Pain, Ice and Fire, Choices, Nine Years

On countless nights when he awoke from meditation, Ronan would gaze at the starry sky alone and ask himself—besides the Character Panel that had accompanied him through his journey, compared to those brilliant native wizarding geniuses, what unique advantages did he possess that others did not have?

The answer is the same every time.

He wasn't particularly intelligent, and his so-called perseverance and decisiveness were all acquired little by little. He stumbled and fell along the way, and his journey was filled with luck.

The only thing they seem to have to offer is their spiritual practice of Ascetic Body Forging, which has resulted in a pain tolerance threshold far exceeding that of ordinary people.

However.

His only source of pride, however, is now like the foam carried by the tide, easily blown away by the wind.

He had never experienced such long and endless suffering.

Ronan once read an ancient story in a book—in a faraway land, a man accidentally gained the ability to live forever. No matter how serious his injuries were or how he died, he would be resurrected the very next second after his breathing had completely stopped.

Using this ability, the man became the most fearless and valiant warrior on the battlefield, conquering vast territories for his country and gaining unparalleled glory and reputation.

But when the war was completely over, people began to fear the existence of men. The fact that men were immortal made everyone who had seen them rise from the dead terrified.

People lull men into a false sense of security with women and fine wine, then lock them in a small, indestructible iron cage made of pure steel. Ignoring the man's anger and pleas, they throw him and the cage into the endless Deep Sea.

From then on, men were forever trapped in an endless cycle of despair, being drowned, resurrected, and then immediately drowned again.

This is an allegory full of irony, about the pursuit of immortality and the fear of it.

Ronan had forgotten what his opinion of the story had been, but now he felt as if he had fallen into the same terrible curse of immortality as the immortal being in the story.

No.

It's far more terrifying than that.

Ronan was completely submerged in the scorching lava.

The power of the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline formed a thin blue light membrane within his body, firmly protecting his internal organs and bones. However, the magma melted his outer skin, pouring in through his mouth and nose, burning his oral cavity, eyeballs, and flesh.

Even the ancient frost could not withstand the immense Fire Element energy accumulated over countless millennia in the Fire Leaving Realm. After all, Ronan's Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline concentration was only one percent. Although the Blue-Gold Water Drop between his eyebrows vibrated wildly, and the remaining Primordial Frost bloodline contained within the Ice Emperor Inheritance was constantly merging into his body, it was still a drop in the ocean.

It's only a matter of time before the frost runs out. Before long, Ronan's flesh, bones, and internal organs will be completely burned away, and his soul will be unable to escape, eventually turning into nothingness.

But before she "left," Moriel gave Ronan her entire being—including her own and the Phoenix Bloodline she inherited from Valitz.

This miraculous bloodline power, known as "immortality," constantly grants him new life amidst destruction.

Ronan was constantly destroyed in the flames, yet he also continuously drew energy from them.

He was constantly "born from the ashes," his burned body repeatedly growing back to life. Whenever lava engulfed his chest, his flesh and blood would wriggle and regenerate in the ashes.

He could not truly "die," but was repeatedly baptized by the pain of his flesh being burned by flames, experiencing the process of every cell being destroyed and reassembled.

He fell into a cycle of curses called "immortality".

——

Like the kiss Moriel gave him before she left, it was fiery and passionate, full of love, yet it also burned and stung him like a branding iron.

Worse still, the bloodlines of the Undying Bird and the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline clashed within his body, and the two extreme and opposing forces waged a protracted tug-of-war on his body and soul.

The Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline is of a higher grade, but it is too thin. The Phoenix Bloodline is of a slightly lower grade, but it is supported by the Fire Element energy that has been deposited in the entire Fire Leaving Realm for ten thousand years.

The two bloodline powers were locked in a fierce struggle, and Ronan's ears were filled with the alternating cries of the Undying Bird and the howls of the Primordial Frost Whale, interspersed with the terrified screams of Hecalto as he was rapidly devoured and turned into food for the Frost Whale.

Ronan strained to expand his Star Force Field outwards, and the surging firepower ignited his Spiritual Force Field as well, while countless ice crystals surrounded the inner circle.

In a daze, he felt as if he were in an endless starry sky.

Around him, two burning meteors and one frozen by endless frost were constantly orbiting.

Ronan raised a hand with trembling hands and saw orange flames ignite from the tips of his fingers, burning away his flesh inch by inch. But the next second, frost covered his hands.

He was constantly being relentlessly washed, refined, and branded by two forces. His whole being was constantly teetering on the brink of being torn apart and collapsing.

Pain pressed down on him like a mountain, giving him no chance to breathe. He couldn't resonate with even the lowest-level, zero-rank spell, let alone try to open the entrance to the Mirror of Emptiness.

Ronan never imagined that one day, death would be a luxury for him.

