Chapter 698: Chapter 345: Forgotten Land, Ancient Waterway!
"The transition of the new and old Prophet brings a prophecy that the Upper Ring Continent is about to experience a great upheaval..."
Heliodor spoke softly, "This is an extraordinary time. After the selection of the Son of the Deep Sea, we will head to the Forgotten Land representing the Spirit Lake..."
"The Forgotten Land?!"
Ronan’s eyes flickered.
"An ancient wizard battleground left from a long time ago, still harboring remnants of otherworldly demons to this day. They are much more formidable than ordinary Magic Beasts, some may even shatter your understanding...."
Heliodor said solemnly, "There, you’ll not only face otherworldly demons but also the pressure from elite forces of major wizard organizations both within and outside Spirit Lake...
It’s not a challenge that can be overcome by one person’s strength alone."
"Within Spirit Lake, Flames, Black Moon..."
Ronan pondered, "Outside Spirit Lake, led by Witch Heart Hall, are the other wizard organizations within the Destiny Pendulum?"
"It might not be just the Destiny Pendulum."
Heliodor shook his head, "The Forgotten Land is deeply buried underground. This ancient battleground stretches across every corner of the Central Upper Ring. If luck isn’t on your side, encountering the other two Great Empires, or even wizards beyond the three Great Empires’ forces, isn’t out of the question.
There are also countless spatial rifts and various unpredictable events that could erupt at any moment...
The intensity and peril of the next stage of competition will far exceed your imagination."
Heliodor glanced at him with slight amusement, saying: "You don’t think that in the coming days, we only need to gather the genius elites of the three major schools—Deep Sea, Flames, Black Moon—have a few rounds of contests, and we’ll be able to select the Saint Heir of Spirit Lake, do you?"
Ronan remained silent.
He hadn’t thought of it as that simple, but Heliodor indeed spoke to certain ideas he held in his heart.
Seeing Ronan’s silence, Heliodor softened his tone and continued, "Misha isn’t particularly outstanding, but he has many advantages others can’t compare with.
The one behind him has been supporting and grooming him from long ago.
In the Deep Sea, Misha can easily gather a team of Dawn Rank elite wizards. Several young Level 5 wizards within the Deep Sea, regardless of their secret thoughts and plans, are at least willing to follow his lead outwardly.
Outside Spirit Lake, Misha also has certain connections.
So, he is the most suitable person to take the position of the Son of the Deep Sea, even the Great Elder has no objections.
In many people’s eyes, this selection for the Son of the Deep Sea was indeed just a formality."
"And your appearance disrupted everyone’s plans. I originally thought you were genuinely favored by the Great Elder, and that he had new plans for the upcoming events.
But unexpectedly..."
Heliodor shook his head, sighing lightly: "Damien, no one doubts your excellence, I’ve always held high expectations for you.
But things are far more complicated than you imagine, your wings have not yet spread, it’s not your time to soar..."
At this moment, Ronan finally understood why he was "warned" by the Deep Sea Elder on the way here.
It turns out it wasn’t just a matter of "leveraging strength", the act of defeating Misha and "snatching" the position of the Son of the Deep Sea had already incited the Great Elder’s "dissatisfaction".
"Anyway, thank you, teacher."
After some thought, Ronan solemnly saluted Heliodor.
He could tell Heliodor’s words weren’t just an impromptu decision, maybe today, regardless of the outcome, whether they completely "sever ties" or continue their mentor-student relationship, he would choose to speak to him.
Everything he knows.
Heliodor continued, "But you don’t need to worry too much, since the Great Elder didn’t intervene or oppose during the selection, it means he tacitly approves of the current result.
The Deep Knowledge Crown is with you, if I were the Great Elder, I would certainly not let anything happen to you, lest the Deep Knowledge Crown be lost outside..."
"Is that supposed to be comforting, teacher?"
"Consider it as such."
Heliodor waved his hand, then said, "Enough about that, let’s talk about something else."
Heliodor lifted one of his feet, facing Ronan, "Have you noticed anything different about this boot compared to usual?"
Ronan looked carefully for a while, shook his head, "I’ve never deliberately paid attention to what the teacher wears.
Other than the sole being very clean, I haven’t noticed any other differences."
Upon hearing this, Heliodor couldn’t help but laugh heartily; since the first day Ronan met him, he hadn’t seen him this happy.
......
Private Secret Realm Space.
Ronan stood atop a small hill, quietly observing everything below.
The apple trees planted on the fields below the hill had already sprouted, their lush green leaves unfolding like little hands waving in the wind; one side of the field was planted full of tulips, most of which were blooming now, looking very beautiful.
Having always lived in the secluded attic of the Silver Magic Ring, Ariety, born from the dust, was filled with a passionate pursuit and love for everything vibrant.
She dreamed of having her own orchard and garden, which now, were almost realized.
Every few minutes, Ariety would pick a fresh flower and excitedly present it to Ronan like a treasure; Ronan would always thank her, using different adjectives to simply praise the beauty of the flowers, which greatly satisfied Ariety, her small face flushed with excitement and happiness, like the first ripe fruit of this apple orchard.
