Compared to Ronan's first visit, Banigo's private secret realm had undergone a dramatic transformation.
More than half of the secret realm was now occupied by the Sacred Blood Tree, its dense golden leaves forming a vast canopy, while the trunk below displayed a beautiful agate-red hue.
The increasingly robust Sacred Blood Tree had significantly encroached upon Banigo's living and research space. The few experimental tables that had initially existed in the secret realm were now relocated to a corner in the northwest.
As soon as Ronan entered the space, the Sacred Blood Tree emitted waves of joyful consciousness. Its soft red branches, like tiny infant hands, caressed Ronan's cheeks and neck, welcoming him home.
"Rustle—"
At that moment, from the lush magical plant garden beneath the Sacred Blood Tree, a figure swiftly emerged amidst the swaying foliage.
It was a strong young man with thick brown hair, handsome and well-built, appearing only a few years older than Ronan. If not for the familiar white shirt with obvious oil stains that Ronan recognized, he would hardly have believed this was Banigo! "Your experiment succeeded?!"
Ronan, seeing the almost "transformed" Banigo before him, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, immediately strode forward to meet him.
"It can be considered a preliminary success."
Banigo nodded calmly in response, his hands still damp with soil, as if he had just finished his daily task of loosening the soil and weeding the magical plant garden.
His voice had also become much younger, more magnetic.
Ronan instantly released his spiritual energy, scanning Banigo, who showed no unusual expression, standing still and allowing the inspection.
After a moment, Ronan took a deep breath and said, "Your strength has started to recover, and your vitality has greatly increased. It seems your research has truly succeeded."
From the moment the Sacred Blood Tree seed sprouted, Banigo had been conducting his "Bloodline Purification" research.
There was very little literature on the Sacred Blood Tree, so how to guide its power for ideal evolution of one's bloodline was a major challenge.
Previously, Ronan had undergone two bloodline purifications, first purifying the Ice Crystal Demon Serpent's bloodline and then transplanting it into himself.
This method greatly reduced the risk of his own bloodline becoming too mixed and the purification direction becoming uncontrollable.
But after the Genius Competition, Ronan "lost" the Ice Crystal Demon Serpent as his magical pet, rendering the method of purifying first and then transplanting unusable.
It was at this time that Banigo, who had been trying to use the Sacred Blood Tree to solve his soul decay problem, proposed a bold idea—the "Bloodline Deduction" experiment! Before undergoing formal bloodline purification, conduct repeated route deductions until the most ideal purification direction is found.
The principle was simple, but the practical execution was fraught with difficulties. In the nine months since Ronan returned to the Silver Magic Ring, Banigo had been conducting related experimental research.
Now, seeing him looking more than twenty years younger and his soul decay almost cured, it seemed he had undergone a full-body bloodline purification, significantly increasing the concentration of his Gray Elf bloodline.
Bennigo was a very steady and cautious man; he wouldn't take risks without sufficient certainty. Therefore, Ronan guessed that his research had made a significant breakthrough.
The experimental project on "Bloodline Deduction" was specifically established for Ronan. Bennigo's success also meant that Ronan's third bloodline purification had a complete hope, which was crucial for him to secure a chance of survival from Hekalto after his resurrection. How could he not be eager and excited?
"The rune knowledge you shared has been a great help to me."
Bennigo led Ronan through the overgrown weeds on the ground to an experimental table covered with paper drafts. Picking up a rag, he casually wiped the dirt off his hands and began to explain to Ronan: "I designed a miniature Rune Array, similar to the talent transplantation methods used by the ice wizards of White Stone Fortress, but it needs to be inscribed on the heart. As the blood flows, it can continuously purify and deduce until the optimal result is achieved."
"Is there any risk?"
Ronan picked up the calculation drafts on the experimental table one by one and asked in a deep voice.
"Of course."
Bennigo nodded, "Each deduction consumes a large amount of active essence blood, which will put a significant burden on your body."
"My physique is strong; this is nothing..."
Ronan shook his head, dismissing this impact first.
With a master-level proficiency close to 1,500 points in [Ascetic Body Forging], the vitality contained within the life sphere in his body had already reached an unimaginably vast level. If actively stimulated, it could instantly turn into a humanoid blood-making machine. Even the most precious essence blood wouldn't affect him much.
"There's also the possibility of depleting the bloodline origin."
"Bloodline origin?"
Ronan was puzzled; it was the first time he had heard this term. "What is that?"
"A term I defined myself."
