Chapter 1100: Chapter 566: For a Pure Blue Sky
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After departing from the Dream Realm, Rod immediately sought out Alehon.
The elderly First Fire Son was the leader of the team, holding great prestige and experience. Even stronger figures like Alan and Olivia only served as his deputies.
At the moment, they were reinforcing the defenses of the old fortress, attempting to transform it into an impregnable human stronghold, extending the defense perimeter to cover the Sun Crystal Vein for long-term mining and transportation.
This was not a simple task. Establishing such a powerful human stronghold meant altering the balance of the Dark World, shaking up the equilibrium between Black Fog and Fire. They might disturb unimaginable monsters and face dozens of battles, or more, to stabilize the new balance and secure the stronghold.
The three had just destroyed a monster nest when Rod approached them.
In the instant Alehon saw him, his murky eyes widened.
"You’ve ascended? No, no, you’re a Starfire, you’ve ignited another new star?"
Olivia’s bright eyes smiled into crescents, something shimmering in her gaze.
"Little Rod, I’m increasingly considering you a remarkable fellow."
Alan’s expression seemed a bit helpless.
"Vee, mind your image, little Rod isn’t even twenty yet, younger than you..."
"Alan!! Haven’t you learned not to carelessly mention a woman’s age? I’ve summoned you and you didn’t come, yet now you meddle here..."
"Quiet!"
Alehon ordered.
"Can’t you see the human genius shining before you? What nonsense are you talking?"
Olivia snorted, "You’re too rare to be amazed. This kid has always been like this. Shortly after each grand battle, his strength suddenly skyrockets without a word. I instantly knew he’d ignited another Fire Spark, just like Alan, both unreasonable freaks."
Alehon’s expression became complex, his eyes filled with surprise and delight.
"Good, very good, wonderful. There is no higher praise than calling you a talent on par with Alan."
"I understand why the King and Meredith hold you in such high regard. Rod, quickly return to the Royal City. I’ll inform the King, he’ll prepare everything needed for your Thirteenth Level Spiritual Energy ascension ceremony."
"At this pace of improvement, perhaps I’ll soon witness the emergence of the eighth true Fire Son."
Olivia affectionately patted Rod’s shoulder, letting him feel the soft elasticity beneath:
"Go, little guy, the pure moonlight will always illuminate the path before you."
Alan shook Rod’s hand, and Rod was surprised to find a pale black badge slipped into his palm.
"This badge is condensed from Abyss Protection power. It takes me a long time to obtain one. I’m giving it to you; only someone who just shattered the Abyss truly qualifies as the Abyss Blade."
Rod felt deeply moved, but before he could express his gratitude, his figure was lifted by a cloud of white smoke.
Alehon said calmly, "This is the white smoke I’ve detached; it will return you to the Royal City in the shortest time possible. Go."
With a whoosh, the white smoke pierced through the air, disappearing into the dense Black Fog in the blink of an eye.
Until he could no longer see his silhouette, Alehon turned his gaze back, muttering softly, "Our geniuses, grow quickly. Trolian has never needed you more than at this moment."
Olivia laughed, "It’s not just those youngsters. Us old ones can continue to ascend as well."
Alehon fell silent. This brought up a monumental issue again.
Resources.
The resources of Trolian are never sufficient.
This is a nearly unsolvable problem.
But Alan provided an answer through action.
"Combat!"
Only through ceaseless battles can the human territory expand and occupy more resource veins.
The future holds hope.
"Fight on."
Alehon turned into burning Red Cloud and left with Alan’s teal figure.
Olivia had already engaged in battle long before.
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Royal City.
Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground.
As Rod descended, the King had just finished reading the message sent back by Alehon.
He raised his head and saw Rod bathed in small arcs of light.
The King’s face instantly broke into a smile.
"Little Rod, you’re back just in time; let’s conduct the Spiritual Energy ascension ceremony here, personally hosted by me."
Rod’s head still felt a bit dizzy, and he asked bewilderedly, "Is it going to be held now?"
"Indeed."
The King snapped his fingers.
The Fire Worshippers immediately surged from all directions, beginning to arrange the ceremony venue. They laid the ground with True Silver, embellished it with Star Light Ruby, erected the altar with Sun Stone, and finally placed the most crucial material.
Sun Crystal.
This is a necessary item for every Fire Holder’s ascension.
"Look, I’ve already prepared it for you. I long guessed you might ascend, never thought Alehon’s message would arrive so swiftly."
The King’s expression showed much satisfaction.
"The higher the level of Spiritual Energy, the shorter the waiting time, because uncontrollable overly powerful Spiritual Energy can damage your soul. You must undergo the Spiritual Energy ascension ceremony in the shortest time possible."
"Naturally, this is generally challenging. The higher the level, the greater the ceremony’s specifications, and the more demanding the requirements for the host. Preparations can take a long time, so usually, Ascenders will report to the Mechanical Research Institute beforehand when nearing ascension, but little Rod, you’re an exception. Your ascensions always occur unexpectedly and usually after grand battles."
"I’ve taken this into account, hence the preparation. Didn’t expect it to be used so quickly."
Rod stared at the bustling scene in shock, unable to voice his thoughts.
Shortly, Archbishop Horus and First Elder Amendo hurried over.
Upon seeing Rod, their eyes also lit up with delight.
Amendo surveyed the scene then swiftly said, "King, we don’t have enough people now; we need at least one more Special Level Combatant."
The King’s expression appeared somewhat troubled, "Red Queen and Peibela have just gone out for combat, Viheler went to support North City, and our little darling Teresa encountered a bit of trouble. Currently, there are no Special Level forces in the Royal City."
Horus suggested, "Maybe Kai can help."
"Sun Knight Kai?" Rod exclaimed, "Isn’t he suffering soul decline, spending years in a Spirit Coffin sustaining life?"
Horus smiled, "He’s in a better state now."
"Alright, let Kai come and get some fresh air."
The King waved his hand, and soon, the wax statue linked to the Sun Knight’s life, bearing his pain and exhaustion, was brought along.
"Kai, can you hear me?" The King asked the statue.
Unexpectedly, the statue, which never spoke before, now responded.
"I can, it’s my honor."
His voice was muddled, words slow and hesitant.
Yet the King showed no impatience, raising his voice only after Kai finished talking, saying, "Let’s begin."
"Little Rod, lie on the center stone platform."
Rod followed instructions, lying in a T-shaped position on the stone platform constructed of Sun Stone.
The King moved to the ceremonial main position, raising both hands as endless Golden Light emanated, enveloping the venue.
Kai’s statue came to the King’s side, lifting the Sun Crystal ardently.
With a soft call, pure sunlight-like beams radiated from the crystal, shining onto Rod’s face.
Horus enveloped him with Healing Light, while Amendo converged silver light on his body.
The Thirteenth Level Spiritual Energy ascension ceremony began thusly.
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Ten clock hours later
Golden beams fell as the Sun Crystal shattered, True Silver lost its luster, and Star Light Ruby powdered to dust.
Rod stood up from the fragmented Sun Stone, the surplus Spiritual Energy had vanished, and the powerful force was entirely integrated into his soul.
The ceremony was a success.
Amendo and Horus appeared utterly exhausted; Kai’s statue outright broke apart.
Only the King seemed relaxed and contented.
"Little Rod, head to the Mechanical Research Institute; you need a thorough check-up."