In his endless, agonizing despair, he prayed countless times that he would be consumed by flames or swallowed up by frost in the next second.

But it seems that something in the universe doesn't want all of this to end so easily; it enjoys seeing Ronan struggle and fall into [Depravity].

He pulled Ronan back from the brink of death time and time again, giving him hope in despair and then quickly extinguishing it after it had been ignited.

Ronan's consciousness gradually blurred, and his soul showed signs of collapse under the endless torment of suffering.

Under the gravitational pull of the Magic Magnetic Gold, his body continued to sink deeper into the magma, where the Fire Element energy was more concentrated.

The burning sensation reached deep into the soul, and the amber-like soul seemed to ignite, while the power of frost seemed to be fading.

In this battle of bloodline devouring, the Undying Bird ultimately gained the upper hand.

"Is it finally... coming to an end?"

Ronan looked forward to the moment when his soul would be completely liberated.

At this moment, a Torrent of complex and fragmented memories flowed into his mind like a clear spring, extinguishing the flames in his soul and bringing him a brief but long-lost clarity.

"Projection regression?!"

Ronan's consciousness, which had been shattered by pain, reassembled, and he instantly understood the source of this spiritual power.

The [Spirit Heart Amber] cultivation he underwent after advancing to the fifth level was completed at this time, and the projection returned, "entering the dream" to nourish himself.

"Soul Projection."

The tsunami-like pain quickly returned, Ronan's hard-won consciousness became shaky again in an instant. He endured the boundless burning pain and grasped at the fleeting flashes of inspiration in his mind.

"Can I escape this pain by entering a dream?"

As long as my soul isn't shattered by the pain, my body, under the infinite rebirth of the Phoenix Bloodline, will eventually be able to fully adapt to this firepower.

The process may be lengthy, but it's at least our only hope right now.

Ronan didn't even have time to think or weigh the options further before immediately initiating his second dream-entry practice with the [Spirit Heart Amber].

The effect of [Soul Projection] allows his consciousness to switch freely between the projection and his original self.

Ronan transferred most of his consciousness to the projection in his dream, essentially using "sleep" to numb himself and ignore the physical pain.

"Call--"

When I opened my eyes again, the scene before me was completely different.

A simple hut built of gray stone and yellow mud, with the stench of horse manure drifting in through the narrow windows as sunlight streamed in.

Ronan sensed his body and found that the pain was still there, but it had become much weaker than before.

Every time I close my eyes, I have the feeling that I am having a terrifying nightmare of being burned alive.

"It really works."

A hint of joy appeared in Ronan's eyes. Before he could sort out the memories of this body, a familiar, aged voice rang in his ears.

Damien

Ronan saw in the sunlight streaming through the window that some light gathered in the floating dust, eventually transforming into a tiny Golden Ladybug, which fluttered its wings and gently landed on his outstretched palm.

"Alazan".

Ronan's eyes flickered slightly.

This should be the first time that Alazan has taken the initiative to enter and communicate with himself while he is in a dream.

"Things couldn't be worse than they are now."

Ronan looked at the Golden Ladybug in his hand, his expression complicated, and said in a low voice, "I've thought of this clever trick, but I'm not sure if it's really feasible."

Ronan shared his insights with Alazan without reservation. Alazan is a master of "Spirit Heart Amber" and may have some better advice.

Alazan approached him, probably for this reason.

"Soul Projection can ensure that your will is not broken by pain, and the Phoenix Family's Phoenix Bloodline can allow your physical body to at least survive in part."

Your life-threatening situation is over, Damien.

Alazan in a low voice.

Ronan felt a sense of relief upon receiving Alazan's affirmative reply.

But the next moment, Alazan added, "There's something I have to remind you..."

Alazan paused for a moment, and the Golden Ladybug slowly crawled in Ronan's palm.

"The price for doing this is that the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline within you will be completely eradicated."

Ronan gradually fell silent.

He began to understand the purpose of Alazan's appearance, and he gave the necessary reminders, letting Ronan make the choice himself.

In exchange for losing the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline, they gained the chance to survive in the Fire Leaving Realm.

Or.

Or.

"Is there a way to avoid losing the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline?"

Ronan spoke slowly.

"Have."

Alazan replied quickly, "But the hope is slim."

"You have to go back."

Alazan a low voice, "Go back and continue to face that pain, and find a way for the two bloodlines to coexist in that pain."

Is it possible for ice and fire to coexist?

Ronan murmured, a hint of reminiscence and bewilderment appearing in his eyes.

He recalled what the Alchemist Schubert had told him during the Golden Dream.

Surrounding the Golden Throne are not only flames, but also frost.

The Alchemist had already given the hints, and for a time he even actively explored in this direction.

However, since a suitable solution could not be found, the topic of this spell was put on hold.

