Tiger Skin, Cleverness, Insider Information

The Son of the Deep Sea Selection has ended, but its aftershocks have not yet subsided.

To everyone's surprise, he snatched the position of the Son of the Deep Sea that should have belonged to Misha right before everyone's eyes.

You can imagine how lively this topic has become outside.

"When I took the position of the Son of the Deep Sea, I deliberately bowed to the Grand Elder of the Deep Sea and received a response from him. This action may lead some people to make connections, and it may deter some people who are eager to take the throne."

Ronan had carefully considered his backup plan before the selection process.

Misha has a childlike nature, is arrogant and immature. Sigel once commented on Misha: "He has talent but no matching ability."

He was a spoiled child.

It is believed that there are quite a few wizards in the Deep Sea who share the same thoughts as Sigel.

However, why is Misha still the "most anticipated" candidate for this year's Son of the Deep Sea? The reason lies in his background as a member of the Level Six Wizard Council of Elders.

Ronan usurped Misha's position, and naturally, he had to bear the consequences.

How to counter the potential trouble caused by Misha's background? It's simple: just make yourself appear to have a stronger background than Misha's.

In the Deep Sea School, what could be a stronger backing than the Deep Sea Leader, the Grand Elder? Ronan deliberately engaged in a simple "interaction" with the Deep Sea Grand Elder in front of everyone, in order to create a misunderstanding and fabricate the illusion that "he is the Grand Elder's chosen one."

He was "escorted" all the way to the final round by the combined efforts of Heliodore and Misha, and even in the final round, Misha, a Level Five Wizard, lost to him.

Few people would actually believe that he defeated Misha on his own merits; most would simply think that someone "behind" him was pulling the strings.

After all, how could a wizard who has just advanced to level four possibly defeat Misha, a genius Level Five Wizard, in a head-on fight?

"So far, this method seems to be working quite well, but we don't know how long it will last."

Lies will eventually be exposed, and a fabricated Tiger Skin will eventually be torn apart.

Ronan remained calm and did not seem concerned about the inevitable arrival of that day.

All he needs is a little time to ascend to the position of the Child of Spirit Lake and gain the opportunity to inquire with the New Prophet of the Pendulum of Fate about the whereabouts of the Clarity Snake.

"Buzz—"

Within the Mist Space, Communication Crystal lying among a pile of miscellaneous items glowed and emitted waves of signal.

Ronan casually waved his hand, grabbed the crystal, and used his mental energy to examine it, his eyes flickering slightly.

Heliodore was calling him, asking Ronan to come to him.

Ronan wasn't too surprised; in fact, he had been waiting for this message all along.

If we were to name the person he faces most in the entire Deep Sea right now, it would probably be Heliodore.

He casually tore open the void, stepped out of the Mist Space, strolled out of his residence, and headed towards Heliodore's residence.

Throughout the journey, Ronan pondered how to explain everything to Heliodore. He needed a reason that could convince Heliodore and regain his trust.

Heliodore's trust didn't bring him anything, but Heliodore had "picked up" Ronan from a forgotten corner, taught him about potions and Potionology without reservation, and taken him as his disciple, truly doing everything a teacher should do. In the not-so-spacious Crystal Passage, Ronan's footsteps sounded particularly clear.

A figure walked towards him, Ronan, lost in thought, instinctively moved slightly to the side to avoid it.

The person opposite suddenly stopped.

A gaze fell upon Ronan.

Ronan couldn't help but look up, but the next moment he suddenly felt a strange sense of disorientation.

Immediately afterwards, he saw the straight Crystal Passage begin to undergo strange spatial distortion, and everything in front of him began to distort accordingly.

Various colors and light and shadow rapidly changed before him, and Ronan felt as if he had suddenly become drunk, and the whole world began to blur and turn upside down.

In the blurry, distorted scene, the figure directly opposite him slowly walked towards him.

Ronan staggered and reached out, trying to find a wall to steady his body as he was about to fall.

He strained to open his eyes, trying to make out the person in front of him. A tremendous, unprecedented fear welled up in his heart. He had never felt so helpless before.

Body, mind, soul... not a single ounce of power could be mobilized; one could only watch helplessly as one continued to plummet towards some "abyss," plummeting ever lower. "Damn it!"

Ronan bit the soft flesh of the tip of his tongue with his teeth, but the stinging sensation was like a drop of water falling into a vast lake, not causing the slightest ripple.

Just as everything began to develop in a direction of some unknown fear, a beautiful Golden Ladybug slowly flew out of his body, then transformed into an old figure that, while not particularly imposing, was steadfast and unwavering, firmly blocking his way.

Alazan

Ronan was breathing heavily, hearing a faint, intermittent buzzing sound that seemed to come from near and far.

It sounds like two people talking.

I don't know how much time passed, but suddenly a voice became clear in my ears.

"It turns out that it was guided and protected by an ancient spirit."

Immediately afterwards, all the strange phenomena disappeared, Ronan, like a drowning person finally struggling to climb out of the rushing water, leaned against the cold wall of the Crystal Passage with one hand, panting heavily.

His robes were almost completely soaked with sweat, and the robes' built-in [Cleaning] function was activated, causing wisps of water vapor to rise from them.

Ronan opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with bits of tongue flesh. He looked up and found the Crystal Passage in front of him empty, as if no one had ever been there.

"Who is it?!"

Ronan gritted his teeth, his fist slowly clenching against the crystal wall. "The Level Six behind Misha?"

