Or perhaps, he had always been silently following behind him, it’s just that he never noticed.
But at this time, Ronan had no energy to contemplate these matters.
Ronan barely stabilized himself, and the person in the Grey Robe supporting him didn’t speak, casting from under the hood a gentle gaze tinged with admiration.
"It’s been so long... You are the first person who has managed to come this far."
An unusually young voice, clear and bright, Ronan always found it very familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere.
But under the current circumstances, this voice only made him think of an Oasis.
"Do you have.. water?"
Ronan’s cracked lips moved slightly, finally unable to hold back, he spoke with a voice so Weak that he could barely hear himself.
The person in the Grey Robe contemplated for a moment, then said, "There’s no water... Would something else be okay?"
As if a rusty metal brain was still turning, pondering the meaning of the Grey Robe’s words, the figure in front of him had already released his hold on Ronan, taking a couple of steps to the side.
He took something out of his bosom, slowly burying it into the soft sands beneath his feet.
Next, an incredible scene unfolded.
Ronan watched with his eyes wide open as the flat sand started to bulge upwards, and then a glittering golden sapling burst out from the sandy soil, growing rapidly...
In the blink of an eye, it turned into a lush apple tree.
The apple tree was entirely golden, as if forged from pure gold, every branch, every leaf glistened with a dazzling and luxurious shimmer.
There were only two apples on the tree, also golden, even emitting a glow akin to gold.
The Grey Robe clapped his hands, a satisfied tone in his voice, then on tiptoes, he carefully plucked the two Golden apples from the Golden Apple Tree, casually handing one to Ronan.
"Eat it, it’s tasty."
Noticing Ronan’s hesitation, the Grey Robe picked up the apple that was his own and took a crisp bite near his mouth.
A rich apple fragrance with golden juice spread out.
Ronan caught the scent, his Adam’s apple bobbing fiercely.
No longer able to endure, he took a big bite from the Golden apple in his hand, the fresh and sweet juice flowed like a spring, quickly moistening his palate.
Despite its golden texture and luster, its taste was a thousand times more delicious than a real apple.
This tiny Golden Apple seemed to possess a mysterious magic; as Ronan finished the entire apple, leaving only the inedible golden fruit core, his whole person was completely restored.
Strength, spirit... everything.
Ronan, rejuvenated, took a deep breath, he couldn’t wait to run to the shade of the Golden Apple Tree, sat down on the soft sandy ground with a plop, glanced at the golden fruit core in his hand, then looked up at the Grey Robe who was quietly watching him...
A strange gleam burst forth in his eyes.
He addressed the Grey Robe: "Thank you for the apple... Schiper."
Ronan pronounced that name word for word.
Indeed, once his brain function had resumed, he finally remembered why he found the voice of the Grey Robe so familiar.
Because he had heard it countless times, every time he used "Schiper’s Wanxiang Treasure Pearl"!
As for where he was right now...
It must be in a dream.
Like the dream of inheriting when he merged with the "Ancient Frost Multi-Headed Snake Bloodline."
He had seen, in the dream, the ancient sovereign who wielded Ice Frost... Then quenching his thirst with a fruit from a golden fruit tree in the desert was not so extraordinary.
Ronan sat under the apple tree, his gaze burning as he stared at the Grey Robe in front of him, staring at that face which was hidden under the hood and could not be clearly seen.
Schiper, the Legendary Wizard who left countless legends in every corner of the Upper Ring Continent... it was impossible not to be curious about the appearance of the other party.
Whether it was a dream or not, Ronan only wanted to catch a glimpse of the face from the ancient legends.
Confronted with Ronan’s fiery eyes and the assertive call of "Schiper," the Grey Robe seemed to chuckle.
He neither acknowledged nor denied it.
But he did not disappoint Ronan.
Casually, he reached up and flicked the hood from his head to the back.
The visage that presented itself before Ronan was exceedingly young, looking only a few years older than him.
Grey hair, black eyes.
The corners of his mouth seemed to always bear a hint of a smile, his eyes exceptionally bright, like gemstones.
The face that appeared from under the hood was neither handsome nor ugly but had a peculiar charm that made anyone who looked at it unable to forget.
This face fit very well with Ronan’s fantasy of "Schiper."
Such an open and warm voice seemed like it should be matched with such a clear and bright face.
Ronan’s gaze slowly softened.
Perhaps it was because he was influenced by Schiper’s temperament, or perhaps because he knew he was in a dream, so even when faced with the Legendary Wizard from the legends, he felt no great pressure and was unusually relaxed.
As if it was truly just a chance meeting with a traveler willing to share fresh apples during a trek in the desert.
"Schiper," biting his apple, sat down beside Ronan, the shade of the Golden Apple Tree just nicely shielding the two of them.
"Do you want to hear a story?"
"Schiper," looking out at the boundless golden desert, asked Ronan out of the blue.
Ronan nodded, preparing himself to listen attentively.