Chapter 697: Chapter 344: Tiger’s Hide, Cleverness, and the Inside Story
The selection for the Son of the Deep Sea has ended, but the aftermath is far from over.
To everyone’s surprise, he seized the position that should have belonged to Misha in full view of the public.
One can imagine how lively the discussion is outside on this topic now.
"When I secured the title of the Son of the Deep Sea, I deliberately saluted the Deep Sea Elder and received a response from him...
This action is likely to lead some people to draw connections, perhaps deterring those with restless minds."
Ronan had carefully considered his back road before the selection.
Misha’s childish nature, arrogant and immature; Sigel once commented on Misha—having Talent without the corresponding ability to match.
He is just a spoiled child.
I believe that in the Deep Sea, there are not a few Wizards who share Sigel’s views.
However, why did Misha still become the "rightful choice" for this year’s Son of the Deep Sea?
The reason lies in his background as a member of the Level 6 Wizard Elder Council.
By claiming Misha’s spot, Ronan naturally has to bear the consequences.
How to counter the trouble that Misha’s background might bring?
Simple, just appear to have a background more substantial than Misha’s.
At the Deep Sea Faction, what could be a firmer background than standing with the Deep Sea Leader Elder?
Ronan deliberately engaged in a simple "interaction" with the Deep Sea Elder under the public eye, intending to create the mistaken belief that he was the chosen one by the Elder.
He was "escorted" to the final round by Heliodor and Misha’s joint efforts, and even in the last round, the Level 5 Wizard Misha lost to him.
Not many would truly believe he defeated Misha by sheer Strength; most would think that the forces "behind" him were exerting covert efforts.
After all, how could a newly-promoted Level 4 Wizard possibly defeat the genius Level 5 Wizard Misha in direct combat?
"For now, this approach seems to be working well, though it’s uncertain how long it will last..."
In the end, lies will eventually be exposed, and the tiger’s skin woven out of thin air will sooner or later be ripped apart.
Ronan remained calm, unconcerned about the inevitable arrival of that day.
What he needed was just a little time to ascend to the position of Spirit Lake’s Son and gain the opportunity to ask the Destiny Pendulum’s New Prophet about the whereabouts of the Awakening Snake.
"Buzz——"
In the Mist Space, a Communication Crystal lying among a pile of miscellanea lit up, emitting waves of signals.
Ronan casually gestured, grabbing the crystal, allowing his spiritual power to seep in for a look, his gaze wavering slightly.
Heliodor was calling him, asking Ronan to meet him.
Ronan wasn’t too surprised; in fact, he had been waiting for this communication.
If there’s anyone he finds most difficult to face in the Deep Sea right now, it would be Heliodor.
Casually tearing open the Void, he walked out from the Mist Space, leisurely making his way out of his dwelling towards Heliodor’s residence.
Throughout his journey, Ronan pondered how to explain everything to Heliodor; he needed a reason that could convince Heliodor to trust him again.
Heliodor’s trust couldn’t offer him much, but Heliodor had once "picked up" Ronan from an unknown corner, teaching him all about Magic Potion and Pharmacy studies without reservation, accepting him as a disciple, doing everything a teacher ought to do...
Within the not-so-spacious crystal corridor, Ronan’s footsteps sounded especially clear.
A figure approached head-on, and a thoughtful Ronan instinctively made a slight sidestep.
The person opposite suddenly stopped.
A gaze fell upon Ronan.
Involuntarily, Ronan raised his head, and in an instant, he felt an unaccountable daze.
Right after, he saw the straight crystal corridor begin to warp strangely, and everything before his eyes twisted.
All sorts of colors and lights rapidly shifted before him, and Ronan felt as if he had suddenly become inebriated, the whole world turning blurry and topsy-turvy.
In the blurred and twisted scenery, the figure opposite walked slowly toward him.
Ronan "staggered" forward, reaching out his hand, attempting to find the wall, trying to steady his faltering body.
He strained to open his eyes, trying to discern the figure’s face, and an unprecedented dread emerged from within, never before had he felt so helpless.
Body, spirit, soul... no strength could be summoned, helplessly watching himself endlessly falling toward some "abyss," ceaselessly falling.....
"Damn it!"
The flesh on his tongue was bitten by Ronan, the sharp pain like a droplet falling into a vast lake, failing to stir any ripples.
As everything seemed to be steering toward some unknown fear, at this moment...
A beautiful golden ladybug leisurely flew out from within him, transforming into a silhouette that, while not mighty, was ancient yet resolute.
"Alazan..."
Ronan panted heavily, hearing waves of distant and indistinct buzzing.
It seemed to be the sound of a conversation between two people.
Who knows how long it took before abruptly, a voice became clear beside his ear.
"...so, it’s the guidance and protection of an ancient soul..."
Soon after, all the abnormality vanished, and Ronan, like a drowning person emerging from a vortex, supported himself against the cold crystal corridor wall, gasping for air.
The Magic Robe on him was almost entirely soaked with sweat, the robe’s Clean function activating, emanating strands of steam.
Ronan spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged with shreds of tongue flesh, raising his head to see the crystal corridor before him empty as if no one had ever appeared.
"Who is it?!"
Ronan clenched his jaws, his fist pressed against the crystal wall slowly clenching tighter, "The Level 6 behind Misha?"
