Sinking

"Even without that battle two years ago, the Grand Elder's soul lifespan would only have less than twenty years left."

"She was grateful to you for giving her one last chance to fight with her staff, condensing her soon-to-be-decadent life into a brilliant bloom."

Ronan listened to Elsa's story, he gently placed one hand on the top of the moving Ice Sculpture in front of him. Strands of snow-white light flowed from his palm and continuously merged into the Ice Sculpture.

As the snow-white light flowed in, the entire Ice Sculpture became even more crystal clear and dazzling.

Ronan withdrew his hand; the Primordial Frost Power from the Primordial Frost Whale Bloodline could extend the lifespan of this Ice Sculpture.

This was the only thing he could do for the Grand Elder.

After paying their respects to the deceased Grand Elder, the two left the Ice Stone Hall and walked along the long ice crystal corridor to its end, where they found themselves in Snow Field snow-covered far north.

The Frost Leader resides in the far north, where the aurora borealis shines eternally in the sky, [Falling Snow] incessantly.

In the legends of the Northern Lands barbarians, this place is hailed as the "abode of the gods" and the "end of the world."

With the wizard's understanding of the world, he naturally knew that this was just the foolish fantasy of mortals, but at this moment, walking with Elsa on the top of the Snow Field, looking at the shimmering aurora that seemed to emerge from the endless snow abyss and be within reach, he did feel a sense of loneliness and emptiness as if he were walking on the "edge of the world".

The two walked along the direction of the aurora borealis without speaking, with only the silent swirling of [Falling Snow] around them.

Finally, Elsa spoke up, breaking the silence.

"My King has already decided to leave. Has he come to say a final goodbye?"

Ronan nodded slowly and casually asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

"The trials for the Frost Leader have begun; I may go into seclusion for a few years."

Elsa paused for a moment, then continued, "The Grand Elder said that the Frost Leader's Trial Grounds are connected to the Lower Continent, and those with outstanding bloodline aptitude may receive a summons and guidance from the lower realms at the end of the trial."

However, very few Frost Leader throughout history have been able to complete the entire trial, and none of them have ever been guided away.

Therefore, this has always been an unverified legend.

"Oh?!"

Ronan's expression shifted slightly. "Lower-level reception?"

Does the Frost Leader's power also exist on the Lower Continent?

"When the empire collapsed, the vast majority of those with the Frostblood lineage went down to the lower levels along with the Ice Emperor."

The so-called Frost Leader are really just a group of people left behind.

Elsa answered, a hint of melancholy showing on her face, a stark contrast to her usual cold demeanor.

Ronan suddenly remembered the location of the other eighteen snowy suns and the rest of the Ice Emperor's bloodline that he had sensed through the Ice Emperor's Cold Stone Throne.

I only realized now that that was the true lineage of Ice Emperor.

At this moment, Ronan heard Elsa continue, "If my My King requires Elsa to follow me, I can abandon the trial and leave with you."

Ronan thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Never mind."

If there's a chance in the future, see you downstairs again.

Elsa's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just nodded.

A woman's soft laughter drifted from afar. Ronan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Hathaway, beneath the aurora-lit sky, Water Element to create a giant blue bat, frolicking with Agatha in the air. Agatha had probably never experienced flight before, was excitedly shouting and yelling from time to time.

Harry ran alongside the two, gripping the brim of his wizard's hat tightly with both hands, as if afraid it might be blown away by the cold Northern Lands wind.

A strange sense of emotion flickered in Ronan's eyes.

He never expected that he would unexpectedly run into Agatha Christie and her companion in his final moments before Upper Ring.

He remembered that the last time he saw Lier's daughter, little Agatha was still lying in her cradle, only a little over two years old.

As for Harry, he was the boy on the same ship who desperately chased after him when he returned to the East Coast.

Both were at the level of First Level Wizard. Harry likely received all the inheritance he had left in the Damien family's underground chamber, and even kowtowed before his own painting. Harry's wizarding talent was average, and without his own resources, it would be difficult for him to break through to the First-Class level.

But Agatha...

Ronan's eyes flashed with a strange light.

Agatha was very talented, Ronan wasn't surprised at all that she could reach the level of a full-fledged wizard at such a young age.

What truly surprised him was that Agatha had actually practiced the Ascetic Body Forging she had left in her studio.

Moreover, she has even cultivated the <Ascetic Body Forging Tempering> to the level of [[Immaculate Body]]!

This allows it to unleash a powerful life force field, capable of instantly killing a level two wizard, and it also possesses snow-white hair similar to its own.

"Two weeks ago, I watched from here as Narros led the entire Ghost Flower Society away."

Serena gazed at the magnificent yet silent Sinking Eye in the distance and spoke softly.