"Buzz——"
As this game was halfway through, a faint spatial fluctuation suddenly appeared in front of Ronan.
Ronan gently moved the slightly panicked Ariety to hide behind his collar, then looked up to see a middle-aged man in a moon-white Magic Robe, surrounded by a Level 5 Wizard Force Field, slowly stepping out from the fluctuation.
"Ronan Damien?"
The middle-aged wizard looked down at Ronan, speaking indifferently.
"Yes."
Ronan nodded.
"Then prepare yourself to leave with me immediately."
"Where to?"
"Where do you think?"
The middle-aged wizard’s eyes showed a slight sneer, "The place every Son of the Deep Sea must go, the Forgotten Land."
Ronan was startled for a moment, then quickly regained his calm.
He had anticipated this moment’s arrival, but didn’t expect it to come so soon.
The turmoil of the selection had not yet settled, when he already needed to step onto the next "arena of competition."
He exchanged a few simple words with Ariety, and without wasting time, followed the middle-aged Wizard out of the Spirit Lake, flying toward some unknown distant direction.
As the two left, a group slowly appeared at the exit of the Spirit Lake.
Leading them, with a handsome face and a youthful look, was none other than Misha.
Misha’s head of ever-upright blue-gold gradient short hair now hung down, appearing much more mature than before.
"That kid’s gone.."
Someone behind Misha whispered.
"He didn’t take a single person with him, only himself.. I really have no idea how he’s supposed to compete with Carnel, Casimodo and the others; I even doubt if he can survive in the Forgotten Land."
"Why would the Great Elder...."
"Shh—"
Someone made a silencing gesture, pointing secretly at Misha’s back in front of them; everyone immediately fell silent.
Nobody knew what exactly happened during the last round on the day of selection; anyway, after leaving the space battlefield, Misha seemed like a changed person, suddenly losing his former vigor and spirit.
"I haven’t lost yet."
At this moment, Misha, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
Their spirits lifted, and then they saw Misha slowly raising his head, talking to himself, "In the prophecy the Old Prophet made about me, why did he particularly emphasize the words ’outside the Spirit Lake.’
Now, I’ve finally figured it out."
Misha’s eyes slowly sparkled, as dazzling as they once were.
"Leaving the Spirit Lake is just the beginning of everything.
Fate destined that I, Misha Tilion, must go through this low point; whatever cannot kill me will only make me stronger...
One day."
Misha clenched his fists, his eyes burning brightly, "The name of Misha will resound in the Upper Ring!"
"Great, Misha, I always knew you could do it!"
"That shameless Damien, even with the Great Elder’s support, how could he compare to our Misha.."
The group rejoiced, and Misha returned to his original spirited state.
As the core member of the team, he did not let them down and rekindled his fighting spirit once more,
"What should we do now, Misha?"
Someone eagerly asked.
"Wait."
Misha said calmly, "Wait for that guy to fail.. then it will be our turn to step in.
For now...."
Misha glanced around, flashed a toothy grin, and said, "Who wants to play a game of Demon Spirit Chess with me?"
Amid lively chatter and laughter, no one noticed a figure quietly leaving the Spirit Lake, pursuing the departing Ronan and his companion.
.....
The journey was much shorter than Ronan had anticipated.
"Buzz——"
The thick, fortress-like rune array light shield hummed softly, forming a human-sized opening.
The guiding middle-aged Wizard stopped and looked at Ronan.
"Follow this path forward a bit more, and you’ll reach the Forgotten Land..."
The middle-aged Wizard tossed Ronan a light silver ring, saying indifferently, "What you need to do is follow the guide on it, step by step to the end.
If you encounter dangers you can’t handle, you can ask the Deep Sea for help.."
"You can even seek help from the Deep Sea?"
Ronan blinked.
"Of course."
The middle-aged Wizard said indifferently, "But then your chance is gone too.
You need to hand over the Deep Knowledge Crown, and someone will take your place...
Oh right."
The middle-aged Wizard glanced at the ring in Ronan’s hand, "There’s also something the Great Elder left for you inside, open it at the right place, it should be helpful to you.
Let’s hope you don’t let us...."
Halfway through the sentence, the middle-aged Wizard shook his head, leaving Ronan alone, and turned to leave.
From the eyes of the middle-aged Wizard, Ronan glimpsed faint traces of indifference and disappointment. He pressed his lips together, saying nothing, and stepped into the rift opened by the array.
This super-large rune array that separates the Forgotten Land from the outside world already existed in some unknown, deep underground place.
After passing through the array, what appeared before Ronan was a dim path that spiraled endlessly downward, as if leading straight to the earth’s core.
Ronan opened the space ring left behind by the middle-aged Wizard before leaving, finding within it beside a recording Rune Stone, just an extraordinarily intricate-looking metal box with countless complex runes flowing on its surface.
Ronan picked up the Rune Stone, pressed it to his forehead, and read it carefully.
A moment later, he took down the Rune Stone.
"Ancient Waterway... Quivada Oasis... Prophet..."
He murmured these words softly, eyes flickering, and finally, with a calm face, walked into the dark path.