Chapter 126: The Legendary Prodigy, Identity Exposed

In the quiet room, Sunan sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed.

After an unknown amount of time, he abruptly opened his eyes, a flicker of azure light flashing within them.

"Phew."

Letting out a long breath, Sunan's face lit up with a satisfied smile.

Checking his panel, his mental strength had increased to 44.11.

As he had predicted, after absorbing the purified divine energy extracted from the divine remains, his mental strength had surged by 2.85.

There was no denying the significant boost divine energy provided to mental strength.

"This should speed up the construction of my star rings considerably."

Originally, Sunan estimated that successfully constructing eighteen star rings would take at least forty to fifty years.

But with divine energy enhancing his mental strength, he might ascend to a formal wizard within twenty years.

"Of course, that depends on finding a new source of divine energy."

With the Spark Church now destroyed, the divine remains had lost their source of faith and had been drained of divine grace, reducing them to mere hard, lifeless remnants.

Their only use now was as experimental material for research.

Perhaps they could be useful in future physical enhancement experiments.

Sunan had considered keeping the pope alive, controlling a few high-ranking members to manage the Spark Church, and using its followers to produce divine grace through faith.

But the divine remains were far too sinister. The divine blood or sacred artifacts they produced would alter the minds and wills of those who came into contact, turning them into fanatical devotees eager to resurrect the Star God.

Such a group of zealots would be uncontrollable.

They would only create a new batch of enemies for him.

Moreover, without divine blood and sacred artifacts, the church couldn't develop solely on its teachings.

In a world with extraordinary powers, mere words couldn't cultivate faithful followers capable of providing faith.

After much consideration, Sunan decided to abandon the idea, opting to extract the divine grace from the remains for a more secure outcome.

As for divine energy, it wasn't exclusive to deities. Many ancestral spirits, totemic entities, and divine creatures also possessed divine energy.

Although their concentration was lower, that was no problem—he could use the cube to synthesize and enhance the concentration.

"Speaking of which, most divine creatures have ancient beast bloodlines. If I can find a divine creature, I might also extract their bloodline to create bloodline imprints."

Sunan recalled the bloodline imprints he'd learned from Aiwagni's experiment notes.

It was a practical and powerful combat technique.

The only issue was obtaining ancient beast bloodlines.

But he had been preoccupied with handling the underground world's affairs and dealing with the Spark Church, leaving little time to search for ancient beast descendants.

"The underground world supposedly has many ancient beast descendants. Once this war is over, I'll make time to search."

"I can also post a request for leads with the Forest Cabin."

Having completed his daily meditation, Sunan left the room.

His daily proficiency growth in the Star Ring Meditation method had now surged to over 4,500.

At this rate, he should be able to construct the fourteenth star ring before the Month of Flowing Fire (July) next year.

Leaving his residence, Sunan headed to the main building in the rear courtyard.

He was currently in Pointed Mountain City, located on the border of White Tower Province, a little over ten kilometers from Redleaf Province's territory to the northwest.

Both Shimmer Territory and White Tower Province's armies were gathered here, ready to invade Redleaf Province as soon as supplies were in place, to complete the final battle.

Walking along the paths of the Pointed Mountain City lord's estate, there were sentries every hundred steps, with fully armed patrols, making it heavily guarded.

Upon entering the courtyard where Ke Yi and Marquis White Tower resided, the level of security increased further.

In addition to numerous knight guards, dozens of stone golems were strategically placed throughout.

On the rooftops were over a dozen Twin-Blade Spiders.

Before the main building stood a towering steel golem, like an iron tower. Whenever someone passed, it would move its metal head, scrutinizing them until confirming no threat, then shifting its gaze away.

The servants passing through were all on edge, fearing the giant might suddenly smash them into pulp.

Inside the main building, Sunan found Ke Yi and Marquis White Tower discussing something in the hall.

Marquis White Tower, in his sixties, appeared in his forties due to his grand knight status, still in his prime.

