Geniuses Arrive, Moon Soul Stone, Giant Stone Peak, and Ancient Spirit Wizards

Vast stretches of grassland were burned and crystallized by the flames, and mounds were leveled. The site of the great battle between Moriel and Serena was left with a shocking scar of the battle.

In this battle, both of them displayed terrifying strength that was almost infinitely close to that of Level Four Dawn.

After the battle, Moriel settled down in the central location closest to the Fairy Ancient City Ruins, which happened to be directly opposite Serena's Life Royal Court.

All the wizards stationed within a five-kilometer radius of her and Serena withdrew on their own, creating two empty, uninhabited areas within the "crowded" inner layer.

Looking down from high above, it looks like a giant donut with two pieces in the middle inexplicably bitten off.

Information about Moriel and Serena's identities and origins began to circulate in some small circles.

After the battle between Moriel and Serena, the truly top wizarding geniuses of the South began to arrive one after another.

Three days after their great battle, the Chaos Secret Society, one of the three major wizarding powers in the south, sent its youngest "Unclean One" to the scene. He was a handsome young man dressed in a black suit, who was very polite. Upon his arrival, he casually took the souls of two Third Level Wizards who had shown him some disrespect.

On the fifth sunset, the strongest genius of the current generation of "Spiritual Dawn" arrived, shining as brightly as the midday sun, riding a creature that looked very much like the legendary "unicorn".

At Dawn on the eighth day, the Inheritance Wizard the "Nether Toxin Mask" appeared. The original three-tiered layout of the Fairy Ancient City Ruins was broken, a new hierarchy was established, and the atmosphere in this temporary gathering place for a large number of southern wizards gradually became tense, with the atmosphere of impending war growing stronger day by day.

Beneath the calm surface, countless undercurrents are surging.

In the quiet, bright room, Ronan sat cross-legged on the soft wool carpet.

He had his eyes closed, and a pale yellow crystal the size of a pebble floated in front of him.

A hazy beam of light was projected onto Ronan's forehead by the crystal, and as time passed, the spiritual energy naturally emanating from Ronan's body gradually increased.

At a certain moment, a strange fluctuation emanated from Ronan's body, as if transparent and invisible ripples were spreading out. The robes draped on the ground quietly flew up, and the furniture and decorations around him all made a slight "whooshing" sound.

"Call--"

Ronan opened his eyes, his eyes a bright, deep blue, like the finest sapphires sparkling in the night.

Soon, the light dimmed.

He reached out and gently grasped the pebble-shaped crystal in front of him, examining its color. The pale yellow hue seemed to have faded considerably, almost becoming transparent.

"These Moon Soul Stone are indeed very useful."

Ronan muttered something to himself, then slowly put the crystal away.

Half a month ago, he rejected the "recruitment" of Serena of the Life Royal Court and "demanded" the Moon Soul Stone from her.

Moon Soul Stone is a natural magical crystal that requires thousands of years of moonlight to grow. Its effect is to promote the growth of a wizard's Soul Power.

Once the "moon essence" inside the Moon Soul Stone is used up, simply take it out and let it bask in the moonlight again to make it usable a second time.

Of course, this "charging" process may take a long time.

Even so, such a reusable soul-enhancing treasure is precious enough that only the wealthy and powerful Princess Serena of the Life Royal Court could produce it without batting an eye.

If this were outside, many Third Level Wizards would probably rush in to fight for it.

Regarding his conversation with Serena two weeks ago, Ronan felt he might have agreed if it had been just a simple "recruitment." Seeking support and protection from a powerful force is a perfectly normal thing, especially since he wanted to go further in the future and needed more and better resources and inheritance.

Serena's offer was so tempting that Ronan was almost tempted.

But she demanded that Ronan stay by Grace's side from then on, and even planned to set him up with Grace as a couple? Putting aside whether Ronan could accept it, he and Grace had never even gotten to that point.

The two are simply friends. In this world, many things can easily become corrupted once interests are involved or if things are forced too much. People as high and mighty as Serena probably don't understand this principle.

Perhaps she understands, but simply doesn't care.

She simply wanted to find Grace a "playmate," just as Grace was to her.

The Communication Stone Grace left for herself was taken back by Serena when he obtained the Moon Soul Stone from Serena.

The whole process looked like a transaction. Perhaps now, from Grace's perspective, he was already a "scumbag" who betrayed his friend's feelings for profit.

"So what if he's a jerk..."

It's better than both of them suffering in the future, but it's a pity about his short-lived yet wonderful friendship with Grace, which he lost and then regained.

Ronan casually opened his Character Panel. With the help of half a Moon Soul Stone, his strength progress had reached [Second Level Formal Wizard: 200%].

At this moment, three crystallized Spiritual Power Crystal in his mind emitted a hazy golden glow, more dazzling and beautiful than the world's finest gems.