Does this mean he should pick it up again?

"Don't have too much psychological burden."

A golden ladybug flew from Ronan's palm, flapping its wings and heading towards the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Just do your best, after all, you have a way out."

The Undying Bird is one of the few creatures qualified to challenge the mythical rank, and its bloodline can be transformed and sublimated through repeated rebirths.

"Although the Phoenix Bloodline that Phoenix Family girl gave you is only at the ancient level, you might still have a chance to return to the primordial era in the future."

Ronan watched as the Golden Ladybug melted into the sunlight that shimmered with dust, and Alazan's voice faded into the distance.

He fell into deep thought.

Things are far more complicated than Alazan described; the cost is not just the loss of one percent of the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline.

And then there's the entire legacy of Ice Emperor Chaguskona.

After a long while, the confusion in Ronan's eyes disappeared, and his gaze gradually calmed down.

"At least let me catch my breath."

He shook his head, took a few steps forward, and forcefully pushed open the small door of the simple stone house in front of him.

Golden sunlight streamed in from outside the door, almost blinding, so Ronan raised a hand to shield his eyes.

As his eyes gradually adjusted to the light, he lowered his hand and saw clearly that a slender young woman was standing in front of him.

The girl wore a light red, tight-fitting leather armor, and her fiery red hair cascaded down like scattered rose petals. She held a long black whip in her hand, and her delicate, pretty face, usually full of liveliness and charm, was now filled with contempt and disgust for Ronan.

"Ronan, have you been secretly hiding in the house again, doing those dirty and filthy things?"

I called you more than a dozen times, and you didn't even respond once.

The stunningly beautiful girl gently flicked the whip in her hand, her eyes darting over Ronan's body like daggers, seemingly considering which part of his body to target.

"Moriel?"

The moment Ronan saw the girl's face, he was suddenly stunned.

Perhaps his gaze was too direct, because the girl who looked almost exactly like Moriel unconsciously avoided his eyes, but then she was filled with shame and anger, and raised her hand to lash Ronan out with a whip.

"Damn it, Ronan, you lowly servant, how dare you look at me like that!"

The girl was cursing, but Ronan seemed not to hear her.

He let the whip fall on his body, and once again Moriel's last words to him echoed in his ears.

"Please... please, please don't forget me."

"Is this how you make me remember you so clearly?"

Moriel.

Ronan murmured softly, and for a moment, his eyes suddenly became incredibly tender and sorrowful.

The day after Ronan entered the dream, he chose to return his consciousness to his physical body.

Just as Alazan said, in the endless torment, try to understand how ice and fire can coexist.

The Undying Bird and the Primordial Frost Whale, these two extreme and powerful bloodline powers coexisting in one, is indeed an almost impossible thing for ordinary wizards.

But Ronan is different. Alazan once said that his physical body is almost the best carrier of runic bloodlines.

After the [[Immaculate Body]] transformed into the [Innocent Body], this vessel became even more perfect and [Fortify].

Ronan listened again and again to the sounds of his flesh and bones being scorched by flames and frozen by frost, feeling the traces left by two completely different forces washing over his body.

When his will reached the point where he could no longer bear the pain and was on the verge of collapse, he chose to enter the Dream of Reincarnation to catch his breath and recover.

And so it goes.

Time flowed silently amidst the endless churning and fiery transformations of lava.

The two elements of ice and fire constantly rubbed and collided before Ronan's eyes and within his body, generating countless inspirations and insights.

Nine Elemental Spirit Crystal occasionally appeared. The ninth crystal, which contained the seed of law, released a strange glow that seeped into Ronan's body, subtly giving him invisible inspiration and guidance.

Ronan had long forgotten the passage of time.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

All he knew was that Moriel was like a nail, firmly embedded in his soul, piercing through every Dream of Reincarnation.

Mist Space.

The revitalized Saint Blood Tree has grown to half its original size.

The dense, intertwined root system spreads across the vast, fertile fields, mingling with the lush vegetation, Greed absorbing the elemental energy from the air and the abundant Elemental Pool.

After finishing a calculation, Bennigo rubbed his tired brow and casually opened a bottle of medicine and swallowed it.

He glanced habitually at the location of the ice coffin not far away, then turned his head to look in another direction.

——

It was a corner of the Mist Space, enveloped by countless roots and vines of the Saint Blood Tree, intertwined and entwined into the shape of a small house.

Inside the room, a half-illusory figure of a young man in a long robe could be seen sitting motionless on the ground with his head down.

Dodol III lay curled up at the youth's feet, while on the other side, the transparent soul of an elegant, dignified, and beautiful woman nestled beside him, gazing at him gently and quietly, watching him intently.

Bennigo gazed at this seemingly unchanging scene, his eyes flickering slightly, and slowly walked over.