In the notebook, a method was provided: to refine specific potions by combining the eight elements within dark magic.
By adhering to this regimen of three times daily, ten milliliters each time, for a full course, these dark magic elements could replace the function of blood in the human body.
When dark magic elements could perform all the functions that blood provided to the human body, even integrating with them would not lead to death.
Instead, one would transform into a human with magical abilities.
"When human blood disappears, and the entire body is devoid of it, and internal organs are no longer nourished by blood but by dark magic elements."
"Humans would become beings beyond the mundane, gaining the qualification to initially use and learn magic."
As Holl read these words, his excitement began to surge.
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"
"So the path from human to extraordinary being is actually this simple!"
"Hahaha!"
"I, Holl, a mortal with a lifespan of only a hundred years, will also become a true transcendent!"
"I will live forever and ever, like a god, high above the clouds, looking down upon the endless beings below!"
"I will wield the power to destroy cities and continents, to eternally control the power of this world!"
Holl hugged the notebook and kissed it repeatedly! He looked at it as if it were his most beloved treasure in life.
This joy flooded his mind, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
In his eyes, this notebook was now the most valuable thing in the world!
Think about it, how have humans, from ancient times to the present, managed to stand at the apex of the food chain? It's through wisdom.
In terms of physical strength, humans are inferior to tigers, leopards, and bears.
Without the aid of tools, humans could only be torn apart by leopards and mauled by bears.
It was by using tools, employing bows and arrows, and even firearms and bullets, that they could hunt tigers and leopards, establish themselves at the top of the food chain, and build civilization.
This is the power of wisdom, and the power of tools.
However, the power of wisdom and the power of tools are not the strength of an individual, but the strength of a collective.
It is people who operate weapons, people who wield them.
It is still people who master instruments.
Life is singular; even the highest-ranking figures, if shot by a firearm, would die instantly.
The strongest leader is no physically stronger than a vagrant; they also have only one life, which can be ended with a single bullet.
Therefore, upon seeing the hope of transcendence, Holl's eyes burned even brighter.
This was because technology was a power mastered by the collective.
Transcendence, on the other hand, was a power that an individual could wield.
For an individual, choosing between the collective and the individual was a conclusion that required no deep thought.
Holl did not know how powerful these so-called monstrous beings were, or how strong the magic they wielded through dark magic elements would be.
Perhaps their ultimate potential was not as great as modern technological civilization—after all, no transcendent beings or monsters had been seen in the world. It could be inferred that they felt they could not withstand the invasion of modern civilization, and thus hid in the shadows of history.
Any group possessing power would inevitably grasp authority. Since these fantastical creatures had never been seen in the world, it could be surmised that they were perhaps inferior to modern civilization in terms of firepower.
But this was still a power that an individual could wield.
This made all the difference.
Humans are selfish; they always consider themselves first.
On the two paths of technology and magic, if one were to ask an individual whether they preferred personal transcendence or contributing selflessly to society through technology to build a future technological system—it could be almost certain that most scientists would quickly lean towards magic.
This was because human nature is inherently selfish.
Clearly, compared to advancing technological levels and contributing to all of humanity, they valued their own transcendent abilities far more.
Why scientists study science—whether it's driven by a love for science or a love for money—is something that doesn't need to be asked.
Few people work for free out of pure passion.
Most people do it for money.
Therefore, for the sake of personal transcendence, which is more important than money, abandoning science and embracing individual transcendence would be their choice.
Holl believed that even the leader of a powerful nation would first consider the interests of his own family before considering the overall interests of his nation.
Compared to the legions under his command.
The leader would undoubtedly trust the transcendent power he could wield himself more than trusting "people" with their varied and unpredictable hearts!
Therefore, upon seeing the true path to transcendence, Holl also believed that he must grasp this power and forever remain above others.
As for transforming into a monster rather than a transcendent being.
This point, recorded in the notebook, was selectively ignored by Holl, as if he had never seen it.
Were monsters not simply transcendent beings?
What was the difference between the two?
As for introducing dark magic elements to replace the body's blood, Holl felt it was inconsequential.
After all, the power was under his control. Whether it was light or darkness, what difference did it make?
Evil people using the power of light were still evil.
And good people, even using evil power, were still righteous.
Tools were not inherently wrong; it was the user who was flawed.
Given this, taking potions infused with refined dark elements should be fine.
Holl's heart was filled with ecstatic joy.
He did not realize that his excitement was exceeding the bounds of normal control.
He did not notice that his rationality seemed to be slipping away bit by bit.
His views on technology and transcendence in his mind were entirely different from his views before reading the notebook.
He, who had originally advocated for researching transcendence through technology.
Now, he had separated the transcendent side from the technological side, and almost blindly believed the content recorded in the notebook.
He, who had initially planned to take these few bottles of potion to the biological laboratory for research before proceeding, now intended to refine the dark magic element potions according to the notebook and take them himself, rather than having them researched.
He increasingly believed everything recorded in the notebook.
He even deliberately ignored the point that potions refined with dark magic elements would only lead to becoming a monster, not a transcendent being, directly equating transcendent beings with monsters in his mind.
It was as if the notebook possessed a magical power that was slowly twisting his thoughts.