Only a presence beyond Level 6 could inflict such profound despair on Ronan.
"Alazan."
Ronan called out Alazan’s name in his heart.
This time, after a long while, he received Alazan’s response with evident fatigue.
"I am here."
"Who was the one targeting me just now?"
Ronan asked eagerly.
Alazan did not answer, slowly replying, "Damien, you are very wise.
But your wisdom has led you to touch certain boundaries that should not be touched...
Not everyone’s power is easy to borrow..."
Hearing this, Ronan paused, instantly understanding the identity of the one targeting him.
"Deep Sea Elder...."
He murmured, then after a moment, took a deep breath and said softly, "Thank you, Alazan.
I owe you again."
Alazan shook his head, "I have consumed a lot and need to sleep for a while. Apart from providing you with the Ancient Spirit Text, I’m afraid I can’t be at your call for the time being...
Damien, take care of yourself."
Ronan’s lips moved slightly, but before he could say anything, Alazan had already severed the connection.
The golden beetle lay quietly in a corner of his consciousness space, its sheen significantly dimmed.
"Outsmarting... myself."
Ronan let go and slowly propped himself up, standing firm in the corridor.
This time, he indeed outsmarted himself a bit.
Perhaps it was the experience in the Minotaur Maze, toying with a bunch of Level 5 methods, and the goodwill and friendliness Narros of Twilight Level showed...
making him not even realize that he had lost a bit of the reverence he should have held for the high-level wizard.
"Even if I don’t borrow the power, so what?
The crowning as Son of the Deep Sea, which I obtained openly, who dares to criticize?
The Elder Council Wizard behind Misha wants to target me, but perhaps the Deep Sea Elder would intervene actively..."
Ronan took a deep breath, standing for a long time until his face regained its calm and the turbidity in his heart was gone.
He continued forward in silence until he knocked on the door of the secret realm in Heliodor space.
.....
"Silver coin."
Ronan stroked the large white cat that voluntarily jumped into his arms, softly greeting Silver coin.
Looking up, he saw Heliodor looking at him expressionlessly.
He walked up and called softly, "Teacher."
Heliodor shook his head and said indifferently, "In a few days, I will officially announce the termination of the teacher-student relationship with you.
From now on, you no longer need to serve as my assistant..."
Ronan listened quietly until Heliodor finished speaking.
"Teacher feels deceived?"
Heliodor said nothing, only chuckled coldly, looking at him with an unprecedented cold indifference in his eyes.
"Perhaps you’ve forgotten, when stepping into the Spirit Lake, it was you who personally conducted the search and review on me...
The soul contract was also signed under your supervision..."
Ronan said.
"So what?"
Heliodor spoke indifferently.
"How do you think I should be as a person?"
Ronan suddenly retorted.
Heliodor frowned slightly, lifting his gaze, directly meeting Ronan’s clear blue eyes.
"I have always been honest with you."
Ronan said calmly, "I never disguised anything from you, just that some things existed, but you chose to overlook them."
"What do you mean?"
Heliodor squinted his eyes, to which Ronan responded, "Do you think that someone who can receive a ten-star evaluation in the entry-level selection for knowledge, and who memorized all two thousand three hundred eighty-two ancient spirit texts of the Spirit Lake after entering the tower only twice...what kind of potential should that person have?"
Heliodor was stunned.
"You."
Ronan emphasized, speaking word by word, "and the vast majority of people in the Deep Sea, have never seriously considered this point."
"Should I...be mediocre?"
Heliodor stood up, his breath somewhat uneven.
The look in his eyes when he gazed at Ronan, the cold indifference began to loosen, replaced by an unusual light.
"It was my luck that you chose me..."
Ronan placed one hand on his shoulder, deeply bowing to Heliodor, softly saying, "It is also your luck."
"Hoo—"
He heard Heliodor’s slightly heavy exhale.
When he looked up again, the barrier that once existed between the two seemed to have significantly lessened.
"And your relationship with the Great Elder..."
"It’s just a small trick of my own cleverness.."
Ronan shook his head with a bitter smile, "I’ve already received the corresponding warning."
Heliodor stared at him, and upon seeing no trace of falseness in his eyes and expression, his tense old face finally softened.
He paced back and forth under the old oak tree, as though pondering how to give a suitable ending to today’s "revelation." In the end, Heliodor stopped, frowning deeply at Ronan and said, "For other matters, we won’t discuss them for now.
Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever thought about why everyone hopes that Misha will be able to sit in that position?"
Ronan sensed that the former Heliodor was returning, letting out a long sigh of relief in his heart.
Upon hearing Heliodor’s question, it seemed to contain some inside facts he had never understood before.
He couldn’t help but blink, and said, "Why?"
Heliodor, looking at his reaction, couldn’t help but shake his head, "Obviously, you know nothing."
Ronan squinted his eyes, "What should I know?"
Heliodor calmed down, looked at him, and said, "Don’t you think this selection competition seems childish?
Bribing opponents, manipulating the competition, without decent rules...
Whether it’s the Level 4 and 5 Wizards below, or the high-ranking elders of the council...it’s as if everyone is just playing a child’s game with Misha?"
Ronan was stunned and then heard Heliodor slowly say, "Why is this so?
Because only Misha, it is only Misha who has the ability now to truly hold the position of Son of the Deep Sea."
"This position represents not only honor, but also the thorny path ahead!"
....
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