Cooperation, Ancient Star Chart, Powerful Backing and Profound Wisdom

After Ronan introduced himself, the stadium fell into a brief silence.

The five wizards of the Astronomy Society seemed to be thinking in silence.

Ronan wasn't in a hurry and waited patiently.

After a few breaths, a thin, gray-haired young man from the Astronomy Society muttered softly, "... Only level four."

"You look down on Level 4? Aren't you Level 4?!"

Before Ronan could speak, Hathaway beside him stared intently at the gray-haired youth with eyes as sharp as knives, and sneered.

No, no.

The gray-haired youth hurriedly shook his head, displaying a nervous and awkward demeanor, seemingly unaccustomed to communicating, and stammered, "What I mean is..."

His voice trailed off, as if he were embarrassed to speak, "There are only two of you..."

"So what?"

Hathaway retorted impatiently, "Two of you are better than five pieces of trash like you!"

The gray-haired youth and the several Astronomy Society wizards standing next to him all blushed, their expressions somewhat indignant, but they dared not utter a word in rebuttal.

The leader of the wizards, Ai Wen, was relatively more composed and calm. He looked at Ronan and hesitated before asking, "Misha?"

Ronan's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. "You know me?"

Ai Wen shook his head, his gaze falling on the Crystal Crown on his head. After a moment's thought, he said, "If I'm not mistaken, this is the legendary artifact of the Spirit Lake Deep Sea School — the Crown of Deep Knowledge?"

"The wizards of the Astronomy Society are indeed as learned as rumored."

Ronan exclaimed in admiration, then calmly said, "I don't know if Hathaway told me about this collaboration, but I can assure everyone in the Astronomy Society that I will successfully guide you to the entrance of the Quivada Oasis."

Of course, this is all predicated on the fact that the route you provide is correct.

"I can guarantee that."

Ai Wen quickly replied, "I also believe that you can lead us to the entrance."

Ronan glanced at Ai Wen, the leader of the Astronomy Society's wizards, with some surprise.

Even after discovering that he only had a level four strength, he still agreed to cooperate, and the process was so smooth that it was almost unbelievable to him.

Ronan had originally prepared to spend a lot of time and effort.

"However, I hope to sign a contract related to the cooperation."

Ai Wen quickly added, his expression serious, glancing at Hathaway beside him, and emphasized, "Everyone has to sign."

Ronan's eyes showed a slight surprise when he heard Ai Wen's suggestion; the other's caution was somewhat unexpected.

Ai Wen from the Astronomy Society is quite a figure. No wonder these Level Four Wizards from the Astronomy Society, who seem even more "Deep Sea" than the Deep Sea Wizards, have been able to stay in such a harsh environment as the Ancient Waterway until now. There's a reason for that.

"That's no problem."

Ronan hesitated for a moment, then readily agreed.

What he fears least is signing Soul Contract with someone.

"Good."

Ai Wen was very decisive and immediately began drafting the contract. After both parties confirmed that everything was correct, Ronan lightly imprinted the name "Misha Tirions" in the air with his finger.

Hathaway also walked up expressionlessly and imprinted a wisp of her Soul Aura upon herself.

On the Astronomy Society's side, the gray-haired youth and his companions hesitated slightly, but with Ai Wen's affirmative attitude, they all came up one by one to participate.

"So, can you show us the map now?"

After the contract was signed, Ronan asked Ai Wen to show him the waterway map.

Unexpectedly, Ai Wen shook his head.

"We don't have maps of the Ancient Waterway."

"I think you're looking for..."

Upon hearing this, Hathaway flew into a rage. Her golden hair billowed out without wind, and the Spiritual Force Field of a late-stage level four wizard emanated from her body. She even began casting spells to summon Water Element out of habit.

Ronan gently pressed her down, calmly indicating that she should let Ai Wen finish speaking.

Ai Wen glanced at Ronan with a slightly complicated expression, then continued, "We don't have a map of the waterways, but we found a Star Chart in the waterways that dates back to the Keldim Empire. A Nan De is very knowledgeable in astrology; he can deduce the Quivada Oasis, located at the center of the waterway network, from the Star Chart..."

As Ai Wen spoke, he pointed to someone behind him.

The A Nan De he mentioned was the gray-haired youth who had been rendered speechless by Hathaway's earlier rebuke.

The latter had a timid and hesitant demeanor, and his appearance did not suggest that he was a so-called master of astrology.

Ronan's eyes flickered, but he didn't question it. He simply asked, "Could you make a copy of that Star Chart for me?"

After a slight hesitation, Ai Wen quickly nodded. "Yes, we've already made many copies."

He took out a Rune Stone used for recording and handed it to Ronan. Then he said he had to excuse himself for a moment. He then led several wizards from the Astronomy Society to the side and casually set up a [Soundproofing] array.

