Trish’s voice held an unmistakable surprise: "You’ve successfully undergone bloodline modulation?"
She remembered that the last time she saw Ailan, she was just an ordinary forest spirit. Though she had gained some intelligence, her form was still more plant-like, far from humanoid.
Now, the elegant female figure before her completely overturned her preconceived notions of tree spirits.
Ailan smiled faintly, her smile both gentle and slightly proud:
"Yes, Miss Trish. Thanks to my master’s bloodline modulation techniques, I have been able to restore myself to a form akin to our ancient ancestors."
Trish looked at Ron again with a newfound seriousness, having to reassess the capabilities and talents of her peer:
"Your bloodline modulation skills are indeed well-deserved. To modulate an ordinary tree spirit to this extent is nearly at the level of a professional modulator."
Having an official wizard as a master, her knowledge was quite extensive.
Thus, Trish was more aware of the challenges of bloodline modulation.
Even for professional modulators, it’s very difficult to elevate an ordinary tree spirit to this level.
Such a success requires not only a solid theoretical foundation but also an extremely deep understanding of the essence of life and terrifyingly precise operational skills.
"Ron." Trish set down her teacup with a smile on her face:
"Your workshop is flourishing, and the harvest from the bloodline altar is indeed rich. It shows that you’ve been in great shape lately."
Without needing additional words, Ailan, who was standing by not far away, had already used vines to serve her master tea.
As for Lily, who used to help him frequently, she had been so nervously exhausted these days that she completely relaxed yesterday and fell asleep, not yet awake even now.
"Thanks to the bloodline altar." Ron sat opposite her, observing the changes in Trish.
The girl’s demeanor was more mature and stable than before, her brown hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, revealing a beautifully lined neck.
The most noticeable change was her skin; originally fair, now it was even more crystal-clear, with faint green patterns visible. These were signs of the further activation of her forest elf bloodline.
Trish exuded a fresh aura, akin to morning dew in a forest, carrying a vibrant and lively vigor.
This change was apparent to Ron, who was familiar with bloodline traits.
Trish’s forest elf bloodline had been purified by at least twenty percent, which was quite a considerable advancement for someone who already possessed forest elf heritage.
It seemed even without the one-time metamorphosis brought by the "bloodline altar," she had made astonishing progress every day.
"Did you come by for a specific reason?" Ron asked, his voice calm, carrying just the right hint of curiosity.
There was a flicker of complex emotion in Trish’s eyes, as if she hesitated to speak.
Her fingers gently traced the rim of her teacup, a habit when she pondered:
"I’m here to say goodbye this time. The day after tomorrow, I’ll be heading to the Crystal Tower with my master, taking Master Valen’s gargoyle."
There was a touch of reluctance in the girl’s voice, but she made efforts to maintain the composure expected of a wizard.
In that instant, something seemed to flash in her eyes, deeper than friendship, yet quickly suppressed.
"It’s decided so soon?" Ron was somewhat surprised, instinctively sitting up straighter:
"I thought you would at least have some time left to prepare."
Valen was scheduled to leave in two days, and Corina seemed eager to take her student away from the Black Mist Jungle.
"The original plan was to leave several months later."
Trish nodded, her slender fingers still lingering at the teacup rim, as if seeking some sense of security from the simple motion:
"But the event with the bloodline altar changed my master’s mind. She thinks that the Black Mist School is no longer safe, especially for an apprentice like me with such a unique bloodline."
She took a deep breath, her eyes becoming resolute:
"My master said that the activities of the Eye of the Abyss have already infiltrated the core area of the school, and more ’awakened’ ones like Oliver and Cynthia might appear in the future. For my master, my safety seems more important than anything else."
Speaking of Corina, Trish’s tone carried an undeniable closeness, making Ron somewhat curious.
After all, in his impression, the silver-haired wizard was a cold and ruthless figure, hard to imagine her caring so much about an apprentice’s safety.
After a brief silence, Trish seemed to recall something and suddenly chuckled softly.
"Speaking of which, you might not know, Master Corina is completely different in private from the aloof image she presents."
"Oh?" Ron raised his eyebrow, signaling her to continue.
Trish’s eyes brightened with a rare ease, her lips curving with a gentle smile:
"She usually appears as cold as an iceberg, always with that white mask, but privately... she’s practically a life idiot."
Seeing Ron’s surprised expression, Trish’s smile grew deeper:
"Don’t doubt it, she doesn’t even know how to brew a proper cup of tea, always boiling the water too hot and then pouring it directly over the tea leaves, making it bitter and astringent.
Once, I couldn’t help but complain a little, and she actually got upset, saying she ’despised studying such low-level techniques’!"
Trish mimicked Corina’s tone, the deliberately exaggerated arrogance making Ron involuntarily smile.