Serena, whom we haven't seen for two years, is dressed in a magnificent emerald-gold military uniform, with a long cloak billowing behind her as she rides Six-legged Dragon, showcasing the nobility and majesty of the new Queen Alba.

Serena, known as the "Jade Sun," is poised to become one of the greatest monarchs in the history of the Alba Royal Clan. To date, the territory of the Life Royal Court under her rule has more than doubled compared to the time of the previous Alba King.

Given time, no one would find it strange if Serena were to unify the Upper Ring.

If we rewind ten years, no one would have imagined that the biggest winner in the Alba Royal Family's crown prince struggle would be a Princess born out of wedlock who was least favored by everyone.

"Narros and his Ghost Flower Society are too destabilizing factors."

Their departure is a good thing for the entire Upper Ring.

Ronan spoke.

Serena nodded, then looked at Ronan and said earnestly, "But you, Damien, I sincerely hope you can stay."

At least, leave a little later.

You deserve all of this more than I do.

"You know that's not what I've always been after."

Ronan shook his head and said calmly, "This continent does not belong to anyone."

Serena, don't let those fleeting and illusory things corrupt you..."

Serena remained silent; her near-perfect face betrayed no hint of her thoughts.

A moment later, Serena flipped her hand and took out a Space Ring, handing it to Ronan.

"Then I won't try to stop you. This is what you wanted before."

Ronan took the ring, opened it, and glanced at it briefly.

Inside the ring were only two items: a gray-blue bone about the size of a human head, with an irregular shape, and a bottle of magical liquid whose color kept changing between red and white.

Ronan was pleasantly surprised.

Both of these are essential materials for constructing the [Whale Eating Country] Inheritance Magic Array. He had given Serena a list before, but she couldn't find any of Serena back then. Now things are different, and she has actually found two of them.

"Thanks."

Ronan spoke, but Serena simply shook her head, "There's no need for us to talk about this."

She turned around and looked behind her. "Do you still want to say a final goodbye?"

Ronan followed Serena's gaze and saw a group of wizards dressed in white and gold armor or robes.

This is the "Morning Light Guard" that Serena formed after the Magic Disaster. In the past two years, they have followed her to fight against the remnants of the Ancient Wizard Revival Society, and have made a great name and reputation in the entire Upper Ring Wizard World.

Ronan recognized many familiar faces among the group, including Adam, Rufus, and others who had come from the South with him.

At the center of this group of people were Elsa, Hathaway, and Agatha.

Hathaway's expression held an undisguised resentment, because Ronan didn't intend to take her along, but instead ordered her to stay and take care of Agatha.

After their unexpected reunion, Ronan deliberately kept a certain distance from Agatha, and the two met and spoke no more than three times in total.

He thought that rather than letting the kinship built up in a short time be abruptly severed by separation, it would be better to maintain this rather indifferent and distant state.

The path of a wizard is destined to be lonely; no one can accompany you forever, a fact Agatha will naturally understand in the future.

However, the subtle bond of blood made it difficult for Agatha to suppress the deep reluctance and sadness on her little face at this moment.

Ronan's gaze swept over the group of people one by one, finally settling on another spot.

In his spiritual perception, an old wizard with a hunched back, holding a cat, was looking at him with a complicated expression.

Heliodore and Silver Coin.

Ronan informed Heliodore his impending departure, but did not intend to say goodbye to him alone.

He has so many people and things he wants to say goodbye to in Upper Ring; he has even thought about going back to the south and the East Coast again.

But there wasn't enough time, and it was impossible to say goodbye to everyone individually, so we simply let it all go.

He turned and flew towards the direction of the Sinking Eye, Serena's last voice coming from behind him.

"In the past two years, wizards have entered the Sinking Eye after another. I did not stop them, but I ordered them to leave behind a soul box before leaving."

Now, most of the soul boxes are broken.

"I know you'll be alright, but... Ronan..."

Be careful on the road.

Ronan nodded silently. Just then, a loud eagle cry came from afar.

A massive black thundercloud hurtled toward him, and the Ancient Thunder Eagle Eris let out a long farewell cry, unleashing a torrent of lightning.

The roar of Six-legged Dragon echoed behind him, and Serena seemed to move slightly; Ronan heard the sound of her emerald-gold armor rubbing together.

The next second, all the wizards of the Morning Light Guard unleashed their mental power without reservation.

In an instant, countless free energy particles in the sky were forcibly drawn in, forming a dazzling ribbon of light across the sky.

The ribbons stretched rapidly beneath Ronan's feet toward the Sinking Eye, like a magnificent carpet slowly unfolding.

Ronan walked towards the Sinking Eye amidst this dazzling light.

Will there be a chance to come back in the future?