Only beings at level six or higher could bring Ronan such profound sorrow and despair.

"Alazan".

Ronan called out Alazan's name in his heart.

This time, it took him a long time to receive a reply from Alazan, who could not hide his exhaustion.

"I am here."

"Who was that person who just targeted me?"

Ronan couldn't wait to ask.

Alazan did not answer, but slowly replied, "Damien, you are very smart."

But your intelligence led you to cross certain lines that you shouldn't have crossed. Not everyone's influence is so easily borrowed.

Ronan was taken aback upon hearing this, and immediately realized the identity of the person who had just targeted him.

"Grand Elder of the Deep Sea"

He murmured, then after a moment, took a deep breath and whispered, "Thank you, Alazan."

I owe you again.

Alazan his head. "I've expended a lot of energy and need to sleep for a while. Apart from providing you with the Primordial Spirit Writing, I'm afraid I won't be able to come to you at your beck and call anymore. Damien, be careful."

Ronan's lips trembled slightly, but before he could utter a word, Alazan had already severed the connection.

The golden ladybug lay quietly in a corner of his Consciousness Space, its luster noticeably dimmed.

"Too clever by half."

Ronan released his grip, slowly propped himself up, and stood still in the passageway.

This time, he really did overthink things.

Perhaps it was his experience in the Minotaur's Maze, where he outmaneuvered a bunch of level 5 wizards, and the kindness and friendliness shown by the Twilight Level Narros that made him unaware of something. He had lost a part of the reverence he should have had for high-ranking wizards.

"Even if I don't take advantage of the situation, what can I do?"

"Having received the coronation of the Son of the Deep Sea with honor and dignity, who dares to criticize or condemn it? If the Council of Elders wizards behind Misha want to target me, the Grand Elder of the Deep Sea might even step in to intervene and protect me."

Ronan took a deep breath and stood there for a long time until his face returned to calm and the turmoil in his heart was gone.

He continued forward in silence until he knocked on the door of the Heliodore Dimensional Secret Realm.

"Silver Coin."

Ronan stroked the big white cat that had jumped into his arms and greeted Silver Coin softly.

Looking up, he saw Heliodore staring at him expressionlessly.

He walked up and called softly, "Teacher."

Heliodore head and said calmly, "In a few days, I will announce to the public that we have officially severed our master-disciple relationship."

From now on, you no longer need to work as my assistant.

Ronan listened quietly until Heliodore speaking.

"Does the teacher feel deceived?"

Heliodore didn't speak, but just gave a cold laugh, his eyes filled with an unprecedented indifference.

"Teacher has probably forgotten that you personally conducted the interrogation of me when I stepped into the Spirit Lake. The Soul Contract was also signed under your supervision."

Ronan said.

"So what?"

Heliodore spoke softly.

"What kind of person do you think I should be?"

Ronan suddenly asked a question.

Heliodore frowned slightly, looked up, and met Ronan's clear blue eyes.

"I have always been honest with you."

Ronan said calmly, "I have never hidden anything from you. It's just that some things exist, but you have been ignoring them."

"What do you mean?"

Heliodore narrowed his eyes, and Ronan replied, "What kind of potential do you think someone should possess to receive a ten-star rating in the entrance selection of knowledge, enter the tower twice, and memorize all 2,382 Primordial Spirit Writing of the Spirit Lake?"

Heliodore was stunned.

"You."

Ronan emphasized, saying each word carefully, "And the vast majority of people in the Deep Sea have not seriously considered this point."

Should I be mediocre?

Heliodore stood up, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

The coldness in his eyes as he looked at Ronan began to soften, replaced by a strange gleam.

"Your choice of me is my good fortune."

Ronan placed one hand on his shoulder, bowed deeply to Heliodore, and said in a low voice, "It is also your good fortune."

"Call--"

He heard Heliodore's slightly heavy breathing.

When they looked up again, the distance between them seemed to have disappeared considerably.

"Then what is your relationship with the Grand Elder?"

"It's just a clever little trick."

Ronan shook his head and smiled wryly, "I've already received the appropriate warning."

Heliodore stared at him, and after seeing that there was no pretense in his eyes and expression, his tense old face finally relaxed.

He paced back and forth under the Old Oak Tree, seemingly pondering how to bring today's "showdown" to a proper conclusion. Finally, Heliodore stopped, looked at Ronan with a furrowed brow, and said, "Let's not talk about other things for now."

I have a question for you.

Have you ever wondered why everyone expects Misha to take that position?

Ronan sensed that the old Heliodore was returning, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

When he heard Heliodore's question again, it seemed to contain some inside information that he had never known before.

He blinked involuntarily and asked, "Why?"

Seeing his reaction, Heliodore couldn't help but shake his head, "It seems you know nothing."

Ronan narrowed his eyes. "What should I know?"

Heliodore calmed down, looked at him, and said, "Do you think this selection process is childish? Bribing opponents, manipulating the competition, there isn't a single decent rule. Whether it's the level four or five wizards or the high-ranking council elders, it's as if everyone is playing a childish game with Misha?"

Ronan was taken aback, and then heard Heliodore slowly say, "Why is this happening?"

Because only Misha, only Misha, has the ability to truly secure his position Son of the Deep Sea at this moment.

"This position represents more than just honor; it also means countless difficulties and troubles that will follow along the way!"

I'm begging for monthly votes at midnight! Thank you!