Winter Homeland, the Hunt

Of course, this is only the most perfect compared to previous experimental subjects.

Ronan was unsure whether his supposedly strong willpower and physical strength were truly sufficient to meet the requirements for transplanting the "Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent" bloodline.

It might not be nearly enough.

In any case, it would be too risky to conduct such an immature "Bloodline Transplant" experiment rashly.

Soraya probably thought the same way, otherwise she wouldn't have thought of asking for his own opinion.

However, due to the rarity of the "Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent" bloodline, and as the sole heir of the "Ice Flame Iris" Lanster Family, bearing the heavy responsibility of revival, she clearly had an intention to encourage Ronan, not wanting Ronan to miss any opportunity to strengthen himself.

"Actually, it's not that we can't give it a try."

Ronan stared at the raging snowstorm outside the window, lost in thought.

Even if a complete transplant isn't successful, transplanting a portion would still bring enormous benefits.

"Moreover, I possess the Saint Blood Tree, which allows me to purify the bloodline of the 'Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent' a second, third, or even more times."

"This first condition can be perfectly fulfilled."

If one requirement is perfectly met, the other two requirements are not entirely without foundation and can be given a shot.

"The key is that Soraya really has to get the blood of the 'Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent' for me... Otherwise, all of this is just wishful thinking."

Ronan composed himself, put all the information about "Talent Transplant" and "Bloodline Transplant" back into the metal box, and then took out a bunch of things that Soraya had given him in the studio.

He didn't even look at them properly one by one.

Ronan set aside the Rune Stone related to the [Frozen Earth] inheritance, picked up a few second-tier ice spells unique to the Lanster Family, glanced at them, and since he couldn't practice them before reaching level two, he put them aside as well.

What Ronan most wanted to see were the magical artifacts and equipment that Soraya had given him.

Soraya had given him a dozen or so magical artifacts in scattered pieces, but now only three were placed in front of Ronan —a sapphire necklace, an ice-blue staff that exuded a chilling aura, and a blue diamond earring.

The necklace is a second-tier Law Control item, capable of activating a second-tier Law Control; it's nothing special.

The staff is quite beautiful, about one meter long, with a light white body tinged with blue, and a crescent-shaped metal ring at the top, inlaid with ice-elemental energy gems.

Ronan preferred the staff's exquisite appearance to its functionality.

He had always wanted a staff, but after switching to Metal Element wizard, his weapon for fighting was usually a metal longsword. Although it was equally cool, he always felt it was lacking something.

Now that meaning was perfectly fulfilled, Ronan held the ice staff in his hand, displaying the noble elegance of a mage, calm and graceful.

Finally, Ronan gently picked up the last blue diamond earring.

Holding the earring in my hand, it emitted a faint spatial energy fluctuation.

Ronan's eyes flickered, a strange light appearing in them as he looked at the earring.

The Blue Diamond Earring is an ice-type magical item, but it also has a certain amount of storage space.

Because this is an extremely rare set of ice-type magic items!

Soraya gifted him a set of Tier 2 ice-type magic items! With a gentle tap on the earring, spatial fluctuations rippled out, and a dazzling array of set pieces appeared before Ronan.

Headband, shoulder armor, breastplate, bracers, belt, boots, plus blue diamond earrings—a total of twelve pieces, all of them Tier 2! "Soraya really thinks highly of me."

Ronan casually picked up a shoulder armor piece and said with a wry smile, "To wear this set of magical artifacts, you have to activate all twelve second-tier magical artifacts at the same time. Is that something a typical level two wizard can do?"

All pieces of the set are made from a special magical alloy that feels light and has a slightly cool feel when held in the hand.

Each component is light blue, covered with silver patterns, and each piece looks exquisite and gorgeous.

The headband is shaped like an exquisite wreath, with a diamond-shaped crystal set in the center.

Ronan found inscriptions inside the two shoulder armor plates—"Winter" on the left and "Hometown" on the right.

"The Winter Homeland".

Ronan murmured the four words, seemingly lost in thought, "Is that the name of this set of magical artifacts?"

Maybe.

The handwriting is elegant and appears to be from Soraya's hand.

Ronan slowly channeled his mental energy into the shoulder armor in his hand, attempting to activate it.

These twelve magical artifact components are enchanted with similar yet distinct runes, each independent of the others, yet seemingly able to be pieced together into a whole, which is quite peculiar.

As Ronan channeled his spiritual energy, the two shoulder armor plates in his hands began to glow and float, then gently and actively fastened onto Ronan's shoulders.

