Wizard Bloodline

During this process, as the magical beast essence was expelled like waste, some mysterious properties were absorbed by Ronan's newly formed mental power crystal.

From this, Ronan gained some intriguing insights, significantly advancing the fusion of his three ice-based extraordinary domains, almost forming a connection between them.

Yet, the quantity of these mysterious properties was too limited, leaving Ronan with only a hint of progress before it abruptly ended.

"Perhaps it's the component of the beast bloodline that enhances a wizard's affinity for ice energy, an inexplicable and magical element," Ronan speculated.

He glanced at his character panel, but the information in the [Talent] section showed no changes.

Regardless of whether this trait was related to ice affinity, the advancement he made toward domain fusion was tangible, so his "talent transplantation" wasn't a complete failure after all, yielding some benefits.

"There's nothing to regret; it was meant for you, and no one else in the Kachin family is qualified," Soraya said, her tone gentle as she comforted him. "Failure is just a setback. This extra 'talent' wasn't permanent and wasn't crucial. If you're discontent, you can try again next time. I'll prepare better essence for you."

Ronan's eyes flickered. If each "talent transplantation" could push his domain fusion further, multiple attempts might be worthwhile, even if each one failed, as they left no adverse effects.

But each attempt consumed precious magical beast essence—was it too wasteful?

"What are your plans next? Returning to the Silver Ring?" Soraya asked after his advancement was complete.

Ronan nodded.

There were less than forty days until the opening of the Mirror Court.

The journey back to the Silver Ring from White Stone Castle would take twenty days. Though his primary goal wasn't achieved, he had advanced to the second level and should return.

"Stay three more days; I'll teach you something more," Soraya said lovingly.

Since witnessing Ronan's mastery of three ice domains, nearing fusion, Soraya was increasingly fond of him.

Ronan didn't refuse.

Three days were manageable.

Three days later, a figure flew swiftly over a snowy forest.

A handsome, serene youth.

His skin was smooth and white like moonstone, his blue eyes sparkling with countless flickers.

He wore a gray-black robe with intricate silver patterns, the neckline adorned with faint blue rune lines, and a small ice-blue earring hung from his left ear.

He wielded a white staff with a crescent top, inlaid with blue gems, exuding innate elegance and nobility.

Surrounded by swirling snowflakes, his brow glowed subtly, and strands of white hair danced behind him, as if riding the wind and snow.

It was Ronan, now restored to his true appearance.

"To achieve domain fusion, the key is finding the intrinsic connection between domains, akin to domain resonance. If a concrete image can represent this, it usually simplifies the process," Ronan pondered, flying with his ring, examining a small snow vortex in his right palm.

During his final days at Cold Stone Manor, Soraya taught him second-level ice spellcasting and [Tundra Frozen Ground] techniques.

These lessons were invaluable to Ronan, who had previously studied ice spells alone, feeling the benefits of lineage transmission for the first time.

While the immediate impact on his combat abilities wasn't stark, it was beneficial for his long-term growth.

No matter how clever, he was still one person, incomparable to the "Iceflame Iris" Lanstet family's accumulated wisdom.

Additionally, Soraya offered helpful guidance for Ronan's "ambition" of domain fusion.

According to Soraya, domain fusion and domain resonance are different approaches to unlocking domain potential.

It's hard to say which is stronger—it's situational.

However, in terms of difficulty, domain fusion surpasses domain resonance.

Ronan's three-domain fusion was as challenging as comprehending a two-domain resonance.

"Finding the intrinsic link between domains is easier since they're all ice domains. Fusing different elemental domains is the real challenge."

"But devising an image that encompasses [Frozen Army], [Despair's Frost], and [Frozen Veins] is daunting."

"Soraya suggested I read ancient legends for inspiration. Not sure if it'll work..."

Ronan thought, extinguishing the snow vortex, shifting his focus.

He flew alone over a vast snowy forest, the sky expansive.

This place felt familiar. Ronan had been here before—where Soraya led the hunt for the third-level Frost-scaled Python.

The Pythons with a trace of Ancient Ice Crystal Serpent blood were gone, and the White Stone Castle wizards had left. This area had little exploratory value.

But Ronan wanted to see for himself.

Anglair's involvement piqued his curiosity—what was his group's purpose here?

"Seems like it's around here."

Ronan flew over a region.

The ground was ravaged, marked by the aftermath of spells.