Bennigo explained, "Whether the deduction is successful or not, it will continuously reduce the concentration of the precious bloodline inherently contained in your bloodline. I've tried many methods, but I couldn't avoid this situation. It feels more like a loss at the level of life rules, so I named it 'origin depletion.' Don't look at my current good state; half a month ago, the gray elf bloodline in my body was almost completely gone. I was already prepared to activate the backup plan."
"Loss at the rule level."
Ronan frowned.
He could understand Bennigo's meaning.
The purification of the bloodline of a living being by the Sacred Blood Tree was essentially creating a "seed" of a more powerful bloodline based on an existing bloodline. The "seed" takes root and sprouts within the body, absorbing the "nutrients" of the original bloodline, and after growing, it completely replaces the original bloodline. This is the entire process of "bloodline purification and upgrade."
The "bloodline deduction" technology invented by Bennigo uses external forces to interfere with the process of "seed" generation—unsatisfactory "seeds" are discarded one by one until a satisfactory "seed" is cultivated.
This process of continuous discarding and restarting naturally causes some losses, but Ronan didn't expect that this loss couldn't be replenished and was completely irreversible.
"In other words, bloodline deduction will cause the concentration of the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline in my body to continuously decrease."
If I am unable to deduce the direction to purify the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline, is it highly likely that I will eventually lose this bloodline completely?"
After Ronan figured this out, he asked Benigo and received a calm reply, "Yes."
"How much 'Bloodline Essence' will be consumed in one deduction? How many deductions can the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline in my body support in total?"
"I don't know, it varies from person to person.
There's one more thing I must remind you, the more powerful the bloodline, the lower the probability of successful deduction. This is the law of natural evolution. Any life form that wants to ascend will find it increasingly difficult. You should understand this principle."
Ronan fell silent.
After a moment, he raised his head and calmly looked into Benigo's eyes.
"I understand."
"When can we start inscribing the deduction array for me?"
Ronan thought it through clearly.
If he couldn't make a significant and crucial breakthrough on the original bloodline of "Hekalto," then he would never be able to defeat "Hekalto." How could someone who relies on another's bloodline as the source of power surpass the original owner of that bloodline?
Rather than waiting for death with a 6% concentration of the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline, he might as well take a gamble.
Even if he fails in the end, it's no big deal.
To this day, the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline is no longer an indispensable part of his power system. It's as if he never had it.
Benigo wasn't surprised by Ronan's decision, as if he had already guessed that Ronan would make such a resolute choice.
"You probably don't need to head to the central region immediately, do you?"
"No."
Ronan shook his head, "There's been an unexpected incident, I might have to stay for a while longer."
"Then there's no rush."
Benigo spoke in a calm tone, "Some details of the array still need to be perfected, and I also need time to formulate a targeted deduction plan for you."
"How long will it take?"
"About three months."
Ronan nodded and said nothing more.
He left the side of the experiment table and slowly walked to the center of the secret realm space, where the Sacred Blood Tree stood. He reached out and gently caressed the smooth, jade-like trunk of the tree.
Benigo's voice came from behind.
"If you have time, think more about how to settle it in the future? This place is almost unable to accommodate it anymore..."
"I know."
Ronan stood under the tree, looking up at the magnificent crown of the Sacred Blood Tree, his eyes flickering slightly, lost in thought.
Four months later.
Silver Magic Ring.
"Have you really decided?"
At the top of the seventh Silver Tower of the Silver Magic Ring, Ke Si Di asked softly.
Ronan slowly withdrew his gaze from the distant view of the other seven towers, turned around, and nodded while teasing a brightly feathered, long-beaked parrot that had landed on his arm.
"Yes.
There's a reason I have to leave early.
I've checked, the place I'm preparing to go isn't too far from the headquarters of the Elemental Ring.
If I miss the reception, I'll go there on my own."
Seeing Ronan's firm attitude, Ke Si Di didn't say anything more, just took something out of her space ring and handed it to Ronan.
It was a small bird folded from blue paper, and when held in hand, one could feel a faint ripple of runic energy.
"Once you reach the central region and finish your own affairs, you can use this to contact the person who will come to pick you up. They will have enough patience for you."
Ronan took the blue paper bird from Ke Si Di and nodded.
Upon reaching the central region, beyond the coverage of the southern Message Tower, all the Message Stones in Ronan's possession would become useless. This blue paper bird was likely the common communication tool used by the wizards of the central region.
"Damien."
After everything was settled, Ke Si Di looked at Ronan, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say something to him. But in the end, she simply gave him a gentle hug.