He exemplified this vitality, reportedly fathering two sons and a daughter last year, greatly contributing to the family's lineage.

This was common among noble grand knights.

They aimed to leave behind as many descendants as possible while still capable, to strengthen their family with superior bloodlines.

Thus, having a grand knight in the family often signaled the family's rise.

Had the war not broken out, Lady Shimmer might have been pregnant again by now.

Ke Yi shared this view with most noble grand knights.

However, he hoped Sunan would spread his lineage, leaving behind offspring with wizard potential. Unfortunately, he couldn't persuade Sunan and had to give up.

Upon seeing Sunan enter, Marquis White Tower instinctively stood to greet him.

Facing a powerful wizard who had single-handedly dismantled the Spark Church and altered the course of the war, even a marquis dared not show disrespect.

"Good day, Lord Sunan."

"Good day, Marquis White Tower."

The two exchanged greetings.

Ke Yi smiled and said, "Sunan, you're just in time. We were discussing how to attack Redleaf Province."

"Any strategies?" Sunan asked casually as he sat down.

"Not exactly a strategy," Marquis White Tower chuckled, exuding confidence. "We'll march straight in; our chances are excellent!"

His confidence was justified. Times had changed.

The combined military strength of Shimmer Territory and White Tower Province now completely overshadowed Redleaf Province. Even without any strategies, they could defeat the enemy with a direct assault.

"My father-in-law is right," Ke Yi nodded in agreement, then added, "The only issue is the royal family's long-hidden third-circle legendary knight you mentioned."

After reading the secret records taken from Oveich's study, Sunan learned that fifty years ago, a prodigious talent had emerged from the royal family, becoming a third-circle legendary knight at just eighty, causing a sensation.

But the man had mysteriously disappeared.

According to the Spark Church's investigation, the third-circle legendary knight was reportedly still residing in the Starlight City palace.

Had it not been for this formidable figure, the Spark Church would have surely resorted to more aggressive measures to coerce the royal family into complying with their demands.

To be honest, Sunan was skeptical of this information.

After all, a third-circle legendary knight's lifespan was only about 120 to 130 years.

If the man were still alive, he'd be over 130 years old, likely close to death, his strength severely diminished.

Unless he had broken through to the fourth-circle legendary realm.

If that were the case, he'd have directly suppressed the Spark Church, needing no pretense, and could simply seize what he wanted, even the means to immortality.

A fourth-circle legendary knight's power could rival the top tier of third-circle wizard apprentices.

Even Oveich, capable of wielding divine grace, wouldn't stand a chance against a fourth-circle legendary knight.

Sunan speculated that if the man were still alive and his power hadn't waned, remaining formidable enough to deter the Spark Church, he had likely used some means to extend his life.

Regardless, knowing such a figure might exist prompted Sunan to prepare in advance.

This was why he was in Pointed Mountain City at this time.

If the man were indeed still around, he would likely make an appearance soon.

After all, the war was nearing its conclusion.

"If I'm not mistaken, that man should be Lord Evans," Marquis White Tower remarked nostalgically.

"When I was young, still training my body, not even practicing breathing techniques, merely a sword-bearer, Lord Evans was already the duchy's youngest third-circle legendary knight, the only one."

"My grandfather and the noble heirs of Lord Evans's generation couldn't match his talent. From the start of training, all his peers lived under his shadow."

"But for some reason, Lord Evans suddenly vanished. I asked my grandfather, but he always avoided the question, never revealing why."

"A truly legendary figure," Ke Yi remarked.

"But there's no need to worry," Marquis White Tower smiled. "With Lord Sunan on our side, even Lord Evans wouldn't be a match."

Ke Yi nodded in agreement.

His confidence in Sunan's prowess was built through a series of victories. No matter how formidable the enemy, he believed Sunan could handle it.

Sunan merely smiled in response.

He was quite interested in meeting this Evans.

Late at night, the Forest Cabin.

Another gathering after three months.

