matter from its initial basic state to an invincible, powerful perfect state?"
"Lastly, the king symbolizes the sun, that is, gold. From the basic theory of alchemy, gold is already the final form of metal. But the king is soaking in the red liquid, clearly undergoing some kind of treatment—how can the ultimate form of gold undergo treatment?"
Duke Maris calmly looked at Ge Zheng and said, "Master Ge, have you heard all that?" Ge Zheng smiled and nodded, "I heard clearly. So, what is your opinion?"
Ge Zheng looked at the formula in front of him again, then suddenly smiled and asked, "Your Grace, who told you that this alchemical formula can produce the Solomon Demon Pillar?" "Well," the Duke hesitated for a moment and said, "I obtained this alchemical formula out of a fortunate coincidence. However, I have an identification certificate from Master Benat, one of the three major executives of the Alchemist's Guild."
The identification certificate is similar to a jewelry appraisal certificate, issued by alchemists after they have examined an item or a formula, establishing a magical connection between the certificate and the item, guaranteed by the alchemist's reputation, ensuring the authenticity of the item.
The President of the Alchemist Guild, Lord Avicent, was a free-spirited man who enjoyed traveling around the continent and was generally not present in the guild. The guild's daily affairs were decided by the three major executives, and Master Benat was one of them, known as the "Code Executive," holding the alchemical code established by the god Hermes, known for his strict and fair judgment. Therefore, the certificate he issued undoubtedly had a high level of authority.
Ge Zheng glanced at the ninth-level alchemist Pico, who quickly said, "I said this formula is fake, but I'm not questioning Master Benat's identification certificate. Master Benat's identification certificate is genuine, but with a genuine identification certificate and a fake formula, simply changing the magical connection would suffice, and it's not too difficult." Ge Zheng nodded, but although Pico spoke lightly, changing the magical connection without a trace was still quite difficult for him.
Ge Zheng said faintly, "Your Grace, the person who gave you this alchemical formula is probably trying to trap you."
"Do you really need to say that?" Pico mocked. Ge Zheng looked at him, and the ninth-level alchemist did not back down, glaring back fiercely.
Lord Staker regretted, "So, is this alchemical formula really fake?" Ge Zheng made a surprising statement, "Who said it's fake?" Pico was furious and slammed the table, "Are you questioning my judgment?" Ge Zheng smiled, "It's already good enough for you to make that judgment. But... with your intelligence and knowledge, naturally you can't see through the subtlety." He was aggressive, and how could Ge Zheng be polite to him? If someone doesn't know how to respect others, Ge Zheng doesn't mind teaching him what manners are.
Pico couldn't contain his anger, sneered, "Alright, I'd like to see what evidence you, a sixth-level alchemist, have to refute my conclusion."
Ge Zheng smiled confidently, "First, let me talk about your first piece of evidence: the parchment is from seven hundred years ago, but the Snake Island Magic Script only appeared four hundred years ago ..." "How can you not even refute such common knowledge that the Snake Island Magic Script first appeared four hundred years ago!" Pico sat straight, tapping the table with his fingers, unable to help but interrupt mockingly. He did not notice the slight frown on the Duke's face because of his posture.
Ge Zheng said coldly, "Please mind your manners, sir. Interrupting others like that is something only barbarians do." "How dare you call me a barbarian!" Pico, as the chief alchemist of the Duchy, had considerable status and was understandably uncomfortable with being mocked. Ge Zheng ignored him and continued, "But these characters are not the Snake Island Magic Script."
"Nonsense! If this isn't the Snake Island Magic Script, then what is it? Look at these letters, and the pattern of the word combinations—this is all the grammar of the Snake Island Magic Script."
"The Snake Island Magic Script originated from the ancient Spencian magical language system, which evolved from a kind of 'Black Mountain Magic Script.' The owner of Snake Island, the great mage Lord Livera, spent ten years developing it into a complete magical language. Ordinary people can't tell the difference between the Black Mountain Magic Script and the Snake Island magical language. With your level, I don't expect you to be able to see it. The Black Mountain Magic Script has a long history, and the Spencian magical language system is one of the oldest magical language systems in the Star Forge world, tracing back to at least the Twilight of the Gods. So, your evidence is invalid."
"Now that this evidence is invalid, your second piece of evidence collapses: those three words are not dissolve, refine, and smelt... I won't tell you what they are, since you haven't paid me any tuition."
"As for the third piece of evidence..." Ge Zheng laughed, "I find it cute that you're calling something unreasonable just because you can't solve the mystery by yourself. There are still many passages in the Hermes God's Code that have not been deciphered. Are you going to say that Hermes God is also wrong?"
"You!" Pico was silenced by his eloquent rebuttal. He knew about the three ancient magical language systems in the Star Forge world, but he had never seriously studied those languages that were no longer in use 3,000 years ago, with complicated grammar and vocabulary, not to mention knowing about a script called the "Black Mountain Magic Script." After all, there was only one competent mentor like Paracelsus in the world.
Pico choked on his words, sneering, "You can make up any excuse to refute my conclusion, hm! If you have the ability, why not create a Solomon Demon Pillar and show us all!"
"I never said that this alchemical formula is for making the Solomon Demon Pillar, did I?" Pico was dumbfounded, and the Duke was also puzzled.
Ge Zheng turned to the Lord and said, "Your Grace, I'm afraid you've been deceived. Although this alchemical formula is genuine, it is by no means the formula for the Solomon Demon Pillar. As for Master Benat's identification certificate, I believe someone has modified the magical connection of the certificate."
"Then what is it?" the Duke asked anxiously. Ge Zheng intended to teach Pico a lesson. He hadn't taken his job and had given him enough room to survive, but Pico was confrontational right from the start. Ge Zheng, known as the "domineering master of the mountain," was not just a title. He looked at Pico, "This esteemed master is a ninth-level professional. Why not use your appraisal skill to see what this formula can actually produce?"
Pico blushed, as he had tried before, but his ninth-level appraisal skill could only identify formulas for up to tenth level. He had tried once and failed, so he concluded that this particular formula was fake. But now, it seemed that he couldn't identify it because its level was too high.
"Why don't you identify it yourself?" Pico retorted stubbornly. Ge Zheng smiled, "Give me three days, I'll produce it."
The Duke's expression was complex. Since this formula was not for the powerful Solomon Demon Pillar, it was not worthwhile to offend the forces it had. He pondered on how to handle this mess, but he wasn't too concerned about what this formula could produce.
"Alright, I'll give you three days. Since it's getting late today, you'll stay in the Duke's Manor, and we have a professional alchemy laboratory here. You can use it to complete your work in the next three days." The Duke left Ge Zheng, a kind of passive surveillance, as he had just "joined" the Duke's camp, and the matter was of great importance, about which the Duke was somewhat uneasy.
After opening the door with the key, Mr. Pico left without waiting for the Duke's instructions, leaving the Duke to deal with too many troublesome matters.
The laboratory in the Duke's Manor was "private" for Pico, fully equipped for alchemy. The Duke gave it to Ge Zheng without asking for Pico's opinion, causing Pico's frustration.
Miss Feifei and loyal aide and fighter Floyd were hiding in the flower bed. When she heard that her father had allowed Ge Zheng to stay overnight in the Duke's Manor, she saw an opportunity. She was determined to teach that guy a lesson and make him think twice before meddling in her affairs. For the sake of her future freedom and dignity, it was necessary to assert her dominance.