Chapter 686: Chapter 333: Without a Sword in Hand, How Can One Pry Open the Gate of Truth
"The selection for the Son of the Deep Sea takes place once every five hundred years, a tradition that’s been carried on since the founding of Spirit Lake."
Heliodor didn’t answer Ronan directly but spoke slowly, "The wizard who earns the title of Son of the Deep Sea gains the privilege to directly meet with the Elder Council, having more authority than a typical Level 5 Wizard... of course, you’re aware of the atmosphere in the Deep Sea.
Each time the selection is held, not many wizards are actually interested. Everyone has more meaningful pursuits than participating in such a competition for vanity, even if it’s attending a banquet with unlimited fine wine and bewitching potions.
However, this selection is somewhat different from the past..."
"Because of the blessing from the New Prophet?"
Ronan’s expression shifted slightly as he couldn’t help but speak, "I heard that if one could become the Son of Spirit Lake, they might even be able to ask the New Prophet a question. Any question..."
"I almost forgot, your soul age is not yet fifty, you’re still very young."
Heliodor glanced at Ronan, "It makes sense you would be interested in this."
"You’re right."
Heliodor continued from Ronan’s words, nodding, "Many people wish to receive the Prophet’s blessing, so this time, more participants are expected compared to previous selections. The Elder Council is also placing more emphasis on this selection, and the rewards will be particularly generous..."
"Then what’s the teacher’s suggestion..."
"Go and give it a try."
Heliodor looked at him, speaking softly, "Go and experience the wizard competition belonging to the Deep Sea; the opportunity might come only once.
No need to care about the outcome, after all, you’ve just recently advanced to Level 4..."
"I’ll follow the teacher’s advice."
Ronan respectfully responded, then blinked and asked, "Teacher, are you not planning to participate?"
"You cheeky lad, now you’re concerned about me?"
Heliodor couldn’t help but laugh and curse, "Only wizards under a thousand years in soul age are eligible to sign up for the selection.
Just go and face it, get a good knockdown to hone your ambition, so that you can truly focus on research in Magic Potions and Pharmacy Studies afterward...
Off you go!"
Heliodor waved his hand, seeming reluctant to continue the conversation.
Ronan bid him farewell, made a gesture towards Silver Coin, and turned to walk out the door.
As Ronan completely left the laboratory space, the smile on Heliodor’s face gradually faded.
He waved his hand, pulling the obedient Silver Coin into his arms, as though suddenly recalling some distant memories, his entire being sinking into nostalgia, a deep loneliness and pain gradually surfacing on his aged face.
.....
Upon leaving Heliodor, Ronan had just arrived in the Lake Ring space when he saw a space door opening not far away.
"...you better pray you don’t encounter me in battle, or I swear I’ll beat you worse than Lady Pela’s roasted squirrel pancakes!"
"Oh, I’ve already recorded that with an Image Capturing Crystal! McEwan, you better beg me not to hand it to Lady Pela, or even if you become the Son of the Deep Sea, she’ll smack your ass with her hard squirrel pancakes..."
"Ha..."
The two Level 4 wizards of the Deep Sea emerged from the door, talking and laughing.
Upon seeing Ronan, their conversation abruptly stopped, and they nodded politely towards him before quickly heading toward the center of the Lake Ring.
"It seems this selection for the Son of the Deep Sea indeed garnered quite some attention and interest among the wizards..."
Ronan watched their retreating figures, his eyes flashing slightly.
Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in the wizards coming and going within and outside the Deep Sea, with most discussions revolving around the selection for the Son of the Deep Sea.
The selection for the Son of the Deep Sea is restricted to official wizards of the Deep Sea Faction with a soul age under a thousand years.
This condition rules out the majority of Level 5 wizards; of course, most Level 5s have participated in one or two selections. There are few qualified Level 5s in this selection for the Son of the Deep Sea, countable on one hand.
Although Ronan had sought Heliodor’s opinion just earlier, he had actually already made up his mind.
He wasn’t too interested in the blessing of the Destiny Pendulum that could be gained from becoming the Son of the Deep Sea, but he valued the opportunity to ask the New Prophet a question.
"Prophetic Magic might help me find clues about the Awakening Snake.."
Of course, to get a chance to question the New Prophet, he must first become the Son of Spirit Lake; the selection for the Son of the Deep Sea is just the first stepping stone.
Ronan suppressed his thoughts, but instead of returning to his residence, he headed out of Spirit Lake.
After leaving Spirit Lake, he quietly waited in a secluded valley, and moments later, a figure descended slowly from outside the valley.
The newcomer had long hair, a handsome appearance, dressed in a bluish-gray knitted magic robe, exhibiting an ethereal and free-spirited aura.
It was Cindison, the Sky Weaver Wizard who had hunted him alongside Misha.
"I thought you forgot our agreement."
Cindison’s expression was cold as he landed in front of Ronan, suddenly squinting his eyes, a hint of apprehension and complexity flashing across his face.
"You’ve advanced to Level 4?"
Ronan slightly nodded, not wasting words, and directly raised his hand, clenching his fingers towards Cindison.
A mighty spiritual field, vast as the cosmos, enveloped Cindison instantly.
Cindison’s pupils contracted sharply, and his magic robe suddenly flared up, almost immediately assuming a combat stance.
However, in the next second, Ronan’s spiritual field was retracted, along with an illusory nail an inch long squeezed out from Cindison’s brow, which exploded into nothingness with a "bang" after leaving the body.