Ronan stared at the ever-enlarging, Sinking Eye, images flashing through his mind as he asked himself questions.

Unfortunately, I didn't get an answer.

No answer is needed.

The "carpet" formed from elemental energy was shattered and sucked into by the power emanating from the huge hole in the center near the Sinking Eye.

Like a gaping, deep maw, it silently awaits those drawn by the unknown and the mysterious to willingly venture forth.

Ronan saw the sands of time swirling like a tide around the hole, and the rapidly fluctuating, overflowing spatial energy.

He felt completely at peace.

He glanced back one last time before stepping inside.

"Respectfully seeing off our My King."

Elsa, holding an ice staff, knelt on one knee facing the direction of the Sinking Eye.

As the figure vanished completely, she suddenly transformed into a gigantic Primordial Ice Dragon, suppressing the radiance of the sky, and soared towards the northern horizon.

Agatha's small body trembled.

She saw the powerful wizards of the Morning Light Guard, whom Harry had mentioned countless times, all bowing in the same direction with an almost fanatical reverence.

This also includes the Queen Alba, known as the "Jade Sun".

Why do they respect their uncle so much?

Agatha couldn't help but murmur.

Hathaway glanced down at her, then stared in the direction where someone had disappeared, murmuring with a fascinated expression, "Because your uncle once saved them all."

The name Ronan Damien may slowly fade from memory, but the legend of the 'Golden Dawn' will be passed down across this continent for at least a thousand years.

"Boom!"

In that instant, in Agatha's little mind, the two figures that had always held a great place in her heart suddenly merged into one.

Agatha gripped the ice crystal necklace around her neck tightly; many questions seemed to find their answers in that moment.

This answer was so profound and shocking that she could barely breathe.

"Uncle... Golden Dawn"

Meanwhile, at the far other end of the Sinking Eye Plains.

The old wizard, dressed in Dark Blue Magic Robe, slowly turned around. His already hunched back seemed to age even more with this movement.

He walked back the way he came, gently patting and stroking the large white cat in his arms.

"They're gone."

He left.

"Silver Coin, we should go too."

"Perhaps you'll have another chance to see him, Silver Coin, but I certainly won't live to see that day."

A person and a cat, two figures, quickly disappeared into the air like water vapor.

Two years later.

This is a strange, winding passageway that seems to have no end.

The inner wall of the passageway is made of a translucent, dark blue energy membrane, with mercury-like liquid ripples flowing on its surface, occasionally shimmering with rainbow-colored halos.

A tall, slender figure darted swiftly through the passageway.

He was completely concealed within a wide, black robe with dark gold patterns, which gleamed with a metallic sheen under the faint blue light emanating from the surrounding passageway.

The figure moved extremely fast, surrounded by a faint silver light. Sometimes it would exhibit bizarre and illogical movements, and sometimes the same figure would appear in several different locations at the same time, before suddenly traversing an extremely long distance.

At a certain corner, in an imperceptible gap in space, a dozen or so thin silver lines silently drifted out.

Like a dozen or so long, silvery-white roundworms, they appeared and immediately swam towards the figure in the passageway.

The figure seemed oblivious.

Just as these slender, silver roundworms were about to burrow into the hem of his robe, an incredibly dense silver halo suddenly burst forth from the figure.

As the silver halo expanded, the void surrounding the figure appeared to be gradually filled with countless irregular geometric prisms.

Within each prism, a slender, pale hand extends, gently pinching silvery-white roundworms from incredible angles.

"Hiss hiss hiss--"

The silver roundworm, gripped by countless hands, writhed wildly in fright. But the next second, the countless geometric prisms that made up the void shattered silently. In the instant of shattering, countless straight silver lights flashed in the darkness.

When all the strange phenomena ended, all the silver roundworms were found to have been evenly cut into dozens of pieces, or even more.

All the dismembered roundworm corpses eventually gathered in the palm of a hand, which held them tightly.

The black-robed figure, having done all this, seemed quite accustomed to such things. He casually collected the roundworm corpses, and then the hem of his robe began to flow down rapidly like molten metal, instantly transforming into a huge dark gold base that drifted slowly through the tunnel like a small boat amidst the turbulent energy currents.

At the same time, the figure raised its hand and slowly pulled off its hood.

Behind the hood was a calm, composed, and exceptionally handsome young face.

The handsome young man casually sat down on the dark gold base, seemingly talking to himself, or perhaps communicating with some unseen being, and whispered:

"The sunken passage is indeed an excellent place to practice Space Magic. In two years, my [Minotaur's Secret Room] is almost at the master level, and I will soon advance to Grandmaster, transforming it into a forbidden-level spell."

"But, Alazan, where exactly is the exit you spoke of?! Haven't we found it yet?"