Attendees included Night Owl, Redheart, Rose, Remains, Scepter, Black Forest, and Sunan himself.

Except for the member who never appeared, everyone was present.

"By the way, what's the name of the remaining Forest Cabin member, and why do they never attend gatherings?"

Sunan finally asked the question that had been on his mind.

Night Owl chuckled, "He's called the Traveler, loves exploring and adventuring, often caught up in unexpected events, so it's not unusual for him to miss gatherings for years."

"The last time he appeared, he said he was exploring the underground world. He hasn't attended a gathering in three years; he might have died somewhere down there," Remains said with schadenfreude.

The underground world?

Sunan pondered, realizing the Traveler's nickname was apt.

After the pleasantries, the gathering moved to the trading phase.

With more attendees this time, the process lasted over half an hour.

When it was Sunan's turn, he was straightforward: "I need leads on ancient beast bloodline descendants."

Ancient beast bloodline descendants?

Everyone exchanged glances.

These weren't easy to find.

Such beings were either very powerful or lived in remote areas, making them challenging to locate.

Sunan raised a finger: "A valuable lead will earn you thirty magic stones."

"I'll keep an eye out," Rose immediately responded.

The others quickly agreed.

After all, it was just a lead, not requiring them to capture anything themselves. Earning thirty magic stones this way was worthwhile!

"Also, I'd like information about the Immortal Society," Sunan added.

The room fell silent.

Night Owl asked seriously, "Have you encountered someone from the Immortal Society?"

Sunan nodded slightly, "Yes, a third-circle wizard apprentice who controlled insects, likely fused with some insect beast bloodline."

"That guy is Ugo, a wizard apprentice with an insect beast bloodline, a nasty, treacherous fellow," Rose interjected.

"The Immortal Society is another wizard apprentice organization like ours?"

"More or less."

Night Owl nodded.

"The Immortal Society was founded by like-minded wizard apprentices."

"But their ideology is fundamentally different from ours."

"The Immortal Society's apprentices are obsessed with immortality, believing that given enough time, they will eventually become wizards. They relentlessly pursue any means to extend their lives."

Black Forest snorted, "The Immortal Society is full of lunatics, willing to do anything for immortality. The beastification calamity created by Herb was just a regular occurrence for them."

"But those lunatics usually operated in the northwest of the continent. Why would they suddenly come to Starlight..."

Mid-sentence, Black Forest realized his slip, awkwardly chuckled, and fell silent.

The others also remained silent.

Starlight Duchy was in the southeast of the continent, thousands of kilometers from the northwest, making Black Forest's question reasonable.

But how did he know Sunan encountered Ugo in Starlight Duchy?

Sunan's gaze swept around, noting everyone's reactions, and he understood.

It seemed the Forest Cabin members had deduced his identity.

Sunan was actually prepared for this.

The incidents in Blackstone City and Goldrock Province were confined to one province in Starlight Duchy, not prominent among the many countries in the southeast continent. It wasn't surprising that the Forest Cabin members, spread across the continent, hadn't caught wind of it.

But his offer of magic stones in exchange for the collection of divine blood amber had already drawn their attention to Starlight Duchy and the Spark Church. With his recent exploits of dismantling the Spark Church and toppling the royal family, it was impossible for them not to know.

If they couldn't deduce his identity at this point, the Forest Cabin members would be too slow-witted.

However, Sunan didn't mind.

Now that his power was established, with trump cards like the Golden Apple, Magic Rune Core, and high-level rune gems, he was confident in defeating any group of wizard apprentices who might come after him.

At this stage, he was less concerned about his identity being exposed.

Ultimately, quickly gaining power inevitably led to high-profile actions, and exposure was unavoidable.

As long as he had sufficient strength, he needn't worry about the consequences of being exposed.

"Ahem."

Night Owl cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"In any case, dealing with the Immortal Society isn't pleasant. Being targeted by them is not good."

"Player, you should be careful."

"I will," Sunan nodded calmly.

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