"Take care on your journey."
Ronan's heart stirred slightly. In Ke Si Di's lake-green eyes, he seemed to catch a glimpse of someone else's shadow.
He returned her hug, then bid a final farewell to the parrot Polbi before slowly descending the tower.
Ronan walked down the book-lined steps inside the tower, and once he exited the tower's door, he headed towards the ten gray meditation towers nearby.
He had hoped to see Clemens one last time, but it was in vain. Clemens had gone out to participate in a trial and was not at the Magic Circle.
However, on his way back, Ronan unexpectedly ran into another "old acquaintance."
A gray-haired young man with a long scar on his face.
Ronan remembered his name—Lanny.
An "old enemy" who had oppressed him in various ways when he first joined the Magic Circle due to Bennygo's influence.
The latter clearly recognized him too, his face turning pale in an instant, then freezing in place, his demeanor and movements becoming increasingly humble and awkward. Ronan had initially thought of greeting him, but seeing this, he decided against it, shaking his head as he passed by.
Exiting the inner city of the Magic Circle, Ronan arrived at the outer city of the Seventh Magic Circle.
He strolled through the winding streets and eventually came to a small inn with a sign that read "Blueberry Inn."
Entering, he found the owner half-leaning on the counter, lazily yawning with her chin propped on her hand.
It was a familiar face—a girl who seemed to have matured over the years, though the only thing unchanged was her fluffy, sheep-like blue curls.
"Are you watching the shop again today, Alida?"
Ronan stepped into the inn as naturally as he had done countless afternoons during his stay there, greeting the blue-curled girl at the counter.
"Oh, good afternoon, Lord Ronan."
Alida responded to Ronan with the same practiced ease as before, but as soon as her greeting left her lips, she suddenly realized.
Like a startled sheep, she stood up straight at the counter in an instant.
"L-Lord Ronan?!"
Alida stared at Ronan with wide eyes, her face filled with disbelief, letting out a low exclamation.
"Is it really you? Good heavens, am I dreaming?!"
Ronan smiled at Alida and walked up to the counter, asking, "How are you and Jacob?"
Alida stared at Ronan like a stunned puppet, taking a while to react before stammering, "We... got engaged last year..."
"Congratulations."
Ronan said softly, then gently placed a space ring on the counter in front of Alida.
"Then... I wish you both a happy marriage in advance."
Alida lowered her gaze to the exquisitely crafted ring on the table. Just as she picked it up and looked up again, she was startled to find that Ronan had already vanished from sight.
"Lord Ronan..."
Holding the ring, Alida stared blankly at the metal floor outside, bathed in slanting sunlight, momentarily at a loss for words.
This brief reunion felt so surreal, as if it were merely a dream she had during a drowsy afternoon nap.
Ronan stood beneath the azure, cloudless sky, gazing at the distant Silver Magic Ring, which stood like a steel throne between heaven and earth.
Memories from the past flashed through his mind one after another.
The anticipation and naivety of his first arrival at the Magic Ring, the anxiety of facing a thirty-year review period, the wariness when he met Banigo, the frustration and resentment of being implicated and suppressed, the exhilaration of defeating his enemies in the arena... The Silver Magic Ring carried too many of his memories, occupying a significant part of his not-so-long wizard career.
"I don't know when I'll return after this departure, or if I'll even have the chance to come back."
A sense of inexplicable melancholy and sentiment welled up in Ronan's heart, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute determination.
He regained his composure and turned to fly towards the direction of Banigo's private sanctuary.
Four months had passed, and Ronan had not received any summons from the wizards of the central "Elemental Ring." Instead, he received a message from Evaque, the inheritor of the Ancient Spirit Witch.
Evaque was ready to head to the Hall of Spirits to undergo the second trial and needed Ronan's assistance as soon as possible.
Evaque had provided Ronan with considerable help, resolving his soul-related issues and gifting him a mysterious finger bone that had once saved him from the pursuit of a Dawn Wizard from the Ancient Witch Revival Society.
This was a debt of gratitude that Ronan felt he must repay, no matter what.
Evaque had given him a year's time and arranged all the necessary travel pl
ans to reach the central Hall of Spirits, a journey that would take approximately five months.
In theory, Ronan had ample time. However, before leaving the southern region entirely, there were still a few matters he needed to attend to, so he decided to set off immediately.
Before his departure, he would also formally receive the "Bloodline Deduction" Rune Array inscription from Banigo.
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