Once a dense forest, now flattened, resembling tracks from a massive wheel—the Pythons' trail.

Three days ago, Soraya and three other third-level wizards fought the Pythons here. The energy particles hadn't fully dispersed, the area notably colder than elsewhere.

Ronan followed the Python tracks, searching in one direction.

Finally, he found the Python nest—

A gigantic pit!

Thick white mist hovered over the pit, intertwined with frost-covered vines and decayed branches, forming a dense cover, leaving a narrow gap in the center.

From above, the pit resembled a massive black snake eye, the mist its sclera, the gap its pupil.

Though the Pythons were gone, cold air continuously poured from the gap, forming the white mist.

Ronan surveyed the area, finding no other suspicious spots, deciding to explore the nest.

His eyes glowed white, a faint eye-like rune appearing on his brow—an expert-level [Detection Spell] activated.

He tossed a fireball into the nest gap, the blazing orb shrinking under the intense cold, its light dimmer than expected.

Ronan was startled; the residual cold suppressed his fireball.

Though a zero-level spell, as a legitimate second-level wizard, his casual zero-level spell exceeded typical first-level spells.

Incredible.

Ronan threw several fireballs, even setting some vines and branches ablaze before cautiously approaching.

With expert-level [Detection Spell] and body training instincts, Ronan sensed no hidden dangers in the nest.

He entered, feeling enveloped by deep cold and darkness.

He cast fireballs around, driving back the cold, the light gradually revealing the pit's interior.

—

The pit was shallower than Ronan anticipated, bottoming out around thirty meters down.

A massive black circular platform lay at the bottom, littered with beast bones, forming a ring around the edge. Some skulls were large and menacing, empty sockets eerily staring at Ronan in the firelight.

Ronan landed lightly, stepping on a thick, slippery layer—the Python's body fluid, extremely cold-resistant, useful for certain alchemical concoctions.

The nest had been searched, valuable items taken, leaving only snake fluid and scattered bones.

Ronan collected some fluid in an empty vial, then used his mental power to sift through the bones, examining the platform's patterns.

This was likely the ancient ruins Soraya mentioned.

The simplest, most primitive ruins Ronan had seen.

His mental probe found only untouched soil and rock around and beneath, the ruins limited in size, used as a nest.

Judging by the bone decay, the pit hadn't been a nest long, a few months at most, no more than a year.

Soraya said the three Pythons were severely weakened, possibly from breaching the ruins' barrier.

The hidden "thing" in the ruins might be key to awakening the Ancient Ice Crystal Serpent bloodline and Anglair's true purpose here.

The platform's patterns were simple, crude lines devoid of meaning.

Ronan tossed a few fireballs, lighting the pit's walls.

The inner walls bore mysterious, ancient symbols.

Ronan squinted, observing closely, suspecting part depicted an ancient ritual, but damage and cold erosion rendered much unrecognizable, uncertain if it was a ritual at all.

"If four third-level wizards couldn't decipher it, what can I see?"

Ronan shook his head, noticing something hidden behind a pile of bones ahead.

He sent out mental power, clearing the bones, revealing—

A broken black stone pillar.

Set on a base higher than the platform.

The pillar stood just over two meters, wing-like decorations extending from the top, forming a semicircle with the pillar.

Carved on the pillar was a kneeling woman, arms raised, hands aligning with the decorations, as if supporting something.

Aside from an ancient, mysterious aura, the pillar seemed ordinary, absent any energy particle residue.

Yet, seeing the pillar, Ronan's mind buzzed, a faint tremor.

He stared at the black pillar, his mind racing with information and images.

He was certain he'd seen or read about this type of pillar somewhere.

Where?

It seemed...

"Swish—"

Ronan's spatial ring glowed, an old, yellowed notebook appearing in his hand.

The notebook flipped automatically, pages rustling.

It settled on a page.

There, a hand-drawn picture depicted an object—

Identical to the pillar before Ronan!

"Hiss—"

Ronan inhaled, incredulous, comparing the pillar and notebook, eyes shining brighter.

The notebook had been in his storage for ages.

It came from Old Wells.

It detailed how to store a mysterious force called "Sanctuary Power."

According to the notebook, the ancient pillar before him was the so-called "Sanctuary."

The semicircle atop the pillar was meant to hold "Sanctuary Power."

Now gone, taken—or eaten by the snakes!