Rebuilding, Entering the Game, Identity

Several Holy Shrine Stone Box were opened simultaneously, and green healing Holy Shrine Power flowed out of the boxes like water, seeping into the soil beneath their feet in waves.

Sensing that the life force emanating from the Saint Blood Tree was gradually recovering, Ronan breathed a slight sigh of relief and slowly walked to the side to sit down.

His eyes were slightly lowered, and his pale, handsome face revealed no emotion whatsoever.

This time, the losses he suffered were too great—

The Saint Blood Tree was critically injured and on the verge of death. The energy accumulated in the Elemental Pool was completely depleted, and even the pool itself was severely damaged, with no certainty of whether it could be repaired. Almost everything he had built in the Mist Space over the past few years was destroyed, and the trace of the "Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline" could no longer be found on his Character Panel.

"Hecalto..."

Ronan murmured the name, his hands, which were naturally resting on his knees, unconsciously dug his fingers deep into his flesh.

He can't blame anyone.

The seeds you planted in the soil with your own hands, no matter how sour or bitter the fruit they grow into, you have to swallow it all yourself.

In the past, during the Talent Competition the Helamus Wizards in the South, he chose to trade with Hecalto in order to achieve the final victory.

After gaining power, he was unwilling to give up his body and soul. Instead, he used the "Posilena's Wager Agreement to thoroughly "tease"Hecalto.

Ronan was once complacent, but forgot what kind of opponent he was.

Now he is reaping the consequences of his actions, paying ten or a hundred times the price. Not only has he lost the newly purified and deduced multi-headed serpent bloodline that had already transformed into a trace of ancient majesty, but he has also lost many other things.

The current devastated Mist Space is still in a state of disarray, and it is unknown how long it will take to recover to its former prosperity.

Damien

Alazan's slightly complicated voice echoed in his mind, "You never told me you had such an enemy..."

That's not the point.

Ronan remained expressionless and said calmly, "Do you have any good suggestions? Any suggestions that can help me solve this problem?"

"Even at my peak, I wouldn't dare to easily provoke a dominant magical beast like this from ancient times."

And now you've given it a chance to break through its bloodline shackles and advance to the Primordial level."

Alazan was silent for a while, then finally replied in a low voice, "All you can do is try your best to kill it before it fully recovers its strength."

"I know this better than you do."

Ronan frowned and stopped talking.

His original idea was to use the Saint Blood Tree to derive a stronger bloodline based on the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline, thereby suppressing Hecalto.

Looking back now, his idea was really too naive.

As the one who summoned Hecalto's fragmented will from the river of time, allowing him to be resurrected and reincarnated, Hecalto was always "watching" him from the shadows.

His idea of using Hecalto's bloodline to counter Hecalto was nothing short of a fantasy.

As it turned out, his long-planned efforts ultimately became Hecalto's "wedding dress".

The "Posilena's Wager Agreement" between the two has already taken effect once. As the loser, Ronan not only paid the corresponding price—a trace of bloodline power that had already touched the edge of the Primordial level—but also had his master and servant positions reversed. Now, he can be said to have lost completely.

However, Hecalto did not intend to end this game of strategy so easily.

It took away what it needed, gave Ronan the punishment and warning of a loser, and deliberately left him room to continue "struggling".

Because

It wants to come a second time!

This is the real reason why it was fully capable of completely destroying the Saint Blood Tree.

It clearly sees Ronan as a field of wheat that can be harvested repeatedly. It harvests it once now, and when the barren field is full of plump and firm fruit again, it will come back for a second harvest.

Ronan knew its intentions and thoughts, but still had to continue to try to find hope of turning the tide and to make himself grow stronger.

This was a calculated move, a display of Hecalto's wisdom.

"Call--"

Ronan let out a long breath, feeling worse than ever before, but he had to calm himself down.

This defeat in the game has cost him most of his chips. Hecalto, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be even stronger next time they meet; perhaps he will grow a ninth, or even a tenth head.

From Ancient Frost overlord, it has completely entered the category of Primordial-level magical beasts.

In the next round of competition between the two, Ronan's situation will become even more difficult, which is exactly what Hecalto wants to see.

Like a snowball rolling downhill, Hecalto's advantage will grow bigger and bigger, round after round, until he completely drains Ronan's value.

Of course, that's not the worst part—

After losing the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline, Ronan's hopes of breaking through to the Nine Stars Supreme Elemental Spirit were almost completely shattered.

Furthermore, they have temporarily lost the powerful means of replenishing their bloodline Saint Blood Tree.

