Chapter 724: Chapter 366: Cooperation, Ancient Star Map, Profound Background and Deep Wisdom
After Ronan’s “self-introduction,” the scene fell into a brief silence.
The five wizards of the Astronomical Society seemed to be silently pondering.
Ronan was in no hurry, waiting patiently.
After several breaths, a slim and small gray-haired young man from the Astronomical Society muttered softly, “…only Level 4…”
“You look down on Level 4? Aren’t you Level 4?!”
Before Ronan could speak, Heather, beside him, had already fixed a knife-like gaze on the gray-haired young man and spoke with a cold sneer.
“No no…”
The gray-haired young man quickly shook his head, showing a tense and awkward demeanor not good at communicating with others, stammering to explain, “I mean…”
His voice trailed off as if he felt embarrassed to speak, “You only have two… two people…”
“So what?”
Heather retorted impatiently, “Two people are still stronger than you five pieces of trash!”
The gray-haired young man and several wizards of the Astronomical Society standing beside him all blushed, their expressions somewhat indignant, yet they dared not voice a rebuttal.
It was Aiwen, the leading wizard, who was relatively more composed and calm. He looked at Ronan and hesitantly said, “Misha?”
Ronan’s eyes flickered slightly, his expression unchanged, “You know me?”
Aiwen shook his head, his eyes falling on the Crystal Crown above Ronan’s head. After deliberating, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, this is the legendary magic tool of the Spirit Lake Deep Sea Faction—the Deep Knowledge Crown?”
“The wizards of the Astronomical Society are indeed as knowledgeable as rumored.”
Ronan uttered in admiration and then calmly said, “I don’t know if Heather told me about this cooperation, I can assure everyone in the Astronomical Society that I will successfully lead you to the entrance of the Quivada Oasis.
Of course, the premise is that the route you provide needs to be correct.”
“This I can guarantee.”
Aiwen quickly spoke, “I also believe that you can lead us to the entrance…”
Ronan looked at Aiwen, the leader of the Astronomical Society wizards, with some surprise.
Even after discovering that he only had the strength of Level 4, they still agreed to cooperate and agreed so readily, the process went so smoothly that he found it somewhat unbelievable.
Originally, Ronan had prepared to put in some talk and effort.
“However, I hope to sign a contract related to cooperation.”
Aiwen quickly added another sentence, looking serious, and glanced at Heather beside, emphasizing, “Everyone has to sign.”
Hearing Aiwen’s proposal, Ronan showed a slight odd color in his eyes, somewhat surprised by the other’s caution.
This Aiwen from the Astronomical Society can still be considered a character, no wonder the Astronomical Society, these wizards looking even more “deep sea” than the Deep Sea Wizards, can stay in such a harsh environment as the Ancient Waterway, not without reason.
“That’s not a problem.”
Ronan pondered slightly, then readily agreed.
What he feared least was signing soul contracts with others.
“Good.”
Aiwen was straightforward and directly started drafting the contract’s content on the spot. After both parties confirmed it was correct, Ronan lightly inscribed the name “Misha Tilion” in the void with his finger.
Heather also stepped forward expressionlessly, inscribing a wisp of her soul aura.
On the Astronomical Society’s side, the gray-haired young man and a few others hesitated slightly, but under Aiwen’s firm attitude, they still came forward one by one to participate.
“So, can you show us the map now?”
After the contract was signed, Ronan requested Aiwen to show the waterway map.
Unexpectedly, Aiwen shook his head.
“We don’t have the map of the Ancient Waterway.”
“I think you’re just trying to…”
Upon hearing this, Heather immediately flew into a rage, her golden hair rising without wind, a Spiritual Field belonging to a Level 4 Late Stage Wizard burst out, and she even habitually began casting to summon water elements.
Ronan gently held her down, signaling her calmly to listen to Aiwen finish his remaining words.
Aiwen, with a somewhat complex expression, glanced at Ronan, then continued, “We indeed don’t have the map of the waterway, but we found a star chart from the Keldim Empire period left in the waterway…
Anand has deep knowledge in astrology, he can deduce the Quivada Oasis located at the center of the waterway network from the star chart…”
Aiwen said, pointing to someone behind him.
The Anand he spoke of was the gray-haired young man who was previously rendered speechless by Heather’s tirade.
The latter appeared timid, and from the appearance, one could hardly tell he was a so-called master of astrology.
Ronan’s eyes flickered, not questioning, merely saying, “Can you get a copy of that star chart for me?”
Aiwen hesitated slightly, then quickly nodded, “Yes, we originally made many copies.”
He took out a Rune Stone used for recording, handed it to Ronan, and then indicated that he would like to excuse himself, instantly leaving with a few wizards of the Astronomical Society to one side, casually setting up a Sound Insulation Array.
Ronan did not mind, merely opened the Rune Stone Aiwen had given him to examine the internal ancient star chart.