The exquisite patterns on the shoulder armor seemed to come alive, and then a thick layer of energy crystals, as if crafted from ice diamonds, quickly grew, extending along the edges of the shoulder armor until it completely enveloped Ronan's shoulders and neck.

At the same time, a deep blue waterfall of light bursts forth from the rear of both shoulder armor.

This waterfall of light was steady and long, like countless icy raindrops falling, reaching all the way down to Ronan's ankles. It was a barrier protecting his vest, and also resembled a magnificent cloak.

Ronan felt the effects of the activated shoulder armor; his perception and control over ice energy particles had significantly increased, which meant that the power of his ice spells would be correspondingly enhanced.

If each piece of this set of magical artifacts has the same effect, and all pieces are worn and activated, Ronan's ice spells should be two to three times more powerful... at least!

There might be additional bonuses once you collect the complete set.

Ronan felt the drain on his mental energy after activating two second-tier magical artifacts simultaneously. After activating [The [Clarity Realm]], his total mental energy was maintained at about two-thirds of its maximum.

Back then, when the First Magic Ring level 1 wizard Fu Ling, activated a second-tier magic item, she looked like she had consumed a huge amount of mental energy. In this respect, Ronan was much stronger than the average level 1 late-stage wizard.

"To maintain this state, I have to continuously expend mental energy. I really don't know if I'll be able to afford the entire set after advancing to level two."

Ronan tapped the energy crystal armor extending from the edge of his shoulder armor with his fingers, producing a crisp and heavy sound, indicating that its [Protection] capabilities were extremely excellent.

"This gives me another reason to get promoted to level two as soon as possible."

Ronan slowly withdrew his mental energy, placed the two shoulder armor pieces back on the table, and then put them all back into the blue diamond earring.

He could foresee that after advancing to the second level of wizard, his strength would undergo an unprecedented transformation, and this change would not be limited to his internal abilities.

For truly top-tier wizarding geniuses, what sets them apart from their peers, besides talent, strength, willpower, and temperament, is also the importance of their magical artifacts and equipment.

Ronan is slowly catching up with all of this, until he becomes the person he is meant to be.

Outside the window, the wind and snow continued, and under the bright and soft Illumination Crystal, Ronan took out a silver-white jewel.

A deep blue, as serene as the starry sky, rose. He gently touched the light spot, stepped into the Seven-Colored River, and entered the realm of enlightenment. Soraya returned to the manor on the afternoon of the third day.

The day after she returned, she hurriedly left again with Ronan.

Ronan was enveloped by a massive spiritual force and energy flow, as if he were being carried by a blazing sun, as he traveled through the wind, snow, clouds, and mist.

Beneath our feet, the vast snow-capped mountains swept by one after another. Before we knew it, we had left White Stone Fortress and ventured a long distance into the primeval White Stone Fortress forest behind it.

Ronan could sense that Soraya wasn't using any flying gadgets; she was relying entirely on her own abilities to carry him, yet her speed exceeded that of him when he used the Flying Ring.

"Facing Third Level Wizard, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to escape now."

Ronan thought to himself.

After an unknown amount of time, Soraya's voice rang in his ears.

"It's around here."

Their bodies began to droop downwards.

Ronan saw below a dense forest, completely covered in snow.

There seemed to be people in the forest; Ronan's exceptional hearing allowed him to faintly hear the voices of more than one person.

"The three strongest existing wizarding families in White Stone Fortress have joined forces to set up Rune Array to surround this area, just in case the third-tier Cold Scale Python escapes."

Soraya led Ronan closer to the source of the voices, instructing him, "Wait here for the best results, whether it's 'Talent Transplant' or 'Bloodline Transplant,' when the magical beast's blood essence is at its most active."

"Once we capture that Cold Scale Python, I'll have them draw its blood on the spot. You stay here and prepare for your breakthrough; I've prepared everything."

"Soraya, Aunt Soraya."

Ronan thought for a moment and asked, "What do I need to do?"

"You? You don't need to do anything. Just stay put, don't put yourself in danger, and make sure I can find you anytime."

Soraya solemnly warned him, "Third Level Magic Beast are dangerous in themselves, let alone a third-tier Cold Scale Python that has awakened a trace of the Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent Bloodline."

If those old guys hadn't been so well-prepared and hadn't planned this for so long, I wouldn't have even wanted to participate in this hunt. Just remember not to get too close; if you're curious, just observe from a distance.

"Clear."

Ronan nodded, and the two of them had already arrived above where the voices were coming from.

Looking down, one could see a group of wizards gathered in the forest below, most of them around level one or two in strength, and mostly middle-aged or older. Only five or six young men and women stood in the center of the group, appearing to be of extraordinary status.