Ronan ignored it and simply opened the Rune Stone that Ai Wen had given him to examine the ancient Star Chart inside.

Hathaway glanced at Ai Wen and the others who were secretly discussing something, gritted her teeth, leaned closer, and whispered in Ronan's ear, "These guys from the Astronomy Society don't seem very reliable. Could we be being scammed?"

"Now it seems we are the ones who are less reliable. Since we have already decided to rely on them to lead the way, let's not think too much about it."

Besides"

Ronan raised his head slightly and added calmly, "Don't bite my ear next time you talk, Hathaway, or I'll get angry."

"Oh~~"

Hathaway gave a long reply, biting her lower lip, like a disliked little dog being chased away, reluctantly walking to the side.

Ronan continued to examine the so-called ancient Star Chart from the period of the Keldim Empire.

Because of his practice of the Primordial Star Meditation Technique, he is exceptionally sensitive to things like Star Chart.

The Star Chart front of him was much smaller and simpler than the one in the "Primordial Star Book," seemingly just a part of the ancient starry sky. Moreover, the entire Star Chart always followed a certain rule and trajectory. Ronan caught some inspiration, but he couldn't really grasp these fragmented insights. "Ai Wen, why did we agree to cooperate with them?"

On the Astronomy Society's side, a young wizard with a slightly hooked nose spoke up with some dissatisfaction, "There are only two of them in total, and they're both only at level four. They can't provide the help we need at all."

The others also looked at Ai Wen with puzzled expressions. If Ai Wen hadn't always held absolute authority in the team, they would never have agreed to the previous contract.

Do you have a better option?

Ai Wen looked at the group calmly. "The people from the Black Moon Faction Spirit Lake we encountered before didn't even bother to listen to us finish speaking. Compared to information about the location of the entrance to the Quivada Oasis, they despised us as a burden that would hold them back."

Also, A Nan De "

Ai Wen looked at the gray-haired youth among the group, "So far, you've only determined the location of the entrance, but you haven't fully figured out the specific route to get there, have you?"

"Soon.."

The gray-haired youth who was called out looked away and replied in a low voice, somewhat guilty, "Just... give me a little more time."

"Yes, you still need time. That's why I'm so eager to finalize the cooperation."

Ai Wen said calmly, "We didn't have enough chips to begin with."

The members of the Astronomy Society all fell silent. Compared to Ai Wen, the leader of the team, they had indeed considered far too few aspects.

"In fact, we don't need too much external help; too strong a partner would only make us very passive..."

Ai Wen continued, "As long as we can increase the margin for error in the route that A Nan De has deduced, that's fine."

That Hathaway from the Deep Sea is very powerful; her understanding of combat and magic far surpasses mine.

As for the other Misha ...

Upon hearing this name, several wizards from the Astronomy Society looked up, their faces displaying a strange and complex expression.

"He actually carries the Crown of Deep Knowledge from the Deep Sea with him!"

Ai Wen's eyes flickered, and he slowly said, "As far as I know, the one qualified to wear the Crown of Deep Knowledge must be the undisputed Son of the Deep Sea! This Misha is able to control the Crown of Deep Knowledge."

They are either exceptionally capable, have a powerful background, or possess profound wisdom.

He's only a Level Four Wizard. The Deep Sea of Spirit Lake shouldn't be without a single qualified Level Five Wizard this year, so he's most likely one of the latter two possibilities, or both. Even Hathaway's unwavering devotion to him further confirms this."

"With such a person around, our chances of achieving our goal are much greater."

Ai Wen's gaze swept over the group. "Don't forget, if you successfully enter the Quivada Oasis, the rewards for this trial will be several times greater, and you might even receive the blessing of the New Prophet..."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Astronomy Society all showed expressions of excitement and anticipation.

Ai Wen, however, spoke with a serious expression, "But we must also be careful not to be taken advantage of."

I don't know why.

Ai Wen frowned and muttered to himself, "Even though we've signed Soul Contract, I still have a vague feeling of uncertainty."

He shook his head and sighed softly, "I hope it's just my imagination."

"Snort"

Hathaway stared coldly at Ai Wen and the others who had finished their discussion and were walking back together, letting out a slightly disgruntled snort.

Hearing the noise, Ronan broke away from his study of the Keldim Ancient Star Chart, looked up, and smiled at Ai Wen and the others. "Is it over?"

"Um."

Ai Wen nodded and said seriously, "We have no further problems on our side and are ready to act at any time."

"Then please give me directions."

Ronan looked gently at the gray-haired youth in the Astronomy Society group. The latter didn't say anything, turned around and quickly walked in one direction.

Ai Wen and another Mid Level Four Astronomy Society wizard immediately followed, flanking the gray-haired youth on either side. Their mental energy spread outwards, their expressions vigilant, and their cooperation was quite tacit.

Ronan remained calm, gave Hathaway a casual greeting, and the two of them slowly followed.