Heather glanced at Aiwen and the others who were having a secret discussion. She ground her silver teeth and sidled up to Ronan, whispering in his ear, “These guys from the Astronomical Society don’t seem very reliable. Do you think they’re going to deceive us?”
“Right now, we should be the ones looking less reliable… The contract is already signed, so don’t overthink it.
And…”
Ronan slightly raised his head, his eyes calm as he added, “Next time, don’t bite my ear when you talk, Heather, or I’ll be annoyed.”
“Oh~~”
Heather let out a long, teasing sound from her nose, biting her lower lip, and walked to the side with a face full of bashfulness, yet her brows and eyes were filled with undisguisable happiness and pride.
Ronan examined the so-called Keldim Empire’s ancient star map. Due to his practice of the Ancient Star Meditation, he was particularly sensitive to things like star maps.
This star map was smaller and simpler than the one in the Ancient Star Book; it seemed to be just a part of the ancient starry sky. The entire map followed some specific rules and trajectory in its operation, and Ronan captured some spirit light, yet he couldn’t truly grasp these fragmented insights….
…
“Aiwen, why did we agree to cooperate with them?”
On the Astronomical Society’s side, a young wizard with a slightly hooked nose spoke up with some dissatisfaction: “There are only two of them in total, and they’re both just Level 4. They can’t provide the help we need…”
The others also looked at Aiwen with puzzled eyes. If Aiwen didn’t have absolute authority in the team, they would never have agreed to sign the contract before.
“Do you have a better option?”
Aiwen looked calmly at them. “The members of the Spirit Lake Black Moon School we encountered earlier didn’t even bother to listen to us…
Compared to a piece of information about the entrance to the Quivada Oasis, they considered us a burden holding them back.
Also, Anand…”
Aiwen looked at the grey-haired young man among them, “Until now, you should have only determined the location of the entrance. You haven’t fully calculated the specific route, right?”
“Very soon..”
The grey-haired young man, being named, avoided eye contact, somewhat guiltily replying in a low voice: “I just need.. a little more time.”
“Yes, you still need time… That’s why I was so eager to finalize the cooperation.”
Aiwen stated calmly, “Our bargaining chips were never heavy enough.”
The members of the Astronomical Society all fell silent. Compared to Aiwen, the leader of the team, they had considered far fewer aspects.
“In fact, we don’t need much help from external forces..”
Aiwen continued, “As long as Anand’s deduced route can have a bit more margin for error, that’s enough.
That Deep Sea’s Heather is very strong, her understanding of combat and spells far exceeds mine.
As for the other, Misha…”
Mentioning this name, the faces of several wizards from the Astronomical Society lifted, showing an indescribable mix of odd and complex expressions.
“He’s carrying the Deep Knowledge Crown from the Deep Sea with him!”
Aiwen’s eyes flickered as he slowly spoke, “As far as I know, anyone qualified to wear the Deep Knowledge Crown is undoubtedly the Son of the Deep Sea!
This Misha, to wield the Deep Knowledge Crown.
He’s either incredibly powerful, or he has a robust background, or he’s profoundly wise.
He’s just a Level 4 Wizard. For the Spirit Lake Deep Sea faction, there’s no reason they wouldn’t have even one suitable Level 5 Wizard, so the likelihood is high it’s one of the last two possibilities, or perhaps both…
Even Heather is determined to follow him, further proving this point…”
“With such a person among us, the likelihood of achieving our goal becomes greater.”
Aiwen’s eyes scanned over everyone. “Don’t forget, once we successfully enter Quivada Oasis, the trial rewards will multiply several times, and we might even receive the New Prophet’s blessing..”
The members of the Astronomical Society, hearing this, showed faces filled with enthusiasm and anticipation.
However, Aiwen spoke seriously, “But we also have to be careful not to be used by others.
I don’t know why…”
Aiwen furrowed his brow, muttering to himself, “Although we’ve signed a soul contract, I still feel a vague sense of unease…”
He shook his head, sighing lightly, “I hope it’s just my illusion.”
….
“Hmph..”
Heather coldly stared at Aiwen and his group, who had finished their discussion and were walking back together, with a slightly displeased snort.
Ronan, hearing the noise, broke away from his study of the Keldim Ancient Star Map, raised his head, and smiled at Aiwen and the others, “Is it over?”
“Yes.”
Aiwen nodded, his expression serious, “We have no further issues and can act at any time.”
“Then please lead the way.”
Ronan looked gently at the grey-haired young man in the Astronomical Society team; the latter didn’t waste words, quickly bowing his head and taking the lead in a certain direction.
Aiwen and another Level 4 Middle Stage wizard from the Astronomical Society immediately followed, flanking the grey-haired young man on either side, showing considerable coordination.
Ronan, with a calm expression, exchanged a glance with Heather, and both closely followed.