Ronan's mental power, both in quality and quantity, now surpasses that of a typical Third Level Wizard, after all, his mental power has undergone two purifications.

Perhaps that's why he still doesn't have enough Soul Power to break through from level two to level three.

"I wonder if I can find anything else to increase my Soul Power at the market."

The possibility is slim, but Ronan can only pin his hopes on this for now, because the "energy" in the Moon Soul Stone that Serena gave him has been exhausted.

"Buzzing—"

Ronan suddenly heard a slight commotion outside.

He tidied himself up briefly and stepped out of the [Space] Tent.

Upon emerging, one sees wizards hovering in mid-air, all looking in two directions with varying expressions and engaging in lively discussions.

"Has someone else arrived?"

Ronan's eyes flickered slightly as he turned his Flying Ring, slowly levitating.

He had witnessed similar scenes many times in the past two weeks. Since the battle between the Ash Witch Moriel and Serena, the top geniuses of the Southern Wizard World have arrived one after another. Every time an outstanding figure arrives, it causes a small commotion.

Ronan looked in the direction the others were looking and saw a giant, golden bear standing upright on the hill to the east.

With each step it took, a deafening roar was produced, shattering a piece of land and leaving huge footprints and deep pits. The ground shook slightly, as if a thousand troops were rolling in with overwhelming force.

As the giant bear crossed a high slope, its entire body was enveloped in blinding light, and then it suddenly transformed into a giant black wolf, running swiftly through the hills, stirring up a gale, tearing apart large clumps of grass, and forming striking sand and gravel tornadoes.

The black giant wolf leaped into the air, then transformed into a giant eagle with white feathers amidst the light, its body crackling with electricity as it soared through the sky. "It's Evaqu!"

Ronan heard people talking in low voices not far away.

"It is said that this guy follows the path of an ancient spirit sorcerer. Some people have personally witnessed him shaking the mountains and tearing apart Third Level Magic Beast."

The ancient spirit Ronan caught the word, and his eyes gleamed slightly.

A grand gathering covering the entire Southern Continent was held, and more and more top geniuses from various forces appeared. Ronan also witnessed many powerful and peculiar schools of magic that he had never heard of before.

Many of them were passed down from ancient times, like the pages of a legend slowly turning towards him.

The giant white eagle flew over Ronan's head and landed deep within the Fairy Ancient City Ruins, transforming into a burly man dressed in a peculiar black animal skin robe.

The latter coldly glanced around, then closed his eyes and sat down on the spot under the watchful eyes of countless people.

Along with Evaqu, a blue-purple orb of light, swirling with countless bolts of lightning, roared down from the southern sky like a sun made of lightning.

Ronan's face showed a strange expression.

Sure enough, after the lightning sphere broke apart, a domineering and majestic young man emerged from it. He was none other than Jupiter, the number one genius of the Thunder Council, one of the six major wizarding powers.

Three years have passed, Jupiter not only looks like he has recovered from his injuries, but he is also stronger than he was three years ago.

At least he's now in the top circle of geniuses without being ostracized by others.

Currently, four new tiers have formed around the Fairy Ancient City Ruins —the innermost tier has the fewest members, but each member is a renowned top genius, with even the weakest among them possessing strength approaching the late stage of a Third Level Wizard, led by geniuses from Moriel, Serena, and the three major wizarding forces in the south.

The second level is for geniuses who are one level below in strength. Level three is the dividing line, and one must be at least Third Level Wizard to enter.

The third level is the one Ronan is currently on, and it is generally populated by second-level wizards.

Finally, there was the largest group of First Level Wizard, who surrounded the third layer, scattered like ants among the surrounding hills and plains.

If the top geniuses in the innermost layer are the blazing sun, then the Third Level Wizard geniuses in the second layer are the bright moon, the third layer is the stars, and the outermost layer is... the fireflies scattered in the mountains and forests, gazing at the sun, moon and stars.

"Even second-level wizards are not qualified to participate in this grand event; they can only witness it, serve as accompaniment, or even just embellishment."

Ronan squinted and peered inside. As of now, the number of top geniuses in the innermost layer was eleven, and the number of geniuses in the second tier was nearly two hundred.

Of course, this only refers to those exposed to everyone's gaze. There are definitely other geniuses and powerful individuals hidden in the shadows, such as Anglie.

So far, Ronan has not found any trace of Anglie.

Just as Ronan was searching through the vast crowd, he suddenly sensed the vibration of a Communication Stone within his Space Ring.

After confirming the identity of the messenger, Ronan's eyes flickered.

Orian suddenly contacted him at this time.

Half an hour later, in an elegantly styled room, a First Level Wizard served tea and snacks on the table in front of Ronan and Orian before respectfully leaving.