Ronan withdrew his hand and said calmly, "Help me with one thing. Once it’s done, there’s another soul nail. I will remove it for you in advance."
Cindison’s face instantly darkened, and he said coldly, "You want to use this to threaten me into working for you forever?!"
"You’re overthinking it."
Ronan shook his head, "It’s not that difficult a task. I just want you to help me receive someone. After it’s done, besides completely lifting the restriction on you, I can also offer some compensation..."
Cindison’s face changed for a while before he slowly said, "Where to, and who to receive?"
"The south."
Ronan raised his hand and tossed an ancient-looking ruby ring to him, moved his lips slightly, and then said, "When you reach the place, give this to the person, and once he’s ready, bring him back to see me."
Cindison looked at the ruby ring in his hand, remained silent for a moment, and said, "When do we depart?"
"Now."
Ronan extended a finger, writing a line of flame-like script in the air in front of him, "Let’s sign the contract first."
Cindison couldn’t help but sneer, sarcastically saying, "Does the contract work for you?"
Ronan glanced at him and said lightly, "As long as it works for you."
Cindison’s face froze, filled with a look of frustration, his jaw muscles twitching at the sides of his cheeks.
Ronan finished drafting the contract’s content and watched Cindison sign it. With the contract in effect, he spoke with satisfaction, "Rest assured, there won’t be much risk. At most, it’ll just waste a bit of your time.
So, have a safe journey."
Cindison said nothing, flying off into the sky.
Ronan watched him leave, then turned and walked towards Spirit Lake.
Having gained the "Void Realm," the issue with the Holy Blood Tree’s growth site was resolved, leaving Ronan considering bringing Benny and the Holy Blood Tree to his side.
Unable to spare time to return to the south again, he had to find someone to handle this matter for him.
Cindison was a great choice. As a Level 4 Late Stage wizard, his strength was more than sufficient to handle the dangers of the round trip and bring Benny back safely.
Moreover, with leverage over him and the constraint of a soul contract, he was absolutely reliable.
The space ring Ronan gave to Cindison was the one he obtained from Narros. Its space was large enough to easily accommodate the Holy Blood Tree.
As a legendary tree species, with Benny’s care, the Holy Blood Tree shouldn’t have any issues staying in the space ring for half a year.
With a major concern resolved, Ronan felt a lot more at ease.
Returning to his residence at Spirit Lake, the earth cave dwarves working at the entrance immediately shouted their work chants to greet him.
Compared to before, the area was now entirely planted with lush apple trees. Ronan’s cultivation mostly took place in the Mist Space now, so this private residence was primarily a front, left for Ariety to manage as she pleased.
Upon entering the Mist Space, the once fertile black soil of several hectares was now flecked with greenery, as the flower seeds he had previously sown were beginning to sprout and grow, presenting a vibrant scene of vitality.
At a glance, Ronan felt much improved in spirit.
In the entire Mist Space, only Ronan was present. The high walls of flowing white mist on all four sides and the lush fields of hope provided infinite peace and tranquility.
Vast, expansive, and undisturbed, it surpassed many specialized meditation rooms.
Near one side of the misty wall, in an area designated for spell practice, Ronan casually sat cross-legged and began contemplating his next plan.
The Awakening Potion was crucial for cultivating [Spirit Heart Amber], and [Spirit Heart Amber] was key for his advancement to Level 5 and his attempt at Eight-Star Elemental Spirit, so the Son of the Deep Sea position was something he would pursue with all his might.
If things went as expected, he would soon "tear off the facade" with Misha, and given Misha’s personality, once he discovered Ronan’s "betrayal," any kind of insane reaction would not be surprising.
"I should have anticipated this outcome when I arranged for Cindison to attempt to eradicate me back when I was only Level 3..."
Ronan took out the "Elemental Water" he had obtained from refining it at Heliodor earlier in the day and casually threw it on the ground.
The crystal bottle shattered, and with a sharp shriek, a fire element entirely made of flames screamed as it leapt out of the bottle. In the blink of an eye, it expanded several times over, transforming into a fire giant three to four meters tall.
Then it started roaring and running around Ronan, leaving fire-flowing footprints on the ground.
Ronan remained expressionless, with a dense magic domain Qi mechanism pouring out from his body. Golden fissures opened above his head, with magma falling to form a scorching River of Gold beneath him.
The massive Spiritual Moya Golden Dharma Body, formed from titanium, was chanting, ancient songs being sung...
"Is magic pointless?"
Golden light flowed in Ronan’s eyes, his entire being exuding an indescribable aura of nobility and majesty.
"Teacher, you were wrong.."
"Having a mind full of knowledge but without wielding a sharp sword, how can one protect oneself and pry open the tightly sealed doors of the hall of truth.."
In a whisper, the fire element suddenly, like a moth to a flame, rushed toward the enormous golden Dharma body behind Ronan.
"Boom!"
A burst of flame erupted, and on the golden Spiritual Moya Dharma Body, suddenly appeared crimson red jade-like rune patterns.
At this moment, Ronan seemed to capture some fleeting spirit light.
His eyes slightly moved, he closed his eyes, and the Qi mechanisms of the five types of magic domains continuously overflowed and spread around him, with strands of mysterious aura circulating.
The golden Spiritual Moya Dharma Body behind him also seemed to begin undergoing some deeper-layered, miraculous transformation.....