The only good news is that after completely breaking ties with Hecalto, he can finally use the power of [Scarlet Ice] without restraint. Although he no longer has the blessing of the Ancient Frost Hydra Bloodline, it can still be considered a spell that reaches the "True Meaning" level.

Ronan spent a full ten days cleaning up the mess in the Mist Space.

The land and vegetation destroyed by the power of the Ice Magic are relatively minor issues; the main problems are the injured Saint Blood Tree and the damaged Elemental Pool.

With Ronan's generous use of the healing Holy Shrine Power and his own blood essence, the former's condition finally improved and stabilized. All that remained was a period of slow self-recovery. After all, it was a legendary tree species. If it hadn't expended most of its power to help Ronan purify his bloodline, the Saint Blood Tree wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state.

With Alazan's "theoretical support and technical guidance," the Elemental Pool can be fully repaired without any problem; it just needs some necessary repair materials.

Ronan's Mist Space, which he had spent several years cultivating, was reduced to ruins in an instant. Almost all the plants and potions that Arrietty and Bennigo had planted, as well as the plant spirits that had been born from them, were wiped out.

One of the two Mermaid Shells that lived in the lake also died. During the reconstruction process, Arrietty was so sad that she fainted from crying several times.

"Buzz—"

Ronan manipulated a mass of black mercury-like substance, smoothly inscribing a complex and profound rune mark at the Elemental Pool, which was riddled with cracks.

As the rune was successfully inscribed, a faint magical fluctuation emanated from the bottom of the pool, and then a small Rune Array around it slowly began to rotate, like interlocking gears.

As Ronan sensed the wisps of free energy particles in the air gathering in the pool once again, a thin layer of energy liquid, resembling mottled oil paint, visibly accumulated at the bottom of the pool, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

The initial repairs to the Elemental Pool have now been temporarily completed, and the energy gathering speed has returned to about one-tenth of its original rate.

The rest is to wait until all the materials on the repair list provided by Alazan have been procured before proceeding with the repairs.

Ronan looked up and around.

Enveloped in the lingering chill, on a desolate piece of land, Bennigo was engrossed in writing and drawing by the half-trunk of the Saint Blood Tree. His research had shifted from bloodline deduction to the question of how to restore the Saint Blood Tree as quickly as possible.

Dodol III, still as carefree as ever, limped across the frozen earth, while Arrietty, leading her few remaining Dust Elf followers and carrying several water jugs larger than themselves, sobbed as she replanted in the field. The last Mermaid Shell sang a song of hope in a nearby puddle.

The disaster has happened, but life must go on.

Ronan gazed quietly at his "closest" companions, his eyes gleaming.

If time could be turned back again, he would probably still make the same choice.

No matter what, he never lacks the courage to start over. Compared to his initial beginnings, he now has much more to offer.

What are you planning to do next?

Ronan walked on the hard soil, communicating with Alazan in his mind.

"Let's do as you said. First, resolve the issue of the Clarity Potion, then prepare the Spirit Shaping Liquid and Spirit Shaping Array needed to break through to level five. In the meantime..."

Ronan paused for a moment, then continued, "If possible, I still plan to return to the Storm Realm once more."

"You haven't given up on your idea of breaking through to the Nine Star Elemental Spirit?"

"This is my biggest hope to turn things around, how could I give up so easily?"

Ronan shook his head. "I've thought about it. If I can find a few more Evolving Holy Shrine and then get up close to the Storm Weaver in the Storm Realm a few more times, I can probably completely replenish the Storm Lord Bloodline in my body."

By then, the Saint Blood Tree had probably recovered.

I'll find it a group of relatives. At worst, it'll have to endure a few more years at level four. There's still a chance to fight for the Primordial Bloodline again."

Alazan seemed to want to say something, but hesitated and ultimately remained silent.

Ronan walked to the Saint Blood Tree, reached out and stroked its scarred body, watered it with his blood one last time, and then calmly left the Mist Space.

Before me lay the land of the Quivada Oasis, the murky sky barely clearing. On the horizon at the break of dawn, a tiny white dot rapidly approached.

Ronan squinted and saw clearly that it was a snow-white carrier pigeon that looked completely out of place with its surroundings.

The pigeon landed directly in his arms and spat out a finely rolled piece of parchment from its pink beak.

Open it, and you'll find the words of the Prophet Eve.

Ronan's eyes flickered.

He was just about to find the Prophet Eve when she unexpectedly sent him a message first, truly living up to her reputation as a "prophet".

Ronan casually crumpled up the parchment and followed the carrier pigeon toward the ruins of the Keldim building where he had lived for three years.

