Ronan, however, remained silent, merely observing Orian’s current state.
Compared to the last time he saw him three years ago in the Silver Magic Ring’s Ascetic Tower, Orian had changed a lot.
The most significant change was the small silver mask he wore on his left cheek to cover up something.
Apart from that, the once sharp and dazzlingly bright Orian, like a golden crystal, had become much more reserved, exuding a markedly more mature aura.
Orian noticed Ronan’s intent gaze and after a moment’s thought, he reached up and removed the mask from his cheek.
Ronan narrowed his eyes slightly, to see that under the mask, Orian’s skin on the left cheek, around his eye and cheekbone, had completely rotted away. Even parts of the cheekbone and eyeball were exposed, and a foul stench emanated from the ghastly wound.
"It’s left by Andriel."
Orian said calmly to Ronan.
Ronan did not speak, having only recently become acquainted with the name Andriel.
The owner of this name was the current strongest inheritor of the "Ghost Poison Mask," one of three major Wizard Forces from the Southern region, primarily specializing in Undead and Poison Magic.
With considerable Strength, Andriel was a Late Stage Level 3 Talent, belonging to the First-tier Group of Geniuses and notoriously vicious. The mention of his name would turn many a Level 3 Wizard pale.
Ronan recalled the image of Andriel, but all that came to mind was a long and lean silhouette and the massive, green flame-engulfed Skull that the figure stood upon.
"My luck is relatively good... During that battle where we ambushed Andriel, on our side, three geniuses from Wizard Forces comparable to our own Silver Magic Ring fell, five were seriously injured, and two have not fully recovered even now..."
Orian’s fingers lightly tapped the rim of his teacup, speaking to Ronan in a detached tone as if discussing something unrelated to himself.
Ronan’s expression was complex, understanding why Orian’s demeanor had undergone such significant change after experiencing such a perilous battle.
Perhaps his goal had also shifted, no longer Jupiter, but "Ghost Poison Mask" Andriel.
"Is the gap that large?"
After a brief silence, Ronan spoke up.
Orian placed the mask back onto his face and responded, "More exaggerated than you could imagine.
Talent, brilliance, Strength, as well as legacy...
You can’t comprehend the despair and horror of that level unless you’ve faced it yourself."
Orian paused mid-sentence, then continued, "As far as I know, Lufer is not doing so well either.
He’s been constantly hunted by the inheritor of ’Giant Stone Peak,’ having nearly had his body blown apart twice..."
Ronan slightly furrowed his brow, recalling the foremost Talent of the Crimson Tower who had once unintentionally exchanged blows with him on the Goblin plain.
He remembered that the foe practiced some Ancient Blood Secret Technique which allowed him to transform into a monstrous figure with exposed flesh.
Physical robustness was apparently Lufer’s strong point, even able to withstand a head-on confrontation with Ronan’s own state of "Full Giant Demon Transformation" from three years ago.
To utterly shatter such a domineering body, not just once but twice, how formidable must his opponent’s Strength be?
Ronan thought for a moment before asking, "This is the first time I’ve heard the name of this force."
Orian replied, "Giant Stone Peak doesn’t refer to a Wizard Force; it represents a lineage of inheritance. There may only be a few, or even a single inheritor in each generation, their numbers not even comparable to ordinary small Wizard Forces.
But their inheritors can sometimes be even stronger than the top Geniuses of a large Wizard Force..."
Hearing Orian’s answer, Ronan showed a flicker of emotion, "Is the recently arrived Ewaqu one of them?"
Orian nodded, "However, the Ancient Spirit Witch lineage that Ewaqu represents is exceedingly rare, and it’s the first time it has appeared in the Southern region... This Battle of Heramus Genius Seat has already far surpassed the intensity of the previous two...
Even people from the Central region have come to join in the excitement."
Orian shook his head and took a sip from the teacup before him.
Ronan knew he was referring to Molli’er and Selena, but he didn’t elaborate on that point. Instead, he continued to inquire about Ewaqu, "What is this Ancient Spirit Witch lineage? Do you have any knowledge of it?"
Orian pondered for a moment, then said, "It seems you aren’t aware that in ancient times, what Wizards sought after... wasn’t the Bloodline."
Ronan’s interest was piqued, and he gestured for Orian to continue.
"Wizards pursued the immortality of the soul, so in the beginning, many pursuits of power... started from the soul."