The same Ruon language, the same heavy, tense atmosphere. Where are we? What should I do? I too wonder... Zhou Mingrui calmed down and silently repeated the two questions. What struck him most wasn't the sentences themselves, nor the meaning they conveyed, but the palpable panic, alertness, fear, and reverence displayed by the man and the woman! Unaccountably pulled into this world of gray mist, even as the "culprit" himself, he was profoundly astonished and stunned—let alone the two who were entirely passive! In their eyes, such an experience must surely have surpassed all imagination. At that moment, Zhou Mingrui realized two options: first, to feign being a victim, conceal his true identity, and thereby earn a certain level of trust, observing the situation closely and gradually emerging from the chaos; or, to preserve the enigmatic image they held, actively steer the course of events and gather valuable information. Without pausing to think or reflect further, Zhou Mingrui seized upon the fleeting idea that flashed through his mind and swiftly made his decision, opting for the second approach. Leveraging the other's current psychological state and capitalizing on his own greatest strength! For a brief moment, the gray mist hung still above, and Zhou Mingrui smiled gently, his tone calm and his voice soft yet steady—like a courteous greeting to a visitor: "One attempt." One attempt... one attempt? Audrey Hall gazed at the enigmatic man enveloped in the pale, misty haze, finding the situation absurd, amusing, eerie, and utterly strange. She had just been in her bedroom, standing before the dressing table—then, without any warning, she was suddenly here, in this place shrouded in gray mist! How astonishing! Audrey took a deep breath, offered a polished, composed smile, and asked with a touch of nervousness: "Mr. Hall, has your attempt concluded? May we now return home?" Alger Wilson also wanted to make a similar inquiry, but with his wealth of experience, he remained composed, holding back his impulse and simply observing silently. Zhou Mingrui turned to the questioner, slightly able to make out the figure through the haze—she was a tall girl with smooth golden hair, though her exact features remained somewhat blurred. He didn’t immediately answer her question, but instead turned to the man on the other side. That man had deep blue hair, messy like sea grass, and a medium build, neither particularly athletic. At that very moment, Zhou Mingrui suddenly had a clear realization: when he himself grew stronger, or when he gained a deeper understanding of this hazy world, he might finally be able to pierce through the mist and see clearly the young woman and the man’s true appearances. In this current incident, they are the guests—while I am the host! With this shift in mindset, Zhou Mingrui immediately noticed several details he had previously overlooked. The girl with a sweet voice and the man with a calm, reserved demeanor both seemed rather ethereal, their hues slightly flushed, as if the two deep red "stars" projected onto the gray mist above. This projection stemmed from their intrinsic connection to the deep red—intangible yet tangible, a bond that could be clearly felt. Once that connection was severed, the projection would fade, and they would return to their original states. Zhou Mingrui nodded slightly, imperceptibly, turned to the blonde girl, and smiled gently. "Of course," he said, "if you formally request it, I can send you back right now." Odile, hearing no hint of reluctance, exhaled in relief. If a gentleman capable of such wonders had made a promise, he would surely uphold it. With her spirits slightly stabilized, she didn't immediately make her request. Instead, her emerald eyes darted around, gleaming with a distinct radiance. She spoke with nervous excitement, full of anticipation: "This has truly been a奇妙 experience... Well, I've always longed for something like this. I mean, I'm fond of the mysterious, of miracles that transcend the natural—no, my point, my point is—Mr. Zheng, how exactly should I go about becoming someone extraordinary?" As she spoke, her enthusiasm grew, and she grew so animated that her words began to stumble. The dreams she first nurtured as a child, listening to elders recount strange tales and wonders, now seemed to be taking tangible shape. Within just a few sentences, she had completely forgotten her earlier fears and hesitations. Excellent question! I too would like to know the answer... Zhou Mingrui thought to himself, self-consciously. He began to ponder how he might respond in a way that preserved the air of mystery. At the same time, he felt that standing and conversing like this seemed a bit low—didn't such a scene call for a temple, a long table, and numerous back chairs carved with ancient patterns, exuding a sense of mystery, with himself seated at the head, calmly observing his guests? As soon as Zhou Mingrui finished thinking, the gray mist suddenly surged, startling Oudel and Aljir. In an instant, they saw tall stone columns rising all around them, and a broad dome spreading above. The entire building was magnificent, grand, and imposing—like the royal hall of giants as described in legend. Directly beneath the dome, where the mist gathered, there appeared a bronze long table, with ten high-back chairs on each side, and identical seats arranged in front and behind. On the backs of the chairs, shimmering vividly, deep red and richly veiled, strange constellations emerged—unlike any in the real world. Oudel and Aljir found themselves seated directly opposite each other, in the most prominent position near the head of the table. The young woman glanced to her left, then to her right, and couldn't help murmuring softly, "What a marvel... Indeed, it is marvelous. Zhou Mingrui gently ran his right hand along the edge of the bronze long table, his movements subtle and unobtrusive. Aljer also took in the surroundings, and after a few seconds of silence, he suddenly spoke, stepping in to answer Audrey's question on Zhou Mingrui's behalf: "Are you from Luon?" "To become