Sensing Ronan’s arrival, Benny ceased his experimental work and glanced in his direction, greeting him with a simple nod.
There was no excitement or joy of old friends reuniting after a long time; it was as ordinary as if the last time they met was three days ago, not three years.
However, Ronan was deeply touched by the sight of Benny’s hair, which had turned almost completely gray, aging him by more than a decade.
Three years ago, during the second bloodline purification, the process was far from easy for him and those around him, including each person, tree, and snake.
For the full three years, Benny had not recovered from the deficit in his vital energy.
Ronan fell silent for a moment, then spoke to Benny about his upcoming departure.
"A gathering of genius wizards from all over the Southern powers?"
After pondering, Benny picked up a pen and hastily scribbled a long list on paper, handing it to Ronan.
"This is part of the materials needed for the subsequent cultivation of the Holy Blood Tree, as well as some items required to craft Fiona’s ’Eternal Magic Coffin,’ none of which are available in the Magic Ring.
The platforms for resource exchange available to you are ever-growing, so remember to keep an eye out if you have the chance..."
Ronan accepted the material list from Benny, scanned it briefly, committed the names on it to memory, and nodded to indicate he understood.
At that moment, the rustling sound reached his ears. Following the sound, Ronan saw tendrils of bright red, soft branches reaching out to him like a child’s hand, waving as if to greet him.
Every quivering leaf seemed to convey waves of cheerful and joyful emotions.
Ronan’s expression changed subtly as he followed the direction of the branches and slowly walked over to finally see the current Holy Blood Tree in the deepest part of the Magic Plants Garden.
— A tall and stout silver-gray trunk with the same colored elongated leaves forming an "umbrella"-shaped canopy, with each leaf emitting a faint glow that created a vast and dense silver halo.
The newly sprouted branches and leaves showed a striking crimson hue, while the more mature ones were more subdued in color. The trunk was adorned with complex and twisted patterns, resembling runes or ancient, mysterious totems.
Standing under the silver-gray tree, Ronan was enveloped by the hanging silver glow from the treetop. The speed of his blood flow quickened, rushing through his body like a surging tide, bringing about a sense of clarity and peaceful tranquility.
The Holy Blood Tree now exhibited a trace of the mysterious grandeur characteristic of legendary tree species, presenting an extraordinary sight.
"If it were a naturally grown Holy Blood Tree, at this stage, it would instinctively start cultivating its own descendants..."
Benny approached Ronan and said, "A Holy Blood Tree without descendants will find it hard to grow fully. The resources needed for this legendary species to mature are too much for an individual—or even a single power—to provide...
Only by allowing it to cultivate descendants and establish its own Holy Blood family or even a Holy Blood kingdom, can it become self-sufficient and continue to grow towards true legend..."
Ronan extended a hand and playfully intertwined it with the tender branches dangling from the Holy Blood Tree, his brow furrowing slightly, "You mean it needs a new environment and then a group of dedicated gardeners to take care of it?"
"That’s roughly what I’m saying."
"But where do we find these?"
Finding a new environment suitable for the growth of the Holy Blood Tree requires a location that is not easily discovered, otherwise, once recognized, this legendary tree species would certainly attract contention.
The issue of the Holy Blood descendants is even more troublesome. It involves totem worship, a complex relationship of provider and provided, and may require a large number of descendants, as Benny suggested—enough to form a tribe or even a population of a nation.
A Holy Blood Tree, along with a vast Holy Blood family, how large a land will they need for their survival?
How could such a secret be kept?
Ronan couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on, and seeing Benny’s furrowed brows, it was clear he was equally troubled.
The two of them, who had been ecstatic when they first got the Holy Blood Tree Seed, were now finally realizing that some things were simply beyond the control of two mere Level 2 Wizards.
After all, the amount of resources already invested in the early stages to cultivate the Holy Blood Tree to its current state was immeasurable.
Ronan was better off, having at least gained some benefits from the Holy Blood Tree, whereas Benny was truly helpless, his plan to resurrect his deceased wife hadn’t even officially begun.
They had both oversimplified the matter.
"Let’s take one step at a time, and for the rest..."
Ronan pursed his lips and said, "I will find a way."
Even he didn’t feel confident as he uttered these comforting words, and Benny didn’t say anything, just silently nodding his head.
At that moment, Ronan sensed the arrival of the Ice Crystal Demon Snake and greeted Benny as they both exited the Mini Secret Realm Space.
Emerging from behind the waterfall that concealed the entrance to the Secret Realm Space, Ronan saw a massive snake head, dignified and fierce, with a lone horn, slowly probing from outside the valley.
The crimson eyes of the snake calmly gazed at him, stirring a slight restlessness in Ronan’s blood related to the Ancient Frost Multi-Headed Snake Bloodline.
In the depths of the Consciousness Space, amidst shadows so dense they seemed impenetrable, it was as if some ancient, noble, and sinister presence had quietly opened its eyes.