The number of wizards gathering at the Fairy Ancient City Ruins is increasing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a quiet and undisturbed place within a radius of dozens of miles.

Similar teahouses and taverns have emerged, also set up inside [Space] Tent. The rental price is quite high, but after activating the [Soundproofing] and shielding arrays, you no longer have to worry about being disturbed when chatting or discussing business inside.

Ronan picked up the teapot, which was steaming slightly, poured a cup for Orian, and gently pushed it towards him.

"Thanks."

Orian thanked him.

Ronan didn't say anything, he just looked at Orian's current state.

Compared to the time he met Orion three years ago in the Ascetic Loft of the Silver Magic Ring, Orian has changed a lot.

The biggest change was that he wore a small silver mask on his left cheek to cover it.

In addition, Orian, who was once sharp and dazzling like a golden crystal, has become much more restrained and mature.

Orian noticed Ronan's watchful gaze, thought for a moment, and then reached out to remove the mask from his cheek.

Ronan's eyes narrowed slightly as he saw Orian's left cheek, which was covered by the mask. The skin around his eye and cheekbone was completely rotten, and even a small part of his facial bone and eyeball was completely exposed. A foul stench emanated from the gruesome wound.

"It was left behind by Andariel."

Orian to Ronan.

"The Nether Toxin Mask?"

"Um."

Orian nodded.

Ronan didn't speak; he had only recently heard of Andariel's name.

The owner of this name represents the strongest successor of "The Nether Toxin Mask," one of the three major wizarding forces in the south, and seems to specialize in necromancy and poison magic.

He is very powerful, a late-stage level three wizard, a top-tier genius, and infamous for his ferocity; many Third Level Wizard turn pale at the mere mention of his name.

Ronan tried to recall Andariel's image, but all he could picture was a tall, thin, blurry figure, and the enormous skull burning with green flames that Andariel stood on when he appeared.

"I was pretty lucky. In the battle to besiege Andariel, three of our talented wizards from a mid-sized wizarding force, similar to our Silver Magic Ring, were completely killed, and five were seriously injured, two of whom haven't fully recovered yet..."

Orian tapped his fingers lightly on the rim of his teacup as he spoke to Ronan in a casual tone, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

Ronan's expression was complicated. Having experienced such a dangerous battle, it was no wonder that Orian's entire demeanor had undergone such a tremendous change.

Perhaps his target has changed now; it is no longer Jupiter, but Andariel, the "Nether Toxin Mask".

"Is the difference really that big?"

After a brief silence, Ronan spoke.

Orian put the mask back on and replied, "It's more exaggerated than you think."

Talent, aptitude, strength, and lineage—without directly facing someone at that level, you simply cannot comprehend the despair and terror involved...

Orian paused slightly halfway through his sentence, then continued, "As far as I know, Rufus isn't doing too well either."

He had been relentlessly hunted by the inheritors of 'Giant Stone Peak,' and his physical body had been nearly destroyed twice.

"Rufus"

Ronan frowned slightly, thinking of the Crimson Tower's number one genius, with whom he had unintentionally exchanged blows Goblin Plain the Goblin Plains.

He remembered that the other party practiced some kind of Ancient Blood Secret Technique, which could transform him into a terrifying monster with exposed flesh and blood.

Physical strength seems to be the opponent's advantage, even allowing them to directly confront their "Complete Demonification" state from three years ago.

To be able to shatter such a powerful and domineering body, and twice at that, how strong must his opponent be? "Giant Stone Peak?"

Ronan thought for a moment and then said, "This is the first time I've heard of this faction."

"That's normal."

Orian replied, "The Giant Stone Peak doesn't refer to a particular wizarding faction. It represents a lineage of schools of thought, with only a few or even one inheritor per generation. The number of inheritors is less than that of a typical small wizarding faction."

However, their successors are sometimes even stronger than the top geniuses of a major wizarding force.

Ronan's expression shifted slightly upon hearing Orian's reply. "Is this the kind of Evaqu who just arrived?"

"Right."

Orian nodded, "However, the ancient spirit witch school represented by Evaqu is too rare. This is the first time it has appeared in the south. The intensity of this battle for the Helamus Genius Seat has far exceeded the previous two. Even people from the central region have come to join in the fun."

Orian shook his head, picked up the teacup in front of him, and took a sip.

Ronan knew he was referring to Moriel and Serena, but he didn't mention that. Instead, he continued, following up on what Evaqu had mentioned earlier, asking, "What school of thought is the Ancient Spirit Witch? Do you know anything about it?"

Orian thought for a moment and said, "It seems you are unaware that in ancient times, what wizards initially pursued was not bloodline."

"Oh?"

Ronan's interest was piqued by Orian's words, and he gestured for him to continue.

"What wizards pursue is the immortality of the soul, so in the beginning, many pursuits of power... started with the soul."

Orian began to explain in detail.