After walking through the long, old corridor, Ronan stood once again in front of that small gray door. He gently placed his hand on the door knocker, hesitated slightly, and then pushed the door open and went in.

"Crackling and popping—"

Just like the small room more than three years ago, a roaring fire burns in the old-fashioned fireplace on one side of the room, and a plump white bear lies beside the fireplace, lazily yawning with its eyelids drooping.

"You look much better than before, even after all these years."

The white bear greeted Ronan with the clear, girlish voice unique to the Prophet Eve.

Ronan walked over and said calmly, "Your eyesight is really not good. I've never felt so bad."

"Everything will pass, my dear Damien."

The polar bear stretched out a furry paw and waved to Ronan, a slightly silly and cute smile appearing on its face. "As the Child of Destiny, all you have to do is always maintain a good attitude."

"Things are yet to come, but you'll gradually get used to it."

"Is this how you comfort people as a prophet?"

Ronan frowned and didn't continue the conversation with the Prophet Eve on this topic.

He sat down on the ground in front of the polar bear and said, "You summoned me here, so there must be some progress on the matter of the Clarity Snake?"

The polar bear nodded. "This is one of them."

The polar bear slowly got up, walked to the side, picked up a few pieces of firewood, threw them into the burning fireplace, and then said to Ronan, "In recent years, several of the Alba King's sons have been fighting fiercely for the position of heir, and everyone is gambled away."

I have chosen a suitable successor for you. You will represent the Pendulum of Fate and the will of me, the prophet, and join their struggle.

At that time, you will be able to get what you want very easily, but of course, there will be a price to pay.

Trouble is inevitable; you'll get into trouble sooner or later anyway. You might as well be more proactive and gain enough benefits before trouble comes.

Do you agree?

Ronan pondered for a moment, the flames burning in the fireplace beside him casting an orange-red light on his fair profile.

The method described by the Prophet Eve was not too different from what he had initially envisioned, and Ronan could be said to have made the necessary preparations long ago.

"Which Alba Royal Family member do you intend for me to support in my bid for the throne?"

Ronan asked.

The polar bear smiled and handed him a translucent crystal ball.

Some images flashed through the crystal ball. When Ronan saw a certain figure in the image, he was stunned, his eyes revealing an expression of not knowing how to express himself.

He nodded, looked away from the crystal ball, and then asked, "So, what's the second thing?"

"I've created a new identity for you."

The white bear said, "Before you have fully grown to the point where you can control the outcome of this disaster, you still need to cover up a little."

I'm letting you know.

Is it necessary?

Ronan frowned. "By the time the trials of the Stone of Destiny are over, many people already know my identity, right?"

"How much do you consider a lot?"

The white bear couldn't help but sneer, "The Spirit Lake Deep Sea, the people you can only come into contact with in that small circle?"

Are they still those little brats you used to beat to a pulp?

"Since I personally orchestrated the trial of the Stone of Destiny, I naturally made the necessary preparations long ago. From the moment you walked into this room three years ago, your image began to fade and blur in the minds of some people."

"Of course, even I can't be completely foolproof; the news will eventually get out."

The polar bear shrugged and said, "But there's a big difference between hearing rumors about you and meeting you in person."

False information can lead some people with ulterior motives astray. As long as it can mislead a small number of people, the method is considered successful.

As I said, this is just a simple cover-up. The point is not to keep others from knowing your true identity, but to make them find out more slowly.

Time, time.

My dearest Damien, what you lack most right now is time.

The polar bear let out a sigh.

"Whatever you want."

Ronan thought for a moment, then asked, "What fake identity did you arrange for me?"

The polar bear snapped his fingers crisply, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"I really enjoyed the game of using a fake identity that you played in the Stone of Destiny Trial; it really added a lot of fun for me."

So, Misha Tirions!

You should still use this name.

The House Tirions has a long and distinguished history, which makes your amazing talent seem more reasonable.

This name also carries the inextricable blood feud with the Ancient Wizard World Destruction Society. There is no more suitable identity for you to present to the outside world!

Oh, and don't worry, I've already spoken to the House Tirions. They don't mind at all; in fact, they're honored... so you don't need to feel guilty.

"."

Ronan fell silent, and the image of Misha's radiant face unconsciously popped into his mind.

He shook his head, looked up, and asked, "Is there anything else besides these two things?"

"The last thing."

The polar bear squinted, its expression seemingly becoming slightly serious.

It looked into Ronan's eyes, and a clear, melodious girl's voice rang in Ronan's ears, each word distinct. "Aren't you really going to look at the prophecy about your future death?"