a remarkable one, one should join the Church of the Night Goddess, the Church of the Storm Sovereign, or the Church of the Gods of Steam and Machinery. Although most people never encounter a remarkable one in their lifetime, and thus doubt the very existence of such beings—some even harbor such skepticism within the very halls of these churches—there is no doubt that among the Arbitration Court, the Tribunal, and the Execution Organs, remarkable beings still exist and continue to fight against the dangers that grow in the darkness. Only their numbers have diminished significantly compared to those of the early Black Iron Age or earlier." Zhou Mingrui listened intently, yet his body language made a determined effort to convey an air of indifference to a child telling a story. Drawing on Klein's lingering historical knowledge, he knew that the "Age of Black Iron" referred to the current era—the Fifth Age—beginning 1,349 years ago. Audrey listened quietly, then exhaled softly: "Mr. Klein, I understand everything you've said, and even more—such as the Night Watchers, the Sentinels of Punishment, and the Mechanical Heart. But I don't want to lose my freedom." Alger chuckled lightly and replied vaguely: "Isn't it impossible for anyone to become extraordinary without making some sacrifice? If you don't consider joining the Church and undergoing trials, then you'd have to seek out the royal family—those noble houses with histories stretching back over a millennium—or, by sheer luck, find those hidden, elusive evil organizations. Audrey unconsciously puffed out her cheeks, then hurriedly glanced left and right, waiting until she was certain that neither the mysterious man nor the person across from her had noticed her subtle movements before asking, "Is there any other way?" Alger fell silent. After several deep breaths, he turned to look at Zhou Mingrui, the silent observer who had remained unresponsive. When seeing that the other man remained indifferent, he looked back at Audrey and carefully said, "I actually have two recipes for Sequence 9 potions." Sequence 9? Zhou Mingrui murmured to himself. "Really? Which two?" Audrey clearly understood what Sequence 9 potion recipes signified. Aeljer leaned back slightly, responding in a calm, measured tone: "You know, for humans to truly become extraordinary, they must rely on potions. The names of these potions originate from the 'Sacred Inscription,' and through successive translations—first from Giant, then Elven, then Ancient Hermes, then Ancient Vashak, and finally into Modern Hermes—the names have evolved over time to reflect the era. What matters most isn't the name itself, but whether it captures the essence or core symbolism of the potion." "The sequence-9 formula I hold in my hands is called 'Seafarer.' It grants you exceptional balance, allowing you to walk freely as if on solid ground even amid raging storms at sea. You'll also gain remarkable strength, and beneath your skin, you'll develop shimmering scales that make you as elusive as a fish—fluid and hard to catch, moving with the grace of a sea creature. Even without any gear, you can comfortably dive for at least ten minutes." "That sounds wonderful... the 'Sea-warden' of the Storm King?" "Audrey asked with a mix of anticipation and curiosity." "In ancient times, it was indeed known as the 'Sea's Loyal Companion.'" Aljer didn't pause, continuing, "The second Sequence 9 recipe is called 'The Audience.' As for its ancient name, I'm not sure. This potion grants you exceptional mental acuity and sharp observational skills. I'm certain you've attended operas and plays—you'll understand what 'The Audience' signifies. It's like an observer, watching the 'actors' of everyday society—their expressions, their gestures, their habits, even their unnoticed movements—gaining insight into their true thoughts." At this point, Aljer emphasized: "You must remember, whether it's a lavish banquet or a bustling street, the audience is always just the audience." Audrey listened intently, her eyes shining, and only after a while said, "Why?" Well, this is the follow-up question. I think I'm actually falling in love with this feeling—being an "audience." How do I obtain the "audience" formula? What should I trade with you?" Alger answered calmly, as if well-prepared: "Ghost shark's blood—at least 100 milliliters." Audrey nodded excitedly at first, then asked with concern: "If I can secure it, if I can, how shall I deliver it to you? And how shall I ensure that, once you receive the ghost shark's blood, you will hand over the potion recipe to me—and that it will be the genuine one?" Alger responded with a steady tone: "I'll provide you with an address. Once I receive the ghost shark's blood, I'll send the recipe back to you, or share it directly here." "As for assurance," he added, "I believe with the presence of this mysterious guest as a witness, both of us will feel fully confident." As he spoke, his gaze turned to Zhou Mingrui, seated in the upper seat: "Sir, you have brought us here with a power beyond our imagination. Whatever testimony you offer—whether mine or hers—we dare not defy." "Indeed!" Audrey's eyes brightened with enthusiasm, eagerly agreeing. In her view, the mysterious gentleman whose methods were utterly incomprehensible was truly authoritative as a witness. How could she or the man across from her possibly deceive him! Audrey slightly turned her body, earnestly looking toward Zhou Mingrui: "Sir, please serve as the witness for our transaction." At that moment, she realized she had forgotten to raise a certain point all along—how unpolite that was—and quickly asked: "Sir, how shall we address you?" Alger nodded gently, then solemnly inquired: "Sir, how shall we address you?" Zhou Mingrui was momentarily taken aback, his fingers lightly tapping on the bronze long table, and suddenly his mind flashed back to the earlier divination. He leaned back, withdrew his right hand, crossed his fingers over his chin, and smiled at the two of them. "You may call me..." Pausing slightly, he spoke in a calm and composed tone, "The Fool."