Ron carefully studied the map and noticed that the distribution of the dragon bone network indeed followed a clear pattern.
Different colored lines represented dragon bones of different elemental attributes, and where the lines intersected, they were often marked with special symbols.
"These intersection points..." He pointed to a golden circle on the map:
"Are the ideal places for bloodline activation?"
"Exactly right." Hayek nodded to confirm:
"The resonance effect of dragon race bloodline can activate the latent bloodline power within other creatures. Especially for individuals who already possess dragon ancestry, this effect is even more pronounced."
Magnus picked up a charcoal pencil and drew several circles on the map:
"Currently, there are known to be seventeen large intersections, forty-three medium intersections, and over two hundred small intersections."
"However..." His expression became somewhat helpless:
"These locations are basically all claimed."
A sense of urgency rose in Ron’s heart.
If all the elemental intersection points are occupied, then his plan to achieve a bloodline breakthrough will become extremely difficult.
"The large intersections are all controlled by three major forces." Hayek explained the situation in detail:
"The Life Tree School occupies seven of them, the Burning Scale Clan controls five, and our Sand Sea School owns three, while the remaining two are occupied by two independent Great Wizards."
"The situation with medium intersections is slightly better, but they are also mostly divided among various Dark Sun Level or Moon Level elites."
"As for small intersections, although they are numerous, their effect is limited for true bloodline breakthroughs."
Yuni noticed Ron’s concern and comforted him:
"However, there is still some opportunity. The control over these intersections is not permanent and can sometimes change for various reasons."
"For example?" Ron pursued the question.
"Challenge." Hayek answered succinctly:
"According to the traditional rules of the Quicksand Lands, any wizard can issue a formal challenge to the controller of an intersection point. The winner gains control, while the loser either dies or leaves this land forever."
"Of course, such challenges require considerable strength as a foundation." Magnus warned:
"Those who can occupy intersection points are not easy opponents."
Ron quickly assessed his strength in his mind.
With his current Moon Level cultivation, combined with various special abilities and equipment, handling ordinary Moon Level mages is no problem.
But challenging those who occupy medium intersection points at the Dark Sun Level is still somewhat ambitious.
"Are there any other ways besides challenging?" he asked.
"Cooperation." Yuni blinked:
"Some controllers are willing to share the usage rights of intersection points with others, though the cost is usually not trivial."
"Transaction." Hayek added:
"Use valuable enough resources or knowledge to exchange for temporary usage rights."
"Additionally..." Magnus lowered his voice:
"Wait. Some intersection points will have brief ’vacant periods’, during which anyone can use them."
Ron carefully thought about these options and began forming a preliminary plan in his mind.
With his current capabilities and resources, the risk of direct challenge is too high;
The cost of cooperation or transaction may be too great;
Waiting for a vacant period is too passive.
"Perhaps..." He pondered to himself:
"I can consider some more clever methods."
......
Night fell, and several masters successively bid farewell and returned to rest.
But Ron did not immediately sleep; instead, he stood alone at the window, continuing to observe the elemental glow in the night sky.
Those constantly changing patterns and colors were not only a beautiful landscape but also an intuitive representation of the distribution of power in this land.
He needs to understand this complex balance more deeply to find his opportunity.
As he was lost in thought, a soft knock came from inside the room.
"Please come in."
After the door opened, a young snake-woman entered.
She had the upper body of a human, the lower body of a snake, skin with a pale golden hue, and deep green eyes.
"Master Ralph, I am Sarah, responsible for providing various services during your stay."
Her voice carried the hissing tone unique to snake-men, but sounded quite pleasant:
"If you need anything, please let me know."
"Thank you." Ron nodded politely:
"I don’t have any special needs at the moment."
Sarah respectfully bowed and was about to leave, but Ron suddenly remembered something:
"Wait, I want to know more about the distribution of various forces. As a local, you should be quite familiar?"
A hint of surprise flashed in the snake-woman’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure:
"Of course, Master. However, this information is quite broad in scope; which part are you interested in?"
"The specific conditions of various intersection points and the strength and personality traits of their controllers."
Ron decided to gather more practical information from a local perspective.
Sarah thought for a moment and then began to introduce in detail:
"Among the intersection points controlled by the Life Tree School, the easiest to approach is the ’Fountain of Vitality’. The guardian there is Lady Emily, who is relatively gentle and sometimes allows outside paid use."
"Most of the intersection points of the Burning Scale Clan are heavily guarded, but ’Flame Canyon’ is an exception. The manager there, Young Master Baroque, is relatively young and spirited, and enjoys accepting challenges. If you have sufficient strength, you may consider a friendly contest with him."
"As for independent controllers..." Sarah’s expression became somewhat complicated: