Chapter 709: Chapter 353: Inheritance Array, the Silver Ring Reappears
According to Heather, she had accumulated knowledge about Rune Formation from a young age, but it had always been neglected.
It wasn’t until Ronan gave her a "lecture" that she seemed to have an epiphany, and the knowledge buried in her memory gradually "awoke." It was only then she realized she had quite a remarkable talent in Rune Formation.
Magic Array involves a more advanced application of runes, akin to assembling various components into a complete machine. It requires not only extensive knowledge of Rune Studies and Magic Array but also a high degree of talent.
Ronan had a long conversation with Heather on the topic of formations and only then realized that Rune Formations were even more complex than he had imagined.
A Level 5 Wizard who comprehends the True Spirit can then construct their own Inheritance Array.
To a Level 5 Wizard, the Inheritance Array is akin to the Soul Seal for a Level 2 or 3 Mist Wizard, significantly enhancing one’s combat power.
However, among the Level 5 Wizards Ronan had encountered, aside from Fuming Ge of the Elemental Magic Ring (the remote projection array is also a form of Inheritance Array application), he had hardly seen a second Level 5 Wizard using an Inheritance Array.
Until now, Ronan had been puzzled by this.
Only after conversing with Heather did he realize that his understanding of the Inheritance Array had been misplaced all along.
His knowledge of the Inheritance Array primarily came from Alazan, who instilled in him the idea that the Inheritance Array was almost standard for Level 5 Wizards, but he overlooked one point: the era when Alazan was active was too far in the past.
The Element Pool and Inheritance Array, once standard for Level 5 Wizards, have become exclusive to a very small number of Wizards in today’s time due to the scarcity of inheritance and resources.
Not to mention Level 5 Wizards, even many Level 6 Wizards may not necessarily possess an Inheritance Array.
Apart from the immense resources required to construct an Element Pool and Inheritance Array, finding an array inheritance that fits one’s Magic School has become extremely rare.
Especially the latter point, the multiple shifts in the Wizard World’s structure post-ancient times have led to the discontinuation of many powerful Magic School inheritances. Additionally, materials like the "Awakening Snake," which weren’t particularly rare in ancient times but required specific channels to obtain, have vanished with the ban on the World Stone...
Inheritance Arrays have increasingly become something that ordinary Dawn Wizards can only dream of. The combat standards for Level 5 are constantly lowering, equating with the ancient is not just a slogan anymore. The Wizard World has gradually developed some "simplified versions" with effects similar to Inheritance Arrays, but much easier to realize.
This is exactly like what Ronan had seen before: Heather’s method of using summoning Water Element Groups to construct an alternative array to amplify her strength. This can also be considered an ingenious later-generation Wizards’ "alternative path."
Ronan, who understood the insider information, had a flicker in his eyes as he fell into thought.
With Alazan around, he shouldn’t worry about a complete Level 5 array inheritance; he should be able to find one or two that fit his Magic Attributes.
His main consideration now is the issue of various material resources needed to construct an Inheritance Array.
Back when he first advanced to Level 4, Alazan had intentionally or unintentionally brought it up, which now seems far from baseless. He indeed should prepare in advance.
"When Alazan awakens from this sleep, I should find an opportunity to discuss this matter with him properly...."
Ronan half-lay on the chair, silently contemplating. Heather, being extremely perceptive, did not make any noise to disturb him. When Ronan wasn’t speaking, her attention was entirely on his two legs, tirelessly kneading and pounding, having gradually found some massage techniques.
"Oh, right."
Ronan suddenly remembered something. Looking at the expectant expression on Heather’s slightly upturned face, he asked, "Do you know any insider information about this contest?..."
"Perhaps Misha knows..."
Heather thought carefully for a moment and replied, "After all, he had been preparing for this for a long time."
Ronan said nothing, and Heather naturally understood that wasn’t the answer Ronan wanted. She tilted her head, thought for a bit, and continued, "I read in an ancient book that the underground waterway network of the Keldim Wizard Empire was constructed based on the movement of stars and the flow of continental energy tides...
Relying on these two points to deduce the layout of the waterway is obviously unrealistic, but if we can find the water management officials who managed the waterway construction at that time, or the charts or maps left by the Astrologers, we should be able to find the waterway’s exit..."
"Finding the exit is not the purpose of this contest; the main goal is to locate the Quivada Oasis at the center of the Forgotten Land..."
Ronan slowly spoke.
The two points Heather mentioned were something he had long thought of. Theoretically, the Waterway Ruins should retain the design blueprints and waterway network maps from back when they were constructed, but finding these would also rely on luck.
After considering for a moment, Ronan decided to continue with the original plan to search the Holy Shrine Altar while also looking for clues to the Quivada Oasis.
Now that he had Heather under his command, the efficiency of exploring the waterways increased significantly compared to before.
"Rustle, rustle—"
While deep in thought, Ronan suddenly felt a slight movement on his foot. Looking up, he saw Heather stealthily trying to remove his boots.
"What are you doing?"
Ronan frowned slightly and asked.
Heather, like a child caught in the act, nervously stood up immediately.
She stood in front of Ronan, eyes wandering, and stammered, "To...tend to the master...go to bed..."
"....."
....
"Whew—"
Ronan silently and stealthily landed on a piece of fractured stone covered in black moss. Bending his right hand, he flicked out a black arrow filled with a strong Undead aura, which darted into the dark with a unique buzzing sound.
Soon, a series of rapid explosive sounds echoed around him.
After a forceful suppression, Ahaxia was noticeably more compliant and returned under Ronan’s control. Yet Ronan now began to consciously control its "feeding."
"This is it."
Ronan surveyed his surroundings, his gaze settling on a broken statue of a fairy before him, with wings on its back, a handsome face, and holding a harp.
A semi-transparent black line, visible only to him, shot straight into the statue.
Ronan lifted his hand slightly, and the fairy statue in front of him began to crumble under the force of great spiritual power, falling apart piece by piece with a "crackling" sound.
Soon, a half-height, several-meter-deep hidden compartment was revealed behind the statue.
Within the stone wall compartment, a black stone box, bearing the clear aesthetic style of the Keldim Empire era, quietly rested.
Ronan’s eyes shimmered slightly, and with a gentle beckon, the black stone box slowly floated out.
Ronan placed his hand on the stone box, feeling the unique material of the Holy Shrine Altar that felt cold but also slightly soft and slippery to the touch.
The lid of the box was also engraved with the image of a young girl, her arms crossed and her eyelids lowered, exuding a sense of fragility and compassion.
Every time Ronan opened an unsealed Holy Shrine, he felt like he was "scratching a lottery ticket."
A faint expectation arose in his eyes, wondering if this time, the prize would be what he desired.
His fingers gently brushed over the hidden latch on the lid, and with a "click" sound reminiscent of a mechanism in motion, a subtle rune fluctuation was emitted. The engraving of the young girl on the lid seemed to come to life, as her originally crossed arms began to slowly open outward.
Simultaneously, the black lid opened, and a faint green light rapidly seeped through the gap, accompanied by some kind of peculiar power.
Ronan reached out to touch it, and the green light seeped into his body like water. Immediately following that, the Vital Light Ball within his body trembled slightly, and a subtle sound, like the growth of a plant, emanated from his bones and flesh....
"Crack—"
Ronan closed the lid, the expectation in his eyes vanished, and his expression returned to its original calmness.
It wasn’t what he was looking for.
But it wasn’t a complete loss either.
The power of the Holy Shrine sealed within the box seemed to possess some extremely potent healing effects, surpassing any Healing Potion he had ever consumed.
The box itself was also a kind of gain; the method used by the Keldim Empire Wizards to seal the power of the Holy Shrine seemed simpler and more effective than what Ronan had been using.
"It’s just the beginning..."
Ronan reassured himself, "On to the next."
Many Holy Shrine Altars existed within the Ancient Waterway Ruins, scattered here and there, but with patience, he would eventually find what he desired.
Ronan summoned Ahaxia and used the Communication Crystal to contact Heather.
Once the connection was established, the sound of Heather’s slightly labored breathing came from the other end of the crystal, suggesting she was likely engaged in battle.
"Currently.. still.. haven’t found anything special..."
"Then be careful on your own."
"Yes, Master.."
Over time, the relationship between Ronan and Heather grew increasingly harmonious, with both sides gradually settling into their roles.
After unlocking "hidden attributes," Heather, who had set "pleasing" Ronan as her sole goal, exhibited extraordinary potential. She now possessed the qualities of an "elite" or even a "genius" wizard of the same level, a far cry from her former self as a spoiled and capricious young lady.
Whether Lady Mel would be grateful for Heather’s transformation, or wish to kill him upon learning of it, remained unknown.....
"Pat-pat——pat-pat——"
Ronan strolled along the abandoned waterway, occasionally hearing strange sounds emitted by wandering monsters around him.
After transferring the Element Pool into the Mist Space, exploration became quite unrestricted. During this period, he and Heather separately explored, and the monsters they killed contributed significantly more energy to the Element Pool.
"Buzz——"
Ronan found a discarded Magic Node and attempted to activate it, but regrettably, it was completely destroyed, with no response when spiritual power was injected.
Ronan shook his head, prepared to continue onward.
Just then, the rapid sound of flapping wings approached him.
Ronan raised his hand and grabbed, catching an exquisite and small black bat in his grip. Once caught, it struggled vehemently.
Ronan’s eyes shimmered slightly, and he uttered a short syllable.
The black bat ceased its struggle and instead opened its mouth to expel a silvery mass.
Ronan picked up the silver object, his brow instantly furrowing tightly.
It was a silver Ring with an unusual design, resembling a piece of silver ribbon tied into a beautiful knot at the middle.
Ronan was more than familiar with this Ring; it was the very one he had once possessed—the Treasure Stealing Goblin’s ring, the key to the Silver-eared Goblin’s private trove!
But....
This Ring had been given to someone else by Ronan long ago!