These people were all wearing light gray robes with a few streaks of blue, and the robes had a conspicuous symbol on them—a Silver Serpent with its body twisted into an almost "S" shape, which meant they should be from the same wizarding family.

"The Fred family is responsible for guarding this side."

Soraya glanced briefly at the crowd below and said to Ronan in a flat tone, "They're all mediocre talents. If you find it troublesome, you can completely ignore them."

There were still a few young second-level wizards. Ronan's gaze swept over the few young men and women who were the center of attention in the crowd below. His eyes met briefly with one of them, and he couldn't help but sigh.

A level two wizard of this age would be considered at least Third Ring in the Arcane Circle, yet in Soraya's words, he was merely an unremarkable mediocre talent... "This Cold Scale Python's bloodline awakening is very strange, without any warning. There also seem to be traces of ancient ruins near its lair. This hunt might yield unexpected results."

Ronan heard Soraya talking to herself. She squinted and kept looking in one direction, which she guessed was where the third-tier Cold Scale Python was.

Soraya gave Ronan a few more instructions before letting him go and flying off alone.

Ronan controlled his body and slowly fell from mid-air.

He stood outside the group called the Fred Family, maintaining a certain distance from them—not too close, not too far.

The wizards from the Fred family would occasionally cast curious and questioning glances at him, but no one came up to greet him.

Ronan had expected to wait a long time in boredom, but to his surprise, a huge bang came from the direction where Soraya had disappeared.

"Boom!"

Ronan quickly took to the air, his figure floating upwards.

A huge white wave spread towards Ronan from afar, seemingly slowly but actually quickly. It was the undulating waves of forest and the snow that collapsed rapidly as the trees swayed.

Ronan saw a beam of light shoot into the sky in the distance, several huge rune marks flashed across the sky, followed by the intense light of a third-order spell.

Even from this distance, one can still feel the immense energy pressure rolling in that area, and the surging flow of energy particles.

"Roar--"

Suddenly, a long, deep roar came from behind, like the hiss of a python or the roar of some ferocious beast.

The voice contained an ancient and inexplicable power, one that Ronan had never felt from any other magical beast's voice before, causing an uncontrollable unease to rise within him. "Ancient Ice Crystal Magic Serpent Bloodline... Cold Scale Python!"

Ronan's eyes shone with an unusual brilliance, a deep blue light flickering within them.

His eyes were fixed on the direction from which the sound came, and soon he saw the outline of a huge serpentine creature appear amidst the flashing lights and billowing dust.

Faintly, one could see rings of deep blue, shimmering scales covering the area below the snake-like creature's head and around its neck. A small bulge seemed to rise above its head. Before Ronan could observe further, "Roar—"

"Roar!"

Two more roars followed, much weaker than the first, but the same sense of majesty remained.

Ronan's body trembled slightly, and his eyes involuntarily widened in shock.

"More than one?!"

He couldn't help but start to worry about Soraya's safety.

"Unbelievable! The Kachin Family actually has a Third Level Wizard, and a powerful one at the mid-Level 3 stage!"

The Fred Family members, surrounded and protected by a group of family wizards, had a few young men and women watching the battlefield in the distance, where huge commotion was constantly coming from. They kept uttering sounds of surprise and admiration, and every now and then they would glance at a handsome white-haired young man standing alone not far away, their eyes full of curiosity and interest.

"My great-grandfather once said that none of the women in the Kachin Family were simple characters, especially those who lived a long time. However, the men in the Kachin Family were much worse; they were all good-looking but useless."

A silver-haired young man with a slightly round face and a few freckles on his nose squinted and spoke calmly.

"Lady Soraya Katchin was a legend in White Stone Fortress several generations ago. Her good-for-nothing husband died mysteriously outside just a few years after marrying her, and not even a trace of his broken soul escaped back."

Everyone thought the Kachin Family was finished, but unexpectedly, Soraya Katchin appeared out of nowhere, took over the family, and not only saved the Kachin Family from collapse, but also, in just over a decade, developed it into almost the fourth most powerful Kachin Family in White Stone Fortress —a peculiar family almost entirely managed by women.

The round-faced, silver-haired youth twitched the corners of his mouth, and even he himself found his words amusing.

"If it weren't for the incident with the third-tier Cold Scale Python, who would even remember this name anymore..."

A young man with light red hair sighed softly, then muttered, "I heard that Lady Soraya's appearance this time is entirely for that guy. She even paid a heavy price to participate in this hunt..."

"Tsk tsk."